New Tumblr Location
For current tumblr posts, please visit lionsbane-wra.tumblr.com.
will byers stan first human second
Cosmic Funnies
Mike Driver

★
taylor price
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH

JVL

izzy's playlists!
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
AnasAbdin
we're not kids anymore.

tannertan36

Love Begins
Xuebing Du

祝日 / Permanent Vacation

#extradirty
Aqua Utopia|海の底で記憶を紡ぐ

ellievsbear
$LAYYYTER

Discoholic 🪩
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States

seen from Canada
seen from United States

seen from Malaysia

seen from France
seen from Spain

seen from Malaysia
seen from United States

seen from Malaysia

seen from China

seen from United States

seen from Germany

seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States

seen from United Kingdom

seen from T1

seen from Malaysia

seen from United States
@lightmorn
New Tumblr Location
For current tumblr posts, please visit lionsbane-wra.tumblr.com.
i DONT KNOW W HY IM LAUGHING S O HA RD A T THIS
PET ME, YOU STUPID FUCK
If Deyin and Vex hung out.
packlight-travelfar:
Chris had gotten into the habit of slipping from Dey’s arms in the early morning hours to venture outside for herbs. Slipping her pillow against him wasn’t a good substitute and she knew it, but there was always a note promising her return.
And she always returned. Most times before he awoke.
The solitude of her early morning walks gave her time to think. Deyin had been improving by leaps and bounds, and indeed his wounds were almost completely healed. While she attributed it to his own regerative abilities and the potions, Deyin believed it was due to the constant application of her healing spells.
Six of one, half dozen of the other, perhaps.
Her mind wandered, thinking of their conversations over the last few days. He’d asked her to stay with him. While not a declaration of love (which, she sent up multiple prayers thanking whatever Gods were listening for that) it was…enough. More than enough. His actions spoke volumes, and the way he held her, even if they were simply chatting told her all she needed to know.
Deyin was the most affectionate person she’d ever met. Of course some people considered him to be about as affectionate as a core hound, but she chalked that up to a difference of opinion. Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe after all.
They’d spoken of the Timeless Isle and their desire to go explore it. And as they’d spoken, she’d vowed to herself to take a more active roll in their explorations. There would be no more miscounted creatures or unaccounted for injuries. She would not allow it. While she was not as physically strong as Aurora, she could fling a bubble with the best of them. And Dey would be lucky to walk two steps without being encased in one.
As she crouched to gather some frozen herbs, she thought about the woman of the house. Aurora wasn’t threatened by Chris in the least, and for that, Chris was grateful. The last thing she needed was someone thinking she was interested in the Paladin. Malric was kind and his intentions may have been good, but hew as as boring as watching paint dry. Not to mention the irritation she felt whenever one of his fake smiles made an appearance.
She wondered if he ever allowed his true feelings to be seen by anyone, even Aurora. She sighed as she gathered some goldclover. Irregardless, she’d have yo learn to deal with him if she were going to stay with Deyin, which she fully intended to.
With that thought, she turned back toward the house, the sun rising at her back. Her breath fogged before her as she walked, and a chill had settled over her. No matter. Once she was in Deyin’s arms, she’d be warm before she knew it. She always was, after all.
Safe
Malric walked toward the open door of the guestroom, the soft glow of candlelight pouring out into the hallway. The uneasy feeling in his stomach had still yet to settle, gripping his nerves ever since he read the note from Chriselda, alerting him to Deyin's injury. Deyin was safe now -- in the safety of Aurora and Malric's home. Even so, the uneasiness wasn't lifting. It wouldn't. Not until Deyin woke.
Drawing in a deep breath, Malric attempted a soft smile as he approached the doorway. He did his best to steel his nerves as his gaze fell to Chriselda, keeping her ever vigilant watch over Deyin. She hadn't moved from his bedside at all that night. Even as Malric paced the hall in worry till the sun broke over the horizon, Chris didn't move.
Standing at the threshold of the door, Malric cleared his throat softly to draw Chris' attention.
Chris blinked once, then twice, then looked up at the Paladin. She summoned a smile, nodding. "Good morning," she said softly, her voice quiet as if afraid to wake the man on the bed. In truth, she'd held Dey's left hand the entire night, hoping to feel his fingers flex, his thumb rub the back of her hand as it had so many times in the past. Malric's footfalls had been a surprising comfort during the night, as had Aurora bringing her, and Malric she supposed, tea and hot chocolate. She'd resented them both at first, and now felt foolish. He was their friend. Malric's brother for all intents and purposes. She had no more claim to him than the man in the moon. "Come in, sit," she said, gesturing to the other chair on the right side of the bed.
Malric shook his head before replying softly. "No, it's alright. I just wanted to check on the pair of you. See if there was anything I could get for you." His gaze fell to Deyin resting peacefully in the bed. Perhaps it was the peacefulness of the slumber that had Malric so uneasy. Deyin was entirely too still, the familiar sprawling about the bed and thundering of his snores were absent.
'Light, let him wake soon,' Malric thought to himself as a flash of concern and even fear swirled about his eyes. However, as he painted his smile across his lips once more, he looked back to Chriselda awaiting an answer.
It was the smile that finally got to her. He was putting it on for her sake, she knew, but the falseness irritated her to no end. She opened her mouth, an acidic retort on her tongue, but her hand tightened ever so slightly around Dey's. 'Don't,' she told herself. 'Don't hurt him. He's let you into his home for fuck's sake.' She pasted on her own smile instead, shaking her head. "I think I'm good, and until Sleeping Beauty wake up, I can only guess as to what he'd like," she said with a chuckle instead.
Malric nodded, his gaze falling to the floor briefly as his heart sank to his stomach. "Alright then," he spoke softly before looking back to Chriselda. This time, no strong facade. Only sheer concern remained on his features as he swallowed roughly. He nodded once more, perhaps if only to reassure himself that it was alright to leave the room. Turning from Chris, Malric walked through the door with his gaze lowered to the ground until he disappeared down the hallway.
