#it’s likely not something he could just rid himself of in s2 and now he’s all good

[kinardscoffee]

Do you think Tommy is here to stay for a while? How do you think is going to evolve his relationship with Buck? Will we get another kiss next episode?

I would love for him to stay forever!! Love him!!

Hey, Anon! Thanks for stopping by! I love talking about anything related to bucktommy, so you've basically made my day with your ask!

This turned into a long ass post, so I'm putting the rest under the cut.

Yes, I really do think Tommy is here to stay for a while because, honestly, he's the perfect LI to become Buck's endgame.

And I know that that thought is the biggest issue with certain stans right now, but like, he can easily have little storylines weaved throughout the series with the main and guest stars. And, if you actually read the interviews that the actors and Tim are doing, it's clear that's the goal. In fact, I was actually going to make a post for that idea, but I'll just add it here:

Hen, Chim, Bobby

Tommy clearly has a connection to Hen, Chim, and Bobby from his days at the 118. We've seen it in S2, so it's a canon fact. Chim saved his life, so that's a strong fucking bond right there. Not to mention they clearly enjoy quoting movies and probably discussing the plot of movies together. (Thank you, Bobby begins for the bar scene) Tommy was there when Kevin died, too, so he understands the loss that Chim has experienced through the job. And let's not forget that he had the opportunity to watch Chim become an amazing paramedic.

When it comes to Hen, he helped get rid of Captian Gerrard when Hen was being put through hell. (And yes, I do believe he said something to the higher ups. He is a military guy, and following the chain of command is very important to them, so I'm not surprised he never voiced his opinions outloud. Add that with the idea that he was very deep in the closet, he was probably terrified of that man.) And he knows that when it comes to Hen, she will never give up to do what's right and I like to think Tommy took a page from her book and applied that to his life on his journey to accept himself.

Then Bobby. Probably the first man in a leadership position that treated him with kindness and respect. When Bobby comes to the 118, there's some resistance, mostly from Sal, but even through all that, Tommy sees that Bobby is fair (transferring Sal to another station instead of fully firing him) and welcoming (by incorporating family dinners).

Athena

I was struggling with how he'd be connected to Athena, but then I remembered: trivia night!

Athena and Bobby used to have game night with Michael and David. Can you IMAGINE Bobby and Athena inviting Buck and Tommy over for dinner and game night??? I can. And I am so here for it!

Teams would absolutely be: Bobby and Buck. Athena and Tommy.

And let's face it. Athena sees Buck as Bobby's un-adopted son, so if Tommy makes Buck happy, Athena is good.

Karen

This one is interesting and maybe a tiny bit of a stretch, but I really believe that Tommy and Karen could connect through their interest for aviation/aerospace. She's a rocket scientist for crying out loud. He'd be like a little kid at the place where she works.

I also like to think that maybe, due to his childhood and being constantly between homes, he can help discuss the trauma that Mara might feel.

Maddie

I mean, the most important thing to her is that Tommy obviously makes her little brother happy and giddy. She wants to meet him, which is something I can't recall Buck or Maddie ever saying before about one of Buck's LI. Maybe Abby, but Buck was living in her apartment soooo... yeah.

I know Lou has revealed the backstory he has set up in his mind for Tommy and after saying his father was an alcoholic, I can't stop thinking that maybe little Tommy unfortunately experienced abuse from his father or witnessed it happening to his mom. Tommy, having a childhood connected to domestic violence, while not in the exact same way that Maddie experienced it, gives them something in common on a deeper level. An understanding of how important it is to accept love and open yourself up to the possibility.

Eddie

Eddie's friendship with Tommy is actually so interesting to me too because I have this crazy "invisible string" theory that includes him.(Platonically) But, moving on...

Clearly, they share a love of the same things. Muay Thai, watching fights, cars, Buck, basketball, the military.

For me, the military is their real connection because of Eddie's breakdown. No one else in Eddie's life can really understand what he's gone through and how it feels to maybe be the only one of your unit to survive. I'm pretty sure Tommy has already gone through therapy, and since Eddie had no one to reach out to with shared trauma like Frank suggested, he found that second chance in Tommy.

Buck

I mean... they connected lips and soon hearts. 🥺 Sooo....

Next question...

I really hope their relationship evolves in the cutest, sweetest, sometimes naughty, way!

I want to see nervousness. I want to see them learning things about each other. I want them to cuddle and laugh and go on double dates.

I want them to worry about the other one during a dangerous call or rush to each other at a moments notice.

I want to see them fall so in love with each other that I can sue ABC for giving me cavities from all the sweetness.

Having said that... I also want to see disagreements. Arguments and vulnerability and then the process of apologizing and making up.

So, basically, I want them to evolve into a healthy, stable, loving relationship.

And hell yeah! There will be a kiss on Thursday. I'd like to believe we'll see more than one just because of Oliver's interview, but for sure, we're getting one initiated by Buck and honestly I cannot fucking wait!!!!

I want him to stay forever, too. You're not alone 🩵

#911 spoilers #911 abc #911 fandom #evan buckley #bucktommy #tommy kinard #911 speculation #tevan #kinley #buck x tommy #tommy x buck #anon 🩵

[chirpsythismorning]

S5 opener REAL

#byler #will byers #stranger things #every season besides s4-5 opens with non main characters #for el we got a flashback of the lab followed by her perspective in the scene directly after #and I think for Will we will see something similar #with us getting the flashback of him in castle byers in the UD #followed by him in the present in the scene after #but what exactly would warrant that memory being brought up in association with Will in the present? #mayhaps his connection to the mindflayer and the UD run deeper than we realize… #it’s likely not something he could just rid himself of in s2 and now he’s all good #he literally still feels a connection to everything he is feeling #that means he is still technically at risk of being the spy in some capacity #the massacre at Hawkins lab also was a guiding force for El discovering the ‘truth’ in s4 #so it’s likely for Will this instance will operate in a way that re-contextualizes the events in the past up to now #like that time Will suggested they go to the hospital in s3 only for the flayed to be waiting for them #or how flayed Billy knew they were at the cabin… #all while Will was looking cryptic as hell in that scene watching over el #or the fact that he picked Billy in the first place the season after he focused on Will… #you know.. williams #I think the easiest way to introduce the castle Byers flashback is a dream honestly #specifically a dream within a dream #seeing that recent leak and Will looking like either he has a black or hasn’t slept in days #is giving very much ‘I am afraid to sleep bc I’m scared of what will happen’ #I think dude is not exactly possessed in the sense that we already saw in s2 with like the particicles #but he’s still vulnerable #the door is still ajar… #no but fr this idea of opening a door in your mind was so blatant in st2 AND s3b of teen wolf #I think a big part of it will be guilting Will over the fact that Will has helped him before without Will telling the others #hence his weird vibe in s3… like he’s already successfully fucked with Will post s2 potentially with us being none the wiser aka here we go

[vin-taege]

How It Starts, How It Ends

summary: a series of pivotal moments in your relationship with Chishiya, pre and post-Borderlands.

genre: some fluff, heavy angst, established relationship

pairing: chishiya x art student!reader

words: 3.5k

warnings: major character death, hurt no comfort, depression, possible spoilers for S2

First Meeting

"Look at this cute beetle I found."

The small insect gently crawled up your pudgy hand as you held it out. The boy in front of you didn't seem too impressed, responding with only a blank stare. You had always seen him by himself during recess and felt bad that he had to eat alone daily. The other kids were either scared of his dad or thought he was weird—but you minded no such things.

"Those carry germs. Some species of them even hiss or bite," he deadpanned.

"But not this one," you pouted, nudging your hands closer to him. "Look, I think he wants to meet you."

Truly enough, the beetle was inching its way off your fingers, seemingly heading towards the stoic boy. He glanced at it before looking back at you, then he sighed. He didn't think he could get rid of you, so he'll entertain you for now.

"I'll pet it, but I'm not gonna hold it."

"Deal!" 

The way you beamed at him made him feel weird, like something was stirring in his chest. Interesting, he noted.

"I'm ___," you smiled, watching him swipe his finger back and forth the beetle's shell.

"I'm Chishiya."

   .❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

First Date(ish)

"I'm about to implode."

Chishiya looked over your notes and let out a snort. Almost everything was highlighted and it all looked like one big splotch of spilled ink on paper. You ignored him, opting to rearrange your home-made flashcards instead. 

"Physics isn't that hard," he murmured.

"Yeah," you glared at him. "For you."

He chuckled again before getting shushed by someone sitting a shelf away from your table. This made you snicker, worry melting away for a split-second. "I don't get how you can grasp this so easily. The formulas all look the same and I don't know which one to use."

He hummed thoughtful before scooting his chair nearer you. "Just start by focusing on the question. Look at what variables they're giving you and at what's missing, then just match them up with the formula that fits."

"I know~ but—" you huffed. "It's a no-formula-card type of exam."

The way you pouted at him almost looked exactly like how you did all those years ago. You were his first—only—friend, and over time, him simply tolerating you had turned into him growing fond of you.

"How many formulas have you memorized?"

"Two, almost three."

"There's six right? Almost there," he gave you a genuinely encouraging smile.

You loved Chishiya for all his snark and cleverness, but you also loved how soft and supportive he can be when it comes to it. These were small moments you held near your heart, and you doubt you'll ever let them go.

He gently took the flashcards from your hands, tapping rhem on the table to align them. He moved a little so the blank sides were facing you and peered at you over the cards. "If you can get this all down by 5 pm, I'll buy you a snack."

"I want a box of macarons."

"I'll buy you a snack that I can afford."

"Deal!"

   .❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

First Milestone

"How was your finals, doctor?"

A light blush bloomed across Chishiya's cheeks. You were a constant pillar of support for him in life, one he hadn't experienced before from anyone else. Since college had begun for the both of you, you were consistently waiting for him after every finals exam he had—a small strawberry cake roll ready in your hands as a reward for him. It became a tradition for the both of you, and even though Chishiya wasn't the best with words, you knew he was appreciative of your actions.

"I've been offered to intern," his voice was neutral, though you know he was at most pleased with himself with the way his eyes crinkled up. In his mind, however, he was more excited about the cake in his hands rather than the position.

"Holy shit?!" you wrapped your arms around his neck, careful not to squish the frosting. His breath hitched for a second, before he wrapped his free arm around you. He buried his face in your hair, lips quirking up as he shut his eyes to savor the moment. "I'm so proud of you, Chi."

The sunset was slowly trickling into the wide windows of the school hallways. Chishiya didn't expect to be in that laboratory for so long, and it was only now that he realized how long you must have waited. Reluctantly, he pulled away from you to see your face better. 

"Have you eaten yet? You might get an ulcer."

You chuckled lightly, "I've eaten lunch a few hours ago. I wanted us to have dinner together, but I've eaten some crackers while I was waiting."

"Crackers," he pressed his lips in disapproval. "Those aren't nutritious."

Lightly chuckling, you took his hand, leading him out of the building and soon, the campus. The weather was a bit chilly even though you had worn a jacket. Still, you were too stubborn to say anything. Fortunately, Chishiya read you like an open book. Without prompting, he took your hand in his.

"How was your finals? Did your prof like the color application?"

Your heart swelled up. You honestly didn't expect him to remember.

The final project your professor gave you for color theory was to pick an existing painting and evoke the opposite emotion of it by changing the colors and composition. It seemed easy enough, but it had stumped you since you wanted to pick just the perfect base.

The night you were finishing it, Chishiya stayed over at your apartment to "make sure you were eating"—an excuse for him to spend more time with you. He was adamant about getting you to sleep early for the sake of your circadian rhythm, and when he couldn't convince you, stayed up with you instead.

"He seemed to like it, thank god. The composition flowed well and he like that I used a tertiary color scheme."

"I told you the risk would pay off," he smirked.

"I know," you stuck your tongue out. "I should listen to my all-knowing boyfriend more."

Boyfriend. 

He loved it so much when you called him that. Until now he couldn't believe you were real, that what you had was real. He would give anything in the world to stay with you forever.

You passed by a ramen shop, stopping in your tracks to scan the bowls of steaming noodles in longing. You had badly wanted something to heat you up, but one glance at the prices shot down your hopes. 

"I'll treat you," he said softly. "You deserve it."

"But you're the one who got the internship," you pouted at him.

"I'll be treating myself too by buying myself good ramen," he raised an eyebrow, silently pleading that you'd just give in. "And you did treat me. You got me cake."

He raised the small box by the ribbons wrapped around it. When you stayed silent for a couple of seconds, he sighed. You were still stubborn about having to "owe" people things, especially if you felt like you "didn't earn it."

"Fine. I'll buy you ramen tonight and you can make it up to me by taking me to the cafe next week."

"Deal!" you gave in.

   .❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

First Game

Your first game in the Borderlands already had you running for your life. It was a five of clubs called Cat and Mouse. Set in a large office building, you needed to find the four mice scattered all over the place and take their tail—the twist being that the "mice" were actually people donning masks and guns. Red bandanas were attached to their belts, the tails you needed to get.

