#because moon is still my top favourite and earth deserves all the hugs

[heliosphere-underthesky]

Hi! Just came to ask if you have any favorite character(s) from Solarballs, if you do, who? Ty!

Howdy! Omg I just love them all, it's difficult to choose favourites! But here are some I can think off the top of my head:

Moon

He just had so much character development!!! I mean sure, Earth's is the most recognisable but Moon? I love how he turned from Earth's shadow to being his entire character that literally helped save Earth from that incident. Can't help but smile whenever he appears on-screen! Here's a doodle of him with Luna's bow because I love him!

Earth

MY PRECIOUS!!!!! Went from an arrogant brat that I wanted to knock some sense into, into a mature planet who's trying his best. It's actually cool how they developed him, it was believable and it never came across as "you MUST love him now or else", a pet peeve of mine in writing. His arc personally hit a bit too close to home too, so I'm glad he was able to pull through that like I did. So satisfying.

Mars

I know some people gave him flak for being so harsh to Earth (understandable), but imo I'd like me a friend who isn't afraid to guide me in the right direction. He did his best to do it the nice way, but Earth was just so thick-headed! I'd have been fed up too but just like him, I'd never abandon my friend. He's just so chill and I like that about him.

Saturn

Honourable mention because the first episode I've ever watched was him discovering his moons' origins (most likely the one where he talks to his moons about it??). I was looking for videos about Saturn's rings and moons to get ideas for my project and I was recommended that episode! I was floored when I saw how similar he was to my Saturn since I don't see many Saturns get interpreted that way. Also the way he speaks reminds me of Pops from Regular Show, my favourite character from that show! Haha.

Jupiter

I guess I'd mention him too?? Mostly because I have a soft spot for caring father figures or older brother figures (Jove could never). And bonus points for him having a complicated past that still haunts him. Also the glasses on him omg, he's so cute when he's reading his books and just goes off-tangent with his stories! So relatable. Sometimes I do that at work too but I try not to. Gonna be honest that's why I decided to give my Jupiter reading glasses as well.

OH AND SPECIAL MENTION FOR ASTRO DUDE HOW COULD I FORGET

Several points that won me over: his high school gf became his wife? He asked for a piano to be sent to space so he could sing for their anniversary with a song he composed?? Overall just such a nice dad and the way he freaks out about his passion??? He's not perfect, but he sounds like a chill dude I'd love to befriend... as long as I don't trigger his insecurities, I hope he gets to cope with them more healthily.

[frogs-spawn]

it’s true lads, i have actually written something

(this was a prologue of a long canon fic that i’m writing/on hiatus on (oops) but i was thinking of changing the pov of it, so this doesn’t fit in it anymore) i may end up finishing the canon one, but it is long, so it probably won’t see the light of day, but we’ll see

anyway, here’s the ao3 link if you would like to read it on there: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31116254

a tragic twist of fate:

summary: the lupin family are enjoying a quiet evening, when an unwelcome visitor shows up, changing all of their lives forever.

word count: 1.6k

The sun was setting, casting a burning haze across the sea, and subsequently over the unsuspecting cul-de-sac in the Gower. The pebble-dashed bungalows that hugged the road were quaint and uniform, with a meagre patch of grass out the front that barely constituted as a garden. All things considered; it was a very normal street. There were the Jones', with their tiny Yorkshire terrier, which was small in size but easily compensated with its tremendous bark. The Thomas', who were always out the front regardless of the weather, observing the street's comings and goings. The Liu's, whose windows were constantly filled with an assortment of different lights, illuminating the street, making it feel like Christmas every day. Opposite them, were the Lupin's. There was Lyall, who has a mysterious job that no one is quite able to figure out exactly what it entails; his wife, Hope, who made sure that the whole street was well and truly fed; finally, their 5-year-old son, Remus, who's usually found playing out on the empty street.

Remus, as expected, was having a game of tag with Julia from across the road when his mother called out from the front door. She had thick blonde hair, slightly greying at the crown of her head, which was tied up into a loose bun, the fly-always whipping the side of her face, which was covered slightly with gravy.

"Remus, it's time to come in now. Your father has just gotten home, and dinner's almost ready."

"But Mammy! I'm not even tired," Remus pleaded, shouting back, a little breathless. "Can we have a few more minutes? Please?"

"It's okay, Mrs Lupin." Julia panted, brushing her dark fringe from out of her eyes, it was a miracle she could even see. She was a few years older than Remus but was still somehow shorter than the boy (who was only slightly tall for his age). "I think my parents want me back soon anyway." She turned to Remus and smiled, "We're going to go out and play again tomorrow, aren’t we Re?”

"Yeah, okay then. I'll see you tomorrow! Bye!" Remus chirped back, with some newfound energy. He then proceeded to hurtle up the driveway and stumble through the front door.

“Not even going to give your old mammy a cwtch?” Hope laughed, following her son through the door, shoving her hands into her pockets.

He clambered onto his chair at the kitchen table and watched eagerly as his mother took a roast lamb out of the oven and began to dish it out on to mismatched plates. There were roast potatoes, which were crispy on the outside, but still fluffy and buttery on the inside, peas, carrots, and parsnips - that were roasted to perfection, and it was all smothered with thick gravy that was laden with salt and had the potential to clog up your arteries – but if it’s bad for you then that meant it would probably delicious. Remus’ mouth was practically watering.

"Now, as you've been running around all afternoon, I'll give you the extra roastie, how about that?" Hope smiled down at Remus, scooping a roast potato onto the plate.

Lyall stooped into the kitchen at that moment, placing his tattered briefcase down onto the splintered wooden counter and bent over to kiss his wife on the head. He was tall and lanky with brown curly hair that was just starting to thin. He wore deep navy robes over the top of a well-fitted suit, looking as if he had just walked out of a very important meeting. He could have been a very intimidating man if it weren't for the way his eyes lit up and his mouth formed a crooked grin when he looked adoringly across his small family, with an immense sense of pride.

