#its just so beautiful how their voices are meant to be together and always somehow make the other ones voice sound so much better

[haveihitanerve]

can i just say how good of backup singers roland and curt both are??

Like in this song for example; curt is clearly the lead voice. He has the melody, his voice is louder and the distinguishable voice from the song.

but rolands voice is always there, just underneath, providing a little bit stability, pushing curts voice further and further, never the front running sound, but always there when you delve deeper into the song

for every song they've ever written i have found that when they sing back up vocals, it always adds something and its always beautiful. i dont know really how to describe it, but when one of them is the lead and the other is the backup vocal, the backup one is like the perfect cheerleader. providing backup and the perfect blend, but never taking over the spot light, just remaining in the background, adding a little bit of sparkle and support to the song. and i just think its really beautiful

[missmarveledsblog]

Now she's mine ( Bradley bradshaw x reader) 18+

summary : sequel to if she were mine  where  rooster shows y/n how much she really loves her in the best way possible . 

warnings: smut so 18+ , oral ( fem receiving)   p in v unprotected ( wrap it before you tap it) , body worshipping and to be honest its just pure sensual filth ,goofy fluff  ending though. AWAY MINORS

From thinking the universe was against him to feeling like the luckiest man in the world was an outcome Bradley bradshaw . His hand held hers the whole time as he drove home ready to show her what she deserved and why he was the one worthy to give it to her. Was he nervous fuck yes but he wasn't letting the it pass not when he finally had a shot of getting the girl , getting his girl . He still felt her tears on his shirt when she broke in his arms earlier in the night and timing wise it may of looked quick but for him , who waited all his life well no time limit was needed.

" roo" she called so sweetly it made him melt in his seat and yet grip the steering wheel like he was holding on for dear life all in one. " yes baby girl" the sight of his driveway was never so exciting .

" how come you never said anything before" she asked pulling the belt of her body as she slide to his side leaning over and taking his seat belt off .

" well i mean a number of things i already told you but mainly i didn't wanna ruin our friendship , you mean world to me and if it meant keeping my feelings a secret to keep you in my life well i would of done it .. oh fuck" he groaned as she sat perfectly on his lap , like she meant to be there all this time on him , with him . " well giving the situation and in a blinding hindsight i think we got a lot of time to make up for don't you think" his eyes searched her hoping she wasn't having second thoughts not just about what they were doing but future or too .

" you know i never thought you'd love me like the way i love you " was all she got out of her mouth before he kissed her deeply hoping he could show how wrong she was as his tongue slid against hers . like two soulmates finding each other after eternity of being a part , puzzle pieces that fit together it made the most beautiful picture. Heated yet tender and sensual like she never been kissed before, her heart beating just for him but it always did since they were kids and he used to give her wild flowers he'd find or when they were teen and he slip silly notes in her locker to make her smile.

" sorry i had to shut those silly and wrong words up one way" he smirked as he pulled back eyes never leaving hers locked in a hypnotic trance of full blown love and lust .

" roo i meant what i said take me to bed" she leaned kissing down his jaw nipping the skin like she was staking her claim , marking what was hers . He wanted to pinch himself wondering if he somehow crashed during training and this was his heaven because never in his life would he think that he and his dream girl would be making out in his bronco like horny teenagers .

" show me the way babygirl" his fingers under her chin making her look at him .

Every nervous feeling she felt on the way was gone the minute his lips touched hers, every worry , insecurity wiped in the moment and replace with a need , an ache only bradley bradshaw could soothe . she opened the door sliding off his lap wordlessly took his hand and keys locking the car her back flush with his front as her head lolled to the side giving him more access and he kissed , teeth scrapping the sensitive skin as she a mix between a moan and sigh escaped her lips . the moment she opened his front door he spun her to face him , large hands under her thighs, kicking door closed as she was pressed up against the wood . fire , passion , hungry ready to eat each other whole her hip rolling to quell the inferno that he was building between them.

" scratch that i'll show you the way" he rasped voice low making her breathe hitch and eyes blown in lust . maybe another time she would fight for dominance but this time she was submitting to anything he wanted of her and what he wanted was to take her apart and show her how a woman like her needed to be treated . lips down her neck feeling the scratch of his moustache she would never make fun of again as his hands on the hem of her top when she heard the rip and his hands sliding her ribs sliding around her back up her spin and in her hair pulling her closer if it was possible .

So lost in him that she didn't even notice she was in his room til he placed her ever so gently on his bed . sitting herself up on her knee soft hands pushing the hawaiian of his shoulder , her hands slipping under his vest feeling every nerve coming to life like it was solely under her control . leaning over her she felt so small compare to his sheer size which only added to the excitement that filled her from within .

his large hands coming to the clasp of her bra pulling it from her body throwing well he didn't know or care he had to stand back and admire the view her chest bare as she set prettily on his bed a place he would keep her forever if he could . he imagined this so many times he was alone with his cock and compared to reality it was nothing even close .

" fuck you are a dream come true" he rasped pulled his vest from his body . now it was her turn drool . she may of seen it before , admired for a second or through the lens of her sunglasses and yet now was different without obscurity in the way of such a view. Tanned muscled body that only a god could of took his sweet time carving to utter perfection . bradley bradshaw was beautiful inside and out so much so it would cause a nun to sin .

" fuck" both panting.

" god my mind didn't do you justice one bit" he growled leaning over her caging her like a hunter and his prey . his bare chest against her alone had him fighting the urge not to cum in his pants like a teenager. Leaning back up his hand went to top of her pants opening the button pulling them down with her thong , knuckles grazing her skin a blaze in it trail. His lips kissing the tops of her breast as his hands slide under her knee spreading her open as he pressed his bulge against her weeping cunt. Hands still trailing up her body , up her ribs and cupping her breast pushing them together as he took the stiff peak of her nipple in his mouth and the other between his finger tips.

" roo please" she begged fucking begged for him he could die a happy man from that alone.

" patience baby waited so long wanna burn this in to my memory" he groaned hand sliding down.

" god you are soaking for me baby you are a fucking dream come true let me show you the goddess you are , a goddess i would spent rest of my days worshipping" he rasp thick digits sliding through her glistening folds . she whine as he pulled them away only for her breath to hitch as he brought his finger to his mouth tasting her sweet nectar like it was essence of life itself.

" fuck i got a taster now i need the whole meal" he smirk licking and kissing sloppily down her body she never felt anything like it already driving in a lust filled madness before he touch her .

" i will warn you baby once i get a taste i may never stop" was all he said before he dove in . eating her out like it was his first and last meal all in one . every sound she made he wanted to record have it on repeat better than any song he's heard and yet he got her singing like it was a personal concert . his tongue lapped at her cunt as if it was only source of water in the desert the coil in her stomach winding tighter and tighter she honestly thought she was going to snap in half.

" oh fuck baby you would have jesus christ himself to come off the cross for a taste" he slipping a finger then two in her weeping hole playing her like his personal instrument .

" fuck fuck fuck rooo don't stop" she cried. head thrown back on the pillow as scream came out her throat as the coil wound so tight snapped in a toe curling pleasure that made her vision blur . he chuckled when she weakly pushed his head away . if she wasn't in such a blissed out horny state she would of blushed as her arousal coated his face yet instead everything was doing made her feel powerful , a confidence she never had building inside her . lips on her she moaned at the taste of herself on his lips as her hands undone the buttons of his letting her finger graze his painfully hard length going to push him up for a taste of her own.

" baby girl any other time i would be all for those lips on my cock but i need to be in that pussy pronto before i die of madness" his voice deep graveling as his thumb tugged her bottom lip .

" please roo" she whimper mouth cover his thumb as her tongue swirl around the digit before sucking it softly.

" tonight is about you baby" he smiled kissing her nose hand around his own length guiding it through her folds letting her slick coat him .

" i just need you" she admitted softly as leaned down hand on one side of her head and another guiding his cock to her weeping entrance

. " you have me you'll always have me" he moaned pushing inch by inch feeling the velvet walls tighten around him . " gate of paradise between these leg" he trusted slowly watching her plump lips form o shape.

" oh roo faster" she moaned. She never needed to ask twice not with him sitting himself up as he went faster , harder as her back arch his hand held her in place .fucking every feeling he's had all these year. Hitting spots she only ever read of. Every coherent thought in her mind leaving as she babbled in a pleasure filled daze his hand down her body til she felt his finger coming to her clit . she was losing her god damn mind in every good sense possible feeling it approaching.

" don't stop fuck roo dont stop i'm gonna.. ohhh roo " she cried as she the world crashed around her .she gushed around his length sending his own release following after . tear falling down his cheeks in post orgasm haze .

roo you ok" she panted eyes filled with concern although her own tears we soon approaching.

" fuck i love you so much" he kissed her more softer , gentle like he was afraid she would vanish in thin air.

" roo i have loved you since we were kids and it never gonna change anytime soon" she peck his cheek before his nose and then his lips . pulling out of her before he felt onto the bed beside her pulling her to his chest holding her in his arms like he's dreamed of so many times before.

" except i pulled your hair back then" he kissed her head both panting covered in a sheen of sweat.

" i wouldn't be opposed to it now just wait til i can feel my legs again roo you've ruin me" she giggled nuzzling her face in his neck as he groaned at her admission .

" good because i'm the only one you need i know its probably not the best timing but if i know anything time means nothing your it for me have me down since that day you gave me your ice cream cause i dropped mine" he lifted her face to his .

" i just want you" she smiled repeating her words earlier.

" you have me all of me" he smiled nose rubbing hers.

" good because big heart and big dick your stuck with me" she giggled only for him to laughed pounce on her again .

" now your mine" he peppered her face in kissing as her laugh fill his house.

He woke up smiling , he was laid in bed with the girl of his dream except it was real , he got the girl now wrapped in his arms like the greatest gift on the earth. He wanted to make their first morning perfect softly out of his bed throwing his boxer on ready to spoil his girl. Extra pep in his step as he strolled confidently into his kitchen , turning the radio on searching the presses and fridge and getting to work. Maybe he had too much or too little he never knew because he had no idea what he was doing but it was going to be perfect  even if he had no idea what he was doing . 

She stretched out feeling the emptiness of the bed wondering if she dreamed it all but the ache between her legs set reality right and his room coming to focus in her sleep induce view. She didn't get a chance to wonder where he was when the smell of burning hit her nose and string of incoherent curses travelled to his room. A giggle escaped her lips as she hopped out of the bed putting his hawaiian shirt amused at how much bigger it was on her to him . looking around the room to find her thong and padding down to see what the hell the burning was. Coughing and swiping the smoke she stood at the door way not noticed as he was busy cursing the pan .

" no shit stop burning ... fuck you need to perfect" he scolded only for the sweetest laugh hitting his ear making him turn and his jaw to drop .

" whatcha doing " she went on her tipping toes trying to get a glance .

" well i was trying to make my girl breakfast in bed but then a five course meal walk in the door" he purred sight of her in his shirt and his shirt alone sent him feral.

" move over big boy before you kill us both" she pushed him to the dinning table . watching in amazement as she moved easily around his kitchen so easily then groaning when she bent to reveal what was under his shirt.

" bradshaw , man we got a problem y/n not at home and we cant get .... Woah now i see why you like those shirt" jake rush in snapping him out of his trance. " phoenix found her" he called as the brunette ran in .

" oh thank god i was so ...OH MY GOD " she screamed.only for y/n to pull bradley in front of her

" its just our friends although bagman stop looking at my girls ass" he said when she let out a squeak.

" she still not ans..." .

