#in the end he is my victor-- in my heart ... he will have realised his feelings and sorted them all out. or begun to.

[truethes]

do you ever think abt how blink go.ne was the only song till sung with the goal to win ali.en stage?

like the main reason he was enthusiastic to beat acorn in his first song and scored the highest amount of points one could get was bc he wanted to, eventually, sing that song with miz.i and help her win.

while part of him deep down wouldn't have minded if iva.n won their song, he lost that goal and a real reason to fight after miz.is disqualification. he had no reason to wish to be a participant. while he'd sing, he did it without purpose or reason, happy to take the loss more than if mi.zi would have been ...

after what happened with iv.an, ti.ll knew he had to win for all that had been sacrificed: he was the last man standing, the one that someone else had wanted to see survive. so he tried to light that candle, no matter what, despite how it turned into as much of an achilles heel as it did to be a new fire lit up.

[jellieland]

(Spoilers for. Real life?? I guess???)

---

Five figures stand, solemn, at the celestial summit of nowhere. They discuss matters of great import, and observe the fragile gossamer thread that is all that surrounds them, and-

Oh. No, nope, nevermind. They're just arguing again, aren't they.

"-don't know what you expect ME to do about it!" snaps the Red One.

"I don't know, Grian, how about literally anything?" asks the Scarlet Moon, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean, you could at least tell us what's going on out there," says the Ruby Star. "I don't think that's too much to ask, Grian."

"Riiight, like that'll help," says the Bloody Victor, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, for goodness sake, Martyn, do you have to make this difficult every single time?" snaps the Red One. "Anyway, we've got loads of time to work this out. It's only just started, even if it was a bit earlier than I thought it would be," he grumbles, irritated.

"Oh! Look!" calls the Coquelicot Loner, from where he is peering away from their circle at something that would look, to anyone but the five present, entirely indistinguishable from any other patch of the universe. "They must be done! Someone's coming!"

"What?" The Red One frowns. "Don't be ridiculous, Scar, there's no way-"

A brilliant beam of starlight shoots down from the heavens, and tears through their little circle like a formula one car cutting through the middle of a picnic.

It leaves behind...

Huh.

What. What is that.

There is... a. Person? But the proportions are all wrong, nothing this world has ever seen before. The limbs are mismatched, twisted, not quite connected. The movement is... disturbingly smooth, except when it jerks and jumps at seemingly random moments.

Whatever they are, they regain their balance, look around, and... laugh. "Oh, hey guys!" they say. "You know, I really didn't think this counted. But here we are, I guess!"

"Mom?" says the Coquelicot Loner, squinting at her. "Why are you short?"

"Oh my god, Scar, you can't just ask people why they're short," says the Ruby Star, apparently on autopilot.

"Yeah, and, uh, not to be rude, but more like why are you an eldrich horror? But, like, more so than usual?" says the Bloody Victor, backing up and looking rather alarmed.

They raise an eyebrow. "Oh, we're doing this now, are we?" They shake their head. "You know what this is perfectly well. We did another game, and I won. Deeply surprising, I know, but here we are!"

The Scarlet Moon tilts her head. "I mean, not that it's not nice to have you here, I guess, but that seemed real quick for a whole game, Cleo."

"Yes, thank you Pearl," says the Red One, narrowing his eyes. "I quite agree. Just how violent WAS this one that it's already finished? And WHY was I not informed?"

Cleo laughs. "To be honest I don't think anyone expected it to matter. And, I mean, sure it was violent, they always are, but it was all pretty light-hearted to be honest! Not a lot of drama, you know." She looks around, and seems to remember something. "Oh, Scott, I let a zombie kill you at the end! Sorry about that, I didn't realise quite how low you were. It was pretty funny, though."

The Ruby Star blinks, and shrugs. "I mean, fair enough. Hey, that means Divorce Quartet is all here, now!"

The Coquelicot Loner squints. "...Does that make you my stepdad, Scott?"

"No," says Cleo.

"God no," says the Ruby Star. "For, just, so many reasons."

"Yeah, I am not doing that again," says Cleo.

"So... So, hang on," says the Red One. "You're saying, in your game, it was all just. Cool and fine and calm. No pain or blood or sacrifice. No agonising entangled web of alliances. No cold-blooded, cold-hearted backstabbing?"

("Hey!" says the Bloody Victor.)

"I mean there was plenty of blood, technically. And Martyn did sort of try to stab everyone in the back and then run away."

("...Yeah, ok, fine," says the Bloody Victor.)

"But no, not much emotional turmoil, all in all! It was pretty chill, really!" They glance around the circle. "It was nice to see Ren again, too! I think he was off roleplaying with Martyn most of the time, though."

"I'm going to kill you," says the Bloody Victor, despairingly. "How is that fair?!"

"Life isn't fair," says the Scarlet Moon.

"Oh, you-"

"Can you shut up for five minutes," snaps the Red One.

As the bickering continues, the Coquelicot Loner and Ruby Star sidle up to Cleo, avoiding her wavering, eldritch outline.

"So!" says the Coquelicot Loner. "How's dad?"

Cleo gives him a look. "Scar," they say.

He holds up his hands. "Ok, ok! Just asking!"

She shakes her head, not without affection. "Is this really all you do here? Just stand around and irritate each other?"

"No!" says the Coquelicot Loner, seemingly deeply offended.

"Yeah, pretty much," says the Ruby Star.

"Ok well that's stupid," says Cleo.

"Yes," says the Red One, having extricated himself from the continuing altercation between the other two. "This is extremely stupid." He claps his hands, drawing everyone's attention and finally ending the argument, for now. "All in favour of erasing the past few minutes from existence and pretending none this ever happened?"

"Aye," says everyone but Cleo.

"What," says Cleo.

"It means you get to go home and you don't have to stands around in a circle with us lot for the rest of eternity," says the Scarlet Moon.

"Oh. Yeah, definitely do that," says Cleo.

"Wonderful," says the Red One, and clicks his fingers.

...

Five figures stand, solemn, at the celestial summit of nowhere. They discuss matters of great import, and observe the fragile gossamer thread that is all that surrounds them, and-

The Coquelicot Loner speaks. "Well, that was fun, wasn't it! Do you-"

"I thought we just agreed that didn't happen, Scar," snaps the Red One.

Oh, ok. Alright, they're arguing again.

Yeah, we probably don't have to stick around and listen to this any longer, either. I don't expect it's going to change anytime soon.

[gingiesworld]

Hello there! I was thinking about, Wanda and Yn being besties, but Yn was in love with her. Vision and Wanda were together. The time can be, when they finish high school and have to go to college.

So Vision heard a conversation Yn was having with Nat about being them being in love with Wanda but they wouldnt do nothing and he got angry and wait for them, he punched them and got cut on the cheek and said he will killed them if they were being still friends with Wanda.(well you can choose the injuries but not too much please) so yn chose to join the military for example and forget about everything, mostly Wanda. They get in touch with Nat. When they came back to where they used to leave they met Wanda again but she was so angry at them for leaving until she heard a talk from Nat and yn when they were talking about what happened and you know, she needed some time to think.

Too long, sorry hahaha

I have decided that this request will be better as maybe a two or three shot series. Thank you nonnie for the request and I hope you guys enjoy it.

Love Is Fickle

Wanda Maximoff x GN! Reader

Warnings: Angst. Violence.

18+ MINORS DNI

Everyone who knew Y/N and Wanda knew the two were inseparable. Especially growing up best of friends, but everyone who knew Y/N, knew they were in love with her. They always gazed at her like she was the most important thing in the world. They hung onto every word she spoke. They also saw how their heart broke when Wanda announced that she was now dating Vision. Especially with the end of the school year coming, Nat always felt the need to protect them, especially since their father, Captain Rogers was away on tour.

"You need to tell her Y/N." Nat told them, the two were stood in what they thought was an empty room at one of Tony Stark's fanous parties.

"I can't." They told her. "She is my best friend, I couldn't lose that over my feelings."

"You know I love you right, but I can't watch you torture yourself whenever you're around her. Especially when she doesn't seem to care about you as you do her." Nat rubbed her brow. "Listen Y/N, you need to move on from Wanda. I already know you have applied for NYU to go with her."

"Nat." Y/N tried.

"You're only hurting yourself." Nat told them before walking away, leaving Y/N alone. Neither realising that Vision had heard their conversation.

As the party went on, Vision gathered some of his friends as he watched Y/N like a hawk, wrapping his arms around Wanda who waved at her best friend. She watched as Y/N left through the crowd, towards the back yard.

"I'm just going to say hi to Victor." Vision kissed Wanda's cheek before disappeared through the crowd, following Y/N with his friends.

The back yard was empty, besides Y/N who just stood with there drink in their hand. Not realising that Vision and his friends stood behind them. Victor and Bobby grabbed Y/N from behind as Vision stood before them, a sly smirk on his face.

"I want you to stay away from Wanda." He told them as he threw a punch.

"She is my best friend." Y/N told him as he shook his head, throwing a second punch.

"She is my girlfriend. She will never love you." He spat at them as he continued to punch, Y/N was struggling to stay on their feet. "If I see you anywhere near my girl, I will kill you. Do you understand me?"

All Y/N could do was groan as they lay on the floor, bloodied and bruised. Of course their conversation with Nat had been overheard by Vision. Of course he knew how they truly felt for the brunette.

"Have you seen Y/N?" Nat asked Wanda who shook her head no. "I'm supposed to give them a ride home."

"Last I saw they were headed to the back." Wanda pointed as Vision returned to her side.

"Thank you Wanda." Nat made her way through the crowd, heading out to the back yard. She noticed it wasn't well lit like the rest of the house, but their wasn't really anyone out here. That was when she noticed someone lay on the ground. "Y/N?" She gasped when she saw their face. "Oh my god." She tried to wake them up when Tony came outside.

"What's going on Nat?" He asked her before his eyes landed on Y/N. "Come on. Let's get them in the pool house."

"I'm supposed to take them home." Nat told him as he sighed.

"We need to keep an eye on them." He told her. Remembering his first aid training. Laying them on the futon before disappearing to get a first aid kit and damp towels.

That was when Y/N started to distance themselves from Wanda. Even as the days went on, they had gotten their acceptance letter from NYU. Even though their mom was ecstatic, Y/N only felt pain in their chest. Wanda must have also gotten hers because they heard screaming from next door, and in no time, the door bell went.

"I got in!" Wanda screamed as Y/N gave her a sad smile. "Did you?"

"No." They lied to her, although Peggy never understood why they had lied to Wanda. It had been their dream to go to college together.

"That's ok. We got accepted into UCLA right. We can go there." Wanda told them as they shook their head no.

"You have dreamed of going to NYU, so go." Y/N told her.

"What about you?" Wanda asked as they shrugged.

"I guess I'll go to LA." They smiled at her. "Now go and celebrate with your boyfriend."

"But I want to celebrate with you." Wanda told them.

"I'm not really in the mood for celebrating right now." They told her with a gentle smile. She hugged them tight before she left their house.

"Why did you lie?" Peggy questioned as Y/N shrugged. "Does it have something to do with that boyfriend of hers?"

"It doesn't matter mama." Y/N told her as they headed upstairs, going on to their laptop, doing the one thing they knew they needed to do.

Wanda only noticed a couple of months after Y/N had disappeared, she had been busy with Vision who wasted no time in relishing in the absence of Y/N. So she went to the first person she could think of that may know something.

"Do you knew where Y/N is?" Wanda asked Nat who closed her locker.

"I don't." She lied. Of course she knew where Y/N was, but she promised them she wouldn't tell her. They also made Peggy promise not to mention where they were. Although she was proud of them, she was also disappointed.

As Graduation came, Y/N was still no where among the class, Wanda felt pain as she noticed their absence. They had dreamed of finishing high school together. Going to college together and maybe working together in the future.

Nat recieved letters from them over the years, from their training to going on tour. Lucky to return home whenever the college terms were in session and being gone before the breaks started. Nat also told them that Vision had broken up with her in their senior year. Nat wrote to them about all of the other things they had missed.

Although Wanda was pissed at Y/N for abandoning her, she missed her best friend. Especially when they just disappeared without a trace.

Y/N trudged the streets of Westview, walking down the familiar streets in their uniform, walking to the house they loved. Knocking on the door, only to be greeted by a crying Peggy.

"Hi mama." They smiled at her as she sighed. Wrapping her arms around her child. Although they had dropped out of school, she was still extremely proud of them.

"My baby." She cried as she hugged them tightly. "I missed you so much." She whispered when she pulled away to get a good look at them. "Your father should be home in a month or two."

"I know." Y/N smiled as they followed her inside. Smiling at how little their home had changed in the years they haven't been here.

"Have you spoken to Natasha?" Peggy asked as she made the two some tea, knowing that they haven't really kept in contact with Wanda.

"Yeah. I told her that I would be home." They told her as the doorbell rang. Y/N smiled as they went to open it to be wrapped in a hug by Natasha.

"I missed you soldier." She beamed as Y/N led her inside, Peggy walking in with two cups of tea before disappearing to make one for Natasha. "You have missed so much here. Tony and Pepper finally got engaged."

"Really?" Y/N questioned as Nat nodded as she thanked Peggy for the drink. "It's about time."

"I know." She smiled before she placed the cup down. "Also Tony found out that you're coming home today and decided to throw a party for you."

"Let me guess, you told him." They raised their brow as Nat turned to Peggy.

"Is this that English tea you have imported here?" She questioned as Y/N and Peggy chuckled.

"It is dear." She confirmed.

"Wow, it's really good." Nat smirked as she continued to drink before turning back to Y/N. "So we need to get you ready for tonight." Nat said as she took hers and Y/N's cup to the kitchen before dragging Y/N and their bag to their old room.

Just as they had followed Nat to their room, Wanda had knocked.

"Wanda, hi." Peggy smiled as she opened the door.

"Is Y/N home?" She questioned as Peggy just nodded, allowing Wanda inside who headed straight up to the room she used to spend a lot of her time when she was a kid. Freezing when she heard Nat's and Y/N's voices.

"Is Wanda doing ok?" Y/N questioned Nat.

"I think so." Nat answered. "I like to think she is but you left unexpectedly and then Vision."

"I hate that bastard." Y/N muttered. "I thought that if I had stepped away like he wanted me to, he would still treat her right and make her happy."

"He beat you up Y/N." Nat exclaimed. "He was the reason you left. You gave uo on your dream. Your's and Wanda's dream since you were kids!"

"I loved her then Nat!" They yelled at her. "I love her. I never really stopped but she will most likely hate me now!" They shrugged as Nat shook her head.

"She was hurt Y/N. You disappeared, without a word." Nat told them softly. "She didn't know why. She never got an explanation from you. Vision never even told her when he clearly knew what he had done."

Wanda let the tears escape as she heard their conversation. Wiping them quickly before she quickly bid her goodbye to Peggy and left. Heading home to her room, laying in her bed as she cried.

But she wasn't going to shy away from them. She wanted to see them. She needed to see them again. She wanted to hear it from them why they left. They owed her that.

So she made her way to the kitchen at the old Stark Mansion, grabbing a glass of wine as she leaned against the counter, waiting for Y/N who entered the kitchen with Nat beside them.

"Well, I thought I saw Carol back there." Nat said before she escaped as Y/N looked at Wanda with a nervous smile.

