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bluefurcape · 3 years ago

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WIP Wednesday

The Sun and the Moon

(working title)

Wrote this for KS month but I wanted to expand it more then never really got around to it. So posting it here to pressure me to keep going on it! Light fantasy AU with arranged marriage!

More of my writing here!

It was a political marriage from the start, intended to end a war between their people that had lasted for years. Kakashi had no misgivings about where he and his new bride stood. Two complete strangers forced into the same bed for the sake of peace.

It made no sense that everything could come to a stop because of such a thing, but if that was what it took to stop the needless deaths, Kakashi willingly entered into a sham of a marriage to do it.

With the the wedding party still going on strong below, music and laughter faintly floated up through the closed door. The taste of plum wine lingered in his mouth, coating the back of his throat—the libations had flowed freely tonight. He made no protest when his cup was filled again and again. He lingered at the door, swaying for a moment before turning to the woman kneeling on the silk bedding spread on the floor. She wore a kimono patterned with mountains shrouded in blue mist, the long sleeves and train pooling around her. Her elaborate wedding headdress hid most of her features from him. This would be the first time that he laid eyes on her face.

His bride, Haruno Sakura.

She was the only daughter of the daimyo of the Land of the Mountains; quite a bit younger than Kakashi, from what he understood, but at least she wasn’t a child bride. He had to count his blessings where he could.

Kakashi kept his expression neutral, even as a sense of dread rose in him as he approached her and crouched down to remove the headdress. Despite the naked misery in her expression, she was beautiful, just as his advisers had assured him that she would be. Her unusual pink hair had been gathered into a complicated style and enhanced with gold hair ornaments and pins. Bright green eyes met his then lowered to the floor, but not before he glimpsed the burning anger in them. Her tears had left delicate tracts in her makeup.

“If you would not like to be touched, then I won’t force you.” Kakashi sighed as he set aside the headdress next to her. He wasn’t that type of man and would never be.

She made a small noise of disbelief. “Oh, is that right?”

Throughout the festivities, she remained silent at his side, not speaking once. The first sound of her voice was not what he expected from her; he thought that, like her appearance, her tone would be demure, as refined as glass and just as fragile. Instead, he heard hard, unbreakable steel.

He studied her for a moment. She was a foreigner, alone in this place, having been raised in a land that had been at war with his for most of her life. It was likely that she viewed him, the enemy daimyo, as a monster, and she the sacrifice to feed his appetite. Perhaps she might come to think differently with time, but not tonight.

Kakashi looked away from her, standing again. He began undressing himself, placing his wedding clothes on the waiting stand.

“What are you doing?” Alarm bled into her words.

He raised a brow, gesturing to the heavy robes of black and silver brocade that he’d tolerated for the sake of the ceremony. “Getting ready to sleep. I’m not going to keep these on in bed.”

He continued until he was only down to the thinner under robe. After that, he slipped beneath the covers on the side that she wasn’t occupying and closed his eyes. She was still staring at him, so he told her, “Blow out the lamp when you’re ready.”

“Are you really not going to do anything?” Sakura asked suspiciously.

Kakashi turned, showing his back to her. “Yes.”

Wary silence followed. Finally, there was soft rustling and he guessed that she was removing her formal clothing as well. Though she clearly was unwilling to stay here, she had nowhere else to go. Neither of them could be seen slipping out this room before the morning. He resisted letting out a sigh as he considered the fact that a woman as beautiful as her was sharing his bed and they were only going to sleep. He heard her extinguish the lamp before she slid beneath the covers as well.

“You won’t say that I refused you?” Sakura asked in the dark.

Kakashi knew the implication behind that question. If they didn’t consummate this marriage, then it would have all been for nothing. The fragile balance of peace would surely come apart.

“If anything, I refused you.” He shifted so that he was on his back again, staring up at the ceiling.

This was a foolish move on his part, to give her this power over him. If Kakashi was the reason for why their lands returned to war, then she would at least be free to return home without shame while he would be reviled by his own people. He rationalized his actions in his mind as a test of her character.

“I won’t do that,” Sakura replied after giving it much thought. There was that steel in her voice again, unyielding.

“Then it seems we have a long marriage to look forward to.”

Kakashi did not see his wife often.

It suited him better this way. He had many important duties to see to, in any case, that took much of his day. She was gone before he woke in the mornings, or he pretended to remain asleep until she slipped away. At night, they avoided each other in the same way. They were like passing ships on the sea, never crossing paths. He didn’t know what she did with her time, but he had no interest in learning anything more.

A week passed since the wedding. The delegation from her land would be leaving soon. It was a more subdued affair than the earlier festivities, but Sakura and Kakashi and their retinue ventured out from the castle to bid them farewell from the gates.

She watched them go, her expression torn. One guard, wearing the dark green uniform emblazoned with the white crest of the Haruno clan, turned around, his gaze lingering on her. A strong emotion simmered in his dark eyes. The young man seemed about the same age as Sakura. She made a small sound that only Kakashi was near enough to hear as the guard looked away and rejoined his group.

Before the delegation disappeared from sight, Sakura wrapped her arms around herself and fled, returning to the castle.

That night, Kakashi heard her crying in her sleep. It was the first time that she’d shed any tears since the day of their wedding. He laid there, listening to her quiet sobs and then she spoke a name.

“Sasuke.”

Kakashi opened his eyes and stared up at the rafters.

Ah, he thought. That was likely the name of the man who had stopped to look at her. So there was someone that you had given your heart to before this.

Eventually, her tears faded and she fell into a deeper dream, but Kakashi remained awake for a long time after that.

The next morning, he sat up when he heard her try to slip out beneath the covers as usual and this startled her.

“Good morning,” he said.

Her eyes had gone round and she was so taken off guard by the benign pleasantry that she muttered back, rather rudely, “What is it?”

“I think I need a day off today. Would you like to help me escape my responsibilities?” It was something that Kakashi hadn’t done in a while, not since he had taken on the role of the daimyo.

“Shouldn’t you take your work more seriously?” she asked him scornfully.

He shrugged. “What else is peace good for if not to enjoy life a little?”

She pursed her lips in disapproval, but he was already getting up.

“It would be nice to have a change of scenery,” Sakura admitted.

She had been living in the castle compound for nearly a wweek now. Though he had no idea what her days look liked, he imagined that she hadn’t ventured out beyond the walls, especially in the past week while the delegation from her homeland had been here.

They dressed plainly and escaped through a corridor and a side door that was rarely used. When he showed her this way out, she seemed to consider him differently.

“You’ve done this before,” she observed.

“I discovered it as a child. It was the best way to avoid my tutors.”

Once they were in the courtyard, he led them around a few other buildings as they avoided his aides and patroling guards. He was pleased to see her keep up, following closely at his heels and learning to watch for his silent signals.

He miscalculated as he turned a corner, nearly running into a guard. Thinking quickly, he walked backward and grabbed her wrist, yanking her into a little alley before they could be spotted.

His heart pounded in his chest as he listened for the guard’s footsteps to fade. When he believe they were safe, he let out a sigh of relief and smiled down at her before realizing the intimacy of their position, her frame fitted neatly with his. It broke the unspoken rule between them that had been laid down since their wedding night that they would not touch each other.

“My apologies,” Kakashi said, untangling himself and stepping gingerly out of the alley.

“It’s all right,” she replied as she came out too.

They stood there, shifting awkwardly until he decided that they should keep moving before they were caught. He kept his focus ahead, not wanting to see the expression on her face.

#kakasaku #my writing #sue words #arranged marriage #light fantasy au #this is a rough draft

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soukokuwu · 4 years ago

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could i please get a super soft scenario of just being on a date with dazai? maybe he had a bad day, so the reader decides to treat him for dinner, letting him choose their meal. afterwards, sitting on the grass at a park, with a blanket around them and watching the sunset. him cuddling into her, while she runs her fingers through his scalp and kisses his head. tysm :) i love ur writing and u seem like such a cool person irl

LOVEBUG. genre. fluff synopsis. people can change, even the most unlikely ones. word count. 1.4k author notes. this took so long for me to get out i’m so sorry!! but thanks for waiting, if you’re still here, and tysm for your kindness anony <33 hehe someone thinks i’m cool :3

times change, and so do people.

you are the catalyst of dazai’s change, the one that takes over him akin to a hurricane overwhelming a small city. but whereas a hurricane leaves a destruction in its wake, you grew flowers in the barren soil which was his life. where he would once rather drown in the ocean, now he drowns in thoughts of you, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

there was a time where he would rejoice in being alone, to stop putting on a facade. because truth be told? it’s tiresome. but funny enough, where he deigns to be himself on a day-by-day basis, he deems it worthy when it’s with you.

because how can love be real when he doesn’t bare himself?

which is why when a case earlier that day reminded him of the only loss he ever grieved, he gets the overwhelming urge to just see you, to hug you and inhale the scent of your hair, the scent that naturally calms.

it’s a wednesday, and he usually doesn’t come over on work nights, but he can’t help himself. dazai allows himself to drag his feet over to your apartment uninvited.

tap. tap. tap.

slow, and weak, on the mahogany door.

you only just settled down after a long exhausting day at work, but already an unwonted visitor. you stifle a grumble, socks muting your harsh stomps against the marble floor, but any trace of irritation is carried away by the wind when you feel the familiar texture of bandaged arms brushing against your skin, and the subtle elation under his controlled murmur.

“i’m so glad to see you.”

you take a moment to collect yourself, before you return his hug. you stop yourself from asking the obvious ‘are you okay’ because you think it redundant. for dazai to go out of his way and visit you out of the blue? something is definitely bothering him. but it isn’t your place to pry — you know it’s impossible for him to talk about his cases (you deduce that it’s the only factor in the current that would make him feel this way). however, there is one thing you can do as his girlfriend.

make an effort.

you drag your boyfriend inside and shut the door behind him, observing as he flings himself down onto the sofa, the perfect embodiment of exhaustion. whatever it is that managed to bring him down this bad just means you have that much more work to do to pull him back up. and no, you don’t mind at all, actually. on the contrary, you love being the one he entrusts these particular notions to. you know he would rarely ever let anyone else’s actions dictate his mood. except yours.

in that honeyed voice of yours, you lean down and let your thumb ghost his lips, earning yourself a pout from your boyfriend as he looks up at you. “tell me anything you want for dinner, i’ll whip it up for you,” you offer.

dazai grins, sitting up and presses the tip of his nose against yours, a glint in his eyes. “i know just the thing i want.”

“are you sure this is all you want?”

dazai chuckles at your skepticality, offering only a grin in response, jabbing his fork down onto the meat and swallowing it readily.

now it’s your turn to giggle. it still baffles you how this is his idea of a perfect dinner: crab from a can with bottled sake from the supermarket. he’s aware that you can cook up a much better, high-end version of this, with your knack for fancy plating and wanton knowledge of compatible herbs.

but you know better than to question it. his answer would probably be much too complicated for you anyway. so you roll with it. not everything has to have an answer. you know when probing is unnecessary. this is one of those times. it isn’t too difficult to just be content with what you have. because you are. very. just lounging with dazai, sitting on the floor eating on the coffee table.

it’s simple. homely.

the both of you have a lively debate on the alleged corruption of one of the state senators, occasionally being sidetracked by the music playing on the television. by the time the two of you finish up, you notice the sun sinking lower and lower against the sky. you glance at your watch, twenty-three minutes left, give or take.

“what is it?” dazai asks with a simple head-tilt and wondering eyes.

now you grin in reply, “come on, let me take you somewhere.”

fifteen minutes later you’re leaning against his side, sitting on the freshly cut grass, watching as the sun sets on the horizon, the orange resembling fire hearths and tangerines. you feast your eyes on the sight before you as the rich hues of orange blends with purples and crimsons.

you always liked sunsets. they remind you of fresh colours brushing upon a blank canvas, leaves you wondering how something so beautiful managed to exist in the first place.

“a masterpiece, isn’t it?” you subconsciously ask, your gaze fixed on the sky before you, an unobstructed view thanks to your many-a-times spent wandering around the park near your home.

“yeah, it is.”

dazai isn’t agreeing with you though, not completely. because while you’re admiring the scenery, he’s admiring you. you’re the only masterpiece in his eyes, a timeless existence being captured in the lock of your gaze. he shifts his pupils back to the centre before you can catch him staring at you, though.

but he finds that that mere few seconds of admiring you isn’t enough. so he casually lays his head on your thighs, much to your surprise. you try to lean back, aware that it isn’t the most flattering angle for him to see you in, but he reaches up to move your face back into place.

“you’re beautiful, belladonna, don’t hide that.”

you can feel a heat creep up on your cheeks as you sheepishly smile back at him and give in. besides, when have you ever been able to say no to him?

and maybe now you do understand why he prefers the simple things. because as the blanket of the velvety night signals the end of the drowning sun, a thought pops into your head.

there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. because it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about who you’re with. and never did you think you’d ever be enough for someone as prodigious as dazai osamu, but that isn’t important. what matters is that he thinks so, and he does. you know it. he’s shown it to you countless times, even if they are through subtle, unconventional means.

so you text your boss to request a sick leave tomorrow, something you have never done so just because you’re the hardworker that you are. but when you peer down at your beloved boyfriend’s blissful face, you think that some things deserve more weightage in your life as opposed to corporations that largely looks at their workers as being replaceable.

that night you wrap the blanket you prepared around the both of you as you shift to lie down on his chest, letting the steady pulse of his heartbeat envelop your ears. you call out to him, only to get his rhythmic breathing as a response. slowly, you flicker your eyes up to peek at him. he’s already asleep. and you exhale a silent laugh at how absolutely harmless he looks in this state.

he was the one that came to you seeking refuge from his troubles, so how did it end up helping you blow your own negativity away? he really is a remarkable person, you think.

“i love you,” you whisper to him, before you let yourself fall prey to your enervation.

and as your consciousness slips away, you think you hear the faint rustle of sleeves and the muffled murmurs of someone trying to tell you something.

“i’d stay alive forever if it meant i could spend an eternity with you.”

but you’re already fast asleep, and it’s okay. because the man with the voice responsible for such earnest words knows. he knows he’s going to spend his entire life convincing you so.

tags. @yokelish @gogolparadise @fyowyn-writes @smoochi-dazai @animatedarchives @chihxru ask me to be added/removed <3

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mothercetrion · 5 years ago

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First Snow

Summary: The first snow of the winter season is always the best, especially when you have someone else to enjoy it with.

Characters: Nightwolf, Fujin

Word Count: 1836

here’s some fujin and nightwolf playing in the snow! enjoy!! this was so much fun to write :)

———

It was early winter when the first snow of the season fell upon their home. It was nearing a foot of snow, thick and heavy; it was clear that it would likely prevent Fujin and Nightwolf from leaving their home to do much of anything. But honestly, that was okay.

Nightwolf loved winter. He loved the snow. He loved the feeling of a cold wind on his cheeks, the sight of blinding white everywhere he looked outside. Snow days were always a lot better with someone to enjoy them with. Who better than the love of his life?

Fujin woke to find Nightwolf already awake. He was standing by their shared closet, picking out winter gear to take on the first snow day of the season. He already had on thick pants and thick socks, but finding the perfect coat seemed to be complicated.

“Nightwolf, my dear… It’s a bit early to be worrying over your attire, hm?” Fujin teased.

Nightwolf turned around to face him, and Fujin was delighted to see him glowing with excitement. Grinning from ear to ear, he looked like a child about to enter a candy store. “Do not tease me!” he replied. “You know how vital a good coat is. I need good mobility to get around, good thickness for warmth… Lots to consider.”

Fujin sat up in bed, stretching his arms with a smile. “I understand. We have all day to make the most of the weather. No rush.”

He climbed out of bed and greeted his boyfriend with a hug from behind and a sweet kiss. He then went into the bathroom to get ready for the day. When he emerged, he saw that Nightwolf was fully dressed to take on the snow. He decided on a burgundy coat that he had gotten as a birthday gift the year before, and he opted out of a hat. Fujin couldn’t help but chuckle at him as he strung up his boots. His evident excitement was something that made Fujin happier than words could describe.

Nightwolf was a rather serious individual. If he felt excitement or happiness, he kept it on the inside on nearly all occasions. He was a very level-headed individual and showed his emotions as seldom as possible to maintain that image. But when it came to the snow and winter days in general, that calmness went out the window. The kiddish glee that filled him when he saw even a single snowflake was more than enough to make up for his lack of joy at anything else. The very first time that they spent time in the snow together, Fujin sincerely believed that something was wrong with him. It was simply so uncharacteristic for him to act in such a manner. But he soon learned that snow was one of the few things that caused him to step away from that level-headedness demeanor. Fujin fell deeper in love with Nightwolf’s smile; it continues every winter season.

Fujin decided on thick pants and a coat from Raiden for his winter attire. He opted out of a hat, and he abandoned a braid for a simple ponytail down his back. The decision of his outfit came sooner to him, and he was ready within ten minutes. The pair walked together out of their bedroom and grabbed gloves from a hallway closet. Once they were on, they exited their home to take on the snow.

They were momentarily blinded by the sun reflecting off of the snow. Nightwolf scurried into the snow before his eyes adjusted, too excited to stand in the doorway.

It was still snowing, but it was light flakes that hardly added to the snow on the ground. Everything outside had a layer of snow on it. The snow completely hid the gravel path from their home. There wasn’t a footprint from animal to human to be seen. Everything was serene and peaceful.

Nightwolf’s footprints soon covered the yard. He ran over to a tree and gently shook its branches, grinning as the snow fell from it and hit him in the head. Fujin stepped out of the doorway and shut the door behind him. He laughed aloud at Nightwolf’s excitement and joined him in the snow. “It’s rarely so heavy for the first snow of the season,” Fujin mused.

Nightwolf nodded. “It is. It’s usually a dusting, but this is so much better!” He lowered a gloved hand to the ground and picked up a wad of snow, and he tossed it above his head. He let out a laugh as it disappeared into thin air, falling around him as dust.

Fujin stepped under the tree to stand next to him, and he brushed some of the snow off of Nightwolf’s coat with a loving smile. “You’ll be freezing by the time we go back inside.”

“So? It’ll be fine!” Nightwolf shot him a grin and picked up more snow, and he threw it above both of them. The snow that landed on his head disappeared into Fujin’s hair, and Nightwolf noticed immediately and laughed. “Your hair hides the snow!” he said.