Chris sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose with her free hand. "When you wake up, you'll have to tell me the trick to keeping your friend from being that sad. Looks like someone kicked his raptor hatchling." She looked to the man on the bed, knowing her own face showed signs of exhaustion. "And don't you even think about not waking up. I meant what I said about resurrecting you and kicking your ass." Without thinking, she began humming softly, a new piece she'd been working on. She had the music down, but debated lyrics. It helped keep her calm.
Deyin's ear twitched ever so slightly at the sound of Chris' humming. Up until that point, his breathing had been relatively shallow, though not labored. The rogue drew in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, his fingers softly closing around Chris' hand.
The indrawn breath made her freeze, his fingers closing around her hand brought tears to her eyes. She was off the chair and next to him on the bed in an instant, free hand caressing his cheek. "Deyin?" she whispered softly, thumb gently petting the skin under his eye. "C'mon Dey, open your eyes. Wake for me sweetheart, please?"
His eyes squinted shut as he moaned from the pain shooting through his right side. He turned his head slightly toward Chris, his eyes blinking slowly open. "Mmm," he muttered before wincing in pain.
"Shit," he grumbled softly under his breath as his eyes began to focus on Chris. Blinking several more times, Chris' face finally came into view. "What happened, Kitten?"
She leaned in and kissed him softly, not caring about the tears falling from her eyes. "You counted ten and I didn't double check. There were 11 virmen in that damn burrow." Reaching over to the nightstand, she got a pain potion out. Grasping the cork with her teeth, she pulled it free, then brought the vial to Dey's lips. "This'll take the edge off. It's stronger than the one for your hangover."
He gasped as he attempted to lift his head to drink the potion. "Rather be hungover, Kitten," he muttered, bracing himself as he drank the potion with her assistance. He carefully relaxed back into the bed, grimacing as he looked back up to Chris with concern. "You okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?" His hand closed more tightly around hers.
"I don't doubt it," she said with a watery chuckle. "Three deep puncture wounds. Magic couldn't heal them." She watched him drink the entire potion, then she put the vial aside and got him a glass of water, holding it for him. "Bed rest for a while, maybe about a week. Then slowly ease back into things." She kissed him again, sweet and tender, lingering for just a moment before whispering softly. "And no, I didn't get hurt. You killed it." She pressed her forehead against his, exhaustion creeping up on her, but she forced it away. "I need to let Malric know you're awake. I think he's worn a path in the hallway."
Deyin blinked as he glanced around the room. It had finally dawned on him that he was in Aurora and Malric's home. Blinking several more times, he glanced down to find himself wearing one of Malric's cotton shirts. The rogue couldn't help but chuckle softly in amusement. "Not the first time I woke up in a strange place wearing Mal's clothes."
His hand tightened further still on Chris', keeping her in her place. "Not yet, Kitten. Stay with me a little while longer? Mal will be fine for a few more minutes."
She nodded and stretched out on the bed next to Dey, getting as close to him as possible. "I'll stay as long as you want me to." Bandit heard voices and narrowed her eyes, creeping sloooooowly into the room. She hopped up onto one of the chairs and blinked, tilting her head as she regarded Deyin. Was this what Malric had been waiting for? The sleeping one to wake? Better tell him just in case.... With that thought, Bandit hopped off the chair and ran out of the room at full speed, intent on finding Malric or Momma. Chris hadn't paid the hatchling any attention, her focus on Deyin. Hearing his voice, seeing his eyes open and alert... "You scared me Deyin," she whispered. Her muttered words when he'd first collapsed replayed through her head, and she knew it was worse than she thought. She no longer thought she loved him. She knew she did.
He carefully drew his arm underneath Chris' neck, wincing in pain, yet still moving to hold her to his left side. "Sorry to scare ya, Kitten. I'm just glad you're safe." He muttered softly to her, his head turning toward hers. He sighed softly, pressing his lips to the top of her head before relaxing back into the mattress.
"I'm just glad you're alright," he muttered against her hair.
"Better not do it again," she growled lightly. She wrapped herself more firmly around him, eyes slipping closed as she breathed in his scent. She wasn't even close to falling asleep, but slowly, she was starting to relax. One hand rested over his heart while the other hand and arm went under his shoulders. "I'm fine now," she whispered, kissing his jaw. "Can I get you anything? Tea, water, something to eat?"
"Just you," he whispered to her, bowing his head to rest his forehead against her hair. His arm tightened around her frame as his eyes drew shut. "I just want you right now."
Deyin attempted to push all pain from his mind, though sharp jabs continued to pierce through his side periodically. He felt himself grow lightheaded, his head slipping back against the pillow until he finally caught himself. Forcing his eyes open, he focused his gaze on Chris' face.
Her eyes opened and she caressed his cheek. Sensing his pain, she thought about the different spells she knew. Without asking his permission, she closed her eyes, her left hand moving over his bandaged side. She began whispering softly, a healing prayer falling from her lips. She knew the physical damage was too much for her to heal him, but perhaps she could lessen the pain. One thing was certain, she couldn't cause any more damage. A light began to emanate from her palm, the warmth seeping into and through the bandages. A soft hum seemed to fill the room as well, a comforting, gentle sound. As Chris kept whispering the light became brighter, more intense, almost painful to look at.
He closed his eyes, his tensed body relaxing from the warmth of the light flowing into his side. His hand slipped up from her shoulder to tangle his fingers through her hair. Remaining still until her prayer was complete, he rested comfortably at her side, the pain washing away with Chris' touch.
The words finally finished falling from her lips and the light ebbed away, once again leaving the room bathed in candle and firelight. Her eyes opened slowly to look at his face, noting he looked a bit more relaxed. "That help a bit?" she asked, panting a bit, voice hopeful.
His eyes opened to meet hers, a soft smile creeping over his lips. "Mm, yeah. Thanks, Kitten." He leaned down to her, kissing her forehead gently as his arm tightened around her shoulders yet again. "You saved my life, ya know?" He whispered softly before kissing her forehead once more. Sighing contently, he relaxed his body into hers, thankful for the comfort of her touch as well as the way her body fit so perfectly against his.
