#horizon harpy au

[the-horizon-lounge3041]

Decided to draw this meme

[the-horizon-lounge3041]

Excited to share the chapter that this is based on! Amazing work and thank you for choosing a piece and volunteering❤️

drew harpy!aloy and talanah for @the-horizon-lounge3041 's fanfic - The Harpy and The Hawk! I had a lot of fun drawing them <3

[kiame-sama]

Humans Are Extinct (Yandere!TWST x Fem! Reader) Monster AU pt 10

(Ruggie is a Gnoll and can switch between bipedal and quadruped locomotion as easily as most people breathe. Any scent of food or the sound of someone eating something draws in Ruggie to investigate to see if he can have a snack or get some scraps from whoever is eating. Leona is usually the one that feeds Ruggie the most, so he has earned Ruggie's loyalty. The fastest way to befriend a Gnoll is through food.)

Warnings; Yandere, Yandere behavior, multiple Yanderes at different Yandere stages/levels, Romantic and Platonic Yanderes, smothering behavior, blood, mention of menstrual cycle, blood consumption, Crow, Selkie, Sphinx, Shadow-man, Minotaur, Vampire bat, Dragon, Grim, Shinigami, Harpy,

Note; Ortho is STRICTLY platonic.

~~~~~~~~

It was dark and well before those first few rays of light were to peak over the horizon. It had been thirteen days since the Human had arrived in Twisted Wonderland and already a representative had arrived from at least seven different Kingdoms and Queendoms as well as a few scientists. Crowley had managed to convince them to wait a few more days, but the many Kingdoms and Queendoms were eager to confirm there was a Human and confirm they were being treated well.

The several staff members were sitting in the Crow's office as they all contemplated what to do with the arrival of the representatives. None of them wanted the Human taken away from them or from Night Raven College grounds. In the next few days they would have to ensure nothing harmed or unsettled their Human before the representatives arrived. This would prove difficult given the already obvious interest almost all of their students had taken in the abnormal Human.

That wasn't even the worst of their troubles, however.

"And you are certain our (Y/n) has imprinted on Grim?"

"Absolutely certain. She was stressed after waking from the injury and overblot, but she was more distressed over being unable to find Grim and only calmed once he was reunited with her. According to the other students she even threw young Riddle after he targeted Grim in his Feral state which is what lead to her injury."

"Then he can't be removed from her side any longer. My memories of Humans are old, but I do know Humans- especially the young bearers- take guarding those they imprint upon rather seriously. There will be questions to the potential threat Grim poses to (Y/n), he is a forest creature of unknown type and origin. We can't guarantee he is safe to keep around her, but we can't remove him either without a catastrophic response from (Y/n)."

Divus frowned at the memory, displeased to have not even a full week pass before the Human had been injured by a Feral student. Not to mention said Feral student was supposed to be the safest bet for a guard for the Human. Still, despite what had happened it had proved that the collar worked to some degree and that many of the student body was willing to protect the soft Human.

"In any case," Trein began, lifting his tea cup to take a long sip before setting back on the table, "there are several issues with her dorm that need to be addressed. Not to mention the fact that she has a rather limited wardrobe given her very recent arrival. The representatives will be looking at all of these things, from safety, to general happiness, to even her diet. If we are to keep her here, we will need to address everything before the representatives arrive."

Of course, most things were still being figured out as it had only been a little under two weeks since that fateful day. There was very little time now and they would have to pull several Housewardens from classes to aid in resolving these issues.

"I can handle the clothing issue, I will be pulling those two Pomefiore pups to aid in my pursuits. I have little doubt Vil and Rook will prove to be useful in my endeavors."

"Good idea. While you work on that, I can begin discussions with Mr. Ashengrotto as to the state of the building. Dubious as his dealings may be, he is a valuable resource."

Most issues they faced could be solved within the timeframe they had been presented with especially given the fondness their students had for the soft Human. The only issue that was most prevalent in that moment was the Dragon-sized problem of Malleus Draconia. He was a fantastic guard, but who knew how he would react to the idea of the representatives potentially trying to take this Human away from him and NRC.

"The question that remains is this; do we tell Birar Valley's prince and heir apparent to the throne Malleus, or do we try to keep him away from the representatives?"

Sam's question did bring up a very valid issue as they all knew Malleus had claimed their dear Human as a member of his Hoard. Dragons were notorious for having an ill temper towards anyone or anything that may threaten that Hoard. Beyond even the representatives, there were the many scientists from across the vast lands of Twisted Wonderland that wanted to get a good look at the Human and study her. Malleus would never allow such an intrusive and inquisitive bunch to poke or prod at his Human for long.

"Perhaps his handler can address that for us? Mr. Vanrouge has been quite adept at keeping Mr. Draconia peaceful despite a Dragon's natural temper and pride."

"Brilliant idea, Mozus. Ashton, you will be in charge of telling Mr. Vanrouge our plans and keeping him up to date with the impending arrival of our visitors. Sam, I trust you can handle the food situation? Shadowfolk are the next most culinary adept species after Humans."

Sam nodded, already looking at his own stock and comparing it with his most recent visit to (Y/n)'s kitchens. He would ensure to get a wider variety of spices and foods not typical to the broader student pallet, perhaps this Human could even surprise him in the kitchen. Despite the woefully short timeframe they had thanks to Cater's lack of discretion, it seemed like there was at least a chance at keeping the Human.

"Besides, if all else fails and they try to take her, we just set Mr. Draconia loose on them and they will either concede or fall."

~•§•~

You awoke to an unusual sensation on your neck. It was still dark outside but the faintest of light blue began to bleed into the sky as you slowly regained consciousness. The feeling on your neck was an odd one as it seemed like a mouth was nuzzled against your skin and slowly dragging a pair of soft lips over your pulse. Something about the almost unconscious movements confused you as you were usually the one cuddling, not the other way around.

The pair of black and pink wings told you who it was laying behind you and you vaguely wondered why Lilia had been drawn to your side as you slept. He had been the least problematic of your guards during your several days long stint with your own hormonal cycle, so you weren't particularly annoyed that he was holding you. Sure, the lack of personal space was wearing on you but supposedly your nestmates were going back to Diasomnia for the week.

In some ways you wondered if you would miss the group you had grown accustomed to and vaguely worried about getting to sleep without them. As odd as it was, there was a great comfort to having the four monsters sleeping by your side. You certainly never complained about the absolute warmth and comfort that was cuddling with Silver. Maybe you could convince one or two of the four to sleep in the nest whenever you felt lonely.

The soft growl of a stomach interrupted your thoughts as the sound had come from Lilia and you vaguely considered getting up to cook. It was far too early for your tastes, but something about the Bat's hunger made you feel on edge. Perhaps it was the way he unconsciously mouthed at your neck that gave you such an unsettled feeling. Perhaps it was the fact he had you wrapped up securely in his wings.

"Lilia," you whispered, trying to rouse the Bat without rousing your other nestmates, "you're getting a bit too nibbly there."

The Bat made an almost whining sound at your attempts to wake him, his wings tightening their hold around you and a soft mumble coming from him. You could feel his lips move against your neck more than you could hear him, unable to understand what he mumbled.

"Lilia-"

A startled yelp left your lips now as those pointed teeth of his dragged a bit too roughly against your neck for comfort. The sound rousing all of your nestmates rather quickly. You could see the way the eyes of the four men and one cat-beast snapped open and seemed to glow in the low light, reminding you of crocodiles, cats, and other predatory animals. It was surreal to see how quickly they woke as Lilia actually moved in a protective stance over you.

There was a moment of quiet as they took stock of their surroundings and their alert stress turned to confusion as they looked back at you. From their understanding, there was nothing they could find that could have caused you to cry out. You, however, were quick to touch your neck where the Bat had been mouthing and found he had not broken skin but the area he nipped was raised and irritated.

"(Y/n)," Lilia started, looking down at you as his wings lowered, "what's wrong?"

"You just bit me."

"Did I?"

Lilia seemed genuinely surprised at your words as he quickly examined where you had been touching your neck. Sure enough, there were two scrapes along where his fangs would have sat had he been mouthing the area. The hunger within him told him what information was missing as he sighed and moved from on top of you. He would have rathered you learn of his dietary needs in a less stress-inducing manner, but his own hunger had unconsciously acted for him.

"I'm sorry, (Y/n). It seems my instincts were getting the better of me."

"Instincts?"

"I'm what we call a Vampire Bat Fae, unlike many other Bat folk, my kind has a certain... Dietary need that we have to satisfy once in a while."

"Satisfy how?"

"I need blood. Specifically I need to drink blood. Usually Silver helps me with this 'craving' but even Malleus or Sebek have offered in the past."

"Like... From a cup?"

"No, the blood coagulates and clots too quickly in a cup. I have to drink from the source or the blood needs an anticoagulant- which rarely tastes good- for me to consume it from a cup."

You stared at the Bat Fae as he explained his actions to you, almost seeming upset with himself. They made enough sense that you vaguely wondered why he would keep such a thing secret from you. Vampire Bats existed in your world and though you weren't overly familiar with the species you knew even the little Bats of your world needed to consume blood.

"Why were you only at my neck then?"

"Well, as morbid as it may sound, your blood has a very appealing scent to me. I assume I unconsciously gravitated towards you due to your recent- and pardon me for saying this- bleeding cycle. The lingering scent of blood on you likely drew me in."

Some part of you wanted to snap at the Bat for trying to bite you, even if it was unconscious. Another part of you wanted to allow the hungry Bat to take a quick drink despite your reservations as a way to somewhat repay him. Lilia had been your original chosen guard and he had more than earned his keep given how many students and poachers alike he had driven off. Perhaps the Bat did deserve something for his efforts in protecting you.

"How much do you need?"

"A mouthful or two. Luckily I don't need to feed on blood often or in large amounts, just every now and again to make up the vitamins I can't gain from my food."

"... Do you want to drink my blood?"

"Not if it makes you uncomfortable. You are proving to be quite precious to me and an integral part of this Hoard, I would hate to drive you off for something as simple as blood."

You considered his words for a moment, staring at him as your hand rest over your neck where he had scraped his fangs against you. Sure, you just lost a good level of blood already thanks to your cycle, but maybe you could let the Bat take just a bit more. Out of those who seemed to gravitate towards you, Lilia had been the most reliable and the one to explain quite a bit to you when you didn't understand the ways of these monster men.

"... Will it make you happy?"

"What?"

"To feed on my blood. Would that make you happy and help you be content with your life?"

Lilia stared for a long moment, as if trying to figure out what exactly you were asking him. He did worry about saying the wrong thing if you were testing him for aggressive thoughts or behavior, but part of his brain insisted that he be honest with you.

"Yes. It will make me happy, but I still don't need to feed specifically from you if you are uncomfortable with that. Would I like to? Absolutely. I would consider myself somewhat of a gourmand when it comes to the taste of blood and your blood is very interesting to me. Would I take if it wasn't offered? I would try not to, but we both see how my instincts control the way I unconsciously act."

"Will it hurt?"

"Not horribly. I won't lie to you and say it is painless, but it is not as painful as an axe in the arm."

You almost snorted at this response, still feeling the dullest of throbs from your recently healed injury. Really, you had been so stressed and upset over potentially losing Grim that you barely felt any pain until it was already over and even then you were given pain management. At least Lilia didn't seem keen to lie to you about it.

"... Go ahead."

"(Y/n)?"

"Take a drink, Lilia. Either we all get up now so you can find blood somewhere else, or I give you blood now and I can get a few more hours of sleep."

"I want to make sure you are serious, (y/n). I don't want this to be a spur of the moment decision."

"I know. I am serious. Take a drink, Lilia. You're probably the one I would consider to be one of my first friends and you haven't complained even once about my attitude. That matters to me and is important to me. You are important to me."

Lilia gave a genuine smile at this, hugging you quickly. He had hoped you would be willing to share some of your sweet smelling blood with him and your approval now could mean you would let him take more drinks in the future. Naturally, Lilia didn't plan to force you to share with him, but he certainly wasn't upset you were willing to let him take a drink.

"Let me know if it hurts too much and I will stop. Okay?"

You nodded, staying still as the Bat moved behind you in a mimicry of how you had awoken. His wings wrapping around you as if he intended to cuddle you as he rest his mouth over your pulse. It was unnerving in some way to think about letting the Bat latch on to your neck and consume your blood, but you were being honest when you said his wellbeing mattered to you. Lilia was a good guard and a good friend despite everything that had happened.

"Hey, Bat-wings, don't hurt my Hooman, okay? I'm not gonna lose her, no matter what, so you better be careful."

"I know. I will try to not harm her."

Grim nodded, still seeming stressed with the situation as Lilia hummed. The Bat had easily found the ideal spot to bite, but he seemed to be taking his time either to try and soothe you or to make sure he has control of himself before actually biting. It would be a lie to say you didn't tense up somewhat when those fangs teased your skin.

"Child of man, if you need a distraction or to be soothed, I am content to speak with you."

"I- ah!"

You yelped again as those fangs sunk in and the bat began to nurse at the wound gently. He was clearly trying to be as gentle as possible and not move too much or drink too quickly as it would move his fangs in your skin. It was not pleasant by any means but you trusted Lilia to not take more than he needed.

"I think- ngh- I think you need a new name, Malleus."

"Is my current one insufficient?"

"No, I just think- ah- you could use a nickname. Something short and- and not so lofty."

"If that will appease you. I am eager to know what name you believe fits me most."

"Like M-Mal or Tsuno, or-!"

You fought to keep your hands from reaching up to where Lilia nuzzled against your neck, your own instincts upset with you at allowing such a creature to bite you. It was vaguely disturbing to feel the way he pulled back, his fangs sliding out of your neck with a little too much ease. His warm tongue made quick work of licking over the wound to catch whatever else spilled out as he wasn't keen to waste the delicious flavor.

"I am somewhat partial to Tsuno, perhaps Tsunotaro?"

"... The point of a nickname is to be shorter than your actual name. Tsunotaro is longer than Malleus."

"Tsuno works. As close to my name as Mal is, a new name certainly wouldn't be amiss."

Lilia hummed and used his magic to summon what appeared to be a bandage of some kind. He happily set to work cleaning and covering up the bite-mark as you tried to keep yourself focused on your conversation with Malleus. It was odd to be a blood-bag for the unusual Bat and to be somewhat bullying a literal Dragon into letting you give him a nickname, but your life has been odd since you woke in the coffin.

For now, it wasn't too much of a weight to bear.

~•§•~

The early morning meeting was well underway as it was akin to a mulligan from their meeting several days ago. Again, the Dragon was invited to the meeting and again the two dorm leaders of Ignihyde showed up to make the switch. Given the earlier meeting between the staff members, this hand-off needed to go without a hitch. Almost everyone was stressed as the Dragon walked into the room, his cloak sweeping behind him as his fellow guards walked the treasure they protected into the room as well.

You seemed tired, but still dressed in your uniform as you held Grim close to your chest. He was happily laying in your arms and snacking on what remained of the breakfast burrito you had thrown together that morning for breakfast. The scent drew a few jealous looks, but word of Grim's importance to you travelled quickly. Even Leona knew better than to try and bully the little cub-like monster out of his meal, lest the cub's mother react poorly.

For some of the Housewardens, seeing this odd creature was still a very surreal experience as she was an extinct species so casually attending their school. For one of them, it was his first time officially meeting the Human face to face. Idia really didn't consider the small amount of time spent in the Human's dorm as an official meeting and he was somewhat hoping the Human didn't remember his panicked sprint into her kitchen. He hoped the other Housewardens that had also sprinted to her dorm distracted from him as he wanted a mostly clean slate for their official meeting.

"Good morning, my precious little chick! Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough. Do we really have to switch out who lives in the dorms with me? I just got used to these guys..."

"Yes, we really do. Besides, it isn't all bad, the Housewardens were chosen for a reason and I have faith you will be protected! It's the Housewardens and teachers that are notified by your collar in the situation you are injured or attacked, you can trust them to protect you."

"If you say so..."

Your less than excited attitude towards the situation put your faithful Dragon on edge as well as several of the other Housewardens. They all wanted a chance to get to know you and be around you, only really knowing your species through rumor and myth, but they didn't want to cause you genuine distress. Idia was especially unnerved as he wanted to make your acquaintance and be your friend despite his severe lacking of social skills. He had hoped Ortho would be a good buffer as his younger brother was much more cheerful than he was.

"Don't worry, Nee-san! Nii-san and I will make sure you are safe and feel comfortable while we guard you!"

"I'm sure you will..."

"Oh, Nee-san, this is Idi-nii! My big brother."

Idia almost ran the moment your eyes landed on him and actually looked at him the way he looked at you so often through the many cameras he had around NRC. You could see him and perceive him where he had been the only one to see and perceive in the past. Always watching, yet never watched until now.

"Eep! She's looking at me... What do I do? Ortho, help!"

"Introduce yourself, silly!"

"I'm... Idia Shroud... Ortho's big brother and Housewarden of Ignihyde... Why is this so hard?"

"You're doing fine, Idi-nii."

He almost screamed as you walked over to him, looking at his bright flaming hair and making him want to sink into the chair or disappear behind a screen once more. As you observed him and the way he squirmed under your gaze, Vil scoffed loudly.

"I knew he didn't have it in him. He can't even talk to us, why would anyone think he can talk to her? Does anyone genuinely think Idia could even fight when push comes to shove?"

"Hey," you interrupted with a frown, seeing as Idia wouldn't argue with Vil regardless of what Vil said or did, "leave him alone. He is here, isn't he? That's more than most could say. You can act the act and talk the talk, but why do you feel the need to put him down? Does it make you feel better to know you can easily do something he struggles with?"

Vil scoffed again and looked away from you, wanting to argue with you but also wanting to stay in your good graces. Despite how Vil felt the others had no right to be in your presence, he wasn't going to drive you away from himself by speaking his mind. The actor knew better than to speak until he had you alone and held within his own talons.