Fujin smiled. “A perk of silver hair… Your hair makes it painfully obvious.”

“Good thing I like it that way then.”

Nightwolf moved from under the tree to another part of the yard, having to high step to get anywhere. Fujin followed at a slower pace, enjoying the sight of the snow-covered foliage and hidden areas.

He, too, enjoyed the snow, though nowhere near as much as Nightwolf did. Fujin enjoyed the serenity that came with heavy snow; it was as though Mother Nature had stepped in and erased any evidence of life at all, replacing it with a world of peace. Fujin loved just sitting out in the snow with a cup of hot chocolate, watching as rabbits scurried across their yard and as birds landed on snow-covered branches. His hectic life as the God of Wind seemed far less hectic when there was snow on the ground.

Fujin’s admiring of the snowy scenery was interrupted when a snowball hit his chest.

In false surprise, he looked up at Nightwolf, who was several feet away and kneeled behind a newly-formed mound of snow. Despite the obvious, he wasn’t looking at Fujin; he was looking at a nearby tree, casually whistling as if he was an innocent bystander. Suddenly, he looked back at Fujin and to the snow on his chest. He was fighting back laughter. “Hello, honey! Did you get hit by a snowball?” he asked. “Must’ve been pretty big… There’s lots of snow on your chest!”

Fujin shot him a devious smile. “Oh, yes. I must say, I am rather surprised that anyone would dare challenge me in a snowball fight.” He kneeled and quickly formed his own protective mound.

Nightwolf was grinning. He reached behind his mound and started forming snowballs, maintaining eye contact with his boyfriend. “And why is that?” he asked.

Fujin prepared several snowballs in his hands and winked at Nightwolf. “The wind can carry snowballs very far.”

With those words, chaos ensued. The two of them threw snowballs at the other at lightning speed, both of them hitting the other several times with their snowy weaponry. Their activity continued for several minutes. Both of them laughed every time the other got hit, and even when they got hit, it was all in good fun. Their cheeks were red with both laughter and the cold, but they did not hold back in the slightest from their joy.

Eventually, their lungs grew tired, and Nightwolf laid slack against his mound, trying to catch his breath. He was still smiling. “Honey!” he called.

Fujin leaned around his mound, quirking a brow. “Do you accept defeat?”

“Begrudgingly so.” Nightwolf rose to a sitting position and brushed his damp hair off of his forehead. “You are a valiant opponent. Damn your winds!”

Fujin rose to his feet and joined Nightwolf behind his mound. The snow was harsh against his bottom when he sat down, but he was used to it quickly. “You were just as challenging, Nightwolf,” he said. “Your bravery will be noted for all of eternity!”

Nightwolf smiled and smacked at his shoulder. “You tease me.” He moved closer to him and grimaced when his bottom hit the snowy ground. “Will my frozen ass be noted too?”

Fujin giggled and grabbed his boyfriend’s gloved hand. “Of course. I will write it down first.”

It was Nightwolf’s turn to laugh. He leaned over and rested against Fujin’s shoulder, and he let out a content sigh. “This day has been wonderful. It’s only just begun, but I know it will continue to be blissful.”

“Any day with you is this way, my dear.” Fujin kissed the top of his head and moved an arm around his back. “I always love seeing you so happy.”

“You’re too sweet.”

Time passed in comfortable silence, both of them taking in the scenery and enjoying the other’s company. The wind soon began to blow, causing both of them to shiver, but they stayed put. Neither of them wanted that moment to end.

Eventually, however, Fujin knew that Nightwolf was cold. He removed his arm from his back and rose to his feet, reaching down a hand. “You are trembling from cold. Let’s go inside and have some hot chocolate, hm?”

Nightwolf glanced up at him, frowning. “Not yet.” He grabbed his hand and climbed to his feet, gesturing to an undisturbed part of the yard. “Can we do snow angels first? It’s tradition!”

It was a tradition. He was right. Every time that they spent a day in the snow, they both made snow angels side by side in the yard. It was one of Nightwolf’s favorite snow activities, and seeing how much bigger Fujin’s snow angel was made them laugh.

Fujin smiled. “Of course. How can I forget?”

Hand in hand, the two walked to the untouched part of the yard. At the same time, they chose their locations and fell on their backs. The snow was hardly gentle on their backs, but they didn’t care. The two moved their arms and legs to form their respective angels, moving slowly to get the most of their movements. They finished quickly and struggled briefly getting back on their feet, but once they were up, they held hands again and admired their respective angels.

“Your angel is huge,” Nightwolf noted.

Fujin chuckled. “Always is. I hardly know if it’s a good thing or a bad.”

“Bigger is better in this instance.” Nightwolf looked up at him. His eyes were sparkling in joy. “Now, let’s get inside. Your hot chocolate is always so good.”

Fujin lifted a hand to move some of Nightwolf’s hair from his forehead. He kissed his forehead, pouring every ounce of love in his heart into that gentle kiss.

“I love you,” he said softly as he pulled away.

Nightwolf grabbed at his hand and pecked at his lips. “I love you more.”

#fujin #nightwolf #windwolf #mortal kombat #mortal kombat 11 #fic #my fic #mine

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gearhawk-studios · 4 years ago

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Genshin Impact: Bloodlines

Prologue Act 1: A Bard’s Compassion

It was a cold and lonely wind that blew through the rolling green plains of Mondstadt. The green-capped bard knew this wind well, having wandered wherever the wind would carry him. On this night, it appeared to take him along the shores of Cider Lake, heading up north towards ruins empty of everything but bad memories. Despite being well-versed in the ways of Anemo, the bard still didn’t know everything about this one of the seven elements that made up Teyvat. He almost preferred it that way, how could one not appreciate the wonder of the world if it was entirely known?

The night was cool, a telling sign autumn was approaching rapidly and the end of grape harvests was upon the citizens of Mondstadt. This only made the bard smirk, he knew very well that this would speed up production of the many flavors of wine that this great nation was known for. He would need to prepare a new set of ballads to perform at Master Crepus’ bar, if he had a chance to sample the newest batch of dandelion wine. With this thought in mind, the bard began to strum the strings on his wooden lyre, beginning to concoct melodies to commit to memory.

Soft tones danced with the lonely wind, giving the gales a sense of companionship as they swirled around the lone musician. A bemused smile crossed the bard’s lips as he began to hum, letting the breeze carry his footsteps as the song began to take on a life of its own. Rising crescendos, long held notes… it was all a beautiful melody that made the bard dance and twirl, chuckling to himself as he hummed the tone.

Then, the sound of a heart wrenching sob pierced through the melody.

Stopping at once, the bard held his breath. Silence was his only answer. He frowned to himself, scratching his head. Had he been imagining it? Simply shrugging to himself, the bard once again began to strum on his lyre only to hear the cries again. Now certain of what he heard, the bard looked around him. All that were his company were the worn path, stones and bushes. The bard strained his ears, his eyes closed. Then, he heard it once more, and much clearer.

The cries of a human.

Turning his attention to a large bush near the lake’s edge, the bard carefully approached it. The dark sage leaves rustled, and the cries became whimpers as the musical poet approached. Gingerly, the bard moved aside the small branches and caught his breath. Hidden in the darkness of this shrub was a handwoven basket, a soft wool blanket wrapping up what appeared to be the source of the noise. A baby boy, no more than a week old.

Having seen the bard’s face, the baby ceased its cries and instead sniffled as it gazed on the bard’s face with the stormiest gray eyes the bard had seen in quite some time. There was only a tuft of dark blonde hair atop the babe’s head, and he clutched on to the blanket as he looked at the bard in wonder. Sorrow fell over the bard, but he quickly hid it with a kind and friendly smile, “And just what do we have hiding here?”

The joking tone made the baby boy laugh, cooing in delight as if he had not been crying mere moments ago. A small chuckle escaped the bard’s lips as he reached down and slowly removed the basket from its leafy facade. Lifting the basket up, he saw the young boy look at him with absolute admiration and glee. Smiling, the bard looked around, “Any idea where your parents might be, little adventurer?”

A small laugh was the baby’s only reply. The bard shook his head, of course the baby didn’t know. He looked around more for any signs of adults, but found none. Frowning at this, the bard turned his attention to the child. The infant had let go of the blanket and reached out to one of the bard’s braids, trying to grasp it in his very small hands.

“Curious little one, aren’t ya?” The bard sighed, using his finger as a replacement for his braid.

When the child grasped his finger, a jolt of power rushed through the bard’s body. The wind, for a moment, flourished around him and erupted in a powerful gust. The child laughed, amused by the wind and the fluttering of the bard’s clothes and hair. However, the bard was not laughing. His bright blue-green eyes were wide, his heart racing. What in the world was that just now?

Calling upon powers he had not used for quite some time, the bard gazed into the heart of this baby boy. He listened to the melodies and echoes of this new child’s soul, the gusts generated by this young one’s heart. At first, he heard the sweet tunes of innocence and wonder as was common in a new child. But then, faintly, he heard it. The deep chords of something slumbering in the child. Ancient, powerful… something that reminded the bard of his own children.

“Just what are you doing alone, without your mom and dad?” The bard asked aloud in a whisper, a tear in the corner of his eye as he looked down at this innocent life.

The baby, noticing the tear in the bard’s eye, began to sniffle and reach out to him. He clung on to the sleeve of the bard, pulling with what little strength he had to bring the bard that much closer and hug him. Taken aback, the bard quelled his tears and turned his attention away from the past to the here and now. He examined this strange child, and it became clear that this child’s parents were nowhere near here. Looking around, the bard searched for an answer to this current situation.

Across the water, he saw the small island where the city of Mondstadt resided, its high stone walls hiding most of the city except for the grand cathedral and the three sets of rotating blades of the windmills silhouetted against the night sky. The bard’s eyes lit up and a smile crossed his face. If anyone would know what to do with this child, Grand Master Varka would have the greatest idea than this poor bard. The green Vision that hung from the bard’s hip began to cast a seafoam glow, and the bard called upon the all too familiar element of Anemo. Gales of wind gathered around his feet, and the musical poet wrapped his arms tightly around the basket. He looked down to the baby and smiled, “Hang on.”

With a blast of powerful wind, the bard dashed at great speeds. The baby laughed, grasping on to the bard’s sleeve and squealing in excitement at the rushing wind and the scenery blurring by them. Within a few seconds, the bard was at the cobblestone bridge that led to Mondstadt’s gates. No guards stood at the entrance, leaving the front of the city unguarded. The bard frowned, while it made it easy for him to remain unseen this complicated the matter of passing off the child to more responsible individuals. Gazing down at the child, the bard glimpsed the lyre in his hands and cracked a mischievous grin.

Sneaking to the gate, the bard placed the basket containing the child on the ground. The child, looking confused a moment, gazed up at the poet. He smiled and placed a finger to his lips. Almost as if he understood, the baby remained silent and watched as the bard’s Vision glowed again. Wind carried the bard upwards, landing atop the walls of Mondstadt. Clearing his throat, the bard began to sing as he strummed a tune on his lyre.

I call into the night

To one who will answer my plight

Let the words of song carry

To begin a life fated to be extraordinary

A breeze floated by the bard, the tone almost becoming visible on the stream of air as it blew through Mondstadt. Even from his height, the bard could see some turn, as if hearing the tune but wondering if it was real.

A child, lone and afraid

Yearns for compassion to be gained

One without the love of a mother

One without the guidance of a father

The melody danced through the cobble streets, twirling around the fountain in the plaza as it began to spread out and search for someone to listen.

Hear their cry, hear their sorrow

Will you give them a chance at tomorrow?

Will you welcome this stranger?

Will you protect this soul from danger?

The hymn found its way into the ear of a young man and his partner, their night stroll interrupted as they listened to the tune. To the woman, a radiant and elegant lady, grasped at her heart, the melody brought images of the child at the gate, alone and the cries entering her mind with tears of her own brimming. However, the man grasped the woman’s hand tighter. His heart tightened, his mind focused. The image of the child at the gate was clear in his mind. Looking at each other, the man and woman nodded wordlessly and made their way to the gates.

Give this soul a home

Give this innocent a life to call his own

Let the world rejoice

For you have made a noble choice

The bard caught the couple hurrying through the plaza and was surprised. Not who he expected the melody to beckon, but then again… who was he to question the hearts of mortals? The couple found the child, the baby looking at the woman with wide eyes as she scooped him up from the basket. The man looked around, trying to find any adult just as the bard had.

Love is always boundless

To raise another is selfless

Raise this one together

For you are a new family, together

Looking down, the bard saw the woman and man gazing at the child in the woman’s arms. Their worry melting away into pure love, adoration for this tiny soul. Smiling with a tear in his eye, the bard concluded his song as the couple walked away.

Thus begins a new tale

A story I will forever regale

Of a child most brilliant

With the blood of powers ancient...

#genshin impact #fanfic #genshin venti #genshin fanfic #original character

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annaphoenix1994 · 4 years ago

Text

Colter - Eastward Bound

Arthur had never been so happy to be moving. He, as well as the rest of the gang, were sick of the snow. The numbness, the insomnia, the brink famine, was all about to be left at Colter. His body craved sunshine and whiskey, which he hoped a town was closeby wherever they were going. He dismounted his horse as he met up with Dutch to discuss further plans.

"Oh, for Lord's sake! Put that book away and go help!" Miss Grimshaw barked within Arthur's earshot. It didn't take him long to figure out that she was scolding Mary-Beth Gaskill, one of the women in the camp who reminded him a lot of Lenny - she preferred reading or writing over robbing and killing, but could do so if need be. She was also one for romance, taking a liking to Arthur in particular, at least, that was the rumor. He had always thought that she liked how nice he was to her and nothing more than that.

"So, we getting out of this Hellhole?" Arthur asked as he joined Dutch and Hosea.

"We're gonna try, weather seems stable," Dutch assured.

"And we just robbed a Leviticus Cornwall train," Hosea added.

"We got money in our pockets...the worst is behind us, gentlemen! So the question is, where now?"

"I know this country a little," Hosea assured the worried leader. "I told you, we should set up camp in Horseshoe Overlook near Valentine. We'll be able to hide out there no problem as long as we keep our noses clean."

"Well then let's go! Clean noses and everything else!" Dutch commanded as he watched the rest of the gang load up the caravan. "Arthur, you're in that one, bring Hosea, I know you two like to talk about the good old days and what's wrong with old Dutch."

Arthur chuckled as he shook his head, following Dutch's orders as he loaded himself up onto the wagon, Hosea alongside him.

The caravan made its way slowly down the trail. The scenery of lush, white snow slowly turning to dewey green grass. The wind was still cold, though, as it still had a strong breeze, but to Arthur, even that was warm. He let his mind wander to where they were heading. Was there a town where he could have a hot meal other than Pearson's stew? Was there whiskey? Was there laying low for a long while instead of running? Was there hunting ground? Was there any more chances to run into Minnie Barlow? He shook the last question from his head, scolding himself for thinking of her and how he shouldn't think about her, but his mind continued to wander. There was something about her already that he needed to reassure himself on.

Arthur's thoughts were quickly interrupted by Dutch shouting from ahead, sighing a breath of relief that he was only shouting for Lenny and Micah instead of announcing there was trouble ahead.

"Lenny! Micah! Get over here!"

"Yes, boss?" Micah replied as he obeyed Dutch's command, along with Lenny.

"You two ride up ahead, make sure there's no surprises," Dutch ordered. "We've had enough of those."

"Me, with the boy?" Micah responded, almost insulted.

"Just go!"

"Come on, kid," Micah sighed as he spurred his horse into a lope. "You can buy me a whiskey!"

"Get us out the stream!" Hosea panicked as he felt the wagon shutter as they had now crossed into New Hanover. Arthur repeatedly tapped the harness leather across the horse's backs as they pulled the wagon through to the other side, only to be stopped by the rear left wheel buckling and keeping the wagon at a halt.

"Ah, shit!" Arthur shouted.

"Okay, let's take a look," Hosea sighed as he lept from the wagon, walking around the back.

"You alright back there?"

"Does everything look alright?" Arthur argued as he too dismounted from the wagon.

"Well, what's goin' on?" He heard Javier ask.

"I broke the goddamn wheel!" Arthur shouted, scolding himself.

"Alright, let's get it fixed!" Hosea assured him as Charles rushed over to help, pairing with the old man as they lifted up the rear of the wagon as best as they could as Arthur rushed to push the wheel back into place.

"You still strong enough to hold up a wagon?" Arthur teased as he tightened the joints.

"Shut up!" Hosea replied gruffly.

"I'm just sayin'!" Arthur replied.

"Well, say less!"

"See, you ain't so useless after all!" Arthur teased as he helped Charles and Hosea pick up the items that had fallen off.

"Not quite!" Hosea chuckled as he picked up a suitcase, seeing that Charles had noticed the other eyes that were on them, watching from the cliffside ahead...

"What you think?" Arthur asked hesitantly.

"If they wanted trouble, we wouldn't have seen 'em," Charles assured the two as Hosea waved a sign of peace to them. "Poor bastards... We really screwed them over down here. Come on, let's not push our luck,"

"What happened?" Arthur asked.

"Well, get in, I'll tell ya on the way," Hosea said as the men quickly loaded themselved back up onto the wagon. "Not too far now, stay on this trail. We'll follow the river then cut left inland," Hosea directed. "So... Yes, the Indians in these parts got sold a very raw deal. This is the Heartlands we're going to, good farming and grazing country, they lost it all. Stolen clean away from them it was, even every blade of grass. Killed or herded up to the reservations in the middle of nowhere." Hosea explained.

"And how's that different from everywhere else?" Charles asked.

"Well, maybe it's not. I just heard some of the army out here was particularly, uh, unpleasant about it."

"Unpleasant? How do you rob and kill people pleasantly?" Charles questioned. "We don't, in spite of Dutch's talk."

"I fear I was perhaps trying to simplify something more complicated for the benefit of our blockheaded driver here." Hosea teased.

"Hey, don't blame it on me!" Arthur replied. "Never forget, this here's a conman, Charles, born and bred. Just 'cause it sounds fancy don't mean he knows a damn thing about what he's talkin' about." Arthur explained.

"Oh, but I sure know about that there 'wanted' poster you're keepin' on you," Hosea chuckled. "You plannin' on goin' after her, aren't you?"

Arthur scoffed, "No. Like I said, you don't know what you're talkin' about."