She arched her brow, resting her head against his shoulder as she looked up at him. "That a joke?" she said with a soft smile. "Most times you don't even let me hit anything," she chuckled softly. Chris relaxed completely, pulling the blankets up over both of them. She wouldn't sleep, but she didn't want Dey to catch a chill, and it was nice being warm finally. Dropping a kiss to his shoulder, she reached up and gently brushed his hair out of his eyes.
He shook his head, gazing upon her as he replied, "You took me from the burrow to safety. I could have very easily bled out down there." He smiled softly to her before continuing. "You really did save my life, Chris."
She looked into his eyes, finding it a bit difficult to swallow past the lump in her throat. "I did what I had to do. I can't lose you Deyin. I..." Her voice trailed off and she shrugged, laying her head back on his shoulder, the hand on his shoulder gripping slightly tighter.
He reached with his free hand, resting the side of his index finger underneath her chin as he lifted her head gently toward his. Pain be damned. Tilting his head down to close the distance between them, he caught her lips in a soft kiss.
She returned his kiss, hand moving from his heart to rest along the side of his face. Part of her wanted to run, far far away from the rogue who made her feel things she'd never wanted to feel. Chris knew that'd never happen. She tried to pour everything she couldn't say into that one single kiss that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with them. The hand against Dey's shoulder clutched tighter as if trying to keep him from running. As if he could run in his condition.
He held her lips for as long as she'd allow, finally breaking the kiss to gaze down upon her face. Swallowing roughly, he spoke in a hushed voice, a mix of emotions dancing about his eyes. "Stay with me? Not just tonight. Not just until I get better." He swallowed once more, allowing himself a moment to pause.
"Stay with me."
She nodded without hesitation, her voice thick as she whispered "It'd take a team of horses straight from hell to pull me away." Chris kissed him softly, caressing the side of his neck, her heart racing a mile a minute.
Bracing himself, he pulled her up against his body, wrapping both arms around her as he held her carefully against his left side. He pulled the blankets up around her shoulders, making sure that she was warm enough to be comfortable. Relaxing back into the pillow, he allowed his eyes to fall shut, focusing on her heart beating rapidly against his side.
"Don't hurt yourself," she whispered even as she molded herself to him. She sighed softly, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. "Mmm," she murmured. "Missed this. Even for one night," she chuckled.
Deyin smiled at her words, however didn't reply. His grasp tightened around her, holding her protectively. 'You're safe,' he thought to himself. 'I was able to keep you safe.' He sighed contently, his hands gently stroking against her back.
Malric stood quietly in the doorway, all tensions easing to see that Deyin was alright. He glanced over to Chris for a moment before lowering his gaze to the floor. Malric nodded to Bandit sitting attentively by his foot as the sin'dorei quietly shut the door to the guestroom.
Chris kissed Deyin's jaw softly, then whispered. "Sleep Deyin. Your body needs rest. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise." She'd change into sleeping clothes once he was asleep, but for now, she'd stay by his side. She was warm, comfortable, and Deyin was going to be fine.
Into the Nest
"What kinda creature wanders off with a watermelon? I mean, a turnip I can understand, but a watermelon? Just how big ARE these virmen?" Deyin asked, turning his head to meet Chris' gaze as they walked south from Thunderfoot Farm.
As they reached the road, Deyin glanced to regard a female Pandarian pushing a cart filled with baskets of lotus blossoms to the west toward the Jade Forest. Deyin smiled to the woman, nodding his head in a very polite and uncharacteristic manner. The Pandarian returned his smile followed by a pleasant "Hello!"
Deyin remained at Chris' side until the Pandarian passed, breaking his stride to turn to Chris. Placing a finger over her lips to silence her, the rogue offered her a devious smirk as he took a step backwards, vanishing into the shadows. As the Pandarian disappeared into the distance, Deyin stepped from the shadows with a single lotus blossom in his hand. Rolling the stem between two fingers, he grinned to Chris. "Couldn't help myself."
His grin softened to a smile as he reached up to her hair, lotus in hand as he carefully slid the blossom over her ear. He brushed several golden strands of hair out of the way as he nodded to the lotus. Returning his gaze to meet Chris', he spoke softly with a smile. "There."
She shook her head, chuckling. "In all honesty, with the size of everything else around here, I'm not too sure I want to know. The turnips are just as big if not bigger than the melons." Chris followed Dey, content to walk a step or two behind him.
Watching as he vanished, she arched her brow as his finger touched her lips. She pondered kissing the digit, but didn't, and instead watched as he slipped into the shadows, becoming almost invisible even to her eye. Before long, he was out of sight completely. His reappearance made her blink, and she shook her head, smiling softly. She held still as he placed the flower behind her ear, feeling the blush creep up her cheeks despite her best attempts to keep it in check.
Her eyes met his and she couldn't help but smile a bit more, leaning up on tip toe to give him a soft kiss. "Thank you," she said softly.
He smiled against her lips, returning the kiss before turning to resume his stride toward the Yan-Zhe River. "I think the farmer said the burrow would be just beyond this hill." He said, motioning toward a grassy hill with a tree reaching skyward from the summit. Several virmen bounded about, hopping aimlessly around the hill as a flock of plainshawks passed overhead.
"How do you wanna do this, Kitten? Charge in? Or try and sneak past them until we reach the burrow?"
She frowned, pondering. "I'd rather we took them on as they came. I don't relish the thought of them sneaking up behind us." She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head. "The small ones are kind of cute..." She giggled quietly when she heard them spouting hateful words in regards to turnips. "Apparently they've never had them mashed with butter."
He chuckled softly, nodding. "Right then. You stay back a little so I can get the jump on some of them. As long as I can catch them by surprise, we should be fine." Pausing, he glanced back to Chris with a smile. Abruptly wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her to him to press his lips firmly to hers in a kiss. His eyes remained shut as he broke the kiss to whisper against her lips. "Be careful, Kitten."
