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lightlycareless · 3 months

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More high school au with Naoya and y/n pleaseee😩😩🙏🏻🙏🏻 they are so cute and like- uughhhhh ( you don’t have to tho )

Hello anon!

Thank you so much for waiting 🥺❤️❤️ I actually have some snippets here and there of scenarios I want to write for them, however, now that valentine's day is approaching this other idea popped up hehehe, so I might as well take advantage of it.

Also, this is a two part thing. As of now, the second part is scheduled for... you guessed it, the 14th 😂

warnings: none. fluff. a lil bit of heartbreak, but nothing too serious. more to come on the second part.

All I got to say is, this went a completely different direction than I expected. We shall see if it pays off.

Without further a do, happy reading!

taglist: @sureconfused

part 2.

It’s rare when the faculty allows students to take control of anything outside of their studies and training.

But there were occasions they allowed it, especially in those where they’d not only prove they’re much better academically than any other institute, but also humiliate their sister school in their annual exchange event.

Which is exactly what happened last summer, an undisputable victory to remain for the years to come as the worst defeat Kyoto has ever experienced.

Taking this into consideration, the school thought it only deserving for the students to be compensated.

What the Tokyo school ended up choosing as a reward was a trip to one of the popular theme parks in Japan, but to afford such trip without having to choke the higher ups with their expenses, the students began to plan out ways to increase their budget.

Luckily for them, the money hungry Mei Mei knew exactly what to do.

Thus, preparations soon began to plan out, starting with decorations and activities that would not only incentivize students to participate, but willingly spend all their hard-earned money (plus an extra for herself.) for something enjoyable in return—all coinciding with the most awaited time of the year.

We’re talking about White Day, of course.

A date that you were naturally also excited for, simply because it was your first White Day since enrolling in jujutsu high.

You had your own motives to be eager, but your enthusiasm simply kept growing thanks to your classmate’s incessant discussion of the plans they set up with their boyfriends, or the guys they were being “courted” by.

“My boyfriend got reservations at this nice place in downtown! We’re going there as soon as our classes are done.” One would say.

“That’s so sweet! There’s this guy I’ve been talking to for a while now—we haven’t done much but I just know he likes me! I’m just hope he’ll confess his feelings today…” Another adds.

“What about you, Y/N? Set your eyes on anyone yet?”

No.

Maybe…

Oh, who are you lying, of course you did!

But you’re not sure he even noticed your presence; let alone your gift on Valentine’s Day. After all, he’s one of the most popular students in the whole school.

You’re talking about Geto Suguru, of course—what you’d consider to be your first crush, the first man that you’ve ever felt these growing feelings for; and with enough luck, maybe even your first love.

He was just… oh, so dreamy. Good looking, but most of all, charming. It’s a mystery how someone like him got along with Satoru at all! Maybe it was some kind of opposites attract type of situation?

Who knows.

Either way, you won’t deny that getting a chance of becoming Suguru’s special someone was equally wonderful, which you hoped would’ve increased with the chocolate you gave him exactly one month ago.

If fate desired so… then today, you’ll get your answer.

And whether you’ve caught someone else’s eye, as well?

You don’t try to get your hopes too high when it comes to that, since you’ve only been here for a few months—not enough time for anyone to develop feelings and pursue you, you know?

Geto was different though, since you’ve known him way before you even considered entering jujutsu high, due to him being your sister’s and Satoru’s (a childhood friend) classmate.

So yeah, you don’t expect much from anyone else this day, outside of… maybe a card here and there, or some sweets from the people that always bring something for the whole class just so they won’t feel excluded—sensei’s included.

And so, when classes begin, you keep reassuring yourself with the following statement Mei Mei’s Cupid Mail Service (or whatever it’s called, with a charge of course) begins to roll in: You were new, not that well known even with your sibling’s popularity, single, but most importantly, that most of the things sent through that service were for the popular kids—or so Hinata theorized.

A great excuse that would’ve kept your sanity intact… had no one else gotten anything.

The ones that didn’t voice their plans, that is, the single ones—and even then, those with a partner still managed to get heartfelt confessions from those daring enough.

«It’s just… well, luck! I think… Besides, don’t they always say that people in relationships are more popular than those that are single? I would never do something like that!» It’s what you tell yourself when seeing one of your classmates, who has a boyfriend, get a rose from the same Cupid Mail Service—and as seen from her rection, not from him. «Yeah… that must be it.»

But your anguish would only deepen when the day went on by and the gifts didn’t stop.

By that point, your sister had gotten a bouquet of roses, amongst some boxes of chocolate she didn’t bother to care for, unless they had come from Yuki-senpai.

Your brother was seen with a large teddy bear but given the grin on his face and the direction he was heading; it was clear this was a gift for his girlfriend.

Gojo and Geto getting gifts even on the day they’re not supposed to doesn’t surprise you anymore—in fact, every day seemed like a holiday to them, so you just ignored them.

Nanami was a heartthrob you did not expect to see flourish, since he mostly kept to himself, but there’s always something alluring about the mysterious, cool characters—you more than anyone else would know that.

However, none of these situations were to be the worst ones yet.

Not to discredit the poor guy, you appreciate him as the excellent classmate he is…

But even Ijichi got a gift!! Like, come on!!

Statistically someone must’ve sent you one thing at least! You’re not even asking to be appreciated by your beauty or anything, it could’ve been just because they thought you were funny or something! A great friend!

Yet, it was not meant to be.

And by the end of the school day, reality slowly began to sink into your mind—accepting that perhaps you were not as likeable as you once believed… and unfortunately, that is something that wouldn’t change, not even if you’d been here since the school was founded.

Not desiring to be seen crying your poor heart out when your feelings are finally pushed to the edge once the last bell rings, you decide to head straight back to the dorms after quickly gathering your utensils, curtly bidding everyone farewells and wishes for an enjoyable evening out, and heading out the classroom—just before you could hear any more of their whispers noting how you didn’t get anything.

Thinking that if you hurried enough, you’d be able to get to your room before anyone noticed the tears already sliding down your cheeks—but alas, there’s always someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, and just as you were to turn around the corner and leave the school building, Mei Mei calls you.

“Off to meet someone in your room? How indecent.” she snickers, noting your unusual adrenaline when traveling across the hallways. At least for someone she knew hadn’t gotten anything planned for the day. “Back in my day, we’d try to do it off campus. But if you want, I know a room—"

“That’s not—I’m not in the mood, Mei Mei.” You murmur, not bothering to turn around to face her while doing your best to hide a sniffle. “I have work to do.”

“I’m sure you do, Y/N.” she says, taking a step closer to you.

“If it’s to get me to spend money on your delivery system, I’m not interested.” You frown. “Why don’t you go ask Hinata? I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to spend all her allowance in things for Yuki-senpai…”

“Already done that—And I got to say, Hinata really is one of my best clients when it comes to it. After Satoru, of course.” She snickers—Gojo has become kind of her personal ATM at this point, he just made it too easy! You remain quiet. “Either way, I’m here for something else. Something relating to you, actually.”

Well, if this day wasn’t odd enough already.

“…What do you want?” you cautioned.

“I got a gift for you—from Cupid himself.”

“What?!” you gasp, sharply turning around to verify her words, dropping your books and breath hitching upon seeing the enormous size of the gift she held in her arms, and all that contained:

A basket filled with all kinds of chocolate, local and foreign, alongside an immeasurable number of roses that almost managed to hide the core: a red teddy bear holding a heart of the same color with the words love stitched onto it.

After being deprived of this attention for hours, it almost felt surreal to suddenly obtain all that you wanted—And not to brag, but this also had to be the biggest gift you’ve seen at school that day!

You genuinely didn’t believe your eyes… and yet, there was still more to come.

And all for you.

“—while the rest are to be delivered to your dorm.” Mei Mei says as a group of her… lackeys, (wait, is that her brother?) brought along more and more gifts—from plushies of your favorite characters, your favorite flowers, and jewelry… to the most surprising piece of all:

Boxes of mochi, of your favorite flavor, taro.

Whoever sent these gestures knew you in somewhat of a personal level, thus, you naturally had to ask—

“Who sent them?” you breathe, unable to hide your excitement at that point; could it be…?

“A secret admirer.” Is all that Mei Mei reveals. “Perhaps.”

“Aw, come on! I mean—you have to know, right?? You’re the one in charge of this!”

“I do… but my services don’t go beyond that.” She smiles—hinting wanting more.

But you suppose that for something as sweet as this, to keep the identity of your unknown aficionado would only be fitting. Partially.

“Could you at least give me a hint?”

Mei Mei only laughs, and you get the idea that it was because of your naivety when it comes to her methods.

And it was, in its majority.

But it was also because she couldn’t believe you didn’t know already!

Of course, this was nothing but obvious for someone who has made it as her personal mission to find dirt on just about anyone she can squeeze out a few yen from.

Especially from big targets like him.

But given the way he behaves around you, and the things he did today, just for your attention how come you hadn’t noticed that the heir of the Zen’in, Naoya…

Likes you?

I don't know if other schools do things like that, but mine did. And I used it once. And I never got a reply. YIKES. But I don't blame him though, that letter was wack lmao. I was only 16 😭 please be merciful.

Anyways, I hope you liked this first part :3 Keep an eye for the second one 👀👀👀

Take care, and hope to see you soon!

#naoya zenin #naoya zen'in #naoya x reader #naoya zenin x reader #naoya zenin x you #jjk naoya #naoya zen'in x reader #jjk x reader #jjk fluff #jjk x you #prompt series: jujutsu kaisen #i need a tag for the hs au

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ocdeeznut · 11 days

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In rewatching s8 i have some thoughts. Why it didn’t work as an ending, and what i think could have been changed.

WARNING THIS POST IS LONG AS FUCK, so strap in if you’re interested.

- The feel of the writing is distinctly off. Not bad, but it doesn’t feel like you’re watching Voltron anymore. It feels grittier and more like a high stakes adult animation than the other seasons. Which, again, isn’t necessarily bad, but the shift is too quick and it could have been executed better if they spent more time digging into the individual characters and their growth during s6/7.

- The issue of ‘there’s always a bigger enemy’ starts to make the plot feel stale. You get bored of a bigger robot, higher stakes, more to lose. They start killing people and planets for a cheap audience reaction when we weren’t all that invested in the first place. It felt like a split second decision by the writers to destroy Olkarion. Something like that needs to be pencilled in from the beginning. There were too many attacks on Olkarion, and as a consequence we got too used to seeing it’s people in peril. There should’ve been a distinct shift where we, as the audience, realised Voltron wasn’t going to be there to save them this time. Whether that’s a writing, animation or atmospheric issue i’m unsure. Maybe it’s just a me thing.

- The Atlas should never have been able to transform. That for me was the biggest investment turn off. Why do we need Voltron anymore if there’s a bigger, stronger robot on their side? If they were going to replace the castle, they should have made it clear and stuck with the intention. That’s not a support ship anymore, that’s something else entirely. I’d gladly watch a show JUST about the Atlas, with Shiro at the helm, but it’s not Voltron.

