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#she's so strong and loving and dangerous and she's always serving looks
atokirina-writings · 1 year
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“Omatikayaru tìhawnu sivi”- Protect the people.
sully family x reader
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shoutout to @eywas-heir for giving me the idea for this fic, i hope i did it justice :)
pairings: sully family x reader, neytiri x daughter!reader, jake sully x daughter! reader, neteyam x twinsister!reader etc.
notes: this is set during the events of avatar twow and I had sm fun writing this! this fic is 2k+ words so be prepared
synopsis: you’re the twin sister to neteyam. growing up you served as the families little bit of peace, even when quaritch threatens everything you know and love.
…Mìpa tìreyti, mìpa tìkanti. Lawnol a mì te’lan.
One of your earliest memories was your mother and father cradling you and your twin brother Neteyam, while your mother sings her songcord. Your mothers voice always had an affect on you from a young age.
“y/n, please stop fighting with your brother.” You always listened to what your mother had to say, even if it was a scolding. You loved your dad endlessly but you were a mama’s girl at heart, and everyone knew it.
She sees a lot of her late older sister in you. Your compassion for Pandora’s animal life, your strong will, and your love for the people.
“Ma' ite, she is beautiful.” Your grandmother constantly reminded your mother how happy she is that you’re her first grandchild. Your whole family adored you and that continued even into your teen years
“Ma sempul Lo’ak has done nothing wrong, let him be.” You never failed to stand up for your younger brother to your father, even when what he did was truly stupid. You never let your brother feel like he was not supported by you. Today however, was different.
When you got the message that Lo’ak, Kiri, Spider, and Tuk were at the old shack with sky people present, you felt could not defend him. He had put himself and your siblings in a dangerous position.
After rescuing your siblings from Quaritch and his people, you couldn’t help but to let your anger with your brother dissipate. Your gratefulness for their safety was a stronger feeling than your anger for them being in that situation in the first place.
꧁꧂
Later that night after finishing a conversation with a few of your friends you make your way back to your families tent. You catch your siblings seated outside of your home seemingly listening to someone’s conversation. “Guys what are you do-” Kiri sushes you, gesturing for you to sit down with them.
“I can not, you can not ask this. I can not leave my people, I will not!” Your ears perk up at the mention of leaving the people. ‘What’s going on?’ You wonder. Your father says something about him targeting your family. You immediately know who he’s referring to. “You can not ask this! The children everything they’ve ever known, the forest, this is our home!” Your mom bites back. Tuk winces upon hearing your mom yell at your dad. Placing a hand on her shoulder you nod at her, giving her a faint smile attempting to keep her grounded.
“My father gave me this bow as he lay dying. And he said ‘protect the people’ you’re Toruk Makto!” At this point you and your siblings are all on edge, as you begin to understand what your dad is insisting. Tuk wraps herself in your embrace as you attempt to soothe her irregular breathing. Kiri has a hand over her mouth as she lets out quiet sobs. Your brothers have serious faces on with saddened eyes.
“But I know one thing, wherever we go this family is our fortress.” You and your siblings make eye contact sharing a knowing look. Your father has never given your family any reason not to trust him, this is no different.
꧁꧂
Turning back you’re met with the forest, your people, and your home getting smaller and smaller as you ride off with your family to a new region of Pandora.
You learned how to hunt there, you bonded with your Ikran there, you attended Tsahìk lessons with your grandmother there. The forest is your home and your life’s first love. Nowhere could ever replace it.
Although if this is truly the best choice for the safety of your family, you’re willing to go as far as it takes.
꧁꧂
Arriving at Awa'atlu, everything felt wrong. You felt outcast for the first time in your life. You and your siblings immediately being subject to the bullying of the Olo'eyktan’s son Ao’nung and his friends didn’t help the feeling either.
“Leave us alone!” Your ears perk up, your head swiftly turning to where you’re hearing the commotion. Your eyes land on the sight of Lo’ak and Kiri being harassed by Ao’nung and his friends. Making eye contact with Neteyam you both make your way over to your younger siblings.
Roughly shoving Ao’nung away from your brother and giving him a deadly stare, your eyes narrowing at him. “You heard what she said, leave them alone.” Neteyam demands. One of his friends attempts to talk back to him and before you can respond to him Ao’nung raises his hand infront of is body, silencing him. “Back off now!” You hiss tilting your head, daring him to say anything back. Ao’nung then raises his hands in surrender. “Smart choice, and from now on I need you to respect my siblings.” Checking to make sure all of you are ok you begin to retreat back to your marui pod.
Walking away they begin to talk more shit under their breaths about your family. Lo’ak stops walking with us and turns back. Neteyam warns him to stop but Lo’ak dismisses him and continues to walk over to the group. Neteyam makes eye contact with you, clearly confused as the two of you watch the scene unfold.
Suddenly Lo’ak punches Ao’nung in the face twice, and he’s sent back by the blow into the sand. “It’s called a punch bitch!” They immediately gang up on your brother, he starts losing the fight and fast. “Teyam do something!” You whisper yell to your brother. He looks at you scratching his head contemplating getting into a fight for his little brother, ultimately deciding to jump in to help him.
꧁꧂
After all the fighting Lo’ak and Neteyam returned home all bruised up. Your father was not having it, ordering you all to go make peace with Ao’nung. Once your brothers left with defeated faces you stick behind to talk with your dad.
“Lo’ak was only defending Kiri, Sully’s stick together and that’s what he was doing. The execution wasn’t the best sure but he still stood up for her, don’t be so harsh.” He sends you a sympathetic smile and pulling you into his chest, wrapping you in his strong arms, and kissing the top of your head. “Alright babygirl.”
꧁꧂
The peace that was made between the two families was soon destroyed when Teyam comes in dragging Ao’nung by his arm “Tell them what you told me” Looking at your parents in confession you listen to what Aonung has to say.
The color drains from your face he reveals what has happened with your brother. Throughout the night you wondered where he had gone off to, figuring he was out doing his own thing with his new friend Tsireya you brushed it off.
When your little brother returned home you ran to him trapping him in a tight embrace, thanking Eywa for his safety. He relaxes in your embrace but quickly tenses back up at the sight of your enraged mother.
꧁꧂
The following weeks at Awa'atlu were rather peaceful for you. Lo’ak told you all about Payakan, the clan shamed him for it but you found it interesting and agreed with him that Payakan is a hero. So did little Tuk, she constantly asked him about his new found friend.
The Tulkun returned home, and you swear to Eywa it was the most beautiful sight. You got better and better at riding your ilu and holding you breath thanks to Tsireya’s lessons. Things for your family were starting to look up.
꧁꧂
You were cooking dinner with your parents when you got the news that started the spiral that sent everything downhill.
You and your mother were laughing at your father’s corny jokes, simply enjoying one another’s company when Tonowari walked past your marui pod, causing you all to fall silent. Your mom gave your dad a questioning look as he makes his way to Tonowari.
꧁꧂
Ronal’s spirit sister and her baby were killed by Quaritch. Noticing how your mom’s heart clinches at Ronal’s cries reminding her of when her own sister was taken by the sky people, you place a hand on her shoulder trying to soothe your mother.
When the clan gets word on what has happened, all hell breaks loose. Your father attempts to reason with them that attacking the sky people will end in defeat but they persist. “Please, listen to my father!” You beg the people to hear him out but their war cries only grow louder.
Your father shows off the tracker to clan, silencing them all. It is decided that the clan will warn the tulkun and tell them to leave. The clan thinks this is about the Tulkun but your family knows it’s really you being hunted.
Lo’ak runs off to the docks, Neteyam and you following after him knowing he’s going to warn Payakan. Lo’ak argues with Neteyam about him being the perfect son he’ll never be and it hurts your heart. He jumps into the water and takes off on his ilu. Neteyam and you yell his name in unison as you jump in after him, commanding your ilus to follow him.
꧁꧂
When you find Payakan, he has a tracker lodged in his arm. Using the strength of You, Neteyam, Lo’ak, Rotxo, Ao’nung, and Tsireya you manage to pull the tracker out. Successfully rescuing him.
In the process Kiri, Tuk, Lo’ak, and Tsireya are captured and bound the the ship. Your parents along with the metkiyna warriors arrive aiding in the fight, Payakan does too.
Dodging every bullet from underwater effortlessly, you make your way to the ship. Emerging from the water you run to Lo’ak cutting him loose while Neteyam frees Tuk and Tsireya.
“Did ya miss me little bro?” You tease. Rolling his eyes and shaking his bound wrist “Just hurry up!”
Cutting him loose “Cmon bro lets go.” Neteyam and you begin to exit the ship but Lo’ak turns back, taking a gun from a dead sky person.
“They have spider” Lo’ak begs you and Neteyam to save him. You know how much Spider means to him, they grew up together after all. Sharing a look with Neteyam he groans and reluctantly agrees.
Together You and your brothers take out every last human in the area seamlessly. Using your knife to puncture one of its oxygen mask while kicking the back side of their knee bringing them to the floor, slitting their throat. Successfully retrieving Spider you rest your hands on your knees trying to calm your uneven breathing, “Nice kill sis!” Lo’ak praises, hitting the back of his head in response annoyed by his joking in a serious situation.
“Guys go! go!” Neteyam shouts,redirecting your attention to the avatar shooting at the three of you. Once the four of you reach cover you take the gun out of Lo’ak’s possession, firing back at your attackers.
“Lo’ak jump go!” You order and be wastes no time jumping off of the ship into the water below, the other two boys following right behind him. You stay behind continuing to fire bullets at the group shooting at you, you’re out numbered now. Quickly reciting a prayer to Eywa you dive into the water.
When you emerge from under the water you gasp at the stinging sensation in your shoulder.
“Oh shit y/n.” Spider gasps and everyone’s attention is on you in an instant. You feel yourself being pulled onto an ilu as your eyes start to feel heavy. “Y/n hey, hey, stay awake ok?” Lo’ak pleads as he cradles you in his arms.
꧁꧂
“Watch her head! Watch her head” You hear someone frantically yell. You gather that you’re being pulled onto some form of land. Feeling strong hands grasp your shoulders examining your body, your eyes flutter open. “Babygirl? Hey sweetie keep your eyes open for me yeah?”
You feel heavy, your eyes are clouded with tears, everything hurts. As you blink in and out of consciousness you notice everyone is hovering around you in a circle, and a new figure emerges.
“Oh my sweet girl, Eywa please.” She begs “Momma i’m scared, I want- I want to go home.” You choke out, through the pain getting worse and worse by the second. “We’re going home baby, we’re going home.”
Your eyes unfocus from the world around you.
You can hear cries from over you but you no longer have the energy to inspect it.
꧁꧂
Your eyes open to Tsireya and Ronal kneeling over you. You groan at the light beaming painfully into your eyes. “She is awake, everyone she is awake!” Tsireya calls out and in an instant your family rushes in.
Your mother walks up to you falling to her knees at the sight of your hurting figure. “Thank you great mother, thank you.” Hot tears fall from her face onto your chest as she litters kisses on your forehead.
Looking to your other side you see your dad staring at you with puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. “Dad it’s ok, i’m ok now.” You reassure. Your voice is hoarse and dry, from the lack of talking you’ve been doing.
“I’m just happy so you’re safe baby.” Your dad says sending you a close lipped smile. Using all the strength in your body you extend your arms out to your family, inviting them into all into a hug.
Your parents place their foreheads on yours, your brothers hold each of your hands, and your sisters rest their heads on each of your legs.
Melting into your family’s embrace, burning this moment into your memory.
Sully’s stick together.
tysm for reading! a like and reblog is deeply appreciated <3
Taglist: @multifandomgirllol @23victoria @avatar4eva @simp-erformarvelwomen @themysteriousslenderman @hannahboobanna @uglymammoth @onlytays @bvbblepopp @lets-candice @mrs-sullys-blog @ssc7514 @neteyamforlife @iloveavatar
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konigsblog · 5 months
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omg I loved idea of kidnapper!konig w the shy and sheltered reader it has me floored tbh🫨😮‍💨 presenting you my brain rot the way a proud cat delivers a leaf on your doorstep as a token of gratitude
thinking about how he noticed her at her work or something bc she was so helpful but a little reserved, afraid of him even. Probably bc she isn’t used to seeing 6”10 behemoth military men every day. Konig is smitten w the way she shies away from his intense eye contact, the way she flushes painfully all over her face and neck and stutters as he tries to make conversation. He is enamored, because despite being taken aback by him she still is so obedient and proper in the way she addressed him, going out her her way to make sure he has everything he needs. He wonders in how many other ways she would be so willing to serve him. He knows that she would make the perfect housewife, one worth it to being kept in a gilded cage. a beautiful girl such as herself, oblivious to the dangers of the real world needs protection, someone strong to keep her safe from all the bad men who would no doubt gladly take advantage of her. Konig makes a vow that day to be her protector. at first, the only thing she does is cry and try to get away from him after she wakes up and finds herself chained in his dark basement. She refuses to believe this is her new reality, that’s she’s held captive in the dungeon of the soldier with the icy blue eyes she met at work. She wonders what her mistake was, because she only tried to be nice and friendly despite feeling a deep sense of dread in the pit of her stomach the minute she had laid eyes on the masked giant. If only she had listened to her gut…
no matter how much she beg and pleads, the giant doesn’t budge. He patiently waits for her panic to subside as he takes her in his arms, shushes her and gently wipes and kisses away her tears. He makes her skin crawl, but no matter what she does, she can’t escape the iron grip of his enormous arms snaked around her waist, holding her against his chest as he rocks her back and forth. He is so sweet and gentle, so patient and understanding. He lulls her to sleep in his arms, speaking soft and soothing words in her ear. Soon, she’ll get used to her new home. To her new place beside him, as his. His to love, his to cherish and protect. He promises the chains will come off her ankles and wrists once she behaves and stops trying to get away. But until then, she’s bound to sleep on the old mattress in the cold basement. Of course he isn’t heartless. He comes down once a day to feed her, always making sure its her favorite foods and snacks she gets but on one condition: she has to let him feed her, take the bites and spoonfuls from his hand. He coos at how much of a good girl she is being for him, his praises tinting her ears all pink. And he allows her to bathe, he has all of her favorite oils and gels and products. But once again, for a price. She has to allow him to bathe her. At first she tries to edge away from his hands on her, large and brute palms lathering her soft skin with soap, thoroughly rubbing her all over. She’s never been naked in front of someone else, let alone touched in such a way. But she relaxes once he applies enough pressure on her aching joints, massaging the soreness away. When she finally relaxes and leans her head back against the bathtub, she feels his calloused fingers edge down to her core, teasing her folds. She flinches and opens her eyes, looking up at him, startled and caught like a deer in the headlights.
“have you ever been touched down here, meine hirsch?”
his voice is ever so soft and inviting. She shakes her head, caught in his gaze as her chest falls and rises, her nipples hardening from the cold as her soapy breasts peak up from underneath the bubbles. His fingers find something small, something hidden between her folds and she yelps when he starts rubbing slow and small circles on it. He is delighted to have his suspicions confirmed, his engel is untouched. A virgin.
“you’ve been so good for me today. So obedient. You’re learning so fast, meine hirsch. I think you’ve earned another reward. How about I spoil you some more?”
NON-CON/RAPE
könig is so ecstatic to realise that his little engel is a sweet, inexperienced virign. so he can be your first, the one to corrupt you. you're just so sheltered, so scared and teary-eyed when his hands dip further and further until they reach area's you wish they wouldn't have.
his semi-hard cock only hardens more at the sight of you; bare and wet in a tub of warm water, weak and vulnerable against him. god, the thoughts and fantasies of taking you now – even if you didn't want it – were driving him crazy, almost delusional as his eyes widen and the sides of his mouth curl up into a eerie smile. his morals almost forgotten about when he saw you shudder.
“oh-hah, my sweet thing... are you a virgin?” he lauaghs out at the question, almost taken about, excited and shocked.
he chuckles lowly when you nod, rubbing your clit in soothing circles whilst kissing your cheek. you whimper, whining at the newfound attention to your clit. you can only grip the sides of the bathtub, cornered in and useless against your kidnapper.
“please–stop!” a hearty chuckle leaves könig at your sight of misery, your fear. the tortue he's inflicting apon you and your poor, virgin body.
“you have nothing to be afraid of, my dear...” despite his promises, you could see past his smirk, knowing exactly what he had in store for you.
könig bundled you up into the towel, holding you in bridal style before placing you down at the edge of the bed. he threw the towel open from your body so that you were laying against it. the rough texture against your soft skin while he swirls his throbbing dick around your tight entrance. you whimper, squirming and shaking at the pleasure before he eases inside mercilessly. your nerves through the roof.
he doesn't care. not about your pleasure, but about the tightness of your pussy around his big dick. he's just so hard, so, so fucking hard as he pushes deep inside, pressing against your womb as he repeatedly begins thrusting into you. you cry out, thrashing beneath him to no avail as his grip on your hips only tightens, pushing you down against the bed :(
“stop-please, i don't want it!!” you whimper out, fearful and trembling, pussy throbbing and pulsing uncontrollably around him, only driving him more insane, giving him more power and control as he uses the way your body reacts against you. your pussy can't seem to stop drooling, what's the issue? he's just making sure his princess is treated right.
“look at you, you can't even deny that you're enjoying this.” he huffs out when he feels your folds wrap and tighten around his fat cock, continuously driving his huge cock into your virgin pussy relentlessly. no pity or mercy, and sure as hell no sympathy as you continue squirming despite being asked repetitively to stay still for him. so he can use you, just how he thinks you like.
you don't want this, none of it. but when he pinches your hardened, swollen nipples while bullying his thick and veiny dick into your weeping, raw cunt, you can't help but moan and pant, arousal dropping from your sex as he grinds against you.
“...no-no more...” you pant breathlessly. so sore, aching and bruised. his rough pace doesn't stop, not even for a second. slapping your face harshly as you grew more dumb and dizzy from his cock. he didn't want you to miss a second of this.
“don't pass out on me, engel, i won't stop even if you're unconscious...” you sob out at his words, choked and silenced when he wraps his large and calloused hand around your throat, making you babble out at the burning, rupturing sensation in your core.
so, so callous and careless as he leaves you whimpering and sensitive.
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oozedninjas · 8 months
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Ninja's Heartstrings
Summary:
Leo and Raph are in love with you, and they both show it in their own unique ways, sparking constant clashes that make Donnie and Mikey uncomfortable, causing conflicts within the group.
Beyond enjoying their attention, you begin to realize that you have strong feelings for both of them, and you find yourself torn between whom to choose. But one day, it dawns on you: Aren't brothers supposed to share everything?
WARNINGS: NSFW (suggestive) / part one of two of an eventual trio-smut / +18 MDNI / Leo and Raph are in their late twenties /
Master Splinter always said that a ninja must be observant. After so many years of hearing that statement, Leo noticed he applied that principle not only on the battlefield but also in his personal life, which sometimes left him wondering whether he had incorporated it as a part of his personality or if he simply couldn't help but scrutinize things in detail when it was about you.
He paid attention to the way your hair moved when you walked, to the glow in your eyes when you were happy. He noticed the way you frowned when displeased and sighed when disappointed. He marveled at how absolutely ravishing you looked no matter what you wore. It wasn't fair how you could weaken him without even trying. 
Leo couldn't help the look of excitement in his eyes as they followed you when you entered the lair. And certainly, he couldn't stop his heart from pounding like crazy when you noticed and waved at him. However, it was Raphael who you approached. 
He casually held you by the waist as you showed him the film you had brought for the usual movie night. It was only then that Raph darted a quick look at Leo across the room. A sly smirk came with it. Of course he knew. Leo understood right there that his feelings for you slipped through him like water through fingers. Whenever he looked at you, his gaze held such a depth of sentiment that it was impossible to conceal. 
Of course, Raph knew, and he made it very clear that he felt the exact same way about you, and he wasn’t giving you up. It was evident in every protective move he made around you: casually placing his hand over the sharp edges of the furniture whenever you passed too close, serving you the largest slice of pizza, or giving you the bigger piece when splitting a piece of chocolate in half. He would take you home each night after your visits to the lair on his motorbike and come back smiling like a true fool.
Leo sighed, resigned. He loved his brother and would be more than happy to share his contentment at being with someone as wonderful as you. Yeah, maybe that was the right thing to do. 
"Hey, aren't you coming?" you turned to ask.
You smiled at him as if your heart was physically calling for him. Ah, crap. He wouldn’t stand seeing you smile like that to anyone else. That day, the leader in blue set his mind on one thing and one thing only: he would fairly win you over. Leo grinned back at you with a dangerous glow in his eyes.
"Yeah, make some room for me."
*****.
“She’s gonna be here soon,” Mikey said as he arranged the cushions on the living room sofa. He had already cleaned up the empty pizza boxes and now Donnie was placing them in a black plastic bag along with other trash remains. 
The gentle, yellow-tinged warmth light permeated through the grooves in the ceiling, barely kissing the furniture surface. 
“Yeah, hope things don’t get weird again,” Donnie said.
He spoke in a somewhat whining tone, as he rolled his eyes. Mikey chuckled.
“Tell me about it. Which of them will snap first this time?”  
“My bet is on Raph.” 
“Hmm, I don’t know, Leo was this close last time!” 
Mikey made a tiny gesture with his fingers as he giggled to the thought of Leo’s deep frown when you chose Raph to cuddle with while watching the movie the last time you were there.
“I was close to what?” the leader interjected, arms crossed. His gaze was skeptical as his tone curious. 
“Oh, you know, demanding a duel combat with Raph owing to jealousy,” Donnie answered as he tied a knot in the black plastic bag.
Leonardo's expression darkened. 
“What?” 
Mikey gulped, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the abrupt change in the atmosphere, but he remained quiet. 
“Come on, don’t play dumb. You know what I’m talking about.'' 
"Who's playin' dumb?"
Raphael entered the living room then, pop-corn on one hand, a soda can in the other. His voice was so glowy it made his good mood palpable. 
“No one. Donatello is just overthinking stuff,” Leo deflected. 
Raph let out a closed-mouthed chuckle. “When isn't he?”
Donnie gaped, offended.  
“Excuse me?! I’m not overthinking anything. I’m just stating the facts.” Donatello whined while putting off the bag.
“Which are?” Raph asked while leaning on the opposite wall on which Leo was standing.
 "You both need to cease displaying such—" he paused for a moment, attempting to pinpoint the precise words to encapsulate the entire situation. "Enticing behavior towards her!"
"What?" Raph managed to force out a scoffing chuckle to mask he had choked on his soda. 
“Oh, please,” Donatello said sardonically. 
Raph was about to retort but Mikey spoke first. 
“Look, we’re just saying it’s obvious you’re both into her, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable to be trapped in the middle of—”
“Of whatever mating rituals you’re putting out to win her over,” Donatello finished, tired of feeling cringed every time you visited the lair.  
The door swung open just then, before anyone else could utter another word. You strode to the room, and all heads turned in your direction.
"Hey, guys!" you greeted with a cheerful tone, but you couldn't ignore the heaviness in the atmosphere settling onto your shoulders. The four turtles exchanged a knowing look. "Did I miss something?"
“No! no, we were just having a… creative discussion” Mikey said quickly, smiling. His fingers fidgeted close to his plastron. 
“Couldn’t decide which movie to watch tonight,” Leo said in a much more smooth tone. “Think you can help with that, doll?” 
His voice was velvety as he addressed you. Rapahel rolled his eyes, and Donatello murmured something you didn’t quite catch. 
“I could bring up some options, I guess.” 
"Be my guest," Leo extended his hand to escort you to the sofa, but Raph swiftly slapped it away before you could grasp it.
"She knows the way. You're not a damn host," Raph growled under his breath.
"Oh my God, I can't take this anymore. I'm calling it quits for tonight," Donnie declared, turning to face you. "It's wonderful to see you, but I've got some lab work to wrap up. Enjoy the evening, and make yourself at home." Donnie bid you farewell with an apologetic smile. He shot his brothers a glare of frustration as he left.
“I’m off too… places to be, pizza to eat, you know!” Mikey let out a chuckle before vanishing from sight.
You stood there, utterly perplexed. After a few moments of processing how everyone had essentially fled the movie night, you shifted your attention to Leo and Raph, your expression demanding answers. Impatience grew with each passing second as your foot tapped the floor in rhythm.
"Well? What's going on?"
“They’re party poppers, don’t mind them. Now c'mon, sit with me.” Raph placed his arm around your shoulders casually, offering you popcorn with the other. Leo was about to make a comment but you spoke first.
“Actually…” you said slipping away from his hold smoothly, “I want to sit with Leo tonight.” 
Raphael clenched his jaw, “Fine, whatever. What are we watching?” 
You frowned at the sudden harsh tone, but didn’t really understand the problem. You had indeed sat beside him last time. Was he…?
“Come on Raph, don’t be a sore loser.” 
"I ain't lost nothin' yet," he shot back, with a determined tone.
"Hey, uh, guys?" Your voice wavered with a mix of uncertainty and squeakiness.
They both shifted their attention to you, guilt flashing across their faces as they registered your puzzled expression. Raphael let out a sigh.
"Ya know? I actually gotta kick some butts tonight." 
He handed you the popcorn bowl as he finished the soda, strolling toward the door.
“What?! you’re leaving too?” You asked, reaching out to him but Leo grasped your hand, stopping you in your tracks. 
“Let him go, he needs to cool down,” the leader whispered to you. 
"Sorry, sugar, catch ya next time... unless ya wanna swap flicks for somethin' more thrillin'," he smirked, taking a few steps back to get a good look at you. Raphael adored the way your eyes lit up at his words, but he wasn't thrilled about Leo's hand holding you in place.
“That’s tempting, but I really wanted to do something chill tonight. See you around Raph!'' 
He shrugged, seemingly dismissive. “Your loss.” 
It wasn’t visible but the amount of self-control that took him to just go was huge. He would rather leave than seeing you glued to his brother's side all night and he knew better than trying to make you change your mind. Additionally, starting a fight could make matters worse, and he didn’t feel like falling from your good side. 
“Now, what if you show me your favorite movie?” Leo smiled, but this time there was something more to his smile. 
