#aphrpw

[fyeahitachu]

Couldn't find who to credit so please let me know and I'll update here

[debuarts]

Lmao I’m still gonna finish it but this is what I had so far for @aphrarepairweek2016 s dawn and dusk theme a night with DenAme ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[snowdelion]

bohomianunicorn said: pls bring aphrpw back 

yo man if people show enough interest and i manage to get the time i could do it, but is that something you guys want omg?

[rakuraiwielder]

Felicity

Kiss Challenge–On the Hand

SweHun, requested by epaire

(There is context for this one. An entire au worth actually.)

Felicity

——————————————

Light from the sun filters through the stained glass, casting multi-coloured shadows on the darkened floors of smooth hall. A pair of footsteps travelled through the deserted corridor, faint clicks tapping on the smoothened and polished stone as they came to a halt next to a great ornate door. The figure knocks the doorknob once before entering, closing the door shut for a privacy she wants to give only to one other person.

The throne room was empty, but this the knight ignores as she walks to the furthest end of the room, pulling apart an ordinary curtain of fabric bearing the kingdom’s crest that hung stark over the uppermost left corner of the wall to expose a hidden stairway. Ascending to the very top, she comes upon a secret room with no door, sights set on the single person looking out of the inconspicuously built balcony. With a graceful flourish she kneels and the man turns, sunlight catching on the decorated gemstones that sat on the crown upon his head.

“Eliza.” There was a patronising glint in the King’s eyes, but with a shake of her head the Knight remained stiff and on ceremony. Younger memories of secret play dates and the countless run-ins with the guards in the gardens spew to the edge of her mind, but she pushed them away in favour of the subject of trouble in her head. His Majesty was her master; the only one she lived to serve the moment she was born, but for an even longer time, he was her best friend, and the weight of a sincere childhood promise had grown heavy from timeless mulling.

Her wants might be selfish, but she would take the chance to see the promise fulfilled. Berwald the King might not understand, but perhaps Berwald her friend and confidant would.

“You once said that you would give me anything I so desire,” she begin quietly, watching the way her King return her stare with a softness that was never present in the company of any of his other subjects. “What if what I solely want is my freedom?”

She regrets the words that leave her mouth immediately when the cerulean in his eyes dimmed, notable confusion and unhappiness flickering over his visage. She does not want to leave his side, but he had to have noticed; for months everything she spoke of was of travels and faraway lands, the wistfulness burning in her eyes as she looked over the horizon. Her whole life was spent following him, now she wanted to follow her own way. That did not mean that she wasn’t conflicted in her actions though. To use their bond as leverage was as awful and guilt-wrecking as she had imagine it to feel, but she could not think of any other way. Even now, a part of her whispers foolish, for what king would allow the loss of his first-in-command and an important asset to the country.

Her anxious wait was interrupted at the rustling of heavy cloth. Larger hands touch and lift her palm up gently before laying a kiss below her knuckle, finding the way she gaped at him with horrified mortification amusing.

“Then I release you from my service,… Lady Héderváry.” There was a sadness within him even as his mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. It befuddled her as she snatched her hand back with spluttering words on the tip of her tongue, for things were not supposed to be this easy.

A king can never do that to his knight.

Why are you letting me go this easily? Don’t I mean something important to you?

But then again, she wasn’t his anymore, was she?

[wasaphaxispowers]

Poland/Canada, please! It's a really cute ship

i've rewritten this fic as well because of the wait!! i'm still extremely sorry because of my computer problems, and i hope that this is okay!

word count: 380

There had never been a time in Feliks’ life that he had thanked himself more than the day that he boarded a plane from Poland to North America, for choosing himself such an exceptional boyfriend that just so happened to be free more than other countries. There had always been a wonder as to why that would flitter through his head, but he didn’t think it was important--especially when it meant that he could visit him far often than any other country he could have dated.

Now, however… He wished that he hadn’t came. Surely he could have made the other come to Poland to avoid something like this, but he honestly hadn’t expected such a sharp change in weather. Sitting beside Matthew in the light of candles would have been so romantic, if it wasn’t for the harsh winds causing the house to creak so loudly he could barely think or the snow that pelted itself wetly against the window.

It would only be a few minutes before the windows would be completely blocked out with snow, he told himself. Commenting on it aloud however, Canada told him that he was being ridiculous. With a small frown he slipped closer to his boyfriend, the smell of pine from the candles and the natural scent of the blonde mixing into a somehow pleasant aroma.

“Besides, Feliks, don’t you get snow at your home as well?” Canada asked him matter-of-factly. Poland’s eyes had been drooping, along with his entire upper body, but when he heard the question he hastily sat back up, looking at him in complete disbelief.

“Yes, Matt. I get snow. But I’m not attacked by it!” The Pole exclaimed, his eyes wide and mouth curled into a deep frown. “I actually cannot believe this is the norm here. It’s even worse that you don’t have a generator!”

Canada gave him a sheepish smile, hand moving to cover Poland’s in an attempt to calm him down once again. “It doesn’t seem that important. I have candles and a heater, don’t I?”

With a harsh sigh, Feliks threw himself against Matthew’s chest with a thump. “You’re, like, some type of cheapskate who’s part idiot.”

Canada didn’t argue with him, just pulling the blanket around so it covered them both.

[ffnothingicansay]

Serendipity [Part 1]

During APHRPW, I promised someone a CanIta short story since I fell in love with the pair. So here, I've written the first part. There's more coming, but I'm not gonna tag them under the aphrpw tag anymore. And just incase you get lost, you can always head over to the 'Snippets' tag to see a chronological arrangement of the parts. Enjoy!

CHARACTERS: Matthew Williams & Feliciano Vargas

PAIRING: CanIta

The first time Matthew had met him was when he went ice skating on a cold winter's night.

