#it feels like everyone else's hopes and dreams are pinned on you and yet none of them are yours

[twstfanblog]

*~Magical Girl AU~* Part 1

A/N: First chapter of the Magical Girl AU! I'm super excited to share more of this with you guys. I still need names for Jack and Jamil's Magical Beasts, but everything else has been picked! Please comment or send in asks if you have questions. Just ask if you want to be added to a tag list for this series. Enjoy! Word Count: 2.3K

For the longest time, Yuu felt the most comfortable in tight, dimly lit areas. It needed to feel soft to the touch on all sides, a bit of noise that felt out of place for how low it was yet filled the room. Her dad would tell her — when she was a baby — at times the only way to make her stop crying at night was to take her out of the bassinet and lay her on his chest as he continued working. His heartbeat, the sounds of nature from the open window. The faint glow of his screen and the stub of a cigarette on the windowsill lulled her to sleep in seconds.

She remembered only one dream from her childhood. It was dark, the sound of water dripping in the distance. She was laying on something soft, a cushion that held her entire body. Then something picks her up, holding her easily as she's lifted higher in the dimly lit room. Yellow lights look down on her fondly, and that's all she remembers.

The youngest Shroud boy crying was a rare sight, one that was by equal measure unwelcomed and disheartening in Crowley's opinion.

He could only feel pity, anger, heartbreak, as the small caster cried. His face buried in the feathers of a far too tired dire beast. In fact, everyone in the room was too tired. A truth that only shed further misfortune on them…

Looking around, Crowley saw the youth he was to lead and protect by his own choice scattered in the bleak safety of his home. The Shroud’s area had been the newest to fall to the ever growing darkness of their lands. Thick and viscous, thorny vines that ensnared many an innocent beast and loved ones alike.

He watches in silence as Diamond finally works up the energy to stand, appearance disheveled and marked by faded bruises. His stride was offbeat, limping to Ortho before dropping to his knees and gathering the sobbing boy into his arms. 

Crowley turns away, seeing Diamond's shoulders start to tremble.

Clover was tired, exhausted even, topaz pupils almost glowing from behind the dark outline clinging to the skin around his eyes, “Crowley, we can't keep this up…”

Casting a look behind him, Clover couldn't hide the distress in his gaze. His two younger charges, Trappola and Spade; younger compared to the former three that finished up their group but seasoned fighters in their own right. Each laid still, bodies covered in dirt, blot, and the shimmering ichor their kind bled. They were alive, blessedly enough. But they couldn't risk their lives day in and out, they were slowly becoming sloppy. Clover and Diamond feared one day they'd leave their small — ever growing smaller — safe haven and not come back…

Clover looked away from them, pinning Crowley with a hard stare, “Ace and Deuce still aren't to their full potential. R-...Riddle was only letting them tag along with Cater and me on recon missions before he… We in good faith keep sending them out alone to handle blot monsters…none of us can…We…Jade's contacted me…he almost lost Floyd some time ago.”

We can't keep holding on like this. It was unspoken, but said so many times Crowley feared he was growing deaf to it.

Heaving a sigh, he closed his eyes and looked up the stairs of his root-infested home, the thick branches curving in intricate designs along the ceiling and walls. The swirls converge to direct toward the locked weapons room, the cradle of his greatest creation.

“I had hoped we could resolve all of this…peacefully. But I fear the others are too far gone for us to aid them now. All we can do is put them to rest from their madness.”

Clover tried to speak over him, opening his mouth in protest only to flinch as Diamond finally let out a choked sob at Crowley's words. When he turned back, he noticed the elder was already at the top of the staircase, waving his hand in a show of magic to open the doors.

Taking the steps two at a time, he took the moment to look around the room in brief awe when he walked through the doorway. A weapon of magic and might was crammed into every corner and laying unused on tables. The faded memory of sitting patiently at the table pressed against the grand circular window overlooking the once vibrant valley, watching as Crowley weaved complex spells and metals to craft his mallet. A sorrowful memory of standing with Cater at his side, smiling as Riddle excitedly took his newly created axe into his small hands.

“Clover, come here.”

He was beside Crowley in an instant. Looking at the table covered in a deep indigo cloth, numerous gems, trinkets, and smaller weapons were tucked into a dark corner before them. Trey couldn't help but blink his eyes in surprise at the beautifully embroidered chest sitting on the cluttered space. The chest was clearly an item of Crowley’s, deep blue in its main body with metal fastenings of gold on each edge and corner. He could even see a number of tiny iridescent pearl necklaces half hanging from the closed lid. But, on top of the chest, snoozing away as though all was well, was a dire beast with a striped ribbon around its neck. A cat if he remembered the name properly. But it was…big. Clearly already bonded to a weapon and a powerful one at that. Even asleep it seemed to ooze an aura of intimidation from its place atop the mysterious box.

Crowley only huffed at the creature, face pulled into displeasure at the sight. With one hand, he quickly picked the beast up by its ribbon collar and moved it haphazardly off the chest and onto the table.

With its own huff of annoyance, the beast shook itself awake to level a glare at Crowley. A gem was tied to its collar, the stone void of color only to flicker blue briefly before its ears flared up in flames of the same color, “What's the big idea on waking me up!?”

“It can speak!?” Trey shouted, eyes wide in shock and awe as he took a step back from the table. A dire beast so powerful it could speak the same tongue as them was unheard of. Turning to Crowley, he struggled to string his thoughts together, “Crowley, what is this? What weapon is this beast linked to?”

“Hey! My name is Grim!”

“A mirror.” Crowley smiled at the chest with fondness, gold-tipped hands caressing the top of it lovingly, “A weapon I had crafted nearly at the beginning of this mess to be our ultimate tool. A weapon that has the ability to create another from nothing, in any shape or form deemed necessary to ensure our victory. I had hoped…I would only need to use it on the reason for all of this…but he's grown too strong and we must use all we have…”

With a tap of his hand, a series of clicks sound from the chest. The lid popped up with a soft snap, a poof of glittering dust escaping the box and allowing Crowley to open it wider.

A black velvet pillow was all that greeted them. As time passed, Trey wondered if…the mirror was small. Or maybe it wasn't able to be seen by those who weren't wielding it? Maybe the beast decided who could see it…

“...Ah…” Crowley turned, meeting eyes with Trey and speaking just as the beast stared into the chest and yowled in confusion and distress at the lack of mirror inside, “It's missing.”

“...It’s what?”

Running water was the background noise to Yuu's teeth brushing, an overplayed pop song hummed at the back of their throat.

“Puppy! Puppy, come here; I need your help.”

Yuu spits into the sink, yelling back as she grabs a facecloth to wet in the still running water, “I'm covered in toothpaste!”

“Well, wipe yourself down and get in here!”

Already halfway through cleaning their face and hands, Yuu let out a loud groan before shutting the water off. The five-second walk from their cramped bathroom to the comfortably cozy living room was quick, moving beside her father as she watched him pick and stitch at a coat on one of his mannequins, “Yeah, dad?”

Crewel glanced at her briefly, stepping to the side to allow her to move closer to his project, “I need you to reach into this seam and smooth a layer inside down for me. I'm going to just stitch it down instead of having it mess up when I transport it…”

A quick and easy task, one Yuu had been performing since toddlerhood. A few minutes later, Crewel had tapped them on the thigh, a gentle signal that they could remove their hand. Watching their dad stitch the seam close, they couldn't help but marvel at the coat.

A pea-length coat made from almost shimmering short white fur, glittering in every slight movement made even from a single breath. Closed with three gold buttons and notch lapels that matched the fabric lining the inside of the coat. The inside was just as stunning; an ornate jacquard pattern of reds with her father’s signature stitched in white along the edge. The back cinching the coat into a more feminine framing with a red satin ribbon ran through gold corset loops and tied into a bow at the curve of the back.

They ghost their fingers over the fur, fighting the urge to feel the soft texture but knowing better, “The coat looks amazing. One of my favorites so far…” Yuu looked over to Crewel, raising an eyebrow as they elbowed him lightly, “Is it gonna be in the show?”

Sighing, Crewel put his pins and needles away, pulling a pair of glasses from a bin along with a comb and fine-toothed hair sheers. He starts moving over the coat with the comb and scissors to ensure not a single tuff was misaligned along the sleeves, “Well, she says it will be in the show. But we both know how Madame Sanat is. She says it'll be in the show but then decides as it’s about to go down the runway the design doesn't need the coat or the hat or the shoes-”

Taking a deep breath, Crewel signed again, staring at his creation with every ounce of exhaustion in him, “But, the plan is for the jacket to be in the show. She asked me personally to design for it, so maybe she won't be taken by the flights of fancy during the weekend.”

“You leave Thursday, right?”

“Thursday morning, correct. I'll try to make sure to do a grocery run before then.” He turned to Yuu, smiling as he gently caressed a hand against their cheek, “I'm sorry. I normally try to stay in town during your first week of school…”

Leaning into his hand, Yuu smiled back, shrugging in playful nonchalance, “It's no big deal. I'm a young lady after all. I even got through the first two days without being sent to the office for once.”

“I will admit. That part is impressive.” Crewel pulled on gloves, removing the coat from the mannequin to place it in a garment bag, “Thank you for doing your best to not get me called to your school as I was prepping for the show.”

Yuu rolled her eyes, “You sent me to school Monday saying if I got in trouble and pulled you away from working on the coat, you’d leave me back in the alley you found me.” They grabbed the reusable cup placed on the other side of the TV console, “Not my fault people are so easy to beat up.”

“Puppy.”

“What!? I've only punched in self-defense…” They sip at what they had thought was water, only to be met with the unpleasant mixture of the burn of alcohol and a mildly sweet taste hitting her mint-filled mouth and making her gag, “Ah!”

Crewel smiled lightly, taking his cup from her hands and looking at her from the corner of his eyes, “That's my wine, puppy…”

“It's like 11pm! Don't you have work in the morning!?”

“And you have school. Off to bed with you.”

Yuu rolled their eyes, groaning as they turned to walk into their bedroom, “Drink water!”

“Bed!”

Comfortably cramped and cozy was the staple of Yuu and Crewel's lives. Their bedroom cluttered with their personality and several iridescent fairy lights hanging from their loft bed. Climbing into the bed space, taking their extra-long charger cord with them, she made herself snug in her blankets and pillows. With their phone plugged in to charge through the night, they surfed along websites and apps as sleep slowly crept into their body. They could hear the noise of cars and the stray person outside their window slowly decreased the longer they stayed awake. Crewel had moved into the bathroom at some point, water running for some odd minutes before leaving to his own room across the hall separating them. Soon, for what seemed like an almost supernatural moment all was completely still and quiet.

Yuu felt their eyes drooping, blinks lasting longer and longer with each passing second. So when the light from outside their window changed from the warm-toned, burnt yellow street lights to an ethereal shimmery blue, they barely registered or had the energy to be amazed at the shift. The light and colors shifted, leaving shapes to dance and swirl along their walls and floors for nearly two minutes before they completely faded.

The lights had been beautiful, calming in a way they weren't entirely sure how to describe nor explain why they soothed them. As their eyes finally blinked closed in a deep sleep, Yuu made the mental note to check their phone tomorrow, already eager to see a video or an explanation for the glowing lights.

*Bonus!*

Aw~ Look, it's Yuu's baby picture!

[seiya-starsniper]

Fern - in a world of magic, the greatest miracle was you

For Dreamling? ❤️

JANNNIIIII this one really got away from me, but I hope you like it!

Flower Prompt Game!

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

In another universe, Dream of the Endless does not meet Robert Gadling in a run down pub, does not offer him immortality in exchange for nothing more than a once a century meeting. He does not walk the Waking World with his sister Death, but instead visits her realm for their weekly afternoon tea. 

In this universe, Robert Gadling has made his own immortality in a world where magic never left. He is still a soldier for hire, a mercenary, an assassin where absolutely needed. He has no particularly strong magic of his own. But his skill with the blade, and his loyalty to those he serves earns him a name, and eventually, a favor. He becomes immortal on the night where the twin moons meet from across the sky, when the ensuing eclipse grants the Mad Witch Henreitta Reynolds the power to seal his soul from Death herself. Death notices the ritual and does not intervene, for she is too busy entertaining her brother’s latest stories. 

Dream and Robert Gadling do not meet in this century, nor the next. Or the one after that.

But in all universes, Dream of the Endless is still captured by Roderick Burgess. Roderick Burgess will still take and take and take, but he will still fail to bring his fallen son (not a soldier this time, but a scholar, lost to a dragon attack at his academy). He will pin all his future hopes on his second, less remarkable son, Alex. Alex, desperate to please his father, will perform a ritual far outside his skill level, and it will result in Dream’s freedom, and the death of everyone else on the estate. 

But Dream’s power is a fickle thing, too long have his tools been separated from him, and he does not even have enough power to call himself home. And so, naked, alone, and unable to return to the realm of dreams, Dream of the Endless walks barefoot towards the nearest village, seeking asylum.

In this universe, Dream of the Endless and Robert Gadling meet for the first time when the former collapses at the latter’s feet. Robert, having felt the tremors of the explosion from the Burgess estate, had run towards the carnage, instead of away, looking for survivors. He finds one, and whisks him away back to his cottage by the sea. 

For three days, Robert Gadling would nurse Dream back to health. Dream would stay silent the entirety of those days, would refuse to make eye contact with his caregiver, too mistrustful of humans after having spent a century imprisoned by them. But Hob asks him no questions, does not push him to provide gifts he cannot give. He himself simply gives, and gives, and gives. 

“I am Dream of the Endless,” Dream declares to him the night he feels enough of his power return to him. Robert only smiles back at him, charmed.

“I figured as much,” the immortal replies easily. “Hadn’t dreamed a lick in the last hundred years until the night I rescued you.”

This declaration is startling, but only the slightest bit. Dream had known he was not dealing with no ordinary man. He could smell the heavy cloak of magic on the man’s skin, and yet, none of that magic seemed innate. Robert Gadling had no remarkable magical talent of his own, and yet, he had earned the favor of some of the most powerful magic users in the realm. It was only natural he would have known of Dream’s true nature, and yet he chose to help him anyways.

“Your care has allowed me time to heal, Robert Gadling,” Dream continues, ignoring the thrill the realization alights from deep within him. “I would grant you a boon for your troubles.”

Robert only shrugs. “Call me Hob, first off,” he says, waving him off. “And I don’t need anything from you.”

After a century of being asked for gifts he was unable or unwilling to give, the casual indifference of the man’s dismissal rankles Dream. It is almost insulting. 

“Surely there is something every mortal wants,” Dream insists. “You are already immortal, yes I can sense the magic,” he adds when Hob startles at the statement. “I am still weak from my imprisonment, but I can promise you wealth, power, the ability to inspire all dreamers. What is it your heart desires?”

“I’ve already told you, there’s nothing,” Hob replies, almost vehemently. “I did not save you expecting a boon.”

“I cannot leave a debt unpaid, Hob,” Dream growls, growing impatient. He wishes to return to his realm but he cannot leave before the boon has been granted. His pride will not allow it. “There must be something you wish of me.”

Hob then meets his eyes, ready to argue once more, but then Dream catches a glimpse of the man’s dreams. He sees himself pinned underneath Hob’s broader body, feels the immortal’s lips ghosting along his skin, teeth grazing at his thighs, and hands pressed firmly against his body. Hob realizes almost immediately what Dream has seen and turns away, his face flushed scarlet with embarrassment and humiliation.

“I would not ask that of you,” Hob murmurs. “It is not honorable.”

Dream smirks, and closes the distance between them. Hob does not move, but Dream can hear his heartbeat intensify, can smell the arousal wafting from every pore in his body. It is intoxicating, to be desired so much. It has been too long since Dream has been wanted in such a way. 

“I do not leave a debt unpaid, Hob Gadling,” Dream murmurs against the man’s ear. “But you will have to work to truly pleasure the King of Dreams. Are you prepared to accept that challenge?”

Hob does. He rises to the occasion beautifully. 

When their coupling is complete, Hob Gadling swears fealty to only Dream, makes grandiose promises to be his knight until the end of time. Dream laughs, and accepts. He has always been a greedy creature, and he wants this man for his own, and only his. 

Hob helps Dream track down his tools of office, and when Dream is returned to full power, he grants Hob a place of honor as his knight, and his official emissary between the Waking and the Dreaming. In the night, he steals away his lover to his private chambers, where they bring each other untold pleasure that the rest of the realm feels for eons after.

“You are a marvel my dear heart,” Dream says to him one day, apropos of nothing. “In a world full of boundless magic and power, the greatest miracle to happen to me was meeting you.” 

Hob kisses him gently, still charmed and deeply in love even after thousands of years. “I think you’re the miracle, love,” he chuckles. “I’m just the lucky bastard who gets to love you.”

[lightanddarknessdragonlord]

leave out all the rest

(if you don’t wanna read it on ao3 here it is!! obligatory tag @thedacoda for encouraging me to write more kaoru & just generally being the best brother i could ask for <3)

I don't really know what I expected. I'm used to this, aren’t I? I should be.

This is nothing new, not for me. But even still… I had hope in you. I placed my trust in you all, I knew it was a bad idea, and yet-!

All of you are leaving me behind.

You all knew. You knew about him and didn’t tell me?

(There’s nothing to tell.)

I suggested the idea of finding him, I MENTIONED it, because all of you are just too content to leave me out of everything, and what do I hear?!

“Kaoru?”

Don’t play dumb, Jaden, you know better than that.

“What are you saying, Kaoru?”

Alexis, don’t look at me like that. You’d do the same for Atticus.

“Listen to me, Kaoru, this isn’t a good idea.”

Atticus, don’t you dare pretend to care now!

“We’re all worried about you, sarge.”

Hassleberry, you don’t even know me well enough to care.

“This isn’t going to change anything, Yuna!”

Yeah, like you’d know anything about what it means to be a good younger brother, Syrus.

“What’s going through that thick skull of yours?”

Chazz… just… don’t.

It’s been hours now, and still, I can hear all of you, clear as day. Everything just ricochets in my brain, endlessly. All of you looked at me like I was out of my mind when I suggested it, and you tell me to calm down when I get rightfully angry?!

Shut up. Shut up, shut up shut up shut up shut up shut UP! All of you love to play the morality card, all of you love to be oh so higher-than-thou!

(Jaden is trying to relate to your pain. Alexis understands what you’re going through. Atticus wants to protect you. Hassleberry wants you to be safe, and so does Syrus. Chazz doesn’t want to lose you again. You know this.)

(Are you sure they’re the ones acting holier-than-thou?)

None of you understand. I know he’s there. I can see Honest in the corner of my vision. It’s in my dreams, it’s begging me to find him. I know it.

(Do you?)

I bolt upright, my breathing erratic as my eyes scan around the room for the familiar flash of golden wings. The alarm clock by my bed reads a number I don't want to see, definitely past midnight. My eyes scan the dark room, sweeping across from the window to the doorway.

It’s nowhere to be seen. 

(You’re imagining things, Kaoru.)

It’s not my first nightmare, and it won’t be my last. But this one feels so vivid, much more than any of my other dreams. I should wait until I’m calm in the morning, until I’m rational… I know I'm being unreasonable, and yet…

Akio is only a door away. It wouldn’t be the first time I've woken him up in the middle of the night. Yet… something is different tonight. There's an ache in my head that I don't think he can quell. I don’t know that I would want him to tell me any sweet lies so I can fall back asleep, anyways, not after the week I've had.

(You have a way of thinking the worst of everyone.)

I'm out of my bed before I can think any harder on it, my deck in hand and bobby pins in my pocket. I pause, however, when I feel one of the card spirits rousing. Light and Darkness Dragon… I'll keep you here in the room. You deserve to rest. I'm so sorry for what I'm about to do, Light, but I know you’ll learn to forgive me. Or, at least, I hope you will. If you’ll even remember you had a deck owner to begin with…

(Didn’t you say you’re tired of people abandoning you?)

The click of the dorm room behind me has me trembling, my blood roaring in my ears. I was once king of Ra Yellow, I’m an excellent duelist, I know I can think through stressful situations. I didn’t earn my place in Obelisk Blue with a pretty face and a boatload of money. I can stop, I can go back to bed, I can wait until the morning to talk about this with Akio. He wouldn’t lie to me, not like everyone else has… 

…

Or maybe he just wants me to think that. The idea has me pushing off down the hallway, headed to the upper level of the dormitory.

It’s only me and my thoughts as I make my way up the stairs. I don’t like being without Light if I can help it, my hand itching over my deck. They’re usually here with me, talking me out of my bad decisions and anger-induced plans for revenge. But I know they would never agree with me on this, so I have to do this alone.

(Is that true, or are you scared to admit that you’re wrong?)

I stop in front of Atticus’ dorm, reaching to grab the pins from earlier. I learned how to lockpick at North. More skills meant people would have more respect for you when you defeated them in duels, especially if you can lend a hand to a duelist who’s stronger than you. Obelisk Blue’s security is good, I’ll admit, but I’ve dealt with worse. It’s not too annoying to pick, but it’s not easy when I’m still barely awake.

I step into the room, cautious of any loud noises I might make. I know that Atticus isn’t a very heavy sleeper, he’s mentioned it more than a few times to me. There’s a part of me that’s yelling at me to stop, likely Light’s influence on me. And yet, I tread on.

Atticus, you forced my hand. You remembered him, you remembered him before I could, and yet you didn’t say a word to me? You know damn well how much Alexis worried over you, and when I go through what she did, you want me to stay behind?!

All of you… Atticus, Alexis, Jaden, Hassleberry, Syrus, Chazz…

All of you are cowards. All of you are pathetic, insincere little COWARDS. When it came to Jaden's friend, we all ran headfirst into the Dark World to find him. But when it comes to my own damn BROTHER, it’s suddenly “oh, we can’t tell him,” or “it would break him,” or “it’s for the best if he doesn’t know.”

You’re all terrified to admit the truth, and that is that you all would give me up in a heartbeat if it meant keeping the peace.

(They did it for your peace of mind. Shouldn’t you be glad that they care?)

I find Atticus’ deck easily, quickly rifling through the cards. It’s hard to see in the dim lighting of the dorm, but one of them has an unnatural coldness to it that can’t be shaken off by a mere card spirit. I draw the card from the deck, replacing the flap and putting the box back. Atticus does not rouse.

(There’s a better way to do this.)

I spare him only one glance before I'm out of his room. My hands shake as I hold onto the card so tightly it might crease, barely able to restrain myself from slamming the door.

I can hear Darkness calling me. It dawns on me now that I have barely any idea of what I’m doing, waking up moment by moment to my reality. I’m working off of a hunch, and no sleep, too.

The flash of golden wings in front of me snaps me from my anxious stupor, and my anger rises to drown out my caution.

Honest’s image flashes in my peripherals, and I waste no time in chasing after it. I must look deranged, running down the hallways, but I couldn’t care less about what people might think. It’s too late for anyone to be roaming the halls this late, either.