"You really don't have to do that... It's the way they all act with me. You don't-"

"Don't care."

"Ghk-!"

"Just because you let them treat you that way doesn't mean I will let them treat you that way. You're my new guard for the week and you're a Housewarden, right? So, screw what they think. You have a right as much as they do. Besides, my talk with Ortho leads me to believe you are more useful to me than a lot of others could be."

"H-how?"

"I want to play videogames. I loved my videogames back in my world. It feels like no one else plays and I want to play even for just a little bit. It is easier to stave off the feeling of pressure and the stressors of life with a controller or keyboard in hand. Help me forget I am somewhere far from home, okay?"

Idia slightly perked up at this, hearing you talk about using videogames to escape certain aspects of life. He had done it himself so many times that he almost began to believe he was alone in this avoidant behavior because it seemed like everyone else didn't need that escape the same way he did.

"You... Game?"

"Yes, and I have been twelve or thirteen days and counting without playing. This makes me incredibly upset. I have classes today, so I can't play right now, but I would like to have access to a gaming system even if this cursed place doesn't have the games I'm used to. Can you help me with that?"

"Yes."

"Good, then we have nothing else to worry about right now. Right?"

Idia nodded, beginning to feel unusually comfortable now that he knew what it was you expected of him. It really wasn't a big ask at all and Idia had already been planning on setting up more than a few devices in your dorm. He figured it would help to keep him comfortable outside of his room and keep Ortho entertained. Neither Idia nor Ortho needed much sleep and their species was prone to spending days awake, so he wanted to make sure he and his little brother could have entertainment while you slept.

"Right. Ortho and I don't have classes today, so we can get things set up right away."

"Alright. That is what I like to hear. Can I reasonably assume things will be ready by the time my last class is over, or should I lower my expectations for getting in some gaming today?"

"I can have everything ready and set up in no time. If you wanted, you could cut out of half your classes today and start gaming before lunch."

You smiled in response to his words and for some reason it made his heart flip wildly in his chest. He liked seeing that gentle and almost sweet smile, liking it even more now that it was directed at him. Sure, he had seen it through the visor Ortho wore while you talked to the young Shinigami, but it was a whole new experience being face-to-face with you now.

"Music to my ears. Last question; what kind of foods do you like? I will be cooking for myself so I will also cook for you if you want, but I'm not a mind-reader and I have no idea what is safe for you and Ortho to eat. Especially Ortho."

"Wh-what? You're gonna cook traditional Human meals for us? Seriously?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I feed those who are protecting me?"

"This is the best day of my entire 88 year fanboy life..!"

"What?"

"Nothing. Ortho and I are gonna go set up. See you after class."

Despite how nervous Idia had been, there was something disarming about the soft Human. He was quite large in comparison to their stature, standing well above most in the school despite wishing to just disappear in the background. Even sitting he had to look down at the little Human.

Something about how soft she looked made him want to grab her and never let go, he was starting to understand why the others were acting the way they did. Something about being close to someone he considered incredibly cute and small was endearing. Actually being near this soft Human made him realize just how little she was.

"I don't know, Hooman. This one has a kinda funny look to him."

"Grim, be nice. We have to at least trust the Headmage is correct in everyone here being safe."

"Fine... But I'm not sharing the nest with him!"

"Oh, absolutely not. Malleus made that nest and only his Hoard is allowed to use it, you know that. Lilia told us the rules."

"Am I part of Tsuno's Hoard too?"

"You're part of my hoard," you kissed Grim's forehead gently and several of the onlookers felt burning jealousy, "so you count by Proxy."

Grim purred at this and you turned back to the Shinigami. He was very much an older and larger version of Ortho in terms of appearance, but obviously very different from his bold and affable little brother. Also, you heard his mumbling quite easily and that meant he was seventy-five years older than Ortho. That meant either Ortho was very smart and advanced for his young age or Idia just couldn't attend a school without someone else accompanying him.

You had also never seen this student around except for the brief passing glance when he entered your dorm several days back with the others. It was odd to you that he really didn't stand out much to you back then like he did now, but you also weren't really in the mood to entertain guests at the time. Much like Ortho, Idia had more technology on him than most students had at all and he seemed to be almost hiding behind it as he suddenly turned away in his chair seeming to try and compose himself while looking away from you and somewhat out of your sight.

It was while he was turned away that a voice unfamiliar to you spoke up.

"Crowley? It's imperative I speak with you-"

Walking into the room was a bird-man that somewhat reminded you of an owl entered the room, pausing abruptly as he noticed you staring at him curiously. He seemed to be an older Harpy man judging from his feathers and general bird-like appearance, several gray feathers grew alongside his hair and came up in two points like ears. The man seemed taken aback at your presence as he slowly set the scrolls in his hands down, seeming to study you closely as you watched him warily.

"In... In all my years... Here you are."

He gestured to you and you felt more than a little upset at the treatment. Sure, you understood they were surprised but that still didn't mean it felt very good to have someone gawk at you. You weren't a pet and you weren't some sideshow attraction.

"Here you are."

"Ambrose! This kind of casual disregard for decorum is unlike you! Explain yourself!"

Crowley was quick to get inbetween you and the newcomer, his feathers fluffed and wings somewhat raised. It was clear the Crow was blocking this Owl-man from taking too long a look at you as his wings spread and he almost seemed to caw angrily.

"Crowley, my old friend," the man paused, glancing at you and almost grimacing, "more have been spotted in the woods. It's not just trophy hunters, there are Fae among them. Townsfolk are starting to talk and the rumors at Royals Sword Academy are more than a little wild. We need to unite and discuss the-" he lowered his voice, "the Human."

"This meeting is dismissed, students. Everyone make sure to get to your classes. (Y/n), my chick, do you need a guide to class from here?"

You were about to shake your head when Vil came sweeping over, his crest up and his movements almost an exaggerated graceful motion. He seemed to be trying to show off in a way as if the presence of the two other birds made him suddenly need to present himself. It could have been your perception of the situation, but Vil almost seemed threatened by the increased avian competition and was keen to get you away from both older birds.

"I will happily show you to class, (Y/n). My class is right nearby, so I will gladly show you the way. Come now, we can't dawdle."

The Peacock was quick to herd you away from the room and the other Housewardens, ignoring the look Malleus gave him as he passed by. You wondered who that man was or what it was he was so worried about, but you knew it had something to do with you. Those games and potential earthly comforts you may be able to get from Idia seemed all the more tangible now.

All you had to do now was get through the day.

[romanceisdeadbutimnot]

The Harpy Pt. 2

🪶

Hawks x reader

Fantasy AU

Word Count: 7k

Warnings: Violence, a minor sexual harassment

Part two of the Harpy: 3 short stories

Pt1 ao3

🪶

Word had gotten around that harpies would snatch wrongdoers from the earth and take thier soul to be tormented. Those with the black spot would become restless taking to the open air in search of thier doom. You weren’t much of an adventurer yet, but becoming a legend did suit your fancy.

Still you weren’t ever quite sure what Keigo was after, though you were more inclined to give him your heart than your soul. Some days you weren’t even sure if you fell in love with monster or man. There were times that Keigo seemed so human, that if it’s wasn’t for the fields of red that expanded behind him you’d never of thought any different. Sometimes he was frightening. Something completely different from you, and those days you tried hard to love him anyway.

There was no denying that when you fell for him, you fell hard. You plummeted from the sky, approaching the ground at velocities above sound, but when you reached out your arms he was always there to grab them. He cradled you from the harsh winds cushioning your descent on plush wings. Still, you often forgot he was no more man than monster. Despite your love, despite your trust, he made you afraid. Three weeks after he plucked you from your village was one of those moments.

“Do not move from this tree.” Keigo had placed you on a rather large tree, in the middle of a large branch. He admired your tenacity. It was one of the qualities that drew him to you, they way you didn’t give up, your insistent on doing whatever you had sought out to do, but sometimes it bit him in the ass. Especially when you set out to do the exact thing he warned you not to.

It wasn’t like he wanted to leave you alone, in fact he dreaded it. You were quite prone to trouble, and although he often indulged you, he feared that one day he’d be too slow. So he picked the safest tree to place you on, and prayed that you’d stay put so he could find dinner. Though it seemed you were in a disobeying mood.

“You can’t just hang me on a tree every time you want to do something!” You were pouting, and though he was tempted to give into your sparkling eyes and soft lips he had restraint.

“You’re loud, smell like humans and are easy prey. I don’t have the patience to babysit you and catch dinner.” He leans in slowly, seductively, backing you into the treetrunk.

“You don’t need to babysit me. I can handle myself.” You were defiant today, not easily swayed flirtation. He frowns a little, your skin was so tempting, he half wanted to abandon his hunt in favor of a different feast.

“Stay put.” Keigo pushes you back toward the trunk, giving you a quick peck on the cheek before taking off.

He disappears from your sight in seconds. You huff, cheeks tinted a shade of pink. He was an incorrigible bird man, and though you knew he was looking out for you in his own way, it still frustrated you. You had gone with him because you craved adventure, not because you wanted to be coddled by a very attractive bird man -though that was a definite benefit.

You buy some time, looking a long the horizon to see if he was on his way to scold you for disobeying him. Although you had only known him for a couple of weeks he was frighteningly perceptive and seemed to know what you’d do before you’d even done it. When you couldn’t see any speck of red, you made your way down the tree.

Knowing Keigo meant you needed to familiarize yourself with the tree tops. You were getting better, you were, but that didn’t mean you wouldn’t fall hard on your ass. Which you did. Overall though, your descent was a success.

Your plan was to head into a small town that you passed on your flight over, trade some furs for money and be back before Keigo even knew you were gone. The small town was a little ways down a nearby road. You weren’t stupid enough to wander into the woods by yourself, but you doubted the village posed any harm.

It wasn’t a long walk, and entering the village was very rewarding. Almost immediately the towns children flocked to your form, asking you all sorts of questions on where you were from and what sort of adventures you had seen. You smile at them, remembering a time when you too flocked to travelers hoping to hear their stories of wonder and peril. They’re giddy with excitement when you propose an exchange of a story for directions to someone who would buy animal pelts. They agree, tugging you by the hand into town. You tell them about the time Keigo had saved you from a monster, careful to use his alias, not wanting to piss off your human averse companion. They take you to a leather worker who examines your pelts and offers you a pouch of coins.

Although your skinning skills could definitely use work, you were proud that you prevent your bird from tearing into the poor animals long enough that you could skin them. You had little way to make money otherwise, and who knew when you’d need bandages or lodging for a night.

You tell the children another story on your way back out of town, having trouble saying no to their precious faces. You tell them of the time you’d seen this magnificent waterfall, beautiful and clear. You told them how cool the water was and how the strong current pushed against you.

You leave town with a little wave, not wanting Keigo to learn of your excursion until after you’d arrived back safely. Your walk back was peaceful, with the sounds of birds singing in the trees and the warmth of the sun on your back. As you walked, figures were approaching on the horizon. Initially you were ecstatic to see other travelers, but as they got closer you felt a vague sense of unease. Instead of the friendly smiles you were used to seeing travelers in your village wear, these men looked angry. You kept your head down, quickening your pace towards the tree Keigo had left you in. You don’t respond as they jeer at you, passing quietly. You almost breathe a sigh of relief as you make it past them, until a hand harshly grips your shoulder tugging you backwards.

“Hand over your money.” The one who grabbed you demands. The two men behind him glower swinging their axes near the ground. You new it was an intimidation tactic, and it worked.

“I don’t have any money.” You lie through your teeth. You were half convinced it worked until he shoved you over.

“Yeah right. I’m sure you have something of value so hand it over before it gets ugly.”

“I told you I don’t have anything,” you scan the skies for any sign of red. You’d hand all your money over if it meant sparing your life, but you weren’t sure they’d spare it anyway.

To say that Keigo was mad, would be an understatement. He had finished his hunt, and brought you back two rabbits. He was even carful not to puncture any holes in its pelt, just for you. But when he made it to the tree to find you missing his heart dropped. He takes to the sky, scanning every inch of soil for your form. He hears your screams before he sees you.

The leader was visibly frustrated with you. You briefly think back to the medicine woman, and her advice on the open roads. You had naively believed that thieves weren’t as common as people thought, and surely you’d never run into them. You were sorely mistaken.

“Hold ‘em.” He stalks over to you, grabbing you by the hair as you scramble away. He tosses you towards his companions who are quick to grab your arms. You lash out kicking and screaming.

“You’ll regret this,” you spit at the leader who approaches you brandishing a knife. You hoped Keigo had finished hunting. You hoped he was on his way to scold you for leaving the tree. You prayed he was coming for you.

“Really? I don’t think I will.” He holds the knife up to your chin, pressing it into your skin. You feel a slight stinging sensation as the tip of the knife digs in a little too deep. A drop of something wet and warm dribbles down your neck.

You scream for Keigo. The leader delivers a swift blow to your stomach causing you to double over in pain. You curse, pulling at your arms, trying to break free.

“Shut up.” The leader slices your shirt this time, cutting it down the middle with a knife. He gives you a wicked grin. “Are you hiding any gold here? Pretty little bitch.” A pit forms in the bottom of your stomach. Maybe he wasn’t looking for gold anymore, maybe he was looking for you.

Salty tears well into your eyes. You were humiliated and terrified. You wished you had stayed in the tree idly waiting for Keigo. Maybe if you had you wouldn’t be here. You scream again. You scream for him. Kicking and thrashing, stomping on the feet of the men holding you. A hard slap is delivered to your cheek. It stings, knocking your head to the side and causing you to bite your tongue. You taste pungent metal and the salt from your tears. As you look back up into the eyes of your captor you almost miss the flash of red barreling towards you at top speeds.

He lands on the man to your right with enough force that you’re pulled to the ground with him. You turn to look at your savior, but are greeted with his hands. Keigo grabs your captors head, twisting it so fast that you would’ve missed it if you blinked. His neck snaps with a sickening crunch, but when the second is over Keigo is already on the second man who was holding you. He grabs him by the neck squeezing. His windpipe pops, then his spine bends and breaks like a twig. In mere seconds Keigo had killed two of your attackers. He charges the third one who yells profanities, swinging his knife around. You watch as keigo deftly dodges, grabbing his arm and snapping it at the elbow. The leader drops the knife with a pained cry. Keigo grabs him by the head, you almost expect him to snap his neck too, but he brings it crashing down towards his knee, once, twice, a third time, before throwing him to the ground. The man's face is bloody as he scrambles to escape, dirt digging into his fingernails as he claws at the ground.

“You didn’t tell me you had a monster you bitch!” He screams, you vaguely register it being directed toward you, but everything feels fuzzy and out of place. Keigo was following him almost leisurely, but after the leader closed his mouth he lashed out again, stomping the man’s face into the ground. He then bends over and with one hand plucks him into the air. You hear the low screeching rumble from Keigo’s throat as he brings his taloned hands toward the man's neck, slicing it open. He drops him like a limp fish, then his piercing eyes are turned toward you.

You nearly forgot how you ever saw Keigo as a human. The cold detachment in his gaze when he killed was focused solely on you. They deserved it, by god did you think that those thieves deserved it, and Keigo had saved you. But you weren’t sure the bloodied handed, screeching creature in front of you was your Keigo. The tears that had begun to dry well into your eyes again.

“I told you to stay.” It was almost a demand to explain why you hadn’t listened. He was feral and angry and it was all directed at you. You opened your mouth to defend yourself, to say anything, but all that leaves your lips is a gurgled wimper. As if by magic his gaze softens, he opens his arms, welcoming soft coos coming from his throat. That was all you needed.

You stand on trembling legs, stumbling into his arms. He pulls you in closer, allowing you to feed off his warmth. His wings close around you like a curtain, a shield of protection. He coos softly as you cry onto his shirt.

Maybe you shouldn’t have been so quick to hop into his arms. He was terrifying after all, and had caused you to cry a second time. Dangerous harpy- after your soul. But despite his speed, his talons, despite his strength and deadly accuracy, whatever it was that made him inhuman, was a part of him- and you loved him. So you could love that too.

You melted into his embrace. Keigo was safe. His arms were strong and warm. His soft coos were comforting. You allowed yourself to close your eyes, there was no place you’d rather be.

Slowly but surely you stop trembling and glance back up at him. His face is stone cold as he gazes into the distance, but as if sensing your eyes he turns to you and melts. His sharp gaze softens, his lips which were placed into a small frown turn up. When you first met him, you’d have never expected to him to be capable of an expression: yet here he was gazing at you with reverence.

You were the first to speak.

“I’m sorry. I thought I could trade the fur pelts for money in town while you were hunting. I didn’t think it was dangerous if I stayed on the path.” You felt guilty, you knew that Keigo was taking on an extra burden because of you. As much as you craved adventure it seemed you were still quite new at it -new and naive. This wasn’t the first time he had rescued you, and you were sure it wouldn’t be the last.

He regards your statement with the tilt of his head, he almost reminded you of an owl.

“I promise I won’t wander off again.” You continue, eager to fill the silence.

“You won’t have a chance, you’re not leaving my line of sight again.” He tells you. His arms are warm around your back. You smile at him.

“Does this mean I get to go hunting with you?” You ask hopefully. He hums in consideration. What a soft and helpless human you were. But you were warm and sweet, he was addicted. Just like that the two of you went on bickering as you had before, but something had changed. You were easier to love, safer to let his guard down. You’d seen him at his worst, a bloodthirsty monster ready to enact revenge, and you were terrified. You looked at him with such a stricken expression he wasn’t sure he’d recover, he had killed your own after all. Even if they were scumbags who deserved it. Yet you still ran into his arms, clutched his back and buried your face in his chest. You’d chosen him, unconditionally, and he’d do anything you wanted because of it.

“You should come hunting. You’ll have to learn to be more helpful eventually.” He teases. You smack his shoulder.

“Alright, get off me you overgrown robin.” You push him off you, and he relents.

“Unfair birdie. I think I should get a reward for saving you.” He waddles toward you, wagging his eyebrows. You scoff.

