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decayedsword · 23 days ago

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maybe Thernin x reader who gets picked on a lot and thernin coming to their rescue🙏

Artistry

Thernin x artist!reader who gets picked on a lot (1.6k words)

also dedicated to aurum. thank you for your support.

warnings for slight mentions of bile, bullying, blood; ther is referred to with she/her in the beginning and is later on referred to with they/them.

enjoy. :)

It started as a joke, you swear.

You love drawing whatever catches your eye these days, making sure to put your signature sinister twist to it. Pure white lilies doused in red, the corpses of a couple in their wedding attire. Hands around someone’s neck, laughing, maniacal and batshit insane, the look of love in their eyes. Corrupted angels standing beside Lucifer himself, sweet and rotten—you adored making sure your drawings told stories and spoke poems to the viewer.

Over time, it became less of a joke and more of a distraction. It was, in its own way, a healthy coping mechanism for you.

Students would pick on you, tease you for your inability to be mundane. The affixment of your hair, crooked teeth, body type—all scrutinised by the so-called angels of Angelwood High.

Drawing was the only time you ever felt free to do as you pleased. Your very own liberty.

You passed by Etheriality’s campaign poster in the halls. She truly was beautiful, ginger locks perfectly framing her face, periwinkle eyes and the most captivating smile you’ve ever seen.

The more you analyze her expression, the more it comes to you that it looks fake in a way. That thought sticks to the back of your mind, blossoming insatiability—inspiration?

Shrugging your shoulders, you head outside, willing to get fresh air. As you go down the stairs, a tall boy walks by you, hair bleached white and in all-black, and you momentarily halt as shivers went down your spine.

His eyes were dark. Her eyes were not.

Maybe this was when the rot started to consume you.

You leaned against a tree, shielding yourself from the rays of the sun. Absent-mindedly sketching on your notebook, you try your best to draw the many things you’ve seen today. A teacher talking about chemistry, the familiar shape of a prom queen’s emotions, a dead rat you saw splattered on the pavement, the black hoodie worn by the devil—

Your eyes scanned the page, holding your sketchbook up above your head, letting bits of soft light hit it. You tilt it in your hands as you admire Ms. Popular and Mr. Edge. An idea implants itself in your head, rooting itself in your desires and growing guns and roses.

That was when you had started drawing the two together. The epitome of perfection and the amalgamation of pride. Their beauty combined was like no other. Illustrations of them flooded the pages of your sketchbook. Oftentimes, you depicted them in such a domestic and intimate way that you completely disregarded your signature sinister twist in your drawings.

The bell rings, effectively snapping you out of your daydreams, and the students around you all shuffle quickly to get out the door. You quickly stuff your supplies in your bag and head toward the crowd.

In the crowded hallway, your feeble attempts at not bumping into anyone make themselves obvious to…him. Craig Doughton.

You tried to avoid his piercing gaze, until you felt someone grab you by the hood of your jacket and pull hard. You slammed head first into the firm metal of someone’s locker and the pain thrummed in your lower skull.

The jock towered over you, condescending and almighty, a mockery of what a god was, or ever could be. His face blurred as tears welled in your eyes. You clutched your bag in your grasp, trying to protect your solace from the assholes that stood before you.

Craig hit a spot on the locker near your ear, narrowly missing your head, making you jump. He whispered about giving up your money before he and his boys would resort to other measures. You only held your bag tighter, pulling it near your chest, making an effort to hide both your hyperventilation and preventing anyone from stealing something from you.

You tried to peer over the jock, tiptoeing as you do so, hoping someone would make eye contact with you and save you from the situation, but the students kept their head low, obedient and dogs to the hierarchy, and kept walking.

You saw the vein in Craig’s neck straining and only a moment away from popping. The jock slung his arm over your shoulder and you flinched at the gesture. He led you away, far, far away from the onlookers, as if he was protecting them from seeing a gruesome sight. You could taste bile at the back of your throat. When you looked back, three of his friends loomed behind you.

If you heard a duet of scoffs echo amongst the chatters in the school, no one else did.

Craig and his tag team group had brought you to a spot underneath the bleachers. The sun shone against him, blinding and bright, giving the jock a faux sense of power as it formed an aureole, his own crown, around his head.