The kiss surprised Chris, catching her off guard. She returned it without hesitation, hands coming to rest on his shoulders. She nuzzled his lips lightly, murmuring "You too, Deyin." Her eyes opened slowly and she looked at him.
'I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you...'
The thought came unbidden to her, making her heart skip a beat.
He grinned broadly to her, offering her a cheeky wink as he broke his embrace to step back into the shadows. In what seemed like nothing more than a blurred dance, the rogue engaged the virmen. One by one, he crept behind them in an ambush, dropping each creature quickly before he vanished back into the shadows. The dance continued as he moved on to his next victim.
She bit her lip as she followed along, healing him as needed. She kept her eyes open, making sure to take in her surroundings. Each outing with Deyin had given her more confidence, and she wasn't worried as she followed him along.
Once he forged a path for them, he remained visible, outstretching a hand toward Chris with a reassuring smile and nod. "C'mon, Kitten. Should be clear till we reach the nest." He ran his free arm across his forehead causing beads of sweat to drip down his skin. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he glanced skyward as he slicked his hand through his auburn hair.
She joined him quickly, her hand taking his, fingers lacing together. Looking up at him she chuckled, taking out a kerchief that she always carried and gently wiping away some of the sweat from his brow. "Let's hope you're right," Chris murmured softly.
He smiled to her, eyes sparkling with affection as she blotted his brow with her kerchief. Nodding once more, he walked with her at a quickened pace by the side of the hill. "The burrow should be straight ahead." He glanced down toward the river, his eye catching the nest were several virmen were hopping from. Deyin waited until the mouth of the burrow was clear and all visible virmen had bounded off toward the water's edge were they were hording watermelons.
"C'mon," he whispered to her keeping his eyes focused on the entrance of the burrow. With light footsteps, he guided Chriselda toward the darkened burrow.
She followed him willingly, her steps sure. She cast a glance toward the creatures heading toward the water and the watermelons but said nothing. Instead, she headed with him into the darkened burrow. Chris ducked to avoid low hanging roots and soon enough her eyes began to adjust to the dimness within. She wrinkled her nose, the smell of freshly dug earth mixing with the natural scent of the creatures along with the scent of rotting turnips.
Deyin squinted, his eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness. The burrow seemed to crawl with movement. The virmen hopped about, tossing stones from the cavern floor while they kicked up storms of dirt and dust. Eyes surveying the burrow, Deyin counted ten virmen in total. He stood with Chriselda against his back, his arm reaching to her side to rest on her hip. His eyes never leaving the enemy, he leaned back slightly to whisper to her, "Ready?"
"Yes," she whispered. She was well rested and focused, both on Deyin and the vermin. Chris almost whispered 'Please be careful,' to him, but didn't. She knew he would be. Her hands slipped from his shoulders and she took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
His hand moved from her hip to his belt as his palms grasped at several small throwing knives. Deyin's eyes glanced over the virmen once more, counting each before engaging the closest three. With quick and silent movements, he threw three blades out, striking each virmen in the neck with deadly accuracy. It took only a few seconds before two more virmen became aware of Deyin's presence. Two more knives quickly fell the beasts -- or so Deyin thought.
While one of the virmen dropped to the ground, the other screeched in agony as it started to dash toward the remaining five creatures. Alerted to the intruders, the last of the virmen snarled viciously as they closed in on Deyin and Chriselda.
The screech made Chris wince, but her eyes didn't close. She watched Deyin's movements intently, throwing a shield over him and preparing to hurl a penance at one of the creatures. 'Six,' she thought. 'Okay, he can handle six. Nothing he hasn't done before while showing off.' Just to be sure, she calculated how many times she could heal him with a burst of Light before she needed to rest.
Deyin reached back for Chriselda once more as the virmen closed in on the couple. He squeezed her hip to ensure that she was still close before quickly unsheathing his daggers. He was out of throwing knives, so he had to make his next few movements count.
The rogue quickly stepped into the shadows, appearing behind one of the virmen, dispatching it quickly before focusing on the injured beast. Dashing to the virmen that was gasping for breath, Deyin swiftly ended its misery with a deep slice across its neck. He glanced up to Chriselda, seeing one of the virmen bounding toward her. Without hesitation, he pulled the throwing knife from the back of the dead virmen before throwing it towards the creature closing in on Chris. The knife plunging deeply into its heart, the virmen dropped lifelessly at Chris' feet.
Chris' hands had been about to unleash a penance upon the advancing Vermin, but she blinked when it dropped to her feet, then looked up at Deyin. 'Three left. Easy street.' Instead of letting the spell go to waste, she switched it to a shield and sent it toward Deyin again, feeling herself relax a bit, even as her eyes darted about.
Deyin forced his breathing to slow as if he was willing time itself to halt. The light of the shield encircled the rogue as he stepped through the shadows yet again to appear behind one of the remaining virmen. After Deyin swiftly fell the beast, his eyes moved back to Chriselda. The final two virmen began to charge at her as Deyin quickly retrieved a small ball from his belt. Tossing the ball firmly against the ground, the orb exploded causing a thick cloud of smoke to flood the burrow. Feral cries of the beasts rang out until everything fell to an eerie silence.
Chris had seen the beasts heading for her and had thrown another shield around herself, but before she could cast anything else, Deyin' had thrown down a smoke bomb of some sort. She couldn't see anything! Biting down on her panic, she closed her eyes and listened, the cries of the creatures loud in the already dark burrow. Then... Silence. Opening her eyes, Chris cursed under her breath, willing the smoke to clear.
The smoke finally dissipated enough that Deyin's frame could be clearly visible. He stood barely five paces in front of her with the final two virmen dead at his feet. Drawing in a slow, deep breath, he looked to her with a narrowed focus.
