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#truly it's like with misty they took everything I find annoying in a person and created her I'm so sorry
babisawyer · 1 year
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I would assume that misty is going to kill and eat showtunes so I want to forgive her for everything, but since it seems like she just became showtunes 2.0 I simply cannot.
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johnkrrasinski · 4 years
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Dear Lover... ❥
full masterlist
Pairings: Bucky Barnes x female!reader
Word count: 5,689 
Warning: pure fluff. pure feelings. a little bit of angst but with a happy ending 😌
Summary: you dance with bucky barnes in the obscurity of your room as you recalled the first time you met and how three years later you ended up tangled in each other’s arms. (based on the song “lover” by taylor swift) 
a/n: this one’s a love letter to the love of my life aka bucky barnes. it took me awhile to find the will to write about him because i truly wanna write something that gives him justice, because this man deserves nothing but happiness and love. hope you like it. please leave a like & comment. 
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It was a quiet Thursday evening, precisely at 8.35 PM. The rain outside of the Avengers tower was pouring, splatters of misty droplets bedewed the window glass. Through the lens of your shared room, transpierced the lights of the bustling city of New York. The city that never sleeps, as one would say. You could hear the sound of honking cars and sirens going off somewhere and it truly eased your mind.
You loved New York. You were born and raised in this vivacious city. Though your parents took the chance to move to Manhattan and fought to survive the exorbitant living cost, they managed. They taught you to fight hard and work tenaciously if you wanted to make it. The city was all you knew your entire life. But most importantly, you loved the man you were sharing this bedroom with more.
You had been dating Bucky Barnes, aka the former Winter Soldier, aka the White Wolf, for three summers now. Your first encounter with him wasn’t exactly the most romantic “how I met your mother” kind of story.
You were in the kitchen, late night, trying to make yourself a nice hot chocolate to cool down your nerves. Moving into the Avengers Tower had truly wearied you. Of course, you were aware that you weren’t supposed to be since there were literally a super soldier, a former Pararescueman, a man with a highly advanced iron suit, two highly trained assassins, a powerful witch, a (part-time) green beast, and an actual living human android helping you with your belongings. You couldn’t have asked for better movers.
But the adaptation of change still drained some of your energy. Maybe more mentally than physically, but whatever, you just needed a nice, sweet warm drink before you can finally sleep in your fresh, new, never used before bed. It was nearing four am and everyone had returned to their private quarters, except you.
You walked into the kitchen leisurely in nothing but your Bambi pyjamas, as you reached for the kitchen cabinet to search for a jar of instant hot chocolate. “Make yourself at home,” Tony said earlier as he was giving you a quick tour around the tower. The tower was so spacious and palatial, it was easy to get lost. “We’ve got everything here; food, snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, ice creams and more… But don’t eat the half-eaten fried egg chicken on the fridge, though. That one belongs to Clint and he wouldn’t hesitate in shooting an arrow through your skull if you stole it.”
You poured the hot water into the glass and then you were ready to drink it up. You were so pleased by the taste of hot chocolate streaming through your tongue, you didn’t hear the faint sounds of footsteps approaching. Bucky had just returned from a solo mission to Brussels and he hadn’t had the chance to properly introduce himself to you. He had only heard about you through Fury and Tony’s narrative when they informed the team that they were going to have a new addition to the team.
Steve had texted him a picture of her earlier, picking up her boxes to her new bedroom… She looked lovely. She was only wearing a simple white shirt with high-waisted, ripped blue jeans to complete the casual look but, she didn’t have to try hard to catch his eye. He couldn’t wait to go back to the tower and talk to her. He crossed his finger hoping that he wouldn’t mess it up or embarrassingly stutter his own name whilst shaking her hand.
Bucky soundlessly walked towards you as he placed a hand on your shoulder, trying not to startle you but you weren’t expecting anyone to be awake, and you didn’t know that Bucky was supposed to return today. Your brain had been so occupied with moving in, that you forgot there was one member of the team missing because he was on a solo mission and that he was supposed to return in the early morning.
So you accidentally dropped your glass, spilling your little taste of heaven all over the counter, as you turned around and punched him on the face. You shrieked as soon as you felt a palm touching your shoulder, thinking it might’ve been a ghost or worse, an intruder. For a second there, you nearly forgot that you weren’t living all by yourself in a tiny apartment anymore. You were in the most highly secured building in New York, surrounded by vigilant superheroes that had fought bigger guys than a callow thief or more lethal than supernatural forces.
Bucky’s hand immediately went to his face, as he shrieked in pain. He absolutely didn’t expect a punch from you, considering he meant well. He slightly backed away on his feet, clutching the nose that had bled due to the robust force. You soon realized that he was Bucky Barnes, the Avenger that had just gone back from a solo mission Steve told you about, and you had just realized that you punched… The Winter Soldier. Oh my God. Your guilt rushes through your gut and you immediately covered your mouth with your hand in panic.
“Oh my God! I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was still awake, I’m so sorry.” You reached out to his hand, trying to see the damage that you did.
“No, it’s okay, doll. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that, I’m sorry.” He wiped the blood that leaked out his nose.
“No, no, no, it wasn’t your fault at all, I shouldn’t have reacted like that… Please, let me help you with that.”
“I got it doll, really. It’s nothing.”
“I insist. Please, otherwise I’d feel really bad.”
You moved to the couch in the common room, as you began patching him up. You both finally introduced yourselves properly this time, and you talked for about an hour until the sun was starting to rise. When you realized how late it had gotten and how exhausted Bucky must’ve been, only then, you returned to your individual bedrooms. And thus, a friendship was born. The beginning of something eternal and profound.
The next morning, things changed. Bucky would act differently around you whenever the team was around. Or anyone, at all, was around. Bucky would often avoid your eyes and act awkwardly around you. You didn’t see the man that you had a warm conversation with at 4 in the morning on that first day anymore. You felt like talking to a stranger that you had to walk on eggshells with. When Steve asked Bucky whether he had met you or not during breakfast, Bucky with his head down simply responded, “yeah… We’ve met.” That elicited a furrowed brows from you.
Steve later counselled you about it, “don’t worry. He’s like that with everyone. It’s not easy to start a small talk when you are the former winter soldier.”
You tried to tell yourself not to overthink it or take it personally. Of course, you were aware of the history. It was told in every history class. But you still couldn’t shake the need to get to know him more. You’d do it deliberately, you weren’t going to force him to break out of his shell, but you wanted to let him know that he had nothing to be ashamed of with you.
And so, you would often knock on his bedroom door since your bedrooms were on the same floor when you brought something from your favourite bakery shop. Or when you hear the excruciating screams at night, because he couldn’t tame down the demons in his sleep, reminding him of his inevitable, vicious past that spilled a lot of blood and caused him a lot of pain. Mentally, emotionally and physically.
At first, he would give you a sardonic look as he asked you of why you were here. You’d tell him that you thought he could use a company and so, the friendship, or whatever that you had with him would bloom through the murmured secrets and the late-night rendevous. It turned into a nightly thing that only you and Bucky shared. Nobody else had to know.
During the day, there were a lot of stolen glances and lingering tension in the room, everyone could sense it except you and Bucky yourselves. But yet, you didn’t speak many words about it to each other. Everyone who saw you two knew that you two hid some amount of feelings for each other. But yet, neither of you dared to make the first move.
Sam, Wanda and Nat were your closest friends and therefore, they knew the most about your unspoken feelings for Bucky. Starting from the awkward chats to the time where this new agent shamelessly flirted with Bucky in front of you. Of course, you were aware that anyone could flirt with Bucky, he wasn’t yours, to begin with. But it was still rude and disrespectful and you being the irrational, jealous person that you were, you’d often ramble to either Sam, Wanda or Nat in their private quarters until you felt better again.
One night, where this agent, Samantha or whatever her name was, had boldly touched Bucky’s arm at one of Tony’s flamboyant parties, in front of you, you immediately texted Sam, Wanda and Nat in the group text called “Besties” to gather up in your room because you needed to vent.
“Look, y/n, if you’re so annoyed by her flirting, then why don’t you just tell Bucky how you feel?” Wanda said.
“I don’t understand…” You squinted your eyes at her. It’s not like you didn’t actually understand what she was saying, but the concept of confessing your feelings to Bucky sounded like an absurd idea.
“Look, I’m just saying, what’s the worse that could happen?”
“Okay, Wanda, now you’re just talking shit.”
“Y/N” Sam interposed. “He might like you too. He may not say much but we all caught those stolen glances, don’t you think we didn’t see it.”
“You don’t know that for sure, Sam. Besides, it’s not just about him not liking me back… What if he’s just not ready to date? What if he likes me but not in that way? There are a million things that could go wrong. So, please, let’s cross out the idea of telling him how I feel because it’s definitely not happening.”
Sam, Wanda and Nat exchanged a look. “Okay, it’s your life anyway. But y/n, if you don’t move now, then you might lose your chance forever. Samanta could be seducing him into her bed right now as you are rambling about her to us.” Natasha closed it.
Her words had truly struck you light lightning. You never thought of it that way… You always thought you had every second in the clock, just waiting for you to be ready. Or him to be ready. But you never thought of the possibility of Bucky and Samantha actually going on a date… What if she had asked him to go out with her next weekend? And what if he had said yes? The thought hurt. It crushed your heart like a shredder. It twisted you inside out like a sickness.
And so, after Sam, Nat and Wanda returned to the party, you stayed in your room. You told them that you’d catch up, you just needed to rest your feet from standing in heels for too long. You were lying. You needed some time alone with your thoughts, as you were trying to plan your next move. You recalled all those late-night rendevous and midnight conversations, and you felt it in your heart. That mighty urge in your heart. Like the entire crowd you were standing before are chanting the words loudly to you. “Tell him! Tell him! Tell him!”
You felt all the feelings you contained inside for him rushed through your veins, like a power surging through your cells, bestowing you the courage to stand on your feet, put on your heels and reapplied your lipstick. You straightened the frowns of your dress in front of the mirror as you took a deep breath. “You got this.” You stared your reflection dead in the eye and convinced yourself.
When you were satisfied with your fixed appearance, you immediately went back to the party. You couldn’t wait to find him. Giddiness, nervousness, and anxiety were swirling in your chest. You ordered Friday to take you to the lobby, where the party was held, as you leaned back on the glass wall of the elevator and you folded your arms around you, trying to ground yourself. You tried to stand steadily and not face-plant yourself on the marble floor in front of Bucky. You would never be able to live with yourself.
When the elevator finally reached the main lobby, the metal doors separated, showing you the people in fancy suits and dresses chattering with one another, with a glass of sparkling Champagne in their hands. You immediately searched for Bucky. A slick black, long dark hair, clad in a black dress shirt and black pants. Your eyes gazed into every corner of the room, focusing thoroughly on the large chunk of a man.
You finally spotted him by the bar. He was sitting with a glass of tonic and gin in his hand, as he took a sip of it, then he put it down on the bar counter. It would’ve been a tantalizing sight that you’d love to sit back and observe if it weren’t for the person sitting next to him. Samantha was sitting with her legs crossed beside him, her body was fully faced to Bucky as she tried to reach out to feel his bicep again for God knows how many times that night. She was laughing and even from the distance, you could see the glint in her eyes at something he just said.
You felt like you had been hit by a truck. The butterflies in your stomach turned into a monster that was devouring your insides with its tapered fangs. You felt dizzy as you felt like you were going to drop on the floor if you don’t hold onto something. Steve happened to be walking past you thankfully and as soon as he saw you looking unwell, he immediately grabbed your arm, awakening you from your daze.
“Y/N, are you alright? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine, Steve... I’m…” You cleared your throat, trying to pull yourself back into consciousness. “I think I need to lay down. I’ll see you in the morning, Steve. Please tell Tony that I’m not feeling well.”
“Alright, yeah, go ahead. I’ll inform the team if they ask about you.”
“Thanks, Steve.” You nearly stumbled on your feet as soon as you took your first step.
“Whoa, do you need me to walk you to your room?”
“No, it’s fine. I got it. Night, Steve.”
“Goodnight, y/n.” He watched you warily, feeling hesitant whether he should really let you walk to your floor alone or not. As soon as you went inside the elevator, and the mental doors had closed, you slumped on the wall as you tried to muffle your cries. Nothing could hurt you more than seeing the man that you were secretly in love with, flirting with another girl. You couldn’t find it in you to give directions to Friday. So you just stood there, listening to the Jazz music playing in the background.
Until you were finally wearied enough to say the word to Friday. The AI politely responded, “yes, miss.”
As soon as you reached your floor, you took off your heels as they swayed with every step that you took. Your cheeks were tainted by ruined mascara, and your hair was slightly dishevelled. You couldn’t care any less. You should be dancing to the slow music or even kissing him drunkenly at the bar with your hands wrapped around his neck right now. But no, he was probably doing those with Samantha. You knew you were being unreasonable, crying over a man who was never yours, to begin with. But you allowed yourself to feel the pain and then, you can figure out a way to move on. You just needed to unleash it all out first.
You put your heels in the corner of your bedroom and stripped yourself out of the white cocktail dress. You immediately ran for the shower, your limbs felt more ponderous than ever. The last time you experienced a broken heart was in eleventh grade when you ran into your senior crush, Peyton at the mall with a girl who didn’t go to the same school as you, in his arm. You nearly walked up to him to say hi but your plan was instantly crushed before you even found the courage to talk to him.
Ever since then, you made a pact with your heart that you were never going to fall in love first ever again. You were okay with being single, you weren’t the kind of person who constantly needs romantic love. You focused on self-growth, you focused on your skills which is martial arts and military tactics. You invested your mind and energy into self-love, friendship and your education.
When you were finally ready to roam around the city at night as a vigilante, you’d sneak off every night to sit building rooftops and you looked after the small guys around the neighbourhood. Until your small vigilante works were heard and Fury snuck into your apartment to recruit you himself.
After your shower, you changed into an oversized grey hoodie that you once stole from Bucky’s closet, one night while having one of those clandestine rendezvous in his room. You were cold and you were only wearing a thin-layered white shirt with a worn-out pair of old swimming shorts that still fitted you.
“Here, wear my hoodie.” He walked to his achromatic closet and revealed the tidily-placed pile of black and white shirts and pants. He didn't have that many clothes but, it was enough to secure his enormous figure cosily. He pulled out one of his fresh from the laundry sweatshirts from the heap. He handed them to you and inserted yourself into the aromatic material.
When you were both finally too somnolent to keep your eyes wide open. He walked you to your room and you didn’t realize you were still wearing his hoodie until you said your final goodnight. When you tried to take it off your body, he said, “no, it’s alright. You can return it to me in the morning.”
But you never did. And he was okay with that. At least you thought. Because never once he asked for it back. You’d even catch his demure smile when he saw you wearing it.
You did your nighttime skincare routine and went to bed. The scent of his hoodie was faint but enough to make you yearn for him. It’s ridiculous, really. To miss someone who was never yours, and someone who practically lived right next to you, considering how long he could spend hiding in his own room.
You felt the tears brimming in your eyes as they ran down your cheeks and soaked your pillow sheets. You sniffled as your mind harked back to the shared moments in the gloom and the timid touches when words could no longer bear the intimacy. The moon knows more about you and him than anyone ever will and if you could no longer feel his skin against your anymore even for just a second, you were going to hold onto the memories.
You were lost pacing down the memory lane until you heard a subtle knock on the door. Three taps and you instantly knew who was standing on the other side. You tried to neglect it, hoping that he would get the message of leaving you alone. You weren’t ready to face or talk to him. But he wouldn’t relent. He knocked once more, telling you that he wasn’t leaving until you answered him.
You stayed in the exact same spot until you were peevish enough to keep listening to it. You finally stood on your feet and opened the door with a sour look on your face. He greeted you with a nonchalant smile, his hair now was tied in a low bun.
“Hey, Steve told me that you weren’t feeling well, what happened?” His expression was filled with concern.
