#i felt angsty today…….

[nashdoesstuff]

‘everything that followed was a mere blur.’

crest by me og nightmare & dreamtale by jokublog

[petricorah]

relax bro no one's taking him from you [id in alt]

lineart below cut

[bluerosefox]

Saying Sorry Will Never Be Enough

Feeling a bit angsty so I had this idea.

Danny is dating one of the Bats/Birds, and everything is going great, amazing even! They know each other secrets (from powers to everything etc), they have a wonderful place to live (even if its in Gotham), Danny is in college on the way to becoming a space engineer (and he does side jobs for unrestful ghosts), he's actually getting sleep again since leaving Amity Park, gets along with their friends and family (those who Danny or his partner still talk to, up to the writer), there is even talk about marriage and perhaps adoption/kids in the future between Danny and the Bat/Bird he's dating!

Everything is setting up for a good life in his future, something Danny didn't think could have after his accident. He was happy finally, and currently packing up his old apartment because he's moving in with his partner in a few days.

So he felt like his core was being pulled out of him when he opens his apartment door one day receiving a knock to find his parents, who had hadn't seen since they kicked him out of the house after coming clean about being Phantom (their words of anger and denial that their son was 'dead' and now a monster, still hurt)

Sure they didn't attack him or proclaim he's dead but still their last words and anger HURT.

Danny didn't give them a chance to open their mouths, both looking nervous and guilty, before he slams the door close and turns invisible, grabs his phone, and fly's out of his apartment to his partner's place in a panic attack.

His partner, isn't happy.

[abbeyofcyn]

Brains and Brawn Apocalypse AU

Distress

Masterpost

Cw implied death, implied blood, injury

[dynachan]

Two birds on a wire...

One says c'mon, and the other says I'm tired...

[crybaby-bkg]

a slight continuation of this

no caller ID pops on your screen, pulling your attention away from your previous task at hand: not fucking up your eyeliner. you typically wouldn’t care if it was a little uneven, but you’re going on a date tonight, for the first time in so long, and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible.

which is why you groan when you end the call, and that same no caller ID pops right back up seconds later. you know who it is—who else would it be? you figured he’s already seen your story of being excited for going on your first date in a while, on the only app you hadn’t blocked him on. petty? perhaps, but it’s on him to be keeping up with you despite you cursing him out for wasting your time and then blocking him right after.

you watch it ring though, contemplating for a while longer than you should. you blocked him for a reason. no need to entertain his same shit that he always spews to you when he realizes that he might be losing you once more?

….but it doesn’t hurt to hear the hero beg for you.

“What do you want, Bakugou?” You sigh irritably as you finally answer his call, putting him on speaker as you go back to even out your eyeliner. You hear him huff on the other side of the phone at the use of his surname, but he doesn’t say anything about it, instead, quickly telling you what he’s been bothering you for.

“Who’s the fuckin’ loser that’s gonna drool over how good your tits look in that stupid green dress you love so much?” Bakugou grunts, and you instantly feel your face heating at his crude words. You glance over with a frown at that same green dress that makes your tits look good, where it hangs on your closet.

“None of your damn business, Bakugou.” You snap at him, wondering if it’s too late to find something else to wear. “Not like you ever took me out in my stupid green dress.” Your voice holds a level of bitterness that only he can bring out of you, and you hear his sigh through the speakers.

“I told you this before, I’m always—”

“Busy.” You cut him off, voice suddenly thick as you think back on the countless rejections he’s splattered at your feet every time you tried to further your relationship with him. “You reminded me of how busy you’ve been since you first started this whole situationship.”

“Situation—? Huh? We were dating!” Bakugou protests with a huff, and you can hear how he paces the floor quickly. You glare at your phone, setting down your liner to instead pick of your (his) favorite lipgloss.

“You’d have to ask me out to be dating, Bakugou. You’d have to court me to be dating, Bakugou. You’d have to make time for me and take me out on dates and not hide me to fucking date me, Bakugou.” You spit at him, venom dripping off of your lips in waves. You don’t know why you answered, why you even entertained him. You shake your head with a huff when the line goes quiet, eyebrows quirking up when your date sends you a text to make sure you’re still on for tonight.

