! EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS !

I got this comment on a story from my Other AO3 Account this morning.

(Info redacted because I prefer keeping these accounts separate but no one follows me on the side blog I have for that account.)

The story was posted almost a year ago and is relatively “popular” by my average statistics even though it has tropes and themes that are big turnoffs for a lot of people (hence separate accounts). This popularity is undoubtedly because it’s a Marvel Loki story and that fandom is massive.

So there is obviously an algorithm or a bot scrubbing ao3 statistics and leaving this comment on fics that meet a certain metric with the main character of the fic inserted into the comment.

I had a little time to kill this morning so I decided to investigate further. And y’all this is so predatory. Come on this journey with me. It made me mad. It may make you mad.

First, if you go to Webnovel’s website, you HAVE to choose between male lead or female lead stories before you can go any further. WTF?

And that’s weird, but this gets so much worse. This is basically a pay-to-read site that has different subscription models. Which… okay BUT! The authors don’t get paid! Look at that comment again. They’re promising a supportive and nurturing community, but zero monetary compensation. It’s basically, “post your stuff here so we can get paid and you can get… nice vibes?” I mean look at this Orwellian writing:

Using the phrase “pay-to-read model” in the same sentence as “qualitative changes in lifestyles for authors” deliberately makes you think that you can get paid and maybe even make a living on this website. But that’s not actually what it says and authors will not receive one red cent.

Oh but wait, the worst is still to come. In case this breaks containment (which I kind of hope it does) this is where I mention that I’m a lawyer in the US.

I don’t do intellectual property or copyright law but I do read and write contracts for a living. So I went to look at their terms of service. It was fun!

Highlights the first, in which Webnovel gets a license to do basically whatever they want with content you post on their site. This is how they get to be paid for people reading authors’ writing without paying them anything.

Highlights the second, in which Webnovel takes no responsibility for illegally profiting off of fan fic. This all says that the writer is 100% responsible for everything the writer posts (even though only Webnovel is making money from it).

Highlights the third which say that by posting, the author is representing that they have the legal right to use and to let Webnovel use the content according to these terms. So if a writer posts fan fiction and Webnovel makes money from people reading the fan fiction, and the House of the Mouse catches wise, these sections say that that’s ALL on the writer.

So that’s a little skeevy to start off with but the thing that is seriously shitty and made me make this post was that these assholes are coming to ao3. They are actively recruiting people in comments on their fan fiction. And they are saying they are big fans of the character you’re writing about and that they share your interests.

They are recruiting fan fiction writers and giving every impression that you can make money from posting fan fiction on their site and hiding the fact that you absolutely cannot but they can make money off of you while you try, deep in their terms of service which no one but a lawyer who writes fan fic and has some time to kill will read.

I see posts on here regularly from people who don’t understand how this stuff works, don’t understand that they (and others) can not legally make a financial profit from fan fiction. And there are tons of people who will not take the time to dig into the details.

Don’t deal with these bastards. Fuck Webnovel.

Helloooo~

Can I request a oneshot with Xiao who turned his back against Rex Lapis and Liyue for God Reader who was deemed a fake by everybody except him because he can feel the pain from his karmic debt lessening when he approaches the reader and recognized them the moment he laid eyes on them? So now Xiao becomes a fugitive and runs away with reader to protect them. I also would really appreciate it if you can put Qiqi into the mix? The little zombie becomes Xiao's and readers intel in liyue.

I hope that wasn't too confusing and if you don't want to do it, it's 100% alright.

OHHH I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Xiao love forever i love him so much pls i need a rerun of his banner pls mihoyo

Xiao being on the reader's side in the imposter sagau is just. chefs kiss

Length: 4. 7 k

cw: injury, reader being hunted by people, blood

Genre: uhhh a bit of angst but also some fluff

Of gentle breezes and tough hearts

The Vigilant Yaksha, as he had been dubbed, was nothing id not dedicated to his duty of protecting Liyue. His duty of serving under the command of Rex Lapis.

Perhaps the years had not been kind to him, wearing and tearing at him until he was frayed at the edges - but he was forged into a fighter, and that was the burden he had to bear.

The burden of his suffering under his previous master - his acts as a Yaksha - all of it had added up over the years to forge an armor of callousness around him.

His burden of Karmic debt was something painful, weighing him down each day as he fulfilled his duties - on the worst of days he wondered, if that would be the day he'd succumb to it and cease to be - torn apart from the inside out in the throes of it.

Not that he'd ever voice his concerns or pains. He was above that. He was a powerful Yaksha and he had earned his lot in life, after all. And, he had you.

Your gentle light, distant guiding presence, you who would lift his debt and ease his pain - it was all he could ask for. It was more than he deserved, even.

The winds swayed angrily as news of an imposter spread through Teyvat like wildfire - igniting all along its path with a sense of burning vengeance and desire to avenge their Creator. To put an end to the sinner's sacrilegious crimes.

Of course, Rex Lapis, one of your oldest and most devout followers and acolytes, was bound to hear of this. And hear of it he did. His eyes burned with the flames Xiao had not seen since the Archon wars of times long gone - bringing forth the god of war that Rex Lapis had once been regarded as.

His orders were absolute - to find and slay the imposter on sight. To honor the Creator by offering this imposter's blood to you, to fertilize the earth with it and snuff out any flicker of life.

He, as one of, if not the strongest of the adepti under his command - and certainly the fastest - flew through the airs like a whirlpool of vengeance. He owed all he was, to you - and lately, his Karmic debt had grown in its panful, overbearing weight - you being nowhere to be found to lessen it.