“I’m fine, now. You can go.” You sneered. You tried to shut the door, not even wanting to face him any longer or listen to his unprompted “I got a date!” story.
He was appalled by your anomalous behaviour, as he immediately stopped the door with his hand from being slammed on his face. “Hey, hold on a second. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I said, I’m fine, Bucky. Just leave me alone, please.”
His chest tightened at your sardonic words. You had never acted this way around him before. Did he say something wrong? Did he wake you at the wrong time? Were you on your cycle? He was bewildered.
“I just wanna know if you were alright. Steve said you looked really pale at the party and you had to leave early and if you are then maybe I could bring you a soup or something.”
“I just need to be alone, Bucky. Alright? I was feeling much better until you showed up.” You didn’t mean to be so spiteful and blunt. You just needed some space. And his presence was intoxicating and the longer you see him, the harder it would be for you to let go.
Bucky didn’t respond immediately but the look on his eyes was enough to beckon his hurt. “What did I do? Did I say something wrong?”
“No, Bucky, it’s not you, it’s just-” You inhaled. Trying to cool yourself down before you continued. “Just not tonight, alright?”
“I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong.” He puffed himself up, masking his frustration. No, no, he wasn’t ready to let you go before he could even tell you he loved you. So if planting himself on his feet would make you enlighten him, he was going to do that.
“Okay, then just fucking stand there all night, I don’t care.” The cool in you vanished, turned into a small flame of counterwork.
“Why are you acting like this? Huh? You can’t just knock on my door whenever you feel like and shut me out like this.”
“Well, why don’t you just vent to your new girlfriend, then? I’m pretty sure she’ll be more than happy to listen to your ramblings all night.” You stormed into the room, trying to slam the door behind you but Bucky stopped it as he followed you inside. It wouldn’t be wise to keep this argument in the hall where the whole tower could hear you.
“What? What the hell are you talking about? I don’t have a girlfriend!”
“Oh, of course, Bucky. As if you hadn’t practically just gone on your first date with her at the party.”
“You’re being ridiculous, y/n! We were just talking.”
“Bullshit! Like no one could see the bedroom eyes she was giving you. She was practically fucking your brains out at the bar. Oh and not to mention, how she was groping your biceps like you were the only two people in the room!”
“What is this? Jealousy?”
“No! Stop flattering yourself, Bucky.”
“Okay, so what is it? I can’t fix whatever this is…” His fingers motioned to the invisible string binding the two of you. Who are you kidding? You both knew there was something more than a platonic bond between the two of you, you were just too dastardly to admit it with words to one another. “…If you don’t tell me the truth.”
Deep down, you knew the jealousy was senseless but in the heat of the dispute, you couldn’t stop your mouth from conveying the words out loud.
“Because I like you and I don’t want you to be with anyone but me, okay? There. I said it. Are you happy now? I like you and I know I’m being unreasonable, but I don’t like the thought of you being with someone who’s not me.”
Bucky was aghasted by your vehement declaration. Did he get it right? Did you really just tell him the words that he had always wanted to hear? The words that nearly escaped his lips more times than he could count, but never found the courage because he thought he wasn’t good enough for you? Was he dreaming? This felt surreal.
“You… You like me?”
You scoffed. “Yeah. I do, Bucky. Unfortunately. But now, I understand if you wanna go out with Samantha or if you never speak a word to me again, I get it. But at least you know that I li-”
He abruptly grabbed your face and pressed a brief kiss on your lips, taking your breath away like a typhoon. It was short-lived but enough to knock you off your feet. He retreated and gazed deeply into your eyes, hoping that you could see the suppressed emotions you made him feel whenever he was with you. He wasn’t a man of many words, after all, but after spending months of excavating each other’s secrecies, you got the message. Words were futile, anyway, when the feelings that you had were stronger than anything else you had ever felt.
“I like you too, y/n. So much.”
“You do?”
He nodded, a grin spread across his face, making his eyes gleam in the obscurity of your room.
“What about Samantha?”
“Sweetheart, I never had any feelings for her. She can flirt with me all she wants, but you gotta know that I only have eyes for you, darling. And there’s no one else I wanna be with other than you.”
“You mean that?” Your smile had made its way back to your face. The smile that only Bucky could evoke. Your eyes were twinkling with hope.
“Every word.”
And that’s you ended up here now, three years later, sharing a reposeful room with the love of your life. You had just returned from a late sparing session with Natasha in the training room. Crazy, how three years ago, you’d incessantly ramble about the same person and the same topic, which is Bucky’s cluelessness whilst running on the treadmill with her but now, you talked about various random things like two normal friends would. As if the issue that you had with Bucky had been resolved. All’s well that ends well.
You spotted your boyfriend, who had a much shorter hair now, sitting contently on the bed with a Sci-Fi novel in his hands. His long fingers sophisticatedly enveloped the cover as he thoroughly focused on the words on the pages but, it was quickly disrupted when you walked into the room, greeting him with a smile. “Hey, baby. What are you reading?”
“This sci-fi novel that Sam got me for my birthday but I didn’t pick it up until now. How was the training, sweetheart?”
“The usual. Nat, being the competitive little shit that she is, kicked my ass but I got her back at least. Twice.” You had showered in the gym bathroom before you went upstairs to see your boyfriend so you didn’t have to bother concealing your musty scent due to the sweat.
“That’s my girl.” He got on his feet and walked towards you, as he looked at you with so much admiration and love in his eyes, it overwhelms you sometimes. The way he’d hold you whilst being starstruck by every feature on your face, and the way he’d tell you he loved you, with so many sincerity behind the words, even after three years of being together. You were lucky. You both were. To find a home within each other.  
He kissed you deeply like he hadn’t had the pleasure to see you in three months even if you had only been gone for an hour. His lips enthralled you every time and he wouldn’t mind giving you the solace as much as you desired. He needed it more from you, anyway.
When your lips were apart, he pressed his forehead to yours. The vague light from the table lamp beside your bed illuminated the room along with the dimmed city lights, casting a dainty glow on the two of you. Like a spotlight on a stage, and you were the star-crossed lovers of the tale, illustrating a true story of unbreakable love.
“Dance with me.” Bucky said.
“Well, then, I shall put on the perfect song, sir.”
You ordered Friday to play the song “Lover” by Taylor Swift, as the first hits of the drum immediately moved your bodies against each other, his hand seized yours as you tucked your head under his chin. His other arm wrapped itself around your waist, holding you as close as possible like it was your last dance. But certainly not. This was merely one in a thousand dances to come.
We could leave the Christmas lights, up ‘till January
This is our place, we make the rules
You swayed to the nostalgic song playing in the background, echoing the words of love all around the room. Like you were the only lovers on the grand dancefloor, as the singer harmonises only for you.
And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear
Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?
You leaned your head on his chest, his slow heartbeat thumps in your ear. The beat grounds you like gravity, reminding you of how the term ‘home’ isn’t only a structure with four walls and a ceiling, but rather, a figure with serum-injected blood coursing through his veins, an injured skin layering all the organs, fashioning one magnetic force of a man.
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close?
Forever and ever
His gentle hand rubbed your back, as his feet swung with the tune. He was a man out of his time. Despite being alive in the modern world long enough now, he was still taking baby steps in adapting to the culture and that includes music. Back then, this wasn’t exactly the kind of music he’d ask a girl to dance along to, but he learned to appreciate your musical preference and slowly, he grew fond of them too.
And ah, take me out and take me home
You’re my, my, my, my lover
Because the lyrics had truly hit close to home. If someone had delivered him a mail during his Winter Soldier years, that he was going to find a beautiful, loving woman who willingly took his hand; scars and all. Despite the demons in his mind and the ghosts in his past, she was going to love him faithfully and she would offer her own hand to guide him through the path of daylight… He’d laugh on their faces and told them to piss off because they were wasting his time by speaking baloney.
We could let our friends crash in the living room
This is our place, we make the call
But he was wrong. You walked into his life and gratefully punched his face on that night and he will forever thank the lucky stars for that. Because what he didn’t have a single clue of was that, it was the beginning of something tangible and something that became his religion. Something that became his lifeline. Despite still dealing with his own demons that he wasn’t sure whether they will ever truly leave him or not, he was a happy man. He didn’t think it was possible to say that. He was a happy man, in love. And it sounds strange to accept that as the truth but, it was what it was.
And I'm highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you
I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all
He twirled you around gently. Careful not to trip you. He caught you in his arms as you bent your body with peremptory trust, his handsome face never failed to mesmerize you.
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
With every guitar string scar on my hand
I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover
You swayed on your feet once more, but really, you were just spending time, embracing the security in each other’s arms. You don’t care about the past heartbreaks or the haunting memories. You are not even stressing out to think about what tomorrow promises, you simply wanted to live every second of this moment with him.
My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue
All's well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be over-dramatic and true to my lover 
But whatever the future plans for you, you knew there would be no hurricane violent enough to shake your ground as long as you had Bucky by your side.
And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me
And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover
You were going to hold onto him through the agonizing mornings or vicious nights. You were going to hold onto him through Spring until the first drop of snow starts to cover the ground in white again. You were going to hold onto him through the Christmas Eves and New Years. Whether it be when you’re sharing a midnight kiss or when you’re hungover for all the drinks from last night.
You took a vow that no matter what happened, there would be no more unspoken words that would be an emotional barrier between the two of you. You only wanted to have eyes for him because everything fades into the background and the stars align when your bodies were intertwined, unable to tell where you began and he ended.
You’re permanently stuck with each other and that’s all you ever really wanted.
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headoverjojo · 5 years
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Hewwo Tri 👀 ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ Ssssooo... I’ll just keep spamming your askbosx with those xD it’s sweetness time! What about Melone and Fugo holding their first born baby? :3
Esteeeeeeee 💛💛 hhhhh this request is a blessing, thank you :,)
Melone and Pannacotta Fugo holding their first born baby
(Under the cut for length!)
Melone
Melone always wanted a child. Since he was old enough to grasp for real the idea of a family, he wanted it. He wanted to love and respect a person who would have loved and respected him back, live with them, have… children, with them. Their, adopted, every choice was fine. He just wanted a family.
“And so, a blessed day, I met your mommy! And she didn’t slap me!” you laughed, hearing for the umpteenth time Melone telling the story. The fact that he was enthusiastically whispering it to your belly made it also so tender that you felt like melting. Since the moment he knew you were pregnant -and he knew even before you, but the confirmation arrived just with the test- h had been even more attentive and caring than usual, checking you regularly, helping you around, doing his best to make you happy.
When you found out that you were expecting not one, but two babies, he was ecstatic. Twins!! You were going to have twins! His heart was about to burst out. His attentions doubled, as, now, he had to make happy not only you and a baby, but you and two babies. You never saw him so enthusiast and happy. it was so beautiful seeing him like this -and you knew the kind of childhood he had, he told you, one day, and his job, his stand…-, finally… serene. As he had finally realized his greatest dream.
And now, after almost nine months spent spoiling you -and pestering the other Squadra members talking non-stop about you and the babies-, they were about to arrive. Melone managed to stay calm ‘till last second, even after your waters broke and he drove you to the hospital, but, as the contractions became more frequent and the moment grew nearer, his cool was crumbling down like a sand castle. It was all real. He was going to be a father of two. The family he always wanted was about to arrive. But… was he ready?
He had to exit for some minutes from the delivery room, not to panic right in front of you. Formaggio, the first of the Squadra to have arrived at the hospital, after Melone’s call, arched a brow, surprised.
“What, already finished?” Melone shook his head, fidgeting with his hands.
“Then what? Shouldn’t you be with Y/N?”
“Yeah, just… some panic. Formaggio, c’mon, we’re… what we are, could I be for real a good dad? What if the kids will come to hate me for my work, when they’ll be old enough to understand-” Formaggio grabbed his shoulders, giving him a good strong shake.
“Quit with the bullshits, Melone. It’s a little too late to regret about it, don’t you think? And christ, they’re still not even born and you worry for what they’ll think when they’ll be older? Crap! You’re gonna make yourself sick worrying so much. Now stop with such thoughts and go back to Y/N, she needs you. And if you don’t, she’ll kick your twink ass.” he said, shoving him back in the delivery room. Melone almost hadn’t even the time to register where he was that a muffled scream snapped him back from his frozen and panicked state. He ran immediately at your side, grabbing your hand and letting you squeeze it as you liked. When the first, a healthy and beautiful boy, started to whimper and cry, while Melone was cutting the umbilical cord, the first tears of happiness washed his cheeks. And then the doctor was encouraging you again and he had to go back to your side, encouraging you and giving you the breathing rhythm. His heart burst again when the second baby -a girl!- started to vehemently cry. She already had a powerful voice!
He could cut the umbilical cord again and, finally, after she too had been all cleaned, she was given to the mother, as the boy, for some fundamental skin to skin contact. Melone’s eyes were misty and a smile of pure happiness and ecstasy stretched his lips, as yours. He kissed devotedly your forehead and cheeks and lips, murmuring a “thank you” on your lips, before laying his eyes on the kids, safely nestled in your arms. You smiled at him, encouragingly, and, finally, he picked up the baby boy. Thanks to all the training done with Babyface’s sons, he was capable to hold him in the best way and the baby nestled on his father’s chest, sneezing a bit, cutely, as his eyes opened a little. He had your eyes…
“They’re perfect.” he whispered, gently kissing his son’s forehead, rocking him, slow and delicate, keeping him warm and safe. You smiled, holding your daughter and softly brushing her little chubby cheek.
“What a luck that we had already picked both male and female names, uh?” you murmured, with a tired but happy smile. Melone nodded, humming at the little boy, before turning to you, his eyes still glossy.
“Yes… and now we can welcome them properly.” he replied, in a low and sweet voice, the kind that he reserved just for you -and now for your children too-.
“So… welcome, Giulia.”- he kissed the girl’s small forehead, chuckling when she whined and frowned at him, shifting a little in her mother’s arms- “and welcome too, Gabriele.” he kissed as well the boy’s forehead, lulling him, with a deep, happy sigh, enjoying the moments of peace before his teammates came to check. You all were perfectly gine, you were a family…
It was all perfect.
Pannacotta Fugo
Never, even in his wildest dreams, Fugo ever dared to imagine the life he was living now. The old Boss had been defeated, a new one, Giorno, ruled over Passione, the drug trade had been stopped and successfully eradicated, he won the bet when he had decided to challenge every evidence and probability by going anyway with his teammates and betraying the Boss, he was now one of Giorno’s Consiglieri… and he had you.
You were his most precious treasure, the only one he loved with so much sheer force to be able to do everything for you. You were his best friend, the one who never even thought about leaving him behind, the one he trusted with all his heart and soul… his lover. His everything.
Life wasn’t perfect, of course. Fugo was still fighting with his anger bursts and sometimes he slipped, but, even after your quarrels, you were stronger than before, more unite than before. You both learnt more about your relationship, yourself and the other, managing to transform a moment of rage in a moment of understanding and learning. This was such a positive approach and it was helping him so, so much.
But, even if he was changed a lot in good, he still had some unresolved questions, as his deeply low self esteem and the conviction that he was dangerous. That’s why, when you first told him you were pregnant, he was more scared than happy. It required him a bit to adjust, to slowly convince himself that he would have done fine, that he would have been a good father, not like his own. You spent countless evenings keeping his head on your lap, gently caressing his hair, as your belly slowly grew day by day, murmuring that he was a good man, that he would have been a good father, that their child would have loved him. And, when, for the first time, he felt the baby moving in your belly, you saw his face beaming in pure, touching happiness. That was the moment when he truly accepted his role as father.
From that moment on, he was the most organized father-to-be around. He was attentive and scheduled all his various meetings and missions to stay as much as possible with you and the same he did with yours, to give you the right time to rest properly. He was protective, glaring even at Narancia or the others if they were too loud in your presence, annoying you. He had read tons of books such as “How to be a dad in nine months”, “Waiting to be a parent” and so on, to learn as much as possible. In the end, however, he just concluded that he’ll have to find out on field. And he decided to just enjoy the moment, as you often had suggested, helping you through the pregnancy.
