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vhstown · 1 year ago

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time out (part 2)

[boxer au] — 42!miles g morales x gn!reader

summary: Miles Morales makes boxing history. Your boyfriend isn't there to celebrate.

warnings: angst-ish, hurt/comfort, fluff, description of (boxing) injuries, briefly implied death, gtranslate spanish

word count: 5.3k

a/n: editing this was actual torture. kind of becomes a song fic? song is dreamer by bobby bland if you wanna listen before u read lmao entirely not necessary tho. part 2 of 2 but i might write this au again in the future !

← PART 1 / THE AU

Boxing — you tried to be as well versed in it as possible, learning as many terms and moves and whatever else you could pick up from Aaron when he was helping Miles train for all those weeks. What you weren’t sure of, though, was if a “time out”, or a break, had to be this awkward. What you also weren’t sure of was what on Earth your boyfriend was thinking doing here at midnight training (or splitting his knuckles open, though you didn’t quite know the difference anymore,) right after his tournament had finished.

Regardless, there was nothing you could do about it. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t just leave and “give him space” as you might’ve done before. The weather didn’t look like it was going to clear up anytime soon, and you had no signal or money; it wasn't like Miles would call a car for himself anyway — stubborn.

Miles was sat on the floor against a set of shelves with various things that belonged to Aaron, and you were on an unbearably stiff bench press seat, legs close together so you wouldn’t fall off and your jacket hung around the weight. Cold, uncomfortable, dead silent — the perfect atmosphere for a productive conversation, of course.

Truthfully, you had no idea what to say. Yeah, you’d just talked big game to your boyfriend and scolded him like his mother probably would’ve if she knew what the hell he was up to, but you hadn’t planned anything after that. Miles wasn’t a talker — not by any means. Right now, he was sat on the floor with his legs crossed, stretching uncomfortably on his elbows with his hands in awkward positions to try and not strain them too much. He hadn’t said anything, so you hadn’t said anything either, and now you were stuck without any words and too many thoughts.

It was a lot of unmet glances and quiet shivers, and you tried your best to kill the urge to just... lean over and hug him. As much as you missed him and wanted to let out everything you’d been feeling for the past couple of weeks, now wasn’t the best time — Miles probably couldn’t even hug you with those gnarly injuries anyway.

Miles’ eyes were dull and tired, fixed on the ground or maybe somewhere you couldn’t see. As usual, you couldn’t gauge anything from his expression besides mild annoyance. It was like a constant guessing game. First, why your texts weren’t going through, secondly, where the hell he was, and now you had to figure out why on Earth he was so frustrated. Your luck had ran out with those first two guesses, and his silence certainly didn’t help — again, not a talker. Not even a looker; he wasn’t stealing glances of you anymore, like he was thinking about something. If only you knew what.

The most you could guess was that this was about not winning — but it couldn’t just be that simple. Miles was stupid sometimes, but he wasn’t delusional — he knew that he probably couldn’t beat every single person in that championship when he was just starting to go professional. This wasn’t some kiddish, lofty dream Miles had either — he was serious from the day Aaron got him those gloves, which were now crumpled up in the corner next to you. He wouldn’t throw a fit over nothing.

It wasn’t right to force it out of him though, and you could still sense the stubbornness lingering in the crease between his brows. You resisted the urge to smooth it out with your thumb, instead just killing it with every other thought you deemed “selfish”. Apparently, waiting was just as much of a competitive sport at boxing.

The door rattled as icy drafts bit at your ankles and fingertips. It sounded like the sky was going to collapse from how intense the storm was growing. Miles was just in a tank top, his hoodie abandoned on the bar behind you. You figured he could get it himself; any sort of help always seemed pitying to him anyway.

“I’m training with uncle Aaron tonight — stay home.”

“I can handle myself. How else you think I got this far?”

“You ain’t comin’ to Vegas with me.”

You found yourself reaching for the hoodie anyway. Miles didn’t notice, of course, but you could see the goose bumps on skin even from this far away.

“Hey,” you muttered, making him look up. “Are you gonna tell me what’s up, or sulk some more?”

His mouth opened, but only to let out a breath, before silence fell between you again.

“Fine, I don’t… get it, or whatever.” You continued, fingers trailing into the sleeves of the hoodie. “But I don’t get how I’m supposed to when you’re not talking to me.”

“There’s nothing to get.” It was like you had Vegas between you two again — like he wasn’t even here.

The fabric of the hoodie was warm, and a part of you didn’t feel like letting go of it — if only your boyfriend was in the hoodie too.

“I don’t get why you’d box without wraps, for one.”

“I’m just… frustrated,” he yielded, albeit unhelpfully. “‘S nothing serious, promise.”

Serious enough to have your fingers hanging on by a thread. You noticed his thumb nursing the blackened skin around his knuckles, and his expression seemed even more distant than it was before. It was always some impossible game, and you hadn’t lost, but were drained and out of words for now.

Maybe he’d figure it out for himself; you weren’t too convinced of that. Despite that, it was getting annoying to hear the constant howling of wind and rain outside. Walking over to the shelf, you dropped the hoodie in Miles’ lap. You doubted he had even looked at you, but you didn’t need him to. Right now, you needed something to fill this boring, cold and wordless room.

Looking through the shelves behind Miles, you noticed a picture: a much younger Aaron wearing boxing gloves, a medal around his neck and standing next to someone you assumed to be Miles' dad. You'd never looked at any of the pictures close up, but you noticed there were a lot of old pictures like that, before finding Aaron's collection of records.

Taking the first one out, you put it into the player and carefully set the needle, glancing at the name of the song. His taste in music wasn’t exactly popular, but you’d rather listen to “DREAMER” than “inconveniently timed Brooklyn storm” right now.

Letting out a sigh of your own, you slumped down next to him as he pulled the hoodie over his head, arms going back to being crossed.

"~Dreamer... dreamer... Like a fool, I thought that it could be..." Of course it was a sad song. Blues? The haunting melody made you feel blue. It made the cold feel more numbing than biting on your skin. It made you feel, in general — what, you couldn’t really place.

“…Are we okay?” you muttered without much thought. The urge to talk had come back, and you hadn’t decided if you regretted speaking yet.

"~Dream on... dream on... surely someone, will understand me..."

Miles let out a breath, and it felt like you were exchanging more sighs than words. “Yeah. I just… ‘S not you.”

No “promise”, though. Did that make it more or less honest?

"~What do I say, when I've, oh, said too much? I think by now, I'm wastin' time..."

“...I love you, y’know?” you continued, hating how out of place it sounded. It was as useless as that text you tried to send, but you were tired, and missed your boyfriend, and wished he would give you even a glance.

“~I'm going… oh Lord I'm gone…”

“Love you too,” he mumbled in reply. It wasn’t very reassuring, and it didn’t seem like it to him either, because he reached out to brush your hand against his. You took his hand first — gently, and his thumb pressed into your palm in a sort of silent apology.

You hated how futile it was, and how much you craved it again. You hated you couldn’t be even a little mad at him, and how you were defending him to yourself. Maybe you were both in the wrong. No — you weren’t wrong, you were trying to be understanding.

You weren’t wrong for feeling this way, were you?

“~You are the absence, of my mind…”

You hated how much you missed that boy from all those months ago — even though he was right in front of you. It didn’t feel like Miles Morales was yours anymore, he was theirs — whoever “they” were. His competitors, his managers, the media… It was like there was no trace of the Miles you knew before. Maybe it’s because you couldn’t deny it anymore: that Miles had a dream, and you probably weren’t in it. You hated how you took it so personally.

And you hated how you reached out to hug him, despite all of that.

It was just you for a moment, and you were about to pull away before his arms wrapped loosely around the small of your back.

You hated how you hid your face over his shoulder, and how nice it felt. You hated how warm he was, and how the room was freezing.

You hated how familiar this was.

“~Lord, dreamer… dreamer…”

“Sorry, cariño. Didn’t mean to be an asshole.” Miles’ fingertips dragged uselessly over your back, and you shamelessly tightened your arms around him as he pressed his cheek into yours. You might’ve shed a tear, if it weren't for how heavy your eyes were already with the late hour. Neither of you could go home yet, though you weren’t sure if you wanted to right now.

“~Like a fool… I thought, well, that it could be…”

The long sigh you let out was followed by Miles’ own quiet one before he kissed you on the cheek. His breath warmed your frigid face and brushed at your heart, as he always did. You wished you could be upset, overreact, scream at his face, tell him how you felt all this time. It just always had to end with forgiveness, because now, you couldn’t even remember what you had felt.

And you hated it — not as much as you’d like.

Closing your eyes, you buried your head into his hoodie while the music, the storm and the sound of your own breathing blurred together in your mind. All you were left with were your own thoughts.

This boxing thing didn’t involve you — it never did. He didn’t want you there to see him, or even tell you he was home from Vegas, and now it felt like he was just putting up with you here. It felt like you and him were on opposite sides of the pavement, only walking together to share the same umbrella. He just didn’t want you to get soaked — or hurt.

“I told you not to come today… I’m walkin’ you home.”

He didn’t want you to expect too much.

“Nah, you don’t need to see me train. It’s borin’ as hell.”

He didn’t want you to give up on him.

“I’ll make it big — promise.”

He wanted his dream — did he still want you?

“Just be patient with me, cielo.”

Patient, huh? If only you could be like Rio. It felt like you were just as bad as Miles. Maybe you were — both just as bad as each other.

“Why didn’t you text me? …At all?” Muffled against his hoodie, you hoped your voice didn’t waver. It felt a little manipulative, even if it wasn’t in the slightest, but you couldn’t keep telling yourself things were all good. Miles had been avoiding you, whether that was intentional or not. You were just being open — trying to be open. You hope he’d try too.

The boy in question was silent, before he pulled away, hands lingering at your sides.

“I was…” Miles took in a breath, voice dying out for a moment. “Look, I…”

“~Down the wrong way, on a one way street…”

“I can’t be a boxer anymore.”

It felt like the rain had gone quiet. There was no need for an umbrella between you two anymore. It felt like you’d closed it yourself, walking to the opposite side of the pavement again, watching him and the dull, empty sky from afar.

You were the one that asked him — you wanted him to speak to you, and now you weren’t even sure what to say.

“~You'd think by now, I would have learned…”

“What do you mean…?”

“My contract got terminated.” His voice sounded forced, strangely robotic. Was that what you so wanted to get from him?

“Can’t you just… get signed by somebody else?”

“There is nobody else. I had a contract with Norman Osborn — he basically owns boxing.”

“~I saw a little, but I learned even less…”

Your heart dropped a little — you wouldn’t let it drop any more than that. It made sense why Miles was so excited back then if he got signed by someone like that. Now, that excitement meant nothing. All you could think of was that video, that interview…

“I jus’ hope you watchin’, cause I’m here. Miles Morales made it!”

So he’d just… given up? Miles had given up? Was that it? The end of it?

Boxer or not, you suddenly had the urge to punch him — maybe even punch yourself. It didn’t even matter who was right and who was wrong anymore, because you didn’t even know who was in front of you. It was almost uncanny to see Miles like this, so dejected; that’s what he’d been feeling all this time. As much as it seemed like he was mad at you, or was avoiding you, or lying to you, it was never really about you.

Miles was refusing to let go of his dream — of himself — until right now.

And you didn’t know what overcame you at that moment. Maybe it was Rio’s words, or the fact that Aaron wasn’t here, or the fact that you felt like you’d lost your boyfriend — if he wasn’t going to be stubborn about it anymore, you sure as hell were.

“So you’re telling me nobody else is gonna sign you? At all? You haven’t even looked?”

“You don’t get it, ‘s more complicated than—”

“Baby, look at me for a sec.” Your hand was on his shoulder with more confidence than common sense, eyes were square with his avoidant, dull, hopeless gaze. You haven’t ever seen Miles hopeless before. You couldn’t let him be if it was the last thing you did. “You, Miles Gonzalo Morales—”

“Aight, you don’t need the full name.”

“I do need it, because my whole ass boyfriend changed boxing history.” Frankly, you had no idea what you were saying; it felt like you were shooting in the dark, but you didn’t care if you sounded a little stupid, or over-the-top, because if that’s what it took to get your boyfriend to crack even a little… “His 'legendary left jab'—”

“Babe, where the hell did you get that from?” The look he was giving you was probably more of a “jab” than anything.

“…The news.” The corner of your mouth quirked up despite your best efforts, face pricking with heat as you remembered reading through that Bugle article like it was divine revelation. A little stupid, a little over-the-top, sure, but it was true.

Miles’ lips pressed together, and your face heated more trying to decipher his expression. You didn’t have to, because the snicker that escaped his throat was enough make all the rain and thunder and lighting, and even the song insignificant.

“~I only learn to regret…”

“Miles, I’m serious,” you muttered, rather unseriously, brows furrowing as you tried to smooth out the meekness on your face.

“Legendary?” There was a hint of his usual mirth in his tone, and you tried not to be bothered by it. Anything was better than seeing Miles like that: ridiculous, over-the-top, unserious, but not hopeless.

“Look, it was the Bugle, okay? Some millennial wrote that — like, some lady called Mary.”

“Why do you even remember that?” Anything that could come to mind, you’d tell him. No more silence. Just be yourself. Keep talking.

“I read it, like, a lot, okay? I was really proud of you and I just…”

The smirk fell fast from Miles’ face, and you held back any words you might’ve had. The rain eased back in as a constant patter against the windows — the silence had come back despite your efforts. Your heart started to sink a little again, but all you could offer was an awkward smile.

“You’re proud?” he asked, like you’d just lied to his face.

“Yeah…? I always am, but seeing you make it so far…” It was something you didn’t say enough, you realised. The words echoed in your mind as you found the confidence to look at him.

“…Miles Morales made it, right?”

Another tiny breath left Miles, his eyes closing for a moment as you waited for him to speak. You wanted to backtrack, maybe hope the rain would die down soon so you two could leave — you had sort of snuck out… That wasn’t the point, though. You weren’t sure what the point was right now, and you weren’t sure what he was thinking, as always — again.

His lips pressed to your forehead, and then your forehead was against his chest — somehow.

You still had no idea what he was thinking. Now you had no idea what he was feeling — or what you were feeling.

The room was freezing, but you were sure you were slowly setting on fire. Traces of the awkward smile you had were stuck on your face as your cheek pressed into the fabric of his hoodie, and suddenly every little thing you’d thought about saying to him had disappeared in its entirety.

