#i still have to design the gods of celestia. head in hands

[lanternlightss]

Ooooo puppy :D

And AU stuff?? 👀👀👀🐝

ouppy…!!!

ahsjsjsjsj and yeah!!! been working on a reversed fates fic >:D it’s currently at 5,000 or so words lol

also tried working on the archon nb au XD i have found that i hate drawing pillars and arches.

[monards]

Currently obsessed with thinking about Rhine and Alice meeting as teens... Alice watching her friend growing older and older than her until the cataclysm. Then she caught up to her... And then started surpassing her.

As much as it hurts her, she's long accepted that losing friends quickly is part of being around humans, but she never expected to have to be the first to die, and she knows rhinedottir won't take it as well as she would've.

(there are two wolves inside of me one wants to spoil rhinedottir and see her happy and the other one wants to see her break)

anon. oh my god. ANON WHO HURT. WHOM/. WHAHT AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH i had to take a like. 15 minutes break after getting this, it hurt me so bad. but. we're back now.!!!!!!

I think the ambiguity around both rhine and alice's pasts is what makes them so fun.,,,, but oughhh boy does this take the cake. oh my god. head in hands as i scream.

I'm always sosooo weak to the growing old trope,, and this is just repeatedly stabbing and twisting blades into my heart. i think one of the most horrific things about the curse to me is ALWAYS gonna be the fact they're just stuck in time. they're always gonna be the same,, they can change their style, or whatever,, but they're always gonna be the them they were at the cataclysm... and the way that contrasts SO much which Alice and her almost ever changing enviornment,,, oh fuucjkkkk. Rhinedottir is her constant. Somebody shoot me in the head. I can't even BEGIN to imagine how horrific it'd for Alice to be the only one changing. for once. If they had meet as teens,, i wouldn't doubt Alice would've already been preparing to lose rhine (assuming that, if elves have 'elongated lives' that means they age weird or whatever that entails, and she would've already been through a few things by then to warrant her being a little more. well thought out) and then out of nowhere, after all this mental prep. everythings flipped upside down. and bam. she's not gonna lose rhine; rhine's gonna lose HER. Considering how sympathetic Alice clearly already is,,, that would've messed her up SO bad. oughhh boy i can't even imagine how unhealthily attached in some ways rhine could've grown during the cataclysm itself,, since when literally everything you have and loved is ripped away from you when you're hardly even a fully grown adult by then, i wouldn't blame if she sort of grew into thinking of Alice as the one thing she still had; so i can't even imagine how SHE'D react finally letting it sink in that Alice wasn't gonna be there eventually. ^ And if this actually WERE the case in canon sense (which. for my mental health im desperately gonna pretend it isn't.) ,, it'd make soo much more sense why Albedo goes to Alice with a letter, instead of Rhine communicating herself. Her trying to distance herself from Alice... because she's scared to lose alice while loving her and having her be sooo engrained in Rhinedottir's routine.. so she's trying to distance and separate herself... oughhh boy.

I'm. The entire second paragraph too,,, just about Alice herself being used to it, but not Rhine,,,, it's gonna KILL me. This is reallllyyyy feeding into my rhinedottir-humanization rants,, but dear god does it have to be horrific to experience every thing that humans were never designed to; and only adding to that list of scarring traumatic events its like, hey!!! you know the person you love???? who you sorta prepared to be with for the rest of your life?? well BOY do i have some news for you!!! -- and that makes me. So sad. so indescribably sad. Because realistically,, the average person can only go through SO much. And considering the fact I doubt rhine has really anybody who cares for her in that regard- especially after celestia effectively antagonized her to hell in back, and stuck a big red "sinner" sticky note on her head- i doubt she ever WILL again.,,, so uoghhhh her losing Alice... my heart... she'd be so fucked up after that. Like if anyone thought she went bonkers after elynas and durin got destroyed,, boy do they have something to learn. Especially with how embedded Alice is in her life already as much as she may not FULLY realize it,, they literally have a FAMILY. imagine how horrific it'd be for her to watch klee grow up, and then die too.??? the last part of alice in this world. gone. Oh my god. JEsus CHRIST. I can't emotionally recover from this idea head in hands.

anon you've officially ruined my mind. I will be thinking about this for next week. month. year. the rest of my life, actually. I will lay on my death bed and SOB over this. Thank you

[zhongrin]

Hey there Mei! How have you been? Haha, I'm so sorry it's been a while since our last chat, paperwork had kept me busy since Yae Publishing House's supposed "blunder" during the Warrior's Spirit competition.

Listen, may I steal your lover for a moment? Dor– Albedo, let's have a chat. It'll just be a quick walk. Oh no, please stay where you are, Mei. I'd like for us to talk privately. Hmm? Haha, of course, I'm not keeping secrets from you. Chief Alchemist, shall we head out?

-----

"Dorian", I presume that's your true name? You've switched with the real "Albedo" didn't you? If you haven't and Cretaceus had become naturally deranged, well I'd be damned.

It's as cold as I remember here in Dragonspine, then again it'd be foolish for me to expect anything else from a near abandoned location.

Hmph. I saw that– I'd be a bit wiser if I were you. Until you're confident that you can best one of Khaenri'ah's royal captains, you ought to sheathe that sword fast. You are not even certain if I am your enemy. Why don't you act more like your successor and be less... Feral.

I only ask for three answered questions, surely it'd all be answered by the time we reach the outskirts. Unlike the other Khaenri'ahn Captain you might know, your answers here do have a bearing on how you'll leave this place. Still, I implore you to avoid hesitation and speak from the heart. And do not lie, for no primordial tongue nor eyes can deceive me. Before I became Mei's friend, I was also Rhine's. I watched her design you– albeit my preferences were one of the reasons why you had blonde hair and blue eyes in the first place.

First question, do you love Mei? "Are you serious"– of course I am. She is a friend and in all my years of living, I've discovered that it is unfortunately difficult to find people like her. I only wish the best for her. If your intentions are true, then I shall ponder over whatever you propose. You are Rhine's creation, and therefore one of our own. I could be an ally by the end of this talk, so play nice.

But once again, do NOT lie. "Kjærligheten er som vinden, du kan ikke se den, men du kan føle den"– I will know if you do attempt to lie. No wind is too "loud" for me to know the truth.

Second question, is this a scheme to get back at the Gods? As you may have noticed, I am also Khaenri'ahn– Mondstadters sure find it difficult to spot us from the crowd, hmm? Back to the matter at hand, coveting the Geo Archon's beloved spouse would surely be considered more than a petty crime in the eyes of divinity. Since the incident 500 years ago, I've threaded a thin line of neutrality when it comes to my homeland and Celestia. I must know if I could support your motivations, I do hope you understand.

Lastly, what do you plan on doing once the timer runs out? You should be well aware that your brainwashing won't last long. It was only luck that this astral fake sky aligned to grant you this opportunity. Do you intend to continue harassing her when you now have the Acting Grand Sage of the Akademiya and that "Funeral Consultant" behind your back?

... Don't ponder on the last question for too long. The answer to the first question is vital– everything else is secondary.

Now, won't you be a dear and start talking? I hate returning Rhine's experiments in more than one piece.

"wai- ansy- but- wha- aaand there they go..."

the girl stared at the two retreating back in the distance, a small pout forming on her lips.

"no, seriously, why are my friends being like this..."

"...."

"'secrets'..."

she absentmindedly toyed with the little belt on her hip, fingers clenching around nothing.

"something's..... weird...."

".... i certainly did not expect a sudden interrogation from someone i just met while being fully conscious for the very first time in this timeline," he sheathed back his sword and eyed the human(?) being in front of him impassively, "forgive the hostility. you lot have been quite... resilient, in your attempts. and suffice to say i am not in a good mood."

he falls back into step with them while keeping a safe distance away, three pairs of eyes observing each other silently before he decides to break the silence. 

"i suppose i could entertain you for a while. what an amusing set of questions. let's see..."

"for your first question - at first i have to admit, i saw her as a peculiar subject; nothing more, nothing less. but her... devotion, you could say, was admirable and fascinating. and as we spent time together, we became curious."

"how does it feel like to be loved so wholly and unconditionally by someone?"

"how does it feel like to know that there would always be that one person, who would support and follow you to the edge of the universe regardless of what you are?"

"how does it feel to be willingly given and to hold such a fragile thing, fully knowing that i would be able to simply crush them?"

he chuckled when their bloodlust clawed on his synthetic skin.

"i'm not done. that was all it was in the beginning, yet...," his face twists into a melancholic expression making him look almost... vulnerable.

when he finally resumed his speech, however, his voice is steady, and he remains stoic throughout the rest of his answer.

"love... is a concept we still struggle to understand fully. but at the very least, i'd like to think what i feel for her is something along that line. emotions were never my strong suit, but even synthetic beings evolve, mx. ansy. i'm sure you know of this quite well, don't you? at the end of the day, as i have been telling you all: i do not wish to harm her."

the snow crunch under their shoes as the two continued their leisurely walk through the blizzard. the snowstorm didn't seem to have any effect on either of them as they climbed the slopes, and so the homunculus continued.

"secondly - i know you might have a hard time believing this, but no. i do not wish to mess with the divinity by doing this. i merely saw someone who managed to light my days, to put it in simple terms. this is why i do not understand why everyone seems to be quite... hostile, when faced with the knowledge of our relationship. i understand that change is sometimes hard to accept, but change and growth is often on the same side, is it not?"

"and lastly..... when the timer runs out?"

he falls into a short silence, eyes narrowing and a small incline tugging at the corner of his lips. his soles snap a dead branch into two.

"let's just say, i have countermeasures set in place."

his footsteps stop, and with an obviously faked smile, he extended his hand for a parting handshake, "normally i would have said to please give my regards to your beloved royal knight, but... it seems like you're dealing with some issues of your own, so i'll spare you the anguish. despite such circumstances, you still made yourself check up on a friend after all, so i think it deserves at least a little sympathy."

"i believe you'll get an opportunity to continue speaking with me directly very soon, for as long as you want. so please, do not act rashly. i really do want to keep it civil between us. now. i believe that should answer all of your questions."

