#and oh so tragic if she had simply faded away

[kulekrizpy]

ELAYNE AND BIRGITTE??

also elayne is such a good leader <3

[sissyisawitch]

It'll Be Okay

Relationship: Sebastian Sallow x You

Summary: After the macabre events that occurred in the Feldcroft Catacomb, Sebastian is devastated. All he can think about is running away and pushing you away from him… but you don't plan to give up on him so easily.

Word Count: ~2.7k

Author's Note: This story is based on the song "It'll Be Okay" by Shawn Mendes. I hope you'll enjoy reading it!💙

Warnings: Major spoilers for the "In the Shadow of the Relic" quest + Angst

“I won’t let her suffer! Avada Kedavra!”

A flash of green light struck Solomon Sallow’s body, before it fell limp on the ground. Sebastian had done it. He had killed his uncle.

Oh, the future we dreamed of is fading to black…

He dropped his wand which clattered on the ground.

And just like that, you and Sebastian's future plans vanished, completely ruined. They used to seem so simple... you were supposed to cure Anne with the relic, make her return to Hogwarts, and then be happy all together with your little quartet of friends.

But as fate would have it, that was never going to happen.

A high-pitched, distraught voice brought you out of your thoughts, “Depulso!”

Anne had appeared in the Catacomb and apparently witnessed the whole tragic scene that had just unfolded, whereupon she herself attacked her twin brother, propelling him with all her might against one of the stone walls to stop him.

Driven by her fiery anger, she used what little strength she had left to cast a couple more spells to defeat the remaining Inferi and reduce Salazar Slytherin's Spellbook to ashes.

“NO!” Sebastian howled. He could do nothing but watch his sister destroy the book that was supposed to contain all the solutions to save her life.

“You’ve made your choice.” She said simply, before disapparating with the inert corpse of their uncle.

“Oh, Anne… What have you done?”

Oh, there's nothing more painful. Nothing more painful…

You were paralysed, unable to move even a finger after witnessing such a heartbreaking scene where a family was completely shattered, with no means or hope of ever repairing their ties. Poor Sebastian was left entirely alone, tears in his eyes, his face contorted by his crushing grief and regret. Merlin, you hated that sight with all your heart.

“I-I must get out of here.” He mumbled as he stood up and quickly looked at his surroundings, as if he were completely disorientated.

“Seb, wait!” You tried to hold him back, but Sebastian would not listen.

Instead, he fled. He ran like mad towards the exit of the Catacomb, desperate for fresh air.

“SEBASTIAN!” You shouted at the top of your lungs as you sped after him, hoping that it would be enough for him to hear you despite his head start.

It was only when you had made your way up the labyrinth of tunnels, once you were back in the Feldcroft countryside and away from the heavy atmosphere of the dusty Catacomb, that you managed to catch up with Sebastian.

Now that he was close at hand, you reached out to grab his arm, “Sebastian, stop!”

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” He roared, sending your hand flying with more force than he would have used if he were in his normal state of mind.

You flinched out of reflex, but you were in no case scared of the boy. You never had been, and you knew you never would be. You understood that he was simply on edge and needed reassurance, so you kept your soft tone, “Seb–”

“STOP SAYING MY NAME!” He continued to shout in anger, but the way he was now gripping his hair and pulling at the roots showed that annoyance was being added to the palette of overwhelming emotions he was feeling at the moment. “For fuck’s sake I should’ve known better than to become friends with you in the first place.”

This. This last sentence. Maybe he could not scare you, but you too often forgot that he was still capable of hurting you, even if he did not mean any of it and it was his amalgam of panic and agitation that got the better of his words.

You tried your best to remain unfazed, “So what? You'd rather our paths had never crossed?”

“Yes!” He exclaimed without thinking twice.

I start to imagine a world where we don't collide…

For a moment, you lost yourself in your own thoughts. You imagined a parallel universe where you had never defeated Sebastian in Defence Against the Dark Arts, where he had never accompanied you to Hogsmeade on your first day at Hogwarts, and therefore a universe where you two had never become friends or exchanged a single word.

It also meant a world where you never fought trolls, goblins, and poachers together, where you never spent long nights in the Undercroft doing nothing but talking, where he never held you in his arms and comforted you whenever you were not at your best, resulting in your feelings for Sebastian blossoming into something much stronger and more genuine than friendship.

“Well, I don’t.” You finally answer.

“Well, you should.” He imitated your intonation with irritating impertinence.

You paid no attention to it, knowing better than to take any of his irrational actions into account, “Why?”

“BECAUSE I FUCKING RUINED YOUR LIFE!”

The screaming was back. Taking you by surprise once again. However this time, you were unable to react. The rawness and vulnerability of his words had hit you right in the heart, knocking the wind out of you.

“I have to go.” He muttered after your lack of reaction. He turned his back on you before setting off again, this time clearly determined to leave.

This was the moment that snapped you out of your stunned confusion, “Oh no, don’t you dare run away from me, Sallow!”

Your feet reacted even faster than your brain. You rushed towards him, but knew you would not have enough strength to hold him back, so you did the only best thing you could think of... You lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. Your body crashed into his with full force, causing his back to slam against the hard, cold, snow-covered ground.

“LET ME GO!” He fought back, kicking in all directions to try and push you off him.

“NEVER!” You pinned him down with all your strength. You were pressed on top of him while holding his hands on either side of his head, and keeping his thighs flat with your own legs. “Because you didn’t ruin my life, Sebastian.”

“Are you hearing yourself right now? I spent months teaching you dark magic. I just killed my uncle in front of you. You're a witness to a murder because of me! You could be sent to Azkaban BECAUSE OF ME! What more do you need to hate me? Tell me, because I'll do it right away if it means you'll stay away from me and be out of danger!”

And it's making me sick, but we'll heal and the sun will rise…

Sebastian's words made your blood run cold. Not because they made you reflect on everything he had put you through, but rather because you wondered how you were going to make him understand that you were not blaming him for anything, that the idea had never even crossed your mind.

“We can get past this. We can make things better together.” You said softly, unable to muster a better response.

He only scoffed bitterly.

“Sebastian, I don’t want to hate you, I want to be here for you!”

Judging that he seemed slightly calmer, you allowed yourself to release one of his hands to cup his cheek instead. With your thumb, you caressed his tanned skin, tracing the freckles splattered across his cheekbones. You did your best to convey your honesty and all your love for him through your delicate touch.

“No.” He replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation, and then took advantage of your lowered guard to push you away again, this time with his hand which was now free. “Now leave me alone!”

If you tell me you're leaving, I'll make it easy…

You gave up being gentle and tackled him firmly to the floor again. You just needed him to listen to you for a few more minutes, “Okay. I won’t force you to stay if you don’t want to… But you need someone, Sebastian. Please, let me help you.”

“I don’t want your help!” He spat with a fury that was rarely seen in him. You had only seen it once... when he called you ignorant.

“Maybe you don’t want it, but you need it.” Now that everything had been said, you got out of his way to let him go if he so wished.

It'll be okay…

Sebastian sat up again, but stayed there, against all your expectations. You knew that all he needed was one last little push before he surrendered, so you insisted, “Don’t shut me out. Let me be here for you.”

“I–” His voice broke, giving way before he could even begin his sentence. His bottom lip quivered. “I didn’t mean to kill him. He attacked us… attacked you. I had to use the Killing Curse. You know I did!”

“I know. You did your best to protect me.” You reassured him by taking his hands in yours and giving them a little squeeze.

“I never meant for all of this to happen. I just wanted to help Anne.” It was not long before tears started to stream down his cheeks. “I want this hell to be over. Please make it stop.”

“I wish I could… but–” Now it was your voice's turn to fail you.

“I just want my little sister back.”

“I know you do… I know.” You swallowed hard to fight the tears that started to blur your vision. You could not allow yourself to cry. You had to stay strong for him. You had to be the pillar on which he could rest, because right now, he needed your help. If he saw you crying, it would only make things worse. This was not about you.

So you cuddled him against your chest, firstly to comfort him, and secondly so that he would not see the look of total dismay on your face.

“Ominis hates me too, and I can’t even blame him, because I hate myself too.” He was now full on breaking down, his head buried against your chest, and his tears streaming down your uniform jumper.

“I’ll love you enough for the two of us, then… until you learn to love yourself again, and even after.”

“I want the pain to stop. It’s been there for too long. I can’t stand it anymore.” The more time passed, the more erratic his breathing became.

“I know, baby. You’ve been so strong.” You kept spouting all the soothing words you could think of, in the hope that they would work on him.

“Please, make it stop. Please.”

“I’d take it all for you if I could. But I can’t, and I’m so sorry. I’ll do everything in my power to make you feel better.” You slowly ran your fingers through his silky brown locks, over and over again. Then you felt yourself losing your grip on your emotions, and soon your tears were flowing alongside Sebastian's.

Sebastian Sallow – the boy who was never afraid of anything and always had a trick up his sleeve – was on his knees in front of you, crying his eyes out, rendering him nothing more than the very image of misery and helplessness.

It was agonising to see the boy you loved in such a state, and not be able to do anything to make him feel better. How were you supposed to remain impassive in the face of that?

“Please fix everything. Fix me.”

“I can’t…”

And if we can't stop the bleeding… We don't have to fix it, we don't have to stay…

Sebastian's sobs continued unabated, “I’m scared to stay with you. I know I’ll end up doing something stupid and lose you too. Because that’s what I do… I do everything in my power to make the people I care about leave.”

This time, it was all too much. You could not let him belittle himself so cruelly. You grabbed his face between your hands and forced him to look straight into your eyes, not caring if they were red and swollen from all the crying, “Don’t say that. I know you made mistakes, but you’re one of the most brilliant wizards before anything else. You’re the only one who was great enough to steal my heart.”

“You’re everything I have left… I can’t lose you. Not you.” He clutched your shirt in his fists, as if he was afraid you would suddenly vanish before his eyes.

“Baby–”

Everything you were going to say died on the tip of your tongue... because Sebastian smashed his lips against yours.

You did not know exactly how it happened. You did not realise it right away because it occurred in less than a split second. And yet it was well and truly real.

There was nothing tender or romantic about that kiss. No, it was just rough, brutal and messy, reflecting all the despair they contained deep inside. It was a kiss full of passion, but not the kind that made you feel light and gave you butterflies in your stomach. Not at all, it was a toxic passion that burnt the wings off these butterflies and everything around them.

Sebastian was clutching you by the shoulders as if you were his lifeline, the only thing keeping him from tipping completely over into the darkness. And you, you kissed him back fervently, fighting the little voice in your head that was whispering to you that what you were doing was wrong, that you never should have discovered how salty his tears tasted as you kissed him for the first time.

You had to call a spade a spade, you should not be taking advantage of his vulnerability to get what you had always dreamt of... but you could not help yourself. Sebastian was hypnotic, and you could not bring yourself to pull away from him.

It was he who retreated first, and you instantly hated how his big chocolate eyes were filled with nothing but sheer panic, “I feel like I’m going to die without you… What if I die without you?”

Your heart pounded so hard to the point where it felt like you had a lump in your throat. You let out an overwhelmed and broken sob, “You’ll never find out because I’ll never leave you. You hear me? Never. I’m here for better or for worse.”

I will love you either way…

Sebastian let himself fall against your chest, and you welcomed him into your arms without the slightest hint of reluctance. You let him rest there, let him cry, tremble against you, while you caressed his untameable hair and whispered sweet nothings in his ear, doing your best to stop your own tears from flowing. You had no idea how long you stayed like that, but it felt like an eternity. You were probably freezing and soaking wet from sitting in the snow for so long, but thankfully you were unable to feel it thanks to the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

“Shh… It'll be okay…”

It might be so sweet… It might be so bitter…

In the months you had known Sebastian, you had imagined an infinity of different scenarios of the two of you kissing for the first time. None of those fit with the reality of Sebastian breaking down in your arms after committing murder. The situation had nothing in common with what you had wished for the two of you. You had finally got what you wanted, but you hated it. You just wanted to scream. Fate was even more cruel than you believed.

"Make the pain go away, please." Sebastian begged desperately, echoing your own inner thoughts.

"I'll do everything I can. I’ll do everything to give you the future you wanted." You cried uncontrollably.

Oh, if the future we've dreamed of is fading to black…

Minutes, hours passed, and your tears eventually dried. You spoke again, very quietly, as if afraid to frighten the peace that was slowly beginning to return, “We’ll get through this together, alright?”

“…I’m a monster.” He declared with resignation. He too had run out of tears to cry.

“You’re not.” You replied with just as much conviction.

“What if I get even worse? What if I end up hurting you?” He asked quietly.

“I will love you either way.”

[anastasiabowe]

Seasons. - Nanami, Toji, Gojo

I'll give you all my life, my seasons

jjk men sacrificing themselves to save your life, no matter what the cost may be, they promised to never let you get hurt, and today, they kept that promise. but at what cost?

✧˖° Warnings. fem! reader, angst, gore, blood, mentions of stabbing, wounds, sacrifice, mention of bullet wounds, the mention of body Severation, swearing, crying, meant for 16+ audience.

✧˖° an. I've never write angst before, but Seasons by Wave to Earth has the perfect lyrics for angst so... Here it is! (Also, if you want a part two with Geto, Yuji, and Choso let me know)

Kento Nanami oh, my life is fallin' apart...

Nanami let's out a yell in agony as the knife plunged into his rib. He and the stranger both fell to the floor in a violent tussle. Nanami fought with his all as you screamed and begged for the stranger to stop. You clutched your stomach as the stranger attacked you first, plunging the 5 inch knife into your stomach as you slept.

You were on the phone with the authorities as they assured you help was on the way. Your bedroom was covered in blood as the stranger climbed on top of nanami, stabbing the knife repeatedly into his chest. I let out pained grunts with each stab. With the last of the strength you had, you grabbed a pan and slammed it on the strangers head who had forgotten you were there. You continuously slammed the pan onto the man's head until no movement came from him. You fell to your hands and knees as nanami only simply gurgled, desperately trying to reach for you, calling your name. You let out the most heart wrenching wail as you held his bloodied face.