And now, after all that way, your baby was about to see the light. Fugo was scared and excited at the same moment, he couldn’t wait to hold his baby and at the same time he didn’t feel ready. You noticed his turmoil -you always noticed- and took his hand, as you breathed regularly, to fight the pain of the contractions.
“Panni, it will… go all well. Out baby is coming. Please… stay with me. I need you.” those words had the effect to snap him back from his own self doubts, putting your and the baby’s safety in front of everything again. He nodded at you, swallowing, trying so much to find his cool, the calm he needed to transmit to you too. You were now pushing and pushing, as the doctor was telling you, gritting your teeth and muffling your screams. He held tightly your hand, his eyes glued on the doctor in front of your open legs, how they were encouraging you to push, push, that the head was visible, just a little more, a little effort…
And, finally, it was like a the whole delivery room staff sighed in relief, as a clear baby cry erupted from the small bundle in the doctor’s hands. It was your baby. They were fine, they were here… Fugo never felt his knees so wobbly. This was something so… overwhelming, incredible… he never felt something like this. And, for once, it wasn’t a situation of life or death.
“It’s a girl! Congratulation!” one of the midwives, after gently taken care of the baby girl, handed it to Fugo, with a smile. The young man swallowed. The moment had finally come.
Hesitantly, he picked the baby girl, as the midwife adjusted his grip on the toddler. Fugo finally looked down at his baby and…
His heart was immediately stolen.
How could he had been doubtful? How could he, in the beginning, thinking that the baby wasn’t good? Now that his eyes reflected in his baby’s ones, violet as his, he could feel just love and adoration for her. His little girl. His baby.
He gently held her on his chest, lulling her, as silent tears ran down his cheeks. He felt overwhelmed. It was all… too beautiful to be true. It all seemed just a dream.
As the baby sneezed, Fugo lifted his head a bit, kissing her small head, with extreme sweetness, turning then to you, a teary smile on his lips.
“She’s perfect, like you.” he murmured to you, going to your side. You smiled, tired but happy, nestling on his shoulder, smiling at your little one. Here she is…
“Panni… she needs a name.” you murmured, bending to softly kiss her rosy cheeks, huffing a small laugh when she scrunched her little nose and touched your cheeks. Fugo smiled, sweetly, kissing your hair as well, while gently holding your daughter.
“What about Ginevra?” you smiled, recognizing in the name his taste for classic. Ginevra… it was unusual, but it sounded so well. It fitted her, you thought. Ginevra Fugo… yes, it definitely fitted.
“I like it. Our Ginevra.” you murmured, happy, as Ginevra frowned and pouted adorably, making your both chuckle.
Once more, Fugo promised to himself, to you, to Ginevra, not to be like his father.
He would have been a father Ginevra would have been proud to.
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malloryslourd · 5 years
Text
Lovesick Idiot - 2/2
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Pairing: Madison Montgomery x Reader
Warnings: Some Strong Language
Words: 1,222
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A/N: there’s not a lot of madi content so i kinda just chose her and besides i have other misty and zoe stuff in the works :/ the ending to this was very rush but i’m not very motivated to write rn so it is what it is ig...
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"Have you decided?"
Y/N had absolutely no idea how to answer that because she didn't even truly know the answer. It had been 3 days since she confirmed that Misty, Madison, and Zoe had all been in love with her. And goddamn were those 3 days Hell. She had never skillfully avoided so many people at one time. At breakfast she would practically run out of the room when one of them came down. Or even when she thought she heard any of their voices she would duck into a room and close the door.
"I think I do?" Y/N was pacing the room, Queenie, Mallory, and Coco watching in amusement. They were enjoying this too much, way too much. Coco said it was like her personal version of the Bachelorette. She loved sitting in on everyone's conversations with a glass of wine as she made mental notes of everything. It was so bad she had gotten Mallory in on it.
Mallory sighed, resting her chin in the palm of her hand as she followed Y/N's movements. "Okay so, basically you don't?" she watched as Y/N turned to her, a less than amused expression on her face. She knew the look too well. "Well tell me!" Mallory challenged. Y/N only groaned as she threw her hands around.
"You're an indifferent little bitch. You know that, right?" Coco looked up from her phone just for a split second.
"Is that how indifferent is supposed to be used?" Queenie raised and eyebrow. "I don't think you can use it be like, 'Oh she's indifferent because she doesn't want to decide who she likes,'" she looked over at Coco, blocking out Y/N and her panic.
Coco shrugged her shoulders, typing away at her phone. "I mean-"
"-Shut the fuck up!" Y/N looked over at the blonde with wide eyes. She was driving her insane. "Who fucking cares if you used indifferent correctly or not? I'm the one struggling here! Not your ninth grade grammar skills!" Queenie and Mallory laughed at Coco's hurt expression. Y/N took a deep breath, balling her hands into fist as she calmed herself. "I'm sorry Coco, but I am, like, on the verge of crumbling here."
"Oh you don't have to tell us," Queenie rolled her eyes. "You've practically been running away at the mention of any of their names, it's a little ridiculous honestly." Queenie was right. Y/N hadn't been using the best method to avoid the situation, but it did work... kinda? Sure she had basically change her whole schedule and she spent more time in isolation, but it was working.
"Tell us!" Coco whined, throwing herself onto the couch dramatically. She was as stressed as Y/N in her opinion.
Y/N let out a breath, trying to calm herself to the absolute best of her ability- even if it seemed impossible. "Okay... it's Madi-"
"-What?" Queenie and Coco looked at Y/N in shock, both of them rising from their seats. Their faces were almost comedic, jaws basically hitting the floor and eyes as wide as fist.
"I was pulling for Zoe!"
"Zoe? No way!" Queenie shook her head. "I thought it would be Misty!"
"Well," Mallory looked at the other three witches, a sly smirk covering her features, "I, for one, knew it would be Madison." She nodded her head slightly, silently praising herself in her head for being correct. "To put it simply, Y/N has been close to Madi since the first day she was here, we all know that. It's almost too cheesy to be real, best friends to lovers," Mallory shrugged her shoulders. She turned to look at the others, eyebrow raised and eyes narrowed, "Did you guys really think it would be any different?"
"Oh. My. God. You're right, you bitch," Coco gasped dramatically. She turned to Y/N abruptly, pointing at her. "You have to break the news to two of them you aren't in love with them but the bitch no one really likes-"
"-I mean someone obviously likes her," Queenie nodded over in Y/N's direction.
Y/N rolled her eyes, running a hand through her hair. It wasn't figuring out who she was really in love with that was going to be the hard part, it was going to be breaking it to Misty and Zoe that she wasn't in love with them. "I hate this, like, I might as well just drop dead at this point!"
"Then waste all my time I've devoted to this love story? I think not bitch!"
Y/N only looked at Coco angrily before walking out the living room. "I hate my life."
Y/N felt as if she was standing outside of Madison's bedroom for hours. She couldn't find the strength to raise her hand and knock on the door. She thought if she moved even the slightest bit that everything was going to come crumbling down around her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knocked on the door, a loud 'What?' coming from the other side.
Y/N opened the door, peaking her head into the witch's room. "Hey," Madison turned to look at Y/N as she closed the door behind her.
"Oh! Hey!" she shot up from her bed, straightening herself as Y/N walked further into the room.
"So, I've been thinking about... everything? I guess," Y/N thought she was suffocating. The room was airless. She took another deep breath, looking over at Madi as she nodded slowly. "And... I just want to say... no, wait," she laughed lightly, shaking her head at her awkwardness. In her mind, just a few minutes ago, this all seemed so much easier. She walked over to Madison's bed, taking a seat on the edge.
"Okay," Y/N watched as Madison took a seat next to her. There was a different type of emotion on Madi's face she hadn't seen before. Her usual bitchy, annoyed expression was gone with no trace, a more thoughtful and warm appearance. "It's you. You that I like I mean. I really should've known before... I mean, I think I always have liked you differently than the others, but I don't know why I didn't know before," Y/N smiled sheepishly.
"I took you how long to tell me this?" Madison tilted her head to the side, a wide smile on her face. Y/N scoffed loudly, hitting the girl's shoulder playfully. "Oh, I'm only joking. Don't go get all dark and heartbroken on me," she took Y/N's hands into her own. "But since it is officially known that you are madly in love with me, we're going to have to go out tonight to make it official," Y/N rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You're going to be ready by 8."
"That's it? No dramatic reaction? Just a few bitchy comments and a half ass invite to dinner?" Y/N raised her eyebrow. She watched as Madi rolled her eyes.
"Fine," Madison took Y/N's face into her hands. She pulled the witch into a kiss, smirking into it as she heard Y/N squeak in surprise. She pulled back, too early for Y/N's liking. "Is that better?"
"Much better."
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madamebaggio · 5 years
Text
Is that duet finally happening?
In the last weeks there has been a lot of talk of a supposed duet between pop princess Sansa Stark and Camelot’s frontman Arthur Pendragon. The agents of both artists have repeatedly denied those rumors, but perhaps we’ve been played. Sansa Stark was spotted yesterday leaving the studio where Camelot is supposedly working on a new album. It was clear the popstar was trying to pass by unnoticed, but we have the pictures to prove. So the question remains: is that duet finally coming along?
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Chapter 8
Four days after the Grammy, Sansa had just finished rehearsals when her phone rang and Arthur’s name -she’d saved his number, to Shae’s delight -flashed on screen.
She was smiling like an idiot when she answered it. “Well, I expected I’d regret giving you my number, I just didn’t think it’d be this fast.”
“Very funny, Stark.” He drawled. “How is your extremely busy schedule going?”
She thought of all the rehearsals and interviews she had scheduled. “Extremely busy.”
“Can you spare one hour?” He pressed.
“What for?”
“To come to a studio.”
That gave her pause. “Is this that duet story?”
He hummed. “Not at this time.”
Honestly, that man. Not at this time? What was that even supposed to mean?
“Can you imagine the reactions if we’re seen together at a studio?” She asked instead.
“Then sneak in. Sneak in to see the bad boy.” He paused. “Oh I like that. I’ve always wanted to corrupt a good girl.”
She laughed. “You’re ridiculous, Pendragon.”
She could picture his grin perfectly. “Does this mean you’re coming?”
She didn’t even have to question herself. “Yes. Make it worth my while.”
“I will, Red.” His voice was full of promise. “When are you free?”
XxX
Sansa’s schedule was insane since she won her Grammys, so it took a while to find a date to go to the studio.
Brienne wasn’t happy with this at all, specially because they had no idea what Arthur was up to.
When the day finally came, Sansa put her most inconspicuous attire and went to the address Arthur had provided.
She was received at the door by Bedivere, Camelot’s agent. “Miss Stark.”
“Hello.” She felt embarrassed for some reason.
“He’s waiting for you down here. Follow me.”
Sansa nodded and went after him.
“Does he annoy you too much?” She asked, because Bedivere seemed so serious and sensible, and Arthur… Was Arthur.
Bedivere chuckled. “Less than he did a few years back. But, at this point, I’m not about to leave the kid.”
She gave him a smile as he stopped in front of a door. “In you go.”
“Thank you.”
It was a recording studio. Arthur was standing by a piano with sheets of paper on his hand. He hadn’t seen her yet, because he was on the other side of the glass.
“The lad has been waiting the whole day.” Bedivere informed her. “Drove us all mad. Please, save us.”
She laughed a bit awkwardly and went ahead. When he heard the door he looked up and opened a huge smile. “Red.”
“We’re not that close yet, Pendragon.” She told him dryly.
“I’ll hold on to that yet.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She snorted. “You got me here. What do you have for me?”
Just like that, his cocky attitude seemed to disappear. Sansa watched in wonder as he got… Was he getting shy now?
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “I wrote a song, and…” He scratched the back of his head. “It’s for you. If you want it, of course.”
Sansa wasn’t expecting that. “You wrote a song and want to give it to me?” She was bewildered.
“I wrote it for you.” He clarified, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “It’s meant to be sung by you.”
“You…” Sansa was frozen, caught between shock and elation, and just plain amazement. “You wrote it for me?”
“Yes.”
“I…” She felt her face heating up. “I don’t… Thank you.”
“You might wanna see it before you thank me.”
“Arthur.” She called softly. “Thank you.”
He just nodded and passed the papers to her.
Sansa read the title. “Porcelain, Ivory, Steel.” She hummed. “It sounds intense.”
“Shut up and sit.” He pointed at the piano, clearly embarrassed.
XxX
As Sansa sat and tested a few keys on the piano, Arthur became acutely aware that this was the first time they were actually alone.
They’d met in person only a handful of times and it was never in a place where they could talk alone.
He had Sansa Stark all to himself.
Arthur wondered if he’d screw this up. He used to mess a lot of things up back in the day. He couldn’t go one day without getting into a fight, trying to prove himself to some invisible power.
Even music, something he’d always loved, was more an excuse to go to pubs, to show how fucking good he was, and -eventually -fight.
Fortunately Bedivere found him and slapped him on the back of the head. Repeatedly.
However, that old voice of insecurity was whispering to him again, letting him know that she was way too much for him. Sansa Stark deserved way better than him and his stupid songs.
“How do you want to do this?” Sansa asked, turning to him.
“Hum?” Arthur’s head snapped in her direction.
“Earth to Arthur.” Sansa smiled at him. “Are you here with me?”
“Yeah, sure.” He cleared his throat. “How about you play and I sing it, at first?”
“Works for me.” She turned back to her music sheet.
Arthur cleared his throat and waited for her to start. Once she did, he focused on his part. This song wasn’t made with his pitch in mind, so it took some adapting for him to sing it.
Once it was over, Arthur waited for Sansa to say something, but she remained silent, staring at her hands on her lap.
Oh fuck.
“Sansa?” He called, slightly concerned. Had she hated it? “Sansa?”
She took a deep breath before turning to him, her eyes misty with tears. “You really wrote this for me?”
“Yeah.”
She gave a watery laughter. “I love it. I truly do.”
“Fuck, Stark, you almost killed me here.” He chuckled, a lot of tension leaving his body. “You weren’t supposed to cry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, Red. I’m not upset.” He hurried to say, then he raised his hand and wiped a stray tear. “Not if these are happy tears. I’m glad you liked it. It’s all yours.”
“Thank you.” She told him heartfeltly. “What you did… Honestly, I have no words.”
“I’m fine with ‘thank you’. Maybe one ‘I completely forgive you’...” He teased.
Sansa laughed. “So all of this is for my forgiveness?”
“Red… What did I tell you about paying attention?”
Sansa bit her lower lip. “Yes… I promise I’m paying attention now.” She cleared her throat. “My turn?”
“Please.” He indicated the piano.
She started playing again and this time he let her sing on her own, and just watched.
And as he watched her there, so close, singing the song he wrote just for her, Arthur felt his heart growing so big he feared it might not fit his chest anymore.
If he was in love before, he had no idea what to call this feeling right now.
XxX
Sansa couldn’t believe he’d written her a song. It wa the most ridiculous thing someone had ever done for her.
And it was freaking perfect. The lyrics, the melody… She couldn’t love it anymore if she tried.
What was this man doing to her?
Once she sang it alone, they discussed some changes in a few parts to suit her voice better.
They worked on it for the whole hour she had, but then she needed to leave.
Arthur walked her to the door. “Thank you for coming, Sansa.”
“Are you kidding? Thank you for the song.”
He shrugged. “It was my pleasure.”
“Can I remix it? Make it dancey?” She teased.
“I swear to God, Stark, you turn this into a pop song, my next album will be exclusively of covers from your first.” He fake growled at her, making her laugh again.
It was ridiculous how much this man was making her laugh.
“It might be worth it just to see you trying.” She grinned at him.
“Cruel woman.” He sighed dramatically.
They stood there in silence, just looking at each other for a minute. Strangely, it didn’t feel weird doing it.
