#if you look closely claude is somewhere here too

[himemina02]

For the San Andreas girlies only

[slashers-and-rats]

mimic.

billy lenz x fem!reader | nsfw | msub!billy, masturbation, billy playing with your lingerie, some humiliation but he’s mostly just embarrassed

rat chat: i love a desperate man. i love a pathetic desperate man, and i like it even more when they can’t control themselves. so, let me share my vision here.

billy’s hands were hovering over the brass knob of your dresser drawer. if he listened extra close, he swore he could hear it whispering out to him, calling for him to rip it open and throw its guts all over your bedroom floor.

you had left awhile ago for work. he was left to his own devices, and had found himself pattering around the house like a lost puppy. claude was nowhere to be found, likely batting around mice in a crawl space somewhere, and billy had gotten bored of television an hour into your absence.

he frowned. if you had been there, you would’ve kept him entertained. you didn’t even have to try. for someone like billy, who could barely sit still, just laying in your arms and breathing in your scent felt like riding the worlds scariest rollercoaster. every brush of your fingers through his hair, and trail of your touch down his spine made his stomach toss and turn. it always kept him on his toes.

he didn’t feel any of those feelings at all. he felt as though some part of him had been removed, like someone had yanked his heart from his rib cage. the only thing that reassured him it wasn’t missing was the fact that it ached, yearning for you to be back. it was always like this. it never got easier to see you leave for your shifts, and often times he’d just lay by the door and wait for you to get back. he had at least learned to keep his hands as much to himself as possible while you left, as before he would do anything he could to make you stay.

today, it all seemed heightened. billy woke up on the wrong side of the bed, he hadn’t slept well, he has refused breakfast, and had clung to you when you said your usual goodbyes. he wished he would’ve worked harder to convince you to stay, but he knew better. he knew to let you slip from his arms when you gave your final kiss, and he knew to wave you off, looking as happy as possible. often times when you called in sick in the past it was because he was being dramatic, but today you had insisted you had to go. you left him.

he tried to be mad. he loomed over your possessions, wanting to throw them against the walls and break all your precious belongings. if it was before, when he was untamed and wild, he would’ve without hesitation. you would’ve come home to all the little pieces laid carefully out in front of the door, just so you’d step on them and bleed. he would’ve licked it up after too, getting to taste the metallic tang of your blood. it would’ve felt good to make you upset, to hurt you, to bring you to tears.

it didn’t feel that way anymore. he was domesticated now. as he stared down at your dresser, he felt frozen. in the pit of his stomach, a heavy weight sat. he knew better- he was better. you were so kind to him. you gifted him with new virtues. if he threw a tantrum now, he’d be undoing so much work. or, worse, he’d make you upset. he didn’t like the look on your face when you saw him misbehaving, at least when he was doing it in a bad way. sometimes he was naughty and you liked it, and enjoyed the punishments you gave him after. but things like this, where it wasn’t fun for you both… it had lost its charm. he didn’t even understood why he ever liked it in the first place. sometimes, he was a stranger even to himself.

his hand reached up, and in a trance like state he opened up your underwear drawer and examined it’s contents. it was divided down the middle; one side was your usual comfortable sets, and the other was the nice, lace things you wore when billy was being extra good.

billy reached inside and ran his fingertips over the fabric. the texture felt good. he could remember how much better it felt when it was on you. the way it fit snug against your skin, and the way it left little imprints. he liked leaving imprints too, though usually it was of his teeth or his nails. he didn’t leave as sophisticated of patterns as your lingerie did. he tried to.

billy sighed heavy. he looked over at the clock resting on the wall, and carefully counted the numbers being ticked away. you wouldn’t be home for another few hours. it was a shame. it made him feel restless. he had already done all his chores, a guarantee that he’d get something nice when you got home, and he had even found an old trinket you had lost a long time ago. he could imagine your smile when you saw it. he knew what you’d say. you’d praise him for being so good, and he’d make you give him kiss after kiss until he felt he had been properly rewarded.

he wanted those now. he wanted to feel your warm lips pressed against his, he wanted to feel your hands pulling him closer by his belt, he wanted to feel the way you pressed your breasts up against his chest so that he could feel the softness and the beating of your heart. he wanted you. oh, how he longed for you.

billy breathed in deep. if he focused, he could smell you. your room always smelt faintly of your scent. he looked down at the underwear again, rubbing it between his fingers. your clothes, he supposed, would smell like you too.

he hesitated for a moment, before gathering up a pair in his hands and pressing it to his face. he knew the exact set by the way the lace rubbed against his cheek and jaw. it was a soft pink colour, with bows and frills, and a flowery print in the lace. he remembered the last time you wore it. the way you gasped and gripped at his head as he devoured you, the way the matching stockings squeezed against his temples and created dents in his skin.

he took in a deep breath. it smelt so lovely. he felt his head lift up into the clouds, and he had to sit down on your bed to steady himself. it only made this feeling worse. your sheets not only smelled of you, but of the things you both did together.

he laid down on his front, pressing his cheek into the comforter and nearly suffocating himself with your smell. you kept saying that you had to wash your sheets soon, that you’d get to it when you had a moment. he didn’t want you to. if he really pressed his face down, he smelt the sweat of sex and the hints of your tears on the blankets. he loved the way you weeped when he made you feel so good. he loved when he was rutting into you deep, pushing his hips like a piston, fucking you with such purpose, and you sobbed and gripped onto his body.

he squirmed. he opened and closed his mouth in the sheets, gathering the fabric between his teeth and biting down. he moaned, high and soft, mimicking the sound you would make when you were in his same position. it sounded so good. it filled his head with memories, and made his stomach pool with arousal.

billy shook his head. he was being silly, such a silly billy. this was wrong. no, he couldn’t do this.

he had to put the panties on too, obviously, it was the only way. how else would he mimic you like he wanted to? moans were one thing, but the outfit was a part of it too. if he couldn’t see you, or feel you, he’d become you. just for a little, just so he could relieve himself of all this tightening pressure wringing out his organs.

his hands were uncoordinated and rushed as he dragged his pants down his front. for a moment, he didn’t rise from the bed. he didn’t wanna leave that sweet little paradise of the senses he had created. but, when it became too little for him, he weaned himself away. he sat up on his knees, filling the near silent house with his loud pants and whines. he sounded so desperate, and for what he didn’t know. for you? for your insides? for your touch?just for your presence? if you even let him lick a rogue drop of your wetness off of your thigh he’d be satisfied for life.

part of him, deep in the back of his head, was a little embarrassed he got this desperate. it hated how easily these feelings overwhelmed him, and how quickly he was drooling and whimpering under his breath. the majority of him didn’t have enough sense to care. so, he pulled his sweater over his head in a flourish, and yanked your panties on over his throbbing cock.

it didn’t fit him right, of course. he was a skinny, smaller guy, and while his hips were broad you had a bit of size on him. but they were snug enough that they weren’t pooling around his ankles. his cock peaked out from the waistband, and every twitch made his head rub against his stomach. his shaft created friction with the lace, and it made him mewl.

he laid back down, nestling himself snug against the blankets, and bit down once again on the fabric. his hands slipped underneath his chest, running all the way down until he could wrap it around the head of his cock. once he was in the right position, he moaned again.

he had heard you enough times to have your sound down. the way you whined high in your throat when he teased the head just at your entrance, the way you went low with surprise when he slammed into you deep and without warning. the way you whimpered and begged for him to slow down when he was barely pulling out, and just humping into your wet pussy. he let it all fall out into your mattress.

he had smell, he had sound, he had touch; he even had taste with the blanket against his tongue. he was drowning in you, and you weren’t even there. he wished it was you. this wasn’t enough.

his cock throbbed hard against the surface of the bed. it made him moan, the real him, and it came out a deep rumble. he hesitated for a moment, before beginning to drag his cock up and down the sheets.

the lack of grace was almost painful. he didn’t have enough time to coordinate. it was one thing when you were there- he had to be coordinated then. he had a job to do. fucking you was practically his 9 to 5. this was just a side job, something under the table. it didn’t matter if he did it well, it was just to relieve this fucking heat burning in his head.

his hips were slow at first. it was a shaky, harsh drag of his cock, and a push of his hips up into the hand around his head. he dug his feet into the bed to get leverage, and pushed his torso up just a bit so his dick wasn’t suffocating against his own stomach. it was wet, already leaking precum in a puddle onto the bed. it became faster as he went. he allowed himself to let go, to forget the little inhibitions he had left, and just rut.

he felt a little pathetic. for a moment, he thought of putting everything away, and going about his business of waiting for you again like nothing had happened.

the second he thought of you, and the way you’d hold his face and coo at him, and tell him in the sweetest tones to keep humping the bed like a good boy, the idea went out the window. he wouldn’t fail you, not even the you in his mind.

with new determination, he went flush against your sheets, and began humping hard. he squealed into the blankets, his free hand bunching up a bit of the fabric so he could press it harder into his face. he felt like a pervert. he was a pervert. but it felt too good for him to take it negatively. he knew if you were there, watching him writhe and thrust like a whore, you wouldn’t care. maybe you’d even praise him for putting on a good show.

the lace scratched at his shaft in a satisfying way. every push and pull of his hips made it rub harder against him, and the only safe-haven from that feeling was the inside of his hand, where his head dragged against his palm and drooled onto his fingers. his back arched, his muscles tense and flexing every time he thrust into the thought of you. in his mind, you were there too, and he wasn’t the one getting teased.

“f-fuck me, billy,” he whimpered out, trying his best to match your own voice. it worked well (for him, at least), feeling right on his tongue, so he continued. “f-fill me with your h-hard cock, billy…! touch- touch me! fuck me! s-slutty billy, just a toy, my toy. [y/n]’s toy.” he purred out the last words, the sound devolving into a long, feminine moan.

he was fucking into nothing. your panties were smothering his balls, and bunching up in his ass, and every single thrust made them pull taut against crotch. he was drooling all over your comforter. his eyes were squeezed shut in a desperate attempt to build a you, a dream you, that maybe would appear in front of him and let him fuck it.

“i-i’m close… you’re such a g-good boy… b-billy’s a good boy… i-i wanna cum, i wanna cum inside of you…! cum inside of me, billy, fill me up. be a good- be a good boy,” he babbled, his hips already beginning to grow sporadic. this was pathetic. he was coming in under ten minutes all from his own sick mimicry of you. he wondered if you’d think less of him if you knew how unhinged he could be when he was all alone.

it didn’t stop him. none of the negative outweighed the positive in his mind. no, if anything this was an homage to you. it was like performing a play in honour of a queen. it was done with respect, with reverence- you were his best muse. you inspired him every day to be the dirtiest man he could be.

he couldn’t stop thinking about what you’d say when you saw him. he wondered if you’d make him clean up his mess with his tongue, or if you’d do it yourself. he quite liked the second idea. the idea of you walking in on him, the cum on his stomach still hot to the touch, and saying nothing, instead licking up the mess off of his skin. you always gave him a look when you cleaned him like that. it was hunger; it was a fire behind your eyes that could cook him alive if he looked long enough. it was searing, it was blinding, it was-

it was too much. billy came hard, his body wracked with an orgasm. it didn’t drag out or linger as it usually did. it was like getting shot in the back of the head for him. it was quick, knocking all air out of his lungs and making him go lifeless against the bed. he could feel his seed spurting out against his hand and stomach, and gluing the sheets of your bed to his body. for a moment, while the after shocks still ran through his nerves, he was sliding his cock in and out of the mess he had made. it got onto your panties too. your lace was quickly muddled with cum, and clung to his skin. he felt sticky and spent.

he came to his senses slowly. he unlocked his jaw, pushing himself up with an arm and surveying his mess. his drooling had created a large dark circle just under your pillows, and the load he had released onto the sheets was already growing cool in the fall air.

he wiped his chin, his other hand swiping his semen onto the bed in a dismissive way. his head was still dazed, but he was trying his best to focus. you’d be home in a bit, and he didn’t know if you’d be so happy to see the scene he had left for you. it was one thing for him to dirty himself, but you already had enough on your plate.

he swallowed hard, his throat dry. he knew what he had to do. first, get water, you always said it was important to hydrate after play.

second, learn to use a washing machine.

[sorinethemastermind]

Fluffcember 2024:Forgiveness | Rayllum & Sorvus & Clauderry Callum is determined to ask Rayla to be his girlfriend this Winter Break. But if he can't even start a fire, how is he supposed to create the perfect moment? Soren has decided to stay on campus this Christmas, but with Rayla and Callum as his only company, he's starting to feel like a third wheel. Except maybe it's not just the three of them left on campus after all. Meanwhile Claudia is trying to have a nice Christmas with her family, but maybe her family isn't at home...

 Soren leaned his head on Corvus’ shoulder, watching the other man’s thumb as it made small circles across the back of his hand. He always seemed to be doing that. They’d been in almost constant contact since the kiss. Well, the second kiss. Soren had been surprised, at first. He hadn’t pictured Corvus to be the type.

 Not that he was complaining.

 He sighed contentedly, returning his attention to the movie. They were halfway through Elf (one of Ez’s favorites) and on the third Christmas movie in their binge. It was nice, honestly. The best way Soren could think of to spend the day after Christmas. Besides maybe making out with Corvus in a closet somewhere. But he had a feeling that would only be fun for them and not everyone. So he’d put that agenda on hold until later.

 Anyway, this was nice too; all of them strewn about the living room, cozy in their Christmas sweaters and leaning on their partners or snuggled up under the same blanket. Well, except for Rayla and Callum, who were separated by a very cheery Ezran. Luckily he was transfixed enough on the TV that he didn’t appear to notice them making eyes at one another over his head.

 And Harrow kept popping in to bring them snacks. He appeared in the doorway then, sticking his head around the corner with a little smile. 

 “You all sure look cozy.” he said, carrying in a tray laden with streaming mugs of hot chocolate to pass around. He paused before Claudia as she took one. “Claudia, there is- There’s someone here to see you.”

 “Who?” Claudia smiled up at him even as a pit began to form in Soren’s stomach.

 “It’s… your father.”

 “Oh.” Claudia faltered. “How did he-”

 “I told him you came over last night. I’m sorry.” Harrow said, voice apologetic. “He was just so worried, he didn’t know where you’d gone, so I wanted him to know you were alright.”

 “It’s okay.” Claudia smiled at him, beginning to untangle herself from the blanket. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll go talk to him.”

 Terry cast Soren a worried glance, but he didn't need to. He was already getting up. “I’ll talk to him, Clauds.” he offered. “Unless you want to?”

 “I-” his sister paused, then gave him a nervous look. “Are you sure?”

 “Yeah. I’ll just be a second.” Soren tried not to pay attention to the stares he could feel following him out of the room and down the hall. He hated making a scene. Not that he had, he just… He hated everyone knowing.

