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galamalion · 3 months

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⚔︎. 𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐘 (𝐢)

summary. you join mizu on her quest for vengeance, discovering more about yourselves on the way towards her ultimate goal.

⤷ contents. mizu x fem!reader, blue eye samurai spoilers, violence, mention of suicide, themes of racism + misogyny, slight slow burn, slight enemies to lovers // wc. 10.6k

⤷ notes. i don't have name for this series yet, i just really wanted to write something for mizu lol idk if i want it to be reverse harem? probably won't see any taigen or akemi x reader, or x mizu for that matter (mizu only has eyes for you <3) anyways i hope you enjoy this story and what's to come!

chapters. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [vi] [vii] [viii]

Pure, untouched snow crunched beneath your worn-out sandals as you trudged behind Mizu, choosing each step carefully to avoid shoving your foot deep inside a snowbank and ruining your shoes further than they already had.

The weather hadn’t been great, all things considered. The wind was a tad too harsh, nipping bitterly at your cheeks and nose, letting the falling snow melt into your kimono and dampen the fabric slightly.

Despite your light-hearted complaints, Mizu insisted that you keep walking. Mizu was nothing if not determined to reach your destination in a day, not wanting to waste any more time than you already had. And so you trekked across the white frosted forest, following the hidden path that was completely buried in snow.

“You really think the man you’re looking for will be here?” you asked, side-stepping a thick layer of snow.

Mizu hummed in response.

“And if he’s not here?” you pried.

“Then I’ll find out where he went from here,” she answered curtly, not bothering to turn around.

You sighed, pulling your hanten tight over your chest. In addition to shelter, you’d also like to stop by a town, a busy one, if you were able. Clothes weren’t a necessity—you could walk a couple more miles in your sandals, and your kimono was at least still fairly new. But on account of Mizu’s proclivities, you were in desperate need of more bandages. You still had a few bundles of herbs and plants you picked before the snow fell, but you were fearful those would eventually rot or decay inside your inro.

“Just try to keep the bloodshed to a minimum,” you sighed, “or at the very least, your bloodshed.”

“I make no promises,” she stated plainly.

You just rolled your eyes.

After a few more minutes of walking, your thin trail ended, leaving you in the midst of a ramshackled town. Mizu continued walking through it, not sparing a glance to anything except for the building that lay straight ahead. A noodle shop, or so the sign said.

You walked ahead of Mizu to get a closer look at the dilapidated building, dodging more snowbanks to reach your goal. As you got closer to the shop, you noticed Mizu had stopped in her tracks, standing still behind you.

Spinning around to see why she paused, you immediately saw three children, the leader holding a small rock and preparing to throw it at Mizu. She turned her head slightly, not quite looking at the children, only just enough for them to catch a glimpse of her unamused expression.

The children quickly ran back to their homes, dropping their stones as they fled. Mizu resumed her stride, stepping up beside you in front of the store.

You lightly poked Mizu’s shoulder, “Are we here strictly on business, or can I get something to eat?”

Mizu grumbled, fishing some coins out as she slid the door open and stepped through the loose fabric that hung above the entryway.

The two of you made your way to a table in the corner, Mizu obscuring her face with her hat and you keeping your head down. As a woman should, or at least in public. Mizu wanted to keep a fairly low profile, and so you were willing to make at least some sacrifices on her behalf. The slight jabs and insults you received on account of your gender, after all, were nothing compared to the ones Mizu received.

“Welcome, sir and madam,” a portly young man said, sitting down beside your table, “I'll bring you some tea. It's not good tea, but it's hot, and you're frozen, and I'll bring you a rag because when I'm frozen, my snot drips. Then a nice big soba. We make the best soba. Honest. Bad tea, great soba. Okay?”

Mizu gave a polite nod in response, while you just stared bewildered at the talkative man. You managed to muster out a ‘thank you’, doing your best to put a kind smile on your face.

The man smiled back and rose to his feet, marching jovially back to the kitchen to prepare your tea and noodles. He was stopped at the next table, however, as the scrawny man sitting there jutted his leg out to stop him.

“Stumpy!” the harsh voice crowed, “more noodles, fast.”

The lanky man sneered as the waiter-cook obliged, returning to his station in the back. His upper lip curled as he turned to the two young women next to him.

“I paid your fathers good money for you,” he snidely remarked. “The brоthеls will pay me even more once you get some curve on, you skinny country nothings. Eat!”

Your nose wrinkled at his loathsome behavior. It was the one thing you were never able to stomach, the gross maltreatment of women, like meat being prepared for eating. Mizu’s perceived appearance as a man earned your envy, knowing that she wouldn’t be viewed in the same way you were. But you knew that you both weren’t accepted in the circles you wanted to join, and that just because Mizu looked like a man, didn’t mean she would be accepted with open arms.

The bald young man returned with two bowls of noodles and tea, setting it down gingerly before you. Mizu, suspicious as ever, sniffed before diving into her meal, while you greedily downed the bowl entirely, placing the empty container down before Mizu could finish her last bite.

“It’s good, right?” he grinned, swiping your dirty bowl away from you while you took your cup of tea.

He left your table momentarily to deliver the tray of noodles to the old man, standing before him with the fresh steaming bowls.

“Finally!” he barked, snagging the face of the poor girl sitting closest to him. “Eat up, girls. Eat it all!”

The fearful girl swatted his hand away, causing it to crash and spill one of the bowls of hot noodles across the lap of the old man, who angrily stood up and slapped the poor man.

“What are you, a dog?” he growled, turning to point a finger at the cook who had just run out. “You let a dog serve food!”

You clenched your fists beneath the table, keeping your head down to avoid exploding. If only by his boisterous attitude, you assumed this was the man Mizu had been looking for. All the men Mizu searched for were similar, fitting into two categories: loud and overconfident. There was often overlap between the two.

“F-Forgive my son,” the man laughed nervously, bowing to the furious customer. “Can’t go a day without breaking dishes.”

The cook turned to his son, anger in his voice, “Ringo, clean him!”

“I’m sorry,” Ringo said, attempting to walk towards the man, only to slip on the noodles he had just dropped, causing the tray to drop the other bowl of noodles onto the man’s lap.

You wished you were anywhere else right now.

“Agh!” the old man cried out, reaching for his chest. You were unable to see his movements as his back was towards you.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Ringo repeated, desperately trying to salvage the situation by picking up the mess below.

The old man’s hand retracted from his chest, pointing straight towards Ringo. The gasps around the room told you what you couldn’t see. And as the room swiftly grew quiet, you could barely make out the weapon grasped in his hand when he shrugged.

“Ah…I should put down this lame dog,” he growled, bringing the gun back up to point at Ringo.

Ringo stared unflinchingly, as if confused by the man’s words, “I’m not a dog,” he said confidently, yet with a twinge of fear present in his voice.

“Did you just bark?” he chuckled darkly. “Do you know who I am? I am Hachiman the Flesh-Trader, and no one messes with Hachi!”

Ah. So it was him. You turned to take in Mizu’s reaction, only to see her staring straight down at the table beneath you. And, in a moment that made you wish you were deaf, Mizu pushed the table forwards, causing a shrill squeak to echo throughout the room as it scraped against the floor., earning the attention of Hachiman.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” you hissed under your breath, praying that Mizu wouldn’t be dumb enough to goad the man with a gun. She’d threatened and bribed men for information in the past, some merchants, and some fellow samurai. They could be dangerous, and they often were, refusing to give up the necessary information without a fight. But they hand knives, swords. Not guns.

Mizu stood from the table and slowly strode over to Hachiman, keeping her eyes trained on his gun as she moved to stand in front of him.

“Impressive,” she hummed, taking small steps towards him, “I’ve never seen a gun like it.”

You grabbed the tea kettle and poured some into your cup, taking a deep breath in an attempt to cool your nerves. Mizu had gotten into worse situations before—none involving a gun, of course, but equally as dangerous. Those samurai that refused to give up, those merchants who feared for their lives, they all died like dogs beneath Mizu’s blade.

‘He’ll be no different,’ you thought, bringing the cup up to your lips. Looking down at your hands, you realized they were shaking ever so slightly.

She placed her hand on her chin, tilting her head to gaze down the barrel of the gun, “Front loading, not a Japanese pistol,” she remarked, grazing her finger across the weapon. “A European design, isn’t it?”

Remaining silent, you sent a sharp glare towards Mizu, who had not yet disobeyed your one request of her, but was getting real damn close to it. Her eyes flickered towards yours in acknowledgement, although whether it was her trying to tell you that she understood your concerns or her telling you that she had it under control was a mystery. You just assumed the latter.

The other customers fled the building, leaving you as the only patron still inside, although you weren’t exactly eager to stay, not wanting to get caught up in the ensuing firefight. Your eyes darted to Mizu’s hand, noticing her middle and index finger were pointing straight down, which was Mizu’s signal for you to leave.

You rose from the table and quickly walked outside the store, not bothering to look back at the standoff behind you. Mizu could handle herself, especially against a crotchety old pervert like that man. All that was left for you to do was wait, and hope that your patient didn’t get herself killed.

It was spring—not early, though. All the snow had melted and it was beginning to pour into summer, the sun becoming hotter with each passing day. You were out in the woods, a couple paces away from your small town, but not far enough away as to have to worry about bandits.

You were on a mission to fetch medicinal supplies, both for your own collection as well as for your fellow villagers who had paid you for your efforts. Mixing and making salves and herbal blends was your specialty, and it had earned you a pretty penny.

On account of being an orphan and lacking family to support, you had to become resourceful. Your former village lacked a structured orphanage, leaving you to wander the underdeveloped streets as a scavenging rat. It was hardly a life, but you made do. Learning that people would pity a poor, starving girl was the greatest weapon in your arsenal, though you knew it could easily lead to your downfall.

Joining a wealthy household would be effortless, but it would come with dreadful and unpredictable consequences. A daughter would only be accepted if there were a son, one you would have to marry once you came of age. Or at least, that was your thought process. Perhaps a family could, would take you in and expect nothing of you. But you were a talentless orphan, one who could give nothing even if nothing was needed of you.

And so, you left your village, moving in the dead of night along the dirt path in search of a new home.

Your travels brought you to a new, ever so slightly smaller village, and yet there seemed to be more people, more faces. At first you simply watched, trying to get a feel before sinking your teeth into anyone here.

And your patience was rewarded, finding your long-awaited prize.

You’d discovered an old man, a doctor, judging by his customers and conversation you’d picked up. One night you knocked on his door, begging on your knees for a place to stay and promising everything you could give. And so, under the guise of being his doting attendant, you began keeping an eye on his carefully guarded work. Over the years you began assembling your own guide, making improvements upon his recipes and even crafting a few of your own. Once he died—natural causes, of course—you lacked any competition.

You weren’t allowed to practice medicine, at least not directly, but you were easily able to play into the role of a concerned woman with old recipes generously shared by your master when you were ill.

And nobody was any wiser, praising you for your teas and ointments and whatever the hell else you managed to conjure up. You could heal sore throats, rejuvenate women’s skin for the pleasure of their suitors and husbands. Who wouldn’t buy from you?

In the end, you were alive, happily unmarried, and had a stable income. It was the dream of so many young girls, and you were living it.

You’d already collected enough to meet your quota, but you were after your own batch of herbs. It was important to start prepping medicine early, as once the first frost struck, everything would wither and die. But as you discovered a rich cluster beneath a tree, you heard an anguished groan nearby, causing you to whip around.

The sliver of an arm poked out from behind the tree, clearly not wide enough to hide whoever was sitting before it. You took a deep breath and carefully circled around to the other side of the tree, keeping a fair amount of distance between as you looked upon the unknown being.

Lying beneath the tree was a man, one you hadn’t recognized. Most, if not all, of the men in your current village were rather hairy and brutish, whereas the stranger was lithe and clean, a pair of shaded glasses covering their eyes. But what really caught your attention were his obvious wounds, clearly injured from some sort of weapon, though you’d need a closer look to really assess any kind of damage.

“You’re bleeding,” you noted, marching up to the injured man sitting before you.

If he was startled by your presence, he didn’t show it, but perhaps his injuries were making him delirious. His side had a small cut, light bleeding and probably didn’t require stitches. The shoulder, however, was in far worse shape, blood seeping out through his shirt and down to his forearm. You couldn’t know how bad it was until you looked at it, but the man seemed apprehensive.

“I’m fine,” he muttered, pressing a thin piece of torn fabric to his shoulder.

Your head nudged towards the sword at his waist, “You’re a samurai, not a doctor. Let me see it.”

“You’re not a doctor either,” he said, pressing his back further against the tree, and away from you.

“Well, I’m the closest thing you’re going to get,” you glared at the stubborn man. “Unless you want to let the old bastards in my town drain your blood.”

The stranger glared back, clenching his fists and chewing his cheek in thought. It was a bluff on your end, knowing that not a soul in your village had any kind of medical knowledge. You could feel in your heart that he was a stubborn soul, and he’d certainly bleed out if you tried to bring him back to your town. Or maybe he’d just be chased out, on account of his strange and mysterious getup.

“Please,” you implored, “I can help.”

He grunted, looking down at the wound on his shoulder, moving a shaking hand up to it before turning his eyes back to you.

“Fine,” he mumbled, gritting his teeth as he pressed on his shoulder. “Just make it quick.”

A deafening shot rang through your ears, bringing you out of your thoughts, but the strident cry that followed it eased your on-edge nerves. It was a garish noise, one that Mizu would never make, especially not in combat. She was more of a grunter.

It was fairly quiet until Mizu came out, another scream echoing behind her as she slammed the door closed.

“Successful?” you asked, trying to gauge her reaction at what had transpired.

“A name,” she responded, walking ahead.

You followed her, a pout forming on your lips, “It’s always another name.”

“This one has a direct connection.”

“So did the last one.”

Mizu didn’t respond, only continuing her determined walk out of the village.

The wind hadn’t let up at all, still blowing snow across your face and freezing the tips of your fingers. But gradually, as you followed Mizu on the path, the wind began to die down, only the snow falling from the sky was left to land on your skin, leaving a tingling feeling as they melted away.

And cold weather aside, the environment that surrounded you was beautiful, from the cliffside view of the water below to the towering bamboo that stood proudly, if only slightly disturbed by the snow and frost that covered it. You took time to marvel at these sights, while Mizu continued to keep her head down, head covered by her conical hat, keeping the snow away without any effort on her part. Perhaps there was more you envied about her than you thought.

Your peaceful journey was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps, though they were still some ways away. Both you and Mizu had turned around, seeing no one in the immediate distance behind you, either. She put a hand on your shoulder, gently pushing you behind her as she drew her sword, walking on the path of which you came.

“Stay here,” she whispered, prowling towards the sound.

You shrugged and grasped the knife that was tucked inside of your kimono, watching as Mizu left you alone, though she wasn’t gone for long. Returning with her sword sheathed, Mizu continued walking right past out, resuming the journey.

“Did you find anyone?’ you asked, ever so slightly curious.

“Yes.”

“...Did you kill them?”

“No.”

The lack of explanation in her single word responses clued you in to stop asking questions.

Slowly the bamboo grotto you found yourself in transitioned into small trees, crowded around one another in entangled root systems and branches above. The trees grew sparser and sparser with each step on the path, though they were growing larger, thicker. Soon the trees towered far, far above you, holding up heavy batches of snow with their needles, branches bowing down under the weight of the thick white blanket that coated them.

After another ten-or-so minutes of walking, the two of you encounter a small, decaying temple. It was in better condition than any of the buildings in the village you had come from, standing out among the lonesome path and soaring trees. but it seemed to grab Mizu’s attention, as she began walking up the broad stone steps.

You stopped at the base of the stairs, looking up at her, “Would you like some privacy, Mizu?”

Mizu stopped amidst the stairs, looking down at you below with an expression of pleasant surprise.

“That…would be nice,” she took a few more steps up to the entrance, turning back to you one last time. “Thanks.”

Brushing some snow off your self proclaimed seat, you leaned against one of the short stone pillars, doing your best to find comfort against the rough and uncomfortable material. Mizu shouldn’t be too long, unless she was planning on spending the rest of the day praying for her vengeance. In the past you’d believe that, but you were more in tune with her personality now.

You’d been traveling without a lead for so long, passing through rain, wind, and snow for days without rest. Name after name after name perpetuated the eternal journey you found yourself on, leading you on a wild, unending chase to find a single man. This was the guidance she needed, a direct path to the man in question, creating a new opening for her to walk upon in search of her goal.

Mizu had finally found the spark to reignite her self-righteous fury, and she was going to let it burn for as long as possible.

“You need to be still, moving can lead to the wound opening,” you hissed, tying off the last bandage.

“It’s my arm that’s injured, not my legs. I’ll be fine.”

“Listen, samurai,” you reached for his hand, “you can’t just—”

Before you could get close to even touching his palm, your wrist was caught tightly within his hand, squeezed uncomfortable as he stared deep into your eyes, past them, into your soul.