Sansa shook her head. “I have to go.”
“Don’t be a stranger, Stark.” He told her.
“I won’t.” She promised him.
Sansa wasn’t sure what took over her, but she wanted to hug him, so she just went for it. Since she was taller than most girls, it was easy for her to just throw her arms around his neck.
“Thank you again.” She murmured against his ear.
Arthur seemed surprised, but was quick to hug her back. “Stop thanking me. I did it because I wanted to.”
“Shut up and let me thank you.” She grumbled.
“I’ll just accept it because of the hug.” He hummed, giving her waist a squeeze with his arms.
Sansa snorted, but stayed there for just a minute longer than she should’ve had.
When she finally decided this was probably way too long hug between people that weren’t exactly friends, she pulled back gently.
She didn't actually go that far; her hands were still on his shoulders and his were still on her waist. She was looking into his eyes and he was looking into hers like the world had faded around them
Arthur chuckled. “Goddamnit, I could get lost in those eyes of yours.”
Sansa wasn’t sure if she’d moved first, or if it’d been him; they were so close it might’ve as well been both of them. She just knew that one minute they were looking into each other’s eyes, and -in the next- they were kissing.
She was kissing Arthur Pendragon.
It was soft and tentative and everything she’d never expected from a supposed bad boy, and -exactly because of it -it felt perfect. Her arms went back around his neck and he pulled her tighter against him. There was no hurry in it, just a strange connection that kept pulling them together.
Sansa let go of his neck to put a hand over his heart -it was beating insanely - and Arthur took the moment to cradle her face and kiss her deeper and sweeter. She hadn’t been kissed in a while, but Sansa didn’t remember it ever being like this before.
When they parted, they were both breathing irregularly.
“I…” Suddenly she felt incredibly awkward.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Arthur cleared his throat. “I wasn’t planning on kissing you just like this.”
“It’s okay.” Sansa took a step back, feeling overwhelmed. “I need to go.”
“Sansa, wait.” Arthur asked, but didn’t grab or crowd her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She took another step back. “Thank you for the song.”
Arthur was looking a bit unsure then. “Are you sure?”
She gave him a weak smile. “I’ll talk to you later.” She just said, as she turned and -basically -fled the scene.
She heard him calling her name one more time, but she was too scared to turn.
OMG.
                                                          ******
Notes: THEY KISSED!! *screams*
I hope you guys enjoyed it. I was grinning like an idiot as I wrote this.
Also, the song I had in mind this whole time for Sansa’s song is from a band called Halestorm, “Break In”. It isn’t the same song, just something along those lines. Anyway, it’s a beautiful song, you should listen to it.
Two chapters to the end. Sansa and Arthur will see each other in the next one.
Let me know your feelings.
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Text
Black Fire and Violet Flowers
Rating: T
Genre: Fluff/Light angst
Word count: 7467
Summary: The King of the Dead is lonely and sullen. That is, until a strange god wanders into his realm. Based on "reunion kiss" request.
Read on AO3
AN: A fic while I'm updating another fic? What?! Well, that fic is all written and just needs editing. So I wrote this in between doing that. And honestly, I just really wanted to write a Persephone/Hades AU. It's one of my fave myths. The earlier versions though, without all the kidnapping and trickery. I don't see this as "sanitizing it" like some people say tbh cause A) Greek mythology is very fluid and B) The myths we consider "standard" are really just the much later versions that were written down by sexist men. Soooo imma go with the one that gives Persephone agency and choice in her life, k? Anywho, feminist Greek myth rant over, here's the fic! :)
EDIT: Also, yes, I’m aware there’s no read more on mobile app. Tumblr is a dick cheese and doesn’t put a read more on longer posts which is totally counter intuitive. I’m sorry. I wish I could fix it.
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O gather round, lovers of stories. Listen as the muse Erato flows from these pages. Listen to the story of the King of The Dead and The Lord of Spring.
Many eons ago, after the Titans fell from their thrones, a young god was given a land to rule over. It was the Underworld, where all mortal souls find themselves when their time on Earth ends. The Underworld was misty, dark, untouched by the sun above. And the young god matched his domain. Legends say he had hair as dark as night and eyes like storm clouds. He wore a cloak made of black fire that hid his face and body from all. He has many names, some shrouded in mystery, but there is one we all know. A simple name: Baz.
Baz was a sullen but dutiful lord. He spent his days on a throne of ebony, maintaining his kingdom of wandering souls, keeping them confined, making sure those who were proclaimed damned by the demanding king of the gods were dealt with so. But his only company were the spirits, who moaned and groaned ceaselessly. They did not make for conversation. So Baz was alone, spending his days doing work, reading when his time was free, heart growing as cold as the air around him.
Some said he was more dead than the souls around him.
But one fateful day, Baz was checking the edges of his kingdom for faults in it’s enormous walls. But suddenly, his cavern lit up with golden light. Baz hissed at the unfamiliar view that burned his eyes. He could only squint at first, and saw a faint silhouette in front of him.
“Who are you?” The King hissed.
“Where is this?” The silhouette answered a question with a question. And Baz was not amused.
“It is the Underworld, the realm of the dead. Where else?”
“Oh,” the voice chirped. “I wondered where the noises were coming from.”
Baz’s eyes adjusted. The light dimmed into a soft glow. And there stood before him was a boy made of gold. Tawny skin, bronze curls, everything bright in contrast to the darkness of his realm. Spackles of strange spots covered his rosy cheeks. His chiton was made of small green leaves and blooming multi coloured flowers. Blue eyes the colour of the sky blinked back at him. Baz had never seen someone like him. He had never seen someone so alive.
“Who are you?” Baz asked once more, voice softened
“My name is Simon,” the golden boy said. “Son of David, god of earth and sky, and Lucy, goddess of nature. I was wandering through a meadow when I entered a cave. I heard the groans of pain and wished to know if someone needed help. I did not know it would lead to the Underworld."
Baz slinked back into his cloak. “You may leave if you wish,” he muttered.
To the King’s surprise, the Lord just shook his head. “No,” he said simply. “I wish to see what is here. May I?”
The King could only stare in true confusion for a moment. No one ever wished to stay, even the spirits housed here. They’d all flood out the gates and back to the world of the living if they could. But Simon’s mannerisms showed no deceit. He was genuine, and he was kind.
“If...you wish,” Baz said cautiously.
“I do,” Simon replied, and he was off.
Simon skipped into the depths of the dead like it was a daisy field, and all Baz could do was trail behind him. With every step Simon’s bare feet took, small flowers bloomed in the his wake. They pushed between the rocks, finding life even in the dark. It was the first time anything had ever grown from the barren soil. Baz was confused by the green things, avoiding them like an ill man’s cough. But he followed. For David already despised Baz's family, and he wished not to invoke any more of his wrath by letting his son perish in his realm.
“This place is quite cold,” Simon commented as he touched the rock walls, small vines crawling out of the cracks behind him.
“It is the realm of the dead,” Baz said. “There is no need for warmth.”
“Do the dead not deserve some warmth at the end of their lives?” The Lord asked. It was a question so simple, yet Baz had never once thought about it.
To Baz’s utter shock, Simon walked down the winding stony path, down towards the Fields of Asphodel, without a hint of fear. The few who had ever come here shuddered at the spirits. Simon was not like others though. With no hesitation, he walked through the see of moaning ghosts. Baz pulled his cloak closer around him. The spirits recoiled from his dark flames.
“Why do you not let them touch you?” Simon asked. His questions were endless. They were as annoying as they were intriguing.
“They are...not pleasant,” Baz replied. For it was easier to say that than to admit he had never once thought to walk among them. And he knew not what to do.
“They are your subjects. You should not be afraid.”
Baz sneered. “I am not afraid.”
“Then do not shy away.” Simon reached out his strong arm. The spirits gathered around his warmth.They clambered to touch his glowing skin, for but a taste of the sun they once knew. Baz was amazed and horrified. So many feared the dead. Simon treated them like they were old friends.
“Why are there so souls many here?” The Lord asked simply. “They seem a bit cramped.”
“They have nowhere else to go,” Baz replied.
“Really? There is nowhere else they could stay?”
Baz twisted his mouth, for he knew he was only telling half truths. And if this were anyone else, he would have left it at that. But Simon was so genuine, so trusting. There seemed to not be a truly deceitful bone in his beautiful body. And Baz, no matter what David proclaimed, was not a monster. He would not hurt a person who only showed kindness.
“Come with me,” Baz said with a flick of his head.
The King lead the Lord through the sea of souls to the opposite cliff. Together they ascended to its peak. A pair of dark wooden doors were set in the jagged rock. They were smooth and handless. Baz pushed them open with ease.
Simon gasped at the sight. It was a large field of bright green grass. Trees with twisting vines were sparsely interspersed in the area. Everything was bathed in yellow sunlight. Baz instinctively sneered at it. He did not come here often, for he did not like the light. It always revealed too much.
“What is this?” Simon asked with utter awe.
“It is the Elysian Fields,” Baz replied. “It is where souls worthy of the gods’ honour are supposed to go. But...there is no true way to determine who is worthy. Many earn one god’s praise while angering another. So these Fields remain empty.”
Simon frowned, and it made something in Baz twist painfully. He had never felt like this before. He’d never felt sad because someone else was. “Poor souls,” the Lord sighed. “If they are good, they should come here.”
“They would if I could figure out how to judge them fairly. I am a god, I could never be impartial.”
Simon’s face looked forlorn for another moment, but it quickly softened once more. He kneeled down and touched his hands to the bright grass. Purple flowers bloomed to the surface. Their colour was rich and deep, with a little touch of darkness. Simon plucked one easily, and held it out towards Baz.
“Here,” he said sweetly.
“Why did you do that?” Baz asked.
“There are no flowers here. Everywhere could use flowers. As well as everyone.” He shoved the flower more insistently towards him. With great caution, Baz reached out from his cloak and took the single bloom. He spun the small stem between his long fingers for a moment. His arm pulled back under the black fire, but he tucked the flower into his hidden chiton belt.
“Is there anywhere else just as beautiful down here?” Simon asked, looking around the Fields.
Baz knew of only one other place that could match the Elysian Fields in the Underworld. It was somewhere he frequented even less than than the Fields. But Simon would like it. So he started walking, and the Lord of Spring followed.
They walked out of the Fields, along cliffs over the sea of souls, and finally reached their destination. Together, they entered The Cavern of Riches. Baz could hear Simon gasp behind him. It was gasp worthy for many. The Cavern was a glittering marvel of jewels. Deep green, rich crimson, shining blue, and every other colour imaginable all decorated it’s walls. Simon traced the gems and marvelled at the many shaded lights they made. They shone brighter with Simon’s glow. Baz had not entered this place in eons. He saw no need for pretty things in his own dreary existence.
“You have so many jewels,” The Lord gasped.
“They grow here,” Baz muttered. “All the wealth the mortals desire lies in this cavern, but it is useless to them when they are dead. It is some form of final mocking, I suppose.”
“You did not create it?” His question was reasonable but simple, but Baz still scoffed.
“No. I was given my kingdom as it was made. I merely maintain it.”
“That is sad,” Simon sighed. “Everyone should be able to choose your home.”
Baz heard something helpless in the Lord’s tone. His glow dimmed for a moment. But only a moment, then he became bright again. Baz wondered what could make such a gorgeous, shining light blink out like that. Even if only for a moment.
Simon spent a few more minutes looking at the cave and all it’s majesty. But soon he walked out, wandering once more with the King following behind. The Lord stopped at the mouth of the River of Leith, the flowing water of forgetfulness. He dipped his golden legs in the cold stream. Baz would have been worried if gods were not immune to river’s effects. He stood behind as Simon kicked the water lazily.
“How did you truly come to be here?” Baz asked quietly.
Simon shrugged all the way up to his ears, then let his shoulders slump down. “I found the cave, I heard the groans, I wanted to help,” Simon replied.
“I know half truths well, and that certainly is one.”
The Lord did not answer. But he kicked the water violently, spraying it in a chaotic blue arc. Baz’s feelings twisted again. Slowly, he sat close to Simon, but still too far away to be considered comforting. For the King of The Dead was frightened for the first time in his long life, and to think it was of what a beautiful man would say to him.
“You do not have to tell me,” Baz said. “I am just confused. No one ever wants to comes down here, let alone stay. David tells everyone it is an awful place. But you are...different.”
Simon let his head loll back, blue eyes meeting Baz’s grey. He looked forlorn again. Baz realised he was forlorn. But he did not understand how such a bright creature could be sad. “It is not simple,” Simon whispered.
His head rolled back, his body pulling in on itself. Baz’s chest- no, his heart ached. He did not wish to see the bright boy so sad. He did not wish Simon to be alone. Slowly once again, Baz moved toward the Lord of Spring. As he did, he pushed off his hood, so he sat beside Simon with his face showing.
“I would not mind hearing it,” Baz whispered as well, fearing a raised voice would make Simon run.
The Lord lifted his head, eyes going wide for a second a Baz’s bare visage. Their gazes met. And soon, Simon sighed and nodded.
“I am the son of two great gods,” he said quietly. “My father is always watching over me from above and my mother from the ground. He commands me to perform tasks for him across the land, and she worries constantly for my well being. I love them both dearly, but sometimes their twin gazes are too much to bare. Humans believe I am the god of unbridled freedom. But I am surely not. I am duty bound and smothered. So when I saw the cave, all I hoped to do was hide for a short while. But then I heard cries and moans of the souls. I followed the sound only wanting to help a person I thought was hurt. The path kept going, and I ended up here, where I saw you. Then-”
“Yes, yes,” Baz sighed. “I was there for that part.”
Simon chuckled, and Baz could not help but laugh as well.  He could not remember the last time he laughed.
“My father,” Simon sighed, “he also told me this place was frightening, but I wanted to see for myself. I now see that he was surely wrong. The spirits are not scary, they only need care.” Baz felt his pride soar, but it fell as Simon slumped forward again. “But I suppose I must go back to the surface now. Thank you for letting me see your kingdom, Baz.”
Simon began to stand, and Baz's pulse doubled. He was a selfish, greedy creature by nature, for he was a god of riches as well the dead. And he did not want to let Simon go. Not yet at least.
“Well,” the King said quickly, pushing it past his lips before he got scared. “I would not mind if you stayed a bit longer...”
Simon froze. His whole golden body went rigid like the human’s statues of the gods. Baz slowly stood as well. They were face to face. Though Baz stood a half a head taller.
“Really?” Simon breathed out cautiously.
Baz nodded. “You said you wished to help who was hurt. I shall accept your help with the souls, if you would be so pleased to offer it. You do not have to if you do not want to though.”
Baz did not want to be Simon's father. He wanted to give him choice. It was a flimsy excuse, but it was less pathetic than Baz’s desperation to not let him leave. And thankfully, Simon nodded. “Yes, yes, I would be happy to help.”
Simon's voice trailed off strangely, like he was going to say something more but stopped himself. He hoped he meant to say “and I want to stay with you.” But Baz did not question, for he did not wish to scare him away. So all he did was walk back towards his throne area, with Simon following behind.
“Come then,” Baz said, “there is much work to do.”
———————————————-
And so Simon stayed. He slept in Baz’s room, which was merely a cave harbouring meager possessions and a bed. Baz did not tell Simon it was the only bed, that he had sacrificed his own resting place for Simon’s comfort. It would be too difficult to say, for Baz could not give a rational explanation for it.
During the day, Simon became a constant companion at Baz's side. The souls rarely saw the two of them apart. He was a nice presence to have while Baz performed his duties. And when his time was free, they wandered the realm together, the fields, the rivers, everything. Simon told Baz stories of his adventures across the world performing tasks for his father. He used few words but many expressions and big gestures. It amused Baz greatly, and he started smiling more than he had in centuries.
Simon was just finishing his latest tale while they sat at Baz’s long, ebony dining table near his cave home. He reached towards a bowl of pomegranates, but Baz slapped his hand away. The Lord looked at the King with true confusion.
