#blades fanfic

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Pancake mornings

Blades of Light and Shadow 2

Pairing: Mal Volari X f!mc (Autumn Nightbloom)

Rating: Teen

Word count: 650

Art by the wonderful @artbyainna on IG

Summary: Mal tries his hand at making Heroes of Morella pancakes ... and Autumn considers more legitimate career choices for her handsome rogue.

Autumn awakens to the sweet smell of pancakes and peals of laughter coming up from the kitchen two floors below. She smiles at the novelty of normalcy. Something she never thought she’d have again.

Of course, there was still work to do. She and her friends continued to travel the newly merged realm to help the communities rebuild and fight off all manner of shadow beasts and fantastic creatures. But there were also moments of calm in-between, which she relished. She spent most of those weeks with Mal at the orphanage, making time to catch up with Nia, visiting friends, and Kade, when he wasn’t off to Zaradun with Cherta. Though she kept her room at the Palace, a standing invitation by King Arlan for the Saviour of the Realm, Autumn had pretty much moved into Mal’s cozy attic room.

She slips out of bed and quickly dresses, making her way downstairs towards the joyful ruckus.

“Morning, kit!” Mal calls out from the stove, flipping pancakes dangerously high into the air, to the delight of a dozen beaming kids gathered around.

“Morning, handsome.” She sidles next to him and places a soft kiss on his cheek. “Whatcha cooking up?”

“I call these my Heroes of Morella pancakes!” He proudly declares, to squeals of excited laughter from several kids.

She looks at a growing pile of deformed – faces? Some with elongated ears, others with points resembling horns, others just formless masses – and snorts. “Well, these certainly won’t win you any talent contests. Though I’ll give you points for originality, your magnificence.”

“Hey! I’d like to see you try to do better.” He mock-pouts.

“Sure thing. Watch and learn.” She smirks and grabs a ladle, dropping a dollop of batter onto the hot pan. She concentrates her magic, shaping the sizzling pancake into a perfect nesper shape.

“Oh, come on! That’s cheating!” Mal splutters, scandalized.

“And since when are you concerned about cheating, my handsome scoundrel?” She smirks mischievously, starting a new pile with her perfectly shaped pancakes.

"Since I'm not the one doing it!"

“I want Autumn’s pancakes! They’re so pretty.” “Me too!” “Me too!” The kids clutter around the counter, ooh-ing and ah-ing at Autumn’s growing pile of perfectly shaped heroes and nespers.

Mal huffs vexedly but relents with a magnanimous bow, “You seem to have won this battle, my fair lady.”

“oh, but you had the brilliant idea, so I say we share in the spoils of victory this time.” She sneaks a quick kiss, a promise of more to come.

He grins at her cockily, pressing himself against her back and whispering in her ear “That, I can get behind.”

“Mal!” She bats at him, eyes wide, and distracts herself with plating batches of pancakes for the anxiously waiting children.

Soon, the kids are settled around the dining table, munching away at their hero pancakes in a boisterous cacophony of talks and laughter. Autumn slips back to the kitchen and into Mal’s arms, hugging him lightly. He returns the embrace, sighing contentedly.

“Any plans today?”

“Well, I’ve gotten word that our dear friend Lord Thurgood 'procured' a sword from a temple from the shadow realm. Apparently, it’s got some engravings that may or may not predate the Elven civilization.” He catches her scandalized look and adds on quickly “… for research purposes! It’s rumored to have magical properties… I’m sure Nia and elf boy would love to examine it.”

“And once they’re done researching…”

“Weeeeell… it’ll be worth a pretty penny.”

“Mal! Do I have to remind you how your last heist in Thurgood manor nearly ended in disaster?”

“Eh! I'd say it ended pretty good, considering I made it out with the statue and … made out with you.” He smirks devilishly, stealing a heated kiss.

Autumn sighs, biting her lower lip to hide an amused smile. “You know, Mal, as a hero of the realm, you should really think about other more legitimate avenues of employment.”

“… Such as…?”

“I mean you’re a pretty good cook, when you’re not trying to get creative with your pancakes.”

“I have to be, since you’re so godawful at it!” He smirks, tempering the criticism with a loving kiss.

“Well, I can’t be good at everything. But you could work at the bakery with Vivi.”

“Hmm… kneading dough all day, kind of like this…?” He grabs her waist, bringing her flush against him and lowers his hands to massage her backside, earning a soft moan.

"Well you are very good with your hands..." she trails off, kissing lightly down his neck.

"I love my sister and Vivi, don't get me wrong, kit, but I doubt they'd enjoy seeing me everyday."

"Well you're great with a weapon - for fighting!" she quickly specifies, growing scarlet at his suggestive leer. "You could join the Whitetower guards."

"Autumn, my love, the king may have absolved me of my past crimes, but I can promise you the Whitetower guards remember me very well, and we're not exactly on the friendliest of terms... any other brilliant ideas, kit?"

She looks up at him, pondering, then sighs.

"Okay your magnificence, at what time are we headed over to Thurgood Manor tonight?"

Mal flashes her a dazzling grin, draping an arm across her shoulders as he walks her into the dining room.

"Well, see, I was thinking we could sneak in right at the change of guard..."

Autumn smiles to herself. Normalcy, with just a dash of danger and adventure. This, to her, was perfection.

[missameliep]

Hello to the people who are still around despite the lack of content in this blog. I can't even remember the last time I wrote a post like this but...

Roll the drums!

I'm writing again!

For these past days I've been going through my WIP folders and it's been something like this... but with more cobwebs.

Let's say some of those drafts have been collecting dust for longer than I imagined...

And while reading some half-written sentences, I wonder where I was even going with that in the first place???

Did I really write those? I can't remember what the plot was supposed to be.

When I was much much younger I used to struggle with coming up with new ideas for stories.

Now seeing how many drafts from fanfics and original work are in dozens of folders, I should be pleased and not overwhelmed by being swamped into so many stories and characters, right? Right?

*insert Anakin Skywalker/Padmé Amídala meme here*

Seriously, some things were nicely written to begin with, but I probably didn't notice at the time or was struggling with perfectionism and my too high standards and failed to complete them... And since some of the ideas (and enthusiasm with the stories if I'm perfectly honest) were lost over the past years, many drafts will remain incomplete...

But it's not all bad.

I'm excited with new stories and characters (I will only say vampires, because that's my latest obsession and not the subject of this post), and will write some more.

In conclusion,

I missed writing and it's been lovely to read some of these WIPs and to try to finish some of my favourites. I've been working on the second part of Bonds of Sea and Fire (I know it's been over four years, but it's happening. Like February 29th. It just takes longer for some of us 😂), and it will be posted tomorrow with a lovely new header because I thought we all deserved it after so long.

I'll make no promises when the next parts will be up, but, I'm focusing on them. There would be originally three chapters drafted to the time at the sea, so there's one more to go, and three for the time at the land and focused on the fire part, let's see how it goes... ☺️

[lowkeyren]

random texts w hsr men!

featuring — jing yuan, blade, aventurine (all established relationship)

bye can u tell that i had so much fun w this LOL... i should go to sleep (this is all for shits and giggles idek what prompted me to make these BSHSJAJAK)

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ masterlist dan heng, boothill, gepard vers here!

[jingyuanswallet]

bro. can people stop with the inc3st/r@pe reader x character fan fictions? you guys are genuinely gross. I don't want to know your damn intrusive thoughts 💀 "its so gross irl" then why write it?? are you stupid? if you think its gross then why do you write it down..i have blocked SO MANY people because they add something stupid shit like "dad!jing yuan x daughter reader" and its fuckin r@pe too. kys bro. you're psycho and insane. she ALSO makes those fan fictions to satisfy those same feelings for her blood relative brother. IRL!!! so its NOT just purely fiction either.

[cupidkyu]

USE ME LIKE A PRINCESS PLESSESSSESSEEESSEEE

PRINCESS ! ⁺◛˖

dom bottom gn reader x sub top male character

men that worship you,who treat you like you're so fragile,constantly praising and admiring how beautiful ur body is, begging if they can just touch you, begging if they can just plunge deep in u.

men that do anything you want,any position,any k1nk,f4tish: he doesn't mind, he just wants to please u<3,,

men that gets needy when you don't let him hold your hand. breathing heavily as you bounce so good on his cock, jerking his hips up just to get deeper in you,his desperate whimpers escaping his throat as your hole squeezes him so well. he was in a daze,how could've he deserve such a beautiful prize like you?

men that just can't get enough of you, subconsciously going rougher when he's inside you, fingers intertwining as you moan out his name. he's such a good boy,just let him c4m inside u!! he'd be blabbering and thanking you constantly,he's so pathetic it's adorable,isn't it?

men that wants you to himself,who gets jealous when he sees you getting too comfortable with someone else, he'll just need you to drag him somewhere secluded where you let him fuck you until he forgets about everything that ever got him so frustrated ,,

“h—..hmff~ shit- darling..~ you feel so good around my cock-..t-too good~” he'd whine helplessly as he pushes himself inside you,gosh, you're just too pretty for him.

blade,ororon,dottore, ayato,itto,aether,gojo,choso, zhongli,childe,your faves<3

@cupidkyu

[missameliep]

What a lovely fic!