"This looks wonderful, darling. What did I ever do to deserve you?" he laughed as went over to his son and ruffled his hair. "According to Mrs Thomas, you've been charging up and down the road all day! No wonder you look knackered." He fell into the chair next to him, as Hope brought the dinner over.

The family ate with easy conversation. Hope explained how she had heard from Mrs Thomas that Mrs Jones was apparently putting empty wine bottles into her recycling bin and Lyall explained his new case at work, but it seemed boring, so Remus didn't pay it much attention. He wolfed his food down so quickly, barely stopping for a breath, his poor mother thought he might end up with indigestion.

"Stay in your own lane, Lyall, that's what they said," Lyall explained in between mouthfuls, gesturing at no one in particular with his fork. "They won't believe me though, and that Greyback has been released again, the man makes my skin crawl." He used air quotes when describing him and huffed, as he took another bite out of his roast. "It's madness, I told them that. Did they listen? No. Cases of lycanthropy are going up and it's because of creatures like them. String 'em all up for all I care. Bloody werewolves.”

"Not at the table Lyall," Hope piped in, sensing that her husband was about to go on another one of his world-renowned rants. "I understand it's a pain, especially if no one listens to you at work, but let's keep dinner time a happy affair, don't you think?"

"Yeah, no, sorry love" he gave her a sweet smile, which she returned. "Anyway. Did you have you had fun today, Re?"

The boy looked up and nodded quickly. "Yeah, me and Julia played lots of games. We had a race to see who was faster. And I won!" he exclaimed, talking at the speed of a hundred miles per hour, he spread his arms for dramatic effect and sat up higher in his chair. "She said I was cheating, but I wasn't, I promise!"

"No, of course, you weren't." Lyall laughed and looked down at his son like he was the most precious thing in the world.

After dinner, the family were positioned around the small-rickety fire pit that was positioned in the corner of the patio, made up of broken slabs of concrete with weeds emerging like great vines through the gaps. The fire crackled and spat, specks of charred wood and the burning flame releasing swirling smoke into the atmosphere. They sat on wobbly wooden chairs, that they had gotten from the charity shop, which were starting to rot and covered in splinters. However, Hope had made some colourful and slightly garish cushions, so it was incredibly comfortable, despite the small risk of the chairs collapsing from underneath them. Hope was sat with a pair of knitting needles in hand, focusing on the burgundy jumper that Remus would undoubtedly get for Christmas in a couple of months time. Remus sat opposite and was looking eagerly at his father, who was making the little old wooden figurines of soldiers that Hope collected do an Irish jig across the uneven stone.

Then, there was a rustling in the undergrowth at the far end of the garden. The birds that had nested and settled in for the evening took flight, flying off into the rising moon, bright and beautiful.

"What on earth could that be?" Hope wondered out loud, staring out into the distance, squinting her eyes.

'I'll go check it out.” Lyall chuckled as he pushed himself out of the chair. "Probably just a fox, I shall go shoo it away."

He wandered to the end of the garden, managing to avoid the snail hotel Remus had built a year ago. He lit up his wand so that he could see at least three steps ahead of himself.

It was a surprise that it remained standing, despite the howling gales and torrential rain it had to endure, it stayed. For as long as he could remember, Remus looked after the snails in the hotel, gave them any leftover lettuce. They were his favourite magical creatures. It fascinated him, the way they could stick to the walls and go upside down, the only way that was possible, Remus decided, was magic. Lyall didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise.

"Ah, Lyall Lupin. Just the man I wanted to see." An unfamiliar voice snarled. The voice was deep and ragged as if it had been strained from screaming too loud "Fancy seeing you here."

“Fenrir.” Lyall cut back, voice curt but contained a small tremble. "Leave me and my family alone and take your unpleasant business somewhere else." He straightened his jacket and stood rigidly, making himself taller. But the figure, Fenrir, stood a head above him, despite his hunched posture.

"I don't think that would be necessary." He countered, his voice becoming more and more menacing. "How is your family? I'd love to meet them." He shoved Lyall out of the way, causing him to lose balance and he stumbled into the hedge.

“Hope! Remus! Get into the house and lock the door!” Lyall shouted, desperately, unable to keep up with Greyback, who was striding across the garden.

Hope quickly grabbed her things and ran, pushing open the back door with a creak.

“Remus, come on lamb, into the house.” Hope coaxed from the door, trying to sound as calm as possible.

But Remus stayed rooted to the spot, unmoving, fixed and waiting, staring into the monster before him.

Fenrir Greyback was a giant of a man, towering easily over 6 feet tall. He was unkempt and greasy, covered in black matted hair. His deceitful yellowing eyes emitting nothing venom. Remus scrambled off of the chair and edged slowly towards his mother. It was too late.

Their eyes locked. A deal had been struck.

Under the silver moon, Greyback's manic grin turned pointed and wider. Bones cracked, twisted, and popped. Hair became thicker, wired, and coarse. Tortured hands and feet transformed into gnarly claws. His previously crooked nose became a leathery, wet, snout.

Barring his teeth, Fenrir Greyback took a couple of paces forward, crushing the hotel under a monstrous paw, towards a terrified Remus Lupin.

And pounced.

[mollymauk-teafleak]

Black Coffee (final part)

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

And just like that, it’s over...

I’m genuinely quite sad. I’ve enjoyed writing this so much and I’ve enjoyed hearing what you guys think and I’ve really appreciated all the love and support, particularly from my beta readers @minky-for-short and @spiky-lesbian

If you’ve enjoyed this fic, please let me know! Leave a comment on Ao3, reblog this post or even donate to my ko-fi if you can!