“Maybe if you bring me away from the dead people, and-“ you don’t even get to finish your sentence once before he’s shooting off into the air with you in his arms. He brings you to a meadow, dropping you off into the grass. The second you steady yourself he’s on top of you, hands cupping your cheeks, soft lips pressed against yours. His tongue is insistent pushing into your mouth. Almost as swift as he kisses you he recoils.

“You taste like blood,” his eyes are blown wide, and he places a hand over his mouth. You take a moment to reply, catching your breath.

“I accidentally bit my tongue when he slapped me. I guess it hasn’t stopped bleeding.” You respond. It takes you a moment to think that he might not have recoiled out of disgust or concern for your wellbeing, but out of self control because he had a taste for human blood. You turn to him in fear.

“You don’t eat people… do you?” You ask. He laughs at that.

“Oh god no. Well, not that I couldn’t, but you’re not exactly appetizing.”

“Thanks?”

“It’s not a compliment dove.”

“For gods sakes bird man.” You huff, crossing your arms. When you feel bare skin under them your blood runs cold. That was right, the leader had cut your shirt open. Keigo follows your body language, seeing you stiffen as you remember the state of your dress. He wouldn’t lie and say seeing you that vulnerable and exposed in front of those thieves made filled him with blind rage. Now that they were dead and you were safe he appreciated the view. You were definitely tempting.

“Don’t tell me you’re shy birdie.” He takes a step toward you, gripping your wrists lightly. You flush a deep red.

“Quit teasing me, this isn’t funny.” You try to tug your arms out of his grasp, but he doesn’t relent.

“I didn’t say it was funny, I killed those fuckers for thier crimes.” He pauses the serious tone taking on a lighter intent. “But I still need my reward!” He whines. You roll your eyes.

“You already kissed me, that was your reward.”

“Birdie no! You tasted like blood so we couldn’t even kiss properly. You tricked me, that's an unfair deal.” He pouts, lightly tugging on your arms. Not enough to force them to your sides but enough to get his wants across.

“It’s just my chest, it’s not special.” You put up a front of confidence. He grins at you wickedly.

“If it’s hardly special you shouldn’t have any problems taking off your broken shirt and exchanging it for a new one.” His canines poke out from his lower lips. You let out a soft grumble, damn he got you there.

“I don’t have a shirt to change into.” You say, which was true. You had forgotten to pack an extra set of clothes, and you hadn’t been in a town long enough to buy a new pair. You look to Keigo who almost seems devilish.

“Not to worry, dove. I have just the solution for you.”

Turns out his solution was stripping. You watch in horror and embarrassment as his hard abs are exposed to you, glistening with a thin layer of sweat. You try not to stare, but then again he was stripping for you. Not to mention he looked like he was sculpted by the gods.

You wondered what you had done that captured his attention. You were a regular human, something he didn’t like, and you were confident the other harpies must’ve been as equally beautiful as he was.

“Put your shirt back on!” You end up scolding him. He only laughs.

“I don’t need this flimsy human invention.” He throws the offending material at your face. It smells exactly like him.

“Keigo,” you warn. He had given you his shirt, but something about the smug way he was smiling at you made you think you were somehow losing in this interaction.

“Go on, change.” He tells you.

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“Perfect, this is exactly what I wanted.”

“I’m glad.”

He doesn’t back down, but neither do you. With a little huff you shed your backpack unceremoniously onto the ground. He watches you with keen eyes, but it was too late to give in. You grab the bottom of your shirt, hoisting it up over your head, leaving you bare before him.

It takes everything in you not to rush throwing his shirt on. You take it casually, slipping your arms through the sleeves, then popping your head through the neck. It was a little large on you, still warm and smelling distinctly of him.

When you finished you turned to look back at the birdman, as if to challenge him, but he had turned his head away, arm raised up to block his cheeks. It was… cute.

“Birdman are you blushing?” You ask, genuinely curious. You’d never seen him so sheepish before. Though you supposed you shouldn’t’ve opened your mouth. The second you do his dangerous yellow orbs are on you again, predatory.

“I’m surprised you went through with it ‘s’all.” He shrugs his shoulders. The scans over your form. As if seeing imperfections he begins adjusting everything.

First comes the shirt, which he tucked in for you, then rolls up the cuffs so they don’t drape off your hands. Then he moves onto your pants which he pats down swiping off dust and leaves. Then he moves back up to your neck. He licks the tip of his thumb then swipes it against the small streak of blood that had run down your neck from where the knife had pierced you. He brings his thumb back to his mouth several times in order to wipe away all the blood completely. So he wasn’t disgusted with the taste, even humans weren’t appetizing.

You end up lounging in the meadow. His hands were in your hair, meticulously pulling apart every strand and and placing them where he deemed they should go. You weren’t sure why he did this grooming habit, but it had become a staple in your life -after you were attacked, after you had made out, early in the morning, late at night. You'd grown quite fond of it, spine tingling under his touch. You relax, and strain to not stare at his chiseled chest, choosing instead to focus on his face and his deep concentration. The way his golden orbs found every detail, the reverie pressed between his lips. When he finishes he smiles at you, practically glowing.

“Com’ere and let me preen your wings parakeet.” You had learned to do this a week ago, after asking how you could return this (bird) ritual.

He promptly flops to the ground before you, and you take your time righting his feathers, running your hands down them and dusting them off. He practically melts under your touch, cooing and humming. You surge with warmth, doused with affection. Sure you he might not be completely human -he might even scare you at some points- but you would never trade it away for anything. He was your bird man and you were his human.

🪶

The two of you had camped out in a small field next to a pretty large village. Keigo was currently napping in the sunshine, and you promised to get lunch. He seemed skeptical at first, to let you out of his line of sight, but you had showed considerable improvement with hand to hand combat over the weeks and you had promised to bring back chicken. So he relented and allowed the ‘human expert to deal with the smelly creatures’. The town wasn’t too far of a walk, a short path through some tree’s, maybe fifteen minutes. Maybe that was why he allowed you to wander off. If you screamed he was sure to hear you, and would be there faster than you could blink.

So you walked off, with an empty satchel and a bag of coins. The town was beautiful and the villagers were friendly, asking if you had encountered any creatures on your travels, marveling at your willingness to travel the dangerous forests alone. You had left out mention of your feathered companion, remembering how unfavorably your village had seen him. The harpy. The wind demon. You manage a good deal for some friend chicken, and buy a fresh set of clothes and a small necklace for Keigo. You were just about finishing up your shopping when you heard whoops and hollers from a large group entering the village. You turn to the shop vendor.

“What’s happening?” You ask, handing her the coins for the necklace. It was a simple golden chain with a ruby pendant. It reminded you of his wings.

“It’s the Devil Squadron. They protect us from the monsters in the forest.” She tells you cheerfully. You nod along, until you hear a bird’s screeching. Time seems to slow as your feet begin moving before you can comprehend where you’re going.

You see him tangled up in a heavy chained net tangled in his wings, around his arms and legs. He’s drug harshly along the ground his feathers bent at odd angles. You can see the blood he’s covered in, some his own, some coating his hands from the men he killed. There’s something wild in his eyes, a captured animal.

“Let him go!” You scream before you can stop yourself. Before you can think. You’re sprinting toward him, willing your legs to move faster, be stronger. You can’t tell if he’s wailing or if you are. Two of the townspeople grab you, pulling you back away from Keigo. You thrash in their grip.

“Calm down! What do you even want with the creature?” The townsman is grumbling next to you.

“He’s my companion! He’s not some mindless monster!” You yell, pulling and thrashing. Keigo looks to you eyes blown wide. He was terrified, it shook you to your soul. He’s dragged further and further away from you.

Apparently you’re causing enough of a commotion that the head of the group decides to confront you directly. He’s an older gentleman, but by no means weak and frail. He regards you with captious look.

“What is all this ruckus? Was he your prey or something?” He ask, other members of his squadron flocking to either side of you. The interfering townspeople quickly flee your presence, trailing after the parade.

“He’s my friend. Let him go, he’s not dangerous,” you argue ferociously for your friend, for your lover.

“That creature killed four of my men.”

“In self defense! I bet you didn’t call out first, I bet you attacked.”

“He’s a danger to this town.”

“Then give him back to me and I promise you’ll never see us in this shitty town again!”

He laughs at you then, motions the other men forward. They immediately grab onto your arms. You cry out in protest.

“Throw ‘em in the call and treat ‘em nice. I have a couple of questions for them about the creature.”

Your heart drops, and then you full on flip. You scream and stomp, wriggling out of your sleeves and making a break for it, before being thrown onto the hard ground. You beg and cry and plead them not to hurt Hawks. Despite your best efforts you end up locked in a dingy cell. You can hear the cries and screams of people outside, cruel words like monster, demon, killer. You silently weep, biting on your lip harsh enough to draw blood.

It seems like forever before the old man came to visit you. He pulled up a rickety chair and sat in front of your cell. You glared at him with a stare that would kill if your eyes could actually hold daggers.

“That creature he’s a harpy isn’t he?” He asks you first, with a voice that sounds like he’d seen it all. You guaranteed he hadn’t.

“His name is Hawks and yes he is a harpy.” You nearly spit, careful not to reveal keigos name. You were beginning to understand why he had hidden it.

“Hawks.” He murmurs as if reciting an oath. “And you tamed this beast, the taker of souls?” He asks.

“I didn’t tame him. He’s not a creature, he's like a person. And for your information he doesn’t steal souls.” Angry tears stream down your cheeks. Then realization crosses his features.

“Maybe not your soul, but he has a grip on your heart no?”

You stare back at him flabbergasted, but apparently that was all he needed to confirm his suspicions.

“Does he love you back? Is a creature like that capable of love?” He asked you patronizingly.

“He’s more capable than a scumbag like you,” you fire back. Maybe you should’ve been trying to get him on your side. Win him over, but you were just so angry, unwilling to bend to the man’s bigotry. Maybe it was a flaw, but you were confident it was a very human one.

Despite your insults the man seems more amused than he is offended. Instead he chuckles and pulls out a ring of keys.

“You really trust that creature.”

“With my life.”

“Willing to bet on that?”

“Yes.”

He regards you with a small smile. It sends chills down your spine.

“Willing to bet his too?”

“What do you mean?” You weren’t sure what this man was planning.

“See, your monster is out in the town square right now, chained up. All sorts of things bein’ thrown at him, rocks, glass, rotten food. And he’s a killer through and through alright. Killed four of my men without batting an eye-“

“What’s the point?” You cut him off.

“The point is, I’ll give you the key, hell I’ll even escort you into town. You’re welcome walk up and free him -if you don’t mind being hit that is- because I’m confident that he’ll attack you.”

“And if he doesn’t?” You ask, ready to jump at this oppurntunity.

“You’ll do exactly what you said you’d do. Take the beast and get out of my town.”

“Okay let’s go now.” You spring from your seat, more than trusting in Keigo not to kill you.

“But- if your monster moves to attack any of my people I’m putting a bullet in his head.” He stands walking towards a rifle hanging on the wall ready for use. He grabs it, and holds out the key ring to you. It was a risky bet, you weren’t sure how Keigo would react to the humans who so brutally hurt him. You just prayed he trusted you enough to listen.

“Which key is it?” You ask. The man chuckles, releasing you from your confines.

“It’s one of these.”

“Which one?” You demand. He walks toward the door.

“Now sweetie, that's part of the fun. But I promise it’s on there, you’ll just have to try them till one works.” You harshly grab the key ring from the man. He begins leading you to town. There were maybe fifteen keys. You prayed you’d find it quickly.

When you make it to the town center you’re greeted with an unholy sight. Keigo was bound to the ground, chains encasing his arms, pulling his wrists to the ground behind him. It forces his chest up, on display as a target. His wings were bloodied and draped behind him in a heap. Various scratches and bruises littered his body as well as the smell of pungent fruit. The townspeople were jeering at him, screaming profanities and throwing sticks. Your legs move faster than you can comprehend, tears streaming from your eyes.

When you reach him, you shield him from the rocks, pulling his head into your embrace. There’s a pause in the crowd, but you hear the only man mutter ‘carry on’, and the beating begins. The stones hurt, crashing against your back, fruit splattering against your head, slimy trails inching down your neck.

“It’s okay, I’m here now. I’m going to protect you.” You tell him, fumbling with the keys in your hand. He hardly grunts beneath your touch. You bite your lip, looking up in hopes to stifle the tears in your eyes. It doesn’t work as you lean into him, shielding him from the blows, reaching for the lock.

You try the first key, a rock hits you square in the shoulder. You try the second key, a bottle crashes against your head, it shatters and you can feel the warmth of your blood mixing with the sticky fruit. You try the third key, cursing as it doesn’t fit into the lock.

“Get out of here.” Keigo murmurs into your skin, pushing into you. Trying to push you away.

“No. I just have to get this stupid lock off and then we can leave as long as you don’t hurt anyone and we never return.” The fourth key doesn’t work. A low screech rumbles from keigo’ s throat. Another rock hits your leg, a branch smacking into your arms. You hiss out in pain, trying the fifth and sixth key.

“They’re hurting you. I’ll kill them all.” He growls, teeth nearly biting into your skin. A bottle breaks against your back glass shards digging through the fabric into your skin. The 8th key fits into the lock. You let out a little sigh of relief.

“Keigo,” you murmur. “Keigo please just trust me. Let’s go, okay? Let’s get out of here Keigo,” you call to him. His nose nudges into you. You worried, because he wasn’t responding. You turn the key in the lock, the cuffs falling off. He lunges forward pushing you toward the ground away from the unrelenting blows of people who were so kind to you hours earlier. A hush of murmurs befalls the crowd, but all you can see is Kiego’s brilliant golden eyes in the red sky. Then you hear the loading of a gun.

“Please, let’s just go,” you whisper, beseeching him. He looks away from you, down the barrel of a shotgun.

“Your little friend didn’t lie. You didn’t attack ‘em like a wild animal. But you are one, I see in your inhuman eyes, monster.”

You want to shout, want to scream at the injustice that man was besmirching upon Keigo’s name. How dare he insult those eyes, those brilliantly colored pools of gold, as if he was carrying the treasures of the world in its depths. Instead you reach a trembling hand up to cup his face. He doesn’t say anything, leaning into your touch.

Then like a puppet on a string, Keigo stands, then places you on your feet. He pulls you close to him, draping a wing around your form, shielding you from the ugly faces around you. It didn’t matter, you weren’t looking at them anyway. You were only ever looking at him.

The two of you walk out of town, hushed murmurs following you. True to his word the old man lets you leave. You hoped he believed you now, maybe it was too little too late, as your back ached and you smelled of rotting fruit, but maybe he’d leave the next harpy he found alone. Your bird was alive, that was all that mattered.

🪶

If there was something different about the two of you, you could only pinpoint it to the familiarity you develop being on the open road together. To be frank you had never asked Keigo where you were going. In all honesty it didn’t matter to you. What mattered was that it was him, and that you were going together.

Years ago you wouldn’t have believed you finally started your adventure. A year ago, when you had first met your birdman, you never would have imagined you’d get this close. Still, you knew every scar on his back, kissed each freckle that adorned his skin, sung along to each and every one of his songs. You loved him. The sky knew you loved him. You loved him when it rained and stormed. You loved him when it was clear and blue. You loved him beneath the clouds and you loved him above each whipped peak. And one day you finally learned where he was taking you.

It was beautiful. You couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful place, fields of flowers and the trickle of mountain streams. He had placed you in the middle of a large valley nestled into the mountains. You had never taken yourself for the type of person who would frolic, but there was nothing you wanted more than to frolic amongst the flowers. Well, you wanted to kiss Keigo more, but that's besides the point. The point was it was breathtaking, but he still hadn’t said a word since he set you on the ground.

“It’s beautiful Keigo, this is amazing,” you smile at him. He seems to visibly relax, roaming eyes stopping to rest on your own.

“You like it?” He asks, puffing out his chest.

“Yes of course, it’s beautiful.” This time it’s your turn to search his face, trying to discern what he wasn’t telling you. Apparently you didn’t have to wait long.

“Good. Because we’re staying here.” He tells you very matter of factly looking over the fields like it was his domain.

“Staying here, as in living here?”

“Yes? I am speaking your silly little human language, am I not?” He grins at you canine protruding from his mouth.

“Yes Keigo, that’s not what I'm saying.” You explain rather pointedly. He grins stepping closer to you, predatory.

“You want to live with me.” He presses himself against you, drawing you closer with his arms. His statement was more of a demand. You flush red.

“Well, yes. But are you sure about here? Is there water, food? Are we near enough to a town that I can still get supplies, but far enough away that you’ll be safe? And how are we going to build a house? And our trips? Who’s going to watch everything when we’re gone-“ he cuts you off by hooking a leg around your knee pressing into it and making you buckle. You land in the grass rather softly thanks to his intervention. He hovers above you. He opens his mouth, as if to rebuttal your worries, but instead his lips descend upon yours. He tasted sweet, and slightly bitter like the berries you had snacked upon hours earlier. He bites onto your lower lip, huffing against your skin.

He abruptly detaches himself from your mouth, trailing his lips across your chin and down to your neck. Then, giving you a devious smirk, he attacks your sides with his deft fingers, throwing you into a laughing fit.

“Keigo stop!” You wheeze between laughter, kicking and squirming beneath you. He pauses for a moment, grinning like a wild man, before resuming his attack.

“Seriously, bird man, knock it off!” You huff out, and he relents, collapsing on top of your form. His wings unfurl from behind him, swamping you in fields of red.

True to his word, you were staying there, and you did want to live with him. You were expecting a homely cabin, but to your surprise he gets started the very next day on …. a tree house. In typical bird fashion, he refuses to let you help out, even a little.

“Birdie put the pillow down,” Keigo scolds you, shooting a pointed look.

“I can’t even help decorate?” You ask, exhasperated.

“Not a single trinket.”

