navette's daydreams

young girl, big dreams

[navettesdaydreams]

dreamland diaries <3

εїз navette (or nav) | 20 | black girl universe | alta εїз aot εїз jjba | college girl | mostly sfw | obsessed with slowburns

εїз ao3 | wattpad (short fics not on wattpad)

εїз all rights reserved. please do not copy, make modifications, or feed my work to AI. please tag if inspired by. no hateful or racist comments. no requests please.

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@cafekitsune or @honeyluvsw for dividers <3

[navettesdaydreams]

𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹

firelord!zuko x black!fem!reader

part 2 ⟡ the palace

what's it about?

Next week came much faster than you thought it would. You needed time to practice before the dinner and traveling time. Travel took about a day, but you and Ayaka gave it an extra one just in case. You traveled by horse and packed much lighter, since there would only be makeup for one.

Counselman Dain left out a couple of details in the letter that he sent you. The first was you weren't sure who would exactly be playing the music, but he did detail that only you and Ayaka were allowed. Or rather, they only had space in the palace for you and Ayaka to share a room. The second was that you weren't sure if you were meant to create a brand new performance, but you and Ayaka agreed that the original one would have to be tweaked since it was the Fire Lord you were dancing in front of. The third was that you weren't sure where exactly you would be dancing because you had no idea how the Fire Palace even looked.

Nevertheless, you settled your concerns as deep as you could as you walked in view of the Fire Palace. You could see the peak from outside the surrounding walls and the greenery that flowed under it and spread out along the edges.

You and Ayaka reached the gate quickly and stepped down from the stagecoach to bow to the guards. You let the motion become familiar, you would be bowing a lot once you crossed those walls.

The guards let you inside, and took the horses. You lugged your bag of clothes on your back, only wearing a simple Fire Nation top and skirt to match, revealing the part of your arms above the elbow.

Counselman Dain was a few steps away from the gate, crossing his hands. You bowed to him.

"Welcome to the Fire Palace!" he said brightly, "Let me show you to your room."

This room reminded you of the one from last week, only you wouldn't be sharing. It was around the same large size with careful wooden floor and a fire emblem etched in little details all around the room.

You and Ayaka sat there for a while in silence.

"I hate this place," your voice rasped.

She cocked her eyebrow. "Why?"

"It's so beautiful."

You saw the designs, the grandness of it all. A building the was probably built on the strength of your own ancestors, the distant ones from your grandmother's line. The time the Fire Nation spent building all of this room to host the most important family in the world. Though, there was only one who really mattered as of now.

"Your hate can't stop your admiration," she said lightly.

"Do you think the Fire Lord had gone through anything we had?" you ask her.

She sits for a moment, refusing to make eye contact and letting her hands rummage in a bag. "You know the Fire Lord was banished from his own country and traveled hungry with the Avatar."

You knew that. You cared for stories of the Fire Lord always stood still when he was talked about, but by the time they reached you, a lot of them were twisted.

You stood up and changed for your performance. Ayaka did your makeup in silence, her hums signaling she was dwelling on something quietly. When it was time, Counselman Dain sent a female servant to your door to collect you and bring you to the main room.

All made up, you smiled. There was no point in asking questions, now.

"Are you ready?" He held up two thumbs and a crooked, old guy smile.

"Of course," you say.

The entrance and the hallways was dazzling and unfair. This dining room was so huge it was horrendous. It had chandeliers of fire and dark red walls in a comforting light. But the shadows in the corners created a reflection of an open void. And that was what gave you the first wave of anxiety.

You walked in, arms folded, to the back area of the dining room. Everyone that sat at the tables were turned toward the "stage", which was just a small wooden platform away from the drummers. They were all in matching Fire Nation attire, but you didn't remember there being a royal band outside of coronations. You dared to look up for a second. When you did, your eyes passed over water tribe blues, the Avatar's shaved head, and someone draped in Fire Nation red. You saw the glint of gold before whipping your head back down. If you kept thinking about Fire Lord Zuko, you would hurl all in his palace.

Then stage fright became useless to you, and the adrenaline you learned to control piled up in your breathing. Then you let it settle. Sure, you could set the entire palace on fire, but who really cares?

Wait—

You ran out of time to think. The music just started playing and you danced along with it. You structured yourself with leaps and kicks just like before. When your body allowed, you took peeks out into the crowd and caught someone's eye. Before you saw the rest of their body, you secretly hoped it was one of the Great Warriors. You were wrong. It was Counselman Dain.

You focused back on your movements. Toward the end, you controlled your fire as an extension, getting lost in the song. You finished and posed on the ground. And just like that, you were done.

You kept your head down and walked off to a band of applause. The sounds became overwhelming at the mass of people that coagulated in the room.

Ayaka plastered a big smile on her face and couldn't stop clapping. "You are the most amazing girl I have ever met. I love you."

You smiled, but not without tension. She pulled you into a hug.

"We're gonna be okay."

You both walked back to the room, arm and arm. You smoothed the slimy green plant on your face to try and remove as much makeup as you could, but decided you should look for water.

The Fire Palace has many technological advances, including running water from underground basins. At least, that's what you were told when you asked a servant what was happening in the bathroom.