Nanami with a weak hand, gently touched your face. The life from his eyes was fading. Once a white sleep shirt, now a crimson red piece of cloth. The sight was stomach churning for most, but for you, the end of your life. You desperately tried to stop the impossible bleeding, crying terribly as Nanami looked at you. Tears slid down his temples as he lay there, dying. He shook his head weakly as you continued to hold the comforter on his chest to stop the bleeding. How Nanami was still alive, how nanami was able to mutter a few words, how nanami could still comfort you despite death desperately trying to pull him into its cruel embrace, was from the crazy amount of love nanami had for you. He didn't want to leave you. He was fighting every ounce of pain just to continue to look at your pretty face. Oh your pretty face, the face he continuously kissed on your wedding day. The pretty face he woke up to every morning. The same pretty face of his pretty wife, now covered in his blood as she tried to save him.

"...no..." His pained voice broke through the tense and tragic air. You stopped your movements and looked at him, holding his face to see if you were simply going mad. He looked at you, the look you feared. The look of defeat. He was giving up. He wanted you to give up as well. You shook your head and cried as you looked at him. You looked at his wounds, his bloodied hands, but he brought a weak one to your face to turn your attention to him. You looked at him, and his expression turned from defeat, to love. The same look he gave you the day he fell in love with you, the same look he always gave you when you talked to him for anything. The same look he gave you when you guys fought. The same damn look.

"Nanami.. no, please don't leave me.. love don't leave me." You hysterically cried, and his expression turned pained as he closed his eyes. Tears spilled down his temples as he was so sorry. He wanted to say he was sorry, to tell you how much he was trying. He wanted to tell you to stop crying, to smile. He wanted to tell you that he loved you. One last time.

Slowly, Nanami's head turned away from you. His hand that was on your cheeks slowly fell down to his stomach. His breathing soon evened out into an eerie silence. You noticed this and looked at him with furrowed brows. You pulled his face towards you, and he was no longer looking at you. His eyes stared up at the ceiling, lifeless. You desperately patted his cheek, adjusting yourself, to try and wake him up.

"Baby, baby, baby, look at me, please, look at me damnit!" You cried, but he didn't look at you. For the first time in 5 years, your husband Nanami, didn't look at you, and he didn't touch you.

"Love, please.. just look at me, please.."

He was gone. Soon the sounds of sirens could be heard, EMTs rushing into the home, soon finding you sobbing on the chest of your dead husband, who just wouldn't look at you, for the last time.

Toji Fushiguro maybe no one will notice if I disappear

Toji could hear his heartbeat pounding in his chest as he lay on the smooth pavement of the parking ramp. The cool air blowing against his bullet wounds. One to the leg, one through the hand, one through his ear, and the final one straight through his chest. Toji didn't even feel the pain of the wounds, but the pain of knowing you didn't know he was half dead on the top of a random parking ramp.

Toji could pull out his phone and call you, say goodbye once more, but he knew you wouldn't answer. He fucked up. Told you that everything you both had meant nothing to him. You meant nothing to him. He left you heartbroken in your apartment as he went to handle business with his boss. He shouldn't have left, especially when you pleaded with him to stay, but he didn't. He did this to protect you. The assassin life guaranteed everyone around him to be in danger. You were the one he cared about too damn much to jeopardize your life. So he laid there, pathetically. He knew he deserved this. Hanging out with the wrong people, and he means it this time. His boss wasn't someone he should have worked with even as an assassin. He was truly a villain in this world. But he stuck through, made one mistake, and now he's been left here to rot in his feelings.

Toji imagined a life with you. No assassinations, no coming home bloody, no more fighting, just you and him.. maybe a baby on the way if he could convince you enough. He imagined a life where after every argument, he wouldn't leave, he'd stay. Go to bed with you, hold you despite your previous yelling. Oh how great that'd been. His phone was in his pocket. He could call you. He could fix things before it was too late. Or, more cowardly, call an ambulance to save his life. But he didn't deserve it. He deserved this slow death. He deserved to be forgotten about, left to disappear from the existence of this world. But that sick, nagging feeling at the back of his head told him to call you, he knew he was selfish, he knew to not call you was as selfish as to call you. But he had to. He had to hear your voice one last time. So with a shaky hand, he found your contact, pressed on your pretty image, and called you.

After a few rings, your voice finally reached his ears, worried and upset, surprisingly.

"Toji?! Where are you? I'm sorry we fought, I'm sorry I wasn't enough, but please come back!" You thought he went home. He couldn't help but exhale into the phonem

"Doll.. I'm sorry." His gruff voice quickly cut you off before you started rambling. What he was sorry for, he still couldn't find the words to say. He was such a terrible person to you. Breaking your precious heart the way he did. "You are enough... You're my everything.. and I'm sorry I left like this." Damn it.. he's crying. Your confusion, your worry, it was too much. He didn't deserve a doll like you. That's why he called you "Doll". You were too perfect for him, so beautiful. And here he has you thinking he's at home being a dick, when he's dying on pavement.

"Toji.. please, come home. We can talk about this-" He let out a shaky exhale once more and cut you off.

"'m not coming home tonight, doll. I'm not coming home ever." He hated how selfish that sounded. But it was too late. He could have called sooner, called an ambulance, but he didn't. He could feel his heart pounding, desperately trying to keep the blood flowing, but he's lost too much. His head throbbed, and just now, is he feeling the affects of the bullets. The cold metal lodged in his leg burned. His ear, his hand, his chest, it all burned. He could hear the confusion in your tone once more. Desperately trying to get him to tell you what he meant. He felt a lump form in his throat, it could have been the blood finally trying to choke him to death, but he knew damn well it was guilt and regret and the tears that slipped down his dirty face.

"I'm so fuckin' sorry, doll. You don't deserve this. Any of this." His voice cracked so terribly, it was almost too difficult to make out what he was saying.

"Toji, what's going on? Where are you?"

"doesn't matter." He laughed sadly. "It's too late, doll. Damn bullets already done too much harm to bounce back, sweetheart. I'm sorry."

Bullet?

That word alone sounded all the alarms in your head. You pleased with toji to call an ambulance, or at least tell you where he is, but he only shushed you. Chuckling like the twisted man he was. "I don't need, savin' sweetheart. It's what I get. I die now or die later, that's all that's left for me." He was laughing, but his heart churned. "I love you, doll."

Those words broke you, and broke him even more. He loved you so damn much, he hates himself now for never saying it. "I love you so- so damn much," his throat became dry, he licked his lips as he sniffled. "I'm sorry for hurtin' ya.. for the things I said..." You cried as you listened to his words. This couldn't be happening. "And what I'm sorry most for... Doll, you listenin'?"

You sniffled, and confirmed that you were listening to him. He hummed in approval, and let out a cry. "I'm sorry for leaving you like this." You sobbed into the phone at his words and pleased with him to call an ambulance. He only shook his head, not that you could see, and he closed his eyes, hand slowly lowering from the lack of energy he had. He rolled himself onto his side so he could talk to the phone on the floor, bloody finger pressing speaker.

"I have to go now, doll. I love your pretty face, I love your pretty heart, and I love you. Don't start going around thinking I'm not gonna be there with you, because that's bullshit. I'll always be with you, doll. Too obsessed with you, ya here?" He tried to lighten the mood as he coughed up blood. You sobbed into the phone. He hated seeing you cry, but hearing it was even worse. You repeatedly told him how much you loved you, and as you continued to tell him how much he loved you, he closed his eyes with a soft smile and felt himself slip away, ending the call with a final,

"See ya later, doll face."

Gojo Satoru 'cause I'm afraid I'll ruin your life, hmm

Gojo gripped onto your hand as he laid there looking up at you with teary, blue eyes. He had just been chopped in half, above his hips by the hands of Sukuna. He was bleeding so incredibly fast, the fact Gojo could blink, speak, and cry was a miracle. You cried as you held a jacket you found to the open end of his body. Gojo shook his head as he looked at you, trying to stop you, knowing it wouldn't make a difference, and was ruining a nice jacket.

You didn't laugh when he said that. Neither did he. He was too focused on trying to get you to just look at him in his final moments. He didn't want to leave you like this. Not like this. No words could be said by both of you crying. Here you were, the sun to his forever dark world, the warmth to his frozen palace, the beauty in this full world staring at him with the most heart aching eyes of agony and distress. You sobbed as you cleaned his face, the color leaving it too quickly. Too fast. You pushed his white hair from his face and kissed him. You couldn't stop, not when he was turning paler, and weaker by the second. He returned to kiss fervently, desperately clinging onto you in his final moments.

He didn't want to leave you, he couldn't leave you, especially when your 5 year anniversary was 3 days away. He couldn't leave you when he hadn't even celebrated your birthday yet. He couldn't leave you when he hadn't bought you the pet he promised he would. He couldn't leave you when the ring he was going to use on your anniversary in 3 days sat in his room, yet to be put on your finger. He wanted to marry you. So damn bad, but that dream was violently ripped away from him all for the hell of it.

He cried as he tried to feel every part of you with his hands. He wanted to remember how your body felt against his, how your hair felt, how your skin felt. Oh it was so soft, despite the grueling battle you all were in, you still were so damn beautiful. His once vibrantly blue eyes were now dulled to the color livid. He never once took his eyes off of you. No matter how much it killed him, and how his eyesight was becoming dim and blurry. He wanted to look at you as long as he could. God, he wanted to just make this pain go away. He didn't want to ruin your life by his death. He just wished he could grow his limbs back, and you both can live happily. He didn't even get the chance to tell you a corny joke he learned from Yuji. Yuji.. the body that killed him through the hands of the king of curses.

Gojo let out a pained noise as his blood ran cold. Or maybe it was the feeling of no blood at all, he wouldn't know. All he knew, is the sounds of your voice that reassured him, and begged him to stay awake and alive turned mute. Just quiet muffles. You knew this. You could see him desperately trying to hear your voice. His senses were fading. He could now barely see you, he couldn't hear you. Your perfume is now replaced with the smell of emptiness, his tongue could only taste blood, and the worst of all, he couldn't feel you. He couldn't feel your body no more. His body lay limp as the life was yanked from his eyes. He knew you were still there even though everything was gone but the feeling of pain and the taste of blood. It was all gone. In the matter of minutes, his everything was gone.

Gone.

[n0cturn4]

Character: Dick Grayson x Reader Summary: from the very beginning. Word Count: 629 Music: From the star - Laufey cover Good Kid

Dick Grayson always had a gaze that made your heart dance to rhythms only you could hear. From the very first moment your eyes met his, time seemed to stand still, as if the universe conspired in a silent, knowing agreement. Every word he spoke was a subtle melody, carrying an emotion that only you could understand, a secret the wind brought solely for you.

On a night of distant stars and hushed sighs, there was only the calm emptiness surrounding you. Just the two of you, lost in a silence that spoke more than any words could. Your lips remained sealed, and every attempt to speak felt like a lost battle. When he looked at you, your eyes would shy away, fearing he might see, reflected in them, the entire ocean of feelings you kept so deeply buried.

He began to speak, once again, about someone who had captivated him, a new flame, a new soul. The sound of his words felt like thorns wrapped in silk, delicately piercing your heart. "Perfect," he said. She was everything he was looking for, and you simply smiled, even as your chest burned like a bonfire ignited in the middle of a storm. You wondered, in a whisper to yourself, why he couldn't see the truth that had always been right before his eyes? Why couldn’t he realize that the love you carried was as deep as the sky that surrounded you both that night?

Oh, how you wished that one day he would wake up, as if from a dream, and realize it had always been you, always there, patient like the rising sun, waiting for a glance that never came. That he would run to you, breathless, and confess everything your heart longed to hear. But deep down, you knew that day might never come, and so you held onto the silence, like a boat adrift on a sea of emotions.

Every time the two of you spoke, it was as if Cupid himself crossed the space between you, shooting invisible arrows only you could feel. His smile, the sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of dreams and hopes, made the entire world around you fade, leaving just the two of you in a subtle dance of glances and unsaid words. And you felt foolish, like a tragic character in a story of impossible love. Couldn’t he feel it? Didn’t his heart react the same way?

Lying in the darkness of your room, you stared at the ceiling, as if searching for answers in the stars. How could you continue carrying this silent love? To love someone so intensely, yet remain so distant, was like walking a fine line between a dream and madness. But you knew you could no longer hide it. You needed to speak, to free the words trapped in your chest.

So today, with your heart ablaze and your mind set, you stood up, knowing this would be the day. The words had already formed into poetry on your lips, waiting to be spoken. You would find him and, once and for all, let him know the truth. That every time you spoke with him, the universe conspired, the wind whispered his name into your heart. That, even if he didn’t feel the same, you needed him to know: you had loved him from the start, like the stars love the sky that holds them.

And now, as your steps lead you to him, with your heart beating like a drum in a familiar rhythm, you wonder if this moment will mark the end of a long wait or just another blank page. But one thing you know for sure: your love for Dick Grayson is as ancient as the constellations, and it has always been him, from the very beginning.

[casual-praxis]

May I present the post-canon vidow in my genderbent au?

They've been through character development, but at least they still have each other! :)

I think about them a lot. I have more ramblings about them below the cut if anyone is interested in that.

The genderbent au is something I cobbled together originally because I have an easier time drawing women, but I didn't do anything with it since it was mostly just the Four Swords manga with girls instead.

Now that I have had time to think about it though, I've made a few more adjustments so it's not just a carbon copy. The bulk of changes happen with Red and Blue, but Vio and Shadow definitely have the most going on post-canon, which you can somewhat see here.

After Shadow dies, Vio spends a year or two without much purpose. She didn't have any goals or aspirations like the others. She barely knew how to process feelings beyond the basics. So now that they'd defeated the big bad, returned the sword, and miraculously not disappeared, what was left for her?

All the others seemed to pick up loose ends left behind by the original Link; Green became the personal guard of Zelda, Blue was working her way towards captain of the royal guard, and Red was pursuing blacksmithing (something Link had found interesting but had no time to dabble with). There wasn't much else left for Vio, and so she simply kept on as she had before. Learning emotions from the others, absorbing information regardless of utility, and waiting.

It wasn't until Zelda approached her with the request to investigate some ruins that she began to find a calling for herself. None of the others could be pulled away for this task, and that was fine. They were all busy with their own lives. She could read between the lines.

The dark and ancient air of the underground passages was oddly comforting to her anyway, and she found her time never wasted when transcribing olden words near faded to parchment. It felt refreshing, in a way, to be so enraptured by the secrets carved in stone.

Had she ever felt such a way before? She must have. Recognizing how she was feeling was something Red had been most thorough in teaching her. So when had she... Oh.