His free hand, the injured one, shakily went to his tinted glasses, tilting them down to the tip of his nose, giving you the first real glimpse of what laid behind them.

Your eyes widened ever so slightly, but no noise would exit your parted lips.

They were blue—not like the sky, they were brighter than that. And yet there was still so much darkness within. He had distinct eyelids, different from everyone you had ever known or seen. And there was beauty in that, but it was a shameful beauty. A beauty that screamed his difference to the world, proclaiming for all to see that he was not like the rest. That a white man had aided in his creation. But to blame a creation for the faults of its creator was a cruel decision, wasn't it?

And yet you could not conceal your shock at his mere existence.

His straightened mouth briefly twitched into a frown before returning back to his cool facade, releasing your wrist and walking away, a hand clutching his shoulder.

“That wound is bound to get infected,” you called out, stomping after the samurai. “And those stitches in your side will need to be removed, not to mention those bandages will need to be changed out with the amount of blood already seeping through them.”

He continued his gait, not bothering to look at you, “I can take care of it.”

“You need me,” you insisted, pacing right behind him. “If you wanted that wound fixed up, you wouldn’t be lying against a tree like you were.”

“I need no maid nor nurse.”

“I have money.”

Although he tried to keep it contained, you could see the way his shoulders tensed up at your words. Or perhaps his injuries were worse than even he thought.

“Let me care for your wounds; I’ll pay for any medicine and accommodations until you’re fixed up. Then we can part ways.”

“Have you nothing better to do?” he pried, a mixture of annoyance and genuine curiosity within his question.

“The only people that require my services here,” you gestured behind you, “are old people knocking on death's door, and women who are constantly pregnant. You are the freshest breath of air I have ever had in my years of living in this shitty village.”

You took a deep inhale before continuing, “Like I said, once we’re done and you’re fully healed, I’ll leave you be. You get a free, temporary doctor, and I get a nice story to tell my future children.”

He stared through you once again, piercing eyes contemplating your offer. From your perspective, at least, it seemed flawless. Doctors were expensive, and as a samurai he clearly lacked any stable income. A free, mobile doctor guaranteed him at least some financial security, although having a companion could potentially lead to unfortunate situations if he were to land himself in danger. Which begged the question: did he have reservations about your safety, or his?

“Fine,” he sighed, head falling in resignation. “But I make the rules, and you’ll stay out of my way.”

He moved to sit on a nearby rock, carefully moving the lower half of his shirt out of the way, giving you access to the injury on his side.

“I can take care of my shoulder later,” he muttered.

You shrugged, moving to inspect and apply your salves.

“Does the samurai have a name?” you questions, dabbing an ointment into his cut.

He growled as it entered his wound, “Mizu,” he hissed, clawing at the boulder beneath him.

“I’m ____,” you said, carefully wrapping bandages around his side. “Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, master Mizu.”

“...Don’t call me that.”

“Let’s go,” Mizu announced as she hiked down the stairs, joining you at the bottom and continuing the path before you.

“Any specific destination in mind?” you probed, leaning forward to see Mizu’s expression.

“Kyoto,” she answered, face unchanging. Truly an envy to statues everywhere.

“You said you got a name from that old geezer, so what are we looking for? A place, a person, a thing…”

“I’m looking for a man.”

“So, nothing new,” you sighed, tucking your icy hands inside your hanten.

The walk wasn’t much longer, the constant crunching of snow beneath your feet filling the void of silence between you two, though its calming effect soon dissipated, leaving you annoyed with each step until you reached Kyoto.

Soon enough you were standing in line before the towering gate, guards standing in front and above the entrance. You’d never been to any kind of central hub before you met Mizu, only knowing less than a hundred people, and that’s after combing from the two villages you’ve lived in. One thing you did know, however, was that women weren’t allowed to enter without an escort. Women in your village would complain about it whenever they had to go out and sell their goods and products, though you never had to leave for your business. Perks of being a monopolist, you supposed.

“Don’t speak,” Mizu leaned into your ear, voice a hush whisper. “Stay behind me, and stay close.”

“Not my first city entering with you, Mizu,” you shot back, folding your hands in your sleeves.

“Next!” the front guard called out, beckoning the next person forward.

A woman and her child stepped forward, showing their travel pass to the guard who sneered at it.

“This travel pass is invalid,” he declared.

You peeked over Mizu’s shoulder to get a better view at the situation taking place.

“My husband is dead. I made the baskets, he only sold them,” the woman begged, “please, or I can’t feed my children.”

The guard rolled his eyes, “You know the rules. Women can’t travel without a chaperone.”

‘Barbaric,’ you thought, sinking your nails into your forearms. Stupid rules written by stupid men. How lucky you were to have a chaperone on this trip.

“Next!” he shouted, not giving the sobbing woman another glance.

Mizu stepped forward and you followed closely behind, keeping your head down to conceal your rage.

“Travel pass,” he said boredly, his eyes briefly flickering to your form before looking back at Mizu.

Reaching into her clothing, Mizu withdrew a couple of coins, flashing the glimmering pieces to the guard who eagerly swiped them up, looking at the next people in line.

You shared a quick look with the daughter who was comforting her distraught mother, wishing there was something you could do to help. Looking up at Mizu, you saw her also gazing at the child with far less emotion on her face. Only a second had passed before Mizu looked away, marching her way past the gate and into the city, leaving you to catch up.

“Are we really not going to help her?” you blurted out as you followed Mizu through the busy streets.

If Mizu heard you, she didn’t respond, just looking at the tall snow-covered buildings lining the streets, colorful banners adorning detailed walls.

“Mizu—”

“There was nothing I could do, ____,” she scolded, turning back to look at you. “It would have caused more trouble than it was worth. I can’t afford to bring two more girls into the city, and there was no way anyone there would have left me.”

You exhaled shakily, clenching your fists and taking deep breaths in order to calm down.

“It’s just not fair,” you muttered, looking down at your feet.

Mizu sighed, placing a firm hand on your shoulder, “I promise I will try to do something for them.”

“Thank you,” you whispered, bringing your head up to look at her face, those kind and thoughtful eyes hiding behind her glasses.

She stepped away briefly, attempting to approach strangers for directions with little results. It almost caused you to feel embarrassed for her unfruitful efforts, if not for the three horses barreling straight towards her.

“Mizu, watch out!” you shouted as Mizu caught sight of the incoming horses, shooting backwards in response.

“Watch it, asshole!” the lead rider yelled, pulling on the reins of his horse.

You ran up beside Mizu, glaring at the pompous man. Mizu stuck and arm out in front of you, a silent message to contain your anger, lest you get the both of you in trouble.

“Apologies,” Mizu said, mouth pressed into a straight line, “I’m looking for something, but Kyoto is quite large. Do you know where I could find the Shindo Dojo?”

“Shindo?” the man to his left scoffed, peering down at the two of you. “That’s our dojo, and you think you’re going to apply?”

The man to his right laughed, “You look like a blind beggar!” He took his riding crop and slapped Mizu’s glasses off.

All three chuckled, pleased with their actions, one nodding his head at you.

“Are you really traveling with this guy, lady?” He extended his hand to you. “Hop on and I’ll take you for a real ride.”

Your lip curled in thinly veiled disgust, “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I’m quite pleased with my current situation.”

Mizu let out a long sigh, putting on a smile, “If you would please show me how to find your dojo, I would be grateful.”

“Sure,” the left man said, “follow the road to the shrine. Once you go around the gates, you'll see the sign across the puppet show.”

“Good luck!” they called back, laughing as they rode. You spit on the ground they had been as their horses galloped away.

Wiping off the snow that had been kicked up onto her shoulder, Mizu began to follow the directions given to her, leaving you to do most of the talking, as per usual.

“Bastards,” you growled, “pissants, the lot of them.”

“Calm down,” Mizu ordered, searching for your destination.

“Calm down? Calm down? Those cocky dickheads deserve every misfortune they come across.”

“Keep your eye out for a puppet show.”

“And the way he thought I’d just crumple to my knees and get on his stupid horse! Can you believe that?”

“Around the gates…”

“Not even mentioning the way they treated you, as if you couldn’t kick their asses with one arm tied behind your back. Shindo Dojo my ass.”

“There are consequences for attacking without consent of a duel first, and the last thing I want to do is be sent to prison for something as foolish as defending my honor,” Mizu said, turning the corner.

“Would you defend my honor?” you smiled, waiting for an answer.

“No.”

Well, it was an answer, at least.

The bustling city around you left no room for conversation, only the need to dodge passersby and merchants attempting to sell you goods that you had no use for. As you walked further and further into the city, the traders trickled away, only peeping men lined the streets now, peering inside the countless brothels.

“Why would a dojo be in a red light district?” you pondered aloud, trying your best to not make eye contact.

“For once,” Mizu answered, nose scrunched up, “we’re having similar thoughts…”

Your destination was only a few buildings down, and judging by the lewd ongoings within, was certainly not the Shindo Dojo.

“You two look lost,” a sultry voice cooed, arms stretching out to grab you and Mizu.

Standing in front of the brothel were two very dressed up women, crimson dusting their cheeks, matching the vibrant red that decorated their lips and eyes.

“We were just leaving,” you asserted, shaking out of their hold.

The woman laughed, going over to hug Mizu’s arm, “Why don’t you come inside, lost boy? Rest a while…with us.”

You found it difficult to conceal your revulsion, not eager to picture Mizu having relations while you had to wait in the other room. Though judging from Mizu’s shocked face, she didn’t seem too fond of the idea either.

“I’m looking for the Shindo Dojo—” she began, quickly interrupted by an old man being thrown out of the brothel. A naked, old man.

“Which, I can see…” Mizu grimaced, “this is not.”

“You think?” you snorted, earning a dirty look from Mizu.

“It’s better,” the shorter prostitute said, smiling. “It's the Shindo House. If it’s sword skills you’re wanting to show off, you can do it here.”

The taller prostitute grinned, “We can polish up the tip for you…”

A shudder went down your spine at the sight of their flirtations, giving you the strength needed to put an end to this conversation.

“We’re terribly busy, and have urgent business at the Shindo Dojo,” you insisted, trying to pull Mizu away from the women.

“Oh, are you sure, little pearl? If you wanted to join in, all you had to do was ask. Jealousy is a painful vice,” the tall one purred, snaking her arm around your shoulder. “And there’s no fee for adding a third…unpaid party.”

You could feel the heat flooding to your face, unable to even sputter in response to her offer.

A hand suddenly struck out between you and the woman, grabbing her wrist and gently removing it from your shoulder. Mizu glared at the woman, watching coldly as she shrunk away from you.

“You’re serious, huh?” the short woman smirked, nudging her coworker to step away from you. “Alright, love birds. Walk east to the Kamo River. Take the bridge to the temple with the thousand creepy statues. It's on the hill just past.”

Mizu’s head swiftly dipped into a bow, not looking up at you.

“I wish you a successful day of business,” she muttered, covering her face with her hand as she began raising her head up.

Interrupting her bow, however, was a loud crash from the puppet stand behind you. Looking at the show, or rather, what remained of it, revealed a portly young man standing above the wreckage. The same young man from the noodle shop.

“Hey, Mizu, isn’t that—”

“How much for one night?” she quickly asked, noting the price given to her.

“...How much for three.”

“Mizu,” you began, “would that man, by chance, be the person following us on our way here?”

“I didn’t think he’d get out of those ropes,” she groaned, walking across the expansive bridge.

“You tied him up?” you gawked, staring in shock at her nonchalant attitude.

“I could have killed him,” she pointed out, bringing a hand up to crack her neck. “I was merciful; he would have disrupted my quest.”

“And I don’t?”

“You provide a service.”

“Don’t make me sound like your pocket prostitute,” you half-heartedly teased.

Mizu sputtered, her collected facade briefly crumbling after hearing your words.

“I—ahm, hadn’t meant to imply—”

“Make way for Princess Akemi!” a voice rang out some distance behind you.

Traveling down the bridge from where you had just come was a gold accented palanquin being carried by an assortment of attendants. Those walking alongside you quickly made their way to the sides of the bridge, bowing before the royalty before them.

A tug on your sleeve by Mizu pulled you out of the way, standing beside her as the palanquin passed by you. Through the bars of the carrier you could see its passenger, the Princess Akemi, or so they announced. Perhaps you could have quipped about her status, the fact that she probably looked down on everyone around her. Or maybe her vanity, refusing to use her own feet to walk anywhere, relying on servants to carry her to and fro.

But a single glimpse of her face left you wordless—breathless. The makeup she wore only enhanced her best features, though it looked like all her features were her best. One look at Mizu confirmed you felt the same, her lips parting slightly as the palanquin continued down the bridge.

“She’s awfully pretty,” you sighed wistfully, watching the palanquin disappear into the city.

Mizu cleared her throat, regaining her wits, “Beautiful women can be found everywhere. It is our status that defines our beauty to the world.”

“It’s alright, Mizu,” you shrugged, “jealousy is a normal emotion, even for samurai.”

“I am not jealous,” she swiftly defended herself.

“Denial is an even worse look,” you sang, following her along the final stretch of bridge as you made your way up to the dojo.

It stood atop a hill just above the city, a single lone temple amidst a barren field it was laid upon. A lonely dojo, in your opinion, although the path to it was rather serene.

“If I have to walk up any more stairs, Mizu,” you groaned, approaching the temple, “we’re gonna have a problem.”

“Air your grievances now, then.” she curtly replied, moving to hit the door knockers. “Walking is only a small part of this journey.”

“Then why is it all we do?” you muttered, crossing your arms.

A small slit opened after a couple seconds, revealing the judgemental eyes of a man.

“No new students, find another school,” he barked, shutting the opening.

“Pretentious, aren’t they?” you snickered.

Mizu rolled her eyes and banged on the door again, the man appearing quickly.

“I’m not a student,” she said, annoyed, “but I do bring a message for the master of this place.”

The opening shut, only for one at the bottom to reveal itself, a hand sticking out expectantly.

“I must deliver it personally,” Mizu muttered, eyes narrowing.

The man vanished from the slit, shutting it behind him. Only a few moments passed between you and Mizu before the grand entrance began to slowly open, revealing the incredibly vast courtyard to you.

Mizu began walking forward to join the sentry, only for him to raise a hand towards you.

“Women are forbidden from entering the dojo,” he said solemnly, taking up a cold expression as he refused you entry.

You tightened your shoulders, standing straight and giving the man your best smile, tilting your head ever so slightly.

“Oh, sir, I must beseech you,” you pleaded, running up and clinging to his robes. “For he is my husband, and I would loathe to separate from him even for a single second! I fear what may happen to me if he were to disappear from my sight, for he is my protector, and I his perfect blossom. That is why I beg you, do not allow us to be apart!”

The sentry turned to Mizu for a response, raising an eyebrow.

She cleared her throat and you could immediately tell she would be giving you a dirty look if she had not been so surprised by your improvisation.

“...Yes, I would be most pleased if my wife were to accompany me. She is rather…frail and weak, and it would break my heart if anything were to happen to my…wife…” she said, her less than convincing acting leaning heavily on your own performance.

“Fine,” he grimaced, peeling you off. “But you are not permitted to speak in this place, keep your head down and your mouth shut.”

You smiled in response, walking over to join your ‘husband,’ looping your arm into his beneath his shawl, smirking internally at her pink-dusted face.

Arm in arm you walked up to the main room of the dojo, passing by different groups of men training. You could tell that Mizu was alert, noting each and every person you passed on your way to meet the head.

Upon entering the sweeping room, you kneeled beside Mizu, keeping your head bowed so as to not cause any disturbance during her negotiations. Though the man in front of you seemed unconcerned with your behavior, if interested in you at all.

“You may leave any message with me,” he spoke, not pausing his calligraphy.

“What must be said must be said to the master directly,” Mizu pressed.

“I assure you, what is for the master is for me,” he continued, “as I assure you the master does not meet with messengers.”

“He will for me.”

Her blatant disrespect caused the man to pause, setting his brush down and looking directly at her.

“You stand before the Shindo School.” He stood from his table. “For 200 years, we have taught here the Shindo-Ryu, secret methods passed down from Priest Soto, taught to him on the peak of Mount Kurama by the mystic Tengu themselves,” he snarled. “Show your respect!”

Mizu continued to stare at the floor, unaffected by the man’s long speech.

“I must insist,” she said.

The man’s mouth pressed into a thin line, looking at the samurai standing behind you both.

“Escort them anywhere you please that is far from here,” he ordered.

One man, a part of the group that harassed you when you arrived in Kyoto, stepped forward and reached an arm out, “Come on, you blind beggar.”

“You are bound by hospitality to feed a traveler within your gate,” Mizu said hurriedly. “My wife and I came very far, and we’re very hungry. Or has the Shindo Dojo done away with etiquette?”

His lip curled in annoyance at Mizu’s demands, “Feed them,” he sneered, “then throw them out.

The samurai surged for your arms, dragging you down hallways and into a cramped storage room with a single barred window.

“Eat,” one said, chucking a bowl of rice (if you could even call it that) onto the small table, “then take your whore and get out.”