"You okay?" he asked, breathlessly as he took one step toward her, however he stopped mid stride as a piecing cry echoed through the burrow. Deyin spun quickly on his heels to come face to face with one more virmen. Before he had time to react, the beast leapt toward him, claws raking the rogue's skin as the beast attached firmly to him. A sharp pain shot through Deyin's side he staggered backwards. Even as Deyin moved, the virmen remained fixed to him. With a deep, determined growl, Deyin drew both daggers up to the virmen's throat. With clean strokes, he swiped his blades across the beast's neck until both arms were outstretched at his sides, blood dripping from each dagger. The virmen released its grasp of Deyin, falling lifelessly to the ground.
Deyin remained with his back towards Chriselda as he stood in silence. He audibly exhaled, sheathing his daggers before clutching his right side with both hands.
Before she could respond, she heard the creature. "Deyin!" she cried out as the beast attached itself to the rogue. As the two fought, she managed to smite it once, but then, it was dead. Chriselda moved quickly to Deyin's side, reaching out her hands toward his wound. "Let me see," she said softly, intent on at least getting a cursory look before they headed back up. Her heart hammered in her chest. Surely the animal didn't hurt Deyin that badly.
He pressed his hands firmly to his side, not removing them even as Chris requested to see the wound. "We have to go," he spoke between gasps for breath. "More will be com--"
Deyin winced in agony before several curses escaped his lips. Warmth washed over his hands as blood flowed heavily from between his fingers. Pursing his lips, his hands grasped more forcefully to his side. The rogue looked toward the mouth of the burrow, focusing on the daylight breaking through the small opening. He walked with heavy, stumbled steps, each stride marked with pain as he held his breath.
Chris almost panicked, but held herself together. She nodded, then looked toward the mouth of the cave, then back at Deyin. "Lean on me," she said softly, fitting herself to the rogue's left side, trying to pull his left hand away. 'Get to a safe place first, then get a look at it. Please tell me those damnable things aren't poisonous.'
'Just make it outside. Just make it outside,' Deyin thought to himself over and over as he tuned out everything else happening around him. He had been so focused on his steps that he didn't hear Chris' offer of assistance. Instead he trudged onward, each step bringing himself closer and closer to the exit. Closer to safety.
The afternoon sunlight broke through the burrow, allowing a slight sense of relief to wash over the rogue. Two more steps and they would be outside. As his foot planted down against the earth for his first step he swayed slightly. Darkness drew over his eyes until he was unable to see.
'Just make it--'
Deyin collapsed by the entrance of the burrow, his hands falling to his sides to reveal three deep puncture wounds where the virmen had impaled him with its claws. Blood flowed from the gaping holes with each heartbeat.
'Just make--'
With that, he succumbed to unconsciousness.
"Deyin!" she cried as he fell. She saw the puncture wounds then and had he been awake, he'd hear her calling him everything but his name. As her hands worked and magic flowed, he would have also heard things like 'Don't you fucking die you son of a bitch,' along with 'So help me, I'll resurrect your ass and kill you myself!', and then, once the bleeding had slowed, if he'd've been paying attention, he would have heard 'I can't lose you Deyin. I think I might love you, and if I lose you, it'll kill me.'
Loving a wild thing is like having a lion for a pet. You know it’s a creature of violence whose very nature and talent is murder, and yet it lies down at your side and purrs for your touch alone.
(via arcadianhybrid)
favorite-season:
Chris would have gone on once darkness had fallen. Pandaria was a strange land during the day, and alone she would have been terrified to be caught outside at night, but she wasn’t alone. Deyin was with her.
Or maybe she was with him. Did it matter?
She watched the darkened trees fly past her as she sat in the passenger car of his chopper, and not for the first time, she wondered why his letter had made her respond so. Regardless, she was by his side. When it had gotten dark, she’d been game to go on, trusting that Dey would keep her safe. But he’d taken one look at her, and she was sure he’d seen the fear and uncertainty in her eyes, because he had suddenly become tired and thought a night spent in Dawn’s Blossom would be best.
Chris was sure she had sighed in relief, much to her annoyance.
She climbed from the machine once it came to a stop outside the inn and walked slowly inside. It was warm and cozy, with the scent of something delicious in the air. She put her hand over her stomach when it rumbled, prompting a chuckle from Dey. He secured a room and ordered a meal to be sent up, and together they climbed the stairs.
Later, after they’d eaten and chatted a bit, among other things, they lay there. Dey snored softly in the darkness, his arms firmly around her. The blankets were soft and warm, and the now familiar sounds Dey made in his sleep were comforting. She couldn’t help but smile, even as her eyes drifted closed.
Kitten --
I didn't realize how hard it would be leaving yesterday. I also didn't realize how hard it would be being alone in Pandaria this time around. I used to prefer being alone. No one to answer to but myself. I could come and go as I pleased -- did what I wanted to do. It was the ideal life for me.
With Lyri, I got used to having someone around. Never thought I'd manage to stay put in one place for long, but for once, I had to think about someone other than just myself. It wasn't difficult for me to change that aspect of my life, because things were finally worth sticking around for.
Then one day I woke up and I was alone again. Back to being free to do whatever I wanted. Free to wander as aimlessly as I wanted. Explore. Make my own way. I thought it would be easy to go back to that life, but I find myself restless. Purposeless. Alone. I don't want that any more.
I guess what I'm trying to say is... I don't know what we are, but that doesn't matter to me. What I do know that I'm tired of being alone.
I wish you were here.
Deyin
She listened as he plucked the simple scale she’d written down on the sheet music. It’d taken a moment, but she’d gotten him to understand what the strings to his guitar looked like on paper. And now, she was showing him very simple notes, fingers in first, third and fifth positions, letting him hear the differences and reconcile them with what he saw on paper.
After reaching the end of the first page he shot her an uncertain look, but she smiled at him. “Perfect,” she said, nodding. He’d grinned that grin that was a smirk on the surface, but a charmingly shy boy underneath.
That smile made her stomach flip each and every time, without fail.