“I’m sorry.” Bakugou mutters pathetically, his voice suddenly soft. You hesitate, for some reason, when it comes to texting your date back. Why do you always hesitate when Bakugou is around?

“Let me make it up to you, court you, and shit. I can take you to one of my favorite places, you can wear that pretty green dress and that gloss you know I love.” His voice is pleading, thickening and sweet and suffocating. You shouldn’t respond, should reply back a yes to your date.

“Please? You know how much you mean to me.” Bakugou mumbles, and you can hear the earnestness in his voice. Why haven’t you said yes to your date yet?

“I’ll do better this time. Just one more chance, sweetheart.” Bakugou’s voice is so soft, you’ve never heard him this vulnerable before. You sigh with a shake of your head, slumping back into your seat in defeat.

…

Sorry, I can’t make it tonight. Something came up. Maybe we can reschedule for another time?

[wishfuldivine]

Biggest Regret

When people tell you that life educates one the hardships that causes the deepest and cruelest pain, they weren’t lying. It was as if you're suffocating while still breathing. As if you're burning despite being cold. As if you're dead while alive.

John shouldn't have done it. He regretted it with every fiber of his being. His heart broken into a million pieces that weren't possible to glue back together. His tears continued flowing like a waterfall.

"You disappoint me, John."

John shouldn't have done it. The fallen face from his boyfriend was very hurtful. Something that he'll forever see behind closed eyes. Words that he'll forever hear even in his sleep.

"What did I do to deserve this?"

John shouldn't have done it. But the deed is done. And now, he won't be able to seek forgiveness any longer. Not when his dogtags are held tightly in his hand and his coffin is being lowered to be buried.

He couldn't take it. He collapsed on his knees and broke down as his biggest mistake was unrepairable. His love was gone. His Kyle Garrick was gone.

[voylitscope]

CA: TWS 10th Anniversary Ficlets (Day 5)

Daily ficlets for the CA: TWS 10th Anniversary Event @catws-anniversary. With Huge thanks to @sparkagrace and @cable-knit-sweater for running this wonderful event! 💞

Five | March 30th | Theme: TWS Cast | Prompt: Stunts | Words: 350 | Mature | No Warnings | RPF, Chris Evan/Sebastian Stan, very light/implied sexual content (but throwing this one under a cut just in case), sexual thoughts/tension, intentionally unspecified POV

It's a perfectly normal and unremarkable sort of thing. It's not anything he should spend time thinking about. Because it's meaningless, and he knows that it is. Bodies simply have reactions sometimes, and there's nothing more to it, or behind it.

After all, adrenaline is a hormone that can lead to many responses in a person.  And when adrenaline is combined with very, very physical fight choreography — with bodies so close, with so much contact, well — well, of course, these things can happen.

Physical responses shouldn't be a surprise at all. 

Sometimes, all that adrenaline is just energy that helps perfect the choreography. Sometimes, it buzzes over bone-deep exhaustion and helps him make it through to the end of the day. 

And then, sometimes, when he's coursing with adrenalin, his body reacts to being pressed into someone else's body — to moving with and against someone else's body. But, as an adult and a professional, he doesn't need to even notice that. There's no reason he should notice that. 

Not about himself or about the body that's tangled with his, so often, these days.

It's nothing worth giving a second of attention to. Not in the moment, and certainly not — 

Certainly not later and when he's alone.

Certainly not later, alone, and picturing that other body pressed against his in a less professional context. Certainly not later, alone, picturing that body pressed against his in a less professional context, and thinking about what it might like if that familiar deep voice was whispering into his neck. 

Certainly not later, alone, picturing their bodies moving — grinding — together, that voice whispering to him, and imagining their hands traveling — as his own hand travels a similar path on his own body, as he bites his lip and — 

No. Because there's nothing to inspire any of that. 

It's nothing but adrenaline and normal responses to so much physical contact. 

And, if the way that, a few moments later, he's swallowing down a shout and his heart is pounding loudly in his ears, seems to contradict that conclusion? 

Well. 

Those things are just normal physical reactions, too.

Nothing to think about. 

🎆Four | March 29th | Theme: Natasha Romanoff | Prompt: Trust Issues | Words: 350 | Canon compliant | Not Rated | No Warnings | Gen, Natasha and Steve friendship

🎆Three | March 28th | Theme: SHIELD | Prompt: Surprise Visitor | Words: 300 | Canon compliant | Not Rated | No Warnings | But: very brief Steve/OC (sort of), and, I guess, privacy invasion via audio recording? I don’t know how to tag that. It’s canon that Steve’s DC apartment was bugged. So?