- Too many things happen at once, and it’s massively convoluted. 13 episodes is not enough time to: introduce a romance, have me actually care about that romance, kill off a main character, form a new version of voltron, redeem three main antagonists, AND cutely tie up all the glaring plot holes of the show. S8 needed to be two seasons at least. If things were spread out and more passion was pumped into the writing, it could’ve worked.

- Allura’s character was ruined. She became a nagging, reckless, martyred love interest. I love her dearly, i have from S1, but they did her SO dirty. Lance, too. They both deserved better.

- I think, personally, that Sendak should’ve been the final villain. Not Honerva. Her arc was rushed and her CORE motivation made little sense. They used the flimsy excuse of her corruption to redeem her love for Lotor, and his name was literally raked through hell and back for a very mediocre payoff. If that was the plan from the start, it needed to be hinted at more.

- There was too much, as i call it, flip-flopping. The alteans are alive, now they’re evil, now they’re not. We can’t get into Oriande, but now we can! Personally, i need explanations, and strict universal rules. If those rules are to be broken for whatever reason - it has to be a show stopping exception and a main event. Everything is excused and explained away when it doesn’t make any sense.

- Now, i actually really likes the subtle art style and animation adjustments in the season, visually it was spectacular so i have no critiques there. If only the plot could have done its outer shell some justice.

AND GET LANCE OFF THAT DAMN FARM.

#odesrambles #voltron #keith kogane #vld #voltron legendary defender #lance mcclain #takashi shirogane #hunk garrett #pidge holt #princess allura #coran #voltron season 8 #Odesrevisions #This is all a ramble and pure speculation on my part #don’t take too seriously pls and thanks #i so badly wanted to see this show succeed but alas it shot itself in the foot at the end

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ixhkor-and-ambrosxa · 12 days

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Hey #GreekMythology tumblr, I want ya’lls help on something :).

So, I’ve been thinking about starting this massive project. Like, would take years and years work of writing and research and sheerly finding the time and motivation for. And as I was thinking about the specifics, I thought: why not bring others into it as well? Because as much as I am interested in a lot of Greek Mythology, there are things that are simply not my interests and might cause writers block and my goal for the project would to be as fun as possible. So, here we are.

What is the project exactly? Well, hopefully, it’ll be a long Ao3 series/fic focusing on the individual perspectives of various figures/events in Greek Mythology arranged in (semi/good enough) chronological order. I personally intend to write for Poseidon in his/my version of the Titanomachy and (maybe) some events that follow, if you want a little bit of an idea on what I’m talking about.

The limits on this are almost completely free, all that I ask are that each of your submissions are one POV only (and by that I mean your main subject’s POV). Why do I say this? I say this because that is what I want this project to look like. It doesn’t matter if it’s First, Second, or Third POV along with all the other variants of those three, my main focus is on the individual experiences of these individuals. Kind of like character studies, if you know what I mean. I’m intending for it to be mostly formal but I will absolutely accept crack admissions that I will probably put into its own series to Separate the Vibes for whoever comes by :).

Ultimately, this is a completely open-ended project that has absolutely no deadline. I’m about to go to bed so I can’t go into too much detail, but if you want to DM me or send any asks, I am completely okay with that and we’ll all flesh out the specifics we go :).

What is my overall purpose? Not only is this project made for my own individual purposes of learning more about the gods and other Greek Mythology writers, but it’s also the chance to spread the word of other writers. I know how hard it is to get specific audiences, especially when you’re shy, so this is a chance for your work to be stumbled upon. Each post on the eventual Ao3 fic will include your socials, how to find you, and your other general works on either ao3, tumblr, wattpad, or other :)

Can you participate even without socials or a tumblr page? Yes you absolutely can :). My asks will always be open to anons and I will do my best to give credit when I eventually post everything :). If you want to post multiple submissions or simply just want a trackable (between works) name to your writing, just sign something at the end. It could be a name, it could be a potential username, I don’t mind at all :)).

How do I submit things? Well, the best way would be to DM me :). I have a personal writing email separate from most things that would be perfect to either share a google docs with or to just send a copy-and-pasted copy of it. Otherwise, I take asks. None of them will be posted unless asked or we’re ready to so it’ll be safe to just drop them off in! It’s also where I take questions :).

Any other things to note? I’d really appreciate some other moderators and editors :). There’d only be like two or three of each and we’d have to know each other decently well before officially starting, but some help would be appreciated! Also, I’d like to keep a working ‘spreadsheet’ of who’s working on what just for people to see what’s going on :). Maybe some people can collaborate or it’ll encourage those niche writers to write :). A third thing is that most questionable stuff is accepted. I’d personally rather not handle all those things other than posting it so it might be a while until I can officially accept (consensual and/or graphic) ✨spicy stuff✨ but, other than that, I’ll take any of it (also, it’s Greek Mythology, almost all of it already happened). If someone’s willing to take over the ✨spicy stuff✨ then please DM me so we can work out the details and see if it’s a nice fit :)

Honestly, that all should be it. The main point is that I’m trying to start up a long-term project on Tumblr and Ao3 about what is essentially Greek Mythology character studies that not only allows for mass communication across a wide audience, but also (hopefully) gets some recognition for the smaller writers :). Feel free to DM me or send me asks with questions but for now, I shall sleep

Tagging: @bluebellstudio @thirteen-deaths-later @0lympian-c0uncil @happyk44 @h0bg0blin-meat @sworeontheriverstyx @deathlessathanasia @gotstabbedbyapen. Sorry if I tagged you and you want nothing to do with it, I just wanted to get it out there /pos /gen

#ya know this is the one time I regret deleting all my old accounts :/#I had such a large (ish) following on my old tumblr (neptunes-sea-of-writing btw if you recognize it)#that it’s kind of intimidating to restart again :(#need to do it tho. i just gotta #but I haven’t really written-#anyway that’s not this post’s problem #tagging everyone to try to get it out there #even if you aren’t interested #it’d be appreciated if you share anyway to get to a larger audience :)#i just. wanna build that community and know more things #as much as I’d love to tackle this project all on my own #I know I can’t and it wouldn’t be beneficial for me #but since a large portion of it is gaining knowledge #why not ask it from others?#tagging everyone to get it out there #also the general tag is going to be:#Neptune’s Big Ass Greek Mythology Project #bc why not :)#but seriously #consider it if it’s your thing #and if it’s not that’s fine #I remember being a small writer so intimidated to find people #and I’m feeling that feeling once again having started my entire platform over again :)#we’ve all got this. we’ll make it work /pos #greek mythology #also #you can write for absolutely any fandom #idc #as long as it’s one consistent pov of your focus character :)#also I’m like incredibly sleep deprived and tired rn ive been up since four am and its nine pm rn

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atopvisenyashill · 3 months

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That whole era of the Second Quarrel onwards is so obscure when it comes to the succession and the tensions surrounding it. No reactions. No massive events or much about dynamics. I want to know about Viserys's coronation. I want to know what he felt about his own succession before the GC. And before that, I want to know if Baelon ever tried to mend fences. If Jaehaerys ever mentioned it again, and how. How Rhaenys made her life, now all but an exile, on Driftmark. What motivated Aemma and Viserys's marriage. WHEN DID JOCELYN DIE?!

LITERALLY OMG. Number one frustrating thing about F&B is we get pages and pages of stuff no one in the world gives a shit about - Maiden's Day, that stupid story about Jaehaerys fucking the writer - and nothing on the subjects that actually got most people into the damn series like the POLITICS or the MAGIC. all of THAT is completly glossed over or Gyldane (and Yandel for that matter) just go "Well Barth did say this thing but that's nonsense" and then no elaboration. drives me up a WALL because yeah sure maybe the long, pages upon pages of battles and fighting are not my cup of tea but a) they're perfectly well written and b) THEY MAKE UP FOR IT BY GIVING ME SEVERAL CHAPTERS IN A ROW OF CERSEI AND SANSA JUST CHILLING AND POLITICKING IN DETAIL. He makes up for that in F&B by giving me MORE Jaehaerys as if that's what I want!!!

There's a few eras in F&B I think are likely to come up in the main series or in dunk and egg which is why I think F&B is so frustratingly vague (and if they were kept vague for no reason….george what. george WHY). And I do get he wanted to give us more of what he was writing without spoiling later books but good lord i would actually rather wait longer for material that isn't 60% george going "well i can't tell them ALL of that, let's just wink at the audience." The Second Quarrel is one of those times that might be relevant later imo largely because there's just. NOTHING. NO INFO. NO EVENTS. Like you said, there are NO major events in this time period. the ONLY thing happening is politics and court intrigue but F&B isn’t interested in court intrigue unless it involves grooming a 12 year old girl and unfortunately there is only poor Aemma being groomed at this time so F&B says “too many old people they’re not sexy” and just gives us sparse details about marriage dates, birth dates, and death dates. We don’t even see how rhaenys and viserys feel about THEE QUEEN ALYSANNE dying!!!!!!!! She just. Passes. oh so sad. george i’m in your walls!

Unlike every other Targaryen child (Aemma, Viserys, Daemon, herself, even Aerea and Rhaelle to an extent) who is allowed to grow up at court surrounded by other Valyrians and members of the royal family, Rhaenys kids are denied this. With this move, as you say, Jaehaerys all but tells Rhaenys "get you and your fuckin kids the hell out of my city." Can you imagine being Rhaenys, newly pregnant, having been told for years by your father and grandmother that you will be Queen one day just to be suddenly and unceremoniously exiled from court and kicked completely out of the line of succession? Can't even begin to get into how deranged it is to do this to your pregnant granddaughter when she's mourning the loss of her father

WHEN DOES JOCELYN BARATHEON DIE. HOW DOES SHE FEEL ABOUT HER DAUGHTER AND GRANDKIDS BEING PASSED OVER?????? She is only a year or two older than Aemon, she could easily have still been alive and making a fuss during Viserys' reign especially after he names Rhaenyra his heir SO HOW DID SHE FEEL ABOUT ALL OF THIS.

Baelon and Viserys' coronations/weddings/big We Are The Royal Line Now Shenangians during this era are crazyyy right, because THE QUEEN OF WESTEROS is refusing to talk to the iron throne, can’t ride her dragon anymore, is losing her hearing and memory, and goes everywhere with Gael to the point that no one even attempts to marry Gael bc they know Alysanne will never let her go. THATS INSANE. They are LIVING SEPARATELY like practically pseudo divorced the way Doran and Mellario are, so is Alysanne just purposefully snubbing these celebrations and using “i’m old” as an excuse or is she passive aggressively riding a carriage all the way back to KL just to show up wearing velaryon colors to viserys’ wedding and then left again without saying goodbye before the banquet even started???

AMD BAELON. part of why i’m so turned off by him is bc we have no indication he felt even a little had but to be fair it has been pointed out to me that we ALSO have no indication he didn’t feel bad; we have no indication of his feelings whatsoever!!! for all we know HE could have felt this was unfair & had been in the middle of either brokering a marriage between his grandkids and her kids, or figured “hey we had this exact same issue with Auntie Rhaena, maybe I should build House Targaryen a second and third seat or even given Dragonstone to The First Born Girl as tradition from now on” like he really could have been trying OR he could have been cackling and rubbing his hands together and encouraging viserys to bed 13 year old aemma soon and often to ensure their line, and calling rhaenys a stupid bitch at court, like we just don’t know!!!!!