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

When the twins were much younger and their world hadn’t yet grown beyond the garden of their mother’s tiny house, they had a ploy whenever they got sick. If one of them were struck down by a cold or a stomach ache or a sore throat- usually the smaller, skinnier, sicklier Vax- the other would insist they were sick too. They would crawl into the bed of the other, scooting up under the blankets to hug their sibling close, and swear blind that they’d caught the germs and had to stay home from school as well.

Their mother would never fall for this, they realised later, she was much too wise to their antics. She just never had the heart to split them up, to come between the love that compelled them to stay home only to hug and comfort and protect their other half. She would just smile and nod and tuck them in tighter, promising to bring her two little elflings water and soup.

Once the door was closed, stories would be whispered under the blankets with shadows up the wall accompanying their words, building fantastical worlds where germs didn’t exist and things didn’t hurt. They’d play games, pretending to be badgers in a den or baby owls in a nest, thinking about the animals they’d see in the forests around their little village. One would read to the other, whatever story book was their favourite. And if things were just too much, they would hold each other and just know that they weren’t alone.

And then that world was taken away from them, picked up in unfamiliar hands that looked a lot like their own and shaken until they were tossed out into somewhere cold and scary. And while around them everything grew, their circle of people they could trust and depend on shrank to just two.

What got them through that time were those times when one of them wouldn’t be able to find the strength to face the day, Vax as he lost sight of who he was and had his own body turn on him or Vex as she felt the walls grow tighter and tighter around her until there was barely room to breathe, and the other would crawl under their blankets and wrap their arms around them. Suddenly, it would all be gone, Syldor, Syngorn, everything.

And they would be small again, staying home from school on a rainy, sniffly day, knowing everything was okay because they had each other.

Just for a moment.

Vex had been at work when Vax had come home in tears but she’d heard it from behind his bedroom door as soon as she walked into the apartment.

Trinket was sat in front of his door, whining and worried, looking at her pleadingly like she could fix this. And Vex realised immediately that she couldn’t.

She’d really wanted it to work out for him. Of course she’d worried, she worried about her brother all the time, but the way he and Percy had looked at each other… she’d hoped.

Anger made her hands shake as she dropped her rucksack on the floor and hurried to the door that was muffling her brother’s sobs. She’d trusted Percy with her brother’s heart. She easily could have pinned him to the wall the multiple, equally awkward times she’d woken up to find him sat drinking coffee on their sofa in one of her brother’s t-shirts and his boxers, she could have got in his face and snarled that if he ever hurt her brother in any way, she’d feather him like a duck.

But she hadn’t, because he’d looked at Vax like he’d hung the moon in the sky and that was exactly what Vax deserved. She’d wanted to believe life was finally going to give him a break.

If she ever saw de Rolo again, she’d break those fusty little glasses under the heel of her boot. And maybe his teeth, depending on how much remorse he showed. There was, after all, every chance that Vax had his own part to play in this all going up in flames.

But for now, her brother needed her. And, come hell or high water, she was always on his team.

The door wasn’t locked, if it had been she would have given him more time. But she took the unbroken click of the handle under her grip as a cry for help and fully intended to answer it.

The curtains were drawn tight, choking off any light in the room at all. It took her a moment of adjustment to make out any movement, to finally see the tremulous shuddering of her brother’s shoulders as he cried into his pillow.

Vex didn’t try and say anything. She just picked her way through the haphazard obstacle course that was her brother’s bedroom floor in the dark, ears picked up high to avoid breaking anything or falling flat on her face. Fortunately, she made it to the bed and, not even hesitating, she crawled under the tangled blankets, bakery uniform, clunky kitchen boots and all.

Vax only seemed to cry harder when he realised what she was doing but he flung himself into her arms, clinging on bitterly. Vex returned the embrace with equal strength, closing her eyes and burying her nose in her brother’s dark hair.

“He…” Vax rasped after a while, “He just…”

“Shh,” Vex murmured, unable to hear her brother struggle for the words and contextualise how he felt, like listening to someone try and walk across broken glass, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it right now. I’m here.”

Vax sounded relieved, dissolving back into soft little hitching breaths, the only things he had at his disposal to explain the storm inside him. Vex racked her brain for stories, songs, anything from when they were kids.

But she got the sense that could wait. The best thing she could be right now was a pair of arms, a stiff polo shirt to cry into and a beating heart against his ear.

The best thing she could be right now was a sister.

Vax’ildan? Percy thought immediately when he heard his phone ring.

Desperate, he snatched it up, heart hammering out a tattoo that was hopeful and terrified in equal measures.

But no, the title that came up was Antler Girl. Trying so hard not to be disappointed that his best friend was calling him, telling himself he needed to hear another person’s voice, Percy accepted the call and held the phone to his ear.

“Perce, what on earth are you doing?”

“Pardon?” Percy asked, his voice very obviously rusty. He hadn’t spoken aloud since Vax had left yesterday afternoon but he’d been doing a lot of crying and it had left him sounding like he’d gargled nails.  

“In the nicest way possible, have you lost your mind?”

Percy frowned, eyes burning too much and chest aching too much to puzzle this out, “Keyleth, what…”

“Vax’ildan, Percy. What happened?”

His chest gave a painful twist, “How do you know about that?”

“Vex’ahlia messaged me. Percy, he’s heartbroken, what happened between you two? I thought you were going to tell him?”

“Do you...do you talk to Vex often?”

“Is that really the best you can do to change the topic?”

Percy scowled, “Keyleth, I can’t do this right now, not over the phone.”

“Oh, good. I’m outside your door. Let me in, please?”