He was mainly ambling around in peace, swaying from side to side as he traveled across the ice. Snow hasn't fallen just yet, but Matthew could feel it in the air that tonight, he'd be able to witness the first fall. He could imagine what he could've done; spread out his arms maybe and spin around slowly with his gaze turned up to the heavens. But then it would be oh so very melodramatic and therefore cliche that it wouldn't look exactly romantic or photogenic;he'd look oh so very stupid actually. So he opted for going with a gentler approach instead which was to just catch the snowflakes as they fell.

Matthew continued skating, gracefully gliding across the ice as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. He was used to it by now; being a hockey player and all. He tuned out the sounds of everything around his as a commotion broke out of the ice somewhere. It was probably just kids playing around with a hockey stick and trying to play; only to end up falling or something. It sounded like that with the way the shrill cries of excitement sounded as well as the blurring figures of people skating away.

"Lovino! Stop!" A voice yelled and Matthew's ears perked up for a moment. He looked up, violet eyes filled with questioning as a figure came barreling into his direction. "Excuse me! Out of the way!" The person cried out, and Matthew began to stumble away. He was too slow though, and figured tumbled straight into him.

Matthew's legs lost balance as he felt them knot together. Suddenly he was falling, a split second of gravity pulling his body down. One minute, he was staring dumbly and trying to get away, and before he could even blink, he was staring right up into the night sky, an extra weight on his body as he heaved in the breath that had escaped him from the fall.

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" The mass of body exclaimed as he looked up at Matthew's dumbstruck face. worry was apparent in the amber eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked as he crawled off and knelt by Matthew's side.

The blond sat up and rubbed the back of his head. He winced in pain when he realized his body was sore from the impact. He looked to the other man. "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?"

The only response he got was an overenthusiastic nod.

Mathew sighed. "Sorry about that." He apologized quickly as he pushed himself up on the ice. He held out a hand at the sitting brunette. He took the offer and got up to his feet with Matthew's aid.

Gravity must be pulling their leg since the brunette ended up tilting backwards as his foot slipped forward and his grip had tightened around Matthew's hand. then end up tumbling back down on the ice, kinda like dominoes.

Matthew ended up a little frayed and sheepish as he crawled off the petite, but the brunette merely sat up, stared at him and burst out laughing. In the moment, a snowflake fell and they both stop. Their gazes rest on the heavens as they watch the snow fall slowly, dotting the earth with white as a sign that winter has officially come.

Matthew's gaze focus on the brunette before him, who looks back at him. He smiles at him, a charming full grin. Matthew felt compelled to smile back.

[winterlitany]

Greece x Romania

I might be the only one who ships them but that's okay |': 

(most) of their history is cute. they are cute.

i'll draw the rest of my otps later

[fyeahitachu]

New Itachu AMV

https://moonshadow0989.deviantart.com/art/Itachu-AMV-I-m-Still-Here-719868077

[streamingwords]

Tune Up Turn On

One of the drabbles that I missed getting done in time for Rare Pair week.

Pairing:  PrUK

Prompt:  Automobile servicing

Pock -- I'd say this one's definitely for you.

For whatever reason, Gilbert woke in the morning and decided it was a great day for checking automobiles.  He announced this over a mug of coffee, across the table to where his lover was drinking tea.  Arthur's blank stare over the rim of his teacup indicated that he did not favor this idea in the slightest and -- with the subtle downward curl of his lips -- also lacked any interest in assisting the Prussian in that endeavor.  Whatever mighty need had sprung up in Gilbert to spend his time playing in motor oil and car-related fluids did not resonate with the Englishman.  He wished Gilbert good luck before excusing himself to his office. That didn't mean that Gilbert was left entirely unsupervised.  Arthur was prone to worry enough that he peeked his head into the garage now and then to check that the albino hadn't managed to lose limbs, fingers, or suffered any related injuries.  When he was sure that he had nothing else to do that would provide him a worthy excuse, Arthur finally came ambling out into the garage with a tray carrying two glasses of fresh lemonade.  (Well, mainly just water with lemon chunks in it.) (Okay.  They were just whole lemons shoved in water but the fact is he tried.) By this time, the hood was up on both of their automobiles.  None of it made any sense to Arthur.  He was a creature of nature; of air and earth and mystical, things that often twinkled for reasons unknown.  Gilbert was all steel and technology; a master of those modern concepts that boggled the Englishman's mind.  ("Did you know I can send pictures to my computer from my mobile phone?"  "Wow.  Congratulations, Art.  Figure that one out on your own?") Arthur moved near where Gilbert's slim body was bent, hovering curiously.  The Prussian's hands were working with ease.  Gilbert had worn one of his old T-shirts, the plain black worn from too many washings and a size too large.  His hands and forearms were marked up with grease, though his fingers didn't stumble as he operated the tool in his grip.  He turned his head to flash a toothy grin.  "Come to help me out?" "I'd just muck it up."  Arthur murmured with the confidence of a man who often mucked up simple tasks.  He couldn't help that his mind tended to wander when doing mundane tasks outside of cleaning, gardening or projects that were more in line with his interests.  "You seem to be getting along just fine on your own.  What exactly is it you're doing?" The Prussian shrugged.  "Just a tune-up.  I haven't checked over my baby recently.  And by the looks of things beneath the hood of your car, it hasn't seen a service shop in awhile.  Rather than spending the money getting someone else to search through it, I figured I'd do it on my own." Arthur nodded, his own body curling forward beneath the propped hood to peek in upon the motor.  "Is this something you have a knack for?  You Germans and your engineering finesse?" "Yes and no.  Mostly I picked up the car stuff from my Soviet days.  You can't imagine how often everyone's shit was breaking down then.  Learning how to fix motors seemed useful knowledge to have and I picked it up pretty quick."  Gilbert answered.  The fact that he spoke so casually of that time -- regularly an avoided subject -- proved just how invested the Prussian was in his current project. Arthur let it slip, instead just grunting acknowledgment.  He found even less interest in the car's motor when Gilbert stretched further inside, leaving the Englishman with a glimpse of skin beneath the hem of his shirt.  Green eyes grew fixated on that strip of white peeking out, framed by denim jeans and black.  Was it natural to describe someone's skin as 'tasty' without it sounding too creepy?  He licked his lips anyway. Somehow, this was all Gilbert's fault.  There he was, looking so tantalizing bent over a car, twisting a wrench(?) on a little doo-hickey(probably not the technical term), showing off that sinful skin like an advertisement for Arthur's libido to take a holiday all over it. Gilbert fortunately had no objections when his lover was suddenly inspired to sandwich him to the grill of the car with his body.  He might have laughed at how quickly Arthur's mind had lapsed on the issue of getting covered in car grease, if not for the teeth that were biting at his throat from behind with enough force that the Prussian decided being quiet would probably save him from a horrible back ache later. (Arthur commented afterwards that Gilbert was free to tune-up the cars whenever he pleased, so long as he warned him in advance to avoid ruining a shirt in the future.)