They laughed heartily at their insults, taking their leave and slamming the door shut behind them, leaving you and Mizu alone.

You chose to sit on top of a barrel while you waited, observing Mizu’s face as she watched the training going on outside, a tiny smile finding its way on her lips.

“Daydream all you want,” you spoke up, “but you’re the one who’s gonna have to come up with a plan.”

She broke away from her view, turning to look at you with a glint in her eye.

“I already have one.”

“Move it, you two,” the samurai ushered, pushing you forward as you walked through the turning halls.

Mizu stopped in her tracks, remaining still despite their threats.

“This will be much simpler if you allow me to speak with your master,” she said slowly, not bothering to look at them.

“Mizu,” you hissed, “don’t make this any more difficult.”

“You heard your wife, beggar boy. No one sees the master, least of all you.”

One stretched their hand out, aiming to grab your shoulder, only for Mizu to step in between the two of you.

“I cannot leave here until I speak to the master of this dojo,” she pressed as he attempted to dislodge her, unable to do so.

“Oh, good,” the men chuckled, drawing their swords. “We get to kill you.”

Mizu’s fingers extended, pointing her middle and index downwards. You smiled, giving a polite bow before continuing the path out of the dojo, arriving at the entrance to the main room. Stepping out into the thin snow and leaning against a pillar, you removed your inro, unpacking the supplies you might need after Mizu’s activities.

You could hear the events going on inside, a mixture of yelling and screaming, of rage and pain brewing within the fighters. Not a peep from Mizu, however. Soon enough, the old samurai from earlier—perhaps he was second in command, though you didn’t exactly care—came running outside, nose bleeding and with a nasty mark spanning diagonally across his face. It seemed that Mizu was getting excited.

“See you later, samurai,” you cooed as he sprinted out of the dojo and through the gates, leaving you alone to laugh at his cowardice.

You hadn’t expected him to return, however.

Entering through the wide open gates, followed by the older man, was a much younger one. He wore a green kimono decorated with the symbol of the dojo, hair tied back into a tall bun with stray pieces framing his face.

“You come to fight, pretty boy?” you teased as he approached, still fiddling with your supplies.

He scoffed, raising an eyebrow at your words, “You? I was told—”

“Inside, dumbass. Does it look like I’m a warrior?” you sneered, rejoining your inro to your obi.

The old man’s eyes widened at your disrespect, “How dare you, a woman—!”

“You got your ass kicked by some country boy. Come back and correct my attitude after you’ve killed him, you shitty old man.”

It seemed impossible for his eyes to get even bigger, but after your words they seemed to be the size of plates.

He attempted to march up to you, only to be stopped by the young man.

“We can deal with this after the samurai is dealt with,” he reasoned, giving you a dirty look.

You laughed to yourself as they entered the dojo, leaving you alone outside once again.

The familiar sounds of fighting broke out shortly after the man’s entrance, joined in harmony by the harsh sounds of breaking wood, undoubtedly caused by Mizu’s quirk of using the environment around her to fight. It was fun to watch, until you had to pay the bill for a duel inside an inn.

Eventually, the noises began to grow louder—no, closer. You caught a glimpse of the chaotic symphony as Mizu and her enemy, the young man from before, fought their way into the main room. Before you could even blink, Mizu had been thrown across the room, a wooden sword hurled right at her.

“With a naked blade,” he scoffed, “you’d be dead.”

You immediately stood up and ran towards her, picking up her fallen glasses as you made your way over. She brushed you aside, however, turning her neck to look at the young man, not bothering to shield her eyes.

A small gasp left him, his cocky demeanor quickly vanishing the moment he laid saw her.

“You had a name for me,” she stated, rising to her feet.

“Taigen, you cannot allow that to dishonor us or you,” the old man commanded, fuming at Mizu. “Kill him.”

The battle quickly changed to a formal duel as the two young samurai made their way outside to take the other’s life. You followed Mizu, standing a fair distance behind her to give her space to butcher the man. Taigen, or so he was called.

He drew his weapon first, discarding the sheath onto the fresh snow below and pointing it directly at Mizu.

“Are you afraid to fight with steel?” he asked, brows furrowed in determination.

You snorted at his comment.

Mizu just chuckled softly, “Thank you,” she said with a smile. “No one has yet deserved my blade.”

She slowly removed her sword from her sheath, drawing the magnificently crafted blade and wielding it with two hands, taking a stance before Taigen.

“You have a blade by Master Eiji?” he gawked, only serving to change Mizu’s smile to a snide grin.

A tense moment was shared between the two, and all you could do was stand by and watch. You knew Mizu was smart, least of all capable. She wouldn’t throw her life away in some stupid duel, not when she still hadn’t gotten her revenge. This was just a simple stop on the way, something to remind her of what was at stake.

Mizu wouldn’t lose, not here.

Taigen was first to act, running up to Mizu with his sword at his side, prepared to strike. She reacted unusually, however, breaking in a crouch and swinging her sword at the ground, kicking up a flurry of snow. Taigen hardly faltered, only spinning around to avoid blinding himself and swung his sword across to hit Mizu. His maneuver was a short-lived victory, as Mizu ran her sword beneath him, the blades moving across one another and letting sparks fly.

Mizu had made the first wound, slicing a shallow cut into Taigen’s neck, crimson drops of blood blotting the pure white snow beneath them.

The next strikes were harsh, as Taigen hadn’t so much as flinched at his injury, striking with the same vigor he had before. Despite Mizu’s skills, Taigen found a hole in her defense, using his strength to his advantage to press his sword into her shoulder and throw her to the ground, knocking her blade away.

You felt your body grow cold as Taigen stomped over to Mizu, angling his sword to her neck. Was it really going to end like this? All that traveling, killing, and plotting, just for Mizu to die at the hand of some low life samurai?

“Death comes for everyone,” Taigen spat, bringing the blade closer to her. “For you, today.”

He turned around and gave a nod to his fellow samurai behind him, giving Mizu one final look before sending a hard kick into her chest as a final blow to her and her ego.

You attempted to rush to her side, only to receive a scowl from Mizu, stopping you in your tracks. From your current viewpoint, she looked relatively uninjured, at least nothing terribly deep. She was clutching her shoulder, but the cut looked shallow. The doctor inside begged you to ignore her scornful face and help her, to put your work to good use, though you knew her anger would be twofold what it was if you were to intervene.

You watched intently as she brushed a fistful of snow across her face and swept her lingering strand of hair out of the way, those sapphire eyes shining with anger as they shot open.

She reached for her arms, pulling a string and releasing the weights that had been wrapped around her forearms. Repeating the action to the other arm, as well as her ankles, Mizu made eye contact with Taigen who turned around to witness her revitalization.

Reaching for her sword with lightning fast reflexes, she charged towards Taigen and side-stepped his attack, disarming him without a second thought and dealing a brutal slice to his calf. Disoriented and in pain, Taigen was easily lifted and tossed, skidding across the snow and meeting the edge of Mizu’s blade.

The two were panting heavily from exhaustion, whereas you were releasing a breath you’d been holding for the past minute. Mizu had bested her opponent and lived, earning you another day of employment.

“Stop!” a strong voice bellowed, their cry echoing across the courtyard of the dojo.

Your eyes darted to the new figure, one dressed more elegantly than his fellow samurai, a dark kataginu worn over top of his burnt orange kimono.

Mizu joined you in gazing at the man, still out of breath, “You, are the master of this school?” she panted.

He gave an affirmative hum.

“Your students need better training,” she quipped, withdrawing her blade from Taigen’s throat.

“You have a message for me,” he said, the command of a leader in his voice.

“A question,” she corrected, putting strong emphasis on her next words. “Where may I find your brother, the black market merchant Heiji Shindo?”

You felt your eyes go wide at her words, unknowing of her plan during your travels to Kyoto. All this? Just for the name of another man? You had to clench your teeth in order to stop yourself from interrupting their conversation.

The man was just as shocked as you, a myriad of expressions moving across his face all at once, finally arriving to dwell in his voice as he spoke, “You did all this to find my brother? Why?”

Mizu’s blade returned to Taigen’s throat, a silent threat to prevent any more prying questions.

Clearing his throat, he answered with an air of mustered strength, “Heiji Shindo is in the fortress on Tanabe Island, protected by the Genken Clan,” he said, beginning to narrow his eyes. “Whatever business you have with him, you will never reach him.”

Without another word, Mizu sheathed her sword and gave a mockingly polite bow to the head before walking to your side.

“You're still…a dog.” Taigen groaned, attempting to gain his bearings from the ground.

Helpless and unwilling to stop Mizu’s righteous anger, you simply watched as she whipped around and slid across the ground, not even bothering to unsheath her sword for an unworthy opponent such as Taigen. The blade made its purchase, swinging just inches above his head and decapitating his top knot with the talent and skill of an unrivaled barber.

His golden hairpiece clattered to the earth, softened by the lingering snow it landed upon. Mizu scooped it up and tucked it into her shirt, continuing her pace without sparing a look towards the countless wounded samurai behind her.

The glimmering hairpiece was tossed into your hands as Mizu walked past you, stepping past the towering gates with you in tow, finally making your exit from the dojo she had undoubtedly made a fool of.

“Heiji Shindo, huh?” you said, breaking the silence as you both descended the path down the hill. “Can we buy horses this time around?”

“No,” she immediately responded, “we need to be careful, at least while leaving this city. I have made enemies of many men here.”

“Well, I’m assuming you’ve fully removed their ability to ride a horse, though I don’t really care to hear how you did it…” you trailed off, trying your best to not imagine the horrors Mizu inflicted on those pitiable samurai. “Could we buy horses in the next city? We’ll be farther by then, putting more distance if there are people after us.”

“If you can afford it, then we can buy two. Until then, we walk.”

“Two? Why, my dear husband, we only need to buy one!” you sang, reveling in the way Mizu’s body briefly froze up at the intimate word. “Unless you want your useless, obedient wife to ride alone.”

“...I have no comment for your unending teasing,” she finally replied, crossing her arms.

“If you want to see teasing, you should turn around.” You finished securing her conical hat to your head, tying the last knot just as Mizu turned around to see you, letting you see the newly-formed pout on her rosy face as she saw you in her hat.

“Enough,” she ordered, stopping in front of you to reclaim her headgear, standing at least two heads above you.

“I think it suits me,” you whined while copying her pout, unable to stop her from reclaiming her hat.

She adjusted her hat and quickly tied it beneath her chin, continuing the walk through the cold, empty streets of Kyoto. The wind had kicked up since your time at the dojo, blowing harshly through the streets and depositing snow onto the roofs above. It made you wish you held onto Mizu’s hat for just a little longer, if only to escape the snow falling into your hair.

The gates at the front of the city opened for your exit, letting you step out onto the path leading into the forest. You stopped, however, noticing the mother and daughter from earlier, from when you first arrived in Kyoto. They were freezing, icy puffs of air pulled from their lips as they huddled close together for warmth. Your heart tugged towards them, clenching your fists in a moment of helplessness. The hairpiece gently pricked the walm of your hand as you squeezed, and you reopened it, looking at the expensive decoration and dropping it near their huddled forms.

You did your best to remain quiet as you walked away and down the path, into the sparse woods alongside Mizu. The trees did not grow in number as you walked, only growing in age, becoming thicker and taller, framing the night sky above. Mizu stopped in the middle of a clearing, causing you to stop behind her, trying to give her some space. You could tell she was looking up to the cloudy sky, and although you could hear her mumbling, you couldn’t catch the words in full.

You were, however, able to catch the familiar red droplets of blood that landed and melted into the snow below, reminding you of Mizu’s forgotten shoulder wound.

“You couldn’t have reminded me?” you hissed, stomping over and throwing her arm across your shoulder, which she brushed off.

“It’s my arm, not my leg,” she reasoned.

“If you didn’t want me to play doctor, you shouldn’t have brought me.”

“You brought yourself,” she snorted, turning her head in a different direction. “There’s a hot spring that way, you can ‘play doctor’ when we get there.”

You rolled your eyes, following her as you made your way to the hot spring. It was more impressive than you thought, multiple spouts of water differing in intensity spilling into the warm pool below, life barely blooming amidst the freezing conditions surrounding it.

Mizu began removing her accessories while you removed your inro, gathering your needed supplies to care for her wound.

“You need help with your bandages?” you asked, gesturing to her chest.

“I’ve got it,” she said, giving one last look around before letting her hair down.

She slowly removed her clothes, unwinding the bandages that bound her chest tightly. You did your best not to look, giving her much needed privacy as you began to undress yourself, folding your kimono nicely and resting your inro on top.

“Mind if I take a look at it, Mizu?” you politely requested, sinking your body into the warm spring.

Mizu hummed, joining you into the water. Her body wasn’t entirely covered by the water from where she was standing—as well as her height, leaving her to stand awkwardly as you inspected her wound. It was both worse than you thought and better than you expected, long but not deep. The wrapping would be awkward, but infection wouldn’t be a worry, especially after this short bath.

It took all the strength you had to keep your eyes trained on her upper chest, though, luckily, her lower chest was being covered by her arms. Her very strong arms, that is. Her whole body was a surprising wonder, no doubt in part due to her constant wearing of those weights. She was able to throw Taigen a fair distance, she could probably pick you up with no problem. No problem at all…

“...You alright down there?” Mizu interrupted your thoughts, and immediately you could feel your face heating up.

“Yeah, ah—I can take care of it afterwards, just try and clean it out a little bit,” you stammered, moving further into the water.

Her gaze lingered on you for a moment more before she moved closer to one of the low water falls, climbing atop the stone beneath for some brief meditation.

You spent your alone time cleaning up, rubbing off any dirt and deep cleaning your hair, the buildup of grease and who knows what else disappearing into the water below, leaving you to grab your needle and thread from your inro.

“I’m ready when you are, Mizu,” you called out, waving your needle for her to see.

She begrudgingly moved to the side by you, biting her lip as you gently applied the stinging ointment to her wound. You’d done this song and dance with her before, and as time went on Mizu had grown used to the bite of your medicine, her howls and cries dying with each new injury.

“Need something to bite on?” you asked before continuing your work.

“I’ll be fine,” she exhaled, shutting her eyes tight.

And so you began, weaving the needle in and out of her wound, carefully pulling it closed and tying the string off.

“Alright, good as new” you muttered, cutting the string. “Don’t touch, don’t scratch, don’t—”

“Not our first time, I know the drill,” she chuckled.

“Well, feel free to relax now,” you sighed, slouching down into the water and shutting your eyes in bliss.

You enjoyed the time you had in the spring before leaving, reveling in the brief relaxation. Your eyes remained shut while you laid down, hearing her eventually join you in laying down.

Loud footsteps caused your eyes to shoot open, and you saw that Mizu had already risen from the water, rushing to the ground and grabbing her sword. You scrambled for your kimono, searching for the small dagger tucked on the inside, planning to defend yourself, or worse if the situation called for it.

The figure stumbled through the shadows and into the clearing, meeting Mizu head on and shrieking loudly. You peaked from the spring, seeing Mizu pointing her blade and Ringo, the noodle maker’s son from long ago. He tilted his head, staring with wide eyes at Mizu and finally landing on your frightened expression.

“...Peaches?”

The dojo master prostrated himself before the man seated in the opulent chair, the dimly lit room illuminated only by the moonlit and roaring fireplace.

“Forgive me for giving your location, my brother. He was unstoppable,” he apologized, slowly rising into an upward kneel as his voice began to trail off. “He defeated my every student…”

The man released a displeased hum, “Your students need better training,” he sneered, turning his head to the old face that walked in.

“The samurai, he's not human,” the old man—Hachiman—said, a mix of fury and bewilderment crossing his face as he recollected. “I saw its eyes.”

“A lone samurai, then?” the man asked, flickering his gaze between the two men before him.

“He had a companion,” the brother spoke, raising his head. “She had no weapon nor joined his fighting.”

The man scoffed, resting his chin on the palm of his hand, “So, a lone samurai with a useless woman.”

“The Four Fangs,” a rich, yet rough, accented voice spoke up, clearly bored by the conversation taking place right next to him. “Send the Four Fangs after this samurai and his girl.”

He grabbed an apple and twirled in between his fingers, “Double their price and be done with it.”

A sickening grin formed on the man’s face as he took in his companion’s words, rising from his chair as he left to distribute orders.

Alone in the room, the Irishman stared at his reflection in the apple, tilting his head as he questioned aloud.

“I wonder, lonesome samurai,” he cooed, taking a bite of the fruit, “why carry a whore ‘round with you when you have so much to lose?”

He tossed the unfinished remains of the apple behind him, turning his head to the window beside him.

“Ah, who gives a shit,” he laughed, snatching another apple. “They’ll both die anyways.”

#mizu x reader #mizu x you #blue eye samurai #mizu blue eye samurai #taigen blue eye samurai #akemi blue eye samurai #ringo blue eye samurai #heiji shindo blue eye samurai #abijah fowler blue eye samurai #bes mizu #mizu #reader insert #series

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mopeyy · 4 months

Text

Dangiling Trust

Avatar Frontiers of Pandora (SPOILERS!!!)