" oh my god kill me now" . "We asked for help " jake shit eating grin was not helping  sitting at the kitchen island .

"hey mav" ,

" hey dad see i'm safe ... breakfast..anyone? " she squeaked pulling the shirt to cover her more.

" go get dress we need to have a talk .... Both of you" pete mitchell sigh as the worry was long gone as two rushed out the room.

"i'll have some breakfast" jake snorted only for nat to slap him. He definitely wasn't missing the show .

[missdawnandherdusk]

All Good Things to Those Who Wait

Draco x Hufflepuff!Reader

There goes the last great American dynasty

Who knows if she never showed up, what could have been

There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen

She had a marvelous time ruinin' everything

Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3   Chapter 4

Chapter 5   Chapter 6   Chapter 7   Chapter 8

Chapter 9   Chapter 10   Chapter 11  Chapter 12

The Chapter That Never Happened  Chapter 13

Chapter 14  Chapter 15

Summary: tying up some loose ends :)

A/n: *emerges from the void*

Everything has an ending. The best stories, and the worst ones. Looking back at my story, there was no better ending I could have asked the stars for. I lost people I loved but I also stood for what I believed in and led an army to victory. No one would forget what had happened in those days. The days of the Great War. 

But what is life without tying up a few loose ends. You’ve come with me this far on this journey, and now as I look back, perhaps there are some things that you’d like to know. Some conversations you’d like to hear. Some people you’d like to meet or see again. So, here are those loose ends, tied together.

**********************************

I stepped onto the porch of my childhood home. It was in the efforts to try and find my mother, and try to find some peace and meaning after the past years. Draco came with me, at my side. 

“She’s not here,” I sighed, knowing before we even stepped foot in the house that my mother wasn’t waiting for me. “And somehow that hurt’s more,” 

“She’ll come in her own time love,” Draco soothed. Maybe he was right, or maybe I’d always be searching for her in the stars like I looked for my father. 

Draco and I sat on the porch that night, watching the sun set and the fireflies come to life in the meadow that blanketed around us. 

“You cast a patronus,” Draco said as I laid my head on his shoulder, watching the wildflowers dance in the wind. 

“I know,” A smile touched my lips. 

“It was a dragon,”

“Yeah,” I took his hand into mine, thinking back to the first night Draco cast his own patronus with my father’s wand. How things had changed since then. “My mother always told me that one day I’d find my patronus and it would watch over me like my father,” 

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. 

“I don’t think you need anyones protection,” The humor in his voice gave way to the smile that I couldn’t see. 

“It’s still nice to have someone beside me—to fight alongside me,” 

He was quiet a moment before airing his doubts. “Do you think that maybe…” I knew where he was going with the thought, because it had been chipping at the back of my mind. 

“Because they’re so different we’re not meant to be together?” I mused, finishing his worried thought. 

“Yeah,” He sighed.

“No,” I sat up, facing him. “I think they’re just right for us. I’ve thought about it—more than I should. But in reality… if we think about it, your lion,” 

“Aslan,” Draco’s fingers brushed over my locket. A smile crept to my lips and I nodded. 

“And the first task,” 

“The what?” I had caught him off guard, a beautiful sight to behold. 

“Our fourth year, that first task of the tournament.” Realization struck him. 

“Our patronus’ show the start of us—when we really first started to trust each other.” I took his hand back into mine. “They’re not so different after all,” 

He laughed without fear and kissed me softly, before pulling me closer. “The start of us,” Draco mused, and maybe he could see them like I could: a younger me standing there, skeptically looking at a younger Draco. Before the war, before the long nights, secret kiss, tears, laughter, love and loss. Two kids who took a chance. 

When the sun cleared the horizon and its final rays fading, Draco and I headed inside—to the empty house that still promised to protect me. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a knock on the door. In the week that we had been here, no one had disturbed out haven. No one knew we were here.

Draco looked up from his book. I dislodged myself from the couch and his arms, and went to answer the door, on guard. I stared at the one standing before me, not knowing how to quite process it. 

“Hi, mum,” I whispered. 

“Hello,” 

Time stilled around us. Everything came rushing to the surface only to be stopped by my unparted lips. One thought escaped. 

“I did it,” my voice was barely audible. 

“I’m so proud of you,” 

Tears stung my eyes. After all was said and done relief flooded through me more than anger did. Perhaps it was the peace that blanketed the Wizarding world that calmed my hurt. 

“Mum,” My voice broke into tears. Amity wrapped around us as—after years—I got a hug from my mother. 

“I’m so sorry, honey,” She whispered, stroking my hair. “I’m so sorry,” 

I nodded into her shoulder, letting all of my bottled-up tears come out. All of the stresses from war and the nightmares that plagued me at night—my mother was still there to hold me tight. It didn’t matter that I was still hurting from wounds she inflicted, to know she was there, willing to hold me tight, and call me hers was enough. 

“Y/n, are you—” Draco came out and paused. I pulled away from my mother and looked at him. He gave me a soft smile and nodded, heading back into the house. 

“Is he upset with me?” My mother asked. I laughed hopelessly. 

“I don’t know,” I said, wiping away my tears. 

“Are you?” She asked. 

“I don’t know,” My voice softened. “There’s so much right now… so much to sort through…” 

“There is.” She didn’t deny it, and maybe it was comforting that someone outside of my peers acknowledged that I had been through a lot, and in turn that had caused a lot of heavy burdens on my heart and soul. 

My gaze drifted back to hers. 

“Do you wanna come in?” I asked. 

She shook her head. “That’s not what you want, nor need,” Reaching our she placed per hand on my arm, soothing me before I could argue. “I’ll be around if you need me, but until then, the house is for you—it always has been. Build a life,” She smiled and looked through the window—probably at where Draco was inevitably spying on us. “You’ve found a good one,” 

A smile touched my lips. 

“Thanks mum,” 

My mother inhaled sharply and nodded. “I’ll be off then,” Turning to go down the porch stairs, she paused. “He would be so proud of you,” 

Tears burned my eyes again, as I wrapped my arms around her, needing her to hold me just once more before I could let her go. Because in her arms was also the love of my father that was taken from me too soon by this war. A war that I saw an end to. And maybe in that moment, the war within me ended too. I wasn’t the daughter of a Death Eater and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. I was the daughter of Walt and Elizabeth. And that was enough

“Goodbye my love,” My mother said softly. “I’ll always be around.” 

“Bye mum,” I smiled as she wiped away my tears. “I love you,” 

“I love you too sweetheart,” 

I waved goodbye, and with a spell, she was gone. I turned to go inside. The door clicked softly behind me. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Professor McGonagall?” My brows pulled together. “Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?” 

“This is a summons for you,” She held out a parchment, the usual stern look on her face was replaced with pity. 

I took the parchment and opened it, scanning the delicate print. My heart sank. 

“This is… this—“ I gaped. 

“I’m afraid so,” McGonagall sighed. “There was nothing I could do,” 

“Draco?” I called into the house. He was beside me in a moment. I handed him the parchment. “This is serious?” She nodded again. 

“I’m sorry my dear,” 

“A court summons? They’re putting her in trial!?” Draco demanded. 

“Kingsley is very set on it. And he is the new Minister,” 

“I saved the school! I helped defeat the Dark Lord! I—really!?” Tears pricked my eyes. 

“There’s got to be some mistake,” Draco insisted. “She’s not a Death Eater, she doesn’t even have the mark!” 

“I’m sure that the ministry will see that, but I’m afraid that I cannot do anything about the summons,” 

I scrubbed my face and sighed. “Thank you Professor. Can I invite you in for some tea?” 

“That’s very kind dear, but I’m afraid I must be on my way,” She bowed slightly then disaperated from the porch. 

I stood there a while, lost in my thoughts. Draco gave me a gentle squeeze and kissed the crown of my head before disappearing inside. My feet took me off the wood of the porch and into the softness of the grass. I sank to the ground beside a fence post. The sun began to set. My eyes watched the horizon. Millions of thoughts swirled around my mind with no discernible direction. 

Was there even a case for me to be innocent? Is this what everything I had worked for come to? To be seen as a criminal for holding a crumbling cause together? 

____________________

“Where is she?” Abby asked, helping Pansy through the fireplace. 

“Out front, watching the sunset,” Draco sighed, opening the front door. “She’s been out there a while,” 

“Can’t imagine why,” Pansy muttered. “They’re seriously putting her on trial?” 

“Yep,” Draco sighed. “All this time I thought I’d be the one, and yet…” 

“I’ll go talk to her,” Abby kissed Pansy’s cheek. “You guys get to work,” 

“Thank you, both,” Relief flooded Draco’s voice. 

Abby snagged an old afghan off the back of the armchair and went out through the small meadow. She draped the blanket around your shoulders and sat beside you in the grass. You laid your head on her shoulder. She could see the dried tear tracks on your cheeks. 

“How—how could they do this?” Your weak voice held deep betrayal. 

“I don’t know,” Abby answered honestly, taking your hand into hers. “But we’re not going to let them get away with it.” 

“I don’t—I can’t defend myself in court—I,” You dissolved into tears. “Haven’t I done enough?” 

“More than enough,” Abby affirmed. “Don’t worry, we’re gonna work it out—you’ll see,” 

“How?” You asked. 

“Well, you’ve gathered quite a few allies who owe you once or twice,” Abby pointed out. “And others who just love you anyway. Draco and Pansy are working on it now,” 

“Wha—what?” 

“We’re gonna build your case,” Abby promised. “And get you acquitted.”  

“They’re…” A sad laugh left your lips. You laid back on the grass. Abby knew you were searching for the first stars in twilight. 

“Don’t worry about a thing,” Abby smiled at you. “Just rest,” 

The days past and my trial date approached like a storm on the horizon—but whether it was just rain or a hurricane, I couldn’t tell. Draco assured me that it would all be okay—he tried to tell me about everything done to build my case, but I wasn’t interested. Grateful, thoroughly, but I knew that if I learned anything about it, I would pick it up myself and try to fix it and my weary heart couldn’t handle that and keep beating like it was supposed to. 

So, I dressed smartly and took Draco’s hand before we took the Floo to the Ministry. I kept my head low, and tears at bay. 

Though Draco, Abby and Pansy accompanied me into the court room, I had to sit alone for the trial. The distance was drowning. I sat in the hard wooden chair, facing malice and prejudices. Kingsley looked almost predatory, as if he could pin the entire war on my shoulders, casting the blame on me. 

I flinched as the charges were read against me. The list of dead was longer than I thought. I didn’t dwell on the days of the Battle of Hogwarts, nor the events that occurred. They haunted me in my dreams, make no mistake, but what was real and what was a nightmare I lost the ability to discern. 

Was that much blood really on my hands? 

My faith in myself began to waver. Maybe I did deserve to be locked up. A few years in Azkaban with dementors sucking my life force might make me forget what I had done. 

Surprise flickered on my face as I saw Remus Lupin stand to my defense as an attorney. It was the first time that I had actually taken note of who was in the room. There had to be at least thirty people all gathered behind Draco and Pansy that I could see—more filed out the door in the back. All faces of those I loved, I had fought beside, I had grown up with. 

The static in my ears tuned in and out of Lupin and Kingsley conversing. It wasn’t until their voices raised to shouting that the static was drowned out. My eyes flickered up from he thread in my hands. 

“She cast unforgivables! She killed! She’s dangerous!”

“Death Eaters who were threatening our lives! The lives of wizard kind everywhere! She stopped a genocide!” Remus shouted back, obviously frustrated. “She showed remarkable strength and courage in a time of great darkness, and you will not diminish that.” 