 Hated them looking at him like that, with pity in their eyes. Hated to make them worry.

 Soren took a deep breath, pausing with his hand on the doorknob. He had talked through this scenario a thousand times. Well, not this exact scenario. But versions of it. He knew what he was supposed to say, what he wanted to say. His therapist had walked him through it, he’d even practiced saying it aloud. Sometimes he’d written it down.

 Versions and versions of what he wanted to tell his father, notebooks full of crossed out sentences. Entire paragraphs of what he wanted him to know. Of how he’d made him feel. But then, when his father had been on the other end of the phone, he hadn’t been able to remember any of it. This time, though, he was ready. He was prepared. He knew what he-

 The words died in Soren’s mouth as he opened the door. The same way they had the last time.

 His father looked taken aback by his presence, his mouth opening only to fall shut. His lips pressed together into a thin line as Soren stepped out onto the front porch and closed the door behind him.

 “I didn’t know you were here.” Viren said, finally.

 “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

 “It’s not Christmas anymore.”

 Soren sighed. “I was just trying to be nice.”

 “So is that what you’re doing now? Being nice to me?”

 “I try to be nice to everyone.” Soren said, fighting not to let the anger enter his voice. He wasn’t going to do this today. The words slipped out anyway. “Even if they don’t deserve it.”

 His father’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t come here to be insulted. I came to speak to your sister.”

 “She doesn’t want to talk to you.” Soren crossed his arms over his chest.

 Viren sighed. “I don’t know what you said to her, but-”

 “I didn’t say anything to her. She just doesn’t want to talk to you. Neither do I, actually. So why don’t you just leave.”

 “I am going to speak to my-”

 “No, you’re not. So why don’t you go and Scrooge someone else’s Christmas.”

 Soren hadn't known you could laugh meanly, but his father was a special man.

 “I don’t know where I went wrong with you, but your sister has not abandoned this family and I do not plan on going anywhere until I have spoken to her.”

 Something in Soren snapped. Or maybe re-snapped, if that was a word. But whatever thing had broken that made him leave in the first place, that thing that he’d duct taped together again and shoved back into place, it gave way. And out came the person Soren didn’t like, the one who reminded him of his father, who sounded like him when he talked and looked like him when he yelled.

 “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he snapped. “I’m legitimately asking. What thing inside you broke that made you such an awful, mean person?” his father’s eyes widened and he took a step back. Soren sort of enjoyed that. That for once he was the one who was scared. He hated that he enjoyed that. “I have not abandoned this family. I would never abandon this family. You’re just finally noticing that it’s in pieces and you’re being cut by it. I spent my entire life being cut by those broken pieces and I’m glad you’re finally feeling it because I am sick and tired of being the only one who notices.”

 Viren scowled at him. “If you have something you want to say to me, then stop hiding behind confusing metaphors and just say it.”

 Soren took a deep breath. “You’re right. Sorry. I guess the poet in me came out.” he took another breath. “No one is abandoning our family. Not me and not Claudia. You just broke it.”

 His father opened his mouth like he was going to snap something, but just exhaled a puff of steam into the cold air. He met Soren’s gaze. “You really hate me, don’t you.”

 “I-” the sudden change of tone caught Soren off guard. “No. I don’t hate you.”

 “Why not, then?” Viren challenged. “If I have broken our family, then why not hate me?”

 “Because you’re my Dad, Dad.” Soren hated how much that hurt to admit. Like he was taking all the bandages off a still open wound; exposing himself to whatever attack he knew was about to come. Like a dog rolling over and showing it’s belly. “If I didn’t love you, then the stuff you said wouldn’t have hurt. If I didn’t remember us being a family, then I wouldn’t have noticed us being broken.”

 He looked away, unable to meet his father’s gaze as he waited for the inevitable berating.

 Viren was silent for a long moment. “So what now, then?”

 Soren glanced up at him, surprised. He didn’t sound angry, he just sounded sad. Somehow that might have been worse. He knew how to deal with angry. He had experience with angry. This was new.

 “I don’t know.” he admitted.

 “So we just stay broken.” this time it was Viren who looked away, eyes drifting to the dark windows of their home. Undecorated and cold. “Is that what you’re saying?”

 “I think sometimes the first step to being forgiven is accepting that maybe you don’t deserve it.” Soren said after a long moment.

 His father looked back at him. “You and your sister are all I have.”

 “Then I don’t think you have anything.”

 Viren looked away again and the silence returned.

 “I think I’ll always love you.” Soren said, finally. It was the first time he’d admitted it, even to himself. “But I don’t know if I should.”

 “What did I do to-”

 “I can’t.” Soren said, hands going to his face. “I just can’t. Not right now. It’s too much.”

 “Okay.” Viren sighed. “I’ll go.”

 Soren looked up at his father, surprised still, somehow.

 “I never wanted you to hate me.” he said, still not meeting Soren’s eyes. “And I never meant to hurt Claudia.”

 “I know.”

 “I suppose it doesn’t change that I did.” Viren said, after a moment.

 “It doesn’t.”

 His father turned and made his way back down the walk before turning onto the street and up their own. Soren watched him go, still standing on Harrow’s front porch. Viren stopped when he made it to their door, glancing back over as his hand rested on the knob.

 “Merry Christmas.” he called.

 Soren would have laughed, but he couldn’t quite find it in himself. “Merry Christmas.”

 He watched until the door had closed behind his father and a single light had come on in the window. Then he took a deep breath and stepped back inside. Corvus was waiting at the end of the hall, leaning against the little archway that led into the kitchen. 

 He looked up as Soren entered, stepping out into the hall and holding his arms open without a word. Soren hadn't been expecting that, so he hadn't duct taped it all back together. He was kind of glad. He stumbled forward, burying his face in Corvus’ chest as his partner’s arms closed protectively around him.

 “I got you.” Corvus whispered, resting his cheek on the top of Soren’s head.

 “I know.”

[newbornwhumperfly]

more bullets left to bite on…

so thrilled to be writing some sweet interludes before whumptober begins! 😈😍😈 so…as a special treat, here’s friends-with-benefits (and definitely-not-girlfriends) sarai and claudia…💖💖💖

title insp. by the song “leave the light on” by chris smither

~

“Pretty late to be doctoring, huh?”

Sarai scoffs, rubbing the bridge of her nose as if the glasses-dent would just disappear. Glances up through the glare of the lamp to see Claudia, doing her sideways lean into the doorframe, hands shoved in her pockets. 

She wasn’t wearing her usual tanks but the bright yellow tee that didn’t leave any arm muscle to the imagination was dotted with water and a bulky gym bag was slung over her shoulder. 

Jesus, what time is it? A glance at the clock makes Sarai wince. 0316. Ugh, fuck her life. Okay, not fair, labs aren’t gonna file themselves. She meant to close shop earlier today but, well, hindsight is always perfect. As is the foresight you had before the bad decision but oh well.

“Pretty late for boxing practice.” 

Claud shrugs, sling the bag off her broad shoulder to the floor, stepping all the way in. 

“Had too much caffeine, had to hit the gym to get sleepy. Side bins, sit ups…”

“Oh, I hope you didn’t lose that butt?” 

“You know, I hate that Cobi’s infected my wordbank? Stupid.”

“Yeah, I can tell you hate it and think it’s stupid.”

Claudia cracks a grin at that and she pokes her tongue against the gap between her teeth. That’s impossibly cute. Claud’s not cute, she’d insist, but Sarai can think that to herself. She wonders if Claud knows she does that? Wonders if anyone’s told her?

“Yeah, well…” Claud shrugs again and glances up somewhere at the ceiling. “Not gonna be up much later. You?” 

Sarai thinks about lying. About saying yeah, totally, just finishing up here and then going back to work when Claudia leaves. Leans back in her chair and winces at the stretch to her neck when she cranes it back, drawing the flicker of Claudia’s eyes to her. It’s a long, hard stare and suddenly, Sarai is very still. Not…bad, not at all, just, a little pinned in place. How does she do that?

She catches her breath. 

“Shit. I think we’ve both run out of, uh, midnight oil to burn.” 

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

Sarai swallows hard and definitely doesn’t bite her lip. Nope. The lamplight makes a halo of the beads of condensation on Claud’s fro and the shimmer entrances her as Claud strolls to the little rolly-chair and leans her hip against the edge of the cabinet. 

She looks down, making Sarai glance up, and the gesture makes her wince again from the strain on her muscles. Claudia frowns softly but the little stab of scolding that spikes through Sarai’s head, the why did you make her worry?, melts when Claud says - “These chairs aren’t good for your back.” In a quiet, soft way that makes Sarai’s prickly instincts calm. 

“Ugh, yeah, they really suck.” Sarai wiggles her butt to no effect, for emphasis, the chair barely creaking side-to-side for the effort. It won’t move at all unless she drags herself by her heels over the floor and yeah, the sound is as pleasant as you’d imagine. She really tries not to bitch her workplace out, well, at work, but the gentle quiet, and the single added straw on her aching back, prompts her to grumble, filling the silence. “Orthopedic rolly chairs aren’t in the budget, I suppose. Obviously the Legion is too strapped for cash to afford them.”

It’s worth it to look up at Claud though. She’s so short but she should be looked up at, all five-foot-two. Not for the first time, Sarai really fucking wishes she could get on her knees more often. But there’s lots of ways to look up at a person. It’s been a bit and she’s so tired but, fuck, maybe- 

“Can I?”

Claud holds up a hand, flexes her fingers, and a soft heat ripples through Sarai’s chest, down to her stomach, and something in her sinks further into the chair as she nods. 

Claudia bridges the space between them, easily and calmly, reaching for her glasses. At Sarai’s second, small nod, Claudia deftly pulls them away from her face, looping the beaded string of the cord over her head and folding them, efficient and careful as ever, putting the string around her neck with a little smirk. God. 

She is so careful as she guides Sarai to rest her forehead against Claudia’s belly. It’s soft under the shirt, warm from the gym-shower, solid muscle under a pouch of flesh, and it’s divine actually. Sarai breathes in hard and fast when those firm calluses find the nape of her neck and she gets a noseful of Claud’s smell. The simple, minty deodorant, a trace of talcum power, a touch of sweat lingering. 

Shamefully, but too far gone for shame, she shakily breathes oh when Claud’s fingers rub, seek, find, and the throb starts to unspool with hard, perfect pressure. 

“There it is.” Claud says and it’s so assured and confident and pleased and Sarai really wants to kiss her hipbone, but, frankly, she’s too busy becoming a melted ice cube in this chair. Claudia, of course, holds her up, keeps her braced as the knots get all untied, one by one. Patient and slow and warm. “Better?”

“Uh-huh.” 

“Do you promise to work in your couch and not this stupid-ass chair?”

“…Uh-huh.”

“Liar.”

“Dad.”

“That’s Daddy to you, thank you.”

Sarai giggles and the gruffness of it is a burst of freedom in the quiet sanctum of Claud’s pelvis. God, she needs to shave and she needs to get into pajamas and she needs to take off all her makeup and she doesn’t really feel like being bare right now but there’s just a lot to do. Even just inside the incredibly small sphere of having a fucking body there’s a lot to do. There’s always a lot to do and with resource requests and clinic appointments and talking to smug fucking refugee approval trustees at the shelter and doesn’t one person’s body go at the bottom of the list? 

Sarai gasps when fingertips press hard into the crook of her jaw where she didn’t know she was clenching. 

“Ugh.” Sarai huffs. “Thanks.”

Claud hums and shifts a little, parting Sarai’s curls to get to her shoulder blades, drawing out another groan when her palm digs into another sore spot. 

“Still don’t have the chair?”

“No. Approval’s still pending. I got pushed down the list again cause I wasn’t- doesn’t matter.”

Claudia’s body goes still for a moment. Presses the heel of her palm against Sarai’s neck in a way that’s more…rubbing than massaging. Stroking. It pushes words out of the angry well in Sarai’s throat. 

“Guess when you, uh, don’t work consecutively in the industry for a blip, it breaks your streak and, whoops, now you’re a short-term healthcare worker now. Again.”

Claudia’s quiet again but this time both hands cup Sarai’s head, one hand still stroking her neck, the other sort of soft atop her scalp. Tiny circling rubs. Claudia’s voice is tense and hushed. 

“Want me to fight ‘em?”

“Just keep doing your magic-hands thing.”

Sarai lifts a hand to pat Claud’s thigh. Thinks better of it. Claudia and touch…she might find it weird. Privacy and autonomy and all that good stuff. Better to be safe and save the really spontaneous touch for bed-times, casual-times, chill-benefits-banging-times. 

As she lowers her hand back to her lap, Claud speaks as if fucking psychic. 

“If you wanna…you can sleep with me? My room’s closer than yours.”

God, if only. Sarai’s too sore to so much as jack off, let alone hook up. Regretfully. Claudia smells so good and her stomach is so soft and her hands are so strong. 

“Wish, Claud, but there’s pillow princess and then there’s corpse.” She doesn’t mean to sound whiny, really, but it’s- it’s fine, it is, just a shame is all. It’s just…it all sucks. “I can’t really offer you shit right now.”

“Oh. Nah, I meant…” Claud’s fingers cup over the fine wispy hair on the back of her neck and tingles rush up and down Sarai’s spine. “I meant…sleep. Like…stay over to rest?”

Now it’s Sarai’s turn to be dumbstruck. 

Stay over. Sleep over. Just to sleep. 

What about…rules? Bang it out when stress is high, be chill the rest of the time. What if- she’s definitely gonna be too exhausted to shower, she’s not ready? Not that Claud is- Sarai doesn’t have anything to be ashamed of but what if Claud looks at her differently? She’s sweat-soaked, stubbly and prickly, what if she can’t stand up? What if she overstays her welcome? And why did she offer, just because her room is closer? She doesn’t need a caretaker, she shouldn’t ask for one, she doesn’t want to put that on her, Claud didn’t sign up for this? 

The petting has stopped. 

The warm cup of Claud’s hand pulls away and the cold air on her bare skin makes Sarai shiver, stomach sinking with a cold drop. 

“Nevermind. Sorry. Dunno why I asked.” 

“Claud-”

“Overstepped.”

Claud steps back and away and the absence sends Sarai’s insides plummeting even deeper into the fucking basement, churning, cold, even as she straightens her back, jaw throbbing as she squeezes her teeth together. Her cheeks feel hot and her eyes burn as she glances away pretending to fuss with her hair, pretends to fumble for a tie to bind some of it back. 

Glances up and Claud is scooping her gym back over her shoulder, slung at her front instead of her back, covering that soft belly from sight, and her hands are tight on the straps. 