I know the path to the abandoned dorm well, having visited it many times after Alexis stopped keeping such strict watch of the place. I had always felt a call to it, but never knew how to answer it… not until now, with this card in hand. I know Light and Darkness Dragon would be absolutely beside themself if they could see me right now, but… I have to do this. They know that.

(Will you take a moment to just think?)

Honest is easier to see now, less blurry at the edges. I can’t help but find it familiar, the way it looks at me and ushers me forward. Searching for memories involving the card feels like searching for a decent card in the well on the other side of the school, or trying to find a limpid crystal in a pool of perfectly clear water. I can hear it say something about how it’s nice to know I’m alright, and that it’s good I got its message.

(It’s nice to see you too, Honest.)

I pay it no mind.

Darkness is louder now, laughing, praising, shouting, anything to get me to use the card. Honest does not react, only urging me to follow as it phases through the broken doors. It seems I’m the only one Darkness is trying to convince.

“Just a second,” I murmur, “you’ll get what you want in just a second.” I don’t know which of the cards I’m talking to.

(You won’t even try to think this through?)

It’s kind of pathetic, how little effort there is to keep students out. It’s far too easy to slip under the ‘keep out’ sign, and the doors are hardly a barrier. Without a moon to shine tonight, it’s almost pitch black in the dormitory proper.

(That’s a sign that you should be back in your own dorm.)

“Starliege,” I whisper, drawing the card from my deck. The spirit responds by flying beside me with a trill, although it seems to quiet once it realizes where we are. It perches on my shoulder, warily glancing at the rest of the dorm. Even with the glow from the dragon, it’s still too dim… there’s a small radius of light from where the spirit is residing, but not much farther than my own feet.

(You’re better than this.)

“Starliege.” I'm not asking. It shuffles awkwardly on my shoulder, before its light grows and illuminates about half of the room we’re in. “Thank you,” I huff, backing away from the corner of a sinkhole I nearly fell into.

(It didn’t do anything to earn you being so rude.)

This place is in desperate need of some repairs, but that’s not my job. Cobwebs dangle from the ceiling, ruined paintings and photos on the walls being the only hint that students once lived here. The rooms look eerily similar to the Obelisk dorms, so the only striking difference is the door that leads down to the basement.

The stairs are precarious, dead wood railings having rotted away and leaving a stench in the air. Starliege shuffles again on my shoulder, trilling something that sounds like unease, but I press on. Honest keeps trying to get me to talk, but nothing leaves me.

(You used to care so much about what your dragons said. Light would never approve.)

Darkness is still attempting to coax me into using the card, dark tendrils of shadow wrapping around my wrist now. It stills when I reach the bottom of the stairs, frozen in time.

Just as I thought… This looks like his handiwork, alright.

(How do you know?)

This place has been cleared out, most of the rock carved out to create an indent in the floor. There are lines and divots everywhere, some kind of pattern I can’t decipher. I swear I’ve seen this before, though, in the same way I recognize Honest.

(Are you sure that you do?)

(shut up.)

There’s not a moment to lose. I have no reservations, hopping down the craggy rock and into the center of the floor. However, I'm still groggy from barely waking up, moreso falling into the crevasse. My landing isn’t perfect, my hand catching on a particularly sharp stone as I fall… Tch. I get back to my feet without much complaint.

Starliege wants to clean the wound, but I keep my hand away. It doesn’t need to be fretting over me when I'm about to make it wonder why it’s even here. It stays on my shoulder nonetheless, curling into my hair and hiding from the shadows that tower over us.

“Darkness.” I lift the card up to my eye level, shivering at the temperature drop in the room. Below me, the carved grooves in the floor seem to grow deeper, darker, almost as if they’re eagerly awaiting something to fill the thin canals. The tendrils stretch forward, Darkness emboldened by my attempt to command it. They wrap around my arm and around my shoulder, sinking beneath my skin, into my veins... there’s a laugh reverberating somewhere, either in my ears or in my skull.

With the sudden dip in temperature, it’s hard for me to look back. Honest is seemingly trying to call for me, but I can’t hear. Typical. It doesn’t seem like Darkness is keen on letting it interfere with our little meeting.

It’s freezing as the shadows encase my upper back, so cold that Starliege is forced to dart away and leave me in the darkness that overwhelms my vision, flying towards Honest. It trills out for me, a call I was once familiar with, one that used to make my heart race in the heat of a duel. I don't move.

I can’t hear anything but the beating of my heart, fear forcing me stock-still. There it is, the panic, the kind that makes you freeze and wonder if you’ll die. I’ve felt it enough to be familiar in the chaos. I swallow thickly as I try to find the words to speak, feeling frozen in place. 

“No.” I am not here to be puppeteered or manipulated, not again. Darkness seems to sense my resolve, the shadows pooling by my ankles as they roll off my back. It’s still oppressively cold, but a little easier to breathe.

(Are you alright?)

Starliege does not fly back to me. That's alright. That will make things easier.

(This isn’t like you.)

(shut up.)

“Darkness, I know you’re here.”

My voice is raspy and hoarse from just being woken up, but it’s loud enough to echo in this cavern. “Take me to him.”

(You can barely fight against Darkness. Why do you-?)

(i said, shut up!)

(…)

(…that’s what i thought.)

Honest flickers in the corner of my vision, attempting to get my attention again. I pay it no mind.

“Why should I, duelist?”

The shadows dance across my vision, making me wonder if I’m really seeing anything at all. It’s the same whether I close my eyes or keep them open. The sting in my hand from the rapid drop in temperature doesn’t help.

“I know your secret, Darkness. I know you can be defeated, just like how Jaden defeated the Light.”

“My enemy’s weaknesses do not constitute my own.”

The shadows are growing bold again, reaching up my pant legs, wrapping around my calves-

“You wouldn’t be so afraid if I was lying.”

The shadows seem to stop twisting for a moment, seemingly ruminating over my words, then pull me down to my knees. I can’t maintain my balance, landing oddly on my elbows with a grunt. Honest tries to move closer, but I can’t see it.

“You know not of what forces you seek to rule, Yuna. Your predecessor knew, and for that, he lives happily. You, however-”

“You don’t know anything about what I want.”

Even Darkness thinks it knows what I want?! It’s sickening how much all of you try to know me, to know what I want, or what’s best for me. If I wasn’t seeing pitch-black darkness in front of me, I’d be seeing red.

Enraged, I find myself lashing out whatever way I can, my anger overwhelming my fear once more. My injured hand slams down into the floor, landing right on one of the sigils that line the floor. I can feel the sting from the earlier cut, no doubt bleeding and smearing into the crevice. The sigil lights up, soft white light flowing into the rifts between the symbols and illuminating them. This must be how he did it…

“Your goal is not the same as his. He rescinded all his bonds. You cling to them.”

Darkness seems to grow louder as the sigils light up, but I pay it no mind. It’s only a stepping stone to get me what I want.

All the air gets knocked from me within the next moment, my body trembling. The shiver that runs down my spine isn’t from the lack of warmth, however; it’s from a voice that calls out to me, oh so familiar…

“Yuna?”

“Kaoru?”

(Who is it that you hear?)

(didn’t i tell you to shut up?)

There's some kind of commotion behind me, Darkness’ hold on me wavering. The voices are so familiar… The roar that reverberates nearly makes me fall over, but I stay on the floor.

Light and Darkness Dragon… They probably woke Akio and brought him here to find me, but it doesn’t matter. He’s alive. Everything they tried to hide from me, the reason they’re so adamant on leaving me behind… He’s here.

(brother, it’s been so long!)

The dorm around me seems to glow brighter, Darkness’ hold seeming to slip away. I can see now, but I don’t attempt to turn back.

“It seems I underestimated you,” it says, but there’s no real change in the monotone quality of its voice. “Such a shame that I could not claim your Light and Darkness Dragon.”

Normally, a sleight against Light would have me in a frenzy. But as the dorm glows brighter, rivaling the light Starliege emitted, I feel oddly… indifferent.

Akio yells behind me, trying to rush forwards. Light joins him, with Honest and Starliege being the quickest.

I can feel them right behind me, how Light’s claws graze my back, how Honest tries to grab at my hand, how Starliege trills out for me once again—

(finally, i know why.)

(it’s so bright here, so cold, so… clear.)

“Kaoru? Is that you?”

It’s bright white. The skies are cloudless, the winds are harsh, and the snow(? Sand?) blinds me.

“Yusuke… I’m finally here.”

—————————————————————

A few students who stayed up past curfew noted seeing an odd light inside of the abandoned dorm, but nothing came of it. No one dared enter, either way, not after rumors of some kind of malevolent spirit haunting the place.

No one had spotted the duelists that ran in, nor the single one that exited, leaving with three new cards in hand. Odd, Akio didn’t run a dragon deck… so why was it that he had Starliege Seyfert, and Light and Darkness Dragon? Honest didn’t fit in his strategy, either…

“Young master, it’s late. We’re no good if we’re frazzled.”

Visas Starfrost’s voice cut through the quiet night, walking besides his duelist. His fuschia eyes narrowed as he watched Akio, the student mumbling under his breath.

“Light and Darkness Dragon… Starliege Seyfert… Honest…” Three cards, all so familiar, and yet, so new.

“Akio.” Visas insists once more, the card spirit reaching a hand out to stop his duelist’s rambling.

“Visas, what’s… why… where did…?” The student looked between his spirit partner and the three cards, the fatigue and lack of sleep catching up with him.

“We can think about this when we return to the dorm.” Visas urges, ushering Akio inside once more.

No one could seem to remember who had owned the other bed in Akio’s room, nor why he was so adamant on rooming alone. Visas, when pressed by the few people who could see the spirit, simply said that the young master preferred his solitude.

Atticus felt some kind of unease, but nothing that could not be soothed by Alexis. Hassleberry and Syrus continued their constant bickering, Chazz occasionally joining to distract himself from the odd feelings of emptiness that sometimes came and went. Jaden was focused on trying to cohabitate with Yubel, especially with supernatural incidents continuing to occur around the school.

As the days passed, the general unease seemed to overtake the students once more. Students would come into the infirmary reporting of nightmares, all different, but sharing one theme: telling them to go to the abandoned dorm’s basement. These rumors passed around, with nearly every student in Obelisk Blue experiencing some variation of it. (Everyone in Ra simply thought it was some kind of cognitive bias.) One student suffered the worst from these dreams, in fact, he said he had the worst experience of them all.

Visas would find Akio shaking in the middle of the night, the duelist trembling like a leaf. What seemed like a flash of golden wings accompanied it, but no other person had entered the dorm in some time.

“Young master? Is something the matter?” He asked, trying to comfort the student.

In response, Akio would simply look his card in the eye, dark brown meeting searing fuschia.

“…who’s Kaoru?”

[irladagio]

OC Character Post #1 

Ash Rivera 

General

Ash Rivera - Fraxinus  (her native name)

Age: well 😗… just a couple thousand years old

Race/Species: Aeon/Alien (working on a world building post about this soon)

Birthday: none established yet probably won’t be established for some time. (Or until I finish world building her planet)

Gender: Cis Female

Sexuality: Asexual, Biromantic

Job: Lead Doctor in the JRs medical division 

She’s a magic user/ her magic is pink 💗

Appearance 

Face shape: round

Eye color: dark purpleish 

Skin tone: fair caramelish tone

Hairstyle: (my fav thing about her) two fairly thick braids in front with the back usually down but sometimes in a bun or ponytail, wispy/blunt bangs

Hair color: Light-Ash blonde (get it?!) 

Body type: curvy, what’s considered round/apple

Height: 5’8

Weight: 150lbs

Clothing style: colorful, joyful (outside of work) very feminine I suppose, on the job still pretty joyful scrubs and a white coats lots of pins and accessories tho

Other features: dimples, tooth gap 🥺

Personality

Positive Traits: 

Happy, knows how to makes others happy, always in a cheerful mood and successfully impacts others with her positivity (this makes Dream very fond of her)

Helpful, being a doctor (I hope I mentioned that) she heals and offers good advice 

Mom friend, she’s supportive, protective, sweet, gentle, mom qualities 

Strong, emotionally and physically 

Good at stopping arguments 

Sees the good in almost everyone

Her healing magic is strong and controlled

Negative traits

Her willingness to make everyone feel good and happy can sometimes be exhausting but she suppresses those emotions which is definitely unhealthy 

She’s not necessarily toxic with her positivity, all she wants is to be kind because of all the injustices she’s witnessed, which is why she joined the JR in the first place

Her being the mom friend her protectiveness can become .. overbearing at times

Her strength is one she feels she has to keep up for others she has to be the strong one while everyone else might not

Can be a bit naive at times because she’s foreign to earth

her sweetness is her greatest strength and her greatest weakness

Control over her over forms of magic 

Likes

Being kind

Knitting/Crochet 

Reading

Practice new healing techniques 

Practicing her magic 

Spending time with friends/family

Making new friends 

She is very open to trying new things

Sketching, not too good at it just a hobby

Prefers spicy foods

This lists can go on and on she likes a lot of stuff especially from earth

Dislikes

Rudeness (lil tussles with ink)

Lying

Unreasonable Violence

Star Wars movies (don’t attack me pls)

The cold 

Being underestimated 

TikTok street interviews

Snakes 

Hobbies

Crocheting

Knitting

Embroidery 

Reading

Makeup

Sketching

Beach Stuff

I’m sure there’s more

Health

Mental Health

Complicated, it’s good but I mean everyone has their moments of course. As I mentioned, she’s happy but it’s a bit draining. she doesn’t hate being happy but it can take a toll when she believes she has to be happy for everyone else too.

Physical Health 

I feel like she’d be very underestimated because of her soft and gentle appearance but she’s very physical strong and healthy. Her people have different bodies and they work differently than a human’s would.

Phobias

Snakes; she can’t wrap her head around how Finch likes them so much.

Not being able to be strong enough (mentally, emotionally, physically)

Not fitting in, this one is 50/50, she cares about fitting in with humans and their culture but isn’t afraid of expressing herself in her own unique way.

Hygiene

It’d be very hypocritical of a doctor especially lead doctor to have poor hygiene so yeah of course she has a good hygiene. Smells like honey! 

Additional Info

Relationship Status: Single (for now 😈, I’m gonna write the most beautiful romance between her and Lord Dream and there’s nothing you can do to stop me 🥰😊🫶🏽)

Education: This is a plot hole she’s a doctor but education is never established.

Family Issues: A LOT BUT THIS WILL BE REVEALED IN HER ARC WHEN I HOPEFULLY START OFFICIALLY WRITING THE AU.

[bound-up-feelings]

Hello dear,I’m in love with time,yeah the movie came out in 2016 (attlg) so what lol I LOVE how funny he is,but like there’s barely anything with him,even with Sacha,so if u could maybe write something about him,like reader got invited by alice but when reader went inside alice house they saw a mirror in maybe the bedroom and Alice nowhere in sight so they got in because they are curious and got teleported in under land,and as they walked they saw time castle and idk they got friends or even better enemies to lovers,anyway this is very long sorry,have a good day :D (reader can be a she or a they !)

Well first off, he thinks your exactly like Alice to all trust or any form of it is out of the window so say goodbye to that

Don't expect him to even be remotely nice to you from the moment he meets you

Ever since Alice came along all she has done is waste him and he despises her for that

It's the same with you

Even though you tried to reason with her that she's hurting the one thing that keeps this world turning she doesn't even listen to you

You agree with her all the way, but she's harming others to do so

Anytime you saw each other he'd get so pissed and frustrated at you

Yelling and trying to catch up before you and Alice could make yet another escape

Of course, he was always just so close but never exactly fast enough

And of course, in the end she realizes the truth, and everyone is happy when she finally returns what's been taken

After she's apologized you actually apologized as well

When time heard Alices apology he accepted it with a curt nod and a few wise words to warn her of future attempts to not listen to wiser beings

When hears you apologize, he is also apologizing for some odd reason

He cannot maintain eye contact with you for more than two seconds

The gears in the back of his neck are turning to hard he fears they may burst

He tries to calm himself by telling himself that what he feels is useless because you will be leaving for forever

Of course, you make a promise to come back the moment you have the chance

He nods his head in hope but also, he has a feeling that that promise may never be fulfilled

About a week later you actually came back

When you entered the castle, the seconds were super ecstatic to see you

They led you to Time and sure enough he was bent over working on something when he heard the seconds making commotion

"Will you be silent. I am trying to fix what you have broken and i cannot do so with all the chatter."

He says standing tall and turning to look in your direction

When he makes eye contact with you, he wastes none of himself to immediately cross the room and envelop you in a bone crushing hug

He sighs out as buries his head in your shoulder

"My dear, I was beginning you had forgotten your promise." 

Of course, he takes your hand in his and begins to lead you around just talking about anything and everything

At one point you stop and begin talk about random things

"You know I thought you didn't want to ever see me again. Since I was with Alice and all." 

He scoffs

"My dear. I have loved you since the moment I laid my eyes on you. Though it did frustrate me that you helped your friend conspire against me. I couldn't help but fall even deeper in love with you."

Those words shocked you, but you couldn't help but immediately hug him

"I couldn't agree more with you. I too fell for you too." 

And like that you found yourself going to him more and more often till you finally just said screw it and almost ended up staying there

Every now and then, instead of just visiting time like usual you were visiting your friends and family instead and found yourself staying with Time

So, you could definitely say that life was beginning to become a dream come true

(So sorry for such the long wait. Thing have been crazy. I have a better explanation on my pinned post, so please go check that out so your and everyone else is up to date.)

[dark-elf-writes]

Okay, I am so sorry for bothering you, but I am reading “Of Capture Weapons And Lightning Bolts,” again for the 3rd time and just had a thought when I was reading the part right before the Yule Ball starts.

Shouta and Hizashi take Harry to Pride, along with the rest of the group. They go as civilians, so they don’t have to deal with fans/press as much. The Weasley’s are so amazed at everything, but they are definitely having a good time. Hizashi does Harry’s makeup, and Shouta and Hizashi get Harry a flag almost as big as him. Victor and Fleur also come.

I don’t know, I just think this is so sweet. Anyway, I hope that you have a decent day.

YES. just so much yes. (Ngl I thought about this the other day and was screaming because it’s so cute)

The Weasleys are Thrilled okay? Like Arthur is on some Twitter for Dads At Pride and has a gaggle of young adults/teens following him for the day because he gives off Kind Dad Energy. He doesn’t learn much about all the wonderful muggle things he’s seeing but he learns about queer history and each of their names and the pieces of their stories they are willing to share. He tells them he is proud of them and more than one of them cries. He cries. Everything is good. Molly is giving out mom hugs left and right to the people who ask and kind advise to others. She tells someone the best deals to look for if they’re trying to make food on the cheap, stops to help someone else mend a hole in their outfit with a travel sewing kit she takes with her every time she goes in the muggle world because it never hurts to be prepared, and gives so many cheek squishes and head pats that she loses count.

But the kids. The kids. Charlie finally learns that there’s a word for how he feels, and that there’s a whole community of people that won’t tell him he just hasn’t met the right person yet or that he’s just shy and he just really needs to put himself out there. He ends up with an ace flag wrapped around his shoulders and the biggest smile any of them have ever seen on his face. Bill for his part has always known he’s bi even if he didn’t know the exact word for it. He is a hit between the long hair and the earring and he 100% got Hizashi to at least put some eyeliner on him so the man is a knock out. For all the people that stare or work up the courage to ask for his number, he can’t take his eyes off of the girl next to him with her brilliant smile and musical laugh and the pan flag made from hair chalk in her white-blonde hair. He has never seen someone look half as beautiful as she does now. Percy has the smallest rainbow pin on his button up shirt and the Biggest smile on his face. None of his siblings can remember a time he looked so relaxed. He can’t remember a time he felt so free. Fred and George both have the pan flag painted on their cheeks and are having the time of their lives discussing the possibility of a pride specific line for their shop with fireworks in the colors of the flags and all sorts of fun tricks that everyone could laugh at. Ginny and Luna are also matching but it’s with the lesbian flag on their cheeks and their hands holding each others so tightly even the massive crowd can’t split them up. They don’t know yet what the future holds for them but they think that whatever it is it won’t be as scary if they’re together. Ron is living for the food, of course, but seeing his siblings so happy and carefree is so much better. He is Best Ally.

Hermione is there next to Nemuri both of them grinning as they look over the fans and Nemuri promises to teacher her how to fight with one (a hero needs more than one weapon after all. Can’t be a one trick pony). Viktor and Alek are covered in flags and Viktor is soaking up the chance to be completely anonymous. No one asking for autographs, just quality time with his friends and the man of his dreams. Lee is tagging along with Fed and George, all laughs with the third most extravagant makeup of their little group because besides Harry he was the only one who would sit still long enough for a full look. Tenya is with Percy hanging off the man’s every word decked out in his own ace flag and killer makeup.

And Harry. Sweet Harry. He goes between hanging back with his parents to running around with his friends looking at all the cool stalls. He’s covered nearly head to toe in rainbows because Hizashi got excited but Harry makes sure he has a trans and nonbinary pin somewhere on him to rep his parents. His makeup is Immaculate and it damn well should be after the amount of time Hizashi spent perfecting it. Tensei is still pouting because Harry helped pin him down to get his own makeup done and then sat like a rock after Tensei complained the whole time he got a little bit of eyeliner. For the first time he feels like he can breathe without worrying what the Magical world or the Dursleys would think of him. He’s able to just be a teenager having the time of his life with his family. He meets a girl with spiral pigtails and the brightest grin that treats him like an old friend. He meets another girl, younger this time more Tenya’s age, with pink skin and black eyes with the aro flag on her cheek. He meets a boy with black hair and sharp teeth with a trans flag wrapped around his shoulders who calls his makeup manly. He meets so many wonderful people and the same people he has loved and love him and for a moment he can pretend that everything is going to be okay.

[silent-sanctum]

✧ Polaris ✧ - Jotaro x Reader

PART IV. Temperance

--- The previous parts of the fic can be found in the pinned post of my profile. Hope you enjoy! ---

cw: afab! reader, reader is a stand user, sfw, nightmare sequences, "and there was one bed", joot being in denial of his feels

Word count: 8641

The crew books into a hotel in Singapore and to pass the time they have before they could travel to their next destination, you decided to take a walk around the place accompanied by the delinquent, who ever more so, tries to navigate his emotions around you.

When you woke, your head spun and a subtle ring flooded your hearing. You opened your eyes and you faltered, breath hitching at the sight of a familiar grand staircase, the polished marbled floor, the lifeless pure white walls and its black accents, the stiff light fixtures, and the unnecessary space that made up the foyer.

There were 3 paths you knew you were allowed to take- the dining room past the stairs, the hallway leading to the study hall to the east, and the work office to the west.

Where the old sound of piano keys being played chimed at the very moment.

Your hands turned clammy at your sides. You hated the piano. The notes it played. ‘I don’t want to be here. This is a dream’ is what you should have thought, and yet-

You head west, your bare feet walking across the shining floor as you passed the entryway and entered the unwelcoming area. Shelves bearing trophies and plaques and other fancy décor lined the room with a singular desk situated at near the end of the space, and a piano placed behind the workplace.