[snowdelion]

"This isn’t exactly what I had in mind." SweGer, maybe? Many thanksss.

Classical music can be heard all through-out the small apartment, filling up the empty rooms with the sound of Mozart and Basch. Occasionally the image of calm and serenity is broken by a grunt, or a low swear.

"Aj, min höft…" Ludwig opens the door to the apartment only to hear his partner complain in Swedish, rubbing his hip. He raises an eyebrow and puts the boxes he was carrying down on the floor, watching Berwald with what seems like amusement.

"This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I said maybe we needed to do something new." Berwald looks at him and rolls his eyes, turning the music down a notch.

"Was goin’ to do this sooner or later anyway." Ludwig shrugs and steps inside the apartment, dropping the keys on the small table they’d dragged here all the way from the train station. It was no higher than Ludwig’s leg, but it was heavy as hell and once it was inside they just let it be.

[rakuraiwielder]

百鬼繪卷

The world could never replace half this lifetime with thou. China. Vietnam. ChuViet. Red Star Pair.

(I'm sure a few of you aphrpw browsers are still there, so up here I post.)

百鬼繪卷-Chinese origin; lit, handscroll of one hundred demons

"Do you have to go?"

Slender hands stop their movement of folding in the pristine white fan as their owner turn his attention elsewhere. Gentle honey lift to meet tentative amber, the shade of colour so similar to his that he might as well be looking at himself. The owner of his attention shifted slightly away from his gaze, exposing the curve of her neck to him in the process. His heart skipped, and he wondered idly if she would allow him to reach out and tuck the strands of messy brown behind her ear.

Pieces of talismans crinkle beneath his fingertips and somewhere the caw of a rooster echoed the coming dawn. The weight of his sword hung acutely by his waist, serving as a reminder of the imminent event. Yet he smiled, unworried, eyes holding nothing but adoration for the figure in front of him.

"Will you miss me?"

"No." The reply came back far too fast and far too sharp, the contrast to her previous whisper startlingly different, causing him to smile tenderly at her reddening ears.

"Can you sing for me?"

"No." Yet again, the bare hitch of her voice was there. Yao wanted to so very much to touch her but had to refrain himself at the last minute. He couldn't touch her now, he didn't think he could bear it if he did.

"Then, will you at least pray for me, revered shrine maiden?"

At that she turned finally to face him, amber eyes glinting with what he hoped was longing and sadness for his coming departure. "You are an idiot. Capable men do not need blessings to succeed."

"Maybe so," he mused as he tilted his head playfully, "but all the same, I believe in it, and it would be an honour to receive one from as great as you."

At that she sighed deeply, hands moving away from their position over her stomach. "You are such a ludicrous man." Stepping towards him, her hands came to brush against the fabric of his clothes. Her eyes slipped close, and Yao watched as her lips parted to form murmured words of protection and favour. Her eyelids fluttered, and when she finished, her hand hovered, as if unsure of where to go.

Silently, his hands moved to clasp hers against his chest, head bending to press a kiss against her forehead chastely. She inhaled sharply at his touch, lip trembling as her eyes remained close.

"Wait for me." His whisper caressed her ear.

"I don't have a choice in that matter." Her reply was equally soft.

"Of course you do." His reply was laced with hurt as they held their embrace. "I would never force you to do something you wouldn't want."

"I know that. But your leaving complicates things. I have to entertain you again when you return, don't I not? No one else wants to. You are essentially forcing me to stay here."

His surprise came in the form of a smile. "Then I will come back with haste, so you would not be trapped any longer than you have to." The tinkling of wind chimes soothed their ears as he released her, delighted at the hidden meaning of her words. "I swear this upon my word as a warrior."

.

.

.

拢扇

山河皆寂灭 风云聚散只刹那

Folding the Fan,

Mountains and rivers reduced to rubble. Winds and clouds were summoned in a twinkle.

Yao moved with poise, hands flying and scattering talismans on the ground. Beneath him, the Demon twisted, evading his spells and sword easily while keeping on the same unnerving smile on its human face. Brow narrowing, he flicked his wrist, the white fan sending a gust of wind that destructed the rocks in its way.

Spinning, he arced his sword, slashing open the seam of the Demon's robe, nicking it in the process. "Fool." Frowning now, the Demon moved a hand, and a wave of power flung the blade out of his grasp. It raised his arm, and on cue the smaller demons by its side rushed to surround him, forcing him back.

Yao opened his mouth, shouting words of divine power, fan slamming any creature near him into dust.

拈诀

八方妖魔 满目 魑魅魍魉厮杀

Holding the Incantation,

Demons and spirits from all direction. An eyeful of Devils and monsters killing the another.

The summoned came, flashes of colour clashing with soulless black. Screams and wails of unearthly proportions filled his ears as he struggled to regain his bearings. In the midst of pandemonium, he searched frantically for the leader.

A shadow casted over him, and he ducked, slapping a talisman on the offending demon. The creature wailed and dissolved in a mix of dust. Fanning gusts of hurricanes to the masses, Yao ran down the barren field, following the direction the demons came from.

