#elara cessair

[rosietrace]

❤️ For any of our ships pookie??

HELLO HELLO, MERCIE WERCIE 😍

Gonna do our brainrot worthy ship for this one 😈 which one /hj

Loyal Knight, Lawful Lady

Character Featured: Alliette Nepenthe (Pseudonym)

Mentioned: Noriko Dolion, Elara Cessair, Haruka Solis, Themis(the latter ocs belong to @geminiiviolets)

Pairing: Noriko Dolion & Alliette Nepenthe

Warning(s): Alliette is unreleased (and it isn't even her real name), Etteilla spoilers… Technically?::!?:, devotion and loyalty are a BITCH, I am mentally un-okay with these two; you don't understand-

[ Apologies for any out of character moments ]

[ Reblogs > Likes ]

†•°•══════ஓ๑✬๑ஓ══════•°•†

╔══ஓ๑†๑ஓ══╗

Loving the Knight

╚══ஓ๑†๑ஓ══╝

↳ From Five to One

˚₊· ͟͟͞➳❥ Five — Their combat prowess

➜ “Most impressive, Nori is…. We often spar together, in fact, he's one of the first people I consider whenever I wish to… Improve my combat prowess.”

➜ Sparring tends to be a regular thing between the two of them. For the most part, most members of Etteilla tend to find them within the estate's forests, sparring to their heart's content.

➜ As strange, or… Unorthodox as it might sound, it always seems like they're dancing whenever they do that. Them, their bodies occasionally brushing against each other — the only thing separating them being their blades.

˚₊· ͟͟͞➳❥ Four — Their Lack of Emotion

➜ “Call me unusual all you want. But in my opinion, Nori’s lack of emotion adds to their character. Elara seems to find it amusing, as well, so I don't see why it's ‘weird’.”

➜ Unlike some of the rest of the members of Etteilla, Alliette finds amusement in Noriko's lack of emotion — and by proxy, their lack of a sense of humor.

↳ It's something she and Elara can find common ground in, outside of their constant mental chess games.

➜ Noriko doesn't quite understand his Mistress, and Elara even more so…. Oh well.

˚₊· ͟͟͞➳❥ Three — Their Devotion

➜ “Nori…. Their devotion, their loyalty, is a most admirable trait of theirs. Though others in the group may disagree, I find it to be a strong suit of his.”

➜ Noriko's loyalty, his absolute devotion to Alliette is one of many things she (loves) admires about him. It can go to a point where she's enabling a potentially unhealthy obsession, but honestly… Obsession? Loyalty?

➜ Isn't that the same thing?

˚₊· ͟͟͞➳❥ Two — Their Smile

➜ “Nori’s lack of emotion can be amusing, yes…. But I can't help but get lost whenever I see them smiling. Smiling during the winter, smiling at…. Me…”

➜ Alliette adores their smile, truly. It never fails to make her smile, and it seems — in moments where the two are alone — they stare at each other, perhaps for longer than they needed to.

➜ Oh, but that's just normal!.... Right..?

˚₊· ͟͟͞➳❥ One — Their Trust in Her

➜ “Trust…. Devotion…. Loyalty… To me, they're all the same. But with Nori…. With Nori, it feels different. It feels… More than uplifting.”

➜ Alliette adores Noriko for a great many things. So much so that I can't even list everything down.

➜ But what she adores, what she loves most about Noriko; Is their absolute trust in her.

➜ Though their devotion to her is…. Questionable, no one in Etteilla can deny just how much Noriko loves her. How much they simply want their Mistress to be happy and accepting of herself.

➜ They will do anything, anything, she asks of them. If it means that their Mistress is satisfied — and happy — by the end of it all, Noriko will be under the firm belief that their efforts were worth it.

➜ Because in all likelihood: They were.

➜ Alliette finds amusement and personal qualms about Noriko's loyalty — yes.

➜ That much is certain. But what can't be certain is just how far she's willing to go if it means that Noriko can understand that their trust in her isn't mostly misplaced.

༝ㅤ･ㅤ˚ㅤ。ㅤ.ㅤ⋆ㅤ「♢」

「 Short Story 」

↳ This short story is by no means, a spoiler for「 Twisted Wonderland: Project A.V.A 」

“I find their request rather unnecessary, My Lady.”