“Dios (God), am I a dumbass…” he murmured to himself. With no clue what to do, you could only focus on the hesitance in the way he held you close, because of his injuries, you weren’t sure. His fingers were cold, like the air was. You didn’t hate the warmth this time.

The silence returned again, and instead of your heart sinking, it was fluttering wildly. You so wanted to take it in your hands and hold it still, but you couldn’t even hold Miles back.

He did this sort of thing often — used to do this often, when he was stressed for whatever reason. He wouldn’t say if he was, but you could always tell. Sometimes he’d ask, and right now, he didn’t, but it wasn’t like you ever refused; it was nice, safe, and away from the storm — close.

"~Surely someone, will understand me..."

He kissed the top of your head, like he was hoping you’d understand.

If only you could. If only you could understand why your boyfriend couldn’t see it — see how far he’d come, how much he’d achieved, how proud he should be of himself, how neither of you should be here right now.

If only Rio was here to tell him how proud she was. Or Aaron. Or his dad.

You never really knew his dad. You knew he’d be proud, at least. He'd probably be beaming seeing how far his son Miles had come, like he did in those pictures with Aaron.

You were proud too. Did that count for anything? Would that change anything? It wouldn’t get him another contract.

You wanted to squeeze his hand, but that was a stupid idea considering the state of it. A lot of your ideas felt stupid as of late. None of them would get him another contract.

It felt like a lot more than just the contract, though; maybe that's why it was so hard. If only he’d tell you.

But waiting wasn’t a game, or a competitive sport. It was nothing like boxing; there was no winner. Waiting was a choice — a promise, that you’d be there when he was ready.

“Just be patient with me, cielo.”

You wondered if he’d ever be ready.

"~Dream on, baby."

You wrapped your arms around him, finally. At the very least, you promised to hold him, if not before, then now. He tightened his grip too, just mariginally.

“I’m sorry, mi cielo.” he started, voice barely audible. “I swear, I didn’t know you actually…” Miles trailed off, resting his chin on the top of your head instead.

“Cared?” you suggested, wondering if he could hear you. “It’s a lot more than that.”

You felt his chest fall as he let out a sigh. “I know.”

“I want you to know.”

“I do, I just… I’m being real dumb and—” You squeezed your arms around him before he could finish his sentence; no more avoidance. What you were going to say after, you didn’t know.

“…What?” His voice was suddenly soft, controlled. It was like he could hear what was going on in your head.

“You ever…" You moved your head away from his chest slightly, so he could hear better. "You ever had a stage name in mind?”

It was the only thing you could think to ask, though you didn’t ask it with much thought at all. Still, things weren't going to go anywhere if you kept dodging the subject.

Miles was silent for more than just a moment — it was enough to guess he did have one. “...Why?”

“Cause… when you get back in the ring, people gotta know you right?” It wasn’t just blind optimism — you decided that you did really believe in him. They weren’t going to see the end of someone like him, not by a long shot — or a legendary left jab. Your boyfriend was one hell of a boxer; it wouldn't just stop here — no way.

“I mean, '17-year-old from NYC' isn’t exactly catchy,” you continued, despite his silence.

Just one loss before so many wins. At his age, a win, against a “long-time champion” no less, was worth a million times more than that Norman guy’s contract, no matter how much of a big-shot he was.

“You think I’m gettin’ signed?” They’d be stupid not to.

“I know you’re getting signed.” Rio's words came back to you, and despite your hesitance, you found yourself saying: “If not, I’ll sign you and go to Vegas myself.”

Patient — like his mom, but also with that fighting spirit. You realised you had to be on his level too — match his energy, his enthusiasm. He’d spent long enough being on his own.

“...Fine, fine,” he shrugged. The edge in his tone seemed to fade as he thought for a moment. “If you’re signin’ me, you’re signin’… The Prowler.”

Miles loved boxing? Screw it, you loved boxing too. You loved boxing more than him, in fact — because it was a part of him. And even when he didn’t love his dream so much, you’d be there to love it for him. He loved all of you, and you loved all of him. That was still true now, even if he was going through something not so lovely.

And soon, you’d have something else to love too. Something new.

“The Prowler,” you repeated, a smile of your own creeping up on your face. “…You sure?” The groan Miles let out was enough to curb your need to annoy him… with love.

“Cariño…" he mumbled. "You ask just to make fun of me?” Miles shook his head, and you just squeezed him around the waist again.

“No, no way. I wanna welcome you to the team, Prowler.” A few firm pats on his back got him to laugh again, and though it was barely, that moment felt worth all those weeks.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m a hundred percent serious. You and your 'legendary left jab' and all.”

“You…” The hint of a smile was in his voice, and his good hand came to pull you closer, pressing the two of you flush against each other.

“Me…?” Your voice was muffled as you rested against the hollow of his neck, feeling the vibrations of his voice as he spoke.

“Can’t believe you’re still here.” It sounded more like he was talking to himself, speaking under his breath. The way it came out, it seemed like something he'd wanted to say for a while.

“Why would I leave?” Why would you ever leave?

“No clue.”

His good hand found your face, and you turned your head a bit so it wouldn't be so awkward to reach it.

“Don't know why I ever thought that.”

You felt his thumb run across your cheek, before pulling away and tilting your face up to meet his eyes.

“Damn, you're beautiful,” he murmured, dipping his head down to bump your nose with his, stoic expression and all. You were just about able to keep your composure.

“You trying to make it up to me with flattery?” It wasn’t like he had much to make up for — in your eyes, at least. The tease made his eyes narrow, but the ghost of a smile was on his lips.

“I can make it up to you a hell of a lot better than that.”

“Morales,” you warned, thought it didn't come out much like a warning. Especially not with how quietly you said it, your face so close to his.

“What?” It was his turn to be annoying. “Lo imaginé…” (I thought so…) You weren't sure you minded it.

It was nice to be joking, and flirting, and close again. There was no need to protest right now — no reason to pretend to be mad. His arm shifted to search for your hand, and you unconsciously laced your fingers together as your faces drew closer. You were already squeezing his hand before—

“Aye…!” Miles hissed, slipping his hand away as you both remembered the nasty, loud bruise that was spreading across his hand. His left hand, you realised, was the one he’d injured — it wasn’t exactly legendary now.

“Sorry…” you muttered, lips pressing together tightly as you took in the sight again. “But that was your fault."

Miles frowned at you almost incredulously as he held his own hand. “Nuh-uh.”

“Time out, Morales.” You couldn’t help it. Or help the smile on your face.

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” You kissed his cheek to really rub it in. No more words from him, it looked like.

After a moment more of silence, and watching Miles nurse his own hand, you spoke up again. “…Are you gonna go back? To boxing?” Miles looked back at you, before nodding.

“Yeah. Eventually, I guess...” He let out a sigh, but it seemed like one of fatigue rather than frustration. You blinked away your own tiredness that was creeping back. "As the Prowler.”

“Got a lot of… prowling to do, then.” He pursed his lips at you in contempt, and you gave him a meek look in return. As much as you made fun of the name, it was pretty cool. “When are you thinking?”

“I’ll wait a little. ‘S too soon." Miles put his less-brutalised hand on your knee, looking at you a bit more earnestly. "Gotta make it up to you, first.”

“Obvio.” (Obviously) You tried hiding your smirk this time, but he caught it anyway.

“Driving me crazy for no reason,” he mumbled to himself, shaking his head. The few times you did speak Spanish, it usually wasn't to be sweet.

“A good crazy?” you tried, hoping he'd humour you a little. Maybe he could find it sweet?

“Ni hablar.” (No way.)

Sweet enough to kiss you, anyway. With his better hand, he held the side of your face by his fingertips, pressing a short, chaste kiss to your lips. The feeling was warmer than anything, and you were left with a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth as he pulled away.

“Te amo (I love you),” he whispered with his own shred of a smile. You caught a glint in his eye before his expression faded into that same serious look. “I'll fix up, I promise.”

“No need to promise." With your thumb, you finally smoothed the crease between his brows — an old, shared habit. It made his expression soften a little. "Cause you will, and you’ll make it even further next time.”

“Right,” he agreed, hand still lingering by your jaw. “I will. Gimme a time out if I don’t.” A laugh escaped your mouth at that.

"Sure." You met him with your own chaste kiss, your heart swelling as you felt him smile a little against your lips. “I love you too, by the way.”

The record had stopped playing, ages ago, you noticed, and there was another stretch of silence. Total silence, actually — it had stopped raining entirely.

“We should probably head back,” Miles stated as he looked out the window with you, before getting up with a bit of a groan. The two of you needed rest, especially him.

“Yeah,” you murmured, reaching for your jacket. “I mean, I sort of… snuck out.”

His silence made you turn back, only to be met with an unamused look. You tried not to laugh again. “So you’re sayin’ we’re both dead.”

“Pretty much.” He rolled his eyes at your sheepish smile, but you caught the corner of his mouth lift up as he turned to the door. It wasn't like the two of you hadn’t snuck out before — this was just like all those other times, just more… unplanned.

The night time air was strangely cool and breathable as you left the warehouse. Though the concrete was slippery, and you and Miles had to hold onto each other to not fall, Brooklyn was glimmering almost ethereally by the moonlight, the sky clear with any lingering clouds now gone. You hooked your arm in Miles' arm, his hands loosely tucked into the pocket of his hoodie. He’d have some explaining to do to his mom about his hands, and you’d have to creep back into your apartment as quietly as possible — but right now, in the silence hum of the city, you felt that things would be okay. Maybe they weren’t excellent, or ideal right now, but okay was a good start. The Prowler was a thing of the future, albeit near future. Right now, it was just you and Miles Morales, going home together past your curfews.

Ping! Ping Ping Ping Ping Ping Ping—

Way past your curfews.

At the same time, the two of you pulled your phones out, only to be bombarded with notifications of missed calls and texts. You were a short distance away from the warehouse now, and your phones had only just gotten signal. It was 1:02am, and you had walls of texts asking you where the hell you were and to "get your ass home right now" on your lock screen. Miles gritted his teeth, and you didn't want to think about what Rio had to say.

As the pinging died down, your eyes met, the both of you thinking the exact same thing:

“We’re so dead.”

You shot a quick message back and mental prayer, Miles doing the same before hastily linking arms with you again. He returned your sheepish look with his own as the two of you kept walking, trying not to slip in the puddles. It had already been a long night, and it was about to get way longer, but at least you could have each other’s company.

"~All my life, been a dreamer..."

"~Dream on... dream on..."

After all, you could guess that a lot more than just a “time out” was waiting for you at home.

"~Maybe somewhere... maybe somewhere..."

🕸️🔭👾

↑ the song! bobby bland 🔛🔝

felt a bit empty without a message hi this is vee it is midnight and i have to go to school in less than 8 hours ! thriving !!!! also if you're interested i have a post about just the au itself here <3

taglist (ppl who asked anyway 😭): @iissza

reblogs appreciated (like so much i literally melt and die) catch the rest of my atsv stuff here!

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violetdawn001 · 3 months ago

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What is with the Dreamers' Houses?!?! Part 3.5 Lurien's Spire - Pillows & Patriotism

Yes, you read the title right! We're talking about the pillows in Lurien's Spire!

Basically, I ran across a few articles calling the Watcher gaudy and greedy, lumping him with Hallownestian nobles. The Watcher, however, is not gaudy like the nobles of Hallownest. Before we bring in the pillows, let us compare the pictures down below.

Vs. the Watcher's Spire.

While there is a lot of details going on in all three photos, it is far easier to filter out Lurien’s Spire than the nobles. The purple in the Watcher’s Spire calms the player versus the red constantly popping in the noble’s houses.

That, and it took me four years before I realized that Lurien had wallpaper while every detail of the noble's houses was screaming in my face.

Now, we can bring in the pillows. We shall point out the pillows, discuss their arrangement, and what both say of the characters of the nobles and the Watcher himself.

In the noble houses, all the pillows are in the center of the room.

Meanwhile, in the Watcher’s Spire, the pillows are by the windows.

All the pillows in the nobles’ houses are facing the center where the nobles can be the focal point of attention. Where the point could be is either the red couches or the pillows themselves, but any visitor would certainly be hyper-focused on the noble by the mere seating arrangement.

If this was not the City of Tears that we know, such an arrangement could show how everyone is focused on the people and community. Unfortunately, we know thanks to the Dream Nail how all the nobles were overprotective of their geo. The arrangement of the pillows and seating of the guests was only to show off a noble’s wealth, not foster familial ties.

The Watcher’s Spire, however, has the opposite arrangement of pillows. The seating arrangement looks outside of the Spire, not in. Lurien invites any visitor to his Spire to admire not his wealth, but the wealth and health of the City.

One could argue that Watcher’s arrangement of pillows show how he is always looking outwards instead of reflecting upon himself and his faults, but considering the noble’s thoughts and intentions, I believe that Lurien is not selfish in looking outwards as his pillow arrangement is completely opposite of the nobles. Luriem is always looking out to his community AND loves to admire the beauty resulting from the community.

Finally, Lurien still loves both practicality and beauty as seen in his window designs by the pillows. The nobles’ design for the window is pathetic in comparison, though one must be grateful for being to see out of said window.

As for more comparisons of Lurien with other characters in Hollow Knight, let us marvel at how patriotic Lurien is.

All the little details.

I swear, Lurien is more patriotic than the Pale King. Compare the opening of Lurien's Spire to the White Palace.

VS.

Remember, Lurien's wallpaper still counts.

I wonder how Lurien being more patriotic than the Pale King speaks about his character?

As a Lurien fan, I am afraid that I must admit there is not enough evidence in the Spire alone to answer that question. Right now, these photos suggest that Lurien was Nationalistic while the Pale King was Patriotic.

Yet, once we look at both of their actions in-game, we can determine that Lurien is indeed Patriotic, not Nationalistic. Afterall, it is Lurien who makes the ultimate sacrifice for Hallownest not once but twice, even when he knew the Pale King wasn’t coming back. The Pale King, meanwhile, sacrificed everyone but himself, then fled from the Radiance when the Infection returned.

If both Lurien and the PK’s actions were foreshadowed by the amount of Hallownestian seals and crests, well…I do not feel as if I can make that judgement due to my basis on Lurien. I shall leave that to the community to decide.

If you wish to read more of the Essay, click one of these links below.

Part 1.0: Herrah's Den : Here

Part 2.0: Monomon's Archives: Here

Part 3.0: Lurien's Spire: Here

Part 3.25: Lurien's Spire: Windows and Colors: Here

Part 3.5: Even More of Lurien's Spire. (You are here)

Part 3.75: Even, even More of Lurien's Spire

Link to essay on Ao3: Here

If you have thoughts you wish to share, please feel free to comment or reblog! Especially with the above observation!