Chishiya was just behind you, heavily breathing as he slid between the winding hallways of the game arena. His hands were still in his hoodie pockets, much to your dismay. You had told him it'll slow him down, but he just shrugged you off. 

"I know where the final mouse is."

The gunshots faded as you ran farther away from the main room. The two of you teamed up with a group of three other players, and Chishiya came up with the idea to lure the third mouse so you can ambush him.

You had seen another player holding a bandana, and by Chishiya's deductions, you only had another tail left to catch. "The gunshots stopped. We know that there's two mice either dead or incapacitated. Judging by how they seem to be on defense, I think there's only one left."

"Because it would be risky for the last one to come out," you murmured moreso to yourself, completing his thoughts.

He hummed in approval. "We need to find the other players to see if we can cover ground faster. Unless..."

He halted, staring straight down the dimly-lit hallway. You nervously looked around, readying the crowbar you held tightly in case anything were to pounce on you. Chishiya. 

"Maybe we shouldn't stop in the middle of the hallway," you chided him, though he was still deep in his thoughts.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up with a realization. "Unless the mice aren't on the floors."

You're gaze trailed up to the ceiling, landing on the thin slits marked on some parts. Chishiya grinned proudly. Your intelligence has once again made him fall impossible even deeper. 

"They're in the vents," you surmised. He nodded, looking at you in awe and love—as if you were God who came down from heaven to bless him, your devout worshipper.

"We need to tell the others so we can prepare another ambush then." You had considered going back to the main hall, but the other players might have left or been dead by then.

"Don't you want to rest first?" He asked teasingly. 

You snorted. "Shuntaro, we have—" you glanced at the phone, "—five minutes left."

He hummed, feigning contemplation. That name was reserved only for serious occasions, and he knew you were getting riled up. "How about this: we tell them now, but we let them do the handiwork."

This was a side of him that you dreaded seeing. His entire "pawns go first" philosophy bothered you—in fact, you were strongly against it. You didn't like how this place brought out the worst in him, how it brought out the coldness and slyness of his heart.

Yet here you were, unable to leave him. You knew that he was only doing it to protect you. He wanted you to go back together safely as much as you did, but he did it in his own ways.

You bit your lip, voice laced with hesitation.

"Deal."

   .❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

First and Last Goodbye

The first game of the face cards round decimated what might as well be half of the players. 

During the first onslaught King of Spades, you and Chishiya got separated from Kuina, Arisu, and Usagi. The crowbar you had kept from your first game served its last purpose when you used it as a makeshift golf club to hit the grenade away from you. Just as you did, Chishiya dove and pulled you downwards with him to take cover.

You eyes were closed tightly, and the only things you could hear were the ringing in your ears and the beating of his heart. For a second, you swore you had died. Then the arms wrapped around you loosened, followed by a hand running through your hair.

"Are you okay?" Chishiya whispered. His eyebrows knit in worry. "We need to move. Now."

You nodded wordlessly. slowly and quietly rolling off him. Screams and the roar of a rifle were still audible near you, but seemingly moving in the opposite direction. He helped you up, giving you a quick scan to make sure you weren't heavily injured.

"We need to find a sparsely populated area," he spoke once he deemed the King was far enough. "Looks like he's going after large crowds."

"We can go to the edge of the city and follow the river. We're bound to hit a forest sooner or later," you suggested.

"That might take time." He looked your tired state. The bags under your eyes darkened and small scars littered all over your body. An almost empty backpack slung over your shoulder, looking almost as sad as you were.

He weighed out his options: what you suggested was the ideal choice, but you were in no condition for a long trek. Finally, he came to a decision. "But that'll work. We need to do a supply run first."

Was it risky still being in the city? Yes. Did he want you to starve? No. As a compromise, he steered clear of the shops on the main streets. Unfortunately, the smaller stores you ventured into were already looted, only expired goods left in the wreckage.

You could tell Chishiya was getting frustrated. His jaw clenched each time you failed to find food or water. His composure was starting to crack for the first time since you got here. You sidled next to him, slipping your hand into his. He relaxed a bit, though his lips were still pulled into a small grimace.

"We'll be okay," you offered him a small smile. He kissed you on the forehead, returning only a small hum in response.

After thirty more minutes of searching, the two of you finally stumbled upon a shack that had edible food. There were candies at the front, the strawberry ones catching your eye.

Grabbing a handful of them, you strode up to Chishiya. His back was turned to you, the blond busy searching through shelves of cup noodles and biscuits. You tapped him on the shoulder. 

"I got this for you," you brought up the candies like an offering. His eyes sparkled, and he couldn't help the grin that broke through his face. 

"Charming." It was supposed to be teasing, but it came out genuinely grateful. He turned the backpack he was filling up towards you so that you can drop the candies in.

He held it in place for a few seconds longer, looking at you as if he wanted something. You raised your eyebrow in question. He hesitated for a bit, before leaning forwards and connecting his lips with yours.

You reciprocated the kiss, pressing closer to him. The bag landed with a thud on the ground, him favoring pulling your waist closer instead. He was rarely the one who initiated physical affection, but it only took him a bit of prodding to follow through.

He broke away, only to look you in the eyes. "I'll take you home. I promise."

"We'll take us home," you gave him one last peck on the lips. 

For a moment, it felt normal again. It was just you and him against all odds. You were in your little bubble near the outskirts of town, safe from all the hurt.

Then the gunshots started again and they were scarily nearer this time.

Your eyes widened and Chishiya froze. You quickly picked up the bag while he slowly peered out the glass panes of the shop. The caped King was just down the road, a shotgun in his hands. He shot towards the inside of a shop, and Chishiya was certain he hit whoever his target was.

"That's not good," he muttered to himself. "___, run when I tell you to."

"I won't leave you," you snapped.

"I'll be right behind you. I promise." He gave you a reassuring look before peering out the shop window again. 

"Fucker must have tracked us." With the crowbar gone, you had only the small bomb Chishiya made for protection.

He took it out of the inside of his jacket, waiting until the King got close enough. Chishiya knew it wasn't enough to kill anyone, but it would buy you time. That's all that mattered to him.

The crunching of boots on gravel drew closer. Chishiya twisted one of the wires around his finger, ready to pull the activator. The King shot into another store, closer to the one you were in this time. He emptied the round and lowered his gun to reload. In one swift movement, Chishiya pulled on the wire and chucked it as hard as he can.

"Go!"

The two of you sprinted out the shop. The can clunked on the ground as it landed before splintering into pieces with a loud boom. Chishiya yelled after you.

"Don't look back!"

Yet you did, just in time to see the King dodge behind the doorframe. Just in time to see he had the now loaded gun pointed at Chishiya. 

In a split-second, you turned on your heel and pushed Chishiya into an alleyway, the bullet meant for him digging its way into your chest. 

The impact slammed you against the brick wall. There was ringing in your ears and your eyes were blurred by tears. When did you start crying?

Chishiya grabbed your upper body, dragging you deeper into the alley. You could see his lips moving. He was trying to tell you something but everything was so fuzzy.

With adrenaline pumping in his veins, he scooped you up, carrying you as he ran. There were footsteps following not far from him. Pushing his legs to go faster, he inched around the twisted alley, slinking in and out of connected rooms, running and running until he found a door to a semi-basement hidden behind tarps.

He forced it in with his shoulder, careful not to hit you. The room used to be for storage—construction items and dust filling the space. He slid behind a pile of wooden beams, gently setting you down. The surroundings outside settled, and he knew the gunman had lost you.

But god, the bloodbath before him was the scariest.

He'd seen this happen before. He's seen how pale a person could get after so much blood loss. He's seen how it becomes more evident with the lips, cheeks, the tips of your fingers. He's seen that faraway look, the one where he knew the person was starting to drift away.

He put both hands on your chest, putting pressure on the wound. Your blood leaked through your shirt, soaking his hands. Frantically, he took his hoodie off and pressed it against you too. 

"Don't die on me, ___. Please." He whispered, voice breaking.

His words brought you back, tearing your eyes away from the corner of cement bricks and bringing it back to his warm, brown ones. Tears pricked at the corner of his eyes. He's never cried before.

You tried to move your lips, only a croak escaping from your throat. "Chish..."

"Don't leave me, please. Please, ___."

A crimson puddle on the ground was growing at an alarming rate. He had no tools, no help. He was a doctor but he couldn't fucking save the only life that mattered to him. 

Shakily, he held you closer. His voice never sounded this gentle before. "Stay with me."

"C-candies. Eat well... okay?" Your voice was hoarse. The humid room felt colder now. "L-love you."

"We'll eat well together. We'll go back together, I promised you. I'll get you macarons and ramen and those paints you've always wanted, okay? Deal?" His voice was wavering. He tightened his grip on you, pressing your chest harder with his other hand. "Deal?"

You looked up at him with a sad smile. With the last bit of your strength, you brought your hand up and pressed it against his. He laced your fingers together.

"___?" He whispered, finally letting the tears fall. "Deal?" 

You didn't respond. You didn't get to hear him say he loved you too.

   .❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

First Grief

One minute.

Landing in the Borderlands. Cat and Mouse. The Beach. The face cards. Losing you.

It all happened within a minute in the real world.

Chishiya made a promise to himself while he was in the Borderlands. When the candies would run out, he'd stop fighting. When the last traces of you would leave him, he'd join you. Yet by divine intervention, they lasted enough until he beat the King of Diamonds. Long enough until Arisu and Usagi cleared the final face card. 

And now here he was. Sitting on a hospital bed, knowing that he wouldn't find you anywhere in the hospital or the Earth for that matter. 

He hadn't spoken since, only nodding or shaking his head in response to the doctor's questions. As a doctor, he'd known he would've been pissed at a patient that acted like himself. But nothing mattered anymore.

"We found you holding this. Your fist was wrapped around it pretty tightly that we thought the blood had cut off," a nurse told him. She placed a singular piece of strawberry candy on his bedside table.

He looked at it with mixed feelings of remorse and dread. He waited for the nurse to leave the room. Wordlessly, he reached over to close the curtains separating him from a patient with burn injuries. He allowed himself to break down again that day.

When his wounds had recovered enough for him to stand, he found himself sitting in the garden area. The candy was still unopened, sitting on the oak table in front of him. A part of him still hoped that you'd join him out of nowhere. That he'll hear your voice like tinkling bells calling out to him.

"I promised," he thought to himself. How was he supposed to continue everything you've built without you? How was he supposed to go home and face all the things you've left behind?

He wanted to cry again. He wanted to tear his heart out so he'd stop the hurt. He wanted you back. He'd give anything.

The small buzz of wings pricked his ears. He lifted his hand a little, discovering a tiny beetle that had landed near him. He stared at it for a few seconds before gently nudging it with his finger.

It grasped his skin, spiky limbs crawling up his hand.

"___ would've loved you," he whispered.

#alice in borderland imagines #chishiya shuntaro #chishiya alice in borderland #chishiya x reader #aib chishiya #aib imagines #imawa no kuni no alice #alice in borderland x reader #alice in borderland #chishiya imagine #aib x reader #chishiya shuntaro x reader #asks #requested

[ang3lfory0u]

~ What’d I ever do to you? ~ (Daryl Dixon x fem!reader)

————————————————————————————————-

I’m on a roll now 🌝

Slight rivals to lovers kinda thing cause we luv that

Set in s2 cause I miss that era 🌟

Idk how treating wounds works so bare w-not proof read either so sorry luvs

Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

————————————————————————————————-

She didn’t quite know what she did to make the brunette so putt off from her. She wasn’t necessarily a ray of sunshine or anything but she sure wasn’t rude. Y/n treated Daryl just like any other member of their group and everyone else seemed delighted by her presence. She was dry but kind and made an effort to help out anyway she could, housework or defence, she’d do it and she’d do it well.

So why on earth was her charm not working on Daryl ? Well, Y/n had noticed by now, he wasn’t like anyone else. He wasn’t easy, he was stubborn and moody but he was caring despite his attempts to hide it. I mean he was risking everything to search for a little girl he barely knew every single day. Mostly by himself also. Y/n figured, she could assist him in his search, not only because she was desperate for Sophia’s return, but also for an opportunity to figure this Daryl out and maybe push him to quitting his cold behaviour towards her.

“No.” The man’s tone was harsh and he didn’t even spare the girl a glance, continuing down the path to the forest. “You’re not coming with me”.

Y/n scoffed with an amused smirk, this’ll be fun, “and why is that?”

Daryl paused, turning to face the girl, almost crashing into her as he did so. Y/n was forced to look into the man’s eyes due the grip Daryl had on her wrists, “because you’ll slow me down.”

Y/n’s eyes narrowed, “oh is that right?”

“Yeah.” The man dropped her arms, proceeding on his previous route, his saunter remaining the same speed as before.

Y/n rolled her eyes, catching up to him and walking by his side, slightly nudging him. “Probably will if you get a head start.”

“Listen sunshine-not only would you be fuckin useless on this trip cause you can’t do shit but im taking one of old’Hershel’s horses and it won’t hold both of us, so beat it if ya know what’s good for ya.”Daryl moved his gaze to Y/n, his sour expression meeting her relaxed one.