*IIII*
You both were sitting on the couch, his arm over your shoulders and your head leaned against his own. Outer-thighs barely touching. His breathing was even, plastron moving calmly. You hadn't really gotten used to watching it up close. It was pretty. Marked with small indentations which made it look like you could run your nails over them… and so you did, jolting him a bit, but Leo just glanced at you, flashing a smile before returning his eyes to the tv. He stood still despite his heart hammering loudly. Could you hear it? He tensed. 
You were absorbed touching him, imagining –not for the first time– how would that part of him feel against your own. Bare skin to skin, your nipples rubbing on the hard surface of his chest. Your breath hitched. It wasn’t right to have this kind of fantasies when he was right beside you, yet you couldn’t help yourself. Your mind simply took life of its own and started to produce several indecorous images. 
It was like that night with Rapahel, the other day. 
Both of you were riding on his bike, he told you he wanted to show you one of his favorite spots to watch the city lights and you traveled hugging him from behind, chest against his shell. Scratches and marks of combat decorated his carapace. His muscly shoulders barely peeked from ahead and you would have given everything to just let your hands wander his entire back. 
“Well, here we are,” he said, stopping the motorbike before he jumped off in one smooth movement. 
“An abandoned building?” you said skeptically, following him to the creepy dark entrance. 
“Scared?” he teased, looking back at you with a smirk. 
“As if.” 
It was indeed quite gloomy, Raph's presence dispelled your fears. Naturally, you'd rather meet your end than admit it out loud and inflate his ego to an even more dangerous extent.
He entered, and you trailed closely. The space resembled an abandoned hotel lobby, with wood marred by moss and the steel of the staircase corroding. A peculiar blend of natural light and the faint reflections of neon-glowing advertisements scarcely penetrated through the shattered windows. Somehow, you thought, it was something along with Rapahel aesthetics.
You two ascended the ladder, and with each step, your body pulsed with anxiety, the thought crossing your mind that perhaps the stairs wouldn't bear the weight of both of you since they creaked strangely with each step. But those were unfounded worries. Soon, you reached the top floor, and Raphael swung open the door that led to the roof. New York City at night, seen from the pinnacle of an abandoned building, offered a breathtaking view.
He perched on the edge and extended his hand to you. Without hesitation, you took it, settling beside him, your legs dangling over the cars bustling along the avenue below.
“Raph this is amazing!” you said, unable to repress a smile. 
“I know” he hesitated before continuing, “I used to come here a lot… back then.” 
You turned to him, his expression was deep, and you decided not to let go of his hand.
“When you were a merciless vigilante?” you tried to joke and he smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. 
“Come one, I wasn’t ‘merciless’ I actually gave them many chances to withdraw.” he lied, jestingly “Guess they loved having their asses kicked.” 
You laughed at that and this time he seemed more relaxed. 
“Or maybe they stupidly thought they could defeat you” 
"They should've known better. I'm faster and stronger than 'em. Always have been," he boasted with that air of superiority that you adored. "Besides, no one stands a chance against the Nightwatcher."
"Or big metal turtle, like Casey called it," you chuckled. "Man, I would've loved to see you in that armor," you mused absentmindedly after a couple of seconds, and he shot you a smirk.
"I still got it. I might wear it if you ask me real nice," he said smoothly, with that low tone that sent shivers down your spine and made your thighs clench. Yet, you didn't let it show.
"Ooh... please show me?" you said, offering him your most charming smile. Raph laughed, his voice raspy and deep.
"You'll have to do better than that." 
"Come on, Raph, you want me to beg?" you protested, shifting carefully to avoid falling. His eyes sparkled, and his smirk grew wider.
"Fine," you whined, "could you please try on the armor for me?" Raphael scoffed.
"That was still kinda weak, but I suppose it'll have to do." He started to move as if to stand up, but you instinctively interlocked your fingers with his, not even thinking about it. His eyes flicked down to your hands and then back to you, questioning.
"Not tonight, though. I'm too comfy to move," you remarked. As you said that, you pressed your side against his, and he gently tightened his grip on your fingers. It felt wonderful to be close like that, in a peculiar kind of embrace amid the heights, incredibly intimate and heartwarming. A few seconds passed during which you both simply gazed at the city and how far the streets stretched. Then, he softly called your name, his hold on your hand trembling slightly.
"I've been meanin' to tell ya somethin'," he began, and you looked at him with a small smile.
"What?"
Raph moved closer, his eyes ensnaring yours with their intensity. There was something in them, a gaze concealing a sentiment he'd been bottling up until now, much like you had. He lowered his face, resting his forehead against yours, and your noses brushed against each other.
"You can tell me anything," your voice barely more than a longing whisper. Your mouth drew nearer to his with each passing moment, your half-closed eyes revealing your desire.
The high-pitched wail of a siren, accompanied by the flicker of red and blue lights, made Raph growl as he reluctantly tore himself away from you.
"Duty calls." He breathed with flushed cheeks before clearing his throat.
Something – someone – shocked your arm repeatedly, pulling you out of the sweet memory. Leo was gazing at you with a mix of amusement and doubt, as if he were anticipating something from you.
"I'm sorry, what?" you said, blinking a little.
"I asked if you'd like more popcorn." He gestured to the empty bowl, and you gasped. Had you devoured it all by yourself, lost in your own mental movie?
"Oh no! No, thank you." You felt heat burning the back of your neck as color crept to your cheeks when you realized that he might be asking because he was the one who wanted more, since you had selfishly eaten it all on your own. "B-but if you want more, I can go get some."
Leo chuckled at you before smiling sweetly. "It's fine, I'm good."
"You know, there's something I'll never understand about romantic comedies," you changed the subject as the movie continued. You couldn't quite keep quiet now, perhaps due to nervousness. "And it's why they only seem to make you yearn for a lover so perfect."
Leo raised a brow.  
"How's that?" he asked, leaning closer, and you could feel his cheek resting on your head. You thought he must look cute, eyes still on the TV as your chest tightened with the desire to hug him.
Slut. 
The thought came so fast and so forcefully, crashing onto you from the back of your head to your eyes, throbbing. Slut. Hadn't you just been remembering how you felt in Raph's arms a literal second ago? Then why? Why did what you were feeling right now seem so close to that, if not even the same...
"Well, th-the protagonist's romantic interest is always too stunning for real-life standards. There's no one that perfect," you continued the conversation, trying to block your own thoughts.
Leo shifted to look right into your eyes. "I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said, flashing you a charming smile. You blushed even harder this time.
"Oooh, don't tell me you think you've found the one," you teased, trying to escape the cringe of your own mind without realizing you were digging your own grave.
Leo kept his little grin and nodded. "I think I may have, yes."
"How's she like?" You knew he was talking about you; all of his body language screamed so. Leo seemed to think for a second.
"Too stunning for real-life standards," he said with a sly look, and you lightly smacked him on the arm with the back of your hand while chuckling. But then he added in a small whisper, "She doesn't seem to mind."
You frowned, "Mind what?"
Leo shrugged, his gaze suddenly fixed on the TV. You weren't supposed to hear that.
"Leo?" you prompted.
"We are ninjas," he started, "and we have acclimated to the idea of living forever banished in the shadows. Alone. Not only because of the secret oath to protect this city, but because of the way we look. Whenever we're together, she looks at me as if..." he locked his gaze on yours again, filled with deep yearning and adoration, "as if she doesn't mind.."
He wasn't talking only about appearances. You deserved someone who could spend time with you during the daytime too. You should get to be with a guy who's able to accompany you to family dinners, publicly celebrate your relatives' or friends' birthdays, heck, someone who could take you to your graduation dinner or job promotion celebrations. He couldn't do all of that, but you already knew, and you didn't seem to care.
"And when she's with me, I feel like I could actually be bold enough..." he leaned closer, eyes half-lidded in craving. His face was now just two inches away from yours, "to kiss her."
The glimmer of his gaze was drawing you into a warmer world, one in which you knew you'd be safe within his arms. Your past worries were now forgotten, lost in the midst of his shallow breaths. 
"Yeah? So why don't you try it out?"
"I might just do that now."
"My son."
Both of you jolted back at the sound of Master Splinter's voice, followed by a throat clearing. You felt your whole body turn red with embarrassment. How long had he been there?!
Leo's expression was priceless, so startled despite his ninja skills. It was so funny that it almost made you forget your embarrassment.
"We were just watching a movie." 
Despite his age, Leo still felt the need to explain himself but didn't move, and he didn't allow you to either. It was his way of acknowledging that he was a grown adult sharing a moment with... well, what were you to him? More importantly, what was he to you? The worries came back strongly, throbbing like a headache.
"A movie that has finished, I suppose?" his dad said, gesturing to the black screen. Leo flashed a look before you spoke.
"Yes, it was very entertaining. Thank you for having me here, Master Splinter," The mutant rat held a serene expression, apparently pleased with your words, "but it's getting late. I should take my leave."
Leo reflexively squeezed your body against his and let go as soon as he realized.
"You don't have to go, dear; my novel is about to start, and you both can stay and watch it with me," he said affably. However, upon noticing his son's expression, he quickly added in a sigh, "Or you can move your date to your room."
Date. The world seemed to strike a chord on you both.
"Actually, I do have some things to do at home. I'm sorry," Leonardo's disappointment was visible through every line of expression on his face. He straightened up, however, and gave you an understanding nod.
"I'll take you home," he told you, moving toward the part of the lair where they stored the turtle-van.
"No! I mean, no, thank you. I think it's better if I go by myself." Leo frowned, doing his best to hide the growing panic burning in his chest. Were you having regrets about the moment you shared just now?
"Thank you anyway, Leo. Goodnight, Master Splinter."
**IIII**
The sound of the rain falling over the roof of your place was exactly what you needed to calm your nerves. You lay on your bed, watching the little drops drip down the glass window. It had been three days since you were in the lair. During this time, you strategically ignored the calls of both Leonardo and Raphael.
You needed time to think about what to do. By this point, it was undeniable that you felt something very strong for both of them. It made no sense to avoid it or deny it. The only thing you had to do now was decide. You huffed, hating the fact you couldn't have both. And then it hit you: why can't you? Who says one must love only one person?
You grabbed your phone from your purse. If there was someone who could help you confess your feelings to both of them and somehow convince them a poly-relationship could work without causing a war, that was April.
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versadies · 1 year
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imagine royal!au in genshin but with ruler x knight trope 😍😍😍 (cw // minor character deaths, violence, threats, and grammar errors)
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you were recently crowned as the ruler of your land after the tragic deaths of your parents. altho you have personally dealt with those foolish nobles who dared to kill your parents with poison by executing them, you still couldn’t help but be extra cautious of your surroundings and the people around you.
you refuse to eat unless the food is served by your most trustworthy butler, who made sure it wasn’t poison. you refuse to take strolls around the garden you dearly loved without being escorted with the captain of the imperial knights. you refuse to attend balls that’s thrown for your coronation in fear of the worst case scenarios happening to you. you even refuse to sleep without checking if your windows are locked and guarded for the nth time.
it was very very severe, and your royal advisor couldn’t take it anymore after overhearing a conversation between your servants about how you’re always so frightened whenever they try to wake you up.
so your royal advisor as well as the royal court together advised you to have a personal knight who could protect you from getting killed by only the gods above know who.
you agreed of course, but on one condition.
“instead of just one knight, i would like to have a group of them.” you said without hesitation.
the people from the royal court was shocked. were you really that cautious to want not just one knight, but more?
your royal advisor on the other hand, remained as calm as they can be. if it is what you want, then you shall have it.
“we will agree to your condition, your imperial highness,” they said with a bow. “we will provide you the best of the best.”
and so, you got yourself a group of warriors — the strongest ones from all over the kingdom, rather — who all have named themselves your knights and sworn with their lives to protect you from harm and danger for as long as they live.
not one person outside of your palace knew of your knights, they only knew that you have a personal knight who’s by your side.
you’ve learned their names as soon as you’ve met them: zhongli, beidou, alhaitham, kaeya, itto, dainsleif, and kazuha.
they’re a weird bunch, you’ll admit, but they’re no doubt the best of the best as what your royal advisor promised with you.
zhongli, who is known for being a member of liyue’s most powerful noble family, is the leader among your knights and the one who everyone outside the palace knew as your personal knight. not only does he have grace and politeness, but also has the experience of many wars, capable of protecting you from even a mighty dragon.
he’s the same knight who makes you tea that helps you sleep every night, telling you stories that seems too real to be fictional as you drink. sometimes, you couldn’t help but notice a sense of nostalgia from him whenever he tells you said stories.
you didn’t want to admit it, but he looks familiar as well, as if you’ve met him before despite the fact that you never once saw him whenever his family comes to your palace.
beidou, who is known for being the strongest pirate in the seven seas and is retired, is the knight who’s always by your side for when you travel around the seas. not only does she have a strong liver for being able to drink so many alcohol, but also has the experience of a pirate who had slaughtered the most feared sea monster, capable of protecting you from those who dare to try and infiltrate your ship.
she’s the same knight who takes you out from your palace and explore around town to help you feel relax from your duties as a ruler, letting you try out street foods and even made you try fishing for the first time by the docks. she sometimes tells you of what it was like back when she had her crew, her eyes full of longing.
you wondered what happened that led her to retire and have her crew split up.
alhaitham, who is known for being the most skilled and intelligent scholar in the infamous land of sumeru, is the brains of your group. not only does he have the intelligence of the grand sage of sumeru, but also has the experience of fighting off many fighters in a swordsman competition and won from it, capable of protecting you from those who dare to point their swords towards you.
he’s the same knight whose as sarcastic as he can be but helps you with your paperwork if you need extra help and is quite an amazing tactician as well whenever you need it. you didn’t mind his attitude and rationality, not when you sometimes find yourself waking up with a blanket on top of you every time you accidentally fall asleep from dealing with documents as alhaitham reads a book on one of the seats of your office.
you wondered how your royal advisor managed to persuade someone like him to be your knight.
kaeya, who is known for being the brother of the current grand duke of mondstadt, is the stealthiest of the group. not only does he have the best connections to get information about nobles who plot to kill you, but also has the access to come to every events you’re invited in as a member of the ragnvindr family and not as your knight, capable of protecting you from assassins and nobles alike in royal balls and events.
he’s the same knight who’s your drinking buddy besides beidou, listening to your rants and woes if you drank more than you can handle. he never tells you what you said to him, only commenting that “you’re one heavy sack of potato to carry whenever it’s time for you to head back to bed”. honestly, you’re kinda glad he never tells you about your drunk shenanigans.
though, sometimes you notice a flash of regret and sadness in his eyes whenever his brother is mentioned around him, staying more silent than usual.
itto, who is known for being…. itto, is the tank of the group. not only does he have the most intimidating image with marks all over his body and with the horns on his head, but also has super strength that could carry many heavy things such as a carriage, capable of carrying you and running away from the scene of a fight while protecting you.
he’s the same knight who gives you jokes and cheers you up whenever you feel drained and sad. he’s honestly quite funny and endearing, even more so when you play card games with him when you feel bored. you could never forget the time when he rapped for you as a birthday present, not minding how all the other knights look as if they’re dying inside at the sight.
you just wish that everyone sees him the same way you do and not see him as the scariest oni in the land who is rumored to have committed many unforgivable acts despite the fact that it is already proven that he didn’t do such things.
dainsleif, who is known for being the descendant of the most powerful captain of the knights back when your ancestors ruled over the land, is a mysterious one. not only does he have the training to be just as strong as his ancestor, but also has the experience of a traveler who has come far and wide around the world, capable of protecting you from those who came to kill you should you travel around other lands to meet up with other rulers.
he’s the same knight who tells you his travels and what it was like to be in such places whenever you ask him to, mentioning people he’d met and places that he could never forget. he’s quite hard to read, you’ll admit.
it’s safe to say you’re curious about this particular blonde traveler he mentioned sometimes, especially when he completely stops explaining for a moment.
kazuha, who is known for being the last living member of his family who died, is different from everyone among the group for his heightened senses. not only does he have the most ancient and powerful sword crafted by his family years ago, but also has the experience of standing against a ruler who uses magic with just his sword, capable of protecting you from those who try to hurt you with magic.
with his senses, he tells you if it’s going to rain today, if the food has poison in it, if a person is dangerous or not, and so on and so forth. however, due to his senses, he prefers to not stay in one place, leading you to make him explore around the palace everyday if he wishes to and see if he finds anything dangerous around your home.
he’s the same knight who escorts you whenever you take a stroll around the palace grounds, being as gentle and kind as he can be as he listens to you intently. sometimes he’d recite haikus he made just for you as you feel at peace with what you have with your knight.
seeing how he looks peaceful and contented with himself, you never questioned him about why he decided to become a wanderer after everything he went through.
overall, you’ve come to know your knights and grew close, finally trusting them as much as you trust your butler and royal advisor after seeing how dedicated and loyal they are to you.
you even find yourself catching feelings with one of them, but who?
bonus
kamisato ayato is one of the three rulers of inazuma, who was supposed to be your husband from an arranged marriage that your families agreed on. however, after your parents’ death as well as his, the both of you mutually agreed to not get married for the sake of prioritizing your people first (and also because marriage is not something you’re interested in).
ningguang is one of the nobles who you trust most and the one you talk to often in events. she’s quite intelligent and is never afraid to tell her opinions. she hides half of her face with her fan whenever you say something flattering about her success as she praises you for your hardwork in return, something that happens once in a lifetime for most people. you admit that she’s also one amazing dancer as well after dancing with her whenever you have the chance to (though, you feel a bit flustered from the fact that you almost step on her shoes sometimes).
diluc ragnvindr is also considered as one of the nobles who you trust most. when your parents died, he was the one who reached out to you first and helped you with your troubles before your early coronation. not only is he your penpal, but also the person who can understand your pain since he too lost his father and was forced to take the title of the grand duke too early. (he’s also the one who defended you when nobles gathered around to discuss about the future of the land after your parents’ death, angry that those pesky nobles have the audacity to say you’re not worthy to rule)
capitano is the current captain of the knights who was by your side when you were super cautious and scared of your surroundings after your coronation. he comforted you and reassured you that no matter what, you’re very well protected with him and with all of the knights of the palace. despite his cold demeanor, you have always appreciated his efforts in protecting you and easing your worries, never hesitating to thank him for what he has done. (you didn’t know the disappointment he felt underneath his mask when he knew he no longer has to be by your side anymore, but he was happy that you now feel even more safe with the new knights).
tartaglia is one of the princes from snezhnaya and is never afraid to tell you his undying love for you with every chance he gets ever since you won from your duel with him. you truly admire his unwavering determination for your hand in marriage, and you honestly didn’t have the heart to harshly tell him to stop. instead, you simply just say no whenever he asks you to marry him. besides, he knows his boundaries unlike some of your suitors and even killed one of the strongest beasts of snezhnaya on his own for your birthday gift: a long fur-coat that matches you very well. (if only you knew how he keeps asking your fellow knights to spar with him after finding out that you caught feelings for one of them, wanting to know just how strong the person who won your heart is).
scaramouche was once a person you’ve known since childhood. he was your dear companion who’s by your side until the announcement of your engagement with kamisato ayato. when you came to visit him after the announcement, it was as if he disappeared without a trace. you didn’t know what you did wrong, did you say something that made him run away? it was something you couldn’t find an answer to, and you silently gave him a farewell before going back to your palace defeatedly. it was only a few months after having your new knights when you suddenly have a visitor by your window, he looks far different than the scaramouche you knew back then. he looks more… evil and—
just as you were about to say something to him, you find yourself falling to the ground before everything went black, the last thing you heard was the sound of evil laughter.
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fettuccinealfred0 · 4 months
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Til Death Do Us Part | Part 3
Masterlist
Astarion x f!reader, Arranged Marriage AU
Word Count: 8.4k
(CW: general vampirism, period typical sexism, forced marriage)
Summary:
“How dare you?” You shoot back at him, stepping to the side to move around him. He mirrors you, stepping to the side as well, and continuing to block you. Growing frustrated with his antics, you narrow your eyes, “I have been nothing but polite and civilized since-”
“Ah yes, polite and civilized, the first two adjectives anyone would use to describe you.” Astarion interrupts. “Certainly not obstinate and combative.” 
His face is stern as he looks down at you and while the words themselves are a bit insulting, he says them with a hint of fondness that makes you think he might enjoy ‘obstinate and combative.’
Read on ao3 here
For as desperately as you tried to escape your room when you were first locked in, you spend most of your first week as Lady Ancunin holed up in your room (sans locked door). The estate was just too big and too foreign and your room felt like the only place that was exclusively yours, the only place where you could sort through all your confusing thoughts about Astarion without constant reminders of him that only served to muddle your mind further.
Early on in your life, you had decided that you would only bind yourself in marriage to someone you could love, someone who you could trust to understand you. You were unwilling to compromise your morals for just anyone- to trade the servitude of a daughter for the servitude of a wife. As skeptical and strong-willed as you may be, you were not completely immune to the charms of love. A young, romantic heart raised and nourished on happily ever afters had led you to believe that it was possible for you, too- for the idea of a life forever trapped under your father’s influence seemed unbearable. 
And at the ball, you had grown careless, had been so charmed by Astarion’s shiny veneer that you didn’t think to dig into the rot hidden underneath. No, Astarion had offered you the hope of love and laughed as he tore it away from you. 
You let yourself be mad at Astarion- he was everything you wanted, everything you could see yourself growing to love in a person. Of course his good looks and charms endeared him to you instantly, but that was all decoration which held no real substance. No, you had liked him because he had listened to you, he had respected you, and most of all, he had matched you. In a world where women were always looked down upon, you thought you had found someone who viewed you as an equal.
But, you remind yourself, a vampire could never truly view a human as an equal. There was a predatory dynamic inherent to that relationship which could never be escaped. For as much as Astarion might claim to respect you, he still sees you as something beneath him, something to be devoured. And for as much as you might have initially admired Astarion, you would never be able to forget the danger that surrounds him. 
With your trust already broken by him, you were unwilling to believe he could be entrusted with something as sacred as your life. Already, so much of your life has been controlled by men- you deserve to be in charge of your own fate for once. And hadn’t Astarion been the first to offer you that choice?
With a sigh, you force yourself to clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. Shadowheart, the miracle worker that she is, managed to convince your father to send over all of your belongings. Since the chests had arrived this morning, you were spending the day sorting through everything and organizing your books on a bookshelf that Shadowheart had somehow procured for you. 
Nestled carefully in the middle of a hollowed out book is the entire reason you had asked for your belongings- the necklace from your mother. Your idiot of a father must have been so pleased to be rid of you that he hadn’t even bothered to go through your things before he shipped them off. 
The dark green gem shines as it catches the sunlight that streams through your windows and reminds you of sunshine filtered through the canopy of the forest. As you look at the gem, you think of the happy afternoons as a young girl where your mother had taken you and your brothers out to play in the lake, how you used to chase after the older boys on your much shorter legs before they grew tired of your whining and took turns carrying you on their backs. Your mother used to tease you that you would always be chasing after your brothers, for better or worse, and your brothers had laughed at that, back before your father’s displeasure at having to raise a daughter had poisoned their minds, too.
You clasp the necklace around your neck and press your hand to where the gem sits over your heart. For a moment, you can almost feel your mother’s heartbeat alongside your own- a lovely, warm flutter deep beneath the aching of your chest.
But it feels wrong. Like some hidden weakness was on display for the world to judge. And of course Astarion would be the type to judge. Pretentious asshole.
As you glance around the room, your gaze catches on the golden wedding band that had been sitting on your bedside since you had pulled it off after the wedding. It felt too tight where it had wrapped around your finger- a noose that threatened to strangle you. But you felt too naked without it, as if this momentous upheaval in your life needed to be marked on your body by a silly gold band. 
Finally, it seems as if you have found a compromise. Carefully, you slide the green gem off the chain of the necklace and place the gemstone back inside the hollowed out book. Taking great care, you arrange the book on the shelf as inconspicuously as possible, hoping that no one else will find your little hiding spot. 
You slip the wedding ring through the necklace chain, letting the cold circle of metal settle over your heart.
—-------
It doesn’t take long for you to get bored of your room- your curiosity urging you to explore the rest of the manner and overriding the dread of running into Astarion.
You last about three hours exploring before you catch sight of Astarion walking toward you in a hallway. When you see him, you debate turning around or ducking into a room to avoid him, but he’s already locked eyes with you, grinning like a cat that just found a new mouse to play with. 
“What? No vicious insults to hurl at me this morning? I was almost looking forward to it,” he mocks as he blocks your path. 
“How dare you?” You shoot back at him, stepping to the side to move around him. He mirrors you, stepping to the side as well, and continuing to block you. Growing frustrated with his antics, you narrow your eyes, “I have been nothing but polite and civilized since-”
“Ah yes, polite and civilized, the first two adjectives anyone would use to describe you.” Astarion interrupts. “Certainly not obstinate and combative.” 
His face is stern as he looks down at you and while the words themselves are a bit insulting, he says them with a hint of fondness that makes you think he might enjoy ‘obstinate and combative.’
“Well, you’re manipulative and arrogant!” You retort, crossing your arms over your chest. Admittedly, you are maybe not making the best argument against being called combative. 
“So creative, darling. I’m sure no one else has ever dreamed of calling a vampire manipulative or arrogant,” Astarion says, arrogantly. 
There’s an excited thrum in your veins, like when you had talked and danced with him at the ball. Apparently, it didn’t matter if you were competing with Astarion to see who could charm the other better or who could insult the other better- the battle of wits set your insides aflame. 
“My lack of creativity has more to do with you being a garish caricature of your kind than any lack of vocabulary on my part.”
“Garish? That’s a new one. I’ve been accused of being many things, but my taste has never been in question before,” his voice has that low, suggestive quality and the way his eyes rake up and down your body implies that his tastes most certainly include you.
“Really?” you look around for dramatic effect, squinting to inspect the heavy curtains that block the sun, “Because I actually think what you need is some more cobwebs and skulls around here. Maybe some bats? I think that would really add to the macabre, haunted aura that an evil vampire lair needs.”
Astarion’s lip twitches up at the side, just a flash before he’s glowering down at you again, but it’s enough to know that you’d bested him. 