Teylan x Na'vi Reader

angst

Summary: After Teylan has broken your trust will you be able to forgive him and mend you bond? Or will the ghosts of the past continue to haunt you.

Authors Notes: Ive heard there's no Teylan content so Im willing to provide😋 . Let me know what you guys think, I might give this multiple parts if ppl like it!

Sitting on the edge of a towering cliff, you admire the sight in front of you. The sky, a swirling dance of purples and blues, and the gentle breeze blowing your hair. As you sit, legs dangling over the cliff's edge, you feel the rough texture of rock beneath you. The cliff is covered in a carpet of moss that glows faintly, illuminating your surroundings. The sensation of the cool, damp moss against your skin is refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun beaming down on you.

You went out by yourself often. Taking the time alone to think and clear your head. At the moment the thing you're trying to clear your head from is Teylan.

After you all defeated Mercers base Teylan came back and rejoined the resistance. The sting of his earlier betrayal, though dulled by time and forgiveness, lingers like a stubborn chill.

You and Teylan, once bound by respect and trust, now stand on uncertain ground. The memory of his deceit haunts you, a ghostly presence that questions the depth of your bond. Could the connection you once felt have been so fragile? His return to the resistance does little to mend the fracture in your heart.

As you attempt to cast these thoughts aside, to leave them scattered among the rocks and carried away by the wind, they persist, stubbornly clinging to your mind. The past, with its unanswered questions and unresolved emotions, remains a silent companion.

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

"I like this one."

You picked up one of the many beads that laid out in front of you and handed it to Ri'nela.

"I love the color, the purple will look good with your skin."

She took the bead from you and added it to your hair. Ri'nela has been practicing braiding after one of the Na'vi taught her. She has been begging to use you as practice and every time you were able to avoid it. Except today.

"Ouch Ri'nela!"

"Sorry, sorry"

You pushed through the pain, just wanting it to be over.

You tried to distract yourself by looking around the room, admiring the way the Na'vi and humans were able to work side by side. You turned your eyes to the doorway as you heard it open, wanting to se who came through. Teylan walks in, his arrival brings a palpable shift in the room's atmosphere. you quickly averted your gaze. This didn't go unnoticed by Ri'nela,

"Hey Teylan! Come here!"

He turned towards the sound of his name and started to make his way towards the two of you. You rolled your eyes and let out a sigh which only made Ri'nela laugh.

"Rinela, Y/n, what are you guys up too?"

She let a smile overtake her face, taunting you, "Oh im just braiding Y/n's hair. How do you think it looks Tey?"

"oh!" He cleared his throat in between words as a purple hue took over his face, "I think it looks very nice, the beads and everything."

You muttered a 'thanks' and tried to look anywhere else but him.

The silence that follows is heavy, laden with words unsaid and feelings unexplored.

"Uh well I should go so.. ill see you guys around."

With that he left, probably on his way to go bother So'lek with more human toys.

Rinela sighed from behind you,

"Y/n, you know you two have to talk at some point, right?"

Her words made you think. Should you follow the path of forgiveness, to rebuild what was once shattered, or should you guard your heart against further pain.

"If I want to talk to him I will, don't let it bother you Rinela."

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

You made your way through the resistance base on your way to find Alex. He's always managed to find chores for you to do and you had no idea what he might need help with now. We was at his usual station as always.

"Alex, you said you needed me?"

A look of relief washed over his face,

"Great your here! Ive been working on some new SIDS, these ones should be able to hack faster. Theres an old resistance outpost nearby and I wanted you to use the new SID to get it up and running."

The task seemed simply enough and it was something you had done before,

"sure I can do that, just give me the coordinates."

"Thank you, now were just waiting onnn, oh, right on time!"

You creased your brows in confusion. What was right on time? You turned around just to face the one Na'vi you didn't want to see.

"Alex, what's Teylan doing here?"

"Oh, I just figured id send him along to see if the new sids work and if there's any more room for improvement."

You sighed, of course he'd be coming. Alex gave you a pat on the back before handing you the Sid and walking off. Teylan waved you over from the door. You internally groaned before making your way over to him.

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

The majority of the walk was quiet. The air was thick with words unsaid and you didn't know if you had the guts to break it. Walking next to you Teylan hesitated before decided to speak,

"Im sorry, I didn't know he'd pick you."

You looked at him from the corner of your eye than quickly switched your gaze back to the ground.

"Its fine, he's always giving me some chore to do anyway. Even if its something he can do himself."

Teylan laughed quietly

"Seems like their overworking us, maybe we should run away." He joked.

Teylan's attempt at humor fell flat, the words dissipating into the air like mist.

"Your good at that aren't you, running away."

Your response, sharp and laced with the pain of memories, was a clear reminder of the distance between you. His laughter ceased, replaced by a look of regret that briefly crossed his features. The joke, meant to lighten the mood, had instead served as a reminder of the wounds that had yet to heal.

The journey continued in silence, each step a reminder of the fragile line you both now tread, between the remnants of a once strong bond and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

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

As you approached the old resistance outpost, the structure loomed before you, this place has definitely been untouched for a while.The task at hand was simple, all you had to do was reactivate the outpost. You set to work, your hands deftly manipulating the new SID, while Teylan watched from a distance, his presence a silent question hanging in the air. After a while the outpost hummed to life, its systems responding to the deft touch of the SID.

Teylan stepped forward, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between you. "You did it," he said, a note of admiration in his tone. It was an opening, a tentative step towards bridging the gap. You looked up at him, the walls you had built around your heart wavering for a moment. The possibility of forgiveness hung in the air, as fragile and as vital as the newly awakened outpost.

#avatar frontiers of pandora x reader #teylan #teylan x reader #teylan frontiers of pandora #teylan avatar #frontiers of pandora #avatar frontiers of pandora

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halevren · 2 months

Text

FHJY Spoilers || my live thoughts as I watch episode 9

i got a new job and I felt sick last night so. I'm watching this very late. it has been tough avoiding spoilers but I Have Done So

TTTAKING OVER TEENAGE REBELLION

hiiii one and all!!! hii intrepid heroes!!!!

i have been told stuff happens this episode. I'm so excited

"You're mad we're not doing drugs."

"I think this might be gorgug's worst day of his life."

so much happened last episode

totally healthy adult activity.

VULTURE

THE SPELL-LESS KRISTEN APPLEBEES 😭😭

THE VULTURE DIMENSION

I love the projections

DOMINATE MONSTER NO LONGER EFFECTING RIZ

THE VULTURE KING

I think Brennan is loving being the vulture king

NAT 20 FOR FABIAN

"IT'S THE VULTURE KING YOU HAVE TO KISS HIM!"

"One answer and it's Riz."

"I'm so glad I died on that battlefield."

A crisp 500 dollar bill

I love this so much

This is so silly

THEY'RE HOLDING HANDS

"Hey, I'll kill you, you fucker." "kiss him!"

VULTURES YAY OR NAY?

"Can you bring his parents up here—" "NO."

"Feels like five"

"You wanna be in our crew?"

Kristen is really trying to get her friends to romance the vultures.

"Are you a God of some kind?" "I don't mind man."

This season is just Brennan breaking the PCs

oh good god

MAGIC ITEMS!

"Summons 1d4 vultures, they are not under your command."

no bring us back to the vulture dimension im obsessed with it

fireball

18 damage 😭😭😭

"I'm going to think about that for days."

FIRST STRIKE HITS REAL ONE

"get out of my yard."

(Brennan rolling too many dice.)

the little fireball that could!

THE ROMAN CANDLE YOU SHOT AT THE BIG BAD

THE BALL GAVE FABIAN ADVANTAGE

Concentration lost 🔥🔥🔥

is Ruben only able to give bardic

BRENNAN NAT 20

what are we making dex saves for.

ZERO DEX SAVE. KRISTEN.

"I'm dead from shame."

ADAINE DOWN? NOOOO

29!!

So many dice for Fabian

"Don't worry I got the ones out guys" Emily 😭😭😭

"I'm actually a huge fan."

so now that grix is destroyed does that mean there's no principal?

Ruben's frantically calling for Wanda

"I'm real right?"

"What happened? I was taking a shit."

"Do you have a warrant? Do you have a fucking warrant?"

Adaine is still dead on the ground

THE IDENTIFY SPELL

grix is untampered with

I miss ayda

29 investigation 🔥

GLOWING STINGERS? GROWING RED? LIKE THE SYNOD?

24 points glowing red

Rage connection!!

"Can we get some hot sauce before we leave?"

HE ATE THE VULTURE FOR NOTHING

"Found another glass of water"

Fabian finally getting his kisses in.

Nat 20 history rat check

SEXY RAT

"You know thats triggering for me!"

Rat stores

"There's not a rat world under the school."

Rat World!!!

BabyBojörn

oh god fig gave Fabian a bardic

sexuality inclusivity for cassandra!

aww..... fabian took bardic from fig earlier...

"You are. Cursed."

RIZ NAT 20!!!!

NOOO YOLANDA

Force damage...

Three hours????

ah yes another use of the identity spell!

"You could multi class into wizard!" "Yeah, add it to the fuckin' pile."

AN UNHOLY LAST RITES

NOOO YOLANDA

There's something under the tree?? glyth???

LUCY FROSTBLADE DEAD BODY

I think Fig's bad luck is genuinely effecting Emily too with all these bad rolls 😭😭😭😭

Did.... Did the rat grinders kill Lucy???????

let adaine use the diamonds. finders keepers

divine intervention........

Kristen will have to work so hard to get cassandra back

spies tongue curse???

"Call an adult?"

"You were such a good teacher, I'm sorry I just got a C..." 😭😭

THIS IS SO HEARTBREAKING!!!

LUCY AND YOLANDA'S SOULS HELD HANDS BEFORE GOING TO HEAVEN. ACTUALLY CRYING

BUD CUBBY THE REALEST EVER

FIG NAT 20

level of exhaustion :(

elmville police departments always on fire

"David..."

AGENT CLARK?!?!?!?

did he just take the dirt like a line of drugs?

one becomes a 10 which becomes a 19

*head in hands* "is it okay if I ask you about your case, mom?"

"So I'm unbelievably wealthy. And me and my friends just discovered the site of a double homicide. So....."

Group IV time, or group shock therapy.

Gorgug putting barbarian first

HE'S DOING ARTIFICER SPELLS WHILE RAGING!!!

"We need a word."

Gorgug talking to Porter is so funny

ok. wait this is actually kinda sweet between Porter and Gorgug

"I feel lucky to have you in my class." 😭😭😭😭

MCAT SIGNED!!!

The Last Stand exam?

KRISTEN MIGHT PASS FAIL?

oh god. 4 stress tokens

I wonder if the intrepid heroes are aware of the 5 stress token

"I'm in a lot of school."

Gorgug looking into building a time machine real as hell

Oh my god gorgug is still on the owlbears

"Okay I think I have to lie down."

I'm going to fight the wizard teacher

"I love my life. Everything is perfect."

"... YOU'RE WORKING?"

AELWYN LONELY ARK

10 CATS??

aelwyn and adaine bonding 😭😭

AELWYN IS WORKING FOR KIPPERLILLY COPPERHEAD???

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT EPISODE

#fhjy spoilers #fantasy high junior year spoilers #spoilers #dimension 20 #d20 #fantasy high #d20 fantasy high #dimension 20 fantasy high #fantasy high junior year

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alteon77 · 1 year

Text

Updated Masterlist of Writing and Art

About the writer/artist: I like to write and paint. My current obsession is Sandman, but I enjoy most fantasy fandoms as well as anime (I think I’m on season seven billion of One Piece right now 🤣). I'm also weird as they come (and awkward, too), so just please ignore my oddball (coughTERRIBLEcough) sense of humor.

On a more personal note, I have PTSD and suffer from severe manic depressive episodes. Writing and art are my most familiar coping mechanisms, and I need them like I need oxygen. Seriously, there were times in my life that knowing I had to finish a story or a piece of art was the only thing stopping me from ending up dead. So, I don't take part in fandom drama. Having my peace and protecting my mental health are very big deals to me, and I won't risk those for anything if I can help it.

As for my writing, it ranges from short one-shots to ridiculously long novel series. I use third person POV (on longer series) as well as second person (on shorter things). I also try to always exclude physical descriptions when writing main character OCs and assign them nicknames to avoid using Y/N. I love to read Y/N fics, but writing them makes me feel like I'm at work. And who actually wants to ever feel like they're at work when they're engaging in a hobby? Definitely not me.

Lastly, there's usually more stuff on my AO3 page than I have listed here, because I forget to post it pretty often. Oops. I'll get around to moving it all over one day. Probably. Maybe.

Feel free to leave an ask if you want or just drop by my DMs. <3

Artwork links are at the bottom of this list, so if you're here for those, that's where they are.

Sandman 'Verse

All the Precious and Fragile Things (so easily do they break)

After banishing his lover from the Dreaming for her betrayal, Morpheus learns that she is pregnant with his child.

And that she’s been captured by a revenge-seeking Alexander Burgess.

What the both of them are unaware of is that this will set in motion a cascade of unfavorable events, causing a chain reaction that threatens the whole of existence itself.

PART I: All of This Past

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

PART II: These Tender, Loving Mercies

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

PART III: When It All Falls Down

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

PART IV: The Dark of War

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Epilogue

Sometimes He's Sweet

Morpheus hates the holidays.

As excited as she seems to experience the mortal holiday, he's… less so. Much less so. With the entire collective unconscious contained within him, this time of year can be wholly overwhelming, a miasma of too much red and green, too much worry, too much loneliness, too much excitement, too many similarly themed dreams, too many similarly themed nightmares, and far far too many holiday songs. It all bleeds out from the collective unconscious into his own mind, sticks there like weeping sap to a tree until he feels half-mad with the unrelenting presence of it, with his inability to get free from its cloying trespass upon his very being.

This is just a little sweet fluff for the holiday season. It takes place between chapters 19 and 20 of "All the Precious and Fragile Things". No spoilers here if you've read that far!

The Dog Debacle (or how best to sneak a dragon into the dreaming)

Morpheus' daughter gets a new dog.

Well..... kind of.

That Familiar Feeling of Family (or how Hob Gadling ended up as an uncle to his stranger's oftentimes feral children)

It's a pretty universally known thing that families are just strange. As Hob is quickly figuring out, however, this little fact is magnified by AT LEAST a billion when the family in question is Endless.

(A lighthearted story in which Hob Gadling finds out his stranger has married, makes friends with a homicidal maniac/ruler, and manages to become an exemplary uncle to a pack of magically mischievous children. Really, now all he has to do is convince everyone to stop calling his and Dream's weekly meetups "playdates", and then his life would be practically perfect.)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

The Maker, the Muse, and the Sundered Song

In his temple, what remains of Orpheus waits in trepidation. Something is changing. Something that he knows might alter the very fabric of the world as he understands it.

Finally freed from captivity, Calliope struggles to make any meaningful changes to the laws that saw her bound and taken in the first place. When the strange woman appears on Mount Parnassus and offers help, Calliope knows she would be a fool not to accept it. Even if she thinks that she's being lied to.

Meanwhile in the peace of the Dreaming, Morpheus grapples with guilt over his son's fate. As he basks in the love of his new children, he can't help but to regret his own failings where Orpheus is concerned.

And as for May, she's really just got a job to do. And her own traumatic issues to deal with. And if it's all hella awkward because she's having to work alongside her husband's ex-wife, she'll see it done anyway. There's even the small possibility that she might eventually admit to Calliope the truth about her identity. That is if she can ever actually work up the courage to say it aloud.

Chapter 1

Nothing in This Closet but Boots and a Boy

Morpheus is wildly protective of his daughter.

That's probably bad for the boy in said daughter's closet.

AU's and Other Stuff in the Sandman 'Verse

Of Exes, Hellhounds, and Waffle Fries

Morpheus shows up to rescue the woman he probably loves (though he won't admit it) from hellhounds and ends up getting roped into helping with her family. This is one of those extras that doesn't fit into the main story, but it's fun, so I'm posting it.

The Bizarre Breeding Habits of Anthropomorphic Personifications

It's a tale as old as time.

Two idiots fall in love. Two idiots fall out of love.

Neither one of them is expecting a baby to come along and derail their unhappily ever after.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Original Fanart

I like to play around with different styles and to try new things with my artwork. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. I'm still learning, and I am so far from being a professional that it's laughable. But I only post things that I think look decent or that I think others might enjoy.

The Lover's Argument (Morpheus x oc)

Oneiros (Morpheus in Grecian garb)

Because I could not stop for Death, she kindly stopped for me... (Regency era Dream and Death)

#sandman fic #morpheus x oc #morpheus #morpheus x reader #morpheus fanfiction #sandman fanfiction #sandman oc #dream of the endless #dad!morpheus #dragons in the dreaming #preciousfragilethings #PFT #bbhap #fanart #fan art #alteon77 fan art

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answrs · 11 months

Text

Readmores And You - A Really Great Tumblr Feature!