#Please send help. There is Dreamnail dialogue I swear the PK says before “No Cost too Great”. But I can't find it.#I am this close to restarting one of my save files just to go thru White Palace AGAIN (please Lord help me with the evil buzzsaws)#hk lurien #hollow knight #lurien the watcher #hk monomon #herrah the beast #hk pale king #pale king

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marichat914 · 3 months ago

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Yay! September 1! It's Ladynoir and Adrinette's anniversary!

And thus I will post this story made for ML Bigbang 2023 last year to celebrate.

(I received the privilege of having Dori_Sketches to make the beautiful art you see and Des to beta-read my story.)

Do not re-post unless you've received permission from the artist.

Just freakin' look at them! 😍 Gosh I'm melting!!! 😆😅

Miraculous Lucid Dreamers

Chapter 1.1 – The Protector of Dreams and the Hater of Reality

“Cataclysm!”

Chat Noir raised his hand as he said the access word to the power of destruction. His hand emitted dark liquid sparks and touched the brown toy bear that the giant brown bear was holding, turning it charcoal-like and pulverizing it in the process, releasing the child from the curse of the Crookmitten. The giant brown bear then began to shrink. The giant bear’s silhouette disintegrated into the air, revealing a sniffing small boy.

Chat Noir sighed in relief, thankful that the boy was back to normal.

“Are you okay?” Chat Noir asked as he bent one knee to level the boy’s height, placing his head on his shoulder.

The little boy stopped rubbing his tears and looked at him. The little boy shook his head.

“I’m scared…”

Chat smiled softly. “Knightmare?”

“Hm-mh..” The boy nodded then sniffed. “There was a giant black monster that was eating other children’s favorite toys and he was going to eat my teddy bear too. I ran really fast to get away but my teddy tried to protect me and told me to run. But he was captured by the giant monster…and…and…waaahhh!!! I saw the monster eat my teddy alive!” The boy cried again, harder this time.

“Shh. Shh…Don’t worry. Everything’s fine now. You won’t have Knightmares for the rest of the night because Ihe Crookmitten, the unidentified Lucid Dreamer that’s been trying to ruin the peace of Land Des Rêves Lucides. A place where people like him, Lucid Dreamers, visit to escape reality. Crookmitten po already defeated the monster from your dream.”

The boy stopped crying, his eyes were evidently red and puffy. “Really?”

He ruffled the boy’s chocolate colored hair. “Yep.” He reassured him.

The monster he was referring to was the creature he had become. Just an hour ago, a giant teddy bear attacked the Playpen village and started eating all the children’s favorite toys. Chat Noir immediately knew that it was the work of turs Knightmare dust to the thing that the dreamer was holding whenever they feel a negative emotion and turns them into something else based on the thing they were sad or scared or angry about.

It’s his job as the holder of the Miraculous of Destruction to destroy the thing holding the Knightmare dust and release that person from their nightmares.

The boy suddenly looked dreaded and his eyes frantically roamed everywhere as if he was searching for something. “My teddy! He’s gone!”

Chat Noir bit his lip out of guilt. He doesn’t know if the boy would understand that he destroyed his teddy bear to free him from the curse.

“I’m sorry…but I had to use your teddy to fight the monster.” Chat told him the half-truth, biting his lower lip in guilt. “But this is the realm of dreams. You could make the exact same teddy you had before.”

The little boy desperately shook his head. “But Teddy is really special to me. There’s no one else like him.”

Chat understood what the little kid meant. It’s hard to lose something that you really cared about, things that hold special memories.

“How about this? We’ll close our eyes together, and then imagine you have your teddy in front of you. Now, you need to imagine really hard so he can find his way back to you.”

There’s a hint of fear and doubt in the boy’s eyes when he looks at him.

“Trust me…Uhm…Can I ask your name?”

“Kevin.”

“Awright, Kevin. Close your eyes and imagine really hard.”

Chat watched as the lids covered the blue hues.

A few seconds passed, a small white ball of light appeared in front of the child. Chat smiled. The white ball gently formed into the shape of a teddy.

Chat Noir whispered softly to the concentrating Kevin. “Imagine harder. Picture what your teddy really looked like.”

Kevin’s brows frowned as he followed Chat’s instructions.

Suddenly, an exact replica of the teddy popped off in front of them as the light covering it disappeared.

Chat took the teddy gently with his hands. “You can open your eyes now.”

A beaming smile welcomed the Lucid Teddy bear and was immediately squished into a hug.

“Thank you! Thank you a lot!”

Chat Noir stood up and ruffled Kevin’s hair again.

“You’re welcome. Go ahead and play with the other children. I’m sure they were all waiting for you.”

Kevin nodded and ran towards the direction of the newly rebuilt Playpen village. He joined the other Lucid dreamer kids and played with them. Some began flying while others were swinging on the ice-cream sandwich sing set. One kid bit a huge chunk from the wafer chain connecting the swing, making the kid riding it fall on his bum. They all laughed and started eating the rest of the chain wafer.

An applause played behind him.

“Another job well done, I might say, Miraculous of Destruction holder.”

“Felix…You’re wearing glasses. Did you do some paperwork in the Dream Realm again?”

The pale blonde sighed. “You can’t blame me. This is the only place where I can do my work without someone shouting next to me on how to do it ‘properly’.” He air-quoted the last sarcastic word. He shrugged his shoulders as he inserted his hands to his dark-grey dress pants. “Not all dreamers come to this place to change who they are okay?”

“Right, because you remain the same workaholic future duke of your kingdom. And you ‘love’ your work too much to just leave it alone in the reality.”

“Exactly.” He said. “Except this time, I can’t focus on my work with that giant volcano blocking the view of the Eiffel tower from my office.

Using his thumb, he pointed backwards to the unsettling view of the giant volcano which suddenly came to Land Des Rêves Lucides out of nowhere a few months ago. No one knows who conjured it. But they all want it to disappear so they could see the Eiffel tower again. Only the most imaginative dreamers could procure something that big in a dream. Just like how Marinette made the Eiffel tower years ago.

Speaking of Marinette…

“Have you seen her?” Chat Noir asked.

“Who?”

“Marinette. I was looking for her all over Land Des Rêves Lucides but I couldn’t find her.”

“Nope. Didn’t see her. I was busy working despite the lack of relaxation. Maybe she’s awake.”

That made Chat Noir worried. “But she should be sleeping by now.” He sighed. This is not a first, however. There were a lot of times where Marinette couldn’t visit the Dream Realm because of her job. Of which…he doesn’t know.

“She’s probably overworking herself again.” He sighed disappointingly and pointed his index finger in front of him. He imagined a passion fruit macaron in front of him and it popped in the dream in a second. A lot faster than that teddy bear from the boy earlier. When you’re a veteran Lucid dreamer, it’ll be easier to materialize anything to the dream realm. He ate the macaroon in one go. Delicious, he thought. Though the macarons that Marinette makes for him are a lot tastier.

“Huh… Too bad you can’t conjure your lover into this place.”

Chat smiled. “Yeah…too bad.”

In the Land of Lucid Dreams, ‘Anyone can create anything except anyone.’

“I miss her already.” Chat Noir said with a dreamy sigh, propping both hands on his staff and his chin against his fingers.

Felix made a fake vomiting noise. “Get out of here you whipped pussycat. Oh hang on a second…’you are’ getting out of here.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“You’re disappearing, see?” Felix pointed him out.

He glanced at himself and saw that he was gradually turning transparent. It’s one of the indications that your presence in the dream realm is disappearing and returning to reality. It means that he’s waking up.

“That’s impossible.” He said, astonished by the discovery. ‘No one has ever dared to wake me up in the middle of my sleep.’ His room is heavily guarded from the outside.

“How is it impossible? You’re just waking up. Maybe someone’s calling for you.”

“NO! I can’t go back yet! I still need to see Marinette!” He’s been longing to see her for hours since he saw her yesternight.

Felix crossed his arms and raised an ‘are-you-kidding-me’ eyebrow at him.

“You’re overreacting. You’ll see her again tomorrow.”

“But what if I don’t?! Who knows when I’ll be able to see her again?! No! I don’t want to leave ye---.” He concentrated and forced himself to stay. But his efforts were futile as he’s getting more transparent, almost turning invisible. Then he was no longer in a dream

#hope you like it #miraculous ladybug #mlb fandom #thanks for reading #Happy Anniversary Miraculous! I love youuuuu!!!#ladrien

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chaosteddybear · 3 months ago

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6 Song Soundtrack: Hexx

Thank you so much for the tag, @spyridonya and @dmagedgoods! Hexx is dying to meet Zophus by the way! Mix is on his way too so don't worry I'm not cheating; just don't know how long it'll be until he's posted.

Rules: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End credits song

Hexx this time! My runaway Haarlep....

1. An event that defines your character's past: Havana

He took me back to East Atlanta, na-na-na Oh, but my heart is in Havana There's somethin' 'bout his manners I knew him forever in a minute That summer night in June And papa says he got malo in him He got me feelin' like… I knew it when I met him, I loved him when I left him Got me feelin' like, ooh, And then I had to tell him, I had to go

Hexx was plucked from paradise by Mephistopholes and dropped into the House of Hope. While there, they quickly fell in love with Raphael, but if the song is about the event itself from their past, it would be their feelings while it happened.

2. How your character sees themselves: (Don't Fear) The Reaper

I won't spam with the lyrics to this one - it's pretty straightforward hehe. But ultimately, Hexx focuses a lot on the pain they bring others. They see themself as a villain mostly due to their hunger, their insatiable need to destroy. This song oversimplifies it, but I ran out of energy to really find a perfect one that also adds in the sentiment of both hurting and disappointing your loved ones?

3. How others view them: mememe

But I'll laugh too fucking hard, you probably think I'm so mean But I don't even know you, and now you'll never really know Know-know-know, know-know-know Anything about me, me-me-me, me-me-me

Ok ok ok ok I cheated. It's obvious how others see Hexx, and you all probably also have your own ideas since you would only see them in Haarlep form anyway! So here is Hexx's response to that, hehehehe.

4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic): You Make My Dreams Come True

On a night when bad dreams become a screamer When they're messing with the dreamer, I can laugh it in the face Twist and shout my way out and wrap yourself around me 'Cause I ain't the way you found me and I'll never be the same

During their time with Raphael, for thousands of years, Hexx mostly watches Raphael live his life and tries to help however possible. Using their skillset. Advising indirectly through quips and snark, which Raphael doesn't acknowledge the usefulness of. They get to a point where Raphael tolerates them, but they're madly in love with him. Quickly having betrayed Mephistopheles (they outwitted him in their contract), Hexx is fully Raphael's and ultimately becomes comfortable at his home, fully devoted to him, though not fulfilled.

Until Cian shows up. Hexx falls in love with him quickly, admiring his relationship with Raphael as well (Hexx doesn't really feel jealousy). After a complex beginning, these two ultimately get to a point where Cian actually breaks down their walls (!!!!!). Raphael and Cian are the loves of their life, and they'll never be the same again.

5. A major fight scene: DONTTRUSTME

She wants to touch me, woo-oh She wants to love me, woo-oh She'll never leave me, woo-oh, woo-oh-oh-oh Don't trust a hoe, never trust a hoe Won't trust, 'cause a hoe won't trust me

Well, a fight for them is usually consuming someone as an incubus.... I think most of it speaks for itself. Ultimately, don't trust an incubus LOL. But also pay attention to how Hexx also feels not cared about by the world either. Also this song is so problematic just like Hexx hehe

6. End credits song: On Top Of The World

I've had the highest mountains I've had the deepest rivers You can have it all but life keeps moving Now, take it in but don't look down 'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey I'm on top of the world, hey Waiting on this for a while now Paying my dues to the dirt I've been waiting to smile, hey Been holding it in for a while, hey Take you with me if I can [...] I could've gave up then, but Then again, I couldn't have 'cause I've travelled all this way for something

Hexx, after going through all their shit, when they land in "today" they really feel on top of the world. They've seen everything. Been everywhere. And they're exactly where they want to be, with the ones they want to be with.

No pressure tags: @loveless-nameless-graceless-two, @cerudinae, @elonianmisfit, @twistedapple and you, dear Reader!

#hexx #hexx tldr

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rius-cave · 5 months ago

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About the topic of Luci giving Eve the apple (I'm the same anon who wrote that they didn't like each other back then btw)

I kinda feel it was mostly Lilith's doing tbh. Just think about it. The apple itself doesn't "give" free will. It's the apple of knowledge. It most likely just made Eve aware of the situation she was in. Which can both mean the whole concept of the garden (as many like to compare it to a "prison" where humans live mindlessly, provided with everything) AND Adam's controlling nature. And the fact that they only gave the apple to Eve makes me strongly believe that it's mostly the latter option. My personal hc kinda goes like this: Lilith ran away from Eden because she thought Adam was controlling and she had a strong enough will to go after her own head and ideals (this is why I think she herself never ate the apple, she already "gained awareness and free will" in a way by not wanting to submit). Lilith obviously disliked Adam so when she heard about Eve she wanted to give her a chance to get away from that guy too whom she believed to be controlling and just simply a dick lol. She wanted to "free" Eve from Adam because she experienced his nature (or at least, how she saw him in her own perspective, mind that we only know her story, we don't know what Adam exactly did aside of being "controlling", perhaps he was really an asshole, but maybe it's more complex). So, she asked Lucifer to help Eve and give the apple to her. Lucifer, being the idealistic dreamer he was, agreed to it, with the pure intention of helping humanity, showing them what they can be capable of and freeing them. Eve accepted and we all know how it ended. However, I love to hc that Lucifer would've included, or at least tried to include Adam too if he had the chance. Yes, perhaps they didn't like each other, but I see angel Lucifer kinda like Charlie is now, not giving up on people and trying to convince them, help them, forgive them and all. I believe he would've put up with Adam for the sake of it, but he couldn't since everything went south when Eve received the apple.

At this point it feels so much like I'm villainizing Lilith lmao but that's not my purpose actually.

It's okay anon we love villainizing Lilith in this house

Jokes aside I think that's really interesting. If I recall correctly, the little Eden flashback depicts both of them offering the apple to Eve, yes? But I think we should all agree that that story is unreliable at best and just a plain lie at worst.

It's interesting to think that Lilith was the mastermind of it all, really. If we're real, Lucifer definitely got the shortest end of that stick right? After Lilith became a demon, the story says that she just gained a lot of power while Lucifer lost his will to dream and all that, which is interesting.

