#ic; fireborn

[quotemenevervore]

*comes out of the fic void after weeks to throw this and get dragged back in*

Content warnings: soft, safe g/t vore, character thinking they’re going to die or think it’s unsafe for a good chunk of the fic, fear and panic.

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

The morning had been a slow one, flurries falling around the city as Quackity watched through the window. He’d finished his paperwork for the day, and with the snow falling, he wasn’t gonna have Foolish work on any buildings. He didn’t wanna risk losing him as well, after everything that’s happened. The city itself was still in shambles, leftover destruction from Dream’s most recent scheme. With a sigh, he dug through his pocket to find his lighter and a spare cigarette, one that had been left by Wilbur. He, too, had vanished, and Tommy had told him what had happened. He sighed, lighting it and stepping out onto the balcony. Wilbur may not have any qualms about making the office smell of cigarettes, but the blackette certainly did.

He spent a lot of his time nowadays like this, smoking and reminiscing about the past. The cold air sucked the warmth from his fingers, made the chain around his neck icy cold. The rings themselves still rested against his heart, the only way they stayed warm in the freezing weather. He didn’t even know why he wore them anymore; not even Sapnap had come to check on him after the fight, and he knew that everyone saw the death message. It seemed that they’d finally given up on him.

Like you knew they would, a voice sounding so unlike his own whispered in his head. It was only a matter of time. Abruptly putting the cigarette out, he turned back to the door, effectively cutting the thoughts off and stepping back inside to the warmth of the office.

And yet… his veins flooded with ice when he stepped in.

There was a glass jar on his desk, one that had not been there when he’d stepped out. It wasn’t the jar itself, no. It was the contents of the jar. Inside, slumped against the side of it and clearly exhausted, were his ex-fiancés. They had to have been shrunken to only a few inches tall, and yet he could still make out most of their features; Karl was asleep, hair disheveled and limbs curled awkwardly against his fiancé. Sapnap was also asleep, but he didn’t seem to be any different than usual, only shrunken.

A dark tendril curled in his core at the realization that he could do anything to them, and nobody would be any wiser. Sapnap wouldn’t be his target, prime no. Sapnap hadn’t been the one who screamed at him, who broke their engagement and tore apart his already fractured heart.

But… Sapnap would be deeply upset if he caught Quackity hurting Karl. And he didn’t have a whole lot of time at the moment anyway, he never knew when someone would come to his office. Foolish hadn’t been happy to be told that rebuilding was on hold, after all. Frowning, he thought over his options.

He wanted Karl to see how badly he hurt him. He didn’t necessarily have to kill him to do that, but he couldn’t up and hurt or toy with him if Sapnap was around. He didn’t want to lose the damaged relationship he had with the fireborn. He… could scare him, though. Carefully and quietly unscrewing the lid, he pulled the unconscious brunette out of the jar, replacing the lid with a soft click. Pulling him closer, he took in the man’s features.

He was paler than he should have been, and the bags under his eyes stood out prominently against his cheeks. His hoodie seemed baggier than it had been before, and Quackity was surprised to feel a twinge of concern. Karl didn’t seem to be taking care of himself anymore, and Sapnap has apparently just been.. letting him. He steeled himself, reminding himself of everything he’d put him through, and opened his mouth wide enough to safely place him inside.

He wasn’t going to hurt him yet. If he even chose to hurt him at all, at this point. It seemed he’d been doing a good enough job of that himself. He was just going to put him in his crop, effectively cutting off the contact between him and Sapnap. He can interrogate him later on, when Sapnap had settled in a little better with him while he tried to figure out how they’d wound up like this. For now, he didn’t trust letting the fireborn out of his sight.

The unconscious form barely even twitched as he gently rolled him around, getting him covered in saliva so that the trip down didn’t hurt either of them. Or wake him up, Quackity realized. He’d freak out if he woke up before he was fully in his crop. Well, he’d freak out either way, but it would take him longer to figure out what had happened if he woke up in his crop.

Deeming him slicked up enough, he nudged him back towards his throat with his tongue, keeping close attention on him in case he began to wake up. With barely a stir, he gently swallowed. It took two swallows to get his lanky body down, and he trailed the limp form down with a hand as his mind drifted back to the situation at hand.

Someone had shrunk his fiancés, and he needed to find out more.

~ ~ ~

Sapnap wasn’t sure what had happened when he woke up. All he knew was that his head was pounding, and he felt strange. It took a while for him to be able to open his eyes, but he almost regretted it the second he did. The world around him was warped, somehow.. but it looked like an office. If the office was built by Foolish for his giant form.

Looking up, he saw a metal roof, and something finally clicked for him: the area looked warped because he was inside a jar. And the office, it must have been giant because he’d been shrunk! Slamming his hand against the jar, he tried to break the glass, but even he could feel how thick it was. There’d be no shattering it, even if he were to try using his fire to do so. Instead of his hand, he slammed his shoulder against it, trying to knock the jar to it’s side. Several minutes passed, and all he earned himself was a sore shoulder.

A muffled sound got his attention, and his head snapped over to the balcony door where- oh, fuck. Not only was he shrunken and in someone’s office, he was in Quackity’s office. He hadn’t seen him since.. the fight. The avian walked back to the desk, sitting down and pulling his paperwork back to him with a sigh. He only glanced at the jar a moment, but upon realizing the other was awake he had the other’s full attention.

“Hang on, I’m turning the jar.” Sapnap stepped back as he reached over, carefully turning the jar on its side and unscrewing the lid. The fireborn hesitated only a moment before coming out of the jar and sitting down a little ways away from the giant. He couldn’t help the instinctual fear he felt from looking up at the other, even if he trusted Quackity wouldn’t hurt him.

“So, do you have any idea how this happened?” He shook his head. “I was just sleeping at Kinoko, then I woke up in that jar.” The other hummed in acknowledgment, tapping his pen against the paper absentmindedly. “I didn’t even know this was a thing until now.” “Me either.” Sapnap admitted.

A small silence followed, but the avian cut it short. “I will do my best to look into this, but until then, it may be safer for you to stay here.” The fireborn sucked in a small breath, knowing that mentioning Karl would be a bad idea. Someone needed to take care of him, but.. Quackity wasn’t likely to let him go home like this. Maybe.. maybe some of the other Kinoko members can check in on him. Hopefully George wouldn’t be completely knocked out the whole time he’s gone… “Yeah, probably.”

Quackity could tell what was bothering the other, and he sighed. “I’m sure Karl will be fine until I figure out what happened.” “Yeah…” He really wouldn’t be if he got any worse. He was barely remembering to eat as it was. But there were more pressing matters at the current hand, such as the giant hand sitting right in front of him. Jerking back, he looked up to the other’s face. “I'm not gonna make you stay in my office all the time, we’re gonna go to my house.” “You have a house?” “Well, I’m currently staying in a penthouse in one of the standing hotels. The rest of the damn country got blown to kingdom come thanks to Dream.”

Sapnap carefully clambered onto the other’s hand, trying not to overthink the whole situation. He was crawling into his fucking fiancé’s hand, while his other one is at home continuing to get worse. Hell, he doesn’t even know how this happened- did something similar happen to Karl? The hand curled slightly around him, steadying him as Quackity started to leave the office, locking the door behind him.

The strangest thing to Sapnap, as he was held against the other’s chest, is that he swore he could hear Karl. But that couldn’t be right, right? Surely he’s just imagining it since he’s really worried..

~ ~ ~

Karl had had the strangest nightmare. Dream had been chasing him down, taunting him that he’d ruined his relationship with his fiancés to trip him up. No matter how fast he ran, Dream always seemed a step ahead, and threw a weird potion at him. And when he woke up, he was held tightly in a now giant Dream’s fist, which only tightened as he understandably panicked and thrashed. The last thing he heard before he felt his bones strain under the pressure was , “Don’t worry. Your precious fiancé will join you soon.”

He woke up with a gasp, breathing the muggy air in heavily as his heart tried to calm down. Jame- Sapnap must have had a similar nightmare, if the warm and restrictive surroundings meant anything. Not even counting the loud heartbeat he could hear, the loud whoosh of air as he breathed deeply in and out. But when he opened his eyes.. Sapnap wasn’t there. Plus, his surroundings seemed damp- was this another tale? Was he teleported in his sleep? Dammit, he usually woke up when that happened!

He sat up, eyes narrowing as he tried to decipher what was going on. So his surroundings were damp, dark, and warm, and also incredibly soft. It held him kind of tightly, like an embrace. It seemed to move around him, like it was- he gasped, scrambling back and flinching when his back hit a wall. He was in something. He was in something living, he’d been eaten!

“Hey! Can you hear me? Please let me out!” He kicked his feet out, hands scrambling for purchase against the walls- the stomach walls, which could start secreting acid at any moment- “Please!” He shrieked, panic overtaking him as he started to thrash in his confines. “I can’t- Let me out!”

He struggled for as long as he could, but he already had so little energy to begin with, and he went limp with a shudder, panting for air as tears began to stream down his saliva-coated face. He hadn’t even made a bruise, he didn’t think. There’d been no pained noise from whatever had eaten him. All he’d done was wear himself out. Maybe.. maybe he could sleep through it. Could just respawn in the In Between, lose his second life and just hide away. He couldn’t get away from XD or his demands, but he could hide from everyone to keep them safe.

His tears only slowed because he let his eyes drift close, and he finally let his mind drift off.

~ ~ ~

Quackity felt slightly guilty as he watched his fiancé sleep on the pillow beside him. His other hand smoothed over his abdomen, where his other fiancé had just went back to sleep. He wasn’t going to lie: the hurt, the fear and misery in Karl’s voice made a dark,dark tendril of satisfaction curl around his heart. He’d finally given the other man the treatment he’d put him through. But..

He’d be lying if the other’s hiccuping sobs didn’t also twist his heart in a way that threatened to break it. He’d only just started quieting down when Quackity got them all to his room, and by the time he had both Sapnap and himself laid down for the night, he could tell the other was already asleep. But while he and Sapnap slept, the avian himself was plagued by his emotions, his heart warring over itself over and over again. On one hand, Charlie’s words kept echoing through his head, repeating his own lessons to him. And even his own commentary..

Is revenge worth it? …No.

And yet… he still found himself justifying his actions. He sighed, letting his eyes fall shut. He wouldn’t sleep, he knew that, but he could rest his eyes at the very least.

In the morning, he brought some food and water to Sapnap, leaving it and the tiny man on the floor so he could roam around. “I’ll let you know when I’m at the door, and I’ll give you time in case you’re right behind it before I open it, okay?” “Sounds fine to me.” Sapnap already knew he couldn’t squeeze under the door, and climbing stuff could lead to him falling and dying to the fall damage, so he simply accepted his current situation. Not imprisonment, because as soon as he thinks of it like that he’s screwed. But he just can’t do much on his own at the moment, and that was fine. It had to be.

Quackity offered him a soft smile and a goodbye before he closed the door, sighing as he began his path to his office. The snow had ended, and Foolish was eager to work again so he had to be there to get the estimate that the other had for him. He put Karl on the back burner for the moment, reminding himself to let him out so they both could eat later on. He just wanted the other to start looking normal so he’d feel less guilty, is all. He tried to erase the guilt from his heart as he shut the door to his office.

And now he waited.

~ ~ ~

“-And I’m telling you that that might not work.” Karl’s eyes snapped open when he heard someone speaking, his brain registering it as Drew- no, Helga?- Quackity. Quackity was speaking, and his voice seemed like it was echoing through the organ that he was still in. “Quackity..?” He whispered, eyes wide in disbelief. Quackity sounded too close to be anything but the person who had eaten him. But how was he still alive?

There was no way he wasn’t trying to kill him, not after what had transpired between them. He did not remember the fight fully, it all vague and fuzzy, but he had enough pieces to put it together. He remembered the rainy evening, the distress he felt, the distraught on his fiancés face when he told him to make Quackity leave, and Quackity’s own hurt and anger that he threw right back at him. Quackity wanted him to suffer, and he chose the worst fate he could think of to bestow on him.

Which… also meant that the nightmare he’d had hadn’t been a nightmare. It had to have been real, how else would Quackity have managed to swallow him otherwise? He was confused, scared and above all just upset, and it made itself known when a sob tore itself out of his throat unexpectedly. Everything around him seemed to still, and he slapped a hand over his mouth, terrified. Quackity had to have known he was awake. His shoulders continued to shake with muffled cries as he heard the larger dismiss whoever he’d been speaking with before. A few moments passed, and something pressed against him.

“Relax, you’re safe.” “Safe!?” “It’s a crop, it’s not my actual stomach. Chill out.” The nonchalant, bored tone that Quackity had made him sick with worry. He bit back another sob, thinking about lashing out and hitting at him again. But then he’d probably just get put into his stomach.. But wasn’t he just gonna end up there when he finally got done with him? He hadn’t even realized he started shaking until a soft sigh came from above and the pressure against him started moving.

His hand. It had to have been his hand.

“…Why-“ he wasn’t proud of his voice cracking, and when he realized what he was asking he stopped. Why would you do this? As if he didn’t already figure it out. And it seemed that Quackity knew what he was going to ask, because he remained silent for a moment before responding, bitterness evident in every word. “You know why.” And, yea, he did now, but he hadn’t even remembered what had happened between them. Between the tales, XD’s constant games, and him getting nowhere closer to getting a grasp on his abilities, he hasn’t been able to get his memory back together again. He can’t even remember the last time he updated his memory book..

But Quackity wouldn’t believe that. He knew that for a fact. So instead of responding, he fell limp against the wall, trying to keep his tears at bay. He was going to die thanks to something he couldn’t even control. He still shook, unable to stop the fear still running through him, but he was not comforted again.

~ ~ ~

He didn’t even realize he’d fallen asleep until his eyes snapped open as the organ around him squeezed inwards. His brain caught on quickly, and he flailed his limbs around. No, please, I don’t wanna go like this- “Karl, stop.” The command was harsh, and he flinched, the walls squishing him into a ball. He panted, tears already streaming down his face. He wanted to at least say goodbye to Mas- Sapnap, and George-

“You’re not dying. I'm bringing you up.” His words were softer than before, and the shift hurt his already confused brain. But he got the gist of what the other wanted, holding still and hoping against everything that he was just bringing him out.

Thankfully, he’d been right. Squished back up through the tight muscles of his throat wasn't all too pleasant, and seeing the sharp teeth before him when he’d finally escaped the pressure only spiked his heart rate. But he was gently grabbed by the man’s tree-like fingers, and deposited onto the desk. Beside him sat a cracker, with a slice of meat and cheese atop it, along with a small container full of water. There was a large, possibly twice the size of himself, sandwich set on a plate not that far away. A drink was also there, though Karl couldn’t tell what it was.

He turned back to the giant once he’d sat himself down, questioning the small meal obviously meant for him. “You have to eat too, I’m not that cruel.” His eyes and words were emotionless, and the neutral line of his mouth didn’t give the brunette any less anxiety. He.. thought about running. Jumping off the desk, see if he survived the fall damage then running off to find himself a solution to the tale he was in. He hadn’t even scooted that far to the edge before a hand shot out, wrapping tightly around him as he was yanked upwards to be face to face with the now irritated Mexican.

“If you’re going to kill yourself anyway, I’ll gladly just eat you. Otherwise, I’d eat what’s provided.” He swallowed nervously at the words, body jerking from fear, but did not make another attempt to jump when he was set back down. He wondered idly if the aches he felt were phantom pains or if he’d just been bruised, but he didn’t mention it. He simply sat down and started eating the food provided to him.

If he pushed any further, would he be denied food and water as well?

“I’m sorry..” he mumbled, though it went unheard as the other continued his sandwich. A shudder went through his body as he thought of every way he could be tormented by his former fiancé. He could be bitten, starved, swallowed into the other’s actual stomach, the other could literally crush his bones in his fist if he wanted to- his shoulders jerked with a sob, but he forced himself to be quiet, shoving a piece of cheese into his mouth to muffle the cries threatening to escape. Anything that could get him in trouble he needed to avoid. He just needed to behave, and maybe he’d be released.

Hopefully.

When they both had finished eating, he was swallowed again, and while he didn’t fight, he couldn’t stop the shivers wracking his small form. They barely relaxed when he slipped into the other’s crop again, this time recognizing it for what it was. He took a deep shuddery breath, pressing his back against the closest wall to him. All he could do now was behave and pray the other would have mercy on him.