“Do you not know?” Baz asked horrified.
“Know what?” Simon replied, his voice simple and eyes wide.
“If you eat food in the Underworld, you will be trapped here.”
“But I like it here,” Simon said with a frown.
“But do you wish to be trapped for eternity?”
Simon looked at him for a few more moments, then pulled his hand away. Baz knew he would. For as much as Simon seemed to like his kingdom, no one would ever desire to be trapped here. Baz knew that far too well. He would not wish his fate on anyone, least of all Simon.
Baz still kept up the facade of needing Simon's help, because he did not wish to seem pathetic. They sat together and went over ideas. Simon told him of the human ritual of trials, where wise, objective people judged if others were innocent or guilty of a crime. It was a brilliant idea. However:
“Who will judge?” Baz asked. “I cannot do it. I have not the time, nor am I impartial.”
“Souls of mortals who were wise and strong in life.” Simon suggested with ease. “They do not know the god’s motives and will judge fairly. Do you know of any?”
“No. I do not speak with the shades.”
Simon’s mouth pulled into a smile. “Then I may know of some.”
It turned out that Simon had met many great people in his immortal life and travels. He had met Agatha, the late Queen of Athens, who had fairly ruled the great land without a king her entire life. He knew Nicodemus, King of Macedonia, a powerful demigod who fought many wars and did so with honour. And finally, he spoke of Ebb, Queen of Crete and Nicodemus’ sister, who was even more powerful than her twin but incredibly kind. Simon brought them out from the sea of spirits, and they were all elated to see him once more.
“Simon!” Ebb yelled with joy, wrapped her incorporeal arms around him as best she could.
“Hello, Ebb,” he said with a giggle. “It is good to see you again.”
“We never thought we would,” Nicodemus added in, placing a kind hand on Simon’s shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” Agatha asked. “This is far from your realm.”
Simon gestured behind him, to where The King who stood a distance away. “I have been helping Baz.”
Agatha raise a curious brow. “Oh? The King of the Underworld has finally accepted assistance?”
Baz glared from under his hood, while Simon simply nodded. “Yes, and we have a task for all three of you.”
A great structure was erected for the rulers. They towered over the many spirits on thrones of diamond and obsidian. And after a soul had drank from the River of Leith and forgotten their life, they went to be judged. The Three Wise Ones, as they have come to be called, determined whether the person had lived an honourable life. If so, they would be born again into a new life. And they would at least three times if they were judged worthy after every death. Eventually, the good souls would be allowed to rest in the Elysian Fields. A paradise no longer left to be empty.
“Will this help them?” Simon asked as he sat on a cliff’s edge with Baz.
Baz turned his head slowly. Simon looked at him with wide eyes, and he knew the real question he wished to ask. Baz thought of how his realm would look without Simon’s light. And he decided it was not the worse thing in the world to seem pathetic.
“Yes,” Baz replied quietly. “But you may stay longer if you please.”
A grin threatened to split Simon’s face in two. “I do.”
———————————————-
And so Simon stayed even longer. He and Baz kept wandering the kingdom together constantly. Simon told even more of his stories, happy for the audience, and Baz let himself laugh louder. Baz introduced Simon to Cerberus, the fearsome three headed guard god of the Underworld. Simon loved the animal immediately, scratching under his many chins and petting his ears. Cerberus licked his tawny face with three big tongues.
“Who would ever be afraid of such a wonderful creature?” Simon cooed.
“Many are afraid of what they do not know,” Baz answered.
“Is that why mortals and gods are afraid of you and I am not?” Simon’s question were always so simple but carried so much. Baz’s heart beat faster, the same strange phenomenon he’d been experiencing since shortly after Simon’s arrival in his world.
“Yes,” Baz said. “I suppose so.”
Baz showed Simon his library, a small section filled with scrolls that branched off of his cave. They were piled so high they reached the ceiling. Many mortals were buried with them and ended up taking them down to the Underworld. Baz tended to keep the ones he found interesting.
"Why do you have so many?" Simon asked as he looked through the stack.
“My mother, the goddess of knowledge, she loves stories,” Baz explained. “She would read to me when I was younger. Before I was put here. I sometimes wonder if she still reads and thinks of me.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“Many ages ago. I cannot leave here, and she cannot come to me by order of David. He is still angry that she initially took the Titan’s side over his in the war. She has already apologized too many times but he will not listen. So, she can not visit me."
Simon frowned, for he always felt the sadness of others with as much intensity as they did. “I am sorry. I wish she could be here with you.”
Baz did not react. He did not want to seem as weak as he felt. But when Simon’s hand lightly brushed his cloaked, he let out a breath. And he let himself not be strong for once.
“I wish she were here as well,” he whispered.
Simon leaned his entire body against Baz. He did not flinch from his flaming cloak. For Simon was already the sun, and fire did not frighten him.
“I am not good with words,” Simon said. “I do not think I would read your stories well. But maybe you would...like to read to me?”
Baz turned his head slowly. Simon’s soft face was not deceitful. Not even the sign of a half truth was shown.
“You would not mind?” Baz asked.
Simon grinned. “I have told you my tales. I would like to hear some of yours.”
Baz smiled back.
In Baz’s spare time, the pair sat together as Baz read from his scrolls. Simon would lounge on Baz’s bed, on the Elysian Fields, or in the Cavern of Riches as he listened to the words. They were not frantic and energetic like his own tales. But much more paced, a slower build up to the end. Simon seemed to enjoy them, so Baz kept reading. He liked the way Simon listened. He gasped at tension, cheered at triumphs, laughed at comedy, and frowned at misfortunes. Baz enjoyed having such an engaged listener. He enjoyed everything about Simon.
One night, as Baz finished what he was reading, Simon was falling asleep on the grassy land of the Fields. Baz stopped his tale, and carefully put the scroll under his cloak. With even more care, he picked up Simon in his arms. The Lord of Spring curled against him in sleep like an infant dog. Baz’s arms shook nervously until he placed Simon upon his single bed. The god stretched out on the soft furs. He smiled as he dreamed. And Baz wondered if his heart had ever beat so fast.
Baz curled up on the pile of rocks that he had been using as his sleeping place. He always woke up before Simon could see him. But when he woke the next day, Simon stood over him with utter shock in his eyes.
“Is this where you have been sleeping?” he asked horrified.
Baz pulled further into his cloak. “Yes,” he replied.
Simon frowned angrily. But not at Baz, per se. He seemed to be more angry at the situation, glaring at the rocks and not the god.
“This will not do,” Simon said resolutely. “You need a house.”
“A house? You mean, a structure to live in?” Baz remembered hearing of those in Simon’s stories and reading of them in his own.
“Yes. Would that be nice to have?”
Baz was still unsure, but it sounded intriguing. “Yes, I believe it would.”
Simon told Baz what they needed to do. They chose the cliff with Baz’s throne for his home. Baz used his power to raise large blocks of black obsidian from the ground. Simon, feet as light as the wind, jumped up and ripped large parts away with incredible strength. It was crude but effective form of initial carving. Then he helped Baz shape everything how he pleased. The spires were tall, the entrance two large stone doors, all of it large and intimidating.
But when they moved inside, Baz made smaller rooms, ones that were cozy and comfortable. There were many fireplaces that let out a dim glow and warmth equal to Simon’s. Furniture was draped in comfortable furs. An entire room was dedicated to his scrolls. Baz’s bed chamber itself was the opposite of his almost empty cave, now with decoration and warm brown walls. It was a somewhat daunting task, even for a god. But Baz did it. For he wanted a home, a place he made and chose instead of being forced upon him.
“So shall I stay in the cave?” Simon asked when it was all done, tone joking but still nervous.
“No,” Baz said firmly, leading him to the room just beside his own. He pushed open the doors to reveal a large but cozy area. Small green gems from the Cavern of Riches decorated the walls. Leaves and flowers were carved into the wood of his bed. When Simon stepped in, his light made the room sparkle. He giggled with disbelief.
Baz stayed by the door, drumming his fingers nervously. “Is it satisfactory?”
Simon whipped around so Baz could see his smile. It was as bright and beautiful as he was. “It is wonderful, Baz. Thank you.”
Baz was about to say “you are most welcome” , but Simon ran into him before he could. His strong arms wrapped around Baz fiercely. Baz stood still for far too long. He did not know how to react to such affection he had not been shown in ages.
“Really, Baz,” Simon whispered, “thank you. I have always been forced to wander from place to place. I...I have never had somewhere made for me either.”
Baz sucked in a breath. He still could not believe that someone so bright was also so broken. Just as broken as him. He carefully put his arms around the Lord of Spring in return. His warmth prickled Baz’s cool skin. But he liked it, and he adored Simon more than anything ever before.
———————————————-
Baz soon lost track of how long Simon had been in his realm. He had become as much a part of the Underworld as the souls or the jewels. Baz could not imagine it without him. He did as he pleased, going where he felt he most wanted to be. And Baz always took time from his godly duties to be with him, reading to him or listening to his oral tales.
Together they sat in the Elysian Fields. Baz read as Simon twisted the last flower into his many coloured new crown. Simon paused his story telling to ask for some assistance. He dipped his head so Baz could place headdress on him. The smile Simon had lit up everything around him. Baz only wished to keep him here.
But the Fates had never been kind to him.
A figure appeared in lush green field. Baz stood to attention immediately. Simon followed, and then ran towards the person. Baz had no choice but to chase after the Lord of Spring and hope he did not become injured.
The figure bolted towards them to meet the pair halfway. Baz recognized her immediately. It was Penelope, the messenger goddess, wearing her usual knee high winged sandals and matching winged helmet. Baz had not seen her in ages, for though she brought souls to his realm, she did not enjoy his company and avoided him at all cost. The feeling was mutual.
“Penny?” Simon said with awe.
“Simon!” She yelled, immediately capturing him in a fierce hug. Simon hugged her back. But soon, her dark gaze moved to Baz, and she glared fiercely.
“You,” she growled, pushing past Simon to better jab her caduceus in Baz’s face. “How dare you!? Do you believe just because you are the King of the Dead you can capture another god and hold him prisoner? Arrogant bastard!”
Baz’s eyes went wide from behind his cloak. He leaned over her, unafraid and furious. “Captured?! I have done no such thing!”
“Liar!”
“No, Penny,” Simon said, trying to pull down her sceptre arm. “He is telling the truth. I wandered down her and chose to stay. Baz has been nothing but kind to me, considering I invaded his kingdom without invitation.”
The messenger goddess’ eyes went incredibly wide. She lowered her arm. “But...David said he saw you get carried off from a meadow. No one knew who it was. Only I thought to seek you out in the Underworld after so long.”
Simon looked very surprised. “So long? How long have I been away?”
“Months, Simon. You have been missing for half a year. And you must return to the surface right now.”
Baz clenched his fist under his cloak. Simon’s mouth fell open. “What?” Simon asked dumbfounded. “Why?”
Penny looked forlorn. “Because your mother has been in despair since you vanished. Her sorrow has made all that is green die. Your father is furious, and his anger has made the sky go cold. The mortals cannot eat, find warmth, or survive. They shall not live much longer like this. You have to come back so they will lift this frost.”
Simon’s face immediately fell. Baz could tell that he was horrified that he had caused such suffering. He was so kind, so giving, so heroic. He would never want to hurt anyone. But he had, by doing as he pleased and staying with Baz.
“You must leave, Simon,” Baz said gravely, but could not hide a waver in his voice.
Simon looked over Penny’s shoulder at him. His expression was broken, desperate, wishing he could refute Baz’s words. But they both knew it was true. Their dream together must end.
“Allow me one more hour,” Simon said quietly. “Tell my father and mother you will retrieve me in one hour’s time.”
Penelope almost protested, mouth open and ready to argue. But Simon’s gaze was fire incarnate. He would not give any ground in this.
“One hour,” the goddess said before vanishing.
And so Simon and Baz were left alone together, as they had been for half a year. Simon slowly approached him. His eyes were round with sorrow. Baz tried to school his expression, but he knew Simon could see through him.
“I suppose this will be goodbye.” Baz tried to keep his voice neutral still. But his composure had already cracked and was still breaking with every passing second.
“Not yet,” Simon whispered. He stepped forward and reached behind Baz’s head, pulling down his hood. Baz did not protest. “We have one hour. So...shall we take the long path home first?”
Baz, despite his heart tearing in two, felt his pulse fly at the word ‘home’. That Simon considered the palace home. So Baz reached out of his cloak to offer his hand. And Simon took it without a second thought.
Together, they walked slowly across the gorgeous Elysian Fields, through the glittering Cavern of Riches, past Cerberus who licked Simon’s face, to the cliffs overlooking the Fields of Asphodel, finally ending at the palace. At the home they had created together.
Simon turned to Baz and reached into his cloak to take his other hand. Baz felt the warmth dance across his cold arms like rays of sunlight on his skin. Simon looked as sorrowful as the day he first came here. Baz wanted to hold him tight and never let go.
“Now we must say goodbye” Simon said quietly.
“I know,” Baz replied, voice just as soft.
“Will you forget me?”
Baz tugged him closer. “No, absolutely not. Will you forget me?”
Simon ran his thumb over Baz’s thin wrist. “No. Never ever.”
They stared, and they did not let go. Baz tried his best to commit Simon’s face to memory. Every freckle, every mole, every smile line and sweep of curls. He knew that when he was most miserable and lonely, when he would almost become the bitter man he was again, he would need to remember this face.
Simon stepped even closer, the flames of Baz’s cloak licking at his glowing skin. “I am glad I walked through that cave,” he said with utter conviction.
“As am I,” Baz replied instantly.
Carefully, cautiously, Simon reached up between them. Baz’s breath held, and then it hitched when Simon touched the cool iron of his cloak’s clasp. When the King did pull away or slap down his hand, Simon undid the hook. The dark flames pooled at his feet. Baz was only left in his simple black chiton and sandals. It had been too long since he had been without his ever present flaming cape. But he found did not mind with Simon. The Lord of Spring had already seen many parts of him. He was content with showing one more.
Simon warm hands trailed up Baz’s bare arms. Shakily, Baz placed his cool touch on Simon’s leaf covered waist. The Lord sighed, leaning forward so his ear was right over Baz’s heartbeat.
“I do not want to go,” he choked out.
Baz’s heart shattered into a hundred shards. He held Simon tighter, not caring how it appeared. He did not care. He just wanted to hold his Lord as close as he could.
“I wish you did not have to,” Baz replied.
Simon’s arms wrapped around Baz’s thin neck. He stood on his toes to better bury his face in Baz’s shoulder. Baz spread his hand against Simon’s strong back. He inhaled against his curls. Simon smelled like fresh flowers and sweet fruit. Like everything wonderful and beautiful in the world.
The men slowly pulled back, but not apart. Baz’s gaze drifted down to Simon’s slightly open mouth. His lips were the colour of the scarlet roses he had made grow in the Underworld. Baz had read of the human ritual of kissing, the act of two people who cared for one another putting their mouths together. He never understood the reason or urge for such a strange practice. Until now.
“Simon,” he whispered.
And Simon, Lord of Spring, god of growing, the shining sun in Baz’s dreary existence, kissed him.
His warmth did not tingle across Baz. Rather it exploded in him. It was like biting down on a fruit, letting the juices burst in your mouth and the sweetness coat your tongue. Baz’s whole being felt filled with light, alive and ecstatic. Simon kissed him with force, pressing their mouths together as hard as he could. Baz tried to match him but had no knowledge of what to do. He simply followed where Simon went. Tilted his head similar to how he did, mimicked the way his lips moved, held him so tight against him that he could feel every lean muscle in his golden body. He never wanted the moment to end.
But the Fates were never kind.
Simon pulled away. His blue eyes were glassy and his lips were swollen and even more red. Baz assumed he was in a similar state. They gazed at each other for many moments, committing their expressions to memory. But bit by bit, their arms had to fall from each other, because their time was running out. Simon lifted his flower crown from his head and offered it with outstretched hand.
