#I don’t even know if I should use the main tags but eh

[chibishortdeath]

I would absolutely love it if I could look up one of the only things making life bearable rn without seeing either a constant stream of content about a show that makes me deeply uncomfortable or “actually your favorite character is boring as hell and does not work at all in anything and has no effect on the story at large and also doesn’t matter and sucks and he doesn’t do anything remarkable or have enough abilities to warrant any attention and literally you can skip those games tbh they don’t have a story anyway play this fan game that changes all of the dialogue instead because he is so lame and has no personality or plot significance whatsoever he could spontaneously not exist and nothing would really change even that show you don’t like that doesn’t really adapt anything from the games and changes everything about every character they decide to write about couldn’t make him interesting he is that much of a nothing nobody character because he has no modern triple A game level cutscenes he is basically whip man Mario he go kill Dracula so boring that’s it”

[heizlut]

Tame Your Archon (part 1)

read part 2 here!

cw: edging m!receiving, rope play m!receiving, maybe a hint of dacryphilia

tags: dom fem!reader, sub!venti, kaeya and rosaria are present at the start, mostly proofread!

nsfw under the cut

check out my masterlist here!

˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳

It’s basically tradition at this point to end your days at Angel’s Share (much to Diluc’s dismay, but business is business). The smell of alcohol and the sound of laughter and chatter fill the small space. You sit at your usual table upstairs with Kaeya, Venti, and Rosaria. “Let’s see who can drink the most!”, Venti’s light voice chimes in, interrupting the casual conversation you all were having about how tiring your days were. All of you look to Venti who is sitting there so proud of his little idea. You let out a sigh, only partially amused, “You suggest this every time and every time you win.” Venti gives his signature ehe~ and a wink, “Just say you can’t handle your alcohol, my windblume.”

You run your tongue across your teeth, slightly annoyed but you huff out a breath and relent, “Fuck it. Let’s do it.” “That’s the spirit!”, Kaeya pats your back and Rosaria takes a final sip from her mug with a slight smirk on her face. Venti bounds from the table and races down the stairs to main floor of the tavern “Oh Diluuuuccc~” You all break into a bit of laughter at his antics, just knowing Diluc is going to be so pissed by the time you all leave tonight. You shake your head, make a mental note to promise to make this up to Diluc. It doesn’t take long for Venti to return with 4 new mugs of dandelion wine and a grin that makes his chubby cheeks look even more round, “Let’s begin!”

A couple of hours and 4 rounds of drinking leaves you all giggly. Even Rosaria’s mood has lightened from her usual intimidating and moody self. Kaeya gets a little devious glint in his eyes when he turns to look between you and Venti. You raise an eyebrow, “I know that look… What could you possibly be thinking right now, Kaeya.” He smirks and finally speaks, “So we all know you and Venti are a couple..” “Yeah what about it?”, you’re curious as to where he’s going with this one. Kaeya tilts his head slightly still smirking, “So who’s the one in charge?”

Rosaria sputters on her drink, covering her mouth as she tries to conceal her laughter that sounds more like she’s trying not to choke, “Archons, Kaeya. Must we know this information?” Venti, who was clearly feeling the effects of the wine, chimes in before you can even speak up, “Of course I’m the one in charge!” You raise an eyebrow to Venti, but you want to see just how far he’s going to go with this. “Oho! Is that so?”, Kaeya chuckles, “Care to share any details?” Rosaria immediately smacks Kaeya’s arm, “Don’t be ridiculous” She looks to you and Venti, “You don’t need share all that.”

Your lips curl into a sly smile and you look to Venti, “No please, do go on.” Kaeya and Rosaria share a curious look at each other, feeling the shift of your demeanor. Venti, drunk as he is, doesn’t notice the shift and chuckles deviously, “Let’s just say she’s quite the devout worshipper of Lord Barbatos. Always begging for more…” Your eyebrows raise at that. Kaeya shifts in his seat, undoubtedly trying to hide the growing boner in his ridiculously tight pants as his thoughts went wild trying imagine you like that. Rosaria takes an awkward, long sip of her wine, trying to hide the redness in her cheeks. If only they knew what really went on when you and Venti were alone.

Kaeya clears his throat, wanting to know more so he can have enough jerk-off material for when he heads home for the night, “Can we uh.. Know a little more?” Your gaze shoots to Kaeya. Rosaria gets ups, “I’ll get us more to drink. I’m going to need a whole lot more of I must sit through this perverted conversation.” Kaeya and Venti try to hide their laughter as Rosaria descends the stairs to trouble Diluc for even more wine. Venti looks to you and Kaeya, “Should we wait for her to get back or..”, he trails off. “She doesn’t seem to want to be part of this, so there’s no need to wait”, Kaeya says, leaning forward in his seat with interest.

“Go on, you can share just how much you control me”, your words were said as a challenge, your hand falling to Venti’s thigh, giving it a squeeze. Venti’s cheeks blossom with red as he feels your touch and now he knows he’s definitely fucked. But he’s too deep into it now to turn back so he gives an awkward laugh, trying to bring back his previous boldness, “Well… s-she likes to be tied up a-and teased.” He pauses, unable to look you in the eyes now. Kaeya tries to subtly adjust himself, keyword is subtle but it was painfully obvious what he was doing.

You squeeze Venti’s thigh again, leaning close to his ear, your tone low and seductive but again more as a threat, “What else do I like?” Before he can go on, Rosaria returns with 4 mugs of wine and sets them on the wooden table, “Hopefully I missed the rest of this preposterous conversation.” Venti takes that as an out and nods, “Yup..! You missed it all” He gives another awkward laugh. He knows he’s in for it when you two leave here. Kaeya does a horrendous job hiding his disappointment that Venti wouldn’t be sharing more but what he had heard should be enough to blow a good load tonight.

Soon the conversation turns back to normal talk of what you all would be doing in the days to come as you finished off your drinks. After getting sufficiently drunk, you look to Venti and then to everyone else, “I hate to be the one to call it a night but my love and I need to be on our way.” Venti’s eyes widen, “B-but, windblume, we haven’t finished the drinking challenge-“ You cut him off with a subtle look that tells him there’s no room for argument. Venti fumbles with his words and he stands, “M-my windblume is right. We’ll just have to continue this tomorrow.” “Only if we can discuss other matters unlike the chat you made me an unwilling participant to”, Rosaria states with a slight look of annoyance. “Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad~”, Kaeya drags on, giving her a blithe look. She rolls her eyes, “You only enjoyed the conversation so you could have your little fantasies.” Kaeya’s face turns beet red, “T-That’s not true!” “Mhmm sure~”, the corners of her lips turning up slightly in a knowing smirk as she takes a drink of her wine.

After saying your goodbyes and leaving a hefty tip on the bar counter for Diluc, you and Venti begin your walk home. The silence between you two is deafening and Venti swears you must be able to hear how fast and hard his heart is beating right now. He looks to you, his mouth opening to speak, but you stop him, “No need to speak. I’ll deal with you when we get home.” His mouth snaps shut and he looks down as you both continue.

As soon as you enter your shared home, you cast your gaze on Venti who is anxiously chewing at his bottom lip. Feeling your eyes on him, he finally looks at you, “Please forgive me, I got carried away. It was only meant as lighthearted fun”, he pleads. You give him a smile that makes him blink in confusion. You twirl one of his braids in your finger with a deceitfully sweet look on your face, “I found it quite interesting the things you shared with our friends tonight.” Venti swallows hard, feeling a mix of emotions. You lean in close to him, “Considering those are the things I do to you.” He gives a small nervous laugh. “Clothes off. Now.”

He clumsily begins to remove his clothes as you stand there silently watching. A small chill runs up his spine as he stands bare under your domineering gaze. You run your fingers through his hair as your eyes trail down his small frame. His cock begins to twitch from your touch and the way you’re look at him. But suddenly your touch is gone. You make your way to the box in the corner of your room rummaging through the items as you search for what you need. Venti stands there unsure of what to do with himself and feeling a bit humiliated that he’s the only one naked right now.

It doesn’t take long to find what you’re searching for in that box and you turn around with red rope in your hands and a sly little smile. You cross the room to where he’s standing, “Tonight you mentioned tying me up and teasing me. Such a shame that isn’t true.” Your tone made him fidget and his cheeks blossomed with red. “Are you… going to punish me?”, Venti’s voice is soft and timid. You simply smile, “It’s only fair.” You point to the wooden chair by the table, “Sit.” The word is a clear command but your tone is so sugary sweet that it makes his cock twitch and harden even more as he follows your demand.

Once seated, you come up behind him, letting the rope lightly run across his pale skin, making him shiver. “So tell me, my love. How do I like to be tied up again? I think I need a reminder”, you ask as you continue to tease him with the light drag of the red rope. “Windblume, I-“, Venti is cut off when you grab his chin and roughly tilt his head upwards to look at you. “Tell me how I like being tied up”, the sweetness in your voice slips a bit.

Venti is at a loss for words for a moment til you snap him out of it by tightening your grip, “Y-you like the ropes to be tied tight… Between your breasts, across your stomach, looped through your arms and thighs so you’re.. p-properly restrained.” You hum with satisfaction and release his jaw from your grip. You move his arms behind the chair and begin looping the ropes through them, bringing it around to his front where you make intricate knots from his chest to his stomach, then looping it around his small thighs, ending with tying the rope to the legs of the chair. You circle to look at him from the front and squat down in front of him, plucking at the knots to ensure their tightness, then looking up at him with a satisfied smirk.

The situation Venti has gotten himself into makes his cock ache and begin leaking pre cum at the tip. This does not go unnoticed by you as your gaze trails to the throbbing length in front of your face, “How cute…” A small whimper escapes Venti’s throat. “Aww what is it? Does my sweet archon want me to touch his cock?”, your tone so saccharine as Venti feverishly nods his head. “Please.. Please I’ll be so good”, he begs you. You tilt your head slightly with a small smile, “That’s interesting… I thought you said I enjoyed being teased~” Venti lets out a small groan of frustration as his dick twitches and leaks all over.

Still squatting in front of him, you reach up pinch one of his pebbled nipples, causing him to let out a sharp gasp. You pinch and roll it between your fingers with that shit-eating smirk on your face, “Oh does that make you feel good?” Fuck, that teasing lilt of your voice was making him crazy. Dissatisfied by his silence, you twist his nipple harshly making him cry out, “Yes yes! Please -fuck- I like it!” Happy that he gave you an answer, you let go and adjust your position, leaning forward and taking his aching nipple into your mouth. Your tongue swirling around it to soothe it. You give it a small nibble, then move to the other, repeating your ministrations.

Venti’s cock feel so heavy as it bobs, as if it’s looking for your touch. His chest glistens as you pull away, admiring how perky and wet his nipples look. Your eyes meet his, “If I do this enough, you’ll be able to cum just from me playing with your cute little chest~” All he can do is nod. All he can think about is relieving his heavy balls of his cum. You take note of just how much pre has leaked from his swollen tip and run your finger lightly up the underside of his cock. The action causes Venti’s hips to jerk forward with a whimper, but the tightness of the ropes don’t let him move too much. “Seems like you need some relief, huh”, you tease as you gently fondle and squeeze his balls. “Please, windblume… I’ll do whatever you want just please touch me”, he pleads in a whiny tone as he squirms against the right red ropes. You let out a small chuckle, “You’ll do whatever I want anyways. That’s how this works, love.”

Venti huffs out a breath of frustration because he knows you’re right. It’s what he loved about you and the dynamic you shared in your relationship. You knew how to put him in his place and you knew he needed it, given how irresponsible he typically is. You lean forward, your tongue running up his cock from base to leaky tip, making him jerk his hips for more stimulation. You wish you could record all the pathetic little noises he makes for you. Looking up, his eyes are squeezed shut. You give his balls a light underhanded smack, making him cry out, “Eyes on me or I’ll leave you like this all night.” He immediately opens his eyes to look down at you, practically panting like a dog.

You give him a pleased look, “Good boy~” You wrap your lips around the tip of his cock, letting your tongue flick over his pre covered slit. Venti groans, trying to stop his eyes from rolling back. He didn’t want to be left here restrained with an aching dick all night. Without warning, you shove his whole thick length down your throat. Venti sputters, trying desperately to grab your head to keep you there but the ropes serve as a relentless reminder that he can’t, “Windblume!”You purposely tighten your throat around his length as it twitches, making him let out a pathetic whine. You slowly remove his cock from your mouth, pressing a soft kiss to his reddened tip.

With his dick sufficiently lubed up with a mix of your saliva and his pre cum, you wrap your hand around it and begin to pump his length at a torturously languid pace. You watch with delight as his face twists in pleasure and desperate need for more than you’re giving him. You adjust your pace to one that is slightly faster than how you started, making sure to squeeze the head of his cock where he’s most sensitive. You watch as the pre cum leaks out and covers your fingers each time you reach the tip and squeeze it gently. You lean forward giving Venti’s slit a flick of your tongue to taste his fluid. From that alone, Venti’s cock seems to swell, “C-close. Please. Gonna cum..”

You immediately remove your hand and lean back, clicking your tongue, “So greedy…” Venti’s heavy cock twitches wildly in the air as he cries out at the loss of your touch and his impending orgasm now ruined. Tears of frustration and desperation fall down his cheeks. He looks so cute like this, you think to yourself. You reach up, running your thumb through his tears. Venti pants, his pupils blown wide as he watches you bring your thumb to your lips and lick the tears from it. That mischievous look on your face makes it obvious that this was just the beginning of his punishment.

Venti swears that hours have passed. Ruined orgasm after ruined orgasm has left his cheeks soaked with tears, his balls swollen with all the cum he has yet to release, and his cock throbbing painfully. “How many is that now?”, you ask as you run your tongue through the underside of his length. Venti’s voice comes out broken and weak, “S-Seven r-ruined orgasms.” You hum thoughtfully, “Should I let my archon cum?” “Please…”, he practically cries. You just smile, “I’ll consider it.” Venti whimpers, feeling the ropes tug whenever he squirms. You wrap your hand around his length again and pump but this time at a pace that will surely be his end. He can’t help the loud moans and cries that escape from him soft lips as he gets close to the edge yet again, “C-cumming. P-please lemme cum!” You let go at the last second but he’s far too gone. He gives a final cry as his cock throbs wildly with endless ropes of cum spurting onto his stomach and chest.

You wait for his orgasm to subside and you finally stand up, leaning down to press a kiss to his lips, “You did so well for me. Let’s get you cleaned up.” After providing sufficient aftercare and a soothing hot bath, you hold Venti close to you as you lay in bed. “You know I love you right?”, you ask softly. Venti nods, a sweet and blissed out smile on his face, “I love you too, windblume.”

-

After Kaeya left Angel’s Share that night, thoughts of you ran through his head. He imagined how you would look restrained and breathless underneath him. Begging for his cock. He’ll have to give his thanks to Venti for filling his mind with such fantasies. He hoped that maybe one day, just one night, Venti would share you with him.

˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳༄꠶ ˳

a/n: ehe~

(part 2 is being written as i post this! it will feature dom!kaeya, switch fem!reader, sub cuck!venti)

[da-birb-writes-sometimes]

The Song We Are Drawn Towards; Jade Leech

A song rests in the heart, calling out to the one who completes the harmony. Their match pulls at them, as the moon does the tide.

Main Character: Jade Leech

Supporting Roles: Floyd Leech, Mr Leech, Azul Ashengrotto

Content: Soulmate AU (I use the term soul match instead), gender-neutral reader, hurt/comfort, enemies to friends to ???, can be read as familial, platonic, or romantic and that was done on purpose, exploring different parts of Jade so he may seem OOC

Content Warning: self-doubt (Jade), injury & blood (Jade), some swearing, just general tweel things

Word Count: 5K

Author’s Note: Please do not repost my works to other websites or into AI software. I may or may not write parts for other characters; if you want to be tagged for those please let me know. I switch between third and second-person point of view, if that bothers you, sorry. Spell check done by Grammarly. Much like Azul's, this too was written in two or three days.

Azul's Story & Prologue | Floyd's Story

As a young mer, Jade would often listen in to what people had to say about soul matches. He would humour Floyd, and listen to him ramble about what his song and pull was like. For his twin, it felt like someone tugging at his tail playfully, and his song was like that of fireworks and twinkling stars in the night sky. It suited him; playful, full of wonder. And if Jade were to be honest with himself, he would admit that he was jealous of Floyd. That he knew, but didn’t want to admit, since then those jealous feelings would only continue to grow until he snapped out, and he didn’t want that to happen. 

“What about yours, Jade,” Floyd drawled out the question, peeking up from behind the bed. “Ya never share what it feels like for you. I wanna know about the lil siren song stuck in your head!~”

Jade put down the book he was reading and looked at his brother, pursing his lips into a slight frown. “You wouldn’t find it interesting, there isn’t anything to really say about it,” he sighed.

Floyd didn’t like this answer, and tugged at his brother’s tail fin rather harshly, threatening to tear at the caudal fin. “That’s not fair! I told you mine,” he whined. “It’s only fair if you share yours! We could even help each other out and hunt them down together!”

For as much as he enjoyed his company, Floyd could be as persistent about a topic he deemed as interesting as he was flippantly annoying at times. “Well,” he smacked Floyd’s hand away, smoothing over his caudal fin, “if yours is like a starlit sky, then mine would feel like a moonless, and starless one.” Void of any light. Void of any sound. Nothing but a gaping darkness where there should have been light. “Happy?”

“Hmmmm,” Floyd shrugged his shoulders and sank to the floor, busying himself with whatever had caught his eye. “Not really, but you’re being boring. Eh, whatever! When we find ‘em it’ll get twice as interesting.~ OH! Maybe one of them is a surface dweller! I wonder what their reaction would be to us!” He threw the toy he was playing with at his moping brother. “But you don’t need to worry, Jade, I won’t leave the sea!”

Jade sighed. He had only spoken about the lack of any sign that he had a soul match with his father. Not that he didn’t want to tell his mother, but he knew that she would take it harder than his father would. And saying that it was like the darkness of night without any light source was technically accurate, but Floyd didn’t have to know about this quite yet. He would tell him eventually, just… not right now.

. . .

The Leechs’ father could tell when something was off with Jade. He may have been good at hiding it from his brother, and masking from his mother, but the older eel-mer recognized that look well enough.

“Thinking about it again,” he asked, putting down some paperwork that could always wait. “You know, you can always talk to me, Jade.”

The younger eel-mer looked up towards his father, debating whether or not he wanted to reveal everything that has been weighing so heavily on his mind. “Is,” he paused, worrying over his lip with his teeth, “is there something wrong with me?”

Mr Leech got to his son’s level, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Nothing is wrong with you,” his voice was stern, but he knew that what Jade needed was reassurance, a steady anchor in the churning sea lest he be lost in it forever. “Some merfolk don’t have soul matches, and that is perfectly fine and normal.”

Jade opened his mouth and then closed it, eyebrows pinched.

“You have yourself, and you are enough as is. There is nothing wrong with you, even though at times you may feel that there must be.” He looked into his eyes, placing a hand on his cheek. “Also, you are in control of your life, Jade. You will form all kinds of different relationships, and you don’t need a soul match to determine that for you or determine your happiness or success in life.”  

Jade rubbed at his nose and placed his hand over his father’s. “Thank you, dad,” he whispered, as if he was any louder than that, all of those emotions inside would burst.

His dad pulled him in for a gentle hug, “And whenever you have a bad day, just remember that. And that you’ll always have me, your mother, and your brother.”

“I will.”

. . .

. . .

. . .

Jade was busy doing his morning routine. Taming down his hair, fixing up his uniform, and making sure everything was in order; that his courteous and carefully crafted mask was on. Since it was better to keep the less… appealing parts of himself away from the public eye. But the most difficult part of the morning has had yet to pass, waking up and dragging Floyd out of bed. Both of the mers were not morning people, but it was all a part of the experience of living on land and attending one of the best mage schools that Twisted Wonderland had to offer.

He opened up the blinds, letting in the weak sunlight. “Time to get up, Floyd,” he hummed, poking the mass of tangled bedsheets with one of his brother’s shoes that had managed to get on his side of the dorm. 

A golden eye glared out from beneath the sheets before turning back over. “Jus’ five more minutes,” Floyd groaned, pulling the sheets over his head to block out the light and his brother’s smug face. “Too earlyyyyy!”

“Tsk, tsk,” Jade tutted, grabbing the blankets and pulling them off, earning a loud groan and a tired yet irked look from his sleepy twin. “We both know that’s a lie. Now,” he grabbed a wayward lanky leg, yanking him out of bed, “up we get.” When did he get so heavy?

Floyd fell on the ground with an oomph, and shot his twin a venomous look. “Ugh! Fine,” he grumbled, rubbing his backside and making his way to the bathroom to freshen up. “Do ya think there’ll be any interesting guppies?~” He poked his head out, fighting with his uniform since over the break he had a growth spurt. 

Jade quirked a brow, looked over at Floyd and motioned for him to get back in the bathroom and fix his appearance. “The probability is high,” a sharp smirk graced his face, “especially since it means that we should have the chance to… manage those who fail their end of Azul’s little contracts.” He noticed in the reflection of one of his terrariums that his tie was crooked, leaning in, he fixed it. “That should be entertaining enough.”

“Eh heh heh!~ Squirming like a worm on a hook,” Floyd sang. He continued to busy himself with looking at least ‘halfway presentable’ by Azul’s standards, humming his and his soul match’s song under his breath, a dopey smile on his face. 