We get several “they never agreed on the succession” comments but how does that translate to ACTION. stop telling me dates and tell me WHAT HAPPENED.

#main problem is honestly not enough action. i get why. but maybe. this wasn’t the format for this story hmmm!!#anti f&b #f&b critical #fire and blood critical #asks #anons

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yandere-collections · 1 year

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Since the first post about it, I am now eternally rotating Yandere Town in my mind. Lately it’s imagining how the townspeople would react if the reader was a complete recluse. There’d be clandestine watchtowers in place with a view of the readers home, and any time they left people got some equivalent of an amber alert that their darling is out and about, so be on your best behavior! Everyone working double time to make every second count should they encounter the reader, tripping over themselves to try and make enough of an impression that they just might come out more often.

The more desperate folks get dressed in blue collar outfits and pass themselves off as inspectors who “just need to take a quick look around, make sure everything’s in order.” The reader is equal parts relieved that the town takes citizen safety so seriously and confused as to why five people have showed up in the last three days, not to mention that they seem more interested in chatting than doing any work. The local government cracks down on that pretty quickly, but a few people still slip through the cracks.

Once they all get some idea of what the reader enjoys, the events going on in town get weirdly specific. Checked out a lot of horror books at the library? Big horror movie night in the gym! Spotted shopping around the farmers market? Time for the local festival with plenty of fresh pies and homemade treats! Frequently stop by a certain restaurant? What do you know, they actually throw this big feast in town every year! Crazy how it just happens to fall on the readers birthday, huh? They wouldn’t want to miss it, would they?

And since I’m a big fan of darlings who can read between the lines, the reader catching on that people are acting weird and leaving the house even less than they did when they first arrived, and turning away any unexpected visitors, even if they really are there to check on the house. Unrest sweeping through the streets because nobody’s seen them for the past month, and the leaders have to resort to drastic measures to keep the peace. The fireman chalk up the destruction of the readers entire house to be a horrible case of flawed wiring, they really should’ve let someone check that out. Nowhere to stay? Don’t be silly! Anyone in town would be happy to take them in until they have somewhere new to stay. It’s a close knit town, so expect plenty of guests! Surely the reader won’t mind, they can’t dictate such things in someone else’s home, right? :)

(Apologies for the long-ish ask, it’s just been rotting my brain and I needed to get it all out of my system. Love the stories, love you, have a wonderful day.)

YES YES YES!!! You have reached into my mind and took my exact thoughts to the point where I don't actually have much to add to this.

I definitely think being a recluse would lead to more yanderes invading your privacy, ironically enough. If they can't come in for inspections, your "neighbors" offer to renovate and maintain your home. New paint, gardening, one of them even offered to start digging a hole in your backyard to put in a pool (no ulterior motives here! they totally aren't hoping to catch you in a bathing suit on the dozens of cameras surrounding your house). While you may be missing some things and you're pretty sure you have less locks on your windows now, you can't deny how much nicer the house looks. Hopefully you don't get too attached because, like you said, something bad may happen if you spend too much time inside. They won't resort to burning it down unless they're really desperate. Most of the time, a burst sewer line or power outage is enough. Maybe the utility company will shut off your water, forcing you to stay at a friend's for a while.

Never apologize for long asks! It's a genuine delight to see how excited people get about my writing <3

#yandere town #multiple yanderes #yandere scenarios #yandere x reader #my writing

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mouschiwrites · 3 months

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HEY!! congrats on 300, couldn't deserve it more dear!! I'd love to request miles morales with prompt 6!! really angsty if you can, maybe the reader is burnt out since that's what I'm facing and things that are relatable in writing are always intriguing to me,, anyways!! have fun :33

YAAH thank you so much!! I hope this turned out okay, my darling!! <3

Word count: 1.3k

ASTV - 6. “Whatever happens, I’ll be here.” (Miles) (300 follower event)

You sat at your desk, staring blankly at the screen before you. You told yourself that you’d finish this project; you had to. Yet your fingers just weighed heavily on the keys, still as stones.

There were no thoughts in your brain. You couldn’t muster a single coherent idea, let alone a motivating phrase to get yourself going. The only thing you were aware of was the guilt in your stomach at your lack of productivity, and the heavy feeling in your chest that was causing that lack of productivity. The very thought of doing anything at all made the weight heavier, which made the guilt worse. You cycled through this reaction a few times before dropping your head into your hands in pure exasperation.

As if you weren’t already upset enough, you heard a knock at your door.

“What?” You snapped, but you were so drained that it came out without the edge you wanted. Great, you thought. I can’t even be mad properly.

“Someone’s here for you.”

This day just kept getting worse. You’d completely forgotten that you invited Miles over earlier that day. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to see him, but you had work to do; work that you didn’t even have the energy to complete. If you didn’t have energy to do something important, how were you supposed to muster energy to entertain a guest?

You gritted your teeth. “Send him in,” you said, going against every instinct telling you to cancel your hangout.

A few seconds later, your door opened, and Miles greeted you cheerily.

“Hey, Y/n! What’cha up… to…” His speech slowed as he took in your appearance, and you realized that you probably looked every bit as exhausted as you were. You hadn’t been sleeping much recently, for one. That combined with your especially terrible posture clued him in enough that he could guess the rest.

He looked around your room, and you followed his gaze, cringing at the state of your bedroom. You hadn’t had the time to clean it for a long time, and frankly it was rather embarrassing. You remembered telling yourself that you’d clean it before Miles came over today, but that was a fleeting promise atop the mountain of tasks that you’d already served yourself, and you’d forgotten it as soon as you made it.

“Sorry.” You managed an awkward laugh. “It usually isn’t this messy, I swear.”

“I know,” Miles said warily. He had, in fact, seen your room many times before, and he knew that this was not its typical state.

When his eyes landed on you again, there was suspicion in his expression. “Uh, what are you working on?” He gestured vaguely at your computer.

You glanced at it, suddenly feeling the guilt and exhaustion all over again. You couldn’t stop your face from scrunching and your shoulders from slouching, nor could you hide your despair over this.

“Well, I’m supposed to be finishing this project I’m working on, but…” you huffed in annoyance. “I can’t! I just can’t do this anymore!”

Miles blinked at your outburst, but stayed quiet while you vented. You spilled it all, taking his silence and attentive eyes as signs to go on.

School, projects, homework, socializing—it was just too much. Even sleeping and hydrating yourself had become weighty burdens. And you were expected to keep it all up, all alone.

“That’s not true,” Miles interjected at last.

You shot him a look, but you hadn’t intended for it to be so malicious. You weren’t angry at him, you were angry at… well, everything else in your life right now. He understood that, and you knew he did, so you didn’t worry about him taking the glare too personally.

“That last bit you said; the bit about being alone. It’s not true,” he reiterated, bringing a hand to pat his chest. “I’m here for you.”

You wanted to smile and thank him, but your eyes closed and a long breath came out instead. You rested your temple on your palm, leaning on the back of your chair. You heard the sound of your laptop being shut, and felt Miles’ lips on the top of your head a second later.

“How much have you slept?”

“In what time frame?” You opened one eye partially, looking up at Miles as he stood over you. He frowned at your response, putting his hands on your shoulders.

“Come on, let’s get away from the desk for a minute.”

You somehow mustered the energy to stand, and found yourself immediately enveloped in Miles’ arms. He held you tightly, swaying gently from side to side.

“You shouldn’t be working yourself so hard,” he fretted, rubbing your back slowly. “I hate what it does to you.”

“Me too,” you chuckled weakly, bringing your arms around him as best you could. “But I have…” You buried your face in Miles’ shoulder, not wanting to finish the sentence.

“It can wait.”

“But—”

“It can wait, Y/n.”

You frowned, struggling to suppress that guilt that never seemed to go away.

“Just an hour,” Miles proposed, pulling away to look you in the eye.

“For what?”

In response, Miles smiled mischievously, lifting you up and flopping backward onto your mattress, you landing atop him. You both let out an oof, giggling a little before settling comfortably among the blankets. “Power nap,” Miles beamed, yawning. “I need one, too.”

As much as you wanted to, you couldn’t object to this. Your body melted, your eyes closed, and a fuzzy feeling numbed all else.

You lingered in an obscure state somewhere between sleep and waking for a while before your thoughts came back to haunt you.

“It’s been long enough,” you slurred, clearly not believing it yourself and waiting for Miles to protest.

As expected, he came through with a sleepy “No.”

He took a deep breath, bringing himself to the waking world. “I’m not going to let you keep doing this to yourself.”

“But I really do have work to do.”

Miles hummed discontentedly. “Okay, let’s make a deal. I’ll let you get up and do your stuff if you promise to take breaks.”

You nodded a little, already sending anticipatory glances to your desk and practicing ignoring the exhaustion.

“Nah, wait—I got a better idea.”

“What?”

“I think I’ll stick around a while longer.” Before you could say anything, he went on. “I’m not gonna distract you or anything. I’ll just be over here,” he patted your pillow with a sneaky smile that you couldn’t see but could hear just fine.

At last he unraveled his arms from around you, letting you get up whenever you wanted. But suddenly you weren’t so motivated. You were staring at your desk, frowning as the lack of motivation held you down.

“I don’t know if I can.”

“That’s okay, too.”

“But I should, shouldn’t I?”

“You don’t have to do anything. Especially if you’re not feeling up to it.”

Your eyes went to your hands, which began to fidget anxiously atop your stomach. “What should I do?” You whispered, more to yourself than anything.

Miles’ hands engulfed yours. “I trust you to choose for yourself.” He brushed a thumb over your knuckles gently. “Just know that… whatever happens, I’ll be here.”

You blinked sluggishly, completely entranced by his soft touches. “I think I’ll rest for a while.”

“Okay,” Miles said, trying to sound cool but unable to keep the overwhelming relief from his voice.

You smiled bemusedly, bringing his hands to your mouth to kiss his knuckles. “Thank you, Miles.”

You fell into a comfortable silence. For the first time in a while you truly felt the quiet, your mind giving its constant reminders and promises a rest. The silence felt nice in your ears, and the mental clearness was elevating. You felt the weight in your stomach float away, dragging the guilt with it, and you were left only with the weight of your exhausted limbs, which found themselves cradled in loving arms.

You breathed deep, letting all else fade into dreams.

Thank you so much for taking part in this event!! I had some fun with this one! :D And thank you for reading, take care you lovely souls <33

(divider by saradika)

#astv #astv x reader #across the spider verse #miles morales #miles morales x reader #miles x reader #1610 miles morales #1610 miles morales x reader #1610 miles x reader #earth 1610 miles morales #1610!miles x reader

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spicywarl0ck · 20 days

Note

Happy Friday! “Jealousy seems to be a great motivator for you.” for whichever pairing you feel like writing ✨

Happy Friday <3 I managed to finish this one too. Thank you for giving it to me, I enjoyed it a lot x3 @dadrunkwriting Pairing: Dorian/male Lavellan Length: 709 Rating:G

He got asked to dance by many tonight, each of their faces exchanged by another before he could even memorise them.