Now feeling he was fully justified in being annoyed, Percy staggered out of bed and through the living room that was, after nearly a solid week of neglect, now starting to gather some real dirt and decay, food cartons left to fester on the coffee table and the kitchen counters, dirty clothes thrown over ever piece of furniture.

And a case of the cheapest, nastiest beer he could think of, bought in a moment of weakness but left unopened in the epicentre of his filthy kitchen. He tried to let his eyes slide off that, tried to pretend it wasn’t there.

He unlocked the door, the door that had stayed barred to everyone except the food delivery people. Keyleth was dressed like the kindest, most helpful kind of school librarian, as she always was, with her startlingly red hair piled up on top of her head where it could get snagged in her antlers and face set in a worried frown that Percy suspected she kept on the shelf exclusively for him.

“How can I help you?” he asked in an exasperated exhale.

“Percy, just tell me what happened. We can fix this.”

“Look, we broke up. Is that what you wanted? You wanted to hear me say it? Whatever we were, it’s done now. It’s shit but it happens.”

Keyleth’s frown deepened, moving past Percy into the apartment without an invitation. Not that they were at a point in their friendship where they needed invitations but still, Percy glowered. It was just a day for glowering.

He was glad to have her back to him when she saw the place, so he didn’t have to see the disappointment cross her face, the pity, the panic. But he did get to see her shoulders tense at the sight of the beer, saw her head snap to the recycling bin to scan for empty bottles. She didn’t relax when there was none to be found, it wasn’t like Percy hadn’t gotten good at hiding them from her. He had years of experience in that.

Percy looked down. How many times had they acted out this scene before after he lost his family? How many times had Kiki come to pick him up off the lowest depths of rock bottom?

How many times would she do it before she got sick of him letting her down again and again?

Almost immediately, she moved to the sunken section of his living room and busied herself picking up trash and tossing clothes into just one pile rather than twenty, her magic dissipating a fog of pine scent to chase out the cloying stink of general unwashedness.

“Oh, Keyleth, don’t…” Percy groaned, wondering if it was possible to feel so much guilt that it would actually crush him, “You don’t have to.”

“Then help me,” she shrugged, going into the kitchen to find some trash bags.

Percy stood there awkwardly for a moment, just in a pair of too big sweatpants and nothing else, before sighing and moving to help her.

Neither of them said anything as they slowly but surely got the place into something slightly more habitable, the sofas and counters at least clear of garbage and the curtains open to let some thin light in.

“There,” Kiki eventually declared, dusting her hands off and taking a seat on the leather she’d just magicked to be much less dusty.

Percy came and sank down beside her, having to admit he did feel a little more human now. He’d even found a t-shirt that didn’t reek to cover his top half. “There,” he echoed listlessly.

“Seriously, Perce,” her voice softened and he could feel her eyes on him even though he couldn’t answer her gaze, “What happened? You seemed so excited to tell him…”

“He… he canceled on me,” Percy eventually admitted, getting the strong sense that he wasn’t going to get through this conversation without crying, “He had a date, just like that, clearly it didn’t even cross his mind to think about me. Keyleth, I don’t know what I’d done to blind myself but he’s just… he’s not into me. He’s never going to feel that way about me. And I can’t keep doing the pretending thing knowing that.”

Kiki crossed her legs neatly under herself, tilting her head knowingly, “And I’m guessing you talked about this with him openly and calmly like adults?”

Percy reddened and he sank further down into the expensively plush sofa, “No. I said something stupid. We shouted at each other.”

“I thought so.”

He felt his throat close, “Look, I was always going to fuck this up. It was always going to happen... “

“Percival, do not do this,” her reply was sharper than he’d expected and he jumped a little, “Life is not closing doors on you, you are.”

“Keyleth, it’s pretty fucking loud and clear…”

“Did it ever occur to you in your infinite genius and complete lack of common sense, that maybe Vax went on a date because he has no clue that you are in love with him? And if he was aware, he’d have been going on a date with you? And that you can’t be angry at him for not knowing things that you didn’t tell him?”

“I know that!” Percy’s voice cracked at just the wrong moment as his volume surged and he winced, “Why do you think I’ve been lying in bed hating myself for the past week?”

“Then quit doing that, you know it doesn’t solve anything!” Keyleth threw her hands up, “Go fix your problem! Go talk to Vax!”

“Fine!” Percy yelled, “I’ll do that!”

He suddenly blinked, realising what he’d just agreed to do.

Keyleth smiled sweetly, expectantly, “Want me to help you pick out an outfit?”

“Kiki, I don’t like you.”

“And you love me.”

“Yes, that too.”

It took most of the day but Vex finally coaxed Vax into the shower and was making him a cup of coffee when she heard the knock at the door. Trinket sat up and gave a warning rumble which she always found funny, given that he was the biggest wuss she’d ever had the pleasure of knowing and would never hurt a fly.

Dusting sugar from her fingers, she went and opened the door, a smile lighting up her face when she saw the beautiful, red haired lady who had been occupying a lot of her thoughts and texts since Vax had introduced them. She’d messaged her to tell her about the disaster their mutual brothers had created but she hadn’t expected her to come over. Not until their date next Saturday at least.

“Keyleth! What a lovely surprise-”

That was when she saw Percy awkwardly shuffling his feet next to her. And her face dropped into something resembling a storm cloud.

“Fuck you, de Rolo,” she said flatly.

To his credit, Percy nodded and bit his lip, “Yeah, I deserve that.”

“You sure as hell do,” Vex scanned him up and down, calculating a way to knock him to the floor and take his glasses, “Glad we agree.”

“Vex’ahlia,” Keyleth stepped smartly between them, clearly sensing the thoughts behind her dark eyes, “Do you think the boys could have a conversation? Maybe sort this out?”