[octogaldraws]

Twisted Amnesia

As Vil woke up He felt an immediate unease. But he was shaken out of a his thoughts by Yuu’s voice that echoed around the room he was in.* “Welcome! You are now listening to the sound of my disembodied voice. It will serve no purpose to look for me this is a voice from the past. I bid you welcome to my cabinet of perturbation. It’s my study of the psyche, specifically yours. A set of recordings have been prepared to chaperone you through the chambers ahead. There are few parts to this study. It’s up to you. Not only to pass. But figure out which Elements are important. Please go on. Move into the next chamber. Just remember they can all be saved… there’s always a way.” *yuu’s voice cut off.* “Yuu…. This isn’t funny…” *Vil stated fear clear in his voice as he walked i to the next room. Seeing the words on the label calling the chamber “Love and Dispair.” He wasn’t enjoying himself at all. In fact he felt like someone was watching his every move. But seeing how Yuu said it was a study. He guessed there was cameras. What Vil wasn’t prepared for was what he saw next.* “c-Celestia? Is that you?” *”Celestia” turned around. Her eyes were ripped out, open cuts littered her body, and she had a larger metal collar around her neck.* “Oh God… Celestia What have they done to you?!” *Vil felt the tears role down his face as he looked at her.* “is that you? My Love? You came for me!” *Her voice echoed through the halls. He started to back away from her.* “No! Stay!” *She reached out and grabbed him. He could feel the blood on her hands.* “Don’t leave again!” *Vil’s entire body was shaking as he fell to his knees.* “oh shit! Alright Yuu Shut it off!!” *The Erie music stoped as celestia started to wipe off the makeup. She took out the contacts that made her eyes look gone.* “Vil. Mia Bella. Look at me, I’m okay. I promise” *Vil looked up at her.* “Like Yuu said. It was just a Study. I’m fine” *she added as she kissed his forehead. Yuu walked in.* “Sorry about that. I uhh didn’t think I was THAT good at special effects makeup…” *Vil laughed now that he was calming down* “You got that right. I couldn’t even tell it was makeup. How did you get this wounds to look so good?” *He asked Looking at Celestia to look at Yuu’s work.* “Toilet paper and glue. That’s literally it. Well and foundation and fake blood” *Vil laughed again* “Definitely scared the shit outa me.” *Yuu laughed.* “well if you had lasted longer you could have seen what I did with Leona and Riddle. Because that is some of my best work. By the way. I wrote the script too.” *Vil chuckled nervously* “that is some creepy shit.” *Yuu rubbed the back of her head.* “Ace didn’t do much better. He got to Leona and then had a meltdown…” *Riddle walled in still in the sfx makeup* “HOLY SHIT!!!” *Vil yelled as he pulled celestia to him until he got poked with the large metal collar she was wearing. Yuu laughed* “like I said. My best work”

So for reference Celestia is my Twst oc.

The designs are based of the my little amnesia designs of

Fluttershy for celestia

Rainbow dash for Leona

And

Pinkie pie for Riddle. (Yuu had to bribe him with her tarts to get him to do it)

I might make this in multiple parts so you can see the other characters reactions to this gauntlet

[yunahosk]

limerence | yan zhongli x reader

ai ai ai, i’ve never tried writing before so this is a first (and ofc i picked zhongli to seduce him to come home), if all goes well possibly i’ll do another!

apologies for poor english and grammar, i speak dutch, im trying hehe.

warnings: blood, violence, mentions of public death/ exec*tion, mentions of death, stabbing (in leg and arm), obsessive tendencies, forced relationship, yandere content

please let me know if i missed anything!

limerence: the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person

“Thank you for providing me your kindness, Mr. Zhongli.” You smiled, letting your hands slowly wrap around the porcelain cup adorned with designs of gold. It seemed to fit the man’s mysterious aura: truly lavish.

After an encounter, more so a dilemma with a small village in Liyue which left you seconds away from your inevitable fate of hanging by a rope. To be fair, sure, possibly you shouldn’t have accidentally set fire to half the village. But having a pyro vision has its downsides too, no?

Although it left you questioning why it seemed he had such an impact on the small village, all the mattered is that you still sat in flesh and bone and not six feet under.

Truly, he was a kind man, even inviting you into his abode for a cup of tea and a residence for the meantime. You were an adventurer from Fontaine, traveling to all the seven nations in search of, well nothing. Armed with only a pyro vision and a spear you were determined to travel the world. Liyue Harbor was just one of your many stops, and to your delight it was truly a fascinating and astonishingly beautiful place.

“Ah, there’s no need for formalities. I do think we are well acquainted by now.” He hummed, observing how you lifted the cup to your lips, your eyes widening as the scorching substance hit your tongue. You quickly placed the porcelain cup down, a light laugh emerging from your lips as a smile soon followed.

“Really, I don’t know how I could ever repay you.” Resting your finger tips upon the cup and frowning as you stared at the liquid in deep thought.

“I’d give you my life if I could.” You laughed, furrowing your eyebrows with a sigh.

“We could arrange for that.” Your eyes widened, staring down at the cup of tea with a dumbfounded expression. Quickly composing yourself, a laugh quickly arose from your mouth, though sounding more panicked than natural.

“Ah, I didn’t imagine you’d be a man of comedy.” You chuckled, cocking your head to the side and letting your hand fall from the cup down to your waist, toying with the pyro vision by your side. Sure, you weren’t in danger, just force of habit.

“I’m afraid I do not understand.” There go the wide eyes once again.

“Oh- your comment, before?” You looked up, now gripping the red orb by your side as more of a safety precaution than anything, worry seeping through your bones but that stupid voice in your head told you Mr. Zhongli couldn’t hurt a fly. Tension rose in your throat, watching as his amber orbs slowly gaze over your expression.

“Ah, I see.” A wave of relief washed over your body. Social cues truly aren’t just his thing. We all have our quirks though, no?

“You don't take my word?” He hummed, furrowing his eyebrows. The 10 seconds of relief now came crashing down, setting you back to your state of panic.

“I do believe it is a fair trade. On my part, saving your life from harm and death and as for your part, giving me yourself in return.” He wasn’t joking.

“I’m sorry, but you’ve got to be mistaken. We had no such agreement before this!” You raised your voice, listening as a hum of what seemed to be displeasure released from his mouth. He lifted his hand, bringing it to his chin as if in thought. “I do value fairness greatly.”

“You’re out of your mind, no part of this is fair! There was no mention of such a thing?” He seemed to be confused, taking in your words.

“Ah, you seem to misunderstand. I simply intend to establish a marriage. To bind you to my side, for eternity that is.” Well, now it was your turn to be confused. “Marriage? Goodness gracious, we met, what? Two days ago? My apologies Mr. Zhongli, but in no way do I intend to marry you. I haven’t a clue what you speak about.” You stated, rising from your seat and preparing for your departure.

“That does not seem like a wise choice, Y/N.” Your body tensed, was this a threat? No. You are fine. A huff of breath released from your mouth as you readied yourself once again, walking towards the door and making your departure with no more exchanged words.

“What a shame.” Zhongli hummed with a frown, staring at the door you’d made your sudden leave from.

Putting the events of a few days ago behind, it truly was difficult to leave Liyue Harbor. Residents of the city were welcoming and kind, helping a foreigner with open hands. Though all good things must come to an end at some point.

As you traveled your way through Liyue, passing by ruin after ruin the thought of your soon adventures in Mondstadt seemed more intriguing by the second. Maybe you do get excited too easily, but you can't help the way your daydreams take over reality. It does make time fly by faster though.

After days of travel through a variety of terrain, soon you find yourself at Wangshu Inn, looking for a night's rest. It does seem as though everything in Liyue is elegant, and this place is most certainly no different. To say the least you were excited to stay in such a place.

With your bag in hand, you slowly make your way across the balcony of the building towards your room, letting your eyes gaze upon the stars in the sky. A sigh releases from you as you stop your short walk and make your way towards the edge of the balcony, staring up at the stars in all their glory.

In sight is Celestia itself. Perhaps one day you could visit. After all, this is only the beginning of your adventures. With so many more to come maybe you could ascend there one day.

“Pathetic.” The words catch you off guard as your eyes widen, quickly turning to meet the raspy voice only to find yourself knocked to the ground, your belongings and spear shoved to the side. An excruciating pain made its presence upon your leg and as you let out a loud groan, you open your eyes and are met with a black and teal-haired man staring down at you with a malicious glare.

Your eyes widen in horror as you look down to the source of the pain: a large spear present in your calf leaving you to watch as blood seeped out. The agonizingly slow speed as to which he pulls the spear from your skin makes tears surface upon your eyes. And soon after you find the tip of the same spear pointed at your neck.

“Who are you?” You muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at him with watery eyes. It hurt so bad, more pain than you’d ever felt before.

“It doesn’t concern you as to who I am, you are only a mere mortal.” Your breath hitches as you scan over his body and take sight of the mask on his side.

“Y- you’re an adepti?” You whispered, your voice shaky. “Aren’t you supposed to be protecting hum-”

A cry of pain releases from your mouth as the spear once pointed in your neck now finds itself sunken into your thigh.

“Did I say you could speak?” His voice is raspy, it sounds as though it’s strained from screaming, but you’re the one screaming. Tears fall from your eyes as you wait for your fate to be sealed. Beside you you can hear footsteps upon the wooden balcony, a surge of hope rushes through you only to come back down to horror as quickly as it lasted.

The same deep hum you’d despised now evident once again.

“It seems you are in trouble?” It was as if he was asking a question more than making a statement as if you weren’t sitting in a pool of your own blood with a spear pointed at your throat. You reach your arm out in a desperate attempt to grasp your spear, biting your lips to stop the sobs from spilling once again.

“Zhongli, please-” In your arm this time the spear plunges down on.

“Do not speak to Rex Lapis in such a disrespectful manner.” The adepti snaps, glaring down at you. Silence surfaces as your sobs grow louder, and soon you find yourself coming to realization.

Rex Lapis? No no, there has to be a mistake. But it all makes sense? The same man who took you in so humbly now kneels beside you watching you suffer. Is this who Rex Lapis, the god of contracts and war truly is?

As he kneels by your side, his gloved hand delicately makes its way down your cheek, wiping the tears from your face.  

“Please help me.” You whisper, you sound truly pathetic. But you’d rather look pathetic than give up on life so easily.

“I’ll do anything.” You ever so quietly whisper out. You knew you didn’t want what would come next, but you couldn’t give up. Not yet.

“Anything?” He hums as if he found the scene before him amusing. The eye contact made between his amber eyes and your e/c orbs sends shivers down your spine.

He truly wants this. He’s crazy.

You find yourself nodding your head in hesitance, you don’t want this.

“Y/n, do you agree to stay bound to my side in marriage for eternity?” Your breath hitches, eyes widening in horror, there’s no going back on this. There truly isn’t.

Is this worth your life?

“Yes.”

[ellitx]

Chapter 5: Reticence

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

previous || next

art belongs to _01ki_

word count: 3.5k

           Night had fallen fast upon the ruins. The hours that had gone by that were previously painted with hues of red, orange, and pink had all but faded leaving only a matte black canvas with no stars to be looked upon.

           The darkness was thick and only a small source of light had allowed you to see a limited portion of your surroundings. Other than the darkness and yourself all that seemed to exist was the cold wind that brushed against your bare skin.

           Cold water soaked your whole body, almost freezing as it went. Your face is drenched, the drops coming together to run into your eyes and drip from your chin. You released a shaky sigh and lowered yourself even further at the lake to cool down your burning face.

            Today was rather… eventful, so to say. You bit your lower lip remembering the time you had gotten intimate with him. It made your heart race and face go burning hot just reminiscing those scenes that happened an hour ago. You sunk yourself even more until your entire head was submerged by the cool waters. 

           Stop thinking about it!

           You scolded yourself and shut your eyes tightly to erase the salacious thoughts breaching your head. Truth to be told, you still can’t believe if it was real or just a fragment of your imagination. If it’s the latter then you should be ashamed of yourself for having thoughts such as that.

           Forgive me father and mother and to the Celestia! You cried internally and buried your face in your hands. The water did not even help you to cool down your already burning face, sinking yourself further and deeper into the lake.