His threats floated in one ear and out of the other. Eyes dimming with a dull pain, an aching sensation you couldn’t fathom, your legs would’ve buckled under your weight, if you hadn’t immediately reached and grabbed at one of the support beams. Your chest heaved as they surrounded you.

You were all-too-familiar with their tricks, the bruises that hid beneath your hoodie told that story. Clenching your fist, you tried to at least look like you were standing your ground. You swallow, preparing for the first punch.

It never came. A voice rang through the bleachers before a fist could ring through your face.

“Craig?”

You glanced over and saw Ethereality, and she really did live up to her name. The golden hour complemented her features as the sunlight hit her ocean eyes and the wind blew in her auburn hair. She shied some of her locks out of her eyes, and she looked like an angel.

You wondered why she was dating Craig.

“Ethy!” The jock grimaced, an uncharacteristically sweet smile forming on his lips. He walked towards her, and your eyes widened as you observed how Ethereality shifted from one leg to another, had a look of discomfort on her face, and especially how her eyes became almost predatory as she looked at Craig.

You watched as he pulled her close, grabbing her wrist with an iron grip. “Ethy’s” smile never faltered, it stayed put on her facade, unbreaking, poised, perfect.

You grit your teeth. Balling up your fists, you decide to run towards the two, but as you step back to gain momentum, you hit something—someone. You stumble away from the figure, only to be met with the same bleached white hair you had seen one morning. He speaks.

“Craig Doughton.” His voice is deep and raspy and oh-so gorgeous. The man’s demeanor harshly contrasts Ethereality’s, his beanie with devil horns atop his head and all-black clothing. The sun doesn’t dare grace him with its light, afraid he might corrupt its sanctity with a single touch from his hands tainted with black nail polish.

The jock downright gave him a menacing look, eyes wide and deadly, but even this self-proclaimed god couldn’t compare to Lucifer himself, especially not when his group of pseudo-seraphims lay unconscious around the devil’s feet.

“Ethy,” the strain in Craig’s voice made the supposed sweet nickname sound like a curse, “Mind telling me what the fuck this bitch’s doing here?” He bared his teeth at the man, and the man showed his fangs in return, a wide grin gleaming across his face.

When Craig sauntered towards the figure, he disregarded you completely and walked right past you. You took this chance to meekly dash towards Ethereality, stopping before her as the both of you watched the two men glare each other down.

The jock grabbed the white haired boy by the collar, and in return he laughed, throwing his head back. Ethereality leaned to whisper in your ear. “That’s Ronin. Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.” There’s a hint of a smile to her voice and your face flushes.

Craig’s shouting profanity now, but Ronin’s eyes never meet his, no—his eyes refuse to meet his—instead his gaze is on you and Ethereality, and you can’t help but bend slightly and extend your arm, a stance to try and protect her from the two.

“Eth–”

“Please. Call me Ther.”

“Ther,” you correct yourself seamlessly, “Are we supposed to…do something?”

Ther smiles at you and there’s something sinister about it, how it almost matches Ronin’s shit-eating, face-splitting grin. “Do you want to?”

No. Your brain answers. You can have wants—you’re only human. Craig is anything but.

“No.” You reiterate, verbally this time, and you can feel the sincerity in Ther’s eyes. She—no, —They share the sentiment. You could feel Ther’s grin grow wider. If they let out a soft, restrained laugh, you heard it.

A loud thud verberates through your ears and you turn to see Craig Doughton on the ground. You’re not sure if he’s unconscious or lifeless. You can’t bring yourself to care.

Ronin approaches the two of you, face pristine in contrast to the body decorated with bruises. His grin’s sharp. It cuts you open.

“Wanna have a look-see at what I found?” He holds up your messenger bag in one hand and your open sketchbook in the other. Your face flushes as you try to reach it from him, but he’s a devil, and the devil loves to play. Ronin hides it behind his back and tosses it to Ther.

You watch, frozen as they flip through the pages, scanning the sketches of them you’ve done. Ronin laughs.