Vex shifted, trying not to let how bright the druid’s eyes were and how those freckles dusted her nose so perfectly distract her from her righteous sibling anger, “I don’t know if that’s what Vax wants right now…”

“Could you ask him? Please? I promise, if he says no, we’ll leave.”

Percy has to leave, Vex thought to herself, you can stay as long as you want, my dear.

Was she fraternising with the enemy here? She couldn’t decide. Damn, this was confusing.

Trinket chose that moment to somehow turn to liquid and slide around his mama’s legs, bounding up to Percy and whining happily. To Vex’s surprise, Percy found a smile and hugged her dog earnestly, cooing to him and ruffling his ears in just the right way, suddenly so different from his usual, stiff, formal self.

Vex hesitated, her anger suddenly having nowhere to go, it’s clear, connected path from her fist to Percy’s face swept away in an instant. Keyleth caught her eyes for a second, reading her expression in an instant and smiling softly. A smile that said there was still hope.

And, as angry as she’d been, Vex still wanted to believe the chance for her brother to be happy was still there.

“I’ll ask him,” she murmured eventually, disappearing back into the apartment.

Vax was sitting at the kitchen table, holding his mug of coffee in both hands, looking small and young in an oversized dark t-shirt and shorts, his hair wet and straggly.

“He’s here isn’t he?” he asked quietly, not looking up from his mug.

“Just say the word, Scrawny, and I’ll throw him out,” Vex murmured, moving to stand behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders.

Vax exhaled softly, “Is it insane that I want to see him? I mean… half of me does.”

“It’s not insane,” Vex bent and kissed the top of his head, “It sounds about right for what you’re going through.”

Vax exhaled for a very long time, still not raising his eyes. He always took his coffee without milk, black as night, bitter enough to scorch the taste buds of anyone normal. She’d always found that funny, in much the same way Trinket trying to growl like a guard dog was. Vax always seemed so harsh and bitter on the outside, an affect he’d cultivated carefully, turning it into armour over the course of his life. But inside, all he’d ever wanted was to be loved, to be liked, to just be able to be himself.

And, fuck, he deserved that.

“I’ll talk to him,” he eventually said, “What have I got to lose, right?”

Vex smiled gently, “Lots. But you’re just that brave.”

“Thanks, Stubby,” that dredged a smile from him.

“I won’t be far,” she promised, “Keyleth and I will be just outside the building and I’ll have my phone on me the whole time.”

Vax tilted his head back then, looking up at her with something like his old spark, “You’re totally into Kiki, aren’t you?”

“Gods, above,” Vex rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help the relieved smile that flickered to life on her face, “Don’t make me regret all this being nice to you.”

“Can’t have us getting along too much, it feels weird,” Vax shrugged, motioning her towards the door, like he needed her to go before he lost his nerve.

Vex took the hint, squeezing his shoulder one last time before she moved away.

The next person to come through the door was Percy.

Vax was put in mind of the first time he’d ever set eyes on Percy. When he’d walked in looking so poised and calm, tired and lost but taking pains to hide it behind a neat haircut and prim accent, with his red carnation and polished glasses. Vax remembered the first thoughts that had entered his head along with the chiming bell of the cafe door. How he’d thought him a little stiff, a little strange, someone he could grow a fondness for in time.

Now, nearly a full year later, he was openly showing his hurts. He wore them on his face, in the dark circles under his eyes, in the way his hands anxiously, unconsciously wrung each other. There was no more hiding, not after everything they'd been through. Vax took some comfort from that.

And he wondered what Percy was thinking about him.  

There was a very long pause, neither of them sure what to say, just looking at each other helplessly like they each wanted the other to save them.

In the same instant, Vax awkwardly began with “Hey…” and Percy blurted out, “I’m so sorry.”

Then suddenly they were smiling, hesitant and shy, but smiling.

“Try again?” Vax hummed.

Percy nodded gratefully, repeating it again with as much sincerity as he could muster, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Vax’ildan.”

Vax swallowed, nudging the chair across from him back with one foot, an invitation to sit. Percy did, sinking down into it.

“You really hurt me, Percy,” Vax rasped, pressing against the wound inside him by thinking about it, “The things you said…they’re not true, I was never using you… ”

Percy’s face crumpled, “I know. I know that, Vax, I swear. I was just… I was angry at myself. I was jealous. I was bitter. None of that is an excuse, I know, it’s all my problem. But I will never forgive myself for lashing out at you, that was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.”

Vax bit his lip, “You were jealous?”

Percy looked down at his hands, “It’s so stupid… I acted like a child. But yes, I… I was jealous. And instead of talking to you about it, I just made things worse. But I’m not just coming here with an apology, I’m coming to you with a promise never to do it again.”

“You were...jealous? That I went on a date?”

Percy seemed caught off guard, “Uh...yeah?”

“Shit,” Vax croaked, “Shaun was right.”

“I’m sorry?”

Vax summoned up all of his courage, everything that had made him brave enough to still want to be happy, and leaned forward, “Percy, do you love me?”

Percy’s eyes brimmed until they shone and in that moment, they looked so fucking beautiful, “Yes. I have for a while and...honestly, it scared me. I didn’t know what to do with it at first. I didn’t see myself as someone who deserved to feel like that, I guess, I just felt like such an idiot…”

“I think I know what you mean,” Vax whispered, starting to smile, “But I love you too. And I trust you. And I want to try this. So what does that make me?”

The tears that had been lingering there finally spilled over and Percy’s eyes became miniature seas, churning and rolling with their own waves, “It makes you the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I’m never going to stop being amazed that I’m allowed to have you in my life.”

They came together like the movement of the Earth itself, inevitable and with a sense of everything returning to how it was meant to be. They had spent months kissing, holding each other, exploring every part of their bodies together but now, as they did nothing more than slide their arms around each other, it felt so precious and new and exhilarating. It felt like a first time.