🎆Two | March 27th | Theme: Steve Rogers | Prompt: Guilt | Words: 300 | Canon compliant | Not Rated | No Warnings

🎆 One | March 26th | Theme: On your left | Prompt: The Smithsonian | Words: 250 | Canon compliant | No warnings | Not Rated |

(Ficlets Tumblr-exclusive until all are complete.)

[devilsainz]

FIRE MOVES AWAY/ALL THINGS END

THANATHOS: PERSONIFICATION OF PEACEFUL DEATH - Thanatos as a winged and sword-girt youth. Sculptured marble column drum from the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos, c. 325–300 BC.

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"ice, fire, fire, ice?"

"oh no no, he said you are fire. i'm ice?"

"i'm latino; i'm fire."

"why am i ice, though?"

"you are not ice, either."

"i think i- ... i am fire. we are fire fire."

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(references: Thanathos (wikipedia); youtube shorts ; Sainz heaps praise on Leclerc after fight for final Monza podium ; Leclerc full of praise after ‘enjoyable’ fight with Ferrari teammate Sainz ; Daniel Dal Zennaro EFE ; F1- CARLOS SAINZ TAKES VICTORY IN SINGAPORE TO BREAK RED BULL WINNING STREAK; Charles Leclerc winning in Singapore “wasn’t the plan” | “It was beneficial to Carlos…” ; Carlos Sainz Shoots Down "Uncorroborated Rumours" Of Ferrari Exit ; Carlos Sainz’s ‘Plan A, B and C’…and none of them involve Audi F1 ; Ferrari preparing for Carlos Sainz to leave at end of F1 2024 season - report ; Carlos Sainz mirando su F1-75 en llamas ; Sainz reveals mantra he repeats on difficult days at Ferrari ; The burnt remains of Sainz' engine and car ; song: only skin by joanna newsom.

[noelle-bunnie]

day 4: maintenance/coat(s)

smells can sometimes bring comfort. i hc that emmet is capable of frowning but only when he's extremely upset/angry and he can't frown on command. (part of @submas-november challenge)

[alackofghosts]

friends... 😭

[czernysglittersoup]

thinking about the way that netflix ended things, alina and mal don’t end up together. after everything they fought through, it only served to draw them apart. it wasn’t enough. they didn’t meet each other again in the meadow. they didn’t live a life full of ordinary things. now, they’re little more than strangers to each other. not soulmates.

thinking about the way matthias doesn’t know why nina got him arrested. thinking about the way nina couldn’t save him. she spent the entirety of season 2 working toward him, only to be ripped back apart in the end. twin souls split forevermore.

[quicksilverdrabbles]

-15 Years Ago (3)-

Kaidan: *knocking on the door of Merlyn's home* Merlyn! Me and the twins are gonna train together! Do you wanna come with us?

Saviren: *answering the door* Huh? And who the hell are you?

Kaidan: Er, Kaidan, sir. Who are you?

Saviren: I'm that little brat's father. How do you know of her?

Kaidan: I broke her lute on accident a couple of weeks ago. We play together outside sometimes now.

Saviren: I see. And when exactly does she come outside to play?

Kaidan: Um.. Around midday?

Saviren: ... I'm afraid she won't be able to play with you anymore.

Kaidan: Huh? But-

Saviren: *slamming the door in Kaidan's face* MERLYN! Get your sorry ass out of that room right this instant!

Merlyn: F-Father? What-

Saviren: Don't you say a fucking word! Why are the village kids saying you've been playing with them?! I told you that you are forbidden from leaving this house! Ever!

Merlyn: *trembling* I-I'm sorry father! I didn't m-mean-

Saviren: Quit the fucking stuttering! On top of that, the little shit said you had a lute! After I've told you thousands of times that I won't hear that obnoxious noise anymore!

*the sound of a slap can be heard from outside*

Kaidan: Merlyn! *he runs back down the road towards Jorrvaskr* Brynjar! Kodlak! Merlyn's in trouble!

Kodlak: Slow down, lad. What's happened?