“I’m sure we could make room.” She teased, not giving up.

Heat rose to the man’s face, coming out as snappy words“listen, I don’t know what you’re tryin to do-but it’s not fucking funny and it stops now, understood?”

A chuckle escaped her lips, pleased at the rise she got out of him. This provoked the man further. He stopped in his tracks, bringing his face strangely close to Y/n’s, his voice low as he asked her slowly “is that understood?”

Y/n’s lips parted, reluctant to answer. Laughing eternally at this stupid situation she was in. She mockingly responded,“Yes sir.”

“Good.”

His footsteps grew further and further away, going in the vague direction of the stables. Y/n didn’t follow him this time. Deciding she would search on her own and possibly meet him in the middle. She stumbled her way into the forest, shaking her head in amusement.

Daryl was also shaking his head, but he was not amused in the slightest. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips pursed in annoyance, the twinge of heat rising in his cheeks making his walking speed up, desperate to rid himself of the feeling.

Birds singing was a rarity in the forest nowadays, but due to the warm and sunny nature of the day, a few occasional tweets could be heard. And combined with the refreshing sound of what was likely to be a river, it seemed liked heaven there. Y/n grinned as the sound of running water finally brought her to the source, greeting her with the gorgeous sight of a waterfall. She picked up her pace approaching it, her smile faltering as she noticed something disrupting the view. At first glance it appeared to be a walker, Y/n’s breath slightly hitched at that, subconsciously reaching for her gun strapped at her hip. As she came closer, however, her eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t a walker, it was Daryl. Daryl fucking Dixon with what appeared to be an arrow through his side.

Panic seeped through Y/n’s mind and she picked up her pace, without thinking, she stepped into the water and wading her way through the shallow water. It soaked her trousers through but that was the least of her concerns.

She knelt down besides the man, immediately reaching to check his pulse. She took note that his eyes were closed but he was breathing.

“Shit” she muttered, this must of caught Daryl’s attention somehow because he let out a pained groan. “Okay buddy I got you.”

Struggling, she managed to prop Daryl up and swing his arm over her shoulder, grimacing as she did so, he was a heavy man. With all the gentleness she could, she tugged him to his feet, beginning to hobble to the bank.

It took a few moments and wasn’t easy but Y/n managed to slump Daryl onto the grass. This caused him to let out another, louder, groan.

“I know I know, I’m gonna try help you alright ?”

“Hm” Gosh, he was so exhausted he couldn’t even argue. Poor bloke.

“Right im gonna have to remove the arrow-you okay with that big guy?”

Said guy let out an incoherent mumble, “well I have to anyway so you don’t get much of a choice. Do you need a stick or something to bite down on?”

“I’m not a pussy.” These were the first words Y/n could actually make out, and they made her sigh out a chuckle.

“Okay whatever you say.”

Being as careful as she could, so not to agitate the wound too much, she snapped the arrow in half, sliding it slowly out of Daryl’s side. A slight grunt could be heard but he seemed mostly unaffected.

“Well done-you’re doing so well”.

The man scoffed, “don’t need your praise lady.”

“Trust me love, it’s more for me than you.”

Without another word, the girl ripped a large section of her shirt off, exposing more of her stomach. That was the least of her concerns as she gestured Daryl to lift his hips. He did as asked and Y/n wrapped the scrap fabric around his stomach, blotting the wound.

Realising this wouldn’t be very affective, Y/n ripped yet another section of her shirt, stuffing it under the band and on top of the wound, pressing down gently. This did get a reaction out of the man, he let out a string of pained groans.

“Alright alright, im sorry im trying my best.”

“S’not you sweetheart, just hurts.”

The nickname would’ve usually thrown Y/n off, but she was too focused on the task at hand. Luckily, the bleeding did seem to slow down and lessen.

“Okay I think I’ve done a decent enough job-we can probably get you back to camp.”

“Thanks darlin, help me up would ya?”

“Sure thing”

The girl gripped Daryl’s arm and dragged him to his feet.

“Hey-hey! Gentle-gentle !”

“Sorry! Sorry!” Y/n yet again, propped the man up against her, leading him in the direction of camp. It was slow but it worked.

They eventually emerged form the forest, the limping definitely giving those back at camp the wrong idea because not only did a small group of them come sprinting through the grass, but a bullet was also fired and skidded Daryl’s face, barely missing skull.

“Jesus Christ!” Y/n called out, stumbling back with the man. She struggled to regain the pairs balance but she darted her head to Daryl’s. “God are you okay? Can you hear me?”

The answer was clear as the man completely went limp. Y/n’s eyes widened, her breathing speeding up. “Rick! Rick for fucks sake! Get Hershel down here right now!”

Thank heavens Rick was already speeding down the hill, making it only a matter of time until he approached the two.

“Holy shit-what happened?”

“He-he got an arrow wound and then-I don’t know he’s just been shot I think-I think it missed his skull though-just help him please!”

It had been around half an hour, half an hour of Y/n pacing outside the room that Daryl was being treated in. She couldn’t really think of anything else, I mean he was barely shot in the head and was bleeding out-his chance of not making it were high. For some reason, she couldn’t bare that thought. Walking around camp and not seeing him? That freaked her out. Wether people (Shane) wanted to admit it or not, that man did a lot for these people, specifically Carol. This all happened because he was looking for her missing kid, in fact he was one of the only people who still believed they had a chance of finding her. He had a kind heart. Somewhere under his rough exterior, it was there and it was strong.

She’d miss him she supposed, their little quarrels that kept her entertained. His somewhat soothing voice and weirdly comforting blue eyes. Y/n would admit more times than once she found herself admiring him. And she’s miss that.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the door opening, reveal Hershel holding his trusty medical bag. Y/n gave him a look of anticipation and he responded with a weary smile.

“You may see him.” With that he made his way down the hall with no other words.

Y/n held her breath slightly, entering the room, closing the door behind her and looking down at the man curled up on the mattress.

“Hey-”

“Don’t even try.”

She blinked in confusion, slightly taken aback. “Try what?”

She heard Daryl sigh, “I don’t need you to Mock me, tell me that this is why I shoulda brought you. I get it but I’m glad I didn’t bring you.”

Y/n thought for a moment before replying with a sigh, “after all of that-you’re still glad you didn’t bring me? What-did you wanna die in the woods? Sorry, didn’t mean to get in the way of your suicide mission.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

The girl began to become agitated now, backing away from the bed slightly,“No no I don’t know what you mean! What is your issue with me?!”

There was a pause before the man turned over to face her, “issue? What’s my issue-with you?”

“Yeah” Y/n said, an expecting look on her features, “not meaning to sound arrogant or anything, but everyone else here seems to like me a hell of a lot-everyone but you, why? Last time I checked I haven’t treated you any different. So what is it huh? Whyd you hate me?”

“I don’t hate you.” The man surprisingly remained calm, his tone low as before.

Y/n furrowed her eyebrows at that response. “You sure? Cause that’s not what I’m getting.”

Daryl sighed, “alright doll-usin that logic lemme ask you somethin, if ya thought I hated ya why d’ya keep tryin to talk to me huh ?”

Y/n’s confidence faltered, mainly because she herself did not know the answer to that question. Why did she bother?

“Well-I wanted to at-least try and get through to you, I mean we’re kinda trapped together right?”

“Ya don’t like Shane-ya just avoid him, so why is it any different to me?”

“You’re missing the point Daryl-why didn’t you want me coming with you to look for Sophia? Cause I know damn well it’s not cause I’d slow you down.”

Daryl’s eyes left hers, not knowing what to say. He knew exactly why but he couldn’t bare her figuring it out.

“You really have nothing to say?” she waiting a few seconds but to no avail. Rolling her eyes she turned towards the door, “unbelievable-unbelievable”

“Cause I was worried about ya.”

Y/n paused, gulping slightly still facing the door, “you were worried about me? Why ? Think I can’t handle myself or something?”

“You know the reason.”

That made Y/n turn to meet his eyes, “do I?”

Daryl had a deep frown on his face, “because I don’t want to loose you.”

Y/n’s heart swelled in the best way possible, a smirk making its way onto her face, “hm? Why’s that?” She kneeled onto the bed next to the man’s figure. His eyes slightly widened, his normally arrogant character vanishing when he met her y/e/c eyes. They never failed to make him melt like butter.

He cleared his throat before finally replying, “wouldn’t get to see your face anymore would I?”

The girl grinned, “and that would bother you yeah?”

The man just nodded, not quite understanding where this was going. Y/n did though as she lent forward, cupping the man’s jaw.

“I wouldn’t worry about that.”

She connected their lips, smile growing as she felt Daryl sigh into the kiss. His hand reached up to hold her chin, his thumb moving in slow swiping motions.

After a few moments, Y/n pulled away, not missing the way the man chased her lips. She didn’t say anything, only scanning the man’s face, a dazed but happy look on her face.

“Who knew you could have such feelings”

Daryl let out a light scoff, “s’not difficult when it comes with you.”

Y/n gaped at the man, not quite believing her ears, Daryl could express his feelings? “oh yeah?”

“Yeah-you’re a pretty girl.”

The girl made a mocking face, “and that’s all I am?”

She was surprised when the injured man propped himself up, attaching his lips to hers and caressing her exposed skin.

He muttered against her lips, “ya know damn well you’re more than that.”

#fanfic #fanfiction #oneshot #x reader #x fem!reader #x female reader #imagine #romance #twd #the walking dead #twd x reader #the walking dead x reader #daryl Dixon #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon x reader #twd daryl #daryl x you

[maximwtf]

izzy hands x reader where the reader also served in the navy with izzy. reader has chronic pain and izzy helps them through a particularly painful flare up after overexerting their energy.

Izzy x Reader

words: 1600

google docs pages: 3

warnings: Slight s2 spoilers (I think :”D), smoking, back pain, platonic relationship, hurt/comfort

opening: Blackbeard was back as he used to be, but so was the fierce work no one truly missed. You could endure it, but at some point it became too much, causing a flare up. 

AN// Reader can be any gender! I wasn’t sure what kind of chronic pain you meant, so I went with what I was most familiar with myself. Thank you for the request, I had fun writing this! I hope you like it ^^ (Also take this as a peace offering for the angst I’m going to write next) Requests for him are still very much open!

 “Peace of mind”

Izzy had worked alongside you for as long as you could remember. You had both joined Blackbeard’s crew around the same time; and during the time there so far you had seen Izzy get the position as first mate, seen crew members die and watched Blackbeard change. Stede had come along at some point, and as much as you were used to ignoring people coming on the ship and leaving alive or dead, this one didn’t seem to budge. He stayed and even your stubborn mind could see that he had brought change along his arrival. Blackbeard wasn’t acting the same as before. Sometimes he’d dress differently, behave and talk differently and most of all, it felt like the ship had two captains from time to time which didn’t fit in the ideology of a pirate ship that you had in mind. This didn’t anger you though, not in the way that it seemed to irritate Izzy. He’d often come to you and complain for hours after he’d gotten nowhere with trying to convince Blackbeard to get rid of this man who called himself the gentleman pirate. 

Just as you had kept telling Izzy that Stede would eventually leave, he did. But what came back as Blackbeard was someone else other than the man you’d known him as before. Soon after his return Izzy had gotten his foot injured and refused to tell you what had happened, making you only assume how Edward was now acting. You tried to help him, but he’d become a little more distant as time went on. Which hurt you, but there was no time to think about that. Blackbeard was attacking so many ships and taking in so much treasure from those ships that the crew barely had time to rest. At that point it wasn’t just izzy who looked more than a little disheveled, it was the whole crew. Everyone was exhausted and at this point some even felt bad for the acts they had performed under Blackbeard's command. And you were no different from them.

No different, up until this point. Blackbeard had started to command for the crew to start throwing some of the treasure overboard, since he needed to make more space for new treasure to fit in. It had already been a strain on your back to carry the items in, but to carry them back out at a rather fast phase sounded like it wouldn’t end well for you. The back pain had started off as light, small stings of pain whenever you worked. And you’d ignored it, shrugged it off as something that would pass even if you internally knew what was coming if you kept this up. The feeling was all too familiar, and the part of you that was aware of this also knew that one day you’d wake up and the pain would be much more intense. But you pretended not to know this, because you didn’t want to imagine what would happen if you stopped working for a while and Blackbeard caught you slacking off. Izzy was also aware of your condition, most of the time a little more aware than you had ever been about it. You hadn’t even wanted to admit to yourself when Izzy had suggested that maybe the back pain was chronic, even if he’d been correct. You didn’t want to be known as that injured person in your unit. And that conversation happened long before this moment. 

Yet another night was setting in, and the sea seemed empty, thankfully. No ships meant no fighting and that gave the crew time to rest. And so most of the people took advantage of that and were sleeping wherever they could, giving you time to be alone on the main deck. Your back hurt, and moving made it so much more worse so you had given up and leaned your whole body weight on a mast pole. The heavy boxes of treasure you’d carried today and the days before were the last straw, and this was the flare up that followed. Crouching down at this point was not even an option, and so you leaned your head against the mast and took a drag from the cigarette you held between your fingers, blowing the smoke into the cool sea air. The pain was bringing your mood down, further down than it had already been buried with the work and atmospehere on the ship. 