I love the way you wrote Kassandra and Tyril’s reunion 💗

The way we learn about Kade and how much she misses Tyril while she worked on her hair, and explained the process and all the details about her hair and braiding it. It's interesting how this is a long process without magic and she needs to go through it by herself in that moment, she won't talk even to Kade about her issues...😥

And when Tyril finally arrives! How emotional! I love how tender it was and all your descriptions were just lovely! Thank you for sharing your story!

Braids

Fandom: Blades of Light and Shadow 2

Pairing: Tyril x f!human!MC (Kassandra)

Word count: 2.6k

Concept: the Tyril reunion of Blades 2, as I imagined it pre-chapter 2.

Tags: @choicesficwriterscreations, @liviusofpella, @megas-choices, @starlight-starfury

AO3 link: X

A/N: It’s been three years since I’ve written a fanfic and the first time writing these character so please be nice. Also, did quite a bit of research into box braids but I’m certain that I still got some details wrong. Apologies in advance. Also, so glad I got this finished before the Book 2 Finale 😅

It was earlier in the afternoon when Kassandra sat before the vanity in her room in Whitetower, everything she would need to braid her hair prepared and ready before her. She had washed her hair the day before and had allowed it to air dry in temporary chunkier plaits. Now that they were taken out, she was ready to begin the long process of braiding it all.

It had been a week since her escape from the Shadow Realm. Kassandra had been keen to start the mission, not wishing to waste her time while the Ash Empire threatened her home and her family. Every second that ticked by, their foes grew more prepared. Every day that passed, another hour of sleep was lost, her mind in turmoil and desperately fighting back horrendous images and memories. She wished to run out of the city walls, return to the road, and walk towards a solution. But regathering the group had hit a snag.

After the Royal Archives had run out of leads on how to find her, the group had split up, hoping that they could find something to rescue her in the other corners of Morella. Mal and Nia had remained in and around Whitetower, Nia researching in the Temple while Mal snuck around old tombs and temples. Imtura had returned to the Wraith, searching around the Cartesian Sea for any possible lead; it was by sheer chance that she had been sailing in the waters north of the Whitetower and was heading back to the city when Kassandra returned. Threep and Loola had not strayed far, having cozied up to Kade in the Archives, snacks never far from sight.

Only one member was missing.

A dove had been sent to Undermount with news of her return but the others had been uncertain if Tyril was even in the city; he had announced the intent to go there when the group had parted ways but some time had passed since then.

While they waited, desperate to keep herself busy and ignore the knots of sadness in her chest and the turmoil in her mind, she had spent some time taking out her braids. Her time in the Shadow Realm had ruined them and, considering the length of time she had been gone, they were long overdue a redo. All things considered, her hair was in a remarkably good state. A few days loose with the necessary care and her hair was ready to be braided once more.

She began by parting her hair into various smaller sections, pinning away most sections for later; she had always found it overwhelming doing everything all at once, even when Kade aided her in her quest. Last thing she wished now was to be overwhelmed by braiding; it felt at times that anything could set off the maelstrom of emotions hidden behind her smile and determination.

She began braiding the first section she had parted. She braided until about the halfway point before she moved to another section, braiding it too to about half the length of her hair. She repeated this for all the front sections, bringing the half finished braids forward over her shoulder in preparation for later steps. Once all sections were braided and brought forward, she let out a long sigh, already exhausted by the lengthy process. Still, she still had some ways to go. Before continuing, she peaked at her room in the reflection of the mirror, giving the space a brief glance over.

Everything in the room has been as she left it. Her first full day back, she had gone through all her belongings, yet another distraction from her mind. She had yanked out all the borrowed clothes out of the closet and organized and folded and hung them up again, despite them already being neat and tidy. She had read and reread all the lore tablets, searching between the lines for new details she knew weren’t there. She had searched and organized the few belongings she had and during that, she had found an item missing.

Her trusted bow.

She remembered that she had left it in its usual spot by her night stand. Of course, the one day she decided that the dangers had passed was the day she had needed it. A search of the royal armory yielded nothing nor did the exploration of the royal relics on display in the grand halls of the palace. In fact, no one had seen her bow since the group had gone their own ways. Her disappointment had been hard to hide. She was skilled in other forms of combat and the alchemy set she had acquired in the Shadow Realm was quite handy but her bow was special to her and now it was gone.

Just another thing she had lost.

Her belongings sorted and with little else to do while they waited, Kassandra had set to the long task of redoing her hair. Kade had offered to help her, spending some time with her undoing the many long braids she had and putting in the now-much-easier-to-acquire products in preparation for the new braids. He had chatted away endlessly about his work, the new books he’d read and sharing previous tales like he had done in Riverbend. She had listened intently, grateful for the distractions but soon, in typical Kade fashion, the topic began to drift away from the frivolous, joyous tales. Gently, he began to pry into her ordeal in the Shadow Realm, asking if she was alright and if she needed to talk; no doubt he had spotted the bag under her eyes in the days since her return.

Somehow she had avoided talking about any of it. Part of her wanted to talk about it, let it all out and be weak and vulnerable for just a moment, just be Kassandra and not the Saviour of Morella, the fearless leader of the group. But she couldn’t. Now wasn’t the right time.

It never was.

With a sigh, Kassandra turned her attention back to her braids, eyeing the back portions of her hair. Parting and braiding the back was always difficult to do; maybe she shouldn’t have declined Kade’s help. She resorted to fiddling around with an extra mirror available in the room, eventually finding a set-up that allowed her to see the back. As she began to part the hair, a thought rushed through her mind, it leaving a feeling of sadness.

She had promised Tyril that she would teach him how to care for and braid her hair once everything had calmed down. She couldn’t help but imagine the scenario, a tear welling in her eye. The two of them in Whitetower’s garden, sitting by the fountain, her showing him how to make a braid, braiding it halfway down before offering it to him. He’d probably fumble, mutter about how in Undermount it would be done using magic and being gobsmacked by the notion that she had to do it all by hand. He’d be further shocked by the fact that, when she lived in Riverbend, braiding her hair was an affair lasting several days, work and other duties preventing her from completing the artwork in a single sitting.

Not today. She was determined to finish it in a single sitting, aching arms and sleepy eyes be damned.

She repeated the process from before: parting the hair, pinning away the sections for later, braiding the sections one by one, and throwing the half finished braids to the front for later completion.

Once all sections were partially braided, she began finishing the braids, detangling the strands as she went; certainly not the fastest method of braiding but Kassandra found that she cared little for it at the moment. In silence, she worked through the braids one by one, painstakingly tying each braid off with thin threads of black ribbon, placing the few decorative beads she owned on some of the braids.

By the time she reached the final braid, the sun had already set.

There was a knock at the door. Kassandra sighed. It was probably Kade, coming once again with chamomile tea to aid in her futile quest for a restful night.

“Come in.” She said, hoping she was loud enough to be heard. She didn’t look up as she heard the door open, keeping her focus on her last braid in an attempt to avoid yet another conversation of concern and deflection. Silence continued throughout the chamber as she finished and secured her braid. She anticipated to hear the sound of a cup being placed down, the door shutting, and being left to another lonely night of nightmares. A fragment of a scent graced her nose but it wasn’t the tea she anticipated. Floral but not chamomile.

“Moonflowers?” Kassandra thought, her breath catching. Moonflowers weren’t common in Whitetower but they were somewhere else.

Undermount.

She glanced up in the mirror, finding a figure standing in the doorframe. Tall, elven, blue-skinned, and long, dark hair.

“Tyril.” She mumbled, jumping to her feet and turning to face him, praying she wouldn’t wake from some cruel nightmare. Her breath caught once more when she found him still standing in the doorframe, eyes trained on her, a cacophony of emotions flashing across his face. Disbelief, desperation, confusion, desire, love.

Time seemed to pause between them, both of them stuck in place.

Tears beginning to fall, Kassandra snapped out of her statue-like stance and ran to him, the elf meeting her halfway. They crashed into a hug, Kassandra gripping tightly onto him, feeling him do the same. A comfortable silence fell between them and a smile played on her lips as she took in his warmth, feeling safe for the first time in a week.

“How?” She heard him whisper into her hair. “When?” Kassandra shook her head, holding her grip tight.

