#I can't talk about my Rook much or I would never shut up

[sveleri]

you asked for one name but I'm about to bury you under an entire pile of lore (sorry)

My Mourn Watcher Rook Idumea was already a nicknamer before they met Varric! It's not an all-the-time thing because MW Rook canonically code-switches at the drop of a hat (thank you for my life Sylvia Feketekuty), but when Varric started calling them Rook they retaliated in kind and it was all downhill from there for the rest of the Veilguard.

This collection is definitely still a work in progress but so far we have, in order of meeting:

Varric is Quill when he's in storytelling mode or Growls when he's complaining. Rook has also called him Boss a couple times, but only when they wanted to watch him cringe himself out of existence.

Harding is occasionally Scout and, even more rarely, Lace. Rook isn't intimidated by her like Varric is, but she already uses her last name as a sort of business nickname and they respect that.

Neve is Sunshine/Sunbeam when she's being particularly pessimistic and Sly when she's in detective mode.

Bellara has so many. Bell/Bells and Chime/Chimes are their go-to's, but she's also Bubbles when she's excited about a discovery or project, Sunshine when she's cheerful, and Rainbow when she's looking for the silver lining of a bad situation.

Lucanis is Shadow. When they want to ruffle his feathers (heh) they'll call him Bird or basically any black bird that isn't a crow, and when he's clearly on his thirtieth cup of coffee with no sleep in at least two days he's Jitters.

Spite is Spite. Any good Watcher will tell you that it's very important to respect a spirit's chosen name! (But Rook sometimes calls him Birdie when nobody else is around shshshhhh don't worry about it)

Davrin is Hunter when they're getting along and Hero when they're arguing. He's pretty sure, at least. (They switch from time to time just to keep him on his toes)

Assan is Moppet, especially when he's in trouble.

Emmrich doesn't get nicknamed for the most part (he was very firmly sorted in the dad zone approximately five seconds after they met), but if he's being too fancy they'll call him Jangles.

Manfred is Manfred. No one but Neve gets to call him Fred.

Taash is Dragon or, when Rook feels like courting death, Sparky.

Bonus: Solas is Savior :)

Idumea uses nicknames as both a sign of affection among friends and a mark of disrespect toward enemies. If that doesn't entirely make sense... it isn't supposed to! It's a semi-subconscious social tactic to keep everyone who gets close slightly off-balance as an emotional defense—never being entirely certain of what they're going to be called means there's always a ball in Idumea's court. (I could expound on how this springs from their own experience growing up with several different names but I'm trying to keep this short(ish) haha) It's a sign that they're being deadly serious when Idumea exclusively uses given names.

Which is why they don't have any special terms of endearment for Lucanis! They'll use flowery terms like 'light of my life' or 'oh my darling and the delight of my eyes', but only when they're teasing. In moments of genuine vulnerability they speak from one heart to another without any playful barriers in the way.

Does your Rook have a nickname/endearment they call their LI?

Shal calls Neve Da Eir meaning snowflake, 'cause she is one of a kind.

[lunarflux]

I find it so interesting that Alicent's only reference to what Aemond "somehow" has become is strictly based on what happened to Luke at Storm's End, and I suppose what happened at Rook's Rest with Rhaenys (I don't think it was said that Cole told her it was him, but idk). It's one thing to have seen your youngest (sorry, Daeron) son grow up to be a psychopath and show no sympathy towards anything, but up until that point, Aemond really didn't do much outside of what was expected of him.

Her tending to Aegon with guilt set my brain on fire because what did she honestly expect? She coddled her children with blankets soaked in ice water and expected them to find warmth on their own. All three of her children display different results of what happens when you neglect your children. Aegon acts out to get any reaction from her because any reaction is better than no reaction, and when he finally goes to her, pleading for help because no one wants to listen to him during Small Council, she just shuts him down. Aegon is still young, and there was more than enough room in his development for her to be his mother in all senses of the word. Helaena basically gave up on anyone trying to understand her, and had Alicent offered like... a minute of actual comfort when Jaehaerys died, Helaena might not have had a literal panic attack (though that panic attack was totally warranted because that scene was honestly suffocating even as a viewer).

In terms of her relationship with Aemond, exactly how often does this woman talk to her children beyond the niceties? Aemond's choice to own what happened to Lucerys was a result of "no one did anything, so I fucking did it myself" instead of "I was angry, and maybe I did want him dead, but I didn't understand the consequences of holding onto anger and letting it fester, and now it's too late." Aemond 100% admired his mother when she tried to claim Luke's eye, but where did that motherly protection go? Even if she went full tilt and took the "Well, Luke never got punished" stance, yes, Aemond might still be where he's at, but she wouldn't be outwardly condemning his actions and might not be confused as to how we ended up here. Better yet, she wouldn't be shocked that Aemond has the silent confidence to take over as Prince Regent.

Aemond's face while waiting for the Small Council's decision on who will rule in Aegon's stead was honestly so funny. He already knew - he played the game. He let his brother flail helplessly and drown as King, and spent time showing his hand, showing how capable he can be. All this to say, Alicent REALLY ignored whatever the hell he was doing because if she hadn't, she would have found more than one moment where she could step in and mold him into a ruler who takes her opinions into account.

"Aemond is still young" so is Aegon?? And you were?? Idk okay with him doing whatever the fuck he was doing???? He also has little experience, so you can't use that argument now that the Council is backing Aemond.

I know the woman is fed up because of all the men fucking things up around her but holy shit woman - use your power as a woman and as a mother to mold them through manipulation without them knowing.

Quick edit now that it's the morning and can actually think past fatigue: I know what we're privy to about Alicent/Aemond's relationship is mostly inferred. There's a lot left to the imagination, and when I say "passed the niceties," I'm referring to the kinds of conversations that are essentially shallow. Alicent says what she needs to say, but there's no warmth since she speaks from the position of duty. There are touches of this when Aemond volunteers to go find Aegon in s1. We see Alicent confide in her father, but we don't see those thoughts said to Aemond which might have provided more for him in terms of her sympathy and protectiveness towards him (following the eye incident because she does comfort him there). Additionally, my main focus and why I have these opinions is Alicent's use of the word "somehow." Aemond has, for the most part, made an assumption of his mother's behavior, so she does the same. The assumptions can be made through the observation of someone's actions and not necessarily through conversation.

That being said, I am taking these stances from the POV of someone who only watches the show as I don't like to compare the developments between the product and the source material. Comparison is the thief of joy, and adaptations for TV will never be as accurate and concise as we'd like them to be.

[thedastravelerer]

I just finished the Dragon Age Veilguard and I need to scream my thoughts into the internet void.

My Rook, Lucrezia, was bought along with other kids by the house de Riva when she was 3 years old. She doesn't remember anything before that. When her magic manifested at the age of 8, she begged Viago not to send her to the Circle. Viago saw great potential in the little elven chaos gremlin, so he decided to hire private tutors for her. From the age of 14, she became Viagos apprentice, accompanying him everywhere. Her sunny, bubbly personality was a great distraction in social settings. She was the Robin and Viago was the Batman, basically.

Inquisitor romanced Solas.

So that is the viewpoint, from which I experienced the game.

The good:

The music is AMAZING

The environments are gorgeous

Spellblade is sooo much fun. The perfect mix of rogue and mage.

Treviso is so beautiful. I am never saving Minrathous. That sh*thole can get swallowed by the ocean.

The final missions were great. The tension, the loss, the heartbreak, the betrayal—10/10. No notes.

Baby griffons

The conversations/dynamic between Lucanis/Spite and Taash crack me up

The dynamic between Viago and Lucrezia was everything I could have hoped for. I still laugh when I remember the letter from Viago starting with "IDIOT".

Viago and Teia—I would die for them. Every time they flirt, I picture Lucrezia sticking fingers into her ears and going LALALALA. I don't want those pictures in my head.

Harding wins the competition for the prettiest room in the Lighthouse.

I love the little offhand comments and banter between all of the Crows. It was fun to hear Lucanis or Lucrezia randomly mention Viago or Teia. It really painted a picture of them knowing each other for a long time and being able to poke fun at each other.

I loved Lucanis as a character. Also, the 3-way relationship between Rook-Spite-Lucanis is perfect. I loved that when Lucanis learns about Caterina being alive, he shuts down and Spite is like: "What?! Why are you putting more locks into our prison? I AM GETTING ROOK! :D

The "Solas therapy" ending was heartwarming (and also a bit funny)

I loved Solas as a character. I see, why he is the god of trickery and lies. And how his wisdom turned into pride. I just wish I could slap that stubborn liar. Just once.

You know it is real love when you spent the last few hours chomping on an archedemon and your Vhenan still kisses you.

I liked the relationship progression between Davrin and Lucanis. They went from open hostility to mutual respect to drinking buddies.

Lucanis questioning Bellara and Neve about their business decisions was hilarious. Crows are first and foremost business people.

Isseyas storyline. I just wish they delved deeper into her story instead of getting an infodump. I enjoyed seeing how the blight twisted her grief and regrets. How she remembered only her love for the griffons she saved. And the blight corrupted that love, forcing her into horrible mistakes.

The bad:

The story is so shallow in comparison to previous games. All of the nuance is gone. There is no Loghain, no Meredith and Orsino, no Anders. Everyone is either the good guy or the bad guy. Maybe except for the Butcher and Isseya.

A lot of the darker, complicated, interesting themes are ignored. After the Antaam Qunari (Sten in DAO), the Ben-Hassrath Qunari (Bull in DAI) we finally meet a scholar of Qun and we get NOTHING interesting from her. We can't have a deeper conversation about the Qun. We can't even talk about her hypocrisy of running away from the very rules she forces on Taash. The Antaam are the a$$holes and everyone else following the Qun is good. Until they disagree with their assigned role in life and get their mind broken until they fit the mold again. But we don't get to learn that.

Who TF is Anaris? Why is he the Forgotten One? What does it even mean? What beef did he have with the Evanuris? We don't get to learn that. We get MWHAHAHA I AM SOOO EVIL. Boring and disappointing. It would have been much more interesting if he convinced Cyrian his sister was a pawn for the Dread Wolf. There could have been a conflict between elves choosing Anaris, who promised them power after their gods turned out to be a$$holes, and elves choosing a new, free path.

Are we not going to address the EXECUTIONER in the room? Who is he? Where did he come from? Why is he totally cool working a desk job in the Necropolis?

We finally see Kal-Sharok and we learn almost nothing about the dwarves living there. How did they survive? How do they govern themselves? What is the culture like?

I don't understand the Titan powers Harding has. Like, I get the concept, but the details are confusing.

I am sick of the words "ritual" and "artifact"

The quests "press button in three places" or "destroy/place crystals so they link/unlink" were a bit repetitive.

Characters sometimes have lapses in memory. Ferelden has fallen to the blight, but Emmerich and Harding are going camping there... Mmmmkay. Rook, baby, you have used the teleport vortex like three times before. We have 2 in the Lighthouse.

I love Lucanis, but his romance is very undercooked. I get, that he pushes a lot of emotions down, and flirting is just another weapon the Crows use to get to their targets. But we see no inner turmoil in banter, no notes wondering about Rook. He touches Rook exactly once - in the romance scene at the very end. They never even address the almost kiss.

The brutality of the life of Crow recruits is smoothed over to be nice and family-like. We are talking about an organization that buys enslaved children and forces them into hunger games to shape them into elite assassins.

The widespread Tevinter slavery is mentioned minimally. The only mention might be the codex of Dorians speech in the Magisterium. Their whole social system is built on slavery and caste system. We don't get to talk to Neve about any of it.

Most of the helmets are hideous.

The "stealing cultural stuff is wrong and we, the pirates and treasure hunters, are not doing it. We are the good guys!" talk you have with Taash right when you meet her was so jarring. Like, it makes sense, because Isabella is in charge. It would have been funnier and less preachy if they went with "We don't steal cultural stuff, because Isabella stole something from the Qunari once and it was a sh*tshow".

No dirt, no persistent gore

You don't get to have deep conversations with your followers. Instead, you get to read their diaries and letters in the codex. I felt like a creep snooping through their notes and letters to each other. Same feeling with the Lighthouse banter.

I miss the more abrasive followers. Everyone is high on friendship. Why is no one protesting against the demon-possessed assassin cooking all of our meals? Why isn't Bellara more wary about the Tevinter mage? Emmerich gets a lot of sh*t for the creepiness, but nobody questions the morality of using body parts as Legos.

I wish we could choose a class for the Inquisitor. She looked so ridiculous and out of place in the last fight. She is one of the most fearsome fighters in Thedas and she wears the blandest outfit possible. She isn't even armed.

We find out the Andrastian faith is a fairytale and no one except Harding comments on it? All of the human followers grew up in Andrastian cultures. Religion forms the structure of society, customs, inner values, viewpoints on the world, and what is considered "normal" on a subconscious level. In DAI you have a conversation with Josephine about how the Andrastian faith provides common ground for negotiations across cultures. Cassandra walks through an elven temple that is older than her religion and still wonders who could believe this nonsense. Why aren't you more upset, people?!

I am going to pretend the post-credit scene didn't happen. You will not soil the beautiful tragedies of the very human mistakes and choices the imperfect characters like Loghain made. I will not accept some demon whispering over the wonderful multi-faceted people and their rises and falls. F*ck you.

The bug, where the game loads the preset character instead of your custom Rook is annoying and didn't get fixed by the patch.

I hate the UI with a passion

No grey streaks in Inquisitors hair is a crime.

I hate the underwater view in Rooks room. I have an irrational fear of deep waters and sea life. The Ossuary is a prison of my nightmares.

I hate the redesign of the demons. They look like dementors with their robes open.

It is not clear how long was Rook trapped in the prison of regrets.

Anyway... rant over. I enjoyed the game like I enjoy the Marvel movies. With half of my brain turned off.

[crossdressingdeath]

Rook: How are the knives coming? Lucanis: Rook. This isn't going to work. Rook: We're going to make it work. Lucanis: They moved the moon. We're in over our heads. That's not magic you can fight with a blade! You're putting your life in our hands. My hands. All I know is death. Rook: I know we'll get through this. Lucanis: Optimism is your best and worst quality. If I have to kill every blighted creature in Thedas to keep you safe, I will. Rook: You don't have to do everything alone. Lucanis: I'm never alone anymore. Rook: You know what I mean. I'll be here for you. Lucanis: Don't make promises you might not keep. Rook: Lucanis, I— Lucanis: Don't. Whatever it takes. I won't miss this time. I'll meet you at the eluvian. [...] Rook: Right. Business as usual. Everything's fine. Definitely not thinking about that all day.

AUGH.

Anyway, I love this. I love Lucanis's protectiveness and his fear that he's going to get Rook killed. He says "If I have to kill every blighted creature in Thedas to keep you safe, I will" and I just melt.

From what I've heard and seen I think all of the pre-ritual conversations with the LIs leave something unfinished (gotta give the LI something to dwell on after that whole situation goes tits-up, after all), and I love Lucanis cutting Rook off before they can (I assume) tell him they love him as part of that. Lucanis having to spend weeks knowing he cut them off before what as far as he knows was the only chance he'd ever get to hear them say "I love you"... It's very fun combined with him being the one to say "I love you" first in the end, he's not missing another chance

I also love Rook's sarcastic "Definitely not thinking about that all day", it plays super well with how slow this romance is. These two haven't actually talked about their relationship... at all, there's obviously something there and they don't deny it in any way but they haven't discussed it. And then here going into what might be the death of all of them Rook tries to tell Lucanis they love him and he shuts them down! And it's not that Lucanis doesn't love Rook or doesn't believe they love him (Rook would be much more upset about it if they thought that was the case) and honestly I can't blame him given "Hey we might die tomorrow, I love you" is... not an ideal way to hear that for the first time, but it would still hurt I'm sure. Also I'm a little disappointed that first "I love you" happens just before the final battle instead of during the post-Fade jail conversation because Lucanis telling Rook he loves them at the first opportunity he gets after that whole mess having nearly lost the chance to ever tell them would've been so very very good.

[ladylamrian]

Fragile

Female Main Character: Alexis (Alex)

Pairing: F!MC��NikRyder

Summary: Thomas's wraith was defeated by Alex. But the battle wasn't easy. She was now fighting between life and death.

Word Count: 6.3K words

Rating: Teen/Mature

Warnings: Angst, Heartbreak, Hospital, Health...

-> My complete Nightbound Masterlist <-

Taglist: @lilyoffandoms ; @secretaryunpaid ; @blackcatkita ; @liviusofpella ; @peonierose ; @jdstar88 ; @hopelessromantic1352 ; @tessa-liam ; @mxdanni ; @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @mariemarieohcontrary ; @rosepetals1 ; @stars-are-within-me ; @dutifullynuttywitch ; @thosehallowedhalls ; @bri1234 ; @artbyalz ; @choicesaprilchallenge24 [Prompts: "What happened?" ; "Shut up!" ; "I'll take care of you." "Just relax" & "Wake up." ] @choicesficwriterscreations and whoever wants to join...