As another shaky breath of smoke left you, the sound of someone arriving on the main deck rang in the silence of the night. The person made their way to the mast, stopping behind you. “You’re spending the time to rest well.” He said, the voice revealing who the person was. Of course Izzy had come to see where you were. “I was about to come down soon.” You took another drag from the cigarette, turning to give the rest to Izzy but the movement made you groan before Izzy’s hand made contact with yours, taking the cigarette. You didn’t want to look at him again, leaning back against the pole. That had been enough to alert him of the flare up, and you knew he wasn’t going to leave you alone after that. “You moron, I told you to fucking leave the heavy work to someone else.” He said, voice stern but you knew he was worried, which you hated. He looked half dead most of the time when he came back from a visit with Blackbeard, yet he found it in him to worry for you. Maybe that was the small part that was left of his past self, still trying desperately to care for you. “I can do things just fine.” Your jaw tightened, not out of anger for his worry but out of frustration for yourself. You felt useless, even if you had done the work this was always the result. Even the standing hurt, as simple of a task as that was. 

Izzy took one last drag from the cigarette, putting it out by pushing it against the mast, leaving a black mark on it. “Come on, I’ll cover for you as long as you need me to.” He turned around, your gaze followed him. He was expecting you to follow him, but you didn’t just yet. He was limping, worse than before. The feeling of worry over him eased out the scowl from your face, following him all the way to his quarters. He took breaks while walking, turning to check on you but not saying anything. 

You entered his quarters first, looking at the bed before drawing in a breath and sitting down with a groan. It hurt, and it felt like it wasn’t even getting better than this. No matter how much time you thought had passed, this always happened after a certain amount of work. And recently it had started to feel like the amount of work you could endure had begun to be smaller and smaller. And if now Izzy got himself in trouble for covering your work, that would be your fault too. An overwhelmed sob escaped, and soon another. You’d feel embarrassed if this was the first time you’d broken down in front of him, but it wasn’t. This was just another flare up to the collection of many that he’d been there for. “Come on now, look here.” He said, voice a little further away as he tried to grab something from under his bed. “Fuck off.” You groaned, keeping your eyes closed, but it didn’t block the tears from making their way down your cheeks. “I know ye think this is again it, but you’ve made it this far…” He said, the sentence sounding like he had drifted off while looking for the item and forgotten to say the rest. “So how about we talk?” He finished, voice a little more awkward. Had he picked that up from Stede? You grinned slightly, opening your eyes as the tears kept making their way down. “As a crew?” You joked. Talking things out as a crew had become somewhat of a joke for the two of you, after listening to Izzy rant about how much he despised the change Stede had brought. “Sure.” He shrugged, more amused by your attitude now and willing to keep it up. “Rum?” The first mate asked, turning to you with the bottle he had found. He reached out with his free hand and wiped away the tears racing down, but before he was able to pull away you took a hold of his wrist. “Please.” Came out as more of a whisper, his thumb caressed the top of your hand a couple of times. Izzy corked the bottle, handing it to you. “There you are.” The first mate said, almost silent enough for you to miss it. There weren’t many things on the ship anymore that brought you back to the surface, but Izzy had stuck around for reasons you could not name. But it made you feel better. Things could be worse, and the pain would pass. It was okay for now. 

AN// I'm sorry if there are any spelling errors, even though I did proof read this. I'm too hyped to write for this man to hold back anything I write to double check everything XD

#Izzy Hands #Izzy Hands x Reader #israel hands #ofmd #our flag means death #ofmd x reader #our flag means death x reader #x reader #fanfic #izzy hands beloved #yar har I love pirates #fanfiction #end of s2 was fucked up and I'm distraught from it #keep the requests coming #I want to write more for him

[azurethevampire]

MLtP: I Would Do It Again

A/N: Long time no see! :D As it’s been a while since I wrote anything more than school assignments and job applications, the characters might seem slightly off. Hopefully I didn’t mix up anything since it’s also been a while since I watched either the Mandalorian or the Book of Boba Fett. 

I’d like to add that this is just one possible way things could have gone in my Mando’s Lessons to Parenting verse since I’m not exactly sure yet if Eva - or in this case the reader - will stay with Din after the ending of s2 or if there’s something else in store for her.  

Words: 809

Summary: When you ask if Din Djarin is mad at you and little Grogu for something that he alone made the decision about, the Mandalorian is faced with a difficult question. If given the chance, would he do it a different way? 

Set around Chapter 5 (ep 5) of the Book of Boba Fett

 °•-•-•-•-•-•°

 °•-•-•-•-•-•°

“Are you angry with me and Grogu?” 

The question, spoken softly so that you wouldn't wake up the mother and her child sleeping on the next row of seats in front of you, alerted Din Djarin that you weren't sleeping like he had thought.

Behind his helmet, Din Djarin was frowning. Turning his attention to you, he tilted his helmet-covered head slightly. 

"Angry about what, kid?" He asked, puzzled. 

You kept your gaze on your lap where your fingers had picked up the hem of your new tunic to pull at any loose threads (or any threads you could pick loose with your nails) from the fabric. You would ruin the tunic's hem if you continued doing that. Din had lost count of how many times he had told you to stop picking holes on your clothes.

He gently grabbed your hand to stop you. You wrapped both your hands over Din's leather-covered one. 

"I heard what the Armorer said to you", you confessed after a moment of silence, making Din's heart pick up pace a little. He had thought you had been sleeping in the other room at the time. Had you seen him battling with Paz Vizsla, almost losing the Darksaber in the process? Your next words made something inside him crash into a hurting wall. "It's our fault. You wouldn't have taken your helmet off if it wasn't for me and Grogu. And now you were kicked out of your Tribe because of us. She said that you are a Mandalorian no more and that's our fault…"

Din's first instinct was to correct you that no it wasn't your and Grogu's fault. But then a thought came to him. It was partly true, what you were saying. Without you and the kid, he probably wouldn't be in this situation now. He wouldn't have been kicked out of the Tribe. Instead he would still be doing bounty jobs all over the galaxy, and drowning himself to work  job after job, trying to get rid of even some of that feeling of loneliness that had sat inside him so long. That is, if he wouldn't be dead already by a job gone wrong. 

He hadn't felt that loneliness for many months. Because of his foundlings. Almost naturally the three of you had formed a clan of three and as Din had grown to care about you and Grogu— had begun to think about you two being his children— the part of him that had felt missing for longer than he cared to remember, was filled.

Knowing what he knew now, would he take his helmet off in front of Bo-Katan and her crew, Skywalker, you and Grogu if he would have a chance to go back in time to that moment? Or before that, back on Morak?

The answer was clear. Yes, he would. Because he did what he did for his kids. And he would do it again even knowing the consequences. He had known he was breaking rules, and he had done it anyway. 

"It's not your fault, Y/N. Or Grogu's", Din said, twisting his upper body slightly to better face you. Your head was still tilted down, eyes cast on your joined hands. Din's free hand rose to your chin, gently tipping your head upwards so that he could see your eyes. 

"Look at me, kid", Din's voice was soft. The tone one that you had never heard him use towards anyone but you and Grogu. "I alone am responsible for my actions." 

As Din continued, a bang of sadness and longing made itself known to him, but it was replaced soon with an even more powerful feeling of rightness. The words he spoke were true. "The Armorer and the rest of them can keep their Tribe. If I have to choose between you children and them, you will always be my first choice. I might not be a part of the Tribe anymore but I'm still a Mandalorian." He leaned forward until his helmet touched your forehead, his hand now moving to rest on the back of your head in a comforting gesture. "I would do it again." 

"You would?" you asked, voice quiet and surprised, and Mando could see tears shining in your eyes. 

Din squeezed the back of your neck gently before pulling you to rest against his side, head tucked under his helmet. "Yes, kiddo." 

There was a silence, and for a moment Din thought you had fallen asleep. But then your quiet voice broke the silence. "So, you're really not angry with us? With me?" 

"No. Not about that", Din reassured. "But I'm starting to get irritated by the fact you haven't been sleeping when you were supposed to." 

"I'm sorry." And Mando could tell you meant the apology. 

"Get some sleep, kid. I'll wake you when we land." 

#the mandalorian #mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #din djarin #din djarin x reader #din djarin x child!reader #mando x reader #book of boba fett #mandalorian fic #platonic reader

[blue-b-bro]

Discussion time!

(I try to understand what the writers intentions were, not how it turned out)

I was thinking about the abundance of antagonists in s2 and what was the problem.

Prince Rincky was cool for one episode, showing us how much Stede has changed since we first met him. It was cool. And he left him, as if letting his past behind. They didn't need to go further with it, the message was clear.

Then Ned Low, Ed's antagonist, symbolizing his violent part or past. Hurting people for fun ("love a good maim"). Showing us this time how much Ed has changed.

But wait, what happened to Ned? He lost his crew because of Stede, and then Stede killed him, even tho Ed asked him not to.... Everything Stede accused Ned of is eerily similar to what Ed did to Stede's crew. His suicide plan finally worked and destroyed Calypso's birthday. And it's tragic and clever at the same time: Ed's attempts to redeem himself destroyed by the memory of his sins.

But now things get a bit messed up. The symbols get mixed up. (I won't even talk about how Stede sees this whole confrontation, it's already complicated enough) So is Ned the symbol of Ed's guilt or his violent past? Those are two different things. Stede killing Ned for things similar to what Ed did also means a lot. Did they... Did they put all of Ed’s darkness in Ned and made Stede get rid of it? Is this where they hid his redemption arc? Stede yeeted all the negativity from his ship? (is this some kind of parallel to Izzy's banishment in s1e6? Or Calico Jack in e8?)

Ok...

And then there's Zheng. Don't get me wrong, she was great. But why did they add her to the story? To show how a pirate ship could work? To show us how shitty of a captains Stede and Ed were? To tell Stede that sometimes talking things out isn't enough? But he knew that already?? S1 was about Stede proving that he could win by being clever instead of violent! Or did I read it wrong?

Was Zheng the reason Stede asked Izzy to teach him? Fine, let's say she was. But that doesn't explain her presence in the story after episode 3. Stede meets her again in episode 7 and gets his ass kicked, showing he's still pathetic.

And I'm confused again, wait. Stede outsmarted her before thanks to his plan and his crew's help. So... was Stede trying to be cool like Zheng this whole season, thinking this is what people want from him? And his duel with Zheng was a desperate attempt to prove to his crew and himself that he's worth something? Because Stede could still be insecure about his inadequacy and now that he left everything for this life, this was everything he had. Ed left him and if his crew will too, then he's alone. That would be a proof of him being worthless, someone people just tolerate and leave at first occasion. Great angst, where's the payoff in the next episode tho? Or anything really. You're telling me that crying, pathetic man is now all cool with being a failure? Since WHEN? When was this whole arc of Stede accepting he's a mid pirate?? Surely not in e7. Whatever, let's leave it.

What was the whole deal with Prince Ricky and Izzy. I've already said, Ricky should be left in e1 and Izzy didn't need his antagonist. What for? His arc was about healing and opening up to the crew. We know he realized his mistakes, we know he got attached and protective towards them from e1! They showed this in e1-6! The speech was nice but was it necessary? To me it was like spelling out something they already shown. We knew Izzy realized the crew is more important than his selfish desires when he shot Ed or when he worked with Stede to protect them.

Did they try to say that good, not selfish anymore, Stede helped an old time pirate to be a better self and bad, selfish Stede killed the pirate. The piracy. (god, my head hurts) Fuck, I don't know anymore, help guys. It only works if we go with that crazy metaphor of Stede killing the darkness ect. So good Stede understood and worked with pirates to reform piracy being one of them, and bad Stede didn't understood, didn't work with pirates and was rejected, so he destroyed them, or something????

Was Ricky's come back something like Ned to Ed? His past biting him in the ass? Stede thinking piracy was the parties, the earing, the killing, the fame? The shallow understanding of what piracy means? And just like Izzy was teaching Stede, now Izzy explains it to Ricky?? So unnecessarly spelling out again.

Anyway, Ricky was good in e1, Zheng could be great for Stede's arc if they didn't forget about it in e8, but still there was too much of her for no reason really (we don't need main relationship's dynamics paralleled on secondary characters). Ned had potential, but they went to weird places with it.

#our flag means death #Ofmd #Ofmd s2 #Ofmd critical #Ofmd meta #prince ricky #zheng yi sao #ned low #stede bonnet #edward teach #izzy hands

[k-s-morgan]

You mentioned that you have a scenario planned where Ciel will ask Sebastian to kill him at the end of S2. I find this absolutely fascinating - how do you think Sebastian would react to this? Would he understand Ciel's motivations behind asking him? What would Ciel's motivations and thoughts be? The young Phantomhive has always been breathtakingly noble, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were out of principle - he could no longer pay Sebastian what he was due, but he could at least give him the option to be free from an eternity as a servant. Unless you have something else in mind? I am desperate to hear your thoughts on this! How exciting!