Revassan did his best to follow the steps, but both the boots and the unfamiliarity of the dance had him stumbling more than once. He apologised to Josephine in his head, knowing she had tried her best to instruct him on Orlesian court dances, but they were just so different from the Dalish dances.

His surroundings swam out of view before it fell back into place, yet only for a second before he got whisked away by another charming man or woman. It was tiresome.

“I’m sorry, but I need to catch my breath for a second.” He addressed the next guest politely, or at least so he hoped, before he dashed to the balcony. The fresh rush of evening air against his skin and a glass of wine was what he needed most right now.

But it turned out he wasn’t alone.

Dorian Pavus was leaning over the railing, holding a glass of wine. His moustache twitched when he regarded the elf briefly, and there was a gleam in his eyes that Revassan didn’t recognise.

“Done with the dancing?” The Tevinter mage asked, sounding unamused.

“They just wouldn’t leave me alone.” Revassan shrugged, eying the man with a cock of his eyebrows. “What has your feathers in a ruffle, though? You seem unpleased,” he observed Dorian closely.

Yes, there was something off about the Tevinter mage this evening.

He looked splendid as usual. There wasn’t one hair out of place nor any wrinkle on his uniform. As far as he could say from outer appearance, Dorian was nothing but perfect, yet he couldn’t help but feel something gnawed on the mage.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Dorian huffed, sounding more stern than he wanted.

“Ah, I started to sound like my dearest mother now,” he added swiftly with a sigh. “She’d be having a field day with me now, sulking on the balcony and drinking wine.” Dorian chuckled. “Oh, she’d hate it so much.”

“Is that it?” Revassan asked softly as he got closer. “Do you miss your family?”

“Not really. No.” The mage shook his head. “I do think about them. That’s what happens when you attend events like this. It’s all so close to home, but no. That’s not it.” Dorian eyed him intensely while taking a moment to think.

“Seeing you dancing with all of them felt strange,” he admitted, holding his hand up before Revassan could interrupt him.

“I know that you got no choice. You are the Inquisitor, and they expect it from you. It’s the same for me when I’m at home, but I can’t help but feel a little jealous over it.” Dorian sighed. “Now that I spoke it out, I feel like a lovesick fool.”

Revassan couldn’t help but grin at the Tevinter Altus. While he usually was viewed as sassy and cocky, the mage could be very vulnerable and deep.

It was what he loved about the man so much. The added jealousy made him a tad more attractive, and he couldn’t help but regard the man with a grin.

“So, what are you going to do against it?” Revassan dared. “Are you going to pull me onto the dance floor? Make everyone see?” he added, not bothered to be seen by anyone. He was already an outcast for being an elf at the Winter Palace. It couldn’t get any worse. His breath hitched when Dorian pulled him closer, the scent of his aftershave washing over him.

“That would be something they’d never forget.” Dorian’s moustache twitched slightly as he leaned in, their lips so close to the touch. “They probably wouldn’t stop talking about it,” he added.

“Then, what are you waiting for?” Revassan breathed out before two heartbeats passed.

“Maybe I want to do something else instead.” Dorian closed the last few inches between them, his lips crushing against his as he ravished him.

The elf’s arms moved to wrap around Dorian’s shoulders, one of his hands softly stretching over the back of his head as he melted against the Altus’s arms. This was even better than dancing, and Revassan couldn’t care less about the nobles awaiting their turn.

“Jealousy seems to be a great motivator for you.” Revassan chuckled against the man’s lips, following up with a small peck.

“We should do this more often,” he added, his hand brushing over Dorian’s uniform affectionately. “I could get used to me just kissing me, but I’d also hoped for a dance. That is if you don’t care about me stepping onto your feet?”

“As long as you carry me to the Hinterlands next time, I don’t mind.” The mage chuckled before he made a curtsy. “But for now, would you give me this dance?”

#dragon age #dragon age fanfiction #writing #prompt #dragon age inquisition #dadrunkwriting #dorian pavus #male Lavellan #my OC #my writing #pavellan

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enid-rhees · 8 months

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Hello again lovely <3

I really love and appreciate the Enid x reader w/ anxiety hdcns you wrote :,)

I was wondering if you could possibly write some Enid x reader with depression hdcns? 💞

If not, I totally understand, ily 🫶

hello love <3 !! i’m really glad you liked them :) and i can totally write these, as someone who also has depression :)

warnings: mentions of trouble eating, sh, mentions of suicide

a/n: hope you all enjoy! i’ve got quite a bit of stories to work on so look out for all of those soon :)!

Enid Rhee Dating Reader with Depression HCS

oh how we love zombie apocalypses

for a while after it started, you wondered if it was even worth it to try and survive

you lost your parents immediately when it broke out . so you were alone for a while

until Glenn found you in the woods and brought you back to everyone

you were distant from everyone at first . really only stayed close to Carl

the events that took place before arriving at Alexandria had really taken the worst toll on you

you felt very helpless

and by that point, you were in the lowest point of your life

then you met Enid

things got a little better after the two of you started dating

but not really

she noticed one day that you were really distant, quiet, and just not wanting to speak to anyone

when she questioned you, you opened up about your depression

she listened intently, remembering every little detail

after that, she promised she would help you in any way you needed

if you have days where you can’t get out of bed, and just have no motivation

Enid will bring you food, and would stay with you while you ate.

she would tell you she’s proud of you for eating, and will offer to stay in bed with you

you always say yes

if you have trouble showering, brushing your teeth, hair, etc

Enid always brushes her teeth with you no matter what to ensure that you do it

and Enid loves showering with you, if you’re struggling with motivation to wash your hair, she’ll gladly do it for you

and afterwards she’ll brush it for you, kissing your head after she’s done as her way of saying she’s proud of you

you have days where you just feel helpless/worthless

Enid will whisper praises in your ear, telling you that you’re not any of those things, you’re an amazing person and that she loves you

if you have trouble with sh

Enid will kiss your scars, one by one and very gently at that, she’ll tell you that she loves you no matter what, and it won’t change how she sees you

but she asks you to promise her that if you ever feel the urge to do it again, let her know immediately

Enid cares so much for you. you’re her everything and it’s painful to see you suffer like this. all she wants is to make you the absolute happiest girl in the world

your mental health did genuinely improve when you met Enid

it’s something Rick and Michonne are more than grateful for. they let Enid know how much it means that she’s able to help you and make you smile

they’re so happy you found Enid

but sometimes

you still get thoughts you’ve tried to push down . you’ve realized you didn’t want to do that anymore, you have a home with your family and amazing girlfriend . you didn’t want that to change

when it happened, you called Enid over immediately. you told her what happened and Enid didn’t waste a second pulling you into her arms

you cried for a few hours, and Enid just slowly rocked the two of you side to side as you started to calm down

if you have any interests

favorite bands, books, movies, tv shows etc etc

Enid will try her best to find any scrap of it on runs to bring back for you

especially movies. you love movie nights with Enid

she’ll hold you close as you eat your favorite snack with your favorite movie in the dvd player

Enid would just do anything to make you smile. and when you do she can’t help but feel not only proud of you but proud of herself

she loves you an insane amount

🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

#enid rhee #enid twd #enid rhee x fem!reader #enid rhee x reader #the walking dead #the walking dead x reader #twd x reader #twd

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red-balloon12 · 5 months

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Throwing one of these so we don't big the writing thread with specifics.

FWIW I have found in my writing *waves at AO3* that starting with an incredibly simple and seemingly small plotline *really helps* it'll expand on its own.

'I'm going to rewrite X!' or 'Here are my 8 OCs to join the main cast!' are huge undertakings, and can quickly turn into a mental and emotional load.

Just as an example of what I mean. One of my stories started from the core: Road Trip.

Picked out two characters:Chloé &Marinette (chaos factor)

Okay, why would they be together?

Following Adrien. (Easy canon motive)

Why?

Gabriel(antagonist) is taking him and Lila on a second 'First Love' tour since the furst one failed (canon happening)

Needed Canon Divergence- Felix's plan failed, lovesick Marinette transformed back early(humour scene) so Gabe is going to unleash akumas across the globe on the trip to ruin Ladybug's rep.

Inciting event- Marinette overhears Lila(love rival) bragging about how she'll convince Gabriel to arrange a Marriage for herself and Adrien on the trip. Marinette panics, then plots. Reveals Lila's plan to Chloé causing the other to fly into indignant rage and call for her private jet to follow them. Mari gets to come along because she got the itinerary from Adrien earlier.

And 81k later hijinks, emotional trauma, healing, action et al just from just bouncing the characters off each other, almost no planning. All from 'road trip.'

This happens regularly 😂

My longest AU was in fact 'this was just gonna be a one shot to see what this rare pair might look like.'

Because of me being a Chloenette shipper (fanon version with MOST of season two in mind) I’d simply just abandon them following Adrien or simply get lost while trying to follow Adrien and them having hijinks in the place that they end up in and forgetting about him.

(As you can see I’m a firm believer in “Chloe and Marinette shouldn’t have to bond just because of Adrien and their mutual dislike for Lila (or any other girl that “threatens” their relationship with Adrien.)”

But with that being said, yeah I can see how one would get carried away with a prompt like this- Sooo much potential.

I wanted to start my own story but I haven’t gotten around to doing so YET (it has nothing to do with ML)

#answered asks #my first ask in a while #miraculous opinions #chloenette #Chloenette warning #ml criticism #writing #canon divergence #ml salt

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shadowsingerofnight · 2 years

Text

This is part one of three of an elucien fic for the #acotarwritingcircle! Parts two and three will be created by different writers.

I would like to thank @azrielshadowssing for coming up with this project because it motivated me to write after ages I just couldn’t anymore. So really, thank you with my whole heart.

This is more or less canon compliant. It takes place after acosf and then some other events that I presumed happened for the sake of the fic. It follows the beginning of Elain and Lucien’s journey to each other, I’d like to think. You will find dual POV. It’s quite long (7.9k words). I loved writing about them and I hope you like it just as much.

You will be able to find all the other fics in the specific tag and right here, along with the next parts to each of them so keep an eye open if that’s something you’d enjoy!

“Is training going well?” Feyre asked, walking towards the chair on the other side of the unlit fireplace. She had winnowed right in the middle of the room just seconds ago, clad in her Illyrian leathers, looking fierce and gentle in that way only she could. Besides her sister and Rhys, only Morrigan could winnow directly into the townhouse, as part of their family. That’s what the spell on it demanded. Elain supposed that logic granted her access too, if she’d known how to actually winnow. There was so little she knew these days. So much she wanted to learn- so much she just wanted.

“Yes, thank you,” she said with a smile. Feyre had assured Elain time and time again that she didn’t have to train, but she had found that she needed it. Needed an outlet for her frustration. Besides, the movements helped her understand this new body she still didn’t know well. And she sure didn’t mind getting strong enough to stand up for herself like she couldn’t before. Protecting whom she couldn’t before.