Comments via Reblog wholeheartly welcome

Author's note: Nightbound rewrite of last scene.

Nik's girlfriend, Alex was lying on the hospital bed, injured, unconscious and not waking up. Nik held back the tears that came to his eyes. Tears he didn't think would appear so easily for a tough man like him. He watched her for a long time and then kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry, rook. Everything will be alright, I swear. Just don't leave me. Wake up, I'm here. Your Nik is here with you and never left your side.", his voice trembled as he whispered. After a little pause, he continued.

"I... I think... I love you... I never thought that I would ever fall in love so deeply with you. Never imagined the thing I would fear the most would be losing you. Hell, I can lose everything but not you. But oh, not you. Please... Wake up."

He sat quietly by the bedside holding her hands, and couldn't help but keep talking to her even when she was unconscious.

"What I would give to hear your voice again...", he stroked her silvery-black hair, remembering their happy moments, their first meeting, their first kiss. Wiping away the tears that kept coming to his silvery-gray eyes, he thought he should have protected her better. He failed. Not ready to lose her like he once lost his birthparents and Elijah. He failed again. He couldn't protect her from the bloodwraith which attacked his girlfriend. Now she's fighting between life and death. Struggling.

"That Thomas bastard... Damn Lady Fate who couldn't fight that bastard before all this happened before. Powerful Fate? The hell with that!!! Thomas's gone now, but at what cost...?", he muttered as his eyes burned with anger and revenge.

Even though Thomas and his bloodwraith who tried to kill Alex and all the supernatural elite, were finally defeated at the Mardi Gras event by Alex's mysterious powers. But before its defeat, the bloodwraith just had to attack her. Its claws sank into her body, making her lose so much blood that the wraith itself ended up bloody. She lost so much blood, but it was somehow a miracle that his girlfriend was still with him. For now...

After a moment later, a doctor entered the room to check Alex's status and vitals. For his luck, the doctor was a fae, disguised from the human sight through the glamour spell. He wouldn't question much about the happenings and already knew that this was the work of a supernatural being. The bloodwraith, a killing machine. And since Alex was partly fae, he would understand her better than the rest of the doctors. Nik got up from the chair where he was sitting and approached the doctor.

"How is she?"

The doctor turned his attention to him and appeared a little worried.

"I'm afraid her situation is rather delicate, she's still unconscious. She's in a coma, her condition is serious but stable. She's been intubated and connected to many machines that keep her alive. I can't give you a date when she would wake up... it could be tomorrow or it could be in several days... I'm absolutely sorry, sir."

Nik was visibly shaken.

"And she will survive this right? Right?!!"

"The truth is... I can't know for sure. We just hope she'll pull through without any further complications.", the fae doctor informed without meeting his eyes. He paused before he continued. "We need to run some tests to know more."

Nik's body suddenly trembled slightly and his fists tightened into a ball. Taking a deep breath, he tried to remain calm.

"But in the meantime, there must be something you can do for her right?"

The doctor felt sorry, looked at her condition on the monitors and then adjusted some of them.

"She's a half-fae, right? She appears to be stable, for now. The most important thing we could do for her is allow her body to rest. And we will perform several tests so please if you want, you can be with her during the tests."

The young nighthunter nodded and watched his girlfriend. Her long hair was so beautiful, her face full of peace even when unconscious, she seemed so still, so fragile. She was now his Sleeping Beauty, waiting for her to finally wake up because he couldn't bear thinking of the worst. He gripped her hand tightly, feeling her warmth and how her skin was soft as silk and whispered to her. For him, she looked like an angel on earth. Peaceful.

"Please wake up rook, don't leave me alone..."

The doctor left the room to give him some privacy. Nik kissed her on the forehead and held onto her hand. His face is completely devastated and broken. Every fiber of his being was being torn away by this pain. Tears kept flowing down his face, his heart felt like it was about to explode and shatter in many tiny pieces. His thoughts were so chaotic and filled with dread. He blamed himself for everything. If only he could have protected her better. If only his last memory with her was a happy one. If only he made sure that Thomas and his bloodwraith were really really dead and defeated. The young man felt so powerless in this situation. He wanted to do something for her. His helplessness was torturing him, but there was nothing he could do right now. He could only wait. Nik's head whirled, his hands trembled and all that he could do was to keep holding on to this only connection he had left with his beloved.

Weeks passed and Nik Ryder was still sitting next to his girlfriend's bed. He hasn't left the hospital room since the deadly bloodwraith tried to kill her. He looked exhausted and his eyes were red as if he hadn't slept in days. He had barely eaten anything and just couldn't leave her alone. The doctor and the nurses tried to urge him to leave the hospital for a while, but he refused. Every time they suggested he go rest at home, he shook his head, because he was afraid that the second he left her, she would slip away to leave him forever. A tear ran down his cheek as he saw her lying motionless, so pale and so fragile on the bed. She looked like a small and innocent child. Alex had lost so much blood, but he was grateful at least that she was still here with him. But the fact that she was so vulnerable and helpless... Just seeing her like that cut him with a knife to his soul. He couldn't imagine what he would do if something worse happened to her. He held her hands again, and couldn't help but be overwhelmed with fear.

"I'm here love. I'm not gonna leave you. I swear.", he felt his own heartbeat as he whispered to her.

Again, weeks have passed and Nik was still sitting at her side. Every single day, holding her hand. He has barely eaten anything in all this time and now looked very pale and tired. His eyes got even more red and swollen from all the tears and exhaustion. He never left her, not a single moment. Every second he spent beside her bed because his only concern was her. If only she knew that too. He watched her with the same devotion as if they had just met and he had fallen in love. She was so peaceful in sleep, she looked so cute to him with her delicate face, her hair still so soft and shiny. But he only wanted her to wake up. If there's a god in this world then please let her wake up, he thought. Please. He would even die for her.

"It's me, darling. I'm here. Come back to me. Please.", he whispered as he stroked her silver strands and gently kissed her forehead.

"Wake up, love. Wake up, my rook... Alex, my love... You're everything to me and I need you. Wake up, please."

He stared at her, not taking his eyes off of her, looking at her face with a mixture of love, affection and fear. The silence in the room killed him and was only interrupted by the faint noise of the machines that tried to keep her alive.

Hours later. Nik was still next to her, holding her hands, caressing her hair, watching how she was in this state of deep sleep. His Sleeping Beauty. He hasn't left her side for a second and for all this time, he has barely eaten anything in the last week. Still devastated and exhausted, everything he was going through was overwhelming him. Nik Ryder was broken. His face was covered with wrinkles, and his silvery-gray eyes looked even more lifeless and swollen. He looked very pale and even a light beard began to grow. All his fears overcame him and the doctor did not give him any hope. His heart was in agony. He leaned over her and looked at her face again. So peaceful and pure with closed eyes as if she was a sleeping angel. He caressed her soft hair with devotion, his eyes were full of pain and fear. He spoke to her in a hoarse voice.

"Please wake up love. I need you. I need you so much."

"Nik, I..."

Nik sensed words coming out of her mouth and froze. Did she just say her name or was he imagining this? Did his brain start to play tricks on him since he hadn't slept for days? But then he heard her again and a spark of hope was ignited in his heart. He leaned over her and watched her lips carefully, waiting to hear her again. His hand trembled a little bit and his heart raced in his chest. Beating fast. The man took a deep breath in anticipation of the next word she would speak. He whispered to her with excitement and hope.

"Yeah? You wanna say something, love?" He was watching her lips intently to try and discern what she was trying to say and he was desperate to know if she was alright and that it was all just a bad dream.

Alex opened her eyes weakly and was struggling to open her mouth. She couldn't speak. The machines attached to her were beeping louder which made Nik immediately rush outside to call the doctors and nurses. They quickly followed him back inside the room where Alex was lying. The doctor came over to help her raise her head a little. Nik watched her lips and managed to capture the last word "You". What was she trying to tell him? He kept trying to listen to what came next, as she kept struggling to move her lips to try it again. It really looked like she wanted to say something. She managed to mumble a couple more words, but Nik couldn't understand what she was trying to say. He leaned down very close to her to listen to her words. She kept repeating the same words which sounded like "you and me". The rest he couldn't understand the rest and requested her to stay silent and not lose any energy. Nik watched as the doctor and nurses worked on giving her medication. Nik was relieved that she was showing signs of improvement now.

But she's still confused and disorientated. There were a lot of machines and tubes around her. She tried to speak again. Her voice is even more hoarse but this time she managed to murmur a few more words. This time she tries to say "I'm scared, what's happening?"

She seemed desperate to get up, not understanding why she couldn't move and why her body was still so weak. The nurses and the doctors kept checking her, giving her medicine and trying to soothe her. Nik whispered to her with empathy.

"My rook. What do you want to say?"

"Nik? Is that you?"

Nik smiled immediately at the mention of his name. He caressed her cheek with affection while feeling a lot of relief. His heart pounded fast, it was her! She's finally starting to regain consciousness!!

"Yeah It's me, I'm here love.... ", he whispered in a warm voice and smiled. He caressed her cheek and hair with more tenderness. He wanted to hold her but he was too afraid to move her since her body was still so fragile and weakened. At least, he was very happy to hear her sweet voice again.

"Yeah rook, it's me. You're alive!!"

"Nik...", she got emotional and began to sob. He softly wiped away her tears and stroked her rosy cheek.

"Hey, calm down. Don't cry. Just relax, you're safe here." He wanted her to feel safe and loved. Almost holding his breath, he also had tears in his eyes, felt very touched and so much love for her.

"Where am I? What happened?", she asked and he noticed her confusion.

He held her close to him and he wiped away her tears.

"You're safe now. We're in a hospital. Everything will be alright, don't worry."

"Nik, don't leave me here alone."

"I won't leave you alone, I swear. I've been here with you every day since this happened.", he sighed with sadness and held her hand tightly without taking his eyes off her. Nik wanted to experience every second she was awake to be able to comfort and support her. She's everything for him. There was silence between them while the doctors and nurses were working in this room and all Nik wanted to do was stay by her side. Then he noticed that she silently kept looking at him. Her face suddenly washed with sadness as if she just remembered something very important. Her break-up with Nik.

"Rook, try to rest, your body has gone through a lot. Let me stay here with you, I won't leave your side.", he promised, not being aware of what she was currently thinking. A few seconds later Nik watched her as she silently fell back asleep. Her body was so exhausted from what it's been through and she couldn't withstand being awake for a long time. Nik felt like a part of his soul was slowly being taken away with every moment he saw her in bed with the machines keeping her alive. He was still so worried and afraid. His whole body shook with fear and desperation. Taking a deep breath, he continued looking after her. Stroking her hair gently, holding her hand to never let go, he stayed there with her in silence. Only the sound of the machines that kept her alive filled the room.

Days later, finally at home.

Nik was carefully carrying her from his Black Range Rover to his apartment. Finally home. He was still holding her in his arms like a baby. Her body was so light and fragile that seemed as if he was carrying something much more delicate than a human being. He entered his apartment and took her to his bed, placing her gently on it. He watched her with tenderness, a lot of love and concern for her state of health.

"You're gonna to be okay and you'll get better, rook. I'll take care of you."

"Are we home?", she whispered, still dazed. Without noticing she accidentally said the word "home" as if she accepted that she and Nik live and belong together, sharing a home.

"Yeah, we're finally back home.", he kissed her gently on the cheek which confused her and got back to her senses.

"But... But Nik, why? Why kissing and loving me? I thought you broke up with me."

He now felt ashamed of himself, looked down to the floor for a moment to avoid her eye contact and cleared his throat before speaking.

"I... I had to think things over, and calm down, but when I realized that I'd lose you forever. I couldn't let you go anymore. I know a little sorry won't be enough to make it up, but you're so damn special to me and I never felt like this to anyone before. I still love you, my rook. I want us to be together. I want to hold you. And kiss you again. I want to feel you against me and your skin on me. To hear you breathe. To hear your heartbeat. Wake up with you every morning and sleep at night. I need you. I need you more than ever needed in my whole life. You changed me to a better man. The rules I made in my life... I broke my rules just for you."

"Nik, you broke my feelings. You hurt me. It won't be easy anymore.", she scolded him which made him feel very guilty. Ashamed, he looked away without being able to hold her gaze. She was very disappointed in him and it probably won't be the same anymore. Nik thought that he had been very selfish and unfair towards her, yet this was something he had to say, knowing the pain it could cause both of them.

"Rook..."

"Shut up, I'm not your rook!!!", she almost yelled.

"Sorry, I mean... Alex. I was a coward, but please let me explain, I swear that I'm damn sorry. I can explain..."

"Nik, I want to rest.", she decided to change the topic before she burst into tears in front of him. She didn't want to cry, feel sorry, look weak and little in front of him. She knew that Nik was taught since childhood to move on which was harsh, but it hurt her so much. She would love to be happily together with him because she never felt that way to anyone but him. Their love was so deep, strong and passionate, but that sadly didn't last for long. She wanted to be back with him, but she couldn't.

"Yeah, of course. Rest now, but later we need to talk and fix things. Or just at least hear me out to understand why I did this?", he begged for forgiveness.

"We'll see.", she answered coldly which filled him with desperation and guilt.

"I promise you that I'm gonna make it up to you and I understand your anger. Hell, you're allowed to be angry with me. But please don't...", he couldn't finish his sentence because she immediately moved away from him as he squeezed her shoulder for support.

Nik was shocked by the fact that she did not let him touch her or even get close to her. He noticed that she had gotten very distant from him which broke his heart with every move she made away from him.

"Please don't be like that. Don't push me away."

"You pushed me away first, Nik."

The man nodded, accepting his true guilt, but he couldn't argue with the fact that she was right. He also knew that for every word he said, the situation would only get worse and cause her more anger and pain. He watched her sadly, with no words left to say. A wave of guilt overwhelmed him and he felt truly terrible for what he's done. He stayed silent for a moment and faced the floor with his face full of agony. The man didn't know what to say anymore and regretted pushing her away that night before Thomas's wraith attacked her. When Nik wanted to sit on the bed near her, she immediately stood up which broke his feelings. That distance. He froze and just watched her in silence. He couldn't handle the silence and her cold attitude towards him anymore. Nik wanted to see her looking at him again, but instead, she tried to walk away. Taking a few steps forward got difficult for her because she still felt weak. Nik saw her losing balance and his natural instincts kicked in. He quickly ran towards her and placed his hands on her arm. His touch was so delicate, his grasp so gentle as he held her. He got concerned.

"Gotcha, rook. Are you okay? You were about to fall. Here, sit down, lemme me help you."

"I feel a little dizzy, nothing else."

Nik analyzed that her condition had worsened and he noticed that she got very pale, her eyes were almost closed and her body was now leaning more to one side. He held her gently by the waist and tried to help her to sit down. The nighthunter looked into her eyes with worry and was very concerned about her health. He sat her down on the bed slowly and held her, afraid of letting go. The girl was so fragile. He had taken care of her every day since she came home from the hospital. The doctors were surprised by her recovery but told him to expect some weakness for several days. Nik was very careful with her, carried her in his arms everywhere he could and not letting her out of his sight. He felt so much guilt about everything that happened. He couldn't bear to even look at the scars and all the bandages. Knowing that she almost died broke him. Alex was not yet ready to talk because of her weakness which she didn't want to show. She hated to be weak, helpless and belittled.

"Nik, I..."

"Don't pressure yourself. I'm here and I'm not gonna go anywhere. You can recover at your own pace, I'm not gonna push you, I just want you to get better, rook."

They were silent. Now looking very peaceful and relaxed after closing her eyes. Nik was glad that she was at least resting and not thinking about anything that stressed her. They stayed like this for a long time until Nik broke the silence speaking softly to her.

"You are stronger than you think. You will get back on your feet soon, I have faith in you."

He smiled as he looked at her. Nik felt a new inspiration to fight for her and was more determined than ever to give her whatever she needed. He stayed with her and was patient.

"Nik...", it took a lot of effort for her to speak.

"What is it?"

"Why? Why are you doing this for me?"

"Because I love you. It's as simple as that. Why else would I be doing this? I don't want you to be alone, or be sad or in pain. I just want you to be happy, and if I have to go through every obstacle and take every step, I'll take it, as long as I can see you smile again someday. I love you, Alex. I love you so much."

"Are you sure? You're not just loving me because I almost died?? Because if this wouldn't have happened you might..."

"No!!! Hell no, I loved you before too and still do. Before all this... this death thing happened. You broke all the walls I've built and opened me up a bit. I never felt this before. Never felt like this towards anyone before. I love you, Alex. You're so special and it would kill me if something happened to you because everyone close to me died horribly and I wanted to prevent that. Keep you safe by separating each other. What a damn mistake I made. I couldn't even keep you safe from my bad luck by breaking up with you and you still died. Almost. I love you still. Since the beginning."

She wasn't responding very much to what he just confessed, but at least she didn't seem to be angry anymore. Just tired and weak.

"So this is the only reason why you're helping me? You weren't offered some extra money or something like that, huh?"