Was it your fury at the gall of this imposter that made you stray from him and the people of Teyvat?

He would assure your return - he would become a weapon once more, all to honor you.

Perhaps it was his dedication to you - or maybe the force of anemo cursing through him, but he was quick to pick up the trail of the imposter. They weren't exactly great at hiding their tracks, or even if they were, they certainly couldn't deceive the Vigilant Yaksha.

Strangely enough, as he neared the location of the imposter, he found the painful pressure threatening to crush him every waking moment easing away. He took it as a sign. A sign from you - that he was heading the right direction. That he was doing the right thing.

But how could he bring down his spear to pierce the line tethering your life to this world when you looked up at him with the face of his beloved Creator? With tears unshed still lining the corners of your eyes as you stared at him in frozen fear, quietly accepting your doom as you closed your eyes.

His spear slipped from his grasp as he staggered backwards, feeling like any burdens his shoulders carried - any fragment of his Karmic debt - it was all lifted when he neared you - the lightness and sudden reprieve from his pain was enough to make him see stars.

He stared down at you once more, fear now in his eyes as he came to a sobering, horrifying realization.

He felt tears spring in his eyes - a foreign sensation to him that burned.

"You'r grace...it's you..." he whispered.

You shook, your arms still up defensively.

"Xiao..?" you whispered.

He fell to his knees before you.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.I'm sorry.

The words kept falling from his lips in a prayer as he allowed the tears to slip down his face in turmoil, washing away the layers of armor and walls he had built up over millennia.

You watched his stone façade crumble, the fragments being crushed to dust and flowing away - leaving behind what looked like a lost, confused boy.

Slowly, you rose to your feet, quiet as a mouse. The Yaksha made no move to stop you, his lips moving wordlessly as his mind raced with the thoughts of what he had almost done. He could already picture it - you being gone - Teyvat would be in more pain than it has ever been - no archon wars, no vengeful gods could compare to it.

You bent down and picked up the polearm he had discarded, holding it in your unsteady hand as you attempted to balance it in your hand. The green jade glowed faintly as your fingers danced across it, emitting a soft warmth. The weapon you had worked so hard to attain and build up in strength.

Finally, Xiao seemed to snap out of his daze, staring up at your form - positions now reversed as you towered before him, holding a glowing weapon in your shaky hand, still unable to find the proper balance.

He attempted to push himself up, filled with the need to apologize.

"Don't come any closer," you warned, attempting to threateningly jab the weapon at him, only for the tip of it to crash into the ground as it wobbled in your hand.

So much for being intimidating.

"Your grace, I have no intention to hurt you," he attempted to soothe your worries, but the sharp and aggressive edge to his voice that always seemed to linger lent no credibility to his words.

"That's not what I saw just a few minutes ago."

His teeth dug into his lower lip.

"I know. But I was mistaken."

Your eyes bore into his and he could not help but allow his heart to soar - light and floating without the insufferable pain of his Karmic debt. Yet, he clutched the organ tight and pulled it back down to the depths of his core when he saw the mistrust painted over your face - the letters in the form of dark bruises and scrapes, dirt and exhaustion.

Still. He thought you looked divine.

"Well," you stammered, still attempting to aim his own weapon at him, "if you claim to mean me no harm - then let me go."

His eyes met yours, and he was ready to serve - ready to agree to any wish you voiced. He deserved not to enjoy your soothing presence when he dared to raise the very weapon you gifted him at you.

But he recalled he was not the only one in pursuit of you.

"Your grace, you are in danger. I cannot accept the possibility of you getting hurt while I'm not here," his words were pleas, his hands shaking ever so slightly as he spoke.

You could not help but believe him. There was something so earnest about his concern.

"Why is everyone after me?" you demanded, brows furrowing as you lowered the spear. "And what's with the sudden 'your grace' this and 'your grace' that?"

He blinked up at you in surprise.

"Well - you are our divine God. The Creator. As to answer your first question..." he trailed off.

"There's been a misunderstanding about your identity. Everyone is convinced you're an imposter."

A shocked, desperate bark of a laugh escaped your lips.

"Right. That's just perfect." You ran a dirty hand through your messy hair.

"Any other life-changing news you wanna drop on me while you're at it?"

He stared up at you in silence.

You sighed.

"Okay, well get up, Xiao. This whole kneeling thing is weird," you said, your voice rising in pitch as your exasperation cracked through it. The adeptus was quick to obey, keeping his back straight as he stood before you dutifully.

"Well, how do we fix this whole 'misunderstanding', then?"

Apparently, you don't.

Xiao had eagerly rushed to Liyue - to end this foolish hunt for your head, with you in tow. All caution had been thrown to the wind as you wandered into the city - the one Xiao had sworn to protect but rarely ever dared to enter - mortals were much too complicated and exhausting for the ancient adeptus, after all.

Xiao could feel any semblance of respect and loyalty towards the Lord of Geo smash into smithereens as the ancient archon refused to believe the truth right before his eyes - refused to acknowledge he had been wrong.

What use was there in serving a god who was so blind in his devotion that he'd willingly send the true Creator to their death?

What use was there in protecting a city that was willing to hunt down their God, each eager to claim their life with their bare hands barbarically?

Rex Lapis was no better than the god he had been enslaved under, forced to perform the cruelest acts of violence.

"We have a contact, Xiao."