“Hey,” he draws the vowel out, “Whaddya say we recreate some of these fantasies of yours, huh?” His condescending tone couldn’t hide his slight blush, but it made you embarrassed either way.

“Doesn’t sound too bad.” Ther replied, the tint of their face is the same color as yours.

Ronin behind you, Ther in front. The three of you are the gods of gluttony, and this kiss was the start of your apotheosis.

will start cleaning out my inbox. feel free to send more questions :)

#ronin beaufort #ronin #ther estridge #gluttony gods #ronin beaufort x reader #ther estridge x reader #thernin x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #ronin x reader #ther x reader #answered asks #asks #send me asks

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npookie0 · 2 months ago

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Their Love Was God

Ther x Ronin, Heathers AU, Veronica!Ther x JD!Ronin, Our Love is God inspired fic, commission

Words: 2060

Cws: Spoilers for Gluttony Gods, some for Heathers, murder, blood, slightly explicit language

Ethereality Estridge entered Angelwood High as always, head high as she-who-was-not-a-she walked past the other students. Ever since they joined the school's clique they had even more eyes on them than before, and being the Estridge's girl alone made them quite the eye catch for Angelwood High's society.

The high school was mourning, Heather, the cliques leader was found dead, she committed a suicide. Truly a tragic show of emotion for the whole school to eat up and choke on.

But, there was something the people of Angelwood didn't know. Heather Chandler didn't kill herself, she was murdered. By Estridge and the guy who should have never came into Angelwood - Ronin Beaufort. This wasn't a planned murder, or at least that's what Ther thought to themselves.

It was just an accident. I didn't kill her, I just picked up the wrong mug. It's not my fault....

It was easier to live on with the thought, not seeing themselves as a murderer. it kept them semi-sane in this godforsaken town that just suffocated them with its roles and laws.

Ther entered the classroom that was claimed by the school’s yearbook committees. Intending on helping them fill it in, but when they entered the room two girls cornered them, giggling before talking.

“Hey Ethy, did you enjoy taking Craig and his friend both at the same time?” She giggled.

The other one joined her, putting her hand on Ther’s shoulder. “I bet you did it to cope with Heather’s loss.” She said mockingly. “Letting two guys fuck you while also having a boyfriend! I never knew you were such a w-h-o-r-e Ethy!”

“Yeah! Guess even the saints aren’t so innocent.” They didn’t even give Ther a chance to reply, they just walked away, laughing and whispering the most disgusting words between themselves.

Ther was dumbfounded, hugging themselves with their arms, feeling small under the other student’s judging gazes. The feeling haunting them was so unbearably big. Disgust was the main one. They felt disgusted at the thought of even doing that and with Doughton and his stupid friend of all people. Their stomach twisted uncomfortably, the breakfast they barely touched coming up to their throat. Ther felt dizzy, the world in front of their eyes was spinning uncontrollably fast and they felt like they were suffocating. “Fuck this I need out…” They whispered weakly, leaving the room and pushing between the students throwing even more distasteful jokes about their made up sex adventures with the two jocks.

They entered the bathroom, falling through the door into one of the stalls and sliding down the wall. Their ears were buzzing. Shit why must this be happening to them, of all people? They just wanted a normal angsty teen life, some shitty break ups, getting wasted and god knows what. Not murder, blood and guts. Not an emo boyfriend who brings corruption and leaves chaos behind. They just wanted their teen years to be normal, ordinary. An 80’s movie level life would be good enough for them. Was it too much to ask for?

“Well, well, well.” They didn’t have to look up to know who was talking to them. Voice hoarse and raspy from all the cigarettes stolen from his father he smoked, hushed because it sounds lower that way, and fuck it all if he can’t sound lower than his voice naturally is.

Ronin Beaufort, the devil boy who brought blood, sin and ruin upon Angelwood the day he stepped foot in it. Black nail polish on his nails, messed up and uneven. Beanie with horns on his head, hiding the bleached-blonde rat’s nest on his head and adding up to the devilish aesthetic he wore as some badge of honor. Mostly black clothes, 90’s emo he called his style, though Angelwood just called him a freak, which he happily accepted with a shit-eating grin and a “bang” sound after “shooting” his finger guns into his skull.

