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[f4irycafe]

the sweetest

Day 4 of Eris week @erisweekofficial Hounds 🍂

🍁🍁🍁🍁

His hounds always introduce her pups to Eris even when he was young.

Now, Eris introduces his little niece to them. Guess its a small tradition between them.

[infoactionratio7]

call it fate, call it carmen - c. berzatto

summary: after carmy runs into a pretty stranger in a coffee shop that morning, he never thinks he will see her again... until she walks into his restaurant.

pairing: carmen berzatto x fem! teacher! reader

word count: 2,506

note: kinda set during season one when the bear is still the beef. no warnings really, some cursing, that's it! :)

read part two here! and part 3 here!

sunday morning -

The bells of the little cafe on West Erie St chimed as you glanced up from your book, you were waiting for your name to be called by the friendly barista who had just taken your order. You were new in town, and wanted to explore all the different things Chicago had to offer. A man walked into the shop, inhaling the sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee as he went up to the counter and read an order from his phone,

"Can I get a small iced dirty chai latte and a triple shot iced espresso to go? Please, thank you " His voice was soft, as he ran his hand through his messy curls.

He glanced over to where you were standing, bundled up in a winter coat, scarf, and hat (Chicago winters got cold fast). He gave you a once over, taking note of your book, 'Chicago: A Food Biography'. You seemed to be completely enthralled in the page you were reading, captivated by every word. He was not one to ever go up to a stranger, but he felt that he had to take a chance. The barista gave him his receipt and a small smile, telling him to wait over near the pickup counter.

"You ever been to Chicago before?" You look up, wide eyed, not expecting the man to be speaking to you.

"Oh," you exclaim, flustered. "Once or twice with my family when I was a kid, but not that I can really remember."

He smiles and glances at your book, you realize this was the reason he is asking you. It was a very touristy book to be reading. Especially because the cafe you were currently standing in, was highlighted in the book. You had made a list of all the places you wanted to visit that day before you had to arrive at the elementary school down the street to start your new job. "I love trying all the foods that are in the cities I visit, it's like an obligatory tradition when I move in to find places near my new apartment." You spit put your words, not even thinking that you are telling a random stranger in Chicago that you live near this cafe and just moved in. Blushing and looking down at your feet, you hear your name called from behind the counter, rushing to grab your drink and chocolate croissant before the conversation could get uncomfortable. You put the pastry in your bag and quickly wave at him.

"Have a good day, hope you find some nice restaurants" He waves back as you open the door and walk into the blistering wind that had taken over the streets that cold winter morning.

-

You arrived at your apartment building, it was not the nicest apartment you had ever stayed in but it was not the worst either. You walked up the stairs to your door and unlocked it with the hand that was not holding the coffee you just purchased. Rushing into the apartment, you put all of your things on the kitchen table and just took a breath of the cozy air of the room. As you stood there and took off your winter layers, you could not help but think of the man who had approached you in the cafe, realizing how attractive he was, his tattooed hands running through his hair, and biceps anyone could see just from glancing at his bundled up figure. You took a sip from your coffee, thinking how could he get two iced drinks in the middle of winter was beyond you.

You went into your room to grab some of your papers from the desk you had just built from Ikea the night before. You had to do some lesson plans before you did anything else, you had not even started any for that week. It was sunday and all you could think of was when you were in high school, and using your sundays to finish all the work you had neglected to do the week before.

Deciding to just get your work done you opened the package with the croissant, and took a bite. Tasting the buttery and chocolatey pastry seemed to bring a jolt to your brain and body, motivating you to get started.

-

Carmen could not stop thinking about you, he had wished he had formally introduced himself and told her that he was in fact, the owner of a restaurant that was a block away and it would be great if she wanted to visit and try something to commemorate her moving into the city. But no he just waved and let her go, watching her leave into the bitter cold.

"Jeff, you need to focus, you almost cut your finger off," Tina pulled him out of his thoughts with her concerned tone. "What's going on Carmen, you gotta be more careful than that, take a break if you need one."

"Fuck, sorry Chef, sorry" He put the knife down and put the carrots he had finished cutting into the giardiniera container for service later that night.

"You seem more distracted than usual, I can finish the cutting, just go to the office to cool off." Tina glanced over at him as he nodded, cleaning off his knife and putting it away. Right as he walked away, Richie walked into the kitchen.

"Cousi- Where is he going Tina?" He looked from Carmy to his empty station next to Tina, still chopping vegetables.

"He's distracted or something, just let him be Richie, don't bother the poor kid," She turned around to go into the walk-in, grabbing more fresh veggies to prepare for service later. Richie, as he does, ignores Tina completely, beelining to the office, where Carmy is running his hand down his face and pacing around like a madman.

"Cousin, what's your deal? You look like you're goin' fuckin crazy" He grilled, leaning on the door. Carmy shot him a glare, sitting down in the swivel chair that squeaked every time he actually tried to swivel in it.

" There isn't a fucking problem Richie, leave me alone." Carmy pushed himself into the desk so he could look at some paperwork he had been putting off for the past week. "I gotta finish this paperwork."

Richie raised his eyebrows, looking down at the younger man, he wasn't going to push Carmy any further, because the whole kitchen knew what would happen if the chef got mad before a service.

"Fine cousin, just don't take that shit out on the rest of the kitchen." He walked out of the office dorway as the rest of the kitchen crew started to file in to prepare for dinner service.

Carmy blankly stared at his paperwork, thinking about the interaction at the cafe this morning he just couldn't stop thinking about.

sunday night -

You walked down the stairs to your apartment complex, having finished your lesson plans just in time for dinner. Before you left, you had read of a few classic dinner joints in the neighborhood, one of them was called 'The Beef', known for their italian beef sandwiches and spaghetti with meatballs. After looking at some reviews online, you decided that it was necessary to visit this local staple. The reviews talking about how some days it was as calm as anything in the restaurant, but others the employees were screaming at eachother while getting the orders out.

You approached the building, right next to a big parking lot where many people were just standing around with sandwiches. Someone pushed the door open, smells and noise leaked out of the warm dining room. You could hear the screams from in the kitchen,

"We are down five italian beef, sweet and hot dipped, two ravioli, and one spaghetti meatball, Lets go Chefs" A tall man yelled into the kitchen.

The swinging door to the kitchen opened and a woman with a blue apron and white chef's coat replied "We are only down all those things because YOU never fired them Richie, why the fuck are you not firing the orders?"

"Calm down Chefs, just fire the orders, we can catch up if you both shut up and work, okay?" A voice you had heard before cut between the two arguing, they both got quite and looked at the man who had just exited the kitchen with five sandwiches in his hands. They nodded and went back to their respective tasks, "Okay, thank you chefs. I have 5 italian beef, sweet and hot dipped for Chelsea."

You were looking at all options on the menu and had not noticed the man calling out the order was someone you had met before. Carmy scanned the room, trying to find the woman who had ordered the five sandwiches he was about to drop. His eyes stopped on a familiar figure, the same he had been distracted thinking about all day. He didn't even notice when a woman came up asking for her order, scrambling to put the sandwiches in a to go bag and giving it to the woman.

"Excuse me, you're next sweetheart, What'll you have?" A rough voice pulled you out of your focus on the menu as you stepped up to the register. You looked up at the tall man who was smiling down at you like he had never seen a woman before, when he was pushed aside and a familiar face entered your field if vision.

"Cousin what the fuc-"

A woman's threatening voice came out of the kitchen "Richie I swear to god if you don't shut up, I'm going to stab you again."

He stalked into the kitchen, mumbling something about how unappreciated he was in this restaurant. You brought your focus back to the man standing in front of you, beet red as he watched the taller man walk into the kitchen. He turned back to face you and awkwardly smiled,

"Nice to see you again, what'll you be having today?"

You scanned the menu one more time and decided to have a little fun with the man, "Can you surprise me?, I heard that this restaurant is pretty big with the locals."

He looked at you with a pointed look, "Okay," he softly said your name, "What do you want?" After a long pause he wrote down the order, then looked back up at you with his foggy blue eyes. You were flattered he had remembered your name, did he really care that much about a stranger he had spoken to for less than two minutes earlier that morning? You didn't even know his name, but his warm gaze softened you like butter.

"It's on the house okay, I promise it'll be the best meal you've had in the city since you moved here. Be ready in 10 minutes" You were quick to reply,

"No, I can't let you do that, how muc-" He cut you off,

"This one time, I'll cover it, and if you like it, next time I'll let you pay, deal?" He held out his tattooed hand for you to shake,

"Fine..." You smiled, slipping your hand into his rough palm, he shook your hand firmly, then letting it go, gestured for you to wait at one of the tables near the door. You smiled and walked over to the table sitting down. He walked into the kitchen and you could hear his faint yells through the wall, telling the kitchen your order.

"God damn Cousin, you just took my job for no reason what's your problem?" The tall man, who you remembered was named Richie stalked back out of the kitchen to get to the line that had formed. You realized you hadn't even asked the name of the man who had just offered you a free dinner. Richie stopped in his tracks when he saw you, realizing that this might have been the reason his boss had been distracted all day. Thinking about the pretty girl that he had met, and clearly liked her enough to give her a free dinner. He laughed to himself, taking a mental note to make fun of Carmy after service for getting distracted because of a girl.

The blue eyed chef burst out of the kitchen door with a to go bag, and made his way to the table you were sitting, waiting for the food. He placed the bag in front of you as you looked up to meet his eyes,

"So what are you serving me chef?" You tease, "Well that it a surprise you will just have to wait to find out" He grins as you stand up to meet his height.

"Well thank you..."

"Carmen, Carmen Berzatto"

"Thank you Carmen, I'm sure I will enjoy this, and if I don't, I'm afraid I'll have to come back and try something new." Placing your hand on his shoulder and squeezing lightly as you started walking toward the door. "I'll see you Carmen"

You turn around and start walking out of the door when you hear a yell from Richie, "Cousin has got a little sweetheart don't you"

"RICHIE I swear to God-" The door closed behind you before you could hear what the woman who just barged out of the kitchen had to say to the pompous cashier.

You silently laughed as you walked through the street, it was around the time for sunset and the sky had turned a beautiful blend of orange and purple. You reached your apartment in around ten minutes, getting out of the cold and eager to see what Carmen had packed you for dinner.

Putting the bag of food onto your coffee table, you grabbed a plate from the kitchen and started to unpack the meal. The first thing you pulled out was an italian beef, 'sweet + dipped' written on the side, then you pulled out a small side of fries, and lastly there was a plastic container of spaghetti and meatballs, with a piece of chocolate cake. You unpacked everything in front of you and the scent of the food engulfed you. It was a heavenly smell, so you dug in.

When you finished all you could possibly eat you noticed something at the bottom of the bag. A small piece of lined paper, that looked like it was ripped out of a notebook, it said your name on one side in messy handwriting and on the other it had a phone number and more of the messy chicken scratch,

hope you like dinner, would love to show you around the city sometime. call me x

carmy

You immediately opened your phone, putting his number into your contacts, then opening your message app to send him a text.

to: carmen

loved dinner, too bad i won't have to come back and get something else. i guess you'll have to show me around to see if any spots can top this one. let me know when you're free ♡

[spiritedstars]

Spirit Meets the Bones XL [40]

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: physical abuse/triggering language. Author’s Note: Only the epilogue remains. Thank you for reading :)

thank you @riorsonxaden for always being my cheerleader <3

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @gwynberdara / @positivewitch / @animezinglife / @zenkindoflove / @rosewood-cafe / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @readthelastpaage / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @saint-stella / @carolynmezzosoprano / @rainbowsnowflake / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @lalaluch / @moonfawnx / @temperedink / @batboyslutt / @rcarbo1 /

Find it all here.

The High Lord choked and sputtered, trying and failing to spit out the liquid. But with Eris’s blade still buried in him, and Eris’s fist digging into his skull, the High Lord was held in place and the room seemed to hold its breath as his father’s fire weakened and then disappeared entirely. 

A breath and then another as they watched the High Lord cough up blood, steam the only evidence that fire had run through his veins. 

And it was now, that Eris could see the flicker of uncertainty in his father’s gaze. The very slight panic. 

“Look at you now, High Lord,” Eris spat. “On the same power scale as a lowly human.” 

The taunt made Beron’s eyes flash and he staggered back, trying to throw Eris off, swinging blindly but, nothing would get through to Eris now.

His entire body was vibrating and he felt a crazed smirk on his face. Even with his blade in his father’s back, the High Lord was swinging and Eris was eager to meet him hit for hit. 

“Your crown is falling, father.” Eris breathed and slammed his fist of fire into the High Lord’s face. “It’s about time I caught it.” 

No one stopped him. No one interfered as Eris battered every inch of his father with his magic and fists. Swing after swing. Hit after hit. 

This was personal. 

This was retribution and revenge. This was a score that had long needed to be settled and Eris was a volcano that erupted. Every terrible memory he had of his father – of his family being chipped away and pulled apart replayed in his mind. 

He swung for the little boy he had once been. The little boy who had wished for a day when his father’s hand had been soft. Who had craved a world where his mother didn’t die a thousand deaths a day. Where the sounds of a whip didn’t haunt him. Where he didn’t have to hear his baby brothers suffer for breathing the wrong way.

He swung for the life he had lost, for the time that had passed, that had left him with a broken back, carrying this mountain of a weight. 

Eris’s grin was maniacal as the sound of bone crunching became a symphony to his ears, the feeling of his father’s blood coating his knuckles a soothing balm, his father sinking to his knees, weak, as broken as he had made Eris feel, his fist collided again and again and again. Nothing would stop him. He would let his magic consume him as long as it meant he could end his father here. As long as he could make this fucker feel a drop of what he had made them feel. Eris would burn himself to a crisp to end this. He wouldn’t stop until —

“Eris.”

That voice.

The only voice that could say his name like that. That could pull him out of anything.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder and he knew it could only be the one person who would break through his flames, his flames that would burn anyone but her. 

And the scene felt familiar as he paused, a hand gripping his father’s collar, his other fist posed to slam into the bastard’s face again. But he paused, breathing hard, and glanced over his shoulder to find his Iris standing by him.

Without using words, her expression said all that he needed to know, Don’t lose yourself now. This is not how it’ll end.

His gaze returned to his father’s face, bloodied, barely recognizable. He wanted to do more. He wanted to unleash his rage and pain more – return it to the bastard tenfolds. This was nothing. 

But Eris also knew this vengeance wasn’t his alone. With his expression full of disgust, Eris spat at his father’s feet then released his his body, leaning to yank his sword out, relishing in the wet sound of the blade leaving the High Lord’s body and the grunt of pain. 

Eris’s gaze landed on his mother. “Put him in his favorite place.” 

Lady Enya had been waiting. The magic she had been taught to fear, the same magic he had smothered out of her, was now vibrating through her skin. Like a beam of light, her fire wrapped itself around the High Lord and slammed his body into the throne he had stepped on his family to keep. 

Finn didn’t wait for a signal – twin daggers in hand, he leaped onto the dias and slammed a blade in each of his father’s arms, locking him in the throne. “This – this is for all the nightmares, you motherfucker.” 

Emil’s bow and arrow seemed to appear out of thin air as he docked an arrow, then another firing both in succession, in each of his father’s legs. “May your pain follow you into the pits of the hell you’ll rot in.”

Izak’s steps thundered as he swung and then rushed forward to bury his sword in his father’s stomach. “I look forward to pissing on your corpse, you piece of shit.” 

And Lucien – Eris watched as Lucien walked up to the High Lord’s bleeding body and with an expression of no remorse – buried his blade right into his father’s heart. “This is for Jesminda. I never forgave and I never forgot.” 

Eris’s body shook as he watched his father’s whole being tremble, the attacks catching up all at once as the High Lord shook pitifully. He glanced at Iris once and she lifted her chin, a nod of encouragement that made Eris reach for the Made dagger on his side. 

He’d been holding on to the blade, saving it for just this moment. 

He spat blood as he made his way to the dias, his brothers stepping back as he reached it. It seemed like a lifetime ago that Eris had been on his knees here, locked in by his father’s magic. 

Eris stood before Beron, bringing the Made dagger to his throat and the High Lord let out a ragged breath.

“Know that you did this to yourself and males like you will always be your own downfall,” Eris said, his voice like venom. “Rot in hell, father.”

Eris buried the blade in the High Lord’s throat and Beron could do nothing but choke – on his blood, his unspoken words, his rage. Eris stepped back, the garbling of his father’s life leaving his body like a melody to his ears. 

He refused to look away from the High Lord’s struggling body as he allowed his mother to step around him, slowly climbing the dias until she stood in all her fiery glory in front of the male she hated most.

“You will die as you lived,” she began, and though her voice was quiet, it carried across the hall, which still held its breath. “A foolish male with misplaced arrogance, suffering the wrath of your cruelty. You will be missed by no one.”

“E-Enya –” Beron gasped and Eris’s fists clenched but his mother didn’t shift.

“You no longer have the privilege of saying my name.” she continued. “May pain follow you in every lifetime, you bastard.” 

And the Lady of Autumn brought her hands together, eyes locked on Beron, and unleashed a burst of her flames straight into her husband, setting fire to the throne and the male locked in it.

With no magic to protect him, the High Lord’s body burned, his screams echoing in the halls he had haunted for as long as they could all remember. The fire that he had always used as a weapon, that had scorched everything for him, was now the very thing eating away at him.

The brothers stood and watched, bleeding and beaten, and yet could no one move away from this scene. Lady Enya took one step back and when the High Lord’s screams finally died down, she released her magic.

Eris swallowed hard at the sight of what was left of his father. Most of his body was gone and the bastard still wheezed. His body remained pinned by his son's weapons, half of Beron's face ravaged by the fire, yet his one brown eye fixated on Eris.

