Chapter One
Swirling your brush in a cup the clinking sound echoes in the open space, reminding you of the click of a gun. The once red color in the cup turned a murky violet. A dark dusk of sorts. Your head spun as you tried not to focus on the color, fire filling your vision before it disappeared as you pulled your paintbrush back and dipped it in a soothing blue, some light green tipped on the now wet brush end.
Staring at a picture of a blurry silhouette with sharp clothes you hum wondering what color eyes they had. As you stir new shades and tints on your pallet you imagine what the person's nose shape was like. If their mouth was big or small. Where they belonged in the jumble that was your brain and the locked past it held. The fish swimming around the person's head was a stylistic choice but as you mixed the blue and green you wondered if there was more to it. If the person enjoyed the aquatic creatures or perhaps lived near the river edge?
"(Y/N)." Not looking up from your latest artwork as Caitlyn walked in you frowned, taking a step back to try and piece it all together. The last light of the day leaked through the giant studio windows giving your work a golden halo, putting it in a new perspective. Studying the edges and the details you'd painted they became blurry with the sunlight. Clutching your pallet knife you tilt your head, this piece had less detail on the person than your other ones. However, the colors were bolder and more defined with sharper lines. The background was the emphasis but for once you felt like you actually knew what this person looked like. You just weren't able to paint it yet, not fully committed to the details.
How strange that you remembered this outfit so clearly, having drawn it a million times but not the features of the person who wore it. Mixing a different color on your pallet without looking down you purse your lips trying to concentrate as you add something else to the background. You could faintly remember sea blue. Maybe a soft gray or green. A lighthouse or the ocean perhaps? Is that why you added the fish?
Whoever he was, he was important as this wasn't the first portrait you'd done of him. He was a lanky man in a red and black suit with a white dress shirt. The background was a blur of grays and greens with purple brush strokes that looked like fish but maybe smoke if you squinted. The whole picture was odd. Staring at it too long made your head hurt because it felt strangely familiar. He was important to you. Whoever he was. Just another piece of the puzzle that was your past.
"You know usually I'm the one obsessing." She states referring to her yellow tape and red thread board back home. "Come now you can't wear your smock to the art show tonight." Caitlyn scolds as she places a nice outfit down on the cleared part of your glass art desk. You shook your head in response tsking softly.
That was a risky move given the fact paint somehow always got on your clothes no matter what you did in this room. Briefly glancing at the ensemble you wonder if she was trying to ruin the clothes to make an excuse to skip the event, whatever it was tonight.
As the natural light began to fade the painting no longer glowing, you signed placing your brushes and pallet down. The blank face of the man you were trying to paint wasn't going to get any more detail any time soon. Though you guessed that's just how it worked. Reaching out wishing you could pull the man out of the painting, ask him all your burning questions, you paused not wanting to touch the wet paint.
He wouldn't be able to answer you anyways. Bits and pieces, never the whole picture. Always searching and wanting for more. Insatiable…
"(Y/N)." Caitlyn states again as she tries to gain your attention but your focus was elsewhere, lost in this room and your work. Taking a deep breath to try and gather yourself for whatever she was going to say next, you could feel a headache coming on and you didn't like it. Rubbing at your temples you hum indicating you want her to continue but she remains quiet waiting for you to speak.
Rolling your eyes before staring at your painting as your hands touch the glass of your art desk behind you, you try and ground yourself. To bring yourself back to a safe space. Instead you think of your endless collages, or the box of failed faces. As one hand came to press against your forehead pushing your hair back and giving you some clarity you spared a glance at said box which you'd pushed into the corner out of frustration. Another recently failed project. You'd tried placing different details from different paintings and projects together, overlapping them over one another to try and get a full person. They always came out looking horrid. Like some kind of twisted nightmare rather than a real person from a memory. Very occasionally you'd get a full face but mostly you had slightly warped portraits or very blurred places. Nothing solid if it was anything before you came to Piltover.
As your fingers touched the box observing the torn pieces of canvas and failed attempts you realized you'd crossed the room without noticing. Humming you paused, wandering if you should worry about that. About to sass Caitlyn, your words suddenly die on your tongue as your eye catches something. One of your shredded pieces that had bright pink and blue. Your hand shook as your thumb grazed the ungesssoed canvas and faintly you heard distant laughter. Echoing in an alley.
"Art… Art show?" You finally question Caitlyn, composing yourself as you let your hands fall to your sides so you could steady them and let her untie your messy smock. As you let go of the canvas and stepped back from the box slowly your mind was getting out of painting mode. You began to relax as you focused on your friend and what she was saying rather than your lost memories. The woman in question groans in exasperation before pinching her nose as she steps back letting you shrug off the apron. Noticing she's in her enforcer uniform and not a dress for what you assume is a galle event you smile and shake your head as she takes the apron from you hanging it up on its hook with the others. Stepping towards your curtains as she does that, you close them before the room's timer goes off and gas powered light fills the space with an artificial glow.
Only gone a minute and you already missed the sunlight.
"Honestly I thought I was the obsessed one. Your dad rented out the gallery again," She informs you like a mother scolding a child who forgot something important. Needing to do something not able to sit still as you come out of your trance state she begins walking around the room cleaning up things in the messy space as she tries to get you ready to go. Scraping paint off pallets and dumping them into soapy water to soak you watch with an amused smile as she places your brushes on the counter to be cleaned later. She paces nervously fidgeting with one of your brushes before turning towards you looking worried. Her Violet eyes seeming unsure.."... Don't you remember? He's showing your work tonight. He's been talking about it all week." Caitlyn states before she pushes off whatever emotions she was feeling as she crossed her arms. You briefly remember that conversation but was that really tonight? The week had been a blur of research and projects and events, flashing cameras and reporters all over the campus as you tried to study and work. There was barely a moment's rest to yourself until you locked the door to your art studio for some peace and quiet. Groaning as you pinch your nose and clench your eyes you wish one of your maids had reminded you but with how distracted you'd been lately maybe they had.
Swallowing you looked towards a vase in the room. Flowers your father had dropped off while you were deep in thought and surrounded by your artwork. Thinking back you couldn't remember the conversation but logically it was likely about the gallery. Pulling at your hair out of habit you hummed, you really were a mess as of late. With the anniversary of you being found soon you guessed that made sense. Your thoughts and feelings all being in disarray, your "spells" being worse than usual.
Staring at the water cup with the swirling purple you see the smoke again, you taste the gun powder. Thinking back that was one of your more clear memories, the first you were sure was true. Blinking you were back on that bridge again. The smoke making you choke before the rush of clear air as your dad's heavy enforcer mask settled over your face. You could feel yourself being small, feel his uniform as he pressed you into his shoulder and took you home. The question had been deeply ingrained in you for so long but you still didn't know the answer; What were you doing on that bridge?
Closing your eyes not wanting to think of that right now you took another deep breath to steady yourself. You didn't want to spiral.
"That's tonight?" You ask not sure how you forgot as you begin to take off your shirt to change. Caitlyn's face goes red and she turns away from you before tapping her foot angrily. The sound bounces around in your head and something about this feels familiar in a way you can't quite explain.
Sharp blue eyes on a stern face and crossed arms come to mind as a black boot taps impatiently away but the flash is gone as soon as it comes. Touching your desk feeling cool glass under your fingertips you swallowed. Did you take your meds today, your headaches were worse than usual, these flashes more frequent… your therapist warned the incoming anniversary of you being found could trigger some repressed memories but this felt excessive. You'd been doing so well.
"Yes, now hurry up and get dressed! I'm your escort and bodyguard tonight. Marcus tried to put me outside but I didn't want to miss anything. Just..." She hesitates and you smile softly as you put on the white shirt with the looped gold collar. The golden hoop of the white dress shirt hung heavy around your neck as it looped and clicked behind your shoulders but sliding the black slacks on you admit Caitlyn chose well, never one for fashion didn't mean she didn't have a good eye. You'd be lost without her in more ways than one. Slipping on a dress jacket that was your favorite color you hum glancing at the wall of mirrors in your studio. Doing a little spin watching seven you's spin back in response you nod to yourself.
"Just in case." You finish her thought for her as you smooth out the shirt and jacket with a blank face. Seeing your reflection she sighs and you hum smiling as you keep adjusting your clothes to look presentable. Your headaches had been at an all time low before today and despite your forgetfulness and the dreaded upcoming date you felt confident. I mean your skull was pounding and the flashes were more frequent but you knew you could handle the gala tonight, you had done it before with way worse pain and you didn't want anyone to think something was wrong.
You were fine, everything was fine…
"Just please tell me you didn't forget! I couldn't get off duty tonight to attend as a guest. To schedule myself at your gala as a guard I had to take a double shift at work and to be your personal escort and guard that was a whole nother mountain of paperwork and personal favors. A lot of enforcers like your work ya know, and all the new guards want to meet you. I mean you are your father's child. Everyone wants to show their support. Or get… favors." She states matter of factly with slight distaste making you chuckle. The both of you were no stranger to your families status and the luxuries that came with your last names.
"Right, my hero." You hum a teasing smile on your lips as you watch your friend rant getting out her emotions about these type of events and what people really wanted from them. They were meant to help people and yet help was often the last thing on people's minds unless it was them getting it. You had to admit as she lectured the wall she was cute. Her overprotectiveness always made you feel special and even as her new job as an Enforcer you were always on her mind. Maybe not in the same way as before but you could accept that. As you adjust your jacket, sticking your hands into the pocket, you send her a playful smirk.. "Oh and you do know escort has a double meaning, correct Caitlyn darling?" You ask in a sultry voice wanting to tease her hoping it'll loosen her up a bit. She turns and staring at her, her violet eyes scan your form. Puffing out her cheeks embarrassed as she understands what you mean you walk out of the studio with her following close behind.
You catch her smile in the corner of your eye but say nothing simply walking outside into the hallway and through the large manor to the awaiting carriage outside.
~~~
The ride had been quiet the last few minutes. You'd joked about opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate but Caitlyn gently informed you she couldn't drink tonight and you didn't want to be sipping alone. A rock had formed in your throat and as you fidgeted with your hands every jolt of the carriage put you on edge. What had started as a fun ride was slowly turning into your worst nightmare as the Galla got closer.
Caitlyn these last couple months had gone from your closest friend to your body guard, one of her most frequent Enforcer jobs being to watch you. As work and friendship crossed you were unsure where your new relationship stood. If you were just overthinking and if it had changed at all.
As the carriage stops suddenly you hum feeling your stomach doing flips. Adjusting your accessories and clothes nervously, you close your eyes feeling the pulsing behind your eyes worsen. The thought that you could claw your temples open to feel some relief crosses your mind but you stay silent not voicing that thought. Caitlyn frowns noticing your unsteady state before she takes your hands into her own.
Eyes snapping to look at hers at the surprise contact her thumb brushes the back of your palm. "You're not looking very well. If you're not up for it we can turn around. Say you got sick…" She suggests softly before looking towards the curtain separating you from the driver. Staying quiet not wanting to be teased, one of her hands goes to your cheek and leaning into her hold you close your eyes taking a deep breath. What a nice thought…
"I'm just tired. I'll be fine after some wine." You joke before sighing deeply as she just stares at you waiting for the truth. You shift in the plush seats and just breathe. These events could be fun or cumbersome, tonight seemed to be the later. Shifting the curtains when you no longer feel bumps you realize you'd arrived. As you watch cameras flash, high society people get their pictures taken before entering the galla. You were no stranger to being in the spotlight and yet you felt you never quite belonged there. Your art told a story, your story. And you weren't sure if you wanted to share it. Especially since you barely knew your story yourself. You don't remember how the Gallas started, only that once your first piece was put up it hadn't stopped since.
A prodigy some called you. An imposter you told yourself.
"I-" She starts but your hand is already on the carriage handle before you lose the nerve. Twisting and pushing it open light floods your eyes as your regular driver waits outside for you. Voices surround you and you feel woozy as you're transported to a different place with different sounds. Your driver bows, snapping you back before holding out his hand. Feeling disorientated you reach out, your touch going from cold metal to warm leather. As he grips your hand firmly your eyes widen. Stepping down from the carriage into his hold you get a memory of someone holding your hand as you hop down from a curb. A man in a red and black suit…
As people chatter away excited to get a glimpse of you, reporters ask questions as cameras flash. The drivers grip remains and each step down the carriage steps contains a different image but right as your about to get the whole picture, the flashes are over in an instant. Just like the camera shutters around you.
As you stand there eyes wide in surprise, Caitlyn puts her hand to your back shocking you. You snap out of it, grounded by her touch and knowing smile before you begin to walk forwards at her silent instruction. Waving at reporters from famous newspapers you act normal. Enforcers nod keeping the crowd contained but the familiar faces do nothing to soothe your feelings.
Standing tall you walk forward with practiced elegance, reminding yourself you only need to make it to the entrance. As journalists fire off their usual questions about your outfit, your art, and if you've had any recent episodes you smile and wave not answering any of them. Caitlyn stands close as she follows you, her hand pressed firmly against your back and soon you stand in front of two polished doors. The enforcers on either side glare at Caitlyn before smiling at you as they bow and let you both inside. You don't miss Caitlyn's frown but it's gone as quick as it comes, similar to your flashes.
Unable to dwell on it, you walk through the open entrance and into the large art gallery. As you hear the familiar click of the heavy doors behind you, the light changes as you go from outside to inside. Your familiar work hangs from every wall in the space and you know every guest in this room.
Breathing heavily Caitlyn opens her mouth to say something but decides against it. You're grateful, only needing a minute from her. Leaning down and closing your eyes you hum, taking a deep breath before you nod and compose yourself.
Observing the space you took comfort in seeing your work. Some of the pieces are projected as holograms lighting up the room, while others are sculptures scattered about, and elsewhere are large oil paintings and mixed medium collages. Letting out a deep breath you didn't know you were holding you let yourself relax. While the night isn't over it feels safer surrounded by things you understand. With Caitlyn's hand moving from your back to more comfortably settle on your shoulder you nod at her feeling the episode pass.
A real smile begins to overtake your face as you take in all your old work. Your father was good at asking before picking some of your pieces to sell and getting his friend who owned the gallery to hang and price them. While some were harder to give up then others you always said yes putting all the money you made towards the Undercity and the relief effort you'd started there. The orphanage and jail always appreciating your efforts. It wasn't much compared to what else you could be doing but your father liked to organize these for you to give you some peace of mind about the UnderCity and its limited resources. You know he'd much prefer you'd paint full time and let him handle the charity affairs. He didn't want you going into any dangerous job options like Caitlyn and him had.
"A full house tonight. You never cease to impress." Caitlyn states as she bumps your shoulder. Nodding as you come out of your haze, seeing a lot of familiar faces and some new ones in the corner of your eye you watch as people mingle and talk about your art. Trays stacked high with hor de vours and various selections of alcohol pass making the guests smile and laugh as they took their fill.
Searching the room you get a wide smile on your face as you see Jayce and Victor standing off to the side. They're looking at one your father insisted on displaying so he could buy it and support your cause. Running towards them you hug Viktor before he can respond. He stumbles back leg nearly buckling but hugs you back with the same enthusiasm you do him. His laugh lightens your mood as Jayce helps support his fellow inventor and you hum as he squeezes you tight. Jayce joins the hug with his own laugh before he takes you from Viktor and picks you up spinning you around.
"Show off." Viktor teases as he taps his cane against Jayces leg. Jayce simply snorts and puts you down much to the amusement of onlooking guests. He ruffles your hair before doing the same to Viktor with that same hearty smile. Caitlyn, while seeming unamused, has the tinest smile on her lips at your childish behavior.
"Look at you. You're a regular Divinchi." Jayce compliments before he wraps an arm around your shoulder and gestures to your work. Feeling your cheeks darken you lean against him happy he could make it with his busy schedule. He chuckles at your flustered expression and tucks some stray hair behind your ear as you smile up at him.
"Often insanity and creativity walk hand in hand I admit. Though Divinchi is a high title to live up to." You respond making him shake his head. His chocolate eyes shine as he squeezes you close.
"And a poet too. Viktor look at our little idealist, they're all grown up now." Viktor rolls his eyes at Jayces antics before he stares at you. Shifting his cane to be center he leans slightly forward and nods agreeing.
"You my dear have many talents. I envy them all." He says genuinely tilting his head towards the piece they'd been looking at. Staring at it you smile, the portrait of you and your father making you happy. You'd wanted to gift it to him but he wanted to support you, so here it hung with his bid already placed. A man who's actions spoke louder than any words he'd ever said.