Before you even went in, there was a man outside in blue and black. He crossed his arms and kept his head toward the floor. When you walked through the door, you saw there were separates and more doors. Once you were done, you walked out and saw the bucket that would drip water onto your hands. There was also a girl using the second one. But not just any girl—you knew who she was right away.

"Your performance was beautiful," she says as she looks toward you.

You're starstruck. All you can do is swallow. She continues to look at you.

"Are you staying for dinner?" she asks.

You clear your throat and try to focus on words. "I wasn't invited," was all you could say.

She purses her lips. "That's not fair, all performers should join dinner."

She looks away for a minute, thinking. You watch as her hair falls over her shoulder, pinned in an elegant way. You take in her clothes, the blue cloth down to her wrists, matching her skin perfectly. You envied it. She turned back around, you took in her blue eyes.

"Who invited you?" she asks.

"Counselman Dain, ma'am." It comes out too quickly for you to stop it. She only has a couple years on you, yet you feel so inferior.

"Mmm," she hums, "Yeah, he's not my favorite guy on the committee."

She was trying to make conversation. You decide that now is not a great time to hold your tongue. "Though he oversees prosperity, many communities still go hungry. The ladies and I volunteer our time with them, donate what we possibly can. I will say I am grateful he gave me this opportunity, though."

Katara laughs. You cringe at the formality.

"I agree. Also, the Fire Nation isn't my favorite place to stay either, so I may not have any other nice things to say."

"What's wrong with it?" You voice finally doesn't shake this time.

She sighs. "There's nothing wrong it's just that I'd much rather be in a temple or an Earth Village. Just some place that's not so hot or threatening."

You nod your head. You look down at your hands, they are clamped together tightly and you loosen them. You roll your shoulders back as well. Katara bends excess water off her hands and turns towards you.

"I'll make sure to get you dinner," she says, "And if you ever come back here, you'll be a guest. I'll tell Zuko, so make sure to bring guests clothes."

You smile. "I will. Thank you."

She walks out. Your palms go straight to your eyes in embarrassment. Katara was never just Katara. She was either Katara the Waterbender, or specifically from your village, Katara the Healer. She was so popular among women now, and seeing her treat you as an equal made you itch in your skin. For all of her feats, somehow you were just another person to her, and not particularly under her. It was weird.

Katara had gotten you dinner just like she promised, and you and the leading lady enjoyed it before going back home.

tags: @nika1882 @stilinski1012 (you can join the taglist too!)

[navettesdaydreams]

happy juneteenth!! its a great day to be black😋

[navettesdaydreams]

𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹

firelord!zuko x black!fem!reader

part 1 ⟡ dancers

what's it about?

When you were a baby, you parents swore you could move water. You would sit in front of ponds, staring at the dull fish that swam in their circle. They said that sometimes the fish would move quickly own their own. That some type of force would push them along.

That's why it surprised them so much the first time fire spread from your hands. It was in a moment of anger, an argument over some issue you can't remember. You banged your hands on the table and jumped up out of your seat. Then, there it was: the lick of flames that extended from your fingers.

You walked out of your small village home and slammed the door closed. It was dark outside, but you still took the familiar path toward the pond and bent down next to it. You couldn't see any fish or reflection, just hear the soft movement of water. You swirled your hand above the water, looking for movement like it would come this time. Like you haven't done this every day for the last year and saw nothing. And, there was still nothing there.

You clenched your fists and focused. You extended your fingers outward to the pond, but instead of water movement, there were little strings of light coming from the tips of your fingers. You clenched your hand to your chest and wept.

✿

Light Ladies Performance Group has been much better off since you were soloing. Dancing with the others, you always stuck out. Your teacher didn't even let you dance with the rest of them once you started by yourself.

Today, you performed far away from Nikari, where the group was created and where you call home. The town's escorts led you to one of their empty buildings. There was a room large enough to separate the ladies and another one above it of empty space. The dancers laid out blankets on the wooden floor as you trudged along with a market bag full of paint for each ones faces.

"Down right there!" the leading lady yelled at the same time you dropped the bag down to the floor.

"Goodness," you breathed out, "That's heavier than usual."

"Of course. Do you know how far away we are?"

During midday, the girls sat and got their makeup done. You were the last one, busy practicing moves for your solo. As you sat, the leading lady dabbed paint on your face with her fingers. She inked a thick black line with her nail to sharpen your eyes and flushed pink all over your cheeks and lips. All dancers wore gowns with long, droopy sleeves right up to their wrists. Today's outfit had embroidered golden flowers on them contrasting the bright scarlet. Maroon waved across the hemline with style. The ladies weren't allowed to show skin along with the thick dresses, so underneath you all wore white chemises that covered any other parts of your skin and slips over your feet to protect your toes.

Your only modification as a soloist was your makeup. The other's wore white to help them stand out, but leading lady Ayaka took her time to find a color that would match your skin and perfect it. She said this was because the audience didn't watch your face, but they focused on your body and the light that came from your hands.

"You always look so perfect," Ayaka whispered, taking her nail to the other side.

"Thank you milady," you said back and tried not to move any other part of your face.

A deep, womanly voice came from beside your ear, "Yes, you do look perfect."

It was so sudden, it made you jumped back slightly. You felt Ayaka's nail go in the the wrong direction across your eye, messing with your look.