All Vax had been looking for was someone who would be nice to him. All Percy had been looking for was a friend.

What they’d found was a future together.

Two years later…

The Blooming Grove was always busy on rainy days. Something about the sweet, honey coloured warmth it’s windows spilled out into the street just beckoned people in, making it seem like the most perfect shelter from any kind of bad weather.

But almost as if fate- or, more likely, Caduceus Clay- had intended it, their table was free. The black, wrought iron table with the delicate glass mosaic pressed into the top, sat right in the window so they could look out and see the sheets of rain coming down and making the grey world even greyer and feel even warmer from the fact that they weren’t out in it.

Percy took a deep breath and straightened the two mugs, one in front of him, one in front of the empty chair across from him, both of them full of coffee that was so thick and black, it looked like ink. Vax’s favourite. Feeling the same, utterly identical stab of panic he’d felt a hundred times since he’d left the house, his hand shot into his pocket.

Yes, it was still there, just as it had been since he placed it there. The circlet of niello engraved silver, a small but perfect diamond held within a set of tiny, intricately engraved wings. He’d made it himself.

It wasn’t a throwing knife. But he hoped it would do the job.

Percy’s eyes snapped to the clock. Vax was late getting back from rehearsal but then, he’d expected that. This was the company’s first production since he’d earned the role of principal dancer and he was giving it everything, working all hours, humming the songs under his breath even in the shower.

And he really had earned it. Percy might have set up the production company but Vax had refused to just be handed the top spot. Finally given the space to do so, he’d simply worked hard and shone. Just as Percy knew he would.

So he’d accounted for lateness. He’d accounted for everything in fact. He wanted this to be perfect.

It had to be perfect…

The sound of the wind and rain suddenly grew stronger as the door opened, just for a moment before it was firmly shut. Percy looked up to see his half elf walking in, shaking rain from his dark hair, brushing it from his jacket.

Vax looked different these days but in very small ways. He stood taller, he smiled wider. He had little creases at the corners of his eyes from smiling so much.

Percy hoped the same changes, the little signs of a life well lived, could be seen on his own face. But he doubted they looked as beautiful as they did on Vax’ildan.  

He kept the ring in his grip as he smiled and waved and watched the man he loved light up upon seeing him there.

And Percy realised it didn’t have to be perfect. They had never needed perfect.

They’d only needed each other.

[dailyandrewandaaron]

he was lying spread out  on some sort of table he wasn't bound but when he tried to get up he found he  couldn't . there was  a weight of some description on top of him  pinning him down .  the entire room reeked of sweat vomit and dried blood -most  likely his own and the air around him had a  heavy quality and strange reddish tint to it. various gory   instruments of torture hung  swaying on hooks above his head .  he tried to stand again but the weight would not budge .. there were fingers gripping at him and  jabbing into his limbs . he was being cut, being flayed alive. an arm reached  up towards his face with a blunt weapon  and hit him.. a dull pang of pain erupted from the side of his head and he could not move his arms up to test the extent of the wound . something was squirming on top of him  and  he could hear familiar loud laughter, harsh and cruel.

Neil opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. 

he’d only been dreaming.. it wasnt real  - except that -No! - the weight was still pressed on  top of him .  No,  No!!  he... it couldn't be .. he was back there.. maybe he’d never left at all .. . maybe it was that part which was a dream after all .. the foxes... little Aaron .. and Andrew ... Andrew   was it all a dream?  a fantasy? He shouldve known. escape could never happen . It was a dream leftover from a miserable childhood . pain was his reality and it always would be. he deserved nothing more  . pain was all Nathaniel knew . even though he almost felt like crying then for the first time in so many years. Had he actually believed he’d gotten out? How incredibly foolish 

He still didn't seem able to move or stand and  could still hear laughter  -but -this time  something  wasn't  quite right - it sounded different to before-   softer, happier high pitched and -devoid of malice it didn't sound like his father at all... it sounded ...childlike

he reached and grabbed hold of the thing on his stomach it was warm and wriggling. alive . he dragged it closer  to him to inspect it which only seemed to  increase the laughter .

  It was aaron.

only little Aaron ,sat on his stomach looking extremely pleased with himself as neil slid him closer, the weapon was a green dinosaur held upside down by the tail  in a tiny fist 

hey little man," he murmured  weakly wincing  as the child bounced on top of him oblivious to any bad vibes . "my god, youre heavy . maybe Kevin's right . maybe we have been overfeeding you . “he was glad that he  hadn’t hurt the child  by accident .if he had hit Aaron or pushed him over  even in fretful  sleep without meaning it  Andrew would never forgive him. in fact if he had  hurt Aaron he wouldn't be able to forgive himself 

"I caught  you. I caught  you" Aaron singsonged  neil  wasn't in the mood to play especially this particular game which Aaron was inexplicably fond of but he couldn't think of a way to explain it so that Aaron could understand. he had been careful to never discuss any events of his past in front of the baby monster so instead he made a half hearted attempt to play along.

" yes, that's right. you caught me. “ he put his hands up “ I surrender. Can you let me up now? ” 

" you're no good at this game" aaron said  accusingly " you didn't even try to hide!"

"sorry little man , guess I fell asleep " he explained groggily. Aaron's shrill childish laughter sliced through him and at that moment with the nightmare still whirling in his brain it was unbearable "  could you just give me a minute. he pleaded “My head hurts" 

Aaron was merciless  "I'm sending you to jail" he announced solemnly. "right now."

 " All right ,All right I'm coming " he said unenthusiastically    heaving himself upright Aaron’s “ jail” involved nothing more than him being surrounded by a ring of his dinosaurs whom the child informed him  with absolute certainty, as if he genuinely believed it , would eat him alive if he tried to escape. He knew from past experience to respect the authority of the dinosaurs to avoid a tantrum from Aaron he sat in the dinosaur ring of shame for a few minutes trying to regather his thoughts " okay, you win, can you let me out now?"

