#gl still had his sword

[l1ghtfromthecloset]

To all the starving children in my DOORS basement:

New curious light design drop?!

I know I haven't been posting any doors content in the last few... Months but I finally got the motivation to redesign these glowy creatures AGAIN sooo

Yuh.

Enjoy.

(Misleading and Guiding coming soon)

[sixosix]

SLEIGHT OF HAND | LYNEY

summary you will not let lyney get to you. unfortunately, lyney already got to you the moment you met eyes. after all, what is a magician if not an expert in stealing hearts?

or, local sumeru architect goes to fontaine looking for inspiration and comes out of it with three rainbow roses and a crushing magician.

warnings 13+, gn!reader, follows the fontaine archon quest, so there are major spoilers throughout the entire fic! MURDER (lyney trial spoilers) + feminine french pet names ough + bff!Aether loml + sweet talker lyney + KISS SCENE (suggestive)

notes 8K words. thank u to my french bff art @aanobrain who said lyney is a magician he would say mon lapin 🤧❤️ + other various french pet names. thank u to ellie hyomagiri & earthtooz too for hyping this up, my supporters…

“500,000!?”

Sumeru streets are always bustling with its people—from children skipping around the neighborhood to frantic scholars who zip back and forth before returning to their homes when the moon is high. However, the sun is beating down on everyone right now: street vendors are making a profit, dogs are barking as they play fetch with laughing children, and you stand across the blond traveler and his floating companion.

You wince at the volume of Paimon’s shrill voice, inciting bypassers to send miffed glances your way. Embarrassed, you cover the side of your face with a hand, whispering, “Is—is that not enough? I can—”

“No, no, it’s not that!” Paimon’s arms flail around, eyes blown comically wide. “It’s just, you know, more than what we earn from our daily commissions combined!”

“Oh, I see.” you nod, relieved. “Well, I can lower—”

“No, no, no, no,” Paimon interjects hurriedly, and even the traveler shakes his head. “Pleasure to do business with you! Paimon and Aether, at your service!”

“Really?” you can’t believe your luck—the traveler himself agreed to escort you to Fontaine! Or does it count if Paimon agrees on his behalf? “That's a relief. Even Katheryne of the guild had a strange expression when I posted my commission.”

“It’s probably because of the amount of zeroes you might’ve accidentally put,” Paimon murmurs.

Aether tugs on her foot as if warning her. “We'll be leaving soon. Are you prepared?”

“Oh, yes. My stuff’s over there by the bench, you see?”

Aether and Paimon’s faces simultaneously fall. “All of that?” Paimon starts counting it, gaping when she has four little fingers held up.

They sure complain a lot. “You can still back out.”

Aether takes a deep breath, making his way over to your luggage. When he brushes past, you hear him chanting 500,000; 500,000; 500,000 under his breath. He wordlessly carries all of them, his chest puffed and expression grave.

“They’re heavier than I thought,” Aether wheezes out as Paimon flits worriedly around him. “How long are you going to be staying in Fontaine?”

“Oh, just a day or two, maybe,” you say, taking pity and taking one bag from him. “Most of what’s inside are art supplies.”

“Ah,” Aether says.

“500,000,” Paimon reminds him.

“We’re close,” Paimon says, flying back to where you and Aether are still walking behind, him heaving and you offering water now and then. “I saw a huge ravine-looking view! It was like a city on a waterfall!”

“R-Really?” Aether puffs out a breath, sweat rolling off his temple.

You tried prying some of your bags away from him when it seemed like there were monsters up ahead, but he refused instead to fight them with one hand on his sword. He still won. You guessed that he was trying to make traveling easier for you, yet all you felt was immense worry.

“Are you feeling okay, Y/N?” Paimon asks, floating beside you. “You look unwell.” You should ask your companion that, instead.

“I’m a bit nervous. After all, it’s my first time traveling outside of Sumeru.” You smile, patting her head. She doesn’t seem to mind, beaming back. “But I need to get out of my comfort zone to be better, right?”

“That's right! Paimon has a feeling you’ll enjoy Fontaine!” You and Paimon glance at Aether when he heaves a heavy breath, yet he only waves the pair of you off with his free hand. “Before you know it, you’ll be itching to travel again once you’re back in Sumeru.”

“I'm only there for work. I just need to learn a lot, and then I'll enjoy it.”

“Still a student through and through, huh…”

“I can see it,” Aether chimes in, looking all too relieved to rest his arm finally. “I can see Fontaine up ahead.”

You feel the cool breeze brush against your face, a refreshing change from the past hours you and the other two have been trudging through the desert. You could strip off layers and dive if you could. You can make out the harbor even miles away, pouring water out like an endless waterfall stretching for miles.

Arriving in Fontaine is introducing yourself to the rustle of layered skirts, the water-kissed smell, and citizens left and right babbling about tragic endings and thrilling climaxes.

Aether sets your bags on the floor with a heavy exhale. Paimon feeds him with another jug of water.

“I guess we’re here now.” You pull out a heavy pouch you’ve been keeping in one of the bags Aether had been holding over his shoulder. Paimon takes it with greedy, greedy hands. “Thank you for keeping me safe and carrying my luggage, Traveler— are you even listening to me?”

“There’s a girl over there,” Aether says, now staring ahead.

You and Paimon turn to look; sure enough, someone is standing by the edge, looking forlornly over the water. Half of her foot is off the platform, making Paimon fidget.

She gasps. “She isn’t going to jump into the water, is she? Maybe we should go check on her…”

Halfway through Paimon’s sentence, you gathered the courage to speak to the girl with the cat ears.

“Hey, miss.” Her ear twitches. “Is something the matter?”

She turns, looking faintly surprised. If you weren’t so close to her, you wouldn’t have been able to tell there was a change in her expression. “I'm fine. thank you.”

“Oh.” Now things are a little awkward. “Is there something in the water you’re looking at? You might slip if you keep tipping forward.”

She peers below, unworried—silent.

“As long as you’re okay, I guess,” you sigh, awkwardly hovering above her shoulder when realizing it might come off strange if you touch her. “I’ll leave you be.”

Her lips twitch, something close to a smile. You don’t stick long enough to admire it, heading back to Aether and Paimon and shrugging at their inquisitive looks. “She says she’s fine.”

“I think it’s time for me to separate,” you say. “I want to take all of it in as much as possible. Paimon has my payment. Thank you both so much for keeping me safe.” Mostly Aether, though. But Paimon was there, emotionally.

“It’s no problem,” Aether says, his smile warmer than when you first met him. “Stay safe out there. You can look for us if you need anything else.”

“I don’t always pay 500,000 for each of my commissions.”

Paimon wilts. Aether flushes, stammering, “Not what I meant.” You laugh heartily as they wave when you walk off to the aquabus, hopefully, prepared for what Fontaine will give you.

Your sketchbook is a page away from completion when you hear about a magic show at the Opera House. Not that it was hard to miss—everyone and their grandmothers were prattling about nothing else but the entire day.

Fontaine is known for its love for dramatics, but the twins they keep mentioning must be a one-of-a-kind spectacle to have half their region’s population speak about them so reverently.

After wandering for hours, taking in the endless sights of fresh water streaming and grand castle-like modern buildings, you find yourself in the Fountain of Lucine. You’ve heard of Fontaine being somewhat titled the ‘City of Love,’ but seeing couples surrounding each nook and cranny of the tourist spots was still astonishing.

(You console yourself by thinking that there’s something romantic in sketching frantically while the rest of the crowd are sucking faces.)

To your luck, you spot three familiar heads in the fountain plaza.

Aether senses you before you can even say anything, glancing to the side and smiling when you wave at him.

Paimon flutters excitedly. “Y/N! We didn’t think we’d see you again this early. You look like you’re glowing.”

“Was it that obvious?” you laugh sheepishly. “Fontaine is beautiful; I couldn’t even stick too long in one place before I see something else that catches my attention.” You look to the girl you met earlier, who nods politely. “Hello. Are you three acquainted now?”

“Mhm!” Paimon says, hands on her hips. “This is Lynette! She’s inviting us to the show they’re holding here!” She gasps, “Speaking of—”

“Ah,” Lynette says quietly, “I couldn’t get an extra ticket. I’m sorry.”

Lynette is the magician you keep hearing about? With her seemingly reserved personality, you wouldn’t have guessed it. “Oh, no, it’s fine. I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Paimon,” Aether speaks up. “They gave you your ticket, right? Why don’t you just float next to me or sit on my lap?”

Paimon’s eyes sparkle. “Great idea! That way, I can give my seat to Y/N, right?”

“You guys…” Your chest feels warm as Aether hands you one of the two tickets in his hand. “You really didn’t have to.” Is this what 500,00 gets you? The loyal companionship of Aether and Paimon?

“It’s a good idea,” Lynette says. “My brother wouldn’t want you to miss the show. He’d be devastated.”

“If you insist, then I suppose I can’t refuse.” Aether and Paimon do a cute little cheer. “But I need to return to the hotel; I can’t be watching a magic show carrying all these.” Surely Aether can understand.

Later, with your hands finally empty and charcoal-free, you rush back to the Opera Epiclese, the person standing guard kind enough to open the doors despite being a minute late.

“Welcome, one and all, to the Opera Epiclese!” The audience roars with cheers as the spotlight illuminates a figure on the center of the stage. You hurry to your seats, brushing past Aether and Paimon. “I am the star of today’s show, Lyney.”

Lyney bows, then stands upright with a Cheshire cat grin.

The thunder of the crowd’s applause is deafening. If you weren’t able to see it, you’d think that you hadn’t been clapping at all—senses numbed and your fixed stare all on the boy on the stage.

Your eyes catch on the small braid on the side of his head before the gleam of his eyes hypnotizes you.

He’s handsome, you think dizzily at the back of your head.

“Don’t blink,” he says, his voice lower as if meant to be a whisper, “or else you might miss it.”

The show proceeds. A dove soars away from inside as he flips his hat; you flush at hearing the soft laughter that slips from him after. The cards that materialize out of nowhere descend to the floor. His fingers shuffle the cards while talking to keep the audience satiated; they fly off his hands, yet he doesn’t lose focus, stretching them mid-air with a sleight of hand. They fall apart and come together neatly and precisely.

His stage presence is demanding. It would be as if Lady Furina herself would accuse you of committing a crime if you were to look away for even a second.

Then, when he scans the crowd, busy twirling his cards in his fingers, his gaze catches your awed ones.

Something in the air shifts. Or maybe it’s that it slows.

A card slips from his grasp. A mistake. He blinks and breaks eye contact, laughing heartily to play it off. But you don’t believe it—not when you swore your limbs locked in place as well when lilac drilled into your soul.

You breathe, hands bracing against your chest. What was that?

You would’ve played it off as something you imagined if not for Lyney continuing to glance at you occasionally. His slip-up had been forgotten, as though it was all part of the show.

(Is it also part of the show when it seems he’s unable to tear his eyes off of you?)

Of course, the twins prove their worth. They showed you exactly why the people of Fontaine adore watching them through theatrical magic, cards in their sleeves, and defying logic.

You’ve shuffled to the edge of your seat as Lynette disperses into bubbles and comes back alive. You’ve held your breath as Lyney emerges from the box across he was in a moment earlier.

You’ve also been witness to the murder of Cowell.

CRASH.

The shatter of glass resounded along with the horrified gasps of the audience. Sickeningly enough, you could almost hear the crack of bones if you hadn’t been crying out in alarm. Yet, as they gape and shriek over the sight of a limp arm popping out, you find your gaze tracing back to Lyney, who stands motionless in front of the box.

When Lady Furina points fingers and has everyone siding against him, the guards escort the audience from the Opera House. All evidence presented left Lyney in a spotlight unlike his performance: with a disgusted and unamused crowd. Even you have to agree that it isn’t looking well for his case at all.

Yet all you can think of as you leave the room is that Lyney looked as terrified as everyone else was—much too raw of an expression for someone to accuse him of anything at all. He looked young and scared.

(His hands were shaking.)

The rest of your Fontaine trip is admittedly duller when you’re a little more familiar with its city and don’t have a yapping little fairy and a capable Traveler by your side. It’s hard not to hear chatter about the events that went down: Lyney’s trial, Aether volunteering to be his lawyer, and the truth behind the real murderer.

It solved a case beyond the murder of Cowell. Fontaine sure has its mysteries, and the crowd sure loves them as they would a magic show.

You keep your hands busy. Last night, you found yourself thinking back to the magic show, to deft fingers weaving through cards, to violet eyes that kept on flickering to you. By the time you snap back to reality, you’ve subconsciously drawn shapes and lines that suspiciously look like the magician himself: the curve of a smile, piercing eyes, and you entranced by it all.

Flustered, you crumple his face staring back at you out of sight. Yet you can’t bring yourself to throw it away.

You shove the last bit of garlic baguette in your mouth to furiously bat these unwanted thoughts away.

“Isn’t that Y/N?” Paimon’s voice is unmistakable, a short distance off.

You jump out of your skin, spinning to see Aether and Paimon waving and walking over to you. You thought they'd already left Fontaine after that; you wouldn’t blame them if they did.

“Y/N! We haven’t seen you since the Opera House performance,” Paimon exclaims, twirling around your head like a thrilled fly circling a trash can.

You hold onto her back, hoping she’ll stop making you dizzy. “We were escorted out before I could say goodbye. I couldn’t watch the court trial but heard it all turned out fine.”

“That’s right!” Paimon nods proudly. “Paimon helped a ton during it; you should’ve seen it! What have you been doing?”

“I found a fellow architect while visiting the cafe nearby, and we chatted for hours,” you say, remembering that your voice is hoarse for that reason. You also don’t tell them you couldn’t get a certain magician off your mind. “I learned a lot. I don’t regret coming here one bit.”

Paimon says something else that you’re sure you’ve nodded absentmindedly at while your gaze wanders over to the two familiar people a few feet behind, watching you three with cat-like eyes—and it’s not just because of Lynette’s unique features.

“Those are the magicians, right?” you gesture behind Paimon and Aether as if you haven’t already familiarized yourself with their faces.

Paimon nods. “Uh-huh. You should introduce yourself! They look like they want to talk.”

Something about that feels foreboding. “Um, no, it’s fine. I don’t want to be rude and interrupt your conversation.”

“No,” Aether says firmly. He seldom speaks; you might as well play along if he says so. “Besides, Paimon is right. Lyney wants to talk to you, you know?”

“Oh, yeah! He kept mentioning seeing someone sitting beside us! And it couldn’t have been Neuvillette because he said it was an unfamiliar beauty that bewitched this weak magician’s heart.” Paimon nods, even recalling how he’s enunciated each syllable theatrically.

“I’m sorry?” you blurt. “Lyney recognizes me? What did I do?”

“Paimon thinks it’s because Lyney is curious about who Lynette met! He was like that with us, too.” Paimon changes her pitch to match Lyney’s. “Are these your friends, Lynette?”

Aether’s eyes feel like they know something you don’t. “It won’t hurt to strike up a conversation with Lyney. He’s been shaken up since the trial.”

There’s something unspoken hidden in his words. “What does that mean?”

Paimon doesn’t wait for an answer, grabbing you by the arm and dragging you to where the twins are waiting. Aether chuckles as he jogs behind.

“Paimon, Aether,” Lyney says, almost sly, “You haven’t introduced us to your friend here.”

“Paimon can do it!” She floats on top of your head and does a bit of jazz hands. “This is Y/N, the one who commissioned us to escort them from Sumeru up to Fontaine.”

“Generously,” Aether adds.

It’s a little embarrassing to have the legendary Traveler and Paimon introduce little old you to a famous magician such as himself, but his grin is still excited.

“From Sumeru?” Lyney repeats, smiling wider when you nod—as if that crumb of attention is enough for him. “I see.”

He performs a bow around the same height as where your hands rest; he takes one, kisses the back of your palm, and smiles against your skin. “I’m Lyney, and she is my sister, Lynette.”

“It’s nice to see you again.” You smile at Lynette, who nods in return. Lyney straightens to look at his sister.

“We met when the Traveler and Paimon just arrived at the harbor,” Lynette sighs even without looking at her brother.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” you say, meeting Lyney’s eyes. The spot where he kissed is still warm—tingling. “Your show was incredible, despite what happened. I’m glad that the truth revealed itself.”

“Thank you.” Lyney’s gaze sharpens. “I saw you at the performance, yes. I was worried for a second you might steal the show if you were to come up on stage.”

You blink. “Are you saying—”

Lyney grins, “I apologize that the night had to end that way; it must’ve been horrifying. Say, what if I give you a little show right now to make it up to you?” Did he make it up to each one of his audience, too?

This is not a man acting “shaken up,” as Aether put it.

“You really don’t have to.” You glance at Aether and Paimon, silently asking for help; however, they’re too far gone, urging you to say yes with gestures and encouraging nods.

Lyney tilts his head, demanding your attention on him once more.

You sigh. “I would love to see it if you don’t mind.”

“Of course!” Lyney looks like he’s the sun bursting personified. “It would be a pleasure, ma chérie. Not to worry, it’s nothing life-threatening. I just need you to focus on me.”

Not that it’s hard. The others have become a dull buzz in your mind as Lyney holds your gaze. “Okay.”

Lyney smiles, much softer, satisfied. “Good. Now,” he tips his hat, “recently, I’ve received a little lesson from someone about the language of flowers. Are you familiar with them?”

“Not in Fontaine, no,” you mumble, watching his hands closely. You were expecting a rabbit to hop out of that hat any second now.

“Shame. But I suppose I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun.” Lyney snaps his finger, then deposits his hand inside his hat. “Hmm… Oh? Something’s not quite right. Would you mind looking into this hat for me to see if the flower is here?”

You hesitate. The hat is so close to him.

Swallowing, you nod, leaning in to inspect his hat at a careful pace. All you can sense is the faint scent of heat Lyney is emanating, the breath you two share, and the pounding of your chest. You swear you could also hear his, matching yours.

“The hat’s empty.”

Lyney smiles wider. “Yes, perhaps because you already have it.”

You jump back in surprise, your hands patting your body to see where he could have snuck the flower in. With your frantic movement, the flower falls off from what seems to have come from your head—Lyney catches it.

His mouth carves into a smirk, leaning to invade your personal space, his free hand coming up to tuck hair behind your ear. “Careful.”

Your face is burning. Plucking the flower out, the delicate and tender pink sears into your palm. “What does this flower mean?”

“What does it, I wonder?” Lyney whispers thoughtfully. “I suppose you’ll have to tell me once you find out.”

And when he inclines backward, it feels like you can breathe again. Time flows normally, and the people passing by seem much louder than before—as though you’ve surfaced from underwater.

Lyney clears his throat. “Shame I haven’t prepared myself a grand show for you, but I suppose that would call for another time, wouldn’t it?”

Lynette is looking at Lyney as if he is stupidly amusing.

“Thank you,” you say, burning, burning. “For the show, I mean.”

“That was a little weird,” Paimon whispers to Aether, but she is terrible with keeping volume and has everyone turning to her with varying expressions. “P-Paimon means that was good! Wow, Lyney! Isn’t that a different flower you gave us? That’s the flower Charlotte was talking about, right?”

“Rainbow rose?” Aether supplies.