They’d moved from her bedroom to the living area, and he’d left briefly to get some clean clothes and his guitar. He’d been gone for about an hour, and for a few moments, she wondered if he’d return. But return he had, bringing his guitar and one of his backpacks. In the pack had been a few changes of clothes along with some other items. He’d had that smile again…
She told him he could set the bag in the bedroom.
She’d made them lunch, a simple spinach salad with the last of the summer berries, pecans and a honeyed lemon vinaigrette. Along side had been some bread she’d had the concierge pick up for her as she hadn’t wanted to leave the house.
Deyin had offered to go pick up anything she’d needed, but she shook her head. “It’s why I pay the rent I do,” she’d said with a chuckle. The concierge had picked up a few other things she’d asked for as well, for supper and breakfast the next day. She’d have to head to the academy tomorrow, but she’d already invited Deyin along.
She hoped he’d go. She had a feeling he’d enjoy seeing the kids learning.
Chris placed another piece of sheet music before him, this one a tiny bit different. It included more finger positions and she was anxious to see if he’d make the connection. He tilted his head, narrowed his eyes and placed his fingers on the notes he’d begun to know, then looked from the neck of his guitar to the paper and back again.
She bit her lip, though it did nothing to hide her smile when he made the connection, fingers hesitantly moving to the proper spots before looking up at her, his eyes hopeful. Chris couldn’t help but nod, a grin spreading across her lips. “See? Told you there’d be no problem figuring it out.”
Deyin didn’t say anything. Instead, he held her gaze, and she couldn’t look away. She wore no makeup, and her hair was back in a ponytail, offering her no proverbial way to hide. She saw something in his eyes, though she didn’t want to put a name to it. For to do so would mean she recognized what she saw in him, and that it might echo what she felt.
Hope.
The thought scared her, because it meant she was no longer merely curious about more. It meant she wanted more.
And maybe, just maybe, he wanted more too.
Fearful though she was, when he leaned in slowly to kiss her, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let her eyes slip closed, and she thought about more…
Is that so?
reblogging because I fucking want it to be goddamned true
Most of the time, it is true, because swear words are stored in the ‘emotions area’ of the brain, rather than the linguistics area.
fuck yes
SO MARTIN FREEMAN IS JESUS
Well fuck me
Just to add with this with a bit of science, I went to a lecture on swearing once, and we were provided with a diagram of the brain. Swear words are, indeed, stored in the limbic system (the parts of the brain that deal with emotion). That’s why when we experience a shock, be it touching something hot or being given a surprise gift or having to suddenly swerve, we tend to swear on reflex. Just as an animal might mewl, we swear, because it’s the best audible sign of shock our body can produce, and the one most likely to make our emotions evident to other people, and hence receive help if we need it.
Every time I read this post, I feel like waving it in the faces of everyone who’s said that I’m dangerous, sketchy and untrustworthy because I swear a lot.
Fuck, I AM a trustworthy motherfucker too.
A Mistake
Deyin sat alone at the bar of the Lazy Turnip as the Hozen behind the counter idly cleaned a less than sanitary looking mug with a tattered rag. Resting his elbow on the bar and his forehead in his palm, Deyin pushed his empty glass toward the Hozen. With a muttered “Ookin’ Dooker,” the Hozen reluctantly refilled the rogue’s glass with scotch.
Removing his forehead from his left hand to retrieve his scotch, Deyin rolled his last gold coin over his knuckles of his right hand. The gold sparkled under the light of the faintly glowing lanterns hanging over the bar. It was the last remaining coin from a week’s work of completing various tasks for the farmers of the Valley. The rest he had already spent on drinks for nights prior.
Drawing his glass to his lips, the rogue took a drink of his scotch.
“Pardon me, is this seat taken?” A woman’s voice rang out from over his shoulder. Deyin turned his attention to the voice to find a petite blonde sin’dorei smiling at him as she motioned to the empty stool at his side.
He shrugged in response, turning his attention back forward as he replied. “Have at it, dove.”
The woman continued to stay focused on Deyin, smiling sweetly to him and tilting her head curiously. “So what brings you here?”
Deyin closed his eyes briefly before taking another drink. “Just work,” he replied quickly, eyeing the woman from his periphery.
Her hands clasped together, she leaned heavily against the counter of the bar, intentionally flashing the rogue an eyeful of cleavage. She giggled coyly as she tucked a stray golden lock behind her ear. “What kind of work?” The blonde pried, the smile remaining on her lips.
Taking another drink of his scotch, his gaze fell to his glass as he rested it back against the counter. “Fighting mostly.”
The woman’s eyes lit up with interest. “You’re a soldier then?” She asked before biting her lower lip playfully.
Deyin exhaled slowly and shook his head. “Nah, dove. I’m nothing.”
Her gaze narrowed in on him as she traced a finger down his right arm. Speaking in a hushed voice, she responded, “We’re all something.”
The rogue quirked an eyebrow as he watched the woman’s fingertip gliding slowly down his arm. “You’re right.” He chuckled softly out of irritation rather than amusement. Any other time he would have left with the woman by now. So why was it that this night he found the advances of a pretty young sin’dorei nothing more than an unwanted distraction keeping him from his scotch?
“I’m a mistake, dove.” He spoke indifferently as he quickly downed the remainder of his scotch. “And one you won’t be making tonight.”
He tossed his last gold coin on the counter before standing from his stool to walk out of the inn.
A Letter from Malric
The rogue sat beside a small campfire, deep within the woods of the Jade Forest. Night seemed to have been slow to fall -- or at least it had felt that way to Deyin. The crackling of the fire accompanied the chorus of crickets to will the rogue to rest, yet he was far from sleep.
Nimble fingers slid along the corners of a letter as his eyes traced over the words once more.
Brother,
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I only wish that I could be there for you during these difficult times. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you; from lending an ear to sharing a bottle of rum.
Stay safe out there and come home soon. Arathi misses you -- I miss you.
Signed,
Malric
Deyin tapped his thumb against the signed name briefly before crumpling up the paper into a tight ball. "Home," he muttered under his breath with a pained amusement in his tone. With a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed the paper into the fire, several soft popping noises piercing the night as the parchment ignited in flames.