"SULON!" she yelled in anger, "Get out of here!"

You pop your eyes open and Sulon shot you a smile while getting up, and you smiled with her. She had just talked about courting her new subject while interrogating you in the process. Her imitation of a man was horrible.

"That girl is a piece of work."

"She wants me to get a husband," you say, "It looks like she already found hers."

Ayaka sighed and dumped water onto a cloth. "Close your eye."

In silence, she wiped your eye and fanned it dry. She picked up the paint again to repeat the process. She dabbed it over your eyes, then took her fingernail and lined the black ink over it.

"Sometimes finding a husband isn't always the answer," she said quietly, completing the rest of the look. "It's better to just look for love in places where it will reside… and that doesn't always result in what you think it will."

You hum and let her finish her work. She dips her hand in water again. She puts a slimy plant in her hands and rubs it down your curls, watching them pop to life over your shoulders. She rakes it through the rest of your hair and sticks small loops over your forehead.

"All done," she says, dunking her hands into a bowl of water.

The town's hourly bell rings and all the girls gather to Ayaka. You go over your solo in your head one more time as the seven girls line up and exit with their heads down and arms crossed, all perfect copies of one another. Then, it was just you left alone. You heard the sounds of drums playing loudly, and about midway through the performance, you decided that being alone was no longer and option.

You left the building to go watch the girls, your girls as they did a performance you were familiar with. They were daring with large movements: leaps, synchronized and static turns, lifting others up into the air, kicking their legs higher than anyone thought possible. You trained in this before, but it's been a while since you were on stage with them, looking as perfect and together as they do. Soloing has been lonely.

You walk back inside just as they finish, you greeted them as they walked in, sweat licking their faces. Ayaka grabbed you by your arms and looked into your eyes.

"Ready?"

"Yes milady."

You folded your arms and put your head down. She led you to the stage and you walked up the stairs silently, never move your head up from position. Once you reached the middle of the wooden platform and stood, a blend of sounds started to play.

You opened your arms and focused on flow of the music and your body. You spun to the sounds of the tambourine, extended your arms and legs to create the illusion of beauty. You learned to turn like the rest of them, so you did it slower. You dropped to your knees at the sound of hums coming from the band. They played their drums quieter, focusing on the intensity of their voices. You then summoned fire from your fingertips. The colors extended like long, thin fingernails. You waved them throughout the night sky, and had them surround the world around you. There were oohs and ahhs from the crowd at the watched. To finish, you used the fire and created spirals that whirled around your body. You spun with it, dress flared out, and hair getting dangerously close to lick the flame. Though it never did.

You slowed then bowed when you were finished. A rapture of applause surrounded you, louder than the music that was played. People cheered with their mouths, threw fire flowers onto the wooden platform, and whistled. You tilted your head up at them and smiled.

When you ran off the stage, the other girls squealed.

"You were amazing!"

"That was beautiful!"

"Hypnotic as usual," said Sulon. She always used the word 'hypnotic' when talking to you. It was strange.

Ayaka led the way back to the empty building, but not before being stopped by a tall older man in some sleek fire uniform. He recognized her as a leading lady and talked just low enough for you to hear scraps of information.

"… stunning… you do an amazing job… inquiring… performing at the Fire Palace..."

You turned your head to Sulon. She was taller and leaner. Her beauty was striking, made you a little sick with envy every time you looked at her. But, now she raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips into a smile. You did the same. You both held eye contact until you laughed silently, too scared to make any noise.

Ayaka turned to you and motioned her hand for you to come over. As you did, Sulon pushed you with her finger and you whipped your head around and mouthed 'stop!'. Next to Ayaka, she gripped both hands on your shoulders.

"This is my darling soloist. She incredibly sweet, and very skilled at everything she does. She also takes great care of our community."

The older man bows then tucks his long hair behind his back. "My name is Counsel Dain, I am the Head of Prosperity in the Royal Court. It was lovely to see you preform.

You come to your senses. You sink deep into a deep bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Counsel."

"I too owe you the honor," he chuckles, "The main part of my job is to assess quality of life in the Fire Nation, so I've stopped by here for the day. It was great to see all of the young ladies preform, but you… you were marvelous. That's why I wanted to ask Ms. Ayaka if you would be interested in performing at the Royal Palace. There's a dinner next week that celebrates the ending of the 100 year war and I think having you as entertainment would be amazing. The Fire Lord would love it."

You look over to Ayaka. She nods carefully. You say, "I would love to."

✿

The girls tease you through the night and all the way back home. They made good points, though about how the Fire Lord and his friends didn't have that much of an age difference and how once you were in the palace you should pretend to get lost looking for all of the different rooms they teach about in the history books.

It was a very long ride home. Albeit, a very exciting one. Access to the Fire Palace and its counsels means access to more resources for your village. Your village was odd. People were mostly healthy with enough money and food to sustain, but they were sad. Something in the community you have grown to love had made everyone unbearably dreary. Not even the constant access to entertainment had helped in general. Maybe kids who weren't familiar with the war, but the adults continued on like they were suffering.

Your parents wanted to move away to some Earth village outside of Ba Sing Se. They were both Water Tribe, but your father was a researcher and he believed his time here had been finished. Your mother was a non-bender, and had prayed every night to the Moon and Ocean Spirit that you would be a healer and the village would never be sick again. The only firebender in your bloodline was your grandmother, who housed your researcher grandfather until they had a baby that was just like him.