“Don’t say anything.” She responded softly. “Just stay like this for a moment.” The tears continued as she held onto him, cursing her captors in her mind; how dare they take her from her family, from this. They stood in each other’s arms in silence, savoring each second. Reluctantly, they pulled out of the hug, though they remained close.

He cupped her face in his hands, looking at her as if she were the stars themselves. With a brief flash of hesitance, he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss, it slow and gentle, as if he was trying to savor every moment of it. It was different yet somehow the same, as if no time had passed between them. He deepened the kiss, clinging onto her as if he was scared that she’d disappear once more. Soon, he pulled away, the two of them breathless. Kassandra looked into his eyes, finding tears welling in them.

“What happened to you?” She shook her head.

“I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy this moment while we can.” He nodded, leaning forward to give her a kiss on her forehead. He cupped her cheek and frowned in concern.

“When was the last time you had a good night’s rest?” He asked, running his thumb her baggy eyes and wiping away her tears.

“I could ask you the same.” She reached up to cup his cheek, frowning at his baggy eyes. He bowed his head down as if in shame. “Tyril,” she began softly, only to be stunned to silence when she spotted a familiar weapon strapped to his back, “is that…?” She asked softly. Immediately, he pulled the ornate bow free and held it out for her to see. Kassandra reached forward but dared not to touch it, the tears reappearing.

“Your bow.” He responded. “I… took it before I returned to Undermount. I know I shouldn’t have but, I wanted something of you with me. To remind me to keep fighting and to keep going.” His face fell. “It has been… difficult this last year.” He added before holding out the bow to her. Kassandra hesitated for a moment before gently taking the bow into her hands. She stared at it for a moment before hugging it to her chest. She felt Tyril’s hand on her shoulder and she gave a faint smile.

“Thank you.” She whispered. She turned around and walked to the nightstand, placing the weapon against it, right where it belonged.

A bell tower tolled the hour outside the open window, snapping the two back to attention.

“It’s late.”

“So it would seem.”

“Maybe we should…” Kassandra looked at the elf, his expression seemingly calm and collected but she could see the faintest trace of doubt in his eyes.

“I can leave, if you’re-“

“No.” Kassandra quickly replied. “Stay. Please.” After a moment, Tyril began to remove his weapons, placing them down by the nightstand on his side of the bed. Kassandra turned around as she took off the outer layers of her clothing, letting the fabric fall to the ground in a heap. When she glanced her over shoulder, Tyril had already taken off his armor and stood in the shirt he wore underneath it.

The mattress dipped under their weight as they lay down on their side, facing each other. They stared at each other, Kassandra taking in every inch of his perfect features; how she had missed that face.

He gave a quick smile and reached forward, placing a reverent kiss on her forehead, then her cheek and then her lips. Once he pulled away, he smiled softly at her, Kassandra returning the gesture. Grabbing hold of her hand, he lay back down. Her smile morphed to a curious frown when she spotted an unfamiliar necklace around his neck.

Compared to the detailed elven armor he wore and the general extravagance of the elves, it was very plain. Simply a black string with a small silver bead. She reached forward and gently brushed her fingers over it.

“What’s this?” She asked softly. Tyril reached up and began to fiddle with the bead.

“Something I wanted to give to you. Before…” He trailed off, a sadness taking over his expression. He sat up in the bed and took off the necklace, sliding the small bead off the string into the palm of his hand. “It’s a bead for your braids. I commissioned a silversmith to make this for you after the Masquerade. To thank you. For everything.” He held his hand to her. She reached for the bead but lingered her hand in his, taking in the warmth and the comforting smoothness of his skin. She smirked at the light blush that appeared on his cheeks. She held the bead up to admire it, quickly spying an image carved into the silver, a familiar sigil.

“The Starfury sigil.” Kassandra said to which Tyril nodded. He hesitated for a moment before reaching forward and taking one of her braids with a fond smile.

“It’s a pity that I didn’t arrive sooner. Maybe you could’ve worn it already.” He said, a hint of remorse in his tone. Gently, Kassandra took the braid from him and untied the string holding it in place. She undid a small section of it before sliding the bead onto one of the strands. With practiced ease, she redid the braid and tied it off.

“There. Right where it belongs.” She announced proudly, admiring the braid. She ran her fingers over the bead. “Thank you; I will treasure this. Always.” He smiles fondly and the two lay back down once more, the comfortable silence falling between them once more. Eventually, she shuffled closer to him, still grasping his hand tightly. Soon, she found her eyes getting heavy, her mind slowly drifting towards sleep though she didn’t fear it as she had the previous days. The fleeting thought made her smile.

It was always easy to rest in his arms.

[miyaz6ki]

"do you want me to call your mother/father?!" he jokes yet the children replied in different hues of scared. "no!" every single one you could see had mixed variant, different version of mixtures of genes. from who? well.. you and mydei obviously.

"hah.. works everytime to get them—AAA!!" the blonde suddenly turns to phainon, only to find his partner, crossed arms and glaring at him. "call me for what?"

"oh.. (name), my love... haha.. you're home early." he awkwardly chuckles and gives a glare to phainon who walks away with a cheeky smile on his face. "are you scaring the kids again?" "you see.." "mydei!"

by the time you cater back to all three of the cuties, from afar you could spot the red spot on his face later, and it wasn't from blushing.. (spoiler alert, it's because you scolded him for scaring your kids)

"why does papa have a booboo?" one of the three children asked, as you replied with a smile. "oh! you know how papa is, he's a fighter, so he'll end up with a bruise or two." you lift the small baby girl up onto your lap as you hug her close. two of your other kids finding their spots to sit beside you as well. "against my will.." "did I hear something mydeimos?!" "no sir/ma'am!"

inspired by that tt audio of Rio 2 :)

[elixrr]

He trusts you. Over the course of your friendship, he built an unforgettable bond with you, one that was meant to last forever– and, really, it could've. It should've, he's not gullible, nor is he naive. He hardly trusts anybody, so you're a rare case— perhaps you're his final and lucky case where he can have somebody else sit with him, shoulder to shoulder, and no mask would have to be up. You're his best friend; you're his lover. You're the shoulder he can lean on, sleep on, lay on, cry on, and that's something that he hasn't had for several years.

Towards the start of your friendship, he didn't exactly see you as a friend, you were more of an acquaintance than anything. You were almost set to be treated by him the same way that he'd treat anybody else. He kept you at arms length, he kept his distance for a while.

Yet, you began to close that distance. You began to slither past his arm, growing closer to him. You were willing, and that's absolutely why you both should've been a lifetime bond.

But now you're being rushed to the emergency room— a head injury, something severe. You're unconscious, terribly injured from the fall, but you're lucky to be alive. He's lucky to have you alive, but now he waits. He waits, waits, and waits for his only trust, his only other shoulder, his only love, and he hopes that you can wake up soon.

You eventually and successfully did. You were in a coma for about a week, but you've finally opened your eyes. You're awake— you're alive! By the Archons and Aeons, that's all that matters to him.

“W– Where am I?” You mutter, eyes finally fluttering with consciousness. Typical question, probably always asked. He watches the doctors explain everything to you.

He watches your eyes as they flicker from one person to the next. One doctor, another, the last one— then to him. A smile nearly graces his face, but your eyes are taken back to begin the cycle again. That doctor to the next, then to that one doctor, then on him, and rinse and repeat. You glance at him as he stares at you, and it's as if he was just one extra person in the room, just one other doctor— out of uniform, though. As if you were saved by him, too, under his care, but your glances are as distant as they are for the other doctors.

Your gaze is unrecognizable. His is the same as ever.

“Who are... You guys?” You ask. ‘Who are you?’ is and would've been fine as long as you looked at somebody that wasn't him, but he's not gullible; he's not naive, and that's the thing. He immediately realizes that you don't recognize him.

He says your name without thinking.

“Do you...” He hesitates, but pursues. “Do you remember me?”

“No, sorry? Have we met before?” The words are fluent, so you didn't hesitate—

—so you don't remember him.

“Amnesia?” One of the doctors mutters, and that's when he realizes that it's all over for him.

He doesn't have another shoulder. He doesn't have a best friend. He doesn't have a lover.

He doesn't have you anymore.

He looks at you, and you look at him. Your eyes are finally fixed onto each other, but you're so distant, so far away from him now. You're both in the same room, but an unavoidable and terrifying distance is built between you two.

“What's your name, then?” You still ask.

The distance shortens. Are you still willing?

“You seem... really upset that I can't remember you. Maybe if you tell me your name, I can remember you?”

Are you really still willing?

He says his name.

“That's a nice name. Sorry, I can't remember, but I'll try.”

“You're willing?” He blurts.

“Of course.” You half-smile.