“Yes! It means—”

“Ahem.” Lyney is quick to interrupt. “Lynette and I must take our leave now, if you don’t mind. It was fun catching up with you two.” You have to hold your ground and not look away when he hones in on your figure. “And it’s a pleasure meeting you. Don’t be a stranger. Look for me if you want more.”

His smile is a little devilish, you now realize.

“Bye,” Lynette says blankly, following after her brother, who seemed to be hurrying to exit.

His ears were red.

“You’re still staring.”

“I am not,” you rebuke hotly, flailing to cover Aether’s mouth with your hands. Yet all it does is bring your attention back to where Paimon and Aether are staring—the rainbow rose on your person.

Paimon and Aether yelp when you drag them away despite Lyney having already left the scene.

“Hey—! Don’t just go dragging Paimon around like a balloon like that! Did Lyney get to your head that much?”

“He did not.”

Paimon tilts her head, frowning. You shy away from her worried gaze, glaring at the flower instead. You still don’t know how Lyney managed to get it there; you hold it to your chest, where your heart is racing miles per minute because of his stupidly smug smile.

“What does this flower mean, Paimon?”

Paimon seems elated to be of help. “Easy! Charlotte told us that Rainbow Roses mean ‘passion’ and most notably ‘romantic encounters’!”

“Passion,” you curse. The rose seems as if it is staring back innocently, unknowing of the turmoil you’re going through because of it. “Romantic encounters.’ ugh.”

You can still remember how Lyney’s eyes twinkled as you felt his breath against your face.

“Ooh, he thinks he can trick me. He thinks he can affect me just because it pleases him to do so. I’ll show him. I’ll show him! I am not a blushing maiden!”

“You’re already very affected by this,” Paimon says, yet it’s lost by your newfound determination. Two can play at this game.

You’ve definitely been staying in Fontaine longer than what you told Aether and Paimon, but you can’t leave yet. Not when you found yourself walking to a flower shop to purchase a vase, fiercely digging through soil, turning gentle when your fingers reach for the Rainbow Rose. Not when you see it in the corner of your eyes as you try to sleep, and you find yourself daydreaming about a charming violet-eyed virtuoso.

It’s for research, you excused lamely at the hotelkeeper who didn’t ask why you’re extending your stay. In truth, not that you’d tell anyone. It was because you were hoping for another grand show from him. A farewell show for you—closure.

If you were to travel back home and get too drunk to think straight, Kaveh would learn about your crisis (romantic awakening?) and laugh at your face.

In hopes of looking for your Fontaine architect friend, you spot Lyney instead, on the side of the street surrounded by cheering kids. They clap and jump, and Lyney laughs. “One more, one more!”

“Again?” Lyney does an exaggerated sigh. “I’m starting to run out of cards in my sleeves. I’ve guessed my entire deck from your hands by this point!”

“But, Mr. Magician,” one of them whines, pouting up at him and blinking, “we want to see more! We want to know how you do it!”

“Alright, how about this, hm?” And then Lyney peers right at you. Ironically, you’re the one startled when you’ve been watching that entire spiel, and he hasn’t acknowledged your presence beforehand. “Y/N, would you mind giving these children a little show with me?” He gestures for you to come closer.

“What show?” you ask suspiciously, taking slow steps in case he pulls out another flower out of nowhere.

“You don’t have to worry,” Lyney laughs. “Will you be my assistant for this show? You are very familiar with this trick.”

“Please, we want to see!”

You falter at the little kids’ excited grins, especially when paired with Lyney’s pout and round eyes. “Okay, tell me what to do.”

His eyes do the little gleam again. “Stand in front of me, mon lapin.”

Your heart is skipping beat after beat, making itself known as you shuffle until Lyney is directly behind you.

“Relax, chérie, you just need to stand still.” It’s a little hard to relax when you feel his breath against the back of your neck, but you won’t give him the satisfaction of admitting that, so you keep your chin high and relax your shoulders. “Good.” 

He begins to speak louder to his awaiting audience. “I know it’s hard to keep your eyes off this beauty before me, but watch the hat for a surprise, alright?”

He flips it for his little audience, one hand resting on your waist and the other extended to hold his top hat. The proximity is almost suffocating. You watch with bated breath, and they complain about it being empty.

“Oh, is it?” Lyney hums, twirling the hat until it’s flipped upside down, presented right before you. “Perhaps I need my assistant’s help.” You snap out of your daze when you realize he’s talking to you. “Y/N, do me a favor and show them the flower inside.”

You reach inside the hat and, much to your surprise, feel a stem. You pull it out; the Rainbow Rose stares back at you, almost mocking you, saying he did pull out a flower out of nowhere. It's this trick again.

The kids gasp in awe and confusion—it’s all the same for Lyney, who snaps his fingers and creates magic like he was made to. Like magic was for him to summon with his hands.

“What? It was empty!”

“Where did that come from? I was watching Mister Magician’s hands the whole time!”

“Are you a magician, too?”

“No,” you say lamely, holding the rose, feeling Lyney still patiently standing behind you. Heat crawls up your neck. “No, I’m not. It’s all Lyney.”

“It’s all me,” Lyney echoes in amusement. “You’re quite magical yourself.” Finally, he spares you, pulling away to stand beside your figure. He doesn’t take the rose back—maybe even give it to one of the children. He knows exactly what he’s doing. “That’s enough for today. The sun is setting, and your parents might get worried.”

They pout and slump their shoulders, but Lyney has this older brother's sternness to him that has the children scurrying back home anyway.

You then realize having to stand in front of Lyney was unnecessary.

The flower is warm. Lyney’s eyes slip to yours.

“I didn’t even have to stand in front of you like that,” you complain, heart inclined to race off your body.

“Yes, but I feared that I would slip up again if I were to catch a glimpse of your face,” Lyney admits smoothly. His lips curl into a smirk when you stare wordlessly. “What? Don’t believe me? I had to improvise when I saw you watching from afar.”

“A great magician such as yourself? Making a mistake? I doubt it.”

“You already have such high expectations placed on me, chérie,” Lyney says, his smile easy, but his ears are a little red, poking out from his hair. “That’s no good. With no audience, I’m just plain ‘Lyney’ to you.”

“No trickery? No cards up your sleeves?” you play along.

Lyney doesn’t miss a beat. “No, though I do have a few more roses begging to be held by your hands.”

“They can keep begging.” Lyney grins wider when you glance down at his hands. “Do you give them off to everyone you meet?”

“Who do you take me for?” Lyney isn’t offended; he laughs, delighted. He is preening under the sunset—or maybe it’s your attention. “Of course not. At least, not like this.”

You stare, unimpressed. “Sure.”

“So cold, chérie,” Lyney sighs, plucking the stem from your fingers to slot it behind your ear. It seems he likes doing that. “Here I am, trying to get you to warm up to me, and you treat me like this.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll be going back home soon anyway.”

Lyney’s expression shifts into something more unrecognizable, his eyes dipping down to somewhere below your nose. “Oh. Avoiding attachment?”

You nod.

He grins, and he’s still so close. He knows how to entrance his audience, pulling you in until you forget to resist. Always watch the hands; yet Lyney could be digging a dagger to your side at this moment, and you wouldn’t even notice.

“I’m flattered you even want to avoid me because you know you’d get attached,” he purrs, tilting his head. Is Lyney just big on personal space? 

“Don’t assume,” you retort. “I know how guys like you think. Even a magician as great as yourself can’t trick someone who’s already seen through it.”

“It would be easier if it were just a trick, wouldn’t it?” Lyney sighs, much to your confusion. “I take it that someone has told you what this flower means?”

You’ve nearly forgotten all about it. “Yes.” You find yourself unable to look directly into his eyes. “I know.”

But even with that, you can still feel his heavy gaze, pinning you down and threatening the strength of your knees. You suppose it comes with being a performer—watching his audience carefully, pinpointing each micro expression to say the right words.

“There doesn’t have to be any attachments.”

“What are you trying to say right now?”

Lyney’s reaches for your hip, sharing your gaze like he doesn’t know how to do anything else. “That you enamor me. That I am holding back from wanting you. I know you feel the same—you can never hide anything from a magician. But if you’re concerned,” he mumbles, “then this doesn’t have to mean anything. You may call it infatuation.”

You want to laugh. Or maybe you want to cry. Most of all, you want to nod helplessly, wrap your arms around his neck, and give in. It’s hard not to when he looks at you like that. “You want me that bad?”

“I almost want to disagree.”

“Almost?” Lyney gets closer, and you stop him with a palm on his chest. “We’re outside.”

Lyney grins. “Have you forgotten what Fontaine is also known for? No one would bat an eye. Love is in the air, and all that.”

“Absolutely not.”

“So still you’re letting me?”

You laugh this time. Letting him, as if you aren’t the one itching to pull him close and find out what he’s like behind the curtains. “Are you asking me as plain old ‘Lyney?’”

Lyney brightens, clearly pleased there wasn’t a ‘no’. “Yes.”

“No tricks?”

“No tricks. No strings.”

You let him lead you away into some dark alleyway. He kisses you like he was longing to do so all his life. You have only met him that fateful day, not even a week ago. But you claw at him like you get it—like he’s ruined you for anyone else the moment you shared gazes in the Opera House.

Romantic encounters, you quietly recall as Lyney swipes a thumb over your aching bottom lip.

You don’t see Lyney the day after that. And for some reason, it makes the itch worse. (Perhaps it’s because you’ve gotten a taste and can’t get enough.)

It’s mostly your fault, the sudden disappearance—you’ve cooped yourself up in the hotel room, buried your face in pillows, and screamed. You berate yourself for giving in, but another part of you—one that’s louder than any other thought in your head—wants to do it again. Wants to hold his handsome face in your hands and have him kiss you breathless. That was nothing like you had ever felt before.

You groan. It’s another new day. You might as well make some progress with your portfolio.

There’s a Café you’ve been visiting more often than not. Ordering a drink and spending a good chunk of your day sketching the view. Instead, you find yourself staring at Aether, Paimon, and Lynette seated at one of the tables.

Lynette’s eyes flick up to yours as she sips tea. She murmurs something to the other two, and you watch with amusement as Aether and Paimon’s heads snap to face you.

You let your gaze wander, eventually landing on Lyney, who is reciting his order with his charming-act-on smile, who is present because of course he is. You want to turn and run away, but that’d be letting Lyney win, and you’re nothing if not stubborn and prideful.

“Y/N!” Paimon greets once you’re within earshot, kicking her feet happily. “Good morning! What are you doing here?”

“Breakfast,” you reply, waving at them. Aether pulls a chair from the other table and gestures for you to sit. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Nope!” Paimon swipes a fork from the table and digs in on the Ile Flottante, leaving nothing for Aether. “Lynette and Lyney told us about another show they’re holding to make up for the previous one.”

“Mouth full,” Aether reminds her, a little too late as the Ile Flottante spews from her mouth.

“Really now? Maybe I can pay properly for a ticket this time,” you laugh, nodding at Lynette. She smiles faintly, hiding it behind the rim of her cup. Lynette sure is the polar opposite of her twin brother.

A shadow looms from behind, the silhouette of a figure with an unmistakable top hat. You tilt your chin and see Lyney peering down at you with a sweet smile. You will yourself to keep your gaze focused on his eyes only and nowhere else below the nose.

Speak of the devil…

“Sweetheart,” Lyney says instead of exchanging pleasantries like a normal person.

“Lyney,” you reply in kind. Then you look away upon realizing that Aether, Paimon, and Lynette had been silently watching the exchange with muted, stunned expressions.

Lyney, holding a tray of drinks and food in both hands, scoots the chair next to yours with his ankle. “I wasn’t informed that Y/N would be joining us,” he says, setting the drinks and plates down like a waiter with a flourish. “You can drink mine. Let me order another.”

You hold onto his wrist as he makes his way back. He turns to you, surprised. “Let me at least pay for my own breakfast.”

Lyney grins, delicately withdrawing from your grip. He places a loud kiss on your hand. “Don’t worry about it.” And then leaves, because he can’t take no for an answer.

“Is it just me,” Paimon starts as you resign yourself to finishing Lyney’s drink (It’s your favorite, the one you always order), “or is Lyney acting weird around Y/N?”

Aether laughs. “There's definitely something going on. Don’t end up staying too long in Fontaine, now. What was it you told us? ‘A day or two’.”

You huff, your face turning unbearably warm. “Shut up, you two. I am here to do research, not to find a summer fling.” You’ve already failed, but they don’t need to know about that.

If you were to touch your lips with your fingers, you’d think of no one else but Lyney’s hands on your hips and his mouth swallowing your words.

Lynette clears her throat, a quiet but noticeable thing. “Don’t be fooled by my brother, Y/N.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m still keeping my safe distance.”

She shakes her head. “That’s not what I mean. Don’t be fooled by my brother.” She stares at you from the rim of her cup—something about that has you listening obediently. “No matter what he tells you, he always cares too much. No matter what you may think, he always gets hurt first.”

“That’s not…” You can’t imagine that. From the start, it’s always felt like he was the one who could do what he wanted.

No tricks.

Lynette is his twin, after all. She knows him best.

No strings.

Defeated, you sip on the straw with the same fervor of an aggravated hilichurl, and that’s the end of that.

Conversations during breakfast are much lighter when Lyney returns with a full meal as his treat. Celebration, he says. Celebration for what? Who knows? Lyney winked, but his glance directed to you said enough.

“You say that you don’t want to get attached, but you’re awfully close to the Traveler, of all people,” Lyney says offhandedly once the others have left for their own matters.

You lean against your seat, grinning. “Are you jealous?”

He doesn’t say anything, instead upturning his nose as if scrambling to regain control. You laugh, oddly endeared. Lyney turns his head away, trying to hide the smile that curls his lips upon hearing it.

“Hey,” Lyney says seriously, reaching for your hand. “Where have you been yesterday?”

“Why? Missed me?”

And because he’s Lyney, he takes his time kissing each of your knuckles. It’s more intimate than the whole ‘no strings’ arrangement you agreed on, but you suppose Lyney thinks that any physical attention is free reign. “What would you do if I said yes?”

“You’ll be fine,” you say slyly. “You’ll have to get used to it if you want to risk your heart just to get laid.”

He rolls his eyes, tugging you closer. “I’m not risking anything to get laid. Do you think so lowly of yourself, chérie?”

“Isn’t this all there is to it? Physical attraction,” you ask, genuinely confused.

Lyney blinks. “Of course, but—” His eyes flicker down, and his words trail off.

When you speak, you feel your breath bounce back from his skin—a testament to your proximity. “Lyney,” you whisper. For what? Urging him to continue? Urging him to close this distance? You’re not sure, either.

You have so much to ask. What do you mean? Why can’t you finish your sentence? Why don’t you just kiss me already? But it’s hard to speak; Lyney’s name is all you can think of. 

You whisper his name again. His grip on your hands tightens and loosens, a frustrated frown creeping up his brows.

Your hand shoots out to reach for the back of his head and give in. He flinches for a second before relaxing completely.

His lips almost taste sweeter than his words. Almost as sweet as how he finds purchase on your waist and holds your chin during every kiss.

You pull away to breathe, missing how he leans closer to chase after you and pouting when he can’t. “Yeah. That—That didn’t have to mean anything. I just wanted to know what it felt like again.”

“Yeah.” Lyney licks his lips, his gaze unable to tear away from where yours are swollen. “Yeah, I know. You taste like my drink.”

Really, no one’s surprised you gravitate towards each other again, feeling like you’re soaring and melting into a puddle at the same time. Lyney doesn’t touch you where you both know would cross the line, but he grips near possessively to what he can, as if breathing you in and worshipping your skin.

You know after this, he’d go back on stage, fooling his audience with what’s invisible to the average eye, as if this never happened. You know this because this is your deal: satiate the feverish attraction you have with each other and leave once you’re satisfied. (But you also know that you’ll be thinking of his touch and his lips while you stare at the vase beside your bed.)

Lyney is a magician, first and foremost.

He hooks you in, and keeps all your attention to himself like he’d die without it. Then he disappears with a snap of a finger. He’s finished his trick, leaving you befuddled in your seat with more questions than answers.

As you drift off to sleep, all you can think of is that there are two roses now.

“Brother.”

Lyney looks up from where he’d been entertaining Rosseland, seeing Lynette with a stern face. “What? What happened?”

Her tail flicks. “You said you weren’t going to get attached.”

Lyney exhales softly, his eyes slipping shut. “I’m not.”

Lynette finds herself smiling softly. “I may just be your assistant, but you can’t lie to your own twin.”

He buries his face in his hands. With his sight gone, images of your face while whispering his name flash in his mind. His eyes fly open, mortified, his whole face red. “I don’t know how it happened. I didn’t think it’d be deeper than that.”

He was the magician in this, but it felt as if you were the one who tricked him instead.

It’s been two weeks since you first arrived in Fontaine. By this point, you’ve grown more familiar with its views than your own city. Having Aether, Paimon, Lynette, and even Freminet around doesn't make it any easier for you to feel at home.

And then there’s the Lyney Situation. You meet up most nights, more than that when he’s free from shows. He keeps seeking you out, and you keep letting him in. There was one night where Lyney spent the night instead of heading straight to the door—and those nights turned into two, then three, and then he finds any excuse to keep doing it.

It’s not like you could stop. He told you look for me if you want more, and you always want more, because how could you not? Lyney treats you like he’s never had to take care of anything more precious but still manages to render you breathless like you’ve never experienced thrill the way he gives it to you before.

But you still have to go back home. And Lyney still has his own life, has his secrets. He feels untouchable even when your arms are wrapped around his neck.

No strings attached can still work for summer flings, doesn’t it? And what are summer flings, if not just that?

Lyney hovers above with his hands caging your face. He’s grinning so wide—and you’ve seen all kinds of smiles on him with your time spent together, but it was never this genuine.

“You’re bad for me.” He says it like a confession, a prayer.

You raise an eyebrow. “What did I do to you?”

His hand trails down until he’s rubbing shapes on your hips. “Make me feel like I’m myself whenever I’m with you.”

At your silence, Lyney clears his throat. “But it’s not like that, don’t worry. I just mean—”

And how does that even make sense? He pours his heart, then later reveals it’s nothing but a decoy to keep this facade realistic.

“Oh,” you say.

That was the final act you’d been waiting for. The final trick—the farewell show.

And so you pack your bags—shoved your sketchbook back inside, face forward, and promise not to look back. Leaving Sumeru hasn’t even been this hard.

Aether and Paimon shouldn’t be surprised if they find you missing; they’d been the first to know that your stay in Fontaine isn’t meant to last forever. And you’ve warned Lyney about this. Avoiding attachments? It felt more like running away from your problem.

Lyney is a busy man on his own; you’re nothing but some architect from a different region who happened to get caught up with him at the right time.

You sigh and call for the aquabus.

A hand clasps around your wrist, pulling you to collide against a familiar chest. Lyney’s eyes are wide, almost insane. Sweat clings to his forehead, and his breath comes in frantic pants.

“W-What—”

Lyney’s eyes search your face. Or maybe it’s him trying to convince himself that you’re right there, in front of him. “You didn’t even tell me.”