Your parents had figured that now that the war was over, the village would no longer struggle with being so far from resources, but months past and everyone still acted the same. You were growing up by this time and decided to pick up a job preforming for the Nikari Ladies after seeing them once in person. They travel and bring back some money for their own families, though the rest goes for the community.

When you arrived, the village greeted you all with applause. You held a sack of potatoes over your shoulder. This was much worse than the market bag. You dropped it at Ayaka's inn and then made your way to your own home.

It was not near the empty building of that other village. It was maybe half the size, but it housed all three of you perfectly. Your parents sat at the table, sipping on hot tea as you carried yet another bag of your own clothing over your shoulders.

"Welcome home," your mom said with a warm smiled and hugged you. It was the longest you had been away, "I missed you so much. How was your performance?"

"I was told it was great. It's the same thing I always do."

"Well, that's okay. As long as you didn't burn your hair off."

"It never even touched my hair."

"You don't even know that."

"It didn't!"

"Prove it," she laughed.

You fanned her off and hugged your dad.

"Welcome back, honey," he says softly. He goes back to taking another sip of his tea.

"One of the royal counsels ask me to dance at the palace. It's happening next week."

Your mother screamed. Not a like excited one, but one that came guttural from her. Tears flowed from her eyes so quickly, it made you confused. Your dad looked up too and matched your expression.

"Are you serious?" she yelled, out of breath from… nothing.

"Yes," you laughed and your mom jumped all over you. You didn't sleep until very late that night.

[navettesdaydreams]

finals overrrrr😫😫, time to deal with the prince🔥

[navettesdaydreams]

𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹

Intro Page

pairing: fire lord!zuko x black!fem!reader

synopsis: Dancing at the Fire Palace has some perks, but also some odd consequences. Being someone who was born to perform, you'd never think you'd get an opportunity to explore the life of the Royals. And you would never think it would send you down the rabbit hole of association.

current wc: 2k

warnings: violence, mentions of death/grief

notes: i am loving Fire Lord Zuko right now and also loving where this fic is taking me and I'm having so much fun with it! i hope you do too <3

read on wattpad | ao3

1 ⟡ dancers

2 ⟡ the palace

3 ⟡ ...

[navettesdaydreams]

hi babies! if you want to be added to the taglist of all my fics, pls comment below! thank you guys for your support <3 (this is also a linked page)

[navettesdaydreams]

it finally clicked why big brother is called big brother... im embarrassed that it took me so long

[navettesdaydreams]

Syncopation

chapter 3 ✧ war and tranquility

read on ao3 | wattpad

what's this about?

It was a shame they allowed the war to go on for this long.

For four years, the only thing you had been doing was fighting, shooting, and stealing. Fall was approaching, and sometimes as the dresses slipped off your shoulders, your exposed nipples had never felt like they were clothed to begin with. A seductress wouldn’t have to care. That was your difference.

They tend to forget you're a capable soldier. There were no parties where you could get by without casualties. There were base invasions, hide and seek, and even sharpshooters you knew to avoid. The war wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t helping anyone.

During the battle of Fort Slava, they no longer needed you for missions like these. The only thing left was brute force. So, they pushed you back to the Eldian army.

Gun in hand, you raced through the flattened battlefield of mines and wires. You almost made the mistake of stepping on one, but your foot dodges just in time.

The people who are shooting are allowing bullets to fly.

You were slightly different from the Eldian army. First, you don't wear their uniform at Magath’s discretion. Something darker, flexible, and tighter would work better for your survival. It was the same design he’d given you before, now updated to fit your grown body. You also now have a red armband, a reward for all the work you’ve done.

The only atonement for Eldia’s sins was creating more of your own, apparently.

You race even farther, as far as you can get from the fort. You almost wanted to disappear and let life drain out of you the same way it did with the people you've killed. If no one could find you, that would be the best option.

You see a divot in the ground and surprise washes over your face again. You drop to your back and slide down the trench wall to two Eldian soldiers. They are so afraid, but there’s a hint of relief once they see your face.

“Where is Magath?” you command.

One of them keeps their head down and the other points to his left. Your sprint recedes to a jog now that you're in a closed space. The gun is kept in one hand at your side.

At the first kid with a yellow armband, you snap.

You hurl the gun to the ground, the metal clattering heard above gunshots. Only then do you see three more, the four Warrior candidates that are wanted for Reiner’s Armor. They all stare.

“Why are you guys here?” you ask with mixing softness with annoyance. They’re almost too stunned to answer.

One of the girl’s eyes lit up. A grin pulls her lips. “Warrior training!”

“Where’s Magath?”

At the sound of his name, he appears behind you. His voice is occupied with Colt’s answering and heavy breathing. He’s reporting something but all you can do is glare. He stops Colt with his hand when he sees you.

“How are you alive?” His voice is in awe.

“Why are you?” By the way his mouth opens and closes, you can tell that his brain is moving much slower than his tongue.

“Do you have anything to report?”

“Yes, actually,” you start, “A couple months ago I got a tip for what’s inside the anti-titan weapons and got a sample for it. I shaved it into a bullet. However, this may derail it, but I came looking for you to find something to destroy it.”