"No rook, damn the stupid money!! You're more important than money. You're not only a job to me, but something more. More than a job. Alex, you have become so dear to me. I care for you and you're everything I have left now in this darn, cruel world. You mean so much to me. I love you, Alex."

She felt like her heart skipped a beat when she heard her name coming from his lips in such a gentle tone. She gazed at him for a moment before responding.

"You're complicated, Nik."

Her words reminded him that many people have told him this before and she was sadly right. His emotions which he always kept hidden from the world were like a tornado which confused him too. For him, choices weren't always easy like black and white. But right now, it's hard for him to explain himself to her in this state. The young man just wanted her girlfriend to get better, so he spoke with tenderness and sympathy.

"I know you're tired and everything confuses you right now. But later, I will explain everything to you."

Again, days have passed and she felt much better but still had some weakness for not being able to walk alone. At least she could sit on her own and she seemed to be more energetic. She was even able to hold conversations for several minutes without getting tired or bored. But she still seemed angry, didn't let him touch her and she just shortly answered him. However, he was still trying to show her that he had changed and that he was going to make amends for what he did.

Nik, the nighthunter discovered her sitting on the white sofa, reading a book. Her face is expressionless with no trace of the beautiful smile he once knew. He missed the good and romantic times with her. She seemed very distant from him and it saddened him to see her this way. He knew the reason behind her behavior was him and he couldn't blame her for that. Taking a deep breath, he approached her gently. He stood in front of her and he spoke softly and with a lot of sadness, honesty and determination, willing to take whatever came, even if he had to suffer. At least he tried to make up for what he did to her in the Mardi Gras Parade. The break-up. He cleared his throat and tried his best to express himself as honestly as he was.

"Rook... I mean, Alex... I know you're angry and you're upset because I left you. Because I wanted us to go separate ways and move on, but listen, I was a coward and I was afraid to tell you the truth. Since childhood I was taught not to trust anyone, to be alone and to move on. I made you believe that I no longer felt the same way I felt about you before, but that was never true. Alex, I never stopped loving you, and I will never stop loving you.", he paused, hoping that the words he was saying had some effect on her and so that he could understand the damage he did to her. She remained silent and looked at him indifferently which hurt him just looking at her that way. The young man didn't want to pressure her and he knew that for now, he had to be very patient with her.

"I... I'm really sorry for hurting you, for making you think that I don't love you.

"Alex, I can't find excuses for what I did. It just wasn't the right thing. I'm sorry..."

He knew it would be very difficult for her to forgive him for the heartbreak he caused her. Still, at least he got her to listen to him and had a brief conversation. That's the start he needed, now he just had to keep his promise that he was serious about making it up to her and that he would show her how much he really loved her.

"Listen, Nik... Thank you for taking care of my health and getting me back on my feet, but I think it's time for me to go."

A wave of sadness hit him when he heard what she just said. His heart sank and he felt desperation welling up within him.

"What are you talkin' about?", he asked, looking at her with eyes full of longing and a kind of fear that perhaps his last attempt to have her stay with him has been lost.

"I will go back home where I came from, Nik."

"But you're still not in a condition to do this alone. Who's gonna take care of you at home?", he was suddenly taken aback.

"Nik, you broke up with me. I can't live with you like this"

Nik sighed sadly and faced the floor. He knew that he had no right, as this was a natural consequence of his own actions. He was upset and depressed for causing this break-up and for losing her true love, but he had only himself to blame.

"I'm trying to fix everything between us, I swear. I don't want to lose you again. I love you and I can't imagine my life without you anymore. Please, I beg you to stay."

"But Nik, can I trust you? Will you prove yourself? How will I know you won't change your mind again?"

It seemed like a small window of hope was still open to him and he felt like he actually had a chance to convince her to trust him again. He thought for a few seconds before he spoke, this was probably one of the most important moments for him. He gazed at her directly in the eyes with a serious expression and he spoke with pure honesty.

"I know my words alone aren't enough for you to trust me again, but I can assure you that I'm serious about fixing the mess I created and proving I can be a better man for you. So, what do you say? Wanna start our love story again?"

"Nik, it feels good to hear this. Thanks, but I need time."

The blond-haired man was very understanding when she confessed that she needed some time and he knew that he had to be patient and give it to her. He smiled at her with kindness and sincerity, but his smile also hid a sadness in him because of all the pain he had caused her.

"I don't want to rush anything, I know I have to win back your trust little by little, so just take the time you need. But, please, do me a favor... Just don't close me out, okay? I know right now we can't act like we used to, but lemme be here for you. Lemme help you. Lemme stay by your side, please."

Nik knew that she still had a lot of anger towards him, but he also hoped that in time, he could find a way to make her see that he was indeed a changed man.

"Hmmph, I try my best.", she muttered.

He tried not to show impatience, tried to be patient and to respect her decision. Patience and tolerance. She was also making an effort to at least stay calm and listen to him, which was also a good sign for him, even if she hadn't forgiven him yet.

"Thanks, Alex. All I ask you is to not give me your back. Lemme be here for you, that's all I want."

"But I can't live here with you just like that without any relationship, right?"

"I know... I don't expect you to trust me 100% in your present circumstances. That's why I'm telling you that we should take things slow and that you need time to regain your confidence. However, I do expect that you let me continue to help you."

"I know, but... But Nik, I don't want to bother you."

He chuckled and his response was honest and spontaneous as his natural personality returned at the sound of his humorous side coming back.

"Don't be silly, rook. How are you bothering me? Quite the opposite actually, I'd be bothered if you didn't let me help you..."

Nik's laughter felt heartwarming which made her smile a little. Though it was still quite small, he felt his heart skip a beat at her sweet smile and his affection for her grew even stronger. She was like a small kitten he wanted to cuddle and protect.

"See? Now, that's a cute smile more like the ones I like to see on your face...", he confessed which made her blush.

"Thanks", she whispered as her cheeks turned softly pink.

Nik and Alex's relationship has progressed over the past weeks, despite the slow pace they had, she let him stay near her and help her. She became more receptive to his help and she even showed some affection with her attitude, though sometimes she was still very distant and a little cold towards him. He knew that the break-up was very painful for her and she was still struggling with her anger, but he was determined to help her. Both would get through this difficult situation and still work hard to build something strong again.

A few days later, Nik was in the kitchen helping her clean the dishes, as he had done with her these past few weeks. She looked a bit more comfortable and smiled a little bit more. However, she was still tad cold with him as she couldn't easily forgive him yet, but he was patient and tried his best to make her realize that this was all in the past and he was determined to win her affection and trust and heart again.

"Woah!!", she shouted as she was about to slip. Nik quickly rushed to catch her before falling. He pulled her close to him. Alex looked down at the fallen dishes from her hands and realized that he caught her just in time. She gazed at him with a surprised expression upon realizing he was there for him.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Nik, I..."

He held her close to him and couldn't help but feel an increased affection increase as their eyes met each other's.

"Alex, are you feelin' weak again? It's okay, I'm here for you."

His tone was affectionate and protective, which could give a hint of his growing feelings for her. He could see that her condition improved a lot over the past few weeks, but she was still a little fragile. He held her close to him, feeling her body pressed against his and she didn't even protest about it. They stood there for a few seconds like this as if the time froze. He was still holding her with affection. She was in his arms and felt his gentle touch which felt comforting.

The physical proximity between the two brought them closer on an emotional and sentimental level, which was evident by the soft glances he gave her. His gaze spoke of affection, it gave a hint of an awakening feeling that was becoming more sincere and profound. They stayed like this for a few more moments. His arms were tightly wrapped around her and he was almost holding her close to himself. More affectionately than he should, although his intention was only to comfort her as much as possible.

"You can lean on me as long as you need. I have you..."

She looked at him with surprise and appreciation and she was finally able to feel this affection that he had been expressing towards her. A hint of emotion started to form in her eyes and she couldn't help but feel comfortable with his touch. Safe and protected next to him. Her heart beated faster with satisfaction and she couldn't resist the feeling of affection towards him that began to form within her. She leaned her head slightly against his shoulder and allowed herself to feel sheltered.

"Nik, I missed us."

Her words made him emotional. He missed the relationship they had before too, loved the bond they had and now he saw its spark reigniting.

"Me too... I missed us too... My rook."

[rookedcrow]

This is me kicking your goddamn door down.

However many years ago you and I became mutuals in the shithole that was marvel. Instantly we clicked, your passion for your muse was unmatched by anyone in that pit and our vibes were on the same frequency. Idr how long it's been but I feel like I've known you forever - in the best of ways. I'm very blessed to have gotten to know the more intimate parts of your life - that you trust me with that information, that we can talk every day, that we seem to be able to mash our muses together no matter the verse, that we're basically on the same? braincell? How much weird shit do we have in common now?

All that's missing is actually sitting down and having coffee (ha) together, because damn you're even in the same location as me. I'm so, so happy you're my friend, that you've stuck by me through the nonsense, and that I have the absolute fucking honor of writing with you. I said it before 100 times and I will never shut up: there would be no Lucanis without you. There would be no Stephen, no Esme, no Mal, no Greer, no Julian, no anyone without you behind me to support me and cheer me on. You have such a passion for your muses and I feel so tickled to be there for Emilia's revival, and to see her carried through the verses, and to come into this place where we're both so absolutely brain rotted that it feels like proper home.

I think my writing hobby would have died without you. I sincerely adore you, love you, and cherish our friendship so much that I cannot fathomably express it.

So your portrayal is beyond words and I will happily, gleefully continue to be blown away by your ability to smith incredible muses and sew intricate details into them that I have yet to see replicated anywhere on this site.

<3

*is doorless*

what i love most about this is i just get to gush about you AGAIN ( insert evil laughter here ). we crossed paths at a time when i was feeling very unsure about a muse in a fandom that is notoriously difficult for ..... lots of reasons. and you gave that muse a chance when a lot of people didn't. and we clicked, and they clicked, and we were on our way. and it really has been years .... it's got to be close to 5 or possibly even 6!?!? by now??? and we're still going strong??

the muses have certainly changed since then, but they always find a way to share that braincell just like you said. ( and like i always say, it's the hardest working braincell in the whole rpc ). and i think that's a huge part of why we've continued to write together -- it's the comfort level. it's always knowing i have a safe space for my muses with you. *i* have a safe space with you, both when it comes to our collaborations and just life in general. you are such a dear dear friend to me -- and honestly the same goes for me. if you weren't stuck with me i don't know if i'd still be writing on here.

and that comfort that i have with you is why emilia is even back on this site after such a long time tucked away on a high shelf in the back of my mind. ( im a bad mom ) i never would have thought to bring her back to life if not for you ... she's my oldest and dearest and most fiercely protected oc, and i still can't think of anyone i would want to share her with more ... mal, esme, stephen, greer, julian --- all of them have a place in my heart ( and emmy's ) for what they've given her and all the new parts of her i've learned because she's had them.

and then what can i say about what we've done in such a short amount of time with her and lucanis??? i never could have known it back in february, but rook!emilia feels like a final form realized, and a lot of that is because of you. there's no emmy rook without her lucanis. i've said it a million times to you already, but it's the truth. thank you for giving me that chance to share her with you and thank you for loving her as much as i do 💜

[wisdomshoes]

im completely alone. no one ever gave a shit for more than half a second and after that half a second it's just me again. gained nothing except silent judgement. no one actually wants to understand a complicated problem that doesn't affect them. all my friends do is mock and belittle me and my problems. sometimes behind my back, sometimes to my face. at best it's only cold indifference. i could be dead tomorrow and i don't think they'd be as bothered as they claim to save face. my parents, i don't think they even care enough to judge. they don't want me happy. they wanna be happy and attached that burden on me being happy. which is great, huge help, thanks. speaking of not understanding, therapy. what a waste of time and energy. spend weeks going just to be fuckin told that oh i don't really wanna kill myself? okay, my bad. sorry for the inconvenience. im just gonna shut the fuck up and get back in line then. she asked me something that took me by surprise. "how long have you wanted to kill yourself for" said in this fuckin almost surgical manner. the apathy was so strong I could taste it. took me half a second to comprehend the situation and i almost burst out laughing. only let out a chuckle before answering the question though. I'm strong like that. the only time someone actually paid attention to what im fuckin saying and this is the situation? looking back it only confirmed my theory. people always tell me to get help, either angrily or when they're done with my annoying problems. I have no idea how I'm supposed to get help when even the people getting paid to help me couldn't care less as long as i bleed somewhere else. i don't know how im supposed to achieve anything in life with a shattered self-image. i made peace with the fact that there's no way im graduating, but what then? work a shitty job i hate for minimum pay with people even more bitter than everyone around right now for the rest of my life? i should just kill myself. it's not even a matter of oh im so sad feel pity. it's the only move that won't resolve in a miserable life. i started the game with a king and three rooks against an entire team of queens, but the desk was so big i couldn't see there even was an enemy team over the horizon and by the time they came barreling at me I already distracted myself with art and dumb shit like that. not that i ever had a chance. and now my last rook is surrounded by queens on every side except back, but that's not a possible direction. they were toying with me the entire game. they let me have a few moves at the start without attacking. and now im all alone. i can't take it. there isn't a way all of this doesn't end with a suicide. unless I got so much fucking money out of thin air with no strings attached that i would never ever have to worry about anything ever again, but i get the feeling that would be a life even lonelier. every story has an end. in fiction it's nice. usually a fun ride with an emotional ending. in reality it's a miserable beatdown of the already weak and at the end you don't get a happy ending. or even a satisfying one. the only satisfying thing about it might be the crack, but even that's not a certainty. i don't know why im bothering posting this. i think it stemmed from the frustration of no one else talking about anything even remotely similar. besides suicide posts, but even those usually talk about losing everything first. im not gonna shine a light on my specific problems. god knows i don't need more insecurity and god knows anyone reading this besides me does not care for half a second. i guess i just want people who feel like me to at least have the comfort of knowing someone out there understands.

this reads like a Magnus Archives episode

[strangedreamings]

HOTD S2E4 (spoilers abound)

Halfway point of S2. No turning back now, folks.

God, I love the tapestry sequence. Threads of fate soaked in blood.

Daemon's dreaming, again? I'd say it's nice to see Young Rhaenyra again but her presence means our boy is losing it. Mental illness gallops in this family, so I shouldn't be surprised. I love that the crown is too big on her, it's a great detail.

Oookay, Daemon cutting her head off is NOT what I expected but yeah, just another sign of him losing the coin toss. Her disembodied head chastising him is ... an interesting touch.

Why are his hands bloody if he was only dreaming?

It's sad that instead of the four Muppet Tullys, we just hear of one and see another. Somebody with this show has no sense of humor and it ain't GRRM. C'mon, give me Grover, Elmo, Kermit, and Oscar, not just Oscar. Let the fans have some fun in an episode that is going to be nothing but pain.

Daemon, your sense of humor is not endearing you to anyone at all.

I just checked, GRRM hasn't said exactly how the Muppet Tullys are related to Catelyn Stark and her siblings, but that's not surprising -- there are huge gaps in most of the Great Houses' family trees.

Dismissing Oscar like that definitely isn't going to make him want to fight for you, Daemon. Of course, Daemon wouldn't know diplomacy if it bit him on the ass. Who in the fuck thought this trip to Harrenhal would be a good idea? Oh yeah, it was him. :P

I get a little giddy when House Blackwood is mentioned. What can I say, my favorite ASOIAF character is Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers, the bastard son of a Blackwood mother and a Targaryen father, and the great-grandson of Daemon and Rhaenyra.

Ooo, does Rhaenys suspect that Alyn is her husband's bastard? (She's right, of course.) But touching his face like that, very creepy.

She does know! Corlys' past has come back to haunt their marriage.

"draw us back from the abyss." Too bad it won't happen. But at least Rhaenys knows the war is going to be very bad for everyone. She's not blinded by glory, duty, or anything else.

The dragon statuette Alicent's holding looks like it was carved out of Styrofoam, like it doesn't weigh a thing. Yeah, it doesn't sound like stone when it falls and breaks either. Where did the budget for this show go?

An abortifacient? And Alicent's pretending it's NOT for her? I'm sure the Grand Maester saw right through that. At least this is sparing Westeros from an Alicent-Criston baby. Can you imagine the utter nightmare such a kid would be?

Your doubts are nice to see but they're far too late, Alicent.

This Team Black Small Council is full of old men with no brains whatsoever. They do have plenty of misogyny, though. *eyeroll* Feed them all to your dragon, Baela.

I don't remember what Ser Alfred's surname is so I can't look him up but I really fucking hate him. I'm glad Corlys was able to shut him up (temporarily). I want a woman (any woman) to best him then kill him, is that too much to ask?

So, for two episodes running, we've seen the immediate aftermath of battles but not the battles themselves. It's a cost-saving measure by HBO, I'm sure, but they can't keep this up narratively -- it'll get boring after a while. I had to look up this one, it's the sack of Duskendale.

"Whore of Dragonstone," huh? Well, Criston, you're the Whore of King's Landing. :P

His white cloak is filthy. No honor in that man whatsoever and his cloak absolutely shows that.