"My contract does not involve allowing you to order me to kill the Creator."

"You are blind, and a fool, Xiao."

"It is you who is a fool."

No matter the contracts he needed to break - none of it mattered in the face of the one divine being that held power the entirety of the universe. Held that power and still clung onto their kindness stubbornly.

He stood watch over the little camp he'd set up for you, his polearm clutched tight in his hand as his golden eyes scoured the darkness surrounding him with the precision of a panther ready to pounce. He felt his muscles tense at every noise, the familiar feeling of doom that he though he had escaped so long ago with the help of Rex Lapis washing over him.

"Hungry?" you asked from your seat by the modest fire - where you had been preparing a meal to soothe your aches.

He glanced at you, his sharp features softening for a moment.

Too kind.

He stared a moment longer, a brief rest from his lookout duties.

"No thank you, your grace. Adepti have no need for food."

You frowned.

"But you can enjoy it."

How could you say something like that to him? He who had done so many unspeakable things over the thousands of years he had spent in this world?

He simply looked away, wishing to tear his gaze from the flame lest they ignite his heart on fire, engulfing it in its painful embrace. Lest it burn away the last of what was good inside of him to nothing but cinders to be scattered in the wind.

Despite being declared a criminal - despite severing ties with the god to whom he owed his freedom - despite all that...

Living life on the run was far from unpleasant.

He took his duty as your guard seriously, never venturing out into areas he deemed too dangerous, never letting his focus falter.

Still, he was acutely aware that it was not only mere mortals that were chasing after him and the Creator.

"Xiao, are you alright?" you asked, tenderly approaching him despite his orders for you to stay in your small tent. He turned to face you, his weapon tight in his hand by his side, ready to attack at any moment's notice.

"Of course, your Grace. There's no need to concern yourself with my wellbeing," he lowered himself to one knee and lowered his head.

"I am but a weapon to you, your grace."

As soon as those words slipped out of his mouth, he was yanked to his feet by you, gripping onto his shirt, a frustrated, yet melancholy expression upon your divine face.

"Absolutely not, Xiao."

His body tensed and he lowered his eyes to his ground.

Had he disrespected you?

"You are not just some weapon, Xiao! You're not even just a guard, either!" your hands clenched the white fabric of his clothing tighter as you stared into his eyes with a determined glint in yours.

"You are a person and to be frank, the only person in Teyvat I could even call a friend."

His hands shook, and for the second time in your divine presence, his weapon escaped his grip as he felt something heavy - not his Karmic debt. Something more emotional than that, being lifted from his shoulders.

He stared at his shaking hand and the discarded weapon in shame, not saying anything in return.

You sighed and picked up his weapon for him, only to snatch his wrist when he went to retrieve it.

Your eyes met once more, yours burning with a determined flame.

"You are not just a weapon. And you are not just your past." You released his arm and allowed him to take the polearm.

"You better remember that," you called over your shoulder as you headed back towards your shabby tent to attempt to get some shut eye.

Your words left Xiao lost in a void of swirling emotions he had no idea how to even begin to address.

Perhaps, for now - all he could do was fulfil his duty to you and...try to sort out his confusion at a later, safer time.

He put out the last remains of your campfire and began his vigilant watch. It was all he could do.

Sometimes, you would simply stop to gather plants - flowers you found pretty, or berries you recalled from recipes. Xiao watched in bewitched silence as you recognized every tree, plant and animal you came across - the way the world bloomed around you. He could not help feeling like one of those wilted flowers you touched - his petals suddenly coming to life and straining towards you.

"Hmm. This should work for the mint salad," you muttered to yourself as you plucked jueyun chilies off of the small bush, gathering them upon the palm of your hand - not caring if it would stain them. After all, a life on the run had lead to your standards of appearance dropping significantly.

Xiao glimpsed at you, a fulfilled sigh escaping his lips as he saw you smiling gently while gathering supplies. Honestly, seeing you do anything was fulfilling for the Yaksha.

Suddenly, his head snapped towards a faint rustle nearby, his serenity ebbing away as he readied his weapon to pounce upon whatever danger may be near.

Noticing Xiao's sudden change in demeanor, you frowned.

"Stay here, your grace. I will deal with whatever it is."

You simply rolled your eyes and followed him quietly as he approached the sounds. He was tense, eyes narrowed as he scoured the area.

Suddenly, seeing movement, he raised his spear to strike down whoever the figure was. His arm shot up as he prepared to launch himself, only to be stopped hi your hand gripping his arm.

Confused, his eyes flickered to yours.

"Stop," you whispered - and all he could do was obey, lowering his weapon.

You smiled as you watched a pale, familiar girl quietly gathering herbs, her movements a little stiff as she immersed herself in her work.

"Qiqi," you spoke, unable to restrain yourself as the recognition washed over you.

The girl, upon hearing her own name, froze, looking around aimlessly for the source of the noise.

You gently pushed past Xiao, who was still gripping his weapon tight, cheeks tinged a delicate pink from your touch. Approaching Qiqi with a concerned expression, you caught the little zombie's attention.

"Hello, Qiqi - what are you doing so far out from Liyue?" you asked carefully, crouching before her.

She stared vacantly at you, before looking around hesitantly, as though finally taking in her surroundings. Slowly, she reached for her little bag and pulled out a small notebook, flipping the pages until something akin to realization flickered in her eyes.

"I am looking for herbs," she replied, voice flat and quiet as she looked up at you with an unreadable expression.