His face still looks in awe. “I was going to send out the Eldian soldiers. However, if you are able to do it yourself, then I wouldn’t need to.”

“I’m not as amazing without any cover.”

“I can do it for you,” the young girl says, “Let me take out the train.”

❧

Being in a separate part of the war, your loneliness became more prevalent. The only thing that kept you from going insane was the constant reminder of your old comrades.

You pictured Reiner's face when you had trouble going to sleep. You imagined his arms wrapped around you again like that one time. You used him for his warmth.

Unoccupied with anything, your mind stayed on him. Seeing him get hit the way he did was your excuse to go searching to see if he was okay. Your thoughts were zoned out as you walked down the hall. Someone came out from the door.

You both stopped in their tracks.

“Hi,” you say, your eyes wide open.

“Hey.”

His voice is deeper and smoother even. You take in the look on his face as well as the grown out hair, stubble around his chin, and slightly smaller stature. He’s gotten taller, but it looks like he’s lost some muscle with it. Either way, he comes back beautiful. He's a sight for sore eyes.

His presence makes everything in your head stop working together. It feels almost as if you're rewinding the clock.

“I was actually just going to see you,” you say with a smile. “You and the other Warriors actually.”

All your thinking was overthinking. It’s understandable, considering it’s been four years since you last saw him. Your mind somehow can’t think of the right thing to say, even if there was a right thing.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” you're finally able to say between the mix of thoughts.

“Thank you.” He fingers the metal around his neck. “I can’t believe you’re still alive… I never doubted you, but to think that we were both able to make it this far is unbelievable.”

His hands come out of his pockets as he gets slightly closer. You sigh in response.

“Come here,” he says, “I owe you.”

You walk up to him and his arms wrap around you tightly. One hand on the waist, and the other on your upper back. He squeezes, but not too hard. It’s just enough for you to stay warm. You’re both stuck in this position and you could feel the tightness in his chest. He whispers some words that were almost not meant to be heard. It takes you a minute to understand the mumble of sounds.

“I missed you.”

The mix of words was something you’d become accustomed to from replaying them in your head. Back then, his voice wasn’t so comforting.

I’ll miss you .

“Me too. I’ve been so alone. I don’t even know…” Your muscles and hands go tighter around him.

“You got me now.” His thumb rubs small circles on your shoulder blades. “I came back.”

After some time, he lets go and you can feel the absence of his warmth immediately. It’s worth it because you get to have another really good look at his face. The realization of your staring drops your heart to your stomach.

“Have you met the Warrior Candidates?” He says to you, “I’m going to see them right now.”

“I have,” you return, “I’ll catch up with you though, they’re not too sure of who I am.”

With that, he nods and brushes past you. You can’t help but turn your body the other way for just a second, then are reminded that the other Warriors are still in their own room.

You enter and find Pieck, Porco, and Zeke all split between a bed and a chair. Porco has a book open and tea in a mug. Zeke and Pieck sit at a comfortable distance, discussing something you cannot make out. Everyone’s face lights up when they see you.

“It’s so nice to see you all again.”

You go up to Porco first and place a kiss near his temple. Your hand goes to rub his shoulder gently.

“How are you, Pock? You look so much older than I remember.”

He has the urge to slap your hand away but decides against it. 

“I’ve been okay.” As he says this, your gaze has already gone elsewhere.

You return the kisses and Zeke and Pieck’s cheeks, both of whom seem to be doing pretty well. 

“It’s a comforting thought that we won’t have to fight for a while,” Pieck says, “I can barely remember how to use my own legs.”

“They abuse you babe,” you say to her.

“Yeah, what’s the use of keeping you in Titan form anyway? You only get weaker.” Porco adds.

“I seem to manage,” Pieck sighs and leans back on the bed.

The conversation continues with small-talk. Your mind dwindles in and out of everyone’s overlapping words. That is until Porco speaks again.

“You know Reiner talks in his sleep about you.”

The mention of Reiner’s name sinks your heart again. You just saw him, and his effect on you is already showing in your body.

“In his sleep?” Why would he have a reason to dream about you?

“At least he was today. Before he woke up, I heard your name come from him.”

Your lips mouth a ‘wow’ as you sit back in your chair. You notice that you're pulling your index finger in a nervous tick.

“Maybe try spending some time with him before you leave again. We know you’ll be off soon enough.” Zeke is the one who cuts the silence.

“Not too much though,” Pieck sighs, “We need you here too.”

You find yourself smiling as you leave the room. Your promise to Reiner led you to go searching around for him. Luckily, he was still near the candidates, admiring.

“Hey,” you said from behind him.

“Hey.” His head goes over his shoulder to see you. “Guys, meet Marley's greatest spy.” He says your name with it.

Like his eyes, they admire. Then, recognition shifts into them.

“So it was you?” the pink-haired girl speaks first, “I had no idea!”

“You’re amazing!” Another one of the boys adds.

Their excitement brings another smile to your face. It was almost as if this was the happiest day of your life in years.

“Thanks, but I just do my job.”

[navettesdaydreams]

Syncopation

chapter 2 ✧ fragments

read on ao3 | wattpad

what's this about?