Eris’s expression was set, his footsteps firm as he moved to the dias. He would not be swayed by the sight and forced himself to feel nothing for his father. Not even an ounce of pity as he stood before the ruined throne, the crown meant to be his gleaming, unscathed upon what remained of his father’s head.

He didn’t let the sight of the decaying body deter him. The end was coming closer with every wheezed breath of the dying High Lord. 

Eris only took another step closer, and with his fist aflame, he gripped the crown off his father’s head, careful not to touch the High Lord himself whose breaths had started to come in quicker, as though he was fighting against the final moments of his miserable life. 

But Eris paid him no mind and turned back to face the room. 

The fighting had ceased, and all who remained stood facing him, watching as the current High Lord took his final breaths, the ending of the blood duel clear. He saw that his sentries had flooded the room, holding down the traitors. His hounds were scattered among the bodies, teeth bared as they waited for his command. He saw his remaining General, Serphan, alongside Henry Adler and the rest of his rebels. 

Forcing himself to take another breath, his eyes found his family, scanning his brothers and mother and finally, his gaze landed on the most important person in the room.

His wife.

His Iris.

Standing there, looking as exhausted as he felt, battered and smeared with blood as he knew he was but she had been there. Through this whole ordeal, she had been here. And they had both made it.

The thought slammed into him so suddenly and Eris sucked in a breath. 

They had made it. 

And it was like Iris could see the thought on his face because her lip trembled and she gave him that same encouraging nod that had spurred him through this fight.

They had made it and the Autumn Court would be given the chance to bloom in different hands.

And it was like the magic of the court heard his thoughts. He felt the ground beneath him thump. 

Glancing one final time at the nightmare of a father that had plagued his life, he didn’t break his gaze as the High Lord took a final breath and Eris fought the feeling of pity. For the male who had lost it all and would die hated. Who would be mourned by no one. 

He didn’t want to allow the feeling and yet, his father was the one who didn’t acknowledge emotions – who beat them out of his sons. And Eris was not his father. 

So he allowed the pity he felt to be fleeting. Only for a moment, as a reminder of what would become of those who succumbed to the dark.

Eris waited, as they all did, as time stood still. No one dared to move.

One final breath and then – he felt it. A slight shift in the very air that surrounded them. 

His father…was finally dead.

The High Lord of the Autumn Court was gone.

Eris’s grip tightened on his father’s crown as he turned to face the room once more, a deafening silence surrounding them. He looked to his family – to his wife.

He glanced at the people of his court now watching him with bated breath and his gaze dropped to the gleaming gold in his hand before holding it up, his fist still aflame. 

Eris swallowed, his mouth bone dry as he spoke, calmly, in a quiet tone that vibrated throughout the room, “I take this crown by blood and only by blood will I abandon it.”   

A breath – a heartbeat and Eris who was as ready as he’d ever been for the title he had coveted, felt the ground beneath his feet thump again. He felt it in his head. In his heart. He felt his entire body begin to beat in time with a magic they couldn’t see – a sacred power he could sense flooding the earth beneath him, traveling at the speed of light and — 

A shuddered breath slipped from the Crown Prince’s lips as the ancient magic of the Autumn Court line slammed into him. 

He gasped as the glorious magic of his court rushed through him and Eris felt his body become weightless. He was everything and nothing all at once as the magic filled his veins, his very blood singing at the sensation of power rushing through him. 

He was the Autumn Court – the High Lord who would bring a new dawn. He would change it for the better. He would be good and just and someone who cared. He would be the High Lord his people needed. 

The High Lord his family had needed. A leader he had needed.

And the magic seemed to hear his thoughts as fire burst out of him, engulfing him and Eris felt himself leave the ground, his body floating as flames licked every inch of him and buzzed beneath his skin.

The Autumn Court would be reborn and like a phoenix that rose from the ashes, so would this court and it would be his hand that led the way. 

Wings of flame burst out of his back and a small sound of surprise slipped from Eris’s lips as the crown in his head burned hot. He released it and before his eyes, the crown shifted then changed shape – no longer resembling the crown his father had worn.

No, this royal adornment was his, made for him and he would carry the weight of this court in his crown. 

Slowly, the magic that had lifted him released him to the ground and he stood aflame, the entire court watching as the ancient magic settled the newly formed crown on his head. 

Eris no longer had power. He was power. 

Power that would serve. Power that would protect. Power that would lead.

And power that would give them all a fighting chance against anything that was to come. 

All the exhaustion he had felt, his well of power that had been depleted – all of it was gone. Replaced with the magic that he had been born for. He felt renewed. Reborn. As the thought crossed his mind, his eyes found his light that had helped guide him to the end of the road. 

Iris stood next to his mother, her expression filled with awe and Eris wanted nothing more than to run to her. He wanted her in his arms where he could breathe her in and kiss her senseless but the ancient magic hadn’t fully released him yet and as Eris took him in the room around him, he knew his next step.

He straightened and addressed the room. “Our court’s magic has chosen me as your new High Lord and by this magic that I have been blessed with, I vow myself to this land and its people. I ask you all to follow as I lead.” 

Without a second of hesitation, his brothers sank to their knees one by one, each thumping a fist against their chests. He watched as his sentries and the rebels who believed his vow for change followed, pledging themselves to their new High Lord.

A wave of mixed emotions unfurled in his chest as his mother gave him a warm smile and bowed her head to her son and finally, Iris stood alone, glancing at him with such pride that it made him want to vomit. 

She moved closer to him and when she was a few feet away, Iris bowed with a hand to her chest. 

And Eris couldn’t take another moment where he didn’t touch her. He closed the distance between them and gently lifted her chin, aware of all the eyes and ears around them. 

“Never you,” he whispered and as Iris slowly stood, she gave him a dazzling smile that had his chest tightening. And what a pleasant surprise for him to find nothing but pure joy coursing through his veins as he looked at her. A feeling he wasn’t particularly familiar with and yet, expected nothing less every time he glanced at his mate.

They now had a lifetime to find more of it.

Taking his hand in hers, Iris shifted so she stood by his side as he faced the crowd. Eris gestured with his hand for his people to raise and as he moved, the flames from the ancient magic dimmed but did not extinguish as he addressed his court.

“Many changes will unfold in the days to come and there is much work to be done.” he began, his gaze sweeping the hall as he licked his lips. “I trust I can count on your cooperation and continue earning your loyalty.”  He allowed the weight of his words to settle before his tone hardened, for everything spoken here would be echoed throughout the land. “And those who decide to foolishly cling to the old way will find out just how swiftly the Vanserra line will be thrilled to eradicate them.” 

At the threat, the room stilled once again. Eris had fulfilled this vow many times as the Crown Prince. As High Lord, the consequences of this promise would be far greater.

It was Finn who spoke first. His second brother grinned, the fresh scar their father had given him adding to the menace in his expression as he thumped his fist to his chest again, and exclaimed loudly, “To the High Lord. May he live long and prosper with our court.” 

The hall echoed the words and Eris was grateful for the flames hiding the shaking in his legs, bowing his head as graciously as he had been taught. 

As he glanced around the room at the noise – the cheers, Eris took a shaky breath. This was it. 

His father was dead. They were all, by some incredible miracle, alive. And quite suddenly, Eris was overwhelmed. As much as he had longed for this moment, he hadn’t allowed himself to believe in it. He hadn’t let himself get too hopeful. His eyes swept the room again and he was filled with a sense of relief so vast, it almost made him stumble. 

There was much to be done. Find that troublesome daemati, free Mikel, clear out the traitors – 

And though Eris hadn’t allowed himself to be too hopeful, he had not wanted to go into a new regime without a plan. He had his new processes ready to go – but gods he could barely believe it. Barely breathe as the magic of High Lord thumped through his veins. He soaked in his people before him, in the various states they were in. His people. His court.

He watched as Izak ran up to Lucien and crushed him in a hug that had Lucien clearly struggling for air, a surprised expression on his youngest brother’s face. He saw Emil and Finn exchange – of all things – a fist bump and then his eyes found his mother again, standing with silent tears streaming down her face, surveying the court she was no longer the lady of.

She met Eris’s gaze and smiled. “I am so very proud of you, my son.” she said softly. “I can’t wait to see what you do.” 

A warmth that had nothing to do with his flames spread across his body, a small smile on his face. “And I look forward to showing you,” he said then nodded towards Lucien. “But I do believe there is someone very eager to see you and your escort is already here.” 

His mother flushed lightly, a small smile blooming on her face. “So quick to ship me off.” she teased, wiping at her face. As though they weren’t all aware of how desperately she had wanted to leave this prison. Even if her jailer was no longer here to haunt her. 

Eris couldn’t help his very tired chuckle. “I’d rather Day didn’t storm my court so soon after I took it.”

Lady Enya laughed softly, her eyes on Lucien as she said, “No, I’d rather we didn’t have that either.”  

Eris could already hear Izak rapidly making plans to join Lucien and his mother to get to his wife but no sooner had he tried to tune into the conversation than he saw Emil run towards the hall entrance.

He had Cosette in his arms faster than Eris had blinked and his brother who never showed his hand was now cupping his lover’s face reverently, as tears streamed down her face. 

Behind Cosette was Theo, his eyes scanning the room wildly, looking for Finn, who for once in his life, stood quietly, almost frozen to his spot. His brother had barely taken a step when Theo launched himself at Finn and it took his brother a few moments of shock before he finally wrapped his arms around the blacksmith and buried his face into his neck.

Eris felt himself about to collapse. 

The vulnerability in the air seemed to stun everyone in the room, especially its new High Lord. 

This was unprecedented. A territory no one in the Autumn Court had ever ventured into. 

All these disgusting feelings surrounded them and Eris wondered what everyone in this fucked up court would do when they didn’t have to be as repressed as they had been. 

But despite that, Eris knew what a lasting image this would leave. He knew this was what they had bled for. This was hard won and this joy was heavily made. He could lead them forward and show them how a blade could be of steel or silk and how both would help this court prosper. 

He would make sure of it. And as he watched everyone around him forget about their new High Lord for a moment to rejoice in this new sense of freedom, he couldn’t stop himself from blinking rapidly, his throat suddenly tight – 

“This is real, right?” he rasped to his other half, his mate, his love, and Iris squeezed his hand until he allowed himself to glance at her. 

“It is real. He’s gone.” she reassured him and Eris allowed himself another breath. 

“And everyone is –”

“Everyone is alive. We are alright.” 

Eris shook his head almost helplessly as he soaked in the sight of her, as if seeing her for the first time. He had almost lost her. He could still see the blood and bruises that had adorned her body. His hands began to shake again. “But you –”

“I am here. I am alright. What you see is real.” Iris confirmed again, feeling her heart break at his expression, squeezing his hand once more.

“I’m –”

“The new High Lord.”

“Because –”

“Your father is dead. You all won the blood duel against him. You took the crown.” she calmly stated. “The Autumn court is yours.” 

“The Autumn Court is mine.” he repeated faintly and Iris’s expression softened. 

“Yes. Yes, it is.” 

“Wife.” he said and the word was so soft, so heartbreakingly tender that Iris felt herself the one about to crumble. 

“Husband.” she whispered back and the bond between them sat there, bright, holding steady as they watched each other, the chaos around them going quiet. 

“I’m going to throw up.” he whispered and Iris couldn’t help her teary-eyed laugh as she took his other hand and held both tightly in hers.

“No, you most certainly will not,” she warned. “You’ll have to wait until we’re alone to do that. For now…let yourself soak it in.”

“Soak it in?” he repeated, almost in a daze and Iris couldn’t help allowing her feelings to finally get the better of her as tears filled her eyes and began to fall.

“Eris.” she began in that tone that always made his wretch heart tremble. “I have never in my life been as terrified as I was watching you today. Nothing could have prepared me and if I spend the rest of my days never seeing you fight again, it’ll still be too soon.” she said and gave him that smile she only ever reserved for him, gently touching his face. “But you kept your promise. You were the one left standing and you were extraordinary.” Her lips trembled and Eris’s heart wanted to cave in on itself, especially when she added, “I am proud of you and proud to be next to you as you move forward.”

Eris’s hand brushed away her tears, the corner of his mouth lifting as every part of him deflated with ease at her presence, at her words. “I told you, nothing would hold my body from crawling back to you and I am grateful to have you with me.” he murmured, nuzzling into her hand, pressing a kiss into it. “My wife. My friend. My mate.” 

Iris’s hand didn’t move from his cheek, the other resting on his chest as she finally, finally said the words she’d been holding onto for him. “Eris,” she began and when his expression shifted, Iris knew he was bracing himself for her next words. The ones he had wanted to come back to. “I love you. I love you and I am proud of you and honored to be here with you,” she whispered, her eyes locked on his. “You are my friend, my husband, and my home. With everything that I am and will ever be, I love you.” 

He let the words wash over him and for the first time in a long time, Eris felt his lips tremble, his face heating, the words he had craved to hear from her echoing through his bones. 

She loved him and gods, did he love her. Eris yearned for nothing more than to be standing here, with her hands touching him, her words warming him, and for the rest of the world to fade away. 

He wanted to kiss her senselessly. Eris wanted nothing more than to sink into his wife and everything else be damned. He wanted to taste her and love her – to cherish her with everything he had. But not here. Not now. 

When he kissed his wife, he needed them to be alone. Because the moment Eris’s lips touched hers, he would shirk all his duties and nothing would pull him away. It would be filthy, just the way he liked it.

As if she heard his thoughts, Iris’s face flushed beautifully. “Scoundrel.” 

Chuckling, Eris allowed himself to rest his forehead against hers, closing his eyes to do as she suggested – soak it all in. “Careful wife, you sound like like you’re obsessed with me.”

Iris smiled, her hands clinging to the front of his tunic. “How embarrassing, I think you found me out.” 

There was so much to be done. So many tasks to be handled. His mind was already creating list upon list of things to be managed. The next few weeks – months would be full of trials and for anyone else this might seem daunting but for Eris, it was all he ever wanted. 

He had everything he had ever needed. He could handle anything that was to come. 

They were all safe. They could have a moment of peace. 

And with that thought, and after the many years of holding his breath, Eris met his mate’s smile and finally, released his first real sigh of relief. 

[starboishifting]

⁀✮₊⋆.˚⟡ || intro post

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ charlie, 19, bisexual, transmasc (he/him), infp-t, shifter, pagan, auDHD, permashifter. avid user of tone indicators and pet names, please let me know if there are any names i can't call you. please do not ever call me sweetheart, it makes my skin crawl.

⁀✮₊⋆.˚⟡ || d/rs

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ marauders, hogwarts, comic artist, cafe, baker, biker, young fame, mcu, post-apocalyptic dystopia, actor, percy jackson, acotar, singer, k-pop, better c/r ☆, mamma mia!, jjk, old hollywood, criminal minds, arcane, dark romance, autumn court, asgard, sirius' child, httyd, hunger games, spiderman, shadowhunters , ravenclaw

⁀✮₊⋆.˚⟡ || s/os

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ remus lupin, mattheo riddle, hobie brown, miguel o'hara, jamie tartt, wren ayer, ethan, loki, james potter, ?, jason grace, azriel, andy, lee felix, p4perback and whataboutandy ☆, ethan, megumi fushiguro, ?, spencer reid, viktor, ?, eris vanserra, loki, fred weasley, hiccup horrendous haddock iii, finnick odair, peter parker, jace herondale, andy

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ──✩₊⁺⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧── ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ˚★ ┊ ┊ ┊ ⋆ ┊ ┊ ★｡ ┊ ˚★ ★⋆

i love you. you're exquisite, you know that? remember it, always. you're worth your life and my love, the air you breathe and the food you eat. you are worthy of existing, and of shifting, and of manifesting the life you've always dreamed of. don't doubt, you've got this, doll. you're incredible.

manifestation masterlist ☆ about me masterlist ☆

love letters to them pt I ☆ love letters to them pt II ☆

my partner (in this reality)’s name is cosmo, it is poly and transfem-nonbinary and uses it/its pronouns, so that’s how i’ll be referring to it. please be respectful <3

[zomb1egutzz]

HIHI!!! may i request amajiki hcs with a gender neutral reader?? TY!!!!

of course anon!!! || GN reader!!

A/N!! - Im trying to get these requets wrote as soon as i can!!! - 🌠

🪽 - He’s soooo clingy! He loves just clinging onto you even if its holding you, holding your hands, hugging, kissing, cuddling, or just being near you, he just ADORES you <3

🪽 - He loves how you smell, it brings him so much comfort, so he’ll always borrow your body spray/perfume to spray on a hoodie so it’ll help him sleep and comfort him !!

🪽 - You guys have those little plushies that when you squeeze one it’ll send something to the other causing it to say ‘I love you’ he loves it so much!!

🪽 - Loves baking with you, you guys make a new sweet treat every week!! And of course nejre, mirio and sometimes eri are always first to try, its always made perfectly as well! (he takes baking seriously, he’d get along with sato)

🪽 - if you ask him enough times casually, he MIGHT play the guitar for you, he never plays it for you because he’s scared of messing up, but he plays it perfectly everytime!!

🪽- You guys own a leopard gecko named ‘apollo’ and it’s his son, he loves that leopard gecko SO MUCH, that’s your guys’ child :3

🪽- Favorite place to go on a date is your dorm or a cafe, he likes being in a warm area, and he loves being in your room,

🪽- Sends you photos of apollo, some of them it looks like apollo’s smiling, apollo is a very happy leopard gecko!!

🪽- He hates going to the fair but he’d go because of the plushies (you got matching HUGE highland cow teddies)

🪽- Everyweek you guys buy a blanket, sonfar you got 22!! You guys bought a blanket and had a great day so its now like a routine! plus it keeps you guys warm!