(this is technically directed at stuff I've seen in a specific tag because of the content of said tag makes it more likely to spoiler things, but it applies to anyone likely learning the ins and outs of a new site. speaking of which, hello! welcome to tumblr!) (this got. longer than anticipated. apologies, I get bogged down in trying to make things as clear as possible. ^^")

I've seen this a lot recently in the VC tags especially, where the post goes something to the effect of "tw bloody animal!" then like six periods and the images of whatever dead thing the post is about.

I recognize this is probably being carried over from some other website (...reddit probably? maybe insta?) but please. I appreciate y'all so much for trying to do what you're doing. but this method of hiding pictures isn't effective on tumblr, but there is an infinitely better option!

"but why? it works fine on other sites?" firstly, a few extra lines typically don't even take up enough space on mobile (let alone desktop) to hide your pics, so even at a glance anyone is likely still seeing at least the top half of whichever picture you posted before even noticing the trigger warning on top. second, because you have to scroll all the way past the images at the bottom of your post anyway to get to the next one on your dash/in the tag/etc. so if someone comes across your post and the trigger warning is applicable as something they want to avoid, unless they have access to a keyboard to use a keybind shortcut that ive been here 12 years and still cant remember, they can't see any other posts after it without either having to scroll through the pics or outright block you. which is... not the most ideal of options I would say.

"but what else am I supposed to do then!?" I hear you ask.

READMORES!

tumblr has a wonderful feature known as a "readmore" that's built into the site! it creates a break in your post, which hides any content - be it words, images, whatever - that you place underneath it, not showing it unless the person viewing it clicks on the words "keep reading" (formerly "read more" - hence the name :D).

Cool, how do I do that?

on mobile you can place one by tapping an empty line and clicking the grey squiggle icon from the selection that allow you to insert an image/vid/link

which will place a squiggly line into the post you're making:

(desktop uses the same icon, it's just in a more compact row of icons.)

you can drag it around after placing it too, just like photos. (note: mobile can get finicky with this and it's usually just easier to remove it -click the big red X- and add it in the new place you want it.)

EDIT: some of the versions of mobile editor are broken and don't show the icons. to add it in manually type ":readmore:" (with the colons, but not the quotation marks) on its own line. Thank you for the reminder, LovingTogetic!

this is also a nice way to keep your blog tidy and not swamped in long and/or spoilery posts (say if you're posting 5k word fics, or extensive meta, or gushing over the ending of the latest game or TV show most people probably haven't seen yet)! it's not required, obviously, but it's generally considered a common courtesy for others that will be seeing your post cross their dashboard.

finally, an example of the readmore in action:

(ta-da!)

have fun out there y'all, I hope this is helpful ^^

as an aside (I wasn't sure where to put this but under the break seemed appropriate), you may also see a lot of personal/vent posts be fully under readmores as well, even if the post is only a sentence or two long. this is mostly so followers don't necessarily see it unless they specifically click, but there's a more frustrating history to it becoming a thing: when a post is reblogged, any content above the break is permanently frozen as it existed at the time, but anything under it will reflect edits made to the post. while not common, a certain type of user sometimes browse the various "do not rb" tags and will purposefully reblog personal posts in order to upset and distress the users. putting those things under a readmore make it so even if that happens, the text can be deleted from all iterations of the post. recently the site rolled out an option to lock a post to reblogs, but you gotta mess with the settings and it's mostly a habit after a decade here dealing with the nonsense.

#tumblr guide #hope it's okay to tag i'll remove if asked but #vulture culture #how to #tumblr how to #readmores #tumblr how-to

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rattytaffy · 28 days

Text

So iv slowly been working on a The Sun and Moon Show fic.

I've been on the fence about posting anything of it all. Mostly due to the fact I cant edit for spelling in google docs any more and my spelling is HORRIBLE!!!!

However a good friend convinced me to try anyway.

However on that note I am a newer TSAMS fan and am no ware near caught up with it. I have only gotten to "Eclipse's SAD ORIGIN STORY in VRCHAT" and am trying to avoid to many spoilers. I also have stayed largely away from the fandom for that reason This story starts after Luner gets his own body but before blood moon dies. This fic is about magical humanoid versions of Sun and Moon and Eclipse (security breach) seeking out TSAMS Moon for help. After this TSAMS Sun and Moon wind up mixed up in a second Celestial family's drama. OCs will be used when necessary to fill empty rolls. The fic is under the cut. If anyone finds it interesting ill try to continue it and probs post it to my AO3 when i have time and energy. I also very much need help finding a title for this >.<

It was quiet for the moment. Lunar had his own body and was doing rather well, killcode was active but had made a deal with moon. Sure there creator said something about a sister named earth showing up at some point, but she hadn't yet. Blood Moon was a problem and potentially Eclipse but it was unsure if he was even out there any more.

There where problems yes but at the moment they were not in Suns face and he had a moment to do the daycare cleaning he had not had the time to do in detail. Yes a quiet day to clean and record some videos was exactly what he needed

SHOMSH

Sun Fliped around to the ball pit as the tell tail sound of an interdental portal opening. Moon was home Luner was home. who the hell could be coming threw there?

in the ball pit where two largely human looking figyers. they looked alot alike as they clung to each other. One had golden hair and clear crystals floating in the air around his heads like suns rays. the other had white hair, blue crystal rays that had orbs and crescents at there bottom. Both looked haggard as they held each other. They stood even hunched over weekly taller then any human hell they were tall enough standing strait they were as tall as Sun. there skin was an inhuman color the one with golden hair and clear crystal rays looked like his body was made of tarnished gold, the other with the blue crystal rays looked to be made of silver. There facial features were largely human and if Sun where to guess they seemed to be in there early 20's

The one with blue crystals looked at sun "Is there a Moon here? one with magic?" his tone was desperate bordering on panic

"I'm not answering that untell I know who you are!" Sun answered coming over the barrel with the gun hidden in it in his hand

"I'm Eclipse, this is my brother Sun. There's dimensional counterparts to us here" the one with blue crystals explained watching as the robot Sun stiffen at that "Please our brother Moon is sick and dying. WE need another Moon with magic to help him" The not human not seeming to be there Eclipses counterpart Eclipse begged.

"Well I'm Sun, " Robot Sun said looking skeptical

"Thank fuck" The not robot Sun said stumbling forward and nearly falling untell Eclipse grabbed him "Please at least let us talk to him." The not robot Sun's voice became high pitched with strain.

"how can he help with your moon" Robo Sun asked skeptically

"I want to know that to" Moon, the robotic one, Said as he landed from his jump off the balcony. It was rare another version of him or Sun came by.

Not Human Sun looked at Robot Moon like a man offered water in a heat wave. "His magic has become completely unstable. Only another Moon with magic can stabilize it it."

"Please this is the last jump we can make" begged the Not Human Eclipse

"What happens if i don't?" Robot Moon asked. He knew he probably would go help but it was best to have all the info you could. Not Human Eclipse looked sick and stuttered some before Non Human Sun took charge "We end his suffering and seal the magical wounds left in me and Eclipse before we fall ill to"

"Please" begged the Not Human Eclipse "We don't want to lose our brother" Robot Moon sighed "Fine Suns coming with me" "Thank you" Said Not Human Eclipse "Its a big jump but we have an anchor at our uncles house to make it easier" "Most of our family is there but they won't bother you while you work" Not Human Sun assured them The home was despite the oppressive air of dread, cozy. The walls were painted with abstract murals wherever a shelf or hanging display for knickknacks wasn't. There were large windows but each was covered with a blackout curtain. The many lamps were all low bathing the space in a soft warm light that wasn't really strong enough to read in. It was clear under normal circumstances this home would be welcoming and easy to relax in.

However in this moment the comfortable couches were taken up by more creatures like the Not Human Sun and Eclipse all with there heads hung. One with wrinkled dress shirt on and black slacks stood from his spot between two much younger members of his species. He looked a lot like Not Human Sun with crystal rays that spun around his head those his seemed to be made of amber rather then clear. His skin looked like Bronze and his four arms were folded close to his body clearly from nerves "Oh thank fuck" he said his voice tiered and gravelly "I'm guessing your the Moon?" The Humanoid that was sitting next to the one that got up launched to his feet. This one was small and short probably no more then 5 foot with a singular large crescent crystal in light blue floating over his head. His blond hair was a mess and he was so shyly sunk into his huge sky blue hoodie it was hard to see much of him. "You found another Moon who can help?" he asked desperately the voice just like Luner's "Luner lets not get in there way" Said the other Not Human this one with liquid gold shaped into ray shaped points. Robot Sun looked at this one in fear as he realized this sounded like there Eclipse... If he hadn't gone threw puberty yet. This one was taller then the Luner with black hair and skin that looked like copper. The Not Human Luner glared at him. "Soler is right Luner" said a truly massive one of these beings. With 6 arms standing easily taller then Robot Sun or Moon even while sitting. He was dressed all in black and sounded much like a very tiered KillCode. In his arms was a small child of there species dressed in red with several spinning star shaped smooth crystals that were a blood red. The child couldn't be more then 7 and was simply refusing to let go of the larger beings coat. The Not Human Luner rolled his eyes but went to sit back down led by Soler.

The one with rays and four arms sighed deeply and looked at the last being in the room. This one also four armed but was distinctly fem with a set of swooping crescent horns going down the back of her silver hair. "Let me take the other Moon to see ours Albedo. You comfort Furry and our Nephews" Albedo sighed and his four arms dropped to the side. "Alright Lune." he turned to Robot Sun "Come sit with us ill enplane what i can while your Moon works" Robot Sun looked nervously at his Moon Robot Moon shrugged and followed Lune up stairs while sun went to sit with the other. The Not Human Sun and Eclipse had already stumbled to a free couch and simply collapsed in it.

Lune opened a door at the top of the homes stairs. It was a bedroom and completely dark. On the bed was what Moon didn't need to be told was his counterpart in this world. The being had porcelain like skin that was off color like it was sick. Long black hair tangled with the feathers of raven wings that twitched slightly sometimes. The being had one crescent with and orb between its points. They weren't floating however just kinda flopped on the pillow. Robot Moon could feel the magic gushing out of the Not Human Moon like an arterial wound. "You must enter his mind with magic, Find him and stabilize his magic. Model it after your own, but if he insist something goes some ware do so. You have one chance Moon, but once your magic connects with this Moon it should stabilize him for however long you need to work." Lune said softly "Should you be able to do this all of us will be in your debt" Robot Moon nodded becoming more and more horrified at watching a version of himself so sick "yah I got it from here" Lune nodded and left the room quietly shutting the door behind her "Better get to work" Muttered Robot Moon as he reached out to the other Moon casting the spell to enter his mind.

The other Moons mind was a haze of dark clouds. In the center sat the being his hair in his face shoulders shaking in sobs. Before him a large low table colored green with dozens of little colorful blocks no bigger then the wooden kind you would give a toddler scattered over the table, the other moon and the foggy ground below. "Hay" said Robot Moon

Slowly the other Moon looked up and for a brief moment hope flashed in his eyes. His brothers had done it his brothers had managed to find another Moon and one with magic.

The Robot Moon sat across from the Not Human Moon. Up close it was clear the beings hair was matted, tears streaked his face. His shoulders where slumped in defeat and sorrow. "So they found one?" "Clearly" Said Robot Moon "What's all of this" he gestured to the blocks scattered about "Its a metaphorical manifestation of my magic" the other Moon said weekly picking up what looked like a minecraft grass block. "It looks like a minecraft diorama" Robot Moon said picking up a block. Like someone hitting a gong magic reverberated for a second hard between them.

Slowly other Moon took a deep breath starting to relax. "Eh magic can appear in weird ways in the mind. Though I'm guessing MineCraft is your worlds version of CraftyBlocks" "That is such a dumb name" Robot Moon said setting the grass block down on the table where it felt right. The block glowed slightly and seamlessly attach itself to the table. "Of course MineCraft isn't much better"

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dre6ming · 2 years

Text

Still got scars on my back from your knife.

“I stayed there” series-part V

Masterlist

〘Part I 〙〘Part II 〙〘Part III〙〘Part IV 〙〘 Part VI 〙

To be added to the tag list click here

Pairing: Austin Butler x fem reader

Warnings: anxiety, crying, consumption of medication, cursing, loss of parent, fluff, angst… hope it’s all

Plot: Austin has never really been good at waiting and is surprised to find out that (Y/n) herself has changed so they make a promise to try

Word count: 4250

Disclaimer: ok so little spoiler I decided to make the reader bisexual, so be kind to that, everyone deserves love. If you’re not comfortable with it you can just avoid those parts. :)) trust me it’s easier to look away than it is to spread negativity - love you <3

As I walk through the supermarket, in my quest to buy eggs and some other grocery I might find I need, my mind keeps slipping back to him. It's hard to push him away, to forget him. I know he must be waiting for me to text him, but in all 10 days that past since he came over, I couldn't find the right words to say. I keep looking back to who he used to be. He used to be so loving and considerate and I guess the other night I saw some of that, but I don't know if it was enough to make me let him back in my heart. Since the break up, I built a thick, tall wall around my heart, a wall that has his name written all over. I was an introvert before I met him. And him getting me to open up, just so he could them throw it in my face? Well it's safe to say it scared me away from ever connecting with someone like that.

I tried, I really did, but I couldn't. At one point there was one girl who scratched the surface of my walls, but she couldn't break it. Betty and I tried to make it work, she was sweet and patient, but there's only so much patience someone can have when the want to love all of you and all you give them is a piece. We broke up after 2 months, she was the first girl I've ever dated, I didn't even know I liked girls that way until we got drunk one night studying and I confessed to her I might have I crush. I was the one to end things this time, because I could see she wanted more and I wasn't ready to give it, at the time I didn't think I would ever be ready to love again. Me and Betty still talk, but for the past few months she's been away in Switzerland on a experience exchange. Which good thing I remembered that, she's supposed to be back from Switzerland and in LA, where she also got matched for her residency at a different Hospital. Looking at the date on my phone, my eyes widen, she's supposed to be back tomorrow. How could I let that slip? Oh I know, Austin.

When my thoughts drift back to him, I sigh defeated. Hopefully me and Betty can talk it over a glass of wine so I can make some order in my brain. Scratch that, it might be a bottle or two of wine that we need to talk all this over. Making my way to the liquor aisle I go ahead and put in the cart 3 bottles of Chardonnay and one of Merlot, 4 bottles just to be sure, you know? I finish the rest of my shopping, pay for everything and start walking home. Today is a good day in LA, not to warm, it's clear that autumn is nearing, which means so is my 26th birthday. I hate birthdays, dread them. Ugh hopefully everyone forgets this year, but I doubt I could get that lucky.

Home, everything I quiet so I occupy myself with little things to do around the place. Evening finds me curled up with Boots, reading, music softly playing in the back and hot cocoa in my hand. The ring of my phone forces me to put down the book and see who it is. I answer the FaceTime call from Betty, a smile spreading on my face as soon as I see a mess of red hair on the screen.

"Show me! Show me! Come on!" I giggle and point the camera to Boots sleeping on my lap. "Oh my god, that's the cutest thing I've ever seen. Hi there kitty!" She says waving at Boots like the cat would actually wave back. When I move the camera to my face she pouts disappointed. "Really? I thought we were friends!" I say placing a dramatic hand over my heart faking pain. She laughs at my dramatics "We are, but you are not cuter than that kitty, sorry girl." I throw my head back laughing.

"So are you're picking me up tomorrow right?" She asks and I nod, putting some hair behind my ear. "Yes. Oh and I asked around the apartment complex and the apartment right above will be out for sale in a week. Good price as well, you can stay with me till then." Betty smiles as she lets out an excited scream. "Ahh this is great, I can't wait to see you, I have to go now, I plan to sleep a few more hours until I have to clear the dorm and leave for the airport, love ya'!" I blow her a kiss and end the call. I'm so happy to be spending time with her again.

The next day I wake up with a horrible headache so i decide the best thing to do is sleep in and lay in my bed. Unfortunately I can't even sleep, the pictures behind my closed lids keep waking me up and the exhaustion of my body makes me fall back asleep, so it's a vicious circle of being in and out of consciousness. Eventually I have to get up to go pick Betty up from the airport. The city is kind to me and instead of being it's usual overcrowded self, it's half empty. That's good cause I get anxious driving, especially on crowded roads.

The airport, on the other hand, is an entirely different thing. It's full of people going in all directions. I look at my phone and see that by now the flight should have landed. I decide to call Betty. "Hi, I was just about to call you, I'm waiting for my bags, are you here?" I smile at her babbling. "Yes, I'm waiting outside, by the Starbucks." I hear some commotion in the background and the she speaks again. "Ok, be there in a minute" I end the call and look around, I live watching people, wondering what might be happening in their lives. Are they in a crisis just like me? Are the anxious about a new job? Like me? Are there any other people like me?