           But even so, you can’t help but remind yourself how much Venti had poured his love onto you. His kisses were desperate and needy, clinging and holding you close to him in fear of losing you. Your fingers lightly traced the edge of your lower lips faintly remembering how his lips brushed against yours.

           The beating of your heart raced and you lifted yourself, gathering the air you needed after letting yourself doused underwater. Another sigh spilled from you as you gazed upwards and stared absently at the blank canvas of the midnight sky.

           A promise to stay together…

          A sudden worry about your wisp friend has entered your head. You do wonder if he has really disappeared or not. It feels odd he’s missing in the group as the three of you are always together. You pray to the Celestia that he’s fine and safe, hoping he’ll come back to the two of you.

           Your mind fades into dullness and everything is a foggy illusion. The quietness of the spring calms you; taking your mind off of things. All the things you honestly are unconcerned about. It’s the water. Your mind swirls, and it’s like standing on an everlasting waterfall. Ever so beautiful, but it can never last.

           You blinked and your scrutiny went towards the stream, noticing a turquoise light shimmering underneath. A brow arched from your front in curiosity, letting yourself sit properly to get a good look at it.

           Like a butterfly that was tranced by the sight of nectar, you were attracted to the mesmerizing glow of the waters. Unable to turn away, you reached for it and felt your own fingers roaming on your leg.

           Your leg…? Now that you take a closer look at it, with a little bit of trouble observing in the dark, there were marks circling around your thighs. A light teal jagged pattern surrounded it combined with little shapes of triangles and diamonds.

           The calmness that once blanketed you was now replaced with turmoil. You can feel the uneasiness in your chest waiting to take over. Perhaps it only wants to protect you but there really isn’t any danger. It sits there like paste propelling you towards anxiety you just don’t need.

           You let out a slow controlled breath and attempted to loosen your stiff shoulders. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath to calm yourself and say the marks have no effects on you— or so you think it was. 

           Though it was once again discarded the moment your eyes cast towards your chest and shoulder. A shape of a diamond was plastered right above your chest, with little triangles left on the edge. You were definitely sure they weren’t there before yet the marks continued appearing that almost coated half of your entire upper body.

           A sense of dread washed over you at the display of these unknown symbols that appeared out of nowhere. Maybe you should go back to Venti, you’ve been staying here for who knows how long now, not to mention there are monsters lurking here that might attack you. 

           You’ve cleaned your body already and you don’t want to make him wait for you any longer. Standing up, you wrung your hair and let the chilling waters drip back to the stream. The fact that the marks glowed even more peeved you that it might attract attention from anything wandering nearby.

           Unfortunately, the gods didn’t heed your pleas of hoping no one will see you. Your body shivered when you felt eyes piercing right through your back, watchful and almost too engrossed. You covered your chest and turned around to see any entities within your call.

           Your throat bobbed in fear and anxiety, hastily grabbing your clothes in an effort to hide your bare self. It didn’t do much to cover you entirely, but it was still enough to obscure your front. 

           “Venti…?” You shakily asked out to the quiet ruins. You already expected only silence to greet you until a familiar chiming of a bell reached your ears. As the light drains away there is barely enough even for shadows. Whether you like it or not, the darkness comes and under it everything in this forest is hidden. 

           Even the stars and moon cower behind a dense layer of cloud, giving the air that tincture you associate with the world before a storm. 

           Your ears become sharper and your mind paranoid, every snap of a twig is a predator, even if it is a fawn. For each aroma, your brain jumps to the most fearsome thing it could be and your body prepares for flight, fright, or freeze.

           For the most part, you just freeze. Running will give your position away and you’re not much of a fighter. All you can do is wait while the blackness comes and pray that the dawn is not far behind. 

           You settle in for a wait but it’s only minutes before a strong gust of wind charged at you. You shut your eyes and held your feet onto the ground, clutching onto the cloth as your hair fluttered against the air.

           The small chiming was louder than before, almost close to you. You slowly opened an eye, taking a peek up to the time that white dotted eyes were staring at you. You shrieked in alarm and fear, startled by the small creature abruptly appearing right in front of you.

           Your feet slipped in sheer panic, accidentally causing yourself to fall down and swamped yourself by the chilling waters of the lake.

—

           “Th-thank you…” You muttered before taking the dry cloth offered to you by your dear wind wisp friend. It indeed surprised you to see Barbatos was here all this time. You thought he had suddenly vanished during the war against Decarabian as Venti had never really mentioned or talked about him when you were with him.

           Well, it was a little bit of your fault you never asked about his whereabouts. Still, you were relieved and glad to know he was still alive and well all these years. A small smile crept to your face before patting his head in thanks.

           Barbatos nuzzled on your hand then looked at you expectantly before flying over your shoulder. You blinked in confusion then giggled before carefully handling him on your palm and putting him down.

           “Stay right here, okay? I’ll go change for a while.” You stood up from your kneeled form and headed behind the tree. However, your little friend followed after you making you stop in your tracks and furrowed your brows in worry.

           Barbatos tinkled in delight and continued cuddling on your shoulder to erase the frown glued to your face while he rubbed himself against the diamond symbols on your skin. You awe in wonderment when a faint glow emitted from both you and him, though now was not the time to be amazed. You don’t want to get yourself cold from this breezy air, and as much as he was being cute and all, you still need to dress.

           “I’ll be really quick! Just stay awhile for a bit.” You pleaded and this time he reluctantly abided by your words much to your relief. You made your way to the large plant as you hurriedly slipped your arms on the sleeves and tied the back of your dress, untucking your hair after that as you flipped it over your shoulder.

           You placed a hand on your chest, feeling the steady beat of your heart against it. It still scares you what these designs on your skin are, though you do feel some sort of aura mizzling over you.

           A pang of throbbing pain in your head struck you; it seems like you’re exhausted. The headache told you it was time to rest someplace quiet, to ride out the storm within your brain, for in time pain does ebb.

           There are days tiredness comes in both forms, physical and mental. Your body really needs to rest as well as your mind, to get rid of the anxiety swarming your entire being. Without rest, your body will spiral into exhaustion.

           A yawn escapes from you and you notice Barbatos from the corner of your eyes peeking behind the tree. You gave him a tired smile and motioned for him to come closer to you. 

           You really have to look for Venti, you don’t know how long you’ve been making him wait for you. Albeit you’re really drained and sleepy, you have to force your legs to carry you in search of the said bard.

           Barbatos took notice of your fatigued state and tugged your sleeves in a struggle to make you stay awake and catch your attention. “We… We need to find Venti.” You mumbled as another yawn evaded.

           He furiously shook his head and urged you to sit down on the ground, making angry jingling sounds. As if he’ll let you wander in this kind of time. It’s already late and dark, not to mention how tired you look so far. 

           You sink down onto the ground and rest your back against the rough trunk of the tree. The sleepy feeling must be how Teyvat feels when the summer has passed when it needs all those months to regenerate and come back in the spring.

           The small creature flew over to you and settled himself on your palms. The tunes that he played to you to dreamland is a song you’ve heard and thousand times before and never enough. The chords are like a well-worn path, one your brain follows along willingly.

           The mellow tinkling lulls you to sleep. In moments, your body relaxed, breathing steadily.

           After making sure you were dozing off and in deep sleep, Barbatos took his chance to nestle himself on your neck. He can’t believe his powers drained out after marking you, and it’ll take a whole day for him to recover and revert himself back to his human form.

           He didn’t think ahead and carelessly poured out his Anemo powers onto you just to let the symbols design your skin. He channeled himself onto you, letting the small wisps of wind gradually restore his powers.

—

           The reverberation of a wistful sigh grabbed his attention, perking his head at you in silent concern.

           Your eyes wandered everywhere, almost like a frantic search. Barbatos doesn’t need to ask what— or rather who you were looking for. It was already obvious to know who it was. It’s none other than him— or should he say, Venti.

           You puffed your cheeks, slightly vexed your lover has left you all alone. “He even promised to stay with me… and now he’s breaking it?” Hearing your muttered words made him panicked as he swung his head, trying to defend “Venti” in his current form.

   ��       A series of continuous wailing of a bell made you look at him before giving a mirthless chuckle and fondle his hooded head to calm him. “Maybe he just went somewhere to do something…” You said cheerlessly, gazing over the waters of the lake to distract yourself.

           You shouldn’t think of things like that. You know he won’t ever do that to you and he never will. You looked over at Barbatos and propped your chin on your palm, playing with his little antennas.

           “Well, at least you’re here with me~ I really miss you a lot.” Your laughter was so free and pure, so childish despite the one you recently gave that sounded so empty and hollow. It came to his ears in a tickle and bounce— and it was only the moment he could do nothing but join in such generous mirth.

           You leaned back and placed your hands on the ground to support your body as you looked up to admire the blue sky. The sensation of calmness and serenity wafting through you eased your mind and body, taking in the gentle breeze of the old ruins.

           The tiny elemental being watched you in admiration. Your eyes blinking from time to time that allured him, allowing your lashes to flutter softly. Your eyes are simply spellbinding and captivating that he could get himself lost in there.

           He unconsciously floated to you and snuggled himself on your hands. The memories of you and his friend being together made his heart wrenched in shame and guilt of what he was doing. He thought he was already sure the feeling that caged him was already absent, and yet here it was again coming back to humiliate him, one that he absolutely resented.

            Your hums created a wordless melody of sweet-sounding harmonies, echoing in the winds to send it along to the other side. Until your next words that created a song had battered him with hurtful misery. 

           “Fly, fly away. Like a bird in the sky. See the world on my behalf, to the heavens may you fly.”

—

           The sky was black tranquility married to the poetry of stars. It was the softness that called your body and brain to rest and let the heart go to its steady rhythm. Night came as a reward of sorts, a restfulness above to calm the soul.           

           The two of you traveled to the garden you once slept in, hoping Venti would be there. You’ve been waiting for him to come back the whole day and there was still no sign of his presence greeting you. You were nodding off as you continue and patiently await, expecting him to come back to you.

           You pulled Barbatos close to your chest, absently staring off at the cecilia flowers he had come to collect for you. The petals shined brightly under the moonlit sky. Indeed it was beautiful and radiated elegance because of its pure colors and one of a kind flowery, though a feeling of sorrow ran through you the more you looked at it.

           Fiddling the stem between your fingers, you brought it close to your nose, breathing in the fresh scent that reminded you of him. You were getting drowsy and drowsy as time flew by, each second felt like an hour the more you waited.

           The collection of various flowers placed on the ground cushioned your fall as your petite body collapsed. Your wisp friend let out a frightened chime and summoned the winds to immediately check up on you.

           A sense of relief washed away his worries that you were simply asleep and tired. It’s already time and he can feel his energy recovering— enough to alter himself back to his human form. It was all thanks to your anemo energy within you that allowed him to transmit the vitality from you to him.

           He glided to the bushes, facing the small pond as it mirrored his appearance. A gentle gust of fresh air blows around him, the leaves dancing with the winds in his direction.