You supposed this was his way of showing you what a good partner he’d be. Like a wild bird building his nest, your nest. So you take to roaming the fields exploring the flowers. You take a day trip to the nearby village and purchase a book on wildflowers and thier properties. You learn quite a bit, purifying petals and making herbal teas. You have fun too, making flower crowns to place on keigos head as he fashioned the walls of your humble abode, he’d laugh and shoot you smiles of beaming sunlight.

“If you really wanted to cheer me up, you could always give me a kiss.” He requests from you, adjusting the crown atop his head.

“Presumptuous,” you call back to him, but mosey over anyways. You plant a small peck on his cheek, tasting sweat and sawdust.

“Surely you can do better.” He croons, dropping the hammer he was holding and pulling you closer to him. You can’t help the childish giggle that departs your lips.

“Surely I wouldn’t before you’re properly cleaned up.” You chide him, pressing yourself further into his warmth. He whines a little.

“No.” He tells you.

“Yes. You’ve been working all day. You’re sweaty.” You let out an amused ew, as he wipes his sawdust coated cheeks against your skin.

“You’re sweaty too,” He grumbles.

“I certainly am now.”

“Bathe with me.” He demands, pulling away from you to search your gaze.

“You can bathe yourself,” you tell him pointedly. You can sense that you weren’t getting through to him. You were right, because in the following moments you were scooped from your place on the ground and slung over a shoulder. You can tell he was smug about it. He was smug about everything, but especially the hold he had on your heart. He had you wrapped around his finger, and as far as you could discern he would, for the foreseeable future. Still, you never regretted saving an injured bird.

Soon enough your home was built. A beautiful tree house with lots of windows and space. He built a workspace for your flowers, a place to store the medicines you created. There was a balcony with a netted hammock for you to lay upon. Your bedroom was a beautiful pile of pillows and blankets. He looks to you sheepishly.

“Traditionally it’s made of sticks and twine,” he tells you. “But you’re such a delicate little creature I had to come up with a substitute.”

Ah. You realized. He wasn’t just building himself a nest, like he’d build another of his kind. He went out of his way to build a nest for you. One that you’d enjoy living in. Maybe he noticed that sleeping atop the trees wasn’t exactly comfortable. It was an act of love. He was professing his love to you, through this house, showing you the ways he noticed what you needed, what would make you comfortable, what would make you happy.

“Keigo. I-“ the words fail as tears begin to fall from your face. He extends his arms and you find yourself falling into them, pressing a soft kiss onto his lips. He smiles against them, humming.

“You like it?” He asks, searching your gaze.

“I love it, and I love you.”

He kisses you again, pulling you close. This time it’s you who can’t stop smiling. It was clear, so clear to you, that whether Keigo was more bird than man, or more man than bird, you couldn’t care. You loved him, -loved him so terribly much that you felt like bursting. More importantly you knew now -knew more than ever how he loved you the same, the injured bird you rescued with the broken wing.

[blickarmenie]

Jour 22

Une jour dédié aux torsions entrelaçantes

Depuis le début de cet arpentage, un élément du quotidien me surprend à chaque coin de rue: les grilles des fenêtres et les portails. Ils me sidèrent. Mi-kitsch, mi-insensé, mi-mièvre, mi-dingue. J'étais prévenu au sujet des sculptures en pierre ou du travail avec le bois. Par contre, rien ne me laissait présager qu'ici résiderait une floraison de ferroniers épanouis. Cela s'entortille dans tous les sens avec un rajout d'un fruit ou d'une feuille ci et là et puis ça repart en circonvolution.

Cette tige, qui se tricote et s'emberlificote, semble renouer avec les motifs décoratifs d'origines dites païennes. Ils seraient restés dans les entrelacs qui ornent les croix. Le végétal s'y tresse et gambade de lacets en lacets.

De même, de bon matin, je repars sur les lacets d'asphalte. Sur la route, soudain les panneaux sont en cyrillique. Je traverse une verte vallée peuplée de russes venus ici il y a 300 ans. Ils ont leur dialecte et ressemblent à des slaves blonds. Ils sont arméniens. Le brouillard se cogne sur le paravent dressé des montagnes. Oh un orifice. C'est le tunnel magique. A sa sortie, fini l'humide sensation alpine, retour au steppe solaire. Je longe le si bleu lac Sevan sans m'arrêter car je fonce à Noradouz. Je trépigne de découvrir le cimetière. La plus grande concentration de katchkars d'Arménie.

Effectivement, il y en a plein. Des centaines. Dressées comme l'île de Paques ou posées au sol sur l'herbe. 

2 veaux apeurés broutent là. Une mama conséquente m'interpelle. Ah la paix j'y hurle. Oui jsuis un touriste mais laisse moi découvrir ce trésor tranquillement. Gggggrrrrr

Au-dessus de mon crâne: ciel bleu. Aux horizons: masses sombres. A priori j'ai donc 2 heures pour croquiner avant que les gouttes périment mon carnet.

Comment dessiner ce que je vois? Il y a ces extraordinaires bas-reliefs naïfs que j'adore. Il y a ces entrelacements insensés de type runnique. Il y a du lichens et des graminés. Un dessin c'est pas une photo. Procédons par ordre. Que vouloir montrer? ... La corrélation entre le végétal réel et le motif ornemental. Soit. Donc Blick tu vas t'appliquer à dessiner les plantes réelles de façon réaliste, et les gravures comme le ferait un archéologue. 

D'abord bien s'installer. Car dessiner c'est long. Je choisis mon point de départ: l'élément de premier plan qui me donne la mesure du reste. Et puis c'est parti. Plus je regarde pour retranscrire, plus je découvre des détails, plus le plaisir s'intensifie. J'ai aussi un nouveau stylo qui me permet le détail du pointillisme.

J'ai fini. Aïe le lever debout est compliqué. Je repars en inspection. Oh celle là est vraiment belle. Il y a des personnages dessus. Je prends mon temps pour la décrire. Surgit la vieille harpie aspirateur à touriste. 

Elle découvre mon dessin. Elle sourit. De sa baguette elle m'explique la scène gravée:

Mariage

Barbecue

Table

Musicien

Mongol Tatar

Kill

Incroyable. Je dessine une histoire qui me hante depuis plusieurs mois sans savoir que c'était elle!

De joie, je donne des pièces au fou du village qui tente de vendre des chapelets laids puis je fonce à Sevan rencontrer Gohar. Elle donne des cours de dessin à des enfants au 3ème étage du centre culturel. Je leur explique pourquoi il y a autant de vide dans mes dessins. Ils sont très contents. Ils se remettent avec plus d'entrain à sinuosider leurs crayons racontant des légendes locales où se contorsionnent lignes et épopées.

Et ainsi se perpétue les entrelacs.

[cupofbrownsugar]

Bird au Part 1

More jalim bird au and more courting rituals, still working on my longer fic but it’s gonna take a while and work has my creative energy low lately but I love writing for these goobs so doing my best! also I missed chaotic!horny jason lol and apparently ‘short fic’ to me is 2k words cool cool cool. also I imagine they have like, harpy feet, if that clears up any confusion, and my past tenses got messy but i am v spent. enjoy!

- The scarred taloned foot pressed down onto his neck, thankfully not enough to cut off his air, but enough to make Salim’s heart thunder faster in his chest, eyes wide as his hands clawed into the stone beneath him.

The hawk, grinning wide, leaned down to bring his face close as his voice rasped low, eyes glinting in the low light of sunset.

“Caught you.”

- Earlier -

That cursed red-tail was terrorizing him.

Salim had thought he’d sent a clear message before, tackling the other predator to the ground and stepping on his neck. Most birds who had been threatened to have their dick torn off didn’t need to be told  it twice, and readily made themselves scarce.

But this red-tail had been making himself very known, circling high above Salim’s nest for an entire morning, up so high that he had trouble telling it was the hawk at all.

That is, until the hawk dove down from above straight towards him, and Salim ducked just in time to feel a brush of the other’s wing against one of his own, ruffling his feathers. 

Salim sprung back up, talons flexed and ready for a fight to protect his territory, but the hawk had swept away in a wide turn. The red-tail then climbed high back into the air before tearing through the sky in a series of tumbles and dives.

Salim watched from his nest in bewilderment; what kind of intimidation was this?! The red-tail was flying at ridiculous speeds as he wove through the air; did he want to show that Salim could not get away if he tried to flee?

The osprey, refusing to be unnerved, called out an angry screech, only to receive a long call from the hawk in return. Salim kept his eyes keenly on the other predator and sharpened his talons against the tree’s bark.

-

The next day, Salim was woken up by the sound of something landing on the thick branch outside of his nest. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon and Salim was reluctant to start his day just yet, lazily lifting his head to investigate.

A rabbit carcass stared back at him. 

The osprey shot up, hair and feathers on end, and his dark eyes whipped up to the sky to find unfortunately familiar hawk wings as the red-tail circled high above. 

Salim shot out his own wings, fluffing up his feathers to look as big as possible, and swiftly kicked the rabbit off of the branch before returning angrily to his nest. The red-tail soon swept away, and the osprey was satisfied that he’d shown he would not be intimidated by the hawk’s threat, and the following few days without hide nor feather of the bastard solidified Salim’s conclusion.

That is, until Salim was woken up one morning by a heavier sound as a deer carcass was dropped outside his nest. 

Salim stared wide-eyed, stunned. With a chilling sense of dread, he looked up to the sky to see the red-tail’s silhouette, circling once more. What bird of prey hunted deer? How did he catch it? How did he get it up here?!

Salim slowly approached the large beast on the branch, eyes never leaving the red-tail above, and it took considerably more effort for him to kick it off than the rabbit.

The osprey returned to his nest, unsettled, which only worsened when wolves found the carcass down below... until the hawk chased them off too. 

-

Present

-

And now Salim found himself pinned to the ground, having been chased by the red-tail through the forest and into a cave high on the side of a cliff. As soon as Salim had touched down, the red-tail had spiralled in behind him, tackling him to the ground.

The hawk had him pinned just as Salim had pinned him before, and his talon swiftly left a scratch on his jaw. 

Salim’s chest heaved, the scent of his own blood sending his instincts into a panic; he hadn’t been pinned like this since he was a fledgling. The hawk above him grinned, baring his sharp teeth, and realization finally settled in like a cold frost.

He was being hunted. 

Trying to keep his movements steady, the osprey slowly tilted his head back, bearing his neck, feeling a drop of blood trickle down his jaw. Birds of prey typically didn’t hunt each other, and he prayed in his head for mercy from the other predator. He held his breath and clenched his hands as the red-tail removed his taloned foot, only to lunge towards him and-

Salim shivered as he felt the hawk’s hot tongue lick up his neck to lap up the drop of blood. He turned his head in shock, only to have his mouth quickly stolen in a kiss, tasting his own blood as the red-tail licked into his mouth. 

The kiss wasn’t violent or biting; it was weirdly gentle, and Salim could do nothing but lay there as his confused instincts tried to figure out how to react. 

The red tail soon pulled back, eyes half lidded and grinning wide, until he blinked down at Salim. The hawk gave a confused tilt of his head.

“What’s wrong?” the other bird asked, his voice a weird raspy twang that Salim had never heard before. The red-tail looked around the cave, then back to the osprey. “This ain’t enough?”

Salim blinked back at him, struggling to find his voice as he replied, “W-what?”

The red-tail sighed, pulling back to kneel over him, his knees bracketing the osprey’s hips. The hawk tilted his head the other way. “I’m running out of ideas on how to court ya. Do you need more fish? Nicky said y’all like fish, not big game.” 

Salim’s eyes narrowed in confusion but the hawk just huffed, crossing his arms and saying, “You ospreys sure are picky.” He grinned again, leaning back over him, hands on both side’s of Salim’s head, trilling happily. “Don’t worry, I still think you’re worth the hassle.”

Salim’s eyes widened, voice laced with disbelief. “C-court…?” He snarled at the face hovering above him. “I thought you were trying to kill me!”

The man blinked. “And?”

Salim recoiled. “What?!”

“Did you like it?” the hawk asked with hooded eyes, voice low. His eyes flicked down quickly, his nose twitching as he inhaled, whispering, “Are you wet?”

Salim managed to wrestle the bird above him enough to raise his taloned foot up to the red-tail’s chest, keeping him at bay. 

“What is wrong with you?!” he hissed incredulously, “You cut me!”

“Now we match,” the red-tail purred as he traced over his own mark on his jaw, like it was the most romantic thing in the world. He then pressed his chest into the osprey’s sharp talons, eyes bright and smile wide. 

“Your talons are so sharp,” the hawk murmured, words warm and genuine. His hand hovered over the feathers of Salim’s wings, and the hawk’s face flushed. “And your wings are so big and pretty...” 

The red-tail sighed deeply as he looked over Salim pinned beneath him, as if enamoured.

Salim tore his eyes away to finally take in the cave to which he’d been driven. There was a soft nest made of sweet grasses, and a large cranny in the wall had been cleaned out and refilled with water and live fish. There was also a collection of shiny rocks and picked flowers placed on the walls, as if in decoration. This cave was meticulously spotless. 

He also realized that the hawk above him wasn’t touching him, carefully perched on top of him, only touching where his foot was pushing him back. Salim brought his gaze back to him, and when their eyes met, the red-tail raised his wings high, spreading them out so they touched the edges of the cave, filling the osprey’s view. They were beautifully preened despite their tussling, and Salim’s breath caught, his tail twitching. 

“You...” Salim breathed, “you are courting me...”

“‘Course,” the red-tail replied easily, tilting his head, “How could I not?”

“I...” Salim shook his head, mind still racing. “I did not think our first interaction... would lead to this...”

“Hey, kickin’ my ass is exactly the way to get my interest.” The red-tail’s wings ruffled, as if giddy. “Name’s Jason. What’s yours?”

The osprey found himself answering before he could stop himself. “Salim.”

“Salim,” Jason purred, pleased, leaning in once more, “Pretty.”

The hawk brought his hand up to press into Salim’s own, locking their talons together as he kissed the osprey once more. Salim startled, his taloned foot clenching, digging into the red-tail’s chest, but Jason just leaned into the sharp talons further with a pleased sigh, plundering his mouth deeper.

Salim gasped for air as Jason pulled away, and the hawk took a moment to take him in keenly, expression unreadable.

“Hm.” Jason smirked, releasing his hand to trace his talons under the osprey’s chin. “Seems like your mind ain’t made up on if you wanna give yourself to me yet, pretty thang.”

He stood, his heat leaving Salim as he sauntered to the cave’s opening. Salim stared from the floor in shock as the hawk looked back over his shoulder.

“You come find me when you want me,” Jason rasped, tilting his chin up. “But better rest up first.” He grinned and flicked his tongue over his sharp teeth. “‘Cause you ain’t gettin’ a lick of it when you’re with me.” 

The red-tail winked, then tipped over the edge, spreading his wings to catch an updraft and sail away over the forest.

Salim watched, stunned, after the hawk’s shrinking silhouette, leaving him alone in the cave with nothing but his utter confusion, his heart racing and tail twitching as his adrenaline now had no outlet. 

Worst of all, Salim realized, was that he was, indeed, wet.

Ya Ibn el Sharmouta, that red-tail was a terror.

-

So this ain’t abo but I’m stealing the slick thing since birds don’t carry around lube, fight me. Also google told me that Arabic swear means “son of a bitch” so apologies if I fucked that up lol hope you enjoyed!

Hawk facts!

“Red-tailed hawks begin their courtship flights by circling slowly at heights of 1,000 feet or more. The male approaches the female from above, touching her briefly. This sets off a series of tumbles and dives at speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour. They may lock bills or talons, and the male may pass food to the female. When the female touches down on a perch the male spirals down to join her and mating takes place.”

Small edit: i’m counting “locking bills” as kissing lol

[sgeks]

Am I the only one who thinks that this just might be one of the greatest Ideas ever? Although, maybe I would suggest usibg the opportunity to make some of the birdkind more harpies insteas? And since we are already there, maybe some of the feline species could be Sphinxes, too. Especially the latter really needs more love.

Ffs fine here we go another bloody centaur au, horizon zero dawn edition. In which this au works the same way u would expect a centaur to look accept it’s not just a horse

Nora - woodland animals

Aloy - red fox

Varl - tawny owl

Sona - great horned owl

Rost - boar

Teb - white deer

Teersa - hedgehog

Nakoa - grey wolf

Carja/shadow Carja- savannah/jungle animals

Nil - bearded vulture

Avad - lion

Talanah - red tailed hawk

Vanasha - panther

Janeva - African wild dog

Blameless Marad - secretary bird

Amadis - cheetah

Uthid - harpy eagle

Helis - crocodile

Osersm - no real specific theme as suggested by the tribes disparity through the game

Erend - grizzly bear

Ersa - black bear

Olin - weasel

Petra - shire horse

Dervahl - hyena

Gildun - magpie

Banuk - tundra animals

Sylens - Raven

Aratak - polar bear

Ourea - snow leopard

Ikrie - arctic fox

[wishing-well-writing]

hello! for the follower event : hitting two birds with one stone by requesting a piece for the beast!au. can be whatever you want it to be lol. enjoy! -🪶

Event: 100+ Followers QnA!