Gwayne's face is bloody. I'm surprised he actually fought. He seems to be the type to hang back and let other people do the fighting for him.

"You are not fit for the white cloak." Tell him! He never was.

"Yours will come in kind." Too bad the Butcher's Ball (probably) isn't until next season, I can't wait to see it.

Ooo, Criston is avoiding Harrenhal! He's showing brains for fucking once. (It won't last.)

Green Small Council and they're talking about Rook's Rest. The ticking of the clock is getting louder and louder. Also, Aemond really does like to pout pensively, doesn't he? I'd hate him for it but fuck, he's too pretty (fucking nuts but yes, too pretty).

Things are getting tense between the brothers and the rest of the council is uncomfortably caught in the middle. Squirm, fellas. You deserve it. Oh, and where's Alicent? Knowing this show, she's probably hemorrhaging somewhere from the abortifacient.

Is this the first time we've seen any of Alicent's kids speak High Valyrian? But it looks like Aemond is fluent and Aegon II is decidedly not. Now I want fanfics of Aemond being firstborn and Aegon being the youngest, just to see if he would've been a better king. Looks like Aegon II realizes his baby brother does have strengths of his own.

No hemorrhaging but it looks like Alicent is making her own medieval heating pad. Larys isn't stupid, Alicent. It's in his nature to notice EVERYTHING, including the bottle you left out in the open. Aemond really didn't get his brains from his mother, did he?

"covered himself in glory" There's a phrase I never thought I'd hear in this franchise.

Larys knows about Alicole, lovely.

Back to Harrenhal. Daemon is following Aemond but I can only assume he's dreaming again, there's no way Aemond got there that quickly. Plus, we haven't seen Aemond's face yet. Besides, this is way too soon for the Battle Above The Gods Eye. I knew it -- "Aemond" has Daemon's face. Yeah, Freud would've had a field day with this dream.

Alys again. My apologies to the actress but I really fucking hate her voice. Nails on a chalkboard. (It's not her accent, that's fine, it's her voice itself.)

Daemon, a woman you suspect of being a witch gives you something to drink and you fucking do it? You have no self-preservation instincts left, do you?

Ser Willem's cute but I'm pretty sure the show's writers made him up -- Benjicot Blackwood didn't have a regent and I can't find any mention of his father having a younger brother. Well, at least he'll be nice to watch while he lasts (which I'm sure won't be long).

Hi, Laena! Back from the dead to haunt Daemon's conscience, I see.

As much as I like the Blackwoods, they really need to let their feud with the Brackens die out. (They won't, of course.)

"I removed them, I didn't burn them." For some reason, I really like the way TGC delivered that line. Whatever you're doing after HOTD, Tom, I intend to see it.

Aegon, you're merely a figurehead now. Unfortunately for you (but fortunately for the realm), you don't have the brains to be anything more.

Wow, Alicent really doesn't think highly of him, does she? I don't know if that's for the best but it makes me feel sorry for Aegon, just a little. If his parents actually gave a damn about him while he was growing up, he wouldn't have turned out the way he did.

Is that Rook's Rest? Title cards would've helped so much. If a castle wasn't in GoT, I can't be expected to recognize it, okay?

"They will not expect it because it is fucking madness." I hate Gwayne but he's right and I can't help liking that line.

"Are you afraid, Ser?"

"Worse. I'm rational."

Yep, I like that line too. Why is Gwayne getting all the good lines? It's making me like him a little and I don't want to.

Jace, your attitude is unhelpful. Show a little more respect to your mother and monarch, especially around other people. I'm not for corporal punishment normally but if I were Rhaenyra, I'd slap you.

Ugh, Rhaenyra's little trip has cost her what little respect she had from her small council.

Jace is a little too eager to use the nukes, isn't he? Kid, you'll never be a good king if you're this trigger happy. Rhaenyra wants to go, Jace wants to go. She undermines him in front of everyone. Good! Serves him right.

Rhaenys offers to go. Yeah, we knew this was coming.

Sorry but Jace is a brat. He's not ready to rule. He's not even ready to be the heir. He's too much of a hothead.

Ugh, the ASOIAF talk. Making this prophecy part of House Targaryen's legacy was a dumb idea.

Sunfyre nudging Aegon in the shoulder like he's a horse is just too cute. This'll be the last cute moment of the series, I'm sure.

Vhagar looks like she just wants to take a nap. Too bad Aemond didn't let her.

Aemond commands Vhagar in Valyrian, Aegon commands Sunfyre in English (sorry, Common Tongue). That says a lot about both of them.

Cole didn't want Aegon on the battlefield but he's not losing a chance to spin this to their advantage. Soldiers always fight harder when their leader is fighting with them.

Meleys vs Sunfyre. Poor Sunfyre is getting torn apart. (What can I say, the animals are innocent in this war.) He's bleeding out.

Vhagar really shouldn't be able to fly with that many holes in her wings.

Oh shit, is Aemond TRYING to kill his brother or is Aegon just in the way?

Poor Sunfyre's screeching sounds a lot like a bird (or a pterodactyl).

Rhaenys, you could've retreated and lived to fight another day.

Fuck this family, the Targaryen stubborn streak will get them all killed.

A seatbelt?! Do you really think that's going to save you against another fucking DRAGON?!

Holy fuck, the size difference between Meleys and Vhagar is ridiculous.

Cole got knocked off his horse while he was trying to get to Aegon. Too bad it didn't kill him.

I could've done without that jump scare, Ryan. :P

Not exactly how Rhaenys died in the book but honestly, I think I like this version better. She looked resigned to her fate as she was falling.

I think Cole might have a punctured lung. Or maybe that was just the sound of him trying to breathe on a battlefield full of smoke. I'm pretty sure he's got a concussion, but then he doesn't have much of a brain to injure. :P

Cole, you're on foot and you passed a horse just standing there. If you're not up for riding, at least bring the damn horse with you.

Aemond looking like he's about to do some more kinslaying, lovely.

A dying Sunfyre and an unmoving Aegon, lovely.

Aemond really has the devil's own luck. Too bad it runs out (next season).

Hey, writers, you spared Ser Harrold Westerling from his book fate, when are you actually going to use him again?

[offorestsongs]

aa hi hi!! that ask game looks so fun i'd love to see 💘 for thornqueen? :0

AHH HII 💜 this is way longer than a snippet but i love fake dating so i went a little bit insane LMAO

💘 FAKE RELATIONSHIP / MUTUAL PINING

“This is stupid even for your standards,” Vil says, crossing his arms.

Rosienne makes his best pleading face, eyes wide and sad like he's a shelter dog. “I knooow. But my dad was so happy when I told him I have someone! I can't just show up alone now, can I?”

“Yes, you very much can. You should, in fact. Maybe that will teach you to not run your mouth.”

Rosienne doesn't falter. Vil is stubborn, sure, but so is he. With enough puppy eyes and groveling he can win this.

“Yes, yes, I’m stupid, I know! But it's really important to me and you're the only person I can ask. Well, I thought about asking Rook, but then I thought about it some more and well… You know.” He's rambling now, he knows it, but maybe if he talks long enough, Vil will agree just to shut him up.

“You can just say you've broken up.”

“And make my dad sad? No way. Would you want to make your father sad?”

Ah, there it is. Rosienne can see that Vil’s resolve is slowly starting to melt away.

“And listen. I know I’m not exactly boyfriend material, alright? But you're an actor. Surely you can pretend, even if it's me.”

At least that part was true — Rosienne wouldn't wish his own company on anyone. The mere fact that he and Vil were friends was a miracle enough. Would be enough, maybe, if Rosienne didn't so desperately want the taste of the real thing.

Even if it's all pretend, it would be nice, for one evening, to feel what it would be like, being the type of person somebody like Vil Schoenheit could fall in love with.

Vil pulls out his phone. There's a determined look on his face that Rosienne knows well but he's not sure where it came from this time. “When's the date?” he asks, casually.

So casually, in fact, it takes Rosienne a second to catch up. “What?”

“When's the date?” Vil repeats, slowly as if speaking to a toddler. “For your family dinner.”

“Oh! Are you- Are you really going to do it?”

“I don't just throw my words around. You should know this by now.”

Rosienne smiles. It feels like a victory and friends or not, he always likes winning against Vil. “Oh, thank you, thank you! You're my best friend, you know that, right?”

“Yes, I am aware.” Vil smiles, too. “You won't find anyone better, I’m afraid.”

***

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but the nerves are eating Rosienne alive now. He's not sure why. It's just the Minuit family dinner; he's been there many times, he knows what he can expect, and he knows for sure his father will love Vil. The trembling hands and twisting in his gut is just his body being annoying.

“Come here. You look like a mess.”

Rosienne looks up at Vil. They're still getting ready, but he's already looking splendid. He's wearing a suit, a classy black three-piece that clings to his frame in all the right places — Rosienne was definitely not ready for Vil in a suit. He can't look at Vil without many, many very stupid thoughts running through his brain.

He's not sure how he will survive the evening.

He walks up to Vil, feeling just a little bit lightheaded.

He lets Vil handle him; straighten his tie, try and tame his curls. The smell of Vil's perfumes is overwhelming. The shimmer of his eyeshadow is the only thing Rosienne can look at.

“You know, we never discussed what being your boyfriend entails,” Vil says with a smile that makes Rosienne feel like he missed a step on the staircase.

One of Vil's hand is still in Rosienne's hair, the other slides effortlessly on Rosienne's chest.

It feels like Rosienne had walked right into a trap.

“Oh, you know. The usual… boyfriend… stuff…” he manages to say, even though his mind is racing too hard to come up with any coherent sentences.

Vil raises an eyebrow. “No, I don't think I know. Use your words, darling.”

Rosienne's can feel himself blush so hard, he's surprised he hadn't yet went straight up in flames. He would prefer that, actually. He has no idea what to deal with… whatever is going on right now.

What is even going on right now?

“Oh, you know,” he repeats, stupidly, and sees Vil's smile turn downright mocking. “Don't look at me like that! You probably know more than me! It's not like I ever had a boyfriend… Or- or anyone, really. You always wanted to play the love interest, right? Be creative, figure it out! Isn't that your job? Or- or something, I don't know…”

He lets his emotions carry him for a second before faltering.

Vil doesn't say anything. Instead, he does something worse. He gently raises Rosienne's chin. Leans down. The smell of his perfumes is the only thing in Rosienne's world now.

Before Rosienne can react, Vil's lips are on his, somehow gentle and firm at the same.

Nothing about this feels real, not the fact that Vil is kissing him, that he's gently cradling the back or Rosienne's head and certainly not the fact that Rosienne, driven more by instincts than by reason, lets himself wrap his arms around Vil's waist.

Vil kisses like he's claiming what's rightfully his, like he's certain beyond a doubt that Rosienne would never say no. He's right, of course, but he shouldn't know it. It's the type of confidence that would make Rosienne's blood boil in anger before, but now he just lets himself melt under the boy.

“What- What was that?” he asks when they finally part. It feels like Vil had kissed life out of him. It feels like the whole world is spinning.

“I'm just getting into the role,” Vil replies, straightening up. There's no blush on his face, not a hair out of place. “You're my director for tonight. I tend to listen to those.”

[somehowmags]

thank you for telling me what happened!! vil criticizing rook's lack of manners when talking to trey seems very likely. im also sure vil has quite literally told rook to shut up before, so if he wanted rook to shut up, he'd quite definitely have already made him do so. and yea, i also don't agree with the absolutely soul sucking standards of the industry vil is in because the damage it can do is irreparable but regardless of how any of us feels about it, vil is very much still adamant on remaining in it. so he abides by its standards. i would never comment on anything, appearance wise, that can't be fixed in a few minutes, regardless of our bond. that is where rook and i differ, but only because i don't have a friend who benefits from the type of criticism rook gives and my friends don't require it from me. i tell my close friends things about me i could not say the same for with an acquaintance, because i can rely on the formers acceptance and understanding. rook is the same in that there are more things he's likely to talk about in close relationships because there is the level of trust that permits it; in which case, is vil's trust in rook's reliable judgement.

rook, if you overlook his morbid interest in breaking the boundaries of beast men, almost always keeps a cordial persona in front of others. yes, it could also just be the byproduct of his purposeful attempt for others to think he is less dangerous than he really is. but i really don't think the man who finds beauty in everything would be arsed to make a senseless comment. the most senseless thing he's done (saving vil) was done precisely because he thought the consequences over (putting the dorm in more chaos, losing his role as VH) and was very much ready to face them in return for his goal. he would never tell you about anything you also cannot fix in under a few minutes-- he knows it's not his place to comment on it, and he knows the consequences of it. observant and mindful is his middle name, so he can most likely tell that you're not comfortable about something personal. he'd likely change the topic, provide some words of advice you could easily ponder on or dismiss, or praise you. he'd very likely PRAISE YOU!!! yes, oddly personally at that, but he genuinely finds no issue in most things. it's rather ironic to think rook could respect your boundaries about yourself when he stalks others and inappropriately addresses beastmen and fae, but as hypocritical as his nature is, he's not fat phobic. he's never been one for the most conventional of views. vil supports you in that he helps you reach your goals; rook also aspires to do that, but rook can appreciate the beauty before him in present time more thanks vil can or does. (not to say that vil doesn't at all) so he definitely would have a positive view of you as you are, and the you you could be.

and yea, rook DID, in fact, shit on vil when they legit first met. but again, it's likely due to the part of him that is very intentional. vil did not turn him away, and infact came to trust him deeply, so obviously his judgement about vil's aversion towards him was right. maybe he was just lucky vil didn't beat him over the head with a textbook, but it's been 2 to 2.5 years since then. he's likely grown and developed a degree of manners thanks to vil, especially now that he's a face of pomefiore. sure, he could learn to be more respectful when providing the criticism he does with vil despite their close bond, but if vil really did think he was rude, he would just tell him. rook would adapt and take a different approach in telling him. we all have had similar thoughts about people close to us, but as we had time to process it, we come to realize what they were trying to impart on us potentially negates whatever tone or action they take-- which also leads our appreciation of the sentiment to overpower any feeling of irritation, anger, guilt, hurt, etc etc. rook may not change all his eccentricities, but he's not incapable of change.

i fucking love rook because he's just such a GOOD character?? he so obviously has his perks and flaws, his charms and distastes. that's what makes him so easily to like because he's so obviously not perfect that he feels real, despite his enigmatic nature obscuring any chance we have at fully understanding his character. he's not a good person, but he's not a bad person. he does good things, he does bad things, he does blandly neutral stuff. it may just be bias, but he's one of the most interesting and morally grey characters in twst. i also hate rook the most. i have a mostly love relationship with vil but i HATREEEERSTETE rook. i want to violently hit him with an ikea mug. i want him in a rutsack. i wanna kiss him. he's so ugly he's so gorgeous. also i love the way you draw vil he's so scrimblio

SO TRUE SO TRUE sorry this took so long to answer i was doing hot girl shit (grocery shopping, watching inuyasha) all day but this is so true!!! honestly the only thing i would argue with you on is that rook isn't exclusively weird towards non-human students; he ALSO pulls that shit with humans, like when he shot that arrow at ace, deuce, yuu, and grim during book five to send the message that they were chosen. he's an equal opportunity weirdo!

honestly what intrigues me the most about him is that technically, he's considered a "heroic" character- he has the same light magic that kalim and silver, who are both based on "heroic" characters do instead of everyone else's dark magic. and thats so fucking interesting like...i don't know if i would consider rook or the huntsman from snow white heroic characters exactly. sure the huntsman helps snow white but for us playing the game rook helping neige means WE lose out on a lot. in the end both of them do what they consider to be the right thing but god. i need to hit him with a 2x4 tbh

also thank you! i haven't drawn vil in so long i should draw him again...in 2020 i just could think of a lot more funny jokes about him to draw LMAO now im old and decrepit and i have no ideas

[octo-hyacinth]

Ah ah! Your writing is to die for I loved the 'Pomefiore's Reaction to Receiving a Flower' and I was wondering if you could do Riddle,Ace,Azul and Rook reaction to you giving them a stuffed animal/plushie♡ I just think their reactions would be neat<3