           He has always loved the wind, for it comes to him so boldly, touching his skin. In soft breezes, it is finer than silk, smoother than water. In the gales it sings through the trees, sending loose leaves on a dancing fun air ride, hypnotic and beautiful. Almost like how the crowds have gathered around him to listen to the strumming of his lyre.

           Today is almost still and he found himself in silent anticipation. His gaze went back on the rippling water, reflecting his appearance once again. Turquoise optics stared right back at him, eyes casting downwards to his chest while his fingers trailed over the same marks drawn on your body.

            His pale skin allowed the symbols to gleam even more in the garden. Its teal light granted him to feel the Anemo ran through his body, the powers returning him once more in need to go in search for the true beholder of the winds.

            Venti turned his head to look at your sleeping form. His eyes glued to the pattern on your thigh, faintly glowing that matched with his. Now, where were his clothes? He remembered he left it here before he was reverted to a little elemental wisp. 

           His hands reached for the white top that draped on the tree’s branch, slipping his arms on the sleeves and slowly buttoning up his shirt before leaving the top open to observe the marks drawn on his chest. The more he looks at the patterns inscribed on both yours and his skin, the more his heart raced in incitement and interest.

            His hands hovered to his mouth to hide the wide smile and blush that clambered up on his front. This is bad, really bad. He was smiting for you all over again just like before. It reminded him that he was the one who covered you with these and how much you enjoyed it when he was creating it for you.

           His throat bobbed before shaking his head to erase the thoughts, letting himself focus to get dressed. Venti had finally finished wearing his attires, leaving the cape and midsection outfit left on the ground, not bothering to wear it anymore. He carefully approached your unconscious form and knelt down to brush your hair away that had fallen from your face.

           Your soft skin felt ticklish as you squirm in your sleep when his fingers brushed your cheeks. You slowly opened your eyes revealing the kindly tranquil of [eye color] orbs and met gaze with him.

           Your entire body system awoke, the exhaustion was all but gone when you immediately pulled him into a tight hug. Venti wrapped his arms around you and cradled you in his arms, kissing your head as a greeting.

           You buried your face on the crook of his neck and clutched onto his shirt firmly. "Where have you been?" Your voice wavered when you asked if he could faintly hear your soft sobs against him. “Sorry for the sudden disappearance. Something… came up.” His words trailed off causing his excuse not to be really effective which he already expected to happen. 

           There’s nothing he can do about it when he is in that situation, but he was very reassured that he can finally hold you close to him. Not being able to show his affection for you was unbearable especially how you were so worried about where he had gone off to.

           The subtle kisses on his neck made his focus go back to you. Every time you place them there, he knew he’d adore you for all time. Those sweet kisses on his neck made his heart quivered as he pulled you close to him and lifted your head to meet with his gaze.

           The pout on your face induced him to want to shower you with kisses and apologize for leaving you all alone. His lips pressed against your head then close to your eye, from your nose to your cheeks then down to your lips.

           He was firm and gentle as he pulled you in, burning your lips with his mouth. You can hear the soft whisper of his breath as he exhaled. Venti inched closer and encircled his hand with yours, lightly pushing you down onto the ground as he penned you between him.

           His mouth moved downwards leaving a trail of kisses on your skin until he stopped on your neck. You whimpered as your body shuddered when he lightly nipped on it, giving small sucks that had you released a small cry.

           Even without telling a soul, it was common knowledge that both of you were lovesick and amorous. It was in the way your gaze lingered on one another, the way your voice became softer, and in coquettish smiles that he’d never worn before whenever he’s with you.

[forbidding-souda]

How about Mikan, Kirumi, Mahiru, Sayaka and Celestia with male S/O, who is secretly a demon, who went to Earth to explore it?

Mikan Tsumiki, Kirurmi Toujou, Mahiru Koizumi, Sayaka Maizono, and Celestia Ludenberg with a male S/O who is secretly a demon

hai omg I just finished the new yttd chapter LOLZ that shit was cray anyways I love this ask so so so much you don't even know. also hai my first day at work is tomorrow very cool I hope it is and I didn't just make up the time in my head but mm let's see how it goes.

if this feels rushed it's because it is.

anon I think we are very alike

also okay honestly samiam is such a good band if any of you are punk or something then listen to them they're kinda good ngl. (changed playlist now I'm just listening to their albums while writing) I don't even like pop punk but someting about this gots me

currently listening: this will make you love again by iamx

-Mod Souda

Mikan Tsumiki (cw self harm?)

❤ You had found yourself lurking around hospitals. No matte what you were doing, your studies found yourself there.

❤ So many different types of people. Everything is so frantic and passionate.

❤ And amidst the panicked people was a little anxious nurse. She took her passion in helping people. You noticed this immediately.

❤ "Sir, you can't be back here." A voice says to you. Still, outside one of the rooms, you watch through the window as she starts bandaging someone. Her hands are so wise.

❤ You've noticed her every time you enter this building. It's as if God is ordering you to do something.

❤ You wave off the doctor that interrupted your thoughts.

❤ That girl... you'll find a way to get to her.

❤ You started to fake being injured. Nothing hurt you. Nothing ever did, so inflicting stab wounds or gunshots was easy.

❤ And you'd walk right into her arms.

❤ With that, you got to know her better. You spent time in her care, asking her millions of questions about herself.

❤ You always made her blush. The charming smile you gave her was unbelievable. You made her feel so... special.

❤ She started to look forward to seeing you, sickly enough. She enjoyed the way you needed her and the way you entertained her.

❤ This is completely off topic but I can imagine like the way you propose to her is hiding a ring in your like shoulder or something and be like "omg there's something inside idk what it is plz get it out."

Kirumi Toujou

♥ You wore a suit and tie when you first met with the prime minister of Japan.

♥ What you didn't expect, however, was the gorgeous lady who stood in its place.

♥ You just felt happy that you dressed all nice.

♥ Getting her to like you back was difficult. She hardly told you anything about her life unless you demanded it from her. She seemed so stuck to the idea of being a servant to people, even as busy as she was.

♥ You started bringing her gifts. Places like Italy, Egyst and Vietnam were easy to get to. All the while, you brought small trinkets and clothing items for her to keep.

♥ Her favorite was an umbrella with a woven design in purple, green, and yellow that you stripped from New Orleans. All these places looked marvelous. She kept the postcards you'd send her, too. Neatly stacked.

♥ She found herself getting excited whenever your ID card scanned through the entry door. Her heart associated you with the feeling of happiness.

♥ Realizing that made her blush.

♥ Look at her, falling for someone.

♥ "That's not very professional," she whispers to herself.

♥ You becoming her boyfriend was the quickest way that you could study human life. She was easy to win over. At least now, you have Japan under your control and a gorgeous lady to go with it.

Mahiru Koizumi

♡ "It's so weird - every time I take a photo of you, your eyes get all blotted out." She sighs while waving the prints in the air.

♡ "Maybe it has something to do with your camera." You laugh before ruffling up her hair. She stomps her foot at you and pokes your chest.

♡ "Don't do that!"

♡ She's not going to stay convinced for long. You know that much. But for her to assume you're a demon? It shouldn't go that far. You hope.

♡ You like the normal human life, a lot more than you thought you would.

♡ Every day you make her lunch and make the bed and things like that. When she goes off to school - or whatever photography project she's taken up - you stay home to research more. You prefer it like this.

♡ It's simple. It's sweet.

♡ And it means you get to stay here with her.

♡ When you first came to Earth, you were terribly unemotional. Humans were like test rats. You wanted to see what would make them happy, sad, angry, frustrated, and what would make them break.

♡ It's just... her. She ruined everything for you. And at the same time, she made everything better.

♡ Maybe you can be a good malewife or however the light music club girl described you. It doesn't matter. As long as your little Mahiru is happy.

Sayaka Maizono

❥ One of your demon friends won tickets. When he first approached you with them, you asked how he got them.

❥ "I don't know - some announcer was giving away phone numbers on that report system in their cars. I got some of these tickets. Did you know they pay to watch people sing?"

❥ And that's how a handful of demon boys wounded up at a Maizono concert.

❥ One of them definitely tried to eat the glow stick.

❥ After the opener, she came on. Her and her group. They looked beautiful in their pink dresses with the matching bows in their hair. You were starstruck. Now you can see why people pay for this - it's absolutely breathtaking. You couldn't even believe what was happening.

❥ You clench onto your chest, trying to breathe. She's gorgeous and... she is a human.

❥ After that, she was all you could think about. You'd listen to her music in stolen headphones. You'd watch all of her music videos on stolen phones.

❥ You stole bought all of her posters and shirts. You even sent her letters.

❥ Said letters were filled with humbo jumbo about humanity but they were romantic nonetheless.

❥ You finally met her when you snuck into the backrooms and pretended to be security. She came out from the stage, sweaty and still smiling, greeting you before going on with her way.

❥ Even with the butterflies in your stomach, you still managed to catch her hand and stop her from leaving.

❥ "I will always protect you." Are the words that leave your mouth.

❥ And afterwards, when she nods and looks away with a confused face, you can't help but shake your head. Gosh I just embarrassed myself.

Celestia Ludenberg

❣ She thinks of you as her pride and joy. The gorgeous demonic boy to be by her side.

❣ She uses you as a guard dog to walk alone at night.

❣ Making her love you was the easy part. You are perfectly unique - just for her.

❣ To be honest, she makes you feel like you are home. Though the idea that she is just using you as an accessory doesn't ache you in any way. It's not as if you could truly love a human.

❣ Being around her is the sense of familiarity in their foreign world.

❣ Watching her snake her way out of failures reminds you of your own youthful days.

❣ She meets a load of different people, enough for you to analyze.

❣ Watching the way she can break people down is the best thing for your studies. Useful and brilliant.

❣ She figured out you were a demon quickly. I mean, it was just a fantasy-based guess, but she was right anyway.

❣ And it made her happy. If you are a demon then that means she really can get a manor filled with creepy crawlies to serve her as queen.

❣ If giving you good morning and good night kisses is the way to her goal, then so be it.

❣ She enjoys it anyway.

[nemycchi]

Delusion

A Childe X Lumine Fanfiction

Rating : Not Rated

Tags : Psychological, Mild Angst, Character Death

----

During moments of utter silence, Childe recalls that which Lumine once told him about a book she had read from a far away land. 

"It is of utmost importance that those who seek to fight monsters must not become one in the process." 

He likes to think that perhaps, by mentioning it, she had once hoped that he would be reminded of his main aspiration—to conquer the world that is, and not to simply bathe in the blood of his enemies. 

It has its merits, he admits—for he finds himself fighting alongside her during the turning point of the war, the darkness in him dampened by the white light she emits—cleansing the corruption that has resided in him for the longest time. 

This too though, reminds him of another of her words. 

"The deep dark abyss—stare for too long and it would stare back to those who dare." 

It is true, for he knows that ever since he dropped down that hole in the world, he emerged as a monster that is only tamed by bloodshed. 

And from the moment he knew Lumine, perhaps by her as well. 

He has always carried a portion of that so-called abyss, feeling its vines wrapping inside his very being. He is a monster, that much is true, but tamed as one can be, he became a tool under her commands. 

He does not care, for it is times with her when the whispers of the dark become muted—turned into nothing but echoes of the past. 