Vio hadn't thought of Shadow in a while. She tried not to, really. Her death had been the first time she'd truly had to grapple with the notion that someday, you'll have your last conversation with someone.

No matter how much you enjoy that person's company, or how much you wish you'd said something different. Someday, you'll say your last words to someone, and that will be that.

It was sad.

She wished she could cry. She wished she could grieve properly. The belief she couldn't feel these emotions was what got her in that mess to begin with. She did feel sad. She just couldn't express it.

More than anything, she wished she'd told Shadow that.

If only she had told her with those stupid words Vio touted so proudly above emotion. Maybe then Shadow wouldn't have died staring up into Vio's cold dry eyes and blank expression. Maybe then she would have known how Vio felt.

But she didn't.

And there was nothing in the world of light that could change that.

So she'd turned to the dark.

One more conversation is all she wanted, and then one more conversation after that. Call it selfish if you would, but she didn't care, she was selfishness embodied after all. She'd trade her listless life for the one who'd had hers cut tragically short if that's what it took.

Even if she can't emote well, or speak the way she feels, she'll show Shadow how much her friendship meant to her, no matter what.

And thus, Vio's dark magic arc began.

While already attund to earth magic, dark magic was a difficult secondary type to pick up. It was finicky and liable to kill its caster with litte warning, so much of the early process was spent learning theory over practice.

The others thought little of it at first, simply figuring it was more miscellaneous research tied to Vio's sudden interest in forgotten ruins and text. It wasn't until Green stumbled across Vio casually casting it did they start to ask more questions about why she was looking into forbidden magic. Surely this wasn't actually her hobby, right?

Well, yes and no. Her magic studies were begining to branch out into less devious arts (much to Red's delight, "magic besties!!"), but ultimatly it served a purpose to her outside being a fun challange. She was going to resurect Shadow.

Green and Blue, as expected, were incredibly hesitant about the idea. Meanwhile Red was more optimistically on the fence. None of them wanted to outright discourage Vio, but none of them had really known Shadow the way Vio had. Who's to say she wouldn't just go right back to being evil? One sacrifice in the grand scheme of things didn't suddenly vouch for a life on the straight and narrow.

In the end, it was Zelda's call to let Vio continue her studies (with Zelda's assistance) to bring Shadow back. Should she turn out to still be evil, they'd just shoot her with a light arrow or something. Zelda really wasn't that worried about it, she knew Shadow could be convinced to see reason.

This all culminated in a few years of study, a giant mirror, blood rituals, and Vio literally dragging Shadow out of said giant mirror.

Vio's arm, which she'd used to pull Shadow out, was irrevocably stained by the dark magic, and will presumably remain this way until she dies. Small sacrifices, in her opinion. She's able to cast way stronger spells with it now.

Shadow, meanwhile, was coated completely in the dark magic of the ritual mirror, and bares the stains all over her body. She'd remained in somewhat of a limbo state after death, floating in eternal darkness up until Vio reached in to pull her out.

She was actually feeling a little petty when she noticed Vio attempting to reach her and intentionally didn't take her hand right away. This quickly changed however once she realized Vio was going to keep leaning further into the mirror until she either fell in or found Shadow, hence why the dark stains go so far up Vio's arm.

Though technically dead, Shadow did remain aging along with the others, on account of being their shadow. She was thrown for a loop initially by being brought back by an older-looking Vio with a wider range of emotions, but she bounced back quick.

After a year or so in the light world, she managed to adjust to life amongst the colors and Zelda. She's unofficially officially Zelda's "fun advisor", and makes her and Green take breaks whenever it seems like they need enrichment and time away from work. She spars with Blue to keep both their skills up, while also just hanging out and intimidating new recruits for the hell of it. She and Red gossip about town drama and only occasionally commit arson with Red's newest projects at the time. Lots of fun.

Shadow and Vio start off as just friends, trying to rebuild their relationship in a less back-stabby way, but quickly realize their feelings run a lot deeper than that. They travel together a lot, but Shadow's role as Zelda's advisor always brings them back to town after too long. Shadow's still getting used to Vio's more obvious shows of affection, as it was never something Vio did before, but she's found the change to be exhilarating. They are sickly sweet together.

I have more notes on these two but I didn't mean for this post to get this long and the sun has risen in the time I spent writing it all out why am I like this. If anyone has stuck around and read all this, thank you! I love to ramble about my fixations and it makes me happy when people listen! I appreciate it.

Bonus: Isolated Shadow and Vio.

[sha-brytols]

🎲

29. a kiss to the back of the hand

"Ow. Ow. Ow. Owowowowouchow—"

"Oh, do hush your grumbling. I'm nearly done, you great big baby."

Trisha ducks her head to hide her smile as Alistair shoots her an affronted look, pouting petulantly as she tends to his wound. She tuts and dips her waterskin against the rag once more, wiping the excess dirt from the gash along Alistair's forearm.

"You don't have to enjoy this so much," he gripes, grimacing at the sting. "Some healer you are. Shouldn't you be all… you know, delicate? Tender? Like… uh, a feathery… fluffy… marshmallow. Thingy."

The grin bubbles over as Trisha giggles, patting the cut dry before setting her work aside. "Ah, yes. The famed 'feathery fluffy marshmallow' technique. A most revered school of healing. How had I not considered that before?"

He sticks his lower lip out. "Oh, sure, mock the injured man. See if I don't remember this next time you need saving from a band of marauding trees. 'Oh no! The branches are everywhere! Whatever shall I do without a big, strong, dashing hero to—ow, hey!"

She presses the tip of her finger onto his nose and pushes up until his head tilts back. "Hold still," she admonishes. Her other hand glows blue with a soft healing light, fingertips hovering just over his skin in preparation for the spell. "This is a rather nasty cut you have here. It will scar if I'm not very, very careful. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

He actually considers it. "…What are your thoughts on battle scars?"

"Dear Maker. Just be still, Alistair. Compassion is a very busy spirit, I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate being summoned twice over for a silly little scrape like this one."

He sighs and settles, his gaze wary as she works. Spirit healing is still a foreign magic to him, she knows. A sentiment likely born from the distrust of the Chantry, though Alistair had never vocalized such an opinion aloud. It's a reasonable fear, she supposes, coming from a Templar. Greagoir never did approve of Irving's clearance for her studies. We're meant to combat the arts that demons spread, the Knight-Commander would argue everytime Irving brought his apprentice to the Templars' medical wing, not propagate their foul magic ourselves.

What an odd thought, to be afraid of something as gentle and nurturing as the assistance of Compassion. Trisha can feel the spirit hovering in her periphery, her magic flowing through the Fade like a gentle wave into Trisha's hand, soothing away the hurts. Do the Templars also fear the warmth of an open flame when it's cold in winter, simply because it can grow into a wildfire in the summer? She supposes they must. What a tragic way to see the world.

The spirit fades as she finishes the last stitch in the wound. Trisha smiles, shutting her eyes and clasping her hands in a silent gesture of gratitude. A brief burst of warmth flutters against her skin in reply. When she opens them again, it's to Alistair watching her, his gaze soft.

"What?"

He blinks and glances away. "Nothing. It's just…" He shakes his head and clears his throat, his ears pinkening. "Your magic is very… different. That's all."

She glances at him from beneath her bangs and smiles, taking his healed forearm and turning it for inspection. The skin is pink and raw, the faintest hint of a white scar marring his complexion—Maker help her, but she tried to warn him—but the gash is sealed, good as new. "Different bad?" she asks. Alistair's head snaps up to stare at her incredulously.

"Good! Good. Very good. You're very good—very good at magic, obviously—not that you're not good, of course. I mean. Ah…" He trails off with a sigh, his shoulders hunching in embarrassment, and Trisha has to bite her cheek to keep from laughing. "I think I'll go… dig a hole. And then bury myself in it, thank you."

She takes pity on him and lifts his hand to her lips. A light brush, barely a whisper against his skin. Still, Alistair stiffens, sucking in a startled breath as Trisha kisses his palm. His fingers curl inward instinctively to brush her jaw, and when he meets her eyes again, she smiles and pecks the tip of his thumb. "You're very good, too, Alistair. I thank you for being such a brave patient."

A goofy grin breaks out over his features. Alistair lifts his other hand to cup hers and brushes a kiss of his own against the back of it, lingering a second longer than she had. His voice, when he speaks, is a murmur of soft sincerity, no trace of the bumbling awkwardness from before. "It is easy to be brave around you, my lady."

[jokerownsmysoul]

I'm shamelessly and terribly late to this, but my late reblog doesn't compare at all to how much I loved it 💙 I've no idea how many times I've read this story to linger on every feeling no matter how sad it is, it's simply wonderful from any angle and any aspect. 🥹 I've always wanted you to write about it, I think this is an important part of him that deserved our attention 💙 and an important part of Penny too! She deserved this kind of understanding. You wrote Arthur's turmoil in the best way as always. I loved that you didn't shy away from his feelings and continued with his want to not interact with Penny without trying to sweeten his feelings towards her. I mean, in the movie he literally killed her! 😂 That was a beautiful and reasonable way to respect his feelings and the canon, while making it a little less tragic than what the movie gave him. But at the same time he had something to mourn, if anything for the "what ifs" he'll carry in his heart forever and the moments of joy he shared with Penny in the past, because they must had some. There's nothing black or white in these kinds of situations but always a gray area where to stand. ❤️‍🩹

The call was at once unexpected and as predictable as April showers. - already hitting hard! 🥹

Y/N held the phone to her chest, where her heart stuttered, and wondered how she was going to tell Arthur. He hadn't seen his mother since finding the Arkham file years ago, brought it to Y/N in an act of desperation or faith. - my heart! 😭 These first paragraphs of what is coming are heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹

For a man as warm as Arthur, the chill fit as well as a father's shoes on a teetering toddler, untied and five sizes too large. It reminded her too much of herself. - oh Arthur! 😭

If only figuring out how to handle a situation every single person would go through was as easy as a frivolous purchase. - yeah ❤️‍🩹

She'd visited in-laws before, just not like this. Jeff's parents had been...fine. Their connection had followed the latest etiquette guides, been a model of polite kindness. No sense of disapproval had lurked - but they hadn't mourned each other after the divorce, either. Whereas Penny and she had had one brief interaction, in which the older woman had paid her a compliment and cut Arthur to the quick. - I love how well you explained the difference between Jeff and Arthur's family. It's clear how different the situation is. Do sad 😭

It wasn't a vague veneration of mothers and fathers that'd brought her here, but an inkling of The Right Thing. So she stepped in. - I can't think of anything more in character than this. This is totally Sarah. Doing the right thing no matter how hard it can be. 💙 I love this. And I loved what Arthur's therapist told him as well when he (understandably) felt somehow betrayed by her choice. It's only about doing the right thing 💙 knowing Sarah, I would've been surprised if she had acted differently 🥹

Antique bouquets and scrolling vines splotched faded wallpaper, the tan of age and humidifiers. A bulletin board hung halfway up the wall across from the bed. Alongside Penny's name was the latest Christmas card Y/N had sent and a color photocopy of the Niagara Falls honeymoon photo, the one Arthur had goaded her into. [...] In the other, he blew on a wooden spoon just before tasting the tomato sauce he'd tried his hand at. / Her throat tightened. She'd maintained a fishline of connection in case Arthur ever changed his mind about see his mother. He hadn't. Had those photos and letters made any difference, brought a modicum of comfort? Or pricked whatever was left of Penny with reminders of what she'd lost? - 🩹🩹🩹🩹🩹 I think these are some of the most heartbreaking paragraphs of the entire piece for me. Sometimes memories aren't a source of comfort, they only highlight what we've lost, and she lost a lot ❤️‍🩹

yards of tubing that said no one had sat there since her admittance. - I could feel the sense of loneliness permeating the room 🥹

Using faint pressure, Y/N dragged it along her gums, first the top, then the bottom. A gesture she'd learned a lifetime ago. - Sarah is so kind. 💙

Had she been too scared to act? To protect her son? When Y/N had worked on family matter cases, money was often used as a thousand-pound cudgel. Penny and Arthur had lived hand to mouth. Had that poverty kept her shacked up with a monster masquerading as a man? - my heart! 😭

"You know, when Arthur and I started going out, he mentioned you'd taught him to dance. You told him any gentleman should be able to waltz. I'm so grateful for that, because I love dancing with him. All I have is two left feet, but he manages to make it right. You raised a wonderful man. My life is better for knowing him. I wish you could understand how lucky you were to have him, too." - 💙💙💙 it's nice how Sarah needed to tell these things to her. I love this part so much, it was very tender. girl! My heart! 😭

Kinder words might have come easier if she listened to the whispers of her heart rather than the stubbornness of her head. Yet, her heart had tuned into Arthur, not Penny. - 💙💙 of course it did 🥹

Y/N turned the dial to AM. "Ms. Fleck, you've had more than your fair share of hardships. They kept you from being who you wanted to be. From loving Arthur the way he deserved. I know it's hard not having him here. But you don't have to worry about him. He's doing well. He's safe with me. And…wherever you're going, you'll be safe there, too." - 💙💙💙💙💙 loved it. I'm glad Sarah took the time this with her, I like to think Penny felt reassured a bit! And I'm glad you wrote about her past too, Penny was also a victim of the system just like Arthur was, and despite all of the things that happened he loved her and shared nice moments 💙 not everyone remembers it. if we made a movie from Penny's POV about her young years, I'm sure more people would sympathize with her and what she'd to go through.