OOH ABSOLUTELY. This has fantastic potential i can smeel it >:3

anyway i love this ask, enjoy~

~~~~~

TWST Boys Being Gifted a Plushie

Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Ace Trappola, Azul Ashengrotto, Rook Hunt Content Warnings: Fluff, slightest bit of angst(?) (just a smidge), Rook possibly sounding ooc (POSSIBLY) A/N: I wanna smack Ace sometimes. Also my first time seriously analyzing Riddle's personality.

Riddle Rosehearts

He would be stunned into silence for real.

He'd never had one of these as a child, and by the time he was in NRC and could technically have one without his mother confiscating it, he'd grown out of them, and saw no point in them anyway

But you got him a little bear with a red bow around its neck... and he was immediately attached to it, even though he didn't show it

It's... so fluffy?? And he could keep this in his room, with no judgement???

It's definitely big enough for him to hug at night when he's feeling lonely and missing you

Sometimes he'll talk to it at night, saying the things he wishes he could say to you but can't.

To your face, he could only be formal and reserved, but to the bear he could spill his true thoughts and feelings about you

Maybe one day, he could tell you what he wants to say, and finally break down the wall of his own making.

Ace Trappola

Immediately gives you a smug grin once you hand him the stuffed fox

"Ooh, what's this, Prefect? Don't tell me you're getting soft for me?"

He shuts up after you whack him on the arm

He keeps it in his bag for the rest of the school day, but once he gets back to his dorm, he gently sets it on his bed, and decides to name it after you.

It sits next to his pillow as he sleeps at night, and lets him have a bit of comfort, almost like you're there with him

He never speaks a word of that, though. He'd never admit he loves it as much as he does.

This gift you've given him only makes him like you even more. Maybe if you think about him enough to give him a sappy stuffed animal, he should be showing his affection for you even more.

Azul Ashengrotto

Of course, you had to give him a lil octopus plushie! One of those flippable ones, too, with different colors and expressions on each side :)

He immediately goes entirely red, right up to his ears, but he’s desperately trying to stay cool and refined. He’s trying so hard. So don’t tease him too much, he might actually explode.

“Ah, I-I see, how thoughtful of you. You have my gratitude.”

And then he retreats to his office to silent-scream.

You got him an octopus?? This little guy??? Was for him???? Does this mean that you really like octopi?? But not him, right? Unless-

Man, his thoughts spiral so damn fast, you have to reassure him that you do indeed like him, and that there’s no reason to think otherwise <3

He keeps the little guy perched on his desk, and often flips it inside out and back whenever he’s exhausted or needs a break, just to give him something to focus on

He really loves it, though. He’d never admit it to your face, but Floyd has slammed the door open (without knocking) and found Azul just, gently holding or admiring the little octopus way too many times. Floyd may or may not have been bribed to keep his mouth shut about something he may or may not have witnessed, so don’t ask. (Or do, you can probably get whatever info you want from Floyd if you play your cards right.) But it always reminds Azul of you, and he treasures that. He’d much rather be holding you, but for now, this must suffice.

Rook Hunt

Rook is absolutely delighted you bestowed upon him such a thoughtful present!

He took the little stuffed leopard and immediately gave it a big hug, and his eyes just lit up when you told him that the leopard, being such a good hunter, reminded you of him.

“Merci, ma chérie! I truly do love this with all my heart.”

It gets a special place on a shelf in his room, where all his most prized possessions and trophies go.

And that leopard is the centerpiece.

And as a hunter, he now wishes to retrieve a trophy for you to treasure, as much as he treasures this.

[luminous-letters]

TWST April Fool's Messages!! (Fanmade)

Warnings: Might contain possible spoilers for EN and JP players

~Heartslabyul~

Riddle

"Everyone at the dorm thinks that I made some additions to the rules for this occasion...I merely hid away their notebooks and swapped out their ink colors, hmph."

Ace

"Ahhh, I almost got collared today...I should've known that there'd be snitches to get on our dorm leader's good graces. Huh? What did I do? Hehe, I just snuck some teensy-weensy, oh-so-little hot sauce on today's tarts."

Deuce

"Someone hid my shoes... if I ever found out who did this... Oh? You did? Well, I don't really hold much of a grudge, but you should watch your back for the rest of the day. Just a little warning is all."

Trey

"Sigh. Ace made a commotion by adding hot sauce...Huh? You look red, you okay there? My bad, I forgot to change those out with the new ones~ We're out of milk too."

Cater

"I thought today was supposed to be fun! Like, Professor Trein really pulled a surprise test on us and chalked it off as a 'prank'! And a real cringy one at that!"

~Savanaclaw~

Leona

"You can stop setting up that little 'trap' you're working on. Oh? Looks like our dear herbivore's a bit under the weather. Oh come on don't look so gloomy, you're free to try it out with Ruggie, or even Jack."

Ruggie

"Why did he even send you to me? Hate to break it you pal, but it's not gonna work. And throwing eggs for a prank? Sounds pretty wasteful to me, could've been a nice omelette... Hey, why not use all those eggs for some food, I'll even do the cooking!"

Jack

"Hey, there's a lot more punks today than usual. You should keep close to me so you wouldn't get egged. I should know because...I was... I was caught off guard okay? Yeah...you should stick with me, it's safer. O-only if you want to though...no pressure or anything."

~Octavinelle~

Azul

"Is that...an egg? Oh wait, please don't! It took forever to rinse off that wretched scent from Floyd's prank. C-can we discuss this in a civilized manner? OH MY DEEP BLUE SEA WAIT—"

Jade

"My, my. Floyd's very energetic today. Just a while ago Azul was covered in some...foul smelling concoction. So if it's not much, can I ask you to look after Floyd for today? I'm willing to reward your efforts, ask me for anything and I'd gladly fulfill your request."

Floyd

"Boo, I'm bored. Those little fries always go into hiding, it's annoying. Hey little shrimp~ Nice to see you here! You see, I can't prank anyone today. But now that you're here...hehe. You should run y'know."

~Scarabia~

Kalim

"Aah, Jamil got me. It's gonna take me forever to get this stink off... But hey, it's nice to see Jamil have fun! I'll get back at him, just you'll see haha!"

Jamil

"I never expected to enjoy this day as much as I do. Who knew a lot would be falling for it! You can join me if you like? Hm, is that a yes? Then can you get me the items on this list? Oh, agreeing again? You flatter me, really."

~Pomefiore~

Vil

"Good grief, I thought you'd be with one of those mischievous potatoes. If they're going to prank someone, at least give it some style. Plain egg throwing is just too bland. Now then, why not give these eclairs to those friends of yours...fufu."

Rook

"Forgive me mon trickster, but anyone could sense you if you make this much noise. I could teach you a thing or two about stalking your prey, it would be the most beautiful of pastimes!"

Epel

"Ah, it's so annoying...who knew that Vil would join in in the pranking too. Hm? Oh, are those eclairs? They look lovely! Where did you get them from?"

~Ignihyde~

Idia

"Don't talk to me. One of the games I'm playing teased a new super-duper ultra rare character and they're giving it for free. For free! That is, until I checked the date today. Haah, this is the worst..."

Ortho

"'Cerberus' system shutting down... brother...will finally...be free...! AHAHAH! ...Happy April Fools! I hope I didn't scare you too much!"

~Diasomnia~

Malleus

"It seems that I've been left out in yet another celebration... What? It's intentional for the occasion...? Oh, I see. Then I don't mind...really I don't... In fact, to show that I bear no ill will..."

Lilia

"No matter how much pranks you plan on pulling, you'll never land a scratch on me. Though, I applaud your energy! So you'll be able to evade all of my pranks too, I trust? Fufu."

Silver

"Today might be a good exercise for my focus. What's that... Hah! I evaded it. Better luck next time."

Sebek

"Lord Malleus is sulking again... What did you humans do this time!? What, human? As if I'd join your childish games, so don't even bother inviting me! Yeah...don't even bother... Hm? Inviting me? Hah! I knew it!"

[wolken-himmel]

In which (Y/n) desperately tries to drown out Rook's constant praises and love poems in the hope of not falling in love with him.

Yet, her love for him eventually just explodes when Rook appears beneath her window on a starry night, reciting a poem to finally win her heart.

"Ma cherie, you're the arrow that has hit my heart!"

Rook was fussing all over you as you merely sat beneath that large oak in the courtyard, hiding in the shade that the generous tree provided you. In your lap lay your heavy alchemy book, in which you had buried your face. You not paying attention to him had never bothered Rook before, so he didn't see any problem with continuing his praises and speeches.

"And your eyes, oh your sparkling eyes!" he cried out as he clutched his hands tightly, kneeling down in front of your seated form bashfully. You briefly looked up to narrow your eyed at him when he placed his hands on your knees for support. A swoon escaped the blond's lips. "Burning with hatred for my words, and yet your cheeks blush so adorably in delight."

"Rook—" You sighed as he brought his face closer towards yours, his shadow looming over you frighteningly.

Another sigh escaped his lips, and he felt his arms growing weak when you pushed your alchemy book shut and rewarded him with your undivided attention. Delighted, Rook grabbed your book and threw it aside, a big grin on his lips. "Whenever you say my name, I melt..." he muttered, pushing a strand of his blond hair behind his ear.

You tilted your head to the side innocently. "Did you say something?" you asked while fumbling with your ears, eventually revealing ear plugs that you had pulled out and were now openly laying in your palm.

Rook immediately gasped in utter surprise. "Sacre bleu! You haven't been listening to me all this time?" he cried out, a playfully hurt frown on his face.

You chuckled and shook your head, pushing him away from you before you scooted away slowly. "No, I needed to study for alchemy class," you explained while Rook inched closer to you the more you distanced yourself from him, "and I can't concentrate if you talk all the time, Rook."

Rook let out a little huff as you were about to put the ear plugs back into your ears; with reflexes as quick as light, he wrought them out of your hands and threw them over his shoulders. "Away with those damned ear plugs!" he yelled out, causing your eyes to widen in utter horror.

"Hey! I still need them," you hissed, about to get up and retreat them again, yet you were stopped by Rook pushing you back into your place underneath the tree.

"Non, you don't," he cooed and your cheeks immediately turned red, much to your dismay. You watched him with wary eyes as his hand dug into the pocket of his blazer, looking for something. His charm was dangerous — and he knew he had a special spot in your heart, no matter how much you tried to push him away. He had been wooing you for quite a while now, patiently waiting for you to give in and confess your reciprocated feelings for him. You bit your lip in fear when he pulled out a long paper scroll, the end touching the floor. "For I have a poem to present you."

Afraid he would worm his way into your heart for real now, you immediately raised your hands into the air and waved them around wildly. "N-No! I'm busy right now—" you cried out, and Rook closed his opened mouth again. Laughing nervously, you gave him an awkward pat on the shoulder. "Maybe recite your poem to me... never."

Rook pushed forth his bottom lip, causing your heart to sink in pity. For a moment, your eyes softened as you wondered if you should apologise for your rudeness. "You wound me..." he muttered and lowered his gaze to the floor, which made you wince in guilt. But, this was Rook, so he immediately perked up with an even more determined grin on his lips. "Yet, I feel that you deny my love for you without malice— no, you're simply afraid of finally falling in love with me, too."

"I—" You choked on your words upon realising that he had hit the bullseye. Scratching your cheek nervously, you croaked out, "Well... maybe?"

Rook let out triumphant laughter, grinning from ear to ear, making him like a fox that had cornered his prey. Taking off his signature hat and pressing it to his chest, he exhaled softly. "There is nothing to be afraid of, ma cherie," he drawled, to which you replied with nervous splutters of an attempted defense. He used your moment of distraction to grab your hand gently. "I'll be the kindest lover you've ever had."

You finally had enough of him and his charm, afraid that you'd give in and admit your boiling feelings any second now. So, pushing him away from you and immediately jumping to your feet, you quickly yelled out, "There's something off about you, Rook..." Textbook safely in your hands, you took a precautionary step backwards with your eyes narrowed to hide how weak and vulnerable he made you feel. "Something about you just doesn't sit right with me."

Rook, who remained on the floor due to not having expected your sudden attack, merely had a dazed smile on his face, as if he wasn't taking you seriously — he never listened to your rejections, anyway. "I hear that quite often," was all he said, and was even cheeky enough to shoot you a wink.

That wink left you slightly offended — and weak. "So— I'm unsure about all of this," you said, inching away even more, always ready to break out into a full-sprint if it was needed. You took a deep breath, about to mutter your third rejection today already. "I can't really read your feelings and intentions..."

Rook didn't let himself be deterred; he knew he was close to breaking down the walls you had built around you. So, giving you an earnest and unaffected smile, he merely asked, "What will it take to convince you that I am deeply and utterly smitten by you, Mademoiselle (Y/n)?"

Not much, is what you would have told him if you were honest — which you couldn't bring yourself to be right now. So, just wanting to be left alone, you turned around and walked away from your relentless pursuer. "That je ne sais quoi," you threw over your back, purposefully being vague and ambiguous to discourage Rook from scheming something up again.

Yet, the eccentric hunter already had a plan to win your heart tonight.

•••

Once night had lain itself upon Night Raven College, Rook had already snuck out of the Pomefiore dorm and made his way to Ramshackle, completely undetected with how he always skilfully stuck to the shadows.

Eventually, he arrived by the run-down mansion, which caused excitement to boil up in his veins. The adrenaline he felt whenever he went hunting rushed through his mind — today, he was hunting for your heart.

Rook knew where the window to your bedroom was; he had sat here, in this exact spot behind this bush, before, just watching you go about your daily routine quietly.

Luck was on his side today! The window was opened, meaning he wouldn't have to throw pebbles at your windows in hopes that you would grow curious enough to open the windows and peer out. Giggling like a lunatic, he jumped out from behind the bush and positioned himself beneath your window, so that you could spot him easily should you look out. Straightening his back, he clasped his hands behind his back after fixing his hair and hat.

"Ma cherie?" Rook called out once he was ready, his voice loud and steady.

When your groans reached his attentive ears, he immediately began to smile in utter delight. Soft footsteps grew louder and louder until an annoyed girl arrived by the window. Your palms were planted onto the windowsill, your fingers threatening to curl into a fist. "Rook... I need to sleep..." you seethed through clenched teeth, running a hand through your slightly dishevelled hair, which left him swooning. "What are you doing down there?"

Rook flashed you a smile that made your knees turn into pudding — not that you would have ever admitted that! You merely furrowed your eyebrows, trying to suppress the butterflies trying to escape the confines of your stomach.

"I am here to serenade you!"

Your eyes widened to the size of saucers: On one hand, you were flattered that he had decided to show up during the night just to win your affection; on the other hand, you felt incredibly embarrassed by how silly and hopelessly romantic his scheme was. In the end, merely sighing, you pressed out, "Why can't you do it in the morning..."

Rook shook his head as he extended his hands out towards you longingly. "My love for you cannot wait!"

You rolled your eyes and were about to close your window again, but by then, he had already begun reciting the poem he had written earlier so meticulously, pouring every ounce of his never-ending love for you into it.

"I think I was searching for treasures or stones in the clearest of pools — when your face…" Rook stopped temporarily, his breath stuck in his throat by the way you smiled down at him — you were smiling down at him! Once you noticed that you were smiling, you immediately pulled your lips into a frown again; yet, such a brief reaction was enough to spur Rook on. "When your face, like the moon in a well, where I might wish… might well wish for the iced fire of your kiss."

You bit your lip, desperately trying to keep that unreadable frown on your face; yet, each honeyed word he threw at you was a critical hit to your denial of your feelings of him. "Rook..." you whispered, leaning over the windowsill so much that you threatened to fall out of the window.

Smiling in satisfaction at your reaction, Rook continued reciting, "Only on water my lips, where your face… where your face was reflected, lovely. Not really there when I turned to look behind at the emptying air..." Then, he bowed, marking the end of his performance.

By then, a sheen of tears was covering your eyes, your hands clasping your mouth, from which sobs choked sobs escaped. "Rook, you absolute idiot!" you cried out as the tears began running down your cheek, and you began sniffling. This hunter had just managed to finally break down your walls of denial — the feelings you harboured for him were washing over you all at once, finally having exploded from the cage you had kept them in.

Rook's eyes were wide in surprise, unable to believe his success. "Pardon, Mademoiselle?"

"Stay right where you are!" you screamed, causing the birds in the trees to immediately flight.

Rook grinned as he watched you disappear from the window, your loud footsteps fading away and accompanied by the slamming of multiple doors. "Your wish is my command!" he chirped, whistling a sweet tune as he anticipated whatever you had in store for him.

When his ears were able to pick up the sound of bare feet padding against the grass nearby, his head instinctively snapped towards the direction of where the noise came from. His green eyes found you running towards him with a speed unmatched, and it didn't seem like you were slowing down as you were just a few metres away from him.

You threw yourself at him, wrapping your arms around his neck tightly and burying your face in his shoulder. Rook immediately wrapped his arms around your waist, stumbling around a little bit due to the force of which you had jumped at him with. "You're a fool..." you whispered softly as you played with the hair on the back of his head. "And yet I love you..."

Rook hummed happily while a big smile had made its way to his lips. "Ah, my mission was a success!" he cried put in utter joy, burying his nose in your hair. Weeks of hard work had paid off — all of it had boiled down to this very moment where you couldn't hide your affection for him any longer. Laughing, he ran his hand through your hair. "Oh, you will not believe me how happy I am, ma cherie!"

"How— How dare you be this precious!" you hissed venomously while, despite your tone and words, pulling him closer to you and even tightening your arms around his neck. Nuzzling your nose into the crook of his neck, you let out an affectionate sigh. "You can't do this to my heart."

Rook had a dazed grin on his lips. "So this is what heaven feels like?"

His words caused you to laugh quietly, the vibrations causing tickles all over the skin on his neck, where your lips ghosted across. Your face was red, and you felt incredibly embarrassed for having overwhelmed him like this. Yet, burying your face in his neck, to hide it from his view, you whined, "I can't take it anymore!" You grip on his blazer tightened, and you shut your eyes. "I love you, I love you, I love you! I adore your accent, I cherish how your compliments make my heart race— and... I just regret that I haven't accepted my feelings for you earlier."

Rook felt his heart beating so hard that it was threatening to jump right out of his chest. Airy laughter escaped his lips, and he still tried to digest the notion that you finally had accepted his feelings. "Ah, so this is how you feel when I drown you in affection?" he asked softly as he peered down at you, a loving look on his face.

"Suffer—" You giggled and pulled away to cover his face with kisses that left the hunter blushing in surprise. He always liked to pride himself in the fact that he barely could ever be caught off-guard, but you somehow had a special talent to surprise him every single time. You continued planting kisses all over his face — until your lips finally landed on his. Rook immediately closed his eyes and melted into your arms. "Suffer, my beloved hunter," you whispered into the kiss.

Chuckling, he whispered, "Gladly, ma cherie."

[natewriteslol]

Hello!! Would you mind if I request a small scenario of Yuu who had made a part of Ramshackle into a quaint little greenhouse and invited Ortho over for some tea! If you can, could you write it from Ortho's point of view? Thank you for this, I always absolutely love your writing! Words can't possibly describe the joy that fills me when I see you've posted, it's always a wonderful escape from how hectic the world is right now. Lots of love and luck to you!! ♡♡♡

Ortho with reader on a PLATONIC fun outing

Warnings: none!

Y/N is gender neutral :)

A/N: Yes I almost cried when I saw this in my inbox. Please know it fills me with great joy to illustrate my ideas through writing, and to have so many people enjoy my content is just unbelievable. I'm so greatful to have such an amazing audience 💞💕

It used to be so terrible within the Ramshackle house. No sign of life (no shade to the ghosts) with essential repairs needed inorder for it to be somewhat livable.

But you indeed managed to make it your own little home, not exactly transforming the whole house, but it was home. However a part of you was inspired by the botanical garden on campus, you went there often and it was beautiful. In fact, you were found there so often that Rook called you “Fleur de lys”.

Yet the garden was just always so far, too many people, or you’d accidentally wake up a sleeping Leona. So you decided, hey? What if I made my own garden in the dorms, I’ve got plenty of space.

For a couple of months you spent remaking the room, adding windows and some seats. And you continued to culminate a collection of plants. From buying them yourself, borrowing plants from the science club, and taking some seeds plants from botanical garden.

It was soon your own little paradise, yet you had no one to share it with besides your roommate, Grim. Until you heard a little someone talking, specifically about plants after your magical law class had ended, and you were packing up your things.

“Oh I sure do love plants! Don’t you too, Idia?”

“I’m not the biggest fan, Ortho… let’s just go home. Class is already over.”

“I think you don’t like them, since you’re afraid of the outside!”

“SHUT UP ORTHO, I’M NOT AFRAID OF THE OUTSIDE-”

You had always babysat Ortho when Idia was busy, even when he would make the strange comment that “Ortho doesn’t really need it”. You never understood, but you decided not to pry.

“Wait, Y/N. Don’t you have a garden in your home?” Ortho asked, bringing your attention to him fully.

“Why yes, I do,” you replied with a smile, turning to face the young boy behind you.

“Oh Idia, please let me go see their garden! Pretty, pretty please, big brother” Ortho pleaded, staring at him with his cute beaming eyes.

By the Great Seven, why did he program him to be so cute?

“O-only if it’s okay with Y/N” Idia stuttered, looking at you to give permission to his brother.

“Of course it is, you guys are always welcome in my house. You can come this weekend, if that’s good for you guys?” you asked.

“Of course it is! Yay! I’m gonna see Y/N’s garden! Thank you, Y/N!”