Okay so

I’m gonna go with some thoughts I have regarding which characters I have ideas for design wise + some misc meta™️ information lmao

Though the only “meta” I have is that this entire au came from a dream I had where mhy did a genshin crossover event like the horizon zero dawn event with Aloy but instead of that they did a crossover with bloodborne, hence all my gotdamn references BJDBDKXBX

So anyways, regarding how the change “spreads” I like to think that Mondstadt got it first, and in Mondstadt it spreads quickly but is the least (relatively) painful compared to the other two (known) nations due to the fact they were the one to essentially “shoot first”

(More under the cut because this will get long)

(Also a general warning because there’s gonna be lots of body horror described, and favorite characters suffering a whole lot)

Liyue has the “slowest” spread but it’s the most painful, mirroring Zhongli, the Qixing, and the adepti’s persistence

Lastly, Inazuma has the fastest spread so to speak, the pain varies but they usually have the most “monstrous” transformations compared to the other two

Going into character specifics, I’ll start with the archons before moving onto a select few

Venti, you know about biblically correct angels? You know what seraph’s jobs basically are? Yeah then you probably know where I’m going with this. Venti essentially becomes Mondstadt’s first biblically correct seraph, made to continuously sing “praises” to god, however unlike seraphs, Venti is not immune to the fire that comes with it

My original venti concept had him literally fusing with dvalin, ala bloodborne Ludwig fusing with his horse™️ but it didn’t really fit too much so it got scrapped

Zhongli I’m still not quite sure on, but maybe something like a mix between dark souls’s gaping dragon and a hydra? Something something, dragon’s greed + regular sagau’s zhongli’s desires to keep us/darling teapotted forever = something about gluttony and greed with all the heads and the giant body mouth

Ei is an interesting case because there’s She™️ and the Raiden shogun, so let’s start with Ei first-

Due to the fact that she’s in her plane all the time + generally refuses to intervene, she becomes a literal phantom/ghost, losing the ability to touch or really interact with people. Toss in the tantalus myth punishment and now Ei cannot eat or drink despite still feeling a need to eat and drink.

On the flip side, the Raiden shogun starts off only by becoming more literally doll/puppet-like, ball jointed, a nutcracker-esque mouth, strings that lead to nowhere, etc etc. however as the imposter hunt decree continues, it becomes... more mangled so to speak, extra limbs coming out from places they shouldn’t be, a new head starts to grow in, etc etc, and in between all the joints and new limbs, you can see stings of red flesh between the cracks

Something like a mix between Tomie from junji ito, and the mannequin spider/monster from silent hill. Eventually I like to think something either like crystal marrow or electro crystals begin forming on the shogun’s back, eventually leading to it becoming immobile and crushed under its own weight, but still alive

Now enough of the archons, time for everyone else! (More or less the select few I have brainworms for)

I like to think most of Mondstadt would have more like, gargoyle or harpy-like transformations, with for example: Jean falling into the gargoyle category and Diluc falling into the harpy category + obligatory howls moving castle inspirations tossed in (aka howl’s monster form)

Everyone, regardless, probably loses access to their visions, but in the sense that they literally FUSE with their element

Diluc’s ribcage starts to split, tearing skin and flesh until his heart and organs are exposed, now burning hot as his heart becomes the literal source of his flames. If he’s closed off emotionally, at least now he can be open physically

Eula head begins to burn from her growing horns in the way only extreme cold can burn, her fingers, legs, extremities begin to grow numb and cold, as a unstoppable frostbite begins to take them. Icy claws replacing her once dainty hands, both too strong and too fragile. She is no longer able to use her claymores

Razor didn’t do anything wrong but due to pure favoritism and “I think he deserves it” he gets to have actual wolf ears and a tail after a night (all painless of course because he’s the goodest boy)

Liyue is mostly safe (from me) because I’m brain empty on ideas for them, but they aren’t safe from YALLS ideas- /hj /lh

But I like to think Ningguang specifically becomes a literal gem™️, due to her desire for mora and prosperity for liyue. But I don’t really have much outside of that, outside of houseki no kuni type gem physics, or something like these two pieces of fanart by a really neat artist

(Insert obligatory hnk anime promo here because GOD the anime adaptation is SO GOOD for a 3d animated anime....)

Inazuma also unfortunately falls under the “head empty vibes only” category as well, but they’d probably all most likely turn into a form of yokai or another. Though the only true yokai-esque idea I have is Ayaka turning into a yuki-onna lmao

Kokomi starts to grow scales and gills, not too alarming considering her origins and such, but soon enough her skin becomes drier, peeling off in sheets and she struggles to breathe. Her new gills only half work, she cannot breathe in air or water, rejected by both land sea. Her fear only begins to grow as she feels her legs fuse into a tail by the days

Something something, werewolf thoma? Cerberus (painful) gorou?? Actual howls moving castle monster howl Kujou Sara???

I don’t really know how to end all this rambling but uhhhhh

Almost everyones fucked, darling’s living their best life, the kids and the ones who helped or didn’t hurt darling physically or mentally are safe

Yeah <3

[the-horizon-lounge3041]

I’ve got news! The Harpy AU is finished, just waiting for the artists to finish their pieces they chose❤️ just felt like wrapping up the writing so it’s done.

[pansydaisy]

taking into consideration the fact that i have not produced any works in quite a while, have broadened my horizons by choosing some miscellaneous characters to write for, have opened requests for those miscellaneous characters, and have recently reached a 1.4k follower milestone, i have decided to do a WRITING CELEBRATION!

WHAT THIS MEANS: below the cut i will include a list of miscellaneous characters you can send in blurb (approx. 100-800 words) requests for, and a prompt list (of which you will need to choose a prompt to send in with your request) — to send in your request, simply send me an ask (anonymously or otherwise) with a character and prompt <3

AUTHORS NOTE: requests can be sent in now up until i close them (no set date rn) & i’ll begin writing them on the 28th :)

tagging mutuals to spread the word! @4amhotchner @darthwheezely @phuvioqhile @chokemepansy @heytherejulietx @feetoffthetablee @oopskashish @fives-cup-of-coffee @anchoeritic @wintersfilm @chewbucka @hxlyhead-harpies @lunalovecroft @angelxnaa

miscellaneous characters you can request

kiara carrera

wanda maximoff

allison argent

charlie kelmeckis

violet markey

edward cullen

elena gilbert

prompt list (singular word prompts)

willow

ocean

moon

fireflies

home

dream

rain

autumn

sunrise

starlight

tea

wildflowers

forest

ghost

touch

nostalgia

heartbeat

wish

ache

photograph

record

dandelion

sweater

gravestone

affair

blush

lover

orchard

goodbye

bookshop

AUTHORS NOTE: if you feel the need to do so, when you send in your request, you’re welcome to add whether or not you’d like the blurb to be fluff or angst or both. also!!! important!!! if you’re sending in a request for wanda, i only write for wanda using non-avengers au! lastly, at the moment i do not have an ending date for this celebration– it really just depends on how many requests are sent in

[btsslowburnfic]

Chthonic Love Chapter 4

Series Summary: Greek AU Yoongi/Hades x You/Persephone.  The Olympic Lord, Namjoon kidnaps you as a "gift" for his brother, ruler of the Underworld. Lord of Death: Yoongi.

Previous Chapter: Chapter 3

The two of you walked in silence, your footsteps echoed through the hallway. You once again found yourself in the massive and empty Great Hall. You saw Penthos waiting at the other end of the room and you sucked in your breath. You weren't used to being disliked and it was clear to you that he did not like you.

“Penthos,” Yoongi acknowledged him as the two of you walked past.

Penthos gave you that same wide eyed stare as he did earlier in the day. You rolled your eyes and followed Lord Yoongi out of the Hall and eventually out onto a narrow stone bridge.

“What river is this?” you asked as the two of you travelled across.

“It’s just a tributary of Styx. It doesn’t have a separate name.” he responded. “You didn’t get very far in the Compendium.”

You can’t tell if it’s a question or statement. “No. The warm fire and crying earlier made it difficult to stay awake,” you admitted. “I plan on finishing it later though.”

“It’s not a very long book. I got bored after Elysium and I didn’t want to visit Tartarus to write a better description.” he shrugged and turned to look over at you, ”Not to spoil the ending or anything,”

Your eyes widened, “You wrote it?” you asked, clearly impressed

He turned his head forward once more, a small grin on his face, “Of course I did. Who else would write about the Underworld? I probably wrote all the Chthonic Culture books you’ve ever read,”

“That is so awesome,” you said.

A blush crept across his face, and he brought his hand to the back of his neck, scratching. “I don’t know about that. I haven't written in centuries and really no one reads them, and who else would write them?”

“Well I still think it’s impressive,” you responded.

The two of you continue down the paved path where it abruptly ends and black sand begins.

“Be careful on the dunes, they’re unstable.” he warned you as the two of you head out to the sea.

He wasn’t kidding, you made it about 3 meters before you fell for the first time, letting out a small shout.

“I warned you.” he said as he looked back to see if you were alright. It took everything in him not to go and help you up, but just that morning he had crossed that line too soon.

You got up and dusted yourself off. He waited for you as you started to walk again, unsteadily.

“Sorry, I know it’s a little bad but I forgot just how much. I’ve been walking across them for ages.”

You pressed your lips together, determined not to fall, and lasted about another meter. This time you reached out and grabbed Lord Yoongi’s arm for support. He looked down at where you are latched onto his arm. Your hands felt so warm against his cold skin; he turned his gaze up to look at you but your eyes were already fixed ahead, starting to walk towards the sea once again. He doesn’t say anything although he does wonder why he suddenly feels tingly and his chest feels lighter.

“Why is it called the Desert of Sorrow? You ask after a few minutes.

“It just felt like that’s what it should be called.” he responded quietly.

“Did you name everything in the Underworld?”

“Not everything. Tartarus and Elysium already had names.” he explained quietly but doesn’t elaborate.

The two of you arrived at the shore a few minutes later. You let go of Yoongi’s arm and walked over to the water.

“It looks like liquid glass.” you said, squatting down to look at your reflection in the water. It began to ripple. You looked behind you and watched as Yoongi raised his arms, a beacon of light extended from his hands, across the Sea, and into the horizon. After a moment the green sky was opened, like a cloth being cut, and ships poured out across the water. You stood up, cupped your hand over your eyes, and marveled at the sight. Leading the fleet was a skeleton wearing clothing: Charon.

As the ships got closer Yoongi stepped next to you, “Come on, we have to escort the ships to the gate and then we can speak to Charon.” He offered you his arm.. You took it and began to walk with him down the shore line.

You followed the shore eventually ending in an estuary. The water here was less clear, a brackish mix of green and black. The ships sailed slowly along, parallel to the two of you. Looming in the distance you saw the fabled Gates of the Underworld. They were enormous and stood between the estuary and a cave entrance. Next to them was a giant white thing that you couldn't quite make out. It looked like it might have fur?

"Stay here," Yoongi commanded as the two of you arrived within 100 meters of the gate.

You watched in awe as he continued to usher in the ships as he approached the Gates, suddenly looking very small next to the structure and whatever creature was next to them.

"Open the gates Holly." Holly wagged his tails and furrowed his brows, lifting his heads in your direction. "In a minute Holly, lift the gates." he patted the creature's side. Holly picked up the chain with all three of his heads and pulled the Gates open for the third time that day.

"A minute of your time on the way back Charon." Yoongi quietly said as the Ferryman sailed past. The skeleton nodded its head.

The fleet of ships passed through the gates, the creature closed the gate, and you found yourself standing there with your mouth hanging open like an idiot.

Yoongi walked back over towards you."Are you OK?"

"that was amazing!" you exclaimed. “Is that a Dog?”

Yoongi raised his eyebrows at you.

"Aish I don't know about that. No one tried to escape or anything," he shook his head. “And it’s not a dog, it’s a Cerberus.”

"Well for someone who's never seen the Gates to the Underworld before, it before I thought it looked really interesting.” you began to follow him over to the gates. “And that,” you gestured, “is most definitely a dog!” you declared, pointing to Holly.

“Min Holly is a fearsome Cerberus who guards these gates. He is not a pet.” Yoongi lightly protested.

“Oh. So should I stay back here? Will he bite? Most animals like me.”

Yoongi poked his tongue into his cheek. “You can get close but not too close.” He actually had no idea how Holly would react to another person.

You walked closer. The animal was as tall as the gates, which were at least 6 meters tall. He had three heads, which looked very soft and fluffy despite all the teeth, and three tails which had started to wag.

“He looks absolutely terrifying.” you remarked dryly, “Is that tail wagging a warning before he rips me to shreds?”

Yoongi is used to being the sarcastic one and so he has no response for you as you walk closer to Holly who lowers his heads as you approach. He watched as you carefully placed an arm out for him to sniff.

“Hello Min Holly,” you said as you approach. The tail wagging increased. “Oh yes, it’s nice to meet you too. Is that chain heavy? You do such a good job with it.” He barked quietly in response and leaned into your hand for you to pet his ears.

Yoongi walked over in disbelief. “I found Holly wandering the Underworld. He’s been attacked by the Harpy Celeano and was close to crossing the river himself.” he began to stroke Holly’s other head as Holly whined at the memories.

“That’s awful. You poor thing,” you gave extra scratches. “Such a good Cerberus, yes.”

The two of you stand in silence for several moments petting Holly. His ears prick up and he rises, suddenly very much the guard dog again.

“Charon must be returning, “Yoongi commented, and in a few seconds you also can hear the sound of rowing echoing in the cave.

“Open the gate Holly,” Yoongi instructed for the last time today. Charon rowed out of the cave and through the gates and stopped on the other side, facing the two of you.

“Charon, I need you to deliver this letter to Apollo to give to Hoseok.”

The skeleton stared at Yoongi. At least, you think it did. It focused its skull in that direction. He then abruptly turned to you.

You awkwardly stood there not knowing how to speak to a skeleton but decided it’s best not to be rude, “Hello Charon. I’m Persephone, Goddess of Spring.”

The skull’s jaw dropped open ever so slightly and he awkwardly tried to bow, bending his knee.

“Oh that’s not necessary, thank you. Please make sure this letter gets delivered. My brother is probably very worried about me.”

The skeleton straightened and nodded its head, making a strange jangling sound as the bones rattled. He extended one of his skeleton arms and took the letter from Yoongi.

The skeleton placed the letter into his small coin chest and picked up the oar, beginning his journey back.

“See you tomorrow Holly. Good work today,” Yoongi said. “Hold on.” He disappeared for a moment into the cave and exited with a large animal carcass of some sort and drug it in front of Holly. “Let’s go.” he said to you.

“Bye Holly!” you cheerfully add as the two of you began to walk.

“Let’s go this way,” Yoongi instructed, leading you through the cave.

The river in here glows a faint green, illuminating the passage. It is smaller than the estuary, allowing each ship to pass through one by one. The walls are moist and it surprised you at first that there as no moss or fungus growing on them but then you remembered where you were. Yoongi takes a left into a smaller passage. “You talk to animals and skeletons like they’re people,” Yoongi commented offhandedly as you two passed a small dock.

You shrugged, “I also talk to flowers.”

You heard the deep rumble of his laugh echo through the chambers “I suppose you do. This is a way to get out to the Gates without having to go through the Desert,” he continued.

“Oh, my ankles thank you.” you responded. “Does the cave have a name?”

“No. Let me know if you think of a good one though.” he stuck his hands into his pockets and walked up an incline which brought the two of you near the base of the paved path.

“Ooo I’ve never named a cave before. I’ll have to think hard about it.” you were honestly excited.

“You are way too easily impressed,” Yoongi smiled.

“There’s nothing wrong with getting excited about things” you counter. “Plus I’m the Goddess of new beginnings, I couldn’t really do my job well if I didn’t find the Joy in that.”

“Well then, thank you for bringing some much needed joy to the underworld,”

It was your turn to blush and become quiet.

--------

The two of you arrived back at the Palace. Yoongi stretched, "It’s been a long day. I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow. If you need anything let Lethe know.”

“Thank you Yoongi,” you curtsied and headed to your room. Your dress was caked in seawater and sand. You weren’t sure what you were going to do about that. You opened the quicksilver door and are surprised that your spartan room has been slightly transformed since this afternoon. There is a fire in the fireplace, blankets on the bed, and the “Underworld Compendium.” has been placed on a table. Even though you hadn’t chosen to come here, it wasn’t so bad. Today had been fun once you decided to just go with it; how many other Goddesses had gotten to pet a 3 headed dog or walk the Desert of Sorrow? And got to name a cave?!

You sighed and sat down on the bed. You were tired but also so dirty. Tired and also strangely energized and excited. You heard a knock at the door.

“May I come in m’lady?” you recognized Lethe’s voice.

“Yes.”

The door swung open and Lethe entered with a tray. “Good evening Lady Persephone. I prepared a soup for you and some bread if you’re hungry. Also some tea.” She sat the tray down on the table and looked at you expectantly.

“Thank you so much. I suppose I am.” you got up almost immediately, the food smelled amazing. You sat down on the small bench.

“If you give me your dress I can wash it.”

“I don’t have any other clothes.” you replied, breaking off a piece of the bread and stuffing it in your mouth.

“Actually, you do. I just put a few in the wardrobe.”

“Oh?” you brushed the crumbs off your hands and walked over and opened the door. Inside were several beautiful dresses. You reach out and run your hands along them; they are unbelievably soft. You realized at this moment that you are still wearing Lord Yoongi’s cloak. You found yourself blushing a bit as you removed it and hung it in your closet. You’d have to return it tomorrow. You turned back to Lethe.

“I thought you said you don’t get many visitors here, and yet there are dresses and you seem quite skilled as a maid.”

“Thank you ma’am. The dresses are brand new. Lord Yoongi requested them to be made. One of the most skilled seamstresses in all the realms lives here in the Palace, so it was no trouble for her to make them quickly. As for me, I have served in many courts so it is actually quite nice for me to act as an attendant for the first time in years.” Lethe smiled, the honesty of her words was evident.

You had sat back down, eating. “This soup is delicious. What courts have you served in?”

“I worked in the Athenian Palace for several years before here.” she sighed sadly.

“How did you end up here?” you asked, genuinely curious. You had no idea how others ended up in the Underworld.

“I killed myself.”

You tried to not overreact to what she just said, turning around slowly. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. I don’t know much about what happens to humans when they die.”

“Forgive me, M’lady. I forget that not everyone is familiar with the Underworld and the Afterlife.”