“Is it because it genuinely is,” she turned her head to him. “Or because you don't trust Elara's judgment?”

Noriko grimaced at her question. “Her suggestions aren't what I'd find recommendable…”

“You have a point there, Nori,” Alliette sighed to herself. “Alas…. We don't have many options. Tell me something.”

“Anything, My Lady.”

“Would you prefer Elara's judgment, or Haruka's?”

Noriko paused, unsure of how to answer, before concluding that they should just narrow their eyes at her.

“Themis’ judgment, clearly.”

Her smile returned, softer, sweeter.

“Correct.”

†•°•══════ஓ๑✬๑ஓ══════•°•†

[rosietrace]

A moment of Peace

(Central) Characters Featured: Victoria Shard, Noriko Dolion

↳ { Noriko belongs to @/terrovaniadorm }

Others mentioned/featured: Elara Cessair

↳ { Elara also belongs to @/terrovaniadorm }

Pairing: Noriko Dolion & Victoria Shard

Event: Valentine's Day 2024 💌

↳ Type: Non-requested Oneshot! 「 N/A 」

Synopsis: Moments like the ones they shared behind closed doors were scarce, limited all because of the lives they lived. But when those moments came, they treasured them with all their hearts.

Warning(s): Established relationship, Elara is in every Nororia fic because I said so /j, a simp in the premises, really REALLY fluffy, FLIRTY VIC REAL‼️‼️, potentially ooc

[ Apologies for any out of character moments ]

[ Reblogs > Likes ]

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

“I like this.”

“Like what?”

“This,” Victoria motioned to Noriko's face, gently placing a hand over their cheek with the softest of smiles on her face.

Though their face heated up at the sudden display of affection from her, Noriko smiled, leaning into Victoria's touch— their head rested on her lap.

During weekends such as the one they were having at the moment, Victoria and Noriko would switch between each other's dormitories; All so they could spend the rest of the day just… doing things together.

Tonight — a beautiful, silver-mooned, night — they began their activities in Victoria's room, this time around.

The pair sat on her bed in silence, both of which focused on doing two different tasks to keep themselves entertained. All the while giving one another the occasional show of affection every now and again.

Victoria was immersed in her book, whereas Noriko had built their focus on solving the puzzle of keys Elara had dared them to solve earlier that day.

Fiddling with the puzzle, their face scrunched in silent frustration. How bothersome…

They were sure to reprimand Elara the following day for giving them a task so tedious. However, Noriko's pride refused to back down, so regardless of how they felt about the puzzle, they were still somewhat determined to solve it.

And yes, Victoria had offered to assist in solving it— resulting in Noriko politely declining the offer, not only for the sake of their own pride but also to fulfill the need to impress her.

“Honestly, you're such a buffoon,” Elara had told Noriko, once upon a time, “even the simplest show of praise from Vic has you on your knees. You're like some obedient dog.”

He'd silenced the Octavinelle wolf with a scowl, way back when. But upon further contemplation, Noriko felt too embarrassed to admit that Elara had a bit of a point.

In their quest to complete the puzzle, Noriko continued to fiddle with it, pulling at all the different keys in different ways to try and garner them apart.

They ended up dropping the puzzle on their face, eliciting a laugh from Victoria.

Noriko felt his face burn in embarrassment and utter bliss. How beautiful her laugh was, even as he faced a moment of complete humiliation, Noriko likely believed.

Victoria's laugh slowly turned into a gentle chuckle. “Are you alright?” She tilted her head down, brushing her lips over Noriko's brow.

“I'm quite alright,” Noriko chuckled at the brush of contact, themselves, pausing just enough for them to add: “And before you ask, I am in no need of assistance.”

Victoria hummed, eyes wandering between the puzzle in Noriko's hands, and the way Noriko's amber hues locked onto her set of sapphires.

“I wouldn't be quite so sure, Nori,” she pressed her index finger over his nose. “The way you're struggling with that puzzle implies otherwise.”

They huffed at her remark. “I can assure you with as much heart as any honorable gentleman, My Lady, I am in no need of any assistance.”

“Are you sure?”

“Quite.”

