#i wish Rosell had stayed too to be clear

[skinnyhyena]

How is Ars too young to lead the troops into battle, but Rosell is old enough to go and advise?!?!?! 💀💀💀 If he can act as a vassal from the rear, Ars totally have come.

[maple-keenes]

cross my heart and hope to die

fandom: not another d&d podcast, naddpod

rating: teen, for cursing and description of injuries

pairing: beverly toegold v/erlin kindleaf, beverlin 

wc: 1664

read it on ao3 

summary: 

Beverly had the lone privilege of getting to go back home for a while before they went and did some post-war reparations because it was at the end of the war against Thialah that Hardwon and Moonshine had the same unnerving realization that Beverly was still technically a high schooler. As such, they told him to get his ass back to Hillholm for a little while to pretend that things were normal for a while.

It wasn't normal.

author’s note: i hope you enjoy!!!! lyrics and title are from ajr's "infinity"!

[spoilers for both the shadowfell saga and the chosen saga!]

cross my heart and hope to die

stick a needle in my eye

my mama says to pick the best

and you’re it

Beverly stumbles into his mom’s house after the final fight, the not-end of the world, and he collapses onto the couch. She walks in, takes one look at him, and sighs heavily. 

“You’re getting blood on the carpet,” Martha Toegold says, but she doesn’t look mad. She looks at her son and she sees the gashes on his arms and legs, she sees the tear tracks down his face, and she knows. She knows everything, the way moms always seem to know everything, and she simply shakes her head. 

He laughs and it turns into a hacking cough halfway through. “I know, Mom.”

She tsks. “You’re gonna have to clean that up later.” 

The silence is heavy and it weighs down on both of them. Beverly can feel it more than usual. She doesn’t want him to notice how awkward it is, but they can both tell. “Bloodstains, they never come out. You gotta use lemon and seltzer. You’ll learn when you--” She stops abruptly.

“When I what, Mom?” he asks tiredly. What haven’t I done already? he thinks. 

She just shakes her head yet again. “I was gonna say when you have your first real battle.” Martha Toegold looks at her son and she cracks the first smile she has in a long time. “Ain’t that the understatement of the year, huh, Bev?”

Beverly doesn’t laugh this time. First real battle, that is the most ridiculous thing he’s heard all year. He may be sixteen, but he’s faced more gods and devils and horrible people that he’s got the experiences of a 100-year-old crammed into a few months of his life.

“I’ll leave you be for now, sweetheart,” she says, and she crosses the room to give her son a kiss on the forehead. “Let me know if you need anything, alright?” 

She gets almost to the stairs before he croaks out, “Mom?” 

“Yes, Bev?” 

He sniffles and wipes his nose, smearing some of the ash on his face. “Where is he?” 

Martha Toegold looks at her son and she sees the boy who used to try and bring squirrels home as pets, who ran off with his friends into the glades whenever he could, who used to make her flower crowns and help her with the dishes every night, and she truly smiles. “At his grandmother’s, sweetheart. Promise me you’ll get cleaned up first, please?” 

He nods, and the heaviness vanishes. 

all our troubles gone

like when we were young

take me back to where we all began

Beverly cleans the blood off the carpet first and then takes a shower. It’s been a long time since he’s stayed here in Hillholm, but their house is the same, strangely enough, even as the dust settles. 

He shivers when he steps outside, not because it’s cold, but because it’s warm. Beverly isn’t sure how long it’s been since he’s been warm. Not hot, just… comfortably warm. 

The sun is shining on Hillholm, which is one of the few cities left after the war, but it feels fake. Nothing feels real anymore, though, so it’s not a feeling he’s unused to. 

Beverly shoves his hands into his pockets and walks the familiar path to Erlin’s grandmother’s house. He stands awkwardly at the door for a little while before knocking. The door swings open and he only catches a blur of orange curly hair before he’s knocked flat onto the doorstep, pinned underneath his boyfriend. 

Erlin kisses him fiercely, and they’re both laughing and smiling and it feels amazing. There is no apocalypse, there are no dead gods, there is only the two of them right here, right now.

He had the lone privilege of getting to go back home for a while before they went and did some post-war reparations because it was at the end of the war against Thialah that Hardwon and Moonshine had the same unnerving realization that Beverly was still technically a high schooler. As such, they told him to get his ass back to Hillholm for a little while to pretend that things were normal for a while. 

It wasn’t normal. It was quiet and strange and there were so many people missing, so many faces that flashed behind Beverly’s eyes when he tried to sleep at night. He’d just gotten home today, bruised and bloodied from fighting some stupid gnomes at the edge of Hillholm that decided to jump him as he was walking home, and everything felt wrong.