Hey! I'm so glad that you liked this tidbit from what it to come for Ciel and Sebastian :D

Here's what I envision. At the end of S2, Ciel and Sebastian are in a very interesting situation. While they are still technically united by a contract, they both understand that Sebastian can break it any time. Ciel knows that Claude killed Alois for no reason, out of blue, just because he wanted it. Sebastian can do it, too. In fact, he would be fully justified in killing Ciel now - he fulfilled his part of the bargain. He even had that demon-killing sword nearby. But he didn't do it.

Sebastian keeps Ciel alive: more than that, he keeps serving him. However, he looks somber and conflicted about it till the rest of the episode, and he did attack Ciel when he woke up, even though it wasn't to kill. He's torn and he's miserable because he no longer understands what he should do and why he feels the way he does.

Ciel tries to show that he’s in control, but there are flashes of vulnerability pointing out that he’s not sure where they stand any more. Both he and Sebastian are so confused that they both choose to maintain their habits in attempt to pretend that everything’s normal. The morning tea, the dressing ritual - all to avoid thinking of what happened and its repercussions.

Ciel needs Sebastian, he is dependent on him. He is terrified of being abandoned, so he’ll never break the contract despite knowing it’d be fair. From how I see the possible continuation, for some time, Ciel will try to act like nothing changed, but Sebastian's palpable misery and depression will bother and hurt him. It'll get so bad that at some point, he'll break down. He will no longer be able to act like everything is fine - he'll take Sebastian to the Demon Island, the place where he was supposed to die, and he'll order him to find the demon-killing sword that was buried with Claude.

Once Sebastian obeys, Ciel will tell him to kill him. He'll see it as his only solution: he's too possessive of Sebastian, he spent too long in certainty that he'd die as his Master, that he'd be consumed by him. Ciel will never let him go willingly by breaking the contract, but he respects Sebastian and himself enough to not want to be a burden when Sebastian is so clearly upset by it. So Ciel will put this decision in Sebastian's hands. If he wants to be free, he can fulfill Ciel's order and get rid of him for good.

This will push Sebastian into the very last corner. He'll be furious, scared, in disbelief. He'll keep stalling, and Ciel will lose his patience. He'll try to kill himself right there, maybe by throwing himself at the sword in Sebastian's hands, and Sebastian will save him - again. After this, he'll no longer be able to deny that he wants to stay with Ciel forever, that the thought of his death is unbearable.

So much angst to come, I can't wait :D

#my fics #sebaciel #black butler #kuroshitsuji #post canon #anime

[knownoshamc]

I am not sure how many of you have seen "Kevin can f* himself" (spoilers kinda, ahead) but basically it's a show that is split into two genres: the sitcom whenever Kevin is on screen, but you can tell it's off, you can tell it's not funny & the drama/serious one, in which his wife Alison wants to get rid of him. And only in the finale you see Kevin off the sitcom and he is... chilling & emotionally abusive, whereas before he was just an asshole and an idiot. He is just in one scene and just because the genre has changed, he is different (the actor is brilliant on this btw).

And when I watched the first episodes of s2 of OFMD, I thought hmmm is that what we are seeing now? Ed in a different genre? Ed in his darkest time, not only because of dealing with a breakup but because the genre has changed from a romcom to something much more serious, dealing with domestic abuse, just like Kevin? Now that would be interesting. And it would be much more interesting to see Stede stepping into that genre for a while. Seeing Ed for who he is and choosing to help him change for the better. Because Ed didn't just did countless of raids, he hurt people he wasn't supposed to. When it was never properly addressed, I thought okay maybe it's because we are back in romcom, we will see the 'darker' genre popping up.

But the thing is... it was never dealt with. Those episodes were just... there. For what? To show that Ed is a mess without a romantic interest? That just Stede's presence can alter his character? That's just... another romcom, where the love interest is just that, no character depth, just there to make the main character happy. But why is that interesting? Why should I root for them when they hardly know who they are outside of each other? Why are they better together, how can they even be together when they don't talk about things? It all just seems like... prelude to something more, and there is of course hope that s3 will deal with that, but the way Jenkins said he writes (a last-minute sort of thing), I highly doubt it.

And maybe it's just me who wants something more than a simple gay romcom, but yes, I want interesting characters, not just kissing under the moonlight and one of them being abusive when the other isn't around (which 'dark' side could have been simply Ed doing more piracy) and never dealing with it properly.

#ofmd critical #sorry I saw some posts #(that I agreed with) #but I wanted to try to articulate why I am angry and why I loved Ed & Stede at first #and now I just don't

[echantedtoon]

Demon Bride Ch41 To Play Matchmaker P3

(Warnings!!: Mentioning of Gyutaro's and Daki's backstory. Mentioning of abuse/death/attempted murder/killing and Daki burning. Mentioning of the Red Light District but it will STAY SFW!! This will HEAVILY reference s2 ep11 and Gyutaro's backstory however slight changes have been made to fit the au.)

The feeling was cold. Thick. Making your skin break out in goosebumps. Unlike anything else you've ever felt before. You weren't sure if you liked this feeling in your face-

"Are you sure this stuff is supposed to help cleanse your face?" Your hand reached up to touch the goop Daki planted on your face after she tied your hair back. A pale hand smacking your hand away.

"It's not stuff! It's a mud mask! It has lots of minerals and tightens your face to get rid of wrinkles." A moment later another thick glop was pushed onto your cheek.  "You'll feel so refreshed after."

It had been..quite a day. But Enmu had been right. Your stress had gone down...You threw all your stress onto Sakura and pulverized her. Admittedly not the best way to go about relieving stress but you'd take it for now. Besides it's not like you could do anything about it now anyways. You were trapped. Literally. You just sat in Gyutaro's lap while he hugged you close to himself, his arms wrapped around your waist and his chin on top of your head. An intimate sort of hug or cuddle but you thought it was cute. Plus he seemed a lot calmer now than what he'd been previously. He didn't even complain when Daki tied his own hair back and pressed the same goop to her brother's face. Guessed he was used to his sister treating him to things like this or he didn't have the energy to fight her right now. You did find it sweet how Gyutaro just let his sister dress him up like this.

"Honestly though...What is her problem?" Even if you were rude to Sakura why would she chose to startle Daki? Whom was a VERY powerful TWELVE BLOOMING KIZUKI?! Literally every OTHER demon cowered in her presence. "Even if she was after me in some way why would she be bold enough to risk nearly getting kabobed by Gyutaro?"

"Her family rubbed elbows with some other Upper Moons for a while. That fact must've made her bold enough to try something." Daki's hand pulled away from rubbing goop on your face and grabbed a strand of hair. " In fact she used to be one of Karaku's flings."

"Karaku? That name sounds familiar." Daki rolled up the strand in one of the curlers.

"You don't remember? He's one of those brothers who also gave you gifts." Gyutaro grunted annoyed at the mere mention of them. 

"Which one? There's five of them."

"The pervert with green eyes."

"Green eye- Wait. I know that one!" You scowled. He's the one who blew you and Rui away when they tried to kidnap you! "He made a pass at me as soon as we met! What's he thinking getting involved with Sakura?"

Daki shrugged. "He actually has a reputation being a known flirt amongst the woman here, Sakura was one of his more serious endeavors. However word around is that he broke things off with her before he became a Kizuki himself. If they had stayed together she would've became the first Bride in over three thousand years."

"Is the title of Kizuki Bride really that important?"

Another curler was added to your hair. "Considering You're the first one in over three thousand years, engaged to so many Kizuki at one time, AND a human?....Yes.  Everyone's been talking about you. Some good..Some not so good." A growl from Gyutaro answered that and you felt his grip slightly increase pulling you against him further. "You also have a surprising way of doing things."

You shrugged as best as you could in his grip. "Well I actually didn't mean to end up here or engaged. The whole point of me leaving my village was to avoid an arranged marriage. Somehow I ended up lost and next thing I know here I am!"

"HA! Seriously? It's like the universe played a nasty truck on you."

You deadpanned. "I've noticed that. But I'm more worried about what that Sakura might try next.''

"I wouldn't worry about her. It's Jade I would have my eye on." Jade? Who was Jade? Your confusion caught her attention from curling your hair up (or as best as she could with Gyutaro clinging to you). "I said her family was close to a few Kizuki for a while didn't I? Her older sister Jade, was supposed to seduce Douma. " She snorted. "Never liked her. She's always cold and silent."

Douma?.... Funnily enough that sounds similar to what Eri almost went through. But- "But Douma didn't.. accept her proposal?" Wasn't he supposed to be a rumored womanizer and flirt? That's what everyone told you about him for so long.

"He entertained her, but it was more out of politeness than anything else. I swear both those sisters were so... obsessed with them." A surprise expression of slight worry passed over her. "I don't care for Karaku but Douma...I think he's taking this too lightly." She shrugged. "Then again he's Upper Two so I shouldn't worry too much. Not even the Master scares him."

Jade and Sakura huh? They sounded like trouble you should avoid and that meant avoiding Karaku and Douma too make certain you didn't run into them again. Which might be easier than you thought. You gave Douma a clear form of rejection and you weren't interested in any of those kidnapping brothers. So maybe you didn't have to worry about anything else for now? ...Yeah. You felt your body finally relax in Gyutaro's grip which seemed to please the demon as he gave a grunt of approval before giving a hiss when Daki pushed his head off you to better roll more curlers into your hair which after a while Gyutaro accepted this and just settled for settling his head onto your shoulder nuzzling a cheek into your neck.

"Brother! Stop that! You'll ruin your mud mask and smear her skin dirty! It's not dry yet!"

"Can it, Daki," he grumbled back turning into the curve of your shoulder and the comforting fragrance of soft peonies and you jumped as a soft face smooshed into you further. A bright pink lighting up your face, good thing it was mostly covered by the goop on your face. "Soft. So soft and pretty. You must be crazy letting a dirty thing like me touch you."

"F-For the last time! You're not dirty! You really do look fine to me."

"You will be dirty if you don't stop smudging your face in her neck! How am I supposed to add curlers to your hair if you keep moving your head at odd angles!?" Gyutaro groaned again but complied with his sister's demands and pulled his head back to also allow her access to curl his own hair up. You didn't see the need for her to curl his hair since it was naturally wavy but she still does on both of you. "You need to learn to take better care of yourself. Doesn't it feel nice to not have your head in a tangled mess?"

"Whatever."

"Wait. What time is it?" With everything going on you lost track of time. "Rui might come back home soon. He'll be wondering where I am."

"Those pompous schools don't close until sundown. It's barely noon now. Relax. You have plenty of time." More curls added to your head until you're scalp felt tightly tied up. " You'll look so nice once I'm done with you."

You just reached a hand up to gingerly touch the cylinder like objects keeping your hair up as Daki moved away from you and over behind her brother who hissed as soon as she grabbed his head and pulled him back from your shoulder again to stuff more cylinder objects she called curlers in his hair too. So strange but you guessed you shouldn't complain about it. She seemed genuinely interested in just spending time with another woman....and her brother but he didn't fight anything she did. You could tell he was a bit annoyed. At least she didn't touch your nails yet. You reached up your hands to look at your nails but as you turned your palms over, two larger hands grabbed onto them. Not harshly but enough to make you stop. You blinked turning your head to look at Gyutaro whom was gazing at your palms with an expression you couldn't make out.

"....Your hands are calloused," he noted bluntly in a curious tone whichbyou nodded at. "Girls don't have calloused hands. They're hands are always so soft and perfect."

Was he confused about seeing a woman with callouses? You supposed he'd never seen a woman with them. "Well I worked every day of my life back in my village. I wasn't exactly the most well off."

He looked at you. Yellow eyes boring into your head. "How?"

How could you...be poor? You shrugged. "I just wasn't. I was born into the poorer part of my village with no one but my grandmother who I had to take care of. " You looked back away with a grimace. "...She wasn't really nice. I was always forced to work off a family debt by doing hard labored jobs from a young age while trying to please a controlling elder on top of being their primary caregiver wasn't a fun childhood."

Gyutaro was silent without speaking up or asking anything else but you still felt those eyes boring into you. Was he waiting for you to continue talking?

"I guess it wasn't all bad?" It was more of a question even to your ears. "I had a home as run down and broken as it was but the rain kept leaking in and it was even worse in the winter months. My Thin futon did nothing to really help that matter. I'm surprised my grandmother even lived as long as she did in those conditions." ...A fearful gulp sunk down your throat. "I'm.. surprised I lasted as long as I did doing so much dangerous work for so little. I guess the ends justified the means in some way...sure doesn't feel like it sometimes."

"Debt?"

YoU sighed. "My parents wracked up a debt with another family and then they died before they could pay it back so of course with my grandmother being too old it was up to me to pay it off. That's why I worked so much and struggled to pay it back."

"How much was it?"

"Eighty coins."

"That much?"