“I—I’m sorry—”

“Were you just going to leave like that? Don’t you think I at least deserve a farewell?”

“Lyney, I’m sorry. I know, that was stupid.” You haven’t seen him with an expression like this before—so raw and broken, begging to be glued together with your hands. “I didn’t want to formally say goodbye because I knew I'd want to stay.”

“That’s stupid,” he repeats in agreement.

You breathe shakily, eyes scanning the stunned crowd. What’s The Great Magician Lyney doing here? Holding some stranger in his arms? That must be what they’re thinking.

“How did you even know I was leaving?”

Lyney’s eyes cut down to his hand, gripping a crushed rose. “I was paying a visit to an empty room.” Embarrassed, he tries to toss it away, but you take it before he can.

You wordlessly place it in its home: the spot behind your ears. You don’t tell him that the two other roses he gave you serve as bookmarks in the sketchbook you’ve used all up in Fontaine. Where you’ve drawn his face more often than not.

Lyney groans in frustration, his hands curling around your waist. “Is staying so bad?”

“It’s not like I’m leaving forever.”

And then you notice Lyney’s hands. They’re shaking uncontrollably, not unlike how it did during that incident—and with it came the frantic exhales, as if natural human breathing alone is already hard enough for him.

“Oh, Lyney,” you say softly. You drop your bags and embrace him fully.

He doesn’t hesitate in pulling you closer, burying his face on your neck. “Don’t—don’t,” he gasps, “don’t just try to leave like that.”

It’s hard seeing Lyney like this. He’s usually so composed and easy-going. He gulps in a deep breath, and his voice cracks as he calls for you. This must be something out of his control—something deeper than the back of his stage.

“Y/N,” he whispers.

“Lyney,” you call back as gently.

He swallows your surprised noise with his mouth, moving against you like you’re his last meal on Teyvat. He’s still shaking, but it has subsided the longer you stay pressed against each other. You’re not sure if it’s his Pyro vision or if it’s your skin burning at the thought of Lyney’s skin against yours. It’s searing.

This is different from the last kisses you shared.

Passion, you think dizzily, breathless from his hunger. This is passion.

“What was that for?” you ask, embarrassingly winded.

Lyney brushes his thumb over your bottom lip. He looks sad. As though he only comes alive when you’re with him. “A kiss to make up for your absence in the following weeks.”

“I can always come back,” you say. “No, I will come back. I promise. I just need to get home for a bit.”

“Okay.” Lyney nods, exhaling heavily. “Yeah. I know, I understand. Once you come back, come straight to me, alright?”

“Of course.” You lean in to kiss his cheek. You’ve never done it before because it always came off too intimate. And judging by the blush that explodes on his face, he thinks the same.

It all doesn’t matter. The line has been crossed days ago; you’ve just been turning away from seeing it.

He kisses you again. Then again. “Have a safe trip,” he says in between kisses. “I almost wish you commissioned me to escort you, regardless of the price.”

“What, you want 500,00?” The aquabus has arrived; Lyney grips you a little tighter, childishly willing himself not to see it.

“500,000 kisses, and more.” Lyney rests his forehead against yours, his captivating eyes keeping you still, the way it always does. “But you can give me that when you come back.”

( Before they were taken away from the stage for an investigation, Lynette comes up to her brother and asks, “What happened back there, Lyney? I thought you were about to twist your own fingers.”

He is unsure how to tell his sister that he saw your awed expression and nearly lost his wits.

“It was nothing,” Lyney admits, his face growing hot at recalling his slip-up. 

It wasn’t out of embarrassment, no—not when the memory of your wide-eyed beaming expression and how his mind blanked along with the skip of his heart plagued his mind.

“It was nothing,” he repeats numbly. It’s not. It was the start of something. )

a/n ok just a quick rant this fic BROKE ME. it was like every other day i hated then loved writing this fic. im not used to writing fics this long so pacing is not my forte </3 but i just feel proud of myself for finishing this so HOPE U LIKED IT. if ure still reading until here ily ❤️

more a/n two lyney fics and two kissing scenes. i can’t even lie to myself. everyone can tell.

more more a/n it was halfway through writing this fic that i rewatched the magic show and only noticed lyneys hands were shaking and i GOT SO SAD OMF 😭😭😭😭

[ccwritesninja]

The Battle-Itachi

A/N- A bit late posting this to tumblr, but here is part 4!

Read on Ao3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Itachi didn’t visit in person again. His crows were nearby, always watching, but you and Sasuke didn’t seem to be spending much time at home these days.

The chunin exams had come and gone, revealing Orochimaru’s attempt to destroy the Hidden Leaf Village. Though he hadn’t succeeded, his plan resulted in the death of the Third Hokage, the deaths of several jonin, and a significant amount of property damage. 

Sasuke remained safe, thanks to your interference, though he was still branded with Orochimaru’s curse mark.

His little brother was more ill-tempered than ever. Itachi noticed that he was lashing out at you constantly. If he wasn’t biting out an insult, he was isolating himself in his room or at the training field, ignoring your attempts to discuss the events of the exams.

You would stand outside his door, knocking for what felt like hours, only to eventually turn back down the hall and give up. You were spending most of your time alone these days.

Itachi would watch through the eyes of his summons as you trained by yourself, practicing kata and jutsu until your body was flushed and dripping with sweat. He savored these moments. 

Ever the tactician, Itachi had always studied you during battles or training, even before you were together. There was something so captivating about the way you fought, about the tautness of your muscles and the gleam in your eye as you displayed your full strength.

He wished he could be there to spar with you, to push you to your limit until you were panting and sweating beneath him. You were one of the few people whose talents had presented him with a real challenge.

In many ways, he preferred partnering with Kisame because the man’s fighting style reminded him of yours. You were lethal with a sword during your ANBU days, and you both shared a talent for water jutsu. Sometimes, if Itachi closed his eyes during their training sessions at the Akatsuki hideout, he could pretend he was sparring with you instead.

He ached for you, for the familiar rhythm of fighting and training by your side. For the breathless, sleepy talks you would have at the end of a hard mission, as you laid side by side in the grass to rest.

He longed to be by your side again, to help you raise his brother and build a proper family with you, but he had ruined the chances of that years ago. He had ruined everything, and he was about to make things even worse.

—

Sasuke was screaming.

His ragged voice echoed down the hall and jerked you out of a peaceful sleep. You scrambled up from the floor of the hallway and shoved his door open. 

You scanned the darkness, frantically attempting to find the threat. Was it Kabuto? Orochimaru himself?

But as your eyes adjusted to the darkness, you realized there was no one else in the room at all. Just Sasuke, thrashing among the covers in the throes of a nightmare.

Your shoulders slumped in relief. You set the kunai you had been clinging to onto his dresser. You sank down to the edge of his bed, reaching out to place your fingers on his trembling shoulder, gently shaking him awake. 

“Sasuke.”

He bolted upright, striking out with a punch that you caught inches before it clipped your chin. His dark eyes, wild and panicked, softened when they landed on you. 

“Easy,” you soothed. “It was just a dream.”

He nodded stiffly, jerking his wrist from your grasp. “I’m fine.”

Though he still sounded breathless, you didn't push.

He reached up, absentmindedly rubbing at the junction between his neck and shoulder. Though it was covered by his t-shirt, you knew that was where Orochimaru had left the curse mark. He still hadn’t let you get a good look at it.

“Are you-?”

“I said I’m fine!” he snapped. 

“Alright.”

You rose from the bed, but you didn’t fail to notice the way Sasuke curled tighter around himself as you began to leave. 

“Do you want me to stay?” you asked softly. 

His eyes narrowed. He glared stubbornly down at his dark sheets. “I’m not a kid anymore.”

“Okay…” You pursed your lips. “Do you mind if I stay then? I have some reading I’d like to catch up on.”

“Whatever,” he muttered, but he settled back into the pillows a bit more comfortably.

You reached for a book neatly tucked into his organized shelf. Everything there was covered in a thin coating of dust, likely novels that he hadn’t reached for in years. You recognized one that you used to read to him when he was younger.

You tugged the book from the shelf, flipping open the pale orange cover. You sank to the wooden floor with your back resting against the side of his bed. You cleared your throat, and began to read aloud.

“‘Give up.”

You glanced over at Sasuke. He was curled on his side, eyes closed and facing toward you. A smile tugged at your lips. He was listening. 

“‘Give up trying to make me give up.’”

You made it through the first three chapters of Tales of a Gutsy Ninja before the sound of Sasuke’s soft snores filled the room. You rose from the floor, rolling out your shoulders and stretching your stiff back. 

You paused in the doorway, feeling the tension in your body subside as he slept calmly. Vivid nightmares had plagued Sasuke ever since the massacre.

When he was small and woke, terrified, in the middle of the night, you would crawl into his tiny bed and hold him against you.

He would sob into your shirt, soaking it with snot and tears until he eventually settled back into a fitful sleep. Sometimes you would hold him all night, stroking your fingers over his dark mop of hair as you laid awake.

As he got older, he stopped crying out for you in the dark. He no longer craved your comfort. He would smack your hands away when you tried to brush his bangs from his eyes or give him hugs. He became obsessed with the idea of becoming stronger, of training so that he could avenge his family and kill Itachi. 

You did everything in your power to steer him away from that goal. He was still so young, and Itachi was a force to be reckoned with, long before he had even reached Sasuke’s age. War had hardened him. Sasuke was raised entirely in peacetime.

You tried to temper Sasuke’s bloodlust, attempting to meet his needs in a responsible manner. You would train him, but not harshly. You would still dote on him, even when he kept you at arms length.

The chunin exams had only driven him further into the darkness he always struggled with. That had only gotten worse since Orochimaru had shown himself. The true effects of the curse mark were still unknown, though you and Kakashi were attempting to figure that out.

The one good thing that had come out of his attack were the sannin’s apparent injuries. You had seen his limp arms hanging by his sides as his Sound Village pawns carried him from the arena. He couldn’t even retreat without help. 

“He’s incapacitated,” Kakashi had pointed out. “He can’t come for Sasuke right now.”

You were sitting outside your favorite tea shop, talking quietly as you poured over the disastrous events of the exams. One of his ninken lounged by your feet, nudging your sandal in an attempt to beg for pets.

“What if that’s why he wants him?” you asked, reaching down to scratch Guruko between the ears. “I’ve been doing some research. A lot of the ANBU reports say that Orochimaru was trying to become immortal. He could use a forbidden jutsu and take someone else’s body as his own. Someone with two working arms and the sharingan.”

Of course, you weren’t just searching through the ANBU archives. Itachi had given you the most important intel himself, though you weren’t going to tell Kakashi that. 

He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Maybe I should be worried.”

You snorted. “You’re not exactly in your prime, Captain.”

Kakashi raised a silver eyebrow. “I’m twenty-seven.”

“And I bet you get sore if you don’t stretch before a training session.”

“Maa, is this where Sasuke gets his attitude from?” he wondered, eyes crinkling in amusement. “I suppose it's possible Orochimaru could send someone else, but it would be a heavy risk to take, coming back for him now.”

“Would it? The village is going to take time to recover. Our forces are weak. Now would be the perfect time for an attack.”

“If he could, which he can’t. No arms means no jutsu.”

You crossed your arms over your chest and leaned back in your chair. Guruko whined as you pulled away. “Encountering suspicion, a ninja prepares quickly. Isn’t that what you always told us?”

He drummed his fingers on the table thoughtfully. “We’ll be prepared. But I don’t think you should be this paranoid. Are you even sleeping?”

“Yes.” It was a lie, but Kakashi politely let it slide.

You had excused yourself shortly after with one last pat to Guruko’s head.

Maybe Kakashi had been right that day in the tea shop, but you couldn’t bring yourself to let go of the fear that nagged at your insides.

You couldn’t believe you had fallen asleep on watch. You never should have let yourself drift off in the first place, since Kiyoshi was otherwise occupied and couldn’t patrol the compound. 

It was your job to protect Sasuke, to make sure that, if Orochimaru or his pawns came for him, you would be ready. —

Though his face was the picture of composure, Itachi’s heart was slamming against his ribcage. The restaurant he and Kisame were sitting in was warm and inviting, but the dango on his plate remained untouched.

He didn’t want to be here. He tried to avoid returning to the Leaf Village at all, insisting that sending him, one of the most prolific rogue shinobi in the Land of Fire, was too conspicuous.

“Why are we going after the nine-tails anyway?” Kisame had asked Pain. “Aren’t we supposed to start small?”

“He’s a twelve year old boy,” Pain reasoned. “How much smaller can you get? Besides, Itachi knows the ins and outs of the Hidden Leaf. Two shinobi of your talents can surely remain out of sight.”

A warm breeze drifted through the restaurant, and with it came a familiar voice. 

Kakashi Hatake leaned against a nearby wall, speaking casually with two other jonin. Itachi recognized the tall, bearded man as Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the late Third Hokage. The pale woman with dark, curly hair was Kurenai Yuhei.

“What are you doing here, aside from catching up on your reading?”

“I need to buy something to put on a grave. Plus I’m meeting someone here. I’m just waiting on Sasuke and Y/n.”

Itachi tensed at the mention of your name. What was Kakashi planning? 

If his former captain discovered he and Kisame had entered the village, he didn’t understand why he would bring you and Sasuke closer. Was he assuming Itachi intended to hurt the two of you, and cold-blooded enough to use you as bait to lure him out? 

Asuma chuckled. “It’s not like you to be waiting on someone.”

“Kakashi.”

Itachi went rigid at the sound of Sasuke’s voice.

“It’s not like you to show up early. What gives?”

“Sasuke,” you chastised. “Don’t be rude.”

His little brother grunted as you elbowed him sharply in the side. 

“Well, sometimes I do. It’s good to see you, Y/n.”

Itachi’s breath caught in his throat. You were so close. Close enough for him to smell the sweet scent of your shampoo on the breeze. Close enough that, if he wanted, he could reach out and touch you.

Kakashi did that instead. He stepped forward, bringing you into a tight hug. You seemed to stiffen at the sudden show of affection. You were picky about who you let touch you. You always had been. Didn’t Kakashi remember that?

Itachi’s fingers curled tighter around the cup of tea in his hand. Though his face was hidden under the brim of his wide hat, his eyes followed Kakashi’s hands as they brushed against your lower back. Since when had you and your former captain gotten this close?

“Take Sasuke to the compound and do not leave,” he hissed in your ear.

Ah, Itachi thought. Simply passing along a warning.  

Kakashi assumed he was here for Sasuke. Still, the sight made him ache. A sick feeling bloomed in his stomach as the man’s arms curled around you. His lips had been too close to your skin.

“We should move,” Itachi muttered to Kisame.

Before you could even scan the area for the enemy, the two would be gone. Kakashi pulled back. His eyes locked onto yours, attempting to express the danger of the situation in a single glance.

You had received the message. A chill shuddered down your spine as you glanced at Sasuke.

“Come on. Kakashi-sensei will meet us back at the house later.”

“What?” he complained. “But we just-“

“Now, Sasuke.”

You tugged him along, ignoring his annoyed huff when he jerked his wrist from your grasp. He followed you anyway, grumbling about still being hungry. 

“I’ll make lunch,” you promised, casting a worried glance back toward Kakashi and the others. Kurenai and Asuma had disappeared, no doubt scouting ahead for Itachi and the other man.

You had sensed him there, in the dango shop. You recognized his familiar chakra signature immediately. What was he planning? Why had he returned to the village and shown up in public?

A terrible thought washed over you. What if Itachi had come to take Sasuke? Was he worried about his safety? Did he doubt your ability to protect him?

Your fingers fell onto his shoulder, desperate to keep him close to you.

“Why is everyone acting so weird?” Sasuke demanded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He brushed off your hand and ignored you for the rest of the walk home. When you slipped into the kitchen to make lunch, he promptly flopped down onto the sofa and began watching TV.

Halfway into preparing the onigiri, you slipped out into the garden. Sasuke remained engrossed in cartoons. 

You tugged a scroll from the pouch on your hip and bit down on your thumb. You smeared a streak of blood across the parchment and waited. 

Kiyoshi appeared before you in a puff of smoke. Her yellow eyes met yours, narrowing for a moment.

“Y/n.”

“I need you to make sure Sasuke doesn’t leave the compound, and that no one makes it inside.”

She dipped her head at you.

“And, Kiyoshi?”

“Yes?”

“If Itachi shows himself, do not let him near Sasuke.”

Her round eyes narrowed. “You have my word I will not.”

She leapt over an ivy-covered wall of the garden and disappeared. The tension from your shoulders eased a bit. It quickly returned as you walked back into the house and saw Sasuke headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” 

You stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Sasuke scowled, holding up a stack of thin comic books.

“I can’t read outside anymore?” 

“Oh. No, that’s fine. Just don’t-“

“Don’t leave the compound, yeah I get it.” 

He rolled his eyes and brushed past you, sliding the door open and slamming it behind him. He muttered to himself under his breath as he left. Something about you being a weirdo.

You watched him sink down under a tree and begin to thumb through a comic. A tired sigh left your lips as you turned away from the window.

 Was it wrong to keep your worries from him? You didn’t even know what you were dealing with here, but you trusted Kakashi. He would figure out what was happening and plan accordingly.

You went back to making lunch, glancing out into the yard every few minutes. Sasuke remained there, reading, until you finished up.

“Lunch is ready!” You called from the porch.

He didn’t look up.

“Sasuke! Lunch is ready!”

Was he ignoring you on purpose again? He had been doing that a lot lately.

You frowned and walked over, hands on your hips as you peered down at him. “Hey, come on.”

It was like he hadn’t even heard you. You leaned forward, gently bumping his ankle with the bottom of your sandal. Not even a twitch of annoyance.

A chill traveled down your spine. You quickly pulled out a kunai and tossed it toward his chest. It found its mark, causing the clone to disappear into a puff of smoke. The blade stuck into the tree behind it.

Sasuke had tricked you. He had most likely left in search of Kakashi.

���Kiyoshi!” You shouted.

She was bounding toward you in an instant, paws slamming against the earth. 

“Sasuke is gone.”

“But he was just-“

“A shadow clone.”

A low growl rumbled from her chest. “Troublesome boy.”

“We need to follow him. Can you track his scent?”

She nodded, and the two of you took off through the village.

You followed her across town and to a familiar apartment block. Jonin housing. You had lived in this exact building before you had moved to the compound for Sasuke.

Kiyoshi padded up the steps, coming to a stop in front of a vaguely familiar apartment door. 

“He went in here.”

You burst into Kakashi’s apartment, calling for him and for Sasuke, only to find a group of other jonin in his bedroom. Kakashi himself was lying in his bed, motionless and surrounded by Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai.

You glanced between them, horrified. Had Itachi done this to your former captain?

“What’s going on? Did Sasuke come through here?”

“He did,” Gai told you. His expression was grim. “I think there’s something you should know.”

You were sprinting out the door the moment he mentioned Itachi. Kiyoshi was right on your heels.

The three watched you go, looking between each other. 

Kurenai frowned. “Weren’t her and Itachi…?”

Asuma nodded, fiddling with the cigarette between his lips. “They were.”

“Do you think that’s wise then? To let her go alone?”

“Well, I don’t think he’s above killing her, considering he slaughtered his entire clan.”