Jade could feel his mood sour a tad, but reminded himself that he shouldn’t be jealous of Floyd. Besides, he has fared well enough thus far without a soul match. He had his interests, his brother, an Azul to annoy and pester, and an entire world to explore still. New discoveries to be made. Plus, he had recently made a new terrarium and he could see the beginnings of new growth about to burst forth. He was content. Not happy, but content with what things were currently. He gently picked up one of the smaller terrariums, noticing it was looking a bit dry and in need of some extra water. As he was putting it back in its proper spot though, he froze, hand clenching the little glass in a vice grip.

He could hear singing. It was quiet, but it was still singing. And now it felt like the time that a foolish fisherman had gotten one of his lures in his fin, being pulled towards someone. The glass shattered, sending small flecks of blood and glass on his glove and the floor. But he ignored the stinging of his fingers and palm, all he could focus on was the song and the insistent tugging at his heart.

. . .

Jade had made it his personal mission since recovering from the shock of the sudden soul match, to make the singing in their head as loud as possible. To annoy them as much as possible. They had kept him believing for all these years that he was alone, so now they could deal with the consequences of their actions. Was it petty? Extremely, but Jade did it for another reason; if he was loud enough, eventually they would either seek him out to make the internal assault stop, or he would see them wince and he could make their life a personal hell in person. And he knew they were nearby, as the pulling at his soul felt the strongest when he made his way through the halls of the school. He could just follow the tugging, but he didn’t want to chase them down. He wanted them to seek him out.

Something irked him about this whole situation. And it was the fact that even though the singing in his match’s head was intolerable, thanks to him, the song in his head has yet to retaliate, still the pleasant background hum that it was on the first day. He has only heard it go up in volume a handful of times, but never to the volume of his. The tugging during those short outbursts, feeling like he was caught in the strongest gyre of his life, even though he was still on land.  

“Jade, are you paying any attention?” Azul quipped at him, snapping his fingers to bring the plotting eel out of his thoughts.

Jade shook his head, centering his thoughts to the present. “Ah, my apologies, Azul, my mind must have drifted elsewhere. Could you repeat what you just said?” He got caught up thinking about them again, and he bristled. Why should he afford them the luxury of even thinking about him?

Azul sighed and pushed up his glasses. “I said that due to the full moon next week, I won’t be able to look after the Lounge or dorm affairs. And we can’t just go about and hand over these duties to just anyone. So in short, the Lounge will be closed during the day and open all night.”

Ah, so that was what he wanted. “Is that your long winded way of saying that we will all be working midnight shifts,” he looked down at Azul, eyes searing.

“Azul is so meannnn,” Floyd appeared from seemingly nowhere, and tossed his arm onto Jade’s shoulder. “He doesn’t want to even find his cuttlefish! So mean, even to your soul match,” he bemoaned. 

Azul flushed blue at the pet name that Floyd had apparently dubbed his soul match, embarrassed. “I told you not to call them that,” he hissed, quiet enough so that no passerby was able to easily overhear. “Besides, only those who have found there’s or,” he glanced at Jade, “well nevermind the or. Those who still haven’t found their soul match won’t have to work the night. So stop your whining!”

Floyd rolled his eyes and got off of Jade. “Eh, still mean. Maybe finding your cuttlefish will change that?~” He leaned into Jade’s ear, making sure that Azul couldn’t overhear him. “Maybe his soul match will put him in his place.~”

Azul’s eye twitched, “Do you want me to put you on dish duty?” Whatever he was whispering was sure to give him a migraine.

“Do you want to buy new plates,” Floyd’s joking aura turned into something more menacing. He and Azul stared at each other for a few moments before Floyd apparently got bored. “Tch, whatever.” And he was off, as suddenly as he had appeared, slinking into the crowd of students that quickly got out of his way, lest they wanted his sudden mood swing to be directed at them.

Azul pinched the bridge of his nose, “So, technically you will be in charge of the Lounge this week.” Since you don’t have a soul match you have nothing better to do. He didn’t need to say it, but Jade could feel and infer the implication, and his left eye twitched slightly. 

He mentally smoothed himself down, hiding the momentary glimpse of weakness, of the mask slipping off. “Of course,” he voice was clipped, “you can rest assured that the Lounge will be properly kept to your standards.”

Azul gave him a look, but just summed up Jade’s odd behaviour as just a Jade thing. The eel-mer was never the easiest to read, even on the best of days. “Just no funny business, and do not turn the entire menu into mushroom dishes,” he huffed. He didn’t want to hear that revenue had been impacted by Jade’s hyperfixation on fungi.

“Half of the menu,” Jade bargained, sending a mocking polite smile towards Azul. Seeing him send him back a glare, he continued. “Afterall, Azul, you’re leaving me in charge. Part of that position includes overseeing the menu for the week. Besides, it would only be half. That should be a fair enough trade; you get to look for your match, I get a say in the menu.”

Why did the twins insist on giving him a headache at least once a day? “Fine, but only for this week,” he gave in. Jade pulled his weight in both his Lounge and vice-house warden duties, so he would give in to the eel’s demands this once. Besides, he wanted the same as Floyd; to find his soul match this year.

Jade chuckled, “Pleasure doing business with you, Azul. Please do keep me updated with how looking for your… What did Floyd call them? Ah, your cuttlefish, goes.” And he walked off before Azul could give him an earful of whatever it was that he was going to tell him. Perhaps staying at the Lounge should keep him occupied from thinking too much about his match. 

. . .

. . .

Ever since arriving in Twisted Wonderland, a song has played in your head. The first hour wasn’t horrible, just faintly playing in the corners of your mind. Sure it was annoying, but it was tolerable. But the faint humming soon turned into an assault, and you felt like you were standing next to the speaker in a concert. So, needless to say you were willing to do almost anything to make it stop. You’ve had a damn headache for weeks and no amount of this world’s version of Advil, Tylenol, or ibuprofen worked. How you haven’t snapped yet still eludes you, and you wanted answers. Now. 

Ace and Deuce were of little help, just giving you weird (Ace) and concerned (Deuce) looks. So you took it on yourself to get to the bottom of why this infernal song is playing on repeat while on full blast. This, naturally, led you to the library to hunt down some answers. Any students that rounded the corner you were in were quick to walk in the opposite direction, noticing the quickly building mountain of books, and increasingly irritated muttering. 

“AHA!” You shouted, finally finding something that looked halfway promising. A series of hissed hushing came your way but you shrugged it off, happy to finally find some answers.

“Humans may come down with peculiar symptoms should their soul match be of a different clan.” 

Soul match? 

“The most distressing of these symptoms can be found with those whose match belongs to the merfolk clan. As, until they find each other, they will feel like someone is pulling at them when there is in actuality, no one there. Some humans have also complained about the song that plays in their head, as some soul matches will purposely cause their song to be loud, as to remind their soul match that they are still out there. Waiting to meet them. 

A song rests in the heart, calling out to the one who completes the harmony. Their match pulls at them, as the moon does the tide.”

So this song that’s been driving you mad for weeks is due to your soul match? Someone who was picked by the spirit of one of the Seven; someone who makes you happy through a familial, platonic, and/or romantic relationship. Well two can play at that game. They messed with you for weeks, gave you headaches and migraines for weeks. The least you could do was to return the favour in full force. Bring it on, motherfucker.

. . .

Jade woke up, hissing. The faint humming in his head had exploded into loud screaming, but not out of pain or fear. No, it was spite and pettiness. Looks like his soul match finally had enough of the onslaught in their head, or finally figured out that they could control the song in his head. He would have been amused, finally feeling his match break their composure and disturb the harmony, but not in the middle of the night. Not the day before he would be forced back into the water during daylight hours and only being able to come out during the night. 

He glared up at the ceiling, gritting his teeth in annoyance. He really should have seen this coming, after all, he had been doing this to them for weeks, never once letting up on the deafening song. It was no use going back to sleep now, even if he tried. His soul match was too loud and angry to be ignored. Sighing, he pulled himself out of his sheets, spared a look at Floyd to make sure he was asleep, and went to the Octavinelle pools to try and cool off.

Slipping into the water, he shifted into his merform. The song was still loud as ever, but the coolness of the water helped take some of the pain away. He could always apologize through the song in their head, but he wasn’t going to back down from this battle. So he fired back, louder than them. It’s only fair.

The scream of the song halted for a second, and Jade smiled to himself, letting himself sink to the bottom of the pool. But that feeling of victory was short-lived, as the singing returned, this time hitting him like the sonar of a sperm whale, loud enough to make his eardrums rupture. He hissed in pain, letting his singing in their head cease, falling into something not as loud, but still noticeable. And as soon as it had started, the singing in his head changed to match the volume it was for them. What you do to me, I’ll do to you. Is the message he guessed they were sending.

Still in pain, he decided to lessen the volume in his soul match’s head to a pleasant humming, and they soon did the same for him. And so, he sat at the bottom of the pool, looking up into the faint blue filtered light from above, and let his soul sing for him. It conveyed loneliness, jealousy, hurt, confusion. Everything that has plagued his mind, all of the things he kept bottled up, was sung and put out into the open.

The singing in his head changed too, they were also confused, lost, and unsure what any of this meant. Nothing was said, but the emotion carried through. Both of them were like that for a while, humming their emotions and thoughts to each other. This continued until the slivers of sunlight filtered through, and cast their golden beams into the water.

Another set of mismatched eyes peered down from above, noticing that his brother was singing, finally singing for the first time. Floyd memorized the lyrics, and he swam silently to the other side of the pool, letting his brother be, and coming up with a plan.

. . .

. . .

. . .

Someone was knocking insistently at your door. You grumbled, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. Whoever it was might want to have a good reason to wake you up from the dead of sleep. The song in your head hummed, like it was chuckling at you. You sent a sharp note through their head in return. The knocking persisted, threatening to take the door off its hinges if you didn’t hurry up and open it already.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” you yawned, cracking the door open so you could at least put a face to the intruder before letting them in. “Floyd?”

The person knocking at your door at this ungodly hour was none other than Floyd Leech, looking way too chipper for this time of night. “Heyya, Shrimpy!~” How could he still have all this energy at this hour? “Come on,” he grabbed you by the arm and dragged you behind him without explaining any further in typical Floyd manner.

You dug your heels in, but it didn’t stop him. “Where? It’s night time, I wanna go back to sleep,” you protested, sending him a groggy glare. Either you could walk with him, or he would get tired of pulling you along and throw you over his shoulder.

Floyd decided to actually answer your questions for once. “We’re going to the Lounge, silly Shrimp!~ Silly, silly Shrimpy,” he said, still tugging you along behind him.

“Why? And why couldn’t you let me change into something else,” you pointed down to your sleepwear. “Also, I thought the Lounge wasn’t open this late?”

“Eh, Azul wanted to still ‘make some revenue’ and ‘benefit from matches finding each other and wanting to share some food together’ so the Lounge is open at night this week. Come on, hurry up! I wanna go bug Jadeeee!~” And up you went, there was no use in protesting or fighting him, so you accepted your fate as the eel’s human tote bag.

You sighed, and hummed the little tune of you and your soul match under your breath. The song in your head hummed along, harmonizing the melody. You couldn’t see Floyd’s face, since you were currently getting a great view of the ground passing by, but he wore a large and smug smile on his face as he quickly made his way to the Mostro Lounge.

. . .

The Mostro Lounge was quiet, a few new soul matches occupying some tables and chatting, and the small waitstaff team going around and seeing if they wanted anything from this week’s limited menu; The Moon’s Harmony. Jade stood behind the counter, making sure that everything was going smoothly while Azul was out. And so far it was, although it was the first night, but so far so good. During moments when there were no customers, Jade would test the waters with his match, letting the song go up in volume until they retaliated. He would shake his head and silently chuckle to himself, ears still ringing from the other night from when they had enough with his petty shouting in their head. They had some spunk, he’d give them that. It was quiet tonight in his head too, his match most likely asleep at this hour, so he was surprised to hear the annoyed grumbling in his head.

He decided to get cheeky, since things were pretty boring on his end, and he received a sharp note in return, making him wince. Even when half-awake they could still tell him off. He went into the back and busied himself with cleaning up a few dishes, letting his mind wander about. The pulling at his soul was the strongest this week, and he wanted to follow it, but he still wanted them to find him. For them to make the first move. For them to choose him. Sighing, he put the plate he was working on to soak in the sink.

The line pulling at him went taut. The singing in his head getting louder, but not from his match willing it to. They were close, closer than ever before. He exited the back, and came to stand behind the counter, looking out for any familiar or new faces. Still the same customers as before. Strange, he could have sworn that-

“Jadeeeeee,” a flurry of teal hair burst through the door. “I missed youuuu!~” Floyd sang, but Jade just cocked a brow at his brother’s entrance. “Also,” he tossed you onto a sofa, “I brought Shrimpy with me!”

Jade glanced at you, noticing that you were still in your pyjamas. “Ah, hello, Prefect,” he said in his usual polite and proper way. But his mind was elsewhere, the pulling and singing at the forefront of his mind. “Strange for you to be up at this hour, no?”

You straighten yourself out, and suppress a yawn. “Hi, Jade. Wasn’t really my choice,” you shot a look at Floyd, “I was just dragged along for the ride.” The singing in your head was also getting louder, and you felt like you were being drawn towards a magnet. Where are you?

Floyd’s eyes kept on going between you and Jade, and a frown formed on his face, apparently not happy with the results that he got. “I could’ve been out searching for my match, but Shrimpy is just so much fun when they get mad,” he flung himself across your lap, effectively trapping you there. His eyes shone, and he sent a wink at you. “Say, what’s that song you’ve been humming, huh, Shrimpy?”

“It’s nothing,” you state, knowing that once Floyd found out you had a soul match, a mer no less, that he would make your life a living hell… Well, more so than he already did. And you didn’t want both Floyd and Jade on your case or interfering with you or your match’s lives.

This interested Jade, who was still watching from the counter. The song in his head sounded annoyed, and tired. “Nothing you say,” he stayed where he was, watching your reactions carefully. “Do you know of soul matches, Prefect?”

You kept a neutral expression, “Just some of the basics.” The song in your head was curious, something must have caught their attention.

“But Shrimpy, you have a song in here, don’t cha?~” Floyd pointed to his head, and pointed to your’s. A shit-eating smile took over his face, “You have a soul match!!!~ Shrimpy and a mer, sitting in a tree-”

You pushed Floyd off of your lap unceremoniously, hoping he wouldn’t finish the rest of that lyric. He shot you a look, but rolled his eyes and got up from off the ground. “Well maybe if you leave me alone for a minute I can go find them,” you muttered. “And no,” you spat, “you aren’t invited.”

Jade seemed satisfied with this, and went back to see if anything needed to be looked after. Come find me, he sang in their head.

But what about choosing? You sang back. 

He looked back out, noticing that both you and Floyd were gone. Choosing? That can come later, we haven’t even met yet. Or at least I don’t believe we have.

You were being dragged again by Floyd, this time to the pools. Where can I find you?

Jade sighed, loosening his bowtie. Just follow the song. Follow your soul. Then you will find me.

. . .

. . .

You were floating in the Octavinelle pool, trying to relax. Tring being the main word, as Floyd was hell bent on spending time with you tonight. Not to mention, through the exchange of your song, your soul match has been loud, not to the extent of the first weeks, but still loud enough where they couldn’t be ignored.

Find me.

Floyd splashed you, trying to get your attention, masking the extra ripples from someone else entering the pool, and hiding your form from them. “Shrimpyyyy,” he whined, “come on! Sing your song! I won’t tell anyone! I’ll even sing you mine!” He swam up next to you, “Maybe that will help you find them.”

Find me. “I need to find them on my own, Floyd,” you sigh, knowing it was true. Find me. 

“Eh, you’re boring,” he sighed, and dived down into the depths, disappearing.

You swam over to the side of the pool, feeling like you were being drawn down, your song the loudest it has ever been. Find me. Taking a deep breath, you centred yourself and dived down, following the pull and the song, only coming back up for quick gasps of air.

Meanwhile Jade was stretching out his tail, and humming his song. He felt something tugging at him from above. Looking up he saw a figure breaking the surface. Find me. The pulling was from them. They had actually come looking for him. But he stayed where he was, watching from below.

You took in a few short fast breaths before taking in one last large one before diving down again. Find me. The singing was loud, the pull guiding you to the bottom of the pool. There, you could see a figure. Find me. You feel your lungs start to burn, but you had to reach them. As you continued down you finally saw each other. Two oh-so familiar mismatched eyes glowed from the depths, and Jade’s skin was glowing faintly from his own bioluminescence.

Jade looked back at you, despite being out of your element, and in your pyjamas, he looked at you in wonder. He snapped himself out of his own thoughts though and hauled you up towards the surface, where you promptly gasped for air, and coughed out a bit of water. He waited for you to catch your breath, patting your back gently. Not saying a word, waiting for you to make the first move.

“I found out,” you coughed, looking at him, finally feeling like your soul had found home.

Jade wiped some water from your face, “I’m glad you finally did.”

. . .

Bonus!

Floyd watched from below, “Heh, took them long enough. Welcome to the family, Shrimpy.”

Fin!

Link to Masterlist

[nerdalmighty]

BG3 Tag Game!

I was tagged by @khywren!!! Thank you!!!!!!

I'm going to tag @vanilkaplays @okthisway @maladaptive-menace @riddlerosehearts @starkspi and anyone else who wants to play along!

Favorite romance: It will surprise no one to know that it's Astarion. I find his backstory so incredibly interesting and I love his dumbass personality. At the end of the day, he just wants to do whatever is the most hilarious and I adore that. I especially love how soft he gets when you get together in Act 2. I could go on and on but I'll never be able to fully articulate my love for him.

Favorite class to play: Bard! I love that they're really the jack of all trades and are pretty good at everything, including spells and sword fighting. Persuasion and deception are SO helpful in this game, plus playing music to distract crowds and cause shenanigans in Baldur's Gate is wonderful.

Favorite NPC: I think Raphael. While yeah he absolutely SUCKS, I'm obsessed with his obsession with his own voice. He's a thespian, he's a freak, he's an idiot. I love it. But yes, I did kill his ass.

Favorite song off the soundtrack: Probably the Harpy Song. I listen to it a lot in my spare time, especially when I'm working on a specific fic I'm attempting to write. I'm a big fan of haunting melodies and, unsurprisingly, the concept of hypnotizing music.

Tell us a little about your Tav: I wrote a pretty long post about her here, but my Tav is named Birdie and she's a bard who was born and raised at the Water Queen's House. Previous iterations of her had her as a siren (hence the deep love of the Harpy Song), but I'm still not 100% sure if this version of her is. Basically, she's a mermaid ass goof whose main gang of idiots include Astarion, Gale, and Shadowheart. Chaos often ensues.

Something you wish was in the game: I know this game is huge. I know there's probably stuff people haven't even discovered yet. But god would I love some more camp animations. More interactions between the companions AT camp. Cut scenes where there should probably be cut scenes (The second time Astarion drinks your blood, Wyll celebrating the defeat of Ansur, etc). I really really love this game, but I'd love to hang out with my friends EVEN MORE.

Do you create fanworks? Share something with us: Oh boy I'm TRYING. I've never really written fanfiction before but the stupid vampire has inspired me to do so. I'm in the process of writing two different fics (one multi-chapter, one one-shot on the longer side) and am having a blast but I'm not sure if/when I'll post them. I've noticed my writing style is very similar to the way I write scripts, which is what I went to college for, so they're full of dialogue and quick, dumb banter. It might not be for everyone, but I'm having The Most Fun! Let me know if you'd maybe want to see more? Here's a silly excerpt from the one-shot (she may or may not get smutty later on 👀):

There was no sign of the vampire, save for an open hatch beneath the stone of the tower leading into what you presumed was a cellar of sorts. Off to the side was a discarded set of Thieves’ Tools. Yup, that’ll be him.

Rolling your eyes affectionately, you began to descend into the basement below. 

Before you could even make it to the bottom, however, you heard Astarion’s voice tinged with annoyance. “Don’t bother, darling. I was just coming back up.”

You paused on the ladder and looked down at him. “That bad?”

“Eh, a few coins, some food. Nothing worth risking one’s life over. Foolish gnome.”

“Shame,” you pouted down at him, not an ounce of real sympathy behind the word.

He smirked as he met your eye. “Go,” he said, indicating you should climb back up the ladder. “There was a rather large amount of smoke powder though. That could be fun.”

When you emerged back into the early evening air, you turned to help Astarion out. “Maybe you can blow up a quaint little gnomish village.”

Astarion’s eyes glittered with delight. “Oh, do you think there’s one around here? That would be- Oh. You’re joking.”

You nodded.

“Gods, you’re no fun.” He sighed dramatically and then started back towards the Blighted Village proper. 

You scoffed in mock offense. “I’m a lot of fun!”

Astarion tsked. “If you have to say you’re a lot of fun, odds are, you’re lying to yourself.” He shot a challenging half smile at you from over his shoulder.

“How dare you,” you laughed.

“Such a pity, too,” he went on. “Aren’t bards supposed to be entertaining?”

You made a sound of agony, which had Astarion fully turning back to look at you. You threw a hand to your heart and staggered towards him. “You wound me, Astarion. Look upon me with pity and remember me fondly!” You set an arm on his shoulder and let your body weight go, as if collapsing from a killing blow. 

Astarion was quick to catch you under your arms. He made a show of groaning about how heavy you were now that your body had gone completely limp. After you’d hung loosely from his grip for a few seconds, he finally yielded. “Alright, enough.” 

You resumed control of your body and stood up straight, a smug look on your face. “I’m fun.”

“Dramatic.”

“Theatrical.”

“Annoying.”

“Endearing.”

“Loud.”