But here he is, laying on the Kindleaf’s porch, and it feels a little bit less wrong. 

here we are again like we should have been

oh my darling can i have this dance?

Beverly sits down cross-legged on Erlin’s bed and starts messing with the sheets nervously while Erlin is laying down with his head in Bev’s lap, and both of them are uncomfortably silent. Normally they’d play video games or talk about Green Teen things, but none of this is normal, from the little things like the length of Erlin’s hair to the big things like the fact that they’re not just best friends anymore, they’re boyfriends, and they just went to war. 

More importantly than the war, they’re dating now, and Beverly’s never been in a relationship before. Without all the pressure of oh, we might die tomorrow and all that jazz, he’s starting to think he’s not quite as good at it as he’s made himself out to be in the past. When the only people you have to compare your relationship capabilities to are Moonshine, Balnor, and Hardwon, you might get a false sense of confidence. 

He clears his throat and says, “So did I ever get a chance to tell you about when we were in Shadowfell and we fought a kraken?” 

Erlin gasps and sits up. “Dude, no! I’ve never even seen one of those, and you guys fought one?” He lies back down and pouts a little bit. “You guys got to fight such cool monsters.”

Beverly laughs and tangles his fingers in his boyfriend’s hair, slowly braiding and unbraiding his curls. “Well, when we were in Shadowfell we fought all kinds of crazy stuff. Shadowfell is chill now, you know, ‘cause Hardwon’s mom is the queen down there, but when we were there the first time there were vampires and all these weird ghosts and it was so creepy.” 

“Hardwon’s mom is the queen of Shadowfell?” 

He nods. “We killed the old king--it was Galad Rosell, you remember him?--and we made her the queen. She’s really cool!” 

“You guys are so much cooler than us,” Erlin scowls, and Beverly can’t help but laugh. “Don’t laugh at me, you asshole. Red and Egwene are cool and all, but I wish I’d gotten to know Moonshine and Hardwon more.” 

He blushes a little bit and smiles before saying, “They know way too much about you already.” 

Erlin narrows his eyes and gives Bev a look. “Why do they know stuff about me?” 

“C’mon, man,” Beverly replies, face heating up even more. “You know why.” 

“Mm, no, don’t think I can figure that one out by myself,” he teases softly as he sits up and leans his head against Beverly’s shoulder. “You gotta tell me.” 

“Shut up,” he mumbles. “They know stuff about you cause we spent every day together for months and I’m in love with you, stupid. I talk about the things I love.” 

Erlin presses a soft kiss to Beverly’s temple and replies, “I’m in love with you too, idiot. If it makes you feel any better, Red and Guenther and Egwene know way too much about you too.” 

“Egwene already knew way too much about me.” He sighs and gives Erlin a side-eye. “What did you tell her?” 

He shrugs innocently. “Just some of the stuff we got up to during Green Teens. We did an awful lot of sneaking off during camp-outs and stuff when we were younger.” 

“Those were the days, huh?” Beverly shakes his head and smiles at his boyfriend--his best friend--and it feels a little bit less wrong, yet again. 

They spend the rest of the day trading stories from their adventuring days and gossiping about their parties--though Beverly definitely wins that one, no matter how many cool things Egwene and Red have done, Moonshine’s done it all and probably has her own name for it to boot--and as the sun sets over Hillholm, both boys are sitting on the floor of Erlin’s room leaning against his bed. Beverly is content, for once in a long, long time, and he lets everything that happened and is happening fall into his peripheral, focusing just on this moment right here.

He leans into Erlin, burying his face in his neck, and lets out a happy little sigh. “I’ve missed you, you know.” 

“I’ve missed you too, Bev. Being an adventurer is cool and all, but I’d trade the past few weeks for a hundred more with you.” 

Beverly blushes and laughs. “When did you get so dang eloquent?” 

He laughs as well and nudges him with his shoulder. “I think you’ve just been spendin’ too much time around people who can’t read, dude.” 

They both collapse into giggles, and it finally feels real and right and normal, and even though so much has changed, so much has stayed the same and one of those things is simply Beverly and Erlin because they’ve always been best friends, they’re just a little bit more now too. Beverly sits back up and looks at his best friend’s eyes and says, “I love you, Erlin.” 

“I love you too, Beverly.” 

And if that isn’t as right as it gets. 

cross my heart and hope to die

since you came into my life

my mama says to pick the best

and you’re it

[maikatc]

Black Sun Tale | A Demon

yes i decided to release it early, surprise! count it as a new years surprise as you will. we’re starting off the decade by being introduced to my favorite character!

remember this is only a first draft and only has minor edits, but regardless enjoy! comments and reception are always appreciated!