~ ~ ~

They continued like this for about a week, Karl refusing to speak unless it was to answer a direct question. Strangely enough, the questions themselves weren’t what he expected. He’d expected taunting and scathing remarks, and instead was asked if he’d had enough to eat or enough water to drink. He’d been granted access to the desk, as long as he didn’t try to jump off of it again while the other finished eating. And even then, he barely utilized it, too scared to be seen as stepping out of line.

He’d been with Quackity for long enough that he knows he has Sapnap as well, and he knows the other is purposely keeping him from knowing Karl’s whereabouts, and keeping them separate. He wonders if that’s part of his punishment. He wished he’d remembered sooner, he wished he never opened his mouth that night. Maybe then he wouldn’t be sitting in the crop of one of his fiancés wondering when he was going to be killed.

There was a part of him that held out hope, that Quackity would realize he didn’t want to do this and free him, or even just let him see Sapnap again before he killed him. He knew after everything he was probably beyond forgiveness, so all he wanted was mercy. But today seemed different, and Karl had a feeling when he woke up that his time was running out. Quackity didn’t speak to him once, nor let him out for both of them to eat. He hung his head in resignation and hoped it wouldn’t be too painful.

~ ~ ~

Quackity had a nightmare unlike the others. In this one, he was put in the same situation he put Karl in, but it had been Schlatt to do it. And then it changed to Charlie at some point, the lessons going through his head again before he was killed, and jolting awake. He was amazed he didn’t wake Karl or Sapnap up, carefully sitting up to get ready without disrupting either. He left food and water for Sapnap, placed his pillow on the floor, and shut the door.

He threw himself into his work, be it physical labor or paperwork. And yea, he should stop, he should let Karl out, get them both fed, but every time he tried to, his anxiety crept up and locked his body up. Foolish had noticed it as well, and told him to head back to his house for the day. Thanking him, and reminding himself to give the totem some extra gems as payment for looking out for him as well as everything else, he went back to the room.

Which led them to now, where Karl had started fidgeting slightly but hiding the movement to the best of his ability while Quackity read a book to distract himself with Sapnap sitting on the desk he was sitting at. But distractions can only work for so long, and Sapnap hadn’t had anything to distract himself from his worry about his memory-losing fiancé. Finally, after a week of staying with Quackity, he built up the courage to ask.

“…Can you do something for me?” Sapnap asked quietly. It was unlike him, catching Quackity’s attention instantly. He put the book he’d been reading to the side, giving the fireborn his full attention. “What?” “I.. know you aren’t a fan of Karl anymore. And I understand why you’d still be upset over what happened. But.. Can you please check on him?” He knew his face had twisted into a frown, but his attention became divided and he wasn’t focusing on hiding his expression.

Karl hadn’t fought back since that first outburst when he released him the first time. Not even when he continued to release him and let him eat, which the dark part of his brain wanted him not to. And yea, he did seem a little weaker from not moving but the bags under his eyes were fading, meaning he was finally getting better. It… warmed his heart, unfortunately. It seemed that the brunette finally realized he wasn’t going to be truly eaten every time he’s stored, and he wasn’t shaking anymore. Until today, that is.

But the main thing is that he also never spoke. Karl was a very vocal person, it was part of the reason Quackity liked him so much. And since the outburst, he hasn’t spoken more than a few words. He knew he cried, but that dark part of his mind relished in it, like it relished when Dream begged and cried. It.. was starting to make him feel sick.

He’d been having nightmares about his second death that whole week. About what Charlie, his closest friend since his fiancés, said before killing him.

You are not a good person.

No, he wasn’t. And he was down to his final life, having nobody but his shrunken and distraught fiancés to keep him company when he caused their divide to begin with. He sighed heavily, overcome with conflict. “..why?” Sapnap shrunk back at the question, but he didn’t flinch. “It’s just… I can’t rely on George to watch over him. He’s always sleeping now, I can’t ever wake him up. And prime knows Dream’s probably got-“ “What does that have to do with Karl?” Sapnap looked worried, tail flicking with nervousness.

“Karl.. doesn’t really remember things anymore. He doesn’t remember me half the time. I.. that night, I thought he’d been playing a sick joke, and I confronted him and he just broke down. He sounded so scared. I’ve.. I've tried my best to keep up with him, help him remember stuff like eating or showering or anything and he won’t. He keeps disappearing, coming back injured or shaky and he keeps calling me by a different name and it’s hard to take care of him alone-“ Quackity’s eyes widened and he raised a hand towards Sapnap to get him to stop. “Breathe, Sapnap. You have to breathe.”

“He probably didn’t want me telling you.” He rasped out before the stern look of the avian finally stopped him. Quackity leaned back as he caught his breath, mulling over everything Sapnap had spilled. Karl was having memory problems. It doesn’t explain why he’s been disappearing, but it does explain the outburst, at least. He wasn’t willing to forgive yet, especially considering that Karl seems to remember what he’d done now. Though, Sapnap probably reminded him every time he didn’t remember.

But… that made sense. The bagginess to his clothes, the paleness to his skin, the severe bags under his eyes… Karl wasn’t taking care of himself. He wasn’t remembering to. It was like he’d become a shell of who he used to be. And Sapnap hadn’t been letting him shrivel up, he’d been trying his damndest to get through to him.

…Suddenly, revenge didn’t feel so nice.

“You’re going to hate me.” Quackity muttered, shaking his head. He knew he had to admit the truth. There was no way he could keep this charade up, not anymore. “Please, Quackity-“ “It’s not that. I.. can’t go check on Karl because he’s here.” Letting Sapnap process that, he started the process of bringing his other fiancé up. Karl didn’t even squirm, surely he knew what was happening now.

At least this time he did deserve his fiancés’ anger.

Gently spitting him into his palm, he didn’t spare Sapnap a glance as he dried the other off with a sleeve. He couldn’t see the hurt, the anger from him. He already felt guilty enough. Quickly drying him off to the best of his ability, he placed the brunette down beside Sapnap and pulled away from the desk, moving his chair away to give them space.

“Sapnap!” “Karl!” He tackled the other in a hug, not caring about the residual saliva soaking into his clothes. He pulled back enough to look at his face, surprised to see the bags under his eyes almost completely faded. He seemed to have more energy as well, yanking the other back into a hug. “I thought he was gonna kill me..” he whispered into the fireborn’s ear. “I’m sorry-“ “But he didn’t. He even took care of me. Why?” Sapnap shook his head. “I don’t know.” His eyes shifted to watch the avian, who remained a good distance away and was avoiding eye contact. He didn’t miss the shift in the air, the guilty silence he was emitting.

“So..” he cleared his throat, catching the other’s attention. There was still no eye contact from him, though. “Is there a reason you ate Karl?” “Stored, not eaten. And I think you can figure that out on your own-“ “But the way you’ve been acting lately tells me that you’re out for blood from anyone who’s wronged you. Karl’s included in that, so why..?” Quackity looked at the two, expression unreadable. Eventually, his shoulders slumped, and he sighed. “I’m on my last life, Sapnap. I’ve lost everyone I cared about. Hell, Las Nevadas is still completely demolished despite me and Foolish working on it. I don’t want to go out in a blaze of overworking only for everything to crumble down like Wilbur did, and I already feel like I’m too far down that path to change.”

“Quackity..” “I’m tired. I thought safety lied in power, and I’ve been proven wrong three times now. The only reason I haven’t given up on this place is because Foolish hasn’t. And if he has, he hasn’t shown it.” Yet.. He forced himself to continue. “There’s no point in getting revenge anymore. All it’s gotten me is scars and pain. Besides, I hadn’t known the whole story behind Karl until now.”

The brunette startled at the mention of his name. “Me?” “Your memory problems. It explains why you yelled at me, you didn’t remember who I was. And you looked like shit when I first pulled you out of that jar, like you hadn’t been taking care of yourself.” Karl looked away, embarrassment tinging his cheeks pink. “I try..” “It’s not your fault. You can’t really control the fact that you can’t remember.” Hesitantly, he scooted his chair closer to the desk. When neither tiny flinched away, he scooted close enough that he could rest his head on his hands on the table to be close to eye level with them.

Sapnap came forward, sitting right in front of him while Karl stayed his distance. He didn’t blame the man, but his heart did hurt at that. When it had just been the two of them, when he let him out to eat, he’d sat close by. Did he do it out of fear? He couldn’t let his mind linger on it, guilt already eating away at his core. Instead, he chose to breach the other topic consuming his thoughts.

“How long has the memory loss gone on for?” He asked softly. Karl looked guilty, sad and scared all in one, and it made Quackity want to recoil and give them distance again. Karl broke his gaze first, fiddling with his sleeves nervously. “Since before Mex- El Rapids. It’s why I begged everyone to leave, something told me it wasn’t safe there anymore.” “And you didn’t think to let me know? Send a quick message saying ‘Hey we’re leaving I don’t think it’s safe here anymore’?” The look on Karl’s face told him what he knew the answer was going to be. “I’m sorry, I for-“ “But Sapnap doesn’t have memory issues.” He gently cut the other off. Sapnap looked guilty as well. “I do take blame for that, and for not inviting you to Kinoko or reaching out sooner. Karl told me he’d done it, and by the time it occurred to me that he probably forgot to, I couldn’t trust him to be alone long enough for me to find and explain everything to you. I searched for months, Quackity. And I already told you about George, he’s asleep all the time. He looks like shit too, but nobody can ever get him up or keep him up.”

Quackity sighed. “I.. can’t forget the shit you said to me, Karl. You really fucking hurt me.” “I know..” tears welled in the shrunken man’s eyes. “But, I may be able to forgive you, now that I know the whole story.” The hope in his other fiancé’s eyes made him continue. “And, I’m sorry for trapping you in my crop and not taking your fear seriously.” “I wasn’t scared the whole time, I kinda figured you weren’t trying to kill me for a while.” “Then I’m sorry I didn’t take your distress seriously. I just got lost in my want for revenge again that-“ “Again?” “Purpled wanted to take my second life. Dream backed him up and so did my right hand man.” “Why would Dream want revenge on you?”

“I went to the prison every day, trying to get him to give me the revival book. It was after he murdered Tommy. I..” he felt reluctant to continue, knowing it would upset Sapnap and Karl both, but everything should have been on the table to begin with. He won’t make the same mistake again. “I snuck in weapons. Or, Sam let me in actually. We came to an agreement about it.” Sapnap sucked in a breath. “You tortured him?” “Yeah.” He felt proud when his voice didn’t hold the same bored tone it had when he spoke about torturing Dream in the past. It was progress.

Maybe he did need the lesson from Slimesicle.

“I can’t kill Dream.” Sapnap spoke up. He didn’t seem too upset about the torture, but he could have also developed a good poker face. “There’s a fucking god that won’t let me.” “Really?” “It’s, what’s his name- I found the opposite of the revival book. The book of death. I wrote Dream’s name in it and he showed up and told me I couldn’t kill him. He said if I tried despite the warning, he’d erase me from existence.” “What?” “Yeah. So, I couldn’t kill him when he escaped.” Quackity nodded, not quite understanding why he was being told this.

Karl caught on faster, realizing that they were sharing the secrets they couldn’t spill to just anyone. Perhaps… they were doing it as a way to rekindle their relationship? Showing that they can trust each other? “I’m a time traveler.” If felt foreign, coming out of his mouth put that way. But he didn’t let himself back down. He wanted to fix things just as much as the other two seemed to want to. When he had both fiancés attention, he continued. “I know it’s like impossible and-“ “There’s been crazier stuff on this server, man. I believe you.” “Could it be causing your memory loss?” Both sounded genuine and concerned, and it made him want to cry. He’s been dealing with all this alone for so long- why didn’t he confide in them sooner?

“There’s a god, XD-“ “That’s the fucker! Sorry, sorry. Continue.” “Right, so he gave me the ability to travel through time, forwards and backwards, except he never gives me the power to control it. He says he does, he says I can learn it, but I still just keep randomly being pulled across time. I’ve met so many variations of ourselves, our ancestors, our descendants, and they’ve tried to kill me or I’d have no choice but to kill them and-“ Quackity gently scooped him into his hand, using his other hand to run a finger down his back. “Breathe, Karl. You’re starting to panic.”

Sapnap sat in thought for a moment, piecing everything they’d been told together. “That explains everything.” He looked up at the two, raising a hand towards Karl so Quackity got the hint and picked him up too. “The memory loss, the absences, calling me by different names- it’s all because of the time traveling.” Karl nodded, sniffling. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys sooner, I just didn’t want to be disregarded.” “Karl.” Quackity’s voice had softened. He hadn’t realized the extent of what his fiancé had been suffering through alone, and it made him feel awful. He found it a lot easier to forgive the outburst now. “We never would have turned you away for something like that. It would have saved us all a lot of heartbreak, honestly. I understand your fears, trust me. But you two were the ones who told me I shouldn’t live under them. We all have skeletons, but you shouldn’t have had to face this alone all this time. I’m sorry I didn’t notice.” “You weren’t supposed to. Must have done a pretty good job hiding it, then.” He offered a smile. “Seriously, though. You could have told us sooner, we may have been able to catch onto it and help you before it got this bad.” Sapnap added. “I’m sorry.” “You have nothing to apologize for, mi amor.”

The confusion on the brunette’s face at the nickname yanked on Quackity’s heartstrings, and he came to an impulsive decision. Lifting both his fiancés up to his face, he pressed a kiss to both of them, his lips taking up a good amount of their faces. Sapnap gasped at first, breaking off into laughter as he squirmed from the affection trap he’d been placed in. A smile stayed on the avian’s face as he pulled away, looking at both his fiancés with adoration.

Karl had turned red, confusion and worry flooding his features. “But.. I thought-“ “I can’t say I can’t forgive you knowing the full truth now. You’ve been suffering enough, you don’t need me adding onto it.” “You never did..” Tears finally started to spill from his eyes, and Quackity was quick to reassure, unknowing if they were sad or happy tears. “By separating from you two. By not reaching out myself. I should have, but I thought you guys were just busy for a bit. I could have kept your memory from twisting around and making you believe that I had been guilty of taking your first life.” “Oh, can we not deal with the fucking logistics of everything? I want to kiss you both!” Both fiancés laughed at the fireborn’s outburst, and more at his pout, but they indulged him regardless, Karl kissing him before Quackity smothered both of them with another kiss.

Things weren’t perfect, not by a long shot. And they wouldn’t be until they find out how this had happened, and how to reverse it along with helping Karl with his time traveling issues. But, Quackity had one life left, and he was going to be damned if he didn’t spend it with the two men he loved. He was going to make sure they were going to be okay.

#mcyt g/t #mcyt gt #mcyt vore #safe vore #soft vore #g/t vore #fear play #dsmp gt #dsmp g/t #dsmp vore

[sootbonnie]

(( cw: vent , remixed as worldbuilding ))

lately, when i look in the mirror, i notice my flame being a lot more stagnant and stifled. my mood hasn't been great for the past month; at times, i feel myself overheating until my head begins fracturing. now, i'm afraid my head will explode and cause some sort of property damage — i don't think the flame protection talismans are meant for that kind of energy discharge.

the overheating is becoming a problem because occasionally, my flame will flare up violently...and inadvertently cause mild burns to anyone nearby. i've been trying to not interact with Travelers as much nowadays because of that.

i was reviewing some scientific literature regarding Elementals when i stumbled upon this line...

"One of the most dangerous things a Fireborne can do is prevent their own flame from burning bright. Research on this is limited due to the scarcity of Fireborne individuals, but anecdotal evidence suggests this is detrimental to Fireborne physiology and psychology."

usually, smothering your own flame for a short period of time isn't an issue; long-term suppression is when that leads to health problems. it's even more of a concern when it happens involuntarily, since the vigor of our flames is tied to our emotional state. i don't think i've been properly letting my emotions run their course. i haven't had a chance to properly vent to anyone lately...

...is there anywhere i feel comfortable doing that, nowadays? maybe... maybe it's just me used to being so independent that i default to concealing my own emotional turmoil.

i've been taking more naps in the hammock outside at the advice of my concierge staff, but the onset of summer heat has been making naps less cozy. ice cream helps, though!

...

this too shall pass. ignore it and keep moving.