I hope this is okay anon!! I had fun writing these :3

[koiifiishy]

a fake npc LI wiki page for eris ! ignore my typos... below/under the cut is different "excerpts from the wiki". if youve yet to see my eris doodlings, you can check this tag! :3 *UPDATE with a little base art pic hehe

First Meeting 2.1 - Orphanage Garden

Leaving the main hallway just outside your room, you exit outside of the backdoor of the Orphanage. There's a Garden back here. Where all four flowerbeds were once overgrown and full of weeds, there are now two that are tidy and freshly tilled. As you approach the beds and wonder what could be grown in them, the sound of a huff to your side pulls your attention away. "You can't use those two. If you wanna plant something, use the other two beds." You turn to see a fellow resident orphan, who you recognize as Eris. He had piercing red eyes framed by long dark lashes. He stands with a hand on one hip and a slight scowl on his face. You've known him long enough to know that he just usually looks tired and fed up -- he's actually pretty nice! He pointed to the clean flowerbeds you had just been observing. "I'm using those two. You can use my tools if you want, just give 'em back when you're done." . . . yeah, he was nice..!

First Meeting 2.2 - Dance Studio

Charlie stopped the lesson for a moment to announce that they needed to step out for a moment. They directed you to find a dance partner to practice with while they were away. A lecherous looking man has his eyes set on you. Before he could reach you, you felt another presence to your side. "Oy - they already have a partner, shove off." You felt a hand slip into yours and turned to see a young man in turtleneck leotard and capri sweatpants. Though it took a moment, you were hit with sudden recognition. He was a fellow orphan, Eris! You nodded and took his hand, "Yup, sorry." The man seemed to want to argue, but the combined glares from both you and Eris ran him off. "Hmph. He couldn't be anymore transparent, huh?" Eris turned his red eyes towards you and offered a faint smile. "Didn't know you were interested in dancing. I drop in now and then, so if you need a dance partner and I'm around..." he trailed off, letting the invitation linger in the air. It would certainly be safer to pair up with somebody you already knew when circumstances called for it!

First Meeting 2.3 - At School

You're walking through the hallways at school to your next class. You feel somebody following you. It doesn't take long for you to hear the jeers of some delinquents and put two and two together. Your shoulders tensed as you prepared yourself for yet another tiresome encounter with bullies. As expected, one of the bullies grab your arm and jerk you towards them while the others laugh and cheer their friend on. You prepare yourself for more, to appease or fight, but a sudden fist to your tormentor's jaw loosens their grip upon you. With a gasp, they staggered back. Surprise colored your expression and you whipped your head to the perpetrator. A small boy with a dark fringe and long blond hair over his shoulders stood defiant beside you, an unmistakable anger in his red eyes. "Class is about to start, assholes. Unless you like detention with Leighton you better be on your way." It was Eris, a fellow orphan! Though he warned the bullies about detention, his actions seemed to suggest he was ready to throw down should that not dissuade them. The leader of the group sputtered angrily, but seemed to think twice of pressing this encounter. "Fuck you, freak! And you're in for it next time we see you!" They yelled at you as they turned to flee. Eris took one of his school shoes off and chucked it square to the back of the fleeing bully's head.

First Meeting 2.4 - At The Cafe

You stop by the café for a quick treat. You slide into a booth and a waiter is quick to come to the table, pen and paper at the ready. "Hey, I'll be your waiter. Can I get you started with something to drink?" The voice is familiar and as you turn to face your waiter, you realize that you know this person. A young man around your age with red eyes and an impressive resting bitch face, even on the clock. "Eris! I didn't know you worked here." You greet him. Eris stared for a moment, before offering a small one sided smile. "Plenty of things you don't know. Now c'mon, I don't gotta lot of time to chitchat, what do you want?" You laughed at his brusque words, "Geez, you must be popular with the customers!" He rolled his eyes but the smile stayed on his face. "Yup, I'm the friendliest waiter in the café. Gimme your order and I'll give you my employee discount." Happily enticed by this deal, you hurried up your order and watched Eris as he jotted it down and retreated to the back.

Places you can encounter Eris

The player has the choice to sit with Robin at lunch and may also encounter Eris sitting with him already, only after having met him for the first time. You do not share any classes with Eris.

Working at the café, the dog pound, or the spa. Working these jobs while Eris is also working will reduce your chances of being harassed. If you get into a situation and scream for help, Eris will come to your rescue the next round.

The temple, usually on sundays or monday mornings. You note that he doesn't seem to be praying so much as he is people watching. Sitting next to him to pray reduces stress and trauma. He will often be seen sitting next to Sydney, if Sydney isn't otherwise busy.

Once a month on the second saturday of that month, you can find Eris working with Alex on the Farm. Should you not have unlocked the Coastal Path and you go home with him at the end of the day, Eris will show you the shortcut back to the city, thus unlocking it for future use.

His room at the Orphanage! Like Robin, the player may visit his room and hang out with him. He can help the player study, listen to music together, or be invited to go out somewhere. His hang out areas are 1. The Forest Lake, where the player can chat, swim, take a walk, or meditate with him. Or 2. The Café, where he'll generously pay for your treat and enjoy a deluxe creampuff for himself. You have the chance of meeting other NPCs at the café, which Eris will make different comments on depending on how that NPC views you - giving the player a unique look into how that NPC views the player through an outside lens.

Relationship

Eris will always begin with a Decent view of the player. His default view of the player is "Eris wants to protect you." Eris' unique trait is "Trust", which will build over time with +Love interactions. On the other hand, it will decrease with -Love interactions. It will not passively degrade or increase.

As stated before, if the player should not pursue Eris as a Love Interest and Sydney is also not pursued, the two of them will eventually begin to date. This doesn't bar the player from romancing them later on! But they will not engage in vaginal/penile sex with the player after that, as they are now promised to each other. Should the player force themselves upon either Eris or Sydney, thus breaking their vow, Eris's Trust will immediately be replaced by Fury.

Low Trust: Eris wants to protect you. (Default)

Mid Trust: Eris thinks of you as a dear friend.

Very High Trust: Eris would kill for you.

Mid Fury: Eris feels hurt by you.

High Fury: Eris feels betrayed by you.

Very High Fury: Eris fucking hates your guts.

If dating the player:

Mid Trust: Eris adores you.

High Trust: Eris would do anything for you.

Low/Mid Fury: Eris prays for your salvation.

High Fury: Eris will help you atone...

Love, Lust, Trust (and Fury)

Similarly to Robin, Lust will only begin building after you've set Eris as a Love Interest. At Low Lust, Eris will insist on not being touched by the player but will service them instead. At High Lust Eris will take on a power bottom role unless he's also at High Trust, wherein the player may take the lead in sex.

He doesn't like high exhibitionist sexual encounters, but can be convinced of low exhibitionist encounters (such as giving oral under a desk, where he or the player can't be seen by others).

Similarly to Sydney: If the player wishes to have vaginal sex with Eris they Must agree to be promised to Eris at the Temple. This will bar the player from having penile/vaginal sex with other characters, or risk breaking their vow. The player may ask Eris about this and how serious he is about his role at the Temple, to which Eris will mostly brush it off as just being another job with extra steps. If the player doesn't wish to be promised to Eris, he will still have anal and oral sex with them (alternatively, he can peg the player!). Should the player fuck Eris vaginally without being promised, Eris' Trust mete will instantly drop to 0 and transition into his Fury meter.

If the player should at any point force themselves on Eris, his Trust will instantly plummet into Mid-High Fury. This can only be salvaged by submitting yourself to him for whatever punishment he sees fit to dole out upon you. Consider this a Soft Bad Ending!

At High Fury: Eris' Fury is holy and righteous - having betrayed his trust, he now considers the player just as wretched as everyone else in this G*d forsaken town. If the player was dating prior to gaining High Fury, he will attempt to salvage them. If they weren't dating, he's all together given up on the player and will no longer help them the ways he used to (rescuing them, giving them money, hanging out with them, etc). He's liable to punch the player without warning should they try to talk to him more than once while at High Fury, leading to ++Pain. Fights with Eris are difficult to win, but not impossible. His Fury will lessen each time he wins a fight, but will go up if he loses a fight. A High Fury Love Interest Eris will be just as violent, but will assure the player that he's doing this for their salvation. The player will note that he seems extremely manic, similar to Kylar in his manic state; unlike Kylar, he isn't sorry when he hurts the player and will instead make the player apologize. This will also unlock a maxed out Dominance meter, again similar to Kylar during their manor event.

<"Eris placed one combat boot against the side of the chair you were tied to. He leaned into this new stance, slowly tipping you back as he leaned his face closer to yours. "I thought you were different." He said, voice eerily calm and stare burning hot. "you're not; you're trash, just like the rest of them... but I know you can be better. You will be better." He pulled away for just a moment, before swiftly kicking the chair, and you, to the ground. You gasped from the shock of landing on your back, cushioned only by the wooden back of the seat you were tied to. It bit into your back uncomfortably, but you had little time to linger on the feeling as Eris placed his boot down firmly against your throat. You struggled on instinct. He cocked his head to one side as he watched you, as one might watch an insect squirm, and the comparison made your stomach knot. You'd betrayed his trust. To Eris, you really were nothing more than an unworthy, insignificant bug to squish underneath his heel. But he relented, and you remembered the good times you shared as well; as friends, as lovers. He may hate you now, but he too seemed to hold onto those memories enough to deem you worth saving. You sputtered for air once his boot fully withdrew. "Who made you fall? Who clipped your wings, love?"> - Yell at him in anger ( ??? ) - Blame Named NPC ( ??? ) - Blame G*d ( ??? )

Miscellaneous !

this game has given me brainrot LOL... if you couldn't tell. if you liked this post i can try to write longer drabbles of things! if you have questions, youre free to inbox me ^^

Eris is small - his official height is 5'1. he will be shorter than your pc unless they're "tiny". he has a flat chest, vagina & 'modest' ass. he takes contraceptives & would suggest the player also take them, just to be safe.

i went mad with brainrot and made him a pinboard and playlist haha,,,

As a boy or a girl, Eris will always be transmasc or transfemme - they will never be cis! by default, he's a transman with a preference for men but he doesn't mind girls!

he fights a lot; his reputation with the cops is bad but he does jobs for Landry sometimes to wipe his record when it gets to cumbersome. despite his frequent detention slips and poor standing amongst other students, he's an exemplary A* student. the other orphans know him to be a big brotherly figure, who they can rely on; he sometimes helps others with lending them cash when they're short on Bailey's extortion rent. the player can also ask for money, to which he'll give them between 50-100 (he must be asked before Fridays).

portuguese heritage. rusty with portuguese but can speak it on a conversational level. has no big opinion on the UK (assuming DOL is in fact based in the UK lol) vs portugal given he wasn't raised in his parent's home country.

his "inner self" is a cat & angel (the angel traits may disappear over time given enough corruption). awareness is high, so he'd be able to notice the player's supernatural traits. he's fine with all of the TFs except demon ones, which cause him to be wary of the player / make small comments on the unholiness of their new traits.

the PC doesn't need to date Eris to ask to sleep in his room, he'll let them do so platonically if they're at a high enough love and trust; this option will also save the PC from any unwanted midnight visitors & give --trauma & --stress.

New orphanage interaction for a group study session with PC, Eris and Robin in Eris' room (he has a table and chairs lol). It offers the same options as doing homework with Robin, but with an additional option to ask Eris to tutor you which will give you a ++ to your chosen subject.

[come-away-with-me87]

The Art of Love Chapter 10

Chapter 9 here

******

Warnings: This chapter is a lil angsty. Also, sorry for the long delays in posting chapters on this. I've been going through it lately, I'm just not my best self atm. But I promise to finish this story to the very end. Also, I haven't forgotten the two Aizawa requests I received; my hope is to write at least one of them this weekend when my brain is hopefully refreshed. As always, thank you for reading <3

******

You and Shouta went on various dates over the course of the next few weeks.  You went out to eat at a few nice restaurants, you went to a cat cafe where you both discovered your mutual adoration for cats (as well as coffee), he came over to your house, where you cooked him dinner a few times.  You two had not put a label on your...whatever it was you were doing, nor had you slept together yet.  You weren't quite ready for that step, and something told you Shouta wasn't ready yet either.  All you've done so far was kiss, and that was okay with you.  Things were going well.

By getting to know Shouta, you also got to know Eri better, especially on the evenings where you would go to the Heights Alliance campus to visit him.  You sat in on one of his training sessions with her; the patience he demonstrated was very admirable.  You could tell he was a man with a heart of gold with the way he acted towards her.  Eri also seemed genuinely happy to have you around.  At school, she seemed to blossom into a whole new girl.  She became better friends with Hana, and started interacting with other students.

Her artwork at school even became brighter and more colorful over the course of the weeks; no longer were they just shades of purple, green, and black.  Over the course of those few weeks, you also got to meet Izuku Midoriya, who you could tell Eri absolutely adored.  Izuku came with Mirio one day after school to pick Eri up, and you could've sworn two celebrities just walked into the classroom with the way she reacted when she saw them.  You remembered the story Shouta told you about when Eri was rescued; this Izuku and Mirio were her saviors.  You pulled Izuku and Mirio to the side that day saying, "Mr. Aizawa told me her story, and I can't thank you both enough for what you did to save her from that awful fate."  

One Friday evening after work, you had no plans.  You decided to pick up some sashimi from one of your favorite restaurants, and you made your way home to have some you time. You got home, put on your most comfortable pajama set, poured yourself a glass of wine, and sat down in front of your television with your sashimi.  You were flipping through channels, when you came across the news channel with some breaking news.  The League of Villains had teamed up with the Meta Liberation Army, and renamed themselves The Paranormal Liberation Front.  This could not possibly be good.

You texted Shouta telling him to turn on the news.  He just replied, "I'm already watching."  You thought to yourself again how this could not be good.  You had a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach; something bad was going to happen.  You texted Shouta again, "what does this mean?"  He responded back, "I don't know yet, but it can't be good."  For Shouta to say that meant it was a serious matter.  You decided to flip the channel to something a little more mindless, something that didn't make you think.  There was a reality dating show on, so you watched that for the remainder of your evening instead.  

Around 11:00pm, you found yourself starting to get tired.  You had a date with Shouta the following day; you two were going on a picnic at a nearby park for lunch.  So you decided to call it a night and go to bed so you could be nice and refreshed for your date tomorrow.  You did your usual nightly routine of brushing your teeth and washing your face, then made your way to bed.  You were more tired than you realized, and you were pretty much out the moment the head hit the pillow.  Unfortunately, what followed after you fell asleep were a series of lucid nightmares.  

Your first nightmare was your memory of the hospital that Kento was in when he was attacked.  You were standing over his lifeless body in the bed in the hospital room, feeling heartbroken, yet numb.  You knew you were dreaming, so why were you living this moment over again?  You looked around the room to see if you could find a way to wake up, and when you looked down at the bed again, this time it was Shouta's lifeless body laying there.  You still knew you were dreaming, but you clasped your hands over your mouth to stifle yourself from screaming.

Suddenly, you were no longer in the hospital room.  This time, you were at a funeral.  It was set up very much like Kento's funeral, but there was something different about it.  When you looked at the body in the casket, you once again saw Shouta's body laying there.  The people and faces around you were all blurry; Shouta was the only one you could see clearly.  In your nightmare, you were in a never ending loop of being in the hospital room, then at the funeral, then back in the hospital room, then at the funeral again.  And it was always Shouta's body you were seeing.

The nightmare finally ended with you waking up in a cold sweat and hyperventilating.  You had to get up from your bed, go to your bathroom, and splash some cold water on your face.  "It was only a dream," you told yourself.  You looked at your phone; at that point, it was 3:00am.  You went back to bed in an attempt to fall asleep, but you were wide awake at that point.  You tossed and turned for the remainder of the night, thinking about the nightmares you had and what significance they had.  Why were you seeing Shouta's body?

Around 6:30am, you finally got out of bed, giving up on the idea of trying to fall back asleep.  You couldn't help it, but you thought there had to be some sort of significance behind your nightmare.  Shouta was a pro-hero; he would be able to protect himself and those around him.  But at the same time, he wasn't invincible.  You've heard of pro-heroes dying all the time.  At that point, you put on a pot of coffee, sat down on your couch, and pulled out your phone.  You texted Shouta and lied, saying "hey Shouta, I'm not feeling very well today, I'm not going to be able to make our picnic date. I'm sorry."

******

To be continued...

******

Tag list: @lili-pond ; @jaguarthecat ; @big-denki-energy ; @ivydoesit23 ; @salientseraph ; @dreamofkaty ; @simp-hub ; @bluebreadenthusiast ; @fuzzyfestcat

[lovelyprincessn64]

Pokemon Day event

🎉 Hello Pokemon trainers new and old, it's that time of year just like every year in the month of the day that Pokemon was born every year trainers and fans celebrate to remember the nostalgic times of growing up with Pokemon however this year I got something special for trainer.