While her occasional digs stung, her admonishments when he'd reveal his sense of humor, she was the sole person he could feel comfortable around. - this is has been always of the saddest things to me. Penny is who he is, but was the only person he was comfortable with. It's hard dealing with that when he shared nice things with her or about her ❤️‍🩹 Arthur's mourning of the mother Penny could've been, the mother she was, and all his hopes, were as heavy as stones in my chest in this entire part 🥹

The mother he'd cherished and the woman he adored bonding over how important he was. - 💙💙💙

"And Arthur: even though you hated Penny, it's natural to grieve. For most of your life, you loved her. Give yourself permission for both." - 💙

The “Golden Years, My Ass!” mug must’ve been a bingo prize, because his mother wouldn’t have picked it out. Ladies didn’t swear. It clunked to the bottom of the garbage. - I giggled at this, the only moment of lightness in the entire piece. I would do anything to have this mug 😂

Y/N had asked if she could send photos and letters, but he'd had no awareness of how many she'd written. There must have been two dozen. - It's nice to "see again" the letters or postcards Sarah has been sending her all these years, mentioned piece after piece 💙

Last month he did two sets at open mic night and got lots of laughs. He's a diligent student when it comes to comedy. (Was he just as good in social studies?) I love your son very much. He's happy performing and seeing him happy makes me happy. - 💙💙💙

The scratching ballpoint echoed off the quiet of the apartment. Wetness burned the whites of his eyes. A defiant sniff as he wiped his nose. - that was a beautiful part 💙

But "he's happy..," "...your son..." Those twin phrases haunted, too close to Penny's secrets. - that broke my heart in a million pieces 😭

Throat narrow as a straw, he struggled to swallow. "Now I'll never know." / His forceful grip on her wrist halted her. He crushed her to him in a fierce embrace, buried his face in her stomach, clenched his teeth. Cried for the truth he'd never know, grieved the mother he'd never have. / Fingertips threaded through his hair, gathered his curls at the nape of his neck. When Y/N spoke, the gossamer of her voice turned him right side out. - you don't need me to tell you how much I loved this moment, so much that I wanted to draw it in pastels 💙 it's beautiful. I've no idea how many times I've read it! 💙

"You're my husband and I love you," she said, and kissed the top of his head. "Doe, Wayne, or Fleck." - this reminded me when in chapter 18 of WWH she tells him "You're Arthur Fleck and I love you" 💙💙💙💙 I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I loved the parallel a lot 😭💙 such a tender moment 💙🥹 I really love this piece so so much and I wish I could reblog it sooner. I've so much to catch up on 💙

The Loss

Summary: Arthur and Y/N come face to face with an inevitable step in the cycle of life.

Words: 3,874

Warnings: Angst, Swearing

A/N: Penny’s passing has been alluded to in Things Past and Stepping Stones. But I wanted to explore how these two would handle it in the context of the Watch What Happens series - and pay Penny the respect of being more than a specter in the background. While this story wasn’t easy to write, I’m glad I did it. Thank you to @iartsometimes​ for beta-ing! 💜And thanks to @sweet-nothings04​ for brainstorming and help with the summary! 🤗

The call was at once unexpected and as predictable as April showers.

Bowl of cheese curls in lap, Y/N and Arthur had settled on the sofa to catch My Favorite Wife, the seven o'clock feature on Gotham Movie Classics, the tale of a wife lost at sea and a husband moving on with a new bride. 1940’s Love and Laughter treat of the year, if the movie host could be believed. With Arthur’s arm slung about her shoulders, Y/N drifted on the lazy bliss of brainless entertainment, and he tee-heed at the same old jokes. The same old jokes suited them both just fine.

Just as the missing wife crashed her husband’s second honeymoon, the phone’s metallic ringer interjected. Perfect timing. Sucking powdered cheddar from her fingers, Y/N whisked her way to the kitchen and grabbed the receiver.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “This is Mrs. Fleck.”

Continua a leggere

[hottpinkpenguin]

Hi hi! I love your writing style! Can I request some Druig fluff with a gender neutral reader who loves music? I’d prefer if they didn’t have an established relationship, it can be platonic or romantic.

Lessons

A/n: here you go, @therstark, thx for the request ❤🎵 as a musician i totally ship Druig as a soulful music lover

You felt the tap on your shoulder about halfway through the song. Puzzled, you took off the headphones, turning to see who’d snuck into your room.

It was Druig. The serious Eternal.

He didn’t look too serious now though, you noted. Just curious.

He watched you intently. You noticed that the candle lit in the corner of the room danced in the reflection of his eyes.

After a moment of silence, you realized he must have asked you something while your headphones had been on. He was waiting for you to answer him.

“Sorry, what?”

He chuckled, tucking his hands into his jacket and leaning against the wall.

“I asked what you’re listening to.”

That was unusual, you thought to yourself. You hadn’t seen him - or any of the Eternals, with the notable exception of your roommate, Sersi - take a keen interest in human things. Ever since the Eternals had come to visit Sersi, things had been different. There was less cooking, a lot less cleaning, and a tragic lack of music.

When you’d first moved in with Sersi, you found it odd that she spent almost all her free time in silence. After getting comfortable together, you’d been quick to change that. There was a bluetooth speaker in every room, a record player next to the TV, a guitar perched under your bedroom window, and your keyboard in the corner of the laundry room.

Sersi tolerated your love of music, but had never shown an interest in it. She smiled pleasantly occasionally when you’d play a soft lullaby on the piano or tap her leg absentmindedly if you put on some house music while you were studying. Never once had she asked what you were listening to, or what the name of a song was.

Since her friends - her fellow Eternals - had come to town, you’d been careful not to make too many waves. You knew many of them were skeptical of her decision to live with a human roommate anyways; you didn’t want to further alienate them with your weird, human-y habits. So, you’d carefully stowed away your bluetooth speakers (except the waterproof one hanging in your shower, that was simply a bridge too far) and swapped those out for headphones.

“Oh, just some music,” you replied nonchalantly as Druig glanced casually around your room.

“I assumed as much,” he replied with a hint of sarcasm, earning a quizzical glance from you. He pointed to your guitar, his hand still tucked in his jacket pocket. “You play?” he went on.

You nodded. You’d taught yourself a few years ago and were quite proud of the callouses you’d built up to prove it. Where was this going?

“Teach me?”

Now this was a shock. What on Earth would an Eternal want to learn guitar for?

You let out a small grunt of disbelief. Clearly he was toying with you. Sersi had warned you that he could be a bit cruel.

“What? Eternals can’t learn?” he challenged, amused by your reaction. You looked up at him in honest skepticism.

“I just don’t know why you’d care to learn.” The words came out more bluntly than you’d hoped, and you winced internally. You hoped he wouldn’t take offense.

His expression sombered a bit, the playful smile fading from his face.

“What do you mean?” His question seemed honest enough, but you couldn’t shake the nagging voice in your head warning you he was teasing.

“I mean, couldn’t you just… you know…” Your voice trailed off as you tried to find the words to describe his powers. You weren’t exactly sure what to call it. Was it mind reading? Mind control? Mind broadcasting? All of the above?

After a second of searching fruitlessly for the right words, you settled on just widening your eyes emphatically at him. It felt incredibly foolish, and once again you hoped you hadn’t insulted him.

Instead, he laughed, wholeheartedly and unabashedly. You breathed a sigh of relief; clearly if he could laugh at himself, he wasn’t as cruel as Sersi had warned and maybe after all he wasn’t mocking you. You felt the tension in your neck dissolve as he came to perch on the bed next to you.

“I could, you know-” he chuckled, mimicking your wide-eyed imitation of his powers. “But I wouldn’t mind learning for myself. So, what do you say, Teach?” The playful nickname won a smile. You nodded in agreement as you sat up, grabbing the guitar off its stand.

“That’s not really an answer, though,” you pointed out to him as you handed him the guitar, helping him place his hands appropriately on the neck and along the strings on the body.

He took careful note of the positioning of his hands. Absentmindedly, he responded to your statement: “what isn’t?”

You looked up at him. “That’s not really a reason. Why you’d like to learn. It’s kindof a half answer.” You figured you’d gotten away with being blunt so far, why not go for it.

He smiled knowingly, like a child who knows a secret.

“No you’re right, it’s not a reason,” he agreed coyly. You wondered if you should push it more, but you didn’t have to. As you helped place the fingers of his left hand into a G-chord position, he looked up into your eyes. Your stomach did a small flip flop as you made eye contact, mere inches from his face.

“I want to learn because you love music.” He said it so matter-of-factly, as if it was one of the fundamental truths of life. Your breath hitched in your chest and your cheeks flushed as you busied yourself trying to tune the strings, making a point not to look him in the eye.

“Oh.” It was all you could muster. Druig smiled, content to let you stay shy. ‘That’ll change,’ he thought to himself. After a few moments of shared silence, you cleared your throat, sitting up a bit straighter and handing him the pick.

“Now, first things first…”

[somereaderinblue]

(YZY &JC stans, don’t clown my post.)

Unpopular opinion: YZY shouldn’t have died at the Massacre of Lotus Pier. Why?

Because she deserved to suffer even more.

Maybe this is just me feeling particularly salty today but I also feel ready to bash my head into a wall after seeing way too many posts stanning YZY as some tragic martyr when to me, she is a shit stain that should’ve never touched Yunmeng Jiang to begin with.

This revolting woman abused a child who was left to starve and fight against wild dogs on the street, simply because he’s the son of a dead woman who allegedly used to have a thing with her husband (whom she also abuses verbally & emotionally) that she forcibly married. Who hurts him because she knows she can damn well get away with it.

This pathetic womanchild went out of her way to make this child’s life miserable simply because he had the audacity to exist under the same roof as her. Who can hold power over him, when she could never mean shit to his mother.

This insufferable woman, who has a position & power she absolutely does not deserve, becomes nothing but a poison that erodes not only her own family, but an entire sect, hell, an entire legacy altogether.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for WWX. I am so proud that he never let this womanchild beat him down and that he’s perfectly capable of letting go of the past to enjoy his (much-deserved) content future with his husband. Hell, him deciding to let go of his life involving YZY so easily was probably one of the best middle fingers to give to the woman who always screamed at everyone about her supposed grievances.

But personally, the salty vindictive voice in my head can’t help but wish she had faced worse consequences. 

It would’ve been so satisfying if she could’ve also been present during the Golden Core Reveal scene so LWJ & WN could also give her the much deserved ‘reason you suck’ speech. It would’ve been satisfying seeing her forced to watch the child she resented oh so much achieve the happiness she can never have. It would’ve been cathartic to see JGY, the ‘son of a whore’ call her out on her classist views and remind her that if it wasn’t for her family name, she’d be no better than WLJ. It would’ve been glorious for WWX to walk away from her because she no longer holds any power/authority over him & any ‘debt’ remaining between them is moot.

Alas, canonically, she’s dead. She’s gone and she can’t hurt anyone anymore. She’s gone and eventually, she’ll fade away and her memory will die like the insect she’s named after. Saltiness aside, I can live with that too.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

For each member of the Cullens, what do you think it would take for them to realize the extent of how unhinged Edward is and what do you think they would do about it, if anything?

Well, we’re going dark places today, aren’t we?

Alice

Alice is already fully aware of what Edward is, she simply doesn’t care.

There are visions that Alice misses, Edward thinks Alice misses the vast majority of Biology due to being hyper focused on Jasper (and likely missed the school massacre that Edward was seriously planning) but there is a lot she doesn’t miss.

Every time Edward thinks about how great it’d be to smash Mike Newton’s head like a watermelon, every time he considers devouring Bella, every time he enters her room unannounced to stare at her while she sleeps unawares, the time Edward considers genocide of the Quileute Tribe because of Jake’s telling Bella a story he doesn’t even believe, Alice knows.

It changes nothing for her.

She roots for Edward and Bella’s relationship, not because she knows for a certainty it will work out, but because it might. And that slim might, where Bella Swan might survive and become Edward’s lover as well as her own Barbie is worth everything they put Bella through to get there.

Also damningly, Alice cares very little for how good Edward is for Bella just as she cares very little for Bella period. Bella is Alice’s excuse to party and a dress up toy, but Alice will cut contact with her to a) please Edward b) prove a point to Edward.

Worse, Alice will take Bella to Italy, a city where she knows Bella will be killed with a 90% chance upon entry, on the slim chance that they might prevent Edward’s suicide. Yes, she vaguely explains the risk Bella’s taking, but she doesn’t say it in clear terms nor does she waste much time arguing.

Edward is far more important to Alice than Bella.

What I’m getting at is, thanks to her gift, Alice is intimately aware of just what Edward is capable of. She doesn’t care. And yes, there’s something to be said that Edward, more often than not, does not act upon these futures and he shouldn’t be condemned for choices he does not make. However, he does make some of them, and Alice knows.

There’s nothing I think Edward could do to either inform her that she was gravely wrong in how she perceived him or drive her away. Alice would be disappointed he’s thrown the family into such disarray but most likely would try to steer him away from whatever choice would cause such a rift.

She would aid, abet, and enable him because that is what will keep the Cullens together. Which is something Alice very much wants.

Carlisle

Carlisle lives in a river in Egypt, the water is made of double think. There are strong hints that Carlisle’s family is not quite as gung ho or altruistic about the diet as he is. Instead of being appalled, Carlisle quietly lowers his standards, and gives enthusiastic applause when Edward does things like choose not to brutally murder the serial rapist who nearly raped Bella. This is big growth for Edward! He also takes measures like sending family members who have accidents to their victims funeral, in the hopes that something, maybe, might make them see humans as people worthy of life.

If you asked him though, he’d talk about how amazing his family and the Denali are for the diet, and how he’s so proud to be a part of this community that values human life. LOOK HOW MUCH THEY VALUE IT.

When it comes to Edward, I think Edward holds a special place in Carlisle’s heart. He was not only the first person he turned, but Edward left and came back, to Carlisle this signaled that he’d found meaning and purpose in preserving human life. More, Edward... is very good at hiding what he is and is desperate that Carlisle above all others never see it.

Rather than have a conscience, most of the time, what stops Edward from “you name horrific action” of the day is the thought of “What would Carlisle say?” 

My point being, from the outside, especially to Carlisle, Edward truly does look like a noble soul. There are... flags, but they’re easily ignored or written off as issues with Edward’s emotional maturity.

Where Carlisle starts getting concerned is with Bella. Edward leaves for Alaska, great, Carlisle’s proud he was able to make that decision and know his limits. ThEn EdWArd CoMeS BaCK.

Edward comes back, in a week, nothing has changed, and he refuses to leave. Carlisle talks to him, Edward’s thinking he’s better than Hamburger and he can’t let her win, what he actually says to Carlisle is something along the lines of “I can’t run from my fears” Carlisle does an upside down smiley face then says, “Yes, you can, please do” And Edward doesn’t.

Things with Edward and this girl get progressively weird, but Carlisle is very proud that Edward sees the value of human life and not murdering a girl for being nearly hit by a van (this is how low Carlisle’s standards have become), and then Alice goes, “Oh, by the way, Edward is in love with this girl!”

Carlisle just sits there, “Alright then” and quietly puts aside his dreams of moving to a town where Edward doesn’t eat Bella Swan.

But I’m getting off track, this isn’t about canon where Carlisle can explain Edward’s actions away as noble but extreme, emotionally immature, and misguided.