#cw: vent #lore #worldbuilding #bonnie rambles #this is mostly a vent but i figure this would make for good lore and worldbuilding writing

[crims-treasure-pile]

THE CRYSTALLINE GALA HAS ARRIVED!

Welcome, Dragonkind and all Beastclans, to the Gala! I will say, it's wayyyy too cold here. BUT. I'll be warm enough as a Fireborn.

All that said, let's get to business!

The Eternal Snow is NOT EDIBLE.

You are not allowed to make snowcones, snoballs, ice cream anything with it. And you cannot eat it. You SHOULD NOT make igloos with it.

It is a currency, nothing more, and is not digestible. We werent kidding when we said it's eternal, guys.

All that said, enjoy the Gala!! May your spoils and gifts be immeasurable!!

#the fest currency is not edible #ic #crims collection cart

[sneezingpotatoes]

Fire and Ice (Part 1)

Soooo this fic has been sitting in my drafts getting old and I don’t know why I haven’t posted it yet lol I really like this fic and I think its really cool. I think I was just waiting until I completed the fic to post it, but I don’t know if I ever will (just like all my other fics ROFL shhhh I know i'm a clown) So imma just post it and see if people like it. If yall enjoy it then I might continue working on it but its great to get some feedback on it first to see where Im going to go next on this fic. I might just post all my other fics that are getting old in my drafts honestly lol like I have a lot of great projects that are just sitting there because of years of writers block and no inspiration LOL gg. Maybe this will be part 1 of my draft grave yard hahaha XD can I get an F in the chat pls—

ANYWHO, enjoy XD

Fire and Ice

The soft sound of snow crunching beneath the soles of tall, black buckled boots echoed throughout the cold, frozen forest. The thin and naked trees were mostly still, apart from the occasional winter birds that would rest against the snow-covered branches to watch the tall, slender Prince as he casually strolled through the Sagano forest. The Prince shoved his hands into the front pockets of his black, skin tight jeans, releasing two light sniffles that faded into the still winter air. He sighs inwardly, just wanting to finish crossing the forest so that he could return to his cottage. It was a long way through the forest and he was still near the beginning. He was super exhausted from exterminating a Witch’s nest that took way longer than he anticipated and he was just so ready to return to his safe space and recover. He hadn’t intended on catching a head cold on his mission but it was a small price to pay for his gracious victory. He stops walking for a moment, allowing his eyes to slowly close shut as he can feel his nostrils tremble subtly. A muted hitch jerks his shoulders upward, transforming the feeling of a light tickle into an irritating burning sensation. Before he can secure and entertain the presence of the sneeze, a soft snap of a twig immediately pulls his attention away, forcing him to be alert as he quickly swivels a 180 and grabs the hilt of his sword, shifting into standby for anything that were coming his way.

“Hey. Nijini.” The cocky voice sounded familiar. Deeper than he last remembered. More arrogant and determined. More… Mature. The Prince’s ears perk up instantly as he hears a roar of flames crackle from behind him. He swiftly turns around quickly enough to see a man appearing from behind a huge cloud of smoke and flames, revealing his old childhood nemesis.

“Jeborra.” Nijini grimly acknowledges. His tone was plain and lifeless, as if he had no soul, let alone any emotion period. The fireborne child left a medium sized dark, ashy patch where he was now standing, along with smoke that drifted and twirled around his bulky torso.

“Ah, he speaks! Hmph. Remember me?” Jeborra asks blandly, as he smothered the wisp of flame that was dancing around in his palm. It had been a long time since Nijini had seen him last, but he could never forget Jeborra, seeing how he had sworn to kill him, and made it known that he wouldn’t stop until he had fulfilled his promise. This was his chance. The months of stalking, tracking, eavesdropping and research had finally paid off and he was not about to waste it.

** ** **

“IM GOING TO KILL YOU!! EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO, YOU HEAR ME?!”

Nijini releases a short sigh, instantly being brought into a flash back of them in their younger years. It was a thundery night; They were both drenched from the rain, but it didn’t seem to bother them. The roads were empty at this time, except for their two trembling bodies. Jeborra was lying on the wet ground as if he had been knocked down, blood dripping down his face from the top of his head and cheeks. He had bruises all over his body and was trying to stand up by using his wet wooden pole to support him. He coughed into a shaky, cupped hand, allowing a sputter of blood to seep out of his mouth with a grunt.

“I’LL KILL YOU!” Jeborra yelled, exhaustedly after he managed to weakly stand up. “I’M THE TRUE PRINCE OF THE OTATSU FAMILY!” Those eyes… He would never forget those revenge-filled, murderous eyes. “I’LL SHOW YOU!!! I SWEAR!!!”

The heavy raindrops and thunder seemed to carry his voice away along with it as Jeborra released exhausted huffs into the cold air. Nijini was silent. Hands bloody, face and torso splattered with blood that wasn’t his own that was slowly being washed away with the rain. He gave Jeborra a cold glare before turning his back to him without saying a word.

“SAY SOMETHING!!” Nothing. “SAY SOMETHING TO ME, DAMN YOU!” Silence. “SAY SOMETHIIIING!!!!”

** ** **

It wasn’t a pleasant memory, Nijini would admit, but he understood why Jeborra had shown up, and it was no surprise. He wanted his revenge. And he wasn’t going to stop until he got it, or died trying.

“As the true prince of the Otatsu family, it is my duty and my sworn promise… to kill you.” Jeborra stated, grimly, giving Nijini a spine-chilling stare that would scare any ordinary person. The violet-eyed man only gives an irritated grunt in response. He didn’t need this right now. “Eager to die now, are we?” Jeborra smirks as he sees Nijini tighten his hold on his hilt. 

He notices the shade of light pink coating the tip of Nijini’s nose and shares an even wider grin. His plan was working. He decided to strike mid-winter so that the cold weather would push their bodies to work harder to fight off the decrease in temperature. A true prince would be able to win a battle in extreme conditions without a problem, he thought to himself. This would be the ultimate test in his eyes. It had been snowing for the past week, but today it was still and silent; the calm before the storm… Or the eye of the storm. With this forest, you’d never know, seeing how the heavy magic radiating off of it could change the weather whenever it wanted to. The only audible sounds heard were from the occasional caws of the winter birds rustling about in the trees, and the soft, barely audible sniffles from Nijini.

“Any last words, Nijini?” Jeborra asks, now using his flaming hands to wield his dagger. He watches Nijini like a hawk as he stares lifelessly at his bulky frame, violet eyes staring into his own orange orbs. Within the blink of an eye, Nijini’s eyes fall shut and his shoulders rise a hair before he subtly tenses up and silently jerks forward for a split second, releasing a shaky breath afterwards that is exhaled through his twitching nostrils and turns into vapor from the cold winter air. Damnit. His hood and dark bangs shift a little from the sudden unnatural breeze that carries over to Jeborra, causing his beige bangs to dance a little. The first excuse of an unsatisfying sneeze did nothing but stir the itch roaming in his sinuses around and aggravate it even further. The fireborne raises a brow in suspicion as he watched the dark-haired man jerk forwards again, a little harsher this time, with a slight grimace on his face. The same unnatural breeze brushed past them both with more force, causing Jeborra’s jacket and bangs to flap around more vibrantly.

“Nnh’kt!” Nijini aggressively jerked forwards for the third time, pulling his sword out of his sheath from the force of the irritating sneeze. The forceful wind returned like a wave, knocking past both of the men with a stronger force, pushing Nijini’s hood back, off of his head and making the trees begin to dance around. He blinked a few times as the breeze had suddenly vanished just as fast as it had come, returning the forest back to a still and quiet ambience as he quickly wielded his paper-thin sword in both hands, returning to his proper battle stance with two light sniffles.

“What is this? Dark magic?!” Jeborra yelled, surprise and anger clearly heard in his voice. The surprise leaves just as fast as it had come once he realizes how desperate Nijini must’ve been to use artificial magic. Everyone in the Nogami Village knew that Nijini didn’t inherit any elemental abilities from his parents, let alone receive the birthmark of the Otatsu Clan. It made Jeborra’s blood boil, knowing that Nijini, his older brother, was crowned the Prince of the Otatsu family, even though he didn’t have the birthmark or any powers for that matter. “Relying on witches for power? How lowly of you. You are unworthy of being a Prince.”

After those gruesome words left Jeborra’s mouth, without hesitation, he instantly dashed forward, dagger closely trailing behind in his tightly gripped palm. Nijini swiftly shifts his silver blade across his torso to block the incoming dagger and shoves him back, quickly striking the core of the fireborne’s chest with the butt of his blade, making him take a step back with a dry cough to catch his lost breath.

“Riveting.” He angrily mutters through his hand, having a mouthful of smoke seeping out from between his fingers. This energy… This anger… I’ve seen it somewhere before… The prince ponders to himself, noting the same glint in his brother’s eye that matched the glint that his father used to have when they sparred for practice. A lot of the strength and determination Jeborra was giving off reminded him of their father. As the fireborne slowly dropped his hand from his face, a sly smirk was revealed, as well as five flaming darts that he must’ve wisped together. The outline of his orange orbs began to glow a light neon as he dashed at him again, throwing the sharp lines of fire at the man with lightening speed, one by one, hitting nothing but trees and snow piles as Nijini deflected the projectiles with his blade. The last dart Jeborra threw was deflected a smidge too late and was sloppily aimed upwards and nicked the side of his cheek.

Nijini flinched a bit at the sudden strike of pain on his face, shocked at how he almost missed that last dart. Almost immediately, he finds himself hugging the flaming knee of Jeborra and is sent flying into the nearest tree trunk. A grimace coats his face from the abrupt rush of pain in his abdomen and forces blood to slowly drip from the corner of his mouth. Damnit Jeborra, I don’t want to fight you…!

“You know… I don’t see what Dad ever saw in you.” The approaching footsteps from Jeborra’s feet melted the snow with each step he took. “You’re just another measly human.” Nijini released an audibly pained grunt as the fireborne pressed his foot directly onto his ribcage, applying a great deal of pressure. “Squirm like the disgrace you are.” Nijini grabbed Jeborra’s hot foot, trying his hardest to breathe, ignoring the searing and sizzling sounds coming from his charring skin. He could feel his own arms trembling from the lack of strength he knew he once had, uncertain of why he wasn’t able to shove his foot from off of his chest.

He could feel the mild flames scorching his chest and his hands, having no choice but to allow the aching pains to take over his mind and thoughts; the scent of burning flesh was filling the air, forcing a demented grin to creep onto Jeborra’s face. The grim glare in Jeborra’s eyes gave him a brief glimpse of his father, stepping on his chest from a previous sparring match years ago as if they were in the same position. ‘You’ll never be my heir if you can’t even get out of a simple hold! GET UP! You useless human, GET UP AND FIGHT ME!’ He could hear his father screaming in his ear already from the vivid flash backs. Nijini didn’t hate his brother, and he wished Jeborra didn’t hate him too, but he knew that there was nothing he could do to change the mind of his muleheaded younger brother. Whenever he felt a certain way, he was going to be like that whether Nijini liked it or not. The Prince used his father’s angry memory to give him the strength to push Jeborra’s sizzling foot again. He closed his eyes, pushing intensely against the force of his brother’s foot, feeling his energy quickly depleting in the process. Come on… Move… G-ge— “Hih…” Get off… “Huh…!” The prince slowly loosened his grip on the scorching shoe resting on his chest, softly hitching again before dipping forward with a snappy sneeze.

“Nn’Tch..!” The sudden mixture of air and slight spittle that seeped through Nijini’s clenched teeth seemed to brush over the fireborne’s foot and freeze the flames and part of his leg with a thin layer of ice from the intense rush of air. Even though the sneeze was weak and quite snappy, the reaction from the elements seemed to be far greater than one would’ve anticipated.

“… What the hell...?” Jeborra was once again stunned with surprise from the sudden freezing of his leg. He immediately removes his foot, trying his best to melt and shake the ice off, having another quick sneeze catch his attention.

“’NN’tchh..!” The second sneeze vigorously kicks up a pile of resting snow, having the cold breeze freeze the snow up against Jeborra’s lower body and part of his torso. The fireborne releases an awkward yelp as he feels himself losing his balance and begin to slowly tip forward towards the Prince.

“Hh-hh—!” Before the dark-haired man could flinch forwards with another sneeze, Jeborra had toppled down to the ground, placing one of his warm hands over Nijini’s mouth, trying to prevent him from sneezing and causing another of his body parts to freeze, but— “Hih’Tchhmpf!” Failing miserably, and only smothering the sneeze and freezing his hand to Nijini’s mouth in the process.

“What the—? Ew, I’m stuck!!” The fireborne whines through a pile of snow, finding it odd and discomforting that he cannot melt the ice as fast as he usually could. The Prince snuffles lightly to himself, feeling extremely lightheaded from the whole ordeal. He was just as surprised as Jeborra was. He would never use any false magic, even though he knew he didn’t have any abilities. But what else could it have been? None of this had ever happened to him before in his entire life, so what changed to make this happen now? “Why can’t I melt myself free?! What kind of magic is this?!” Nijini could only lay there and glare at the gray sky, unable to speak even if he wanted to. It was becoming very hard for him to keep his eyes open, as he felt himself blink twice before falling into an unconscious haze.

“No, no, no, stop. It’s not good enough. Do it Again.”

“Again?! BUT—”

“You heard your father. Again, child!”

Nijini gripped the wooden pole and grit his teeth firmly before running back to the beginning of the training course. His entire body felt broken and worn from the continuous running, jumping and swinging he had been doing. As if the freezing cold weather wasn’t enough, it was also beginning to rain, and this was making it difficult for him to hold on to the wooden pole correctly.

“In my day, if I backtalked any of my superiors, I was sent to the torture chamber for a week. Be grateful, boy.” The brawny man muttered, arms crossed and becoming impatient.

“Trial 274!” Nijini yelled at the top of his lungs, nearly wheezing from the soreness of his lungs and chest. Each breath felt like sharp needles were poking at his sides, but he couldn’t show his pain. Not again. If his father saw a glimpse of weakness or fragility, he would beat it out of him. No matter the circumstance, he had to show no pain or fear.

“State what you did wrong last trial.” His father declared in a firm tone, voice striking down his ears like thunder in a rainstorm.

The child hesitated, trying to remember how and when he had faltered. He had done this so many times that each trial was starting to jumble together all into one. Did I jump before I was supposed to? Did I stab too early? Did I say the wrong trial number? The teen closes his eyes, feeling his arms start to burn from holding the wooden pole up to his side for so long. Even though it was freezing outside, he still had sweat beating down his clammy cheeks. He gripped the pole tighter, trying his hardest not to shiver. All of his pondering was starting to make him think about how cold he really was and how much he wanted to go inside already.

“Did you forget, boy?” His father questions, voice so deep and grim that it makes Nijini’s heart race.

“N-no sir!” The child instantly replied. He honestly did forget, but he didn’t want to get punished for it again. He had to think fast for an answer.

“Out with it.” The child stood there, shivering in fear now rather than from the cold. “Now.”

“I swung too early…?” He asked, curling in on himself as he watched his father slowly approach him. He defensively brings up the wooden pole as he glares at his father’s broad shoulders looming over his small body.

“Answer with confidence, boy.” His brassy voice shook every bone in his tiny body. “Even if you are uncertain, you must answer without question.” Nijini nodded his head in understanding. His violet eyes widened as he watched his father pull out a long pole that was glowing a bright, fiery orange from the obvious heat radiating from it. “Do not lose your head, boy. Clear your mind and focus on what is in front of you. One distraction can be fatal. Add 100 more trials tomorrow. Tonight, you sleep in the box.” Instantly, Nijini felt a searing pain strike the back of his legs as the brassy tone of his father cut through the heavy rain. “Go on, boy.”

The slamming of the iron door rang through Nijini’s head as he fell onto the cold, concrete ground. It was dark, cold and lonely in the box; nothing but… nothingness filled the room. Most people would lose their sanity and breakdown in the box, but Nijini was different. He and his father both knew that.

“Why are we wasting our time on this disappointment?” The faint voice of his father mumbling beyond the door courses a tremble through his bones. “He doesn’t even have the Otatsu marking! I wouldn’t let that boy take over my position even if I were on my death bed!”

“Honey, please!” His mother plead, “He is still our firstborn son! He must inherit the title! Maybe if you weren’t so hard on him—”

“HARD ON HIM?! THE BOY DOESN’T EVEN HAVE ABILITIES! HE’S NOT MY SON-!”