Gai stood up, cracking his knuckles. “I will follow them.”

—

You raced toward a nearby outpost town, hot on Sasuke’s trail. He had a head start, but he wasn’t too far ahead. You prayed you would be quick enough to intercept him before he crossed paths with Itachi. 

And then there was Naruto to worry about. Itachi had a part to play, but surely he wouldn’t kill a twelve year old boy? Would he hurt Sasuke, given the chance?

“You are afraid of facing him.”

Kiyoshi’s measured voice cut through your thoughts. You took a deep, shaky breath. There was no point in lying to her.

“I am.”

“Are you willing to hurt him?”

You closed your eyes for a moment, feeling nothing but the wind on your face and the sharp pang of regret as you ran.

“If I have to.”

“And if he kills you?”

“Then Kakashi will look after Sasuke.”

Kiyoshi snorted. “Him?”

“It’s not like I’ve got a lot of options here. If you weren’t a tiger, I’d be asking you.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “Try your best not to die then. I don’t have faith in Kakashi’s parenting skills.”

You ran through the streets, rushing past street performers and colorful game stands. The smell of frying dough and grease wafted through the air.

Despite the abundance of strange smells, Kiyoshi tracked Sasuke to one of the many inns that littered the town. Together, you cloaked your chakra signatures and crept onto the roof. Nausea bloomed in your stomach as you peered into a nearby window.

Itachi loomed over Sasuke at the end of the hallway, pinning his tiny body against the wood-paneling. The younger boy was seething, squirming against the wall as he tried to break his brother’s hold. His arm looked swollen and bruised. It hung limply by his side.

Itachi simply stared down at him, eyes void of emotion as his fingers tightened around his throat. You wanted to cry out, to yell for him to stop, but you knew it wouldn’t have made a difference. It appeared that Itachi was playing the part in order to maintain his cover. He had already broken Sasuke’s arm, and he was most likely going to do worse.

Master Jiraiya body-flickered into the hall, appearing triumphantly in a puff of smoke. He began facing Itachi’s partner, Kisame, down the hall, but you knew his first priority was protecting Naruto. It was up to you to help Sasuke, and you had to do it fast. 

You turned to Kiyoshi, meeting those knowing, yellow eyes. You reached out and placed a hand on her warm, furry head.

“I have a plan.”

—

“You’re still too weak,” Itachi mused, peering down into his brother’s furious eyes. “You don’t have enough hate. And you know something?

He leaned closer so that he could whisper in his ear. “You never will.”

“But I do.”

The sharp point of a kunai was suddenly digging into his back. 

“Put him down.”

Itachi froze at the sound of your voice. You had followed Sasuke. Of course you had.

You may have still loved him, but you would protect his little brother first. And he would expect no less.

“I thought you killed her,” Kisame snarled, glancing between the two of you.

“So did he,” you spat back.

It was a lie that you pulled off effortlessly. For a moment, Itachi believed the venom in your voice was genuine. 

“Sasuke,” you snapped. “You are so grounded.”

You could see the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. He was angry, but he was also ashamed. Though the adrenaline of the impending battle was coursing through you, a pang of sorrow was eating at your heart. 

You wouldn’t defeat Itachi. You might have been able to keep him busy for a while, but if it came down to it, he would kill you. You only hoped that Jiraiya would usher Naruto and Sasuke away before that happened. You didn’t want him to see you die too.

Itachi winced as the tip of your blade pierced his cloak. His grip on Sasuke slackened, but not by his own volition. An orange blur tore into his field of vision, snatching Sasuke from his arms and breaking his hold.

Kiyoshi.

Itachi turned to face you. Bile rose up in his throat when you met his gaze. You knew better than to make that mistake. You had learned long ago how to guard yourself against his abilities, but this was a calculated move. You were offering yourself up as a willing sacrifice.

If he had shown mercy on his brother, Kisame would realize something wasn’t right. You had created a diversion and summoned Kiyoshi so that you could take Sasuke’s place. 

“No!” Sasuke shouted, fighting to free himself from her jaws as the tigress dragged him down the hall.

“Get Naruto and run,” you ordered.

Kiyoshi yanked him back by the collar, hauling him down the hall with her teeth. A low growl rumbled up from her chest. “C’mon, cub!”

Your eyes flicked back to Itachi. “You should pick on someone your own size.”

You slashed out at him, managing to get the kunai centimeters from his throat before he caught your wrist.

“You’re hardly bigger than Sasuke.”

The bone snapped in his fingers, splintering in one fluid motion.

A broken scream bubbled up from your chest. Your vision went white for a moment, and you could hear Sasuke shouting from down the hall, though you couldn’t make out the words past the ringing in your ears.

His fingers wrapped around your throat as he turned, and he slammed you up against the wall so hard that the plaster cracked from the force. He gazed down at you, eyes brimming with regret. He didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to hurt you anymore than you wanted to hurt him.

You were grateful that Kisame couldn’t see his face from behind.

Don’t stop, you begged silently, hoping your eyes communicated your thoughts. If Itachi lost his nerve, if he hesitated, your act would be discovered.

“I’ll kill you!” Sasuke was snarling. “I’ll kill you, Itachi!”

And then there was silence. 

Just you and Itachi, floating amongst a landscape of darkness. You were wrapped in his arms, warm and safe. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against yours, eyes full of devotion and longing. 

“I love you.”

He brushed his calloused fingers gently across your cheekbone, stroking the skin. 

Itachi loved you. He would keep you safe, like he always had.

Suddenly, a jarring burst of pain spread through your abdomen. Itachi had plunged his katana through your stomach.

Blood erupted from your lips. You slumped against him, legs buckling. This only drove the blade deeper into your body. You squeezed your eyes shut against the pain, gritting your teeth. When you opened them again, you were whole once more, gazing up into Itachi’s dark eyes.

Relief flooded through you, only for another scream to erupt from your chest as he ran you through again. Over and over, the horrific scene played out, until you lost count of how many times it had happened.

It didn’t matter that this was an illusion. The coppery taste of blood welled bitterly in your mouth. The stroke of his fingers against your face felt as real as it ever had. And the pain? The pain was agonizing and endless.

His words echoed in your ears, soft and sincere, and, somehow, that hurt even more than being run through. 

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Iloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyou __

Itachi had never wanted to die more than he did in that moment. The sound of your wrist bone splintering was still echoing through his mind. The ragged scream that his torture had coaxed from your lips was seared into his memory.

Why had you done it? You had looked directly into his eyes and urged him to hurt you in place of Sasuke. You had thrown yourself in front of him so quickly, so carelessly. 

It was because you loved his little brother. You would have given your life for Sasuke without hesitation, even if that meant dying at Itachi’s hand. 

A terrible chill ripped through him as you crumpled to the floor of the hallway, pupils blown wide with horror. Sasuke had been screaming useless threats in the background, still being dragged to safety by your summons.

He and Kisame tore down the hall, desperately trying to avoid the sticky, acidic walls of the toad stomach Jiraiya attempted to trap them in. He had half a mind to let it swallow him whole.

Itachi was sure that the hate he had kindled in his little brother was a bottomless pit by now. To ruin Sasuke’s life four years ago, only to return and destroy the only person he had left, was something only the most wretched of monsters would do.

And Itachi was a monster indeed. 

He had broken your mind. He had tossed you to the floor like some unwanted plaything, when all he wanted to do was pull you into his arms and sob.

Whatever punishment Sasuke crafted for him in the coming years would be well deserved. Maybe he would encourage Kiyoshi to tag along and eat him. Itachi would embrace it wholeheartedly.

It was what he deserved.

[sylviesoothsayer22]

Well Matched - Chapter 5

Ranunculus Asiaticus Part II

Summary: Continuation of chapter 4.... Wei Wuxian now has to deal with the fact that he accidentally proposed to Ghost City's king...

Link for chapter 4: https://www.tumblr.com/sylviesoothsayer22/769679996158722048/well-matched-chapter-4?source=share

“That’s a serious accusation you’re making, Zhou.”

Almost every head snapped at the maple-robed youth who seemingly materialized out of nowhere. The only one not surprised was Black Flute, who already sat back down and helped himself to more wine. The uninvited guest was nonchalantly leaning against the betting table with his arms crossed. Giving the crowd a smile that was anything but kind.

“You know how this city treats cheaters, Old Man. Those who are dumb enough to get caught, anyway.” The final comment incited a few snickers here and there around the den.

Before Zhou could argue back, the youth casually grabbed the elder’s wine jar and took a mouthful from the unfinished jug. He sloshed the liquid back and forth in his mouth, swallowed and then shot Zhou a look of disdain.

“It’s not spiked. Lord Wuxian is simply no lightweight.” He snorts derisively. “Your tolerance is not what it used to be, Old Man.” Black Flute let out a laugh disguised as a cough behind his hand.

“And who the hell asked for your opinion?!” Zhou roared at the intruder. Utterly fed up with the situation. The youth raised a brow at the elder’s sheer stupidity.

“Are you a fucking idiot?!” Bái Māo cut in. “Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?! Look at his sword, you fool!” Old man does so and pales as soon as his eyes landed on the familiar weapon. A scimitar with a glowing red eye glaring back at the lesser ghost. Zhou wasted no time in kowtowing to Hua Chengzhu, tossing the keys of his winery at Wei Wuxian’s feet.

“Mercy, lord! This one did not kno-!”

“Scram.” Crimson Rain uttered in a bored manner. Lazily resting his hand on the pommel of a growling E’ming, immediately stilling it. Zhou did not waste any time and scurried out of there. All of Hua Cheng’s attention had already gone back to the younger ghost before him.

“I could’ve sworn I told you not to make a commotion.” He smirked.

“And I tried my best not to, my lord.” The younger ghost retorted cheekily “Have I already made a nuisance of myself, Chengzhu?”

“On the contrary, I found your antics rather charming.” He stated, not once looking away from those silver eyes. “It seems that I’ve picked quite the entertainer to be my wife.”

You could hear a pin drop from the brief silence that followed. Distantly, Hua Cheng heard the crowd break out into whispers among each other.

So, it is true?!

Black Flute actually gave Chengzhu his ashes?!

How has he not been dispersed yet?

Shhhhh!

Hua Cheng did not pay heed to the surrounding gossip. He was more drawn to how the younger ghost’s eyes widened briefly accompanied by a soft pink flush that started from the tip of his ears all the way down to his pale neck. His fingers twitched. Once more feeling the urge to preserve such a pleasant sight onto paper.

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian’s face split into a grin and he clapped back:

“Who are you calling wife?! Wasn’t it me who proposed?” He stared back at Hua Cheng, eyes twinkling “So, shouldn’t you be the wife, Chengzhu?”

The crowd gasped. Likely expecting their lord to punish the younger ghost for his insolence. Hua Cheng bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

Instead of answering right away, he took a few seconds to leer up and down at Lord Wuxian’s form before replying:

“Hmm. I think you’ll look much better in bridal robes compared to me.”

Feeling all eyes turn back to him, Wei Wuxian scrambled to retort: “…but wouldn’t I have to wear a veil?! How could you ask me to cover up my pretty face?”

“Well, aren’t we self-confident?” He drawled. “We can modify the wedding garb to suit your tastes.”

“How accommodating of you, my lord! I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve it.”

“Whatever you need, I’ll gladly provide.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile was now all teeth. He leaned forward and Hua Cheng got a good look at the tick mark swelling on the younger’s forehead.

“Well, what I need now…” He gritted “…is to take a look at my winnings. I’m afraid Old Man Zhou forgot to give me directions to his winery. Could my betrothed show me the way?”

Hua Cheng snickered under his breath.

“Certainly.” He held out his hand. Carefully gauging the younger man’s irritation as he reluctantly laced his fingers with his. The whispers died down as he led Lord Wuxian out of the den. Hua Cheng knew that they wouldn’t stay quiet for long. The news will have spread all over the city before sunrise.

The wind nipped at their faces as they strolled past the busy market places and vendors. The sound of their booted feet scuffing against gravel echoed louder in their ears as the two men inched further and further away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets of Ghost City into its more secluded alleyways. Hua Cheng glanced at an uncharacteristically quiet Wei Wuxian.

Judging by how angry he was, Hua Cheng thought that the younger ghost would snap at him the moment they were alone. But Lord Wuxian seemed to have lost his fire the moment they stepped out of the den. Eyes glazed over with a slight frown and arms crossed, he appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.

Either he’s the type to quickly cool off after he’s gotten angry or-

Hua Cheng noticed the slight tension in the younger’s shoulders. Indicating that something was weighing on his mind.

Or it’s not me he’s irritated with.

Hua Cheng decided to gently break Wei Wuxian out of his own head and softly uttered:

“Something on your mind?”

“Huh?” The younger quickly glanced at Crimson Rain before focusing on the road ahead.

“…. did you plan on making a public announcement of our little ‘engagement’ or were you hoping to embarrass me?”

“My lord, everyone in Ghost City knows about your little proposal thanks to the courtesan you befriended a few nights ago. I’m only sorry that I didn’t get to see the look on your face when you found out.”

Wei Wuxian let out a pained groan and covered his face.

“If I knew that she was going to gossip about it, I wouldn’t have said anything!” He groused. “What kind of idiot proposes without knowing?!”

“You, apparently.” Hua Cheng retorted without a hint of remorse.

The younger let out a pathetic whine in response. Hua Cheng could only chuckle.

“Hey, Chengzhu…” Wei Wuxian began. Eyeing the red ribbon still firmly wrapped around Crimson Rain’s wrist. There was a hint of vulnerability within his next words “This ‘engagement’ isn’t legally binding, right?”

Ah. There’s the crux of the problem.

“Why are you asking?” He teased “Is the idea of binding yourself to me repulsive?” Feeling wrongfooted, Wei Wuxian could only stutter. Hua Cheng watched the amusing display for a few seconds before looking away.

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to make it awkward between you and your lover.”

“I-I don’t have a lover!”

Hua Cheng tried not to show any outward reaction at this bit of news.

“No? Then continuing this little charade shouldn’t be too hard for you then.”

“But I didn’t actually propose! Why not clear it up with everyone?”

“I’m afraid that’ll only add more fuel to the fire.” Hua Cheng sighed in mock-exasperation “The idea of two Calamities having a passionate love-affair makes for more juicy gossip than one of them making a foolish mistake. They’ll just think you’re being coy.”

“You’re enjoying every second of this, aren’t you?” Wei Wuxian hissed, unable to quell his embarrassment over the situation.

“Yes.” He answered back with a shameless grin.

“Hmph! If I didn’t know any better, Chengzhu, I’d say you’re just using this misunderstanding as an excuse to flirt with me.”

“And what if I am?”

“Huh?!”

“What if I choose to flirt with you for the sole purpose of making you blush like you did back at the den?”

“Then-then I’ll just have to embarrass you back!”

“By all means, go ahead. It’ll take several hundred years for you to reach my level of shamelessness, Lord Wuxian.”

“We’ll see about that!”

Hue Cheng let out a slight laugh. He finally took pity on the younger man and changed the subject.

“How did you manage to get Bái Māo on your side? He’s normally the overly-cautious type.”

“…it wasn’t really that difficult. All I promised him was that he could help me embarrass Zhou and he was ready to follow my lead. Apparently, there’s some bad blood between the two.”

Hua Cheng responded with a thoughtful hum before asking:

“Was it your idea for him to be the first one to sample the wine?”

“People prefer not to do anything out of the norm, unless they see someone else do it first. I wanted to slowly gain the crowd’s trust instead of having them fear me. Bái Māo helped me achieve that.”  

“Clever.” Hua Cheng complimented. “Did you also ask him to rile up Zhou on purpose?”

“I figured that the two of us could annoy the Old Man enough if he started acting stubborn.” Wei Wuxian shrugged. “I didn’t think that you would decide to step in.”

“What kind of man would I be if I didn’t jump to my betrothed’s defence?”

Wei Wuxian bit his lip. Refusing to rise to the bait. He couldn’t stop the blush colouring his ears, much to Hua Cheng’s delight.

“Offering everyone at the den a sample of the new wine was a nice touch as well.”

“Is Chengzhu going to give me more business advice?”

“No, you seem to be doing fine. For now.”

It was Wei Wuxian turn to be amused. The younger ghost let out a breathy laugh.

Both men continued walking in silence for a few more minutes until they finally arrived at their destination. The winery was old, rundown and clearly has not been well taken care of. Honestly, how Zhou expected to continue on with his job under these conditions and still make a profit was beyond Hua Cheng. He refused to waste space in his city for failing businesses.

“It’ll take some time to fully remodel the place.” He said, already making the arrangements in his mind. “If you need any help- what are you staring at?”

“You.” Was the quick response.

“I’m aware.” Hua Cheng replied dryly. “Why?”

Instead of answering right away, Wei Wuxian took a step closer in his direction. Silver eyes continued examining the older man’s visage, seemingly taking in every facial feature.

(He could feel E’ming let out a slight tremor in its sheathe. Hua Cheng gave it a warning squeeze.)

“I can’t help but wonder, how come you’re not showing anyone your true face these days?”

“It’s not uncommon for ghosts to take on a different appearance from time-to-time.” Hua Cheng answered nonchalantly.

“Judging by the rumours, I thought that Chengzhu would much prefer to stay in his original form.” A look of interest flickered on the elder ghost’s face.

“And just what did the rumours say about me?”

“Chengzhu, are you deflecting or fishing for compliments?”

Crimson Rain responded with a shrug. Wei Wuxian snickered under his breath and continued:

“ ‘A man with a face that is both handsome and feral, with skin as white as snow, along with a cruel smile and a lone red eye.’ ” He answered, as if he were reciting a line from an old book of fables. “Or something like that.” He deadpanned with a shrug of his own. Now impishly beaming at the elder.

Hua Cheng couldn’t hold back a snort.

“Nothing but over exaggerations. I didn’t take you for the kind of man to take gossip as fact.”

“Oh, don’t act all humble on me now.” The younger teased. Eyes alight with mischief. “What’s it going to take for you to show me?” Hua Cheng stared at the younger ghost for few seconds before slowly leaning into Lord Wuxian’s space until they were practically nose-to-nose, startling the younger ghost.

“If this is your attempt at ‘embarrassing’ me, I’m afraid your gonna have to try harder.” He leaned back and continued smugly “Not that it makes your efforts any less cute.”

“You..!”

At that moment, Hua Cheng felt his communication array open:

Chengzhu….

He held out a hand to stop Wei Wuxian from saying anything else as he listened to what Yin Yu had to say.

It appears that Qi Rong finally decided to express his displeasure over the new addition and has sent some of his lackeys to make a scene at the den. Shall I take care of them?

Hua Cheng let out an annoyed sigh. He could already feel a migraine crawling up his temples. Lord Wuxian was curiously staring at the silent Ghost King.

Leave some of them alive. I’ll send them back in pieces to the brat myself.

“It appears that we have to cut our conversation short.” He remarked and held back a smile as he could see the inquisitive Wei Wuxian barely stopping himself from questioning Hua Cheng’s odd behaviour.

“Leaving so soon? You haven’t even answered my question, yet!”

“Hmmm…. I’ll consider showing you my true face next time we meet.”

