#she forgets her own strength sometimes trust me

[pinkrangermemes]

EPIC: The Musical

lyrics that absolutely fuck me up, feel free to change pronouns and such as needed

"A mission to kill someone's son, a foe who won't run, unlike anyone you have faced before."

"I'd rather bleed for you."

"This is the will of the gods."

"Don't make me do this."

"The blood on your hands is something you won't lose. All you can choose is whose."

"You're as old as he was when I left for war."

"How could I hurt you?"

"I'm just a man who's trying to go home."

"When does a man become a monster?"

"When does the reason become the blame?"

"Forgive me."

"We should try to find a way no one ends up dead."

"You can relax, my friend."

"Think of all that we have been through. We'll survive what we get into."

"This life is amazing when you greet it with open arms."

"I see in your face there is so much guilt inside your heart."

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you."

"Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you."

"Don't forget that you're a warrior of a very special kind."

"Don't disappoint me."

"What gives you the right to deal a pain so deep?"

"Don't you know that pain you sow is pain you reap?"

"Your life now is in my hand."

"A trade, you see. Take from me like you took from me."

"You shall be the final man to die."

"It's just one life to take."

"When we kill him our journey's over."

"Captain?"

"You've hurt me enough."

"When I kill you, my pain is over."

"Mark my words now. This is not the end."

"Remember them."

"Who hurts you?"

"If nobody hurt you, be silent."

"He's still a threat until he's dead."

"Finish it."

"What good would killing do, when mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use?"

"The blood we shed, it never dries."

"I am your darkest moment."

"I am the infamous _______!"

"This way, you won't disappoint me."

"This way, you won't waste my time."

"Unlike you, every time someone dies, I'm left to deal with the strain."

"I'll remind you, I saw you as a friend, but now we're done."

"This way, you won't plague my life."

"This way, you'll close the door and have your damn goodbye."

"Since you claim you're so much wiser, why's your life spent all alone?"

"You're alone!"

"This day, you sever your own head."

"This day, you lost it all. Consider this as my goodbye."

"Don't forget how dangerous the gods are."

"How much longer 'til your luck runs out?"

"You rely on wit, and people die on it."

"I still believe in goodness."

"Lead from the heart, and see what starts."

"And what will we do when it tears us apart?"

"You're like the brother I could never do without."

"How much longer 'til your strength takes leave?"

"I can't have you planting seeds of doubt."

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

"Sometimes killing is a must."

"Friends turn into foes and rivalries."

"Never really know who you can trust."

"The end always justifies the means."

"So much has changed, but I'm the same."

"I'm left without a choice and without a doubt."

"Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves."

"You are the worst kind of good 'cause you're not even great."

"You are far too nice."

"Mercy has a price."

"Unlike you, I've got no mercy left to give."

"The line between naivete and hopefulness is almost invisible."

"What have you done?"

"I am your darkest moment, the monster that always draws near."

"Remember me."

"There's only so much left we can endure."

"Think of your past and your mistakes."

"No, I'm not a player. I'm a puppeteer."

"I can hardly sleep now, knowing everything we've done."

"It's a game of wits, but you don't have to play."

"A foe like ____ is not to be messed with."

"You could be hurt or you could beat her."

"I'll help you conquer her."

"Wouldn't you like your outcome preferred?"

"Don't thank me, friend, you very well may die."

"Did you do something to them?"

"I don't know who you are or why you're here, but let me make this one thing clear."

"I've got people to protect, friends I can't neglect, so now there is no turning back."

"Back at home my wife waits for me. She's my everything, my _____."

"Maybe showing one act of kindness leads to kinder souls down the road."

"This land confuses your mind."

"All I hear are screams every time I dare to close my eyes."

"I no longer dream, only nightmares of those who've died."

"Why would you let _____ live when ruthlessness is mercy?"

"I keep thinking of the infant from that night."

"____, when you come home, I'll be waiting."

"Even if you're the last thing I see, I'll be waiting."

"I took too long."

"I'll always love you."

"Your past is always close behind."

"I see a song of past romance."

"I see portrayals of betrayal and a brother's final stand."

"I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you."

"We've suffered and sailed through the toughest of Hells, now you tell us our efforts were nothing?"

"I see a wife with a man who is haunting. A man with a trail of bodies."

"How has everything been turned against us?"

"How did suffering become so endless?"

"Do I need to change?"

"What if I'm the monster?"

"What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along?"

"If I became the monster, and threw that guilt away, would that make us stronger?"

"So what if I'm the monster lurking deep below?"

"If I gotta drop another infant from a wall in an instant so we all don't die, then I'll become the monster."

"I'll become the monster."

#since I haven't seen one yet #epic the musical #roleplay prompts #rp prompts #roleplay starters #rp starters #rp memes #roleplay memes #epic the musical starters #sentence starters #rp sentence starters

[very-uncorrect]

I feel like Susie would stroll around town dragging Kris along the ground with her or with them hanging over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and Kris is just laying there completely limp thinking about how much they love their purple lizard friend

Kris may be the leader of their team in the dark world but they will just let Susie drag them anywhere and everywhere when they're just hanging out

#deltarune #kris and susie #kris dreemurr #kris deltarune #susie deltarune #susie and kris #love their relationship #they're both having a good time #kris has probably almost dislocated their arm before from how hard susie grabs it when they're going somewhere #she forgets her own strength sometimes trust me #she's gold hearted though #very soft under all that aggressiveness #definitely a tough love type of gal

[samdeancass]

Love at First Sight

Pairing: Stiles x McCall!fem!reader

Genre: Fluff

Characters: Scott, Stiles, Y/N

Description: Y/N and Scott are cousins and haven't seen each other for 5 years when you left Beacon Hills. When she arrives back, Scott throws a party for her and introduces her to Stiles, who seems very happy to meet her.

You smiled widely as you pulled up outside Scott's house, excitement building up inside. Scott is your favourite cousin and the one that you're most close to, so you couldn't wait to knock on his front door and surprise him. Being so close to Scott you knew all about the supernatural world and the fact that he was an alpha werewolf, so you knew that there would be no surprises coming your way, or so you thought.

You walked up the path to his house and knocked on the door, leaning on your heels as you waited. Your smile grew and grew as you heard Scott's voice and the jangle of the keys in the lock. He stood there in both shock and happiness when he swung the door open and seen you standing there.

"Y/N? What the hell are you doing here?" Scott opened his arms and engulfed you to his chest, nearly squeezing the life out of you. "Scott...can't...breathe." "Ooo sorry, I tend to forget my strength sometimes." You chuckled and took a look at Scott, closing the door behind you.

He really had changed since the last time you seen him. There was a lot more muscle on his body and he seemed to have grown quite a few inches. "I see the werewolf life is treating you well then." You gestured up and down whilst Scott chuckled, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I guess I've changed a lot since you last seen me. How long's it been?" "Five years." Scott's mouth hung open. "No, it can't have been that long. Seriously." You nodded your head and smiled. "Yep, seriously."

You both walked towards the sofa and sat down. "Anyway, you didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?" "Well, my dad has changed jobs again so we needed to move house. It turns out, he's going to be working just outside Beacon Hills! You'll be seeing a whole lot more of me because this time, we're staying!"

A beaming smile spread across Scott's features. "I've just had the perfect idea. Seems you're now back permanently, you're going to need some familiar faces so I'm going to throw you a party. A welcome back party."

You furrowed your eyebrows. "I'm not too sure, Scott. What if they don't like me?" He put his hand on your shoulder and gave you a comforting smile. "Trust me, they are going to love you."

____________

Scott had given you the low down of all the people who are going to be at the party.

"So, Lydia is a banshee. What exactly is that again?" You smoothed down your dress and put on the finished touches to your make-up. "Lydia can sense when someone has died or is near death. Her scream is also very powerful and can throw people back a good few feet."

You nodded your head. "Derek, Liam and Malia are all werewolves?" He nodded. "Malia is a were-coyote. Her mom is a coyote, her dad is a werewolf. Liam is my beta, I turned him accidentally when I was trying to save him. Derek is a strong werewolf, one of the most powerful I've seen."

"Kira is a kitsune? A fire fox?" You put some hairspray in your hair and turned round to Scott. "And she is also my girlfriend." You widened your eyes and smacked him on the shoulder. "Scott McCall, why on earth did you not tell me you have a girlfriend?" His cheeks grew red with embarrassment. "I...I" You laughed and ruffled his hair. "I'm only kidding. But please tell me you know at least one human that isn't me?"

At that, Scott's smile grew wide and cunning. "My best friend, Stiles. He's the smartest person I know but he's also very sarcastic." "It sounds like I'm really going to like him." A soft smile grew on your face before you turned back towards the mirror for one last check.

"C'mon, Y/N. We can't have you being late to your own party." Scott grabbed your hand and led you out the door and down the stairs to meet everyone.

____________

Everyone you had met were extremely nice to you and welcomed you into the pack. Lydia, Kira and Malia were all very happy that they were no longer outnumbered by the boys. Derek was very welcoming to you which Scott said was a complete surprise because he usually just growls at people and walks away.

"And this is Stiles. Stiles, meet Y/N. Y/N meet Stiles." Stiles turned around to greet you when your eyes met. You were completely mesmerised by his chocolate brown eyes and the cute little freckles scattered across his face. Stiles' mouth hang agape as his eyes gazed over your features. Seeing the reaction you both had to each other, Scott smiled to himself and slowly walked away to watch his plan hatch.

"H-hi, I-i'm Stiles." He kept his gaze on you which made you blush. "I'm Y/N, Scott's cousin." You both stood there for a while just staring at each other. "I'm sorry, I don't know how someone as beautiful as you can be related to Scott. I mean, he's a dog."

"Hey! Just because I'm not standing next to you doesn't mean I can't hear what you're saying!" You laughed at the joke, nervously tucking your hair behind your ears. "You are right, though. He is a dog." "Thanks a lot, Stilinski."

"Anytime, pal." He winked at Scott before turning his attention back to you. "So, Scott's told me a little about you and I have to say, I'm very intrigued." You both began to walk together towards the back yard to try and grab some privacy.

"You're intrigued by me? A human? You literally live in a town full of supernatural creatures and you're interested in my life?" You both sat down facing each other on a bench, your arms leaning on the table. "Well, I don't have a normal human life. I'm always dragged into Scott's werewolf drama. I wanna know how the other half live."

You told Stiles all about your life and the different things you had accomplished. Throughout the conversation, Stiles didn't once take his eyes off you; always keeping his attention on you.

You both sat in a comfortable silence just staring at each other until you both slowly leaned over the table and kissed. It was new and exciting and sweet. Excitement and electricity run through your nerves as you kept the connection, Stiles' hand resting against your cheek.

Your hand rested on top of his as you leaned into his warmth, a warm blush spreading across your cheeks. Stiles smiled at you, completely content, until the moment was ruined by wolf whistles and squeals coming from the back door of the house, or more rightly Scott.

"My plan worked! I knew you two would hit it off." Scott smiled confidently at the both of you. You both shook your heads at him. "Can we not have, like, five minutes privacy please?" Lydia pulled Scott back into the house and closed the door but not before giving him a thump for good measure.