“Here,” Simon said. “To remember me.”
Baz did not hesitate to take it. The petals were soft to the touch, like Simon was. Baz reached towards his belt and lifted a singular violet. The everlasting flower was still as beautiful as when Simon gave it to him. He placed the bloom behind Simon’s ear, taking a lingering moment to trace his jaw. Simon's blue eyes quivered.
“To remember me,” Baz said. “I was more lost than the souls here before you came. I can never thank you enough for that, Simon.”
Simon surged forward and kissed him once more. Baz felt he would surely melt like a wax candle. Simon pulled back, but kept their foreheads together. “You gave me so much,” he whispered. “A true home, freedom, happiness. Thank you.”
For once in his eternal life, Baz had no words. He wished to say three ones in particular, ones he read in the great love songs of the mortals. But they stayed stuck in his depression choked throat. All he could do was watch silently as Simon stepped back, and Penelope appeared, and the Lord of Spring waved before he vanished in a shower of light.
When he was gone, Baz struggled not to collapse immediately. Instead, he put his cloak back on, walked back towards his palace with his head held high, and entered his room silently. It was only when the door was closed that he let himself fall apart. He sat on the obsidian floor, curled within his fire and fiddling with Simon's crown under it. He did not cry, for the King of the Dead was still too proud to let tears fall. But he sat, and he did not move for a long time.
———————————————-
Baz did not neglect his duties. He still made sure the realm was secure, watched over the souls, kept them from the Cavern of Riches. And soon the days slid back together into endless duty and darkness. Baz occasionally felt the urge to become cold again, to abandon any sense of joy. But when he did, he simply touched the crown of flowers he always kept attached to his belt, and resisted temptation once more.
He was sitting on his throne, observing the souls and making sure they were calm, when the sound of pitter pattering steps resonated across the stone. Baz immediately stood. He was prepared to fight any intruder. His hands were already smoking with fire.
“Who goes there?” He announced.
“I have not been gone too long,” an all too familiar voice chirped. “Have you forgotten me already?”
Baz’s hands lowered immediately. His jaw feel to the ground. The pitter patter became closer, until a dim glow shone in front of him. The Lord of Spring was still as bright and alive looking as ever. And his grin was the most shining part of him all.
“Simon?” Baz whispered in disbelief.
“Hello, my darling,” he replied. “I have returned.”
Baz practically ran forward, immediately encircling Simon in his arms. Simon laughed with utter joy and hugged him back. They held each other so close that nothing could get in between them. Simon angled his head so their lips met with force. He was just as soft and warm as Baz remembered. Kissing Simon was a tidal wave of warmth. It was a sensation of falling and rising up all at once. It felt like coming awake after a long dark slumber. Baz only pulled off his mouth when he was sure it was not a dream.
“How are you here?” he asked.
Simon’s grin was playful, more like a god of mischief than spring. “When I returned to the land above, my father and mother were waiting. Father was angry but mother was overjoyed. I was not though. I love my parents and my land, but I...I already missed you so much it ached. Suddenly, Penelope asked me if I had eaten anything in the Underworld. I did not understand at first. But her face told me she had seen my sorrow, and her clever mind had found a compromise.  I answered yes. Father was so angry and mother was so sad, but I promised them it was just six pomegranate seeds. So I would only spend six months of the year with you and the other six above with them.”
Baz’s brow pulled together, for he was even more confused than before. “But...you did not eat anything here.”
The Lord grinned wider. He loosened himself from Baz’s embrace and led him by hand towards the obsidian palace. Weaving through rooms, he ended in the dining area. Quick as the wind, Simon scooped up a pomegranate, ripped it apart, and tossed six seeds in his mouth. He was still grinning as he gazed up at Baz.
“Now I have,” he said. “And now I shall stay.”
Baz was once more at a loss for words. Words seemed insufficient for the joy in his heart. So he took Simon into his arms with one swoop. Simon shrieked and giggled, warm nose pushing Baz’s cold neck. Baz carried his love through their home. With a sweep of his powerful hand, their two rooms melded together. Walls joining, decorations mixing, two beds for a single person becoming one made for both.
Simon smiled into Baz’s skin. “Take me to bed?”
“As you wish,” Baz replied immediately.
He gently placed Simon on the furs. Simon reached up and undid Baz's cloak without hesitation. Baz let it fall, then leaned down to capture Simon’s warm mouth with his. They fell onto the furs together, shedding clothes like the trees shed leaves in autumn. They stayed in their bed until Baz’s cool skin felt truly warm.
Later, they rested, bare bodies still tangled under the soft furs. Baz watched as the low torchlight danced across Simon’s tawny skin and bronze curls. It astounded him that this man, a being of life, a piece of the sun, would willingly bring his light to his world. But he was here now. And for half the year he would for eternity on.
Baz held Simon closer. He leaned towards to his ear, and said the words he’d express through actions too many times, that were already obvious, but he never managed to say out loud.
“I love you.”
Simon pressed his face into Baz’s cool chest. His curls tickled his chin. He put one warm hand over his heart.
“I love you, too.”
———————————————-
And so the world became as it is now. Six months of the year, it is warm. The crops flourish and flowers bloom. But once the final harvest is done, aumtn and winter begin. For Lucy is sorrowful over her son’s impending departure, and nature shrivels and dies with her grief. Because David is angry over his son's choice in marriage, and the sky becomes dark and cold with his rage.
Lucy, unlike David, who prefers to brew in fury on his mountain, always hugs and kisses Simon goodbye. Wearing a crown of violets and dressed in a dark green chiton, he tells her that he loves her, that will see her again soon, and that he will be alright. She still watches with tears in her eyes as Penelope takes his hand and they disappear in light
But she does not see Simon as he returns to the Underworld. How he smiles at the large obsidian palace on the cliff. How he runs towards the figure in an open black fire cloak. How the Baz holds Simon close and kisses him like his eternal life depends on their lips being together.
“Welcome home, my love,” Baz always says.
“Thank you, my darling,” Simon always replies.
They walk to a pair of twin thrones overlooking the Fields of Asphodel, one made of ebony and the other of iron. The couple sit together above their kingdom, hand in hand. And if a spirit is lucky, they may see the small smile playing on Baz's usually sullen lips, as well as the less subtle grin spread across Simon's. For husband and husband are reunited once more.
The King of the Dead and Lord of Spring are in love, and they are happy.
———————————————-
AN: Fun fact: Crete has a well known wild goat population. Perfect for Ebb :D And I know many parts of this are different than original Greek myth, but I wanted to adapt it more to Carry On than make Carry On adapt to Greek myth. So no, the goddess of knowledge didn't initially take the Titans' side in the war, her son is not the trapped king of the underworld, and the god of spring isn't sent around on missions by his father. David just needs a reason to hate Natasha, Baz needs to be lonely and depressed, and Simon needs to be the overworked tired hero. Also tried to involve both Lucy and David in the myth of spring cause they both have a roll here with Simon. That is my mini explanation because I feel the need to explain myself all the time lol.
So I tried to incorporate some of grand poetic nature of Greek myth but that is a difficult style to mimic. Only successful case I've personally seen is Madeline Miller's books. But also credit where credit is due: this fic was heavily based on the version of the Hades and Persephone myth seen in George O'Conner's "Olympians" graphic novel series, specifically "Volume 4: Hades, Lord of The Dead". Olympians has some of the best myth re-tellings I've ever read. And I've read a lot lol. Highly recommend them. Though I also used one of the version of the myth I've heard where Persephone goes into the Underworld because she wants to help the spirits, cause that's something Simon The Hero would do.
Hope you enjoyed that. Requests are still open on my blog. If any of you aren't already, feel free to check out my ongoing fic, "Watford Cove". It updated yesterday and will every few days. Thanks for reading :D
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tinydancerkatie · 5 years
Text
I’m Glad I’m Your “Best Friend” But I Want to Be Your Girlfriend...
I just watched a video on YouTube about two young adults (around my age, early/mid twenties) who each told their side of their “love story” while the other wore sound proof headphones. While watching the video I couldn’t help but become slightly moved and low key emotional because listening to their story made me feel very deeply about where I am currently at in my personal life right now with someone I care about very much... but I don’t know how he feels about me in return.
In the video, this couple had been dating officially for two years. However, they had been best friends for several years prior. They giggled about how their dating story was “cheesy” because they had been best friends for so long that when it came time for them to “take the next step” and “try dating”, it felt natural and easy and like they had basically been dating all along, minus the sexual aspects. Then continued to go back and forth (from each perspective while the other was wearing their sound proof headphones, unable to hear what the other was saying), recalling their first time meeting one another as friends, their first date as a couple, what their favorite things are about each other, what annoys them about each other, their first fight, and most importantly, why they love each other.
I have been in love with my best friend for about ten years now. I understand the intensity of the word “love” and what it means and how much weight it carries, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever been “in love”, but I do know how to love, and I’ve felt this for him deep within my heart in a way I’ve NEVER felt about anyone, except my own family. We met in 8th grade in our math class and immediately hit it off. We laughed about the same stupid jokes our teacher told and academically, we were pretty much both on the same page. He was incredibly cute, with his little boy features and slightly crooked smile and his kindness was unbelievable. It actually hurts my feelings how nice he is. As we grew older and went away to high school, we grew closer and closer. It wasn’t until around Sophomore year where I started to realize that I liked him as more than a friend... but I was afraid to tell him. So I continued on in the friendship track, consistently pushing back my feelings for him. I had a boyfriend in high school that wasn’t him, and he was the first and ONLY guy friend of mine who told me to break up with this boy because he knew deep down I wasn’t happy and also knew that this boy would not only hurt me emotionally (which he had been doing for MONTHS, but I never told anyone), but he would also hurt me physically (which he nearly did on one terrifying occasion). My best friend, the boy who I knew in my heart of hearts was my person, pulled me out of my first relationship, which was also an extremely toxic one. From that moment on, I wanted nothing more than to tell him I wanted to be with him. That I didn’t want to be friends anymore, but rather something more. But I didn’t. I kept it to myself. And because of that, he ALWAYS was my one that got away.
Flash-Forward to now: We went our separate ways after high school and didn’t see or speak to one another for five years. He had a long term girlfriend and I went away to school. Upon my arrival back into my hometown, and me finding out through a friend that this boy was now single, I elected to reach out. Not because I wanted to jump his bones and be the rebound. Not at all. I just wanted my best friend back. And when we saw each other for the first time, it was like no time had passed at all. Sure we had aged, gotten taller, dressed differently... but his boyish features were still HIM and his smile was still so bright it made my heart skip a beat and when we talk it’s seamless and effortless and absolutely honest and real. We tell each other EVERYTHING.
It has been five months since we started seeing each other again and from the moment I saw him again, that first night we were reunited, I knew in my soul that he was still my “one”. He was still the piece of my heart that got away and I FINALLY had him back, but I still have that childish fear of admitting my feelings to him out of the pure horridness of not only being vulnerable, but running the risk of losing my best friend; my person. 
Watching that couple get misty eyed over talking about the different characteristics one another has that makes them special and makes them love each other so deeply made me wish I could be that open an honest with him. There is a large part of me that just wants to put a pair of headphones over his ears and blast music just so I can pour my heart out to him and get my thoughts and feelings out in front of him without worrying about how he is going to react or reply with. I have an irrational, DEEP fear of rejection. Both my past relationships have been shit. I’ve been ghosted, I’ve been shut down several times in college. It sucks. It HURTS. And because of those experiences, I’ve completely emotionally built a wall hiding myself against the opposite gender. But with him... my wall comes down. I feel safe. I feel content. I feel like I can be me. And I adore watching him be HIM. But I know there is another step. I know there are more bricks in my wall that need to come down, and I sure as hell know there are several layers to his own wall he has built because of the demise of his past relationship that he needs to knock down too.
I have openly told him before that sometimes in moments of fear, especially regarding relationships, I’ve found that it’s best to find that one person who truly understands you, and shares the same fears, and be scared with them. Even just this weekend I admitted to him that he was special to me and how I truly believe he came back into my life for a reason. He chuckled and agreed, and part of me took that as him shutting me down. But behind that chuckle, I could hear the fear. And could it possibly be that fear in which he feels the same way I do, but only I have the audacity to admit it? Which is fine... but if I can do it, so can you?
I’m going off on some kind of tangent now and I apologize for rambling. It just truly shocks and amazes me how such a simple, pure YouTube video could strike such an emotional, “too-close-to-home” chord with me on a random Wednesday night. Maybe the concept is not so cheesy; I’ve heard stories of best friends who became a couple and it was the best relationship because you already know each other so well, and you’re already so vulnerable with on another, having been there through the best and worst times in your lives... If you’ve been emotionally naked with one another, just get PHYSICALLY naked at that point and there you go; the next step. 
More or less, I have him back in my life now. And I don’t want to lose him again. And as fucking cheesy as it is to say, I know he is my person. I just want to know if I am his. But I’m too scared to ask. 
I don’t want to be broken again.
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tk-duveraun · 6 years
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"I’ll distract them. run — run and don’t look back.” Cassmos
Ilenaquisition AU - Terenti and Vasili join a lot earlier.
“If this is the afterlife, the Chantry owes me an apology. This looks nothing like the Maker’s bosom,” Garrett Hawke said before jumping down onto the… biggest piece of ground. It was difficult to tell. He was one of the few to land with any sort of grace. He drew his staff and lit the end, but the light did nothing to illuminate the Fade. Everything was a milky green miasma.
Cassandra dusted herself off after ensuring that no one had seen her land on her face. She pulled her garnet magic focus out of her pocket and squeezed it tightly enough that that silver housing bit into the thick leather of her glove. It cast a red shadow back on her armor, but similarly did nothing to lighten the Fade.
She glanced around. Aside from the Champion of Kirkwall, she added a derisive to the title, she had to deal with both Sokolovs, the Inquisitor, whose fault this entire endeavor was and Amos. Why the giant wasn’t with Merula, Cassandra neither knew nor cared. She was simply relieved she wasn’t going to have to deal with the sniveling failure of Tevinter teachings.
The Sokolov twins were bickering.
One fewer failure of Tevinter teachings.
“Shut up, mortals,” a demon said. It had materialized behind the twins and loomed as wide as it was tall. It wore a crown. Cassandra blinked at it several times before realizing it was George. That certainly explained its- his bizarre way of speaking. She wrinkled her nose. She certainly hoped Sokolov’s pet Fear demon wasn’t going to materialize as well. It was far more difficult to deal with.
Cassandra didn’t bother listening as the spirit masquerading as the late White Divine explained some ridiculous grand quest that the silly little Inquisitor seemed to take seriously. Finding memories, what a sham. She looked up at Amos and recognized the suppressed worry in the shallow crease in his brow and the tension in his neck. He caught her eye, glanced at George and then nodded.
She responded with tilt of her chin and a momentary sneer. She replaced her magical focus in its pouch and followed behind Terenti Sokolov - the more annoying one - as they progressed further into the Fade. Her silverite hilt felt heavy in her hand. She shifted her gait to compensate for the weight of it, but left it without its magic blade.
“Inquisitor, how rude of you to bring strangers into my lair. And after I was so nice as to remove your memories,” the Nightmare demon said.
“My peons are no strangers to you,” George replied. “Many a time, I have had to banish you from their dreams.”
“You are weak now that you’ve renounced your nature as Wisdom, Hunger,” the Nightmare said, its voice piercing through Cassandra’s chest like a blast of Frost magic.
“My name is George!” Sokolov’s demon howled with such volume, everyone’s eardrums would have burst if they had been in the real world. Cassandra grimaced and looked over at Amos, who had both hands over his ears and his head tilted downward.
She touched his elbow and waited for him to acknowledge her. “Ignore it. It is not real. You give it power with your mind. The more you find it painful the more painful it becomes.”