"Oh? What herbs?" you asked, your voice perking up as you spoke to the girl - the one upside of her foggy memory would most likely be that she probably wasn't even aware of your status as a wanted criminal.

She slowly listed off a couple, and you listened patiently, paying no mind to Xiao who was stood nearby, watching the interaction awkwardly.

"Well, I think I should have some of these," you told her, plucking them out of your little makeshift bag and holding them out for you.

"Thank you...but I ordered myself to gather them..." she mumbled, lowering her gaze.

Right. She worked on orders.

Still...

Your gaze landed on the setting sun. Zombie or not - capable in combat or not - you felt uncomfortable allowing the young girl to be out that late all by herself.

Then, you recalled your knowledge of the girl.

Hesitantly, you reached your arms out and pulled the girl closer. She stumbled into your embrace, making a surprised noise.

"I love you the most, Qiqi," you said softly, closing your eyes and meaning every word you said.

The girl slowly placed her hands on your cheeks, and you opened your eyes, a smile still upon your lips.

"Thank you...kind traveler," she spoke softly.

You chuckled and offered her the herbs once more. This time, she accepted them with a gentle thank you.

"How about we get you back to Liyue, Qiqi?"The

The Yaksha followed quietly, still on his guard, as you gently held the undead girl's hand in yours despite the coldness of it. She occasionally gazed up at you with a strange expression - one that could almost be read as fondness. Xiao supposed he shouldn't be too surprised - you were the Creator, after all. Of course your warmth would call forth love for you.

You escorted the small girl to the edge of Liyue, before coming to a halt.

"I think you can find your way home from here," you ruffled her hair gently and she stared up at you.

"Why are you not coming to the city?"

"Well..." you glanced at Xiao. "We aren't welcome in Liyue."

She lowered her gaze, seeming a little befuddled.

"I see...But how will I be able to meet you again, then?" she asked, her voice earnest despite its flatness.

You all but melted at her words, tears brimming in your eyes.

"You want to meet us again?"

She nodded.

"Well..." you bit your lip. You were constantly on the move, after all.

"Just call my name, whenever you wish to see us," Xiao spoke up, breaking the silence. Your eyes widened as you stared at the adeptus.

Qiqi allowed him to take her notebook and write simple instructions for her, his brows furrowed, but you could tell he was trying his best to not come off as intimidating.

Soon, you bid Qiqi farewell and were on your way again. You couldn't help the smile stretched upon your lips as you walked beside the Yaksha.

"That was sweet of you, Xiao."

He glanced at you from the corner of his eyes, and despite the darkness falling upon the earth and hiding his features, you could tell his cheeks were burning up.

"Just doing my duty."

You chuckled and shook your head.

"If you say so."

Over time, you grew used to life on the run. Every now and then, you would meet up with Qiqi, who you pampered with affection she clearly wasn't receiving from Baizhu. She began writing more about her days in Liyue - something you and Xiao found most useful when avoiding the milileth and other forces of Liyue sent to hunt you down. You felt a sense of ease around Xiao - and he had to admit that during all his years upon this land, he had never felt quite as free and even...happy as he did when you.

However, all good things must come to an end.

The ground below you erupted - pillars of stone bursting out and cornering you and Xiao as the Geo archon glowered down at you in distaste.

"Any final words?" he spoke, his low voice rumbling with an anger akin to earthquakes. Xiao pushed you behind him as he clutched his weapon, glaring back with a fiery fury of his own.

"I will not allow you to harm the creator!" he spat, any loyalty to Morax long gone with the winds that carried him to his journey with you.

Zhongli simply scoffed.

"You have been led stray, Xiao. Led astray by the deception of this imposter." He aimed his weapon at you, causing you to flinch. It only made Xiao shake with anger as he did his best to shield you from Zhongli's view.

"You're wrong, Morax."

"I will admit, the disguise is quite convincing. If I wasn't as knowledgeable and loyal to the true Cretor - I may have fallen under their spell too, Xiao." He smirked coldly.

"Xiao. Step aside and allow me to end this preposterous farce, and you will earn forgiveness. I am sure the Creator will be kind enough to forgive you your sins."

Xiao bared his teeth.

"Over my dead body," he spat.

Zhongli sighed, a glimmer of regret flashing across his face as he stared down at the two.

"Very well, Xiao."

His polearm came down with the swiftness of a rolling stone, gaining momentum as it plummeted downhill.

Your lips parted in a soundless scream of agony as you watched it mercilessly pierce Xiao.

You could barely see his limp form slump onto the ground through your tears as you sank to your knees beside him.

"How could you?!" you spat angrily, tears flowing across your face in angry rivers as you cradled Xiao's bleeding body.

The blood.

So much blood.

"He used to look up to you! Worship you for saving him!" your voice was raw and filled with emotion that ricocheted off of the pillars surrounding you, sending wide cracks through them.

Zhongli - no, Morax, stared at you, stared at the weapon in his gloved hand, and said nothing.

What could he say, when the Creator themselves was before him, crying shimmering tears brimming over with the stars of the galaxy?

He had been blind, after all.

Your shimmering tears fell in raging fury, never-ending as the rain that took over the clear blue skies of Liye. Your heart heavy, and cracked as the earth below you when you held Xiao's limp form close.

"Xiao, please..." you whispered, shaky fingers attempting to stop the bleeding - attempting to ease the pain he was undoubtedly in without bringing any more to him.

You ran a bloody hand through his hair, brushing aside the strands as you gazed at his face - growing paler by the minute as blood seeped from his wound.