A sad grin grows on his face. He still loves you— he can feel it deep down inside. You don't remember him. You probably don't even remember any of those special memories you two created that had made the both of you the duo you were, but a smile still adorns his face regardless. You're alive.

And you're still willing.

And, because of that, your bond could last a lifetime.

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Reflections on the eve of battle

Blades of Light and Shadow 2

Pairing: Mal Volari X f!mc (Autumn Nightbloom)

Rating: Teen

Word count: 744

Summary: This takes place on the eve of the Ash Empire’s invasion in Blades of Light and Shadow 2. I kept thinking of Mal’s internal conflict throughout Blades 2 and how it would come to a head before the big battle… wanted to try and do it justice

She loved him. Mal Volari still couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“You love me.”

“Yes I do, you scoundrel. Make sure to tell everyone.”

She looked up at him with a light smirk, a twinkle in her eyes, fingers lightly tracing down his face and chest. He pulled her tighter into their intimate embrace, unbelievably happy that this woman, his kit, really loved him back.

“Oh, I plan to.”

He flashed her a bright smile, preening. Some of the old swagger returning.

And he planned on doing just that.

A giddy smile lit up his face at the memory, all too quickly replaced by the now near-constant mask of worry.

Right after figuring out how to make sure she’ll survive the upcoming battle.

His chest constricted, heart rate accelerating as the familiar panic and dread took over. The guilt at having failed her already, again and again.

At not having been fast enough to keep Valax from dragging her into that portal. At not having been sufficiently resourceful or cunning to figure out how to get her back. Or able to keep their party from slowly falling apart after their repeated failures at freeing her from the shadow realm.

He had worked himself to exhaustion all those months, grasping at any leads albeit thin, going to increasing lengths – and risks – to find artefacts or spells that could bring her back.

He had poured his earnings from defeating the Shadow Court towards opening an orphanage. A dream he had shared with her just before her disappearance, on that wonderful evening where she had finally broken down the last of his defenses and gotten him to start to hope for something better, for the possibility of happiness and a life together.

He had wanted to honor her memory, and make sure these kids had a happier alternative to the harsh, violent life he had led, growing up in the Thief’s Guild.

But really, he had needed to keep busy. He didn’t want to stop, couldn’t stop and consider the possibility that she was really gone.

That nothing he could do would bring her back.

Because those thoughts brought him to a dark and dangerous place. One he had only visited in the deepest pits of hopelessness in his reaper days, horrified at his capacity for violence and death but desperate to pay out his and his sister’s debts and free them from that terrible life.

So he kept going, like an automat, refusing to stop and feel the loss of his love, of his home, because he knew he couldn’t live in a world without her.

And then suddenly she was back. His one dream come true. Smiling, beautiful as ever, bantering and alive.

Gods how he had wanted to lose himself in her embrace and forget the world around them.

But he couldn’t relax and let himself feel the joy of her return. Couldn’t let his guard down.

She was still being hunted down by Valax and the Ash Empress. He had already failed her too many times. Wouldn’t do it again.

His dark train of thoughts returned to the present, and the impending invasion from the Ash Empire.

He looked across the sprawling camp, eyes trained on his beautiful kit, striding confidently from one group of fighters to the other, boosting morale and talking strategy.

Gods he was proud of her. His beautiful warrior. His finest treasure, the only one he would ever need.

He told her he’d have her back out on the battlefield, and he meant it. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe, help her protect the Light Realm. He would lay down his life for a chance at keeping her alive.

Amidst all the darkness and doubt swirling around in his head, that warm feeling, the seeds of hope she had planted with her patience, understanding and love, kept pulling at him.

He would die for her, but he hoped that somehow… somehow they’d make it out of this fight alive, and would have a second chance at love and a life together.

A slow, hesitant smile etched Mal’s features. He gazed on at the woman he loved.

“For you, kit, I’ll do anything.”

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Oh my god. What a turn of events 🤯😭

I was so very much enjoying the lovely, heartfelt Kade and Raine childhood snapshots... then you punched me in the gut with those later scenes 😭

Still not over how good this is... and traumatic. I may need some fluff now to recover

Fables & Falsehoods

Book: Blades of Light and Shadow

Characters: (F!Elf!MC) Raine & Kade

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Fantasy violence, blood, depictions of scarring/injury.

Length: 4.7k

Summary: Alternate timeline where Kade was shadow-scarred during the fight against the Dreadlord.

Tags: @lawrencebarkley @watatsumi-island @choicesficwriterscreations

A/N: This turned out wayy longer than expected 😅 For maximum emotional damage also read this fic.

It was morning when Raine set off towards the outskirts of Riverbend, with a light mist still hovering over the hills and the sky a pale shade of daffodil yellow as she followed the river upstream to the wild meadows.

The young girl crouched with her basket in hand as she found a patch of blue chamomile flowers, ignoring how the pollen made her sensitive nose itch while she recalled the instructions the farmer had given her.

Harvest them during early morning, when the dew has evaporated but before the sun is fully shining.

Their scent was reminiscent of the sweet hay kept in the village stables, and she took great care to gently remove the flower heads without damaging the stems before she placed them delicately in the basket.

Once she had collected enough and the sun was higher in the sky, she stood and followed the dirt path back to the village, with her basket bumping against the side of her leg as she went.

She skipped up to the old wooden cottage she and Kade lived in with the farmer, and left the basket on the table near the fireplace so he could use the flowers to make tea, having been unable to collect them himself in his older age.

When it was ready, she tentatively carried the mug to the small room they shared. Inside, Kade’s slight frame laid in bed shaking from fever, his limbs occasionally wracked with tremors as he coughed.

“Kade,” she whispered, unsure if he was asleep. When he stirred and opened his eyes, she sat down beside him. “I brought you tea.”

She helped him sit up enough to lean against the bed frame, and looked inside the mug where the drink had been infused with golden honey that shimmered and swirled within like liquified sunlight. It looked magical, and that gave the young girl enough hope in her heart that it could heal him.

Raine lifted the mug to his mouth so he could take a sip, only six years old and too weak to hold it on his own.

“It’s made with flowers!” She explained. “I found a whole field so I’ll pick some more tomorrow. The farmer said using them in this tea will help you feel better.”

Her expression filled with worry. “It is working, right?”

“Tastes good,” he murmured before glancing back down at the mug. “I’m drinking flowers?”

She giggled and placed the empty mug on the bedside table when he was finished. Kade sighed and laid his head back down on the pillow, and just when Raine thought he was going to fall back asleep, he opened his eyes once more. “Can you read me a story?”

“Which one?” She asked.

“The one about the dragon.”

She picked up the book he was referring to and sat close enough for him to see the penciled illustrations. “Once upon a time, at the top of a great mountain peak, there was a dragon of light whose scales shone brighter than any jewel…”

As she continued to read, dark clouds began to gather outside and her voice was soon accompanied by the soft pattering of light rainfall.

“…The nearby villagers feared for their safety and so they shot the dragon out of the sky, but they didn’t know it had been defending something. Not a hoard of gold but something far more precious, a shimmering egg that now sat alone in the darkened cave.”

When she glanced back up, Kade was fast asleep and raindrops trickled slowly down the window pane. She closed the book and traced a finger along the cover, where the dragon’s scales reflected the sky with an opalescent sheen that caused rainbows to ripple across its large body.

With a yawn, she put the book away and crawled into her own bed, and as she drifted off to sleep her head was filled with dreams of someday crossing paths with a dragon for herself.

A few years later, they were playing in an old stable where the worn grey bricks of the exterior were lined with moss, and eating berries they had collected from the nearby woods. Kade had recovered from his illness, but the elderly farmer had sadly passed and now it was just the two of them on their own.

“It’s broken!”

“What is?”

“My bow!”

Raine sat among the straw as she frustratedly tried to fix it. Although the stable had not been used for years and the outside looked uninviting, it was surprisingly warm within and filled with large bales of hay that were perfect for hiding and climbing.

She frowned when her attempts were to no avail. It was only a toy made of fragile wood, but the bowstring had snapped and she had no means of repairing it by herself.

“Every great adventurer needs a weapon, Kade!” She sighed. “And mine’s busted.”

“What about my slingshot?” He asked, holding up the one he’d crafted out of twigs that morning after seeing a drawing in one of his books.

She looked at it doubtfully. “That’s okay, you can keep it.”

“But slingshots make great weapons, look!” He picked up one of the berries and placed it in the sling before firing, and it hit Raine directly in the forehead before falling to the ground and leaving a small purple juice stain marked on her skin.

“Hey!” She rubbed her head with her forearm. “I’ll get you for that!”