Elain sighed. She stood from the settee opposite her sister’s and headed for the open window facing the Sidra. Summer was at the door and she could see the signs all over Velaris- from the buds on the trees that would later grow into heavy fruits to the waters of the river so clear she could spy the fish speeding by. The temperature wasn’t yet too hot so she loved to soak in the sunlight when she could, like she was doing moments ago. Especially when that light breeze from the mountains kissed her skin through the windows. It reminded her of stolen touches and a comforting scent.

“I’m happy to hear that,” Feyre said with such love in her eyes that Elain felt her heart fill with it. She often thought she wasn’t worthy of it all. Of anything, really. Of anyone. But her sister’s capacity for love was still something to marvel at. It was so immense and unfaltering that there had been times it had been the only support that had kept Elain from falling apart. That and Nesta’s fierce stubbornness.

She smiled back at her sister, trying to convey words that were still hard to say. But Feyre knew. Feyre knew a lot.

“Well, I’m not trying to become a warrior,” Elain said, “I’m merely keeping my body active and strong.”

Feyre shrugged. “A true warrior is so mostly in the heart, anyway.”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s how Cassian got to be the General of all of your mate’s armies,” Elain laughed and her sister chuckled.

“It was part of it, but please do not say anything like that in front of him if you don’t want a full rant about his training routine.” Feyre sighed. Like she was warning Elain from experience. They laughed again.

It occurred to her then that Feyre in fighting leathers likely meant more than just a friendly visit. It was at the same time that her sister’s beautiful face went vacant for a few moments and then her brow creased with worry and confusion.

“What-“ Elain began, but she did not have time to ask what Rhysand was telling her because he was already stalking towards his mate after stepping out of a ripple of star-kissed night. It still baffled her sometimes, how easily this male walked the world, how much he had learned in his long life. Elain often wondered how Feyre did not feel overwhelmed by the kind of knowledge Rhys and the others held. She sure did. And she knew well it was one of the things that still froze her in place about this new life she was trying to figure out.

Unease spread suddenly in Elain’s gut, as if the thought of what she was missing out on had brought it up. A feeling of such deep discomfort that she almost missed the step she had begun taking towards her sister. She balked, her hand going for the wall to keep herself standing. “What is going on,” she whispered. She felt out of breath, like she had run for hours. But she knew- deep in her bones.

“Why was he there?” Feyre asked, her voice almost breaking.

“I don’t know- he wasn’t supposed to be,” Rhys answered, his own voice low and vacant, and turned around to study Elain. There was sorrow in his eyes when he said, “He asked me to apologise for the pain it was going to cause you,” and bowed his head.

There was such emptiness in her mind, she couldn’t get air in her lungs fast enough and tears began streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t know how much of that was caused by the irrationality of the mating bond and how much was not. But regardless, her legs gave out. Feyre seemed to snap out of her own shock and her arms were instantly around Elain, who could do nothing but press her head to her sister’s chest and let the panic and fear take her.

“What happened to Lucien?” she rasped through the very few breaths she was able to take. She couldn’t see them, but she felt Feyre and Rhys just staring at each other and she could smell both the scents of their tears. For Lucien, yes. But also because they knew how this felt- how the life draining out of your mate felt. “We don’t know.” It was Rhys who answered. He swallowed, his eyes struggling to leave Feyre’s face, as if she’d disappear again if he lost sight of her. Elain didn’t know what words passed between them, but after a few moments Rhysand’s eyes weren’t as wild with panic. He said, “He was checking out some anomalies at the Northern border. He was supposed to stay in Velaris. I don’t know how or why, but he told me he was outside of the wards.” A moment passed, when his gaze went back to Feyre. Then he resumed, “It was still close enough that he was able to reach me mind to mind, and I was paying attention, too. But it all happened so fast, I-“

“So what are you doing here? Why didn’t you go help him?” Elain felt the snarl build in her throat, but swallowed it back down. Rhysand looked at his mate and she understood. Understood why he would want to be here when she gazed up and saw her sister weep silently in her hands.

“I sent Azriel, Cassian and Mor.” Then he added, “Amren, Nesta and Gwyn are waiting for them on this side of the wards.”

The soul-shattering pain was still coursing through every inch of her, so deep it frightened her. It terrified her that this could be how it ended, that this was Lucien’s fate. A male so strong and resilient at the same time. He didn’t deserve any of it.

More tears came and this time she knew it wasn’t the mating bond, it was just true sorrow. Her mate. Over before it could really begin. She blamed herself then, for all the times she didn’t let her desires show. For all the times she shied away in fear of all the possibilities he could offer her. For every single time she refused to let herself feel what she so desperately wanted. Elain had always thought that she was doing it because she didn’t want to be fae. Because she refused to think that she would get to love again at some point after she had mourned Graysen for so long. Because this was what everyone expected of her, to live a silent and quiet life. And it might’ve been true in the beginning. She might’ve even wanted that life. But the truth was, in the end, giving in was nothing but a leap of faith. And she didn’t know how. She didn’t know how to break down all those walls everyone had built around her her whole life, consciously or unconsciously. She didn’t know how to lose this façade without disappointing everybody she knew and loved. But she thought about Lucien. He had. He had leaped out of the box they had put him in. First with Jesminda and then leaving his home court even if it meant losing his family. And then again, abandoning the Spring Court. But he had only lost those who hadn’t cared enough. Not his mother, who still loved him dearly. So perhaps, Elain could do the same. She would, she promised herself. For them both. And she knew her sisters would not leave her. They never had.

It seemed so stupid now, to get to this clarity when it would just bring her more pain for what could’ve been. Fate was cruel that way. She thought about all those times they had secretly met around this very city. All the stories he had told her, that had frightened her in a strange way. She understood now what she had really felt had been excitement. She so badly wanted to go on adventures with him. Please don’t die.

She wept, her head still against Feyre’s chest, who was just staring into nothing now- as if she had travelled far away into her memories. Rhys had his arms around them both. And then- then it stopped. Elain gasped for air, her lungs finally filling the right way but she just wept louder because she knew exactly what it meant.

“Take me there,” she rasped. “Please.” Her voice broke. “There must be something I can do, please.”

Rhysand watched her with furrowed brows and she suspected he was talking to the others. He whispered, “How-“ but he didn’t get to finish.

They appeared right in the middle of the room, Mor at the front. Elain looked, her breath still uneven. The scent hit her first - like the freshest of days and burning flames. Then she saw him, sagged between Cassian and Azriel, his shiny, red hair a splotch of colour among the black of the other two. He was dressed in gray, his shirt finely tailored to clad his powerful arms and chest perfectly. And there, right above his heart, the biggest stain of blood she had ever seen. She felt reality down on her- she felt the first wave of shock leave her and a hopeless abyss open, of a world without her mate in it. Without Lucien in it. Her knees wanted to give out again but Feyre calmly put a hand around her waist. Her heart was not racing like Elain’s either. She looked at her sister and found her expression to be more angry than anything. Rhys was smirking at Azriel for some reason. No, not at Azriel.

“I bet you thought you were finally rid of me,” Lucien said from where he was standing without any help. His voice was like sudden lightning- it always had been. She had always been scared of the power a voice could have, the power his voice had had on her from the first time she had heard it. Rhysand snickered and said, “I was already sorting through locations for the party.” He walked toward Lucien and clasped his shoulder with a smile. Elain just watched. The High Lord headed to where Morrigan was waiting, probably to ask for an explanation. Elain would’ve liked that very much, too. Her useless fae senses hadn’t helped her detect that he was still alive because she didn’t know how to listen to them. She couldn’t recognise the calmness that had hit her because of the despair she felt in her soul. Which brought her to realise that maybe most of that intense pain was just that. Not dependent on the mating bond, who had indeed recognised that he was okay.

Elain’s legs finally steadied and when Feyre was sure she wouldn’t fall, she stalked to Lucien saying, “You don’t do that ever again, understood?” When she reached him, she lightly slapped his arm and added, “That’s an order.”

A big smile bloomed on his face and he bowed mockingly. “Understood, my oh-so-powerful High Lady.” Feyre just stared at him, but Cassian and Rhysand were definitely chuckling across the room. Lucien was clearly trying to hide his smile. “I was actually dying, you know?” he whined, “don’t I deserve at least a hug?” He hadn’t yet finished speaking when Feyre’s arms were around his neck. When they let go, Elain felt his eyes on her. But she couldn’t avert her gaze from that stain on his shirt.

“Who,” she demanded, her voice still hoarse. “Who did that to you?” She couldn’t keep in the growl then. Several pairs of eyes moved on her, but for once she didn’t care. She finally looked at him, and their gazes locked and held. She could see confusion there, mixed with the most pure hope she could imagine. Her heart squeezed. She had really made him think she felt nothing for him.

“I will tell you everything,” he said, never once looking away, “but are you okay?”

A raging fire exploded in her chest and then she snarled, “Am I okay?” She felt like smacking him for asking but she knew it wasn’t him she was angry at. “You-“ she struggled to find the words. “I thought you were dead.” She took in a shaky breath and the air that filled her lungs, full of his scent- his very alive scent, was delicious.

“I’m sorry to disappoint,” he said and a faint smile graced his lips.

“Stop that, it’s not funny.”

“No, but it kind of is,” Cassian said from where he was now sprawled on the couch. Elain threw him a dismissive look, that just made him grin from ear to ear. Still smiling, Lucien asked, “But really, how are you? I’m sorry you had to feel that.” She gave him a small smile then. He had almost died and his first thought had been of her. Elain’s first thought was often of him, too, but she had never admitted it to anyone. Not even herself. “I’m fine, thank you,” she replied. “It was awful, though. You should indeed feel bad for almost dying.” He laughed and Elain thought it sounded a lot like a song. When she looked at him again, his russet eye was full of light.

Rhysand cleared his throat. Lucien and Elain had just been staring at each other. She felt the blush coming, but didn’t avert her gaze like she would’ve once done. It seemed to surprise Lucien to the point that he was the one to look away first. She tucked the small victory in her chest, where she planned to keep every single moment from now on.

“Okay,” Rhys finally said. “What the fuck happened?” he inquired, sitting next to Feyre and Cassian on the couch. Mor had disappeared some time ago, and Azriel wasn’t there either- but she couldn’t remember when he had gone away.

“I don’t think I’m in shape for a full report right now”, Lucien replied. He seemed embarrassed about it, like it was some shortcoming. Elain’s blood heated, an instinct to fight whatever might be upsetting him washing through her. But Rhys said, “I’m not asking you for a report.” He talked slowly, like you would explain it to a child. Or to someone who hadn’t known anything different their whole life. “Some of us were really worried, you know.” A pointed look at Elain. Lucien was too much of a gentleman - gentlemale, she supposed - to acknowledge it, but he smiled faintly. His smile was one of the first things she saw when she thought about him, along with that metallic eye of his that seemed to see into one’s soul. Or maybe that was just Lucien. So she moved a little bit closer to the edge of the cliff of faith and when nobody expected her to speak she said, “Well, I did feel like dying as well.” Everybody in the room eyed her subtly, except Cassian who whipped his head at her and stared openly. She added, “So it’s hard not to feel empathetic.” It was the closest she had ever been to acknowledging the mating bond unprompted, in front of everyone.