“Enthusiastic-”

Just then, a loud howl came from a barn a little ways off. 

You and Astarion eyed each other.

“Was that you?” Astarion asked.

“‘Was that me?!’ I’m not THAT loud.”

“Could have fooled me.”

You rolled your eyes. “Come on.” You started in a light jog towards the barn.

Astarion groaned. “You can’t be serious.” He caught up with you easily. “Haven’t we done enough heroing for today?”

You looked at him thoughtfully. “One more act of heroism probably won’t kill you.”

“It might!”

“Oh, now who’s being dramatic?” You came to a stop at the double doors.

“I-” Astarion floundered, then pursed his lips and crossed his arms.

“That’s what I thought.”

[asordinaryppl]

A3! Main Story: Part 4 - Act 14: DREAM CATCHER - Episode 16: "Challenges"

Tenma: “If we’re meeting a wizard, he might know something about the legendary phantom Oasis.”

Yuki: “You still haven’t given up on that? I’ve got no choice. As your wife, I’m worried about you. I guess I’ll tag along.”

Misumi: “If you’re going on a journey, I shall come with you. Rather, take me with you.”

[Misumi jumps]

Tenma: “Don’t put yourself in my bag with no notice.”

Izumi: Tenma-kun, could you put a bit more emphasis on that last part?

Tenma: …

Izumi: Tenma-kun?

Tenma: Ah, yeah, sorry.

Izumi: Okay, let’s stop here for today.

Tenma: Yeah… Good work.

Yuki: What’s with him… Is he still jet-lagged?

Muku: I haven’t seen Tenma-kun act like this in a long time.

Kumon: Did something happen?

Kazunari: He was so excited when we got the script~

Misumi: … You know, I saw Tenma talking on the phone last night, and he was acting kind of weird.

Yuki: Geez… We’ve come this far, and he still keeps things to himself.

Kazunari: Hm~ At times like this–

Kumon: What, what?

-

Kazunari: TenTen, come over here!

Tenma: It’s time for practice, isn’t it? We gotta get ready–

Muku: We have today off.

Tenma: Huh?

Yuki: Hurry up.

Kumon: The car’s already here!

Tenma: What car…?

-

Misumi: Over here~! I’ll be driving today~!

Tenma: But where are we going!?

Yuki: Just hurry and get inside!

[Yuki pulls Tenma]

Tenma: –gh

-

Tenma: The sea…?

Kazunari: Correct!

Misumi: Since we’re taking a break today, let’s play with all we’ve got~!

Tenma: … I’m not in the mood for that right now.

Yuki: *sigh*~ … Geez.

[Yuki shoves Tenma]

Tenma: Gwah!?

[Splash!]

Tenma: Bwah, don’t push me so suddenly!

Yuki: If something’s troubling you, you should just come out with it. You’re so irritating.

Yuki: We can practice all we want, we won’t produce any results with you acting like this, Tenma. You really think we can reach the New Fleur Award like this?

Tenma: — —

Kazunari: Yukki, that’s a bit much~

Kumon: Tenma-san, we’re all worried.

Misumi: Cheer up, Tenma~

Muku: It’s true that we have to do our best for the company, as the Summer Troupe…

Muku: But there’s something else bothering you, isn’t there?

Kazunari: … We’re friends before we’re the Summer Troupe, aren’t we?

Kazunari: As your friends, we’ll give you the best advice we can, so vent with no worries~!

Tenma: …

Tenma: … Truth is, I got an offer to star in a movie from the director we met in the US.

Tenma: I’ve gone overseas for filming during performances before, but I’ve got more appearances this time, and the filming period is longer than usual.

Tenma: I’ll need to devote even more time to the movie.

Tenma: But this is an important time when we all need to put the New Fleur Award first…

Tenma: I know I should refuse, but when I think about how this could bring me closer to my dream of winning the Best Actor Award, I can’t help but want to accept it.

Tenma: I’ve failed as the Summer Troupe’s leader. I’m sorry.

Yuki: Apologizing sincerely isn’t like the great Tenma at all. Well, I guess that means you’ve grown.

Misumi: Tenma, you don’t have to apologize. We’re friends, aren’t we?

Misumi: Anyone would want to support their friend’s dream, right?

Kazunari: Right. You don’t have to give up. You can simply do both.

Kazunari: Isn’t that how we do things?

Kumon: Everyone in the company will agree for sure that taking on challenges is what leads to growth!

Tenma: You guys…

Muku: If Tenma-kun does it, how about we all do it? Let’s take on a ���challenge”.

Yuki: Eh?

Muku: Actually… There’s something I’ve also been thinking about.

Muku: After seeing so many different actors in the US, I started wanting to act on a bigger stage myself.

Muku: I thought that I wouldn’t be fit for such important roles, and that I’ve still got a long way to go, but…

Muku: I believe that everyone is given the chance and the freedom to take on a challenge.

Muku: I’m scared, and I don’t have much confidence, but I’ve got to start from somewhere.

Muku: Tenma-kun, I think you should also do this “now”, instead of “someday”.

Kumon: … Then, I will too!

Kumon: I was inspired by what we saw in the US, obviously…

Kumon: But after I saw Sumi-san’s performance, I wanted to also improve my skills and get to perform on various stages!

Misumi: If it’s Kumon, I’m sure he can do it!

Kumon: Hehe. Thanks! I want to “challenge” more things, so that I can grow as an actor!

Yuki: … Since the conversation took this turn, my part-time job also offered me a job opportunity.

Yuki: I’ll take on the “challenge” of working with a designer active on a world-scale.

Yuki: I think it's what's best for me right now.  I’ll also be able to put the experience I gain to use for the company, too.

Kazunari: Then, I’ll take on a “challenge” too. I’ll go to Europe, study design all over again, and get inspo’d.

Misumi: I’ll do a “challenge” too! I’ll go to Syu, who made plays together with Grandpa!

Misumi: And I’ll get better and better at acting!

Yuki: This time, we won’t simply wait for you to get back. We’ll also take on our own “challenges”.

Yuki: This way, you won’t be distracted and thinking about unrelated things.

Tenma: … H-Hmph. I guess that means you guys have grown.

Yuki: Hah?

Tenma: I’m repeating the line you said before.

Kazunari: Ibukichi said so too, but you only live once, so you shouldn’t waste a second of it!

Kumon: Yeah, yeah! Let’s do everything we wanna do!

Muku: Right. I’m sure these “challenges” will be useful for the Summer Troupe, and also our company.

Misumi: So, Tenma, let’s all chase our dreams together?

Tenma: … Thanks, guys.

Yuki: Though, we’re not doing it just for you.

Tenma: You keep saying unnecessary things!

[Splash]

Yuki: —Don’t splash me!

Muku: Ahaha!

Misumi: I’ll do it too~!

[Splash]

Kumon: Woah! Here goooes!

[Splash]

previous episode | masterpost | next episode

[thehistoriangirl]

The Oblivious Game I Want to Lose (Without Losing You) [Chapter Three]

This one is short and messy, because I’m truly fighting creative block here. Stumbling out Google Docs covered in blood, nevertheless, I hope you like it :D

Viktor x Fem!(Hopeless Romantic!)Reader----1.9K----SFW

> M A S T E R L I S T <

Summary: You and Viktor have bonding time! (even if one is a little skeptic about it)

Tags: Friends to Lovers| Not-Actually-Unrequited-Love| Hidden Feelings| Crushes| Slow-Burn| Oblivious (both Viktor and Reader)| Romantic Fluff| Veeery light angst|

You settled across from him at the desk, a tray with two cups of two chocolate and cookies on its surface. Silence lingered heavily inside the studio as Viktor sipped his beverage and you munched a bunch of cookies.

It took you a couple of minutes to gain courage enough to say:

“I’m sorry…”, at the same time Viktor commented:

“I apologize—”

Stopping midway to the double interruptions, you automatically locked gazes, feeling your cheeks burn. If Viktor noticed, he cleared his throat and averted his eyes toward the garden.

“It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have behaved like a child. I’m truly sorry, Mister Viktor. You’re just doing your job.”

Viktor lowered his gaze, brows slightly pinched together.

“Nevertheless, I shouldn’t have judged you like I did, Miss. I’m your tutor and I didn’t act like a professional. I’m sure you have your… eh, your reasons.” He efforted not to look toward the shelf at his back, but you did.

Rather than get angry for him to looking at your things without permission, you chuckled. "I do, yes. But they aren't less childish." You signaled at the photos slightly crooked in their positions for when Viktor scanned them moments ago. "Perhaps my father is right and I should stop dreaming like if I were still the kid in those photos. But… it’s difficult, I guess. I wanted to be like my mother—she achieved so much, coming from the Undercity into Piltover. But ever since her death, my father has been doing everything in his power to make me a useful heir.”

He squinted his eyes, resting his elbows over the desk. "I don't mean to pry, but I think you can achieve your goal and fulfill your duties all the same.”

“My goal?” you repeated, arching an eyebrow. “How do you…”

It was Viktor’s turn for his face to get all red. “I—eh, I worked for the Music Faculty as a technician assistant in the auditorium. I oversaw the auditions for a couple of years.”

You grunted, hiding your face between your hands. "Well, that makes this situation much more embarrassing."

Viktor smiled softly, even if you couldn’t see him.

“If it makes you feel better, I think I can help your situation. If you let me, of course.”

"Why would you want to help me?" you said, and Viktor knew it was a good question. He asked himself the same thing, but could never grasp a logical, concrete answer. It was a strange sensation localized deep within his being, warm and liquid as the hot chocolate that traveled down his throat to cover his stomach. The way sun illuminated the room with soft hues of gold contrasting in your lashes and down your curious eyes.

"I… I don't know." He shrugged. "I suppose I want to help people from the Undercity, too. Alas…" Viktor shook his head, a sad smile expanding on his lips while looking directly, intently. "I can't do it at the moment. I can only help you.”

“So you’re saying, I’m your testing experiment.” You chuckled, an airy sound Viktor found… interesting, for sure. “I don’t mind. I judge you’re smart if my father considers you for tutoring me.”

Viktor blinked, feeling the tips of his ears getting warm. “Then, do you trust me?”

“Sure. I wouldn’t have answered when you knocked on my door if I didn’t.”

He nodded. “Good. Thank you for the vote of confidence. Hear me out first, the beginning of my idea may not be that appealing to you, but I promise you it can work if you wish so.”

You frowned. “Alright…”

"The main issue here is one that plagues many people here, especially creators of any kind. You want the liberty to make whatever you desire with your life. However, your patron—your father—wants you to do another thing. First, you have to follow his demands, and with time, Mr. Ventos would just let you be. Because you’ll know what you must do, which I assume is engross the capital of the Ventos’ business.” Viktor tapped the plates of cookies, now almost empty. “But with time you learn, you wait for a suitable opportunity. You’re Mr. Ventos' sole heir. You can have many opportunities like those if you wait for enough to make a name for yourself and wield that power."

You were looking at him with widened eyes, fingers froze in the handle of your cup.

“Why do I think you’re saying this from experience?”

“You know, I don’t want to be Heimerdinger’s assistant all my life.” He said, and then, just like an afterthought. “Miss.”

You smiled, saying your name between a drink of your now cold chocolate. “I believe if we’re going to follow your plan, you should refer to me by my first name.”

He wasn’t expecting that.

“Then, do I assume I’m still your tutor?”

"Only if you can handle me." You put three cookies inside your mouth, only because if you'd had your lips unoccupied, maybe you'll say another stupid thing.

Viktor blinked. “I think I can. Only if you promise don’t doodle me without telling me again." He put out your notes from his bag, and you lowered your head, just a little to look at him from behind your lashes. "Besides, I don't have a nose that big."

You laughed wholly this time, taking the notes and quickly tucked them into your lap.

“You do, but you’re still handsome,” you said, and then quickly added: “You’re saying that if I graduate from the Academy, my father will let me alone?”

"No. You said he wants you to be a useful heir, right? You'd probably have to work a little bit inside your family business."

You groaned, but Viktor gestured while he finished his sentence. “Especially because, if I recall correctly, your father will rather marry you off rather than let you disobey his wishes. Am I wrong?”

“No, you aren’t.” Your voice was a thin thread Viktor had to lean closer to listen. “I hate this so much—” you started, cut in the middle of your rant. “And I hate being so whiny. I’m sorry, Viktor. I know I’m annoying you.”

“You wouldn’t annoy me if we continue our lesson.” Viktor signaled the incomplete equation, a small smile playing while he gave you a pencil, fingers almost brushing. “Mmmh?”

“Alright.” You finished your drink, pushing the plate with the last cookie toward him. “Have it, please, it’s yours. For your help.”

He shyly took it, muttering a "thank you", before his speech returned to formal, voice firm and clear as Viktor explained what you were supposed to do. This time, Viktor would tap your notes or call your name every time you got distracted, even taking little breaks between long explanations and difficult problems.

In those breaks, you talked about your personal life.

“Why did you decide on being my tutor, Viktor? I’ve heard even if the money is tempting, many quit.”

“I wonder why would it be,” he said mockingly. You pretended to glare at him, but you were laughing too much for it to be considered credible. “Your Father told me something that implied that you were from the Undercity… like me. Though I didn’t know your mother was from the Undercity. She married into a very important family.”

You scoffed. “I hope she didn’t. I believe she would’ve preferred not to, in the end.”

“But then you wouldn’t have been born—” Viktor started, but your sour chortle interrupted him.  

“It doesn’t matter,” you reassured him with a tense smile that didn’t reach up to your eyes getting shinier with trapped tears. And Viktor silently hoped you didn't start to cry because he wouldn't know what to do.  “She would be still alive, too,” you muttered, lips barely open which made the words unintelligible for him to hear correctly.

Viktor tried to reach up but wasn't sure if touching you was the correct thing to do. So he poured you half a cup of hot chocolate from the little kettle, shaky fingers as he put the little porcelain thing over your notes for you to notice.

“Still, I’m happy to be here,” you added, seeing the looming mood that was starting to conquer Viktor’s eyes. “I met you, at least.”

He didn’t know what to say, feeling once again his face warming up.

You fidget with your fingers, nails clicking around the cup’s ring as you locked your gaze on the desk. “Can we… be friends, Viktor?”

He blinked, feeling his heartbeat raise with no logical cause. It wasn’t that important, Viktor tried to convince himself. Of course, you’d be the first person that openly asked about forming a friendship with him. Nothing too relevant. Why would anyone be interested anyway? He was always hidden in the library, scribbling away, or inside Heimerdinger’s office filing out paperwork.

But a change would be good. And it would be awkward for your tutoring sessions if Viktor refused—surely it was a trick on your end too, so he couldn’t back up from helping you.

An intelligent move indeed.

Viktor extended one hand toward you, smiling politely as he did it toward other merchant families and even some other members of the Academy faculties. “It will be my pleasure.”

Your hand touched his not without caution. His fingers were slim and long, palm slightly cold. He pressed your palm into his, a gentle touch that shouldn’t have lasted as much as it did.

The door at the entrance of the studio opened just enough for a maid’s voice to filter through the wood.

“Young Mistress, you’re expected in the garden to have dinner in an hour.”

Viktor quickly broke the contact, sweat prickling the nape of his neck as he felt the tip of his ears burn with shame—though he wasn’t doing anything inappropriate.

You smiled apologetically, and Viktor consulted his watch. It was indeed half an hour past his scheduled session.

“I’ll see you in two days, Viktor!” you beamed, jumping to your feet when the maid closed the door as fast as she appeared. "Be careful on the way home! You can grab an umbrella on your way out—I don't it's going to rain, but oh I wish so.”

He chuckled as you entered the same lateral door Viktor knocked on hours before. A maid quickly surrounded you with a dress, slamming the door when she discovered Viktor was peeking inside.

All he could see was half a shelf covered in books, plushies adorning a white couch, and a fluffy blue carpet adorning the entirety of the floor. It seemed even your bedroom was light blue and white.

Your notes were covered in cookie crumbs when he was piling them in order, looking with an almost unnoticeable smile at the last cookie you left on the plate for him. It tasted like nuts, filled with mousse that smelled like vanilla. It was shaped like a little flower.

From all your notes, he only took back home the one where you had doodled him. Like a silly souvenir, Viktor repeated in his mind on a loop as he walked back home. A silly souvenir of his first friendship.

Even if it wasn’t a genuine one.

[residentdormouse]

For that fandom ask meme, how about either Stand brainwormies, GoT, or our beloved Buffy? oAo

Thank you for the Ask!

(Fandom Ask Game)

I'm going to do all three, try and stop me! (As I have to wait until I get to a computer to answer instead of my shitty phone keyboard) And tagging @joeysjaskier, since I already started in on this after your ask with the Stand.

The first character I first fell in love with:

Depends on if we're doing specifically 2020 Stand or all around. If you asked me for Stands overall, I would say Nick Andros, because I saw '94 first. But 2020 didn't have me hooked until I saw Glen.

Tyrion Lannister always had my heart right from the start. I still want 'Never Forget Who You Are' tattooed at some point, and that was an episode 1 quote.

Willow was my girl from the beginning. The original do I want to be her, or be with her, questioning.

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: 

If you told me before that I would be thinking about the Stand every day since I've seen the 2020 version for about two and a half years straight, I would have told you you were full of shit. That's all Glen Bateman's doing. Never anticipated this.

Jaime Lannister. I hated him at the start of it, and dammit if they didn't put him through the shit and make me care about him despite that. (And lets not talk about how pissed I am at his arc ending...)

Eh, it seems like a standard answer, but I didn't expect to like Spike either. But I think that was a surprise to a lot of people, show included, and grudgingly they went with it.

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: 

I like all Stand characters, so its like picking the least liked of something you'd still choose over most other things, but I never connected with Larry. I should have, he has qualities that I should have connected with, but I just... didn't?

Similar to the Stand, I like most all characters from this, but have to pick, guess I'm going with.... *crickets sounds in my head*... fuck, I really don't have an answer coming to me.... Bran?

I don't really like Angel. They played the love interest, and I was always 'meh' at best. I even watched Angel too, but I'm going to give credit to Wesley and Fred there (any surprise since I'm using Amy Acker as my main OC faceclaim.)

The character I love that everyone else hates: 

I don't know if this counts, cause overall Lloyd is a very much loved character, but I think '20 Lloyd gets some shit because he is definitely different from the book/'94, but I love him still. Does that count?

Who's hated in this fandom? I'm honestly not sure if I differ from general public opinion....

Season 6 gets a lot of hate, but overall, I think its my favorite. I also have a soft spot for Jonathan.

The character I used to love but don’t any longer:

Answering for all of them. I usually don't fall out of love for characters. More often than not (like I said with Jaime above), they tend to grow on me out of nowhere.

The character I would totally smooch: 

Glen Bateman

Tyrion Lannister

Willow Rosenberg

The character I’d want to be like: 

Can they all still be the same as the smoochies?

The character I’d slap: 

Randall Flagg. Please. Please let me do this thing. I want to do this thing. Please let me do the thing.

Cercei Lannister. God, this would be so satisfying...

Warren, although I would give this one up to slap Randall Flagg one more time.

A pairing that I love:

I approve of Stu/Fran time, and my mind has drifted to Flagg/Lloyd time as well.

Jaime/Brienne

Buffy/Spike

A pairing that I despise: 

Despise is such a strong word... I really don't disapprove of many ships period. I may not always seek them out, but eh...

[leon-swedfinqs]

Newt's Side Quest

One afternoon, the adventurers of A.Z Fell & Co found that their resident artificer and spell diffuser Newt had run off on his own quest. Anathema wasn't sure how to react to the news.

Tags: Fluff, slightly crack, general silliness, Anathema and Newt being way too cute

A.Z Fell and Co was usually a very calm and tame adventurers guild. There were always people to hire and send out on quests – they even had their own mailbox where a patron could send their quest to them directly, and would answer the call if desired. With a selection of different skills and classes, there was an adventurer for everyone in the small house nestled on the main street corner in town.

Everyone in the village knew the adventurers by name, and next to the cute bard, Newt was one of the favorites. He was sweet, gentle, and mainly acted as a bookkeeper for the group rather than go out on missions. He was an artificer by trade, but that was rarely seen. He was not the spontaneous and adventurous type, funnily enough. 

Which is why it was a shock that, on that particular afternoon, Newt was nowhere to be found, with the only indication that he was not dead or kidnapped was a note on the kitchen table that read:

“Out on a quest! Be back soon ;D - Newton”

Everyone was gathered in the kitchen, looking down at the note in hushed silence. The quest basket that sat on a nearby desk, now that they all looked at it more carefully, was a bit disorganized, as if someone had rifled through it haphazardly that morning.

“What quest did he take? We could contact the person who requested aid and see if they may know where he is,” Aziraphale said, being the slightly reasonable one. 

“Maybe…he’s fine…?” Muriel muttered, no one hearing them.

“Eh, I’m sure the guy is fine,” Crowley said, actually hearing Muriel and agreeing with their statement. 

Anathema was still tense, but the sentiment seemed to ground her ever so slightly. The energy in the room shifted with her and Aziraphale finally thought it acceptable to advance the conversation without being seen as inconsiderate.

“Well then, let’s get started on our own quests, yes?” He proposed as he shuffled over to their collection of current active requests, all filed and labeled with matters of urgency, danger, and payment. As he began to gather them, Anathema made a small noise in the back of her throat that very clearly clued him in to the fact that she was not thrilled. Maybe he hadn’t waited long enough. Either way, it didn’t seem like she was in a position to help much today.

“Err, Anathema, why don’t you actually stay back today?” Aziraphale asked.