But no one sat at its seat. You were about to leave confused, until-

“How rude of you to make a visit and leave without even greeting your dear mother.”

Your breath stilled as the voice spoke from behind you. You jumped forward and looked back, heart racing as you looked at a ghostly figure standing before you. One look and you knew it wasn’t human with its disfigured head, obsidian skin with a silk red imitation of clothing, pupil-less eyes, clawed hands, and a black steam emanating from its body.

‘A Stand?! In my head?!’ You know it was. What else would look so strange yet so humanoid? But the way it carried itself down to its gagging sweet voice, you could tell it was none other than the woman who birthed you.

“Don’t be stern now princess. Come,” it opened its arms. “Give mommy a hug. Mommy missed you so much.”

“Who the fuck are you?!” You bit back and prepared to summon Sanctuary to your side. “You’re not her. You can’t be.”

The creature lifted its chin, pompously laughing as it dropped its arms, not caring if you were aggressive toward it. “Why the anger flower? I just wanted to see my little daughter again after you left your poor mother at home all alone.”

“And of course, it’s me silly child,” the entity crooned. “You would know my lovely voice anywhere, right?”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about but you know damn well why I left and just like then, I’m leaving now. I don’t know how but I’m going to.”

The moment you turned around is when its cold hand gripped your shoulder from behind. You gasped. ‘How did- ‘

“I’m not letting your little rebellious side slip so easily this time.” It whispered beside your ear, freezing you on the spot. “This is my house and when you are in here, you have to listen to my rules.” It tightened its hold, pain starting to grow on your skin. “It’s for your own good.”

“You know I’ll treat you nicely if you behave, right princess?” The lady chuckled and you lashed out, the second you brought out Sanctuary-

You gasped awake, jolting slightly that stirred the stowaway Anne beside you and probably Polnareff sitting on the other side, but one glance and the Frenchman was still asleep. In fact, everyone was in this small wooden boat at the first crack of morning.

Events of what just happened were incomprehensible for the untrained man. One moment, the fake captain’s boat exploded, the next you found yourself half-sunken through a freighter ship’s deck, only to find out from Jotaro that the ship was a Stand in itself with a perverted orangutan as its user. Adding your little dilemma to the list was not helping either.

Your hand came to grasp the shoulder she held and with deep breaths in the nose and out the mouth, patted the area in timed intervals just like you were taught to do. Just a nightmare. Just a nightmare. Just a nightmare.

“Oi, are you feeling alright?” You blinked out of your mantra to look at the delinquent staring across from you, crossed armed with one eye open and a lit cigarette between his teeth. “You gasped so loud I’m surprised neither of your seatmates hadn’t woken up.”

“Maybe you just have exceptional hearing Jotaro-san,” you whispered back with a smile that looked convincingly like it didn’t came from a person who just had a bad dream. “I’m fine, but thanks for your concern.”

“Concern? You move too much. Keep it up and you’ll tip us over.”

“Says the person who’s bigger and heavier than me.”

You let out a tiny smirk at how the latter clicked his tongue, grumbling as he tipped his hat over his eyes as either an excuse to no longer look at you or to hide some color in his cheeks.

You let him be and waited for the sun to rise where a rescue boat would arrive and pick everyone up. You never went back to sleep.

✧⋄��⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“Hey there, good afternoon! We’re just dropping by for a day or two. Do you, by any chance, have any single rooms available? Let’s say for… 6 people?”

True to their word, the Foundation found about the incident at sea and sent out a boat to fetch your team as all of you had expected. They brought you to a port in Singapore and after consoling Anne and sending her off with some cash and a friendly goodbye, Joseph had found a nearby hotel they could stay in for 2 days while their next transportation was being prepared.

All leading up to the old man looking for rooms while you and the others stood back. “Oh, we’re sorry sir. All the single rooms have been fully booked as of the moment.”

“Twin rooms?”

“All booked.”

“Do you have any other room that’s available?”

“We currently only have 3 double rooms-“

“We’ll take it!” Joseph gleefully exclaimed, slamming the cash on the counter and startling the poor receptionist while she looked for the room keys. Handing them over, he turned around and addressed the group with the keys dangling in his hand. “Time for room assignments. Avdol and I will take 902-“

“Kakyoin and I will take 905!” Polnareff barged in, swiping one of the keys off from the old man’s hand, all while he had his other arm slung over the cherry-haired student’s shoulders. You stared at him with wide eyes and the guy had the audacity to wink at your vicinity. Kakyoin shared the same confusion you had for a second before catching onto the Frenchman’s ploy with an impressed smile.

You made a face back at him.

“Well, that leaves Jotaro and Y/N for Room 907.” The older adult chuckled, offering the last key to the 2 of you, and just like Polnareff, Joseph winked at you. “Good luck or should I say… lucky you little miss.”

You could’ve sworn most of your face had become a heater in a short amount of time. You nervously laughed, hands waving in frantic motions above your chest. “Now hold on everyone, what’s with this innuendo going on? We’re just sharing a room like the rest of you-“

“For fuck’s sake, everyone’s taking too long.” Before you could grab hold of the key, Jotaro had snatched it off first and turned to the elevators with the intention of entering his room. You didn’t follow him immediately as you were too busy chatting with your teammates despite your flustered predicament, refuting them that they were simply sharing a room.

“Oi! You coming or not?” You snapped your head to the delinquent’s direction and saw him standing there, head turned to look over his shoulder with his hands still in his pants’ pockets.

You nodded with a hand risen to motion him to wait for you to collect your bearings and deliver one last sentiment of defense against their wish fulfillment. With an unconvincing huff, you turned on your heels and trailed behind the tall teenager.

All sorts of conversation topics began to brew in your head as you two headed to your room, ready to unleash them into this probably unsuspecting teenager, but it occurred to you that… again… you were sharing a room with Jotaro Kujo. A person of the opposite sex who was at the same age as you, notoriously known to have a cold disposition. 

Said person reached your shared room and placed the key in. I just hope there’d be two beds.

Alas, expectations were shoved down the drain when upon stepping into the place, the first thing your eyes landed on was the one double bed. Of course… the two beds arrangement would be called twin rooms.  

“Hey, just to let you know,” you let out a nervous chuckle, glancing at Jotaro with slight precaution. “Everyone else has the same room as us so don’t complain or hold some deep-seated grudge against them or me for that matter.”

“Good grief, who said I was complaining?”

You blinked, watching as the delinquent walked past you and over to slide the door to the balcony open with the purpose of smoking as he usually does as an unhealthy habit. On the other hand, you went and plopped yourself on the soft mattress and let out one big sigh.

“Ah, so soft~” You giggled, rolling about on the sheets. It’s been a while since your back had made contact on a decent bed. With your group always on the move, there wasn’t any time for settling down. You turned your head to the side and made eye contact with Jotaro, who had his eyes on you from where he was outside. “You’re missing out.”

He faced the other way, taking his cigarette out from his mouth and blew out a puff of smoke. “Yeah? How unfortunate,” he said, his sarcasm monotone as he was.

A knock sounded from outside the door and you called out in acknowledgement. “Hey kids, Avdol and I are heading out to check in with the Foundation,” Joseph said. “Polnareff’s gonna sleep for the day and Kakyoin’s out to nap on the sunbeds.”

“This concerns us how?” Jotaro replied in return.

“The day’s still young and we’re in Singapore. Might as well let you know that you can wander the streets and stroll around the place.”

“No tha-“

“That’s a great idea actually!” You exclaimed, hopping out of the bed almost immediately. “We’re gonna head out in a short while. Thanks for the offer!” The old man chuckled and raised a thumbs-up before shutting the door close.

With the money the elder Joestar had given you, your mind racked the things you wanted to purchase, what souvenirs would be worth keeping, or what local food would tickle your fancy.

“Do you think Singapore sells banana splits? I’m thinking of buying one because I’m craving.” You asked even if a grumble was the only response you got. It was 11:13 in the morning and you wanted to make the most of it. “Yah,” you called out to your friend on the balcony. “Let’s head out. Get some fresh air.”

“Just did for the past few days while stranded on cursed boats.”

“Those days don’t count.” You puffed your cheeks and took the initiative to step outside and stood next to him, arms crossed on the railing while you looked up at him. It was a sunny day and the gentle breeze blew your hair back just as it did with the thin line of smoke coming off of the cig. “That time the air smelled of salt, but since we’re on ground, the air hits different here.”

Jotaro cocked a brow at you and you shrugged. “I’m just saying… You never know. You might find yourself liking long casual walks with yours truly.”

You held onto his gaze with a slight gleam in your eyes, patiently waiting for his answer while he scanned your expression. I wonder what goes on in that mind of his when he does this. When he pauses and simply looks at you without a word. Your cheeks warmed without thought.

And the brief silence is interrupted with a tip of his hat and a quiet grumble. “I’m not coming.”

You smiled, sighing out in defeat. “Mm, that’s a shame.” Though the disappointment coursed through you, you honestly expected him an answer like that coming from him. Pushing off of the metal, you returned inside with a compensating skip to your steps.

But the necessary need to tease him couldn’t help and without holding back, you purposely voiced your sentiments out loud. “Suit yourself. Guess I’m heading out. By myself. In public where anyone could attack me with their unpredictable Stand ability.”

You took a peek over your shoulder to see that the raven-haired teenager had his back straightened with attention instead of his usual laidback slouch, with his hands on the railings and his finger tapping against surface.

“But hey no worries, right? After all, my Stand is purely defensive and is extremely durable, but it can’t really deal a lot of damage. It would really suck if a super strong Stand wasn’t present to deal with the problem permanently.” You toed into your shoes and slowly made your way to the door.

“I’m heading out now. Would you mind if I get myself a shirt that says something in the lines of ‘The Bait of the Merlion’? That would be hilarious for the people targeting us…!”

Right as you were about to finish your sentence, the air left your lungs with one gasp when a hand grasped your shoulder, shoving you to the hotel room’s wall. An arm slammed itself on the space above your head.

All of a sudden, you found yourself pinned against the wall under the intense glare of Jotaro Kujo.  

“The fuck are you doing?” He said, his voice low and quiet.

This time, you were speechless. You never stood this close with the towering teenager before, making the obvious height difference much more prominent. Looking straight, your sights landed on either his firm pectorals or his thick neck glazed with a thin layer of sweat. Gazing up, you were met with those bright blue-green eyes of his, staring you down.

Either way, you couldn’t see anything past the delinquent. All you could see was him.

Your heart palpitated, hands becoming clammy from where it was on your side, and you took deeper breaths as you forced yourself not to combust under his intimidation. The smell of tobacco was potent in his clothes but underneath it, you could smell traces of cologne latching onto the fabric, a faint hint of citrus mixed with smoke. Charming.

You ended up staring into his eyes, maintaining your smirk and hid the state of your hands under your crossed arms. “I’m announcing my leave Kujo-san,” you said back in an equal tone.

“Yeah? By guilt tripping me into joining you? Is that your way of announcing your leave?” He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer until your face was a few centimeters away from the warm skin of his collarbone, his gakuran brushing against your uniform. Your breaths grew deeper as you continued to keep your composure together.

“I’m just stating the facts.” You said, “We’re being hunted down by that bastard’s henchmen, and yet I want to walk the streets nonetheless with the company of a friend.”

You weren’t aware when your voice started to come out as whispers or when your cheeks flamed, but at this point, you felt the butterflies in your stomach flutter about in a frenzy, your whole system going haywire, but your mind remained separate from the rest, wanting to toy with the teenager and see how far you could go with your shenanigans.

Jotaro didn’t say anything but the visible tightening of his lips and the fist above you were cues that he was listening. You caught sight of the large golden chain dangling from his standing collar, and with an amused huff, you reached up and grabbed it, giving it a little tug.

You expected him to push away, disgruntled and ticked-off, and you were ready to laugh the whole thing off, but he remained from where he stood, as if he wanted you to continue with whatever this was.  

A coy smile played on your lips. “Last offer, are you coming with or nah?” You twirled the chain around, feeling the cool surface on your fingertips. You watched the delinquent stare at you with a furrow in his brow and conflict in his eyes.

The initial seconds were fun but the longer he continued to focus his attention on you with your smaller frame pinned against the wall, the more your cockiness wavered, giving way to that flustered feeling buried beneath. You were still doing strong but damnit, he was so close. “Well? Make up your mind already, I swear to god you’re so confusing-”

“I’m going.”

You couldn’t help but let out a huff, the corner of your lip curling into a disbelieving smile. “Oh? A change of mind all of a sudden? Was it the realization of danger or was it the concern that did it? You know, like the time when we were on that tiny boat.”

“Shut it bitch.” Jotaro clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “You say I’m confusing but if anything, the word describes you better.”

“Doesn’t it all?” Your lips quirked into a wide smile. “But hey, you said you’re coming. No taking it back.” You ducked under his arm and patted his shoulder, earning yourself a look of disbelief from the delinquent. “Let’s go.”

You left him standing dumbfounded as you swung the door open and stepped out, skipping a few steps down the hallway, only to stop midway through and lean against the wallpaper, a hand coming to rest over your chest, your heart still beating rapidly from earlier.

You weren’t foreign to being cornered. You knew how to respond to situations like that, but this wasn’t like those. What he did was different. A good type of different. Instead of being locked into a fight-or-flight, your body anticipated for something to happen under his hold. 

Your head thought you had him under your finger, but you felt like it also went the other way. Both the prey and the predator.

“Fuck.”

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Fuck.

That one word fully encapsulated his what he felt towards this day in particular, and all of those feelings were your fault. You and your way with words.

Even as you were busy scanning the windows of the various retail stores and restaurants of Orchard Road, all Jotaro could think about was your petite body caged underneath him, the way you gasped as he pinned you against the wall, and the way you recovered from it with your own show of shamelessness.

Especially when you had the audacity to fiddle with his golden chain as you offered whether he wanted to join you on this walk.

With full honesty, Jotaro was irritated. He wanted nothing more than to return to the balcony and leave you be, but strangely enough, he couldn’t take his eyes off of you nor could he step back. Who knows when you’ll do some stupid bullshit the moment he turned his back? Who knows when he’ll get to look at you this close again?

He wanted to go back for a second round of smoke and yet here he was- walking around a shopping district with you gleefully sightseeing the different items and menus showcased inside the glass windows.

He was annoyed. For not being able to stay firm with his initial decision to stay behind. For allowing his chest to ache at the thought of your proud smile and pink cheeks. For secretly ending up enjoying your stories as you both passed the various colorful stores of Singapore.

You teased him about it for the third time and he responded appropriately with the sound logic of playing bodyguard, keeping an eye out for enemy Stand users in case they ambush the 2 of you. After all, you did bring that up.

Though in all honesty, the place wasn’t too oversaturated for his liking. At least there was that.

Walking past one of the commercial districts of the city, you led Jotaro out the busy streets and down the sidewalk lining the coast of Singapore. Locals strolled about alongside the handful of foreigners snapping photos as they typically do during a vacation trip. There were a couple of vendors as well, selling snacks while the day was high and young.

“From this angle, the ocean looks beautiful,” Jotaro glanced down at you beside him. You were gazing at the crystalline waters to your left, a soft smile playing on your watchful expression. “Don’t you agree?” When that gaze shifted to him with that smile, the delinquent let out a sound akin to a surprised grunt.

He looked at the crashing waves, most likely doing a piss poor job at mimicking your more serene face, but despite their luck on the same waters, he did see the beauty in it- the glinting of sunlight on the surface, the clear sky above it providing its transparent body with color, the calming sound of crashing waves…

“Ah who am I kidding? You probably don’t like stuff like this.” He darted his attention back at your crestfallen yet still-smiling expression. “You’re gonna say I’m being too sentimental again just like I always am during my stories.” You chuckled.

“I see it.” Your eyes lit up, not expecting a positive response coming from him. “I may not look like it, but when we’re not fighting on sea with bastards like that captain or that ape, I like watching the ocean because... it’s quiet and peaceful.” 

The tips of his ears flushed, their owner not used to sharing his own bits of sentimentality to others. Jotaro readied himself for your over-the-top, sarcastic reaction because you did have the habit of doing that when he slightly steps out of character, but you just stood there- wide eyed and surprised, but with an aura of gentleness subduing your reaction.

“I’m glad you think so.” You smiled and returned your gaze back at the shining body of water. “Remind me that when we defeat DIO, we should frequent the beaches in Tokyo after school.” Jotaro tilted his head, genuinely intrigued. “Seeing your angry eyes soften from time to time is such a nice sight.”

At your sincere tone, the delinquent’s cheeks warmed, hand already reaching up to tilt the visor of his hat down to cover his mildly flustered face. “They’re not always angry…” He mumbled to himself.

You giggled and playfully slapped his shoulder, snapping him out of his self-trance to look at you. “Well… we better get a move on. My tummy’s starting to rumble with the need for food.” You turned around and pointed at the nearby stall. “How about we get those and buy some coconut juice from the next vendor? You down?”

Jotaro looked at the 2 stalls and figuring there was nothing wrong with some light snacking, nodded in return. You beamed and immediately walked ahead, eager to eat. He watched you go ahead with a tiny smile, endeared.

Perhaps walking around Singapore wasn’t all that bad.

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“Mm! This is good!”

“Of course! This batch was fetched from the tree more recently than the previous ones.”

You stood before the proud vendor, holding an opened coconut with a bendy straw stuck in the middle. You had your fill of some treats on sticks, and the follow-up fruit juice didn’t disappoint. You turned around and with the delinquent behind you, you rose the coconut up to his face.

“Take a sip. It’s tasty. Promise!” 

Jotaro contemplated as he drifted his line of vision from the drink to your anticipating face and back. In the end, he cocked his head and bowed down to sip from the straw. “Well?” You and the vendor waited for his response.

“It’s alright,” the teenager simply said, looking elsewhere.

“You heard it mister, he approves!” You exclaimed and the 2 of you laughed. “I‘m buying you one, okay?” As you pulled out your wallet, Jotaro gave one brief nod. You smiled and said, “1 more coconut-“

“I’m not interrupting some cute little date or anything,” a voice called out and you two saw Kakyoin approach you, but that underlying feeling of doubt resurfaced at the sight of the student’s unnatural, grim face. “Right lovebirds?”

“L-Lovebirds?” You stuttered, cheeks warming.

“Unless jiji asks us to return, you better not have the plan of stalking us down Kakyoin.”  The delinquent said.

“Stalking? I just wanted to hang around. Nothing wrong spending time with some friends.” 

Something’s up with him. From the short amount of time you knew about the cherry-haired student, he was polite and eloquent with his words. Kakyoin wasn’t the type to just walk-in and casually throw out joke assumptions from nowhere. Then again, what you were thinking about was an assumption in itself.

Keeping your suspicions high, you let this abrupt shift in personality slide for the meantime. “Okay then… We were just buying some coconut juice. Would you like one too?”

“Of course! Though, I’m paying with my own cash.” He chuckled and the second he pulled out his wallet, a passerby snuck through, swiftly snatched it and made a run for it. “Hey!” Sanctuary’s fabrics crept under your wrist, ready to extend and wrap itself around the thief, but Hierophant was already on the move.

It rapidly crawled on the ground and caught up with the man. The latter cried out in shock, even more so when Kakyoin closed in on him with a wicked glint his eyes. Suddenly, the student had him on his back, grabbing hold arms and legs with the intention of performing a back breaker.

“Kakyoin-san! What are you doing?!” You rushed in, shot out a strip of cloth to wrap around his wrists and tightened it enough for the student to loosen his hold, allowing Sanctuary to fully manifest out of you and pick the poor guy up from the cherry-haired teenager, lowering him onto the pavement before the guy scrambled to get away. “A bit excessive don’t you think?!”

Kakyoin didn’t like what you did if his menacing glare at you was any indicator. He bared his teeth and rose a hand. “You little thief-supporting-“ And swung down backhandedly in an arc towards your cheek-

Which didn’t land not because of your Stand’s fabrics, but because of Jotaro’s tight hold catching the other teenager’s wrist before it could make an impact. The latter didn’t let go and directed his own share of deathly glares towards his supposed friend. “The fuck were you going to do?”

Kakyoin rose both his hands up in a mocking manner. “Woah now, no need to get aggressive man. I was just kidding.” You scoffed at the sight of this man looking at you with a cocky smirk etched on his face.

You figured maybe taking a sip from your refreshing beverage would help calm you down, but- “Hey!” The same teenager grabbed hold of your coconut before you could pull it away and sipped on the straw without a care in the world.

Stepping back quietly, you stood beside Jotaro and tiptoeing to get close to his ear, you muttered. “That’s not Kakyoin. You know it’s not him, right?”

The raven-haired responded with a subtle nod, never tearing his eyes away from this… fake Kakyoin. “Asshole stole your drink. I don’t think he’s giving it back anytime soon.” He spared a few seconds to look at you. “You can have my share.”

“What?”

“You bought me a coconut drink a few minutes ago. You can have it.” He threw one last glare at the other student, who preoccupied himself by staring ominously at a tree near a group of children. “I’m getting myself something else.”

“Yah! But that’s for-“The teenager already headed off to another direction before you could retort your complaint. “You.”

“Uhm miss?” You turned to face the confused vendor, holding what was supposed to be Jotaro’s drink, which was now yours according to the latter. “Your purchase?”

You watched as “Kakyoin” looked back at you, munching on something you hoped weren’t some bugs on that tree. “A-Ah yeah. I’ll have that, thanks.”

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Your brief walk around a small part of Singapore ended up by the cable cars. You never got to ride one before but you had always heard that being inside of it and slowly inching down an incline as you view the scenery outside was an experience one has got to be in at least once in your life.

You reached the top of the steps and walked ahead to wait for the next empty car to arrive. Behind you, Jotaro was the next to arrive with a vanilla ice cream cone topped with a single cherry in his hand. Admittedly, when you found out that that was his choice of snacks, you had to hold yourself back from saying a drawled out “cute” directly to his face.

The man’s got a cool image to keep up, after all.

Next after him was “Kakyoin” being consistent with his foreboding aura, trailing after the delinquent step by step. You inched closer to the latter, just in case he tried something fishy around him. The cable cars took their time coming here and you just wanted one to arrive as soon as possible just so you 3 could keep moving.

And as much as you liked being right in certain situations, you wanted to be wrong with this one.

“You gonna eat that cherry? If not, hand it over already. I’m starving!” The moment the cherry-haired teenager was within close range of the delinquent standing by the railing, “Oops!” He pushed the taller student over the metal bars with casual ease.

“Jotaro!” In a split second, strips of Sanctuary shot out of you, rapidly stretching over the bars to wrap themselves around the delinquent’s wrist. You staggered at the sudden weight pulling you down, but you rushed forward nonetheless and helped him up or at least helped him reach for the railing.