"Childe? Breakfast?" 

The man spies her slender form by the doorframe of his bedroom, sees her domestically ushering his sleepy person into the kitchen and he feels as though he had achieved that which he desires, with her by his side. 

To conquer the world. 

They did. They won. And it was all that he could ask for. 

Celestia is no more. The abyss is no more. It is just him, Lumine and the rest of the world. 

He smiles as he sits down at the table, reaching for her hand as she places the bowl of steaming Calla Lily Seafood Soup before him. 

"Oh, my favorite. What's the occasion, girlie?"

"Mhm, nothing in particular. Just wanted to cook something special for you." she smiles back and he thinks he saw the glimmer of stars beyond her eyes. 

Or perhaps it was nothing but an illusion, masking the deeper end of the void he is familiar with—if such end even existed. 

Childe shakes his head for he believes that that is not the case. Lumine is here with him. And the abyss is no more. It is no more. 

And if the calling of that dark bud inside him grows too strong anyhow, he knows she is here to defeat it for him. 

For she is also perhaps a monster in her own rights. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

The bags under his eyes, and the haunted looks in his face tell everyone that he is far from recovered but everytime someone comes to ask him how he is faring, he will do nothing but face them with a smile before answering. 

"I'm very much fine! Lumine takes good care of me." 

If there were curious glances sent his way, he does not care. They must be seething inside—jealous that it was him who conquered her heart by the end of it all. 

The savior and the reformed harbinger.

What a perfect love story—great as a tale to pass down from generations to generations. He sighs at the thought. 

"Childe, pardon my query but I must ask—how have you truly been?" 

He already lost count of how many times the same question had been asked of him. 

He stops walking—to face the former Geo Archon a few steps behind. 

"I do not understand why everyone keeps on asking the same question. I already told you i'm fine, didn't I?" 

Oh how he hates it when they ask—as if they were doubting his princess' ability to care for him, for it was her who has been on his bed, in his kitchen, in his very house ever since the world achieved true peace. 

They do not understand just how capable Lumine is. 

And they will never know, if he has anything to say. 

"Though we are but friends, I must express my deep concern. The dips on your cheeks beg to differ from that which you uttered." 

The blue in his eyes shift into something malicious, to that belonging to the beast he keeps inside. 

"With all due respect, Mr. Zhongli. I do not appreciate the implications of what you just said. You asked and I answered." He pauses. 

The abyss is no more for Lumine is with him. 

"I shall be going now. My wife is waiting for me at home." 

As he walks away, he ignores the burning gaze on his back. It's fine. That former god does not matter. 

What matters is him and Lumine while the rest of the world could go crash and burn, he thinks. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

"Tough day at work?" 

Childe sidles up to her side, wrapping an arm around the apron-covered waist of his beloved. He kisses her temple with reverence—for it is what she deserves. 

"Not really. It was just Mr. Zhongli. And others. Being annoyingly repetitive as always." He grumbles, tucking her head under his chin. 

The small hand resting atop his chest tightens against his clothes. 

"Do they... not approve of me?" She asks almost inaudibly. 

He was quick to deny the preposterous thought. 

"Don't listen to them. They do not matter, girlie." 

Childe feels her shift and he looks down at her. 

Golden pools decorated by the glittering of stars—of tears, he realizes, meet his abyssal depths. 

"Are you... are you going to leave me?" 

He brushes the hair out of her forehead and tucks the strays behind her ears before promptly brushing away the tears that cascaded from her eyes. 

"Never. You are mine, Lumine. As much as I am yours." 

Even the sweetest wine cannot compare to the smile that adorns her face after his declaration. She buries her head on his chest once more, arms crossing behind him, bestowing him with nothing else but warmth. 

Childe thinks for a second, that this moment is perhaps the best there is in the world. And he knows he is ruined for anything else.

It is impossible to feel anything akin to this feeling and he strongly believes that the desire to even experience it from others aside his princess does not exist anymore. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

The sound of deliberate knocking at the door rouses the harbinger from his sleep. Childe growls in annoyance at whoever is behind that piece of wood as he untangles his limbs from the goddess laying beside him. 

He kisses the top of her head before deciding to rise and check who their visitor is. 

He stills when the one in front of his humble abode makes himself known. 

Zhongli, of course. 

"Mr. Zhongli, why the early visit?" 

The man only hums before crossing his arms, pinning him with a serious gaze. 

"May I come in, Childe?"

"Ah, of course." 

He lets him in and ushers the former archon to the couch. Upon sitting, the latter immediately scans his surroundings with vague concern in his eyes. 

"I must say, your house is surprisingly empty and devoid of life, Childe."

"What do you mean? I think it's pretty homey. Lumine designed it by herself when she first got here." 

A frown makes its way to the other man's lips. 

"Childe, can we talk?" 

He stiffens, tone changing into a defensive one. 

"We are talking, are we not?" He spats.

"Why don't you ask Lumine to come down here with us?" 

He summons one of his water blades. 

"Why exactly are you here, Zhongli?"

"Call Lumine, Childe." 

In a flash, the water blade comes in contact with the polearm that materialized in front of the visitor. 

"Why. Are. You. Here?" He asks, hostile in every way as he accents each word with a swing of his blade—all thankfully parried. 

"I need you to understand, Childe." Zhongli calls forth a jade shield that rattled even the sturdy walls of the other man's home. 

A water spear slams against the shield. 

"That Lumine..." 

Yet another side step, perfectly timed to avoid the beast cloaked in water suddenly crackling with electricity. 

"Stop it!" It yells. 

But Zhongli is not known for being gentle. The wrath of the rock and the harsh truth—both must be laid out for him to save the monster disguised as a man. 

"Is no longer with us." 

A beat passes.

"She's gone, Childe. And you must accept that fact."

"No!" 

And like that, the man surges forward with the fury enough to fuel wars. 

The walls crumble and the terrified shrieks of townsfolk in the immediate vicinity sound off but Childe could no longer care. 

Him and Lumine. The rest of the world does not matter. 

His mind goes blank with nothing but white hot anger, and he brandishes his weapon with renewed vigor. 

"Take it back." He quietly demands, voice distorted. 

Instead of complying, multiple stone steles rise up from the pavement, obscuring the two men from prying eyes. 

"Everyone grieves for her departure, I assure you. We are hurt as much as you are." A water blade makes contact with the archon's cheek and he winces as response, "but she chose to sacrifice herself for this world's peace and she will not be happy if she sees you rotting away to your demise, Childe."

"You—you don't know anything! Do not lie! Lumine..." A crack in his composition and Zhongli is quick to take advantage of it. 

All at once, like a puppet with strings cut off, Childe falls forward when Zhongli's polearm strikes down his chest. The accumulated hunger and fatigue from weeks of barely holding on to her memory suddenly come crashing down upon his person. 

Empty plates and sweet nothings. 

Cold bed and pristine kitchen. 

Unused scarf with the color of the skies and the clouds—like the view he's witnessing right now. 

Stare into the abyss, and it stares back at you—its remnants staying within, slowly consuming that which it latches on to. 

The abyss is no more—or so he believes. 

"Lumine... she promised me." he whispers into the wind. 

The rustling of cloth distracts him from his thoughts. 

"Do not lean too close to that edge, Childe. I beg you, not as your friend, but as Lumine's—please, do stay with us." 

Before his eyes closed, he heard the call from the deep dark abyss of the waters. 

The sea is calm. And he couldn't care less about the rest of the world. 

Him and Lumine, he thinks. Him and Lumine.

[raamyun-and-rambles]

Utterly Foolish

Fandom: Genshin Impact Pairing: Xiao x Reader

!! Character death and angst !! *Use of Alatus rather than Xiao*

He won't let himself get too close. Alatus thought.

Your voice was much too precious, too heavenly to lose to the nauseating miasma of death that seeps from his skin like a poisonous haze. Your smile - which sets his heart ablaze - was as bright as the morning sun, warming his heart in the most gentle of ways. Your touch, as he remembers, is often laden with care. Even for a being such as he, you embrace him with a kindness that he's never known until now. Alatus remembers the way your touch seared against his skin, fingers dancing over his bright tattoo, delicately tracing the intricate design as your eyes twinkled in fascination and delight.

(He won't ever admit he found you breathtaking in that moment.)

Alatus is convinced he won't ever forget the way you call his name.

Lilted with a childlike excitement and a joy that he couldn't understand. There was no reason for you to possibly want to be with him now is there? Surely you understand that he was naught but a weapon, a being whose only purpose was to kill and to take while you were anything but. To Alatus you were everything good, everything he wasn't and he was afraid of tarnishing that light with his tainted hands. But for some reason he can't bring himself to tear his eyes away from you as your gaze shifted onto patches of orange and yellow blossoms, an usual bashfulness as you refused to meet his gaze.

The worry in his chest had bubbled and an apology was ready on the tip of his tongue but your hand suddenly shot up and grabbed his sleeve, wrinkling the fabric with your tight grip.

"Because I love you." You muttered to no one but the wind.

But Alatus had heard.

As loud as his heartbeat drumming against his ears and - Alatus figured, in a moment of disbelief - it was the first time he forgot how to breathe.

.

.

.

Oh how foolish he was to forget his own warnings.

Trapped in the sweet poison of the words on your tongue, entranced by your warmth and ensnared by a promise of a morrow that would never come. Alatus had nearly forgotten he was cursed. He has fallen deeper than he initially thought he would, surrounded by the sweet scent of lilacs and a scent that he could only call as yours. He has grown weak, bones weary and heart heavy from the weight of his sins and yet when you are settled around him like this he feels as though he could fly. Your lullabies lull him to a sleep he didn't know an immortal could ever need and it scared him how quickly you seemed to change him yet fitted against him so perfectly as if you've always meant to be there, like a puzzle piece needed to complete himself, Alatus can't ever remember how life had been without your presence. Tomorrow will come and that morrow will bring about more slaughter and sin and he knows it will stretch him apart until he's spread thin, sanity teetering over the edge. But for now he'll indulge in the illusion you've prepared for him, empty promises filling the air as the moon wanes outside the window of your humble home.

Perhaps...Just maybe, he'll allow himself to indulge just once, Alatus thought, muttering the same words you had into the crevice of your neck.

"I love you too."

.

.

.

Foolish. Foolish. Foolish.

It repeats like a mantra in his head as he stands amidst a house burnt to nothing but ash and dust. Alatus scurries over to your side, panicked gaze flitting from your ashen face to the wound on your stomach that gushed blood onto the earth beneath you. He had only been gone for a few hours, summoned by the god to do his bidding, he should have known - he should have been here - any punishment would have been acceptable so long as he knew you were alive and well. He should have- he should have- he should have-

Your breathing was shallow and black speckled your vision and yet despite being in such a state you could still hear how loudly he wails.

Alatus flinches when he feels your hand against his cheek, smearing red against his porcelain skin as you attempted to swipe away his tears. You smile despite yourself, ignoring the pain as you willed yourself to sing.

Perhaps even in your last moments you can bestow upon him a song to drive his nightmares away. You can allow yourself a little wishful thinking.