Current score: 0-1, in your favor. 
Except, okay, maybe Astarion did get a point because he managed to trick you into marrying him… You weren’t willing to give him more points for the whole butter knife debacle that it could probably be argued that you lost. 
So, you’re now tied at 1. That gave you plenty of time to win whatever little game it was that Astarion was insisting on playing with you.
Astarion lets out a bored sigh, as if you had been the one blocking him and wasting his time in the hallway and not the reverse. 
“As much as I would love to stand around all day and discuss your interior design visions, I have better things to do. Have a good day, dearest.”
You continue on with your exploration with a bit of a pep in your step at getting Astarion to almost crack a real smile. And when you realize that your run in with Astarion, of all people, might actually be the highlight of your day, you are plunged into a despair so great you feel as though you are drowning. How dare he be a bright spot in your life? Not when you had resolved to hate him forever. 
But, you’re determined to make the best of a bad situation- especially now that you aren’t locked in your room anymore. Astarion is still manages to leave your head and your heart spinning every time you talk to him. 
You must constantly remind yourself that his beauty is a trap- meant to take you off guard, meant for you to offer up your neck to him for a kiss, only to be surprised by the fangs that sink in instead. It is part of his game to repeat the act over and over, to charm you and beguile you as he did at the ball so that you forget the monster hiding underneath. You are not immune to this trap, but you are determined to outsmart it. Better to believe he is constantly tricking you than to foolishly succumb to his enchantments again. 
You might be a bit fuzzy on remembering all the rules about vampires, but you’re pretty sure that they’re unable to go out into the sun. And based on the thick curtains that cover the windows during the day and the time that you saw Astarion nearly run away when a stray beam of sunlight had made its way through a crack in said curtains, you’re fairly certain that bit of lore is true. 
To avoid him and the perplexing thoughts that inevitably follow interacting with him, you spend a lot of time in the gardens. It’s easier that way, separated from Astarion- where his beautiful face and sweet, insincere words can’t leave your mind spinning.
And because you’re still mad at him, some days you hope that he is able to look down on you and watch how the gentle warmth of the sun caresses your skin. You hope he’s seething with jealousy, pouting and stomping around like an angry child that the sun will get to touch you in a way he never will. 
The servants don’t really bother you in the gardens. Shadowheart does stop by every couple hours to check in on you or bring you tea or food. Gale stops by sometimes, too, for a bit of conversation. Or rather, he talks at you for a bit. He seems to really like the sound of his own voice but he’s friendly enough, so you humor him.
Your favorite companion is Gale’s cat, Tara, who likes to curl up in the sunlight next to you or press her head into your hand when she would like to be pet. 
It takes you a couple weeks to work up enough courage to finally squeak out anything more than a ‘hello’ when you pass the gardener, Halsin. At first, you were a bit scared of the giant, imposing man. But, it only took one or two short conversations before you realize that he’s a total sweetheart, incapable of insincerity or cruelty. The exact opposite of your husband. 
A part of you wishes that perhaps you were married to Halsin, a man who is filled only with kindness down to his very soul. A man who wouldn’t leave his wife doubting where she stood, doubting the truth in every word he says.
You ask Halsin to teach you how to work in the gardens and you start joining him on his tasks some mornings.
Today, the sun sits high in the sky and the ribbon of your sunhat tickles your skin where it is tied under your chin. Alongside Halsin, you work on pruning the expansive collection of rose bushes. Every color you can imagine must be present in the garden and as you admire the blush pinks, sky blues, and variegated white that leads to lavender purple, Halsin points out the varieties with the silliest names. 
“You have an uncanny talent for avoiding the thorns,” Halsin points out. His own careful hands are littered with little scratches and yours remain unmarked. 
You scoff, remembering your first conversation with Astarion. “A rather unfortunate and useless talent of mine. Around here, I find it would be more useful to be adept at avoiding a vampire’s fangs.”
Halsin gives a deep chuckle at that and damn it if his mood isn’t infectious. In seemingly no time at all, he managed to erase the scowl from your face that was brought up at the thought of Astarion and had you giggling next to him. 
“I believe we have eyes on us,” Halsin observes, an easy smile on his face as he looks up to a darkened window in the corner of the manor. 
You only spare a quick glance. The window is dark and impossible to see through, surely coated with some special paint that allows Astarion to look outside without being burnt to a crisp by the sun. Although you cannot see him, you’re sure he is watching. Halsin gives a big wave that you imagine makes Astarion fume.
“My husband,” you hiss the word, so full of vitriol and anger, “has no say over how I choose to spend my time.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s very aware that you can’t be tamed,” Halsin laughs again, deep and with his whole chest. You were jealous of how easy laughter came to him, how he was able to find joy in everything when there was this angry bubble that had been nestled in your chest for so long, ready to explode at any moment. 
“I’m sure you remind him at every opportunity. I bet he has his hands full with a wild thing like you.” Halsin continues. 
“Wild?” You ask, with faux indignation. “I’ll have you know I’m a very polite, very civilized lady.” 
“I highly doubt that many polite, civilized ladies would spend their day with their hands in the dirt,” Halsin teases, with his signature wide, friendly smile lighting up his face.
“It’s refreshing, being connected to the earth,” you drop the joking tone and speak honestly, letting your fingers brush against soft petals of the peach pink rose in front of you. 
“I think the same,” Halsin agrees, continuing to snip away at the bush next to you. 
“My father never would have approved of me doing this. It’s wonderful to finally spend my days doing the things I want to do.”
You hear your words as you say them. The realization sends you reeling that evening- that for the first time in your life, you might actually feel free. 
But no, you rationalize to yourself, it’s not because of Astarion that you’re living this life. It’s in spite of him. 
—------------
In between reading and working in the garden with Halsin, you continue to explore. 
One day, you duck into a large room at the end of the western wing, shocked to discover the portrait gallery. The room is filled with dozens of portraits that all seem just a bit too old, with nearly all the paintings dating back centuries. How long had it been since the mighty House of Ancunins had thrived?
Walking through the room, you study the Ancunins represented on the canvases, looking for any hint of resemblance to Astarion. You tell yourself this is because you are trying to determine if he’s a true ‘Ancunin’ and not simply because you cannot help but compare everything in the world to Astarion’s beauty. 
Since he was so secretive, you still hadn’t been able to discern if the rumors surrounding him were true- if he really was a bastard, or some rich man from a far off land who had bought the Ancunin name for himself, or simply the last remaining child of a dying legacy. If you could just figure out this little detail, it would do wonders to cracking the puzzle that was Astarion’s mind. 
Some of the paintings do bear a faint resemblance to Astarion in their features- high cheekbones and sharp jawlines. But you remind yourself that those are common features and not convincing enough evidence to prove any of your theories.
Toward the back of the room, there’s a large painting that has been covered and it draws your attention. After you pull the tapestry aside, you discover a portrait of a family- with wide, happy smiles on all of their faces. The overwhelming sense of love that radiates from the painting takes you off guard for a moment. You were used to the portraits in your family home- all stern, cold faces staring back at you. 
In the painting before you, the man stands tall and proud in the background, his light blonde hair curling around familiar high cheekbones. One of his hands rests on a woman’s shoulder, presumably his wife. She was stunning, perhaps the most beautiful woman you had ever seen with her long, pale hair and shimmering blue eyes that almost seemed to dance with life. 
In the middle is a son, a boy no older than seven or eight, with gentle hands from both his parents resting on his shoulders. The boy seemed to inherit the best features from both of his parents- rich blue eyes and wild, curly white hair with a cherubic smile offset by youthful, plump cheeks. 
It’s unmistakably Astarion. 
It’s strange to think of him like that- as a boy and not the monster that you were forced to marry. What possible could have happened to this happy little boy to turn him into the man you know?
It’s undeniable that Astarion is truly an Ancunin, but this revelation just leaves you with even more questions. How did he become a vampire? How long had he been a vampire? What caused him to suddenly come home and reclaim his title?
You wander around the gallery a bit more. There’s more old portraits of nobles and families, Ancunins long since deceased, but you’ve grown bored of them after your discovery of young Astarion. 
When you make your way back to the front, you find there’s also a new addition of Astarion, the version you were familiar with. He must have had it recently commissioned because the paint looks fresh, not cracked and faded by time. 
And oh, how wonderfully the artist had managed to capture him- the diligently arranged curls, the danger that simmered beneath the surface of his blood red eyes, the familiar smirk on his lips. The breath is pulled from your lungs. It was as if he was sculpted by the gods themselves as a present for humanity. Surely, this man was the universe’s magnum opus. 
As you inspect the painting, tracing the curve of Astarion’s pretty nose and the soft arch of his brow with your eyes, you recall how Astarion’s reflection had been missing in the mirror when he had pursued you the night of the ball. It dawns on you that this portrait is the only way that Astarion can see himself. The realization leaves you a profound melancholy. 
“It’s quite a remarkable likeness, isn’t it?” Gale’s voice interrupts your thoughts as he comes to stand next to you. You try to make it seem like you weren’t so obviously gawking at Astarion’s painting but, as usual, Gale is already busy talking again. “I don’t think the Lord was quite as impressed with it as we are. I believe he said that he looked too old but I think he just doesn’t know how to appreciate fine art like you and I.”
Gale’s insight is rather humorous because out of everyone here, Astarion seems like the kind of pretentious snob who would love art. 
“I can talk to him about organizing for you to have one done,” Gale offers.
“I’ve never sat for a portrait before,” you nervously admit aloud, continuing to stare ahead and trace the painted curls that frame Astarion’s portrait like a halo. 
“But your family-” Gale starts but you raise a hand to cut him off. But your family is rich and cares about status so you must have sat for a portrait at some point. Gale, like many, didn’t understand the depth of your father’s apathy toward you. 
“My father was rather eager to be rid of me. I don’t think he’d want a giant portrait to remind him of his failures in raising me.”
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Gale’s mouth hanging open a bit and for the first time ever, he seems unsure how to respond. Nevertheless, he persists.  
“Well, you’ll do wonderfully. It’s just a lot of sitting around and doing nothing,” Gale takes a moment to think. “Or- er- actually you might not do very well at that. You’re the type to get restless easily.”
You laugh. “I can sit just about anywhere if I’m given a book.” 
“We can tie her down if we need to,” Astarion’s voice lilts in from over your shoulder, all deep and rich and making your bones turn mushy. 
When you turn your head, you see him casually leaning against the doorway, as if he had just happened to run across you and Gale. Based on how hard he is trying to appear nonchalant, you doubt this is the case. More likely, he overheard your and Gale’s voices from his study down the hallway and couldn’t resist injecting himself into the conversation. Nosy vampire. 
Pushing himself off the wall, Astarion comes to stand between you and Gale, who is now staring sheepishly down at his feet. There’s a sharp glint in Astarion’s eye that reminds you of a hound that’s tracking a scent. Singularly focused, solely devoted.
“And no books.” Astarion’s voice is still rich with flirtation as he reaches out a finger to trace it softly along your cheek. “The painter needs to be able to see that darling face of yours if he hopes to match even a fraction of your beauty.”
At this point, you know his words are meaningless, so why do they still leave your silly heart fluttering inside your chest?
“So, you aren’t opposed to the idea?” You ask, staring intently into Astarion’s eyes to truly gauge his reaction. He stares back, challenging you to be the one to back down first. 
“Quite the opposite. A beauty like yours should be remembered forever,” he says, with that devilish grin you’ve grown accustomed to seeing. “And think of how good we’ll look up there next to one another.”
“I heard you don’t like your portrait,” you tease.
“Alas, my beauty cannot be captured on canvas alone.” Astarion finally turns away from your gaze to look at his own portrait. He sighs, forlornly, as if his beauty is some massive gift to the world (it is). After a few seconds, he wrinkles his nose, “Besides, I look much too old. There’s no way I have that many wrinkles.”
Gale shoots you an eye roll over Astarion’s shoulder and you hold back a smile. Honestly, you had forgotten he was there- too consumed in your own little world of bergamot and flaming red eyes and Astarion.
—--------------
The next day, you ask Shadowheart how she came to work for Astarion, hoping her insight will reveal even more pieces of the puzzle that is Astarion. Today’s snooping has given you an intimate peek into his mind and that you are familiar with bookends, Astarion the boy and Astarion the vampire, you just need to discover the story in between.
“The Lord has a habit of taking in strays,” she says with a grin that tells you she knows how unsatisfied you will be with her response. Of course, her answer had to be a riddle that leaves you with more questions than answers, like everything involving Astarion. 
“Is no one here capable of giving me a straight answer?” you groan and Shadowheart laughs at you.
“Where’s the fun in that?” She playfully tugs on a strand of your hair that she’s pinning up for you. “I much prefer trying to watch you work it all out on your own.”
And even if Shadowheart won’t help you, you’re determined to figure Astarion out. And the best way to do that was to go straight to the source and investigate his study. Best case scenario, you find some secret diary that reveals all of Astarion’s secrets. Worst case scenario, you find out what kind of ink he prefers using. 
When you hear Astarion’s soft footsteps move down the hallway, you spring into action. The door to the room is locked, which you had anticipated. Earlier, you had asked Shadowheart to pin your hair up this morning especially for this purpose. After a quick glance over your shoulder to ensure the coast is still clear, you slip a pin out of your hair and insert it into the lock, wiggling it around until you feel the satisfying click of the door. 
You had only seen the room on your wedding night, when you had come to confront Astarion. It seems so much bigger without him. His presence always seems to take up so much space.
Knowing his desk will hold the most valuable information, you start there. It is filled with papers and books, but your eyes are immediately drawn to the maps. Picking one up, you feel the worn paper in your hands. The title in the top corner claims it is of the distant city, Baldur’s Gate. While you had never visited the city,, you had been raised on stories of the city as a child by your mother, who came from the Upper City to marry your father. Across the map, weird ‘X’s drawn on seemingly random locations in the city.
After you set the map back down, you pilfer through the other items on the desk, looking for some clue to decipher the markings on the maps. But, the rest of the loose pages on the desk are filled with legal jargon and cryptic notes about mysterious artifacts in looping, cursive handwriting. You should have guessed that Astarion would have beautiful, nearly calligraphic handwriting- he was meticulous about every aspect of his appearance and how others perceived him and it clearly extended to even little details like handwriting. 
Apparently, Astarion was also a secret bookworm based on the piles of books on the edge of the desk. You skim the spines of the numerous books, which range from contract law to Balduran history to famous historical artifacts. 
And underneath all the papers and books, there’s a single scrap of paper with an intricate drawing on it- a complicated series of circles and lines, with little patterns that look almost like letters, but not any that you would recognize. Captivated by the drawing, you hold it up to the candlelight, twisting and turning it in the hopes that it may decode the pattern’s secret meaning.
“What are you doing here?” Astarion asks, voice hard and tinted with anger. 
You lower the paper to reveal his face, looking at you from the opposite side of the desk. You hadn’t even noticed him enter the room- perhaps a testament to his stealth or perhaps your senses were diminished while you were distracted by the strange drawing. 
Oh, he’s mad. Almost as mad as you had seen him at the ball. His pretty brows are all pinched together and red eyes a blazing inferno.
Unsure how to explain yourself, you opt for silence. Astarion tuts in disapproval, practically ripping the drawing from your hand. As he moves to your side of the desk, he pushes you out of the way so he can sort the books back into neat little piles and tuck the papers away into the drawers of the desk. You catch sight of a leatherbound book in the top drawer before Astarion quickly locks it with a little gold key that is immediately slipped back into his pocket. 
“The door was locked,” Astarion turns around to face you, sitting back against the desk with his arms crossed over his chest. 
There’s only a foot or so of space between you but it’s too much and not enough at the same time. 
“Was that supposed to stop me?” 
Your response seems to amuse Astarion, who lets out a huff of laughter before he resumes studying you with narrowed, critical eyes, “And where did a little thing like you learn how to pick locks?”
“A bored little rich girl learns to do a lot of things to fill her time,” you shoot back at him. 
“Oh, I bet you taught yourself how to do all sorts of things,” the smile he gives you is lecherous and your face heats at the implications. When you don’t rise to his taunts, Astarion rolls his eyes and drops the smile. “But sometimes, doors are locked for a reason.”
That was a low blow. You can feel your blood boiling beneath your skin. Though you had resolved yourself to hate Astarion forever, you had felt the two of you could grow to be civil with one another as of late. But, of course, he always had to nettle you and take it too far by bringing up the days he had kept you locked in your room like a prisoner. You still haven't forgiven him for that. 
“Oh, I know all about your thoughts on locked doors,” you say, hoping the Astarion can feel your angry, burning gaze like sunlight against his skin.
“Well, if you would cooperate-” Astarion starts. Like you are the issue here. 
“You mean, if I just did whatever you said regardless of my own thoughts and feelings,” you interrupt. “I will not let you break me and turn me into some little wife that obeys your every command. That is not who I am.”
“You’re putting words in my mouth again, darling.” Astarion sighs, before the corner of his mouth quirks up in a smile. “And I’d so rather it be occupied with something else.”
He’s deflecting, you realize. Reverting back to flirtation and sexual innuendo in an attempt to either distract you or knock you off balance. This is his way of trying to gain control of the situation again. And based on the way his hands are gripping the edge of the desk he’s leaned against, white knuckled and nearly tight enough to crush the wood, he’s barely restraining himself. 
You’ve hit a nerve. But why?
Astarion probably just didn’t like that you made a good point. Deciding to ignore Astarion’s comment, you continue on with your point. 
“And what will you do if I don’t listen to you? Torture me? Kill me?” You retort and his lips curl up, baring his fangs slightly. 
For a moment, you almost hope you’ve sent him over the edge and this time, he will rip your throat open. You would be dead, but for one glorious moment, you would feel his lips against your neck.
Or perhaps you could reach your hand out and prick the tip of your finger on his fang. Watch his pretty mouth close around your finger as he sucks at the drop of blood. No. You lock that image very far into the back of your mind. You didn’t need to be thinking silly thoughts like that. 
“At the moment, death would be preferable to this miserable existence,” you say. Which isn’t totally true. You’ve actually really enjoyed your time here so far (with the exception of being imprisoned the first couple days). But Astarion just makes you so mad and you get to a point where you can’t control your anger, where hurtful words involuntarily spill their way out of you- a wonderful trait you inherited from your father. 
“There are fates a lot worse than death,” Astarion looks unimpressed with your answer, something akin to melancholy clouding his crimson eyes.
His response surprises you, completely knocking the wind out of your sails. You’re so confused that you can’t even manage to be angry anymore. 
Fates worse than death. What could he possibly mean by that?
“Yes, and being married to you is one of them,” you hiss at him, trying to get this argument back on track. 
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” He takes a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose and taking in a deep breath. Gone is the confidant Astarion you are used to. The man in front of you just seems tired and deflated. 
But his words fester deep within you, sounding entirely too much like your father and the anger is bubbling in your chest again. 
“Don’t condescend to me!”
“It’s not condescension if I’m simply speaking the truth, pet,” Astarion says, looking at you as if you are an ill-behaved child. It makes you want to stomp on his foot and storm out of the room. 
“If anyone told me what was going on around here, I wouldn’t have resorted to breaking into your office in the first place! I’m the Lady of the manor, it’s disrespectful to keep things from me!”
“There is nothing going on here!” Astarion lies. He’s too quick with his response, too loud in his exclamation. You know when someone is deflecting. This argument was just going to continue to go in circles.
“I’m leaving,” you finally huff after staring Astarion down for a few seconds. You are sure to knock his shoulder with your own as you leave to let him know how displeased you are.  
As you walk back to your room, you catch yourself absent-mindedly reaching out to touch your shoulder that had brushed Astarion. Foolish girl. 
You spend the rest of your day in your room, trying to think what Astarion could be up to. It didn’t seem like he was involved in any rituals or sacrifices. Maybe shady business dealings? It’s not unheard of for nobles to be corrupt, paid off by wealthy criminals to ignore blatant lawlessness. Though, it seems weird that he cares so much about Baldur’s Gate…
“Lord Ancunin would like you to join him for dinner tonight,” Shadowheart interrupts your musings that evening when she pokes her head into your room. 
You gape at her. After your spat earlier today, you wonder if perhaps this is his attempt at extending an olive branch or if dinner was simply an opportunity to extend the argument. Either way, the thought of sitting at the table with him causes your stomach to turn. And you hate that you aren’t sure whether it turns with delight or disgust.
“I decline,” you respond, moving to close the door, but Shadowheart’s hand whips out and forces it open. She’s so strong that it won’t close, even as you push your full body against it.
“Your refusal was anticipated and won’t be accepted. I’m here to help you get dressed.” 
You know Shadowheart to be as stubborn as you and unwavering in her loyalty. While she was your lady’s maid, your friend, first and foremost, she still respected Astarion enough to listen to silly demands like this. At this point, you know her well enough to know that you’re going to end up at that dinner table no matter what you say. 
It’s fairly reminiscent of your wedding day, how Shadowheart dresses you up and has to practically drag you to your seat. 
“Wife,” Astarion greets you with a sweet, rehearsed smile. He looks stunning, his fair hair and skin practically glowing against the dark velvet of his suit coat. The rubies that serve as the buttons pale in comparison to his bright, sparkling red eyes. The thought faintly crosses your mind that Astarion is dressed in such finery as a way to impress you. 
“Husband,” you nearly snarl back at him as you sit down in the chair that’s been pulled out for you. The dinner table is outrageously long, something used for large dinner parties, and Astarion sits at the head. You’ve been guided to the seat at his right. It must be some sort of power play that he’s chosen these as your seats for the night- a subtle reminder that he’s the one in control after you had dared to defy him earlier today.
“This is ridiculous, you don’t even eat dinner!” You cry out, noticing that Astarion didn’t even bother to have a place setting laid out for himself. 
“I have plenty to drink,” Astarion points out, lifting his goblet. “It’s about spending time together as husband and wife, dearest.”
When you look down at your own place setting, you notice that the butter knife is missing. 
“Very funny,” you say, unamused by Astarion’s antics.
“Well, given your history, I thought it best for my safety to remove any potential knives from the equation tonight,” Astarion grins at you from over the top of his goblet and you can tell he’s very pleased with himself at this little stunt. 
“And I assume you mean to further disrespect me by not placing me at the other head of the table.”
“Hardly,” Astarion rolls his eyes. “I just thought it would be easier for us to talk if we weren’t shouting at each other from opposite ends of the room.”
“Perhaps I like to eat in silence,” you counter and he lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Always an argument. Must it always be a fight?” He sighs, but you think you detect a hint of amusement in his voice. “Has it ever occurred to you that I am trying to make your stay here more comfortable?”
You blink at him because no, you had never considered that. That doesn’t fit the Astarion you’ve concocted in your head- the cruel vampire lord who is controlling and manipulative. 
He takes a moment to think, his mouth opening and closing a couple times before he finally says, “I know that you hold no affection for me, but I hope we can at least learn to coexist with one another.”
“Oh,” you breathe out, mind still reeling from this sudden confession that has completely shifted your entire view of Astarion, yet again. First, a handsome suitor, then a heartless monster and now… some combination of the two, a beautiful monster? A heartless suitor? 
“You seem fond of the gardens,” he comments and it pulls you back to the night at the ball, when he had seen you gazing at them longingly over his shoulder while you danced.
He’s right, of course, you do love the gardens. Love checking for new blooms every day and plucking bouquets to bring up to your room. But, you hesitate to say another reason you love them is because Astarion can’t follow you out there. That there’s a false sense of freedom and safety in the light of day. A part of you is sure that Astarion already knows this. He somehow seems to know what you’re thinking before you even do. 
When you don’t speak, he continues, his eyes flashing with something akin to jealousy, “You spend a lot of time with Halsin out there. “
Something like pride or satisfaction that he’s noticed and seems to care blooms within you. Though, you do feel the need to defend Halsin, who has been the consummate gentleman and one of the few people you consider a friend here beside Shadowheart. 
And Tara, who is a cat. 
And maybe Gale… though, you’re reluctant to admit that to yourself. 
“Halsin has been nice to me. Which is more than I can say about you,” you shoot back at Astarion. 
“Am I not being nice now?” He asks in a mocky, overly astonished voice, hands spreading wide in a dramatic flourish. 
“Not at this exact moment, no.”
This back and forth feels more normal, more right. Not like the melancholy that had consumed Astarion earlier today.
No, you won’t let Astarion win this night by acting as the more mature person. You take a deep breath to calm yourself and eat a bite of the creamy soup that had been placed in front of you. Evidently, Astarion was committed to the knife bit and wasn’t planning to serve food that required you to use one. Which you do have to admit is at least marginally nicer than if he had served you with some meat that required lots of cutting. 
While you continue to eat, you debate whether you should share a piece of information with him and see how he reacts, see if he’s willing to offer up a piece of information about himself in return. Astarion is the type to use everything you say against you, so you start small.
“I’m rather fond of walking. And I’ve always loved to read outside.” You say, catching how his face softens a bit at your revelation. “Though, I haven’t found any new books here, so I’ve been stuck rereading the ones I brought with me.”
“You like to read?” Astarion smiles lightly at you and you think that perhaps he might be trying to find common ground. Based on the number of books on his desk and packed into the bookshelves in his study, Astarion seemed to be a voracious reader, like yourself. 
“Very much so,” you give him your own little smile in response. 
“What kind of books do you like?” Astarion leans his chin in his hand as he looks at you, as if you’re the most fascinating person he’s ever met.
It seems ridiculous that you should be sitting at dinner with an evil vampire lord, talking about your favorite books. You still don’t feel like you know him well enough to admit to him your penchant for romance novels- that felt like the kind of detail he would tease you mercilessly about.
“Anything,” you say. It’s too overwhelming to have all Astarion’s attention focused on you, so you give Astarion a playful smile, “Though, I haven’t ever taken a crack at those legal books you seem to love so much.”
Astarion stiffens a bit at the mention of what you saw earlier in his office, but you are ultimately rewarded for your earlier attempt at civility because Astarion tells you, “I studied law when I was in school. But that was a long time ago… I have lots of catching up to do.”