"Oh." You state eyes widening as you notice a large canvas with the school painted on it next to your family portrait. "Is Heimerdinger here?" You question, suddenly curious about your teacher and the oldest council member. You had no idea why they came to these things but the council members always stopped by to show their support, ever since your first galla. It was only kind of you to return the gesture by thanking them for coming and catching up. Even if you didn't always want to.
"You know Heimerdinger he's… everywhere." Caitlyn lets out a snort at Jayces unhelpful comment and Jayce flicks her hats feather in response. As they begin to argue you turn to nod your head at Viktor before you slip off into the crowd to find the council members and maybe your father.
Grabbing a glass of champagne as it passes the waiter nods his head at you before he goes to service other guests. Smiling as you sip at the bubbly liquid your eyes scan the space looking for various people to say hi too.
Catching a glint of metal from across the room you pause turning your head to get a better look. Spotting Marcus you smile before waving at him, holding up your champagne to toast. His associates all have wine glasses but his hands are suspiciously empty. As he nods his head at you politely holding up his hand to give a small wave you chuckle gesturing for him to come over. He shakes his head no and waves his hand away gesturing for you to go back to your friends. Humming you take a step closer noticing he's with an odd crowd. One you haven't seen at your galas before.
Beginning to walk towards them to see what they're all looking at you pause before pushing that feeling of suspicion away. As you stop shoes no longer clicking against the tile you swallow. Caitlyn told you to have fun and the night was young, you couldn't be focusing on your delusions now. Blowing him a little kiss he shakes his head and taps his chest on the opposite side of his badge, gesturing to you that he received the kiss and was keeping it safe. An old and bit odd inside joke. But one you refused to let go of regardless. You wave before turning to disappear into the crowd. Taking another sip of champagne you do your best not to feel anxious as Marcus's strange friends stare a hole into your back.
As a hand grabs your shoulder you quickly turn eyes wide as you get ready for a fight. "You can't just wander off!" Staring at Caitlyn your body unstiffens and you once again relax as you almost finish off your champagne. Just a few hours anyone could do this for a few hours.
"Sorry, just saying hello." You hum much to her displeasure.. Smiling softly as she relaxes you once again sip at your drink trying to soothe your rattled nerves. Nothing was wrong, you needed to calm down. You could do this.
Wandering around with Caitlyn looking for various people you pause as you reach a quieter part of the galla. Someplace more in the back. Tilting your head in front of a painting with a blue haired girl your eyes trace her face. Caitlyn was usually pretty stiff during her job but she puts her arm on your shoulder leaning on you in a rare moment of loosening up. With no one around to witness this you feel more open then you had in awhile. Short blue hair that frizzed at the end and had odd knick knacks woven and tied into it.
"She's pretty." She says softly and you nod wrist shifting to bubble your second glass of champagne. The liquid swirls as you do the repetitive motion and Caitlyn frowns concerned as she studies your action and face.
"I've been calling her Sapphire." You say suddenly, your eyes flicking up to stare at the faceless girl with blue hair.
"Cause of her hair?" Caitlyn questions and for a second you get a flash of sapphire eyes staring up at you as you braid choppy hair. Laughter ringing lightly in your ears as a girl with pink hair sits close by. She's smiling as you giggle tying trinkets into messy blue locks, giving the girl little braids. Three boys sit in the room observing but not interrupting as they do their own things. A smaller one occasionally handing you little knick knacks that'll sparkle in her hair.
"Yeah something like that." Taking a sip of your drink you frown as it goes down rough and not smooth like the other sips. "Hey you saw Marcus with those people right?" You suddenly question feeling like you knew them from somewhere despite not recognizing their faces. The woman in purple especially catching your attention.
"Marcus is here? He wasn't supposed to come tonight. I guess he made time for you." Caitlyn hummed surprised before she turned towards you. "I know my boss can be suspicious but tonight is about you. Your father wants you to be happy and unlike my parents he really tries. Let's just get through tonight since we already committed before we're back to the red string and endless questions." She suggests and you nod slowly but that feeling in your gut doesn't disappear. As much as you tried to dispel it, it kept creeping in the back of your mind.
As Caitlyn goes to lead you away you pause as a familiar face greets you.
"Your art has come so far. I marvel at your talent and envy all your fans." Mel teases. Caitlyn bows her head in respect and you nod at her. The girl swallows but nods pointing to where she'll be waiting as you chat privately with Mel.
Smiling at the Council woman looking at the work she's observing you hum seeing a large canvas you'd done of her and the Council at a meeting your father had asked you to attend. It was one people had flocked too all night you observed from the bidding stickers but it was just you and Mel looking at it now.
"Mel it's been awhile. We should schedule a painting session together. I miss those." You respond smiling warmly as you settle next to her.
"Yes, well life has been busy as I'm sure your father's told you." Swirling your glass of champagne faster you hum frowning softly. Staring at your reflection in the golden liquid you look back up at the painting. He hadn't. Not lately.
He wanted you away from his work. From him. You and Caitlyn knew something was wrong but as two high Noble society children your concerns were often brushed off and not taken seriously. You were close to something big and yet…
"Dads been quiet about work. You know after all I've worked for and all he's prepared me for he wants me to switch careers. Caitlyn and I may have passed the physical and mental exams with flying colors but he... worries." You murmur quietly as you fidget with your glass. "Caitlin's dad supports her but my dad... he'd prefer I chose to continue my law studies. Or change my schooling altogether and focus on something else." You state solemnly. As much as you loved your father you felt it was unfair. Like there was something bigger that he and everyone else was hiding from you.
"Hextech?" She asks surprised bringing you out of your sprailing thoughts. Smiling at the name Jayce gave his invention, that explosion that kick started everything felt like it happened yesterday. It felt like you were found on the bridge yesterday.
"More medical field I believe but I think he'll take anything other than Enforcer at this point. Even regular old painter." You remark as you observe the details of the meeting you'd chosen to paint.
"And that bothers you?" Mel asks. Tilting your head you squint at the details of the picture in front of you. Such a different piece than your other ones which were blurry and indistinct. And yet everyone kept hovering to this one. Easier to understand and more straight forward you supposed. Something from your new life and not your old. They always seemed to prefer that.
"... Mel is something going on I should be worried about? Some kind of civil unrest? The undercity. I've heard rumors and my dads making excuses for me not to go to any of the prisons or my charity anymore. I have friends there. People I'm trying to help. I need to know the truth. You need to tell me the truth." You state.
The woman remains quiet for a moment. Her brown eyes seem to search for the right words as she sips at her drink slowly. A red wine that seemed too much like blood to you. "Perhaps focusing on work outside your father's would be good. He worries about you. We all do. With your..." She hesitates before waving her hand dismissively trying to change the subject.
"My spells?" You demand and her brows furrow as she glances at you. The silence is all you need for confirmation. Sighing you look away from the Council Meeting and towards a different picture. A silhouette of a man with a halo around his head. You see that blue green color again. You can hear a chuckle. Mel's touch brings you back as she squeezes your shoulder.
"... I've said too much. Please be kind to him. Your father loves you much more than you know. You're very lucky to have him. You know," Mel hesitates, something you've rarely seen her do. As she looks at your painting and you stare into your glass a wistful look crosses her face. "My past is tricky when it comes to family and relationships." She admits in a rare moment of sincerity, no politics, no deals. Just the truth.
Or perhaps it's manipulation. You can never tell with Mel, you do your best not to dwell. You like to think your relationship and mentorship with her is genuine, but in a place like Piltover… you never know.
Nodding you look away from your least favorite piece onto other things. Your eyes stop on a more symbolic painting, an older one. It was crudely done as you hadn't cleaned the edges or made the details fine. Fangs and claws and fur. Oh to be the fox and wolf as Mel often told you.
"... Mingle?" You question and her eyes light up like the fox in your painting sensing your planning something.
"You don't usually enjoy networking." She observes watching you carefully and you shrug before finishing your flute of Champagne in one final swig.
"Feels like a night to try something new." You state waving down a waiter to take your glass so you could grab another.
…
With Mel by your side you'd avaded Caitlyn and most of the Enforcers walking around the party. While you loved having her around having her around as an Enforcer was much harder than having her around as your friend. While you'd tried to stay calm the whole night and not make it into a conspiracy your suspicion grew every time you saw Marcus from the corner of your eye with that group of people. As you inched your way closer throughout the night you glanced around. No one was watching you…
Slipping away from Mel while she was distracted with a council member you kept your head high as you walked with purpose. As you get closer to the odd group, your focus goes to one of the people Marcus is talking to. Your eyes catching on her arm and how it's covered by a pretty velvet cape.
"No you can't talk to them-" Marcus insists, not yet noticing you as you got closer. The lights on this side of the room were dimmer as there were less art pieces. It made your curiosity burn brighter as you wondered what Marcus and this strange clinte were talking about. If they were clinte at all.
"Why are they painting him? Who are they? He's mad Marcus! He wants some serious answers." The woman snaps back angrily. Coming closer and getting more questions than answers the woman notices you staring and shifts to better cover her arm. Her friends stiffen at your presence and adjust their suits and dresses which you notice are more worn than anyone else in the room.
"They're nobody. It's a side hobby, just a thing they sometimes do-" Marcus states and you tilt your head unsure if you should be insulted or not. Was he protecting you from something? From someone?
"Marcus?" You question finally catching his attention as you take in his new friends. He immediately goes pale hearing you call his name and turns to face you. As the woman smirked you could see him getting stressed like you weren't supposed to be here. Squinting you hum as you observe the chief, what was he up to?
"(Y/N)! Why aren't you with Caitlyn?" Marcus demands and you step back at the tone of his voice. The intensity of his question. As the group continues to stare you begin to piece together that they're from the Undercity or at least a lower class section of Piltover.
"She's talking to Jayce. Marcus I need-" You start but he ignores you. Unlike his playful disposition earlier he was being much colder now. As you swallowed something about this whole situation didn't settle right with you. This clearly had nothing to do with your galla.
"I'm sorry this is a private discussion I need you to-" Marcus starts in a much kinder tone trying to direct you away but the woman ignores him. Stepping in front of him to get to you Marcus glares, his fists balling at his sides. She tilts her head observing you before she smirks. Maroon lipstick catching the limited light.
"(Y/N) Right?" The woman was tall, elegant, and walked with authority. Several scars of different sizes littered her face and shoulders. Taking in her physique she seemed like she'd had a harder life. A laborer perhaps?
Her purple slit dress with the black velvet coat stood out amongst the other dresses tonight and you found yourself intrigued. Almost pulled in by her. As you studied each other you could see Marcus gritting his teeth. Knowing you'd walked into a possibly dangerous situation you smiled feigning ignorance.
"Yes, that's my name. I guess you could say this is my Galla." Acting shy at the attention you reach up to fiddle with your jewelry and hair. Something about this woman seemed familiar. Maybe it was her voice or maybe it was her face but you had this odd itch in the back of your brain. Like when you were painting right after a flash.
"I'm Sevika." She introduces before holding out her left hand. Confused, you peaked under her cloak to look at her right only for her to take a step back hiding her arm behind herself. Shaking the left trying not to be bothered by it or ask any questions that could get you in trouble you smiled at her.
"Are you interested in this one?" You hum tilting your head towards the canvas as you try to subtly change the conversation. "I don't know if you know this because I haven't seen you at any of my shows before but my paintings are all for charity." You explain with a smile. "All funds go back to the community. As someone so fortunate I try to give back to those more in need then myself." Sevika paused for a moment before her hand wrapped tightly around yours, her grip firm but not crushing like you'd first expected.
"... I'll keep that in mind." She hums softly. "My boss, he's interested in this one." She explains before letting go and gesturing to the painting they'd been talking In Front of for the past few hours.
"Oh your boss? What do you do?" You ask curiously. It was always the same faces at these Gallas, Sevika didn't seem like an average socialite. She screamed adventure but also safety. You feel like you knew her and that wasn't something you felt often when it came to new faces. While there was a danger with interacting with her that you could sense, she knew more than she let on.
"We work in…" Glancing at Marcus amused she focused back on you, eyes seeming to study your every move. It reminded you of an Enforcer or someone running from one. "Exports." She explains and you nod slowly, not sure if you believe her or not. Looking at the painting when she does you suddenly freeze, familiar blue eyes greeting you.
"My dad wasn't supposed to grab this one." You murmur as you step forward. It was one of your favorites hidden behind a sheet so he wouldn't see, one of the only full faces from your past you'd ever been able to complete. You were working on some fine detailing and had moved it from the safety of your room to the studio. It was a bit fuzzy on the edges still and some of the detailing was blurry because you couldn't seem to decide on things like sharp or round features, smooth or bumpy skin but it was an important piece to you.
"Oh?" Sevika questions and you frown looking at the bid at the bottom. "My boss, he'll pay a small fortune for it. Guaranteed." Sevika swears and you turn towards her.
"They said it wasn't for sale. Can we continue-" Marcus tries to regain control of the conversation but Sevika seemed more interested in you than him. The people also focused on you suddenly ignoring Marcus' presence. She stepped closer leaning in to observe your face. As their eyes focused on yours, really taking you in you noticed the sudden way she stiffened. Like she was seeing a ghost.
"Think of all the people in the UnderCity it could help, that is what you're doing isn't it? Your charity?" Quirking a brow at her surprised, you turn your head suddenly. The intensity of her stare suddenly making you uncomfortable.
"I don't like to announce it because I get less sales which means I can help less but yes… That's true." You admit quietly. Did Marcus tell them that? How did they figure it out? The longer you stayed in this corner the more questions you had.
"So a small fortune to help others is surely worth this painting?" Pausing you think of the deal, of what you would be giving away. Reaching your hand out you tap the bottom of the canvas, tracing the intricate picture frame. Was this some sort of psychological test from your father? Did this even have anything to do with you or were you misinterpreting the entire situation?
Focusing on the painting to remain calm, the ravenette man with blue eyes and sharp features made you feel at ease. Swallowing you hum. You wanted to know more about this woman, about the group with her, and her relationship with Marcus.
"And this bosses name? I'd love to meet the man giving so much to my charity." You offer watching Sevikas' body language closely.
"He doesn't do names." She responds quickly and you nod.
"A picture then?" You question. "It's customary for all customers to take a picture with the piece they're buying." Before she can say no like you assume she will, you grab her hand in another firm handshake and smile wide as a flash fills the dark space. As Sevika blinks in surprise and her friends slink into the shadows you take your chance to leave back to the main party. As the photographer walks away you do the same disappearing into the crowd with stolen film in your hand.
While you had a lot of questions you're sure they could wait until that photo was printed. You think you just found another piece of the puzzle.
...
Taglist: @pinkninja200 @shadow-pancake9 @athenapspspsps @mercenarystrike @strawbebe-dk @joscelyn02 @wanna-plan-world-domination @meep-moop-mystic @ebony-wolf @shadow-pancake9 @zeros-rot @beasalmeh @ihatemylifeuwu @domoron @ackermanbitch @ihatemyselfmorethanmydepression
your fics are AMAZING ?? actual perfection. and you write for supernatural ??? I literally check your account on a DAILY basis- and if I ever see a castiel fic on here I'm gonna scream !! pls pls pls keep doing what you're doing you LEGEND
THEME: cas really wants to please you.
CHARACTER: male reader x castiel
NOTE: literally just cas choking on your dick..
p.s. this might be my best writing yet wtf.
WARNING: choking,, eye contact,, pet names,, gagging,, blowjob,, face fucking,, pwp,, big dick!reader,, praise kink,, light dirty talk,, light corruption kink,, very light cock worship,, cas swallows.
you let out a soft hum, leaning back on your palms. castiel was on his knees, between your legs, resting his cheek on your inner thigh, looking up at you expectantly, with such cute and pleading eyes. you brought your hand up to his hair, gently carding your fingers through the dark brown locks. “whatcha lookin' at me like that for?” you asked gently, smiling down at the other. he leaned his head into your touch, like a needy cat. castiel didn't say anything as his hands leisurely moved to your crotch. you raised your eyebrows at his actions, although you let him continue.
his hands slowly fiddled with the belt, unbuckling it, all the while, he kept his eyes locked on yours. “what, you want my cock, baby?” you mumbled as castiel unbuttoned your pants and pulled the zipper down. he caught a glimpse of your clothed cock as he shifted his gaze, a small wanton groan slipping past his lips. with no second thought, castiel mouthed at your length through the fabric, his eyes closing in bliss. “oh, damn.” you breathed. where did he learn that?