“How amusing.”

There came a raise of Noriko's eyebrow.

“How so?” They questioned, uncertain of where this conversation was heading.

“Oh, nothing.”

Victoria's voice turned horribly innocent, feigning an act of purity that she so clearly lacked after years of trial and error.

Adjusting the position they were currently in, Victoria brought Noriko closer to her. Pressing her lips close to their ear in a way that got their face to turn very, very red.

“I just like seeing you so insistent,” she whispered into his ear, kissing his temple in addition to that. “So adorably ambitious, you are, Nori.”

Noriko's face burned. Adorably ambitious? Whatever was she thinking?

With their face abashed, Noriko hid the bearings of their face into the crook of her shoulder; A habit he'd unintentionally picked up after experiencing numerous nightmares, with Victoria always being there to bring comfort after being jolted awake.

Only this time, there were no nightmares at play to elicit this action from them.

In every way that mattered, Victoria preferred that. Giggling to herself, she kissed the top of their head, running her soft hand through his royal blue locks.

They embraced her further, their lips colliding against the base of her neck.

Victoria smirked, raising Noriko's chin with the pad of her fingers. “Don't get too comfortable now, Noriko Dolion.”

He huffed out a small laugh, leaning their foreheads against each other. “I lack a true apology implicit, My Lady.”

She crooned at them, bringing her hands to their face and cradling them close. “Noriko Dolion, you dare challenge me?”

“If it results in hearing that melodious voice of yours, My Lady, I wouldn't be opposed to continuing.”

“Oh my,” she tucked a couple strands of their hair behind their ear, “and where did this newfound confidence come from, then?”

Noriko shrugged, their shoulders sagging as they allowed themselves to relax in this moment— with her, and her alone.

“Think of it as a gift from Elara's never-ending teasing.”

She snorted. “Elara? Elara ‘everything is a game’ Cessair?”

“That Elara, yes. Or are you referring to a different one?”

“I don't believe I know another Elara, Sweetness.”

“Then that's the one I am referencing.”

“Hmm,” Victoria leaned her back upside the headboard of her bed; A midnight purple canopy that seemed to blend into the dark of night when the candles dimmed low.

“Then a thanks is in order for Miss Cessair, indeed.”

“Very much so.”

It hadn't even occurred to her — to either of them, really — that she'd completely abandoned any focus that was had on the book she'd been reading for the past half-hour.

Although Victoria would dare not complain about something so precarious. Not when she had her precious Knight tucked so nicely in her arms, their head resting atop her chest in comfortable bliss.

A sense of peace washed over the both of them. The kind of peace that never came often with how… chaotic, their daily lives were.

Chaotic might not even be the most proper way of describing their everyday life. Dealing with the rest of NRC’s student body: Deadbeat Headmasters, draconic nuisances, playful wolves, and the sort? Quite hectic, such occurrences were.

It was why the couple agreed on having these weekend ‘staycations’.

They didn't need to go anywhere, let alone leave campus grounds regardless of how tempting it felt — they just needed one another.

Enveloped in the arms of the other, in comfort. In peace.

“... Nori.”

Victoria had laid down after a while, still locking Noriko in her embrace. An embrace they never wanted to leave, no longer.

With no reaction, she furrowed her brows, lightly shaking him. “Nori…”

Noriko stirred in their quiet slumber, eventually fluttering open their eyes, his soft amber hues peering through her.

It pierced through her heart in what could only be described as the best in every way imaginable.

“Yes…” Noriko shifted, bringing themselves closer to Victoria. “Mm… What is it, My Lady?”

She smiled at the small gesture. Of bringing him closer to her simply because he wanted to.

All because they loved her more than they probably should.

Victoria didn't know how she got so lucky, with someone as devoted as Noriko. Loving her — imperfect, flawed, and broken her — so wholly, so perfect like the puzzle Noriko had abandoned to be in her warm embrace.

Her smile softened. So enchanting, Noriko always thought whenever the edges of her lips curved upward.

“I love you, Nori.”

Such words were so… Ordinary, in sound. So simple in phrasing— yet the weight of what it meant felt so good when it came from her.

Their noses brushed against one another.

One hand went to the side of Victoria's face, whereas Noriko's free arm wrapped around her waist.