“Heard a rumour you took two dicks, didn’t know ya were into that, darl.” He cackled.

They turned to look at him, mascara running down their cheeks mixed in with their tears. “Not now Ro.” They whispered. “Please.”

Ronin’s mood changed. From amused by the absurd rumour to worried about Ther and slightly pissed about the two jocks who dared to spread that rumour about his partner. He sat next to them, taking their chin between his fingers and raising their head up, so they’d look at him. “They made you cry, huh? Fuckin’ assholes. Ruining their world with their bullshit, making others’ lives hell for fun and shit.” He wiped their cheeks with a tissue, gently caressed them with his thumbs and nuzzled his forehead against theirs. “You’re okay Ther, you know that you didn’t do it. You’re not a whore, slut or whatever those fucking pseudosaints will call you.” He whispered.

Ther sniffed, looking into the black nothingness of Ronin’s eyes, somehow calming down just by looking deep into them, as if the mirror image of his soul was enough to bring them back to normal from the state of panic. “Ro I’m so tired. Of this facade, the pretending. I never wanted to be this popular girl known for her friend committing suicide and fuckign two guys at once.” They looked and sounded exhausted. Tired of life itself. Being an Estridge was too much for a single teenager who never wanted to be one anyway.

Ronin hummed in understanding. “Why don’t we go to my place now? Daddy dearest is out, doing god-knows-what.” He stood up, helping them up too. “C’mon, I have an offer you’d love to hear all about babe.” Ronin took their hand in his and led them out of the bathroom, then to the exit and then to his house.

Our love is God Ther, those motherfuckers will learn of it soon enough.

They were laying in his bed, writing a suicide note, one that’d make Craig and his friend look like a laughingstock for the whole town, no one would shut up about their little tragic story for a while. And maybe the angels would even feel a little pity towards the two guys joining them in spirit.

“Is it ready?” Ronin asked, looking over their shoulder at the paper in front of them.

Ther sat up, a huge smile on their lips. “Yeah, wanna hear?” They asked.

“Hit me.” Ronin replied, arms folded over his chest, head tilted in interest.

“Craig and I died because we had to hide out gay forbidden love from the disapproving world.” They read out loud, trying to sound as close to the jock as possible.

Ronin held himself by his stomach, bursting out into laughter. “Oh shit, you’re making it even funnier than it is! Imagine the cops faces when the two most misogynistic fuckers turn out to be just two little guys in love? I can already throw up at the comments about Jesus lovin’ them even if they’re sinners and allat bullshit.” He sat down on the bed. “It's time to make your phone call, baby.”

Ther sighed. “Ugh I hate having to do this.” They groaned and picked up the phone, dialing Craig’s number and waiting.

“Yeah-lo?” The jock said after picking up the call. Ther felt their gut twist and their hand gripping the sheets in anger.

They were still able to speak in a sweet voice. “Hi Craig, it’s Ethereality.” They paused, almost gagging before saying the second part. “I was wondering, how did you know that I always wanted to have two guys at once.” They threw a pillow at Ronin who was laughing about the face they were making.

“Uhh lucky guess?” The jock replied.

“Well, if you’d like it to really happen, meet me at Ridge Grave, at dawn.” They hang up, bursting into laughter and then watching as Ronin pulls out a gun from his jacket. “Whoa, is this real?” They ask, taking the gun from his hands and watching it carefully. Their gut telling them that this was wrong, but who were they to listen to their gut feeling?

Ronin took the gun back, a mischievous look in his eye. “As real as ever, baby. Bang and they’re gone.” He chuckled, twisted smile on his lips, wicked glint in his eye. A devil in boy skin, whispering temptations to poor lost girls-not-girls who seeked freedom more than anything. That he was, not less not more.

But Ther was blinded, by their suffering and love for him. Their mind became hazy whenever he kissed them and they kissed back as passionately. Or maybe they weren’t blind. Maybe they relished in the blood and gut as much as he did. Maybe murdering Heather was the happiest feeling ever and they just tried to hide it, ashamed and afraid of the reality they found themselves in.