To be honest I'm confused about what exactly the apple did. Bible tradition says it gave them them the knowledge of good and evil, some people think it made them aware of their nature and all that, and then Hazbin says it was how evil came into the world. I think it's kind of open to interpretation but I really want the show to tell us what the deal is in its canon.

However, I do think Lilith has a bigger hand on it than we think, I know this is just me, but GOD I WANT HER TO BE MANIPULATIVE, not even necessarily in an evil sense, I just want her to do some morally questionable things to reach the goals that she thinks are the best! In the case of the apple, it doesn't matter whether or not that was the right call, the important part is that Eve *knew* she shouldn't eat it, she SAID she wasn't allowed to eat it (at least in the biblical tradition), and Lilith, or Lucifer, or both, manipulated her and then manipulated the truth to suit their cause, even if they didn't realize what consequences that would bring.

It's a bit murky because we don't have a lot of details and I think this is something that could change depending on context. Really hope we get more info on this in the next season

#Eden flashbacks PLEASE VIVZI #hazbin hotel #ask #lilith

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hintsofhoney · 1 year ago

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Suburban Legends

Pairing(s): Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Summary: Steve finally forces himself to confront his feelings at his ten year high school reunion.

Tags: 18+, fluff, pining, kissing, general horniness

Word Count: 2.1k

A/N: I have never read a Steddie fic in my life but this came to me when I was listening to Suburban Legends by Taylor Swift the other day and I'm not mad about it. Thank you to my loves @makeadealwithdean and @wayward-dreamer for beta-ing 🤍 Enjoy!

You can also read me on Ao3!

STRANGER THINGS MASTERLIST | MAIN MASTERLIST

Steve stared at the Welcome Back Hawkins High Class of ‘85! banner strung up over the gymnasium entrance, the green and orange stripes on the brick walls even more chipped and faded after ten additional years of wear and tear. He brought the plastic cup in his hand to his lips, recoiling when the taste of champagne flooded his mouth instead of punch. For some reason, he hadn’t thought they would be serving alcohol at this thing, regardless of his graduating class being two years away from 30. Being back in this gym made him feel like he was a teenager again, and he was wondering who spiked the punch bowl.

He watched the green doors as more of his former classmates filed in, and the DJ started to play Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds to get the party going. Steve huffed a laugh through his nose and shook his head, thinking back to the last time he’d heard that song. He remembered Eddie Munson reenacting the ending scene of The Breakfast Club on the football field nine years ago, after he finally walked the stage with the class of ‘86 and was handed his diploma. He had gotten some of the Hellfire kids to hack the loudspeakers and blast the song so he could live out his John Bender fantasy. Steve pushed the thought out of his head, just like he had trained himself to do anytime Eddie Munson crept into his mind. It had been nine years since he’d last seen the metalhead, since Steve ran out of the woods behind the football field that summer, nauseous and dizzy and paranoid, hoping no one had been hiding in the bushes to witness what had happened. Which was nothing, really – their lips hadn’t even touched – but it was closer than anything Steve could have handled at the time. He never saw Eddie again; rumor was that he had packed up his bags and went to chase his dreams in LA, and Steve decided to go to IU after all, and that was that. Anything that he and Eddie had was left in 1986. At least, that’s what Steve had kept telling himself.

“Harringtooon!” Tommy Hagan yelled through cupped hands, pulling Steve out of his thoughts. Carol was hanging onto his arm, and Steve tried to hide his surprised expression because that was not the couple that he had thought was going to withstand the test of time.

“Hey, Tommy! Carol!” Steve replied, pulling Tommy into a “bro hug” and giving Carol a pat on her shoulder. “Jesus, it’s been forever. How are you guys?”

“Good, man. Uhm –” Tommy paused and looked over at Carol, a questioning look on his face, and Carol nodded and smiled, her hand coming to rub over her belly as she smoothed her dress against her skin, revealing a barely-there bump.

“No way!” Steve exclaimed, his eyes growing wide. “Congratulations, guys!”

Tommy waved him off. “Thanks, man.” He pulled Carol into his side and gave her a quick kiss on her temple. Steve felt like he had stepped into an alternate universe, one where Tommy Hagan wasn’t an insufferable asshole and was actually fit to be a father. But he supposed that was what happened when you left your hometown and didn’t come back for nine years; people change even if everything else stays the same.

He spent a few minutes catching up with Tommy and Carol, who were “the Hagans” now, his eyes occasionally darting to the door to see if anyone else he cared to see had shown up, but most of his closest friends were a grade, if not grades below him. He found himself wishing that Henderson was here.

“Oh my God,” Carol suddenly snorted, and Steve’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion before he followed her gaze. “Is that…?”

Steve gulped. “Munson, yeah.”

Tommy’s question of, “What is he even doing here? He wasn’t in our class, was he?” faded to the background as Steve focused in on his former best-friend-turned-crush-turned-stranger. He looked completely different, but exactly the same. His dark curls were pulled back into a ponytail, and he had black rectangle-framed glasses on. He was wearing black slacks and a white dress shirt rolled halfway up his forearms, a black and red tie around his neck that seemed to be the same pattern as the electric guitar he had in high school. His arm tattoos were on full display, which seemed to have tripled in the last decade. Steve’s eyes traveled back to Eddie’s face, his mouth going dry when he realized he had been caught staring. He quickly turned his attention to the cup in his hand, clearing his throat in front of Tommy and Carol.

“I’m, um –” Steve downed the remainder of his drink, hoping it would give him the courage he needed. “I’m gonna go ask what he’s doing here.”

He approached Eddie cautiously, not knowing how he would be received. He hoped nine years had been long enough to squash any remaining awkward tension, but then again, nine years hadn’t erased the thoughts of Eddie from Steve’s mind. He waited for Eddie to finish a conversation with a woman Steve didn’t recognize, before awkwardly clearing his throat once again, willing for Eddie to hear him over the music.

Eddie turned his head slowly, and then, “Steve Harrington, you son of a bitch.” He had a shit-eating grin on his face and Steve’s nerves dissipated almost instantly.

“Hey, Eds,” Steve grinned back, and suddenly it felt like no time had passed at all.

Eddie huffed a soft laugh. “Haven’t heard that nickname in a long time.” He stared down at the drink in his cup, swirling it around.

Just like that, Steve’s nerves were back. There’s one thing he had forgotten about Eddie — he could be so damn hard to read. “I – um – sorry.”

“Didn’t say I didn’t like it, Stevie.”

And now Steve felt like he was going to hurl. No one’s called him Stevie since, well, 1986. He swallowed down some champagne that was threatening to come to the surface along with all the feelings he’d spent a decade ignoring.

“What – um – what are you doing here?” Steve finally asked.

Eddie smirked before downing the rest of his drink. “I teach here, believe it or not.”

Steve chuckled. “Right. Or not.” When Eddie’s face remained serious, Steve raised his eyebrows. “You’re kidding. You ?”

“A lot can change in nine years, Harrington.”

“Right — yeah — I mean — I just — they hated you.”

Eddie laughed softly. “That they did. But I was in LA for a few years and it wasn’t for me. Place is a shithole, worse than here, Stevie. Can you believe that? Anyway, uh, well, Wayne wasn’t doing too hot so I moved back to help take care of him and got a job teaching these little shitheads music.”

“And you like it?”

“Love it,” he grinned, and Steve knew he was being genuine. “What about you, Harrington? What have you been up to since…?”

“Right. Uh, well, I went to IU, got a business degree, and now I’m managing a small company in Bloomington. And no, I don’t like it.”

Eddie nodded slowly. “And, uh… wife? Kids?”

Steve snorted. “No.”

“You could always move back to Hawkins, you know.”

“Right. Don’t tempt me, Munson.”

Eddie smiled. “It really is good to see you, Stevie. I’m glad I got guilted into working tonight.”

Steve blushed and ducked his head. “Yeah, uh, me too. See you around?”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

The reunion seemed to last forever, and if Steve was being honest, he would have left two hours ago if Eddie hadn’t been here. People were finally leaving, though, and without asking if he could, Steve followed suit in picking up everyone’s trash. He knew it would be obvious to Eddie at least, why he was staying back, but he felt himself not caring for the first time in a long time. He wasn’t entirely sure what these feelings were, but he found himself leaning into them instead of pretending that they didn’t exist. Maybe it was because he was older now, or because the world was different, or because he longed for the closure that he never got nine years ago. Or maybe it was all of those things.

He was throwing away a makeshift pyramid of dirty paper plates and plastic cups when Eddie came up beside him.

“You don’t have to do that, you know. This was your high school reunion.”

Steve chuckled. “I’d feel more at home at your ten year reunion. Or hell, even Henderson’s.”

“Yeah? You still talk to Buckley? Wheeler? All those other little shitheads?” Eddie asked fondly.

Steve smiled, nodding. “Yeah, yeah. Henderson and Sinclair are finishing up at IU, actually.”

“I know,” Eddie replied with a grin. “I was their favorite, remember?”

Steve playfully nudged him with his shoulder. “Shut up, Munson. I was there first.”

Eddie chuckled, tying the full trash bag in front of him but leaving it in the bin. “Janitor will come and take the bags out tonight,” he explained. He walked over to the middle of the gym and started up at the ceiling, his hands on his hips. Steve followed his gaze to see green and orange paper streamers haphazardly adorning the rafters.

“Didn’t think that one through, huh?” Steve teased, as he walked up behind Eddie.

Eddie spun around, mimicking Steve’s question in a voice that sounded not at all like Steve’s.

“Eddie, we’re heading out. Good luck with the streamers — told you it was a bad idea to throw ‘em up there!” the woman who Eddie had been talking to earlier called out, following two other women outside the gymnasium door.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Eddie mumbled back, sending a lazy wave of acknowledgment in their direction. He looked back up at the ceiling and let out a sigh.

“You don’t have a ladder?” Steve asked.

Eddie shook his head. “Not one that tall.”

Steve nodded, rocking back and forth on his heels with his hands awkwardly stuck in his pockets. With Eddie looking up at the ceiling, Steve could see some tattoos poking up from underneath his shirt collar, and he couldn’t help but wonder what Munson would look like without it on.

“You okay, Stevie?” Eddie questioned, snapping Steve out of his fantasy before it could progress any further.

“Hm? Oh, yeah. Fine.”

Eddie smirked, his brown eyes staring into Steve’s. Steve’s breath hitched as Eddie reached for him, and his eyes followed Eddie’s hand as it pulled a piece of green tinsel from his hair.

“You’ve had that in your hair for an hour,” Eddie explained.

Steve could feel a warmth creep up into his cheeks as he stared down at the hardwood floor. There was a moment of silence, and then, “What’s your secret, Harrington?”

“What do you mean?” Steve replied.

“You look even better than you did in high school.”

Steve chuckled nervously. “Uhm, dunno.” He shrugged, his hands still in his pockets. He looked up hesitantly before returning the compliment. “You, uh, look good too, Eds. Different, but the same.”

Eddie took a small step toward him, leaving minimal space between them. Steve gulped nervously. What was happening?

“You still react the same when I compliment you,” Eddie observed.

“I do?”

“Mhm.”

“Still not used to hearing them, I guess,” Steve replied. His heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. No, seriously, what was happening?

“That’s a shame,” Eddie said.

“Yeah,” Steve croaked.

Eddie took a step closer. There were maybe two inches between them now. Steve stared at the man in front of him, his heart in his throat.

“What about being kissed? Are you used to that, yet?”

Steve could have thrown up. Jesus fucking Christ, was this actually happening?

“Uhm — y-yeah. I mean, by women. Uhm, but n-not by —”

Eddie smiled sweetly and reached out to tuck a stray hair behind Steve’s ear.

“We don’t have to, Stevie. If you’re uncomfortable —”

“No! No, I — uhm — I want to,” Steve reassured him.

“Are you sure? ‘Cause it might screw you up forever, Harrington.”

Steve huffed a laugh through his nose. “ Now who’s the cocky — oh .”

Steve felt a lot of things the moment Eddie’s lips met his. Relief that it happened. Regret that it didn’t, all those years ago. He felt everything suddenly fall into place, like despite what he had been telling himself all these years, this was what he had needed all along. His hands came to cup Eddie’s face as he deepened the kiss, wanting more of him, wanting to be closer , even if they couldn’t be any closer if they tried. Not with clothes on, anyway. He felt Eddie’s hand in his hair, the bulge in his slacks, and okay — they should really stop now. But Steve didn’t want to. He wanted to stay like this forever; a bundle of limbs standing in his high school gymnasium with the crush he could never admit to himself. The knot in his stomach turned into fireworks, and yeah… he was screwed. Forever.

#steddie #steddie fanfiction #stranger things fanfiction #steddie fic #steve harrington #eddie munson

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arbitrary-avi · 5 months ago

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across the stream

imagine something with me for a moment; let us both transcend the thinker and instead, for a short while, become the dreamer. pardon the change in my writing style for a moment, it will make sense.

The eyes that you give to the ones you love are something else, no? Your full attention, your dedication, your voice reduced to a shy sibilance as you are enveloped in their unabated passion for you.

I remember a moment in particular where I felt the most as though I was dreaming with another.

It was November. A cold night, some special event going on that me and my darling were attending. We had both been dressed up, me in a suit and her in a dress; that dress flowing beautifully and amazingly on her, so much so I can still recall it. Red.

The event had concluded. Or, more accurately, we had decided to leave earlier due to neither of us being the extroverted type. When we left the building, we were met by the pavement below and a lightly speckled sky above that stretched for what seemed like forever—the moon only partially covered by grey clouds that signified one thing and one thing only: rain.

While many others that were stood outside took to umbrellas or to cover to shield their expensive wear from the downpour, she had other plans.

Her brown eyes glimmered in the dim moonlight, the rain appearing to sparkle as it landed around her. It was as if the storm calmed in her presence, if only for a moment. She took my hand and we ran off giggling to a more secluded area where it was just us and the rain.

She looked into my eyes and spoke to me.

"I've always wanted to dance in the rain."

I chuckled, joyful and in love with this woman. Without another word, I took her hand and we began to dance with no rhythm, no pattern, no anything.

The light layer of water beneath us rippled with the lightness of a feather from our footsteps; the reflection of the moon created such an overwhelming serenity that still, to this day, I have been unable to recreate or come close to recreating it.

The rain twirled with us as our lack of rhythm slowly shifted into a slow dance—the soft droplets running down our clothing like liquid gold, shining, sparkling, glinting as our faces grew closer and closer together.