"Are you still talking about that Minnie Barlow woman? What's the deal about her anyway? Lenny told me that she saved your hide back on that train." Charles intervened.

"Oh, did she now?" Hosea asked, raising his grey brows. "I didn't know about this!"

'Shit!' Arthur thought to himself. He was now going to have to talk about her. He looked at the smug grin on Hosea's face as he loved to try and land him a relationship that he would never settle for. He had already tried with Mary-Beth, which now made things almost awkward in camp. "I don't think it was her," Arthur grit, tapping the harness leather harder on the horse's backs.

"Yeah?" Hosea questioned. "Anyway, Charles, Minnie Barlow is known as Bandit Barlow around here. By what I've read, she used to work for some feller who is employed with the Pinkertons. Apparently, she knew too much and her supervisor tried to get her killed. After she found out about it, she turned around and robbed him, then became an outlaw!" Hosea explained, chuckling.

"Does she have a gang or what?"

"No, she runs alone," Hosea replied. "I reckon she had a small gang a few years ago, but they knew about her bounty and tried to have her captured for the payment. According to the poster Arthur is dearly holding on to, she has eight-thousand dollars for her head," Hosea snickered. "I don't know much about her past, just by what I've read or heard, but I do know she robbed the Lemoyne National Bank in Saint Denis, robbing a well-known tycoon as well. Some Italian feller. Robbed him and that bank in broad daylight and nobody knew until she was long gone,"

"Sounds like I need to buy her a drink and have a few hours of her time just to hear the stories!" Charles replied, intrigued. "When did the bank robbery happen?"

"A couple of years ago," Hosea replied. "By what I read, the robbery took up to three months to do without anybody knowin'. She got a job there, made it well with the bank manager over time, and got a promotion to a loan manager position and the fellers she was runnin' with would come in every few weeks to "take out a loan" of a few thousand dollars when she would just walk into the safe and give them as much money as she could. After the bank was running low on funds, they didn't question her as she covered her tracks. Once time got scarce, she had one of her boys take out another big loan before she made a break for it."

"Sounds like she and Dutch would get along," Arthur replied, smirking at the thought of how smart the woman was.

"I'm sure," Charles said. "So, how did nobody catch her?"

"She used a fake name to get the job. The only thing that messed her up was that she got the wrong men for the job. They were giving details to the Pinkertons the whole time. They turned her name in for the bounty after she gave orders to rob a train goin' towards Rhodes. Big roadblock over the tracks, but Minnie took wind of it and made a break for it, leavin' her two guys to fend for themselves. They ended up getting arrested and are now in a state penitentiary. Since then, only her tracks have been discovered, but no sign of her. She's slick, now," Hosea warned.

"Sure," Arthur replied. "I'm sure she won't be that hard to find..."

Hosea chuckled, "Let me know how that goes." He teased.

"So..." Arthur cleared his throat, taking in all of the new information he had just learned of his apparent crush. "What happened to your tribe?" He asked Charles.

"I don't even know if I have one," Charles replied. "Least not that I can remember. My father was a colored man. They told me he lived with our people for a while, a number of free men did, but when we were forced to move from our lands, the three of us fled. I was too young to really remember much. All live I've been on the run. A couple of years later, some soldiers captured my mother, took her somewhere. We never saw her again. We drifted around... He was a very sad man and the drink had a mean hold on him. Around thirteen... I just took off on my own." He explained.

"That was about the age we found young Arthur here, maybe a little older," Hosea said. "A wilder delinquent you never did see. But he learned fast."

"Not as fast as Marston, apparently," Arthur replied, his jealousy spiking yet again.

"Wait... I don't understand," Charles said, confused. "What's the problem between you two?"

"Arthur?" Hosea said, insisting for him to explain.

"It's a long story," Arthur sighed. "We still heading the right way?" He asked, now shifting during the awkward silence.

───※ ·❆· ※───

"You okay, pa?" Minnie asked her father as she woke from a midday nap, something she never did unless she needed it. She gripped her shawl tighter as the wind from the Cumberland Forest engulfed the cabin.

"Somethin' don't feel right," He replied, gripping his rifle as he continued to stare out the window. She knew this wasn't anything new as he had been acting like this for a couple of years, but she too got the odd feeling in her gut. She needed to prepare.

"I'm sure it's nothin', pa," Minnie assured as she stepped closer to her father, patting his shoulder. "Want me to cook ya somethin'?"

"No, I'm not hungry. Night's comin' soon. Best get some rest. I'll be out on the porch."

She nodded and shook her head, not daring to inform her father that it was only early in the afternoon. She went to the chest at the end of the bed, retrieving her gunbelt and tightening it around her waist before walking out of the cabin, passing her father who was sitting in the rocking chair. "I'm gonna go feed the chickens and get the eggs, but we'll need some more food soon. Want me to go into town later?" She asked.

"No need, dear. I will. I need to get out of here for a bit. Those mountains are taunting me." He replied, taking a drag off of his pipe.

"You'll need a horse, take Trace." She suggested as she pointed to her buckskin Quarter Horse.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, he'll take care of you. He always does." She smiled.

"Okay, well I'll take him out first thing in the mornin' to Valentine and get some more food," He nodded, a grin appearing on his face as he was excited to ride a horse again, but the lurking doom he felt coming never did settle in his mind. He didn't want to leave his daughter alone tomorrow, but whatever was coming, he knew they both couldn't escape. At least she had a fighting chance.

#minniebarlow #arthurmorgan #arthur morgan #red dead redemption memes

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vampiregirl1797 · 5 years ago

Text

Hopeless: Chapter Eight

Klaus Mikaelson x OC

Warning: SMUT in this chapter so 18+ ONLY

GIF Not Mine

Click Here For Masterlist

The day after I was bitten was spent with me in bed, re-gathering my strength. I spent most of the day sleeping and drinking the cups of blood Klaus had bought up for me. I assumed he had compelled the staff to bleed into them for me, but I didn’t say anything, grateful that he was being so thoughtful. I was even more surprised every time I opened my eyes, because Klaus was there without fail. I don’t know if he ever actually left the room, and part of me was afraid to ask because if he hadn’t I didn’t want to consider what that meant. Or rather, what I hoped it could mean. I refused to focus on the fact that my stomach had filled with butterflies, and my heart had squeezed whenever his blue eyes had greeted me when I woke up from my slumber. That day passed by quickly and before I knew it night had fallen and I was dozing off yet again.

When I woke the next morning, I jolted up with a start when I heard something banging from the floor below. It sounded like someone had just been thrown into a wall. I listened for a moment longer and realised it was Klaus having a spat with one of his men. With that I relaxed, knowing the wolf in him assured he asserted his dominance over those who worked for him as often as possible. I threw the covers off me and tentatively asked the maids to bring the bath in—I was desperate to wash off the dried sweat and blood that had gathered on my skin all of yesterday and a few hours of the day before. When I slipped into the pleasantly warm bath I realised that Katherine would be arriving in two days.

It’s fine. She’ll be here for three days and probably won’t be anywhere near you during that time. You just need to lay low and keep an eye on her to assure she doesn’t escape.

The scents that had been added to the bath helped soothe me as well as the temperature. I felt like I was lying in a meadow with the smell of roses, lilies and jasmine that were emanating from the water. I took my time, lying there until the water ran cold and then I quickly washed my hair before getting out. After dressing in a loose red dress I tied my hair up with the hair tie that had thankfully been around my wrist when I had gotten here. Once it was secure I decided to make my way out of the room to find out what everyone else was up to, and maybe convince Klaus to do something fun—Katherine would be here soon and I wanted to make the most of her absence. Elijah was nowhere to be found, but after focusing my hearing I managed to locate Klaus in the room next door to his chambers. I tentatively knocked on the door, wondering what he could have been doing.

‘Come in,’ his voice was soft and I wondered if it was because he knew it was me knocking. I shook that thought away and opened the door before stepping inside.

‘Wow.’ I breathed, I don’t know what I had been expecting but this definitely wasn’t it.

The room was full of paintings. Some were of landscapes, others of people and objects. A few were still unfinished and on easels but even I, a complete art novice, could tell they were going to be wonderful when they were finished.

‘Not the reaction my presence usually gets but I’ll take it,’ he teased, drawing my attention back to him. I could read the shyness in his eyes; I assumed allowing me to see his artwork was something that made him feel vulnerable.

‘Did you paint all of these?’ I asked quietly, my feet carrying me over to the landscape painting on the far wall. It was a picture of a meadow illuminated by moonlight. I couldn’t explain it but I felt like I could step into that painting and feel as calm and serene as I did looking at it.

‘I did.’ He murmured, coming to stand beside me.

‘They’re incredible. I had a feeling that the paintings around the house were yours.’ I admitted, not taking my eyes off the painting.

‘You’d be the first.’ I could hear the surprise in his voice, but I didn’t comment on it.

‘You have a gift, Klaus.’ My hand came up to touch the painting, following the bumps of the paint that detailed the flowers and the grass, ‘you should have galleries of your own all over the world. Why don’t you?’

I looked over to him when I was met with silence and saw that he was frowning and deep in thought, probably thinking over whether he could tell me something. I didn’t say a word, wanting him to think it over on his own and by the looks of it; he was thinking it over very thoroughly.

‘You’ve shared so much with me since you’ve been here.’ He murmured and for a moment I wondered if he’d spoken aloud without realising it, ‘the least I can do is tell you about The Destroyer.’

‘I have been wanting to ask, but I sensed that you’d rather I didn’t.’ I admitted with a sheepish smile.

‘You sensed correctly. The Destroyer is also known as Mikael or rather, my father.’ My draw dropped open in shock from his words.

‘Your father is hunting you?’ I continued when he offered a grim nod, ‘why?’ I remembered Elijah telling us about how his mother was unfaithful and that was why Klaus was half werewolf, but I couldn’t recall all the details, I’d mainly retained the details of the ritual.

‘Well, that’s a long complicated story.’ He smiled as he repeated my words from a few days ago.

‘If you want to tell me, I’d love to hear it.’ I murmured back.

So he did. He told me about how his mother had cheated on Mikael and the result had been him. No one had known of his true lineage, no one except Ester, until they had been turned into vampires and Klaus had triggered his werewolf gene with his first kill. He told me how his mother had preformed a ritual to supress his wolf side in an effort to make her discretion up to Mikael, he told me how he had tore his mothers heart out afterwards—a fit of rage had overcome him when she had called him her “greatest shame”. At that my hand had found his in a way of offering comfort; no mother should be anything less than proud of her son. He told me how his siblings believed Mikael had killed her and how Mikael had vowed to kill Klaus in a bid to rid the world of the “abomination” that he was. He told me how they had spent their immortal lives running from him, never able to settle down due to the fear of him finding them.

Just like he had a few days ago, I had to take a moment to digest everything he told me and honestly I was disgusted. Disgusted in his parents for failing all of their children, especially Klaus. He deserved better, how could Mikael be mad at Klaus for something that was beyond his control—Ester had been the one who had the affair, shouldn’t she be held responsible? As for him killing her, I couldn’t deny that I understood where he was coming from. He had told me he couldn’t understand the pain from losing a parent and now I understood why, because his parents hadn’t been parents. I understood why his paintings weren’t in galleries and being talked about by everyone, because he and his siblings couldn’t draw attention to themselves. They weren’t living.

‘I’m sorry.’ I said after a while, breaking the silence that we had lapsed into when he had finished his story.

‘For what, love?’ he frowned, confused.

‘For the miserable excuses for parents you got stuck with. You deserve better.’ I told him honestly, squeezing the hand I was still holding.

‘Thank you,’ he whispered so quietly that I almost didn’t dear him.

It hit me then; no one else knew of what he had done to Ester, and so he hadn’t had acceptance from someone that had all the facts in a long time. I realised that he needed to hear that; he needed to know that he wasn’t completely at fault for the events that had been thrown upon him and his family.

He cleared his throat and released my hand to move over to the painting he had been working on when I walked in. He had barely started on it yet, so there was no telling what it was going to be.

‘Was there something you wanted?’ he asked, clearly trying to lead the conversation into a much more unemotional topic.

‘Actually yes.’ I smiled, walking over to him with my hands behind my back, ‘I was wondering if you could do me a favour.’

‘Consider me intrigued. What can I do for you?’ He smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

‘Well seeing as tomorrow will be spent preparing for Katherine and she will be here the day after that, I was hoping you could give me today.’ I held my hands out as if that would convince him.

He looked up from his painting to fix me with his stare; it was both amused and surprised. But for whatever reason, he was also hesitating.

‘Come on, show this twenty first century girl the best things that the fifteenth century has to offer.’ I tried to pout to get him to cave, but his laughter implied I wasn’t successful, ‘Klaus!’

‘Alright.’ He managed to contain his laughter after a few attempts, though my irritated look almost caused his effort to wain, ‘I’d be more than happy to show you everything that the world has to offer, Evangeline, but I suppose for now we’ll have to settle for fifteenth century England.’

I felt my heart skip a beat at the implication, but I managed to gather myself and take his offered arm. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I followed him out of the house; I was getting the opportunity to experience the way life was lived before I was born and I was looking forward to it. When he led me to the carriage the caskets had travelled in I smiled in bemusement.

‘Where are we going?’ I asked after I tried and failed to overhear his words with the man leading the horses.

‘We’re not that far outside London. I thought you’d like to see it.’ He commented casually, but he smiled when I couldn’t contain my excited squeal.

‘It’s going to be weird going back to my time.’ I mused, staring at the passing scenery, ‘I’m getting used to life here.’

‘When do you have to go back?’ I looked over to him when I heard his melancholic tone.

‘After the ritual.’ I smiled sadly when he frowned, ‘can I admit something to you without you thinking I’m completely selfish?’

‘Of course.’ He smiled a little and expectantly waited for me to elaborate.

‘Part of me doesn’t want to go back.’ I looked back out of the window, not wanting to see the disappointment in his eyes, ‘for the first time I’m not waking up everyday thinking about what I need to do for everyone else. Well aside from planning for the ritual, but it’s not the same. It doesn’t consume the whole day, and I’m doing stuff for me, I’m doing what I want to do for the first time in the longest time. Does that make me selfish?’

His hand reached into my lap to entwine our hands together. I felt the familiar warmth from his touch spread up my arm and it caused me to look over to him. When I looked into his eyes I didn’t see the disappointment or disgust I thought would be present after my confession. His expression was soft, affectionate even.

‘It doesn’t make you selfish to want to do what makes you happy. If those in your life truly care about you and love you like I think they do, your happiness will matter to them, Evangeline. You do not need to sacrifice that for others—they wouldn’t want you to and most importantly, living for everyone else isn’t living.’

‘Thank you,’ my voice was barely above a whisper, because I didn’t trust it not to break with emotion at a louder volume.

‘Of course.’ He flashed his dimpled smile and leaned forward to place a kiss to my cheek.

He lingered and all I could think about was how the skin he had kissed was tingling pleasantly. Klaus pulled back a little, but only far enough to allow him to stare into my eyes. I didn’t know what he was looking for, but he must have found it through the lust I could feel on my face as his gaze flickered to my lips before he leant forward, closing the gap so that there was a mere inch between us. Knowing he was waiting for me to make the final move, I didn’t waste any time and pressed my lips to his. This kiss was different from the last one we shared. That was inspired by lust and an animalistic hunger. This was softer and more emotional; the affection we had for one another was clear, an aspect that had been absent in the woods. We didn’t know each other well then; both of us had been looking for a release. But now I could feel the way he cared for me from the gentleness of his lips moving against mine, from the way he caressed the side of my face while his other hand was tightly grasping mine. I had never been kissed this way before and it was overwhelming in the best possible way. It felt like he was worshipping me, treating me is if I were the most important thing in the world to him. I knew that couldn’t possibly be true, but I couldn’t deny how cared for he was making me feel in that moment.

I don’t know how long we were kissing for, but eventually we pulled apart, both of us a little breathless. We shared a look before he placed a kiss to my forehead and we resumed the journey in comfortable silence. It was in that moment that the feelings I had been repressing, or rather ignoring, for the hybrid came back full force and I realised… I was in love with him. That was definitely not a part of the plan.

Xxx

It didn’t take much longer for us to reach London and when we did I was practically vibrating with excitement. Klaus chuckled at me as he helped me down from the carriage, linking my arm with his as he started leading me through the streets. The cobbled streets were incredibly narrow, so much so that I wondered how carriages managed to fit through them. The buildings were built of brick and wood and I couldn’t help but stare in fascination at how different they were to the buildings in the twenty first century. My eyes greedily drunk in every detail, the bread, cloths, jewellery and fruits that were being sold on different carriages. The sounds of horses’ hooves against the cobbled roads, the sounds of men shouting in a bid to entice customers, the sounds of people merrily chatting amongst themselves.

‘You know, I’ve been to London many times over the centuries and each time I find myself amazed by the culture,’ Klaus mused from beside me. I looked over to him only to find his gaze already fixed on me.

‘Is it one of your favourite destinations?’ I wondered, curious—a man who had been alive for so long must have seen everything; I wanted to know what his favourite was.

‘Before we came back to England, Paris was my favourite place to visit,’ his stare turned affectionate, ‘but recent developments have me changing my mind.’

I blushed and glanced down, unable to hold his stare due to the intensity behind it. His thumb brushed over the knuckles of the hand that rested in the crook of his arm. I smiled a little and looked back up at him.

‘I’ve never really travelled anywhere, but I think England is always going to be my favourite.’ And I honestly did; I would always cherish that moment with him.

He smiled softly and placed a kiss to my forehead before leading me further down the street as he continued to talk.

‘I’ll take you,’ his dimpled smile greeted me when I looked over to him in surprise, ‘anywhere you wanna go.’

My heart leaped in my chest and my stomach filled with butterflies, but I forced it down. I shook my head as a light laugh tumbled from my lips, ‘as enticing as that sounds, you know you’re going to forget about me as soon as I leave.’

I started when he pulled me to a stop in the middle of the street, his hand came up to caress the side of my face and I couldn’t help but lean into his touch.

‘Evangeline—,’ I couldn’t help my irritated frown when whatever he had been about so say was cut off by me being shoved from behind. I was pushed into his chest and the intense stare that had been on his face a moment before fell into anger. His eyes tried to find the culprit over my shoulder, but they were long lost in the bustling crowds.