While it’s a reasonable explanation, you don’t buy it. He did seem like the type to be a haughty, arrogant lawyer or magistrate, but you certainly don’t believe that he’s reading legal books just as a means to catch up. No, Astarion only did things that served his own interests- either he was in a bad contract and wanted out or he wanted to write a confusing contract to trap someone else. 
Though his answer was vague, you do appreciate his willingness to open up to you a little bit. You’d have to keep giving bits of information about yourself to Astarion if it meant you found out more about him, in return. You spend the rest of the night asking each other questions, discovering likes and dislikes, finding things in common, and trading anecdotes. 
Or, more accurately, Astarion tells grandiose tales that you’re certain are mostly exaggerated, but every now and then he drops the hint of truth. 
And okay, yeah, some people might call that friendship- but for you, it’s a strategic interrogation of your enemy. Right?
—---------------
Early the next morning, just as the sun is beginning to rise, there’s a soft knock on your door.
You’re not sure who could be on the other side of the door. Shadowheart had already stopped by to help you dress this morning. Maybe Halsin was visiting to tell you he was going to town for the day and didn’t need help in the gardens? Or Gale had stopped by with a message from Astarion?
The last person you expected to see was Astarion himself, who seemed to be nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot as he waited for you to open the door. 
 “I wanted to catch you before you went out to the gardens for the day,” Astarion explains.
“Okay,” you narrow your eyes at him, suspicious of his motives. You had just reached some sort of… compromise with him last night, would he really betray you again so swiftly? You were inclined to think yes based on previous interactions. 
“Come with me,” Astarion holds out his hand for you to take. “I have something I want to show you.”
Despite your suspicion, you take Astarion’s hand with your own and his skin where your palms touch, the normal human warmth missing. The whole thing feels strangely intimate. Astarion guides you to a wing of the manor you hadn’t yet explored and stops outside a set of twin doors. He doesn’t drop your hand as he turns to face you.
“If you’re so bored that you feel the need to break into empty rooms, I figured it’d be better to keep you busy,” Astarion says with a mischievous grin as he opens a door for you and guides you inside the room.
Inside is the largest, most extravagant library you’ve ever seen. You had feared that you’d grown used to opulence in your short time as Lady Ancunin, but you’re still stunned to silence at the sight. It would take lifetimes to read all the books in front of you. The bookshelves stretch to the ceiling and there’s even a second story beyond that. Beside you, you can feel Astarion’s eyes carefully studying your reaction as you stand with your mouth hanging open in shock.
“Last night, you mentioned that you had run out of books,” Astarion’s voice is so gentle when he speaks and your hand is holding onto his like a lifeline, as if he’s the only thing tethering you back to reality. You can feel tears brimming at the corners of your eyes.
“Thank you. I- ” you trail off, unsure of what to say. That this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you? That you’re overwhelmed by this emotion bubbling up inside you that you can’t name, or maybe are too scared of what it will mean if you do give it a name?
“I don’t even know where to start!” You say with an incredulous laugh, already overwhelmed with the prospect of finding a book in this maze.
Astarion gives a gentle tug on your hand and you follow after him to a bookshelf, where he reaches up to pluck a book off the shelf. You follow the long line of his arm as he reaches up, transfixed by the way he moves- always so graceful,  as if every motion he makes is part of some dance that only he can hear the music to. 
“Here, little flower,” he says, finally dropping your hand to pass the book to you. “One of my favorites.”
Little flower. Your heart skips happily in your chest.
And oh, he had offered up that piece of information so willingly, too. You hadn’t even had to give him anything in return except a watery smile. Surely, Astarion can hear the singing of your heart in your chest. 
“I’ll never find the right words to thank you for this gift,” you tell him. 
“Finally, then, I’ve figured out how to get you to stop talking.” Astarion teases, his hand reaching out to wipe away a stray tear that had fallen down your cheek. And oh, words are said with that soft smile on his face that makes you think that he means the exact opposite of what he’s saying. That suggests that maybe he likes how much you talk, how much you challenge him. 
There’s a spark of either bravery or madness inside you as you lean up to press a kiss to Astarion’s cheek. His flawless skin is soft and cold underneath your lips. 
“Thank you, husband. Truly.” 
Astute as he is, you know he will notice that this is the first time you’ve called him husband without a layer of disgust or anger twisting the word. That this is the first time you’ve used it in earnest and not as an insult meant to wound him. 
And truly, this is the first time that you could perhaps see him filling that role in your life someday. Even if whatever’s growing inside you right now doesn’t stick around, perhaps Astarion could grow to be… a friend? Perhaps this marriage truly was the first step in achieving freedom in your life, and not the prison you first saw it as. 
For the first time, you wonder if Astarion doesn’t have some evil, hidden plot like you had first assumed. Perhaps you were so hurt by his initial trickery that you have misjudged him, have mistaken his kindness for manipulation.
Because, yes, Astarion might not have been the most gracious host at first, (i.e. locking you in a room and forcing you to marry him) but maybe he simply was a lonely man who ached for company, longed for someone to understand him and see the real person beneath his carefully constructed facade. You had felt so sure you knew him down to his very core, but perhaps you didn’t really know him at all.
No. You had been wrong about Astarion. You had been beguiled by his charms at the ball and had felt betrayed when you realized that you weren’t as special to him as he was to you and you had been lashing out at him ever since. 
You aren’t sure if you can trust him yet, but maybe that will come with time.
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Notes:
Thank you all so much for all the lovely comments and likes! It's so wonderful to know people are actually enjoying this story and I'm not just sending words out into the void every week lol.
Somehow, these chapters just keep getting longer and longer… The rough draft I have for chapter 5 is already 10k words and I'm nowhere near finished. Oops! Anyway, I'm not super in love with how this chapter shaped up, but I needed to transition us from point A (enemies) to point B (friendly-ish?) while also dropping some details that help set up the larger plot for the later chapters. Stick around and next Sunday we will be back to our regularly scheduled yearning!
As always, thanks to AliensNSuch on ao3 for beta-reading. She also posted some pretty cool art inspired by Chapter 1 of this story over on her tumlbr @vanillagorilala.
I'm also starting a taglist so please let me know if you'd like to be added to it!
Taglist: @ayselluna
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yaut-jaknowit · 20 days
Note
Okay lil idea! Don’t force urself to do this I had to write this down before I forget.
Fem reader who has a soothing lullaby voice while also good at singing!, reader lives in a cabin deep in the woods, hunts and build her own tools, she uses a bow and arrow, got that magnificent strong will, stubborn as shit tho, never backs down from a challenge no matter how overpowered her enemy is. Very smart mouth always fights back never fail to step back from a fight.
Fem reader x We'ar-ow
Siren Calls for a Challenge
Pairing: We'ar-ow (female Yautja) x Reader
Word Count: 3913
Summary: Deep in the woods of Alaska, far up north in the state, you have a little hut. It serves it purpose throughout the years and seasons. You live and hunt up there, far from civilization. The best life you've known. As you venture out for a hunt you've planned, there a shimmer in the tree line.
Author Note: I'm gonna be honest, I don't know if I did the smart mouthing right. I had to look up good comebacks and comments as such for this. I tried to make the reader be super sassy... I hope it works! I do love sassy reader who gives no fucks about a Yautja. I should probably write more like that.
Masterlist
Ao3
Deep in the lands of Alaska, was a small little hut that worked perfectly. Just enough space to house one person and the necessities of life. A life of hardships, surviving in world meant for kill or be killed. You enjoyed it. The challenges brought to you almost everyday. The need to hunt for you own food. Even down to creating your own weapons to hunt for said food.
Guns and bullets are useful out here, easier to use against a large predator such as a bear. Yet, to get the ammo and supplies was another thing. It required you to leave the safety of the lands and travel more than fifty miles on foot alone to reach even the nearest civilization. It wasn’t a risk that was worth when arrows are craftable out here. A more renewable source for weapons. Use what the land gives in plenty.
In the confines of your hut, your vocal cords hummed with a tune your parents sung to you while young. Though, it’s original use was to lull you to sleep, now you use to fill in the silence that pierced the air. It was a soft tune that you remembered by heart, letting muscle memory guide you. Both in song and craft
More arrows were needed before the next hunt took place tomorrow morning. The supply was running low after the wind kept knocking them off course a week ago. You still brought down the elk, a smaller one than you meant to. It’s last you the week but supplies were running low. With winter coming as well, you truly needed to stock up on food before the first cold freezes over everything. All the creatures will either hunker down or rarely venture out. You couldn’t do either of those. Your stomach still needed to be filled during that time. Plus, the extra pelts never hurt to be dried and put to good use.
The last arrow had been created and sheathed into your quiver. That was set by the door with your trusty bow. A hunting knife was hung by its sheath next to the bow. Lastly, a machete for anything that tried to be up close and personal with you. This is Alaska. A dangerous land that tried to kill anyone on it, no matter who or what you are.
.
As the sun rose high above the ground, you slipped every piece of gear needed. Hunting knife? Check. Bow and arrows? Check. Machete? Check. Food and water? Also check. Once you deem everything in order, you stepped out into the chilling air. The door creaked closed behind you.
Cool air filled your lungs to the brim and enjoyed the bitting to help you wake up then you exhaled. A short, small white cloud appeared in the air. It immediately disappeared afterwards. Perfect.
A softly smile tugged at the corner of your lips while you began a path towards a known area for elk. A spot where they frequented as of late. You didn’t want to spook them from the area so soon and have to track them down all over again. Always a balance to nature, including this. After this, you would have to find a new spot to hunt before winter fell over the area. Or else, you would be stranded with no easy food source in the dead of winter. That was lesson you once learned the hard way. All it took was that one time.
Hunger wasn’t a fun feeling.
Though, you live within the confines of nature, you enjoyed every moment you were allowed this. A peacefulness that washed over you. As if you were just taking a normal stroll out to wander around. Yes, you were on a mission but it was never wrong to breath in this life you were given. A life you were too stubborn to die from, to give up. Anyone or thing would have to rip it out of your cold, dead hands.
In a peaceful atmosphere, you were still on watch. Lax as your form was, you watched everything around. Anything that could pose a threat to your way of life. May it be a mountain lion or bear growing to comfortably around your territory. You made a mental note inside of your head. Then, later on, a plan would be devised on how best to solve this situation all by your lonesome. There was no backup, no other savior this deep into Alaska. It was just you out here. Just you.
Light, carefully placed steps took you from the cozy little cabin you called home. Deeper into the forest, tracking down prey you needed to eat. With such knowledge, muscle memory guiding you, you reached the known grazing area and stopped just shy of the tree line. The meadows were void of larger life. Only soon-to-be wilting grass filled the open space. You hunkered down in a bush and took a couple sips from your water. It was refreshing over your tongue, cooling down your slightly warmed body. The hike long and helps warm up your body.
In the brush, you pulled your bow free from your torso and notched an arrow. Like the predator you’ve become, you wait as one, never faltering your gaze from the open meadows before you. Today, you were taking home next week’s food.
The day was slightly hotter, not enough to shrug off the jacket pelt that hung off of your shoulders. The sun rose higher in the sky but never crested to hit the peak. The tilt of the earth did not allow for that. It stayed midway through the blue sky the entire time, short in the amount of hours for light.
Soon, light would be a rarity this far north into Alaska.
As your hand reached out to touch the pouch containing water, a shimmer of light your attention. You froze to the spot, breath caught in your throat.
Out on the other side of the meadows, just into the tree line, sunlight reflected off something. You didn’t dare to move, only observing as the shimmered moved closer into the meadow. Nothing instantly came to mind to supply what this could be from. It wasn’t like light reflecting off of a cats eye. It was also too light for that to be. Your muscles grew taunt, ready to spring into action at a moments call.
From the corner of your eye, you noticed movement and had to take your gaze off of the shimmer. Elk. A herd of elk you’ve grown to know pranced into the meadow. A spot known for their grazing. The group bowed their heads and began to snack away at the grass.
The shimmer caught your attention again yet goes unnoticed by the prey animals. Downwind from them, you waited for a single elk to walk just close enough to strike down.
The herd dispersed a little, spreading out and growing closer to your hunkered down. You steeled your nerves despite the disturbance across the field. The bow in hand was held tighter and prepared yourself to pull the string back and fire the notched arrow.
As you prepared for the upcoming kill shot, the shimmer was on the move. Internally, you cursed and prayed to whatever god would listen to you this thing wouldn’t disturb your hunt. Just don’t spook the herd! That’s all you could ask for. It could be weeks before they returned to spot if it scared them badly.
Before you could comprehend the sight unfurling before you, one of the elks laid dead on the meadow. A large axe lodged into his head, nearly splitting the skull into two. The creature officially dead with no chance of escape. Your jaw dropped at that alone.
Then, the air was caught in your throat.
Pink, cream, and purple. A humanoid form stood at the down elk, easily dwarfing it. Adorn in metal armor, a mask covered the entirety of its face; hiding away what hid below. Four long… dreads hung over its shoulder. Then, the rest were tied up behind its elongated head shaped slightly like a dome on top. That was all you could get from the distance away.
All the other elk scattered like the prey they are. Anger flared to a blazing heat behind your sternum. With little care of what this thing was, you marched out into the field like a crazed hunter. Your steps were loud and easily announced your presence to this creature. This damn thing ruined your hunt and made you lose your next week’s food. Worst of all, this probably scared off the herd. They won’t return for some time. A growl rumbled in the back of your throat.
A blank, metal expression snapped up at you. That didn’t deter you in the slightest. You got within twenty feet of it before a bone rattle snarl bore through the rather quiet air. That stopped you in your tracks. A warning. A threat. If you stepped an inch closer, you would end up like its downed prey.
You still set a glare on the unknown, faceless creature. A challenge burning in your heated eyes. “You stole my kill. You ran off the herd. You spooked them! They won’t come back here for weeks,” you accused, knowing this thing couldn’t respond back to you. Humanoid or not. This wasn’t a human. Not with its height or the strange shape of its head. But it messed with your hunt. You weren’t about to let that slide.
Behind its emotionless mask, clicks and hisses sounded. It sounded like it was grumbling to itself. As if you were just some gnat that was annoying it. Your hand tightened on your bow, straining the wood under you palm. “You ruined my hunt,” you spat at it and pointed a finger at the unknown creature.
It snorted, muffled, and leaned down. The hatchet was swiftly pulled from the skull of its kill. The weapon twirled in its fingers. A skilled trick just show you how well it was versed with the axe. Your free hand drifted to the machete latched to your hip, ready to defend yourself.
“I did no such thing.” Soft in its tone yet told you about a chapter in its life of battle. Your grasp on the weapon nearly dropped it to the meadow’s grounds. This humanoid figure that clearly wasn’t human spoke to you.
Your eyes only flinched for a second before the glare was returned in full force. “Yes, you did! I set out this morning and waited in the brush since then for them to return here. They are a herd I follow. I know their pattern. You just scared them off!” Your body was shaking with anger. The comfort of your life had been disturbed by this thing.
The humanoid figure brushed you off by kneeling down. A knife was pulled free from a sheath at its side. With practiced movements, it sliced through the belly and began to clean its kill. This was hunter. It was too precise with the cut, the way it scooped out the guts. Your eyes narrowed on the creature and stepped closer.
An axe stuck out of the ground before your feet. Your gaze snapped down to it, nonchalant about its threatening manner. “You think that scares me?” you mused with a dangerous grin. You knew your prowess and were willing to challenge this creature for its hunt. “I’ve face worse than whatever you are.”
Without taking your eyes off of it, you leaned down and plucked the weapon from the ground. It wasn’t meant for you hand. The size and weight weren’t something even the average human would use. Yet, you still twirled it, testing its weight. “I think this mine now.” An shit eating smirk spread your mouth wide as you looked at the kneeling figure.
The growl it released shook the very ground you stood on. But, that didn’t deter you. Like any other predator who wonders into your territory, you’ll just beat it back until it learns its lesson.
It rose back to a standing position, body tense, ready just like you. You only shifted slightly into a less cocky stance and prepared to fight if it came down to it. This creature easily towered over your form, that much you could tell with the distance between you. That didn’t deter you. Instead, that only pushed more adrenaline into your veins, heart pounding into your ear.
“it’s only fair I keep this. Deny all you want, but you ruined my hunt. I feel like you need to pay for it. Either with me taking this as payment-“ you held up the hatchet- “or possibly with shed blood may sedate me enough.” The long-handled weapon was twirled again, showing off the fact you knew how to handle it.
Behind the mask, it scoffed and rolled its shoulders. “You didn’t have rights over this hunt,” it snarled at you and pulled out another hatchet on its other hip.
“I’d agree with you but then we’d both be wrong,” you snarked dropped your bow onto the ground and used the newly freed hand to grasp at your machete. Both of your hands filled with a weapon. One you were far more knowledgeable then the other.
The soles of your self-crafted shoes dug into the soft earth. Your muscles helped you launch yourself forward, straight at the creature. Instantly, you took up the offensive position. Your moved were swift, bringing down the hatchets blade  to bed itself into the creatures shoulder. An action it caught onto quickly. You weren’t looking to kill, only maim.
This newer weapon was harder wield than your machete, a different fighting style in general. It left you open for attack. The hatchet held high above your head to bring down onto its skin.
It darted backwards and started its own offensive attack. A battle of dance, trading blows and swings. Neither figure willing to back down. There you were, keeping up with this thing. Though, only by the skin of your teeth where you able to skim past without losing a limb.
A slice cut at your side, tearing your shirt open. Fresh, hot blood graced the open sky and dripped down your skin. You snarled, teeth bared in a whole show of unbridle rage. The beast returned the gesture with a bellow that shook your bones. You bared more down on it with a slash that drew its own blood and dipped the tip of your blade with neon green fluids.
The two of you trading dodges and hits the same. You were able to keep up with a beast such as it.
More cuts opened your skin. None of them fatal.
Both of you backed away from each other. Sweat clung to your skin uncomfortably, doing its job in cooling down your overheated body. Your shoulders heaved with panting breathe as you surged for air and studied the beast after a timeless battle. It took panted, chest expanding with each inhale.
“I didn’t expect for you to be able to put your money where your mouth is. If you have one. I’m impressed,” you mused and rolled one of your shoulders. An ache growing in the taunt muscles. “It’s time to leave. I told you; this was my food for the week.”
Either it straight up ignored you or just didn’t bother to care. You were quick to find yourself back into a harrowing battle with it again.
“Whoa, whoa. Hold your horse, there’s-guh! There’s plenty of me to share. Gotta keep some of it for the ladies though,” you jestered. The grin returned to your face. The hatchet’s blade skirted past the spot you once were a second before. “Man, you truly want to break off a piece like a kitkat bar.”
A small pout passed over your features when it didn’t even make a chittering noise. “it’s okay if you don’t like me. I know not everyone has good taste.” The creature only faltered for a second but left you a moment slice along its pink thigh. The creature snarled and whipped its axe towards you. Barely missing your scalp if you didn’t duck just in time.
“Oh, you missed me!” Despite not seeing its facial expressions freely, you read the irritation clear as a sun day. The muscles that lined its forearms flex while it gripped the wooden handle tighter. You thought it was about to cleave your head into two when it had the chance.
Something caught the heel of your foot while dodging a particularly deadly swipe. You gasped and teetered over straight onto your rump with a grunt. This was the end. The dance had ended with you making a fatal mistake.
Instinctively, you brought up your machete to block an knowingly incoming blow. Pain exploded in your  forearm as a weight bared down on it. You choked on spit and fought underneath the tremendous weight, but it was futile.
A blade was pressed to the vulnerable part of your throat. One swipe and everything would be over. You swallowed down the lump building in your throat and looked up at the winner.
Behind its massive head, a halo of light framed it. Like a god or goddess peering down at your injured form. The seconds began to tick on by. The only sound in the air being the two of you panting to regain a balance. Your tongue darted out to wet your dry lips.
It never came for the killing blow.
“If you’re expecting me to beg for my life, might as well finish your cleaning. You won’t get anything from me,” you spat though there was a slight tone of respect in your voice. It fought well again you and became the winner in the end.
More weight was shifted onto your arm as it shuffled above you. The hatchet was pulled away and latched onto its belt. You knew at a moments notice, it could whip it back out and finish the job. Then, it’s stolen weapon was plucked from your smash arm and sheathed all the same. You clenched your teeth together in both the pain and disappointment it got it back from you.
“Can you at least give me the curtsey of knowing who and what you are before you kill me?” you questioned, tone still firm but with less anger in it. You truly wanted to know what this thing was. At least you could take that knowledge with you before it took your life.
Weaponless hands, one pinched your chin and tilted it up so you could face it. The other reached up and pulled at two tubes attached to its head. A small hiss entered the air before it tugged the metal mask free from its spot.
What was revealed wasn’t something you would ever expect. You nearly cringed at the sight. This wasn’t anything known to mankind. As if a crab was turned humanoid with a face like that.
Four mandibles or fangs adorn its completely inhuman features and twitched every once in a while. Hidden behind those were more teeth you didn’t wish to meet at anytime. Then, orange pupils that could possibly glow in the dark peered down at you. A predator look set on your pinned form. This thing screamed predator. A creature born, built for the hunt.
The hand on your chin stayed and forced you to keep looking into its eyes. “You would be dead by now. Your head hanging from my belt. Consider yourself lucky that I spared your life. I see potential in yout skills. I want to help develop those skills. I will not let them go to waste. You need a teacher.” That voice, less muffled this time.
“Wow, sparing my life? I feel so honored.” Even after escaping death, not fully though, you were still being smart mouthed.
It tightened its grip. “I might take back my offer.” The creature leaned down crowded into your space. You flashed your teeth at it with a grin.
“Nah, you wouldn’t. Seems like you already like me too much to do that.” You don’t know how you do it but you act like this was conversation with an old friend. It growled and shoved your head to the side but never made a move to gut you like the elk.
Then, it stood back up, towering over your laying form. You sat up and rubbed at your wrist you knew surely was going to bruise later today. “You still didn’t answer my questions.” If you were going to work with this beast, you would like to a put to its strange face.
At this point, the two of you caught your breaths. Its chest expanded with a deep, heavy breath. The beast turned on its heel to look down at you with a critical eye. “I’m called We’ar-ow. You will learn later what I am once I deem you worthy of the information.” You faked gasped and got up, placing a hand over your heart.
“Oh come on! We just had a battle to a near death,” you whined. “I feel like I’ve earned it.” The machete you once bore was sheathed back into its spot on your hip. Your body now sliced with multiple cuts that will require some medical assistance but not at that very moment.
All the pink beast did was look down at you with a neutral expression. Despite the difference of features, you felt it was universal for the expression to mean the same. “Fine. If you can’t answer me that, can you at least tell me if you’re an alien or not.” Still with cheeky smirk on your face. Yeah, you’ll learned it could if it so wishes. Why not tempt fate while you’re at it?
Its pink back met you, long legs striding away from you. The creature turned its head to look over its shoulder for a second. “Yes.” You jumped up and thrusted a fist in the air.
“Ah-ha! I knew it.” You scrambled after We’ar-ow, not wanting to wander too far from it. “So… what happens now? You said I had potential or something.” You were forced to trot next to the newly friended creature. The steps easily dwarfing three of your own.
We’ar-ow, if you remember correctly, knelt down at the belly of elk it once worked on and returned to cleaning its kill. “You will quiet down and stop asking many questions,” she snapped at you but didn’t even look over at you, focused on cutting out unneeded parts.
“Well, that’s going to a problem. I want to learn, that requires questions.” You had the creature caught then. It grunted underneath its breath and sheathed its blade after wiping it off. “I can carry that if you want.”
Orange eyes glanced over at your smaller frame. Yes, you were muscular for having to survive in a wilderness that was more than happy to kill you. The creature dipped its domed head and stood up.
You walked over to the dead elk and glanced at We’ar-ow. “Watch and learn from the master.” You crouched down onto your haunches, careful of your weight and maneuvered the downed elk onto your shoulders. A single push and you were back to a standing position, proudly looking at We’ar-ow. “Where to master?”
Oh, you were going to have fun with this creature.
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blushing-in-space · 1 month
Text
Deception
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-> anakin skywalker
Summary: [Based on Clone Wars; S4 Ep15] As a Jedi Knight, it’s part of your duty to follow the orders of the Jedi Council, no matter how taxing or dangerous the task. You are given a highly classified mission that not only may end in your death but requires complete secrecy from everyone- Even your lover Anakin Skywalker.
Warnings: ANGST, Death, murder, blood, slight gore, loss of loved ones, grieving process. Probably inaccurate use of the force and force healing
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-> I looked at the message before me, brows furrowed. No, this couldn’t be right… Would the Jedi Council ask this of me? Something so classified sounds like it should be a mission of a Jedi Master, not a knight like me.
Mace Windu’s face was all the answer I needed. His eyes were slits as he looked down at me, face set seriously. His fellow council members had a similar expression.
“It is of the utmost importance no word spoken here leaves this room. Is that understood, [name]?” Windu repeats to me.
I have no choice but to nod my head. I serve the Galactic Republic, I cannot let my relationships meddle in my duties as a Jedi Knight.
I bowed my head, “Yes, masters. It will be done.”
——
“What’s the big rush?” Anakin smirks as I carry myself hastily down the dimly lit alleyway we always take when returning to the Jedi Temple from the port.
Ahsoka trails behind us both, thankfully oblivious to Anakin’s wandering hands. I did not agree to her being here and had suggested she take the shuttle home, knowing it would be safer for the young padawan. But like her master, Ahsoka was stubborn and determined to join us for the meeting I had lied about. I feared for her safety- I hope she will not be there when the time comes.
I glance over at Anakin, forcing a playful smile to adorn my lips as I would have in normal circumstances. “I’m not rushing. I’m just trying to get to the council meeting on time.”
I ignore Anakin as he rolls his eyes. “I can see it now- another boring debate I’ll sleep through,” he sighs, though his eyes linger on me and I can’t help but notice it.
We fell for each other when we were just padawans, and have remained loving by one another’s side for almost four years. While I was fairly good at hiding stolen looks and the brush of our hands, Anakin on the other hand doesn’t seem to understand the strategy of hiding our relationship.