Likely to spare Elain all the attention, Feyre said, “Fair enough.”

Then she turned to her friend and asked, “Do you feel like telling us what you remember?” Lucien seemed to struggle with looking away from Elain, his mouth tight and his brow creased. She offered him an encouraging smile which seemed to confuse him even more. “Sure- I mean, it is a little bit murky but I can try,” he muttered. “And to be honest, I’m not sure you’re going to believe me.”

“What do you mean?” Cassian asked. He was now standing with his arms crossed, having clearly slipped into the role of the General. Analysing and sorting through information for the safety of his land. Rhysand and Feyre were still sitting on the couch, and although they seemed to act casual, their spines were straight and they had an authority about them she had never been able to grasp. It wasn’t in what they wore or what they said, it was just them. These were the High Lord and Lady, even if the report wasn’t an official one.

Lucien sat in the armchair opposite all of them. He put his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. Elain watched him carefully from the same window she had been standing by what seemed like days ago. He was hunched over, like he had a weight he couldn’t shake on his shoulders. She felt her own hands closing into fists. But there was nobody to fight, so she turned to look outside.

“I- What I saw was so weird and… Impossible.”

As always, there was no hint before Mor winnowed in the room again. Nesta and Amren were with her this time. Amren just sat on the floor right where she appeared, while Nesta nodded towards Feyre and then came to Elain. She kissed both her cheeks and interlaced their arms. Her sister knew too. She had a mate and understood the despair Elain had felt.

Feyre was watching them, her face peaceful despite what was going on. Her eyes so filled with love, Elain wanted to thank her for everything she had done since she was fourteen. It seemed like this was the day of revelations. Nesta offered her a smile, as if she had heard Elain’s thoughts and then nodded- she felt it as well.

I love you, too. Feyre’s voice sounded in her head. From Nesta’s small gasp, she had heard it too. It was still weird, that power her sister possessed but she beamed nonetheless.

“Alright,” Rhys said. “Now that we’re almost all here, you can start when you please, Lucien.”

“Where are Az and Gwyn?” Cassian asked.

“I’m letting them see and hear all of this, don’t worry. Feyre sent them to the library so they can search for information gradually as our friend here gives it to us.”

“That is a smart idea,” Cassian declared, then he added, “No wonder it wasn’t yours.” Everybody chuckled, while Rhysand just rolled his eyes and Feyre gave him a smirk.

Suddenly all the attention was back to Lucien, whose position hadn’t changed. He swallowed before speaking. “I was just nearing the wards in the north of the city when I sensed something. It was such a strange feeling, like I was physically drawn to this thing. It reeked of danger. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it did.” He released an uneven breath and then resumed. “I didn’t want to get too close before calling you, Feyre, but I heard children playing nearby.” Elain’s heart felt heavy. He raised his head then, and looked each of them in the eyes, almost like daring them to object to what he was about to say. “I couldn’t risk it.” Nobody spoke. He swallowed again and cleared his throat. A glass of what seemed like lemonade appeared on the small table next to him. Lucien threw Rhys a grateful look. He just inclined his head slightly.

“So I sought it out.” He took a sip and his eyes flew to Elain. A faint smile danced on Rhysand’s lips. That must have been the lemonade she had prepared just that morning. Lucien knew it well, he had always said it was his favourite thanks to her secret ingredient. She had yet to tell him what it was- a sprinkle of cinnamon powder. For some reason, she blushed. Lucien drank half of the glass before talking again. “When I found it, I thought I was hallucinating. It just appeared out of nowhere, like it was sentient and it was following me.”

“What appeared?” Nesta demanded.

He looked into the glass he was holding, as if he could find the explanation there. “This is the part that’s hard to believe,” he muttered. “It was just a huge sphere of some kind of energy. But even weirder- it felt dead. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“What did it look like?” Feyre asked. There was a long pause before he said, “Nothing. It looked like nothing. It was just a big ball of void.” He studied the room, seeking the judgment he was expecting. Everybody looked more confused than anything. Morrigan was the first to speak. “So a huge ball stabbed you?” Her eyes widened, probably because of how that had sounded. Then she slapped a hand on her mouth but it was too late. Cassian was howling, and everybody else was laughing, Lucien and Elain included.

“Moving on,” Feyre said, still shaking with laughter. “But- did it?” That just made Cassian snort louder.

“It did not. That would’ve definitely been hard to believe.”

“You got too close, didn’t you?” Elain accused him. He threw her an apologetic look and replied, “Yes, I did. Turns out- it was some kind of portal. It brought me right outside the wards.”

“Azriel is asking if you felt being moved, like when you winnow,” Rhys questioned.

“I don’t know. I don’t really remember, but I don’t think so.” Lucien frowned.

“It’s okay. Go on.”

“Well, the second I got out there I was attacked. This is going to be strange as well. I saw a… creature. More like a demon. Something like a Naga, but white. Almost translucent. And slimy. It had red eyes and it dripped what looked like venom, but I can’t be sure because by the time I got a good glimpse I was down with a dagger in my heart.” Elain shivered. She thought about the agony she had felt and could only imagine how it had been for him. She felt dizzy. Lucien started, as if he’d get up and come to her but he caught himself and just readjusted in the armchair. Nesta’s arm was immediately around her. She discovered she would’ve liked it, though. Feeling his arms keep her up. By the intensity on his face, he might’ve beheld it in her expression, too.

Rhysand’s voice was like a callback to reality. “Gwyn wants to know why you’re alive.” Nesta and Cassian looked at each other and seemed to struggle with not laughing. Elain felt like laughing too, despite herself. Rhys snorted and added, “She apologises for coming off rude. She meant how is it possible you’re alive after all of that.” A corner of Lucien’s mouth turned up. “It’s okay, she’s right. I’m still wondering that.” Elain could feel the pain in his voice. She felt very light-headed, like when she had drunk some special wine by mistake. “After it stabbed me, it just stayed there for a few seconds. To make sure I died perhaps. Then it dissolved into thin air, like it was called back or something. So I contacted you and just yanked the dagger out. The wound cauterised immediately and I didn’t feel like dying anymore. In fact, I feel pretty great.” A secret smile graced his lips and Elain thought it might’ve been for her. “But,” he muttered, “I don’t know what this is.” He opened the buttons of his shirt until he could get his left arm out and expose his chest. His very sculpted chest. And abdominal muscles. She might’ve been distracted by those, but the black stain on the skin above his heart was what obliterated her already precarious ability to keep it together. A growl escaped her and she felt that need to protect she hadn’t experienced until today. It was so irrational- she knew he was in no immediate danger and she had nothing and nobody to fight, even if she had known how to properly do it. Everybody had the decency to ignore her- except Cassian, obviously, who wiggled his brows at her. She bared her teeth and he threw his hands up in surrender. Elain went back to Lucien’s scar. Another scar. None of the ones he already had made him any less beautiful, but he didn’t deserve any more pain.

It resembled tree branches. It started right in the middle of his left pectoral and spiralled out in the vague shape of a flower. Her head felt even dizzier.

“It marked you?” Feyre’s voice was filled with panic.

“It does look like the seal of a bargain,” Mor agreed. Then she whipped her head to her cousin and just vanished. When she came back she was holding what Elain guessed was the dagger Lucien had been stabbed with.

“It doesn’t seem to be special,” Nesta pointed out.

“No, it really doesn’t.” It was like the dagger heard them because it started glowing.

And suddenly Elain wasn’t in her body anymore. She wasn’t in the townhouse anymore. Her consciousness flew away, like it happened every time a vision came to her. She wasn’t exactly accustomed to it, but she could manage by now. She could feel her sisters and Lucien fussing over her body, but she had no way of going back. She had found that when a vision wanted to be Seen, there was no ignoring it. She landed in the library at the bottom of the House of Wind. She was in total darkness, except a tiny stream of light that guided her to the fourth level. It was very strange, this darkness. It had never happened, especially with the premonitions that threw themselves at her. Those were usually the most clear. Often disconnected, but clear. She followed the light until she arrived in front of a shelf where just one book glowed faintly. She took it off and opened it. She couldn’t see any words, but she knew that didn’t mean it didn’t have them. It didn’t matter, because she wasn’t there to read the book, anyway. She memorised the title and just how she’d guessed, she was yanked back into her body. When she opened her eyes she saw Lucien first, relief clear on his face as he exhaled a shaky breath.

“What happened, girl? You fell like a sack of potatoes,” Amren said, clearly trying not to laugh.

“That’s not true, I caught her,” Nesta protested.

“Yes, you ruined the fun. I would’ve loved to see his reaction if you hadn’t,” Amren replied, inclining her head towards Lucien. He snarled. Elain just said, “On demons, Memoir. East side of the library- fourth level, second shelf on the left. Just tell Gwyn.” Then she looked at Lucien. “And you.” She pointed a finger at his chest. “You need to be seen by a healer right now, that thing might’ve been poisoned.”

It turned out the dagger wasn’t poisoned. In fact, absolutely nothing was wrong with Lucien. Except for that mark. But for the moment, he wasn’t dying. Which was better than he could say for so many other times in his life.

What was also different was Elain. He couldn’t be sure, but he suspected that his near-death experience had shaken her. He wanted to make sure she didn’t feel obliged to care about him just because he was her mate. But he couldn’t lie to himself, he had hoped. He had seen something different in her the moment he had stepped into that room. She had seemed genuinely relieved he wasn’t dead, but that wasn’t saying much.

He had gone back into the city with Amren and Feyre after seeing the healer. The tiny female had already checked the wards while he was being brought to the townhouse and had found nothing. She had asked him to go back and seek out that feeling of being allured. He hadn’t found it again. And worse, the protections around the city gave no indication of having been breached, when they knew that void thing had gotten in. Sure, there had been small anomalies, but nobody would’ve ever guessed that. So someone, or something, could just kidnap people from Velaris. Lucien suspected it wouldn’t happen again, though. It had felt personal, somehow. He had already told Rhys. Lucien had let him and Feyre into his head too. They wanted to see this demon thing, to be able to recognise it. And also to be able to search for it. The book that Elain had Seen was indeed a very long list of demon species and lineage. Apparently they had even had Princes or something like that. Azriel and his mate were already going through it, but having a clear image of the thing would definitely make things easier. Feyre had forbidden him to move from the room he had been provided. In the townhouse. With Elain’s permission. She had said, “You stay there and rest or I will shapeshift you into a frog.” He didn’t know if she was bluffing or she could actually do it but that would’ve been quite an inconvenience. So he had rested, but he really needed to talk to Elain now. He found her sitting in the same armchair he had been in just hours ago, both arms around herself.

“Do they still give you headaches?” he asked by way of greeting. He sat on the couch. She sighed. “Yes, unfortunately they do.” She had complained once to him about the pain she was in after every vision. It was why she resented her power so much.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you, but there’s nothing you can do, so don’t worry.”