"So, where were we?" Stiles leaned over the table again and pressed his lips to yours, this time more passionately. "I think we were getting up to the part where we make out, a lot." Stiles wiggled his eyebrows and pulled you over the table and into his lap causing you to laugh and slap his chest.

From that moment, you guys were inseparable and it was all thanks to Scott who you both knew would never let you forget it.

Teen Wolf Tags:

@bxoken-heartss @hellomyweirdos @redcoatgirl

#stiles stilinski #stiles stilinski x reader #stiles stilinski imagine #stiles stilinski fanfiction #stiles stilinski fluff #scott mccall #teen wolf #teen wolf x reader #teen wolf imagine #teen wolf fanfiction #teen wolf fluff

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Hi Clan! I haven't been around in a while the autism took me for a few months sorry. Would you do some headcanons for Miles and/or Gwen meeting a Mutant!Spider-Person reader? Like an X-Men type mutant. They never got bit but were instead born with the spider powers (including the webs) and 4 arms. Because they're a mutant they aren't really trusted as a hero by the people of their city (or the cops) but they still try their best because "If I gave up because a few people didn't like me, I wouldn't be very good at my job"

-Forgetful Anon

Gwen Stacy

While visiting Spider Society HQ for the first time, she noticed you sitting at a nearby table, having an arm-wrestling match against Ben Riley.

He insisted you used all four of your arms to "challenge" him....and yet he sulks when he ultimately loses, and you just laugh in victory before patting him on the back.

Once he leaves, you spot this new Spiderwoman and wave her over to your table, insisting on having a match.

It's just your way of breaking the ice for new Spiderpeople. You loved getting to know them and testing their strength. Winning or losing doesn't matter to you.

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on ya." You tease, only to be surprised as Gwen wins with little effort, her smug grin present.

"You went a little "too" easy on me, I think."

"Haha...jeez, I guess so."

And so you both talk for a little while about different things: what she thought of Spider Society, how long she's been Spiderwoman, etc.

When she turns the questions on you, however, you're....a bit hesitant to share.

Unlike most of the Spiderpeople here, you didn't get your powers in the "traditional" sense. No spider has ever bitten you.

Seeing Gwen's curiosity, though, you eventually tell her you're actually a mutant, a human born with the X-gene that made you into a spider hybrid.

You mentioned a league of mutant superheroes in your dimension.....but you ride solo, as most Spiderpeople do, not wanting to be tied down to any specific group (ironic as you're part of Spider Society, but that's besides the point).

She imagines the people there feel pretty safe, though you shake your head. "Nah, some see us as the bigger threat just because we look like this and have all these crazy powers. I've fought aliens and wizards, but...there's some battles that you just can't punch or shoot webs at, y'know?"

Her expression changes to a slightly solemn one, nodding her head in sympathy. "You're fighting for basic respect."

"We just want fair treatment...and it's like we're asking them for the world. All I wanna do is protect my city, but it's hard when half the population hates us and thinks we brought the trouble to them."

"I can't imagine.." She frowns. "If I might ask..what keeps you going? Why bother if nobody even thanks you or sees you as a hero? What's the point?"

"......."

"...sorry, was that too deep-?"

"No, no..you're good, kid." You chuckle, feeling more relaxed. "All my life I've dealt with that stuff, and it still sometimes hurts, but if I gave up just because some people didn't like me, well...I'd be terrible at my job as a Spiderperson."

Gwen's impressed by your words, not expecting to have such a deep conversation about your "origin story" at the first meeting.

But she's glad she could talk to you, needing this distraction from the incident with her dad while she was questioning her own self-worth as Spiderwoman.

You reassure her she can come to you for advice anytime.

Miles Morales (E-1610)

You first met Miles after getting thrown into his dimension thanks to the collider explosion, taking comfort in knowing you're not the most "unusual" spiderperson around.

There's a pig and an anime girl with a psychic link to her spider, for crying out loud.

Anyways, you had faith that he could help you get back to your dimension, never doubting him unlike the other spiderpeople who firmly believed he wasn't ready for this task.

You followed him after he left May's basement to talk one-on-one, sympathizing with his struggles.

"Trust me, kid..I've been in your shoes once. I never felt like a Spiderman in my life..even now."

He stares at you in disbelief. "Really? You? But...you got all your powers at birth! I mean yeah, you weren't bitten, but....but you're already better at this than I am! I bet people really admire you-"

"I've had my fair share of doubters, Miles. All of us have, but I got it...particularly bad in my world. And not just because I'm a "masked vigilante putting myself about the law"."

He's still a bit lost, so you tell him about the unfair treatment of mutantkind in your dimension, speaking of how some people hated you so much...they sought to "cure" your X-genes.

It stings to know that they will shun you instead of seeing you as a hero, though you didn't wanna ramble on for too long and depress Miles further, seeing his frown growing.

"You say all of this, and yet...you think I can help you get back there. Why would you ever wanna go back to a world that hates you just for being yourself? For just trying to do the right thing even if everyone's telling you no?"

"Well..besides dying if I stay in this dimension--" You begin, painfully glitching for a moment as if to prove that point. "--ouch...look, I just can't abandon the people who need me. The ones who do see me as a hero. It's my duty, and...if I gave up trying to be Spiderman just because I get a few stares or snide comments...well then I'm not really Spiderman, am I?"

Miles doesn't know what to say...but he does feel incredibly inspired by your words.

He only wishes the others trusted him like you did.

Patting his shoulder, you remove your mask and smile at him. "Don't their words bring you down, kid. You got potential...they'll realize it soon enough."

#clanask #forgetful anon #marvel x reader #atsv x reader #itsv x reader #across the spider verse x reader #into the spider verse x reader #miles morales x reader #gwen stacy x reader #platonic #mutant reader #spiderman reader #headcanons

[periprose]

pretty please rough navi quaritch smut where he splits reader's legs apart and breeds her?? Reader can be from the RDA and she has to let him breed her as part of the new embryo growth program :) <3

Woo boy anon!! This ask made my head explode in a really good way 😳 thank you

The Old Fashioned Way

Miles Quaritch x Reader

When Parker Selfridge tells you that the RDA needs one of your eggs, since you're a Recom, for new genetic material, you literally can't say no. It's an order that you can't refuse, since they're trying to make new embryos to experiment off of.

Of course, you're placed in a room with Miles Quaritch, your superior, who's unsuccessfully trying to harvest his own reproductive material, same as you. He decides to kill two birds with one stone, and suggest that you do it the old fashioned way.

Word Count: 3.8k

Genre: Smut, pwp, breeding kink, unprotected sex, Quaritch being obsessed, 18+, no use of Y/N

Reader's name is Axe

“No way.” You cross your arms, staring down at Selfridge.

He’s just told you about the new RDA program. Growing Avatars and Recoms is easy and all, you know the process. Na’vi DNA was extracted successfully about twenty-five years ago- and there’s a process of combining human DNA with it to create new bodies.

It’s just that the Na’vi DNA has slowly been losing it’s potency with every sequencing process. You don’t know exactly what that’s all about- just that cloning deteriorates something about how strong the genes are. 

So the scientists and geneticists have decided that they need some kind of replacement, and they need it now. They wanted to track down more Na’vi, but considering how hard everyone’s asses get beat anytime the RDA gets a few klicks near their territory, it was a no go.

They’ve decided on the “natural way.”

As Selfridge has just said.

“ Why… not… just take my genes, Parker?” You bite your lip, and Selfridge shakes his head.

“Don’t make this anymore awkward than it has to be, Axe.” Selfridge stares at his fingernails, which somehow makes him look like even more of a prick. “Your genes are no bueno . You, Zdinarsk, Wainfleet, and Quaritch are the last line of ‘normal’ Recoms, if we can call it that. If we try to extract your genes, and grow a Recom body, it’ll just be a waste of money. It won’t work.”

“Okay.” You inhale sharply, and Selfridge flinches. You forget sometimes in your Recom body that you’re way more intimidating than your old self was. Your dead self. “So what exactly does the ‘natural way’ entail?”

“What are you, a fucking virgin?” Selfridge laughs. Loudly. 

You snarl at him, and he flinches, again, before snickering.

“Jesus, you really are one of them, huh?” Selfridge scoffs. “Try not to fuck the sperm donor too hard when you see him.”

“Selfridge-” You grab his arm as he tries to leave, and with how much smaller Selfridge is, it’s like you’re dangling his body with your sheer strength. “ Motherfucker- tell me for real what’s going on, or I’ll snap your neck.”

“You’ll get shot if you try anything.” Selfridge says, but you can see in his eyes that he’s panicking. “Okay, okay. I’m just fucking with you. They’re just going to extract an egg from your na’vi-ovaries or whatever they’re called. Then the rest, you should know. Embryo production.”

You do know, but you don’t trust him.

It’s not like you have a choice anyways.

/

You were right not to trust him.

Selfridge has to be kidding. You’re sitting in your typical testing room in Bridgehead City. There’s no scientists around, at least not yet. You’ve come in on your day of ovulation, and you’ve been told to wear something comfortable and loose, and to sit around for a bit.

You lean back on the large medical bed, sighing loudly. You’re wearing some regular sweatpants, and a t-shirt that just barely reaches your midriff. Your hair is tied loosely in a low, wavy ponytail. You hope it looks comfortable enough.

You’re assuming an ultrasound, and- the weirdest part- some vaginal probing. You haven’t gotten a chance to play around with your new body yet, at least not like that, and you have no idea what gets you going, or whatever.

You’re sure some lube will be implemented, and then you’ll just lie there and count to ten. You’re just waiting for someone, anyone to come by to do this procedure and get it over with.

The door slides open. You sit up.

Miles Quaritch looks at you, his eyes bright, alert, and his mouth a little agape. His ears stand up for a moment. He’s holding a really old magazine, and a cup- oh no.

You can’t be in this situation with your superior. It’s just so damn awkward.

“Axe?” He shakes his head and just looks flabbergasted as he cackles. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I might as well ask you the same question.” You say flatly, and sigh. “They told me… they were going to do my egg extraction in here?”

“Oh.” Quaritch isn’t exactly a sensitive man, or one with any sort of sensibilities, really, so he just sits on the other medical bed next to yours. After a brief pause, he pulls the curtain, so you’ll at least have a bit of privacy. It’s the most comforting thing he’ll ever do.

“You looking at porn?” You joke, but Quaritch just sighs in response.

“Sooner you shut up, the sooner I’ll be done.” 

You can’t argue with that. It must be weird for him too, to still have to jerk off into a cup so he can be a pseudo sperm-donor for an embryo he’ll never know.

You try not to listen too much to what he’s doing, and you can tell, from how much he’s flipping the pages of some old 2100s era Earth porn- he’s not exactly focused on what he’s supposed to be doing. What the hell was Selfridge and the other scientists thinking? That you were interested in having a voyeur experience?

You know that Bridgehead is really busy, what with all the expansions and all for the new human citizens, so you're guessing this was the only free room. You wonder if Z-Dog and Wainfleet are in the same predicament. Why not at least put you in the same room as Z-Dog, so you have a bit of a girl-to-girl, weird bonding experience? Nothing says best friends like getting your eggs extracted together.

Soon, a little robot of some kind comes by through the door, and gives you what has to be the most embarrassing object. 