‘I’ve seen London,’ I murmured, drawing his attention back to me, ‘what else is there to see, Lord Klaus?’ I smiled when he smirked at my teasing.

‘Not so much of what to see, but more what to do.’ He said ominously, leading me back to the carriage that had bought us here.

Xxx

‘Okay, I might have been good at the sword fighting activity…’ I trailed off as my eyes flickered between the crossbow and the smirking hybrid a few feet from me, ‘but there is no way I’m gonna be able to do this.’

‘Patience, love.’ I didn’t need to look at him to know he was smirking at me.

I took the stance he had shown me again, my right foot forward, with my left hand holding the crossbow. I made the arrow match up with the apple Klaus had nailed to the tree in front of me earlier—it was my target. I growled when I missed it again. It didn’t even hit the tree!

‘I refuse to let archery beat me!’ I muttered, picking up another arrow but when it missed I looked over to Klaus, arching my brow at his amusement, ‘what am I doing wrong?’

‘Don’t close one eye when you take your aim, use both eyes to line up the arrow with the target.’ He stepped over to me and placed his hand on the arm that was holding the crossbow, ‘and your arm isn’t straight, it needs to be lower.’ He moved it into the correct position before standing back and nodding for me to give it a shot.

I took a second to let the tingles that lingered on my arm from his touch to fade. After I took a deep breath, I was ready and I lined up the shot and released the arrow. When it went straight through the apple I couldn’t have stopped my grin if I tried.

‘Just call me a professional archer.’ I cracked my knuckles after placing the bow down.

Klaus chuckled and shook his head fondly, which made my cheeks darken with colour. I cleared my throat and offered him a bright smile when he looked over to me, his dimpled smile still playing on his lips and I couldn’t help but be hypnotised by them for a second before my eyes flickered up to his.

‘Now I’ve mastered archery,’ I smiled a little when he chuckled at my exaggeration, ‘what else should I try?’

He just sent me a devilish smirk.

Xxx

‘You’re joking,’ I sent him a look that was a mixture of amused and unsurprised.

‘Of course not, this is a tradition around these parts, love.’ He grinned and started stripping off his clothes.

‘Right. And seeing me naked is of no interest to you.’ I raised a brow.

He simply kept his grin in place and continued stripping. I turned my back when he started to remove his pants and shook my head when he chuckled. Apparently something to do in the fifteenth century was “strip and swim” in the river close to the Mikaelson property. I personally thought he had other motives.

‘You don’t need to turn around, love.’ A small gasp escaped when I felt him directly behind me, his hands rested on my waist and pulled me against his chest, ‘I don’t mind.’

‘For someone who singlehandedly took on a werewolf, I would have thought you’d be braver.’ He commented and I spun around to retort against my better judgement, only he wasn’t behind me when I did.

I heard the unmistakable splash of water and looked over to see him sending me a mocking wave. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

‘Give me one reason as to why this is a good idea.’ I murmured, fighting down the insecurity that was trying to claw its way to the surface. I expected him to give me a funny answer, but he must have read the reluctance on my expression, because his next words were serious and soft.

‘Because we only have today, Evangeline,’ his expression was forlorn, ‘and I’d like to make the most of it while we still can, as we both know when you fix what you came here to fix, you’re never going to want to see me again.’

I looked away from his gaze for a second before turning back to him and gesturing, ‘turn around.’ His expression became amused before he complied with my instruction.

In that moment I was grateful for my vampire speed as I stripped off my clothes and added them to his pile. I flashed into the water and came to a stop behind him. With a hand on his shoulder, I turned him around and lowered my guard so he could read the sincerity behind my next words.

‘What you said isn’t true.’ I smiled sadly, ‘I told you before, a part of me doesn’t want to go back to my time and that isn’t because I prefer this century. It’s because of you. It’s because you make me happy and you make me feel alive. It’s not that I won’t want to see you again, it’s that you’re going to forget about me when I’m gone. And why wouldn’t you? You’ve lived for four hundred years already and in another six hundred you’re not going to remember my name, never mind my face. And I don’t expect you to. But I’m grateful that I got to know you now and… I’ll never forget my time here and I definitely won’t forget you.’

I took a deep breath to stop the tears in my eyes from falling and forced a smile to my face. I nodded, pleased that I’d finally said what I wanted to say, well aside from the fact that I was in love with him. But that could wait until the last day, so I didn’t have to feel my heart break when he didn’t say it back. His index finger came to my chin and gently forced me to meet his gaze. The expression that greeted me was softer than I had ever seen it, and his eyes were also shining with tears.

‘I will never forget you, Evangeline. You’re unlike anyone I have ever known. You’re brave, smart, empathetic, kind, compassionate, determined and beautiful. You came here to destroy me and rather than sending yourself home when your plan failed, you stayed and offered an alternative idea to save your family and friends and to rid me of a curse that I have had to live with for almost five hundred years. Despite what I have done to you, you’ve not treated Elijah or I with disdain or hatred, which we most likely rightfully deserve. I don’t want you to go, but I know you have to.’ His thumb ran along my bottom lip before his hand came to caress the side of my face, ‘I can’t promise you that we will find each other in the future, but I give you my word that if we do… I will never let you go again.’

The tears I had fought so hard to keep at bay were streaming uncontrollably down my face. Klaus’ other hand came up to my free cheek and his thumbs wiped the moisture away. His forehead rested against mine and I once again found myself hypnotised by his tantalising red lips.

I could feel his gaze on me, warming me from the inside out and my eyes met his for a moment, both of us sharing a look of lust and affection before we moved towards each other at the same time. Our kiss was charged with promise and passion that made me want to stay in this moment forever, in the stream in the middle of the woods where none of our problems could reach us. It was just me and him being consumed by each other. My hands slid from his shoulders and up to his shoulder length hair, tangling in the curls and bringing pressing his mouth harder against mine. Neither of us broke from the kiss when his hands went to my waist and lifted my legs to wind around his hips. He walked us out of the water and laid me on the bank not far from where our clothes rested.

I removed my hands from his hair and allowed them to feel the skin of his shoulders, his arms, and his back. My own skin burned under his touch as he caressed my waist, stomach and legs. I moaned when his touch moved to my breasts, kneading them gently. His lips moved from my lips to the crook of my neck, nipping and sucking. When he found the spot behind my ear, my back arched without my consent. I felt his grin against my skin, but I couldn’t find it in myself to be annoyed by his arrogance in that moment, if anything it made me hotter.

When his hand moved in the direction of my core I stopped him by grabbing his wrist. Klaus’ eyes met mine and I could see the uncertainty in them, but I reassured him with a soft smile. I knew my eyes were burning with my desire for him.

‘I need you, Klaus.’ I murmured, hoping he understood that in that moment I didn’t want to take our time, I wanted him; I needed him then and there.

His hesitation disappeared and the smile that lit up his face was a mixture of desire and pleasure. When he took position and prepared himself to enter me, my hands returned to his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as he slid inside at a pace slow enough to make me moan. We paused when he completely filled me, both of us appreciating the feeling of us being joined together, of us finally taking this step with one another, before he started to move. The pace was slow and I can honestly say I have never felt such a strong connection like I felt as we moved together, staring into each other’s eyes with our bodies working as one. It was as if we had been intimate a hundred times before. I’ve never known such chemistry, such compatibility with anyone. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. We reached the end together, my nails scraped down Klaus’ back hard enough to break the skin. His hands gripped my waist hard enough to bruise. His forehead fell to my chest and my head fell to the grass underneath me. My hands went to his hair and his wrapped around me as we both collected our composure and waited for our breathing to return to normal.

I found myself hoping as I lay there, surrounded by Klaus’ comforting scent and warmth that we would cross paths in the future. Because I was certain if we found each other, I wouldn’t want him to let me go either.

Xxx

‘Niklaus, there you are!’ Elijah’s voice caused the both of us to look over to him. I ignored his arched brow when he noticed our joined hands.

‘Well, brother, you found me.’ Klaus smirked, his eyes glittering with mischief.

‘We have things to prepare—,’ the elder Mikaelson was cut off by Klaus raising his free hand.

‘Please, Elijah, not today. We have all of tomorrow to make preparations for the doppelgänger’s arrival.’ Klaus waved him off and stepped around Elijah, pulling me with him.

I pretended not to notice Elijah’s apparent suspicion with Klaus brushing off what he usually treated as an important matter. To diffuse the tension I could feel growing in the room I decided to leave the brothers for a moment, using the excuse of needing to get ready for dinner. Neither bought it, but they didn’t say anything. Before I could completely leave them in the living area, Klaus pulled me back to him and placed a chaste kiss on my lips that caught me by surprise. By the time I recovered, Klaus had a smug grin on his lips and I just left them both after I rolled my eyes and desperately tried to suppress my own smile.

As I closed the door to my chambers I couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling that threatened to overcome me. It reminded me that the closer I got to Klaus, the harder it was going to be to potentially lose him when everything was over. I knew what he said in the water, but the insecure neurotic side of me was telling me that while he may mean his words now, six hundred years could change a lot. He could be with someone else, he could never find me again, and as much as he denied the possibility, he could forget me.

I shook away my depressing thoughts and comforted myself with the fact that we had right now. I had these moments, these memories to treasure forever even if he never found me again, even if he forgot me, the way if felt for him… it was worth it.

Klaus’ POV

I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Evangeline was exquisite, but it wasn’t the new level of intimate that we had reached that was responsible for my good mood, though that was certainly a part of it. It was her confession, when she said that I made her happy and made her feel alive. She didn’t want to go home because of me. As I sat at her bedside when she was recovering from her wolf bite, I suspected then that my affection for her was more than me fancying her, but the elation I had felt this afternoon after her admission made me certain. I was in love with her.

‘You seem to be in a particularly good mood.’ Elijah’s comment pulled me out of my thoughts. When I realised what he said, my grin only grew.

‘Do I?’ I wondered over to the alcohol and poured myself a cup, hiding my smirk behind it.

‘Yes. And it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.’ Elijah mused, his eyes flickering to the door Evangeline had left through and back up to me, ‘you care for her quite a bit don’t you?’

‘I don’t believe that’s any of your business, brother.’ The happiness disappeared from my expression to be replaced with anger and warning.

‘You definitely care for her. I would even say you love her.’ Elijah wasn’t one to be deterred by my anger. I knew he was baiting me, carefully selecting his words and observing my reaction.

After five hundred years together, Elijah knew me better than anyone. It was both a blessing and a curse. When I didn’t say anything in response to his words, I could tell that he had figured it out before he even spoke.

‘You do love her.’ He realised, his eyes flickering over the tight grip I had on my cup and the annoyance in my eyes, ‘while I’m happy for you, brother, I must warn you about the danger of losing sight of your goal.’

His confusion was clear when I laughed. I subdued my amusement when his puzzlement transformed into frustration.

‘Trust me brother, Evangeline is the last person who will distract me from my goal.’ I smiled knowingly but I refused to elaborate. Evangeline had told me that he didn’t betray me, but I didn’t want anyone to know where she truly came from.

Evangeline and I being the only ones who knew, it gave us power over what could be changed. If Elijah knew, he would want to save Katarina and he would want to make sure that she didn’t have to be on the run for the next five hundred years.

However, I had a plan to make sure that Katarina followed the same path that she took to bring her into Evangeline’s life. The doppelgänger needed to run from me in order to meet the Salvatore brothers, because one of them was responsible for keeping her sister alive. And Katarina needed to go to Evangeline’s town to assure that she turned her. I would of course have eyes and ears on her at all times and when she had fulfilled her purpose I would grant her her freedom. Apparently Elijah would take a liking to her, and I wouldn’t stand in his way longer than necessary. Provided my brother wasn’t getting on my nerves at that point in time.

I idly registered that Elijah left the room as I finished my drink and poured another—he knew better than anyone that if I didn’t want to reveal information, trying to get it would be a waste of time. It appeared whatever he had needed to tell me about the doppelgänger wasn’t important after all. I drank what was left in my glass with one gulp and quickly poured myself another. After focusing for a moment, I could hear Evangeline was in her chambers and the sounds assured me she was getting ready for dinner. I hoped she hadn’t been listening to our conversation.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to know, it was that I was afraid of what would happen if she did. I hadn’t been in love with anyone for a long time. The first girl I had been interested in was Tatia. She had been beautiful, seductive and manipulative. She had played my brother and I against each other successfully for a long time, but in the end we recognised the sacred bond of family. Giving her up hadn’t been that difficult because I hadn’t been in love with her.

Then we became vampires.

After ten years constantly running we decided to settle for a while in a castle in England. We had taken the place of those we had killed. It was there that I met her. Aurora. At first I had been consumed by her beauty and it had blinded me from her faults. She was selfish, cruel and vindictive. But I didn’t realise that until it was time for us to leave, when Mikael found us again. I had asked her to flee with us and she laughed in my face and told me that now she had what she wanted, she wasn’t going to live her immortal life on the run. And as soon as the words had left her mouth, I saw her time together but through eyes that weren’t blinded with love and infatuation. Thanks to my epiphany, I was able to cut ties with her and that is the only time I’ve ever been grateful that Mikael forced us to flee.

Since then, women had been nothing more to me than food and pleasure. At least until a week and a half ago, when I came across Evangeline in the woods. When I found out that she had come here to kill me, I should have ended her life then and there. But I didn’t. I still couldn’t say why. Something about her bravery and defiance intrigued me. She had known who I was and what I was capable of and yet even when she tried to run from me, she refused to let an ounce of fear show on her face. From there my interest had grown into affection and love. And I was absolutely terrified.

#klaus mikaelson #Klaus Mikaelson x OC #klaus mikaelson imagine #the originals #the vampire diaries

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whipped-stream · 4 years ago

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I watched: The Night Manager

I find spy stuff a bit difficult really. It’s so smug - long, indulgently complicated stories chock-full of smart men in smart suits drinking man-drinks like whisky or martinis, surveilling each other out of the corners of their eyes, skulking around the charming alleyways of some architecturally opulent urban space. No one is ever insecure in a spy story; no one ever has a moment where they’re at a loss for words; no one ever has acne or eats a burger or even drinks a latte, because the only coffee appropriate for a spy story has to be something tight and elegant like an espresso. Oh, and very few people in these stories are ever female, fat (unless they’re evil) or gay (unless they’re evil).

Of course, this is all completely endemic to the genre. Asking for a spy thriller without these qualities would be like asking for a Judd Apatow comedy without a bunch of scruffy beardy blokes. But like - it’s 2021 now, and you’d think we would be gradually nearing the point where we were ready to retire all the tiresome, difficult stuff about the genre and do something new and interesting with it. Alas, The Night Manager has proved to me that we are nowhere near this possible future.

Don’t get me wrong, this is an enjoyable, easy show if you don’t think about it too much. It’s polished, gorgeous to look at and the basic plot revolving around illegal arms trading in the Middle East is absorbing, albeit a little toothless (for all the action and violence in the Middle East scenes we never really engage on any level with the human impact of this nefarious trade, besides one anecdote which never really lands). Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie are both, predictably, also amazing in this show. Tom Hiddleston is perfect as a hotel manager; his earnest, twinkly-eyed politeness fits perfectly in the luxury hotels his character glides through, just as his luxury suits and luxury face suit the luxury décor. Then, as a secret services mole amongst gangsters, he is perfect again, charming everyone into smitten trust with a gleaming smile as they fall into the glacier-blue lagoons of his eyes, barely noticing him surreptitiously gathering all their secrets.

Hugh Laurie is as charismatic and sinister as a cartoon devil and makes for a terrific villain, fiercely dedicated to chewing the scenery at every opportunity. It is unclear to me why they chose to give him a sortof shabby Friar Tuck haircut for the role, but perhaps he is doing a Harrison Ford and just exerting his Great Actor Famepower to refuse to undergo any kind of personal grooming before a scene.

But yeah. Every time I was enjoying it, the dang show did something to ruin it. Firstly it was the ‘Bond women’. Sure, stunningly beautiful and sexually inviting women are a staple of this genre, and this show tries its best to show good faith by making sure that the stunningly beautiful and sexually inviting women in this instance have some kind of personality and plot relevance. It’s a pathetic effort at best. The first gorgeous woman chivvies the plot along for all of two minutes before flinging her fabulous self at Tom Hiddlestone and being a charming bedfellow just long enough for him to be distraught when he discovers her moments later in a pool of her own blood. Ahh, yes, a classic Woman in Refrigerator - gosh, I haven’t seen one of those employed with such efficiency in quite some time. Despite barely knowing her, Tom Hiddlestone is so devastated that he moves into some kind of massive concrete bunker right at the top of a Swiss Alpine mountain (what IS that house, dude!?!? Do you live in a weather monitoring facility?) and eventually agrees to become an agent for the secret services - which of course presents even more opportunities for some top totty.

The other stunningly beautiful woman in this show is in a relationship with the baddie played by Hugh Laurie, even though the two of them don’t so much have an age gap as an age chasm. She is called ‘Jed’, and she truly is only here for the camera to make long, indulgent pans up her svelte legs and delicate back. The show leaps at any opportunity to show a bit of her boob and at one point she fully disrobes and walks slowly and teasingly into the sea, pointing her arse right at Tom Hiddlestone, in order to make a point about living a carefree life. All the personal details about this woman are arbitrary - she has a kid that she never gets to see, I guess, and like she’s kind of suspicious of her boyfriend the arms dealer or whatever, but the show refuses to waste any time giving these story points any more than a cursory glance. Jed is a hollow, objectified character whose clothes fall off at the slightest jostle.

And then there’s the other thing. The torture thing. What is up with these spy shows? And how the only thing they love more than sexy women is the spectacle of sexy women being battered, tortured and lying dead in revealing poses? Just like her predecessor, poor Jed barely gets to do anything interesting or even proactive before she is ‘found out’ and we have to endure a really queasy scene where she’s being beaten up and repeatedly almost-drowned for her treachery. As her sore, blue-purple face is thrust over and over again into the brimming bathtub and she thrashes for air, her naked breast dangles out of her top in a tactless mush of raunchy objectification and vicarious misogyny. It’s one of the most troubling things I have witnessed on telly in a good while.