“They are unforgivables! We have laws for a reason!”

“If I may,” McGonagall stood and the entire room quieted. “That list of names that you read was a long list of Death Eaters who have either escaped from Azkaban, or are known Death Eaters and have killed before. Miss Y/n had very hard decisions to make. The ministry found itself incompetent for lack of a better word. She, along with her friends, engineered an army to face the Dark Lord. Over the years what she went through has turned her into who she is today. She fought along side the other heroes who stand before you. She will be counted among them. You would not punish an Auror for the same thing and you will not punish her.”

“But—” Kingsley was red in the face. 

“If you put her in jail, you put the rest of the rebellion too,” The voice that piped up from the crowd surprised me. It was Harry. He stood and all eyes went to him. “Without her, I never would have been able to defeat Voldemort. Dozens more would be dead. You send her to Azkaban… then you’ll send me too,” A hushed gasp filled the room. A small one escaped my own lips.

“Mr. Potter,” Kingsley tried to regain control of the room. 

“And me,” Abby spoke up. 

“And me,” Neville stood. 

Soon everyone around me was standing on my behalf. Pansy, Luna, Ginny, all of the Weasleys actually, Ernie, Hannah, Emme, Blaise, Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fleur, Tonks, Remus, McGonagall, Moody, Sprout, Flitwick, and others I couldn’t see in the vast room. Kingsley faltered at the large defense behind me. 

“You send her then you send each one of us,” Harry spoke clearly. “I’m your stupid chosen one, even if she did something wrong, don’t I have clearance to pardon her or something?” 

A smile crossed my face. Intense silence stretched on consuming time and space until it was suffocating me. 

“Very well,” Kingsley sank back into his chair. “Y/n you have been cleared of all charges and sentencing. You are free to go,” 

Relief flooded through me as the room erupted in cheers. I met Draco’s eyes and he was smiling with pride. I collapsed back into that wooden chair in tears. There was a swarm of people around me, all making sure that I was alright, but they all parted for Draco to reach me. 

“Love?” He asked softly, kneeling before me. “I’m here,” He pulled me into his arms and we shared the embrace of lovers. As I exhaled, the weight of the world fell to the floor. 

I was free. 

I was acquitted. 

Now, I just had to find my innocence. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Draco?” It was a crisp autumn morning. He looked up from the newspaper. “I’ve been thinking,” 

He smiled and set down the paper, giving me his full attention. I almost wished he didn’t. 

“I… I know it’s been a long road here… and since we’ve met it’s kinda been hell.” A sad laugh left my lips. “There’s a whole world out there Draco,” My eyes flickered to the willow growing outside the kitchen window. 

“Yeah?” He prompted softly. 

“Don’t you want to go see it? Be young and reckless and not have to feel like—like you’re running an entire school?” I gestured. 

“I do,” He confessed softly. “We are still young Y/n, we have a long life ahead of us,” 

“…You still want it with me?” I felt as if the oxygen was being vacuumed from my lungs. “We were just kids when we met Draco. We went through a war together—and now it’s over. The war. You don’t have to stay here,” This house was just as haunted as I was.

“What—where is this coming from?” Draco stood, rounding the small breakfast table. “I want to be with you. I want to share my life with you,” He took my hands into his. “So, let’s go travel the world together—learn who we are outside of the war.” 

Hope sparked in my chest. “Really?” 

He laughed softly. “Oh my darling, you are one of my best friends, I’ll go anywhere with you,” His words lured me to melt into his warm embrace. We sat on the kitchen floor. He stroked my hair softly. 

“Just for a while,” I mumbled. “There’s so much we haven’t seen,” 

“I know,” The smile was evident in his voice. “And it’s going to be incredible—and we’re going to learn how to heal along the way,” I nodded into his shoulder. 

“I was thinking about maybe even living muggle for a little bit,” The confession was a weight from my shoulders. “I need space.” 

“Okay,” His soft agreeable caught me off guard. “I think it would be good for both of us actually. And maybe even fun,” 

I laughed softly as tears formed in my eyes. Leaning against him I watched the morning sun move across the wooden floor. 

“I love you,” I whispered softly. “And if you… if I’m not…”

“Hush,” it was a soft reprimand. “I think you’re right. We need time away from it all. To find who we are away from it all,” 

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. 

“We’ll come back,” I promised. 

“I know we will,” Draco smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Knowing you, you’ll want to come back and help build a better system,” 

My cheeks flushed red. I hadn’t told anyone about my ideas to make Hogwarts better—to make the Ministry better, hell to even make Azkaban better. It was time for things to change. I smiled to myself. Maybe I was more rebellious than I thought. 

And yet, Draco knew—he knew all the little plans in my head that were hidden just for me. Being known felt like belonging—and I belonged with him. 

**********************************

Traveling with Draco would always be saved in my memories until I died, and when it started to slip, it would be saved into a pensieve. I wouldn’t forget. 

We bought a muggle car and drove it until it felt right to stop. It wasn’t the famous places where we found ourselves, rather it was the forgotten places where we felt most at home. Where I could stand on a cliff edge and just scream and laugh and no one was around to hear me. Where Draco and I would sit at the edge of a river and send down leaves that held our biggest regrets, our losses, and our fears, learning to let go. Where we would sit in cafes and draw what we saw around us and enjoy pastries and tea. Where we could dance in the middle of a crowded room with other couples who didn’t know us from Adam. 

But that is a story for another time. 

For now, I’m sure you have a burning question that you’ve been waiting for me to answer. 

And yes. 

Draco did take me to go and see Phantom of the Opera in Paris like he promised. 

Oh, and we got married.

But, again, that is a story for another time. 

There is one last person I want you to meet before I close. 

**********************************

My heart caught in my throat. 

“Draco?” I squeaked out, leaning against the bathroom counter. “Draco!” 

“What? Are you alright? What’s wrong?” He was frantic, looking for danger. 

“I’m… pregnant,” I whispered, looking at him in wonder. “Draco… I’m—“

“Holy harpies,” 

Realization flickered across his face as it rose into an elated expression of joy. A victorious laugh as he scooped me up and twirled me around our lavish bathroom, in our muggle flat in the suburbs of London. His joy was contagious as I giggled in his arms, holding onto him. He set me down, stroking my face softly. Then he pressed a kiss to my forehead. 

Draco must have seen some fear linger in my stare. Some uncertainty that was well justified. 

“The war is over,” Draco reassured drawing me back into his arms. “They’ll be safe. We’ll make sure of it,” 

I nodded, curling my fingers into his sweater, my smile returning. 

“I’m gonna be a mum,” I laughed. 

“And you’re going to be absolutely brilliant.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “Absolutely brilliant.” 

“And you’re gonna be a great dad,” Tears pricked my eyes. “God, I don’t know the first thing about being a parent,” A nervous giggle left my lips. 

“We’ll learn and figure it out,” He stroked my cheek softly, stealing another kiss. 

A thousand parenting books, a baby shower, and a few doctors appointments later, Draco and I were curled up on the couch in our flat as the fire crackled in the hearth. 

We had yet to settle on a name—to be fair we narrowed it down a lot, but with every new suggestion came a new round of anxiety that it wouldn’t be just right. It left me up at all hours thinking of it; so much so that Draco had to find a pregnancy safe sleeping potion so I could get proper rest. 

“Elizabeth?” Draco mused, after my mother. I pursed my lips. It had been a suggestion that circled around. 

“I’d like it as a middle name,” I decided, the thought had been mulling over in my mind. 

“Okay done,” He smiled, reaching over to stroke my stomach before resuming his massage of my sore feet. 

“Still need a first name.” I pondered, leaning my head against the back of the couch. “Narcissa?”

Draco snorted. “I’m not calling our daughter by my mothers name,” 

My heart fluttered when he said our daughter. 

“Well we need something,” 

“How about Lucy?” That was a new suggestion: one not voiced by either of us. 

“If that’s some way to get me to name her after your father I swear to Merlin—“

Draco burst out laughing shaking his head. 

“Godric, no. Ugh,” he chuckled. “No, love, Lucy as in the first one to find Narnia. Ya know, that book you read to me all those years ago. The current theme of our nursery?” 

“Oh,” my eyes widened at the thought, my heart softening. “Lucy,” I looked down, caressing my stomach when I felt something odd. Frowning I pressed my palm over the area. Draco caught my confusion and grew very concerned. 

“What? Is she alright? What wrong?” 

“Nothing,” I grinned. “She’s kicking—I think she likes her name,” I reached out for his hand and placed it in the same spot where mine resided as I felt her kick again. 

“Hello little Lucy,” Draco whispered softly. “I can’t wait to meet you,” 

Tears pricked my eyes as I watched him talk to her softly. And like every night, Draco got up and made me my tea that had Sleeping Draught in it—which he brewed specifically for me. It reminded me of our school days when he would spend class time brewing me anti-anxiety potions. It warmed my heart that his habit didn’t wane even with the years past.

That night my eyes fluttered open. I woke in the night, barely awake and ready to fall asleep again when I heard a soft voice. At first I thought Draco was trying to speak to me but I quickly realized that he was talking to someone else. 

“You’re going to be one of the greatest wizards to ever walk the earth,” he murmured softly. “You’ll be kind and smart like your mother. You’re going to love her so much. We already love you so much.” 

I let my eyes drift closed as a smile touched my lips. I resisted the urge to reach out and take Draco’s hand, in fear that he might become bashful about the situation. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A small bundle of warmth rested on my chest, peacefully sleeping. My hand rose and cradled the small thing, tears pricking my eyes. My other hand was still clinging to Draco’s. 

 Lucy Elizabeth Malfoy. 

There were tears in Draco’s eyes as he reached out and with the softest touch caressed her tiny head. 

“She’s beautiful,” he murmured. “You did so well,” 

Exhausted, I let my eyes close, knowing that all was right with the world. Lucy would grow up in a world free from the threat of Voldemort and Draco would be by my side to protect her. We had already bled and fought and now we would make this new world we fought for, right for her. 

A new legacy. 

A new hope. 

.

masterlist

.

more like this:

two by two

Beautifully Beastly

.

@coffee-addicti @msmcsmutt @ravn-87 @artemismohr18@whygz@crazywritingbug @bitemebro522 @zombiesnips-blog@savingdraco  @akari180 @slytherin-emerald @queenfeatherwings @fanficflaneuse @go-whovian-universe @spicyshenanigans @darling-im-not-okay-i-promise @katsukink @takemetothekingdom @strangerr-things @tmnt-queen@hxneybgb @belcvayelena @moviesbooksandfandoms   @cocochanelthepupper @ninacotte @braelynn-johnston    

@jiggllyy @darcypotter-blog  @thiccheerioss@lottie289 @beautiful-pegasus@tceedlmao @anonymous034 @bi-andready-tocry @dragonsandbread @the-queen-of-hell-things @alienmotel  @oh-itsnothing @sunflowerxsadnessw @fattycooter @fanficsigottaread @gweaslvy @strawberriesonsummer @gaysludge @ray-of-sunrise @artist-bby @shadowsingeraxolotl @quillsareforwriting @wollymalfoy @lilpieceoftoast @paper-cats @floweryjh @hufflautia @livize75 @annie-mcl @riathearora

[stevie-petey]

Hi m! I had a short blurb idea for you. Could we see Jonathan's pov after his fight with Nancy, and what drove him to go to bugs house? Also his POV throughout their car ride together? Thank you! ❤️

finally had time to get to this one and YES i can <333

enjoy !