So mesmerizing. Intoxicating. The kind of moment in life that they'd want to live through over and over again, simply to relive it.

She loved them. And they loved her, tenfold. In both the best and worst possible ways of it, Noriko loved Victoria in the only way they knew how.

Through loyalty. Through devotion.

Till death do they part, even if that future was unlikely with the cards life had dealt them.

“I love you too, Victoria.”

•♢°─────────°♢•

Waking up in the early mornings of whatever weekend became a regular occurrence for Noriko.

Being the Knight that they were, they'd developed the unintentional habit of sleeping a lot less than what the average person required.

But now — with her — Noriko believed that any stresses of the future could be withstood. That he could overcome those difficulties.

Those habits, the worst of them, especially.

Noriko had already believed that, in their eyes, Victoria deserved better than them. With her beauty, her wit, her being— they knew she could have just about anyone.

And yet: She chose them. Of all the people in the world, within the confines of Night Raven, Victoria Shard chose them.

Her most loyal Knight.

They looked down at her slumbering figure in their arms. The night before last, it had been them in her arms.

Suppose our sleeping forms had made this adjustment, they figured in the landscape of their thoughts.

Noriko refused to allow himself to wake her up. Victoria's schedule was — in the least sugar-coated way possible — a mess. It brought an undoubted level of stress in her everyday life in the academy, and the lady had little time to actually let loose in between and after running errands.

It was why Noriko wanted her to cherish moments like the one they were having right then and there for as long as she could. And vice versa.

Noriko smiled despite themselves, their lips making contact with the top of Victoria's hair.

“Sleep well, My Lady.”

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

Taglist

—

Written for

@terrovaniadorm / @hallowed-delights

—

🥥

@starry-night-rose || @jasdiary || @authoruio || @nem0-nee || @fumikomiyasaki || @sakuramidnight15

—

「 Etteilla ♢」

@mystery-skulls-ghost || @abyss-wonderer || @geminiiviolets || @twsted-princess || @absolutelyobsessedkiya / @twistedsongstressofstarz

[rosietrace]

Never Loud, Never Quiet

Characters Featured: Victoria Shard || Heartslabyul AU! Noriko Dolion (@terrovaniadorm)

Others Featured: Riddle Rosehearts, Keres Perrault, Deuce Spade, Elara Cessair, Jade Leech, Malleus Draconia (mentioned)

Pairing: Victoria Shard x Noriko Dolion

Synopsis: In which Noriko genuinely can't stop talking about a certain fae from Pomefiore.

Warning(s): Spoilers(??) for a specific main story, subtle literally just one hints towards 「 Twisted Wonderland: Project AVA 」, Noriko is a simp, Victoria unintentionally enables their clownery, Elara, Malleus is his own warning /j /j

[ Apologies for any out of character moments ]

[ Reblogs > Likes ]

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

“For seven's sake, Noriko, pay more attention to painting the roses, you're distracting your underclassmen…”

“Apologies, housewarden.”

Riddle sent Noriko a look of clear, potent, exasperation. Holding his scepter in his hands, he lightly tapped Noriko's back with its blunt end.

“I understand your admiration for Miss Shard, she is a well-accomplished diplomat,” Riddle sighed. “However-”

“Lady Victoria's actually much more than a well-accomplished diplomat, housewarden Rosehearts,” Noriko finished painting one rose and proceeded to paint the next. “In fact, she's an officially licensed knight. Did you know she was officially knighted by the Queen of the Queendom of Roses at just the age-”

“Silence,” Riddle ran a hand through his hair, making sure to be at a considerable distance from Noriko.

Keres had recently returned from running another errand from Crowley and happened to notice the fatigued expression on Riddle's face.

“Are you quite alright, housewarden?” They asked, slightly nervous yet nevertheless concerned. “You appear rather… Err…. Parched.”

Riddle exhaled, his head tilting up and breathing in the fresh air. It took about 5 minutes for him to get himself together before he could reply.

“I'm fine, Keres,” The look of exasperation on Riddle's face said otherwise.

Deuce laughed awkwardly, walking past Keres to head to tend to the hedgehog's outside of the rose maze.