A dildo.

Not exactly a dildo, because it's not a toy, but it's a very well crafted, self-lubricating, vibrating egg-extractor. Long, slim, phallic and curved in a way that you know will hit the right spot. You feel yourself flush a little.

The robot tells you to "get yourself ready," with the device, and when you're adequately so, to click a button and let it extend itself into your uterus, where it will harvest the egg for safe keeping. 

You really think this is some kind of practical joke. You would've vastly preferred the cold, clinical nature of a doctor asking you to stay calm as they put you under, and insert something into you. 

But you guess it has to be somewhat pleasurable, so they can get you to do it again at some point if they need to. 

"Those sick bastards." You mutter under your breath, and you hear Quaritch stir a little next to you. 

You decide to just get it over with, and pull down your sweatpants- just down to your knees- and your panties. You lay back against the bed, and fiddle with the device. 

Even when you were on Earth, you usually just messed around with dudes who were on your squad in the Navy. This is kind of new territory for you.

You gently press the tip of the device against yourself, and feel awkward. It just is mechanical, cold, and weird- until it starts vibrating, and emitting some sort of magically warm gel that makes you feel soft, as if your skin is beginning to tingle all over, spreading from in between your thighs, up your stomach, and into your chest. 

That's pretty good. You have to admit that yourself. 

You tentatively push it across your folds, not in just yet, and you feel yourself slicken, wetness pooling around the device- it's a sudden whirlwind of a feeling that has you seeing stars. God, you really have missed this feeling, but it's somehow even more intense in your Na'vi body. 

It begins to vibrate against your clit as you move it up and down in a testing, rudimentary way, and you very softly- just barely, audibly moan.

/

Quaritch's ears stand up, on edge. He's horribly alert of everything you're doing, and there's nothing he can do but listen. 

First, your scent is incredibly strong- intoxicating in a way that makes him sure that this is what Sully felt when he got some local tail. Your arousal has him closing his eyes, and thinking of what he would do if he was just a few feet over- pinning you down and thrusting in. Second, that vibrating sound- he knows what it’s doing, and that makes it all the more tempting to just go over and show you what a real man should feel like.

Still, Quaritch wants to follow the rules just this one time, because he's not used to his Na'vi body, either, and he would rather figure out his whole… situation, down there, before he immediately proceeds into sex. 

But he’s a bastard, too. He always goes headfirst into whatever his instincts tell him to do, and it hasn’t exactly failed him yet. Except when he died, obviously.

He hears you, just very subtly moaning, and his ears perk up as he listens.

Quaritch is too impatient to care. There’s a throbbing in his camo pants now, with no thanks to that shitty old magazine, and he knows- like all men know- what he wants to do to get rid of it.

He lifts the curtain aside, where you’re currently holding that damned toy, as your pants ball up around your knees. You’re half-lying against a pillow, and your baby t-shirt is riding up, just showing off a hint of your breasts. You’re not quite in the throes of passion, not yet, but your mouth is half-open, and your lids are half lidded as you gaze at him, your hand stopping in between your thighs.

Quaritch clenches his jaw. It’s insane how fast his hormones are- pumping through his blood, to where his pants are getting uncomfortably tight. It’s quite a sight, he can’t exactly blame himself for moving forward. 

You, to your credit, don’t draw yourself back. You just stare at him, face turning warm- probably not red, all things considered- and Quaritch just stands in front of you, taking your hand from between your legs.

“This is what they got you using?” He scoffs, pulling at the device, away from your legs. You involuntarily twitch at the movement, and your pussy suddenly feels cold. 

Quaritch tuts at the way you’re shaking a little, how you’re clearly so needy, and he leans in with an eager, almost malicious smile. His body easily towers over your own, and you feel your heart race as he looks down at you- up and down your entire body. 

“Why don’t we do things the old fashioned way?” Quaritch murmurs, a deep rumble in his chest as he does so.

You think you should say no. First of all, you don’t want to get pregnant, and second of all, it seems like Quaritch isn’t exactly being impartial, is he? You know that Earth porn probably did nothing for the guy, but that doesn’t mean you have to be his unwilling participant.

Still, as Quaritch gently nudges his bulge against you, your folds slick against the roughness of the cloth, causing you to inhale unsteadily at the pleasant friction, you realize you’re entirely willing to do this. In fact, all things considered, Quaritch is a hell of a lot more attractive than some of the other Recoms out there.

And it feels more natural than the device, which you were sadly struggling to insert. Lube or not, it was a little too out there for you.

You breathe in, feeling his bulge throb against you. “Okay.”

Quaritch doesn’t take much time to unbuckle his pants and underwear, his dick flopping out as he does. You’re a little amused- it’s proportional to his body, but it’s a lot bigger looking than any of the human dicks you’ve seen. 

It occurs to you that you probably look the same way to him. Tall, lithe body. Impossibly tiny waist. Plump chest and ass. Thick thighs. The proportions are different, but good. 

“Are you laughing at me, soldier?” Quaritch pulls off his tank top, his bare muscles causing your face to warm a little, and he towers over you now. His arms are a lot stronger than yours and he pins you down. 

“What the hell are you gonna do about it, Colonel?” You rile him up a little. Just for fun, since it seems like everything has gone batshit insane today. 

Might as well get some extra anger out of him, so this can count as stress relief, too.

“Well, let’s see.” He uses his hands to spread out your thighs, flattening and pressing them into the mattress, splitting your legs apart. He massages your thighs as he talks. “I guess I’m trying to knock you up. Get you nice and filled up with me.”

It causes a tingle in your lower stomach, watching Quaritch size you up as his hands firmly grasp your thighs. 

He inhales, and- with the practised familiarity of someone who hasn’t done this in a while- pumps his fist over his dick, just to remember the sensation. Quaritch slides his dick against you, causing you to convulse as it snugly fits into your outer folds, the head of his dick meeting where your clit is. There’s a throbbing sensation that seems to flow from him into you- and you swear pre-cum must be leaking from him, or you’ve just gotten a lot more wet.

“Ah- fuck- ” You groan, and Quaritch clearly likes the sound of that, because he slides his dick back and forth a few times. Lubing himself up. 

“You asked for this.” He grins at you, and he pushes your legs really wide this time, lifting them up a little as he enters you. 

Quaritch groans loudly when his dick has fully sheathed itself inside you, and you feel yourself twitching in anticipation, feeling more full than you’ve ever remembered feeling when you were human. He pulls your legs forward roughly, and you feel yourself clench around him as you wrap your legs around his waist.

Quaritch sighs in satisfaction, pressing his forehead against yours. He draws himself back, slowly, his dick slipping out of you sloppily, easily, and then thrusts forward at full speed, immediately filling you, causing you to moan loudly. He begins to thrust, slowly, testing the waters, and with every time he fills you, you feel your walls clench around him, like your body can’t do anything but squeeze him.

Eventually Quaritch works himself to a much more rapid speed- like he has a lot of energy he desperately needs to get out. His skin is slapping against yours as he thrusts, sometimes at an even pace, now a bit more sporadically as he gets lost in the sensation, his taut thighs causing what can only be bruises against your own. He finds that with every thrust, your walls squeeze the head of his dick, causing a delicious throbbing sensation to run through his groin, and he wants to capture that feeling again and again. He finds it insane just how wet and good you feel when he ruts up against you- it’s heightened in a way that makes him never want to let go of you.

His hands make their way towards your waist- your ridiculously tiny waist- and he squeezes, marvels at the way it seems his hands could probably swallow you whole there. He’s alarmed to find out that he wants to kiss you there.

Quaritch tries to distract himself a little. Out of some instinct that he can’t quite place, he leans towards your ear, and nibbles on it with his fang. He didn’t exactly realize how much of an erogenous zone that would be for you- warmth spreads across your jaw and ears and cheeks, and you bite your lip in the absolute cutest way, your ears fluttering up and down, as you moan a little against his jaw. He moves his hands upwards, and pulls up your top, exposing your breasts. He roughly thumbs a nipple, causing you to wriggle around in pleasure, and then decides to latch his mouth onto it, his fangs just teasing and pulling at your nipple until you cry out.

He wants to do this again, and again, until you’re covered in his marks and bruises, all his , so he can claim you as his own woman to breed. Of course, Quaritch isn’t that stupid to actually go through with it- you’re a great soldier in your own right, and you probably don’t want to be owned- he just has this need inside him to absolutely own you in every possible way.

You feel like you’re impossibly hot, your body burning up from your lower regions, all the way to your face, to where Quaritch has bitten you, here and there. You’re feeling a pressure build inside you- and you think Quaritch can feel it too, considering how hard he’s grunting, pushing, and pressing inside you, seeking desperately for that release. 

Your hands make their way around his neck, and you lean in, and kiss him, your parted lips moving against his. You think Quaritch won’t be receptive- he is the coldest person you know- but his tongue swirls into your mouth, spit being swapped between the two of you, and he actually groans into your mouth, it being muffled and all. His hands stroke up and down your thighs, ass, waist, and tits, and he begins to thrust with a little more impact- less sloppy, more intensity- which has you absolutely melting at his touch, wrapping yourself tightly around him.

Some instinct of yours- something that comes with this body, at least- tells you to combine your queue with Quaritch’s, and you do so with shaky hands, your braid swinging over his shoulder, and combining with his as you hold them together. Quaritch doesn’t stop you, but what you feel surprises you.

Of course, there’s an overwhelming sense of lust and sex and arousal and all the things Quaritch is feeling right now, so he can breed you like a strong man would, but there’s also… affection? Attraction, yes, but affection?

You could just be getting confused with everything else that’s in there. But you think it’s there, a feeling of affection for his favourite subordinate, and that’s all you really needed to know. You like him, too. You feel like you’re really seeing him right now.

Quaritch moans against your mouth, and cums inside you, and it’s as if fireworks have gone off inside your brain, his orgasm lighting up yours in the soul bond. You convulse under him, moaning, feeling the waves overtake you as he grips you tightly, the ache of his cock causing you to feel pleasure ebb outwards.  

He slowly pulls out, and watches as cum drips down the sides of your thighs. Quaritch is kind of impressed- he did it, like he said he would- and he lays down next to you, sighing in contentment.

“So. Are we keeping it?” Quaritch teases, and you give him a wayward look.

“ It is not gonna be a baby, dumbass.” You roll your eyes, but something about Quaritch now makes you want to snuggle against him, his scent all warm and familiar, and so you do. You let your face lie flatly against his chest. You feel like it’s the bond- it still feels kind of present between you two.

“Woo, boy, if you don’t know how babies are made, I’m not sure I should have done you like that.” Quaritch laughs, and you sigh.

“Goddamnit.” You shake your head. “Selfridge said that our reproductive material are meant to make the next Recoms. They’re just gonna take the embryo, and use it’s cells to make a blank slate for the next Avatar or Recom or whatever it is. We just… took out the middle man for them.”

Quaritch isn’t too caught off guard by this. He’s used to all the science fuckery that the RDA does, and he decides to just let it go.

“Tell you what, Axe.” He uses your name, for real, as his hand combs through your hair. “Come by my quarters later, and we can do it again and again . However many times until you’ve got a baby in there.”