Okay - there is one other woman in this show. Olivia Coleman plays the head of this secret service operation, and she is written as a fierce, ambitious agent who knows exactly what she’s doing. Oh, and she’s pregnant, so I guess we’re doing Fargo too, a bit? For the entirety of the programme, which seems to span several months, she appears to be at the end of her third trimester. No one ever asks her when she’ll be going on maternity leave and who will take over this spy operation when that happens. As part of the final showdown, she travels to the Middle East, stalks around a hotel filled with murderous gangsters, shoots people in the knee and hides from even more murderous gangsters WHILE SEEMINGLY MOMENTS AWAY FROM HER FIRST CONTRACTION.

Essentially this woman’s pregnancy is a decorative character quirk, like having an eyepatch or an eccentric moustache. The story doesn’t let the character engage with her pregnancy in any human sense: and sure, the logistics of being pregnant is not exactly thrilling espionage content, but then why bother doing it at all? Leave her unpregged, and let her run around with guns to her heart’s content, or do it properly, and engage with interesting ideas of how we see and define modern motherhood; how we see pregnant women as vulnerable and in need of protection rather than being the protectors; how a woman’s career clashes and harmonises with her biological fate to be the child-bearer. Fargo did all that stuff effortlessly. Watch Fargo. The film, not the telly programme.

I also feel that it’s worth pointing out that this character was a man in the book, which makes it pretty clear that she was the hail-mary gesture to preempt any complaints that the only female main characters are bland eye-candy.

I have one last complaint. Remember that thing I said at the beginning about how the only gay characters allowed in this genre have to be evil? Well yeah, stamp that one on your bingo card too. I cannot believe that we are at a point in society where we can generate edible meat in a lab and yet the most frequent gay characters we see in mainstream TV are still either camp BFFs or acid-tongued villains. Tom Hollander is a completely wonderful actor and I urge you to watch basically anything else he has done besides this. There is no need for this character, Hugh Laurie’s snide and suspicious right-hand man, to be a creepy, predatory homosexual man. He is preposterous - constantly leering at Tom Hiddlestone and making blunt innuendos or just full-on grabbing Tom Hiddlestone’s giblets. A clear conflation is being made: this man is a threat, and the threat he poses to Tom Hiddlestone’s mission is mirrored by the threat he poses to Hiddlestone’s hetero-masculinity, his sexual autonomy. It feels like this character is a charicature of how homophobes see all gay men: malevolent and sexually rapacious, on a mission to assault, harass and render uncomfortable all hetero men who are just minding their own business.

I truly don’t understand this show - how they made such an effort to shoehorn so much deeply troubling messaging into a story which needed none of these things. The bare bones of the spy story is solid and it could have been turned out in so many different ways, but this was what they chose. It all feels so retrograde, so unnecessary. This is the kind of thing that Netflix would not have toyed with - whatever you feel about that streaming platform, they create stories with real, three-dimensional women and all kinds of diverse characters from the LGBTQ+ scene and beyond. Amazon Prime still needs to work on getting woke. But I guess we shouldn’t expect too much from the platform that snapped up Jeremy Clarkson.

The Night Manager, available on Amazon Prime

#the night manager #inclusive feminism #rant #review #misogyny #homophobia

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aftgficrec · 5 years ago

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Monthly Recommendations!

Each month we’ll compile our favourite reads and share them with you guys! This time we’re sharing things we’ve read recently - there’s a mix of new, old, long, short, tropes, au’s, angst, fluff - really, there’s something for everyone. We hope you like reading these as much as we did!

- aftgficrec fam!

dreaming on fire series by poetatertot [Rated M/E, 32628 Words, Complete, 2018]

Foxhole Court, California: home of the dreamers and the dreamless.

(tw: torture, blood, canon typical violence)

running with the wolves by QueenBelladonna [Rated M, 59487 words, complete 2019]

His mother always told him he should never trust a wolf. They tell you pretty lies, they use you, and when they don't need you anymore, they tear you apart.

Neil is half-mad and desperate, however, and when Wymack asks for his help in exchange for a place in the pack he accepts it. He thinks he knows what to expect from them. He thinks he's ready for it. But what he finds is a near-feral turned wolf, a face from the past he's been running from for years and a family, ready to accept him into it.

(tw: graphic descriptions of violence, implied/referenced drug use)

In bars, in cars by moonix [Rated M, 6140 words; Complete 2020]

“I guess I just don’t understand it. How can you just be attracted to a complete stranger?”

“That’s the appeal,” Andrew retorts.

“What?”

“It’s a simple transaction. No complications.”

“Complications? Like what?”

“Conversation, obligations, baggage,” Andrew says dismissively. “Annoying habits. Emotional intimacy. That sort of thing.”

Or: Andrew and Neil meet at bars and talk about life's mysteries.

(tw: references to past trauma)

I've been thinkin' 'bout you and rebuildin’ (you in love with me still?) by Talls [Rated E, 7470 words; Complete 2019]

In an attempt to save what remains of his mental health, Andrew breaks things off with Neil and travels the world in search of answers, only to find them waiting for him when he gets back home.

Or, Andrew Minyard gets his groove back.

(tw: explicit sex)

a world alone by ephemeralsky [Rated T, 54850 words, completed 2019]

“It will not be cheap,” Andrew finally says.

“I know,” Wymack says. “Two bottles of Johnnie Walker sound good to you?”

“Four,” Andrew says without missing a beat. He thinks about having to deal with Nicky later on, about the additional work he has to do, and decides that he will not do anything for less.

“Three,” Wymack argues.

“Four or we have no deal.”

Wymack mutters something about blood-sucking hooligans under his breath before he concedes with a, “Fine.”

(or: a High School AU where only some of them are high-schoolers)

(tw: violence, implied/referenced abuse, descriptions of scars, implied/referenced islamophobia, ableism and homophobia, implied/referenced rape/non-con, mentions of death ideation, alcohol)

Paper Skies by exybee [Rated T, 4654 words, complete 2018]

Andrew's a quiet librarian who treats his library much like how he treats his person. He spends his time searching for the color blue in hopes of finding something real, but when he meets Neil Josten, he finds that maybe blue isn't the only thing out there.

Or, Neil's a kaleidoscope of colors, and Andrew gets a lesson in self-care.

progress comes in small steps by Ominous [rated: T, 30,751 words, incomplete series; last added Jan 2020]

Summary by aftgficrec: An adventure in the development of the twins’ relationship, with Neil, Katelyn and Bee ensuring they head down a less treacherous path.

(tw: implied/referenced past abuse, canon-compliant trauma)

Dirty old town by manya [Rated M, 17723 words, WIP]

It's been two long, monotonous years in the Federal Witness Protection Programme, and Neil needs a change in scenery.

Europe is supposed to be an opportunity to break out of his rut; the last thing he expects is to find himself blinking at Kevin Day across the dining room table of a tiny guesthouse in the middle of nowhere in rural Ireland.

(tw: panic attacks, tw: non-consensual drug use)

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mavda · 5 years ago

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When Wisdom sleeps

Summary: Din, Nayru and Farore are the Goddesses of the Realm of Hyrule. They are myths about the creation of the world, a way for hylians to understand the world around them, but for Ganondorf, Zelda and Link, they mean something more. Memories of past lifes fill Ganondorf and Link, but Zelda's memories seem to be dormant. And neither Link nor Ganondorf know how to feel about it.

Ch.1: The lie

He felt tired.

He travelled with a heavy heart, because maybe, just maybe, that bastard had really dissappeared for good. Maybe that fucker had decided to take away the future of the kingdom, maybe he had decided to hurt them the most, the way it would hurt him the most. Years after years he had tried and failed and at this point he could only accept what everyone had ever told him.

The road was unkempt and bumpy and his mare was growing as frustrated as him. It had taken him years to gather resources and information and then more years to explore the places he had found. It had been failure after failure and he had grown used to finding nothing but little villages at the edges of the world.

There was no reason to believe this was going to be any different, his heart refused to believe again, so as he kept on shortening the distance he started to ready himself to find the same old scenery he had grown used to.

As he entered the village people started to stare at him, the boy tried his best to remain unassuming and bowed here and there when he encountered people. If he had to define the village in one word it would be cozy. The houses were modest but pretty, the people looked intrigued but not scared, the size of their settlement had to be at least of thirty houses and by the look of it they had some sort of government going on since the people kept on directing him to a specific house.

A man awaited him in a well-kept garden and waved at him to come closer. The two people who were beside the man scrambled as soon as the boy dismounted and scurried down the roads. The boy bowed immediately, "I'm sorry to inconvenience you, thank you so much for welcoming me."

The man brought his hand to the back of his head, bowing his head in between words, "No problem, no problem, I'm sorry you have to deal with me. My wife is the village chief but she's away in another village," the boy smiled in understanding. "Please, come on in," the man walked to his house and opened the door ready to let the guest go in, and then, as he saw the horse trailing behind the boy, "oh, you can put your horse in that tree, I'll go get some refreshments ready."

The boy walked to the only tree that loked strong enough in the garden and said, "Oh, don't worry, please, I can't impose any further," loudly enough to be heard, but the man was already inside, bumbling inside his house. The boy gave a glance towards the neighbourhood while he gave the knot a little pull to test it, there were no prying eyes behind windows and the people who had been in the very spot he was were nowhere to be seen. The boy bowed again as he entered the house and repeated his thanks to the man as soon as he was within earshot. The man was busy looking for glasses and beer within his kitchen so he gave back a loud don't worry as an answer. The boy wiped his feet before entering and closing the door with as little noise as possible.

The man turned to look at his guest and saw the boy standing awkardly, "Oh, please take a seat!" He said a little too fast while he pointed to a chair near him, he clanked as he moved.

As the boy took a seat in the room and admired the cozy atmosphere, the man disappeared again and the boy looked around. Every house looked similar in the village, this one was built in a pretty good place compared to others, but he was sure that no house differed much in terms of construction. The boy was sitting in an open living room next to the kitchen, he glanced to the side and saw a big table with tons of papers on them, it looked like a place where only the people in charge of its order would know where everything was.

As the boy looked at the burned logs on the chimney, the man reappeared with clanking glasses and a bottle of beer, "So, tell me. How can we help you?"

The surrogate village chief left the boy with his beer for just a second as he returned to the kitchen to bring out some bread and cheese. "You look like a very prestigious person, so if there's anything we can help with," he left the words hanging and gave little nods meant as encouragement. Not only was the boy the sole visitor they had had in more than a couple of years, but the child also looked like a well-off, young and handsome knight that more than surely came from the Castle. The Castle of Hyrule, the most important building in the Kingdom that happened to also be the place where the most renowned soldiers the country had to offer were trained. The man swallowed out of nervousness and his eyes strained in the sword the boy carried. From his location the man could only see the hilt of the sword strapped to the boy's back and although it wasn't unheard of for mercenaries to carry out swords, the poise of the boy was telling. And as if there were any doubts left, the brightly polished shield his horse carried on its mount and the boy's clothes were revealing in on itself.

The boy smiled but shared nothing and as the man poured out the beer he thought too hard about the sharp and fierce look the boy had.

The boy grabbed his beer and drank a sip to show gratitude, "My name is Link and I am looking for someone." Link searched through his clothes and took out a piece of parchment he himself had drawn before coming.

The picture showed a towering Gerudo man, with their characteristic red hair and bronze skin that protected them from the glaring desert sun. His name was Ganondorf, although Link did not share that bit of information, the King of Thieves, the Sun of the Desert, the Star of the Night. Many names given to a male Gerudo child who had been raised as the next leader of their people, many names to the man who had ended up raiding the Castle of Hyrule 11 years ago, killing the last rightful Queen and King the Kingdom of Hyrule had seen and kidnapping the 1 year old heir and light of the people, Princess Zelda Eugenia Harkinian Hyrule. Ganondorf had become the most hated person in the Realm overnight, but just as soon as he had made his debut, he had disappeared.

The Gerudo never saw him again. Their leaders let their villages be searched till exhaustion to regain some sense of trust from the Kingdom, the fishpeople of the Zora and the rockpeople of the Gorons sent search party after search party to every nook and cranny they could find but neither Ganondorf nor Princess Zelda were ever found again.

Months passed, years passed, and people had all but given up on ever finding them again, nowadays they were but memories people would barely give time of day. Link was stubborn, almost crazy in his search at this point, as he refused to give up until he knew what had happened to Zelda and Ganondorf.

Princess Zelda had been kidnapped a few months after becoming one year old so no one could recognize her anymore, while Ganondorf had never had his portrait taken as the Gerudo overzealously protected their heirs so the searchs had consisted in finding Gerudo males. It had all turned too complicated very soon.

What Link had placed on the table, however, was a real portrait of Ganondorf, impossible to exist. Drawn not by actual experience but by memories Link could never share with anyone in fears of being called delusional. A portrait with such eerie perfection that anyone who had seen Ganondorf would be able to recognize with only a glance.

The surrogate village chief gave the drawing a glance, "Oh, and who's this man?"

Link smirked as the feeling of dejavú filled his body. "He helped my family a great deal," he lied, "we owe him a lot but he disappeared one day and we never saw him again. We've always wanted to give him our thanks and see if he is living all right, so if you know of him or of where I could find him I would be more than thankful."

The man cocked his head to the side, shook his head slightly, "I fear I've never seen him, though, I'm really sorry."

Link let his disappointment wash over him for just a second before putting a smile on his face again, "Oh, that's all right, please don't worry. Would it be a problem if I took my time and searched nearby, I'll probably take one or two days and then I'll be gone."

"Oh," the man shifted, "sure, you can stay with us if that's all right with you."

"I will be sure to not bother your family and pay for my expenses."

The man nodded and stayed silent for a second before taking a piece of bread that stayed in his hand. Link gulped his glass down and cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand, "Good beer."

The man hesitated a second before grabbing Link's glass and pouring beer again, "You've been looking long for that man?"

Link could have laughed out loud, "Yes, sir. A long time."

"Well, hopefully you find him, all right? Name's Pattrick, by the way, you can come find me if you need anything."

Link bowed his head and sighed. Pattrick played with the crumbs of his bread before eating it up in one bite.

As Link readied to excuse himself and get his things inside the house, the door opened and a child boomed in shouting a greeting, the resemblance with her father was uncanny. Pattrick greeted her and the child stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Link. "Hello!" Link smiled back at the chipper greeting and the child came closer to him, clearly used to strangers coming into her house, "I'm Mira, what's your name?"

"Link, ma'am."

"It's a pleasure!" Mira shot up her hand towards Link and Link grabbed her hand back.

"Likewise."

Pattrick sat a little straighter and smiled, "How was today?"

The child gave a glance to her father and returned to Link in a second, "Good! Now I'm going out to play with Lloyd." Her gaze fixated on Link's sword and interest was plastered on her face.

Pattrick inched closer to the table and nodded along, "Sure, sure. Link is going to stay with us a couple of days, so be nice."

Mira gleamed at Link, excited at the idea of a new face she could hang out with, "I can show you around!"

Link couldn't help but smile back at the sheer innocence the kid radiated and as he nodded back and Mira turned away to run to her room and throw her bag on the floor before leaving, Pattrick's hand moved calmly to Ganondorf's picture and Mira's eyes followed out of habit.

Pattrick looked scared for a second and started to talk and call for Mira in an attempt to drown her out but Mira filled the room with her voice, "What's with that picture of uncle Gan?"

Link startled and his eyes were saucers, he looked at Mira and then Pattrick and then Mira again. Pattrick sat still, all his body rigid and in place. Mira walked closer to the table and, unaware of what was going around her, grabbed the picture.

She turned the picture and looked at it from different angles, "Wow, that's a really good drawing. Did you do it?" Her eyes never left the picture and she didn't register Link's corporal language.

Link was at a loss for words and his brain was trying to catch up with everything around him, so the "Yes," that he blurted was almost too soft for Mira to hear.

Mira looked back at Link and laughed at his face, her pristine laugh brought Link back to her innocence and not the rage that had started to boil under his skin. She gave the picture back to him, still showing interest in the drawing in it, "How do you know uncle Gan?"

Link's voice was deep, desperate to control the shakiness of it, "He's a dear friend of my father," he mumbled.

"Mira," Pattrick called, "weren't you going to play with Lloyd?"

Mira ran to her room immediately. And the two men were alone again.

Link couldn't talk and Pattrick was too scared to start. "I," he stuttered, worried of what could happen now that the young and fierce looking youth was shaken and wouldn't lift his head, "Please let Mira leave first."

Link nodded but didn't raise his head and Pattrick could feel the cold sweat pooling in his hands. Mira came back as loudly as she had left and neither Link nor Pattrick showed anything amiss, so she left with the promise of coming back after dinner.

The sound of the door closing made Pattrick squirm and he realized he had no idea how to talk again with Link.

But he didn't need to worry, because Link started to snicker to himself immediately. He couldn't keep it in and although Pattrick was a little weirded out by his reaction it was better to see Link laughing than having him be threatening.

"I'm sorry," Pattrick started but Link gave out a choked laugh and raised a hand to stop Pattrick from speaking.

"No," Link snorted, "don't. It's just," he gave another short laugh, "I was thinking about how if Mira hadn't arrived when she did or if you hadn't moved your hands I wouldn't have had any idea he was alive." Link looked incredulous but covered it up with a smile, "Really funny."

Link looked at the picture still in his hands, "Why didn't you tell me?"

The change in Link's voice was subtle but noticeable. It wasn't a threat yet, but it didn't have the amicable undertones he had shown before.

"I," Pattrick wasn't sure how much to share and his brain was racing trying to understand what was going on, "are you here to kill him?"

Link remained silent a couple of seconds, pondering about what he wanted to do. "Is he living with a child? A girl, blonde, blue eyes, 11 years old."

Pattrick gave the curtest nod he could and his hands grasped his trousers with strenght.

"Then I'm not going to kill him," Pattrick looked up and his relief was evident, "I'm not going to do anything bad to him," Link cut himself short. "The girl is taken care of, right? He has not harmed her?"

Pattrick shook his head vehemently, "No, no. He would never hurt her."

Link started to feel the anger in him subside. She was alive. She was alive and safe.

And Ganondorf remembered as well.

"So his name is Gan?"

Pattrick nodded.

"And her?"

"Zelda."

Link looked surprised and pursed his lips, he was thankful he had kept her name intact, but he was also taken aback by the sheer confidence this meant. "You know what he did?"

Pattrick breathed in and out and tried his best to relax. Link was looking rather calm and that helped greatly. "He didn't tell us in detail at first. Eventually my wife put two and two together and when we confronted him he told us everything."