“Good one, huh? I’m only playing with ya Jotaro, my good ole pal.” You snapped your head towards the other man in the area, sending him your own share of glares at him. “But hey would you look at that, he caught onto the bar. Problem solved.”

“What the hell Kakyoin?!” You spat at him. From the corner of your vision, the raven-haired managed to pull himself up and over the railing, landing neatly beside you bearing the same expression as yours, if not more intense. “Saying you were clumsy is such a shitty excuse for attempted murder.”

“What? Are you an attorney now? Calm down madam.” ‘Kakyoin’ snickered, bending down to pluck the cherry off from the spilled ice cream on the tiles, and with all the audacity in this world, rolled the tiny fruit around with his tongue out in the open as if to mock the 2 of you.

Suddenly, you contemplated whether tossing him over the bars was something you could get away with it.

“Those looks again. What’s with all this hardcore glaring? Have you both lost your sense of humor?” He faced you with faux disappointment. “I expected you of all people to back me up.”

“Don’t talk to me.” A sharp and concise answer from you was enough to shut him up, but all he cared for was picking the cherry off the ground to eat it. You noticed a subtle growth spurt in “Kakyoin’s” height and out of the corner of your vision, you could tell under that hat of his, Jotaro’s might have noticed it as well.

In the next few seconds, you heard the empty cable car arrive, its doors sliding open for new passengers to board. “Get in Kakyoin.” You turned to see the delinquent grit his teeth with a hardened glare sent his way. “The cable care just got here. Now… Get. In.” 

He rose his fist, clenching hard enough for the veins to protrude from under his skin. “I’ve got your ticket right here, and I’m going to knock your crooked possessed ass right into that cable car.”

With one solid punch to the face, “Kakyoin” flew back straight into the empty car with his jaw ripped and his cheeks torn open with strings of blood and sinew being the only things keeping the jaw attached to his face. He laughed, unfazed. “You’re a bit off. Possessed isn’t quite the word. Wanna give it another try?”

“We know you’re not Kakyoin,” you said as the imposter sneered at your words. “You’ve been growing bigger too; don’t think we haven’t noticed.”

“Who are you?” The delinquent took a couple steps into the cable car and just as you were about to follow, the doors slid shut and the compartment began its descent down the line with your friend up against a Stand user.

“Shit!” You bolted to the nearby payphone and rang the hotel, hoping Joseph and Avdol were already in their room.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Joestar? Are you nd Avdol back at the hotel?”  

“Why yes. Just finished reserving us a train ride and- what?” The distant voice of the Egyptian could be heard through the line. “Yes I’m getting there hold on. Anyways, it’s convenient that you called now because-“

“A Stand user is posing as Kakyoin and he’s currently fighting Jotaro in cable cars- Oh shit, he jumped out of one.” There was a lot going on at the middle of your phone call- the confrontation in the car, the teenager jumping out onto a nearby ledge and back into another shortly after.

“Another user posing as a fake?! Well, at the very least, that solves one of our problems.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hermit Purple gave us a new message that Kakyoin was going to betray the team at some point and I was about to head out and look for you two, but you beat me to it.”

Just then, a faint voice different from Avdol’s brought Joseph out of the line again, though if you were hearing right, it sounded like it could be the real Kakyoin who just got out of a nice sunbath. “Sorry for cutting but Kakyoin just arrived. Aside from that imposter, we have another problem here and it’s about another enemy Stand user here in the hotel.”

Another?! You and your group really couldn’t afford a free day without having anyone attacking someone at some point, but now they have to deal with 2 users instead of one within the same day?  You were about to question Joseph about their dilemma, but a distant booming sound erupted from one of the moving cable cars.

From there, you saw 2 figures fall from beneath the moving compartment and into the waters below- Jotaro and what appeared to be the true face of the Stand user. You gaped and the words the old man said to you became one continuous jumble. “Listen Mr. Joestar, something’s happened. We’ll just share whatever details we all have when we meet up in person.”

“What-“ You nearly slammed the phone back into its holder, immediately bolted down the stairs, and ran in the direction of the splash.

There was no need to panic. You know your ebony-haired friend would get out of this in one piece with his quick thinking and powerful Stand, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t assist him in doing so. Picking up speed, you rushed out of the building and onto the pavement.

From a distance, a bleeding man wrapped in wriggling, yellow slush laid on the ledge, taunting at the delinquent trapped in the same slush against the wall beneath him.

You scanned the area around you for anything solid enough to knock the guy unconscious. However, a minute later into your search, the same guy flew into the sky as he was struck by the metal sewer grate launched into the air due to the pressurized water shooting up from below.

Safe to say, the problem was dealt with the second the user reemerged from the surface in front of a very annoyed Jotaro and an eager Star Platinum.

The man, completely beaten up and on the ground somehow surviving Star’s barrage, attempted to crawl out of his current circumstance, only to end up wrapped in Sanctuary’s fabrics before he could escape. You crouched in front of him and cupped your cheek, pouting. “Don’t worry. What my friend did was just a prank. Think of it like a playful punch, you know?”

Too swollen to speak, the guy could only tremble at you. “Hey.” You turned to see Jotaro walking up to you, his uniform soaked yet again with saltwater. “Thanks for catching him. I got one more request I need him to do before I send him on his way.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

By the end of the afternoon, you had your Stand half-assist, half-puppet the beaten man Rubber Soul into a nearby ice cream store to buy the teenager a popsicle stick and a delectable banana split dish with his own money, scaring the poor cashier lady in the process with all the blood leaking out of his wounds.

Ditching the nearly-dead adult onto the side of the road at the approval of the delinquent, you trailed after him heading into the direction of the cable car building.

Why would he go back here? Did he really want to go back and ride the cable cars again? Your thoughts came to a halt, replacing them with pure fondness at the scene presented to you.

By the entrance of the establishment, a tearful little boy and his parent stood there watching as Jotaro approached them with two desserts in his hands. Crouching to the child’s level, he offered the boy the popsicle. The latter beamed and smiled, thanking the teenager together with his parent.

In return, Jotaro huffed and ruffled his hair, prompting the kid to giggle as he enjoyed his icy treat.

Never in your life would you expect some punkish and scary-looking ruffian, who smokes daily and curses out vulgarity like it’s poetry, be gentle for once and offer sweets to a crying child. Then again, this was the same person who liked the ocean and had a preference for vanilla ice cream.

Wholesome wasn’t usually in the delinquent’s vocabulary, but in the seldom occasion it was, seeing this side of him sent little fluttery tremors in your heart. Replaying the scene again in your mind, you giggled behind your hand, your cheeks warming. Cute~

“Hey, what are you laughing about?”

You opened your eyes to look at Jotaro standing before you, deadpan as usual with a plate of banana splits still in hand. A smile still remained on your face as you shook your head. “Ah it’s nothing. Just thought of something cute.”

“I just kept a promise. That’s it.”

You hummed, a proud smile radiating from your face. You thought back to that day where he stayed by the school gates to wait for you. “Ooh so consistent,” you patted his shoulder. “We should head back. Your old man told me they have another Stand problem in their hands.”

You stared at the tasty dessert and gestured a “go-on” hand at him. “You enjoy your ice cream in the meantime.”

“I’m not eating this.”

“Well that’s a waste of mon-“ You were about to question the pointless purchase, but your words got caught in your throat as the delinquent reached forward to offer the banana split to you. “-ey.”

“You said you were craving and the shop was selling it.” You kept your focus on the colorful dish in front of you though you could see in the back that Jotaro was looking away, his other hand pulling his hat down to cover his face. “Tch. You’re an idiot for missing the chance.”

But he bought it for you. He remembered your out-of-field rambling about some stupid craving.

You were left speechless, your hands reaching forward as slow as your comprehension coming to the fact that he would actually recall trivial tidbits such as this. You wondered if any of your previous stories from the roof had stuck with him.

This was the second time he gave up something of his to you. Out of pity? Sympathy? Regardless of what it was, he did what he did. Your mind went back to that day when he tossed you a bag of bento boxes, the way your heart raced the way it did now from unexpectedness and bashfulness.

And you wanted to return the favor.

“H-Hold up.” Through fuming cheeks, you raised your palms in front of him as you turned to the direction of the dessert store and bolted. “I’ll be right back!”

“Damnit woman! This will melt by the time you get back.” Jotaro called out to you, probably aggravated with a valid point to pair, but this served you all the more reason to hurry.

One moment, you pushed through the door of the ice cream store…

“The damned thing’s starting to drip you bit-“  

The next you found yourself standing before the delinquent with a newly chilled vanilla ice cream cone in hand, outstretched towards him in offering. “This is for that cone you dropped earlier.”

Looking up, you giggled at sight of the teenager’s surprised gaze, faintly reddened cheeks, and parted lips as if he was about to curse at you for running off. “Now it’s fair trade. This is mine…” You took the banana split dish off of his hand and replaced it with the coned treat. “And that is yours.”

You scooped one spoonful of chocolate sweetness into your mouth and moaned in delight. “Mm this is so good~”

“I…”

“Oh shit, I forgot we have another Stand user at bay back in the hotel,” you said, looking down at your watch. “Let’s head back for real.” You walked ahead, humming to a tune of your place.

“… Right.”

You glanced over your shoulder to see Jotaro standing in the same spot, still bearing that stunned look with his small dessert in hand. “Yah, the damned thing’s starting to drip.” You smirked as you mimicked his earlier words. “Eat up.”

A loud grumble was what you got in return, followed by the casual footsteps of the teenager as he caught up to walk by your side. He took two licks of the vanilla and said, “Stop wasting your money for things like this.”

“Was it really a waste though? You seem happy.” You teased, staring at how Jotaro was preoccupied with consuming his treat as an excuse to not look at you.

You scooped another spoonful of your ice cream, the vanilla part of the trio, combined it with a bit of banana, and raised the spoon to his face. “Try it.”

“When will you ever stop being annoying, you stubborn bitch?”

“The moment your mouth accepts this peace offering. Now say ah.”

No response.

“Come on, I know you’re curious~” You singsonged, spoon remaining stationary in front of his face. Jotaro darted back and forth between you and the tiny offering, until eventually he gave in. He leaned down and closed his lips over the scoop, licking the corners of his mouth afterwards. “Tasty right?”

An approving grunt was all you got but it was enough for you to light up with success. “Called it,” you said. “You want another?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

Silence.

“Want one last bite?”

Silence again. And then a nod.

You giggled, feeding him another spoon of vanilla. “Here you go, you big oaf.”

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When you wake again, the cold surface of marble was the first sensation to dig into your skin and once you came to, you were back in the isolating mansion of your old family estate. However, unlike before, the lights were dimmed down, only leaving the single fixture at the top of the stairs being the one to light the foyer.

A hitch in your breath came out of you as you heard the familiar tune of the piano playing in the office beside you.

Your mind wanted to flee, to run to the nearest window and smash it through to break free. But the music’s haunting melody wanted you to come to it. It was bone-chillingly calming that it scared you.

You took your first few steps to the room, your arms coming to wrap around yourself to shield from the cold air, a warm puff of breath escaping your lips.

However, as you were about to pass under the doorway, a bright amber glowed behind you.

You looked over your shoulder and saw the source emanating from the opposite room. The music died down in your ears in favor of the comforting heat of the light. With no thought, you turned and went to the aforementioned space instead.

You forgot the specific layout of the old manor for good reasons but if you could remember one good aspect of it, it would be this room- the study hall with its walls covered with a line of bookshelves, parted only by the fireplace in the middle of them.

And within it, the fire burned bright in the midst of the darkness.

You stepped forward and knelt in front of the flame, raising your chilled hands to savor in the heat. You could hear the faint music of the piano in the back, but you could only process the simple crackle that was worth more than some pretty notes.

You closed your eyes with a sigh and let yourself relax. “So warm…”

As if sensing a homeless child, you could feel as if the radiating warmth of the flame slowly approached you, to engulf you in a benevolent hug similar to how Sanctuary would blanket you with her cloths.

You wanted to cry from this old yet familiar feeling, but you kept it in for now.

For now, in this damned place, you let yourself be in peace.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

It was a cold night and Jotaro could only reach the stage of light sleep even if he tried.

Earlier, you both found out the mentioned other Stand user Ebony Devil had already been dealt with by Polnareff, much to the unfortunate experience of the Frenchman.

With the threat resolved and the problem finished, everyone agreed to the consensus of staying in their respective rooms for the meantime to rest up for their next travel.

Thankfully, you weren’t as nosy as you were hours prior though you still made some light-hearted remarks here and there that made the vibe of their hotel room less tense for the both of you. In regards of the single double bed, Jotaro tried not to think about his current predicament too much and opted to sleep ahead of you on the right side of the mattress.

You had no problems with it and followed after him as you turned the bedside lamps off and slipped under the duvet. The delinquent slept with his back towards you and your back towards him.

And now he found himself in a troublesome situation of being mildly insomniac and having to deal with this absurdly chilly climate at 2 in the fucking morning.  

He turned to lay on the other side with an arm propped beneath his head, thinking the new position would be the one to help him sleep. He looked ahead to see you deep in sleep, head moving ever so slightly to bury yourself in the comforts of your puffed-up pillow.

For some reason, he was contented seeing you like this. No out-of-pocket teasing. No beaming smiles. Just you sleeping in peace, your hair a bit of a mess from tossing and turning.

Jotaro sighed and shut his eyes, hoping your melatonin would be able to project onto him and finally get his wanted sleep.

Just as he was about to give up the third time that night, the sheets rustled and shifted, and all of a sudden, a warm body was pressed up against his side.

Jotaro awoke to find you curled up beside him, your face buried in his chest, arms folded between your bodies, and your legs nearly intertwining with his. His cheeks immediately fumed; a disgruntled sound of surprise made from his throat as he reeled in the reality of seeing you like this.

From this close, he could notice the tinier details surrounding you- the way your cheeks had a natural pink tint, that you had a little pout similar to a tiny beak, the way your hands clenched and unclenched against the fabric of his shirt, to the quiet sounds you made in your sleep.

It was a crime you had to appear this innocent in your sleep when you were such a menace to him when awake.

It was a bigger crime that Jotaro was this affected by it in the first place.

If it were anyone else, he would have woken them up with an irritated shove and let them know that he had boundaries that should be respected, but looking at you sleeping so contently by his side was a different case. He wasn’t sure if he should be feeling this conflicted, that he didn’t oppose to you being this close to him at all.

His heart raced within him, eyes softening as he let his tensed muscles relax and accept his current predicament.

I shouldn’t be feeling this troubled. What the hell is happening? Jotaro clicked his tongue and draped an arm over his eyes. “Fuck this.” He made a move to get up, shifting onto his elbows, but then-

“Warm… so warm…”

He faltered at the gentle tug of his shirt. Gazing down at you once more, a distressed look appeared on what once was your peaceful expression- your brows furrowed, lips tightened, and your hold on his clothes a bit loose yet desperate.

“Fuck,” he whispered to himself, raking his fingers through his curly hair. He didn’t like that look on your face. More so when he was the cause of the shift. He kept returning his gaze to you, constantly watching and waiting for your serene expression to return.

Just like the moment you complimented the ocean with that sparkle reflected in your eyes as you smiled up at him, the sunlight providing you with this certain glow as your hair gently flowed along the gentle sea breeze.

The constricting sensation he had in his chest combined with his beating heart persisted at the sight it was becoming a bother and Jotaro needed the space to ease himself into to think things through.

With equally gentle movements, he reached for your hand holding his shirt. It was small compared to his and so soft, but he refused to delve more into that fact. He laid it close to you, stood, and before you could react from the loss of heat, the delinquent drew the duvet over your body up to your chin.

He waited a bit more to gauge for your response. Eventually, the furrow in your brows eased and you returned to your peaceful slumber.

With a deep sigh, Jotaro turned away and reached for his cigarette pack before going out onto the balcony, hoping the early morning breeze would cool his still-warm cheeks.

“I need a smoke.”

[red-writes]

soft yan! shinsou x chubby! reader

summary: you keep receiving these letters in your mailbox from an unknown person, somehow you find yourself slowly falling for the creepy admirer until one day they decide to reveal themselves to you in the worst way possible—by looming over you while you sleep.

warnings: yandere behavior, insecurities, light smut.

Boo’s note: hi okay, this is dedicated to the annie that asked me for a shinsou fic, tbh I didn’t really know what to make it about bc u didn’t specify but here I hope you like it *^* uhh it’s also unedited im sorrrrry

Everyday at 7:00 am, the mailman drops off mail. Everyday at 7:10 am you’re rushing downstairs after stuffing half a bagel in your mouth to retrieve the stack of envelopes from the mailbox. The letters started appearing a month ago, pretty purple envelopes sealed with a cat sticker were amongst your mail everyday. You picked out the purple one and dropped the other unimportant, plain white envelopes on the coffee table. You took a seat on the couch and hurriedly opened it up.

My dearest love,

Last night I had a dream about you. You’re perfect face was smiling at me, you called my name and even held your hand out to me. You were so perfect I woke up crying. The more time that passes, the more I find myself falling deeper and deeper in the never-ending ocean that is you. So deep, so warm, comforting and gentle. Do you think that maybe one day, we could be happy together? That we could live a life together somewhere peaceful where you have me and I have you and that’s it. To me, that sounds like heaven, a world where the only person I only ever see is you. You’re my everything, my reason to live, to breathe and to continue living in this grueling world. I hope the rest of your day is good, I hope you enjoy yourself at the party.

xoxo,

shin.

After reading you couldn’t help the hard pounding of your heart, it was unusual yes, but you found his fondness for you quite endearing. You clutched the letter and held it to your chest. While it was strikingly odd that he knew about tonight’s party, you didn’t mind. Up until now shin had been harmless, never saying or doing anything too weird or creepy, nothing to warrant you to visit the local police station. You refolded the letter and tucked it back inside of the envelope. Instead of mulling over small details, you needed to find something to put on tonight!

+

The party was in full swing by the time you arrived. It was a charity event for the company you worked for, everyone from the hero deku to chargebolt was in attendance. Big parties like this were not your scene but you had to go, your boss invited you personally and you didn’t want to let him down. You took a drink off of one of the tables and made your way to a less crowded corner of the room. You took rare sips of your champagne as you sighed. This place was definitely not your scene.

“You look fabulous tonight” you hear from beside you, you’re quick to turn your head and your eyes lay upon none other than the mind-jacking hero, Shinsou!

You’re quick to bow, “ah! Mr.shinsou, sir, it’s an honor to meet you” you greet and he’s chuckling softly.

“Hey now, don’t worry about being too formal with me” he says, voice gentle as he rests a hand on your shoulder. Your face is burning, he told you that you looked nice! The number five hero just complimented you!

“Thank-thank you” you say and quickly take another sip of your drink to try and calm your nerves, “you look nice as well”

He gives you a genuine smile, “you’re so sweet”

You can hardly breathe right now, Shinsou first told you that you looked nice and now he was calling you sweet? Was this your lucky day or something?

“Well Shinsou I-”

“Oh! Hitoshi, I’ve been looking for you man!”

Chargebolt walked over to where the two of you were standing and wrapped his arm around Shinsou’s neck. He began pulling him away, going on about how ground zero almost slapped one of the patrons. Shinsou turned to wave goodbye to you and you did the same. Once he was out of sight you released a breathe you hadn’t know you’d been holding in. Tonight felt like a dream, you really didn’t want to wake up from it.

“y/n! There you are, I need to you take pictures of me and some of our guests!” Your boss yells and you’re sighing, downing the rest of your drink before you rest it on a neighboring table.

“Coming sir!”

well maybe you were ready to wake up from it now.

+

The next day at the same time you retrieved your mail, you’d shuffled through it several times and yet you hadn’t found that signature purple envelope. The day after that and even the day after that one there was no letter for you in the mail. It stung. Maybe they’d lost interest in you? Maybe they decided that you weren’t good enough after all?

The sixth day after receiving no letter you’d decided to give up, it wasn’t like you knew this was going to happen. You threw yourself onto your bed as soon as you got out the shower. You’d been doing poorly at work lately, your mind too busy focusing on those purple envelopes rather than the stack of paper work in front of you. You pulled the sheets up to your chin and shut your eyes, praying that you wouldn’t dream of that person or their kind words.

There was an odd sensation you got, it felt like cold air was hitting your body. Were you still dreaming? You didn’t leave your window open. Your eyes fluttered open, your vision still slightly blurry as you came to. Your sat up and rubbed your eyes. From the corner of your eye you saw a figure standing there. Fear that laid dormant until now began to unfurl itself in your gut, you slowly turned your head to face it and there he was.

“M-mr.Shinsou?!” You whisper yelled, he gave you a soft smile and held his hands up in front of him.

“You caught me” he says and begins walking towards you, you’re scurrying away from him on the bed.

“Why- why are you here?!” you hold the sheet up in front of you like a shield.

“I felt guilty about not sending letters for so long..I made you sad and I couldn’t forgive myself for that so I came to make it up to you” he explains and your still sleep filled mind was struggling trying to comprehend his words.

“Letters..you’re the one who has been sending me all of those letters?” You ask and he nods, he takes a seat on the edge of your bed and that familiar pounding of your heart is back. It was him, the person you’d been longing for, for so long now.

“Mhm, everything I said in those letters were true as well, how beautiful I think you are, how addicting your personality is, how absolutely sinful I think your body is..” he whispers and you feel air caught in your throat. Shinsou inches closer and closer to you and in a flash of purple he pins you underneath him.

“Mr.Shinsou..-”

“Hitoshi, call me Hitoshi” he corrects.

His head slowly lowers until his face is millimeters from yours, his breath is hot against your lips and you can’t help but shut your eyes, you’d been wanting this- wanting him for such a long time now. Shinsou’s lips press gently against yours and you find yourself kissing back, your lips move in a glorious synchronous. The kiss was one of passion and hunger; proof that the two of you had been longing for the other. You pulled away from him, lungs grateful for the ability to breathe again.

“Hitoshi..” you whisper and Shinsou sucks in a breath before his hands move downwards to pull at the hem of your night gown.

“Can I?” He asks and you find yourself nodding. The number five hero, the man who has been stalking you, sending you letters that if you were anyone else would find creepy, the man you’d fallen for…

You raised your arms in the air as he slowly began lifting the sheer cloth off of you revealing your nude body to him. Your cheeks burned in embarrassment, your arms folded to cover your exposed chest.

“Y-you might be disillusioned after seeing me completely naked..if you regret choosing me to give your heart to, I don’t blame you” you shyly confess and Shinsou’s eyes widen.

“I could never, I've merely dreamt about this day every night for months on end...you are the most beautiful person I've had the pleasure of laying eyes upon.” He says, his hands gently pry your arms away from your body and you can feel hot tears well up in your eyes as he lays you back against the soft blankets.

His lips are soft as they press themselves against every bit of exposed skin, his kisses don't shy away from stretch marks or any of your other insecurities. A warm, heated feeling that blossoms in your chest. 

Love? Desire? Serendipity?

It felt like all three combined into one big ball of sentiment. 