"well then i guess we just dont understand each other anymore."

the pain in nancys voice hasnt left jonathans mind since he dropped her off at home hours ago.

he lays in his bed, sheets cold as the night creeps upon him. do they really not understand each other anymore? jonathan knows he understands nancys frustration, how painful it is to be overlooked, but how can he explain to her that hes unable to understand the feeling of security?

hes never had that before in his life. ever since he was a boy, his life has been defined by instability and insecurity.

it was meeting you that brought some sense of security into jonathans life. youre the only thing jonathan considers a constant in his life; he trusts that youll always be a part of him.

he isnt like nancy. he doesnt have a mom who attends to his needs. a house in a cul de sac with freshly painted shutters. jonathan doesnt have the privilege of being a kid, not when hes been helping to pay for his familys rent ever since he was fourteen and legally able to work. he isnt able to lose a job that can pay for his college like nancy can.

security is a foreign concept to jonathan that he cant understand, yet he understands that the burn within him is his love for nancy. and he understands that he cant lose her.

sighing, jonathan gets out of bed and towards the phone in the kitchen. he has to hear your voice, soothe his nerves, maybe even cry. right now, jonathan needs his best friend.

youll know what to do. you always do.

when he calls you and you sound just as exhausted as he feels, he knows that tonight will be one of your driving nights. a few years ago, when your only worries were exams and parental issues, you and jonathan would drive around hawkins late at night and pretend you were the only two people to exist.

as you got older, the need to drive became few and far between, but tonight jonathans chest is heavy and your voice sounds frail.

hes at your house in ten minutes, and within fifteen he has you in his passenger seat with an old mix tape playing as julys cool night seeps through the car. and, within thrity minutes, youve unwoven all of the intricate strings of fear and uncertainty within jonathan.

he loves you for how easily you put him at ease.

you simultaneously support jonathans side while also vehemently defend nancys. you console him, yet you also gently pry his head out of his ass.

"it frustrates me how you always manage to say the right thing." i love how you love me.

"youve known me for years now, its your fault for not getting used to it." ive grown up learning how to love you.

its easy. its as easy as breathing when it comes to you, and jonathan inhales as much of you as he can. for as long as he can, for as much as hes able to.

and then you break jonathans heart with six words.

"im terrified he'll be another 'almost'."

its as easy as breathing, and jonathan wishes that he could exhale for you. he hasnt forgotten the lines that were once almost his to cross. how he had you, all of you, and now youre steves and hes nancys.

in the end it was all for the best, but jonathan hates the scars he left behind. he hadnt meant to, they will always mar your body, and he will never forgive himself for it.

"im sorry, bug." he shouldve apologized earlier. he knows this.

he wishes that there was more he could do, more he could say. but hes never been good with words and hes scared he'll overstep somehow. say the wrong thing, hurt you even more. so instead jonathan holds your hands, kisses away your tears, and silently prays that steve doesnt make the same mistake that he did.

youre steves now, anyone can see that. you love him so deeply and freely that jonathan cant help but admire how beautiful it is. he can see it in steve, too. how much he loves you.

that boy adores you.

jonathan understands the feeling. he always will.

[asocial-lobster]

Life Grows

The portal closed behind Legend, and he had to sit down for a minute, head in his hands. The ground was damp, the evening’s dew already fallen. The first few stars of the night blinked above the tree canopy, and Legend leaned back against the nearest tree trunk and looked at them. The cold of night was somehow amplified by his brothers’ absence, and he shivered, rubbing his hands against his arms.  What he wouldn’t give to be back in the Chain, sitting around the campfire and sharing stories from their adventures.

But that was the point, wasn’t it? And verily, it be the nature of dreams to end.

Legend opened his pouch and pulled out his ocarina. It wasn’t sparklingly blue like Time’s had been, but there was a beauty to its polished surface anyway. He gripped it with practiced fingers and put it to his lips.

The notes flowed from the instrument, dancing through the night. They rose and fell with the music, almost reminiscent of the waves which had brought him to Koholint Island long ago. Legend tried to imagine Marin’s sweet voice accompanying the melody. He didn’t quite succeed.

The Ballad of the Windfish came to an end, and Legend lowered the ocarina as the last note fizzled out. The night looked no different than it had before. Not a dream, then.

That meant he really was home again. His adventure with the Chain was over.

The weight of the realization hit Legend, and he curled in on himself. His brothers were gone. They were really gone, and there was no reason to think he would ever see them again. The goddess had only called them together because it was convenient to her plans in the first place. He knew better than to expect a favor from her.

Legend was the goddess’ chosen hero. Her tool. Her weapon. He was used to hardship, and he always carried on, no matter how bleak the circumstances.

But just for tonight, he could maybe put down the hero’s mantle. Just for tonight, he could sit by himself under the starry sky and cry. Alone like a hero ought to. Alone like he had been before brothers with comforting words and warm smiles. Before the Chain.

XXX

“Link!”

Zelda enveloped Legend in a warm hug. Her skirt swirled around them at the sudden motion, and her tiara was knocked slightly askew. Legend gave her a small smile.

“Hi Zelda.”

Zelda’s eyes darted to the empty space behind him.

“Where are your companions?”

“The adventure is over,” Legend answered and tried to ignore the burning feeling in his chest. “So I’m home until the next one.”

Zelda didn’t say that maybe there wouldn’t be a next one. They were both too familiar with the workings of Hylia to truly believe that. Instead, she studied him a little more intently. When they’d been young, they had been the spitting image of each other, but as they grew, so did their differences. They still shared the sharp jawline and fine features, but while Zelda’s hair had remained bright like the morning sun, Legend’s had gotten darker. Zelda’s eyes now held a wisdom beyond her age, and Legend’s held a reservedness. But despite that, there were few people who understood Legend as well as Zelda did. She had been there throughout his adventures. She was one of the few people who knew what Legend had seen. Who knew why Legend was no longer the outgoing and optimistic kid he had once been. One of the few people who didn’t judge him because of it.

“How long will you be staying at the castle?” she asked.

“No more than a few days,” Legend replied.

Zelda’s smile twisted into something bittersweet. She hadn’t expected anything more, but she had hoped.

XXX

Legend bolted upright, heart thundering in his chest. The room was dark around him. Only a sliver of moonlight snaked past the curtains. It lit the edge of a neatly organized table and the adjacent chair. He was home. His adventure with the Chain was over.

Hyrule’s shy voice still echoed in Legend’s ears. Ever since Koholint, his dreams had been unnaturally vivid, and this one had been no exception. It was difficult to tell dream apart from reality sometimes. His hands itched for his ocarina.

Legend set his feet on the cold floor and threw a bathrobe around his shoulders. He walked downstairs with a lit candle in one hand and the magical instrument in the other. The kettle boiled on the stove while he played the Ballad of the Windfish.

“Link?” came a soft voice from the stairs. Ravio had wrapped himself in a bathrobe – one of Legend’s, because Ravio firmly believed he was entitled to take anything in the house. His black hair was messy from sleep, and he hadn’t bothered to throw on his usual bunny-hood. He did carry his bunny plushie, though.

“I had another nightmare,” Legend said, because he never lied to Ravio. Especially not when the other man called him Link. He only did that when he was worried.

“About the Chain?” Ravio asked. He walked the last few steps into the kitchen and began riffling through the cupboards for tea and honey and mugs – two of them.

“Yeah,” Legend said. “I was back the day I said goodbye to Rulie.”

Legend had never been good with emotions. Not as a child in the royal castle, but especially not after his many adventures. Shove down your emotions to save Hyrule a few too many times, and it becomes all you know how to do. He was still learning how to be honest with others – and himself – about his feelings.

The Chain deserved a lot of credit for how far he’d come. Ravio deserved the rest.

When the Chain began falling apart, Legend made sure to have a heart-to-heart with Hyrule. He’d told his brother just how proud he was of him, just how much their shared adventure meant to him. It had been a conversation of great difficulty for Legend, but he’d shouldered through it. He owed Hyrule that much.

He hadn’t managed to find the words to say the same to the rest of his brothers. He wasn’t good with words or emotions. And now it was too late.

Sometimes, Legend wondered if his brothers hated him. He was often difficult to be around, snappy, grumpy, and sarcastic. Those last few weeks before the portal took him home had been especially bad. Legend’s grief at Hyrule’s departure had manifested itself as anger. He was ashamed of how often that anger had resulted in him lashing out at the others.

Ravio poured the tea into their cups and dumped a teaspoon of honey in each – a huge one for himself and a slightly smaller one for Legend. He grabbed the mugs, and they settled down on the couch together.

“Tell me about the dream,” Ravio prompted once Legend was securely positioned with a blanket over his shoulders and a steaming cup in his hands.

And Legend did. He told Ravio about Hyrule’s round face and boyish grin, which made him seem much younger than he really was. He talked about Time’s stern voice which was but a cover for his mischievous nature. He talked about Wind’s restless energy, about Four’s clever hands, about Twilight’s accent. He talked about how the Chain had begun breaking apart when Wild was called home by a portal, about how only Warriors, Twilight, and Sky had been left when Legend himself went home. Ravio had heard it all before, but he listened attentively anyway. He asked the right questions and poured more tea when Legend’s cup was empty. And gradually, as the words came more easily, so did the tears.

“I didn’t even say goodbye,” Legend cried a few hours later, when Ravio had brewed their third pot of tea. Ravio wrapped his arms around him. Legend shivered so terribly in his arms.

“I didn’t even tell them how much they meant to me.”

“Maybe they already knew,” Ravio suggested.

“I was always so mean to them. They hate me, I’m sure of it.”

“Link,” Ravio said and caught Legend’s eyes with his. The merchant’s eyebrows were pitched together in a way that somehow made him look both exasperated, amused, and worried.

“They don’t hate you,” he promised. “You may think you have everyone fooled with that attitude of yours, but you wear your heart on your sleeve. They know how much you love them. Trust me.”

“I wish I’d told them,” Legend whispered.

“I know,” Ravio said. “I know.”

XXX

The years passed lazily by. Legend had a thousand hobbies and odd jobs. He took up embroidering, then abandoned it. He kept a small garden where he grew various herbs. He dried them and sold them to the local apothecary.

He studied. Magic, medicine, language, art. Legend wanted to know everything.

He collected magic items like a crow collects shiny things, and he hid them around the house in an effort to keep them away from Ravio’s grabby hands. He secretly smiled when they appeared in Ravio’s shop the next day anyway.

A decade of living quietly with Ravio later, and Legend could almost convince himself the next adventure wasn’t luring just around the corner. Fifteen years. Then twenty. He was still being left alone by the goddesses. Legend’s heart started hoping, despite his mind’s warnings against such foolishness.

The dreams got better, too. They still seemed real, and he still kept the ocarina within reach on his bed table. The Ballad of the Windfish was pure muscle memory at this point, flowing freely from the instrument whenever he put it to his lips.

But Legend played other songs, too, sometimes accompanied by Ravio’s flute. Their kitchen was stocked with tea and honey for whenever he needed it.

Legend missed his brothers, of course. The oddest things could remind him of them. Autumn leaves falling from their trees reminded him of Wild. A scarf at the market reminded him of Warriors. Ravio’s awful attempt at scrambled eggs reminded him of Hyrule.

Sometimes, he wondered how they were doing. Warriors had been in pretty bad shape last time he saw him. He hoped the captain had gotten help since then. Maybe Time and Malon had kids now. Hyrule might have settled down somewhere. Maybe he had even learnt how to cook.