That that was circular logic and nigh unactionable, Cassandra refused to acknowledge. For his part, Amos seemed unconcerned. Though his face was screwed up in concentration, most of the pain was gone and the tension slowly left his neck and jaw. George had disappeared by the time Cassandra looked back at the Sokolov twins. They were impossible to miss - their blond hair glowed nearly white in Fade. Vasili’s blood magic seemed to be out of his control. The visible tattoos flashed and blinked with power.
Cassandra lit the blade of her sword with magic. While it was usually blood red light, it materialized as… metal. For the first time truly unsettled, Cassandra swallowed, but kept her weapon ready.
The Nightmare was speaking again. “I won’t let Hunger distract me,” the demon ignored Vasili’s shouted ‘He’s an Avarice demon!’ “You still need to introduce me to your friends, Ghilenan. All of them.” It laughed and its presence dimmed as fearlings converged on the mortals.
Though she had strong mental resistance, in the Fade Cassandra couldn’t fight off the Nightmare directly and the formless demons quickly transformed into giant scorpions. She froze for an instant, remembering  them converging around the short platform on which- She bit through her tongue and blinked her eyes to banish the memory. What Amos saw, she didn’t know, but whatever the creatures were, they were taller than her scorpions, judging by the angle of his blows.
It was difficult for her to keep proper track of the fight when his strikes impacted her enemies despite visually not being anywhere near. She was more than half tempted to close her eyes and fight blind, relying on her other senses and magic to guide her. When she slashed the last scorpion in half, Cassandra straightened and examined her blade. It was still as disturbingly corporeal as it had been when she summoned it. The gore splattered across it was also real. She frowned, unsure what to do. Usually a good shake or banishing the blade of magic would remove the detritus.
Amos pressed a rag on her shoulder before wiping his own blade down. Without turning to him, Cassandra nodded and cleaned her weapon. He took the rag back from her, but even as he pulled it away, the demon flesh dissolved back into the misty green miasma that hung around them. She frowned at it before continuing forward.
“Magister Sokolov.. Have you ever considered that it might you that brings about the death of everyone you love?”
Though she didn’t want to look, Cassandra saw Terenti off to the side of the group picking his nose. “Hmm? What was that? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you.” In the most dramatic way possible, Sokolov’s Fear demon materialized as if it were bursting out of his back. It hovered above him and spread its arms wide, appearing as a cloud of blackness with glowing red eyes.
The Nightmare hissed its displeasure and released another wave of fearlings against them. Instead of retreating, it lashed out with another attack. “You know nothing, little Lord Sokolov. Second in everything, but especially in your mind. Silly little boy can’t even accept his mother’s fate.”
Sokolov howled in response, his tattoos all lighting at once.
Cassandra rolled her eyes.
“Do you think you are perfect, little Cass?” The Nightmare asked next. She could feel its presence hovering just over her shoulder. Muscles spasming from the effort, Cassandra held herself as relaxed as possible while the taunts continued and the fearlings pressed forward. “If you’d been perfect, she might’ve let you out of the cage earlier.”
Amos tensed next to her, causing him to take a wound from the fearlings, but it wasn’t a poisoned pierce that she would expect from the scorpions she fought. Whatever it was that materialized for him had jaws and fangs made for ripping and tearing, though his armor took the brunt of the attack. Before she could switch her concentration back to the Nightmare demon, a second presence crashed against her mind. Cassandra hissed in a breath of recognition.
As suddenly as the demon appeared, it materialized. Partially underneath her. Cassandra was lifted high into the Fade’s ‘air’ by Pride. It held her aloft in one giant hand. “You called.”
“I did no such thing,” Cassandra said. Her throat wanted to tighten, but in the Fade will had final control of any action and she would not let Pride take her. “Stand down. This engagement is beneath you.”
“What a clever little Magister. Knows all of the right things to say. Go then. I will wait. I am always waiting.” Pride disappeared without another word, leaving Cassandra to fall back onto the black rocks below.
Unlike when she’d first arrived in the Fade, Cassandra landed perfectly on her feet, eating the impact with force magic pressing beneath her. She met Amos’ eyes as she stepped back into the group and there was fear there, but for her, not of her. Good. There was work left to be done with him, but not so much as she’d thought.
No one else had missed the exchange either, though Sokolov - the magister - attempted to say something before the Inquisitor jabbed him in the stomach with her staff.
“You will leave one with me, won’t you, Inquisitor?” The Nightmare asked. “He’s not even a person, after all. Doesn’t even know Amos isn’t really a name.”
Cassandra ignored Pride’s loud chuckle. She knew it had aimed the sound to her head alone and it did not require her acknowledgement of the message. She clenched her jaw and pushed Amos forward a few steps with far greater ease than it would take in the mortal realm. It was all will and strength of mind. When she returned her focus to the rest of the Inquisitor’s party, Ilena was in the middle of grasping the last of her stolen memories.
The spirit wearing Divine Justinia’s shape prattle on with more ridiculous Chantry rhetoric about hope and faith and the power of belief. Cassandra ignored it, waiting to push forward towards the rift that would lead them out of the Fade. Just as they approached it, Nightmare howled its displeasure and sent out its most powerful lieutenant. She recognized its shape as Fear, one of strength similar to Sokolov’s pet, before it transformed.
Though she closed her eyes at the moment of the demon’s transformation she knew what she would see when she opened them. And she was not disappointed. Tyche Hyal stood before her in full Magisterium regalia. She wondered if anyone else saw her, too; Tyche had ruled Asariel with terror and pain.
But perhaps not.
Cassandra bared her teeth and struck out as viciously at this shadow as she had in the flesh. As with the fearlings, the others’ attacks weren’t limited to the shape Cassandra could see of their enemy. Even though this demon was larger than Tyche had been in life, Sokolov’s bright bolts of magic shattered against nothingness over her head. The battle tore at Cassandra’s spirit as her too-physical sword had no affect on her mother. Tears streaked her face when the demon collapsed into a pile of smoldering robes. The rift leading back to Adamant fortress pulsed.
Magister Sokolov was the first one through it, to no one’s surprise. The other Sokolov was hot on his heels with the Nightmare demon materialized in what it probably thought was all of its majesty. Cassandra didn’t find it particularly frightening and wondered why it couldn’t change their individual perception of- She fell to her knees as its will assaulted her mind.
The next thing she knew, Amos was pulling her to her feet. He tried to push her towards the rift, but the conviction and sheer desire he had to get her there made the push a throw that had her halfway through it before she could react. He wasn’t even looking at her when he said, “I’ll distract it. Run. Run and don’t look back.”
Cassandra opened her mouth to protest, but Sokolov shoved her through the rift before she could say anything. She swung her weapon to cut him in half, but back in the real world it had returned to a simple hilt. Before Cassandra could reignite the magic, Sokolov was shoved out of the rift’s mouth by the Champion and the Inquisitor. She nearly murdered Ilena when she raised the anchor to seal it.
Thankfully for the Inquisitor, and perhaps all of Thedas, Amos was thrown bodily out of it just as it closed.
Inquisition forces rejoiced around them and the Inquisitor and the Wardens had some kind of verbal confrontation, but Cassandra paid them no mind. She waited for her heartrate to slow and then she stepped carefully over to where Amos was still sprawled against the stone. The wound on his arm was still ragged and open, but he hadn’t managed to acquire any new ones after tossing her aside.
Once he met her eyes, Cassandra said only, “Do not think I will allow myself to be handled as such again.”
He had no answer for her.
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perzival · 7 years
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100
1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk? More milk than cereal (nothing worse than dry cereal)
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day? Yes (but I don’t like the feeling of cold air in my ears)
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books? Pens
4: how do you take your coffee/tea? Both with milk and sugar
5: are you self-conscious of your smile? Yes very
6: do you keep plants? I have some dying roses but that’s it
7: do you name your plants? Dying roses
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings? Dad dancing
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself? Yes
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? Side, people who sleep on their back are weird and people who sleep on their stomach must not have boobs
11: what’s an inner joke you have with your friends? “Happy woof dog walker"
12: what’s your favorite planet? Pluto. Fight me. 
13: what’s something that made you smile today? @loadsofutternonsense
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like? The friend would look like @loadsofutternonsense the flat would look like an idea showroom (also I really want a bed sunken into the floor) and the city would look like London 15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is! You can get lightning in space
16: what’s your favorite pasta dish? Spaghetti carbonara 
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair? Really dark red/brown 
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up. Once I stuck a pencil in my eyebrow (I was really young) in an attempt to skip school and the lead broke off in my head and there’s still a visible blue dot above my eyebrow!
19: do you keep a journal? What do you write/draw/ in it? Nope but if I did I would try and draw the best bird I saw each day
20: what’s your favorite eye color? Green
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that’s been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces. I don’t have a favourite bag!
22: are you a morning person? Yeah sure if the morning starts at 1pm
23: what’s your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations? @loadsofutternonsense
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets? @loadsofutternonsense
25: what’s the weirdest place you’ve ever broken into? What no I’m a well behaved citizen 
26: what are the shoes you’ve had for forever and wear with every single outfit? My mum always throws away shoes when I’m getting attached to them (when they get gross)
27: what’s your favorite bubblegum flavor? Bubblegum.
28: sunrise or sunset? Sunset 
29: what’s something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing? @loadsofutternonsense has the cutest smile
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared? Yes, I’m fairly pathetic
31: what is your opinion of socks? Do you like wearing weird socks? Do you sleep with socks? Do you confine yourself to white sock hell? Really, just talk about socks. I LOVE SOCKS I LOVE ALL SOCKS I LOVE MISMATCHING MY SOCKS I LOVE NEW SOCKS I LOVE PATTERNED SOCKS I REALLY WANT ALL THE SOCKS
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3am when you were with friends. I’m really not that cool I don’t get out that often
33: what’s your fave pastry? APPLE PIE
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. What is it called? What does it look like? Do you still keep it? As a kid????? I still have tons but my special one is an owl called Psusu (the P is silent) he’s super cool and has loads of jumpers my granny knitted him
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? Do you use them often? YES but I don’t use them that often
36: which band’s sound would fit your mood right now? The 1975 kinda have songs for all my moods so…
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean? I like keeping it clean I just never manage to
38: tell us about your pet peeves! People in general
39: what color do you wear the most? Grey
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what’s it’s story? Does it have any meaning to you? A silver ring with my school crest on and the date of our final year.
41: what’s the last book you remember really, really loving? How we’ll live on Mars by Stephen Petranek
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? Describe it! Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium! A cat cafe that @loadsofutternonsense took me to 43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with? No one 
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything? I’m constantly anxious
45: do you trust your instincts a lot? No
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of. You can drive but do you avocado….yeah awful
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe? Avocados
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? Is it the same today? YES, the sea in general I absolutely hate it
49: do you like buying cds and records? What was the last one you bought? Yasssss so much! A head full of dreams- coldplay
50: what’s an odd thing you collect? Tickets but that’s not that odd
51: think of a person. What song do you associate with them? @loadsofutternonsense
Loving somwone- the 197552: what are your favorite memes of the year so far? Orange cheeto
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? Heathers? Beetlejuice? Pulp fiction? What do you think of them? No actually never watched any of these 
54: who’s the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face? “Yourself in the mirror” - @loadsofutternonsense
55: what’s the most dramatic thing you’ve ever done to prove a point? I’m so dramatic and now I can’t think of anything!
56: what are some things you find endearing in people? Letting me pet their dogs. 
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. How did it make you feel? Did you dramatically reenact the lyrics? It just made me miss my friend Lucy
58: who’s the wine mom and who’s the vodka aunt in your group of friends? Why? @loadsofutternonsense only because I’ve offended him in saying so
59: what’s your favorite myth? My love life (jk)
60: do you like poetry? What are some of your faves? No I don’t like poetry at all
61: what’s the stupidest gift you’ve ever given? The stupidest one you’ve ever received? I gave my friend a shirt I knew she hated just to annoy her. She gave me three odd socks in return. 
62: do you drink juice in the morning? Which kind? No I drink coffee because I’m weak
63: are you fussy about your books and music? Do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be? No not really my CDs are scattered around my car and my books are all on various different shelves in my parents’ house 
64: what color is the sky where you are right now? Black
65: is there anyone you haven’t seen in a long time who you’d love to hang out with? Unsure actually
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like? Dying roses ;)
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel? They make me feel less guilty about staying inside and playing video games
68: what’s winter like where you live? Cold it’s England, not snowy enough
69: what are your favorite board games? Risk, harry potter cluedo, diplomacy, the game of life, settlers of catan
70: have you ever used a ouija board? Nope
71: what’s your favorite kind of tea? Peach iced 
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you’ll forget it? Yes but in denial about it
73: what are some of your worst habits? Having no emotions (I kid I have some)
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns. Complete idiot who I love very much 
75: tell us about your pets! I HAVE TOO MANY AND I LOVE THEM ALL TOO MUCH
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren’t? Maths or @loadsofutternonsense77: pink or yellow lemonade? Pink
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub? Somewhere in the middle
79: what’s one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you? @loadsofutternonsense
once surprised me after class which was adorable, he’s also surprised me with roses (currently dying)80: what color are your bedroom walls? Did you choose that color? If so, why? Boring white I didn’t choose that colour my parents did.
81: describe one of your friend’s eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of. This requires imagination which I don’t have
82: are/were you good in school? Not really 
83: what’s some of your favorite album art? Death of a bachelor- panic! At the disco
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? Which ones? No but if I saw a tattoo I really really liked I might consider it
85: do you read comics? What are your faves? Not anymore but I used to read captain America ones
86: do you like concept albums? Which ones? Unsure
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives? BRIDGET JONES (all 3), LOVE ACTUALLY, STAR WARS AND CLOUD ATLAS
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy? No
89: are you close to your parents? No
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities. I’m not a fan of cities 
91: where do you plan on traveling this year? Hopefully Scotland in the summer and I’m going to Norway next week
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch? Somewhere between (cheese is great)
93: what’s the hairstyle you wear the most? 
My hair does its own thing no one can stop it94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday? My friend Lauren
95: what are your plans for this weekend? Falconry, packing for norway and visiting my granny
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot? My. Laptop. Is. Broken. Would if I could 
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house? Can’t remember. Gemini. Hufflepuff. 
98: when’s the last time you went hiking? Did you enjoy it? 2015 I went to Madagascar I loved it and hated it
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them. Chocolate - the 1975, Black me out - against me!