“Jini? Hey, ‘Jini! You in there?” Jeborra’s gruff voice greets the Prince awake as he attempts to mumble a response, only to find the firebornes hand is still frozen onto his mouth. Mmpff??? “Yeah, still trying to thaw out here.” A wince escapes from Nijini as he tries to sit up, almost forgetting about the burns on his chest and hands.

“I’ve never seen any dark magic like this before.” Jeborra muttered, pondering to himself. “The ice is gradually decreasing my core temperature and preventing me from producing a flame. I can’t even make a simple wisp of flame.” Jeborra quietly sniffles to himself, as if he were ashamed of doing so in the presence of his enemy. He couldn’t help it though. He had been stuck lying in the snow face first for about an hour, unable to produce a single flame. How could this have happened?! This wasn’t a part of the plan! And why the hell did I have to get stuck in this position?! It’s like I have icicles for handcuffs! Nijini can see his younger brother in turmoil within himself and he can’t help but feel a little sympathetic for him. Something in his gut tells him to snap his fingers, in which he does as if it were a natural movement, and all of the ice binding Jeborra immediately cracks, freeing both of them. The fireborne’s eyes widen for a second and he abruptly sits up, scanning his arms and legs to make sure that all of the ice was actually gone before standing up and glaring at his older brother. “E-explain yourself! Explain yourself right now!” He orders, voice sounding uncertain and a little intimidated.

“I haven’t the slightest idea about any of this. I can assure you I haven’t dabbled in any dark magic though.” The prince mutters as he stands up as well, rubbing his arm underneath his running nose. “A true prince relies on his own strength and capabilities. I would never dishonor the Otatsu name.”

“The lengths you would go through to cover up a little white lie. Hmph. I would say I’m surprised, but I knew it all along. How human of you.” Nijini sighs, finding it useless talking to such a muleheaded individual. It was giving him a headache, that was for sure.

“I don’t have time for this Jeborra. If you’ll excuse—"

“Ah-ah-ah, not so fast, peasant. I can’t just let you waltz out of here. You’ve committed a grave crime against the family name, and for that, you must pay with your life.” He says, halting the prince and summoning a flaming dagger in his right hand, wielding it in his stabbing position. “I’ll be sure to let dad know thahh… T-tha-heh…” Nijini raises a curious brow as he watches his younger brothers’ ferocious facial expression waiver into a more clumsy and tense grimace. His brows furrowed in question as he tried but failed to keep his stern glare on Nijini. The dagger that was barely being held in Jeborra’s hand wisped around as if some force were trying to blow it out as a muted hitch causes his shoulders to jolt upright. “Heh…! HESsch!” The fireborne ducks forward slightly for a snappy sneeze aimed at the ground, producing a small wisp of flame that seeped through his clenched teeth. Steam floats from the ground as the few spittle droplets from his mouth are like hot water on cold snow. The force of the sneeze forces him to throw the dagger towards Nijini, but it vaporizes into the cold air before it hits him. Jeborra pauses for a moment before ducking down two more times and producing two more small wisps of orange. “HEschn! Hessch!” What the—? *Snff, Snff!* Why am I…? *Snff!*  He sniffles wetly a few times, giving Nijini a death glare as he wiped the underside of his nose with a curled index finger. He can feel his cheeks getting a fire-y hot from his anger and frustration. It wasn’t supposed to be like this! He snuffles again, finding it hard not to as so much liquid is trying to escape from his nose. The last two sneezes must’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I’ll Snff! Let dad know how Snff! Much of a rat you truly Sdff, Sdff! A-arehh-H-HESsch! HEgssch! Sdfffg! H’EGSSChk!!” Okay, this is getting out of hand. If I keep sneezing like this, I don’t know how much longer I’ll last… Jeborra takes in a long, wet snuffle into the curl of his finger, feeling the rush of cold air tickle his sinuses, but he swallows it down to the best of his ability and summons another dagger in his hand. He needed to end this quickly as well so he could properly tend to his nose.

“Jeborra, we needn’t fight... We both are clearly not in ideal fighting cond—”

“SHUT UP!” He snapped, eyes immediately turning ferocious as they usually were. His hair started flaming a vicious red as he allowed his anger to fume. “I don’t care! I’ve waited so long for this moment and nothing is going to stop me from ending you!!” His voice rang throughout the forest, causing all the birds to flee from the area and leave the two brothers alone standing in the middle of the pathway.

“Are you honestly that naïve little brother?” Nijini said smoothly with a soft sniffle. He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself which earned a confused, angry look from Jeborra. “You decided to pick a fight with me in the dead of winter, despite being a fireborne. Look at your dagger.”

“What does my dagger ha—” He began, taking an irritated glance at the dagger wisping in his hand before realizing what was actually happening. The dagger had shrunken to the size of a dart during the time they were socializing without him noticing. He grunts, using a burst of flame to inflate the dagger back into its actual size again, only for it to wisp around as if it weren’t stable.

 “Your body temperature drops faster in cold weather. It’s like a candle that’s slowly being burnt out. Can’t you tell? The more you use your abilities, the more you’re hurting yourself.” Nijini says with a sigh, folding his arms as if he were trying to teach a child simple math. “And your sneezing certai—"

“ENOUGH!” The fireborne exclaims in both aggravation and irritation. The loudness in his voice makes Nijini wince slightly from it aggravating his headache. “How dare you talk down to me like a child?! I don’t need my fire; I’ll end you with my bare hands!” He allows his dagger to taper away before charging at his brother with a balled fist. The prince swiftly shifts to the side, dodging his punch with ease. He can tell that Jeborra doesn’t have the same energy as he did earlier. This isn’t good. If I don’t stop him soon, he’s going to burn himself out and waste what little energy he has left. It wasn’t hard for Nijini to evade all of his brothers’ lackluster attempts at punching. It was sad to watch, actually. The always upbeat and energetic Jeborra that was always on a mission had turned into a wheezing, sniffling and exhausted mess.

“O-Okay, huff… You proved your point… I-I’m, huff… I’m done now…” Jeborra weakly surrendered, panting and wheezing with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

“Please stop this and save your energy. For both of our sakes.” Nijini muttered, feeling exhausted himself as he approached the wheezing fireborne. “Are you alright?” His voice sounded tender for once, rather than emotionless. Brotherly concern was present in his voice as he rested a hand on his shoulder.

“I…” The fireborne pauses for a moment, staring at the ground and catching his breath before he immediately swivels around to try and punch the prince while his guard was down, but Nijini catches his warm fist in his hand with a sigh.

“I’ve had enough of this, Jeborra. We—Nng’Tchuh!” The sneeze was sudden, catching the prince off guard and forcing him to shove his head to the side to half-stifle an irritating sneeze towards the snow. It kicks up the snow and almost forms a weak snow-nado around them but tapers off into a slow breeze. He drops Jeborra’s fist, not wanting to chance freezing his body again, knowing that if he came in contact with another ice attack, it could be very damaging to him.  “Deverbi’de…” He mutters, pinching his nostrils shut with his fingertips, trying his best to prevent another sneeze from coming on. “I’b goi’g.”

The prince walks past his younger brother with a huff, surprisingly without a fight from the fireborne and continues his trek back home. If that brat was so hellbent on killing him, then he wasn’t going to extend his olive branch any farther than he already had. That brat needed to learn the hard way. He was too exhausted to care about it anymore. Of course, he doesn’t get very far with plugging his nose as an irritated sneeze finally slips past his fingertips and pulls him out of his annoyed thoughts. “Uh-PSshgk!” The sneeze pretty much tears out of him as he instantly brings up his sleeve to wipe away the moistness on the lower half of his face. A thin breeze quickly wisps by, practically shoving his bangs around to the point where they slap his face, as if the wind were upset with him for that itchy sneeze. Before he can even wipe his face, he shivers into his arm with another feisty sneeze. “… HUH’Nngshh…!! H’EKshuh’gk!!” The tickle must’ve been stronger than he anticipated as another one had immediately trailed behind. He coughs as two forceful gusts of snow get kicked off of the ground and blown into his face from the unnatural breeze aimed at his direction. A sigh escapes him as he wipes his face off and sniffles a handful of times, beginning to pick up his pace so he can get home faster.

To the average person, it looked like the forest had cast a loophole spell and made all of the trees look similar to the point where you wouldn’t know if you were going forwards or backwards. For the most part, it was true, only if you strayed away from the path. One of the elite witches in the past used dark magic on the forest to trap and kill those who were in search of her home. Eventually she died, but there hasn’t been a witch powerful enough to lift the spell, so Nijini uses it to his advantage to keep his home a secret as well. After all, he isn’t exactly the type to slide under the radar. He is a prince after a—

“Sdff, sdff! Guh…”

The prince stops dead in his tracks and looks to the side after hearing two wet sniffles that weren’t his own. He sees a trace of red hair from his side and immediately recognizes who it is. The fireborne approached his older brother, sniffling like a rabbit on the topside of his hand. He looked a lot worse from when he left him last. Jeborra rested a fatigued palm on his shoulder in order to steady himself.

“P-perha-aps we c-could… a-agree on-n a t-truce for the time be-eing?” The fireborne asked, teeth chattering from the ungodly cold. How long had he been following him? Nijini’s stomach churned with unease at the thought of him trailing behind whenever he sneezed and felt the backlash from all of the cold gusts of wind that he unknowingly summoned. After a brief moment, the prince agreed and not a second after the word left his mouth, the fireborne leaned his entire body weight on the prince, needing help standing upright. His body is barely giving off heat… I need to get him to my place with haste.

 “So… How long were you waiting out here for me to reach the forest...?” The prince asks through a strained voice, trying to make conversation in order to make sure his brother stayed conscious and somewhat functional.

“Nng… I saw you entering the forest about two hours after I got there…” He muttered, leaning in closer to the prince in order to get some of his body heat. It worked a little, even though his insides were still cold. Nijini blinked in surprise. Why would he do such a thing? He’s putting his health at risk over such a silly grudge.

“Would you have waited there all day for me to show up even if I didn’t come?”

“What difference does it make? I’d wait here every day until you came so I c-could e-ehh-HUH… H’ESsh!” The fireborne ducks forward for the snappy sneeze, jerking the prince over with him. The tiny flame that threatens to flare from between his clenched teeth immediately tapers and turns into smoke from the cold winter air extinguishing it. “H’EGSch! HR’GSSh!!” Nijini almost falls over with the repeated jerking forwards. He himself feels so exhausted to the point where he would’ve allowed them both to fall face first into the snow if he could to give himself a break, but he pushes through and yanks the fireborne back upright and forces him to keep moving.

“We need to hurry and get to my cottage before you sneeze away the last of your energy and mine. I can’t trek for the both of us.” The prince says, trying to keep his heavy breathing under control.

#hai :) #let me know what you think #sorry for showing up and then dipping for months at a time LOL #fire and ice #snzfic #snz #snez #sneezefic #sickfic #cold #ocs #action #fighting #male

[critical-quoter]

January Books

And here we are, starting a new year. I've got a reading goal of 365 books this year, so basically a book a day. Since I read a total of 387 books in 2023 (and most of those were read between June and December), I think it's hella doable.

Devious Lies - Parker S. Huntington ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Off Limits - J. A. Low ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Bridge Kingdom - Danielle Jensen ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Riggs - Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels ⭐️⭐️ You're Still the One - Sasha Clinton ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Perfect Storm - Jolie Vines ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Fae King's Curse - Jamie Schlosser ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Baby I'm Yours - Carrie Elks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Not My Romeo - Lisa Madden-Mills ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enclave - Ann Aguirre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hot Puck - Skye Jordan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ City of Brass - S. A. Chakraborty ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Archer's Voice - Mia Sheridan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wild Zone - Skye Jordan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Coming Home - Wendy Smith ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Taken: The Coldest Fae - Katerina Martinez ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Bombshell Effect - Karla Sorensen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When Forever Changes - Siobhan Davis ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fireborne - Rosaria Munda ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Real Players Never Change - Micalea Smeltzer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Masters of Death - Olivie Blake ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lore Olympus Vol 1 - Rachel Smythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lore Olympus Vol 2 - Rachel Smythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lore Olympus Vol 3 - Rachel Smythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lore Olympus Vol 4 - Rachel Smythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lore Olympus Vol 5 - Rachel Smythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Twisted Hate - Ana Huang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ King of Battle and Blood - Scarlett St. Clair ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Twisted Games - Ana Huang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Rage of Dragons - Evan Winters ⭐️ Propositioning Love - Izzy Sweet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Throne of Shadows - Emma Fenton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Smoke and Mirrors - Michelle B. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Sound of Salvation - I. A. Dice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Taste of Redemption - I. A. Dice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Merciless - Willow Winters ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Savage Little Games - Lane Hart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dark Submission - Kitty Wilder ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stranded - Selena Winters ⭐️⭐️ Icing Hearts - J. J. Wright ⭐️⭐️ The Right Sign - Nia Arthurs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pinkie Promise - Sapphire Hale ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Golden Goal - Annah Conwell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Lovely Return - Carian Cole ⭐️⭐️ A Little Luck - Tia Louise ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lethal Vows - T. L. Smith ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Secret Vendetta - Kathy Lockheart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Silent Vendetta - Kathy Lockheart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ethan - Samantha Whiskey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Feeling the Forward - Jacob Chance ⭐️⭐️ My Neighbor's Secret - Lauren Rowe⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Demon's Deal - L. Alexander ⭐️⭐️⭐️ House of Flame and Shadow - Sarah J. Maas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Catching the Mistletoe - Mary Waterford ⭐️⭐️⭐️

56 books total read for the month of January 2024.

#book #books #booklr #book lover #book quotes #novel #reading #literature #lit #quote #January reads #january #2024 tbr

[fracturedlife]

“ all i learned in this tedtalk was lies. i can’t believe they’d allow a hoax to present themself like that. “ she’s being rude and nobody can stop her.

#ic; fireborn #magickedhat #dash commentary

[lillianawayne99]

Fireborn Chapter Eleven

Pairing: Jon Snow & Oberyn Martell X OC

Genre: NSFW AU

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: smut, violence, fluff, blood, mixes the books and show, spoilers for seasons 6-8

Synopsis: Valaena Fireborn of House Targaryen has reached Westeros after spending her life in exile. While learning about her homeland and preparing for the war ahead, she meets two men who would change her life forever and learns of a threat to all humanity.

Previous Chapter // Fireborn // Masterlist

“When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone.”

“All right.” Jon paused for a minute while he considered whether or not to tell me what was on his mind. “I received two ravens today, one was from Dragonstone.”

“What do you mean one was from Dragonstone?” I turned to look up at him and found that his brows were furrowed. As far as I knew, the island was still deserted. There was only one person who would have sent a letter containing such lies.

“It was signed Tyrion Lannister, Hand of the Queen to Valaena Targaryen.” He continued warily, gauging my reaction.

“Varys likely sent it. What did the letter say?” That fucking spider always consipring. At least he was being helpful, but his constantly doing things without going through me first was growing irksome.

“It was an invitation to meet with you. I expect it was sent to give me a reason to tell the Northern Lords if I decided to go to Dragonstone with you.” The more time I spent with Jon, the more I understood why he was chosen to be the King of his people. He had the right temperament and intelligence to rule.

“What will you do about it?” I genuinely wanted to know his answer. We hadn’t talked about whether or not he would join me when I travelled south.

“I wanted to speak with you about it first. I also received a letter from a trusted friend at the Citadel. He told me Dragonstone is built on a mountain of dragonglass.” Jon let go of my hand and turned to the side, facing the courtyard.

“You should come with me to Dragonstone. When my army arrives, I’ll help you mine the glass. Leave your people here to train and guard the North in the case the Wall falls before we make it back.” I followed Jon’s gaze to find Oberyn training in the yard with a spear. He was talented and graceful.

“What will I tell my people?” It was a rhetorical question, but I wanted to help him. He had been my confidant since I arrived in Winterfell, I owed him the same.

“I know you don’t wish to lie to them, but do you want to reveal that I have been hiding under their noses? They will have to find out eventually, your sister already knows. Are you ready to reveal it now, or do you want to wait until they must find out?” I gently asked him the questions he needed to answer before he would be ready to call the meeting. Personally, I wouldn’t mind either way. I preferred to stay in hiding as long as I could. However, I would reveal my true identity if he thought it was best.