You choked back a sob and gently laid him down. You could see the way his chest was rising and falling - but it was growing slower and more strained with each passing moment.

"You idiot," you muttered, voice hoarse from your emotional outburst. You tore at your clothes, barely able to rip off pieces to attempt to bandage him up.

Your furious eyes burned at Zhongli, who was frozen in place, drenched from the sudden onslaught of rain.

"Do something!" you shouted, cut off by your own sob. "Get a healer - do something useful!" you clenched your fists as you received no answer and simply stared at the unconscious man before you, tears unceremoniously dropping onto his form - not that you cared to pay it any mind as your own wet hair clung to your face. It was cold. It was all so cold and lifeless as your heart raced but left your mind empty of nothing but pain.

You watched Xiao take one more shaky breath, before his chest stopped moving.

You screamed. At Zhongli. At Teyvat. At everything that had lead to this injustice being allowed to occur. Screamed until your voice was raw and you could taste blood in your throat - and then some more.

Finally, you clung to the bloody and damp shirt clinging to Xiao's form, burying your face in it - allowing the coppery scent of blood to wade into your nostrils as you choked out wails.

It was all so cold.

And then, suddenly - it was warm.

You looked up in surprise - only to see the wound soaked in crimson blood just moments earlier - starting to close rapidly. You slammed a hand in front of your mouth as you watched it close up and leave behind only a golden mark in the shape of a diamond where it had been.

Your hands, still soaked with the red blood, move to cup his face, staining it - not that you cared at the moment. Your eyes stared at his face in desperation.

For any sign of life.

"Your...grace?" he mumbled, slowly opening his golden eyes. Eyes that shone much brighter and more golden than ever before.

You choked out another sob and pulled him closer, pressing your forehead against his - not caring that your drenched hair clung to your face and that your hands were still dirty. You stroked his cheeks, shedding tears of joy as he stared up at you.

"Have I finally reached the afterlife?" Xiao murmured, his own hand weakly brushing against yours.

"No, you idiot!" you tried to scold, but the smile on your cracked lips gave away your true feelings.

Slowly and gently, still unaware of how healed he truly was, you aided him to his feet, allowing him to lean on you. You could see Zhongli on his knees, a horrified expression etched onto his features.

Good.

You'd deal with him later.

"How could you say something so stupid?" you whimpered, holding the adeptus close. "I thought you were dead!"

"I was fulfilling my duty to protect you, your grace."

You stared up at him in exasperation.

"What about your duty not to break my heart?!" You clutched his shirt, glaring up at him.

"What do you mean, your grace?" he looked confused and ashamed nonetheless, for upsetting you.

"If you had died - then how could I have gone on? I love you, you stupid, stubborn, edgy Yaksha!"

He stared at you in awe, tears shimmering in his own eyes.

Your hands crept into his hair - crunching under your fingers from the dried blood within it - and you gently pulled his face closer, your eyes clashing as both of you stared into the other's soul.

"I love you too, your grace," ha managed to say, voice barely above a whisper.

You laughed, before giving his lips a gentle peck.

"I'm glad that we see eyes to eye on that."

You allowed yourself that moment of peace, embracing Xiao, before turning back to Zhongli.

He was still on his knees, his eyes staring up at you in shame.

"You are...god. Such an asshole!' you sputtered, your anger resurfacing.

Zhongli lowered his gaze without daring to say a word.

"I expect you to...call off your minions from chasing us. And to leave us the fuck alone after that!"

He nodded quietly, his shoulders tensing.

You paid him no further mind.

You held Xiao close, allowing his weakened form to lean on you as you carried his weapon for him.

"Would you like to see Wangshu Inn again?" you asked gently. "We could get some almond tofu...and some rest.."

He sighed.

"Adepti need no-"

You cut him off.

"No. You will have a nice long bath. Have Almond tofu. And get some damned sleep, you stubborn Yaksha."

He sighed.

"Yes, your grace."

You simply smiled and pecked his cheek.

Perhaps life would become a little easier now - for both you and Xiao.

You could hope for nothing more.

ok i really rushed the end cus i was. REALLY STRETCHING IT OUT. but anyway as an afterthought...imagine reader and xiao adopting qiqi basically <3

little lover.

yandere! fatui harbingers x gn! darling. 

headcanons on sharing a darling (shared darling au).

› wc: 8.3k.

› characters included: pierro, scaramouche, pantalone, childe, arlecchino, columbina, il dottore, il capitano, sandrone.

› tw: suggestive themes, pseudo-incest and incest (pierro and childe), mention of noncon (pierro), physical punishment (capitano, scaramouche, and sandrone), mention of human trafficking (pantalone), gendered nickname (arlecchino).

› note: ah the length of these headcanons got the best of me… i would have broken this post up into individual pieces, but i think it’s best to read them altogether considering they’re sharing a darling. i also reposted my columbina headcanons here with several additions for the sake of consistency!

also…please pretend scaramouche didn’t run away and is here to partake in darling <3

Keep reading

ryan, for some reason, upon meeting a stranger with an eyepatch, a gun, and a long backstory that includes seeing her boyfriend (who she is still very much in love with) turn into a werewolf and take her eye out

Snippets of an apocalypse spent with you

Pairing: Rick Grimes x fem reader

Summary: Liking Rick Grimes is not an easy task. Yet loving him comes as naturally as breathing. How you came to see the ugly parts of Rick Grimes, and why that made the good parts more appealing.