Kaidan: I just wanted to ask her to play with me and the others, but her father answered the door. He- He started asking all these questions about her coming outside and then he shut the door and I could hear him yelling at her. It sounded like he was hurting her!

Vilkas: You WHAT?! Kodlak, you have to help her, please!

Kodlak: Alright, everybody stay calm. I'll gather some of the men and get them down there with us. Everything will be alright.

Kaidan: *watching the Companions gather their weapons and leave the mead hall* ... Is it my fault she's hurt?

Brynjar: *patting his head* No, lad, it's not. We'll figure this out, just stay here.

Farkas: ... We should go, too.

Vilkas: They told us to stay put.

Kaidan: But Merlyn's not gonna be able to talk to any of the Companions! She only talks to us!

Vilkas: ...

Farkas: Kaidan, you didn't know about her father, did you?

Kaidan: No! If I had known, then I wouldn't have gone to her house! Or I would have, if only to take her away from there!

Vilkas: He's always been like that. Some sort of noble, so the guards won't touch him. Don't think anyone's seen him in years, though. It was only ever his wife, Glenna.

Farkas: .. I'm going after them.

Vilkas: Farkas!

Farkas: You can sit here and follow the rules all you want, Vilkas, but I'm going to protect my friend!

Kaidan: I'm going too!

Vilkas: Oh for the love of- Wait up!

~

Kodlak: Break the door down if you must.

Brynjar: *swinging his axe at the door handle* ... I think I got it.

Kodlak: Steady yourselves. I can smell blood.

Brynjar: The girl's?

Kodlak: Yes. And another's, it's.. *a woman lies dead on the floor near the door* Glenna!

Brynjar: Gods, what happened?

Kaidan: Brynjar!

Brynjar: Kaidan? Stay back, boy!

Farkas: Merlyn! *running inside*

Vilkas: Didn't you just hear him say stay back?!

Kaidan: Where is she? Merlyn! *he runs through the house, checking every room* Merlyn? Where did you go?

Farkas: Kaidan.. *kneels next to a lute he found under Merlyn's bed* She never leaves without her lute..

Kaidan: She has to be here!

Kodlak: Boys, get out of there!

Brynjar: Kodlak, what if..

Kodlak: Ask the guards if they saw Saviren leave the city, and if there was anything strange about him.

Skjor: They said he left with a big sack on his back.

Kodlak: Send out search parties. He can't have gone far.

Skjor: Kodlak, if he killed his wife, he'll kill the girl. If he hasn't already.

Kodlak: I'd suggest you be quiet before-

Kaidan: She's not dead! There's no way! She was fine until I came!

Brynjar: Don't say it like that, Kaidan.

Kaidan: But it's true! If I hadn't tried to see her she would have been fine! She has to be okay!

Brynjar: *grabbing his shoulders* You are not to blame for this, y'hear? Her father is a horrible man and will get the pain he deserves. Go back to Jorrvaskr with the twins and try to calm down. We'll find her.

Farkas: *holding Merlyn's lute* Kodlak?

Kodlak: Listen to him, you three. Run on home, we'll be back soon.

Vilkas: Come on. *leading Kaidan and Farkas back to the mead hall*

Brynjar: ... I'm of a mind with Skjor. A search may be useless at this point.

Kodlak: We still have to try.

Brynjar: I never said we shouldn't.

Kaidan: *trying to hum the same tune Merlyn did*

[ask-lu-two-and-mew]

hey Mewtwo, where are all your scars from? and have you thought about healing any of them?

Hm... If I'm remembering correctly...

The burn on my tail is from a fight I had with a wild Armarouge. A particularly feisty one, at that.

The one on my snout is from a Honchkrow - apparently, I happened to get too close to its nest, and it took me by surprise.

The oddly-shaped one in the center of my tail is from a Mawile and its trainer. Those jaws are NOT something to mess around with.

The circle-shaped hole in my right ear is from a Cacturne’s Bullet Seed. I have to admit, that Pokémon’s trainer was pretty determined to catch me.

The rip in my left ear is from a Dynamaxed Corvinknight I happened to encounter in one of those weird dens in Galar. Pretty ironic how something as big as that left such a small impact.

The X-shaped one on my cheek is from a Scyther that attacked me completely unprovoked. It was probably pretty young... it seemed to be deliberately looking for a fight in an attempt to get stronger.