Incantations fell from his lips, pooling endlessly into spells of liberation, clearing the way for him to proceed. Ruì Shī pounced on unlucky demons while mountain spirits crush them into smithereens, but the object of his fixation was not within the masses of crawling black.

Jumping onto fallen rubble, Yao sliced his way through the thick wave of demons, unflinching as he moved with purpose. Hopping on the tips of broken rock, he soon found himself staring at the Demon, who stood at the highest point of the crumbled mountain.

"Stop this!" He shouted, eyes flashing with radiant fire. The protective spells he wore casted a heavenly glow upon him, making him look almost celestial like. The Demon smirked at him, black eyes shifting into bright bright red, and Yao could not help the angry cluck of his tongue when a pair of black wings sprouted out of its back.

咒结

十万寒鸦也不过天狗幻化

Casting the Spell,

Ten of thousands of ferocious crows are no more than incantations of Tengu.

Devil. Not Demon, but Devil.

Yao cursed as the winged man fired spells in his way. Jumping into the air, he let loose a torrent of sharp winds. Waving the fan harshly, he yelped in pain as a sharp prick of falling splinter bore blood on his arm.

Shooting a glance upwards, he inhaled sharply as noticed the Devil muttering a spell. Black caws and feathers shot down like arrows, blanketing the sky into temporary night. Crow upon crow lunge at him with beaks of the sharpest steel and claws of the keenest poison. They smashed into his barrier, forming indents and tiny ripples on the dome, the force causing him to stumble as he ran.

Yao could feel his barrier breaking, tiny cracks deepening on the dome. He changed tactic.

Running straight for the Devil, he uttered incantations of the strongest calibre, uncaring of the sudden drain of his inner energy. The crows were repelled away, giving him a clear shot at the target.

Black feathers continue to fall as he thrust the tip of the fan straight at his target...

倾轧

血亦为剑何惧怕

Annihilation.

Blood would be my sword cutting off the fear.

And fell, body slamming hard against the rubble from metres in the air. The fan fell from his grip as he wheezed in pain. He was too late.

In the midst of his darkening vision, Yao could hear footsteps walking towards him. His lungs were punctured, back impaled by the splinters on the ground, and right leg twisted in a morbid position. Hands shaking uncontrollably, he lifted the edges of his palm, desperately holding on to the final talisman in his arsenal of weapons, feeling his blood soaking the soil.

The Devil stopped in front of him, and he blinked painfully at the sight of the blade in its hands. His blade.

So this was how he would end.

He moved his hand, only to groan in agony as the Devil placed a foot on his stomach. The talisman fluttered to the ground uselessly, its edges soaked with red. His vision blurred further as the Devil lifted the end of the sword, and Yao blinked sluggishly as he struggled to stay awake.

He could not die. He had promised. She would never trust him again.

The sword plunged down, and Yao felt darkness swallow him whole.

.

.

.

She had left to find him, seeing a vision so horrid that she had to prevent it from ever coming into fruition. She only wishes that she could have arrived sooner.

The land was barren, not a trace of creature, mortal or celestial, to be seen. The silence was deafening and the air so still. There was no blood, no burns, no tears of fabric on the ground, but Lien could not shake off the feeling that somehow something was wrong.

Manoeuvring through the rubble, she froze once noticing the slip of tattered talisman on the ground. Running now, she darted past a row of splintered rock and through the delicate crevice made by fallen stone, her clothing fluttering behind her.

The further she persisted, the bigger the number of torn talismans she saw appeared. Prayer slips and empty vials of holy water littered the dusty ground, and she could not help the horrified gasp from escaping her throat at the sight of a familiar fan, once beautiful and infused with power, now broken and dyed brown with mud.

As though in a trance, Lien turned her head slowly. Her eyes found the unmoving figure on the ground, and immediately her fingers clenched into tight fists by her side. Inching her way forward, she approached the body heavily and stood over it, her figure casting a mournful shadow over the man she knew and cared so much for.

"You always were a troublesome one. But even I didn't expect this." She moved to pull the forsaken sword out of Yao's chest, before buckling her knees to kneel by his frozen body. Her hands came to grip his left palm, not caring of the blood that came to stain her clothes and hands.

His hand was cold, so very cold, and laced with deep cuts, blood staining its path of flow. His clothes, always so clean and neat, were now tattered and soaked with his liquid essence. His honey eyes, once so vibrant with mirth were now glazed with a film of death. Looking at him now, Lien wanted very much to scream with rage, anger, helplessness. Strange then, for she swore she had the energy to do just that a moment ago.

"Oh Yao..." Pressing his palm tightly against her chest, she let the tears fall. "Out of all the promises to break, why this one? Do you know," she squeezed harder until the pressure against her chest became almost unbearable, "how much trouble you have given me now? I have to finish your job you know? Maybe if I pressed harder, the pain in here won't hurt as much."

Amber orbs glinted with pained and love lost as she gazed at the bloody face of her lover gone. "Yao you fool, it hurts. It hurts so much."

.

.

.

"I have found you."

The Devil turned to regarded the shrine maiden with detachment, its eyes glowing red. In the dark of night, the wings on its back were more pronounced than before, and Lien noticed its visage morphing to that of a bird. Avian-like.

"Shrine maiden." The Devil stated lazily. "Your reverence, the strongest of the land. Do you think you can defeat me?"

Taking no heed of its words, Lien took her stance and close her eyes. Feeling the pulsing of the divine energy within her, she surge her energy into the ground, drawing power from the earth and activating her seals.

Hearing a guttural growl cut off abruptly behind her, she opened her eyes to find a lesser demon being destroyed by a glowing pentagon.

起舞

临月 舒霓裳

指点星斗步飞踏

First Dance

Beside the moon, Sleeves are billowing

Fingers touch the stars with steps twinkling over the sky.

Lien began to dance.

Murmuring incantations and directing the energy from the earth, she tossed countless spells one after the other at the attacking onslaught of screeching demons. Twirling in a circle, she directly her hands to the sky, her naked feet tapping on the ground gracefully. She stretched the arms into the air, palms moving to overlap one another before bringing her arms down in one swift motion.