The slow dance, as quickly as it began, slowed to a crawl—and then, finally, to a stop.

We stared into each other's eyes for only a few seconds, but to me? if I ever were to experience a warm eternity—it would be that. Those few moments we looked deep into each other. It was more than a simple stare, no, it was so much more. Not only did we share our gaze, we shared the deepest parts of us. Our souls touched in that very instant, a harmonious chorus of an amaranthine warmth that beckoned the gods above and below—something so strong that, despite all of the pains both of us had felt for so long, had the angels above crying in joy.

And it all surmounted to the one pinnacle:

"I love you," I said, my eyes sparkling with an overwhelming love for this lovely, lovely girl.

And then, what followed. A deep, thoughtful kiss that rattled the very earth—our lips touched, such a soft feeling yet with the power of a thousand suns all in one. A supernova of love. A love so deep, it almost lasted.

Almost.

————

agh, i apologize for all the gushiness. but we find ourselves loving those who broke us, don't we? well, i think we should not forget: there is a difference between loving the person and loving what you did together with said person. i struggle with both, but i've gotten better.

still, sometimes i think of her. it's been a year, and she was so much to me. but it's okay! it always is in the end, i believe.

i know this isn't like my usual posts but ,,, i just felt like i had to get it out

"But you're everything to me You deepen the red of my blood"

— "as deep as time allows," crywolf

don't forget to love yourself just as much as you loved them.

— avi

#dream a dream #love

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chasing-ghosts-silhalei · 4 months ago

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Chapter 18 - The Way Back

[ A scene ]

Mithra’s eyes cracked open and drifted around her surroundings, then went wide. It was...daytime? Had she overslept?

She rolled into a low crouch and looked around the meadow surrounded by quiet forest, then peered over her shoulder. When she didn’t see Josmael, the mounts, or camp, she furrowed her brow. Was this...where they’d made camp? Where was Josmael? He wouldn’t have left without waking her...unless he knew it was safe and wanted to let her sleep. Or if he’d gotten hungry and was hunting something nearby.

As for the others - had they gotten tired of him waking her from nightmares and left her behind? They wouldn’t have done that...right?

Mithra listened very carefully for a moment and heard no birdsong nor the buzzing of insects in the trees. She knew everything in the forest went still and silent when something was wrong. And something was definitely very wrong.

When she reached for her pendant and didn’t feel it dangling from her neck or under her armor, her blood turned to ice. She crouched lower in the grass that was flooded with colorful wild flowers and carefully watched for any movement.

She felt eyes on her and whipped her head around to look. When she saw nothing, a chill ran through her limbs and she started panting. She wasn’t sure whether to stay or go. If something came at her, she would see it if it entered the meadow. However, if it was in the woods, it could see her before she saw it.

Mithra clasped her hands together, then dared to bring her thumbs to her lips and sent a low, haunting whistle through the area. She crouched lower and strained her hearing for anything. Anything at all.

After a tense moment of dead silence, her unease bloomed into terror and she took off like a deer with hounds on its heels. As she flew through the dense forest, she dodged trees and leapt brush, then dropped into a slide under a decaying log that was supported by its living neighbors. She shoved herself back up to her feet and kept moving as fast as she could.

She dared a glance over her shoulder, then crashed into something too soft and warm to be a tree. Panting and terrified, she desperately pinned it to the ground below her and stretched her other fist back to strike. She froze when she saw it was Solas, who looked more than a little surprised.

When he opened his mouth, she firmly pressed her hand over his lips, then lay beside him. As she settled her head beside his, she shushed him as quietly as she could, then very softly murmured, “Something’s out there.” When he cut her a confused sideways glance, she faintly breathed, “No birds. No bugs. Something’s wrong.”

His chest suddenly quaked with a chuckle and she squinted at him like he was mad or stupid. He peeled her hand from his face and murmured back, “There is nothing to fear in this place. I am sorry for frightening you.”

The wild, chaotic music of birds and insects gently bloomed in her ears as her eyes widened.

Solas smirked, then sat upon the mossy, forest floor and peacefully looked around. “You have been sleeping poorly. I thought you might enjoy a reprieve.”

Completely confused and still lying on the ground, Mithra’s eyes darted around the woods. After a moment, she rolled onto her back, then sat up and eyed him uncertainly. “This is a dream? Is this how you dream?”

“It is,” he said with a gentle smirk, "According to my studies, I am what the Ancients would have called I've'an'thanelan. A Fade Mage. I created this place."

She squinted at him. "How am I here with you?"

He grinned. "I am also I've'an'virelan. A Fade Walker. A Dreamer. I wished to share it and offer you a night of peace."

Mithra blew out the last of her nerves, then hugged her knees to her chest and laughed softly. "Well... Thank you." She pressed her lips together, then cleared her throat and asked, “Would it be...possible for me to do this?”

His brows rose. “Certainly. That mark clearly allows you to dream with the required focus, which surprises me. Visiting me here, even if you were a mage - it should not have been so easy for you. But you’ve already fractured rules of man and nature, and you will shatter more before you are done.”

She squinted at him. “Huh?”

He gently took her marked hand and explained, “You had walked in the Fade! I have explored the Fade more than anyone alive, but even I can only visit in dreams. But you… You might have been able to visit me here while awake! I have no doubt you could shape dreams such as these.”

Mithra looked at the mark and realized the...thing gave her more power over the Fade than she knew, but- “I’ve...never done anything like this before. May I ask your advice?”

He smirked and asked, “Do you recall what I said about perception shaping our existence? How do you remember your fondest places?”

Fic Synopsis / Notes / TWs / Link - Tumblr

#fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #solavellan #solasmance #solas x inquisitor #solas x lavellan #dragon age inquisition #dai #cullavellan #cullenmance #cullen x lavellan #cullen x inquisitor #silhalei chasing ghosts #silhalei chasing ghosts

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justcallmecj · 2 months ago

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First Devildom Dream Hop

MASTERLIST ~~ PREVIOUS ~~ NEXT

By far the best bedroom I could ever think of, and that means something because I've seen a lot of awesome looking bedrooms in my time.

When Levi was done explaining his plan to me, a plan I refuse to think about right now, he was kind enough to leave his room and (while looking over his shoulder every 5 seconds) lead me to my room. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.

When I came through the door, I immediately noticed the tree sprouting from the middle of the room. Before even beginning to take in the rest of the room I ran up to the tree and put a hand on the rough bark. It was definitely living, not just some fake tree they modeled into the floor. Hanging from the branches and leafs were tiny little lanterns of varying styles and up hanging from a twisting vine that ran down were platforms that held candles.

The stone walls were covered top to bottom in growing vines and leafs, setting a fantasy like setting to the room, something I actually quite love. I took a moment to sit on the edge of the bed to test it out and it's one of the most comfy beds I've ever felt. That mixed with the giant, fluffy pillows just tells me I'm going to have some great Dream Hopping experiences.

Standing from the bed, I walk around the tree, finding a seating area with a decent sized table, multiple chairs, cabinets, a dresser, and some older looking art on the walls. In the dresser is all my clothing from my house and the shelves and cabinets hold my other belongings. Thankfully I live alone, or all my stuff going missing would make anyone I live with panic.

Behind a door in the back was a bathroom just for me. After taking a shower and getting dressed into comfortable sleeping clothes, I made my way back to the bed and snuggled with the nearest pillows, wrapping the blanket around me tight. Staring at the ceiling, I finally noticed how the room had a slight tinge of purple to it. Glancing at the window, I could just barely make out the slight purple color that turned the moonlight into a purple beam. Such a calming color, perfect right before Dream Hopping.

I felt as exhaustion pulled at my eyelids, tempting me to fall asleep. Soon, I felt the door that led to my Gate Realm. With no hesitation, I let sleep take over and close my eyes, reaching for the door and opening it.

The door opened with no sound. I walked through and took in the familiar sight of my Gate Realm. In no time at all, my eyes adjust to the lighting of the realm. The white vastness that fades into a lilac ombre brings me comfort, finally, I'm somewhere I know. Slowly, the Gates start to appear.

Mirror sized windows pop up around me, but none are close enough for me to see the scenes playing within. So, this will be new. I've never seen the dreams of so many demons. Lets check a few and see what happens. After deciding, I walk towards the closest Gate to where I stood. Looking in, I caught sight of a winged demon flying through a heavily wooded forest. His face was filled with pure excitement and carefree thoughts. Seeing it brought a smile to my face. I stepped away from the Gate, not feeling the need to interfere with the Dreamer.

I decided to check out a few more Gates. Eventually, I'll find the ones belonging to the brothers and Diaviolo, and hopefully, the mystery Daydreamer. That was the plan, until I stumbled over when something pulled at my wrist.

I whipped around after righting myself, but there was nothing there. No person or creature that could have pulled at me. But, when I payed attention again, I felt something wrapped around my wrist. Upon inspection, there was no string or anything there, but the feeling of something being tugged at pulled me forward again.

This is the first time this has happened. Nothing has ever been able to enter my Gate Realm without me bringing it here myself, and I've only ever done that with Zir. I looked back at all the Gates. Nothing seemed to be wrong or out of the ordinary, nothing looking unstable either. But, if somethings here, I need to handle it now, before something happens. The invisible force tugged again. I'll just let it do what it wants. I'll find the source eventually if I follow it.

So, I let the force pull. Now that I put up no resistance, the tugging was gentler, like it was just pulling in a wayward string. I walked with it for a while, passing by many Gates along the way. At some point, the amount of Gates decreased until they were gone as I continued walking. That in itself was strange. The Gate Realm was endless, one could walk for hours in any direction and not meet an end of the Gates, each belonging to a different Dreamer.

I was lost on thought until ramming into a wall I never saw, knocking me back to reality. I tapped the air in front of me where I just ran my face into. My finger hit a wall of some kind, one I couldn't see but couldn't pass through. The tug on my wrist yanked me forward again, forcing my right arm through the wall. I yelped when one final tug pulled the rest of me through.

I tumbled forward with nothing to stop my fall on the other side. I hit the floor face first unfortunately. When I manage to somewhat get myself together again, I stand up and realized I'm no longer in my Gate Realm.

Instead, I find myself in a open space with a black surrounding with faint signs of purples and blues mixed in, kinda like a galaxy, and white doors throughout. Each of the doors had bright, shining blue strings wrapped around the handles. Now looking back at my wrist, I find one of those blue strings knotting around my hand, a little tangled from the fall. While I try and untangle the string from my hand, something catches my attention.

"Ehem" someone from behind me fake coughed. Holy shit!! I whip around and stumble back, not knowing if I was ready to fight or run away from whoever it was. When I finally see the person, I realize it's a demon. The first thing I take in is the tail behind him that thrashed around. The curious part was that the tail, which was black, split into two at the end and faded into a bright teal color.

He wore a nice black and gray undershirt with a black tailcoat that had gold buttons along the inside edges, a singular gold chain bringing to the two sides together at the bottom. The tailcoat flared out to a longer length that had a teal underside. His sleeves, which reached down to his white gloves, puffed with ruffles that also faded into that persistent teal color. Going further up, the neck of his clothes reach his chin and had a section that was ruffles that matched the sleeves.

His dark green hair, which had an oddly longer bang on the side that was also teal and looked to be glowing in the darkness of the room, didn't cover the confusion and irritation in his slightly lighter green eyes. The horns on the sides of his head looked like the skeleton of a pair of wings, and they moved just enough for me to see them flinch when we met eyes.

In his hands was what I assume was the other end of the blue string wrapped around my hand. So he was the one pulling on me. Guess that solves a few things, but it only raises more questions. I stand tall, trying to make it look like I wasn't thinking of thousands of things at once in the current moment.

"Um, hi? I'm Y/N! Nice to meet you." Just be chill about this. Don't anger him until you know where you are and how to get back to the Gate Realm. I hold my hand out for him to shake. He hesitates, like he's just as confused as I am. But, within the blink of an eye, he makes his face go blank with only a clearly feigned politeness in his smile.

"Yes, I know who you are." he says as his own hand reaches out and grips onto mine. His hold is gentle, but firm. We shake once and quickly let go. "I am Barbatos, butler to Lord Diavolo." Oh. I didn't meet him earlier when I first arrived. But where am I now? Did I somehow stumble into a Gate I couldn't see? I managed to catch it as Barbatos' eyes darkened.

"Now, would you mind explaining how you got here?" he asked. Barbatos' hands tightened ever so slightly on the string held in his hands. I followed the string and found where it met a certain point in the black space around us. The blue glow of the string stopped along with the string, like it turned invisible at some point as it hit a wall, one I couldn't see. Is that where I came from? Where is this place, and why is it so close to my Gate realm?

Another fake cough snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Barbatos staring at me expectantly. Did he ask me something? I can't remember. I felt the quite irritation from him increase slightly when I did nothing but stare at him.

I rubbed the back of my neck, laughing nervously. "I'm sorry. Do you mind repeating for me? I accidentally spaced out." Barbatos kept the polite airiness to him but I managed to hear the quiet huff he made.

"Yes. Would you mind explaining how you got here?" he repeated. I went silent. Honestly, I had no clue how I got here. I mean, I don't even know where "here" is!! Deciding that it would really be best to be truthful considering Barbatos is the one in control here, I did just that.

"Well, I don't know. I don't even know where I am right now. Can you tell me what this place is?" I asked. Suddenly, I got a lot more comfortable. I spun around a bit to look at the doors and strings, trying to see what they led to and on what's on the other side. Unfortunately, the doors where blank white and showed nothing. Sorta like Dream Gates from a distance.

Turning back to Barbatos, he looked like he was contemplating something. I felt the uncertainty roll off his body. He's not used to others being here, and it must be a secret to him and only him. Huh. I know the feeling.

Finally, he sighed and looked me in the eyes. "This, Y/N, is a Time Space. I am a demon capable of seeing the past and future. These doors show possible future timelines." I turn to the nearest door. I wanted to open it, just to see what happens, but I felt Barbatos' eyes on me, watching my every move. I decided against it. Besides, the handle to the door was slightly transparent, like it wasn't tangible. I probably couldn't even if I wanted to.

I bring my wondering attention back to Barbatos and the string he was still grasping. Following the line (I felt Barbatos do the same), I discovered that despite the fact that I had already been pulled through, more string still fed through to the other side of the invisible wall. As Barbatos walked towards it to further inspect it, I got the chance to think.