“Of course I worry.” He opened his mouth to say more but he didn’t find any words.

“Out with it, Lucien,” she said and his name on her tongue- it still made his stomach clench. Her voice dripped with displeasure, a lot like he had often heard Nesta sound.

“Out with what? Are you angry with me?” Her eyes sparked.

“You can bet I’m angry with you. You almost died!” she nearly yelled.

“I’m sorry you had to feel that, but-“

“That has nothing to do with it,” she interrupted. He let out an exasperated sigh and demanded, “Then what, Elain?” She shivered. “What do I always do that is so wrong?”

She started crying, but he could tell it was the frustration that prompted it. “You plague me!” This time she did yell.

“I plague you?” he shouted back, “Do you have any idea how hard I’ve had to work to not let the memory of you take over my life? Do you? How many times I’ve had to consciously erase the image of your beautiful face, of the way your eyes shine when you’re in your garden or the way the sun catches your hair? Just because it was all I could see?” His breath was laboured, like letting these words out was the most difficult thing he had ever done. It probably was. “Hmm?” he demanded again. “Your kindness? Your cleverness? Your strength? Do you know how miserable it’s been?”

Her eyes were wide, incredulous. “You’ve never shown it like this.”

He couldn’t believe her. “I’ve never-“ He got up from the couch and covered the distance between them in two strikes. He pointed a finger at her. “You don’t get to say that. You don’t. You’ve shown me mild interest at best, indifference at worst. And I don’t blame you, it’s your choice. But you don’t get to throw it in my face.” She got on her feet and pointed right back. She was almost a foot shorter than him, but her gaze was fierce, daring. “If you think you’ve ever been indifferent to me, you should reconsider being an emissary because reading people is nothing you’re good at.” Then she sidestepped him and went into the kitchen. Lucien was left gaping in the middle of the sitting-room. “I usually am,” he fumbled.

He followed her, as he had done for years now.

She was filling a glass with water, her cheeks flushed. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

“Look, I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay here. And for caring if I died or not,” he muttered. Elain stopped with the glass halfway to her mouth and her gaze snapped to his, her face soft. “You don’t have to thank me for caring, Lucien,” she whispered. He forgot that sometimes- his life had taught him better than to believe he was owed anything. “A lot of people care about you here, you know,” she added. He smiled, “I know.” Feyre had been a blessing in his life, a friend like he’d never had before. And he could tell he was growing on her court. Well, except maybe Amren. Elain smiled too.

“What is this really about? Why are you saying all of this now?” he asked softly.

“You almost left me,” she whispered and her voice broke. His heart dropped into his stomach and then it started racing. “You almost made me live in a world without you in it.”

“Well, if it took me one step away from dying to make you understand it was something you didn’t want, I’m glad it happened,” he said, trying to keep the conversation as light as possible because he couldn’t bear to see her like this. She said, “It’s not funny.” But the corners of her mouth turned up. They just stared at each other for a moment and then she took a shaky breath and seemed to stifle tears. He instinctively walked towards her.

“What’s wrong?” Lucien could feel the panic in his own voice. Elain raised her head and looked straight into his soul. “I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to get out.” Her eyes were pleading. He knew what she meant so he said, “I’ll be with you every step of the way if you’ll let me.”

“I’d like that.” His heart felt like bursting. He didn’t want to dare too much but he whispered, “May- May I hold you?”

Against all odds, she nodded. So Lucien did. It was like crashing. He took her in his arms and it felt like forever in the warmth of an embrace. Her own arms around his waist, her head resting on his chest, she whispered, “Your heart sounds a lot like mine.” It did, he could’ve sworn they beat along the same notes.

Having her so close was so much better than he had imagined and nothing in his life, none of the scarce good memories he had, compared to this. He closed his eyes and rested his own head on hers. “So, I really charmed you with all those visits, huh?” She sniffled and chuckled. “You did. But I’ve always been afraid you saw me just because of the mating bond.”

He was left speechless for some time, mildly upset he had never thought that was a thing she could worry about. He lifted his head and waited until she did the same. “The mating bond isn’t even the reason I looked your way the first time. But even if it was, it’s definitely not why I kept looking.” She nodded, but seemed unconvinced. He would make sure to change that.

“It’s just ironic, you know. That I have this supposed gift that allows me to See everything, but I have never been seen.” Lucien felt the immense sadness she harboured in her heart and his own broke a little. “I see you. I see the mask you wear and I see you underneath. You’ll never feel like this again, I promise.” He understood her so well. He had been spendable his whole existence, remaining on the outskirts of other people’s lives without ever seeming to find the center of his own. That might’ve been about to change, though.

He watched her, searching for a sign she actually believed him. The honesty and trust he found were breathtaking. “Never again.” She got on her toes and kissed his cheek in what felt like a promise. He didn’t know what she was promising, but he would take anything she was willing to give. “Never again,” she whispered.

Her hand, resting on his chest, started to glow. She yanked it away, as if she was afraid of hurting him. But it wasn’t actually her, he saw- it was the mark. He made quick work of the buttons of his shirt and exposed it. It had already stopped whirring but the roots had rearranged in what looked like words; he didn’t recognise the language. “Well, that was weird,” he said.

“Are you okay?” His heart squeezed and he nodded. “Did I do that?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but we should go and see if Azriel and Gwyn found anything.”

Azriel and Gwyn had indeed found something- what Lucien could confirm was the exact creature that had attacked him. A lechatelieritos demon, apparently. He didn’t even know demons existed. “They don’t anymore. Not properly at least. The connection to their home world has been sealed millennia ago. Some of them became trapped here and were hunted near to extinction. Most of those that remained can’t bear sunlight so they prowl the woods at night,” Rhys explained when they gathered in the library.

“This must be a powerful one, if it could be out in the sun,” Elain pointed out.

“Not exactly,” Gwyn said. “It was specifically bred that way. It is a messenger demon.” She showed them the page in the Memoir.

Feyre groaned. “I might’ve not been able to read until not long ago, but that is incomprehensible,” she muttered. Rhys put his arm around her waist and Gwyn chuckled. “I couldn’t understand it either,” Azriel said, smiling. “If I didn’t have a brilliant mate, I would still be in despair.” He kissed Gwyn’s temple. She blushed. “Yes, well that’s because none of you should actually be able to understand it. Even I don’t fully.” She tapped the page with a finger and said, “This is old Day Court language. I could grasp some words thanks to several translations I did for Merrill and piece it together from there. But I still can’t tell who made this demon or who controls it. I do know that it has to do with some light spirits or something like that, which is consistent with the Court this language belongs to.”

“You two should call Helion,” Lucien suggested. A strange look passed between Feyre and Rhys and then his friend said, “We will. We will ask him for help with this and also for access to his Libraries. I think you should go down there and see what you can find out about the demon and whatever else Helion might tell you.” He found the phrasing of that strange, but ignored it because Elain stepped beside him and declared, “I’m going with him.”

Everyone was left speechless for several moments, until Rhysand raised one groomed brow. “If that’s what you wish-“

“It is. I’m going with him,” she repeated. “The book showed itself to me. It might happen again in Day’s Libraries.”

Lucien could see the conflict on Feyre’s face, he could see that she wanted to keep Elain as safe as possible but was also fighting that urge because she knew how it could stifle a soul. His heart still ached for her. Sometimes, people needed space to become who they were supposed to be and Feyre knew that well. “It would be my honour to have you as my travel companion and offer you my protection if you offer me yours.” He took Elain’s hand and kissed it. She seemed flustered and only managed to nod. He smirked at her. Feyre cleared her throat. “Now that we’ve settled that,” a pointed look at Lucien, “While you’re away we will keep an eye out for the ball thing here in the city and organise expeditions to search the territory around the wards on the other side. See if we can find anything. That’s what we can do for now, until you provide more insight. Azriel, you tell Cassian to start making tables for the search parties. Call in a few Illyrians if need be. Gwyn, please tell Nesta and the other Valkyries. See if any of them are willing to go outside, but do not insist. It’s always their choice. Have I been clear enough?” He marvelled at his friend. She was a natural leader. Rhysand was watching her with such intensity that Lucien felt like invading their privacy. “Yes, my Lady,” Gwyn and Azriel replied together, grinning. “Great,” Feyre declared. Then she added, “Rhys.”

“Darling?”

“Go and contact Helion. I need to check up on Nyx.”

“Yes, my Lady,” he smirked. She just rolled her eyes.

Lucien waited until Feyre and Rhysand were gone- not before his friend had thrown the “we’ll talk later” look back at him. They would- he would tell her about the mark too, but right now she didn’t need more to worry about. He turned to Gwyn. “Can I ask you one more thing?” She nodded eagerly. He moved his shirt, the first four buttons already left unbuttoned. “Do you have any idea what this says?” he questioned. She took her time, observing each letter, then she sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t. It looks like it’s even older than the language of the book. Definitely still Day Court, though. That word right there,” she pointed at his chest, “That seems to be a variation of the word “Day”. A little different, more pompous- but that should be it.”

“Thank you.”

“When did it change?” Azriel asked. Lucien looked to Elain, who seemed to want to disappear. It was adorable but it still stung a bit. Rationally, he knew this could not be rushed and yet- yet, he had been waiting for years. He mentally slapped himself. She owed him nothing other than what she wanted to offer. So he replied, “I just woke up to it like this.” The lie was smooth but Azriel didn’t look convinced and Gwyn wiggled her brows at Elain. She smiled a bit.

Helion was a decent enough male. Elain knew him and Rhys had always been more or less friends. They put up the same kind of mask when they presented themselves to the rest of the world. But the way he looked at Lucien made even her uncomfortable. It was not the same way he watched Azriel or Morrigan. It was like he was constantly searching for something in him- like he was trying to piece something together.

They had gathered in the river house this time and they were waiting for the High Lord of Day to translate the history of the lechatelieritos demon. He kept stealing glances at Lucien now and then, who actively tried to ignore him. But Elain wondered if he saw it was not lust that prompted the attention.

“This is very weird,” Helion declared. “I don’t understand how this was here.”

“What do you mean?” Rhys asked.

“Well, this is the demon specifically bred to deliver the message of a great change in the Day Court. It’s a prophecy we’ve had for centuries and that has never left our borders.” He sat back in his chair, his arms slacked at his sides. “But now I have to tell you about it because it marked one of you, didn’t it?” he asked.

Don’t show him yet. Feyre’s voice was clear and firm in her head. It was definitely directed at Lucien, but she had let everybody hear it in order to keep them from saying anything. Lucien’s face was impassible, but she felt it- his confusion, all the questions circling in his head. What could he possibly have to do with a centuries old Day prophecy? She wondered the same.

“Tell us about it,” Feyre offered, smiling sweetly. Helion narrowed his eyes at her, but Elain could see respect there. For a clever and resourceful new High Lady. She felt very proud.