Welcome to the Pokemon request event in this event you can request any nostalgic things about Pokemon including crossovers overall I do hope you enjoy the nostalgic feeling. 🎉

Every generation has a new beginning

2. The ghost of maiden's peak

3. Legends of Arceus

4. Fakemon

5. Hunting shinies (Disclaimer please do not send certain shinies that are too difficult to color.)

6. It's been 3,000 years

7. Heart of Gold

8. Pikachu wedding

9. No you're not the one

10. Trainer OCS / Pokemon OCS

11. Sun and Moon

12. Black or white

13. Types of contests

14. My dream to become a Pokemon Master

15. Sylveon day

16. Choose your starter

17. Happy 10th birthday

18. Goodbye Ash Ketchum

19. Eternal happiness from Ho-oh

20. Blue as Sapphire

21. Soul of silver

22. Pikachu wedding

23. I'll be the best you will see

24. Lonely mimikyu

25. Cute Ash

26. Gamble at game corner

27. Got to catch them all

28. Summoning Lugia

29. Mewtwo Strikes Back

30. Happy birthday Mewtwo

31. Roads of victory

32. N's room

33. Red as Ruby

34. Mystery Dungeon

35. Crystal Onix

36. Pink Island

37. Bye-bye Butterfree!

38. Alola forms

39. Ultra beasts

40. Crystal Beauty

41. Any type of Pokemon prompt

42. Spin-offs

43. Pop stars

44. Possessed Dawn

45. Damn it Rotom

46. Shadow Lugia

47. Gardening with Gardevoir / trainer

48. Training to get stronger

49. Mythical / legendary Pokemon

50. Snapping pictures

51. Flavors of pokepuffs

52. Jelly filled Donuts my favorite

53. Ranger school

54. Don't talk to Hypno

55. Safari Zone

56. Traveling through regions

57. Golden Sudowoodo

58. Pearls with diamonds

59. Malasadas Mania

60. Work at Pokemon cafe

61. Nightmares of Darkrai

62. Old chateau

63. Sundae dress

64. Nurses of joy

65. Trials

66. Mallow's stew / or it could be something else of food of your choice

67. Mew cakes

68. Jirachi summons meteor shower

69. Pokéathlon

70. Waiting for Jirachi's return

71. Team rainbow rocket

72. Muddy Mudkip

73. Hall of Fame

74. Crossovers

75. Poketoons

76. Meet Red at Mount Silver

77. Daycare days

78. Better with Platinum

79. Drawing with Tracy

80. Never ending hunger

81. Berry Harvest

82. I'm so cold

83. Ninja Ethan

84. TMs sucks

85. Popplio Squad

86. Pokemon memes

87. Sword or Shield

88. Fallen Leaf

89. Melody from Meloetta

90. Erie Cemetery

91. Moo moo milk

92. Raticate's death

93. Cubone's sorrow

94. It wears the skull of its mother

95. Scarlet with some violet

96. AUs

97. Indigo disk

98. Detective Pikachu

99. Galar forms

100. Crown tundra

101. Isle of armor

102. We're blasting off again

103. Regigigas

104. Get out

105. Mega Evolutions

106. Lake of Rage

107. Destiny bonds

108. Snorlax in the way

109. McDonald's with Pokemon

110. Avoid black sand

111. Stairs that lead to Arceus

112. Metal hunger

113. Zombie Pokemon

114. Fan games

115. Jackass rivals

116. Two sides of Lillie

117. Narcissistic mother

118. Lava cookies

119. Diglett stampede

120. Darn that Meowth

121. Tea with Treecko

122. Z moves

123. Thinking of a nickname

124. Curse of the nine tails

125. How to cook Pokémon

126. Exploring the burnt Tower

127. Green as Emerald

130. In the flower fields Shaymin awaits

129. Examining fossils

130. Dreaming with Pokémon

131. Pokemon as humans

132. Raichu's pancake delivery service

133. Pikachus vs Teen skull dance competition

134. Destiny Deoxys

135. Virus Groudon

136. Kimono girls

137. Seasons of Deerling or Sawsbucks

138. Jewel of life

139. X & Y

140. Teenage Pokemon series

141. Too cute: Pokemon (Esquirebob)

142. Make a mon out of you

143. Movieunleashers

144. Dr Sylveon

145. Be aware of the side effects of rare candy

146. Out in the Reign

147. Ditto disaster

148. Wild Oranberries

149. Lavender Town

150. Concept Pokemon designs

151. Jigglypuff draws

152. Pokémon 2000 movie

153. Hypno's orphanage

154. Disguise as a Team Rocket grunt

155. Poke parodies

156. Knock offs

157. Pokemon smile

158. Mister donut pokemon

159. Collection of badges

160. Twilight wings

161. Scientifically accurate pokemon

162. Pikachu gets rabies

163. MAD rejected Pokemon / any MAD episodes that has Pokémon

164. Made of dead Pikachu

165. Robot Chicken Pokemon episodes

166. Pokemon fever

167. Dream world

168. Lavender Town

169. Mismagius Rayquaza

170. Pokemon Fusions

171. Addicted to trash

172. Secret base

173. Pokedolls

174. Gigantamax

175. Pika Chew

176. I have a Charizard bitch

177. Eevee evolutions

178. Zubatman

179. You don't have enough money to train me!

180. Rusty (he's from Dorkly fan made Pokemon series called Rusty red)

181. Peanut butter the god of Bidoof

182. Bidoof's Big Stand

183. Pokemon amie

184. Kraft mac and cheese Pokemon

185. Dreams of Cresselia

186. Pokemon products

187. Mochi mayhem

188. Baskin Robbins ice cream pokemon

189. Castelia cones

190. Hogging nuggets

191. Gardevoir goes to the convenience store

192. Elite Four

193. How to train your Dragonite

194. Fairy nightmare

195. Are you a boy or a girl?

196. Help I have turned into a Gengar

197. Curry cook off

198. The Great Pokescape

199. Resort house

200. Something about Pokemon

201. Gardenia and the Old Chateau

202. Corrupted Aquamarine

203. Purple poison

204. Pokemon Park

205. My Dear Friend Electrike

206. Battle Tower

207. Arceus Chronicles

208. Battle Frontier

209. Hex maniac

210. Strange House

211. Forget about the Lunar wing, Stay here with me…

212. Drowsy is a criminal

213. Monster Lusamine

214. Poke flute

215. Distortion world

216. Revisiting Pokémon

217. Build-A-Bear X Pokemon

218. Let's go Pikachu

219. Let's go Eevee

220. Trainer classes/ranks

221. Gimmighoul coins

222. Pikachu with balloons

223. Hotel themed Pokémon

224. Badges

225. Hungry Hungry Hippopotas or Hippowdons

226. Great Canyon

227. Ultra Necrozma

228. Beauty swimmers

229. S.S Anne

230. If May wore blue instead of red

231. Berry juice

232. Shiny leafs

233. Everything blue

234. I thought it was just a regular Apple!?

235. 3 of connoisseurs

236. Poke Cats / Dogs

237. Dragons hate fairies

238. Toughest Scottish girl

239. Poke mart

240. Loyal three

241. Pokemon Center

242. Hoping it hatched shiny

243. Baby Pokemon fight

244. Unlucky bug catcher

245. Creepy Giratina summon

246. Catching bug competition

247. Silver's change of heart

248. Lake Trio

249. Evolving into a beautiful Swanda

250. Musical theater

251. Slowpoke tails

252. Furfrou haircuts

253. Squirtle gang

254. Pokemon Redraws

255. Pokemon Sinners (it's Pokemon fan horror by made Mr. Prinz)

256. It's not always Pikachus and Butterflies

257. Don't Catch Em All

258. Unown

259. Van Gogh style Pokémon

260. Pikachu's surfing waves

261. Poke puff picnic

262. I Choose You

263. Pokemon sweets paradise

264. Don't trust litwick

265. Wally got lucky

266. Battle against Wally

267. Alkadabra Alkazam

268. Failed Mew clones

269. Holiday hijinx / specials

270. Ice cream man Giovanni

271. Bitchy Whitney

272. I choose you to die

273. Going through hoops

274. Can you go with the ferris wheel with me

275. When night falls the Clefairies come out to play

276. Celebi event

277. The Boy that hides behind a mask

278. Poisonous Rockstar

279. Sunken ship

280. Pokemon ships

281. Training session with Lieutenant surge

282. Delta episode

283. Poke blocks

284. Pikachu's Lament

285. Holiday themed Pokemon

286. Artist Smeargle

287. Tapus

288. I'll be worthy in your spotlight

289. The little Primaeina

290. Oceanic operetta

291. You're the worst father I ever had

292. Iris as champion

293. Color swap scenario

294. Loyal 3

295. Scariest monkey I've ever seen

296. Pink glitter vomit

297. Haunted Library

298. She sleeps in her room of Dreams

299. Garden shop

300. Gym leaders

301. Poffins of choice

302. Luxury in a luxury ball

303. What is wrong with you Guzma

304. Officer Jenny

305. Underwater diving

306. Iron Island

307. Forms of Castform

308. Karate ranks

309. Hoping to win a lottery

310. Trying to act tough

311. Pokey hoarder

312. Robot Pikachu

313. Playing at Diglett's cave

314. Torchic eats Fried Chicken

315. Emmet eating cup noodles while his big noodle wants a bite too

316. Electric Yellow

317. Champion Lance week

318. Dressed as their Pokemon

319. Tea party with shiny Geodude

320. Calm mind

321. Food based Pokemon

322. Spooky version of Pokemon

323. Trainers with nation flags

324. You received an egg

325. Oh the egg is hatching

326. Who is your rival?

327. Pokemon Clover Edition

328. Metal princess

329. All grown up Pokemon trainers

330. Fashion show

331. Sky battles

332. Pokemon with a gun / sniper rifle

333. Stupendous cake

334. Descendants of trainers

335. Nerdy Pikachu

336. Kanto side

337. Pokemon Journeys

338. Colonel Sanders plays Pokemon

339. Astronaut trainer of your choice

340. Farfetch knight

341. Burger King with Pokemon

342. Black dress Gardevoir

343. Duchess Pikachu

344. It looks sick

345. At the beach

346. Queen of combees

347. Sailor crew

348. Rockstar Pikachu

349. Some Pokemon just don't like baths

350. Crossovers options of your choice

351. Walking with Pokemon

352. If a flame of it's tail goes out it dies

353. Starter Squad

354. Gladion meets his father for the first time

355. Unfair Trade

356. The Unseen Side of Poké Rangers

357. Pop star Pikachu

358. Ball guy (it's a character that wears a Pokeball with a face acting like a mascot or something from Pokemon sword and shield)

359. The Eevee with many dreams

360. Shadow Pokèmon Redemption

361. Whispering Woods

362. Healer's touch

363. Trapped in a Pokemon body

364. The Silent Siren of the Sea

365. Pokemon University

366. Ghosts of Pokemon past

367. Dances with Whimsicott

368. Japanese city with Pokémon mew flying

369. Chansey's Lullaby

370. Thief in the Safari zone

371. Journey to Jigglypuff's Dreamland

372. Mythical Moon

373. Stolen starters

374. Coping with loss

375. Princess of crystal

376. Companion Forever

377. Heroic Hurdles

378. Elemental Traps

379. Magician's Pokemon

380. Uncharted Territory

381. Capture with care

382. Eternal Floette

383. Ash Greninja

384. Dark Ash

385. Lumiose city

386. Johto side

387. Galarian forms

388. Pokémon Legends Z-A

389. AZ Florges

390. Don't fall for Mindy's scam

391. Project voltage Pokemon x Hatsune Miku

392. Rival Showdown

393. Underwater Expedition

394. The thrill of victory

395. Pikachu's Party Planning

396. Saving the stray

397. Dystopian Pokemon

398. Butt face make farts aButtface McFartsalot

399. Fanarts of mashed pokemon

400. Is this the last Journey?

401. Birthday Zapdos

402. Banana chocolate Umbreon

Disclaimer: Unlike normal requests you can only request of the theme of the name along with the prompts however if it doesn't it just you there are other request events or just send a normal request.

Also feel free to make prompt suggestions to suggest for me to add even on upcoming ones or suggest ideas.

One last thing please read the rules before requesting.

Link to the rules:

[leonsleftbicep]

Bake Me Back To Eden

Chapter: I

Ao3 Version

Word Count: 1,375

tags: Bakery AU, Modern Setting AU, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Getting Together, Getting to Know Each Other, Vessel/II/III are dating, IV doesn't know them… yet!, Trans II, Nonbinary Vessel, Genderfluid III, They/Them Pronouns for III, It/Its and They/Them Pronouns for Vessel, Vessel and III are very creature they deserve creature pronouns

Summary: IV runs a bakery called Ivy Sprigs Bakery & Records, The Echo's work along with him. II, III, and Vessel are customers that don't yet know IV. yet! -- this is being cross posted on here and Ao3. alt names that are more "human" are used at times for the vessels, but i try my hardest to keep up with the numerical names for parts that are not being spoken verbally. The echo's or the esparas have made up names as well for i do not know their actual names and don't really want to use their actual names.

the alt names i will be using for each vessel and espara is listed below. please keep in mind that these names are fake and not anyone's actual names.

Vessel: Verna II: lii III: Thea IV: Ivy Espera/Echo 1: Evaline Espera/Echo 2: Erie Espera/Echo 3: Elanor

---

Ivy Sprig Bakery and Records. A newer place that opened up just a walk away from Vessel’s house. It was II’s idea to check out the bakery, after the couple of times he bought coffee there on his way to work. He thought it was time to show them this cute little hobbit hole of a bakery. 

III was apprehensive about all of this, not knowing if they would like anything. Vessel was just nervous in general. Vess hates going out in public, everyone stares at them because of its height. II might be the only one not nervous, for the main reason that he knew there was a certain person he had a feeling that would change their minds. 

The three of them walking through an alleyway while II led the way. “ii are you gonna kill us or something, this is shady.” III says unnerved by this as they hold Vessel's hand. “where almost there, you know i'm not a big fan of main roads for numerous reasons” II smiles as he walks, taking a turn that leads to the front of Ivy Sprigs. “Here we are” II exclaimed as the two taller beings look at this lovely little bakery, with a dark cottage core almost witchy vibe to it. “I call dibs on the records!” III calls out before they run into the cafe. Both II and Vessel giggle as they hold hands and walk into the bakery. 

they find III already scouring the records for old albums from a band they enjoy. III does squeak and bounce around when they find a limited edition color variant of a record.

“I'll go get coffee, while you watch him” II speaks softly to Vessel as he gets up on his tippy toes just to kiss Vessel's cheek. Which makes the taller blush and hum in agreement. 

II making his way to the cafe/bakery section of the shop, he knew III and Vess would be on their way soon after III found their records. II gets in line and soon feels the presence of his two tall lovers, which calms his paranoia.

III’s jaw drops to the floor all of a sudden. II just chuckles when he feels Vessel also fluster, just by the way they are clutching onto II’s shoulder. “I told you guys I would change your minds” II say with a grin as he also checks out the person they are collectively looking at.

The person in question is a lovely brunette with grays at his temples and widows peak, thin wire oval glasses low on his nose as he smiles and talks to customers. ‘Ivy’ was the name on his apron, which if they all thought right he was the owner. II had met the man a couple of times, though never really had a super meaningful conversation with him. 

“How can i help you lads today?” IV asks as he looks between all three of them. Smiling when he sees II “oh it you Lii!” IV expels like he was surprised. “Its II, i just say Lii for simplicity” II nods, knowing a lot of people find his name odd.

Ivy types out something on his ordering tablet, “i'm guessing the usual black eye” ivy smiles. II hums in confirmation, “and anything those two would like?” IV asks as he gestures to III and Vessel. “They are your partners, right? you mentioned a Vessel or Verna? And some one you called Red?” Ivy asks as he pulls out cups and starts to write down II’s name on it. 

“Black coffee, please” Vessel says with a slight shake to its voice before they just whisper to II what they want. “And a blueberry scone” II adds on, wanting to make sure vessel got all it wanted. “And what's your name sweetheart” IV ask’s vessel so he can write down the name on their cup. Vessel at first flusters at the pet name being used so smoothly. “Vess- no, put down Verna” Vessel says with a soft smile, which makes II squeeze its arm gently in congratulations. 

III smiles when IV turns to ask what they want, “what do you recommend..” III looks at IV’s name tag “..Ivy?” they finish with a smirk. IV just smiles “i fear I- it might be too sweet for you” he tries to flirt back.

II kicks III in the ankle “OW!”. this sight makes IV laugh and snort, which amazes all of them. “goodness. okay, too answer your question Red” IV say with a big grin “my favorites the cafe miel, coffee wise. but tea wise, i usually go with a london fog” IV responds as he plays with his pen “your pick though”.

III leans against the counter as they think, “I'll try the cafe miel” they say “as long as it's, as sweet as you” III purrs. “oh jesus christ” Vessel whispers “this is the same thing they did to me when we first met” Vessel tells II. 

IV just snorts and writes it down “what's your name?” he asks with a soft expression “unless you just want me to write down Red?”. III shakes their head “put down Thea, but you can call me III.. or whatever you want” III chuckles. “III you are horrible at being subtle” II groans and crosses his arms as Vessel rests its chin on his head. 

IV gets pulled away from the cashregister by evaline so she can discuss something with him. III just watches that and then giggles and turns to II and Vessel “i'm not trying to be subtle, i'm trying to get closer” III admits. 

II’s eyes widen “you just met him, Thea!” II yelps. “I feel like that's what you said to yourself when you met me, Lii” III counters, being a smart ass.

Vessel takes a deep breath “ok my loves, can we not get into a tift at the moment. Both of you need coffee, and some food” Vessel says as it takes their partners hands. Both III and II take a deep breath. 

“I'm going to finish ordering, you take III to look at the records. Try and find me something please” II mutters as he pulls away so he can finish the order with Elanor as vessel and III walk off to cool down.

After coffee and some food II and III hold hands as they feel normal now. “Sorry that i was rude” III apologizes. “I accept your apology. But you aren't wrong, there was a reason that Vessel was the one to start dating you first before I did. And it was because I felt it was too soon” II explains, even if this might be odd to discuss in the middle of a bakery. 

IV walks over after finishing up what he needed to with evaline. “Sorry I had to walk away, evidently someone wants an ambrosia salad style cake for their wedding.” IV laughs as he takes off his apron and pulls up his sleeves to expose his forearms. Which the three men gawk at, seeing the ivy tattoos wrap around his wrists and up.

“So can I get you three anything before you head out?” IV asks with a soft expression that makes his eyes look more blue then they were before. 