He struggles more than I do with our relationship. It frustrates him so easily when he cannot pull me into a kiss after not seeing me for weeks, or to just wrap his arm around me as we walk as I can tell he wants to do now. I’ve known from the start about Anakin’s unusually strong emotional side for a Jedi. That is what makes me especially nervous for tonight.
“Luckily I’ll have you to keep my company,” Anakin mutters to me in a quiet and husky tone, his hand reaching to touch the crease of my waist.
I shoot him a look of warning, glancing over at Ahsoka who was just a few steps behind him. He’s lucky she happened to be looking away and had not looked too deeply into his words.
“If it's so boring for you, would you rather them call you in to train younglings?” I look smugly over my shoulder to Anakin, who grimaces at my comment while Ahsoka huffs a light laugh.
“I think you would enjoy that, master,” Ahsoka quips sarcastically as she steps to Anakin’s side, and he scuffs and looks away from his apprentice.
“As I thought.”
I try to keep up a high-spirited mood while with Anakin before my time comes to act. I see Anakin smiling, his lips parted to make another smart-assed comment. I give him a cheeky smile. After tonight I won’t see him again for yet another long week. And I know that week will be devastating for him.
He doesn’t hide anything from me. He’s told me how he held his mother in his arms and watched the life drain from her eyes. I’m aware he fears the same fate will reach another of his loved ones. Every time I leave for a battle I promise to him I’ll be safe and will return safely to his arms. Now I have been gagged by the Jedi Council from telling him the truth of what I must do. The guilt is almost unbearable having to keep such a secret from my own lover.
Anakin’s blue eyes search mine, I feel him wield the force to poke into my mind. I raise a brow at his perceptiveness. Does he know? I shake him, cutting off his access to my mind through the force. I don’t like it when he does that and he knows it. His brows furrow as he feels the loss of our connection, but he does not pry at my barrier. I nod to him in a silent already broken promise that we will talk later.
Our unspoken words distracted me so much that I almost wouldn’t have sensed the blaster shot coming toward me if Ahsoka had not warned me.
I roll to the side, taking cover behind the nearby crates. I whip my head around to see Anakin and Ahsoka have done the same, both of their backs pinned to the crates opposite of me. My blood pumps furiously through my veins. I should have let the shot take me down. The first and undeniable worst part of my mission would already be over.
“Where’d that shot come from?” Ahsoka yells, voice riddled with panic as she looks from me to the roof of an apartment building in the distance.
I show no concern as I peek my head over the crates, catching a glimpse of the bright blinding light of the sniper who had tried to kill me just then. Who I should have let kill me. My heart would be pounding in my chest if it weren’t for the drug I had taken before leaving that would suppress my heartbeat.
I shake off any fear. I won’t die today- I’m following my orders. My duty as a Jedi comes before anything else. Anakin will understand that when I return. I glance over at him and Ahsoka behind the crates opposite of me, and single them to follow my lead. Neither of them questioned my plan for us to split up over on the rooftop.
I feel Anakin trying to push into my mind as I roll behind the next set of crates, another blaster shot barely missing me. I feel his anxiousness about the situation, either for me being in danger or his padawan, I’m not sure. I just feel guilty for what I’m about to put him through.
I climb to the rooftop, keeping my cover as I deflect a shot back at the assassin to not rouse suspicion. I see Anakin has done as I asked him, for once in his life, and spot him heading to flank the shooter. Ahsoka jumps from rooftop to rooftop, taking the back approach to the shooter. I realize my time is running out to start this mission.
Anakin races on the rooftop across from me, taking cover at the same time as I do. He catches my eyes, blue eyes blazing across the darkness of the Coruscant alleyway. He’s going to dart around to get the shooter. I know he is.
“He’s behind the building!” Ahsoka coms to both me and Anakin, and I know this is where I must end this chase.
Anakin’s head whips around to the building across from us, eyes narrowed and his hand goes to grip his saber. I suck in a breath, closing my eyes as I prepare for the pain. I pray to the Maker the blaster-proof vest will be enough to save me from the real threat of death.
I block Anakin completely from my mind before stepping into the wide-open space as a red light hits my chest.
“[name]!” I hear Anakin scream as the assassin's blaster finally hits me, unexpectedly knocking me so far back I fall from the edge of the building and into sudden darkness.
Ahsoka’s heart sinks seeing Master [name] fall from the edge as she rounds the corner. She looks up to see her Master immediately trying to follow [name], attempting to run from his cover but having to soon duck as a blaster shot flies past his face.
“I got her! Go!” Ahsoka called out to Anakin, hiding the fear in her voice as she looked up at him.
Anakin’s eyes widen as he looks down at her, and his face seems to drain of color for a moment. He’s afraid. Ahsoka so rarely sees real fear on her master's face. No matter the battle or injury. His demeanor never falters. His expression is always lax and words smooth, even as he’s faced with danger, but in this moment Ahsoka does not see that familiar bravery in her master now. That is what scares her the most.
She doesn’t watch long enough to notice how Anakin hesitates for far too long before he chases whoever shot [name], she has no time to do anything but rush to the Jedi Knight's side. [name]’s body is completely limp in a pile of boxes and trash, left arm twisted unnaturally. There’s no blood, but a black mark is burned into the knight’s white-robed chest.
Ahsoka pulls [name]’s body from the rumble, panicking when she does not awake. She lifts the knight's head into her lap but freezes her finger above [name’s] neck to check for a pulse. She fears she knows the answer. Ahsoka has watched people die. Despite her age, she’s a commander- she sees death every day. But never someone so close to her. Someone she regarded as a friend. As a sister.
“Master?” Ahsoka whispers as she finally puts her fingers to the soft spot on [name]’s neck. She gulps as she feels nothing, then tries the curve of her wrist. Then feels nothing again. She sucks in a breath as her eyes become glassy at the sight.
Ahsoka hears Anakin drop from the roof and run down to her. “How is she?” He pants, wild blue eyes looking down at them.
Ahsoka can barely move her head to look up at him, and when she does, she nearly lets tears fall. She doesn’t know if she has the words to say it. She knows Anakin and [name] were padawans together. She knows how close the pair are. She only pretends to be blind to her master’s deep attachment to the other Jedi knight for his sake. That’s why she can hardly hold it together when he crouches down to see [name] completely unresponsive.
“[name]?” Anakin says, voice rattling.
Ahsoka doesn’t fight him as he takes [name] from her arms and holds her in his. He brushes her hair away from her face to reveal her eyes closed with death. Ahsoka watches her master's eyes fill with grief as he clutches her body to him.
“[name]!” He yells louder this time, desperately shaking her shoulders. He puts his hands over the black mark on her chest and continuously presses down on it in a failed attempt to start back [names] still heart. Ahsoka can’t look anymore. She can’t watch her master hopelessly revive a dead woman.
Ahsoka stands and runs away when Anakin calls out her name again, tears now falling from his eyes as he stares at his lover's dead body.
He had to hand her body off to the authorities when they arrived. He had to explain what happened all while pretending he didn’t just lose his wife.
The hardest challenge of his life wasn’t fighting Count Dooku or leading the largest battalion in the Republic Military- it was returning to the Jedi Temple with nothing to show for his lover's existence but her blood on his robes and her lightsaber.
[name] was supposed to come to his quarters tonight after the meeting. They hadn’t seen each other in two weeks, each being assigned to different planets, but each immediately returned to the other, as always. His fears of her usually vanish once he is reunited with her after their respective missions. He always assumes she’s safe when she comes home. He’d never thought of the possibility of her dying on his watch.
He wished he could have been with her body longer, but as soon as he saw the flash of red and blue lights he had to wipe his tears and place her body on the stretcher and watch as the medics pulled the sheet over her. Once the door to his quarters hissed shut he couldn’t hold it in anymore.
He sat at the edge of the bed, and unclipped [names] lightsaber from his belt. He ran his flesh hand along the customized hilt and ignited the saber of his lover. He could almost picture her beautiful face behind the [color] glow, a smirk on her lips before she jumped into battle. His eyes filled with tears as he un-ignited it and the color vanished.
It felt like when his mother died all over again. Again, he failed to protect someone. Again, someone he loved died in his arms. The only difference was there was no one he could get revenge on for the needless death. The assassin had retreated like a coward after firing the blaster. Anakin’s not even sure if the assassin killed her instantly. Perhaps it had been the fall that took her life.
Anakin’s heart ached when sleeping alone that night. He had been looking forward to feeling the warmth of [name] beside him since he had first been sent to Krios. Now he’ll never feel [name] again. If he had just got to the assassin in time she’d still be here!
Anakin’s eyes burned with tears of fury. He had no idea who the shooter was but he would hunt the bastard down after [name]’s funeral. To hell with the Jedi Code- revenge was the only way Anakin could bring himself and Eria peace!
Anakin felt himself slipping, but he had no motivation to crawl back toward the light when [name] wasn’t there waiting for him.
Eria thought she had severed her connection to Anakin, but when she finally woke up she felt the overwhelming grief and anger of her husband. It was so strong for a moment she confused it as her own. Those emotions were quickly replaced by the ache in her chest and the pain of her defiantly broken arm.
Her tears were gulped down as the medical droid healed her wounds. The droid asked if she was experiencing emotional pain, and she had to lie and say it was just her arm. All she could think about was when she fell. She heard Anakin’s scream and felt his tears on her as she played dead in his arms. It took every part of her being to not open her eyes and apologize for what she had done.
The door to my medical room hissed open, and I glanced over to see Master Windu and Master Yoda in the white light.
“I hope my funeral went well,” I mutter as the door slides shut behind them.
I see Master Windu’s eyes narrow at me as I quickly cover my emotions and dry my tears. I had been specially chosen for this classified mission out of everyone else in the Jedi Order, and I wanted to act professionally with the Council member who picked me. Especially because Master Windu was known for his intense belief in the Code.
“A great performance, your corpse played,” Master Yoda says.
I well as funeral can go, I want to add, but am silence by the medical droid sticking a numbing substance into my arm. I looked at the deep bruise on my twisted arm and for a moment wondered if this would even work. I was sacrificing so much just to learn information that may not even be true. Will Anakin even forgive me once this is all over?
“Will go well, the plan will,” Yoda says, sensing my doubt.
“I fell from the top of a building- It better go well,” I huff in pain and remove the blasterproof vest that saved my life.
“Survived worse, you have,” Yoda comforts, and though I know the Jedi Elder is right, it doesn’t help much when my back has turned into one massive bruise.
“Young Skywalker knows this,” Windu says in a firm voice, arms crossed and eyes looking down at me. As if testing to see my reaction.
I breathed deeply and held strong. I wanted to beg for them to let him assist me in the mission or ask how he handled the funeral, but most of all, I wanted to beg to just see him. But it was vital to the integrity of the mission that no one knows- Especially Anakin, who would flare up in anger if he knew I would be walking into the role of a bounty hunter and disguising myself among them, armed with nothing but a blaster.
I know that Master Windu is testing me with his words. Though he picked me for this, I was quickly made aware of his doubts in me when he had to clarify Anakin to me in private not even Anakin may know.
“I took the vital suppressors, you instructed of me, Master. When Anakin moved my body… I was dead to him. It’s impossible that he knows I’m alive,” I assure both of them, though it was clear in my tone it weighed heavily on me to do so.
Yoda hummed in agreement, “Yes- but sense he will, that something is not right.”
I wanted to add that Anakin will have no contact with me as I understand how important it is he is left out of this, but a Jedi Healer enters the room and bows his head, interrupting the conversation. The healer comes to my side to mend my broken arm, and I nod to the Jedi Masters.
“Anakin’s reaction sold the sniper of my death. What has been done is done, and I will carry out the mission as has been asked of me,” I say to Windu with no hesitation and my head held high. He seems surprised for a moment but turns to leave.
“What’s done is done,” he repeats as the healer snaps my arm back into place.
The healer seems to also understand this meeting should remain in confidence. He bows, then leaves soon after I am healed. Finally alone, I begrudgingly accepted it was time to put on the masked disguise of the assassin I will be taking the place of.
I reach down to remove my lightsaber from my belt but feel nothing of the familiar grip I built myself. I look down to see its holster empty but find for the first time since my fall, I feel an absence of worry. I let a sad smile curve my lips as I realize who took it.
I know it’s safe with Anakin.
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Notes: Part 2 coming soon! I'm sorry this is a little confusing if you've never watched the episode this is based on 😭
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hard-core-super-star · 7 months
Note
Hiya, may I request something for Kate bishop.
(Peter could be rs cousin or something.) Reader (who is spiderwoman and dating Kate), Kate and Yelena help Peter Parker (T. Holland) with the villains from the other earth's and as a result green goblin ends up killing aunt May and she seeks out revenge for may and almost kills green goblin but Yelena and kate stop her. (Oh, and Peter is the only one who is forgotten)
no such thing as good grief [K.Bishop]
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pairing: kate bishop x parker!reader
summary: you always knew being a superhero came with a long list of dangers but it turns out you weren't quite ready to deal with someone else suffering for your mistakes.
warnings: major character death; heavy mentions of blood + injuries + grief; a huge serving of angst with a side of hurt/comfort, a dash of humor, and a sprinkle of plot; weird descriptions of fight scenes
wordcount: 3.2k
a/n: i probably should have rewatched no way home for this but shhh. any inconsistencies are just part of this other timeline because i said so and the MCU timeline is incredibly messy anyway. i very clearly got way too attached and wrote way too much but whoops, hope you enjoy <3 [also yes, may is R's mom in this but somewhere along the way, i resorted to just calling her 'may' instead 'mom' because I didn't want it to get too repetitive]
* * * * * * *
Nobody ever said being an Avenger was easy.
Especially now that most members are either dead, retired, off-world, or just simply unreachable. Nobody wanted to address the fact that the safety of planet Earth now rests solely in the hands of a bunch of college students and a Russian ex-assassin.
Of course, there’s still Dr. Strange and his merry band of sorcerers, including Wong, but it seems the only thing that man can successfully protect is his massive ego. It’s harsh, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less true. 
Although, maybe you’re just bitter that Stephen’s soft spot for your cousin ultimately got you tangled in a mess you had no business being in. 
A crack in the multiverse is bad enough but it being caused by one of Stephen's failed spells is even worse.
And of course, Peter's seniority when it comes to being part of a superpowered team means when he calls, you answer. There’s also the fact that he’s family and your mom would absolutely lecture you if you ignored him…again.
You really wanted to sit this one out but there was no way your girlfriend was going to let you. You tried all the tricks you knew to convince her but ultimately, her and Yelena ended up dragging you out of your apartment to help Peter fix his multiversal disaster.
“So, your plan to defeat these villains is to…not defeat them?” You question. “In what universe does that make sense?”
“Don’t be a jerk, y/n/n,” Kate mumbles.
You playfully roll your eyes at the archer’s words, biting back a comment about how rare it is to see her actually attempting to focus on forming a plan. She’s gotten a lot better at not rushing into situations but old habits die hard.
“Actually, it’s May’s plan,” Peter says. “I know it’s unconventional but I think it could work. We’re the good guys, right?”
Yelena shoots you a look but you just shrug in response. Fighting with him will only lead to more problems that you’re not sure you’re qualified to solve. Actually, none of you are qualified for any of this.
Webs, arrows, and strong punches are not going to get you out of this one.
You swallow down your hesitation and give Peter a small nod. “Right. What do you need us to do?”
Step 1, according to your annoying Spider-Cousin, is to pick up a few materials for him while he takes the misplaced villains to Happy’s condo. You don’t love the idea of being an errand girl but you already agreed to help and there’s no way Kate will let you take your words back.
Her loyalty is as admirable as it is annoying. But at least you get to spend time driving around New York with your two favorite people. And by driving you really mean sitting in the backseat with Kate while Yelena complains about how much harder it is to drive a car than a motorcycle.
Step 1 takes about an hour to complete and it’s not until you’re all heading to Happy’s place that your girlfriend decides to question you and your lack of trust in Peter’s plan.
“Since when are you so cynical?” She asks, her arm loosely wrapped around your waist.
“Me?” The question catches you off-guard and you turn your face away from the car window to look at her instead. “I'm not the one shooting arrows through people’s limbs.”
“It’s not like I’m killing people.”
“Neither am I,” you reply with a shrug. “I'm just saying to send them back to their universe.”
“So they can die,” she says, her tone making her statement sound more like a question than anything else.
“Well…yeah.”
It sounds brutal when said out loud but it’s the logical choice. Keeping them in your universe isn’t an option and there’s no telling what kind of damage Peter’s plan will have on those other timelines.
“And you don’t think that’s cruel?”
“Should I?” You look away from Kate’s eyes before you get distracted from the conversation at hand due to the puppy-dog look they’ve been carrying the past few minutes. “Yelena, you wanna help me out here?”
“You’re gonna get the heartless Russian assassin to help you prove your point?” She asks with a chuckle.
“Ex-assasin,” the blonde corrects her. “And I am not heartless. But y/n is right. What is that stupid saying? Something about a circus?”
“Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, so if you’re so against this plan why did you agree to it?” Kate finally asks the million-dollar question.
The answer is a lot more complicated than one would think and you’re not in the mood to explain why the plan being your mom’s idea means so much to you. So, you take a page out of the archer’s book and reply with a stupid joke instead.
“You think May would have been fine with me letting Peter run around on his own?”
Yelena’s reply is just as witty as yours. “I am only here because someone has to babysit you while y/n babysits Spider-Boy.”
“You guys are jerks.” There are notes of humor in her voice that she tries to wipe away with an overdramatic pout.
You chuckle and lean in to kiss her, ignoring Yelena’s complaints about how annoyingly in love you two are.
The moment is a welcome respite from a chaotic and difficult situation.
A situation that only gets worse with every minute that goes by.
The three of you finally arrive at Happy’s condo and are led inside by your overly chipper cousin. You try to ignore the way the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at the mere sight of the supervillains scattered all around the living room.
You’re probably just being paranoid. That’s what you tell yourself until Peter lets it slip that he’s not the only person watching over the time-scattered villains.
You grab a hold of his arm and lead him away from Kate and Yelena, more for his sake than yours if you’re being honest. “What do you mean my mom is here? Why the hell would you bring her into this mess?
“I didn’t do anything!” He responds. “She wanted to help. You know how she is.”
If you had a nickel every time he used that excuse you’d be as rich as your girlfriend.
“This is different, Pete! It’s not just her bringing us snacks while we fix our web shooters, this is serious.”
“Which is exactly why she should be here. We need all the help we can get to do this. You have no problem with Kate being here, why is May different?”
It takes you a second to be able to reply, your brain not fully computing his audacity to make such a flippant comparison. “Because she’s not a superhero, you dimwit! She’s the only family I have left, I am not letting her get hurt because you convinced her to help us.”
“First of all, ouch. Second of all, relax. She can take care of herself.”
All you can really do is groan since it’s obvious no amount of arguing will get him to change his mind and help you convince May to go home. There’s also the fact that she probably wouldn’t listen to you even if you managed to get Peter on your side.
“Fine. Just tell me what to do so we can wrap up this shitshow.”
You ignore his very obvious sigh of relief and focus on lending the helping hand you promised earlier. Help that makes you ignore your growing unease and leaves you unprepared for the violent turn things take.
You’re not even sure how it happens.
One second you and Kate are arguing about how Sandman’s powers even work while Yelena and May help administer Dr. Ock’s cure and the next you’re watching Green Goblin turn the rest of the misplaced villains against all of you.
Your one and only thought is on getting your mom out of here unscathed but it quickly becomes clear you won’t be able to just swing her to safety. There’s no plan, or even time to think things through, there’s only a tense atmosphere and an inkling that things won’t go well no matter what you do.
Green Goblin’s taunts ring in your ears right as Electro blasts Dr. Ock out the window. Kate shoots you a look you can’t ignore and you hold on to the silent promise that she’ll be okay without you.
You dive out the window without a second thought, barely managing to shed your hoodie and reveal the Spider Suit hidden beneath your clothes. (Peter can keep all his fancy little upgrades, nothing beats the classic suit in your opinion)
You manage to help Dr. Ock before he slams into the ground with equal parts teamwork and a staggering amount of webs.
He assures you he’s fine once you manage to get onto a nearby roof, not so subtly doing his best to get rid of a few webs that are stuck to his clothes. You shoot him an apologetic smile before jumping off the roof and swinging back to the now blacked-out building.
You ignore the swarm of cop cars and news vans that litter the front of the building and impulsively divide to crash through a window into the lobby, figuring it’ll be faster to find May and your team this way.
You jump onto your feet after your literal crash landing only to find Kate and Peter in the middle of fighting Green Goblin. A part of you screams to run and find your mom but then Osborn kicks Kate’s bow out of her hand and your body reacts faster than your mind can even comprehend.
“Hey, asshole!” You shoot a web at his leg and yank him backward. “Get your hands off of her.”
He stumbles but doesn’t fall the way you anticipated. Instead, he turns to look at you, that chilling smirk still plastered on his face. “What is it with you Parkers and your savior complex?”
Your first instinct is to run at him but you catch the archer’s look as she runs to help a badly injured Peter. If it’s a distraction she needs, that’s exactly what you’ll provide.
“It’s part of our charming personality.”
You shrug and shoot at him again, managing to pull his focus toward the barrage of webs you send his way.
You expect to keep him occupied until Peter and Kate catch their breath but instead, May rushes out of the stairway, a bleeding Yelena trailing behind her, and she injects the so-called cure into the back of Osborn’s neck.
The cure doesn’t work. All it does is send the Green Goblin into a fit of rage.
You urge May to run in between Osborn’s taunts directed mainly at you and Peter. She doesn’t listen and you’re too distracted to notice the deadly glider that hovers just outside the window.
By the time Kate warns you it’s too late.
The blast it creates when it crashes in sends you flying onto the ground. All the air gets knocked out of your lungs from the impact but you don’t get time to lay there and recover.
You somehow manage to get back onto your feet right as Osborn sends a bomb flying your way. You just barely manage to web it and throw it to the side before it goes off, sending bits of debris raining down onto all of you.
There’s the distinct sound of Kate’s boots running toward you, Yelena’s Russian curse words, and a part of you that tells you to go check on May. There’s no chance in hell that you’re letting Green Goblin get away though so you swallow down your pain from aching joints and bleeding cuts and run after him.
You arrive outside just in time to watch him throw another bomb that you’re too slow to stop.
The explosion throws you back onto the ground and you groan as you land on a piece of glass. You’re breathless and bleeding and it’s only then that the guilt crashes into you at once.
This time, your attempt to stand is far less balanced and you stumble onto a familiar frame. “Hey, hey, easy. There’s no rush, babe.”
You happily accept Kate’s embrace, the familiarity of her comforting touch soothing some of your pain. “You okay?”
“Yeah, nothing some band-aids and a nap won’t fix.”
Hearing the usual humor in her tone brings you back to reality…which brings your mind back to your mom and the way you so recklessly rushed outside without knowing if she was injured. “How about Peter and May? They okay?”
Your girlfriend’s silence never means anything good and in this context, it makes your heart drop to your stomach in an instant. You’re about to question her again when Yelena’s voice stops you.
“We need to get out of here before the cops arrive…again.”
You push your injured body away from Kate’s, searching for the answer you don’t want to hear. “Kate…”
“I’m sorry.” She avoids your eyes as she responds. “Peter tried but it was already too late. She’s gone, y/n.”
You don’t hear anything she says after that.
It’s strange the way the world slows to a stop around you while your overwhelmed brain tries to process the Earth-shattering information. Strange how a second ago everything seemed to make sense and now you’re left gasping for breath, reaching for answers you know don’t matter.
The how, the why, the what. None of that matters. 
May is dead.
And there’s nothing you could have done to stop it despite the powers, and the gadgets, and the hours of training.
You didn’t even get to say goodbye before she-
“y/n, it’s not your fault.”
“Listen to Kate Bishop, she’s finally right for once.”
“Hey!”
Their attempt to comfort you turns into chaotic bickering but you don’t pay attention to their words. You can’t think about anything except the gaping hole in your chest that had once been full of May’s knowing looks and thoughtful words.
Kate’s right.
It’s not your fault. Or May’s. Or even Peter’s. There’s only one man to blame for this. 
And you’re sure as hell going to make him regret his choice to mess with your family.
“y/n.” Kate’s voice manages to cut through the hate-filled fog that’s starting to cover your mind. “y/n, don’t.”
You don’t listen to her words, you don’t even take in the way she so easily knows what you’re thinking, you just do what you’ve always done: keep moving.
You successfully escape your girlfriend’s embrace and start running. You’re not sure where you’re going or how you’re going to find him but the plan will come later. Right now, you just need to do something before the grief consumes you.
Kate yells after you but there’s no way she’ll be able to chase after you. Especially once you start swinging from building to building.
The hours pass by in between blurs of rain, tears, and the occasional wall you end up crashing into. Your phone blows up with missed calls and countless texts but you don’t care.
The entire world could crash and burn without you for all you care. The light within your own world has already been extinguished. 
Your search ends up leading you right to the Statue of Liberty where you’re not at all surprised to find a chaotic battle going on. Maybe you should have checked your phone to get caught up with the plan but that doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that you’ve finally found what you’ve been looking for. And your mind is dead-set on your objective.
You ignore the rest of the fights going on, including the look of pain and relief on Kate’s face once she sees you swing past her, and hone in on Peter.
You're still bleeding and there's a sharp pain in your leg you can't ignore but your injuries don't matter. All that matters is avenging May.
You land next to Peter without a word, the venom in your eyes saying more than your voice could. You're both fighting for the same thing but you have no doubt he's still pulling his punches.
Something you have no intention of doing.
“Well, well, well, look who decided to join the fun,” Green Goblin taunts. “Too tired of running after your dead parents?”
“Shut your mouth,” you reply as you step toward him. “You don't know what you're talking about.”
That only makes him laugh. “Trust me, pain makes you stronger. You'll see, all I have to do is take away your pretty little girlfriend next and you'll understand.”
There's no hesitation left in your body once you hear those words.
You lunge forward, tackling Osborn to the ground. That stupid smirk doesn't leave his face even while you rain down punches on him.
“Come on! Is that all you can do? What's the point of two Spider-Idiots if one is too weak to fight?”