They arrived at Ridge Grave. Neat rows of dead girls’ graves piled up next to the Stone Angel like she was their lead, guide and god. The one they worshipped and danced around. A perfect place for the worst boys Angelwood has ever seen to die in, ground that’ll never accept them, ghosts that’ll hate them and the Stone Angel who will taunt them for their sins. At least that she could do for all the girls the jocks put to grave with their destructive behaviours, hurting girls and killing their futures by barging into their lives uninvited. Spreading ruin and pain, making the world a worse place to live in. They should pay. And pay they will.

“Hey Ethy.” Craig said once he arrived, his friend next to him. Both smirking, excited about the threesome they were hoping to get.

“Do we just whip it out now?” The other jock asked, a look holding no thoughts in his eye. That one for sure used his second head more than the one attached to his neck.

Ther giggled, wanting to die with every word they were about to say. “Strip for me, it’s more exciting that way.”

“But what about you?”

They had to fight the scowl that wanted to show on their face. “Well, I was hoping you’d rip my clothes off of me boys.” A sweet smile, one they perfected enough to make it look real.

The two jocks needed eagerly, stripping in front of Ther, trying to make it look sexy when in reality they just looked like two clowns.

“Okay, now I’ll count to three.” Ther said, taking a breath and squeezing the small gun in their pocket.

“One.”

“Two.”

They were counting slowly, taking their time.

Then, surprising and scaring the two jocks, Ronin emerged from behind a tree.

“Three.”

Bang

He shot Craig.

The bullet was aimed at his throat and fit perfectly in. He fell to the ground with a loud thud. Blood leaking from the wound and running down his neck. Ronin didn’t waste town, shooting his friend after Ther missed their shot.

He chased after the guy, leaving Ther alone with Craig’s body and all the forged proofs for the suicide behind. He caught up to him, taking a hit that almost broke his nose before shooting him into his chest. “Motherfucker.” He scoffed, dragging the body back to the place.

Ther was kneeling in front of Craig’s body. Their mind a haze while their body had a clear reaction; laughter. Laughter and tears.

They despised Craig more than anyone in this world, so seeing him dead was like a reward they didn’t even know they so dearly wanted. They didn’t care about being a murderer, a partner in crime. All they cared about was Craig laying dead in front of them.

Their guilt may eat them up later, but it didn’t matter now. The adrenaline gave them more energy than they have ever felt in their life. They stood up from their knees, walked up to Ronin and wrapped their arms around his neck, pulling him close and kissing him passionately. It was a ‘thank you’.

A thank you for all he’s done for them, for all the damage he’s brought, filth and corruption. It all made them a real person, someone who knew what they wanted. He loved them for them and that’s all that mattered to Ther really.

God was their love and Angelwood will be the sin they’ll purge with the rot they’ll spread.

teehee credits to this user for commissioning me to write this piece ^^

I hope you liked my little Heathers AU :D I'll see if I want to touch more content from Heathers with Thernin (I for sure want to use Freeze Your Brain and Seventeen from the Musical too since there are my go to songs for them other than OLIS)

Love you all, Nathan <3

#fanfic #ronin beaufort #ther estridge #ther gluttony gods #ther x ronin #ronin gluttony gods #gluttony gods #heathers AU #au fic

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theroyalsandi · 2 years ago

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Prince William of Wales rides his pony Smokey on Highgrove Estate in Doughton, Gloucestershire, England | July 18, 1986

#royaltyedit #theroyalsandi #prince william #british royal family #my edit

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middleland · 6 months ago

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Stephen Doughton House — Lisbon, Ohio by Christopher Riley

#lisbon ohio #columbiana county #dead on revival

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rastronomicals · 7 months ago

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7:13 AM EST November 11, 2024:

The Breeders - "Safari" From the EP Safari (April 6, 1992)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Love Britt Walford's drumming here I mean Shannon Doughton's.

#The Breeders #Safari

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toilou-norvetaxique2023 · 2 years ago

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Jour 23 - entre West Jefferson et Boone le long de la Blue Ridge Parkway

Très motivés, nous avons mis notre réveil suffisamment tôt pour aller faire une longue rando dans la Blue Ridge Parkway, sur un chemin que nous avait vivement recommandé la Ranger d'hier.