You shed your fluffy trench coat and handed it to a server, quietly hoping your Marleyan accent wouldn't peak through the new language you learned for the Southern Nations.

The leaders of the country will be here tonight, so will the militant ones. These type of men didn't really care about their wives or kids at home. They usually died as a martyr anyway, so why indulge in all of the exotic women they could get their hands on.

The military leader of a Southern nation was a handsome light-skinned man. He was young and nearly married. He wore a black suit and a bow-tie. For being his age, he must be intelligent, so you had to be more.

They let you remove your armband, and since there would be other nations, you would be able to blend in just fine.

Your dress was a white silk that revealed parts of your back. It was long and wide enough to keep a pistol and a knife strapped around your waist. With white wine in your hand, you stroll over to his blindside. His back turns and knocks into you, making it drip on your collarbone and drip onto the rest of your dress.

“My apologies,” he says in his native language, “Let me to get you a—” He looks into your eyes and stops his words.

“It’s okay, sweetie. It’s only white wine,” you say with a giggle.

“I-I can show you,” He puts his glass down and shows his teeth. “I own this place, I know where the towels are.”

It was even easier than you could’ve imagined.

He takes your arm and drags you to a large bathroom up some stairs. There was a basket of clean white towels with the initial “H” on them. He grabs one like he is picking out the freshest fruit for you to eat.

“For you, miss,” he says and hands it to you.

“Thank you.”

“I think it's wrong if I don't say that your eyes are beautiful." You hum and pat yourself dry. One of the straps on your dress slips off your shoulder in the process.

This bathroom was a good enough to finish. He only strides closer, invading the air you were breathing. Your head whips around to find the door. You were lucky, this man was easy. The towel was thrown over your shoulder. You lock the bathroom door. Simultaneously, you reach inside your dress for the pistol.

As you turn around, you point it to him, but he is already holding one pointed towards you.

“Come on, Dean,” you say, still not breaking character, “Why would you want to shoot me?”

“I don’t. I think a scar would ruin you.”

“It’ll take more than that for me to be ruined,” you said your voice still smooth. "Who told you about me?"

He doesn't answer. In a swift move, you found your knife and threw it towards him as he pulled the trigger. It clicks quickly. The knife sliced his shoulder as he groaned and fell to the ground against the wall. Blood began to run down his suit jacket. He groans in more pain, fighting himself to pull it out.

“Let’s make this nice and easy, okay?” You walk over and point the gun at his head. “Where do you keep your files?”

His breath is ragged. “Why?”

“I want to know, just in case I need it.”

“Yeah,” his breath chuckles out, “Sure you do beautiful… I have nothing, I don't keep my documents near me. I'm new to this Commander thing and all of my documents are kept somewhere else.”

You roll your eyes dramatically.

“I know. The same way I know you wouldn’t check your gun. The same way I know Marissa, who you refuse to marry, wouldn't utter a word if she saw you with another woman. Tell me who knows where it is."

“You can find them yourself.”

“This is easier.”

“Give me a tip and I won't shoot you,” you say, gun still pointed at him.

“Now, you’re just playing with me, princess. Do what you want.”

❧

“I kind of feel like I’m always going to die. I don’t get any special treatment for the thousands of tips that I’ve given them.”

The stars fill up the night sky almost completely. You and Reiner had been talking for an hour.

As shivers and hunger passes your again, Reiner takes his sweater off and gently puts it over your shoulders. You still don't look at him but mutter "thanks” in return.

“There wasn’t a moment where I thought that you were better off at home.”

You turn to give him a sincere look.

“There’s no way I'll fight by you anymore. You know that, right?”

“It sucks, but I still respect you.”

“That yellow armband doesn’t mean anything to me. The red one maybe, but the color yellow does nothing if I don’t get a Titan,” you say, “I need to be Honorary, and I need to do it during this war.”

❧

You go outside in search of the sounds that you heard in your sleep. You rub your eyes in annoyance. The door opens to a crying and snotty-nosed boy. He was only ten.

“Pock, it’s time to sleep,” you said gently to him, “You are single-handedly keeping us all awake.”

Today, the Warriors were given their titans. This was the day that Porco’s anger began to spiral. From here on, he would be more than impossible. You sniffled from yourself. It was too dark to see the red in your eyes.

“I know,” you say, “But, it’s over now.”

“I should’ve gotten that titan,” he whispers softly. His anger pierces through little cracks in his words.

“I know,” you lie.

That elicits more tears from him. His hand covered his mouth to try and muffle the sobs. You bend down to sit next to him, his gaze goes to your temples.

“It hurts.”

Your hand comes up to rub his back gently. 

“I wonder why they didn’t choose us,” you say in the silence.

You didn’t care about their choice against Porco, he was a baby. What you did consider was their choice against yourself. Porco lays his head on your shoulder. His tears take forever to subside.

[navettesdaydreams]

Hell yeah we love a zuko slow burn. And for me personally I do like y/n but others may disagree

heyy, working on the fic rn!! might release a little teaser who knows😉 but rn theres no mention of y/n or anything so i might stay with that.

[navettesdaydreams]

hey chat are we y/n, [name], (name), or no mention of our name type of people? this is really important to me pls answer

[h3avenlyglory]

THICK/FAT/CHUBBY/ PLUS SIZE BLACK WOMEN SUPREMACY!!!