"Hi." They waved at her timidly before they grabbed a beer.

"We need to talk." She stated as she grabbed their hand. Leading them through to the back yard.

"You look good Wanda." Y/N smiled at her as they sipped their beer as Wanda shook her head.

"No. We are not doing that Y/N." She told them angrily. "I want answers. I want to know why you left. Why you just disappeared from the face of the earth. Why you lied to my face about getting in to NYU?" She spoke with tears in her eyes.

"I can't do that Wanda." Y/N told her.

"Why? Because of Vision?" She questioned as their eyes widened.

"How?" They started before she interrupted them.

"I overheard you and Nat earlier." Wanda told them. "My mom told me that she saw you come home and I wanted answers Y/N. I wanted to know why my best friend checked out on me before graduation. You abandoned our dream of college and maybe even working together! That was all you." She seethed as she poked their chest.

"I." Y/N sighed as they decided to tell her the truth. "He threatened me that night. At the party, he overheard a conversation between Nat and I and he found something out and he beat me up. He had Victor and Bobby hold me down while he punched me. Over and over again. Threatening me. He told me that he would kill me if I went anywhere near you."

"What did he find out?" Wanda asked them.

"It doesn't matter." Y/N shrugged as Wanda chuckled.

"It does matter. That is the whole reason why I lost you." Wanda told them. "So what did he find out?" She demanded as Y/N sighed, looking sadly in Wanda's eyes.

"He found out that I was in love with you. I still am in love with you." They watched as Wanda processed the information. "So I left. I dropped out and joined the military. I needed to get over you because you were never going to feel the same way." They stepped passed her. "Hell, it would be easier if you hate me." With that they walked away, leaving Wanda alone in the yard, thinking over everything she had just heard.

----------------------------------------------------

Hey beautiful people. I am going to make this into a two parter so keep your eye out for part two in the future. Happy reading guys and gays ;)

[withered-blossoms]

Snow Angels

WARNINGS: Death, witch hunts, indications of hurting people in cruel ways, burning of people (vague descriptions), bodies of the deceased, harsh injuries, mentions of blood

A/N: I participated in the 2024 Obey Me! Holiday Exchange held by @obeymeholidayexchange. This fic is a holiday gift for @rou2464 and contains spoilers for Obey Me! Nightbringer lesson 14-14 regarding Solomon’s backstory as it is pretty much my spin on his lore. It’s also a little long, around 9658 words.

Do what you will with this warning and I hope y’all enjoy it. Also, this fic is entirely fictional and does not represent my / any beliefs. Comments, likes and re-blogs are highly appreciated!

Immortality is not the blessing that the people make it out to be.

People often wish for what they do not have, and endlessly yearn for the impossible in hopes that they would be the unique, favoured exception to the rules binding each and every soul. Take the social hierarchy as an example. There is one, or a group, at the very apex. ‘The royals’ is what those below refer to them as. Then we have the nobles, and even they are split into levels depending on how prominent their families are. The commoners, making up the majority of the population, are bound to respect and obey the commands of those at the top. That is the general rule. They could very well have lived their entire lives, content with the peace and the ease of not having more lives than they could count on their shoulders.

But it is in the human nature to want more. To be greedy. To lay their eyes on what they do not currently have. And to seize it at the next opportunity that presents itself.

Just give it some thought. How many times in human history has the hierarchy been rearranged? How many rulers have been overthrown only to have the lesser of the two evils rise up the ranks? How many times had this have to repeat for the mortals to truly be content, from the bottom of their hearts no less?

Undeniably, quite a few have been out of necessity. But can one truly say that it was purely for the people’s sake that the victors took over the throne as the next rulers? To be in a position of near absolute power? To enjoy the view of having so many others below them? Of course not. After all, there will be a part of them that wanted to stand above all. And more often than not, they realise that with every pro comes a con.

Immortality is no different. Those who long for it only saw the rainbows and sunshine, but never the storm that has to be experienced. No matter how hard the mortals try, the scales are fair and must be balanced. It is simply foolish to try and escape the law of the universe, the one that demands balance and equivalence.

Just like how after the warmth comes the cold, and how the snow has arrived after the sun earlier this year. Blanketing the soil, it aims to cover all that the warmth had touched, be it living or non-living. To hold them in its chilling embrace and hope that it is just as desired as the heat, despite knowing otherwise. It can see how the mortals hid away in their cozy little abodes, huddling to keep out the cold, so imagine its surprise when it saw that one exception making a snow angel.

There, amongst the sea of white, laid an equally colourless figure, his vibrancy long bleached by the merciless tides of time. It left nothing behind but a blank slate, just as it was when it was first brought into the mortal world. He finds it ironic, that humans start out as pure white sheets of paper that are eventually coloured with memories. But what most tend to forget is that as the colours gradually overlapped and blended, white is all that forms. The longer the life, the more the memories, the emptier the canvas. Such was the cycle of life, a loop as complete as ever. Life is born from dust, and to dust it will return. How you start out is how you end up. He would know this better than anyone else; time, despite having stopped for him, still flows for those around him after all.

Those with lifespans often wish for an extension, be it limited or unlimited, for the fulfilment of their wishes. They wish to make up for the regrets staining their life, or to further fuel their procrastination. There is a plethora of reasons, and those making (clearly unbalanced) deals just to attain it are a dime a dozen. What remains the same though, is the fact that when they’ve truly attained it, the scales are there, waiting for them. The now immortal will then finally realise how heavy the weights they have to place on the other end are. That in order to gain all of life, they have to sacrifice everything in life. Their family, friends, freedom, choice.

Nevertheless, if he had a penny for every time a person begged him to reveal the secret to immortality, he would have been wealthy enough to buy the world at least five times over. Now now, Solomon is by no means an open-book. He’s learnt through the hard way in his younger, human days that displaying yourself for all to see is a fatal mistake. However, word will always spread, at an alarming speed no less. It would surprise you just how much sorcerers, even high-ranking ones, love to gossip. It was only due to the elusiveness of the Sorcerers’ Society that the man was not burnt at the stake by the commoners, though he did have to move quite a bit from how frequently those in power sought him out, attempting to pry the secret from his lips with vast amounts of gold and subsequently threats of exposure when he declined.

Now that he thought about it, he was indeed lucky to have loving parents, caring enough to not discard him the moment they found out about his innate powers. Loving enough to risk their lives for him. You see, back in the times where magic was seen as anything but pure and holy, being ostracised for even being related to such a heretic was the best fate one could have. It was thus not uncommon to see many of his kind huddling together for safety and comfort in cages, and put on display like circus animals. It would not be long till they were then given anything but a merciful end, though in his opinion it was better than them being subjected to decades of servitude. 

So, imagine the fear engulfing his parents when they stepped foot into a room with various floating objects and a giggling child entertaining himself. Old enough to know that magic is uncommon, but young enough to deem it mesmerising and beautiful. And as a child would, he pouted when a pair of hands grasped his, causing his fun to stop and thumps to echo throughout the house. With a swoosh, the curtains were drawn.

“Sol, my sweet child, never do that again."

His questioning gaze only served to increase the panic in their eyes, but the terror lacing her words was enough for him to dazedly nod. A sigh of relief was released from pursed lips and the woman rose to help her husband to check on the furniture their child had levitated for damage. He would then overhear his parents reassuring the concerned neighbours of his family’s safety the next day, not knowing that it was the last he would ever enjoy of his freedom.

News soon spread around that Solomon was down with a rather serious illness, one that was contagious. The people spoke in hushed whispers about how much of a pity it was for such a bright and adorable child to have been inflicted with such a disease and how his parents must have been devastated to see their son end up like that. But Solomon’s parents knew that time fades all. Eventually, the town will forget about the boy with the beautiful sky-blue eyes and Solomon will get to live. Thus, the couple turned away the visitors, as concerned and genuine as they were, thanking them for their well wishes and praying that they had let nothing slip.

Solomon, on the other hand, had not taken much of a liking to his new room. Sure, the basement had been cleaned and transformed into his new room, but it was dark. His only natural light source was the light streaming in through latticed windows and somewhat lit his room. All that were left now were but a basement, spacious but empty. Devoid of life, laughter, smiles. He missed his large glass windows, how illuminated his room was and the life outside. He yearned for the day him and his parents would be able to sit at the dinner table once more, chatting and giggling at the stories his father would share about his work. But it seems that day would never come.

His parents, sensing their child’s disappointment, were no less heartbroken. They tried to make up to him, moving their dinner nights to his room, spending as much time as they could with him. However, there was only so much they could do, and it was not before long until Solomon turned to magic for entertainment once more. After all, if there was one good thing that came out of this, it would be the extra space he got and the lack of prying eyes. He supposes that in a way, he had traded one freedom for another; childhood for magic. And maybe, just maybe, he would not have it any other way.

His inner child begged to differ, though he chose to turn a blind eye in denial.

Despite his parents’ worries, they decided to let him be. They may be terrified about potential discovery, but they would rather he be strong enough to break free from future hunters or even captors. Hence, in a silent promise, the two took to covering for their son while he slowly mastered his powers. It comforted them just how quickly he learnt and Solomon was happy to spend time with the two things he loved. He, too, slowly understood the reason why he was confined to the basement, never to see the light of day again, and hated it. So, he vowed to become stronger, to prove that magic could be used for good and to dispel the people’s fear.

Just as Solomon had mentally prepared for his ‘eternal solitude’, a pair of feet popped up near his window. He knew that children tended to approach the woods across his window and had completely forgotten that humans, just like all life, were naturally drawn to the light. The subtle flashes of light coming from his window might as well have been from a disco party if his times had that, so in hindsight he honestly should not have been surprised that they were guided here.

How had he never noticed the light from his spells was a problem to solve later, for he had a visitor and it was not a welcome one. The piercing shriek they let out upon discovering a pair of curious blue eyes staring back at them from a basement was sure to draw unwanted attention, so Solomon clambered back down and laid on his bed.

Readying a banishing spell in the hand hidden in his blankets, he coughed a few times, hoping to pass off as sickly and frail. The new face then tilted their head curiously and tapped at his windows, “Who are you? Are you the child with the serious illness?”

“Serious… yes I am–” Solomon cut himself off, feigning a cough to hide the fact that he nearly forgot the story his parents made up for him. He sheepishly turned his head away, not willing to face them, but that only made them even more concerned.

“Man… it is that serious?” The other child had murmured, bright eyes filling with pity, “You should be out here playing with me an’ the others, not stuck in a dark room all day.” “Wish I could, but I can’t. It is contagious.” Relaxing only slightly, he eyed them warily. There was no way he was trusting this random stranger who had popped up, and he would never risk his family’s life. He needed to scare them off, and what better than the threat of contamination?

“Eh, I ain’t scareda that! You can’t scare me; we’re practically of the same age from what I can tell!” They way they waved their hand dismissively drew a chuckle from Solomon. He knew not how they managed to spot his window since it was rather well-disguised, but he cared not. A few years of not touching grass was enough for his young heart to yearn for a friend, and a friendship thus blossomed. They chatted for a while, getting to know each other before the child’s parents called for them. Scrambling to get up, they brushed the dirt from their pants and waved, a promise of visiting soon spilling softly from their lips.

This new friend would show up once in a while and Solomon has since taken to practising his magic with a board to his window. Every time the new friend showed up, they would knock six times on his window; three short and three long. It was a secret code they kept close to their hearts and Solomon would tidy everything up with magic, check that there were no traces of his practice and allowed the light to stream into his room once more. The other child had already plopped themself down, a pouch in one hand and shiny rocks tumbling into the other. “Ain’t this cool? I found this on the ground an’ it’s shiny! Has a pretty colour too!” A clear crystal with light orange fading to sky blue was excitedly shoved up in his face and it was only because of his window that it did not end up in his nostrils. He observed it, feeling that the colours looked familiar but he couldn’t tell why.

“Don’t’cha think it’s the colour o’ your eyes? That’s the main reason why I picked it up by the way! The orange looks exactly like how the sunset did when reflected in your blue eyes!” And there it was, the unknown reason. “How did you know what the colour of my eyes were?” Solomon asked, not believing that a person could clearly see his eyes when he was in a room so dimly lit.

“Don’t be silly! O’course I know the colour of your eyes. They’re the first thing I noticed after all!” They grinned triumphantly, “My parents say I’m an observant one all the time, and they would never lie t’me! You can have this if you want, I did pick it up because of you.”

Solomon could not deny his friend of this gift, not when he wanted it as well. It’s been so long since he’s received such a heartfelt gift from people his age, the last time being…. well, last time. How should he react? How did his fellow children react in such a situation? Do they cheer? Hug? Smile? He did not know. But what he did know was that he could not afford to draw attention to them both right now, and so he settled for giving them a bright, sincere smile in return. “I’ll take it, thank you so much! You can leave it near my window, I’ll grab it later.”

For a little while, he received no response and tilted his head in curiosity. Had he offended them somehow? Was this not how the other kids reacted from what he observed through his window? Was his reaction too mundane, too cold? Was this friendship going to end? Even worse, if so, will they tattle and bring about his family’s demise? Their stunned expression only served to fuel the flames of his anxiety, and a slew of apologies was on the tip of his tongue, ready to spill from his lips.

“You smiled! You actually smiled! You should smile more ya know? You look very handsome when you smile.” They leaned in a bit closer to see his face better, almost squishing theirs against the glass. The sparkles in their eyes made him blush, a mixture of embarrassment and awkwardness, and he could only stammer out what he hoped would be a socially acceptable reply, “T-thank you, yours is very bright as well.”

“That’s what my friends said too! It’s such a shame you can’t play with us though, I’d love to introduce you to them sometime. You’d fit in so well! I just know it.”

“I’d actually prefer if you did not. Having too many visitors is bad for my health.”

A sad sigh ended the conversation, though the other child quickly brightened up at the suggestion of the friendship being something akin to a secret for theirs to keep. “Aw yeah! This makes us so much cooler than the rest!” And with that, the two continued their daily exchange till the sun started to set and the child went home. As soon as they were out of sight, Solomon pleaded for his parents to bring him the beautiful crystal sitting beside his window and they had agreed on the condition that he be more careful.

If the world was a huge vat of dye, then Solomon would be a piece of cloth, pure and clean as the snow that soon arrived. In such times, none are fully trustworthy, and it wasn’t a risk they could afford to take.  As much as the couple understood that it was a lesson that Solomon had yet to learn, they did not have the heart to taint his innocence. Pair that with his puppy eyes and his parents’ resolve stood no chance. But they were rather confident in their child. He had always been a cautious one since young, who loved his family enough to try his best, and for now that was enough.

Solomon, too, thought that he would understand the ‘adult world’ once he became one, but fate had a cruel appetite for the good that happened to people. And it so happened that he had been selected as the sacrificial lamb.

Just a few days ago, his friend had showed him how to make a snow angel and he had laughed at the silliness of it all. “Look! This is how you make a snow angel!” They had chirped, flopping backwards onto the snow and spreading their arms and legs till they had dug a shallow human-shaped hole. Due to the angle of his window, Solomon could not see the hole in its entirety, but he could tell that it vaguely resembled the holy ones he’d constantly hear about.

“That looks fun! I should try it sometime.”

“You should! I can’t wait for you to get better so we can have a snow angel making competition! The one who makes the biggest snow angel will win!”

“Oh, you best believe I’ll beat you in that! Mother says I’ve been growing taller recently.”