Eating Bella’s not enough. Carlisle will see this as a tragic accident, something he foresaw, but something he assumes will haunt Edward for eternity. And, as it will haunt Edward for eternity (though not for the reasons Carlisle assumes) there will be nothing to make Carlisle question Edward’s character. He was young and foolish to think his limits were endless, but this was a tragic accident.

And it’s something, that in canon, Carlisle is hoping won’t happen but expects with helplessness.

I think there are a number of things that could do it. Had Edward eaten Biology, had he decided to defy Volturi law by eating Saint Marcus’ Square, but staying closer to the realm of possibility...

Had Edward forcibly aborted Bella, murdering her and her child in the process, or else if Renesmee didn’t have her gift, and Edward murdered her after her birth (assuming Jake didn’t get to it first).

Those actions cannot be excused away nor cannot be seen as tragic accidents. They are premeditated and evil, and yes evil is a strong word, yet here we are. This is Carlisle staring in the face of madness.

And that’s what it will take.

If Edward cheats on Bella, then while Carlisle is sad and disappointed, affairs happen and passion fades. More, Edward and Bella married awfully young and barely knew each other, this perhaps isn’t surprising.

If Edward eats a human Bella on the day she’s supposed to be turned, in very suspicious circumstances right at the last minute. Carlisle will know, deep down, but never allow himself to believe it. He’ll think Edward is utterly devestated and had let his guard down on that last day in anticipation of Bella’s turning.

This though, there’s no denying this.

I don’t believe Carlisle can kill Edward. Murder is not in his nature, and more, Edward is so dear to him. And now that this has happened, Carlisle would blame himself in part because surely, the human Edward Masen would never have become this. 

He’d likely reach out to Aro. Eclipse has happened, but not Breaking Dawn, and more everything is in question. He has to know the truth from a man who has seen Edward’s very soul. He goes in person, likely tells Edward his plans, and Edward rages but that doesn’t stop Carlisle.

Rosalie (more on her below) would never forgive Edward, ever, she is done. She and Emmett likely go with Carlisle to Volterra to hear the truth of what Edward is. Esme stays behind with Edward, torn in half, but unable to leave his side in this time of crisis. With that, her and Carlisle’s marriage completely dissolves on the spot. Alice stays with Edward as well, which means Jasper does to, though this likely starts the gears in head and he begins to contemplate leaving his wife. Though I imagine he won’t act for some time.

By the time Emmett, Rosalie, and Carlisle reach Volterra the coven is broken.

If Bella survived, if Edward murdered Renesmee while she was out of commission for three days, then I imagine she too goes to Volterra. Not for truth, but so that Aro can murder her, because there’s no point in living anymore.

Emmett

It would have to be beyond the pale extreme because Emmett gets more hints than most of the family (i.e. Carlisle and Rosalie).

Edward doesn’t really confide in Emmett, per se, but he does say some pretty damning things on their hunting trip in New Moon and give off varying vibes of crazy. Rather than realize that Edward, perhaps, is dangerous, Emmett only gets the feeling that Edward might not be alright in the head. Mostly, Emmett doesn’t want to think about it.

So he gets to listen to Edward raving about how Bella could be crushed by a meteor, wondering why Edward even cares when two days ago he didn’t give a flying fuck about this rando tasty human.

To Emmett, Edward has been laughing madly to himself for days, is now a  paranoid wreck, and is starting to creep him out but... Maybe if he ignores it, Edward will go back to normal?

Not helping is that Emmett doesn’t care about human life. He’s constantly telling Edward to treat himself and eat Bella, in a manner that suggests he vicariously wants to live through the delicious experience (as well as get Edward to calm down). 

If Edward eats Bella, Emmett will slap him on the back and say “Good job, bro!” If Edward eats Bella after the whole “love” thing, well, that’s weird, but, uh, “Sorry, bro?” If Edward murders all of Biology...

Then Emmet might do a double take and think, you know, maybe something’s not right with Edward.

I think he’d suggest he and Rose take a very long vacation and wait for things to calm down. Hoping that, if he ignores this, it will go away and Edward will return to a... saneish person.

What Rose thinks is a different story.

Esme

There is nothing on this planet that could tear Esme away from Edward. Esme’s purpose in life, the thing that gives her joy each morning and each night, is her family which you can condense down to Edward: the best and brightest of all of us.

We see it in canon.

The day after Edward decides he’s in love he acts like a lunatic. The car smells like Bella, as he kidnapped her for a ride home (Bella did not realize she had, in fact, been abducted. Edward does for two seconds then says to himself, “No, no, this is--completely necessary. I’M A MONSTER”

Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett get to ride home in this Bella smelling car. Edward keeps laughing, like he’s in an opium den, it’s fucking weird. Edward offers no explanation, the car always smells like Bella, what are you talking about?

Edward then skips to the piano, giggling to himself, and sits down to compose. An action he hasn’t done in years. He’s still grinning and giggling to himself, by the way. Alice joins him at the piano, being equally cryptic and weird as usual. For some reason, Rosalie leaves the room in complete humiliation and shame. This is never explained to anyone watching.

Esme is sitting in the room, taking this all in, and thinks nothing. Instead she smiles, at beautiful Edward, and asks him to play the song he composed for her. She’s so glad to see him filled with joy again. She tells him that he is the best and brightest of all of them.

Esme later gives Edward her pretty much express permission to eat Bella if the girl is causing him such pain and misery. Luckily for Bella, Edward’s in love. So he passes on that and assures Esme the most wonderful thing has happened, he is in love.

My point being, Edward could drop the corpses of the students he murdered in Biology so he could more efficiently eat Bella at Esme’s feet and she wouldn’t blink. It wouldn’t even process for her. Esme would continue carrying on as Esme, nothing changing, while the rest of the family stares agog at the city Edward just murdered.

There is nothing Edward could do or say that would ever change Esme’s mind and she will always treat him as her favorite child.

Jasper

With his gift, I imagine Jasper suspects. Edward loathes Rosalie, despises him, and his feelings for others are... strange. He holds indifference and contempt for mankind and when it comes to Bella. Woof, what a cocktail.

He has no proof though, but I imagine if the smallest thing comes into his lap, that suspicion would become a certainty.

As for what he’d do, it’s hard to say.

I think, in most scenarios, he’d look the other way. Yes, Edward is a monater, but Jasper to is a monster if for different reasons, he has no room to judge. More, Edward is in many respects the heart of the Cullens, far more than Japser himself is. If Jasper goes causing strife, making accusations the others may or may not believe, then the coven could collapse.

This place, these people, are what Jasper thinks he’s been searching for all his life. For the first time, he knows peace, and is trying to live a life where he doesn’t persist in agony every time he succumbs to eating. Jasper is not going to risk that falling apart, even if he finds Edward unpleasant.

And if Edward keeps it to himself, or if the occasional human is the victim, then that’s a price Jasper is willing to pay.

Jasper might actually get concerned when it comes to Bella. For all Bella’s not very close with him, he holds her in very high regard. He nearly devoured Bella, and she forgave him, she forgave him his monstrously brutal past and has never flinched from him. She is a reminder of what humanity can be and why it’s important.

If he realized the threat Edward is to Bella, not just in eating her, but on a level much darker than that, then he might start to act and would probably try to get Bella to leave while she could. However, he also likely knows Bella would never listen, because she doesn’t see what Edward is and nothing would convince her otherwise. Not to mention, as soon as Jasper knows, Edward will plot against him so that no one in the family will ever listen to a word he says.

Not to mention that Alice, of course, must know and doesn’t care. That will be quite the blow to Jasper taking any action.

Barring extreme circumstances, Jasper does nothing, he just watches and waits to see what the others do.

Rosalie

For all that Edward doesn’t bother to be nice to Rosalie, and is ready to lay into her at a moment’s notice, he’s very dear to her. He is, in all regards, her brother and she cares for him deeply as she does the family as a whole.

Rosalie has no idea what he truly is and it would take a lot for her to accept it. More, unlike Carlisle, although she prizes human values and tries to hold herself to human standards her morals have slipped enough that she genuinely advocates murdering Bella Swan in her sleep so that Rosalie won’t have to move.

Murdering Bella won’t be enough, Rosalie will see it as the accident that could have been avoided if Edward hadn’t insisted on being a fool. 

I think, for Rosalie, the best way to drive it home would be a sexual crime. Had Edward forced Bella’s abortion in Breaking Dawn, that would have done it. First, it’d be such a messy, bloody, affair at that point and would look like a horror show (which means Edward’s more than likely to eat Bella in the process). Second, this would be Edward taking the child that Bella wanted, tearing it from her and murdering it, and performing the most vile action that Rosalie can likely even contemplate.

I don’t know what she’d do, I don’t think Rosalie’s capable of killing Edward, she cares for him too much, even after something like this. However, I think she would make an ultimatum to Carlisle “either he goes or I go” and then would never speak of Edward again, he’s dead to her.

[thesunicarusfellfor]

My beloved! I do not know if you watched the recent lore stream ( if you haven't please! Watch it before answering my ask! ) I was wondering if you could do something with eret and foolish where instead of foolish dying it's the reader? And the reader is on her last life after she died from badboyhalo? Just some angst ( please I wanna cry out my feelings after this stream omg- and plus your my favorite writer so yea :p)

Have an amazing day! <3

-Moosh

BELOVED! EEEEEEE I'VE BEEN WANTING TO WRITE ERET FOR SOOOOO LOOOOONG YOU HAVE NO IDEA. I'm just going to make it an Eret x Reader because I don't know Foolish's character too well if that's okay?

(ALso, you will make me cry from all these compliments, please ;^;)

I actually am adding onto this because I want to make a hybrid reader for once, hope you don't mind! ^^

SPOILERS FOR THE RED BANQUET AND MULTIPLE PRONOUNS USED FOR ERET

My Monarch (C!Eret x GN!Butterfly Hyrbid!Reader)

You giggled softly, your beautiful paper-thin wings flitting behind you as you hopped around Eret's room while he got his newly tailored red cloak chained together, "My goodness, monarch, you're going to waste up all your energy before the party even begins!" He laughed at your reddened cheeks while he put his crown on top of his neatly styled hair, putting his sunglasses on shortly after, "How do I look?"

"Like a true queen!" You chirped, adjusting your outfit in the mirror beside your lover before frowning and taking the glasses away from her, "Ah, ah, nope. If I'm having my wings out of my cloak, you aren't wearing your sunglasses, darling, we've been over this."

The royal huffed and gave a small pout but didn't argue much on the matter, as they did, in fact, practically beg you to keep your wings out for display for the banquet. With a small chuckle, they reached over and picked up your crown that was decorated with rainbows of jewels, placing it on your styled (h/l) (h/c) hair, being mindful of your antennae, "There... There's my monarch."

You blushed slightly at the nickname and gave a small giggle as you took his hand, "Come on, let's get going, Bad will get impatient if we're late." Eret gave a nod with a smile, leading you towards the door and out of his castle.

The two of you were happily chatting with each other as you travelled to the stairway that led underground, happily saying hellos to your 'mama' Puffy, who gave you typical motherly affection, ie: smooshing your cheeks as she gave you a light headbutt while calling you every motherly compliment in the book, and anyone else that was also invited to the Banquet. When you arrived, you took a sharp breath as you saw the room filled with red vines crawling and writhing everywhere, it sickened you... But, this was about Bad apologizing, and you supposed that you could put your discomfort off to the side for just a little bit.

Eret, being the gentleman she was, pulled out your chair for you and gestured for you to sit down, smiling softly as you gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat down in the chair. She pushed you in and sat in the chair to your left, Puffy on your right, gently taking your hand once she was tucked into the table.

You were so anxious that you could barely focus on the speech Bad was giving, until your ears and antennae picked up the sound and scent of running lava which successfully shook you out of your thoughts, but before you could mention anything to Eret, you heard a chuckle.

"Now, prepare to die."

There was a chorus of gasps that tore from everyone's mouths as the sound of lava got louder. You lifted your head from staring at the red soup in the bowl in front of you and looked around in horror as you saw lava blocking the exits. You felt Eret tighten their grip on your hand, but by then your heart was already racing in fear and your wings were shifting around nervously.

"Oh my god!"

"We've been walled in!"

"After all that?!"

Bad tossed his empty glass bottle to the side, causing it to shatter on the ground below and get greedily grabbed at by the red vines, "Well uh, that's right."

"Bad, what about turning over this leaf?!" Captain Puffy snapped, slamming her mostly empty bottle of water down on the table as she stood up.

The nine-foot-tall demon seemed to nonchalantly brush off her outburst and shook his head lamely, "No, the leaf is staying the way it is." He sat up properly in his chair and rested his elbows on the warped wooden table to hold his chin in his hands.

"Is... There any way out?" You asked aloud, quickly spinning around, looking for any gap that you could possibly fly through. Eret quickly wrapped his arm around you, his white eyes wide with slight hints of fear that he was used to hiding with his glasses.

"No! There's literally no way out!" Fundy cried out, restlessly shuffling and running around, trying to find anything everyone could use to escape.

HBomb gave a small shriek of pain as he burned his hand on the lava, "It is real lava! It is real lava!" He gasped out as Puffy quickly made him shove his hand into the bowl of beat soup. Bad calmly walked over and gave him a glimmering gold apple with a sickly sweet smile.

"You should try not to die yet, HBomb." He chuckled softly as he returned to his seat once the man eagerly bit into the potion soaked fruit, desperate to get rid of the burning sensation.

Puffy took a few deep breaths and held out her arms, trying to get everyone to stop freaking out completely, "We're fine, we're fine, we're fine! I- I didn't trust you, Bad, I didn't trust you at all. I didn't trust Antfrost. I knew! I knew something was up, it's unfortunate to say I can't trust either one of you... Because... I planned this..."

She eagerly ripped off the red silken table cloth to reveal a chest buried in the table, spilling drinks and soup everywhere for the vines to eagerly writhe towards, "Oh?! What?!" Bad gasped, his mouth parting in shock... Before it fell bad into a devious smile as Puffy gave a cry of confusion, finding the chest completely empty, "Oh? Were you... Looking for this, perchance?"

Bad equipped diamond enchanted armour and held up an enchanted diamond sword that glimmered in the light of the lava, Ant, Ponk... And Hannah... Doing the same, "Sorry Puffy. I had to do it..." Hannah Rose walked over and sat in the empty seat on Bad's left.

"Do... What, Hannah? Why?!" The Ram hybrid whispered in horror.