If Sarai weren’t so prickly, she’d be more worried about the way Claudia’s scowl was so downturned, the way her eyes were so narrowed and fixed on adjusting the straps of her bag. 

But as it is, Sarai’s chest is full of nettles, breathing out porcupine quills, her exhaustion rearing up again to cross her arms over her chest, to press herself back into the chair, to pretend to be calm. 

She breathes out deliberately and manages - “Sorry, just, I’m tired, Claud.” 

The long beat of silence stretches between them and the clock thumps out the seconds and the vent hums so fucking loud and Claud huffs through her nose in a whoosh that’s the kind she does before she steps up to the mat and when she lifts her eyes, they’re dark and pointy and beautiful and Sarai is struck by a shininess there. 

“Was just offering. Like a-…a friend, you know.”

The words don’t hurt anywhere near as much as how softly she says them, jaw all screwed up, mouth softer than it has any right to be, and then she’s turned on her heel and gone. 

Like a friend. 

It’s only when Sarai buries her face in her hands to press against the blur in her own eyes that she realizes Claud took the glasses with her. 

Shit.

~

i hope you enjoyed this little sliver of my girls!!! 🙈💖🥰 they’re both so silly, i knowwww. (don’t worry, they’re just having a panic-feelings-blurb.) 🥺🥺🥺

taglist: @much-ado-about-whumping @whump-tr0pes @haro-whumps @i-eat-worlds @wolfeyedwitch

@straight-to-the-pain @whump-me-all-night-long @redwingedwhump @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @whatgoeswhumpinthenight

@tears-and-lilies @whumping-every-day @liliability @stoic-whumpee @whumpthisway

@whumpster-draganies @whumpzone @suspicious-whumping-egg @kixngiggles @lave-whump

[cielenruine]

"You're here too, sir?"

Despite the question, there isn't a hint of surprise in Claude's voice as he approaches; it's not like he expected the man to fall into serious danger.

... In fairness, however, he's not really surprised that the guy was among those who had to retreat, either. That back there was, well, it truly was the Something of all time.

If there's any emotion at all that is easy to read from Claude's expression and voice, it would mostly be relief.

"I just finished checking up on the Golden Deer folks - thankfully looks like any injuries are treatable, and mostly minor. How are things on the Blue Lions end? And, uh," he pauses, then glances around them. "Do you happen to know what exactly this building is?"

"Seems so." He wouldn't think on what happened to those not here. Those lights were terrifying. If there had been anymore....who was to say what the casualties might be. Matthias closed his eyes for a moment and...his mental head count returned a list that sunk his stomach. "Those here are tending to one another as best they can. I suspect the same is for those who escaped to elsewhere." He had hoped they were all together. That they'd all managed to stick together and find some crack or crevice to squeeze through that would lead them somewhere safe. He takes a moment to look around the place, it didn't really remind him of anything he'd ever seen. "Not exactly but it's a well fortified place. We should walk the full length of it so we know our exits in a pinch but it seems secluded enough within this territory if the map is to be believed." He offered a glance over Claude. "Are you sure you're alright? Its good for a leader to be strong but hiding things like injuries or concerns might be worse for us in the end." Nothing specific had spurred on the comment. That was a lie, he had definitely said it with the image if Lambert in his mind. "Have you gotten a check up yourself yet?

[fe-fictions]

will always loving ask for more claude fics <3

(Here's Claude being protected by Byleth...i.e. the "I'm hurt but I'm with you" prompt)

You were called down to the battlefield, needing to dispatch a group of rogues that had made their way towards the monastery. They were closer than the advisors were comfortable with, and so you assured them it would be cleared in no time.

That was what you thought, at first. The soldiers were dispatched and you expected them to come back soon informing you of their swift victory. Instead a panicked messenger was rushed back to the monastery, claiming it was an ambush, and that they needed immediate reinforcements.

It was serious enough that Claude suggested you both go and join the fight.

Before long the two of you were there, weapons drawn and engaging the suspiciously powerful foes.

Claude knocked one man down after another, his arrows flying true and taking down anyone who looked at him the wrong way.

You supported him with your blade and your magic, helping him clear the field and defend your fighters.

Your soldiers were faring better, but it was still a brutal battle.

You were getting nicked and cut at more than you liked; and Claude was the same way. 

If you glanced away at the wrong moment, Claude took an arrow to the shoulder, or a sword would narrowly miss his neck, slashing through his armor and gashing his chest, instead.

He was getting beaten down the longer the fight went on.

You tried to stay close to him as long as you could, but you were feeling the pressure, too. 

It was almost overwhelming for you both. 

Then there was a single, lucky shot.

An arrow struck Claude’s leg. He cried out in pain, his thigh stabbed straight through. It was still lodged, refusing to budge even as he crumpled to the ground.

It was a critical strike.

“Claude-!” You called to your husband, heart leaping in your chest. No more turns in your Divine Pulse, no way to fix this. Not unless you could get him away from the battle and someplace safe.

“Catherine!!” You shouted for your captain, who was doing her best against the battalion before her. She glanced back at you, finding your arms around your husband and helping him up to his feet (more or less). 

“Milady??” 

“Claude needs help- maintain your position! Don’t let them any closer to the church! Your orders were met with a battle cry, Catherine making good on your words and driving them back.

“This is d-dangerous, love-” Claude glanced around the battlefield, seeing far too many enemy soldiers that could quickly cut you down if they saw you. “I’m only going to weigh you down-”

“I’m taking you somewhere safe. Can you walk?”

“With help.” You positioned yourself on the side with his pierced leg, making sure to take all his weight on. You walked him towards the edge of the field, sneaking out of sight. 

“There’s a cave a few meters out. Hold on.”

It was a painstaking process, making sure that Claude was out of harms’ way. But you found the cave and ushered him inside, taking great care to lower him to the ground.

You slowly unraveled your arms around him, though you made sure to keep your hand in his, fingers on his wrist to feel for a pulse. It was weaker than you liked.

“Claude?”

“Mh…” His grunt was soft, but his smile remained. “I’m hurt, but I’m with you.”

“Okay.” You nodded, “Okay. I need… we have to take the arrow out.”

Claude grimaced at the thought. 

“Can’t come back the way it came- you’ll have to push it through.” He forced out. Your fingers tightened around his. 

“That’s…”

“It’s gonna hurt either way, sweetheart.”  A dry laugh. “Sooner the better.”

The King of Almyra was in a terrible state, but he could read your expressions even when it wasn’t the most ideal situation. Even with bleary vision, it was clear the way your jaw tightened just slightly that you were worried. Almost frightened. 

He stroked your cheek. “I’ll be fine.”

You stared at him, for a long moment. Debating. Trying to decide which option to pick before time ran out. You held his hand to your cheek, then shifted it to your shoulder. 

“… Hold on to me.”

“Like you have to ask.” He grinned. His mirth was erased the instant you started pushing. You moved the arrow forward, pulling it from the back of his thigh and pressing it through the front as quickly as you could. But trying to keep his leg from being more mangled than it was already was making it an impossible task.

And Claude bore the brunt of it.

He hissed under his breath, grabbing onto your shoulder with force enough to make you wince. But he bit his tongue, refusing to cry out despite how it felt as though his leg were on fire. 

He was almost positive it was, but his eyes were squeezed shut so tightly he wasn’t going to try and look.

“Almost there,” You mumbled, more as a comfort to yourself than your husband. You fought to keep it moving straight, desperately trying not to jostle it or twist the weapon. 

The seconds were agonizing, they passed slow and brutal, but finally, finally a moment of mercy. 

You got the arrow through. 

Claude gasped for breath, slumping against the rocks. His hand was limp on your shoulder, leaning his head back. 

“That’s the worst of it. Are you okay, Claude?”

His breathing slowed. No response. 

“Claude?”

You reached up, squeezing his hand again.

“Khalid?”

“Still… w-with you…” He panted out. 

“I’m almost done. I need to stop the bleeding.” You informed him softly, slipping off your coat with the intent of cutting some away with your knife. A proper bandage would be preferred, but you needed to work with what you had.

“Remind me to… buy you a new coat.” He joked while you tore away strips of cloth. You shrugged, tying them around the wound.

“It’s just a coat.”

“I feel bad.”

“I’d rather have my husband.” You responded evenly. The dressing of the wound went much faster than you wanted, but it was done.

You pulled the knot tightly enough that it wouldn’t budge. Claude wasn’t going anywhere, either. Not until the battle was done. One that you needed to get back to. 

“Will you be all right, here?”

“You’re not staying?”

“They need me out there. And you need a healer.”

“I’ll be fine- you can’t fight alone.”

“I have to lead them.” You reminded him gently, “They’re already without their king. They needn’t lose their queen on the battlefield, too.”

“I’m not going to be there to help you.” He protested, “I can go. I f I just keep the pressure off, I can- agh!”

His attempt to move his leg was met with a sharp protest from his leg. You smiled sadly at your husband. 

“I’m afraid not.”

Claude looked at you with a helplessness you were unfamiliar with. “If you get hurt, I’m never gonna forgive myself.” 

“I’ll be careful.” You promised as his hand came to your cheek once more, “I’ll come back with a cleric as quickly as I can. Stay out of sight, all right?” 

“You got it.” Claude’s confidence was weakened greatly by the situation, but it was the least he could do to give you a lopsided grin.

“I love you, Khalid.”

“I love you, too.” He breathed, a wisp of a kiss brushing across his lips. 

“Stay out of trouble.” You murmured. 

“Yes ma’am.” 

You were gone in an instant, launching back out into the fray to end things as quickly as you could. Claude wouldn’t die, at least, but you didn’t like the thought of him alone, defenseless and critically wounded.

Thankfully the battle wouldn’t last much longer. The upper hand was won and the Golden Deer were rightly victorious, quashing the fools who dared challenge the Archbishop.

You would hurry back to Claude with Flayn and Marianne in tow, helping him out of the cave with the intent of fixing up his wound that refused to stop bleeding.

You made it a point to hover around him from the start of the journey back to the end, sitting beside him on the bed and never once leaving him alone.

Claude could hardly complain- after all, you owed him for dragging him to a creepy cave and ripping an arrow out of him. You would counter his point by saying you saved his life, but Claude insisted the torment he suffered meant you would have to comfort him for a long time.

As if you could say no to those ridiculous puppy eyes.

[myearts-uwu]

Hello! This is a really random post but I just want to show you guys how my bedroom’s bookshelf looks like rn!

I’m pretty proud with what I have so far and I just wanna show it to you guys!

Here’s the first row of my bookshelf! Though its more of a manhwa shelf tbh with how much manhwa-related stuff I have.

I enjoy putting all of my merch up on display so they all just chill in this area!

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun remains as my favourite romcom manga so that’s why it’s on the very top row with the rest of my manhwas.

All of my Genshin and Honkai related acrylic standees I bought them at Kinokuniya (they’re so pricey tho 🫠)! I mainly collect characters I love a lot or have been on my team before, except for Orchestra!Beidou cause come on, just look at her. How could I not buy her? Didn’t buy her wifey tho ;-;

Most of my WMMAP merch come from the manhwa’s limited edition sets from volume 4-7! I would love to collect vol1-3 as well but they were sold out and vol 8-9… it just isn’t worth it without all the merch.

I also have a nendoroid of White Blood Cell a bit hidden here. I like him. He’s cute!

There’s even a Loid figurine. Hello Loid!

And the four little standees of the featured manhwa dads from my very first manhwa event; the Isekai Zaddy event! They’re really cute! They’re all travel sized so you can easily take them wherever you want them to go with you.

The cute Athy and Claude standee are from the MOFUN x WMMAP collab btw! I bought them along with an Anastacius acrylic keychain which I love a lot too!

Oh and in case you’re curious with the picture of the WMMAP cast that I have framed: It came with volume 7 and it’s actually the picture that came with the puzzle set. It’s supposed to act as a reference when doing the puzzle but I had other plans.

I also like to decorate my frames a lot (I used to do a lot of journaling back in the day lol)

Now on to the second row!

There’s not much going on in this row I feel like. Just my full manga collection of The Promised Neverland and some acrylic standees and WMMAP boxes decorating this row.

I don’t plan on using the Lucas pop socket cause I’m not into pop sockets much.

Oh! And I’d like to introduce you to my queen Hatsune Miku! I actually bought her figuring very recently! Along with the Loid figure that’s on the first row and also a Nanami figure that’s displayed somewhere else! Moly’s figurine here is so gorgeous I can’t even describe how pretty it really is-

And finally the third row!

I’d love to add in some more stuff on this row but for now I’m satisfied cause my DARLINGS ARE HERE <3

I’m so happy to have both Jennette and Anastacius on full display here with fully decorated acrylic frames. I’d love to put the other characters up but I uh… ran out of space.

Also Zhongli and Ganyu standees, my beloveds!

And there’s my little Senbonzakura KAITO nendoroid that I bought way back in 2015. He cute. Forgot where his actual hat is tho sadly.

I do have one more row but uh… it’s too messy.

Here are some close ups of my favourite things on this shelf!

I’d love to take better pictures… but I know if I did I’d procrastinate a lot more when making this post.

[pof203]

A Summoner Birthday

Special Quest: Nomad

Alright, you got me here, Lupin, what is it?

I just thought you would like to come here when there is no work to do.

Nomad: I guess that's good. I could use a day off.

You brought Nomad to the virtual fairytale world for some fun.

Nomad: I don't see why would should leave here, this town is pretty amazing itself.

Lupin: We can still change our clothes to match this world, can we?

Nomad: I guess. I'm not sure if there's anything for me.

Lupin: I'm sure Arachne has something for us. Let's go to her shop.

Nomad: Okay.

With that, you and Nomad go to Arachne's shop.

Later at Arachne's shop, you and Nomad are changing your clothes to match this world.

No problems, I trust, with your outfits.

No problems with mine. Thanks for checking, though.

Nomad's Voice: I think I might have some trouble. I can't keep getting the buttons wrong.

Lupin: Want me to help?

Nomad's Voice: (sounding a bit panicky) No! You don't have to trouble your-

But too late. You open the curtain of the changing booth Nomad is in.

H- He- Hey! I said it was fine! Really!

Arachne: (a bit surprised) Oh, my! I can see why Monsieur Lupin likes you.

Nomad: (still blushing) ... Just help me with my outfit.

Lupin: I can take it from here. I'll let you know if we need any help, Arachne.

Arachne: Very well. I'll see you all later.

With that, Arachne leaves the both, closing the curtain behind her. You focus on helping Nomad into his costume.

Nomad: Thanks.

Lupin: No problem.

Nomad: I don't think I've ever seen this world like this. Usually, I am working here. This is probably the first time I'm doing something fun.

Lupin: And how does it feel?

Nomad: ... Different. I mean, it's not a bad different, just... Awkward different.