His hands gently massaged your breasts evoking soft mewls of his name from you. His hands slivered downwards to grope the flesh of your stomach.

“Soft beautiful...” he mumbles, his hands move even further downwards and cup the warmth between your legs. The feeling of his hand directly against you has your legs spreading, giving yourself completely to him. His fingers gently rub circles at your clit, your hips stutter up into his touch, moans and whimpers tumble out of your mouth dumbly. The situation you've been so eager for, for so long was finally upon you.

Your back arches off the mattress as he slides a slim finger inside of you, the sensation feels much fuller than your own fingers do. You beg him to go faster, add more and make you feel better than you have ever before and he's shushing your lust filled ramblings with a kiss. 

“I need to savor this moment, I won’t get many more like this” he expresses and your concern is evident on your face but he doesn't allow you to ponder on his words. He adds in another finger and curls them upwards, pressing them against the spongy sweet spot, his head ducks down and his lips wrap firmly around your clit and suck on the aching bud. Your eyes roll back into your head and your body shakes, unable to handle to the newfound euphoria.

“Ah- shinsou! I’ll- cumming!” your cunt spasms around his fingers as your orgasm hits you, you grip onto the sheets around you as your thighs shake.

“You look so pretty like this, so so pretty” he compliments, before you know it your eyes are involuntarily fluttering shut. You're scared, panic fills you at the thought of him not being here when you wake up, you don't want this to be another fever dream. 

+

When you awake the next morning you feel heavy. Your body slumped with the exhaustion of the previous nights activities. You're eyes widen as your hand feels around the bed, your fingers bump into the heat of another body and there is. The yellow halo from the sun is cast over his head as his chest rises and falls.

You scoot in close enough so that your noses are just barely touching. His eyes begin creaking open and purple gems meet your own.

“Good morning”

“Morning..”

Questions about what he meant last night could wait…you wanted spend your time right now loving him.

[hoshi-y]

Hey 👋 how are you? If you don’t mind me asking may I get headcanons of Tsukasa and Mitsuba with a s/o acts like Zenitsu and nezuko from demon slayer I dont know how to explain nezukos personality but I can explain zenitsus if you need he’s a coward (sorry zen) he cries alot and is afraid of everything clinging to people and such and is a simp asking people to marry him 24/7 he doesn’t want to be alone he doesn’t really like himself he also is a badass when sleeping anyway hope your safe hoshi ❤️

An S/O that acts like Zenitsu and Nezuko from Demon Slayer

Genre : Fluff

Characters : Yugi Tsukasa, Mitsuba Sousuke

TW : None

A/N : Hello! Sorry it took so long to do you request, I am currently not feeling that ok HAHA but writing is my coping mechanism so this is fine, and of course!

Personality :

Mmm according to wiki fandom, She's a very kind and caring girl!

I hope you enjoy!

Oohh so you like me THAT much huh?~

You had a very kind and gentle nature

Everyone around you had a very easy time to approach you

Well behind that kind and caring nature of yours is a very chaotic, simps 24/7 kinda attitude

You laid eyes upon a certsin choppy haired boy in the class next door

and he was absolutely STUNNING

You would do anything to grab his attention

but of course you failed

miserably

Tried doing the things he liked

Meh could do better

Would suck it up and purposely enter the classroom he was in

No reaction

Even went as far to befriend his Older Twin

"You.. Want to be friends with me?" Amane asked as he held the book his hand tightly "Why tho?"

"A-ah well you see—"

"Stop, If you're just trying to befriend me because of my twin I would rather not." He got up and went away making you drop your head down

The things you do

But you didn't give up!

Your goal is to befriend Tsukasa and possibly and not planning to make him fall inlove with you—

I mean, who wouldn't simp for him?

His pretty amber eyes

His cheeky smile

His black choppy hair—

You bumped into someone interrupting your daydream "S-sorry I wasn't... paying.. attention.." You looked up and came face to face with the very person you yearn to atleast have a short conversation with

"Tsukasa"

"??? How do you know my name? Have we met before?" He tilted his head which strucked you with an arrow because of cute he was doing it "A-ah! Umm w-well.." You stuttered as your face began to redden and your eyes swirling

Man is it THIS hard to talk to the person you like?

You heard him chuckle as you looked back up, He had a smile on his face that made him 1000x attractive, Goodness you wished your heart won't give up just yet

"I'm kidding~ I also know who you are, I mean, how can I not know the person I like?" He inched closer "Hmm?~"

'Oh lord oh dear lord if this is a dream I am gonna commit arson the moment I wake up'

"You must really like me THAT much huh?~ Your face is redder than a tomato~" He pinned you down by a nearby wall and that is where you exploded "UWAAAHHHHHH"

He loved the reactions you gave him everytime he'd come close to you

So this is how you can grab his attention? If so you can sign yourself up cause you got a date with this fine gentlemen

I-it's nothing.. Idiot..

You and Mitsuba had been friends for 4 years now

And he just can't get you to be mad at all

Not even your insults affect you

But your kind nature affects him what

He hasn't SEEN you mad at all

Well as the saying goes, don't fuck with someone you haven't seen angry yet

so he dropped the whole 'I want to piss you off' Thing

But your kindness... Is burning his eyes

"Thank you so much for helping [L/N]!" Yokoo said as he grabbed the rest to place it somewhere else, You waved as you went on your way

Where? Mmm well you didn't have anything else to do and you usually hang around your best friend Mitsuba! So you set off to find him which was easy to do, His pink hair stands out so much it was practically so easy to spot him

Not even 10 minutes into finding him you spot him at the practice garden taking photos of the sunset or the newly bloomed plants

"Sousuke there you are!" You jogged up to him as he oy hummed in response "What are you doing?"

"Pfftt can't you see I am taking photos?" He sassed biut it really had no effect on you "Oohhh, You shpild take photos of people too and not borong objects"

"No way, No other person can be a cuter subject than me" He pointed at himself as he cocinued on with his activity

This photo taking activity of his took HOURS as he kept complaining he doesn't know which else will he take photos

Well you suggested that he took photos wirh a person in it but he was too stubborn

"Come oonn Sousuke, You already circled the whole school! Just try it~" You said as you opened the rooftop doors

"Ugh for the last time I wont!" He hissed but you just hummed and walked up to the rails and rested your arms as you looked down at other students below

Your figure was portrayed perfectly thay Mitsubas picture perfect instincts kicked in, he slowly aimed his camera at your direvtion without you knowing and took a photo

"Maybe.. I do want to start taking photos with people int it.." He mumbled, You turned around as you poked his cheek "Wadya say?"

He bursted into a flame and gently slapped your hand away turning around and walking to the staircase "I-its nothing.. Idiot.."

Well, you didn't need to know as you already heard it, You chuckled and followed him "Wait for me!"

The next few pictures he took it had people in it

And most of them

would be you in it

I HOPE I really hope I got their personalities right, I Stopped watching Demon Slayer after I finished the 1st season 3 years ago 😭

[myafterlifeisbetterthenyours]

Can you do Stolas with an imp and the imp falling for Stolas but hiding it, Stolas eventually finding out and confessing he felt the same? With Stolas being *ahem* himself per say

Stolas with Imp S/O

Youd worked all over Hell, in many occupations. From cooking to cleaning and a wide variety of maintenance.

And with your extensive experience in so many fields, it wasnt difficult to get a job serving in the prestigious Goetia Palace.

You got used to your duties quickly, thoroughly cleaning the east wing when lord Stolas walked by.

Now you'd only had a brief interaction with the owl Demon during your time at the palace, but by all rights he seemed a decent fellow, at least by Demonic Overlord standards.

However, as he passed by he was confronted by his wife. His wife, Lady Stella, went off on him, demanding to know if he'd prepared for a gathering later that day.

You knew about the gathering, and it was very clear Stolas had not prepared for it.

You watched as the owl sputtered and tripped over his words as he desperately tried to explain to his wife why he hadn't prepared for it.

You don't really know why you did it, most Imps would give an arm and a leg to see a noble being given a thrashing by there wives.

But Stolas didn't deserve such a thing, so you stepped forwards, apologising on his behalf.

Telling her you were still new to the job and he was helping you with an urgent matter and that's why he was unable to prepare for the gathering.

Stella stared at you for a long moment and just when you thought she'd say something, she smacked you clean across the face.

Between Stella's inherent strength and your small size, the smack sent you into the nearest wall.

Stella told you coldly to never distract her husband again, and NEVER address her in such an insolent manner ever again.

Stolas was indignant, yelling at her that that was completely unnecessary. Getting her to out of the room he rushed to your side, ensuring you were alright.

Asking if you were alright, you told him It hurt like Hell, but you'd gone through worse. You had a chuckle before the owl thanked you for stepping in like that, asking why you'd do such a thing.

You told him up front, he was probably the best boss you'd had and you couldn't just watch him be chewed out like that.

After that incident, you found yourself with a day off. Although it was explained by a scheduling issue, you always thought of it as a thank you, from Stolas.

After that, however, Stolas seemed to keep you close, personally asking you to attend to tasks he was unable to, and over time you grew to be his go to Imp when he needed something important done.

You quickly made yourself indispensable to the Prince, using your diverse skill set you could handle just about anything he threw your way.

You would organise his day to day, tell him when and were something important was happening, you were basically his personal assistant and as such you were basically attached at the hip, doing everything and anything to support your Prince.

You spent the majority of your waking hours with the Stolas, and much to your growing dread, you found yourself falling for the Prince.

I mean he didn't make it easy on you. The fucking owl seemed to go out of his way to be as adorable as possible, acting like a big child. And it didn't help that he was genuinely kind to you, caring for you as more than just an asset. He treated you like a respected being.

And getting such attention from a noble, was... intoxicating.

A touch, a smile. The Owls harmonious laughter at some stupid joke you made, it was borderline addictive.

But as much as you may... crave~ his attention, you could never reveal these feelings.

You may be his favourite Imp, but you were an Imp none the less. You were so far beneath him there was no chance you could even hope to gain his attention.

And as much as that tore you up inside, you accepted that. Deciding instead to channel that affection in a way that would best serve your prince.

Stolas was quite fond of you.

He was so used to people only helping him in return for something, But you were different. You served him while asking for nothing in return.

His colder, aristocratic side would say you were just doing your duty, just serving like a good little Imp should.

But he could tell. You went above and beyond serving him, helping him in every endeavour he faced.

Over time, he noticed you becoming more affectionate, being more open and light hearted, treating him more like a friend than a Prince, like everyone else did. Something the Owl found intoxicating in its own right.

Of course he had his Owlet for unconditional love and affection, but your affectionate had this strange affect on him. You were kind to him, asking nothing in return, and that made him all fuzzy inside.

But just as he came to enjoy your affection, feeling like he had something to make the cold and cut throat reality of nobility bearable, you pulled back. You became more formal, like all the others in his life that served him.

And while at first he had hoped it was just a temporary hiccup, it quickly got to a point stolas couldn't take it anymore.

The owl ended up using every trick he could think of to figure out just why you'd pulled back.

It was somewhat underhanded, but one night, after you'd said goodnight, Stolas used his Grimoire and observed your unconcious mind. But he never would have expected what he saw.

He got a full view of how you viewed him.

He didn't know if he should be flattered or shocked, as in your eyes he was on parr with a diety.

He was this being of pure mercy and kindness, so far above you, you held your feelings back because you believed there was no way you could get close to him.

Your dream slowly morphed to reveal how terrified you were of admitting it, an all consuming fear that such information would destroy the relationship you held as the most important thing in your life.

Stolas was in shock.

Afterwards he spent the whole night thinking about you.

He couldnt deny he had strong feelings towards you.

After all, you'd always gone above and beyond for him, you were his most trusted and beloved servant, and... he liked to think of you as his friend.

But now that he knew your dedication was fuelled by love, it gave him a whole new perspective to your behaviour.

The way you smiled at him.

The way you laughed at his jokes.

The way you stuck close to him, the way you got defensive on his behalf, so much so you'd started fights with other staff members whom had disrespected him.

All these actions had once seemed so innocent, seemingly coming from your deep sense of loyalty and commitment.

But now, he knew they came from a place of love and devotion.

He spent the whole night thinking it over, pacing his office, deep in thought.

But no matter how hard he thought about it, he always reached the same conclusion.

He loved you.

He knew it was crazy. After all, he had a family. He had a loving- er... Well, he had a wife.

He had a beautiful daughter, and yet here he was, having unknowingly fallen for an Imp.

He went over it a hundred times and every time he thought about it he simply couldn't deny his feelings for you.

You were kind, loving and selfless. Youd always seemed to put his needs above your own And for Stolas, whom had never know selfless love. He realised it was all hed ever wanted.

Now Stolas had to decide what to do with this information.

Unfortunately Stolas couldn't keep a secret from you to save his life, you could simply read him to well.

And it wouldn't take long for him to crack, finding it impossible to keep such a major secret from you.

He'd get you somewhere private, using the excuse of business to get you alone.

Once he was confident you wouldn't be interrupted, he'd basically pin you to a wall, the owl hesitating for a moment before telling you, he knew.

You tried to play it off, telling him you didn't know what he was talking about.

Only for Stolas to snap at you, telling you, you knew exactly what he was talking about.

He leaned in close, whispering he knew you loved him.

You tried to stay composed, but internally you were freaking. Doing your best to keep calm and play it off.

The problem was Stolas was so close, you could smell his morning coffee and he was staring right at you, not giving you any time to calm down and think of a clever excuse.

But you couldn't. You couldn't lie to his face.

So you confessed, you confessed to loving him. You confessed you loved him more than anything, more then you knew how to handle. So you hid it from him.

There was a long silence.

You expected him to drop you, throw you to the side and tell you to get out of his sight, or maybe just kill you then and there.

But he didn't, instead he... he kissed you.

He planted a deep passionate kiss right on the lips, and... and you just couldn't help but return it. You wrapped your smaller arms around his neck, giving him your all.

Breaking the kiss, Stolas cupped your cheek and you were left stunned once again, when he told you... He loved you too.

You were so happy you were almost in tears, holding Stolas so close you almost feared you'd snap him in half, the two of you sharing a moment of joy and warmth.

You pressed your forheads and for the first time in both your lives you held someone you knew loved you for you close.

You held each other close for a long while, Stolas pressing you against his chest. Leaning back, you just smiled at each other.

It was a warm little smile, a smile you gave to someone you cared for deeply.

Scratching your neck, you asked him "What comes next?"

A devious little smile crossed his lips as he stared down at you, a predatory glow to his crimson gaze.

He carried you briskly to the nearest bedroom, carrying you to the bed he dropped you, pressing you against the bed.

Sliding his hands up your shirt, he purred down at you, "After all you've done for me, I think it's only fair..." He licked his lips, "I return the favour."

He stripped you down slowly, trailing kisses across your body.

You spent the night together, wrapped in throws of passion, Stolas doing his very best to bring you as much pleasure as possible.

You went at it long into the night, you pouring all the love and affection you'd repressed for so long.

There being one particular moment where the owl lost his mind when you flipped him over, pinning him down and took control.

You went at it until you collapsed in each other's embrace.

The next morning was like a whole new reality for you two. You held each other close and just relished the new found love you had for each other.

Your relationship would continue in secret, the both of you desperate to keep this new flame alive. Your position as his right hand Imp enabling you to stay close and be with him in private without raising any suspicion.

The two of you had frequent little 'rendezvous', where ever, when ever you wanted too without much issue.

Stolas' favourite was having a quick romp in the car on the way home from a meeting.

As amazing as your romance would be, there would always be a risk hanging over, something you were always cautious of. Although your concerns were dismissed by Stolas and you really found it hard to stay focused around him.

But as perfext as your relationship was, it would all come crashing down when you were discovered by Stella.

Now Stella's reaction could vary drastically depending on the nature of there marriage.

If Stella genuinely loved Stolas, she'd likely loose her shit.

Going off on Stolas while also likely try to kill you.

The family would be divided much like with Blitzø, although this time you would actually be there to support Stolas emotionally, not to mention you'd likely have a decent chance of getting along with Octavia.

But If there union was, say, more business than personal. Well... terms could be reached.

She'd still likely freak out, but Stolas could temper her fury before it could get out of hand.

They could reach an accord, you and him could be together so long as your relationship never sees the light of day.

After that, your relationship went up a notch, Stolas not having to hold back like before, he would basically go feral with you, spending every available second wrapped in a passionate embrace with you.

[euphoriyoongi]

Yoongi Historical au/ Royalty au

prompt requested: number 7:

I’m secretly in love with you but you never seemed to give me the time of day but you all of a sudden tell me you love me and my only thought was to make out with you.

Summary:

As the daughter of the military director, you’ve always had a liking towards the crown prince, Yoongi. Now, many years later, as your secretly in love with him, he’s secretly in love with you.

Pairing: prince!yoongi x reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Genre: royalty! au, historical au, friends to lovers

Warnings: none.

_________________________________________________

Joseon Era.

As a child, you dreamed to marry Yoongi. Too bad he was way out of your league.

Not look wise, but rank wise.

He was the only son of the king, heir to the throne. Now you were decently high up as well, being the daughter of the military head, but not even close to being able to even dream about him.

You didn't have a chance. Not even a thought. It's not like he would even like you back anyway, given how he was never one to look into your eyes when you'd speak to him, as if talking to you wasn't important anyway.

As you both aged together, you've noticed him always walk around the palace without any guards, always sneaking around to be alone. He'd never want any attention drawn to him, and if you would wave your hand to say hi, well, chances are that he would walk right past you.

It was hard, as the years flew by and you were still left with the heart wrenching feeling of a one-sided love. It was long enough to call it that, since you have been into him since you laid eyes on him.

Your father and the king were very good friends, and would often bring you to visit him whenever they'd have something to chat about. So you would sit off the the side with Yoongi, who never seemed to be able to replace the frown on his face with a smile.

The only time you had ever seen a smile on his face was when you saw him out of the corner of your eye, only for him to drop it as soon as you turned towards him.

Now in your mid twenties, your father is begging you to marry. You are at the age where you should have at least two kids now. For you to be single and constantly training to become a good fighter just like your father was, you didn't believe you had time for children. And anyway, ever since you turned fifteen to now, you used the excuse that you wished to marry when you met the one.

Your father now tried to bring up the conversation of marriage at this moment, and you stood pin straight, facing the target ahead of you with a bow and arrow in hand, ready to shoot. "But y/n, you really have to think about how important it is. You'll be thirty years old in no time!" He exclaimed, and as he slammed his foot down in irritation, you let the bow slide through your fingers, releasing it only for it to hit the corner of the target.

Groaning, you drop the bow to your side. "Father, I have more important things to be doing." You hummed, giving him the side eye as he stared at you with worry. You reached up to dry a patch of sweat on your forehead.

You used to tell him how much you wanted to marry the prince as a kid, but now it seemed too childish to use as an excuse. She knew she would never be able to marry him anyway, since he probably would have to be married to someone specific.

Yoongi was quite the character. He rarely spoke, but always wanted to leave the palace and go into the town, where his friends would live. He had a select few, and would also run into you as you went on errands.

Whenever he'd spot you, either in the palace or town, he'd stare at you for a moment and look away, almost telling himself not to even pay attention to you. It always made you upset, making you wonder why he would never pay attention to you. It's not like he didn't know you.

You lived your whole life pining over him. From the way he slightly dragged his feet across the dirt, to the way he would always wear a large hat to hide his face whenever he'd leave the palace, you loved him. He was the person you wished to marry even after all these years.

It seemed childish, yes. But if you were to marry and bear children, it would have to be to him. And if it wasn't him, well, it was no one. But your dad didn't need to know that information. "Listen, father, I will marry when I find the one." You said to him, lifting up your bow to shoot another arrow. "Just give me time."

He seemed to understand that you were trying to focus, and stepped back a few feet. Hearing him sigh, you gave him a side eye. "Okay okay. I'm sorry. I just want the best for you." He smiled, giving you a little bow in respect. "I'm off to meet the king for lunch. If you would like to pay your regards to him, let me know."

The arrow slipped through your hand again, now completely missing the target board all together. "Will the prince be there?" You didn't mean to ask this, but you couldn't help it. You haven't seen Yoongi for weeks, and you wished to see his beautiful face again. Would it be so vain to just..use the king as an excuse to see him?

Now, the king loved you. He wished Yoongi was as dedicated as you were, and always asked to see you when your father would visit. You had wished that he would ask you to marry his son, but knowing that it would make no impact with the kingdom, it was out of the question. He was probably just happy with his son having a friend of sorts.

Your father let a smirk reach his lips. "Hm. I'm sure he would be, if he's not galavanting in the village or anything."

Maybe she should stop by to greet the king. "I'll come with you." You said, smiling without paying attention. "I'm sure he'd be happy to see me."

Your father laughed. "I'm sure someone else would be happier."

"Greetings, your majesty." You bowed along side of your father as you stood in front of the king, who was sitting under the pavilion.

Smiling, the king beckoned you both to come under the shade of the pavilion.

Sitting next to him was Yoongi, who looked bored out of his mind. His gaze didn't even reach you, and you looked away from him and back to the king as you walked up the stairs. So much for coming here to see him.

The meal went on, your dad chatting with the king and talking about marriage. You pretty much tuned the whole thing out, given that you say next to Yoongi, who scooted over in the opposite direction of you.

Ouch. Now you knew you really didn't have a chance with him.

"I'm surprised you're sitting down with us, my son." The king bellowed, smiling at Yoongi who sat to his right, you sitting next to Yoongi. He huffed and picked up his utensils to start eating. "Usually you're out in the village—undercover I hope."

Yoongi hummed, not even answering with a word, and continued to eat, and the king brought his attention elsewhere. He faced your dad, smiling. "So, I'm surprised your daughter isn't married yet! My my, what a beauty."

You glanced over to Yoongi, who still stared down at his food. "Yeah, she has a few men lined up to marry her." Your father laughed, making the king chuckle as well. Yoongi finally looked up when he heard those words, now paying full attention to the conversation as he gripped his silk gown tightly in his fist.

"Oh I always wondered why a beautiful girl like her was still unwed." The king smiled over at you, and glanced at his son, who seemed to turn a bit red. "Im sure the wedding will be soon then, eh?"

Your dad hummed as he drank some rice wine. "Ah, yes. Whoever is her husband is sure one lucky guy."

"Why would be be lucky?" Yoongi scoffed, sipping his drink. "She's not even that pretty."

Silence. You nearly dropped your cup as he said this, staring at him with wide eyes.

Your dad cleared his throat and set down his cup. "Well at least you spoke today. I haven't heard your voice in ages..." he carried off, seeming offended by Yoongi's choice of words that were against his beloved daughter.

The king glared at his son. "Yoongi, that is no way to talk to our guests." He then looked over at you, noticing your dumbstruck look. "Please forgive him, he doesn't really socialize well."