"Hush... Now my angel, I will always be with you In your pretty smile In a glow of tears I'll be there with you."

"Look how the stars shine.." You trail off, more a whisper than an actual tune as your senses start to numb. Alatus catches your falling hand, scrambling closer to you as he hoarsely cries out your name.

"Know that my love for you will always ring true."

Foolish.

Alatus curses every god in Celestia - curses every heavenly being - as the light left your eyes and your hand grew limp against his own. He doesn't remember what happens next, much of it has become a blur but Alatus remembers screaming and crying until his voice withered away, remembers the way his hand gripped yours tightly in his and shaking you as if you'll rouse from your sleep.

Alatus knows now that he'll never see your eyes shine with the reflection of the stars or gaze upon him with so much love and affection that his heart swells at the mere thought of it. Your voice will never reach him again, whether in jest or in song and it hurts to know that you've been robbed of your lullabies and joyous laughter. Alatus knows he'll never feel your warmth again or your lips on his and the mere thought of spending his remaining days in solitude as he always had before meeting you pricked tears into his eyes.

He regrets not saying he loved you more often when he could or doing more to have made you happy despite claiming his presence alone was enough to make your day.

He had trapped himself in a false security, drunk on the prospect of the happiness that you provided and that ultimately became his sin.

Alatus figures he's being punished.

For trying to obtain something that was never supposed to be within his reach, for dreaming that he too, could one day deserve the happiness he has prayed to countless gods to but have alas fallen onto deaf ears. He laughs, a bitter kind of laugh as he rests his forehead against yours.

.

.

.

How utterly foolish he has been.

[shining-red-diamond]

Ch. 5: The Quest

Cast of Characters//Ch. 1//Ch. 2//Ch. 3//Ch. 4//Ch. 5//Ch. 6//Ch. 7//Ch. 8//Ch. 9//Ch. 10//Ch. 11//Ch. 12//Ch. 13//Ch. 14//Ch. 15//Ch. 16//Ch. 17//Ch. 18//Ch. 19//Ch. 20//Ch. 21//Ch. 22//Ch. 23//Ch. 24//Ch. 25//Ch. 26//Ch. 27//Ch. 28 (coming soon)

Words: 1598

Pairing: OT8 x OCs

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: none

A/N: Italics mean they’re speaking in Korean.

One by one, the crew members entered through the bronze door.

“You can hang your coats and hats on the hangers to your left,” the woman instructed, and they followed suit.

The interior of the house had a luxurious aspect to it. The furniture was covered in white fabric, the fireplace had a carved, wooden mantle with a buffalo’s head hanging over it, and the walls were lined with various paintings and marble statues. The floor was a white and black marble with intricately designed carpets covering various spots in the main area. A marble staircase was leading up to a second floor, the railing being a polished wood; and a crystal chandelier glittered from the ceiling.

“Fancy,” Phoebe commented after hanging her coat and setting her umbrella in the umbrella holder.

“I’ll alert the professor you’ve arrived,” the woman said.

“No need, Dalia,” a voice objected from the top of the stairs. “I saw them walking up the path.”

A fairly tall man stood at the top of the staircase. He appeared to be middle-aged with chestnut brown hair and graying at the temples. A dark mustache sat right above his top lip, and his glasses were placed firmly on his nose. He was dressed in light khaki pants, a brown sweater, and a white lab coat with brown dress shoes covering his feet.

“Dr. Steinbeck,” Hongjoong bowed, the rest of crew copying him.

“My goodness, Hongjoong,” the professor smiled as he stepped down the stairs. “How long has it been since I last saw you? Twelve years?”

“I believe so.” He shook the professor’s hand.

“Your father, God rest his soul, often spoke about how you wanted to be the captain of the ship someday.”

“I just hope I am making him proud by doing so.”

“And who are your friends?” Dr. Steinbeck noticed the crew behind the captain.

Hongjoong brought Dahae forward. “This is my fiancée, Dahae.”

“Nice to meet you, professor,” she greeted.

“Pleasure’s all mine, my dear,” the professor returned.

Hongjoong went down the line as he introduced his members. “This is my first mate Seonghwa and his fiancée Grace-Anne. Our quartermaster and medic Yeosang and his girlfriend Phoebe. Our engineer Yunho. Our weapons master and gunman Jongho. The HALA’s pilot Mingi and his girlfriend Taeran. Our physicist Wooyoung and his girlfriend and barrelman Dinah. And our navigation expert San and his wife Celestia.” The captain motioned towards her baby bump. “And this is their daughter.”

The professor’s eyes immediately went to Celestia’s necklace. San took note and scooted closer to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Quite a team you have, I must say.”

“Thank you.”

“Shall we head to my lab?” The professor began to lead the way.

The young woman, now identified as Dalia, walked up to Celestia and asked, “Do you need to sit down, darling?”

“I appreciate it, but I’m alright,” Celestia politely declined. “I’ll let you know if I do.”

Dalia nodded and walked into another room.

The house seemed like any normal one would be. A few pictures hung on the wall displaying family pictures and some achievements. Awards also displayed some of the professor’s accomplishments, and a few doors in the hallway lead to various rooms. They entered another living room, decorated just as luxuriously as the first one, and they were lead to a pair of double doors. A black screen brightened up next to the doors. The professor punched in a code, and a voice said, “Welcome, professor.”

Dr. Steinbeck turned towards the crew. “Ladies and gents, welcome to the Wonder.”

The doors slid open, revealing a brightly lit room filled with artifacts on tables, stored in shelves and some boxes placed under tables. Some tools littered the tables, and a sparkling crown could be seen up front. Other artifacts displayed were a box full of gold coins, an ancient tablet with Latin writings scratched on the surface, and some Greek pottery. Study equipment were sitting on each table as if ready to be used for exam the artifacts. The crew wandered around the lab, gawking and taking in the entire set up but careful not to touch anything as their captain had instructed.

The lab intrigued Celestia the most. Only when she was alone in her room was she able to study her findings, but never in such delicacy as the real archaeologists do. All she had were a few tools and some scrolls she found on her and San’s secret honeymoon in Dubai.

“This is amazing,” she exclaimed as she examined one of the pots, her hands resting on her belly. “And you’ve accomplished all of this in a thirty year time period?”

“It’s only a fraction of what I’ve found,” Dr. Steinbeck claimed. “Everything else is at the main lab by the museum. This is only if I’m trying decipher something big, or if I just want to study something.”

“Is this why you’ve asked us here?” Dahae asked.

“The deciphering part, yes.”

“Lunch is ready, sir,” Dalia announced from the doorway.

“Thank you, but please knock next time, Dalia.”

“Sorry, sir.” She scurried away.

The dining room was just as fancy as the rest of the first floor of the house. A large window revealed a beautiful view of the city, however it was still raining pretty hard. A long wooden table stretched out from one each of the room to the other, and it was able to seat at least twenty people, which was more than enough for the crew. Red placemats were placed at each spot and a plate of salmon, sweet potatoes, and blackberries on top; and a glass of water stood by each meal. Dr. Steinbeck sat at one end of the table, and the crew sitting at the sides with Hongjoong and Seonghwa seated closest to him.

Dalia was in and out of the kitchen and running around the table tending to everyone’s needs. She was their designated waitress for the time being. Yunho couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her, and everyone else could see why. She was a beauty with smooth caramel skin, sparkling brown eyes, and an aura that radiated warmth and love.

“So what is it you need our help with?” Hongjoong asked after swallowing a piece of salmon. “In your email, you didn’t exactly say what was happening.”

“Well, for starters, with all the talk of hackers these days, you can’t be too careful,” the professor chuckled at his own joke.

“Yeah, I don’t feel attacked,” Phoebe whispered to Yeosang.

“In all seriousness,” Dr. Steinbeck continued, “I was on an expedition in the Conga a few weeks ago, and in one of the scrolls I found, it talked about a diamond so rare and precious that it was cut up into eight different pieces and scattered across the world. So far, only three have been found. Two of them are housed in the Smithsonian in the States. The third one has been missing for about seventy-eight years. No one knows how it disappeared, but some speculate it was either stolen or possibly lost in the transport to the Smithsonian.”

“What about the other five?” Dahae asked. “Has anyone else tried to find them?”

“No. As of now, I’m the only archaeologist in the world who has attempted to do so. However, I have been having trouble decoding some of the clues in the scrolls that reveal the locations of the diamonds. That’s why I contacted you.”

“What made you decide on us?” Celestia asked. “We just like traveling and making discoveries. We’re nothing special.”

“Oh, on the contrary, dear.” He took a sip of his drink before continuing. “When I heard of your most recent discoveries in Peru and Guatemala, I knew I had discovered the perfect team to take on this quest. I’d go on the adventure myself, but I hurt my back on that same dig in the Conga. My doctor wants me resting.”

His eyes wandered back to Celestia’s neck.

“Forgive me for staring, love,” he apologized, “but that is quite a beautiful necklace.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “It was grandmother’s, and then she passed it down to me before she died.”

The professor nodded, his wrinkling face showing wheels turning in his mind. “Do you know where she got it?”

“My grandfather gave it to her the night before they got married, but he never told anyone where he got it.”

“I see.”

Taeran sensed something was off, but decided not to jump to conclusions. If he had hurt his back in Ethiopia, how could he have walked down the stairs so well? Maybe he’s going through physical therapy? However, he didn’t have a cane.

“Anyhow,” the professor continued, “would you all be willing to take on this quest?”

Hongjoong looked around at his crew, all of their eyes filled with hope. He knew his crewmates. Something like this could benefit them all financially in their own ways: San and Celestia could rebuild their old house if they wanted to return home, Grace-Anne and Seonghwa could fund their wedding, Phoebe could pay off her grandfather’s medical bills, and the list goes on. The only downsides were, however, this was going to be much riskier than previous explorations, and Celestia’s pregnancy was the cherry on top.

The captain was hesitant to answer; but if they were going to take this journey, then they were going to have to do what he said without question. Their safety and wellbeing mattered the most to him.

“We will go,” he finally answered, shaking the professor’s hand.

[xadoheandterra]

Title: Bitter Night Fandom: Final Fantasy XV Chapters: I | II | III | IV | V | VI Characters: Noctis Lucis Caelum, Ardyn Izunia | Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Somnus Lucis Caelum Tags: Time Travel, Fix-It Of Sorts, Angst, Hurt, Comfort Eventually, Ardyn and Noctis are both Assholes, Fuck the Gods, Violence, Blood, Referenced Torture, Misunderstandings Summary: He hadn’t known what he was doing. All he knew was that he felt bitter in this endless night–bitter that the story needed to end like this. It felt like the Bad Ending and–well, Noctis hated getting Bad Endings in his games. He refused to.

So Noctis refused.

The bowl in Somnus’ lap had completely passed Ardyn by until Celestia Ulric pushed the throne into the room and Somnus settled the offering of food onto the counter table. Ardyn had eyes only for his brother and not the lady that moved him into the room, so he barely noted her presence aside from Somnus’ soft and stilted words of thanks.