~~~

It was already Saturday, and Ortho was at your doorstep at 10 am sharp. Bringing the gift of freshly made cookies, Ortho excitedly told you how he got the recipe from Trey.

You invited him into your home, him holding onto your hand as he floated with you. He was so excited seeing all the plants, each of them having their own unique traits and needs.

“How do you keep up with all these plants?” Ortho asked as he watched you pour tea into his cup.

“It’s been a journey, since these plants are way different from the ones where I come from. I’ve had to do alot of research, but it’s all worth it!” You explained.

“You’re so cool! Just like how my brother said!” Ortho beamed.

“Idia talks about me?” you asked, wondering why the little boy’s brother would talk about you. I mean, you barely knew anything about technology so you both weren’t really on the same page in relating to your guy’s interests.

“Uhuh! He says that you’re ‘so O.P without even needing magic’” Ortho said, giving a hilarious impression of his big brother. “Idia thinks that you’re really cool too!”

Heat rose to your cheeks, you didn’t know that Idia had this much admiration for you. You definitely should talk to the flame haired man more often.

“Well, once you go back to your brother make sure you tell him that I think he’s cool as well” you smiled, extending your pinky to make a pinky promise.

“I promise!” the robot boy replied.

You continued to spend time in the garden, playing games, listening to music and giving the young boy a tour of all the plants in your garden. Once it was the afternoon, Idia gave you a call telling you that he was in his dorm room. And while the little boy held a pout and didn’t want to go home, Ortho sure did love his brother so he obliged to go, following you as you escorted him back to the Ignihyde dorm.

“I’m sure Idia misses you Ortho, he would probably really want to see you. After all, the presentation probably made him incredibly nervous,” you explained, happy once you saw the change of expression in Ortho’s yellow eyes.