Jon placed a heavy hand on my shoulder in reassurance and thanks then turned to leave. I stayed on the ramparts watching Oberyn, Kovarro, and Tormund spar. The three of them were practicing and helping instruct the others in the courtyard. I stood there watching until Jon called for the Lords and Ladies to gather in the Great Hall. I sat in the back of the Hall with Oberyn and Kovarro while Tormund sat with the other wildings.

“This message was sent to me by Samwell Tarly. He was my brother at the Night’s Watch, a man I trust as much as anyone in this world. He’s discovered proof that Dragonstone sits on a mountain of dragonglass.” Jon handed the letter to Lord Glover then held up another. “I received this from Dragonstone. It was sent to me by Tyrion Lannister. He is now Hand of the Queen to Valaena Targaryen. She intends to take the Iron Throne from Cersei Lannister. She has a powerful army at her back and, if this message is to be believed, three dragons. Lord Tyrion has invited me to Dragonstone to meet with Valaena. And I’m going to accept.”

The room erupted in disagreement, but Jon continued nonetheless. “We need this dragonglass, my lords! We know that dragonglass can destroy both white walkers and their army. We need to mine it and turn it into weapons. But more importantly, we need allies! The Night King’s army grows larger by the day. We can’t defeat them on our own. We don’t have the numbers. Valaena has her own army and she has dragonfire. I need to try and persuade her to fight with us. Ser Davos and I will ride for White Harbor tomorrow, then sail to Dragonstone.”

“Have you forgotten what happened to our grandfather? The Mad King invited him to King’s Landing and roasted him alive.” Sansa, the conniving red haired bitch, spoke up. She knew I was sitting in the room, and yet she still compared me to my father as if I was the same.

“I know that.” Jon tried to argue with his sister, but he couldn’t say what he really wanted unless he was willing to out me.

“She is here to reclaim the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. The North is one of those seven kingdoms. This isn’t an invitation, it’s a trap.” She continued to argue with him, to convince him of what she believed about me. Did she not realize if I was willing to do anything to have the North under my rule, she and Jon would be dead already? Perhaps she believed I was trying to seduce Jon and wanted to keep him away from me, but that was never my intention.

“It could be, but I don’t believe Tyrion would do that. You know him. He’s a good man.” Jon surely knew the invitation to Dragonstone wasn’t a trap, but he had to admit the possibility if he wanted his people to believe him.

“Your Grace, with respect, I must agree with Lady Sansa. I remember the Mad King all too well. A Targaryen cannot be trusted. Nor can a Lannister.” Lord Royce voiced his opinion, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly what he thought or if he was trying to maintain Sansa’s support of the Eyrie.

“Aye. we called your brother king. And then he rode south and lost his kingdom.” Lord Glover spoke next. It was mildly surprising how little these people trusted the man they named king. People were fickle, but these people chose Jon to lead them and yet they argue against his decisions.

“Winter is here, Your Grace. We need the King in the North in the North.” Lady Lyanna’s argument was the first to make sense. The men were practically saying Jon and I were too similar to our relatives who had grave shortcomings. The young Lady simply argued a King should protect his kingdom.

“You all crowned me your king. I never wanted it. I never asked for it. But I accepted it because the North is my home. It’s part of me, and I will never stop fighting for it, no matter the odds. But the odds are against us. None of you have seen the Army of the Dead. None of you. We can never hope to defeat them alone. We need allies, powerful allies. I know it’s a risk, but I have to take it.” Jon seemed to be reaching the Lords and Ladies, but not his stubborn sister.

“Then send an emissary. Don’t go yourself.” Sansa insisted, hoping to protect her brother from an enemy she had imagined.

“Valaena is a queen. Only a king can convince her to help us. It has to be me.” Jon may hate lying, but he was good at it at times. There were only two people who knew the truth of the matter, he had already convinced me to help him. I hadn’t told Kovarro yet about my agreement to help in this war because I was concerned he would think I was mad or weak like my father.

“You’re abandoning your people! You’re abandoning your home.” Sansa may have been trying to protect Jon, but she was also sowing doubt in the Northerners that he wasn’t fit to be king. The doubt was misplaced, he was travelling south with me solely for the benefit of his people.

“I’m leaving both in good hands.” Jon spoke softly, a contrast to the conviction and determination in his tone up to this point.

“Whose?” His sister asked as if whoever he chose wouldn’t be good enough.

“Yours. You are my sister. You’re the only Stark in Winterfell. Until I return, the North is yours.” He was right, Lady Sansa was the best choice to rule in his stead. I only hoped this wouldn’t come to bite us in the ass later on. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to steal the North out from under Jon and I if we decided to marry. She was too determined in her vision of the North being separated from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.

Jon had finally convinced his people and his sister he had thought this through. They were no longer arguing against his decision, so he dismissed them all. Once everyone left, he sat down at the head of the table at the front of the room. I waited for the room to clear out before approaching him. Rather than sitting down beside him, I stood in front of the table.

“Do you truly have three dragons?” He asked before I had time to figure out why I had stayed or what I wanted to talk to him about.

“Yes. They are my children, I raised them and I love them. If the maegi told me the truth, they are the only children I will have.” I didn’t know why I told him about the curse. There was something about this man that made me trust him despite all the times the people I trusted betrayed it.

“Have you used them to burn down cities? Will you?” He looked up from the table to my eyes, reading them to see if I was telling him the truth.

“No. The thought has crossed my mind, but I refuse to be a tyrant like my father.” I moved to sit down in the chair to his left. I didn’t wish to sit in Sansa’s seat, but I also didn’t want him to think I was trying to exert control over him. “I was once told that all rulers are either butchers or sheep. I may be a butcher, but I won’t kill innocents. I have fought against injustice for years. That fight isn’t over, not while Cersei sits on the Iron Throne.”

“You will be a good queen. I wish Sansa could see that.” Jon reached over and took my hand in his as he spoke.

“I’ve had help. With you by my side, helping me keep my worst impulses in check, I will be a better queen than I already am.” I smiled warmly at Jon, but the moment we shared was short lived.

Jon and I looked up from each other to see the Red Viper of Dorne entering the Great Hall. His timing was shit, but his appearance made it easier for me to invite him to travel south to Dragonstone tomorrow. A Prince of Dorne didn’t have a place in the North, and he was the embodiment of my alliance with Doran. It made sense for him to stay by my side. I let go of Jon’s hand at the same time he let go of mine. My brother-in-law stopped in front of the table rather than sitting down.

“Prince Oberyn. What can I do for you?” Jon asked politely.

“I would like to accompany you both in your travels.” The dark haired man proposed the same thing I had been wanting of him. Jon glanced over at me. He didn’t have to speak for me to know what he was asking. I gave him a small nod to answer his unspoken question.

“Your presence is welcome, Prince Oberyn.” The King of the North voiced our silent agreement.

Next Chapter

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#game of thrones fanfic #game of thrones fanfiction #game of thrones au #asoiaf fanfic #asoiaf fanfiction #a song of ice and fire fanfiction #a song of ice and fire fanfic #jon snow fanfiction #jon snow fanfic #jon snow x oc #jon snow x targaryen oc #oberyn martell fanfiction #oberyn martell x oc #oberyn martell x targaryen oc #targaryen oc #targaryen au #house targaryen #valaena targaryen #lilliwrites #fireborn

[withincosmos]

she was really only in the tower to get her arms looked at. the medics bothered her into wearing normal clothes for once, telling her that the prosthetics needed to air out. some engineering garble she never picked up. better for her, anyway. she already felt uncomfortable, assumed everyone stared at them when she walked by just due to their look. she didn’t want to focus on the reasons why.

her feet guided her a few levels down, muscle memory trying to take her to one of her secret spots. she stopped and stood in place when she realized. was it worth it to stay? it was hard for her to tell. she didn’t think too much as she turned and started walking back. a last look behind her was the distraction she needed to immediately walk into another body. “oh fuck, i...” she tried not to look the other in the eye too much. discomfort won. “sorry, my fault.”

@thestupidmeanone // from ila // (nerd)

#IC :// ILA /// you don’t know if you don’t try #VER :// ILA /// you will be fireborn ( destiny ) #i dont think church knows about her prosthetics but #u kno what #they just look like weird armor anyway lmao

[higuchimon]

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! GX; 17-19, 21, 25

*cracks knuckles* All right, let's do this!

17: fics you’ll continue next year: War of the Undead will update twice a week until it's done!

18: current number of wips: Oh, this is difficult. If you count just the ones posted, then just one: War of the Undead. But if you count the ones I have written on but not yet posted, then we have these (& how far I've progressed, what my expectations are, & the focus of the fic because I don't know when to stop):

: After Academia: Dark Revival: Camula x Ruthven: 2,119/38,274

Colors of Flight, Colors of Love: Not Because Destiny Says: Edo x Saiou: 1,510/7,500

Diversion: Juudai: 2,507/45,000

Everything Wants To Eat Misawa: Misawa: 1,026/18,000

Hell's Ice: Snowfall: Ryou: 3,030/79,372

In Johan's Closet: Johan, Manjoume, Sangenma: 525/42,484

Not Quite Forgotten: Yubel x Juudai: 2,791/90,000

Pride of Fire: Asuka: 500/18,000

Reversal: Meaning of Money: Manjoume: 552/18,000

Reversal: All The Risks: Johan, Ryou, Juudai: 14,774/90,000

Royal Purchase: Yubel x Juudai x Johan: 429/45,000

Rules of Hospitaltiy: Edo x Ryou: 4,346/90,000

In Darkness We Find Fire: Born of Fire: Ryou: 578/150,000

In Darkness we Find Fire: To Spark The Fire: Juudai & Shou: 5,031/150,000

Undead: Yubel x Juudai x Johan: 5,979/45,000

Unto Darkness, Unto Light: From Shadows We Rise: Ryou, Fubuki, Yuusuke: 578/150,000

And not to mention the fics I plan to rewrite (which may or may not have ever been posted), which include the following:

After Academia: Fireborn: Asuka: 0/90,000

Bridges: Lessons in Demon-Hutning: Ryou, Samejima: 0/69,385

Effects of Terror: O'Brien, Shou, Haou Juudai: 0/90,000

To Frost The Flames: Ryou: 0/300,000

Hole In The Heart: Divergences: Juudai, Shou: 0/150,000

In Solitude Lies Strength: Moonlight Pearl: Haou Juudai, Chaos Sorcerer, OC: 0/90,000

In Solitude Lies Strength: A Greater Demon: Haou Juudai, Belial - Marquis of Darkness, Death Duelists: 0/90,000

Infinite Love: Present Unwanted: Camula x Ruthven, Ryou x Yuusuke: 0/120,000

Infinite Love: Always Back To You: Ryou x Yuusuke: 0/120,000

The King's Champion: Magician To King: Yuusuke, Juudai, Yubel, Brron: 0/150,000

No Matter What: Johan, Rune, Brron: 0/150,000

Paladin's Quest: Spiritual Revenge: O'Brien, Ryou, Yuusuke: 0/45,000

Gone Swimming, Clothes Stolen: Yubel x Juudai: 0/90,000

Pay Thee In Pain: Johan, Gem Beasts, Yubel: 0/150,000

Quick Lessons: Shou, Johan: 0/9,000

Rainbow of WHite Light: Johan x Edo: 0/9,000

Reversal: Long Live The King: Ere Shadows Fall: Juudai, OCs: 0/400,000

Reversal: Mission One: Asuka, Edo, Misawa, Jim: 0/153,005

Sand World Stories: Choice of a Warrior: Shou, Manjoume: 0/3,500

Creatures of Dark: Edo x Ryou x Saiou x Yuusuke: 0/400,000

Warrior's Price: Warrior's Wound: Edo, Ryou, Juudai: 0/50,000

To Choose A Name: Juudai, King Aodh, Queen Kaien: 0/1,000

Relative Measures: Kenzan: 0/1,000

Placing Blame: Rei x Martin: 0/1,000

Other Games Duelists Play: Ryou, Fubuki: 0/1,500

Deepest Darkness: Haou, Jim, O'Brien: 0/3,000

19: any new fics to start next year: Yes. So very many. Whether I will or not remains to be seen but I intend to!

21: most memorable comment/review: I've had several that I love so much but I have received comments this year to the tune of "you got them very in character" and those are the ones that I always remember.

25: a fic you read this year you would recommend everyone read: Hm. It's rough finding something in GX that I rec, because I honestly have insanely high standards, but let's see... if you like the Haou arc of s3, then this here is an extremely good read: Wiped Clean.

#higuchimon answers #ygo gx #chibicrow

[quotemenevervore]

Twenty minutes to midnight and I finally got part one done, so here we go!

Content warning: contains fearplay, safe, soft, and G/T vore.

~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a good run. Dream was already in the nether, despite his hunters not being anywhere close to ready. He had made a lot of distance before making his portal, too. They were gonna have to make their own to save time, and even then he still had the advantage over them. He felt almost giddy with his progress, a strange warmth twisting in his stomach. He hadn’t thought anything of it, at first; adrenaline is one hell of a drug, after all, and he had had a few close calls before he got this advantage.

Though, as his steps slowed and he suddenly felt himself growing faint, he wondered if maybe he should have been concerned about it.

Oh well, he has earned himself a break.

He sat down beside the netherrack wall, trying to catch his breath and get the world to stop spinning around him. A twinge of fear coursed through him, making him shiver as ice flooded his veins.

Did one of them use a potion and I couldn’t tell?

He mentally flipped through his inventory, searching for milk, feeling more panic creep up his spine when he had none. He wouldn’t make it back to the portal, he didn’t think he could even stand up at the moment, and the dizzying feeling was only getting worse, nausea forcing his eyes closed and his teeth clenched.

As it passed, he hesitantly opened his eyes, looking around as most of the previous inhibitors vanished.

At first glance, everything was still normal sized, large and looking as the nether is. But the netherrack pattern near him seemed bigger than it should have been. He pulled out a torch to see better, placing it beside him before flinching back.

The torch was bigger than he was.

“What..?”

His head was reeling. How the fuck was he shorter than a torch? He’s never heard of anything like this before!

Fuck, what is he gonna do? It’s gonna be impossible to beat the dragon now, let alone any blazes!

He…

He’d have to call the game off. He’d have to tell the hunters.

Dream shuddered at the idea of telling them. He knew they’d use it to their advantage, any time they get the upper hand they do. But… these are his friends, right? It would be worse if they didn’t know. He could only imagine the death message if one of them accidentally killed him at this size because they weren’t looking for him at this size. With a shaky sigh, he opened the communicator, listening to the five searching for him for a moment. When it finally started to go quiet again, he spoke.

“Guys?” George answered him first. “Where are you, Dream?” “There’s no way you got away that fast.” Sam added.

“Yea. Uh, something’s wrong.”

The call went quiet, the hunters processing the word and any implications that followed it. “What happened, Dream? Are you okay?” Bad finally broke the tense silence. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just… I’m pretty sure I’m smaller than a torch right now?” The silence returned tenfold, but now Dream could almost feel the shock and confusion radiating through the communicator. “How?” “I don’t know. I was just getting some distance from you guys and then I felt dizzy. When I opened my eyes, I was this size.”

“Dream.” Sapnap spoke up, tone firm and voice quiet. “Where are you right now?” The shrunken man froze. His tone left no room for argument, but Sapnap also had a bad habit of taunting him for any advantage he could get over him.

But he could trust Sapnap, couldn’t he? He sounded serious, and Dream honestly doubted that he would have sounded so serious if his plan was to come and tease him.

“Nether.” He thought about adding more, but once again the fear of them hunting him still while at this size stopped him. “Shit!” The fireborn hissed out. “Language!” “Dream, wherever you are, stay there. I’m coming to get you.” At that, the call quickly came to a close, Dream shoving his communicator back in his pocket and trying to regulate his breathing. Sapnap sounded almost angry. If he was smaller than a torch, his friends would be huge compared to him. And if they’re angry?

His legs were moving before he even processed it, sprinting further away to create more distance.