-

The forest of Fowls always left an empty chill in Alice’s spine. The cold, grey skies and silence never changed for the past four-hundred years she stayed dormant in the land. 

A plain door stood with stubble footing on top of the grass. Nothing connected to the passageway. It’d open at any time for her to be welcomed in. She waited with her scheduled patience for the sovereign to be ready. The boy making any big commotion was doubtful, however. 

As time passed, she reviewed what her next moves could be with the others.

Han and Margaret possibly could’ve been of use later on, in her eyes they seemed to have been settling without a fuss as always. Orelia could’ve also been helpful for her; however, she would run off to her own escapades too often. Mei-Ling was also a possible choice for a good friend for her son, though her distance with everyone else would made it impossible for her to get along with someone brand new. 

Despite all of her arguments against the idea however, the Sweet siblings were her best shot. 

At least Vittorino is doing well thus far… She grumbled to herself about the matter. 

Regardless, even after the last few centuries, the new children have been settling themselves well, no matter how dirty their deals were played. 

“You can enter now,” a child-like voice called. Alice made no flinch despite the suddenness, turning to find the door open. She breathed in and out, ready to manage whatever nonsense he held. 

She entered through the door, escaping Fowls to a new realm. 

The realm would’ve been blank if it weren’t for the views of the Obodo streets. A storm blew gusts of winds against the neighborhood trees. Citizens scurried to find the nearest shelter in a café or bar. The city was alive with desperation. 

Alice found a boy sitting in the middle of the endless room. He sat on a wooden stool in the middle of the traffic line, being unaffected by the rushing illusion of cars. His pale body shined against the dark evening along with his white, angel-like hair. A golden circlet laid on his head, baring a dirty, coal-like bort gem with a rough cut. He didn’t bat an eye on Alice, instead observing a family arguing in the rain. 

“Tell me, Alice,” the boy started, “how many people have you meet in your lifetime?” 

She answered with no time, “That’s not countable, Akeldama. You’ve likely met more than I have already.” 

“Then, let’s put it to simpler terms.” Akeldama turned his seat, facing her against a now clear room. His red eyes darted her, his left holding a black sun, yet his face bared only curiosity. “How many people have you met before you met me?”

Alice followed what he said, standing tall against him though still in his command. “If you put it as that, then that’d roughly be about fifty to a hundred, not counting infants. My village wasn’t quite as large as others, as you know.” 

Akeldama sat upward, tapping his chin. “Mine was about the same. It’s fascinating, isn’t it.” He turned back to the thriving city, smiling at the humans in front of him. “To think that societies have grown so much.” 

The room transformed into a small diner. The two faced a couple conversing with their waiter, grinning in delight of what they talked. 

“You can meet just anybody in a day, thousands throughout your life. Yet, you can forget their existence a few hours after.” He smiled. “It’s compelling if you ask me, because how do you even grow to care about others when there’s so many?”

“For the most part… you just do,” Alice answered. 

Akeldama stared at her with her answer, then turned back around at the couple. He twisted his hair back and forth. “Would that mean that it’s just human instinct then? From what I can tell, people care about others for the pleasure of them being around. You can say it’s almost selfish in their part as it’s simply self-satisfaction. Though, the instinct to protect others and do whatever for them is… natural too… right?”

Alice reminded him, “Akeldama, I think we’ve already had this conversation before, if you can’t recall.”

“Don’t just say ‘I think’ when you know you’re right,” Akeldama ordered. “And I know. I’m solely… curious about it… It’s been making me satisfied from the past few years.”

“Why is that,” she grumbled. 

The room went blank again as Akeldama stared in mid-space. “I’ve been- well, less bored for one thing. But I’ve been feeling more scared, guilty, even a little sad for other people! The most emotion I’ve felt towards someone was like two feelings and that was only after they left!” His eyes shined a vermillion. 

Alice pondered, “And just why would that be good for you?”

He cheered, “It’s just great to have those kinds of feelings, you know? Goes to show that I’m less of a monster than I was made out to be.” He spun in his chair. “As a demon, I’m glad that I can feel that kind of stuff too.”

“You’re nonsensical at best,” Alice complied. “A terrible being if you ask me.”

He giggled and shrugged her off. “I don’t think that’ll matter in the end.”

She sighed. “… I assume that these emotions are occurring because of my son?”

He gave short, clunky chuckles. “It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? He’s one of the only people I’ve really talked to in years. Of course, I’d feel bad for him.”

“Yet you have no remorse for anybody else?”

His brows furrowed at her. “Oliver at least has a reason for my attention. I really shouldn’t feel emotions all that much especially like this. It’s just unfortunate nature, as you’d call it… I guess this is instinct going at itself, but overall it’s nice to have.” 