“Hmph, I’ve been growing too! Dad says I’m a few inches taller now.”

The little banter was then wrapped up with tongues playfully stuck out at each other and was soon replaced with bursts of laughter. “But in all seriousness, I really do want to play with you outside someday. Who knows? We might even create the largest snow angel one day!” “Yeah, I can’t wait for that day either!” A vow was made and that day, Solomon learnt how to make a pinkie promise. A new experience to add to his diary, he grins. Having a best friend was truly fun, and he truly looked forward to the days filled with snow angels and snowball fights. He’d never like the heat much, so he’s confident he would fare well in snowy weather.

Solomon then went on his days merrily, preparing a birthday gift for his dear friend. It was their birthday and he had been anticipating their presence since the crack of dawn. It was the first time excitement had robbed him of his sleep, and he jotted this incident down in his little diary as well. The journal was pretty much running out of pages with the sheer number of new experiences his best pal had brought him and he made a mental note to ask his parents for a new one.

So this was what it was like to have a best friend, he realised. To have someone laugh and cry with you, to lift your mood when you’re down and to help you see the world when you couldn’t. He cherished every second of their friendship, and it showed in his gift. In return for their crystal last time, he had picked one according to the colour of their eyes as well; one with a gorgeous shade of emerald that gradually transitioned into a yellow as bright as their presence. He has thought it a perfect combination; one colour representing the eyes that held so much hope for the world and one colour to represent said sunshine child. There was no better gift than this one, Solomon was sure.

The seconds soon ticked by, yet even when the sun had started to set, that bouncing ball of excitement was nowhere to be seen. A growing fear was gnawing at the back of his mind and his stomach was in knots. Something was wrong and he could not pinpoint just exactly what. His intuition had never been one to lead him astray and that only served to make him more anxious.

‘Perhaps they had something to do today.’ ‘Maybe they got caught up in celebrating with the others. Everything is fine, Sol, don’t worry about it.’ ‘But they promised they would make time for me today as well and they have never gone back on their word. Could they truly have forgotten?’ A green monster reared its ugly head, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

Solomon did not realise, but currently he was feeling jealous. Jealous that they had other friends, jealous of those who distracted his friend so much that he was shoved to the side, but mainly of the fact that he couldn’t cheer birthday wishes alongside them.

When Solomon finally noticed his scowl in the reflection of his window, he was taken aback. Since when was he capable of such twisted expressions? He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Now is not the time to get distracted, Solomon. He had to figure out where his friend was, and only then did he pick up on the eerie silence of the town. Where was the hustle and bustle? Where were the kids playing tag on the streets? The houses usually lit were now dark, and the chimneys were not spitting smoke like they used to. Something was off and his mind demanded to know what.

Hurrying out of his room, he eventually reached his parents after making sure that there was no one over. The concern was unnecessary; the townspeople avoided their house the moment they caught wind of his supposed ‘illness’ anyways, but it was better safe than sorry.

“Mother, father, they haven’t shown up and it’s been a day.” He urged, grabbing his mother’s sleeve gently. His parents knew just how much he had been looking forward to this day and had been the ones to help him find that crystal; surely they’d help him get hold of his friend. In his urgency however, he had missed the flash of guilt in her eyes and the aversion of his father’s now heavy gaze, only focused on asking for their help.

Before he could plead for them to check up on his friend, his mother got up and directed him to the basement instead, a strained smile pulling at her lips, “It would be rude of me to show up to their house uninvited and without prior notification, dear, especially on such a day.”

His father nodded in agreement, chipping in his suggestion, “Why don’t I deliver the gift for you if they still don’t show up tomorrow?” The feigned strength in his father’s voice did not go unnoticed, but the young child passed it off as mere fatigue. “It’s alright, thank you.” He sighed, turning away in disappointment. The next second though, his ears caught a faint cacophony of voices from the outside world and he could not help but run towards the windows.

‘The answers to your fears are there!’ His intuition screamed, ‘the truth is about to be revealed!’  What it failed to let him know, however, was that it was a truth he could never handle at his age, mental and physical.

The couple could not grab Solomon in time. For a child who spent his current life cooped up in an underground space, Solomon was surprisingly agile. Well, for the adults anyways. Only the child himself knew that he had also been working on his physical health and strength all this time. Strong powers demand strong vessels, he was not about to try his luck with the next spell he cast.

The burst of speed he gained from curiosity was immediately lost when he spotted the tendrils of smoke clawing their way into the sky. Various torches lit up the city square, and the usually peaceful citizens were now huddled in a circle, thumping their pitchforks against the ground and demanding for evil to be banished.

‘Evil? What evil?’ Solomon wondered, not having seen any malicious entities around in the town lately. The crowd parted slightly, but the little gaps were more than enough for him to spot said ‘evil’.

There, tied up to a stake, was his friend.

Their clothes were tattered, and gaping streaks of red took the place of the rips in the cloth. Bruises littered their skin and their hair was sticking in all directions; the crystal-clear result of harsh pulling. The poor child looked completely disheveled; their eyes devoid of the light they once held, their parents equally unkempt and displayed for all to see. Their once dear neighbours, friends and even relatives were now spitting from sidelines, disgust lining their features as they screamed curses.

“Burn, you heretics! You should not roam the very earth we step on! How dare you try to take over our space after conquering the depths below!”

“How dare you even come up to the surface and even bring that hell-spawn along with you?! You should have rotted in the very depths of where you spawned from!”

“I knew something was up with that little bastard the moment it showed off a rock to my child! Turns out that blue an’ orange stone was magical; it was trying to lure and drag my child down with it! Not on my watch!”

“These wretched beings tried to lure children? How despicable! We must send them down at once!”

Each word spat out drove the dagger deeper into the rope known as Solomon’s sanity. That stone was magical? His friend was a mage? No, that could not be. He could not sense any traces of such powers from the other child and he had always been a sensitive one to such matters. His friend was not a mage!

Clearly, the accused family tried to say the same. Vehemently denying that they were practitioners, trying to reason with the people. “We do not have magic! You’ve never even seen us do magic!” But how could logic ever appease the rage of the villagers? Humans choose to believe what their eyes see and deny the existence of what they did not. Out of the fear of the unknown, they choose to turn a blind eye to justice, to innocence, and most importantly, to the lives of the condemned.

Before his thoughts could spiral, calloused hands filled his vision and he was slowly pulled away. “Don’t look, Sol! We… tried to save them from the sidelines, but they were discovered halfway.” A deep voice full of regrets sounded, followed by the drawing of curtains. “They are neither mages nor witches! They don’t have any magical abilities!” Solomon exclaimed once he had snapped out of his daze, trembling as it finally dawned on him. His friend and consequently their family had been condemned to death because of him. It was all because of one stupid crystal the colour of his eyes.

He had caused their suffering.

His parents released him, pained by the agony in their son’s words. They were powerless to stop all that is happening as much as they wished they could. But there was no way two mere mortals could ever hope to defeat a raging, pitchfork-wielding crowd. All they could do was to comfort their son and pray that the other family would be given a quick release. However, it seems that their son had other thoughts.

The slamming of the doorknob against the wall was all that was left of Solomon; the boy having rushed out as quickly as his slippers could carry him. He had thought about using his powers to somehow save them, be it teleportation magic or perhaps some optical illusion.

Yet he was well aware that it would only serve to make their lives worse. He could only help them hide for a short while but not forever. Word will still spread and bounties will still be set up. His best friend, a beautiful ray of sunshine, ever so kind and understanding, would be subjected to a fate worse than his. Never to see and enjoy the surface life, having to live by scraps like sewer rats as the people scorned and dragged their names through the dirt.

They did not deserve that.

Solomon thus chose the safer option of squeezing through the crowd and screaming at the mayor. “They are innocent!” he yelled, “They do not have magical powers!” That sudden interruption successfully stopped the adults who retracted their torches before they could accidentally burn an innocent child currently blocking their path. “Whose son is this? Children are seen, not heard, boy! Besides, how can you prove that they are not from the underground?” The mayor questioned, the scowl on his face deepening as noises of agreement echoed from the crowd. From the corner of his eye, he saw their eyes light up, but they soon shook their head slightly at him. Their parents were no different, eyes full of worry for HIS safety. They were already tied to stakes, at death’s door and yet this family was worried about HIS fate?

No wonder they say “like child, like parent”. He could definitely see where that kindness came from and it only made him even more determined to stop this tragedy from taking place. There was no way he was going to watch that light be snuffed out, not over his dead body.

“Haven’t all of you known them for years? Never once had you seen them doing witchy stuff, have you? Mmph–!”

“My apologies, he’s currently feverish and disorientated. We will watch over him better.” His mother gave an apologetic smile as his father picked the struggling child up. “Hmph, watch your child before he gets burned by accident. We ain’t takin’ any responsibility fo’ that!” With that, the crowd turned to the three supposed criminals.

“The time to send these demons back to their creator is here! Pray, for their salvation, for them to be cleansed by the holy flames, for them to become holy and angelic instead. Pray, for their rebirth as a clean and pure being!” The wood beneath their feet were subsequently lit, and the family’s silhouettes were gradually engulfed by the smoke. The crowd quietened down, choosing to witness this punishment in silence.

“Mama, are they going to be snow angels now? Since the flames are cleansing their souls and helping them become angelic?” A voice filled with innocent youth rang out, successfully stopping the boy struggling in his parents’ arms. All this time, Solomon had watched on, wanting but not bearing to bite down on his father’s hand. Tears had spilled over from his eyes and streamed down his cheeks in large droplets as his screams were muffled to the best of abilities.

But hearing those words made something snap in him. So, he went limp, bangs covering his dull blue eyes. His parents could only hold him closer, trying not to let their own masks crack. The people would get suspicious if even the adults in their family were seemingly mourning for the ‘evil’, so his parents could not express their sadness nor guilt for being unable to repay the good shown to their family.

Snow angels? Calling them that just because they were being cleansed and turned ‘angelic’ in snowy weather? How could this child watch such a cruel sight with excited eyes and still say such dim-witted and disgusting words? She was but a little over half his age; had she already become a bloodthirsty abomination like the rest of them? The adults were even more revolting, since it was only due to their influence that the children had turned out like that. Unmoving, unblinking as they watched fellow, live humans turn into charred, unrecognizable corpses before them.

But the one he loathed the most? Those who started this trend of executing people for magic, even without concrete evidence that they actually had any. How could anyone even stand for this? Mages, sorcerers nor witches alike harmed people. Well, most didn’t if the receiver did not deserve it. Even if they did, chances are the ‘victim’ had committed some sort of crime heinous enough to incur the wrath of those wielding such powers. Even so, the true victims are always villanised and the innocent have their blood spilled. ‘People like that do not deserve to co-exist with the good,’ he thinks.

He then remembered the promise made to this friend of his, back when they had discovered his magic and had voluntarily been sworn into secrecy, that he would be an amazing sorcerer who served humanity and the greater good. That he would help humanity reach greater heights and eventually humans would not be powerless compared to other life anymore. That those with magic and those without will live together in peace and harmony. The ones with magic will be in charge of the protection of their residential areas and those without will be able to focus on food production and other areas necessary for survival. The entire population be able to thrive and none will be condemned for something they did not choose again.

But were these the sort of people he wanted to protect? To help them prosper and live only for them to kill more of his kind and accuse those they needed to get rid of or despised of something they were never born with? Was he willing to protect the murderers while the murdered hollered their woes into the night?

In that split second, he decided ‘No’. This was not the humanity he wanted to lend a helping hand to. These vile beasts in humans’ clothing will not be part of the humanity he envisioned. They deserved neither his future protection nor efforts, and he will make sure that they know it.

With a raise of a finger so slight it could be passed off as a twitch, he extinguished the flames before the tortured cries could continue. Confused murmurs soon came from the crowd, and those at the front tried to light the wood again. Despite multiple attempts, not even a single spark could get the fire going and a frustrated kick sent some of the branches skidding across the harsh gravel.

Solomon’s parents had a feeling that somehow, just somehow, this may have been their son’s doing. No reaction came from the boy, and they had no evidence. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have said anything anyways. But a temporary solution was not enough, and the civilians were obviously upset about having their ‘fun’ end. Even without fire, there were plenty of ways the family could suffer, each crueler than the last.

Solomon knew this. He also knew that he was not powerful enough to pull off any major spells despite his daily practice. There were no books he could consult, for those were seen as evil traps used to lure innocent souls. He could only rely on his active imagination and was relatively successful for the most part. And yet there was a limit to the power he currently wielded. He just was not strong enough to truly save them from the hands of the vile.

He had never felt so powerless before and neither had he loathed himself as much as he did in this moment. Wide, blue eyes could only watch as the mayor grabbed a pitchfork from a farmer and readied himself to carry out the sentence. It felt as if time had been slowed down, the seconds turning into hours as he struggled once more, a hand reaching out for the one who had never left his side and had opened his eyes to a new world.

They felt so far and yet so near; would he be able to save them after all?

A bright flash blinded all that were gathered in the town square before they found themselves floored, quite literally. What Solomon had yet to learn but did in this moment was that emotions were very much capable of unlocking one’s potential, something he had tons of. Only able to stare at his hands in wonder, he surveyed the surroundings and to his horror, he found that the people had been thrown backwards by the sheer strength of his magic, and most if not all of them were unconscious. His parents were, fortunately, unharmed for the most part, but were also sprawled and unmoving like the rest.

His friend and their parents were more fortunate, for the stake had prevented them from being blown away. It, however, did not shield them from the resulting disorientation and Solomon took the chance to free them from their binds. None were in good condition, but his friend’s concerned him the most. Just the sight of their fresh and old wounds was enough to make his skin crawl and he had to hold back the bile rising up his throat. The priority was not how he felt right now, neither was it the visual assault his eyes had just taken. He had to get them all away before the others regained their consciousness, and so he did. Or well, tried, at least.

“I’m so sorry but please, if you can stand, follow me to the best of your abilities! I…am not sure for how long they will stay down and your injuries require urgent treatment!” He had whispered, shaky hands trying to find a good spot on his friend’s skin only to find absolutely none.

As expected, the three were no longer capable of standing without support and could only lay where Solomon had carefully lowered them to the ground after releasing them. The two adults were shocked to see that Solomon had magical powers, but soon smiled.

“That… was why they said you were sick.” “It matters not, I would have done the same.” Their parents mumbled, the words slurred from pain and exhaustion. “Run, child… bring ours and go. I’m afraid we do not have long.” The lady spoke and the sir nodded, lifting a hand to stroke his child’s cheek and the fingers of his other intertwined with his wife’s.

The stunned silence coming from Solomon was broken by the sniffles from the friend laying in his arms, them grabbing onto their father’s wrist with bloody hands. “Sol, my friend, please do not separate me from my mom and dad! Save them, save them!” They had sobbed, partly due to the salt entering their wounds but mainly due to their fate.

Solomon, with all his being, wished he could save them, but there was nothing he could do. All he knew were spells for minor cuts and scrapes, nowhere enough for areas of broken skin this large. That did not stop him though. He had the option to try and he was going to take it.

He could, and so he would. Like how he knew could try to save this family, and so he did.

Letting the powers flow from his fingertips as spells left his lips in silent chants, he watched as their pained expressions relaxed a tiny bit. It comforted him, though not by much. Their lives were still slipping from his hands like grains of sand with each passing minute, yet they’re choosing to use their last moments to urge him to leave them and to run before he’s next on their hitlist.