He can’t get caught. He can’t get caught.

~~~

The hunters found Dream’s portal, searching around it in case he already left the Nether. “Sapnap, how exactly are you planning on finding Dream?” “Senses. I’m a hybrid, remember? Me and Bad are.” His senses were only somewhat heightened in the overworld, but the Nether was his turf. He’d find Dream easily, which is why normally he wouldn’t use his senses to be fair.

But Dream was in a lot of danger right now, there was no choice in this matter.

He didn’t plan to waste any more time, leaving the others to search around the portal while he went to search the Nether. As the purple swirls faded from his vision, he was met with the intense heat of the dimension, something that made his shoulders relax if only slightly. Even the desert heat couldn’t make up for the warmth he was used to here. It was one of the main things he missed about deciding to stay in the overworld with the others, though he didn’t regret it.

Now wasn't the time for those thoughts, though. He needed to find Dream before something bad happened to his friend.

He’d only taken a few steps from the portal before Bad joined him.

“Should we split up?” “Yea. Just in case he did run anyway. I wouldn’t doubt it.”

Sapnap didn’t bother hiding his worry. Bad definitely didn’t, and the two went separate ways from the portal, letting their senses take over.

Sapnap could smell pork, which wasn’t surprising for the Nether, and relaxed when the scent wasn’t strong. They weren’t close. Bad’s scent, a mix of smoke and muffin batter, was fading quickly, and other than that the smell of the Nether itself, an almost bitter burnt scent, surrounded him. He started walking forward, inhaling deeply to try and catch any other scents that could lead him to his friend.

There. It was extremely faint, but he could recognize that earthy scent anywhere. He just hoped it was faint because he was small, and not because he ran, picking up the pace and moving towards it.

~~~

Dream couldn’t go any further. For one, the drop ahead of him would kill him at normal size, let alone this size. And two: he’d been running for what felt like hours, and he’s already exhausted most of his food. All he could do now is hide and pray that Sapnap doesn’t actually find him.

He remained ducked under the small awning the netherrack around him offered, keeping an eye out in the direction he came from.

If he saw Sapnap, he could… he could what? He wouldn’t be able to outrun him, and any kind of tricks he could have pulled are instantly thwarted by his size. He was still low on hunger, and the food he had wasn’t much to get him through a chase. What could he do?

Very soft footsteps caught him off guard, head snapping up to see the checkered converse and black pants of Sapnap. “Dream?” His voice was soft, but he did not take a step further.

He.. He knows where I am, doesn’t he? He knows I’m hiding.

“Dream, come out. I’m not gonna hurt you.” The giant lowered himself down to a kneel, one foot still planted on the ground in case he needed to get up quickly. Dream wanted to retort, he wanted to tell him to go away, but he couldn’t muster up the courage. A soft sigh, though still loud to the small man, rang out from beyond his hiding spot. Sapnap’s hands rested on the ground, near the nether rack the shrunken man was hiding under. “Dream, come on. We need to get out of here.”

Surely he knows it isn’t safe, right?

Sapnap could wish that that’s why he stayed hidden, but the smell of fear was almost strangling him. He knew it was directed at him.

“Dream, we’re not gonna hurt you. We need to figure out how this happened so we can fix it.”

An achievement popped up on both communicators, Sapnap reading it out loud before Dream could pull his out.

“‘Into fire’- what the fuck is he doing? I’m about to call him.” The larger grumbled, tapping on the device for a moment. A few silent moments went by, Dream trying to find an opportunity to run, before the call was picked up. “Did you find him?” “What are you doing, Bad? Why are you getting blaze rods?” “It could be a potion! We need a brewing stand and blaze powder. Did you find him, Sapnap?” The demon was barely concealing the worry in his voice. “Yea, I did.”

“Good! That’s good. Is he okay?” Sapnap sighed, looking down at where Dream’s scent was strongest. “I don’t know. He’s hiding, he won’t come out.” “Oh.” Bad suddenly yelped, making Dream startle and Sapnap tense. “Bad?” “I gotta go, there’s too many blazes! Keep me updated!” The call ended abruptly, leaving Sapnap to groan, putting his free hand on his forehead while he put his communicator away. “If he gets himself killed doing that I swear-“ he froze up, eyes dilating slightly. Dream moved.

He was moving, trying to sneak past him.

“Dream?” The man jumped, breaking into a sprint before Sapnap could even register what had happened. “Wh- HEY!” He lunged after him, and Dream didn’t have the courage to look back.

Make it back to the portal, make it back to the portal, make it back to the-

He shrieked when something wrapped around him, yanking him backwards and erasing a lot of the progress he made in his panic. He looked down and oh fuck those are fingers.

Sapnap had grabbed him. “Dream! What the hell are you doing? You’re gonna get hurt!” “Let me go! Just let me go, I’ll-“

“Games over, Dream.” The speed runner flinched at the words, beginning to tremble. “Wait, shit- I don’t mean it like that. We’re- Dream we’re not gonna keep hunting you like this. We’ve gotta get you back to normal first.” He loosened his grip, but only slightly. He had no doubt that Dream would try to jump if given the chance.

As a matter of fact, how the hell is he supposed to get out of here without both hands free? He was not gonna try to put Dream in his inventory, fuck no. He didn’t have any pockets, and he’d have to be able to fight to escape. He doesn’t have gold, armor or otherwise, the Piglins were not going to let him leave easily.

There had to be something he could do.

Wait… maybe there is.

When he was younger and Bad was trying to help him survive the Nether, he used to swallow Sapnap and hold him in a brooding pouch. It was something almost all netherborns had, to protect their treasures or their offspring from the heat or other threats. It’s not like he didn’t have one, he’s used it before. Just not on something living.

And Dream was gonna fucking kill him for doing this, too.

“Dream.” The mask-clad tiny tensed, but didn’t flinch, looking up at him. He hadn’t even noticed when he had stopped struggling against him. “Finally back? You’ve been.. staring at me weirdly for a while. Your pupils are huge.” “Right, yeah. I was trying to think of how to get us out of here, cause I’m gonna need both hands. And I’m not experimenting with putting you in my inventory.” “Thank god.” Dream sighed. “Unfortunately, the only other option isn’t great either. It’s.. you’re not gonna like it, and you won’t understand it either.”

“Sapnap?” He sounded nervous, just barely concealing his fear. “Just… trust me, okay?” He brought Dream closer to his face, trying to keep his face calm and comforting, though it didn’t seem to help. He took a deep breath, and without readying either of them, popped his shrunken friend into his mouth.

Dream immediately flailed, yelling out. “What are you doing!? You said you weren’t gonna hurt me!” The fireborn’s heart almost shattered at that, whining softly as he tried to keep his friend from his fangs. He tried not to think about his friend’s taste, he tried not to linger on it, but..

Dream tasted pretty good. Definitely earthy, like herbs, and something tangy too. It wasn’t like anything Sapnap’s ever had, Nether or overworld wise. The only thing that soured it was the hurtful words and the overwhelming fear his friend kept emitting. Truthfully, Sapnap was getting very nervous the more the tiny speedrunner kept thrashing, getting too close to his clenched fangs than comfortable for the hybrid.

He tried to purr, hoping that maybe it would help soothe him a bit. He felt relief when Dream finally went limp, thinking that maybe it had helped. It wasn’t until he heard and felt sobs wrack his friend’s body that his heart plummeted, cutting the purrs off immediately. Shit, he still had to swallow Dream, too. If he tried keeping him in his mouth, he’d get hurt on his fangs. He tried steeling himself, lifting his tongue up to the roof of his mouth and letting Dream slide on the other side of it. He didn’t even fight, just tried to curl away from his throat.

Sapnap swallowed twice, forcing Dream down quickly so he could do damage control. “Dream, Dream you’re okay. It’s okay, fuck..” Dream hadn’t even finished his trip down his throat yet, he couldn’t even tell if he could hear his frantic attempt to soothe him, hand hovering gently over where he felt him slipping further. “Dream, I promise this is safe. Bad did it to me all the time when I was a kid, it’s safe. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”

He started on his journey back to the portal, rubbing at where Dream finally dropped down into his pouch. He was still trembling, but it seemed like he was trying to calm himself.

He yelled out, startling his holder for a moment before he thought to respond. “Sapnap!?” “Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay. I promise you’re safe, it’s just until we get back to the overworld.” Dream relaxed somewhat upon hearing his voice. It seemed that he just wanted a response.

“How is this even safe?” He called out. “It’s a netherborn thing. Most netherborns have a brooding pouch, to protect their treasure or their kids from the heat or danger. It’s completely safe though, it’s a separate organ.”

“How long have you been able to do this?” He chuckled, happy to fill the silence. He was also happy to feel Dream relax more as he spoke. “Since I was born. Like I said, Bad’s done it to me several times.” “Right. And.. were you ever scared of it?”

“The first time, yeah. Well, not really scared, just nervous. Bad explained it pretty excessively to me before he did it, but you were already scared. I knew I couldn’t get through to you.”

“Yeah. I just… it’s hard to get out of that mindset. Especially when everything’s huge compared to me. I trust you, Sap, promise. I was just.. scared, of everything.” The larger did not respond for a few minutes, mulling over the words while he traversed the rough terrain before him.

“I don’t think you’ve ever been so transparent like this before.” “How so?” “I just don’t think you’ve ever talked about how you feel with us during these games.” “Not like I have anything else to think of.” That’s a lie. He had his surroundings to think of. Sapnap has always been warm, same with Bad, but in here? It was.. nice. He would have been worried it would have been too hot, but he was just in the nether. Sapnap was actually cooler than it. It was just pleasantly warm, and his surroundings were surprisingly soft. It was also dark, but Dream expected that. He was inside someone, after all. He could hear Sapnap moving, feel the sway of his movements as he worked his way back to the portal. He could hear his lungs taking in air, and exhaling it; His voice rumbled around him as he kept talking, though Dream no longer processed it, and he couldn’t even hide the soft purrs that gently shook the organ Dream resided in. Above all that, though, he mainly focused on Sapnap’s heart, beating steadily above him. It was nice to listen to, a reminder that his friend was right there with him.

He didn’t even know when his eyes had grown so heavy, but he went ahead and closed them, finding no point in peering around the darkness. He was out like a light.

~~~

“-And that wound up being pretty rough to explain, Skeppy wasn’t thrilled with him.” Sapnap chuckled at the story, the memory of his adopted stepdad freaking out over him being stored still humorous to him. It had been a long time ago, and maybe if he hadn’t been used to it he would have been just as scared as Skeppy had been. A few steps later, he hesitated. Dream hadn’t responded to the story. Actually, he hadn’t said anything in quite a while, and he hasn’t really moved other than the involuntary movement caused by Sapnap. Despite knowing it was safe, that there was no possible way he could have sent his friend to the wrong place, he felt unease creep up his spine.

“Dream? You good?” He pressed a hand to his midsection, trying to spur a reaction. For a heart stopping moment, there wasn’t one. Then the small form shifted, and if Sapnap listened closely (which he was, now concerned he’d missed something) he could hear faint snores.

He instantly relaxed, the tension oozing out of him as he realized his friend simply fell asleep.

“Little warning would have been nice.” He huffed, picking up the pace. “Warning for what?” His eyes snapped up instantly, meeting the gaze of Bad. “Oh, finished getting whipped by the blazes?” “Yea, I think I got enough blaze rods, we can just use the brewing stand in the village. Where’s Dream?” He hesitated, out of instinct of hiding his inhuman qualities, before relaxing. “I had to store him. I needed both my hands free so we could actually survive getting back. He went pretty damn far for being that small.” “Language.” The demon chided, shoulders slumping in relief. “Did.. he take it well?” “No. But he did calm down after a little bit and let me explain. He’s sleeping right now.” “Good. He needed it, I bet.”

“Yea. Let’s get back to the others, I’m sure they’re just dying to know what’s going on.”

~~~

In the end, it had been a potion effect. The six found the closest village and camped out in the church, sitting around the brewing stand. Bad was testing different potion ingredients, and George wrote the results down in a book and quill. Sapnap kept a firm hold on Dream, watching the potions brew as he kept his ears on Dream’s breathing. He was still sleeping when he brought him back up, so he tried his best to keep him from waking up as he dried him off.

He shifted in the hybrid’s grip, making his eyes snap down to his small form.

“Morning, sleeping beauty.” Dream groaned, swatting at his fingers before his eyes snapped open. Of course, nobody noticed that with his mask still being on, but they did notice when he sat up quickly. “…so it wasn’t a dream?” “Nope. Lucky for you, though, Bad’s been brewing potions nonstop and we’ve been getting closer to an antidote.” Dream nodded, looking over at the demon. Bad visibly brightened when he noticed, offering him a wide smile. “I’m glad to see you’re okay, Dream! I think I speak for all of us when I say you had us worried.” “Yea? Try putting yourself in my shoes.”

“Actually, now that you’re up, we could try milk.”

The group paused for a moment, each checking their inventory before Antfrost finally pulled a bucket of milk out of his. “I got one early in case you tried any splash potions, but…” Dream crossed his arms at him while Sapnap accepted the milk bucket, holding it out for the shrunken man.

“If we’ve decided it was a potion, then that means one of you guys had to have brewed it.”

“Not necessarily.” George had gone back to writing down combinations. “Callahan hosts the worlds, right? He could have brewed it.” “But why would he? Just to introduce the concept of them? Why wouldn’t he write the potion combinations down somewhere then?”

“I… that’s a fair point, I guess.” “Well, none of us brewed it. If we had, we wouldn’t be playing potion roulette right now.” Sapnap adjusted his hold on Dream as he pulled away from the milk bucket, both frowning when it didn’t even make a dent in his size.

“Let’s just be happy something bad didn’t happen to Dream. We’re working on it now, right? It’ll be okay.” Bad tossed a mushroom into the brewing stand, placing an awkward potion in the middle of it.

“Did we already do nether mushrooms?“ “Not yet. What are you doing now?” “I just put a warped mushroom in. Usually it wouldn’t do anything, but it’s actually brewing something.” “Warped mushroom?” “Yea. Usually mushrooms don’t do anything in brewing stands alone.”

The next minute that went by waiting on the potion to finish felt like the longest minute any of the hunters, and Dream, ever experienced. When Bad pulled the potion out of the stand, he looked at the shimmery, cyan liquid for a good while. “It’s definitely a potion, but it’s not like one I’ve ever seen. Do you think we found it?” “Only one way to find out.” George motioned to the flower pots they collected and put in the church to test potions on, varying flowers holding various effects. Most looked normal, just with potion particles coming off of them, but the water breathing tester looked slightly wilted as it no longer absorbed the water, and the regeneration and health testers looked better than before. There were only a few flowers left, and Bad grabbed the untested pot containing a poppy to test the new potion on.

“Okay, so this is just warped mushroom. No glowstone, redstone, gunpowder, nothing. Oh! And used on an awkward potion.” “I know, just get on with it already.” George rolled his eyes.

Bad poured a small amount onto the poppy, waiting with baited breath as the potion began to take effect.

And right before everyone’s eyes, the poppy began to shrink. “Yes!” “Fucking finally.” Sapnap let his head fall back against the wall. “You said it was warped mushroom, right? So would the antidote just be a crimson mushroom?” “I’ll go get one.” “Thank you, Sam. I’ll fix up another awkward potion while you’re gone.”

“I hope this works. I don’t know what we’re gonna do if it doesn’t.” “Do the same thing we’re doing right now. Just keep testing things, we’ve still got several ingredients that we could test.”

Dream looked up at the hybrid holding him, growing bored of simply sitting and watching them mess around with potions. Sapnap’s head remained against the wall, eyes closed. He would have thought he was sleeping if his breathing was any deeper, but he knew better. He considered his options for a moment, before grinning and crawling to the edge of his friend’s hand. One of the blackette’s eyes cracked open a sliver, looking down at him but not making a move to stop him. Dream watched him for a moment, but upon realizing he wasn’t gonna be stopped, launched himself off of the larger’s hand and towards his chest.

“Dream!” He yelled, catching him and holding him against his chest as he sat forward. “What the hell!?” “What happened?” “He fucking jumped at me.” “Language.” Bad left the awkward potion in the stand, messing with the last of the shrinking potion on a different flower pot. “I was bored! There’s literally nothing to do.” “You could sleep. Sam will be back soon, and after that stunt I’m not putting you down until he does.” “You didn’t put me down to begin with.” “Cause you ran off in the Nether.” “Right, and you retaliated by-“ Sapnap shifted his hand, making the smaller topple over and effectively cutting off his words. He looked up, ready to curse him out for doing so, but caught the somewhat panicked look in his eye despite a nonchalant frown remaining on his face.