Lupin: Yeah, I think I had the same feeling, too. When I first came to this world, it was because I had a fight with someone, so Boogeyman brought me here. But when we did come, things got real crazy and we had to find a way out. Then, we came back here again for my birthday and something similar happened.

Nomad: Andvari told me. It was so glad you worked to get out. You, Wakan Tanka, the others.

Lupin: Yeah, you should have been there. What were you doing at the time of my birthday?

Nomad: I think I spent the whole day asleep. Business at the detective agency was a bit slow at the time. Sorry I didn't get you a present, though.

Lupin: It's okay, you didn't have to get me anything. You spending time with me is enough.

Nomad: ... (happy) Thanks.

Lupin: Okay, just a few more and... Done.

Nomad goes to the mirror to check himself out.

Hey, this ain't bad at all. Now I'm really looking forward to see the rest of this world.

Lupin: Glad you think that. I'll see you in a bit.

You return to your booth where you get dressed in your princely regalia.

A little later, you and Nomad find yourselves at the castle at the tope of the hill.

Nomad: This place is way too cute. But I have to admit, it has its charm.

Lupin: It's suppose to be the heart of this world. It's the biggest connection there is to the real world.

Nomad: I can see that. But it's still too cute.

Lupin: You want to go somewhere else?

Nomad: No, this is place is good.

You and Nomad sit by the fountain, just enjoying the sound of the water springing from the fountain and the air just passing by.

Nomad: I think I'm beginning to see why you brought me here, today, other than fun.

Lupin: You can tell?

Nomad: Of course I can, I'm a detective, after all. You wanted to me to live out a fantasy I've been having for a while. Don't get me wrong, I like you all. You, Andvari, Claude, Snow, Oniewaka, Wakan Tanka, all of you. But I guess you knew I wanted to spend some time with just you. I only get to see you when I'm working or by some other coincidence. I wanted us together for a time... Just us. You and me.

Lupin: And I'm glad you're getting just that. I know most of my love is for Wakan, but me and him still love you all. I'm glad we got to spend this day together.

Nomad: Me, too. I mean, I still like you and Wakan together, but I'm happy to spend this day with you. I love you.

Lupin: And I love you, too, Nomad. That's a mystery that needs no solving.

Nomad pulls in with his arm (and his tail) and you both embrace each other passionately. Nomad is happy to have this fantasy, even if it's for just this day. And you are happy to make it a reality.

In time, you both realize it's getting late and you both make your way back to Candyland to return home.

[mx-kamisato]

(tapping mic) hello 🤨 is this thing on 🤨🤨 okay hi arty !!! i’m so sorry i wasn’t able to draw you something on your birthday like i usually do, my hands are really shaky and it was just really difficult </3 so here’s a fic of your acey pooh <3

Today was a special day, especially for you. The day you were born, and it was one of ACE’s favorite days. A day all about you he calls it, and you think he’s so extra and dramatic when he talks about it. But you have to understand that people he holds close and dear to him, he’ll always go above and beyond for. Which is why you were surprised to wake up and not see him there next to you in the morning.

But your surprised reaction was cut short as you heard a familiar voice start humming from outside the door. And like that, you relaxed your body and turned your head in the direction of the window. It wasn’t a rainy day in Fontaine, it was warm with the sunlight breaking through the curtains. Normally, you would’ve been in the tents with Ace but he took a whole week off just for you so you could rest somewhere more comfortably for your birthday week.

The sound of the doorknob twisting caught your attention, your partner, Ace- no, Claude came into the room. A bright smile on his face, reaching up to his eyes when he looks at you.

“Happy birthday mon amour!” He says cheerfully, holding a tray of your favorite breakfast foods that he’s learned how to make for you. He gives you a quick kiss on the cheek and the on the forehead, placing the tray down  on your lap when you sat up to thank him. He sits on the edge of the bed, funnily enough still in the matching pajama set you decided to get for yourselves. His heart feels warm when you giggle at the sight.

He quickly stands up, seeing you try to look for a hair tie so he walks over a little behind you. ���Go ahead and eat love, I’ll take care of this.” He reassures you, he gathers the hair away from your face as you start your meal. He grabs the brush on the night stand, being gentle with your hair when it came to tangles. 

You initially thought he was just going to put your hair into a low ponytail, but was happily surprised to feel him separate your hair into three parts. Ah, he was going to braid your hair. He makes light work of it, quick to finish off the braid despite the long length of your hair and tie it securely. “You have pretty hair dear, I could never get bored of playing with it.” He tells you, chuckling to himself slightly.

He takes the ribbon out his hair and uses it for your braid instead. He goes back to sitting on the edge of the bed in front of you, happily chatting with you about what you wanted to do for the day. Things with him, despite him being quite extravagant, never felt too much or overwhelming. He had a patience and understanding that goes smoother than a peaceful stream. He stops abruptly, a soft ‘hold on’ comes from his mouth and he stands up again.

He goes to the nightstand, pulling a box out from one of the drawers. You blink in confusion, trying to figure out what it could be. You had already finished your food at this point so he places the box next to you, taking your tray. “Go on, open it darling. Let me put this back.” He tells you, kissing your forehead once again before leaving. 

Your hands reach for the box, examining the packaging. This looked expensive. Really, really expensive. Opening the box, revealed to you a gold chain necklace with a matching set of earrings. The box had something ingrained on the inside, ‘For my dear Artem.’ A beautiful shade of amethyst-like crystal in the shape of honey droplets that shined prettier than diamonds. The earrings had a matching design as well.

You wanted to gasp at the sight, Claude walked back into the room already without you noticing. He chuckles and sees your pleasantly warm reaction, making him grin in return. “Do you like it? I saw it and I just thought it suited you so well. Of course that’s not the only gift I have for you, there are a bunch more in the living room.” He tells you casually, making you shake your head and laugh.

“Would you like for me to put it on you?” He asks, offering his hand out. You nod your head, gently taking the braid out of the way of your neck. He takes the necklace out and gently wraps it around, guiding the hook into place so it stays. You let go of the braid and he walks back to see how it looks on you. He giggles, holds your face and kisses your nose. He had that adoring look in his eyes as per usual.

“Happy birthday darling. I can’t explain how happy I am to have you in my life.”

—

OKAY now time for letters from the family <3

-

Happy Birthday Artem,

You’re now one year older and I’m proud to see you make it this far. I know these years haven’t came easy to you, and I know that you struggled deeply within times. Words cannot describe the amount of joy it brings me to see and hear you continuing to live your life. Though you’re older now, I still consider you my child if you’ll allow me too and I hope this year brings you much happiness and perseverance through it all. I know that I unfortunately am not around all that often, and that I am in the Inner World majority of the time but just know that no matter the distance, my support and care for you does not waver in the slightest. Thank you for being here and we love you.

Love, Mora. :)

-

Qiqi does not know how to start this letter. But Qiqi wishes you a happy birthday. You’re now an even bigger sibling to Qiqi. This makes Qiqi very happy. Qiqi isn’t in front often, but Qiqi does miss you a lot. Qiqi hopes you’re well. Qiqi loves you.

Qiqi .

-

HIIIII ARTEM !!!! OH MY GOD LOOK AT YOU !!! I HAVEN’T TALKED TO YOU IN SO LONG BUT AAAAAHH !!! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU GROW AND GET OLDER !!! LOOK AT YOU GO !!! <3333 I’m SO SO SO happy and proud to be a part of your life and I KNOW I’m not in front often anymore but just know that I LOVE YOU AND I CARE FOR YOU AND I’M SO PROUD. YOU MADE IT THIS FAR AND I KNOW YOU’RE GONNA GET EVEN FARTHER !! I hope this day is AMAZING for you and I hope the rest of the year becomes easier as you grow as a person!!! I know growing up can get really really scary but I promise you that you will be okay and that things do get easier !!! YOU GOT THIS !!!! <3333

LOVE , MITSURI <3

-

Hey kiddo !! 

Look at you growing up, I’m starting to feel old already. :] It’s been a tough few years for you huh? I’m glad to see you’re pushing through it all with strength and perseverance. I’m proud to see your progress and growth as you get older but you’ll always be my little sibling to me. I know growing up get can real scary and I know things can get even more confusing than they were when you were younger. But you have a good head on your shoulders, I trust that you can make it out there okay? And if you need support, you have us to count on. I know this letter sounds a little more serious than what you’re used to hearing from me, but really I am proud and happy for you kiddo. Keep pushing through.

Your big brother, Childe. :]

-

— from lailai + the fam <3

WAAHHH IT'S OKAY LAI, TYSM 🫶🫶🫶

HEHEGEGEGE CLAUDE, ACEY POOH MY BELOVED, I'M SO INSANE FOR HIM HEHEHEHE

SOBS, YOU GUYS, I LOVE YOU 🫶

PEEPAW MORA TYSSSMM 🫶🫶

QIQI MY BELOVED BABY, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, I LOVE YOU TOO 🥹

MITSURI AYRGRGRG, THANK YOU AND YAS, WE GOT THIS 💪💪💪

AURGH, OMG BIG BRO BEING SERIOUS?‼️🤨

Aurgghehshs but thank you for believing in me carrot head 🫶🫶

[kyogre-blue]

OK, post timeskip GD, go!

Got up to the bridge, which means unifying the Alliance and presumably starting an offensive against the Empire.

I've gotten all the B ranks on my supports, a bunch of A ranks, and all of Byleth's available ones except Lysithea A (which is blocked off) and someone's S. The A ranks really vary a lot in terms of how involved they are, with some being quite nice, but others being pretty whatever.

Unfortunately, some of the basic issues with the support system start to get pretty obvious. You end up doing them in batches, so they get tiring. Additionally, if you watch a few for the same character in a row, there's often overlap in what they discuss, since the characters only have a few traits. Worse, none of the growth in one support can carry over to another or even a paralogue (or to the main story). The supports just become disconnected what-ifs, in a way.

(And this not mentioning the issue that some major character details always end up hidden in the most out there support, which in 3H will require some bizarre recruitment combination.)

In regard to the main story, I don't have too much to say. It's kind of spinning its wheels while we get the new plot on the road, but it's fine. It's just... fine. Hopefully, it'll pick up once we start the real battles.

Notes again:

1185, nearly 5 years since the monastery fell. But it fell several months into 1181, so like... it's 4 years and change.

Kingdom capital has fallen, Leicester alliance is split between supporting the Church and the Empire.

Sothis is here again somehow.

Tomorrow is the Millennium Festival, how convenient. Byleth came floating down a river from Garreg Mach. It is Ethereal Moon, but... Which one is that again...

Ok, I see why AC said the reunion was underwhelming. It's cute but the buildup is non-existent.

Byleth's first concern is Rhea (relatable) but Claude thinks it might be better that she's gone. He doesn't explain why. I am gonna need some time to get used to everyone's adult voices.

Lorenz is quite chill about his father's uh allegiance.

Lorenz: This was inevitable, since our lands are so close to the empire, we have to side with them or lose our necks. Lorenz also: BUT MAYBE IF CLAUDE DIDN'T SUCK

The amount of times you can ask after Rhea is... hum. Rhea is the most personal priority for Byleth. They're definitely not upset or unsettled by her, which is funny.

Seteth thought that maybe Rhea would turn up on the millennium festival.

Claude wanted to use the monastery as a base of operations due to its location.

Why are we talking to this Seiros Knight NPC? Was an unavailable playable meant to be filling this role?

Leonie A1 with Lorenz: she gives back a handkerchief... after 5 years. Leonie's village is called Sauin. It turns out Lorenz's family were the ones who hired Jeralt to help the village all those years ago. Lorenz is still punchable, btw.

Marianne A with Hilda: Their previous two ranks were more abrasive than I expected. The A is... OK? Given their popularity as a pairing, I expected something a bit more.

Cyril A with Hilda: This doesn't feel like it should have been gated to the timeskip. This A is also kinda underwhelming. It's okay, but knowing their relationship can't advance any further is... yeah.

Not really feeling the new monastery and menu music.

They did at least change the skybox to be yellow, which is something. Makes it feel autumn-y, which is... not correct. It would be nice if somewhere aside from the cathedral interior had some visible damage.

Claude A with Byleth: He admits to not being born in Fodlan (presumably because this has nothing on Byleth being potentially not even human) though doesn't name where he's from specifically. In Almyra, people from Fodlan are viewed as cowards, which Claude attributes to ignorance (if they just met and interacted with real people from Fodlan, like his mother, they'd know better). They also looked down on him for being of mixed blood.

He came to Fodlan to try and find "a new perspective" in his goal of breaking down those barriers, but people in Fodlan are even more racist, seeing people from other nations as just beasts. He wants to bring the whole world together and start anew. I know nothing bad happens, but uh. That's, hm... At least he realizes that it was extremely unrealistic... but Claude recognizes Byleth's magic dragon god powers and thinks they can make it happen together.

At first, I was wondering why we can view Ferdinand supports when he didn't turn up, but he IS here? He wasn't in the battle or the scene after...

Ferdinand has lost his territory and is determined to stop Edelgard no matter the cost. Per his B, he always intended to unseat his father. I guess, like Lorenz, he wasn't really onboard with his evil dad from the start.

Marianne and Lorenz A is....... uh. She's not going to smile while telling you about how her family is cursed, dude.

OK, so for weekly Instruct, we're using the Cardinals' room that was sealed before, and instead of the faculty giving staff training, we run advanced drills with the students.

Byleth's open mouthed shock when told Dimitri was killed (supposedly). And then a droopy sad posture.

"Faerghus Dukedom"

Claude approves if you ask him whether he hopes Rhea is dead. He just has things he wants to ask. It's interesting given that Claude presents himself as being in your corner, and Byleth has a big bend toward asking after her, seemingly in concern.

Claude thinks that most people accept the "noble system" because of their belief in the Seiros faith. They also have prejudices against non-believers too. That's... hm. A take, for sure.

So without Rhea, the supposed closed-minded Church doctrine will weaken and there will be more room for free thought, which Claude considers a cure-all.

Claude's ultimate goal here is to have Byleth take over the church and lead Fodlan that way. Then, people could be free to think for themselves. He thinks Edelgard is after something similar. He just doesn't like that she's using so much bloodshed to get there. Not necessarily because he disapproves but because the world "can't get behind" it.

But since Rhea is probably still around, we still have questions, and Byleth ambiguously might care about her (MY A RANK), Claude backpedals into finding her being the next step and quickly hurries you off to bed.

Claude and Cyril B: Claude never knew that there were people in Almyra in Cyril's situation. Which is to say... poor and exploited? Or...?

If no one else is in Rhea's corner, Cyril is. I appreciate that he doesn't just support her because she helped him personally, but because that's the kind of person she has been - trying to help those without any status and nowhere to go. Rhea helps refugees and orphans not just because of the goddess's teachings, but because it's the right thing to do.