“cas, come on, don't make me wait..” your voice was a bit needy, breathless. castiel shifted and sat on his heels. his teeth bit on the waistband of your boxers, pulling it down with the assistance of his hand. your mouth gaped at the sight, your palm pressing to the back of the angel's head just slightly. after freeing your length, castiel took a hold of it, giving a few slow yet firm pumps. you adjusted your position to make it more comfortable for the man in front of you.
“i'll.. make you feel good.” castiel said softly, carefully, as if he was hesitant to even speak up. “yeah, you will, you always do.” you reassured him and praised him in a single sentence, pupils blown wide with pure love and lust as the angel's tongue licked a stripe from your base to the tip, your cock hardening even more. he then kitten-licked the head once or twice, before finally wrapping his lips around the end of your cock. “ah-huh, so pretty..” you whispered, watching his every move intently.
castiel bobbed his head up and down, only sucking like an inch of your dick, looking up at you again. teasing. his actions made you grin, your breath starting to get heavy. “such a good boy, so good.” your fingers massaged his scalp gently, seemingly encouraging him. castiel was blinking slowly, his hands resting on your thighs to give him proper leverage. he let out a small hum of content, slowly but surely, with each motion of his head, he took more of you. you could feel your tip pressing to the back of his tongue at this point. “can't believe I got-” you started but paused, due to your breath stuttering, relishing in the sensation. “i got an angel of the lord sucking my dick.. the most perfect one of all, too.” you spoke lowly, watching castiel's eyebrows furrowing barely and eyes narrowing, continuing his slow ministrations. “you stay because of me, but it's my cock that makes you want to stay, isn't it?” you asked rhetorically, pushing on the back of castiel's head, making him take you deeper in his throat.
castiel's tongue pressed up, more firmly to the underside of your cock as his throat closed up, his abdomen tensing. he held himself back, not gagging. yet. your other hand moved to the side of the angel's face, thumb softly caressing his cheek. his eyes closed and he braced himself, shoving himself down as far as he could, gagging almost immediately, but holding the position. his eagerness made a flicker of surprise flash across your face, a light groan ripping itself out of your throat. “fucking hell..” you uttered, your fingers tightening in his hair, pulling his head back to ease his throat. as if on instinct, castiel made a miniscule sound of disapproval, looking at you with a look that said I'm alright, let me do it but simultaneously stop me again, I dare you.
you loosened your grip and let a smirk grace your lips, excitement and thrill coursing through your body. “thought I was too big for your pretty little mouth?” you mused as castiel started out slow again, to let himself settle down a bit. his eyelids just fluttered shut. you could tell that the gears in his head were turning, but all that he wanted at the moment was to suck you off so good, to make you forget your worries and focus on him. pulling off with a soft pop sound, castiel turned his head at an angle and his tongue licked a stripe from the tip to the base once again, this time on the side of your cock. you made a pleased sound, his lips pressing kisses back to the tip. your cock was now slick with a mix of his saliva and a bit of your own precum.
giving you no warning, castiel used a hand to steady your cock before shoving it down his throat, as much as he could possibly fit. he even sat up a bit. “ugh,, yeah angel, just like that..” you rasped out, face scrunched up as you felt the tightness of his throat against your tip. he gagged again, this time more harshly, his blinking frequent to rid himself of the tears gathering in his eyes. you admit, it was quite worrying to see him do this, but at the same time.. it was hot. it was extremely sexy and it turned you on even more, your cock twitching in his mouth. castiel felt it and he choked, his shoulders tensing. he was just about to pull his head back, but in the spur of the moment, you just held his head in place, even pushing your hips forward.
castiel groaned before he choked again, his fingers squeezing the flesh of your thighs. the sound of him choking on your dick because you're just too big for him.. it made you ecstatic. eventually, both of your hands sought solace on castiel's head. your movements started off slow, experimental even, moving your angel's head up and down, adding the movement of your hips to the mix. castiel squeezed his thighs shut, his own hard-on straining against his pants. he paid no mind to it right now. “so perfect, aren't you? letting me use your mouth as I please.” your voice was a low moan, the movements increasing in pace. his teeth accidentally grazed your length and it made you grunt, fingertips pressing to his scalp. the slick sounds, the muffled groans from castiel, the praises and sounds of pleasure leaving your lips, it all filled the defeaning silence in the room. you never thought you'd get to face fuck castiel of all people, or angels, but you sure as hell weren't complaining.
after a good minute, and castiel struggling to breathe, you gave harsh thrusts and came with a loud groan, your shoulders hunching and your entire body leaning forward, cumming inside castiel's warm mouth. you released your grip on his head entirely, leisurely sliding your hands down to castiel's face and pulling him off of your cock. his face was flushed, chest heaving and breath coming in in shorts puffs, eyes half-lidded with pleasure. his mouth hung open for a second and you caught a glimpse of your cum sliding down to the tip of his tongue. he pressed his lips together, swallowing hard. oh.
“cas.. fuck-” you breathed lowly, shifting on the bed a bit, moving to press your foot to castiel's crotch; you noticed the bulge. he whined in response, leaning into your touch as he closed his eyes and tried catching his breath. “imma fuck you so good..” you promised him, leaning down to press a kiss to his mouth.
Heyy could you maybe write another fives x platonic reader your stories are so good I binge read all of them
Wooo I love when I see you all binge reading on my posts!
“Keep your head up”
Read here on ao3: (✩)
Summary: After being rescued from some seppies Fives try’s to help you accept and love your newly acquired scars
Paring: Fives x GN padawan reader (Yes everyone it is PLATONIC)
Warning: Mentions of scars and injuries. Insecurity’s but Fives will make it all better
Word count: 713- and be so proud because I actually proof read
Notes: Don’t worry this is just a hold me over, an appetizer if you will, for a longer fic I plan to write later. Also there could be a part 2 to this with Alpha-17 maybe if your interested
He watched as the rest of his brothers started to exit the ship for their quick supply run on the rainy planet of Kamino, however Fives hung back with a quick nod from his general.
Rain pounded all around him as Fives waited for a moment before he saw your figure walking towards him, you made your way over to him a limp still present in your strides.
Fives or Rex normally volunteered to wait for you since it’s been a slow recovery since your last encounter with the separatist. With much begging Anakin finally let you come back with them on this mission.
And so far Fives could safely say that senators were dicks.
“You ok sir?” Fives asked as you came to a stop next to him.
You gave a small ‘Mhm’ as you kept your gaze trained to your boots. You’ve been getting a lot of that lately and you just wished thing were like they use to be.
Fives planted a firm hand on your shoulder making you glance up for a moment, he wouldn’t say anything but he could tell something was up.
His gloved hand traced over the raise red skin on your face, the stitches helped stop the bleeding but it still looked irritated and gnarly.
“I mean did you see what that senator was wearing? He couldn’t even talk.” Fives quietly spoke to you. You let out a small laugh and rolled your eyes.
“He did look stupid.” You thought back to a few hours ago.
Fives was taken aback almost with the searing white flurry of rage he felt in that moment when a senator made a comment about his commander. His vod’ika. About their appearance.
He looked over to where Jesse was stationed next to him, one of his hands were held in tight fists while the other hovered just over his blaster.
Rex took a step closer to you. If looks could kill the senator would be long gone from all of the men present. Fives didn’t need the force to sense that everyone was livid and Anakin was ready to explode.
“What if people are scared, what if those cadets don’t like me?” Your small question brought him back to reality.
Fives let out a small laugh of his own as you looked at him with wide eyes. Oh how he wished he could erase all the doubt from your mind.
“First off kriff what they think.” Fives brought your face into his hands being carful not to hurt you. His tone became serious and you listened closely.
“Second of all do you know how much respect you’ll get from all those men in there? You saved some of their brothers by getting those scars and your not a shiny nat-born now. Alpha-17 is going to go crazy because that’s what he wants to see in the brothers he trains.” Fives smiled at you as he wiped a tear.
“And it makes you look like a total badass.” He added
You laughed now wiping your eyes with the sleeve of your robe. The pair started to walk off of the ship and through the hanger.
“You think so?” You still spoke unsure.
“Oh of course, I mean you look way more intimidating now. Kinda like Wolffe.” Fives thought about his older brother and commander for the 104th. A shiver shot down his spine.
“I do don’t I.” You looked up to Fives with a smile on your face, a smile he hasn’t seen since the days before that mission. It felt like lifetime ago.
“Just keep your head up.” Fives lightly tapped the underside of your chin. “Everyone’s going to be blown away. Your one of the most skilled people I know. And if they are hooked up on this,” He gestured. “Then clearly they aren’t looking hard enough at you.”
You and Fives walked side by side into the stark white halls of Kamino. The pride he felt for you was through the roof, the familiar bounce in your step returned as met up with the others.
You knew you had Fives and all the other men to make sure you were all right. A personal posse of hype-men at your deposal, and you were forever grateful.
_____________________________________
@arctrooper69 @thereforepizza @padawancat97 @pb-jellybeans @floffytofu
Summary: After returning home from a long campaign, you and your soldiers find it difficult to fall asleep. Echo has a bad dream which starts a chain reaction of clones entering your room looking for a different place to sleep for the night.
Pairing: Jedi!Fem!Reader & 501st
Characters: Rex, Fives, Echo, Jesse, Hardcase, Tup, Kix, Dogma
Tags & Warnings: platonic clone cuddles, snuggles, and kisses, smidge of angst, comfort, fluff
Word Count: 3k
Author’s Note: I came up with this one from a dream I had. All gestures are 100% platonic. The lullaby the reader sings can be found here. Honestly, these boys need all the cuddles, snuggles, and love they can get. As always, please enjoy! 💚
After being away for several rotations on a long campaign with the 501st, you have finally made it back home to Coruscant. You leave your weary troops in the barracks and head towards your chambers to clean up and get some rest. You enjoy your first warm meal in what feels like forever and hop in the shower to wash the grime off your skin. You let the hot water caress your body as you stand underneath its invigorating spray, never wanting to leave the warmth.
You finish your shower, slip on your night clothes, and crawl into your bed. You nestle under the covers and take a deep breath, letting the familiar scents of your room fill your senses. There’s nothing quite like sleeping in one’s own bed. At last, you can get some good sleep. Sleep during campaigns is always a hit or miss and never the top priority, but when you’re here, when you’re home, you can sleep comfortably knowing no one is trying to end your life or the life of your men.
However, tonight you endlessly toss and turn in your bed. You're exhausted, you know it, you can feel it. You want to sleep desperately, but something is keeping you awake. You continue to toss and turn, but slumber seems to escape you. You sigh and stare up at the ceiling in defeat. So much for a good night's rest. After all those long nights on the hard ground with blaster and cannon fire, you wish for nothing more than to sleep.
Unexpectedly, you’re pulled out of your thoughts by a presence entering your room. It’s too dark to see anything, but through the force, you can see exactly who it is. “Echo?” You ask while sitting up against your pillow.
“Ah, sorry to wake you General,” Echo answers while putting an awkward hand on his neck.
“I wasn’t asleep,” You admit with a sigh as you rub your forehead. “Are you having trouble sleeping too?”
“I…” Echo begins to answer, but hesitates, unsure of how to say what he wants to say. “I had a bad dream.”
You cock your head to the side and give him a sympathetic smile, “Dreams are only dreams, Echo. They can’t hurt you.”
“Yeah,” Echo agrees half-heartedly. “I know.”
You sense he has something else to say, but he is too nervous to ask you. “Is there something else you want, Echo?” You ask to try and get him to tell you. “You know you can talk to me about anything.”
Echo opens his mouth to speak, but then closes it. He doesn’t want to step out of bounds with you as his General, but he also doesn’t want to go back to the barracks. Finally, he musters the courage and asks, “Can I sleep here tonight?”
You’re initially taken aback by the request, but your heart softens towards the tired clone. The nightmares that plague him must be horrific if he wants to sleep with his General. You think about it for a moment, but decide that it won’t hurt to let him stay the night with you. You pat the empty portion of the bed to the right of you to show him your approval, “Come here.”
Still a little wary of the idea, Echo meanders his way over to the bed and crawls from the base up to where you are. You stretch out your arm and invite him to rest his head on your chest. He obliges with a little hesitancy and you gently drape your arm over his side and back. You can feel every ounce of tension in his body escape at your touch. He breathes deeply and lets out a relaxed sigh, knowing nothing can hurt him now.
You smile at the clone clinging to you and run your fingers through his hair. As a Jedi, you’re not allowed to have attachments, but there’s nothing in the code that says you can’t show compassion. These clones. They’re children, stuck in adult bodies, fighting a war that they never asked for. They never asked to be created. They never asked to be expendable. They never asked to be slaughtered. The least you can do is to offer them some sort of comfort.
As you settle in with Echo and to try to get some rest, you sense another presence come into your room. Perhaps you should keep your room locked from now on. As the figure enters your dark room, you can see through the force that its Fives. “Looking for Echo?” You ask knowingly.
“Uh, yeah,” Fives answers with a jolt of surprise. “How’d you know?”
“The domino twins will always be inseparable,” You chuckle softly. “Where one goes, the other usually follows.”
“I didn’t think we were that predictable,” Fives rolls his eyes.
“Let’s just say that it doesn’t take a force wielder to know your thoughts,” You explain with a smile. “Would you like to join your brother?”
“I can’t sleep well without him nearby,” Fives admits as he crawls over the base of the bed and scooches next to Echo.
“Better?” You ask while looking over at him.
“Much better,” Fives answers as he nuzzles into the blankets.
You look down at both the clones now sleeping in your bed and you smile. You never thought something like this would occur, but here you are. It’s not that you don’t want them here, but you do feel a weird sense of maternal instinct as they lay there in your presence. Clearly they feel safe with you, but you’re not sure why. Other than being their General, leading them into battle, force healing their wounds, and giving them pep-talks, you’re not sure why they are attached to you.
Your thoughts are once again interrupted by a figure entering your room. You let out a slightly exasperated sigh when you realize it is yet another clone tip-toeing his way into your bedroom. “Looking for something, Jesse?” You ask the sneaking clone.
Caught by surprise, Jesse stumbles back into the wall. “Uh, well, you see,” He begins to explain in earnest. “Echo and Fives aren’t in their bunks, and they’re usually up to no good when they’re together, so I went looking for them.”
“Well, you found them,” You point out in a hushed tone. “They’re right here, sleeping with me.”
Jesse pauses as he thinks about the situation before him. “Can…” He begins to ask. “Can I sleep here too?”
“I don’t see why not,” You answer. Your bed is definitely big enough, but you’re still not sure why all these clones want to sleep in your room. They have the barracks and bunks of their own, and they sleep with all their brothers. It is odd to you, but nevertheless, you let him climb into bed with you, Echo, and Fives. He crawls over the end of the bed and situates himself on the left side of the bed, across from the others. Close, but not close enough to touch you. You smile at his reservation.
As you begin to nod off, you’re pulled awake by yet another disturbance in your room. You wonder if you’re ever going to get any sleep at this rate. You look up at the figure standing across from the bed and with a sigh you ask them what they want, “What do you need Hardcase?”
“Oh, you knew it was me, huh?” Hardcase asks with a little embarrassment.
“You have a very distinct pattern in the force,” You answer with a small yawn.
“Really?” He questions with great interest. “I do?”
“Technically, you all do,” You explain further. “So, what can I do for you?”
“Jesse, Echo, and Fives aren’t in their bunks,” Hardcase begins to explain. “I thought they went to the refresher, but when they didn’t come back, I got worried.”
You smile at him and his concern for his brothers. “Don’t worry,” You soothe. “They’re right here with me.”
“What?” He questions with reproach. “They get to sleep with you? No fair!”
“Would you like to sleep here too?” You propose, thinking one more clone wouldn’t hurt.
“Really?” He asks with excitement. “Can I?”
“Only if you keep your voice down,” You hush as you feel Echo stir under your arm.
“Oh,” He quickly whispers. “Right. Gotcha. I’ll be quiet.”
Hardcase crawls into bed next to Jesse and Jesse wraps an arm around his brother to make sure he feels included. You look \around at the group of clones covering your bed and let out a small chuckle. You’re not sure how one turned into four, but there’s no going back now. You can only hope that no more wayward clones will show up in your bedroom looking for a different place to sleep or their missing brothers.
However, your thoughts betray you as you sense Kix’s force presence entering your room. Should have seen that one coming. “If you’re looking for Echo, Fives, Jesse, or Hardcase, they’re here with me,” You announce, deciding to jump to the chase.
“You sound exhausted,” Kix jests as he folds his arms. “I can make them leave, you know.”
“It’s fine,” You answer while running your fingers through Echo’s hair. You remind yourself why you began this little clone sleepover in the first place and smile softly. “Sometimes, we just need each other.”
“Amen to that,” Kix agrees. “You got room for one more?”