Running his hand through his hair, Deyin reached for the bottle of rum at his side. After raising the bottle to the sky in a silent toast, he took a long drink.
“Doncha worry, Mal. I’ll drink enough for the both of us.”
My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.
Jack Kerouac (via dropdeaddeviant)
Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.
Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper. (via akumamatata)
Katie Kacvinsky, First Comes Love
He chuckled softly, smiling as he gazed down at his guitar. Nodding briefly, he closed his eyes and began to play. A soft song filled the air as he carefully plucked the strings of his guitar. His eyes remained shut as he tapped his foot to keep time with the music.
Deyin smiled softly, seeming more relaxed than he had been in quite some time as he lost himself in the song.
She sat quietly and arched her brow, listening as he played each and every note perfectly. When he was done, she blinked.
"Damn...and that's self taught?" She whistled low, a look of appreciation on her face. "You could take over my job if you could teach half as good as you play," she said with a laugh.
He chuckles softly, continuing to strum a few chords softly as he opened his eyes to look upon her. "Only one problem with that, kitten. I can't read a damn note." He smiled brightly to her, shaking his head. "Can only play by ear. Besides, don't have the patience to be a teacher."
She tilted her head. "I could teach you how to read sheet music if you wanted." She arched her brow, smiling. "And you say you don't have patience for a lot of things, though I'm thinking you're stretching the truth. Just my opinion though."
He smiled softly, a few more chords echoing through the park as he spoke softly to her. "I have patience for things that are important to me." He chuckled softly before continuing, holding his hands over the strings to silence any lingering vibration. "And if you think you can teach me, go right ahead."
She smirked. "I can teach a 4 year old to play the violin. I can certainly teach you to read sheet music." She laughed, propping her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. "Lesson plans would be easy, actually." Her eyes narrowed a bit and she got a far off look in them as she began figuring out just where to begin with Dey.
He chuckled, turning his attention back to his hands as he played the chorus of the same song. This time, he hummed along softly before he started to sing along in a surprising smooth voice. "'Cause I wonder where you are, and I wonder what you do. Are you somewhere feeling lonely? Or is someone loving you?"
His voice brought her out of her mind and she listened, her head tilted, eyes curious. "Why didn't you go after her?" she asked.
He continued to play, even as he spoke. "I wanted to. With every part of me I wanted to. By the time I got her letter, she was already gone. Wouldn't know the first place to look for her."
He frowned softly as he gazed into the distance, plucking a few more strings. "Besides, I don't think she wanted me to follow." His distraction with thoughts of Lyriesse made his fingers slip, several discordant notes ringing out, causing him to curse under his breath, his hands falling from the strings.
She held her tongue, simply looking at the man before her. 'I don't know if I believe you or not,' she thought.
Reaching back, she refilled both their glasses, sipping from hers and leaving his on the table. She continued to look at him as if trying to read his thoughts.
He hung his head as he sighed softly. He didn't even have to look to feel her eyes on him. Lifting his head, he placed his guitar back down on the ground. He slouched over, resting his elbows on his knees as he lowered his head to run his fingers through his hair. "Go ahead and say whatever yer thinkin', kitten. I got thick enough skin."
She shrugged. "I'm sorry she hurt you."
"Ehh," he shrugged, his head still firmly in his hands. "I hurt her too else she wouldn'ta run off like she did. Part of me wants to find her and ask why she left. The other part of me wants to say 'fuck it' and move on. 'Cause if she bailed like that, she can't have loved me like she said she did."
Chris shrugged. "Sometimes," she said softly, reaching out and tucking a lock of his hair behind his ear. "People say they love us, and maybe they really do, but they might not know how to show it. I don't know if she did, I don't know if she didn't, but I don't understand how she could have up and left. I don't know how anyone could up and leave someone they profess to love, knowing how badly it'd hurt."
He paused a moment, simply staring at the ground before breaking the silence with a soft chuckle. "Dammit, kitten. Why do I aways fuckin' sulk in fronta you?" He shook his head, rolling his eyes at his own stupidity before quirking an eyebrow. Tilting his head, he looked up at her with a soft smile.
She laughed softly, smiling at him. "Sulking is feeling sorry for yourself. I don't think you're doing that. My own opinion though." She tilted her head, looking at him.
He laughed softly, shaking his head as he sat upright. Pulling a leg under himself, he turned on the bench to face Chris. "Good ta know. Was afraid you'd be ready to smack me by now." He grinned to her as he rested his elbow against the table.
She chuckled, shaking her head. "No, not yet. I'll give it a day or two. Then if you keep bemoaning about the chick that up and left you, I'll consider smacking you. Hard. Maybe with a clip board, who knows." She shrugged, smirk on her lips.
He laughed, nodding. "Fair enough. Thanks for the warning, kitten." He paused, his smile softening as he gazed upon her face, his eyes tracing down her cheek and jaw to fall upon her lips. He lingered there for a few silent moments before moving his attention back up to catch her gaze.
"Least I could do," she said, watching his eyes travel over her features. "I've been told my Penance spell serves as punishment in a pinch. Especially when aimed at someone's ass." She grinned, noting his eyes coming back to hers.
'Now just what is going through your head, hmm?' she wondered.
He chuckled, smiling to her. 'Eh, fuck it. What's the worst she could say?' He paused a few more seconds before speaking softly to her. "You really are beautiful, ya know?"
She smiled, a very faint blush touching her cheeks upon hearing him say it while sober. "Thank you," Chris said softly. She then arched her brow and chuckled. "Trying to make me blush?"
He spoke in a hushed voice, the soft smile still playing about his lips. "Glad it worked."
She blinked and laughed, shaking her head. "I can see I'm going to have to work on my poker face around you a bit more." The blush was slightly more pronounced, now on the apples of her cheeks and her smile made her eyes sparkle a bit more.
"That's fine," he spoke softly, sliding closer to Chris. He leaned in to her ear, the tip of his nose gently brushing against her earlobe as he whispered to her. "I love a good challenge."