“No. No, it’s fine. I mean. If you don’t want to talk about it it’s fine. But,” you looked at her with kindness in your eyes, “if you do, I would be very interested in learning more about you.”

Lethe almost started to cry. No one had ever asked about her. Even when she was alive. She didn’t want to appear unprofessional. “No, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

You scoffed, “Lethe, I order you as Goddess of Spring to take a seat and make yourself comfortable.” you giggled slightly.

“Oh. You are just so nice. May I?” she indicated to a chair near you.

“Yes please,” you said, and looked at her expectantly.

“Apollo guides the dead to Charon. Charon drives the ships. Lord Yoongi guides the ships, opens the gates, and guards them. Once the ships pass through the gate, the dead are judged. Some people are sent to Elysium, some to the Asphodel Meadows, some to Tartarus. And suicides are sent to work in the Palace or other places in the underworld as a way to pay penance. Once we have served our time we are judged once again and allowed to pass on.”

“So you’re dead technically?” you asked, trying to not be indelicate.

“Yes. And even though it’s supposed to be a “punishment” most of us don’t mind working here. It could be much worse. Lord Yoongi is a fair God to work for.”

The air filled with a natural silence as you finished eating. You knew it was not your place to ask the “why” about her choices.

“Is there a bathroom anywhere near this room?”

“Ah yes, across the hallway. Let me lay out something for you to change into and get the water warmed up,” Lethe excused herself, leaving you to finish your meal alone.

An hour later you find yourself freshly washed, in the softest nightgown you had ever felt in your life, and tucked under the covers with your copy of “Underworld Compendium.” You flip through the pages to see if...yes, you found it.

Min Holly is a fearsome Cerberus who guards the gates of the Underworld. His many teeth can easily snap through an entire fleet of the dead. His mighty paws can crush scores of men to death. He is a fearsome beast who would sooner smash your skull than look at you…

You smiled and closed your book, “Liar.” NEXT CHAPTER

[bittybattybunny]

OK this talk about the himbo prince and the full leviathan snatcher just sparked a thought, he would be even more of a himbo I bet he would lack all human understanding and I can picture Hattie trying to educate him in that regard

I mean it’s varying

See in their world; Natural born leviathan's DON’T have human minds. they are basically just giant fish that have a humanish torso.

DJ will mention it in canon but leviathans are naturally just large predators who get more violent the larger they are. This is touched on in the bad endings in which snatcher takes more and more curses on.

Vanessa herself also displays this ‘mindless’ trait. She’s a leviathan as well but she is not NATURALLY one either! this is why all her appearances so far she’s talking but it’s just babbling.

Vanessa was a mermaid! A simple Dweller Mermaid queen class!

It’s because the curse misfired Snatcher and she ended up as leviathans!

If he was a naturally born leviathan something would have had to happen for him to get a human type of thinking. like some shenanigans would have to be played.

Naturally speaking Leviathans are an arctic species who hunt seals, sharks, and harpies. They feed and breed and that’s about it.

This is why DJ dislikes snatcher when he learns he’s a leviathan despite knowing the guy for months. he’d have no issues if he was a merman but it’s specifically because he’s a leviathan that’s an issue.

Also, Cursed leviathans are a common curse! most though succumb to their curses like Vanessa did. because Ru had a blessing on him from a horizon child he was able to keep his mind.

Let me dig in the unpublished chapters---

“Oh curse remnant then. You have black hair as a leviathan.” She laughed as she wrote it down, “Do you happen to know the subspecies you are?”

“I’m a subspecies?” he raised a brow, “Look, honestly I just called myself a leviathan because of my size.”

“Oh yeah, no they are an actual thing.” she reached into her desk and pulled a stack of folders out, “all sorts! mostly though they are just like. Blue whales? just eat and go!” she beamed, “I want to say you’re some deep sea class… a subcon dweller maybe? But those are normally merfolk sized not leviathan… but your looks match up...”

“Subcon Dweller?” he raised a brow.

“Yeah, they are an older species, kind of rare after a huge curse…. Out….break….” she paused as she thought about it and stared at him. She wrote subcon dweller on the paper. She frowned, chewing the pen with the mouth along her jaw, “Not full-grown then.”

“Excuse me?!” he snapped as he hit his hands on the table.

“Well, cursed leviathans get a lot larger as they age, you’re what, 227 you said? You still have some growing.” she explained, twirling her pen some as she did. “A standard male of your age should be about 60 feet. You’re a bit small.”

So it could happen and be so funny cuz I mean it’s a reverse of how I normally would write him. See normally I write Eclipse as the idiot inhuman being taught human customs. just look at the doodles I had done for @/doodleimprovement’s victorian au with fairy Eclipse. She’s a himbo officer.

But also a leviathan trying to learn to read and write and not sink ships lol.

Also hattie is the worst to teach him!!! She’s as idiotic as her mother!!! If he’s himbo GOD A FULL FAMILY OF HIMBO SEND HELP

[browncoatparadox]

Day 4- AU

There were old songs that said that selkies couldn’t survive on land for more than a day. That come the stroke of midnight, they would choke and drown on the dry air, collapsing into dust.

Vespa knew the truth all too well. A selkie could stay on land as long as they liked, but without their skin they could not shift. And without their ability to shift, to both swim in the sea and walk on the land, they would slowly lose their self, their nature.

She had spent years without her skin, years in bond to figures who told her where to go, what to do. She could feel her mind slipping away as time passed, her thoughts washing away like a drawing in the sand. Only a few things poked out from the rising tide. That her name was Vespa Ilkay. That she was a selkie. That she loved Buddy Aurinko.

Some days, she didn’t know anything else. She could barely remember what some of those words meant sometimes. But even without the context, the knowledge of what a selkie was or who Buddy was, she knew that they were important.

She saw ghosts, sometimes. Flickering around corners, taunting her, figments of her parched mind. Sometimes they claimed to be people she knew. She wanted to rip into them with her teeth and claws, tear them open and leave them floating in the current, but they weren’t there. No matter how real they looked, they weren’t there.

So when she saw a woman that her mind insisted was Buddy reaching out to her, calling out her name? She fled. The job had gone wrong, her skin was still in the hands of that man, and there was too much happening, and she was so close to the sea but without her skin the salt-scent on the air just taunted her. It couldn’t be Buddy, had to be her mind taunting her again with what could never be.

Vespa retreated to the alleyways of Cerberus Harbor. She had to strike again soon, before her skin was hidden somewhere else. She had to get it back before she lost the only chance she had found in the last fifteen years.

 She could hear the woman calling out to her in the darkness. Vespa couldn’t see much, certainly less than she would have been able to at her full power, but she could feel her skin here somewhere. She prowled forward, knife in hand. She needed it. This was her chance. And if her skin had already been moved, then at least she could kill one of the people who had trapped her on land for so long.

The woman with Buddy’s face called out to her again. Vespa’s grip on her knife tightened, poor substitute for her claws and teeth that it was. “You’re not real,” she said, spitting it out. “You’re not Buddy!”

She lashed out at the vague shadow of the woman, lunging towards her. The woman put up a fight, but she barely fought back enough to defend herself. Vespa didn’t know why she was so reluctant to fight back, but she would take advantage of it. She pinned the woman against the wall and raised her knife to strike.

A soft light filled the room. Someone must have released the pixie dust from the smuggling deal- pure concentrated magic, from one of the lost springs. It had been worth a fortune. This woman was supposed to sell the stolen magic to the man who held her skin. Vespa had known that he would be too distracted by the promise of it to properly secure her skin, would want it ready for him to make a quick exit after the deal was struck. It was why she needed to attack now, needed to go for the throat.

She looked like Buddy, looked like the sun-faded memories that haunted her mind. But Buddy was gone, had been taken from her long ago. She had waited by the Lighthouse, waited for her love to return, and her skin had been stolen in a moment of distraction. She had cursed her carelessness, cursed her weakness, but had never cursed Buddy. She would have been there, if she was able to. She would have been there to protect Vespa.

The woman who could not be Buddy reached out to her. “It’s me, darling.” Her voice cracked. And as she moved forward, gently pushing herself away from the wall, Vespa saw what was gripped in her hand.

A sealskin. Her sealskin.

Vespa froze, suddenly afraid that she would slice her coat, sever even the faded connection to it she had now. The woman had to be using it as a shield, protecting her from Vespa’s wrath, just waiting for the moment when she could hide it again and tell Vespa what to do…

The woman reached forward and gently wrapped the skin around Vespa’s shoulders.

She gasped, her eyes filling with sea-salt tears as she felt more whole than she had been in years, felt the sea rush into her and fill in all of her hollow places with life. She clung tightly to her skin as she staggered back, overwhelmed by the rush of magic that surged through her.

Buddy watched her, a sad smile on her face. “I was trapped in Faerie, after everything went wrong. They kept me there for a long time, and I swear that I looked for you as soon as I escaped.” She started to reach towards Vespa, but stopped herself. “I understand if you don’t want to see me again. I understand if you never want to leave the sea again. But if you want to try again, to see if we can make a new life together with who we’ve become… meet me at the Lighthouse.”

The magic faded away. Vespa cast one more glance in Buddy’s direction and fled for the sea.

 Vespa swam to the shore. She still could barely believe that she was finally in her seal form again, no longer trapped in her human body alone. She had almost forgotten the way that the water smoothly folded around her, the invisible currents that her whiskers tracked, the sheer joy of hunting and devouring a fish with only her own teeth. It was almost too much for her to handle. She looked up at the rocky coastline, and the lighthouse that beamed out over the waves to welcome and warn sailors.

And there she was, next to the lighthouse, burning like a beacon. Buddy Aurinko.

Vespa stood off, fluidly sweeping her skin onto her shoulders. Now that she was standing, she could see Buddy’s companions standing behind her. She thought about keeping an eye on them for a moment, but Buddy quickly captivated her attention. She was silhouetted against the sunset, the last rays of light dancing through her hair, and for a moment she looked like a goddess. Vespa walked up to her, and took Buddy’s hands in her own. She wasn’t the same as she remembered. But then, Vespa wasn’t the same as she had been either.

“It’s you.”

“You’re here.”

And the universe fell into motion.

 They were standing on the docks, a ship at their side, and Vespa was whole. Buddy was doing her last checks, examining the ship to make sure all of its operational spells were working. The werewolf- Sikuliaq, she had to get better at names- was walking up the gangplank with the seer and harpy- Steel and Rita- in tow.

The fae was on the deck, striking a pose on Sikuliaq’s airskimmer. She didn’t know why he was here. Vespa couldn’t forget what Buddy had told her, that she had been trapped in Faerie, that she had been cursed while there to never know safe harbor until the soul of a city was killed by its defenders. Apparently the curse had been broken, but there was still something about the fae that put her on edge, something about his glamour that rubbed her skin the wrong way.

It didn’t feel right to be around these people. They were wrong, bringing back memories of being landlocked. Buddy didn’t summon the same feelings- she was Buddy, her lighthouse, her love. But she didn’t feel comfortable around people anymore, and she certainly didn’t trust them.

Still, Buddy trusted them, at least enough for this quest. And if Buddy trusted them, then Vespa would trust Buddy.

The man who last held her skin walked by her on the deck, reaching out for her as he passed. She staggered back, gripping her flippers tightly. He grinned and then faded. Another hallucination. She had hoped that those would leave once her skin was returned, but that wasn’t the way things worked. Things that were broken could not always be mended, and both Vespa and Buddy had been broken by the time gone by. But they would get through it together. She knew they would.

Her love clapped her hands together when she saw the newcomers arrive. “Excellent, we’re all here. Welcome to the Carte Blanche.” She gestured around them. The harpy let out a slight shriek of excitement.

“We are going to find the springs of magic. And we are going to break them open and release it into the world.”

It seemed like an impossible task. But if anyone could do the impossible, it was Buddy Aurinko.

The ship pulled away from Cerberus Harbor and into the horizon as Buddy began to lay out their quest.

[uncommoncold]

Whispers and Nightmares

Summary: As Yeosang and Seonghwa's relationship begins to evolve, whispers and nightmares from previous lives begin to infiltrate Yeosang's sleeping hours.

Word Count: 3.4k

Content Warning:  Soul Mate!AU, Light Bondage, Anal Sex, Edging, Teasing, Masturbation, Wet Dreams

The sweat on his honey kissed skin glistened in the candlelight. He admired him. He adored him. He worshipped him. He loved him. He would continue to do so until the day he died in his service. Seonghwa’s head dipped over his writing desk, Yeosang rushed forward toward him. “Master, it’s late… you should sleep.”

“This is important, I must finish it before the morning.” Seonghwa looked up at Yeosang and smiled gently, as he reached to lay his hand against his cheek.

“You’re not well master, please.” Yeosang laid his hand over Seonghwa’s.

“I am almost finished, just a few more lines. Wait for me.” He offered a wan smile, his face a mask of weariness and pain.

The vindictive harpy’s venom had ravaged Seonghwa’s body. It was a miracle he had survived her hate but her treachery had been discovered. She had been made to pay for her crimes but Seonghwa had suffered greatly. He would have taken his suffering a thousand times over to see his master smile as he once had. He knew their time was short. Yeosang covered his mouth with both hands to hold the sobs within. Tears spilled over his clasped hands as he watched Seonghwa struggling to finish his last great work, the piece that would ensure his legacy, the piece that would ensure a comfortable future for his family and his lover.

As the sun crested over the horizon, he laid down his brush. He turned his head to Yeosang who hovered nearby. “I will sleep now.”

Yeosang nodded and helped him to his bed, taking a cool cloth to bathe his face and neck. Seonghwa watched him with tired eyes, “Do you remember the first time I took you to my bed?”

Their eyes met and Yeosang nodded, “I loved you even then.”

“Only then?” Seonghwa wrapped his hand around Yeosang’s, stilling his movements.

“No, I loved you long before.”

“Even when you said you hated me?”

“I have never hated you. There were times I wished that I could but I never could.” Yeosang sighed and offered a smile to his lover.

“Lay with me.”

Yeosang laid down, stretching out beside his friend, teacher, master, and lover.

“Promise me something…” His voice was so quiet now.

“Anything, you need but ask.” Yeosang’s eyes shone bright with unshed tears.

“In our next life…”

“No- There is still plenty of time for us in this life. Please don-”

“Yeosang, you were always quick and clever. You know we are out of time as well as I do. That is why, in our next life you must promise me, you will find me. Promise me that no matter what happens, you will find me.”

A tear broke free and slipped down over the birthmark that rested beside Yeosang’s eye. He nodded, “I will find you. I will always find you.”

“I love you, Yeosang. I will always love you, every step we take, each life we live, my love for you will only grow stronger. Nothing will keep me from you and only death can tear me from your side. You do believe me don’t you?”

The tears now poured freely, his bottom lip trembled and he sniffed as he nodded, “I believe you. How can I not? No one has ever given me their love as freely as you have. Please…”

He wanted to scream, to plead for Seonghwa to stay with him but he, better than anyone, knew the constant pain his lover suffered and how weak his body had grown. He had been so strong and vibrant, a smile his ready companion. It would only be selfish to ask more from him now. Yeosang leaned forward and pressed his tear stained lips to Seonghwa’s. Weakly, his kiss was returned.

“Do not rush to see me. Live long and find happiness after I am gone.” Seonghwa winced as pain shot through him but it did not compare to knowing he was leaving his beloved alone.

That was a promise he did not wish to keep but still he nodded. “I will.”

Seonghwa nodded and closed his eyes, “Good. I will rest now, for a little while...”

***

Yeosang awakened with a jolt. His pillow was soaked with sweat.

The details of his dream were quickly fading but he was left with an incalculable sense of mourning and loss.

Seonghwa, he had to see Seonghwa.

He ran out into the living room, looking toward the kitchen before checking the bathroom. His bedroom door was open and he wasn’t in it. His heart was pounding, he had to see him, find him. The sound of the back door opening and closing garnered his attention and he looked around to see Seonghwa standing there smiling.

Without thinking, Yeosang ran across the small space and wrapped his arms around him.

“You’re alright. You’re alright.” Yeosang raised shining eyes to Seonghwa who looked back at him with concern plainly etched on his beautiful face.

“Are you alright? Did you run somewhere?” He couldn’t quite account for Yeosang’s appearance. He was still wearing his pajamas and looked like he had run a marathon. As far as he knew, he was still sleeping. It also wasn’t in his usual slate of actions to hug him first thing in the morning.

He was relieved beyond words, he almost collapsed with relief. Reality was beginning to settle back in and he looked around more than a little confused. It was the same house he knew and had grown to love. The familiar couch that had proved so comfortable a bed when the ceiling in his room collapsed. The chair he had spent so many hours in doing homework. The table he had eaten countless meals at, the kitchen he had cooked just as many cups of ramyeon and had been learning to cook real food. He realized he was still clinging to a very worried looking Seonghwa but he couldn’t quite make himself let go. He was terrified he would vanish if he released his hold.

“Yeosang?” Seonghwa reached up and laid his hand on Yeosang’s forehead, checking to see if he had a temperature. He didn’t feel hot, in fact, he felt quite cool if sweaty. “Are you okay?”

“Am I…?” He could only remember snippets of his dream now. He remembered Seonghwa’s face or could it be because the man was before him now? Had he dreamed of him? Yes, he had definitely been there but what had happened? Why was he so panicked when he woke up? “I think … I think I dreamed about you, something … I don’t know.”

The sense of panic had faded only to be replaced by confusion.

Seonghwa smiled and patted his back, “It’s okay, I’m okay. Why don’t you have a nice hot bath? I’ll make you some breakfast, how does that sound?”

As much as he still didn’t want to take his eyes off of Seonghwa, he couldn’t come up with a good excuse to keep standing there. He slowly let go of him and nodded. Yeosang got some clean clothes and drew himself a bath. Normally he preferred showers but the idea of a nice soak sounded good. He could hear Seonghwa in the kitchen and soon the smell of food floated in. He slumped down in the water, keeping his nose just above the water line. What was it he had dreamed and why was it so devastating? He sank into the water completely, holding his breath for as long as he could before resurfacing. Whatever it was, it was just a dream and he had to shake it off. It was normal for him to forget his dreams upon waking but it wasn’t normal for them to affect him so strongly. If he kept this up, his roommate was sure to think he had gone completely insane.