"(Y/n)" at the sound of my name I turn around seeing Betty running towards me, dragging behind two huge bags. I can't stop the laugh that escapes me. "Betty!" Her body collides with mine, almost causing us to fall. "I missed you!" She says with her face buried in my hair. "I missed you to." I grab one of her bags and we move to the car. The drive back is a lot more interesting than coming here by myself m. We catch up on everything that's been happening in our lives. "I swear to you, that Swiss guy almost made me want to try and have sex with a man, he was too sweet and way too hot for his own good." I shake my head. "Until I see him with my own eyes, I can't say if it would've been worth it." She pouts and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "Fine, than tell me more about your man, if you won't believe mine was so good." I roll my eyes at her snarky comment. "I'll tell you after wine, lots of it." She nods and for the rest of the ride we sing along to her playlist.

When I park in front of apartment complex, I have to vigorously rub my eyes to make sure the headache I had earlier didn't leave any side effects, like hallucinations. I say this since, leaning against his black car is none other than Austin. Fuck him and his good looks. "My god is that?" Betty says. I turn to her and when she sees my scared face, the wheels start turn in her head, trying to come up with a plan. "Do you want to make him, angry? Serve him some of his own medicine?" I swallow and nod, I'd do anything to give him a crumb of what I got. "Ok, we are going to get out of this car, you wave to him, and we fake being a couple, he waved those girls all over socials, now you get to wave me off." My cheeks heat up at the idea. "Ok, but will Emma be ok with it?" Tying her red hair up she waves me off. "She knows it's not like that with us anymore, plus I'll show you the ring I got for her, I'll ask her to marry me, next month when she come. Come on now, I'll tell you all about it later." She pushes me out of the car and I make efforts to look composed as I wave to Austin. Despite all my trying the smile that creeps on my face when he waves back, can not be stoped. Fucker.

Betty comes around, getting her bags out of the trunk. I go to grab one of the bags, but before I can, she hugs me and kisses me. It's strange and awkward and I know it feels the same for her, but she like to torture men, so she does it well. When we break the kiss, we take the bags and begin walking. "Hi!" Austin says, smiling whilst his eye throw daggers at Betty. "I'll wait for you upstairs, babe!" I give her the keys and struggle not to laugh at Austin's face.

"Babe?" He asks when he's sure Betty's far enough so she can't hear us. I nod my head, hoping he won't see through my lie. "Since when? And a girl? I thought?" I feel rage take over me, of course he thought I was waiting on him all this time, so that I am now his to take. "What did you think? Hm, Austin? That I was free for you to take? What did you think I would never have a relationship again?" He licks his lips nervously. "You said I was your first and only boyfriend!" My laugh comes out bitter. "Betty is a girl, so I didn't lie." He nods brushing his hair back, with his hand. "So you kissed me, I thought that meant you were, single"

I close my eyes. Fuck him and his brain, he's not stupid, but it hurts me that he's right. "Why are you here Austin, I thought you were waiting on me, for when I was ready." He blushes looking away from me. "I came to come see if you wanted to go on a hike, I found this trail, it's very nice, lots of trees, since you like the shade."

"That doesn't sound like you waiting for me Austin." He lets out a breath taking a step closer to me. His arms come to hug me, but don't, he keeps them in air, not touching me. Like a cage. "I am, I was, but I'm going crazy here, I keep staring at that goddamn phone, waiting for you to text me." I take a step back, and walk past him. "(Y/n), wait, I'm sorry"

I turn around to look at him, I hate that he looks like he means everything he says. But I don't hate that the blonde boy standing before me looks like the one I fell for so many summers ago. "I can't just give everything to you, Austin, I'll call when I'm ready, don't push me. My Austin wouldn't push me." He swallows, blinking back the tears that gloss his eyes. Those beautiful blue eye. "I don't know that there is any of 'your Austin' left in me and if there is I'm afraid you might have to get to know me as I am now, it's not fair that you hold it over my head that I've changed." I breathe trying to calm down, he's right. I'm being mean and immature, but it's hard, to look at the person you loved and barely recognize them. "I'm sorry, it's just that- maybe I should-" I struggle to find the right words, but he's patient. "I should try then, I'll call you tomorrow, today my friend is back from being away for long, I want to be with her." He nods and smiles a bit, but it's a shy smile. "Ok, ok, have fun!" Austin gives me a thumbs up and climbs into his car. Before driving away he smiles at me and I smile back.

Upstairs I find Betty snuggling on the couch with Boots. "Look! Look! She loves me already!" She squeals, making me laugh. "Yeah I can see that." I go over to the fridge and get out all of the ingredients for extra cheesy mack and cheese, our comfort food. Holding Boots in her arms, Betty joins me in the kitchen. "So what did lover boy want?" I shake my head, begging to grate the cheese. "Just that he wants to talk."

"Hm and will you talk to him?" She asks. I don't know why she's asking, she knows I will, I'm stubborn, but when it comes to him, I'm jello. "Well he has a point, he's been living with this character for years now, it's normal that he changed. I think I should try and see if I like who he is now, there's no point in holding hope that he'll be back to who he was." She seems too really filter through her mind what I just said. I put the water on the stove and keep grating the cheese. "Ok, what about his 21 year old model girlfriend." I sigh, I know he said it didn't mean anything, that he didn't love her, but still, it's bugs me. It also bugs me that it dawned on me that if we kept our relationship secret for longer then a year, he might've done the same with several other girls, the 3 official ones being outed by mistake.

"He said they broke up... he also said that he loves me" I whisper the last part so she doesn't hear or so I think. "What was that?" I turn around to put the pasta in the boiling water adding salt and setting the timer for 7 minutes. "Nothing.." she puts Boots down, coming around the counter to look me in the eyes. "Uh uh girly, talk, what did he say?"

"Didn't you say something about proposing to Emma? What was-" I try to change the subject, but she doesn't let, she cuts me short. "We're talking about you now!" She points a finger in my direction, like a mom arguing with her child. "He said he loved me, ok? You happy?" She gasps taking a few steps back. "Aw, my love, come here." We hug tightly and before I know it I'm crying again. "I don't know what to do!" I say trying to control my breathing. Betty moves a soothing hand up and down my back as I shake in her arms. "It's ok, go sit down, I'll finish the pasta, we open the wine, talk, eat, drink." I wipe my face with my hands and nod. "We get drunk!" She says and I laugh.

We end up spending the whole night doing exactly what we said we would. She shows me the beautiful ring she got for her girlfriend Emma and she tells me about her proposal, at a small dinner, just the two of them and then a trip to Bahli. It's 3 am when we finally get to sleep, so the next morning we sleep in, until 12 pm. We have a light brunch and she goes out to run some errands.

Getting over my pride and fear, I pick up the phone to call Austin. After a minute I hear his voice on the other end. "Hello?" I have to breathe to try and calm my already racing heart. "I want to meet up and talk." I hear some ruffling and him breathing. "Ok, yeah, when?"

"Now? Are you free?" I ask, making an effort to keep my voice steady. "Yeah, meet me on the beach, our place in ...... let's say in an hour?" I nod, but then I realize he can't see me. "Sure, I'll see you!" He chuckles saying goodbye and then the line goes silent. I get up from the couch, running to my closet to find something to wear. It takes me thirty minutes to finally decide on a denim romper with a white tee underneath. I take my keys and leave for the beach, I already know I'm late, so I try to move fast, but without putting myself in danger.

When I get to the beach, as soon as I get close to the meeting place I see a makeshift tent made out of bed sheets. I can't help the tears that start running down my face. Austin comes out of the tent to grab something and then he spots me. When he does his face grows concern. "What happened? Did I? I-"

"It's perfect!" I cut him off before he digs a hole for himself. "But you're crying?" He's now more confused than concerned. "Happy tears, Aus, happy tears!" I say and pat his arm. He nods and blinks a few times, like trying to wake up. "Shall we?" He motions to the tent and I follow him inside. "Oh wow" inside he's laid out about 20 different pillows and a couple of blankets. In a cooler he brought sparkling water, wine and Coca-Cola. He's also thought about food, 2 trays with appetizers and a mixture of fruits. "Too much?" He asks trying to hide the insecurity in his voice with a chuckle. "No" I look at him and see that he's watching me closely. I blush and look to the ground. "I thought that later on as it gets dark we could watch a movie, I brought a small projector". I smile, he's really thought of everything. "Sure."

"Um, yeah, let's sit." I sit down and he opens the wine bottle, than faking a very formal server he asks. "Wine madmoizelle?" I giggle and bring my glass forward so he can pour me some. "So I guess we should start with talking? Getting to know each other again?" I say, trying to hide how nervous I really am. "How do we start?" Good question mister Butler, I'll give you that, only I won't say it out loud. "Um why don't you ask me something, that's how we started in the first place." I suggest.

He licks his lips and seems to really be thinking what he wants to ask first. "Ok, give me quick recap of the past three years?" Ok bold as always. As I sip my wine and eat some of the appetizers. I tell him about my time at college, the first time I went to a party and had a miserable night taking care of all my drunk friends. We laugh at that. I also tell him about the time I had to take sleeping pills for my finals week cause I couldn't shut my brain off to rest. He says it makes sense to be hard to unwind when you carry around so much knowledge. I argue that it's no big deal and he makes a point of me being a potential lifesaver very soon. "So what happened to (BFF/n)?"

"Oh she moved out of the dorm a few weeks after we broke up, she went to live with her boyfriend at the time, who is now her husband. She got matched in NY for her residency and we text sometimes, but she's got another life there. Josh, you remember him," he nods "yeah well he's been working in New York for a year now and she moved with him, so when school was over she already had a new life there" I shrug, I miss my best friend, but we grew apart, I guess Betty has the title of the best friend now. "And the girl? From earlier?" I laugh I knew this is where he wanted to get.

"Betty moved in, after (bff/n) left. We've been friends since, best friends." He analyzes the words in his head, but I don't think he can make much sense of them. "So friends?" I laugh half way through drinking wine and it goes shooting out of my nose. He hands me tissue, biting his lips to hold in his laughter. "Yeah, now, but we did date, for a few months." I pop some grapes in my mouth and wait for the next question. "So you like girls?" I nod. "Yeah, I think I always liked them, I just never acted on it. But then Betty happened" I smile remembering how awkward I used to be around her with my small crush.

"But you like men as well?" He adds. "Yeah, so you still got a chance, sir" I say giggling when he sighs relieved. "Now your turn, recap of the past three years" he clears his through and after a small pause he starts to tell me. Austin begins with the nightmare about his mom and the same thing that happened to her happening to me. We both cry at that, I've never met his mother personally, but the pictures and Austin's stories always made me feel like I did. He then tells me about meeting Tom Hanks and working in Australia. He also tells me about his bad habit of serial dating after we broke up. Turns out I was right, he dated more than three girls, but he thankfully spears me the details. He then tells me about the premiere of "Elvis" at Canes, he cried during the whole screening and at the and he looked around almost leaning in to hug his mom. He tells me about the preparation for the movie, how method he went, that eventually at the end of filming he was hospitalized with a perforated ulcer from stress and poor lifestyle. I bite my tongue at this, stopping from saying 'I told you so'. He ends the recap by telling me a bit of his future plans, he's in LA for a little over a month and then off to Budapest for 7 weeks to film 'Dune 2', beyond that he doesn't have much planned, but he's sure that won't stay for long like this.

When he's done we've been talking for hours and it's now dark. "So what movie are we watching?" I ask snuggling into myself, I guess late august nights get a bit chilly. He notices and puts one of the blankets around my shoulders. "Well I thought you'd pick." Austin says setting up the small projector. "Um can you show me 'Elvis', I haven't seen it." He hesitates for a second but then he nods. "Sure, yeah!" He opens up his laptop and starts the movie.

As the intro of the song 'suspicious minds' opens up the movie, he sits next to me, leaving a few inches between us.

After two and a half hours as the credits roll, we're snuggled against each other, my head on his chest as I quietly cry. I can't hide my sobbing for long, when he attempts to get up to turn off the projector. "Hey, what's wrong. Was it that bad?" He tries to crack a joke. Austin holds my face in his hands, wiping my tears with his thumbs, but I cry more than he can handle. I laugh a bit, but it breaks into a sob. "No, no, Aus, it-" I have to stop to take a big breath. "You were amazing, Austin, I'm proud of you."

His eyes fill with tears, he tries to blink them away, but he can't. He hugs me to his chest and we cry together again, but it's not like the last time, this time we are happier. "It's still wasn't worth losing you!" He says after a while. "Well you've found me." He lets go of me so I can pull back a bit and look him in the eyes. "But you still feel so far away..." he whispers, his face getting closer to mine. I can now feel his breath fan on my face. He takes a hold of my chin with one hand as I take he's other hand in between mine and start drawing circles on his skin. "Because we've both changed, but I'm ready to meet you again Austin, you were right, it was hypocritical of me to hold you changing against you."

He chuckles. "I want to meet myself again, baby and I want to meet you again as well." He says licking his lips, he's fucking sexy lip licking. I shiver a bit, but it's not the cold. I close my eyes and lean forward to kiss him. Our lips touch and it's electric, butterflies fill my stomach and I feel light headed. Though the last one might be the wine, the rest is still very real and nostalgic. It's comfortable.

When we pull away we take a moment to look at each other, really look. Physically not much has changed, but mentally there are new layers to discover. "Together!" He says and I nod. "Together!" I agree

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crazy56u · 6 months

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Spoilers, the tags might be relevant here...

Fellas, is it normal to casually admit you have mentally worked out how a certain issue of a certain comic could've ended differently had the writers involved wanted to kill off a certain character?

Is it normal to just shoot that off on a Tumblr post on a Sunday afternoon?

So yeah, I'm yet a-fucking-gain talking about IDW #53, and, full disclosure, I may have started fiddling with writing this out.

So, yeah, let's pretend, as a hypothetical, Evan Stanley decided to go fucking wild, and use the fight against Surge as an excuse to kill off Whisper, how the fuck would that work?

Well, the major change is the easiest: Sonic and Tails show up late.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is practically a literal fucking miracle that, even though Sonic and Tails' house got fucked up during the badnik riot going into Issue #50, the computer managed to avoid getting broke.

Now, granted, by the time Jewel contacted Tails, this had happened-

But, hey, Sonic and Tails still managed to speed over to Central City in time to stop Surge from finishing the job, right?

So, let's assume the computer also needed to get fixed, and they didn't get that call from Jewel when they did.

So, Surge just kills Whisper then and there, right? Post over?

No.

Like I said, I have had dark thoughts, and the way this plays out in my head, that would've been ideal:

After getting distracted by her Starline hallucination, Surge remembers "Oh, right, I was about to kill Whisper," and turns her attention back to her; she hadn't yet gotten up, same as in the comic.

In a panic, Cyan tries in vain to protect Whisper, gets absorbed for his trouble. So, literally, it's just the two of them left.

But before deciding to land the blow, Surge decides "You know what, it's not like you're gonna need it after today," and decides as one final stab to take her mask, and wear it.

You know? The thing that can translate Wisps?

So, what do you think would happen if Surge put that on?

If your answer was "sensory overload in the form of five voices screaming at the same time", then yes, that is what would happen...

So, yeah, naturally, hearing all that screaming freaks out Surge, she unknowingly fries Whisper's mask as a result, and after managing to calm down from that, she get really fucking mad, and decides "You know what, fuck being cute," and decides to... well...

Do what she almost did to Sonic three issues later:

She pins her down to the ground, and starts trying to electrocute her to death; it would probably be around here when Sonic and Tails finally show up.

Regardless of how the rest of the confrontation with Surge plays out, the most important thing would be "Holy fuck, Whisper needs to go to the hospital now," and Sonic speeds her over to the nearest one, and she is swiftly put into a hospital bed; she is most likely gonna need heart surgery, but her heart rate needs to settle down first before they can do anything.

So, that's where we currently are: Whisper is in a hospital bed, unconscious and clinging to life, while Surge is dealt with in the background. What happens next?

Enter the other player in this fucked up game.

It is my personal belief that Mimic 100% was nearby in Central City when Whisper and Surge were fighting, and was quietly waiting for Surge to be done so he could finish the job; it's only when Sonic and Tails showed up when they did that he abandoned those plans.

So, in this timeline, that's not what happens.

While Whisper is recovering in the hospital, a nurse quietly enters her room, with the pretense of checking on her.

In reality, this is Mimic, deciding to take advantage of Whisper's already weakened heart.

He fucks with her IV drip, slips out of her room, and by the time he's sneaking out of the hospital, the medical staff are scrambling to try and save their newest patient, who is in the middle of flatlining, but their efforts will ultimately be in vein.

Surge's attack would already caused bare minimum congestive heart failure. Mimic inducing a heart attack would be the nail in the coffin.

And so, to summarize: How would Issue #53 (and technically 54) need to be rewritten if it was decided to kill off Whisper?

Smash Tails' computer beforehand.