“I'd suggest keeping a safe distance from a certain someone for a bit,” he mumbled to Keres offhandedly, nodding his head toward Noriko before walking off.

Upon noticing that Deuce was referring to Noriko, Keres sighed heavily.

“Suddenly everything makes sense…” They muttered. They ended up receiving another call from Crowley for another errand, and unfortunately, Keres had less time to judge Noriko than to do work Crowley didn't wanna do.

For whatever reason, Noriko had an almost disturbing attachment to Victoria Shard of Pomefiore, of all people.

The young man and Pomefiore's ‘almost housewarden’ got along incredibly well, seemingly attached to the hip. Noriko's loyalty to the woman was often considered worrying to their peers; yet they paid no mind to their opinions in regards to their loyalty.

Noriko climbed down the ladder after finishing their task of painting the roses and later received a text.

They furrowed their eyebrows. Elara…

Nuisance number 18: Come to Octavinelle, we gotta talk.

“Whatever could she want to talk about?” He huffed, putting his phone in his pocket. “It better be something noteworthy…”

༝ㅤ･ㅤ˚ㅤ。ㅤ.ㅤ⋆ㅤ꒷꒦꒷꒦ ✧̣̩⋆̩☽⋆゜【♛】

“You need to be sent to a mental institution.”

Noriko blinked. Of all things, Elara could say when they arrived at Octavinelle, that was how she greeted them.

They narrowed their eyes. “I don't quite follow,” Noriko folded their arms over their chest. “You said you wanted to talk about something, so talk.”

Offhandedly, they looked down at the ground, thinking of a certain someone. “... I have somewhere to be, later.”

Elara snorted. “Don't worry Nori-”

“Don't call me that.” Noriko shut her down in less than a millisecond.

Elara smirked, a hand on her hip. “Like I said, don't worry,” her other hand was waving around carelessly. “All I want is to discuss your little relationship with Little Miss Perfectionist.”

The blue-haired knight could recognize who that nickname was for in a heartbeat. “What about me and Lady Victoria?”

Elara's smirk widened. “Remember what I said about you needing to be sent to a mental institution? That's what I meant.”

“What does that have to do with my relationship with Lady Victoria?”

“Everything.”

“Pardon?”

Elara hummed. “What I mean is that you, Mr. Loyalty Incarnate, are obsessed.”

“I'm not,” Noriko frowned. “I am merely loyal to the woman I-”

“Love?” She cut him off, chuckling shortly after. “Don't try to excuse it as some sense of duty, Noriko. You have no obligation to serve her in the way you do.”

“We owe her,” they insisted. “After what she's done for us, for all of us, how could we not?”

“.... Fair,” but Elara shrugged. “but you can't deny that she means more to you than just someone you've sworn to protect.”

“You’re so willing to throw all of your morals for a woman who saved you? You're not devoted, you're beyond obsession.”

Noriko didn't have anything to say to that, almost as if confirming to Elara just how much they value Victoria's word over all else.

Instead of standing around to listen to Elara talking down on them, Noriko turned the other way and walked out of Octavinelle.

Elara's manner turned neutral. “That guy's just hopeless…” she scoffed.

“Elara,” Jade called out from behind her, holding a stack of paperwork that Azul presumably needed to sign. “What are you doing?”

She stared at Jade for a good minute, then let out a breath, resuming her work at the Monstro Lounge.

“Nothing.”

༝ㅤ･ㅤ˚ㅤ。ㅤ.ㅤ⋆ㅤ꒷꒦꒷꒦ ✧̣̩⋆̩☽⋆゜【♛】

“There you are.”

Victoria's smile almost undid Noriko as they walked toward where she sat in the forests of Pomefiore.

They smiled back at her. “It took me quite a while to find you…” Noriko sat on the grass beside her. “Pomefiore's forests aren't exactly easy to navigate.”

Victoria chuckled. “Apologies,” she set her book down on her lap. “I take it that it took a while to navigate your way to me?”

“You could say that.”

“Well, I suppose I must apologize for that, as well.”

“Don't be,” he chuckled slightly. “I'll always find my way to you, My Lady.”

Victoria's smile transitioned into a teasing smirk. “Oh?” She inched her face closer to his. “Is that so, Noriko Dolion?”