Yoongi scoffed again, now slamming his cup against the table. "Why are you guys even pestering her about marriage, anyway? She has no chance with anyone other than—" he cut himself off, looking at you with a solemn expression out of all of his anger. When he noticed your eyes droop away from him and down the the table, he sighed and didn't finish what he was going to say.

Everyone was quiet. The sudden outburst from Yoongi put everyone off, even his father. As Yoongi glanced from your dad to you, you had enough of this degrading. Even though he was the one you dreamed to be with, it wasn't right for him to say those things about you.

You stood up and bowed. "I will take my leave." You said, looking to the king and to your father. "Thank you, your majesty."

He signaled oh that it was okay to leave, and you nearly ran down the steps as if to get away from the embarrassment. How did you not know that Yoongi felt so strongly for you in the most opposite way you wanted? What was the reason for him to hate you—

"Y/n!" You heard a voice yell behind you, the smack of footsteps getting louder and louder. You had stopped in your tracks, standing next to your favorite tree in the palace, the beautiful cherry blossom.

It was Yoongi behind you. He had reached you, now bent over and out of breath as if he just ran a mile. "Ah, you're fast."

You turned around with your arms across your chest. "What do you want?" You looked at him in the eye, and he stared back, nearly begging for forgiveness.

He sighed, kicking a rock that was near his feet. "I uh..." he carried off, now not being able to look at you.

No matter how mean he was to you, he always looked stunningly beautiful. His long dark hair was pulled up, his silky gown matching his hair. He had quite the scar across his cheek, but it made him more attractive in her eyes. As he stumbled on his words, you took the chance to speak. “Listen, your highness, I don’t what to hear your explanation.” You seethe, upset about how he feels towards you. “I don’t know what you were trying to say back there, but I got the message. Clearly.” You growled, turning away from him as you kept your tears in check.

Yoongi reached his arm out to touch your shoulder, making you jump. “What? What are you doing?” You asked, looking down at the ground once again, seeing the rock that he kicked was now near your feet.

“I just…” he carried off again, unable to speak the words on his mind.

You needed to get out of here before the tears began to fall. You were the daughter of the military head, how dare you cry over a boy. At least that’s what you tell yourself. You turned around quickly. “No, your highness, I’m not going to stand here and listen to how ugly I am. How I’m never going to be married because of my looks, how I—“

“I love you.” He sputtered out, looking anywhere but your eyes. “I’ve loved you since you taught me how to sword fight…and when you told me my scar was beautiful..” he carried on, now looking into your eyes with a small smile on his lips. “I didn’t mean any of that stuff back there, I was just upset to picture you..getting married to someone else.”

You were shocked. You stood there, your eyes wide open, standing in front of the man you always wished had feelings for you. And now he’s spilling his guts about how he loved you and—well, what the hell?

He stared into your eyes with worry. You weren’t saying anything back, and just when he was going to say something else, you leaned forward and let your lips touch his, out in the open courtyard for anyone to see.

You kissed him with all of the emotions you held back for as long as you could remember, and it startled him. He didn’t kiss back immediately, but as you pushed your body into his and gripped the back of his head to deepen it, he pushed his face towards you and grabbed onto your hips, pulling them flush against his.

His lips tasted like the cherry blossom tea that he drank, and his hands felt like ecstasy as they nearly tore through your clothing. His touch was like a drug you so desperately needed, and the taste of him made you feel even higher.

All that time you dreamed of kissing him could never live up to this moment, and when you pulled away, your hands still cradling his face, his still resting on your hips, he stared into your eyes and began to chuckle. You laughed back, resting your forehead on his.

“So,” he trailed on, his smile visible. “I’ll take that as an I love you too..?”

[noaltbruh]

I hope this follows the rules! But is it okay if I request a scenario where Giorno has a nightmare of turning into Diavolo and S/O comforts him when he wakes up?

My first request in so long, what an honor!

You're surely a fan of this scenario, I've seen you requesting it quite a lot of times.

Either way, let's get into it!

Esci dalla mia testa

06/04/2004

Midnight had just struck, it had already been three years.

Three years since Giovanna had become the new Don of Passione, and since the former had been punished for his actions.

But in reality, time had lost meaning to the young boy years ago. Everything he did, it felt so...Mechanic, so frivolous, simply keeping track of the days in order not to forget an important reunion.

He buried himself under thousands of piles of work, which only seemed to grow bigger and bigger with every day that passed. This was supposed to be his dream, his greatest goal, and he had reached it at such a young age.

But then...Why did he feel so empty?

He was supposed to be happy, after all the sacrifices that had been made to arrive so far, he had to be grateful for everything that's been given to him.

But he couldn't be, because those sacrifices were not his own, because innocent lives had been taken away, because he had come.

He truly was no different than the man whom he had condemned to suffer for all eternity. But he had to clinch his teeth, and keep on going with his head high, for the few people that were still by his side. Most importantly, for his partner.

As everyone around him had found a significant other, pressured by his best friend, he had decided to reluctantly indulge in this so called 'romance'.

And when you two finally met, he felt like a tiny fickle of faith had risen inside of his heart again.

You listened to him, to his struggles, to his doubts, to each one of his complaints like the were the only worries in the world. He failed to express how much you meant to him, after those...'Accidents', he had become even more close-up about his feelings.

You were very well aware of his workaholic tendencies, as most nights, you were the one to ask him to put down all the documents and get some rest

And this...Was one of those.

As you rapidly fell into a deep sleep, exhausted from your own day, you felt a soft hand gently caressing your forehead. You were so warm and comforting, like a puppy, the only one able to give him hope in this twisted world.

But sadly, your presence could not magically make all his guilt and insecurities go away, and he had accepted that.

After contemplating your dreaming figure for a minute, he slowly closed his eyes, wishing to escape, just for a short while, from all those crushing responsibilities and expectations.

His consciousness started to slip away, he felt ready to conclude another day. Until, he heard whispering. Weak, confused, peculiar sounds, he could not understand a word of what those voices were trying to tell him, they were too far from the boy.

But they wouldn't stop. Delicate, constant and unbearable like the sound of a drip of water falling into a sink. They were playing with the Don's patience, a sleeping lion that should not disturbed, unless you wanted to be torn to pieces.

His mind immediately connected the situation to a possible Stand attack, nothing out of his normality, per se, but he was not concerned for himself. You were still peacefully resting, clinging to your sheets, it was a quite cold night. He wouldn't have let a single soul cause any harm to his darling, she was his only true happiness, his sunshine.

In the moment he stepped outside of the bedroom, what he was faced with sent a frozen shiver down his spine, as he brought his hand to his chest, to control his heartbeat.

There were four doors, floating in absolute darkness. A weak stream of light, that seemed to be originated from nothingness, illuminated each one of them singularly.

The whispering got louder and louder, faint giggles could occasionally be heard. The young one turned around to look at the entrance of this cursed place, the one he had just walked through.

But there was nothing there.

And so, like a captured prey that had nothing left to lose, he ventured himself into the first door, only to be met with a monochromatic version of Fugo. He was breathing heavily, desperately sobbing and all curled up on himself, on the shore of the same place where the rest of the gang had decided to betray Passione.

Giorno was standing on top of the water, unable to move a single inch of his body.

"Look at what you did"

A deep voice murmured in his ear. One he hadn't heard in a long time, one he wished he could have erased from his memories, that infected his mind and was more deadly than the sobbing boy's stand.

Diavolo.

"Me? Fugo chose not to leave, it was his own fault if-"

"If he was abandoned by everyone he loved? Do you have any idea of how selfish it sounds?"

The boy hesitated for a brief moment, staring at those warm tears falling into the canal.

"It was just...A temporary matter, he rejoined Passione, he's doing better now"

"My, it must have surely been fun to prove your loyalty to someone who caused the death of half of the people you cared about, after refusing to participate in his little suicide mission"

The blond's legs started to tremble, mantainig his composure was starting to look impossible.

"They...They didn't die because of me, they sacrificed themselves for a noble cause, for making Italy a better place, they wished it as much as I did"

The man contained his laughter, then he continued.

"Is that so? Why don't say that in their faces then?"

The image of the lonely boy disappeared, together with everything in the room. Giorno was back to that black space, but the door was now missing.

And the next one...Had nothing better reserved for him.

He found himself in the island of Sardegna, the only sound that could be heard were the small waves that met with the coast.

He knew perfectly why he was here. He took a closer look at the seaside, there were some footsteps printed on it. He felt a knot in his stomach at the thought of where they would have brought him.

Abbacchio's lifeless body was laying on top of a rock, surrounded by dead flowers. His entire torso had been torn apart, and yet... His corpse was smiling. A tiny, melancholic smile on his purple lips.

"Do you still have the courage to repeat what you said?"

Diavolo began, in a mocking tone.

"When he became part of the Organization, he was at his lowest, he had nowhere else to go, every path he took brought him nothing but sorrow and disappointment. The only thing that gave him comfort was following Bucciarati...And so, with that excuse, I transformed him in one of minions"

The thought of calling out Gold Experience hit Giorno's mind, but he knew that there was no point of lying to himself. The albino was gone, his soul had left his body long ago.

"I don't need you to tell me just how disgusting you are"

He said, his voice was filled with a suffocated rage, as he knelt over to look closer at his former companion.

"Abbacchio couldn't have cared less about killing me, he came with you because Bucciarati did, because he so desperately wanted to follow him, he felt like scum at the thought of no longer having him in his life"

The boy with emerald eyes felt an hand touching him on his shoulder, but there was no one there, except for himself.

"You exploited his dependence from the man, and used at your advantage, just as I did"

He stopped for a brief moment, enjoying the desperation in the other's eyes.

"But at least, he didn't die under my guidance

And with that, the second room disappeared as well. The boy contemplated whether to remain in that hellish void or to move forward, the image of what was waiting on the other side hurt way too much, his juvenile soul was starting to crush.

But he couldn't remain there, it would have meant giving up to Diavolo's twisted games, seeing him break down was exactly what he was waiting for.

He turned the doorknob, when he felt something humid staining his clothes: there was fresh blood streaming from his lady bug pins. The trail that it formed on the ground invited him to follow its path. He knew he couldn't decline, none of what he wanted seemed to matter in this place.

A metallic railing stood in front of him, his entire pins bled so much to the point of consuming themselves. An horrific scream coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time echoed through the room, as he directed his gaze to the top of the grey construction.

"What a shame...Oh well, he was the most disposable member of the team anyway"

Narancia's corpse was resting among dozens of spikes, his faded orange bandage slipped from his dark hair, landing right next to Giorno's feet.

"Oh Narancia...So young, so naive, just another victim of this unfair world. That's what you're thinking, isn't that right, Giovanna?"

"This is why people like him should not be involved in this business..."

"Mh? And why is that? Childish minds are the easiest to manipulate"

Ignoring his last statement, the other leaned down to pick up the bandage, but his hand went through it. His body was starting to feel dizzy, like it belonged to somebody else.

"Not answering won't make me go away, the damage has already been done, after all"

"Narancia should have NEVER joined Passione in the first place. He could have gone to school...Have a normal life, but-"

"But he died for your cause before he could. What he said before I activated King Crimson melted my heart a little, how cute...He really trusted you that much to the point of thinking that he would have come out of it alive"

The railing emanated a cracking sound. For a second, he was afraid it would have fallen off, causing him to get impaled as well.

"I took away his chance of living an happy, standard life when he decided to work for me, and you did the same, allowing him to come along with the rest of your team"

The small boy suddenly faded away, together with the rest.

"But at least, he didn't die under my guidance"

At last, there it was: only one room left. Despite how deeply he cared about each one of his former team members, the premonition of what would have come next was more painful than everything he's seen so far altogether.

He sat down, staring at the door from a distance, his eyes emptier than the ones of his old allies. They say that eyes are the window of the soul, and nothing else could have been used to describe his inner turmoil. Nothing but a faded, dull green, testimony of all his battle scars and the survivor guilt that he tried so much to repress.

Perhaps his eternal punishment had arrived: having the chance to confront his inner demons, to move on, to show how fearless he was.

...But never truly grasping the idea of freedom, never facing and accepting what really happened, he was never given the time to. So much had oppressed him all at once, he couldn't keep up with it.

He was a child, a child that had to grow too fast.

But then, someone came out of the door. A bittersweet figment of his imagination, that made his heart stop beating for a second.

The one he hadn't seen in years, the one he had tried to subdue the most, the one that showed him for the first time in his life what love was, stood in front of him. There was no hole in his chest, no sign of blood or wounds, a reassuring smile accompanied his face, as he held out his hand to the grieving kid.

"What are you doing all alone in here? The others are worried for you. Let's not make them wait any longer, shall we?"

Giorno ignored his help, his gaze was stuck on that endless floor. He didn't have the courage to look at the other, his presence alone felt like a sadistic joke.

He didn't look sad, depressed, miserable... He was just...Tired.

He wanted to cry those tears that he had denied in the last three years, he wanted to yell at that illusion to leave him alone, that wasn't the real Bruno, it couldn't be.

But, as he impeded any of this from coming out, something he didn't think he would have felt in a thousand of years struck him.

Bucciarati hugged him.

A tight, comforting hug like one of a mother, that he was waiting for his child to reciprocate. The latter's breathing became heavier and heavier with every moment that passed, as weak laments rapidly turned into audible sobs.

"There's no reason to be sad now, I'm real, you can feel it, can't you?"

"Y-You...You're here...But h-how is it p-possible?"

The brunette chuckled, the sound of his laughter was more comforting than an angel's voice.

"It isn't"

Giovanna's stand penetrated the man's torso, but its arm...It was not Gold Experience's. It had a checkered red and white pattern that extended in its entirety, and it possessed an amount of physical strength which was out of any possible expectations for the creature able to give life.

"Foolish child, I thought you were better than this, I'd lie if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed"

The sound of Bruno's corpse falling to the ground resonated through that empty space, as the last door vanished. A puddle of blood originated from his horrible injury, it was big enough for the boy to see his reflection in.

"You are no better than me under any point of view. We took advantage of his kindness, we used him as a simple pawn for our own gain. The only difference between us, is that I was not manipulating enough to convince him to join my side voluntarily. He was a tool to the both of us, but you were the one who caused his demise"

The mirror that had been created showed two people, but the transparent figure of Diavolo immediately ceased to be visible. The only one left was Giorno, though his reflection seemed to mutate with every second that passed.

His blond curls started to change shape, turning into a fuchsia mess, with dirty green stains on it. His eyes had a killer, maniacal look inside of them, his pupils got smaller in horror. His entire body structure was different. He looked older, more muscular, his clothes, too, were no longer his own.

"Mista loved him, and you killed him"

"Fugo loved him, and you killed him"

"Trish loved him, and you killed him"

"Narancia loved him, and you killed him"

"Abbacchio loved him, and you killed him"

"You loved him, and you killed him"

...

"Giorno? Giorno please, wake up!"

You screamed, your sleep was interrupted by the sound of your boyfriend hyperventilating, as he desperately held you to himself, still trapped in that horrible dream.

You sighed in relief when he abruptly opened his eyes, so swollen and red from all the tears he's shed.

"Another nightmare, uh?"

You asked, gently caressing his back to try and calm him down, he was as vulnerable as a baby that runs to his parents after having a bad dream. Waking up in the middle of the night to comfort him is something you had grown accustomed to, but you had never seen him this shaken up.

He slightly nodded in response, grabbing the top of your pajamas. You put an hand behind his head, making him rest on your chest, and kissed him softly on his forehead.

You could hear him murmuring something, you couldn't tell wherever he was talking to you, or to himself.

"I-I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm s-so sorry..."

He repeated like a broken record, you could barely make out what he was trying to say.

"Tesoro, you've done nothing wrong, there's no one you owe your apologizes to"

The boy raised his head slightly, intertwining your fingers with his, he needed to feel sure that this was not another tremendous trick of his mind.

"See? I'm here, you don't have to be afraid. I know that you feel unworthy of my feelings, but there is no one out there that deserves love more than you do. Nobody is perfect, Giorno, you did everything that was in your power to help them"

"But I...I was the one w-who put them in danger in the first place"

"No, you were not. You all shared the same ideals, you saved them from the oppression they were put in"

As you swept those remaining drops away from his face, you could still feel his entire body shaking like a dried leaf in a windy day of autumn.

"N-None of this would have happened if I didn't come along..."

"Exactly, none of them would have known what it meant to be free. I...Understand that the sacrifices that were made are not easy to forget, but blaming yourself like this...Do you really think that's what they would have wanted?"

Not receiving an answer, you laid down once again, still holding him in your arms. You forced a tiny smile, kissing him delicately on his lips, and whispered in his ear that everything would have been okay.

But, in reality...You felt you were trying to reassure yourself as well. This was not something you could have solely resolved through staying by his side, healing from this would have taken a lot of time, but...At least, you could offer some temporary safety, and it seemed to be enough for the time being.

In fact, after some minutes, everything seemed to cease. The boy fell asleep once again, this time with the knowledge that you were there to protect him.

You sighed, praying for your darling to finally find some peace.

[showrunnerihardlyknowher]

Humans? Up MY Beanstalk? It's More Likely Than You Think!

AO3 Link

Danny's back on her bullshit and here to make everyone suffer with another WIP that's part of a fic trade with my beloved @hiddendreamer67 <3

Summary: I mean, Jack made it all sound so easy! Climb up the beanstalk a few times, steal enough riches to last himself ten life times, and live happily ever after as a heroic giant slayer with absolutely no repercussions.

Seriously, how hard can it be?

Aiden was no stranger to life events going from bad to worse at the drop of a hat, but more often than not he was able to go with the turbulent flow just enough to keep his head above water and out of any serious trouble. Such a feat was most evident in his adaptation to living within the labyrinth-like walls of the oversized castle he had foolishly sought refuge in weeks prior. Had it been weeks? Months, perhaps, or maybe only a handful of days. The passage of time was just as foreign to him as these massive surroundings, these massive people , and he didn’t have the gall to weasel his way towards an opening near the outside to gauge how high or low the sun was sitting in the strangely pink sky.

The irony was almost funny; where was that fool hearted bravery he had been swimming in when he first started his ascension up the winding stalk that sprouted who knows how many decades ago to reach its impressive height? He knew the stories of young boys trading cows for beans and getting far more than they bargained for. He knew it was down right suicidal to scale the plant in general given he hadn’t a lick of training when it came to climbing anything other than a ladder. The opportunity to live within a legend was too good to pass up, unfortunately. The flimsy promise of riches and adventure beyond his wildest dream outweighed the need to even consider how he was going to get back down from the towering growth when he was inevitably disappointed by the lack of golden eggs.

But he didn’t succumb to the thin air or fall to his death, and he wasn’t disappointed. If anything, he was given everything he envisioned. Almost everything. When he broke through the cloud line, he discovered the vine had tapered off in favor of clinging to a cliff side he was unaware even existed from below. Green tendrils served as almost a ladder to aid his climb up the mysterious rock formation until he was able to pull himself, huffing and panting and muscles tingling from overuse, over the edge to collapse on horizontal land. So the fabled kingdom of riches didn’t actually rest on the clouds, it seemed. A small let down, but hardly anything worth dampening the mood as Aiden took in his new world view.

He felt as if he had switched places with a weevil seeing how the small patch of grass he was in came up to his chest rather than swishing against his ankles. The euphoria of this great new discovery once again drowned out the more rational side of him, favoring exploration over potential survival. The logistics of returning home could be dealt with later, after he had slayed a giant and stolen only a penny of its wealth that would no doubt provide for him for the rest of his life. Naive. Gullible. Fool hearted.

Aiden had only trekked for a few hours before nearly getting swallowed up by a winged beast he likened to a bat, washing away over the edge of the cliff in a stream, and getting trampled by hulking soldiers doing their rounds. Each close call he survived by the skin of his teeth, luck and adrenaline driving him blindly to find a moment of safety. However, with each incident his bravery withered away into trepidation, especially the closer he came to the giants that roamed the lands. None of them had noticed him yet and part of him wondered if they would ever notice something as miniature as him scurrying around, but he wasn’t feeling bold enough to stay out in the open just for their reaction. No, once he had slipped into the fortress of metal and stone, out of sight from any predator's eyes, the will to venture back out had faded into near nothingness.

If he had it his way, he doubted he would ever again have the gung ho to leave the confines of his newfound sanctuary, not even for the bittersweet desire of returning home. He had made his bed in his haste to seek glory out of tall tales and now he must lie in it. Though his heart ached with anxiety and his hands ceased to tremble, his traitorous stomach refused to let him continue a life of solitude amongst the dusty beams. A weaker part of him couldn’t help but wonder if it would be worth it to live with the gnawing pain until it eventually overtook him. A fitting end, would it not, to starve to death like a rat in the walls? Alas, he was weak, but not weak enough to endure such aggressive cramping by the end of the second day, and so he mustered all the strength and courage he could just to snatch a few stale breadcrumbs long forgotten behind what he assumed was a cast iron stove.

Aiden truly was living up to his new rodent lifestyle, wasn’t he.

It was disgusting, but it was food, and though it made him ill the remainder of the night it had at least provided him with enough energy to go back out the next night in an effort to find something an inch more sustainable. By the end of the week, his newly discovered drive to live had him exploring every corner of the expansive kitchen during the wee hours of the night, when no giants hurried back and forth between the counters and the galley to serve platters of meals that could have fed his own village for months at a time. The rich smell of hot breads and meats made him dizzy, even more so now that he was getting accustomed to surviving off of dusty scraps he found on the floor. He needed to play it safe, he reminded himself as he watched one of the chef’s throw out an entire pan of fresh loaves because there’s too many chives in this! It’s too bitter for his tastes! , hardly resisting the urge to dive into the bins after the wasted food.

But...if they were so keen as to throw away an entire batch of fully prepared food over the fact that it was unsuitable for one person’s palette...surely there was no harm in taking what would be considered a nibble. Not when it was unwanted.

There it was again, that fool hearted bravery. If only Aiden had used it to find a way out of this unofficial prisoner rather than fuel his greed. He couldn’t be happy with the bare minimum he was given, could he? Always had to push the boundaries when he knew exactly where they lied, always run headfirst towards danger and then act surprised when it would bite him in the ass moments later. At least this time around he had the forethought to formulate some type of a plan, as flimsy as it was. Having become quite familiar with the inner structures of the fortress, he was able to determine the abode he was in was something along the lines of a castle. It was certainly sprawling enough, decorated with dark colors and glittering riches and constantly bustling with workers ranging from lowly servants to chittering socialites. Whether or not this was indeed a house for royalty he was unsure, having never been able to pinpoint which of the ambling lords or ladies might be the esteemed ruler of the lands. Assuming monarchies even existed this high, that is. Perhaps this was merely the norm of their society’s standards. It was unlikely, but it wasn’t as if he had many outside resources to compare this way of life to, not even in the way of his own village.