"I had to tell them." She responded simply, blinking a few times as her eyes went from a forest coloured green to redder than the colour of the egg's vines slithering around your ankles, "The egg..."

Biting back a sob, you looked at Hannah, "You were with them the whole time...?"

Sam stood completely still, looking at the girl sadly, "You... Told them, Hannah?" The warden murmured.

"I had to." She glanced at Bad with a small grin before looking back at her former friends, including you, "It was the only way."

"I'm sorry," Bad started, sounding almost completely genuine, if it wasn't for the crooked smile he was wearing, "I'm sorry Sam, I'm sorry Puffy. But, time to get on to the main event!"

The creeper hybrid held up his hand, pointing one finger to the ceiling to silently tell the Eggpire to hold on for just a moment, "Well... That is, tragic, that you told them about our plans for the armour, but..." You could tell Sam grinned behind his mask as his green eyes gave a few sparks of smugness, "Something, you should know. I had another plan. Because I didn't trust you."

"...What do you mean 'another plan'?" Bad pointed his loaded crossbow at the warden, eyes narrowing into a glare.

"Well," He pulled a remote out of his pocket and scanned it in mock curiosity, "I think, that we all can agree, that this has gone on long enough now. I'm tired of all this fighting. So I say we just blow the egg up. For good, this time, with an amount of TNT that it can't survive... So I hid a trap..."

'Of course... The creeper hybrid is using TNT...' You thought with a small smile, trying to distract yourself from the heartstopping fear overwhelming your body at the moment as Bad stuttered in surprise.

"A trap?! Wait, what do you mean!?" the demon growled as Sam got up and walked slightly closer to the egg, digging his thumb into the button on the remote he held.

"We did something even you couldn't prepare for!" Puffy shouted as TNT began to rain out of a small gap in the ceiling.

Eret, worrying for your safety and how the sounds or smell of gunpowder would affect your hypersensitive senses, pulled you close and she wrapped you in her cloak. You desperately grasped at the fabric of her red dress as she covered your ears in an attempt to make the loud booms easier for your insect senses to handle.

By the time it stopped and Eret let you go, there were shocked gasps and the egg... Had... Turned to crying obsidian? "You guys-" Bad had to take a breath through his maniacal laughter to wipe a tear, "You really thought you could defeat the egg? With TNT? After Quackity tried that, we took proper... Preparations. And we made it so that we wouldn't have to worry about TNT anymore, thank you very much!"

"I think you mean precautions..." You murmured quietly, curling in on yourself and hiding behind Eret slightly when you saw soulless white eyes glare in your directions.

"Shut up, (Y/n)." He huffed, and Eret had to physically stop Puffy from storming over and fighting the man in diamond armour with her bare hands, "Now, would you all please kindly make your way over here... We can begin the summary executions."

Shock flooded through your veins at how eagerly Bad hopped out of his chair them walked over to where the Egg, the crying obsidian fading away, and standing on a platform. There was a chorus of shocked cries and just cries in general as Bad waved his crossbow around, "What about the speeches man?!" Fundy growled, glaring at Bad as he tried to get you all to leave the table.

"Oh, that was all just to lull you into a false sense of security!" He responded with another crooked smile and a 'duh' tone, "You see, the egg needs something, and it's gonna get it from each of you. See, in order for the egg to hatch, it needs energy, and it gets that energy from people dying near it! And that's the role that you guys are gonna fill! We are gonna kill you one by one..."

"You're a monster..." Eret mumbled under their breath, holding your hand tightly, able to feel your racing heart from the pulse in your wrist. This had gone on long enough, sure, destroying everything on the server was one thing, but threatening not only their life, not only their friends' lives, but their lover's life as well! You only had two more before you were gone from this world forever... And by whatever gods were listening, they swore that they were going to protect those final two, even at the risk of their own life.

Bad turned his head, his twisted smile faltering slightly, "What was that, Eret? What did you say?" He leaned closer mockingly, to see if Eret really had the guts to repeat what was just said.

"You're an absolute monster," Eret repeated with a slight growl to his voice this time, taking a step closer to the corrupted man as a threat and also effectively blocking you from Bad's gaze, "How could you? We all trusted you, Bad."

"Trust?!" Ant spoke up for the first time that night, grinning almost like a Cheshire cat, "Okay, Eret... Keep talking. Keep talking about trust."

Sucking a breath through your gritted teeth, you cringed as Ant retorted with a verbal dagger, one he knew would hurt Eret deeply, and hurt her it did, "That was a long time ago!" You snapped immediately, stepping forwards to defend her which definitely caught everyone off guard. You were NOT about to let some egg puppets trash talk your lover, "She's changed!"

"You know what..." Bad hummed, almost comically tapping his finger to his lip before pointing at Eret, "I think, Eret, you would be a perfect person... To sacrifice first!"

Giving a cry of horror, you felt the red vines react to Bad's words and grab you and Eret, successfully yanking you away from each other despite your cries and struggles of protests. The large vines picked Eret up and brought them to the execution platform that Bad was standing on. The entire time, you were trying to run over to grab them, but the vines kept creating a wall and pushing you back, "No! No, no, no!" You screamed desperately, trying to reach out to the crown-wearing lover that was now being held on the platform by the very vines that were holding you back.

"Does anyone have anything?!" Foolish cried, quickly patting his pockets and looking around for anything, anything at all, to use as a weapon.

"I- We have no weapons!"

"No one has anything?! We literally can't do anything about this!"

Bad only chuckled, seeming to find amusement in everyone's distress, "Excellent, excellent, I really appreciate you guys following the directive and not bringing any weapons. That's very courteous of you." He turned towards Eret with his readied crossbow, gleefully ignoring your cries.

"We trusted you!" You yelled, throwing a useless punch at the wall of vines that blocked your way again, everyone roaring at the Eggpire in agreement with your statement.

"Well that was your first mistake," He chided in almost a playful manner, "Did you really think we were just going to stop trying to spread the egg's influence over the server, just because a couple people got mad at the vines? Like, come on. That's been the objective all along. It's been to hatch the egg. The egg wants power, and it's gonna get it."

His finger lightly began tapping at the trigger of his crossbow that had the bolt pointing to your lover's head, which caused a sob to escape past your lips as you finally had enough and finally flew into the air, expertly weaving past the red vines that tried to grab you out of the air. Quickly, you swooped down and reached out for Eret, but you felt something fly past your ear... Then suddenly, the king gave a cry of his own and you felt your flying balance get thrown off, causing you to begin to plummet towards the ground.

The horrified shrieks of your lover, mother figure and your friends rang through your ears as you quickly plummeted towards the earth as a result of gravity, only to be suddenly halted in mid-air which caused your crown to fall to the ground, completely wrapped in vines that clearly didn't care how badly they were bending your wings. You whined in pain at the tight grip, and looked over at your beloved butterfly features, only to give a sob of pain as you saw a large tear had sliced through your right (f/c) wing... "You... You bastard..." You hissed at the demon who came over and reloaded another bolt into his crossbow.

"You know, I think I like your energy more than your lover's." He cupped your chin in an almost loving fashion, causing Eret to immediately lash out and begin barking insults as well as threats. Unfortunately, her violence was ignored as the vines picked her up again, "Your unwavering loyalty, your love, your fierceness despite how fragile you are..."

"Get your hands away from them!" Puffy yelled, she and Foolish going to run to help you, but they were blocked off by the vines in the same way you once were, "For fucks sake Bad! Leave my child alone! They were just defending Eret, you know, their lover?!"

Bad only hummed as the vines lamely tossed Eret to the crowd of people, but thankfully he was caught by Foolish and Sam instead of hitting the ground but his crown hit the ground close to yours, breaking most of the rainbow coloured gems off, "I'm quite aware of their relationship, thank you, Puffy." He stepped back and the vines threw you to the ground on the execution platform, causing you to bounce off the nether bricks harshly before finally rolling into the centre.

Your head was spinning and your sight was blurry, but you still managed to hear the screams of terror from your friends, the begging from Puffy for Bad to leave you alone, and the sobs leaving Eret's throat as they cried out for you, "Monarch... (Y/N)!" They screamed, trying to run to you as well, but unsurprisingly they were held back as well.

It... was funny... You wanted to go to this party so badly... You begged Eret to come to this party, you spent weeks picking out your outfit... You were so excited...

And now here you were... Flightless and beyond concussed...

About to die...

"I love you..." You managed to whisper to Eret before Ant rose his enchanted sword... Then quickly lowering it, piercing through your chest...

"(Y/N)! NO!"

(Y/n) (L/n) was slain by Antfrost. Lives 1/3

[drawlfoy]

4 a.m

masterlist request guidelines

pairing: draco x reader

request: no but this is dedicated to @socontagiousimagines :) thank you for the inspiration. 

summary: y/n seeks tutoring help from her acquaintance and housemate, draco malfoy. 

warnings: language, and the teensiest bit of actual fluff

a/n: so this is NOT the oneshot i was talking about. this is a short little tidbit i’ve been just sitting on for a while! i will not be continuing this :( but i wanted to get the practice of writing more physical scenes and thought that this was a good idea lol

tags! @gruffle1 @missmulti @cleopatera @hahaboop @accio-rogers @geeksareunique @eltanin-malfoy @war-sword @cams-lynn @itsivyberry @ayo-cowbelly @nerd-domland @yesnerdsblog @shizarianathania @evanstanfanatic @strawberriesonsummer @hariosborn @night-ving @straightzoinked @imintoodeeptostop

word count: 1.2k

“So, you carry that over to the other side of the equation...perform the executive function of rin...plug in the constant...and then we can set that number equal to 4 times the magical coefficient of levitation…”

Y/N was trying her best to listen as her fellow Slytherin patiently went over the last Arithmancy problem set. She really was. But it was so hard, especially when she was sitting just a few feet away from the prettiest boy she’d ever seen. Especially when they were on his bed. In dim lighting. At 4am.

It wasn’t on purpose. It was honestly a last minute panicked request--Y/N, well known for her tragic Arithmancy skills, found out that there was a surprise exam the next day in that very class and had to track down the only person she knew. Draco Malfoy wasn’t her friend, not by any sense of the term, but they tolerated each other. She’d go as far as to say that they were friendly, even. He smiled at her once in the hallway. She would’ve returned the favor if she had remembered how to breathe.

So imagine her surprise, upon rushing up to him at 11 that night and desperately asking him for help as he was leaving the common room, that he simply smirked down at her. “What are you waiting for?” he’d asked, his eyebrow cocking. “Put your arms around my neck. I have to carry you over the wards.”

She’d been at such a loss for words--something that almost never happened, mind you--that she’d nearly lost consciousness when, instead of waiting for her to jump up, he just plucked her off the ground. Before she knew it, she was sitting cross legged on his fluffy comforter as he picked apart the practice sheet in front of her.

The quill had no idea how lucky it was to be lodged in the elegant hand that it was. His fingers curled around the base strangely close to the parchment, occasionally smudging the numbers and symbols that he helpfully copied down onto her paper in his impeccable print. Y/N found herself quite smug at the fact that she was one of the few that got to witness him study something so intently up close. 

“Does that make sense?” 

His voice, accompanied by a clear shift in tone, shook her out of her soliloquy. 

“Er, yeah,” said Y/N. Very convincing.

“Why don’t you explain it to me like I’m the student and you’re the tutor,” he offered, turning to rest on his side. His infuriatingly perfect face was propped up on his palm as he watched her.

“I, erm, have to find a way to solve for G naught, which is the relationship between magical forces and naturally occurring gravity...so I do that by plugging -9.81 in for g and then the given velocity and, er, rin…”

Her words trailed off as her attention turned to the slow smile stretching across Draco’s face.

“What?”

“You’re a question ahead. I was talking about the one I just explained to you.”

“Oh.” She wrinkled her nose and looked away. “Sorry. It’s late. I always have trouble paying attention when I’m tired.”

“Don’t apologize,” said Draco, moving to sit up. “You were right, you know. I think you’ll be fine tomorrow. You’re not even bad.”

“Thanks.”

He offered her another smile, this time one that looked more genuine than the rest, much less cat-got-the-canary and more wholesome. “If you��re not thinking about this--” He gestured dramatically to the parchment littered with Arithmancy practice questions, “--then what are you thinking about?”

“Oh,” Y/N said dumbly. No matter how many words she conjured to rest on her tongue, the blush growing on her cheeks gave it all away. There was no point in trying to fib, a point that became abundantly clear as Draco’s eyes began to glimmer.

“What was that?” he pried, an impish tone creeping into his voice. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

“Don’t be a fucking arse,” she responded. If she didn’t look him in the eyes then she didn’t feel quite as obvious. “I’m just tired. That’s all.”

He tutted, shifting to rest his back against the headboard. It once again occurred to her how intimate the whole set up was. “Hm.”

Y/N decided to drop it and gather up the scrolls of half rolled parchment that littered his bedding. As much as she hated to admit it, his bed was soft. Really soft. 

“Thanks for all of your help,” she said once all of her belongings were secured away in her satchel. 

He said nothing in return, instead tilting his head to the side and meeting her eyes with a cool gaze full of amusement. 

“I really appreciate it,” she continued, hoping to pull out something as trivial as a “you’re welcome” from his surprisingly petal-like pink lips. “I know it’s late.”

“Not a problem,” he finally said. “Plus, how could I say no to you?”

Y/N fought the urge to melt into a puddle right that instant. “Erm, thanks. You didn’t need to help me this much. I hate to keep you up.”

His smile widened. “You don’t have to go yet, you know.”

“What--what?”

“I said,” drawled Draco as he sat up again to look her more directly in her eyes, “You don’t have to go.”

She decided that he wasn’t the only one who could play coy. “Oh? So what would you suggest?”

“Come here and find out.”

In seconds she was back to her seat on his plush comforter, her knees tucked neatly under the rest of her as he reached out to gently tug her tie in his direction. 

When he finally kissed her, it felt like her soul had left her body. His lips were warmer than she would’ve thought, and he cupped the side of her cheek with so much tenderness that she thought she was dreaming.

“Draco,” she said, pulling away from him for just a moment, “It’s 4am. I have to sleep.”

“I know.” 

He leaned in again, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her into his lap. “You’ll be fine,” he assured her between kisses, “You had the best tutor.”

She pulled away again to smack him on the shoulder. “Don’t be vain.”