#sonic the hedgehog #mimic the octopus #whisper the wolf #surge the tenrec #yes i am once again rewriting the events of that issue #and yes once again i am going dark #buckle the fuck up #sonic idw

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actualbird · 1 year

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//CN... theories? spoilers? i'm not sure which one this is.

ZAK I WAS ON WEIBO AND I SAW SOME THEORIZING.

People are saying that Marius' third solo SSR is hinting towards the existence of a "darker" marius, per se, and that this could be the angst in the prologue.

From what I can tell, those comments are saying that the Marius illustration (with shattering glass) is from a dream. A dream that apparently, both of us are in. The game hinted towards Marius having had that dream for a long time. (desperately trying to avoid spoilers as i say this)

I'm planning to watch this card soon, but I'm just thinking. The prologue. Painting of crying Rosa. Marius' disappearance.

The implication of a darker Marius also comes with the implication that he's falling more and more in love with us, but in the growing obsession way.

And wouldn't that be something worth crying over?

Just the potential of watching him, knowing him before, knowing him this whole time, and knowing he wasn't like this before but being completely unable to stop him. and the guilt of the thought that "Marius wasn't like this before he met me, so if he never met me, this probably wouldn't have happened."

The possibility of this deeply obsessive marius, this marius who wouldn't let us go makes me vibrate in excitement but at the same time, NOOOOOOOOO LET HIM GO BACK TO THE INNOCENT BABY HE WAS.

irt the most beautiful tot illustration ever

first off, anon bless u for giving so much information with minimal amounts of spoilers. ive been Very curious about this card, specifically this illustration's context, ever since i saw it! but as far as i know there arent any full translations out so i will patiently wait for that so i can eat it up all in one go ahsjfhavkj, so this is Much Appreciated :DDD

second off,

PAIN....SUFFERING,,,,ANGUISH!!!!!!

i mentioned this in a previous response that im not too big on theorizing nor on checking out other theories (just a personal thing idk, my brain isnt big enough for theories HAHA) BUUUUTT

he concept of a darker marius is SO interesting to think about because....hell, hes already talked about that himself

he mentions in it main story 7.1, that if he didnt get lucky with the life he got, if he didnt get lucky with a family that truly loved and cared about him, if his life were worse or crueler or sharper, marius told mc that he could see himself succumbing to the same kind of darkness jun had succumbed to.

this is already something hes outright admitted: his heart is good and hopeful now, but if things get worse, hes scared of what he might be pushed to do.

additionally, marius' darkness manifesting as over obsession is SO GOOD to me because YES. EXACTLY. THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE to me for 2 slightly different but nonetheless connected reasons:

reason 1

it's like The Obsessed Artist trope but...with a twist. the traditional Obsessed Artist is one that meets their self destruction on an impossible journey to perfect their creative craft. with a darker marius, i think it's more of him meeting his self destruction in perfecting himself and his love/relationship.

if life gets terrible and horrible and bad, he would want to keep this part of his life beautiful, unknowingly destroying himself and everything that made his relationship beautiful. which loops back in nicely with the crying painting of mc in the intro: it's a beautiful picture, but shes in pain

and as the artist of that image, marius created that.

reason 2

even without thinking of a darker timeline, the roots for over-obsession are already within our current wonderful marius whom we love so much:

so many people have betrayed him already in his life, which causes trust issues and difficulties

so many people have already left his life (his mom passing away and giann still being missing), which causes intense abandonment issues and the fear of people leaving.

with those already in place (and already things he struggles with normally) it makes a lot of sense for a dark!marius to go the route of over-obsession. if life gets terrible and horrible and bad, he stops trusting new people completely, may even to an extent stop trusting the people who are already on his side. but the people on his side cant leave, he wont let them, he cant be left alone and hes going to make sure they stay.

like, all the pieces are there. while im not into theorizing, this is great food for thought for aus or fic or just understanding deeper what exactly marius was so afraid of succumbing to, when he told mc back in main story 7 about how fear of becoming somebody like jun if his circumstances were worse....

....very interesting to think about, all in all. also painful, btw. dont forget the pain. JHVKJSVFJKHSDF

#tears of themis #marius von hagen #i put braincells in those 2 reasons so this is getting tagged. also shld i be worried abt the influx of marius angst in my inbox? HAHA #anon #asks #tot spoilers

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icanbeyourjedi-writes · 1 year

Text

Because, I love you... Javier Peña x F!Reader

Summary: Old Love never dies…or does it? Words: 6670 Rating: 18+ SMUT please don’t read if you are under 18 Warnings/Triggers: Hospitals, Mentions of Death, Cheating, Sexy Times A/N: Story Not Beta'd so like always mistakes are my own and my bad...

**Just like ao3, “creator chooses not to use warnings.” If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the age to handle mature themes. Also by clicking Keep Reading, you understand warnings may not be complete in order to avoid spoilers for the story. **

It was early evening, you had just cleaned up. Throwing on a pair of sweat pants and an old worn-out hoodie that had different seen better days. But it was comfortable. Flopping on the couch and turning on the TV bringing your feet up and resting on the coffee table as the credits to a new movie begin to roll. Your mind had been on so many things the last few week. A wedding, the dress, your job, and one thing you didn’t expect. Your childhood friend, your first boyfriend, your first love came back to town. Telling you he had retired and came home to help take of his Dad. The man who was like a second father to you.

You lay your head on the arm rest when your phone begin to dance across the table. An unknown number flashing across the screen, your fiancé was out of town on work, “maybe it’s the hotel” you think to yourself as you push the little green button to answer.

“Hermosa…” his voice trembled. He was panicked and you could hear his heart racing even through the phone. His words flying out of his mouth

“Hey…hey, slow down” you say in a calming voice

“It’s Chucho…” and that was all you needed to hear

“Where are you?” You are on your feet sliding on a pair of slip-on shoes and grabbing your car keys before he even answers. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes”

“You don’t have to come, I just…”

“I’ll be there in 5” you say again, hanging up the phone and getting into your car.

You don’t know how you arrived, it was all a blur. Running into the hospital ER, you don’t know exactly where he was. You find a nurses station and make your way to it. Nurses coming and going, all but ignoring you as they race around. “Excuse me…yes, hi…please” you say over and over again trying to get anyone’s attention.

“Ma’am your not allowed to be back here” a voice finally says walking up to the station

“I’m looking for somebody. Peña…Chucho Peña” you say

“Are you family?” He asks looking up from the metal clipboard in his hands, seeing you shake your head “we can not give out that information”

“I’m a family friend. He’s my neighbor…” you start to tell the nurse, tears starting to form in your eyes “…please”

“Ma’am I am sorry. But we are not allowed to disclose…”

“Hermosa?” You hear his voice from behind you and you turn “Hermosa…” he says again running towards you

“Javi” you sigh arms wrapping around him as his wrap around you. A comforting hug, holding onto you as if you are the only bit of reality he has left.

His chin rests on your shoulder, you can feel the tears stream down his cheeks. His hands running up and down your back trying to comfort you, the same way your hands rub his head. The past doesn’t matter at that moment “I didn’t know who else to call, I’m so sorry” he chokes out in a shaky breath “I’m…”

“It’s ok…it’s ok” you try to hold it together but you are breaking just as much as he is “is he ok?”

He pulls back, you see the water in his puffy eyes. Tears stain his cheeks, he swallows hard. The silence is deafening. He takes your hand and walks you to the room where his father lays. Machines hooked up to him. A heart monitor, an IV, and an oxygen mask are the only things you know. You are instanly brought back to the moment you saw your own father like this, and your heart shatters even more not able to look at him.

The nurses were gone, making him as comfortable as possible. In a medical induced coma. Javier had told you that the two of them were out by the river, laying that new fence that Chucho had been putting off for years. All of a sudden he was holding his arm and fell to the ground. “The paramedics came and we were flown to the hospital. Best chance of surviving they said” he continues as you both watch the lines are the heart monitor move. A slow steady rhythm.

A hand on his thigh, the other rubbing his tense shoulder “he’s gonna be ok. He’s tough” you try to comfort him

“I can’t lose him…” he cries

“I know, I know” you put your forehead on his bicep, hand still trying to soothe the tension. You are willing your tears to not fall, to be the strong one for him. His chin falls against his chest. His hand tightens around yours. His breathing starting to even out the longer the two of you sit there. Your presence making him feel safe in his darkness.

You aren’t sure how long the two of you sit there, the ER still buzzing, Chucho’s heart monitor still beeping, the hiss of the oxygen machine still all around you. The curtain is pulled open and a young man in a white coat steps in. “Mr. Peña we will be moving your father upstairs in a few hours. But visiting hours have ended. You may come back tomorrow” you nod, Javier’s hand squeezing you tighter.

“Yes sir” you nod your head, standing up. Javier right next you, his hand still holding yours.

The doctor turns and pulls the curtain closed behind him. You turn towards Javier wrapping your free arm around him giving him one last hug before you leave. He holds on to you, hating himself for what he is about to ask, “I really hate to ask this, but do you…would you…can I get a ride home. I just, I don’t have…”

“Of course”

The car ride was silent, Javier starring out the passenger side window, you flex your fingers on the steering wheel. If you would have told yourself you’d be in this position a few weeks ago, you would have laughed. Javier Peña hadn’t been in your life for almost 15 years. He had went to Colombia for work you had moved on. Find a new man, a man who helped fix the broken pieces he had left behind, and in a few days you’d be marrying that man. But there was something about Javier, there was that part of you that would always love him despite the past. You pull into the long dirt road that leads to the Peña’s house. You had spent many days here in your younger years, more time when you started dating Javier in high school. Then when Javier left you still kept the Taco Friday night with Chucho and helped with some household chores as he got older.

“I’m sorry…I’m sure you had better things to do then spend them at a hospital with me” he says softly, neither of you have moved since you stopped at his front door. “I didn’t know who else to call”

“Javier, stop apologizing. Please, you know I’d do anything for him” you sigh “I’d do anything for you” you think as Javier’s stomach grumbles “have you eaten anything?”

“No” he stares at his hands picking at his fingernails “I don’t deserve your kindness after everything”

You unhook your seatbelt and kill the lights opening your door. “Where are you going?” He asks watching you as you step out

“Making you dinner, get out of the car Javier. You need to eat” you close your door and walk in front of the car. Javier still sitting in the passenger seat. You open his door, “I said get out of the fucking car Peña”

“Why are you doing this?” He asks, looking up at you with those brown eyes and unshed tears

“Because, believe it or not I still care about you and Pops. He’s going to need you to be strong for him. And you can’t do that on an empty stomach. Now will you please get out of the car”

After a few minutes of pleading with him, you convinced him to get out of the car. You reached into his coat pocket to grab the house keys to let yourself in. It’s like the house was frozen in time. Pictures of Mrs. Peña still on the wall, photos of Javi’s graduation, pictures of the two of you at prom. A photo of him and Loreanne and the failed wedding, and a photo of the day he said good-bye to you and his family. He follows behind you to the kitchen, you set your jacket on the back of a chair and open the fridge pulling out what little ingredients they had.

“I can’t lose him…” he cries leaning against the door frame. Holding the coffee cup that had been sitting on the table after their breakfast. The cup Javier said he’d wash when they got done with the work outside

You turn to see him, the glass shaking in his hands. You set the leftover steak you had found on the counter, and gently take the glass from his trembling hands. Setting it back on the table, holding his hands to your chest. Placing a gentle kiss on his knuckles “I know…I know Jav. Look, go take a shower, breathe and know that I’ll be here when you get out” you brush a stray hair that had fallen over his forehead “he’s a tough, stubborn man and it’s going to take a lot more then a heart attack to stop him” that comment of stubborn earns you a half smile and a little nod of his head.

“Thank you…” he whispers his forehead leaning down to touch yours “I don’t deserve you” he mumbles

You nod in return and drop his hands and move back towards the counter as he walks down the hall to the bathroom. Pulling out a cutting board and finding a knife you stare at the ring on your finger. The diamond shining in the light “he doesn’t have to know…he’s away on work. It’s fine” you say to yourself.

A shower, and a dinner later you find yourself sitting with Javier on the couch, mindlessly watching the images on the screen. His head on your lap, your fingers in his hair. Massaging his scalp, it was easy to fall back into this life with him, it felt normal. It felt right. You don’t know when it happened but you had dozed off at some point of the movie. Your legs had been moved so you were laying on the couch and blanket drapped over you. The TV was off, the lights out it takes you a moment to remember where you were.

You made your way to the bathroom, washing your hands you open the door and turn the light off. Seeing the glow of a night light coming from Javier’s old room. The door cracked open just enough you could hear him mummering something to himself. You tap the door gently as it slowly swings open. “Jav?” You question looking into the room, seeing him sitting on the edge of his bed. Tears streaming down his face again, he winds and unwinds his fingers together.

“Hermosa, I didn’t wake you? I’m sorry…I was trying to let you sleep” he says as you shuffle over to him, sitting next to him on the small bed “I can’t sleep, I just keep thinking of what…I can’t lose him”

You wrap your arms around him, “I know…it’s ok…” you comfort him. His head falls to your shoulder, tears falling like a waterfall down his cheeks, “I know” you continue to tell him

He lifts his head, his forehead moves to lean against yours. Your hands move to cup his face, wiping away tears that continue to fall. His eyes searching yours for answers that you wish you had for him. “I can’t lose you…” he says before his lips find yours in a tentive kiss. When you don’t stop him, his lips mold themselves to yours. Your hands move from his cheek sliding into his hair. Javier’s hand moves to your waist pulling you closer to him, his tongue sliding across the seam of your lips, begging you to let him in.

You should stop, you know you should stop. He’s not your fiancé, he broke your heart years ago. But kissing him was easy, natural, it was wrong but it felt so right.

His hand grabs the fabric of your hoodie and starts to lift it up, exposing your skin to the cool air. You open your mouth just enough for him to take advantage of it slipping his tongue, you moan making a fist and pulling his hair. Your heart starts racing with each brush of his tongue. You finally have to pull away to catch your breath, face still next to his. “Javi, we…” you try to say but his lips cut you off.

His hand moves, wrapping around your waist and pulling you even closer to him. The kisses are slow, not hurried or rushed. It’s like he is rediscovering you, wanting to make the moment last. He pulls your legs up to drap over his thighs, laying you back gently until your head hits the pillow. His lips pull away, kissing your cheek nipping at your jaw just before moving his lips to your neck. Wondering if that little spot just below your ear still makes you moan his name in pleasure.

It does.

“Wwwwwwe, I….” you hum, you can feel his lips smile against your skin. “Jjjjjjaaav”

“I’ve missed hearing that” he pulls away. His body hovering over yours, his eyes dark. Lust, sorrow, guilt, sadness it’s written all over his face. He leans down to you again before the next words stop him

“We shouldn’t do this…” you say quietly fingers brushing some hair behind his ear “It’s your…you are in a emotional state…I’m engaged, Jav” he sits up and you push yourself up

His head falls to his hands, and you move yourself so your legs are hanging off the bed. Feet on the ground. Your hand rubbing up and down his back, “I’m sorry. Look you need some sleep, I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you”

You start to stand up from the bed when his hand reaches for you, “will you please stay with me?” His hand holds you as a life line “I’m sorry, I just I don’t want to be alone…he’s all I got” he chokes out the last few words.

You nod; sitting back down in the bed. You lay back and open your arms for him to curl into. His head finds a place on your chest, your fingers return to his head. Gently massaging it, his breathing begins to even out, you feel the tears dampen your skin you know he’d deny let fall. His arms hold you, like a child in the night holding their favorite stuffed animal in hopes to keep the bad dreams away. You turn your head just enough to kiss the top of his head, before closing your eyes and drifting off to sleep knowing all to well the morning will come soon

One hand bracing himself against the headboard, the other lifting your leg higher up his waist. His teeth grazing over your earlobe whispering words of praise in your ear, all you can do is moan in response. Your nails scratching down his back, the snap of his hips becoming harder, faster with each sigh of his name.

He was always gentle with you, making love instead of fucking. It had been a while since he had been with someone, even longer since he had been with you. But the way his body fit to yours, the way your bodies moved in sync, it was like you hadn’t missed a beat. The bed creeking with every thrust, “yes…please, Jav…riiiiig yes….” you say as you get closer to the edge.

His lips find yours ago, a sloppy kiss compared to the precision of everything else, a tug of on your lips, and a flex of his hand on your waist, you soon clamp around him. A feeling you haven’t had in a long time. Your fiancé has made you come, but nothing like the way Javier did. Your entire body on fire, the feeling of being worshiped like a Queen.

“Shiiiiiit…shit” he grunt as you tighten around him even more, his cock twitching as you cry out his name in pleasure and his warm seeds fills you. He leans down, kissing you in a much more romantic way. Slow movements as he rocks his hips riding out his high. Your fingers finding their favorite place in his soft brown hair

His alarm clock rings, ruining the moment of bliss. He breaks the kiss and the hand that was holding your hips flies to the night stand. Knocking the alarm clock to the floor. His head resting in the cruck of your neck. His lips leaving butterfly kisses to the bare skin he can reach. Your fingers trailing up and down his spine, while is softens inside of you. If you could, you’d stay in this moment forever, but the man you just made love to you is not the man that you should be laying naked in bed with.