“Yeah! I’m sure Newt would want you here when he gets back to congratulate him!” Muriel added. That definitely helped soften the blow. 

Anathema blew a long stream of air through her teeth before nodding quietly and exiting the room. Once she was gone, Aziraphale turned his attention back to the quests and hummed. 

“Now then, let’s see what we need to get done…” he mumbled as he thumbed through them before suddenly freezing. After a moment he quickly repeated his motions, thumbing through each scroll again and inspecting their labeling. The same chilly expression captured his face as he gulped and turned back to the others.

“I know which quest young Newt took” he said quietly, “Our…our only current max danger level quest file is um…not here in our incoming basket”

“Oh…oh dear…” Maggie mumbled. “Do we tell her…? I mean…I’m sure Newt will be just fine, yeah? But should we let her know?”

There was an air of silence. Neither of them wanted to admit that they should say something to Anathema. Should they? Honestly it might just cause her more distress. 

“Um…maybe there’s some spell I can use? To check on him? Like a message, maybe?” Muriel spoke up. 

“That’s a splendid idea,” Aziraphale nodded, “Gives you some good practice too. Give it a go!”

Muriel nodded heartily before pressing their palms on either side of their head and clamping their eyes shut fiercely. These movements weren’t required for the spell, but Muriel always worked better with theatrics. 

After a few moments, their expression tensed 

“…hello? Mr. Pulsifer? Can you hear me?” Muriel asked carefully. There was a brief pause before within their head, they heard his voice respond. 

“Is that you? The Seraphim of Death? Here to collect your spoils?” Newt responded. His voice was much more steady and even than normal, lower and without a hunk of stutter. It almost gave Muriel the chills, not because it was inherently scary but because it was…uncharacteristic. 

Their eyes snapped open and they looked at the others worriedly. “Okay, something is definitely wrong,” they fretted before their hands nervously moved to their sweater, fiddling the fabric between their fingers, “He sounded so calm?? And something about a death angel???” 

The others blinked at them, the following silence only raising the tension once more. 

“We should get suited up then, go out to find him if we can, if he is…” Crowley started before trailing off and eventually shaking his head, “Just gather your supplies at once.”

Maggie and Nina nodded heartily and ran off. However, Aziraphale seemed to linger with Muriel, so Crowley curiously did the same. He hung back and “casually” stood behind his partner as if he was waiting for him.

“Muriel, this is important. You’ve already established a connection with him. Do you think you can try a bit of a harder spell on the same target? Detect thoughts? Maybe that’ll help us get a better idea of where he is and what exact trouble he’s in” Aziraphale said slowly. Muriel nodded and buckled down again, straining and focusing. They placed their hands over their ears and ducked their head, as if trying to center their focus and direct their thoughts to the young half-orc. However, all that returned from their spell was even more unnerving. 

Muriel parroted his words as they heard them. 

“Anathema…I’m so sorry…I hate to make you upset…I shouldn’t have done this…I’m sorry Anathema…” they mumbled before looking back up at their bosses who both shared a shocked expression. Quiet gasps were heard at the top of the stairs – it seems that the two ladies were also eavesdropping in to the spell casting. Everyone in the guild cared about Newt a lot, yes, but they were also all intense gossips.With no time to waste, the rest sprang into action and ran off, quickly gathering their things, running up the stairs and into their rooms. It wasn’t long for Anathema to notice the commotion with all of the noise and movement, which instantly raised her panic again. 

“What? Which mission did he take?” She hurriedly asked as she intercepted the three in the main hallway. She seemed to keep fidgeting with her ring.

“Oh, nothing to worry about dear girl!” Aziraphale quickly said, lying through his teeth as he grabbed his bag of holding from one of the hall closets. “Took one of the easy jobs, it seems. Should be back in a day or two! We just, uh-“

“Deadline. Big pay,” Crowley quickly said, keeping his tone even. “Some of us are heading down now to claim it. It was in the bottom of the basket, Angel’s mistake.”

“Excuse me!-“

“Ah-uh-um-“ Muriel sputtered as they struggled to make any sort of eye contact with Anathema before looking incredibly panicked. 

Anathema tensed. Without even an inkling of an answer, her brain did something she didn’t often do, but was made all the worse by her lack of practice controlling it—she spiraled, thinking of all the worst case scenarios. Without notice her breathing hastened.

“T-That’s it! I don’t care what you all are doing, I’m going after him!” She screamed in a manner that no one even thought possible of the young witch. She hiked up her dress haphazardly and went running, down the stairs and seemingly without any resource or plan. 

“Anathema! Stop!” Crowley called as he ran after her.

“Yes! Please dear girl, listen to reason!” Aziraphale added as he followed. Upon hearing the commotion, Maggie and Nina emerged from their room as well, nearly decked out in gear but more concerned about stopping the frantic witch then and there. Maggie was the first to hasten down and without warning scooped Anathema up to try and hold her back. The witch failed and kicked, making it quite hard for Maggie to hang on. It was even harder when Anathema suddenly wiggled a hand free and cast the spell grease, sending everyone nearby slipping and spiraling in the sudden 10 foot circle of slick below them. Maggie toppled backwards with the suddenly slippery terrain. Both Nina and Aziraphale rushed forward next to try and snatch Anathema, though the two instead ended up colliding into a knot of limbs and fatty ick. Crowley was the final line of defense, so Anathema dealt with him quickly, snapping her fingers with a quick cast of gust to send him careening backwards. Once the way was clear she bolted forward, only to be caught and dragged to the floor. As she turned around, she found the culprit, a pesky snake tail wrapped around her ankle and the black and red snake smugly attached to it. 

Muriel continued to watch the chaos unfold from the stairs, before suddenly noticing a small bit of movement through the front door window. They blinked, rubbed their eyes, and looked again. Not a hallucination. Carefully, without disturbing the awkward brawl of their teammates, Muriel stepped around the area of grease and made their way to the door before carefully pulling it open. 

“Oh! Hi Mr. Pulsifer!”

“Ah, hello Muriel,” the young half-orc beamed. “It’s been quite the day for me. Do you think you can take this to the back room for storage?” he said with a light laugh as he handed the bard a large, unidentifiable bundle. “And is Mr. Fell around? I’ve got some gold to log for the house finances.”

Muriel blinked in surprise as they looked down at the bundle and back up at their housemate. He looked a little ragged, his hair messier than usual and a small crack on the glasses haphazardly balancing on his nose. The edge of his tunic was slightly singed, and his boots were covered in mud and incredibly scuffed. But other than that, he looked to be completely fine.

“Oh-ah-yes, of course, I can bring this inside-do you want some tea? I think I should get some tea brewing, I feel like all of us could use a good sit down and-“

The human was cut off by a yell and the distinct sounds of magic being cast and a knife lodging itself in one of the walls. 

“You SNAKE! Let go of me!” a shrill voice spat. 

Furrowing his brows in confusion, Newt pushed his way through the doorway and peeked inside. 

He certainly wasn’t expecting what he found, especially not the love of his life harshly yanking on the serpentine body of their boss currently wrapped around her ankle while the rest of their companions continuously slipped, covered in a sheen of oil. He continued to watch on in a mix of surprise and confusion before chucking lightly to himself. He’d never seen Anathema so frazzled, and admittedly it was a bit reassuring to know she also worried and freaked out like the rest of us. She was imperfect, and he loved her even more for it. 

“I leave for one day and everyone starts a grease wrestling league without me? Maybe I should go more often,” he chuckled. Everyone went silent, gazes snapping up to see him standing slightly in front of Muriel who still seemed a bit frazzled. They all stared on in shock just as Aziraphale slipped again in his attempt to get up and approach the young man. As he did, Crowley looked over in worry and loosened his grip, allowing Anathema to instantly wiggle free and rush forward to him, slipping along the way but not minding one bit. 

“Newt! Oh stars, you’re alright! You’re not dead! You’re here and you’re okay and-“ just as she made it to him, arms outstretched, she gathered enough sense to stop short so as to not get him covered in the result of her grease spell as well. 

Newt didn’t seem to share her sentiment and rushed forward to meet her, scooping her up (the best he could under the circumstances) and cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. 

“Of course I’m okay,” he smiled as he kissed her cheek before pulling away slightly to look at her, “Are…you okay?”

Anathema sniffed as she leaned her head against his chest, her bangs tickling his nose. She looked up at him, tears brimming her eyes. 

“I had no idea where you were! You…you daft idiot…!” she huffed. “You didn’t tell anyone where you went, and you know I can’t check!”

“Ah, but what’s the fun in a surprise if I tell everyone,” Newt laughed as he gently pushed her hair behind her ear.

Her breath shuddered before she leaned into his touch, taking in every part of him that she could to ground herself from her previous frantic high. 

“I suppose I didn’t know you could be so spontaneous,” she sniffled before letting out an unbecoming wet chuckle. Newt pressed a kiss to the top of her head. 

“Then it’s extra spontaneous, right?” He smiled before he looked away slightly sheepishly, “But well…I’d had a feeling lately, I wanted to do a mission on my own. Not because I don’t love working with you all, lord knows our filing system would be an indecipherable mess if we left Mr. Fell to organize it, but I was worried I wasn’t able to pull my weight. I’m not a magician like you or a fighter like Maggie. I wanted to hone my skills, make sure I was contributing to us, to you,” he hummed.

“Oh…Newt, you don’t have to prove yourself to us,” Anathema frowned. 

“And I wasn’t trying to,” he smiled softly, “I just wanted to prove it to me. And I did,” his smile was small, but it beamed with a brilliant light of confidence. 

“To be frank, I just reached into the quest basket and did the first one I grabbed, I just wanted to try my hand at something,” he sheepishly laughed. “Thankfully, it wasn’t incredibly terrible to accomplish on my own. Sometimes I would think, ‘oh if only Anathema would cast this spell’, or, ‘Nina’s aim would be really helpful right now’, but I found my ways around it.”

“Oh, it seems someone is getting pretty confident now then, huh?” she smirked. The witch quite like this glow Newt seemed to emit. “Maybe you should go out more often then.”

He smiled as he wrapped a hand around her waist. Anathema blushed. He really had felt confident, and it was…honestly a bit attractive, she had to admit.

“Maybe I should,” he started before leaning close to her ear, “Or maybe,” he said quietly, “We could go out on quests together sometimes, just us, you know”

Anathema smiled, “Newton Pulsifer, are you asking me on a date to slay dragons?” She giggled.

“Or dethrone tyrannical kings, maybe rescue small seaside villages from pirates? Anything romantic like that,” he smiled. Anathema laughed again before hugging him back again. 

“It’s a date then,” she smiled into his shirt. 

“Awwww,” Aziraphale and Maggie both cooed quietly, still unable to stand up but watching on intently as if they were invested in a rom-com. 

“She has no right to criticize us after this,” Crowley muttered.

“I’ll do it then,” Nina added. She was met with an annoyed glare in response, which made her huff out a laugh.

Just as the two pulled away, Muriel smiled, though a touch of sadness met their expression.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Mr. Pulsifer. I guess…I guess when I tried to connect to you earlier, I must have done it incorrectly," they sighed, "maybe for the best though, the wrong message I intercepted was something about a death angel and you apologizing to Anathema. Seems like you were just fine though!" 

Newt suddenly blushed, his posture shifting to instantly a bit more of his usual sheepishness.

"You…probably heard correctly actually," he mumbled. Newt paused for a moment as he retrieved the battered quest scroll from his pocket and held it out. “See, the task was to slay a Girenox. They’re monsters known for their incredible bravery. It’s said that eating their liver imbues the consumer with incredible intrepidity. A wrestler contracted us to hunt down the monster and give them the liver for an upcoming match. Their wrestling name is the Seraphim of Death. Or, that’s one of them I think. They had like ten different names. Their real name is Dale though,” Newt explained, “As for the apologizing…well…” he turned to look at Anathema, “Love…I…I so foolishly wore those new boots you got me for my birthday and I got them scuffed. I was so foolish, I shouldn’t have worn them on a quest like this, I’m so so sorry,” he frowned. 

Nina raised an eyebrow. Ah yes, an adventurer blubbering about a scuffed boot. That sounded more on brand for their little group. In fact, as they looked down at the couple and noting Newt’s behavior, the remaining members seemed to share a general suspicion that perhaps the artificer had gotten a nibble of that liver which resulted in his sudden confidence. 

"Newt, it's okay! Boots get scuffed. I'm just happy you're safe," Anathema smiled. Newt smiled back and gave her another kiss. This time he came away exceptionally greasy. 

"Right then,” Aziraphale started as he clapped, “Anathema, we apologize for trying to restrain you. It was uncalled for. But please, don't cast grease inside the house again. As punishment you'll have to wash yourself last. But at least you have more time to reunite with Newt, yes? Don't track anymore grease in the house. Same goes for the rest of you, baths at once." 

"Asking to take a bath, hmm Angel? Why don't we-" Crowley was very quickly interrupted by Nina.

"Shut up,” Nina growled as she shoved her hand in Crowley’s face, causing him to hiss and whine at her. “I can't handle both of you at once."

Aziraphale laughed as he took Crowley’s hand and dragged him down the hall to their room, as the other couple rolled their eyes and went into theirs. Just as Muriel walked towards the stairs to file away what Newt had given them, they overheard the last of the voices.

"So…did you also eat some of that bravery liver?" Anathema asked.

"Me? Eating liver? Gross! Never ever,” Newt groaned.

“Hm. Didn’t think so,” Anathema hummed as she smiled and gently pecked his cheek. “I don’t think you ever needed it anyway.”

[wildjuniperjones]

Find the Word Tag

I was tagged by the lovely @dontjudgemeimawriter (thank you!), and I'll be drawing from my main WIP, Bonds of Trust. My words are suspect, detect, avoid, ignore, & theory.

I'll tag @thatprolificauthor, @sevenpocketsofstarlight, @worldstogetlostin, @winterandwords, and @forthelanterns. Your words are key, age, rule, cold, & order.

Snippets are under the cut and in chronological order!

Theory

“So what got you into Albertus, then? I’m guessing it’s not language.”

“Well, this, actually,” she says, pulling her bag off her shoulder and setting it between them. It looks like just a regular leather purse, but given that she’s some kind of mage, he’d bet there’s more to it than that. “This is an extra-space bag. They’ve been fiendishly difficult to make, but I made this one as my senior project for undergrad.” She reaches inside to demonstrate, reaching past where the floor should be and pulling out a book that should not have fit in that bag. “I theorize that they can be made more simply, by sacrificing some of the interior space. It’s a matter of materials and the high rate of accuracy needed for the sigils used in its creation. Now, normally we can rely on auto-painters for sigil replication, which has sped up production for wards and even moving advertisements. But in the case of the extra-space bags, the space required for the enchanting circle is larger than standard, and requires fine-tuning across the outer rim of runes to account for variance in the materials– I’m sorry, this is probably really boring for you.” She finishes, looking at him sympathetically.

Detect/Find

“Are you listening to me, Miss Nagari? I won’t stand for my students acting like whores here at Albertus! You’re lucky I haven’t found a rule you’ve broken yet or I’d have you expelled on the spot!” Some relief must’ve seeped into her expression, because his fine, pale features contort into a malicious smile. “Oh, you think you’re safe, then? I’ll be speaking with your funders about this over winter break – I believe they have a code of conduct nearly as stringent as my own, and when they see this– this pornography–”

In that moment, Sere does something that would have been unthinkable in the months before she met Leo. She interrupts the professor right back, leaping to her hooves. “And I believe that threats like this can get a professor’s tenure revoked! You can’t unilaterally make a decision like this, you know nothing about what I do–”

Suspect/Suspicion

“It’s kind of awkward, but my advisor found out about my modeling job. Van Irin’s always been pretty conservative, but now he’s threatening to pull funding. And since I’m barely scraping by as it is, that’d be the end of my career.”

“Well shit. How can I help?”

Her golden eyes avoid his gaze and she bites her lip, a slender white fang against dark purple. “He said that it’s one thing if a single woman is acting ‘like a whore’ in front of strangers, but a very different thing if she has a partner behind the camera. A –um– a romantic partner. He also said, and I quote, ‘And I don’t mean that tarty elf you live with.’ So Anya’s out.”

“But they’re your main photographer, I thought?” Suspicion bubbles to the surface, and he can feel his muscles tense in response. This was coming out of nowhere, just like with– No. This is my friend. She’s not like her. But it’s too close for the mantra to be of any comfort.

Ignore

Leo stoops and pulls out the package which clinks beneath his hands. “Where –um– where should I change?” Anya waves dismissively. “Eh, anywhere’s fine. It’s not like I’ve not seen your kinda equipment before–” “Anya! Do you remember the talk we had about modesty?” Sere exclaims, still perched on the pillar. “Yes, and I seem to recall you deciding I had none,” they retort casually, still engrossed in the details of the image. “Leo, ignore them. You should be fine behind these bushes here,” she says, gesturing behind her. He wades back through the water, stopping at Sere’s perch. “You okay there?” he whispers. “Yeah. I’ll want to come down at some point, but–” “I mean with them.” Sere bites her lip, glancing over at Anya. “Yeah… It’s fine.” “It doesn’t have to be fine, chula.” Because she deserves a friend who doesn’t tease her so much when it’s obvious she doesn’t like it. “Go change and we’ll talk after it’s all done, okay?” He nods, and walks off. He rather doubts that they’ll talk about it, but she obviously has a weak spot for the brash elf, and he’s not going to press the issue. Yet.

Avoid

“���Oh! But first we need to meet with Van Irin so I know if I can even stay here or not.” “You’ve said that before; what do you mean?” “I mean, if I can’t afford to go to school here, I’ll have to move back to the California Republic. I’m not technically a resident of Cascadia, that’s why I have to pay higher tuition, too.” Leo looks thoughtful, and sits back down to look at his feystone. “When’s the meeting?” “Day after tomorrow. I was thinking we could go clothes shopping–” “No way. If we’re moving in together, I want to save every penny we have, and if there’s even a chance of you having to leave, I’ll–” he cuts himself off, blushing and staring at his ‘stone. “You’ll do what? What is it?” But he only gestures her over to sit beside him so she can see the portal flickering above the crystalline stone.

CASCADIA OFFICE OF THE INTERIOR IMMIGRATION & RESIDENCE Non-residents not engaged in approved education or employment are not permitted to remain in Cascadia, except in the following circumstances:

- The individual is undergoing training toward employment that will lead to their residency approval. - The individual has requested and been granted asylum. - The individual is engaged or married to a Cascadian resident.

“What?” She asks, still confused. “I– I’ll do whatever I have to so that you can stay here, if that’s what you want.” “Of course that’s what I want, but–” and then it hits her. What he’s avoiding saying. That he’s not talking about helping her apply for asylum or finding her a job. That he’s talking about marrying her. Or at least getting engaged to buy time for her to figure out another solution. “How long have you thought about this?”

[zhouxinju]

𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 +02 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.ᐟ

💭 A disclaimer that anything stated below has no correlation with the real muse I currently use and is only related to the writer.

1. Hal terplot twist yang pernah lu alamin di rp

I used to date this one girl back then. Everything seemed okay to me. We exchanged rl stuffs with each other's consent. She told me she was older than me and a foreigner. I was like, 'Okay?' until she finally confessed that she was actually just a minor and not a foreigner.. That was a bit shocking and confusing as hell because that means I dated a friggin minor. 😮‍💨

2. What's your biggest red flag?

Procrastinating. I don't know if this counts as a red flag, but it's something serious for me and something I need to fix!

3. What was the biggest lesson you learned from your last relationship

Maybe I need to be careful and set boundaries to not cross the line, even though I don’t have any intention to. In this context, the RP relationship should just stay here.

4. Kiss, marry, kick member +02

Kith @aisailee @bshangen, marry @kimgaeulm, kick @odteu

5. tag 1 member di sini yh dan bilang sesuatu (misal ⁦@odteu⁩ eh kocak)

@imnotningnig lov u, bb.

6. Spill chara dari selama main rp yang bikin nyaman dan ngerasa bahwa lo dia banget.

Xinyu 🥺

7. Ada chara yang lagi pingin lo mainin gak tapi belum kesampaian, kalau ada sebutin fc-nya

Mamamoo's Wheein.

8. Kalo misal bisa bebas milih pcr buat 3 hari, chara siapa yang kamu pengen?

It's obvious for some people who knows me well. ❗tripleS Sohyun❗

9. Ada fc yang bikin kalian trauma?

Yep. Blackpink rps.

10. How about toxic relationship

If we could use an analogy, a toxic relationship is like a painful tooth. You're afraid to take it out because it would really hurt, but if you don't do anything about it, that tooth could hurt you even more if it stays.

11. Express your feelings to someone you've kept to yourself anonymously.

I really want to move on from you.

12. Your opinion about age-gap rls (satunya fc legal, satunya fc minor)

I honestly don't really mind about that since it's only roleplay, but to avoid any unwanted issues, it's better not to.

13. Say something to someone who isn't here anymore. (lrp atau move acc)

I kinda miss you, and I hope you're doing okay with your life now.

14. random pic yang bikin kalian inget sm mantan

15. wajar ga sih benci orang di rp? terus gimana cara biar ga benci orang di rp versi kamu?

For me, hate is such a strong word. I don't think I've ever hated anyone in my life. I easily get annoyed with people, but I usually just shrug it off and go about my day. Thinking about someone I don't like could ruin my mood, so I choose not to dwell on it too much.

16. biasanya akhir kisah cintamu di rp ditinggalin atau ninggalin?

It actually depends on the situation. But thinking about it again, I'm usually the one who leaves them first.

17. Gimana kesan pesan selama di +02?

For real, I think I could write a long ass letter to express how happy I am to have met you guys. I really enjoy my time here. Please stay this FUNNY!

18. What’s your biggest green flag?

I am confident that I have a level of patience that most people probably don't. I'm also good at controlling my emotions, especially my anger.

19. Platform main RP mana yang paling berkesan?

I only do RP on Twitter/X, so the answer is obvious!

20. Chara terlama kalian apa?

Mamamoo's Moonbyul.

21. Spill chara inceran eak (chara aja gak perlu orangnya)

I actually don't mind tagging the person, but it's Sohyun.

22. Spill teh teraneh yang pernah kelen tau, alami, terlibat (viral atw egk gak masalah)

I think the recent issue involved me when I randomly tagged someone whose account was still active. I swear it wasn’t that deep, but people made it worse by engaging with the complaint tweet.

23. Spill lagu non kpop, non pop indo, dan west pop yang kalian suka.

24. Pribadi kalian gimana? (OC)

It may seem different from everyone's perspective, but if I have to describe my personality, I would say I am someone people can rely on, like a sister figure maybe.

25. tag anak +02 yang first impressionnya terlihat akan susah didekati

@jipseok ^___^

26. Spill alasan kalian masih main RP.

Real-life struggles brought me back here, honestly, to help me stay sane.

27. Spill 3 lagu yang mencerminkan suasana hati kalian saat ini.

[wulflynn]

What do I do?!

I’m so torn between different activities, I’m really at a loss. I want nothing more than to really flesh out my Dragon Age OC, Cybil. I love her and her mabari Boris so much! Maybe some OC prompt responses? I’m not entirely sure of the correct formatting for choosing and responding to those.

I just spent a couple of hours drawing with my tablet trying to get even a semi-decent likeness of her, though shaky hands have really been a hindrance and the frustration burnt me out. I figure ‘okay, that’s fine, I’ll work on my fics,’ as there are two I’m working on right now. But now I don’t know which to work on--one was meant to be a one-shot with my Inquisitor and Cullen that’s now kind of turned into at least two chapters, mainly because there are a couple of ways I could proceed with it but what I really want to do would fit more into a larger story for it to make sense? If that makes sense. 

Cybil (my kennel master agent) and Dog Days was meant to really be my main focus but this second story I’ve randomly started (the one that was supposed to be a short fluff story) has a potential plot point that makes me want to write more of a full Inquisitor fic. Like, I don’t want to skip to this big part of Inquisition’s story without kind of fleshing out the rest of it? If I decide to write the story from her POV eventually anyway. Ah it’s so hard to explain. I’m just rambling at this point, I’m so sorry. I’m the worst. 

All of my rambling aside, I suppose I should just ask, when you have a couple of different projects floating around in your head, what do you do to prioritize it? How do you decide which to work on and what formats to use, and which direction to go in when there are a few different possibilities? I suppose I could just make the second story more of a works series vs. one big story. Anyone who chooses to read it surely already knows the basic Inquisition plot point and wouldn’t need all of the nitty gritty details, but eh..

I’m no stranger to chronic daydreaming about what I could write, but I am new to actually writing it, especially with intents to post it and share it with whomever wants to read it. 

I’m going to be bold here and tag a few fic authors for your thoughts--if you don’t have the time or emotional energy to engage with this that is completely understandable, but any thoughts would be welcome! 

@shivunin @star--nymph @nirikeehan @a-shakespearean-in-paris

[weirdthinkingdragon]

Our Burning Geo

What started as a Crack ship from maining Diluc in Liyue turned into something more. No, I am not sorry. I am sorry for having this be female-specific when I normally do gender-neutral though. Mostly spoiler-free except for knowing who Venti and Zhongli actually are. 

Too exhausted for full tags so pls read before going further- non/dubcon, oviposition, vaginal, anal, double penetration, oral (receiving), aphrodisiacs/drugging, dragon-like Zhongli, double dick Zhongli

HIGHLY self-indulgent

I was walking with Lumine and Paimon after yet another uncomfortable encounter with Zhongli. Recently, he and somehow Diluc have been acting a bit odd. Diluc has been asking me more frequently to stay around a bit longer on days he’s not so busy. Sure, it could just be that we’re close ever since Lumine came around, but even then it doesn’t stand for how he keeps waving off the fee of my drinks. That’s really odd. Venti usually is upset about it until Diluc always points out he drinks an entire bottle most of the time. 

Then there’s Zhongli which I also keep running into when switching between visiting Liyue and Mondstadt. Mostly for their food in Liyue and to visit Xiangling. He started persistently asking me to have dinner with him at every encounter and acting really gentleman-like in a way that seems odd compared to when Lumine, Paimon, and I first met him. This time the other two were there to witness how he acts. He just finally left after a bit of talking. What surprised me was he didn’t ask for me to dine with him tonight for once in I don’t even know how long. 

… I don’t like the smirk Paimon is giving me. 

She lets out a mocking gasp as soon as she deems him out of earshot. “Can it be? The all-mighty Rex Lapis himself has fallen for you!?” 

I give her a “really?” look. Lumine puts a hand on her face and shakes her head slowly. 

“Don’t want to be rude, but that has to be the dumbest thing I’ve heard you say yet. There’s absolutely no way Zhongli feels that way. Besides, even if he did, both he and I know it wouldn’t work for an Archon and a mere mortal human.” 

She crosses her arms. “Hmph. at least try Diluc then. He loves you as well.” 

A sinking feeling goes through my chest. He’s a great guy and everything, but I’d feel too bad to be around Zhongli then if he really does as well. It’s better to just deny both. Also,

“How in the world would you know that? You haven’t seen him interact with me.” 

She rubs the back of her head sheepishly. “Eh, Venti and even Kaeya can be pretty big on telling others things they see.” I mentally scream at the two. Of COURSE, they’d be so willing to spread rumors to others. Kaeya just to annoy Diluc, and Venti no doubt is still a bit upset that Diluc was so willing to give me a free drink every time I’m there to stay longer. 

“Well, they could be telling you lies. You know how Kaeya is."

Paimon gets an annoyed look. "Right. Like when we first got to Mondstadt,” she immediately switches to more thoughtful. “You know, maybe it was a lie to us.” 

Lumine just shrugs in response when Paimon looks at her for an answer. 

I decided to change the subject. “Anyway, you’re moving on tomorrow? Don’t you think you should tell our friends in Mondstadt before you go?” 

Lumine shakes her head. 

“Well, Paimon knows Diluc is here for the time being. We could tell him and he could tell the other, but they probably already know. He also talked to us before that he’s trying to spread his drinks farther around or something,” 

Just hearing her say that made my whole body tense. In the moment of clarity, I now swear eyes from somewhere are piercing into my soul. Looking around warily turns out fruitless as no one noticeable, much less bright red hair is able to be seen around. It pretty much glows with the rising or setting sun so it would be pretty hard to miss even in a large crowd. 

“Also, it wouldn’t really make sense to leave because before you got here Zhongli told us he got us spots to stay overnight tonight.” 

Oh no. no, no, no! I ca- This can’t be happening. There’s no possible way I can stay comfortably with those two around, especially together. I hate that it makes sense though he’d find a way for them to stay here until they leave across the water. 

They can’t know my inner turmoil. A smile is forced onto my face. “That sounds great. One last night spent together before you go, huh? Was great meeting you.” 

A small frown appears on Lumine’s face. “We were given separate rooms.” 

“O-oh.” I try to play off the disappointment. “Well, at least tonight we can have a last meal, right?” 

“Oh! In speaking of that, Zhongli offered a final meal with all of us and Diluc,” 

By Venti’s drinking problem, is there anything that can possibly make things worse? Ugh. 

“Turns out Diluc is also already aware of how Zhongli is so forgetful about mora. Diluc said he’d bring his just in case Zhongli forgets again,” she becomes sheepish. “They uh, also wanted you along, so Paimon may have told them you’d come.” Great. Just great. Time for what will probably be the most awkward meal in my life. If they would have asked me themselves I would have declined. I bet they knew Paimon would accept for me. 

“It’s also soon isn’t it?”

Lumine nods. I reply with a sigh. It confuses them as to why, but they don’t seem to want to press. 

------------------------------------------------

We arrive to see Zhongli and Diluc waiting. They’re sitting separately with a chair empty between them, and another on the other side. An empty spot next to it is probably for Paimon to float at. 

“Ah, Y/N. I’m glad you finally agreed to a night to dine with us.”

"Uh, yeah, it’s great,” though it isn’t. Hopefully, they don’t ask me to date one of them now of  all times. "Anyway, you know each other? How did that come to be?” 

“We’ve decided to date actually. Been for a while already. Since I don't drink myself, I brought a few people to try the Osmanthus wine. It was to understand how to make anyone that visits from Liyue have a home reminder if they chose to stay in Mondstadt for a while. Of course, I was given the okay first. It didn't take long to meet Zhongli. ” Diluc replies. 

The two get absolute gobsmacked expressions. “WHAT!?” Paimon exclaims. 

Meanwhile, everything inside me felt like it melted from the sheer relief that was felt at that confession. How it happened I couldn’t care less. That mortal and non-mortal thing can be their problem now. My only question is why am I stuck between them then?

“Diluc is a fine gentleman and has already taught me a few more human ways. He also has multiple types of enemies that would try to go after people he cares about, so it would need to be someone who can easily take care of themself if it came down to it. And who could possibly be better than someone who has fought before with many years of experience?” 

“That makes sense, but won’t the aging thing be a problem?” Paimon questions. 

“We are well aware. Right now it isn’t exactly a priority, however.” Diluc replies. 

Paimon sighs as she looks at me. “Man, I guess I was way off,” she stomps her foot. Well, to the best capability of someone who isn’t on the ground. “Kaeya and Venti DID lie! How rude! That stupid tone-deaf bard!” 

“Tone-deaf bard?” Zhongli has slight amusement hinting in his tone. 

“A nickname she gave Venti or Barbatos, whichever or whatever you decide to call him,” I inform. “By the way, if you two are together, then why am I between you?” 

“Mostly for hiding it at least for now. We decided to stay professional in public. As well as it’s better if the others involved such as the Qixing, Adepti, and the Fatui do not know as of yet.” Zhongli informs. Well, they’re in for quite a possible mess in the future. 

“Jeez. sounds complicated.” Paimon complains.

It stays quiet between all of us for a while while we eat and listen to the storytelling. 

I swear my drink tastes a bit off, but it could also just be from mixing with the food. 

Lumine is the last to finish as we decided to stay for one last story. It was hard to focus on it though from the two still festering in my mind. Did they really just want my company as a friend? Then why did Diluc never offer Lumine a free drink? Something just doesn’t feel right. 

“We should go to bed. I’d like to be ready for tomorrow.” Lumine suddenly pipes up, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, good night to you. Probably won’t be awake in time to see you off, so good luck on trying to find your brother.” 

She nods and leaves towards where we’re staying. 

I book it from the table down the dock close to the water. Anything to get away from those two, and this is one of my favorite places to be. The rocks right next to the dock are close enough to the water to dip my feet in. It’s one of my favorite things to do and is a calming thing. 

That doesn’t last too long though as a wave of heat hits me like a charging mitachurl. I don’t know what it is, but I keep feeling more uncomfortable the longer I sit here. Ugh, there must have been something wrong with my food. Maybe it was outdated and a new chef didn’t realize it? Whatever it was, I’m sure I can sleep it off. By now the two should have left wherever as well.

I unlock and enter the door to the room. Upon closing the door and taking a few steps forward, my body freezes. What makes me freeze is a familiar black jacket laying on the couch. I immediately try to back up to leave. Somehow the key must go for two different rooms and this is the wrong one. They might want to fix that or someone might get the wrong idea.

Upon taking another step back, an item blocks me and connects with my back, and it definitely wasn’t the door…

I turn around to see Diluc. Fuck, oh archons, he’s probably getting the wrong idea! “Sorry! Wrong door! I was- I was just leaving!” 

He blocks me from getting past and has arms crossed, but he doesn’t seem angry. It’s too hard to read his neutral expression. He reaches an arm behind to lock it. To say that made my anxiety rise is an understatement. 

His tight, white shirt doesn’t leave much for the imagination. The heat in my body flares more and my mind forces itself to run wild with doing dirty things with him. Stop that, stupid mind! 

He grabs my forearm in a gentle yet firm grip and pulls me towards another door in the room. “It wasn’t a mistake.” He opens the door and yanks me to enter the room as well. 

It smells strongly of jasmine, and is only being lit by several giant candles. 

My mind is feeling a bit fuzzy now too. It wasn’t? Diluc hasn’t let go, but glaring, as if daring me to try to run away. 

Zhongli was laying on the bed in the room, noticeably shirtless. It makes my body scream it wants something in me. What the FUCK body!? “So our little geo finally came after all. I was starting to get impatient.” 

They planned this from the start? “What is going on!?” I yell at them. 

“Simple. We still want you as well.” My breath hitched as Diluc pushed me onto the bed, having Zhongli way too easily lift me to straddle his hips. His fingers are much sharper as well. My lower stomach feels like it coils in on itself. 

Wait. Did they?... 

I try to push away from Zhongli with my hands on his bare chest. It did little to help in more ways than one.

"We were starting to think it wasn't going to work. We did give a lighter than recommended dose, after all." Zhongli replied, totally unfazed by my attempt. He moves his legs down, pulls his body and me down, and lies flat on his back. 

"You sure it is?" Diluc asks. 

"For sure. I can sense it."

There’s shuffling behind but I’m too distracted by the hot feeling and Zhongli being pressed against my pussy. I aggressively shake my head. “Well, I don’t! So let me go!” 

They stay silent for a long moment and easily ignore my struggles. Their silence scares me more. Zhongli wastes not a second longer and easily rips off everything I'm wearing protecting my nether regions like paper from his view.

His chest starts to rumble and he takes a deep inhale with his eyes closed. He opens them, and his irises are glowing. They almost seem to be as bright as the candles lighting the room.  

The bed dips slightly from the side, signaling Diluc must have sat on it. He's close enough to feel heat on my bare thigh. He grabs my top clothes and rips them off, leaving my bra. I cross my arms in an attempt to save whatever dignity I have left. 

They both seem like they couldn’t care less. 

Zhongli grabs my legs and pulls me up more to me sitting on his face. I immediately panic and try to get off. I don’t get the chance to as Zhongli gets a firm grip on my legs, and Diluc even pushes his left hand on my left shoulder, keeping me in place. “Wait, what are you-” 

A wet, warm object intrudes into my pussy. My body tries to jerk forward at the surprise, and I almost let a moan slip. My arms uncross.

Diluc takes that moment and rips off my bra by the straps. He immediately grabs my left breast and starts fondling it. The abnormal warmth of his hand feels all the better. 

Fuck, I can’t think. Stop- 

Zhongli rolls and moves his tongue in slow motions, as if savoring the taste. It grosses me out thinking that might just be what he’s doing. 

Don’t stop- wait, I mean do stop! 

He moves his tongue more and finds his way onto my clit. I let out a sound I didn;t even know I could make from it feeling good. Way too good. He stops for a second before attacking it with his tongue with new ardor. 

Diluc’s free hand starts with his palm on my back and he slowly trails downward. My body shivers at the difference from his hand to the rather cool air of the room.  

At least, until I feel an intrusion in my backside. I try to turn to see what Diluc’s doing, but I can’t turn far enough with Zhongli’s grip still on my legs. My body instinctively clenches at the wet, unknown object that starts bending and moving. It’s warm. A finger? 

He stills it, waiting for my body to stop clenching. After a bit, it loosens, but only slightly. Diluc lets out a light sigh as he continues moving, even slipping in a second finger after a bit longer. 

… When did Zhongli’s rumbling chest get stronger? Oh archons, is he having trouble breathing!? But he won’t let me get off! 

Hng, their stimulations are too much! My body feels tighter and tighter, screaming for final release already. 

What finally does it is Zhongli picking up the pace of his tongue movements, and a final slightly firm pinch to my right nipple. 

My body violently convulses after the snapping release finally overcame me. 

Zhongli stops the assault on my clit and pushes his tongue as deep as he can. Diluc stops his hand and pulls his fingers out. 

My breathing is now rather rough. Fuck, what was I thinking before? Why do I want more? My body jolts as Zhongli teases a gentle swipe. 

He then lifts me and puts down by his pen- wait, two!? 

A horrified feeling washes over looking at the DOUBLE large dicks glaring at me. 

He sits up a bit and wipes his face with his arm. He looks behind to Diluc. “Would you like a taste?” 

“I-” Diluc’s voice cracks. He clears his throat. “Maybe next time.” 

“Suit yourself. We will have plenty of time after all.” 

Plenty… of time?” I question. Still slightly out of breath. Why a feeling of impending doom washes over me, it’s unsure. Maybe it’s because my brain is still fuzzy I can’t fully comprehend the meaning, but it sounds normal enough. 

Zhongli rubs his hands up and down my thighs. "I have a way to bind us. All three of us in our own form of… permanent, lifelong contract,” He notices my glance. “Do not worry. Both will not be used for this purpose this time. As for what is planned, It’s a way to prevent aging in mortals. Diluc and I have already been over it. We wish to keep you with us as well.” 

Prevent aging!? I’m not interested in that! “I decline. Not interested in living longer than now.” 

“Sorry, but you’re not given a choice in this matter,” Diluc replies, rubbing his palm on my lower back again, but this time in circles instead of going down. “We have plenty of time to figure out wha to tell others later, but for now, you need to become like him and I.” 

I violently shake my head. “No! I don’t want to!” I instinctively try to get up, squirm, fight, crawl, lean over, anything to prevent their ideas. In response, Diluc quickly grabs my sides, pushing me down, while Zhongli gets a more firm grip on my hips to the point it slightly hurts. He removes one hand and pumps the lower one a couple of times. 

After Zhongli raises it, Diluc pushes me down fully from my sides. Thankfully, it at least didn’t hurt at all. It felt almost too good again with how full it made me. His breathing becomes a bit ragged. “Ah, it ha- it’s been a very long while. I apologize now for not lasting long.” He grabs onto my hips again. But this time as if making sure not to puncture my skin with his sharp nails. 

Diluc slowly edges his penis into my anus and lets out a grunt once fully sheathed. “D-damn, this feels relieving already.” He’s close enough to be right by my ear. His every breath fans out onto my neck. 

If I thought my body felt full before, now it’s almost uncomfortably so, yet it screams for more. Again, I’m disgusted in my body and them for allowing this to happen. 

It doesn’t take long for them to start thrusting. Zhongli’s is calmer, more calculated while Diluc’s are rather feral and grunts with each one. Something about the grunts sets the fire again in my core. 

I keep my hands on Zhongli’s chest for support. 

As time passes and the feeling tightens once again, Zhongli starts losing his composure and starts becoming animalistic as well. Rougher thrusts, even growling instead of the rumbling in his chest. His teeth sharpen, as well as horns start to reveal on the top of his head. Wonder what they feel- 

Zhongli hits a spot inside that reacts way too well, making me let out a noise I didn’t even know my body was capable of. He immediately goes for the spot, almost making me feel like fading out or melting. My fingers grip into his skin as much as they can. He doesn’t notice at all. 

Diluc let’s out a rather large grunt and shoves his dick in as hard as he can. The hot feeling of his cum is noticeable. He pulls out breathing heavily, the cum leaking too. He regains his breath back quickly and moves in front on the rather large bed. 

He looks at the other dick of Zhongli’s, grabs it and keeps fondling and squeezing it. Multiple scars litter over his body now that he’s in front for me to see. The dick is close enough to the other, and wet enough the tip keeps bumping my clit.

It doesn’t take long for the coil to unleash and another orgasm to rip through me. Zhongli lets out a hiss. He slams my hips down. Diluc takes that as the time and puts a hand on each of my shoulders, making sure I stay in place. 

I’m completely helpless and bound to my fate as I feel One small object after another enter me. They force themselves to go in and are rather small. The cum leaks from the first one that’s not fully inside. 

He thrusts several more times, pushing a few more in each time. He’s only slightly out of breath after.

We stay for a few minutes to fully collect our breaths. Diluc looks at the horns now on Zhongli’s head as well. 

Now with my mind a tad bit clear, I never expected my life to come to this. 

Zhongli looks at me with a lovey-expression I’ve never seen him have before. “The egg-shaped geos inside of you now will disintegrate in a few hours, fully making you age like me,” He looks at Diluc. 

I’m too exhausted and many other things to care anymore right now. He pulls me down to his chest and starts to stroke my head. 

It’s soothing enough as well as his calmer rumbling being back that it lulls me into a sleep quickly. That and the warm hand of Diluc rubbing circles again. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ngl not fully proofread. Honestly, Idrk about this one, but I tried. 

For anyone who felt bad or think that I was making this for a "thin reader" of having them easily lift you? Don't be. One's literally a fuckin ARCHON THAT FOUGHT IN WARS. As well as being a dragon and having super powerful abilities. And have you SEEN Diluc's moves in the game? How often he fights? How he uses a claymore with ease and use over years? I'd be more surprised if they couldn't easily lift at least 300. Also, I’m really thirsting for Ayato atm too after FINALLY getting him at the 90 after 70 bucks and grinding for wishes. Worth it. Also got diluc the first fail and had to restart so that’s good at least lol. Ayato the bish really didn’t want to come to me. 

[thearvariblues]

Day 6: “Why are you naked?” + fun

You can find the whole fic using this tag, or you can check it out on AO3. :)

***

“So… Have you forgiven me, then?”

Chay looks down at Kim, his tousled hair, his red, swollen lips, his shining eyes filled with hope.

“P’Kim, I spent the past hour fucking you. I think the answer is pretty obvious.”

“Yeah, but…” Kim lifts his head from Chay’s shoulder to first kiss him, then gently bite his lower lip. “I wanna hear it. Chay…”

“Yes. I have forgiven you, P’Kim. Though I haven’t forgiven you for nearly getting yourself killed, even though I specifically told you not to!”

“Oh, come on, it was just a little hit over the head. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

“You’re concussed.”

“Mildly concussed. And you didn’t mind it so much when you made me hit my head against the headboard.”

“I apologized for that!”

Kim chuckles, leans his head on Porchay’s chest again and wraps an arm and a leg around the young man.

“I’m joking, Chay. Just joking,” he murmurs. “I love you.”

Porchay buries his fingers in Kim’s long hair and hums.

“I’m hungry.”

“Mean,” Kim murmurs.

“You deserve it.”

“I do.”

Kim smiles when he feels a gentle kiss on the top of his head.

“I love you too, P’Kim,” Porchay says. “You should sleep now. You need your rest.”

*

Kim clutches the blanket a bit tighter, pulling it higher up on his chest. His eyes glance from an angry Porsche to the bathroom door and back again.

“And what am I supposed to do about the fact that your brother’s missing?” he asks, trying to ignore the fact that Vegas, who’s standing next to Porsche, seems to follow Kim’s gaze.

“You’re supposed to find him, of course!”

“I’ve been injured,” Kim protests, hoping against all hope Porsche will just accept it and go away.

“Oh, come on. Aren’t you madly in love with him or something?” Porsche groans. “No one’s seen him since yesterday afternoon. Yesterday!”

“We’ve searched the whole house,” Kinn adds. “Chay’s phone is in his room. We’re worried he might have been taken by the Italians, as a revenge…”

“Though no one’s explained to me yet just how would the Italians get into the main family’s house in the first place,” Vegas comments, rolling his eyes.

“Well, I suppose you’re gonna have to ask them,” Porsche snaps. “Or do you have a better idea where Chay could be?!”

Vegas looks at the bathroom door, then at Kim. He cocks his eyebrow.

“Nope,” Vegas smirks. “Absolutely no idea.”

Kim lets out a breath he never realized he was holding.

“Look,” he says. “I’d love to help, really–”

“Well, get up and help us, then!” Porsche snaps, then grabs the edge of Kim’s blanket and yanks.

Kim didn’t expect it, even though he probably should have. To his horror, the blanket slips from his grasp, revealing the fact that he–

“Why are you naked?” Porsche frowns, narrowing his eyes.

“I was feeling hot,” Kim lies. He can see Vegas turn his back to the bed. Judging by the way his shoulders shake, it’s not out of some sort of prudery (Vegas probably doesn’t even know the word), but mostly because he’s struggling not to start laughing out loud.

Then he sees Kinn look first at Vegas, then at Kim, and then the bathroom door. Kinn’s eyes go wide.

“There’s AC in this room,” Porsche replies, blinking stupidly.

“Is there? Oh,” Kim replies. “I’m concussed. My brain’s not working properly.”

“Clearly,” Kinn snaps, snatches the blanket from Porsche’s hand and throws is back to Kim. “I’m sorry, love, but my poor little brother is clearly not in the right state of mind. Right, Kim?”

“But Kinn, we need him!”

“I won’t risk my brother’s health! What if he gets brain damage, eh?”

“Further brain damage?” Vegas chuckles, clearly unable to help himself.

“There must be places we haven’t checked, Porsche. How about the spa? I don’t think we’ve been to the spa, right?”

“I have,” Vegas says. “The sauna was very nice.”

“Shut up, Vegas,” Kinn growls, then raises his voice. “We will go check the spa, and I’m sure Chay will turn up somewhere!”

“Why are you yelling?”

“No reason. Come on, love. Let’s go, Vegas.”

“I think I should stay for a bit, actually,” Vegas replies. “Look for clues.”

“Absolutely not!” Kinn says hurriedly, already pushing Vegas out of the room. “Let’s go to the spa. You can try the sauna again.”

“So you can lock me up in there? Thanks, I’ll pass.”

“Don’t make me regret saying I’m glad you made it out alive yesterday, you dickhead,” Kinn growls. “Out! Both of you!”

The door shuts behind the three of them and Kim whines, pulling the blanket over his head.

“Wow. That was close, P’Kim,” a voice says. “I should probably go and, uhm, turn up somewhere, right?”

“Probably, yeah,” Kim nods, even though Porchay can’t really see it.

He pulls the blanket back down, only to see the door open yet again. Kinn’s yelled Porsche, no! and Vegas’ laughter is the only warning Kim gets before Porsche walks back in.

“I’m sorry, Kim, but we really need your–” He stops dead in his tracks as his gaze falls at the person standing by Kim’s bed.

“Uhm,” Porchay says, smiling brightly. “Hey, hia. I heard you were looking for me?”

“Chay?” Porsche blinks. “Why… why are you naked?”

Kim assesses the distance between himself and Porsche, Porsche and the door, and himself and the door. He considers Porsche’s shock, the fact that his focus is currently on Chay, that Kim himself is naked and kind of tangled up in the blanket…

It’s extremely risky. The possibility of failure is enormous.

Then a chuckling Vegas quickly steps into the room, stands between Porsche and the door and winks.

Kim stops thinking. He bolts.

*

“So anyway. Picture Khun Kim, in his birthday suit, running through the hospital’s corridor, Porsche behind him, screaming bloody murder,” Big giggles, taking a sip from his cup of coffee. “Then Chay emerges from the room, equally naked–”

“Wait. Porsche was naked, too?” Pol frowns.

“Of course not. Just Chay and Khun Kim.”

“It’s Khun Chay for you, Biggie.”

“Yes, daddy,” Big smirks, rolling his eyes at Chan, which earns him a halfhearted clip round the ear. “So, Khun Chay is following them, yelling at Porsche not to kill Khun Kim, Porsche–”

“Khun Porsche.”

“Chan, you’re ruining my story! Besides, neither of them wants to be addressed as Khun. You should respect that, baby.”

“So, is it baby or daddy?” Arm asks.

“It’s daddy in the bedroom, baby everywhere else,” Big grins. “You see–”

“I see you’re diverging from your story, Big,” Chan says quickly.

“No, wait, this is actually more interesting! Please, go on,” Tankhun replies leaning in closer.

“Uhm, what exactly are you doing here, Khun Nu?” Big dares to ask, because at this point, he can no longer ignore the lavishly dressed figure seated between Arm and Pol.

“I missed all the drama and Vegas refuses to send me the video, of course! I’m sure I’ll be able to get it out of Pete sooner or later, but until I do… But back to that daddy thing.”

“Back to the story, Big,” Chan says in a tone that doesn’t take no for an answer.

“Right. So, Porsche is screaming he’s not gonna kill Khun Kim, just make him feel sorry he’s still alive, Khun Kinn is trying to use his authority as the head of the main family to stop Porsche, but Porsche tells him he knows where he can shove that fucking ring.”

“Oooh,” Tankun grins. “Arm, Pol, memorize everything, you’re gonna enact it for me later.”

“Khun Nu!” Pol whines.

“And then,” Big continues, “the door of one of the rooms open, and Pete steps out, standing right in Porsche’s way, between Porsche and Khun Kim. And he just… stands there, looking at Porsche.”

“So when’s the funeral?” Arm asks.

“Come on, Arm!” Pol replies, rolling his eyes. “Pete has tamed Vegas. Vegas. You think Porsche was a problem for him?”

“Yeah, he totally wasn’t,” Big grins. “The idiot just stopped.”

“Big.”

“Khun Porsche stopped,” Big sighs. “A second later, Chay catches up, then Khun Kinn, and Khun Kim stops, too, and then Chay walks right around Pete and grabs Khun Kim’s hand and tells his brother that I’m sorry, hia, but I love him and I forgive him and if you love me then you will forgive him too, because he’s the most important person in my life! And you can actually see it in Porsche’s eyes that if it were up to him, Khun Kim would already be lying in a pool of his own blood, preferably cut into tiny pieces, but it’s not up to him, and besides, Pete is staring at him with this think twice before you act, bitch look on his face, you know the one.”

“You mean the one with the kindest, warmest smile you’ve ever seen?” Arm nods.

“That one, yeah. So of course that Porsche yields, and then Chay lifts Khun Kim up and spins him around and kisses him, and then Khun Kinn invites them to have dinner together… Yeah, and that’s about it. So they’re upstairs now and if Khun Kim’s lucky, his dinner won’t even be poisoned. And Khun Vegas is probably fucking Pete, because the first thing he did when he stopped recording everything was saying that that was the hottest thing he’d ever seen, and then he dragged Pete right back into his room.”

“My poor Pete,” Tankhun sighs. “Injured, and ravaged by a ruthless maniac. I’m sure he’s in heaven. But it also explains why Vegas texted me to go fuck myself when I requested that video. He just has better things to do!”

“Yeah. Like Pete,” Pol chuckles.

“Khun Nu, do you think Porsche will let Khun Kim date Chay?” Arm asks.

“I don’t want to let Kim date the poor baby!” Tankhun proclaims dramatically. “Alas, it seems that Chay insists. And Porsche will do anything for the boy, even if it means forgiving my idiot of a brother. So yes. They will definitely date.”

“Maybe it’ll make Khun Kim stop being such an angry bitch.”

“Aaand I’ve just had enough,” Chan announces and gets to his feet. “Let’s go, Big.”

“Are you gonna punish me?” Big grins.

“No, don’t punish him!” Tankhun yells. “The boy’s right! Kim is an angry bitch!”

“Khun Nu,” Arm whispers. “I think Big wants to be punished.”

“Nonsense. Why would he want to be punished? Why would you want to be punished, Big? Uhm… Big?”

The door slams shut, and Big and Chan are gone.

“Oh. Oh, I see,” Tankhun nods. “Assholes! Horny assholes, just as everyone in this stupid building! Ugh.”

“Khun Nu…” Pol starts.

“And what are you waiting for?!” Tankhun snaps, folding his arms across his chest. “Didn’t I tell you you’re supposed to enact the story Big told us? Chop chop! Arm, you are Chay. Pol, you’re Porsche. And that lamp is my stupid brother.”

“Wait,” Arm murmurs. “Kim, or Kinn?”

“Kim, of course! Kinn is… Oh, what are we gonna do? We don’t have a Kinn! See, I said two bodyguards weren’t enough for me! Three! I need three!”

“We don’t have a Pete, either, Khun Nu,” Pol dares to say.

“Incredible!” Tankhun yells, slams the table with his hand and gets up.

“K-Khun Nu? Where are you going?” Arm blinks.

“Where do you think?!” Tankhun replies. “To get more bodyguards!”

[aja154ever]

BSD STAGE Dead Apple Spoilers

Mainly a report on the additional scenes or scenes that hugely differ from the movie

PLS DO NOT REPOST AND SPREAD IRRESPONSIBLY

Tag spoiler posts, Credit as necessary 

All photos come from the official press release

Please read these points before proceeding! ↓ ↓ ↓

Summary of the BSD Stage Dead Apple Synopsis

Under the cut for Spoilers!

▼Beginning

The play starts with Atsushi looking for Dazai (as tasked by Kunikida to attend the ADA mtg) Differing from the movie, he doesn't find him. 

Atsushi meets Shibusawa on the street instead when Shibusawa saved an elderly crossing the street, making him think that Shibusawa is a kind person.

Atsushi thinks that they have met somewhere before but can't remember it exactly.

Kyouka then meets Atsushi about the Ability Users Suicide Case.

▼Akutagawa pursues Shibusawa

Chuuya and Akutagawa are talking on the phone. Akutagawa is tasked to pursue Shibusawa as the perpetrator of the Dragon Head Conflict. 

However, Akutagawa was physically attacked by Dazai from behind - he snapped Aku’s neck, then stepped on him - causing him to lose consciousness (though he recognizes Dazai before passing out).

Dazai then comes with Shibusawa.

▼Chuuya and Akutagawa scene

The day when Dazai took Akutagawa to the Port Mafia is shown. Akutagawa wakes up from the dream and remembers Dazai attacked him.

An Ability user suddenly comes out of nowhere. Akutagawa fights him and realizes that he can't use Rashomon.

Chuuya comes to save him. Apparently, it's an Ability that got separated from its user.

Chuuya then explains Shibusawa's Ability and says that the mist engulfing Yokohama is actually the breath of a dragon.

Akutagawa then asks why Chuuya's Ability doesn't separate from him.

Chuuya answers that his Ability is quite special and isn't something small that can be taken easily by this fog. And if his Ability happens to separate from him, it will be the end of Yokohama.

Chuuya gives Akutagawa a new mission - to kill Dazai, because he's the one who took Shibusawa to Yokohama.

Akutagawa laughs, saying that he doesn't believe that because the Dazai now wants peace in Yokohama.

Chuuya laughs at him. He says that he's known Dazai for 7 years and were once partners so he knows Dazai - he knows that no one can tell what Dazai is thinking. There's a monster inside Dazai that no one can understand.

Aku claims that he can understand Dazai so Chuuya asks him why Dazai left the Mafia, but Aku couldn't answer. Chuuya says that he doesn't care if Aku looks up to Dazai but as for him, he's never looked up to Dazai even once. He then tells him to his face that Aku going all "Dazai-san, Dazai-san" and accepting everything he says - is probably the reason why Dazai doesn't approve of him.

Aku gets mad and attacks him to no avail. Chuuya taunts him further saying that if he doesn't do something about this mist, he'll remain weak.

Rashomon appears in the background. Chuuya says that Rashomon is just looking at him and not attacking him as if putting Aku to a test.

Chuuya says that without his Ability, Aku can never land a single punch at him.

Aku accepts the mission and says that he will beat Chuuya right after.

▼White Trio at Mukurotoride

Dazai walks to the center. There's a voice-over of Oda when he told Dazai that the good or bad side doesn't make much difference to him.

Shibusawa arrives.

Dazai says he's happy working with him.

Fyodor arrives saying that Shibusawa shouldn't believe Dazai. (Fyodor does a mini violin performance, talk about grand entrance lol)

It seems that Dazai didn't know beforehand that Fyodor is part of the plan.

Fyodor says that he's just a rat on the side that will help a bit.

Dazai realizes that Fyodor's role is to keep him in check.

Shibusawa says that he can actually accomplish all his plans on his own without them, but it would be boring.

Dazai agrees that it indeed wouldn't be boring because no one knows who will betray who.

▼Atsushi, Aku, Kyouka in the Mafia passage

Atsushi argues with Aku on the way, saying things that it's his fault that Kyouka suffered in the Mafia. He told them that he should never come close to Kyouka ever and talk as if he knows her.

Aku then retorts back asking Atsushi what he actually knows about Kyouka.

Atsushi says that he knows a lot stating things like Kyouka likes tofu and bunnies, and hates lightning.

Aku asks him about her past but Atsushi wasn't able to answer. Aku narrates that Kyouka's parents were killed by Demon Snow and she was picked up by the Mafia, and was then trained by a Port Mafia Executive known as the best Assassin in the world (in reference to Verlaine).

Aku then adds that he also knows that Kyouka hates flies and dogs, and likes ghosts and hydrangeas. He knows more about Kyouka so it's his win.

Unable to come up with other things about Kyouka, Atsushi resorts to bickering.

Atsushi: You're a sore loser!

Aku: Orphanage castaway!

Sushi, visibly hurt from Aku's comeback: You don't change clothes!

Aku, visibly hurt from Sushi's comeback:  I wash it every time!

Sushi: Huh? Do you also wear that when sleeping?

Aku: I'm gonna kill you!

They were then stopped by Kyouka.

Before they go out of the passageway, Kyouka attempts to check if her phone can connect somewhere. 

Aku gently stops her telling her that that phone is the one used to control her Ability and would be bad if it connects. 

Kyouka says that there's nothing to worry about because there's no signal. 

Kyouka asks him if Aku tried the Mafia's communication device and Aku says that it can't connect too.

(Note: When Aku talks to Kyouka his voice is calm and softer than usual)

Atsushi, feeling out of place, silently watches them from the side. "You two, you actually get along well, huh..." 

▼Demon Snow Battle

The trio go back outside the streets and comes to face Demon Snow. They ran back to the Mafia passageway but Demon Snow just follows them and slices the door. Byakko then also appears.

Kyouka's phone rings. When she answers it, the scene flashbacks to the time when her parents died (same scene with the manga) with her mom explaining what truly happened, and then advises Kyouka how to control Demon Snow.

They were able to beat Demon Snow after and the Ability goes back to Kyouka.

▼More Aku, Atsushi, and Kyouka

Aku, Atsushi, and Kyouka continue to walk in the mist-covered street. Atsushi suggests to Kyouka that they should hold hands so they don't get separated. Kyouka agreed and held out her hand, but then asked Atsushi about Aku.

Sushi: Eh?

Kyouka:

Sushi: Eh?

Kyouka: Should I hold his hand?

Sushi: No way!

Kyouka: Then you should hold his hand

Sushi: Ehhhh, t-there's no way I would... i-it's Akutagawa...

Kyouka:

Sushi: Aahh, there are no other hands in here so fine!

Atsushi settles to offer the dangling part of his belt for Aku to hold on to (lol he's pointing his ass in the process because the belt is on his back like a tail). Aku reaches for it, but was taken away by Rashomon before Atsushi and Kyouka can see him

▼Aku vs Rashomon Battle

Aku uses his gun to fight against Rashomon. Just when he thought he won, he is then caught and pierced by Rashomon. At first Aku thought that Rashomon is fighting him to test if he's worth it as Rashomon's "owner", but then realized that Rashomon is actually filled with wrath - Aku's wrath towards his weak self.

Scenes flashback to Chuuya telling Aku why Dazai doesn't approve of him, of Atsushi telling him that he lost against him and is still not recognized by Dazai, and of Dazai telling him that his new subordinate is better and he doesn't need Aku.

Aku makes Rashomon remember all these, of what they went through, of what they are mad about, of what they both desire. If Aku doesn't beat Rashomon then he will be a part of Shibusawa's collection and will never get what they desire.

Before Rashomon ends Aku, he sets the bomb off and beats him eventually.

Aku returns to Atsushi and Kyouka thereafter, and Atsushi was surprised to see him covered in bruises.

▼White Trio Betrayal Scene

Fyodor sees Dazai suspiciously trying to enter the Draconia room. They went inside after Fyodor tells him that Shibusawa is not there. Dazai reveals his motives to Fyodor, and Fyodor hands him the crystals. Before Dazai can touch them Shibusawa stabs him from behind. Dazai dies. (scenes are almost the same as the movie)

After Dazai dies, Shibusawa also kills Fyodor, grabbing him on the top of his head, lifting him up, and then breaking his neck.

Shibusawa laughs (like a villain) saying that his plans succeeded.

▼More Aku, Atsushi, and Kyouka

Aku, Atsushi, and Kyouka are riding an elevator, standing side by side. Because the ride is taking quite long, Atsushi tries to make small talk to relieve the awkward atmosphere.

Sushi: Your Ability has returned to you, right? How does it feel?

Aku: None of your business.

*silence*

Sushi: Looking from this angle, your nose looks nice. (literally "you have a high-bridged nose" used as a compliment in Jp)

*silence*

Sushi: Aahh, with this three the talk is going nowhere..

Kyouka: *tries to narrate Momotaro (a popular Jp folklore)*

Sushi: Ah, I'm sorry Kyouka-chan, I didn't mean to force you

▼Chuuya at the Special Ability Dept

Chuuya arrives at the Special Ability Department Office. He is stopped by the guards but Chuuya beats them all (fight scenes were shown).

Chuuya arrives at the main office, but Ango is only showing up in the scene via a video screen. Tsujimura is in the office btw.

Chuuya and Ango talk about the government's involvement with Shibusawa (same with the movie).

Chuuya threatens Ango that he will kill the people in the office if Ango doesn't tell him about the case of Shibusawa now.

▼White Trio

Shibusawa takes Dazai's Ability crystal, but realizes that it is not the one he's been looking for.

Fyodor suddenly appears from his back, shooting Shibusawa with a gun.

Apparently, the one Shibusawa killed earlier was not Fyodor himself, but his separated Ability.

Fyodor then kills Shibusawa with a knife, making him remember his death (same with the movie).

▼Dragon Appears

Fyodor does his poetry speech about the dragon lol

The dragon appears as animation in the background.

Deadly Drive plays as bg music after!

Ango asks Chuuya to fight the dragon, believing that only his Ability can do it just as when they fought Guivre in the past.

Chuuya complains that the government just always does nothing but order people around while not getting their hands dirty.

He accepts the mission and asks Ango's life in return.

▼Chuuya vs Dragon

Plane scene with Tsujimura is almost the same as the movie. Chuuya throws his gloves and activates Corruption.

This scene involves his actor Uechan flying in a harness, where he did flips a few times. On his background is an animation of the levitated rubbles and the building he used to throw at the dragon.

Bless Uechan's throat for all the screaming

▼Soukoku scene

Chuuya shouts Dazai's name, and punches him waking him up. Dazai touches his cheek to deactivate Corruption. (Same lines with the movie, yes Dazai is still Snow White)

Chuuya asks him to let go but Dazai refuses saying that the place they are in is where the mist is the most concentrated and Arahabaki will end up separating from him.

▼Atsushi reflection with Byakko

Atsushi realizes that the orphanage director must have known that he killed Shibusawa, but wondered why he never told him.

The orphanage director appears at the end saying that he hid the truth from Atsushi because he thought Atsushi wouldn't be able to accept it and would be crushed (mentally) once he knew about himself.