Warnings: some slight suicidal thoughts, reader briefly thinks of giving up

Word count: 2.8k

Rick Grimes explodes into the scenes of your life with blaring car alarms and a somewhat stunted family reunion. At first, you had thought nothing of the man, slipping back into the shelter of your own tent once your curiosity of the situation was sated.

It quickly becomes apparent however, that he is not like so many of the others that occupy the shoddily set up quarry campsite. Because Rick Grimes is brave. He is assertive yet still kind and he is a born leader. Yet Rick Grimes is naive, and it is for that reason you find him annoying. He is too soft, he will get himself killed soon enough.

Except that he doesn’t. Not yet. Not even when the CDC had been a complete disaster, and not when he is coordinating searches for a missing Sophia. You did not like children. There was not a maternal bone or inclination in your body. That didn’t stop the sharp stab of empathetic agony that burned in your chest every time you looked at Carol. Nor did it stop you from volunteering to search, under Rick’s command, for a child you knew was already dead. Not that you were heartless enough to say so, nor could you find the energy to rebuff the former officer’s determination. Because for a few moments as his confident gaze met yours, you had believed he would find the lost child too.

Rick is the one who shoots her. Mouth set in a grim line as Carol’s wails of anguish filled the air. Maybe that's when it starts, or maybe it's when he finds out Lori is pregnant. Pregnant with a baby that was incredibly unlikely to be hers.

Time had become all but meaningless, it is only Lori's symptoms that let you estimate how much time has passed since the farm. Morale was incredibly low and everyone was getting snippy with each other. Yet miraculously Rick continued to soldier on, bearing the weight of fear, discontent and even flat out vitriol on his shoulders.

Glenn and Daryl have become a part of the group's pillars, doing their best to alleviate some of the pressure that has unfairly been piled onto Rick. But three months of having no permanent shelter, of living on scraps and small rations was beginning to overpower the three.

You cannot hunt. Have no talent for organising or rallying the group but you would not be useless. You take longer watches, always bookending Rick or Daryl forcing the two to sleep much longer then they had been. The two of them loudly voice their protestations, but you are not moved. Though you do have to become more and more inventive in your endeavour to get Rick to just go the fuck to sleep. You must have endured over a hundred disappointed dad gazes and lectures before he realises you will not relent.

Runs become a bi-weekly activity, and once it becomes apparent you are quiet, fast and listen to instructions well you become one of the main providers.

You and Rick still don't really talk, only quietly discussing future plans and the state of provisions. Which in itself throws you for a massive loop when you begin to get included in those talks. You do, however, talk to his kid. Carl, despite his protestations that he isn't, truly is still a child. All it takes is a scavenged set of Batman detective comics, in an attempt to alleviate Lori's burden, that you had foolishly admitted to reading and the kid begins to stick to you like a bad smell. Apparently, the combined act of a gift and confirmation that you liked superheroes was enough to grant you the spot of number one coolest adult and advisor.

In an annoying trend, the old adage like father like son continues to prove itself. A run had gone south, a horde of walkers materialising from what seemed like thin air, and it is only your quick thinking and improving skills with a knife that keep Rick from becoming walker chow.

To your dismay, this cements you somewhere between Glenn and Daryl in Rick's hierarchy of trustworthy advisors. It also apparently means you are no longer acquaintances brought together by fucked up circumstances, but friends.

The transition is seamless and unspoken. Just as it is when you begin to stand at Rick's 6, watching his back near 24/7. So where Carl has become your shadow, you have become Rick's.

You still don't like kids. Or Rick.

There was no joy when he finally cracked. No vindication to be had in a dead wife and a traumatised child. Only sour sorrow and unsure glances. Because Rick was a time bomb, and one you were not so keen to indulge in. The rest of the group had made poor attempts, walking on eggshells in his presence before backing off to give him some space.

You hadn't. The resulting screaming match that had erupted after you had chased him down when he hadn't made it back to the prison had been legendary. To this day you couldn't entirely remember what you had yelled, only that it had been purposefully hurtful. Rick hadn't gotten a chance to retaliate, the commotion drawing an alarming amount of walkers.

You moved to flank Rick's side, protecting his blindspots without him having to ask. The two of you worked like a well-oiled machine. You blatantly ignored the steps you had taken that would have gotten you killed had Rick not been there, because your body had just moved on instinct, knowing that he would have your back.

By the end of the skirmish, you were panting and wiping walker blood off your face with a grimace. As the adrenaline settled and your chest heaved for oxygen you were quick to search for Rick.

"Are you ok?!" the desperation in your tone took both of you by surprise, even more when you move to check his person and he did not stop you.

The walk back was deafeningly silent, but there seemed to be a newly formed mutual sense of understanding and begrudging trust. Rick had not completely gathered his wits, but he was no longer walking around and talking to the dead anymore. On the downside Rick had begun to actively seek you out.

You learn how he met Lori, how they were having problems, and how Shane had not always been crazy. In turn, you decide it's only fair to offer some tidbits in exchange. Your parents, your last partner, job, favourite colour and more.

The nights he can't speak, no way to articulate his thoughts into words, the two of you just sit silently. The faint growl of walkers and Judith's soft babbles the only noise present.

If one night you fall asleep on his shoulder then neither of you bring it up again.

It isn't until people begin to come to you in order to find Rick that you realise something is up. The smug, knowing glances that Carol keeps throwing you don't help either. Firmly you push down any meanings behind the gestures. Maybe you should ask Rick about it.