The next few nights were peaceful and he slept well. Then again, he awoke with a feeling of immeasurable loss. This time it was different, he wasn’t worried for Seonghwa’s loss, it was only a pervasive and intense feeling of missing him. That was patently insane, he had seen him right before he went to bed and he knew that he would see him again when he got home from classes. It was a Tuesday and he would have already left for class. He wanted to see him.

What in the world was wrong with him lately? He shook himself and got out of bed to get ready for his own day. Seonghwa had left breakfast on the table for him. He always scolded him when he didn’t eat a proper breakfast and he often left breakfast out for him. There was something on the edge of his memory, Seonghwa scolding him for not eating. He tried to grasp it but just like that it was gone. Just then his phone buzzed, signaling a text. It was from Seonghwa, he hurriedly read it.

“The professor is late and I’m bored. Did you sleep well?”

Yeosang put down his chopsticks and typed back, “I think I had a nightmare.”

“You’ve been having a lot of nightmares lately. Are you stressed?”

He tried to think, there wasn’t really anything he could think of that was stressing him overly. School was going well, he was getting good grades. He now had a stable place to live with a roommate he got along well with. “I don’t think so.”

“I have to go, my professor is here. We’ll talk later.”

Yeosang brushed his thumb across the smiling picture of Seonghwa that was beside his text. Why was he suddenly so afraid he was going to lose him, that something was going to happen to him? His grandmother tended to go on about how you should always trust your gut and right now it seemed like his gut was screaming at him that something bad was going to happen and it seemed to revolve around Park Seonghwa.

Park Seonghwa was precious to him. He had a hard time getting to know people and Seonghwa was one of the very few people he had allowed himself to be close to. He couldn’t bear the thought of something bad happening to him, he was his dearest friend. What could he do?

***

A piece of silk bound his wrists, his body ached all over. He didn’t know how long he had been kept hovering on the edge, never enough to let him find release but always enough to keep him leaking and trembling. He could no longer think. Sweat soaked his hair to his head and ran in rivulets over his face, down over his chest. Precum pooled on his stomach.

A heated kiss found his lips and returned it with abject desperation. “Tell me what you want and I’ll let you cum.” His lover murmured against his lips. He couldn’t quite see his face, he was too close. He could feel his naked cock against his own as he leaned against him to kiss him.

Still he said nothing, he couldn’t admit it. He couldn’t tell him but he was dying, this was killing him. “Please…”

“Say it and I’ll give it to you. I’ll give it all to you. I want to hear you say it…” Again he felt the maddening caress of his fingers against the sensitive head of his cock.

“I can’t- ah! I can’t take it anymore.”

“You can have it all if you just say it. I won’t unless you tell me you want it.” There was a teasing, demanding note in his familiar voice. Soft but with a deep sonorous undertone to it.

As he reached the edge yet again, all of his muscles tightened and trembled violently. The sensation receded just enough for the pleasure he craved to fall away, he growled in frustration and finally he said it, “Fuck… me.”

He made a small sound of triumph and then he pulled the toy he had been teasing him with out and replaced it with the thickness of his beautiful cock. So much better than the toy he had been using, it was so hot. He fucked back against it as it filled him completely. It was far from the first time but this was the first time he made him say it.

His lover drew back enough to stare into his eyes as he fucked him. He knew those eyes, he knew them as well as his own. He melted into the feeling, letting it envelop and consume him.

“What do you want, tell me.”

“Cum inside me.” The last vestiges of his shame had burned away along with his resistance. All that existed now, all that mattered in the world was the man atop him and the delicious feeling of his cock inside of him as he used him, possessing him utterly. The feeling he had been fighting for all day rose again. This time he didn’t stop, his thrusts came harder and faster. With a raw and ravaged cry, Yeosang came. It felt like it would never end. It was so intense.

Seonghwa leaned back and pounded into him, his thrusts became erratic and he hilted himself. Yeosang could feel wave after wave of his seed filling him. Seonghwa offered him a crooked smile and leaned to kiss him, sucking his tongue and nipping his bottom lip.

Yeosang rocked against the cock still buried inside of him. He wanted more, he needed more. He reached down, finding wetness as he rubbed his hard cock through his pajama pants. Without opening his eyes, he shoved them down, grinding against the softness of his sheets. He could still feel that cock inside of him, those long fingers wrapped around his aching prick. “Seonghwa…” he whispered his name as he wrapped his fingers around himself. He didn’t take much. He barely managed to suppress a cry as he came.

It was only as he lay there panting, sticky and drenched in his own sweat and cum, that he realized exactly what he had dreamed and who had been fantasizing about. He sat bolt upright and looked around his room in a panic. Shit. He shook his head, it was a dream. It was just a dream and everyone knew that dreams were bullshit. It was just some nonsense that his sex deprived sleeping mind thought up. He couldn’t possibly be attracted to his roommate.

A flurry of images of the man assaulted him, when he had first met him and he had been wearing only a towel, the way his sensual lips parted as he spoke, the feeling of his wiry muscular body beneath his clothes as held him, even the way his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he drank. No. No, that just wasn’t possible. He wasn’t gay. He had always dated and had sex with girls and, and… No, he was just going to put it out of his head. He was going to get up, have a shower, have his breakfast and go about his day. He started to move and realized he had just cum all over his sheets. Okay, first he was going to change his sheets, then take a shower. This was nothing. It was just an overactive imagination. Dreams were rubbish, they didn’t mean anything. Yep. Everyone knew that. They didn’t mean anything. One night after some serious drinking, he remembered dreaming he was riding a piece of gimbap down a river of pudding while Jo In-Sung yodeled Fire by BTS. There obviously wasn’t any meaning behind that except that maybe he should drink less.

Okay, it was fine. He was fine. Just get up and get moving and put all of this out of his head.

With his sheets bundled in his arms, the stickiest parts balled in the center, Yeosang slowly opened his bedroom door and peeked out. He didn’t see Seonghwa, god Seonghwa. No he wasn’t going to think about that. He was just going to …

“Morning.” Seonghwa said as he padded down the hall from his bedroom. His hair was mussed and he ran a hand through it. How did he manage to look so sexy when just waking up. No! Not sexy, no. Good, he looked good. That was fine. Not sexy, definitely not sexy.

Yeosang’s eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Need some help with those?” Seonghwa reached out to take the sheets.

“NO!” Yeosang all but yelled.

Seonghwa jumped and just looked startled as he stared back, his hands still held halfway up.

“I mean, no. You don’t have to, I’m fine. I- I’ll just take them.”

They stood there in awkward and confused silence for several seconds until Yeosang cleared his throat and said hurriedly, “I’m gonna go take a shower.”

He all but ran the rest of the way to the bathroom, leaving a very puzzled Seonghwa standing in the hallway.

Yeosang closed and locked the bathroom door and for a brief moment thought about pushing the dirty clothes hamper in front of the door but finally decided it was overkill. It wasn’t as if Seonghwa had ever made any sort of move on him and it wasn’t likely he was going to start now just because of Yeosang’s wet dream. Oh god why did it have to be Seonghwa he had a wet dream about and not just the dream but … No. Shit. Just stop thinking about it. He put his pajamas and the incriminating sheets into the washing machine and turned it on. Once he took a shower, all evidence of the previous night’s activities would be gone. No one would be the wiser and he could put it all behind him. In fifty years or so he might even be able to laugh about it … maybe sixty.  

With a heavy sigh, he stepped beneath the shower and closed his eyes, letting the warm water wash his tension away. What was he getting so upset about? It was just a dream. He had dreamed far stranger things. Seonghwa was his best friend and his roommate and he hadn’t ever felt the need to jerk off to him before. It was just the dream, that was all it was. It had been over a year since he had a girlfriend and he was just pent up and his brain just picked the first person who came to mind. But … why did his dream choose to have Seonghwa fucking him instead of him fucking Seonghwa? It wasn’t as if he had ever had sex with a man before and certainly not being fucked. He could almost still remember what it felt like, the fullness, the heat, the way it felt when he came inside of him, the way it pulsed and throbbed.

Unconsciously, he grabbed at his now hard again cock. He gave a couple of light strokes before he realized what he was doing. He just really needed to get laid, that was obviously what it was. It wasn’t Park Seonghwa. It had nothing to do with Park Seonghwa.

He tried to keep his mind to the things he used to think about before but Seonghwa just kept creeping back in, the taste of his lips, the way his dark eyes had smoldered when he looked at him, the feeling of his fingers wrapped around him, the sound of his voice.

In frustration, he reached over and angrily switched the water to cold and yelped as it hit him. He stared at his cock, willing it to go down as he shivered in the cold. There was a knock on the door, “Are you alright?”

Yeosang shot a baleful glare at the door. Why did he have to be so caring now?! With supreme effort, he steadied his voice, “I’m fine. I just accidentally hit the knob and turned on the cold water.”

“Okay, I made breakfast. I’ve got to head to class now. I’ll probably be home a bit early.”

“Have a good day.”

“You too!” Seonghwa’s bright voice called back to him through the closed door.

With his teeth chattering, Yeosang turned the warm water back on and sighed in relief as his cock stayed down. Quickly he washed himself and his hair and got out of the shower. It was just as well that Seonghwa had already left because he forgot to bring clean clothes. Get dressed. Eat breakfast. Get ready for classes and don’t think about Park Seonghwa.

That would prove to be easier said than done. Why couldn’t one of them be a girl? He wasn’t even his soul mark…

Other stories can be found on my Master List.

[twofacedbelief]

Do Remus and Roman have any way of sensing how close they are to each other in the horror AU? Like, does Roman know on some level that he got drawn to the town because of Remus? If not, why’d Roman leave the water? Was he just vaguely expanding his horizons and hoping to maybe run into Remus?

They have absolutely no idea. Antemori Shores is just generally a weird town, so Roman didn't really think twice about being drawn to it. And Roman is a writer, so he thought of it more as being drawn to a source of inspiration than being drawn to it for some unexplained reason.

Oh, fun fact! Sirens are closer related to harpies than merpeople. Roman and Remus have never been in the water. They have legs like birds, feathers that grow interwoven with their hair, and no external ears! Also, their song is hypnotic.

Roman lived in New York before, hoping to get one of his plays performed on Broadway or one of his books published. His writing is aimed at children and young adults.

Remus has never been to New York. He and Roman last saw each other in their hometown Maywood, Illinois.

[codevassie]

CV: An extension of my Camp Half-Blood AU from a couple weeks ago for @monthlyklance because this AU has taken over my life. I'm so excited that I got this done today and managed to get a bunch of schoolwork done too. I feel powerful! Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Also, this takes place after Sea of Monsters.

It was toward the end of summer and things at camp were already starting to wind down. Many campers had already left, while the rest were packing and saying their goodbyes. A lot of campers were making last-minute decisions, contemplating if they even wanted to go home, or if it was a good idea.

Keith didn’t have that luxury. He didn’t have any family to go home to. For the first time out of all his summers he’d been at camp, though, a family to go home to wasn’t what was on his mind. It was the other kids who were leaving. It was all the faces that he wouldn’t see for the year, and the ones he might not see again. Some kids would be going to college, too old to return. Some wouldn’t make it back. Leaving camp was always a risk for demigods.

Besides, Keith was a bit done thinking about family for the time being. There were plenty of summers where he would look up at Half-Blood Hill and see the world beyond, imagine a rundown apartment in Texas or a weather-beaten shack in the desert. He would think about his dad and wish with all his being he were still alive.

Then, he would think of his mom. He would imagine the feeling of having a family again when he was claimed. He’d have brothers and sisters. Maybe a cabin where he could feel like he belonged. Ever since he was claimed, though, he’d decide not to dwell on the family thing all that much. He got some brothers and sisters, and that was great. He didn’t get a cabin, but that didn’t bother him too much.

For some reason, though, finally being claimed just didn’t make Keith as happy as he’d thought.

Nemesis still hadn’t wanted him for eight years. And that still ate at him.

So, Keith didn’t think about it a lot. Instead, he watched as campers said their goodbyes, as the Hermes cabin became more of a mess than usual, as kids tried to find their things and pack them away. Most year-rounders stayed out of the cabins, and Keith, once awaking to the commotion, decided to do the same. Still in his pajamas, he got through it all to the door, then walked to the pavilion.

The pavilion was a mess too. Campers ate their last camp meals of the year, crowding the Hermes table to the rim. How was it possible that so many kids were here when the cabin itself was so packed?

Keith decided that he would sit at that table over his dead body, so he grabbed a granola bar from one of the dryads and left the mess hall, deciding to wander camp instead. It was a cloudy day, and it would most likely rain. The border, however, would keep it out now that it was healthy and fixed. Looking down at his necklace, Keith thumbed at the tiny bead with a golden fleece.

He continued on his way, chewing his granola and chuckling at kids who ran from cabin to cabin, armory to arts and crafts, wherever they may have left something. For a second, he noticed Allura bolt out of the Athena cabin lugging a whip and a broadsword. A pang went through Keith’s chest as he realized she would be leaving. He wouldn’t see her for almost a year.

It was funny. Keith was horrible with making friends, but two years ago, when she had first arrived in tow of Coran, he’d been put in charge of showing her around. Since then, they’d team up often in camp activities when Shiro, or, more recently, Romelle, weren’t available.

“Allura!” he called, and she turned around suddenly, hair poofing up in its disarray. She looked tense and hurried, but she relaxed once she saw who it was that was calling her.

“Keith,” she greeted. “How are you?”

“Alright,” he nodded. “Are you heading home soon?”

“Oh, not until the day after tomorrow, actually,” she said.

“Nice,” Keith replied. “Then I don’t have to say goodbye just yet.”

“No, no,” Allura said, shaking her head. “Though perhaps for now. I am in a hurry.”

“Oh,” Keith said, then felt guilty. She was obviously in a rush. “Sorry about that.”

“Not at all,” she said, tossing her whip over her shoulder. “I’ll definitely see you before I leave, though, okay?”

“Yeah,” Keith nodded, then watched as she waved and went on her way. Keith turned and continued on his own, wandering toward the dock now.

Once he got there, he took off his shoes and day-old socks and dangled his feet into the water. It felt nice, on this warm day. The temperature was regulated again because of the fleece. Keith had always been a little hot-blooded though.

“Hey, dude!” a sudden voice made him jump. Whipping around, Keith knew it couldn’t have been anyone else.

“Gods damn it, Lance!” he exclaimed, swatting at the other boy’s leg where he stood next to him on the dock. For a brief second, he contemplated knocking Lance into the water. Lance sat down, however, and ruined his chances.

“Did you just say ‘gods damn it’?” Lance asked, taking off his flip-flops so he could put his feet in the water too. “Lame.”

“You’re right. There’s only one god in charge of damning you to hell. I’m appealing to all the wrong people.”

At this, Lance kicked water at him, pouting severely. “That’s so mean!”

“You’re lucky the Big Three made that pact. I could be appealing to a Hades kid right now,” Keith teased, kicking water back, and Lance, much to his delight, laughed.

“I can’t believe Hades is the only one right now without a kid here,” he said, shaking his head. Keith shrugged.

“I guess that thing with the fleece was pretty wild,” he said, and they left it at that. With the looming threat of war now on the horizon, it wasn’t a topic that a lot of people liked to dwell on at camp.

Keith looked out toward where the sky met the sea, perhaps another reminder of Zeus’ and Poseidon's domains. He sighed, looking away and to the trees along one of the beaches instead. He imagined their branches bare in a few months, camp all but deserted. He thought of lonely campfires among the hand full of other campers who would stay, capture the flag without the challenge, the dining pavilion without Lance's laugh-

Keith sucked in a breath and coughed. Lance looked over at him, concerned, but Keith sat up and pretended like it hadn't happened. Or that he hadn't been thinking what he'd been thinking.

“So,” he spoke up, trying to redirect. “Are you all packed?”

“Me?” Lance asked, like he found the notion humorous. Keith rolled his eyes. How could he have thought any different? “Nah. I'm staying a little longer.”

“Longer?” Keith asked, sitting up straight. “How much longer?”

Lance toed the water, making swirls and patterns and humming in contemplation. Keith noticed his own breath stop, held in his lungs in anticipation.

A part of him wanted Lance to stay. He hated saying goodbye to his friends at the end of summer, and he was going to miss Lance so much more than he'd ever admit to anyone. Because… they might have bickered, and maybe they didn't “hang out”, but they were friends, right?

...right?

Then, there was the part of him that feared if Lance stayed. Because Lance had a family of his own to go back to. He could pull off a normal life. Keith would never want him to stick back when Lance could have that. Or experience the lonely months of camp, training, trying to learn things from SAT practice books if you planned on going to college after this all. Squinting and brain hurting as you tried to learn the concepts by yourself.

They had study groups during the school year at camp, and Keith wasn't completely alone. He had Shiro. But he couldn't even imagine it all with Lance.

“Just a few days,” Lance said, shaking Keith out of his thoughts. Keith looked back. “I got permission to stay because my sister is coming to visit.”

“Really? You mean Veronica?” Keith asked, and Lance nodded, looking excited.

“She's always off with the hunters, never in the same place for long or keeping track of time. I mean, they're immortal,” Lance said. “It'll be good to see her.”

“Definitely,” Keith agreed. He felt happy for Lance and, looking back at the horizon, he forgot about all the other stuff. For a moment, he forgot about the gods and the war and just focused on the beauty of it all.

“Which brings me to my question,” Lance said, and Keith looked back.

“A question?” Keith asked. Lance, who also looked at the horizon, nodded his head, looking determined. It was cute.

Damn it. Stop that, Keith.