En partant du motel, première désillusion : il pleut.

Comme ça se calme par intermittence, on tente quand même d'aller voir à Doughton Park... deuxième désillusion 🌧️

Il pleut vraiment beaucoup, le brouillard est très épais et l'objectif n'est pas de se retrouver trempés pour la journée ! Nous faisons donc demi-tour. En nous arrêtant prendre de l'essence, qui soit dit en passant n'est pas très chère ici, nous repérons sur Google un petit café qui a l'air très sympa ☕️

Petit arrêt aussi au supermarché, dans mon rayon préféré 🥤

Nous allons passer 2h dans le Bohemia Coffee, en attendant que la pluie cesse. Café pour Antoine, thé pour moi. Les canapés sont confortables, on ne va pas se priver !

Ce café est situé à West Jefferson qui s'avère être une petite ville rurale typiquement américaine, la pluie lui donnant encore plus de charme !

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scottsbifh · 7 months ago

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Doughton Manor is a country house in Doughton, in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It's adjacent to Highgrove House, the family residence of King Charles III & Queen Camilla. wikipedia

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badgirlfriendcookie · 2 days ago

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i have nothing but respect for artists who make cookies with unnatural doughtones dark skinned, y'all are quite literally braver then the navy

#diary #fandom trauma conditioned me to b ready w/ a 15k word essay b4 suggesting a nonhuman character is black #crk

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rockmusicassoc · 18 days ago

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In The Rock 5/29/1990: ‘Pod’, the debut LP from The Breeders is released in the UK. Kim Deal, Tanya Donnelly, Josephine Wiggs and drummer Shannon Doughton, aka Mike Hunt, aka Britt Walford, recorded this alt rock masterpiece in Edinburgh, Scotland with Steve Albini behind the boards. Highly anticipated, it peaks at #22 on the charts in England. #TheBreeders #RockHonorRoll

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dealthorpakp · 9 months ago

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18 juillet 1986 Diana dans un hélicoptère de l’escadrille royale dans le parc de Highgrove House, sa maison à Doughton, Gloucestershire pour un photocall

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anniekoh · 1 year ago

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Cascadia shaking forecast: https://static.temblor.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Cascadia-hazard-temblor.jpg

PNW plate movement from Geological Society of Oregon County: https://www.gsoc.org/news/2018/7/2/rotating-crustal-blocks-form-a-simplified-picture-of-pacific-nw-plate-motion

Map of GPS stations in the PNW monitoring ground movement. From Full Rip 9.0 Sandi Doughton

#pacific northwest #pnw #earthquake

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npookie0 · 7 months ago

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Save The Last Dance For Me. - Thernin

Trigger Warnings!!!

su1c1d3

light s/a mention

Ther x Ronin Gluttony Gods

Ronin was back in Angelwood, he returned to the city a little later than he expected. The damned bus really took its time to drive him there. He couldn't get Ther to greet him, if he was earlier they would be next to him now, venting their feelings and cursing the Angels. But now, Ronin can only go to the old high school, mix in with the other students and seek Ther in the crowd. Annoy them, maybe dance with them and make sure that they escape with him, find the courage to seek freedom, to reach out for it. He smiled to himself, that plan he was building in his head was really devilish, he just needed to find the prom queen to make them its main star, after all a play can't start without the lead.

He entered the school gym, it looked almost like a real ballroom, colorful lights everywhere, loud music playing, teenagers trying to hide the alcohol they smuggled in. Ronin didn't fit in with the overly elegant students, he looked like a black sheep and he was proud of it. He wore his devilish aesthetic like a badge of honour. He pushed himself through the crowd, looking for this one person who couldn't leave his mind.

But before he could find them, the lights turned white and focused on the stage, the school's headmaster stood there, a microphone in hand. He looked like he just wanted to have a drink and let this school burn for all he cared about, but he had to play his little role, like everyone in Angelwood did. Like the little fucking puppets they all were.

"Good evening our dear students, it's the moment you've been waiting for! We will announce the prom queen and king."