Meteors flew from her seals in the sky, striking their mark on the demons below. Dodging claws and weapons, her hands moved swiftly, forming seals to trap, kill and defend. Her movement falter ever so slightly as she spun out an arrow's way, narrowly saving her leg.

Never taking her eyes off the Devil, she drew shapes in the air, granting wind and water material bodies. The elements morphed into serpentine beings, dragons and serpents infused with celestial power. They twined and twisted in the group of demons, breaking formations and striking strays not caught in pentagons or crushed by meteors.

再舞

众鬼退避 雷霆

一念神威叱咤

Another Dance

All demons are flinching, Thunderclap

One word released the invincible might.

Clasping both hands as if in prayer, Lien directed the action to the sky, mouth moving in synchronization to her rhythmic pattern. A pain shot through her heart, so sharp she had to gasp as it tore through her body.

Above, the sky rained lightning. Bolts of electricity zapped the earth, disintegrating anything it touched. Rock blasted apart, trees dropped their branches, water bubbled and spurt, while demons burned into nothing. Thunder came soon after, the sound hitting the core of demons with fear.

Cowering, trembling, the demons hissed and rumbled, unwilling to carry on but unable to leave under their master's command. Lien heaved, catching her breath as her body took the toil of the spell. A flame of black came towards her, looking almost greenish when illuminated by her lightning.

Leaping out of the way, Lien cried out as the blade managed to nick a deep wound at her left side. At the exact spot she was before, the Devil growled with malice, all remains of its once frigid calm now gone. It made to dash at her again, but she choose not to duck. Instead, she held her palms outwards, and uttered a single word.

And exhale.

The flash of light swept the whole of the barrier and its surroundings. Pure white holy light of the heavens. The demons cried in terror as they, blinded by the light, burned into wisps of smoke. Others were left to the mercy of the meteors and lightning. Lien could hear the Devil shrieking in pain and the clattering of metal on the ground.

The light faded, and with it her spells of water and wind. Thunder and rock.

终舞

谁拭我眼角契结与我天下

Last Dance

Who wiped away my tears And promised to be with me in the world?

The Devil's wings had burnt, the feathers having singed and peeled away to reveal bone. His scarlet orbs were glazed with agony, torment evident in its every movement. The demons, or what was left of them, took one look at their defeated master and attempted to flee. Every last one burned and died by the pentagrams embedded in and near the barriers formed by her seals.

The Devil turned and stumbled away as soon as it spotted her, eyes frenzied as it tried to make an escape. Hand leaving her dripping wound, Lien muttered an incantation, feet sweeping the floor in a wide arc. Barriers came to trap the Devil and it snarled, hitting the walls frenziedly.

Ignoring the small stabs of pain in her chest, Lien channelled whatever energy she had left, pooling celestial power from the stars and natural energy from the earth into her. With her body as the vessel, she called upon the spirits of the heavens, creatures of pure light capable of vanquishing the darkest of evils.

This is for Yao.

Her eyes glowed white, and she remembers nothing next.

.

.

.

The next thing she was aware of as she opened her eyes was the cold and pain in her side. Lien felt tired, so very tired as she lay there under the moon. Her spells had worn off, her last traces of strength and energy spent. She wanted very much to tend to the wound in her stomach, but even then she knew it was already too late.

Her organs were already shutting down.

Laying there, on the hard, cold earth as she looked up at the moon, Lien thinks this is the first in a long time since she has felt completely at peace. Strangely, she was not afraid of death. Perhaps the constant dabbling with the spirits had made her used to the notion of the afterlife and the spirit world.

The pain in her side had dimmed into fuzzy pinpricks, and she found it harder and harder to stay aware of her bearings. Maybe it was alright for her to die this way; she was the strongest, and the strongest always die young in battle. It was fitting. She had warded off evil from the land, and peace was ensured for at least a century. She had fulfilled her purpose, and Yao...

"Yao...," she slurred dimly to herself, "I would see him soon." The thought comforted her, and she settled down once more to watch the stars. Breathing started to hurt and she coughed, body convulsing weakly at the tiny motion.

It was time.

Lien smiled serenely as the life left her body. She took no notice of her blood soaking the earth, or the destroyed surroundings. She thought not of her responsibilities as shrine maiden, nor her power over spirits. Her last thoughts were hers and hers alone.

And she thought of a honey brown eyed man that made her heart soar.

天下

难抵这半世韶华

The world

Could never replace half this lifetime with thou.

A/N

Because my first wave of papers are done, you guys get this.

Inspired and written in the span of 10 hours in one sitting. Yolo much. The title, story and lyrics are taken directly from this song of the same title; 百鬼繪卷 by the Chinese Vocaloid Luo Tian Yi. Please listen to it! Congratulations to花之祭P, the composer of this brilliant song that made me write this out this with no regrets at all.

China is a 道士 (Dàoshi), a Taoist priest who practices alchemy and austerity, hence the talismans and summonings.

Translations:

Ruì Shī, 瑞獅-Guardian lions

[mint-conditionsnickerdoodles]

Egypt/Seychelles Skyrim AU [Chapter 1: Helgen]

Summary: The adventures of Hetalia characters in the world of Skyrim

Main Pairing: Egypt/Seychelles

Side pairing(s): To be announced

Author’s note: I've been planning this since the beginning of APHRPW [it's REALLY late, sorry], and I'm really excited to get to share it! Most of the pairings will come into play later on in the story. Human names are used [Arielle for Seychelles, more will be announced as the story progresses]. Will [hopefully] be updated weekly or bi-weekly. :D

His vision was blurred when he first opened his eyes. He could hardly make out the figures before him. Two of them, at least two other men. Slowly, it began to dawn on him just where he was. In the back of a carriage, bound for a destination yet unknown. He turned his head to look behind their wagon, noting two others in his.

What had happened? He couldn't quite remember. Everything was still a blur as the horse-drawn wagons moved on.