“Ah-” Noriko's face flushed very easily, especially around her. “My Lady… Your face is…”

Victoria giggled, pressing a kiss to the tip of their nose. “I merely jest, Nori.”

Noriko's face remained somewhat flushed, however, they leaned against the tree behind them. “R-Right…”

She leaned against their shoulder, and they let her. For her, Noriko would let her do whatever she wanted around him. It didn't matter what it was.

It never mattered what her intentions were.

“Did you have a long day?” Victoria started with simple questions. As much as she enjoyed a comforting silence, she enjoyed idle conversation just as much.

And Noriko obliged in her want for that. “You could say that,” their head rested over hers. “Thankfully, I never once ran into Diasomnia’s Housewarden on the way here.”

Noriko made sure to be careful in choosing his words when it came to mentioning Malleus; Victoria's soured bearing said as much.

“Good for you,” she let out a heavy breath. “Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of encountering him during class. We share the same classes, after all.”

“And I can't help but envy that prince for that,” Noriko grumbled. “He doesn't deserve to see your face as often as he does, My Lady…”

Victoria snorted. “You think so, Nori?”

“I know so,” Noriko replied quickly. “Malleus Draconia causes nothing but trouble for you. I want nothing to do with that man if it meant you'd be in a notably less amicable mood.”

She could only hum in response to that, feeling all the more endeared the longer her conversation with Nori lasted.

Slowly, painstakingly slowly, her hand went over theirs — lightly tracing her thumb over the back of it.

“.... Thank you, Nori,” she uttered. “For… For staying.”

Silence was — and perhaps always will be — a long-time companion for Victoria Shard. And it didn't try and leave, even during moments like this.

Her words: They sounded random. Unexpected, yet said with good intent.

Noriko knew why she'd breathed it out so suddenly. Why she'd thank him for something as little as staying with her.

But to them — to both of them — there was nothing ‘little’ about Noriko Dolion staying with her for as long as they have.

They both said nothing of it.

Noriko's hand eventually intertwined its fingers with hers, and there was the barest hint of a smile on them. On both of them.

“The honor is mine.”

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

Taglist

🥥 — @starry-night-rose || @jasdiary || @authoruio || @nem0-nee || @fumikomiyasaki || @sakuramidnight15

—

Oneshot dedicated to — @terrovaniadorm / @hallowed-delights

—

Others — @geminiiviolets || @twsted-princess || @abyss-wonderer || @twistedsongstressofstarz / @absolutelyobsessedkiya ||

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

[rosietrace]

Stars around my scars

Characters Featured: Victoria Shard, Heartslabyul! Noriko Dolion(@terrovaniadorm)

Mentioned: Elara Cessair(also by @/terrovaniadorm)

Pairing(s): Heartslabyul! Noriko & Victoria

Synopsis: Noriko lost someone once. And even in a dream, they weren't going to bring themselves to lose her too.

Warning(s): Pure self-indulgence, ✨angst✨, character death (in a dream), mentions of blood, Etteilla spoilers(?), like... One reference to Noriko's backstory, I listened to too much Taylor Swift and this is what happens /j, potentially ooc

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

It was all… A void. A void that Noriko couldn't seem to escape from.

No matter where they ran, who they called out to — No one.

It felt isolating. So quiet, so… Odd.

With their sword in hand, Noriko wandered this endless void; Hell, they couldn't tell if they even went far at all, or if they were in an endless loop.

They took in their surroundings — or lack thereof — and spun 360°. Trying to see if they missed anything.

A landmark, a path, a person. Anything to try and escape this loop.

But then Noriko saw it. Saw her.

Victoria stood a long distance away from him, her back facing him with her hands tucked behind her.

Feelings of relief and worry filled Noriko's veins as they made their way to the woman in less than a heartbeat.

“My Lady!” Called out Noriko, “My Lady, are you hurt?!”

Victoria turned her head to look at him, lips parted, eyes cat-like and sharp. He noted that they were both in their dorm uniforms.

Noriko brought their arms around her as soon as they got close enough to touch her. A relieved look filled their eyes, just as much as worry did.

“My Lady…”

“Nori,” Victoria's hand brought itself to the side of Noriko's face. “Why are you here?...”