"noo!!" aaron giggled  waggling a  chubby finger  " you're in jail for a thousand years"

"what if i have a chocolate bar in my pocket?" he said Aaron considered this "caramel?" he asked tilting his head in a very Andrew- like gesture. Neil nodded. 

Aaron moved a few of  the dinosaurs aside and Neil carefully stepped through the gap as to not knock any remaining dinos over and send Aaron into rage. aaron was fiercely protective of his dinosaur army in  much the same way as his brother was over his own collection of monsters 

Aaron held a hand outstretched waiting for the promised treat. neil fished the half melted half eaten chocolate out of his pocket . " he seem satisfied with this  ." you're a cheap bribe you know" he said giving Aaron’s tummy a tickle, “just like a real cop. “ 

" I'm going to catch  Andrew and put him in jail " he informed him joyfully 

 "you do that . hes probably under the stairs again “ andrew didn't hide very well on purpose  because he never liked to be too far away from aaron even for a very limited time . he was too wary too entrust others with Aaron's safety . Aaron hadnt grasped this fact though  and just  assumed his big brother hadnt  understood that the aim of their game was to not get caught . he didn't seemed to mind too much though as it meant  he always won. 

neil hoped that when Aaron was distracted with Andrew he would be able to go back to bed and take a quick  nap to sleep away the lingering horrors in his mind before the night practice without anyone noticing. no such luck

" what are you doing?" Kevin sputtered spying Andrew sat crossleged in the middle of a circle of plastic dinosaurs grinning maniacally "you're late for practice get up, get moving"

" -alas  I cannot go!" said Andrew cheerfully “ you see, Aaron sent me to jail for a hundred years “

" only a hundred?" Neil said amused " he sentenced me to a thousand" he shook his head and huffed in mock offence 'favouritism ".

 “what on earth .. “ kevin started ..

" you have to negotiate his release” Neil said laughing at the look on kevins face as Andrew refused to move from the dinosaur circle 

"for God's sake" said Kevin exasperated. “ this is ridiculous” 

“ take it up with the warden” andrew smirked 

Aaron appeared to have lost interest in his prisoner and was now attempting to build a tower out of Lego. 

"little man , “ Neil coaxed him “ are you going to let Andrew out to practice with us tonight?  

"nope"  Aaron dismissed lightly  without looking up from his lego "he cant go. hes's in jail"

"what if i let you have an ice cream?” he tempted the child.  aaron stared at him wide eyed as he been offered the moon. 

"you shouldn't be giving him ice cream. besides he already had dessert today " Kevin said stubbornly

" lighten up would you ?one ice cream isnt going to kill him kev . you can have any flavour you want” he told Aaron . “ after dinner tomorrow “

"okay! " he said excitably and released Andrew from the dinosaur prison

"you can't just bribe him with sweets until he behaves “ kevin grumbled disapproving 

" well, it's worked so far" Nicky piped up half joking

". You're supposed to set good examples for him not rewarding him for manipulating you"

" We're just playing . aaron loves this game"

" I can see why. You let him get away with too much. He shouldn't even be awake this late"

 "you aren't his father " Andrew growled “ don't act like you are”

" neither are you" kevin snapped back " you don't have any idea about about how to care for him properly

"_and you do? “ andrew said incredulous  You can't even look after yourself" 

" enough .you two ,practice. Now. Nicky put Aaron to bed  he'll sleep all through tomorrow otherwise"

"I don't see a problem with that" Nicky mumbled but went to take Aarons hand "  i guess it is late , come on little guy. “

"will you read me a story?  the one about the  boy  and the dog ?"  he asked hugging Nickys legs. 

 “oh my god , not the dog one again “  nicky groaned “ ive read it  like a million times already. aren't you bored of it yet , you've got other books ,you know” 

aaron made a whining sound in response stuck his bottom lip out and clutched his tiny hands into fists preparing to throw a tantrum  . nicky gave in to him like he always did 

“ all right  don't start screaming . ill read it again if you come and get ready for bed now 

“ i don't know why you all let him boss you about. “ kevin sighed defeated "you're the adults not him"

“ he learned from  you “  Neil replied stonily. 

[deathbyvalentine]

Prompt Drabbles

A picture of a puppy biting another puppy’s nose.

There’s a lot of ways you can show love. A kiss, given between friends or lovers. A hug, given in comfort or familiarity. Gifts on birthdays or just because, poems shoved into cards with flushed cheeks. A hundred tiny gestures, like shorthand for the soul to convey love.

Albert was partially to biting, himself. 

He bit everyone. His favourite humans in particular of course, but also mailmen, plumbers and visitors who smelt particularly delicious. Dogs bigger than him, he tended to give a miss.  Dogs smaller than him very often did not see the gesture the same way he did. Slowly, he learnt to keep his teeth to himself, morose at the thought perhaps they did not realise how very much he loved them.

The first time he met Lucky, he bit his whole nose, growl low and friendly in his throat. One could say it was love at first bite. 

Upside Down Lizards

See, the primary problem was nothing else was upside down. If other things were, the lizards would be less of an issue. As it were, the lizards were a problem, and they were upside down. 

One was captured in a tank, hissing and spitting all the way. It resolutely stayed stuck to the ceiling of the glass. No matter where it was, it would scuttle to the top and resolutely ignore gravity. 

Oh, also? Anything they bit also became upside down. Temporarily, mostly. Except for the allergic reactions of course, but they were pretty rare. As with most odd and inexplicable experiences, people adjusted. They would wear weighted shoes, or tie themselves to their chairs for a little while. Thrill seekers would allow a lizard to bite them, and walk outside, risking suffocation for a chance to touch the sky just once. 