"Hey, you. You're finally awake?" the words cut into his thoughts, causing him to gasp before giving a small nod, "you were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us and that thief over there."

He turned his head to the second man he'd noted in the cart. "Damn you, Stormcloaks." the thief growled through gritted teeth, "Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I could've stolen that horse and be halfway to Hammerfell."

He could feel a frown beginning to tug at his lips as he listened to the horse thief, and let out a slight gasp as the thief turned attention to him. "You there. You and me - we shouldn't be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire wants." the thief said, shooting another glare at the Nord sitting across from him.

He began to tune the two out as he scanned their surroundings. Behind them was another carriage, also filled with prisoners. Among them was a woman. She looked rather frightened as she tugged at the bindings around her wrists with her teeth. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

He, too, began to tug at his own bindings. They were beginning to dig into his skin and sting. He let out a little groan--every tiny movement sent the fibers of the rope deeper into his skin. After what seemed like hours, their carriages pulled into a small town.

"This is Helgen. I used to be sweet on a girl from here. " the blonde Nord began as he looked about their surroundings, obviously reminiscing, "I wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with the juniper berries mixed in?"

"General Tullius, sir. The headsman is waiting." a soldier called out as the carriage pulled in. General Tullius replied with an urging for the carriages to hurry.

"Look at him. General Tullius the Military Governor," the blonde sneered quieting, a scowl upon his face, "and it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do with this."

He couldn't help but frown at the Nord's words. Not all elves were like the Thalmor. He shook his head and pushed the thought to the back of his mind as they were ordered to climb out of the carriages.

Once he saw what lay before them--a chopping block, and the executioner with axe in hand, his heart dropped. They were going to be executed. All of them. He began to struggle with his bindings again, only to have his attention drawn to the horse thief when he was called.

"Lokir of Rorikstead!"

"No! I'm not a rebel, you can't do this!" the thief cried out before beginning to run. He was shot down within seconds. It was an awful scene, but it let the prisoners know there was no escape.

A Stormcloak rebel was next, and his head was promptly taken by the axe. The Imperial captain, the one calling for the executions, stopped after calling out Ralof of Riverwood. She looked to the man, a scowl appearing on her face.

The man standing at the captain's side was frowning as well. "What's your name?" he asked. He seemed rather hesitant, glancing over at the captain every few seconds.

"I am Gupta of Valenwood." he replied quietly, his gaze level and stern. He wasn't going to let himself be intimidated, even in this dire situation. "Not many wood elves would choose to come alone to Skyrim." he noted, before turning to the captain, "he's not on the list. What should we do?"

"Forget the list!" the captain spat in response, "he goes to the block, Hadvar!"

With that, Gupta was forced forward. The High Elf he had noticed in the carriage behind his began to protest, but was struck by one of the soldiers. "You keep quiet, you traitor," he growled at her as Gupta was forced to his knees at the block.

As the axe was raised above Gupta, a mighty roar filled the air. The guards all looked skyward, their attention drawn away from the Wood Elf at the block. All he could do was gasp when a dragon came crashing down atop the tower, letting out a fiery breath.

He was nearly knocked unconscious by the blast, his world blurred before his eyes and darkened. When he regained his bearings, he heard a familiar voice, Ralof, urging him to his feet. At Ralof's side was the Altmer girl, the side of her face brusied slightly from the soldier's strike.

The three rushed to the nearest tower as chunks of burning rock and fireballs rained down around them. The ropes at Gupta's wrists were beginning to dig into his flesh again; he could hardly stand it. He wanted them off as soon as possible.

Once they had reached the tower, it became clear that the Altmer girl wasn't used to such strenuous activity. She was already out of breath, panting heavily as she leaned against Gupta without even realizing it.

Ralof was speaking with someone. Someone that Gupta recognized as the Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak. The pair were discussing what they had all just witnessed, Ralof expressing his disbelief as he tried to wrap his head around what was happening. The final words Ulfric Stormcloak spoke sent a chill down Gupta's spine: "Legends don't burn down villages."

Ralof then turned to the pair of elves and ordered them to head up the stairs, the girl kept panting with every step. When they had made it half-way up the flight of stairs, the wall exploded. The dragon burst through the wall, killing a Stormcloak soldier that had been resting on the second floor.

The dragon let loose a mighty breath of fire into the tower before taking flight once again. Gupta lept back, nearly loosing his balance. He would have fallen if the girl hadn't grabbed him. Once he was righted, he gave her a nod of thanks as the two were urged to leap down to the burning inn below.

The Wood Elf went first, rolling when he landed as to avoid injury. The girl followed, staggering and stumbling when she landed. She lost her balance, falling onto Gupta, causing him to let out a grunt.

"We have no time to waste. We must get going." he said to her as he jumped down to the ground floor through a hole that had been created by the dragon. She followed after him, staggering yet again but managing to stay upright this time.

When they were both on the ground, he took off, leading her through the door and out of the remains of the inn. Outside the inn was a group of men. One of whom was the man that had been at the Imperial captain's side.

He was kneeling by a boy and his injured father, trying to coax the boy away and out of harm's way. He was successful just in time, as the dragon swooped down, sending a shower of flames down over the man's body.

It was an awful sight, almost enough to make Gupta's stomach churn. But he held his composure, and helped the girl keep hers as well. When Hadvar noticed Gupta and his companion, he shouted at them.

"Still alive, prisoners? Stay close to me if you want to stay that way!" he instructed before beginning to run. Gupta followed close behind, followed by the high elf right behind him. As they passed by a half-destroyed building, the dragon landed on the ledge above their heads. It's wicked claws struck the earth right in front of the Wood elf's feet.

It didn't notice them, but Gupta found himself holding his breath in fear. His heart was pounding so hard, he feared it might burst from his chest. After the dragon had taken flight again, the three made their way to a small area free of debris, where a group of soldiers were trying their best to defend the town and townspeople.

They continued to run, Gupta's stomach still unsettled by all he had seen. But he let out a gasp when they ran into Ralof once again.