Claude: OK, maybe Rhea is fine. Maybe.

GROWTH??

Too bad supports are basically not canon.

Claude and Lorenz A: Claude is fine giving up leadership of the Alliance to Lorenz now that he's gotten to know him. But same is true for Lorenz. Kinda gay. Not bad.

Claude was only recognized as the heir to Reigan thanks to Judith's recommendation. Which is interesting given his background.

Marianne's paralogue: One of the 10 Elites got cursed by his crest and he turned into a monster... that was still sentient and can talk. And he ate people. Unclear if anyone else with the crest was actually affected, or if they just carried that stigma for a thousand years...

Claude and Marianne A has an interesting implication about the timeline. Claude frames it as him running away from home as soon as he was old enough because he was tired of being discriminated against and hoped that Fodlan would be better. It was only after he arrived in Leicester and realized that it's no different that he came up with his idea to break down the boundaries between Fodlan and Almyra.

It makes more sense that his plan would be so weirdly underbaked if he's had it for less than a year and made it when he was despairing over having no place he could belong.

Flayn and Ignatz B: Flayn forgets the Church party line about the Elites being good guys, lmao. Also forgets that Saint Cethleann is generally portrayed as a woman, not a girl.

Ailell, the Valley of Torment, is the required lava stage. It was created when some kind of big heaven light destroyed the forest that used to be there. It's rumored to have been the wrath of the goddess, but that isn't recorded in scripture. (It's actually the Agarthans lol)

Count Rowe was in charge of Arianhodr (spl??) but betrayed the Kingdom to join the Empire. His general, Gwendal, wasn't happy about all this.

Judith accuses Claude of neglecting the Alliance territories for years. He left his territory with a reliable retainer ("Nardel"). Without Byleth's clout, he'd look like a "scoundrel leader." Judith leaves her territory with "Nardel" too, which is... lol.

One of Judith's men saw Rhea be dragged off by the Empire five years ago.

[endthestarlight]

Skipping

An excerpt, in which Ela drags a disgruntled Claude into skipping school with her. It's not like he wasn't already cutting class, anyways.

“Well, we’re outside. What now?”

“Hmm,” Ela hummed in thought. She didn’t answer.

“Elaaaaa. Where are we going? You know we can’t just go anywhere. If anyone sees us we’ll get in trouble. Worse, we’re wearing our uniforms. They’ll know exactly where to send us back if we’re caught.”

“Uh-huh,” she said. “Then don’t get caught? It’s simple as that.” She talked to him as if he was stupid. Maybe he was, for easily going along with this. For many other things.

“You know I don’t usually skip school like this, right?” They haven’t even done anything wrong yet he was already getting nervous.

“Then go back to school, good boy.”

“Ughhh.” That pissed him off for some reason. “The principal’s going to be so mad at us for this,” he muttered under his breath.

“…Let’s go to the city.”

“Wh-wha…?” He was surprised by the sudden proposition.

“That way we won’t get caught and nobody will recognise our uniforms. That should fit your requirements well enough.”

Ela dragged Claude behind her. Since they exited school grounds through the back, they had to walk all the way around to get to the front. There was a market just nearby the school and there were bound to be people there. Ela headed towards its direction. Realising this with a start, Claude pulled her back and kept her from moving forward.

“Stop, stop!” he said in a panic. “I thought we were trying not to get caught? Why are you bringing us there?!” Claude was in distress.

“We have to get to the city somehow. There’s bound to be more tricycles passing through where there are more people, and right now there aren’t any students waiting to commute back home by the school. Unless you expect us to get there by foot?”

“I haven’t even agreed to that yet!”

“You haven’t walked away yet either.”

That cowed him into silence. Sighing once again, she patted him on the back.

“Wait here,” she said before running off somewhere.

A while later, a passenger tricycle stopped nearby. Ela popped out from the cabin, waving Claude over. “Here, here! Come on!” she called out.

Claude reluctantly walked over. He heard the driver speaking to Ela.

“Really? You’re bringing another kid with you? I’m out there driving passengers so I could earn enough to attend night classes and you’re here cutting school. Worse still, you’re dragging another student with you!” The driver scolded Ela.

“Yeah, yeah,” she dismissed him with a wave. With the way they were acting, it didn’t seem to Claude like this was the first time they had this conversation.

“Come on, kuya, do me a favor here. Just take us to where the jeepneys are and we'll take one from there. It’s not like we’re not paying for the ride. I’ll even give you extra if you want?”

The driver sighed. “Fine, but I’ll take this as a regular ride. That means you’ll pay normal. Don’t try bribing me again.”

“Hehe, thank you~” Ela replied sweetly. It was a tone reserved for when she was sucking up.

Following that exchange, Ela urged Claude inside the cabin. The driver looked at him with displeasure and disapproval but didn’t scold anymore. After all that, Claude was too embarrassed to back out now. He went in and Ela followed after, closing the door. The tricycle sped away.

[daguerreopher]

what would you do if 1. you could never bring claude back 2. you ended up dying in some way 3. a significant other of yours ended up dying without you letting them immortalize them/ them disagreeing with you on camera world.

and why are you so stubborn on your stances about death and immortality?

(if these are too much you can just pick the question you like most!)

[SEND ❓+ A QUESTION AND MY MUSE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO ANSWER TRUTHFULLY] thank you!

[Prompt]

He glared again at the grey person, pulling his sword out of somewhere. "What must I do to ensure you keep that name out of your filthy, peasant mouth?"

Joseph didn't want to answer. He didn't want to entertain the ideas this vile person spoke of. But he couldn't leave them unanswered.

Even if he wasn't sure why.

"I will endure failure upon failure in the name of finding some way to bring him back. I will not stop. If I can not find a way myself, I will find another. There are gods here; one of them must have a key to the price I must pay to return him to this world.

"The same would be said for if another loved one of mine dies as well. I would endure the suffering in finding a way to revive them. I would bring them back.

"If I-" He hesitated. Joseph's grip on his sword tightened. "Died.." If he died just like Claude...

"There are hunters at this manor that have endured the cold, cruel pain of death. They are proof enough that a life beyond, no matter how torturous, exists. If I were to pass, I would find a way from there to return to this proper, far more beautiful life."

Then he took a breath. Joseph glanced down to his sword, as if to examine it.

"If you must know why I search for immortality, the answer is quite simple." Joseph closed his eyes for a moment. "Death is a cold, cruel pain. A blight on this world that takes what we love, and leaves nothing in return. It takes all a person has, leaving them gone at worst, or lost at best.

"Those left have a pain that will never heal. Those that die-" He hesitated once more. He couldn't get that image of his mirror coughing blood out of his head.

He then looked back up. "No one needs to experience that pain. No one deserves to endure it. And I will ensure no one ever does. Not once I escape this Hell."

[bouwrites]

Those Warm and Halcyon Days: Chapter 40

Reunion at Dawn

Ao3.

First, Previous, Next.

Story under read-more.

The first time Veery arrives in Fódlan, he is hiding behind some crates below deck on a ship he is not even allowed to be on. He honestly still does not know exactly where that ship docks, only that he wanders for some time, avoiding humans, before finally being confronted in the fog on Magdred Way.

The truth is that Veery still doesn’t know most of Fódlan. The monastery he knows like the back of his hand, but the rest he only sees on excursions when he goes with the Deer on missions. He knows Magdred Way, Conand Tower, and the Rhodos Coast in the Kingdom. He knows Remire Village and the Brionac Plateau in Adrestia. He knows some of the trade roads in Alliance territory, and Fódlan’s Throat.

Even then, he’s only been to most of those places once or twice five years ago. It is Garreg Mach, and the immediately surrounding areas, that Veery actually knows.

That is why it should not be as surprising as it is that four Albineans, only one of whom has stepped foot in Fódlan before, setting out without a guide or directions beyond a single map, almost immediately get lost.

“When does winter begin, here?” Hoarvug asks, kicking at the melting slush of the morning’s snow. “We need to find this monastery before then.”

“This is winter,” says Veery, frowning at the map.

A collective silence falls over the group. Then, all three of Veery’s companions burst into laughter. “Excuse me, what?” Caub asks. “I know it’s warmer down here, but… really?”

“You must be joking,” Sadi says. “The sun is still high in the sky! Do not tell me that the sun flees to Fódlan for winter.”

Veery chuckles, eyeing his friends with humor. “You’re lucky we’re arriving in the winter. The summer sucks. This is… nice weather. Not close to the worst Fódlan winters get, especially not in Faerghus, but you shouldn’t expect anything like an Albinean winter.”

Hoarvug snorts. “How coddled can these humans get? Winter is the test of our strength!”

“I… don’t think they have any control over whether the sun stays or goes, Hoarvug,” Veery says, biting back a chuckle. “But don’t underestimate them. They may not have survived our kind of winter, but they have survived five years of war.”

“Ha! That is true.”

“Speaking of which,” Caub says, leaning close over Veery’s shoulder to look at the map, “we really need to figure out where we are. If we wander too far south, we could end up in the thick of the fighting by accident. Or… is it east?”

“And who would say no to that?” Hoarvug laughs.

“Us, for now.” Veery frowns. “You’ll see plenty of battle after we meet up with Claude. We should avoid skirmishes if we can. And it depends on if we’re caught. The front line is around here, I think. We’ll have to cross it at some point if we don’t go into Adrestia.” He points to the right spot on the map.

“Naturally,” Sadi says. “But how do you intend to find the monastery? At this rate, we’ll be wandering in circles.”

“Wander east until we see mountains?” Veery offers.

“Didn’t we cross mountains not long after we got here?” Caub frowns.

“Yeah, but we landed in Duscur,” says Veery. “That’s this peninsula here, which has mountains between it and the mainland.”

“Which means we’re somewhere in mainland Faerghus,” Sadi says, eyeing the map as well. “Likely still within Edelgard’s territory.”

“Most likely,” Veery agrees. “According to Claude, the Faerghus Dukedom has pretty much everything west of Fhirdiad. Which is here.”

Caub nods. “Which means we will surely run into mountains if we just head southeast. Once we find those, we can follow the range until we get to Garreg Mach.”

“Great!” Hoarvug says. “Which way is east?”

Everyone falls silent once more. “…The sun shouldn’t even be that high in the sky this time of year,” Caub says tentatively, glancing up at the blazing sun. “I… can’t say for sure. Veery?”

“Don’t look at me.” Veery balks. “I only ever wandered aimlessly or followed the Fódlanders. And that was five years ago!”

Sadi sighs heavily. “This is going to be a long walk.”

“Aren’t you a seer? Can’t you just use your magic to show the way?” Sadi asks, panting as they cross what has to be the same tree a fourth time.

Caub huffs in offense. “That’s not how it works. I can peer at the tapestry of fate, not find directions to a mountain. Besides, I’d need the proper ingredients for that, and I doubt those are readily found here in Fódlan.”

“Maybe we should… ask for directions?” Veery offers.

“It’s worth a shot,” Caub groans. “Although, we were trying to avoid anyone who might spread word of a bunch of foreigners here, weren’t we?”

“We need to be at the monastery on a very specific day. I’ve already lost track of how long we’ve been wandering around – we may not have a choice.”

“A few weeks,” Caub says. “We’ve got almost a moon, still, but I wouldn’t count on making it to the monastery within a week even if we know where we’re going. We could be starting from the furthest point for all we know.”

“And we’ll probably just get lost again,” says Sadi.

“Plus, even when we get to the mountains, we still have to find the monastery itself,” Veery groans. “Next village we find, let’s just ask someone.”

“If you think that’s wise.” Caub shrugs. “Normally, I’d volunteer, but I think I’d be pegged as a foreigner almost as easily as you, so I’m not sure it matters.”

“You’d be surprised,” Veery hums. “Raphael actually looks a lot like an Albinean. Then again, humans can tell the differences between you better than I can.” Veery shakes his head, remembering when Claude actually expected him to be able to just realize that Claude isn’t from Fódlan, as if Veery has any basis to draw from when Claude is literally the first Fódlander he’d ever formally met.

“Ha! Perhaps, but I haven’t seen any Fódlanders with these.” Caub grins as he taps the shaved side of his head, the tattoos on his scalp and hand showing clearly.

“Hm… actually, yeah. If I remember right, the only person I know here with tattoos is Petra, and she’s from Brigid. Well, either way, you’re probably our safest bet. People seeing an Albinean will raise some questions, but an agell is a little… more noteworthy.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Hoarvug laughs. “If they turn out to be Empire, we can just kill them!”

“That’s… technically true, yes, but I’m sure Edelgard assumes that I’m in contact with Claude. The moment she finds out I’m back in Fódlan, she’ll suspect that Claude is up to something, and I’d rather not show our hand until we’re all reunited and prepared. So, no dead bodies killed by agell, if possible.”

“So,” Caub says, “we need to find directions to the monastery while not raising suspicion about why a bunch of foreigners want to go to a ruin that’s been abandoned for five years. No problem.”

“…Yeah, let’s just keep walking. We’re bound to get there eventually. Or, at least, to some landmark.”

Caub bites into his knuckle to stifle his laughter. “…Veery?”

Veery sighs, already regretting returning to Fódlan at all. “Yes, Caub?”

“That isn’t… you, is it?”

For a moment, a long-suffering groan is the only sound Veery finds himself capable of making. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Hoarvug starts cackling. “You are a god here! How fitting!”

“I’m not a god,” Veery says quickly trying his best to ignore the statue of the cat saint in front of them. “Technically, I’m not even a saint.”

“A saint!” Sadi giggles. “What is a saint, exactly?”

Caub, at least, still tries to hold back his laughter, unlike the other two. “It has to do with the religion here, I think,” he says. “Saints are important people, usually ones who perform some kind of divine miracle. They’re basically like weaker gods.”

“Partially true,” Veery says. “The saints were actually dragons who fought alongside Seiros in the war a thousand years ago – Seiros herself canonized them in her religion after she founded it because she just can’t help herself.”

“Mhm. And, um… I think you left out the part where you became a saint, Veery.” Caub chuckles. “Why didn’t you tell us about this?”

“Honestly? I had hoped they’d forgotten about it. Or, at the very least that Edelgard would have done away with this. I guess she can’t do even that one good thing.”

“Hang on, that’s a good point,” Caub says. “This statue is well-tended. Not the statue of a war criminal. The people around here must still be faithful. We might be able to ask them for directions to Garreg Mach.”

Veery absolutely hates to admit it, but Caub has a point. This little monastery they’ve stumbled across must be a Western Church stronghold if they’re still going strong even though they’re within Dukedom territory.