Before Wei Wuxian could retort, the alleyway was flooded by a sudden flash of light so blinding that he had to shield his eyes for a few moments. When he opened them again, Chengzhu was gone and there were only a few stray butterflies fluttering around. The younger ghost held out his hand, which prompted a curious butterfly to perch on his fingers.

“What a dramatic bastard...” Wei Ying whispered disbelievingly, biting his bottom lip to hold back the grin from taking over his face.

Not that I’m any better…

It wasn’t until later, when Hua Cheng had turned all of Qi Rong’s minions into a pile of meat and limbs on his -mostly empty- den’s floor did he recall E’ming’s strange reaction around Ghost City’s newest resident. He glared at the purring sword in his hand, satisfied that it had its bloodlust curbed.

“You like him, don’t you?” He accused. The damned thing hardly ever acted out of line until now. E’ming squinted its eye back at him.

As do you. It seemed to say.

Hua Cheng retaliated by flicking his fingers on that damnable eye.

Chapter End.

Omake:

WN: *stares at a spot on WWX’s head* Uhm. Wei-Gongzi…?

WWX: *Doesn’t even lift his head from whatever he’s working on* What is it, Wen Ning?

WN: Th-there’s something in your hair….

WWX: *blinks owlishly before making an oooh! sound* You mean the butterfly? Yeah. I tried to ditch it the other day, but it won't leave. *shrugs* Guess it’s living with us now.

WN: *wondering if Crimson Rain is spying on them as they speak* okaaay…..

Wraith-butterfly: *just chilling in the pretty man’s silky hair. He’s definitely nicer than its other master…*

Hope ya enjoyed! Be sure to leave a like and/or drop a comment!

Many thanks~

[moreausturtles]

"the orange sun in the blue sky"

a/n: hi guys this is a rly rly old weirdly made draft that I made during my rly bad hyperfixation on the rise movie; i thought i might share it with y'all bc im somewhat proud of it? pls dont mind any mistakes i wrote it in a rush i think...? gl to everyone reading hahaha lmk what u think pls dont be mean

summary: leo and mikey are the only ones alive. they finally defeat the last of the kraang, but at a cost.

warnings: unchecked + unedited weird bullet point format; slight mentions of death/blood; one swear word?; very angsty and sad sorry :((

word count: ~1k

(imagine FINALLY defeating Krang 1 as a mission success)

- the baja blast duo fight the krang, lots of hard hits and close calls and they have the LUCKIEST breakthrough.

- krang 1 is on the ground and no longer able to move, all its tentacles are severed. its hanging on by a thread, one that leo is more than happy to cut.

- “this is for my family.” leo whispers, looking down at the krang in disdain.

- he jabs his sword into the krang's body under his foot, killing it in one motion.

- and just like that, it was over.

- leo takes a moment to breathe, like his body wasn’t letting him before.

- he allows himself to think, to process, to take in the fact that they had just won the war.

they won.

- a small smile grows on his face and a quick rush of excitement takes over his body

- “we did it…” he whispers, “mikey, we did it!” he repeats it, a part of him still in denial and acting like saying it again was going to convince him that the worst was over.

- but the worst was far from it.

- he turns around to mikey excitedly, who he thought was just quiet because he was just as shocked as he was

- but boy was he stupidly wrong

- mikey stood there, a hand on the side of his plastron with blood dripping from it then to the ground

“mikey…?”

- he tries to give leo a smile, but fails as his body drops to the ground

- leo’s heart drops along with him, he calls out his name and runs to him quickly and takes him in his arms

- mikey, even before his mystic powers, always had this signature orange glow radiating off of him. but this time, leo was afraid it was going to become very dim very soon.

- leo took his baby brother’s head in his hand—he didn’t care if mikey was fucking older than him (hc no thanks to his excessive use of mystic power), he was still his baby brother

- mikey needed medical attention fast. but they were in the middle of nowhere. no medical team. no backup. no hamato.

- “we did it, leo…?” mike manages to whisper out and smiled up at his older brother.

- “yeah buddy, we did…” the sniffling soon came as leo tried to fight back tears. he had known this would happen; could you really blame a guy whose family got picked off one by one during the apocalypse to think that way?

“i’m sorry, leo...”

- god, mikey’s voice shattered leo’s heart into pieces. so weak and trying.

- “hey,” leo uttered, trying to change the topic, “remember the time when you thought the gumbus was real?”

- this earned a very weak, wheezed chuckle from the mystic turtle, who had his eyes closed to visualize the fond memory

- “you did too…” leo laughed bitterly at that, feeling his little brother’s breathing pattern slow.

- “i did, yeah. it’s one of my favorite memories.” said leo.

- “mine too…” mikey opened his eyes, the memory ending, and looked up to see leo’s face drenched in tears. a pang hit mikey’s chest as he realized he was going to leave his brother soon.

- “hey, leo?”

- “yeah, miguel?” a playful nickname he hadn’t heard in years.

“you were always my favorite brother.”

leo laughed, genuinely laughed even though it felt like he was being stabbed in the chest tenfold.

- “don’t tell donnie or raph.”

- “i think they know.”

- both of them pause for a moment, neither of them knowing what to say or do. there wasn’t really anything else to do but wait. Each second leo spent trying to figure out what words he wanted to tell mikey. “I’m sorry.” “Say hi to them for me.” “Please don’t leave me alone.”

- mikey was his partner in crime and now he was just… fading. His little brother was dying.

- leo knew their time was running short from the way he was listening to mikey’s labored breaths. slow and trying. mikey thought about using his mystic power for one last push, to stay with leo, to make do with what was left of the world.

- they could rebuild it. it was easy for him to make things out of thin air. leo knows how to build and farm and haul and everything you could think of.

- but the mystic warrior was tired. they had been fighting for decades. he couldn’t lift a single finger even if he tried, and that was fine with him. he honestlyhadn’t felt relaxed like that in years.

- maybe they were better off not saying a word, mikey needed to save any air he could take in. leo kept his mouth shut just so he could spent just a little bit more time together in this bittersweet silence.

- suddenly he sees mikey’s lips open a little bit, and the next words that come out would forever leave leo wounded.

“I love you, big brother.”

- it took everything in leo to not break out in full sobs right then and there. he wanted to scream, beg, plead to the God that did this to mikey— if one even existed.

- leo swallowed the lump in his throat, forming the best—and last— smile he could muster for mikey, mimicking him the way he used to do it for him and his older brothers so they wouldn’t have to worry.

“I love you too, little bro.”

- leo’s little ray of hope slowly went limp in his arms. and he was all alone.

- leo kept mikey in his arms, still and unmoving. maybe it was his punishment for putting mikey in this whole mess. for destroying the world and his entire family. maybe a God did exist, it was just never in his favor no matter how hard he fought to appease it.

leonardo, the last one standing of the hamatos, defeated the Krang and lived, while mikey took his place in the sky as leo’s ray of sunshine.

[unpredictable-probabilities]

Azul Ashengrotto of Royal Sword Academy || Chapter 28: Night of the Hollow

Summary:

Azul, Jamil, Rielle, and Floyd visit the Shroud Brothers' domain for the promised screening of Pumpkin Hollow, and learn some new things about each other.

Word Count:  6,430

Notes (more at the end):

For Day 6 of AshenViper Week 2024!

Prompt: Overblot / Azul's Mer-form

Ortho appears and takes them all to Ignihyde.

They arrive in what looks like a movie room; soundproof cushions on the walls, a big flatscreen TV, lounge chairs and bean bags all around, and a snack table to the side.

"Welcome to Ignihyde!" Ortho says to Azul, Jamil, Rielle, and Floyd. The android was ecstatic to find out that two more people wanted to hang out with his brother, though the brother himself was not as enthused. Idia Shroud isn't here yet, Ortho explains that he's still changing out of his Pumpkin Knight costume.

"Please wait here while my brother and I prepare the movie and snacks!" Ortho flies out of the room.

Jamil had been quietly gazing around the dorm ever since they entered. "It's not everyday you get to wander around here. For one, people rarely get invited to the home of introverts, and sneaking in only attracts the wrath of their security detail—or Ortho's," he comments, before quickly looking at Floyd. "Don't touch anything."

"Hah, too late." Floyd replies, booting up Idia's computer connecting to some devices on the walls.

"Unidentified fingerprints," a robotic voice says from the speakers. "Implementing Security Protocol Level 1."

All devices retract into the wall and disappear. A metal sheet appears from the ceiling and seals off the doorway. Spotlights shine down on each of them.

"Four lifeforms detected. Sending information to Ignihyde Prefect and Ortho Shroud."

"I suppose this is what you meant?" Azul lightly asks Jamil, putting his hand up to shield his face from the glare of a spotlight.

Jamil heaves a long sigh.

"Whoooooaaaa... This is kinda cool, though," Floyd nonchalantly states, walking up to a spotlight and ogling it. "You think I can try punching through the walls and see if I can deactivate any of their machine stuff?"

"How about we just sit tight and wait?" Rielle helpfully suggests.

"I don't like being contained." Floyd bares his teeth.

The doors open again and the Shroud brothers walk through, looking around in shock.

"Ugh, this is what we get for inviting a bunch'a clueless normies in…" Idia mutters.

"Life forms authorized. Disarm all defenses," Ortho says, and the room goes back to how it was when they first came in.

"Awww," Floyd laments when the spotlights disappear.

"Everything's okay now, Big Brother!" Ortho says to Idia, then he turns to the rest of the group. "Please refrain from touching any of the devices to prevent any mishaps!"

Floyd scoffs, pouting. Rielle chuckles amusedly at his reaction.

"Apologies for that," Azul tells the Shroud brothers.

"Indeed, Floyd just got a little too excited," Rielle adds.

"Just sit down," Idia says with resigned exasperation as he walks up to the computer to set up the movie.

"Make yourselves comfortable!" Ortho says, flying around and gesturing at the seats.

As Jamil settles himself down, the lights dim and a projection along the wall boots up, starting the movie right off the bat with a credits sequence.

"How did Idia come to discover this movie, Ortho?" Rielle quietly whispers to the android sitting next to them, in contrast with his brother who had taken to the refuge of his bed.

"My brother prides himself in knowing obscure media," Ortho replies. "He's in several group chats with fellow geeks where they talk about rare or underrated films, games, shows, and the like! Idia discovered the movie three years ago, I believe it was introduced to him by his online friend Crimson Muscle."

"Aww, that's pretty cool," Rielle grins, lounging back to lean against Floyd.

Jamil is more surprised that Idia was able to have an online buddy.

Then, seeing the other couple cuddle in the darkness, he quietly glances at Azul, wondering what he'd do.

Azul notices him staring. "Are you alright? Is it too cold?" he looks at the air conditioner.

Jamil shyly looks away, not wanting to appear needy. "No, I'm okay."

Perhaps he can find a more subtle opportunity later on.

The movie opens up with a dark and foggy night, in the thick woods surrounding an old village as a horse-drawn wagon makes its way down the dirt road.

Different shots of a young man in black running through the woods become mixed with the footage of the carriage. Thundering in pursuit of the fellow are what sound like another horse's hooves.

The man eventually trips and a dark shadow looms over him as he screams.

A man with a coat and a top hat jolts awake in his seat in the carriage, seemingly from a nightmare. He establishes himself as a detective making his way to a small rickety town  in the middle of nowhere after communications with many of its townsfolk have gone silent.

Eventually the carriage stops after having spotted a disturbance in the road. The gentleman walks out and spots the young man with the black coat, slumped against the base of a tree with tendrils growing out of him like a seedbed.

"By Jove…" the detective breathes out a curse, exchanging bewildered looks with the coachman. What in the world have they gotten themselves into?

There's the sound of hooves in the distance, and their own horses grow restless upon hearing it.

"It could be our culprit!" the detective says to the man at the reins. "Or at the very least a witness. Let's follow the horse! Posthaste!" he clambers back into the carriage.

Jamil feels Azul casually lean against him, much like how he did at the rooftop back in Scarabia.

Jamil doubts this movie is actually terrifying, but he still leans close to Azul to whisper, "How are you with horror movies?"

"I don't mind them," Azul replies quietly. "Growing up in the ocean makes one quite familiar with jumpscares and even gore. I'm not fond of horror movies, but so far none has scared me as much as some actual experiences I've had back home. How about you?"

"They don't do much for me, either, though now I'm interested in hearing these horror stories of the deep sometime soon."

"Shh!" Idia hisses from his bed.

In the movie, the detective and his coachman have pursued the sound of equine footfalls and find themselves at the entrance to the village. Its wooden buildings stand dilapidated and lonely, almost appearing like sagging stalks of wood.

Uncertain about the atmosphere, they look around for anyone to speak to and they find an old woman by the well, fetching a bucket of water.

They don't get many answers from her, but she looks fearful upon them asking why the town's gone silent.

She simply directs them to the edge of the village where the old town hall stood, calling it the "local pumpkin patch".

The detectives get off from their carriage when they arrive at the town hall. The paths become grassy and uneven, and it might damage their carriage or injure their horses if they proceed. They continue on foot.

Rotten and dried pumpkins litter the ground, and some flies buzz away as they get disturbed.

A rustling sound comes from behind, and the detective whirls around, holding his lamp aloft. But there was nothing to be seen but grass and the dust motes floating in the lamp's light.

Azul passes a bowl of potato chips to Jamil, getting a handful himself.

Jamil happily takes a bit of the snacks, though begin to slightly regret digging in when the detective starts prying open pumpkins to find bits of humanoid flesh and skeleton.

The detective learns that the "local pumpkin patch" is, in fact, the town cemetery. With that revelation, he whirls into the town hall to look for the mayor and finds him cowering in his study.

"Wh-Who are you?" the trembling mayor asks them, hiding behind his desk while clutching a rusty rake as a makeshift weapon.

"A visitor, sent to investigate why communications have dropped between our villages, though it appears… I've stumbled into something more sinister."

"You fool! By entering this place, you've doomed yourself into being trapped for eternity like the rest of us!"

Further into the conversation, the detective learns of the villagers being hunted down by a mysterious figure in the night, which they suspect must either be a witch they aggravated or the malicious soul of a pumpkin farmer.

Ortho quietly speaks to the group. "Fun fact: this movie is considered a tad controversial for its stance against magic use. The director who made this film believes that magic, especially in the field of entertainment, takes away the 'magic' obtained through manual application. Because of that, a lot of the special effects and props here are all crafted by hand."

"Interesting," Rielle says. "I can see why it's controversial, but I admire the dedication to their craft."

"I wonder how they did the human flesh effect in the pumpkins," Floyd says, resting his chin on top of Rielle's head and wrapping his arms around him.

"According to the internet, they used a lot of material called ooblek, red food coloring, and corn syrup," Ortho explains.

"Hm, I want that," Floyd says thoughtfully. "Ooooblek. Sounds funny," he snickers, tightening his embrace around Rielle, who snuggles back into him.

"Yes, my brother loves this sort of stuff!" Ortho happily cheers.

"Shh!" Idia hissed again from his little bed nook.

The detective in the movie decides to see if he can capture the culprit lurking around at night, when they are said to be more active.

He heads into the local inn, where he meets a portly and sweet owner whose optimistic demeanor contrasts much from the mood of his fellow townsmen. He curiously claims not to fear the culprit at all, not because he is stupid to think that he can fight them off, but because he thinks the victims it has done in have often deserved their fate. He believes the culprit to be an executioner from the afterlife who has come to bring justice to those who have tried to escape their dastardly deeds, since the town is a place where many crooks and outlaws come to hide.

Despite the innkeeper's creepy mindset, he remains a friendly face to both the detective and the coachman and hopes that they do not fall into harm's way. There's a sense of camaraderie between detective and innkeeper, and the detective bids him a good night before preparing for a dangerous chase into the wee hours of the night.

They decide to go to the part of the village where outlaws are said to frequent. If there is any shred of truth to what the innkeeper said, the vigilante's next target might be around here, and they can catch him in the act.

Azul hands Jamil a bottle of soda, then he takes a sip from his bottle of sparkling water, the moisture on his lips catching the light from the TV screen.

Jamil gets a little distracted from watching the movie, even when the detective and the coachman were getting in trouble against the distrustful and frankly disturbing-looking outlaws. As a fight scene goes down, Jamil takes a sip of soda and slowly lets his arm drape around Azul's shoulders.

Azul glances at him in surprise, before turning back to look at the movie. Then he slides down a little in his seat, and leans his head against Jamil's shoulder.

The detective and coachman are now running from a group of outlaws in what is admittedly an impressively directed parkour chase scene.

Jamil finds himself enjoying the movie a lot more than he expected and he presses close against Azul, his heart happily fluttering despite the gritty sequences on the screen.

The scene takes an abrupt turn when the detective gets stabbed in the abdomen and is left at the mercy of the outlaws. The coachman flees for help, and the music changes into something ominous and foreboding.

Running into the scene, astride a horse as dark as midnight, a humanoid donned in black armor (which looks extremely similar to Idia's) and a pumpkin head swoops in. The outlaws grow frightened and run away, but the mysterious vigilante rushes forth and dispatches them one by one in a series of gruesome yet creative nature-based slaughters. The detective tries to give chase, but passes out from his injuries.

Rielle looks at Ortho in uncertainty. "Umm… are you sure this type of movie's appropriate for your age?"

"I have seen this movie many times before," Ortho says reassuringly, though Rielle only looks more worried. "It's all right, I always watch something fun and wholesome afterwards!" he says cheerfully.

"He's fiiine, Flame Tetra," Floyd drawls. "Lil' Clione here is much deadlier than that Pumpkin Head, ya know?"

Ortho giggles. "That is accurate!"

"Oh," Rielle says, looking unsure about how serious Floyd and Ortho are. "Um, okay."

The detective slowly regains consciousness. When he blearily opens his eyes, he sees darkness above him. As his vision gradually comes into focus, he tries to decide whether it's a lamp or the moon shining.

Azul shifts slightly in his seat and wraps an arm around Jamil's waist.

Jamil happily languishes in the contact. Idia spares a glance over to the entire group's direction and promptly regrets it.

The detective fully wakes up to the innkeeper tending to his wounds, having been called over by the coachman to help.

The innkeeper warns him of the danger that is to come, once again vying for the vigilante's side, but the detective is adamant in getting to the bottom of the mystery and dispelling the curse.

The investigation continues, with the coachman opting out from fright and staying at the inn. The detective tries to trace the origins of where the vigilante could have come from based on the group that was slaughtered last night and his foggy memories.

It eventually takes him to an old farmhouse on the side of a hill, abandoned and covered in large dark vines. If anything was to be the heart of evil in this village, it would be there.

The detective creeps up the hill, his footsteps cushioned by grass and vines. The air is humid and smells of mildew.

He reaches the farmhouse; the rotting door has fallen off its hinges and is in pieces on the ground.

The doorway leading into the dark interior of the farmhouse looks like a gaping maw.

Rielle looks a tad more nervous as the protagonist creeps further into danger while Floyd grins more and more maniacally, as if hoping for something terrible to happen to the character.

Jamil, meanwhile, continues to keep his cool. It's a shame he and Azul aren't particularly squeamish and don't have an excuse to hold each other more—

The detective uncovers patches of rotten pumpkin along the way and reveals a horde of insects scattering and crawling onto him when their vegetable home gets disturbed.