ALSO TALL AND MEDIUM BLACK WOMEN SUPREMACY WHO ARE ALSO BIG/BIGGER GIRLS!!!!

NOOOOOWWWWW

[yourleogf]

[navettesdaydreams]

anyone down for a slow burn zuko x reader? i got some ideass

[navettesdaydreams]

Syncopation

chapter 1 ✧ wind

read on ao3 | wattpad

what's this about?

You used to train with Reiner and the others.

The other "chosen" ones, to be specific. When they left, you failed. You wouldn’t sleep, wouldn’t eat, and would wallow in your own despair. You had thought about escaping, but death would've been so much easier. 

You tuck your head into your legs as you sit in the moonlit night. The limina of a breeze crosses your shoulders. Your breathing is erratic.

“Hey, we need you for something.”

Magath’s voice rings through your ears. You had half expected them to kill you by this point, but they didn’t. He led you to a room full of Marleyan officers. They stare at a map in thought. When you enter, everyone gives a look with a hint of disgust. Then, they continue to study.

The general says your name. “How long would it take us to travel from Odiha to the tip of the southern nations?”

You weren't really ready for this question. All that was on your mind was getting out of this any way possible. You didn’t care about Odiha, didn’t care about the Southern Nations. There was no room in your mind to think that way.

“Answer, Eldian.”

Magath’s hand reaches right for your shoulder in a tight and mostly painful squeeze.

“Through train and ship, it will take approximately one day,” you say, your eyes still low.

“On what basis?”

“Train from Odiha to the port can take up to sixteen hours because of the way it was built. Marleyan ships are fast enough to take you to the next southern port in eight.” You remember now to stand up straight with your hands resting behind your back. “Sir.”

“Smart as a whip, as I said. Agile too.”

You were surprised that Magath spoke up for you in that way. Your eyes dropped low again. Not agile enough for a titan, obviously.

Magath escorted you out and left you with these words:

“You are released from your Warrior duties.”

❧

Half a year earlier, you sparred with Reiner. You both weren’t particularly strong, but you were fast. You were throwing punches before he could even think. Kicks that hurt him so much that he fell to the ground. You knew Reiner shouldn’t get the Armor. You still don't know why he did.

“Get stronger,” your thirteen-year-old voice rips into him, “You need this, right?” 

Your foot plants itself right onto his chest. Your voice goes down to almost a whisper.

“You need to become a Warrior. Do not forsake your parents, Reiner. Get it done.”

Never would you have thought that he would be one, and you wouldn’t. You were so promising, and still they didn’t choose you. To be frank, Reiner hadn’t built up too much strength either, but he was chosen. All that was left was you and Porco. 

Porco’s anger got the best of you both. He was difficult to spar with, sometimes leaving you with a bloody nose and unnecessary scratches. You understood his anger, understood it so much that you picked up on it and began to embrace it. Your anger was only second to sadness.

❧

That night, you didn’t know that Commander Magath had saved you. You lost all will to fight anymore after a year. Porco only kept getting stronger and more ferocious. Sparring matches were impossible. You spent all night sitting in the moonlight, wishing you could wake up to a loving mother and warm tea. Your reality was no fair one. 

The next day, Magath stripped you of your Warrior uniform, offering a new, much sharper and stealthier one. He returned with a gray armband. 

“You are now a militant spy, which means I cannot control what they say or do to you,” he says as he bends to his knees, “You must do everything they say, or else you’ll be sent to Paradis.”

“Like the rest of my ancestors,” you added with a whisper.

You were fourteen, tired from another sleepless night.

“Listen to them, and hopefully I will see you again.”

You hadn’t taken those words truly to heart yet. You must listen to what these men tell you to do. Men who hate your existence and will do anything to try and end it.

Or, so you thought.

You were an informant spy, a special role that allowed you to gather information that was held by very old, very wealthy men. These men pay for their prostitutes. You make a special deal.

They can have all of you for free.

The first bit of info came from a merchant that lived in a mansion. He had a wife, but he gave you all of the supply routes that came in and out of the city. All he needed was a little alcohol. Marley stole and destroyed those chains within the next month.

A commanding officer once told you you’d gotten more beautiful with makeup and age. He mentioned that you were so beautiful, he could fall for your tricks himself. He touched your shoulder and disappeared the next day. 

Commander Magath did all kinds of maneuvering to get you back in his control. It was a special condition where he would watch over you, but when his superior called, you would follow.

Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, and Marcel’s absence became a void in the world around you. Zeke and Pieck were around, but it wasn’t the same, and it will never be the same once Reiner returned. 

Alone. 

He had endured the tragedies of Paradis when he returned after five years. Your heart broke yet another time.

❧

In a Marleyan meeting room near the port, the Warrior unit gathered around a thick table. You stood in a corner, leaning your body against the wall. There was a bruise in your rib from the night before.

“I failed,” Reiner says, “Everyone is gone and the Paradis soldiers are still strong. They still have Eren.”

“The Warrior Unit’s failure is a tragedy, however, we can’t think about returning to Paradis at this moment,” Magath responds.

“Why?” His eyes gain a little more light.

“Every country in the world knows that we lost three titans. We are beginning to prepare for a war.”

