#( drabbles tbd. )

[yourmusicmuse]

I rewatched a bootleg of the Outsiders musical today and I'm still thinking about the way Darry was unable to look in Johnny's direction after he died...he couldn't handle it. There's probably so much going on in his head...I feel like he'd have a lot going on in his head. Guilt and regret, because he knows that he'd still be alive if he just listened to Soda and settled down after Ponyboy and Johnny came home, because they wouldn't have had a reason to leave or run, and Bob wouldn't have been able to do anything. Grief, because he has lost a dear friend, someone who he likely viewed as a brother. He feels discontent with his own 20 years of living, but he's still living, while Johnny isn't, and he was 16. And horror- because he knows damn well that it so easily could have been Ponyboy in that hospital bed, taking his last breath.

[hearthtales]

i could lie and be like ‘oh i only write in past tense bc this blog is all abt people being haunted by the past haha’ but rlly i simply cannot write in present tense. i am so bad at it. i don’t know what’s wrong with me

[llondonfog]

🎂

[draconscious]

'...There's a challenger.'

Fran's declaration is met with derisive scoffs and murmurs from her fellow Blackthorn City Gym trainers. A capable seven-badged opponent hadn't passed through their gauntlet's fanged entryway in months, the League becoming a seasonal afterthought as Clair's understudies warded off poachers, rescued Dratini, and hunkered down against the harsh mountain winter.

Even in these summer months, the rest of the Leaders continue to serve as ultra-capable gatekeepers--but every so often, an upstart slips through the Ice Path...and is promptly rewarded with the right to undertake one of Johto's most difficult challenges. The final Gym. A ruthless trial featuring a lava-esque hot spring, gargantuan boulders...and a select group of Blackthorn's finest dragon tamers. All eager for fresh meat. (Even now, at the mere mention of a 'challenger,' a hungry electricity fills the air. Clair's experienced trainers immediately prepare to depart the Den to take up their gauntlet stations. Good luck getting past them.)

And at the apex of her Gym, Clair perches, sharp eyes trained on the entrance. Despite the sweltering heat choking her arena, despite the fact that this new arrival might tap out right away, the heiress has been here for hours. Preparing. Training. Loosening up. (Call her cold, uptight, or stubborn--but, in the end, there's no denying Clair's supreme work ethic.)

Blackthorn's Leader exhales. For this fleeting moment, she doesn't have to worry about her city, or the mountains surrounding it. For this fleeting moment, the familiar rush of battle courses through her veins...and--for once--she only has to focus on one objective: crushing the challenger daring to approach from below. Gods, she's missed this. Finally.

Clair wicks some sweat from her face and clasps that timeless cape tight around her neck. When the Gym's door opens, and Lola can be heard cheerfully explaining the challenge to the incredulous newcomer, a small smile manages to find her lips.

It's good to be back...

[acr3ss-the-cosmos]

In his ever persistent quest to cure Feixiao of her Moon Rage, Jiaoqiu has gone down some rather… unconventional avenues. Of course, his herbal remedies and proprietary consumable prescriptions have done wonders to stabilize the general’s health, but they would not bring the healer any closer to ridding her of the affliction in its entirety. No… he had to think outside the box — outside what the field of medicine at large would consider “standard”. And so, Jiaoqiu set his sights on the closest thing he could get to the source of the accursed Moon Rage;

The Abominations of Abundance.