“I will gather up the sweetwater and return,” the woman said, and Ardyn spared her half a glance from the floor when he saw the faint flush to Somnus’ cheeks even as he sat straight and stiff in his throne. She looked to him, a kind smile that wrinkled at the edges of her face, and then turned and shut the door to the room with a silent motion.

Ardyn looked back to Somnus and his hip throbbed hard enough to force him to grimace as he took in the sight of his brother almost greedily. How long had it been since he’d seen his little brother? Ardyn couldn’t recall the last time Somnus deigned him a visit in his prison, although his arrogance seemed to have grown in the intervening years given the wheeled throne his brother seated himself in. His hair was grayer, too—older, maybe, Ardyn thought given the haggard appearance and the scraggily facial hair. The Somnus in his memories had been meticulously clean shaven if only because every attempt at a beard was a patchwork of embarrassment.

The silence deafened the room, suffocated it—neither brother wanted to speak and Ardyn couldn’t fathom why Somnus kept his silence—why he stared at him with wide eyes and his skin so pale. This must simply be another form of torture, like the chains and the darkness that had been Ardyn’s companion for so long. Only Ardyn couldn’t understand the motivation here. Should he not have been left to rot? Had that not been Somnus’ intention when he’d bound him upon the prison island, guarded by the Gods and their fickle whims?

Somnus looked away first—as he should, Ardyn felt a little vindictive at that even as he shifted to get his weight off of his hip and more into a seated position on the ground. Being lower than his brother grated, but Ardyn didn’t trust his legs to hold him just yet and he refused to show a sign of further weakness to the man who cut him down so callously once before. Ardyn watched how Somnus busied himself with silverware and napkins with an almost nervous sort of tick to his movements.

“The soup is mostly broth,” Somnus said, voice softer and quieter than the Somnus that haunted Ardyn’s nightmares. He seemed almost timid—afraid.

Ardyn fought back a sneer. “To poison me with?”

The sharp glance Somnus gave him in response was full of anger and gritted teeth. Somnus’ blue-grey eyes flashed almost purple and it took all of Ardyn’s meagre self-control to bite back the seething burst of Scourge beneath his skin.

“I got you out of there, I’m not trying to damn well kill you,” Somnus ground out.

“Out of my prison from whence you had me chained?” Ardyn laughed, a bitter cloying thing in his throat. “To come and gloat now, have you? With food and kindness while you sit upon a wheeled throne? Yes, brother, I know you don’t aim to kill me—you’ve already tried after all.”

The muscle in Somnus’ cheek twitched and his hands clenched into fists in his lap. With a sharp hiss of breath Ardyn watched as Somnus moved his hands to grasp at the wheels, white knuckled. His arms shook as he shoved the throne away from the counter and back, forced it to move by the clunky design of the wheels on either side. They weren’t positioned for someone to grasp easily—thin and small structures that they were. Ardyn watched this, and watched how Somnus remained stiff backed in the chair—it reminded Ardyn of when they were children before Ardyn could understand his gift to take well enough to help—and he detested the worry that gnawed in his gut.

“It’s a wheelchair,” Somnus said eventually. “Not a fucking throne.” He scrubbed his hand over his face and the stiffness eased bit by bit until Somnus slumped slightly. Ardyn watched the way Somnus forced himself to breath, to relax from the stiffness that took him the moment he saw Ardyn from that doorway. A grimace burst across his face—a tightening of his jaw that gentled, a narrowing of his eyes that softened with work and breath that could’ve been pained. Ardyn watched the emotions raced across Somnus’ face—pride, fear, resentment, desolation and so many more he couldn’t name, far too out of practice of reading Somnus these years apart.

Ardyn looked away and over to the soup; bitterness churned within him and he swallowed the faintest taste of bile as he said from the floor, “I do not hunger anymore.”

Somnus snorted out a bright, “Bullshit,” and Ardyn glanced to him with narrowed eyes full of gold and a fevered tinge of sickness around the edges. It wasn’t a lie exactly—Ardyn had gone long enough without food to not feel the pangs of hunger anymore, although he felt the slightest bit faint and like his head were stuffed full of cotton and he knew those feelings from a life of Before—

—not enough food for rotten Solheimr rats; sneers and jeers and spits of disgust aplenty but food not so much. Not for two, not for young’uns, and definitely not for those who bore Solheimr so plain across their faces with dark hair and pale-as-ice eyes and magic that sparks at fingertips and makes the world bleed in royal purples. Enough for one, though yes, and so he goes without because the slighter of them needs more and needs must after all. He knows the bite of hunger, but he refuses to let the little dreamer know it too—

“I do not need to eat, nor do I desire food, Somnus,” Ardyn sneered but the glance Somnus gave him—stern, distant, but something edged in the corners that wanted to steal Ardyn’s breath with how utterly repentant it was—and Ardyn glanced down at his lap almost chastised as Somnus called upon his bluff.

“You can’t get to your feet,” Somnus said, voice back to soft although there was a bit of steel in it, something like regret, “and while you probably don’t feel hungry I can bet you feel dizzy and weak.”

“Been reading, have we?” Ardyn said, slightly petulant, but then he froze at the way Somnus looked away with his lips turned down and his gaze off to the side to some distance that Ardyn couldn’t name.

Eventually Somnus shook his head and muttered, “I know what it feels like, is all,” and a part of Ardyn went cold at the thought.

Who dared—the Scourge raged and given the sucked in sharp breath from Somnus it figured that Ardyn wore the darkness plain upon his face. He struggled with it—the plain fear in his brother’s face was a heady sort of thing that almost felt like addiction except it also made Somnus look so horribly young while being so horribly old that Ardyn had to close his eyes.

He sucked in breath after breath, held it, released it, only to repeat until the chittering of fury bit at the edges and not at the forefront of his mind. This was Somnus after all—no one starved him, Ardyn could be certain of that, which meant for some twisted reason Somnus perhaps starved himself once or more and what could’ve caused that Ardyn didn’t know. At any rate he calmed himself and when he looked up it was to see Somnus off in that middle-distance again, entirely elsewhere, except his hands gave away the fear that still threatened him in the manner in which they shook.

Ardyn didn’t apologize; Somnus didn’t apologize. They were both horrible bastards like that as they snipped at one another and dug into old wounds with bitterness and rage. Ardyn sighed.

“Is it too much to ask you to help me up?” Ardyn said bitterly, even as he grasped his fingers around the small table and worked to pull himself to his feet and off of the floor. Somnus shrugged.

“Won’t be much use,” the younger mumbled, words half under his breath. His hands clenched into his pants until the knuckles were white and they trembled less from fear and more from the strain—and maybe rage. “I can’t exactly get out of this chair.”

Ardyn jerked his head around to Somnus with wide eyes, already on his feet even if he wanted to topple back over as vertigo rushed to make him feel like standing up was actually standing down and swimming through molasses. It took him a moment longer to regain his sense of balance, but once he had Ardyn stumbled forward with an almost drunken gait as he tried to work limbs that hadn’t been used in so long—eventually they gave back out underneath him but that was fine because when he did topple to his knees it was at Somnus’ feet with his hands grasped around Somnus’ legs in a way that should hurt. His fingers bore down and grasped, but Somnus said nothing aside from a scowl across his lips so familiar that it hurt Ardyn to see.

“You can’t walk,” Ardyn said, voice a whisper, and he watched how Somnus grit his teeth and ground his jaw together.

“Neither can you, asshole,” Somnus grumbled. “Unless you call that flailing walking.”

Ardyn snorted but squeezed his hands tighter and watched how Somnus stared down at their grasp upon his legs with something inscrutable in his gaze. “You can’t even feel me hurting you, can you.”

Somnus reached out and hesitantly touched Ardyn’s hands, dug his fingers between Ardyn’s palms and his legs, but he didn’t pry them off. He merely touched, light and hesitant, even as he said, “No.”

“How—”

Somnus huffed. “I defied the Gods. How else?”

Ardyn couldn’t stop the burst of rage at that—the words so casually said, as if they didn’t matter at all. Defied the Gods, by the Six what had Somnus done without Ardyn there to reign him in and remind him to always—always—be deferent to the Astrals. One did not push and pry and question the whims of beings that could strike them from this very Star on a mere chance but then—but then Somnus had always been foolhardy and Ardyn—but this, this was like being spit in the face by the Six to whom still held his loyalty despite it all, despite the pain and desperation that suffused his darkened soul. Ardyn still had hope that one day they would see fit to let him die, even if for now they saw fit to punish him because he didn’t do it right nevermind that Ardyn doubted he could’ve, in the end.

Yet still they stole Somnus’ legs from him, and Ardyn felt fury. Had not Ardyn sacrificed enough between the two of them so that Somnus should not? Or did the Six still feel that punishment was deserved upon them both—one for their piety and one for their lack? Ardyn had thought—but perhaps Ardyn had thought wrong and that in the intervening years the Six would deign his interference as faulty, especially if Somnus truly did decide to tell the Gods to go and fuck right off with their grand and meddling plans like he so threatened as a child more than once.

“What use are Gods that care not for us insignificant creatures upon this Star?” Somnus hissed in his ear. “We are but ants to them, toys to their bidding. Why do I owe them my allegiance—they who know nothing of the world of mortal men?” His breath ghosted Ardyn’s neck and Ardyn stiffened as he struggled—

“Ardyn?” Somnus said, voice hesitant and quiet in the way of a child and Ardyn breathed even as it felt like his vision darkened and spots danced at his eyes. He choked on his breath and pressed his face into Somnus’ knees and keened faintly. “Hey, uh,” Somnus fumbled over his words, awkward and unsure of himself—and it felt like Ardyn was dealing with his little brother again, fifteen and fumbling around with his first crush. “It’s—it’s okay?”

Ardyn trembled.

“Fuck. Right. It’s not okay but…but I knew it was gonna happen,” Somnus mumbled, sucked in a breath between his teeth. “Not like I was gonna be able to walk forever.”

“You should have been,” Ardyn said into his knees, words muffled. “If I had been—”

“What?” Somnus jerked in his seat and Ardyn could feel the hesitant fingers at the edge of his hair. “What? No, Ardyn I—it was my fault. It wasn’t—fuck.” Somnus’ hands shook. “You didn’t send a Miralith after me, you fucking shithead,” Somnus eventually concluded, voice distant, and just the slightest bit unsure even as Ardyn jerked back and stared up at Somnus with wide and surprised eyes.

“I—no!” Ardyn said, voice raising as he leaned forward until he practically climbed himself into Somnus’ lap so that their nose touched as he hissed and spit and snarled. “Do you really think I had any of that—that they would have—I was not tainted then, Somnus!”

Somnus jerked, surprise shifted across his face, and then he looked away with a half-mumbled, “Right.” He breathed in and relaxed slightly, still stiff and wary but less so and Ardyn frowned in confusion—“Right. I—forgot.”

“You forgot,” Ardyn said dryly, and Somnus ducked his head.

Neither said anything to one another for a long while until Somnus grasped at the wheels and pulled backward. Ardyn let him, confused and wrung out from the entire conversation wherein nothing was said at all.