The burn on my side is from a powerful Charizard. Its trainer was stronger than any trainer I'd encountered before. I was almost caught in that battle, actually. Thankfully, it seemed like they only had regular Poké Balls on hand.

The smallest one on my tail - the one near my back - that one's from a Diglett that just so happened to know Shadow Claw. I have zero idea how it knew that move - or how it even scratched me. I mean, seriously. Why has NOBODY ever seen a Diglett's full body before?!

...Uh. Anyways.

(CW: flashing images and verbal/visual depictions of blood, injury, and malnourishment under the cut)

As for the one on my eye...

[Mewtwo seems to hesitate while speaking, his expression growing darker.]

...I'd rather not talk about that one.

And yes, I can heal my own scars. But I like to keep them. They're... reminders, I guess. Reminders of what I've accomplished. How far I've come.

...Although...

[He puts his hand over his chest, right on the strange bump in the center. His breathing is shaky, and he seems quite tense.]

...I've only ever healed one scar. One I was certain I didn't want to keep.

[forthewinn]

@authcrwriites​ ||  ❝ come here, you can use me as a pillow in the meantime. ❞ from steve

Winn tried to hide the way that he struggled to keep his eyes open. But he knew that Steve would catch on pretty fast, he was pretty good at that kind of stuff. He wrinkled his nose for a moment before locking his computer. Winn knew that he had been working a little too hard lately, after his dad left the stupid toy on his computer desk and the new got out that he has escaped prison. Well he was determined to find his father before his father found him. But when Steve offered to let Winn sleep on him, well he knew that he was going to be safe in the soldier's arms. Winn was scared, and he knew that he could be honest about that with Steve. “Only if you promise to stay.” 

[edgeray]

Alba you did an amazing job on this and I love it. Please feed the Arle Nation more angst, and thanks for your entry :). I love this idea so much I almost wish I wrote this myself. Guys, go read it before reading this.

I think there's something fascinating with grieving and the effect that death has around people. However, in my interpretation/take on this prompt of Arlecchino dying to Lyney's hand in order for him to succeed, I think you would be furious. Also, some of my personal interpretation of Arlecchino's character/backstory sprinkled in.

Arlecchino has most definitely planned for her death, in fact, I think she prepared Lyney for this. I'm not saying this is what's going to happen in canon, but just to entertain this fic's concept. When you plan for your own death, the logical, rational thing is to cut off any more attachments. Arlecchino likely has been planning her death for years, maybe since the very beginning of her Harbinger career. She's purposely put on this facade, of a 'cold, unfeeling' Father so as to not be like the former Knave (who pretended to care for her children, only to send them to their deaths.)

From her story quest, it's obvious that Arlecchino is aware that the children in the House of the Hearth are not safe (not safe from being sent on missions and possibly dying while doing so), but at the very least, they have one another, and they have the freedom to leave if they so choose. Between choosing to lose your memories or possibly dying, those choices are still better than having a mother who you thought loved you dearly only to force you to fight your siblings until death, sent away onto missions which you more than surely will die, or be thrown away to be used as a lab rat. Sure, they may have a better quality of living, but their fates are not that much better--they're still only fodder for the Tsaritsa.

Her children are not safe, even under her care. And I think she's internalized this since she first became 'Father.' It would only hurt them more if they grew attached to the very person that was enabling or forcing them in these circumstances. Arlecchino has no qualms with dying to Lyney because she knows (or at least, she thinks she knows) her children will not mourn her, will not grieve her. That is another part as to why she is a 'cold, unfeeling Father.'

So then, it'd be selfish to be committed to a relationship when your death has been planned from the very beginning. You know that Arlecchino is a meticulous person--everything that Arlecchino can control must fit in the way that she wants them. Arlecchino is not emotionally unaware enough to believe that ypu will not be hurt by her death, and yet she goes ahead. I highly doubt that Arlecchino will tell of this to you, with the knowledge that you would stop her.

They were finances. They were going to be married, they were going to love each other until 'death do them part.' Arlecchino agreed to a lifetime relationship, with the knowledge that her life will end soon, and it'd be at no one's fault but hers. She decided when her life will end, but still acts as if she had plenty of time left.