“Some ivycakes” III blurts out as their face reddens. “I've never heard of that, we do have angel food cake though!” IV responds obviously.

II clears his throat and chimes in, “we are good, we are just about to go purchase those records Thea picked out and then head off home.” II excuses. 

“Well, come back soon. it was great to finally meet your partners, they are very sweet” Ivy says as he makes eye contact with III. which II notices, and so does Vessel by the way it grabs II’s waist and squeezes gently.

After they pay for the records and walk out the bakery, Vessel finally speaks about its experience. “I like Ivy, he has pretty eyes. I wonder if he's single” Vessel smiles as all three of them walk together. 

“The ivycakes thing was about his ass… i asked for a slice of his ass” III explains. 

Both II and Vessel look over at III in surprise.

[deuxcherise]

Collar Crimes: All Bark, No Bite (1/2)

C/w: Unhealthy behavior (?) | Yandere | Female OC | Gender Neutral Reader | Reader is a bit of a… gold digger here (pun intended lol) | Comfort (?) | Fluff (?) | Slight Angst (near the end)| Swearing | Includes a cute pic of a Golden Retriever x German Shepherd mix dog for reference

A/n: So a long time ago, before reader met Eris, reader met a certain dog~ Hint, hint: she was mentioned in the last chapter (can I call it a chapter? It was in part 2). It’s not the bartender, by the way. So this is going to be a two parter because it got too long. Huh… Is it just me or are these getting longer and longer? Even the animal is getting bigger lol. Enjoy~

Masterlist | Part 2, Part 3 (1/2) (you’re here!), Part 3 (2/2)

[Seven years ago…]

“Hiiiii~ Welcome to Petal Blush Cafe, dear guest. We’re so happy-happy to see you~”

“Oh, what do we have here? I heard a lot of great things about you. Come give Papa a big ol’ smile, why don’t cha?”

You keep your ever present resting blank face on, place your index fingers together in front of your mouth and drag them apart in an upward curve. You throw in a tilt of your head, as a bonus.

The customer throws his head back in ecstasy. “AHHH! So it’s true what they say. I feel so refreshed! Papa’s got an appetite for some sandwiches… unless you’re on the menu today?”

“Oh my~ You flatter me~ But unfortunately, nooooo, sir~” you say with a high-pitched cutesy voice that heavily contrasts your stiff-robot face, fanning yourself for show.

You’ve always hated these kinds of customers– actually, you really hated this job in general. Not only were you forced to wear a ridiculously, scandalously short pink waitress dress uniform regardless of your gender, but you had to listen to yourself speak with an ear-gratingly high-pitched tone, because that’s what sells the performance here.

Have you tried to leave? Well, you’ve thought about it, but no. Where else would they pay you enough to make rent? Besides, with who runs this cafe and who owns the area, do you think you’d be able to leave scot-free? No.

You sigh internally. Ah… if only someone with a lot of money could just… sweep me off my feet. Someone kind… Someone considerate… Someone polite…

Pff. Yeah, right. Like that’s ever going to happen.

You take his usual order on your paper notepad. As you leave, you feel something heavy slap against your behind, the action sending a jolt through the rest of your body. You glance behind you and see the customer don a sleazy smirk, which further adds to your disgust and increasing resentment for this place. You pick up the pace to hand over the order to the chef. You slam the paper down onto the counter with a little more force than expected, warranting Remy’s attention.

“Which table?” he nonchalantly asks, cracking a couple of eggs onto the pan.

Somehow, despite wearing the same outfit as you, he maintains an extremely powerful look with his exposed bulging muscles and trimmed beard held by his hairnet. You envy the man.

“Table 13,” you grumble.

“Special sauce?”

“Special sauce.”

“Got it.”

The bell rings and in comes a trio of brothers in fancy suits, three of your most loyal customers, along with an unfamiliar face. Upon their request, the hostess leads them to a table in your section. You grab four menus before walking over and greeting them as usual.

“Hiiiii~ Welcome back to Petal Blush Cafe, dear guests,” you greet, face still with its blank expression. “We’re so happy-happy to see you~” you say, with your iconic blank face.

The three men roar with delight. The lady with them, wearing the same kind of suit, simply pinches and pulls at her sleeve as she keeps her face downcast. One of the brothers turns to the lady with them while pointing at you. “Hey, Sis. Whatcha think of (Y/n), huh? That straight face and cute voice. Combo’s real nice, ain’t it?”

“O-oh… um…” The woman makes eye contact with you for a split second before she looks away, a blush appearing on her face. She nods animatedly, releasing another roar from the men, much to your confused amusement.

“Oh right! (Y/n). You already know the three of us: Dante, Vergil and Nero. This,” Dante says, placing an arm around the lady’s shoulders, “is our baby sister, Lyn. She may look shy right now, but put a weapon in her hand and…” He whistles before chuckling.

“Ah. Happy-happy to have you, Lyn~” you say, cutely wiggling your fingers.

“... T-thank you… (Y/n).”

“Good girl,” one of the brothers sitting across pats her on the head. She reminds you of a golden retriever, with her blond hair and gentle, round eyes.

“Yay~ Now, what will it be today~?” you ask, clicking your pen.

They order some sandwiches and some drinks. You place the order in exchange for picking up the order for that sleazy customer who calls himself Papa. You and Remy exchange knowing looks before you deliver the food.

“Oooh. This looks delicious. Thank you very much, sweetheart.”

You nod and start walking away, before your arm is grabbed by a meaty hand. You turn your head around to see the man grinning at you maliciously. 

“Now, wait a gosh darn second. I heard that this establishment offers a… special service. Now… you aren’t holding off on me, are ya?”

You rip your arm out of his grasp, used to being grabbed by unscrupulous individuals like this man. You answer, “Oh~ The special service~ Sorry, hon~ That’s a privilege only reserved for customers who have dined here more than ten times~ Since you’ve come here once, that means you’ll have to come back nine more times.”

The special service in question refers to asking any server to sing the cafe’s jingle and perform a cutesy dance for the customer asking. Everyone who works here must learn this song and dance before they can be placed on the floor, adding their own twist to it, of course, thus providing a unique experience.

The man slams a fist on the table and stands up, his face red with anger. “WHAT? I CANCELLED A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING FOR THIS. NOW IF YOU DON’T GIVE ME THE SPECIAL SERVICE, I AM GOING TO–”

Click!

Both your heads turn to the side to discover Lyn pointing a loaded revolver with one hand just a feet away, aimed directly for the man’s skull. Her eyes are sharp and narrowed, unlike the gentle, round ones you were introduced to earlier.

She raises her eyebrows. “Is there a problem here, sir?” she asks, voice firm and steady.

“D-do… do you know who you’re pointing that gun at, lady?” the man stutters, sweating beading up on his forehead.

Lyn shrugs. “Does it matter?”

“O-of course it does! Shoot me and you’ll have the West Razors going after you and your entire family.”

She raises an eyebrow. “... Never heard of them before.”

“What? Who are you then, huh, bitch? Some don’s lady?”

She scoffs to the side. Her pupils contract, brown glinting with a shade of gold, as she cocks her head with a smirk. “Lyn Aurem-Diavolus. Of the May Devils.”

The man gasps and immediately lowers his knees, Lyn’s gun following. The man clasps his hands together in a prayer as he begs for his life. “I didn’t know! I didn’t know! P-please forgive me! I didn’t know this server was your lover!”

…Who? Is what now?

Lyn’s eyes soften back to their round shape, her face darkening to a red hue as she stutters, “L-l-lover?”

“That’s right!” Dante pipes up with a smirk, coming behind Lyn, followed by the other two brothers. “Mess with (Y/n) again, and we’ll send you straight down to hell, capisce?” He gives the man a thumbs down with a frown. “Now scram.”

The man quickly gets on this feet and skedaddles out of here, without leaving a tip no less. You click your tongue in annoyance, but you understand. You would be an idiot if you stuck around a pissed off May Devil.

Ah. But what if he spreads the word that I’m Lyn’s lover? … Ah, what the heck. The less perverts there are, the better.

Lyn replaces the safety lock before she puts it back into a hidden holster. She bashfully asks you, “Are you okay… (Y/n)?”

You nod and give a thumbs up. “Yeah. Thank you, Lyn~”

“N-no, well, I mean, yes, that too. But what I meant was–”

“Ooh, free sandwiches,” says Dante, eyeing the plate the guy left behind. “Don’t mind if I do~”

You throw a hand out. “No, wait!”

-----🔔-----

Ever since the brothers introduced you to Lyn, she has been visiting the cafe every day you’re scheduled to work for months now. Sometimes she comes with the brothers, sometimes by herself if they’re too busy dealing with… probably, mafia stuff. Not any of your business.

“Hiiiii~ Welcome to Petal Blush Cafe, dear guest. We’re so happy-happy to see you~”

“H-hi… (Y/n).”

At this point, there is no need to provide her with a menu anymore. She always orders a peanut butter milkshake and a plate of chocolate cake. Somehow, aside from the extreme sweet tooth she possesses, you always feel weird about giving her the chocolate cake. She’s definitely human, but… she really does remind you of a very shy golden retriever… with perhaps a German shepherd side to her. Or maybe like Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog, considering she’s Italian.

“Okay~ Here is your milkshake and your cake. Will there be anything else you’d like today, Lyn-Lyn~?”

You expect her to say no as per usual, but this time it seems she has something on her mind, based on the way her face has turns red and her eyes look like they’re panicking.

“O-oh! U-um… (Y/n)?”

“Yes, Lyn-Lyn?”

“Do you… what time do you get off work? D-do you have time after work?”

That catches you off guard. “Why~?”

“UH… UM… I… I-I have something… to tell you! Come meet me behind the cafe.”

“Oh… kay,” you answer. “Okay~”

-----🔔-----

[After work…]

“Alright. Good job, everyone! Have a safe trip going home!”

“Yeah!” “Thank you! “Yes!” “Uh-huh.” “See ya!”

The day has ended and all of the customers have left. Your boss leaves first, but you and your coworkers stick around in the locker room and begin making conversation as you change out of your work clothes.

“Oooh, you gonna go meet Lover Girl in the back, (Y/n)?”

You roll your eyes at a coworker’s words. “Ha ha. Real funny.”

“What does she wanna talk about anyway?”

You shrug, closing your locker. “Beats me.”

“Ooh, do you think she’s going to confess?”

You scoff. “No. Where’d you get that idea from?”

Your coworkers exchange looks before bursting into laughter.

Ever since that day when the don of the West Sharpies or whatever assumed you were Lyn’s lover, your coworkers have never let you live it down, especially with Lyn’s daily visits. She is… kind, considerate, polite, and you have to admit, she was pretty hot when she defended you back then.

However! You do not have such a relationship with her, nor any kind of feelings like that. You’re sure of it.

You’re the last one to leave, the only one to leave through the back door to meet with Lyn. You find her leaning against the wall, dressed in her suit as always.

The moment she spots you, she stands up straight and blushes again. She has never seen you in civilian clothes before, but you look so… beautiful. More so, without the cute yet obnoxious pink outfit.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?” you ask in your regular voice, out of character. Your face remains blank though.

“O-oh, not at all, not at all. Um, here.”

She manifests a flower bouquet from behind her back. You take the bouquet, entranced by the largeness of it and how beautiful the colorful flowers look under the alleyway’s only streetlight. When your eyes finally break away from the flowers, you find Lyn kneeling down on one knee and looking up at you with a very serious expression.

“Lyn?”

”(Y/n). Over these past few months,” she starts off, “I have been trying to figure out my feelings for you. I’ve thought about it over and over, tried to rationalize it as… as just infatuation, but… I know what’s in my heart. And I’ve finally come to a conclusion. Ever since I first met you, you have… captured my heart. I am in love with you, (Y/n).”

…..

You stare at her with wide eyes. “Huh?”

She clears her throat and starts glancing between you and the surroundings, embarrassed. “I-I know you may not feel the same. My brothers… and everyone else have told me already. And it’s not like I’ve really done anything so far to win your affection…” She mumbles something in between before continuing. “B-but if you give me the chance, I can show you what I’m capable of. As your potential girlfriend.”

“Oh… wow…”

She holds out a hand to you. “So will you… go out with me?”

“I…”

Do you want to try going out on a date with one of the May Devils? And the youngest one too? You don’t have any prior romantic feelings for the girl, which makes you feel bad. What if you never develop any feelings for her? What if she stops showing up to the cafe? What if you accidentally do something that triggers the entire famiglia to go after you?

In the midst of your thoughts, something dark emerges from deep inside you. A devil. It sits on your shoulder and whispers into your ear, “What if this is your chance to get out of here? She has money. You need money. It’s a match made in… well, ya know?”

…..

Your blank face breaks into a smile, an expression Lyn hasn’t seen before but is entranced by, as you place your hand onto hers.

“I would love to.”

-----🔔-----

[A month later…]

You hadn't expected to enjoy going out on dates with her, but you were sure glad that you said yes.

“(Y/n)! Look what I got for you!” Lyn excitedly says, holding a neatly wrapped box for you over your shoulder.

“Another one?” you chuckle, accepting the gift as she hugs you from behind and nuzzles the back of your neck. “Designer clothes. Designer bags. Luxuries cars. Lyn-Lyn, you're spoiling me too much. You're going to go bankrupt!”

She shakes her head, her hair tickles the back of your neck. “Mm mm mm mm. You're not being spoiled, you're being pampered! By me. Your loving, romantic girlfriend. Who regards you dearly very, very much! Forget about the money. Just let me enjoy spending it on you.”

You giggle and place a hand on her cheek, turning your head so you can share a kiss with her. Of course, Lyn starts planting lots of kisses on your face afterwards, like the lovely puppy she is.

You both fall into bed, full of laughter and joy until you both settle down to cuddle with each other. With your fingers interlocked with hers, Lyn gazes into yours with so much adoration, it makes you shy. You turn away and hide your face against the pillow.

“(Y/n), look at me,” she whispers.

You refuse, for a moment, but you make eye contact. You both gaze into each other's eyes, lovingly, until Lyn breaks the silence.

“I love you, (Y/n).

It makes you freeze, hearing those three words fall from her mouth for the first time in this relationship.

What shocks you more is that… well…

The thing is… normally… 

You're… supposed to say it back, right?

You open your mouth but not a single noise leaves it. You avert your eyes in shame, biting your lip.

Why can't I say it? you think. After all she's done for me so far?

…..

“I-It's okay, (Y/n),” Lyn suddenly says, making you look at her. Her eyes and voice are filled with sadness. “I… I know… that it takes time for a person to develop feelings for someone. I mean, it took time for me to realize my feelings too, and… I did ask you out knowing that you might not… reciprocate my feelings. At least, not yet. That's why people date, right? To get to know each other and hopefully fall in love. S-so… I'll wait for you. Besides, we’ve only dated for a month, right? I’ll do my best to make you fall in love with me. Okay? Prepare yourself~”

You nod, happy that Lyn still wants to be with you even if you can't say those three words back to her yet.

-----🔔-----

[Some time later…]

“Who are you talking to?”

You look up from your phone. “Oh! One of my old coworkers. He was just asking how I'm doing now since I've left the cafe. Thanks to you,” you answer, with a playful smile.

Lyn’s face doesn't share your expression. “Oh. Okay.”

You pout, wondering what's going on with Lyn lately. She'd catch you on the phone, ask you who you're talking to, and then ignore you until she finds something else to ask. It’s unnerving…

You crawl towards her on the bed and ask, “Lyn, I know you're upset. Do you want to talk about it?”

Lyn looks at you, looks away, and then looks back at you again before she leans forward and catches your lips with a kiss. She pushes you down onto the bed before releasing you from her lips and just looks at you.

Her eyes move from your eyes to your lips to your exposed collarbone before going back up to your eyes. She sighs before laying her entire weight on you, her head nestled in the crook of your neck.

“Lyn?”

“I love you, (Y/n)... Do you love me?”

“I…” Your voice catches in your throat for nth time.

You feel her breath as she sighs. “I know.”

Tears start to fill up your eyes out of frustration. “I'm sorry…”

She pops back on her elbows, worried. “Oh no, it's okay. Shh shh. It's okay. (Y/n). My (Y/n). I'm sorry,” she coos, caressing your cheek and wiping your tears.

For some reason, no matter what she does, nothing could spark you to say those three damned words. It isn't your fault but…

It’s starting to drive her insane.

[alchemistdetective]

Chloe Netherhorn - Hanged Man Arcana Requirement: Knowledge - Level 3 A chaotic girl who she acts more than what she knows. Is currently searching for the 'Ultimate Alchemy Creation'.

Unlocks tons of stat-boosting medicine you could use, along with LOTS of items you could throw in battle.

Crescent - Hermit Arcana Requirement: Free, but halfway, you'd need Kindness - Level 3 A fairy who's working in a cafe named 'Fairy Tail'. Seems to have once retired from a dangerous group named 'Jormungandr'.

The local gunsmith. Late in the game, she may sell some of the best armaments in the game... if you bring in the right items.

Eri Philomele - Lovers Arcana Requirement: Charm - MAX Prince/ss of the School, with rumors of him being a famous idol. Is doing his best trying to make people's dreams come true.

Unlocks skills related to negotiating with enemies and free healing in Rest Areas (refreshed the next day).

Rirune - Justice Arcana Requirement: Free, but you may need Proficiency - Level 4 for some of the dialogue choices A witch who owns the pub 'The Witches' Brew'. Apparently there's rumors that he's a famous assassin...

Unlocks skills related to ambushing enemies and increased speed.

Flandre Scarlet - Death Arcana Requirement: Guts - MAX A vampire girl who still clings onto her human side. Is trying to find her path of being someone whom her sister can be proud of.