Oh right. If I didn’t know, George and Antfrost definitely don’t. They probably won’t react well.

“What happened in the Nether?” George looked amused by the interaction, not catching the same look that Dream had. “Wound up having to chase him down before he fell off a cliff. Trapped him under my hands to punish him, not much else I could have done without hurting him.” Sapnap said coolly, learning back against the wall. “What is taking Sam so long, anyway? The portal opened near a crimson forest.” As if the mention of him summoned the man, the door opened and Sam stepped in, holding a few crimson mushrooms in his hands. “You two could have told me the forest was full of piglins.” “This just in: Nether mobs spawn in the Nether.” Sapnap bit back, watching him give Bad the mushrooms. “The forest was literally swarmed with them, that was not normal spawning.”

“Maybe not to you. To me and Bad it seemed pretty normal.” “You didn’t even go into the crimson forest! I didn’t, so you didn’t.” Dream cut off the back and forth before it could continue.

“At least this is almost over.” George muttered, watching the potion finish brewing.

Bad gave it only a second once it finished before grabbing it and pouring a small bit onto an unaffected flower, all six players watching with bated breath for it to take effect.

The second they saw the flower begin to grow, Bad immediately handed the bottle to Sapnap, who held it out for Dream to drink from. The shrunken speedrunner gratefully drank from the potion, though barely made a dent in it before having to stop. Sapnap was getting ready to set him onto the ground so he could grow, but he didn’t get the chance before his friend suddenly grew to his normal height, toppling overtop of him.

At least for his part, Dream seemed sheepish about the incident. “Whoops?” Sapnap remained where he lay, only shifting to get more comfortable. “I’m good.” He responded, letting his eyes fall closed.

“Right,” Dream sighed, sitting up and stretching his arms. “So are we gonna do a head start for this, or are we just picking up where we left off?”

The hunters all shared a look of concern, Sapnap’s eyes opening only to lock onto Dream’s form. “How about neither?” “You definitely need to rest more.” “I don’t think it’s a good idea. What if something goes wrong because of the potions again?” Dream waved them off, moving to his knees to start standing up. “You guys are worrying too much. Besides, we’ve already wasted enough time on this. Can’t we just finish this game up?”

George offered him a very skeptical look from where he was leaning against the wall of the church. Nobody else got a word in before Sapnap rolled his eyes and tugged Dream back down to the ground, holding him against his chest and warming his body up. “Sapnap! Let me go!” “Not until you sleep, idiot.” “I already slept. You know I did.” “Not for long enough.”

He noticed the three hunters who stayed in the overworld giving each other confused glances, and hid a smile against his friend’s shoulder. They didn’t need to know what happened in the Nether. Instead, his attention focused back on Dream, who had finally settled down into his arms with a huff. “Fine. Fine, but none of you can be mad when I try to get ahold of you all to reschedule this for later.” “Like we would have to begin with. Probably wind up with another manhunt anyway.” “‘The grand finale rematch’ rematch.” Sapnap joked, keeping his arms locked around Dream’s front. “Oh, fuck off.” “Language.”

“Should we keep messing around with potions now that we found these?” George was getting ready to close the book and quill he had. “We don’t have to, but I’d be curious to try brown and red mushrooms since warped and crimson mushrooms have effects now.” “Honestly? Me too.”

The conversation lasted longer, but Dream paid it no mind, letting his focus drift to the dark behind his eyelids, and the heartbeat and warmth of his friend behind him. Strangely enough, he almost felt… sad, that the experience was over. Which, he could always just shrink himself again now that they have the potion recipes. But, with this experience he honestly felt like he’d gotten closer (pun intended) to Sapnap than he had been before. And if he was being honest, he was surprised to find that he missed in Sapnap’s storage stomach, pouch? He couldn’t remember what it was called, but it didn’t really matter. He didn’t get a chance to further think on those feelings before his consciousness faded like a light being flipped off.

#safe vore #soft vore #mcyt vore #g/t vore #mcyt g/t #fear play #mcyt gt #finally #it’s here #shrunken manhunt

[stuckinthestacks]

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕕𝕒𝕪- What is your favorite book featuring characters with mental health struggles? Today on the blog, I am thrilled to kick off a three post series featuring @rosariamunda and her recent release Flamefall. Today is all about themed recommendations based on key elements from the book. One of the main character in Fireborne and Flamefall struggles with intense anxiety, especially in social situations. As someone who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis I couldn't help but highlight the topic. One of the books that made my list is a tragically underhyped YA horror novel The Dark Beneath the Ice by @metuiteme Head on over to blog to see the other themes and books I highlighted and check out the synopsis of The Dark Beneath The Ice below! SYNOPSIS Something is wrong with Marianne. It's not just that her parents have finally split up. Or that life hasn't been the same since she quit dancing. Or even that her mother has checked herself into the hospital. She's losing time. Doing things she would never do. And objects around her seem to break whenever she comes close. Something is after her. And the only one who seems to believe her is the daughter of a local psychic. But their first attempt at an exorcism calls down the full force of the thing's rage. It demands Marianne give back what she stole. Whatever is haunting her, it wants everything she has―everything it's convinced she stole. Marianne must uncover the truth that lies beneath it all before the nightmare can take what it thinks it's owed, leaving Marianne trapped in the darkness of the other side. https://www.instagram.com/p/CM3fdiorjwn/?igshid=1r7353e1j7vu5

[akaluan]

ptsdven replied to your post: ptsdven replied to your post “MCU/Fireborn...

I NEED MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY

XDD Well okay then!

So, the player group is 4 players, along with essentially a GMPC (GM Player Character) that SHOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED. (Poor, poor Rosar. He was supposed to be just the catalyst that got the PC’s together and gave them their first quest, and then things devolved from there.)

The quest line they were following was a pretty nasty one: There are 7 daggers, essentially soul-killers, and each dagger is for specific races; the most concerning of them are the daggers for Dragon, Elf, Atlantean, and Human.

(The thing with Fireborn Dragons is that they’re immortal. Their bodies can die, but they just come back with all their memories a few decades down the road, but these daggers are capable of permanently killing the soul, which means no more immortality. Needless to say, this was Not Good, and that a group of baddies had found the Scale Dagger, the Dragonkiller blade.)

One of things players had a Rank 3 Treasure of a bronze viking boat that could travel under the water, and they’re using that Treasure to get around in the modern era without having to deal with travel plans. They’d managed to find a couple of the less important daggers and had Rosar destroy them, which was neither easy nor without repercussions.

So they’re traveling through the Atlantic Ocean, following traces of magic that’s similar to the magic of the daggers, when I tell them that they can sense a high concentration below them. So they decide to descend into the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to follow it.

At this point I’m planning on having it be something obviously out of their league AND something that isn’t directly connected to the daggers. The thing with the daggers is that they’re essentially connecting to a Void beyond the world and being used to summon and control Void Beasts (aka Taint Monsters, aka anti-magic/anti-dragon creatures). So I was basically going to have the Thing in the trench be a Remnant of the Mythic Era, a Dragonkiller that had survived the loss of magic by dint of clinging close to a source of natural magic (which isn’t unprecedented; the core game has a dragon surviving into the Modern Era in its natural form by going into hibernation in the heart of a volcano)

So as they’re descending, I’m giving them these clues; “The presence of taint [corrupted magic] is rising the more you descend”, “Shadows cling to the walls around you, refusing to be chased away with your light spell”, “You notice a gigantic dragon bone jutting from the wall to your left; it’s large enough to be the legbone of a Leviathan.”

(They’ve met a leviathan-class Dragon before this, so they know how difficult one of those is to fight.)

But my players, being my players, decide that they can’t let sleeping dogs lie, so they continue on. I’m just (augh okay, I just need to come up with a way for them to escape...) and finally have the Dragonkiller appear, drawn by their magic use.

Cue a fight, which lasts all of about four rounds before the Dragonkiller (which is in the form of a deep sea squid except BIGGER) has enveloped their boat in its tentacles and is about to crush it.

Cue the party mage: “Okay, uhmm... Rosar, you have Coruscating Sphere, right?”

Me, as Rosar: “Rosar gives you a dubious look and slowly nods”

Party mage: “Let’s cast that.” OOC: “I stance change and share my ranks in casting with Rosar”

Me, OOC: ........ You, uh... you sure about that? You know Rosar’s stat line is pretty insane already, right? And the way I roll?

(Rosar was built out of a pretty high-ranked Atlantean NPC template, so he has close to max stats for a human. This makes... a lot of difference. Adding in the party mage’s ranks in the Casting Skill -- another 4 dice out of 6 max -- basically means that Rosar will be rolling 15 dice on a spell that only needs 5 successes to pull off. Rosar also has the casting option that allows him to trade overkill successes for extra damage, along with another that allows him to double the radius. My dice luck also means that I’m basically guaranteed about 10 successes on this roll.)

Party: *look at one another and discuss this for a moment* “Well we’ve decided, go for it. We’re out of other ideas.” The PCs take cover behind things that won’t be destroyed by the coming spell, because this is NOT a Friend-Or-Foe spell.

Me: Well... okay. Rosar agrees to cast the spell. *I start to roll dice* Aaaaand he pulls it off. Really well. Uhm... ... Oooo-kay. So that’s a base damage of 50... okay, so he doubles the radius twice for a radius of 48 ft, and adds another 25 damage to the total. A gigantic sphere of light, flame, and electricity flares out from around Rosar, speeding through the air of the containment bubble and hitting the ice cold water on the other side with a muted roar. You can see the water around you start to agitate as the magic passes through it and continues on.”

Party negotiator, who is an engineer and has done some fluid mechanics classes: “Wait...”

Party mage, who is ALSO an engineer: “... oh shit.”

Me: Guys, you realize that Rosar is an Atlantean who grew up in an Atlantean Enclave, and has basically 0 interaction with modern day sciences.

Party mage: Yeah, that too, but I just remembered we were carrying that amplifier still...

Me: ........ shit.

(The amplifier was a piece of loot they’d found right before this point, and they were going to bring it back to Rosar’s enclave to get it examined and figure out what it actually is supposed to do. Unfortunately, that had happened the previous session, which was a week before this point, so I had forgotten it was onboard and out in the open as well.)

Me: So, the good news: the Dragonkiller screams in agony and dies. Congrats, you killed it.

Party gunfighter: I preemptively travel into the shadow realm.

Me: Yeah, that’s nice. You’re all safe, anyway. It’s, uh... the people above you that aren’t.

At this point we spent about a half hour doing math, and eventually came to the conclusion that the amplified Sphere had put out enough energy to superheat the ocean water in a pretty large radius around them, and the lightning was making everything worse because it was traveling through the water unchecked. Eventually it reached the tipping point, where the superheated water reached the upper ocean, flashed into steam, and exploded upwards which triggered the water below it, which just... kept spreading. Eventually, a good chunk of the Atlantic Ocean was in the atmosphere, the expanding pressure wave of superheated steam reached Africa and the Americas, setting the coastlines on fire, the rest of the oceans started rushing inwards to equalize the water depth, and as a bonus all that icky corrupted magic from the trench got spread everywhere!

(EDIT: almost forgot the Primordial being of destruction! How dare I.)

This increase of corrupted magic across the globe, combined with the ‘sacrifice’ of an Ancient Dragonkiller essentially allowed for the completion of  a bastardized version of the ritual that my players were trying to prevent via destroying the daggers. RIP. They killed the Ancient Dragonkiller but allowed something worse into the world.

And that was how my players royally screwed over the world and changed the setting to post apocalyptic in a single session, by giving their GMPC companion an order that the poor dude didn’t know was a Really Bad Idea.

#ptsdven #replies #for reference on damage levels: #Rosar's health chart puts him at Dead if he takes more than 42 damage in a single hit #Rosar's health chart is max human #Coruscating Sphere is a Rank 5 spell #which is basically max rank #because the core rulebook doesn't have anything higher #it's basically a 1 hit kill for anything that gets hit #and the amplifier item was #uh #it wasn't really a GOOD device #not that my players knew it #they just knew it amplified things #but my writeup on it says 'interacts positively with taint' #and i have a few scribbled notes about how it gets stronger the more taint is around #the Dragonkiller was basically taint made manifest #and the amplifier was specifically designed to take in magic #and then make all the nearby taint resonate with that same spell #so uh #rip

[nixiegenesis]

500 Words Requests

acommonanomaly replied to your post

“Ok everyone! I need to get back into the writing groove I had going on...”

@nixiegenesis​ I'd say any of my faves, but that wouldn't really narrow it down much! I'm going to be SUPER unpredictable and say...Killian? XD

Thanks for the request @acommonanomaly! Killian’s POV from Fireborn’s sequel is under the cut. I kind of went over 500 words, oops! Obviously this is shoddily edited XD.

As the dust settled, Killian coughed. He waved his hand in front of his face and hoped to see if his experiment had worked. He looked up and saw the ceiling of the cave appeared to remain structurally sound. Up ahead, the wall of bedrock had been cleared by another hundred feet or so. Killian grinned.

“Yes!” he effused as he punched the air. He then quickly jumped back as rock from the ceiling fell to the floor and the cave quaked.

“Shield,” he commanded and the gauntlets of Aucoinium on each of his hands. The metal became fluid and then hardened into a shield which Killian placed over his head.

Killian coughed again then groaned, this time more aware of the volume of his voice. “Dammit.”

The cave became dark as the falling rock had crushed his lantern, but Killian knew the way back to the entrance. He picked up a piece of the bluish gray rock and ran his thumb over the dull silver metal that veined its way through the stone.

Over the course of fourteen months, Killian hewed his way through the stone of the mountain. Each day he entered the caves and by focusing the energy his voice created, the stone obeyed his command. The earth bending to Killian’s will was nothing new and it no longer took a great amount of focus for Killian to see the energetic makeup of the land around him. It was like a second sight and if he focused hard enough, he saw both the physical earth and the slowly moving energy together. It was the energy, or Eia, of the stone that was affected by his ability.

Killian also spent the year testing how to use his voice without changing the energy of the earth around him. He noticed when he spoke, the Eia of the earth began to move excitedly. In the past he had looked to find a way to block the energetic reaction between the sound waves his voice created and the earth. The Mageos in Aureolin had taught him many techniques. They had never worked and eventually only served to injure him. And so, Killian began to experiment with controlling sound rather than trying to block it.

Simply talking wasn't something Killian had been able to do since he was ten. Without his Novisium collar to energetically lessen his ability, the quietest noise caused the ground to shake. 

Killian tested the radius his voice affected by placing glass jars filled with rocks at different distances and seeing how far he could move them before they stopped breaking when he spoke. Once he gathered reliable data, he was able to work on focusing his energy in a specific direction. This helped when he used his voice to specifically affect the earth, but Killian still had not gotten a handle on how to control his voice when he was having a conversation or—as he had in the cave—shout with excitement.

He had gotten close to a solution at the Summit last year. The problem with the Morisium he wore was that it indeed absorbed sound’s energy, but the energy then had had nowhere to go except back to Killian. With every word he spoke, Killian caused damage to his body rather than the outside world. Killian had half the problem solved, he only needed a substance that could both absorb the sound waves and convert them to harmless energy.

That was why he was mining the mountains. Cathail as a whole was rich in Aucoinium deposits.The metal enhanced abilities and took on the energy of the user. In the north of Cathail, the Aucoinium became less prevalent and another metal, Novisium, veined through the earth. Novisium was rarer and negated the ability of the user. It didn’t absorb energy, but disrupted the energetic flow through a person’s body which made it difficult for an elemental ability to manifest. It was thought the reason why the Anhum began to evolve in the north of Cathail was because of the Novisium; that it kept parents from passing their energetic traits to their children. Killian needed large amounts of Novisium to test and the caves in the mountains just beyond Skyfall were rich with the dull, silver metal.  

Killian worked on combining Aucoinium and Novisium together in years past. He tested what he called Novicoinium as a less painful way for Vericlen to wear Novisium but he had not explored its other uses.

Solaris’ light reflected harshly off the frozen snow as he exited the cave. Killian squinted. The Shadow Year was coming to an end and soon the snow and ice would melt and these caves would be flooded. He only had a matter of months to gather as much Novisium as he was able. As Killian walked the incline of the hill that led back to Skyfall, he passed some of the his guards on horseback who waited for him out of harm’s way.