"Well maybe that's not a lot of money to a demon lord like you or your sister but to someone who could barely buy food, and lived in the poorest part of the village it was a lot ." You felt a little irritated that he seemed to not take it too seriously but he had grown up with money or at least with less struggle than yourself so he might not have understood what you went through. "Sleepless nights of hunger just to save one more miserable coin made my heart break. Or knowing that I had to give any food to my grandmother who needed it more but was never grateful. ...Every time my traps never caught any animals or a fish got away from my line or there was never enough berries on a bush... You're  the lucky ones."

"Why didn't you just end the life of whoever you owed money too? That would've been a lot simply to take care of, you had no problem with taking care of everyone else." He was probably noting Sakura and that man you kicked before.

"Because I'm not someone who would resort to that unless I absolutely had no other choice and only if I was in actual danger! I would've been married off to someone who hated me if I didn't pay back his family yes, but that doesn't mean I would solve something horrible by doing something even more horrible! I just-...I WANTED OUT!!" Your sudden rose in tone had him blinking and Daki peeping over his shoulder. "I JUST WANTED ONE THING TO GO MY WAY!! WAS THAT TO MUCH TO ASK?! IS THAT ONE THING FORBIDDEN TO FOR ME?! I just wanted ONE thing to go in my favor ONCE!! ONE THING to be my doing without having it turned into something horrible later! I just want one person to listen! But it seems like even that's asking too much...I had to lie and run away just to have any say for my future...But even that's dashed now isn't it?"

You NEVER asked for any of this?! Your poor family situation. Almost getting forcibly married. Having to lie to so many people and run away to avoid anymore conflict. Almost getting forced into so many other marriages. Getting hurt. Now you're stuck in this place engaged to so many people you didn't even know a year prior and a mother. Not that you'd really complain about Rui he's innocent in this entire mess. But how'd you get caught up in such a tangled mess bigger than the world's most confusing puzzle? You had to find some solution to this but any hope won't arrive unless you can find a way out or until you can talk to Muzan's wife which won't be until November at the earliest!! All the stress from earlier came back a bit but ....Yelling about it seemed to relieve some of the long brewing tension in your mind.

There was a tense silence as everyone just sat motionless and still in the awkward silence. You could still feel yellow eyes bore into your head until they looked away and down at the floor.

"....Our mother tried to kill me as a child."

The sentence startled you. Made you visibly flinched before you just ...froze.  The silence still creeping in on yourself and just sitting there...until your eyes numbly glanced behind you. 

"....What?"

"You think I was born like this without being cursed?" He huffed. A similar way Daki scoffed further showing their similarities as siblings. "You think we're the lucky ones?" A growl escaped his throat. "Luck had nothing to do with anything at all."

"Why would you say anything like that?" Your voice was calm. Meek. Quiet. Barely over a whisper. But he heard it. Oh he heard it.

"Because we were born on the Rashomon Riverbank. The lowest class of the entertainment district , children there were seen as extra mouths to feed so we were for being born. My mother nearly killed me more than once before I was born , she also tried to kill me after I was born since I was nothing but a burdon in her eyes." The intake of his throat hissed however you couldn't tell what emotion was behind that action. Sorrow? Anger? Maybe a long festering annoyance? "And yet I survived by some twisted fate. "My body was weak like a withered leaf, yet somehow I clung to life with what strength I had left. The body you view now is stronger...but.." a hand left your side to scratch at and dig his nails into the thin stomach and middle of the hunched over figure. "It's...highly debatable if I look any better than I did then." The nails threatened to break skin-

Yellow eyes widened as a smaller hand grabbed at the hand and pulled it away from its scratching. "I think you look rather pleasant."

The absurdity of that compliment in the middle of such a sad state made him bark a laugh. "Again... That's debatable. Not everyone is so kind to use names such as pleasant for me. Worm. Moron. Cretin. Coward. Good for nothing...dead weight. I was mocked for my ugly voice and appearance. Sometimes they'd even throw rocks at me for it."

Your head tilted up... before you turned to look at his face finally. Throw things at him? Was that why he didn't react when that crowd pelted him with rocks and garbage?

"It felt like every insult in the world was created to leave an emotional scar on me. Not only was I hideous but I was filthy too, covered in grime from head to toe with the stench of death alwsys around me. It didn't help that I lived in the entertainment district where beauty was the measure of your worth."...The grip on your hands tightened to an almost painful grip. "You're lucky to not live there. With your beautiful looks, you would've been like a rabbit to a pack of starving wolves."

"I can't believe you went through that..."

"Gets worse. You were the lucky one to have easier access to food. I was treated like a starving monster. Whenever I got hungry I ate mice and insects, reptiles like snakes. Just so I wouldn't starve. My only source of entertainment or trace of a toy was a sycle a customer left behind with our mother." A sycle? Like the ones he used to fight now? "Soon though things started to change for me once Daki was born."

A proud smile finally overtook his face even though there was sadness underneath and you noticed that Daki had popped up again this time leaning on her brother's hunched back with her own proud smile. Huh. Their mouths were in a similar shape when they smiled.

"After our mother died of a human illness we were free to walk our own paths, and Daki WAS my path. Even at a young age people couldn't help but stop and marvel at her beauty. I quickly learnt I was good at fighting after and started working as a debt collector." He shrugged. "Not a clean job but it paid well enough for us and it was something I could actually do effectively. I might've revolted everyone but they feared me too now, and that brought me pure joy." Another hiss came as he sucked through his fangs and smiled in an almost sadistic way. "Ooh. Yes it did. My ugliness became my source of pride and because I have such a gorgeous sister my sense of inferiority was washed away as well. Call it wishful thinking but I really thought we were on the fast track to a better life." Then all at once, the smile disappeared and replaced with a burning deep rage. "Until that fateful day..our luck ran dry."

"Gyutaro, what happened?"

"Daki stabbed a customer in the eye with a hairpin in self defense. When news got out it was a samurai, her hands and feet were bound...and she was burnt alive."

Your head snapped back at such a revelation being spoken. Bu-...BURNT ALIVE?! WHY?! Why would they do that?! Why would anyone DO THAT?! That sounded more horrible than being thrown in jail!! How could anyone bring themselves to do such an act of violence?!

"I wasn't there." His continued speech made you flinch in his grasp. His head back down again. But there was a change in his body. A deep trembling that didn't stop. "By the time I got home from work...she was burnt to a crisp. They nearly killed me too when I showed up. A deep gash along my back would do that...but they didn't live long enough to finish the job...Ah." 

he didn't even flinch at the second trembling body attached to his back or the feeling of nails digging into him from the harsh grip of his sister. Right. He almost forgot she was here too. Probably helped to ground him back before he lost himself in past rage and spiraled out of control in front of her and the girl he had in his grip. No sense in causing unnecessary fear.

"....No one offered to help us. No surprise there. That was just the story of our daily lives.  No one batted an eye to our suffering even at its worst. And then it would start to snow.. very cold those nights. Day in and day out we were neglected and denied any mercy from bystanders, if we were merely human we would've died by then. Why was that?" As if that were to ever be answered. "So much for fortune and misfortune being intertwined. Our entire lives were filled with tragedy, pain, and suffering back to back around like some twisted circle. ...A cycle only to be played over and over again never to be broken...Until one did break it."

"Douma." You hadn't meant to speak that outloud but the look he gave you told you that it was true. 

"Upper Moon Six at the time. This was before he challenged Akaza for Upper Moon Two and won. Funny how that worked. Something so feared held something so precious as mercy. Especially for someone like me."

"He...saved your lives." Gyutaro slowly nodded. "Why?"

"He helps people with their wants and desires. My desires were clear, he only polished what I could accomplish and move some of the heavier boulders off the rocky pathway for us to get here. ....I can respect him an amount for that regard."

Huh... Perhaps whomever this Douma person truly was actually wasn't a bad person? But...tose lifeless eyes. You shivered remembering them. They still sent a chill down your spine.

"Becoming a Kizuki wasn't even a want for me. The respect and authority is nice but responsibility isn't my strong suit...but I don't regret becoming one. If I was given a choice I'd just become one over and over again if that's what it takes to enact vengeance. I don't have regrets with my choices.." You blinked large hands dropping from your body to a pathetic and livid lap of a connected filthy body. "However... I've always had one regret...I just never mentioned it before but it continues to haunt me...Daki."

Said girl flinched on his back still pressed face first into the rough skin clinging onto as if for dear life. Ironic how that was wasn't it?

"Had I never taught you my way of life you might have lived a better life." The trembling behind him stopped. The body in front of him froze. "Had you only worked at a better house, you might have become a respectable Oiran, and if you'd been born to a better mother you'd have a better family. One without being so filthy. Who knows?..maybe you'd even been a high socialite. You do have a very impressionable personality. Maybe you're only in this situation because I raised you with the mindset of take before they take from you. If you didn't have me... you wouldn't ever be like this."

The hunched over form leaned more over and once dried eyes succumbed to the leaking trailing of salt riddled tears falling down the face and marking the ugly face once again with water that would never wash away the ugliness or filth. Not even a little. Nothing ever changed didn't it? Not even a little bit.  Look at him. Pathetic. Not that he really was anything else. 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Blubbering now. How could he get any more pathetic than this? "I'm sorry I wasn't what you deserved."

"Shut up!  Just shut up!" A voice screeched and he nearly toppled over when a large weight suddenly latched onto him. A fresh set of tears rolling down his back. "Why do you always have to t-take things so far?!" A familiar loud high pitched whine pierced the air and a woman whined into him. "I-I told you I'm not g-g-going a-any where!! You couldn't get rid of m-me even if you tried!! I'm not going to let you be alone! S-So stop saying that!"

"She's right..You shouldn't say those kinds of things."

Soft.

The touch was so soft when two hands grabbed his own hands back and hold him just...Held him.  When did anyone ever hold him? There was no one to ever hold him. If anyone he was always the one doing the holding up for the both of them. The world was always too cruel to allow anyone else to be near either of them. maybe....

Maybe just bring held once would be ok.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry m' filthy! M' sorry something so  filthy taints your presence-"

"Now stop that. I'd rather have you hold me than anyone else right now." Soft hands were placed under his chin and tilted upwards to make yellow eyes gaze into purple ones. "A heart of gold is usually hidden by mud while a cruel soul is cloaked by porcelain. It just takes a little bit for the gold to shine."

That was it.

Lips were captured. Surprise went off.

AND. IT. FELT. FULFILLING.

Like fireworks shooting off behind his heart. Pins and needles numbed his limbs. His nerve endings felt on fire. Yes...Yes this would do nicely. Something pretty. So pretty to call his own. So very, very pretty and soft.

And so very very  his.

A knock interrupted any good magic in the air. A growl escaped Gyutaro and he was forced to retreat as the door slid wide open...and a servant stood there frozen as he saw the state of you three.

"WHAT?!"

Gyutaro's angry bark got the man to jump nearly jumping back outside but instead he fell to his knees and hid his face with a bow. Holding out something in his arms in an attempt to appease the now angry demon before him. "F-FORGIVE ME LORD GYUTARO!! B-B-But a v-v-very important p-p-package arrived for Lady Y/n! I-It couldn't wait!"

Another package? Really? Oh great. You could only wonder what it could've been this time. Another dress? A fan? Maybe a decorative vase? Your eyes looked to the servants'hands and froze. There in his hands was a perfectly wrapped pink box.

The very SAME pink box you sent back to Douma.

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #demon bride #daki #douma #douma x reader #hantengu #hantengu x reader #hantengu clones #zohakuten #rui ayaki #gyutaro x reader #gyutaro #enmu x reader #enmu #kokushibo x reader #kokushibo #kyogai x reader #kyogai #kaigaku x reader #kaigaku #akaza x reader #akaza #karaku x reader #Karaku #aizetsu #sekido #urogi #urogi x reader

[alaynestone]

happy wincest wednesday! for the first wednesday of the new year and related to recent delightful shade, lol -- what are your favorite ways for Sam to find out about Dean/John, and what do you want his reaction to be?

happy wincest wednesday! this is a difficult question because there are so many different ways for this to happen and they're all incredibly interesting to me. i can't get enough of this trope, especially in combination with sam/dean and the new layers of familial dysfunction it unveils.

a classic is sam finding out after john's death in season 2. it feels like the most canon compliant time for him to discover this because by s1 they're still getting to know each other again as adults and sam still has quite a few gaps about dean's childhood. i do think that no matter how the discovery happens, sam will be able to look back on events from his childhood and teenage years and feel like a part of him always suspected. maybe he never consciously considered it but there was something about the closeness dean and john shared that always made him uncomfortable for reasons he couldn't name. partly because when john wasn't there that closeness was shared with him, but as soon as john was back dean would turn into daddy's little wooden boy all over again. i think sam always felt lonelier and more distant from dean when it was the 3 of them and that's one of the reasons why he never wants things to go back to the way they were.

so since we're talking about s2, his reaction is horror, revulsion, not so much because it's a shock but because when he stops to think about it it really, really isn't. i can't sugarcoat the fact that sam in the earlier seasons would often get angry at dean for "allowing himself to be treated that way", so he would be fiercely protective but bad at expressing it in a way that can't be misinterpreted by dean as disgust. i said something similar when you asked me about sam finding out that dean has done sex work. i think he'd explode at first and only later approach it in a more gentle way. i think he'd feel guilty for not seeing it (or not understanding what he was seeing) and hopeless with knowing that there wasn't anything he could've done because dean would have never walked away from john.

dean of course would defend john to sam and probably even insist that he started it. i can also see him getting vicious about it and generally treating it as not that big of a deal. whether this is a universe where sam and dean have a sexual relationship or not, sam would be terrifyingly familiar with wanting dean and feeling evil for it. and also familiar with the way they were so cut off from society that something like that could begin to make sense. if this is a version of events where sam hasn't acted on his attraction, it's easier to stay mad and keep a relative distance from the situation. if he has then it's confirmation that he is indeed wrong like his father is wrong, and is dean with him because john is no longer there? does he know what he wants? if things between them started long before s1, was dean only with sam because that was what he was used to? did john know? the sickest possibility to cross his mind would be that dean was with him with john's permission, or on john's orders. he realizes he's never hated his father more yet now feels closer to him than ever and still can't help but miss him terribly.

but just because they've both crossed these lines, doesn't mean he has to be like john. this could mean he ends his physical relationship with dean but even if he succeeds we know there's no getting rid of "whatever this is" between them, so he'd only be putting it off for some time. plus they both need that intimacy and there's nothing else to hold onto anymore AND IT'S ONLY S2 so as much as putting a stop to it appeals to me for angsty reasons, determination to treat dean better and love him harder would probably win out. for all that sam feels cursed, there's always a stubborn optimism that keeps him fighting the worst of his nature and that would be useful in a situation as messy as this.