The silence that followed felt empty and Pattrick stole a glance at Link. Link's eyes looked lifeless and unguarded and the only thing that Pattrick could do was keep on talking. "When he came here we couldn't fathom who he was, he had his hair dyed black and it had been years since the kidnapping so it didn't cross our minds," he had also come at night and looking desperate, "you have to understand," he hesitated, "most of the people who come here are looking for a new start, we dont' pry too much."

Link agreed, "You do live at the end of the world," he whispered, absent-minded.

"He barely talked but it didn't bother us, the child looked happy and taken care of and though it was obvious the kid wasn't his..." Pattrick shrugged, "we didn't know then. He was honest in telling us that he was being followed and that he was a criminal, but he promised to live away from everyone, to let the village do it's thing and..." Gan's voice had shook as he had asked them to let him live with the child nearby, he had begged, "he said he just wanted to live in peace."

"The first time a search party came we were oblivious. It had been a couple of months after they had arrived and we didn't lie when we said we didn't know anything because that's what we believed. Then my wife realized what was going on and when we went to talk to him he gave everything away, he had even kept her name intact and he just stood there and said that he wasn't going away and that if we wanted to give him up we could and he wouldn't blame us."

Pattrick looked at Link again, and his eyes were tired still, but the softness was coming back and Pattrick hung onto it, "He said he was tired." Link nodded along in understanding. "And then when the last search party came, we lied."

The silence this time was soft and it didn't drown pattrick, and as he looked at Link he knew he was safe too.

"Is she happy?"

Pattrick did not wait a single second, "Yes."

And Link lifted the corner of his mouth. "I want to meet him."

Pattrick remembered the late night conversations Gan had shared with him. He wanted to repent, he wanted to protect the child and if Link wanted the same, he would understand, "Are you taking her back with you?"

Link tried to resist the pang of jealousy that started to arise. As if Pattrick could keep her away from him. As if Ganondorf had the right to hide her from him. "Do you not want me to?"

Pattrick's mouth thinned and he was sure he would never be able to replicate the eloquent way in which Gan spoke, "She has no one to protect her in the Castle."

Link's chair screeched as he stood up. Pattrick kept his head low and tried his best to remain still. "They gave up on her," he accused, "I really hope you are actually on her side, because if not..." Pattrick raised his head and Link did his best to hide his anger, "Whatever the case, I'm taking you to Gan."

Link frowned, "You think he can stop me if I were to try and take her with me?"

Pattrick's stare was telling and Link looked away in annoyance.

"The last search party that came here was 7 years ago," Pattrick spat the words and Link had the decency to look hurt.

It wasn't easy for Link either, this situation, the fact that she had been discarded after a while yet he knew if she were to come back they would greedily claim her again, it was unnerving and the fact that a no one like Pattrick threw those words at him hurt. Because he was right. "They did give up on her," Link shared, the disappointment was obvious in his voice, "no one in the Castle is looking for the princess anymore. I really am..." Link's mind filled with words that he would rather never share ever, and although his tone was harder, he couldn't hide his pain, "I want what's best for her."

Pattrick looked sorry for all he had said and Link softened considerably. Pattrick let the notion that Link was on his own in the air, because there was nothing much he could say.

Link sighed, "If she's truly happy here, then I won't take her with me. I swear."

Pattrick then wondered, "You're not really friends with Gan, right?"

Link snickered, "He knows me, leave it at that."

Link could see the gears moving in Pattrick's head, trying to make sense out of the knowledge that they knew each other with the knowledge that Gan was the criminal Ganondorf with the knowledge that Link looked no older than 20 years old.

"You're just gonna hurt your head if you keep that up."

Pattrick cocked his head to the side, curious.

"You'll have to trust me with this one."

Pattrick gave up and clapped his hands on his trousers, "Let's go see Gan, then. Even if I wanted I wouln't be able to face you."

Link was still surprised Pattrick even entertained the idea of fighting with him, but he kept quiet about it. As the man stood and started cleaning the table Link asked, "Am I the first to know about," a pause, "this?"

His tone of voice was nonchalant, and although the answer even if positive would have no repercussions now, Link wanted to know if there was someone else he should worry about. Pattrick stood still a second under the door to the kitchen, "Yes," he nodded, "we did a good job at hiding him."

Pattrick made a point not to look at Link as he left his house, "You're the first to know and hopefully you're the last, too."

Link had to bite down the words that threatened to come out. Pattrick had no idea how much Zelda meant to him. No one had any idea about it, except Ganondorf. Pattrick walked around his house and as soon as Link started walking towards his mare, Pattrick turned around and waved his hand around, "You won't need one!"

Link stopped mid-movement and had to breath out, he was glad Ganondorf and Zelda lived near the village. It meant Zelda had a somewhat normal life, it meant she could ask for help if needed, it meant she could have a life if she so wanted. But the fact that the very same people Link had been looking for for so long lived so close to a village the Kingdom of Hyrule had found back when all had gone to shit made him question a lot of things. Link had to shake his head and drop all the what ifs plaguing his mind, Pattrick's back was getting farther away and Link followed.

The walk was silent except for when Pattrick would warn Link about the terrain or would give tidbits of information about the village. When they started to walk through a patch of thick bushes and low branches Link began to understand Pattrick's warning regarding his horse. Link could not see his feet and wobbled every now and then, the place was within walking distance but the path towards it was not obvious. "I gather they do not receive many guests."

"Gan did say he wanted a secluded place," Pattrick answered with a hint of glee. The bushes hugged his legs and the next moment he was stumbling down. Link catched his arm and yanked him up.

"Does Zelda even go to the village?"

Pattrick massaged where Link had grabbed, thankful the blonde had caught him, surprised at the grip strenght he had, "She hasn't gone out without Gan, if that's what you're asking."

Link glanced up front and his brows knitted, the forest grew thicker and thicker. Pattrick stood tall in front of him and breathed in. "We're closer, come on."

Link was amazed and shocked to see that the place Ganondorf had decided to stay at was so unguarded. Sure, it was semi-deep in a forest, but it was just a clearing. A clearing in a forest. Nothing more. A river could be seen to their left, the house stood to their right and Link had to chuckle to himself again.

Pattrick walked with purpose with Link in his tail and Pattrick didn't even need to tell Link where they were. Link could hear them. Pattrick walked to the front door and knocked. When no one answered and Pattrick turned to tell Link that they probably were at the back, Pattrick stopped.

Link had walked around the house and was standing in awe. Pattrick couldn't help but feel something tugging at his heart. The longing that showed in Link's face was painful. Pattrick slowly made his way to Link and looked at Ganondorf and Zelda tending to their crops. Link stood still and Pattrick kept walking. Ganondorf was the first to notice him.

Zelda raised her face when she noticed her father's attention being elsewhere. Her voice was high-pitched and cheerful, "Uncle Pattrick!"

Pattrick gave a few more steps and waved at the child, who stood and waved back and, remembering something, sprinted back to her house. "I have something for Mira!"

Pattrick stood silent and tried his best to remain unconspicuous to the men near him. Ganondorf walked out of the crops and towards Link. The gerudo towered over the blonde and his long red hair waved as he walked. Link remained rooted in place and his blue eyes looked straight at Ganondorf, unable to look elsewhere. Ganondorf felt a shiver run down his spine and although the icy look Link was giving him made him gulp down the air in his mouth, he kept on walking. This was it. Link either had finally found the monster that had killed the rulers of the Kingdom or Link had finally found his long lost friend.

And Link was giving nothing away. He stood firm, ready, and as many times before, deadly. Ganondorf stopped a little ways away from him and raised a hand. At least if Link killed him now Zelda would be in good hands. Ganondorf was sure Pattrick wouldn't let her look at his bloodied corpse. Whatever happened, it was fine.

Link eyed the hand Ganondorf offered, glanced up towards Ganondorf's face and he crumbled. Link swatted away Ganondorf's hand, much to the redhead's surprise, and plunged himself into Ganondorf's chest. And Ganondorf melted.

"You gotta give me a sign next time, dude, my heart was about to burst out of my chest."

Link chuckled and bit his lip to fight back the tears that threatened to fill his eyes. His feeling jumbled together and the relief, pain, excitement and anguish came forth with strenght. Link raised his face to the sky, "I might cry."

Ganondorf's chest rumbled and Link knew he had laughed, "You and Zelda are always such crybabies."

Ganondorf cupped Link's face and smiled. Link punched him in the arm in response.

"Don't smile now!" he whined. Ganondorf roared.

Ganondorf's smile was a gift. A secret. He usually wore a frown, it almost felt more natural for him to do so. But when he smiled, it meant he was himself, freed of his destiny, freed of the Goddesses chains. Their Ganondorf. It was a sign to Zelda and Link, it came easy with Zelda and Link. It was a gift Ganondorf had received a long time ago that he loved to share with the people who had given it to him.

Ganondorf held his stomach and howled at the sky, he then patted Link's arm, "Come one, you don't want to say hi to her while crying!"

Pattrick stood still as a statue because although he knew Gan to be softer than what he looked like he had never seen him laugh so unguarded. He had no doubts now that Link had not lied about their relationship and they in fact knew each other from a while back. How? Pattrick wasn't sure, but at this point he wouldn't dare butt in either. Ganondorf hit Link's shoulder and the blonde had to take a step forward not to fall. In between the bickering Zelda came out again from the house and skipped towards Pattrick.

"I made a necklace with daddy the other day!" she showed a neatly braided string with a bunch of pretty rocks inside, "This is for Mira," she shoved the gift towards Pattrick and kept her attention on him as he thanked her for a second before turning to her father.

"Zelda!" Gan called and the child trotted towards him. Ganondorf stepped aside and Zelda came face to face with the blonde young man.

Link felt a surge of relief that made him weak on the knees, "Hello," he said, softer than normal.

Zelda cocked her head to the side but kept her smile. Ganondorf patted Link's back and encouraged her with a nod.

"My name is Zelda," she shared, "What's yours?"

Link felt his smile tremble. She didn't remember.

And the tears threatened to fall again. Link's smile broadened, "My name is Link," Ganondorf squeezed his shoulder, "it's a pleasure to meet you." Zelda looked at her father, then back at Link, when she turned around to run to the field, Ganondorf came to Link's ear.

"I'm sure she'll remember soon."

And Link wasn't sure what he wanted anymore.

The three Goddesses that protected the Realm, Din, Nayru and Farore, were nothing but legends. Miths the people of Hyrule had created to understand their world, give it meaning. People prayed to them, believed them to be benevolent beings always overseeing Hylians. But to Link, Zelda and Ganondorf they meant something else.

The memories Link remembered were proof of his role. Maybe a mishap the Goddesses had overlooked. Memories of lives lived long ago, blurry but clear, distant but so close he could still feel his hands clasping his sword. They always had the same roles. The Princess of Hyrule, a Gerudo King, a Hylian soldier. They represented a cycle: conflict and rebirth. And the Goddesses bestowed them with their blessings. Nayru's Wisdom to the Hylian Princess, Din's Power to the Gerudo King, Farore's Courage to the Hylian soldier. Ganondorf would lay waste to the land, destroy and ravage, always seeking something, and Zelda and Link would be there to stop him. They were meant to change eras, be the before and after, be it when Zelda and Link won or Ganondorf did.

Link looked up at Ganondorf and received a tight smile as an answer. The Goddesses had to have made a mistake somewhere. Why else would they let Link and Ganondorf be friends? Why else would they let Ganondorf raise Zelda? Why would they let them remember past lives in which they lived happily together?

"You're staying with us, right?" Ganondorf pulled Link out of his head and Link realized Pattrick was standing in front of him, exchanging info with Ganondorf.

"Sure. Do you have space for me?"

Ganondorf smirked, "Sure do. You heard him," he said to Pattrick, feeling smug for whatever reason.

Pattrick waved his hands, annoyed, "Fine, I wasn't trying to-," Ganondorf's smug drove him crazy, "you're so annoying."

"Ah," Link remembered, "Epona."

"He can take care of Epona, right?"

Pattrick racked his brains to attach name to image, but, "Epona?"

Ganondorf pointed at Link, a lazy finger peeking out from under his crossed arms, "His horse."

Pattrick shrugged, "Sure. I'll put him in a barn nearby-"

"Her," Ganondorf corrected. Pattrick raised an eyebrow at him. "It's a mare," explained Ganondorf with the most bothersome tone.

Pattrick opened his mouth in disgust and replied slowly to hide his anger, directly to Link, "You can come to my house whenever to get her back," he stressed.

"I actually need to go back anyways," Ganondorf mocked insult by putting his hand to his chest, "I need my stuff."

Ganondorf shrugged and waved goodbye. Pattrick gave him the stink eye and walked exhuding anger and stomping away, but before they left he turned and waved with a smile on his face. Ganondorf moved his whole torso to wave back and Link chuckled at the dynamic the two men had between them.

As if animosity had never existed between them Pattrick began to share Ganondorf and Zelda's lifestyle with Link. Ganondorf never left the clearing, and if he had to he would do so at night and completely covered. Ganondorf had made sure they could live with what they could grow in their house and hunt from the forest and river, whenever they needed something else Ganondorf with Zelda in tow would pay Pattrick a visit. Ganondorf made sure to stay away from everyone else and although he tried to have Zelda visit the village and spend more time with people, she would rather stay with him and aside from the occasional visit would also stay away from people.

Pattrick swatted away a low branch, sure, she wasn't as outgoing as his own daughter, but Zelda was already friends with Mira and Lloyd -the only other child their age- and would play with them every once in a while. As they finally got out into the road, Pattrick gathered his courage and asked Link what was he really doing here.

"I was really looking for Gan and Zelda."

Pattrick looked up and down again at Link, "Did you really come on your own?"

"I did."

Pattrick then nodded, "Good."

Epona was waiting for them just as Link had left her. Link caressed her nuzzle and told her she would be staying in the village for a while. "I'll be coming to see her everyday anyways," Link informed Pattrick. Pattrick then took Link to the village's barn, a spacious place were all of the horses stayed. There were 5 other horses beside Epona and Pattrick assured Link he would keep an eye on her, and then added, "Well, you know where to find me if Gan annoys you to death."

Link laughed out loud and as he left the place. He stepped into the clearing as the sun had started to go down and as he got closer to the house a nice smell filled his nostrils. The door opened immediately after Link knocked and Zelda greeted him with a polite smile, she left immediately to keep on arranging the table and Ganondorf greeted Link from the kitchen, spoon in hand.

Ganondorf stirred the pot once more and led Link to a room to his right, next to the bathroom. "Your room," Ganondorf waved his hand with a flourish and Link shook his head as he let his bag touch the ground.

"We're eating dinner in a bit so you can just do whatever you want."

"I'll help."

"My sweet Zellie is already doing all that, go ahead and rest in the living room or whatever."

Link glanced at Zelda who was placing the plates and then decided to be nosy and look around the living room. Ganondorf's home had a spacious living room that connected to an open kitchen, in which Ganondorf was now busying himself. The kitchen had a back door that led to the garden and it split the house in two, two rooms to its left that worked as Ganondorf's and Zelda's room, and two rooms to its right, one smaller than the others that worked as storage and the bathroom. The guest bedroom was inside the living room in a sense, right beside the bathroom. Link walked to the bookshelf that stood near the chimney, opposite his room and closer to the table, and eyed the book titles. There was a vast amount of books and most of them were teaching materials, there was a corner filled with books for children and another with knowledge about farming and hunting. There were a couple of books about history and Link stared at them for a little. They were out of arms reach of a child and Link had to wonder what had Ganondorf taught Zelda about he parents.

Link had to look back as the nagging feeling of being observed grew inside him. Zelda was staring at him but she immediately looked away.

"Do you have a favorite book?"

Her eyes shone as he asked that question and she jumped out of her chair. She stopped a few steps away from him, unsure, "Do you have a favorite book?"

Link put his hand to his chin, "I do, but I don't find it in here."

"What's it called?" Her excitement was obvious and Link couldn't help but smile.

"It's called Bravabas, do you kn-?"

Zelda jumped on her spot, "I have it in my room!" she made fists and moved them up and down, "Daddy bought it for me a while back and I'm reading it!"

Link turned to her fully, "In which part are you?"

"Brava just found the golden arrows and now he's going back to Princess Dianna so she can defeat the Baba lord!"

Link nodded along, remembering the story, "You think she'll accept his help?"

Zelda moved her head up and down with strength, "She will!"

"Make way and don't come closer! This is hot!" Ganondorf kicked a chair that bothered him and set a boiling pot in the center of the table. "Who knew you would be reading Link's favorite, huh? Come on now, sit down and eat."

Zelda got used to Link's presence rather quickly. It did help that Link was overly eager to please her, and that they shared a bunch of hobbies. Zelda left to go to sleep only after Link had promised to accompany her tomorrow to go harvest mushrooms in the forest.

After Zelda had said her goodnights and gone to sleep, after Ganondorf had accompanied her to her bed and kissed her temple, afted Link had helped clean the dishes and Ganondorf had accompanied him to his room. After Link sat on his bed and Ganondorf sat on the only chair in the bedroom, with its back turned to Link.

Ganondorf pried, "What is it?"

And Link had to confess, "I'm worried." He stopped talking, but Ganondorf did not fill the silence in the room and just waited. Link glanced over to Zelda's room, "We usually remember soon after the other does."

Ganondorf tilted his head to the side, "How old were you-?"

"I was eight."

And the silence that followed none knew how to fill. There was not a set age in which they would remember, there was not a set action they had to do, there was neither rhyme nor reason as to when or how, and most times they actually never did. The two things they knew out of experience were that one, whether it be Zelda or Link, if one of them awakened, the other would soon follow, and two:

"Maybe we'll have to wait till she turns seventeen."

Maybe it had to do with the age they usually had when they had to fight Ganondorf. Maybe the Goddesses did decide on that number. There was no one they could ask to confirm and at this point this was their safest bet, so Link nodded.

"Maybe."

There was a stretch of silence that made each of them remember memories that should not be there, but as nothing like this had happened before, Ganondorf grimaced but let it go. "How long will you stay?"

"I can stay for a month," he then added, "there's no problem with that, right?"

Ganondorf snorted, "I'm not asking because I want you out, I'm asking because I want you to stay."

Link played with his fingers, "What are we gonna do about her?"

"You wannna take her back to the Castle?"