He slowly pulls out of you, and whine at the sudden loss of him. Kissing your forehead before he shuffles off to the bathroom. The morning light filter through the thing curtains. The light bouncing off the diamond. The ring weighing a ton as the images of the early morning replay in your mind. You sit up, eyes roaming the room to find where your clothes had be tossed to. You hands cover your face; shame, regret, confusion…you know it was wrong, but it felt so right.

You stand on shaky legs, your back to the door as you bend over to grab your bra and hoodie that been thrown across the room. “The fuck are my pants…” you say to yourself as Javier walks back into the room. You turn when you hear the door creak open, your shorts on the desk by the door.

“I brought you, where are you going?” He asks holding the warm damp cloth

“I have to go” you grab the cloth cleaning yourself just enough to pull your shorts on

“Hermosa…” he says softly, almost pleading with you his arm blocking the doorway

“Javi, don’t” you avoid his eyes, knowing that the look will make you second guess yourself “Please, let me go”

“Hermosa,” he says again

“I’m getting married, tell Chucho I’ll see him soon” you turn to look at him. His soft brown eyes welling up with tears and you swallow hard

“Don’t marry him” his voice cracks

“Why?”

“Because I love you” he leans in to kiss you and you move away from him “Hermosa, please…”

“I get married in two weeks, I hope to see you there. Be safe Jav”you walk back towards the living room where your keys and shoes still lay. Not looking back, knowing if you do you’d never leave the house

You didn’t expect him to say yes, but you were thrilled when Chucho said he would be honored to give you away. Even though you were an adult when your parents passed, Chucho filled that father roll.

You stare out the window, overlooking his family and friends, joining the few people you had invited. “Mija, you know you can’t let them see you before the big moment” Chucho’s voice fills the empty space.

“Hey…” you turn to see him, wiping a stray tear that starts to fall “look at you, you know your gonna be fighting the ladies off with that suit” you smile at him

He brushes his shoulders, “Really?” he asks “I haven’t worn this thing in years”

“Very handsome” you move over to him wrapping your arms around him “thank you so much for being here. It means…” you voice cracks

He wraps his arms around you. Lifting his cane he’s been using to help hold him. “Mija, it means the world that you would ask”

You pull back to look at him. Smiling when you see the sparkle in his eye. It really did mean a lot to him. You were the daughter he never had. You try look behind him to see if he was standing back there, you tried your best to not let him see, but he’s Chucho…he sees all

“I don’t think he’s coming” he sighed “he can he so stubborn sometimes”

“I wondered where he learned it from” you raise he eyebrow with a small smirk and he shrugs with a slight chuckle

“Oh oh, I have something for you” you steps back reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a red velvet box “a bride needs something old, new and blue…this covers all three”

You take the box from his hands and flip it open. Inside a necklace with a sapphire. Beautful shades of blue and purple as the light hits it. Your hands shaking with emotion and how much this means to him knowing it was his late wifes. You begin to say his name, but his finger sushes you. “She’d want you to have it, it’s old…new to you. And blue”

“Thank you,” you fingers brush over the chain of the necklace.

“Turn…turn…Mija let me put it on” you takes the box from you and hooks the chain around your neck. Looking down the pendant sits perfectly on your chest. Just above the neckline of your dress. You turn back around to show him. Putting his hands together “you look beautful”

“It’s perfect…thank you”

Chucho left you, you stand in front of the full length mirrior, you slipped in the heels and finally added the final touch of your veil. Your hands slide over your stomach, you try to convince yourself it’s just nervous but you know damn well it isn’t. You close your eyes, signing deeply and telling yourself there will be time to cry later.

“You look like an Angel” you’d recognize that voice anywhere, it was the voice playing over and over in your head.

“You came” you open your eyes and watch his reflection in the mirror as he gets closer to you

“There’s still time ya know” he’s close now, close enough to run a finger down your bare arm

You turn your head, his face inchs from yours. You breath him in; whiskey, nicotine gum and a scent that is uniquely Javier Peña. You shake your head, you wish is was him at the alter, you had wished that for so long. You reach up and cup his cheek, thumb brushing across his ear. “I can’t…” you pull your face back and you have to look away from the eyes, the eyes that you’ve always loved.

The room is on fire, your skin burns and it’s like you're suffocating. There’s a balcony on the other side of the room, away from praying eyes that are down below. Picking up the dress you all but run to the open door. Hands fall to the rail the moment you step outside, breathing fast, he follows you. A hand on your back “Hermosa…”

“Why now, after all these years? You’ve had all the time in the world and now…NOW is the time you decide you love me?”

“I’ve always loved you”

“Bullshit,” you yell “that’s some fucking bullshit. You and I both know that. What about that brunette?”

“What?” He’s confused, his eye brows furrow and he shakes his head “how do yoooooo”

“I went to see you, bought a one-way ticket to Colombia…you know, surprise you. Bring a little piece of home that I thought you were missing. But clearly I wasn't it”

It was his second year working for the DEA, the letters to you were few and far apart. But Chucho got letters every week. One night at dinner, he had shared with you a certain letter. A letter that Javier had written saying how home sick he was. Work wasn’t what he thought it was. He was missing home cooking, family, friends…you. You had saved up some money and Chucho helped you get a plane ticket. You’d surprise him for the holidays, bring a little bit of home to him. But when you arrived at his apartment, you realized you were a distance memory to him.

“…I saw her walking out of your apartment in a little black dress. One heel on, one heel off and hair a mess. You followed close behind calling her name and holding her shoe” your hands flex on the railing at the image playing in your head “…then you step out, butt ass naked. Sex tousled hair. She wrapped her arms around you, kissed you and when she walked away you called her your amor”

“You came to see me?” His face still in shock

“Because I loved you Javier. I wanted to make you happy but clearly it wasn’t home you were missing. You were just missing a place to stick your dick” he goes to put his hand on yours and you pull away “I called your Dad and he helped me get home…I met Kyle a few months later. He picked up my shattered heart and put me back together”

“She wasn’t you, I was trying to fill a void. Sure, she was fun,” you roll your eyes and cross your arms “but I didn’t love her. I never could. She wasn’t you”

“It doesn’t matter. I am marrying Kyle. He’s a good man”

“You can’t tell me you didn’t feel something when we kissed. That you didn’t feel anything that morning”

“It was a mistake”

“But you felt something, I know you did” he pleads

“It was closure. Our story ending…” your voice cracks “I will always love you Javier, but there’s a man downstairs waiting for me. I’m sorry…” you take a step forward towards him. Placing a hand on his shoulder you lean in and kiss his cheek “…I wish things were different. And maybe in a different life they could be.”

You walk away, leaving him standing on the balcony alone. He stares at the spot you just stood. His heart racing out of his chest. His entire life flashed before his eyes. Almost losing his father made him realize things that mattered in life and what matter was you. The only real thing he ever cared about.

He stared at the now empty glass in front of him. The bartender cut him off after his 3rd drink. A record low for him. A beautiful red head approached him. Hand on his shoulder “is this seat taken” she cooed “looks like someone needs a pick me up”

Looking up from his glass as she sat down. He shakes his head, she wasn’t you. She wasn’t the woman he so desperately wanted to be sitting next to him right now. He wasn’t sure how long it has been since he had been cut off. Surely he was sober enough to drive by now. He grabbed the few dollars he had in his picked and set it in front of the woman “buy yourself a drink” he says standing up and walking away from the bar

It wasn’t that far of a drive from the bar he would frequent to the house. He should be home in no time. The light had just turned green and Javier moves his foot pushing down the gas pedal to resume his drive home, when suddenly he sees a bright light

The wedding March had started to play. Chucho places his arm out for you to take. You wrap your arm around his, and you step outside. Looking up you see Kyle. A navy blue suit with a black shirt and tie underneath. His strawberry blonde hair falling perfectly into place and his baby blue eyes staring at you. A smile spreads across his face seeing you in the dress for the first time. Your heart racing you come to a stop. You feel like the world is crashing down around you. He isn’t the one that you should be marrying. “I can’t do this…” you say softly “I’m sorry I can’t do this!” You yell and pull up the dress letting go of Chucho’s arm and running back inside.

You slam the door behind you, falling to the ground before you can even make it to the couch. You felt your heart shattering, and flood gates open behind your eyes. You barely heard the sound of your phone over your cries.

“Hello?” You sob

A man’s voice you didn’t recognize asks your name. His voice managed to say calm despite the sirens blaring behind him.

“Yes, this is her” you try to catch your breath

“Hello, this is Officer Riley with the county sheriff…” he says “you were listed as an emergency contact for Javier Peña”

“Is he ok?”

“He was in a serious car accident. He was air lifted to Swedish Hospital” your hand clenched around the chain on your neck “oh my God…no” you say to yourself “I would make your way there now. EMT’s at the scene did everything they could to stop some bleeding. He was hit pretty hard”

“I…yyyyy….tttth” you couldn’t even form the words

“Ma’am breath for me” Officer Riley tells you

“Thank you sir, I’m heading there now”

“Take care Ma’am”

You stumble to your feet, finding your purse still sitting on the small coffee table in the room. Grabbing you you try and walk to the door, reaching for the handle as it begins to open.

“Kyle”

“Baby…are you ok?” He asks concerned and you shake your head

“I have to go…” tears streaming down your face

“It’s him isn’t it?” He stops you from pushing past him

You nod, “Kyle I am sorry” you look up at him. You slide the ring off your finger, and reach for his hand. Placing it in his palm before wrapping his fingers around it “you are an amazing man. And you deserve a woman you loves you the same…”

He places the ring in his pocket, “are you sure?”

“I am” he lets you slide by him “for the first time in years, I am. I should have told you sooner, Kyle please…”

“Go…I’ll figure out how to tell everyone downstairs”

The heels tap against the white linoleum floor. Running to the closet desk, Chucho is not far behind. You come to a stop at the first desk, mind racing, heart beating out of your chest “Peña…Javier Peña. An officer told me he was here” you words flying out of your month

“Mrs. Peña?” The young nurse from behind the desk asks

Completely forgetting that you are still in the wedding dress when you look down, Chucho had caught up to you and hand on your back “yes…” he says matter of factly. You turn to look at him wide eyes and he smiles “…well as you can see. Almost”

“He is in surgery at the moment. I will take you to the family waiting room” she stands and makes her way around the desk

It’s empty, leftover paper coffee cups sit on a table from a previous family. Your heart tightens at the thought of the last words you spoke to him. You didn’t want the last memory to be seeing him standing there on that balcony. The nurse was talking to Chucho, closing the door behind her. Your feet carrying you from side to side in the small room. You feel arms wrap around you, you collapse into him. “I…he’s…” words fail you

“Shhh…shhh I know I know” you comforts you help you sit in a chair “I will be right back” he kisses the top of your head and disappears behind the now closed door

Minutes felt like hours, hours felt like days. He was out of surgery, for what you weren’t sure. The doctors words were just a buzz to you, you stare at him. Tubes coming out of his mouth, and nose. His head bandaged with gauze. His eyes black and blue with gashes along his cheeks. His right leg in a cast. The beeps of machines keeping him alive sound like explosions in your ears.

You walk over to his side, reaching for his fingers, the only part of him not hooked or covered by some kind of machine or tape. Your fingers wrap around his, tears still streaming down your cheeks. “I can’t lose you, I…we can’t lose you” you thumb brushes the back his fingers., “please…I need you”

Four weeks, it was four weeks before he started to remember what happened. Tubes were removed from his throat to help him breathe. The black and blue are now a light purple. The gashes all but healed. He could eat liquid foods now, and you never left his side. He didn’t talk much, or at all. The nurses had brought in a small cot for you to sleep on, it was late and your eyes finally falling closed

Over the course of time you had learned that he was hit by a drunk driver. Hit so hard he was pushed into another car. He had suffered a serious concussion from hitting the side of the car, shattered right ankle. The airbag deployed left the gashes along his cheeks. There was also a small possibility he could be paralyzed from the waist down due to the impact of the cars crashing together. You were lucky he was alive.

You woke up the next morning, the birds chirping outside, you turn over and look towards his bed. His soft brown eyes finally met yours for the first time in what seems like eternity. He smiles, and you make your way to the edge of his bed, brushing back some hair resting on his forehead and place a gentle kiss

“Hermosa” he replies sighing “I’m sorry”

“For what?” You sit on the edge of his hospital bed

“I always fuck everything up” he closes his eyes wishing things could be different. He remembers enough of what happened that landed him in the bed he now lays in.

“Hey, don’t do that. You’re here, you’re ok” you take his hand “why do you think you fucked this up?”

“You’re married to another man, a man that could have been me. If I would have just known you came to see me, it could be…it should be me”

“Javier…” you start when the door swings open

“Oh good, Mr. Peña you're awake” the nurse walks in cheerfully, “are you ready for a round of PT?” She makes her way to the bed where you sit with him

“What's the point?” He groans, “it’s not like I have a reason”

“You got Pops…he’s a good reason” you say and watch him roll his eyes “you have me”

You plead with him to go with the nurse. Telling him he still has a lot to give, something to fight for. This isn’t the way you wanted to tell him, you wanted it to be something special, something that wasn’t blurting it out. Not here, not now. “Jav I’m pregnant”

The wheelchair he has sat in stops, and spins back to you. His jaw dropped, “I’ll come back” the nurse says and quietly leaves the room. Javier’s eyes drifting to your stomach that had been covered by an over-sized hoodie every day. He shakes his head in disbelief

“What?” He questions, he wheels towards you “why does that matter. Congratulations to you and Kyle” he snaps

“It’s not his…” you sit on his bed “it’s yours. He doesn’t know”

You can feel his eyes burning a whole into you. You feel self-conscious about everything suddenly. He places a hand on your knee, your heart beating out of your chest. “It’s mine?” His voice is soft, scared and you nod “what about…”

“I didn’t marry him. I couldn’t. You were right. That kiss, it meant something. It meant everything” he reaches for your hands.

You tell him how when you were standing there, looking at Kyle all you wanted was it to be him. You loved Kyle, you did but he was never Javier. He never gave you the butterflies you feel when you're with him, he never looked at you like you put the stars in the night sky. You wanted to fight it, you wanted to deny it. The truth was that you were terrified he was going to leave you again, he broke your heart once you were worried he was going to do it again.

“I’ll be the man you deserve…the man you need. For you and for him”

“Oh you think it’s a him do you?” You smile placing your hands on your stomach

“I know it’s a son…” he leans forward taking one of your hands and placing a kiss there, “ok, where’s that nurse I got some PT to do”

“Mommy….mommy!!!” A little voice shouts running directly into your legs

“Hi there baby, what’s wrong?” You turn and bend down

“Daddy said I look like a princess” she twirls her dress

“And you do, you look beautiful Mija” you smile and wrap your arms around her tiny frame, picking her up as you stand up and look in the mirror. She touches the pendant that Chucho gave you. There’s a small tap at the door, you turn both of you to see Chucho dressed in a black suit

“la pequeña princesa…there she is” and the smile that spreads across his face lights up the room. He couldn’t be more proud of the small ray of sunshine you and Javier had created.

“Ab-wuuuu-lo” she squirms in your arms trying to break free. You grunt a little as she squirms more before you set her down watching her do something between a run and a skip to Chucho

“Princesa, look at you” he puts his hand over his head “you are the most beautiful flower girl I’ve ever seen”

“Sí” she smiles and twirls for him

“Do you have your basket ready?” He asks

“Sí, sí” she smiles

“And the flowers?” He takes her hand

“Sssssssí” she pulls him to lead him out of the room “Let’s go, ab-whoooo-lo, vamos” and you can’t help the snort you let out

As she leads him out of the room, you then back to look at yourself in the mirror. Taking the two small gold heart shaped stud earrings off the dresser and putting them in. Smoothing down the stomach area of your burgundy dress. A pair of large hands wrap around yours. A kiss placed to where your neck meets your shoulder and you hum in content.

“You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding” you sigh. Hand reaching behind you and threading through his hair

“Then it’s a good thing I’m already married to her” he kisses you again “you look stunning Hermosa”

It was true, you and Javier had married weeks after he was released from the hospital. You didn’t want to wait, but you also didn’t want to walk down the aisle pregnant. You went to the court house, said the ‘I do’s’ and promised that one day you would have a bigger wedding, a wedding where you could celebrate. You make eye contact with him in the mirror. It didn’t matter how many times you’ve seen those eyes before it always made your heartbeat a little bit faster.

“Thank you” he says resting his chin on your shoulder

“Mmm, for what?” you ask leaning your head against him

“Giving me a second chance, for letting me love you. For loving me…for giving me the best gift in our little princess. I don’t know how I deserve it. But thank you”

“Because, I love you”

“I love you too”

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal Characters #Javier Pena #narcos fic #Narcos AU #Pedro Pascal Character FanFic #Christina Writes

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