“Ah! You’re right, I should give him a big hug once I see him!” Ortho said.

~~~

“Big brother!” Ortho said, wrapping his arms around Idia’s waist.

“O-Oh, I didn’t expect you guys to be back so soon,” Idia said, embarrassed that you were looking at Ortho’s animated displayed affection.

“Yeah, but I missed you! It was so fun, we drank tea, and Y/N gave me a tour of all their plants! Aren’t they super cool just like you said?” Ortho beamed, staring up at his brother.

“O-Ortho I never said that!” Idia retorted.

“Nope, you said that they were super cool and o.p! Remember what I told you, Y/N?” Ortho said, gesturing to you.

“Uh yeah, that’s what I heard. And you’re pretty cool too, Idia” you said, giving a thumbs up. Idia looked like he was about to pass out of embarrassment.

“See! Didn’t you say it was bad to lie, Idia?” Ortho said, crossing his arms to scold his older brother that sat in his gaming chair.

“I also told you that it’s bad to overshare private conversations, Ortho.”

Maybe next time you should bring out Idia, show him that the outdoors aren’t too shabby.

[harmonizingsunsets]

Polin Week Day 4: Prompt - Jealousy

Touching A Live Wire

After dragging Colin by the arm through her and Eloise's flat with one hand, Penelope slams the door behind them with the other.

She folds her arms across her chest and looks him in the eye for the first time since they left her work party early. He'd looked apologetic, following her wordlessly to the car and remaining silent during the entire drive to the flat.  

"You have five seconds to apologize."

Colin sighs, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. "Penelope, this is a misunderstanding."

"Five," she starts counting.

"I didn't mean to say it that loud!"

Penelope's lips curl further in anger. "Four."

"Wait, let me explain why I—."

"Three," she interrupts, tapping her foot loudly on the floor.

Colin tilts his head at her. "Pen, this is ridiculous."

"Two."

"Can't we just sit down and—." Pen opens her mouth, her lips forming the word one, but Colin looks alarmed and puts his hands out to stop her. "Fine, you're right. I'm sorry!"

Penelope breathes in relief. Despite the show she just put on, she didn't know what she would've done if she'd reached one. With Penelope's grade three students, she'd send them to the principal's office or write their names in the infraction book. But, Penelope didn't think those forms of punishment would've worked with Colin.

She moves her hands to her hips, pinning her gaze on him. "Sorry about what?"

"I'm sorry that I got a bit carried away."

"A bit carried away?" Penelope scoffs, causing him to flinch in guilt. "Colin, you yelled at my co-worker, "Penelope is too good for you," and then proceeded to knock over the punch bowl!"

"In my defense, whoever placed it there did a poor job. It was teetering on the edge of the table."

Penelope's jaw clenches. "I placed it on the table."

Colin's eyes go wide, adorably so, which she could appreciate more if she weren't so angry at him.

Well, she still does appreciate it a little. She's human, after all.

"Oh, then it was a lovely job!" Colin exclaims, trying to cover himself. "Perfect placement, angels in heaven would want you to be on punchbowl duty at every party."

"You think angels have parties?"

"No, of course not, but they host them. Can you imagine parties in heaven? Unlimited food, great entertainment, and you could dance with Pablo Picasso and Prince at the same time."

"You really think Picasso and Prince would run in the same social circles in—hey, don't distract me," she interrupts herself, pointing accusingly at him while biting back a grin. "I'm mad at you."

Colin takes a step forward, beginning to smirk. "Then why are you smiling?"

"It's an annoying side effect of being around you," Penelope explains grumpily. "But, I'm still angry."

Colin deflates. "I know. You  should be angry at me." He begins to pace, making Penelope worry that he's going to slip as she and Eloise just polished the floor yesterday. "I was way out of line. I shouldn't have yelled at your co-worker. It was disrespectful."

Penelope exhales, her anger beginning to fade, but confusion still causing her head to ache.

"I don't understand. Why did you yell that at him? And why did you spend the whole evening scowling at him and steering me away from him the entire time?"

Colin doesn't respond, looking down at his shoes. His behavior worries her, as Colin's never been one to avoid telling her something. His eyes are always open, full of honesty and understanding. But lately, they've been clouded.

The clouds are unsettling. Penelope misses the sun's warmth, and she can't take the chill anymore, especially because she doesn't know what prompted the weather change.

"You've been so unlike you the past few weeks," Penelope quickly says before she loses her nerve. "You've been off ever since he started working with me at the beginning of this month."

Colin shifts his feet. "No, I haven't."

"Yes, you have! Whenever I bring him up, you completely shut me out, you've avoided my attempts for you to meet him, and I caught you rolling your eyes when I was talking to him on the phone," she lists, furrowing her eyebrows. "What do you have against him?"

"Nothing."

"Colin, tell me."

He shrugs but with tense shoulders. "There's nothing to tell."

Penelope presses on, taking a step closer. "Obviously, you have something against him."

"No, I don't," he says, taking a step back.

She steps forward, feeling a rook on a chessboard that's slowly advancing on his pawn as he moves it backward one square at a time.

"Be honest."

"I am."

"No, you're not. I know you well enough to know when you're lying."

"Penelope…"

"Please, Colin, just tell me what's really got you so—."

"He's into you!" Colin blurts out.

Penelope freezes, her rook stopping one square before her victory.

Colin grimaces at himself, taking a deep breath as if his words knocked the wind out of him.

"What?"

"He's into you," Colin repeats, his voice quieter than before. "I don't like the way he looks at you. He obviously wants something more than friendship."

Penelope knows she shouldn't, but she laughs. "That's absurd."

Colin's expression drops even further, beginning to frown. "Why is that absurd? "

"Because it's me. Why would he be interested in me?"

"Why wouldn't he be?"

Penelope narrows her eyes at him. "Colin, don't play dumb."

"I'm not. You're the one that's playing dumb."

"Excuse me?"

"Pen, you're intelligent, beautiful, funny, and kind," Colin describes, slowly raising his hands and placing them on her arms. There's something in his eyes as he speaks so vehemently, a gleam that sends a thrill through her body. "You're the perfect package. Who wouldn't want you?"

Something in his words causes her to pause, reassessing the entire evening. Once she does, seeing a supercut of Colin's reactions towards her co-worker and his behavior around the two of them, her mind reaches one conclusion—a conclusion which quickens her heartbeat.

However, it also inspires a newfound sense of motivation to stop tiptoeing at the edge of the cliff she's been on for years.

But, she has to make sure Colin is truly standing on the same cliff as her before jumping.

Penelope swallows nervously. "Alright, let's say you're right and that I'm the perfect package—."

"You are."

"Ok, let's say that I am," Penelope agrees, taking a deep breath before crafting her following words. "So, why shouldn't he like me?"

"It's not that he shouldn't like you because, of course, he should. But—he shouldn't," Colin blabbers, getting a cute crinkle in between his brows as he struggles to explain himself adequately, which only fuels her wonderful but terrifying theory. "Because… he's—that guy is not right for you. "

Penelope inches closer, so her chest brushes against his body. He intakes a sharp breath, and she has to restrain herself from doing the same thing, knowing the gravity of this moment—of getting this exactly right.

"But I'm the perfect package, so I'm perfect for him, right?"

"No—I mean, yes, he'd be lucky to have you. But that doesn't mean you should be with him." His eyes flicker to her chest, and back up at her eyes, and back to his shoes, his face becoming more red with each passing second. "He—he has a horrible laugh, he likes Star Trek over Star Wars, and he took way more than his share of the cheese platter—."

"Those reasons are inconsequential. You know they are."

Colin opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. So, Penelope raises one of her hands, moving up his arm and to his neck.

The path of Penelope's fingertips creates a live wire, causing his skin to brim with electricity everywhere she touches.  But, it doesn't shock her. Instead, she's part of the electrical current and feels a hum of energy in her palm that his touch provides.

"So, there must be another reason you don't want me to be with him," Penelope continues, forcing her voice not to shake. "Right?"

"No," he shakes his head after a few beats.

She bites her lip, trying to hold on to hope. "Really, there's not one reason?"

"Um…no?"

Penelope sighs, dropping her hands from his neck, feeling stupid. How foolish was she to think ahead of herself like this? Clearly, Colin's answer was not what she predicted. Just like always, she got carried away in romantic notions, as she always seemed to, when Colin’s around.

"Ok," she says, clearing her throat. Colin frowns at the sudden distance, but Penelope can't see his expression as she's closing her eyes to try and banish the inclination to cry. "I know, it's been a long day, so let's forget it. I think I should—."

Penelope doesn't get to answer. Because, suddenly, Colin swoops forward, his hands cupping her cheeks and his lips crashing onto hers.

If touching his skin created a live wire, kissing Colin makes a high electricity voltage, one strong enough to power an entire city.

Colin's lips brush against her softly, but there's a desperate edge to it, one akin to the desperation she feels as she clutches the collar of his jacket and pulls him closer.

When Colin breaks apart for a breath, he rests his forehead on hers.

"I was jealous," he whispers.

Penelope pulls her head back a little so that she can meet his eyes. "What?"

"That's why I didn't want you to be with him, because I want you to be with me," Colin confesses, pursing his lips. "I know that's immature. I'm sorry. You should be with whoever you want to be with, even if it's not me. It's my fault that I was too much of a coward until—Ow!" He abruptly yelps, looking down at his arm, which Penelope just pinched. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Penelope ducks her head, the corners of her lips twitching into a smile. "I was just checking to make sure you weren't an illusion."

Colin smiles in the incandescent way that made Penelope fall in love with him in the first place. He tips her chin up, forcing her to meet his bright eyes filled with an emotion that wraps around her heart and squeezes it.

"I'm real, I'm very much real," Colin assures, his thumb skimming her cheek. "I'll prove it to you."

He closes the distance between them again. But, Penelope is the one to deepen the kiss. She feels a wave of heat run through her at Colin's moan. Also, she experiences a surge of confidence, proud that she was the one to elicit such a glorious sound.

Penelope wraps her arms around her neck, finding it slightly annoying that he's so tall, as she has to lean up on her toes to kiss him. Colin must sense her struggle, quickly amending the issue by swiftly raising her into the air.

But, as her legs sweep up as she's taken into his arms, she accidentally kicks the bowl that holds her and Eloise's apartment keys off of the table.

It crashes loudly onto the floor, the ceramic breaking into multiple tiny pieces.

Colin and Penelope's lips break from each other's, looking down at the mess near her feet. Then, for a moment, neither of them say anything, only staring at the floor.

"Well…at least there was no punch in there this time," Colin says, sidestepping the broken pieces of the bowl.

Penelope laughs, smiling against his lips as she pulls him in for another kiss.

While she has a lot of explaining to do about the dramatic scene the two of them caused when she shows up at work tomorrow and will have to answer Eloise about the broken bowl, she can't find it in herself to care.

When he opens his eyes briefly, looking at her and moving a strand of hair behind her ear, she no longer sees clouds. Instead, she only sees the sun, and she wants to bask in its glow forever.

Penelope knows how idealistic that thought is, but as Colin begins kissing down her neck after moving them to the couch, she thinks it's quite a reasonable notion.

[starshiningsirius]

Dr. Jerkyll and Mr. Hyde (Yandere Leech twins x reader)

An au idea I had came to mind based off @yandere-wishes Victorian twst story and @yandere-romanticaa 's Extraterrestrial story.

I love these two eels and I'm late on their birthday but it's still their birthday for me.

The clear moonlit sky shown brightly over the waters of the ocean. As yet another scream echoed within the streets of a supposedly vacant city.

The detective woke up with a start but not from the scream, but from the ringing of her phone. A report she had been writing stuck to her face from the humid atmosphere. She picked it up getting a few details from Idia, who was panicking on the other side of the line. Considering he worked in the criminal department at the desk and didn't have to see any bodies whatsoever you would think he'd be calm when trying to say what happened.

"Calm down Idia. Tell me what happened?" Her voice was gentle since yelling wouldn't help his nerves.

"Therewasanothermurder! Theyclaimedanothervictim!" He spoke so fast that his words wouldn't be understood by most but she was used to this with him and every word was caught by the detective's ears.

"Where's the crime scene?"

"In front of Sam's shop on Crystal Road, Ms. Y/n L/n." The voice of Idia's younger sibling popped up a contrasting his older brother's cowardly behavior.

He wanted to be just like his older brother so he spent his days in the office with him. Though there were times when Idia tapped out and his brother had to step in.

"Thank you both. I'll head their now." She hung up after hearing a farewell from both brothers.

The candle was long out and she grabbed her gun, notebook, and pen within the darkness, before venturing out the confines of her home.

When she got there a crowd had surrounded one spot in particular.

Cater was already there taking photos of the scene as it was his job being a forensic photographer.

"Hey, hey! Y/n's here, make way!" The crowd parted for her as soon as he announced her presence.

Whispers were muttered as she passed through into the middle of the crime scene. Mostly about how she hadn't caught this killer yet. She ignored them though and went on to meet with her coworker.

"It never ceases to amaze me how your always here first Cater, if anything you should be a suspect." She started off saying to her compatriot.

"Can't help it if I want to stay informed dectective, I just want to stay informed before anyone else." His smile on his face was out of place as he took another photo of the corpse.

"Who was it this time?"

"Such a poor fate to befall dear Monsieur Heart." A new voice joined in the conversation.

"Rook, I see you've arrived but can I get their name please?" The detective said sighing at the theatrics of her friend.

"His name was Ace Trappola, I can't imagine how Monsieur Spade must be feeling about this tragedy." Rook feigned a sorrowful look.

"Oh yeah A-Deuce kun were inseparable, I feel sorry for him. Think he knows already?"

"If there as inseparable as you say Cater then I suppose not, he isn't here yet otherwise I'm sure he'd cause a scene." She noted.

"That doesn't make him a suspect though right? I mean sure he's been a suspect in many crimes before, but Deuce kun far too soft!" Cater was a bit frantic at the thought alone.

"No, I doubt it was him he wouldn't want to disappoint his mother with something as vulgar as murder, he cares for her far too much to do that." That calmed his worries.

"You know I've heard Monsieur Heart have many laments on how his delivery to Roi d' Rose-" Cater didn't let Rook finish.

"RIDDLE?! No way he did this! Have you seen how strict his mother is? Just waltzing in their office and so much as suspecting her son is a one way ticket to hearing her screams! Besides I doubt his mother would even let him out this late anyway, he's always about following the rules set in place for him." Cater says with an imaginary sweat that could have formed to express his fear and anxiety.

"True, and I can't afford another headache from that lady, but we could get some valuable intel from him about Trappola's demeanor the past few days seeing as it may be a pattern in the serial killers motives."

"What about Sam? He's gotta know something considering the murder occurred in front of his shop." Cater's gaze went toward the shop to the right of them.

"Ah the shop keep, a wonderfully eccentric man with many secrets." Rook stated his opinion of him from what he gathered on his own free time.

"Says the French man whose got info on everyone from stalking them on the street." The detective says shaking her head at the strange man next to her who happily smiled at her statement.

"I wouldn't call it that more so getting to know my prey more personally." She sighed hearing his reply.

"A crime analyst such as yourself is such a good cover up!" Cater's response made her sigh once again.

She shook her head toward her coworkers. They took their job in a mild manner but beyond that they did do well to get it done. Even though the means of how they did it were very much questionable in her eyes.

She looked toward the ground seeing the body of the former male right on the cusp of adulthood. His orange hair was a bit disheveled and the looks of shock on his face petrified in time.

"Ah, the dectective is already using those perceptive eyes of hers." Cater's words fell on deaf ears as she was examining the crime scene closely.

"As expected of Reine de la déduction, such dedication in her work. Très bien!"

Their bones were disfigured, just like the last person. No one has this type of strength it didn't make any sense. The only lead that was given but she noticed a glowing substance in his mouth.

"Cater, Rook, I need some confirmation. Out of all the other times these cases have been appearing there weren't any liquid substances to be found beside the occasional blood right?"

"You are correct."

"Yeah, nothing else to be found from what I could see." They both confirmed her suspicion.

She had to go talk to Jade again, but first thing tomorrow she had to interrogate Sam, as well as Riddle Rosenhearts which was sure to be headache on her part.

* * *

His mother was an agitation to say the least. During her entry into his mother's office and upon stating the reason for her entry, Riddle's mother had already hated her the moment she finished speaking. Yelling and hollering about how her son would never commit such a crime even though the dectective never stated he was a suspect in the slightest.

She only asked to question the behavior of Mr.Trappola as of late before he met his end. He was under no suspicion whatsoever but she wasn't having that and kept screeching until her son had to calm her down.

It was much more pleasant afterwards but the headache Y/n had in the early morning just listening to her screeching didn't disappear throughout the whole endeavour.

Just before she bid him farewell he apologized deeply for his mother's behavior with a red face of complete embarrassment. To which she replied it was alright and thanked him for his time. Unfortunately though she had to bear that burden on her own as Rook and Cater had their own jobs to partake in analyzing the other crimes and investigating the trend within the series of murders. It was unfair but that was life. By the time she exited their establishment it was already in the afternoon a little after lunch.

Next was to venture to Sam's shop which was right where the crime had taken place. The body was already removed and taken to forensics, so the only thing left was a broken street lamp.

"Ah, well if isn't the dectective, I believe I already know the pleasure of seeing you here on this fine day," He tipped his hat to her with a smile on his face.

"Afternoon to you too Sam. I would like to acquire any information you have on the murder of Ace Trappola that occurred last night, in front of your establishment."

"Such a shame the little demon, was too young to have bite the dust. But you know as well as I my information comes with a price."

"A thousand madols should suffice a description of what you saw right?" She questioned handing a stack of the paper currency to which he smiled at.

"All I know is that last night was certainly something else. I heard a smash of a lamppost outside my window, up on the second floor. Shop was already closed though. When I looked down I saw what looked to be two silhouettes outside the window. One way taller than the other though, I recognized of Trappola on the ground and something glowed within the hands of the killer, a vial of sorts. He poured it down the throat of the little demon, but Trappola put up a good fight before it was over."

"Over? Can you specify?"

"As in he was left on the ground for dead, it looked like he was choking on whatever was consumed. The killer held him tightly after he realized he was choking. It was similar to a hug but one that was more deadly than a normal one. After he dropped him to the ground and walked away laughing hysterically at who he squeezed."

"And you weren't going to go to the police to inform that you had witnessed the murderer of a serial killer!" Her voice had raised a bit in volume as her agrevated state didn't alleviate since earlier in the day.

"I'm not one to get involved in others private life, Dectective. I've got a business to run." She understood his point though exhaling a sigh through her nose.

"Right. If you want to keep your life you keep your mouth shut. Alright I thank you for the intel." The dectective closed her notebook after writing down many notes on the case.

"Pleasure doing business with ya, Dectective! Best of luck to you as well! You'll be needing it more than anyone." She was only able to hear the first part of it not when his cheery demeanor went away.

She walked out to her final destination of the day, a close friend of hers. His name was Jade Leech, a smart man that excelled in pharmaceuticals just as did Riddle's mother but in a more different sense. His potions were revolutionary with in the subject of alchemy and his botany skills and knowledge made his fame and fortune.

He's helped her on countless cases before, with his expertise in potions it aided in knowing key components to solving head bangers such as this.

As she reached the door of his manor she knocked before waiting a moment or two to see his smile.

"Dectective, how pleasant it is to see you today." He flashed his signature smile toward me, with pearly teeth straight and white.

"It's nice to see you too Jade. May I come in?"

"Your always welcome here, though I must say you do look exhausted how about I put on some tea?" He made way for me to step in.

"You don't have to Jade."

"I insist, naturally I should show good hospitality to all my visitors. Your free to take a seat wherever you like."

"So how are your mushrooms doing?" She said starting up conversation on a favorable topic for him. He was in the kitchen that connected to the empty dining room, that opened the way to the living room where she sat.

"I imagine you didn't come here just to speak on how my mushrooms are doing alone?" He spoke it in the form of a question but he already knew the answer with a knowing smile on his face that she couldn't see but knew he had.

"You are right, my apologies, I actually require your aid with a substance that could be the key in solving the recent serial killings." She watched as he walked in with two plates in hand.

"It's fine, I'm glad you can come to me for help." He served the two plates, one in front of her and the other in front of himself.

They had pasta on both of them with the mushrooms I mentioned. It smelled heavenly. Her stomach growled loudly which caused Jade to laugh lightly.

"I'm assuming you haven't eaten much of anything have you?"

"No I had too much work to do today." She blushed looking away from him.

He sighed making a small 'tsk' noise.

"You have got to take better care of yourself, that dedication of yours is admirable but otherwise you'll drive yourself into an early grave with that sort of work ethic." He chastised.

"Ah, I just don't have the time these days, I'm sorry for all the trouble you have to go through for me." Her eyes traveled toward the food with a slight guilty feeling.

"You speak as if your some sort of burden on me, quite the contrary I worry for your safety and yours alone. You may be a skilled dectective but, I care for your well being first."

Her face grew to an intolerable temperature that would make people think she was sick. She was very much surprised by his words. The first time anyone has ever said anything that endearing to her in a while.

So to ignore the feeling of her heart racing she picked up her plate kept her eyes trained on it. Her expression looked to resemble pouting.

"L -let's just eat then shall we?" She stumbled on her first word internally cursing as she heard Jade's laughter.

. . .

After they had eaten Y/n had spent some time explaining to Jade the situation with Trappola's murder and handed him the vile of the substance found at the crime scene.

He listened attentively and chimed in few times for clarity. He said he would have the analysis of the substance done within two days. Soon enough she was on her way out the door even though he had offered her to stay the night she had declined politely. It wasn't weird since they were close friends with one another anyway. Not to mention there were times where she would fall asleep while waiting for Jade to finish his analysis and he would be nice enough to place her in a room.

"Thank you Jade, I would have loved to spend more time with you, but I've been really busy as of late with all these murders." She thought for a moment and then looked up at him. He was a bit tall, scratch that he was tall, of course so she got on the tips of her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek to show him her gratitude.

Jade's face lit a flame, cheeks flushed as he touched where her lips made contact.

"I'll see you later." Was all she said before walking away briskly passed the gates of his house not looking back.

She would've heard the glass breaking inside the male's house in which indicated another presense inside.

. . .

Two days had passed and the dectective was trying to piece together what was the link between these series of murders.

She had to go check with Lilia who is the pathologist that had completed an autopsy on all the bodies of the victims. As eccentric as he was he was more tolerable than the combo of intricacies that are her co workers. Then again everyone in this office was weird in their own way.

"Ah, dectective what great weather we're having today, is it not?" He said with a smile on his face.

Unlike Jade he was significantly shorter than him so she had to look down a little to see him or stand a few feet away.

"It is indeed, Lilia. You seem to be in a good mood today."

"That is because I have made a breakthrough on today, while working through the night." His smile grew and the magenta eyes affirmed his happiness toward the news he had to share.

"On Mr. Trappola's body, I have found something strange but interesting nevertheless! A scale and not only that, but there is something you should see for yourself!" He brought her over to said man's corpse luckily the bottom half of his body is covered and the top half as well up to his shoulders.

Lilia grabbed one of his tools for dissection and beckoned her to come closer as she showed her what he had found. That's when she saw it.

Lilia had a small knife and maneuvered it to a small spot itself, lifting up a small piece of skin that was already slit and based on the size of the knife and similarity to another a butter knife it wouldn't have been able to cut the skin.