Jamil flinches and looks away, feeling chills shoot straight up his spine.

Azul promptly sits up straight and pulls Jamil to him, wrapping him in an embrace and caressing his back soothingly.

Jamil hears the detective yell in panic as he swats away the insects from his clothes.

"It's alright," Azul says softly, so only Jamil can hear. He holds him tight and continues to stroke his back.

Ortho, having hearing even stronger than fae, picks up on this but chooses not to comment.

Even the sounds of the insects are making Jamil uncomfortable, and though he's a little embarrassed to have been the one seeking comfort, he finds himself not outright hating it either.

"Tell me when it's over,” he mumbles.

As the detective scrambles away from the insects, the noise he's making stirs to life the tall figure of the vigilante.

It emerges from the plant growth on the staircase and the detective runs to hide and keep quiet. It slowly stalks the area, its movements a tad sluggish in the day.

As the detective crouches in the vegetation, he notes how solid the figure looks and slowly picks up a fallen timber of wood. He attempts to sneak up on the vigilante, believing it to be some sort of freaky serial killer.

Jamil begins to peek at the film again at this point.

Then, as the protagonist raises the lumber, the vigilante's pumpkin head suddenly swivels to face him, screeching.

Rielle jumps at the scare while Idia mimics the creature, even quietly reciting some of the lines as the scene of detective versus wretched knight intensifies.

"The insects seem to be gone now," Azul whispers, though he doesn't loosen his hold on Jamil.

The detective commendably holds his ground against the pumpkin creature, dodging sentient vines that attempt to attack and hold him down.

But then a root shoots up from the ground and trips him flat on his back. He tries to get up while he frantically searches for a weapon to use against the creature that's beginning to loom over him.

Without anywhere to hit the vigilante thanks to the armor, the detective just hopes against all hope and drives his fist into the gourd, smashing its carved grin away.

There’s a sickening crunch and the enemy lurches backwards while the detective recoils in pain, his fist burning from whatever’s inside the pumpkin.

As the vigilante rears up, disoriented, the detective takes the opportunity to put some distance between them.

Then, as the detective roars, "It's finally time to see who you really are, you bastard!" (with Idia silently copying the dialogue), he grabs a dilapidated chair and slams it onto the creature’s head.

The pumpkin face gets destroyed and the culprit is revealed…

And it's just a pure monster, containing nothing but another pumpkin inside, slowly growing to replace the head it lost.

Seeing what a freak of nature he's up against, the detective now fights to escape the house to rethink a strategy, but the house's vines grow and contort in compliance to its master's rage.

The detective stumbles as he tries to get to the door, nearly tripping over roots that break through the planks.

The walls seem to come alive as the vines writhe and reach for the detective, grabbing his coat and yanking him to the floor.

The pumpkin creature walks over to him, roots and broken planks crunching under its armored feet. It opens its mouth and lets out a screech of rage, and the camera zooms into its face until it fills the screen, its jagged mouth in high definition.

Azul tenses up and subtly looks away from the screen and towards Jamil, his eyes averted.

Jamil returns the other's protective gesture from earlier, surprised to see him react. What about it scared him?

"You all right?" he quietly asks as the movie has the creature attempting to engulf the detective's head into its fiery maw.

Azul gives a single nod, still not looking at the screen. "There's a sea creature whose jaws look very similar to those," he says in a quiet voice. "One almost got me as a child."

"Oh..."

The detective ducks just in time for the pumpkin-headed creature to sink its jaw into a vine instead and he starts scrambling up the stairs and onto the second floor.

"Did it lurk around those sunken ships, too?"

"No, I was going home from school by myself, and the area was rather deserted," Azul whispers. "Sometimes it happens, they wander closer to the residential areas." He cautiously turns to the screen again as the Pumpkin Knight stomps up the stairs two at a time, breaking them into splinters.

"How'd you get out of it?" Jamil asks, as the detective finds himself in an area filled with scrawling by a madman... or a mad plant-man, revealing ire towards humanity for its abandonment and its determination to punish humanity for their misdeeds towards prosperity.

"I almost didn't," Azul says somberly. "I was never as fast as Jade or Floyd. It grabbed one of my tentacles. I blasted it with cosmic magic and pulled free of its hold, and I was able to escape with the cover of my ink. I wasn't used to casting spells at the time, and the exertion combined with the injury had left me bedridden for  days."

The detective in the movie rushes to the broken windows, looking to see if there's any form of escape.

"Sounds like you really lived a dangerous life…" Jamil mutters, a pang of understanding resonating within him (all the while feeling sad that they're both familiar with danger). Deciding not to linger on such an emotion, he then asks, "I wonder how you'd handle this if you were in the detective's shoes right now."

"Assuming I had no magic?" Azul says. "If I still retain my grip strength, I'd break out of a window and scale down the house. I don't know much about the creature, so it seems wiser to escape rather than risk confrontation."

"If only the detective smoked… Fire'd prolly be at least a little effective on the plant vines, won't they?" Jamil reasons, perking up once he sees that the detective has begun climbing out of the window and onto a rusty metal pipe.

The detective is partway through sliding down when the pipe breaks away and collapses backwards.

Though he lands roughly on his back with a groan, the detective sees the Pumpkin Knight screech at him from the window and finds the energy to scurry away, knowing full well that he's getting hunted down.

"He should have brought a lamp, at the very least," Azul comments, snuggling into Jamil.

The detective races away just as it starts to rain, his shoes splashing in the mud as the rain comes down in sheets.

"Fire magic is quite difficult for me," Azul remarks. "I'm told it's quite normal for merfolk, but even with magic, I might have trouble with that creature."

"You could prolly drown it, though. Too much water can kill plants too, and I don't think the Pumpkin Knight falls under aquatic flora."

Rushing back to town, the detective begins to pack weapons as well as oil and tinder, informing the coachman that he will be withdrawing to the woods to confront the Knight where no other casualties can occur. He could not assure his own survival, though, and the ever-loyal coachman volunteers to accompany him despite being deathly afraid.

The innkeeper hears about their possible fatal fate and surprises the both of them by volunteering as well, curious to see the creature up close after learning more about the truth of its identity.

The three men delve into the woods, the detective leading with a lamp in hand to see through the fog that had settled in after the rain.

Jamil notices that the room has gotten colder, much like how he imagines it would be in those woods. Idia has mostly disappeared in his nest of blankets, only a glimpse of his flaming hair can be seen. The merfolk and the android seem unbothered, though.

Wishing for a blanket himself, he simply sinks lower into the beanbag and leans into Azul, hoping to find comfort and warmth by doing so.

Azul glances at him and seems to notice the change in temperature for the first time. He drapes his coat on Jamil, and levitates a blanket from the corner to wrap around both of them. Then he hugs Jamil close.

"Is this better?" he whispers, his breath warm against Jamil's ear.

Jamil practically melts into the hold, nuzzling up against the other with a pleased hum as his answer.

The characters in the movie are unfortunately not going through anything as pleasant.

As night begins to creep in, the coachman and the detective talk about how they've never faced something of a supernatural nature before. The coachman then rattles off about how it's been a terror and an honor to work with him, bidding goodbye in case this would be their last, but the detective will not have such doomsday speech.

The detective says that he could not have wished for a better coachman nor a more loyal friend, and he encourages his two companions to not give up hope just yet as they traverse the damp woods.

The sound of hooves can be heard in the distance, but in the vastness of the area they can't tell which direction it's coming from.

They hear the whinny of a horse and find the clear silhouette of the Knight charging its way towards them. Quickly, the coachman spurs the carriage horses to bolt for it and they tear through the forest.

The innkeeper and the detective begin to discuss what the Pumpkin Knight's weakness could be. Despite its plant-like exterior, its head is enchanted with a living flame, and they begin to wonder if fire would work against it.

There's a crash on the ground as an object narrowly misses one of the carriage's wheels. They look back to see that the Pumpkin Knight has begun hurtling flaming gourds towards them.

They cry out in surprise as the carriage jostles. One of the gourds hits a tree ahead of them and sets the leaves ablaze, branches cracking and falling off onto their path.

The coachman swerves the carriage dangerously, narrowly avoiding the flaming branches, but hitting the side of another tree as the door whips open from the momentum. The detective yells and almost falls out of the carriage, but the coachman grabs him by the coat and pulls him back inside.

The innkeeper suggests that they lead the creature to the swamp and attempt to drown it.

With his directions, the coachman tries to lead the knight to the swamp. A flaming gourd sails overhead before it crashes into the ground, sending the horses up to a frenzy and off to another path.

Cursing, the detective decides to deal with the Knight while the other two focus on course-correction. He clambers to the top of the carriage, grabbing the wooden pole of a pitchfork he brought.

As the Knight tosses another projectile at them, he swings and redirects it back, causing the creature to stumble.

The coachman shouts at the detective to be careful as he deflects the flaming projectiles one after another. The creature snarls.

A few moments later, the atmosphere becomes more humid as they get nearer to the swamp. The ground grows softer and the horses slow down as the carriage’s wheels have a harder time traversing through the mud.

The Pumpkin Knight's horse seems unperturbed by the difficult terrain. Knowing it was going to catch up to them if they don't do something soon, the detective and the coachman make a plan to hop on one of the horses and leave the carriage with the other steed and the innkeeper. They tell the portly man to hang back and hide, since the Knight hasn't seen him yet and they could use that to their advantage.

Blessedly, their ploy works. As they dash further into the bog, the Knight ignores the abandoned cart and pursues them with a cackling snarl.

It's more difficult for the detective to deflect the Knight's attacks with one hand while the other one is holding onto the coachman, but he remains determined.

The Knight seems to have realized that the coachman is the one skilled in maneuvering them around the bog, and he changes his attacks to aim for him.

The detective reacts instinctively and puts his arm out to block a flaming gourd that was aimed at the coachman's shoulder.

He screams as it hits him and sets his sleeve aflame. The coachman yells his name in panic.

The detective manages to pat out the flames and tells the coachman to continue on.

As the action continues to unfold, the whole group watching the movie has fallen silent, enraptured by the screen.

A gourd manages to hit the hind leg of the horse just as the swamp lake was coming into view.

As the animal crashes and falls, the detective finds himself pinned underneath it while the coachman is thrown a few feet away. Unable to move the injured animal fast enough, the coachman instead takes up the wooden pole and clumsily wields it to defend against the incoming enemy.

The Knight opens his mouth and releases a chittering sound that might have been laughter. He summons a flaming gourd and aims it at the detective—

The pumpkin head violently gets decapitated, flying to the side and splitting open against a tree.

As another pumpkin head begins to grow, the detective sees the coachman behind the enemy, holding a branch aloft, his eyes full of terror but also determination.

As the coachman struggles against the Pumpkin Knight after it fell off of its shadow stallion, the detective manages to push himself off from under the horse's body.

He gets to his feet just as the Knight slams its hand on the ground, summoning sharp roots from the dirt and spearing the coachman in his gut, effectively incapacitating him.

"NO!" the detective screams and tackles the Knight from behind. The coachman crumples to the ground, breathing laboriously with the root still in his gut.

The sound of hooves approaches, and the innkeeper appears with the carriage.

The detective is sitting on the Knight's stomach and pummeling his head with punches, destroying pumpkin after pumpkin as they grow. He yells at the innkeeper to take the coachman back to the village.

The innkeeper breaks off the root from the ground but leaves it in the coachman's stomach to prevent him from bleeding out faster. Once the coachman is no longer attached to the ground, the innkeeper llifts him into the carriage with much grunting from the both of them.

The detective finds a rock and uses it to keep destroying the endless array of pumpkin heads. He can feel the fatigue coming on but he doesn't stop, listening to the carriage wheels as it stumbles out of the bog.

After an almost gory scene of wanton pumpkin violence, the detective grabs the creature's corpse and hurls it into the bog, watching it slowly sink down.

The movie then transitions to the detective stumbling back to the village, learning of the coachman's tragic fate.

As he despairs over losing his friend, the innkeeper reveals that he found something in the coachman's wound. In his outstretched palm is a seed.

The detective almost destroys it in a fit of rage, but something in him freezes. This is going to be the last remnant of the coachman, and by killing it, he can't help but feel he would be killing him again.

As he stares at the seed, the innkeeper sees a fire in his eyes, not unlike the fire within the Knight itself.

The innkeeper, as devoted as ever to his beliefs, chooses not to comment on it as he thinks that this is leading to a very curious development, indeed…

The screen fades to black, and when the next scene fades in, the detective is shown planting the seed in a field, moonlight shining on his face to show a grim and determined expression, the hint of a blue flame just visible in his irises.

The music rises to a crescendo and abruptly stops as the screen goes black. There is a second of silence, then the title is shown again and the music gradually comes back, and the credits roll.

"What?" Rielle gasps, confused. "Wait, what happened? Isn't that just gonna bring back the Pumpkin Knight?"

"Yeah, that's the point," Idia smirks, still too high off of the movie to be self-conscious. "Like you'd think the threat is done and over with but then when the detective decided to see if he can honor his friend by planting the seed, he's already fallen into the darkness, doomed to bring him back because of his own brand of justice!"

Jamil could personally see why the movie hasn't hit mainstream audiences with its bizarre execution and plot, but he can at least give props to its artistic aspects.

"He's doing all that for a 'friend'?" Floyd mutters, giving Azul a knowing look.

"Oh, don't even start!" the older Shroud groans. "They're clearly depicted to be platonic crime-solvers!"

The corner of Azul's lips turns up in a smile of amusement and understanding at Floyd's remark.

Floyd scoffs. "You play all those dating games but ya still think they're platonic? A'right."

Idia turns pink from his cheeks to the tips of his hair. "Y-you don't know if I play those games!"

"I've seen you doing daily log-ins in class," Floyd waves a hand dismissively.

"Th-That still doesn't mean that the detective and the coachman are romantic with each other! R-right?" he looks pleadingly at the others.

Jamil shrugs. "I think the interpretation can be fine either way. In fact, if you're clever about it, you can probably use that angle somehow for your visitors who see your booth as a romantic area. Because, in a way, they're not wrong."

Idia gulps, suddenly looking quite unsure and possibly regretting making them watch the movie.

"Anyway, you’ve definitely been holding back a bit on how grotesque you can make it all out to be,” Jamil continues. “Those corpses, for example, would've definitely made it sink in for visitors why the Pumpkin Knight's dangerous. I think you can even make the abandoned farmstead a reality..." He pauses to shiver at the thought of realistic bugs crawling around the projection mapping. He glances at Azul, trying to ignore the mental image. "What do you think?"

Azul nods. "I agree, there is still a lot of untapped potential for your booth,” he says to Idia. “Aside from images or perhaps even realistic dolls of corpses, you can also incorporate the sound of the Pumpkin Knight's laugh. Combined with the sound of hooves in the distance and some fog, it could make the visitors feel like the Knight is just lurking around and following them, and you and the other costumed students can jump out of the fog from time to time."

"See, Brother?" Ortho says happily. "I told you it would be a good idea to invite friends over!"

Idia doesn't seem too fond of receiving feedback, being the self-proclaimed genius that he is, but he simply sighs and begins to pull up glowing screens over his bed, making notes and arrangements to relay them to his fellow Ignihyde members. "I guess…”

"That was so funny. Come on, let's watch another horror movie!" Floyd playfully suggests.

"No, that's enough," Idia says tiredly. He turns off the screens.

"Ooh, should we have a sleepover?" Ortho says.

"What?!" Idia practically jumps. "N-No way, that wasn't part of the agreement! You said we'll just watch the movie!"

Floyd laughs. "Don't get yer pants in a twist, Firefly Squid! We're sleepin' over at Sea Snake's crib!"

"Awww okay, then!" Ortho says. "Would you like to bring some of these snacks?"

"Oh, sure." Jamil nods, accepting the bowl of treats into his grasp. "Will you guys be okay here?"

"Yep! We'll be working on applying all of your feedback and finish it by tomorrow's opening! If we ever need extra input, we'll contact you! Please feel free to visit and see the improvements firsthand whenever you can! Have a nice sleepover!"

And with that, they quickly tidy up and make their way out back to Scarabia.

Floyd and Rielle are talking about the movie, but Jamil notices that Azul seems to be deep in thought.

Jamil lags behind the group and gently pulls Azul back with him so they can talk while Rielle and Floyd walk a little ahead of them.

“Are you okay?” he asks Azul.

“Yes,” Azul gives him a small smile. “I was just thinking about that sea creature that the Pumpkin Knight reminded me of.”

Jamil furrows his eyebrows in recollection of what Azul had told him earlier. “The one you encountered when you were a kid?”

Azul nods. “As you know, I had some insecurities about my merform as a child. My classmates then would make fun of my long tentacles and how I could produce ink in distressing situations. But on that day with the sea creature, I was able to use those things to my advantage. The strength of my tentacles allowed me to free myself, and I used my ink to blind the creature while I swam to safety.”

Azul sighs and gets a faraway look in his eyes before speaking again. “Since then I have learned to be more proud of my merform. But two days ago at the Coral Sea, when I almost Overblotted…” his features become more guarded, like he's determined to maintain a strong facade. “I was about to turn into my merform, I could feel it. My Overblotted form… would have been the same as my merform.” He looked down at his open palm. “I could have been a rampaging monster like the Pumpkin Knight… And I would have looked like my true form doing it.” He lets his hand drop back to his side and stares straight ahead again.

Jamil laces his fingers through Azul's. “Hey. You're not a monster. You've never hurt anyone.” He slows down to let Rielle and Floyd walk ahead of them more, then he lowers his voice to be sure they won't hear him. “You know that Riddle and Leona Overblotted, right? From what I heard, Riddle hurt a few of his residents, and Ruggie himself told me that Leona hurt him. His arm still has bandages. You've met both of them, would you say they're monsters?”

Azul falls quiet, looking thoughtful as he runs his thumb back and forth on Jamil's hand. He takes a breath and gives a small smile that looks more relaxed. “No, you're right. If I am to be kind to Riddle and Leona despite what happened to them, I should extend that same kindness to myself. Still… it is concerning that you've already had two Overblots this school year,” he furrows his eyebrows worriedly.

“Hey, you two!” Floyd yells at them. “Whatcha walkin’ so slow for? It's sleepover time! Bring us to your dorm, Prefect Snakey!” he impatiently waves them over.

Jamil squeezes Azul's hand and turns to face him. “If it really bothers you, we can talk to Riddle about it. Tomorrow, or whenever you're ready. He might be able to reassure you more about what happened to you.”

Azul nods and squeezes his hand back. “Okay. Thank you, Jamil.”

Jamil gives him a reassuring smile and they walk over to Rielle and Floyd.

Notes:

In canon, we only know the general plot of Pumpkin Hollow. So the specific scenes and characters of the movie here (aside from the Pumpkin Knight) are entirely made up by me and @patchyegg87.

We hope you liked it!

<- Chapter 27

(AshenViper Week 2024 Masterpost)

(Masterlist)

[arktaisch]

Bring on the mutant clones!