“Of course,” You smile at the medic. “Grab a spot wherever you can find one.”
Kix crawls over Jesse and Hardcase, kicking them playfully in the process, and flops himself across from you near the edge of the bed. He grabs a fistful of covers and nuzzles them softly. You smile wide at his childish movements. They really are just children. Children who had their childhoods stolen from them. You can’t quite reach Kix, but if you could, you would rub his back to lull him to sleep. Maker knows medics need their sleep.
No sooner does Kix settle in, do you feel another force presence enter the room. This one is a little more cautious, as if he’s contemplating that he doesn’t belong. You feel his hesitation and call out to him, “Dogma. You can come in.”
“General,” He acknowledges as he steps closer. “I don’t mean to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding, Dogma,” You reassure the hesitant clone.
“Can…” Dogma begins, still feeling like he’s not allowed to ask for this. “Can I sleep here too?”
Your heart softens at his innocent and heartfelt plea, and you smile at him, “Yes, Dogma. You’re welcome here too.”
He smiles back and crawls across the edge of the bed and nestles neatly just below Echo and Fives. You wonder about Dogma sometimes, because he keeps to himself a lot and has trouble opening up to others. You feel great reservation from him, even on the battlefield. But you’ve heard from the others that his previous General was abusive and uncaring. It breaks your heart that anyone could be so malicious towards such beautiful souls. They didn’t deserve that.
Suddenly, you feel an intense presence of sadness and fear enter your room. Your heart begins to race as the force scrunches around you. You want to jolt up out of bed, but you don’t want to disturb your sleeping clones. As the force becomes less distorted, you can finally see who it is. “Tup?” You ask with concern. “Are you okay? You scared me.”
“They left me alone,” Tup says through a shaky breath while clenching his fists. “I don’t want to be alone.”
The pain in his voice breaks your heart. Every ounce of maternal instinct in you tells you to get up and hug this sad clone until all his pain is gone, but you can’t get up at the moment, not with all these sleeping clones surrounding your every side. Instead you invite him to come join you by patting the open real estate next to your left side. “Come here, Tup.”
He rushes over to the bedside and crawls over Kix to get to your side. You open your free arm and let him rest his head on your chest. You can feel a little shake in his body so you rub his back and place your head atop his. “Shhh. It’s alright,” You soothe. “I’ve got you. Your brothers are right here with you.” You feel the force settle around him and his breathing becomes soft.
“I wish I had a mother,” Tup admits into your chest.
You're surprised by the statement, but it’s not a completely unfounded thought. The clones are test-tube babies. Copies from an original source, with no mothers to speak of. Perhaps that is why they feel safe with you. Perhaps, because you are a woman, they feel a certain level of maternal attachment to you. That’s why they feel safe. That’s why they want to sleep here with you. That’s why they relax in your presence and melt under your touch. They just want a mother.
“What’s it like having a mother?” Tup asks out of curiosity.
“I don’t really remember mine to be honest,” You answer. “I was taken from her at a young age to be trained as a Jedi.”
“Oh,” Tup answers sadly.
“But,” You continue. “I do remember that she was warm and kind. She had a good heart and would sing me lullabies to go to sleep.”
“Lullabies?” Tup wonders at the strange word.
“Yes,” You explain in a hushed tone. “Mothers sing them to their children to help them go to sleep.”
“Would you sing us a lullaby?” Tup asks as he nuzzles further into you.
You’re shocked at the question. No one has ever asked you to sing, let alone sing a lullaby. “Well, I don’t know...” You hesitate.
You feel Echo tug gently at your hem and whispers, “Please?”
There were several more ‘pleases’ and ‘mhms’ coming from the lumps on your bed. You look around at the seven sleepy clones and wonder how you got yourself into this predicament. But, their innocence captures your heart and you feel a tender fondness for their simple request. How hard could it be to sing them a lullaby? You close your eyes and think back to when you were still with your mother and try to remember the words and the tune she sang to you.
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
May you bring love and may you bring happiness
Be loved in return to the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
You finish the lullaby as tears form in the corner of your eyes. The words of the song unlocked the sweet memories of your mother from so long ago. She was a strong and loving woman, and even though you don’t remember her face, you could feel her embrace you through the force as the lyrics of her soothing lullaby escaped your lips. Such a soft and simple song, but so full of love, care, and comfort.
You look around lovingly at the clones sleeping softly in your bed and smile. Your heart is full. They’re all sleeping peacefully, probably for the first time in a long while. But your happy thoughts are pierced with poison as you remember why they exist. The bloody war. The war that no one asked for. The war they lay their lives down for. Not all of them may come back, but for now, yes, for now they are safe here with you.
You look up as you sense the final presence you knew would show up eventually. “Captain,” You whisper, trying not to wake the clones. Rex came into the bedroom while you were singing the lullaby and leaned against the wall while he waited for you to finish.
“I was wondering where my men went,” Rex chuckles while looking at his sleeping soldiers spread out across your bed.
“They needed a little mothering tonight,” You say as you leave a gentle kiss on Echo’s head.
Rex smiles, “I can see that.”
“Will you join them?” You ask. “There’s room for one more.”
Without much convincing, Rex pushes himself off the wall and crawls onto the foot of the bed. He lays sideways at the edge, positioning himself to guard over his men. Rex is a great leader and a great Captain. He cares deeply for each of his men and puts their safety above his own. It’s just like him to take the most vulnerable and uncomfortable position so his men can relax and feel covered under his dutiful watch. You smile fondly at their brotherly bond.
You let out a small sigh and lean over to the left to leave a small kiss on Tup’s head. You would kiss them all goodnight, but the rest are too far out of your reach. “Codladh sámh, my little ones,” You whisper while leaning your head back against the pillow to finally let yourself fall asleep. “Dream of a life far away from this one.”
Tag List: @nahoney22
Masterlist
A03
A/n: Is this finally being created after @itsscromp finally got my brain worms wiggling again? Yes. Is this also a get better fic? Yes. Is it an entire script for a move? Also yes.
Yes, it's also just shy of 20K words so... This half of the post is only about 12K. If you like httyd/cod crossovers you've come to the right place. But if you want to give it a chance and have a shit ton of free time. I'd also be honored.
Hiccup: Y/n. Astrid: Ghost. Fishlegs: Gaz. Ruff/Tuff: Soap. Snotlout: Graves.
I will reblog with the second half of the fic. Cred for the divider used goes to @straywords
This is Berk. It's twelve days north of Hopeless, and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death.
It's located solidly on the Meridian of Misery.
My village. In a word, sturdy. And it's been here for seven generations, but, every single building is new. We have fishing, hunting, and a charming view of the sunsets.
The only problems are the pests. Even if they carry away all our food… You see, most places have mice or mosquitoes. We have…
Y/n opens the door of the large house structure, watching Vikings go running by, a monstrous nightmare stalking across the ground, talons digging into the stone. It turned it's gaze on the door, letting out a stream of fire from its gut.
Y/n quickly slams the door shut as fire flicked up between the cracks and fades into dark smoke.
-dragons. Most people would leave. Not us. We're Vikings. We have, stubbornness issues.
Y/n rushed outside, smoke billowing into the clouds from the fire torching into the wooden buildings.
My name's Y/n. Great name, I know. But, it's not the worst. Parents believe a hideous name will frighten off gnomes and trolls. Like our charming Viking demeanor wouldn't do that.
Y/n falls back against the ground with an earth quaking tremor as another dragon flies into the area. Several Vikings greeting them. You. This is you. Flabby skin tight arms wrapped around thin layers of barely noticeable muscle.
Clothes seeming too big and too small, hands as soft as a newborn despite the experience in the forge. The only place you ever seem to be helpful no doubt.
What a life a Viking like you lives. You're bloody useless! Even a newborn baby could wield an axe better than you could.
You rush up one of the paths along the hills of Berk, multiple Vikings looking at your sorry figure and asking why you were out during a dragon attack. You only ever caused trouble. When you weren't being useless you were being an expensive clumsy step.
“What are you doing here!?” One Viking says before you rush past.
“What are you doin’ out??” Another.
“Get back inside!!”
You're grabbed up swiftly by the collar of your shirt, your stubby feet dangling above the ground. A dragon's fiery breath drawing a line in the road, barely were you saved from its wrath.
“Y/n?! What are they doing out again-?!” He looked at you, baffled. “What are you doing out?! Get inside!”
That's Stoick the Vast. Chief of the tribe. They say that when he was a baby, he popped a dragon's head clean off of its shoulders.
You watch as the large burly man grabs a cart along the road, swinging it and throwing it violently at a deadly Nadder in the sky. The dragon struggled and went down as it burst into splinters.
Do I believe it? Yes, I do.
While the others rush to the scene to take the dragons on, you cower and rush into the smithing shop nestled near the middle of the town road. The only place not burnt down by now.
Immediately putting on an apron and stumbling about.
“Oh, nice of you to join the party, I thought you'd been carried off!”
You turned briefly to another large man, his appendages having some work done, what with missing both an arm and a leg. Always wondered what kept him alive… it clearly wasn't his limbs.
“What, who me? Nah, come on! I'm waaaay too muscular for their taste. They wouldn't know what to do with all…” Your lack of any muscle is incredibly. Being born into the generation you were, how you managed to stay the same length and width of a stick was quite the sight. “...this.”
You moved a rather large weapon and opened the smithing window, a Viking immediately grabbing a weapon from the desk before you could take them back to the smelter.
He hums. “Well, they need toothpicks, don't they?”
You roll your eyes a tad and sigh.
The meat-head with attitude and interchangeable hands is Gobber. I've been his apprentice ever since I was little. Well... littler.
You look out the smithing window as Stoick tackles another dragon. A dragon landing on another roof and blowing fire into the scorching wood. It crumbling beneath its talons.
See? Old village, lots and lots of new houses.
“FIRE!!” A Viking shouted, followed by four teen rushing out with buckets of water.
Oh, and that's Gaz, Graves, Soap, and... Ghost. Oh, their job is so much cooler.
You watch the group walk from a fiery explosion as Vikings pass by, led by the snappiest rackater of them all.
Ghost may have been a hard head who bullied your entire existence in a subtle way that made you feel like you were the problem, but that didn't matter.
Graves was a real hard ass. Always following said lead teen around like he was gonna get a chance for even a morcel. Considering no respecting person in the village would take that…
There was Soap. They say he had a twin, but, had. Considering no one knows what happened or where said twin ended up. Easiest to say Odin didn't want them to live the hardships.
Or they got eaten by a dragon.
Gaz, well, no one really knew what his problem was. He was a tad odd, but damn smart, and somehow more popular than you, skellington.
You lean out the smithing window, a hooked hand pulling you back in. “Oh come on! Please, let me out! I need to make my mark!”
“Oh you've made marks all right, in all the wrong places!”
“Please, two minutes. I'll kill a dragon. My life will get infinitely better. I might even get noticed!”
“You can't lift a hammer, you can't swing an axe, you can't even throw one of these!” Gobber lifts a bola to express his exasperation, only for it to be pulled from his hook and thrown at a dragon, taking it down.
“Okay, fine, but this will throw it for me!” You smiled excitedly rushing back into the shop, showing off your cool canon mechanism.
“See, now this right here is what I'm talking about!” Gobber sighed, exasperated. Watching you fiddle with your contraption.
“Mild calibration issue-” You fiddled with some levers and the string on the draw.
“Don't you- no- Y/n. If you ever want to get out there to fight dragons, you need to stop all... this.” He gestured vaguely to you, looking you up and down.
“But you just pointed to all of me?”
“Yes, exactly! Stop being you.” Gobber smiled, thinking you were getting it. Poking you in the chest.
“Oooh…”
“Ooooh, yes.”
“You sir, are playing a dangerous game. Keeping this much, raw... Viking-ness... contained? THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.” You pointed your finger up, brow turning down angrily.
Gobber looked bored at you. “I'll take my chances. Sword. Sharpen. Now.” He dumped the sword into your frail hands, leaving you to your devices.
One day, I'll get out there. Because, killing a dragon, is everything around here.
You can look out the smithing window while you put the sword on the grindstone, sparks flying from the blade as you contemplate your options of execution.
A Nadder head is sure to get you at least noticed. Gronckles are tough. Taking down one of those would definitely get you the spot light. A Zippleback? Exotic. Two heads, twice the status.
And then, there's the Monstrous Nightmare. Only the best Vikings go after those. They have this nasty habit of setting themselves on fire.
You watched from the window as one crawled up the wall of the tower and onto a catapult, lighting itself up and scaring off the Viking manning the device.
Stoick slamming his hammer into its face to ward it off from the top of the tower.
But the ultimate prize is the dragon no one has ever seen. We call it the-
There's a high pitched whistle across the sky. Vikings retreating desperately as they call out.
“NIGHT FURY! GET DOWN!” The Vikings rush to get down. From nowhere a catapult is torn apart with a plasma blast.
This thing never steals food, never shows itself, and... never misses. No one has ever killed a Night Fury. That's why you're going to be the first.
“Man the fort, Y/n. They need me out there!” He attaches an ax piece to his hand, rushing to the door.
“Stay. Put. There. You know what I mean.” Gobber runs off, leaving you in the shop. You tore off your apron and ran back to your catapult set up. Steering it out the doors and running up the hill along the catapults.
Vikings yelling at you to get back and go inside. You can't be trusted outside when the island is in chaos. They can't trust you not to make chaos.
“Y/n!” One yelled.
“I know! I'll be right back!” You led your catapult on wheels up the old path, Stoick pinning down a group of Nadders.
The others fought while you reached the edge of the cliff. Looking out at the darkness, a surprisingly peaceful corner of the island away from the chaos feet away.
You opened the catapult and set it up, the small aiming needle and the leader strap that held in the bola aiming around. You looked at the night sky, out at all the stars.
“Come on… Give me something to shoot at, give me something to shoot at.”
You watched the sky. Hearing the low cry of the dragon. Seeing the dark figure blacking out the stars, the only possible way you could see the creature that blended so easily into the night.
Attempting to track the shadow with the scope of your catapult.
You heard the dragon make its move, dive bombing from the sky and shooting a plasma blast into a nearby fire, knocking the tower down. As it cleared the explosion you clenched your eyes shut and pulled the trigger.
The catapult blasted you back on your butt, hearing the cry as the creature went down.
You hit it. For once in your miniscule life you hit it!! A dragon!! A night fury!!
“I hit it!! Yes! Did anybody see that??” You turned around, a monstrous nightmare creeping up on you, its narrowed face making it look like a devilish thing.
“Except… for you.”
It growled at you and you screamed, attracting the attention of Stoick. He sighed in exasperation, pulling away from the tied down Nadder heads. “DO NOT let them escape!” He commanded some others as he rushed to your aid.
You ran and stumbled from the dragon that stalked after you, firing at you. Hiding behind a pillar as your heart pounded in your chest.
You just killed a dragon and now you're dead. You're a goner. Oh you should have stayed inside.
It blasted a fiery blaze against the pillar, and you briefly squeezed your eyes shut. Slowly forcing one open and inching around the corner.
The dragon growled as its head turned, coming around from behind you. Before it could fire, Stoick slammed his fist into its face, getting the attention onto him.
It belched out the last of its flame, looking weakly down at the splatter and up at Stoick.
“You're all out of juice.” He clenched his fists and punched the monstrous nightmare, bullying it until it retreated desperately back into the night.
You tensed up, feeling the burning hot metal of the pillar crunch and crumble. The wooden pole leaning and the flaming bowl of coals on top spilled as it toppled. Falling to the side and crashing into a fire gust of ashes into a small pool of water.
Vikings gathered around you as you timidly looked up at Stoick.
Oh, and there's one other thing you should know…
A woman cried and gasped, the coals flickering and landing across the ground and the dirt. Your shoulders tensing and rising with each noise. Slowly turning to Stoick who did not look happy.
“Sorry… dad..”
You and the others all watched as the dragons flew by, the sound of the sheep they'd captured from the island sounding off as they left.
Slowly pursing your lips you turned to your father. “Ok but I hit a night fury-”
Stoick grabbed you by the back of your collar, dragging you off effortlessly.
“Ah! It's not like the last few times, dad! I really actually hit it.”
“You guys weren't around. I was alone when I hit it. I had a clear shot.”
Gobber watched regretfully as you were dragged. “It fell just off Ravens point I say let's get a search party out there-”
“Stop!” Stoick interrupted you, making you purse your lips again silently as he now stood you in front of him. “Just stop.”
“Every time you get out, trouble follows. Can't you see I have bigger problems?? Winter is almost here, and I have an entire village to feed.”