Legend smiled. It was impossible to know what his brothers were up to these days, but he hoped they were doing well. Legend was certainly happier than he could ever have imagined when he parted ways with them. And if he could turn out alright after everything he’d been through, then there was hope for his brothers, too. For anyone, really.

Life was such a strange thing, Legend thought. It had a way of growing around misery and grief. There was always more left to do and say and feel. There was always more happiness to be found, if one knew where to look for it. And Legend was lucky enough to have had eight brothers to guide him in the right direction. As well as well-meaning thief and excellent friend to share that happiness with.

Outside, the stars blinked like they had that first night after he’d gone home. Legend sipped from the cup of tea in his hands and smiled.

[cherie-doll]

Only rule of this world | Obsessed! König x Reader one-shot |

✧˚ angst, pining, character death, one-shot, sfw, hurt no comfort, obsessed König

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

This obsession had long gotten out of hand. At night he was plagued by dreams of you. Of you being his. His fantasies had taken hold of him.

There was one rule in this bleak and bitter world; stay afloat no matter what.

He didn’t deserve it. König knew he didn’t deserve any pure thing in this world. Happiness wasn’t meant for duds like him.

But in this world where he was surrounded by endless darkness, where everything seemed to run away from the tip of his fingers; he found you.

He wanted to hear your soft voice, he yearned to hear his name flow from your mouth. Gently, he wished he could caress your soft skin, run his calloused hands rough from war over your delicate unscathed skin.

The colonel never imagined falling for a stranger. He might even drop everything just for a chance with you.

You were a new soldier; innocent and sweet. König had taken a liking to you, he didn’t notice it happen. His eyes were always on your body but you never felt his gaze. The symptoms just started affecting him one day as he started stealing glances from you to watching you. The moment he fell for you was the end of his stoic and cold demeanor. He shut out the rest of the world, but for you; it was all or nothing.

There was something about the way you talked that had lured him in.

You would only address him respectfully and nothing else, yet he found himself overthinking every one of your interactions together. When you spoke to him, he could see your lips moving but he didn’t have a clue as to what you were saying; he was lost in a sea of thoughts.

It was torture for him to be unable to get to know you. Like two distant strangers; you weren’t even on the same page. Never crossing paths. This didn’t stop him from fantasizing at night.

He couldn’t sleep at night, thinking of you. Visualizing all the things he would do to you if he could. If you gave him a chance. He had fantasies of sneaking you into his room, throwing you onto his bed, and pinning your body down. How your touch would feel like fire on his skin. What he could do to make you sigh in pleasure, begging for him to take you. He wanted to hear you moan his name, wanted to feel your body move under his.

Groaning in frustration, he would lie in bed at night, using his hand imagining it was you. It wasn’t enough.

König knew this couldn’t go on for long. But there wasn’t a thing he could do to relieve himself of this craving. He tried avoiding you, but somehow he always caught himself staring at you. He couldn’t help but feel his pulse race and his heartbeat accelerate as you brushed past him. Feeling like tearing himself apart just because he wanted to be with you.

König was at war with his mind. Why did he find himself wanting you so desperately? Why couldn't he stop himself from these desires, from going crazy over you? It couldn't be right. But every time he saw you, every time his hand accidentally grazed yours, he would melt inside.

König felt a deep need for you like he was being consumed by it. He feared losing you, feared never being able to have you. When he was with you, nothing else mattered. All he could think about was you, your body, your mind, your soul.

In a last attempt to keep himself sane; he accepted going on a special task that would keep him busy for months. Away from you.

The bitter winter wind nipped at small traces of exposed skin. The desolate land with no trace of life was beautiful in a sadistic way.

It was tranquil one moment and turbulent the next. Like calm before a storm; chaos had happened all too quickly.

Before he knew it, König was lying on his back, staring at the grey sky. It was all over.

The scenery had resumed its neutral state.

He was too weak to stand.

His head pounded with pain coursing through his veins. As he was slipping out of reality, it felt as if he was sinking into a bottomless pit where everything turned pitch black.

Damn this world.

He couldn’t win this fight. In this life that was already like war; he was a loser in this game. Fighting, bleeding, losing; he was tired of it all. He had been hopelessly lost the moment he had laid eyes upon you.

No matter what he did there was no doubt about it. You had won. He cursed himself knowing he was only good to die.

Was this how he would go out?

Yet as he was on the line between life and death; where it all blurred together, your image was persistent in his mind.

He grinned to himself like an idiot. Life had a funny way of doing things. How was it that out of the blue, you appeared like an angel in his austere life?

He was full of problems yet he wanted nothing more than to walk alongside you on life’s course.

In this state, it seemed like a possibility in an alternate reality. It felt so real that König didn’t mind falling to the other side. He had accepted there was no way to go. He was willing to sink.

Till the end of this world, the last thing he breathed was your name.

Only one rule in this world, right?

[paintersknife]

Simulacrum

Her face is the first thing he sees when he wakes up. It’s familiar somehow, but he can’t put his finger on it, as if the memory is shrouded in cobwebs, an old thing, desiccated and forgotten. (Where has he seen her? When has he seen her?)

“What’s your name?” she asks, but it’s clear that she isn’t really talking to him, judging by the way her hands reach out to grab his wrist, turning it to face her as she reads the serial number printed there. (Was that always there?)

“It’s Cl-” (It’s the one thing he knows.)

She cuts him off, dropping his hand as she reaches past him to pull out a thick manual from somewhere deeper in the pod, still refusing to look him in the eye. “03L-3103.”

There’s an expression on her face that he’s never seen before, but somehow it makes something deep inside of him hurt.

Setting herself down on the edge of the pod, she starts to flip through the book, leaving him in relative silence as he pushes himself up and out of it. She thinks that he doesn’t notice the small sob that she lets out while her face is obscured by the manual. (He does.)

“It says here that you have a memory chip and an emotion simulation module,” she says quietly after a time. Her voice is a little thick, as if she’s not used it in a while. “It also says that it might take a while for your memories to stabilise. So you should grab what you need and come with me. I can’t just leave you here.”

He goes with her, slowly shaking off the stiffness in his mechanical joints from being so long confined. It feels familiar as he walks with her and something buried deep within his memories stirs. (But was there always a distance between them like this?)

Fragments of recollections begin to coalesce in his mind, enough for him to know that they meant something to each other, once. It isn’t enough to make her look at him, isn’t enough to make him ask her about it.

Later while he’s helping to help her set up her camp, he catches her stealing glances at him with a faraway look in her eyes like she’s looking through him and at someone else. (Who is that expression meant for?)

“I hope I'm not making you uncomfortable,” he says, keeping his voice as gentle as he possibly can. She looks away, guilt in her expression. (What does she have to be guilty about?)

The silence between them seems to stretch on forever.

“You aren’t him,” she says eventually, her voice cracking. “He’s dead. He’s long dead and you’re just a copy with his face.” (He’s always known. A perfect copy is still just a copy.)

Her face falls at the harshness of her own words, regret written all over her face as her eyes flick to the floor, as if she’s unable to keep looking at the face of the man she once loved. He doesn’t blame her, after all, he is merely an imitation of something original, a prime version, perfection in all its flaws and he knows he can never attain that purity. All he is to her is someone’s ghost. 

What is he to do then, with these memories that aren’t his? With these emotions that feel so vivid that he’s afraid his exoskeleton will burst apart, leaving him the empty shell that she sees him as? Are they even his at all, or are they just lines of code, written and encoded to give him some semblance of substance? Is he merely a collection of silicon and gold, assembled and produced, a puppet pulled by digital strings? If that’s so, where does that leave him?

Tears well up in her eyes, overflowing and streaking their way down her cheeks. It makes his chest ache, but it's such a beautiful sight to him despite that, worth encoding in his memory. Would she even cry for him like she would for the one that she lost? (Is he even worth her tears?)

He can’t help but think that the real Clarence wouldn’t even have these doubts. 

Gently he pulls her towards him, wrapping his arms around her when she doesn’t resist. She buries her face in his shoulder, finally letting herself grieve all that she’s lost, all that she’s found. He doesn't know how long their time together will last, but he'll love her as much as she will let him. (It’s what he would have done.)

[quillthrillswriting]

do any other fanfic writers ever look back at something they've written and just wanna cry because you want what they have 😭 bcos same 😭😭 this exerpt is from my fic where i take the common zutara trope of zuko saving katara from a loveless relationship with aang and flip it on its head until it becomes kataang hehhee :) also new aang au fic coming soon!!!

---

Once she closed it, she turned to leave, but… hesitated. The wind, it seemed, had blown one of Aang’s cupboard doors wide open. But that wasn’t what gave her pause. No, what confused her was the glint of ice blue stone that seemed to shimmer inside. She stepped closer, then, silently apologizing to Aang for definitely invading his privacy, she reached in. 

And drew out what looked like a traditional Southern water tribe proposal necklace. 

For a moment, she was sure that her mind was playing tricks on her, that she was somehow misinterpreting something, but as she turned the necklace over, back and forth in her hands, she knew that this was unmistakably a proposal necklace. One she’d never seen before. The pendant itself, in style, shape, and material, mirrored her mother’s necklace, but the combination of carvings on it was different- two that were water tribe, that in fact matched her mother’s necklace perfectly, and two that looked distinctly air tribe. 

Before she could puzzle it over for much longer, she heard the clearing of someone’s throat and a gentle knock on the doorframe. She whirled around, feeling as though she’d been caught red-handed, only to see that it was Aang. He grinned at her, opening his mouth to ask her what she was doing snooping around his office, only for him to feel the words dry up in his throat when he saw what she was holding. 

She panicked, interpreting his expression as disappointment. “I found it by accident, I swear, I-”

“It’s okay, Katara,” Aang assured her, and he meant it. Maybe it was better that she’d found it this way. Spirits knew that it would’ve taken him much longer to work up the nerve to broach the subject with her.

“Who-who’s it… for?” Katara asked, trying not to make the tremble in her voice too obvious. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to keep it together if he told her that he’d found a lovely water tribe girl who wasn’t her to settle down with.

“She’s beautiful,” Aang smiled softly, shaking his head lightly. “She’s stubborn, opinionated, with a short temper at times, and I love how passionate she is about what she believes in. About helping people. She’s an incredibly talented and exceedingly humble bender, and she’s so, so kind, and, did I already mention how beautiful she is? Because spirits, she is. And I’m��so in love with her. I have been since I was twelve.” He took a deep breath, his hands shaking now.

“I’m so, so, so in love with you , Katara.”

Katara suddenly could no longer form sentences.

“Do you want to know when I made that necklace?”

She nodded, staring up at his eyes, her own welling with happy tears. 

“The moment we arrived in the Northern Water tribe, years ago, I found a carver to teach me the significance of the symbols. Later on, I had Toph help me find an earthbender who specialized in teaching the skill required for etching tiny symbols in rock. I’ve carried it with me every day since.”

Katara’s tears were flowing freely now.

“I don’t want to rush you, don’t want to pressure you, and if you don’t want me the way I want you, then just say the word, and I’ll never mention it again, but Katara, I need you to know that I am head over heels for you. I meant what I said in my letters.

I am forever yours, always, if you’ll have me.”

---

♥ the rest of the (completed) fic can be found here!! ->

[aashiquidreams]

Last night, I found myself in a dream where my bedroom was not quite my own, but somehow it felt intimately familiar. In this bedroom were two beds: one, the bed I know in waking life, and another, a beautiful bed in a different style, dressed in white sheets and pillows that seemed to whisper of past warmth. This bed was mine too, and I carefully moved it around the room, searching for the perfect place for it. But no matter where I placed it, it was clear that it belonged where it had originally stood, its beauty fully revealed, standing out in a way that felt right.