Edelgard may not necessarily be anti-religion, only anti-Church of Seiros, but Veery seriously doubts she’ll allow her people to hail someone who openly fought her on the battlefield as a saint. That’s way too dangerous when she knows he’s alive and must assume that he’s in contact with Claude.

“It’s… probably a safer option than asking anywhere else,” Veery reluctantly admits. “Let’s see if anyone’s still here.”

With no small amount of trepidation, Veery approaches the door to the chapel and knocks firmly. There’s a shuffling from the other side of the door, followed by a voice. “Who’s there?”

Veery shares an uncertain look with his companions. “Travelers,” he says. “Seeking directions. Can you help us?”

There is a tense moment of silence. “Of course. The Church of Seiros is always open to those in need.” The voice says, and a click marks the unlocking of the door. What in the world is happening here in the dukedom that a church must bar its doors? Claude’s letters don’t often speak of the state of the church.

The chapel doors open a crack, so that a man can peer through. The moment his eyes land on Veery’s party, they open wide in shock and the door swings open fully. “Y-you are… the cat saint! You’ve returned! And come to our humble monastery?!” Collecting himself quickly, he bows low. “F-forgive me. Please, come in! Anything you need, say the word. Are you… are you here to free us from Imperial control?”

Veery bites his lip, sharing a glance with his friends to silently ask them to stay quiet. Frankly, Veery doesn’t want to take part in this conversation, but given all the work Claude and Sylvain and Hilda and Dorothea did with him, he’s… probably the most qualified. Not to mention the cat saint thing.

Gods, if only that could never be mentioned again.

“What has happened here?” he asks, hoping it’s suitably caring and enigmatic. Really, he’s just trying to channel whatever small part of him is capable of acting like Claude. Or perhaps Professor Byleth.

The man ushers them all inside and closes the door behind them. “Well…” he titters, jittery and unsure, “after Garreg Mach fell, and you disappeared, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus fell into turmoil. Grand Duke Rufus was assassinated, Prince Dimitri accused of his murder and executed… it’s terrible, truly terrible.” He shakes his head, as Veery settles into a pew, his friends all sitting nearby quietly as the man tells his tale.

“All but the backbone of Faerghus is part of the Faerghus Dukedom now. Lady Cornelia welcomed the Adrestian Empire in with open arms. The Empire hasn’t… well, with everything from the revelation and the Empire’s accusations against the church, they aren’t kind to us. But there are those in the Western Church who remain faithful still. I count myself among them. We haven’t forgotten that the goddess worked through you, or your words about the revelation, no matter what the Empire or the Central Church says.”

“I…” Veery honestly does not remember his own words back then. He… basically just explained the facts, right? Gods, it was five years ago and just about the most nerve-wracking moment of his life, he can’t be expected to remember his specific speech. “I see.” He says awkwardly. “Good job.”

It’s almost a question when he says it but still the man beams like the goddess herself has touched him. This is weird. And awkward. And they still need to get to Garreg Mach.

And also, he should get them out of there before he gives Caub and the others more material to tease him with than they already have.

“Just remember to stay safe,” Veery says. “I’m sorry that my visit has to be so short, but if you don’t mind, we’re trying to get back to Garreg Mach.”

The priest’s eyes widen. “Garreg Mach? You mean to return there? Ah… it is nothing but ruins now, I’m afraid. It’s been abandoned since it fell almost five years ago.”

“I’m aware,” Veery says patiently. “I’ll… let you in on a secret, okay? We’re going to end this war soon. But to do so, it’s imperative that we get to Garreg Mach without the Empire detecting us. Understand?” He tentatively reaches out to touch the priest’s arm. “I’m sorry that you’ve suffered. Be strong for a while longer. And… at least until the war is over… we were never here. Yes?”

The priest looks at Veery with stars in his eyes and nods emphatically. He trips over himself to give them all the information they need. Directions to Garreg Mach, what he and the faithful he’s in contact with know about Imperial movements on the road, and a promise to not tell a single soul about the cat saint and his companions passing through, not even the other faithful, until the die is cast and no more danger can come from that information.

Which is… very good. Veery is honestly extremely nervous that he won’t be able to pull it off. Luckily, faith often blinds people to even glaring flaws, so even Veery’s awkward performance doesn’t ruin this encounter.

And they’re on the road again, this time finally knowing where they are and where they’re going. And Caub has the map, because everyone collectively agrees that he’s the least likely to steer them off a cliff.

The agell have their pride, but luckily Sadi and Hoarvug know where their strengths lie. Reading human maps is not one of them.

Caub hums to himself as they set off again. “I’ve never seen a place of worship so empty. What has the war put Fódlan’s faithful through?”

“Edelgard doesn’t hate the faith,” Veery says. “Or she didn’t when she started this. But I don’t think she understands that the faith and the church aren’t as separated for many people as it is for her. Or… more likely, she just doesn’t care. If they don’t see the world her way, that’s their problem.”

Sadi curls her lip. “I do not understand much of this,” she says, “but that man reeked of fear. Whatever Edelgard is doing, she has the faithful frightened to perform their rituals.”

Veery hums. “I never particularly liked the faith, but it should not be subversive to act as one believes.” He sighs heavily. “This is exactly why I don’t trust Edelgard’s dream.”

There is a muted silence for a while, before Caub speaks again, voice brighter, teasing, in an attempt to lift the mood. “I never pictured you as a saint. Which is actually pretty weird, considering we met when you literally came out of nowhere to save my life. You’re good with your followers.”

Veery balks. “No. No, I’m not. I just… thought it’d be easier for all of us if I played along. Claude told me before that it’s easiest to lie about something the other person already believes. They’ll convince themselves so you don’t have to sell it. Pretending to be a saint is… the best way to ensure he doesn’t rat us out to the Empire before we meet up with Claude.”

“But you are the saint, are you not?” Hoarvug asks. “Is it truly a lie?”

Veery sighs. “They started calling me a saint at one point, yes. It’s a… long story.”

“It’s a long road.” Sadi chuckles.

Oh, boy. Now he has to relive this whole episode. “Fine…”

“Finally,” Veery breathes, taking in the sight of the ruined monastery. “I can’t believe it took us that long to get here.”

“That’s Garreg Mach?” Caub asks, a little breathless as he peers through the dark.

“How does it stay up there?” Hoarvug asks. “It clings to the mountain like a ram!”

“It is impressive,” Sadi admits. “But we’re also late.”

“Not quite,” Caub says. “We made good time after the last village we passed. By my count, this morning should be the day.”

“I trust your count far more than mine,” Veery says. “And if you think it’s impressive now, you should have seen it when it wasn’t a ruin. I wonder if Claude and the others are already there…”

“Only one way to find out! We’ve still got some rough terrain to cross to reach the monastery, though I guess at this point if we want to find the road it should be relatively safe.”

Veery shakes his head. “We’re in familiar territory for me. To get to the road would be almost as difficult as just going straight there. We will want to circle around that peak, though, to get to the bridge. Otherwise, we’ll have to scale the mountain and the walls to get inside.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Sadi hums. “It’s the final stretch. Let’s move quickly.”

Progress is slow, taking more treacherous and indirect paths to avoid the main roads where any passing traveler will be alarmed by the four Albineans. As they approach Garreg Mach, those paths only get more difficult as the land grows steeper. Veery and Sadi have little trouble on the mountains, but they must slow down for Hoarvug, whose bulk makes him a little more awkward on the terrain, and Caub who isn’t blessed with the agell’s sure-footedness.

But still they make good time. Though less comfortable than a couple of cats who have spent their whole lives in precipitous mountains, Caub is nonetheless proficient at navigating the environment.

Veery had hoped to arrive at Garreg Mach early. But there is a reason why so much extra time is planned for this trip (and it is only partially because it’s simply easier to come south before winter truly sets in in Albinea). He’ll content himself with being on time.

As they approach, the mountains to their west glow a rosy pink, marking the imminent rise of the sun. Veery smiles and basks in the light, eagerly awaiting the sun.

“Veery,” Hoarvug huffs. “You hear that?”

Should he hear something? Veery frowns, ears twitching as they keep walking slowly across the bridge towards the monastery. Yes… he does hear that. “Fighting,” Veery says. “We should hurry. It’s probably Claude – I just hope the Empire hasn’t found us already.”

“Finally, a fight!” Hoarvug laughs. “Let us partake, and may Chaos favor us who so brazenly ravage her domain!”

“Just be careful!” Veery says before he can shift and run off. “I don’t want you accidentally attacking our allies. You haven’t met them yet, so just keep an eye on me, alright?”

“Always, my battle-brother! I follow you into the flames and blood gladly! To bask as you demonstrate your strength once again is an honor I shall never refuse!”

“Good. Let’s go, then.” Veery runs, jogging without shifting for the sake of not rushing ahead of Caub, until they find the fighting.

Luckily, it looks like it’s just a bunch of thieves. Not Empire. Wait, there! Atop a wyvern! A brilliant white one, which glows golden in the sun’s rising light. Claude!

“Thieves,” Caub huffs derisively. “Scavenging the monastery’s valuables, no doubt. After five years, I’d think this place would be picked clean.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Sadi smirks. “What say we strike terror into their hearts?”

Veery shakes his head slowly but smiles. This is his team. “They should at least know who they’re facing.” He concedes. “Let’s strike up a battle-roar.”

All three agell shift and roar together, the sound of all three big cats reverberates throughout the ruins. In the sky, Veery spots that beautiful white wyvern pause, and Claude’s eyes find his.

Thieves drop what they’re doing when they hear the roar, jumping and fleeing as the Albineans tear through, carving out a piece of the battlefield as their own.

“Veery!” Claude cackles with delight upon seeing his reinforcements. “You’ve brought friends!”

Veery roars again in response, a joyous thing to celebrate seeing his brother once more.

“Ha! I couldn’t agree more! Let’s clean up here so we can greet each other properly! Do me a favor and storm the center, Teach and I will take care of the stragglers!”

Veery can only laugh. Really, what does he expect on his return? If it is anything except a battle and Professor Byleth’s triumphant return all in one, then he forgets more about how stupid Fódlan is than he thinks.

Very well, if Claude asks, he will receive. Veery leads the charge, pushing his way uphill to the square Claude indicates is in the thick of the thieves. Caub’s axe sinks deep into a thief’s neck, to be viscerally torn out without mercy. Hoarvug, practically twice the size of some of the humans, picks enemies up as easily as if they were paper dolls and throws them about. Sadi is vicious and uncompromising taking advantage of the terror their group inspires to bring down enemies before they can even raise their swords.

Veery uses his Silence spell on a mage. Horror overcomes their expression before Caub slams his shield into the man and buries his axe into the mage’s ribs. An archer draws their bow but Caub grins with all the ferociousness of a warrior and casts Freeze, locking the archer’s muscles before they can release the arrow, before yanking his axe roughly out of the mage it’s sheathed in.

These are not trained Imperial soldiers. These are common thugs at best. They are no match for a group of warriors.

And, of course, when the rest of the Golden Deer begin to trickle in, the match becomes even more one-sided.

Veery breaks into the square, his Albinean companions at his side, and pauses when he scents his opponent. The others sense his hesitation and hold back but give him questioning looks as he gapes at the man in front of him.

Who catches sight of Veery and lets out a high-pitched shriek. Veery winces, as does Hoarvug and Sadi. Their poor ears. He shifts back so that he can speak to the thief. “Hi, Pallardó.”

“Y-you!” Pallardó squeaks. “You can’t be here!”

Veery chuckles, shaking his head. “Still up to no good? Did you not learn anything from the Brionac Plateau?”

Pallardó lets out another involuntary squeal at the reminder.

Veery sighs. “What was it that Anna said would happen to you if we saw you again?”

“N-no!” Pallardó jumps out of his skin. “Take it! I’ll leave everything! Don’t tell Anna!” He frantically throws his bag of loot in Veery’s direction and sprints away.

Hoarvug lets out an agitated growl and shuffles on his paws a little, squinting after Pallardó before looking over to Veery.

“Are you going to let him get away?” Claude asks from his mount above them. “Hang on, do you know that guy?”

Well… he hasn’t changed in five years… and Anna did warn him. Honestly, what Hoarvug will do to him is probably merciful by comparison. Veery sighs. “Oh, go on then, Hoarvug.”

Off like an arrow loosed from its bow, Hoarvug shoots after Pallardó, disappearing into the ruins for a moment before a familiar scream pierces the golden air. Claude lands nearby, wincing. “Yikes. How do you know a rat like that?”

Veery shrugs. “He tried to rip off Anna, once.”

“And he didn’t learn his lesson?” Claude makes a face. “Huh. I guess there is no cure for stupid.” He shakes his head, smiling again and dismounting from his wyvern. “Ah, but that doesn’t matter. It’s been too long, Veery! I can’t begin to express how happy I am to see that adorable face of yours.”

The two quickly embrace each other, holding tight. “You too, Claude,” Veery murmurs. “I missed you.”

“And I missed you, my friend.” Claude detaches himself just enough to hold Veery’s shoulders and examine his face. “You’ve got a few new scars. Ah, but we have plenty of time to catch up later. Who are your friends?”

“This is Caub.” Veery lightly taps Caub’s chest with his knuckle. “And that’s Sadi. The one who – oh, there he is – that’s Hoarvug.”

Claude nods approvingly. “You’ve been busy these past few years.”

“Not nearly as busy as you.”

“Ha! I hope not. You would hate working this much. But I have to ask. Your friends are strong. Are you all here to fight, even though it’s not your war?”

Hoarvug guffaws. “Veery has placed his teeth to my neck and drawn my blood. He is a true agell warrior, and I will bleed all that he asks of me to touch his strength!”

Claude raises a brow, looking between Hoarvug and Veery as he fights a smile. “…Kinky.”

Veery covers his face with a hand. “Please ignore everything he says.”

Caub clears his throat awkwardly. “What he’s trying to say is that we believe in Arcadia, sir. It doesn’t matter that it’s Fódlan and not Albinea. We believe in this fight, so you needn’t worry about us.”

“I see.” Claude nods. “Well, I’m honored to have you all here.”

“Veery!” Veery barely turns in time to catch and scoop up the mound of pink that throws itself at him. He laughs, spinning around for a moment before placing Hilda gently back on her feet.

“It’s good to see you, too, Hilda,” he chuckles.

“I was so excited to see everyone again,” another familiar voice distracts Veery from Hilda, who still hasn’t let go of him, “and then this happens…” Nonetheless, Lysithea smiles at Veery and Professor Byleth, who steps into the square looking not a second older than she was in the battle of Garreg Mach.

Ignatz chuckles awkwardly. “Let’s all take a moment to catch our breath.”

Hilda huffs, looking to Claude even as she continues holding Veery close to her breast. “Really. If you’ve got time to play with those guys, the least you could do is prepare some tea.”

Professor Byleth smiles. “Blame Claude.”