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? Why? 5 years in the future! Because hopefully I’ll have more freedom then and also @loadsofutternonsense will be there, he wouldn’t be if I went back 5 years
@loadsofutternonsense is an idiot and I did not enjoy answering all 100 questions
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Trove Redemption Codes
{And also not the real Alamo in Dallas, evidently, nevertheless the an individual I built-in a cleft connecting two eco-good hillsides while unpleasant flying little bugs what size Paul Reubens pestered me. While using whirlwind tour of this dragon's lair. |{Most courses and so become fantastically not much like one other, while which can not are actually too hard to achieve, serious about that each and every session only will receive 3 or more talents. "X" scars the got rid off dungeon, or, just a bit of ironically, the looted jewel. The preserving luxury? Trove Bot Fishing carries a marvelous town, which is kindness more often than not consists of for losing out on attributes. Trove Bot Fishing is still highly sought after on Water vapor on the grounds that its first round the base returning in such a the summertime 9--increasingly popular, indeed, that to this day, queues typically depart me awaiting thirty minutes for the hr prior to I'm free to insert. Once scores of hours of have fun playing, that perception continues to have not entirely faded, but i imagine I'll soon ought to procedure from Trove Bot Fishing for a little bit to stay it. The first time I logged Certainly, it is easy to in the event you This isn’t an issue through map to be got rid off, it is just do some info then continues for your immediately following. |mindful Yes indeed, you can easily inform which method you experienced experienced only by hunting at that you been with your plate but, I ended up getting to inquire about a global funnel how you can enhance modes considering that it was an element that turned out to be professional during the early steps and was not one thing I reached using for a serious while. It's so polished indeed that Trion could conveniently mention the Trion has a ideal customer service framework in place for Trove Bot Fishing. The talk service or product is very easy to use which is utilised a bit typically by athletes. “We want to look at Trove Bot Fishing,” mused RPS’s “Hundreds of many of us are actively playing it, so there should be one thing fantastic about it. However so that the resourceful team through experience bot has long been at a loss relating to the avarice team: there are specific marvelous co-operative buildings found in the ‘Clubs’, a model of Guild/individual shard hybrid, but most commonly everyone’s sprinting a whole lot of exactly the same dungeons repeatedly wanting to find past experiences, rare metal coin and related equipment. |Most people dim and misty mountain peak tops, the skeletal C418 soundtrack which seems like a sluggish-movements existential crisis, the brutality through night time-time monster invasions prior to you’re almost everything like completely ready for them… Minecraft has, for the vanilla flavor mode, environment developing outside of No-an individual wants ideas purely because no facts are important, no mysteries wait for: everything’s rapidly, you should merely get a sufficient amount of pieces to make it, or else you get it. wands and masks by reaching circumstances, I possibly could commit my winnings on setting up pieces of equipment that to make other pieces of equipment or change obstructs with many other hues, I possibly could step by step enlarge my ‘Cornerstone’ constant base consequently it could feature each one of these items, I possibly could smacked circumstances attractive circumstances attractive circumstances, and And not excessively in I possibly could touch just how much 2 and switch a bloody great dragon approximately 15 mere seconds. Regardless of whether jointly or all alone, toiling away from at stunning buildings is a thing you can do near you want, while not having to commit a cent. It is effective. focused inside the Quite a few them also have dialog which is an individual little bit of too youngster-on target into my tastes (purely because many them are usually definitely focused at kids than the others) but it is typically worthwhile for all those minerals and vitamins. Just a single time of Steven Realm has more of all many people circumstances than pretty much all of Michael Bay’s filmography. For certain, but many people cartoons are by grown people who more on cartoons and so are making cartoons notably so they really have a solid appeal to grown people and particular signifying for grown people. |It's absolutely nothing intellectual contents, absolutely nothing subtlety, and nil appeal to anyone who isn’t just using in becoming a toddler (which may be a legitimate goal, occasionally). comments. Once I had been young-looking, we’d make valid groups with this particular associates, and make valid circumstances. situations. This is exactly what I meant making use of minecraft details nevertheless. Moisture underneath the connect, I guess: that then, Trion? I’m acquainted with men or women analyzing every voxel experience bot ever before to minecraft, but i didn’t foresee witnessing That lots of reviews in a single summary :O Do you have even think about solitary perhaps the experience bot with no rapidly analyzing it to such type of like? You possess some fantastic ideas as part of your short post and that also i concur with a few details, while Specifically, i believe that it is genuinely annoying to ascertain if there is a compare to Minecraft or maybe Seriously every 2 phrases. extremely difficult to Hell, the game itself is merely an individual tremendous compare. Despite the fact Trove Bot Fishing is a thing I’ve rarely practiced and the majority prone won't. for your place I seriously took in with the dialog. this youngster isn't a reviewer, he is just a hater declaring his belief that is not going to determine what Voxelization is -.- When this actually sounds like an assessment now, then I'll end up being a reviewer soon too, underlying cause this mindless youngster doesn’t even participate in the experience bot appropriately, and also be aware of words in becoming a pleasant experience bot reviewer, he just claims his belief, which you'll Hardly ever do inside a summary, only if |Certainly not an assessment, only a Thoughts and opinions and also a Loathe Speech. Actual facts. It isn't a considerable amount of randomization or almost everything, but i thought it was interesting a sufficient amount of to actually force my explorer switches. No article no ‘quests’ but nevertheless selling a professional sum of experience bot free of cost. about it's fully free. What’s drastically wrong with this particular? Oh, and merely poking exciting at whomever explained farmville was considerably P2W, about 80-90Per cent Through the experience bot offerings is become definitely free of cost and may be in the long run purchased to the people who spend extra money. Allocate through things you explained was valid, but, you were pretty much signifying that you just even though it was really a crappy experience bot for anyone but kids. you're mindless? failing to try to remember Trion is really a Manufacturer? also, its the entire parents / guardians there concern, for people with a strong youngster, like we that, they rarely bitch about taking info, say such things as “mommy, mom i would personally like this” can really make my parents / guardians merely say “there is perhaps not that you need to want” accomplish of disagreement. Nothing at all in this experience bot is required to be paid for for with valid hard cash, other than vision shifts. reveal You receive a sufficient amount of in-experience bot currency exchange that choosing almost everything is entirely additional. Nevertheless: 50Per cent past experiences will mean pretty much practically nothing. |We do not fear of farmville, but purely because extended because doing so backing Trion to allow them to continue creating Rift (Thats generally, IMO, the ideal Seriously type MMO out), then I’m Why is it necessary to label it for children, mocking all people which can truly benefit from the experience bot and isn’t a son or daughter. categorization It is a terrific sector judgment for Trion, but we’re able to a spade a spade. It was a step through vintage approach experience bot he’d chosen from his designs and towards a far more voyage-oriented installation. So are you willing to describe why parents / guardians would pay up a its a MMO Mash em Up Dungeon Exploror / Sandbox experience bot. you have rarely Toward the RPS town: I'm truly sorry for giving the troll, but i couldn't depart this particular one factor. Trove Bot Fishing kinda jogs my memory of my fav experience bot which has been COH/COV. Amen sibling, amen. It's fantastic to see what’s attainable every now and again which RPS does. |You just climbed to figure out how to job the buying and selling Individuals that commit plenty of cash are considered the sort who're impatient and hope one thing rapidly. We’re thusly quite not actually near to blaming cancerous cells onto the guys and females. We do not guard actively playing Air conditioning (and reckoned I had been considerably clear about my personal-loathing in addition to that, we have inevitably quit actively playing it, I’m happy to status) but yeah, Utilized to do wish to was exploring one thing (even if to make money or structure fascination I’m truthfully at night about) beyond genuinely purposely as a hamster tire. myself Actually? During my opionion, Trove Bot Fishing is often a relatively humanist sort of the normal f2p phase. Regardless of whether it consistently requests extra money to finish circumstances, pause actively playing, remove it and go on to |It designed around assisting you to develop start seeing just one advertising every couple of hours to come up with cash flow for them… this is done on a short term in-experience bot tempo improve. wings free of cost, pets discount and any other thing are available with ingame currency exchange) is just not ideal. can certainly too minecraft tower mod had different business with dungeons quite a few years returning, cubeworld didn’t improve that. This game’s town is filled with kids, since you can conveniently understand and uncomplicated to become involved in, but this doesn’t indicate, that it's intended for kids or that it's a ‘kids game’! I like actively playing RPGs, but i can’t stay RPGs, for which you can’t truly advance very fast, as you should do quests and Have to do raids and info (for example Seriously) to gain inside the optimum range! And I’m only a couple of an individual. But Trove Bot Fishings economic conditions died one or two weeks returning, so that is through impression. for the stow are credits only, you do not get scores of fully free credits. disagree making use of Trove Bot Fishing is undoubtedly an rpg experience bot where only way to expire is washed out by competitors, fall cause damage to, or detrimental bodily fluids (toxic standard tap water and lava) Not from hunger or other success factors. so there's no technique of be sure to take returning and “get a more efficient mount” after you have any install aside from the beginner. You need to insert a excursion business or center business, obtain a foundation there, while focusing onto it there. Really, they're able to opt for mainly because they go, designing just as much or very small of this very specific biome mainly because they really feel compliment. |an adequate sum of main obstructs to make the amount of just one one more hue were required to put together the most convenient of buildings be a challenge, you've yet reached grind for a lot of hue recipes. A center couple of factors, as for instance dungeon structure as well as dearth of block styles given to learners, can certainly obstruct delight for a few. Trove Bot Fishing is really a voxel-built voyage Mmog from Trion. Golfers can simply replace courses and talents to modify to ever before-changing worlds. more rapid, and Dynamic Burned Presenting - Throws a Dragon Idol that has to positively be smacked 4 The work set about owning a perception put together a experience bot that evokes a perception you get for those who originally go to a completely new business and start to be aware of more details on. Trion Worlds’ voxel MMO voyage experience bot Trove Bot Fishing gets into Open up Beta currently for Playstation 4 and Xbox A specific. I discovered this to be rather unpleasant. put in a If you happen to someone who really enjoys attempting to find new loot, you'll become in your home. |{It would be not actually near to image credible, nonetheless it appearances damn pleasant. There'll in the long run arrived a space that single have fun playing isn’t really a preference, but that’s truly a lot in. There are numerous fairly obtuse methods and two heads are preferable over an individual. {}all over the world take pleasure in the game which is two expansions, Cause problems for of Dark areas and Specter of Torment, then when an accumulation of this 3 in a single download round the Transition was unveiled, i had been quite happy. The Two expansions included in Value Trove Bot Fishing stick to the tales of two series' villains Cause problems for Dark night time and Specter Dark night time. All advertising campaign constitutes a great, standalone experience bot, but mixing them grants many ideal contents in one location for brand spanking new arrivals with the collection. Regardless of whether searching jewel in a lot-off lands or setting up realms of this, it is rarely been this best to be sq! The first thing that indeed delighted use is perhaps the sharp graphics they appear like minecraft-ant but all at once they're striking , more than happy and sharpened a component which will make the game more really good. the There are several multiple courses to choose from black night time to Burial place Raider every session is unique along with other the very best of this is that you may fast change from an individual session to a different and range each of them up. Trovian and Trovian Cruise. resourceful athletes and people who obtain a excursion stuffed with loot and eliminate. Yet, I A good time was had by all, implemented by loud cursing.
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2gameprince · 7 years
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Black Earth
Alone and way up high upon the peak of the universe sat the planet of darkened seas and grey lands. Up, high and above all the stars of space, there loomed a misty sphere full of the memories and essences of a time and spirit long washed away by the entirety of creation. It almost floated, dangling from a mighty celestial string that was held up by the godly right hand of Atlas. And it was here, amidst the Black Earth, where the whole of mankind had first brought light into the world; as well as where they allowed that light to fade. For all of creation had come to a halt, and across space the stars and clusters, of all things that reflected with the eclipsing glow of creation, all stopped and were viewed out from a decaying horizon. The universe was dead, and everything in it had taken its last breath. All was a peaceful wind now, as the ethos and all those dark places beyond the infinity of time came pouring back, killing switches and shutting down the cosmos. Whole nebulas became swallowed up by fits of spontaneous inhales, executed by the universe. And suddenly, without warning, all the sense of existence and consciousness traveled back to the place where it had all began. This was the Black Earth. The planet hadn’t looked much different, other than it resembling a black and white globe, appearing as if it had been filmed through an old black & white camera. I stood in the silver pod that floated just beyond the outer atmospheres of the great dying ball. The pod was egg like, with long windows around malformed sides. And it was here I looked out on that place, where the sinking sun came over the aura of the earth, only to dissolve on it’s way back up into the nothingness from which it had originally spawned. Then, there came the passing cycle of the moon. Yet, the sun had gone away, so the moon refused to glow. And it was in the moment of the sun’s passing that the moon, in all it’s ashy beauty, began to crumble to a black and grey papery waste, like the end of a burning cigarette. The moon fell away and down into the abyss beneath the last planet and the last remaining stars. This happened until the moon was but a memory, and when I was sure it was never coming back, I wept. All that was left was the Black Earth and the twenty six stars that still held on to the space around the world. It was will, and perhaps my hope, that kept those last remaining stars in the sky for just a little while longer. With each thing that died, I tried to bask in the vision of these things just one more time. One by one the stars trickled out of being, and eventually, when the last one finally fell, there was only the Black Earth and the void of absence around it. But, there did float me, in the pod, and sitting back as I counted the seconds the planet had left. I put my hand to my beard and felt it’s vigor. I remembered the fire and the spirit that once emanated through this complex; And the lives that were started and stopped in the endless cycle of this neutral force of existence. Creation had played it’s song, and the time for all things had ended with a fine flicker. But, I wasn’t ready to see it all die. I took every last second I could before I had to press the button and bring it all to it’s final destination. That was my purpose, you see. I’m the man with the big red button. And with this button I end everything. Prejudice to no one, and never all-knowing, I control the leavers and the springs that turn this machine. I am the absolute force of all that had ever been and I cry to see it all end, time and time again. This is the fourth time it has all had to die, with me, overseeing it’s complete and utter desolation. Death is sad, and when the universe once again comes into being, I will hesitate once more, eventually giving into my duty and pressing that same button once more. The years of my life are uncountable, but still I stand idol to my position and stick to it, for the destruction of all things is all that I know. And all that I know is born and slain within the blink of an eye. This is being. And from my pod I will turn by back on the Black Earth, and long after the last button has been pressed. And behind me the earth will fade. The black oceans will become one with space and the lands will fall into the seas. Then, all will cease to be. In a blink all that I have ever admired is nothingness, and the pod launches itself backward through the ethos, past places beyond time or space. I walk, as I always had, through the entrance of my home beyond the conscious veil of all pasts and presents, contained within this palace I shared with the other Arbiters of All. As I walked the hall to my room I passed the chambers of my flatmates along the way. I first saw Fate. He sat in his room of string, making up new stands for the next few millennium, when life would be recreated and he would once again take dominion over the lives of all living things. After I had destroyed the world, it was Fate’s job to recreated the strings of life which represented every being that would come to exist, and from there, decide how long their existence lasted. Sure, sometimes he would run into trouble. He’d be running with scissors, trip and accidentally cut two hundred strings on the way down. Fate was a true klutz. Rarely, he would run into the issue of cutting particular life strings. If the will of the person attached to the string was strong, Fate would have to through his various scissors before finding one that could counteract and finally break the will of the person unwilling to pass on. Fate gave me a faded wave as I passed by his door; Somewhat annoyed because every time I had to end the universe it meant a whole other millennium of work for him, making up strings and such. Father Time was in the cathedral as always, playing the life out of his organ and collecting up hours, minutes and seconds up into the great old clock that hung above his throne. In my opinion Father Time was probably the most important arbiter out of us all. Without his say so, nothing would go forward and Fate’s strings might very well just last forever, never growing old like the mortals they were attached to. Father Time was an old man with a long white beard, and he kind of dressed like a pope from Earth. That is, Earth before it went black. Father Time knew everything, even things that hadn’t happened yet. He was truly a marvel to beheld. Lastly, on my way down the grand all, I stopped by the room of Fruition. I wasn’t sure if Fruition was a boy or a girl. He never made it easy to figure out. I’m pretty sure Father Time knew, but I was always too nervous to ask. Fruition was created by Father Time. She was this sort of assurance to him that, even if all time stopped, she would come along to push things forward in his absence. So in a way, she wasn’t just growth and innovation. She was also a part of time. Fruition lived in a room of flowers and waterfalls, and he was always accompanied by animals he would create from thin air. He was truly magical. Fruition was the only person who seemed to understand Fate, and the three of us worked best when all together. I always wondered why that was, but me and Fate chalked it up to Fruition’s great social prowess. Finally, reaching the end of the hall, I came to my room. Fire, sulfur, volcanos and pouring ash came down from the skies and up from the ground. I was Destruction, and it was my purpose to destroy everything. Every time it was my turn to play the role existence had dealt me, I always remembered the Black Earth. I used to have nightmares about how what it would be like if I was a mortal upon the planet during one of it’s many demises. My room doesn’t help the thoughts of my fear, and rather, over time I’ve grown tired of ending things. Maybe next millennia I’ll turn a new leaf or ask Father Time for a change in positions. Only for a little while, so the bad dreams will go away. So, tonight I’ll settle on my obsidian bed and wrap myself in a blanket of lava, slumbering beneath a sky of lightning, fire, tears and falling rocks.
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