In response there was a round of applause, names being chanted by the teenagers, the loudest one was "Ethereality", seems like all the assholes had their pick decided already. It wasn't a surprise when Ther's last name was called out. A round of applause and happy chants were heard immediately. After all it was their perfect girl, the perfect saint of all Angelwood. Ronin clapped for them too, although his applause was more mocking, and he knew that they knew it too. After all Ronin was the only person who knew who Ther truly was, even they didn't understand their needs and feelings as well as Beaufort did. They were in denial, living in this false femininity, pretending that the dress they were wearing was actually to their liking. Acting like Craig Doughton was someone they actually loved, like their heart wasn't aching for the comfort Ronin gave them.

But Ronin saw through all of that, he saw how uncomfortable and shaken Ther was when Craig, that motherfucker, leaned in to kiss them. He saw the absolute hate in their eyes when they smiled at the crowd. Oh, how painfully amusing it was. Ronin could play the hero, he could be the big saviour, and then Ther would kill that lovely "boyfriend" of theirs, as the ending act of course.

Ethereality was supposed to die that night, Ther was about to reborn, like a phoenix coming back from the ashes. This idea made his heart burn in passion, his eyes glint in wicked amusement. This night was meant to be beautiful.

Finally Ther got down from the stage, joining the crowd of drunk and high teenagers, the teachers really did a shitty job or they just didn't care. Ronin tried to find them, whispers his sweet corruption-filled words into their ear, kiss them, dance with them before they will share a truly devilish dance amongst the dead, amongst all the sinners who tried to play holy fools.

He saw them, they were looking at him. Ther looked even worse than when they were on the stage. It bothered Ronin, something didn't feel right. And the worst part? He could only stare at them. Look at them as they stared back, the people between them blocking their way.

Music was rumbling in his ears, making him feel like he was about to go deaf. The lights were making Ther's face change colour from red to blue, then to pink and purple. Their eyes looked empty, not even a small light of happiness in them, nothing. The gaze similar to all of these he killed, empty, soulless. Their lower lip trembling, they tried to hide it when they felt Ronin's gaze on their lips. Ther was clutching their hands on their dress, pushing whatever feelings they felt into their strong hold.

It all bothered Ronin, he saw them in terrible times, but nothing compared to this. He couldn't shake off that weird feeling that this was the last time he would ever see them. And it made it all so much worse, he had to reach them, he had to go with plan, he had to...

They were gone. When he reached the spot where they were standing there was nothing, just a prom queen crown laying on the floor like a worthless piece of trash. Which it was, just a piece of cheap metal that Ronin could break by just stepping on it.

He picked it up.

If he was about to find the missing "queen" he could as well crown them himself, as the ruler of filth and chaos, the perfect god to his perfect rot. The idea sent a shiver running down his spine, oh the pleasure it gave him. He just wanted to get Ther out of the misery that was taking over them, make them in the perfect image that they were meant to be, give them the closure they desired. And to make it all come true, Ronin has to find them first.

Looking through the whole school would be a long struggle, they never had a favourite spot inside that place, at least not when he was still in the town. Ronin decided on talking to people, not his favourite activity, but he had no other choice.

"Hey, did you see where Estridge went?"

He chose a small group of girls, they were the ones who talked to Ther ever since they stepped from the stage. They turned to look at him, curiosity mixed in with disgust. All these years and nothing change, they all still looked at him the same way. What a warm welcome, truly.

"You mean Ethereality? No. We don't know where she went."

He nodded, barely stopping himself from glaring at them for that "she". He approached some more people, the answer always the same.

"I didn't see her."

She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She. She.

Why couldn't those blind fucking ignorant fools tell who Ther was? Why were they so amused by making Ther carrying that cross on their back? Oh how much he wanted to get rid of them, break their bones, stone them alive, hang their bodies. Watch the blood and guts spill, forming a beautiful massacre dedicated to Ther, maybe he would even take the sinners' hearts to offer them to his love, as a sign that no one can take this new form from them?

The feeling of uneasiness, of losing control, it was becoming more real, Ronin was being drowned in it. It was freaking him out, he couldn't lose control, he couldn't let whatever was coming to happen. He had to stop it at all coast, even if it means that he will have to kidnap Ther from that fucking town without having their sweet revenge yet. Revenge is a dish best served cold so it could as well wait, now he had a different priority.