Claude sputters for a moment, looking to Professor Byleth in mock betrayal. “Come on, those guys were thieves! We couldn’t just let them get away.”

“Don’t worry professor,” Leonie says, “we always blame Claude.”

“Now, that’s just rude.”

Lorenz chuckles. “Well, things are usually your fault.”

“I cannot believe I came all this way to have a wondrous class reunion and now I’m being attacked.”

Marianne giggles gently. “In any case, um… I’m glad that all of you are well.”

“Yeah!” Raphael says. “That was fun! What an exciting way to start our class reunion!”

Vindicated, Claude smugly preens himself. “At least someone appreciates my genius.”

Hilda snorts. “Don’t act like you didn’t just use us to clear out your new secret headquarters for you Mr. Leader Man. We all see through you.”

“Oof. Piercing my heart as always, Hilda. But I can’t deny that you’re right.”

Leonie rolls her eyes. “Claude aside, it’s good to see you, Professor. What a relief to see that time hasn’t rusted your skills.”

“I’m just glad you’re still alive,” Ignatz says. “We were all so worried.”

Professor Byleth smiles softly at her class. “I’m sorry for leaving you all for so long.”

“We all know you wouldn’t if you could help it.” Lysithea says. “But what exactly has kept you so busy?”

Byleth frowns. “I was sleeping.”

Claude meets Veery’s eye, and the brief confusion that washes over him vanishes. Oh… sleeping. “Sothis?” Veery asks.

Byleth nods. “I assume so. She said that my slumber helped me heal from the fall at the battle. She’s still weak now, though I feel just fine.”

Lysithea nods. “I see. I do seem to recall some story or other mentioning a healing sleep. Interesting that you can do the same thing.”

“Several stories,” says Claude. “Including that the goddess was killed during one. But on that note, why don’t we move this reunion party into the monastery proper? I think you all know already what I’m about to ask of you.”

“Of course, we do,” Lorenz says, leading the way as the group begins to head towards the more familiar area of Garreg Mach. “You mean to take Garreg Mach for the Alliance and begin the fight against the Empire in earnest.”

“That’s right. We’ve played defense for too long. This war is never going to end if we don’t end it.”

“And of course, we’re with you, Claude,” Leonie chuckles. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for years!”

“I believe we all agree,” Marianne says. “We won’t run.”

“What about you, Lorenz?” Hilda asks. “Are you going to go back home to your scary father, or what?”

“Heavens no,” Lorenz huffs. He pats his horse and pulls a wrapped object from one of the saddlebags. “In fact, foreseeing this very event, I’ve elected to take possession of my family’s Relic.” He unveils it, showing the pulsating, grotesque staff. Even as Byleth, Hilda, and Claude hold their own Relic weapons, there is a reaction of recoil.

No one is particularly comfortable with those things. Not after knowing what they are.

Least of all Veery’s crew. Sadi tugs his arm roughly to ask about it. He has, of course, warned them all about the Relics, knowing that at the very least Claude will have Failnaught. It doesn’t make it any less disgusting to witness firsthand, especially for Sadi.

She grits her teeth but stays quiet, knowing enough of the context to not protest. Yet, at least.

“Wait,” Hilda says. “You stole Thyrsus?”

Lorenz scoffs. “How could you even insinuate- No. Of course, I did not steal it. I convinced my father to entrust it to me.”

Claude chuckles. “And… you did that by telling him that you’re going to fight alongside us, then?”

“That would be ridiculous,” Lorenz huffs. “You know well that my family enjoys close ties with the Empire. My father simply cannot risk something happening to his only son when the roads are as dangerous as they are.”

“Ha! Lorenz, you clever bastard.” Claude claps him on the back, grinning widely. “I underestimated you! And Thyrsus may be… kind of gross – not that Failnaught is any better – but it’ll help a lot in the battles ahead.”

“Naturally. And, Professor, will you help as well?”

Professor Byleth purses her lips, looking to Claude and her Deer before smiling. “Of course. I will always support you.”

“Excellent! Now that that’s decided, this place is a mess!” Claude says. “It’s not going to inspire hope in anyone like this.”

“And you expect us to clean it up,” Hilda groans. “That sounds like a lot of work. I wonder if anyone would be willing to help us out with that?”

Caub nudges Veery’s shoulder playfully. “Menial labor? Count me in,” he says quietly. “This is the part they don’t sing about, huh? Ah, well, it’s important all the same.”

Luckily, it’s not just a small collection of old classmates pitching in to clean up the entirety of Garreg Mach, in the end. Seteth and what remains of the church arrives later in the day, and strings are pulled on the sides of both the church and the Alliance to get workers trickling in in the following days and weeks.

At the present time, though, those already here do what they can, focusing mainly on the most important locations for their war effort. The dining hall, the entrance hall, lodging, the classrooms and war room.

Caub, Sadi, and Hoarvug stick with Veery for the most part. There is enough work to do that their four-man team has plenty to do without splitting up, though Caub and Hoarvug’s physical strength is often requested. (Especially by Hilda. Caub figures out her game fairly quickly, but Hoarvug just refuses to take orders – even veiled ones – from humans, so at least he doesn’t fall for it, even if he doesn’t actually see the trap.)

That does mean, though, that it’s usually only the four of them, with so much more work to do in other locations, Veery’s old classmates are often cleaning up other parts of the monastery, leaving him and his team to their own devices.

“Sorry that I haven’t seen much of you since we got here,” Claude says, striding confidently up to the group. “I’ve been talking with Teach and Seteth almost constantly.”

Veery chuckles. “Don’t worry. I know you’re busy.”

Claude grins, then turns his gaze to Caub. “After Veery came here, I did a lot of research on Albinea. Even so, I wasn’t prepared to see a warrior like you. Was that magic you used back with those thieves?”

Caub smiles politely and nods. “Yes, sir. I’m a seer as well as a warrior, and I’ve been taught magic by the seer in my village and Veery both.”

“Impressive. What does it mean to be a seer?”

Veery nudges Caub encouragingly when he looks over for direction and continues gathering debris as Caub speaks. “I’m a healer, for ailments of both mind and body. In addition, with the proper ingredients, I can peer at the tapestry of fate – although the visions can be difficult to interpret.”

Claude nods. “I’ve heard some of those ingredients are hallucinogens.”

Caub laughs. “What of it? You do not believe I can drug myself and see fate in the dreams they induce. I’m not asking you to believe. I do not judge you for begging the sky for favors.”

“Ha! Fair enough. I apologize if I caused any offense, I promise I’m only curious. Actually, I might be able to find those ingredients if you want me to. Let me ask something more… practical, then. What manner of magic are you capable of? I’ve found little on Albinean magics. Do they differ much from what we have in Fódlan?”

Caub shrugs. “Aside from our hallucinogenic drugs, you mean? Well… as for what I in particular am capable of. I can freeze an opponent in place, so that they are unable to flee or fight for a short time. I can warp myself a short distance, though not others. I can also summon einherjar to support me in battle. And I can heal and ward an ally against magical attacks, but I believe those are common techniques here.”

Every word has Claude’s brow rising higher. “…I have a few questions.”

“Ha. Ask, then.”

Claude hums thoughtfully. “I guess the most nagging thing is… what is an einher… what you said?”

“Einherjar?” Caub strokes his chin thoughtfully. “I’m afraid I don’t know a direct equivalent in your language. Einherjar are select warriors who have fallen in battle. Their valor is favored by the gods, and their souls are chosen and retrieved to join the gods in eternal battle. That the gods allow them to answer my summons is a great honor.”

Claude opens his mouth, shuts it, then says, “…I have more questions.”

Caub chuckles. “Believe it or not, it is something to strive for. I can only hope that I prove valorous enough before fate cuts my thread to meet the gods and become one of the einherjar myself.”

“Right. And you… summon ghosts that fight for you?”

“In essence, yes.”

“I have to admit, that’s kind of terrifying.” Claude grimaces. “Hey, Veery, remind me to never tease Lysithea for that again.”

Veery bites his lip, unable to suppress his giggling. “If you do, maybe Caub’s einherjar will come for you next.”

Caub laughs, hitting Veery’s shoulder playfully. “Don’t tease him. Or should I tell him how you first reacted to seeing one?”

“Good point,” Veery admits. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Anyway.” Caub shakes his head. “If it makes you feel any better, sir, the einherjar that I summon are bound to me. They act according to my will. They slay my foes and protect my allies. You have nothing to fear from them.”

“That does make me feel better,” Claude says. “Good to know. And you don’t have to be so formal. Any friend of Veery’s is a friend of mine. I know I’m Grand Duke of the Alliance, but we’re allies, so there’s no need for this ‘sir’ business.”

“Ah, if you say so.” Caub rubs his neck awkwardly. “I admit, your titles are still somewhat confusing to me. I’m trying to be respectful, but I don’t actually know the proper form of address.”

Claude laughs. “Well, Hilda calls me Mr. Leader Man, and I’m ostensibly the one in charge of this whole effort, so I don’t think you need to worry too much about it. Veery still won’t call Edelgard ‘Her Majesty’.”

“She introduced herself as Edelgard,” Veery protests. “So, I call her what she said to call her.”

“Exactly!” Claude grins. “There are some people who get all offended about it, but with me there’s no need for any of that. After all, Veery’s my brother and you’re his best friend, right? We’re practically family, anyway.”

Caub blushes, looking to Veery and then to Claude. “I… yes. Thank you, Claude. I’ll try to relax a little.”

“Oh,” Claude says, “and I want to hear that story of Veery first seeing one of your… einherjar, was it?”

“Ah, you picked up the word fast. Sorry, though, but I’ll say nothing that Veery does not want me to share.”

“No! Veery! You can’t just put that out there and not tell me. You know the curiosity is going to eat me up inside!”

Veery glances up at Claude, remembers his embarrassing display when Caub first summoned that einherjar, and says, “Then suffer.”

It’s not like it’s that much worse than cowering behind Claude for a month after they met. Still, it’s fun to tease Claude a little. Veery will tell him all about it – eventually.

[sorinethemastermind]

How Could You?

In which Soren is visited by his past in a dream, and has to confront it upon waking. Trigger Warning: Blood & Other Nightmarish Things

��Birds sing in the branches of the great oak, the early-autumn sunlight filtering through it’s leaves and dappling the stones of the courtyard below. Soren swings his blade at every leaf that falls, pretending they’re a great army of dragons. One day he’ll face real dragons, he tells himself, continuing his campaign to defend the castle from the rampaging monsters. One day he’ll be a crownguard and do it for real.

 “Sorbear!” Claudia calls from somewhere nearby. He swats at a final leaf before turning to look for her.

 “Clauds?” he calls out into the empty courtyard. Smoke hangs heavy in the air. Around him the leaves curl and catch fire until ash rains from the tree above him. 

 “Claudia!?” he screams, the sword in his hands suddenly real. The burning leaves ignite the hem of his cape and he rips it off, leaving it behind him in the blaze as he runs towards her voice. “Claudia! Where are you!?”

 “Sorbear!” her voice comes again, weaker, further. 

 “Claudia, I’m coming!” he shouts even as the coughing starts. Smoke rings the courtyard. The castle is ablaze, people screaming and running, the battlements coming crashing down around them.

 “Soren! Soren, help me! Please!”

 “Claudia! Claudia, I’m here!” he stumbled down the hall, eyes stinging from the smoke, and threw open the door. She was there, lying on the ground, eyes closed. “No. No, no, no.”

 Soren knelt beside her tiny, limp form. She was so small. So still. “Clauds, please. Please don’t leave me. Not again.”

 “That’s rich. Coming from you.” Soren whirled, the small form of his sister disintegrating in his hands like it had never been there. Had it? Had she ever been that helpless? Or was he remembering things wrong?

 Claudia stood before him, her hair streaked with white. The castle crumbled away behind her, leaving them standing in the open air. The reddish eclipse of Lux Aurea glowed behind her. 

 “Claudia?” he held out a tentative hand, but she shrugged away from him.

 “After everything we did for you, this is how you repay us?” she snarled. “You let us burn?”

 “I had no choice. Claudia, please, you have to understand!”

 “I do understand. You’re the one who’s blind, Soren. You never were very smart.”

 “Claudia, please-”

 “Please, what? What more could you possibly want from us?” the red light glinted off the knife in her hand, and Soren took a step back. “We gave you our hearts, Soren. What more could you possibly ask of us!?”

 “I-”

 She raised the blade and he flinched away, eyes closing instinctively. But no blow came. Instead, when he opened his eyes, he found the knife buried in her chest.

 “Claudia!” he shouted, rushing towards her, but she pushed him away. 

 “We gave you-” she wrenched the wound wider, blade dripping with blood. “Everything. You’re alive-” 

 Soren couldn’t watch. He tried to look away, but he could still hear her talking. Could see it playing out behind his eyelids. 

 “Because of us!” she managed, and thrust the bloodied knife into his hand. “Look what you’ve done!” she screamed, and Soren opened his eyes to find them standing on the battlefield, his father’s body strewn out before them. Except it wasn’t an illusion this time, and the knife in his hand grew into a sword, blood running down the blade and onto his hands.

 He dropped it, horrified, but it was too late. The blood burned where it made contact with his skin, bubbling and boiling away to reveal the glowing lines of magma that the Hearts of Cinder spell had left. 

 “Look at what you did to us.” Claudia whimpered. She was on the ground beside their father, her heart in her hands, black blood running in thick rivulets from the gaping hole in her chest to pool around her. It lapped at Soren’s feet, pulling him under. “How could you?”

 “Claudia-” he reached for her, but the current was too strong. It was carrying him away. “Claudia!”

 He sank into the churning, black waters, her name turning into bubbles above him. He tried not to breathe, but his lungs screamed for air, and eventually the water rushed in.

 “How could you?” Claudia whispered in his ear. “You said you’d always be there for me. You lied. You lied. You lied. You-”

 Soren sat bolt upright, drenched in sweat and with a scream building in his throat. Corvus shifted beside him and Soren flinched away from him, still caught in the dream. Slowly his surroundings settled into focus and his breathing calmed. The room felt stifling, like a cage. Soren carefully disentangled himself from the blanket, draping it back over Corvus, and crept outside.

 It was cold, dark. The moonlight shone through the leaves and dappled the ground. Soren shivered, but whether from the memory or the chill night air he didn’t know. 

 How could you? The dream still asked in his mind. How could you leave me?

 “I had no choice.” he whispered.

 That’s what you said last time, the dream whispered back. 

 Soren picked his way through the camp and over to the bridge, hoisting himself up onto the edge and watching his reflection in the river. He looked tired. Tired and battered. One hand drifted to his eyebrow, where there really was a scar now. Once he would have been excited, seen it as proof that he had faced danger and been victorious. Now he didn’t really care. Danger wasn’t a thing to be sought, and victories… victories didn’t really feel like he’d imagined they would.