So apparently, the way to get a good, 'proper' wuxia drama these days that isn't yet another Jin Yong or Gu Long adaptation is to make a well-constructed fanfiction-style re-imagination of a JY or GL classic. That way it can be simultaneously fresh and familiar. And if the writing, acting, action sequences, etc. are good, it's so much fun and I love it. These past few years, I really enjoyed watching "Word of Honor" and "Mysterious Lotus Casebook", both of which are clear cases of this. (Note: I haven't read the books for WoH or MLC, so this is based on the dramas only.)

"Word of Honor" is obviously heavily inspired by Jin Yong's "Smiling Proud Wanderer" (Xiao Ao Jiang Hu), except redone as a BL/danmei. It even keeps the various orthodox sects from XAJH (the Five Mountains Sword Schools Alliance! plus the Shaolin, Wudang, Beggars, etc.) as part of the setting, features a hunt for a MacGuffin (key to some ultimate power or other), and is full of that flavor of treachery and scheming for power reminiscent of XAJH. It's been a while since I watched WOH, so I've forgotten most of the details, but I remember getting a strong XAJH vibe from it.

"Mysterious Lotus Casebook", which I just finished watching and loved even more than "Word of Honor", has more of the feel of Gu Long's "Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword" (Xiaoli Feidao series, book 1). Come on, the protagonists even have the same surname: Lotus Li (Xiangyi/Lianhua) vs Flying Dagger Li (Xunhuan)!

Both of them can pass as scholarly types (though Gu Long's Mr. "Number Three in the Exams" Li more so) and went from a high status position to retiring from the jianghu for ten years. Both are clever, tricky types who live by their wits.

Both of them pushed their female love interests (and deceived them) onto their 'friend' who actually hated/plotted against them. The protagonist comes off better (as in, I don't want to punch him in the face quite as much) in MLC than in "Sentimental Swordsman" --- he doesn't treat her as his property to be traded away. And in theory the female character had more agency in MLC, though I felt let down by the actor here. I think she was supposed to be more driven by guilt (because she broke up with the male lead right before his supposed death) rather than sadly pining after and still in love with him. It would have worked better if she came off as being genuinely in love with the other character, but on screen it feels like she was just worn down and never liked him that much. So as a 'fix-it' to that aspect of "Sentimental Swordsman"… maybe. In theory.

They both get the "enemy is someone you thought you had good relations with" trope (admittedly a common one in wuxia)…

…While their real friend is called "A-Fei" and is a top-notch swordsman. And both A-Fei's are plagued by a professional seductress (who uses drugs and poisons) who clings to/falls in love with them!

They both meet their number one fans. Dagger Li actually marries his in the end, but in MLC that only happens in the eyes of the real life fans (the subtext is definitely there, though I prefer to read it as platonic bromance). The whole thing is funnier in MLC, with Fang Duobing starting out as a naive doofus who claims to everyone he's a disciple of (supposedly dead) Li Xiangyi, including to the man himself and to A-Fei who knows the truth. Then he feels so betrayed when he finds out the truth, and that was all done really well in the show. Another similarity: the girl in "Sentimental Swordsman" has a kick-ass granddad, while Fang Duobing has his mom (another great character), the leader of Tianji Hall (I love a good mechanism specialist).

There's an actual book in-world that lists the top-ranked martial artists! The MLC one seems to be updated regularly, even. That was also a thing in "Sentimental Swordsman", with characters constantly citing the book at each other, and some were completely obsessed. It's kind of a running joke in both.

Solving all the mysteries (and the tomb raiding!) was reminiscent of Chu Liuxiang, another Gu Long protagonist (my childhood favorite). And for non-wuxia influences, Li Lianhua reminded me of Howl from "Howl's Moving Castle" with the lying and slithering out of situations, not to mention the cool-looking mobile home!

So yeah, instead of trying to get a fresh take on adapting a book that's already been adapted like twenty times and offending the purists if you make too many weird changes, file off the serial numbers and take a few steps to the side for a more interesting and coherent re-mix! And set it in a fictional dynasty so you can use fake historical figures and kingdoms to suit your plot without worrying about slandering real people (while I love Jin Yong's use of actual history, even he ended up changing some characters in later revisions because of that) or how much the characters are allowed to affect things on a bigger scale. Plus you can update and improve on the things that were annoying or outdated in the "classics". You're free to change the meaning of the tale to suit yourself without any need to distort the intentions of the original writer.

That's not to say it's impossible to come up with completely new wuxia stories, but building new variations on old stories is worthwhile, too. And beneath any surface similarities, each version has its own story to tell. That said, ninety percent of everything is crap… so besides these two shows I liked, there were a bunch of ones I didn't, whether an adaptation of an old wuxia classic or something newer. (Some of those may improve in later episodes, but I guess I'll never know…)

Long live the mutant clones!

[thevindicativevordan]

Comics this week?

Great week this week.

Superman #11 - I was right that it was a Luthor under that armor, but it wasn't his sister Lena. Wish it was, this Revenge Squad is lame other than Pharm and Graft. Should've added Humanite to the mix. For a second I wondered if Williamson had forgotten the Bizarro tease, or if he had handed that off to Aaron, but it looks like Pharm and Graft simply got their hands on a dead Bizarro clone and used it for experiments with the Kryptonite. Guess the next issue will tell us the story of what went down between Lex and those two guys, I've enjoyed them but I'm ready to move on to the Brainiac storyline.

World's Finest #24 - A nice bittersweet note to end on. Magog kills Gog to keep the ALE out of Darkseid's hands... and thus alienates himself from the other heroes for good. Great to see Darkseid not job, but Waid hurt his takedown of Magog here by writing events in a way that makes the heroes chastising Magog for making the hard call come across as disingenuous. Darkseid crushed two Supermen with ease, no one else was close enough or able to stop him, Magog made the right call in my eyes. Our Superman is still willing to forgive David, and encourages him to seek redemption after the events of KC. I liked how Magog found that redemption by serving alongside a new generation including a new Superman (the Clark/Diana kid godfathered by Batman from the epilogue of KC). Until/Unless Waid chooses to flesh that story out, my headcanon is Magog served as the kid's mentor and helped guide him so he would avoid making the mistakes that Magog made. It's a nice note that Magog managed to forge a partnership with a Superman after all. And goddamn can Mora draw the shit out of Darkseid. Would love to see him do a Fourth World arc with the whole New Gods cast.

Wonder Woman #6 - Coolest Grail has been... ever basically? I'm a huge sucker for "the villain talks major shit to the hero before the two throw down" and I liked how Grail has a sense of honor compelling her to toss her own weapon since Diana has no sword. Grail constantly invoking her father as the source of her strength and pride vs. Diana invoking Hippolyta to the same effect feels like the first interesting thematic undercurrent between the two. Going to make a separate post on this, but finally, Grail brings something to the table beyond merely being an evil WW counterpart. Loved seeing Diana take on her entire Rogues Gallery, and while she might have "lost" (but since she took her entire Rogues Gallery down too I think we can say it was a tie), I think between Sov's narration and the Wonder Girls seemingly taking Steel off the board while keeping back, we can guess that even Diana's collapse at the end is part of her plan. Sampere is an absolute beast on art. Dude drew multiple pages that I can see becoming "iconic" down the road: Diana catching and throwing the Monument back at Giganta, Diana punching Grail in the face, etc.

GL: WJ #6 - I'm going to miss Varron man, even as a zombie he's such a dick and it's great to see him and John interact because of how much they despise each other Taking the form of John's dad is such a petty dick move lol. Hell yeah, PKJ's bringing in his Old God storylines from the Warworld Saga, I loved that stuff and am eager to see it continue. Great issue, John got to kick ass with all his constructs, and the reveal about the Revenant Queen is super messed up. She's a host for an Old God like Osul is, except she's Guardian John's wife. Could she be a Katma, or is this a new OC, perhaps even someone our John hasn't met yet? Can't wait to start unpacking all the Darkstar stuff next issue. Looks like the Darkstar is going to be revealed as an Aspect of Olgrun.

Batman #144 - Yawn. Another story where Joker tells Batman he loves Bats and Batman tells him to fuck off. C'mon, I liked how Zdarsky explained the three Jokers, but this is banal.

JLvGvK #5 - Alright we get it, Clark might be dead or maybe not, no need to keep beating us over the head with it. Next issue I want to see Lex's Mechagodzilla kick the BatMech's ass, let's see Lex finally get a big win. Then for the final issue, Superman comes back to team up with Godzilla and take Lex down.

Incredible Hulk #9 - Art did a good job of giving the whole story a macabre feel. Felt like I was reading a Hellboy story in certain parts. Damn Betty and Bruce simply can't catch a break can they? I hope we get more movement on the Eldest plotline soon, I want Betty to get freed and join Bruce and Charlie on their road trip.

Ultimate Spider-Man #2 - Hickman wrote this issue for the people who claim he's all plot and no character - this issue is nothing but character work. We get Peter growing into his own, his first fight with a supervillain, May finds out her dad is Spidey, Ben and Jonah begin investigating, and the Maker's Council pokes their head in via Captain Britain berating Fisk (or is it Captain EU given he's French?). I liked how May was scared of Peter's black suit and that's why he's going to change to the red and blue look, just like how MJ in 616 is the reason Peter switched back to his red and blue costume. I bet we get a Superman: For All Seasons moment where someone compliments Spider-Man's red & blue look and Spidey proudly says his daughter made it for him. There's an interesting parallel between Peter and Harry here. Peter keeps getting his ass kicked by Shocker while Harry keeps failing to kill Fisk. Both of them are trying to be who they're "meant" to be, but neither is great at it from the start, I really like that. Oh and while Ben and Jonah continue to be a great duo, I loved the squabbling between Richard and May while Peter and MJ were texting each other. Really want more interactions between them.

And yes of course I loved that OMD nod at the end, Marvel & Hickman know what they're doing!

I have a theory regarding Mary Jane. Here she's a businesswoman, and just like how the variant cover for issue 1 teased May finding out her dad is Spider-Man, the variant for issue 2 makes MJ out to be very successful as a businesswoman. Given this "zone" is run by the technocrats, I think we're going to see MJ get a villainous counterpart offer to what Tony offered Peter, the Maker's Council will approach her to replace Fisk after Spider-Man deposes him, or maybe even Stark later on down the road. It's made clear the the Council has lieutenants who rule their own sections of the overall domains shown in Ultimate Invasion. MJ getting her own offer of power from the opposite side is the kind of drama that could set up a nice character arc for her. I think MJ ultimately being tempted but refusing causes them to go to Harry next, who accepts.

[humaforever]

„I'm ghost-proof“

CJ my chaos child <33

Love these little menaces

_____________________

The thing about CJ Hook was that she should have died at least fifty times by now.

There was the time she fell off a mast in the middle of a storm and hit the deck so hard everyone swore she was done for. Only for her to stand up, crack her neck, and ask what was for dinner.

Or the time she got stabbed during a bar fight, looked down at the knife sticking out of her ribs, and said, "Huh. That’s inconvenient."

Or when she crashed Zevon’s stolen motorcycle into a wall, got thrown twenty feet, and still somehow walked away with nothing more than a bruised ego.

At this point, people had stopped being surprised.

So when a job went sideways and CJ ended up getting shoved off the docks into the freezing, jagged waters of the Isle’s harbor, Freddie and Zevon didn’t panic. They winced. They waited.

And sure enough, three minutes later, CJ climbed back up onto the dock, soaking wet, bleeding from a scrape on her cheek, and looking more annoyed than anything.

Zevon threw up his hands. "HOW?"

Freddie just shook her head. "I stopped questioning it years ago."

CJ squeezed the water out of her coat. "What? You think a little fall’s gonna kill me? Please. I’m ghost proof."

Zevon blinked. "You’re what?"

CJ shook her wet hair at him. "Ghost proof. I can’t die. Or at least, if I can, I haven’t figured out how yet."

Freddie sighed. "CJ, that’s not a good thing."

"Sure it is," CJ said, picking at a splinter in her glove. "Means I can take more risks. Jump off things. Get into fights. Walk through stampedes."

"You’re supposed to avoid dying, not test how hard it is to die" Zevon said.

CJ shrugged. "Sounds fake. Also, buy me a drink. I deserve one after that nonsense."

Freddie sighed, but she was already walking toward the tavern. "One of these days, you’re going to push your luck too far."

CJ grinned, falling into step beside her. "Maybe. But not today."

Zevon was still grumbling as they walked into the tavern, mumbling under his breath about physics, probability, and how CJ had to be some kind of glitch in reality.

Freddie, meanwhile, just went straight to the bar and ordered CJ a Shirley temple of sorts (it looked like one at least, didn't taste like one.) But she knew CJ wasn’t going to shut up about it until she got one.

"You know," Zevon said, sitting across from CJ at their usual table, "if you're really so convinced you can't die, we should test it. Scientifically."

CJ snorted and took a sip of her drink. "I feel like you’re about to suggest something incredibly stupid, and I respect that about you."

Zevon ignored her. "We could start small. Controlled falls, sharp object resistance, fire exposure-"

"Absolutely not," Freddie interrupted.

"then we move on to things like controlled drowning or-"

"NO."

CJ hummed. "I do like the idea of controlled explosions…"

Freddie smacked the table. "Okay, both of you need to shut up before someone hears you and thinks you're serious. You know they'll all want to partake in testing these theories and I don't want to deal with that"

Zevon raised an eyebrow. "Who's to say I'm not serious?"

Freddie pointed at him. "You're not running CJ through with a sword or whatever nonsense you're thinking." Then she turned to CJ. "And you need to stop acting like immortality is a personality trait."

CJ grinned and leaned back in her chair, sipping her drink lazily. "But it is fun, though. And says you, honey I know your family"

"Exactly. I can do it, you can't. Because It won’t be fun when you actually die," Freddie shot back.

CJ just beamed at her. "Aww, you care!"

Freddie sighed. "Unfortunately."

"That's adorable," CJ teased, poking Freddie’s arm. "You're adorable. You should just admit you’d be devastated if anything happened to me."

Freddie rolled her eyes. "I'd be devastated because I’d have to tell your siblings. They would kill me."

CJ just sighed dramatically. "You love me. It’s okay to say it."

Freddie took a deep breath and glared at Zevon. "Can you please come up with something to distract her?"

Zevon shrugged. "I mean, she does have a point. If she’s survived this long, maybe she is ghost proof."

Freddie looked like she was about to start screaming.

CJ, delightedly pointed at Zevon. "Finally, someone who gets it!"

Freddie put her head in her hands. "I need some alcohol."

Freddie let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples as CJ and Zevon clinked their glasses together in triumph. She knew better than to argue. It was pointless. CJ would keep throwing herself into danger with that infuriating smirk, and somehow, she'd keep walking away unscathed.

Resigning herself to the inevitable, Freddie waved down the bartender for something stronger. If she couldn’t stop CJ from tempting fate, she could at least make sure she was buzzed enough not to care. Or pretend not to care at least, because who was she kidding, she loved CJ far too much to try to kill her.

[criptid-specter]

finished Persona 2 Innocent Sin

overall score? 7/10 The story is pretty simple but I think it handles it very well despite kind of falling off near the end, the premise of rumors becoming true and being a double edged sword was pretty fun to watch, my grip with it is that started pretty slow and was hard to get hooked, but after a certain point it picked up and stood solid. Unfortunately I couldn't simply take Hitler being the big bad and climax of the story, I get the whole "this is how stupid rumors can get" but take and important part of endgame can feel very like, I don't know how to express it but more like "are you taking this seriously?". Joker was a missed opportunity, specially when he ended up being the mysterious 5th member of the group, had barely any screentime before disappearing and being remembered suddenly at the last arc. Cast was small and handled pretty well, I ended up loving everyone, they have agency besides orbiting around the MC their own stories outside Tatsuya are pretty cool, despite of wanting more of Ginko outside of her being american looking and her crush on Tatsuya it was handled in a pretty satisfactory way (despite of hating the whole trope of "orbiting around your crush) to the point I was rooting for her. I do feel Eikichi got sidelined but not bad as forgotten Jun lol Maya is totally the highlight, like Mich said in her review, despite of being the adult she clicks easily with everyone and does not fall on the "become the thinking braincell" trope, she can take responsibility as an adult yet she has fun, lets the silly take over her and does not let the adulting get consuming. Yukki was another fun adult to be around, despite of being the thinking one and despite of being an outsider, she still partook on the groups shenanigans and fit perfectly. Like Maya too showed that adults can still dream and fight for them (despite of being, honestly young).

Philemon and Nyarly being the same was something I did not expect but it was a pleasant surprise, and then after an emotional scene suddenly appears and kills Maya.... it felt super wtf, but like yea Nyarly would do that Jun Kurosu, the fandom really gaslit themselves on this guy being PEAK character, felt a fuckton of missed chances, the zodiac cult was too much to chew on but they could've perfectly implement him there, dropping a few clues of his true identity the Leo character being crucial on the whole tragedy yet actually forgotten.

I can't care about someone who had barely any screentime, never drop any hints he liked Tatsuya aside a few missable scenes and you had to look every nook and cranny Gameplay is too convoluted, a little bit of more accessibility could've helped, like highlighting the correct options on demon negotiation and tutorial barely existing and like "here you go, have everything, gl!", I swear if I didn't had a guide I'd have no idea where the fuck I was or do(Aquarius temple aaaaaa)

Its not like the game was hard, but jesus it felt like a drag trying to play it sometimes, specially endgame where it was press autocombat while looking if anyone died, estoma being trash on this game because if I'm taking it, it means I do not want encounters, not taking more time. Attack types too many, fusion spells being trial and error aaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Innocent Sin is an enjoyable game, lots of trial and error like your good old jrpg from early-mid 2000s.

Maya Amano best grill

[windmcge]

~༺ :||  He trailed behind her, keeping focus on the captain despite the ongoing around the ship. Even if Tetra couldn't go very far aboard this ship, he wouldn't allow any more separation any time soon. And when she took the helm, he watched her guide this ship along the wind's direction.

From his lifetime that he remembered, this was the first he'd even set foot upon a vessel. Such expanse of water wasn't found in Hyrule anyway and Lake Hylia hadn't been quite so... endless to journey upon.

Luckily his magic was great. Cleaving way through the storm as it reformed behind them in the distance as if they drifted through an endless eye, the sorcerer may have sparked a testing spell upon his own perception for learning- though far from perfect. He'd not quite understood what 'geezer' had meant for one.

Hyrule...

"It has been some time since I was last there." Fluent, but slowly archaic in that he was still learning this new language. "The land is always changing between my returns and places are renamed over centuries, I've learned."

Centuries, yes. It didn't phase him as much as it likely did others when they learned, or rather relearned, of him. His age was the only thing unaffected by the sword's seal.

"Firstly there was more fields. No great amount of water like this. The only sea was a sea of trees. Mountains. Farmland. A desert. Gl- .... Gla-" He squinted as if struggling for the word and uncertain if it was the correct word. "Frozen lake," he finally decided upon.

It was impressive to watch. Tetra had doubted he was an actual sorcerer who could control the winds, but here he was--- controlling the wind with a flick of his wrist as if it were nothing.

Gods who could control the wind were not an uncommon tale, but this would be the first time Tetra ever met anyone who could control the wind. Suddenly, the man is able to speak fluently in modern tongue. Surprising, but she's not ashamed of calling him an old man. She's not a little bitch. If she wouldn't say it to your face, she wouldn't say it all.