“Child, please. Go! Spend no more of your time on us and leave. Run as far as you can!”

“We are already a lost cause … we genuinely do not have much longer. Don’t waste your energy on us and go!”

“Sol, my best pal, mom and dad are right, jus’ go!” A harsh cough interrupted their words, and they watched in despair as their parents’ eyes slowly closed, hands intertwined with each other’s and their child’s. With one last murmur of a promise to meet in their next life and apologies for their sweet child, they were truly gone. The couple had brought nothing but their family to the afterlife, yet they gave and left so much for this unjust world to take. ‘The world does not deserve any of their possessions.’ Solomon thinks, but he knew better than to think that the greedy bastards in his town would leave their belongings be.

Despite their most precious belonging laying in his arms, he could not see his friend clearly through the tears blurring his eyes. He had already set their fate in stone and was unable to save their loved ones; the least he could do right now was to ensure their survival. Thus, the young boy shook his head and wiped at his tears haphazardly with his sleeve. “I’m not abandoning you! I… I could not save your parents, but I can save you!”

He had to, he must! He will do whatever he takes to at least do something good to repay this family for their acceptance! He could save them; he just knew it!

A hand tousling his hair stopped his ministrations and he soon felt his pinky being pulled at.

“Sol…I beg of you…” He looked up from the injury he was working on, large droplets still flowing from his eyes helplessly. Why? Why was he crying now?! The only purpose that these stupid tears would serve now was to blur his vision when his job right now depended so much on his sight! He needed to save his friend, not cry like a little baby!

“Hey… Sol… don’t cry.” They laughed a little, the huff being cut off by another coughing fit. “Never thought I’d see ya cry, but here we are. Shame… that it was in this sorta situation huh? You crybaby.”

Crybaby? He gaped at them, absolutely flabbergasted. “M-me? Crybaby? You’re practically dying and you’re calling me a crybaby? How could you?!” He yelled, trying to pour more of his powers into his fingertips. Watching the boy cry rivers was definitely not on his friend’s birthday bingo card this year. Seeing his tears made them want to sob alongside him, but they did not want to leave crying, so they pulled a little harder on his pinky, hooking theirs with his.

“Fine, fine, you ain’t one… but Sol…I feel so tired. So…very tired. I wanna sleep with my mom and dad. You’ll grant me that birthday wish, won’t you? Consider it my last request for ya.” Their cracked lips pulled back into an exhausted smile, “Promise me you’ll live and become a good sorcerer… for us humans yeah? Who knows? One day… I might come back to you, make the largest snow angel… and snatch your title of the strongest sorcerer!”

“Psh, as if I’d let you take both titles from me.” He huffed, trying to smile back as he gently laid them down between their parents. He wanted to tell them to stay up a bit more, to refuse the invitation to dreamland. But as always, they had successfully managed to distract him from his woes and sadness. He couldn’t bear to ruin the mood they worked so hard to lift either, so he settled for tightening his pinky’s grip on theirs. “I promise.”

“Also, here is your gift.” He took out the crystal he had prepared as their birthday gift. “Doesn’t –” He choked up, turning away to recomposed himself, “D- doesn’t it match the colour of your eyes? E-even the shade of green i-is the same.” A wobbly smile appeared on Solomon’s face, but even he could tell that this smile was ugly. How beautiful would a smile be when his facial features were twisted up in a fight to take control, to either display sadness or happiness?

He was sure that his face was covered in tears and snot. He didn’t care though. He wanted to send his friend off with the smile they had said was handsome even if his heart was bleeding tears. Solomon knew that that was what they would have wanted and he was not one to deny their wish.  

The other child gave a short puff of laughter. “Yeah, it does. It’s pretty like my eyes…” All they got was a watery eye-roll in return, but they wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.

“You still have that stone… I gave ya?” Their dull green eyes now flitted to the pendant underneath his shirt, recognizing the imprint of their gift. “You should toss it out… they’ll go nuts and burn ya… for being a witch with a magical stone."

Solomon shook his head stubbornly, refusing to toss out the last momento he had of his very first friend.

“Save yourself and your mom and dad, Solomon... Live on and don’t end up like me…but if you can, become a good sorcerer and help others like my family.” They forced out with their last breath, head turning to face their parents as their eyes closed. Their last tear plopped onto the snow, incredibly loud in the mournful silence.

It was their last call for help, last resistance to the world which sought their lives.

The child had finally passed, a peaceful smile on their face as the life slipped from their eyes, leaving nothing but an empty vessel.

“I promise.” A choked whispers sounded out, echoing through the snowy night. Without the need to put up a front, he was free to express his sorrow.

So, the child let himself wail, placing the birthday present in his friend’s pocket. He cried and sobbed, letting his pain shake the heavens and earth. He screamed at the injustice of it all and let the words fall from his lips. His demands of justice and fairness went unheard, just as it had for others before his friend. It was a miracle that his shrieks of rage failed to wake the unconscious perpetrators; snowflakes littering their forms and melting after. He wailed, till his throat was raw and only then did he get up and gathered the remnants of his strength. He should at least give them a somewhat proper burial, even if snow was not the best option.

He simply did not have the strength to drag them to the woods despite knowing that their bodies would not be spared; the healing had sapped him of his power and there was no time to rest as he usually could. Thus, he did his best to see his friend off. To make their last moments a joyful experience. It was the least he could do when he couldn’t take or lessen their pain. His friend appreciated and loved it nevertheless, he was sure.

He then hoped, ironically, that they will become an angel, preferably of the snow. They were born in snowy weather, and now to snow they will return.

A silent prayer left his lips before the child was down. As his vision faded, he could not help but think. ‘Why were the angels watching this not helping the innocent? Why were they allowing such cruelty to happen?’ He simply did not understand. Weren’t they supposed to be good, preach good and do good? Then why were people killed for something innate? Something they did not choose? His brain could not figure out the answer, choosing to relax his body and lure him into a deep sleep instead. They would need the energy for the chaos unfolding afterwards, it was sure.

As expected, when the townspeople woke up, they were shocked at the disappearance of the criminals. A search party was unnecessary, however, since one tripped over the three piles of snow and revealed the ‘witches’ they were about to search for. Not willing to give the deceased a proper rest, the bodies were carelessly thrown into the woods for nature to do its job while attention was turned back to the unconscious.

Solomon, on the other hand, had thankfully woken up later than the adults had. They had assumed that he was attacked by the three evils upon seeing the blood staining his clothes and had urged his parents, now awake, to take him back home for treatment. His parents then carried him home, both concerned and fearing that they would be next. The couple was thankfully wise enough to removed his pendant and hide it before the town’s doctor had woken up, knowing that the townspeople would send the doctor their way first since Solomon’s appearance was rather bloody.

The boy turned out to be fine, the doctor said, he just needed plenty of rest after the “horrifying attack” he’s experienced. His parents heaved a sigh of relief and saw the doctor off, rambling about how grateful they were for God’s blessing and how their son managed to survive an evil attack unharmed. It was all a bunch of nonsense, but clearly convincing enough for pity to fill the doctor’s eyes as he patted Solomon’s father on the shoulder, all the while reminding them to pray more.

The next few days were incredibly dull for Solomon. The boy had stared at his hands blankly after regaining consciousness, still trying to process his emotions. His parents tried their best to comfort him to no avail; he was unmoving and unresponsive. With a sigh, they could only leave him to his devices and allow him to grieve.

Having gained some personal space and time, Solomon took to watching the snow fall. He wondered if his friend and their parents had been discovered. If so, what happened to their bodies? Their estate? He did not know. No one would tell him either. Closure was not given and would never be given.

He didn’t want to know either.

A sparkle in the snow by his window caught his eye and his eyes focused on the object. Laying in the snow was the crystal he’d given to his friend, shiny and polished as ever. The colours were ever so vibrant, still the same emerald and yellow combination. He had to do a double take and rub his eyes to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. There was no way this was real; he had already given it to his friend so why was it here? Were they in the woods?

He wanted to know. He had to know!

He grabbed the crystal and called for his parents, frantically explaining to them that he’d found his gift near the window and how the other family must’ve been thrown into the woods if the crystal ended up here. He pleaded and begged for them to at least check if the deceased were indeed there and to at least give him some closure, but all he got were regretful sighs.

“There was nothing left, son. There is nothing in the woods. Even if they were left there, surely the animals had taken them. You know how nature does its job.”

There it was, the cold hard truth. The one Solomon needed to hear. Their hearts ached at his pain, but he deserved to know as much as they did. Escorting the numb boy back to his room, they allowed him to keep the crystal and gave back his. Solomon could only force out a ‘thank you’ to his parents before sitting on his bed and gazing at the two crystals in his hand. These ‘rocks’ were all his powers saved.

At least he got to save another piece of them, he thinks bitterly. ‘How utterly useless. What do I need these powers for if I can’t even use them to protect the ones I want?'

‘…If the more powerful entities refuse to protect the innocent, then I shall become powerful and take on the role.’

‘One day, just one day, I’ll be able to defend the innocent from those wishing harm upon them. No matter how long it takes.’

That was the start of Solomon’s self-taught magical journey. His grimoires increased in number, but his diary remained single and locked up. No longer did he watch and observe the outside world, but spent his time practicing and mastering spells, particularly healing and teleportation spells. The sunlight would no longer stream in through that one tiny window; it’s not like it had any way to.

Without the sun to remind him of the time, he relied on his Circadian rhythm to remind him to rest. But even that was ruined when he started to push himself past his physical and mental limits, so the only way he’d rest was when his body forced him to. At the very least, his body could refuse to support him through his stubbornness and he would finally allow himself to slumber.

Sometimes, he would see his friend in his dreams, smiling and laughing, donning beautiful wings of ice and a shining halo on their head. They’d grab his hand and pull him, the two falling into the snow and making snow angels. ‘A snow angel making a snow angel.’ He’d laugh in such dreams, causing his friend to throw a snowball in his face. Of course, he’d reciprocate and a snowball fight would commence.

Those were the most beautiful dreams he’d had, but reality would soon deliver a harsh smack to his face and wake him up. This cycle would repeat till his adulthood, and only then did he truly start to move on.

Or so he thought.

Funnily enough, when he had turned himself immortal on that one fateful day, orange crept up the bottom of his irises and created a beautiful gradient. Even the shade of orange was exactly the same as the stone he was gifted. As for the crystals, he had taken to making pendants out of them, wearing them and roaming fearlessly in the human world.

It was a silent challenge to the world, for them to come and banish him for supposed magical stones as they had his friend. He’d protect these crystals with his unlimited life anyways.

Now his eyes could perfectly match his gift even without a sunset. He wondered how his friend would feel. Would they be happy? Sad that he had perhaps subjected himself to a fate worse than death? Would they finally come down to chide him for his silly magical mistake? Or would they try and steal his future title of ‘strongest sorcerer’ as promised?

Perhaps they would, but he should focus on his skills for now. He would rather they not show up when he’s still this… weak. When the day comes, he’d be sure to make them gape at his magical prowess and have them be his disciple. He’ll then be able to teach them, helping them grow just as they had him, and he’ll finally repay them as he’d always wanted.

Until then, he’ll wait for them. He’s always been a patient one anyways; a lifetime was nothing to an immortal like him.

However, as the years went by, his hair faded to white and the blue of his eyes faded to a dull grey. He could only pray that his friend recognised the crystals they’d exchanged, now hanging from his neck from a necklace. Surely they’d spot the crystals; their’s was hung right over his heart, and his over his core.

“Achoo!”

A sneeze escapes him and conveniently cuts short his trip down memory lane. ‘Goodness me,’ he thinks, ‘how long have I been laying here for?’ Nature answered with a gentle snowflake to his nose, drawing his attention to the slightly red organ. It’s getting cold. It would not be wise of him to stay out too long. His thermoreceptors are still working fine, and he’d rather they stay that way.

Oh well. At least they didn’t take the tea back. It would most definitely go well with Luke’s baking.

Perhaps a cup of tea would do the trick, he thinks. The other human exchange student had just given him a few bags the other day, all the while asking him where he got ‘the pretty green and yellow crystal’. They would love to get one, they’d said. But Solomon could only let them down, saying it was one-of-a-kind.

[calaisreno]

Self-Rec Thingy

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. spread the self-love ❤

Thank you @plaidadder for tagging me! I'm borrowing your idea: I have more than five series, but I'm picking one of my less-read stories from each of five:

From JustJohnlock, I've picked an oldie: Invisible Man : John and Sherlock have dinner with a client; John suspects that it's not just dinner: It occurred to John, as he watched Sherlock smile at Victor, that maybe he hadn’t understood anything. He understood that he loved Sherlock, and thought Sherlock felt the same. But what if Sherlock had an entirely different understanding of what they meant to one another?

From Speculative Shorts, the story I've chosen is The Woods : At night, anything you imagine can happen in the woods. A kidlock fic, featuring John and the strange goat-boy he meets in the woods who calls himself Pan.

From Many Happy Returns: The Telltale Heart : The human heart is an amazing organ. Not a horror story, but a fable. (Reichenbach Return) And @helloliriels has done a podfic!

From Off-Axis, I've chosen Reset : Sherlock finds himself in a parallel world where he is (supposedly) dead. No MCD. Sherlock meets alternate reality John, the world almost ends, and Sherlock makes it back to his own John.

From Author: Plot Devices. A nodus tollens moment: Sherlock realises that the plot of his life doesn't make any sense. He brainstorms. Season 3-4 Fixit. Takes place the morning after the scene at the Landmark. In short, a fixit that fixes everything in one go.

Tagging five: @keirgreeneyes @raina-at @weeesi @jolieblack @helloliriels

[thisdayhappensonce]

another idea that i take immense issue with in the hunger games community is that “peeta played the games better than katniss did” - essentially saying that he knew how to play the capitol and the audience but katniss didn’t.

there is a number of evidence to counter this. the first point the people who believe this like to make is that “peeta came up with the love concept”, and while this is true it’s only true to an extent. peeta did come up with the idea of telling the audience that he loved katniss, to gain their sympathy and favour for sponsorships, but not the ploy that happens in the games where katniss falls greatly in love with him too - in the audience’s eyes. we know this because and the end of the first book, peeta and katniss have a conversation where peeta seems to realise, to quote president snow in catching fire “the extent of her indifference” to him (though of course she’s not indifferent, just not fully in love with him at this point).

there’s also the moment post the 74th hunger games, when katniss and haymitch are secretly discussing how to justify the berry incident and haymitch tells her that “her only defence can be she was so madly in love she wasn’t responsible for her actions.” katniss responds asking if he had told peeta of the situation, to which haymitch says, “don’t have to. he’s already there” (thg, pgs. 417-418). what this explains to us is that peeta doesn’t actually need instruction on ‘the love ploy’ as he is actually in love with her. this is also backed up by the fact katniss was instructed with the sponsor items in the game wheres peeta isnt.

in terms of how katniss played the capitol and the audience, there’s great evidence to her proficiency in it, too. foremost is of course the berry incident, which she came up with knowing its meaning and its danger. it is an act done in anger at the captiol, at their murder of innocent children, at their manipulation to get the two people in the arena closest to eachother emotionally to be the last to standing, to have the greatest possible ending regardless of how it felt for the tributes. katniss realises “yes, they have to have a victor” (thg, pg. 402) so she makes them have two or none.

not to mention, throughout the entire 74th hunger games, katniss is constantly thinking of how the audience will view her actions. when peeta passes with the career pack, she “needs to look one step ahead of the game” despite the fact she is confused and angry, so she “gives [the cameras] a knowing smile” and thinks “there, let them figure out what that means”. (thg, pg. 191)

there’s also the moment where she calls out peeta’s name when she finds out they could both win together, the entirety of their time in the cave, the kissing and almost their whole relationship was a great con to get them both home, and was lead by peeta’s love, yes, but also katniss’ ability to play the capitol’s hearts.

there’s so much more i can discuss about the first and the other books bc i’ve mainly talked about book 1 but this is getting super long LOL. my point is not that peeta couldn’t play the games, or that katniss was better than him at it because i dont believe either of those things. it’s that i want people to stop acting like peeta was the greater voice of the revolution, was better at playing an audience and speaking. he certainly was excellent at it, especially in catching fire when he is aware of his need to act for the capitol (after the district 11 shooting and through to the end of the quarter quell), but katniss was too. that’s all!! sorry for the essay.