Magath stands up and goes to a chalkboard. Instead of watching him, Reiner looks at you for a moment. He can only guess who it is, those sharp eyes and broad shoulders are making it much more difficult.

“Marley has an abundance of resources, and 7 titans, or we did have seven titans. We never needed the Attack Titan or the Founder the way we do now. With the loss of the Female and the Colossal, the chance for destruction decreases.” 

He begins to draw out a map of the world, each country little blobs.

“The Southern Nations are too weak, but the Mid-East Allies are bound to come after us. We began preparing for war as soon as we sent Zeke to Paradis. There is no rest time. Mid-East Troops are arriving on our doorstep. We leave today to support the rest of our army.”

Magath drops the chalk and looks around for anyone who would ask questions. They were stunned by ‘ There is no rest time’. The soldiers who had just seen the doors of death were returning to the battlefield with no in between.

No thoughts could settle. There is no such thing as burnout in war. There is only living and dying.

Magath leaves the room, you follow right behind him.

“Where am I going, Commander?”

He continues his trek up the stairs.

“From my higher-ups, they’re trying to get you on the inside, infiltrate their military.”

“But, I barely speak the language. I don’t look like them either. They will know.”

“Again, I have no control. It’s either that or you return to the Eldian military.” 

Magath leads you outside to the sunshine. The streets of Marley are closeby.

“You should re-enlist.”

“I would be eaten by your titans three times before I do that,” you spit back.

He takes a sigh, refusing to look at you. You were so naive, unfamiliar about the hours that he spent spitting at Marleyan generals, just to keep you safe. Your humanity was his superpower. He made a promise he intended to keep.

❧

When the sun started to set and dinner was served, you found yourself gravitating to the balcony in order to watch the sky.

“I feel sorry for you.”

Reiner was there too. It was no telling how long he stood, arms leaning over, eyes staring out into the sky. He sighs at the first words that you had said to him in five years.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he says, giving a quick look.

You take your hands to your hair, letting the tight bun fall down your back. You then copy his stance.

“What happened to you?” he whispers.

“I should be asking you that.”

He takes his time before he answers.  “I am lost. There was nothing I could do to save them.”

“Are you sure?” you spit back, anger reaching to the tips of your fingers. “You have the Armor, Reiner. You are meant to protect. How are you the only one that comes back?”

“You weren’t there.”

“You’re acting like I didn’t want to be there. If me and Porco were there, trust me your mission would have been done. I have been training here since I was five, Reiner. I’ve been here for you. I was up late with you when you needed the help. I watched you eat that person alive.”

Tears begin to fill your eyes. Your mouth opens to speak again, but you know it will shake. A tense silence falls between you both.

“I watched Annie take the Female from me…” you trail off.

The orange sky becomes more blue as time passes. A single tear drops from your eye. A chill comes over your shoulders. You want to speak again, but there’s nothing for you to say.

“None of that is my fault,” he mutters out.

“I know that!” your voice raises, “I know, I know… I just—”

“I wish you were there. I really do.”

More tears fall out of your eyes. You can’t help it. Reiner brings out the thirteen-year-old in you. The girl that was happier when they were all together. You all ate at the same table, all smiled through the personal competition. You all cried when you realized the mission was actually starting.

“I should have been there. That’s what I’m saying,” you finish.

Blue fills the sky as the moon makes its first appearance. It’s getting even colder and the wind blows by. Your free arms shiver where your sleeves are rolled up. Your pants keep your legs warm.

You don't know how long it's been since dinner was served, not that it would be any good. Your stomach still collapses on itself, but hunger has yet to reach your tongue.

“I am a spy,” you start again, “When you guys left, I couldn’t keep up. I was about to get kicked out, but Magath gave me over to his superiors and said that I could get information for them. I do that now.”

Snapped out of that trance, you think back to these missions and what they do to you. 

“I am a secret for a reason.”

[navettesdaydreams]

Syncopation

Intro Page

paring: reiner b. x fem! reader

synopsis: Before pollution had plagued and shaded the sky, stars lit it up by the millions. So much so, that the sky one knew was not blue with specks of white, but rather white with miniature blue breaches.

After training with the warrior candidates for years, you were left behind to become a militant spy. Four years later, only one returns.

wc: 20.2k

warnings: violence, blood, war, death, PTSD

notes: ugh she's almost 2 years old, so i thought i'd give her a new look! if you're new here, welcome and be sure to read my pinned post. please enjoy, i wrote this in like a week because my obsession with him became so bad. this is an angst fanfic!! no smut, just angst, fluff and a slow burn.* also all of the chapters are out on ao3 and wattpad, they're just not recently edited.

read on ao3 | wattpad

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 ✧ wind

2 ✧ fragments

3 ✧ war and tranquility

4 ✧ the double-edged sword

5 ✧ whiskey and margs

6 ✧ truth, lie

7 ✧ home

8 ✧ the start of the show

9 ✧ paradise

10 ✧ trust

11 ✧ gaze

[cafekitsune]

PATTERN BANNERS | tufted 04.

there seems to be a lot of loving rn for my green galaxy dividers, so I thought I’d just quietly drop the tufted style as well ! just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, ya? 🍀

colours : 001 / 002 / 003 / 004

please like, reblog, and credit if you use :)

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