Why would my Gate Realm and Barbatos' Time Space be so close to each other, enough to bring me through the barrier between the two? I thought back to what my mother taught me growing up, hoping that she had told me something that would answer my questions.

I guess she did speak a lot about time in dreams being different from reality. Things may go quicker or slower than normal. But, is that enough to bring the Gate Realm and Time Space this close together? I guess it could be possible, if the Dream Hopper and Time Seer are strong enough.

"-/N, can you hear me?" Barbatos' voice brought me back. I snapped my head towards him. He was standing by the invisible wall with the excess string wrapped around his hand. His tail swayed behind him, showing he was calm with only a slight bit of irritation. I walked over to him and took a bit of the string into my own hand.

"Yeah, I heard you." I say with a smile pointed at him, he returns the gesture. I look back at the string. "Anyway, I came out of this...wall? If that's the case, then that's how I get back." Barbatos' horns jumped a bit at my words. Do they not have a lot of movement? Nope! Back on track, Y/N!!

"Where exactly did you come from, Y/N? As far as I'm aware, you don't posses any magic, let alone the power to force your way into my Time Space." Barbatos' brows furrowed in thought, until I laughed that is.

"Um, wasn't it you-" I jabbed a finger at him, "-who was pulling the string? So, really, it was you who forced me here." I stuck my tongue out at him. Was it the best choice to risk angering a demon? No. But, just on the other side of this wall, I could feel the Dream Gates waiting there, so I wasn't far from my Dream Realm.

I had...maybe not the smartest thought come to mind, but my life is honestly full of dumb decisions, so whatever. "Well, Barbatos, would you like to come see where?" I smiled and held out a hand to him. Omg what are you doing? You've never had anyone in your Dream Realm, well, except for Zir, but still!!! Why are you inviting a demon you literally just met!!!!!

Because I'm dumb, that's why.

Barbatos looked hesitant, which is fair. He looked back at the string feeding through to the other side of the wall and, slowly, resolution settled onto his face and aura. Without looking away from the wall, he gently placed his hand in mine. Wow, this is oddly romantic, huh? STAY FOCUSED Y/N!!!

So, taking this as permission, I harshly tugged him (payback for earlier with the string) and hoped my plan would work. Thankfully, when I rushed forward, I didn't face plant into a solid wall. Instead, I fell through, like it was an vertical facing pool of water, and Barbatos surprisingly let himself fall through as well.

When we popped out the other side, I was met with the familiar sight of the vast, white expanse and the far off shapes of Dream Gates. I turned to look at Barbatos to see his reaction. He held his free hand over his eyes, trying to adjust from the dark Time Space to the bright Dream Realm. When he put his hand down I explained what was happening to him.

"This, Barbatos, is my Dream Realm." Still not letting go of his hand (reaction from being here with Zir), I started making my way towards the Dream Gates in the distance. To my surprise, Barbatos made no effort to pull away or go in a different direction, he just followed right next to me. I felt the curiosity roll off of him. He wants to explore.

So, while we stayed silent during the walk, I lead him closer to the Dream Gates. Finally, Barbatos spoke up. "You're not a normal human, are you, Y/N?" his words were clear, despite it being a question, it was more of a statement. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Nope!" I answered with a pop to the 'p'. I looked at him, not faltering in my steps, and smiled again, but I didn't give him an answer. Instead, I continued with the walk and tried to hold back the chuckle when he sighed in frustration. Finally we reached a more dense cluster of Dream Gates. The Dream Gate to his left caught his eye. It showed a demon going on a romantic date with her partner.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you? And, what are these...things around us?" His eyes flickered to another Dream Gate, this one showing the Dreamer lazying around in a tree until something in the distance spooked them and they fell out of their comfy napping spot.

I turned to be able to face him, also watching the events going on in the dream. "Well, I'm a Dream Hopper." Barbatos pulled his eyes away from the dream and over to me. Even if I didn't look at him, I could see his face in my peripherals. He looked truly confused. Guess he's never heard of us.

I decided to meet his eyes. I stopped for a moment to try and identify the emotions he was giving off. Confusion. Curiosity. Skepticism. All fair emotions to be having right now.

"I'm still human, but I just have powers over dreams." I explained. He raised an eyebrow at me. Well, guess I'm gonna have to explain things now. [Sigh], here we go again. I spotted another Dream Gate further off, one with a familiar demon prince in it, and decided to drag Barbatos over to it.

When we stopped in front of the Dream Gate, in which Barbatos ignored in favor of staring at me, I stopped him and started to explain Dream Hoppers to him. I explained that we are definitely human, just with a unique magic. We spend the time people are usually dreaming Dream Hopping through our own individual Dream Realms/Gate Realms and exploring.

I offhandedly answered a few questions he flew at me, but most of my attention was on the Dream Gate right next to us. I watched as the man on the inside remembered little memories from his childhood, some were happy, some were sad. Some were of when he was young, some when he was a little older. I don't quite know what the dream looks like to him, but to me it looks like a montage of memories the main character has when the villain has them beat, right before their determination allows them to power up and beat the villain instead.

I sensed when Barbatos figured out I was only have paying attention to him and followed my eyes to the Dream Gate. He froze when he saw the demon on the inside, specifically when a memory of said demon and Barbatos playing a game of tag when he was young. Barbatos watched the memory, and I felt as he fell into a state of nostalgia. It was sweet to think about, that Barbatos was reminiscing like a parent looking through an old photo album.

I shuffled closer to him, which caused him to tense, and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"Wanna go in? Wanna see what dreams are like from the other side?" He tensed further, but then shifted into thinking. I made sure I used words that may interest him. Vague, but giving just enough to intrigue. After some time of thinking, Barbatos' hand finally left his chin and he faced me with a look in his eyes. There were no words said, but the answer was given.

I grabbed Barbatos by the wrist, which he put up no resistance against, and tugged him through the Dream Gate. He yelped when a bright light flashed and he fell through.

"So, what do you think, Barbatos?" I asked. My hands landed on my hips when I swung around to face the demon of time. I found him hunched over, out of breath and heaving to fill his lungs. Despite his current condition, he looked up at me and smiled, a smile with some genuine intent behind it.

"It's...certainly different from what I'm used to." he admitted. It's been a while since we entered Diavolo's Dream Gate, and since, I've dragged Barbatos through about a dozen more. He finally caught his breath and stood straight. My attention was quickly brought to the gate we just exited. Inside was a women with pink and purple hair, in a cave surrounded my floating candles, watching all of them with a strange fascination. We didn't spend a lot of time in there.

It was a whisper off in the distance that pulled at my attention. My head whipped around on instinct, leaving a slight pounding in my brain. That all to familiar itch returned, albeit different this time. The itch is usually when I sense a Dreamer when I'm awake. But, it usually disappears when I come to my Dream Realm. But this time, the itch returned, muffled and distant.

I forced my eyes to sharpen, to be able to see farther into the crowd of Dream Gates. I distantly heard Barbatos call my name, but I ignored him. While scanning the Dream Gates, one very, very far off one caught my eyes. When I honed in on it, the itch got more violent, like I physically needed to scratch it lest it get worst. I think I may have actually put a hand to my head and scratched my scalp, but I may not have.

Honestly, all thought left my brain. The only thing there was the whispered words of 'over here' and 'this way'. The voice, if it could even be called that, sounded like it was under water or behind a thick wooden door, I couldn't quite tell which. Whatever the conditions, it was being blocked behind something. And, while I could see the dreams of the neighboring gates, this one was fuzzy, unclear.

Mindlessly, I grabbed Barbatos' hand again and intertwining our fingers. Then, I pulled him forward as I sped walked towards the strange gate.

I don't know how long the walk actually was or how many times Barbatos tried to get my attention, but I just knew I had to get to that dream...to that Dreamer.

Upon arrival, I found that the gate really was blurry and fuzzed out. I could see large splotches of color but no clear image. No sound came from the gate itself, like how some other dreams can leak sound into the Dream Realm if I try and listen. But, there was still that insistent voice ringing in my head, only now, it was louder. Barbatos' voice, which was already in the distance, was quickly flooded out as the voice kept repeating itself. 'In here'. 'Help'. I'm stuck'.

My thoughts cleared just enough to try and think. Is it a nightmare? Why is the Gate blurry? Why can't I hear? What's going on in there? No probable answers came to mind. This has never happened before, I've never been not able to read a Dream Gate.

My hand reached forward on it's own, trying to reach through the Dream Gate. When the tips of my fingers touched the surface of the liquid-like gate, a sharp, painful, terrifying zap jolted through my fingers into my hand and up my arm before it stopped right at the base of my neck.

I yelped and frantically pulled my hand back where I cradled it against my chest. I lost my footing as the whispers in my head quieted down and the strange fog in my head which I didn't realized was there dissipated. Warm arms caught me and wrapped themselves around my back, stopping my inevitable fall. I looked up to see Barbatos' green eyes, filled with concern, staring back at me. He helped me straighten up again before taking my hand to examine it for injuries.

"Are you hurt? What happened? Does your hand hurt." he flung question after question. My eyes went back to the offending Dream Gate but I answered. A head shake. A shrug. A head shake.

Most of my attention was not on Barbatos and his questions, but on the fuzzy Dream Gate. Now the Gate was surrounded by sparkling, dark blue colored magic, powerful magic at that. I could literally feel the old, resounding power that the sparkles held. Upon further inspection, the sparkles created a barrier around the Dream Gate, blocking off anyone, whether they be from the outside...or inside.

Barbatos tapped his fingers against my skull, pulling my attention back to him. His fretting had finally stopped, meaning now he just looked concerned, and like he was waiting for answers. Unfortunately, those are answers I don't know, questions I can't answer.

Something about me, whether it be the hesitance in my stance, the confusion in my eyes or the incredulous expression on my face, it stopped Barbatos from asking me anything. Instead, resolution settled on his face and he gently took hold of my hand, the one that wasn't shocked by the magic, and started towing me back the way we came.

I wasn't all there. Part of my mind was still staring at the sparkling blue magic around the Dream gate, another part was searching through countless memories of Dream Hopping and conversations with my mother, trying to find even the smallest explanation for what was going on, but it came up blank. The rest of my brain, a small part in full honesty, was walking along side Barbatos, past all the Dream Gates until the number of them around us became smaller and smaller. Back to the Time Space.

Now that I'm paying a bit more attention, I can feel the tingles in my fingers. When that happens, it's time to start waking up. Time to go find the door back to the split second of actual sleep until I wake up for the day. I guess it is a good thing Barbatos decided it's time to cut things off. It may take me a while to find the door back to the Awoken Realm.

When all of my brain decides to return to me, I found Barbatos and I coming up on the glowing blue string that we had apparently abandoned when we fell through the invisible wall. Speaking of which, the string was now tightly wrapped around a metal ring sticking out of the ground which wasn't there before. The string then led to where I assume the wall is, because it suddenly disappears at some point.

I walked over and pulled at the string a little. It was pulled taunt and didn't budge an inch. Barbatos came and placed a soft hand on the string, following it all the way to the wall. He then turned to look at me, causing me to do the same.

We shared a quite moment where we just smiled at each other. Barbatos seemed to have actually had a fun time tonight. I could tell when we first met that he's a guarded man, he keeps to himself and acts the role he was given when in front of anyone, which is a skill I can respect. But, I think practically forcing him to go on a bunch of strange adventures within the time span of a couple hours loosened him up a bit, let him bring down a few walls to see what's on the other side.

"Well, I guess this is where we part, Barbatos." I said almost wistfully. I wanted to spend more time with him. Show him a few more things, you know? But, the tingling in my fingers is getting stronger and I need to go find the door.

"I guess it is, Y/N. But, it was a lot of fun running around in the dreams. Thank you for inviting me." he finished with a slight bow, an action that embarrassed me a little. He placed the flat of his hand against the wall and it started melting around him, again like a pool of water.

"If you ever want to go Dream Hooping with me again, just come through. I'll be able to tell if you enter. " He laughed a bit, which made me feel some sort of accomplishment. "But you may need to wait for me to find you." I added.

He nodded silently and pushed his hand further into the wall until it was up to his shoulder. "I'll see you sometime soon, Y/N" he said. His tail swayed contently behind him and his horns flapped just a little bit more than they have this entire time.

I waved him off and eventually, he was gone, returned back to his Time Space. I was left with a few minutes to myself after that.

I hope I didn't throw off his sleep schedule. But, he is a demon, he may not need to sleep like humans do. Plus, he didn't look tired when he left.

But the more pressing matter is that Dream Gate with the magic...I quickly decided not to tire myself with thinking, for my own sake. For now, I'll leave it as a matter for a different night. I felt a shockingly violent tingle travel from my fingers to my wrist. Fine, I'll start searching. I huffed a breath and went on my way.

When I finally tracked down the door to Awoken Realm, a door that just loves to move around on it's own, I walked through and did what I could to forget the strange Dream Gate.

I hope you got a good picture for what Dream Hopping is like and how I'm gonna set up Y/N and Barbatos' relationship with each other. I just realized I never posted the last two chapters for this fic so I'm fixing that now. I will have one more chapter to post after this and then it's waiting for me to write the newest one.

#obey me shall we date #obey me #Dream Hopper!reader #justcallmecj fics

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arizona-mary-jo · 5 months ago

Text

I Went Invisible

At this point, it's no surprise that I have become a capable lucid dreamer. Years of practicing my flying, noticing when I am not actually awake, and expanding on my abilities.

I have no problem flying now, I have become stronger in my manipulation of space and entities, I can summon doors to other dreams, and I have memoized my dream map and all the homes I have established for dream me.

But,

Something new happened.

I went invisible.

I was in the square neighborhood that had featured the dreams where I ran away from penny wise, down the street from my first lucid dream.

This time, I was outside, talking to a woman with a baby stroller. I could feel the tension rising, and I knew I was asleep again, and that I had caught it before nightmare mode had set in. I was not interested in sticking around, but I did not want to fly this time. (I had experienced a recent dream where all the entities in my dream were trying to keep me from flying away. I will write about this one too.) I had to come up with a new strategy, as this neighborhood was full, and I did not have the confidence that I could make my escape if I tried to fly. So, I disappeared.

Invisible to everyone else, I stood there and watched others. Something strange happened right after.

The second I was invisible, everyone on the street had stopped what they were doing, stood upright, and began to look around for me in homes, bushes, and walkways like some kind of hive mind.

This was my chance to fly away, but the horror of everyone in my dream looking for me had stunned me and left me in my foot steps.