[ellisgirl]

Ellis Twilight — Villain’s Night Story Event

Chapter 2

I do not own any contents of Ikemen Villains. This story being uploaded in this blog belongs solely to CYBIRD. Please support them by downloading their games and buying their stories. Both English and Japanese are not my mother tongue languages, please keep in mind that there will be mistakes and added words for my own preferences. I translate for my personal entertainment and for my own practice only.

The sun has just started to tilt, and it seems that there will still be time before the moon appears.

Ellis: “Miss Kate, are you leaving now? Or do you want to go to the tavern with me?”

Kate: "It's not fair to ask like that, Ellis...”

Ellis: “Fufu, sorry. ......Well then, let's just drop in for a bit and get home before the full moon comes out.”

Kate: "Yes! I agree."

Once seated, the owners serve us a succession of dishes and drinks to entertain us.

All of them were exquisite—we didn't realise that it started to get dark outside.

Bar customer: "Happy Halloween! *Hiccup* Another round please, Master."

(Somehow more people are getting drunk. .......Ah!)

When I looked out the window, it was completely dark outside.

— Flash back begins —

Victor: “You never know what's going to happen. You have to be back before the moon rises in the sky.”

— Flash back ends —

(...Ah, What should I do!)

Kate: "Ellis. The full moon is.......”

Ellis: “.......Yeah?”

Ellis sitting next to me doesn't seem to have changed anything from usual.

(......Still, it's better not to stay too long)

Kate: “It's time to go home. Victor said so, and...”

When I was about to stand up, Ellis slipped his arm and hugged around my waist.

Kate: “Ellis?”

Ellis: "......I don't want to go home yet."

Kate: “B-But”

Ellis: “Aaah. .....Maybe I didn't say it right."

Ellis: "Miss Kate. ...I don't want you to go home yet."

Ellis: “…..Don’t go home, okay?”

(......The usual Ellis and the atmosphere are....different?)

(Uh, no, maybe he's just drunk.)

I stare at Ellis seriously, but he doesn't look like he's drunk at all.

(…..By any chance)

(So, sins really are worsened due to the power of the full moon?)

Ellis: "....Miss Kate, the 'Night of the Moonbeams' really did happen."

Muttering as if to answer my question, Ellis rested his head on my shoulder as he sat next to me.

Ellis: “My mind has been buzzing since a while ago... It's like my rational mind is melting away.”

Kate: “Rational…..?”

Ellis: “......Yeah. So, can you stay with me a bit longer?"

His head is rubbed against the nape of my neck, and my heart jumps.

Ellis: "...You don't want to?"

Kate: "T-That's... But I have to go home—“

I had to tell him that I don’t want to and we’re going home, I thought so.

(Really? Do I really hate it?)

(.....It’s different. It's not that I don't like it. Rather..... I'm kind of happy about it.)

(Ellis, who doesn't always say he's selfish, is now able to say how selfish he is.)

Ellis: “Miss Kate, you're so easy to understand and so cute.”

Ellis: “That face. .....You don't hate me, do you?"

Kate: "Eh, ah........"

Ellis: "If that's the case......"

He hugs me around the waist even more and creaks into my face.

Ellis: “...Just look at me, Miss Kate.”

Kate: “…………..Ellis”

Ellis: “It is forbidden to think about anyone else but me.”

Kate: “Uh, if you're this close, all I can think about is you..... I can't think of anything else."

Ellis: "......Yeah, did that on purpose."

It's not uncommon for Ellis to make me nervous.

(Tsk, he’s now even worse for my heart than he usually is!)

But I was still happy to be told to be selfish by Ellis.

(My body doesn't seem to be in pain... It's okay if it's just a little bit more, right?)

…

After we leave the bar, Ellis remains snugly attached to me.

(...Our hands are tied together all the time.)

His hand was entwined around my fingers like thorns.

It's as if he won't allow you to go anywhere.

Ellis: ".....It's more lively than during the day."

Kate: “Ah, yes. This area of the city is a nightlife area every year—“

As if to interrupt the words I was about to say, the sound of cutting through the sky echos—

A large flower bloomed in the night sky.

Ellis: ".....Wow"

Kate: “Every year, there's a fireworks display.”

Ellis: "......That's right. .....I wonder why, I forgot."

We are speechless and are fascinated by the fireworks that colour our eyes.

When I look up, I feel as if I'm bathed in a grain of light with my whole body.

(......I don't think I've ever looked up at fireworks this slowly before.)

The fantastic scenery seems to gently make me forget about the tiredness and anxiety that accumulates every day.

Kate: "...........It's beautiful."

Ellis: “…………” :)

Kate: "When I see beautiful things, I wish time would stop like this."

Ellis: "Stop time........?”

Kate: “...Yes. I wish it could be forever.”

Kate: “But maybe it's beautiful because it's not eternal.”

Ellis: “……..Hm”

In an instant, I was pulled closer to our connected hands.

It was so forceful that I cannot believe that it was from Ellis until now.

Ellis: ".....Miss Kate, over here."

Kate: “…..Ellis?”

When we got into a carriage parked nearby, Ellis slammed the door shut.

The coarse gestures were different from those of usual Ellis, who was always gentle.

Kate: “What’s wrong, all of a sudden?”

Ellis sat down next to me and put his hand on the side of my face to stop me going anywhere.

Ellis: "I wish time would stop."

Ellis: "When I was looking at you laughing saying that..... My heart is buzzing again."

Ellis: “I need to make you mine and mine alone as soon as possible."

Kate: “.....Your own......as your thing?"

Ellis: “…..Yeah" :D

Ellis: “Miss Kate, I've been wanting to make you…..my own."

Kate: “…..Um”

Ellis smiles as if there is a gaping black hole in his face.

When I couldn't respond with any words to his unusual smile, Ellis blinked at me.

Ellis: “……….Uh” :0

Ellis: “That's wrong... What am I even doing….?” :(

Ellis: “I’m sorry, Miss Kate... I didn't mean to do this."

In order to regain his reason, Ellis shakes his head to the side many times.

Ellis: “I took the liberty of not listening to your feelings.... My apologies."

(...As expected, ‘Night of the Moonbeams’ is driving him crazy.)

(I'm sure that even now you're in pain, but you're doing your best not to scare me…)

Kate: “Don't apologise. Besides, it's not for you to worry about, Ellis."

Kate: "Because this is because of ‘Moonbeams Night’, isn't it?"

Ellis: "......That's true. ...But."

His gaze turns to the moon that floats in the distance outside the window.

Ellis: ".....I wonder if everyone in the crown is also suffering now?"

Ellis: "This kind of thing... No one is happy, right?"

The edge of my heart aches at his words of concern for everyone.

(.....I'm so sorry I thought you'd be happy to be selfish.)

"Night of the Moonbeams" is not just something that happened this time, but something that could happen in the future.

(In that case—)

Kate: “Ellis, would you like to find out if there is any way to control this phenomenon?”

Kate: “Then maybe it would be easier for everyone in the Crown.”

Ellis: “…..Miss Kate”

Ellis: "......Yeah, thank you." :D

(That’s a relief. He finally smiles.)

(…..But)

Kate: "Where and how should I look it up…?”

Ellis: “I've heard that moon flowers grow wild on the castle grounds.”

Ellis: 'If you go there...... You might learn something.”

Kate: “On the castle grounds. Let's go."

Going there may not solve anything.

Still, neither I nor Ellis could just wait for the dawn.

…

Ellis: ".....I'm sure it's this way. Miss Kate, be careful of your feet."

Kate: "Yes, you too, be careful."

Going around the back of the castle and going deeper—

…

Kate: "Wow........”

Moon flowers were growing wild, entwined around arched trellis.

(..........They're so beautiful it's horrifying.)

The flowers that bloom in the light of the full moon are so beautiful that I even feel scared.

I thought it was because of the moon that the power of the curse was getting stronger.

(I wonder if this flower has something to do with it…..)

At that moment, the body of Ellis, who was standing next to me, tilted unsteadily—

Ellis: “…..Uh”

Kate: “Ellis?”

Masterlist

Chapter 1 >> Chapter 2 >> Premium End >> Epilogue

[whyisthereacentaur]

Modern Monsters 6: Dr. Frankenstein

With thanks to the wonderful @purrlockholmesbooks, whose monster request inspired not one, but several further Modern Monsters instalments!

~~~

My brain: Did you realise you have a series of poems regularly featuring the phrase “I am a modern ____” and you haven’t made a single homage to “The Modern Major-General”?

Me: I don’t know if that’s a good-

Brain: GET IN LOSER WE’RE WRITING POETRY

Victor Frankenstein originates from Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The characters, in my view, are a seamless fit for the MM series. You can probably think of multiple other retellings and characters inspired by the scientist and the monster - what else are they, if not part of the folklore of our times?

Keeping it brief: in the original novel, Victor was hardworking, interested in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, and later horrified and guilt-ridden over what he had done. A bit obsessive, maybe, but not the typical mad scientist character. His work revolved around animation of non-living tissue by a process never detailed in the book. The monster was constructed from both human and animal parts. Spoilers - by the end, the monster kills its creator and then goes into hiding.

~~~

In the Modern Monsters world, not only did Victor keep excellent lab notes, but his intelligent creation’s guilt drove it to reproduce the process and resurrect its “father”. The reanimator became the reanimated.

Just as for his creature, the process did not bring Victor back entirely as intended. The obsession (and his ego) has only grown, and he has far fewer moral qualms now over using his skills, whether to keep himself alive for centuries, or for the advancement of science for its own sake.

He has moved from country to country under various aliases in the last 200 years to find and work with those who seem to share his passion, including making many two-headed dogs with Vladimir Demikhov and later Christiaan Barnard (before the latter moved on to pioneering heart transplants).

These days, he carries out transplant surgeries both above- and below-board in an English university hospital. Unsurprisingly, the wealthy, powerful and corrupt all find their way to him when their own looming mortality is knocking down their door. He makes a good living, but he still wants to see his work in journals and to watch his advancements change the world on a grand scale.

Unfortunately for him, the modern era comes with rather less maverick-ery accepted in research. He swears these nitpicking ethics committees will be the final death of him.

~~~

Well, that got long.

REC= Research Ethics Committee, HTA = Human Tissue Authority, and HRA= Human Research Authority. Terms that medical researchers in the UK are likely to have encountered at some point…

The illustration is a mishmash of some of the typical Frankenstein-inspired mad scientist aesthetic, with a deliberately off skin colour. He can’t find his preferred style of lab coat anymore, but for some reason this dress shirt really called to him.

Silly mouth is silly. I imagine “curse youuuu” was uttered.

~~~

Still just in time for Monday here in the UK! I will try to have the next instalment, the Monster itself, up tomorrow if possible, but if not, stay tuned.