Time left to be with you. Despite all her selfishness, maybe she *did* want more time with you even with her planned death. Maybe she wanted--selfishly, selfishly--wanted to imprint some parts of her on you, and wanted some parts of you on her when she passed. Because despite how short of her life it is, despite you being only in a small fraction of her life, she wanted to take some of you with her, even beyond death.

Maybe there was a reason why she always kept the engagement ring on her.

How could you not be angry with her? That she pretended everything was fine? That she pretended she wasn't counting the days of her death? That she promised a lifetime, and cut it short without another regard to you? She left you behind with no consolation, just an empty throne in her place.

In the end, she died with not a single word to you. You left the House one day, with no knowledge of her impending fate, and returned, your fiancée dead. She died alone, as she had always dreamed of, but you're alone, as you had always feared for.

Selfish Arlecchino. Selfish Peruere. For allowing you to fall in love with her.

I know if I’m haunting you, you must be

haunting me.

pairing: Ghost!Arlecchino x fem!reader

context: past regrets lead you back to a place you believed to be long abandoned

cw: major character death, doomed yuri, angst with comfort….??? No idea, grief, depression, reader is referred to as Mother by the HotH

This is part of @edgeray ‘s Halloween Special which I’m super honored to be part of! Make sure to check out all the other amazing works from all the lovely people also participating <3

They say everyone grieves in a different way.

That every single method to process the sudden change in your life is a valid one.

It has been exactly five months, one week and six days.

You noticed the pitying and sad looks you‘d get from the children and even subordinates ever since.

Noticed how they whispered behind your back.

„They were just about to get married…“

„Killed by her own child… but that was expected from the Hearth.“

Killed…

Own child…

They needn’t know the truth. That Arlecchino pressured him into a fight on that evening. That the poor boy was forced to make a choice.

Either the House. Or his own life.

When the news reaches you it was already too late.

Her blood was long ago soaked up by the carpet. Her usual hot skin was freezed to the bone.

If it weren’t for the arrow piercing her heart, you’d almost mistaken her for a sleeping beauty.

Lyney was already taken by the Fatui to the HQ.

And Arlecchino was dead.

Peruere Snezhevna was dead.

And your spark died with her.

Today was February 2nd.

Father’s birthday.

You knew it wasn’t his fault. That the guilt must be consuming him. He was always a child of empathy and righteousness but you just couldn’t look him in the eyes anymore without your eyes watering. Without the images of your dead fiancé swimming back up. Without imagining that deadly arrow being released by his own hands.

You just couldn’t. Just as you couldn’t continue to live in that cursed house you used to share. Everything reminded you of her.

That toothbrush next to yours.

Her perfume still consuming the bedroom air.

The untouched side of the bed.

Even the moon reminded you of her.

You moved out in the same week of her death, the building got abandoned only short after.

And still nothing changed for you. You couldn’t handle not being woken up by her soft lips caressing your neck. Not being able to look into those crimson x‘s for one last time.

The sheer thought of the wedding that will never happen in this lifetime was enough to send you into a mental breakdown. No. No you’re not processing her death well.

The children noticed. They always did. Attentive to their Mother, are they not? How you barely ate anything or almost never left the darkness of your new bedroom where you‘d bury yourself in the blankets, wearing one of your old love‘s shirts.

Lyney ordered a doctor to look after you from time to time. That poor child. He missed his mother. And he hated himself for how your situation was nothing more than his fault. He wanted to talk to you. To throw himself in your arms and apologize, over and over. The new responsibilities bestowed upon him weren’t easy for him and without neither of his parents guidance… Self hatred wasn’t enough to describe how he was feeling about his new life.

The doctor or rather the therapist he called for you released after his third visit.

Depression?

Moving on?

You were mourning for fucks sake.

Instead of a doctor now it was Childe. He always came by on Thursdays, maybe even Tuesdays. He got along well with your beloved and as it turned out, is really good at talking you an ear off. He’d take you out to walks mostly, always walking a slightly different route, never repeating your steps. He never once asked you how you’re processing the recent events, but what he did was nag you about his colleagues, mostly Pantalone.

What you didn’t know was that a great part of Arlecchino‘s will was dedicated to you. And how Childe needs to look after you. Along with a whole lot other things such as that you’re status in the Hearth must never be changed. You still got say in important matters. You were still to being addressed by mother.