That woman even abandoned her carriage to help the hive mind look for me. I don't know what to make of this, but it only supports the idea that this world does not want me to leave, and thrives solely on my attendance, it thrives on my fears. It reminded me of the stalking shadow during the Battle Royal saga (a dream for another time.)

#nightmares #dreaming #dreams #short story #short stories #dream #lucid dreaming #hivemind #scary #scary stories

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fi-fi-squeaks · 1 year ago

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Two Dreamers

Chapter One

Korvosa - 1st of Rova 4722

Two women sat at the edges of a festival square erected in the center point of Old Korvosa. Long strings hung between old worn stone buildings, with paper butterflies pinned to them at roughly even distances. The wind was gentle as it blew across the scene making the butterflies' blue and purple wings seem to flutter in a lazy pace and rhythm. The sky was noisy with the sounds of flutes, drums, and laughter. And the air smelled of sea salt and fresh fried fish from nearby dockside vendors.

One of the women, Kostella, was dressed in a showy outfit of silks and leather that were dyed in the bright and bold colors favored by her tribe. Her lips were obscured by a gauzy blue scarf decorated with bright green stars that twinkled from glitter dust applied across the fabric. Her eyes were alight with mischief and wonder. Her figure hinted at her stout strength, with boots that ran up her firm tight calves and tight hard abs peeking through a hint of midriff just above the waist of her trousers.

The other, Nascha, was dressed in far more muted colors. But unlike Kostella, her outfit was a simple robe cut in the style of Shoanti ritualists with big wide sleeves that hid her whisper thin-frame and a plunging neckline that ended just beneath her belly button. Her skin was a similar shade of dark umber to match Kostella's. Her hair was fashioned in wild spikes that looked even wilder next to Kostella's well-cared-for waves.

“Kostella,” said Nascha as she reached for her hand. “Have time for a question?”

Kostella turned her hand so their palms met and laced their fingers together. She squeezed her fingers and offered a smile and a nod.

“Of course,” Kostella said as her nails scratched along Nascha’s wrists, “You can always talk with me. What is on your mind?”

The Varisian’s lips curled into a warm and encouraging smile that peeked through the opaque scarf she wore over her lips.

“I didn’t mean to, but I sensed your thoughts. And you keep thinking about how you only truly like Korvosa during the festival seasons.” Nascha lowered her gaze to their clasped hands. “So…why do you come back as often as you do? When all this time we could have stayed out in the axe-clan lands or perhaps wandering the road as your tribes oft-do?”

Kostella resisted the urge to shut her eyes or release her dear friend's hand. This wasn't the first time Nascha admitted to touching her mind and reading her inner feelings and thoughts. And though she's grown to accept her friend's unusual gift, it didn't make it any easier to accept at the moment. Especially with how private Kostella was as part of her association with thieves' guilds and crime families across Varisia.

Kostella drew in a breath and cleared her mind as best she could. She squeezed Nascha's hand and then spoke in a voice that was smooth as velvet and deep as a well.

“What brings this up?”

Nascha bit her lip. She kept her eyes low and fixed on their clasped hands. Her fingers shook and her body stiffened. She felt so stiff that she reminded Kostella of a brittle plank of wood.

“I worry. You have encouraged me to pursue my dreams. So I can’t understand why you stay where you aren’t happiest.”

Nascha glanced at Kostella’s face. Their eyes met and locked for an all-too-brief moment.

“So why?” Nascha asked in a fiercely determined tone.

Nascha’s fingers tightened around Kostella’s.

“Hmm…” Kostella said. “Let me think for a moment.”

Nascha bobbed her head and Kostella lowered hers until her chin rested on her chest. Her free hand drummed and her breathing slowed to a lazy pace. Kostella felt how deeply this question mattered to the woman and she had to…needed to give it all due consideration and care.

Why do I come back? Kostella thought.

Korvosa was far from being “home” to Kostella. It was a gloomy place filled with dreary people who seemed untouched by Queen Kroft’s legitimate benevolence. The energies of the city didn’t match or suit the woman in any way, shape, or form.

Also, like most Varisians, her family wandered the roads and valleys of Golarion. ‘Family’ was out there beneath the unblemished sky rather than indoors tucked beneath blankets and painted stucco ceilings. And though Kostella had ties with the city’s thieves guild, those ties were mercenary at best.

Nothing truly tied her to the city. Yet… that wasn't true. And realizing that made Kostella wonder…

“Why am I doing this?” Kostella said.

Nascha raised Kostella's hand. She kissed her knuckles one by one until the Varisian opened her eyes. She gazed at Nascha who could only smile a smile that was marred by regret and sorrow.

“I shouldn’t have asked,” Nascha said, “It’s clearly distressing and—”

Kostella shook her head and raised a palm.

“No no. It is fine.” she said. “I think, I needed to think about this. Because I shouldn’t stay here if it isn’t doing anything for me, no?”

“Perhaps…” Nascha said, “you could leave with me on the boat to Absalom. We could find our dreams there, together.”

Kostella’s heart raced at the suggestion. She felt the song of the festival more keenly than she ever had. As if the mere thought of running from Varisia to be with her partner was cause to celebrate and sing. Yet, her heart ached in some dark noticeable corner. An ache that she didn’t even dare to hide.

“I…could. But what of my family? What of the life I have here? You are leaving to seek the Pathfinders and learn about your gift. How could—?”

“You help?” Nascha asked. “By just being there. You taught me to not ignore an opportunity out of fear. Especially if it’s something you crave so much it hurts. And it’s only right to offer you a choice, you never considered.”

Kostella blinked at her partner.

“Did you pluck that from my mind?”

Nascha shook her head. “I didn’t have to. You may be able to fool the Korvosans. But you can’t ever fool me. Our hearts know the truth better than anyone else.”

The wind shifted and tugged at Kostella’s scarf. Like a curled finger, it plucked and dragged her scarf down her face until Nascha could see how her lip quivered as the Varisian searched for the right words to say.

"I…it's true. I would be glad to follow you. But I don't know what kind of life I could have in Absalom." She gestured a hand towards the festival, where Desnan priests gathered with carts full of wired cages that contained countless swallowtail butterflies. A crowd of Korvosans, Shoanti, and Varisians alike gathered with their hands stretched out towards the sky waiting for the butterflies to be released.

“Does Absalom even celebrate Desna properly?” Kostella said with a small giggle.

“There is one way to find out. Will you come with me?”

Kostella bit her lip. She knew what her heart wanted to say and had no doubts about what she’d choose to do. But the part of her soul that spoke against it had reservations she couldn’t quite shake. Especially given how the two women had only met one month ago to the day. Was there truly hope for their relationship if she took this one big chance?

Kostella didn’t know. But she knew that she’d regret it if she was anything less than honest with her partner. She parted her lips to speak.

DESNA DREAMS!

The shout snapped Kostella out of her distraction. She turned her head towards the square just as the priests opened the cages and shouted the phrase. And like a sea of twinkling blue kites, the air was flooded by a sea of swallowtail butterflies. Some floated to brush against the paper decorations that hung between buildings. Others soared into the sky and fluttered away. While still others roamed into the crowd of onlookers and landed upon their wrists.

“It’s so beautiful…” Nascha said, “Is this a proper Desna holiday?”

Kostella smiled and squeezed Nasha’s hand.

“It is.” Kostella said. “My tribe participates in this ritual wherever we can. It is the only time we gather in large numbers in cities.”

“But what does it all mean?” Nascha asked.

Kostella giggled. “Oh, if we were paying attention, the priests would have explained it better than I.”

“Yet I want to hear what it means to you.” Nascha said.

Kostella blinked as she watched the butterflies flap and flutter to and fro. Their colorful wings shone in the light of lanterns and ghost light spells that decorated the Korvosan square.

“Well…it speaks to hope. Of an unexpected gift for a kindness that sought nothing but to do some good.”

Nascha looked down at their linked hands.

“What does it mean if a butterfly lands on you?”

“That’s a good omen. Similar to how your clan feels after the first pearl is plucked from the sea each spring.”

Nascha chuckled under her breath. "Then it seems Desna has something to say to the both of us."

Kostella looked away from the festival and down at her and Nascha's hands. She gasped when she saw the smallest swallowtail butterfly resting on the back of Nascha's hand. The tiny creature flapped its wings as if gesturing at the two women at once. It then leaped off Nascha's hand and flew away as if its point were made.

Both women sat and watched the butterfly as it flew south further and further until it was just a spec of blue on the dimly lit horizon.

Kostella squeezed Nascha’s hand.

“You know…perhaps I will take you up on your offer. Whatever happens, at least we’ll experience it together.”

Nascha threw herself at Kostella and wrapped the stronger woman up in a sweet tender embrace.

Chapter Two

Aboard The Yarnton - 10th of Rova 4722

Kostella was five days into her first boat trip and she was already over it. She felt like she had seen everything there was to see, even with all the new sounds and smells of the sea surrounding her. The horizon was the same endless sheet of blue. The sky was blanketed in the same sheet of stars and clouds. And she’d already explored the ship from bow to stern.

You couldn’t stop the ship and step outside to walk around and pluck fresh fruits from trees and bushes. The familiar sounds of creaky wooden wheels were replaced by the harsh whistle and flap of wind and sail. And worst of all, most of the crew seemed unwilling to play cards with her just because she won a few games too many.

How does anyone travel like this? She wondered as she paced the width of her room from wall to wall.

Kostella paused in midstep and threw herself down on the bed she and Nascha shared. It rested beneath a small bolted window with glass strengthened by alchemicals that gave a slight scent of pine and grease. The light that poured in illuminated a small squat desk beside the bed that carried only a fat-bottomed pitcher of water. A wide chest was bolted to the floor at the foot of the bed. Its lid was ajar as it was overstuffed with clothes and supplies Nascha and her had brought aboard. The entire square room was illuminated by the swinging of a magical lantern that glowed and dimmed at preset hours of the day.

It was a room like many others aboard the ship. It had a few scant decorations scattered about that gave it just enough character to make Kostella feel at home. Or at least for what it was worth, while they were out at sea.

“Are all ships like this?” She said, folding her arms across her chest.

Rap-Rap-Tap

Kostella's heart skipped a beat. She jumped out of bed and rubbed at her cheeks until her frown relaxed to a thin line. She hopped from foot to foot and stretched her arms wide. She then looked at the door just as it opened. She then grinned when she saw Nascha on the other side.

“Greetings!” Kostella said with a wide smile. “Are you done reading on deck then?”

Nascha bowed her head then stepped past the threshold and shut the door behind her. She turned her back to Kostella and reached down to lock the door with a dull soft click. She then looked over her shoulder and looked for her lover’s eyes and smiled only when their gazes found one another.

“I was distracted and came down to find you?” Nascha said.

Kostella’s eyes shone as she clapped her palms together.

“Oh? Did something happen?”

Nascha giggled and shook her head.

“No. And I’m not going to look for you ONLY when something’s going on.” Nascha said.

The Shoanti took a step forward and rested her hands on Kostella's hips. She drummed her fingernails down along the other woman's curves.

"Then why did you—?"

Nascha puckered her lips and shushed the varisian. She shook her head side to side then leaned in until their foreheads touched and their noses brushed together. She moved her hands up the varisian’s body, then along her arms until her hands covered Kostella’s. She then parted her lips to whisper sweet words meant only for her ears. Her breath smelled like a cozy breakfast and sounded like a song.

“Come up to the deck with me.” Nascha said. “If no one wants to play cards, we can dance.”

“And if we can’t dance?”

Nascha’s grin curled to a devilish angle. Her eyes shone with mischief. And her body swayed in an excited wiggle.

“I have no doubt you’ll find a way for us to dance. Come on, let’s go!”

The shoanti slipped out of her lover’s grasp and seized her wrist. She then twisted and spun on her heels in a motion that made her dress sweep and wave. She tugged Kostella towards the door and reached a hand to throw open the door…only to find that it was locked.

Nascha stared at the door and slumped her shoulders.

“You forgot you locked the door, didn’t you?” Kostella said.

Nascha pinched the lock's turn piece and flicked it open. Then slipped out pulling her love behind her. The lovers skipped down the ship's hall with a bounce in their steps and giggles between them.

Chapter Three

Absalom Arodus 10 - 4723

It had been nearly a year since Kostella came to Absalom and the city suited her far more than she ever thought. It was a city that was far more accepting of her culture than Korvosa ever had. Pathfinders often spoke with her to learn about her culture. Merchants were curious about how their wares compared to what was found in Varisia. And travelers were happy to hear her stories of faraway places they'd never have the chance to see.

It was everything she ever wanted in a home, but never knew she needed. Especially since it was a home she shared with her love. It felt cozy in ways she never knew to such a degree that she stopped yearning for the open skies and wild roads she knew in Varisia.

Life had become a comfortable routine of happy days and lazy nights. And Kostella could ask for nothing more.

So she couldn't explain why tonight was so unlike recent nights. Why did she lay in bed and stare at the ceiling of the inn room she and Nascha shared? Why does she ignore the woman sleeping by her side…

…and why she couldn’t stop thinking about Korvosa.

Kostella sighed. She turned her head towards the bedside table on her side of the bed. The surface was a cluttered mess of shiny trinkets, interesting knives, colorful scarves, small glowing magical gems, and a single letter that stood out from all the rest.

She stared at the letter as if it were a devil at the foot of her bed. Her lips pursed in a rueful pout and her cheeks puffed out as she sucked in a breath. She read the address once again as if hoping that it would be meant for anyone else this time. But the envelope bore the same damned address…

Kostella Salache

Absalom via The Pathfinder Society

“Why couldn’t they find anyone else?”

Nascha murmured and shifted until her shoulder brushed against Kostella's back. She hummed a hum that she only did when she was trying to coax her back into bed. But the sweet simple gestures they shared between them just didn't work that night. And it made Kostella's heart sink and chill as guilt tugged at her mood.

“Go back to sleep,” Kostella said, “I’ll get back in position before long.”

Nascha rolled until she pressed her cheek against Kostella's back. She rubbed her cheek up and down as if hoping to cover herself in her lover's scent.

“Mmnngh nhhh. No you won’t. You’ve been out of sorts since that letter came. And you still haven’t told me what it said.”

Kostella blushed…

"I thought you could figure it out and…"

Nascha reached up and cupped Kostella’s hip. She drummed her fingers along the silk covering her woman’s body. She always enjoyed touching her and tracing her muscles and curves. It had become something she did when she wanted the courage to speak her mind.

“...We both know that’s a lie. I don’t read minds without consent or great need and I don’t think this is either. What is so terrible that it leaves you so tense?”

Kostella sighed and bit her lip.