An awkward pause before you speak. “Well between you and me the village could use a little less of that? No?”
A Viking behind you silently disagrees as he rubs his round stomach. No, no, the village can stay well fed. They like it.
“This is not a joke! Y/n!” Stoick sighs. “Why can't you just follow the simplest of orders??”
You bounce on your feet. “I-I can't stop myself. I see a dragon and I have to just kill it.” You twist your hands, looking up at him.
Yeah, right. Like you could ever kill a dragon.
“It's who I am, dad.” You say, sighing. You're full of crap.
Stoick rubs his face. “Ey… you are many things y/n, but a dragon killer? Is not one of them… get back to the house.”
He looks up at Gobber, motioning him. “Make sure they get there.”
Gobber comes over and gently hits your head.
“I have their mess to clean up…” Stoick walks past as Gobber leads you sulking home.
To make things worse you passed the other teens, Soap snickering with Gaz. “Quite the performance.” Gaz commented.
“Wow, I've never seen someone mess up that badly.” Graves leaned in your face. “That helped.”
You sulked by, noticing Ghost admiring his axe in the background, leaned up against the stone ledge.
“Thank you, thank you. I was trying.”
As you pass Gober grips Graves helmet and shoves him back, making him choke. “Ow-!”
You two walk back to the house, your annoyance stewing. “I really did hit one.”
“Sure you did.”
“He never listens.”
“It runs in the family.” Gobber replied.
“And when he does it's always with this disappointed scowl, like someone skimped on the meat in his sandwich.”
You turn just before the door, making a mock impression of your father, raising your eyebrows in anger. “Excuse me, barmaid! I'm afraid you brought me the wrong offspring.”
You raise your arms in annoyance, doing wild gestures. “I ordered an extra large boy with beefy arms. Extra guts and glory on the side. This here, this is a talking fishbone!”
“Now, you're thinking about this all wrong. It's not so much what you look like, it's what's inside that he can't stand.” Gobber offers you a smile, to which your expression drops.
You sigh flatly. “Thank you for summing that up.”
“Look, I'm trying to tell you to stop trying to be what you're not.” Gobber says as you open the door to the house.
“I just.. wanna be one of you guys..” You say, closing the door behind you.
Gobber sighs sadly, starting to leave, giving you space.
All the space you needed to sneak out of the back of the house. Immediately rushing down the back of the hill the house was set on…
“Either we finish them, or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them! If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave. They'll find another home! One more search. Before the ice sets in.”
Stoick looks around the Meade hall, slamming his knife into a map on the table, seeing all the hesitation.
“Those ships never come back!” One Viking calls out from the end of the long table.
“We're Vikings, it's an occupational hazard. Now who's coming with me?”
“Today's not good for me. I've gotta do my axe returns.” One mumbles.
Stoick leans back from the table. “Alright. Those who stay behind can look after y/n.”
Immediately every hand at the table went up. And Stoick nodded. “That’s more like it.”
Gobber sat at the table, finishing off a tankard of drink. “Alright, I'll pack my undies.”
Stoick came over to him, sitting next to him at the table. “No, I need you to stay here and train some new recruits.”
Gobber mulls over his cup, before replying sarcastically. “Oh, perfect. And while I'm busy, Y/n can cover the stall. Molten steel, razor sharp blades, lots of time to themself... what could possibly go wrong?”
Stoick sighed, slouching slightly. “What am I going to do with them, Gobber?”
“Put them in training like the others.”
“No, I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
They look at each other, Stoick leaning his arm on the table. “They'd be killed before you let the first dragon out of its cage!”
“You don't know that.” Gobber goes back to his drink.
“I do, actually.”
“No, you don't.” Gobber points a finger at him.
“Listen, you know what their like.” He got up from the table. “From the time they could crawl, they've been… different.”
He walked around the table by the fire against the wall.
“They don't listen,” Gobber chokes on his drink as he listens. “They have the attention span of a sparrow.” Stoick goes on.
Gobber looks into his drink for his missing tooth which he previously choked on.
Stoick is still on. “I take them fishing and they go hunting for- for trolls!”
“Trolls are real!” Gobber points his drink arm at Stoick. “They steal your socks. But only the left ones… what's with that??”
Stoick sighs. “When I was a boy.”
“Oh here we go.”
“My father told me to bang my head against a rock and I did it. I thought it was crazy, but I didn't question him.”
Stoick turns. “You know what happened??”
“You got a headache.”
“That rock split in two. It taught me what a Viking could do, Gobber. He could- He could crush mountains, level forests, tame seas!” He gestures loud. “Even as a boy, I knew what I was, what I had to become.”
Stoick goes and sits at the table again, slouching. “Y/n is not that kid.”
“You can't stop them, Stoick. You can only prepare them. Look, I know it seems hopeless.” Gobber gestures his drink arm.
“But the truth is you won't always be around to protect them. Their going to get out there again. Their probably out there now.”
And he was right. Out the forest at Ravens point, he exasperatedly crossed another X in your book. You'd been searching everywhere for this damn dragon, eventually giving up.
“Oh the gods hate me…” you snapped the book shut. “Some people lose their knife or their mug, not me.”
You scuff your feet. “I manage to lose an entire dragon.” You walk down the path, angrily slapping a tree branch that comes right back at you.
Turning your attention to the part of the part that is disturbed. A large dirt train plowed through the land.
You frown, following it up to a small hill. As you climb it, your eyes land sight of the dragon. You gasp, your heart racing as you immediately duck down.
Your eyes go wide as you hide behind the mound, panting. What do you do?? What do you do??
You sat up, immediately searching for your knife. Grabbing it out shakily and holding it like your life depended on it.
You slid down the hill, hiding behind a large rock before poking out. Seeing the dragon tied up and caught in the net you'd flung it into.
You disastrous human. How could you? How could you do this?
You smiled though, shocked, in pure shock. “Oh wow, this- this fixes everything!” You walked over, putting your foot on its shoulder. “I have brought down this mighty beast-”
The dragon bellows in pain, shrugging its shoulder to push you off, making you jump and scramble back.
You shake and pant as you hold your knife out in front of you, walking closer. You can see the dragon's blue green eyes on you, staring at you.
“I'm going to kill you, dragon. I'm gonna cut out your heart and take it to my father. I'm a Viking. I am a VIKING!” You hold the knife down, pointed at the beast.
The night fury breathes heavily, clearly scared as it stares at you with a sharp gaze, awaiting its horrific fate.
You raise the knife above your head, steeling yourself for the moment, peeling an eye open to look down at the dragon. It still stared at you, helpless, and scared.
You readjust the knife, taking a deep breath. The dragon moans, laying its head down and closing its eyes. Scared, but knowing it's fate.
And that breaks you. It's the last noise of distress going unheeded to any cruel human that would have found him.
You attempted to shoo the thought and claim its life, but instead.. you couldn't. You groaned, slumping the knife handle to the top of your head.
You slumped, rubbing the side of your face and looking at the knife, then the dragon. No, no you couldn't do this.
“I did this…” You slowly back up, returning to leave, but looking back at those ropes.
You went back, and you started to cut. The dragon’s eyes shot open in an instant, looking over as you sawed the blade through the ropes and pulled it free.
As soon as the last rope that freed its legs was off, it jumped at you, growling in your face as it pushed you to the ground.
Your head hit the edge of the rock as its claw kept your chest pinned. You gasped for air, looking up at the dragon, into its sharp eyes.
The dragon growled down at you as you leaned your face away, your heart pounding. The dragon leaned his arm off your chest, slamming you down and roaring in your face.
It turned and dashed, flying off, taking off lopsided and flying into a tree. It wailed when it hit the ground and then tried to take off again, wailing in pain as it flew into the fog.
You slowly reached for your knife, clutching your heart as your eyes remained blown wide.
You tried to stand, your knees shaking like a deer and weak. You felt wheezy and like you would vomit at any moment. Not making it far before hitting the ground with a thud and falling unconscious.
It was late by the time you came home, walking into the house to see your father, Stoick stoking the fire, waiting for you.
You slowly closed the door, seeing him and attempting to rush by and head upstairs. Going full hands and knees rushed, but it was futile.
“Y/n.”
“Dad, uh…” You swallowed awkwardly, your thoughts immediately rushing back to earlier that day and the shit you'd probably get into if he knew you let a night fury free…
“I uh, have to talk to you, dad…”
Stoick stood, coming over. “I have to talk to you too, y/n.”
Both of you took deep breaths.
“I've decided I don't want-”
“I've decided it's time you learn-”
“To fight dragons. What??”
Stoick clears his throat. “You go first.”
“No, no you go first.” You started to sweat a little, gripping the stairs, feeling your collar getting tight.
“All right.” Stoick sighs, massaging his knuckles. “You get your wish. Dragon training. You start in the morning.”
“Oh, man, I should've gone first!” You panicked a lot, shifting from foot to foot awkwardly, looking away.
“Uh, 'cause I was thinking, you know, we have a surplus of dragon-fighting Vikings, but do we have enough… bread-making Vikings, or small home repair Vikings-?”
Stoick leaned over, picking up an axe. “You'll need this.” He hands it to you, making you huff with the weight on your incredibly toothpick durability, q-tip quality arms.
“Gah-” you panicked, looking at him worriedly. “Dad, I don't want to kill dragons.” You protested.
Stoick laughed. “Of course you do.”
“Rephrase… Dad, I can't kill dragons.” you held the axe, your legs weak and your stomach churning sickeningly with the thought of being ignored in this.
“But you will kill dragons.”
Your worry grows, gripping the axe. “No, I'm very extra sure that I won't.”
“It's time Y/n.”
“Can you not hear me!?” You ask desperately and exasperated.
“This is serious, y/n.”
He gestured. “When you carry this axe, you carry all of us with you.” Stoick picks the axe up from your arms and adjusts it.
“Which means you walk like us.” He bunches your shoulders together and fixes your slouch. “You talk like us. You think like us. No more of…. This.” He gestured vaguely to you.
“You just gestured to all of me.” You pouted.
“Deal??” Stoick asked, making your heart sink at once again being completely ignored.
“This conversation is feeling very one-sided.”
“Deal!?” Stoick repeats.
“Deal…”
“Good.” He nods to you, not even touching you. He picked up his sack for the voyage and his Viking hat.
“Train hard. I'll be back. Probably.”
“And I'll be here… maybe.”
“Welcome to dragon training.” Gobber says as you all enter the ring. A large stone pit tug into the groups full of armory and cages with chain domed across the top.
Ghost leads the group of teens into the ring, holding his axe firmly in his hand. He looks around, parts of his slightly long blonde hair hanging in front of his sharp brown eyes.
Such a warm color, such a cold stare. “No turning back.” He said to mostly himself, the others checking out the place.
Oh and there's you in the back. Toothpick.
“I hope I get some serious burns.” Graves says.
“Yeah, I'm hoping for some maulings. Like on my shoulder or my lower back.” Soap commented with a grin.
Ghost spoke up, tilting his head. “Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it.” He already had a few. From dragon fights? No. But scars nonetheless. He wanted a scar from the dragon's he killed.
Even if he would have to force the mark.
You mumbled sarcastically from the background. “Oh yeah… pain, great.. love it..”
They all look back, simultaneously looking at you with disgust, while Ghost just scrunched his nose. “Oh great, who let you in??” Graves complains.
“Let's get started! The recruit who does best will win the honor of killing his first dragon in front of the entire village.” Gobber said, motioning you all into the middle of the rock pit. Closer to your doom.
“Well, Y/n already killed a Night Fury, so, does that disqualify him or…?” Graves smirked at you antagonistically.
“Can I transfer to the class with the cool Vikings?” Soap added on to the taunt as they walked away without you.
Gobber got closer to you, smiling softly. “Don't worry. You're small and you're weak. That'll make you less of a target! They'll see you as sick or insane and go after the more Viking-like teens instead.”
With that Gobber explained the essence of dragon training. Behind each of the doors is a dragon. The training sessions will focus on an aspect of fighting. The person last standing against the dragon is to be the winner of the round.
Whoever wins in the end?? You get a brag tag for a good chunk of years.
Gobber went on. “Behind these doors are just a few of the many species you will learn to fight! The Deadly Nadder!”
“Speed: eight; Armor: sixteen.” Gaz finally spoke up.
“The Hideous Zippleback!”
“Plus eleven stealth times two.”
“The Monstrous Nightmare!”
“Firepower: fifteen.”
“The Terrible Terror!”
“Attack: eight; Venom: twelve!”
“CAN YOU STOP THAT?! And... the Gronckle!” Gobber snapped, getting to the last door. He hooked his interchangeable arm to the latch.
“Woah, hang on- aren't you going to teach us first??” Graves asked in disbelief.
Gobber shrugged. “I believe in learning on the job.”
He pulled the door open and released the Gronckle. The others tensed up and watched the thing as it flew toward them, eyeing them all like snacks.
It swallowed some of the rocks set out and blasted it's fiery molten liquid at you four.
“Today is about survival. If you get blasted... you're dead! Quick! What's the first thing you're going to need?”
“A doctor!?” You cried worriedly.
“Plus five speed!?” Gaz countered.
Ghost eyed the dragon, then around the ring. “A shield!”
“Shields! Go!” Gobber instructed, Ghost being the first to turn and run for one.
“Your most important piece of equipment is your shield! If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield!”
You rushed to grab one, picking it up and heaving up the heavy thing. You attempted to find the arm strap, searching rapidly before Gobber came over.
Exasperation filled as he lifted it up and shoved it gently into your chest.
Graves grabbed a shield with skulls on it, Soap frowning. “Hey!” The only shield left being one with flowers.
“Take that one, that one has flowers.” Graves teased, pouting his lip at Soap.
“But- ah!” Soap was thrown to the ground when the Gronckle’s tail hit him in the side.
“Soap, you're down.” Gobber called.
“What…??”
“Shields are good for another thing. Making lots of noise. Throw the dragon's aim off!”
You, Ghost, Graves, and Gaz all start banging your shields, the Gronckle's eyes crossing and trying to shake the disorientation off.
“All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?” Gobber asks.
You all circle around the dragon, it's eyes trying to focus on anything. You rush back to a corner, hiding back behind one of the armor walls, holding your shield in the crack.
Pussy.
“Uh, five??” Graves replies while he rushes away.
“No, six!” Gaz counters.
“That's correct. Six. One for each of you.”
The Gronckle gets its surroundings back and blasts molten at Gaz’s shield, making him cry with surprise.
“Gaz, you're out!”
Gaz gulps and yells as he runs for safely of the out zone.
Gobber notices you. “Y/n! Get in there!!”
You attempt to move away from your wall only to get a blast thrown at you. Fearing you scuffling back away, Gobber ones over and pushes you into the ring again.
Ghost faced the Gronckle as it came around again, ready to take it down, distributing his weight well.
Graves came right up behind him, rolling his shoulders. “So, anyway I'm moving into my parents' basement. You should come by sometime to work out.”
Ghost rolls his eyes and starts to move, Graves looking surprised. “You look like you work out!”
The Gronckle fires it's shot for Ghost at Graves, hitting his shield. “Graves! You're done!”
Ghost rolled over next to you, both of you the only two left. You looked nervously over at him. He's so cool. Just a tad taller than you. Lanky but you can see he has muscle definition on his arms.
He's just.. ah! A real Viking. That's what your dad wants you to be.
“I uh.. guess it's just you and me now huh?” You ask him nervously.
He glowers before lifting his head. “Nope, just you.” He dashes out of the way, the Gronckle fires.
“Gah!!” You raise your shield to take the blow meant for Ghost. The shield knocks from your hand, barely missing you.
Without shield and one shot left you run back for your shield, the Gronckle hot on your track. The shield rolls away from you across the ground, looking back and you panic seeing the dragon right there.
“One shot left! Y/n!” Gobber calls.
It manages to corner you to the wall. Face right against your chest. Your heart pounds, your limbs feel cold and rigid, and on fire all at once.
It opens its mouth and down its throat the molten glow of its last shot, before a hook pulls it away. It blasts it's shot into the wall and you cover your head, curling up.
Gobber drags the dragon back away.
“And that's six! Go back to bed, ya overgrown sausage!” He shoves it back into the pen and closes the door.
“You'll get another chance, don't you worry.” He says to you as he walks back over, bending down. “Remember: a dragon will always- always- go for the kill.”
He grabs your arm and picks you up. You looked at the wall where the charred remains of the burn flickered down the rock incline…
Leading you back to the site of the crash, your curiosities got to you as you picked up one of the rocks on the bola. Where you'd freed the night fury from.
“So… why didn't you??”