Unlocks an altar where you are free to add debuffs to yourself (Such as increased enemy level, decreased Damage Output, etc.) in exchange for higher EXP, Money, or Drop Rate. Some rare items can only be unlocked this way too.

[lyx-writes]

Seeing as all your asks in the drafts list are completed I am once more taking the opportunity to simp and asking for Erina x male reader headcanons in an AU where she doesn't disappear at the end of the game.

you got it! also, happy new year! just realized you sent this request on the 30th of December, lol

I didn't know how this scenario would really go, but I hope you like it!

☆𝘐𝘧 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦☆

———————————————————————

I can see this going one of two ways

Either Erina stays but is stuck in the world of Toshiro’s heart, or she manages to be brought into the actual world (which would be interesting considering the real Eri Natsuhara)

The former would be funny if you weren’t at all from the world of Toshiro’s heart, meaning that reader is literally occasionally going into a world made by another guy who may or may not have liked this girl LMFAO

Regardless, you two find some way to be together.

With the latter, you show her the real world and act as her guide!

Occasionally you have to remind her that she cannot use her spear and fight

It’s really cute, but sometimes she gets into interesting situations if you leave her alone in public for like five seconds

I have no idea if you intended reader to be a part of the Phantom Thieves or not, but you definitely know Toshiro because of her

The three of you become close friends probably! Maybe even Eri too

She LOVES travelling and exploring, especially going to cute cafes!

One time forgot about the metal greave on her leg and left it on when she went out and got some questionable looks

Rocks an AWESOME style though when she decides to drop the uniform

Sometimes misses the people back in her world, but knows that they’ll be fine

Please visit her homeworld with her occasionally <3

Is bad with technology. REALLY. Bad. think Shin from Eyeshield 21 (breaks any device you give him, except a stopwatch)

Adores taking photos!

If she learns about Super Sentai she will become OBSESSED

Just be prepared for her to become a huge fanboy and occasionally trying some moves

[olenvasynyt]

Writing tag by @bonecarversbestie !

Describe your writing process from idea to posting/publishing?

I usually have a very simple concept to start with but I can pick it up pretty quickly and go from there. I start writing a chapter by doing a very quick blurb that summarizes what will happen: “Lucien is walking back to the forest house after a Winter trip.” Where is he walking? What are his emotions? I can write a pretty long summary and then write the actual chapter when I get inspired. I’ll end up separating the summary into sections and eventually I’ll have a draft! My issue is editing haha I despise editing because I overthink. But I have gotten better. This is fanfic, so usually I will finish up my draft and glue parts together, go over some words I think I repeated too much, and then I say fuck it and go!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

DEFINITELY a plotter. I got a huge huge spreadsheet of my plot for A Court of Embers and Sunlight which includes keeping track of my words, having a little summary, who’s POV, what I need to add etc to each chapter.

What do you listen to when you are writing?

I got a playlist for my Court of Embers and Sunlight fic, but I mainly listen to this classical playlist.

What’s your drink of choice(while writing)?

I often write at my local coffee shop and I either get a honey comb latte (honey, cinnamon, vanilla with oat milk) or a cafe mocha. When I’m at home, I usually just have water.

Promote yourself! What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

A Court of Embers and Sunlight will always have my heart! It’s a 2 year project with over 140,000 words! About Lucien’s life in the Autumn court with Jesminda and how they tragically ended. I also have LoA plots, and Eris plots! I’m proud of my worldbuilding and the emotional stories that I tell. It’s taking me forever to get out though 😭 I have SO MANY chapters and plots I want everyone to read!!

Share a fic of yours that you think is underrated/deserves more love.

The Tree Have Eyes! 3 chapter fic of Eris and little 8 year old Lucien going on a hunting trip!! It’s sweet and emo and fun and full of cool nature.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

I would say don’t think too much about other’s work. This is coming from someone who thinks A LOT, but a lot of people worry that their writer isn’t as good as someone else’s, or they aren’t getting a lot of kudos so it must be bad, etc. Don’t beat yourself up! It’s hard to stop comparing but this writing is for you, and there will ALWAYS be someone who loves to read your stuff. Also make friends with other writers! You get like minded people who can support you and help you out. I’m often a loner but I get so excited when I get friends sharing their work or talking about their work, talking about my work etc! It is very motivating.

What is a writing style/technique that others do really well that you'd like to get better at?

Oh god, dialogue…this is me thinking too much but I never feel very confident in when writing dialogue. So many people write it so naturally and it’s always the first thing they start when drafting! I can start with dialogue but I always enjoy prose and descriptions more.

Is there a character you were surprised you enjoyed writing as much as you did?

Rhysand! He jumped on me when I was first drafting ACOEAS and he was very very fun. Difficult sometimes (because I am not as hot or clever as Rhys lmao) but still very fun.

Thank you for tagging me @yaralulu @sad-scarred-sassy and thank you for starting this @bonecarversbestie ! I feel like most of my writing friends already did this haha.

But no pressure tags: @sadiegirl2021 @ennawrite @jules-writes-stories @clockwork-ashes @highlordofkrypton

[spiritedstars]

Spirit Meets the Bones XXXVIII

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: physical abuse/triggering language. Author’s Note:  In case you missed it, I commissioned an art of Iris here! Thank you for reading, we're gearing up for the end soon!!!

thank you @riorsonxaden for always being my cheerleader <3

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @positivewitch / @animezinglife / @zenkindoflove / @rosewood-cafe / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @readthelastpaage / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @saint-stella / @carolynmezzosoprano / @rainbowsnowflake / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @lalaluch / @moonfawnx

Find it all here.

Eris barely had a moment to breathe through the effects of the faebane when his father’s fire slammed into him and propelled him through the glamour hiding them, straight across the room. He landed with a grunt among the startled crowds as they gasped – even screamed at his sudden appearance.

He didn’t give himself a moment to let his father catch him in this vulnerable position and quickly twisted on his knees, slowly standing and trying to get a sense of his magic; the deep well he had been storing for months – all of it in was empty. 

Eris had deeply miscalculated. 

He should’ve drank his antidote sooner and now he didn’t have time to grab it as the High Lord began his casual stroll down the dais, his eyes never leaving Eris as the crowd slowly parted in shock, backing away from father and son.

“In the last few days something truly harrowing has come to my attention.” the High Lord said, addressing the room as he walked toward Eris. “And it pains me to share this news with you all on what should be a celebratory night.” 

The High Lord spoke in an airy tone and Eris bared his teeth as he braced himself against his father. “Why did you bother standing? Traitors kneel.”

And his father had certainly been holding back earlier because when he slammed his magic into Eris, it made him double over in pain that he hadn’t felt in a long time as the High Lord forced him to his knees. “Father.” 

Beron stood before his son, grimacing down at him then glanced at the crowd around them. “I can see how confusing this must be, to watch your High Lord bring your crown prince to his knees.” the High Lord continued. “But you see…my sons have betrayed me and the people of this court. There has been a plot for my demise.” 

Eris struggled against the force of his father’s magic, his muscles straining as he glared at the High Lord. “Do not twist the situation!” Eris seethed. “You are the only one who betrayed this court.”

Beron scowled, waving his hand as his magic wrapped around Eris’s throat and squeezed. “As your High Lord, it is my duty to protect this court from those who try to undermine its stability. My sons have threatened to do just that,” he said, still in that light tone that made Eris’s blood boil and glanced at the crowd. “They have plotted against me and in doing so, broke my heart and cast light on the unfortunate reality of traitors amongst us. And as you all know, I do not take treason lightly.” 

Whispers traveled among the crowd as they watched this unfold in shock and disbelief, unease spreading but Eris paid them no mind. He only gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a way to break free of his father’s hold but didn’t dare glance at the archers or his sentries who should’ve been infiltrating the room. 

Beron raised a hand, silencing the hall with a single gesture. "My loyal subjects," he began, his voice carrying across the room. “It grieves me to reveal the betrayal that has festered from within my family but rest assured, no one is above my law, not even my own flesh and blood and I will purge this court of their poison.” His gaze swept the room before landing back on Eris who was panting, fighting to escape the contained bubble his father had him in. “Starting with my eldest son.”

Eris’s gaze was livid as Beron stepped closer to him. “After everything I have given you, you still conspired against me and dragged your mother and brothers into it, breaking this family apart.” 

“That is not –”

His father’s magic slammed into him and Eris groaned as the High Lord gripped him by the collar and slammed his fist in Eris’s face. “I hereby strip you of your title as crown prince.” His father’s fist slammed into his throat and Eris wheezed as he felt his airway close. “Your assets.” Another fist slammed into his chest. “Alongside any and all privileges you had as my son.” 

Eris knew just how personal this moment was for his father to use his own fists to beat him. To try and break him in front of the court. He knew just how angry the High Lord was as blood clogged his throat from the fist of fire his father landed to his gut and he wheezed a breath as Beron pulled him up by the front of his shirt. “You are no son of mine and will rot as a traitor in our dungeons. Your wife will share your fate and so will whichever of your brothers side with you.” 

The High Lord dropped his son and Eris felt himself sag on his knees, breathing heavily as he braced himself on shaky arms. It was fine. He’d taken beatings. He’d bled like this before. He would be fine.

Especially because his father’s magic had released him and Eris spat blood, his ears ringing as the High Lord continued to give his speech. He blinked his watery eyes, every inch of him in pain, wheezing another tight breath through his achy throat and he raised a shaky hand to his jacket, patting for the antidote. If he took it now, he would be fine. He could get back on his feet and launch his attack. 

“Ah, my other sons.” 

Eris’s head snapped to the side and he watched as Finn and Izak staggered to a halt, both slightly battered as though coming back from a fight themselves; Izak’s sword was coated with blood as were Finn’s twin blades. 

“You come with raised weapons and expect me to believe you haven’t betrayed me.” The High Lord mused but there was no light in his eyes as he observed Izak and Finn slowly walking around him to reach Eris; only hatred shown in the High Lord’s dead gaze – only promised violence.

“We were attacked by soldiers that were not our own.” Finn spat. “Who would’ve ordered that hit, Father?” 

The High Lord merely lifted a brow. “If you weren’t slinking around like thieves, this wouldn’t have happened to you.”

“Enough is enough.” Izak snarled. “You need to –”

“Ah, I see even my beast has turned on me,” Beron said, chuckling lightly and Eris felt his vision go red as Izak flushed deeply, anger rolling off his brother in waves. “I can’t count on you to gut your brothers for me now, can I?”

Before Eris could force himself to take a breath, the High Lord’s magic lashed out and threw him into his brothers, the three of them staggering back. Izak quickly straightened and shielded them. “The only person I am itching to gut here is you.”

“You threaten your High Lord so easily,” Beron said quietly, yet that promised violence in his tone carried throughout the room. “You are what I made you and yet, you bite the hand that fed you after all these years.”

Eris mustered his rage and again, tapped his jacket quickly. He needed that fucken antidote now and before his father noticed. 

Finn carefully stepped in front of him, next to Izak as Eris’s hands shakily closed around the vial. Carefully uncorking the antidote, he swallowed it in one shot and felt his whole body shudder as his magic coursed through him almost explosively, awakening through his veins. Eris panted, gave himself a moment to be overwhelmed then rolled his head back as he slowly rose, turning to face his father, moving in front of his brothers who flanked him.

Eris’s glare was a fiery branding standing before his father, his chest rising and falling as he tried to continue his breathing. “How can you stand there and say everything you’re saying in front of the court and think they won’t see you for who you are?” he snarled. 

Beron spared a glance to the crowd that was still watching this all unfold with bated breath. He let a heartbeat pass for a moment before glancing back at Eris. “And who am I, Eris?”

“A plague that’s rotted this land for far too long.” he spat and finally allowed his fists to burst into flame. “Tell me where the fuck my wife is.” 

Beron watched his sons stand together and tilted his head, seeming to weigh his next steps – his next words, and Eris’s chest tightened when a dark smile formed on his lips. 

“Ah, yes. My surprise.” the High Lord said and Eris’s heart sank. “Take a look. We are about to begin.”

Turning back to the crowd still helplessly watching this unfold, Beron waved a hand, his eyes never leaving his sons. “So that you all know that I am fair in my punishment, I want you to bring your gaze towards the dance floor and see for yourselves what becomes to those who even think to challenge the High Lord.”

Eris whirled and nearly choked as everything in him stilled. 

He felt his magic snuff out.

He forgot where he was. He forgot everything that was happening. His wrath. His father. His very breath. 

Everything before him slid away and he felt nothing but that thread at his ribcage. It ached. It burned.

His wife.

His mate. 

His worst nightmare was unfolding before him and Eris felt his body begin to shake at the sight – his wife and three others had appeared battered and bruised. 

He felt Finn’s rage behind him. He heard Izak’s sharp intake of breath.

But Eris felt nothing but sheer agony at the sight of his wife strung up on that fucken flogging pole and her bastard of a father standing beside her, smirking, a bloodied whip in his hand.

“No.”

The word slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it and if Eris had thought he had felt desperate before, it was nothing to the desperation clogging his throat right now.

“No.” 

Eris barely had the chance to take a step when his father’s magic slammed into him yet again, forcing him once more to his knees and he roared against it. He knew his brothers were right by him and Eris strained to crack it – to break against it as he desperately tried to get to Iris.

His father came into view, smiling his cruel smile, yanking his head back. “Should you try to fight against me, your wife’s skin will continue to bleed.” he sneered quietly. “Remember how powerless you are against me and how every bit of pain she will receive – and she will receive much more of it – is all your fault.”

Eris snarled as his magic tried to burst out of him but his father only chuckled, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him so he could face his wife.

He felt bile rise in his throat at the sight of her unconscious body, sagging against the flogging pole, his eyes cataloging the skin marred with bruises – the blood was trickling down her temple.

“Iris.”

His call was as frantic as he felt and Eris shuddered as his magic rolled through him but his wife didn’t move. He wasn’t even sure if she was breathing and Eris wanted to die.

But the bond – surely if she had — if something had taken her away — 

His gaze snagged on her dress and how it slipped down her shoulders, exposing the skin of her back but the thought left his mind as his father dropped him to the floor and then walked towards his wife. Panic unfurled in his chest as he tried to adjust himself, watching Beron observe Iris with a predatory look and that panic increased tenfold when his father met his gaze across the room.

“She’s so pretty tied up like this, is she not.” he taunted and Eris’s vision went red, steam rising from his hands.

“Don’t fucken touch her.” His demand was guttural, forcing himself not to lash out. His father was too close to his wife – he was too close to touching her –

The High Lord chuckled and Eris let out a wheezing sound as his father’s magic tightened on his windpipes, dread pounding beneath his skin. Because Beron took another step towards Iris then another, and Eris watched furiously as his father, as though he had all the time in the world, slowly ran a finger down Iris’s exposed back.

“How exciting is it to ruin what once was such soft skin.” the High Lord said quietly, glancing at the blood coating his finger and then smiling at Eris. “How lovely she will be with scars.”

“I said don’t fucken touch her.” he snarled wildly then choked as the High Lord squeezed hard enough, black lined his vision. “I will kill you I will —” 

Even across the room, the High Lord’s magic tightened his grip on Eris’s throat as they watched each other and the High Lord tsked. “Don’t be selfish, Eris. Your wife isn’t the only one here. Think of how your brothers must be feeling.” 

The rage of a thousand suns rushed through him and he knew his glare was spitting fire as his father smirked at him, knowing how badly the bastard had crossed a line. 

Because Eris saw how Theo was barely breathing and knew Finn was frozen in place watching in disbelief. He knew the kind of thoughts that had to be crossing Izak’s mind watching his father-in-law lying lifeless. He could only imagine what Emil would do to see Cosette trembling in tears, blood coating her skin. 

The urge to kill kill kill kill pounded through him like a symphony. 

And Eris’s whole being began to shake again as the High Lord’s fire held him in place, forcing him further to the ground. Eris struggled against it but something was different about his father’s magic this time. It was more vicious – more brutal and it seemed to attack him with every breath he made as the High Lord waved a hand to Aron who stepped back.

“I knew you were a coward,” Eris spat venomously. “I didn’t think you’d need to have us held down to overpower us you filthy piece of shit. I will –”

“Did you know?” Beron said, ignoring Eris’s rant, his eyes darkening as he stared down at his son. “Apparently your wife so graciously volunteered to take all the lashings for the other three,” As his gaze returned to Iris’s bloodied back, the cruelty of his smile boarded on mania. “And just for your lip, I’ll begin the punishment myself.” 

Eris lost whatever air he had left. “Don’t you dare –”

“Unless of course, you’d like me to begin with the others? Spare your wife a little longer at the expense of your brothers watching people they care about suffer?” Beron asked mockingly. “We can make you dread the anticipation of what’s to come, hm?”

After all this already, his father had the nerve to toy with them even more. Despite how badly he was shaking, Eris felt just how tense Finn and Izak had gotten next to him. Ash clogged his throat and just as he was about to open his mouth, his father beat him to it. 

“But no. I’ve longed to make her bleed. To give her scars twin to yours,” he said and let out a chuckle that made the hair on Eris’s body rise. “I will finish what your father-in-law started and I will enjoy it.”

“You so much as touch that whip –” Eris threatened, panting, sweat pooling as his fire boiled beneath his skin and his father made the mistake of smiling.

Beron made his second mistake by taking another step toward Iris and Eris finally let himself detonate, consequences be damned. 

Every bit of self-restraint he’d had, every bit of calm and logic he had held to, came unloose — his roar sounding through the hall as the ground shook.

Beron’s magic tried to latch onto him again and he felt the High Lord’s power slam into him but Eris was too angry, too lost in his own rage – his magic held, shielding him.

He had enough of thinking logically – holding back for the sake of avoiding collateral damage. He would not stand there and let his wife take any more than she had already taken. 