Jiaoqiu would not be able to acquire such specimens himself, as he did not possess the combat prowess necessary to dispatch such creatures. So instead, he asks a favor from Moze and a select few cloud knights to procure a body or two when they return from the battlefield, cut it into several large pieces, pack the sections into a large ice chest provided by the healer, and discreetly deliver it to Jiaoqiu’s kitchen. Then the research would begin — flesh would be neatly sliced away from bone, skin and blood samples would be extracted to be viewed under microscopic observation, and extensive notes would be written down in a worn leather-bound journal. How could he have not thought of this sooner, that the key to curing the general could very well lie within the very creatures birthed by the Plagues Author? How foolish of him…

There was a flick of a soft pink ear as Jiaoqiu was hit with a realization in the midst of his note-taking session, the pen in his hand halting abruptly in midair. He jerked his gaze up towards the long, wooden butcher block situated in the center of the kitchen, where cut sections of a freshly dispatched Golden Hound lay in a neat array atop the table’s surface. A pensive tilt of the head, pale gold eyes narrowing in contemplation. Thinking back on it, he had noticed a surprising amount of marbling mingled throughout the flesh, more than he would have expected from such a beast. In addition, appearance wise, the meat looked no different than that of the native game he typically dressed and prepared. The foxian was not a wasteful man in the slightest, believing that every part of an animal could be used for some kind of beneficial purpose. It would be a crying shame for such perfectly good meat to just be tossed aside as refuse.

…perhaps he should attempt creating a nutritious meal out of it, for curiosity’s sake...

[lovinggreeniehours]

fault

↳ faruzan × arin × sethos (though this is more arin-centric than shippy)

↳ 600+ words

↳ trying to conceptualize arin's character more, and i ended up with this. now there's angst with no resolution🥳 (so far) i might rewrite this for something bigger but i wanted to get the idea out of my head first. im not sure how well people might understand this without context but. i hope there's an inkling at least?

Everything hurt. From the pounding in Arin's head to the soreness of his legs. He expected that, having only woken up several hours ago. But there he sat, late in the night, already dressed to leave. He just had one thing left to check.

Watching Faruzan wake up beside him, he imagined she was feeling somewhat similar.

"Hey, dummy."

Faruzan grimaced, cringing away from even the barest streaks of moonlight from her window. She turned left and right in confusion, hair mussing up around her head.

"Wh-What? Arin?"

Arin simply shook his head. He released a gentle wave of Cryo energy to his fingertips, ghosting his hands over her forehead and scalp to help her relax.

"We're fine, we're fine. I just wanted to see if you'd.." He paused, then shook his head. "Nevermind. Just go back to sleep."

When he was confident she had fallen back asleep, he spoke up once more, now more or less just playing with the uneven strands of hair framing her head. He retracted his hand, reaching to his side to pick up his sheathed sword.

"Sorry, Paruparo. I won't be here when you wake up, I don't think."

He caught a glimpse of the view outside the window. A city perched atop the gargantuan Divine Tree, and the rainforest that surrounded it. None of which was familiar anymore. As far as Arin could tell, everything he knew was inside this room. And he hoped she was sleeping well, despite his intrusion.

"I will return tomorrow. After they've.. told you everything." He secured his sheath to his belt, turning to leave.

—

"Hey." Someone said. Arin was too entrenched in sleep to care who, though they're only could be one person. The bitter remains of a forgotten dream clung to the recesses of his mind, ruining his mood before he could decide what it was even supposed to be. "You're burning up."

"Mmph."

Sethos's light eyeroll was audible in his tone. "Come on.."

Honestly, he was probably right. Arin did feel more exhausted than usual. Maybe warm. He wasn't sure. Wasn't it always warm in Sumeru?

"I think we need to camp out a bit longer."

That got Arin's eyes open. He shook his head as much as he was able (which was, very feebly).

"I'll be fine."

"No, no, no." Sethos held him down him by the shoulders just as he was about to get up. Sunbeams poured down over Sethos's head, resembling a halo with the soft lavender skylight of Vanarana. "No."

Arin had to squint at him to filter out the light. "I'm fine."

"No, you are most definitely not."

"We need to help Rana.." Arin groused.

"We do." Sethos nodded. "But, no offense, you're not going to be much of help to her or anyone trying to travel in your condition."

Arin could only muster a huff. To his own dismay, he already found himself too tired to continue his argument, and all too willing to slip back into slumber.

"We need to help Rana." He repeated, considerably weaker than before; more rueful than anything.