"There are two more like this on this side of his neck and three on the other side. So it seems like they're gills.

"What about the other bodies?"

"I spent the night examining those as well and they all have the same gills but Trappola here is the only one who had a few scales."

"So maybe the substance has something to do with these oddities on him. Trappola probably ingested some."

"It's quite possible that whoever this murderer is trying to test the substance on the person instead of themselves but based on Trappola's few scales being the latest attempt it seems they are making improvement for whatever the elixir's use is. These strange characteristics it reminds me of some fairytale I heard some time ago." He drifted off sounding like an old man reminiscing.

"Enlgihten me then Lilia." Knowing just how Lilia liked to ramble on about myths and legends like he'd seen them and lived through their stories.

"Well if you insist but this one involves merfolk certainly you've heard of mermaids and such right these scales on legs don't they remind you of those types of things. Gills on their necks so that half people half fish would gain the ability to breath underwater."

"Ah right but this is reality. Seeing is believing though right? Who knows though maybe they could help with the case." She was skeptic hearing about a bunch of lore that could just be coincidental but she knew better than that. Coincidents were more than just preordained.

. . .

Now back at Jade's manor the dectective was contemplating what in the world such a myth could play a factor in a murder scene. It just didn't make any sense as to why the person would need such a potion. What type of person would you have to be to go that f-

She couldn't finish that thought since Jade had opened the door.

"Ah, Jade good day to you-" the dectective looked up toward him to see the tall man staring at her for a bit longer than a few seconds. She did notice the strand of black hair usually on his right was on the left.

Unconsciously she reached up and was about to grab it before her hand was grabbed.

"Just what are you doing little dectective?" His voice got a bit darker towards the end sending shivers down her spine for a second before she saw his eyes in front of her and thought to herself for a second.

'Was his gold eye always on the right?'

A slight tighter squeeze on her hand woke her up form her head. She was reminded of the situation again. She could feel his breath closer to her face, she was internally malfunctioning and was losing her train of focus.

"Ah, I was, I was just trying to flip your black strand of hair." She stuttered and didn't internally curse herself this time since the proximity was still a factor in her brain turning to mush.

Jade suddenly smiled a wide one at that. Usually it'd be small and polite even when teasing he'd have a signature closed eyed smile keeping the adorable image of his flustered dectective in his head. But that wasn't the case this time. This smile was more menacing and sent bad news toward all who saw it.

Jade towered over her a bit more leaning to the right a bit toward her ear.

"Dectective do you know what you remind me of?" He questioned with a wide smile on his face.

He leaned in too close for comfort his breath could be felt on her right ear, while his hand on her shoulder kept her still.

"An adorable little shrimp! I could just eat you up!" He said it slow to build up suspense but it sounded serious and at the same time.

She pushed him away feeling her face heat up tremendously like an oven.

"J -Jade!" She couldn't find the words to describe what she just heard feeling beyond embarrassed and having her heart pound loudly that she swore he could hear.

"I -I have to go, thank you for your time!" She frantically stated about to run off but before she could Jade had grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"Aww can't I get a kiss too, little shrimp? Besides aren't you forgetting something?" She was too put off by the request to understand the sentence, but her mind did process part of the sentence and she remembered why she came here.

He held up a folded up sheet of paper in his hands toying with her holding it out of her reach.

How could he say that in such a cool voice? Her nerves couldn't handle so much teasing, it wasn't unlike him but it seemed he had gone over his usual gentlemanly behavior.

She hurriedly kissed him on the cheek in which he hadn't expected such a quick response to his question with a blush on his face becoming apparent and his frozen stature. She took the opportunity to jump up for the paper and ran from near the doorstep bidding farewell with the sheet of paper she had took in hand leaving a blushing male to watch her run out. His smile grew as he saw her frantic behavior, excitement bubbling within him.

He ran outside to the backyard of the mansion to go share his newfound happiness.

. . .

"Jade! Shrimpy is really cute!" The one male spoke to Jade in a tone of voice that was different than that of a few minutes, one that would have made him believe he was Jade himself.

There appearances were so similar, cept for the eyes and voice they were twins after all. With a little makeup and easy voice tone change one could hardly tell the difference anyway.

"I'd thought you'd understand if you saw her up close, Floyd." Jade was actually outside tending to his mushrooms in the garden while his look alike was entertaining the female detective that had left in a hurry. Though knowing his brother he could already assume how it must have went. Thinking of his little dectective being so flustered indefinitely brought out his sadistic side a bit.

"Can we keep her?" Floyd was so fond of her seeing her turn red, hearing her heart beating loudly, when she stuttered and that kiss on the cheek pretty much sealed the deal for him. She was so full of life and it brought excitement for him since he had to stay within the manor and avoid everyone. His behavior would be brash and scare many in the public eye not only that but his strength was inhuman which could cause problems for the person on the receiving end. Especially if you were trying to blend in.

They only came from the sea to see the lives of humans and unlike one of their friends who started a business in this day and age. Jade could survive on land with the ability to easily fool others with a facade whereas Floyd couldn't do that all the time and would probably squeeze someone for no reason other than boredom.

He didn't like being confined but after seeing the dectective sleeping on the couch once, he became curious as to who she was and why Jade spent so much time helping her. He knew for a fact his brother was not at all kind or generous. He was beginning to finally understand.

"We are but you have to be patient, you did give her both sheets of paper before she ran off correct?" His brother inquired finally seeing the hunger in his brother's eyes.

"Yup, she gave me a kiss just so she could distract me and take it. Shrimpy is so cunning she makes me want to squeeze her and pay her back for catching me off guard like that." The thought alone sounded enticing to Floyd, he couldn't wait to wrap his tail around her.

"I need you to go on another 'outing' tonight we have to perfect this first if we want to have any shot at having her to ourselves." Jade's words did nothing to damper his mood as his excitement reached a new level at the thought of showing his little Shrimpy off to everyone.

They were trying to get make a potion in which a human could become a sea creature, though it was easy for Jade to make one for himself and Floyd to come on land. The same can't be said for a person that's been human and has not a single gene that ties them to the ocean. Altering genetics is difficult and delicate and one mistake and their dear little detective could end up just like those poor unfortunate souls that were test subjects. Jade would never risk bringing her with them under the sea if he wasn't sure she'd make it.

"Okay~ Jade!" He said eagerly!

Now that Floyd was on board as well he would be more motivated and inclined to help, making it more easier for Jade as he wouldn't bother and complain so much about being on land longer.

. . .

She barely slept a wink after what had occurred. Every time she thought about her encounter with Jade she'd blush and bury her face into a pillow with frustration.

She tried before to get some of her work done before that, but that didn't work out too well as her mind drifted back to the same situation.

How close he was, the warmth of his breath against her ear, it was enough to make her brain stop functioning as if he were there again.

He seemed far more clingy than usual and she didn't know how to describe it other than strange. The notes from the alchemist were neat and precise and confirmed what Lilia and her examined on the bodies earlier in the day. But that wasn't the only thing that fell from the folded piece of paper. It was another small piece with neat cursive that matched the analytics on the other page.

'Would you like to spend your day off with me?'

Yet another reason she wouldn't be getting much sleep tonight.

. . .

After getting off from work she mentioned to her coworkers how Jade had offered her to spend her day off with him. Well they asked what she was gonna do with her day off since it was a rarity. First Cater asked her if she said yes to him yet. She said no and he understood from the get go that she was way too flustered to even respond to him. So he offered to go respond to him on her phone.

Rook congratulated her and went on a rant about love even though she tried to get through his head it wasn't a date. He asked what she would wear and she had no actual clue, in which Rook took that as an invitation to lend his aid and expertise.

He brought her to one of his friend's businesses. Cater said this place was highly recommended and that anyone whose anyone came to the place for a makeover. Specifically called Vil's beauty salon and boutique. She didn't understand how a person could have both but he seemed to be managing it fine. The said shop owner gave her one look and shook his head at her appearance.

His words were, "What a poor excuse for a girl to go on date with such a potato face such as that, it's shameful for not only you but the guy as well."

He had her try on clothes and by the end of it all, she felt different. Her head hurt from all the pulling around of her hair. She had put on enough clothes that she believed she was playing dress up. The outfit settled upon was different from her usual style and she had on makeup for the first time in her life.

Rook and Cater applauded Vil's work new appearance. The dectective had to admit that when she looked in the mirror she understood why Vil had such a reputation that Cater reccomended him highly.

She had to buy all of it of course and thanked Vil immensely for his efforts. There was actually a discount considering Rook brought her and she looked so 'pathetic'. He had a victoriously smug smile on his face and complimented his own efforts before waving the trio off. She thanked her two coworkers and bid them farewell, looking forward to the her first day off in a millennia.

When she met Jade the next day at his door he was plenty surprised by her appearance. He blushed with his eyes widened in astonishment at the change. Not to mention on the side of the manor Floyd could see just how beautiful she had dressed. It was going to be a long day especially with the heels she was wearing and trying her hardest to walk in.

. . .

The two friends went to Clover's bakery where Jade offered to pay for any sweets she wanted but it seemed they were terribly busy today and the line was a bit long not mention the place was packed inside so there weren't any tables to sit in.

Trey said it was nice to see her out and about for once not on dectective business for once. He said hello to Jade as they were all friends though she only knew Trey from Jade who introduced me. On rare occasions she would go to his bakery for something sweet. He handed them two cupcakes for free but also asked for a favor for him.

"Can you give deliever Riddle this tart please? His mother isn't home and he rarely ever gets anything sweet. I usually have Ace do it but-" He looks away for a moment.

"It's fine, Jade do you-"

"It's no trouble at all, we'd be happy to." He says with an enchanting smile on his face.

Trey handed over the box containing the tart to them and they made their way over to the clinic where Riddle resided.

On the way Jade and her conversed. She asked him why he agreed so quickly and he responded with his own unique answer.

"I know it's in your nature to help others. Yet another fond trait of yours."

It's more embarrassing hearing it for the first time and out loud no less. She could feel her face heat up again.

"Then there's when you turn into a cherry, one of my favorite traits." He said in a teasing tone with a smile toward her making the dectective flush even more and look away biting into her cupcake. To ignore the laughter emitting from her friend alongside her. Now this is the Jade she knows.

. . .

To be completely honest both of them enjoyed their time today with one another. They had delivered Riddle's tart which was almost a complete disaster.

Considering she asked Jade to be lookout in case his mother came back. Long story short she did arrive earlier than expected. After she and Riddle heard her voice outside the walls right near the entrance gate, the dectective told Riddle to go before she found him with the tart. Riddle was far more worried about her but the dectective told him she'd be fine.

By fine she meant ducking in the rose bushes for cover, there weren't any thorns surprisingly all been cut off. She waited for Riddle's mother to enter the house and had to scale the wall that was located next to an alleyway. Climbing up was the easy part but getting down was the hard part. She was wearing heels and that drop looked like she would possibly break a bone if she landed the wrong way.

She came to a decision to take a leap of fate and let her heels drop to the ground. One thought passed about Vil being pissed about her ruining them. She shook her head though and pushed herself off.

Before she could land someone else caught her. Looking up at her savior she saw the two colored eyes of Jade. Who smiled happily at making it on time.

"Ah look at that, my assumption was right. I thought you'd take this route out their place. It would've been such a shame if you were to get injured."

"Thank you Jade, can you put me down now please?"

"I don't think so I'd rather hold you like this until we get to the resturant for everyone to see." He playfully said watching her face heat up.

"Wha-? N -no I can walk on my own!"

"But you might have hurt something besides someone who can't get their words out is akin to a child so they must be coddled correct?" His teasing was endless today.

. . .

After leaving the Monstro Lounge a business run by one of Jade's friends, Azul Ashengrotto, the sun had already long set.

"Let me accompany you to your apartment, Y/n it's supposedly dangerous to be out after dark correct? Or you can just spend the night again?" He offered.

"I have to decline besides I've already used enough of your generosity I don't want to take it for granted. It's been such a great day thanks to you Jade, wish we could do these more often cept for the fact I have work tomorrow." She said in a relaxed tone.

Despite all the teasing she really did enjoy herself with the man. Having her heart beating loudly all day and having her brain short circuit was all too amusing to the man beside her, but out of everyone else even his own brother she made him feel strangely different. He couldn't explain the feeling itself, but he knew for a fact he'd never do all of this for someone he would use.

"You wish to spend more time with me? I can grant that you know." Jade had said that so simply and out of the blue but in a calm tone as well.

"There's no way you can do something like that but I appreciate the thought. It's fine though you've done enough already. I'd rather not burden you with a simple wish." She said with content.

Before he could respond to that statement fast footsteps hurried over to them both and made the pair turn around.

"I saw the killer it was Mr.Leech! He ran away from the scene!" His hair was a light green, eyes full of life and the loud tone of his voice was distinct.

"Sebek what do you mean you saw Jade kill someone he was with me the entire time!We just left the Monstro Lounge Azul saw us leave!" The dectective was defensive pertaining to justice being served, not to mention her friend was being accused and she had been with him the entirely of the day.

"No it was him I saw him Felmier was killed by him!"

"Felmier was killed?! You should've started with that! Take me to the body did you make sure he was dead?!"

. . .

Sebek had spread all about the town that Jade was the murderer even though the people who had seen us together throughout the day vouched. Trey, Riddle, Azul, Rook, and Cater even Vil had seen them together. Some actually took Sebek's words in and started to distrust Jade even so.

Vil and Rook two friends of Felmier had paid for the funeral costs as Epel's family was struggling. It was admirable to see the young man take on the vicious job as Vil's protégé. It really was a shame. Vil actually kept up a face and Rook though he looked upon the casket with blank like expression it was easy to tell he was out for blood. Jade did show up to pay his respects even though some glared at him and were suspicious.

Vil came up to dectecrive during the repass and told her to make that fool pay dearly. She would of course no argument there. Epel had been a good kid and may have been a bit brash but still good nonetheless. So was Ace.

And thus a good day ended on a sour note.

The dectective would have more sleepless nights. Lilia performed an autopsy on Epel's body with Vil standing by his side to make sure he didn't damage it. Even he was shocked to see more and more scales near his legs and gills that were more prominent.

These people were getting even more closer to there goal it seemed and she couldn't do a thing. She was so frustrated at that fact alone. Jade's analysis did help some though. Looking through shops though that sold what would be the components of the elixir nothing suspicious could be found in any of the people who had brought those items. Not to mention those who did didn't have all the items brought from another store, there was no reoccurring name in sales.

Speaking of Jade though she had begun to think back to Sebek. He wasn't the type to lie not on the name of the mysterious nobleman Malleus Draconia that he served would he ever embarrass himself to stain his name even slightly. That's what Lilia told her at least.

He said Jade had did the deed. But he was with her the entire time. Come to think Sam's description had also matched Jade's strange behavior before he gave her the analysis, but it didn't make sense. Jade was one person he couldn't be in two places at once!

Maybe someone was trying to frame him and to that extent she went to go question if he had any enemies of the sort. His response was that he didn't have any as far as he knew. That could have been a good lead.

With no others she sighed looking extremely worn out and Jade had a frown seeing her state. He insisted she stay the night and she denied saying she had to finish this case even more so now. He at least offered her a meal in which he put slipped some sleeping pills that made her fall asleep after eating.

Both pairs of two colored eyes gazed at her peaceful state not liking how she'd exhaust herself with so much work. Only for the sake of others and waste time and effort for people that isn't them. It was annoying to Floyd and agitated Jade more than he liked to admit. She did say she wanted to spend more time with them right?? If only she didn't have that stupid job. Even more a reason to push the date up to the next few days.

. . .

About a week and a half had passed and the dectective had no other leads still. It was killing her to say the least. All those unfortunate victims and those families and friends that mourned definitely weighed on her shoulders, guilt eating at her insides. Such a shame too within the end of the day she was at home taking an evening nap on her day off in which she didn't even go out today. Her phone buzzed waking her up from her slumber.

A text from Jade. It had been awhile since they last talked seeing as she fell asleep at his manor again even though she didn't intend to.

Rubbing her eyes she read the text from her bright phone screen.

'Meet me at the dock at 10 today.'

She wasn't as flustered as last time in fact she considered not going as this case took top priority. But this was Jade, her closest friend, and she hadn't taken much of a break as her nap was only 30 mintues probably the only amount of sleep she would get today if she was being honest with herself.

She reluctantly sighed and decided to get ready an hour before meeting him and walk there a bit early to have some time to her own thoughts. She thought about going to Vil's shop to buy another outfit but it would have been a waste if they were only meeting for a short time. Not to mention she didn't want Vil to come to the conclusion she was slacking off with Jade even though the bags around her eyes were very much proof.

As she sat at the edge of the dock admiring the stars the waves hitting the edge of the pier calmed her head. It was nice to say the least.

She wondered what Jade would have to talk about. She looked at her phone and saw it was 10:05, Jade being late was a surprise, hopefully if she waited a bit longer her worry would ease. That atmosphere could not have lasted any longer.

A slight wind blew and during that exact moment something pulled her under by her feet into the cold ocean waters below. She managed to hold her breath and open her eyes to see nothing but darkness even with the moon behind the clouds right about now only endless shadows were there.

She could barely hear but she could have sworn something swam by her. Arms touched her waist which almost made her scream for a moment though that was something suicidal. It touch the sides of her stomach and stayed there for a moment.

Even though she tried to struggle it was fruitless when the thing that held her tickled her sides making her open her mouth and succumb to breathing in water then choking soon after. That wasn't the only thing to occur since the next second lips were on hers and a fluid trickled down her throat along with the water that she was trying to swallow. The tongue of said thing dipped inside her mouth and would have made her gag if they hadn't pulled away.

She regretted it the moment they did cause she still could breath and with her mouth open she thought she would take her final breath. Both or what she assumes were two people backed off letting her go to meet her demise with her slowly closing her eyes. She didn't notice the glow of what transpired around her lower half of her body. She could finally take in some much needed breaths except her neck for some reason felt sore and she could no longer move her legs separately to try and swim up for air.

Looking down she saw the horrid image of a long tail with a fin on the end where her legs were supposed to be. The pain form her neck was from three newly formed slits on either side of her neck. Her fingers traced over them finding this whole situation unbelievable. When she finally came to her senses she found herself hearing voices as well.

"Shrimpy's still here! It worked, Jade!" A cheerful voice could be heard in the cold waters that surrounded her.

Something slimy wrapped about her new found lower half. Pulling her closer to be within someone's arms. They held her a bit too tight like all the air, water in her lungs could have been? Did she still even have those anymore she wondered? Even still the amount of pressure put on her by the creature hugging her was able to be felt.

He was laughing happily spinning around in circles with the former human female getting dizzy by the second.

"I can see that Floyd. How wonderful, but do take it down a notch she only was just turned after all." That voice was all too familiar. She couldn't help but say it aloud, but that couldn't be true.

"Jade?" Her voice was a whisper but of course he still heard it.

"Yes, my dear angelfish what is it?" He responded in an endearing tone that was calm despite the situation she was just put through.

She glanced toward the voice to see what appeared to be a creature similar to that of an eel by the tail. Her eyes trailed up to the sight of his face. It was him no doubt about it. The eyes were exact and so was the hair the only difference was the body and skin.

"Aw Shrimpy why'd you acknowledge him first? I'm here too." A voice whined in a more child like tone directly in her ear. It brought a shiver down her spine.

'Shrimpy?' That was unmistakably the nickname Jade gave her when he acted weird.

She turned toward his way and saw a sharp toothed grin on his face when she looked at him.

"Floyd you haven't even introduced yourself." Jade sounded like his normal self and this Floyd person was just the complete opposite of him.

"Oh right Shrimpy I'm Floyd, Jade's brother and your going to be with us in the sea from now on! Isn't that great? I can't wait to show you all my favorite places you'll love it!" He sounded so excited while dread built up in the mermaid.

"What do you mean stay here?! What have you done to me? Who, what even are you two?!" She said those words with malice laced into them having them both chuckle in response.

Jade had also wrapped his tail about her upper half restraining her further. He brought himself closer to her face, a smirk etched on to it.

"My, my, Y/n you did say you wanted to spend more time with me, isn't this what you wanted?" He tilted her chin up showing a sadistic smile on his face that only built up even more dread than what his brother had already.

"I didn't realize or expected anything like this and you know that! Why would you do this?! You! You-" She thought for a second processing all that had occurred the past couple of weeks.

"You killed them you gave them that exlixir that ended their lives. Every single one of them." This time it was the other brother's turn to speak.

"There's our little dectective she's so smart!~" Floyd just made her completely uncomfortable with how he would call her that nickname and whisper words in her ear.

"Why? Why would you do this?" She became defeated knowing turf like this was theirs and she stood no chance against them in the first place.

"Eh why? Is Shrimpy really that blind Jade?" Floyd mocked her with no remorse as tears streamed down the dectective's eyes at the thought of letting so many people down.

"Why? My dear angelfish haven't you noticed? We've become quite enamored with you. Hm no better word to put it is obsessed, at first it was just me but with Floyd's impatience I just had to get him in on understanding why we didn't go back home already. As for those people they were necessary for testing the elixir for this very moment. We couldn't have you dying on us afterall." He said with absolute calmness evoking rage within the mermaid.

She clenched her fists.

"So many were sacrificed, I should've died, instead." She murmured the last half but both the twin eels heard it.

There expressions turned dark and their tails gripped the female tighter startling her from her state of guilt.

"Eh, why would you say that Shrimpy, we can't have you leaving us. We finally got you all to ourselves and I haven't had much time with you, and yet you say you want to leave." Floyd's arms contracted her more than Jade's tail already, now she understood what it must have felt like for Trappola.

"He is right Y/n dear, we only want what's best for you and having you say that only makes our blood boil so please understand." Jade gripped her chin with a scary amount of strength. This was the first time he ever seemed so much more intimidating to her.

"Don't ever say something like that again am I clear?"

From that point on she was stuck between the twin eels who loved her so. She only wished she could have been able to listen to Sebek when he said the truth. Mr. Leech did do it just not the one she thought.