Today was a Thursday. But Childe couldn’t make it last minute, an important mission in Liyue, they said. But that didn’t stop you from putting on your boots and jacket and go on a walk by yourself.

For the first time in almost half a year.

Spring was just about to begin, the birds slowly returning. It wasn’t necessarily bad weather but also not exceptionally good either. The sun hid behind a bunch of clouds and the wind ruined the hair you put up so neatly.

You didn’t have a certain destination. You just walked. Walked and walked until you came to halt in front of a building you never wanted to see again.

With no one to look after it, the vines slowly started creeping up the walls. A big lock hanging around the handles of the entrance doors… well a broken one. Did bandits already break in to try and rob it of its last memories?

Didn’t seem like it once you pushed the creaky mahogany open. It looked just the way you left it. But dustier.

Usually when you used to walk through here, Arlecchino would already be awaiting you, taking the coat off of your shoulders and place a lovely kiss on the top of your head.

„I hope your day was better than mine, my love.“

It often was. Now every single one was filled with nothing but emptiness and sorrow.

You navigated through the hallways, which were usually filled with children chasing each other, giggling and laughing.

Now there were one or two rats scurrying around on the floor. Lovely.

The house was mostly cleared of anything valuable when the Hearth moved but something seemed off… it was quiet. Not the quiet you‘d expect when walking into an abandoned building. As soon as you stepped over the threshold, the wind ceased to exist outside the manor. The multiple candles lighting up once you passed them also didn’t slip your mind.

Normally, it would scare the living daylights out of you. But now it felt like coming home. It felt familiar.

It felt like her.

Passing through the living room felt like being catapulted right back to that fateful day. The bloodied carpets were already disposed of but the dark stain on the wooden floor was still left.

This is were you found her.

Cold.

And still so utterly beautiful.

Suddenly the engagement ring felt all too heavy on your hand. Almost burning. That’s when you noticed the two teacups on a single table next to it. With brewing hot tea.

„I was wondering how long it will take you to find your way back here.“

Your heart stopped at the familiar voice suddenly behind you. Now you were completely loosing it.

When you whipped around, expecting the empty look into a dead hallway, it almost knocked the air out of your lungs.

They say ghosts are created when the dying soul has regrets so big and powerful that they defy death themselves.

„Now, now… Not even a single „Hello“ from you and you’re at the brink of tears… is that really a way to greet me?“, Arlecchino‘s hand reached over to brush off the salty tears from your cheek, only to reach right through you.

„Ah… I forgot…“

„…What kind of joke is this…?“, analyzing her features, you noticed how she was drenched in a faint, blue light and even transparent. But she was still as gorgeous as ever. If it weren’t for the gaping hole in her chest.

„One I‘d certainly scold the children for. I was surely surprised once I realized my current predicament… I don’t know what is worse. That I’m stuck here between the living and the dead world… or that I left you alone.“, her eyes softened like they always did when they landed on you.

You couldn’t stop the tears anymore. This all felt like a bad nightmare you couldn’t wake up from. Maybe it was. But your heart hoped otherwise.

Goodness, you couldn’t stop crying.

„My sweet dove… how often did I tell you that tears don’t suit your beautiful face? Come on, give me one of those smiles I loved so dearly…“, in between sobs and tears you somehow managed to pull up the corner of your lips into the slightest of smiles. It felt so weird. You forgot the last time you truly, genuinely smiled.

„There we go… My beautiful girl…“, but Arle‘s smile quickly faltered at the sight of the ring of your finger. „Still wearing it, are we…?“

The sobs still escaping your lips made it impossible to form a sentence so you just nodded.

„…“

„I‘m sorry. For leaving you alone in this world. For not fulfilling the promise I’ve given you… I truly regret nothing more than leaving your side…“

Never once in your time together did you hear her so devastated. Never.

Maybe it was wishful thinking. Maybe it was your brain playing a prank on you.

It probably was when you took a big inhale of oxygen into your lungs as you sat up right in your bed. Drenched in sweat and tears. The weight of the ring on your finger so unbearable that you pulled it right off your hand and threw it against the nearest wall.

What a cruel dream. What a cruel world this was without her.

The love of your life was dead and there was nothing to be done that would bring her back.