 “Soren?”

 He closed his eyes. He couldn’t do this right now.

 “Soren, are you alright?”

 “I’m fine.” he said, turning to face his mother standing on the bridge behind him. She gave him a hopeful smile even though she must have known he’d been avoiding her.

 “Are you su-” she stopped herself, looked away. “I guess I don’t really have a right to ask you that, do I?”

 “No. Not really.”

 The silence hung heavy in the air between them, but neither of them left. After a moment, Soren looked back out over the water.

 “I get why you did it.” he said, not meeting her eyes. “I’m not… I’m not mad that you left. You had no choice.”

 “I still sho-”

 “It doesn’t matter, now.” he said, the words taking all the strength he had left. “We can’t change what happened.”

 He heard her footsteps behind him, and a moment later her feet joined his dangling over the river. 

 “Somebody told me about… about your father. And Claudia.”

 Soren’s heart clenched and he kept his gaze focused on the water rushing by below them.

 “You’ve been through a lot.”

 Soren didn’t say anything. 

 “But you’ve been so strong. So brave-” she began and he pulled away, clambering off the edge of the bridge and walking back towards the lodge.

 “Soren?” she called after him, hurrying to walk beside him. “I’m- I’m sorry if it’s not my place to say it, but I just wanted you to know that-”

 “No.” he shook his head. “No, it’s- I’m not- I’m not strong, or brave, or… or anything.” Soren’s voice cracked. “I’m a coward. I ignored it until it got too bad and then I just… I just ran away.”

 “Soren.” her voice was soft as she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, turning him to face her. “Sometimes leaving is the brave thing.”

 “But Claudia-”

 “It’s not your fault.” Her words were kind, but her eyes were heavy with unspoken sadness. “None of it was ever your fault.”

 She pulled him into a tight embrace, wrapping her arms around him. After a moment Soren hugged her back, leaning down to bury his face in her shoulder. Somehow she still smelled the way she used to when he was small.

 “I’m so proud of you, Soren. And I’m sorry I wasn’t there to say it before. You… you don’t have to forgive me.”

 “I think I’d like to.” he mumbled into her shirt. “Eventually.”

 “I’d like that too.”

[imagineanime2022]

Top Priority

Claude Faustus X Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2028

Requested: Anon

Request: Hi!! may i request headcanons of Claude with a contracted reader, about 17-18 years in age, and they summoned him and sold their soul to always have a friend? Like they always go on adventures and Claude walks them to and from school n such? Sorry if that’s long oopsies but i’d really appreciate it! thank you :)

Claude had watched how the world changed about the only thing that stayed the same was Sebastian. Even the reapers had changed hands a few times, sure Grelle still followed close behind the cat demon and the undertaker's shop survived through the hundreds of years that it had been around but they were all small things. London was now a city of tower blocks and office buildings, companies were owned by corporations not families and people no longer valued their relationships rather what the relationship could bring and of course these relationships never lasted he watched as they broke down within days.

This world offered a chance for demons to thrive, humans were stupid enough to make quick deals for 5 minutes of fame before their demon came to collect and they all tried to bargain for more time. Claude had grown tired of it, he missed the longer bonds created and the anticipation of the meal, the hunt was completely taken from him as his deals currently stood. Claude was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost didn’t notice the young human standing in front of him, his eyes shifted to them as they seemed to turn in on themselves. “Yes?” He asked, the speech that used to take such joy in performing had gone unspoken for a long while now, humans of this age far too impatient for it. “I-I was told that I could find a friend here.” You seemed more timid than any human who came to his realm before, even Alois was more outspoken than you. “Whoever told you that was cruel.” Claude informed you, you seemed to flinch at that before nodding your head. “Most people are.” You agreed with him as you turned now seemed to turn away, you seemed more comfortable in disappointment. Claude was more interested in that. “When you have no family to speak of, you're unlikely to find true kindness anywhere.” Claude was confused, this was the type of fortune that fell into Sebastain’s lap not his, your soul was pure and your intentions even more so, he believed that you truly came here for a friend. “Why not look for friends in the rest of the human race?” Claude asked. “I’ve been trying for years and yet here I am asking a demon for friendship.” You shrugged. “Mmm why stop now?” He asked. “Well I’m 16 years old, they’ll be asking me to leave soon and I’ll be alone all over again, in an apartment somewhere that I don’t know.” You shrugged “what better time to make a friend that has to follow you.” “All you want is a friend?” He asked. “For the rest of my natural life.” You nodded and he smiled, you were a smart human. He'd give you that, but if he didn’t take this deal no doubt you would find your way to someone else, he couldn’t pass up a meal like this. It wouldn’t be that long or difficult and it provided that hunt that he had been missing. “Choose somewhere for the mark to be placed.” He approached you slowly and for a second he could see that you were reminded that was in fact a predator. “Mark?” You asked. “Mmm. It’s proof of the contract that you’ve made and the demon that you’ve made it with.” He explained holding out his hand to show you the make on the back of it. “Oh here.” You pointed to your ankle, he could see the skin there clear unmarked by anything. “Very well.” He nodded, you jumped as you felt the spider crawl it’s way up your leg and hissed when it bit you, Claude crouched in front of you wiping the blood from your leg as he inspected the mark. Claude nodded as he licked the blood from his thumb, pleasantly surprised by the taste and even looking forward to the meal that was coming. He was brought back to the present when he heard you groan, losing your balance and falling forward. “It’s time to go back, don’t you worry I’ll be there when you wake up.”

That was one and a half years ago now and while you were sure that it was Claude doing you a favour, he wasn’t so sure you had helped him come to terms with the new world that he had neglected to understand. Claude had helped you to appreciate the old fashioned things, sometimes it took a little more time but you enjoyed it all the same. Claude dropped you to school and picked up, he cooked and cleaned, he washed your clothes, he admitted that with all the new technology, even doing all that left him time in the day for other things, not that he had much interest in doing anything else.

One day you were eating breakfast, it was a Saturday morning, and the news was playing on the TV. Claude wasn’t paying attention and he was sure that you weren’t either, he had just finished washing the dishes when you spoke “Do you know anything about the Trancy Estate?” You asked. He had honestly not expected to hear that name ever again and especially not from you. “How do you know that name?” He asked, you looked at him and shrugged, turning your phone to him. “Just reading this post says that they found the old estate and that it’s haunted.” You explained. “I used to work for the last Earl.” He answered, and your eyes widened. “So you would know if it was the real mansion?” You asked. “Mmm.” He hummed “now eat.” “Can we go?” You asked, ignoring the previous order. “Will you eat if I say yes?” He asked, he had realised that even if you had asked for a friend the relationship had since adapted to one of an older sibling and a younger one. “I’m going to eat regardless, your food is amazing.” You answered shovelling more food into your mouth as if he was going to take the plate away. “We can go.” He said as he took your phone from you “after all the only should that would be haunting that place, I have taken. I want to know who’s taken refuge there.” “Ghost adventure.” You smiled as you basically inhaled the rest of your food and ran off to get ready.

You lived in the city so it took a long while to get to where you wanted to be, there was no direct route and you needed to get a train out of the city before your adventure could really start, it was a long trek that Claude carried you through for the more part, he remembered the paths well no matter how overgrown they had become, he sighed as he realised all his and the triplets hard work had been for nothing since there was no one to maintain it after they all left. “Something wrong?” You asked as he helped you over a particularly large tree root. “These grounds used to be beautiful.” He answered. “Tell me about them.” You requested as you both continued walking. “The land around the mansion belonged to the Trancy family, we were in charge of keeping the gardens and grounds surrounding the mansion, we were very diligent, there were a set of triplets who often took care of the grounds and garden for me.” He explained. “The Earl only ever wanted yellow and purple flowers.” “I’m sure it looked beautiful.” You mumbled. “Oh it did.” He promised as he pulled up a tree branch to stop it from hitting your head. “It’s a shame that there’s been no one to care for it since.” You said after a roll of your eyes in response to his previous statement. “It was probably better that this estate lost purpose.” Claude answered honestly, his mind travelling back to the last Earl and how he came to power “those who lived here were cursed by a past anyone would want to forget and a yearning that could never be filled.” “Sounds sad, he had no family either?” You asked. “His brother was killed.” Claude answered. “His parents?” You asked. “He never talked about them.” Claude lied, he had no intention of ruining you with tales of someone else's past, he was aware that you likely knew the rumours that surrounded the manor and it’s older owner, there were now people paid to figure that out now after all.

You both managed to get to the manor unscathed, you didn’t seem even a little bit scared of the ghost that was supposed to be hiding in there, he should have expected as much, you had summoned him after all. You opened the door and he followed behind you, the halls a far cry from what he had left them, movement to the left of you caught his attention though you didn’t seem to notice it, your eyes moved from place to place as you looked for anything to explain what others had seen. “This is very you, Claude.” You smiled as you looked back at him, he never got the chance to answer instead moving forward at a speed he hadn’t had to in a long time, his forearm coming into contact with an attackers and protecting you from a well aimed attack. Claude pulled you close as he moved away from them, though he wasn’t worried he knew who he was looking at. “Thompson, what are you still doing here?” Claude asked , the triplet in front of him stood relaxing his posture. “Once you dismissed us we had nowhere to go.” He answered. “You know him?” You asked. “He and his brothers were the triplet I spoke of earlier.” He answered. “The ones that looked after the grounds?” You asked. “Yes.” Claude answered. “Where are your brothers?” You asked, breaking away from Claude and looking around. “Are they here?” The two demons appeared from the shadows to flank their brother. “So you're Thompson, what are your names?” You asked. “I’m Timber.” The boy on the left answered. “I’m Canterbury.” The other answered and you smiled. “I’m (Y/N).” You said. “You said you had nowhere to go.” They all looked at each other before nodding. “You used to live with Claude, if you want you could come back with us, I’m used to living with people.” You shrugged. “That apartment is a bit quiet.” The triplets looked to Claude who shrugged. “You want us to live with you?” Thompson asked. “Well I heard that they wanted to knock this place down, I assume that’s why you’ve become so active.” You explained “so if the only reason is that you need this place to stay then come stay with me and have no one bother you.” “She isn’t lying.” Claude said as he looked at you “she just wants friends.”

The triplets decided to come back with you and Claude watched as you showed the triplets around the house, he went out to get them some clean clothes and before he knew it the triplets were lining up to shower and change while you were sitting in the kitchen with him. “Why did you offer them a place to stay?” Claude asked. “I like having you around but I know that you don’t like this version of the world, you know having people you used to know around might help.” You shrugged. “And I don’t mind having more people around.” “You're too kind to be making deals with demons.” Claude informed before patting your head. “I only made a deal with you.” You reminded him and he looked at you and nodded. “Mmm there’s no way to get out of it.” He placed your food in front of you. “I don’t plan to lose a friend.” You shrugged before beginning to eat the food that he had made, he never really understood the way that Sebastian defended Ciel until now, as he looked at you, he didn’t just see you as a meal but for the time that he spent with you, you were his top priority and he’d never let anything happen to you.

Request Here!!

[indigowallbreaker]

Could I request “holding hands while jumping down from somewhere together” from the handholding prompts with Edelclaude?

Oh wow, I've actually never seen that prompt before. Here goes!

(Currently accepting rare ships! Click here for the info post!)

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Two beasts Edelgard could have handled on her own. With Claude at her side, their success would have been all but guaranteed. 

But then two demonic beasts had broken through the trees to join the other beasts, running towards them with sharp teeth and sharper claws. Edelgard didn’t need Claude pulling her back by the arm to convince her to run. 

“So much for our date!” Claude called as they ran.

“I told you, it is not a date!” Edelgard jumped over a berry bush. “I simply asked you to look around the sealed forest with me!”

“Yeah, by ourselves! On a lovely spring day!” Claude ducked under a tree branch and flashed her a grin. “How else is a guy supposed to take that?”

Edelgard didn’t dignify that with a reply. Chancing a glance behind them, Edelgard saw one of the beasts open its mouth wide, throat already glowing. She grabbed Claude and pulled them down a different path to the right. He followed without resistance-- and not a moment too soon. 

A blast of energy crackled behind them. The hoard of beasts struggled to change direction, buying them some time. “Thanks,” Claude said, his tone more sober than before.

Edelgard merely went on running, followed closely by Claude. She couldn’t explain why Claude had been her first choice for this adventure but she was grateful to have someone at her back who could keep up. Their shared curiosity could be trusted, even if Edelgard didn’t trust much else about him. 

Soon they reached the edge of the sealed forest, which stopped abruptly at a cliff above a river. It looked deep to Edelgard. Perhaps too deep for comfort.

The sound of the beasts behind them grew louder. “Looks like only one way out to me,” Claude said, looking over the edge. “Ready, your highness?”

“I...” Edelgard was momentarily torn between jumping into the water and facing all four beasts. But that was childish. No matter her ridiculous fears, there was only one course of action.

Claude grasped her hand, making her tense. “Together,” he declared. He grinned again, but this one was less playful than before. It embolden Edelgard rather than annoyed her. She squeezed his hand with a nod. 

Then her feet let the earth. They both screamed as they fell, drowning out the snarls of the beasts that had just burst from the forest. Claude’s nail dug into Edelgard’s hand but she couldn’t find it in her to care as the river rushed up to meet them.

Cold water enveloped her, shocking the air from Edelgard’s lungs. Claude’s hand threatened to slip from hers but she clung to him. She kicked her feet and waved wildly with her free arm until they broke the surface, both gasping.

Only then did Edelgard let him go, confident they wouldn’t be separated now. She looked around, trying hard not to think about how much deeper the water under her feet went. The cliff on the opposite side of the river looked fairly easy to climb up. And it lacked any malicious beasts. “This way,” she said, beginning to make her way over. 

Claude seemed much more at ease in the water than Edelgard, and he passed her almost immediately. Once he reached water shallow enough to stand in, he reached out to take her hand again, pulling her the last few feet until she could stand as well. This time, he kept a tight hold even as they sat heavily on the shore to catch their breath.

“I apologize for my hesitation,” Edelgard said after a few moments. 

Claude shook his head. Water fell from his braid. “It’s fine. It’s probably smart to stop for a second before doing something that reckless anyway.”

Her hesitation this time could have killed them-- but Claude was trying to be kind, so Edelgard did not protest. “I promise our next date will not end so dramatically,” she said instead.

“So you admit it? This was a date?”

“There seems to be no talking you out of that assumption so, yes.” She squeezed his hand again with a smile. “If it pleases you, this can be a date.”

He smiled back. “No offense, your highness, but I think I’ll be planning the next one. Just in case.”

“No offense taken.”