Why hadn't the dragon gone for the kill. You would have stabbed it, you had a weapon for crying out loud! It had every opportunity… and it didn't.
You place the bola down, standing and hopping over a log. Walking the path down to a split between two rock digs. You slipped through the small passage, which opened up.
The tall rock face harbors trees and a small lake. It was nice… peaceful. The tall walls of rock keep it hidden and closed.
“This was stupid.” You say, moments before looking over and seeing a couple of black scales resting down the dirt incline down into the small crop.
The dragon.
You kneel down and pick one up, looking it over before hearing a roar. In an instant you jump back in fear as the Night Fury dives up over the small passage, climbing at the walls.
It's claws dig in, scrambling frantically and attempting to flap its wings and get over the edge of the rock.
You watched as it wailed and gave up, falling back and gliding awkwardly over the pond and landing on its side across on the other side.
Pant, scared but fascinated. Watched the dragon moan in sadness and pain. You hop down from the ledge, scrambling onto another rock stool and watch the night fury as it moves about.
It tries several more times to fly. Flapping its wings and hopping up but never managing to pull itself over the ledge. Crying angrily as it lands.
Your eyes widen, pulling out your sketchbook. No Night Fury had ever been recorded, you had to do this. Wow wow.
You quickly sketched up a drawing of the dragon, watching it snarl angrily.
“Why don't you just.. fly away??”
The dragon snarls and shoots a plasma blast at the ground.
Looking at the dragon you notice it only has one tail fin, while your drawing has two. You rub away the charcoal with your sleeve, your curiosities only growing.
The dragon tries to fly, swerving along the rock and slamming down onto the ground. It whines in pain, it's nose near the water's edge. Noticing some fish. It perks up in hope, diving its head into the water, but the fish are fast enough to escape its attempts.
It whines, still hungry.
In a moment of weakness, you feel bad for the creature. Why was this happening, why was it stuck here?? Your pencil rolled from between your fingers.
Your eyes widened but before you could grab it it fell down the steep rock. Bouncing on the rocks and attracting the Night Fury’s attention.
You froze, and it froze. Both of you are looking at each other. It glares at you, growling low. But it looks.. curious in a way.
When you finally make your way to the Meade hall it's late. You'd spent all your time watching the night fury and becoming so fascinated that you didn't care to come back. Until now.
Walking in and seeing the other teens gathered around Gobber. Talking over strategies and what happened in the ring.
“Now, how did Ghost go wrong today??”
“I mistimed my somersault dive. It was sloppy. It threw off my reverse tumble.” Ghost said with some sarcasm as he poked at his food.
“Yeah, we noticed.” Soap mumbles.
“No no, you were great. That was so… “Ghost.”” Graves said, once again attempting to land an unflattering attempt.
“He's right, you have to be tough on yourselves.” Gobber notices you walk in soaked, coming to the table. “Where did Y/n go wrong?”
“Uh, they showed up??” Soap said.
“Their didn't get eaten??” Graves said.
“Their never where they should be.” Ghost said, watching you with a nasty look as you scoot yourself over to the next table, knowing you weren't welcome around them.
Gobber walked over to you. “Thank you, Ghost.” He smacks Soap and Graves in the head. “You need to live and breathe this stuff. The dragon manual.” He holds up a book.
Leather bound with a dragon symbol burned into the front, tied with string to keep old pages together.
He cleared a part of the table and put the book down. “Everything we know about every dragon we know of.”
Thunder crackled overhead, Gobber sighed, knowing lightning to come. “No attacks tonight. Study up for tomorrow.”
“Wait, you mean, read??” Graves frowned, crossing his arms.
“Well maybe it would do you some good.” Gaz spoke up.
“Shut your mouth, I don't need to read nothing! Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you about??”
“Oh! I've read it like, seven times. There's this water dragon that sprays boiling water at your face. And- And there's this other one that buries itself for like a week-”
“Yeah, that sounds great. So there's a chance I was going to read it…” Soap starts.
“But not now.” Graves says, causing Soap to glare at him a little.
Even if they all were irritable brats at the age of sixteen, they all had some kind of friendship with each other. Some kind… more than they had with you. Because you're a loser.
Your eyes drift back over to Ghost who hadn't said a word about the book while the others bicker. Dragging his knuckles along the side of his tankard.
You could see the scars that started just before his wrist guards hid them away. Occasional Knicks and scratches along his arms and biceps.
Must have been from falls or accidents because he'd not properly fought a dragon or a hunter…
The others move from the table to go back home. You get up, going to the book by where Ghost sat. “So I guess we’ll… share??”
“Read it.” He pushed the book, getting up and walking off.
“Oh, uh, all mine, then. Wow. So, ok, I'll see you…” You looked up as the door shut. They were already gone…
The hall was dark with only you in it. You sat down at the table with a candle and opened the book.
Dragon classifications. Strike Class, Fear Class, Mystery Class.
You started to read. Reading through the book, the endings of each of the entries being extremely deadly: kill on sight.
Each page. Extremely deadly: kill on sight.
You continued to flip the pages. “Burns its victims, buries its victims, chokes its victims, turns its victims inside-out.”
“Extremely dangerous, extremely dangerous, kill on sight, kill on sight, kill on sight…”
Through every page of every class. Until you got to the end.
You flipped the last page. At the top it said Night Fury. The page being otherwise almost completely empty.
“Night Fury: Speed, unknown. Size, unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon.”
You hesitated on the last part. “Your only chance: Hide and pray it does not find you.”
You pulled out your sketchbook, dropping the sketch of the Night Fury on the page. You had found a Night Fury. It had let you close. It .. hadn't killed you.
You stood the next day in the training ring, in the middle of a training session. Holding your shield and axe, you shifted from one foot to the other. Surrounded by a maze of tall builds all put together for the Deadly Nadder to find and kill you.
“You know, I just happened to notice the book had nothing on Night Furies. Is there another book? Or a sequel? Maybe a little Night Fury pamphlet?”
The Deadly Nadder jumps atop one of the lofts, firing at you, taking off the head of your axe. “Gah!”
“Focus y/n! You're not even trying!” Gobber scolds.
“Today is all about ATTACK! Nadders are quick and light on their feet! Your job is to be quicker and lighter!” Gobber continues.
Gaz gasped, running away as the Nadder searches him out. Throwing spikes from its tail at him, sinking into the wall above his head and his shield. “Ah!! I'm really starting to question your teaching methods!!”
Gobber, undeterred, continues. “Look for it's Blindspot. Every dragon has one. Find it, hide in it, and strike.”
You rush by as Soap turns a corner, coming face to snout with the Nadder. He gasps, holding in a breath as it moves its head, attempting to stay in the Blindspot.
“Steamin’ hell… this thing stinks.” He wheezes. “Do you ever bathe??” He gags, trying to cover his mouth.
The Nadder turns its head, growling and spitting fire at him. “Ah!”
“Blind spot? Yes. Deaf spot? Not so much.” Gobber grins, leaning his face against his palm as he watched from above the chain net.
Seeing Ghost running through the intricate maze, you hanging on his tail like a mouse finding safety with the cat.
You pause, looking up at Gobber. “Hey, so how would one sneak up on a Night Fury?”
“No one's ever seen one and loved to tell the tale.” He snaps his fingers. “Now get in there!!”
“Y/n.” Ghost whispers your name. You turn to see Ghost kneeled down by one of the platforms, Graves behind him, nodding to you to be quiet. You skip over, hiding against the wall.
Ghost pokes his head out, seeing the Nadder coming around. He hides again, taking a deep breath and preparing himself before rolling forward on his shield.
He pushes off, hiding behind the next wall, Graves following and doing the same. When you attempt it, the shield does not follow your small body through the roll, trapping you against the ground.
The Nadder sees you, and runs. “Gah!” You scramble up and run. The Nadder roars and flies up on top of the walls, jumping down in front of Ghost.
He readied himself but Graves pushed him aside. “Watch out babe, I'll take care of this.”
“Hey!” Ghost growls at him, seething at him as he throws his weapon, completely missing.
The Nadder growls, Ghost glaring at him. “The sun was in my eyes, Ghost.” The Nadder roars, Ghost making a run for it away from that meat head.
“What do you want me to do?? Block out the sun? I could do that, but I don't have time!” He dodges the attack, running after Ghost as the Nadder makes chase.
Graves continues rambling, looking back and making a swift turn down another aisle. Ghost looks back, gasping and crying as the Nadder is seconds away from him. He dashes around the corner and turns, slamming into the wall.
The Nadder follows, roaring at him as Ghost scrambles and runs, the walls starting to knock over from the collision.
You were still rambling to Gobber like an idiot. “Like so they take the daytime off?? Like a cat. Has anyone ever seen one, napping??”
Gobber looks up from his bored expression as Graves run by.
“Y/n!”
The walls of the maze collapse, the Nadder snapping at Ghost’s heels as he jumps up across one of the falling walls. He jumps to another wall, and you're right in his landing path.
“Y/n!!” He yells, and jumps. You scramble back, falling on the ground as he lands with a thud on top of you.
“Ooh,” Soap teases.
Ghost glares at you, shoving your face away and attempting to stand, his axe lodged in your shield.
“Hey, why- let me… why don't you…?” He shoves your chest down, standing up, his knee between your legs causing you to gasp in pain.
He does not care. Grabbing his axe angrily trying to pry it away. The Nadder turns back, readying its shot for you and Ghost.
Ghost sees it and grows more panicked, grabbing his axe, his foot landing on your cheek. “Ow! Ow! Ow!!”
He attempts to pull his axe away as the Nadder comes closer.
He finally pries it from your arm and swings his axe at the Nadder’s face, your shield splintering.
The Nadder cries in pain and turns, walking off. Ghost pants, looking off in panic as he grips his axe.
“Well done, Ghost.” Gobber commends.
Ghost doesn't respond, the interaction having a grip on his core. Before his fear replaced with anger and he turned to you, curled up in the fetal position.
“Is this some kind of a joke to you!? Our parents' war is about to become ours!” He points his axe at you. “Figure out which side you're on.”
Back to trying again with the Night Fury. You head down to the cove, bringing a new shield. Propping it between two rocks and tossing a fish into the open. You slide under it, crawling on your hands and knees.
Once on the other side you attempt to pry the shield out but it's stuck. You sigh, heading over to the fish and picking it up by under the fin.
You look around, slowly walking into the open. Feeling slightly panicky, but you've had decent luck with this dragon so far. What with it not eating you the first time.
Perhaps it was wise enough to know you weren't worth it. You'd be more of a chew toy than a hefty meal.
You walk along the pond, looking around for the night fury, aware it had eyes on you minutes earlier. It peers out from a rock as it watches you pass. It's eyes focus on you, tail swishing.
Finally it comes down from the rock, and you see it from your peripheral. You gasp, gripping the fish tight as the dragon comes down and around, sniffing the snack in your hand, growling at you.
You hold the fish out. Would it take it?? It cranes its body sideways like a cat, tilting its head and sniffing the treat.
It's pupils softening before growling and jumping back. Your hand retreats with the fish, gasping softly.
You pull your sweater open, your knife tucked into your clothes. When you reach for it, the dragon snarls.
You gasp, feeling your heartbeat picking up again, slowly removing the knife and dropping it.
The dragon's ears go down, growling away, and you kick the knife away into the pond.
Afterwhich, the dragon relaxes, pupils softening again. It sits, ear flicking. It continues to hold its body arched like a cat as it comes over when you extend the fish again.
“Ah, Toothless.” You say, seeing his gummy mouth and lack of teeth. “I could have sworn you had-” His teeth suddenly snap out and he snatches the fish from your hands.
Your eyes widen as he scarfs down the snack. “-Teeth…”
He enjoys his snack before looking back at you, lowering his head and coming over.
“Ah, ah.. uh, I don't have any more.” You stammer, backing up and tripping over your heel back against a rock.
Toothless gurgled, looking at you before starting to regurgitate his food. You tense up, cringing a little when he spits up part of the fish in your lap.
“Ugh…”
He sits back, looking at you expectantly. His eyes move from the fish, then to you when you do nothing.
You sigh, hesitantly taking a bite of the food, retching it up, putting a hand over your mouth and forcing yourself to swallow it.
Toothless perks up, you shudder and look up at him, attempting to smile after that…. Delicious cuisine.
You smile awkwardly. Toothless frowns, before attempting to smile back. His lip twitching and showing his gummy smile that he gives you.
Your eyes widen a little. This… was not a kill on sight dragon. This wasn't something you'd slaughter for sport.
He was smiling at you. Why, from all the dragon's you'd ever been taught about, the most deadly was smiling at you. Sharing his food…
You slowly stand, extending your hand, to which Toothless’ smile drops. He growls, and flies off, crying as he spirals against the wind, only able to drift and hit the ground a ways away.
He huffs against the dirty, slowly getting up and shaking himself off. He walks over to a small hill, blasting a controlled amount of heat against the ground, charring it into a nice warm bed.
He looks up at a bird in its nest, chirping and flying away. And then… he sees you. How unsightly. No one wants to see that before bed.
He groans and curls up. Folding in his wings and wrapping his tail around his face to keep him well hidden and secured.
You smile, inching a little closer. You boldly reach out to touch his tail, but Toothless is one step ahead. He lifts his tail, huffing at you.
You quickly stand, wobbling on shaky legs and awkwardly walking away from him. Toothless stares dully, getting up and moving from his spot, somewhere you surely couldn't get him.
Hanging from… a tree. Such an odd dragon.
You let him be. Sitting on a rock a couple feet away. Wasting away the time until the evening rolled around and Toothless slowly came out of his nap.
Moving his tail and looking over at you, drawing in the dirt with a stick.
He gurgled, hopping down and quietly coming over to see what you were doing.
You rested your cheek against your fist, aimlessly drawing a little figure of Toothless in the dirt.
Toothless watches curiously, purring a growl and getting up on his back legs. He waddled away. You look back when you hear the snapping of a tree branch.
Toothless comes back with his own drawing stick, purring and trailing it around in the dirt.
You watch him in shock and surprise as toothless drags the stick around, smiling and clutching it tight in his mouth.
He purrs as he swirls and twists around, finally finishing his creation of spirals and mapping trails between you and him.
You finally stand, looking around at what he's created. All the lines and the paths. You walk out toward one of the lines. When your foot steps on it, Toothless growls.
It shocks you a little, looking over at him and quickly taking your foot off the line. Toothless raises his head, purring at you in response.
You put your foot on the line, and he growls.
Taking it off, Toothless purred.
You did it a couple of times before understanding. It's trust. Toothless is offering trust. You smile softly, stepping over the line, aware of where your feet when as he stepped around and over the lines.
Finally stopping with your back to Toothless. You sink a little, feeling a warm breath fan across the nape of your neck and down your back.
You turn and look up at him. Toothless’ gaze is soft. You pant softly, reaching your hand up. Toothless pulls his head away slightly, growling a little.
You pull your hand back, looking into his eyes. So you turn away. Closing your eyes and extending your hand again.
Toothless’ eyes soften. He looks at your palm, leaning his head forward and hesitating, before gently leaning his nose into your palm, closing his eyes.
You exhale softly in surprise, feeling it. Toothless… trusts you. This was trust.
You looked up at Toothless. His eyes narrow again. He pulled away, wriggling his nose and huffing before dashing off.
The incident didn't leave your mind. Even when you went home, you couldn't face anyone after the thought of Toothless.
Sat atop the watch tower with Gobber and the others, roasting food over the crackling fire while he went on about a tale.
You weren't particularly listening, your gaze focused on your fingers, slowly turning the stick that was jabbed through your fish.
“...And with one twist, he took my hand, and swallowed it whole!” Gobber waved his stick, with a whole chicken on the end of it.
“And I saw the look on his face: I was delicious. He must have passed the word, because it wasn't a month before another one of them took my leg.”
Gaz frowned in concentration, digging into his food. “Isn't it weird to think that your hand was inside a dragon?” He motioned one of the meat legs toward Ghost, who glared and shifted away.
What was that idiots problem. Ghost was close to biting his arm off.
“Like if your mind was still in control of it, you could have killed the dragon from the inside by... crushing his heart, or something.” Gaz continued, Graves staring at him from across the firepit as it grew silent.
“Right…” Graves muttered. “I swear, I'm so angry right now! I'll avenge your beautiful hand and your beautiful foot. I'll chop off the legs of every dragon I fight. With my face!”
“Un-unh. It's the wings and the tails you really want. If it can't fly, it can't get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon.” Gobber said, snapping a leg off his chicken.
Your eyes slowly widen. Toothless. Toothless was down. That's the first thing you'd listened to all night. Pulled from your stupor of pointless thoughts.