"Ralof, you damn traitor! Out of my way!" Hadvar commanded.

"We're escaping, Hadvar. You're not stopping us this time." the Stormcloak replied.

"Fine! I hope that dragon takes you all to Sovngarde!"

With that, both men ran to two doors of the keep. Gupta took a deep breath before running after Ralof. The girl followed his every step, her expression distraught as the dragon let out another mighty roar overhead.

Once they were inside the keep, Ralof cut the ropes binding the pair's wrists. Gupta let out a shaky breath as the air hit the wounds caused by the fibers. "Hn... thank you, Ralof." he managed quietly. The girl did the same, bowing her head in thanks.

There was a dead soldier in the first room of the keep--a former ally of Ralof's. As Gupta was freed, he was instructed to take the dead man's gear for himself. Fur boots, a cuirass, and an iron war axe. He gave it a few swings. He didn't like how it felt in his hands, but it was what he had at the moment.

As they approached the gate to the hallway, Ralof ordered them to take cover. Some Imperial soldiers were coming. A short but bloody battle ensued when they entered the room. The girl hung back, her eyes wide with terror as Ralof and Gupta killed the two Imperials.

Gupta took the sword and dagger from one of the Imperials' bodies, liking the feel of the short blade in his hand rather than the heavy axe. He gave the dagger a few swings, despite being injured himself. He watched Ralof search the other body and get the key to the keep.

They progressed down into the maze-like tunnels, stopping only to look for supplies. Gupta and the girl found a few potions each, tucking them away into their bags before the trio continued.

As they walked down a corridor, they stopped. Ralof was staring in horror and disgust. "Troll's blood! It's a torture room." he exclaimed quietly, before taking off into the room. A pair of Stormcloaks were fighting with their torturers, one had nearly been killed before Ralof took out his assailant.

Gupta defeated the other torturer, his heart pounding from the adrenaline. When the torturers were dead, and the Stormcloaks freed, Ralof instructed the pair of elves to search the room. He handed some lock picks to each of them, telling them to check the prisoner cells that were still locked.

Gupta nodded, beginning to pick the lock as quickly as he could. In no time at all, the door swung open and he stepped inside. There was a dead mage, beside his body was a small sack of gold. The bosmer picked it up and pocketed it. He also grabbed the spell book that lay beside the deceased mage's body.

He collected what he could, before finding a strange book on the table that stood by the central support beam of the room. 'The Book of the Dragonborn' was the title. He picked it up, tucking it into his bag. He had heard the word before, but wasn't quite sure what it meant.

When he had finished, he followed Ralof down the next hallway. The girl was waiting at Ralof's side for Gupta to catch up. "You take so long to keep up, Bosmer. It's like you aren't even concerned that there is a dragon out there." she mumbled quietly.

He frowned, but brushed off her comment with a shake of his head. Down either side of the corridor they were travelling through were cells. Some held skeletons, some were empty. Gupta unlocked the ones containing the bodies, checking each for any supplies they might hold.

The pair of elves followed Ralof until they came upon an opening in the cavern they had traveled into. Imperial soldiers were discussing their own plan of action as Ralof charged in. Another battle, and more injuries to the wood elf. The high elf hung back again, her hands glowing as she charged up to unleash a blast of fire.

When the soldiers had been killed, Ralof urged them to hurry on. Gupta paused only to take a bow and quiver from one of the bodies before they rushed through the nearest opening.

They made their way through the next tunnel, a wooden bridge was standing on end, blocking their path. It was easily remedied, being lowered by a lever. When they were all over the bridge, there was a crash behind them. Rocks had been dislodged by the dragon's rampage on the surface, crushing their bridge.

"Looks like we aren't going back that way." Ralof observed, shaking his head as they continued onward. There was a small stream running through the cave they had ended up in, and light was seeping through the ceiling.

They followed the tunnel to a fork, a sack of gold sat on a small rock shelf by a lantern. Gupta pocketed it before they turned to the tunnel on the right. The left was a dead end.

Their pace slowed when the girl noticed large spider webs and grabbed onto Gupta's arm. She was beginning to shake the slightest bit, a large frown upon her face. "Spiders... those webs mean that there are spiders in here. Big ones, from the looks of it." she mumbled, seemingly to herself.

They pushed on into the main chamber, a pair of spiders dropping down from the ceiling. The girl let out a shriek, and then a burst of fire from her palm, roasting one of the wicked creatures. Gupta stared at her in awe for a moment before drawing the dagger he'd snatched and attacking one of the other spiders. Ralof finished off the last.

The girl urged Gupta to hurry as he checked the spiders' bodies and collected what poison he could for future use. He stored them in his bag before the group continued onward.

Another clearing. Ralof held out a hand to stop them, crouching down as he stared ahead. "Hold up. There's a bear up ahead. See her?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder at the two. Gupta and the Altmer both nodded as they stared at the beast.

"I'd rather not tangle with her right now. We might be able to sneak by. Just take it nice and slow, and watch where you step." he advised. Gupta nodded, crouching down as he slowly began to creep forward.

They crept past the bear. The beast didn't stir at all as they passed by. The Altmer stayed close by Gupta's side as they got to safety. "That was close... How can you two stand living this sort of life?" she grumbled quietly, a frown set upon her face once again.

After continuing down the pathway past the bear, an exit came into view. They rushed out into the light, Gupta shielding his eyes from it when they emerged. "It's so bright." he mumbled to himself quietly.

"Wait!" Ralof cried out, holding out an arm to stop the pair as he knelt down by some boulders for cover. He kept his eyes on the sky, narrowed as he watched. A distant roar faded away into silence, and the Nord got to his feet. "Looks like he's gone for good this time. But I don't think we should stick around to see if he comes back."

All three continued down the path that the cavern had opened up to, Ralof walking ahead of the two elves. "My sister, Gerdur, runs the mill up ahead in Riverwood. I'm sure she would help you two out. It's probably best if we split up, though. Good luck, I couldn't have made it without you."