“Fine, fine.” She was still seated on top of him as he shifted to grab a piece of parchment that he scribbled something onto in swooping, elegant motions. “Here.”

“What is it?” 

“You said it yourself, love, you’ve got to get to bed,” he teased. “Open it up when you get back to your dorm. Now off you go.”

Y/N was torn between the sting of rejection and the butterflies at his use of the casual pet name while he carried her over the wards, feelings that refused to fade even when she was back in her room.

The soft sound of the lake water hitting the glass was just beginning to lull her to sleep as she jolted forward, just remembering the piece of parchment Draco had so thoughtfully folded into a paper crane for her. 

“Y/N:” It read, “Since you have such trouble paying attention when it’s late, I thought I’d write this down so you wouldn’t forget. Meet me tomorrow night at the tapestry by Snape’s classroom. 9pm. I promise I’ll have you back by your bedtime.”

[lanawinters-ily]

The Way We Were

The reader has a stormy, bittersweet relationship with Lana; when they meet again, will it end in happiness, or will she walk away?

Based on the Barbra Streisand song ‘The Way We Were’

Pairing: Lana Winters x Reader

Word count: 1400

Warnings: a LOT of metaphors & a turbulent relationship

Memories Light the corners of my mind Misty watercolour memories Of the way we were

There she was. Lana Winters. Your Lana.

Well at least she was at some moment in time.

You had met on a typical stormy Tuesday; yet another grey, bleak day in what seemed like a melancholic lifetime at that point. Your job was the same every day, no change, no variety to break up the never-ending cycle of life.

Until you saw her. The rain had been streaming down the train window, mirroring the tears of pure frustration that fell down your face, monotony overwhelming & reminding you of just how ordinary you were. But then she had tapped your shoulder, turning to meet sad eyes with chocolate orbs of wonder.

And you fell for her immediately.

Because if there was one thing that was for sure in such an unpredictable universe, Lana Winters was far from ordinary.

Scattered pictures Of the smiles we left behind Smiles we gave to one another For the way we were

Make no mistake, Lana was just one woman, but her presence packed an almighty punch, transforming your outlook by filling it with positivity & absolute joy. The tedious routine of life soon became glimpses of heaven in every moment, the beauty of simplicity revealed by the love of your life.

Before you were looking at the wide view, insignificance in such a vast planet making every aspect of life some sort of mocking cosmic joke; as if you were the extra in the movie of someone else’s existence.

Then Lana pointed out every detail that made up the world around you; the details on the petals in the flower fields you walked, the birds chirping each morning from your bedroom window, the leaves rustling in the gentle breeze singing a lullaby to rock you to sleep.

She turned the negatives to positives, the rain no longer a reflection of God’s sadness, becoming Mother Nature’s nurturing of the planet; watering to sooth the wilting souls that walked the ground.

She was your personal land of Oz – bringing plain Dorothy into a bright technicolour vision, worlds away from the black & white Kansas you had been stuck in for so long.

Can it be that it was all so simple then? Or has time re-written every line?

But once a plane has left the ground to soar above the clouds of dreamland, at some point it must return to lucid reality. Romanticizing love is never idealistic, the honeymoon period often fades into truth when the couple learns all they can about their partner, bringing along the flaws & sufferings of life.

Only the Gods are immune to the human affliction of pain; immortality granting wisdom & maturity that only originates in the freedoms away from the confines of time.

Despite the naivety of the beginnings of a relationship, Lana was not a Goddess, & not a Queen; she had cracks in her porcelain surface, deep ones at that. You had your own insecurities of course; cruel voices pointing out every blemish, every sentence spoken, every outfit worn, but not to the multitude of how Lana had suffered.

Her horrific traumas were never verbally revealed to you, triggers providing peepholes into the haunted era of her twenties – scars both physical & mental slowly chipping away at the bridge of your union. You would never know if the truth could have saved you both, or ripped the bandage of the inevitable split, but either way, you never fully understood each other.

The romance of nature seemed to be your only continuous bond, reliance on surroundings to further linger the magic spark of your first glance at each other.

A distraction from the fractures slowly creeping over the glass, ready to shatter at any given push.

For some, putting two broken halves together heals the damage, comfort providing the ultimate cure, but not for you. The shards were too sharp, too jagged, too complex to be fixed with a few words or physical affection.

Really, fate had doomed your love from the beginning, the universe’s entertainment as the new Shakespearian- style tragic romance of the century.

If we had the chance to do it all again

Tell me, would we? Could we?

Oh, but how you yearned for her. It was like having a half ripped away, functions of the body barely surviving, not even close to thriving like you had been with Lana.

It was as if you meant to have your appendix removed, but lost a lung instead. How long would it take for you to not be able to pull in a breath without her nearby?

No matter how broken the sides where, you were willing to try every single possibility to make it work again, but was she?

Is there such thing as a one-sided soulmate? The sun gives so much to the earth; a way to survive, hope for the future & security with the warmth that radiates.

But the Earth simply looks back in appreciation, not providing much in return.

One simply orbiting the other.

Memories May be beautiful and yet

The times shared were just too wonderful & joyous to be abandoned; a lighthouse shining through the grey fog of memories.

Every time you heard Lana’s name, all you could think of were the bright summer days in which you would both sprint through flower-filled fields, chasing each other & giggling like you were little girls again – a childish blissfulness under your shining sun.

You were surrounded by Lana in those glory-days; she was radiant to you, with comfort in all the seasons.

And you would kiss softly under a blanket of darkness as night fell, whilst the stars looked on with their bright, twinkling smiles.

You longed for that eternal summer again, the beauty, the meaning to every moment.

What's too painful to remember We simply to choose to forget

But of course, the seasons carry on, melting into each other as the weather changes. And, as the weather fluctuates, so does the mood of nature; calm, peaceful summers fading into temperamental, dreary winters.

You were children of the earth, the outside world shaping your love for each other, so how was it to last as the seasons moved on? There was no eternal summer for you.

Like frostbite you nipped at each other, the snow beating down outside; stamping on the flowers of hope that you had nurtured in the sunlight.

Frostbite if left untreated, will only spread, much like the little flaws in your relationship that were growing as the days advanced, darkness threatening to hold you hostage.

So your sunshine left, & the flowers were buried under the ground again.

So it's the laughter We will remember

And here she was again, in the present day.

She peered at you with those muddy eyes & flashed a smile, igniting a switchboard of emotions within your very core.

The smile sounded like a thousand jokes shared on a beautiful day, & seemed to last for eternity in your mind. It was bright & warm, evoking a feeling of security, of home at last.

The smile sounded like bickering & arguing; short insults hit in a cruel game of lover’s tennis. It was pierced with venom, teasing with the prospect of a future that was promised, but never received.

It seems that the seasons were now inside of you, a turbulent cycle sped up to feel like an entire year worth of emotion as you flitted through them wildly.

Well, at least she had followed through with the vow that monotony & blank feelings would escape you after the day you met.

It was so bittersweet; should you live in the past or move forward with a different future?

Whenever we remember The way we were The way we were

As if to answer your question, Lana broke your gaze & looked up at the sky as grey clouded the sun, & rain started to spit onto the ground.

She just turned around & walked away, leaving you with the hums of life you began with, beautiful song dimming into the last teasing notes.

The crescendo of your existence faded into the distance, as you wondered if you would ever hear music quite like this,

Ever again.

Taglist: @ka-s @ninaahs @stayeviildarling @babypocahontas @lilypadscoven @winters-witch-bitch @basicasshole @bottom4delia @forevercountess @violentwavesofem0tion @sporadicsupercorpquotesmonger @liberosisaspire @mellowalieneggsknight @thecasualgeek1 @lucykilljoy

[hobidreams]

november 1857.

you meet for the first time as children, caught in the crossfire of hatred.

pairing: joseon king!yoongi x reader genre: angst words: 850 contains: historical au, descriptions of injuries/blood, child!yoongi historical note: “mama” is the korean equivalent of “your highness” & the proper address for a queen. her children can simply call her that, but others must add her official title as well. a/n: this drabble is sponsored by a donation to Black Lives Matter.

moonlit throne index. this is drabble three. start from the beginning?

“Quick. Through here. Hurry!”

Your mother’s frantic voice rips you from sleep. You’ve never heard her sound like this before, panicked and scared all at once through the door that is suddenly shoved open before your stunned gaze. Before you can slip from your blanket, a woman you’ve only seen from afar comes hurtling into view, supported by senior eunuch Sang. Mother follows them in with a boy cradled in her arms. Red is splattered across their thin nightclothes, seeping through the fabric like a terrifying painting.

“Mom!”

She ignores you, jerking her head further inside at the eunuch. “Over there, onto the bedding!” She spares you a single look. “Be quiet, okay?”

You nod as you stand, heart galloping in your chest. You somehow manage to shuffle over to the door, shutting it. When you turn back, Queen Jeonghui lies on her side, and mother is letting the boy down. He leans dizzily against the small table, red smeared all over his face. You press your lips together hard to stifle the noises of fear that want to erupt at the sight.

“Jungjeon-mama, please, you mustn’t move too much. Your wounds!”

Sang is frantically trying to hold the queen back but she keeps reaching out towards the crown prince with one of her arms. Even though she is shaking fiercely with strain, she cups his cheek, palm coming away bloodied but she keeps going back. “My son— My dear son— Yoongi-yah—” She chokes off on a sob. “Eun-a, help him first!”

“Put pressure on her wound.” Mother shoves a cloth towards Sang. “I will take care of him,” she says to the queen in a voice that might come off as soothing and calm, but you can hear the quiver. “I promise.” Using the nearby basin of water, she starts to wash his face. He looks especially tiny when he’s hunched over like this, only two years younger than you but that seems to make all the difference right now. But he doesn’t cry, doesn’t move a muscle. Just lets mother run the fabric over all the red.

“Oh!” A loud gasp slips from you when mother tilts his head up and you see the deep, jagged cut running down over his right eye, a stark contrast to his pale skin. It’s still so raw, and you can’t even begin to imagine how it hurts.

Mother’s gaze flashes to you and you think she might scold you. Instead, she snaps her fingers. “Bring me the salve. The brown one.”

You almost trip in your haste to get it to her. Up close, the angry red slit makes you want to cringe, but the prince stays still. Even as mother coats the cool balm onto the wound, which should most definitely sting, he stays still.

“How could this happen…?” The queen mutters as if in a trance as Sang pushes against her left arm, trying hard to stop the bleeding. “How could she do this?” Her eyes have glazed over, lost all their regal light. Every inch of her is trembling, sweat and tears matting her long hair. She rocks back and forth, back and forth.

“Please, I need to treat you,” your mother tries to say, but the queen’s not listening. “Your gash is much worse. I need to get to it now. Please, turn over.”

“Oh my precious, precious son—”

“Mama.” The prince does not even let out a whimper. He takes the hand closest to his mother and places it over her cheek. He waits until her water-logged eyes focus on him. “Mama, I’m okay. I’m okay.”

“…Thank the heavens.” With a delirious half-laugh, she finally rolls onto her back. Her eyes squeeze shut, riding out the adrenaline-ridden pain.

As mother starts to work, the prince doesn’t take his tiny hand away, nor does he allow a single tear to fall past his determined jaw. He just gives the queen tiny, strained smiles when her eyes flutter open every so often.

But you see it. You are the only one to see how he crushes his other hand into a secret fist so tight it leaves bruises that last for an entire week behind.

Later, mother tells you the official story: the crown prince had an accident with a few sharp stones. His mother had slipped while trying to help him. There is no reason for anyone to question the tragic incident that leaves the queen without use of her left arm for the rest of her life, and the prince with a scar that refuses to fade no matter what expensive balms are applied. No one questions the increased guard presence at their doors either. You are to keep their visit to your private room an absolute secret.

“But mom, why did she come to us at all?” You ask while she runs her fingers through your hair, braiding it. Other court physicians live in the palace too, ones much more experienced and higher ranked than your mother.

She pauses. Hums a single contemplative note. “Trust.” Then she never speaks of that night again.

[alice-angel12x]

💔Dainseif x Reader

a bit Houseki no Kuni crossover/ characters

It's been so long since the fall of Khaenri'ah, there isn't much I remember from those times. Most of which are small facts and details most likely lost to time. Though there is one precious thing or person I remember before the Gods' wrath fell upon the city, their name was Y/n. I remember their lovely smile, their warm embrace, the softness of their skin, and their melodious voice whispering sweet nothing into my ear.

Sadly they were taken from me in the destruction of Khaenri'ah. It was my duty as the Twilight Sword to protect the people of Khaenri'ah, to protect them, and I failed. A curse of long life was placed upon me as many of the people turned and transformed into monsters.

I fell into despair when the strange goddess from Celestia appeared before me. If I were to stop the rebellion from the abyss, she would return what I lost. At first, I had no idea what she could have meant, but I would learn soon. In desperation, I foolishly agreed to her wishes, looking back now I shouldn't have so stupidly agreed. The gods have never blessed me in the past, I should have never hoped they would in the future. After so long many details of Y/n have faded, and at times I wonder if they were just my imagination.  Yet I did meet strange people along my travels, one of them had grown dear to me.

---------

The last thing I remember is seeing a red sky with a strange goddess glaring down at everyone below. Red and black cubes floated about her. Some was calling out a name, Y/n I believe, then suddenly everything goes black as I was shoved to the ground. During that time of darkness, all I could feel was a strong will. I didn't want to perish and return too... I can no longer remember. Whenever I try to search my mind all I can find is a strange figure standing ahead of me, with its hand outstretched to me.

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded by ruins that had long burned. Plants grew through the fissures in the destroyed stones, many skeletons were scattered along the ground. I felt strange for some reason, looking down at my arms, they sparkled in the sunlight. It shined a gleaming blue, it looked like Noctilucous Jade. My whole body seemed to be made of it; my legs, fingers, even my (Hair length) hair glimmered of the gem. Who am I?

I shakily got to my feet, as my body shined in the sun. The land ahead was a beautiful green as the leaves and trees swayed in the gentle wind. I was quite obviously alone, but why? Why was I so desperate for life? Maybe If I wander about I'll... Find my answer.

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

As I tracked the abyss, I came across a small group of the abyss mages. Who was occupied with corning some poor wanderer, raising my hand and unleashing my power made quick work of the horrid creatures. Something was off about this wanderer, so I approached cautiously. This being looked to be made of precious material, jade perhaps. Yet their form looked familiar to me, somehow.