You still don’t want to be pregnant, and you’re pretty sure the colonel knows that- he’s just got some crazy impregnation fetish or creampie kink going on- but you’re kind of obsessed with him now, and the way that he keeps looking at you.

“I’m cool with that.” You nod, and if Quaritch was an honest man, he would say that he felt completely enamoured with that response.

You snuggle up next to him, not really caring that this is a medical lab, or that you should head back to your quarters. You’re tired, and you fall asleep fairly easily.

/

Quaritch doesn’t fall asleep. He feels crazy energized. You’ve given him a high unlike any other- and he’s in a particularly good mood because he feels… some way that he can’t articulate about you.

After you’re out cold, he puts his pants back on- and good thing he does, because Selfridge comes in without knocking. 

Selfridge looks from you, completely naked, and snoring under some blankets, to Quaritch, who’s suspiciously shirtless and stretching his legs out.

He looks aghast. “I didn’t think you two would really-”

“Really?” Quaritch leans over him. “Seems to me like you did it on purpose. Putting us in the same room and all.” 

Selfridge splutters over Quaritch’s accusation, and simply states that he needs the embryo, exiting after handing another extraction advice to him.

Quaritch jostles you awake. “Axe. You gotta do something and then we got to leave, alright?”

You nod sleepily, and he hands you the extraction advice. You rub your eyes and then realize what you’re holding.

“Turn around?”

Quaritch gives you a “ really? ” sort of look, but you’re serious, so he raises his hands jokingly and complies.

It’s a really quick one minute procedure. The little device crawls up inside you in an almost-undetectable fashion, and then after a moment, it pops back out, with a symbol indicating that it has successfully taken the embryo out, and put it inside it’s storage section. It’s weird- you know you were told to come here when you were ovulating, but it’s like a pregnancy test. It confirms that you and Quaritch kind of made a potential baby… or something that will go on to become genetic material for a blank slate.

You’re too tired to care. You put your clothes back on, and yawn, feeling your eyes fluttering. Quaritch picks you up, bridal style, as you snuggle your face into his chest, wrapping your arms around his neck. He exits the room, sidestepping around different human RDA members, and Recoms and Avatars who are staring the two of you down. Looks of confusion among all of them.

Quaritch doesn’t give a fuck. He steps into an elevator, and it pulls the two of you up towards the higher floors of the skyscraper.

You know this will be gossip for all the other RDA members, but for now you can just sleep, completely satisfied.

#miles quaritch x reader #miles quaritch smut #quaritch x reader #recom quaritch x reader #na'vi quaritch #quaritch smut #recom miles quaritch x reader #smut #na'vi quaritch x reader #avatar smut #colonel quaritch #miles quaritch #avatar x reader #avatar the way of water #james cameron avatar #avatar 2009 #avatar the way of water x reader #atwow #atwow smut #atwow x reader #atwow quaritch #na'vi x reader #na'vi #x reader #female reader #recombinant reader #recom!reader #avatar #avatar 2 x reader #avatar 2

[xreaderbooks]

The Shadows of Our Love |4|

Chapter 4 | In the Shadow of Strength

Pair: Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Word Count: 2.2k

Warnings: language, mentions of death, nightmares, symptoms of trauma, grief

Summary: A month into 6th year, Y/n is on the brink of collapse from her own mind, someone is there to catch her as she falls...

a/n: more of a descriptive and informative chapter w/ a little crumb at the end. comment or message me if you'd like to tagged :)

Playlist

Available on Wattpad and AO3

Chapter 3 - Series Masterlist - Navigation - Chapter 5

If you weren't thinking about all that you have done, the goblins and poachers you've killed, the monsters you've faced, the friends you've lost; you were dreaming of them.

Every night since the final one where you defeated Ranrok, nightmares have plagued your mind.

It started with you jolting awake in the night, with a sweat-soaked bed, you'd forego the rest of your sleep to clean your linens.

You were, after all, staying as a guest at the Weasley home. Magic outside of Hogwarts is strictly forbidden when you are under the age of 17, therefore you had to do it the old-fashioned way. Naturally, you were a rule breaker, however, you wanted to show some modicum of respect considering the family with which you stayed is that of the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.

The startled sweats became increased heart palpitations that left you in bed unable to move an arm, a sort of paralysis had overcome you, your eyes stuck closed. That soon became screams and shouts and tears that would only calm when you saw the light of dawn peak through the curtains.

Unfortunately, you were in a room with several of Matilda Weasley's other nieces and nephews, thank Merlin they could sleep through a tornado, the only one whose sleep habits did not benefit them was Garreth. He was always awake, somehow always having energy despite the lack of sleep, formulating new potions.

His cheery attitude was helpful, it was odd at first, never being close to him in Hogwarts but then becoming so close he would lay in the opposite direction of you, his feet to your head and yours to his so that you would feel that there was another person present.

Until he concocted a calming draught one night out of random, and one became a ritual nightly. For once, a potion he wouldn't mess up. You could've made it yourself but he insisted. 

A month into 6th year at Hogwarts and he never failed to owl you one, or hand you one secretly in class or in the halls.

What you hadn't been able to do was wrangle your magic, the same magic powerful enough to kill anyone- within a 12-foot radius of you with a single blast.

It came at random, sometimes when you were severely overwhelmed. You supposed it had been easier to 'control' last year because you had some sort of mentor, a person you were able to talk to that you trusted to take care of you. That person was now dead, and you have no one.

The keepers were untrustworthy, to say the least, it was understandable what they did to Isidora, but who was to say they wouldn't assume the worst of you?

They were portraits, is what you tried to remind yourself, but they were keepers- keepers of all kinds of secrets, who knew what kind of fail-safes they must have in case they could've predicted a person like Isidora would come around.

You couldn't trust a soul.

Garreth knew of the nightmares, but your powers would scare anyone, hell they scared you.

You resorted to moving the animals from your original vivarium in the room of requirement to the grasslands vivarium in order to release the surges of power that had formed over weeks of keeping up with schoolwork.

Between schoolwork, the social life that you now had thanks to no more adventures, wondering where it all went wrong Sebastian, and taking care of your beast on top of learning to forget your regrets... Your ancient magic had more than enough fuel for you to burst.

And so you did, at least once a week, moving your beasts back and forth between vivariums so as not to hurt them.

You ended up spending more and more time in your room of requirement than you did in your own dorm, the room had created a bedroom for you. A cozy King sized bed with silky green covers and a fluffed comforter, in a 6 corner round room solely for sleeping.

You were able to do all but that, whenever he was around- Deek would wake you from your nightmares and make you a comforting drink for your nerves, and distract you with gossip.

He hears all that goes on in Hogwarts, with teachers, students, anyone. As a house-elf no one acknowledges him and people feel they can speak freely with the elves around and you felt lucky that Deek trusted you enough to fill you in. He was surprisingly quite the busybody.

With that though, you had begged him not to tell Professor Weasley of your nightmares. 

~~~

When October came around Quidditch tryouts were starting up, which Imelda had never failed to mention anytime she was around you, you weren't in the least bit interested.

You had too much going on, flying was useful when getting from point A to B but it wasn't your favorite thing in the world though you were talented, according to her. You would enjoy Quidditch more on the sidelines.

On another note, Sebastian fucking Sallow.

If he wasn't ignoring you in the many classes you had together, the one class where you didn't have anyone else, was the one you were forcibly paired with him. And only in that class will he deign to speak to you with rude remarks and snippy comments, it exhausted you.

A flash flew past your ear and at the closed classroom door, you were Defense against the Dark Arts, at least 30 minutes at the end of class was dedicated to practicing Non-verbals.

"Are you out of your mind?" You almost shrieked at him, "That almost stung me."

"You're out of your mind, maybe if you had been you'd be able to pay attention."

"Don't tell me what to do."

"Well if you would keep up then I wouldn't have to."

You hated him, you hated that stupid smirk he held on his face, his contradictory tone, him. Ire burned throughout you and if you truly wanted to end him, he would've been six feet deep, he didn't know the favor you were doing him.

~~~

You needed to let off some steam, the room of requirement wasn't cutting it, you had made a commitment to the Headmaster and Professor Weasley to stay out of trouble this year. It was the only reason why you had kept within the castle walls for so long, it had been too long, and now you were itching for a fight.

You wandered into the forbidden forest on the hunt for poacher camps, Ashwinders, and any sign of a dark wizard that you could take down. It was past dusk, lights out would be soon and you regretted not sneaking out of the room after the Slytherin girl's dormitory check done by the head girl.

One problem at a time, you heard fighting by the old troll lair you cleared out last year looking for bubotubers. It appears the poachers had reinhabited the area, two men patrolled the area, possibly scouting out to see if there were more of whoever they were fighting.

Streaming, loud and painful, pure agony was heard, you crouched with the disillusionment charm covering you, easing your way behind the men and casting Petrificus Totalus on them both without bringing on any unwanted attention.

You did the same with the others around the camp but there were about 10-11 left. You observed as they fought amongst each other, your eyes wild in confusion, six of them wore masks that looked like a human skull. You couldn't make out any distinct features that you could use to identify them. The black cloaks they wore made them look like living Dementors.

They had the five remaining Ashwinders on their knees, wands inches away from them, on the ground.

What in Merlin's name was this?

They only targeted two out of the five, which had you even more perplexed. So caught up in what was going on in front of you, you let your guard down, you didn't sense someone coming up from behind you.

They pulled you up from your crouched location behind a couple of bushes and a tree, the disillusionment charm disappearing. The person, it felt like a man, shoved you onto the ground. You rolled onto your back just in time as he pointed his wand at you.

"Expelliar-"

"Depulso!" You spoke clearly. Your voice definitely alerted the rest of them, and though the Askwinder would usually jump at the chance to attack you on sight, they picked up their wands and fled.

Two of the masked figures, cast the killing curse on two of the Ashwinders they were targeting before.

You were surrounded, 7 against 1. This was not going to end well, you weren't sure yet for who.

Before you could think twice, with intention; you cast the Imperio curse on one of them, ordering them to attack their fellow whatever they called themselves.

"Protego!" You used the shield as blasts from all sides of you came your way, you ducked and rolled coming up behind one, "Petrificus Totalus."

One down six more to go, you blocked the spells and shot back some of your own, "Levioso, Accio, Descendo." You heard a crack in their neck, you sent a few casts before you had them unmoving on the ground.

Part of you thought about using the Killing curse to speed up this process and help you to not die, kill, or be killed and all that- but you couldn't, you wouldn't. Only in dire situations would you use it, and this wasn't one... yet.

You blocked and shielded, not able to get another hit in. Whoever the two you took down must have been the weaker ones of the group because as you fought the remaining four, they moved fluidly as they attacked you with their magic.

Never faltering, they were experienced, that much was obvious- but their magic felt wrong. It felt old almost ancient- like yours but darker. Like every defensive spell cast was a curse.

You felt yourself getting tired, they were strong and you weren't in the shape you were when you did this every other day.

"Diffindo!"

You felt the cuts in your back, you cried out and mistakenly clutched your back, stumbling forward. The others took their chance-

"Accio."

You practically flew to the one who called upon you, "Descendo," You slammed onto the ground.