As the dream unfolded, I found myself sharing this bed with a man who has lingered in my thoughts for far longer than I expected. He appeared and reappeared, sometimes alone, waiting for me in bed, and at other moments, we were together, the energy between us, charged with unexpressed emotions and meaningful looks. He held me in his arms, his beautiful green eyes staring into mine as he kissed me and smiled. In those fragments of the dream, we were so happy—wrapped in intimacy and warmth, our smiles reflecting a deep connection.

This man, who once made my heart race and my thoughts tangle, recently reached out to me after eight months of silence, a gap created by the natural course of our lives. His return stirred emotions I thought had faded away. Yes, he had been on my mind a month ago, and I had even written about him. But hearing his voice when he contacted me reignited feelings I thought I had moved on from, leaving me both thrilled and intrigued.

Given that the dream dominated my thoughts today, I decided to analyze it to make sense of this connection. From the day I met him, he has appeared in my dreams from time to time, always with such an intense presence that when I wake up, it feels as though we have truly been together, even during the eight months we haven’t seen or spoken to each other.

The two beds in my dream seem to represent different layers of my existence—one grounded in the present, the life I live now, and the other a symbol of a deeper, perhaps unfulfilled longing. The extra bed, with its inviting comfort and beauty, reflects the emotional space that still belongs to him—a space I hadn’t realized I was holding onto deep inside.

Psychologically, this dream speaks to the unresolved feelings that lie beneath the surface, emotions that have remained dormant but are now resurfacing. The act of moving the bed around, only to place it back where it was, mirrors my inner struggle to find where these feelings fit into my life. Do I keep them as a beautiful memory, or do they still have a place in my present and future?

Spiritually, this dream hints at a connection that goes beyond time and space. It feels like a dance between the past and the present, a reminder of the soul connections that shape us and the lessons they bring. His return, seemingly out of nowhere, feels like the universe nudging me to pay attention, to recognize that some connections are meant to reappear—perhaps to guide us further along our paths or to rekindle something that never truly faded.

The attraction between us, the magnetic pull I feel in his presence, is undeniable. His beautiful green eyes, intense gazes, and captivating smile linger in my mind, echoing the warmth of our shared laughter. Each memory of him feels like a gentle whisper, stirring feelings that are as vibrant today as they were in those cherished moments we shared. There’s a part of me that wonders if this is fate’s way of bringing us back together or simply a reminder of a chapter that’s not yet closed.

The dream leaves me with an intense longing, a desire deepened by how much I ache for his presence in waking life—the warmth of his body close to mine, the sound of his voice, and the way he awakened something deep inside me. It also evokes the feeling that there’s more to this story than I’ve allowed myself to explore. It invites reflection, not just on the connection we shared but on the possibilities that might still lie ahead. Now, as the night stretches way past midnight, the emotions from last night’s dream still linger, as they always do whenever he appears. Sometimes, these feelings take days to fade. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something deeper at play—perhaps astral traveling or even telepathy, connecting us in ways I don’t fully understand. It’s an idea that intrigues me, something I plan to explore more closely. Whether this dream hints at something more or is simply a beautiful memory meant to stay with me, only time will tell…

[lalaluvvs]

The beach

cw: angst (sorry i can't help myself !!)

The waves crashed beautifully in front of him. Satoru sat by the rocks along the edge of the beach, taking in the salty air nad exhaling the anxiety he felt all over. Suguru asked him to meet up. He still had trouble catching his breath minutes after running from his home. It was such a beautiful night. He hoped the waves wouldnt judge him the way he was judging himself right now.

So much time passes that it worries him. What if he doesn't show up? What if this is just some sick prank to yank his heart out all over again? What if-

The sand crunches beside him, and his scent is the first thing Satoru can take in. He looks up at the man before him, beautiful as ever. So why did it pain him to look him in the eye? Suguru smiles beautifully, as he always does, because he can't contain his own beauty. Even that smile had a glimpse of pain behind it.

"You came."

"I had no choice." Satoru grumbles, crossing his arms over his knees and resting his head there, like a child on timeout.

"You always have a choice with me." He looks directly at Gojo, hoping to get his attention once more, to look him in the eye and catch that glimmer of admiration. It doesnt come, but he would always try for it.

"No." Gojo paints figures in the sand with his finger. "No, not with you. You know I would do anything for you."

Suguru grunts, looking down at his hands as he goes over the events of the previous week.

Outside, in the street, he embarassed Satoru. The only person he had ever loved with conviction. He knew, to a point, that his ideas were drastic. But he couldn't change the way he felt. Not even for Satoru. Still, he never meant to hurt him.

He chuckles lightly, making Satoru glare at him from the corner of his eye. "Shouldn't we have gone someplace more private?"

Satoru just stares at him, suddenly wishing he had the power to read his mind.

"Ha. So we can kiss and make up?" Satoru pokes.

"Well, no. I'm a wanted man now, aren't I? It wouldn't do good for you to be seen with the likes of me."

Satoru is shocked. He's so... different. Only a week has passed and yet he seems like he's aged decades. The lines under his eyes do little to change that.

"You aren't sleeping."

Suguru laughs, drawing mindless figures in the sand right beside Gojo's, which makes the other man stop to watch.

"I'm a busy man now."

"Oh. Are you?"

Suguru turns on his side to face him. "Don't be bitter. If you came with me we could be the strongest together. Like always."

"There's nothing strong in killing innocent people. You should know that!"

Suguru puts a finger to Satoru's lips, and somehow that seems to work for him. The sea screams back at them, waves thundering loudly in the uncomfortable silence.

"I'm sorry. Let's not... talk about this." He slowly moves his finger back. "This isn't why I called you here."

Satoru considers him for a moment, then locks eyes with him. The fire he holds in them is undeniable now.

"Why else would you call me here?"

"I just..." Suguru looks away, suddenly embarassed. "Needed to see you."

His blatant honesty is nothing new, but the confession stirs something within Satoru's mostly dead heart.

"See me?"

Suguru nods, never losing his eyes. He wants to stay like this forever, admiring the soft glow of his features in the moonlight.

"Why would you want to see me?" Nothing made sense to Satoru now. He was sure Suguru hated him. Now he had to come to the realization that Suguru missed him, and had wanted to see him. How long did he go thinking about him before he called?

Suguru shifts in the sand, staring out at the expanse of open sea and wave-flattened sand. It had a beautiful blue hue to it that reminded him too much of what he lost. Well, what he was losing.

"I missed your voice. And the way you made me laugh when nothing was funny at all." Suguru sighs, looking down to hide the tears forming around his eyes. "This success I have... its nothing without you there with me."

Satoru reaches out hesitantly, eventually deciding to go for it. He rests a comforting hand on his shoulder. The touch is familiar, but it feels so foreign to them now. It doesn't carry the same meaning as it did before.

"I love you, Satoru."

"I know."

Satoru tries to get in his face to meet his avoidant eyes, but he can't seem to find them. Suddenly, he catches his face in his pale hands and forces their eyes to meet. Even sad, Suguru's brown eyes sparkled majestically.

"If I say it back, it would only hurt more."

Suguru nods. Theyre both old enough to know what this means. It hurt the most, truly, to belong to two different mindsets when just wishing to become one. They had different goals now. Totally different morals.

"I... I just wish I could change."

Satoru, still holding his face, wipes a falling tear from his cheek with is thumb. He smiles dumbly at Suguru. "I wish I would've been there for you. So you didn't have to start thinking this way."

Suguru cups his cheek in his right hand, tilting his head to the side. "Oh, Satoru. You were always so full of hope." He clenches his eyes shut, hoping to will away the pain building up inside of him. "I would've left no matter what." It just hurt to leave you.

Suguru was the only one who could truly silence him. That was true even now, as they broke eachothers' hearts for the nth time.

Satoru lets his hands fall, and Suguru pulls his own hand away. He can't help but notice the distant look in Satorus eyes, and the anger he feels with himself washes over his body. He shouldn't have come, for Satoru's sake. But, selfishly, he was glad to see him one last time.

They sit beside each other, close but not nearly close enough. They watch the slight glimpse of sunlight stretch across the horizon, poking through and casting an orange glow on their surroundings. It was beatiful. He remembered sleepless nights like these, staying up with Satoru to watch the sunset in silence. He always wished he could go back to simpler times.

As the sun begins to rize over the sea, Satoru rests his head upon his shoulder and closes the distance between them. Awkwardly, Suguru wraps his arm around him. To pull him closer, or to keep him from running, he wasn't yet sure.

They stay like this, comfrotable and hidden from the world for a moment. Here, in this moment, neither of them cared if they were caught. They could simply exist for a while, without explanation.

He feels the hum of Satoru's words against his neck before he registers them in his brain. "The next time I see you, I'll have to kill you."

Strangely, there's no malice in his words. He doesn't think Satoru could ever have that for him.

He chuckles, brushing his fingers carefully through his white hair. "I know."

They know their time is up when the sun reaches up to the sky and the loud chirping of seagulls fills the salty air.

Not knowing what else to do, Satoru shifts to meet his eyes, and he kisses him. Suguru kisses back. A longing kiss full of pain and deep devotion. They give it their all, knowing things would never be the same again.

Satoru stands up way before it should be over. Suguru stares at his feet, replaying the events in his head over and over so he'd hopefully commit the scene to memory.

"Don't call me again." His footsteps leave prints in the sand as he wanders off, the only evidence left of him. That and this aching pain in his heart.

Suguru never calls him back. He never goes to the beach. He never falls in love again.

[dialingyoudarlingyou]

I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you

Tw: none, just fluff. so much of it. blame Taylor swift’s songs for being the best thing that has ever happened. Since my brain isn't letting me write the second part for this love I wrote this instead hehe. This is based on that one line in New Year's Day. I heard it and I couldn’t stop thinking about how it’d make for a perfect prompt.

He looks at her. Because somehow that makes things easier for him. Sometimes he feels like this is a dream and he might just wake up any second. Sometimes he wonders what he did to deserve her because there is no way in hell that someone as beautiful and understanding as her would ever be with someone as pathetic and boring as him. He looks at her like she is the sun. Resting in the warmth she gives off. When she smiles, it radiates a calming warmth like nothing else. The peace and hope her warmth gives off fills his heart with overwhelming amounts of love and devotion. 

So, he sits down next to her and stares with astonishment at how the person he loves has brought so much colour to his life. And he blissfully wonders if she knows how much beauty she radiates every time she laughs or smiles, and how every time he looks at her his heart soars and fills with joy, he feels as if time could never catch up with him.

He wonders when he’ll be able to tell her how he feels without stuttering and mumbling. They have been together for almost 2 years now, but it feels as though they have been together forever because he cannot imagine his life without her.

‘I love you' these three words are always on the tip of his tongue. Anytime, anyplace it doesn't matter.

Funnily enough, he used to struggle with saying those words but then he discovered something peculiar.

“You remembered? Oh my god!"

Her voice echoes as she enters the Batcave. She rushes in with a big grin on her face and he knows exactly what she is thinking. Bruce knows that face all too well. She skips a few steps and gives him a tight embrace. He eventually melts into it.

"I can't believe this bruce! You remembered and I only mentioned it once- and you-" she sniffles as her grasp on him tightens. His fingers slowly run through her hair, and he murmurs "do you like it?" "Like? Bruce, I love it. I love you. But you didn’t have to- This complete set of merchandise is so expensive Bruce. So expensive, it's worth my one month's salary."