Mostly though, people ignored the lizards. And more importantly, the lizards ignored them. 

Forlorn Demons

Demons were pitiful things. Cut off from God’s love, experienced hell, exiled from heaven, they were nothing but base instinct and loneliness. I met mine in an alley, when my nose was bleeding and I could still hear the music pounding through the brick wall of the club.

Her eyes were black, and she had a ruby glinting in her nose. She offered me a cigarette, and put her jacket around my shoulders, and walked me home. She said her name was Cahraris and she hadn’t lived in this city long. She said she liked tattoos, and stories. She showed me how she tattooed her skin to make it feel like it fit correctly, and how she still sung the hymns she once knew. She traced my lips when I sang along, and she closed her eyes.

How could I not love her? How could I not want her close? I never wanted to fix her, you understand. I just wanted to hold her. She is an eternal thing, and years mean nothing to her, and yet she chooses to waste them with me. 

Demons have bad days. They have days where the earth is foreign and strange and they can’t work out how it turns. They have days were they have nothing but abandonment and rage, and Cahraris screams into her pillow just to hear something other than her thoughts. She is not always kind, she is not always understanding.

But then, neither am I. Sometimes I do not stir from bed and she loves me just the same. Sometimes she had to brush my hair, and kiss my humanity into submission as I could do nothing but ask for her understanding. We deserve each other, and when we make each other happy, as we so often do, we deserve that too. 

Drew and Christmas Presents

Drew hated Christmas with a burning passion. The stated reason was the obvious capitalistic elements of what was once a religious holiday. He had written a column on it and everything. Really though, he was lazy and he hated shopping and he hated most people. He hated the parties with the small talk over cocktails, and he hated the obnoxious red and white hanging from every house. 

He celebrated it alone, with his bottle of wine, and a record player playing anything but Christmas music. He wished, when he was drunk, and lonely, that he could have someone to share anti-christmas with. Someone with whom he could slow dance with in bare feet, cook something awful, and fall asleep on the couch, dreadful and in love. As it was, now he just fell asleep when the sun was coming up. 

He still had some traditions. He would watch his favourite 1940s film, have red wine, and read whichever trashy book had been gifted to him most recently. He would field a phonecall from his mother, and say all the wrong things. And he would wrap a single present.

Sometimes it was a piece of art, something commissioned from a friend, framed. Or a book of poetry with another poem scrawled in the margins. A novel, a first edition. For the past few years, these gifts had ended up in a drawer, unopened. This year though, Andrew was hoping, just hoping, it might be different. 

Glitterbomb

The day the bomb went off, everybody stopped and looked at the sky. People flinched, expecting hellfire and fury, radiation raining down from the heavens. What they got was different. It fell like snow. It fluttered in the wind and shone in the sun. It shifted in rivers like mercury, before dissolving like sugar. People caught it on their tongues, and found it tasted of nothing much at all. It did no harm, and did a great deal of good.

The problem was, centuries later, they were still finding it in their shoes. 

A demon and a werewolf

They were both used to not quite fitting into their skin. For one such as Isaak, it was the simple act of having a form that was so very distressing. He was a creature of smoke and ash, not of flesh and blood. It got easier, after he met Simon.

Simon knew what it was like to be a thing of hunger and desire contained in something far too small for them. He knew how damnation felt, cursed to fit inside something not built for them. 

He helped Isaak learn the map of his own body. Every freckle and every beat of his still-vibrant heart. Together they named the colour of his eyes, the shade of his smirking mouth. They went to the tattooist together, scrawled script across his text like a marker: “this is mine, I live here.”

For his part, Isaak did not flinch away from Simon. He never spurned the wilderness that bloomed in his brain under the light of the moon, and didn’t flicker an eye when his teeth were bared and dripping. 

“I’ve seen worse things than you in Hell my love, and rarely seen something as divine.” He had said, eyes black, hands soft as they bandaged up the claw marks he had left himself when he was a restless creature. Isaak always had had a way with words. Simon was better with actions. He howled for Isaak, marking him as pack. He brought his back little treasures you could only find deep in the forest. Isaak was always waiting in the car park in the morning, ready with coffee, raising a single eyebrow at the blood.

If people learnt what they were, they were surprised. Not from the supernatural element so much, all the fur and fangs showed that much at least. But from the quiet domesticity they cultivated as carefully as the flowers in Eden. 

Life and Death

Life had sharp cheekbones and a laugh that wasn’t always kind. He moved too quickly, or not at all. His embrace could leave scars, and his bite wasn’t easily soothed. 

Death loved him anyway. 

They were always a breath apart, never close enough to touch. He hungered for him, in a way, but he was forced to be contented with smirks and early goodbyes. It was never enough, and he missed him dearly whenever he went, even if he was hateful when he was around.

Death was not like life. He was a flighty thing, too soft, too fleeting, too kind. He wept constantly, over the fractured beauty he witnessed a thousand times a day. He got lost easily, and found he loved almost everyone.

He loved Life the most though, no matter how much Life loved to tease him. He loved the energy, how he was always changing, how he always surprised him. He dreamt of how it might be to kiss him, how his lips would taste. And when he dreamt, he didn’t smile so cruelly. 

“Why are you like this?” He had asked, once, when his fingers hadn’t quite touched his neck.  “All we are is what we have to be.” Life had replied, uncharacteristically serious. For a moment, he could almost feel his pulse. And then, as always, he moved away. 

Death was certain, one day, they would meet. He wasn’t sure what would happen when they did. Maybe nothing. Maybe he’d discover they were too similar to be together, or too different to remain apart. That was one thing that united them both - they were mysteries.