As the trio traveled down the pathway, Gupta tuned in and out of the conversation. Something about the Stormcloaks, that's all he really paid attention to. He just wanted to be clear of danger. The girl stayed right by his side, though she was no longer holding onto her.

"By the way..." Gupta began after a short while, "Altmer, what's your name? I don't want to go around calling you 'You' or 'Girl' or 'Altmer' for the rest of the time you're with me."

She looked over at him, her brow quirked ever so slightly. "I'm Arielle Sea-Song, of Summerset Isle." she replied, her golden eyes almost seemed to flash as she stared him down.

He nodded and looked away as they continued to walk. Before either of them knew what was going on, the trio had happened upon a group of standing stones. Each was intricately carved with an insignia: one of a thief, one of a mage, and one of a warrior.

[wasaphaxispowers]

Nyo!Ukraine x Canada with Nikolas (or whatever you want to call him) as a fashion designer? (that's not much of a prompt i don't think. Sorry)

hello i'm really sorry for the wait! my computer started not working soon after i started aphrpw and to commend that i've rewritten the fic. i hope it's okay!!

word count: 534

Swift knocks drew his attention away from rubbing out the stain in his jeans, something he hadn't noticed until he'd finally pulled the pants on. Wiping his thumb off on his pocket before making his way to his front door, Matthew glanced over at his clock briefly to check the time. Ten after four and with a few minutes left between then and the rendezvous, he could only hope this was Nikolas coming to pick him up. He opened the door and, before he could even properly say hello, there were hands on his shoulders, walking him backwards.

"Matthew--Matthew, dear. No," Nikolas sounded exasperated, dressed to the nines and--Was that makeup? The man even fixed his face for this, something Matthew didn't think was worth the time and effort. Matthew raised his eyebrows and grinned at his companion, fingers wrapped around his wrists in an attempt to make him ease up.

"No what?"

"I am not going out with you looking like that-"

"Like what? I always dress like this." Well, sans the stain. Most of the time. With a deep sigh, Matthew was spun around, walked forward towards his own bedroom.

"Sweetheart. We're going to a party."

"... And?"

"You look as if you snatched the first shirt you saw and put it on!" He hurried Matthew forward with more urgency, tone leaving no room for argument. "You'll wear the clothes I made for you."

Glancing back over his shoulder, the blonde frowned at Nikolas, huffing.

"I'll have you know I spent ten minutes digging for this outfit! You wouldn't believe how many socks I have."

In return, all he received was an intense stare while the overly concerned fashionista slid his closet door open, only breaking contact to move the hung hoodies and shirts out of his way.

"Oh, c'mon, stop it. We're going to be late--Stop touching my clothes!" He was on the verge of whining, a look of suffering written across his features. This was getting ridiculous.

"There's no point in going if you are not properly dressed," Nikolas sniffed, confident in his statement. It was a fact of life, as far as he was concerned.

"I'm not changing! I look fine!" With that statement, the floodgates were opened. Matthew realised how much of a hole he'd carved out for himself the moment he saw Nikolas's eyebrows furrow, an instant later the man going off on him about the necessity of looking appropriate and preparing for social events properly, about fashion, his job, how embarrassing it was for someone to look like a bum at a party--

He was interrupted by Matthew's hands on his elbows, drawing him back and turning him around as the Canadian rolled his eyes, gently pushing Nikolas out. "We're leaving, okay? No one's going to care enough for me to embarrass you anyway."

From the moment he marched Nikolas out of the house to the time they stepped out of the car, the man was practically pouting, disappointed.

Halfway through the party Matthew had snatched Nikolas's hand, kissed the back of his knuckles, told him not to look so gloomy--he had worn the fashionable bracelet he had given him.

[podsolnukh]

I have a couple more requests to get to - they were sent in on time, I'm just slow. ;v; I'll accept that last anon request, but I'm not sure if an OT3 counts for rare -pair- week...

[bigbabywhocrieslikeababy-blog]

Molossia/Liechtenstein: I wish you could meet my girlfriend, but you can't because she is in Liechtenstein.

Late aphrpw requests time! My apologies for the wait. My flow's slowed to a halt and it kind of sucks but I am starting with one for my dear friend Phoebe.

“Liechtenstein, Ethan?” Celino leaned forward over the table. “Do you really expect us to believe that?”

“Is that even an actual country? You hesitated, so you could have made it up,” Alexander said, knowing how Ethan always did either incredibly well or incredibly horrible under pressure, never in between.

“It is a real country, I just forgot how to pronounce it!”

“So what part of Liechtenstein does she live in?”

“Vaduz.”

“That doesn't even sound like a place!”

“Celino, calm your tits.”

“So her name, then?” Alexander said, trying to help them both slowly back away from any more snippiness.

“First name Hildegarde, nickname Lilli.”

“Wow, you even made up a nickname, I'm impressed.”

“She. Isn't. Imaginary!” Ethan growled, jabbing the top of the table with a finger to punctuate every word.

They continued to quiz Ethan, genuinely amused by his stories. He was always a great storyteller, and this was no exception. According to him, Lilli was shorter than him, with cornsilk hair and jade eyes. She could sew clothes, bake cakes, and knew how to shoot, load, and clean no less than seven types of firearms. She was soft-spoken and sang soprano, lived with her overemotional brother, and sometimes had to speak up a bit for the microphones to catch her. She squeaked when flustered, loved his dog whenever he popped in view of the webcam, and, last but not least, called him “Spatzi.”

They were surprised that he put that much detail into a lie.

They were even more surprised when she flew in from her tiny double-landlocked country to come see him and was every single thing he said she was. Petite, blonde, green-eyed and gentle, almost refusing to leave his side for the entirety of the day.

Ethan was beaming the whole time, holding her hands like one would hold porcelain, smiling when they walked together close enough to bump into each other with every step. They didn't see much behind those sunglasses sometimes, but his eyes were practically shining with more affection than they'd ever seen from him.

“I still think she's an actress he hired.”

[winterlitany]

poland ain't got time for your shit