Tears stung your eyes as that same person kicked you in your stomach and picked you up from the root of your hair, your chest rose and fell in what you didn't want to admit was fear. You tried looking through the small eyes of the mask to tell the color but they tilted your head to the sky.

"She smells like one of them," He spat out the last word in disgust. He brought you closer and sniffed you, "Definitely one of them."

He shoved you back onto the ground, you sneered at him and your head hit a rock on the ground. You grimaced and touched the back of your head, you felt the wetness of what you could only guess was blood.

You only had one thing left to do, you had felt it bubble beneath you helping you fight them off, it gave you the slightest bit of encouragement as you struggled to pick yourself up.

"We should kill her off now!" One of them from your right said.

You were done playing these games, you weakly lifted your wand and the Ancient Magic sang. Your body was working on autopilot, without a word you lifted the woman who said they should kill you and slammed her body to the ground, picking her up and burying her head into the earth repeatedly.

You tilted your head to the man who roughly handled you, and with a flick of your wand, he exploded.

The three that were left, had shouted 'Avada Kedavra' but it didn't reach your magic had blasted them yards away from you and into the woods.

You wanted to collapse right then and there, with the last bit of energy you could muster, you trudged along the path to the nearest floo flame, straight to the Slytherin Common room.

You didn't want to think about how many more people you killed, or that you just exposed your biggest secret to an unknown group of people who even Ashwinders ran from. You didn't care about how dirty you were, or the blood that stained your clothes.

You descended the steps you had to go down to officially be in the Common Room, as you reached the final step, you felt your wand slip out of your hand and clatter to the floor. Soon, your body would join it.

You didn't make it to the couch when you felt your world shut down, you only felt your legs being lifted off the ground, strong arms supporting you from your waist. Your eyes could barely open but you caught a glimpse of chestnut brown hair and that you were being carried bridal style before being laid on the familiar couch.

Whispers were heard, a bottle being brought to your lips, and a part of your brain hoped you weren't getting poisoned. As you drank, you felt your wounds being healed and the ache in your body lift. Wiggenweld Potion. 