She chuckled softly, her voice becoming quieter, meant for his ears only. "Oh you do, do you?" She couldn't help but shiver a bit as his breath moved over her skin. "Won't you get bored by it?" She raised her hand, a single finger caressing his jaw lightly.
With a grin peering over his lips, he leaned in to gently kiss her earlobe. "I have a nasty little habit of overcoming most challenges." His grin broadened as he reached a hand up to brush her golden hair from her shoulder, exposing her neck to him. Free hand reaching to rest upon her opposite hip, he dropped his lips to her neck, placing several soft kisses against her bare skin.
"Ohh, is that so?" she said laughing, tilting her head aside to give him more room, sighing softly as her eyes slipped closed at his attentions. "I think I'm going to have to come up with one that you can't overcome then."
One hand rested on his shoulder, stroking lightly down to his elbow and back while her other hand came to rest on the back of his neck, nails lightly scratching the base of his skull.
"I can't wait," he muttered against her skin as he worked a trail of kisses up her neck. Lips lightly brushing against her jaw, he hesitated a moment. His eyes peered up to catch her gaze in one final attempt to read her, his lips lingering against the corner of her mouth.
Her eyes opened and caught his and yet again she found herself trying to figure out what was going on inside his head. Her eyes held desire and affection, real affection in equal amounts and she found herself smiling softly.
"What're you thinking?" she whispered, her breath warm against his face. She was all too aware of his next possible step, and she realized if he were to kiss her, she'd let him.
The thought didn't scare her nearly as much as she thought it should.
"Just about you," he whispered his response before tilting his head down to press his lips against hers in a soft kiss.
'This is a mistake. This is a big mistake,' he thought to himself as his eyes drew shut. Despite his better judgement, his lips remained against hers for as long as she'd allow.
Her heart hammered in her chest, and the hand that was on his shoulder moved to rest at the base of his throat while the hand behind his head moved to cup his jaw. Chris' response was slightly hesitant at first, but she found it easy to relax and return his kiss, hoping she wasn't horrible at it.
'This is a mistake,' he repeated over and over, until he slowly broke the kiss. His eyes opened, attempting to catch her gaze as he backed away ever so slightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered, a flash of concern appearing in his eyes.
She arched her brow, curious. "For what?" she asked quietly.
"I shouldn't have done that," he replied, his hands returning to his lap as he backed further away from her.
'You're a fuckin' idiot, Dey,' he cursed himself as his gaze fell down to the table behind her.
She tilted her head, leaning back against the table, trying for relaxed and unconcerned. "Why not?" she asked.
He glanced back to her face, his posture relaxing slightly as he noted her almost nonchalant demeanor. "I didn't want you to think that this was anything more, that's all. I didn't want to cross any boundaries."
"Mmm," she nodded. 'Something more...shit. Would I want something more? Do I want to take that risk? Do I want to put myself out there like that? What if she comes back tomorrow and he's chasing after her?'
She looked at him and pondered. 'Still. He's the first person I've taken an interest in. Has to be something to that, right? I always say I believe in the divine, in the Light's guidance. So what do I do now...'
Chris took a breath and then spoke quietly, a wry humor in her voice. "I'm not...one for more. Never have been. I saw more with my parents, and...not something I want. I saw more when my father would threaten to take me away from my mother, or when he'd backhand her if dinner wasn't perfect. Decided 'more' wasn't for me before I'd even begun school."
"I became a Priestess and a teacher to avoid 'more'. It's worked beautifully for years. Men have never had power over me because I call all the shots. I like it that way. It suits me."
"And yet, here I sit, wondering about...'more'. I have a rule. No kissing. Neck, arms, chest, sure, fine, but not on the lips. Didn't think twice about breaking it just now. And I have no idea why. Never took an interest in anyone before, might've fucked 'em more than once, but rarely. But I've been thinking about you all day. Never, EVER showed anyone any weakness if I could avoid it, especially a man. But I was so glad I had my tome yesterday, and you were the first person I thought of to contact."
She bit her lip, looking honestly confused. "Thinking about...more...with anyone, ever, has been a terrifying thought. Yet I'm trying to picture more with you and...it's not scary. And I don't know why, and I don't know what to do with that knowledge."
"Chris," he muttered softly, speaking in an honest tone. "I don't wanna hurt you and I'm afraid that's the path that this is heading." He drove his fingers nervously through his hair, scratching at his scalp. "I'm fucked up. I can't even imagine anything 'more' after Lyri left like she did."
He sighed softly, shaking his head. "I've only loved two women in my life. Really loved. One was never mine in the first place and the other," he sighed again before continuing. "Well, you know how that ended. I suppose what I'm sayin' is I can't do 'more.' Not now."
She shrugged. "Not asking you to. Just letting you know where I'm at. Doesn't have to mean anything. You're fucked up, my view of 'more' is beyond broken..." She chuckled a bit, almost sadly.
Concern still sparkled in his eyes as he moved back to her side. A finger traced gently down her forehead, brushing away several locks of hair that had obscured her view. He wanted so very badly to kiss her yet again, but for once, better judgment took over. "I guess we're both pretty fucked up then, huh?" He spoke softly as he offered a warm smile.
She chuckled quietly as she looked into his eyes. "What's the old saying? Birds of a feather?" She smiled softly at him. "I'm not judging you Deyin. Not in the least."
He chuckled softly in response, his fingers still trailing lightly against her forehead. "I think that's why I'm so comfortable with you. And also why I'm scared I'll just end up hurting you." Despite the gravity of his words, he couldn't help but return her soft smile.
She arched a brow. "I'm not a delicate flower Deyin. I've seen more in my life than you can imagine. I doubt anything you could do would do any permanent damage. Besides. If you did do something, it wouldn't be deliberate. It's not in you to be malicious."
He exhaled slowly as he listened to her words. Rising from the bench, he stood before her, leaning down. Bracing his hands against the edge of the table on either side of her, he mutter softly. "Fuck it."
With that, he claimed her lips once again with his own.
Jessica Sorensen, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden