#and little portia is holding the flower her brother gave her

[themilktealogy]

Saw this format and decided the arcana needs one too. Tried new coloring because I finally accept that I can’t shade even to save my life.

[laurensxox]

Fandom :: The Arcana

Pairing :: Julian Devorak x Reader (Not Apprentice)

Requested? :: no

Warning/s :: Julian's Route (Upright) and New Tale Spoilers, Named Apprentice, Female Reader, Chronic Illness, Swearing, Author is projecting their longing

Genre :: Angst

Summary :: Julian spends the night reminiscing over childhood memories and longing to go back to the past where he was in Nevivon again, playing as carefree as one can be with the one person he truly cared about other than his younger sister

Author's Note :: Stark, if you're reading this, I'm fighting you for this dramatic, self-sacrificing dumbdumb-

Song Inspiration :: Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars

Portia's Cottage :: Just After Sundown

A chuckle left the auburn haired man as he watches Pasha relay stories of their childhood to their friends, informing them of how they were raised by a group of grandmothers and how their parents actually perished from a shipwreck caused by a rather strong storm. Mazelinka quickly add in how much of a troublemaker the two of them has become as the years pass by, didn't even waste the chance to tell them about the tooth fairy situation which caused Julian to go beet red in mild embarassment. Their friends were in no need to know that story!

Shaking his head, he let a more genuine smile form on his face. As embarrassed as he is right now, he was happy to see everyone laughing jovially without the fear of Lucio's plans with the Devil weighing on their shoulders. A warm sensation forms in his chest as he tries to hold in his laughter as Pasha nearly slips on her feet with her excitement to share their history. It was nice to be able to just laugh and and thrive in the positive energy inside the cottage! Even Muriel, their very introverted friend, seems to be relaxed as he lets Allen (Apprentice) braid his hair using flower stems while Asra leans on his side.

Looking at the trio and sensing the strong forming bond between Pasha and the Countess, Julian couldn't help the small pang of longing swell somewhere within himself. He couldn't stop his mind from pushing forward memories he tried to bury and lock away.

"Ilya, help! I'm slipping!"

"Don't worry, I'll catch you!"

The longing pang quickly turned to pain as the memories rushes back to the surface. He could feel his hand start to tremble as the formerly locked away memories barrels it's way to the front of his mind. Jumbled memories of playing tag and tending to scraped knees should have made him feel fond but it makes feel nothing but longing. Longing for a time and companionship he knows he'll never be able to have again.

Taking a deep breath, he hadn't noticed that he had closed his eyes until he opened them. With him being occupied with trying to stir himself away from the path of self-loathing once again, he hadn't noticed how quiet the cottage had gotten, its other residents looking at him with concerned eyes. Not even the Familiars scattered in the room made a noise.

He forced a laugh to ease the sudden change of atmosphere in the cottage, hoping it sounded convincing enough to clear the concern away from his family and friends' eyes. While he has come to terms that it's okay to ask and receive help instead of keeping things to himself, he still struggles with it. And it was obvious with the way he tries to act like he was okay, that he wasn't just bombarded with memories he doesn't want to remember.

"What is with that look, my dear friends? I am perfectly well, no worries!" he exclaimed, giving them his usual smirk and raised eyebrow, internally hoping it'll be enough to convince them that there was nothing to be concerned about. "There is nothing in this world that this handsome and smart devil can't handle!" His little comment about himself seems to be the right thing to say as his friends immediately rolled their eyes in fond exasperation. Although, by the look of his sister and honorary grandmother, he guessed that they have seen right through him and he can already see his funeral-

He gave a small sigh and let a small weary look replace his earlier expression, "I'll just head outside to take in a quick breath of fresh air," he said as he quickly exited the cottage before his two family member could say anything. Knowing that they'll probably just follow right after him, he quickly made his way away from the cottage and into the hedge maze by the palace gardens. It took him a while to get to the center but he was relieved to see it empty. Consul Valerius has taken to drinking his usual wine there in this time so he was quite happy to see that for once, the Consul broke his routine. He needed to be alone right now.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs surrounding a rounded table, he crossed his arms on the table and used it to rest his head upon. Taking another deep breath to calm his racing heart, he closed his eyes.

Maybe he needs to stop locking away these memories, he has only done so before due to his need to focus on finding the cure for the plague and then having to focus to not get caught by the patrolling palace guards when he was still a wanted convict. The memories and the longing for his childhood best friend used to be a big distraction for him while he was still working under Valdemar.

He didn't need to do any of those anymore... So maybe...

The soft rapid footsteps echoed in the small forest near the town of Nevivon, followed by the childish giggling of two children. Both children wore a tattered white sheet of cloth, the corners wrapped around their necks in a way that resembles that of a cape. Whilst in their heads rests crudely made paper crowns.

Young Julian and his best friend, (Y/N), were already considered too old for these kind of games by some of the grandmas and fellow children but the two gave them no mind, choosing to continue living in their fantasy world until they were truly too old for it.

The two children stopped once they have reached the center of the forest where a small meadow hides in. It was decorated by dozens of wild flowers and the breeze were always refreshing. The two has deemed this as their spot when they had first found it years ago, back when they were much younger.

They call the meadow as their kingdom, where they are the rulers, side by side as King and Queen. The wild flowers are their loyal subjects and sometimes, when Pasha joins them, she acts as their ambassador.

Young Julian kneeled as they reach the very center that they always keep clean, it was their designated throne room. The young boy carefully plucked a blue hued flower from the ground, he didn't know what kind of flower it was but it was pretty, a perfect gift for his 'Queen'

As if mocking the reminiscing man, right across from him and innocently clinging to the hedge wall was the very same flower that he had picked back then. He didn't know if he wants to sneer at it or be fond of it. He wished he has a glass of Salty Bitters right now, maybe he should have headed to Rowdy Raven instead of here.

"Would you have approved of the man that I have become, (Y/N)?" he whispered as he stares at the flower, as if it would miraculously turn into his childhood friend and answer him. Maybe that was possible? Allen did transform him into Asra back then, would the illusion work on a plant as well? But then again, that will be all it'll ever be. Just an illusion.

The grandmas all exchanged fond gazes as they watch their resident troublemakers sing songs with all their heart, their love for the dramatic was very much obvious at that moment.

Little Portia was banging on pots like drums by the sidelines, sometimes singing some lines as well when prompted by either her older brother or the girl she was starting to see as her older sister.

He stood up from his place and started to make his way out of maze. He wasn't going to go back in the cottage nor was he in any hurry, he just felt too restless to stay sitted in one place. He has gotten used to always moving around with all his running from guards and fighting a Major Arcana. But before he went back to trying to find his way in the maze, he stopped in front of the flower that he has been staring at.

It was a small flower with 6 petals that looks blue and violet at the same time, the bud in the middle was light green in color and it was the only flower growing in the hedge. From what Julian remembers, these flowers grow in bundles. So to see one so alone, well, it didn't help the growing hole inside him.

Gently plucking the flower like he did so in his childhood, he observed the flower a little more before making his way back into maze, taking the small flower with him. Surely, the Countess would not mind him plucking such a small wild flower, now would she?

Julian looked up from his book as he felt something soft being places om his hair, looking up, he saw (Y/N) placing what looks to be a bunch of flowers weaved together in a circlet manner on top of his head. Something similar on her own head as well.

"What are you doing, peanut?" he asked the girl, gently closing his book and waiting for the other to finish adjusting the flowers. He had taken to calling her 'Peanut' after he had caught her trying to sneakily take the peanuts in the communal pantry. He didn't snitch to the grandmas, of course.

"Just adjusting your flower crown, bum-bum" she answered, making small more adjustments before appearing satisfied that the flower crown both looks good and will surely stay on her friend's head when they begin to trek their way home later.

The Doctor surprisingly got out pretty easy, definitely faster than when he was first trying to get to the heart of the maze. Looking down at the flower, he let a sad smile adorn his face.

"I suppose even after all these years, you're still my lucky charm, huh, (Y/N)?" he mumbled under his breath, giving the one of the petals a small kiss before continuing to walk.

He didn't really have a destination, the palace grounds was vast and there are still some areas of it that he hasn't been to. Maybe a little exploring wouldn't hurt? He hopes Pasha wouldn't get too worried if he takes too long to get back to her cottage, he does often find himself in troubling situations.

"You know what? I wouldn't even ask how you manage to be in this situation." (Y/N) said, crossing her arms as she narrows her eyes at the boy dangling before her.

Julian had, at that moment, managed to get himself tangled in the vines surrounding the branches of the tree. Truth be told, he was trying to climb the tree in order to get fresh fruits for his sister and best friend. But when he finally managed to get on a branch, a crow suddenly flew out of its nest and caused him to go off balance, fortunately being caught by the vines, no matter how tangled up he got.

He wouldn't tell her that though, lord knows she wouldn't let him live it down.

"Why, my dear peanut, I was just trying to see how strong these vines are and if they would make a good rope!" It was honestly a good excuse for him, but apprently not good enough for (Y/N) as she just raised her eyebrow at him, clearly not believing him.

After a good bit of exploring, he manages to find himself near the fountains where he saw the trio couple making their way back to the palace. Were they on their way home already? How long has he been outside? Shaking his head, he called for their attention and made his way to them.

"Going home already?" he asked, raising a brow as he observes the many colorful flowers adoring Muriel's hair. It was quite a new look on the tall man but it surprisingly suits him. Seeing his friend give him a narrowed look, he moved his gaze to the two magicians.

"Yeah, I'm feeling quite a bit tired already and Asra wanted to do a quick inventory of the stocks we have left in the shop" Allen explained, moving to lightly keep their wild green hair out of their sight. It was getting a little long, they might need a cut soon. "Though, we don't plan to stay there for the whole night, just a quick inventory and dinner then straight to Muri's where we'll sleep for tonight" the apprentice added, giving the taller doctor a smile.

"I see, I see! Well, don't let me hold you back for any longer, have a safe walk home!" he exclaimed, moving to walk further before he was stopped by a gentle grip on his wrist. Turning back, he saw that it was Allen who held him back. He could see the concern swirling in their green eyes but the smile never faltered away from their face. "Yes, dear?" he asked.

"You know you can talk to us if there's something bothering you, right? You don't have to if you're not comfortable but just remember that we're here, okay?" Moved by their words, Julian pulled them into a sideway hug and let out a genuine laugh. He was so lucky to have his friends. Sometimes he still thinks he doesn't deserve them but he knew to keep it to himself for now. He didn't fancy sitting through another lecture session about his self worth by his sister again.

"Aw, Allen, don't you worry about lil 'ol me! I'm quite alright now!" That was a lie, he was far from alright, but his friend doesn't need to know that. "I may talk to Pasha and Mazelinka about it so no need to worry that cute little head of yours" That seemed to settle the Apprentice as they pulled away from the hug and gave his arm one last pat before moving to stand between their partners.

"You should do that now before Portia wears a hole in her carpet with how much she's pacing when we left" Asra said before he and the other two gave the auburn haired man one last wave and left.

Deciding to do as his magician friend said, he started his way back to his sister's cottage. Earlier was such a good day, it wouldn't do to plague his sister with worries and sour up the light mood. He already did that earlier before he walked out, best not make it worse.

Looking up at the dark sky, he smiled as he admires the scattered stars. It was a beautiful night, the full moon was giving the world such a soft look and it made things seem so peaceful. It made him feel like he was back to laying in the meadow near Nevivon. Like he was laying next to... Next to...

He wasn't able to wipe away his tears before they begun to fall down his cheeks. A sob fought its way out of his throat as he falls to a crouch.

Fuck, he wants to go back. He really really wants to go back-

Julian observed the wide sky and the many stars on them, it was a beautiful night and the night breeze was cold and as he lays on the equally cool grass of the meadow, it soothes his heated skin. It made him sigh in contentment, what more could he want?

Looking at his left, he smiled as he sees his sleeping sister. The little girl had decided to join them that night in their nightly star gazing but it didn't take long before she fell asleep, not used to staying up later than her bedtime. He'll have to carry her home later on.

The sight on his right took his breath away. Blush rushed to his face as he seems to see his best friend in a completely different light.

There, laying beside him, was (Y/N). The moonlight was softly hitting her face, and it made her (eye color) so much more brighter like gems, like the stars that littered the dark sky above them. Her laugh as she continues to talk about the astrology that she learned from Mazelinka, sounds like soothing bells to his ears.

Since when has his peanut became this... pretty?

He longs to be in her arms again, he longs to hear her voice again. No doubt it would still sound like music to his ears. He wants to make flower crowns again, he wants to play king and queen again, he wants to stargaze with her again, he wants to sneakily steal cookies, hangout by the hot springs, pick flowers for the grandmas, share lessons with Lilinka, he wants to...

He really wants to see her again.

Julian sat on her bed by her side, his hand gently holding her weaker and much fragile one, her illness eating away her strength. Her ring finger still holds the flower ring he had made earlier that week, it was already wilting but the girl refuses to take it off.

"I made up my mind." he said, breaking the solemn silence in the room. It made the other look at him curiously, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I'll take the offer to study medicine in Prakra" he explained, finally looking at his best friend and secretly, the girl who has his heart in her gentle grip for he doesn't think his bestfriend could ever be harsh, other than when she's twisting his ear for getting in trouble without her

But he can't, he knew he can't. She probably hates him, gotten word of his 'crimes' and no longer sees him as her best friend. But as a murderer, a plague doctor who assisted his superior on experimenting to dying plague victims in search of the cure.

She probably already has a family of her own now, has 3 children like she once said she wanted. Probably has a nice spouse that always makes her laugh and will never hurt her. A spouse that doesn't have their sins still haunting them in every step and breath they take.

"You're leaving me?" the pain in her voice was clear, she was hurt at the thought. They had planned to wait for her to be cured before they decide to go out of their hometown to travel, to study medicine like they always dreamed of.

"Not for long, I know we planned to study together but..." He took a deep breath, "I'm doing this for you, (Y/N), I want to study now for you"

Silence filled the room once again.

Julian clutched up at his coat, the place right over his heart where it hurts the most. He had completely fallen to his knees, tears continues to drip down to the ground from his eyes, his other hand gripping the ground.

Whispered apologies leaving his mouth over and over again.

"Promise me you'll come back? That you won't forget about me?"

Julian stared at his love's dull but hopeful (eye color) orbs, hisbhand momentarily leaving hers to gently caress her cheek.

"I'm so sorry... (Y/N), I'm so sorry..."

"I promise"

"I broke our promise... I'm so sorry, my love..."

[...]

Meanwhile, in the same meadow of Julian's memories, sits a much grown up version of the girl in his memories. Body trembling as sobs come right after one another, clutching a bundle of those same blue wildflowers to her chest. Her eyes tightly shut as tears falls to the ground of her childhood. The girl looked up, staring at the same moon that Julian was previously admiring.

"Where are you, Ilya? I thought you'll come back... You promised... You promised..."

Anyone interested in a reunion sequel? 👀

My apologies if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes, I just woke up when I finished this lol

Anyways, I hope you all liked this! Let me know what you think, don't be shy! 💙

[ethanharli]

Requested: Nah.

Pairing(s): Asra x Top Male Reader

Warning(s): Some Angst, Flashbacks, Mentions of heartbreak, Sudden confession, Cliffhanger, Long, Sister Nadia.

A/n- I brought this over from my Wattpad, and I edited it a bit but this is the longest One-Shot I've ever made, just fifty words away from three thousand :")).

_______________

A frustrated groan slipped past my lips as I fumbled with the sleeves of my costume, it may sound silly but its true. I refuse to wear anything that could reveal my torso, besides my face of course but that's only because its not covered in ink. Now don't get me wrong, the art adoring my body is nothing but beautiful, yet some of its a bit much for the public eye, and I hate attention. Guess Muriel and I are the same in that regard. After adjusting the sleeves I slipped on my rings and emerald necklace that clung tightly around my throat, which didn't bother me in the slightest bit as I drag my pierced tongue over my bottom lip. Finishing up with a few things I quickly locked up my house and headed on my way to the palace, Nadia had invited me over for the Masquerade this year since the last one ended with Lucio and the Devil trying to take over.

I really have to admire that apprentice, their magic is quiet fascinating. With a small smirk I slipped on my wolfs mask, nothing original but the black and vibrant neon of purple and green helping it stand out, even if only by the slightest. The journey to the palace was quite fun, watching people light up fireworks and drink to their hearts content without a worry in the world. Yet it was a whole new world once I entered the palace gates, making my way towards the ball room in hopes to run into my sister, but Nadia is nowhere to be found. "Should've expected as much, she is the Countess after all" I muttered with a proud smile, if only my familiar where here to keep me company but sadly having a grey wolf in this crowd isn't such a good idea, poor thing would be trampled despite her large size.

Taking a glass of wine I sipped it slowly, enjoying the bubbly feeling of it going down my throat. Yet a slither around my ankle caught my attention, and I froze at the sight of a familiar snake, looking up at me with their cute tilted head. "Friend!" Faust cheered, happily slithering up my body to rest on my shoulders, "Yes Faust, it's good to see you again" A pained smile forced at my lips, scratching softly under Faust's chin. If Faust's here then Asra and his apprentice must be close by, I should've expected as much. "Miss you" My heart tightened at the words, forcing the breath out my lungs painfully, and here I thought I could enjoy the Masquerade without running into anyone else, but I guess even an over packed Masquerade can't hide me from them. "I missed you too Faust-" My words were cut off by a familiar voice, merely a couple feet behind me, yelling for the beautiful creature wrapped around my shoulders.

"Im sorry Faust but I really should be leaving, please don't tell Asra I was here alright?" I asked as worry started to pool in the pit of my stomach, however Faust simply tilted her head, watching me curiously. Nevertheless I made a slow pace to the exit, not wanting to rise any sort of suspicion as Asra yells a bit louder. And there he is, my savior. Putting on a small smile I took a drink from a waiters tray, walking up to Julian without seeming any bit out of place, then once the right moment hit I brushed my shoulder against his and shrugged Faust onto him, not once turning back to look at them. However I knew I wasn't out in the clear just yet since a pair of eyes followed me as I left the room.

Being out in the hall felt a lot better then being so close to him. Especially when I'm not ready to face him just yet, hell I don't even think I have the power to look at him without freezing up, how stupid of me to think I could come back here. "[Y/n]?" The sound of Nadia's voice finally got me to relax a bit, letting the tension in my shoulders drop, "Hey Sis, it's been a while" I smiled down at her, watching as her eyes soften before pulling me into a tight embrace that I gladly returned. "Where'd you go? You told me that you were going to talk to Asra after what happened with Lucio and the Devil but it was only him that came back, he said he didn't know where you ran off to and when I tried to ask what happened he'd never answer!" Her crimson eyes glare up at me as they slowly fill with tears that I quickly brushed away.

"Its okay Nadi, Im back now and I plan to stay, I missed my little sister way to much to be gone for so long" I chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood even only for a second, before she looks at my costume with not very well hidden disgust. "You've really never had an eye for fashion have you?" She sighs, taking my hand and dragging me down the hall where Portia was standing. Once her eyes met mine her face lit up in realization, "[Y/n]! You're back!" She jumped up to hug me, which I returned with a ruffle of her long hair.

"Portia could you please get my dear brother to one of the guest rooms so he can change?" Nadi smiled and Portia couldn't have answered any happier, "Yes milady! Now c'mon [Y/n] lets get you a new costume!" She cheered, dragging me away by the sleeve of my shirt. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew this wasn't going to end well, and by the time I was pushed in the room with a new set of clothing I knew I was right. The clothing was way to revealing for my liking, even though the color and fabric made me look elegant and right at home. The top exposed my arms and most of my chest, the 'V' stopping right above my waist which the pants hugged tightly, yet the rest of it was baggy except the bottom of it, which also hugged my ankles nicely.

But my tattoos and scars were out in the open. The skulls, flowers, and chains that decorate my body glowed a faint blue color, as if cheering that they were finally free from my always concealed clothing.

I didn't want to wear it, every part of my mind was screaming to tear it off but I couldn't. My sister picked this out for me and this is her party, I'll do it for her if not for myself. Sliding my mask back on I headed out the room, looking down at Portia with a nervous smile as she stared at the art in wonder, "I never knew you had these!" She pouted, looking as If I had betrayed her somehow. I could only reached out and pat her head, trying to ignore the eyes that locked onto me, "Im not very fond of them, so I always hid them, Im sorry for not telling you sooner." She merely rolled her eyes and smiled at me before realization yet again broke on her face, "I need to go tell the rest you're here! Stay put!" My eyes widened as I tried to stop her, but she was already out of reach before I could, and the slithery presence was back at my feet.

"Friend!"

Fucking hell.

At that moment I felt the fight to run away slowly drain from me, I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, no matter how hard I tried. Even so, with what resistance was left in me I headed towards the garden with Faust resting peacefully on my shoulders, and stayed put by the fountain, letting my eyes flutter shut for a mere moment.

_____

My palms started to sweat as I looked down into those mesmerizing lavender eyes that watched me with an amused glint, "Asra I-" The words got caught in my throat for the millionth time now, and even I was getting impatient with myself. But can you blame me? Asra looked so majestic under the moonlight, with the stars that practically glowed in his eye's, I don't think I've ever thought it was possible to feel so relaxed and intimidated at the same time.

"[Y/n], are you okay?" He asked, his voice barley above a whisper as he slowly reached up, softly brushing his fingers against my cheek. A flutter in my chest caused the chains on my body to recoil slightly, and thankfully he didn't notice the change, "No, I just can't hold it in anymore Asra" My hand clenched tightly on my sleeves, nearly causing them to rip while Asra brushed a lock of hair of of my face. "Hold in what?" He smiled, but my eyes drifted to his chest, looking where the mark on his heart is hiding, causing me to reluctantly pull away from his touch.

It was a simple friendly gesture he's always done to calm me down, to bring me back from whatever clouded my thoughts. So when I pulled away he reached out again, slower this time, as if any rushed movement would send me away. "Asra stop" He looked a bit shocked when I grabbed his wrist, but my grip was gentle, cause I'm more afraid of hurting him than anyone else. However the negative thoughts practically swallowed my mind whole as I rejected his magic from flowing into me. The mark on his chest was the only thing I could look at, cause it reminds me everyday that he gave up some of his heart for his apprentice, to bring them back. Jealousy truly is a cruel thing.

"Nevermind, it was foolish of me to think I even had a chance" I whispered with a bitter chuckle, taking a step back I crossed my arms, turning my broken gaze towards the sky. "Forget it, just go back to your apprentice, they need you more than I do" I don't know why my words came out laced in such malice and sorrow, but they did, and that seemed to earn a glare back from him. "What's wrong with you? Ever since you found out about my deal its like all you want to do is run away from me and push me away, if you have something to say to me then go ahead and say it, but do not drag them into this."

The chain around my neck tightened, slowly crushing at my windpipe as I clenched my fists and smiled softly to myself. I knew I'd regret what I did next, I knew it would weigh on me forever, I knew it would cause me much more pain then it did right then, but I did it anyway. Ill have to thank Ilya if this works, putting on my best face I turned towards Asra and scoffed, tilting my head a bit, like I usually do when pissed off, even though this is just a lovely facade. "Don't even bother, its not like you'd care anyways, would you? All you care about is that apprentice of yours, you even gave up part of your heart for them" I let the words flow, nearly letting the tears pool in my eyes when I spat them out.

"Is that really what you think?" He hissed, knuckles turning white from how tightly he was grasping his sleeves, but I didn't let myself falter under his gaze. "Asra I don't have to think it when I know its true, we've known each other since we were kids, you can't fool me" I scoffed, glaring back into his lavender eyes, keeping that gaze was a lot harder then I thought it would be. Before he could speak up I made sure to cut him off, "You love 'em, that's the only reason you'd do it right? Because you love them? Let me guess, you couldn't live without them could you?" I rolled my eyes, looking off to my left, practically feeling his breath hitch for a moment, confirming what I needed to know.

Im sorry Asra.

You don't have to forgive me.

Because I highly doubt these chains will go anywhere, I can never be free. Even with you by my side, the one person that keeps me together, the one person that I'd risk everything for.

Im so sorry.

"Just leave already, its not like you want to be here anyways right? So just leave me alone, I don't want you here."

_____

I don't remember much after that, but I do know he left, and I was left alone to wallow in my own despair. The chains got tighter over the year, so tight that the only thing keeping me breathing is all the techniques I've learned, and the fact I learned how to hold my breath for a long while. A few tears slip past my [E/c] eyes, that Faust happily wipes away with her tail, rubbing her face against my cheek, "Friend!" She smiles, curling against me, it felt so good to have her around again. Even if this'll be the last time.

The chains tighten a slight fraction, forcing me to hold my breath. "[Y/n]?" My body tensed at how my name rolled off his lips, it felt like a distant dream, like this isn't actually happening, but one look at him and I know its real. My god has he always looked so gorgeous? Or am I going crazy? Probably both. Once [E/c] met Lavender I knew I was done, his hairs pushed back like last year though the mask kinda looks the same, with only a few added touches, and his costume definitely gets him to stand out above the rest, just a beautiful array of bright colors clashing against his mixed skin, it hugs his figure perfectly. He looks like a god amongst the light of the fountain.

"Its me" I sighed out, reluctantly turning my gaze back to my feet. I couldn't help the surprise when he moved in front of me, placing both hands on my cheeks, looking into my eyes with such relief that I could hardly believe it. His touch sent shivers down my spine, slowly I started to breathe again as the chains retract a bit, I had clearly forgotten how revealing my clothes are, cause once the chains pulled back Asra's eyes shifted to them.  "How long have you had these?" He asked, trailing his hands down to trace the marking with a soft touch, "Asra wait-" Yet the mark appears, the same one he has, just mine glowed a faint blue in the center of my chest.

His eyes widened seeing the mark, keeping his eyes on it as if it were to attack at any moment, "You've never had chains, its always been your skulls and flowers, is it because of this? Why didn't you tell me about this?" He looked hurt, the same hurt in his eyes that he had a year ago when we last talked.

"What was your deal?"

Oh how I wanted to tell him, but the chains tightened at the thought, yet I pushed through it, Im tired of lying, I'm tired of keeping everything in, Im tired of it all, "That I couldn't be open anymore, that I wouldn't be able to speak my mind freely like I once did." A small cough ripped out my throat as a blue glow tried to burn past the chains, failing miserably. "What? Why?" He looked stunned, I don't blame him, I've always been one to speak my mind and tell everyone how I'm feeling, to be honest to myself and them without a care about what others thought.

But..

"I was scared, there's something I've always wanted to say, but I never could because I've always been so afraid about what would happen after, what if it went wrong? What if I messed up? What if I said something wrong? What if you-" My mouth snapped shut as quickly as it could, now I certainly can't avoid this, cause those lavender eyes stare at me with such intensity I might just burn away. His hands slowly moved up to my neck, letting his magic aid in pulling the chain away from my neck, allowing me to breath freely. "What about me?" He asked softly, keeping his gaze fixed on mine as my hands unconsciously travel to his hips.

I guess it's now or never..

Building what up whatever courage I had left, I pulled Asra against my chest, using one hand to push his mask out the way, before claiming his lips with mine.

[invisibleinorange]

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Bridgerton Rating: T Warnings: Presumed Character Death Relationships: Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington,  Eloise Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington(besties),  Bridgerton Family Dynamics, Simon Hastings/Daphne Bridgerton Characters: Colin Bridgerton,  Penelope Featherington, Eloise Bridgerton, Anthony Featherington,  Benedict Bridgerton,  Daphne Featherington, Simon Hastings, Portia Featherington Additional Tags:  Bridgerton, Polin Summary:  Unexpected bad news arrives for the Bridgerton Family (and friends) regarding Colin's travels. This will be a series that is set after "The Duke and I" or season one of the show. It is a companion piece to "Goodbyes". (#I’mHereToKillYouAllWithFeels)

While Anthony was absorbed in ensuring the women in their family were saw after, he’d asked Benedict to see to it that Penelope Featherington was returned safely home.

Penelope could scarcely speak much less utter how absolutely wrecked she was about the loss of their brother when she was left at her door step.  If they had allowed her, she probably wouldn’t have left. She was far better off useless there than alone with her own thoughts.

Her mother was waiting like the viper she was. Penelope wasn’t certain she had the strength to fight her off either.

“Since when do you get escorted home by Bridgertons?” her mother asked. There was something implied there like it would have been perfectly acceptable had it been one of her sisters.  “You could at least attempt to look happy about it.”

“Their brother just died,” Penelope found herself snapping.

“Not Anthony!  He would have been perfect for your sister,”  Portia dared to say, which only served to magnify the hurt and anger building up in Penelope. Penelope was used to bottling things up, taking everything on the chin but tonight wasn’t the night.

“No,” she argued, biting her lip enough to where it was close to drawing blood.  She didn’t want to be insolent but this was hardly a time to care about the next social season or making matches in the time between.

“Oh thank Heavens,” Portia said clearly not picking up on the fact that Penelope was actually quite distressed.

“It was Colin,” she said, voice shaking with force at the words.  She was one mere seconds from collapsing in on herself.

“Oh the one you have that silly little crush on. The fool who almost married Miss Thompson,” Portia said as if the first part was public information.  Penelope was in such shock that her mother had even  noticed such a thing that mouth hung open slightly.  She wasn’t prepared for the hurtful words that would come next. “You need not worry, Penelope darling.   He would have never married you anyways. Those books really have rotted your mind.”

It was an absolute slap in the face.  Her veins filled with ice and the slight from her own family. She was painfully aware that she wasn’t as pretty as the other eligible women of the Ton.  It was one thing to know and another to have it spelled out in front of her quite so ineloquently.  The fact that her mother could see her heart breaking and not even try to offer some sympathy was unacceptable.  She was almost grateful for the fact she’d never marry or have children, just so she didn’t have to worry about being as unfeeling as her own mother.

“You need not worry,” she uttered, storming away.

--

There was one thing that Benedict and Anthony agreed upon: the letter could never see the light of day. They couldn’t bring themselves to destroy it though so it was hide it away in a desk with other important paperwork.

The only real question that kept them up in the night was what they were to do about the problem reading it presented.

Colin was young and perhaps not as direct with his wishes as he might have been had he been a few years older but they could read between the lines.  The very wishes Colin expressed toward Penelope would never come to pass unless they saw it fit to carry them out.

They could not agree upon who would be the one to take it upon themselves to ensure she was protected, loved.  Neither fully desired to marry and certainly not a Featherington.  Neither particularly saw the things that their brother did in the girl but there was no denying she had a good heart.  As often as she had been at their home through the years, she might as well have been their sister.

When Daphne and Simon forced their way into the drawing room, the brothers were still arguing amongst themselves over who must do it when the proper mourning period was over.

“What exactly are you not going to allow him to do?” she couldn’t help but ask as she approached, her pregnant belly scarcely hidden by her dress.  She looked well even if it was clear that she hadn’t slept in order to hasten the journey home.  From the look on the Duke’s face, he hadn’t been on board but had been forced.

“Nothing,” the two brothers said almost in unison, greeting their sister with hugs.

“I don’t buy that.”

“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” Anthony said, protective act in full force as he gazed over her before looking at the Duke as if to accuse him of not having a better grip on his own wife.

“Don’t look at me. You know Daphne is of her own mind,” he said with a shrug.

“I only obey when the order makes sense and I’m pregnant not an invalid. I insisted we come as soon as we received word.”

She seemed to have it together far better than anyone else in the family which was almost remarkable, considering she and Colin were close in age and had always been the best of friends.

Perhaps it was all an act though because the Duke had threatened to lock her up should even the slightest hint of distress appear after a lengthy meltdown demanding he order up the carriages ended in his compliance.

“We���re grateful to have you closer to home,” Anthony finally said. “I’m not sure that mother will be able to properly handle planning his rites. I contacted Francesca and she should be home soon as well. ”

There was not body to properly put on display but a coffin would be order and filled to brim with flowers.  It would sit in the drawing room where they might welcome mourners. Someone must be with it day and night though and that was a job fit for a woman.

With their mother crushed and Daphne’s delicate condition, it was likely Eloise and Francesca would be left with most of the watch. She knew there would be no stopping Daphne from taking up the watch some of the time though or helping to ensure Colin had a fitting wake.  Then there was the small matter of tokens for funeral goers.  All would have be completed.

There would be an actual funeral but it wouldn’t be acceptable for any of the women to attend.  That would fall on Anthony, Benedict and Gregory.  They would get through it though somehow.

“I’ll make a list,”  Daphne uttered, throwing herself head first into the work of it.  This was how she was going to survive this moment. She moved toward the desk, going into find unused parchment.  Without sleep Anthony wasn’t thinking properly enough to know that was where they’d hidden the ghastly letter.

It was only once she was in there and Benedict elbowed him hard that he saw fit to remember and he knew it was too late.

“What’s this?” she asked as she spotted the handwriting under the blank paper pulling it up.  Her brown eyes narrowed as she began to read it. She gazed up from the words, feeling she’d violated her deceased brother’s privacy for having even read them. She wanted to ask if the others had seen it but one look told her that she had two brothers who knew full well about this.  

The last time she’d spoken one on one with her brother, he’d been so besotted by Marina Thompson that she wasn’t sure that he would ever get over her betrayal.  Clearly, she had not known her brother as well as she thought that she had.  The words on the paper broke her heart.  Her brother had died not fully knowing just how deserving of love he was.

“What did they do?” the Duke couldn’t help but ask, reaching to grab the paper from his wife and glancing it over.   He could pick up on the distress on his wife’s face and he was fully prepared to give Anthony a black eye over it.  This was already an unacceptable situation but if they’d done anything to add to the situation, he was going to be furious. At the moment, he wasn’t quite connecting the dots though.

“How could you?” their sister berated. It was clear the distress they’d hoped to avoid had arrived.  “I sincerely hope that I am wrong about the fact you have hidden this letter from its intended recipient.”

“It would crush her,” Benedict argued.

“It’s not your place,” Daphne argued right back.

“It is our place. Her well-being is our problem now and we won’t have this on our conscious. What good would it do her?” Anthony argued right on back, knowing full-well Daphne would win this argument. She always did.

“She deserves to know,” she told them, fury clearly written on her face.

The Duke was pretty clear from looking at her that he wouldn’t have to be the one throwing the punches. Daphne would be the one doing it, if he didn’t stop her.  He moved a little closer just in case he had needed to hold her back.

“Tell who, what?” a voice asked from the door.

All eyes turned to the tired, somber face of Eloise who had heard the arguing and decided to see what exactly was going on.

Anthony and Benedict gave pleading looks to Daphne to not tell their younger sister.  They might be able to bury this letter with her knowing but not Eloise.

Daphne clearly didn’t heed the warning. She narrowed their eyes at them before grabbing the letter back from her husband, crossing the room and extending it to her younger sister.

“I’ll leave the massacre of our idiotic brothers to you,” Daphne uttered before moving out of the room just as quickly as she’d arrived.  The Duke offered a sympathetic look to Anthony and Benedict before following after his wife.

[oopcio]

Hello!! Could I get some domestic life headcannons for the arcana women :3 I would love lots of fluff bc I’m soft for them. Tysm!💕

yes!!! love the arcana, love women, love the arcana women... perfect request [chef kiss]

nadia:

married life was treating both of you royally. when married to lucio, nadia once wondered if there would ever be a point in time when she would be happily wed - not simply for politics, but for herself, and for love. fortunately for the both of you, such a day did come! it was crazy to think that you’d been brought together by the mysterious murder of her ex-husband. fate has a funny sense of humor, huh?

nadia is normally quite busy as the countess of vesuvia, but rest assured, because she will always make time for you. if she has any say in the matter, there will never be a time when you don’t feel like her first priority, or when you feel anything less than the most important thing in nadia’s life. when these things become too overwhelming for either one or both of you, you take little vacations! perhaps not too far away when there is work to be done, or if you don’t want to travel too far. you can visit the surrounding cities and whatnot, and you’re always invited to prakra! that is, undoubtedly, the place you visit most often.

and that doesn’t go without saying that nadia’s family doesn’t visit you, because they definitely do! at least once every month or two, either you will visit prakra to see them or they come to see you if at all possible. her family absolutely loves you and it takes little to no time at all to be considered one of them. natiqa immediately includes you in her good-humored pranks, nazali in their medical practices, nahara in fighting techniques, nafizah in dancing and lively fun, so on.

if you want a baby, a baby you will get!!! if the pregnancy/adoption process overlaps with the masquerade, that is when the announcement will be made that the countess and her partner’s next heir is on their merry way, and a baby shower will be held not long after, where the entire city of vesuvia is invited. if the baby is already born/adopted by the next masquerade, then nadia will spend most (if not) the entire evening with you carrying the child and introducing them to all the citizens attending. not to mention how she’d have a special little masquerade costume tailered especially for them!

however, if that’s not something you want, fear not! it’s not something strikingly important to nadia, and she wouldn’t particularly be opposed to the act of baby-proofing the whole palace, taking diaper checks in the middle of meetings, getting spit-up on extravagant clothing made from exotic cloths and the like. she can easily settle for just showering you in love, affection, and gifts for the rest of her days.

you bring out the very best in nadia, and she soon realizes that she could not picture a life without you. you make her strive to do her best, you remind her of all the people in vesuvia looking up to her, their lives in the palm of her hands. if she ever started to get a bit too power hungry, you quickly put her back on track. you complete her, as cheesy as it may sound, but you really make her feel all of these things. she hardly thought she’d ever find love as a countess - she was wed simply to lay peace between two lands and even if she did, somehow, find someone, it was likely that they’d use her in order to get her position, or her wealth. but you completely erased all those thoughts. you gave her no reason to second guess your love, you were always there for her; a cuddle at the end of a hard day, a well-spoken word or two when she needed it, a shoulder to cry and bare her most vulnerable state to. whatever she needed, you were that. you were always that.

in short, domestic life with nadia, summed up in one word? ideal.

portia:

she’s the ultimate cottage core wife, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. she used to feel like she was just a secondary character in her own life - looking around her, there was her brother ilya, a fugitive doctor always on the run to save his skin, and asra, a great magician who was undoubtedly well-known in vesuvia, even nadia herself! the very countess of vesuvia! and portia was just... the head servant. she had a comfortable life before meeting you; living in her cottage with pepi and growing flowers and plants in her garden, but even then it was missing something. it was missing you. you brought that excitement and adrenaline that she so desperately needed into her life, and how silly would she be to let you go?

meeting you was the best thing to happen to her. not just for the exhilaration you brought, but because you made her feel like a heroine. you made her feel like she was no longer the secondary character in her life, taught her that she is just as unique and fun to be around as any of the others, even if you were a bit biased...

it didn’t take very long for her to realize, during your first thrilling adventure that you were the only person she wanted to ever do these quests with, for the rest of her life. your relationship developed as slowly or as quickly as you ideally wanted - she never pressed to hard and progress just came naturally to the two of you.

when you moved in with portia in her cottage, mornings were spent drinking tea in the morning sun, sitting in front of a window in the bedroom with pepi curled up between the both of you. portia loved the feeling of providing for you, even in the most minuscule ways, just to sort of feel like she was - in some way - returning something to you since you were the one who taught her how to discover herself. she makes breakfast in the mornings before you get up, so she can bring it to you while you eat in bed. she does her best to make you as comfortable as she possibly can 24/7, claiming she wants to make you “at least half as comfortable as you make me, every single day”.

you and portia talk about everything, and, in many ways, you hold the same morals and believe in the same things. if you ever want to get married one day, she will take the information to heart and find the most beautiful sunset and the prettiest garden blooms to propose to you in, if you don’t take the initiative yourself. if you’re the one who does make the first move, however, she’ll definitely tear up happily and jump up and down, grabbing your hands once you slide the ring on her finger. she’d never had such an important piece of jewelry, until that moment.

if you don’t really believe in/like the concept of marriage, that’s fine too! she’ll explain that she sees the whole process so time consuming. why spend time wasting hard-earned time and money on a wedding when you can get a head start on living your best life, together? when that valuable time could be spent either relaxing in the cottage or going out and exploring what the world has to offer.

you want a baby? awesome! portia makes sure to help as much as possible, no complaints. she’ll take every available moment to constantly tell you and your baby how adorable your child is. parenting is definitely an easy job when you’re both easily compatible (and just flat out incredible). and if you don’t want kids? that’s fine too! she’s not particularly baby crazy, and would just as well like to baby little pepi with you! you’re cat parents now, and that’s good enough, right?

but, if you’re looking for a summary? the simplist way i can phrase it is... like heaven, pretty much. i mean, having a wife who has a thirst for thrill and exhilaration, a cottage in the woods witn her own little self-sustainable garden, and an adorable little kitten? and your wife is adorable 5’1 portia, no less?! who wouldn’t want that?

(a/n: first headcanon whoo!!! leave some feedback if you want, i just noticed halfway thru writing that most hc lists are bulleted rather than written in paragraphs, so if that’s how it’s supposed to be or smthn lmk. i guess i’m just used to writing in paragraph forms??? oops, oh well. i guess you can tell me what you thought if you want, and i hope you enjoyed this!!!! thank you so so much for reading!!!! 💜 p.s. too tired to proofread lol. i will tomorrow (maybe))

- jiah 💖

[chinateacup]

Commission for @asrasdarling

So thankful to @asrasdarling for being such a lovely customer. This commission was super delayed thanks to covid 19, but it’s all ready now! 3k of fluff with MC and Asra having fun with their friends!

Fandom: The Arcana

Characters: Asra, Nadia, Julian, Portia, Muriel, OC

Pairings: Asra/OC, (briefly implied Nadia/Portia)

No rating required

“Camping trip, camping trip, camping trip!”

Julian groaned, tipping his head back. “Pasha, I am begging you to stop chanting that.”

“Come on, Ilya,” Asra shifted the bag on his back, and nudged him with his elbow. “Maybe she’s worried we’ll forget why we’re here.”

“Yes, thank you very much, Portia,” Jenna smiled. She had a picnic basket in her arms. “That explains all the luggage and tents.”

The fields surrounding Vesuvia were beautiful, of course, and usually, Jenna would jump at the offer of a walk in them. But as she was discovering, in the middle of summer, the yellow grass was glaring, and the heat haze made her eyes hurt. The sun beat down heavily on the group of five, and she wiped her brow, gulping water from the canteen Asra had packed. She’d insisted she wouldn’t need it. Thank goodness he’d ignored her.

Despite the punishing weather, Portia still grinned, swinging her arms as she led the way. “You are welcome for the reminder. Come on, it’s just round the corner.”

“Traitors,” Julian muttered. “Both of you.”

“Are we nearing this little spot of yours, Portia?” Nadia called from the back of the party. “I don’t feel it’s fair to let poor Muriel carry all this much longer.”

Jenna looked over her shoulder, and winced. Muriel’s torso had practically vanished under the sheer number of bags slung around his shoulders, not to mention the ones piled high in his arms. Suddenly her picnic basket felt much lighter.

“I don’t mind,” he said quietly. Jenna believed it; he hadn’t even broken a sweat.

“Not to worry, milady, because…” Portia ducked under a branch that proceeded to smack Julian in the chest.

“Ouch!”

“Shush you. Let’s see… it should be right around… aha!” She ran forward past a line of trees into a clearing. Jenna followed close behind, tugging Asra after her, and gasped.

Pine trees surrounded them, the shade cool and welcome against her skin. A tiny rock pool babbled on the edge of the clearing, half hidden among a thick cluster of purple wild flowers. The yellowed grass had given way to mossy cobblestone, cracked and slippery, with the odd tiny sprig growing between the slabs.

Asra sighed blissfully, tilting his face towards the sky like a satisfied cat. “This place is beautiful,” Jenna whispered, and he hummed in agreement.

“Ta-da!” Portia gestured with a wide sweep of the arm. “Was it worth the trek?”

“It’s incredible,” Julian blinked at his surroundings and dropped his bags at his feet. “When on Earth did you find it?”

“Oh, y’know,” she shrugged. “I used to come here to blow off steam about… stuff.” She glanced over her brother briefly, smile wavering, before it returned in full force. “…But that’s all solved now, so no reason not to share it! And we’ll get a perfect view of the meteor shower tonight!”

Nadia beamed, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you for sharing it with us, Portia. We’re very grateful to you.”

Portia shrugged the compliment off, giggling. “Yeah, well, it’s – it’s no big thing,” she protested weakly, though her face had gone very red.

Jenna glanced at Asra. He winked knowingly.

Near the treeline, Muriel had already set up three tents on the cobblestone, tracing a protection rune in chalk in front of each one. An old habit, and one that he didn’t seem to be growing out of any time soon. Jenna set her picnic basket down while the Devoraks struggled to spread out a blanket, squabbling over which of them was twisting it the wrong way.

She exhaled slowly, and left them in favour of the rock pool. The water looked clean and clear, so she rolled up the hem of her pants, and sat on a large rock to soak her tired feet.

Asra sat right beside her, smiling softly. “You okay, Jen?”

“Yeah,” she replied, yawning. “Worn out.”

“It was a long walk,” he agreed, kicking away his boots and dipping his feet as well. His lips parted in a soft sigh, kicking his legs slowly. “This place kinda reminds me of Kitha.”

“Kitha?” Jenna leant her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

“I never told you about Kitha?” Asra chuckled, breath tickling her hair. “It must have been years ago now… Such a cute town. I spent a few weeks down there one Summer. It was burning hot and in the middle of nowhere, and so, so gorgeous. So dry they could build their houses out of tightly packed sand, like an igloo.”

“Mm hm.” With her head pressed against him, Jenna could hear how Asra’s voice rumbled soothingly in his chest. His arm had found its way around her waist, thumb stroking her hip in slow circles.

“Anyway, when I told them I was a magician, they got really excited. One of them literally grabbed me by my collar, and dragged me to their mayor’s house. I thought I might choke.” Jenna smiled weakly at the image, half asleep. “When I got there, the mayor begged me to help them with their drought. It hadn’t rained there for years, and there was only one small well for the whole town to share.”

“Hang on,” Jenna opened her eyes. “You’ve told me this one.”

Asra blinked at her. “Have I?”

“Yeah, a couple of times. The owner of the well had made a deal with a demon so no rain would fall in the town, and people would have to pay to take his water, right?”

“Oh. Yes.” He thought for a moment, before brightening. “Okay, but have I told you about when I first visited Prakra?”

“When Nadia’s sister didn’t recognise you and tried to have you arrested for breaking into the palace?”

Asra bit his lip. “…Kamanar?”

“You convinced Muriel to come with you and they mistook him for a minor deity.” Jenna grinned, pressing their foreheads together. “I know all your stories, my love.”

“That can’t be true! I’ve taken so many trips…”

“And you’ve talked my ear off about them all,” she tucked a curl behind his ear, cradling his face in one hand. “As well you should.”

“Right, I have a goal for this camping trip,” Asra placed a hand on his heart, and his other on Jenna’s. “I swear that by tomorrow morning, I will find a story I have never told you.”

“Aw, just what every relaxing vacation needs. A time-based challenge.”

He giggled, cupping her jaw and kissing her softly. Her fingers tangled themselves in his hair, and he sighed against her lips, pulling her into his lap. The kiss broke, and Jenna looked down at Asra, flushed and staring up at her with an expression of wonder.

“Excuse me?” Nadia’s voice broke them from their trance. The group was already halfway through their picnic, sat around a blanket that (despite all odds) had been spread out quite nicely. She gave them a wry smile. “I hate to interrupt a tender moment, but you should know that I can only protect your share of the cookies for so long.”

“Ooh, tasty.” Asra stood, not even a little embarrassed, and tugged Jenna over by the hand. They sat crossed-legged on the blanket, and he stuck a pastry under Muriel’s nose. He went slightly cross-eyed trying to look at it. “Muri, please eat the tarts. We packed them for you.”

He rolled his eyes, but took it anyway. “Thanks.”

Asra grinned, holding one up to Jenna’s face as well. She smiled, tucking her hair out of the way before taking a bite. “Thank you,” she said around the mouthful.

“You’re welcome,” he winked. “So, Jenna and I were talking, and she seems to think I’ve told her all of my stories.”

“Well, that can’t be true,” Julian poured boiling water over a tea bag, bobbing it up and down by the string, “because I happen to know hundreds of Asra stories. Jenna, have you heard the one where the two of us broke into the palace’s wine cellar in the dead of the night –”

“The Count brought a party in there, and you hid in a barrel for three hours before climbing out of the window with half a dozen bottles stuffed down your pants.” Jenna quirked a brow, smirking. “That all you got, Doc?”

“Oh, she’s good.”

Asra groaned, burying his face in his hands. Nadia leaned over to pat his shoulder. “Come now, don’t look like that. I think it’s rather sweet you know one another so well.”

“Yeah, milady’s right,” Portia took a look sip from what looked like a cup of lemonade. “I mean, that’s what everyone wants in a relationship, isn’t it? Someone who knows all your stories.”

“I will find a new story,” Asra straightened, voice determined. “Mark my words, I will find Jenna a story.”

“Alright, what now?”

“You twist it.”

“I can’t twist it.”

“Twist it.”

“It’s already twisted!” Julian huffed, holding a very wilted bunch of purple wildflowers. “I’m not very good at this.” Muriel snorted in response.

Jenna bit her lip, trying to fold and twist the stems into a crown like he’d showed them. Asra looked down at her lap. “You’ve… almost got it.”

She pouted. “I really don’t.”

He smiled, placing his own creation on her head. The flowers were a little loose, but they held in place nicely. “This is a good colour on you.”

Jenna smiled gently, before breathing a sigh. “Okay, tell me why.”

Asra blinked. “Why what?”

“Why is it so important I haven’t heard all your stories?” Jenna dropped her crown in her lap. “Portia’s right. Isn’t it a good thing that we know each other so well?”

He shrugged half-heartedly. “I don’t know. You deserve a good story.”

“And you have given me more than enough. What is it? Are you sad about losing your ‘wandering magician’ reputation since we settled down?”

“Don’t be silly,” Asra chuckled, guiding her hands to help weave the flower stems together. “I happen to like my ‘always doting on his apprentice magician’ title much more. Though let’s be honest, at this point you could be my teacher.”

Jenna snorted, despite the blush she felt creeping up her face. “You should be so lucky.”

“Yeah, I should,” he grinned shamelessly, but his eyes were still distant. “Look, I just think that… if you know all my stories, and I definitely know all of yours, then where does that leave us?”

She frowned, distantly registering Portia celebrating her finished wreath. “What do you mean?”

Asra shrugged helplessly, not quite meeting her gaze and fumbling with the petals of a flower. “We’re finally done getting to know each other.”

If his voice hadn’t been so earnest, Jenna probably would have burst out laughing. She smiled widely instead, restraining herself. “Asra, I’ve known you for years. We’ve been partners for years! I’d like to think I know you pretty damn well!”

“But what happens now?” He asked, scratching his head. “With us, I mean. Now that we know each other.”

“We keep getting to know each other,” she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “People don’t stop growing, and they don’t stop changing, no matter how well you know them. Look at Muriel. You thought you knew him inside and out; doesn’t he still find ways to surprise you?”

“Surprise me?” Asra laughed. “A year ago if you’d told me he’d come on a trip like this, I’d have had a heart attack.”

“Oof, that would’ve been bad for us,” Jenna winced, clutching at her chest with one hand. He swatted it away, giggling.

“Hey, speaking of!” Asra beamed at Muriel as he trundled over to them. “A surprise.”

Jenna snickered, and Muriel looked between them, confused, before clearly deciding it wasn’t worth dwelling on. “Do you need any help?”

“Not at all,” she smiled, holding up her very loose, very messy, not at all connected flower crown. Well, it was more of a chain really.

He looked it over with a very serious expression, chewing his lip thoughtfully. A few flowers fell away. Asra giggled.

“It’s, um…” Muriel took a moment to find the right words. “It’s terrible.”

“Yeah,” Jenna nodded. “It’s great.”

“It’s perfect,” Asra agreed vigorously. “We should have it pressed and framed. Hang it behind the counter.”

“Please don’t do that,” Nadia called over. She was wearing her own finished crown. Of course it was lovely. “I don’t mean any offense, really, but I must say it out of concern for your business.”

“Aw, don’t feel bad, Jen!” Portia plopped herself down next her, and perched her grass wreath on Muriel’s head. He blushed, mumbling his thanks. “Ilya made some art as well. I call it ‘Very Dead Flowers.’”

Asra smirked. “I’d call it something else.”

Julian pouted, cradling two wilted stems in his hands that could have been flowers once. It was hard to tell. “I really did try my best!”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“Poor flowers never saw it coming,” Jenna said solemnly.

“Oh, leave him be,” Nadia tutted, removing her own wreath and placing it gently on his head. “There. Now no one will ever know.”

Julian flushed beet red, barely stammering his way through a thank you before Portia groaned loudly. “Yeah, yeah, real cute of you. Who has the best crown though?”

“Yeah, Muriel,” Asra backed her up, nudging his friend on the arm. “Who’s the winner?”

He blinked. “Was… this a contest?”

“It is now, apparently.” Jenna motioned with her hand. “So who won?”

“I, um…” Muriel shrugged half-heartedly. “Nadia won.”

“Ah, I think you’re confused,” Nadia said smoothly, shaking her head. “I was not taking part in the competition. I do, however, feel that Julian’s crown is particularly lovely.”

Julian blinked. “Wait, what?”

“No, you can’t do that!” Portia puffed out her cheeks, huffing. “That’s cheating! He couldn’t even make a start!”

“Well that makes no sense,” Nadia tilted her head, smiling playfully. “If he couldn’t make a start, where did the crown come from?”

“You gave it to him!”

“Nah, Nadi’s right,” Asra winked at Jenna. “Congrats, Ilya.”

“Uh, yeah, of course,” she nodded quickly. “Good job.”

“Cheats!” Portia pointed between Nadia and her brother accusingly. “Dirty cheats, the lot of you!”

“Thank you very much,” Julian grinned smugly at Muriel, tipping the crown like a hat. “I will wear this victory like a badge of honour.”

Muriel didn’t return the smile. “You didn’t win.”

“Shush now.”

“Nadia did.”

“I won.”

Asra leaned over to whisper in Jenna’s ear. “We both know who really won, right?”

“Of course we do,” she replied. “I did.”

“Obviously.”

“Is everybody comfortable?” Nadia lay back beside Portia, head resting against a plush cushion. The sun had long set, but it still wasn’t dark. The summer sky was lit up with stars, scattered like gems across dark blue velvet. It made Jenna grateful they’d hiked all the way out to the fields; in Vesuvia, the stars had fallen to earth and arranged themselves neatly on a circular grid. Not that she didn’t like the brightness and bustle of the city, but it wasn’t exactly the best place to view a meteor shower.

Asra was laid on his back, legs stretched out, hands folded on his belly. Jenna lay beside him and linked their arms together just as a comet started to trail across the sky.

Portia made a squeak of excitement. “There’s the first one! Quick, make a wish!”

“Two steps ahead of you, Pasha,” Julian bumped his shoulder against Muriel’s. “What did you wish for, big guy?”

Muriel’s brow furrowed. “Can’t say.”

“Oho, keeping secrets are we?” Julian crooked a brow, pouting slightly. “And here I thought we were becoming friends.”

Jenna chuckled. “No, Julian, you can’t tell someone what you wished for. Otherwise it won’t come true.”

He went quiet. “Ah, right. Of course not.”

Asra rolled his eyes, smirking, and Jenna leaned her chin against his shoulder. “You’re not still upset about your epic tales of misadventure?”

He crossed one leg over his knee so his foot swung in mid-air. “You know what’s wrong with the stories I’ve been telling all these years?”

“How often you tell them?”

Asra snorted, pulling her close with an arm around her waist. “No, the fact that you’re… not in them. They were from a different time in my life. When you weren’t around. Jen, when I lost you, I…” His voice wavered, and he paused, swallowing thickly.

Jenna cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his mouth, feeling him sigh against her lips and relax in her arms. “…Things are different now,” she whispered when they parted. “Different for both of us. I want to make new stories now, happier ones. With you.”

Asra searched her eyes for a moment, before beaming, brushing a strand of hair off her face. “I love you so much.”

Jenna smiled. “I love you too.”

“Is everybody watching us right now?”

“They absolutely are.”

“I was not,” Nadia said smoothly. “However I think one of the Devoraks may be crying.”

Asra laughed. “I bet I can guess which one.”

Portia cackled while Julian spluttered helplessly. “Sh-shut up, you three,” he cleared his throat, pounding a fist against his chest. “Just watch the stars, will you?”

Jenna hummed, resting her head against Asra’s chest just as another meteor left a pale stripe above them. “Hey, there’s another one. Make a wish.”

Asra tucked her head under his chin. “Would it be cheesy if I said I’ve already got mine?”

“Massively,” Jenna mumbled, already half asleep. “But I’m glad that you said it anyways.”

[athenagc94]

Gust and Piper - Beginnings Pt. 6

Hey fellas. It’s been awhile. Life has been crazy and I’ve been on a D&D kick recently, so inspiration has been hard to come by, but here’s the latest portion of the story. Please enjoy!

You can read the first the other parts here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

I’m also posting the story here on AO3!

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

“Are you just about done?”  

Ginger hummed in response as she continued threading Gust’s hair into an intricate braid.  She’d found a new style and wanted to practice it on him.  As usual, he was unable to refuse.  “Why the rush?” She grabbed another section of his hair and pulled it tightly into place.  He winced.  “It’s not like you plan on going anywhere.”

Gust glanced down at his watch.  “Actually, I have plans this evening.”

“Oh really? I don’t think working on the harbor project counts as plans.”

“I’m actually meeting people at the Round Table this evening.”  Ginger’s fingers stilled.  Gust sucked in a breath through his teeth.  He’d been hoping to keep this information to himself, but as time ticked on, the antsier he got.  “Piper invited me to play games at the Round Table with her and Sam and I’m in a good mood, so,” he shrugged, trying to play it off, “I agreed to join them.  It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal,” Ginger echoed, “Not a big deal?  I don’t think you’ve made plans with anyone besides Albert since coming back to Portia.  This is a huge deal.”  Gust rolled his eyes.  He anticipated this kind of reaction, which is why he hadn’t planned on saying anything.

“It’s not,” Gust said firmly, “we’re just playing darts.”

“That’s what it starts out with, but soon you’ll be having lunch dates or getting invited to parties!” Ginger said as she continued working diligently on his hair, “I’m so happy to see you putting yourself out there and having fun.”  She sighed wistfully.  “My darling brother is finally making friends. I’m so proud.”

“If anything, I’ve made an enemy,” Gust snorted, “Sam looked like she wanted to smack me when I threw the game.  Arlo was about ready to hold her back.”

Ginger giggled.  “What’s wrong with a little friendly competition?”  She pushed his head forward so she had better access to the nape of his neck.  “You have no idea how happy this news makes me.”

Gust drummed his fingers against the top of his knees. He hated this.  In Atara, he’d been charming, charismatic even.  He could hold a conversation and his free evenings were spent galavanting about the town with friends.  He was someone completely different in Atara, but even then, it hadn’t really been him.  It was an act.  Beneath the thin veneer, he was still a bitter and angry teenager who’d run away from home.  When he came back to Portia, there was no mask to hide behind.  Everyone already knew who he really was.  There was no pretending, so why should he try?

“Are you almost done?”

Ginger sighed.  “You know,” she said softly, “you don’t have to close me out.  I know you feel guilty because you weren’t here while I was growing up, but that doesn’t matter to me.”  She finished off the rest of the braid and smoothed a few of the wispy flyaways.  “All that matters to me is that you’re here now.”

Gust swallowed thickly.  He didn’t want to talk about this.  Not now.  “I guess.”

Another sigh.  “I want you to be happy Gust.  I really do.”  She tied off the end of his braid and let her hands fall to his shoulders.  He stiffened under her touch.  “I’ve only ever wanted your happiness.  I hope you can find it here, but I know that’s hard for you right now.  Just know, I’m on your side.  I always have been.”

Gust let out a shaky breath.  He knew Ginger was on his side.  He knew she supported him and loved him.  Her actions always reflected that.  But hearing her say it out loud was different.  It made his heart swell in his chest.  “I know you have.”

“Good.” She gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze. “So please, go find some happiness out there.”

↢↢↢↣↣↣

Gust hated dirty things.  He also hated getting dirty.  Throughout his life, he tried his hardest to avoid situations where he would encounter either scenario.  And for the most part, he’d been successful.  Yet, here he was, combing through fields of wildflowers on his hands and knees of his own free will. In past years, finding hibiscus flowers was an easy task.  He’d stroll towards the waterfall, find a nice patch, and pick a small bouquet.  It would take a half hour out of his day total.

This year, he hadn’t been so lucky.  He’d searched the hills around Bassanio Heights for at least two hours and so far he hadn’t found anything.  It was more than a little disheartening and panic started to fester in his chest. He blew his bangs out of his eyes with an irritable huff and settled back on his knees.  His hair had fallen out of its braided coif an hour ago and he was covered in dirt.  He grimaced down at his disheveled appearance.

His heart ached as he regarded the rolling hills around him.  The Harbor Project had eaten up a lot of his free time. That mixed with the game nights he now attended every week left very little down time. This afternoon was the first time in weeks he had the time to come out and pick flowers for his mother.  It was late into the season, but he figured there’d still be something left for him to find.  Perhaps he’d missed his chance and the mere notion made him want to cry.  Even now, years later, he was a poor excuse for a son.

“Gust? What are you doing out here?”

Gust pulled himself from his thoughts just as Piper stepped off the lift that led to Bassanio Heights.  She had a sack filled with Light-knows-what slung over her shoulder as she approached him.  Whatever it was, it oozed from the bottom of the bag.  His lip curled as he pushed himself off the ground and tried to brush the dirt from his slacks.  Now that she was closer, he saw the dry blood crusting her lower lip and the dark purple bruise forming along her hairline.  

“You look terrible,” he noted, “are you alright?”

Her fingers ghosted over the cut on her lip.  She tried to hide her wince with a breathy chuckle, but he saw it all the same.  “Oh this? I’ve had worse,” she said nonchalantly,  “I needed some supplies that’s only found in the abandoned factory and I finally had some free time to venture up there to get it.  I forget how nasty those bandirats can get, but I handled it.”

“Are you sure?  I can go get Dr. Xu?”

He took a tentative step towards town, but she waved him off.  “No need, I have a few healing salves back at my workshop.  I’ll patch myself up when I get home.”  She adjusted the sack on her shoulder and he heard the squelch of something organic within.  He grimaced.  “But you never answered my question,” she continued with a tilt of her head, “what brings you this far up the hill?  Kinda out of your workzone, don’t you think?”

Gust shrugged, “I was looking for Hibiscus flowers,” he admitted.

“Never took you for a flower guy.”

He smiled thinly. “I guess I’m full of surprises.”

Piper chuckled, but it sounded tight.  “Fair,” she said, “have you found any?”

Gust shook his head.  “They normally grow around these parts this time of year,” he explained, “But I can’t find any this year for some reason.”

“Do you need help?”  

Before he could respond, she was setting her bag off to the side and rolling up her sleeves.  Her arms were covered in shallow scratches and small bruises.  Gust frowned, but she either didn’t notice or ignored his concern  “I can head back up the lift to see if there’s any growing up there if you want?”

“You don’t have to do that,” Gust insisted, “you’re hurt.”

“That’s never stopped me from helping people before,” Piper’s gaze softened as she took him tenderly by the hand and squeezed.  Her fingernails were caked with dirt and the palms of her hands were a little tacky, but in that moment, Gust didn’t care. “Please, I want to help you.  Just tell me what to do.”

“They sometimes grow around the waterfall.” His voice was small as he stared at their hands.  He traced the slopes of her bruised knuckles with his thumb.  “I haven’t checked there yet.”

“Say no more.  I’m on it.”  She let go of his hand, sack full of trinkets forgotten and brushed past him.  He noticed her flinch of pain, as she stepped gingerly on her right ankle.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yep.” He wanted to argue, but she didn’t give him the chance.  She shambled down the hill and out of sight.

Gust glanced down at his hand.  Some of the sticky residue had transferred onto his palm.  It was ruddy brown and looked suspiciously similar to the ooze that bled out the bottom of her bag.  He couldn’t even find it in himself to be disgusted.  He was too busy trying to slow the racing of his heart.  

Piper had dropped everything to help him.  She was limping and bleeding, but that didn’t matter to her.  She asked for nothing in return.  She was always helping others, but who was helping her?  Did she even want help?  These were questions he couldn’t answer.  He curled his fingers into a fist, his nails dug into his palm, but he barely felt it.  With gritted teeth and a steely resolve, he followed after her.

↢↢↢↣↣↣

“Did you find anything?”

They’d been searching the area around the waterfall for at least an hour, maybe longer.  The sun had already dipped beyond the plateau and a bitter autumn chill was settling in.  Gust shivered and pulled his coat a little tighter around his shoulders.  Piper popped up from her spot a few paces away.  Dirt caked her bare arms and her hair had started to fall out of her top knot.  She had looked tired before, but now she looked ready to keel over.

“I think so,” she stifled a yawn, “no flowers, but I did find this weird soil while I was digging around.�� Maybe that’s why the flowers aren’t growing this year.”  She pushed herself off the ground, barely managing to keep herself upright on her one good leg.  “I’ll ask around tomorrow.  One of our resident gardeners should be able to give me some insight.”

“I can ask around,” Gust insisted, “I’m the one who wants the flowers.”

Piper waved him off.  “Finders keepers.  I’ll tell you what I find out tomorrow.”  She took a deep breath, bracing herself, as she took a hesitant step forward. Her ankle buckled under her weight, sending her crashing to her knees.  Gust was at her side before she could push herself back up.  

“Stay.”  His voice was firm as he placed his hands on her shoulders.  Piper pouted at him, but she didn’t argue.  “Show me.”  She sighed and shifted back into a seated position for him.  He rolled up her pant leg and examined the damage.  Blood pooled under the swollen skin.  She flinched as he ran his fingers over the angry red purple bruise. He clucked his tongue and turned his gaze back to her.  She avoided his eyes, staring pointedly off towards the river.  

“You shouldn’t be walking on this.  Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because.”

Gust sighed.  She was going to be a brat about this.  Fine.  He’d treat her like one.  “Don’t be stubborn.”  Before she could respond, he scooped her up in his arms.  Her breath hitched as he cradled her to his chest.  “I’m surprised you were able to walk on that thing at all.”

“What are you doing?”  He didn’t respond as he started the long walk back to town.  She squirmed in his arms, but he held her firmly in place. “What about my stuff back up the hill?”

“I’ll come back for it.”  He kept his eyes trained ahead.  “I’m taking you home first.”

“I can make it back on my own.”

“No,” he snapped at her, “you can’t.”  His blood was boiling.  He wasn’t sure who he was more upset with.  Piper for her blatant disregard for her injury, or at himself for not saying something sooner.  He’d seen her limping, but he let her help anyway.  He breathed.  In and out.  He could dwell on this later, but right now, he needed to get Piper home and patched up.  “How long did you plan to hide this?  Your ankle isn’t going to heal overnight.”

Piper sighed.  “I figured I’d cross that bridge when I got there.”  She picked absently at the dirt under her nails.  “I guess I didn’t have much of a plan.”

“Yeah.  That much was evident.”

Piper snorted.  “I’m more of an act now, think later person.” She shifted closer and let her head rest on his shoulder.  “That’s probably why I find myself in these situations.”

“Well, you probably will be out of commission for the next few days,” Gust noted with a sniff, “you’ll fall behind.”  Piper groaned and buried her face in the crook of his neck.  Her breath tickled his exposed skin.  Gust hid the shudder that crawled up his spine.

“I didn’t even think about that.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Cry probably?” Piper managed a tight chuckle.  “Depending on how long this takes to heal, I’ll probably be about a week behind.”  She sighed wistfully.  “And I was so close to surpassing Higgins in the ranks, too.  Shame.”

“You can still construct small things though, can’t you?”  He felt her shiver in his arms and he pulled her a little closer.  She hummed softly and leaned into it.  “Work on your smaller projects for the time being.”

“Easier said than done,” she said with a roll of her eyes, “I can’t go out and collect materials for the projects.  I also have to refine the raw materials.  Can’t do that if I can’t walk around to fill and empty my machines.”  She groaned again.  “This is the worst, I’m going to be so bored.”

Gust fought the amused grin that tugged at his lips.  “Do you want help?”

He instantly regretted his question when Piper blinked up at him.  “Help?” She arched an eyebrow at him.  “Why?  Are you offering?”

Gust considered this.  He was currently in a lull at work.  His part of the harbor project was done and they were finally back on track.  Albert wasn’t begging him to lend a hand these days.  He had some free time.  He could help her, if she even wanted his help.  He doubted his skills would be very useful to her.  “You’re always helping everyone around town.  Maybe someone should help you for a change.”

“And you’re volunteering yourself?”

Gust pursed his lips.  “I suppose I am.”

“You’re full of surprises, you know that right?” He hummed in response.  So it seemed.  He was surprising himself more and more these days.  “If you’re offering, I’m willing to accept,” she gave him a coy smile, “but I won’t go easy on you just because you’re pretty.”

Gust sputtered.  He could feel the blood rush around his ears.  “I wouldn’t expect you to.  I can handle whatever you throw my way.”

“I’m sure you think you can.” He gave her an unamused look and she stuck out her tongue at him, unfazed. “But thank you. For all of this.”  He nodded.  A comfortable silence settled between them as he continued his trek towards her workshop.  She let her head fall back against his chest, eyes fluttering shut.  He moved slowly, careful not to jostle her.  Not too long after, she was out cold.

Gust watched the slow rise and fall of her chest, desperately trying to ignore the warm feeling that blossomed in his chest.  It was the same feeling he had when she complimented his work or when she’d given him the book.  It made his heart beat faster and his head spin.  This feeling was reserved for Piper alone.  It didn’t feel like the affection he had for his sister or the general regard he had for Albert.  This was something else, but he wasn’t sure how. 

Gust worried his lower lip between his teeth.  Piper curled in on herself, whimpering softly.  Her brows were pitched, unsettled.  He frowned.  She always carried herself with a carefree air, but as Gust watched her squirm and whimper in her sleep, he knew there was more to the story.  He pulled her closer, as if that would protect her from her thoughts.  But Gust knew better.  Nothing could protect you from unsettling thoughts.

[cela-astral-projection]

The poison came in liquid... It was all between the lines And I don't seem to trust anyone no more

Probably the last Nopal story. Cut because it’s wordy AF. 

Celeste was up first. Muriel had disentangled himself from her at some point during their nap and was cradling Asra against his side with one arm, his other arm cast across his eyes. Their snores running counter to one another, one right after the other. She sat at the table, smiling over the top of her journal at them. They looked so peaceful, snuggled up together.

It was still morning. She knew Asra had to have been traveling most of the night to get there that early, and she wasn’t surprised he was tired. She made some tea and enchanted it to stay warm until he stirred, and had made a few sandwiches.

She thumbed absently through her journals. She didn't expect to get much out of them. They were more confusing than anything. Notes that repeated themselves. So little personal information. She didn't know what she'd get out of them at this point. She'd been over and over the pages.

She heard a change in Asra's breathing. He made a sleepy, contented noise, but he was waking up.

He slowly extracted himself from Muriel, who didn't stir. He stretched and located some trousers. Celeste divided her interest between her studies and him, eyes wandering back and forth. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her neck and pressing his lips to the top of her head. "Missed you." He muttered, still half awake.

She closed her eyes and laid down the book, bringing her hand to his forearm, stroking back and forth. "Love you," she replied, pressing her head against his chest. He didn't have to come, but she was so pleased he had. "Tea and sandwiches on the counter, love."

Asra smiled and squeezed her. "You are some kind of angel, you know that?"

"Says the person who came running because we started whining like children."

He chuckled, releasing her and walking to the counter, collecting his tea. He took a long, slow sip, eyes closed. He breathed a happy sigh. His favorite.

She smiled, glad that he was pleased. She had never been quite as good with tea as he had been, for all her culinary prowess. She had only just started understanding that not every variety had to be steeped in boiling water until it was dark. But, she had appreciated the fact that Asra never complained about it when she served him awful tasting, bitter drinks for years.

He came to sit with her, grabbing the plate with sandwiches. He offered one to her silently, but she declined. She had already eaten while they slept. A habit that came with the parenting territory. Eat while you cook or you won't get to eat at all.

"How are my babies?" She asked, leaning on the table, chin on her hand, watching him eat.

"Having the time of their life," Asra said between bites. "Imagine being the center of attention from dawn until dusk. Julian had them in the ballroom when I left, all dressed up, taking turns spinning them and dancing. You would have loved it."

She smiled, visualizing it in her mind. She knew Julian would come. He loved those girls like crazy. If there was a chance to play and dote on them, of course, he'd take it.

He gave her a brief rundown. Tea parties in the garden. They had their run of the whole palace. Nadia and Portia had let them stay in Celeste's old room, from when she was working for Nadia. She had new dresses run up for them. Anything they wanted, someone was there, ready to oblige.

Celeste shook her head. "Oh, they are going to be terrors." She laughed.  

A week of sleeping on the floor next to the bed and playing in the gardens in the desert didn't hold a candle to being the Countesses' personal dress-up dolls. Something she had seen first hand when Nadia and Portia had wed, and they had asked the girls to act as flower girls. Celeste had been more stressed for that than their own ceremony. As things happened, Muriel ended up having to hold their hands and walk them down the aisle because they simply would not go without him. Helia had dumped all her petals at the end of the aisle when they got to the altar, and Vira never dropped a single one, clinging to her little basket all night.

"And your parents are okay with them staying?"

Asra cocked an eyebrow, incredulous. "Of course."

Salim and Aisha had taken to being grandparents like ducks to water. They couldn't get enough of the girls. They were such good allies and so loving. Asra had struggled a bit with that, initially. Torn. Having missed out on so much time with them, seeing them with his daughters had been difficult. He went through periods where he would be less receptive to their advice or assistance. Asra loved his parents but had spent most of his life fending for himself or working with Muriel. He simply didn't like to be told what to do with his family. Finding a balance between these two lives was not always easy, but they made it work, and it got better as time went on.

Celeste leaned back in her chair, under the table, sitting her feet in Asra's lap. They sat for a while in the quiet, listening to Muriel snore. She picked up the journal again and just stared at the cover.

"Nothing new?" Asra asked, his voice somewhat weary. He knew it was a sore point for her. But, she seemed so determined to make the pieces fit. They had all read the journals. They were just as much a mystery now as they had been initially.

"If there is I'm missing it entirely," she said with a sigh. "I don't expect to remember...I just...I thought I would have written it down. That's something I would do. At least, something I would do now. I always wrote things down. But...the details here are so few and far between. I can't believe I'd have been this clinical about everything."

Asra nodded. "Well...back then, you were being watched pretty closely. It's possible that you didn't want your notebooks to be read."

"Then why would I have bothered to write to them? I love writing."

Asra shrugged. That was true enough. She had always left notes and love letters for him and Muriel. She would usually get her thoughts down at some point during the day for her record. Milestones for the girls. Sketches. She had volumes upon volumes of little life snippets hidden in the house, in the shop, in the clinic.

He thought on it for a while, then extended his hand. She gave the book to him, and he ran his hand over the cover, studying it.

"A long time ago, you came to me after a long day and you said that Valdemar had the guards go through your things because you had been sneaking out at night. You were so upset and frightened. I suggested you hid anything that might be sensitive."

"What do you mean, hide?" she said, an eyebrow raised. She looked at the book in his hand. "Do you think I would have written in code?"

"No, not your style." He replied, then ran a finger down the spine of the book. It was faint, but there was a vibration. Magic. It clicked into place. "Cela, this is glamoured. That's why it doesn't make sense. You hid what you were writing so nobody could read it. You put in things...like what happened with Julian...to throw off prying eyes."

Her eyes went wide. Of course. He gave the book back to her, and she opened to the first page, closing her eyes and running her finger over the words. She opened them again, and she watched the letters shift. She dropped the book like it was burning, giving an excited screech.

Muriel jerked awake, sitting bolt upright. "What? Wha--"

Asra laughed, equally excited. "We figured it out, Muriel!"

"The fuck?" he said, rubbing a hand over his face. His heart was racing.

"The notebooks, Love! I glamoured them. That's why they didn't make sense."

Muriel was still bewildered, but he stood up and grabbed his clothes from the neat pile Celeste had folded them into on the bedside table, dressing.

Celeste was across the room in a flash, grabbing her bag and digging out the other notebooks. Asra right behind her, taking them from her hands and breaking the spells. Six books. One for each year she served in the palace before the plague.

They huddled up at the table together, passing the books back and forth, comparing notes. Even now, they were a bit of a mystery. She had a life before these notebooks, so not everything made sense. Names were still a blur without proper context.

Muriel's brow was knotted. Celeste looked over him. He was tracing the words with his finger, then going back, starting over again. "What is it?" she asked.

"The names change back and forth here. You said you were talking to Aric, but you call him Aedan. And you say he called you Lin, then Celeste."

Asra's face and hers were equally perplexed. Asra spoke first. "That would have been an odd nickname. Lin, for Celeste?"

As they moved through the books, certain things started clicking into place. But, the passages still seemed cryptic. Like she was still afraid to be discovered.

Celeste closed one book, and then went straight to the half-filled one. The last journal. She flipped through. This one was more frantic. Longer passages. Desperate. Each day more horrific than the last.

The last entry laid it all out in black and white. It was an introduction. It was a goodbye letter. The handwriting was different. Weak scratches. Stained with flecks of brown. Blood. Old blood.

Her village. Her parents. Her twin brother. The woman who came and sent them away, her father's cousin. To monitor her son. Morga. Lucio. She went pale, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Her body tingled, numb. Shock shielding her from the pain. She couldn't quite breathe.

Asra felt it. Muriel saw it and moved to kneel at her side. He pulled the book from her hands, ignoring her protest. He handed the book to Asra. He didn't know what she'd read, but her reaction spoke volumes. He moved to touch her, to brush her hair away from her face, but she flinched, broken from her reverie, moving away from him.

"No, no... don't touch me. Don't."

Muriel held his hands up in concession, trying to fight his panic for her sake. "Okay. Whatever it is, it's okay."

"I feel...sick," she said. And she did. Her stomach was knotted. Her heart still fluttering madly.

"Sweetheart?" Asra asked, standing. Muriel also stood, slowly. They both moved cautiously.

She held her arm out, wanting them to stay back. She started retching, dry heaving. Her eyes watered from the strain, her face hot with a rush of blood.

Muriel shook his head and crossed the room to gather her against him. She struggled against him for a moment, but he shushed her, holding her tightly. She didn't weep or cry out. She simply let him hold her. It felt like her body was asleep. All pins and needles. Every inch of her stung. It was freezing cold and burning hot.

Asra opened the notebook himself, flipping to where she had been reading. His eyes darted across the pages. "Oh, no..." he said. It was addressed to him.

"They will take me to the Lazaret soon. I want you to know that I love you and that you were right. I am so sorry..."

His eyes stung, but he kept reading, wiping his hands across his eyes when the tears blurred his vision.

Muriel was still in the dark, but by their reactions, he knew it couldn't be good. He held Celeste's head against his chest, stroking his thumb over her cheek, whispering for her to breathe, taking deep breaths of his own to guide her.

When Asra finished, he dropped the book and made quick strides across the room. He reached up to grab her face, looking in her eyes. "Celeste...Oh, My Heart." He didn't know what to say. His mind was racing.

"He...was my family. He killed...everyone. And it's my fault. Because I was supposed to be making sure..."

"No. No, no. No. Sweetheart. No." Asra whispered, shaking his head.

"Lucio was my responsibility. Morga stole us from our family so we could make sure he didn't cause any more pain. He's my blood, Asra. He's...Oh, Gods." Her eyes were wide, frantic. Putting the pieces together.

Muriel stared at Asra. He wasn't sure what to do. Trying to connect the dots and failing. Asra was crying. Cela wasn't. She was, however, shaking.  He decided to stay quiet, trying to comfort her.

Celeste turned, pulling away from Asra's hands, her face turned up towards Muriel. "She...she never said. All that time. She...Morga. She knew and never said."

Muriel looked down at her, then at Asra, imploring.

Asra looked up at him and took a shaky breath. "Lucio is her cousin. Morga sent her to apprentice at the palace with her brother...Aedan. Aric. The guard. Her twin brother. They're family. Lucio didn't know."

Muriel closed his eyes. The information did not strike him as particularly shocking. Instead, he was angry. That woman had put them both through such pain.

He had lost his family to Morga's tribe. Been orphaned by them. And she had done the same to his wife. Morga's own blood. His Celeste, another type of slave to Lucio. Just as he had been. And she dared to drag both of them to the place where they had watched Lucio wrench her heart from her chest. And then stole her body...His teeth clenched, infuriated. And he was still out there. Saved by Nadia's benevolence. Still wreaking havoc on them after all this time.

Celeste had always assumed that her family had died from the plague. She knew that there was a reason why nobody ever came for her. She thought of her daughters. Twins. Inseparable. She had that once, too. The fact that she couldn't remember him pained her in a way she didn't know possible.

She had thought that once she knew the truth, it would all flood back. That she would remember. But, it wasn't the case. All she had were the facts. None of the memories.

They all stood, reeling for a long while. There was nothing to be done. There was no going back and changing the past. There was no way to make it not be true. The burden of knowledge heavy on all of them.

"I need a drink," Celeste said. Muriel and Asra tended to agree. Thankfully, they were well provisioned on that front. Bottles on bottles of wine in storage.

They disengaged from one another. Celeste went to sit at the front of the bed, and Asra made open a bottle of wine, searching the cupboards for a glass. "No, just...give me the bottle."  She said, exasperated. Asra knew better than to argue.

It had been a long time since she really drank. A drink every once in a while with dinner, or on a special occasion. But, this was an occasion where clarity seemed too much to endure. Asra and Celeste generally shared white wine, but Muriel preferred deep, heavy reds. Asra could tolerate them, but Celeste turned her nose up, saying that she couldn't chew her wine.

Asra and Celeste passed the bottle back and forth, sitting side by side. Muriel had his own bottle. Muriel's legs were practically hollow when it came to alcohol, so it would take some doing to get him truly inebriated. Celeste, on the other hand, felt her cheeks flush and her vision blur rather quickly. Out of practice. It felt like a blessing now.

Somewhat more relaxed, Asra slid his arm around Celeste's waist, drawing her into his side. "I'm sorry," he whispered. It seemed like the only thing to say. He didn't know how to talk about it. It was so big. None of them could wrap their minds around it.

Celeste gave a breathy sigh. "I'm okay," she said, quiet, taking the bottle and drinking deeply.

Muriel's eyes narrowed. "You're not.  How could you be okay?" his voice was low, pushing his annoyance down.

She avoided Muriel's gaze, lifting her shoulders slightly. She felt truly defeated. "It's just easier to say I'm okay, I suppose. I don't know what I am...I don't know who I am, right now."

"You're the same woman you were this morning," Muriel replied. "You're my wife. You're the mother of our children. You're a woman who loves her work. Who loves her family."

"Yeah, my family. Who, apparently, includes Montag Morgasson. My children, twins. I found out I am also a twin, so that's a gut punch I wasn't quite prepared for. My work, which apparently kept me from my twin brother on his death bed because I was failing to find a cure for my fucking cousin. I'm not even using my actual name. I didn't know I had another name. I could go on." She shot back.

Muriel didn't flinch. There was nothing to say. It would not be resolved, not tonight. He took a drink, not engaging. They fell quiet again.

Celeste stared blankly. "What do I do, now?"

Asra blinked and shook his head. "What do you mean? What do you want to do?"

"Do I...go find him?" She asked, more to herself than either of her companions.

"Find who?" Muriel asked, already knowing the answer, but bracing himself against it.

"Nadia has him monitored, to make sure he doesn't come back to Vesuvia. She'll tell me where he is."

Asra's eyes went wide and he grabbed the bottle from her hands, putting it on the floor. "And, we're done drinking."

Muriel shook his head. "Speak for yourself." He quipped, going to take another long drink and finding the bottle empty. He stared at the bottle, irritated, before standing to retrieve another.

"I'm serious," she said, gesturing vaguely. Her head was swimming a bit. But, she was resolute. "I'm going to go...talk to Lucio. That's what I need to do. I need to tell him..."

Asra had disengaged from her, and had his head in his hands, rubbing his eyes, talking into the palms of his hands. "That is the worst idea you have possibly ever had. I love you, but...no. No."

"It's fine. I'm fine," she said, clearly not fine. "He deserves..."

Muriel aggressively removed the cork from his bottle and then brandished the corkscrew at her, cork still attached. "He doesn't deserve a goddamn thing. And he wouldn't care if you told him. You don't owe him a fucking thing." he spat.

Asra ran interference, knowing how easily they could go for each other's throats. "We are not discussing this tonight. There is a lot to unpack here, and this seems like a good way to end up burning the suitcase."

Muriel pressed his lips into a line, but nodded, conceding the point.

Celeste crossed her arms across her chest. She knew he was correct, but she wasn't happy about it. Then, she couldn't think of much she was happy about.

"Love, do you...remember anything? Asra asked, gentle. He had spent so long sheltering her from the potential pain that this could bring. But, she hadn't expressed any pain, like she used to have. No headaches. No fainting spells.

"No. I don't remember anything," she said, somewhat sad. "I feel like I should go back and read them again..but I'm afraid to pick them up."

"You don't have to do anything today, My Heart. You have all the time in the world. We will help you through it." Asra said, reaching out to put his hand over hers, reassuring.

Muriel came to join them, sitting on Celeste's other side, taking the other hand, bringing it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles softly. "You were there for us. You are always there for us. You still have us. We are going to take care of you."

For hours they sat, talking. Hashing and rehashing various points. Celeste finally broke down the weight of all that she had lost washing over her. It was true that she didn't remember much, but, clearer than anything else, she saw that sketch in her mind. Filling in. Becoming more and more real. She had a brother. She had a brother.

They lay together, tangled in each other's arms, Asra and Muriel trying to comfort her, but knowing there was no comfort to be found. She would have to grieve. Just as they had grieved the loss of their own families.

Muriel and Asra both had a perspective on the subject. Muriel's parents were also gone. He had also had to learn to reconcile the feeling of abandonment with the knowledge that it had been done out of love. Asra had been abandoned, but his family was recovered. As hated as Lucio was by all three of them, he understood her compulsion to seek him out.

And they both knew, that when and if she was ready, they would have to follow her to his door, despite their protests.

Hours ticked by. Muriel got up and made a simple dinner, then was right back at their side.

When the sun was low in the sky, Celeste decided she couldn't stay inside. They dressed. Asra brushed her long hair out for her and plaited it down her back.

They walked through the gardens, trying to take their minds off of what they had learned, to catch their breath. It had been such an onslaught of emotions, none of them could truly process it. Muriel and Asra tried to change the subject, talking about anything else as they meandered back and forth. Unsure of what to do with themselves.

When the sun was down, Muriel lit a fire in the pit, and they sat around it, watching the flames dance.

It had been so many years. She shuddered.

"I feel like I did the night he took my body at the masquerade. I feel like I did when I saw him coming down those stairs," she said, quiet. "I feel like I could get thrown into the tower and fall forever. Like I'm drowning. Like nobody can get to me."

"You aren't going anywhere," Muriel said, reassuring. "I won't lose you again. We won't lose you."

[geminiamethyst]

Possession. Chapter 9 (FINAL CHAPTER)

FINALLY! AFTER ALMOST A FULL YEAR, I have finally reached the end of Possession. Sorry it took so long to get to the end of, I just didn’t originally plan for it to be this long. But, you know what? I’m glad it did anyway.

Okay, because this is the final chapter, I can not stress enough to tell you guys to skip this chapter and read the previous chapters using the links below if you have not done so already. If you don’t, trust me, you will regret it.

I’d also like to say a final big thank you to Schusseltier, avril-circus and laambart for allowing me to write this story as they are the ones that came up with the original comic strips that inspired me to write this. Please give them all your love as they are amazing artists.

Enjoy the chapter.

The road to recovery was easy enough physically for Snufkin. All the bruises had cleared up and his body no longer felt like fragile glass that threatened to break at every move he made. However, it was mentally that was the challenge. For a whole week straight, he woke up in the night screaming from the nightmarish memories of when he was possessed that plagued him. Joxter was by his side at every scream he made and comforted him back to sleep, but it did nothing to help sooth his mind from going haywire. Though it was only for a week that the nightmares had gone on for, to Snufkin it felt like months. He hated feeling trapped like that. The spirit was gone, he knew that. But he had suffered so much when he was a prisoner in his head. He would look over his shoulder at every noise behind him when he walked and if someone had snuck up behind him without saying something, he would either flinch badly or scream in a panic when they place a hand on his shoulder. It had gotten terribly bad when Stinky (who in no time at all learned about what had happened somehow) played a nasty prank on him when he was in the forest getting some supplies for his winter wandering. He had frightened him by using a horn to project his voice around the area, making it impossible for Snufkin to pinpoint where it had come from. If that didn’t freak him enough, Stinky had then screamed down his ear so suddenly that it almost gave the poor traveller a heart attack, literally. It was so bad that Snufkin was curled up like a frightened child and wasn’t willing to move until Moomin, Joxter and Little My found him.

He was that scared of being possessed again.

Madame Portia had been doing everything she could to help him through the healing. She had been making him come up to Moominhouse daily to make sure that he was fine. Results were the same with physically, with the mental recovery becoming slightly better each passing day. She feared that the encounter with Stinky’s bullying would have set him back terribly but he surprised her greatly the day after the incident.

“He truly is you brother, isn’t he?” The medium had teased a bit at Little My that day, further commenting that Snufkin was stronger than he looked.

“You should never doubt my family!” Little My only smirked, earning a smile from Snufkin. Ever since that night, even after all the secrets that were kept, Snufkin felt like he was closer than he ever was with his family since he was reunited with them. It made him all the more determined to see his mother during his Winter wandering with Joxter.

Madame Portia had left a week after that, feeling the need to leave the valley before Winter and help another household with a spirit problem. The family said their goodbyes to her, with Moominmamma giving her some Jasmine tea to have on her travels. Madame Portia too had left some gifts with the family. She gifted the Moomin family a talisman to hang up on a wall to help protect the household from evil spirits and a beaded bracelet made out of turquoise for Snufkin with the same purpose. Despite Little My teasing him a little, Snufkin gratefully slipped the spiritual jewellery on, again fearing for him being possessed again. Feeling that she had done enough for the family, Madame Portia left, promising the family that if they ever meet again, she’ll only bring good fortune upon the family.

Sadly as the time went, Winter had finally creeped in. It felt like it had come quicker than it should have. The frost remained permanent on the ground, making the once lush, soft, green grass dry up and become nothing more than had brown coloured stems. Flowers wittered and died, driving off all the insects that had decorated them in the Spring and Summer. The trees were striped completely of their leafs, making them look like nothing more than tall, menacing figures, especially in the dark of the long nights. Clouds covered the sky, blocking the sun and the beautiful blue that was the sky. The air constantly looked like it was damp and it was also bitter, the wind becoming harsh and icy. No matter where you stepped in Moominvalley, it felt like the Groke was standing right next to you, or it felt like you were looking into the eyes of the Lady of The Cold.

Everywhere you looked in Moominvalley, it seemed like Summer was no more than a distant memory.

Snufkin sat on the handrail of the the bridge, just like he had started doing, waiting for Moomin to come out to say goodbye (A/N For those that don’t know, I’m referencing back to episode 85 of the 90’s series). His camp was packed up, leaving behind nothing more than a rectangle of flattened and worn out grass. A circle where he would have his campfire stayed, blackened permanently on the ground. His things were packed into the knapsack that was beside him. The only difference was that Joxter was standing by, waiting to go. He blew out a puff of smoke from his old pipe. He looked up at the clouded sky, noticing that the smoke blended well with the grey that blanketed the sky. He impatiently tapped his foot, knowing full well that it’ll start snowing any second. As much as he didn’t mind waiting, he’d rather get going before the snow gets too deep to walk through. His prayers were answered when he heard the sound of running feet coming towards the bridge. Snufkin stopped playing his harmonica, hearing Moomin approaching as well. He looked towards the young troll, feeling a smile spread across his face. Moomin stopped on the bridge, catching his breath from the running. He glanced at Snufkin’s knapsack, noting how full it looked despite Snufkin not owning very much. His heart sank a little, remembering that he wouldn’t see Snufkin until he awoke from hibernation and Spring had once again returned, bringing the valley back to life.

“Time to leave?” Moomin asked, feeling a little stupid as he already knew the answer.

“Yes. Everything is just going as they should now that some things are back to normal.” Snufkin smiled sadly, hopping off of the handrail. He slipped his harmonica in his pocket before looking a little sadly at Moomin. “Just remember that I’m going to be a little late coming back.” Moomin’s ears drooped a little and his tail became limp. With everything that had happened, he had completely forgotten what Snufkin had told him on Halloween.

“You’ll be seeing your mother though. Like I said, it’ll be worth the wait for you coming back. I hope everything goes well with meeting your mother.” He smiled a little, trying to make himself feel better. Snufkin only smiled at him a little, trying to reassure him that everything will be alright. He grabbed his knapsack and slipped the burden on his back. Moomin could do nothing more than watch sadly at this sight. He hated this time of year to say the least. He hated to see Snufkin leave for the Winter, knowing that he would never see him until Spring. It eased him a little as he reminded himself that he would be hibernating during that time. However, it still felt heavy on him. To him, it was not fair. But he knew that it would be unfair to Snufkin to force him to stay. Snufkin, after all, was a vagabond, a free spirit. It would be cruel to chain him to one place. He knew that it would be better to let Snufkin go, but it still didn’t stop him from being sad.

“HOLD IT!”

Snufkin, Moomin and Joxter turned to see Little My running towards them from Moominhouse. With the speed she was running at, you’d think the Groke was chasing her. The trio caught sight that she was carrying something in her hand, but her arms were going so fast that all they could make was a blurry white object. She skidded to a very sudden holt on the bridge, almost slipping on the frost that had remained on the bridge.

“You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye to your sister, were you?” She shouted after catching her breath.

“Sorry My, but usually you don’t do that. I thought you were asleep already.” Snufkin said as he knelt down to her.

“Yeah, well, I’m only doing this once! So don’t expect me to do it all the time.” Little My smirked, hands on her hips. She suddenly looked at what she was holding. “Do me a favour will you?”

“Of course.” Snufkin said before the small girl thrusted an envelope into his hands.

“Give this to Mother for me. I owe her a letter.” She said, her face softening a little, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “And.....be careful out there, okay?” Snufkin smiled. He surprised her by pulling her into a hug as a thank you. At first, the older sibling was stunned, but patted his back a little. “Yeah, yeah. Just get outta here before I get too soft. And you!” Joxter jumped a little as Little My pointed at him after Snufkin let him go. Little My’s features turned serious but meaningful. “You had better take good care of my brother. If something happens to him I will personally hunt you down myself!”

“Of course.” Grinned Joxter in amusement, his pipe held between his teeth. It faded as soon as something small, soft and white made its way to the top of his nose. Everyone looked up at the sky. Snowflakes had finally started to fall, twirling and spinning gracefully to the valley, almost like a ballet dancer performing on stage. At first, they fell thinly, only one snowflake coming down once every second, before they multiplied. The snowfall had started to become so dense that Joxter started to worry that he and Snufkin might have to wade through ankle deep snow before they could leave the valley. As Snufkin placed the letter delicately in his knapsack, his father placed a hand on his shoulder, telling him that it was time to go. Snufkin stood up and slipped his burden back on his back.

“So long, my friend. And I promise that I’ll be back before Spring is over.” He smiled sadly, extending a hand out for Moomin to shake. Instead of shaking it in his paw however, the young troll pulled the traveller into a heartfelt hug. He wrapped his arms a little awkwardly around the knapsack, but he still held a little tight. Snufkin stood a little shocked at this sudden interaction.

“Come back safe.” Moomin whispered, his voice a little hoarse as if he was going to cry. Snufkin blinked, then brought his arms around his best friend, giving him a reassuring hug. It felt warm despite the cold chill in the air.

“I promise.” He whispered into Moomin’s ear before the best friends released each other. It felt empty now that they had let go. Became colder all of a sudden. Little My climbed up onto Moomin until she stood on his shoulder, holding one arm around his head to keep her balance. Moomin, unfazed by this, watched with envy as his best friend and Joxter walked away, leaving shallow footprints in the thin layer of snow that had already started falling. They slowly became nothing more than two green dots. Moomin promptly wiped a tear that had trailed down his cheek.

“GOOD LUCK, SNUFKIN!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. He wasn’t sure if it was the snow making him think it or not, but for a few seconds, he believed that he had seen Snufkin stop, turn and wave back at those he called family. Moomin and Little My waved back. They continued until Snufkin and Joxter disappeared for good. Now Winter has officially come to Moominvalley.

And Moomin couldn’t wait until next year, when Moominvalley is blessed by the return of Spring.

And Snufkin to come back with it.

The End.

That’s it everyone. Final chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry if it feels anticlimactic, but I don’t care. I don’t know where to go next, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. If you guys want me to do a short story where Snufkin meets his mother or something like that, feel free to let me know.

In the meantime, have a nice day.

Here are the rest of the chapters, for those that are late to the party.

Chapter 1: click HERE

Chapter 2: click HERE

Chapter 3: click HERE

Chapter 4: click HERE

Chapter 5: click HERE

Chapter 6: click HERE

Chapter 7: click HERE

Chapter 8: click HERE

Links to the original artists:

Schusseltier: click HERE

avril-circus: click HERE

laambart: click HERE

[asraslatinagf]

Arcana Harry Potter Houses Edition

By moi

Asra: Ravenclaw. I know he has some prominent Slytherin tendencies, with him being a parseltongue and all, but Asra wished to be placed in Ravenclaw for reasons he would not disclose. He was smart enough for Ravenclaw for sure. Necromancy is not an easy magical subject to master, but Asra managed to be the youngest wizard in history to successfully revive someone from the dead with minimal ill-side effects. Unfortunately for the rest of the Wizarding community, Asra is not willing to impart his discoveries in necromancy. Many suspect he dabbles in dark magic. Those closest to him, know better. Pure dark magic would have brought them back wrong. Despite their memory loss, they are unlike the ghouls dark magicians tend to create when using necromancy.

Nadia: Gryffindor. She has the bravery of Gryffindor and the Ravenclaw brains. Have you seen her inventions? Genius. Overall her dominant Gryffindor personality won the house placement. Initially, during her first few years especially, she was a bit shy and hesitant to speak out against wrongs. When she did speak, she felt as if no one listened. It was only until she became really close friends with two Ravenclaws that she found her voice. With Asra and Julian at her side, she blossomed into a wonderful leader and one of the brightest minds in her generation.

Julian: Ravenclaw. He has a soft spot for the Hufflepuff house since a lot of his buddies are Hufflepuff. He also figured he was going to be a Hufflepuff and was frankly surprised (along with everyone else) that he was sorted into Ravenclaw. Sure he can hold his own academics, but him? Ravenclaw smart? He’s not so sure. Julian keeps his doubts to himself though, since Asra tends to swat him with the closest object if he hears Julian putting himself down. Julian excels in all of his classes but he’s particularly gifted in potions. As a hobby he likes to study rare magical creatures like the horned spotted leeches that are known for their medicinal properties. Him and Nadia are Head-students and together they bring promising ideas of reconstructing and modernizing old Wizarding towns.

Lucio: Slytherin. Too devious to not be a Slytherin. He killed his own father for goodness sake, in hope of staking his claim of power over their Wizarding house. Which he did not succeed since he was unable to defeat his mother, a powerful witch herself. Lucio and his little gang, gave Slytherin a bad rep and everyone can’t wait until their entire group graduates from the school.

Muriel: Hufflepuff. Muriel is considered almost the neutral territory amongst his friends. He always listens with open ears and no judgement (unless someone dabbles in dark magic, which he absolutely despises), hence a lot of people come to him to vent their troubles. At one point, being the unofficial school therapist, started taking a toll on him and he withdrew into himself, only talking to Asra, Nadia and sometimes Julian. (Although he still has yet to forgive Julian for participating in a dark ceremony with Lucio. He doesn’t care if they were trying to find a cure for the Red Plague, dark magic should never be an option.)

Portia: Gryffindor. Bold, sharp-tongued coupled with a quick temper, how can she not be a Gryffindor? Portia always finds herself in the midst of an adventure during each school year and to be quite honest she had the time of her life with each adventure. From searching for a rare flower in the Cave of Mysteries with her brother and the gang, to discovering the Gryffindor sword and fighting off Satan’s lackies, Portia had the time of her life.

[ellanainthetardis]

It’s announcement day! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know!

[ff] or (ao3]

Chapter 12 :  A True Victor

His ears kept ringing long after Snow’s face had disappeared from the screen.

His hand was empty of the glass he had just been holding and he realized, belatedly, that he had thrown it at the wall, missing the screen by two inches. It laid, shattered, on the floor.

Shattered.

Someone laughed and it took him a few minutes to understand it was him. He laughed until his side hurt and tears ran down his face.

And, then, abruptly, as quickly as it had started, the laughter stopped.

On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors.

He wanted to throw up.

He bowed down in two and took long deep breaths that did nothing for the anarchic beating of his heart or for the nausea.

Cannot overcome the power of the Capitol.

This was Snow’s revenge. This was why Haymitch was still alive when Cinna was dead. It wouldn’t be just Haymitch. It would be Katniss too. And enough of the victors to remind them all of where they stood in the food chain. It was a direct message to the Districts. The Capitol could kill their champions. It was…

It was the perfect answer to a failed coup.

Obvious enough for those who knew, not open enough to trigger reactions from those who didn’t.

Most District people would be relieved even. It meant that they didn’t need to fear for their children that year. He might be able to find comfort in that small mercy later on. For now…

For now, he couldn’t quite process it.  

Reaped from their existing pool of victors…

Katniss, for sure.

But not only.

Friends.

Twelve was the only District with so few victors but there were others… How many were there in Eleven, for instance? Five? Two of them being elderly. It didn’t bode well for his best friend either. And even if Chaff managed to slip through… He knew all the victors. Some better than others, true, but he knew them all. Even the Careers… Some of them he had no sympathy for, others he liked to think he was on friendly terms with.

He knew those people.

Every single one of them.

How fucked up was this?

Was it Heavensbee’s idea? Was that the suggestion that had convinced Snow of his loyalty and had saved his head? Tossing the victors back in their personal hell?

The arena.

The arena and its luring treacherous beauty. The emerald green grass, the deep blue water, the sweet smelling colorful flowers… The candy pink birds. Maysilee choking on her own blood. The volcano erupting in a rain of lava, the smell of sulphur in the air. Nya and her missing eye chasing after him to finish him, to win. The gut wrenching fear in the launching pod. The voice in his head pushing him on, reminding him that Hayden and his mother were waiting for him at home, that they would eventually starve if he died there, that Mabel would be there to welcome him back with her soft lips and her secretive smile. The voice telling him it was all worth it. Lives taken. Lives lost. All worth it for the certainty of holding all of them in his arms again, to melt in their embrace, to hear them say they loved him again.

A lie.

All a lie.

A trap.

Couldn’t go back.

Wouldn’t go back.

Fear was paralyzing.

He was sixteen again.

Listening to his name ringing out in the Square, last to be called by the Capitol clown on the stage. Being nudged forward by his friend because he was taking too long to move and it wouldn’t look good, it never looked good when they tried to run and the Peacekeepers had to chase after them. Pushed in that room in the Justice Building, intimidated by the place despite himself because he had lived his whole life in the Seam and this was the wealthy part of town. Trying to look strong for his mother, for his brother… Losing it with Mabel because she wasn’t just his girl but his best friend, had been since they had learned to talk, and he was freaking out. The words she had murmured in his ear until he had calmed down, learned how to breathe normally again, words he couldn’t remember at all even though their rhythm was branded in his memory like a distorted melody.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Words he had offered to all of them like a confident gift, a promise.

He was sixteen again.

He was sixteen again and his ears were ringing…

“Haymitch.”

His name was quiet and it made the ringing stop. He looked up at the boy standing on his living-room’s threshold. Peeta was paler than usual but there was a determined tightness to the line of his mouth, a tension in his shoulders.

And suddenly Haymitch was back to himself. If felt a lot like falling. He fell through memories that seemed so real he could almost touch them and back to his tired weakened body.

A forty year old man who was responsible for two kids and couldn’t afford to be paralyzed by fear.

“We need to talk.” Peeta declared, all tough, just like when he had confessed his feelings the year before, before the interviews, and had told him he intended to see Katniss out of that arena.

Peeta was the best of them. Haymitch had always known that.  

“Yeah.” he said. His voice sounded rough, raw, to his own ears and he cleared his throat. “I guess we do.”

He gestured at the armchair but Peeta declined with a shake of his head. The boy took a few steps toward the fireplace and remained there, in the middle of the room, a commanding presence. The charisma was good, Haymitch noted, Effie could work with that.

“We’re going to make sure Katniss wins this.” the boy said.

No surprise there.

No question either.

“Alright.” he agreed.

He was a bit impressed with himself for not even hesitating. He had thought his own survival instinct was stronger than that. But maybe he had developed another instinct in the last year. An even stronger one. An instinct that commanded him to save those kids by any mean necessary.  

“Well, that was easy.” Peeta said. The boy let out half a bitter chuckle. “I thought you would fight me at least a little about it first.”

“What’s there to fight about?” He opened his arms wide and let them fall back to his side. “We get Katniss out. You two crazy kids can have a very long life together. Pretty sure she doesn’t want kids of her own but maybe if you ever get a dog you can name it after me. That’ll make for a good joke, too. Caesar will love that. It’s important to be funny, you know. Helps with sponsors.”  He licked his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, I need a drink.” This was a lot to take in without the help of alcohol. His hands were shaking but he forced himself to slouch further in the couch instead of pacing the room like he wanted to, look casual. Detached. Like this was no big deal. “We’re done? ‘Cause I’d like to do some cursing in peace now.”

Peeta was frowning. “You’re not going. I’m going.”  

“Ah. That fight.” he snorted, studying him. He understood the projected confidence and determination better now. Peeta wasn’t there to ask him to die. Of course not. It would have been too easy. “No, kid.”

“You owe me.” the boy snapped. “You chose Katniss last year so you owe me. And that’s what I want. I will go in there and…”

“And get yourself killed for her?” he scoffed. “I’m curious. What’s the plan here? You die so she doesn’t have to marry you and she’s free to be with that other boy she doesn’t even know she actually likes? Or you hope that, then, she’s finally gonna understand that you’re the good guy? ‘Cause that’s stupid. Either way? You’re gonna be very dead and she’s gonna be very unhappy.”

“You think I want to die? I just want her to live!” the kid shouted, eyes suddenly brighter. He clenched his jaw and forced his voice down. “I can help her win.”

“Sure, you can. And you will.” he shrugged. “Out there. You’re gonna charm the pants off sponsors – not literally if possible – and you’re gonna make sure she’s got everything she needs to live another day.”

“Oh, come on, Haymitch!” Peeta snapped. “Let’s not pretend you care for me enough to volunteer if…”

“Don’t you fucking dare.” he spat. “I’ll volunteer. And I’ll punch you if you try to do the same thing. Don’t think I won’t.” They glared at each other until he shook his head. “You want to save Katniss. I can save you both. That’s the way to go.”

“No.” the boy protested. “If I go in there, I can make sure…”

He was out of the couch in a flash, not as swiftly as he would have liked but faster than Peeta had been expecting. He grabbed the kid’s arm and gave it a firm shake.

“Listen to me.” he hissed. “Fucking listen to what I’m saying. There won’t be any more tricks. There won’t be any miraculous save. Only one person is coming out of that arena and if you think for one fucking second I’m gonna stand by and let both of you go in when I can stop it…” It wasn’t convincing the boy. Not at all. He could read it on his face, plain as day, set in his damned stubbornness, his damned tendency at playing the knight in shining armor. Haymitch would never be much of a knight but he could probably be a good rook – knock everyone out of the way, clear a path, protect Katniss long enough for her to cross the chessboard. “I won’t be any help out there. Remember Cinna and Portia’s accident? I got out of that one easy, you hear what I’m saying?” He gave him another shake. “I’m blown in the Capitol for sure. Doesn’t matter how they’ll do it but I’m pretty sure no sponsor will deal with me. I’ll be useless, boy. That’s my accident. I get to watch you die.”

Peeta was staring straight into his eyes, searching for the lies, always mistrustful because he and Katniss had hidden too much.

“You don’t know…” the boy argued, a touch less confident.

It was all Haymitch needed. An in.

“Yeah, I do.” he chuckled. It almost sounded hysterical. He adjusted his grip on the boy’s arm, relaxed his fingers enough that they wouldn’t leave bruises. “I fucking do.”

“Even so…” Peeta shook his head. “I don’t know anything about mentoring. Even if…”

“Effie will take care of the practical stuff.” he cut him off. “Hell, she’s better at mentoring than I am. She practically got the two of you out by herself last year.” That was a gross exaggeration. But Effie was good. And she could do this. She would do this. “You just need to trust her and follow her lead. You’re half of the star-crossed lovers. Sponsors are gonna eat in your hand. They’re all gonna be rooting for you.”

“If I go in, I can protect her.” the boy pleaded.

“You think I wouldn’t have her back?” he sneered. “You think I’d turn on her?”

Peeta didn’t answer at once and it was almost insulting. Haymitch dropped his hands and stepped back, his sneer deepening. He was a despicable man on a lot of accounts. But he would have never…

“No.” the kid said quietly. “But I’m stronger.”

He hadn’t just spent weeks in withdrawals, he meant.

Although Haymitch supposed that had been a blessing in disguise. Withdrawals in an arena… That wouldn’t have been fun. And it would have made him an amusing spectacle for the wolves. He would have hated that. He had been a joke for most of his life, he hoped his death would carry a little more meaning than that.

Not that there was ever any meaning in death.

“You’re missing a leg.” he reminded him. He didn’t feel bad about the flash of pain and shame that passed on the boy’s face. It was a fact. The crude and honest truth. And speaking of truths… “You know what’s going to happen, kid? You’re gonna volunteer, you’re gonna go into that arena and she’s gonna realize she loves you at the worst possible moment.”

“Yeah, that’s going to happen.” Peeta scowled.

“Yeah. It will.” he laughed bitterly. “’Cause that’s the kind of person she is. It’s the kind of things she’ll figure out too late.” A bit like when he had held Effie until dawn on the last night of the Tour. A bit like… He rubbed his face. “You know the worst? It’s gonna make the Capitol’s day too. Tragic end to a tragic love story. You go in there and you die, you let them win.”

“I wanted to be more than a piece in their game.” the boy whispered sadly.

“Then be more.” he almost begged.

“If I let you go in there for me, they win too.” Peeta countered. “I let them win.”

“No.” he objected. “’Cause this Quell… That’s my game. Not yours. It’s my own fucking fault. I tried…” He let his sentence trail off and shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. You said I owe you. I do. I chose her last year, I’m choosing both of you this year.”

“Haymitch…” the kid said, his voice breaking a little.

It was tempting and the boy was tempted.

Haymitch understood that very well because he was tempted to. Accept the teenager’s offer, promise to stay out of the arena whatever happened… If he had thought for one second that there was any hope of getting both of them out of there, if he had thought for one second that he would have been more useful out there… If there had been any guarantee…

If Thirteen hadn’t left them all to hang…

“You know what the smart thing to do is, Peeta.” he insisted. “And you know what Katniss is gonna say once she pulls her head out of her ass. How long do you think before she gets here and asks me to die for you?”

“She won’t.” the boy denied.

“Wanna bet?” he snorted but he wasn’t amused and he didn’t pretend to be for long. “I’m an old man. Whatever shitty life I had is behind me.”

Peeta ran both his hands in his hair and tugged a little at the roots, clearly distressed. “It’s not fair. I can’t ask you…”

“You’re not asking.” Haymitch cut him off. “You’re not asking and you’re not carrying that guilt. My choice.” The boy stared at him, breathing hard, so Haymitch went on. “We need you to be out there. For Katniss. That’s the best way you can protect her.”

Peeta turned around and paced back and forth, retracing the path from the couch to the bookshelf a few times. “What about Effie?”

The question took him a little aback. “Told you. She’s the best. She can…”

“That’s not what I mean.” the boy interrupted him, not unkindly. “You know what I mean.”

What about Effie?

He felt a pang of sadness only thinking about her. What she would have to go through… It was hard for her when it was children she had only known for two weeks. Watching friends go in there… Watching him…

Oh, it would kill her.

Just like it would have killed him if he had been staying behind.

But she would do her job and she would do it well. He trusted her implicitly. She was the best escort out there and everyone knew it. Every other victor had put a request for her at one point or another. The only reason she was still in Twelve was that she was the only one who had ever been able to talk some sense into him and make him somehow behave.

“Effie’ll put Katniss first.” he promised. “She…” He rolled his eyes. “Do I really need to spell this out, boy? We care about the two of you in case you didn’t notice. Both of us. We have our priorities straight.”

Peeta stopped pacing to study him once more, wary. “She’s your…” His sentence was left in suspension either out of tact or because he wasn’t sure what term to use. The boy cleared his throat and averted his eyes. “Are you sure you’re ready to…”

He appreciated what the kid was trying to say, to ask, but it was a pointless line of enquiries.

“She’s Capitol.” he said quietly.

“What does it have to do with anything?” Peeta scoffed. “It’s Effie. She’s much more than just her citizenship. She’s…”

“Capitol.” he finished before the teenager could launch into a speech on her qualities and flaws. He was intimately acquainted with each and every one of them. “I know everything’s about love at your age but for some people sex is just sex. It’s just a fling. Could never be anything but that.”

They didn’t belong in the same world.

And it would have been a selfish waste to save his own skin for something that had been doomed from the start.

Peeta nodded thoughtfully – not really convinced, he suspected, but maybe understanding the lie was a necessary one.

He and Effie had no future whatsoever.

The boy swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”

“That I want to go back to an arena?” he mocked. “What kind of fucking stupid question is that?”  

“That you want to die for me.” Peeta clarified. “For Katniss.”

He didn’t let himself hesitate. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure.”

The boy slouched a little, as if a weight had just settled on his shoulders. He looked older all of a sudden, older and exhausted. Lost.

A true victor.

Haymitch had won the argument but he found no joy in it. He wasn’t twisted enough for that.

“Go home.” he told the kid. “Get some rest.”

“What are you going to do?” Peeta asked in a small voice. That was a very good question but the sharp ringing of the phone answered that for him. The boy flashed him a small sad smile. “Tell her hi for me.”

Haymitch waited until the boy had slipped through the backdoor to put his shaking hand on the phone. He took a deep breath before answering. “Took you long enough, sweetheart.”

[ilyasvieltrevelyanshepard]

Warriors and poems - Day 3

My participation for the Cullen Appreciation Week Day 3: Everything feels like it was worth fighting for -Post-game CullenWhere does Cullen end up after Trespasser? Is it a happily ever after? We don’t have the answer. But we know you do!

Is a Cullen/Cassandra fic, just in case you don’t like the pairing ^^ is fluffly and I love them, soooo, hope you like it ^__^

The red light of the setting sun paints the interior of his room. Cullen sits in front of the heart, Grey sleeping at his feet. He closes the book he was reading, standing up and stretching his back before moving to light on the candles and lamps around the little cabin. Opening the outside door, he steps into the porch, breathing deeply, enjoying the warm breeze and the scent of the forest nearby. A pair of men crossed the path in front of his home, waving to him before following their way. Alibear appears just then, the young mabari that King Alistair gifted him on the inauguration of the Sanctuary, running happily with his tongue out. It has been a year since the Exalted Council. A year since they disbanded the Inquisition, a year since Trevelyan lost his arm and disappeared in Tevinter with the Jenny’s, helping Dorian to make the changes he ever dreamed of. A year since Leliana turned on Divine Victoria, reforming the Chantry completely. The changes took their time to root, but the status quo has changed to one of complacency, being accepted by everyone. The Templars had returned to the Chantry, but only with the formal promise of the Divine to never lash them again with the lyrium yoke. The mages and their College of Enchanters are slowly changing how the people saw them, having turned their stronghold in a place of peace and knowledge. They even run a hospital and a shelter for the poor.And finally his Sanctuary, a place where every Templar who wants to get free of the lyrium prison can come. The Divine gave him the gold necessary to do it, and King Alistair gifted him with a big area near Honnleath to build it. They have twenty cabins, where the ones who want to heal, or the ones that can’t be cured, can live in peace. In this long year, more than fifteen Templars had been cured, some of them even had gone to live at the College of Enchanters, wanting to attune for their sins. Others returned to their homes to try to live a normal life, and others remained there, helping with the farming lands or working at the city to bring some extra money to the Sanctuary. Sadly for him, some of his brother and sisters in arms can’t be helped, their minds already lost to the madness of the blue venom, but at least they have a good place to live and people who care for them.His family visits him frequently. Alistair has chosen very well the location of the Sanctuary. Close enough to visit him each month but not enough to have them pestering at his door assiduously.Alibear is on his legs, big pawns resting on his hipbones and asking for some attention. “Hey, little one. Have you found something interesting today?” The little dog jumps to the ground, turning over himself before he can stop him. Leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile on his face, Cullen distracts himself scratching Grey’s head. A moment later, the puppy shows up on his feet with something in his mouth, and when Cullen sees the glove, an awkward smile shows on his face. He pats the dog’s head. “Where did you find my little treasure, Alibear?”The dog turns over himself, and moves to one side of the cabin, waiting for Cullen to join him. When he moves closer, he can see a single horse being walked to the house by a very familiar silhouette. He stores the glove on his belt, using a moment to push back his curls while she comes closer to the house. Cullen can’t fight against the happiness he feels every time she visits him. Once she is close enough, they share a big smile, eyes full of feelings.Cassandra stops in front of him, knotting the reins of her horse to the porch’s railway. “Hell-”Before she can say his name, he jumps the railway and catches her in his arms, turning and turning with her until they are jiggling like children. When he puts her down, he cups his face with his fingers, kissing her lips softly. “Maker’s breath, I missed you, love.”Kissing his jaw, she wraps her arms around him. “I missed you too, Cullen.”They remain there for several minutes, just enjoying the feeling of their other half’s body. The bark of Alibear makes them come back to reality, chuckling softly. He moves his hand to her head, playing with her hair. “Is longer than the last time. Are you trying to compete with me, love?”She snorts at him, and Maker! How he had missed the sound! “Never, my Lion. You are the long haired of the couple. Now help me to bring the saddle inside and open a bottle of wine. I want to hear everything that happened since my last visit!”“Only if you tell me what had kept you away from me for four months.”He is taking off the saddle from the horse, letting it resting on the railway of the porch while Cass plays with Alibear. When he has his arms free, she stands up, giving him her back. “Well, I’ve been very busy. I travelled to Val Royeaux to talk with Leliana, sorry, the Divine, about the Seekers.” He remains at arm’s distance of her, letting her talk. “After what we learned about the Tranquils and how the order acted during the Corypheus situation has left us in a weak position to regroup. After my last visit to the north, we decided--” Cassandra turns to look at him, she wants to see his reaction. “We decided to disband the Seekers and join the Chantry as a new branch of the Templars.”The surprised frown on his face is turned quickly into one of hope. “And you?”A lopsided grin appears on her face, extending a hand until he grabs it and interlaces their fingers. “Me? I’m still the Right Hand, but it seems that I have her permission to retire from this work too. Cullen, I don’t have to leave, not tomorrow, not the next week, for as long as you want me, I’m yours.”Cullen is so shocked to talk until she presses her fingers on his hand, “Maker, tell me I’m not dreaming.”Her laugh is so free and happy that Cullen can’t believe it. “I’m very sure that I’m not sleeping, Cullen. Besides, don’t have you seen that I didn’t wear my Seeker regalia? I’m just Cassandra, for the first time in years.”He let her hand go before stealing a quick kiss from her lips. “Wait a moment here, just-- remember the feeling. I’ll come back before you knew I’m gone!”Disappearing inside the house followed by the dogs, he leaves a confused Cassandra standing in front of the porch. But less than a minute later, Cullen comes back, hiding something behind his back, and the dogs staying inside the house but watching them from the door frame. Once in front of her, he gives her a big bouquet of white roses and orange blossoms. Her smile is so bright that he feels his insides melting. Not even the scars on her angular face rest sweetness to the image of her smiling and sniffing the flowers. But he has a final touch for the moment, something he has planned for weeks now. Falling to one knee on the ground, he can see her face changing to one of surprise and the hand that isn’t holding the flowers move to her chest.“It's been a while and now i knowThat i can never ever let you goFrom the first time we met and your first helloI knew you're the one where my heart will growYou are my dream..the angel from the skyWho showed me what life is and how I can cryHow I can have someone who I can always relyTo be there forever and never say goodbyeThe one I can hug when I am in needThe one who give love.. that no one can exceedThe one who'll shed tears... if my heart ever bleedThe one I have wanted... to share my life with...So, now I ask you this... will please you take my handAnd be the person... who will always understandI want to grow old with you..i'm down in one kneeYou're the only one I'll ask… 'will you marry me?’”From his back, he produces a silver ring, engraved with little green jewels. The bouquet of flowers fall in front of him, and before he can react, she had him pinned to the ground, hugging him hard enough to stop his ability to breathe. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes and a million of time yes.”Cullen kisses her with all his love, feeling the extreme happiness to have his life complete at least. When she accepted the ring, and he slips it on her finger, he feels like a final chapter on his life has been closed, and a new one, full of light and warm feelings, begins. They were still on their cloud of happiness when the dogs join the hug, making them laugh and sit back, scratching their heads until they sit beside them. Turning to face her again, Cullen cups her nape and moves her close enough to plant a soft kiss on her lips. “I love you, Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena Pentaghast.”“And I love you too, Cullen Stanton Rutherford.” She kisses him again, pushing him until he lays on his back with her on top. “But I will hit you anyway if you call me by my full name again.”Turning them until she lays on the grass, he towers over her, his long curls falling over his face while he grins at her. “My lovely fiancee and her sweet talking.” He kisses her until they don't know where one ends and the other begun, their hearts beating at the same rhythm. It seems that the Maker has decided to let them find some happiness at last.

[mapofredemption]

how does asra decimate me with a single glance jesus christ 😍😍😍 they're all so hot, the way lucio is looking at me... HHHHNGG

Saw this format and decided the arcana needs one too. Tried new coloring because I finally accept that I can’t shade even to save my life.

[invisibleinorange]

Bridgerton’s Adrift |  17/?

Chapters: 17/? Fandom: Bridgerton Rating: T Warnings: Presumed Character Death Relationships: Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington,  Eloise Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington(besties),  Bridgerton Family Dynamics, Simon Hastings/Daphne Bridgerton Characters: Colin Bridgerton,  Penelope Featherington, Eloise Bridgerton, Anthony Featherington,  Benedict Bridgerton,  Portia Featherington, Violet Bridgerton, Genevieve Delacroix Additional Tags:  Bridgerton, Polin Summary:  Unexpected bad news arrives for the Bridgerton Family (and friends) regarding Colin's travels. This will be a series that is set after "The Duke and I" or season one of the show. It is a companion piece to "Goodbyes".

If you were distressed at the prospect of Benedict Bridgerton being removed from eligibility, this writer is here to inform you that you have not missed your opportunity.

The wedding to one Miss Featherington came to a shocking halt when the third eldest Bridgerton showed up.  While one expects family for these special moments, one hardly expects them to return from the grave.

It has been reported that the returned Bridgerton only had eyes for his brother’s to-be bride.

While this writer cannot dare claim to know all, it would seem that the wedding has been called off as the day following the scheduled nuptials the groom departed for the countryside alone.

If that was not enough of a scandal, we’re hearing reports of a shockingly large floral order delivered to the Bridgerton home…

LADY WHISTLEDOWN'S SOCIETY PAPERS, 20 OCTOBER 1813

--

Ever since the wrath of Violet Bridgerton had come down on Colin (and her), Penelope had tried to stay on the straight and narrow. As much as she might have wanted to steal a little more time with Colin, she didn’t want to risk being kicked out.

As much as she didn’t want to return home, she didn’t know if she’d be welcome. If she returned back to her mother’s home, she would have had to have explained everything and it was complicated at best.

The easiest way to verbalize what was going on was through Lady Whistledown.  She’d gotten half of it complete before she knew she needed to show her face to the family.

She was surprised as she entered the drawing room and found herself in a sea of flowers.  There were so many flowers it was almost an embarrassment of riches.

“You’re going to have to keep your courtship short unless you want to break the bank of Bridgerton,” Anthony teased from the corner at the sight of her.

“I didn’t expect him to buy out the shop,” Penelope said admiring the flowers that were meant for her.

It was as if Colin knew precisely where she was going to be and when she was going to be there because he wasn’t far behind, smirking from the door frame.

“I have time to make up for,” he informed her simply. “And if I can’t do that in other ways, the flowers will have to be adequate.”

“He will be sticking to the flowers for now,” Violet said from where she was working on her needlework.  “He has younger siblings to set an example for.”

Penelope nodded knowing that to be true.  She knew that Violet was a loving and progressive mother but even she had to have her limitations on things.  A lot of men in the world would take what they wanted with little thought to what comes next.

There was little question of where they were going with this though.  She didn’t want to put a timeframe on it or force Colin into any corners.  She couldn’t see a future where they weren’t married and enjoying their honeymoon by spring.

She maneuvered to an empty sofa taking a seat where she knew there was enough space for Colin to join her, smiling when he did.  If they had to behave, they could at least hold hands.  Her smaller hand found his, lacing their fingers.

“You’re more than adequate,” she told him with a small smile.

Eloise made a face from where she was sitting nearby.  She clearly wasn’t enjoying the display all that much.

“I love you both but please kill me if I ever start to like you,” she murmured, acting as if the whole falling in love was beneath her.

“I’d be happy to kill you,” Colin said though Penelope swatted at him in such a way that made it clear that wasn’t the correct way to respond.

“What he meant to say is we won’t do such a thing,” Penelope told her friend with a smile. “I personally appreciate you not being weird about this.”

“That would require she was ever not weird to begin with,” Anthony couldn’t help but remark from where he was sitting.

Eloise glared at Anthony for a fraction of a second before nodding.

“I’m happy if you’re happy,” she said opting to not bite back at Anthony.  “It doesn’t matter which of my idiot brothers you end up marry, I’ll still get another sister out of the deal.  I was kind of looking forward to you marrying Benedict though since I’d have an excuse to tag along on the honeymoon so you weren’t bored senseless.”

“Eloise,”  Violet said as if to say that maybe it wasn’t polite to discuss the almost marriage.

It was still a little bit too fresh and the fact that Benedict wasn’t there made it a little weirder.  Colin couldn’t help but feel a little spike of jealousy at the thought of it and Penelope still felt a touch guilty.

“Well I’m sorry to disappoint you when I say that when I do propose to Penelope and we eventually partake of a honeymoon, your services won’t be needed,” Colin said after a long moment.  It wasn’t an if but a when.

“Clearly since you couldn’t even properly wait for one,” Eloise retorted.

The only reason he wasn’t demanding a special license to marry her now was because he wanted to respect Penelope’s wishes.  He’d wait as long as she required but he was admittedly impatient for all that commitment would entail. He rolled his eyes at his sister.

“Eloise,” Violet said more persistently, demanding an end to the squabble at once.

It was Penelope who gave Colin a reassuring squeeze to his hand in an effort to keep him from firing back.   She let go of it, climbing to her feet gaze moving toward her best friend.  Clearly there were a few things that she needed to set straight before the squabble became something bigger.

“Eloise, why don’t we go for a promenade?” she suggested. Eloise was normally the one who pulled her away or dragged her where she wanted her to go but this time it was Penelope who grabbed her arm and practically dragged her from the drawing room.

Colin’s eyes followed them for a second before he gazed to his mother who had focused back on her needlework and then to Anthony.

“Should I be concerned?” he asked after a long moment.

“No,” Anthony told him with a laugh. “I think your Lady is about to put our little sister in her place and it’s about time.  I doubt there will blood. They tend to handle things in a far more civilized manner than us men.”

“God, I hope so,” Colin said with a chuckle.

--

Eloise was used to being the bossy one. She’d always had a strong personality and there were times when she didn’t quite realize that what she was saying or doing might not be in line with what those closest to her wanted.

There were certainly moments through the years where she’d overlooked things, just like she’d overlooked Penelope’s crush on Colin until they’d thought Colin was dead.

She liked to think that she knew her best friend well enough to make speak freely.  She wouldn’t dream of judging Penelope for anything. If there was something to blame someone on, it was always going to be the other party.  In this case, it was Colin.

Penelope had heard enough though and while she didn’t particularly care to get into in front of Violet or anyone else in the household she could no longer hold back her tongue.

“I need you to stop,” Penelope said after a long minute as if she’d been trying to figure out the right words to express how she felt.

“Stop walking?” Eloise asked, clearly not even aware that she’d managed to say anything that could offend or upset her best friend.

“No, I mean blaming Colin,” Penelope told her.

“You’re a Lady and he took advantage of you,” Eloise said simply. “You were overwhelmed by his return and he –“

Penelope cut her off there. She wasn’t going to stand for it.

“I was in complete control of the situation,” Penelope told her.  “He never once did anything that I didn’t actively encourage.”

“But he’s –“

“No, just listen to me,” Penelope persisted. “You won’t understand but I want you to -  your mother and Daphne fully explained the things that go on behind closed doors once one is married – well, more Daph than your mother but bless her - she tried.  I didn’t quite understand until Colin kissed me but I wanted him to keep kissing me.”

“You really don’t have to –“  Eloise managed not sure she needed to know the gory details of the affair.

“Colin was a gentleman,” she insisted. “I mean, if he’d wanted to ravage me, he easily could have but when I said stop, he did.  He doesn’t deserve all the blame in this. You’re very special to me but I don’t need you to protect me from him or this.”

“I just don’t want to see you hurt,” Eloise said after a long moment.  “I don’t think he would ever intentionally hurt you but what if you don’t stop him next time or can’t? – Or what if he decides to travel again and leave you behind? – I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“First off, your mother would kill us and it would be a mute point,” Penelope said honestly.  She reached for her Eloise’s hands, giving them a squeeze. “Secondly, you’re always going to be my best friend.”

Eloise nodded at that, accepting that answer.

There was a long pause and a turn to continue their stroll.

“Then you won’t be upset with me if I leave you to navigate this alone for a few weeks?”  Eloise asked after a long moment.

“Why?” Penelope asked curiously.

“You clearly don’t need me right now but Benedict does,” Eloise said honestly.

Concern flooded Penelope’s features at mention of Benedict needing help.  She hadn’t honestly let herself think of what he might be out there doing, mostly because she didn’t want to be in a constant state of guilt.  The rational part of her knew it was ludicrous since Benedict had only proposed, promised to take care of her because of Colin but when she put herself into his shoes, she didn’t know if she’d have liked being dropped.

“Is something wrong with him?”  she asked.

“No,” Eloise said after a moment, trying to stop whatever guilt Penelope might be feeling.  She didn’t see a need for it.  “He’s going to be fine.  He’s just in a mood.”

“I wish he would have talked to me before he ran off,” Penelope said after a long moment.  She would have liked to have thanked him for looking after her.  Maybe they weren’t going to be married but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to be his friend. “Tell him to not stay away for too long.”

“The male ego is fragile,” Eloise said with a shrug. “I’ll do the best that I can – Just don’t be pregnant when I come back.”

[hazelolive]

I'm so glad I randomly stumbled upon this it's to freaking precious and cute. Also damm some of those after images

Saw this format and decided the arcana needs one too. Tried new coloring because I finally accept that I can’t shade even to save my life.