As she glanced around the stable looking for something to help enact her revenge, she found a dark piece of wood sticking out from one of the straw piles. When she lifted it she saw it was a small toy sword, carved roughly but still intact despite being in the old building for years.

“I found one!” She said, her payback forgotten as she and Kade studied the sword.

“A fine weapon.” He nodded with approval. “It will aid you well on your quest.”

Raine giggled. “What’s my quest?”

He turned and pointed to the highest hay bale in the room. “Climb the great mountain and defeat the beast that lurks there!”

She leapt up onto the lowest pile, adjusting her footing as she climbed higher. She was almost at the top when she slipped and nearly fell, and a few loose strands of straw drifted to the ground. “Woah!”

“You can do it!” Kade cheered from the bottom.

With one final haul, she pulled herself up to the top and triumphantly waved her sword in the air. “I did it! I slayed the beast!”

“I knew you could!” He clapped as she sat there for a moment to catch her breath while her mind wandered off in deep thought, a look of immense concern on her features that looked unusual for the young girl.

“Kade, do you…” She said slowly before trailing off. “…Do you think even heroes get scared?”

“Of course. I know if I had to fight a massive dragon I’d be scared.”

“Then how do they do it?”

He was silent for a moment. “Because they care more about doing what’s right.”

Raine grinned, her eyes sparkling. “You’re such a goody-goody.” Then she brandished the sword at him and leapt from the hay bale, tackling him to the ground where they both collapsed into a pile of laughter.

Above their resounding joy, Raine heard a creak and looked up in time to see one of the large wooden beams from the ceiling swing and come falling down straight towards them.

With a squeal and a hard shove, she pushed Kade out of the way and rolled to the side just moments before it crashed to the ground, sending straw flying.

She sat up dazed and with a few pieces in her hair, and Kade helped her back onto her feet.

“That was too close,” he said.

She nodded in agreement. “I’m not sure we should play here anymore…”

“What would’ve happened if it fell on us?” He asked.

“Well, you’d probably have gotten a concussion at least.” Raine answered. “And you don’t need another one of those.”

Kade shuddered as they both remembered the time he’d been hanging upside down from a tree branch near the riverbank, and how he said he “wanted to know how bats slept that way” before he fell and landed on his head.

She laughed at his expression. “Come on, no more old buildings for a while. Or trees. If we’re not careful we’ll run out of places to play.”

He sighed. “The fields it is, then.”

“Race you there!” Raine said, and he was quick to follow, but both of them were too distracted to notice the wooden sword lying on the ground forgotten once more.

Time seemed to move forward in a blurred whirlwind after that, from the carefree joys of childhood to helplessly watching Kade get trapped in the Onyx Shard and the long, arduous journey it had taken to rescue him.

She had seen all the beautiful and treacherous places of the world in that time. The sun setting across the ocean at Port Parnassus, the glittering city of Undermount, even a place as harsh and nightmarish as the Deadwood held its own secret places of wonder.

Although she savoured every moment of the adventure, there was still a hollow ache through it all that reminded her they were supposed to be by each other’s side. He was the only family member she had left after what had happened to the farmer and her parents, and she couldn’t lose him too.

Her determination to save him ignited an ember in her heart, one that carried her onward through every challenge they faced along the way, no matter how perilous. One that led them all directly into the realm of shadow, a twisted land of darkness no one had ever returned from and to face an enemy proclaimed impossible to defeat.

For a brief moment, all of the danger lurking ahead was forgotten and the pain they had been through was worth it when she was finally able to save Kade. His weakened frame sat in a cold, lonely cell, bruised and beaten but alive, and seeing him alive was what had mattered to her the most.

Their quest led them to a chamber of ash and smoke, where the Dreadlord rose from his tomb while possessing the body of their friend, wearing her skin like a ghost and controlling her movements as a puppet with strings woven of shadow and malice.

Soldiers swarmed them like an oncoming tide of darkness, with magic rising and falling in turbulent waves and weapons that surged and clashed mid-air. Through it all, she could feel her strength waning.

With every soldier that fell a new row appeared, and she fought until she was wounded and bleeding, until her whole body felt like it was made of lead as she struggled to take each step.

The ember that had carried her so far began to fade out when her legs could no longer hold her upright, and she sunk to her knees, too weakened to fight any longer. She had used up all her strength on this journey, only to run out right on the threshold when she needed it the most.

“And here I thought you’d be more willing to put up a fight.” The Dreadlord spoke with a voice tainted by dust and rot, hovering above her as an omen of death. “How pathetic.”

It used Nia’s hand to summon a jagged lance of weaponised darkness, pointed and aimed straight for her heart. “Now you will meet your end.”

Raine’s body slumped forward as the lance soared through the air and she braced herself for the final hit, eyes closed as she expelled her last breath.

It never came.

She looked up to see a figure standing in front of her, with the lance meant to kill her piercing clean through his right side.

“Kade!” She screamed, and his fingers trembled as he reached for the wound, dark blood seeping across his hand as shadow slowly began to spread throughout his body.

Even in this state, he still managed a weak smile.

He was always smiling, she remembered. While bedridden as a child, running through the woods, and playing songs at the tavern. His optimism even under such dire circumstances throughout their lives often made her think he was more of a hero than she was.

She knew it to be the truth.

“You…always saved me.” His voice was barely a whisper as he spoke, and tears welled in Raine’s eyes before spilling down her cheeks. “Now it’s my turn…to save you.”

He swayed on his feet and she rushed to catch him in her arms before lowering him to the stone ground. “No, no.” She whispered. “Not again.”

His eyes fluttered closed as his breathing grew shallow, and she reached for his bloodied hand. “Kade, I…I can’t lose you again.” Panicked desperation took hold as she uttered a silent plea. “Please.”

He stirred for a brief moment before using all his remaining strength to open his eyes once more. “Leave me…Get to Nia.” He let out a painful sounding cough as blood dripped down his chin. “Be the hero I…know you are.”

With a strangled sob, she hauled herself to her feet with her weapon in hand. The rest of the battle passed in a blur, from wielding the Blade of Light to opening a portal back to Whitetower, all that mattered was ensuring her brother’s safety.

She called for a healer and helplessly watched his body be carried away, knowing that if she had just been able to hold on a little longer she could have prevented the worst of it.

He was too injured to attend the medaling ceremony, but Nia assured her that he was recovering. That he was talking and laughing with the healers when he wasn’t asleep, and although the shadow scarring would be permanent, he was going to be okay, and that was what mattered the most.

Raine took a deep breath as she gazed around the city, at everyone they had worked so hard to save. It might take a while but she hoped that maybe, someday, it would all be okay.

Kade wasn’t there when she was taken.

He was still recovering from his injuries, warring with the shadow while under the constant attention of the palace healers. The last time he had seen Raine was late afternoon when she came to visit, telling him she was going to the palace terrace to celebrate the Dreadlord’s defeat with a victory toast.

“Bring back a drink for me?” He asked, grinning.

“Of course,” she laughed, before turning her back as she walked out the door, and he picked up one of the large books she’d bought for him at the festival. He knew she still felt guilty, but hadn’t yet had the chance to reassure her that he didn’t regret taking the lance in her stead and that he would do it again if he must, even though he knew she would disapprove.

He was still reading when her companions barged into the room in a frantic hurry a few hours later, and he panicked when he saw she wasn’t among them. “What’s going on?” He asked, and everyone started speaking all at once.

“They took her,” Tyril scowled. “Back to the Shadow Realm.”

“A portal opened on the terrace and their army swarmed through.” Mal said.

“We weren’t strong enough to fight them.” Nia frowned, and Kade used all his strength to push himself from the bed, even though his body burned in protest.

“Kade, your leg-” The healer tried to warn him but he gritted his teeth as he leant against the wall, ignoring the sharp pain pulsing in his leg until it was too much to bear. “I have to…have to find her.” His eyes almost rolled back as he began to collapse and Imtura lifted him back over to the bed.

“You won’t be able to save her if you make yourself worse.” She said, helping him sit back down.

“We have to get her back.” Kade said, looking determinedly at the group before realising none of them had any answers, their expressions looking as hopeless as he felt. “How do we get her back?”

He wished he had been there, but he knew that even if he had, there wasn’t anything he could have done. He wasn’t a fighter or a mage, he couldn’t hold his own in a proper fight and he felt out of his depth and as helpless as he had been when he was a sickly child.

King Arlan permitted them access to the Royal Archives, and since Kade wasn’t in a state to go there himself he insisted they bring their findings back to him, and as weeks went by his room ended up a mess of scattered books and old scrolls where everyone gathered to share their resources.

As he slowly recovered he was able to visit the archives more frequently, being offered a position as the head archivist that he hoped would give him the information he needed to save Raine.