"Um, you are looking for Estridge, right?"

A girl much shorter than Ronin asked, he didn't know her, but it didn't matter. She could have answers about Ther whereabouts, and if she'll lie, he knows who to get first.

"Yeah, d'ya knows where i can find them?"

He stopped fucking with the she and her bullshit, he didn't have it in him to remember that he should watch the way he refers to Ther, he couldn't give less of a fuck in that moment anyway.

"I think that she went to the gardens, she sat there a lot.."

Of course. Why didn't he think of that? It was Ther, if they would sit anywhere, it would be the gardens. He gave the girl a quick "thanks" and left the gym. The music getting more muffled with every step he took. The air getting heavier around him, he had a hard time breathing. The image of Ther's empty eyes was filling him with uncertainty. He didn't realise it, but he was running to the gardens. If he was about to see his world crash, he could be there faster.

And it did crash.

There, in the middle of a flower bed, Ther was laying, their arms weakly reaching out to the sky, as if they wanted to touch the moon.

"Ther, fucking hell.."

His voice was pained when he fell to his knees right in front of them, breath heavy, eyes widened.

Ther was slipping away. Dying.

"Ther, do not.. do not fucking close your fucking eyes!"

He shouted in desperation, holding them now, close to his body, his hold was tight, like he was hoping that he can stop this. He was cursing everything he could blame for this. His mind was in chaos, he couldn't even look at them.

"Ro... Ro, I..."

Ther's voice was weaker than ever, their gaze was a little less empty now that they could see Ronin, be with him alone. But it didn't make him feel better, it made him want to tear his heart out of his chest, give it to Ther as a way to keep them alive.

"Ro... the Angels. It was all too much, a-and, and Craig, he..."

Tears fell from their eyes.

Oh. Craig Doughton. Of course it was that fucker's fault. Ronin didn't even need to hear the story. He could already see his disgusting hands roam all over Ther's body, taking her tears as cries of pleasure, after all he only cared about his own satisfaction. And the fact that his "girlfriend" was begging and fighting? That was just a play for him, there was no reason for Ethereality to not enjoy the "fun".

Oh Ronin saw red, he saw his skull open, his body damaged so much that no one will recognise him, he will enjoy his screams and begs, he will avenge Ther, make him feel their pain.

Ther's weakening body was what tore Ronin out of his mind. Right. The person he wants to avenge is dying, taking their lasts breaths in his arms.

"When...when did you-"

He didn't even need to finish, Ther answered him in the middle of his question.

"When you... weren't arriving... I just couldn't take it anymore, not when that... he told me what he wants to do with me."

Their voice broke again, shaking weakly. Ronin felt the anger mix with sorrow. If only he had arrived earlier.

"Ther, I will burn this town, kill every motherfucked who dared to hurt you. Please, don't close your eyes."

He was begging, begging them to stay alive, even if he knew how death works. He wanted them to stay, he needed them. His desperation was so strong, it was overwhelming.

Ther, instead of answering, used all their strength to make Ronin lean forward, so they could share this last kiss together. The kiss felt weak, fleeting. It was Ther's last goodbye, the first and last time they would ever be able to bid Ronin farewell.

"I love you... Ro..."

They are gone.

Dead.

Ronin was holding his dead lovers, despair feeling his mind. He wanted to tear himself apart, join Ther in death. He can't accept it. Of all people, why Ther?

Why Ther? Why his lover? Why before they could be free?

These questions made his blood boil, his mind fill with all the people in the gym.

It was all their fault. Now, they need to pay the price. They all will grovel under his feet, live the same pain that Ther had to suffer through. He will make sure of it, he will watch them rot.

Ronin wiped the one lonely tear from his cheek, swallowing his feelings, letting the sorrow turn into a fuel for his strength. He took one of Ther's bracelets, he needed something to hold on into, to keep as a memorial, as a trace of Ther.

If he had to make Angelwood a forgotten town, then he could as well keep one piece of it all to himself.

#fanfic #angst no comfort #hurtful #ronin beaufort #gluttony gods #Thernin #ther estridge #killer chat

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