"Love, I'll give you anything you want all you have to do is say. I'll give you the stars, the moon, and the fucking planets." Bruce inhales her scent and sighs. God, he cannot think about how he would ever live without her. Her eyes seemed to have teared up at his words and she just squeezed his hand three times in reply.

His eyes were piqued with curiosity. He asked her what the gesture meant. “It means I love you,” she whispered, her voice was so soft it was scarcely audible. But he heard it. a smile made its way onto his face; he immediately squeezed it back. and no, he didn’t stop after three; he repeated the gesture six times.

From that day onward, Bruce repetitively told her ‘I love you.’ Sometimes he squeezed her hand randomly- before he left for his nocturnal ventures.

Aside from that sometimes when it was just the two of them alone in the Batcave, he would casually tap out the gesture with his finger on the desk.

tap. tap. tap.

She would look up from her book and make eye contact with Bruce who was sitting across the room. She knew what it meant. She somehow always did.

Bruce said I love you all the time now, more often than the ones she said out loud.

She realized that he had a unique way of declaring his love, and it was okay because, in the end, it was the love that mattered.

[stargazingfordreams]

The Stars that missed the Sun

Nyx x Reader

Warning- arrange marriage, cute stuff.

Part one, Part Two, Part Three

Chapter Four

I made my way to the garden. My heart was pounding out of my chest; I could hear the footsteps behind me. It was Nyx who had followed me out. I turned to see him standing there with concern etched on his face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked me, reaching to touch my arm, but I moved away. Avoiding his gaze so he couldn’t see the tears streaming down my face.

“I can’t do this,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I can still hear the dinner I stormed out on still in full swing, chatter and laughter going on. But for me, everything was happening in slow motion.

“I can’t pretend that everything is okay when it’s not. I’m sorry” I wrapped my arms around my waist, hoping it would somehow hold me together.

He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes filled with pain “ I understand,” he said softly, “but please don’t push me away. I want to help you, to be there for you”

“I know, I-” I stopped myself. I wanted to give myself completely, I tried to tell him that I was falling for him and that I was getting in my head about us and me being here, I wanted to say to him that I missed my family, but I couldn’t, and it was for so many reasons. I just couldn’t open myself to him but why?

Because what if he leaves? The thought crept into my head. What if he goes like everyone else?

“I want to go back to the townhouse,” was all I said, Hurt was carved into his face, but he took me into his arms and winnowed back to the townhouse.

—----------------------

It has been a few days since the family dinner. I woke up to an empty home; Nyx had gone to work early. I got ready as usual, but the guilt of everything still weighed over me. 

“A walk today, my lady? Maybe to Abrial,” Althaia’s voice took me out of my daydream. 

“Yes, please,” I said, she grabbed my light cloak handing it to me, and I was out the door. Velaris was warming up so nicely. The springtime was beautiful, and I could tell that the summer would be even better, and it was creeping around here so close. Seeing the streets of Velaris brought me some sort of peace.

I had meant to go to Abrial shop, but instead, I found myself standing outside of Feyre’s art studio, I enjoyed Feyre’s creativity, but this was the first time that I had decided to go and see her it was the least I can do after the other night.

I took a deep breath and opened the door entering the serene space. Feyre was sitting at a canvas with paint on her cheek. She held a gentle smile and turned towards me, her eyes filled with warmth.

“Well, hello, sweet girl, what brings you?” she asked. I hesitated for a moment to think what am I doing here. 

“I… I wanted to apologize; I’m sorry for how I left,” I said to her; her smile never faded. She walks up to me gracefully.

“There was never anything to apologize for” She took my hand a lead me further into her studio. The studio was bathed in natural light, and colorful canvases adorned the walls, each telling its own story. I looked around at all of the paintings, and I saw the pottery bathing in the sunlight.

“ Nyx had told me that you painted; I didn’t know you used clay either?” I said as I picked up a beautiful handmade vase.

“I didn’t,” she said. I turned over the vase to see the name carved at the bottom.

“He never told me,” I said, looking over Nyx’s pottery.

“He sometimes takes half a day of work or even after to clear his mind,”I said nothing to her.

“Have a seat; I’ll get you some clay to try,” She said. She gave me a change of clothes, and with a snap of her fingers, my old clothes went back to the townhouse. I sat down and began to work. I wasn’t much of an artist. The piano, poems, and books were more to my taste. But dancing, baking, and art that was always something that never came naturally. Feyre painted in silence while I worked into the clay.

“Love is a complicated journey, but sometimes the path we didn’t choose can lead us somewhere unexpected.” she finally said after some silence.

“Are you speaking from experience?” I had asked 

“Maybe some,” She said with amusement. 

“Is it too late?” I asked her if she understood what I meant. Was it to fix things with Lucien and Nyx as well? He was also owed an apology.

“Nyx has been with you to help you. All you have to do is reach out your hand,” she said 

“Can I ask a favor?” I asked her she gave me a nod.

—--------------------

I stood in the Kitchen, Determined to bake a cake for Nyx. I asked Feyre for the recipe that she got for Elaine. I don’t think for a second that this will make up for what he has done for me so far, but hopefully, it can at least pass for a sorry.

I gathered all the ingredients and mixed everything. The kitchen was filled with the array of ingredients and utensils and the scattering of my failing attempt. 

“Okay, eggs, flour, vanilla…. Where is the vanilla” I moved from cabinet to cabinet until I found it and added some drops to the mix. I wiped my cheek and tried to stir it together. 

“Well, you have been busy.”A voice from the doorway echoed, and I turned to see Nyx leaning against it with an expression that could be confused with admiration.

“Nyx!” I nearly shouted, “your home early. I…I was just-”

“It looks like you were trying to bake” he walked over and peeked into the bowl.

“Yes, trying and failing, so it seems” I leaned against the counter in defeat. He let out a chuckle. 

“Was there a celebration I wasn’t aware of? My birthday has passed, and yours isn’t for another few months.”

“I just wanted to bake a cake. It is the least I can do. I wanted to do something nice,” I said low, He finally walked across the room entirely and stood in front of me.

“The least you could do?”

“After a few days, yeah, the least you have been so kind, warm, inviting. I just want to be a good wife.” after I said that, his eyes held a certain tenderness.

“You are a good wife and an amazing one. You don’t have to bake a cake to tell me that, and for the family dinner.” He took me into his arms, and his face became serious.

“You have been through a lot, and you miss your family. How could I ever fault you for that?”

“So you’re not mad?”

“Not even a little I want to show you something.” He had winnowed us to the river house.

“Come follow me” he took my hand and led me to the part of the property that held what looked like a stable.

“Horses?” I asked, but he only smiled and opened the door, and that was when I saw her.

“Elfia!” I ran and arms around my pegasus neck. She flaps her wings with some excitement.

“But how-”

“I spoke to Helion, who permitted me to take your pegasus. Then Lucien and I spent a few days building it and making the correct accommodations that she would need.

“Lucien helped you?”

“I suppose it’s a family thing apologizing through acts of service.” he came close and gave Elfia a bit of hay. 

“Thank you,” I told him

“Just promise me that when Cassian asks you to race that you beat him, he’s already taking bets.” some pulled in my chest just then, something warm and comforting.

“Oh, before I forget, we have to go back home. I have some for you” This time, I took his hand and winnowed us back home, and next to the mess of ingredients was a box wrapped neatly. I handed it to him. He carefully opened the box and saw what I had made early. A smile so widespread, and he was fighting back a laugh

“It’s amazing, truly,” he had said though his face changed slightly.

“ I worked hard on that, you know,” I said as I tried to take it out of his hand, but he held it too high.

“I never said I didn’t want it; it’s great I can use it for so many things. It’s- what is it supposed to be?” he said as some of his laughter broke free.

“It’s supposed to be a mug. You can put coffee in it when you work from home,” I said, low crossing my arm.

“Awe, okay well, it’s now my favorite mug.”

“We all can’t be amazing an artist like you, Nyx,” I said. He pulled me close.

“Well then, tomorrow I will take off. We can be in the studio, and I can show you how to do things correctly,” he said as he kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled in for a kiss. His lips moved against mine and synced, and his hands found their way all over my body.

My world just for a moment stood still.

[shebeafancyflapjack]

A Slip Through Worlds

(A horror crossover between canon and @idiotwithanipad 's Gore Au. Set a few months after A New Day)

"Silver...Oh, Silver..."

The hairs on the back of her neck rose up. That voice. It couldn't be...

"There you are, darling girl. Come to me now. Come to Mummy..."

Crackling sounds of burning timber picked up her ears. She turned, slowly, the roaming emerald fields and far off mountains fading as she faced a wall of rising smoke.

What in the name of Nyx...?

Witchcraft always came with risk.

Usually for Silver, that had meant trying hard not to burn down her bedroom with a simple candle spell. Or spilling too much incense ash on the floor. All the stuff about accidentally summoning demons or twisting reality always seemed a little too farfetched and way beyond her abilities to care about.

Her books had often talked about lucid dreaming and astral projection. There had been vague warnings about travelling too deep into your own, or even someone else's, subconscious. Discovering secrets best left buried or made worse by being resurrected. There were even tales of souls accidentally being swapped between bodies that lead to what appeared to seem like BDP or schizophrenia.

Maybe she should have taken them more seriously.

But after her regular meetings with her ascended friend on the astral plane, she began to experiment more. She dared to step out of the childhood bedroom she'd been able to conjure up. Before, for her month long slumbers, she'd allowed the dreams to lead her and she'd happily gone along, a protagonist in her own fairy tale land but with restricted agency. Always kept safe within the boundaries.

But if she was able to meet with a soul from the next layer...what else lay out there?

One time, just once, after Amy had left to go visit her dad's dreams, Silver dared to venture towards the shadows of her mind.

Calling to her.

Only her ghost form was trapped in the grounds of Button House. But her mind was free. Free to roam. Free to fly.

Free to fall.

She wandered too far from her beautiful Land of Yonder with its wacky residents, sarcastic talking sticks and useless but sweet Elders. The shadows began to sing. They reached for her, with promises of magic and power and...

Mary.

She saw her mum. Just for a second. Somewhere beyond the border. How was that possible? Wouldn't Amy had said if Mary was trying to reach her, if there was a way for them to be together?

"I is here, darling girl. Mummy is right here." The voice crooned.

Raspy. Sore. As if the vocal chords had been scorched and her tongue cooked to a forked crisp.

But it was Mary. No doubt.

"Come to Mummy, little'en. Mummy will catch you."

In her dazed and dreaming state, she didn't question the disturbing undertone, or even the way Mary sounded more...patronising than usual. She had always been adoringly coddling, but...not to the point of talking to Silver like she was five.

It didn't matter. Her silhouette glowed, surrounded by embers. Silver felt her heart be tugged towards it as if caught by a fishing lure.

"I'm coming. Mum....I'm coming!" She rushed towards the rising black clouds.

Arms stretched towards her, wreathed in thick smoke.

"Good girl. That be the way. You's almost there. Come to Mummy."

Tears fled Silver's eyes as she ran headlong into the pair of open arms.

Mary. Mary had found her. Mary was taking her...

Down.

What?

The arms that encircled her were not warm and sturdy like the ones who had hugged her so many times. They were strong, firm as iron, but thin and hard as...bare bones. Skeletal fingers coursed through her hair. They were falling, as if tumbling over the edge of the world. Down. Down. Down.

Silver screamed. Vertigo in dreams was nothing new but it never went on for this long. And often she would awake with a jolt upon her flowery bed.