For a short while he performed at the taverns in Whitetower, always having found solace in music throughout his life. But the songs he sang of legendary heroes felt like a mockery, and the strings of his lute only strummed empty taunts that reminded him he could be doing more, that he should be doing more to find her.

Then came the day when the others decided the archives didn’t hold the answers they needed. They decided to set off to search the realms instead, and he had wanted to go with them but knew it was for the best if he stayed at the palace.

Someone needed to be there if she returned, he told himself, but it felt more like an unconvincing reminder he could still be helpful, that there were hundreds of books still unread that may yet reveal some small glimpse of hope and a way to bring her back.

The others patted him on the shoulder, telling him they would do everything they could to help save her and that they would be fine if he stayed. Kade promised them they were all welcome back in Whitetower and that they could use the archives at any time in the future again if necessary.

It was all he could offer.

And yet he knew it wasn’t enough.

Raine’s return was not a forgettable display for those who had witnessed it.

The guards were going about their usual business when a portal appeared, a vibrant shade of electric purple that crackled with energy before a figure flew through, as though she had tumbled through a storm and right into the palace throne room.

“I need to…see the king and his advisors.” She wheezed. “It’s…important.” Her vision began to flicker as she knelt on the cold, marble floor and before she knew what was happening, she found herself being pulled from the ground and into a pair of familiar arms.

“Raine, you’re…you’re really-” Kade’s voice sounded disbelieved, and although she returned the hug, she leaned back when his hands trembled and more people began to gather nearby.

“I’m…glad to see you too, but what’s going on?”

Kade shook his head as though he still couldn’t believe his eyes. “Raine, you’ve been gone for a year.”

“What?” Her voice barely came out as a whisper as the world began to sway around her. “What do you mean a year?”

Part of her wanted to believe it was some sort of joke, though a glance at his healed wounds and more polished outfit suggested that surely some time had passed, but a year sounded impossible.

Some of the shadow spread across his face had receded slightly, leaving scarred cracks across the skin, but it wasn’t healed. Nia said it would never be fully healed, but he did look healthier. He was standing upright now that his leg had recovered and he wore that same old mischievous grin on his face, all too familiar to her after years of causing trouble.

His right eye looked better too, almost swollen shut when she had seen him last but now fully vibrant, although the iris had been permanently changed from grey to amber.

“Kade, that’s…” She frowned. “That’s not possible.” She knew it was the truth based on what she had seen, but she didn’t want to have to believe it.

“I wish that was the case,” he sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s talk about this somewhere else.”

Having multiple swords pointed in her direction wasn’t exactly how she imagined her return would play out, but was also the least of her concerns as Kade waved the guards down and led her to the indoor gardens away from the commotion that had begun to stir.

She sat down on the fountain’s edge, surrounded by flowering bushes as the water trickled slowly, too serene of a setting for the tumultuous wave of emotions crashing inside her.

“What happened while I was gone?” She asked.

He looked down for a moment, as though even the memory caused himself pain. “After you were taken, we spent weeks trying to find a way to get you back. When that didn’t work, the others went to search elsewhere. I was offered a job in the Royal Archives and I took it because…” he trailed off for a moment, uncertain, “because it was the only way I could help bring you back.”

Under normal circumstances he was sure she would have teased him about being appointed head archivist, that she would have been thrilled for him working in the palace of all places and surrounded by books all day as he’d always dreamed. Instead she was unusually quiet, glancing at her hands for a long time before she finally spoke.

“Everything is different now, isn’t it?” Her voice carried a solemness even she couldn’t quite place. She felt like a ghost brought back from the dead at his side, feeling alone in a world that seemed to just move on in her absence, a world where everything had changed.

“Nothing has changed,” he tried to reassure her, but they both knew it was a lie.

She looked at his arm, where the shadow marred and twisted his flesh. “Gods, Kade, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, I don’t regret it. Not when it saved you.” He frowned as her gaze shifted to the floor. All their lives they had been inseparable, having always been side by side up until Kade had gotten trapped inside the Onyx Shard.

Ever since then it seemed like they were set on opposite sides of the same path, and it felt as though a series of cracks had begun to form between them, like fragile glass on the verge of shattering apart.

“I wasn’t like the others,” he spoke slowly, his voice low. “I didn’t want a hero, I just needed my sister back.”

Raine took a deep breath, trying to maintain her rising nerves. “I didn’t exactly ask to be trapped there, you know.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He took her arm, but she gently shrugged him away.

“Look,” she sighed, glancing out the ornate stained glass window before dragging a hand through her hair. “It’s getting late. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

He gave a brief nod. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. I won’t get in your way.”

“Kade…” She shook her head. “Goodnight.” Her tone felt distant but she still took care to place her hand on his uninjured shoulder, giving him a half-hearted smile although she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eyes.

“…Goodnight.” Kade whispered, and as she walked away they could both feel the cracks between them only growing deeper.

The next morning, the sun was rising over Whitetower and the palace was the first part of the city to awaken as its light painted the turrets a brilliant shade of gold, making the scarlet spires resemble rubies amongst the regal splendour of dawn.

Raine was making her final preparations at the castle entrance, tacking up a horse from the royal stables with a white mane that cascaded like snowfall when Kade ran towards her.

“Raine! I’ve been looking all over the palace for you!” He reached her side with evident relief on his features before confusion set in as he glanced at the horse. “Where are you going?”

“I have to gather the others,” she said firmly as she adjusted the leather bridle. “The Ash Empire is on their way and we need to stop them before-”

“You’re leaving?” The disbelief in his tone made her movements halt and look at him properly, seeing a flicker of betrayal in his gaze that only further stirred her remorse. “Raine, I just got you back.”

“I have to, Kade, I-”

“Why do you always have to be the one who saves everybody?”

Her pause was brief before she turned her attention back to the horse, and any softness in her voice had faded. “This is my fault, I’m the only person who can fix it.”

“You don’t have to do this just because you think you failed me.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“Because you look at me and all you see is guilt.” She stilled, her fingers trembling along the reigns, and they both knew deep down that it was true. “You’re scared of me because you think…you think I’m one of them.”

Dark images of the Shadow Court flashed through her mind, with sinister smiles and shadow pulsing through their veins, and she vehemently shook her head. “No, Kade, I could never-”

He took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to blame yourself, but you need to know I did it to save you, not so you could go putting yourself in danger again.”

“You know the risks at stake! Do you want me to just stand by and do nothing?”

“I never asked for any of this! I went to the temple with you so you could have the adventure you’d always dreamed about, and look where that got us. Do you think being tortured in the shadow realm is what I wanted?”

“Of course not!” She snapped, all her guilt and frustration rushing to the surface. “You know I would have prevented you from getting trapped there if I could, but I can’t do anything to change that. All I can do is try to make up for it.”

“And you think the best way to do that is by risking your life?”

“If the Ash Empire finds a way to the Light Realm they’ll destroy everything. I’m doing what’s best for us!”

His expression turned stormy, a dark contrast to his normally cheerful self, and one that made her blood run cold. “And how would you know what’s best for us? You weren’t even here!”

As soon as the words came out he wished he could take them back.

For her, it felt as though a knife had been cleaved through her chest, severing her clean in half and leaving her to shatter into a thousand pieces. She recognised the constriction forming in the base of her throat and the familiar sting of tears that threatened to spill before she pushed the feelings down, away.

“Raine, I didn’t mean-”

The wave of emotion froze over like a river in winter, and Raine was silent for a long moment before her eyes turned cold. When she spoke, her voice didn’t carry its usual warmth, but was instead flat and harsh like ice.

“I worked my ass off travelling across the continent to find a way to save you when I didn’t even know if it was possible, and I come back just to learn you’ve spent a year playing librarian?” Her tone was deathly still as she turned on her heel, barely sparing a sharp glance over her shoulder. “I thought you would have done the same for me.”

Before Kade could even utter an apology, she mounted the horse in one swift movement and took off, leaving him alone with regret festering in his heart as the coloured banners above swayed in an empty breeze.

Further south near the forests surrounding Riverbend, an ominous shadow was cast on the ground far larger than any cloud as a great beast soared overhead, the beating of its wings like the rolling of distant thunder.

And somewhere in an old stable, a wooden toy sword laid, burning.

[missameliep]

👫 What if they had twins!?!?

For tyril x oc

Hi, my dear @princess-geek! Thanks for the ask and sorry it took so long to answer it, but only very recently I had an idea that could fill this prompt. I hope you like it!