"Whatever, geezer--" Tetra turns, "Pull the anchors. We're setting sail!" Tetra ordered stepping up to the wheel and tugging the wheel eastward.

To the sorcerer's credit, the wind was a great boon, but Dragonroost would still be a days sail even with the strongest wins, but it didn't take long for the island they were on to become a distant speck in the distance. "Should be smooth sailing from here out. Guess we have you to thank for that." She hummed. Although, Tetra is very curious at what Valoo might be able to ascertain from the stranger, "So tell me about this 'Hyrule'. Must be pretty important if you're so desperate to get back there."

[deleteddewewted]

Virgin! Rengoku Headcanons

NSFW

MDNI

Rengoku x Gn! Reader

W: Subby Rengoku themes, Dom reader themes, Blowjob, Reader is a few years older than Rengoku, Public Sex, Riding, Dacryphilia, Praise Kink, Bodyworship

He met you during a mission.

He was 18 years old and he was considered a late bloomer.

He never kissed someone before, never held someone’s hand, never even hugged a stranger before.

He was supposed to be married long before that.

But he saw you slay the demon before him, and even though there was so much blood being splattered all over you, you still retained your beauty.

He watched as you embraced the warmth of the demon’s blood onto your skin and finished cutting its head off its shoulders.

“Excuse me! Who may you be!?” He yelled out to you but you simply ignored him.

You wiped off your sword with your haori and walked away from the corpse of the demon, ignoring the other slayer.

Rengoku immediately ran towards you.

He was fast and there was nothing you could do about that.

He gave you the sweetest smile before entering into a conversation with you.

That’s how it started.

You befriended each other and in a matter of months, you’ve gotten closer.

Rengoku still didn’t share much of his own personal life with you but you shared almost everything with him.

You told him about the shitty date you had with someone and another time you had the worst sex of your life.

Rengoku’s face would grow warm any time you told him about your sexual encounter, every time thinking about what it would be like if it were him pleasuring you.

Would he be good at it? Would you enjoy it? Would you even want to be with him?

Well, he didn’t need to think about it for too long.

He found himself in the forest with you, alone in the middle of nowhere with his hakama (pants) pulled down. They sat comfortably around his ankles as he watched you play with his sex.

You had his length firmly held in your hand while your thumb brushed over the tip.

His legs violently shook at the sensation of your touch and his face was a bright red.

His eyes scrunched up in pleasure, tears in his eyes threatening to spill as you softly lap at his cock.

He didn’t know if he should close his legs or try to make an effort in making them stop shaking but he loved it either way.

You took him inside your mouth. It was warm and tight all around.

You had him shooting cum down your throat after a quick moment of having him in your mouth.

He fell onto the dirt ground after his legs gave way from under him.

The next time was at his estate.

It was late in the night, everyone had gone to sleep and Rengoku was laying flat on his back while you straddled him.

You had been humping his cock for roughly an hour, it grew red and overwhelmed from all of the rubbing.

“Please˜ Please fuck me˜.” The poor man below you had his wrists bound together.

He was ching for some release but he was being too loud.

You grabbed his underwear that you discarded to the side when you were undressing him and shoved it into his mouth.

He gagged at the intrusion but bit down on it before looking up at you and letting out a small whimper.

You lined yourself up with his sex and slowly lowered yourself onto him, taking him in his entirety.

Rengoku’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and a gasp escaped him at the tightness of your velvety walls.

You slowly began to rock your hips while you continuously spoke to him.

Soft praises and worships of his scarred and stocky body were pouring out of you while he softly cried.

He adored how right your body felt on top of him and how sweetly suffocating your body enveloped him in.

You took in everything he gave.

You took his seed, his sex, his love.

You accepted it all and left him begging for more.

He laid pliantly for you as you milked his cock dry, took all of his essence inside of you, and allowed it to leak out you.

He waited for you to reach your own orgasm before asking for anything more.

You collapsed on top of him and slowly lifted your hips up.

His cock slipped out of you, strings and globs of cum falling out of your gaping hole onto his pelvis.

You both enjoyed the bliss of having been so intimate with one another.

“I love you….” It was the first time he’s ever had sex with anyone. The first time he’s ever made love with you.

His heart raced at the idea of you saying it back to him.

“I love you too, Kyo.” You undid the binding around his wrists and flipped him to his side so that you could accommodate yourself beside him.

You looked at his features, took them in.

His eyes were glossy and his face was flushed pink.

You brought him closer to you, your arms wrapped around his waist as you gently kiss his chest, neck, and eventually face.

“C- can we make love again? Some other time?” He asked.

You nodded your head and continued to softly kiss his face.

[megamindsupremacy]

Ooh, so originally I was thinking of Ekron as super super early in Maltus' history but actually: Ekron comes after Krona's experiment.

Krona broke a very sacred rule. This is a limit to how far back in time you can observe. When Krona attempt to observe before the beginning of time, he unleashed the energies of creation onto Maltus. But because he broke this sacred law, chaos and corruption energy were released throughout the universe. Maltusians would feel that they owed the universe a debt, which they would pay with the Creation Energy, one day becoming the Guardians of the Universe. This is part of why the Eye thing bothers Ekron so much: he has a debt to pay the universe, and the eye means he failed.

But in the meantime, these energies had destabilized the baselines on which one calculates, making nearly all scientific progress up that point moot until the energies had stabilized against each other (part of the reason they moved to Oa might have been to be able to operate on more reliable rules). They had, however, created magic on Maltus, turning it into a sword and sorcery type planet. Ekron carries some of these energies within him, expressed, controlled, and collected through his tattoos

Okay, I think I mixed something in the timeline up here- was Ekron not a Green Lantern himself? He would still fit onto the Centurions as the Green Lantern parallel here but I fully thought he was a GL while on the team

Ekron feeling like he has a debt to pay to the universe kind of reminds me of Aztar, just in the sense of "they feel like they have a higher purpose guided by [one of my kind messed up the entire universe/i'm literally an angel of the lord]" kind of feelings. But then I bet in the far future when Ekron's Eye is being wielded by Mother Eye, he finally feels at peace with his eye always being used for evil because he knows she'll always use it for far more good than any evil that was ever committed with it previously

[virdem]

A-90 Headcanons Rewrite :3

I just wanted to rewrite all of my doors headcanons and thought I'd start with A-90 bc I am the one and only :3

He/Him - Trans Man :]

He looks like a knight. He even has a sword and shield and everything. But it's an act. He is really bad at using his arsenal and would rip off the armor in a moment's notice for attacking more up close.

His sort of "Species" of entity is that who can switch between functioning more like humans or acting more feral (re: getting on all fours, purring, etc.) Unfortunately he fucked up somewhere in childhood and doesn't have a proper balance between the two like most of his kind. He's very clumsy and it's partly why he only does 90 damage when "Humanlike".

Sometimes (Usually when very stressed or hungry, can be anything really) he will go through what he just calls "Reversion" in which he'll flip into his feral state and how he acts depends on the severity of the cause. (Sometimes he can still rationally think, sometimes you need keep an eye on him, other times he'll probably go nuts, etc.) and during this timeframe he tends to get memory issues and will be extremely wobbly when he's "normal" again. He calls being traditionally functional "Suppression".

He has retractable claws and blades yes exactly like the razor stp

His armor makes him heavier than any other entity but he's very underweight without it and almost one of the lightest. When he's not wearing his armor, he's most likely wearing some generic tank top and shorts lawl.

Hates noises. Primary reason he attacks is to JUST STOP THE NOISE. Especially the sounds of ringing phones.

Well, he's neutral-ish of a guy. His biggest reasons for aggression are his feral nature, annoyances, and fear that someone will hurt Curious Light. He does snap at people often though.

Found Curious Light roaming the rooms when she had first gotten lost and pretty much serves as her father figure. A-120 looks after CL when A-90 is busy. He eventually reunites her with her mom (GL).

Was the last of the rooms entities to show up in the hotel before their banishment, he went there in order to figure his life shit out. Obviously short lived cause El Goblino fucked everything up and banished them.

He does not like that red fucker. But do you wanna know who he does like!?!?!?!?

"Is it Seek-" yeah it's Seek <3. He loves them too much. They're both doomed by the narrative. Oops.

Struggles a lot to clear his head when stressed. Is also quite introverted and can't really communicate anger, he will start speaking in gibberish when aggravated. Guiding Light, Ambush, and A-120 are the only people who can translate it (Though A-120 can only translate if it's written down).

Collects skin conditions like pokemon cards sparkle emoji "dude can you take your lotions and stop having acne and eczema and sjs for five seconds" -GL

Hoarder but not to Ambush's degree. Collects things from intruders albeit pointless bc A-120's contracts can bring just about anything into the rooms lawl. Still nice for him. He carries a duffel bag full of goodies.

HUMAN FLESH HEART EYES EMOJI <3 <3 <3 He will tear up corpses and eat them right then and there if his head is feral enough. He usually leaves the bones for A-60 though.

Depending on his mood, his blood will turn red/yellow/green/etc. Yellow is the default but he's almost never in a good mood so he's usually the classic red. Hardly anyone has ever seen him green.

BLOOD STAINS EVERYTHING LITERALLY NOBODY CAN CLEAN IT D:

Eyes appear as just a dark void but his pupils will show up when he feels strong emotion. Shape and size depends on intensity.

[lamentingpat]

When the Coward Speaks

In six months, Stede has grown a beard and obtained a proper ship again. His goal? To find Ed. And to apologize to him, even if it means that he'll get a sword through the gut again. 

Warnings: None Relationships: Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Stede Bonnet Rating: Teen Word Count: 2085

Read on Ao3   A/N: Here’s a playlist for the fic! 

Half a year it took for Stede and his crew to cross paths with the Revenge.

Half a year it took them to gather the funds to get ahold of the funds for a new ship, along with the usual threat of force. It was the only way to get a good deal these days, and it wasn’t as if they could rely on Stede’s wealth anymore. It was all burnt and gone, just like the past life he’d had. Both of them.

It didn’t take long for the Revenge to spot them too, and with the rumors that swirled around these days about Blackbeard being worse… Stede wasn’t about to take any chances, not when he needed to talk to Ed. “Hoist the white flag! I know you all are likely mad with him and his crew, but talking about our feelings is the best way to get this smoothed out. We’ll be aboard The Revenge in no time!” The grumbling protests of the crew were very much audible, but he opted to ignore them. They had the right to be mad, having been dumped on an island by Ed and his crew and separated from those they cared about. Oluwande had been acting different, as had Black Pete, both of them missing their partners, their fates unknown. The pirate life was dangerous, and both could easily be dead by now…

The white flag waved high above, The Revenge approaching rapidly with every second that passed. Stede’s heart was in his throat, hiding behind the angled edge of the fo’c’sle. He’d run through this scenario through his head so many times, and yet he wanted nothing more than to throw himself overboard instead of facing Ed. What was he going to say? ‘Sorry I abandoned you after confessing my love, I felt guilty about the wife and kids I left behind.’ Yeah, that wasn’t going to cut it.

Stede wanted to think his bravery had gotten better since he’d spent some time in his old family home, seeing that he had done a decent job at the fuckery that was faking his death. And the whole, accidentally threatening Doug after drinking far too much. But this… He had to face up to his mistakes yet again.

But before he could chicken out of the confrontation, Ed’s crew stormed aboard, knives and swords raised. A blade was being held against his neck in a second, the edge almost cutting into his skin. Stede turned his head slightly to see who was holding it to him but had to heavily rely on his peripheral vision.

“Izzy–”

“You’re lucky I was told I couldn’t kill you now, you bastard.”

“Nice to be in your company again too,” Stede retorted despite the fact that the sword was pressed even more into his neck, to the point that he knew only a little blood was being drawn. Brave face, Stede.

So that’s where Izzy was, but where was the rest of the crew? All of his own save for Oluwande were face down on the deck, easily wrangled to the ground by the competent crew Ed had assembled.

No, Oluwande and Jim were practically melded together with how close they were, guns being pointed at the both of them if one were to make a move. Stede was just glad they were reunited, they seemed to love each other deeply, enough that even half a year apart seemed to be like nothing when they saw each other again.

Frenchie was there too, but a knife was held to his chest by Fang. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together and assume his position on the crew (as well as Jim’s) wasn’t voluntary.

But where was Lucius? And Ed?

“Finally decided to show you face, Bonnet. Turns out you still wanted to be a pirate after all,” Ed’s voice came from outside Stede’s field of vision and it sounded wrong. The light-hearted nature, the friendliness, the love that it usually carried, gone in the wind like a feather in a windstorm.  

It didn’t take long for Stede to finally see him in his full glory, pushing Lucius forward with a knife tight to his throat. Black Pete looked terrified from where he stood with the rest of the crew, worried that he would lose Lucius again, but more permanently.  “You see, I tried to get rid of your pets half a year ago, only now did I find this stowaway. And I thought, ‘man, what a good way to welcome Bonnet back’! Finishing the job I thought was over after you left.” He bit out the last part, the pain and anger in his eyes clear to Stede even from where he stood. This was worse than he thought. “Ed–” “Blackbeard!” He was corrected immediately, and Stede could see the knife being pressed close to Lucius’ neck, who only seemed to keep his own speech in check from paralyzing fear. Izzy’s sword cut a little deeper into his own neck too.  

“Blackbeard, your grudge, your anger, it’s for me, not my crew. Let them go, but you can do whatever you like to me,” Stede could feel himself sweating bullets, his stomach flipping. Did Ed really want to kill him? Did he… Not love Stede anymore, not like how Stede still was enamored with him? “Please. Let them go.”

The strong stance and persona Ed had been putting on wavered, if only for just a moment. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t just kill you now.”

“Because I was in the area looking for you! I’m here to explain why I left, why I left you at the dock!” Stede started out strong in his conviction, desperate to be heard, to make sure his crew wouldn’t be killed. But he tapered in intensity towards the end, realizing that his plea could very likely be ignored, and this would finally be the true end of Stede Bonnet. But… Ed would listen to him, right? And Izzy was ever following Ed’s orders… “It wasn’t the guard you talked to who woke me up. It was Badminton, he reeked of alcohol but marched me out, pistol to my back. Before he was about to shoot, he said I was a monster who ruined beautiful things. Which– It meant you. You shaved your beard, abandoned the pirate lifestyle, all because of me. I was the one responsible for ruining Blackbeard, for ruining Ed. And it also meant my family.”

While Stede’s original crew didn’t react, it wasn’t a secret to them that he had left his family to be a pirate, Ed’s crew was surprised. It hadn’t been something he ever discussed openly, the guilt of leaving them weighed so heavily on his conscious that to speak about it would make it even more palpable.

But they didn’t dare speak. It was still Stede’s time.

“I was married at a young age to Mary. We weren’t in love, actually, we had never met until we had to get married. It was arranged, my family wanted her acreage, and her family wanted my inheritance. We… never did see eye to eye, never falling in love like some people did in arranged marriages, but we had two beautiful children. I– I never felt comfortable there, and on our anniversary, I revealed the idea for all of us to travel on a ship. This ship.

“Mary shot it down immediately. So… that night I left them. And I thought–” He stops, wanting to scrub a hand down his face, but couldn’t due to the fact that he was being held in place by Izzy’s sword. He would just have to continue. Stiff upper lip Stede, you owe Ed that at the very least.

“Badminton, he was so drunk he tripped and ended up shooting himself. I… was convinced he was right. That I had ruined you, and my family. So I went back to them to try and fix what I had done, to leave you to go back to the glory that you once had. Little did I know that they had flourished without me, and my wife she… She found love as I had. My kids, they had moved on. It took too long for me to realize that I didn’t fit in there anymore. So with their help, I faked my death, I relinquished my claim to my family’s wealth, and went to find you, and my crew. “I’m sorry, Ed. I really am. I don’t expect you to forgive me for leaving you on that beach but– I love you. I love you and I take full responsibility for what I did. I know that I hurt you.”

The anger on Ed’s face began to crumple, but the hurt remained. Stede knew that it likely wouldn’t leave for a while. But the knife that was pressed against Lucius’ neck clattered onto the deck, the man getting shoved over to the rest of the crew. Ed turned away from Stede, he couldn’t see the expression that always sat there plain as day. Neither Lucius nor Black Pete spoke above a whisper as they both had their hands all over the other, checking for any injuries or changes.

Something Stede longed to do to Ed, to touch him, to check him over carefully to see what had changed in the sixth months since they parted. But he couldn’t. “Let him go,” Ed finally croaked out. Though the black eye makeup obscured the areas around his eyes, the way it had begun to run down his cheeks was telling. Ed was crying.

Izzy hesitated, not moving his sword. He didn’t want to let Stede go. It was a predictable action, given his known hate for the man their captain had been enamored by, and maybe still was.

“Let him fucking go!” Ed roared after a few seconds of hesitation. It was terrifying, the true anger of Blackbeard that most of Stede’s crew hadn’t witnessed in person. Izzy seemed to stay cool under pressure though, finally dropping his sword and pushing Stede forward, sending him stumbling. He recovered his footing narrowly, nervously messing with his newly grown beard instead. Hopefully it looked good. Before his crew had lied to him before about things looking good, but he took their opinion this time at face value. It was hard not to be nervous as he looked now at Ed, who gave a sniff that further confirmed the fact that he was, or at least had been, crying.

“Did you mean it? When you said– When you said that you love me?” Ed’s voice was rough, cracking halfway through his question but had pressed on. He wanted to know. He still wasn’t sure that Stede was being genuine.

“I did. I’m unarmed, and I willing found you, even though it risked death for myself. Would I do that if I didn’t? You are worth that to me. I love you, Ed.”

That seemed to be the final straw, Ed rushing forward. Stede willed himself not to tense up, not to flinch away even though he wasn’t sure what Ed was about to do.

But it turned out he didn’t need to. Ed pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, and Stede was sure he could feel his ribs move but he was too relieved to care. Stede hugged him back just as tightly, feeling Ed’s face find its place in his shoulder. Surely his eye makeup would stain his shirt, but what did it matter? A stained shirt could be fixed and reused for something else.

“I missed you,” Stede murmured, something just for them to hear. “Every day when I was at my old home, I thought of you. Of the second life I had left behind. And… Once Mary and I were able to talk, properly talk, I asked her what it was like to be in love. She said it felt easy, and it was then I knew. I was a coward, and I won’t pretend that I’m not one now but this I couldn’t be a coward about.”

Ed sniffled into his shirt, only lifting his head enough so that his own voice wasn’t muffled as he kept the quiet tone. “I love you too. I’m still fucking mad at you… But I love you.”

“That’s ok. I deserve your anger, I’m just glad you didn’t stab me.”

“It’s still on the table if you leave again.”

A sigh.

“That’s fair.”

[anantaru]

I GOT HEIZOU c3!!!!

I lost the 50/50 to Mona.. STILL GOT KAZUHA IN THE END!! Had to spend $50 for his Freedom-Sworn sword but sooo worth it!!!

Gl with your pulls!!!

OMG CONGRATS BAE 💗 !!!! the freedom-sworn sword is drippy i don‘t blame you 🤭🤭🤭