You know he's only taunting you. Trying to push your buttons and get you to break. Too bad that's exactly what you want to do.
Every time he pushes you back, you kick him back twice as hard. You stumble and get punched in the face enough times to make your ears ring but you don't dare stop.
You don't even think.
You just punch and punch and punch until Osborn’s on the ground, his witty mouth finally silent.
Seeing him like this only serves to remind you of what you've lost, of the pain that's taken hold of your every thought and move. You lift your hand to shoot a web at his forgotten glider when a voice stops you dead in your tracks.
“y/n?”
The mere sound of your name coming out of Kate’s mouth in that desperate tone is enough to make your breath catch in your throat. You already know what she's going to say so you speak up first. “I have to.”
“No, you don't. You've done enough, okay? You can walk away.”
You look down at your hands, at the bloody mess you've left behind, and the tears start falling before you can stop them.
The hand that pulls you up doesn't belong to the archer but it's full of an understanding only Yelena could be capable of. “Go on, Spider-Boy and I got this.”
You nod, too numb and overwhelmed to fully accept the weight of what you've done. Of what you almost did.
“Kate?” You call out as you finally turn around to face her.
“I’m right here.” She greets you with the same soft look and warm smile you fell in love with, nothing but compassion in her gaze.
You all but collapse into her waiting arms, your shoulders slumped as you finally give in to the all-consuming grief that lingers in every breath you take.
The sounds of the chaos around you fades into nothingness.
All you can hear is Kate's soft reassurances and the steady beat of her heart. You don't need anything else than that right now. Despite how strong the urge for revenge had been.
You just need your girlfriend…and a long nap.
Peter watches the scene with a small, albeit sad, smile on his face. There's a weight on his chest that even fixing his mistakes won't take away.
But at least he knows you won't be alone. The spell will make you and everyone else he loves forget about him but at least you'll still have Kate.
It'll be hard but he has no doubt you'll be able to rebuild and find the light inside of yourself that May always believed was there. Flickering underneath all the pain of your past.
Now you and Kate can shine together.
Without him and the chaos he unnecessarily brought into your life.
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astrosirensblog · 2 years
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Sirenas Astrology Observations
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• 8th house synastry only works with two confident and emotionally intelligent people. One of the main reasons why 8th house synastry ends up toxic is jealousy and controlling issues from one side
• people who have aries in their 4th house know how to deeply hurt people fr fr
• some people with major Saturn and Mars influence tend to be real assholes, seriously these people have no chill and they think they served you karma by giving you lifelong trauma
• saturn synastry is really not easy when one side isn’t Interested in development
• you should be highly careful with 2nd house synastry, people who have many aspects to your second house could destroy your self-esteem and the recovery will take a long time
• Chiron synastry can be really beautiful and healing
• being a taurus is exhausting because we can’t let go of our damn grudges
• People calling earth signs (especially Taurus) materialistic is so tiring because everyone sees being materialistic as something bad. We just feel good when we get to treat ourselves with gifts, there is nothing wrong about that
• another point about 1, 2,7,8 and 12th house synastry is that narcissistic people will hurt you to the core. They will see everything that is good about you and turn it completely against you and duo to the energies you guys exchange in this synastry you will feel it really intensely and you will also feel like you are stuck in that situation and they will never leave you alone. So always be careful about the way people make you feel and how much they respect and value you as a person because strong synastry can be heaven or hell (I would also count 4th house synastry because the home is a place you feel save and sometimes don’t even realize that it’s actually not a good environment for you)
• the most goofiest synastry is definitely 3th house and 5th house (depending on the placements of course) but imagine having a friend or partner with who you have 3th house synastrie in mercury and 5th house venus or moon synastry. This kind of synastry is all about fun, free communication, the inner child feeling comfortable in the relationship. It just makes the relationship really easy going and peaceful
• Saturnian and Pluto midheavens are really precocious about how they appear to the world. You will think their appearance online and in real life is really natural and cool but they actually planned on their next moves 5 years ago. They exactly know how to react to certain things and what opportunities this will bring them. They already knew you will be working with them even before you knew about their existence
• Cancers can be really dangerous because they know what to do and say to smooth you, it’s hard to stay mad at them for too long
• Jupiterians really have the biggest audacity and I’m 100% sure they do know, their behaviors and words hurt people but they just don’t care. In fact these people can lack a lot of empathy (for example miley cyrus (a sag sun) used to bully hailey bieber when they were kids and hailey talked about it once openly and miley agreed on everything she said and then just said “well I made you stronger”, this is exactly what I am talking about 😭)
• Mercury ruled people love to give reviews, fr I think most people that go online and search for the restaurant they just eat in and give a detailed reviews are people with virgo and or gemini placements
• there is something about Lillith- Asc / Pluto people and their cry. You look at their eyes and you can see how their pain is transforming into something powerful, it’s like you directly see how they turn their pain into power (I recommend you, do not hurt these people, they will get you in ways you would have never thought anyone could)
• Capricorns flirt by telling you how much money they have lmao
• You will actually heal your Chiron wound by doing exactly what you did that has caused the wound in the first place, Kim Kardashian for example has her Chiron in Taurus 5th house. The 5th house is about creativity, being in the spotlight, acting, dating and all that jazz while taurus is more about sensuality, materialism, beauty etc. So Kim was always a fashion girl and she inspired to become a international It-Girl but after her Sex-tape Scandal she was shamed on all medias and she wasn’t really taken serious besides that she once talked about how they made fun of her in a show and she was really anxious about being in front of cameras afterwards. But she buckled up and still took part in kuwtk and did modeling jobs, was a video fixen and dated openly (often rich guys) who gave her even more opportunity’s. Even now after her divorce with Kanye and he trying to embarrass her on his twitter, she still does her thing which brings her many blessings. So do what scares you the most
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asylummint · 1 month
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Hihi<3 May I request poly Shadowheart/Lae'zel/Tav hcs? Thank youuu<3
hello!!! absolutely!!! i love the women in bg3!
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Shadowheart:
Shadowheart is wise beyond her years, possessing a deep understanding of the world and its complexities. She is perceptive and empathetic, able to sense and understand the emotions of those around her.
Despite her empathetic nature, Shadowheart can be mysterious and reserved, often keeping her true thoughts and feelings hidden beneath a calm and composed exterior. She values her privacy and independence, but she also yearns for connection and intimacy with those she trusts.
Shadowheart is deeply spiritual and devoted to her faith, finding solace and strength in her beliefs. She is guided by a strong sense of duty and honor, committed to serving her deity and fighting against evil forces.
Beneath her stoic facade lies a vulnerability and insecurity that she often struggles to acknowledge. In the safety of her relationship with Lae'zel and Tav, Shadowheart learns to embrace her vulnerabilities and share her innermost thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
Shadowheart is fiercely loyal and protective of her loved ones, willing to go to great lengths to ensure their safety and well-being. She offers unwavering support and encouragement to Lae'zel and Tav, standing by their side through thick and thin.
Lae'zel:
Lae'zel is a fierce warrior, known for her strength and determination in battle. She is fearless and unwavering in the face of danger, always willing to fight for what she believes in.
Lae'zel is proud and independent, refusing to bow to anyone or anything that threatens her autonomy. She values her freedom above all else and resents any attempt to control or manipulate her.
Despite her rough exterior, Lae'zel is honorable and loyal to those she considers allies. She values integrity and loyalty, and she expects the same from others.
Beneath her tough exterior lies a vulnerability and insecurity that she often struggles to acknowledge. In the safety of her relationship with Shadowheart and Tav, Lae'zel learns to embrace her vulnerabilities and express her true feelings without fear of judgment.
Lae'zel is fiercely passionate and protective of her loved ones, willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. She is deeply devoted to Shadowheart and Tav, willing to lay down her life for them if necessary.
Tav:
Tav is charismatic and charming, able to win over even the most skeptical of individuals with their wit and charm. They possess a natural magnetism that draws others to them, making them a natural leader and diplomat.
Tav is adventurous and curious, always eager to explore new places and discover new things. They have a thirst for knowledge and a love of adventure that drives them to seek out new experiences and challenges.
Tav is empathetic and understanding, able to empathize with the thoughts and feelings of those around them. They are compassionate and caring, always willing to lend a listening ear or a helping hand to those in need.
Tav has a playful and spontaneous nature, often injecting humor and levity into even the most dire of situations. They have a mischievous streak that adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to their relationship with Shadowheart and Lae'zel's.
Tav is supportive and nurturing, always looking out for the well-being of their partners. They offer unwavering encouragement and support to Shadowheart and Lae'zel, helping them navigate the challenges of their respective journeys and grow as individuals.
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I hope you like it!!! Thank you so much for requesting!!
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xblackreader · 7 months
Text
Here’s a lil deleted chapter from C’mere Lover Boy! I take tips in bio 😏🤭 ONLY ON TUMBLR
Nacom (Closer)
Attuma x Okoye | 5K+ words | MDNI 18+
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🔥༄ ♬ ˚₊ ➳ 🩵⚔️❤️ ➳ ♪ ❀ ༄🌊
Sharp pounding at Okoye's door shakes her entire house and she seethes as she approaches the entrance. it could only be one person, so brutishly offending her in the early hours of morning.
When she opens the door, Attuma is standing there with a very small, barely distinguishable smile on his face and a large bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"You know, there's no need to knock down my house just to give me some flowers, Attuma," She says, taking the bouquet and smelling the roses. She sighs, The smell is wonderful, but she won't admit that out loud. "You're not going to win me over like this, I don't care how much you try."
"You are very radiant this dawn, sunlight." He said, deep voice sending a giggle up her throat. Okoye covers her mouth quickly, and Attuma's grin widens. He likes to see her smile. She turns into her home and places the flowers on the counter so she can prepare a vase. "I've come to walk you to the palace for today's training. I am always excited to see how you command your army. You have a strong presence, a leader of men."
"A leader of women." She corrects.
"A leader of all." He fires back.
She places the roses and baby's breath in a crystalized vase, the sun sparkling off dew that clung to her living room windows, a testament to the cool, rainy season coming.
"Yes, and if you had not been such a pain in the neck, you might have had the honor of serving under me," She replied, smirking at the thought. He is not so prideful that he won't admit she is his equal, but he is so that he could not serve under her without a fight.
His firm warm chest pressed against her back, and she shuddered when he caged her in with his strong arms on both sides of her, "It would be my honor to be beneath you, in ya'akunaj." He whispered.
Her cheeks flushed hotly as she pushed him away from her, "Attuma," She scolded him, and he shrugged, capturing her waist with only one very large hand.
"I would be a lucky man, but I think you would be luckier if I had the pleasure of having you serve underneath me…” she pinched him and he chuckled. “Or, we could have been ruling the world together. Imagine, the entire surface kneeling at our feet." He said, watching her bend over to put on her shoes, his eyes on her backside. She stands and looks over her shoulder.
"It's not the world that needs to kneel. Come along," She says, gathering her training gear, The door shuts behind her as she locks it and they begin their short morning walk through to the Golden City.
"It is, my love," He replies, his eyes following a bird, flying through the trees, "My heart still pounds when I think of our very first encounter. You are incomparable."
Okoye puffed out her cheeks and turned away from him to hide how giddy he made her feel. "You are talking so much today! Why must you plague me with all your thoughts?"
Attuma smiled crookedly, "I find myself only feeling comfortable enough to speak with you at such lengths. Namora says I never stop talking when we're alone, too. I suppose you are just my closest confidant as of now." And forever, hopefully.
"Am I?" She asked, stopping in front of him, turning on her heel to face him, skin absorbing all the light from the rising sun and he wanted. When she breathed, he wanted. When she spoke, he wanted. "You are so bold, Nacom."
The grunt that left his chest was incensed, and he pulled her in by her waist. "You know how it affects me when you call me that."
"Do I? I hadn't noticed..." She responded, placing a palm on his chest, fingers curling around his collarbone.
This playful teasing and flirting was to become dangerously normal for her. SHe was far too used to the butterflies he sent wild in her chest and stomach, with every tender touch. It had been a long time since anyone had touched her, and his rough hands felt so good. His thumb, circling around her bare shoulder, was a pleasant distraction. They approached the transport ship that would take them directly to the palace balcony.
"You are making this very hard." He said, releasing her when she walked forward, to put her things on the transport. She greeted GRIOT, and told him Attuma would be traveling with her as well.
"What?" She said, coyly.
"Keeping my distance, out of respect for you."
Okoye turned again and placed a finger on his chin. "Maybe I'm testing your restraint, Nacom. I wouldn't want you to lose interest because you got everything you wanted."
He captured her hand in his, and looked over her entirely, "I can promise you, Never."
The doors opened, and the sun shone down on her skin and made her even more beautiful as if she needed any help. He followed her onto the flying ship, and took his seat behind her, looking about the aircraft uneasily.
Okoye took one look at him and snorted, "You're nervous. Of course you are. A great warrior, such as yourself, is scared of a flying boat."
Attuma huffed, slamming a foot onto the ground and shaking the ship. "Not scared. Cautious. How do we know that this machine won't just fall out of the sky? Technology is unreliable, in ka'ane."
"And magic is reliable?" She countered, raising a brow at him. He frowned, knowing she was right. Magic is just as unreliable. She smiled, "We fly to the palace every day, Nacom, it's not a problem. Trust me."
The craft began to rise and Attuma gripped the side railing, his knuckles turning white. "If the ancestors will it, the spirits will watch over us. There is nothing to fear." He said, trying to reassure himself.
She tried not to laugh, she really did. But she couldn't hold it in, "You are cute, my warrior. We'll be there in no time."
"If this falls, Okoye, I want you to know, I have no regrets."
"Shut up! You Talokanil, so dramatic!"
Arriving as the Dora Guard greeted them with Wakandan salutes and bowed heads, the two generals made their way to the training room.
"I must train with my guards. They must know how to use their spears in close combat," Okoye explained, her fingers sliding between his own, pulling him with her, "Would you like to participate?"
"If you need me for demonstration, I will make myself useful." He said, under his breath.
"Nacom," A Talokanil guard approached with a Talokanil salute, "Hello, Okoye of Midnight Angels." They greeted politely, shooting a short teasing look at their intertwined hands. "Nacom, Aju' Namora requests to see you for just a moment." The guard says.
"Very well," Attuma replied, and turned to Okoye, "Continue without me. This will not take long."
"Of course," Okoye replied.
When he disappeared, the Talokanil guard approached again and bowed their head to her, "You have his favor." He said, grinning, "I don't mean to speak out of my rank. Just... He does not gamble what he wants, and you, are very much wanted."
Okoye flushed, as the standing Dora on her sides snicker, "Thank you, uh-"
"My name is Ahti." The young man said.
"Ahti. Thank you. Now, please, everyone. Focus." Shee glared, and they regained composure.
The Dora Milaje stood in three rows, opening the door for her the enter the training facilities.
"Phakama ulwe!" She sounded, and the training Dora all took position calling back to her. "Wakanda Forever!"
'Excellent," SHe praised, walking between ranks as she assessed the group. "Good morning ladies!"
"Good morning General," They called back, saluting in unison.
"Now, we will be practicing with the Spear and staff. We will also have a very special guest joining us for this exercise, General Attuma."
The girls all looked about themselves to locate him with haste.
Okoye shook her head, "He is currently preoccupied with work. He will arrive at an agreed-upon time!" She informed.
"I'm certain he'd arrive whenever she would ask it..." One Dora whispered.
"Night or day," Another giggled.
"Girls, focus. He may be a good-looking, strong, charming-"
"Oh Bast," One whispered, and they all fell into giggles.
Okoye sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Yes, yes, he's- Yes." She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling very warm. "Please, let's get started. The faster we go, the faster you can meet him, alright? So, let's start. Spear and Staff. First, a quick warm-up."
Attuma watched them from the doorway. He saw her move and speak and lead. It was so incredibly impressive. Making himself known, he lumbered into the room, stoic and unreadable. Okoye smiled at him, and the Dora all fell silent.
"Imibuliso kuni, Dora Milaje." He addressed the women.
"Good morning, General Attuma." They echoed.
"Good, everyone is here. Ladies, this is General Attuma of Talokan. He will be teaching us a very important lesson on Spear and Staff." Okoye explained, gesturing for him to come closer.
He did, standing beside her and looking over the group.
The group was still and quiet, all staring in awe at his appearance. His blue skin, and imposing aura. "For our first demonstration, I will need a volunteer." She stated, looking them over, "I will not pick, I will wait for a volunteer."
She did not wait long, a few women raised their hands, and Okoye scanned over the group. "Bisola." He said, pointing at a girl at the back.
The Dora approached the mat with confidence and held out her spear, bowing her head.
"Okay, Bisola. What would you say is the difference between General Attuma of Talokan and you?"
The young lady looked over General Attum and his throat rumbled with a grunt, "He is very big, General. Much bigger than you as well."
The girls giggled.
"A proper assessment of General Attuma, Bisola." Okoye warned, "Say you encounter the General on the battlefield-" She starts.
"Bast forbid." One said, causing agreement throughout the room.
"Inzolo!" Okoye commanded, slamming her spear down twice. The room went silent.
Bisola cleared her throat, "He is much larger than me, General. Not human, as far as the eye can see. Heightened strength and appearance." The young soldier looked over his gear. "Heavily armed, and unpredictable."
Okoye hummed, walking around Bisola. "Very good."
Attuma shot a look to Okoye and she responded with a nod.
"Ugwayimbo." She commanded and Bisola struck her spear out, bringing it overhead to slice at Attuma with one movement.
Attuma caught it with his hand and pulled the spear from her, tossing it aside with a clatter and throwing a fist forward, stopping just short of Bisola's face.
"J'ach xaan." He said. "Slow." He translated, and Bisola paled at his massive fist.
"I agree, Nacom." She said, and nodded to him. "But perhaps your guard was down, Bisola?"
The young soldier nodded slowly, embarrassed. "Yes, General..."
Suddenly, her spear was back in her hand and Bisola faced the man towering over her with a new view. He sneered at her and she turned to Okoye.
"Do not insult him again, young lady," Okoye warned. ""Ugwayimbo!"
She lunged at him, and the two began fighting.
Okoye was pleased, seeing Bisola do better than before, she was able to land a few blows and was able to dodge his. Attuma moved with minimal effort, displaying his superior strength in her having to recover from each and every one of his blows. WHen she shot her weight too far forward with a strike however, he disarmed her and brought her down with a kick to her back. She landed on her knees but stood up for another round, and it was called.
"Cease. Oko kwanele." She said, and Bisola moved back and bowed, taking her place in the group.
"I see why you chose them," Attuma commented, and Bisola brightened, pleased.
"The lesson? We are not here to grow used to our sisters in arms. There are new enemies out there every day and you must be able to size them up and take them down. We will practice again, this time, with weapons," Okoye commanded, "You may choose the weapon you desire. Do not choose the same weapon, and if someone has chosen your desired weapon, choose another. There are no rules on the field of war. Understood?"
"Yes, General!"
"Nacom, A word," Okoye said, as the girls began to pair up and pick weapons.
"Of course," He said and walked out into the hall with her. "Yes, Okoye. Did I-?" He began and was interrupted with her hands on his face.
She pulled him down into a kiss, and his hand was immediately on her back, pulling her closer.
It was a few minutes before they came apart, and when they did, Attuma was grinning from ear to ear. A face she very rarely got to see on him. He was so reserved and serious, and even though it made her smile, she did love his more relaxed side.
"My Dora." He growled.
"Hush," She chided, "Not yet." Another soft kiss for them to share and she pet his hair down, fixing his ka'ansaj. "Thank you for helping me... I know you had very few hours to relax before your duties."
"There is no relaxation without you, Okoye." He admitted, and she shook her head.
"So sweet, my man..." He growled and picked her up, causing her to shush him and hold in her laughter. "Put me down! I am trying to work!" She laughed, and he kissed her.
"You are a tease," He said and put her down, watching her fix her clothing. "I will be off now, but I will see you when your training day is complete."
"Okay, will you walk me back home then?"
"Not today, my sunflower." He chided, kissing her hand when she pouted so cutely. "I have something to do, however, I will see you when you return home."
She nodded and he smiled, leaning down to kiss her lips softly, "Be safe,"
"And you as well, my Dora."
She nodded and watched him leave, taking a deep breath and collecting herself. SHe opened the doors and closed them, turning to see...
The entire training Dora watched her with knowing smiles.
"Oh, shut up!" SHe snipped.
The group burst into laughter, and she sighed, shaking her head and getting back to work.
"What was that, General?"
"I don't believe you've taught us the kiss of life..."
"Girls! That's it! Laps! Laps around the training grounds!"
"That's not fair!" "We're going to tell your man!"
"Outside now!"
...
The rain pelted the glass on the ship as she made her way back home. Okoye calmly hummed to herself and thought to herself what she would prepare for her and her bottomless pit to eat. Perhaps a large pot of stew and some rice and fish. He would be hungry, and it would last them a few days. She would make sure he had enough energy to take her on their bed and the floor and wherever else they wanted...
Biting her lips, she repositioned her legs as she landed and gathered her things. How he managed to get her to flustered even when in his absence befuddled her. He was a mystery; charming, handsome, and strong beyond belief. It was as if he was made specifically for her, and she knew just how much he adored her. He never let her forget it.
That sinking feeling in the back of her head whispered that it wouldn't last, but she didn't listen. She deserved this. She earned this.
Her kimoyo beads rang, and she picked up,
"Hey, babycakes sweet cheeks..." Ayo greeted monotone, and she rolled her eyes.
"Really, Ayo?"
"That's how Aneka taught me to say 'hello' now. Where are you?"
"I'm on my way home, it's pouring. So I'll have to run once I land." Okoye said, eyeing the hologram from her beads. "Why?"
"I heard your training seminar was... eventful." Ayo teased, and Okoye scoffed, walking out of the ship and looking around.
"General Attuma assisted me for a short demonstration if that's what you mean." She said, and her friend snorted.
"That's not what I heard."
"And what did you hear?" She asked, putting the keys to her ship away and walking to her home.
"That you had a little 'incident' during training."
"Incident?" Okoye questioned, and Ayo nodded, smirking.
"I heard that the great General Okoye and Nacom Attuma had a little 'battle'."
"It was a sparring session," Okoye answered.
"With your women?" Ayo teased.
"They were doing the lesson."
"A lesson on loud shut-door rendevous'?"
"Ayo!" Okoye snapped and her friend laughed.
"Okay, okay... But seriously, are you happy?" Ayo asked, and Okoye stopped, looking at her.
"What?"
"I said are you happy? You've been spending lots of time with Talokan's General, I just want to know if you're happy." Ayo repeated, and Okoye bit her lip. "No need to answer me now... I just want you to know you deserve happiness, you always have."
Okoye's heart swelled, and she smiled.
"You're a sap,"
"Oh shut up." Ayo snapped, "Now go home and enjoy your evening. I'll see you soon enough, Lord M'baku keeps me preoccupied with his complaints and whining..."
Okoye laughs as she walks up her yard and opens to gate, quickly walking as the rain began to pour generously again. This would be good for her garden at least.
"Tell him to suck it up and talk to the Queen. I'm sure Shuri would appreciate the help."
"Yeah, maybe. Good Bye, Okoye."
"Bye, Ayo." The call disconnected and Okoye opened her door with a sigh, freezing when she saw the display in front of her.
The smell of cooked fish and spices filled the room, and her kitchen had been littered with food. A table had been set and there was a beautiful arrangement of flowers at the center.
She turned, hearing movement enter the room, and found him. Him... Her General. Dressed in his loose sweatpants and nothing else, looking just as surprised to see her and then slightly embarrassed.
"Okoye." Attuma greeted.
"Attuma... What is all of this?" She asked.
"A celebration." He answered, and her eyes widened, "A celebration of our union. I wanted to surprise you."
She stood silently and took him in, kind and compassionate. He towered in her home and he made everything so much better...
"You're wet." He stated, approaching her.
"Ye- I- what?" She said, blinking, and he reached for her face.
"It's raining outside. Your face is wet." He repeated, and she blinked, realizing she was crying.
"O-Oh." She said, and his thumb swiped her cheeks, wiping away her tears. "Y- yes! Yes..."
He graciously accepted this explanation and watched her struggle to remove her wet coat. "Mm... Sorry."
"No." He said simply.
"What?"
His warm hands were felt through each layer of her clothes and she avoided his eyes, ashamed of her thoughts. "You are never sorry, Okoye. Don't be." He chastised softly, his low voice reverberating in her body.
"Oh... Thank you, Attuma."
"Hm." He said the fire crackling in the corner made this even warmer than necessary. He was close enough to feel the heat from his skin and her mind wandered to what she was thinking of when the women interrupted.
"You have a good day today?" She asked, and he nodded.
"I had to report the success of our mission to Namor, however, your Queen has made the process more efficient and less taxing on the mind." He explained. "It was easier to report the information rather than have me relay the information myself."
"That's good."
"But you don't care." He said and she furrowed her brows at him.
"Of course, I do! WHat do you mean?"
STepping towards her, he backed her gently into her front door, closing her body in with his as she gasped. He was close, too close. "I can see how your eyes are following my hands and lips. You don't care about my day, and neither do I. We're here now." He pointed out, his eyes focused and trained on her face, taking her in, and his voice was deep and rumbling as the thunder. The thunder shook her house when his hands slid up to remove her shirt, leaving her bra. Her chest heaved and her eyes never left his. He smirked and moved, and his teeth scraped her ear. "I've waited all day for you, and I don't want to hear you say another word about the mission or training. It's a waste of time."
"Attuma..." She whispered, arching her back so her hands could capture his jaw.
"Come." He said, ignoring her pout. He pulled her away from the door and removed her boots and pants, and she tried did the same to him. Soon, she was in just her underwear and standing in front of her couch.
"Lay." He commanded and she sat, watching him place a blanket over her shivering body. He stepped toward the kitchen and she grabbed the remote for her television, turning it on.
"Here." He said, and she raised a brow, watching him. He returned to her side, presenting a plate of steamed vegetables and rice, and a large piece of fish. "You'll feed me, Attuma?" She asked softly, placing her legs over his thighs and pressing herself as close to him as possible.