Akeldama turned back around to the room’s scenery. Alice stared from afar. She couldn’t help but ask him for another time. 

“Why did you have to impose yourself as Faustus just to talk to Oliver?”

Akeldama pulled back, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t want things to be too obvious for him and Ayu. It was too easy of a connection. Had to hide my identity so I had to use one of my dead names for the kid.” He pouted. “It sucks that I had to leave before his conditions started… but I had to leave before he started asking questions.”

He bit his lip. Alice waited for more as he took a pause. 

“Besides, I had to start using more of my time to mess with Ayu.”

“What do you even wish to accomplish with Ayu?” 

“… You’ll know soon enough.”

No clear answer, Alice confirmed, as expected from him. “Why do you do all of these terrible acts, then? Why subjugate everyone like this?

“Don’t worry.” Akeldama lifted his finger swirling it around to form a small black whirlwind. “It’s all to have what we want in the end. You’ll be free to do as you wish once this is over.” He counts with his other hand. “Give it ‘til June 6th.”

The idea of freedom boggled Alice. However, she remained silent. 

“By the way,” Akeldama snaps the whirlwind into thin air, “it’s been a while now since I’ve wanted to say this. Go tell the others that they don’t have to make their monthly payments to me anymore.” He grinned at her. 

“Wait.” Alice stammered. “You mean that-”

Akeldama nodded. “No more lives at your risk, but you’ll still be allowed to if you’d like. Go tell Vittorino if you don’t want to deal with- what do you call it, the ‘second era’ about it.”

“B-but, why now?” Alice took a step forward, but flinched and stepped back immediately. 

Akeldama eyed her but grumbly replied. “Everybody probably wants a break. You’ll have more time with your son too, won’t you?” His voice broke into a stingy tone, only to clear his throat after speaking. “You may leave now if you wish.”

She squinted at him in doubt. Though she pushed it aside and gave him a bow. “Thank you.”

“Don’t bow at me,” he bickered. 

“Yes, yes, I know.” Her lips curled up as exited back into the forest. 

The door behind her shut and disappeared after she took her steps out. Though in front of her eyes, she found a familiar child, matted with a messy trench-coat and black hair. 

“How’d it go this time?” Vittorino held his arms crossed, lying against a tree. 

She took no time. “Tell the others that we’re on break.”

“Wait really?” He twisted his body, the balance making him fall over in the process. He swiftly got up and brushed off the dry grass. “That’s what he said today? I don’t even think anyone would even care.” He paused and snickered. “Eilwen’ll definitely have an earful for you.”

“She always complains about him,” Alice walked by him, removing the grass stuck on his back. “Almost everyone before you did.”

Vittorino scoffed. “First and second eras are different.” 

“Very different, Vittorino. That’s why you’re telling them for me.” She patted him on the back and was about to walk off. Vittorino nearly disappeared on her until she asked, “What happened to Oliver afterwards…?”

Vittorino blinked, then sneered. “He had a panic attack after Ayu found him as a mess.”

“Oh, dear lord,” Alice placed a hand on her head. “Is he alright otherwise?”

“If you count angry, confused, and overall emotionally distressed, then yes.”

She glared at him. “Your attitude is not needed at the moment.”

“And doubting the obvious is not needed.” He slapped her sluggishly by the arm. “Get your job done with already. He’s already getting along with Ayu like you wanted. Now all he needs is to get some help for once.”

“Yes, don’t fret,” she assured Vittorino, “I’ll contact him soon. I’m just hoping he’ll grow up to be like Christopher in the end.” 

Vittorino looked to the side. “Yeah sure. I’ll still try and talk with him. It’ll make the next few months more entertaining… aside from Roselle and those guys.”

“That reminds me, how are those people doing?”

Vittorino leaned back on the tree. “Roselle’s the only one I’m really paying attention to right now. But Jackson’s actually getting a clue for once and the others just aren’t doing anything.”

“Why is Roselle the one you’re paying attention to?”

“Easy.” He nodded. “She’s the heartless one out of them all, but she’s also the most vulnerable to mess with. She doesn’t want to interact with anybody nor does she even care about the iblis or us killing people, so it’s easy to hop around on what she could do.”

“I see…” Alice muttered. “Don’t do anything severe with them, regardless. Akeldama wants to make sure there’s some damage to them but not enough to their deaths.” 

Vittorino pushed himself out of his stance and waved her off. “Can’t promised you that.” 

He was gone in the blink of an eye. 

Oh Roselle, I give you my prayers. Alice made another step into the tall grass, as she walked back to her own cottage. The future ahead of them held no boundaries out of what could happen.

-

Ten Dollars | Bread and Water | Red Eye | Crimson Capture | November 1st | A Mother | Next>>>