I’m happy to keep making these for as long as I’m inspired and anyone’s interested, so, requests/prompts will still be welcomed well after the pumpkins have all gone to compost.

~~~

Modern Monsters series

Modern Monsters 1: Dullahan

Modern Monsters 2: Kelpie

Modern Monsters 3: Kuchisake-onna

Modern Monsters 4: Cuca

Modern Monsters 5: Vampire

Modern Monsters 6: Dr Frankenstein

Modern Monsters 7: Frankenstein’s Monster

Modern Monsters bonus: Frankenstein, Monster

[atomicpoetrymusic-blog]

Randomly, on a whim, I decided to re-watch Stranger Things s4. I was focused on other stuff, just letting it play in the background, but I had a realisation about my favourite relationship on the show - Steve and Dustin. And I had to write about it.

In s2, when they were first thrown together, no one, not even the writers, predicted how good and compelling a bond they would form. Steve was going through a tough time, but he still stepped up and helped Dustin with his Dart problem. He gave the younger boy advice about girls, and Dustin grew to look up to him as a capable protector, caretaker and role-model, actively enjoying it when Steve complimented him. Dustin, meanwhile, wriggled his way into Steve's heart with his assertiveness, youthful curiosity, high intelligence, and his sweet nature (also because he essentially followed Steve around like an excitable puppy, and proceeded to not leave him alone).

Along the way, the audience saw how they operated as a team - functionally, they were essentially the trope of 'the brains and the brawn'. Dustin came up with the theories and the plans, and Steve implemented them.

By the end of s2, Steve and Dustin had no specific reason to hang out AT ALL, but they both still chose to. As it turned out, they liked each other's company, despite their differences.

In s3, we got more of the same, with added flavours of Robin and Erica thrown into the mix. Dustin, while still the brains of the operation, needed Robin's linguistic skills, as well as her grounding logic to keep him from going completely off the rails, while Steve also needed Robin to lift some of the weight of responsibility for the younger two. Erica, while only initially needed because of her small stature, kept everyone focused on the task at hand, and also provided an iron backbone to simultaneously criticise and embolden her friends. Their dynamic as a foursome worked, and was many people's (mine included) favourite part of s3.

The relationship between Dustin and Steve, in this time, had clearly become more brotherly, with the bickering and snarking overlaying a genuine trust and care for each other. They were thrilled to see each other again after Dustin had been away, insulted each other to their faces despite being incredibly supportive of each other, and were very protective of each other when in the Russian elevator/base.

In s4, however, the duo, while still the same one we know and love, had developed into something even better - a competent team that knew they work well together, and used that to their advantage (sometimes begrudgingly). Because of their intrinsic differences in intellect, physicality, and general skill sets, they both have very different ways of approaching the same problem.

This is probably best shown in the first basement scene of episode 4 ('Dear Billy', probably my favourite episode of the show overall). Steve, Dustin and Lucas are reading up on Victor Creel, and Steve is vocally confused by the information presented. Dustin criticises Steve on not being able to understand the concept, and goes on to talk about his theories on the Upside Down and HOW it is all happening. Steve then explains his confusion, about WHY Vecna would have done these things, and WHY he had started up again.

And later, in episode 6, 'The Dive', when the Hawkins crew are all updating Eddie at Skull Rock, Dustin again is focused on HOW his compass is acting strangely, and concludes it must be because of a Gate (which he was right about). After some discourse between the whole group about HOW Dustin's compass was going wonky, Steve is the first to question WHY a Gate had opened up.

This is why they make such a fantastic team - because they are 2 sides of the same coin. It reminds me of the most famous detective story dynamic - Holmes and Watson (which is fitting, as Dustin quotes Sherlock Holmes in s4, to Steve).

Dustin (Holmes) provides the scientific, factual evidence and uses this to devise theories on HOW something happened. Steve (Watson) provides the emotional, personal reasons for WHY something happened. They round each other out and build off each other's ideas to form a cohesive through-line that explains both the HOW and the WHY.

There are loads more examples, but here are a few off the top of my head:

S3 - Steve hears 'Indiana Flyer' playing in the background of the Russian transmission. Both Dustin and Robin brush him off, asking him to focus on the Russian, but he wants to know WHY the music is there.

S2 - Steve wants to know WHY Dart and the other demodogs leave the junkyard, and Dustin provides him with the HOW (because of the hive mind).

S4 - Once Steve, Nancy, Robin and Eddie get trapped in the Upside Down, Dustin gets stumped on HOW the Gate opened up. His usual way of figuring things out isn't providing him with answers. So, he turns to another way of thinking - WHY there is a Gate in Lover's Lake. Which then leads him to the answer they needed. (Yes, this is all Dustin, but I truly believe he would not have been nearly so capable of coming up with the WHY of it all pre-Steve. Even in s1, he was the one everyone went to for the HOW).

In conclusion, I once again took a single idea and turned it into a multi-point essay. I always loved the Steve and Dustin dynamic so much, and now my love for it has grown that much bigger.

[depresse0espresso]

The Favorite (Chapter Two)

Warnings: very subtle implications of forced prostitution, consumption of alcohol

Chapter One or Chapter Three

Another three districts, another three speeches and condolences, another three banquettes and another three nights sneaking outside and drowning glasses of various wines. Unlike that night, these moments of respite are uninterrupted, with no interruptions from a handsome Victor who leaves an uneasy feeling in my stomach and leaves my head spinning from such a brief meeting. The words of guidance from Finnick still weigh on my mind, they didn’t come across as if they were the words of a mentor who is bitter over their tribute’s demise, at least that's not how I'm interpreting them to me they seemed like a warning of sorts about who or what I'm not sure, although Pa believes that was Finnick’s way of expressing his bitterness,  he thinks Finnick is in his words not mine is ‘A show pony who can't handle losing’ and ‘a peacock’ and when I asked pa to elaborate on what the latter meant he said not to worry myself over it that is was an inside joke. But still, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Finnick's words and something more beneath this charm and humour, and I just couldn't put my finger on it and that bothers me. 

With the district part of the victory tour ending without a hitch, we arrive in the capital.  I can feel the anxiety building up in my chest as I prepare to step out of the train onto the platform, the weight of expectations heavy on my shoulders. The Capitol, with its excessive opulence and superficiality, feels suffocating. I take a deep breath, plaster a smile on my face, and prepare to play my role once again. As I step onto the platform, I am greeted by hordes of adoring fans eagerly awaiting my arrival. Their cheers and screams fill the air, momentarily distracting me from the suffocating atmosphere of the Capitol. I remind myself to stay focused and play the part of Victor, but deep down, I can't help but wonder if these people truly understand the true cost of my victory.

As Leto ushers me down the station platform ranting about staying on schedule I make an effort to stop and greet as many of the people as I can. As I pause to engage with the capital fans, Leto's frustration becomes evident, but I continue to maintain my innocent and sweet facade. I know that these interactions will please the crowd and bolster my image as a Victor.

As I continue to greet the fans, my skin crawling slightly with each interaction, my spirits lift when I spot a group of children among the crowd. Something about their innocence and genuine excitement brings a smile to my face, and for a brief moment, I can forget the suffocating facade 

I crouch down to a little girl no older than 10, her eyes wide with awe as she looks up at me. "Are you Marina Nivera ?" she asks, her voice filled with excitement. I nod and reply, "Yes, I am." I  smile kindly at her  ‘’and who might you be?’’  She beams and replies, “I'm Synthia.” Her mother, standing nearby, smiles proudly and says, “She’s a big fan of yours and she just had to meet you” I nod in agreement, and my heart aches as I think that this little girl even knows what the Hunger Games are, let alone be familiar enough with the games to know who I am. "I must say, Synthia, your dress is absolutely beautiful. You look like a princess." I compliment her, hoping to brighten her day even more. She is just a child. How can I group her and the other children here on the platform with the capital adults? As I continue to interact with Synthia and the other children, their genuine joy and excitement are a stark contrast to the superficiality and opulence of the Capitol. It's in moments like these that I realise that moments like these are going to be what I have to hold onto for the rest of my life, as a Victor I am never going to be free from the suffocating influence of the capital now so I will find joy in what I can. 

As Leto finally manages to get us away from the crowds, he launches into a lecture about the importance of staying on schedule and maintaining a professional facade. I listen attentively, feigning innocence and understanding, but deep down, I can't help but feel a twinge of rebellion. After all, it's in moments like these with the genuine joy of the children, that I find solace and a glimmer of hope amidst the suffocating influence of the Capitol. “But Leto, the children's faces, how could I walk past all those sweet little angels, especially after their parents had made the effort to bring them to come and welcome me, it would have been so impolite to walk past them” I point out actively trying to guilt him. Leto sighs and reluctantly concedes, "I suppose you have a point, Marina. It wouldn't do well for your public image to appear impolite. Just remember, we have a tight schedule to follow." I saw Pa give a smile from the corner of my vision as he could see straight through what I was doing. “Of course Leto, I promise it won't happen again.” That was a blatant lie but   I faked a smile and nodded in agreement. I knew that I had to make amends for my actions if I wanted to stay on good terms with Leto.

After hastily making our way back on schedule, I found myself sitting in the hair and makeup chair an hour later, preparing for my interview with Caesar Flickerman. As the stylist works on my hair, I can't help but reflect on the tour and as I try to reflect on each district and the people I met my thoughts end up spiralling back to a charming smirk, sea green eyes and curly blond hair Was it more golden blonde or a dark blonde like a bronze-ish colour and those curls….. he has to use some type of product right? They can't be that naturally perfect.

“Mari”

I mean was I just imagining things?  Was he generally trying to be nice and offer me advice ‘Victor to Victor’ as he said, was I the one that made it awkward by refusing it and looking like I wanted to run for the hills 

“Marina”

 Surely, someone as charming and seemingly perfect as Finnick must be hiding something. I just can't shake the feeling that there is more to him than meets the eye.

“Marina!’

or you know maybe I felt so unconfirmable because he was so attractive and he was talking to me, my brain probably went into a self-destructive mode, I mean I haven't talked to a boy my age normally since before the reaping and that was 6 months ago now

“Marina Jane Nivera!’’

I jump startled by the shout of my full name. My eyes search for the source in the mirror and meet Pa’s. A short, frustrated sigh escapes from Pa's lips as he meets my gaze in the mirror, his eyes reflecting both concern and exasperation. 

"Where is your head these days, Child? That's the hundredth time this week I've caught you daydreaming. Focus, Marina." Pa's voice stern, his tone leaving no room for discussion or explanation  I take a deep breath, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I nod my head, swallowing the lump in my throat, and force myself to meet his gaze.  "I'm sorry, Pa, I've just been preoccupied with everything that's been happening." Pa's gaze softens slightly as he looks at me, but his expression remains firm. "Well, you better snap out of it before the interview with Caesar Flickerman. This is a big Marina, and I don't want you messing it up." I reply, my voice laced with irritation. "I won't mess it up. I've been preparing for this interview for weeks, and I know exactly what I'm going to say. So please, have a little faith in me.". My pa is probably the worst possible victor to have as an adviser about Interviews and capital relations, in the 20 years since he won his games he has lost his favour greatly by being known as a grump who hardly ever interacts with people unless he has to and when he does he makes sure you know he doesn't like you. The man has made Caesar Flickerman feel uncomfortable on stage. He has always been stubborn and uncompromising and has refused to compromise on his ideals. He has never been one to take advice and has always been determined to do things his way. If anything has been made clear to me since I won my games it is how differently me and pa conduct ourselves in the public eye. 

My stylist Millicent meets my eyes in the mirror with a concerned look as Pa continues to frown and begins to retort, but she cuts him off, saying, "It's time to get her changed Rex" I'm grateful for her intervention, knowing that she understands my feelings. Pa huffs and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with Millicent. I take a moment to collect myself and then turn to Millicent, offering her a grateful smile and saying, "Thank you, Milly. I truly appreciate it." "It's alright, Mari. Has he been like this the whole tour?" she asks, her voice filled with concern and empathy as she walks over to grab my interview dress from the hanger. “More like since I got out of the arena” I admit, as I rise from the makeup chair to get dressed, that the tension between me and my pa has been building up ever since I got out of the arena. “I don't know what caused it. It's like every conversation I have with him is a lecture and he says I don't have to do as he says then gets frustrated with me when I don't do what he wants” I take a deep breath and steady myself as Milly helps me put on my outfit and turn and look at myself in the mirror. As I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help but feel a surge of confidence. The pretty pink floral dress, with its dark dusty pink hue and golden flowers, complements my half updo hairstyle adorned with curls. The fairy-like makeup adds a touch of enchantment, making me feel ready to conquer the interview with grace and poise.” Oh, Milly you have outdone yourself with this” I gasp praising him softly as I swing back and forth watching the tea-length skirt swish back and forth in the mirror. “Just wait until you see your dress for the Presidential Palace banquet tonight” Milly smiles and winks at me before disappearing behind the curtain. I take a deep breath, feeling more confident than ever. I step out of the dressing room into the hall where I am ushered by Leto and a very grumpy Pa backstage waiting for Caesar to call me out on stage for the interview. As I stand in the wings waiting Leto gives me a thumbs up of encouragement as Caesar begins introducing me “Now everybody I think we have waited long enough for the main event of the show this afternoon don't you?’’Caesar asks the crowd if they're ready for the main event, and they respond with a thunderous cheer, their excitement filling the air. I take deep as i hear Ceaser continue 

"You know her, you love her, MARINA NIVERA, Victor of the 68th Hunger Games," Caesar announces, his voice booming through the speakers. The crowd erupts into applause and cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. As I step onto the stage, I feel a surge of adrenaline and determination, ready to put on a show.

The interview went spectacularly, as I confidently and eloquently answered each of Caesar's questions, captivating the audience with my personal stories and insights from my time in the arena, the tour and my life as a victor so far. During the interview, I proudly showcased my unique sense of style and shared how my passion for fashion and makeup has grown since becoming a victor. I also demonstrated my newfound hobby of flower arranging, attempting to teach Caesar how to make a flower crown, much to the audience's delight. During the interview, I was asked about the children in the train station on my arrival in the Capitol, and I shared how I couldn't just walk by them as they were too cute. The heartfelt story of how I couldn't resist stopping to interact with the children in the train station truly resonated with the audience, eliciting a collective "aww" and melting their hearts. My genuine kindness and compassion in that moment made a lasting impression and further endeared me to the crowd. I guess my genuineness made just as much an impact as my half-truths and lies.

After the interview, the night unfolds in a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation as we get ready to make our way to the Presidential Palace everyone is excited except Pa ,although my excitement is different from my prep teams as they dress me and re-do my hair and make-up  

One more night then back on the train home to District 10 in the morning.

I stand in front of the mirror again, Milly by my side, as I look at the dress she has created. It is a masterpiece, a baby pink tulle ballgown with silver and gold heart decorations is breathtaking. The strapless design accentuates my shoulders and the flowing skirt adds a touch of elegance. I can't help but feel like a princess as I twirl in front of the mirror. “One more final touch,” she says as she places my Victor's circle on top of my updo. Milly gives me a side hug and smiles “there perfect”

 The grandeur of the palace, with its sparkling chandeliers and ornate decorations, takes my breath away. As I enter the ballroom, all eyes turn to me, and I can't help but feel a sense of unease. People begin to swarm me, vying for my attention. I swear I must have talked with everybody at this party, except for the president himself. There are even other victors from other districts here, and I get quick introductions before being ushered along to meet the next person. The whole experience is overwhelming, but I try my best to stay composed and make a lasting impression on everyone I meet. After two hours of this, I manage to escape to hide behind a champagne tower where I grab a glass and drown it as soon as i'm out of sight as I do I turn and notice a door that opens onto a balcony adjacent to the tower, I place the now empty glass down before grabbing another two glass one in each hand and exit on to the balcony quietly.  As I walk onto the balcony, I see a familiar figure leaning on the railing a few steps down from me. It's Finnick Odair, lost in thought, unaware of my presence. I consider leaving him to his thoughts, but then I remember the fright he gave me on the justice build steps in 4 and I decide to get even. I sneak up slowly behind him before saying suddenly "Any cats tonight" Finnick jumps in surprise at the sound of my voice, quickly turning to face me. His expression shifts from confusion to relief as he realises it's me. "Oh, Marina it's you," he says with a chuckle. "No cats tonight, but plenty of other interesting creatures at this party." I nod in agreement and hand him one of the glasses of champagne in my hand “Here you look like you need this as much as I do” he takes it and raises it in a toast. "To survive the madness," he says, clinking his glass against mine. We both take a long sip, savouring the bubbles and the momentary respite from the chaos inside.