Link frowned, he wanted to, but he also knew it may not be the best course of action, so he decided to lay the blame on him, "You told Pattrick she would be alone in the Castle."

Ganondorf raised his eyebrows in remembrance, "I did say that." Link gave back an exhasperated look, asking whether Ganondorf believed he would ever leave her alone, and Ganondorf whispered"I didn't know whether you remembered or not. I came to the end of the fucking country just to get away from your deadly sword."

Link looked away in an attempt to not hear what Ganondorf was saying. He was correct, of course, if Link hadn't had his memories with him he would have dealt with Ganondorf in a second before taking Zelda with him. "Fine."

Ganondorf felt overly annoyed, and for some reason he felt he needed to explain himself, "I didn't know."

"I know."

"Good."

Link exhaled and clapped his hands on his thighs, "Well, anyways, I'm glad, you know." Ganondorf gave him a bored look, "that you remembered," Link continued, "that you didn't kill her."

Ganondorf wanted to laugh out loud. If only he knew. And the fact was, Ganondorf wanted him to know, if anyone out there could understand what he had gone through, if only he could share this despair he found himself into. Ganondorf crossed his arms on the back of the chair and sighed, "I..."

Ganondorf's tone was hushed and pained and Link could feel his hands sweating and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what was coming. Din's Ganondorf was always filled with anger and envy and resentment, and Link knew, like many other times, what Ganondorf was looking for now was solace.

Ganondorf closed his eyes and let his head fall back, if only he could have known. "I held her in my arms." Ganondorf remembered, he had killed her parents with little fanfare, his magic was unparalelled and it had barely been a movement of his hands. Nothing more. "I could have killed her right then and there, but for some reason I decided to hold her. And the moment I held Zelda in my arms I remembered everything." Even know, even knowing everything he knew, he still wasn't sure he would willingly choose this again, he had been flooded with memories he didn't understand of times he didn't know, but something powerful came from the back of his mind and he had felt a knife go through his heart, he had started bawling immediately. "The next moment I was running away with her in my arms."

Were they playthings to the Goddesses? Was it worth it to know everything he now knew if it only filled him with disgust for himself? Ganondorf was filled with such a strong sense of apathy he barely scoffed at the end of his story. When he looked at Link he saw him sitting straight, tight, ready to fight, but there was nothing to blame.

"I-" Link wanted to tell Ganondorf that it was not his fault, that he had been a victim of fate and that he, nevertheless, was glad he had remembered when he did, because the alternative would have been soul-crushing. But how could he thank him for something that pained Ganondorf so much. "You did what you could."

Ganondorf raised his shoulders and covered his face with his hand. Just a second. He only needed just a second to calm himself again. A second to let the rage that filled his guts to seep through his feet and get lost somewhere else. "It's fine." It was not, it would never be, but he would have to live with that. "Now you're here too and we have to concentrate on protecting Zelda."

Link could feel the struggle in Ganondorf's words, the anger in the line of his shoulders, the shame in the grip of his hand. "I understand."

"You have to, okay?" Ganondorf's muffled voice carried over, "you have to protect her when I'm gone." He crouched over, let his hand fall and then looked straight to Link, eyes shiny but filled with depth, "Promise me."

For Hyrule to thrive Gerudo King had to die before the Hero or the Princess. Every time Ganondorf had remembered he had made sure his life ended before the others. Guilt was a coat that drapped over Link's shoulders. It seemed this time wouldn't be different.

"Are you...?" Link wasn't sure how to breach the subject but Ganondorf smirked.

"Not yet, but who knows, right?"

As if the coat wasn't heavy enough. Over time, and surely a gift from the Goddesses, Ganondorf would start to dream and allucinate far away threats and pains that would drove him to destroy and rage again. He would feel the pain of Link's sword cut him time and time and time again and would feel Zelda's magic piercing his skin and crushing his heart. Surely, because he had lost his willingness to play his part in this dance.

"When that happens you better have a house and place prepared for Zelda, you hear me, you better be powerful enough so you can protect her from their greedy hands too."

Link clung onto the hope that change might come, "Maybe you won't have those dreams this time."

But Ganondorf could feel it in his bones, "No, I will."

Link wanted to argue, Zelda's situation had already changed, why wouldn't his? But Ganondorf cut him before he could even start, "I'll hang on for as long as I can, promise, but the faster you get ready the better. When she falls in love with y-"

"Ganondorf." Link's voice was sharp and firm. And Ganondorf couldn't believe after all these years Link could harbor a speck of doubt about what would happen. "You don't know that," Link said, and he was final.

Ganondorf raised his hands, "Fine, but when I'm gone and you're the only other person she can trust, you're gonna let her live here alone?"

Link grimaced, "We'll let her choose." Their eyes were locked and both thought the other was being stubborn, "when the time comes, and if the time comes, she'll choose."

Ganondorf turned his face away and stood up, "We're butting heads on this one," he placed the chair on the corner of the room and placed his hands on his hips. "Well, see you tomorrow, then."

Link stood up too, "Gan," and his eyes were so clear and full of hope that Ganondorf knew.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for that."

How wonderful could it be if this time Ganondorf would be freed of Din's fate. How wonderful if he could just enjoy this life as a father, how wonderful if he could just die of old age in his bed.

How-

"Good night."

-wonderful would it be.

By the time Link had to leave, Zelda made the saddest face he had seen on her, and he had promised her that he would come back next year.

Link had thought about Zelda's future and Ganondorf's words and had entertained the idea of easing her into the world by having her travel with him to the Castle. But in one of their mushroom gathering expeditions he had asked her if she was bothered by living away from people and she had answered -without missing a beat- that no, she wasn't bothered and that she would rather live with her father than in a town full of people.

Link had snickered, had asked if she loved her father that much. And Zelda had extended her arms so big that she had fell on her back saying how much she loved her daddy. Link decided right then and there that he would never take her away.

"See you, then."

Ganondorf made a cone with his hands, "Next time you can clear a path to bring Epona in here, I'll make a shed!"

Link turned around and waved, and Ganondorf and Zelda waved back.

"Boss!"

Link turned around in time as one of his seargants trotted to him, "Guile," Link greeted.

Guile stood firm and saluted, one arm flexed over his chest with a fist in front of his heart, "Good to see you, Lieutenant!" and with the same energetic greeting, "May I know how your mission went?"

Link smirked. Link was known for his almost obsessing need into knowing the whereabouts of the princess. Many thought him a fool and the others thought it a waste of his talents. But his two sergeants were one of the few people who not only supported his search, but were also genuinely interested in it. Nothing to do with an actual interest in the princess, but more of a profound respect of their superior.

Link turned fully to him, "Well, I'm more than ready to take another long absence as soon as I can to keep on looking," and he lied.

#the legend of zelda #fanfic #fanfiction #zelink #linkxzelda #link x zelda #link #zelda #ganondorf #when wisdom sleeps #ch.1 #I can't for the life of me add a separator line in here #it's just one not that big of a deal #but why can't i :(

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misscamthenorwegian · 5 years ago

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The Untamed: What’s that about, Cam?

So Cam, what’s this “The Untamed” thing that you’ve been reblogging so much and has resurrected your urge to write? I’m glad you probably didn’t asked! (Note: This is written from the perspective of a Norwegian who’d never read the novel, is fairly unfamiliar with Chinese drama and once in a blue moon falls for a M/M ship. This is that blue moon, and boy, does it shine. Opinions within are simply my opinions.)

What’s it about: “The Untamed” (Chén Qíng Lìng or CQL) is a Chinese web-drama based on a novel called Mo Dao Zu Shi (”The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation”). It is set in an ancient Chinese fantasy universe where there is magic, zombies, monsters, adventures and a lot of very, very pretty people. It’s an action-adventure murder mystery zombie drama with humor. Yep. In the first episode, Wei Wuxian - the main character - dies and is then brought back 16 years later through a body sacrifice ritual. Yep, that’s the start. Wei Wuxian proceeds to run into people from his past, including Lan Wangji, his former classmate and very definitely something else, and his angry brother who declares his desire to see him dead. In this universe, “cultivation” is using a spiritual form of magic, and only a few can truly master it. There are several powerful clans/sects that sometimes work together and sometimes has leaders that conspire against the others. Everyone has several names and titles and you may need the occasional chart to remember it all. Also, there zombies and sword ghosts and magical music. After the first two episodes, the series flashes back to events 16 years prior and then jumps back to the present later on. Who are the characters?

Wei Ying: Talkative, smile that can out-cute a rabbit, likes his alcohol, likes his Lan Zhan, likes his jokes and mischief, thinks outside the box, scares most of the cultivation world later on. Yes, really, that cutiepie is feared.

The first main character is Wei Wuxian, also known as Wei Ying and later, Yiling Patriarch, a young and powerful cultivator who discovers a different way of cultivating and, through that and making a number of unortodox and defiant choices, end up on a collision course with the rest of the cultivation world.

Lan Zhan: Can murder you with a gaze and then his sword, scary af when wants to, likes his rabbits, his Wei Ying, composes love songs with mushed ship names and is respected by most of the cultivation world yet doesn’t strive to be. The second main character is Lan Wangji, also known as Lan Zhan and Hanguang Jun. He appears reserved and cold to many, speaking only rarely. At first, he and Wei Ying do not get along, but they later form a strong relationship that is implicitly love in the series (explicitly so in the novel - they marry there). Other important characters are Jiang Cheng (Wei Wuxian’s brother), Lan Xichen (Lan Wangji’s brother), Jiang Yanli (Wei Wuxian’s senior sister), Jing Guangyao/Meng Yao, someone who is looked down on by many because of his background but later becomes a powerful sect leader, Nie Huaisang, who is not a fighter like his older brother and loves his fans and solves issues his way, Wen Ning, an adorable puppy who is also known as the ghost general - and loads of other people. Seriously, it takes a while to sort everyone out. Why Cam likes it: First and foremost, I fell for the relationship between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. I love me some good partner dynamics, and this one has that in spades. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan are very different in personality, but they share a sense of loyalty, commitment, desire to protect and strong values. While their relationship has angst and rocky patches, it is caring and loving. It’s basically the sort of stuff I go for: some angst, a lot of cute, mutual caring, uniting against common foes, characters that compliment each other, great chemistry - yes, I’ll have some of that.

This shit is my jam.

Oh, look, more of my jam.

Let’s have an emotional and lovely moment while surrounded by hostile people jam.

Jaaaaaaaam.

In mortal danger and saving each other’s life jam. They also kind of end up as co-parents for a kid. There are also a lot of other complicated, interesting and downright tragic relationships (familiar, friendly, romantic and just plain complicated) and characters. I have a serious soft spot for Lan Xichen, for instance, while others are all about Wen Qing, some just want Jiang Cheng to get some theraphy already... On and on, there are a lot of very different characters to enjoy. Secondly, it has an interesting world with a fantastical elements that I hadn’t read or seen that much before before (as sadly, I have mostly run across Western fantasty stuff, with some expections). It draws a lot from ancient China, and has some great music, costumes and scenery. They managed to differentiate the five main sects really well, and some of the scenery is just gorgeous. Thirdly, everyone is really pretty. I am shallow. Sue me. Fourth, the plot has some really interesting stuff. The novel is a lot more grey than the series, but the series also has elements of that, as well as people ending up doing not so great things out of the best of intentions. There is also a happy ending of sorts for the two main characters (and some others), though there are tragedies along the way. Along the way, there are a lot of really great emotional scenes, and some funny moments as well. Fifth, while not all the action is great, some of the fight sequences are very fluid and dance-like and pretty. The use of music as a part of the battle also works well at times. Sixth, though it has clonkier bits, the series feels like a labor of love. It has charm and goodwill and people who clearly cared when making it. There is a lot of BTS stuff for it as well. Seventh - adorable bunnies and Fairy the dog. Some stuff to consider if wanting to watch: - This is a Chinese drama, which means it is subject to Chinese cencorship. This is why the relationship between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan is explicit in the novel, but only implied in the series. However, what they do manage to get past the cencors is pretty amazing. There are still slow-motion romantic zoom, lots of loving glances, some dialogue that goes pretty far, and some physical affection (though nowhere near as much as in the novel due to cencorship). - The actors for the main characters do a great job, but the character - and acting - of Lan Wangji can take some episodes to appreciate sine it’s a character that communicates a lot through very minor facial expressions. There are some other good performences also, some decent ones, some varied, and some a bit eh to me. Your mileage may vary. - All the characters are dubbed. It’s a Chinese drama thing. You get used to it. - The first two episodes (set in “the present”) are really confusing on first time viewing. Episodes 3 to mid-33 are flashback episodes set 16 years prior. It is worth rewatching ep 1 & 2 when you have a clearer idea of what is going on. - The CGI is... yes, well, not always great. The first few episodes have some real CGI clunkers and there is some stuff later on too. - The editing can be a bit off. Cuts between shots don’t always lign up, and some episodes have good end points, while others end mid-scene and then pick it up in the next. The sound editing is also sometimes a bit off, and fine at other times. - There are fifty - 50 - episodes, so you’re in for quite the watch. - There aren’t a lot of female characters in the story. There are some, and a few of them I really enjoyed, but the series and novel definitely have mostly male characters. - The series changes several things from the novel, including plot points and how the story is structured and told. Several characters are also different to their novel counterparts, sometimes minorly so, sometimes majorly. I came to the series first, the read the novel, while others have done it the other way. You may ending up prefering one or the other. To me, the novel does better at some things, and the series does better at others. - The series have been a major hit and the novel was very popular, and as such, you can find a fair amount of fanart, fanfic, merch and so on. - The novel has a happy ending for the main characters, though not all. The series has a more implied happy ending for the main characters, though again, not all. Where can you find it? An English-subtitled complted version of the series is freely available on YouTube here. An English translation of the novel can be found here. An in-progress can be found here. Anything else?

I rest my jam.

#the untamed #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan zhan #cam makes a long post

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soukokuwu · 5 years ago

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DAZAI OSAMU

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈 𝐌𝐄𝐓 𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍

》 angst, unfortunately (dazai x reader)

》 trigger warnings! suicide themes, death

》 word count: 2.3k

》 notes: you saw him for the exact opposite of what he was. he did you a favour, but everything has a price. and now he has come to collect.

》 a story where Dazai is an angel

The ring of the shopkeeper’s bell. The smooth wood of the door. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The taste of baked ham. The sun illuminating the alley right outside the cafe.

There he appeared again. After ten years.

He looked just as you remembered. He didn’t age. Bandage over his right eye. Black hair a mess, covering one half of his face. Deep brown eyes as alluring as ever, piercing into your very soul. Black tailored suit, black tie, white dress shirt, same as the last time.

Although, there was one thing different about him.

Black feathered wings that used to be almost miniscule compared to his person— no, could you even call him that? Body. The wings that used to be diminutive compared to his body were now thicker and wider, standing even taller than his frame.

You were painfully aware that only you could see his beauty. Everyone else walked past him without regard. You strolled over to the figure, aware that he saw himself far from what you made him out to be in your head. That wouldn’t deter you from believing that of him though.

Your guardian angel.

»»-------------¤-------------««

Scribbling.

Sound of pen against paper had been all you could hear.

The pen had been discarded and you felt a pat on your head. You had looked up into his eyes. Empty. Vacant. Hopeless.

He had grabbed your hand and led the way. Something had been weird about the route he took that day. That had not been the usual way the two of you took to your school.

A left instead of a right. A bookshop instead of a cafe. The hustle and bustle of people instead of the usual seclusion. Yet you never questioned him. He had been the adult after all. Maybe there was a special event today that you had forgotten about. Yes, that could be why he hadn’t taken you straight to school.

The two of you had finally reached the train station. It had only been on rare occasions that you would step foot there, given that your family hardly ever went out. Even at twelve years old you could tell that your parents were struggling financially. In spite of that, though, you were all happy together. As long as you had each other, your mom would always say.

It had been a windy day. The sky turned a darker shade of grey. It had not been too crowded for a weekday morning in the subway station, so you could see the sky clearly even though you had been a short little child back then.

An announcement played, saying the train would be delayed and it would take a while longer. You looked around, trying to find the display screen that estimated the next train’s arrival.

However, something moved past you and caught your eye. A single black feather fell in front of your face and you eyed it until it touched the ground. You gripped your father’s hand tighter out of fear, but it barely registered in your father’s head. He was much too preoccupied with his own thoughts. Scared as you had been, curiosity got the better of you and you looked around for the source. It could not have been a crow, so where could the feather have come from?

Just as you were looking, you spotted him there, near the front of the platform, facing your direction. A general disinterested look, blank chocolate eyes looking straight ahead at absolutely nothing, dark brown hair and small black wings floating in the breeze. Even all those years ago, he looked breathtaking to you. Something that was supposed to instill fear intrigued you instead. He spoke of something in a soft murmur, in a voice low enough you couldn’t make out what it was.

A pair of watchful eyes followed him as he walked toward you, looking around at everyone on the platform. As the creature passed by you, he stopped in his tracks. His body stiffened and he slowly turned to look at you, who had been blinking up at him skeptically.

“This human is creeping me out,” he had murmured to himself, gulping and then bending his knees to get leveled with you. His eyes had then seemed alive for that split second, filled with intrigue. “It’s as if she can see me.”

“But I can,” you said, almost causing him to stumble over.

The creature blinked in succession as he tried to register what you had just said.

“You can... see me?”

You nodded, attention completely focused on the peculiar being in front of you. He had ominous black wings, but you didn’t feel scared of him at all. You then proceeded to question him about why it was that nobody else could see him. But everything he had shared with you about the different dimensions and how it worked were too complicated for you to remember. Being the inquisitive child you were, you kept interacting with the being. Banter and jokes were all you remembered sharing with him that day.

“You’re funny,” you had told him, laughing at the stupid joke he shared.

The creature had laughed too, before his expression shifted slowly into that of hesitance. You had asked what was wrong, but he shook his head, claiming it had been nothing. He was seemingly looking at something past you, but he hogged your attention by asking if you wanted to see a magic trick. Excited, you had given him all your focus, and by the time you clapped for him and noticed the absence of your father’s hand, you realised you were someplace else.

It was a peaceful place. The both of you were situated in a meadow, surrounded by a sea of colourful flowers. The skies there were a dark grey too. The only sound you could hear was that of the wind blowing. You were alone there with him, your father nowhere in sight. Despite having been teleported to a foreign dimension with someone you barely knew, all you had been thinking of was how much you wanted to explore this place.