"This is just one obstacle." His companion reassured. "Just rest well. We'll be back on the road in no time."

Sethos's knuckles pressed against Arin's forehead to gauge the temperature. His skin held a soft sort of warmth.

Sethos began to mumble to himself as Arin drifted off. The words were lost on him. Something about Sumeru City being too far. Something about the sky. Something about vision.

"Sorry." Arin murmured in his drowsiness. Notably, Sethos went silent. "I did it again."

"Did what?" Sethos asked.

"Stepped.. I stepped on the pressure plate." Arin mumbled. "I hope we don't stay stuck here too long."

Sethos paused, eyebrows knitting together in thought.

"You know.. it's not your fault. For getting sick."

Arin only hummed, Sethos's voice echoing as he finally fell asleep.

[hopefromadoomedtimeline]

I'd love to do a thread or starters or something similar where Trunks gives friends/family/people he cares about little trinkets or gadgets bc i think it'd be fun potentially. Especially since I don't explore the engineer side of Trunks too often but then I'd have to

clenches fist

be creative with it

[a-hell-of-a-time]

((Not me once again thinking of Andre growing up and being an object of desire among many, but not once taking on a single lover or one night stand.

Andrealphus remaining completely untouchable and shoving away anyone and everyone who approaches in an attempt at courtship or wanting a good fuck. Andrealphus keeping everyone at arms length because he doesn't know what it's like to be truly loved and wanted by others, and deeming such things a weakness (namely that people only claim to want you so they can use, hurt and abuse you) and beneath him, though deep down he's lonely and he longs to be wanted by someone.

Cold, indifferent, aloof, yet warm and soft underneath all that ice and trust issues. Being touch starved yet fiercely rejecting any touch at all.

Lovers trying their hardest to break through the ice, only to ultimately give up because Andrealphus is scared of reciprocating, which only serves to harden the ice once more.))

[iiryoku]

there are two kinds of people

[vidyadawn]

drabble for @celesticlnstcrs

Perhaps he was a fool for thinking it would be less maddening to see all of it instead of endlessly trying to make sense of the fragments in his mind. He'd imagined it differently - like pieces falling into place and the nagging doubt to dissipate and turn into understanding. For sense to finally assert itself into his existence. Instead he got an overwhelming flood of impressions all at once, too much to take in and maintain for one person's brain - but it wasn't given the choice. His head hurts as if he's been staring into the archive screens for three days straight, trying to retain all the information he's been given; his heart aches as if Blade's sword is still stuck in his chest and all he wants to do is sleep. But while his mind is ready to shut down, his body is not tired and he's kept awake by a restlessness that sits in his veins like electricity.

He wants to say something, talk to someone, to scream or run until he reaches something somewhere - and for once he wouldn't be running from his past, because what haunts him resides within himself, wherever he goes. So he goes to the only place that's brought him comfort since this wound was reopened, to the only person who seems to understand and see him for who he is.

But was it free will that brought him here or is it his mind retracing what it lost? For he finds himself standing under a pavilion he now recognizes as familiar, a new-found memory replaying in his mind like it was yesterday. They were standing so close, Dan Feng's hand curled in the General's robe, his grip tight enough to appear desperate, pleading. In the present Dan Heng mirrors the gesture without meaning to, unaware of it until he finds his palm flat against Jing Yuan's armor at his chest. It's solid and cool and tethers him in the moment while the memory still tugs at his mind.

Are you alright?, Jing Yuan asks and Dan Heng doesn't know whether to nod or shake his head, an exasperated sigh coming over his lips. "I am.. confused," he responds, desperation clinging to his words. They were so close, Dan Feng's forehead resting against Jing Yuan's, the distance between them smaller than it had ever been. Dan Heng wasn't there; the memory he recalls is not his and yet the thoughts from then are in his head, and his heart, too, seems to remember, recalls the yearning he felt, the hope and the frustration. They can't do this - he's the High Elder.