You were no stranger to hunger. Hunger was an old acquaintance, one that had crept up on you once more following the fall of the prison. You had vowed that if you ever saw Daryl again you would give him anything he wanted for the rest of your life.

You could not recall how many days had passed since the Governor's attack. Since the screams of fear had filled the air as walkers burst through the gates and into the former safe haven. Since you had rushed through corridors and sprays of gunfire, drowning out the stench of blood and death surrounding you. Judith had been the only thing on your mind as your legs pumped desperately, weaving and doing through the chaotic fray.

But you had been too late. Judith was dead. You were alone. Starving, beyond exhausted and struggling to continue on. Sleep rarely came, with no one to watch your back it had become near impossible to rest alone, and the few hours you could grasp were often tainted with horrific nightmares. More than once you had awoken shaking and with a scream dying on your lips, images of your friends... your family being torn to pieces as you helplessly watched on plaguing your every hour.

Still, you do not give up, will not give up. Not when the depths of your traitorous mind whisper words of hope into your consciousness. Not when they whisper that Rick is still alive. You hate that that is what keeps you going over everything else.

Your breath was coming in increasingly shallow gasps, it is only the solid presence of the stone wall behind you that has kept your upper torso vertical. Her vision is blurry, marred by an accumulation of sweat, blood and tears. You know you are a sitting duck, sequestered in the unfortified pharmacy.

Simply put. You were fucked. Your head was pounding, a concussion gained from carelessly slipping down the stairs. The result of assuming the body lying motionlessly in the corner had already been dispatched. Daryl would have had your hide for such a rookie error.

Cradling your throbbing right wrist to your chest you attempt to stand, only to immeidately become overwhelmed with a wave of nausea and pain. Your situation was so pitiful you could have let out a laugh if you knew it wouldnt hurt.

You had survived the shitshow at the CDC, the overwhelming horde at the farm, eight months on the move with no shelter and limited food, the fall of the prison and so much more. Yet here you were, lying alone, taken out by a hand on the ankle and a flight of stairs.

Maybe it was better this way. No more scavenging, no more pain, no more exhaustion. Your eyes briefly close in consideration, your family would likely never learn what happened to you. You could only hope they would stop looking, hope that they had already given up on you. That they are not too distraught in your absence, you never stop to entertain the fact that they themselves might be dead.

Daryl, Maggie, Glenn, Carol, Michonne... Rick. They were still alive. Because if they weren't then the past weeks of your life had been meaningless.

It is the sound of a door opening, carefully but still enough to make noise that makes the decision for you. The unmistakable approach of a human, not a walker has your eyes snapping open wildly, left hand clutching for your handgun and clicking off the safety.

There is no doubt in your mind that you are about as intimidating as a wet kitten, still, you persist even when your arm shakes with agony and exertion.

Eyes focusing as best they can, you wait until the intrusion of your pity party steps into your line of sight. It's a man with at least a head on you in height, he looks quite lean but neither of those things is what really catches your attention. He is clean and well-groomed. He is part of a community, one where bathing is clearly not an issue. Just before he can turn to see your slumped form you speak up.

"Turn around. Slowly. Hands where I can see them or I shoot." Luckily he complies, and you are quick to order his weapons to the floor and out of reach. Still, you do not lower your weapon, even when your shoulder burns from the strain.

"Listen you don't have to do this. I have a partner that will be arriving soon. You can come back with us." his words are not as pleading as you would have expected. He is calm, logical and there is no quaver to his voice.

"Yeah, cause that's a trustworthy offer" you scoffed, even as your arm could no longer hold itself up.

"Look, you need help-" he is interrupted by an incredibly familiar voice, a voice that has all the tension leaving your body in disbelief.

"Aaron, what's tha hold..." his words too trail off to a halt as he spots the presence of the person slumped against the wall. He is quick to raise his crossbow with aim you know to be true. Given that you are covered head to toe in grime you don't begrudge him for his lack of recognition. Instead you simply let an insane smile cover your face with a laugh.

"Good to see you too Daryl, been a while hasn't it?" The next moments pass in a blur, literally and metaphorically. Your sobs make it had to see anything and your mind had well and truly shut itself off by the time you are being dragged to the exit.

There was a commotion at the gates. Daryl and Aaron had returned, and with a new arrival, it seemed. Rick let out a sigh, resigned to the fact he would have to take the stranger to Deanna to decide their fate. He can't help but to imagine you punching him on the arm good-naturedly, a mischievous grin covering your face as you discuss the possibility of hazing any 'newbies'. His smile is quick to dim, however, as he quickly remembers that you are no longer by his side to do so. Two months without you ad the lack of your presence still aches like a phantom limb. Vaguely he recognises that he has become alarmingly codpendent on his shadow. That still does not change the way he turns to gain your opinion or accidentally leaves himself open because you are not there to pick up his slack.

He makes his way over to the idly gossiping group that had yet to disperse. Mistrust was rampant among the Alexandrians and his own group so when he is told the woman had been hauled off to get medical assistance by Daryl personally he can't help but to raise a brow in intrigue.

Spinning on his heel the former sheriff slowly ambles towards the clinic. He is intercepted by an almost frantic Daryl whose words have Rick breaking into a sprint before his brain catches up to his body's actions.

Hope blooms in his chest as his tongue readies itself to call your name. He is breathing heavily and probably looks half-crazed as he throws the clinic door open with excessive force. Rick can't find it in himself to care at the moment though. Because sat across from him, looking up to take in the commotion is a dirtied, injured, stitched up, but alive you.