“Eat your soup,” Somnus mumbled. “It’s probably gotten cold,” and he forcefully wheeled himself to the door. He fumbled for it, hands trembling and shaking and a part of Ardyn wanted to get up and tug Somnus out of the throne—the chair—and bundle his brother up and away and whisper apologies to him and beg for forgiveness. A part of him longed to rip out Somnus’ throat as visions of Aera’s broken and bleeding form crossed his mind. Ardyn stayed still while Somnus struggled with the door, and then watched as Somnus wheeled from the room.

It felt strange; Somnus defied the Gods and was burned by it. Ardyn was not in his prison. His brother brought him food. Perhaps in the end he was still dreaming, Ardyn thought, but then his hip throbbed and the smell of the soup reached his nose and his gut churned in a terrible way and Ardyn merely stared down at his hands in contemplative thought.

Noctis left the room a little struck by the thought that yes, Ardyn really was calling him Somnus, and no, Ardyn did not blame him for not killing him permanently like was Prophesied because Ardyn didn't remember even if for half of the conversation it felt like it. Because instead yeah Noctis had to suffer an injury as a child that nearly killed him, that fucking Somnus had at one point also suffered as a child unless he read that whole bit completely ass backward. He might've. Noctis could never quite tell with Ardyn because truth and lies were subjective and messy and Ardyn breathed both like they were the complete opposite thing.

[my-danganronpa-au]

Hi hi! I just wanted to ask about any headcanons you have for Kirigiri and Celestia? I love your designs for them and I'm really happy there's still celesgiri shippers out there (I really like your art style by the way! It's really cute and I look forward to how all the other characters looks!)

Thank you so much! I kinda go in between art styles alot but I’m gonna try to get them all in the same style-ish.A Kirigiri head-cannon isShes REALLY sarcastic but no one really notices it because she tries to speak in a even tone most of the time, Makoto is somehow the only person who knows whenever she’s being sarcastic.A Celestia head-cannon isShe’s honest to god horrible at remembering things. She makes everyone else remember for her, and she acts like she knew it all along. She has a black leather book with her name in cursive on it to keep personal notes if she has too.A Celegiri head-cannon isThe moment Celestia saw Kirigiri she was head over heels for her, (Before Despair and During The Game). Of course before despair she couldn’t make a move because Kirigiri was dating someone (But had a crush on someone else) But during the Game, she was confused the moment she met Kirigiri because of the intense feelings she had for her(which was more than her feelings before despair). Kirigiri on the other hand fell slowly in love with Celestia, She had a interest of her at the start but it grew quickly when they actually dated.

[marvelandponder]

DEAR GOD... IT’S COMIC-CON

Welcome, one and all, to the biggest Pony news day of the year! 

For those of you who maybe haven’t been following the fandom closely around Comic-Con in previous years, the community has come to expect news, clips, animatics, even full trailers! Lucky for those of us without the necessary pocket change, every spoilerific tidbit is live-blogged for our enjoyment by our friends at Equestria Daily, and the clips released afterwards online by Hasbro.

So, expect spoilers below the break with commentary and hyper fangirling! (Note: This post will be updated as clips and more news come out)

NEWS! CLIPS! SOME OTHER THIRD THING!

My Little Pony: The Movie

Two sneak peaks and a SONG were shown! I’ll update the post when they’re released online. There was also an intro video to the panel where the cast of the movie talked a tiiiny bit about their characters (we’ll hopefully see that online, too).

The song was sung by Rainbow Dash and Captain Celeano (the pirate birb), and it’s a song called “Time to be Awesome” sung to the pirates to rally them into rebellion against the Storm King.

Sneak peek #1 was about the mane 6 leaving Equestria for the first time heading south, and sneak peek #2 was about the Storm King using some kind of potion to essentially video chat with Commander Tempest.

They couldn’t spoil too much more of the movie after that, but the panelists were prompted to use one word to describe something about the movie:

“"Broken." "Musical." "Spongecake." "One small thing." (Okay, Pinkie.) "Therapy." (Aw, 'Shy.) "Not a big enough par--" "Granny, how'd you get here?" "Flushed," said Rarity. "Windmill," says AJ. "AWESOME." "Festival," Ms. Sparkle.” (from EQD)

Here were a few screenshots and pictures displayed at the MLP Booth

My Little Pony Season 7

Surprisingly, they didn’t show off any real clips for season 7 or reveal much info at the panel, but if you’ve been following pony news in the past few days (AND Friday night!), we got some stuff that’s really exciting!

So, we’ll get the old stuff out of the way first: if you don’t know, we have most of the summaries for season seven and you can read those here. Season 7 part 2 is set to premiere August 5th with two amazing episodes, Discordant Harmony and The Perfect Pear. With Fame and Misfortune on the 12th, Triple Threat on the 19th, and Campfire Tails airing on the 26th!

That last one is especially important, because we now know it’s going to tie into the first arc of the Legends of Magic comic line!

There’s two short trailers with action-y clips out already:

and an extended version:

But even more than that, we know the Legends of Magic comics tie into the finale, as well!!!

The 7th issue of Legends of Magic, set to come out in October, “ties into the finale” and with an Avengers-like storyline to boot: “You’ve met the most legendary ponies in Equestria’s history… now find out how they first came together to battle an unstoppable evil!”

Exactly how that story ties into the finale remains to be seen, but this is the most well-integrated the show has EVER been with its comic line. Oh, and as someone whose been following the Legends of Magic comic line and getting more and more invested (it’s one of the best arcs they’ve ever done), I can say that you won’t need to read the comics to enjoy and understand what’s going on.

It’s excellent, top-quality bonus material that tells you stories after the important ones that are talked about in Campfire Tails, but both the comics themselves and it seems the episodes of the show will be able to stand on their own.

Oh, and for the record: season 8 was confirmed long ago (as was Discord’s inclusion), but a few days ago Daniel Ingram teased that he was working with a very talented singer for season 8. So, there’s a lot on the horizon!

UPDATE: This isn’t from Comic-Con per se, but the news just dropped about the episode titles for the last three episodes of the season!

Episode 24: Uncommon Bond Episode 25: Shadow Play Part 1 Episode 26: Shadow Play Part 2

Now here’s what’s cool about the season finale title (aside from the fact that it’s just objectively cool): there’s a few options for who that could be.

A few days ago Discovery Family announced the second half of the season, in which they described a few things:

“Throughout the second half of the season, Pharynx learns that love is a strength and not a weakness, Twilight Sparkle battles the Pony of Shadows, famous author A.K. Yearling teases a new novel, the Cutie Mark Crusaders learn that nothing is impossible with courage and strength, and much more!” (x)

The identity of which is still a big mystery...

Equestria Girls

No actual news for EQG, I’m afraid, but they did make some jokes in the Q&A portion that CONFIRM MY DAMN HEADCANONS SO I’M TAKING IT AS CANON UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE YOU CAN’T STOP ME

Q: Any chance Celestia is Sunset Shimmer's mother? Meghan: There is NOW! We may need you to sign some papers.

VALIDATION! SWEET, SWEET VALIDATION!

OKAY, BUT IF YOU KNOW ME YOU KNOW THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER-LIKE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHERS AND THEIR STUDENTS IN THIS SHOW GIVE ME LIFE.

Q: Why doesn't Twilight write to the Princess anymore? Tara Strong: She uses email. She's a great texter. I dunno. Meghan McCarthy: That's my fault, that we stopped doing that. We felt she evolved as a character and her relationship with Celestia was changing, so she didn't have a need to update her in that way. Mike Vogel: More time to spend with her daughter, Sunset.

THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT. EVEN IF IT WAS A JOKE, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT.

Also, there are three kinds of people in this world, apparently.

Q: Is Sunset ever going back to the pony world? Meghan McCarthy: ... yes. Mike Vogel: For a three-day weekend.

To visit her mom, obviously...

Q: Will Discord change if he goes through the portal? Meghan McCarthy: Oooh. He would change. That's just science. Cathy Wesluck: All his parts would just fall off.

So Discord would actually change going through the portal. Into what, we may never know, but at least we know he’s not immune.

It would be funny if his multiple parts just changed into different parts, though. Like, the translation process is still one-for-one, so he’s basically the same structure with different animals.

UPDATE: And for those wondering, it’s been confirmed that there’s more EQG on the way by Big Jim on Twitter:

We know for a fact there’s at least two new music videos coming out sometime this year because they were leaked in Russian, but at least we know there’s more EQG beyond that in 2018!

IDW Comics

In addition to the crazy things going on with the Legends of Magic line, IDW previewed a few pages from the Movie Prequel line of their comics: this time, Captain Celeano!

Much like the Legends of Magic comics, these seem to be smaller stories that give us a little background on the new characters, but won’t be necessary reading for the movie.

There’s also not a ton of reports out about what was actually said during the panel, but that might be because IDW had other brands to focus on presenting (Star Trek, Transformers, etc.).

Overall + Other Convention News

So, that’s about it for SDCC 2017, and we got a few great things, but if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, don’t worry too much.

Hasbro’s first ever convention, HasCon (... yes that’s really what they went with), is set for September 8th-10th with a panel line-up that already has me drooling:

The Voices of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Have you ever wondered what it's like to be the voice behind a pony? Straight from the pony's mouth, learn about what it takes to bring iconic characters to life with just a script and a mic.

From Ponyville to Canterlot High – History of Equestria Girls Join master storyteller, screenwriter and lyricist Meghan McCarthy as she shares the inspiration behind Equestria Girls and gives a peek at what adventures the Equestria Girls are going on next. Be the first to see the new product line and hear first hand from the Equestria designers as they share how they bring to life our Mane 7 ‘s unique personalities!

My Little Pony Designer Q&A Join members of the My Little Pony design team as they take you on a journey through four generations of pony product. Designers will answer questions, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how they have made their (cutie) mark on My Little Pony and proving that you're never too old to play with ponies.

The Making of My Little Pony: The Movie Join master storyteller, screenwriter, and lyricist Meghan McCarthy as she shares her experience in creating the first feature film for My Little Pony. Find out how the Mane 6 inspired her to discover the importance of teamwork and friendship along the way. Includes an exclusive sneak preview of the film!

First Look at My Little Pony Season 8! The adventures of the Mane 6—Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack—continue with the 8th season of the beloved My Little Pony Series in 2018. Renowned storyteller, screenwriter, and lyricist Meghan McCarthy will join fans to present the first look the Season 8 premiere exclusively at HASCON!

And yes, I realize the irony of putting this section into a post about SDCC, but I do it for a good reason. Normally, SDCC is the biggest Pony news day of the year, but that’s just not the case now that Hasbro can dedicate 45 minutes EACH to the main show, Equestria Girls, and the Movie!

This is especially important (and relevant to this post) because the decision to make the SDCC MLP panel just about the movie was a last minute thing. They had things about the remainder of season 7 and EQG that they were prepared to share, but were probably told to hold off on it because of HasCon.

So, I just wanted to let you know this won’t be the last post like this this year, and that there’s even more exciting news on the horizon.

If you need more pony RIGHT NOW (which is my constant state of being), you could always take a look at my editorials or episode reviews! Here, have an end slate because pretty pictures:

Daybreaker Editorial, LGBT+ Editorial, and Trailer Analysis

Or see the whole year’s selection of stuff right here:

Year of the Pony