..but he is not the High Elder. He doesn't owe anything to anyone, and whether the feelings inside him are his own or not, he no longer wants to resist them.

So where Dan Feng stepped away, eyes averted and his hand swerving out of reach when Jing Yuan tried to hold him back, Dan Heng stays close. He pushes up on the tip of his toes and brings their lips together in a soft searching kiss, his free hand closing around the General's wrist.

And for a few blissful moments the turmoil in his mind falls quiet.

[stardustedstories]

They weren't supposed to be here. Raine was supposed to be staying out of trouble, keeping their nose clean until Scooter's retirement and the fact that they were succeeding them as head of the Bard Coven was announced. But the moment they'd heard the broadcast, had heard Eda's name in conjunction with the word "petrification," Raine knew they couldn't just sit idly by.

The bard was normally one for planning everything out, figuring out each possibility and going with the best plan (or the one that would cause the most chaos, depending on the situation), but they didn't have time to think; they just had time to go, to do.

And even as Perry's report continued, they were moving, making their way to the Conformatorium as quickly as possible, hood of their cloak pulled up, hiding their face. They didn't know what they were going to do, but they were going to do something. It didn't matter that they hadn't seen her in more than twenty years, didn't matter that the last time they had seen one another had been when they'd broken up, Eda wasn't going to die today.

Raine knew their way around the Conformatorium; it wasn't the first time they'd been here as part of a rescue operation, and it likely wouldn't be the last. It was the first time they were here without some sort of plan, so it was a good thing they had a knack for improvisation. It also meant they knew right where to go, right where the petrification ceremony would be held.

Maybe it was for the best that their ascension to coven head had been delayed; right now, they were just another nondescript person in the crowd, here to witness the first public petrification in more than thirty years. They weren't sure whether most of the crowd was looking forward to the spectacle or if they were here to watch the same way they would a twenty-witch-pileup. Honestly, right now, that didn't matter. The more spectators, the better; it would be harder to pinpoint exactly where their spells came from.

It would have been better if they could have gotten to Eda, gotten her out before the ceremony itself started, but there were too many cells and not enough time to search all of them. They were just gonna have to make sure to cause a big enough scene, a distraction to pull everyone's focus while they got her out of there.

Their mind was racing; they hadn't ever wanted to see this day. It was part of the reason they were okay with seeing Eda's wanted posters: since they were still up, it meant that she was still okay, was still free. And that was all that mattered.

Raine made their way forward, towards the front of the crowd, with a few rows still left, providing them cover. They needed to be able to see platform, where Eda would be, something that made their heart skip a beat, even after everything. What would she look like now? Would she even recognize them, if she saw them in the crowd?

If they were being honest with themself, it didn't matter. It didn't matter what she looked like, if she remembered them, or even if she hated them. They were going to get her out of here, and that was it. Because even after everything that had happened, even though they hadn't seen one another, had broken up so long ago…., Raine Whispers still loved her.

They heard Perry's announcement, saw the platform rising, and then suddenly, there she was.

"Eda," they whispered, but thankfully, no one seemed to notice. Everyone's attention was trained upwards, fixed on the cursed form of Edalyn Clawthorne. Raine hadn't realized they were holding their breath until they started to get a little light-headed, and they forced themself to inhale, to breathe. They wouldn't be any good to Eda if they passed out; they had to focus, had to figure out a way to get her out of there.

The petrification machine rose up to the platform, and Raine looked over it, wondering if they could stop it from here. They weren't entirely certain how it worked, but if they had two seconds to examine it, they could do something--

Their train of thought is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Lilith in the cage, followed by two children interrupting Perry's broadcast. This was good; they could use this to their advantage.

Raine started moving through the crowd, trying to get a better vantage point, to see what was going on up on the platform.

They were still listening to everything that was happening, so they heard when the kids said that what was happening to Eda wasn't right, that she hadn't done anything worth being petrified, listened as they started to chant to "let Eda go!"