#this is so long and i didn't even get to discuss other ways for him to find out but the possibilities are truly endless #favorite fucked up love triangle #zmediaoutlet #wincest wednesday #supernatural #whatever this is #even the bones would do #not different; not anymore #like the rifle #incest// #deanjohn #samdean

[canarybell]

something something sequel and S2/S3 connection

(This is another mostly Ctrl-C Ctrl-V of my speculations from another place, because I don't have enough brains to rephrase it; and I want it to be here in case I make a post concerning my speculations about Archangel Michael and their role in S3)

We know S3 is based on the drafts of the unwritten sequel of the book!GO. We also know S2 is a "bridge" between S1 and S3, kinda tying in one knot the ending of S1 and the beginning of the sequel book. We can assume from Neil's recent post that most (if not all) important things that should have happened in the sequel, will happen in S3 and didn't happen in S2 yet.

So what can we assume based on this information?

The main difference between book ending and S1 ending is that in the end of S1 aziracrow don't work on their respective offices anymore. In the book it's might be not that clear, but with Adam promising they don't have anything to worry about, and with them trying to find out what their head offices actually think on Sunday and not hide from them, I suppose A&C still work for Hell and Heaven after the events of the book. There is also "Crowley & Aziraphale’s New Year’s Wishes" written by Terry&Neil in 00s in which aziracrow still work there while IPod exists (with book set up in 1990 it definitely happens after the Armageddon't).

I can't find a source right now, but I remember Neil directly saying (after S1) that archangels in the series were borrowed from sequel drafts. It's also worth noticing that in the book we never saw Heaven the way we saw it in S1, and also there were no angels in the book aside from Aziraphale and The Metatron (and Death, who called himself Azrael, but...well, I'm not sure it applies to TV series in any way).

We also know that the sequel dealt with a Second Coming and angels were acting like Jesus' bodygards (and lost him). We also know what Aziraphale was supposed to do in the sequel (watching some videos in the hotel), but I can't recall anything to be said about Crowley's occupation in a meantime...but maybe I just didn't search hard enough?

So, as I see it, the sequel should have been revolved around an Apocalypse initiated by Heaven this time (the way in the first book it was initiated by Hell). Crowley had a task to deliver an Antichrist in GO1, so in a sequel Aziraphale was ordered to do something concerning Jesus. I guess he even was supposed to be promoted (maybe not for the Supreme Archangel position, but still promoted) in a sequel too – because of his knowledge of Earth he could genuinely seen as the best candidate to be used in the “Second Coming” project in a book version. There were probably some insights into the Heaven politics – we saw some demons in the book 1 after all.

(It also made me make some assumptions about Archangel Michael role in S1/sequel/S2, as there are some interesting patterns, especially if we look into the cut scene of the bookshop opening in S1 script…but that’s a theory for another day. It also ties them with Muriel, however strange it might sound without a context)

The problem of implementing this into TV series is that, as I pointed above, TV!Aziracrow post-S1 are known traitors and outlaws (that actually would make a lot more sense if S1 existed without any continuation – there is a big headscratcher in a book for me called “Was Ligur revived and did anyone care about his murder post-Armageddon’t?”, which S1 covered). You need to set up a whole story so Aziraphale could just go back to Heaven and do whatever he needed to do there for the plot. Crowley, on the other hand…we’ll see in S3, but I suspect his role in the sequel didn’t require him actively work for Hell, especially if he needed to be on Earth most of the plot; and whatever interactions that he needed to have with Downstairs can be covered in the TV series by him interacting with Shax.

So the main point of S2 in this case was mostly to set up Aziraphale going back to Heaven. And maybe to get rid of Gabriel – I suppose he had a role in the sequel too, but if his main role in its drafts was to just be an annoying and stupid boss (as he was in S1 and wasn’t in a book, as he wasn’t present there), he couldn’t continue to just be one in the series, pretending that saying “Shut your stupid mouth and die” to Crowley!Aziraphale never happened. And getting rid of him was probably seen as a better/simpler solution than trying to come up with a story where he, with his story with Aziraphale, still had the same functions as his book-sequel version.

And yeah, other archangels don't like and/or trust Aziraphale too (okay, I'm hesitant about Saraquel, but they are a dark horse anyway). But they very visibly didn't like Aziraphale in S1 too, even before his...accomplishments. So that might be the point of their characters? Maybe in the sequel archangels simply didn't like their new equal/boss, and in S3 their dislike will just have more basis? Especially in Michael's case.

.....one thing that bothers me, actually, is how much the "S3 is based on the sequel, S2 not so much" might affect our theories about S3? Like, 25 Lazari miracle. If it wasn't in the sequel drafts (and tbh I'm not sure it could even happen there - what for book!A&C would do the joint miracle? If it even happened, it should have been something minor enough that it could be replaced by hiding Gabriel definitely-not-in-the-sequel subplot...), how much should we rely on it in our theories? Can we even make it a main point of our assumptions?

Although, the sequel drafts were just this - drafts, not a finished story. We don't know how detailed they were, and how many plot points weren't really finished back then. Like, idk, there might be "Aziraphale and Crowley get out of [some trouble] - we will think how they can do it later" note, and back then "later" never happened. But now "how" can be resolved with the use of 25 Lazari Chekhov Gun, and it would be legit for the TV series universe...

#good omens #good omens season 2 #good omens s2 #good omens meta #good omens theory #good omens speculation

[smokestarrules]

Okey, I've read somewhere the theory that Belos can possess dead bodies and he was only possessing his own dead body all this time.

I think it would make sense, because in S3 we haven't seen he in his "human form", only in that of palismen form.

I've also noticed sth that maybe would give more sense to this. If you look closely, you can see that Belos eyes are not the same of Philip's. Belos' are duller and brighter, more similar to the ones Hunter got when Belos possessed him. And Philip's are lighter with different shades of blue.

Here's what I say:

I see what you’re talking about, but the problem I have with this theory is that I don’t believe he could have the power to possess dead bodies before s3. He certainly does have the power of possession now, but I just don’t think he did before the s2 finale. 

So let’s talk about what powers and/or curses he does have, and why. 

Firstly, the Glyphs carved into his own arm. I’m not sure what he was hoping to achieve with this, but the Glyphs are assumedly active during the entire show and they are killing him. They make his body lose its form, make him grow more unstable, and if left unchecked, he would not last long with them like this. 

So he combats the Glyphs by consuming Palisman; much like the way Vee consumes pure magic, I think this is something similar. Raw magic keeps him in control (at least somewhat), keeps him young, too, and it gives him a flexibility and command over his own body that allows him to use the formlessness from the Glyphs as a weapon. 

The Palisman do not kill him. They make him stronger. Their only drawback besides the green mold that grows on his body, it seems, is that their souls stick in his mind, but I think that’s honesty more of a bother than a legitimate concern. 

And in Hollow Mind, he gets rid of them, which gives him further control over his own body and curse. 

Now he has the ability to completely control what he looks like; he can take away the curse’s green strip entirely, or he can turn into his monster form and back at the drop of a hat, because the Palisman souls are gone. But he still doesn’t have the power to possess, I don’t think. Not yet. 

But this is how he leaves King’s Tide. And this, I think, is when everything changes. Philip was essentially obliterated by the Collector, but a tiny part of him managed to make it out and into the Human Realm. This is where that power comes into play, because as I’ve said before: 

Philip isn’t coming back. Not in the Human Realm, at the very least. His human form is completely gone, which is why he has to resort to possession in the first place. And even then, it took him time. 

The reason he didn’t bother the kids for months was because he couldn’t. He had to work his way up the food chain and find his strength again. It probably started with small animals (and we see their bones in the episode), but the goal was ultimately to take their energy for himself and find his form again. Which he did, after possessing and nearly killing Hunter. It just wasn’t the form that he expected, probably. 

Which is to say that this is Philip now. I don’t know if we’ll ever see his human form again - though anything is possible on the Boiling Isles - likely in part because he was murked by the Collector in monster form, not human. 

Philip’s story is in part about the lengths someone would go to survive, or, at least, that’s how I take it, and to say that he’s been dead all along would feel cheap to me. He’s done so much in the name of survival, and that’s why he’s not going to survive the end of the series (among other reasons of course). He’s long overstayed his welcome. 

#sorry this got long lmao but his curse(s) are a fascinating subject to me #toh #the owl house #toh spoilers #philip wittebane #emperor belos #smokey answers #redmoon-darknight

[leatherbookmark]

another thing is that like. s1 wasn't the most brilliant thing in the whole universe but it did have a slowly progressing community plot. in the first episode, the crew's plotting to kill stede off, in episode 3 jim says he's the worst captain ever, but by episode 9 they've all grown to like him at least a bit, and so they confirm that he absolutely is a real pirate, eligible to use the act of grace, and they even do the talk it through as a crew thing. very cute!

and then s2 just... kindasorta... does... nothing... with that? sure, the crews get separated, they earned some trauma, but it's a comedy series and surely they can get over it and be one crew together again, right? look, half of the crew stays with stede even though they could have just left him -- he has nothing to offer them, after all -- the other half misses the life on the old revenge, then everyone's working with stede to take the revenge back, they're coming back home! they unionize (lol) against stede in ep4 to banish ed because he makes them feel unsafe, then in ep5 to make stede get rid of that awful cursed suit! in ep6, they have a big fun party!

eeeeexcept the swede just leaves without a second thought, and after he's gone no one misses him. buttons gets roach going "did he really turn into a bird or did you kill him", but that's it, no one misses him either and no one really notices they've lost two crew members in a couple of days. when a character is absent because their actor is absent, no one really goes "hey, where's X?", no one really notices that, so we have not one but two annoying examples of "wow, i was doing X and i missed all this stuff!" (lucius+pete and fang). olu, jim and archie are totally up for leaving stede's crew to join zheng yi sao for... no reason whatsoever. i've seen meta that it's because they don't feel comfortable on the ship or don't trust ed anymore, or have enough of stede's 15 minutes of fame, but like, is it text that this is the reason why they're leaving, or just something you as a fan figured out because you actively tried to find an explanation? sure, the crew wasn't a big fan of ed's apology, but did anyone protest very much, aside from lucius? not really. no one tried to get him to leave, no one avoided him during the party, the animosity, if it was there, just wasn't shown.

and now, in episode 8, well. everyone knows what happened in episode 8.

i'm kinda laughing bitterly here, because i made a post about how what izzy's done to the crew wasn't that much worse than what the crew do to each other, and does it mean they're not a good crew and don't care about each other?, no!, it means we're in a workplace comedy and everyone's a bit of an asshole! except. except i was kind of right, because the crew just goes and falls apart and it's barely noticeable, like they weren't a crew in the first place. it's not even sad, it doesn't have a reason, they just scatter around -- whether it's an actor wanting out, or scheduling conflicts, or money issues, i don't know, or the writers needing something that would piss stede off enough to challenge zheng yi sao to a stupid duel. the reviews and reactions to ep 6 were all wow, so moving, so euphoric, a love letter to the queer community, and it's like, a what to what. where. i don't see anything.

i've no idea, maybe djenks really looked at this episode and thought oh yeah, this is a good save point before s3, if we get renewed we can work from here, if we don't it's still a nice ending, but it's literally not in both cases. if it's an ending, it sucks. if it's a middle point, i don't actually want a s3 because the community is not a thing, my favourite little guy was killed off in the stupidest way possible, and the mains got the ending that i thought would never happen since s1, because it's too easy, too utopian, and besides it was obvious that the inn thing was only ed's escapist fantasy and he needs to find himself and what he really wants just like stede. ha. haha. ha.

i don't really care about this show anymore in the form it is now is the thing.