[lowkeyren]

reverse dating tropes w hsr men!

in which — what the title suggests / those classic fanfic tropes but with a twist

featuring — boothill, jing yuan, blade (separately) x gn!reader

✧.* — wc: total 1.5k, used up half my brain for this (the other half is for pt2 w aven sunday geppie!!), lovesick boothill + clingy jy + jealous blade fr, anyway pls enjoy! reblogs r appreciated <3

gepard aven sunday vers here!

boothill ꩜ .ᐟ

love at many sights with boothill whose memory card was tinkered with, and every time you meet, he thinks he's seeing you for the first time, so he falls for you over and over again. 

when boothill returned from a dangerous mission, it was evident that he had endured significant damage. his once sleek and polished exterior was now marred by dents and scratches, and his mechanical limbs were either partially missing or severely damaged. the exposed wiring, usually neatly tucked away beneath scraps of metals, now hung in tangled strands, sparking occasionally with residual energy.

he looked barely salvageable. it's safe to say that the mechanics had a hell of a time fixing him.

though they were skilled enough to piece him back together, his memory card wasn’t as lucky. a tinkering in his system left him incapable of recalling or retaining information in his synthetic brain, temporarily —leaving the mechanics scrambling to find a solution.

weeks later, you find yourself walking down the familiar corridors of the laboratory where your favourite cyborg is being held for reparation.

boothill’s eyes immediately land on yours when you enter the lab. “well ain’t this a surprise! haven’t seen ya in a good long while.” boothill drawls, tipping his hat your way, his voice carrying a metallic twang. 

"i heard you took a bit of a tumble, figured someone should come make sure you didn’t lose all your screws." you shrug nonchalantly, a smirk playing on your lips.

boothill's eyes flicker for a moment, taking in the curve forming on your lips. he thinks you’re adorable with that infectious smile of yours. 

“heh, nothin’ bad, just had a r-r-run in with some cuties" he says, failing to hide the glitch that caused his voice to stutter. (and that damn synesthesia beacon! he swears he’ll get it fixed this time around…)

“guess you took more than a tumble huh...” you lean casually against the workbench, the sterile scent of machinery and the hum of various devices filled the air; your gaze sweeps over the freshly repaired parts of boothill's metallic frame, “anyway, glad to see that you’re mostly fine now." 

“aww! do ya care ‘bout me?” he teases, his grin widening, revealing his pointy teeth peeking out mischievously. you don’t reply, your eyes glinting with the faintest hint of amusement dancing in them.

"boothill, we go through this every time, your memory card's still damaged. you forget things sometimes, so for the 5th time this week, yes i do care about you.”

boothill's expression shifts, a mixture of realization and sheepishness crossing his features. "right, right," he murmurs, scratching the back of his head with his metallic hand. "sorry 'bout that, sugar. guess i just keep forgettin'."

you chuckle and shake your head, finding the situation amusing. he feels like he might overheat from the sheer warmth radiating from your smile.

“you’re beautiful, date me.” (he didn’t mean to blurt that outloud)

you raise your eyebrows at the sudden compliment, “why thank you,” a surprised laugh escapes your lips.

“—and we’re already dating, silly.”

a shower of sparks erupts from his circuits, you can particularly hear the fans inside him sputter and whir. you rush to his side, concern etched on your face.

“wh- are you okay?! you’re short circuiting again!”

and this happens every time his memory lapses. you offer an apology to the mechanic on the next shift for the extra work required to fix yet another damaged wire after your visits. perhaps they should ban you from getting too close to boothill, lest he completely breaks down again like that one time where you told him, yes you actually kissed before.

jing yuan ୭ ˚.

"secret relationship" with jing yuan but he is completely unaware of how his public displays of affection towards you keep revealing the supposed secrecy of your relationship.

on the rare case that the general is found in his office, you are there too, beside him.

“pleeeease? just one kiss, really really miss you, darling”

“no jing yuan, not now…”

he wraps his arms around you as he leans in, caging you from the back. he rests his chin on your shoulder, “then how about a kiss on the cheeks?” he murmurs in your ear. you try to push him away, but he just chuckles softly against your neck, his arms still secure around you.

“no, and get off me before someone sees!” you protest, feeling your face flush from the close proximity, and the tightening of his arms suggests that he has no intention of releasing you just yet.

this stubborn man… you swear you’re gonna burst a blood vessel someday.

as if to echo your exasperation; he nuzzles his head into the crook of your neck, peppering it with nibbles and gentle kisses. jing yuan certainly knows how to test your limits, yet his affectionate gestures never fail to chip away at your resolve.

suddenly, a series of loud knocks come from the door, you freeze, and immediately attempt to wiggle your way out of his grasp. but he remains unfazed, his hold on you firm, and seemingly unbothered by the interruption.

the door bursts open, “general! there’s a situation at starskiff ha—ven...”  yanqing trails off as his eyes widen at your position. the room falls into a momentary silence as yanqing's gaze shifts between you and his general, his expression reflecting a blend of shock and embarrassment.

clearing his throat awkwardly, yanqing stammers, "i-im sorry for interrupting... i’ll t-take my leave now!” with a hurried nod, he practically sprints out of the room.

oh bless that kid’s poor eyes… 

you shoot a glare at jing yuan from the corner of your eyes, you just know that he has a shit eating grin on his face right now. nowadays, it’s probably common knowledge that the general’s most treasured person is you, evidently shown by how he latches himself onto you every time you’re within his vicinity. you wouldn’t be surprised if the entirety of xianzhou knows about your supposed “secret” relationship.

“so… can i have my kiss now?” 

aeons, he’s insufferable. (you love him tho!!!!!)

blade ؛ ଓ

"fake dating" with blade but you are actually dating —somehow everyone is convinced you aren't.

“blink twice if you need help.” march whispers-shout; dan heng leans against the doorway, blocking the way into your room, nods in agreement.

“this is absurd… i’m alright guys, really!” you try to reassure your friends, frustration edging into your voice. though no matter how many times you insist that no blade isn't holding you hostage and that you are indeed in a relationship with him, they seem convinced otherwise, somehow deducing that you're not able to speak freely.

you sigh in resignation, knowing that they aren’t going to relent anytime soon, and with blade idling in your room, you can't afford to keep him waiting any longer. “dan heng please, let me through, he’s been waiting for me for the past 10 minutes now…”

“good, let him wait.” dan heng responds curtly. (what a guy)

march takes hold of your hands, “do you owe the stellaron hunters something, and him out of everyone?! he looks scary…and totally not your type!” 

“not their type?” a low voice rings out from behind dan heng, the three of you turn immediately and see blade looming at your doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. 

“stellaron hunter. stay back.” dan heng furrows his eyebrows, his stance defensive as he pulls out his weapon, positioning himself to block you and march. sensing the growing tension, you step forward, reaching out to gently grasp at dan heng’s shoulder. 

(blade’s expression darkens at your hand resting on him)

“it’s okay dan heng, he means no harm.” dan heng hesitates, his grip on his weapon remains tight, but he doesn't move to strike. so you slowly move between him and blade, “see? i’m fine… he’s not gonna hurt me.” you smile reassuringly at your friends. 

just then, as if to further aggravate dan heng, blade settles his hand on your waist. dan heng’s hand is visibly twitching now. “what? can’t i touch what’s mine?”

dan heng’s eyes narrow, “...we still don’t believe you, leave now. before it’s too late.”

before you can interject, blade grabs your chin, silencing any words of protest with a sudden kiss. caught off guard, your eyes widen as the unexpected gesture leaves you momentarily stunned. but you soon reciprocate his kiss, his intensity drawing you in.

(march quickly covers her eyes with her hands)

“there. now leave us alone.” and with that, he pulls you into your room, slamming the door shut behind, pinning you against it. 

it’s just the both of you now, finally.

“did you really have to touch him.” his voice tinged with possessiveness. “blade, he would’ve hurt you, i didn’t mean—” he shuts you up with another kiss, more desperate this time, welp guess you’re stuck with him for the night.

though your friends might not believe that a person like you would “be in cahoots” with someone as dangerous as him; convincing them otherwise is a task for another time. tonight, he wants your attention focused solely on him, and him only.

✧.*

masterlist gepard aven sunday vers here!

[0f-hazbin]

Coming soon to AO3!

Art by @deannamb

The Doctor & Donna land the TARDIS in Baldur's Gate, excited to do their usual sightseeing

What could possibly go wrong?

Poster to my up & coming Baldur's Gate 3/Doctor Who crossover fanfic in the new year!

[gay-dorito-dust]

How’d they act if you called them pretty upon getting catch looking at them…

Dan Heng: blushes. Hard.

He’s not use to someone complimenting his looks as it’s not something he finds important.

‘Are you really that shameless to say such things aloud?’ He’d say while avoiding eye contact with you.

Dan Heng would act as though you just shouted this out loud in front a hoard of people, even though you didn’t.

He’s awkward when it comes to taking compliments aimed his way but his reaction is too fucking cute to ignore and will warrant another compliment his way, which will only serve in making his face brunt redder.