“Please, tell me.” Nascha said.

Kostella was silent for quite some time. She knew that telling her love what was on her mind was the right thing to do. But it hurt so much to think about. Especially since she had finally come to accept Absalom as her home and Nascha as her home’s hearth. She almost wished Nascha was a little more forceful with her psychic gifts so she wouldn’t have to say it.

But, she loved Nascha because of her devotion and kindness. And she loved how much Nascha cared about her privacy. Nascha would never betray that privacy, even if it was more than obvious that something was haunting her that night.

No, Kostella thought, it is up to me.

Kostella reached for the letter. She took it out of the envelope and folded it against her knee. She then turned on a nearby lantern and read it aloud.

“It says…”

Dear Kostella,

I do not know you beyond your name and I suspect this will come as a surprise. But I need your services in protecting Korvosa. Something is causing the city much harm, with citizens disappearing in the middle of the night and an entire expedition vanishing. My people are scared and I don't have the answers for what's happening or why, so I have spoken to councilors and priests for guidance.

I was desperate enough to seek out a Varisian harrow reader on the off chance that it would lead to insights. And, strange enough to say, but it led to a vision from Desna. The reader whispered your name to me, just as a swallowtail butterfly landed on my cheek.

I am no fool. I know about the many Gods of Golarion and hold Desna in equal regard to my God, Abadar, and to Korvosa's god, Asmodeus. There were no butterflies in the harrow reader's wagon. So I have to assume that Korvosa needs you for salvation. I have spent a month tracking you down and heard that you had traveled to Absalom last year to assist a Pathfinder in training. So if this letter reaches you, I beseech you to come to Korvosa along with a band that will meet you on the 15th of Arodus and come to Korvosa.

I realize that Varisians have been mistreated by the former queen. And all that I have done will never wipe away that stain. You have no reason to assist me or my city. I can only pray that you will feel my sincerity in these words.

Sincerely, Queen Cressida Kroft

Kostella tossed the letter back to the table.

“That is what has been on my mind all night.” Kostella said.

“...you don’t know if you should stay or go. Do you?”

Kostella shook her head.

“Not in the least. Kroft has done right by my people ever since the Scarlet Queen’s death. But her city is still a playground for the same nobles who supported evil men, like The Butcher. Her heart is in the right place, but, as she said, I have no love for Korvosa and if it falls, then the Varisians can just move out and stay on the roads as we always have.”

Nascha sat up and wiggled into Kostella’s lap. She then took the varisians arms and wrapped them around her waist.

“You don’t believe that do you?”

“No. I can tell when someone is running a con. But, this makes no sense. Why would she send a letter to a vague address and hope it reaches me? And the details within…the butterfly, acknowledging our disparate faiths and…”

Kostella sighed.

“I can’t help but feel that Desna needs me in Varisia. To do what, I haven’t the slightest, but, she has helped my people so many times. My heart tells me this is what I must do…”

“But I’m holding you back?”

Kostella squeezed Nascha’s waist and shook her head so fast her hair whipped the back of Nascha’s head.

“No no you could never! Would never…”

“Shhh let me finish.” Nascha said. “I don’t mean that you feel restricted. Because you are happy here. By the hells, I bet you could even take over this city’s thieve’s guild in another year or few. You don’t need me to make you successful since you always find a way. Nor could I restrict you even if I tried, because the best cages I could make for you are made of kisses and hugs.”

Kostella giggled.

“To be fair, that is a strong cage.”

Nasha patted Kostella’s knee.

“I know it is. But, since I met you, you had this spark and brilliance that shone through on rainy foggy nights and in the darkest nights. And a large part of that spark is your faith in Desna and your love of your home and people. And though you claim that your tribes would be just fine if Korvosa fell, we both know that isn’t guaranteed. What if her nobles are acting against her and seek to reestablish the old ways. What if The Butcher wants to wipe out the Varsiains entirely!”

Nascha turned and kissed Kostella’s cheek.

“I will be fine, my love. The Pathfinders have taught me so much about my powers in just under a year and I suspect that I’ll learn much more by the time we reunite. And we will meet again, because I’m ordering you to stay safe.”

Nascha pouted with the gravest look she possibly could…which made Kostella laugh. She giggled and fell back onto the bed and pulled Nascha with her. Nascha pinched her love and both women dissolved into a fit of giggles, hugs, and snorts that somehow ended with them falling out of bed in a cocoon of blankets on the floor and bruises on hips, elbows, and knees.

It wasn’t the most comfortable place for them to sleep. But certainly the best as Nascha rested her cheek against Kostella’s breast and Kostella brushed her fingers across her lover’s hair.

“You convinced me,” Kostella said, “I’ll do this. And I’ll have many stories to share when I return.”

“You’d better, or I’ll send you to Desna until she teaches you to have a better imagination.”

Kostella feigned a gasp. She then spoke in a stage voice that was as melodic as it was a bellow. Something she picked up by learning to perform with Absalom’s theater guild during the early spring.

“Betrayal! My lover intends to wound me.”

Nascha giggled then sang in response, “Nay goodly rogue. I’ve no intention to harm. When a simple sleep spell would suffice.”

The women then rattled off impromptu stage lines in between giggles until they slept. Neither of them noticed a blue swallowtail butterfly watching from outside the window.

----- This story was written as a request for my good friend @moxpunk . Her character has been a wonderful addition to my Pathfinder 2e campaign and I was so honored to have the chance to add to her story.

#pathfinder #writers #women writers #writer #my writing #writing #writers on patreon #writers on tumblr #writers on twitter #writing commissions

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owl-with-a-pen · 2 years ago

Note

Could you write something about what happened in the aftermath of the Flash episode? Like the team coming back and hearing about what happened, and maybe Nia talking to the first Dreamer. Thank you!

Okay so this is more just Nia telling Brainy, but I hope you enjoy. 😉

After a quick pit-stop at Central City’s Jitters – as recommended by one Iris West-Allen - the journey home passed Nia in nothing more than a caffeine-induced blur.

She hadn’t exactly planned on indulging in quite as much coffee to start with, but what she’d seen of Iris’s dream had piqued her curiosity. She could say one thing for certain: things ran far smoother in the real world’s Jitters, one where Barry Allen was safe and sound behind a hero’s mask and not a barista counter.

Nia wasn’t sure what time she got back to the apartment that night, but that wasn’t important to her. Besides, sleep was definitely not an option right now. She’d been practically buzzing since her last espresso shot and, while the come down would not be pretty, it was more than worth it to be awake for when Brainy got home.

The second she heard the tell-tale click in the lock, she was already on her feet and had Brainy pulled into a hug long before he could get a step through the front door. She melted into the crook of his throat the moment she was in his arms, breathing him in. He still smelled like the nano fibres that made up his super suit, which probably meant he’d disengaged it just seconds before touching down. They must have only arrived back on Earth in the last hour.

Brainy’s hands were quick to wind around Nia’s back, linking together at the base of her spine. She grinned into his shoulder before tipping her chin up to greet him. “Hey.”

“Nia.” Brainy spoke her name in one long exhale, the warmth of his breath prickling pleasantly across her cheek. Through it, she could hear that mark of relief that always accompanied her name whenever they’d been apart for too long, a habit neither one of them had been willing to break ever since Brainy’s recall to the future.

There was something different in his tone this time, though, something extra. A shift of unease that could only really mean one thing.

Crap. He knew.

Nia pulled away from him enough to see her boyfriend’s expression in full, which only confirmed her fears. Her face fell immediately. “Who told you?”

Brainy’s dark eyes held her firmly. “No one had to tell us anything. The Tower received twelve identical distress calls from Team Flash in the span of two hours.”

Nia groaned. “I had a feeling you were gonna say that.” Before Brainy could respond, she turned away from him, padding over to the kitchen. “You know what I think? Barry jumps the gun to panic way too quickly.” She plucked Brainy’s favourite mug from the drying rack, forcing a laugh over her shoulder. “Speedsters, am I right?”

Brainy didn’t say anything. In fact, he kept silent even while Nia poured him a share from the still warm coffee pot on the counter. The longer the silence remained unbroken, the more certain she became that they were going to need something a whole lot stronger to get through this conversation.

Finally, Brainy shifted in the doorway. She listened to his hesitant footfalls as he walked without urgency to the other side of the breakfast bar. She sighed, tapping the edge of his mug idly before pushing it out towards him.

“Nia,” Brainy said again, making no move to take it. There wasn’t any real anger in his voice, only a wary concern bred from everything she’d yet to tell him. He didn’t need to say anything else; she could read between the lines.

“I’m fine, Brainy,” she insisted. “I swear, okay? Actually, I’m a lot better than fine.” She smiled up at him then, unable to hide her own excitement. “I have so much I want to tell you.”

Brainy’s eyes flickered restlessly across her face, a look she recognised all too well. She’d definitely caught herself doing it to Brainy on more than one occasion. It was that final once over you gave your partner after a fight or on patrol, the one to make sure there were no cuts or bruises, no cleverly disguised signs of injury.

Her smile softened when Brainy finally relaxed. His hand grazed over hers as he took the mug from the counter. Nodding reservedly, he gestured towards the sofa. “Then, by all means.”

For the next hour, all Nia did was talk. She tried to stick to a somewhat chronological account of events, even if that was a little hard considering half of them had happened in the dream realm. Brainy sat silently at her side, drinking in every word with expect focus. He didn’t interject once throughout the story, although she did catch him twisting his ring particularly hard whenever she mentioned the parts about her nightmare vision, or at least what she’d thought had been a nightmare at the time.

After she’d finished, she realised that the wariness in Brainy’s demeanour had been replaced with total fascination. His eyes practically glittered with it. He’d stuck strictly to his side of the sofa for most of the story, but as she’d neared the end, he’d shuffled in closer, enough that their shoulders were nearly touching.

A breath caught in Nia’s throat as Brainy reached out, his fingers tracing a delicate pathway along the lines of her jaw and cheekbone where the Naltorian symbols had glowed the most prominently. She was sure there were no signs of them now she was back in the waking world, and yet Brainy touched upon their exact placement without any foreknowledge to guide him.

“Extraordinary,” he murmured, his voice soft with awe. “And you can see this… ancient Naltorian? Right now?” He straightened suddenly, eyes darting vigilantly about the room.

Nia snorted, covering her mouth. God, she’d missed him. “She isn’t always here,” she admitted. “But, uh, for the record…” She nodded over to the bedroom door where the first Dreamer had been stood watching over them for some time. She, too, had shown a great reverence in Nia’s recounting of events, smiling openly throughout as though to encourage her.

Brainy pointed bluntly in the direction Nia had referenced. “There?”

Nia bit her lip, taking Brainy’s arm and gently guiding it until his hand had crossed over the first Dreamer’s exact location. “There,” she said.

Brainy’s eyes lit up. He turned his full attention to that spot, bowing his head in a way that was equal parts respectful and adorkable.

The first Dreamer also looked amused.

Nia smiled. “I think she likes you.”

Brainy lifted his head. “She does?”

“Definitely. Maybe we can arrange a proper meet sometime in the dream realm.”

“I would be honoured,” Brainy said earnestly. He turned back to her, eyes wide. “This step you have taken in your pursuit to unlock the fullest extent of your abilities, it is astounding, Nia, truly. I am so glad you have finally been able to achieve it.”

“Yeah,” Nia said, rolling her eyes. “And all I had to do was stop trying to control everything.”

“You would be surprised how rarely a person is able to relinquish such control.” Brainy’s lips twitched fondly. “It is a particularly stubborn state of mind that extends to most intelligent lifeforms.”

“Even the most intelligent?” Nia teased.

“Especially the most intelligent,” Brainy returned gravely. He placed his hand across her knee, leaning in close. “How do you feel?”

Nia’s breath sharpened at the question. It was kind of silly, but up until then, she hadn’t really stopped to think about it. She closed her eyes, letting the rest of her breath ease slowly through her teeth as she considered her answer. “Like… my blood’s fizzing, but in a good way.” She chuckled lightly, flexing her hands out in front of her. “For that short time I couldn’t access my powers, I felt so strange, like the easiest thing in the world had suddenly become so hard. And… when they came back, it didn’t exactly feel as easy as it had before.” She frowned, opening her eyes. “Does that make sense?”

Brainy smiled knowingly. “As I understand it, that suggests your Naltorian ancestor has much she wishes to teach you.”

“And I intend to learn, believe me,” Nia said, feeling the first Dreamer’s watchful eyes on her, the calm fondness that seemed to radiate from that corner of the room. “But it does feel good, Brainy. I feel more powerful than ever.” Nia glanced down at her hands, willing a burst of dream energy through her bracelets. They lit up her fingers with such vibrancy, webbing between them like buzzing blue veins. “I thought I had a pretty good handle on turning this stuff into just about anything.” She clenched her hands together again, letting the energy disperse as quickly as it had appeared. She grinned. “Now I know that, before, I was barely scraping the surface of what these powers can do. I can’t wait to try them out.” Before she could say any more, a yawn claimed her and Nia reached for her mouth with a grimace. “Ugh, but that can wait ‘til tomorrow. Despite the whole being in a coma for most of the day thing, I’m exhausted.”

“Then rest,” Brainy said, kissing her cheek. He brushed his nose against hers before pulling away, squeezing her knee tight. “You have more than earned it.”

Nia sighed – that was certainly true. As she stood to stretch, she could feel a little of that buzz from the coffee swarm in the back of her head, although it could have just as easily been a trill from her newly developed powers. Her Naltorian metabolism would have the caffeine out of her system in no time, but the rest? She supposed she’d just have to get used to it.

As she headed to the bedroom alongside Brainy, she found herself passing by the first Dreamer once again. A tingle ran down her spine at such close proximity to the entity, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

When Nia was sure Brainy was out of earshot, she turned to the first Dreamer in earnest, clasping her hands in front of her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything you’ve shown me, for everything else you’re gonna show me, but uh… for now?” She winced awkwardly. “Could we, um, get a little privacy, maybe?”

The first Dreamer’s smile broadened and she bowed her head in a similar fashion to Brainy’s initial greeting. She left without fanfare - one blink and she was gone.

Well, not gone, exactly. Nia knew that whether she could see the first Dreamer or not, a part of her would always remain within herself. In fact, that part had always been there.

She just hadn’t been looking hard enough before.

#supergirl #the flash #brainia #nia nal #brainiac 5 #my asks #my writing #anon #so i'd already been writing this before this ask popped into my inbox but i think it fills the request rather nicely #just a quick little something that i hope you'll enjoy

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