Without a second thought, his magic flared and Eris sent a wave of his fiery magic straight for his father’s chest, and in the same breath, his hand lifted to give his archers their signal, sending ashwood arrows tipped in faebane for his father.

Then Eris paid it all no mind. He didn’t hear Finn’s roar or see him finally charging at their Father. He wasn’t truly aware of Izak’s bellow at their sentries to move forward. 

Everything around him was hazy. Eris felt detached from himself as he turned back towards his wife. He saw nothing but her – his fucken mate strung up and bleeding and Eris ceased to feel anything at all.

His head had never been quieter even as the world around him was so loud. 

People were yelling. There was rushed movement and the clashing of swords. But Eris heard none of it. He couldn’t focus on anything but Iris.

His Iris.

His wife.

The – the love of his wretched life. His light at the end of this very long tunnel.

What was the point of him and all his planning if she still ended up here? Hurt? Strung like a lamb for sacrifice? 

What was the point?

He wanted the sound of his dagger to sing with his father’s blood but first –

Eris took a step, then another, trying not to run as flame licked each footstep, tugging on the mating bond. He tugged and begged her to move, to look at him, to even shift her fingers as he moved closer. 

His hands began to shake as he kneeled before his wife and as gently as he could ever bring himself to touch her beautiful face, Eris lifted her chin.

The sight nearly broke him. 

The bruises on her face...gods they were far worse than he could have imagined up close. They peppered her beautiful face in splatters of dark reds and purples from the corner of her temples to her jawline and what parts of her face weren't covered in bruises, were covered in ruffled tendrils of hair. Gone was the tiara he had given her – Eris had no clue where it was and didn't care as he gingerly brushed her hair to the side, his palm brushing along a swollen cheek and the ugly warmth that accompanied it. Her beautiful dress had tattered edges near where the whip had touched and Eris didn’t want to look too closely at what he’d find on her back. He didn’t know if he could handle it. Even if it was all his fault this had happened. 

It was his fault for bringing this kind of pain into her life. He should’ve let her go sooner. He should’ve forced her to leave. 

He should’ve done so many things differently and now she was paying the price. 

So he forced himself to take a step around her and bile rose in his throat again at her exposed back, his shaking hands fisting at his sides.

His father hadn’t given an empty threat; her bloody scars would certainly match his own. 

The silence that had been in his head was now filled with roaring. Anger surged through him, his vision blurred, and the dormant volcano he had kept on his magic was thumping violently in his veins. He was primal fury and if Iris didn’t wake or move or react to him in some way, he was going to kill everyone in this room then himself, starting with his fucken father. He tugged on the bond again and returned to her side, kneeling once more.

“Little gazelle,” he whispered and everything in him ached – everything hurt. She had been going through this while he had been here. He had left her to this fate. “Please tell me you can hear me.” He begged softly. “Please tell me you haven’t left me.” 

But Iris didn’t respond and Eris’s hands started shaking again. “Iris, love. Please.” he pleaded. “Anything – give me anything, Iris. I can’t do this without you, please –” 

“He – he went hard on her.” 

Eris whipped his head to the voice that had spoken and found that it was Theo on his knees, chained a few feet from his wife. “What.”

Theo licked his lips and Eris noted the blood dripping from a cut on his cheek and how roughed up he looked, bruises all over him. “Her father. He wasn’t supposed to touch her until we got here but he – he enjoyed it too much. The fucker wouldn’t stop.” he said hoarsely. “She did it to save us. She took the brunt of it so Cosette and I wouldn’t.” 

And Eris could see the shame in Theo’s eyes at the thought that he couldn’t have stopped the pain she was going through. “I’m sorry, Eris.” the blacksmith rasped. “I’m so sorry.” 

Eris didn’t have it in him to do more than shake his head, sending a burst of his magic to cut through Theo and Cosette’s chains. “Take Cosette and Marcus and try to get out of here while they’re distracted. For Finn’s sake. Leave now.” he commanded then turned back to Iris and forced himself to swallow, taking in her state. 

Gods, he had never hated himself more. 

“Wife,” he whispered and desperation clogged his throat, fighting at the anger even as he started to feel his body go aflame. His voice was guttural as he begged again, “I need you to come back to me so I don’t kill everyone in this room. Please answer me.” 

Eris tugged on the bond again, trying to send his love – his affection – his adoration for her, anything to get her —

She needed a healer, badly and his gaze filtered around the room. If he could find Nevien. If he could even try to heal her himself – his hands already brushing against her face and sending whatever healing magic he had to lessen the bruises. 

But her back – his gaze drifted to the wounds he found there and the urge to vomit returned in full force. This was all his fault. He had done this to her. 

He shouldn’t have let her stay. He should’ve shipped her to Lucien weeks ago –  

The thought had barely left his mind when he heard a tiny whimper and Eris nearly fell over as his head snapped back on his wife and relief washed over him as she tried to open her eyes.

“Iris.” he breathed, his hands gently touching her face and again, he watched her with bated breath as Iris's eyelids fluttered, her consciousness waning as she struggled to focus on Eris's voice. The pain radiating through her body threatened to pull her back into the depths of unconsciousness, but his voice, the desperation in it reached her through the haze.

He needed her and Iris had to answer him. 

“Eris…” Her voice was barely a whisper, raw with agony. Each breath felt like shards of glass against her lungs and everything fucken hurt as the echo of her father’s laugh rang through her ears – the sound and sting of the whip made her involuntary shudder. The movement caused a groan and another whimper slipped from her lips as she felt Eris finally release her from where she’d been strung. His hands warmed her lifeless arms with soft touches and Iris tried not to cry, tried to hold back tears at the sheer amount of relief that washed over her as Eris held her, his nose in her hair.

“I’m here, love," Eris murmured, his voice trembling with contained rage, letting his fire warm her clammy skin. “I’m here now. I’ve got you, little gazelle.”

Iris struggled to swallow – struggled to say more. She had tried not to scream, had tried not to give her father the satisfaction of knowing how much the whip had hurt and her throat felt too raw from holding back. But Eris was here with her. It was his tender touch on her body and Iris wasn’t sure which of them was trembling.

“It’s okay –” she whispered and tried to shift to meet his gaze. “Are you – are you okay? W-what’s happening?”

“Too much is happening. Everything went to shit and I –” he began then growled, every stress weighing on him. But she was awake. She was talking to him. She was alright. “I’m sorry, Iris. I should’ve sent you away sooner – I’m so sorry –”

“Eris, no.” she immediately chided hoarsely and struggled to sit up in his arms. Her back felt on fire, her arms felt useless and she tried to focus on her own healing magic, letting it work but gods, everything ached. “Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. Look at me –”

“I should’ve sent you away sooner.” he mumbled again, his gaze finally meeting hers and at her wince, his anger returned in full force. “You’re hurt.”

“I know but it was worth it – it –Theo! A-and Cosette!” ”she rasped and swallowed, hissing slightly as Eris shifted her. “We have to – and Lord Marcus! We can’t let them –”

“I already released them.” he said and cupped her face. “Wife, I need to focus on you. You’re hurt.” 

“What about you?” she whispered. “Look at the bruises on you. Let me –”

“Iris.” he begged. “Focus on healing yourself, please. Take whatever of my magic you need –”

“No.” Her tone offered no argument as she forced herself to sit up even though every inch of her was screaming in agony. “You will not use any of it on me. You need it.”

He wanted to argue with her but he took in her disheveled appearance and what Eris really wanted to do was get her out of here. He ran his tongue over his teeth, his hands gently on her body even as they shook. “Fine, but let me help you. Let’s get you out of here.”

“And go where?” she breathed. “You think after all this I’m going to leave you?” 

His expression hardened. “You think after what they already did to you I’d let you stay?”

“I have a score to settle,” she said and despite every inch of her skin screaming, she straightened in her husband’s arm. “And you will not deny me of it.”

Eris’s mouth went into a hard line. The sounds of fighting continued around them and yet, he could only focus on her. “You know I wouldn’t deny you anything but you can barely heal yourself, Iris.” 

“I’ll manage.”

“Don’t be stubborn about this, wife.” 

“I don’t care –”

“You’ve already been hurt enough for me – for others –”

“And I’d do it again.” she seethed. “Do not take this away from me. I couldn’t let them get hurt. I had to protect them.”

“Iris.” he said and couldn’t even chide her when he saw the earnest expression and her lip trembled. 

“I never had people to protect or who would fight to protect me.” she whispered. “This is my family too now. I don’t care that I’m hurt.”

“I do.” he snapped then worked his jaw as he softened his tone. “This is my worst nightmare, Iris. I’m watching it play out and my father was about to start doing more.” he licked his lips. “Do not put me in a position to worry about you. I don’t even know what happened to my mother or Emil and –”

“I do. Before my father took me, they had been cornered by him in the guest wing but I healed them.” she said quickly. “They should be fine but I don’t know what else –”

“Eris!”

Izak’s roar had both of them turning and a shield of fire burst out of Eris to stop the attack of arrows that were aimed at his head. His eyes narrowed, assessing the chaos in the room.

He watched as Finn’s twin blades sank into every enemy that passed, trying to make his way to their father, who observed it all unfold in relished amusement. Eris watched as Izak shoved a group of five grunts off him, the swing of his sword sounding across the room. The blur of uniform colors fighting against each other and as more of his father’s bribed soldiers descended into the room, Eris knew the only way he could focus was to get Iris out of there.

“I need you to be safe, Iris. I can’t –” 

He had barely turned, his body still facing the chaos and his distraction had cost him. Before Eris could move another muscle, the High Lord’s magic had shot out, hitting him square in the chest. 

“Eris!” Iris shrieked, trying to move to get to him, wounds be damned. The High Lord only chuckled and Iris let out a groan as his magic slammed into her, pinning her where she sat. 

He staggered back, clutching his chest at the assault but forced himself to stand between Iris and his father, and without waiting for his father to continue, he lashed out with his magic. His father met his flame with his own and Eris fumed at having to be further distracted from getting Iris out. 

“Did you think you could sneak away, boy?” Beron snarled quietly as his flames surrounded them, cutting them off from their surroundings. “Slither away without paying the price for your treason?”

Eris’s eyes remained on his father and he allowed himself a breath then another and then, he let his mind go blank. He let his emotions cease. All his emotions except for his rage. 

What was the point if he didn’t let go? 

People thought him a monster anyway. Perhaps the only way to take out a monster was to become one. 

For his mate. For his mother and brothers. For himself. 

Eris straightened as he stood before the High Lord. The fire beneath his skin was scalding as it bubbled to the surface and slowly Eris let his wildfire reach his eyes. 

“I will give you one chance to release my mate and step out of the way.”

“Or?” the High Lord taunted. “Are you finally working up the courage to kill your dear old father?”

Eris smiled humorlessly. “Killing you has always been the endgame, High Lord.” he said. “It was a childish dream to have hope for you.”

“Ah,” the High Lord mused. “And I suppose now that all of you have suddenly become knights in shining armor, you think to be better than I was?”

“We were always better than you,” Eris said, lifting his chin. “Our mother saw to that.” 

“I left your mother for dead so a great deal that will do her.”

Eris forced himself not to flinch. “Or so you say,” he replied curtly. “Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time things have slipped out of your control or right under your nose.”

The High Lord flushed, anger overtaking his expression, as he glared at Iris and then back at his son. “You mock me and yet, you are barely holding it together because of a good-for-nothing female.”

Eris felt his magic thump beneath his veins. “You will not speak of her that way. Release her at once.” 

“She will be the reason for your demise if you stay so focused on what happens to her.”

“You will be the reason for yours if you do not stand down.”

They stared at each other in silence for a moment or maybe a lifetime – Eris wasn’t sure. All he knew was that the male who was supposed to be his protector had died years ago and it was about time the walking corpse that had replaced him be gone.

Eris allowed himself a moment to mourn what could’ve been. He allowed himself just one – to feel sorry for himself, for the male that was once someone he admired and loved. 

For indeed, Eris would take the bloody crown and put an end to it all. 

But Eris had barely moved when the High Lord did a double take, his expression shifting. Eris’s eyes narrowed, refusing to take his eyes off his father, not trusting that it wasn’t a trick even as Iris took a sharp breath behind him.

Instead, his father seemed to be staring at a ghost. In one breath, Eris saw the High Lord standing. In the next, his father was now on his knees, clutching his throat, the air ripped out of his windpipes. A knife was protruding from his right shoulder. 

Eris’s shoulders slackened as Lucien appeared out of the flames behind Beron, his hand gripping the handle of said knife with a small smile.

“Quite rude of you to leave me out of yet another family reunion.” 

“Lucien.” Eris breathed and spared Iris a glance to see that she’d been released from her hold and shakily trying to stand. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Lucien shot Beron a look full of loathing before turning back to Eris. “No one showed. We knew something was wrong and if I didn’t show up, Helion would’ve come and raised hell.”

Beron finally seemed to snap the leash Lucien had on his throat. “You.” he snarled. “How dare you show your face here.”

“I’m so handsome, it would be a waste if I didn’t,” Lucien said, waving a hand almost mockingly.

“I banned you from –”

Lucien waved his hand again and his magic seemed to be silencing Beron once more. “My father says hello,” he said with a smile that was anything but kind, and Beron’s glare intensified. “And by hello, he means he would love to lodge a spear in your chest.”

“How the fuck are you doing that?” Eris asked, grateful for the momentary pause, rushing over to Iris and slowly helping her stand, trying not to let the paleness of her skin worry him. “How did you even winnow within the walls?”

“I am a Spell-Cleaver, after all. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” Lucien said and this smile was more genuine if not a little smug. “The binding spell won’t hold him for long but it helps that I had the element of surprise.” 

“Will you be able to stay and help?” Iris asked breathlessly. “Your mother –”

“I’ve come to help in any way that I can.” Lucien answered. “Helion is waiting to –” 

“Lucien. Take Iris and go.” Eris commanded. “Take her out of here and have her healed then find mother.”

“Eris, no –”

“Non-negotiable.” he snapped and at the furrow in her brow, he cupped her face, meeting her gaze. His touch was gentle, to not aggravate the still-healing wounds and Iris’s grip tightened on his arm as she shuddered. 

“Eris.”

“Please.” he only whispered and Iris’s expression tightened despite the tremble in her lip but she knew what that word cost him in front of others. She knew she couldn’t argue with him, not as her shaky legs barely held her up. 

Eris glanced at Lucien who was still watching the High Lord with that small smug smile. “Lucien. Take Iris to the healer's wing,” he commanded again and reluctantly eased Iris into his brother’s open arms. “Then find Mother.”

Lucien’s gaze hardened as he nodded at Eris then gave Iris a thin smile as he carefully held her. “Ready?”

“No.” she answered honestly and her eyes stayed on Eris who couldn’t look away from his wife, a muscle flexing in his jaw. It would be better this way. Let her be safe. Let her be away when he finally cracked.

But the sound of the High Lord roaring behind him, had the three of them turning and Eris put up a shield that Lucien reinforced as they watched his father pant, yanking the dagger out of his shoulder and tossing it to the side. 

“So fucken weak.” Beron spat. “With your words and your feelings. You embarrass yourself in front of me and then wonder why I always tried to beat the softness out of you.” 

Eris only lifted a brow at the High Lord’s fury. “Tell me how you really feel, father.”

“You allowed that bastard to set foot in my court.” Beron snarled and Eris schooled his expression into calm. 

“He’s a son of Autumn whether you accept him or not,” he said then tilted his head, his tone taunting, watching as his father’s face nearly turned purple in anger, sparing Lucien a glance. “Isn’t it fascinating that he’s now powerful enough to overpower you with a single spell?”

“And I haven’t even started the real fun.” Lucien added, with that smug smile of his.

“Your little party trick won’t save you when I get my hands on you.” Beron promised and Eris couldn’t help the way his body straightened, taking a step in front of Lucien and Iris. 

Enough was enough.

“Your hands will hurt us no more.” 

Never taking his eyes off his father, Eris let himself take a breath and then opened his hands, allowing him to finally unleash his own party trick. Slowly, his fire began to leak out of him and his father watched with narrowed eyes as full-fledged fire creatures started to form. 

His well of magic was something he’d very carefully cultivated and nurtured over the years. He’d had to keep it well hidden but Eris had never shied away from experimenting and testing out his limitations until he settled on a way to keep himself safe at all times. 

Inspired by his smokehounds, Eris had played with his magic until he could shapeshift it the way he wanted and now twelve firehounds stood surrounding him. Judging by the sharp intake of breath from both his wife and brother, his firehounds were just as breathtaking as his smokehounds were. 

Beron blinked in the silence as he observed the fire creatures then met his son’s gaze again. 

“You seem surprised, father.” he said and Eris couldn’t help but find it poetic that despite the sound of carnage around them and his mate still in harm’s way, he was so very calm. 

Beron’s lip curled. “Surprised that you’ve resorted to making up cheap tricks to win a fight?”

Eris shook his head with a chuckle and knew as he took another breath, his whole body was now aflame, a hand petting his fire creature next to him as he watched his father, feeling Iris and Lucien take a step back. “Your imagination has always been limited. Despite being a High Lord, you never took the time to figure out how to push the boundaries of your mind and create with your magic. You let yourself get comfortable, despite knowing I grow in power. You let yourself stay like this. You knew I’d come for your throne one day and yet, you let yourself rest easy thinking my mother was the only person you had to worry about. Thinking that after what you did to her, she wouldn’t have the courage to fight fire with fire.”

“Your mother is –”

The firehound at his side snarled, taking a step towards the High Lord and Eris’s smile turned deadly. “I suggest you watch your mouth. Your breaths are already so numbered.”

Beron watched his son with calculating eyes then straightened and it seemed the High Lord had finally reached his limit. “As you wish, boy. You want to try and kill me? Let’s make sure your demise has witnesses.” 