In theory, the heist should have been easy. In theory . All he had to do was wait until the dead of night for the bustling kitchen to fall silent as it normally did and he could slip out from the crevice closest to the scraps bin. Scaling in and out of the bin might prove trickier than he anticipated, but that remained a problem for future Aiden. The most important part of his newfound mission was being able to fill his stomach up with day-old bread and cold meats before they were discarded for good. If all went well, this could easily become a nightly routine of his, a way to feast like a king whilst living like a rat within the true royalty’s walls. He knew he was getting ahead of himself with that kind of fantasizing, perhaps that was even the beginning of his downfall, but he had so little to look forward to these days that he dared to get his hopes up for a semi-decent meal.

He hadn’t even made it halfway across the counter before he was spotted and subsequently captured.

But he had been so careful , he lamented to himself when the air was roughly knocked from his lungs after a massive hand slammed on top of him, pinning any squirms. True, he reflected as the stars cleared his vision, he never actually bothered to see if the kitchen remained vacant all night given that he was asleep...but he just assumed! Who in the world would be up during this hour!? Someone else sneaking a snack, maybe, just as he was. He could use that to his advantage, try and gain a few sympathy points by connecting with the giant on that level, convince them that all he needed was just a fraction of whatever they were probably getting for themselves and he would be on his way for good. A lie, of course, but the giant didn’t need to know that.

Once more, that short lived plan would never be put to use when Aiden felt himself being lifted in the air within a bone crushing grip, metal and leather digging into him in various places from the glove the giant wore. His eyes barely adjusted from the dizzying movements and dim kitchen before they were blown open at the sight, constricted breathing still entirely for a heartbeat. This was no ordinary giant, not like the ones he had grown accustomed to glancing at from the nooks and crannies. At first glance, however, it did fit the bill for the most part -- biped, guard’s armor, a human face -- but...did these giants typically have glowing purple eyes? He couldn’t recall for certain, yet the more he looked the more he found that appeared off. The outline of the guard’s figure seemed...fuzzy, like they were blurred rather than a solid defining line. His face, harsh and scrutinizing, was greyer than a corpse. He was otherworldly, and it was at that moment Aiden was painfully reminded he was in another world, one he didn’t belong in. One he knew he would be leaving quickly.

“You shouldn’t be here,” the guard rumbled, his voice grating more like static than a growl.

“N-no…” Aiden agreed. Anything to get on his good side. “I’ll go, I’ll l-leave!”

Though he had found his voice, he had yet to find the strength to attempt any kind of struggle, not that he thought he’d be able to budge the massive fingers in the slightest. However, if he showed just how eager he was to depart from this situation, maybe the giant would believe him and grant him that small mercy. Instead, he was given another rough squeeze that made his spine pop, the fist clenching him raising higher so that he was more at eye level with his captor.

“How did you get in here, human? ” The guard spat. Good news was that humans were a known creature, at least. Bad news was that humans, apparently, were not known for any pleasant reason.

Aiden panted, trying to suck in a much needed breath after all of his were forced out. “I-I don’t know…” He squealed in discomfort when the fingers tightened again, refusing to let up until he gave a more satisfactory answer. “Th-the walls! I came through the walls! ”

The guard snorted and slackened his grip to allow an inch of breathing room, “Of course you did. Little pest that you and your kind are.”

“Wh...what are you…?” A bold question, but since he was sure it was to be one of his last, Aiden saw no reason not to ask.

He wasn’t given an answer, the giant instead lowering him slightly to exit the kitchen and pace down the halls. The scenery whizzed by so fast that it made his head spin, catching a few looks at other giants that were loitering about. Just like the guard, they were similar to the ones he would see in the daytime but...different. The two guards they passed looked to be of the same race of whatever the one holding him was, a noblewoman in a shimmering capelet eyed him suspiciously and he could have sworn her ‘capelet’ flittered before settling back down her shoulders. How had he never seen any of these attributes in the day? Then again, he often viewed the giants in the fortress at a distance and never for very long, they could have all been magically endowed for all he knew. Or, another theory, the ones he was coming across now were merely nocturnal and their more...normal housemates were sound asleep as he typically was while these creatures did their rounds and had their fun.

The wonderment was short lived when the giant shoved his way through a heavy wooden door at the very end of a lesser used corridor. With each step down the spiraling stone staircase, Aiden felt his heart sink just a little lower. The long shadows casting against the walls from the torches mounted to them gave the dank atmosphere an even more sinister vibe, leaving too many unknown things able to hide in the darkness. Even the guard, who did not appear to be an overly friendly fellow to begin with, looked twice as menacing with how the shadows concealed the few human features he did have. Aiden swallowed thickly, unsure of where they were heading but already knowing it wasn’t good.

His hunch was confirmed when the guard entered another hall, one lined with cramped cells that were partially occupied. He tried not to look at them and their fates, not wanting to see what might be awaiting him as well. Likely not, though. He was far too small to shackle and imprison. A different punishment would have to be in store for him. Further down the hall, the dungeon changed its holding cells from ones with iron bars to ones with solid steel doors instead, obscuring whatever poor bastard was locked within. Was that considered a crueler punishment? Perhaps that was where the torturing took place, if such types of creatures indulged in those acts. He saw no reason why they wouldn’t and as a result could very easily imagine himself being thrown in there next.

Fortunately, or not, the guard instead opened another wooden door that was adjacent to several of the isolated cells, coming to stand before another giant sitting at a table. Aiden couldn’t tell what was on the desk or what this new giant was using these unknown things for, but from the jist of it he must have been busy.

“Sir,” the guard holding him said while raising him higher for the presumably important one to see better. “A human has been found within the perimeter.”

The guard, a captain if Aiden were to guess, frowned. “Any others?”

“None that I could sense in the immediate area.”

He sighed and waved his hand. “We’ll do a sweep before daybreak. Who knows the amount of damage it’s done...what it’s taken, what it’s told.” He fixed Aiden with an icy glare that made the poor human try to shrink in on himself.

He wished he could have found a way to defend himself, plead his case, but his voice was nowhere to be found now. All cowardliness and no self preservation.

“And how shall I dispose of this one, sir?” The guard asked and Aiden paled. Dispose!?

The one in charge shrugged a shoulder and resumed what he was doing previously, fiddling with tools and books and papers for one reason or another. “Put it on lunch duty. Give the lizard another rat to keep him busy.”

Aiden didn’t quite follow the logic of the order. Lunch duty didn’t sound half as bad as being disposed of. The ‘lizard’ was news to him, but regardless the guard nodded at his order and left the office back down the corridor of steel doors. He wasn’t sure if he should speak up and ask for clarification while he mulled over his rather lenient sentencing, doubtful the giant would even regard him. From the looks of disgust and distrust he had been given numerous times in the short span of time he had been discovered, he could gather that his presence was an unwelcome one, though why he was still unsure. Evidently, he was going to be put to work and he could most certainly live with that. Earn his keep, he reasoned. Give rats to lizards or something. Would these rats and lizards be the same kind as the ones back on his homeworld down below or would they be to scale with the giants? Another question he should probably speak aloud before he got in over his head.

Or, at least, he would have asked, had a wad of cloth not been jammed into mouth hard enough to make his jaw click uncomfortably. He gagged, trying to shove the offending material out with his tongue, but it was packed into his cheeks too tightly to budge. A different material, a thin rope, was quickly wound around his chest to pin his arms to his sides before wrapping further down to bind his ankles. It had happened in the flash, the guard giving him no warning or reasoning for the sudden confinement, but it wasn’t as if Aiden could offer up much protest now that it was all said and done. He was completely immobile, spun up like a fly in a spider’s web. The guard had done it with such efficiency that it must be something similar to a routine for him by now which did not bode well. In a last ditch effort to save his hide from whatever...this was, he looked up at his captor with wide, pleading eyes, begging for just a shred of sympathy or at the very least an explanation of what was about to happen.

All he was met with was the same cold, violet eyes as all the other giants he had come to pass. Equally cruel and indifferent. And it was then he understood, as he was being roughly shoved through a hand slot at the base of one of the sturdy metal cell doors, that he was not the one who was meant to be delivering the meals during “lunch duty”. He was the meal. He was the rat, which meant the lizard was…

Aiden wriggled as best he could manage in his position until he was able to roll onto his back and get a good look around the cell. It was massive to him, but compared to the size of the giants he could tell it was rather cramped. Dark and depressing, much like one would expect a lonely prison cell to be, with the scattering of tiny bones and grime along the stone walls. His breathing quickened as he tried to tell just what type of origin the gnawed remains had been, however it was too difficult to tell at this distance in such gloom lighting. Perhaps that was for the best, giving his brain a little boost of reassurance that maybe they weren’t all human bones, that this wasn’t a common fate most of his kind befell when they made the same foolish mistake of invading where they clearly did not belong.

Trying to avoid the glare of bones only worsened his situation tenfold when he turned his head and was met with what was, obviously, the lizard as previously mentioned. Well, partially a lizard? More human-looking than lizard just going off a quick glance which led Aiden to believe the nickname was meant to be a derogatory term for whatever species it was. It...he? Yeah, he was kneeling on the floor, not by choice, but rather due to the shackles that bound him at the wrist and was tethered to the floor with a pitifully short chain. The clothes he wore reminded him of something he might have caught a few nobles wear given the level of craftsmanship and hand woven designs. It was a shame they were soiled now in what he could only assume was sweat and dirt, how he hoped that was dirt. The prisoner picked his head up when he heard the food slot screech open and shut, waiting for any other sound before sighing at the responding silence.

The chain jingled as he shifted to reposition himself into something a little more comfortable, Aiden now catching sight of the black nails that blended into scales littering the back of his hand when he flexed his fingers. A tail briefly flicked into view before concealing itself behind him once again. As the human let his gaze trail further up his face, fully prepared to see another hateful glare burning a hole through his weak soul, he couldn’t help but notice another spattering of black scales along his cheekbones and down his neck, presumably up to his eyes as well, but...well, he couldn’t tell. Not when there was a tattered, red cloth tied around his head, effectively blinding the sense. He wondered if this was an ailment the giant already had or if this was another part of his punishment, curious if he even had any eyes still in their sockets beneath the shoddy wrappings. Whatever the case was, the “lizard” obviously couldn’t see him and Aiden was unable to alert him to his presence with the gag shoved down his throat, leaving them at an awkward stalemate.

A stalemate that lasted all of two seconds before the giant wrinkled his nose and frowned. “The hell kind of rodent is this…? ” he muttered to himself.

So much for not knowing he was there. With great effort, Aiden twisted his body until he was able to turn on his side, trying to push himself up into a sitting position. He froze when the giant started to move as well, pointed ears twitching in response to the light scuffling he was making against the floor to pinpoint his location. Despite one of his senses being dulled, it was evident his remaining ones were still working in perfect order, maybe even heightened to compensate for the lack of vision.

“Another live one,” he sighed, fingers flexing again, “Sorry about this little buddy. I don’t like live prey any more than you like being it, I’m sure, but, well…”

That was the only warning Aiden had before the giant lunged, teeth snapping an inch in front of his frozen body. From this close, he could see the needle-thin fangs previously hidden behind a grimace and instantly wanted to be far, far away from them. His only saving grace was the short lead the other had on his cuffs, preventing him from pushing off any closer and cutting him off just shy of his prize for the time being. He growled in annoyance at having missed the offered prey, pulling back to realign himself for a better pounce.

“Come on, just make this easy for the both of us,” the giant huffed.

Oh, absolutely not. No, no, no. No, this was not how Aiden wanted his adventure in the skies to end. Fuck the adventure, he wanted to go home and he wanted to do so alive and in one piece. Being ripped to shreds was not a fate he ever envisioned for himself. He wasn’t going to die like some...some rat!

The giant was inching closer, moving along the side as much as the chain would allow to get a better angle. It didn’t matter whether he ensnared the tiny between his claws or teeth or even batted its little corpse within reaching distance with his tail, so long as he was able to get a hold on its fresh flesh one way or another. Desperately, Aiden began to rock back and forth to shimmy his body across the floor, painstakingly putting centimeters of distance between them that the giant was able to make up in a single shuffle. When the chain pulled taunt again, the human rolled to the side and narrowly missed the clamp of teeth once more, hot breath blowing against his back and covering his body in goosebumps. Undeterred, however, the giant followed his scent that was so tantalizingly close and moved his body in unison with Aiden’s. With another bite, he was able to find purchase on the ropes that burned against his arms and sunk his fangs in what he supposed was meant to be an animal's tender flesh.

Aiden had tried to avoid the attack but simply could not scramble away quick enough, his only luck being that he was just far enough that the gnashing teeth only managed to puncture through the fibers of rope rather than his actual skin. He was lifted into the air when the giant pulled back, kicking and thrashing to the best of his ability against the hold. The humid air blowing on the back of his head made him nauseous now, only able to envision how the feeling would quickly be enveloping him entirely when he was thrown back and swallowed down the creature’s gullet. With one, final twist, Aiden prayed his limited strength would be enough to somehow dislodge himself from the giant’s maw and give him another chance at playing this unbalanced game of chase.

And then the rope snapped.

Having already been sawed and frayed in several places from the giant’s fangs, Aiden’s pull was all it needed to rip apart entirely, sending the human sprawling onto the cold ground. His vision clouded when his head smacked against the stone, ironically thankful for the wad of cloth in his mouth or he most certainly would have lost a few teeth. Without a doubt, he was going to have a nasty bruise coloring the majority of his right side in the near future, the ache still pulsing with every wheezing breath he tried to gain back. While the stars faded from his eyes, he watched distantly as the giant curiously grinded the material in his mouth before dropping it. He pursed his lips in confusion, expecting raw meat and the rush of blood rather than some scratchy coils of what almost tasted like hide.

“Gods, what even is this,” he cringed.

Me , Aiden wanted to cry out, it’s me, it’s a human!

The giant’s hang up with his unusual meal faded into resignation much sooner than Aiden would have liked. He was hardly to blame, though, if he had been given nothing but live pests to blindly hunt down without the use of his full mobility for an undetermined amount of time. They were in a similar boat, really. Creatures trapped in a home they had no business being in, trying to survive on what little scraps were thrown their way. The human sorely wished he hadn’t been relegated into the scraps category, but there was little he could do about that now. Knowing his prey had a pretty straight forward drop, he moved again with an open mouth to seal the foreign creature’s fate.

The sight of teeth rushing to greet him was exactly the adrenaline rush Aiden’s body needed to get moving again, much more successfully this time now that he had arms to push up with and legs to carry him a greater distance. As much as he would have loved to have sprinted to the other side of the cell, even find another crack to slip through if fate would feel the desire to be so kind to him today, he only managed to stumble a few feet out of the immediate danger zone before tripping over himself. His right leg screamed in agony from the second fall, a sign of something being sprained somewhere he was sure. He wanted to scream out loud as well had it not been for the gag. The gag he realized he could take out now. Unsure of how useful his last words would even be, the human ripped the wad of cloth out of his mouth in a frenzy while the giant prepped himself for another attack. If anything, at least Aiden could find catharsis in leaving some sort of statement about himself behind for someone to hear, even if it was just confirmation of his fool heartedness.

“Stop!” Aiden yelled, voice raw and itching his throat like it hadn’t been used in ages rather than half an hour. “Please, stop! G-get away! ”

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting the giant to do as a result, but one thing was clear and it was that he most certainly wasn’t expecting his meal to say anything. He reeled back like he had been physically struck by those words, if his eyes were visible he was sure they would be as wide as serving platters. It was almost comical how he stumbled back, the menacing creature suddenly so fearful of a tiny vermin it was trying to consume moments prior, mouth agape as he tried to process what was going on without being able to actually see it.

“You...did you just, oh my gods,” he gasped. While he was glad he was being spared for the time being, the giant’s nervousness did little to quell the anxiety that had been brewing in Aiden’s heart since the moment he came upon this accursed land.

“Ple-please…” Aiden whimpered, suddenly drained physically and emotionally from the whole ordeal and settling to just drag himself any extra distance he could away from his unofficial death penalty. It was a pathetic display, but on the bright side, one he wouldn’t be mocked for. “Don’t h-hurt me…”

The giant shifted again, hesitant, closer , and Aiden braced himself for the final bite to end it all.

“You can talk!? ”

[thephantomessoftheopera]

Notes on Gaston Leroux‘s „The Phantom of the Opera“ - Epilogue

<< Previous chapter “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known”

-Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”

As we are coming to the end of the story, Leroux ties up a few more loose ends in the epilogue.

As for Raoul and Christine, their possible happy ending is only implied by what Erik told the Persian - that they had “taken a northbound train” and were planning to get married in secret. They have disappeared from the world, and Christine never appeared again on stage anywhere. According to Leroux, they might have finally settled in Norway together with Mama Valerius. At first, I thought Leroux might have been confusing Sweden and Norway, but when I did a little research on the name „Daae“, it turns out that the name is actually most prevalent in Norway, with almost no occurrences in Sweden. It is also implied that even if they took that “northbound” train before, Christine took a train back to Paris a few weeks later to return to Erik, because she had the wedding ring on her when she left, and it was finally found on Erik‘s finger.

As Philippe‘s death was deemed to be the consequence of the fight between the two brothers over Raoul’s supposed engagement to Christine, Raoul was a murder suspect - but as his previous testimony had already made him appear a lunatic in the eyes of the Commissary, Philippe‘s death was ultimately pronounced accidental. However, as Parisian society had taken less than kindly to the news of the engagement, I think that the couple would have had a very difficult standing if they had officially married and assumed the now vacant titles of the Count and Countess de Chagny. It is therefore likely that Raoul, having officially disappeared, never claimed his titles and inheritance, and chose the more simple lifestyle that Christine was accustomed to. Leroux concludes the story of Raoul and Christine with the statement that one day, he too might „hear the solitary echoes of the Northland repeat the singing of the woman who knew the Angel of Music''. In the epilogue, the boundaries between the „false“ and the „real“ Angel of Music become blurred, as Leroux repeatedly speaks of Erik as the “Angel of Music” - indicating that maybe, just maybe, Erik truly was the Angel of Music.

After following up on Raoul and Christine, Leroux relates how he obtained proof of Erik‘s existence from the Persian, mostly through the letters written by Christine that Erik had sent to him, but also through the testimonies of Meg Giry and La Sorelli. He supposedly placed all the proof he had gathered in the archives of the Paris Opera.

He also obtained the testimony of M. Poligny, the previous manager of the Opera. The „Opera Ghost“ affair was the final straw that made him resign his post, which again indicates that Erik‘s reign as „O.G.“ was rather short and caused by Erik falling in love (since he had been living in the Opera House presumably since the early 1870s). He also quotes from the fictional „Memoirs of a Manager“ by Armand Moncharmin, where Moncharmin relates that a few days after Christine‘s abduction, Erik returned all of the forty thousand francs he had extracted to the managers, no longer having any need for the money as he had given up his plan to marry Christine. The mystery of the safety-pin is also finally resolved, as Leroux was supposedly able to locate a small trapdoor in the floor of the managers’ office, through which a dexterous magician like Erik could easily have reached up and retrieved the envelope from Richard‘s coattail pocket as it was hanging down from his chair.

Leroux also notes that the marble pillar next to Box 5 sounds hollow and would offer ample space for Erik to hide inside it. According to Gérard Fontaine’s research, the pillars being hollow applies to all the pillars in the auditorium of the Palais Garnier. Whether that proves or disproves anything is up to you... Leroux’s plan of having the lake drained in order to obtain the ultimate proof of Erik‘s existence - finding the entrance to the house by the lake - did not go through, but Leroux still sustains his hope of one day finding the score of „Don Juan Triumphant“ there (that is, if Christine had not taken it with her when she came to bury him).

Leroux then gives a summary of Erik’s life according to the Persian. Erik was born near Rouen in France and ran away from his parents as a young boy, as they were afraid and horrified by how he looked. After being exhibited as a “living corpse” at fairs, he became a singing sensation and garnered a reputation that reached as far as Persia. The daroga of Mazenderan was sent to bring Erik to Persia as entertainment for the “little sultana”. Erik, who also worked there as an assassin, is described here as amoral, “not knowing the difference between right and wrong”. Even though he does not have an evil heart, his life up until this point has left him completely without a moral compass of any kind.

After building an ingenious palace for the shah, Erik’s execution was ordered so that he could not divulge its secrets to anyone. The daroga was supposed to carry it out, but as he owed Erik favours (and was the one who brough Erik to Persia in the first place), he helped him escape instead. He was punished for this and went into exile to Paris. Erik took a detour to Asia Minor and Constantinople before he ended up in Paris as well. It is also mentioned that Erik could make lifelike automata, which is reflected in the musical in the form of the monkey music box and also the “mirror bride”, a physical representation of Erik’s dream of a loving wife.

Once in Paris, Erik decided that he finally wanted to live a normal life, and placed a successful bid to work as a contractor on the Opera House. Wishing to hide his face from the world forever, he built his comfortable home into the foundations of the Opera. Erik’s plan to live out the rest of his life in peaceful tranquillity went well - until he crossed paths with Christine Daae and lost his heart to her completely. And the rest is history…

Leroux here gives his own view of Erik: “He had a heart great enough to hold the empire of the world, and in the end he had to be content with a cellar.” With a normal face, Erik, with his brilliant mind and extraordinary talents, could have had the world at his feet. And even though no one had ever loved him, he still had a heart capable of feeling deep, pure love, which is pretty remarkable. His beautiful voice is a reflection of the beauty he carries inside his soul - which was sadly eclipsed by his ugliness, which did not allow him to live “like everyone else”. The great tragedy of his life was his face, which kept others from treating him as a human being and recognizing his full potential. He is therefore clearly worthy of pity, instead of being cursed and condemned as evil.

Leroux had already mentioned in the Prologue that he believed the skeleton found in the cellars of the Opera was Erik’s. Now he finally reveals why he was so certain of that: because Erik’s skeleton wore the gold wedding ring on his finger, which Leroux believes Christine had placed there. Even though Erik had set her free and given her the ring, she later came back to him, and this time it was certainly not out of terror. With Erik dead, none of his threats would hold any more sway over her - and yet, she still returned to him to keep her promise. She not only buried him with the wedding ring, but she slipped it onto his finger, ultimately fulfilling her promise to accept him as her husband. In a sense, she buried him with her love, and that is truly a bittersweet and beautiful ending. After everything he had to endure, Erik’s life ends with a kiss and a ring on his finger, put there by the woman he loved more than his own life, and with Leroux praying for his salvation. That may not be a traditional happy ending, but it‘s very powerful. And it’s definitely not a villain’s ending.

As „Faust“ is the most strongly referenced work in „Phantom“, it is also worth comparing how the endings are different. In the final act of Gounod‘s opera, Faust and Marguerite first swear their love to each other, but when Marguerite sees Mephistopheles and realizes who Faust really is, she turns away from him and chooses death instead, while Faust is dragged into the fires of hell. Her famous last words to him are „You horrify me!“ In „Phantom“, the progression is almost the other way round - Christine is horrified at first, but then accepts Erik and chooses life instead of death.