You were on your back, your left hand on your stomach and your right hung from the couch, whoever had settled you onto your usual spot brought the hand that was off the couch and pressed their lips onto the back of it. Then settled it along with your left.

~~~

Chapter 5

Taglist:

@vanivivs

#sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian x reader #sebastian x mc #sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow x slytherin!reader #sebastian sallow x you #sebastian sallow/reader #sebastian/reader #hogwarts legacy mc #hogwarts legacy imagine #hogwarts imagine #hogwarts legacy #ominis gaunt #garreth weasley x reader #garreth weasley x mc #garreth weasley #poppy sweeting #sebastian sallow imagine #sebastian sallow fanfiction

[eerna]

I really like your response to the anon asking about what are the strengths of TFOTA. I think you nailed it regarding how Holly Black hit it out of the park, and I’m curious if you can expand on what you think some of the series missteps were. (TFOTA is an all-time fave for me, but nothing is perfect!)

For me, I think the way she structures her books into different parts does make them drag a little (especially some parts of the middle of The Wicked King). Like sometimes it feels like characters are spinning their wheels a bit while she’s setting everything up for the plot, but I ultimately don’t mind this because her plots are so well executed.

As always, love your breakdowns and critiques so just curious to hear more!

Ayyy thanks, glad you agree! :D

OO yes I heard that as an often critique of her stuff! I do think you're right and the slowness is present, but to me it's not an issue since the characters are fun enough for me never to be bored. I'm the kind of reader who can enjoy the slowest thing imaginable as long as the characters interest me.

Structured like the strengths post, my main issues. 1) The YA writing style of overexplanation. These books are sometimes great at leaving things unsaid, but other times they beat you over the head with the same thing over and over again or go into explanations for stuff you'd think is understood. Example: Jude constantly repeating it is messed up she lives with the guy who killed her parents in book 1. Like. Okay. We know. Trust us we didn't forget it's wrong to kill people and steal their kids. Of course, her constantly thinking about her trauma is part of her character, but it can be expressed in different ways - examples of how this was done well were "I love Madoc, I could love anyone" or "I get scared and I remember the smell of my mother's insides". 2) The repeating stuff from my list of pros... where it doesn't belong. Sometimes characters do or say stuff because HB wants them to do or say them bc she likes to write about it, but it makes NO sense. This was my main issue with TSH - for example, there is absolutely no reason for Oak and Suren's relationship to draw parallels with Jude and Cardan's to the point of repeating phrases, because they are so different that it jerks me right out of the story being told. 3) The editor is asleep on the job. There are quite a few basic editing errors - the amount of times characters smile or grin per page, and the continuity errors. This is the most frustrating aspect because it is so easy to solve!!!!! Just read it once more and click delete!!!! 4) Sometimes HB's "let's go back and elaborate on something from the past to give it a new dimension" works great, and sometimes it makes no sense. Examples: the Ghost betraying Jude because he was forced to, Locke being an Undersea collaborator and a gancanagh. 5) Taryn. She gets her own point because I love her and it's so unsatisfying how she ended up. She spends 2 books girlbossing and being such a sympathetic traitor, then gets pregnant and decides to stop being the worst offscreen and never does another plot relevant thing again. I don't know if HB got tired of her or if she realized everyone hated her and decided to sideline her so people would stop yelling, but MAN is it such a standout bad conclusion among a sea of good ones. 6) JUSTICE FOR OAK GREENBRIAR MY SHORT KING he was always described as tiny and underdeveloped for his age RIGHT up until he became a love interest, when he SUDDENLY started towering over everyone while still overflowing with short king energy. This is a joke to end the list on a happy note but also I would pay for a version of TSH where my monster girl has to lean down to kiss her bf

#eggtina #eernask #eernask talk tfota

[sarcastic-pun-master]

wip supercorp royalty fic lol

pt2

There is a searing pain coursing through her entire body. Kara wants to scream, but there is hot, viscous blood coming up her throat. 

She falls to the ground, choking and gasping for air. 

The pain doesn’t subside, but eventually, Kara begins to feel a coldness spread through her. She knows what this is. She closes her eyes. 

***

Kara wakes up in her childhood bedroom. She is fourteen years old.

Again.

***

Alex was just as she remembered. Kara fell into her arms, letting out a breath. She shuddered, almost crying.

“Kara… my dear, sweet Kara,” Alex whispered, kissing the top of her head, “I’m so sorry.”

Kara finally pulled back. Eliza was standing behind Alex, a look of worry on her face. Kara bowed to her. Everyone around stared in shock. Kara was a princess, no, she was the Princess of Krypton. And yet, here she bowed to a Count. 

“Countess Danvers… If you would accept, I would like to become a ward of your estate.”

"I gave up my right to the throne to Kal-El. Until he is of age, my aunt Astra shall be the regent. My only wish is to remain with the Danvers.”

Kara stepped towards Eliza. “My mother always brought me here for a reason. She never told me explicitly, but I’m sure you’ve realized, she trusted you and Alex with my life implicitly. She knew you were good people. I would like to spend the rest of my days with you. If you’ll have me.”

Eliza stepped forward, wrapping Kara in a hug. “Of course we will, dear. Of course we will.”

***

At night, Kara dreamt of green eyes and a cruel grin.

She woke up in a fearful sweat, her heart aching.

I won’t fall for your tricks again, Kara.

You lied to me. Over and over!

I can’t believe I ever loved you. 

Kara clutched her chest, wishing she could stop these memories. But the harder she tried to suppress them, the more they seemed to come back.

She saw her smile, I love you. 

She saw her scream, I will never trust you again. 

Kara cried. She allowed herself this small mercy, to cry her heart out in the darkness of this night. When it was just her, where no one else could see her. She sobbed for hours over her heartbreak that no one could understand. By dawn, Kara had no strength left. She opened the curtain to let in the sun. 

Kara steeled herself with the breeze coming in through the window. No more tears. 

Kara began re-writing her life in her head. She would not cry over the things of the past. She would not be used as a pawn in this life. She would not be so easily manipulated. Never again. She would live her life the way she wanted to, spending her days with Alex and Eliza by her side, away from all matters of the court. 

I will not keep a hold on things of the past. I will not allow it to dictate my actions in this new life. 

Kara told herself this over and over again, every day and every night. To let the past go, to forget it as if it was a bad nightmare. 

But she knew that those green eyes would haunt her forever.

***

Kara hadn’t seen Kal-El in this lifetime since he was a baby. 

He looked the same as he did when he was a prince, although, he didn’t have that same air of arrogance about him. Kara had made the right decision, not ceding her throne to his father. It seemed that without the pressure of Jor-El, Kal-El had grown into his own man.

“Princess.” Kal-El stood tall, but there was a worry in his eyes. “We’ve lost the war against the Luthorians.”

Kara pretended to be shocked. She knew how tenacious and ruthless Lena could be, it truly was no surprise to her that she’d won. Kara was curious as to why Lena had decided to wage a war in this life, when she’d never been tempted to before. Lena had no interest in what Krypton had to offer, aside from their science - which Krypton was happy to share with the Queen who had married their Princess.

Sometimes Kara wondered if that was the only reason Lena had stuck with her for so long.

“That is… unfortunate,” Kara replied to Kal, “But, Your Majesty, did you come all this way simply to inform me about the war?”

“Princess,” Kal grimaced, sighing. “As I’m sure you know, the winning side has a right to demand spoils of war.”

“Of course. What has Queen Luthor demanded?”

“...Kara, before I tell you, I need you to know. There was no other way. I am grateful for everything you did for me. I know I would not have this position if it hadn’t been for your grace. And I tried to protect you as much as I could, but neither I nor the court can see a way around this-"

“Kal-El,” Kara said with authority, disregarding titles for the moment. “What did you give them?”

Kal-El looked at her with remorse.

“You, Kara.”

***

Kara had to take deep breaths as she entered the tent. 

Green eyes. 

Kara knew she was staring, but seeing her again, it seemed to knock the wind out of her. 

“Your Majesty,” Kara finally said, bowing. “It’s an honour to meet you.”

“You say that as if we have never met before,” Lena said, crossing her legs and smirking at Kara. “Don’t you remember our times spent together as children?”

“That was then, Your Majesty, and this is now. We are no longer children. A certain decorum should be expected.”

Lena hummed, leaning back in her chair. “I take it you’re here to accept my proposal, then?”

“Yes. Although… I do have my conditions.”

“Conditions? Princess Kara, I don’t believe you understand the situation we are in.”

“I know that it seems the alternative to me rejecting your proposal is our kingdom having to kneel to you. But I have a proposition. I will marry you, but I want a divorce.”

If that caught Lena off guard, she didn’t let it show. Her jaw clicked as she repeated, “A divorce?”

“Yes. Marry me, and divorce me a year later. In return, I will give you my lands.”

“What use do I have for your lands?”

“Though I renounced my throne, I still retained the lands my mother’s family kept. We have mines rich with gold and libraries full of knowledge no other family in Krypton has access to. I will give it all to you, on the condition that we divorce a year later.”

“Why?” Lena asked. Kara picked at her fingers behind her back. 

“I do not wish to be held as a hostage.”

“Hostage? I have no intention to keep you as a prisoner.”

That confused Kara. “If you are not taking me as collateral to ensure no retaliation from Krypton, then why send a proposal at all?”

Finally, Lena seemed to flinch. She turned her face away from Kara, sighing. Lena didn’t answer her question, instead she called for someone to bring her a pen and paper. 

“I’ll accept your conditions, Princess Kara.”

#is this anything #i've written 30000 words of this #supercorp #gay tape #btw u can fully imagine lena as s2 morgana

[moe-broey]

i wanna say, you've made me enjoy the heroes ocs WAY MORE with your stuff!!! triandra and alfonse in particular r reaching blorbo tier for me... what made you like them? did you like the story out of the gate, or was there a specific moment that made it snap into place?

for me, i was rather neutral on it until book 3 hit all the tropes i like (big news: grima fan also likes lif, how suprising), but after that i needed to simmer on a lot of it to see its depth.

also your art is super cute.

I AM. SO DEEPLY HONORED TO HEAR THIS LMFAOOOO that's so fucking funny and cool 😭🥺 (also THANK YOU!!!!! 😊)

I've def been ruminating on this one! Triandra is a lot easier to place an exact timeline on her.

I have extreme Alfonse autism, he IS my primary fixation I think LMFAO 😅 And I think what happened was like. Alfonse autism spreads like mold to characters that are connected to/significant to him -- so, I ended up having (intense!) Sharena autism as well, and THAT spread to Peony of course (less intense, but her connection to Sharena is Huge and can't be overlooked), which spreads to Triandra. Triandra was also significant in the back of my mind, since she would be in the exact same situation as Alfonse when it comes to their sisters potentially being swapped, just on the other side of it. Which I think is SUCH an intriguing premise that hasn't been explored in canon at all.

I think I doubled down on it more when I decided to impulse summon for her bunny alt for Sharena autism reasons and got her -- at this point, I didn't have Triandra's base form (just the Peony duo!). Having her as a stand-alone unit helped me flesh out her vibe/character way more! WHICH ALSO was important cause like. I did completely forget her backstory. I blocked out most of Book 4 actually LMFAOO IT WAS SO UPSETTING FOR ME 😭 And the fairy who left the deepest impression on me was Plumeria, actually.

So! My deep-dive exploration of the fairies has been way more recent! All that, combined with one Book 4 revisit and the dream realm centric TT event that excluded Sharena kind of just. Fueled my spite LMFAOO like okay FINE. I'll reconcile all of this myself if I have to 😤

As for Alfonse... man.

It's hard to say which came first, my affinity for Alfonse or the intrigue of Lif. I almost want to say they happened side by side, parallel to each other. I got into FEH a couple years after it launched, so I was able to go through Books 1, 2, and most of 3 at my own pace. I think my affection for Alfonse WAS solidified in Book 3 though, not even because of Lif.

THIS IS. THE VERY FIRST PHOTO IN MY DEDICATED ALFONSE ALBUM ON MY PHONE LMFAOOOOOOO IT'S NOT EVEN OF ALFONSE........ IT'S HIS BITCH ASS DAD 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I thought this moment was SO insanely funny though like MAN. Real "Sometimes I can still hear his voice...." "Stop telling everyone that I'm dead" moment 😰

Though Gustav does NOT get credit for anything.

This dialogue especially in response to Gustav really did touch me. Like for him to go from trying his damnest to remain detached to standing up to his dad (scary) for someone he only recently met. To believe in the strength of that connection ESPECIALLY in the face of conflict (his own fears, and his bitchass dad) (and also the death curse.) To be THAT important, to have that much faith in me. Damn I guess I have to trust you and let you into my heart. 🧍

And prior to that moment, like... I absolutely had a slow burn with him.

Idk how personal I want to get about it esp cause I've rambled SO much already lmfao... but for me, Alfonse is very much like looking into a distorted mirror. Some things are extremely similar, other things are direct opposites but in a way that reflects the other. He's very much like me. He's something I'm not, and something I can never be. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes he has something I wish I could grasp for myself. There's feelings of affection, recognition, admiration, hostility, envy, desire.

Maybe one thing I'm comfortable sharing is that I have a lot of trouble letting people in. I kind of go about it in the complete opposite way. Everything I know about connecting with others, I've had to go out of my way to learn. None of it came naturally to me. I am very intentional, almost meticulous, in what I do and say. To be likable, to be the best person I can be. I've had to work really hard, and I still have to work hard to not push people away or isolate myself completely.

In short PVP was activated when I got a sense for his character LMFAOO LIKE COME ON MAN. I've done XYZ and A THOUSAND OTHER THINGS. I may not show it but AAAUAGJGHGHGH EVERYTHING IS SO HARD ALL THE TIME BUT I AM FACING MY FEARS EVERY DAY. To be A CHILL and FUN super laid back guy who also helps the best he can whenever he can however he can. And you???? What about you?????? What are YOU doing?!???!?? I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU

#ask answered! #THERE'S. SO MUCH. about alfonse fire emblem. for me. #also i DO think the grima enjoyer/lif enjoyer overlap is so funny. LIKE YEAH.... I SEE THE CONNETION....... 👁️👁️ #i think grima has grown on me too! #thanks to a handful of tumblr users 😊 #PEACE AND LOVE........ #fe alfonse #fe triandra

[eleamaya]

Similar Story (and Romance) to SOLDIER!Cloud dynamic in 90s Shounen Manga

Final Fantasy VII is more than the Love Triangle. And luckily for me who grows up with many 90s manga, I find this similarity so I know which pair is the canon one. Yep, I want to share a similar dynamic to SOLDIER!Cloud without having an alien cell in your body. This comes from a 90s soccer manga that won Kodansha Awards for best shounen, the title is SHOOT! The manga was ongoing in 1990-1996 (37 volumes) but it also has one prequel, two sequels, one spin-off, anime adaptation, and a live-action movie.