Because the High Lord needed to see the mark himself, to know what it said, he would translate it for them eventually. But they couldn’t be sure he would still tell them what to expect from the prophecy after he got what he wanted. He smirked at her. “You’re a fast learner.” Feyre just shrugged. Helion sighed. “There’s not much, actually. The ones born in ruling families are taught from a young age that one day we might receive a message. It might be burnt with blood or traced with a flower. I think the flower part was added to make it a little less scary, but alas. There’s a creature that delivers the message and if we see it we don’t have to be afraid because even light can be blinding sometimes. It’s because it is supposedly very ugly, but we figured that out later on. Anyway, we might not see it, because we don’t know how the message comes, or where, or when. The mark, though, should provide the answer as to what to do next.” He spoke almost robotically, like it was something he had heard and repeated thousands of times. He probably had.

Rhys nodded at Lucien, who started stripping again. Helion demanded, “It marked you?” He sounded skeptical. “You’re not even from the Solar Courts,” he spat. But it sounded off, like it was something he had made a habit out of saying but didn’t really mean. Lucien was not impressed and looked him up and down before replying, “Well, you should’ve told your demon that before it stabbed me in the heart.”

Elain could’ve sworn she heard Cassian howling a few rooms away, where he was waiting with Az, Gwyn and Nesta. Feyre and Rhys hadn’t wanted to pressure Helion too much but there was no way they would stay away so a compromise had been found. No one had protested when she had claimed Lucien’s side, though. Helion could probably still smell all of them- and now hear them too.

The High Lord snorted and urged, “Let’s see it, then.”

But all the cockiness faded when Lucien revealed the mark. Helion looked at it and then he looked at Lucien, as if that missing piece he was searching for finally clicked into place. Then, just for a split second, his gaze flew to Elain. His skin paled so abruptly he suddenly looked sick. She couldn’t imagine what in that little mark could cause such a reaction. She searched the room for answers, but Amren and Mor, who had remained silent the whole time, were as confused as she was. Lucien even more. Rhys and Feyre, on the other hand, just looked worried. They were clearly talking to each other through that strange gift of theirs.

“Helion,” Rhys called. “What does it say?” he asked, but he sounded like he already knew.

Helion seemed to not care about the mark anymore. He was just staring at Lucien, who could do nothing but stare back.

“It just says “Heir of Day and Lady of Sight”.”

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stinkypenguinn · 2 years

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Love Made Me Crazy

Steve Harrington x Reader (female pronouns used)

Warnings: cussing, blood and injures, mentions of S4 (spoilers) and events in the Upside Down, minors 🔞 please read with caution.

It’s been so long since I’ve written something so it’s okay if it’s bad, I’m so obsessed with Steve I couldn’t help myself but find some motivation to get writing. Also Don’t Blame Me by Taylor Swift heavily influenced this so listen to that. Don’t mind any misspellings or grammar issues, I don’t care that much lol. But please enjoy the read!

<3 SP

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No one could have possibly prepared Hawkins for the storm that came when the gate to the Upside Down was opened. Nothing could have prepared y/n for the mess that she found herself in when she got wrapped in it all.

Steve Harrington was one hell of a man, a man that y/n had come to love after so many years. Quite frankly she would die for him, she was just that in love some would say.

So I guess she wasn’t too surprised with herself when she was laying in Steve’s lap, covered in blood and half unconscious.

“Y/n! Y/n come on! Come on! Stay with me!” Steve was shaking her; Nancy standing over his shoulder as Robin and Eddie watched the sky for more bats.

It all happened so quickly. The second Steve jumped out of the boat, y/n was right behind him. Robin almost getting the chance to grab her before she just jumped in. It wasn’t much longer after until Robin, Nancy, and Eddie had followed into the Upside Down where Steve was being strangled by one of the bat tails.

Grabbing paddles Nancy had tossed at her and Robin, the group attempted everything to save Steve who was now being attacked at his side.

Steve’s eyes were rolling back as y/n desperately kept looking at him, growing impatient and scared.

Somehow or someway, Nancy and Robin were able to get Steve out of the grasp as the group tried to look for safety. But it wasn’t too much longer until more bats started to fly in. The group even more desperate than before, knowing too well they couldn’t take another round.

“Nance!” Y/n shouted as Eddie and Robin held onto each side of Steve to keep him stable. “Get out of here! I’ll hold them off!”

“Are you crazy? We can’t leave you here.” Nancy ran up to y/n who was already gripping onto the broken paddle, ready to run back that second to buy some more time.

“Don’t you see Steve right now? He’s going to die! You have to get him somewhere safe, we’re not gonna be able to stay in front of them if I don’t buy us some time.” Y/n paused for a second “…please keep him safe Nancy. Please. I’ll be back.”

Nancy stared at her as y/n started backing up some more. Steve was so out of it, he couldn’t comprehend the conversation taking place right in front of him. Robin and Eddie were terrified but didn’t say anything.

Before y/n could back up any farther, still staring at her friends. Staring at Steve.

Her mind filled with warm summer days, early mornings, late hot nights, and every moment in between with Steve. Legs tangled in bed, sun coming in from the curtains. Cute dates filled with endless kisses and food. Time spent in the lake splashing water in each other faces only to end up wrapped up into each other in a giggly mess. All the parties Steve took her to, where he never got too drunk and always kept an arm around y/n’s shoulder…just in case. Countless days spent with the kids driving them around and making sure everyone was there and safe. Talks over the phone about marriage and what they would do after everything, after Hawkins. Steve wanted six kids, and for that man, y/n would do anything.

Y/n relished in every second spent with Steve, she was so crazy for him and hoped she would be able to see him again after this. But she knew he needed time to get out and healed. She would do anything to let him keep going.

Who knew love made you so crazy?

Y/n was snapped out of thought to see Nancy still staring at her. “What am I going to tell him if you don’t come back…?” Nancy egged her on, begging her not to leave.

Y/n thought for a minute and smiled.

“Tell him I love him.” And with that y/n ran off back into the swamp of bats flying down. But at this time not at the group but just at Y/n. Robin, Eddie, Nancy, and Steve trudged on until the reach a boulder big enough to hide under. Nancy’s shoulders felt heavy and she kept thinking about Y/n.

Moments later Steve was more alert as rips from a shirt was wrapped around his mid section, Eddie’s jacket now covering majority of his upon half for some modesty. Once he was rested and wrapped Steve quickly came to the realization that not everyone was here.

Y/n wasn’t there.

“Where is she?” Steve said fast and panicked standing too quickly to be held back by Robin. “Where is she!?” He said louder.

“Steve…-“

“Nancy! Why is she not with us? She was just here!”

“She loves you Steve! She wanted you to have more time! She went back to fight them off.” Nancy said defeated, there were a million better ways to break the news to him. But none of them came out in that moment.

“By herself? You let her go by herself? Are you fucking insane? She’s can’t do it alone!” Steve was getting mad. For all the girls he thought he loved before, he never cared for them the way he did for y/n. Not even Nancy, who he was convinced for the longest time would be his life long partner. But that all changed when he met Y/n. His whole heart changed when they finally opened up to each other. There was not a world he would want to be in without her.

Nancy shook as Robin and Eddie continued to keep Steve stable. “We can’t-I don’t know if she’ll still be alive. She wanted you to get out of here, she wanted us to escape alive.

Steve cut her off again, “we have to go back for her. I’m not leaving without her.” He finished with a coldness in his voice, he was scared.

“If we’re going, we have to go now.” Eddie said. “After we find her we can go back to my trailer and get out of this shit hole.”

Robin nodded and Nancy agreed. Shortly after the group was now nearing where they originally came from. But there were no bats insight, and especially no Y/n to be seen.

“Come on…she has to be here somewhere.” Robin said, just wanting to find her friend just as much as Steve wanted to find her, alive.

“Y/N!” Steve, Robin, Eddie, and Nancy all took turns screaming for the girl losing hope each time her name passed their lips.

Steve was starting to shake just as he heard whimpering coming from behind a small enclosure of a boulder. He sprinted despite the pain and blood soaking through the wrap around him.

And just like that, the girl he planned to marry and love forever laid across the ground. Half dead and covering in blood, he couldn’t even tell where the cuts or bites were on her body.

So that’s where y/n is now. Laying in Steve’s lap, covered in blood and half unconscious.

“Y/n! Y/n come on! Come on! Stay with me!” Steve was shaking her; Nancy standing over his shoulder as Robin and Eddie watched the sky for more bats.

His hands were gripping everything they could, to stop the blood, to bring her back to him. He was desperate. So so desperate to see her eyes open.

“Please. Oh God, please y/n” Steve said.

As if it was a calling from the heavens, y/n’s eyes opened slowly staring at Steve and smiled. Too tired to speak.

“Baby, sweetheart. Keep your eyes open we’re gonna get out of here okay? Can you move any?” Steve questioned breathing picking up more. Y/n could do no more than to nod her head and shift more into Steve’s arms to where he could get her up on her feet. Where Nancy and Robin were there to catch her. Steve quickly got up and was held by Eddie, who also kept him stable.

In no time the crew made it to Eddie’s trailer and somehow one by one climbed through the sheet rope to smack on his bed. Steve struggled to drag himself out but he also had y/n wrapped around his back. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to climb on her own. But they were out of the Upside Down, they were both alive even if barely. Wounds too deep to care for in Eddie’s home. The group made quick work to get y/n to the nearest hospital. Willing to deal with any questions from staring eyes later on.

After what felt like hours to Steve, he was finally allowed into the room where y/n still laid. But now instead of being covered in blood she was wrapped neatly in bandages.

As if all time stopped, he felt like he was finally able to breathe. He slowly walked up to her bed and sat on the edge to slowly trace his fingers against her own.

She looked shyly up at him and smiled and as if nothing happened not long ago she spoke, “How much did you argue with the nurses to rewrap your bandages?” She asked and chuckled to herself. Steve’s eyes widened at her lighthearted behavior. But he couldn’t help by smile either.

“Only just a little. I had some other things on my mind.” He said just as playful, now laying beside of her, nose pressed to her shoulder as their hands wrapped around each other.

“Oh yeah? And what was that?” She asked, truly trying to avoid the conversation that would come about what happened. About how she ran off to fight bats and almost die while Steve had no clue.

Steve shifted to look her in the eyes and avoided her question and asked one of his own. “Why did you do it? What happened to us doing this together? Staying together?” Steve said now in a serious tone. He didn’t believe y/n understood the severity of her actions. Or just how much Steve wouldn’t be able to live if she didn’t make it out like he did.

But all she did was shrug her shoulders and kissed his temple. “I guess I’m just that crazy in love with you.”

Steve couldn’t deny the way her eyes looked at him as his fingers tighten around her fingers. Maybe they could talk more about this later, when they’re both out of the hospital and safe in bed. Maybe with a movie playing in the background, wrapped into each other just like any other time spent together.

Steve sighed and kissed her softly on the lips, both of them basking in the comfort of being near each other.

“Well I’m crazy in love with you, but if you’re planning to do anything like that again don’t do it without me, okay?” Steve said.

Y/n smiled and kissed him again.

“Deal.”

~~~~~

Even in times of uncertainty and horror, you can’t deny the love shared between two tightly bonded people, and the risks willing to be taken in order to protect the other.

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#steve harrington #steve x reader #steve harrington x reader #stranger things #x reader #steve x y/n

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