“She's actually coming for our birthday,” he said, and Keith blinked. “I've asked a couple other people to stay for a few days, which won't be a problem because the cleaning harpies won't start chowing down campers for another week-”

“That's a myth,” Keith interrupted, ignoring the irony of the statement, and Lance ignoring him.

“Because I'm having a little get together for it. It's not much. I really just wanted to see everyone before we part for the year and all, but Pidge said they would break into the kitchen and Hunk is gonna make a cake. I'm thinking of using the Big House's old-ass computer to print out a picture of a pegasus and we can pin the tail with bow and arrow or something,” Lance shrugged, swinging his legs more in the water.

“That sounds fun,” Keith commented, imagining it. He had seen Lance in archery before and he was really good. He'd definitely win that contest.

“Yeah, it does,” Lance said, looking determinedly down at his feet. “And I was wondering if you would want to come.”

And, here’s the thing. Keith knew he heard it. He heard every word. He heard them all in the correct order. He knew what Lance was asking.

But it didn’t make sense.

“What?” he asked, head turning to watch Lance full-on. Lance scratched the back of his neck, looking down at the water.

“You don’t have to,” he said.

Keith’s eyes widened. “No! No, yeah! I’d like to come,” he said, and he was almost out of breath despite the complete lack of effort a couple of words cost him. But the situation was still a little unreal to him, and Keith had no idea what he was agreeing to. He’d never been invited to anything.

Much less by Lance.

They had been at camp for almost entirely the same amount of time. Because of that, Keith felt like he knew Lance better than most. But better than most still didn’t mean jack shit coming from Keith. The closest people to him were Shiro, Allura, and maybe Pidge. He’d gotten to know Matt a bit more lately because of Shiro too.

But it was proximity that Keith “knew” most people at camp. He knew that girl’s name because she’d been here for years. He knew that guy had two younger brothers at home because it was all he talked about at dinners. He knew Lance because that was just the way it was.

Other than the fact that they’d been scurrying around camp since the same summer, the same amount of beads on their necklaces, but they shared a cabin, and participated in many of the same activities because of it. They were matched up in sparring a lot because of their similar age and, of course, there had been that whole ‘rivalry’ thing for a while back there.

And now. Now, Keith could never keep his eyes of Lance. He wasn’t sure when it had begun, but, some time in the past few years, Keith had started to notice just how good Lance was at archery, how much he enjoyed sparring against him or teaming up with him during capture the flag. He noticed when his hair got all windswept after pegasus riding, or how perfectly his eyes reflected off the water during canoe racing.

Keith knew Lance. Maybe a lot more than other people at camp. But that didn’t mean a thing when it came to Lance knowing him.

Keith wondered again if they were friends. Probably not, but… going to Lance’s birthday… that could make them friends, right?

“I don’t think I have anything to give you,” Keith realized, then glared down at his hand on the dock. Maybe he could find something at the camp store. Deodorant? No. Maybe he could make something at the arts and crafts building. Keith was terrible at that stuff though…

But Lance was shaking his head. “Don’t get me anything. Just come and have a good time. Like I said, it’s more to get with friends that celebrate my birthday.”

“Okay…” Keith reluctantly agreed, still not sure of the proper etiquette for something like this. He’d have to ask Shiro. “So, when is it?”

“Tomorrow around 2 at the amphitheatre,” Lance said, lifting his feet out of the water and putting his flip flops back on. Keith looked up, suddenly afraid he had said something wrong. “I got to go,” Lance explained, getting to his feet. “Just because I don’t need to pack, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t clean. I’m not giving my sister any ammo for teasing. She already has enough.”

“Oh,” Keith said, nodding as he averted his gaze again. He felt silly, thinking that. “Have fun.”

Lance laughed at that. “I’ll certainly try,” he said. “I guess I’ll see you. Probably before the party since we share a cabin, plus, the dining pavilion isn’t going to have a lot of people tonight and-” Lance cut himself off. “Erm, yeah. So, see yah.”

Then, he scrambled off, Keith staring incredulously after. He shook his head and chuckled a bit.

“Alright,” he said, moreso speaking to himself. “See you then.”

-/-

It was 2 o’clock. Keith had gotten a pack of candy from the Stoll brothers’ illegal trade in the Hermes cabin, which he had no idea if Lance would even like or not, but oh well. Now he was in the amphitheatre where a handful of others had already gathered. Weird, because Keith was literally right on time.

It looked like a lot of them had arrived earlier to help set up though. Keith felt bad that he hadn’t thought of doing that, but then remembered his complete lack of people skills and decided there probably wouldn’t have been much he could do anyway.

“Keith! Hello!” a familiar voice greeted, and Keith turned to see Allura walking his way. Ah, so that was why she was waiting to go home.

“Hey, Allura,” he said, waving with the hand where he clutched the bag of candy. When he realized, he lowered it, face turning just a bit pink. Allura had that twinkle in her eye now. Great.

“You’ve come for Lance’s birthday, I see,” she remarked, having mercy on the lame gift he had brought, and Keith nodded. She smiled. “Alright, well, would you mind coming to help with some of the blankets?”

“Blankets?” he asked, now taking a better look around. Sure enough, there was a red wagon full of blankets off to the side. “Why blankets?”

“We decided sitting on the logs by an unlit fire was boring, so we brought blankets to lay out on the steps. It’s a lot more comfortable, I think,” she said, walking toward the wagon. Keith followed, nodding along to the logic, then helped set them out.

As they were doing that, he looked around to see who else had arrived. Pidge and Hunk, true to Lance’s word, had handled food. There were chips and sodas, apparently from the kitchen and not the Stoll brothers, as Pidge was a dryad and knew the ins and outs of the Big House’s kitchen. Then, there was a modest, but delicious-looking cake, courtesy of Hunk. The two were currently over there setting the goods out on a stone table, identical to those in the pavilion, that had somehow magically appeared.

Matt and Shiro, not too far away from where Allura and him were putting out the blankets, were setting up some sort of sound system, which, to be honest, looked ancient. Keith was no expert on technology, not having left the camp, which was overall devoid of most tech, since he was six, but he could tell the old radio was beyond any of their times. He could also tell by the look on Matt’s face. How a dryad, who probably hadn’t left camp for much longer than Keith had, knew anything about technology himself, though, was beyond Keith.

Then, there were the birthday twins themselves. Lance and Veronica were making a target with a pegasus brandishing its tail-less butt at them, attaching tails to an array of arrows for the game. They laughed together, Veronica hitting her brother in the arm for some stupid joke or another. The sight made Keith smile.

He remembered Veronica. It was hard not to, really, when she had been there for so long herself before joining the hunters of Artemis. The two McClain twins had arrived to camp at the same time, or so Keith was told, and had both been claimed on their first birthday at camp by Hermes. Keith remembered their claiming, and he remembered how inseparable the two had been for a while. Then, two years ago, Veronica had left.

Now, despite the short time she had been away, her immortality had already affected their difference in appearance so much. While they used to look almost identical, now Veronica, stopped just at the cusp of puberty, still looked like a kid, like Lance’s younger sister, instead of his twin. Lance, in comparison, looked like a teenager, jaw becoming more defined and shoulders broader. It was slightly jarring to see, the blatant change in the years like this. It made him sad, in a way, to see how far apart the twins had come.

But that feeling couldn’t stay for long when he noticed how happy the two looked to be together again, and how natural they fell back into their inseparable sibling dynamic. Keith watched as Lance made a quip, causing Veronica’s face to go red as she sputtered. She dished out what she got, though, and, soon, Lance’s face was changing the same. Keith laughed to himself, then focused on straightening the next blanket.

-/-

It was a little odd, hanging out with other campers. Realizing this, Keith found it odd that he would think it odd. But he’d never done something like this before. Whenever he talked with other campers, it was at dinner, or at training or activities. Now, Keith realized how truly lame he was for never actually hanging out in all the years he’d attended camp.

But it was nice too. They all lounged about on the blankets, once they were set out. Hunk played on a DS he had smuggled into camp, Pidge squished in beside him and watching as he mashed buttons and swayed with the motion of his character on the screen. Pidge kept shouting advice and swears. It was funny to watch.

Next to them, Lance was going back and forth from watching the game and talking to his sister, sitting criss-cross beside him, and Romelle and Allura, laying on their bellies and giggling beside each other. Romelle, Keith noticed, practically had sparkles in her eyes as she watched Allura speak.

Then, there was him, Matt, and Shiro off to the side. Matt, looking a bit irked, was threatening to strangle the radio with plants he conjured, while Shiro, sitting back, leaning on his hands planted on the blanket behind him, was calmly talking him out of it. He, too, seemed to have a bit of sparklage going on. Keith, sitting awkwardly on his folded legs, simply watched them, pretending to be apart of their conversation.

Distracted with watching Shiro and Matt talk with one another, Matt making a couple saplings from the ground dance dangerously close to the radio system and Shiro raising an unamused (or trying to be unamused, at least) eyebrow at him, Keith didn’t notice someone approach until they had sat down beside him.

For a moment, Keith’s heart leaped into his throat, imagining Lance had come over for some reason or another. Keith would give him the candy, which he still held in his hand and couldn’t stop fidgeting with, and wish him happy birthday. Then, he noticed it was not, in fact, Lance.

It was, surprisingly, Romelle.

“Oh,” Keith said with a certain amount of surprise, but no disappointment. Sure, he had wished it was Lance, but he liked Romelle. She was nice. What he couldn’t figure out was: what was she doing with Keith when Allura was over there? “Hey,” he greeted.

“Is it alright if I sit over here for a while?” she asked, looking a lot… different, than he’d seen her just minutes before. She still smiled, and he could tell she was trying to look cheerful, but her shoulders were down and the sparkle had left her eyes.

“Yeah, of course,” he said, and she sent him a grateful smile.

“So, how are you?” Romelle asked, flattening her camp tee, and getting more comfortable on the blanket.

Keith shrugged. “Alright. You?”

“Oh, you know,” she shrugged, but it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about it. Keith could understand. So, instead, they talked about nothing in general, finding idle topics and elaborating their butts off about them. It was an uninteresting conversation, but, for once, Keith didn’t mind talking about the stupid things. As they carried on, he could tell it helped Romelle get her mind off whatever was bothering her.

However, stupid topics couldn’t ever hold Keith’s attention for long. As they were talking, he didn’t notice it, but he had started to look across their group, right at Lance.

“So, Lance,” Romelle commented, and Keith jumped. When he looked back over, she looked amused. “Did you get those for him?” she asked, nodding toward the pack of candy. For a moment, she seemed all-knowing - like Allura - but she didn’t look teasing. She looked curious. “You should go over and give it to him.”

Keith shook his head. “He’s busy.”

“Pssh,” Romelle rolled her eyes. “Of course he is. He’s surrounded by his friends.”

“Yeah, which means I’d be interrupting,” Keith said, but Romelle was already standing up. His eyes widened. “Romelle, what are you doing?” he asked, dread filling his voice, but she was already stepping away from him.

“Not all of us need to luck out today,” she said, then she was gone. Keith watched as she approached Lance and sat down with that group again. He also noticed that, the more she had drawn closer, the more she had avoided Allura’s eye.

Oh.

Gods, poor Romelle.

Not all of us need to luck out today.

But then, Keith started to panic for his own sake. As he looked back to what Romelle was doing, he noticed Lance standing up.

Shit shit shit shit shit.

So, when Lance walked over and sat down next to him, Keith panicked further and pretended he didn’t notice he was there. Smart.

“Hey,” Lance said after a few seconds. Keith jumped because of nerves, but it probably helped with his ridiculous pretending.

Keith looked over nervously. “Hey.” Then he looked away. He saw Romelle watching and narrowed his eyes. She turned to talk to Hunk and Pidge, looking delighted with the game they were playing.

“Sorry I haven’t been over yet,” Lance said. “I may have gotten a little excited to see my sister.”

“That’s no problem,” Keith said, shaking his head. “You can go back over. You didn’t have come over here just for me.”

“Nah, dude. I invited you for a reason,” Lance laughed, like something about that was obvious. None of it was. “So let’s talk. I hope you haven’t been too bored.”

Keith shook his head. “I’ve been talking to Matt and Shiro. And Romelle.” Then, remembering, he looked down at the candy in his hand. “By the way,” he said. Suddenly, it was quite difficult to get the words out. “These. Are. For you?”

He lifted the candy. Lance’s eyes lit up and Keith could have sworn he heard him gasp. “Keith, I told you not to get me anything.”

Keith shrugged. “It’s not much.” It was just a pack of candy. Last birthday Shiro had given him some money that he hadn’t seen much point spending until now. This was totally worth it, in Keith’s eyes. He handed it over. “I hope you like sour things.”

“I love sour candy,” Lance gushed, the plastic crinkling in his hand, and, at this, Keith finally looked up again. He smiled a bit, pleased.

“Me too,” he agreed.

“Wanna share?” Lance asked, ripping open the candy. Keith’s eyes went wide.

“I got them for you,” he said, falling into panic again. This wasn’t norm, was it? Sharing your birthday present?

“Yeah, and I wanna share them,” Lance declared, tone leaving no room for argument. Keith shifted awkwardly, but stayed silent. Lance picked a gummy out, popped it in his own mouth, then offered the bag for Keith to take one. Tentatively, Keith did.

Then, because when Keith did open his mouth, he said something stupid.

“Is it weird sharing a birthday with someone who doesn’t age?”

Lance stopped, eyes widening, and Keith felt that familiar panic well up, before Lance smiled.

“I used to think so, yeah,” Lance answered truthfully. “Not so much anymore. I think it still means something to us even if it’s not the passage of time. It’s a celebration of the both of us, and it’s something we still share.”

“That. Makes sense,” Keith said, nodding. He sucks on the gummy worm a bit. Lance reaches for another worm.

“What are you even doing to that poor thing?” Lance asked, pointing at the now half-sour worm in Keith’s hand. Then, somehow, naturally, like they were regular friends talking about regular things, they fell into an innocent squabble about the barbarous treatment he was putting his gummy worm through, and, in Keith’s opinion, the equally horrible murder of Lance’s worms as he bit through half of their body. That led into a conversation about how worms regenerate their bodies, depending on how they are severed.

Somehow, Keith lost track of time, and all sense of panic that he’d had before, talking with Lance. It wasn’t until Veronica sat down next to them, waggling her eyebrows at Lance for some reason, and started to talk to Keith that Keith realized he had forgotten just where they were.

It was somewhat awkward, but it wasn’t as though he didn’t know Veronica, so, when she asked him questions, he didn’t see any reason to feel too awkward about answering. Then, as this carried on, more and more people from their group seemed to gravitate toward them, chiming in about stories told or their own experiences. Romelle and Hunk joined and bounced jokes off each other seemlessly. Pidge dragged their brother away from the radio, and Shiro and Allura scooted over too. Soon, they were playing truth or dare, which quickly changed to duck duck goose, somehow, and everyone was laughing as Lance chased his quick sister around the circle.

And Keith found that he was having fun. More fun than he had ever had before, honestly. And, somehow, even when everyone switched up around the circle because of the game, he found himself next to Lance again as he and his sister were presented with a cake and a spattering of lit candles.

After the cake was done, the sun was setting and Veronica challenged Lance to their pin the tail on the pegasus game. Keith watched as everyone migrated away from the blankets. However, something held him back. He sat, an easy smile on his face as he watched Lance line up his first shot.

“Did Lance like his present?” Romelle asked as she sat down next to him, and Keith nodded yes without breaking his gaze.

“Thanks for that,” Keith said, and, funny enough, he found that he meant it. As awkward as it had been that she’d gone and gotten Lance for him, it had turned out great.

“No problem,” Romelle answered, and she sounded cheery, despite her earlier mood. He looked over at her.

“You doing okay?”

Romelle, still looking down at the others, shrugged. “I’ll live.”

“I’m sorry for whatever happened,” he offered, then turned his own gaze back. Lance, tremendous archer he was, made a bulls-eye. Veronica was next. Being a hunter of Artemis, it was going to be a close match.

“Did you know Allura and Lotor are dating?” Romelle said suddenly, and it was so shocking that Keith had to turn back.

“What? Seriously?”

But Romelle just nodded calmly. “Yep.”

“Wow,” was all Keith could say, and turned away again. Then, and he wasn’t sure why, Keith said, “I’m sure that sucks for Lance to hear too.”

This, however, seemed to shock Romelle. “Lance?”

“Yeah. You guys can find solidarity in each other for that at least.”

“I…don’t think Lance likes Allura,” Romelle said carefully, sounding slightly confused. Keith just shook his head.

“He’s flirted with her for two years,” Keith said, and he’s not sure why he’s noticed that. “He definitely likes her.”

“I don’t know, Keith. That’s not the vibe I’ve gotten off him,” Romelle replied, sounding doubtful.

Keith shrugged. “Well, whatever the case,” he said.

For a few minutes, they sat in silence, watching the games below. Veronica had gotten a bulls-eye as well, and the two siblings had bickered for a while over who had the better shot. Now, though, Allura was up.

“You don’t go home for the year, right?” Romelle asked, and Keith shook his head.

“Nope,” he replied. “Nowhere to go.”

“Me neither,” she replied, and, somehow, Keith found solidarity in that. Then, she started to get up, moving to join the others down by the target. For a moment, though, she paused and turned back. “I think we’re going to become great friends.”

She smiled, and Keith smiled back. A true and real smile.

“I’d like that.”

Then, she hopped down the steps until she came to the ampitheatre floor, hurrying up to Allura and making some kind of joke to the girl. Allura laughed and Romelle’s eyes glowed. The sparkle didn’t come back and Romelle still hurt, but she seemed determined not to lose the friend she had in Allura and Keith felt proud of her for that.

Keith didn’t move from his spot on the stairs of the ampitheatre, criss-cross on a blanket and gazing down at his friends, but he didn’t feel lonely for it. Even if many of them would be leaving tomorrow, Keith didn’t feel like it was goodbye just yet.

In fact, the end of this summer felt more of a beginning than anything.