It should also be noted that the ending in the novel is so vague that it also allows a lot of room for the reader’s imagination. Was Erik really dead when Christine returned? He himself was announcing his death, so it would not even be so very unlikely. But as this is Leroux’s story, the official reading would of course be how he himself imagined the ending: Erik dying and Christine coming back to bury him. This might be my favourite line from the novel:

“The skeleton lay near the little fountain, where the Angel of Music first held the unconscious Christine Daae in his trembling arms after taking her into the cellars of the Opera.”

As if the return of the ring was not enough poetic closure, he also asked to be buried in the very spot where he held the love of his life for the first time...

Symbolism and Metaphors

Now that we have concluded the epilogue, I would like to add a few more notes on the general themes which are present throughout the novel and still influence how we feel about it today.

To understand the extent of symbolism employed in  „The Phantom of the Opera“, it is necessary to understand the cultural mindset and environment in which it was written. At the turn of the century, the arts (and sciences, as evidenced by the slowly emerging works of Sigmund Freud) were rather obsessed with the fateful connection between Eros and Thanatos - love as the life-bringing force, and death as the destructive force. Both were often seen as intertwined and mirrored in the other.

Erik is the personification of Eros and Thanatos. He unites both forces in him to a degree unparalleled by any other character in the story. The death symbolism that is also clearly reflected in how he is described, would be both perceived as horrifying - and yet not without a strangely seductive fascination inherent in it. Death is intricately tied to darker feelings of passion and desire.The “Eros” and the “Thanatos” part of his character are intertwined, but his character also oscillates between the two sides in the course of the story.

Music in „Phantom“ also serves as a metaphor for romantic love, not only in the spiritual but also in the physical sense, as it is connotated with “passion”, “fire”, “ecstasy” and “rapture” throughout the story. Erik’s teaching awakens “an ardent, voracious and sublime life” in Christine, symbolizing the burgeoning romantic feelings in the young woman. She is terrified with the changes going on in her, which is also in line with how „Eros“ was originally viewed: as a frightening loss of control. Erik says in “Apollo’s Lyre” that “some music is so formidable that it consumes everyone who approaches it”, and Christine states that “Music has the power to abolish everything in the outside world except its sounds, which go straight to the heart”. In both sentences, the word “music” can easily be replaced with “love” - especially in Christine’s example, it would be the musical equivalent of “love is blind”.

Like in other (gothic) romances - “Wuthering Heights” being perhaps the prime example - the two rivals in the principal love triangle represent two very different types of love: one is intense and passionate, but also consuming, terrifying and potentially destructive, and the other is safer, but also somewhat chaste and lifeless. Erik and Raoul each represent one of the two extremes. This contrast is exemplified in the scene at the Masked Ball: Raoul wears white, the colour of innocence, while Erik wears red, the colour of passion, but also of danger and blood.

It is suggested in the novel that Erik and Christine were chained together by fate (“La destinée m’enchaîne à toi sans retour”), and I believe they were destined to save each other. Erik saved Christine from her grief in the wake of her father’s death and brought her back to life, and Christine saved his soul by being the first person in his life to accept him and grant him true happiness. „Phantom“ may be a tragic love story, but it is also a hopeful one, as love proves stronger than death. Christine’s choice, Erik‘s sacrifice and the skeleton’s wedding ring are all symbols of love triumphing over death.

[startanewdream]

Captain Potter

Summary: Lily Evans has a secret that the army cannot know and it doesn't help that her captain is trying to be her friend.

Note: So I was watching Mulan and it's Shirtless JP May and this got me into googling shirtless army man, so please enjoy this piece of very much self-indulgence set in another AU. Also, I have no knowledge of military ranks, so bear with me.

Read on AO3 or below:

‘Evans’, the captain calls, and Lily turns to him, slightly afraid as she always feels when she hears her name. Maybe this is the day her secret will be found, this is the day she will be expelled and will fall in disgrace —

But Captain Potter has one of his carefree trademark grins, none at all looking as if he is about to arrest her. He looks at ease, leaning against one of the training posts, arms crossed lazily, watching her with interest shining in his hazel eyes as if she is a puzzle he will understand someday.

Lily truly wishes he won't, so she avoids looking at him directly in the eyes.

‘Captain’, she answers at least, saluting. That seems to amuse him.

‘I have a name, you know’.

‘Hum’, she stops, unsure. Her interactions with the captain have been restricted — well, her interactions with everyone have been limited —, but she has watched him from afar.

He is young and yet he never tries to act bossy with all the other soldiers, never tries to impose himself. He may have a more affinity with three of the soldiers (his friends for a long time, as she gathered), but he tries to treat everyone fairly, encouraging and teaching all soldiers equally, from the weakest of them to the strongest, and it’s not hard for her to see why everyone is willing to follow him into battle. The only one that he hadn’t been able to reach some sort of relationship was with her.

Something that had fit Lily’s plans and worries very well.

‘Captain Potter?’, she tries.

‘I am someone besides a rank’, he suggests.

‘Mr. Potter’.

‘That would be my father. I am James ’, he says at least, as if she is unfamiliar with the name of the youngest captain of the army.

‘I know , but — it would not be proper —’

‘Liam’, he stops her and, just as anytime someone uses that name, Lily wants to look around searching for that person until she remembers her situation. ‘Can I call you Liam?’

‘I’d rather Evans’, she answers, grimacing, and when he looks dismayed, she adds quickly: ‘It’s how everyone calls me. Not… it’s more personal, really’.

‘Fine, Evans’. He grins again. It’s a beautiful smile, so open and inviting, that again Lily has no difficulty understanding the success he makes with all the other soldiers, why their unity is unanimous in praising him. There is something on him that draws people to him — her included. ‘Well, call me James. I can order you to if it will make it more proper’.

Lily lets out a laugh before she stops herself, biting her lips, worried. She shouldn’t laugh; though she can disguise her voice mildly well, her laugh is too thin, too sparkling. It’s not a man’s grave laugh.

Fortunately, the captain doesn’t seem to find anything amiss. He looks just… glad with her reaction.

‘So you are capable of laughing’, he notes teasingly. ‘I had my doubts, you know’.

‘There has never been an occasion, Cap — James ’.

He opens his mouth in an offended expression; it’s so dramatic that, again, she wants to laugh. ‘I beg your pardon? Yesterday, when someone — a very clever someone, I might add — pretended to be shot by an arrow? That was an occasion!’

‘Wasn’t that you?’, she asks, raising her eyebrows. It had been a long tense one minute in which one of the other soldiers, Sirius, had been sure he had shot by mistake the captain and his best friend before James had revealed himself alive, laughing hysterically and showing the fake arrow attached to his badge.

Sirius had punched him, all rank forgotten, but then he was laughing too and everyone thought it was hilarious.

‘It was fun ’.

‘It was terrifying’.

‘Oh, so you were terrified I’d died?’, he jokes, his grin now very smug. ‘And I thought you didn’t like me’.

Lily blushes, lowering her head and hoping he hadn’t noticed it. Truth was she had misjudged him on the first day, annoyed by the way he acted with that captain badge pinned on his chest. He came from a long family of militars, after all, and he was very young, no matter what his father would praise about his grades in military school, so she had truly believed he didn’t deserve to be a captain, that he had only got there for his family name.

In the last few weeks, though, she was forced to admit he was a good captain. He had the vision for it, good ideas, an efficient way of training everyone and, of course, he was a leader.

‘I have nothing against you, sir — James’.

‘I’m glad to know’, he says, sounding earnest. ‘I am worried about you, you know’.

‘Have I done something wrong?’, she asks, surprised, fear involving her again. Lily had taken care of doing all exercises, overworking herself, all to prove that that stupid rule that forbid women in the army did not make any sense. They needed everyone in the fight against Voldemort, after all, and she would not wait patiently, especially when people like her were one of his targets.

‘No, no, you’ve been perfect, really, no one dedicates as much as you’, he assures her. ‘But you don’t socialize. You stay quiet during dinner. You don’t participate in any of the games', he pauses, before adding again dramatically: 'You don’t laugh at my pranks!’

All of it is true. Lily has purposefully gotten away from everyone, afraid they would notice something different about her, though that quiet soldier, Remus, had tried to talk to her. She just feels she can't risk.

‘I do not think it’s time for pranks, James’, she answers, deciding the last point was probably the easiest.

He shakes his head. ‘We are at war, Evans. If we don’t laugh now, we may not laugh after’.

She supposes he is right. And even though he enjoys more pranks than she thinks it’s reasonable, she knows he worries too. More than once, when she is on guard duty, she has noticed the light of his tent is on very late in the night. James may look carefree with everyone else, but he has concerns about the war — and what lies in his shoulder.

‘Your work has been impeccable’, he adds quietly. ‘I just want you to get to know more of your colleagues and for them to know more about you’. Lily presses her lips, hoping her worry doesn’t show on her face. That was all she was trying to avoid. ‘You will need to count on them in the battlefield and they will need to know you have their backs too. And the only way to do that is if we trust each other. Can we do that?’

James is waiting for her answer, his eyes boring into hers firmly, and Lily can’t turn away now. In the light of the morning, with the sun shining on his face, his hazel eyes seem to glint in gold, the pupil barely visible. He has wrinkles on the side of his eyes, and she suddenly wishes they weren’t meeting in the army while she is pretending to be an introverted thin young man.

He seems the kind of guy she would like to meet in college, or to grow up together with, or even in a dancing club with her friends; they would talk and she could be then fully herself, could share with him her witty side and even help him in a prank or two. In that other life she would appreciate how nice and beautiful he is, with that black hair that’s always messy no matter how much he tries to comb, and those hazel eyes that were made for laughing, not to be worried for the war.

But that’s not her life and she is sure that if he ever finds out about her, he will hate her. Somehow, with how much she has learned to admire him in the last weeks, she fears his rejection more than she fears being expelled from the army.

Lily knows she would trust James Potter with her life, knows she would do her duty and die for him if it was needed, and yet she also knows she can't ever tell him  her secret.

So she does what she has been doing best ever since she joined the army.

‘We can trust each other’, she lies.

He beams. ‘Great, Evans! And I thought we could start sharing your mourning runs’. He raises one eyebrow when she looks surprised. ‘I’ve noticed you awake at dawn to run’.

‘I like to train’, she admits. ‘I am… thinner than the others, so I am trying to get fitter’.

‘You look a lot better’, he compliments, touching her arm, where her biceps have been evolving nicely. It’s a pat, a soft brush, and yet it sends shivers down Lily’s spine; his hand is warm . ‘Mind if I join you?’

She hesitates just a little. ‘I will stay quiet’, she warns him. ‘I like to think while I run’.

‘Works for me. And if you want to share a thought or another, well, I’m here, Evans’.

He winks at her, again so friendly that she turns her eyes away, wishing she could tell him the truth. But she can’t, so she presses her lips, ties the ribbon around her hair so the bun stays in place, and kneels to make sure her shoes are tied. Then she raises and her heart stops for a full second.

James has taken out his shirt. She knows he is fit — there is no way he can’t be with all the years of training he had — and she has seen before shirtless, but only when she was far away in the line, hoping to get unnoticed as she trained the movements.

Now, it’s only him, his tanned skin glistening under the morning sun, a god coming out of her dreams. She is staring and she knows it, but there is no way she can avoid it; weeks at the army have made her lost a lot of discomfourt around men's body, but this... This doesn't seem fair.

She watches the muscles in his arms, his biceps far more evident than hers will ever be, and it suddenly occurs to Lily that she would like very much to feel them around her, involving her, holding her. There would be only benefits in hugging him, she realizes, as her eyes move to his torso, enjoying the firmness of his chest and the muscles in his abdomen, a six pack that seems drawn perfectly. In his arms, she would glide her hand through his chest, would place a kiss over his heart and then she would raise her head and they would be so close —

And then James stretches his arms, raising them above his head, and she notices the hair on his torso, a few patches near his chest that shine with a few drops of sweat she wouldn’t mind drying, and then the darked patch over his abdomen, in a path that goes on vanishing inside…

When she finds herself staring at his pants, Lily decides she has crossed more limits that it's reasonable.

She turns, all her concentration in avoiding glancing at him again, though she feels it's fruitless. The sight of him seems to be recorded in her mind. He will appear on her dream, she is sure of it.

‘Everything all right, Evans?’, he asks, right behind her, and she jumps. 'You look red'.

Lily knows it; her face is hot, burning even before she has started to run, and she won’t fool herself pretending she doesn’t know the reason.

‘I'm fine, let’s go’, she answers quickly, heart racing in her chest. This was a horrible idea; mourning runs with her very gorgeous hot captain will do no good for her keeping her secret.

She sprints without warning, but he catches up with her easily. She keeps her eyes ahead. Don't look, don't stare, don't ogle.

‘There is something special about you, Evans’, he declares, the run not seeming to disturb his breathing. ‘I will find out one day’.

[just-someone-who-likes-to-write]

May I request Nuada with a human reader that is a new witch. Something fluffy maybe?

Again, no access to my laptop yet, but I will try my best to do the request through my phone, and again I am so sorry for the errors!

I was planning for this to be simple and fluffy story but my imagination went a but wild but it still has many fluffs!! Please enjoy!!

You closed as you held your hand forward to the fire bowl in front of you, clearing your senses you tried to connect with it but was unable to.

"Concentrate, (Y/n)." Said your teacher, and you tried but still felt no connection to the element. "Most witches can manipulate fire, you are just not trying enough."

Her words made you angry, which made your determination to proof her wrong rise. You took a few steps forward, believing that maybe the problem is with the distance, but you quickly stopped and pulled away when you got too close and almost burned your hands. Your teacher let out a disappointed sigh as you checked your hand for any injury.

"What am I going to do with you?" She said getting your attention. "You can't manipulate objects, or teleport, or control a simple human mind, and now not even control fire!"

You said nothing only held your hand in front of you and kept your head down in shame.

"You are a good Brewer, I admit that." She said. "But any other witch can be a Brewer, even humans even they had the ingredients!"

"I'm sorry... " was all you could say.

"Saying sorry without accomplishing anything doesn't make you any useful to the King!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

A familiar boming voice called making both you and your teacher tense as you turned to the double doors. Right there stood Prince nuada, his signature frown showed on his face and he made his way towards the two of you.

"Your royal highness!" Exclaimed your teacher who quickly bowed and you followed her action. You kept your head down until you saw his shoes standing in front of you.

"Raise your head." He ordered and you did. His golden eyes met yours fir a brief moment before looking to your teacher.

"What honor do we have that his highness decided to visit us?" Your teacher said with a smile, you'd have believed she was in a good mood if she didn't just yell at you a few moments ago.

"I came to see the progress of your students, but only could hear yelling from the end of the hall." He said in a very displeased manner making your teacher tense.

A few months ago the Elf King had extended a hand to the witches, asking for thier aid against the human and offering protection and ressources as an exchange. Your Cover was one of the few who agreed to stand by the King. However, unlike your sisters you weren't as talented as them, they could conjure spells to fight and defend against humans but you could do none of that. So your teacher had decided to use the King's ressources as a chance to give you better education, hoping your power would awake, but it didn't.

"My deepest apology your highness." She said bowing again. "It's just one of my student is being... Difficult."

"Difficult?" He repeated in question. "Elaborate."

She then went onto this rant of how you can't do anything, how you can't manifest one spell that could benefit the King or your self at that matter. The more she talked the more you wanted to dig a hole into the ground and hide yourself in it, you clenched your dress, fighting back tears of frustration. You were doing your best, and she doesn't even giving credit for that as she continued saying your were lazy. It only took for the Prince to lift his hand up for the elder witch to be silenced.

"I will be dealing with the young lady personally." He said but you kept your head down, missing how troubled your teacher looked.

"that's... That's very generous of you your highness, but I can't imagine letting you-"

"You said that this young witch is wasting resources, time, and refusing to learn. " he cut her off. "So I need to personal make her understand the wrongs of her actions."

It was a short while until your teacher finally walked away to leave the room. The Prince stood right in front of you but said and did nothing until both of you heard the double doors shut. It was silence between you two, only the cracking of wood in the fire behind you could be heard. Nuada reached forward, placed his hand under you chin and gently lifted your head so your sad eyes could meet his affectionate ones.

"My little witch, why do you look so sad?" He asked concerned. You pulled away from his hand.

"My teacher is right I can't do even one simple spell." You said. "But I swear it's not because I'm lazy!"

"I know my dear." He assured, and even though you are grateful to know that he was at your side, it still didn't make you feel any better.

You and Nuada had started this secret friendship of yours when he found you wondering around the royal library, which later you found out it was forbidden for anyone else but the royal family to enter, that day to apologized none stop, which amused the Prince. After that he kept finding you, always saying that he wants to make sure you won't be going to any forbidden areas, and from that some kind of a friendship blossomed between you two. But you wanted to keep it a secret, because if anyone found out of the kind of treatment he is giving you they'd think he is picking favorites.

"Let's go to the garden." He said pulling you out of your thoughts.

"But we can't be seen in public together. " you said. "Everyone would get ideas."

"What ideas?" He asked raising a brow.

"That there is something between us." You answered with a shrug.

"And what is wrong with that?"

his question made look up to him with confusion, but you couldn't see the look he had for he was already making his way to the double doors, obviously not taking a "No" for an answer and with a tired sigh you followed. As expected your teacher was right outside waiting, when she asked nuada simply answered that he needs to show you just how much they are giving hoping it would motivate you to work hard, which was an obvious lie but your teacher seems to believe him as she continued to thank him for his "merciful" choice of a lesson for you. You just repressed rolling your eyes as you followed nuada to the royal Garden.

When you first arrived to the Bethmoora clan palace, King Balor has welcomed you, as well as other covens with open arms and provided a tour in the palace so you may know where to go and where was what, and so far, Your favorite area was the garden. You walked side by side with Nuada in silence, he had his hands behind his back, his posture straight and head held high like a true Prince, while you wondered around at almost every touching it and smiling them, except for those, which were poisonous but admured from afar.

"You truly love nature don't you, little witch." Said Nuada breaking the silence.

"I do very much so." You confirmed. "I used to go on walks in the woods when I was younger, just find a beautiful tree with plenty of shade to set beneath and read... "

You paused as your smile slowly turned into a frown.

"It all changed when humans started hunting us down." You sighed. "We had to hide away, which means no going outside, I was very depressed being stuck in for walls with nothing else to do but practice, practice practice!"

Your last outburst made nuada chuckle.

"Glad to know my pain amuses you." You said with a pout.

"Never, my dear." He said with a smile. "You can simply be too adorable I can't help it."

His statement made you blush and your turned your head away pretending to inspect the flowers below. After knowing the Prince for a few weeks he started saying these complements that left you beaming red, you just assumed it was his nature to do so, but whenever he was with other people he'd be the scary intimidating Prince who's no-one dared to address him in less than his given title, but when the both of you alone, he insist on you calling him by his name.

"(Y/n), I have a question for you." He said having your full attention.

"Yes?" Whenever he called you by your name it's serious.

"Witches can have different powers an abilities, correct?"

"Yes, every Witches Coven is different than the other, for example I heard of those who can use dolls, which is strange yet intriguing."

"And you cannot do the same things your coven does, am I Correct?" He asked again.

"Yes... " Your shoulders slumped and as your brows furrowed in a sad manner.

"Then have you ever considered that maybe you do not share the same abilities as your sisters?" He finally asked and you gave him a look of bewilderment.

"What are you trying to say?"

"What I am trying to same my dear little witch, is that you cannot do the things your sister can do easily... " He said and you almost gonna retort angrily but he continued. "Because you do not carry the same ability as them."

"Are you saying that I carry different abilities?" You asked looking down at your hands.

Nuada started to lead you to another part of the garden a more private part near the palace walls where vines stretched high against the wall. And you would have questioned the location if you weren't already questioning yourself.

"Set down." Said nuada breaking out of your train of thoughts.

"Where are we?" You asked looking around confused as nuada lead you to set in a clear spot with no plants just grass.

"This is my secret place." He answered. " no-one knows of it except Nuala."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"To do this."

He said before pinning you against the wall. Your eyes were widened in shock, your (E/c) eyes met his golden once, he started to slowly lean down, and move brought his mouth closer to your ear.

"May I steal a kiss?" He asked almost timidly,and a blush crossed your face at the request.

You would be lying if you said you didn't dream about your relationship with Nuada to grow more of that of a friendship,but to happen so suddenly and finding out he to desired it, in such private place like this made your heart beat fast. You lowered your head and gave a timid nod giving your consent. The Prince delighted,he lifted your head up and chuckled probably by how tight you kept your eyes closed, but that didn't stop him as he leaned down and pressed his lips against your own. The kiss wasn't agressive or passionate, it was a simple chaste kiss that still made you feel as if your spirit has flown to the heavens and came back as he slowly pulled away. that was your first kis but it left you in such daze that you didn't hear what Nuada said.

"huh?.. What?" You asked quickly looking uo to him. He smirked at your reaction.

"I'm happy to see what kind of effect does my touch have on you.. "He said making you want to look away but he quickly stopped you and made you look above you. "However, you too seem to have a special touch of your own."

He was correct, because the simple green vine that was behind you has many white flowers blooming on it and you were speechless because they weren't there before. You pulled away to have a better look and the flowers seems to go as much as the vines, even the vines seem to have taken even larger parts of the palace.

"I... I did that?" You asked in wonder.

"You did, my little witch." He said with pride as he wrapoed his arms around you and hugged your from behind. "Yes you did my darling (Y/n)."

---

Nuada was waiting at the end of the hall where your teacher's chamber were, he could have waited right outside but he didn't want to draw attention. He heard the doors open and you bowing one last time to your teacher before closing the door and leaving. You had entered empty handed but got out with many different books in your arma that you struggled to lift. Nuada hurried by your side to carry them from you.

"What did she say?" He asked, and you gave him a big excited smile that brought his own.

"You are looking at the very first green witch in our coven!" You almost screamed.

"A green witch?" Nuada asked confused.

"Yes, I can't manipulate or create fire like my sisters." You started to explain. "But I can and will be able to manipulate plants, rocks, animals, the earth and weather!"

"And these books will help you?" He asked looking down at the books that talked about different plants, herba and history of green witches.

"Yes, and I can't wait to read them all." You gave a shy smile to nuada. "Thank you for helping me realize my true powers."

"Why are you thanking me?" He asked genuinely confused.

"You knew in was a green witch." You said. "You told me how I can be different kind of witch than my sisters and took me to... That place."

You blushed at the memory of that kiss.

"You are mistaken my dear, for I didn't know you were a witch of nature." He confessed.

"But... The kiss... " you trailed off.

"I kissed you because I wanted to do so for a long time now." He said with a mischievous grin. "And judging by the way you reacted you wanted the same thing."

Your face was pure red as you snatched the rest of the books from his hands and ran away to your room, being embarrassed made you forget how heavy the books were and hearing Nuada's amused laugh from behind didn't make it better, but for some reason you couldn't help the smile on your face for you just found out that Nuada returned your feelings.

---

Again sorry for any errors, or if it's too long and I hope you enjoyed it!