Unsheathing his sword, the High Lord slammed it into the ground and the hall shook with the force of it. A line of fire burst from his hand down the blade and Eris watched as the wall of flames that had been hiding them from the crowd disappeared and fire spread through the fissures of the floor, Lucien moving Iris out of the way.

He watched and waited as the High Lord took deep breaths, rage emitting from every inch of him but Eris only smiled and addressed his firehounds. 

“You know who to kill. Leave no survivors.” Eris muttered, eyes ablaze and his firehounds scattered through the screaming crowds. 

“Your fire won’t save you, boy.” the High Lord said and though his tone was quiet, Eris heard him loud and clear. “Nothing will after I run my blade through your chest.” 

“Your threats no longer mean anything to me, father. And I’m tired of your words.” 

Unsheathing his own blade, Eris ran a hand down at the length of it, his fire coating the blade. Without breaking his father’s gaze, Eris sliced his palm, gripping the blade until the scent of fresh blood filled the air. Slowly, he then raised the blade in front of him and slashed the air twice, two lines of fire appearing in the air before him. 

The world seemed to still, the room going silent at the signal. A breath, then another as Beron straightened, holding his sword and gazing at Eris with a look filled with raw hatred. Eris was vaguely aware of Iris’s beating heart, of Lucien ready to pounce, of both Finn and Izak close by, blades out and coming to stand behind him. 

“You know what that symbol is announcing, don’t you, boy?”

“I do.” Eris answered quietly. “Your reign of terror is coming to an end, High Lord and I’ve been waiting to challenge it for a long, long time.”

He took a step and lowered his blade, scraping the tip across the floor in front of him, a line of fire bursting before him.

“As a Prince of Autumn, a son of this court, and with the fire running through my veins, I challenge you to a blood duel till death,” he announced, his voice ringing across the hall. “You have dishonored the throne you sit on and its people you were meant to protect. You have dishonored the Lady of this court and your family. Most importantly, you have dishonored and brought harm to my wife, my mate and for that alone, I will have your head.” 

Beron only tilted his head, watching his sons stand before him with narrowed eyes before pulling his sword from the ground and slicing his own palm then scraping his blade across the floor, mirroring Eris’s movement and a line of fire appeared before him. “I accept your challenge.” the High Lord replied coldly. “You have chosen death, Eris. I hope your false sense of justice will be worth it.” 

Eris spared his wife and brothers one last look, jerking his head for Lucien to leave before meeting his father’s gaze once more. “Feeling my blade pierce your flesh and watching you take your last breath?” Eris murmured. “I’ve been dreaming of it.”

And there were no more words as Eris and Beron each took a step towards each other, the frenzied energy in the room increasing tenfolds, like a rope tightening around each of their windpipes. 

Lucien’s grip tightened gently on Iris, and she could only watch in horror as Eris roared, launching himself at his father before he finally winnowed them out.

[tomboyjessie13]

~Tales in the dark Rain~ Prologue

Giza Cafe - The Pyramids August, Afternoon

It was a regular summer afternoon in Egypt's capital, the great pyramids and the Sphinx stand tall over the desert sand, there was also a desert cafe stationed by them full of alcohol, hookas, and of course gambling, the latter being illegal in the country.

But the owner, Daniel J. D'Arby doesn't care, he was a gambling addict and one of DIO's top 3 money launderers next to Madam Sharona and Murphy, he'll keep playing no matter what. But not today however, because while was working at the bar as the radio plays...

J. D'Arby: *Cleaning the glasses at the bar*...... *Suddenly felt a chill and started shivering* Brrr... That's odd, why is there a cold breeze in the middle of summer?... *Sees the clouds forming* Hm?

Radio: *Switches from the music channel to loud beeps from Egypt's EAS*

Everyone in the cafe: *Turns their attention to the radio*

Radio: *Then a woman on the radio spoke:* We interrupt this program to announce that our Meteorologists had discovered that a severe storm that's been affecting Greece and Turkey since yestarday has made it's way to Egypt, and will hit coastal cities up north such as Alexandria.

Eris' Apartment - Downtown Cairo

Meanwhile in downtown, Eris was in the middle of feeding her pet boa snake Bonnie in her witchcrafting room when she heard the weather announcement on her TV.

TV: We've also been informed that this storm is big enough to reach in land and create strong winds that have the potential to stir up sand storms in the desert, and it will hit cities southward such as Suez and Cairo.

Eris: *Calmly puts her snake back in the terrarium and goes to grab a potion bottle filled with green liquid from her mini fridge, the tag reads: "Needs thunderbolt and blast of wind"* Finally, one of my potions will be complete. *Opens bottle and puts it on an open window sill before going to water her plants*

Airport lobby - International Cairo Airport

Meanwhile at the Airport, Midler had just stepped out of one of the gates connected to her plane alongside a bunch of disgruntled travelers, suitcase in hand and irritation on her face.

Midler: *Irritated* I can't believe they cancelled my flight! I got a mission to get to! *She then sees the TV in the lobby, playing the news*

TV: Do not be alarmed, just prepare for potential floods, power outages, and cancelled flights, bring in as many animals as you can, and drive slowly when out on the road.

Mider: Ugh! Stupid weather! *Sighs* Oh well, I'll just hang around for a bit, hopefully Lord DIO would be understanding. *Leaves the building and starts waving at the street* Yoohoo! Taxi!

Giza Cafe - The Pyramids

Radio: Thank you for your time, and be safe out there.*Does more loud beeps before playing music again, thus ending the EAS*

J. D'Arby: Huh, well that explains a lot. *Turns off the radio, turns to his remaining costumers* Alright ya'll, you heard the lady, there's a nasty sand storm coming so we're gonna to be closed for a while until further notice, everybody go home.

Costumers: *They do as he says, some understanding, others begrudgingly*

J. D'Arby: *To his bartender* Help me close up shop, will ya? I don't want my wares being damaged by the storm. *Goes to put the tables and chairs away with his Stand* 

Bartender: Yes sir. *Starts putting away the beverages and hookahs into a safer spot*

Khan el-Khalili - Islamic Cairo

In the Bazaar, Oingo and his little brother Boingo were browsing through the many shops of the labyrinth looking for someone, Oingo walked out of one of the buildings.

Boingo: Is he in?

Oingo: No, this Muhammad Avdol guy still isn't here, and I can't find his passport or suitcase either, I think he left Egypt entirely.

Boingo: I was afraid of that, Mr. DIO's not going to be happy about this. *Reads [Thoth]* Huh?

Oingo: *Rubs back of neck* Tell me about it, guess we can kiss this month's rent money goodbye...*Chills* Brrr, why is it getting cold?

Boingo: I think I know why, big bro. *Shows him the prediction from [Thoth]* A sand storm's coming to Cairo any minute now.

Oingo: *Shocked* Oh shit! Come on we gotta get outta here. *He picks up his Boingo and starts running in the direction of the mansion as thunder begins clapping from the distance*

D'Arby’s game room, DIO's Mansion

It has been a few days since Kakyoin was taken in by DIO, his wounds have recovered nicely, but the "skin tag" on his forehead was giving Medea the creeps. Regardless though, she really enjoys the boy's company, even moreso when watching him and D'Arby duking it out on "Street Fighter" in the latter's basement(which is now taking the form of an Kyoto Imperial Palace)

Kakyoin: *Making some sick combos as Ryu*

T. D'Arby: *Dodges them as Zangief before going for another strike* I must admit, Kakyoin, you are an impressive fighter. 

Kakyoin: What can I say? I've done a lot of practice with my Stand as a gaming partner.

T. D'Arby: I can see that... if we're betting souls instead of playing casually, then yours would make a-

Medea: *Irritated* D'ARBY! Don't even think about it! 

T. D'Arby: It was hypothetical. <_<

Kakyoin: I do not appreciate being objectified like that, D'Arby. >_>

T. D'Arby: Really? Well do you appreciate me destroying you with these sick combos? *Makes the aforementioned combos that kills Ryu* 

Kakyoin: *Shocked* What!?

TV: "ZANGIEF WINS!"

T. D'Arby: I win >:-3 

Medea: Hey no fair, you distracted him! 

T. D'Arby: I distract no one, he did that himself.

Medea: That's it. *Takes the controller from the third chair* Move over, Kakyoin, I'm about to kick his ass with Chun Li.

T. D'Arby: *Nosebleeds a little* Chun Li, who can resist such a beauty with strapping thighs? ~<3

Kakyoin: *Looks at him in disgust* 

Medea: *Also disgusted* Pervert. *Starts the game, but just as she did, the lights started flickering*

Kakyoin: *Looks up* Hm?

T. D'Arby: May the best player win, King.

Medea: Ditto.

TV: "ROUND 1, FIGHT!" 

Medea and T. D'Arby: *Starts duking it out* 

Kakyoin: *Sees the lights flickering again* Uh guys, I think there's something wrong with the-

~ALL THE LIGHTS AND TVS WENT OFF~

Kakyoin: Lights.

T. D'Arby: *Panics* No...No no! *Starts shaking his TV* NO! NOOOOOO!

Medea: Dude, chill the fuck out! Something must've happened that caused a black out. *Whistles* Yo Kenny!

Kenny G: *Appears from the crawl space* Yeah?

Medea: What's going on out there?

Front door A few seconds later

Everyone was staring out into the blustering weather at the door, it was already raining and yellow from the dust, causing Pet Shop to take cover in the trees.

T. D'Arby: *Shocked* A dust storm!? In the middle of summer!?

Enyaba: *Calm* I got a call from your brother just before the power outage, he told me that the downpour that's been affecting Turkey and Greece recently has made its way to Northern Egypt, it's big enough to reach as far as Cairo, thus causing this dust storm. The wind is also strong enough to knock out the worn-out power lines in several poor neighborhoods, *points at one that's been tipped over by the wind* including ours.

Vanilla Ice: So we have no power? 

Enyaba: I'm afraid so.

T. D'Arby: *Devastated* NOOOOOOOOO! *Fell on his knees* My Street Fighteeeeeeer! TToTT

Vanilla Ice: *Flat* Take it easy, it's just a game. <_<

Medea: Well, that's bogus, but I'm not really surprised. Islamic Cairo's one of the oldest and poorest areas in the city that suffers from neglect and decay despite its rich history, also doesn't help that Lord DIO's Vampiric vibes scared away the tourists, it was only a matter of time before things started falling apart.

Kakyoin: Indeed, it is quite sad.

Enyaba: *Enters inside* We'll mourn for the lost of it's historical value later, but right now we gotta figure out how to save the food in the refrigerator, without power, they'll spoil.

Kenny G: *Counting his fingers as he follows her* The non-refrigerated goods are probably ok, but the produce and frozen waffles are going to need an ice cooler.

Midler: *Outside the gates* HEY! LET ME IN! 

Medea: What the? Rose, is that you!?

Midler: Yeah, it's me! Now let me in! 

Medea: *Grabs an umbrella, goes out into the rain, and opens the gate* I thought you were heading for Scotland.

Midler: *Goes under the umbrella and walks with her* I was, but my flight got canceled at the last minute because of this stupid weather.

Medea: Yeesh, that sucks. *To T. D'Arby* Hey Telence, if you're done sulking, how about grabbing some towels from the bathroom?

T. D'Arby: *Gets up while sniffling* Of course. TT^TT *Goes*

Medea: *Turns and sees Oingo running to the mansion with Boingo in toll, now soaking wet from the rain* Hm? Oh my god! 

Oingo: *Panting* Hah! hah! hah! hah! Thanks for leaving the gates open, hah! hah! hah! 

Midler: You two are soaking wet. 

Boingo: *Shivering* W-w-w-we got c-c-c-c-c-caught up while l-l-l-l-ooking for A-A-A-Avdol.

Medea: The Magician? No luck finding him?

Oingo: *Walks inside* No, I think he ran off for good, I can't find his passport.

Midler: Aw, too bad, I was looking forward to having another cute face around~

Medea and Kakyoin: *Looks at her weirdly* >_> <_<

~HORSE NEIGHING IN THE DISTANCE~

Kakyoin: *Hearing this* Is that a horse?

Midler: *Sees Hol Horse trotting to the mansion on his horse, another person seems to be holding onto him* Hey, Hol Horse~

Hol Horse: *Stops his steed* Howdy, ladies. Hope you don't mind me camping out here for a bit.

Medea: I supposed since everyone else is doing it, but I don't think DIO would appreciate you having a live horse in the mansion.

Hol Horse: Don't worry, I brought a sun shelter for that. *Gets off and starts setting up the sun shelter* By the way, I found this little guy hiding in a mosque from the rain, he claims that he's acquainted with Enyaba and needed to see her.

???: *He slowly got off the horse as he shivered, he has short pink hair, brown eyes, and freckles*

Medea: *Worried* Hey, are you ok, kid?

???: *Shivering* Y-yeah, just wasn't e-e-expecting r-r-rain.

Kakyoin: *Shrugs* Summer rain, you can never predict them.

Oingo: *Nodding*

Enyaba: *Returns* Oh, we got company? *Sees Hol Horse* Well hello there, Hol Horse. How's my son doing?

Hol Horse: *Feigning kindness* Oh he's uh alright, he wanted to hang back for a bit, so I'm left to fend for myself for a while. But he told me to say "hi" to you.

Enyaba: *Happy* Oh my sweet baby~ ^3^

Everyone but Kakyoin and the pink haired kid: *Gave a look of disgust*

Kakyoin and ???: *Looks on in confusion*

Enyaba: *Sees the pink haired kid* Hm? Why if it isn't Mr. Doppio! I was expecting you today!

Doppio: *Smiles* Buongiorno, Signora. It's great doing business with you aga-*Sneezes* Mi scusi.

T. D'Arby: *Returns with the towels* Here TT^TT *Gives one to Doppio*

Enyaba: Come, come, Lord DIO is expecting your visit. *She leaves for the upper floors*

Doppio: *Drying himself off* Of course, *To T.D'Arby* grazie. *Follows Enyaba*

Oingo: *Whispers to Medea as he dries off* That Italian kid works for the guy who gave Enyaba the Stand arrows.

Medea: *Nodding* Ooooh.

TO BE CONTINUED

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for being very late, I kind of developed a writer's block because of the events that happened this November that caused me to procrastinate. But it's finally done.

BTW, the dust storm here was inspired by a real dust storm that happened my hometown recently on November 11th.

[bubblecat-co]

Hello! and Welcome!

I'm Bubblecat I also go by Ash (Any pronouns)

Currently I have a huge hyperfixaion on Dragon age. I'm not really that good with online presences. If I seem Awkward it's because I am.

I also make edits on tik tok that you can follow bubblecat_edits (I cannot say if they are any good but they're there)

Under the Cut will be Writing prompts and Ask games

OCs

Veilguard - Ash'anne Aria de Riva and Elysia Ingellvar

Inquisition - Aelon Lavellan

Origins - Adahla Mahariel

Works

Unspoken Words: DavRook, Slight angst, 1/?

Everybody but Them: DavRook (My Rook, Aria), Silly not really much for a plot. 2/?

Crow Swap AU: unfinished, an au where my rook Aria is the one in the ossuary, 1/?

Writing Prompts

Rook Writing Codex by @shivunin Completed/Asked for Aria: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 21, 28, 30

Dialogue prompts for injury Completed/asked for Aria: 1, 12 Completed/asked for Elysia:

Ask Game Codex

I saw @ezriell make a master post for all the ask games they have so I decided to go ahead and do that as well because I'm getting lost with the amount of ask games, I have going 😭 Ask games under the cut!

Rook Ask games

I currently have only Two Rooks, All of them are still open for both of my rooks🫶

Ash'anne Aria de Riva and Elysia Ingellvar

Character Development Questions by @cursed-candlehop Asked/completed for Aria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25 Asked/completed for Elysia:

Rook Mythology Ask by @antivan-sprig Asked/completed for Aria: Eris, Cygnus, psyche, Hades, Persephone, Delphi, Medea Asked/completed for Elysia:

Songs for Rook by @blightedcrow Asked/completed for Aria: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19 Asked/completed for Elysia:

Affection List by @a-mumbling-nerd Asked/Completed for both: 1, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18

Order up! Cafe Rook by @a-mumbling-nerd Asked/Completed for Aria:  expresso, Matcha, Smoothie, Soup, English breakfast tea, Hot Chocolate, Lemon Loaf, For here or to go, Vanilla latte, and Chamomile tea Asked/completed for Elysia:

Romance tarot by @taamlok Asked/completed for Aria: The Moon, The hanged man, The Magician, Judgement, and The tower Asked/completed for Elysia:

Rook and their Partner Questions by @anderfels Asked/completed for Aria: 4, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 Asked/completed for Elysia:

Put Rook through Horrors by @anderfels Asked/Completed for Aria: 6, 12, 15, 19, 20 Asked/completed for Elysia:

Rook Questionnaire by @pinkhallaclub Asked/completed for Aria: 10, 8, 16, 23 Asked/completed for Elysia:

Rook Tarot ask by @taamlok Asked/completed for Both: Death, The World, The Star, Judgement, The Magician, The Hermit, Justice

Rook Literary Device by @antivan-sprig Asked/Completed for Both: Onomatopoeia, Surrealism, Repetition, Archetype, Allegory, Omniscient, Dramatic Irony, Extended Metaphor Asked/completed for Aria: Soliloquy

Rook NSFW Asks by @antivan-sprig Asked/Completed for Both: Oh For Good lord, Make the Beast with Two Backs, Dare, Bang, Boink Asked/Completed for Aria: Give a girl a Green Dress Asked/Completed for Elysia: Boozy

Rook's Common Asks by @akuma-misery Asked/Completed for Both: Scrooge, Shepherd, My Precious, Insomnia, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Turn the Sun down, Bambi, Skeletons in the Closet, now you're an Inquisitor