The main focus of the first title is about the main character becoming the legend's successor/legacy.

left to right (as I would mention their name here): Kamiya, Kubo, Kazuhiro, Kenji, and Toshi

Toshihiko Tanaka (16 yo) was an ace in Kakenishi Middle School’s Soccer Club. Along with his best friends, Kazuhiro Hiramatsu (winger) and Kenji Shiraishi (goal keeper), they study in Kakegawa High to join the soccer club because they admire the captain, Kubo Yoshiharu (17 yo).

Kubo is a talented player with a bright future. He joined a junior team of a soccer club in West Germany (Frankfurt? I forget) when his parents worked there. As Yoshiharu family returned to Japan, many schools want to recruit him but he prefers to be the founder of his own team in a school that had no soccer club. It's also a bit controversial since he invited a troublemaker player named Kamiya Atsushi to establish a team together from zero. Well, his character is those who could see other people's potency and encourage them. He's also an idealist and values freedom that no one can dictate him and his team (that's why he doesnt wanna join famous high school soccer club). In his first year, the underestimated team reached the semi-finals of the prefecture qualification that inspired Toshi. In a short, Kubo is someone Toshi look up to and want to be. But Toshi is just an awkward dork who is even insecure towards Kazuhiro's talent. Though, Kubo notices Toshi's hidden strength in his left leg and gives him special training.

Toshi has a crush on the club's manager and classmate, Kazumi Endo, but he is too shy to show it. And since volume 01 show Toshi impressing Kazumi on the cover, we've known that they're love interest here. Meanwhile, Kubo has a girlfriend he has been dating since first grade, Minako Kitahara. Whenever Kubo is surrounded by journalist and/or his fans, Minako would take Toshi's hand and drag him to accompany her in the cafe like going on a date. Kazumi herself are close to the Trio Kakenishi but she's jealous of Minako who is playful with Toshi. I need to note that Kazumi is a delinquent girl and usually end up bickering with Toshi. Though, the anime adaptation turns her to be Trio Kakenishi's childhood friends and portray her more sweetie. In short, the manga is less romantic than the anime adaptation if that's what you seek. But the manga has many running gags that would make you laugh out loud.

Snippets of the "love square" lol

In summer tournament, Kakegawa High meet a difficult opponent at the prefecture semifinal. The team is behind by score 1-2 and almost desperate. Seeing that, Kubo then makes what public would call it "legendary goal." He does a goal to goal by passing 11 opponent players to make a draw 2-2, giving the team hope. He collapses after that and trusts Toshi to make the winning goal in the last 10 minutes with the deadly shot Kubo has trained him, "meteor shot". The team wins their first prefecture semifinal and surpasses the last year achievement.... but they lose their beloved captain.

Kubo dies the way he lived; loving soccer and playing it with all his heart. He didn't tell anyone on the team (even to Kamiya, his best friend, and Minako, his girlfriend) about his leukemia, he didn't listen to his doctor to stop playing soccer, and sometimes he cried alone in the club room knowing his illness could take his life anytime but he doesn't wanna give up on his dream. That goal is his greatest accomplishment but it also gives you a glimpse of just how far he could've gotten in soccer if he wasn't ill. Who lose him is not only his team, but also his rival, and the public who wanna see his career in national team. Still grieving, the team couldn't play properly in the final right the next day and lost by a score 7-1. The smile Kubo gave Toshi right before the semifinal match and asked him "Toshi, do you like soccer?" is something he would never forget.

Their summer is over, with the hole left by Kubo's death. (Vol. 08)

Minako is praying for Kubo from the tribune. Anyway, watch Kubo's legendary goal and last stand here --> (anime) (live action)

The team slowly moves on and prepares themselves for the winter tournament. Kamiya is the captain now. But when Toshi is given Kubo's jersey, number 10, he doubts himself and feels the weight is too heavy for carrying Kubo's legacy. Kamiya tells Toshi this is Kubo's desire, that he has prepared Toshi to be his legacy. But Toshi is too nervous in the field because the media set a high standard about him while he isn't ready to be compared with Kubo. At the first match of the tournament, the team wins 7-0 but Toshi, as center forward, doesn't make any goal. Kazumi tries to support Toshi genuinely but it doesn't end well. Minako, then fills this blank.

Just like the old days, Minako keeps telling him that he and Kubo are similar in the way they pursue their dream and passion for soccer, that he reminds her a lot of Kubo. She encourages Toshi to believe that he can be a star like Kubo. Toshi is attracted to her despite his feelings for Kazumi. But... she always goes on dates with Toshi in the places Kubo went on dates with her. She also gives Toshi cola after club because it's Kubo's favorite drink although Toshi prefers Pocari Sweat. Though, after a few meetings, Toshi becomes overconfident and cocky that he can do everything Kubo did in the field. In few qualification matches, it works. He makes goals after goals and the team is happy. Only Kamiya reacts indifferently about it.

At this point, I think this is similar to SOLDIER!Cloud copying Zack's mannerism and 'becoming' him… with Aerith being attracted to Cloud because of their similarity and missing Zack so badly.

And finally, Toshi makes blunders because he always tries so hard to copy Kubo's technique, tries to become Kubo. But Kamiya saves the team. After the match, he's angry at Toshi and punches him because this is not what Kubo meant about Toshi being his legacy, that he and Kubo is a very different person in the field, that he should trust himself and just be himself. Realizing his mistake, Toshi meets Minako and tells her to not meet him again. And he says sorry because he isn't Kubo. She cries, admitting that she feels very lonely since Kubo is gone. This happens in volume 12.

Long story short, Toshi become his real self after that, be more confident, and he would honor Kubo's legacy no matter what, carrying his dream along with his own and the team, not feeling burdened anymore. Kakegawa team doesn't just surpass the prefecture tournament (vol. 15), but they also win the national tournament (vol. 28).

See? Cloud & Toshi just need to be confident and be themselves. Their fake self just make a blunder.

Toshi eventually ends up with Kazumi. I dont really care of their romance tbh because it's slow burn that even needs two sequels to have them finally kiss! But it's clear to see how Toshi having feelings for Kazumi from the beginning and missing her so much when she's busy with her career as model/idol. Kazumi also never has an eye to another guy although Kazuhiro also have a crush on her and confess it. The compilation of SHOOT ends with Toshi becoming a player in Real Madrid and winning a match in the World Cup against Germany.

By the way, the live action of SHOOT! (produced in 1994) is centered more in the romance between Kubo, Minako, Toshi, and Kazumi since it's just 90 minutes movie and the actors aren't that great playing soccer. But Takuya Kimura won an awards as breakthrough actor for playing Kubo. And if you wanna follow the series, the anime ends up in winning the prefecture winter tournament, equivalent to vol. 15. The manga is much more than that since it has total 37 volumes.

I will gladly recommend SHOOT! to you because the match itself is realistic and the mangaka used references from real football players at that era such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Maradona, etc. Kakegawa's total football is also inspired from Dutch National Team. This is not Captain Tsubasa who have magical shoots! The almighty player who can do everything like Tsubasa is Kubo and he's doomed by the narrative. Despite being the MC, Toshi himself is not the center in the Kakegawa team because the leadership is on Kamiya and the playmaker is on Kazuhiro. After Kamiya graduates, the captain ban is passed on Kazuhiro. While Toshi end up in Real Madrid, Kamiya is in Juventus, and Kazuhiro is in Arsenal. The friendship and the comedy is also great.

More importantly, I wouldn't recommend it if it didn't win a Manga Awards.

#SHOOT! #text #final fantasy vii

[nevergonnabemuchmorethanweather]

What's your favorite and least favorite thing about each main character on BTVS and Angel?

I can really only answer this for BTVS. I have seen Angel, but not recently, and it just doesn't resonate with me the way BTVS does. Turns out, when there's no Buffy, I don't care.

Buffy:

I love so much about Buffy Summers that it's hard to pick a true favorite trait. I'm going to go with her intelligence because it's so often overlooked even though, in many ways, she's the smartest character on the show-- and the one who actually uses her brain when everyone around her is being utterly irrational and falling for every trick in the manipulative villain handbook.

My least favorite thing about her, by far, is what a doormat she can be sometimes. It's so frustrating watching her take so much shit from her friends and family and forget her own strength over and over.

Giles:

This is difficult to articulate, but I like that Giles chooses to be one of the good guys despite clearly having the capacity not to be, and how his own moral grayness gives him an understanding of the nuances of human nature that the others lack.

My least favorite thing about Giles is his emotional cowardice and immaturity. He does so many harmful and downright stupid things trying to run from his feelings. He never quite learns to put on his big boy pants and deal with his issues, and his being decades older than the rest of the cast makes it really glaring.

Willow:

I love it when Willow cuts down to the core of a situation and exposes everybody's bullshit. Her rant to Giles and Angel in Reptile Boy, reading Faith for filth in Choices, and shutting Parker down in Beer Bad are some of my favorite moments with her.

My least favorite thing about her is that she's actually incredibly self-centered and entitled a lot of the time. She expects the world to stop for her when she's in pain and when she thinks she's right, she's not interested in what anyone else has to say or silly things like basic human rights and autonomy.

Xander:

His bravery. Despite having no powers and no particular skill set, he ends up accomplishing some pretty impressive things through sheer balls and determination, and it's hard not to respect that. Trust me, I've tried.

My least favorite thing about him is almost everything else about him, but I guess that's kind of cheating. If I had to sum it up into one trait, I think I'd say it's his blatant hypocrisy that bothers me the absolute most. He doesn't even try to live up to the standards he sets for other people.

From here on out, my take on who is and who isn't a main character is going to be pretty arbitrary. For instance, I'm not including Tara, even though I adore her, because I couldn't think of anything bad to say about her and that probably means she wasn't fleshed out enough to be a true main character. If I skip a character you wanted my opinion on, I'm always open to more Buffy asks!

Dawn:

Her loyalty. My girl does not mess around when you mess with the people she cares about, and she doesn't play that 'don't take sides' crap. If you hurt someone she loves, you're going to hear about it. I know, I know, Empty Places, but she was clearly being manipulated there and if you look at her behavior overall, she's absolutely a ride or die and I love it.

Her expectations, especially of Buffy, are extremely unreasonable sometimes and it causes a lot of misery all around. I don't count it against her too much because it's a pretty normal teenager thing, but if there was one thing I could change about her, it would probably be that.

Angel:

His insight. He's very good at channeling his own emotional turmoil and self-loathing into understanding others-- usually Buffy, but not always.

His martyr complex and constant self-sabotage are super annoying. Though I love him, I do totally understand people who can't deal with his Man Pain.

Spike:

Devotion. I have all sorts of problems with him but he does have a capacity for sacrificial love that transcends all else-- including soullessness and demonic influence.

And my least favorite thing about him is really just the flip side of that same trait. He's simultaneously creepily obsessive and eye-rollingly sentimental and dramatic.

Thanks for the ask!

#btvs #buffy summers #rupert giles #willow rosenberg #xander harris #dawn summers #angel #spike

[avrablake]

Find the Phrase

Thanks for the tag @shellyscribbles

The rules: Search your manuscript to find the exact or a similar phrase as the one given to you in the tag.

My Phrase: Are you certain?

Putting this under the cut but first leaving an Open Tag for anyone who wants to do this and also tagging @sleepyowlwrites @kaiusvnoir and @talesofsorrowandofruin

Your Phrase: Forget about me

“You look pale,” Kai handed her a towel and a bottle of water as she leaned back against the weight machine, closing her eyes. “Are you sure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard?”

“I’m fine,” she told him, taking the water gratefully. “I’m just tired.”

“You haven’t been sleeping well,” Kai said with a frown. “The dreams?”

She hesitated before nodding. It wasn’t like she could keep anything from him anyway.

“They’ve been worse lately.”

“Maybe we should talk to Lucan about it…” Kai’s voice trailed off, unsure. It had been his idea to keep the dreams a secret from the others for the time being.

Thea just shook her head. Though she was growing more comfortable around Gram and Lucan, and could admit they were kind to her, she still couldn’t trust them completely. Sometimes she would overhear bits of conversation that didn’t make sense to her. Sometimes she would walk into the kitchen to find Gram and Nix seated in uncomfortable silence, as though they were discussing something they didn’t want her to overhear. Nix would glare at her and storm out, and she wouldn’t see him again for several days. Sometimes she would catch movement out of the corner of her eye, a dark shadow moving too fast, like a wraith haunting the base. Her mistrust of Nix, and her apprehension toward him grew with each brief encounter. So long as Gram and Lucan continued to keep him around, there was no way she could trust them.

Kai sighed, pulling her attention back to their conversation. “At the very least, maybe you should take a break from strength training for a while. Maybe your body wasn’t quite recovered enough.”

Thea looked away from him as frustration pricked her eyes. Kai was making steady progress in his own training. She felt like she wasn’t making any progress at all.

“I have to get stronger,” she muttered.

#tag game #find the phrase #btd snippets

[theimpossiblescheme]

(Another entry for @bombawife‘s OC week--this time I get to talk about my Platoria kittens, or rather let their friends and mentors talk about them for me!)

To Aphrodite Jinx, the Junkyard’s self-appointed “handy cat” (but please, call them AJ, all their friends do), Bianca was very much her father’s daughter.  Plato’s cheerful eagerness and restless energy shone out of her, and there was some flickering of forgetting her own strength and trying to channel it into something elegant and calm instead.  But while Plato always looked for ways to make himself needed and useful, Bianca looked to make things useful.  She loved junk–all manner of junk, anything that looked interesting on the pile over the old car boot.  Newspapers, old suitcases, strings of holiday lights, electric bits and bobs, teakettles, tennis racquets, glass jars, orphaned container lids… some of it hung in her corner of the den to decorate the wall, but most of it she rushed over to AJ with questions upon questions.  “Why would somebody ever throw this away?” she wondered, knowing neither of them could answer–who knew why humans did anything?  But oh, weren’t they funny and sometimes rather fascinating?  One afternoon, Bianca helped herself to a pair of welding goggles she’d found hanging on the bedstead, and ever since she refused to take them off.  Most of the time they hung around her neck, but every so often AJ would find her wearing them properly, sprawled out on the ground and determinedly tinkering with some new doodad she’d found, and it always made them smile.  Another afternoon, Bianca tied a ribbon around an old sparkplug, and AJ laughed to see it dangling from her neck as she perused a half-torn book.  You couldn’t deny her creativity, even if it had a strange way of manifesting.  One of these days, they really needed to introduce Bianca to their humans’ garage–she’d have a field day there.