Gobber yawned and got up. “Alright. I'm off to bed. You should be, too. Tomorrow we get to the big boys. Slowly but surely making our way up to the Monstrous Nightmare. But who'll win the honor of killing it?”
“It's gonna be me! It's my destiny, see??” Soap rolled up his sleeve, showing his arm.
“Woah, your mom let you get a tattoo??”
“It's not a tattoo, it's a birthmark.”
“I've known you literally since we were babies, and I've never seen that.” Graves replies.
“Yes, it was. You've just never seen me from the left side until now.”
After hearing what Gobber had said about dragons, your interests turn to the forge. If you're going to get Toothless out of there alive you'd need to help him.
It wouldn't be on his own…
Ghost watched you, cold gaze following as you walked away from the fire and back down the watch tower.
You headed to the forge quickly, pulling out your sketchbook and laying it out on the table. Alright, now for something that could help Toothless. Time to get to work.
You worked long into the night. Heating the forge and putting together a device that you knew would help. You worked until your eyes were heavy and the sunrise poked over the edge of the water.
Finally putting out the flames and grabbing what you could, you headed back to the house. Stumbling inside and slumping into your hard bed for just an ounce of sleep.
After a bit of rest and recuperating you headed out a few hours later, ready to help Toothless. Your plan was foolproof. And you brought along a giant basket of fish just for it.
When you got back to the cove, Toothless was waiting for you. “Hey Toothless, I brought you some fish.” You set down the basket and kicked it over with your foot. “We've got some salmon, some nice Icelandic cod…”
Toothless began to sniff through the fish, nudging through to find the good stuff.
“And a whole smoked eel…” You slowly stepped around the pile when toothless growled. He backed up, snarling at the pile.
You tilted your head and reached in, pulling out the eel. Toothless saw it and expanded his wings in defense, roaring loudly.
“No, no no no! It's ok!” You quickly threw the eel away and placed out your hand to him, your contraption firmly under the other.
He huffed and you wiped your hand on your coat. “Yeah, I don't much like eel either…”
And Toothless went sniffing through the pile of fish again, wolfing down a few without wasting time.
“That's it…” you slowly backed up behind him. “That's it. Just stick with the good stuff.”
You slowly set up the wing you'd made. “And don't you mind me I'll be back here… minding my own business…”
You attempted to wrangle Toothless’ tail. Strapping the belts around it as he dug around the basket. Having to sit on his tail and gently spread open the fabric.
When you finally got it hooked on, you sat back. “Hey, doesn't look half bad.”
Toothless’ head perked up as soon as he felt it. A weight on his other tail. He slowly patted his feet into the ground. He could fly… he could fly.
Toothless spread his wings, and took off. “Woah! Whooaa!!” You gasped, seeing the ground suddenly falling away from you. You leaned down, grabbing and holding onto Toothless’ tail tightly.
“No no no!!” You cried as Toothless darted for the coves edge. You watched wide eyed, your adrenaline pumping.
The tail had closed and was flailing in the wind, Toothless starting to lose air.
Oh fuck oh fuck. You managed to pry one sweaty hand from his tail and pull it open. Toothless caught air and zoomed up into the sky.
“Oh, my…! It's working!!” You cried as Toothless flew away from the island. He twisted in the air, flying back over the cove and back across the pond.
“Yes! Yes! I did it!”
Toothless looked back. What the?? Why is this toothpick still hanging on to me!?
He twisted upside down and flicked his tail, tossing you into the pond and flew away.
Losing control of himself, he shrieked as he slammed back into the ground across the lake. He looked at the folded in tail angrily.
You swam above the water furiously, smiling. “Yeah!” You splashed.
The next day at training you were faced with the Hideous Zippleback. Teamed up with Gaz, your goal was to work together to disarm the two headed dragon of its abilities.
One head spreading flammable gas, the other head lights that gas.
“Razor sharp, serrated teeth that inject venom for pre-digestion. Prefers ambush attack, by crushing its victims-”
You frowned at Gaz, gripping your bucket tight. “Would you please stop that!?”
As more gas filled the arena, Graves and Soap turned back to back, looking around for any sign of the dragon.
“If that dragon shows either of his faces, I'm gonna- there!” Graves spotted something through the gas, both him and Soap frantically throwing their buckets of water.
The gas cleared, and there stood hell itself. A soaking. Wet. Ghost.
Oh.
“Oh it's just Ghost, we thought you were a dragon!” Soap shrinks back, smiling like an awkward idiot.
“Well, clearly,” he snapped coldly. “I am not!”
“Well, your butts big like a dragon.”
Graves hit Soap with his elbow. “Not that there's nothing wrong with a…” Ghost was already marching toward him.
“dragon-esque figure- Ow!”
Ghost punched him hard in the nose, sending him back. He landed on his butt, before he could get up something snatched him into the gas.
Ghost put his arm in front of Soap. “Wait.” He whispered.
There was a cry and Graves ran from the smoke. “Ow! Ow!”
Gaz gulped, you and him still back to back. “Chances of survival are dwindling in the single digits now…”
One of the dragon's heads peered out from the smoke and came toward you two. Sharp yellow eyes trained on Gaz.
“Woah, Woah!” He scrambled back as it cornered him, and he threw his bucket of water onto it.
The dragon rippled a growl, gas billowing from beyond its maw.
“Oh… wrong head.” He smiled awkwardly. It drenched Gaz in gas, Gobber calling out for him, and Gaz made a run for it.
Leaving you the last one with a water bucket. Both of the heads now coming around, the dragon facing you from both sides.
One of the heads created sparks between its teeth.
“Now y/n!” Gobber said.
You raised your water bucket. “Eh.” You threw it up, the water barely hitting the dragon. “Oh come on…”
You. Are completely… and utterly useless… be thankful you have a dragon now or you would not survive let me tell you.
The dragon surrounded you. “Y/n!” Gobber yelled, coming over.
But I admit, what you lack in physical strength you make up in your capacity to learn.
Standing up slowly, the dragon snarled and whipped back. You pulled the eel from your vest, holding it out to them.
“Back! Back!” You snapped, the dragon snarling and backing away from the eel.
“That's right! Back in your cage!” You corralled it back in, slamming the door shut with all the might you had. Which isn't much.
The others watched. Ghost’s signature glare burning into your skin. This was fucking ridiculous.
You clapped your hands together. “So uh… are we done??” They all stared at you wordlessly. “Because I uh.. I got some stuff to do so I'll just… yeah. See you tomorrow!”
You smiled, spending the rest of the day at the forge. Creating some more things you could use in your adventures with Toothless.
Putting together a saddle.
You brought it to Toothless and when he saw it he smiled. Perking up and running away. “Hey!” You laughed, running after him.
Toothless gurgled and fled around the ground as you chased after him.
After getting the saddle on you learned pretty quickly you'd need some way to hold on. After a failed fly test force Toothless to panic and throw you off his back into the water again.
No problem, just a little waist retainer was all that was needed. Hooking it onto the saddle and having another go.
The second time was slightly better. You'd tied a rope around your ankle that would help you pull the tail fin open.
Toothless roared when you tried again, losing control in the air just after getting out of the cove.
“Hold hold ha!!” You cried as Toothless squirmed and fell into a bed of tall dragon nip.
You stumbled, looking around the tall grass and going back to see Toothless rolling around comfortably in the grass. Relaxing fully in total relaxation.
Huh. Odd.
You picked up some of the nip, looking at it curiously. Again, it's best you have a bigger head than bigger biceps.
When faced with a Gronckle for the next training exercise, you ended things quickly. It crashed into Graves and went for you. You held up the dragon nip you had taken and it immediately slowed down.
The Gronckle crashed to the ground and you rubbed the dragon nip against its nose.
The villagers gathered around the top of the pit to watch you in awe, the village elder also noticing how much you'd suddenly improved your dragon prowess in recent days.
After which all the teens were gathered around you. Well, almost all of them.
“Wow, how did you do that??” Soap asked.
“I never would have thought about that-” Gaz piped up.
“I've never even seen a Gronckle do that!” Graves blurted.
Ghost trained behind, watching as you laughed awkwardly. “Oh I uh, I left my axe in the ring.” You turned, bumping into Ghost as you did.
He jumped, pushing you lightly and you went around him. “Sorry, sorry.”
They watched, the others smiling excitement. Ghost glaring down your whole existence.
Spending more time with Toothless, you began to introduce the fondness of scratches and pets. Scratching the patches of scales along his neck and ear fins.
Toothless groaned, leaning up into it, turning his head and closing his eyes. You scratched under his chin and he went limp, falling to the ground with a content exhale.
The next day, back in training.
Ghost yelled, throwing his axe at the deadly Nadder that turned, running back over to you two. It roared loudly, pushing Ghost to the ground, skinning his upper arm.
You readied yourself, quickly dropping the axe as the Nadder ran to you.
Ghost scrambled back up, grabbing his axe. His heart pounded as he lifted it and ran. You noticed him and turned quickly to the Nadder.
You reached up, scratching behind its ear, down to its chin and right… there.
The Nadder dropped, happily out for a nap.
Ghost panted, lowering his axe in disbelief. You smiled at him and shrugged.
This continued on. Spending time with Toothless you learned he was just like a cat.
Using a hammer to shine a light across the ground, you watched with amusement as Toothless chased after it. Hopping and purring to catch it.
Training faced you with the Terrible Terror. Which admittedly you didn't expect it to be as small as it was.
“Meet the Terrible Terror.”
A small door attached to the main door opened, like a cat door. The tiny dragon scuttling out, licking its eyeball, staring at you all.
“Aw, it's like the size of my- ah!!” Soap jumped back as the Terror jumped at him. You all scattered as Soap landed on the ground, the terror chewing on his nose.
“Oh I am hurt, I am very much hurt!”
The Terror perked up, seeing a light moving across the ground. It flicked its tail, smiling and rushing from Soap after the light.
You guided it with the shiny part of your shield back into its small hut, closing the door with your foot.
“Wow, he's better than you ever were.” Soap rubs his nose, looking at Ghost.
After which you spent more time working on a harness and a better string attachment for the tail fin.
When rushed through the woods up ran into Ghost, throwing his axe into different trees, training his aim.
He raised his axe, pausing when he saw you. You two looked at each other, and then you rushed off. You couldn't let him see Toothless.
When Ghost turned to follow after you, you had somehow already disappeared.
Fuck!
You began to work on the positions of your contraption with Toothless. Strapping him to a tree stump so you could write down the number of each foot turn.
Able to move your heel and shift the position of the tailfin through the rope.
“Position one.” You shifted the lever, writing it down on your little piece of paper. “And position two.” He shifts it, Toothless' wings catching air and the rope snapped.
“Gah!” You gasped as you were thrown back to the ground.
Toothless groaned and rolled over, pulling you up by the waist, the waist retainer stuck to the clip of Toothless' saddle.
“Oh brother…”
Forced to drag Toothless back to the village while still tangled together, you snuck past a few guards and led him into the smithing shop.
You looked around for something to pry the hook open, Toothless shoving his nose in a basket. When he flicked it off, it hit one of the weapons on the wall, causing noise.
Ghost who was passing, heading back, begrudgingly home, heard it.
He walked over to the smithing window. “Y/n?? Are you in there??”
Both you and Toothless looked up. You quickly dropped what you were doing and pushed yourself out the smithing window, looking at him.
“Ghost- hi, Ghost. Hi, hi… hi Ghost.” You fumbled with the waist trainer. Toothless sniffing around and pulling you back against the doors.
Toothless looked around, spotting a sheep. The sheep spotted him, immediately rushing away.
“I normally don't care what people do but you're acting weird.”. Ghost points an accusatory finger. “Well, weirder.”
You huffed, stumbling back. The trainer lifted you off your feet. Ghost stared at you as the doors of the smithing window gave in and sucked you back. Ghost immediately rushed over and opened it, seeing the smelter empty.
You and Toothless sneaking away and flying off. That. Was. Way too close…
That day was the day your father arrived back. One of the boats with several holes in it and barely survived. Their search for a nest of dragons once again produced no fruit.
Gobber was there when Stoick arrived back. “Well, I trust you found the nest at least?”
“Not even close.” He growled, walking past with a fixed frown.
“Oh. Excellent.” Gobber said sarcastically, following Stoick.
“I hope you had a little more success than me.”
“Well, if by success, you mean that your parenting troubles are over with, then... yes.” He took a basket of supplies over his shoulder while he walked.
Various different Vikings congratulating Stoick on his kid actually becoming vikinglike. Can you imagine that eh?
“Their gone??” Stoick asked.
“Yeah... most afternoons. But who can blame them? I mean the life of a celebrity's very rough. They can barely walk through the village without being swarmed by his new fans.” Gobber replied.
“Y/n??”
“Who would have thought it eh? He has this… way with the beasts.”
Stoick’s eyes widened. Yes. What he'd been waiting for your entire life!
Off somewhere near the edge of the island, you were busy with Toothless. Having written up your complete cheat sheet, you secured the small paper with all of your positions to Toothless' saddle. Slowly gliding through the air.
“Alright bud we're gonna take this nice and slow” You looked over the sheet. “Here we go, here we go. Position…”
“Three. No… four.” You looked down at the foot pedal and positioned it, the tail fin opening. Toothless looked down at it, wiggling his head and getting used to it.
The gentle glide turned into a slow fly, Toothless guiding with your help through the winds, his wings catching air flawlessly.
Toothless flew you up into the air, passing some clouds. You held on, looking back at the tail fin. “Alright. It's go time, it's go time.”
Toothless roared and dove down toward the sea stacks littering around the island ocean.
“Come on buddy! Come on buddy!” You encourage. You held onto the saddle tightly when Toothless flew down over the water, the waves lapping up to touch his belly as you went by.
You looked up as you passed through two connected sea stacks, watching the birds startle and fly off. “Yes, it worked!”
The tail was holding up so far.
You flew up away from the water, attempting to make a turn and throwing Toothless into a sea stack. He growled and flapped violently. “Sorry!” You winced.
Barely recovering you saw another stack, attempting to pull him up sharply and hitting another. He growled again. “It was my fault.” You cringed.
He hit you with his ear. “Yeah yeah, I'm on it. Position four- uh, three.” You shifted the foot pedal and took off into the sky. Soaring up over the sea stacks and into the fluffy clouds.
“Yeah!! Aw this is nice. The wind in my -” the paper attached to the saddle flew off and into the wind. “Cheat sheet!” You reached back to try and grab it.
“Stop!!”
Toothless flapped his wings, halting as best he could, sending you forward. The hook on the waist belt and the saddle came off.
“No!!” Toothless saw you and panicked, falling back and scrambled. “No!! Oh no!!” You yelled as you fell and spiraled in the sky down toward the sea.
Toothless roared when he saw you falling faster than him. “Oh, gods! Oh, no!!” You cried your lungs out.
“Alright! You gotta kind angle yourself!” You flipped onto your back, trying to help Toothless. “Okay, no, no, no... come back down towards me! Come back down-- YOW!” Toothless’ tail smacked you as you fell.
You flipped onto your front, reaching out to grab the hook on the saddle, just out of reach.
Toothless wailed and cried when you finally grabbed it, managing to pull yourself on. Reattaching and gripping the saddle, angled downward.
The cheat sheet hit you in the face and you grabbed it, putting it between your teeth. You zoomed straight toward a downward plain of trees, trying to pull Toothless back up.
He roared and whined, zooming down at an angle over the trees, his wings catching wind. As you zoomed down to the bottom you pulled the cheat sheet again. With all the wind you couldn't read anything on it.
Looking between the sheet and some sea stacks, you tossed the sheet,grabbing the saddle and readjusting the foot pedal.
Toothless roared and zoomed to the side, making the corner before you could hit the stones.
You zoomed through the various passages, shifting the foot pedal again through the fog. Coming shooting out the other side into the clear open air.
You panted, blood pumping with adrenaline. “Yeah!!” You raised your arms. Toothless smiled and shit a blast into the air, ruining your celebration. “Come on…”
You were pummeled into the fire, pushing your hair back and covering your clothes in specs of dirt and char.
You flew with Toothless some more, your adventure leading you back to a sea stack, there you got some fish and made a small fire.
Toothless laid down, retching up one of his fish heads while you leaned back against him, cooking your own dinner over the fire.
“Uh, no thanks, I'm good.” You refused the fish head.
Some small dragons spotted you and flew over to your little set up. Those tiny Terrible Terrors. Toothless growled, protecting his fish as they came over, snapping at one.
You watched as one of them grabbed the head of the fish Toothless had belched up and shot at another dragon who tried to take it.