“The better question, my Lady, is why we're here.”

Noriko let out a breath, keeping Victoria close to their chest. She could feel it, their heartbeat. Beating with each passing second.

Victoria's arms wrapped around Noriko's frame not long after. And for a moment, Noriko felt…. Content. Protected.

Safe.

But the smell of iron filling his nostrils had soon dissipated that peace.

Noriko's eyes shot open, widening in size when they saw the large stain of blood on their abdomen.

On Victoria's abdomen, and the gaping hole that went through it.

A strangled sound left Noriko's mouth, one filled with devastation. With an unfiltered, potent need to protect her from a force he probably couldn't protect her from.

Victoria nearly fell. And when worst came to worst, it was — and always will be — Noriko to catch her in those moments.

Those moments where she'd fall.

“My Lady,” he brought his hands to her cheek. “M-My Lady…. My Lady…!”

Blood dripped down on the dark void of ground beneath them, the dark red substance trickling down her half-parted lips.

Her eyes, once filled with life, with a sapphire hue Noriko had put to complete memory — were so hollow. So lifeless.

Victoria tried. She tried to bring her hand to the side of their face.

Her hands, Noriko couldn't bear to feel the lack of warmth emitting from them just as much as they couldn't bear not being able to intertwine his hands with hers.. Cold as ice.

There it was again. That grieving, strangling sound of frustration that continued to leave their mouth.

They cried out to her, screamed at her. Hoping that, if they were pathetic enough — if they begged a God that never truly existed — the universe would bring her back.

That he'd be able to have her in his arms and it wouldn't come to this.

It's happening again, Noriko's thoughts turned frantic. Uncontrolled. It happened with Talia, it's happening to her…

Noriko made dozens of feeble attempts to wake Victoria of this nightmare.

Shaking her by her shoulders, calling out her name in hopes she could hear; And having enough desperation within themselves to bring their lips to hers.

As if, for just a moment, True Love's kiss was the answer.

But it wasn't. Reality was cruel, and it always will be, stripping away at one's joy until they have nothing left.

It must've felt like hours, holding her bloodied corpse in their arms for that small eternity. All the while tears streamed down their face and fell down her unmoving porcelain cheeks.

She felt so cold.

༝ㅤ･ㅤ˚ㅤ。ㅤ.ㅤ⋆ㅤ꒷꒦꒷꒦ ✧̣̩⋆̩☽⋆゜【♛】

Noriko jolted awake, body trembling to the point they had to sit themselves up to compose themselves.

Their movements were similar to how they were in the dream. Frantic, panicked.

Their eyes darted around the room. They knew where they were, they knew every nook and cranny of their room like the back of their hand.

But none of it seemed to reassure Noriko that this wasn't just another part of that… That- Nightmare.

“Nori.”

But then Noriko heard her voice, and the world seemed to bring them back into a comforting embrace. A reality, a life, that they'd want to live over, and over again.

Before they could even process anything else, Victoria took her hands in his.

“Nori,” she let one of her hands move up to their cheek. “Are you alright?...”

He wasn't. She knew he wasn't. But they both knew she only asked the question to hear them answer it from their lips.

“Victoria…” Noriko's eyes were filled to the brim with relief.

She flinched a bit when they brought their arms around her frame and embraced her. But Victoria dared not complain.

She withdrew a breath, allowing that part of herself to reciprocate Noriko's embrace to try and bring comfort to them in that moment.

Noriko withdrew a breath as well. Multiple breaths. They let themselves bury their face into the crook of Victoria's shoulder. If they felt embarrassed about the action, they didn't dare show it.

“You're not okay,” Victoria was certain.

“I…. I am,” Noriko tried to argue, “I'm fine.”

“You're not.”

“But I am, My Lady.”

“Nori, you clearly aren't-”

“My Lady, I'm fine,” The tone that came from Noriko's voice was filled with a desperate, silent plea like it was ripped right out of their chest; As if the one thing in that mind of theirs was to just convince Victoria — brilliant, analytical woman that she was — that they were okay.

The look in her eyes nearly undid him.

So soft. So endearing. So…. Beautiful.

Sapphire hues looked at him so intently, and a shiver cast down Noriko's spine. Why was she-?