‘Shut up, please.’ He’d plead as he covers a hand over your eyes, feeling as though they’ve stared deeply into his soul and actually see him as a whole person and more. ‘You talk too much about things you don’t understand the first thing of.’

He’s probably going to get teased by March 7th after this and it’ll be used as blackmail, probably.

Give him a moment to breath and calm down before complimenting on how pretty he is because he will combust from how flustered he is.

Argenti: would probably start a compliment war in all honesty because how can you say he’s pretty without admitting that you are also quite a sight for sore eyes.

If you were to compliment his hair, he’d resort back with how even the stars put on their best performance within your presence.

He’s got such a way with words that can easily leave one flustered without even trying. He’d even wax poetry on the spot about how the light catches your eyes in a way similar to that of a kaleidoscope, bright, vibrant and above all breathtaking.

Argenti doesn’t hold back, will not hold back, and will not back down from letting you know just how ethereal you look to him.

He can do this all day, you however could not do this all day seeing how this man has unlimited ammunition when it came to complimenting the beauty of pretty much everything.

(I mean this is the same dude who complimented a plant. 🪴 I bet that plant blushed, we just didn’t see it bc who wouldn’t blush if a chivalrous red head complimented them?)

Welt: smiles softly as a light blush coated his cheeks.

He’s well kept for someone who’s in his 60/70/80’s And he deserves to be told as such!

(all I know is that he’s grandpa age from other ppl)

So when you do compliment him and call him pretty, this old man is going to thank you for such kind words and probably give you head pats as a reward.

He appreciates a kind compliment now and then.

‘Why thank you, I try my best to keep in good shape if I’m meant to keep up with all of you.’ He would say in response followed by a chuckle.

Welt is young at heart and knows that his body isn’t how it once was but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a restless spirit within an old man’s body. So when you compliment him, it only makes him feel good and warm on the inside.

Blade: doesn’t know how to take compliments.

He’s not use to it and doesn’t know how to react to it other than saying something along the lines of;

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘Flattery will get you nowhere.’

Or just straight up. ‘No.’

And all the while his face is like this: 😐 or this 😒

It’s never one or the other, blade just doesn’t view himself worth the compliment, when the only things about him that people see most is that he’s a bad dude in a bad group doing bad things.

He doesn’t see why you’re wasting a kind, genuine compliment on someone whose entire body is riddled in ugly scars.

Blade is the type of person where you’d have to prove that your compliment is genuine or else he just won’t believe it.

Sampo: his ego is boosted to the max.

Well done you’ve made him even more insufferable.

He will smile that Cheshire smile of his and ask to hear what else about him you find appealing besides his pretty face.

You: your exposed hips, you slut-

However behind his cocky persona, he’s a giggly bitch who’s mentally kicking his feet and writing this interaction in his bubblegum pink diary with a glitter pen.

Sampo is deeply invested in what you thought about the rest of him but won’t let it show as he would consider it ‘out of character’ for himself. So he’ll continue to act the cocky and confident fool like he always does.

He’ll be the type to tease you about potentially killing him while internally screaming himself and telling other people that you find him pretty, much to your embarrassment.

‘You see them over there? Yeah they called ol’ Sampo pretty!’ He’d say to a random person while pointing towards you as you try to hide yourself behind a trash can…only for the trash can to grow arms and legs and walk off elsewhere.

Why were the arms and legs buff as fuck? What was their workout routine? You must know. now.

Sunday: takes the compliment in kind.

He looks like the type to get called handsome or pretty on the daily, so it’s nothing new to him but he’ll take the compliment nonetheless.

He’s probably the most calm out of the bunch when being called pretty, besides from maybe Welt.

He’s not bashful, he’s not overtly arrogant and he’s not in denial about it either. He just takes the compliment as it is and goes on about his day like any other.

Though people would take note on how he’s smiling brighter than usual. Your compliment would stay with him the entire day, as it serves as a reminder of his place within your heart and he’s secretly scheming on ways on how to stay within your heart.

Permanently.

[cupidkyu]

just imagine having him on your lap,, fingering him while his legs were spread. why?

u don't know. both of u just hate each other so much.

" hngh-~ " he would moan out. tears of pleasure rolling down, embarrassing himself. " f'- asshole- " he'd mumble between his moans,it was so cute you just wanna make him cry even more.

" ah..but who's the one crying here,slut. " watching him squim while you fuck his stretched hole.

" mmf~! ah~-! " you'd hear him yell. getting your finger deeper.

" c'mon~ just admit that you like this and I'll give u what you really want..~ "

wriothesley,gojo,blade,jingyuan,your faves<3

[jebunkle]

is this the real life?...

806 wc, gn!reader, all of them are having a mental breakdown

i saw some awesome sahsrau (self-aware hsr au) from @aventurineswife and they seemed a bit tired of making it...so i thought i'd give it a shot :p maybe ooc on some parts, sorry

the astral express who, while visiting a planet, begin to sense something amiss. it feels as if something, someone, has eyes on them occasionally.

while you're just logging in to play the game and pulling for new characters, everyone starts to freak out. what is watching over them? it can't be the aeons, something much more divine. hell, maybe even the aeons sense something is different.

himeko brews coffee while chatting quietly with welt, "you've felt it too, yes?" she asked him nervously, as if someone would hear if they were too loud. she sips her drink while glancing around every moment or so, displaying her franticness.

the express notices her off putting attitude, but before they can dwell on it, they begin to feel the same as her. it's almost like an illness, if this plague's symptoms were paranoia and impending doom.

the stellaron hunters are hardly different. kafka's smooth demeanor falters as she gazes off into the deep null of space. "who are you, divine being?" she asks into the nothingness, her sultry voice filling the otherwise empty air. as blade is sat on a couch, arms crossed over his chest, his posture seemed to be more tense than usual. of course, he was always uptight, but his behavior was extra rigid as of lately. silver wolf on the other hand, can't help but chuckle at kafka's philosophical rants and blade's silent pondering. she can tell that they're all puppets on a larger stage, meaning close to nothing in the vast universe — both her universe and yours.

aventurine, ever relaxed, has been carrying himself with a bit more of a troubled expression. his typical flamboyance has faltered and few around him have noticed. as aventurine sits on a red leather chair in an empty casino, he does not feel alone; tossing a golden coin between his fingers, aventurine begins thinking aloud. "i see you've chosen to reveal yourself, huh?" the blonde's voice is low and almost soft, as if he's trying not to offend whoever he may be speaking to.

dr. ratio's hair is a slightly unkempt, his eyebrows are pinched together much more frequently, and his papers and studies are left askew on his desk. a few members of the intellegentsia guild slowly catch onto how he's acting, and it's truly unbecoming of the infamous strict professor. his employees can be seen wearing a concerned expression when glancing over at him, yet are too afraid to inquire on his troubled state. "i will uncover whoever is ensuing this chaos amongst us all." ratio promises himself.

the xianzhou luofu is eerily quiet. the arbiter general himself has gone silent as well, as if the ship has been submerged into an ocean of solitude. jing yuan sits in his chair with his fingers intertwined atop his lap. internally, he wonders about this rumored 'creator'; are they real? is it an aeon? what does this mean for him? his companions? is something terrible on the horizon? his endless inquiries are certainly unlike him, causing the master diviner fu xuan to worry about him.

she feels that the world has been tilted also, however she's more concerned about jing yuan's scrambled state. "please, go home and rest, general." she pleads annoyedly, "mm. give me a moment, diviner fu." jing yuan replies quietly, his words melancholic. "you know as much as i do that something has changed." he states to the shorter woman.

boothill's shoes tap eagerly against the pavement that lined the roof of the building, echoing an ambience of anticipation. "what in the world are you?" the man questions the air rhetorically. he cannot, for the life of him, figure out what's causing such a stir in the mood of everyone, himself included. the silver cowboy's hand is rested on his hip, the other lifted to his neck with a finger pressed to his chin. "i dunno, but yer rackin' all our brains here.." boothill remarks, hoping that whoever is watching over him will hear it.

the enigmatic memokeeper is seen with a more defined smirk recently. black swan has taken interest is this unknown deity that has spiked fear and franticness all over the universe. she rests her palm against her chin, staring up into the stars that decorate the black outside of the express's windows. "i hope you'd be willing to speak with me, demiurge." she exclaims in a calm yet excited tone.

the head of the oak family stands in his obnoxiously large office, hands pressed against the polished table as he stares down at it. there's a few scattered documents thrown astray, but they're not important right now. all sunday can think of is you. he knows you exist, he's sure of it, and he won't rest until the day comes that you visit him and grace the world with your presence.

im so happy the eagles won the super bowl and kendricks performance was goated

dividers by @/hyuneskkami