 We both stand in slice for a few moments as we savour the quiet i observe him out of the corner of my eye every few seconds as I lean on the railing now as well

Huh it is more of a bronze blonde 

He glances at me and our eyes meet. I look away, feeling my cheeks flush. He smiles, and I quickly look away, my heart pounding. I clear my throat awkwardly and gulp the champagne, attempting to distract myself from the fluttering feeling in my chest. As I look back at Finnick, I notice a mischievous glint in his eyes that makes me wonder what he's thinking. Unlike last time I don't feel as uneasy in his presence maybe it is because it's not my first time meeting him and that it hasn't caught me off guard this time or it could be the amount of champagne I have consumed tonight who knows but I feel confident enough to say "I wanted to apologise for my behaviour the last time we met. You caught me off guard, and I was rude to dismiss your guidance and offer of friendship. I hope you can forgive me”. I see a flash of shock cross his face and a brief flicker of guilt at my words. He takes a moment to compose himself before responding, his voice filled with sincerity. "Marina, there's no need for apologies. I must admit I was teasing you a little bit so does that make us even?"  I smile and nod in agreement, feeling relieved and relieved. We stand there, smiling at each other for a few moments before he speaks again. "Let's start over, shall we?" I grin at him before turning to stick my hand out “Hi im Marina, my friends call me Mari”

"Hi Marina, nice to meet you. I'm Finnick," he says, shaking my hand with a warm smile. "Mari, huh? There's no other nickname for you like Rina," he teases me softly with a mischievous look in his eye. I give him a sly smile back, my heart fluttering even more at his playful teasing. "Rina, huh? I guess if you call me Rina I'll have to call you Nick" I counter him with a raised eyebrow as his nose scrunches in disgust at the shortening of his name. "Nick?" he repeats, a hint of disapproval in his voice. "I think I'll stick with Finnick, thank you," he says, a playful challenge in his eyes.’’Then I will stick with Mari” I challenge him back. He raises an eyebrow and looks away, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Suit yourself," he says, his voice still playful. I smile back, my heart still fluttering."Finnick," a shrill voice interrupts as Finnick is about to say something else. We turn and see a Capitol woman coming onto the balcony, her presence immediately commanding attention. Finnick's face drops and his eyes darken for a moment, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he quickly masks it with a dazzling smile."I will be with you in a moment," he says, his voice slightly strained, before he turns back to me and gives me a genuine smile. "It was nice seeing you again, Mari. I look forward to seeing you again in a few months," he says, eyes filled with sincerity, and his voice filled with anticipation. "Until then, take care, Rina ." With a final smirk, he turns and walks towards the Capitol woman, I laugh at the use of the name we just arranged not to use and I fire back "See you then Nick" Finnick turns back towards me, a surprised expression on his face. He chuckles and shakes his head. "You're relentless, aren't you?" he says with a playful glint in his eyes. "Alright, see you then, Mari" he adds, emphasising his use of Mari, his voice filled with amusement. As Finnick disappears back into the party with the woman, I stand there, contemplating his words. Suddenly, it dawns on me why we will see each other in a few months - we will both be mentors for the Games.

The realisation sends a shiver down my spine. As the weight of my new role sinks in, a sense of dread and hopelessness settles over me. The thought of having to mentor two children and watch them face their demise in the Games fills me with deep sadness, knowing that there is little I can do to protect them from the horrors that await.  Despite the possibility of seeing those captivating sea-green eyes and bronze curls again, the sense of impending doom weighs heavily on my heart. The excitement of getting to know Finnick is overshadowed by the grim reality of being a mentor in the Games, where the odds are stacked against the tributes and their fate is sealed. 

Notes: Heyo I hope everyone who is reading is enjoying it so far, this chapter was fun to write with all the different things going on, Mari and her pa were probably my second favourite moment to write it not that they have a bad relationship but I like to imagine how I would feel after travelling with a parent for 12 days in a row when you're both stressed and all I could think of is arguments lol......next chapter we will get to see district ten and a bit more of Mari family and what her life to really like ......feedback is always welcome and if there's any questions about the story feel free to ask

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Some scenes I'd love to see from Casteel's pov in his book

The scene where he's introduced as Poppy's new guard and see's her unveiled for the first time. You know he had a "holy shit she's the most beautiful person I've ever seen" moment.

The rise scene! Just an oscar emmy pulitzer winning scene. One of my favourites.

Also I wouldn't mind the library/ledge scene. Seeing Casteel's reaction to finding Poppy mysteriously gone from her room, and having no idea how she got out?? All the way to finding her out on the ledge lol

The willow scene. Because Casteel led Poppy out to the garden that night, specifically to take her!! And I need the conflict of his mindset going "This is it, I'm doing it, I'm taking her tonight" to "I'm not taking her! I can't do it!"

Him keeping a bedside vigil while Poppy is drugged/sleeping after Victor's death, as alluded to by Poppy in this passage "I had this weird impression that I hadn’t been alone while I slept. There was a sensation of callused palms against my cheek, fingers brushing hair back from my face. I had the faintest memory of Hawke talking to me, whispering when the room was filled with sunlight and when it had been taken over by night."

The stables/betrayal scene. Because the angst! I can't wait to get into his head during that time where he's acting all nonchalant and charming but on the inside is dying that he's hurting Poppy!! 💔

When Poppy gets stabbed. I wanna see Casteel's worry and his guilt and his pain (when Poppy says "it hurts" and he thinks she's talking about herself but she's talking about what she feels from him! *cries* 😭) And all the anguish of him knowing that he's the one that put her in that position and that it's his people who hurt her. And getting to see what he feels when he gets stabbed. Which again, more angst and pain but also Casteel just being Casteel about stabbing 👀🙄

When he pulls out Landell's heart. I just love that scene and love Casteel's "Nobody insults my wife" moment! I mean sure they're not married yet, but *Ben Wyatt meme* it's about the energy!

Honestly just need like the whole time they're in New Haven, in general. Seeing all of Casteel's internal conflict and his thought process as his feelings for Poppy deepen and his whole plan unravels and he struggles with what to do. And how he goes from I'm gonna use her to I'm gonna marry her. The poor simp!

The emotional argument he and Poppy have in Spessa's end where they finally start to hash things out and he says "I didn’t plan on being drawn to you. I didn’t plan to want you. I didn’t plan on risking everything to keep you. I didn’t...." and he get's interrupted by Emil. Because I KNOW he was going to say I didn't plan on ... LOVING YOU!! I know it! And even if it turns out he wasn't gonna say that, he was!

When they first return to Atlantia and Poppy leaves to go see the temple of Nyktos. I wanna see Casteel's reaction to the sky starting to rain red and all the Wolven suddenly shifting and tearing off towards the temple and him being like "Poppy!" and his panic realising something's happening and she's in trouble. And I need to see the moment he comes up the temple stairs and see's her and realises what she is and bows 😭

When Poppy gets hit with the bolt. Because again, the pain, the drama, the angst, Casteel crying!!

And the number one scene that I absolutely need from Casteel's pov... When he wakes up from the poisoned arrow and finds Poppy gone and GOES ABSOLUTELY FERAL, to the point where both Kieran and Casteel's father have never seen him like that before!!

[stupidloafofbread]

Ok, synopsis/ramble time about my main Sonic AU

Now let's say, what if something happened to a character that led to them dying and then it sets off a chain of events where the others follow.

That's basically what my AU is.

During some kind of mission, Tails gets attacked by a sentient black goo that takes his body over.

Using tails as a vessel, sonic and him engage in a fight, and the sentient black goo nonchalantly reveals the way it can be removed.

To kill it's host.

Sonic can't bring himself to do it but in the end goes through with it.

Sonic comes out the victor after striking tails down with an Axe.

And this sets off a chain reaction with Nine, Mangey and Sails.

The four foxes all die at the same time, but in different ways.

Nine getting stabbed with his own metal tails

Mangey bleeding out due to being attacked by a wild animal

And Sails drowning and also getting one of his eye's taken out.

Later that same day after lying there for a few hours, Tails sits up and strangely, is more pale and his eye's are a lighter shade.

Tails picks up a shard of glass and says the following quote:

"I'm coming for you Sonic. Be ready."

After Tails appears in Sonic's House, Tails jumps Sonic and stabs him in the heart. Ending Sonic.

Tails pretends to spare Amy Rose and then uses the same weapon that killed him, the axe.

(I hope you don't mind all the death.)

Nine, Meanwhile, realises he severed his spinal cord and staggers about and somehow ends up crossing to Green Hill.

After 2 weeks, Tails meets Nine and they become friends.

Nine wasn't very trusting of Tails but willingly went through with it because Tails was dead too.

And that's how DT and DN met.

While that was happening, Sails emerges from the water in no place and becomes the ghost pirate of No place.

He haunts his previous crewmates for awhile before disappearing, not wanting to spend his time on them.

He floats around in the void until he finds...

Boscage Maze

Mangey, having woke up in a feral state of mind, attacks his friends because he can't see through this state he woke up in.

Despite losing a leg and a quarter of his head, Mangey is now extremely agile. He lands a few scars on his friends until Sails taps him on the shoulder and asks him if he's okay.

Mangey then realises that he is dead and he runs off, scared.

And that's how DS and DM met.

Amy Rose wakes up a few days later, with Sonic taking the longest to wake up.

Amy Decides that going after Sonic isn't worth it and changes her name to Angel, not wanting to associate with her previous life.

(If you have any questions, please feel free to put them in your answer.)

That's all I got right now. Have a wonderful day/night!

‎

[erenfox]

Y'all.

Episode 4.

It's the best piece of work Marvel has made after they made IW and Endgame.

spoiler alert 🚨

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lemme start off with our favourite Miss Jolly Rancher Unhinged Clock and Victorian-Era HWR Fangirl. I KNEW Ravonna had somehow helped HWR in building the TVA, but him erasing her memories was straight up evil.

Then we come to the absolutely gruesome deaths of Dox and the others. HOLY SHIT MISS JOLLY RANCHER IS AWFUL like she was enjoying every second of Dox and her hunters literally getting crushed to their deaths. B-15 was traumatised, to say the least and you can see on Ravonna and Brad's faces a hint of disgust. But Miss Minutes grinning like that - outright disturbing.

I can't get over OB and Victor fanboying over each other's work - it was so funny yet wholesome.

Now let's talk about Loki and Sylvie. As a diehard Sylki stan you know I am, my fangirling heart was overjoyed seeing these two lovesick ducks working together willingly! I mean, yea, they did have that rather awkward talk in Pie Land (mind you that's it's official name henceforth) but after that they worked together as teammates! Now I must say, I completely agree with Sylvie on snapping on Mobius, because, well, yeah, the multiverse is a bigger priority than pie and I legit don't get why tf antis hate on Sylvie for doing so. Like you hated her for not giving a damn abt the TVA + the multiverse, but now when she stood up to do so y'all are hating on her again?? Like?? Make up ur mind, smh.

Anyways, back to Sylki. Sylvie got stuck in the elevator and the way she and Loki worriedly called out each other's names was so soft! And the "You ok?" trope CAME BACK OMG! THAT PHRASE IS LITERALLY THE BACKBONE OF SYLKI! When I tell you my fangirling heart screamed with joy omg-

The the whole paradox scene which brought Ep 1 back in a circle. I absolutely loved the way our Loki realised what he had to do and went real slow to prune his past self just so that Past Loki could get a glimpse of Sylvie; which would then lead him to be more determined than ever to go look for her. And I quite literally died on Sylvie being confused af as to wtf she just witnessed.

Then there's the telephone scene. OH MY GOD it was literally OB all this time when fans were out here speculating it was Kang or someone lmao. Both Loki and Sylvie yelling simultaneously to turn the security thing off gives out so much Couple Vibes, I absolutely loved it AAHHAHAH-

AND. THE. BRAD. SCENE. OOF.

our friendly neighbourhood lovesick ducks teaming up to enchant Brad was just too good. Loki in his hot, creepy voice luring Brad into a dark area while Sylvie very swiftly just straight up grabbing his face from the back - pure horror. Absolutely loved it, 10/10. Tho I must say, to do execute elaborate scheme, these two must have done some detailed planning (=more Sylki moments we were robbed off).

BUT THAT ENDING DUCKING MURDERED ME BROO OMG

Can we talk abt Victor's redemption? Man had been portrayed as evil since Quantumania, and has been manipulated by both Ravonna and Miss Jolly Rancher, but at the end of the day, he was a sweetheart. Man fanboys OB and basically became besties with him and Casey, worked together to create the solution to a mess he most certainly didn't want to be a part of, and then himself stepped up to fix the Loom once and for all to prove to everyone (and not let Sylvie's choice of sparing him go to waste) that tho he contained HWR's DNA, he wasn't HWR - he was a far better person HWR could have ever been. Seeing him getting spaghettified was tragically heart-wrenching, man deserved so much better :(

BUT HOLY SHIT DID THAT ONE HECK OF A GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER LEFT ME SPEECHLESS LIKE WTF WAS THAT?? U can't just kill off a character who had redeemed himself, and then make our main character and his homies watch literally EVERYTHING THEY WORKED SO HARD FOR GET ANNIHILATED TO THE GROUND-

But we know our God of Mischief isn't dead, and so are his homies eheheh.

However the looks on everyone's face was tragic. Loki knew all was lost and had tears in his eyes. Sylvie looked like she had accepted defeat and her death. Mobius and OB were in denial, refusing to believe that Victor was dead. Casey and B-15 looked horrified, as they realised what was to come now upon them.

Tldr, this episode was an ABSOLUTE BANGER. IM READY TO CLAIM IT SUPERIOR THAN ENDGAME, come and fight me. Its a top cinematic piece, and the suspense to Ep 5 is eating me up.

Ig i should go and study for the 4 tests this week before ep 5 ;-;

[ankilona]

In three we have everything

Umbrella Academy/Descendants crossover

Number Five | The boy/ Chad Charming/Klaus Hargreeves

First chapter: Convincing Five

The tension was palpable in the livingroom of the Hargreeves estate. The day started out as any other, as normal, as it can be in a house where the inhabitants had superpowers and as much history between them as the Hargreevs siblings had.

In Five's book it was a pretty good morning. Nobody wanted to die and there was no universe saving almost unsolvable equation to go crazy over. It was the morning Five fought for, a lazy, not life changing breakfast with a good, strong cup of coffee.

Things started to go to south when his estranged siblings started to show up around eleven. The first one was Victor, and Five tought nothing of it. He often came just to check up on them, - Klaus, Luther and him - so it didn't set of the alarms in Five's head. They shared a stillted conversation about Victor's next concert, and then Luther came and he and Victor engaged in a similarly uncomfortable discussion about everyday life. It was deliciously boring for Five, absolutely the best kind of mediocrity.

But not an hour after Victor arrived the entrance door opened again.

"Hi guys!" Alison anounced themselves, and Five could hear the sharp sound of Alison's heels, and Diego's more heavy steps as they neared the livingroom.

"Hi!" of course Victor was the first one to stand up, and go for a hug.

"Oh, guys, look who graced us with their presence during this nice morning" Klaus announced himself when he materialised right behind Diego. Five didn't hear when Klaus came down on the stairs or his steps on the floor, but the man had some crazy ass power when it comes to seeking around.

"Jesus, Klaus! You want to give me a heart attack?! A bit of a warning man!" It gave Five a perverse satisfaction, when he saw Diego jump in surprised fright at the sound. They wasn't on the best of terms after the "Lila incident", as Five liked to think about it, but they didn't tried to kill each other at sight at the last few times they were in punching distance, so it was progress... he guessed.

"Sorry, sorry" Klaus apologised as he let go of Diego's shoulders to hug Alison.

Five just sat at his confy armchair and lifted his mug in a welcoming gesture when the others looked at him. Diego grunted, but sat down, and the others followed him.

And that was the exact same moment, when Five realised, that his siblings wasn't here on a social call. They were too tense about it, and they continued to exchange fleeting, but nervous glances between each other. Every one of them. Except Klaus.

And if it was just the two of them out of the loop, then it meant either they planned something to do with Klaus, something that Five wouldn't approve of, or they had plans for the two of them, and they tought Five won't approve. The end result would be the same, one big ass argument, and Five really didn't felt himself up for any kind of intricate manipulation, and redundant arguing all wrapped up ind brotherly concern and good will.

He just took a big breath, placed his cup on the coffee table, and decided to go for it.