Raine's heart lifted; they weren't the only one who thought that all of this was completely wrong. Eda shouldn't be punished just for wanting to choose her own path, for living her life.

Before they had a chance to do anything, the petrification beam shot from the machine, heading right towards Lilith, only for Eda to jump in the way.

Just as quickly as their heart had lifted, it plummeted, and they let out a strangled cry even as Lilith shouted Eda's name. They had to get to her, had to get up there, get her out! They weren't thinking anymore, they weren't trying to plan or figure out anything beyond keeping her from turning to stone.

But the crowd was in the way. Their brilliant plan of not being at the front was backfiring on them now, and they couldn't push their way through fast enough without using their magic. And they couldn't afford to do that, not when it would get them caught, would keep them from actually helping.

They could see the stone creeping up Eda's form, and they couldn't get to her! If they brought out their violin, they could do something, but that wasn't exactly subtle, and then they'd be arrested for trying to break her out.

With Lilith there, though, maybe there was still a chance. She was the head of the Emperor's Coven, but she was just as in that cage as Eda was.

"Come on, Lilith," Raine whispered, clenching their hands into fists. "I can't get to her; you've gotta do something."

And if she didn't….., well, they were just gonna have to risk being arrested. They were pretty sure they could talk their way out of it, if they really had to. Raine might not do well in front of crowds, and they absolutely got stage fright, but they would come up with some sort of reason why they were aiding a fugitive, and they would have to make it stick.

They'd deal with that if it happened; right now, their eyes are glued to the platform, begging Lilith to do the right thing.

There's someone else on the platform now, someone working to free her, and Raine breathes a sigh of relief, eyes still glued to Eda's form.

"Please be okay," they whispered, not noticing how hard their fists are clenched. They can't summon Fiddlesticks, not with their palisman currently disguised in their violin, but all they want to do is be up there, to see her for themself, to know that she's okay.

The Coven guards start to circle the little group, and when Eda takes off with the rest of them on her back, the crowd starts to cheer. Spears fly in the direction of the retreating wild witch, and Raine lifts a hand to their mouth, letting out a shrill whistle, covered by the noise of the crowd. The golden arc of magic disrupts the path of the spears just enough to keep them from making any sort of contact with Eda, and Raine finally breathes a sigh of relief.

They hadn't been able to do much, hadn't been able to save her….., but she's still alive. And she has other people looking out for her.

Raine will have to content themself with that knowledge. Because even after everything…., she still means the world something to them.

[archivedolon]

any plot with aphelios whether friendly or romantic is going to entail some form of the “finding a home in a person rather than a place” trope because he really can’t go back to mt targon anymore until he finds diana and its looking to be a very extensive search

[llondonfog]

[bnjmin]

full write up soon (lie) but I've been thinking about ben's time at the rehab/sober living farm. he's so painfully averse to manual labor and it takes him forever to get the hang of it but eventually he does. he never starts to like it but he gets good at it. is he an animal person? no but getting up before the sun to go and take care of all the animals is something he gets used to eventually. he's abysmal at bailing hay, good at chopping wood, drives a tractor terrifyingly well. he actually hates having to share a room with three other people it's probably the most testing part of the entire experience.

[vartouhix]

new tags.

[galaxofmuses]

Leon let's out a sigh as he is killing time and keeping eye on Ashley, but it seems like the other is conversating with a friend. Of course the girl motions to Leon and telling them to not worry that the agent is harmless like a fly. It made Leon scoff from the response, but of course keeping his distance away, but still in the line of vision of the two chatting up at the cafe table.

"So! What does your dad do? I know your mother takes care of an orphanage."

"Ah...well he's a bounty hunter. He travels a lot for his job. You know....a lot of top secret stuff."

As the two continues to small talk as both of their snacks and drinks arrive. While Leon didn't ordered anything at all even if Ashley assist to loosen up for once. Leon keeps sticking to his boundaries and keeps refusing.

What the three doesn't know that one of the customers has been keeping a close eye on them.