A brief image of Y/n flashed in my mind. Yet I quickly shook my head, they are not the same. Everyone from Khaenri'ah

"umm, thank you, sir," They said as they slowly stood.

As looked them over, and noticed they wore greatly diminished garments of a Khaenri'ahen citizen. "Where did you get those clothes?" I asked.

"I don't know, I just woke up with these clothes," The being said as they looked down at their clothes.

"So wondered, why do you travel teyvat?" I asked them.

"I do not remember, I just remember not wanting to parish and return to someone. Yet I can't remember who?" they said with a confused look in their eyes. " Why do you travel?"

"That is not important," I said simply.

"So why do your eyes appear so sad?" They asked again.

"What do you mean?" I asked them.

"You seem lonely. Can I travel with you, just till I find my answer," They begged?

Staring at their sparkling face, I couldn't shake that feeling of familiarity. Still, if they really are a tiny few of Khaenri'ahen that survive, and didn't turn into monsters. I guess their companionship would be fine I suppose.

"If that is what you wish I won't stop you, but I will be following dangerous monsters. I will not always be able to protect you, so follow at your own risk," I warned them.

"Thank you, Mr... Umm,"

"Dainseif," I answered. ," And what of your name?"

"Mr.Dainseif," They smiled warmly

"I don't remember my name, I'm not sure if I have one," The being said.

"Hmm, well from now on your name is... Jade," Dainseif said.

"Well, my name is jade. Mr.Dainseif,"

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

It has been 500 years since the fall of Khaenri'ah.

I have been traveling with Jade for almost as long, even when they learned many things of me. Even when the abyss princess offered Jade the option to join her and her war on destiny, Jade always remained by my side.

"Why didn't you leave with Lumine, jade?" I asked them.

"I understand her, but I don't think the entire fall of Khaenri'ah is your fault. And I don't think you're a bad person, so you must be doing this for a good reason," Jade smiled.

"No, I'm doing this for a selfish reason. The gods of Celestia promised me, that if I take down the abyss, they would return Y/n to me," Dainseif said with a sad and bitter look on his face," I was foolish to accept, but I now know better to anger the gods."

"You must really love this Y/n. That so sweet," Jade smiled warmly.

"I think they would have agreed with you, but it's unlikely they would actually return them to me," I explained.

"Well, it wouldn't be godly of them if they don't uphold their own promise right?" Jade asked.

"I suppose, but who can say," I said as a sigh escaped my lips." I really do hope Y/n is waiting for me at the end of this journey."

"So it's off to mondstadt right?" Jade asked with an excited smile on their face.

"Yes,"

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

In mondstadt we met a very odd but familiar-looking traveler, he looked very similar to Lumine, but with longer hair and different clothing. With him a floating child accompanied him, they seemed to be interested in Mr.Dainsleif. Soon they accompanied us on the hunt for the abyss herald. Soon we found ourselves in wolvendom

"Stay here Jade, I'm going to look around for further clues. If danger comes around, just find me, or run to safety and I'll come and find you," Dainsleif said gently to me.

"Alright, be careful," I said with slight worry on my face.

Dainsleif nodded as he patted my head softly. As I waited for his return My mind tried to dig further into my hazier memories. She remembers running with someone pulling her past the destruction of Khaenri'ah. Yet I was pulled from my thoughts when the traveler and Paimon shortly arrived.

"Oh, where did Dain go?" Paimon asked.

"He went to investigate the area further," I answered." He'll be back soon."

" O-oh alright. Hey, Jade right? So how long have you been traveling with Dain?" Piamon asked.

"For as long as I can remember," I answered simply.

"What is Dain like, if I may ask?" aether asked.

"Well. When I first met him, he was quiet and hard to talk to since he mostly kept to himself," I said, as I thought back. " Though Know he is very caring in his own way, and he is very lonely behind his stoic face."

"Lonely? W-what makes you say that?" Paimon asked.

"Well, a long time ago he lost his lover. And at times, I think he projects them onto me," I said slowly.

"What do you mean?" Aether asked.

"Sometimes when he is in time of sorrow, he would hug and hold me close, and whisper sweet things to me, but the name he calls is Y/n," I said sadly." The next day he would ask me to forget about it."

"Wha that so sad, Paimon feels sorry for him," Painmon frowns.

"What about you? Why do you travel with him?" Aether asked.

"At first I simply followed in hopes to learn about myself, and why I am this way along my journey with Dainsleif. Maybe learn what I have forgotten, but know I follow Dainsleif to keep him company. I can learn about my origins after Dain finishes his journey." I smiled.

But before we could continue our conversation, abyss mages and hilicurls appeared. They surrounded us as they slowly closed in on us. Aether readied his sword, as I unsheathed my sword as well.

The fight was tough, I got scrapped and chipped along the way but we managed. It of now was an ice shard flew past and cracked a good chunk of my face. Half of my face was broken off, but thankfully traveler made quick work of the monster.

"Ahh! Jade are you okay?!" Paimon gasped.

"I'm fine, thou could you help look for my face?" I asked.

"Jade!" Dainsleif called out.

I slowly and nervously turned to face Dain. As I slowly opened my one eye and saw the sadness and worry in his eyes.

" What happened? I thought I told you to run away at the first sign of danger," Dainsleif said as he cupped my cheek and held me close.

" We were surrounded, there was no choice but to fight," I said to him.

"You need to be careful, you're too fragile," Dainsleif sighed as his fingers traced the cracks on my face. As I stared I could see he wasn't seeing me.

"I'm fine, I just need the left side of my face," I said as I looked away.

"Y/- Jade, please be careful," Dain stuttered as he looked away bashfully," I'm sorry."

--------

Soon the two groups parted ways as Aether and Paimon watched them leave.

"Wow, Dain must really miss this Y/n person if he mistakes two different people," Paimon sighed sadly.

"Something tells me there destiny and journey are more intertwined then they relieaze," Aether said veguly.

"What makes you say that?" Paimon asked.

"Aether is not wrong about that," Venti said as he suddenly appeared.

"AHHH! Tone deaf bard what are you doing here?!" Paimon gasped.

"I was around dragon spire for awhile. Those two have such a tragic story," Venti frowned sadly.

"What do you mean?" Paimon asked

"The princess the knight searches for has always been by his side, and the companion made of beautiful jade's answer had always been beside them," Venti said sadly as he strumd his lyre.

[shimmershae]

The more I think about it, the more “Find Me” feels like an echo of “Ghosts.”

Allow me to explain.  In probably the most rambling and incoherent way possible, lol.  My earlier post on Twitter about Season 10 being an exercise in grief and longing really got me to thinking.  Not just thinking.  Ruminating.  

Anywho.  

Posting the rest of this beneath a cut because nobody asked for this (I swear I haven’t imbibed or ingested any illegal substances).  

It doesn’t take long for Carol to be established as an unreliable narrator in “Ghosts.”  At first it isn’t completely obvious because there’s just enough fact in the fiction that Carol’s triggered brain stirs up.  Daryl’s there and he’s concerned about her.  He’s supportive.  Both things he’d been before, especially since Henry’s death, but there are just enough elements in those chemically and grief induced hallucinations of hers that make you go--oh wait a minute.  Like she’s having a break from reality but she’s desperately grasping for that which grounds her and that’s Daryl.  

Am I making any sense here?  I feel like I’m not.  

Let me approach this from another angle.  

Following the airing of “Find Me” various people mentioned that Daryl, similarly to Carol in “Ghosts” wasn’t exactly the most reliable narrator.  That things weren’t necessarily as they seemed.  The word toxic was bandied about but other than Leah giving Daryl an ultimatum to choose her over his family and Daryl dwelling in deep, longstanding depression?  There wasn’t much else overtly deserving of that moniker. 

Argh.  I’m still not explaining myself well.  Let me just jump right in the deep end of probable delusion here.  Sometimes it’s fun to splash around, lol.   

Wouldn’t it be wild—sad AF but still wild—if Leah was already dead when Daryl met her?  

Bear with me here.   

Like Carol in “Ghosts” Daryl is obviously struggling.  He’s grief-stricken.  His brother is lost to him and after he betrayed him no less.  His close friend is mired in her own grief--she’s just lost her mate, probably recently discovered she was carrying RJ, and it wasn’t too long before that they had all lost Carl.  And that’s not even considering Carol, who’s allowed herself to be pulled away, lured by the tantalizing chance of doing things right this time.  Of rearing a child capable of surviving in the harsh world they live in.  Another thing to remember is Daryl is not that far removed from his torture at Negan’s hands.  So he’s more fragile than he’d willingly admit to anyone.  

He’s searching the woods for a man that isn’t there.  Now he’s no more aware that Rick was taken than the rest of Team Family, but he’s unwilling to give up hope and so he searches and because Rick’s not there and hasn’t been since shortly after that bridge blew up, Daryl’s doomed to always come up empty.  To always feel disappointment.  To never have his grief assuaged because as long as there’s no body in the form of a Walker, there’s still hope.  Or plausible denial.  Take your pick.  

He’s tireless in his search.  He’s methodical.  He plots out the places he’s already scoured on a hand-drawn map.  A map that just so happens to get ruined by an awful storm and Daryl seems to reach his breaking point, screaming out into the roar of that storm.  Walking through the barrage, the harsh rain and the violent lightning, unconcerned for his safety.  

Dude has a bit of a mental break.  He’s undeniably emotional.  

It’s not long after that he stumbles upon Dog.  Or, more aptly, Dog stumbles upon him.  

That puppy immediately lightens Daryl’s heavy heart and helping it find its way home gives him purpose.  He’s a tracker after all.  He could have easily traced Dog’s steps back to that cabin.  

Funny that Dog was always coming to him.  That he was roaming free in woods that were full of hidden dangers.  

I don’t know about the rest of ya’ll but that cabin looked abandoned when Daryl first discovered it.  Maybe not long abandoned, but it didn’t look inhabited by the living. And that’s the weird thing.  How did that Walker get into the cabin?  Did Leah just leave the door wide open for it?  Did she also leave the door wide open for Dog to escape?  Why was he always such an unaccompanied furry minor? 

The thoughts swirling around in my brain, lovelies.  They’re going to force me to go back and watch that fucking episode again aren’t they?

My point is that Dog essentially leads Daryl to the cabin. The Walker’s inside and then he stumbles upon Leah, who bursts onto the scene like she wants to be Sarah Connor or something. Daryl ends up in restraints and Leah questions him and ultimately lets him go and WTF, lovelies.  Who does that in the ZA?  As a woman all alone in a cabin miles from anybody else, in the company of a man she doesn’t know from Adam?  If ever there’s a time to have stranger danger...

Right from the start, this chick doesn’t really add up.

So Daryl leaves the cabin.  He resumes his search for Rick and he seems to give very little thought to this Leah or the cabin.  Until Dog finds him again.  

Strange isn’t it that he keeps stumbling back in her path around the times that Carol visits, when she draws further and further from his reach and closer to the fairytale he thinks she’s living at the Kingdom?  

Did Daryl ever go to that cabin without following Dog? I can’t remember.  The episode was beautifully shot but ultimately too painful to rewatch for my Caryl loving heart.  

Anywho.  

When Daryl and Carol come upon that cabin in the woods, Daryl’s flashbacks begin.  They’re hazy around the edges and not as clearly defined as the moments he spends with Carol.  Speaking of the moments he spends with Carol, how coincidinky that so many of them echo his moments with Leah?  Or do we have it all backwards?  Hmm?  

Things are so convoluted sometimes on this fucking show it leads one to question their sanity.  

Let me ramble out a few wild thoughts for you lovelies again and you tell me if I’ve completely lost it, lol.  

What if Dog was simply an orphaned, abandoned Dog that found Daryl in the woods?

What if Daryl followed the trail Dog had traveled in reverse and stumbled upon the cabin?  

What if the cabin was abandoned because Leah was already dead?  What if she’d taken her own life?  What if Daryl saw the cross/grave outside and the picture inside and his grief-stricken brain conjured up a whole tragic story for this woman, this Walker roaming around inside this house, and she became his coping mechanism?  You know.  Kind of like Rick did Lori when he had his own break with reality.  They’ve all suffered so much, lovelies.  They’ve all got PTSD.  It’s just manifesting in different ways.  

I mean, all of this would fit the label of sad that NR and others have given this little tale.  It would even fit toxic because Daryl let grief and loneliness swallow him for a while.  

As Carol pulls farther away from him, Leah just keeps popping up more and more.  

Daryl essentially loses himself in his own fairy tale only it’s a nightmare painted in soft colors and Leah asking him to choose is basically his own psyche saying to him “do you wanna live here in this fantasy land and numb your pain or do you want to relive the awful reality of Rick being lost and Carol slowly fading from your life day by day?”  And at first he’s like, you can’t make me make that choice because Daryl doesn’t want to give up hope, no matter how futile it seems.  But then Carol makes what she tells him might be her final visit for a while and anger leads Daryl right back to that fucking cabin and oblivion.  Back to the solitude of his tortured thoughts.  

That note, lovelies.  It felt like by choosing Leah he was choosing a lifetime of being alone more than it did him choosing the hope of a new love.  That “find me” for all the world felt like he was willing hope to find him again.  Hope in the form of love in the form of Carol.  

Listen.  I never said this would make sense, lol.  

When Daryl gets back to that cabin, Leah is gone.  Her picture is gone. 

Truly it felt like she’d never been there.  

Even more so when you consider how run down the cabin looks in present day when Daryl and Carol seek shelter in it.  

I can’t help it.  Some small part of me?  Well, it thinks that Daryl told Carol about Leah (whether she existed or not) as a way to both make her feel better than he wasn’t out there in those woods completely alone and to maybe move the needle a little bit on the nature of their own relationship.  Both in the past and present day.  

And while he and Carol are struggling through the ever-shifting nature of their feelings for each other, Daryl has climbed out of his own darkness and found hope again in Judith and RJ.  In the family he’s embraced again. In the communities.  And he’s angry and unsettled because he wants the same for Carol but she doesn’t seem to want that for herself.  

He still wants her to find hope.  

He still wants her to find him.  

He still wants her to find love and peace.  

Help me, lovelies.  These two have broken me, lol.  I promise.  I’m stone cold sober.  A little, okay a lot, tired.  

Wouldn’t it be wild, though?  If Leah really wasn’t what she seemed?  If she were a figment of a broken, lonely man’s tortured imagination?  

Undeniably sad AF but wild all the same.