"OK guys, just out with it. I know you want to bring up something, something wich either involves Klaus and you're afraid I'll fight you about it, or it involves me and him, and I'll definitely fight about it. So just get to it, so I can go back to my cup of coffee in peace" And then the air froze. And of course Klaus was the first one to break it.

"Come on Five it can't be that bad. Hm, you grumpy old man, you're just paranoid" and the man had the audacity to stroll up to Five in his airy little robe, situate himself on the arm of Five's chair and pinch. His. Cheek.

Five's glare had to be something appropriately murdery, because Klaus let go of his cheek and put up his hands in a placating gesture.

"OK, ok sorry, Fivey. Your grumpiness is your charm after all" Aaaaand he stole Five's coffee, and took a sip. "Oh man, how can you stomach this bitter poison. I swear to God, you could melt paint with it"

Five took back his mug "You know, some of us have acquired taste in this hous" and just to mess with the other took a large gulp with a shit eating smile on his lips. Klaus just grimaced, and stood up, just to fall down on the couch in a fluttering robes, while muttering about dead tastedbuds.

"OK, so if you finished with the banter" Alison said " We do, actually have something we wanted to discuss with you two" Ah, there it was, the whole reason for this charade.

"During our fight to prevent the end of the world" Diego continued "We came across different dimensions. With a bit of a digging, we discovered one wich is in constant contact with our own. And it has been for a while"

"And it's relevant because? If they were in contact with our dimension for as long as you institutes, then they won't start to cause problems now" said Five with a lifted eyebrow. Do his siblings really wanted to search for trouble, when they finally had a bit of a room to breathe?

"No, no you misunderstood. We didn't think they wpuld cause trouble. We think they could help us, I mean..." Alison faltered a bit. She never liked to stirr up trouble, so it was not a surprise for Five when she looked at Diego, who of course being the self-appointed hero continued.

"We tought they might help you two, with some issues."

Now this got Klaus' attention too. "Issuses? What issues, my dear knife loving brother ? As far as I'm concerned, I'm peachy. I'm clean, I mean I just smoke weed, but it's just some herb, and in some of the states it's legal, so you can't fault me for it. Oh and of course I drink here and there, but you know you really can't fault me for hydrating. So I might not be clean, in the traditional sense, but I'm pretty clean in my standards, and..."

" I know Klaus, I know. We didn't brought it up because of that" Victor cut in " We all have some unresolved issues, but most of our traumas and bad memories can be processed with professional help from this world." He sounded so earnest as he sad it. He always did. " But you two have a pretty out of this world experience with repeted dead and then coming back to life, and the whole lived in an postapocalyptic world, and then became a time jumping assassin for an organisation wich was created by them from an alternative timeline..."

Five really didn't know what happened, he just burst out laughing. And he couldn't stop, for a bit. But nobody said anything. Because this laugh wasn't pleasant 'what a nice joke laugh', it was one of his 'are you seriously this dumb, you little ingrate' kind.

And of course Diego was the first to get fed up.

"Lisen here you little asshole, me personally didn't wanted to do this. As far as I care you could die at the side of the road in agony, but at least Klaus deserves a chance, to have a better life..." And that was one of the worst things Diego could have said.

"Oh, brother, so I deserve a chance at a better life now? Where was this concern when I OD-ed, or when I was on the streets. I know, I know I made a choice, but you tought me a nuisance at best, and a danger at worst. You all did. And now, now that it's convenient for you, you say I deserve a 'better chance at life'?" And there was the self derisive version of Klaus. The one, who was so rarely seen, but if he butted in a conversation he sure made a point.

"So what was the plan? You dump the troublesome brothers at a different dimension, say good job, and forget about us?" Five was really curious what was the plan here.

"No of course not Five!" Ah Alison, she was always bad with arguments when it came to her siblings. "We just tought that you could get the help there wich is not aviable in here. There's a place called Auradon, where they could help you get used to socialising again, Klaus could get help with his powers and both of you could have the therapy if you chose to."

Auradon... Auradon... Five had a fogy ideal about the place, but he couldn't recall anything concrete just just that it in fact really existed.

"Look, I know how it sounds, but I contacted the principal of the school You, Five would be attending, and she said she talked to the royal family and they give us their blessing. They'll set everything up, you just have to be there, and then decide what you want to do with the opportunity"

"Look Luther, I've heard enough. I don't need help. I do know how to function in a normal society, and I don't need your pity. So thank you, but no thank you"

And Five just blinked to his room. Locked the door, and sat down at the edge of his bed. Coffee forgotten on his desk, he just sat there with an empty heart and a noisily running mind. After everything he did for them. He saved them, and killed for them over and over again. He fought tooth and nails to be back with them, and even if they drifted apart, if they became virtual stanger, they were still his sibling. He didn't wanted to be a big part of their life, to tell you the truth, he might not be abel to. That chance died at the postapocalyptic future he called home for the majority of his first life. But he hoped, at least he would be a welcomed observer. A character at the sidelines who watched them, never too involved, but there. As it seems it wasn't to be...

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Five didn't know how much time passed while he was in this daze like state, but he come by when he heard a tentative knock on his door. He needed a moment to process that someone was talking to him.

"Five, it's Klaus.... Can I... Can I come in?" - Maybe it was because their siblings wanted to send away him too, or because of that tentative tone in Klaus' voice, but Five just couldn't let him stand there without an answer. He was a bit of a softy, when it came to the other man.

"Come in." There was a moment when nothing happened, but then Klaus opened the door carefully.

He was a bit hesitant as he entered, and he remained at the door. Five just sighted. "You can come, and sit down somewhere."

As If the permission was all Klaus needed, he went to the rug in front of the bed, and sat there. Curling around his bended knees a bit.

They were silent for a bit, but it was kind of comforting. A feeling of solidarity between them. The others had options. They had lifes, jobs, careers and other things that was part of being a well adjusted member of society. But Klaus and Five? They had each other, because at the end of the day, their siblings didn't wanted to cope with their shit too.

"I'm tired" It might have sounded as a non sequitur for most people, but Five understood perfectly.

"Yeah, me too... me too" He rarely let himself be this open, but Klaus was an exception from so many other of his normal boundaries, that at the end, it really didn't matter.

"You know" Klaus continued " I've never tought that I'll live in this hous again. from my free will to make it more unbelievable... and I don't think it's good for me..." Klaus spoke quietly, like he himself didn't believe he was saying it out loud. Like it was a secret between them. "I don't have anywhere else to go, and I don't really want to go back to the streets. Not after... Not after this whole mess."

Five tried to think of anything else than leaving. He really did, but he couldn't come up with anything. At least not at the moment. He needed time to get the appropriate founds to move out, and bring Klaus with him. And he knew Klaus might not have that time. Not with the way he looked now. Five knew the other couldn't die permanently, but he didn't have any illusion about the destruction psychological stress could inflict.

"You want to go to this place?" He asked. Klaus looked just as lost, as he felt. He looked so fragile like this. It was a bit of a shock really. Klaus usually was so vibrant, full of life, even when he was miserable, he wasn't quiet about it. He let his feelings to run their cours, and he expressed them in the most animated way, full of life. And now seeing this person who can be sunshine incarnate be so timid and listless was actually a wake up call for Five. He needed to do something or else he might loose Klaus too.

"We can go, if you want to" he heard himself say. And Klaus just looked so relived, that he knew he made the right call. They might not find the solution to their problems, but at least they tried everything.

Klaus didn't moved, just laid his forehead on his knees.

"Thank you Five... really, really thank you" it was barely a wisper. But Five heard it, and he knew he had some research to do. After all, they were going to another dimension.

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59166841

As an end note: I do not own any of the characters, and I read a lot of RebelPaisley works, and I did got inspiration for Chad’s character from his works.

[dramioneasks]

HP FESTS: Tales as Old as Time Fest

Tales as Old as Time Fest 2023:

Kyrie Eleison by Halliwell19 - E, WIP - A Dramione Hunchback AUWritten for the Tale As Old As Time Fest.

Queen of Mean by greyditto - E, WIP - When feelings and betrayal turn Draco Malfoy and his campaign manager in the Minister for Magic election into adversaries, Hermione Granger lashes out and cuts all ties. She decides revenge is a dish best served cold—and tastes sweetest served on the lips of the forbidden.

Something Crazy by LadyMorphia - M, one-shot - Draco Malfoy stood there staring in her direction across the expanse of the ballroom. His eyes reminded her of ice crystals; they were at once reflective and cold with contrasting prisms of dark and light. They were infuriatingly harsh and beautiful. She hadn’t ever noticed before.Her heart leaped when she realised he was approaching her.“Malfoy,” she began, unable to control the question from escaping her lips. “Can I just, say something crazy?”Hermione cursed herself internally. Her cheeks flushed red; she hadn’t expected the words to come tumbling out of her mouth, but then again, she hadn’t expected to feel the little bubbles rising up in her chest like this either.“I love crazy,” he said, giving her a casual smirk.A Dramione one-shot about a spontaneous proposal based on the lyrics to "Love Is an Open Door" from Frozen. Written for the Tales as Old as Time Fest.

when she loved me by riddikulus_puff - M, one-shot - Hermione Granger-Malfoy tragically passed away on the 2nd May 2013 at the hands of the copycat Death Eaters, when they performed a heightened terrorist attack on the 15th-anniversary celebration being held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to mourn the losses that occurred throughout and during the Second Wizarding War which ended on the 2nd May 1998 and also celebrate how much had changed since then, but seemingly some people didn't appreciate the changes that had been happening since the end of the War. She was one of the few confirmed deaths but it had been reported that many had left the celebration injured and carried straight away to St Mungo's Hospital. The loss of the Golden Girl wrecked its way through the Wizarding World. Left behind was Hermione's grieving husband, Draco Granger-Malfoy, who had been working as the Potions Professor at Hogwarts until the death and their two twin children, Scorpius and Lyra Granger-Malfoy, who were six years old at the time of their mother's death. A one-shot for the 2023 HP Tales as Old as Time Fic Fest Inspired by the song 'When She Loved Me' from the 1999 film, Toy Story 2

Out of All Control by SyrenGrey - E, WIP - “A hundred thousand Galleons,” Draco declared, cutting off every other auction bidder foolish enough to think they’d get in his way.As the words left his mouth, a sudden sense of regret seized him. Centuries of Pureblood wisdom felt forgotten, like a forsaken grave he’d stomped on in his pursuit for hedonistic depravity. The rapid flutter of his heart, the need that pumped in his veins, the sheer starvation lurching in his stomach–all this, for a mudblood.Whatever that feeling was, whatever guilt festered inside him, it was miniscule compared to the all-encompassing resoluteness that filled him when he was announced the winner. Of course he was. In no world was he going to risk losing her to the feculent hands of his fellow Death Eaters.If he let himself ignore the shame, he could come to terms with the truth that slowly settled in his bones: Draco Malfoy was destined to have her.She was his.Hermione Granger was his.

Things My Heart Used to Know by iftreescouldspeak - M, one-shot - War does not determine who is right–only who is left.During the cold, hopeless nights of the war, Hermione liked to imagine what her life would be like after their side came out victorious. History is written by the victors, after all. She spun a happy tale for herself with a boy she loved.Though now that she’s here, her story would read more like a tragedy.The celebrations were grand, the parties and ceremonies dotted with tired smiles and laughter from her friends turned comrades turned acquaintances. Happiness took place all around her, all the while the spirit she once held so steadfastly melted, slowly dripping into the ground beneath her feet until she was hollow. Hermione tried to be polite in her grief, she didn’t want to ruin it for everyone.

Beautiful Night by EvergreenTuesdays - E, WIP - Hermione’s jaw dropped at the sight of the creature standing before her eyes. He was magnificent, all corded muscle and masculine beauty, even with his signature shock of white-blond hair plastered to his head in the downpour. His enormous wings were unfurled, the beautiful black, iridescent plumage signifying that this was no ordinary Veela. His chest heaved, eyes darting around, taking in the Aurors and calculating his next move. She gasped when his predatorial silver eyes landed on her.

Don't Say It Out Loud by Astrangefan - G, one-shot - Prompt: "I Won't Say I'm In Love" from Disney's Hercules For the Tale as Old as Time FestHermione and Draco are Head Boy and Girl. Sparks fly. Friends intervene. Noses get episkey'd. Friends intervene again. Sugar quills. Hermione is in denial. House elves seal the deal.

Journey To The Past by Halliwell19, heyvirgo4 - E, WIP - For as long as Draco could remember, he was an orphan with no knowledge of who he was and where he came from. Never mind the fact that he had dreams of painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and of a voice that would sing to him, Once Upon a December.In an attempt to get out of military service to his country upon his 18th birthday, Draco takes up with notorious British con artist, Hermione Granger and her companion/brother Harry Potter. Together, they have hatched a scheme to go to Paris and trick the Grand Duchess Narcissa Black Malfoy into turning over the reward for her long lost son, Prince Draconian Lucius Malfoy. Their journey is fraught with all sorts of challenges, the biggest being that Draco may or may not be falling in love with Hermione.

Do You Want to Build a Snowman by princessmalfoy - not rated, one-shot - She meets her best friend in the snowy meadow. They grow up together, they fall in love, they share many a sweet moment under the tree in the field. All too soon, their paths are yanked apart by an unforgiving war.

This fest is ongoing.

[vxctorx]

@ronmanmob

It is the fifth night of the fortnight-long festivities at the manor. I am entertaining the ramblings of an oil heiress on the superior qualities of Tussah over Mulberry, when the chatter of the group nearby with my father in attendance, crowned by the name Kray, reaches my ears over the sublime melody of the string quartet. The Duchess of Sutherland appears to have turned the conversation towards my Ronnie. "Really, it is so fascinating how these young brothers are practically cleaning up the East End. I've heard that you can finally walk through the streets again."

"Now, now, I wouldn't go that far. The state of Whitechapel is no different than how it used to be during the Great Depression. The people there are still utterly wretched, and these so called 'gangs' are simply making a dime off of their misery. I say, this is what happens when the powers that be leave the nation to its own devices."

"The powers that be? Wouldn't that be you, Lord Henry?" The Duchess' lighthearted repost elicits a gracious laughter amongst the group, and I turn my gaze towards them just in time to realise with a cold heart that my father, who hitherto was in a celebratory mood over his most recent investment, is the only person who appears unamused by the whole exchange. Instead, his eyes have very much grown fixated upon me.

"Oh, young Lord Trevor? You must introduce me to your charming friend, Mr. Kray. I, for one, am very interested in what he has to say." The Duchess calls for my attention with a slight wave of her gloved hand once she notices my gaze, and I am shaken out of my daze just in time to offer a feigned smile and answer, "Of course, Duchess."

It is long past midnight when I am summoned up to my father's office. I watch as he pours a generous shot from his favoured bottle of whiskey into an ornate tumbler. The act is shocking in itself, for he has seldom granted me such a show of weakness.

"You have brought a criminal, a crook, into my house." As he commences his speech, there is something in his voice that goes beyond the usual disappointment which I have grown used to. "I shook the man's hand while the entire world was watching. I treated him as a gentleman, because for all you have done to disgrace me and your own name, Victor, I could have never guessed you would start dallying with society's worst parasites in order to spite me." The severity of his words at last hits me upon his last sentence. "Father, this is absurd! Ronnie-Mr. Kray is a better man than you think. I realise he is quite modern in his approach, but if only you gave him a chance-"

"So now you address him by his name! Just what is this man to you? Speak." The stumble is fatal, and I knew it the second Ronnie's name had slipped across my tongue. "Nothing! Only, a friend."

As the seconds pass between the deafening silence, I see what is left of the colour in Lord Trevor's face dissipate completely. "This time, you have gone too far, Victor." A deathly pause, before his final verdict is uttered. "I will not have the likes of him in my home. You are to tell him to leave immediately."

"Now? It's half past two! Where am I supposed to send him?" I can hear the frustration in my own voice, yet I can do little to quell my indignation. To turn Ronnie out of the house in such a godforsaken hour, would be the greatest insult a man such as he could endure. I could never bring myself to inflict such a wound on Ronnie. What is more, I had never intended to make an enemy out of my father for him. "There is an inn at the village." Comes Lord Trevor's dry response.

It is in that cold, harsh moment that I come to my abrupt decision to choose Ronnie over my father's approval, for I have grown certain that the latter is a luxury I will never learn to afford.

"If you wish for him to leave, tell him yourself."