"If you allow it." He said, and her heart fluttered, taking the plate and fork and beginning to cut the fish.
"Well, thank you. I'm famished." She said, taking a bite and groaning, chewing slowly. He pulled the blanket to swaddle her completely and smiled warmly when she reached up for a kiss.
"Mm." She hummed, pulling away. "Tastes amazing."
"Does it?" He asked, and she nodded, placing a hand on his pectoral muscle.
"So do you." She said, and he chuckled, cutting more so she could take bites.
"Mm." He fed her more, chuckling when she gasped as her favorite drama came on the television. "A new installment too." He commented, and she turned to him with stars in her eyes.
"You... planned this whole day?" She said, and he nodded.
"Every part. I want you to be happy."
Okoye tucked her chin into his chest and kissed his lips when he dipped his head, "I am..." I am happy, Ayo... "You make me so happy..."
He nodded and took the plate from his lap, placing it on the table. "We will watch this, and finish dinner after."
Okoye broke free of the blanket around her and captured his lips in another deep kiss, wrapping her legs around his hips.
"Thank you."
"No thanks needed."
"I-I'm serious. This is the most romantic night anyone has ever given me." She said, and he sighed, looking at her. "Then it is good, I am here now to offer you even more than this."
"Attuma..." She whispered, looking from his lips to his eyes.
"Yes, in reina?"
Her hips rolled into his, and he choked on a groan. "A- Attuma..."
"Yes, Okoye?"
"I... I need you." She whispered, and he blinked, nodding slowly.
"You have me, I am right here."
She rubbed her small hands down his abdomen and gently traced the raised scar tissue with her fingers. "I want to thank you properly..." SHe whispered, dismounting his lap to sit between his knees.
"In reina... Your show... You'll miss it."
Okoye ignored him, placing a kiss on his belly and grabbing the remote to turn the TV off. "That's not my concern right now..." She said, running her hands down his thighs.
"What are you doing?" He asked breathlessly, and her nose pressed into his soft stomach.
"I want to make you feel good." She whispered, clenching her thighs together. "You make me feel good, I want to return the favor,"
"Okoye-"
"No, Attuma. Let me." She said, and his hands reached under the blanket to rub her back, "Just let me be your woman."
He groaned when her fingers pulled at his boxers, "You are a temptress, In Reina..."
"Am I? I'm sorry..." She feigned an apology, nipping just above his pantline.
"Your touch." He confessed, "Your kiss. Your skin against mine. You're a beautiful creature and I can't keep my hands to myself."
"Then don't." She whispered, and he grunted as her hot breath tickled the thin hair on his belly. His chest widened further when he placed his arms over the back of her sofa, clenching his jaw in a way that made her whimper at the sight of him.
"Okoye... " He ordered, and she moaned, pulling her legs under her to kneel in front of him, and put her hands on his waistband pulling slowly.
He watched her breasts bounce in the confines of her black bra, and licked his lips.
"Are you going to stop me, my warrior?" She asked, and he growled.
"No."
"No? You'll let me take your clothes off, and not touch me?"
Attuma faltered, his eyes dark and steely. "What is it you want?" He growled.
Okoye nuzzled the front of his pants, smiling when he thrust his rapidly growing erection in her face. "Command me, Nacom..."
His voice was thick when he spoke again, "You are playing a dangerous game, my flower..."
"It's not a game, I promise you," Okoye said, "You always hold back with me... It's insulting." She said, feigning a sweet purse of her lips.
"I am not weak."
"And neither am I, Attuma. I can take what you have to offer. Command me. Make me yours..."
His eyes grew dark and she could feel him straining through the thin fabric of his boxers.
"Unburden me," Attuma growled, and Okoye did, pulling at the strings of his pants until his thick and heavy erection bounced against his belly.
She licked her lips and swallowed thickly, running her hand from his navel to the tip.
"My lord... My protector, my provider..." She whispered, and his body clenched, "Tell me what you want, Nacom.."
Attuma's jaw was clenched tight and he thought for a moment. "Take that wretched covering from your breasts. Let me look my fill."
She reached behind her, undoing the hooks and tossing the fabric onto the table, her chest rose with every breath and he leaned forward to capture both breasts in his hands, massaging them with his fingers and thumbs.
"So beautiful, my warrior..."
"You flatter me." She teased, and he grunted.
"Bring your body to my cock, I want to see and feel my prize please me."
Okoye bit back her smile, whining when he released her breasts. "Yes, Nacom." SHe sat forward and let his heavy member rest in between her tits, and his nostrils flared.
"By the Gods..." He grunted, and she began moving, squeezing him with her chest and rubbing her nipples on her thumbs.
"This is good?" She breathed, with lidded eyes.
"Yes. Very." He said, and his hand came to her cheek, caressing her jaw.
Soft lips went to kiss his tip and he began lazily thrusting himself between her breasts, squeezing her torso with his thighs. He shuddered and groaned, watching her nipples harden and her lips glisten.
"Beautiful creature, you are." He praised, and she lowered her eyes.
"Nacom."
"Do not hide, Okoye. Let me see those eyes."
Her eyes came up and her body shivered. "Yes, Nacom..."
"Good." He whispered, and his hands went to his erection, rubbing the tip on her lips, lining it with her tongue when she opened wide for him. A beautiful sight.
"Do you like the taste of my manhood?"
"Yes, Nacom. Very much." She moaned, before closing her lips around him, sucking the tip of his cock.
He groaned, and pushed more into her mouth, grunting when she gagged slightly. "You can take more, I know you can." He whispered, and she nodded, swallowing him whole.
"Ah... yes." He hissed, reaching forward to grab the back of her neck. "Such a good girl."
She moaned at the praise and looked up at him. "Nacom... I want to please you."
He growled, and pulled her forward by her neck, pushing her deeper onto his cock. Her pitiful gagging and frantic taps on his leg doing nothing but encourage him. "Put your hands behind your back, woman."
With a hm, that sent his hips into overdrive, she grasped her own ankles behind her and let him have his way.
"Such a good girl, Okoye... So good to me."
She choked, and her eyes watered, but she held her position, even when her jaw began to ache. Her slurping and moans, made his abdomen tighten, but he never tore his eyes away from her.
"Okoye..." He called, and her eyes looked up at him, steeping, with a muffled moan. He pulled her off his cock and rubbed himself in his own hand, watching as he dwarfed her efforts to take over.
"Nacom...?"
"Shh, my sweet. Let me have my way."
He groaned, and she crawled forward, licking her lips.
"You taste amazing, my lord..." Her pretty lips kissed their way down to his balls, sucking and licking as his chest rose and fell rapidly with the new stimulation.
Her waist was grabbed before he could finish and she whined in protest, but her hips were pulled forward and he spread her thighs wide over his lap, her bare cunt dripping on his thigh.
"Okoye, my beauty..." He purred, and her hands went to his shoulders.
"Please, Attuma."
"I will give you anything, my flower."
"Your seed. Your heart. Your name, Nacom. Give them to me.."
"My heart is yours, my love." He said, roughly handing her backside over her panties. "It always will be. Turn around and present yourself to me."
She obeyed, standing before turning around and bending over. He growled, pulling the offending garment to the side, revealing her to his eyes. Her pussy clenched when he blew hot air on her, and her cheeks blushed.
"Please..."
"So pretty..." He whispered, before pressing his tongue against her. She squeaked, and he did it again, flattening his tongue on her opening and licking. He slapped her backside, sending a pleased hum when it moved under his palm like water. "My name will be the only one you'll ever call in your moments of weakness, Okoye."
"Y- yes, Nacom..." His words were harsh, but his tone was gentle. His hand stroked her skin, and her thighs shook. "My body is yours. My mind, my heart, my soul... Take it." He grasped her hips and brought her to sit on his member, spreading his thighs so she could take him inside.
Her mouth parted in a silent gasp and he leaned forward, his hand reaching in between her legs to stroke her clit.
"Oh, Attuma..."
"I know, my queen." He smirked, "Do you feel me inside you?"
"Yes, yes..." She moaned, and he pulled her hips closer, pushing himself deeper.
"Ride me, Okoye. Bring me to completion and I will return the favor."
His voice was a harsh growl and it made her shiver.
"Mm, yes, Nacom." She said, and he watched as she lifted her body, squeezing her thighs with his knees, her arms stretched out behind her, grasping his legs. She moved her hips in slow circles, biting her lips as his tip grazed her G-spot and forced her knees to shake.
LArge hands grasped and spread her ass to his gaze, and he slowly began to bounce her up and down his length. "You are so beautiful, my warrior. My love." He purred, and his words made her eyes squeeze shut. She turned to look over her shoulder and gripped his strong thighs in her hands.
"Oh, Yes..." She moaned, and he growled.
"Say my name."
"Nacom... Please." She begged, and he grunted, bouncing her harder. Their flesh slapped together over and over again as he moans grew in fervour and his grunts grew more and more animalistic. His thighs spread widerm rocking as he let her have her way, slamming down to take him to the hilt and squeeze him just right.
"Please, what?"
"Make me cum. Cum inside of me." She whined, and his fingers dug into her waist.
"My name, my queen. Say my name, and you'll get your reward."
"Nacom, my ruler, my man... Make me yours."
His teeth found her neck, and her walls tightened around him, her thighs shaking.
"I will give you everything and more. Just say my name, my woman, and it will be yours."
"Y-yes, yes... Ah-!"
"Who owns you, my love?" He grunted, his hand grasping her throat.
"Att- aah! Attuma!" She cried out, and her hands grasped his wrist, her walls squeezing him as he pounded her from behind, his cock throbbing inside her.
"Take it all, in yaakunaj." He grunted, rocking his hips to fill her entirely, rubbing her stomach as it swelled slightly.
"Ah, my man..."
"That's right. Who is the only one that can please you?"
"You, Nacom..." She moaned, and he smirked, leaning over to press his lips against her spine.
"Who is the only one who can make you scream and beg, hm?"
"You, Attuma."
He growled, and pushed her down to bend over the couch, grabbing her thighs and spreading them. She gasped, and tried to close her legs, but he held her there, staring down at her bare and glistening sex. Watching as thick cum, dripped out over her thighs and collecting it on his fingers, to push back in.
"Beautiful..."
"Attuma..."
He looked up at her, and her face was red, her eyes looking down. "Is there a problem?" He commanded.
"No, Nacom... You are too far away, Nacom. Come to me." The rain slowed down, pittering off the windows once again.
He stood up, His face lit up with a grin and he moved, setting down to meet her face. "I love you, Okoye. I desire you entirely" He murmured, and she sighed.
"I know. I love you too..."
His shock froze them both. He looked into her eyesand she nodded, tearing up slightly.
"Really?"
"I... I am not ready for anything superbinding yet. But... Yes, I do." She whispered, welcoming him into her arms when he surged forward, lifting her up and twirling her in his arms.
"You will not regret this, Okoye." He purred, and pressed his lips against hers, her feet still dangling above the ground.
"Attuma, put me down! I'm naked!"
"I've seen it before. It's very nice."
She giggled, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "You're not too bad yourself, but you have to stop making fun of me. It's not gentleman-like."
"You weren't complaining just minutes ago, when i ravished you."
She gasped, and swatted his shoulder. "You did not."
"Oh? Shall I show you again?" He chuckled, and pressed his lips against her neck, feeling her pulse.
"You are a menace, Nacom." She said, but she didn't stop him.
🔥༄ ♬ ˚₊ ➳ 🩵⚔️❤️ ➳ ♪ ❀ ༄🌊
I hope you enjoyed! Leave a comment, reblog and follow me! I have tips in bio 🌟🍵🍡💕
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bat-writer · 1 year
Note
Hi! Couldn't find rules so I hope this is alright!
Could I please request Bruce Wayne getting close to a suspect just to see if she's going to be dangerous but ends up falling hard for her? She's not dangerous but she's a bit of an anti-hero and is an accomplice to a bigger villain, how's that like for him? She doesn't really do anything bad, she just doesn't do anything when the villain she's accompanying does something bad
Ty!!
A/N: I'm not sure if this is exactly what you were looking for but I hope you enjoy! 😭
Warnings; language | ~~~~: time skip
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 ‿̩͙‿ ༺ ♰ ༻ ‿̩͙‿   ‿̩͙‿ ༺ ♰ ༻ ‿̩͙‿
"Hey Alred, how have you been since the last time?" you ask taking the tea cup he served you. Now this was not a regular visit to just a friend. No, no, this was an interrogation.
By the Batman.
Now you weren't villain but you also weren't a hero. Not your style. You just needed benefits to get by, get fed, and have your bills paid. You'd pair with villains and simply get the information they needed. Bruce's issue with you is that you knew too information. The way that he would find out information is the same way you did. Only you were faster, more detailed and you always slipped away at the last minute.
Luckily you didn't provide information that would put other people in harms way. Although sometimes you did end up stealing or blackmailing those of higher social class into benefiting those who really needed it. However, he can't hold you to any crimes since, you never committed them nor were you an accessory at the scene. It has gotten to the point however that you come to the Batcave often to be asked questions. Even Alfred and you interact and even trade secrets to house keeping and cooking.
"So batman, what do we have questions about today?" you ask as the tall stoic hero comes into the room.
"You're aiming for certain organizations. Ones that are in charge of rebuilding a school. Why?" he asked with his signature glare
"looks bats," you sigh "those organizations aren't what you'd think they were. Sure they're made to look like they're for a good cause, but in the end they're all greedy assholes"
He huffs underneath the mask "So, stealing from-"
"The corrupt rich correct." you smile "And it's not just limited to snobby rich boys, but bigger villains like Penguin, Two-face, even Riddler had a couple of dollars to take just to name a couple."
"They don't donate," he added
"I know, but I need some way to keep my rent paid and keep them from blowing shit up, causing more work for you." you smirked at him
"I'm keeping you here for a couple of days just to lighten things up" he said as he pushed the buttons on his panel to open a clear cell.
"Ugh the cell again?" you groan "Wasn't I doing what a good citizen does though Bats?" you ask as you walk along side him. This wasn't the first time you spent the weekend with the Bat. But, since you weren't a threat to society, yourself or him, he was pretty relaxed around you. He opens the door for you to enter but you stop before stepping in
"pay me a visit after you patrol?" you said looking up at him seductively as your hand slides over his armored chest. You just loved teasing the ever so strong hero of Gotham "I get lonely ya know" you smile
"For now the books will keep you company. Alfred is here if you need help." he said stepping away.
Under neath that mask and armor was also a man who would yearn for the feeling of love. However, because of who he was, what he was - it was complicated.
"Alfred I'm heading out"
"Of course sir, anything I should be aware of?" he asks
"Nothing that I can recall. Y/N is in the cell for today and tomorrow night" he said getting into his bat mobile
"So no love affairs for tonight then?" he asks as the advanced vehicle closes with a hiss
"Keep things in control please" he asked dodging the question. This wasn't the first time this has happened. There has been playful banter, some flirting and maybe even a kiss on the cheek. Alfred would tease the hero in his own nonchalant way. And just like that, the billionaire hero skids from the cave and into the night.
"Looks like it's you and me tonight Alfred" you wave at the butler with a smile.
"I do believe there is a new episode of butlers 7 bucks tonight miss Y/N, would you care to join?" he said changing the large screen in the cave causing you to smile
"Of course I would"
~~~~~
Walking into the bat cave he didn't find much but you were right about villains pilling money for their own personal gain. But from the other organizations? He'll figure that out as Bruce Wayne. Looking over into the cell he sees you had fallen asleep, curled up to be as comfortable as possible.
Opening the door he takes off his cape and drapes it over your figure. Over to the next day he lets you go early since there really wasn't much more information you could give. Since you were somewhat a target for his usual villains, he'd check up every now and then to see if you were safe.
"So I'm free to go Batman?" you ask waltzing out of your cell "or is this another interrogation?"
"No more questions but I will pop in every now and then."
So every now and then he'd drop by your window and sometimes he'd stay a while and listen to you about your day. There was even one time where you had a pretty rough day and without asking you were comforted by this typically cold and quiet hero.
He held you much longer than a hug that was. You didn’t complain or push away, this felt more than a pity hug. There was want behind it, you felt his warmth. You look up at him with those e/c he loves to look into. Almost as if it were magnetic your lips come into contact with one another in a slow short kiss.
For what felt like hours staring into his eyes while his nose brushes against your own, you could feel your heart skip multiple beats. This then started happening multiple nights in a row.
Some night were sweet and innocent with some pecks or playful flirting. Some were even close to hot and heavy. Carrying you over to your countertop to enjoy your make out session as your bodies stay flush together. He’s sometimes stay a bit longer outside of your window until you fell asleep, as a precaution.
On a certain night however you were in this strange state of a passionate but also very delicate kiss. As if you had kissing for both the first and 100th time. His large hands cradling your face as he practically made you melt on the spot. You pull away to finally speak up on how you felt but, before you could even focus your vision or get your head straight he was ready to leave.
“Wait! Batman! Come on you can’t just leave like this!” You stop him
“…this Wouldn’t work Y/N. You know why…” he said trying not to sound defeated
“…i know but….couldn’t we try?” You ask teaching a hand out but drawing it back in hesitation
“We Can…but you won’t like what May come of me…” he said looking over his shoulder
“…but I could learn to like that version of you as well…” you try and plead with your eyes to him. He looks as though he wanted to elaborate on things but held himself back
“Take care of yourself, know that you aren’t in harms way” he says as he swoops off into the night.
“Ans just like that, the bat is gone” you groan as you “UGH. What am I thinking ?! This is the Batman not some guy I met at a-“ you stop as you see something stuck to your windowsill. A single piece of paper with a note
“Friday at 6. Dress nicely. -B”
“Huh, but bad bats…not bad at all” you from as you shut your blinds for the night. Tomorrow first thing in your list was to buy a dress.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
I hope this was somewhat what you were looking for! -Kitty 🐈‍⬛
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ellieswaifu · 2 years
Note
okay hear me out. royalty!au + smut. i'm hyperventilating while typing this. knight!ellie x princess!reader. reader is betrothed. ellie is a strong and dashing knight who serves in the court. they are in love with each other. one day, the castle is in a dangerous situation and the reader is not safe there so ellie has been ordered to stay in an inn for the night with the reader. they finally confess and make love. mind u, it's also the princess's first time *wink* also like this is "there's only one room" trope okay i shut up now
forbidden | ellie x f!reader
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⌕ summary. you spend the night with ellie at inn far away from your castle and the two of you grow closer than ever before.┆masterlist
⌕ content warnings. mdni! royalty au, knight!ellie x princess!reader, smut; oral, fingering, overstimulation-ish, not proofread
⌕ word count. 3.08k+
a/n – *stops playing elden ring* i’m sorry for the long wait!! ok i love this request so much,, i had a writers block ig but this request made me vvvvv excited :> i hope u like it!
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In the light of the moonlight, your arms grip tightly around the waist of the armored woman in front of you as she rides off into the dark on a secret, dirt path in the forest leading farther and farther away from your royal home. The tall trees pass by in a blur and all you could hear were owls hooting in the distance, the travel lantern shaking against the saddle, the rattle of the chain mail on your knight’s armor, the horse galloping in fast thuds against the ground. You can barely see the castle now; the place where your father had ordered a knight from his court, Ellie, to take you far away, all because of a rumor that something horrible was going to happen in the castle. The king had ordered an army of knights to guard every entrance of the castle and at main sections of the city just in case something does happen and although a lot of the townspeople had called him paranoid, he didn’t want to take any risks.
You had no room to protest his commands, not that you wanted to either. Being alone with Ellie was something that you always cherished and you’re willing to take every opportunity to do so up until the day you’re married off to that prince you’ve never even met yet next in line for the throne at another kingdom.
You’ve always known about Ellie, one of the kingdom’s finest knights. She was mighty, dashing, and fearless; she could fight off a hundred men all on her own. Of course, you’ve grown a liking towards her, same as the other maids and cooks who worked in the castle. She had always kept you company during times she worked outside of your father’s court, escorting you through your countless expeditions throughout the castle. She promised you she would protect you always and it worried you sometimes knowing she would put her life on the line just to keep her safe. Ellie had made you a promise and planned to keep it until the day she dies.
So here she was, clad in armor with a sheathed sword at her hip, riding you off to the next village.
After what seemed like hours of riding, everything finally came to a stop. Your eyes wandered around, taking in the sight of small buildings and stone paths that led the two of you towards a small tavern and inn.
“We’ll be staying here for a while, Princess,” Ellie told you as you take the hand she was reaching out to you, helping you off of her horse.
You don’t say a word and instead, you bring the hood of your cloak over your head, just in case someone recognizes you; even though you know most common folk don’t exactly know what the princess looks like.
You follow Ellie as she leads you into the tavern. All eyes turned to look at the new arrivals, eyeing both of you suspiciously behind their tankards full of mead. Although, the music carries on a moment later and everybody goes back on about their business as you and Ellie start walking across the room and towards the barkeeper. Ellie pays her ten gold for the only room available upstairs. She brings the two of you there and then leaves without saying another word.
You can hear the sigh fall from Ellie’s lips as you enter the room, only to be greeted by a lantern, a table with two chairs and a lonely bed pressed against the wall near the window.
“We can share,” you say simply as Ellie begins take her heavy armor off.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I’m afraid that can’t happen.”
You stare at Ellie for a moment, watching the way she avoided making eye contact with you, rushing to remove some heavy parts of her armor and setting it on the small table near the window.
Ellie can’t be in the same bed with you. It’s unheard of; sleeping in the same bed with a betrothed woman, let alone the Princess. And not only that, but it’ll drive her crazy.
You have always been the perfect girl in her eyes. She can’t even begin to count how many times she’s imagined you as hers, imagined taking you out for dinner, imagined you in a bed underneath her. It drove her crazy every time you entered the room; the way you walk with elegance and confidence, your intricate gowns hugging you against your flawless skin, and whenever you turn to look her way, her knees go weak.
But it’s unimaginable for a commoner like her to be with royalty.
“Where will you sleep?”
“I can manage without sleep, Princess—“
“Nonsense, Ellie,” you interrupt her, placing your cloak against end of the bed as you continue to stare the knight down. “We will share.”
After a moment of silence, the knight looks up at you and nods, feeling like she has no choice but to follow your command, “Yes, Princess.”
Ellie scratches the back of her head, turning her head away from you. You watch her as she goes back to removing most of her heavy equipment, thuds against the table as she throws her sheathed sword down. She can feel your gaze and in the corner of her eyes, she can see you take a seat on the old bed, creaking slightly.
You lay in the bed quietly with your back facing her, waiting patiently for something you don’t even know you’re waiting for. You’re not stupid. You know this is wrong. You’re royalty. You’re betrothed. Everyone will tell you that offering to sleep in the same bed as Ellie is the wrong thing to do, for common folk should sacrifice everything for the King, for the Queen, and for you. And you hated everything about it. You were human like everyone else, but your citizens thought of you as divine.
After several long minutes, you finally feel the bed dip slightly behind you. You can see her reflection from the window, staring at your back awkwardly as she sits against the mattress.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?”
“Fine,” you say, closing your eyes as you take a deep breath.
“Is there anything you need?” the knight continues to ask.
“I’m fine, Ellie.”
You hate the silence the followed afterwards. Even with the muffled noise coming from downstairs from the tavern, it felt as if it was too quiet. You begin to wonder if Ellie had fallen asleep already, although the likelihood was low.
After a moment, you open your eyes again to take a peek at her reflection once more, only this time, she has the back of her head pressed against the wall as she stares up at the wooden ceiling.
“What are you thinking?”
Ellie doesn’t say anything for a while, only up until she realized it might’ve seemed like she was ignoring you.
“It’s nothing, Princess.”
You smile and turn to lay on your back, “You know, if you’re going to keep me company for the next couple of days, you might as well talk to me.”
The knight returns the smile, eyes still not leaving the ceiling, “I was wondering about the castle.”
You wonder the same thing; you can’t help but worry if everything was fine or if they were under attack. But, you can’t let those thoughts consume you.
Instead, you think about Ellie. It puts a smile to your face, remembering the day you met her. She was fresh out of the Knight’s exam; bloody and dirty from all of the training she went through. You had heard about her from some of the younger maids gossiping in the the hallways about the woman who singlehandedly beat all of the men taking the exam. Skilled with the sword, your father couldn’t deny Ellie the position as a knight in his court. Ever since then, your heart still beats as fast as it did everyday up to now.
You sit up and turn to look at Ellie closely, observing her every movement, “Ellie, why don’t you ever look at me? Am I not beautiful?”
The knight snaps her head towards you, eyebrows raised in surprise, “No, Princess! You are more than beautiful! T-That’s not the reason. I just…”
How can she tell you that she’s in love with you? How does she even begin to say that every time she looks at you, her self control crumbles and she wants nothing more than to make you hers? She is suffering this very moment. Your cheeks are flushed red and your face was so close to hers and it takes every muscle in her body to stay put and stop herself from leaning towards you.
“I’m betrothed,” you blurt out, as if you knew what she was thinking.
Ellie blinks, confused as to why that left your mouth, “I know, Your Highness—“
“But I don’t want to marry him.”
“I-I know…”
“Do you?”
You have never been this close to Ellie’s face before. Every part of her was fascinating and beautiful; the freckles on her cheeks, the scar across her left eyebrow, and her lips slightly chapped. She was beautiful.
Ellie can’t help but think the same think about you. Your perfect smooth skin glows underneath the dim light of the lantern burning by the table. Your long hair running down your back and the sides of your face. Your soft lips looking so plump and delectable. You were so fucking distracting.
So, Ellie can’t do anything to stop the words that falls from her mouth.
“I’m in love with you, Princess (Y/n).”
It goes quiet for only a second and Ellie can’t figure out what you’re thinking. Her eyes desperately search yours for an answer as regret begins to fill her brain.
“So am I.”
You lean forward, pressing your lips against hers and everything around you falls away into colors. Her hands are delicate as she places them on your waist to pull you onto her lap, pulling you as close to her as possible. She was soft compared to the brute strength within her. You were lost against her lips, drunk on the feeling.