“I can’t see the station anymore,” you had casually remarked.

“Sometimes it’s better to see what isn’t there instead of what is,” the creature had replied, an ache in his tone you didn’t miss.

Before you could ask him what he meant, warm droplets of rain started falling onto your face. The creature used his wings to shelter you from the rain, letting himself get drenched. His wings were too small to cover the both of you at the time. Feeling bad, you had asked if he could take you to his home so that you both would get shelter. The flash of melancholy that took over his face you could not have missed.

“Not now, you have to get back home,” he murmured gently, patting you on the head. You nodded in resigned compliance, catching a glimpse of the words imprinted on his wings.

Osamu Dazai.

The world around you began to shimmer and flow together, the colours of the flowers mixing together in circles. It was all making you sick, and so you chose to close your eyes. Everything was spinning. But as you felt a few raindrops fall onto your face, it stopped.

When you opened your eyes next, you found your mother sat next to you on your bed, crying over your body, hugging you when she realised you had come to.

The creature was nowhere in sight.

And neither was your father.

»»-------------¤-------------««

No one told you what really happened that day until a few years ago, when your mother was on her deathbed. Initially, she had just claimed that your father had to move to another city and wouldn’t come back. You were twelve but you weren’t that stupid. You didn’t believe her, but you thought better than to press her about it.

However as she was dying, she told you the real story of how your father disappeared. She recounted to you his suicide note, word for word. He had had enough of his life. Apparently the happiness you saw in your family as a kid was all a facade. Your father was far from a joyful man. He was beyond depressed, with a shit job and a shittier financial situation. His wife had lost interest in him as a man and his only solace had been you. Which was why he wanted to bring you with him. To die with him.

His plan that day was to jump in front of a moving train with you. But that creature had saved you at the last minute. According to witness accounts, they saw you let go of your father’s hand just as he was about to jump off the platform before you fainted on the spot. There was a small boy who swore he saw a man with brown hair and black wings who pried you away from your father, but of course the authorities didn’t take him seriously.

»»-------------¤-------------««

The city looked so much better from way up high. It had been a while since you were here. The wind blowing reminded you of that day when you were teleported to another dimension. You shifted your gaze from the scenery to the figure beside you. He had followed you here all the way from the cafe. He looked even more mesmerising now with a soft smile plastered on his face.

“Dazai?” You called out hesitantly.

The being nodded in acknowledgement. However, you found you couldn’t quite find the right words to say now that he was here, in the flesh.

“Ask me.”

His statement stunned you. It was a gentle kind of prodding, indicating he understood the situation. You were almost a hundred percent sure by now of his answer, and as much as you would like to confirm it, you decided against it.

“You’re my guardian angel, Dazai.”

It was not what he really was, but it was true all the same. He had saved you as a child even though he had absolutely no reason to. Osamu Dazai saved you even though he had been, and was still, the embodiment of death.

“I’m the angel of death,” he uttered, completely monotone. Dazai looked puzzled now, his lips pressed into a firm line. He shifted his gaze and looked out at the view of the city from his spot on the skyscraper. The streets surrounding this building were somewhat secluded, save for two or three pedestrians walking below. You caught a look of understanding that seemed to wash over him, as though a sudden realisation of your intentions, and why he even appeared before you in the first place.

You thought back to all those years ago, when you tried to convince people you weren’t crazy. In hindsight, telling people about a heavenly creature that saved you from death’s grip wasn’t the brightest idea. It had resulted in years of bullying, several counts of physical abuse and a consequent depression that you wished would go away.

Where you would normally be shut in at home, today you were out and about. You had taken work leave. All your colleagues were stunned into silence yesterday when you offered everyone cupcakes. They should; you usually didn’t even respond much even when spoken to. But the day before, everyone found you pleasant to be around, and you could see the looks of relief on all of their faces. They all spoke of not being able to wait to see you the next day.

Everyone who thought they knew you took it as a sign of you getting better. But no. To you it was a sign of clarity. You felt more upbeat today than any other day. It was because you knew exactly what waited for you at the end of the day: oblivion.

Before you knew it, you were standing at the edge of the building. Your legs trembled slightly when you realised just how high up you were. The fear was taken over by confusion when you felt warmth envelop your right hand.

Dazai’s fingers were intertwined with yours and he offered you the most comforting smile you’d seen in a long while. You were completely perplexed by the words he uttered next.

“I’ve always wanted to commit a double suicide with a beautiful lady when I was human.”

You had expected that he was the angel of death, but you never thought he had been human before. How it worked you would never find out, but there was something you wanted to know.

“Aren’t angels like you immortal?”

“My death was set in stone the moment I saved you from myself.”

Dazai did not need to explicitly tell you, but you deciphered it anyway. It was a simple message: your death would spell his. That’s all there was to it. A curse of some sort, because he had failed his duties all those years back. He forcefully saved a soul bound to death by his own hands. This was his punishment. But he did not look the least bit unhappy.

If anything, he radiated pure bliss. It was a bittersweet moment. The person you had dreamt of countless times in your life, the one you had fantasised finding again and again— he finally appeared but it was on an ominous condition. It only meant one thing: you would not change your mind today.

Your legs stopped trembling. Your heart started pounding faster in your chest. The warmth of the noon sun was getting uncomfortable. Yet you found the warmth of his hand relaxing.

Without warning, you felt your hand being yanked toward him, your body covered in his warm embrace. This time, his wings were big enough to shield both you and him from the outside world. You could see nothing but his face. You were pressed against his chest, foreheads touching and eyes glued to each other’s. You felt any fear you had dissipate into the void.

“Will you meet me in another life?”

You couldn’t help but ask. It was something you were wishing for, no matter how impossible it may seem: to get to know Osamu Dazai as a person. You hoped to find him in that other life, if it was possible at all. You wanted to get to know him, to understand his soul, preferably as equals.

Dazai’s unbandaged eye was clouded with a certain bewilderment before it reverted back to a gentle kindness, one you had seen many years before.

“I promise.”

Deep down you knew it was bullshit. You could sense his uncertainty. But as you both plunged to your death, the words were the only comfort you found, aside from the tenderness of his hug.

You opened your eyes to look into his once more, and then everything went black.

A scream.

And then nothing.

tags: @yokelish

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writtenbyfai · 5 years ago

Text

an analysis

seasons inch past...

and before you know it, you end up stuck in the same place, reminiscing what could have been. Or you may have picked up time’s tricks and adjusted to its pace, knowing you could not have changed anything. Or, perhaps, you have been harbouring resentment towards time because it had stolen something dear to you that it can never return, and your only chance at forgiving it is to let things go. The sand in the hourglass catches the sunlight for a moment. The leaves on the branches of trees burgeon, then yellows, cripples, and at last, they wither and fall to the ground. Always shedding. Always passing by, time, even before we realise it, we’ve already missed so much of it. There are many anime films that smote me about time’s properties. ‘The Girl who Leapt through Time’ gave one such notion that time waits for no one. This film is of a similar essence, yet where ‘The Girl who Leapt through Time’ is light-hearted despite the heavy subject of losing a friend and using time for granted, ‘5 Centimetres per Second’ sharpens into clarity the time-impeded hardships and their aches.

‘5 Centimetres per Second’ is a film that struck me through the heart. Compared to the rest of Makoto Shinkai’s works, such as ‘Your Name’, this film doesn’t try to be exciting and fun. It is a slow – and may I say, at first, tedious – drag through murky waters, exploring ugly truths and torturous period of growing up and learning to let go of something that doesn’t belong to you. It is a beautiful, heart-breaking, chest-squeezing masterpiece. This film by Makoto Shinkai, released in 2007, is about two friends – Akari and Takaki – who are driven apart by time and distance. They have to move due to their parents’ jobs. Although they never give up on contacting each other, through letters and, later, emails, time gnaws on the thread of their relationship, pushing them slowly and steadily apart.

In this essay, I will be dissecting some of the things that grabbed me from the start of this film; specifically the journeys of the protagonist, Takaki, and the two deuteragonists, Akari and Kanae. The film is segmented into three episodes, which is a lovely yet unusual way of delivering a fine story, despite it being merely an hour and three minutes long.

Disclaimer: I do not own this film or any of the gif sets. All rights and credits belong to the rightful owners.

First, the film opens upon two close childhood friends -- Akari and Takaki -- who chose to ally, at the beginning, against bullies in their school. Their friendship begins with this small, trivial fact that Akari pulls out of the spring sky, “…they say it’s five centimetres per second. The speed of a falling cherry petal. Five centimetres per second.” Soon, they stumble into a small world of their own, and, unsurprisingly, feelings blossom. But fate has other plans for them.

Akari doesn’t go to her dream high school with Takaki, as her parents move away from her childhood town. They still keep in contact, no matter how heartbroken they are. Along the way, Takaki’s parents must also move away, but the place they are going to doesn’t close the distance rifting them. It furthers it. Before the week Takaki has to move, he decides he will travel the distance to see Akari one last time, fearing he won’t be able to, later in time. But the journey there is difficult. Frost clenches the rails. Snow arrests the landscape in a cold, merciless way. The wind buries ice into his bones. Due to the weather, the train encounters a delay. The station they pull up at seems as if it’s in the middle of nowhere. Just snow, stretching on for miles. Just the empty, black sky yawning an unending abyss, so deep for a second you think you might fall into it and never land. Takaki purchases a drink from a vending machine, but when he gropes for coins in his trousers’ pocket, a letter shifts up, the wind picks up and snatches it away. His face crumples into helplessness, as all his emotions written on that letter flies into the winter night. Lost. And you can feel the lostness digging into your chest.

This is where I stopped watching the first time I’d played it. The film drags on upon the cold, dark atmosphere that it builds throughout this scene, accompanied by Takaki’s sorrowful monologue, as if all the weight of the world is caged in his chest. I suddenly felt frigid, like my veins were encased in ice, and the weight of depressing thoughts took hold of me. It’s beautiful, I think, to be able to capture the viewer in such heart-wrenching feelings, but at that moment, I couldn’t bear it. In ‘Your Name’ and ‘Garden of Words’, the characters had fiery, rebellious or humorous personalities; it wasn’t hard to get immersed in the films. However, in ‘5 Centimetres per Second’, neither of the protagonists nor the deuteragonists had this type of attitude; they were hard, struggling people, and their realness was all too much for me. So, I cut off there. It was a long time until my sister convinced me to watch it again, beginning with the seemingly endless train ride. The second time, I understood his feelings. I saw everything from a slightly different perspective, treating the story distantly, so that the more depressing of my emotions wouldn’t get entangled in it.

The weather is still ruthless. The train is still and silent just like the rest of the world. Blowing hot breaths on his cupped hands to keep warm, Takaki whispers in his mind, pleading Akari not to wait for him. It strangles me how much they obviously care for each other, yet the universe is so intent on setting them apart. Takaki, at last, arrives at the station where he’s supposed to meet Akari. Midnight. There, sitting on the benches of the waiting area, is Akari. They only have a few hours left before dawn. But they ignore time, for now, and talk. They eat the cooled dinner Akari had prepared for his arrival. Then, when the station’s about to close, they walk down a snowy, desolate path. Stop under a frosted cherry tree. And they kiss. They never get the chance to express their feelings.

The morning comes to separate them, and sweetly, as you’d expect, they promise to each other they’ll never forget and will always keep writing to one another. This promise carries on, despite the day after that Takaki moves to a town near the sea.

The episode closes, to start a new chapter of their lives.

Surprisingly, we do not find Akari in the second episode of the film. She is absent on the screen, except for her name that Takaki writes and thinks of. His high school life is uneventful. He makes friends easily, achieves great grades, and aspires to go to university in Tokyo, one day. But the wish, the hope, that he might see Akari again and talk to her, urges him to keep looking forward. It seems to be the only thing that makes him want to walk, and be a good person, because apart from that, he is an empty shell who is tugged and swallowed by the same tide, stuck in a motion that never seems to let him go. He is also that tide. His attachment to Akari and his inability to let her go, traps him in the same place.

Meanwhile, a girl from his class, named Kanae, harbours an inexplicable crush on him. We’re introduced to her as a girl who has a passion for surfing, yet spends the afternoon until late in the evening, just to catch Takaki about to go home on his scooter, so that they could drive home together. At first, I thought it was kind of pitiful and pathetic, her loving someone whom she doesn’t really know and who doesn't share the feelings she’s folded so neatly inside her heart. But, thankfully, Shinkai knew not to drawl Kanae’s character out as a clingy person, ensnared in fantasies. He shows that Kanae has other interests -- has a life -- other than her obsession of Takaki. Her life is complicated, and just as you would expect a normal high school teenager. When it comes to plans for her future, she is clueless, yet doesn’t bother trying to figure it out. Leaving her paper blank, it incites a small conflict between her, her counsellor, and her older sister who’s been taking care of her for an unspecified but long time. She struggles to find who she is.

One evening, after finding that Takaki had gone home early, and she’s driving home on her scooter, she spots his parked on the side of the road, where the land slopes upwards into a grassy hill. She sees him staring hard at his phone, fingers often typing something down, but every minute or so, they also press the delete button a couple of times. The blue light overlays his face, revealing the disturbing toll his distance with Akari over time. He’s conflicted. His jaw clenches and he snaps his flip phone shut; the darkness swallows his features. The unfocused look in his eyes tells Kanae she may be interrupting in a wrong moment, however, awareness sweeps across his gaze and he shifts it towards Kanae. This brief interaction summarises their relationship; Takaki looking forward to a future that is not waiting for him, staring past Kanae, who suppresses her feelings that she knows will never be requited.

Just when a few days later, Kanae produces courage from the depths of herself and she conquers the waves which had swept her constantly, before. She worries she won’t find this thrill, this rush of bravery anymore after that day, so she decides to relieve the weight of her feelings from her chest. But seeing Takaki more distant, withdrawing deeper into a husk of who he used to be, Kanae decides against it.

For many years, it stays that way.

The most impeding mark this film makes is in the third episode, where Takaki has made it to work in a computing company as an unseen employee, but the missingness Akari has left him years ago had carved his soul out. The sceneries are browner, duller, and we see the tiny flat in which he lives in being cluttered. Messed up. And we glimpse his mentality in those flashing moments of disarray as the animated shots show cans of beer and piles of dirty dishes in the sink and discarded wrappers of junk food. It strikes me how, in the second episode, in spite of Takaki’s distractedness, he was a really decent, kind person. His bedroom, then, was tidy, bed made, and I had a feeling that perhaps such was his way of coping; repetitive cleaning, busying oneself with any distractions that kept him from reaching for his phone. But in this third episode, he is exactly the opposite. We are shown how ruined he is inside-out. After all this time, it passing, he has not moved on one single step forward alongside time. He is still trapped in the pain of his attachment to Akari. His narrative constantly laments over the missing piece in his life, a cavern threatening to swallow him in the dark, and sometimes associates that interstice with Akari’s absence and their unsaid feelings for each other.

One morning, Kanae leaves a voice message. They haven’t seen each other since Takaki left for university in Tokyo, according to her narrative. She says she would like to meet him again someday to get some things off her chest. Takaki kills the message, and then the scene switches to Kanae’s life. Although she is an ordinary office worker behind a cubicle desk, she appears to be pleased with how far she’s come from not knowing what she wanted for her future to being there, living her future. Even as she said in the voice message that she wanted to confess her affections for Takaki, it doesn’t seem as if she still possesses the same feelings at the present. She’s moved on, because she has learnt not to dwell on emotions unreturned or it may poison you as you squander it inside. Her simple happiness and Takaki’s gnawing depression underline the change of these two characters in the course of the last few years of their lives; Kanae used to be uncertain about her life, timid and groping blindly in the dark, most of all unable to move on from her unrequited affections for Takaki, but when we look at her state in the last episode of the film, she has become this fiercely-determined, neat person, content with her life despite all hardships – the complete opposite of Takaki, who in his teenage stage of life had worked hard to succeed and be able to enrol at the university closest to Akari’s whereabouts, now is a walking ghost, void of any spark of will, and he drowns his daily sorrows in alcohol.

The scene shifts, then, to Akari. Even though we haven’t seen her in the majority of the film, she is a crucial character to the movement of the plot and the development of the protagonist. She’s all grown-up, now, just like the others, and we find the glint of an engagement ring on her finger as she bids her parents farewell at the station, about to depart for Tokyo to meet her fiancé and plan the wedding there. The camera pans briefly to a young woman and man embracing each other under the sunlight, in the middle of a bustling station. Fleetingly, we know she is also happy and has moved on.

The several minutes following that, seasons shed their previous skins to start anew. We stop at spring the next year, a sort of reminiscent flashback of little Akari and Takaki chasing each other down a quiet street on their way to school, and that innocuous fact about cherry blossom petals falling as fast as five centimetres per second. The camera keeps switching back and forth between the three lives of the characters, catching glimpses of their daily lives. In a quieter part of the city, where train tracks crisscross and the light spring sun sprays every surface of leaf, petal and gravel, a woman and a man walk across the tracks, going in opposite directions. The woman hesitates upon passing the man, yet she doesn’t stop, her bright umbrella twirling over her dark head. But the man – he jerks for a second. The bells ring, warning pedestrian of the train that is about to pass. Uncertainty grips his arms and feet and head in place, and by the time it doesn’t, he’s brave enough to look back – by the time the woman halts in her step to glance over her shoulder – the train whizzes by.

What is mesmerizing about this last moment before the screen goes black is the beautiful animation. Words are not said – and have hardly been uttered throughout the duration of the film – in this specific scene, but the body language, the expressions depicted on these characters and the figurative image of a train cutting the paths of people who’d once crossed and couldn’t untangle from one another, speak with more depth than any words can. The man’s shoulders relax. He smiles. He doesn’t wait for the train to fade from his sight, so that he could see the woman he has been in love with for the majority of his life. He turns around and walks away; that simple movement signifies he is letting go, moving on, at last.

Furthermore, this beautifully-executed film is a reminder that there are many things in life that will slip through your fingers, no matter how hard you try to clench it within your grasp. It tells a realistic story about letting go and learning to walk in time again, not against time.

#makoto shinkai #5 cm per second #anime #anime film #anime movie #movie review #movies #ghibli #your name #kimi no nawa #garden of words

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