It is the slamming of a door that heralds his arrival. For a split second he is younger, arriving alongside a whooping Glenn and you are silently watching from afar.

Unlike the first instance of Rick bursting into your life, he is quick to close the distance, eyes widened comically and hovering hands seemingly unsure what to do.

It is you that breaks the hesitant silence, offering an embarrassingly soft smile that has Daryl making an unappreciative suggestive face behind Rick's back. "Quite the fancy home you found yourself here cowboy, think you can fit one more."

"It isn't home" Rick's words are terse, almost cutting off the end of your sentence. Your smile falls slightly as you lean away a little, but Rick doesn't stop there. "It's not home. Not without you."

As his words sink in your throat runs dry, and a wounded wheeze leaves your chest at the implications of his words. At the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he stares at you as if you are the most precious thing he has ever laid eyes upon. For a second you swear his eyes dart down to your lips, an action that has your tongue nervously darting out to coat the sudden dryness.

It isn't until Daryl lets out an amused fake cough that you spring apart from each other's magnetic gaze. Getting a quick affirmation from Denise you shoulder your way out of the clinic, avoiding eye contact with everybody and ignoring the heat of your cheeks.

Silence reigns behind you as you realise nobody has moved. So with a deep breath out you quickly turn back before you can chicken out. Your eyes make contact with Rick's once more and you scowl, "you coming or what, can't find a home without my cowboy." You don't stay to see his reaction, spinning once more whilst flipping off a snickering Daryl.

Your scowl is quick to morph into a small smile however, at the sound of heavy steps quickly catching up to you. An arm brushes slightly against yours and just as you exit the clinic you make the decision. Slowly you entwine your fingers with his, gaze determinedly staying on the path ahead. On the future.

Message to fellow USA LGBT+ users:

I want you to know that no matter what happens after November 5th, you are loved and you are wanted.

If the angry orange gets into office and our country goes to hell?

All we can do is put on the best smile that we can and lie our asses off if it means we get to live another day.

Just know that doing so doesn't make you any less of who YOU choose to be.

Please be stay safe, and again, know that you are loved. 💖

Jacob Custos from The Quarry is my baby girl (REAL)❗❗❗

Please, reblog! IIt’s called self defense. Apart from having here, in the US, one of the highest cases of homicide and rape in the world and high rate of GBV, think about how this could help your mother or sister

HSR fan art

I need your kindess to support me in Gaza ❤️🙏‼️

✅️Vetted by @gazavetters , my number verified on the list is ( #538)

Hi everyone,

I’m Inge Kassab 22, dental student in Alazhar university Gaza, I have finished three years of my studies at the university and unfortunately my university has completely destroyed due to the war in Gaza and I can’t go abroad the city to continue my studies because all boarders around us were closed and I forced to live her under bombing.

For almost a whole year and half I have been living in Gaza, where wardestruction and chaos spread everywhere in Gaza.

My home and my university were completely destroyed .

I am currently in Deir El Balah after I have displaced from my city Gaza , trying to save money to rebuild home to live in a safe place with my family. My father is an old man who lost his work and my mom also lost her work. I need you to support me and my family to build our life again.

Because of the war, it has become impossible to provide money to live, buy food, clean and drinkable water, and education here. This money will be used to provide what the war has destroyed for us, and also to provide a place to stay, especially since we are now approaching the winter season, where we need winter clothes, repair the damage to the house, and provide what protects us from the cold and hunger of winter.

Gaza has become a place full of destruction and is no longer suitable for any opportunity here. Diseases have spread in the Gaza Strip, especially those skin diseases for which there is no treatment due to the war. The water here has also become polluted water and has spread, and there is not enough food for everyone here.

I created this campaign to ask for help and support from you. As a human being who lived an entire year and half under the flames of war, destruction, and tragedies, I am addressing you and asking you for help, to help me get a chance to survive war, death, and hunger with my family, and to start from scratch. A new journey of living and recovering from those traumas and painful memories that we experienced in the war. So we stayed in the Gaza Strip under the genocide to live in difficult conditions and complete our studies with the least available means. Before the war began, I was at the beginning of the clinical stage and the beginning of my work on patients, but the war came and destroyed all my dreams, as I lost my university and my dental tools, which cost my father more than $1,000, and I lost my future. But now I am trying to return again in order to complete the number of study hours and graduate. Therefore, I need your help to complete what remains, as there is only very little left to graduate and go out to work and help patients.

This money will also help me to cover our living expenses and buy food in Gaza. Buying food and groceries in Gaza is something we cannot afford every day because of the high prices, and there is no opportunity to work here. The money will also be used to buy available cooking gas, wood and firewood which will also be used to provide fires for cooking and also to keep warm from the cold at night in the coming days.  Also I want to build my own clinic after graduation.

I hope you will hear my voice and help me get a chance to evacuate from here, and a chance to evacuate from Gaza if we can . 🥺❤️

I am a person whose dreams, life, and ambitions were stolen during the war. All I have left is the hope of escaping from here. Help me revive this hope ❤️🙏🙏

Chuffed

Save a Palestinian dental student and her family in Gaza

Hi, I'm Tristan from the Netherlands, running this campaign on behalf of Inge, who tells her story below:

Or here directly

So Please Help Me to Put (Dr.) before my name please make this post viral 🥺❤️‼️

Inge Kassab.