▼Aftermath

Bokura plays in the bg

Aku leaves

Dazai arrives saying that Atsushi was saved because of them

Atsushi butts in saying that Dazai was the one who did

(same lines with the movie)

After Atsushi says the "more beautiful" line, Oda's voice-over plays when he told Dazai to go to the side that saves people because that's a little bit more beautiful.

▼Aftermath Chuuya

Ango calls Chuuya saying that the battle is finished thanks to them, and now he's ready to give his life in return.

Chuuya just laughs at him saying that his life isn't enough to pay for this. He also tells him that he understands that Ango was just a small fry in the government six years ago so wasn't able to do anything about the Shibusawa case. Ango thanks him but still tries to insist but Chuuya hangs up.

Akutagawa shows up, but he doesn't bow at Chuuya (unlike in the movie) and just continues walking after Chuuya told him that Dazai is alive. Chuuya calls him to lend his shoulder because he can't move and gestures him to come closer.

Aku does and Chuuya laughs at how unwilling he looks and asks if Aku is still mad that Chuuya called him weak. Aku says that he's not bothered at all.

Chuuya tells him that he shouldn't worry because they're both included in Dazai's plans, which means that Dazai thinks that they are essential in beating Shibusawa.

Aku remains silent. Chuuya then tells him that as Dazai's ex-partner, he's gonna say it - that Dazai approves of Aku. At the very least, Chuuya does approve of him too.

Aku just says that he's nothing compared to Chuuya.

▼Days after

Atsushi and Kyouka are back at the Agency, where they wave off to everyone as they go on a new mission.

Voice-overs of the ADA stage play cast were played sending them off.

Tanizaki: Take care!

Naomi: Stay safe!

Kunikida: Don't forget your report after.

Ranpo: Get me sweets on your way home!

Yosano: If possible, go back here with injuries, okay?

Kenji: Let's eat some gyudon later!

Fukuzawa: Atsushi, Kyouka, take care and come back safely.

▼Closing

Chuuya talks to Mori on the phone, reporting that the mission has been accomplished. 

However, he gets instructed to do the send-off or the farewell greeting to the fans on the stage.

Chuuya, angrily to the audience: What are you looking at, huh? 

Send-off? *takes a sit elegantly and stares at the crowd*

Ugh, okay,, *stands up*

Be careful not to be engulfed by the mist when you go home, okay? See ya.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading! Please support the official accounts and releases as much as possible!

I’m no longer active on tumblr nowadays, so you may follow me on twitter instead @harukaja15

My translations on tumblr are compiled under the tag #bsd translation and #my works

[takuyakistall]

Don't get caught! | Riddle Rosehearts

Synopsis: While visiting Heartslabyul, you couldn't help but want to be a hedgehog after seeing the way Riddle is so fond of them and spoils them. But be careful for what you wish for! It might just come true.

Note: This was a request but the ask was too long so I just posted this on its own. I had fun writing this! It was a very cute idea and got carried away so this turned out longer than expected, I hope you enjoy it!

You weren’t sure if this was a good idea or not. You weren’t even sure if this plan would work but Trey and the other Heartslabyul first years insisted that it was going to work—or at least, they’ll try to make it a success. You had absentmindedly let out a random thought a few days about your hair, saying how curious you are about how you would look like in different hair colours and hairstyles. Trey’s unique magic immediately came into your mind, Doodle Suit, and you couldn’t help but comment on how convenient it would be if it could temporarily overwrite your appearance.

You felt bad for asking Trey a favour so suddenly but much to your surprise, he indulged you and said that it isn’t any problem. Of course, you knew nothing about the way his magic works and if it really isn’t a problem to him. Though you decided to trust his words and agreed to meet up with him in the Heartslabyul Dorm during the weekends. Grim, Ace and Deuce tagged along behind you as you entered the mirror to the dorm. Ace and Deuce wanted to be a little bit extra (or so you thought) and picked you up from your dorm.

The smell of freshly painted roses was in the air as your eyes adjusted to the sudden sunlight. You relished in the sight of the rose hedges lined up and the half-painted roses hanging from them, a few drops of red paint dripping to the green grass. The empty cans of red paint here and there as you walked through the stone path to the main building. You caught a few glimpses of a few students scrambling to their feet as they picked up a brush and started painting the roses.

Behind them, you could barely make out a familiar shade of red and a heart-shaped ahoge. You quickly turned to Ace, trying to calm your racing heart.

“Wait, where are we headed?” You asked them as Grim climbed up your shoulder.

“To the lounge, or Trey’s room. Whatever works.” Ace answered half-heartedly as he pushed the door open and scanned the room full of students for the green-haired vice dorm leader.

“Nevermind, we’re going to his room.”

Saying the hallways of Heartslabyul was confusing is a big understatement. The twists and turns of the halls more or less made you dizzy just from looking at it. The fact that you don’t know the actual way to Trey’s room made it harder for you to navigate where you were headed to. Deuce grabbed the hem of your sleeve when you were about to make a turn, whispering to you about how his room was still up ahead. Grim had long gotten off your shoulder once he realized that he might get lost with you.

“Good grief… I don’t even have any idea about what colour I should go with first.” You sighed as you spotted a window that gave you a view of the rose maze. The countless green hedges adorned with white roses. Have they not painted this part of the maze yet? You paid it little mind as your eyes wandered to the small cage placed outside and the tiny creatures inside.

Hedgehogs?

Green, pink, and blue ones were all scattered and rolling around in the cage. You couldn’t get a good view but it seemed like someone was giving them food right now. You stopped in your tracks when you realized it was none other than the dorm leader who was doing it. He dusted his hands and stared at the small blobs of colour inside the cage. You couldn’t see it clearly but you saw him open his mouth as a small smile appeared on his face. You found it a bit cute—cute how caring he seems to get when it comes to them.

It must be nice to be a spoiled hedgehog under Riddle’s care huh…

You shook your head, the tips of your ears growing hotter as you told yourself off about having such weird thoughts. Your head snapped back to where Ace and Deuce originally were but only to find them out of sight.

You felt panic rise in your throat as you looked left and right, your eyes searching for the familiar figures. You scolded yourself, regretting getting distracted by that redhead you seem to be so enchanted by. You wandered around the hallway, the knot in your throat growing tighter as you prayed that you won’t get lost.

“Geez! Just how big is this place?” You leaned against the window’s ledge as you let out a small pant. You’ve been walking around the dorm for what felt like hours now but you found yourself in the same place as before—by the window where you watched Riddle tend to the hedgehogs as you sighed.

“Um, excuse me…” The sudden voice behind your back made you jump in place a little. You quickly turned around and was met with a male student with brown hair. Your tense muscles visibly relaxed.

Finally! There was someone you could ask. You opened your mouth slightly to ask but before a single word could be formed—he asked you an unexpected question. He caught sight of the scene you were staring at before his involvement.

“Oh! Were you watching the Dorm Head?” Dense as a rock. The student didn’t think twice before asking this question, his eyes not registering the way your eyes widened slightly and your stance stiffened. You kept silent.

“Hehe, it seems like he’s taking care of the hedgehogs personally.” He mentioned, his voice laced with the faintest bit of admiration when he stared at the scene beside you. You tried to shrug it off but the curiosity inside you couldn’t stay silent any longer.

“...Is it anything special? Riddle taking care of them personally, I mean.”

“Eh? Well… no, not really. It’s just that he really likes them, so he tends to spoil them whenever he’s on duty.”

“Oh, is that so?” You tried looking the other way, trying to keep the nonchalant tone. But the moment you looked away—you could feel a small smile creeping up your face.

Cute.

You shook your head before you got carried away by any other thoughts and turned to the student. You need to do what you came here for!

“Oh, by the way, do you know how to get to Trey’s room?”

“Eh?”

“What the hell took you so long!?” Ace was the first one to greet you with his fist meeting your head without any warning. You winced a bit, clutching your head and fought back with your words.

“It was your fault for walking too fast!”

“Hah? Didn’t we warn you to keep close to us?”

“You said nothing about that!”

“Oh.” Ace fell silent. The corner of his lips suddenly curling up, as if a realization struck him.

“Haha! Don’t mind, everyone makes mistakes right?” There was nothing stronger than the feeling of wanting to slap the grin off his face right now. Had it not been for Deuce trying to keep the peace between you, you weren’t sure if you could've held yourself back.

“Moving on,” Deuce placed a hand over your shoulder. “Trey-senpai’s room is just up ahead. Don’t lose sight of us again, alright?”

It was hard to navigate yourself around the dorm. If there was one crucial thing they hadn’t told you about the dorm, it was the fact that if you weren’t a Heartslabyul student or school faculty, you were bound to get lost amidst the twists and turns. But in their defense, they didn’t expect you to get distracted so easily. You nodded as you followed behind the duo once again.

After a minute or two, you found yourself face-to-face with Trey in front of his dorm room. That’s when you realized you haven’t thought about what colour you’d like after getting lost but your thoughts were cut off when Trey suddenly spoke up.

“Oh, you guys are here. You were a bit late, did you run into some trouble?” He asked as he urged you three (four if you’re counting Grim) into his room.

“(Y/N) got lost~!” Ace chirped in a singsong voice as he threw his arms back behind his head.

“Eh, really? Be more careful next time, you’re lucky you were found quickly—otherwise, who knows how long you’d be stuck there.” The closed-eyed smile on his face made his terrifying words seem normal. You wondered if there were previous cases that went way worse than what you went through. You let out a relieved sigh inside your head, thanking the student that found you.

“Then, let’s make this quick.” Trey guided you to a chair, dragging you gently by the wrist and made you sit there as Ace, Deuce, and Grim stood beside you. Their growing curiosity couldn’t be masked.

His instructions were clear enough. He said that you should try to paint an image inside your head. Envision what you would like to look like while closing your eyes and then he’ll activate his unique magic. He also mentioned that it would only last 24 hours or shorter if interfered with stronger magic and that he can revert the spell after a certain period if time just in case you wanted to remove it quicker.

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, trying to paint an image of yourself you’d like to see.

“Ready? I’ll start now.”

You thought of your favourite colour, envisioning yourself with that certain hair colour. Wondering if Riddle would like it if he saw it. Oh, maybe if you were a (F/C) coloured hedgehog, he might find you cute!

“Doodle Suit!”

A small puff of smoke appeared just right after Trey finished his incantation. You felt a bit groggy and weird, was it supposed to feel like this? You opened your eyes, your vision adjusting to the sudden light until you realized the situation you were in. Everything seemed a hundred times bigger than they usually were and everyone inside the room seemed to have grown bigger. Everyone except you.

You felt so small.

“Eh!? Trey-senpai, where did they go?” The panic in Ace’s voice was unlike him. But Deuce was even more panicked than him, he thought that maybe they messed up and you disappeared for good. Grim was looking frantically everywhere.

You wanted to shout out. Tell them that you were still here but oddly enough, instead of a voice, a very weird sound came out of your mouth. The room froze when they heard it. Trey was the first one to spot you, a nervous chuckle slipping from his mouth as he held your small body up.

“It seems like your friend… turned into a hedgehog.”

Eh?

Eh!?

You messed up. Countless thoughts swirled rapidly at dangerous speeds as you thought about what could’ve gone wrong. You swore you did his instructions properly, you thought of what you wanted to look like and—

At the last minute, you thought about hedgehogs. That’s what went wrong. You wanted to bury your face into your hands but your new incredibly short four legs couldn’t even reach your face. This was a new level of embarrassment, you just wished that this was all a bad dream. You lied down flat on Trey’s palm, hiding your face from everyone as you heard Ace barely being able to contain his laughter.

“Pfft—” He clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to tell himself not to laugh but the situation made it hard for him to follow his instructions. Deuce, on the other hand, was crouching down while clutching his stomach—trying to keep his laughter as silent as possible. Grim had an indifferent expression before he approached you. He scaled your size compared to him and that’s when he lost it.

If you could speak, you would’ve told them to cut it out but much to your misfortune, you were left to make weird noises hedgehogs made. And if you were to make sounds like that, you were pretty much sure that they would laugh harder at you.

“Oh man, this is gold! I can’t believe you turned into a hedgehog.” Ace let out, that stupid grin on his face wider than ever.

“Though that does make me wonder how you managed to think about hedgehogs.” Deuce crossed his arms and pondered, finally calming down. Before he could dive deeper into his thoughts, Trey interjected.

“That isn’t important right now. We better think of what to do with your friend.”

“Trey-senpai, can’t you just overwrite it with your unique magic?” Deuce asked him.

“Unfortunately, it’s going to take a while before I can use my magic on them again. We need to put them somewhere safe for a while, can one of you keep them with you or do you know a place we can leave them?”

“Well, how about…”

“Hup! Off you go!” You hopped off Ace’s hand into the small cage he pushed you into. You felt yourself tense up when you were surrounded by your fellow small creatures, wondering if it was alright for you to sneak in like this. Ace assured Deuce that no one would notice an extra hedgehog inside the cage and decided that it was alright for you to stay there.

You had your doubts and troubles about this course of action but what can you do except comply? Your fate was temporarily in their hands—you were completely helpless. You just stayed behind as you watched Ace, Deuce, and Grim fade into the distance as they walked further and further away.

You looked around, trying to find something you can entertain yourself with but only to be met with immeasurable disappointment when you found out there was absolutely nothing you could do except eat, drink, or sleep. What’s worse is that you don’t know how long you were going to be here. You lied down on your stomach as you stared into space, a sudden wave of tiredness came over you as you felt your eyelids close.

Perhaps a short nap wouldn’t hurt.

You woke up to the heavy weight that rested over your body, you felt like you were being squeezed as a surge of panic took over you. You looked up to see that a green hedgehog was sleeping over you, it looked so comfortable that you felt bad for suddenly moving from your place. You couldn’t stay like this—you wanted to get out! You wished that Ace and Deuce just brought you with them even if it meant that they would probably get told off by Riddle for bringing out a hedgehog outside croquet matches.

“Hm? How strange… did I count correctly?” The sudden voice made you jump in your place, eyes darting everywhere to find out where it came from.

Wine red hair and slate grey eyes. There was no mistaking it—the voice belonged to none other than Riddle Rosehearts, the Dorm Leader of Heartslabyul. Confused, you wondered why he was still here. Didn’t his duty end a while ago? There was no reason for him to check up on the hedgehogs again!

“There’s an extra one?” His eyes shifted to you and you felt your blood run cold. How in the world did he know it was you out of everyone in the cage? You needed to think of something, quick. Who knows what he might do to you? Throw you out? Certainly, he wouldn’t do that… right?

“Don’t be scared. I won’t harm you, I promise.” Riddle’s gentle voice as he reassured you made you feel safe. You stared at his outstretched arm as a small smile appeared on his face and you couldn’t help but willingly hop into his palm. He brought you closer until you were on eye level with him. His grey eyes staring at you so intensely, you almost let out a squeak.

“Now then, we just have to find out who put you here.” He placed you on his shoulder and you felt the sudden panic sink in. You were in for a lot of trouble! You hadn’t expected Riddle to notice the extra hedgehog and you didn’t even expect him to come over in the first place. You cursed Ace and Deuce inside your head for leaving you there and expecting everything to sail smoothly.

If Riddle found out what happened, you were screwed. The best course of action you chose was to do your best to act like a normal hedgehog. That should be easy enough, right? Wrong! You didn’t know anything about how they acted and that fact alone made you declare this operation a failure.

Riddle walked away from the gardens and into the dorm building, your grip on his clothes tight because you were afraid of falling. Riddle felt the sudden shift on his shoulder and barely felt your claws ghosting over his clothes. He thought it was a bit strange, were you afraid of heights? But he paid it little to no mind as he continued walking and pushed open the door.

The students sitting in the common room suddenly stiffened up—they were first years and it was only natural that they were afraid of the strict Riddle Rosehearts. They stood up and greeted Riddle almost immediately, like soldiers.

"D-Dorm Leader!"

“Calm down, I’m not here to reprimand you or anything.” Riddle was irked at the way they visibly relaxed after saying that but he didn’t bother bringing it up. He scooted closer to them as he showed them the hedgehog on his shoulder.

“Do you know where this came from?”

Of course, the students could barely understand his question. They didn’t know the hedgehog was an extra head inside the cage and assumed that it was a normal hedgehog, so they answered:

“That’s a hedgehog, Riddle-senpai. It came from the cage they’re being kept in.”

“Of course I know that, I meant for this one specifically! It wasn’t here before.”

“M-Maybe it came from the forest and got lost?”

“It’s likely but how would it get inside the cage? That means a human probably put it in there.”

“Well… we don’t know.”

Riddle let out a sigh, trying to keep it together. It was going to be hard for him to find the culprit so he thought, just for a second, that maybe he should just let it stay inside the dorm. It wasn’t as if the world would end if he did, after all. But something deep inside his guts told him that he shouldn’t let go of this so easily. He dismissed the students and went to his room as he picked you up from his shoulder and into his palms.

“Where in the world did you come from…?” He brought you closer to his face and you felt like your heart was about to stop. His eyes widened as he made a sudden discovery. Magic? He felt the faintest bit of magic coming from you and that was enough to tell him that he should get to the bottom of this. But first—he needed an afternoon snack inside his room. After all, a queen should never make do without tea and snacks.

There was nothing more relaxing than having his favourite blend of tea in the afternoon accompanied by little snacks and biscuits that were served in little platters and teacups adorned with rose designs. It was to be expected as he was stuck in a dorm that was founded by the Queen of Hearts, it wasn't as if Riddle minded though—in fact, he grew fond of it. Daintily, he picked up his fork and took a small piece of his strawberry tart before putting it inside his mouth. Relishing in the burst of flavours that bloomed inside his mouth before turning his gaze to the small creature crawling on the table.

If you were already nervous back then, you didn't know how much more nervous you are now. You felt bad for feeling like you're deceiving him but at the same time, it wasn't as if you had a choice at all! Pushed into this seemingly hopeless situation, you wondered what would happen if somehow you transformed back into your original body right now. You shook your head and made yourself stray away from those thoughts—they never tend to end well once you think about them.

You tried distracting yourself by looking around the table and a certain snack caught your eye. You slowly made your way to it, your little feet pitter-pattering against the wooden material. Strawberry shortcake. Surely you were a tiny bit hungry after everything that occurred and not once did you get the chance to sit down and eat since you refused to eat the same food the other hedgehogs in the cage ate. You couldn’t help but look longingly at the small platter.

Riddle stopped halfway when he was about to take another bite out of his tart as he caught sight of you. Now, he wasn’t well-versed in the language of hedgehogs but it didn’t take an idiot to realize that you were hungry. He was a sucker for the rules of the Queen of Hearts but he wasn’t heartless. There was no harm in feeding you a little bit of that cake, right?

“Hm,” he contemplated for a split second, “just one small piece, okay?”

He took a small piece with his fork and nudged it towards you, expecting you to eat it. It took you a few seconds to understand what’s going on. Riddle, of all people, was feeding you. You didn’t know if you should be happy or not since you were in your hedgehog form but once you thought about it—didn’t you say earlier that it must be nice being a hedgehog spoiled by Riddle? Did the Great Seven up above hear you and decided to grant your wish?

Nonetheless, you took this as an opportunity. Who knows when you’ll get this close to Riddle ever again. You tasted the cake, eyes lighting up as you felt the sweetness of the frosting spread inside your mouth. You quickly took another bite until you finished everything with a content look. Riddle propped his elbow against the table and rested his chin on the center of his palm, looking at you with gentle eyes.

"...Somehow you remind me of a certain person." Riddle suddenly spoke up, his tone wary as he squinted at your figure. Your actions suddenly became more languid as you realized that perhaps the root of his suspicion was because of your erratic movements.

Surely he doesn't know it's me, right…!?

"(Y/N)," you froze up. "You remind me of them for some reason."

You went through the possible list of reasons how he came to that conclusion inside your head as you felt your heartbeat beat faster. For some reason, this whole scenario felt like it came straight out of a horror film. Out of all the names he could’ve said, he chose to say yours. The panic subsided as you suddenly grew curious about what exactly reminded him of you.

There was the slightest, smallest, unlikely chance that it was because he liked you but that was too far-fetched, right? Your imagination was going wild and unknowingly, you let out a small squeak. Riddle chuckled at the sudden sound, the corners of his lips tugging up into a smile. He stopped to think for a moment, he was alone, right? There was no one else in the room but the hedgehog and him, right? He took a deep breath.

“Speaking of them, something has been on my mind right lately… and it’s bothering me to no end.” He started, a downcast expression was on his face and you couldn’t help but worry. Did you perhaps do something to upset him? The thought itself made you panic inside. You couldn’t help but scoot away from him a little.

“I think I like them.”

What.

WHAT!?

You wondered if turning into a hedgehog made your hearing worsen or Riddle just made a mistake. There was no way what you heard was right, right? But, even then, Riddle had a slightest tint of pink spreading on his face as he looked down in slight embarrassment. It was hard to believe that he didn’t mean it or that he made a mistake in what he said. You felt your heart explode at the sudden realization and discovery.

“But the problem is that I think they’re avoiding me. I’m a bit afraid that they don’t like me,” Riddle sighed, “not a lot of people like me after all.”

“That’s not true!” is what you wanted to say had it not been for the fact that you can’t. But as they always say—actions speak louder than words. You scooted closer to his hand on the table and placed one of your front paws over his hand, hoping that he would take it as a form of reassurance. His eyes widened slightly at the sudden gesture, surprised that maybe the hedgehog understood his feelings and tried comforting him.

“Eh, you’re full of surprises aren’t you? Did you actually understand what I said?”