His father had insisted on sending fifty of the Cathain Guard with Killian to Skyfall. Political tensions in Aureolin were tense and Killian’s father claimed it was too dangerous for Killian to travel alone. Killian had become close with the group of men and women who guarded Skyfall. He discouraged them from calling him “Your Highness” as Killian was never comfortable with ostentatious titles anyway.  

One of the guards handed Killian a coat. “Any luck today?”

Killian hummed positively. “There seems to be a good amount of Novisium in the space I cleared.” He pulled his arms through the woolen sleeves. “I’ll take a team down tomorrow so we can mine it. Thanks for remembering the coat, Ghaest.”

Ghaest nodded. “You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached to your neck.”

Killian laughed as he mounted his horse. That much was true. There were times he was so focused on a project, everything else seemed to fall by the wayside.

Killian and Ghaest reached the hilltop and made their way to the paved path that led to the castle. Though Solaris now shone through Nemis’ umbris, the air still bit from the last ten months of darkness and frost. Thankfully, the layers of ice on the glowing Kana and other plants began to weep. Killian looked forward to warmer months.

“Seems we have some company.” Ghaest pointed ahead of them.

White clouds of ice billowed behind a small group of armored guards riding horses. At the head of them, a banner man held a flag—a burgundy eagle on a white field.

“Well look who it is,” Killian said and grinned. He nudged his horse into a trot to meet his cousin.

Perhaps, thought Killian, all he needed was a second pair of eyes to look over his data and see what he was missing. Neo had always been good at suggesting alternate ideas. 

He hoped Neo’s visit was one of good tidings, but as Killian came closer, he noticed a slight grimace on his Neo’s face.

© Jessica Johnson 2017

#not fandom #500 words request #Fireborn #Killian #my writing #my original fiction #acommonanomaly #fantasy #I really wanted to keep going with this so it certainly worked! #I'm still working on the whole idea of sound energy so some of this will probably change #we will see #thanks for the request!

[fracturedlife]

“ mushroom dance, mushroom dance, whatever could it mean? it means you’ve lived a life of sin. “

#ic; fireborn #open

[lillianawayne99]

Fireborn Chapter Two

Pairing: Jon Snow & Oberyn Martell X OC

Genre: NSFW AU

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: smut, violence, fluff, blood, mixes the books and show, spoilers for seasons 6-8

Synopsis: Valaena Fireborn of House Targaryen has reached Westeros after spending her life in exile. While learning about her homeland and preparing for the war ahead, she meets two men who would change her life forever and learns of a threat to all humanity.

Previous Chapter // Fireborn // Masterlist

“I am the blood of the dragon.”

I expected Jon to go back to his duties as King while Kovarro and I took care of our horses, but he didn’t. Rather, he waited outside the stables to give us some privacy and lead us through the castle when we were finished. I'd already taken off my midnight’s tack and was now brushing her down. The saddle and saddlebags were laying on the wall of the stall while the bridle was hanging off a nail beside the door.

“Khaleesi.” Kovarro got my attention from the stall beside the one I was in.

“Yes, blood of my blood?” I responded in Dothraki so Jon couldn’t understand us.

“What are you thinking?” He was addressing the situation we hadn’t expected.

We were expecting to meet with Roose Bolton, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, not Jon Snow, King of the North. I had prepared for a cold killer that slaughtered men and women at a wedding, not the considerate warrior. We were expecting a cold and distrustful Lord, not a King’s warm welcome.

“Our situation is better than we had anticipated, but that means we need a change of plans.” My weapons clanked against each other when I bent down to put the brush away.

I carried two arakhs, two swords, a bow, a quiver, a whip, and various daggers. I was given a dragonbone arakh, bow, and whip by Drogo’s bloodriders when we married. They were surprised when I kept the bow and arakh, Dothraki wives traditionally gave their husband all three bride gifts. I had given the whip to Drogo because I didn’t see the use of it, but I decided to hold onto it when he died.

My bride gift arakh is on my right hip, the arakh I was given by a stranger on my left. The sword that came with the stranger’s gift arakh on my right hip, and the sword I bought to match my bride gift arakh on my left. My bow and quiver were both slung over my shoulder to rest against my back, my whip on my left hip, and several daggers concealed within and under my dress.

I picked up the small basket containing the brushes I used to groom my midnight and walked out of the stall, making sure to close it securely behind me. I had considered grabbing my saddle bags as well, but I didn’t want to carry them with me while learning the layout of the castle. Kovarro had also finished with his horse and joined me when I put the tools away and met King Jon outside the stable.

“You can leave your bags here, I’ll send someone to bring them to your room later.” Jon gestured towards the castle for us to walk ahead of him.

The smithy was on our right and the bell tower our left while we left the stables. The kitchens were between the bell tower and library. The kennels behind the kitchens.

“What language were you speaking? It didn’t sound like Dornish.” Jon was walking on my right with Kovarro behind us.

“Have you ever heard someone speak Dornish, Your Grace?” I light heartedly teased him, but I also wanted to know the answer so I would know how much I needed to tell him about my past.

He simply grunted in response and glanced over at me in wary surprise. Jon led us past the smithy to the Great Hall first. We ambled through the halls behind the Great Hall, past the sept, and entered the Great Keep. I was expecting to be given rooms in the Guest House, and thus confused as to why we were being led through the Stark’s living quarters.

“Your rooms will be here, next to each other.” He answered my question, but I was left with another. Why were we being given rooms here? We could’ve stayed anywhere in the castle, we would’ve been happy sharing a room with two beds in an inn.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.” I glanced over at Kovarro to find that he was just as confused as I.

We followed Jon for a few minutes while he found two rooms he thought were suitable. He instructed us to wait there for him. His back and dark hair faded into the darkness of the hallway while he went to find someone or something. For an unknown reason, I was sad to see him go and anxiously awaiting for when he would come back.

“Khaleesi, what is going on here?” Kovarro gently grasped my upper arm and turned me to face him.

“I don’t know, but it’s better than what we were expecting to walk into.” I was pleasantly surprised with our current situation. Jon seemed to want me here, but I was wary of his intentions.

“We entered the wolf’s den.” Kovarro was apprehensive of what the King we weren’t planning to meet wanted with me. Truth be told, so was I.

“Better than the flayer’s.” My right hand instinctively rested on the pommel of one of my arakhs.

“That doesn’t make it any safer. We are surrounded by killer wolves.” He sounded nervous for the first time in years, but it was understandable. We weren’t surrounded by friends and loyal warriors any longer. It was just the two of us in a foreign land surrounded by people who would likely want us dead if they knew who we truly were.

“And I am a dragon.” I hissed under my breath in Dothraki to ensure no one overheard or understood what I said.

Our conversation was cut short by the sound of approaching footsteps. I turned around to see the only familiar face here striding towards us. Jon’s sharp brown eyes met my jade green ones the second I turned to face him. He had taken off his cloak, showing the breastplate with two direwolves embossed in it. When he glanced down to see where Kovarro was still holding my arm, there was a brief flicker of jealousy in his gaze.

I didn’t know if he saw the look as well, but my dothrakhoyi dropped his hand when I shifted my body to face the man advancing toward us. The envy that reached Jon’s eyes for a mere moment sent a strange pang of satisfaction through me. I'd never felt that way about a man before, and I just met him today. Daario nor Drogo evicted such feelings from me, and I cared deeply for them both.

“I’ve summoned someone to gather your bags for you. They’ll be placed in your rooms later today.” Jon was standing close enough that I had to slightly crane my head back to look at him. He was taller than me, though shorter than the men I had grown accustomed to being around.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Would it be possible for the two of us to speak somewhere ... in private?” I was about to take the largest gamble of my life, but if I was right about his man, it would pay off.

“Khaleesi.” There was a clear warning in Kovarro’s tone.

He knew what I was planning and thought it would bite me in the ass. I turned slightly to look back at him. My sharp gaze swiftly shut him up. I was in charge here and I made my own decisions, not him. When I returned my attention to Jon, he looked surprised and amused. He recognized the power dynamic between Kovarro and I.

“Of course, My Lady.” Jon opened a door on my right and followed me inside.

We were inside a bedroom, a room Kovarro or I would stay in while in Winterfell. There was a wooden bed to my left against the stone wall with various furs covering the mattress. A table and chairs sat across from the bed. A dresser was against the wall in front of me with a window behind it. Some candles were strewn about in the room, but the light streaming in from the window illuminated the room well enough to see.

The sound of the heavy door shutting behind me nearly made me jump. It wasn’t a threat and he wasn’t cornering me. After all, I asked for this meeting not him. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about being in a closed room with him. What if he attacked me after I said what I needed to and I was forced to kill him? We would end up on the run, fleeing the North and I would likely end up at war with them too.

“What did you want to tell me?” Jon’s deep voice sounded from behind me.

I turned and sat down on the bed, shifting slightly to face him. Suddenly, I was questioning myself. Could I trust him with this? He was standing beside the door, slightly leaning back on the wall behind him. He looked at ease yet tense, but I wasn’t sure why.

“I’m not who I told you I am. I’m traveling under a false name, and I would appreciate it if you don’t tell anyone what I’m about to say.” His brows furrowed and he gave me a curt nod, encouraging me to continue. “I am ... Valeana Fireborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, Rightful Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains.”

His expression changed while I rattled off the titles I had accumulated over the past five years. First was shock and unease, then admiration, and finally acceptance. He was silent for several minutes while he pondered what I told him. I wanted to explain what I was doing here, put at ease his suspicions that I wanted him to pledge fealty to me, but the way he was looking at me made me stay silent.

“Why are you here?” When he finally spoke, the warmth in his voice was gone and only mistrust was left.

“To learn. I’ve spent my entire life in exile. If I want to rule Westeros one day, I need to understand it. I need to form connections with the people and alliances with other nobles who want to see the Lannisters off the throne.” I wasn’t expecting to tell someone the truth for many more days, but the welcome I received today changed that. I hoped I shouldn’t have waited.

“What about me?” His meaning was evident despite his uncertainty towards me.

“I’m not going to ask you to pledge fealty to me. That’s not why I’m here.” Why would I push him to swear himself and the North to me? He didn’t know or trust me. I already knew he didn’t want to answer to Tommen, and hopefully that meant he would take my side against the boy king.

“Alright. You’re welcome here in Winterfell for the time being, Your Grace.” The previous warmth in his tone hadn’t returned, but I heard the banter in his tone when he called me by my true title.

“Thank you. I’d -” I was going to ask him not to tell anyone, again, but he cut me off before I could get the words out.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone who you are.” Jon slowly sauntered toward me until he stood less than a foot away. “If you act like a Dornish noblewoman and don’t try to rule the North while you’re here.”

He was standing so close he towered over me and pervaded my senses with his scent. He smelled of sweat, leather, and an animal I couldn’t place. When he stretched a hand out to me, I noticed he had taken off his gloves. It took me a few moments to realize he was offering to help me up, and take his hand. When I rose to my feet, it was impossible not to notice the mere inches separating our chests. Neither of us moved to create more distance between us, and he didn’t let go of my hand.

Next Chapter

Reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated!

© LillianaWayne - all rights reserved. Do not copy, modify, repost, or share on other platforms without my express, written permission.

#game of thrones #game of thrones fanfic #game of thrones au #game of thrones fanfiction #asoiaf au #asoiaf fanfic #asoiaf fanfiction #a song of ice and fire #a song of ice and fire fanfic #a song of ice and fire fanfiction #jon snow #jon snow fanfic #jon snow x oc #jon snow x reader #targaryen oc #targaryen au #house targaryen #lilliwrites #fireborn

[ravensshaman]

Spirit Work Basics: Designing Wards

Onto the second installment of the spirit work basics series, and the second first most important step into spirit work!

Now that you hopefully have a good grasp on energy work, we’re going to talk about wards. Like last time, I’ll be skipping the absolute basics of how to ward and shield -I recommend practicing bubbling and instant-shielding.

Now, a ward’s design is very very important. It’s intent and layout, it’s material and energy source, everything. Every little brick builds a building. And getting them in the right order is not as important, but fairly important. Why? You’ll see in a moment.

So let’s first talk about the energy source. It’s a bit unconventional for a post on wards to start with talking about energy source, if they talk about it at all , but hear me out. You’re building this house, and you want a mansion. Huge, swinging chandeliers, 60’ flat screen tvs, every gaming console to your heart’s content, and a heated indoor swimming pool. It’s amazing… until you see the power bill. Uh oh. You spent all of your millions on the house and left nothing for the weekly, monthly, yearly payments down the road.

If you’re like most people, you have a limited source of energy, and creating wards takes a lot of that energy, whether or not you’re actually using your own to ward with (which I also don’t recommend - you’ll see). But wards, depending on how they’re created, can take a lot or minimal upkeep, but requires upkeep nonetheless. So before you even think about that elaborate 50 ward setup you’re dreaming of, hold on a fuckin second.

SET UP A GOOD ENERGY SOURCE

A consistant one. A powerful one. Don’t be like previous me and use the energy from the people the ward deflects. And don’t be like most beginners and leech it off yourself. You’re setting yourself up for a bad time.

Instead, use a natural element! Create a separately warded generator! Gather energy for it manually! Something that no person or entity can tamper with so that your shields slowly die out without you even noticing. Shields are absolutely necessary for spirit work, and if an entity manages to get through them, not only do you have to spend energy getting rid of it, but then after need to rebuild your wards and its energy source all over again, and that’s never any fun. The best solution is to use something you enjoy, so it’s never work or a chore to charge your wards.

Onto the next point! location Now, you can have a few different types of wards, but most important are astral and physical . I always recommend you have both, but sometimes that just isn’t possible, so carefully weigh the pros and cons of both.

A physical ward is much more difficult for a spirit to break or destroy, giving you better protection, as well as needing less maintenance. However, if you regularly visit the astral and have a space or a body there, they aren’t under any protection and a spirit can come across your physical self, realize your Astral self is unwarded, and have itself a free snack. Or, you’re doing spirit work, and didn’t notice you attracted a spirit. You leave without acknowledging it, it follows you around for a while wondering what the hell is going on,and finally gets tired of waiting and attacks. In both cases, astral and self wards are much more important.

Now onto the fun stuff! Next point- intent and function I merged these two together because they very heavily rely on ond another, and if they don’t, you’re going to have a gap there you don’t want! It can allow an entity to easily slip through, if you make a ward designed to bounce spells of it made out of diamond or steel.

Make up your intent beforehand. Whether it be to trap your enemies, reject them, or politely stop them. You can also put in specifications, but beware of loopholes. “Spirits who intend to do me harm” sounds all dandy, but who says that spirit was intending to harm you? Better, but still not perfect phrasing would be “any spirit intending to harm me will be instantly removed from my space.” There. Now, if a spirit suddenly decides it no longer feels benevolent, it won’t get to stick around, like the first phrasing would have allowed.

It’s things like that to keep a keen eye out for, wards are a tricky thing. Now that you have your intent, compose something to match! And never detail your wards to anyone else, even people that live in that space! It’s like locking up a locksmith with all his tools. If you’ve already done it, don’t panic, set a date to redesign your wards and breathe.

Because of this reason I won’t be describing my own wards, but I can give some general examples that you can expand on-

Spiderweb wards! Spiderwebs are nature’s wards, naturally they’re a generally great idea for a ward.

Spandex! Stretchy, and a real superhero. Things will bounce right off it!

Fire! A bit more offensive and defensive, most spirits won’t want to mess with this. Beware of fireborne species like dragons and phoenixes, however. They won’t be bothered.

Ice! On the other end of the spectrum, you too can be like Elsa and let it go! ICEolate yourself from all other living things in this cool ward!

Okay, jokes aside, those can all easily be tailored to personal preference, mixed and matched, and expertly configured. Down to our final point-

Composition! No I don’t mean what it’s made of, but how it’s laid out! A lot of people go for the snow globe type of protection, especially if they’re using a physical ward. However there’s so many endless options! A cross, if you’re into it. A pentagram. A star. A box. An evershifting form that makes it nearly impossible for the ward to be seen before the energy has already run into it. All effective if used properly, all potentially ineffective if used poorly. It’s about finding that happy medium where you feel safe and comfortable!

Now that we have a decent idea on how to build our wards, let’s see another important piece of spirit work: deciding who to work with. Energies can very easily clash, and finding your personal comfort zone can be difficult, but you can get a basic idea before you begin!