A kiss. Not particularly one on the lips, but one on the forehead.

And another one on both temples. Another on their cheeks.

And another. And another.

Noriko's face burned a deep crimson. “M-My Lady-”

“Shhh,” Victoria pressed her lips against the edge of Noriko's jaw. “Tell me what happened.”

“My Lady, I don't quite follow.”

“In that dream,” she took the tension currently on their body as a sign. “Tell me.”

“I…” Noriko's lips pursed. They looked down at their hands, still shaking, ever so slightly. “... I don't know if I can.”

“You can, Nori.”

She adjusted herself a bit, now leaning against the headboard and gently massaging Noriko's shoulders to remove any excess tension.

“You can,” her tone was neither stern nor demanding. “And you will.”

…. She knows me too well, Noriko closed his eyes, taking a breath and permitting oxygen to fill his lungs. Perhaps too well.

Whatever Victoria asked of him, whatever she seemed to demand from him; Noriko would do it without question.

“It was less a dream,” Noriko leaned into Victoria's arms, eyes fluttering and closing. “And more a nightmare.”

All Victoria had to respond to that was a hum.

Noriko continued after a couple of deep breaths. They told her everything they could recall, in as much detail as they could muster up.

That void of emptiness. Her, standing so close, yet so far.

“Blood,” Noriko's breath hitched, and they held onto one of her hands for dear life. “So… So much blood..”

Victoria's eyes fluttered, and just like before, she pressed a gentle kiss on Noriko's forehead.

At the very least, Noriko felt less flustered and more… Content.

“It's gone now,” with one hand intertwined with theirs, she used her free hand to rake through his long blue locks. “It's all over now.”

“I'm here, Nori… Always.”

“I know, My Lady.”

“... Remember that.”

Noriko's eyes opened slightly, looking up at her with an admiration Elara always mocked them for. “Remember what?” They questioned.

That was when that signature ghost-like smile soon became clearer on Victoria's face. She didn't answer verbally, rather, she brought the back of his hand to her lips and placed one or two kisses upon it.

Noriko chuckled. Embarrassed as they must've felt, they also clasped at this moment like it was the last thing they'd ever do.

“I don't deserve you.” They told her after a few, sullen moments.

Victoria frowned a bit. “Don't say that,” she said.

“It's true,” Noriko insisted. “I don't. You're too….”

She arched a brow, and all they could muster was the barest hint of a smile. “You've done so much for me,” Noriko mumbled.

“My scars,” they looked up at the ceiling. “You saw them — accepted them — and turned them into something beautiful.

“You drew Stars around them.”

“They were already beautiful,” Victoria argued, pulling him closer. “I didn't do much with them.”

“But you did.”

“Did I?” Her smile turned into a slight grin. “Your scars… They aren't a burden to bear.”

“They are a symbol of the honor you carry. And I wouldn't have it any other way.”

If Victoria's bearings could get any softer, they certainly started to. “Take my hand,” she had the both of them lie down, face to face.

“Take my hand, and don't drop it.”

“I could never,” Noriko's words were nothing short of a promise. They leaned into her hold, letting her bring them into an embrace they'd wished would last an eternity.

But, sometimes…

“... I'm sorry,” Noriko breathed softly against the crook of her neck.

For their devotion. For being the way they were.

For being so weak in front of her. How could they protect the woman they held dear with an emotional state quite like theirs?

Such words with silent questions only made Victoria seemingly pull them so much closer to her, and she pressed one last kiss atop their head.

“You don't need to apologize, Nori.

“You never have to, anymore.”

†•°•══════ஓ๑「♢」๑ஓ══════•°•†

「 This Oneshot is part of a list of oneshots that will be released prior to the 2024 Valentine's Event — which will be released on February 14th 」

•♡°─────────°♡•

Taglist

🥥

@starry-night-rose || @jasdiary || @authoruio || @fumikomiyasaki || @sakuramidnight15

—

Written For

@terrovaniadorm / @hallowed-delights

—

「 Etteilla ♢」

@twsted-princess || @mystery-skulls-ghost || @abyss-wonderer || @twistedsongstressofstarz / @absolutelyobsessedkiya || @geminiiviolets