#shrimp thoughts #ofmd spoilers #and they started off so nicely! ah well. another proof you can't expect nice things from life lmao #ps if anyone doesn't disagree w/ me here they can counter it in their own separate post because for obvious reasons #i don't really feel like arguing now! sorry

[portraitofadyke]

THOUGHTS ON OFMD S2 FINALE (and s2) overall

Okay, so we ended the season on a high note, and after reading a lot of people's insights here, I have a few things to say

The issue between Ed and Stede is not resolved by them moving into the inn I have seen a lot of people have conflicted feelings about this one. And guys. Nobody said it was. They have been through a lot this season; separation, Ed's spiraling, Stede's rise (and imminent fall) to infamy. And it's absolutely not meant to feel resolved. They just went through something traumatic. I am pretty indifferent about Izzy (unlike most fandom), but his relationship with Ed was veery complicated, and now he's dead. He meant a lot to Ed, and how did Ed reward him for that? By torturing him, along with the crew, and shooting his leg off. Now Ed has to live with that. And somebody else pointed it out before, but Ed's solution to everything, same as Stede, is escapism. Right now, feeling like the regular guy who runs an inn, or lives in a little cottage, is better than facing everything that's happened. Stede hasn't expressed his opinion on being a pirate still. He seemed excited at Zheng's offer to join teams. He didn't say no. And neither did Ed. Those guys have been through so much since they met, changed as people, and now they just need a moment of peace and quiet, without the world exploding around them and the responsility of the crew on their shoulders to talk it out. Live with each other. Throghout the whole season, they did not have a chance to actually talk about what they want. Now they can

Jenkins himself said the relationship is not complete without a third act. This is not meant to be the finale for them. We're not supoosed to see the united Revenge off into the sunset and expect that to be the end. if we do have a third season, we should see how these two manage the quiet life, if they have the conversations they should. It's unresolved for a reason

Ed has serious issues that will not dissolve just because he moved in with the love of his life Ever since we are introduced to Blackbeard in s1, we see how very reactive he is, how erratic. he can't stand criticism, can't stand being told what to do, anything uncomfortable to him he lashes out at. We see some growth with that this season, BUT There's the thing nobody really talks about. In s1, during the Fuckery, Ed tells Stede he hasn't actually killed anyone since his dad. he just maims. And we believe it; Ed is very good at making people believe what he wants them to believe, he's a tactical genius, he could pull not-killing and being a notorious legend just with maiming. BUT We see it contradicted in the next episode. With Jack, who tells Stede about how Ed set a whole ship on fire. When asked about his supposed 'ban on killing' by Stede, Ed answers that 'Technically, the fire did it.' We move on. Makes you wonder how many times 'technically, something else did it' before. Then, Stede leaves him on the beach, Ed goes back to the ship, and after being vulberable in front of the crew, he wants it to stop. Wants the feelings to stop. Wants to hide behind the comfort of the insanity and ruthlessness of Blackbeard. The first thing he does? Gets rid of the person who saw him hurting the most, Lucius, and throws him overboard. That should be his first direct kill since his father, if we believe his claim, and it goes downwards from there. We start s2 with Ed completely derranged. He's pushing his crew to their limits and beyond. He's clearly indifferent to his crew dying (Ivan). He's high and drunk and it's implied that he kills recklessly now. he drives everyone around himself, Including himself, to insanity. We see him passively trying to kill himself, because like Stede said, he will either burn the world down or die trying, and like Izzy said, he's too much of a coward to do it himself. He's breaking Ned's record not to prove that he can (bc he knows he can and just doesn't care, he's notorious enough, this isn't about his legacy anymore), but because he hopes it will get Ned on his track. He hopes Ed will kill him, if no one of the crew will. He gives the gun to Izzy. Asks him to kill him. he doesn't. So what does he do? He intentionally sails his boat into a deadly storm. When everyone is too scared to stop him, he carries on. He will either drown everyone, or somebody will kill him. During the storm, while Ed is in his final breakdown, we see multiple crew members go overboard, lost to the sea. That's another dozens deaths on Ed's conscience. When the crew finally turns on him, he's relieved to die. He can't wait. In the gravy basket, he finally admits to himself that he hates himself. He thinks he's unlovable. Should be unlovable. And as much as I adore the scene where Stede essentially coaxes him back to life with his love, proving the opposite (the mermaid is a cinematic masterpiece), Ed's deep laying issues that started with coming from an abusive household and ending with being a crazy, tortutous maniac will not be cured by true love's kiss.

In the finale, he obviously kills a lot of people. And so does Stede. I love that he got his hero moment. I love that he got to use the thing he's good at. But. He killed people recklessly. We see him stab, shoot, snap necks, choke. If we are to believe he hasn't killed since his dad until Lucius, did he start being okay with death during his crazy reign on the Revenge? Will he hate himself more for it? What will he do with himself now? And Stede, somebody who had flashbacks about an accidental death, now killed more than one person who threatened his crew. his Family. How will he deal with that on his conscience?

Go do the thing you're good at and stick to it Pardon me if those are not the exact words, but that's what the fisherman tells to Ed. Ed who dreamt about a normal life ever since leaving his home, maybe before that, since his dad did nothing but abuse his family. Immediately, he fishes out the leathers and goes back to being Blackbeard, because he is the most famous pirate for a reason. Only to go to an inn with Stede. Ed's perception of the normal life is a fantasy. When he thinks he's living the live of a good, conent fisherman, he's actually doing fuckall. He's never had a chance to be a normal guy, and I don't think he will like it. Stede didn't like it, either. And now they have each other, sure, and it's different when you don't have to pretend to be somebody else and be with someone you truly love, who gets you, but. It will not last. Ed will find out how boring and mundane everyday life is.

Co-captains So obviously, since a lot has been going on, these two need to lay low for a bit. Find out what life should be for the two of them if they just live. No piracy, no crime. Like we said, it will not last. They are both restless, born to move. Not to mention either of them is exactly mentally stable. We have seen them together on the ship plenty, sure. Ed mentoring Stede about piracy, Stede Ed about finery. Then, finally, their relationship moves on and they realise they are significant to each other, and they decide to be co-captains. If you find two people perfect enough for each other. It's new. It sounds like the novelty Ed needs and the support and respect Stede craves. But we never really see it. Stede leaves. Ed goes crazy. Stede saves the crew. Ed tries to earn forgiveness. Now Stede is the captain. We have a small moment of peace (between s5 and 6) where they probably could be just co-captaining. And then, when Zheng offers them to join up, we never really see that. My guess is that's what we should be getting in s3.

So much importance on family just for Stede and Ed to see them off So my biggest nightmare for the finale, just like everyone else's, was the crew splitting up. To me, this show is as much about acceptance of queenress as it is about found family. They will be reuinted. They are a family. Overall, it was rushed, but still better than 99% of other tv shows.

#ofmd s2 spoilers #ofmd s2 #ofmd #ofmd meta #i have more thoughts that don't if in here #please #overall I am very excited about this season #and think the writers and cast did what they could with the sticks HBO kept throwing under their feet #BUT S3 NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND IT NEEDS TO HAVE ITS 10 EPISODES #don't be fucking cheap and support your succesful queer tv show #first five episodes were absolute perefction #it did feel a bit rushed towards the end #but it's s

[selene-and-the-cold]

OF/MD Drabble - Darkness

So, I was writing a fic for OF/MD, when all of a sudden, intrusive thoughts of angsty!Ed hijacked my brain.

There is sick!Ed (no snz, but coughing and fever) and a worried Stede. It is really just a tiny snipped of angst, but it wanted out so here it is :D

Somewhere past re-union, but please be gentle if anything here is not in accordance with S2 because I haven't seen it, yet, and only live on spoilers ^^

It's very vague, so could be at any point after their reunion.

***

The darkness was everywhere.

So heavy that Edward's eyes hurt from its pressure. An all-encompassing, deep, thick black leaden fog. Engulfing him. Choking him. Its pressure spread from his eyes to his head, and chest, invisible hands closing around his neck. He tried to get up, but the darkness sat so heavy on his chest that he could not move. His limbs were weighed down by the leaden darkness and he could not breathe. Could not move. His heart was racing, thumping hard against his rib-cage, urging him to fight, and rid himself of the darkness' crushing weight. He tried to scream – perhaps some of the guys would hear him, someone, anyone!

But as soon as he opened his mouth, the darkness streamed into it like thick black smoke, coiling into his mouth and throat like an angry black snake. He writhed restlessly, trying to push the weight off him with all his might, mouth agape in a silent, choked scream no one would hear.

I'm gonna die here, Ed suddenly thought. I'm gonna fucking die and no one will know. No one was here. No one cared. He was alone. And Stede was gone.

Ed tried to call out for help again. Tried to call out for Stede, but the weight on his chest became so heavy that Ed had to cough, his body shaking violently, beads of sweat dripping down his face, as he writhed, twisted, tossed and turned, fighting the darkness with all his might.

He coughed again, his lungs burning like someone had stabbed his lungs with a thousand tiny knives, each wound bleeding and hurting with every cough. By now, he had no idea if he was standing up, or lying down, floating or falling, Everything hurt, and it was so fucking hot in here... Too hot. Too dark. Too much.

And yet, he was painfully aware that something was missing... Something was not there. Someone... Stede! Stede was not here.

Stede...

Some time ago, he'd dreamed about Stede coming back. Of soft, blond waves of hair next to him on the pillow, close enough for him to touch and rake his fingers through. Of Stede's warm body next to his. Of tender kisses and of falling asleep in his arms, head resting against Stede's chest.

“Stede...”

Dry, cracked lips, barely moving, breathing Stede's name out into the stillness of the night between rattling coughs.

Stede had just gone out to the bathroom for a few moments, but Ed's harsh, labored coughs had called him back with urgency.

“Ed! I'm here. I'm here, love!”

Stede hurried over, his dressing gown fluttering behind him. Hand outstretched, he reached the bed and clasped Edward's hand, while he tried to pull him up with the other.

“Ed, please, try to sit up for me so you can breathe.”

Suddenly, Ed's eyes were wide open, staring at Stede with anxious fury, so painfully intense that his fear burnt through the darkness of their quarters.

“Stede..?,” Edward asked, a quiet sob that rang through Stede's very core. “You... You're here? I though you were a dream... I thought you wouldn't come back...,” Ed choked out between coughs, damp hair plastered to his feverish brow, brown eyes swimming with tears.

“Yes, Edward, I'm here..” Stede clasped Ed's hand a little tighter, greedily gathering Edward's in his grasp. “I'm sorry, I just went to the bathroom for a moment.”

Stede's chest ached with the all too familiar feeling of losing the one person he wanted to spend his life with. The one person who made life worthwhile. That very ache was staring back at him out of Edward's eyes. Seeing it there, knowing that he had put it there, was agony.

Stede helped Edward sit up, who was still wrecked with harsh coughs, his entire body trembling from the effort of choking out those coughs because he was so weak from fever.

Unable to do very much else, Stede just held him and rubbed his back in soothing circles, steadying his beloved, while the savage coughing fit ran its course. It was one of the worst yet, and Stede prayed to all the deities who cared to listen that they would soon arrive at Barataria Bay, where – at least according to Jim – a former nun with special healing powers had found shelter and a new home after being expelled from her convent.

As the heavy darkness slowly let off and gave Edward's lungs free, the coughing began to subside. Stede gently tightened his arms around Ed, as if he could absorb him into his body if he'd only tried hard enough.

“There we go... you'll soon be able to breathe better, Ed. Just let it out... take it slow.. one breath after the other.”

He rocked their bodies in a gentle, soothing motion, kissing Ed's hair, and damp forehead, doing anything he could, really, to show Ed that he was here.

“Stede... I thought you were gone?,” Edward sobbed, “I... I was drowning, choking, and you weren't there...”

“I know...” the knowledge of it would forever haunt Stede. He had been too afraid to stay. Too afraid to disappoint, blind enough not to notice that leaving was the biggest disappointment he could ever have put Ed through. The worst possible mistake.

“But now I'm here and I will never leave you again, Edward. I'm sorry... This time, me leaving was just a bad dream. And it will always be never more than a bad dream because I will never leave again – unless you tell me to.”

Edward violently shook his head and buried his face so deep into Stede's chest, that Stede could feel hot tears soaking through the fabric of his nightshirt.

The two men held each other for a long moment, soaking in each other's presence, until Stede could feel Edward become heavy in his arms, as Ed's meager well of strength ran dry.

“You should lie back down and rest, my love. Here.. we'll prop you up against these pillows so you can breathe a bit more easily.”

Edward still clawed at Stede's dressing gown, unwilling to let go.

“What about you?,” Ed rasped, but the intensity, which was lacking in his voice lingered in his gaze. Glassy eyes searching Stede's, their deep, dark color gleaming with the fear of being alone.

“I'll be here. Right beside you.”

#of/md #sick!Ed #angst #coughing #fever #my writing