Toothless watches unimpressed, when his food started moving. One of the dragon's trying to sneak a fish from his pile. Toothless growled, grabbing the fish in his teeth and pulling it back.
The Terror whined, causing toothless to bellow a low laugh.
The Terror squeaked and stood up, snapping at Toothless.
You looked between the two as it stood up on its back legs and inhaled. Before it could do anything Toothless shot a small blast at it, inflating it and it puffed out smoke, whining.
You chuckled. “Not so fireproof on the inside are ya?” You tossed one of your fish. “Here ya go.” It scuttled over and wolfed it down quickly.
Licking its eyeball and cautiously wandering over to you. It whines, curling up beside you, purring softly.
“Everything we know about you guys… It's wrong.”
Unfortunately it won't let me post this much so to read the rest of it please see the reblog I did for the rest of the post. ❤
idk if u still take req, but i've been thinking purge trooper cody hunting child padawan reader who living with obi-wan in tattoine. it's like battle with himself rather than the two jedi, like yk trying to resist inhibitor chip. slight codywan will be cute
ignore this if u don't seems interested, thankuu for all u'r hardwork! i love every single of it!!
Purge trooper Cody on the brain! Did I stray a little from the prompt? Maybe-
“Dead of Night”
Could this be a follow up to this old fic (x) maybe but I’m not sure…
Summary: Cody tracked them down, spotted together were the 2 people that haunted his dreams. He was a good soldier, he had to be
Pairing: purge trooper Cody x GN!padawan reader (PLATONIC)
Warning: guilt hurt/comfort (that’s all I could find really but let me know if I missed any)
Word count: 1256 (not proof read at all)
Notes: I swear I posted this a few days ago, sorry for disappearing
This armor wasn’t his.
It sat wrong on his lean frame, heavier than the one before. Cody shook his shoulder out before slipping the dark helmet onto his head.
He missed his sunshine armor from so long ago.
If he thought ever so hard Cody could almost hear the faint laugh of once before while painting the sun burst on his armor.
These thoughts never seemed to stick around.
A blaster still hung at his hip accompanied by the unfamiliar weight of the eltro-shock staff many of the purge troopers use.
Unethical. Cody thought stomping down the halls the to docked ship waiting to take him away. The weight and feeling of said weapon made him sick.
The ship rustled under his feet during take off, so caught up in his thoughts the dread of this mission sank into his bones.
The sun never seemed more dull.
•••
Sand was everywhere. The sun radiated heat over the barren lands where a small house was situated. If you could even call it that.
Watching the twin suns set for the one-millionth time seemed always new and different. The warm colors filled your eyes and cover your skin in a honey color.
A chest plate was clutched in your lap. The names started to fade ever so slightly, but with the many times you’ve read over them the order was engraved in your memory.
As the suns took its last peak over the horizon before finally submitting to the darkness that bled into the cloudless sky, you spoke softly names names that were painted into the backside of the chest plate.
Starting with the familiar signature of your master and the commanders closely under his, ending with Trapper and the small name of Rex’s tucked into the corner.
From the front of the shelter you heard the calls from your master. The urgency in his voice made your blood run cold and to discard the piece of armor off to the side.
“Y/N” Obi-wan said once again as you stoped near his side, a comm was clutched tightly in his hand.
You nodded your head slightly in acknowledgement waiting for him to say something else.
“Comms and intel found an emperial shuttle inbound.” His tone was even and cold as it has been the entire time on this desolate planet.
“Is this worrisome?” The word master almost slipped past your teeth as you fought long and hard to break the habit for safety reasons.
With a sigh Obi-wan answered. “Not necessarily, it looks like it’s going to land near the town the check things out there.” He turned fully to you now placing a gentle hand on your shoulder.
“There’s nothing to worry too much about young one, but the village will be off limits until they leave.”
A weight was slightly lifted off your chest with his somewhat reassuring words. The slight shake in your hands were present while you patted your old masters arm.
This wasn’t easy on either of you. It never will be.
The brisk wind of the night rattled through your bones jolting you awake. It was new that it wasn’t a nightmare this time and for that you were thankful.
The soft shuffle of Obi-wan under a shear blanket was the only other noise you could hear besides your own breaths.
You knew he was a soft sleeper, now more than ever. But something deep within, long since been buried reignited.
A pull of something through the force while you tried to be rid of it never it truly seemed to be gone for long.
In the distance a small flicker of a light danced along the horizon. If it was a flashlight of some sorts it would imply that the holder was running.
The feeling again bubbled in your chest as you took a few steps out on the soft sand. One look over your shoulder showed your master still resting.
You couldn’t turn now. Whatever force god was watching over you wouldn’t allow it. The existence of fate was a touchy subject.
Strong winds continued to try and knock you down while you persisted through to whoever was on their way
Calls of your name was lost to the breeze in the dead of night. Oblivious of the man that followed you continued forward.
You stoped dead in your tracks while the figure approached further. The force surrounding this individual was sweet and familiar, normally lighting up your face with a smile.
Normally.
Something else, more complex and darker seemed to look around the edges but not close enough to deter you.
The man shook slightly from the spot that he watched from. You watched the twitchy movements as a hand flew too his blaster, but never touching it.
Instead another hand slowly reached for the dark helmet that masked him from you.
A ghost stood in front of you. Once you never thought you’d see again. The great maker above was clearly playing a sick twisted joke on you.
His name could barely form on you lips while taking a few steps back from the man you never thought you’d see again. The one that along with his brothers betrayed you.
You felt a shuffle to your side; the words “Drop your weapons’ rang out through the night from your master.
A blaster of his own didn’t shake. Stepping in front of you the sight of the man in front of you made your master take another look as well.
Obeying he threw the blaster that seemed to stick closer to him than any other trooper he started working with, and the foreign weapon that he didn’t want to be associated with anymore.
Dropping his helmet as well Cody fell to one of his knees, a hand came a cradled the side of his head.
Both you and your master were frozen where you stood. The cloudy eyes of yours tore through every defense that Obi-wan tried so hard to put up.
Through the wind the quiet cries blew to your ears. Your Cody was hurting; in more ways than one.
“Master” you almost begged as you both took a step forward.
Obi-wan tried so hard to keep the people in his life safe. Sabine, Anakin, Cody, and now you. Every buzzer in his mind was ringing saying this was a trap. That he should take you and run.
He was at the purge troopers side in a moment. Obi-wan’s strong embraced engulfed Cody and the weight crashed into him.
For months now this was all that he wanted.
Everything to be drowned out.
“Oh my love.” Was whispered slightly into his ear, Cody was quick to wrap his arms protectively around his general. The one that wasn’t going to get away again.
Cody’s cries became louder while another body wrapped around his shaking form. Weapons and enemies forgotten Cody let down all his walls and the floodgates opened.
“My head hurts.” Was the only thing Cody could get past his teeth and oh boy was it true. His own mind seemed to turn against him, to scream at him that he shouldn’t be doing this.
Good soldiers follow orders.
But even better ones protect those who stand besides them.
“We’ve got you now Cody.” Your voice flooded his ears, blocking out the screams of yours that haunted his every moment. “We can help you.”
Masked by the dead of night only tomorrow would they realized that another soldier went AWOL.
_____________________________________
Taglist: @arctrooper69 @thereforepizza @padawancat97 @pb-jellybeans @floffytofu @verybadatwriting @solstraalaa @ray-rook @ct-0113
pairing: the salesman x top male reader
synopsis: A man starts noticing his belongings disappearing after every visit to his best friend’s house—until he stumbles upon the unsettling truth.
content warnings: 18+, bottom salesman, reader is fucking salesman's son, dubcon, blackmail, cheating, fingering, anal sex, implied stalking, dead dove do not eat.
word count: 1.6k
Dinner at your best friend’s house is always an experience.
Not because of the food—his dad’s a damn good cook, actually—but because of the company.
“Hyung, I’m telling you, this lady at work keeps calling me ‘oppa,’ and I don’t know how to tell her I hate it,” Jiho complains, waving his chopsticks for emphasis. “Like, I get it, I’m devastatingly handsome, but can we have boundaries?”
You snort, reaching for more rice. “You could just tell her to stop.”
“I did! And you know what she said? She said I ‘look like the type to enjoy it.’” Jiho groans, collapsing dramatically against the back of his chair. “I feel violated.”
Across the table, Jiho’s father hums, slow and thoughtful. “Perhaps you give off the impression of someone who enjoys attention,” he muses, sipping his soup.
Jiho gapes at him, offended. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”
You chuckle, glancing at Jiho’s father. He hasn’t said much tonight, but that’s not unusual. The man is a quiet observer, the kind of person who listens more than he speaks. You’ve had dinner here plenty of times before, and the pattern is always the same—Jiho chatting away, you chiming in, and his father interjecting with the occasional dry remark.
But tonight… feels different.
Jiho’s father has been watching you. Not obviously—just little glances, the weight of his gaze lingering longer than usual. His face remains unreadable, but there’s something sharp in his eyes, something calculating.
It’s not unfriendly, exactly. Just… unsettling.
“Hyung?” Jiho nudges your arm. “You good?”
You blink, shaking off the feeling. “Yeah. Just thinking about how you probably deserve that treatment.”
Jiho makes a wounded noise. “Et tu, Brute?”
Across the table, his father chuckles. A deep, quiet sound. When you glance at him, he’s already looking away, refilling his tea like he wasn’t just assessing you like a goddamn science project.
Yeah. Something’s up with him tonight.
You just don’t know what.
And that? That should’ve been your first warning.
You should’ve gone home.
Jiho had texted that he’d be late—something about running an errand for work—but you figured it was no big deal. You’d been to his house a thousand times before, and waiting around wasn’t exactly a hardship.
But the house was too quiet without him.
It’s why you found yourself wandering, aimlessly at first, then with purpose when you noticed something odd.
A door. Slightly ajar.
You didn’t remember Jiho ever mentioning this room before. Curiosity got the better of you, and you nudged the door open fully—only to freeze in place.
Inside, the walls were lined with shelves. Not with books or storage boxes, but with you.
Your bracelets. Your books. Your toothbrush.
And—most horrifyingly—your underwear.
Stacks of them, folded neatly. Some draped over surfaces, others tucked away like a grotesque collection. And at the very center, in a glass display case like some kind of prized possession, was a used condom—your used condom.
A sickening chill crawled up your spine.
What the fuck was this?
A shadow moved behind you. Before you could react, a deep voice spoke, low and amused.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to snoop?”
You turned sharply. Jiho’s father stood in the doorway, watching you with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
You opened your mouth—whether to demand an explanation or to throw up, you weren’t sure—but he stepped forward, closing the door behind him with a click.
Trapping you inside.
“You’ve been quite careless,” he murmured, trailing a finger along one of the shelves. “Leaving so many things behind. Did you ever wonder where they went?”
Your pulse thundered in your ears. “What the fuck is this?”
Jiho’s father merely chuckled. “Just a collection. I like to keep things that interest me.”
Your stomach churned. This wasn’t just interest—this was obsession.
You tried to move past him, but he stepped in your way, his smirk widening. “Ah, ah. I wouldn’t be so hasty.”
You clenched your jaw. “Move.”
“And if I don’t?” His voice was light, conversational, but there was a razor-sharp edge beneath it. “You could run to Jiho. Tell him. But then I’d have to tell everyone something too, wouldn’t I?”
Your breath caught.
“I wonder,” he mused, tilting his head. “How would your workplace react? Your friends? Your family?”
Your hands curled into fists. You knew what he was implying. Being outed in this country—where tradition and reputation mattered—was a death sentence for your social life, your career, everything.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “So, what will it be?”
Oh.
Oh hell no.
You let out a short, incredulous laugh, because there is no way this is happening. “Dude,” you blurt. “You do realize your son and I have been—”
“I’m very aware,” he interrupts smoothly, his gaze flickering down your form. “And I must say… I can see why he’s so taken with you.”
You should leave. You should run. But your legs don’t move. Because the way he’s looking at you—intense, predatory, like he’s testing something—sends a very different kind of shiver down your spine.
The air between you shifts.
He’s close now. Too close.
“You’re an interesting one,” he murmurs, reaching out—not grabbing, just hovering, his fingers barely ghosting over your arm. “Most people would be terrified right now.”
“Oh, I am,” you say, flashing a weak grin. “But I also have really bad coping mechanisms.”
His lips quirk up. “Is that so?”
Then, before you can think better of it—before you can stop yourself—you grab him by the tie and pull him in.
His smirk barely has time to widen before your lips crash together.
The kiss is messy. Heated. Too much, too fast, but neither of you seem to care. His hands find your waist, pulling you flush against him, while yours tangle in the expensive fabric of his suit. He tastes like something rich and intoxicating, and damn it, you hate how much you like it.
Your hands move to his waist as his move up to your shoulders, slightly changing the dynamics of the situation. He groans against your mouth at the friction against his crotch, making you hard.
This is wrong, so wrong, but there doesn’t really seem to be another way out.
You tug at his work pants, bringing them down with a firm grasp while pushing him onto the bed in the corner of the room– more like a shrine.
His cock emerges, hard and leaking. Your thumbs trails at the head-- picking up the precum that builds up at the slit. He shudders; he hasn’t touched himself like this in so long.
Wanting to finish what he wants as soon as possible, you shimmy down your own pants, revealing your own erection. You find yourself feeling ashamed at the fact that your grew hard from kissing your fuck buddy best friend’s father.
Searching through his coat pocket, the older man finds a small packet of lube and tosses it at you. You catch it before it flies past you– glaring at him.
“You're no fun,” he grins, as you rip the packet with your teeth and pour the cool liquid onto your fingers.
You take your lubed digits to his awaiting hole and press them at his entrance, before pushing in. You weren’t going to give this man the mercy of your patience.
His back arched as he let out a loud moan. If your fingers felt this good, how would your cock feel in him?
His thoughts were interrupted by you moving your fingers in and out of him sloppily, not caring if the sudden intrusion hurt (he was a masochist, so you supposed it didn’t matter anyway).
Feeling that he had been prepped enough, you slid your digits out of his hole, and replaced the emptiness with your cock.
The head caught on to the slick of the lube, pushing in slightly– before you slid all the way in. You groaned at how tight he was– even tighter than Jiho if that were possible. You chided yourself for thinking like that before you pulled out almost all the way before slamming back in.
The man’s eyes rolled to the back of his head– your cock hitting the right spot with every thrust. You felt so, so good inside him, and his hole involuntarily clenched around you at the thought.
You held tightly onto his waist as you practically abused his hole, profanities leaving your mouth every now and then.
“Hah– never thought you would get of to being fucked by your son’s best friend, hm?” He could only mumble incoherently at the jab, his brain just too full with being fucked dumb.
He had been waiting so long for this to finally happen, for you to take him like this. He was aware of the relationship between you and his son, and he chose to exploit it instead of doing what a normal dad should do.
But it wasn’t like he was a normal person anyway.
At that thought, he felt himself clench around you more, fucking psychopath. You groaned, feeling his warmth, thrusting into him even further as though you were an animal in heat.
Soon, you felt yourself close to a climax, so you pressed your cock into him all the way, letting yourself come undone– painting his insides a pearly white, before whispering in his ear.
“You can throw away that condom now– you have the real thing in you anyway”, he came, almost violently, when he heard you say that– his semen staining his pristine suit.
You were going to pull out of him, when a sharp knock suddenly echoed through the house.
“Dad?”
You both freeze.
Oh. Oh, hell.
The door creaks open, and there stands Jiho —his son—staring at the two of you like he’s just walked into the world’s worst nightmare.
Silence.
More silence.
Then—
“What. The. Fuck.”
You sigh, forehead dropping against the older man’s shoulder. “Welp,” you mutter. “Guess I am gonna start screaming now.”
© carnalcrows on tumblr. Please do not steal my works as I spend time, and I take genuine effort to do them.
okay but what if logan's wade, worst wolverine's wade, was among the people who he couldn't save? maybe it was origins!wade. maybe it was a wade that just got diagnosed with cancer. maybe it was a wade that never got cancer. maybe he didn't even know his wade all that well, just saw his face in passing in the hallway or at meetings
he thinks, 'i already watched you die once, i'm not watching you die again' during the time ripper self sacrificing moment. he thinks, 'i'm not letting you die this time'
Paring: Jaster Mereel X Jon Antilles
Jon has been away for a while, working on a mission in the outer rim. Jaster feels lonely as he tries to keep it together for him and the children.
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 1.2k
Warnings: angst, pain and comfort, Jaster was missing Jon, pre established relationship, Canon Divergence, heavy petting, not beta read, we die like men.
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