To Tumblebrutus, one of the Junkyard’s many new healers, Cygnus was very much his mama’s boy.  Victoria’s quiet empathy echoed in his voice every time he spoke, reassuring every patient in the den that they were in good paws, and he moved with the same balletic precision that came from sitting and watching her practice every morning.  If only he had her confidence, too.  The kid had it in him, Tumble knew.  He saw it every time Cygnus second-guessed himself about where an injury had come from or how to cure a bad cough, looking back like he knew the answer, but was scared he might be wrong after all.  Some days he needed to prod him along, but other days all he could do was stand back and nod as Cygnus’s instincts guided him.  Let the kid trust himself–it was the only way he’d get better.  And fair was fair, everybody learned at their own pace.  Neither of them had Cori’s extreme soothing calm or Tanto’s mastery of herbs (who did, really?), but he listened with round eyes and perked ears to every lesson.  Cygnus always balked a bit at bandaging wounds, but he took great care not to cut off the bloodflow.  Where he excelled, however, was bedside manner.  He was frankly amazing at getting even younger kittens to sit still and tell them how brave they were, and sometimes he’d jokingly glare back at Tumble for saying a broken leg from backflipping off a car was “pretty cool, you gotta admit.”  And at the end of a long day, they’d send their “latest victim (quit calling them that, you’re gonna scare them off!)” home with a treat and an encouraging word.

To Jemima, the London Jellicles’ Keeper of Memory, Anastasia took after… strangely enough, both of them, and yet neither of them.  Oh, certainly, she had the sweet, earnest nature and soulful eyes everyone knew and loved so dearly, and she was every bit as sublime a dancer.  But there was something lurking underneath.  A frailty that didn’t suit such an energetic kitten–not of body, but of soul.  Like a hairline crack in a porcelain vase.  A sadness, too, that also didn’t belong in someone so young.  Every time Nastya sat alone, away from her little circle of friends (and occasional protective circle of older siblings), Jemima could sense it even from far away.  And so much more besides–glimpses of guttering streetlamps and autumn leaves, pangs of hunger, the heaviness of rain in her fur… and beneath even that, flashes of joy.  Of dancing, twirling skirts, the scent of roses and perfume sprayed to cover sweat, paws clasped to her heart as countless other cats cheered.  She never pried or said anything, of course–a cat valued their privacy above all else–but it was rather like hearing a tearful argument from an upstairs window, except with only one voice.  She couldn’t bear to hear Nastya’s struggling as so many things dead and forgotten boiled to the surface of her mind, and when she finally came to ask for help she wasted no time in telling the dear kitten she didn’t have to figure it all out herself.  Jemima would help her, Victoria and Plato would help her, Bianca, Cygnus, everyone who loved her–they would all be there beside her on this path, like always, toward her own happiness.  And it was the proudest hug Jemima had ever given when Nastya threw grateful arms around her neck and held on tight.

#Next Gen Jellicles my beloveds... <3 #cats the musical #cats oc week #OCs #AJ #tumblebrutus #jemima

[booksandwords]

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

Series: Hell's Library, #1 Read Time: 6 Days Rating: 5/5

The quote: Stories are, at the most basic level, how we make sense of the world. It doesn't do to forget that sometimes heroes fail you when you need them the most. Sometimes you throw your lot in with villains. — Claire Hadley

I really enjoyed The Library of the Unwritten so much more than I anticipated. With a very enjoyable plot, likeable and unique characters and alternating perspectives between several characters. This is a book that truly needs that alternating perspective to allow readers to see that not everyone is what they appear. To humanise them. To only present one perspective in The Library of the Unwritten would do the characters a disservice. Because the characters are a ragtag group (aside from Claire and Brevity) no one knows or trusts each other. That switching perspective allows the reader to see when the characters move from ragtag travellers to little found family. As the groups split up it allows for everything to be seen and if not understood at least known.

On the characters. There are six main characters. Hero a fictional character escaped from his book. Leto, a demon of Entropy, an amnesic demon. Andras Hell's Arcanist, a demon. Claire, Hell's Librarian and former human. Brevity, a failed muse, Claire's assistant and trainee librarian. Finally Ramiel, an angel looking for redemption. No two characters are the same, their motivations are different and you do get physical descriptions of them all allowing for visualisation. Claire is something of an intriguing character. She has a lot of layers, secrets and a past that comes back to haunt them. She is self sentenced to 200 years as Hell's Librarian. Bonus points for creating a soft coded demi character. Leto's whole arc broke my heart a little but I do like how twisty it is. He is so incredibly soft and sweet. Hero is the character that has the nicest development arc. He also is one of my fave types of character complicated, full of redemption and a prism. (This sort of character is why I love Sherrilyn McQueen so much).  Brevity is so, so bubbly but has her human flaws. I think her full backstory will likely come out in one of the later books. Not going to go into Rami or Andras because spoilers.

The story is one you will either enjoy or not. It asks you to follow it down the rabbit hole, check your faith and belief system at the door and believe in the world Hackwith created. If you have strong religious (and I mean any religion here really) views I would advise avoiding this series. While The Library of the Unwritten only challenges perceptions of Christianity and Catholicism (and those based thereon) it does make illusions to others. While I know some people even with strong views will be fine others will take offence. I say this but religion doesn't play a massive part, it more dictates the surrounding politics. Another warning for suicide is alluded to not shown but it is a key moment. The plot is strong enough and with enough going on that while I thought I had it figured out I didn't. Each of the characters has their own moment of strength and weakness that we as the reader see. The ending pulls together all the learnings from throughout the book into a climax that becomes somewhat bittersweet. And kinda left me think what if? The plot is just fun. It's always moving, always surprising and I'm really hoping that A.J. Hackwith can keep it up in the second book.

I want to add just briefly that the lore which I appreciated is revealed through quotes at the start of each chapter. Quotes are taken from journal entries by the various Hell's Librarians and their trainees from many, many years. This is a similar style to Neal Shusterman's Arc of the Scythe (first book Scythe). I always did like that way of revealing the lore of a series. Rather than just giving a massive just dump of lore somewhere for the reader to absorb. There is other lore given as the reader needs it but not as much as I initially expected for a book so heavily built on the other.

For a book I found Libraries -- Fiction subject and came into totally blind I'm immensely happy I read it. It's a combination of what we all want to believe in books, well-written librarians and interesting paranormal lore. There are so many fantastic quotes, mostly in the world-building about libraries, librarians and their cultural positions and importance. Disclaimer as always I am a trained librarian and have a love for my profession written well. This was both written well. It is so rare to see that practice of bookbinding done with such care though and with a solid reason for it to be done. I really do recommend this to libraries and fans of the supernatural.

#hell's library #the library of the unwritten #a.j. hackwith #book review #ktreviews #read 2021 #biblophile #booklr

[thehighchaipriestess]

thoughts from my subconscious: journal entry 1

Trigger warning: emo culture (?), depression, hopelessness, despair, emotional pain, self-harm

Happy trigger warning: hope, silver linings, little miracles, angels, self-love, resilience

And yet I have dreams not to lose hope. I have dreams guiding me to reconciliation. I have shows coming into my life reminding me to have faith. I have moments of magic throughout my day, reminding me my angels are only one word away. It takes a lot of strength to have trust in the process, to believe that the moon will shine out for me in the morning because she knows I need to see her fading face looking up at heaven. I need to believe that the white feather that falls off a white butterfly's wings is an angel saying, "don't be afraid, i'm here to help." I have never known loneliness because when I am alone I am not lonely. It's in the word—all-one.

This morning there were multiple moments where the shadow of the past wherein I gave up crept closer and closer. This morning there were multiple moments where I shattered a new dream of hope with the sharp memory of a pain long gone. I started being emo/scene in 6th grade because my friends were doing it and I was 11 and wanted to fit in. I never had the courage to actually cut into my skin because my mom always has laser vision when it comes to marks on my body and honestly she didn't need another thing to worry about. But the pain I felt as a teen wasn't pretend, though I would exaggerate for pretense, to be seen. A lie has a funny way of making itself a truth inside me. I never took a real blade to my flesh but my emotional muscle has never healed. No I take that shit to the gym and shred it. I don't take protein powder to rebuild.

For years I've been festering wounds hoping gangrenous lament would consume me. A penance for my hopelessness. The punishment for my faith in goodness was taking jabs at the open wound in my spine in hopes that another traumatic episode would have me transcend to the avatar state. What must my chakras look like? All condensed and mucky with gunk I deliberately put into my wells. I don't drink my own water. But I offer it to strangers thinking they won't taste my pain. I am in pain. I am hurt because I hurt myself in an emotional way.

But my angels come through. When I ask for help my angels say "we got you." They see that I'm down again, about to lose myself in lack of faith and they send me reminders. In a sweet birdsong I hear them say, "what's the matter?" In the blue open sky I see the Watcher in charge sending cherubs in the guise of sparrows to light my path, to be that white line on the side of the road in the dark so I don't veer off. A white feather floated down on my path just as I walked on it. That is no coincidence. It is a fact that angels watch over me and help me when I forget to help myself, when the only help I give myself is another serving of fermented disdain.

There is always an angel on your shoulder reminding you it's ok to go astray. It's ok to forget that everything is safe, that life will always try to work out in the most beneficial way for everyone breathing here and dreaming in the hereafter. No one is ever alone in the company of strangers. And no one is ever alone on their own. But I will grant that when I cry out in despair sometimes my wails drown out angels' prayers. And I don't hear them.

Everything is connected, and all good things work together for good. Even the pain in your heart being called 'evil' brings you back to your roots. The root causes of your pain are not to be cast out in vain. Wounds are meant to heal. And we are all already heroes with regenerative Wolverine powers. Let a paper cut happen. Watch it heal. A thousand paper cuts is the pain of a broken heart, but still paper cuts heal. One at a time, whether you keep handling paper or not, if you don't pick yourself apart, your wounds will heal. And you remain whole. As you have always been, complete. Check your arsenal, all the necessary tools are within. And if your spirit is depleted and you need a lifeline, call upon your angels; they'll appear in no time.

#self healing #my writing #poetry #prose poetry #resilience #hopeful #angels

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Broken Crown by MJ Crouch

Gilded Empire #1

Marianna Elizabette Marcosa – “Mari” – was as a mafia princess knowing she was destined to be bartered in marriage to a man that would strength the mafia family. She grew up in Seattle, learned all that her twin brother was taught by their father, but never thought the leadership of the family would fall to her. She has worked hard to maintain control and though still into some shady and criminal activities, has put in effort to clean things up a bit and make Seattle safer for the crime lords and the city in general.

Mari has a well-oiled team that have promised loyalty to her and the Marcosa family – and they know the consequences for not keeping their sworn promise. Business is good but vigilance is necessary at all times as is maintaining alliances between the city’s crime lords. The boat is rocked with the assassination of a cousin followed by the arrival of a new player who intends to take over the city.

Mari has devoted her life to the Marcosa Family Enterprise, has fought and bled for them, protects them, has lost friends and family due to the business they are in, and has few people she truly trusts and can rely on. Who does she have in her corner? A young woman who is a designer and wants out from under being a mafia princess herself. A cousin that is close as a brother. A housekeeper. Her soldiers. And three men who love her and would die for her.

- There is a man who has been at her side from childhood, is her best friend, protective, and her second in command,

- There is another man she knew as a teen who has just returned, he has memories of Mari that don’t quite hive with how she is now so some things to work through while working as the underboss

- And finally, there is a good Samaritan that shows up to help change a tire, gets pulled into a shootout, works as a bartender in Gilded – he has secrets that I want to have revealed.

This is the first book in a series. Once I picked the book up, I couldn’t put it down. There is a cliffhanger ending BUT I am hopeful things will work out well for the person in jeopardy because…there is a second book coming out soon. The main characters are people I can relate to and would like to have as friends. I’m not sure I could be Mari but do enjoy reading about her life and wonder how she will eventually handle the men who love her BUT I can’t wait to find out!

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

I was raised to be a mafia wife—a bargaining chip, a tool, a toy. All that was expected of me was to look beautiful and stay quiet. I never anticipated becoming queen of the Marcosa empire. But when my father and brother were killed, there was no other choice. For six years I’ve learned to become ruthless, strategic, and deadly—to keep my empire intact. That path has been stained with my enemies’ blood. And sometimes my own. Now a new enemy has appeared. He hides in the shadows determined to destroy me piece by painful piece. With everything falling apart, I am unsure of who to trust. Except for the three men at the very foundation of my survival: Greyson - My best friend, my second-in-command, my savior. We’ve been bound together since birth and will remain so until we leave this life behind. Dominic – My new underboss with molten eyes and a smile made for war. He was my first. He’s determined to be my last. He brings out a gentle side in me I don’t know if I can afford. Nate – My good Samaritan who is also a weapon, a killer—I can’t let myself forget that. He has secrets, which sometimes prove deadly in my world. But resisting him isn’t an option. Danger is coming at me from all sides. Without my three men, I won’t survive. They’ll burn the world to the ground to keep me safe. But that may not be enough. ••••• Author’s note: Broken Crown is the first book in the Gilded Empire series and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a Why Choose romance with violence, dark themes, and ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men

#MJ Crouch #Janie Crouch #Gilded Empire 1 #Mafia #Reverse Harem #Romance #Seattle #Steamy #Fiction