Without thinking it through, you nodded.

“Ah-! You really do… that’s strange. But anyway, thank you for your reassurance. Maybe one day I’ll get the chance to confess b-but that’s not important right now, I need to find out where you came from.” Riddle urged you to go to the palm of his hand and you complied with no complaints. He lifted you until you were at eye-level with him.

“Let’s continue looking, shall we?” Before he let you go, he placed a kiss on your head as a sign of endearment. You swore you were about to let out another squeak until a cloud of smoke suddenly appeared from nowhere and you felt your body get bigger as you closed your eyes shut.

You wrapped your arms around Riddle’s neck so as not to fall and you felt his arms go under your shoulders and knees as he let out a surprised noise—realizing he was carrying you when the smoke thinned out. His eyes widened in surprise and his face was as red as his face when he looked at the person he was carrying. There was no way. No absolute way this was happening to him.

You stared at him nervously, face red as you violently wondered why the spell suddenly went undone. Trey never mentioned anything about a kiss being able to undo it so why…!? Countless questions took over your mind but there was only one thing you could focus on right now.

What do I do now?

“Ahaha… Hi Riddle…” Nervously, you started.

“Y-Y-You…”

“It’s me, (Y/N)...!” You had the feeling this wasn’t going to end well.

“M-My confession…”

“Oh yeah, about that I—”

“OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!”

Extra:

"E-Eh!? That came from Riddle-senpai's room right now. Do you think he's okay?" A random student asked the person beside them, crossing their arms as a pensive expression took over their face.

"Hmm, do you think we should check? Or tell Trey-senpai?" The other suggested. But as soon as Trey's name was uttered, he emerged from the hall with a satisfied grin on his face—as if he accomplished something great.

"Don't worry about Riddle, he's just having a little bit of fun with someone right now." He chuckled, not doing well to ease the students' worries.

"Trey-senpai...? Oh, he's gone. What do you think he meant by that?"

[scarlettscribbles]

she used to be mine

- Anthony Bridgerton & TwinSister!Reader

Tags: 4k words - 3rd person POV, sibling fluff, family fluff, Anthony/Siena (not the main focus), Anthony is a soft boi when it comes to you (the softest, in fact), mourning

Warning/s: a bit spicy at the beginning, mild injury, mention of blood, major character death

Summary: A question from Siena about love sends Anthony into the past; making him recall his memories of a sister long loved, but never forgotten. A story told in moments. 

a/n: don’t mind me, just manifesting my angst and bridgerton needs >> titles from waitress the musical

i. it’s not simple to say

“What do you think about love?” 

“Love? What’s this all of a sudden?” Anthony laughed. He captured between his hands Siena’s own and kissed it playfully, making her giggle. “What do I think about it, well. I love kissing you, touching you-” he planted a soft kiss on her collarbone as his hands trailed down her abdomen. “I love--”

“Okay, no stop. That is not what I meant at all!” Siena stilled his wandering hands, laughing. She snuggled closer until they were chest to chest. “Love with your friends, family,...women.” she waggled her brows at the last word.

“Women, hah.” Anthony cast his eyes upward. “The only women I’ve ever loved are my mother and five sisters.”

“You mean four.”

“What?”

“You have four sisters: Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth if memory serves correctly. Unless your mother’s pregnant, which I believe is unlikely. My lord, did you perhaps miscount?” Siena teased. 

“No, no.” he waved his hand, chuckling. “She…”

ii. i still remember that girl

She was born 9 minutes before him; the eldest Bridgerton. This was a fact she liked lording over him teasingly. She won many arguments by simply stating “I am the eldest Bridgerton and therefore…” 

Sometimes he could still hear her say it in his head. 

“Remind me why I’m accompanying you again?”

“Because I am your older sister and--”

“I should always agree to what you’re saying, blah blah. Oh this is so crowded! Why could you not just send a maid to fetch the book?”

“Well what’s the fun in that? Come on Tony, you’re being too slow! It will be nighttime when we arrive there and the book I wanted will be gone!” she moaned miserably, turning around and tugging on his hand to encourage him to make haste.

“You and your dramatics. Why is this book so important anyway?”

“It simply is. I need it for when I become the Viscountess.” she smiled at him, chin jutting out proudly. “I can’t wait to get Papa’s watch. I will get it right, as Viscountess? He will pass it onto me along with the title.”

“Uh no he won’t. I am the heir in case you have forgotten, sister.”

“But I am the oldest. We might be both 10 but I am 9 minutes older than you.” she argued, waving her pointer finger at him. 

“Yes, yes you’ve said that like a million times now! But you’re a girl, so you can’t. You shall marry some guy, not that there are any worth marrying. Why just the today I saw the son of that family I cannot remember for the life of me, doing something horrendous! I think it would be better for you to stay away from any and all men.” Anthony paused, realizing that he was - or is soon going to be - one of those men. ��Except for me and Papa, of course.”

She merely looked at him in amusement. “Pish posh.” his twin huffed, eyes glinting in the sunlight. “I’m not going to exchange my ambitions for some mere man. You shall see Tony, I will have that watch. Now come on!” she dropped his hand and gathered her skirts, ducking and maneuvering between the throng of people. Anthony felt a tinge of panic, seeing his sister slowly becoming engulfed by the crowd. 

“Sister wait!” he started to chase after her. He saw the blue tail-end of her skirt when someone bumped into him. He whirled around to complain to whoever it was; however, he seemed to have miscalculated the strength of his spin and tripped, landing on his bottom. “Ow, hey watch it!” he shouted at the people who accidentally kicked him, not noticing his figure on the ground.

Anthony hissed as he dusted his pants. He examined the palm of his hand and noticed scratches from when he landed too roughly on the floor. There were spots of red slowly making its way down his hand, along with drops of water.

Oh. He was crying. 

“Where are you?” his voice warbled. “Sister…”

Has she left him, truly? Surely not. His twin is many things but never cruel. She was tenacious, smart, and…

“Tony! I let you out of my sight for a second and - goodness!” She ran over and knelt in front of him, glaring at the people who would come too close. They parted for her, giving them a wide berth. “Here, take my handkerchief. We should get home and wash your hands. We don’t want it to be infected. And your clothes are a mess, Mama is going to have a fit. Come now,”

“But your book?” he sniffed.

“Eh, I can get it some other time.” she smiled and patted his cheeks. “Don’t cry now, sister’s got you.”

...kind. She was kind.  

iii. reckless just enough

Anthony was sulking. Not that he’d let anyone know. Papa had gotten angry with him. It wasn’t even a big thing. He simply...borrowed his watch to look at it. Anthony thought maybe he could figure out what made his twin so interested in it. It was a plain thing, nothing special maybe besides the monogram. He didn’t mean to drop it from the stairs. He really didn’t. He heard his name being called for lunch and he jolted.

He got a dressing down from Papa with his siblings present; Benedict and Colin in particular snickering at his plight. It was embarrassing. As soon as Papa dismissed him, he ran for his room, ignoring the calls of his twin. 

Right now he was hidden beneath the curtains and behind his bookshelf. Did Papa really have to scold him at the lunch table? Anthony buried his face between his hands. 

“You didn’t eat.”

Anthony banged his head on the wall when he looked up too fast.

“Are you okay?” his twin asked him, smiling amusedly. She carried with her a plate with bread, cheese, ham and a slice of blueberry pie. 

“Don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re smiling.”

“Laughing and smiling are worlds apart, Tony.” she shook her head and sat beside him, nudging him insistently until they were shoulder to shoulder. She slid the plate from her lap to his. “Eat.”

Anthony looked at her blankly. “Are you so distraught that you cannot eat? Do you want me to hand feed you like a child?” She made a motion as if she was going to grab the plate but Anthony shooed her hands away.

“I’m perfectly capable, thank you.” he stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth. “How’d you find me anyway?”

“Please swallow before you talk.” she said. “And, this is your room Tony. I’m simply using common sense.”

“Oh.”

“Yes.”

Anthony picked up the ham and cheese and continued eating. For a moment, they just sat there in comfortable silence.

“It’s unfair.” Anthony said, breaking the silence. 

“What is?”

“Papa.”

“How come?”

“He was way too angry. I didn’t mean to drop his watch! And it wasn’t even broken. If it was, he could’ve repaired it easily.” he pouted.

“You could’ve also just asked him to look at it. You know, in his room. Where you can’t drop it from a height and possibly damage it.” she replied with a bit of sarcasm.

“Fine, yes, I could have.” he conceded. “I just don’t know why he was so angry.”

“It’s important to him.”

“It’s just a watch.” Anthony rebutted, pouting. His twin gave him a look that he knew meant “you look adorable but also stupid.”

“Nah.”

“No?”

“Nope.” she answered. “For one, it’s an heirloom. Heirloom is defined as -”

“I know what it means.” Anthony waved his hand. “Do go on.”

She gave him a faintly annoyed look which merely made him smirk. “I shall, and not because you told me to.” she cleared her throat. “The watch being an heirloom is just its value as a thing. There’s also the sentimental value. The memories and emotions attached to the watch. For Papa, he treasures it because it - probably - reminds him of grandfather and grandmother. Grandfather especially. Because he was the one to give the Papa the rights and responsibility for our family.”

“Is that why?”

“Why what?”

“I wanted to know what makes it so special for you.” Anthony shrugged. “You always talk about it, about getting the watch when we become older. I didn’t see the big deal. Is that why it’s so important to you too?”

“Yes, quite.” she answered. “I want to take care of our family, Tony. I know I can, I just do. I don’t want me to just be a wife. I’m meant for greater things. Also,” she grinned at him. “I want it so I could count down the seconds until I see you again.” 

Anthony fake gagged, pretending to chuck the bread and cheese onto his twins’ lap. His twin scrambled away far from him and yelped. “You are disgusting! Mama! Anthony ruined the new dress that we just got!”

“I did not!”

“You were about to!”

iv. i was never attention’s sweet center

It was just a stupid, off-hand comment from Benedict. Anthony knew his brother meant no harm but still, the comment hurt.

“Maybe she truly should have your title, brother.”

Anthony was no stranger to her loud and obvious wanting to inherit the head of the house. In fact, he supported his twin. If Papa permitted it, he would gladly concede to you. However, it was unspoken between the twins the knowledge that Papa would never agree to such a thing; no matter how much he loved his eldest daughter. 

Anthony was no stranger to her excellence either. While the both of them worked hard to set an example for their younger siblings. He always thought she was great at everything a girl should be and more. Though the ‘more’ part would never reach the ears of their mother or anybody else. Nobody should know that Anthony taught her how to sucker punch anybody that vexed her except maybe Benedict and Colin...also Eloise. That girl was far too curious and also far too attached to Benedict. Anthony thinks in the privacy of his mind that if she were a boy, there would be no quarrel that she’d get the title.

Other people also thought the same. Though they expressed it in a much less pleasant way, in words Anthony does not care for. They speak condescendingly. They speak of her gender with pity in their voices, their admiration twisted. They mention that her excellence should be toned down, that she should focus instead on things better suited to her. They speak of how inadequate Anthony is, how poor that a boy be overshadowed by a girl. They theorize how Anthony must hate her for taking all the spotlight. He hears all this, and she does too, seeing as they’re almost always attached at the hip. If it bothers her, she does not speak of it. 

They speak of lies. Anthony thinks that her abilities suit her as they are and that no matter how bright she shines, it would never be something to be upset over. He basked in her light. They are wrong for thinking that she’s taking a piece of his life away when in truth, she completes it. Best friends, twins, soulmates; he loves her and she loves him. Still, their words leave a mark.

So when Benedict said that albeit in a teasing manner, Anthony just ran away. As he got older, he found it the preferable way to escape his problems. If he could not run to her then he must run away. 

Anthony hugged himself as a strong breeze blew and made the unoccupied swing beside him rock.

“Tony.” And there she was. His twin was holding a book. She sat at the swing beside him. 

There was silence. The only thing he could hear were the wind, the scuffling of his feet, and the soft sound of her flipping the pages.

“Sister,” she did not look up from the book but she hummed, signifying that he was heard. “Why did you come out here? It’s better to read inside, surely.”

“You’re upset. Of course I would come.” she said matter-of-factly.

“Did Ben tattle?”

“Ben? Tattle? His mouth is tighter than a woman’s corset when it comes to secrets.” she laughed lightly. “Surely you know better than that.”

“Yeah, I do.” he smiled. Since they were little, even if they were distances apart, both of them would always know - or at least had an inkling of - what the other was feeling. During their early years they chalked it up to magic but now they both just conceded it as a twin thing. “Actually, I don’t. Know better, I mean. Everybody seems to think so. Am I inadequate, sister? Dumb perhaps? I feel like I cannot do anything right sometimes! Compared to you I - “

His twin laid a hand on his shoulder. “Tony.” her brows were drawn and her lips pursed. “First of all, there is no comparison brother. I am me and you are your wonderful self. We are both excellent, please do not doubt yourself of that no matter what anyone says. And I know they say a lot. I’m just so used to tuning them out that I never considered that you might not do the same. I’m sorry.”

She stood up and drew him into a hug. Anthony’s arms stayed limp at his side. “People will flap their mouths because that’s what they do; say their opinions even though it’s unwelcome. If we tried to stop every single one of them, why I believe it’ll take all our lifetime and more!” she chuckled. “We cannot change them so we must change how much we’ll let their words affect us. Their words don’t matter at all! If I could, then I would shove those words back up their mouth and let them swallow it. Which I don’t know how to do. D’you suppose punching them would work just as well?” Anthony laughed wetly at her quip. It would work but it would also involve somebody calling Mama and Papa for her ‘inappropriate behavior’.

“What I know is this.” she grasped his shoulders and held them so she could stare at him in the eyes. Anthony met her determined gaze head-on. “You’re good enough Tony. Hell, you’re excellent.”

Anthony sobbed and quickly drew her into a fierce hug, his tears surely wetting her dress but he knew she didn't mind. “That is as sure as the sun that rises in the east. As sure as our family’s love, and ours for each other.”

v. bring back the fire in her eyes

It started with a cold. She had stayed up too long outside and now she’s bed-ridden. Anthony crossed his arms at the corner of the room as his younger siblings ran around. In his opinion there was too much ruckus for her to properly rest. However, Mama brought it up earlier and his twin just waved her concern away, stating that some liveliness will do her good. And who was Anthony to go against the wishes of his dear sister? It doesn’t mean that he has to like it though.

“No you’re the troll!” Eloise insisted.

“I was the troll last round!” Colin argued back.

“Now, now,” Benedict placated them both, then he glanced at Anthony in a way that promised mischief. “Why don’t we let Anthony be the troll then? He certainly looks the part with how grouchy he is.”

Daphne giggled. “And how he’s guarding his corner.”

“And how horrendous his face looks!” added Eloise. 

Now he’s had enough. “You all look far too happy for someone who’s going to be troll food soon.”

“Troll wuh - AAH!” Eloise screamed as Anthony lunged at her. She took off with a sprint and soon the other Bridgertons followed as well, laughing boisterously. “Noo, Ben save me!”

“This is survival of the fittest -”

“Survival of the fittest your face!”

“Ehem.” Suddenly all motion stopped. Colin face-planted on the floor, caught by his momentum. All eyes went to the door where Violet Bridgerton stood along with a maid. She had a smile on her face coupled with a vaguely exasperated expression. “I’m glad you’re having fun but please take you playing outside. I need to tend to your sick sister.”

Various moans and complaints filled the room but only with a raise of their Mama’s brow, they filed outside the room, murmuring farewells and well wishes to the sole occupant of the bed. All except one. Anthony remained rooted at the side of his sister’s bed.

“Anthony, please.” Violet gently said. A complaint was on the tip of his tongue when a hand laid on his bicep. He looked at his sister, looking frail among the covers but she merely smiled and shook her head.

“I’ll be fine Tony.” she said. “Go and check that our siblings haven’t set the house ablaze or anything.”

For a moment, both of them just stared at each other. A silent conversation passing between them both. Anthony sighed. “Get well.” he bent over to press a kiss to her forehead. “I’m not sure I alone will be enough to stop them from doing that.”

She laughed. “You will be.”

vi. sometimes life just slips

It was only supposed to be a cold. A cold. 

Someone almost barreled through Anthony as he, Benedict, Colin came through the door. “Whoa!” he exclaimed as the maid said a rushed apology. Everyone in the house seemed to be in a mad dash. He exchanged looks with his brothers, who were as clueless as he.

“Anthony!” came the panicked voice of Eloise. He held her shoulders and looked over her for any harm of some sort that caused her to panic.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. Anthony was surprised to see her looking up at him with teary eyes. Eloise is looking at him like how she used to when she was much littler, pleading to Anthony. Believing with all her might that her older brother will make everything okay. He looked behind her to Daphne who was pursing her lips.

“Oh God, is someone dead?” Colin quipped, then promptly made a punched-out  noise as Benedict elbowed him.

“Sister, she - “

“She’s dead?!” Colin cried.

“No!” Daphne growled, irritated. “She’s just...in pain. Mama and Papa sent for doctors.”

“Goodness, how serious is this cold? - Anthony, wait!”

Anthony didn’t hear Benedict’s call. How could he over the thumping of his racing heartbeat? He ran upstairs like the devil was on his tail, and even then he felt like he was too slow. He paused at her door, psyching himself to open it. If he went in, what would he see? He raised his trembling hands, the complaints of his siblings nothing but a faint echo.

The doors burst open and out came two elderly men and one woman. The siblings crowded around them. Anthony could only hear snippets as he zeroed in on you. Mama was kneeling beside his twin’s bed, holding her daughter’s hand tight to her chest.

“The young miss will be fine -”

“We expect her fever to break -”

“Dear.” Anthony jumped, startled. The woman accompanying the doctors addressed him. “Are you okay?”

“My - my twin sister, will she be alright?”

“Twin, huh. That’s why you’re so distraught. Well all of you are but you in particular,” she shook her head and smiled. “Your sister is strong. She will be fine. You can go in. I’m sure she’ll be glad for your company.”

She need not say it twice. Anthony ran into the room.

“Sister.”

“Tony.”

He felt like he could breathe again.

vii. rewrite an ending or two

“Are you sure you don’t want to get up here? We shared a bed when we were little. And when we grew, sometimes.” she paused, thinking about her statement. “Often.” his twin amended.

Anthony hummed when she stopped running her hands through his hair. “No.”

“The ground is cold, Tony. You might get sick.”

“How could I? You already took all the sick with you.” Anthony grumbled. “I’m fine, sister.”

“If you say so.”

“How about you?” Anthony asked. 

“Hmm?” she smiled. Facing down and in the darkness, Anthony couldn’t have seen it but he felt it. “I believe I will be.”

viii. she is gone, but she used to be mine

 It was a miserable day in spring when the eldest Bridgerton was buried.

ix. most days i don’t recognize me 

“She…” Anthony clenched his jaw.

“Are you ever going to finish that sentence?” Siena asked, smiling until she noticed how tense he was. She reached out to touch his arm, inquiring, “My lord, are you alright?”

Anthony sniffed and quickly stood up, hastily picking up his clothes. “Yes, fine.” he answered, hopping on one foot to put his shoes on. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Siena asked. Anthony barely spared a glance at her, pausing shortly halfway out the door. He checked his watch, eyes glazing over for a moment.

“I need - I’m needed. At home.” With that, he briskly walked outside and into his carriage. It was today. He must’ve forgotten. How could he have forgotten? But he also ‘forgot’ the other years. The grief consumed him on this particular day. It was always a sore reminder that he was missing his other half. So instead of going to her grave, he went drinking. Instead of spending the day with her in his mind, he spent it with his cock inside somebody. Anthony spent so much time forgetting but now it’s as if her ghost had come to haunt him. Every memory had come rushing back, especially the day she died.

He remembered the night before. The doctors had told them she would be better. She told him she would be better. But he needed to stay close to her. Anthony fell asleep with her hand in his hair. Then he woke up to her eyes open but her breath was gone. He had never screamed so loud in his life.

Anthony remembered their parents barging into the room, Mama taking a step back looking as if she was seconds away from fainting. Then she saw her son on the floor and immediately enveloped him in her arms. He woke up in a bed sometime during the night. He woke up convinced it was all a dream but that promptly shattered when all his siblings (all except one) filed into the room in their sleepwear. Their eyes were swollen and wet. And it stayed that way until her funeral, and even some more after that.

The carriage stopped. Anthony got out and stopped at the gate. He knew Mama held some kind of family gathering during this day. What they did in the gathering, he had no idea. He never stayed long enough to attend. But today was different, somehow. 

He padded softly into the drawing room. A quick glance noted him of all his siblings’ presence. Francesca was playing a familiar tune. Colin was singing in a low tone. Benedict, Eloise, and Daphne were all sitting on one couch, leaning against each other. The youngest ones sat on the floor, trying to follow the lyrics Colin sang. Mama was sewing. The melancholy vibe was replaced with a startled one. Francesca stopped playing and Colin stopped singing. Mama dropped what she was holding and walked towards him, arms open.

Anthony crumbled. “Mama -”

x. for the girl that i knew

“Mama what do you think about love?” It was indeed a bleak day in spring. Everybody had left after the service but Anthony chose to stay, lingering.

“Anthony I -” Violet began.

“Why does it hurt so much?” he whirled around, uncaring as tears and snot fell messily down his tired face. “I feel as if someone carved an unfillable hole inside me. Like every breath I take is not right. Half of me is buried six feet underground, mama. How can I bear it?”

Anthony curled into himself as Mama enveloped him into her arms. “One day at a time, dearest. You have us still.” she whispered. “One day at a time.”

[fin.]