Then, Ellie pulls away to look at you for a moment. Just for a moment before she kisses you softly again. And again. Then, again. Your small hands gripped her shoulders tightly as you feel her tongue swipe against the bottom of your lip. You let her in with no hesitation and the moment her tongue enters, you melt and pressed your body against hers, moaning into her mouth.
This is forbidden, Ellie thinks. We shouldn’t. We shouldn’t. We shouldn’t. But it felt so good. You were so perfect. You felt so perfect in her arms. Everything about you; perfect. You were so delicate and it made her want to protect you, to be strong for you, to be everything for you.
Ellie’s kisses begin to travel from your mouth to your jaw, then, to your neck. You’re sensitive there, she notices. The way you gasp when she kisses the skin behind your ear drives her absolutely insane. Her hands rub against your waist, pulling your torso closer to trail her kisses further downward.
“E-Ellie…”
The knight pulls her head back to look at you. Your eyes looked down at her shoulders where your hands were.
“Are you alright?”
“Y-Yes…” you say, nervously playing with the ends of Ellie’s short brown hair. “I– I’ve never done this before… I don’t know how.”
Ellie stares at you for moment, distracted by how pretty you looked in her lap. Her hands travel down the fabric of your dress, rubbing you softly at your thighs.
“Leave it to me, Princess… I’ll teach you.”
With half lidded eyes, you lean in again, kissing Ellie softly. You sigh against her lips and allow her hands to undo the knot behind your dress. Your dress comes loose the moment the knot was undone and all Ellie can do is admire the way you try to hold your dress up to your chest shyly. Your skin is exposed and the dress is slipping. Ellie doesn’t know why she was so lucky to live to see and experience this. So erotic. So delicious. So beautiful. Something about the way she was the first and only person who gets to see you like this made her so fucking wet.
She stared at you shamelessly, reaching out to move your hand away from your dress, “You’re beautiful… May I, Princess?”
You bite your lip and nod softly, pulling your hand down slowly to intertwine them with hers. And then, the dress slips gently down your arms and your chest finally exposed. Ellie stops breathing, hypnotized by your body. She doesn’t ask anything else and instead, her hands immediately move to cup the side of your breast. Your breath hitches as her thumb rolls over your hard nipples and before you know it, Ellie pulls you close again to wrap her lips around your breast. She sucks on your nipple harshly, obsessed with the little gasps that leave your mouth. Her tongue on you felt amazing and you can’t help but run your hands through her locks.
Ellie moves to lay you down on your back against the bed, lips still wrapped around your nipple. She kisses and licks down the valley of you breasts until her lips are pressed against your stomach. She pulls the dress slowly away from your hips and down your thighs, kissing every inch of your skin that meets the cold air.
“You’re perfect,” Ellie whispers softly against your skin.
She pulls your underwear off slowly as your cunt is exposed. You staring up at the ceiling now, embarrassed and not wanting to see if Ellie had a face of disapproval. You can feel her fingers probing at the wetness between your legs.
“Your Highness,” you hear her call out. “Look at me.”
Slowly, you turn your head downwards to meet Ellie’s eyes. The smile on her face makes feel warm and safe, and suddenly, all of your worries are thrown out of the window. Ellie pushes your knees apart, peppering your thighs with kisses and licking them dangerously close to your core. As nervous as you felt, you knew Ellie was dragging it out as long she could in order to take her time with you.
For a moment, her movements come to a halt and you look back down curiously, wondering why she stopped. Your eyes meet hers once again, but this time, she keeps her eyes glued to yours as she swipes her tongue in between your folds. You raise your hips instinctively and all she does is hold your hips down as her tongue delves right inside of you. You reach out to grab her head as the overwhelming sensations ran through out your body. Ellie ate you out sloppily, moaning at the taste of you. You were so wet for her and she was obsessed with all of the whimpers and moans that fell from your mouth. And you don’t know how but her tongue speeds up, messily licking inside your your pussy as she begins to rub your clit in hard circles with your thumb.
“E-Ellie, I’m gonna—“
“Come in my mouth, please, Princess,” Ellie says, muffled with her tongue still inside you.
You try and breathe, but suddenly, Ellie wraps her lips around your clit and sucks harshly. You scream at the hard suction of her mouth, hips jerking and legs trembling against the sides of face. Ellie holds your hips in place, devouring you like you were her last meal, desperate to have you come in her mouth. Your thighs lock her head in place as you shiver against her tongue. The moan that leaves your lips as you gush in her mouth leaves her wanting for more.
The moment you think you’re finished, that you think you have time to catch your breath, you feel Ellie’s finger prodding at your hole right before she pushes it into your pussy with no warning. Your back arches again and your moan gets stuck in your throat as you feel her finger curling inside of your pussy.
“W–Wait! E-Ellie—“
It’s overwhelming. You just came and Ellie kept going. You wanted to tell her that, but you were sure she already knows and continued to fuck you through your orgasm anyway. You can’t help the way you shake on the bed as Ellie fingers you at a fast pace. Your breath hitches again as you feel her add another finger into your sopping cunt with a squelch.
“So wet for me…”
Ellie needed more. She needed you to come again. It made her feel so fucking good and the way you tasted on her tongue was fucking addicting. Ellie thrusts her long fingers deeper and you’re dripping all over her hand. She brings her tongue to your clit and flicks the sensitive bundle of nerves softly as she hold you down in place. And before you know it, Ellie pushes a third finger inside of you and your jaw hangs. The stretch has you gushing around her fingers and it all felt so good. So sensitive. So intense. You’re crying into the pillow, tears running down face as she continues to fuck your pussy.
“I c-can’t,” you breathe, legs trembling around Ellie’s head. “I-I’m gonna— m-make a mess…”
“Please, Princess,” Ellie says desperately. “Please come.”
Her fingers show no sign of slowing down, if anything, they were moving even faster if that was possible. She wants you to soak the sheets. Her tongue continues to flick against your clit. She’s pumping, and pumping, and pumping up until your orgasm comes crashing in once more as you gush and clench around her fingers. Your slick soaks all the way down Ellie’s wrist as she lets your ride out your high. Her fingers are warm and thick inside of you. And you cant help but feel like you’re still cumming.
Ellie gives you a moment to breathe, watching your bare chest rise and fall quickly. She can’t believe she did this with you and wants nothing more than for it to happen again and again. She brings her fingers up to her mouth and sucks on them, drunk on your juices. Her other hand caresses the soft fat of your trembling thighs as she leaves kisses around your pussy. She cleans you up with you tongue and you whimper at the sensation.
After a while, Ellie brings her head back up to yours before pressing a soft kiss on your lips. You can taste yourself on her tongue and you can’t help but moan. Ellie pulls back softly and smiles.
“I love you.”
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a/n – ty for reading hehe :>
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xerith-42 · 1 month
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Redesign the Nine
[This post is very long. Just a heads up.]
I'm a member of the Jury of Redesign, proud member of fleshing out previously left to rot or forgotten content. It's a hobby. A passion. I have and will continue to go into entire novellas to describe the inter personal relationships of characters we know next to nothing about, but what about characters we know literally nothing about?
We know only 6 members of the total 9 that belong to the Jury. Technically seven if you include Garroth, but that last for like twelve seconds, that doesn't count. And one of them is only made known as a member in Rebirth (which I really like and I like Rebirth). That means there's three entire characters just waiting to happen! How have I never thought of this before?!
This idea really struck me when I was looking at the Jo9 wiki page and saw this comment
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The rest of the comment goes on to their whole theory about Ein killing Blaze, but I am mostly against the idea of killing Blaze because nobody ever gives it enough story significance, weight, and meaning. Only I get to kill Blaze, you all lost your privileges.
That's not what's important though. What's important is that I actually love Teony and Ein. I think they're some of the most wasted Aphverse characters, and that's saying something considering how I literally never shut up about Blaze. So let's flesh them out in a... different setting.
Teony
I imagine Teony being in a very similar situation to Katelyn and Jeffory. She has someone she deeply cares about that Zane knows about and is threatening to put in danger. For Jeffory and Katelyn, it was family. For Teony, it's similar, but just a slight flavor different. A gay flavor different.
Teony belongs to a high ranking noble family in O'Khasis, like one step below the Ro'meave family. Originally the plan was for her to be married off to one of the Ro'meave heirs (probably Zane), but then she did something weird. She uhh... She started training to be a guard. And got strong enough fast enough that nobody could really stop her because Teony would just challenge them to a round of armed combat about it despite being literally 12.
So she was allowed to go to guard academy and go through full training. She was never going to be a lord, and she could still easily join the Jury and serve the same purpose with less arranged marriage. Also if they tried to arrange Teony into a marriage she might just pull a sword on them about it. She learned very quickly that her parents wouldn't be allowed to abuse or control her if they feared her. Caused a different kind of trauma compared to the other children of nobles.
And then she found out she was gay. While she was at the academy the person who was writing the Jury recruitment list was the newest member of the Jury herself; Ivy the Venom Scythe. Teony fell in unending sapphic love from first sight. Even if she had become wise to her parents controlling nature in search of power, she still respected and revered the Ro'meave family, and the Jury of Nine. She was set up for it, and she wanted that. And now that she was finally experiencing love for a member of the Jury of Nine.
As always, things in Teony's life were set up for perfection. And she was such an overachiever, are you kidding me? Top ranks in all her classes even though she didn't need to. She would half ass it sometimes and still get the highest scores on every test. When she put her all into something, there wasn't any competition. She was just showing off for Ivy, and she did not hide that in the slightest. Ivy was fully aware that Teony was not only showing off, she knew that Teony was in love, or at least lust with her. Teony is not subtle at all, it's just not a concept to her yet.
On the last day of her training at the academy, Zane Ro'meave himself shows up. I imagine Zane and Teony were almost sort of childhood friends. Zane didn't really like having friends, but he and Teony were personable and able to get along when they were forced to spend time together by their parents. He has a sort of fondness for Teony in a "I'll see where you're going with this" sense. He's heard how passionate she is about fighting and being a guard. And he knows it's not for a violent sake, but because of that nobility that is her bloodline and the baseline of her identity as a person.
She may be overzealous, she may be a know-it-all, she may be a show-off, but Teony always fights with honor. She always showers her classmates a great amount of dignity and respect when they fight her. To her combat is an art form, one that she takes very seriously. She won't attack unless provoked, and more often than not will just skip the talking it out phase and just jump to the dueling stage because that's the part she understands best.
She's autistic. That's what I'm saying. Teony is an autistic lesbian. Look at her go! However, Zane is terrible and evil and so is Ivy. When telling him the candidates, he brings up that Teony is a no brainier. Which is when Ivy tells him that Teony is in love with her and was fighting to earn her attention. She willingly threw away some of her nobility in the name of love. Which means she can do it again if provoked to.
What better way to provoke her than to give it to her and then threaten to take it away? Zane and Ivy literally manipulate Teony, putting her on the Jury, assigning her to work with Ivy, and Ivy starts actively feeding into it in a rather coy way just to drag her along. And right when Teony is ready to fess up, her parents show up at the Ro'meave manner. Teony remembers what they expect of her. That they don't know the truth about her.
She knows beyond a shadow of a doubt they'd disown her. Jury members aren't supposed to have family anyway. For a minute she thinks about outing herself to sever her ties. But then she learns that her mother is pregnant again. She... She has a little sister on the way. And if she cuts ties with her family now, she'll never get to meet her. She doesn't know Zane invited them at first, but when he talks to her later, she pieces it all together.
Zane says he'll let her family live, even let them be known as her family if she wants, but she isn't allowed to be with Ivy in any non-professional manner. Otherwise she'll give herself away, and while he doesn't exactly threaten it, Zane makes it very clear he will out Teony to her parents if she doesn't do as he orders from now until the end of time. It's then that Teony realizes she's trapped. She went from one gilded cage to another.
Until it got to be too much for her. Remember how Jeffory was apparently on the Demon Warlock Island in Gal'ruk? And it was literally never explained. What if he was there to find her? What if it became too much for Teony after meeting her sister, and she ran away? Zane doesn't know what happened when Teony met with her younger sister, but it was enough to shake her that she barely responded to Zane's taunting when she returned. And then she left that night.
Jeffory was sent to follow her trail. And he actually found her before she managed to break the Demon Warlocks curse. On a completely different continent, no guard escorts, and no way that Zane can hear them, they talk openly. They confide in one another. And they work together, as friends, to break the curse and get themselves back home. Teony moves to a different island in Gal'ruk, and tells Jeffory to give Ivy a letter the next time he sees her.
And he's not allowed to let it leave his hands unless it's Ivy taking it. No messengers. No leaving it somewhere she'll find it. Jeffory never learned the contents of that letter, but he did manage to deliver it to Ivy. Only she and Teony knows what's contained in those pages.
(Final note, idk what her funny anime villain name or her weapons would be. I would love council/jury/anyone to give input here. Same for the next member)
Ein
Ein being a big heroic softie is the best thing ever to me you don't understand.
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Much like the doll anon, this anon changed my life. I love this idea so much. Listen, I like unrelentingly evil characters, just look at Zane. But that's the thing. Zane's already there. And so is Janus. And Ivy. And probably Lilian. And another character I've yet to get to. And even more characters when we get out of the Jury. We need more innocence that becomes corrupted in the Jury, everyone likes being evil too much.
So I want to make Ein a big ol' softie. He grew up in the Brightport Wolf Tribe with his best friend eventually turned lover Blaze. They mostly stayed within the confines of their tribe, which was small, but spacious enough for two wolf children prone to rough housing to get their energy sufficiently out. It was only when they were older that they started waking up to the... less than ideal circumstances of their relationship.
After being friends and being incredibly close and physically affectionate, when the two started thinking about mating and all that dumb romantic nonsense, it just made sense that they would be with each other in that way too. It's how they got through everything else in life. It was at the ruiner and creator of gay romances, that Irene forsaken Guard Academy that things got... worse.
Because Ein is definitely a very well rounded fighter. He's decently studious, wanting to keep up on speaking both the werewolf language and the more common language, and making sure that Blaze does the same. But Blaze finds these things to be dreadfully boring and doesn't put in more effort than Ein makes him. This is fine when they were kids and their plans weren't more ambitious than protecting their tribe. But their Alpha wanted to see if humans and werewolves could truly get along.
If anyone could prove that werewolves are just as human as they are, it would be these two dorks. But uhh, people are racist. And homophobic. So it doesn't go great. Couple that with the fact that the academy prioritizes individual excellence over collective greatness and suddenly things are just doomed to go wrong for these two. Ein naturally excels, and Blaze who's used to having someone to rely on starts falling behind without the consistent support system.
That was his emotional support nerdy jack of all trades boyfriend! How could you take that away from him? And Ein is stripped of his absolutely pure of heart dumb of ass boyfriend. They don't even get to stay in the same bunks as each other, and barely have any classes together. It's just awful. But Ein finds... something else. After doing particualrly well on a certain test, one of the teachers pulls him aside and tells Ein he might be able to qualify for the Jury of Nine position. Or at least be their bench warmer.
Ein's ambitions in life never went too far beyond the borders of their childhood home. He was the one who always pressured Blaze into going further than they were allowed, but Blaze was easily convinced anyways. But Ein was always an ambitious person. He just didn't know enough about the world to realize them. The highest he'd ever gone was thinking "Wow, it'd be cool to be the Alpha." And like that's it.
Suddenly he's told that if he somehow gets better than he already is he could hold one of the highest positions in the entire fucking continent. It's a no brainier. He has to go for it. He doesn't realize it means he's only being further isolated, pulled away from his few meet ups with Blaze to study, to practice, to do something that only a top student does and a near drop out student doesn't.
In fact the last time they see each other is, like with Teony, the day before the Jury posting for their class. Ein is sure he's on that list. Maybe not the top spot, but defiantly in the top five. Just as he's about to go introduce himself to Zane Ro'meave, try and make a good impression to sweeten his chances, he gets intercepted by Blaze.
Who just hands him a letter. And he whispers a single word under his breath as he's leaving; "Goodbye."
Ein reads the letter immediately, heartbroken to read that Blaze flunked out and is going back home without him. Blaze says he's proud of Ein for being able to go so far, and hopes he gets on the Jury. Ein knows he's lying. He tries to chase after Blaze, to try and make it up to him, but then suddenly Zane's there. He's caught Ein in a dangerously vulnerable moment, and while Ein manages to recover, he never gets the chance to wipe the tears from his eyes.
He never learns what rank he got on the Jury list. Just that he was one of the two who were filling vacant seats from this class. It's painfully bitter sweet. It's everything Ein wanted, but he realized that he never made room for Blaze in these dreams of grandeur. He tried to help Blaze at first, but Blaze eventually rejected his offers. And Ein couldn't even blame him. He'd been ignoring and neglecting the most important relationship in his life. And if Ein keeps going down this path, he realizes he'll destroy it even more.
In spite of that, he accepts the invitation and starts working as a Jury member for Zane. One month into his stay at the Ro'meave Manor as Zane's personal body guard, Zane asks him an odd question. A name he's apparently heard Ein muttering to himself and in his sleep. "Blaze."
Ein tries to say it's nothing, just an old friend he was thinking of reaching out to. That's when Zane makes it clear that Ein has absolutely no control here. Because he saw what happened between them. He asks if this old friend happened to be the one that gave him "that love letter". Ein tries to find it where he keeps it tucked into his armor, but Zane is holding it. He knows everything. And he's known the entire time he's had Ein in the Jury. It was all a test of loyalty.
If he reaches out to Blaze, he will fail. And again, Zane doesn't directly state what the penalty is, but he makes it abundantly clear that it's death for both Ein and Blaze. Ein was always easiest controlled when he was isolated. After this he was only paired up with two members of the Jury Zane trusted enough. Lilian, and the last member of the Jury. We'll get to him in a second.
As a result, Ein desired but never sought freedom. He knew Blaze was capable of a great life, he had a future, and was probably going on incredible adventures without him. He never forgot where he came from, and who he accidentally left behind. When Zane and Lilian disappeared... Ein was set free. His leash was just dropped for the first time. Mr. Mysterious wasn't even there to pick it up.
And he ran straight home.
There's only one threat that's unknowingly standing in the way of Ein's happiness. And his name is
Zachary the Plague
Nobody knows where the title came from. They don't want to. Zachary is one of the oldest members, sometimes referred to as the "shadow member" of the Jury. He's rarely seen, and scarily little is known about him.
And that's because he doesn't directly work for Zane. Unlike the others, who were all put under Zane's command after the other Ro'meave heirs died, Zachary stayed under the command of Garte. He did work for Zane here and there, Garte didn't get out much and was content to leave it all to Zane. And Zachary took a liking to Ein when they met, and when he requested that Ein train under him for some time, Zane wasn't in a position to object.
The only people who would be able to give more insight into Zachary are Garte, Janus, and Ein. Garte won't talk. Ever. Zachary is his most trusted guard, and that is all anyone needs to know. Janus just says they respect Zachary. It says enough given what it's known that Janus values. Ein freezes when he hears the name. Even when he says it.
He's only told Blaze what he knows, and neither one will willingly give up this information. He's a quiet fear in the back of Ein's mind, but Zachary stayed with Garte. Even when Zane disappeared, he stayed with Garte. He was never relieved of his duties officially or unofficially. The reason he abandoned Ein is because Garte told him to. He always followed orders.
It's unknown where he or Garte are now.
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untoldreader · 23 days
Text
Unexpected Attraction
Kate bishop x female reader
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Summary
While they seem to be a good match, there is still some tension between them. The attraction is strong, but it's not all smooth sailing
Warnings
None?
Tag List
@alexawynters @tigerlillyruiz
Despite the deepening connection between Kate and me, our journey was not without its challenges. While the attraction between us was undeniable, there lingered an underlying tension, a sense that our paths were not entirely aligned. It was as if the weight of Kate's superhero identity and the dangers that came with it created a barrier between us.
As we continued to navigate the intricacies of our relationship, I couldn't help but notice the subtle moments of distance that would occasionally emerge. Kate's duty as a member of the Young Avengers often called her away at a moment's notice, leaving me to grapple with my own insecurities and doubts.
There were nights when I would lie awake, my mind consumed with worry for Kate's safety. The constant threat of danger loomed over us like a shadow, reminding us of the fragile nature of our existence. It was during these moments of vulnerability that I questioned whether our connection could withstand the strains of a life filled with uncertainty.
But then, there were the stolen moments of tenderness that reminded me why we were drawn together in the first place. The way Kate would look at me with adoration and a touch of longing, her touch sending shivers down my spine, served as a powerful reminder of the depth of our connection.
We would steal moments of bliss, seeking solace in each other's arms whenever time allowed. But as much as we reveled in the joy of our shared love, there was an unspoken understanding that our journey would always be a balancing act, a delicate dance between duty and desire.
One evening, as we found ourselves on another rooftop overlooking the city, the tension between us reached its peak. The night sky was illuminated by the sparkling lights of New York, mirroring the conflicting emotions within us.
"I can't deny the way I feel about you," Kate said, her voice laced with a mix of longing and frustration. "But my duty to protect this city, to protect the people I care about, it pulls me in different directions. It's a constant battle within myself."
I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of her words. I understood the sacrifices she made, the burdens she carried. But it didn't make the challenges any easier.
"I want to be there for you, Kate," I replied, my voice filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "But I also know that this life comes with its own set of complexities. I don't want to hold you back or stand in the way of your purpose."
Kate's eyes bore into mine, a mixture of emotions swirling within them. "You don't hold me back," she said softly. "You remind me of the life I fight to protect. You bring light into the darkness, and I can't imagine facing these challenges without you by my side."
In that moment, the tension that had built between us melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and understanding. Our love was not without its challenges, but we were both willing to fight for it, to find a way to navigate the complexities of our lives together.
From that point forward, we embraced the ebb and flow of our relationship. We celebrated the stolen moments of bliss, knowing that they were precious and fleeting. We faced the challenges and dangers head-on, supporting each other with unwavering loyalty and love.
Our journey continued, and while the path ahead remained uncertain, we held onto the belief that our connection was worth fighting for. The unexpected attraction that had drawn us together might have introduced complications, but it also brought a depth and richness to our lives that we wouldn't trade for anything.
As we faced the trials and tribulations of the Universe, we did so as a united front, understanding that the road ahead would test our strength and resilience. But armed with our love and the unbreakable bond we shared, we were ready to face whatever challenges came our way, knowing that together, we could conquer the world.
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chloe-caulfield94 · 4 months
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What are you thoughts on Marshfield?
I think that there's one factor that makes this pairing believable and one factor which makes this pairing unbelievable.
The factor making it believable is that Max is the only person in the whole wide world that cared about Kate when she needed care and support the most. The fact that Kate's mother and aunt not only didn't support her, but actually made her burden much harder by accusing her of wrongdoing (when she was clearly a victim of something horrible) is well known, but I think Kate's friends and the rest of her family should be ashamed of their actions (or inaction) too.
By the time Kate tries to commit suicide, Max has only known her for little more than a month (the game takes place in October, school year almost always starts in September, Max just moved into town to attend Blackwell for her senior year). We know she and Kate had weekly tea parties, but given the short period of time they've known each other they couldn't have had more than a few of those.
Kate does have long-term friends - Stella and Alyssa. They've probably known each other for three years at that point, if not more. Max can find a photo of them with Kate in Kate's room. But they are nowhere to be found during Kate's crisis. Max even comments the find with "I didn't know they were friends", suggesting that as soon as the video started circulating, Stella and Alyssa began avoiding Kate. So Max, who didn't attend Blackwell in the preceding years, didn't even know they were supposed to be Kate’s friends. Max, the new friend, did everything in her power to help. Kate's so called long-term "friends" did nothing.
And Kate's father is a sorry excuse for a parent and for a man.
The video Victoria posted online shows Kate taking a few sips of a drink and immediately starting to behave erratically, before being removed from the party by Nathan. To any rational observer that was a date rape in progress. The victim was roofied and then the perpetrator removed her from the party under the guise of "taking her home".
Kate's father should have immediately removed her from Blackwell and brought her home, because she clearly was at risk of the worst things possible happening to her over there. And then he should have gone to the cops and sought justice for his daughter.
Instead, he sent Kate a letter saying that he forgives her and that he will always love her, no matter what. Forgive her what? Falling victim to a horrible crime? Kate's father's letter strikes me as something not motivated by genuine care for her, but as sanctimonious, phoney, self-serving, holier-than-thou virtue signalling. “Look at me, I forgave my wayward daughter”. The only result it could have had was making Kate feel guilty. And it did precisely that. When Max brings up Kate's father while trying to talk her down from the roof, Kate says that her poor father loves her, even though she disappoints him so much. WTF? He was disappointed in her because she fell victim to a hideous crime? It's clear that her father's "forgiveness" only increased Kate's burden, not lessened it.
In what world does it make sense for a father to learn that his daughter was most likely date raped and to send her an "I forgive you" letter, while doing nothing to protect her or to seek justice for her? And if Kate's parents don't know what roofies or date rape are, then they are clearly not qualified to prepare three daughters for the dangers they might face in the world.
So given the abysmal treatment of Kate by everyone in her family and friend group, with the sole exception of Max, I can easily imagine her developing very strong feelings for Max, her saviour.
But the thing that makes Marshfield not believable are Kate's religious beliefs. Now, Christians do not necessarily hold homophobic beliefs. There are some Christian denominations that even bless same-sex marriages. However, it seems to me that Kate's family belongs to one of the more conservative Christian denominations, which frown upon, if not outright condemn, same-sex pairings. At the roof, Kate clearly has a crisis of faith. She says that God didn't protect her from the horrible abuse she suffered. If that crisis of faith continued even after Max talked her down, she could possibly re-evaluate her beliefs. That could also mean re-evaluating or outright rejecting the belief that a girl romantically pursuing another girl is somehow inherently wrong.
But when Max visits Kate in the hospital, it's clear that her crisis of faith is no more. During her conversation with Max, Kate quite clearly says that she now believes just as strongly as before. That doesn't mean she couldn't re-evaluate her beliefs on homosexual relationships. We don't even know if she had a negative opinion on relationships like that in the first place. But assuming she did, her quick comeback to her previously held beliefs makes any change in that regard less likely.
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