The arms of "Mary" held her tight.

"Shhh, hush now, my little bird. We be almost home. You did somehow get lost but Mummy found you. When you wake, all shall be rights as rain, I promise." She whispered, still holding the same love in her voice that Silver knew and wanted to cleave to but...

This was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

Her stomach was lurching and she wanted to finally puke up the Veggie Burger she'd consumed before her death. This must be what skydiving is like without a parachute. Not a fan. No thanks.

Wake up now, please, wake up, wake up-

Silver opens her eyes. She gasps.

The woods surround her. Her woods. Exhaling, she relaxes. Just a dream. Good. Just one intense dream probably made a little more visceral after her and Amy experimenting with their newfound gifts. Nothing to worry about-

Bony hands patted her hair.

"Here we are, my little'en. We is home. Safes and sound."

She turned her eyes to...

Oh fuck. Oh sweet Hecate, what...?!

"Mary?!" She gasped at the horrifying wraith knelt beside her, "Is that you?!"

The burned skull with its bulbous eyes and blistering remaining flesh tilted to one side.

"Mary? Since when do you call me by that name, my love, I has never..."

It was her. Silver recognised the fades fabric of her dress. The inflections of her West Country accent.

It was Mary. But wrong.

Mary burned to a husk, a skeleton held together by whisps of dark magic. Mary whose lidless eyes flashed with orange irses like burning embers. This...This is what Mary had truly looked like at the moment of her death. Silver covered her mouth.

This had to still be a dream. A nightmare. Even if she could believe she'd travelled to the next layer, why would Mary look like this?

The wraith took her hand away. Her 'smile', as much as she could have one without lips, disappeared.

She rose to her feet, towering over Silver.

"You is not my daughter."

The words turned Silver's heart to ice.

"I...Y-yes, I am. Mary, I am..." She pleaded, daring to reach and touch the frayed remains of her dress; "A-Alison got the adoption papers sorted so it's official. Th-that's what you wanted right? A-Amy said-?"

"STOP YE CHATTERING, GIRL!"

A tendril of smoke whipped around Silver's neck and held her up to Mary's eye level. At the height difference, Silver began to choke, boots kicking inches from the dirt.

The smoke tugged her closer, the skull of the ghost before her sneering inches from her face.

"Cease withs the charade. You be no child of mine." Mary glowers; "I know of no Alison. And I know of one Amy and she hath no voice to speaks."

What?!

Mary's bony hand reached up to grip Silver's chin.

"My darling girl hath no working eyes to see my true form. My darling girl bleeds constantly from her earses and nostrils while thous remain whole." She seethes, running a finger across the Pagan's cheek; "I see you for what you truly be. A Changeling."

"I...What are you talking about?" Silver rasped, struggling to speak as the smoky limb tightened, "I...I am Silver. I am."

"You is naught but a poor imitation. My daughter would not recoils from her mummy, even if she could see me."

She cringed; "I...I'm sorry, Mary, it was just the shock, I-."

"SILENCE!"

She threw the girl to the dirt. Silver hit the forest floor with a thud, palms scraping briefly against the broken twigs on the ground.

"You wilst tell me what you has done with my daughter. Or I shall rip the knowledge from thy head like gizzards from a goose!" The vengeful woman threatened.

Silver turned to look up at her. Never before did she think it was possible for Mary - sweet, often timid but occasionally righteous Mary - to appear like something out of a horror film. The teen's heart pounded as she watched the ghost's bony fingers curl, summoning balls of flame above her palms.

"Or perhaps I should hath better results burning the truth out of thee? T'was certainly a preferred method of interrogation back in my day." She hissed, showing all of those blackened teeth.

Newly revealed truths repeated in her head.

Why she try to burn you?

Was this the definitive proof that Mary was capable of such a thing? Was this how she'd appeared in those moments while Silver slept, as she awakened her powers, right before she was stopped...

"Please! Please don't hurt me! I am Silver, I swear!"

"I do nots believe you." Mary snarled, "However....perhaps, in my haste, t'would only be fair to get a seconds opinion."

Her fire shrank till it burned out.

She turned her head with a creek of her spine to the trees behind her.

"Ally! I has need of thy assistance! Awaken and come! With haste, my friend!" She called. Then she pointed a finger down to Silver; "Do not move a muscle, Changeling. We shall see what you truly be."

Every second that passed, Silver kept hoping for it to end. To wake up. Whether it was back in her world or on the astral plane, either with Amy at her side of in her fantasy land. Anywhere but here.

There was a rustle in the shadows. Something heavy began to creep towards them.

As it appeared into the moonlight, Silver's heart leapt with joy.

She never thought she'd be so happy to see him again.

"ROBIN!"

Silver pushed herself up with the intent of running into his arms, only for Mary to summon a pair of roots from the ground to rise up and encircle her ankles, causing her to trip.

Then came a growl. Truly animal and fierce.

She raised her head to look at Robin as he moved closer.

Crawled. He was...crawling. On his knuckles. Like Tarzan.

And fuck....his chest! What happened?!

"Robin?! Robin, what the fuck is going on? I'm scared-." She tried, reaching towards him.

He snapped his teeth at her and she drew her hand back.

"You sees it too. Don't you, sweet ally?" Mary lay a hand on his wild mane of hair; "She be not our precious child."

Robin flared his nostrils and crept closer to her. More than she felt all that comfortable, honest.

He sniffed at her face, her arms, her hair.

Then let out a growl, feral eyes glinting with mistrust before he returned to Mary's side like a loyal pet.

"Robin...Please..." She quietly begged.

"T'is a magnificent deception. But ever so flawed." Mary acquiesced, looking down at Silver like a bug under a microscope; "What do you make of it, ally? A Changeling of the Fae? A demon brat? A Siren of the woods?"

Silver shook her head.

"I'm none of those things. Please...e-even if I'm not your Silver....because you obviously aren't my Mary or my Robin," that much was obvious to her now; "I...I'm just a girl. A ghost, same as you."

"Just a girl, hmm?"

Mary summoned another whisp of smoke to poke at Silver's pentacle.

"Thou doth wear the mark of the witch, same as my little'en. Except, unlike her, you seem to have power of your own. Enough to be wandering the astral plane on thy own." Mary spoke.

"You...You know of the astral plane?" Silver asked.

"All witch folk worth their magic do, girl. And as my own Silver spends so much of her time in the world of her dreams, I has had to acquaint myself with its. T'is where I first looked for her when I did see she was no longer asleep on her bed.....and t'is where I saw you. Wearing her face."

The voice that had lured her to the border...

Silver panted; "It's my face. I didn't steal anything."

"Then tell me where she be! Now!" Fire erupted in a blast from Mary's feet at her demand. Even "Robin" flinched away.

It took everything for Silver not to curl up in terror.

"I don't know! I didn't see anyone who looked like me! Please...Please, believe me, I don't know what's happened anymore than you. I just...I just wanna go home..." She begged, voice cracking.

Robin let out a grumble, impossible to determine what his 'savage' mind was thinking right now. His face lacked all the humor and compassion of her Robin.

He shared a look with Mary. Silent communication between the two of them.

"We shall test you on that, wretch."

With a flick of her hand, one of the old trees reached down and circled its branches around Silver, lifting her up above ground and clutching her as if in a giant claw. She whimpered, hugging her knees to her chest, barely able to see out of the gaps of this spherical cage it formed around her.

"Oh no. No, no, please, don't put me here, I'm claustrophobic, please!" She banged her fists against the bark.

"Then it will serve as a good incentive for thee to confess." Mary sneered.

"I have nothing to confess! I swear! Let me go!"

"Time will tell, little Siren." She whispered, "Ally. Guard the imposter. I am going to search for our dear Silver some more. If she tries to wriggle her way out of her cell, you mays feast on her flesh."

He let out a small growl of distaste.

"Yes, I know you do not eats little'ens. But she be no real child...I suspects. She be a wicked beast in disguise. So chomp aways." With a rather twisted version of Mary's tittering laugh, she disappeared in a plume of smoke and embers.

Silver tried to steady her panicked breathing in the small compartment. She peeked down, staring through the gap to see "Robin" circling beneath her like a ravenous hound. Not a flicker of warmth or compassion in those eyes.

She let out a sob and curled in on herself.

Did her friends even know she was missing? Did Amy see what happened? What if they all just thought she was sucked off and not...trapped?

-

The singing was what awoke him. He opened his eyes to the light of the full moon shining through the window of his (tonight, empty) bedroom, and a young female voice lilting across the golf course.

Robin rubbed at his eyes and looked out.

What was Moonah Girl doing? Just singing and spinning out on the grass?

It wasn't...completely unlike her. She usually loved to dance to give her praise to Moonah. But there was something odd about tonight. Her movements seemed...uncoordinated. Legs stumbling a little too close to the sand banks and ditches.

Conflict tightened in his chest. She'd asked him to stay away. Give her time and space to forgive him for what he did. And he'd...accepted that, with great pain. It was the least he owed her after what he'd done.

He should go back to sleep. Or maybe find Humphrey Head and Body, send them out to check...

Too much effort to reunite them at this hour.

Robin rubbed at his shift. He couldn't leave her out there alone if something wasn't right.

He'd just go see. If she wanted him to piss off then she'd surely let him know.

Swiftly, he left the house and moved across the empty golf course, lit up by many tiny night lamps. He got closer.

She was laughing.

Except...that didn't sound like Silver's laugh. More like a forced exaggeration of it. Not ringing true like a heavenly bell, but shrill and maddening. Hysterical.

"Moonah Girl?" He called out, carefully; "You 'kay?"

The girl stopped. Her arms dropped to her sides.

She turned around and Robin froze.

"Hello! Hehehehe!" The girl greeted, with a smile stretching to the point her pale face looked ready to crack. A face with two faded eyes, peering out, unfocused, drops of blood leaking from her ears and nose. She reached out her hand towards Robin's voice; "Will you help me find my mummy?"

[nullsleepy]

The Strike of a Villainess

Chapter 4: Dull Green Meets Equally Dull Blue

Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4(here), Chapter 5, Chapter 6

“Marinette. What do you think you’re doing?” A cold, shiver-inducing voice rang out into the field, calling to attention to everyone nearby. Marinette could feel her body begin to shake, as if she was about to break into a cold sweat, but, still, she looked right towards the voice.

“….Papa?” Marinette let a whisper, her eyes producing tears at an unseen rate. Even as she wanted to go and hug the man, something was stopping her. Something… was wrong.

“I will not ask again. Marinette Von Eden, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” The man, her father, spat out, staring down at her. Marinette let out an unconscious squeak as she felt the air around her become ghastly cold.

“Papa..” was all she could mumble out before she felt the air around her move again. She quickly hit the ground, gravity having finally taken its toll on the young girl.

“Useless.” She heard her father’s cold, so unfamiliarly cold, voice before everything around her went black.

-

“Would you like me to brush your hair, my lady?” A close-by maid stood behind her as Marinette faced a bright pink dresser. She couldn’t bring herself to respond as she sat in front of the mirror, familiar(not familiar) sharp eyes staring back at her. The maid must have taken her silence as a signal of acceptance, as she watched her gather up all the blue silky(she never spent enough time to ever produce such softness) locks. Her bright hair stood as a stark contrast to her unblemished(where were her scars? Or her uneven freckles?), pearly white skin(she looked more like Snow White than the sun kissed half-Chinese girl that should have been staring back). Anyone could spend hours looking at such a beautiful person(but she wasn’t just anyone, she WAS-)

“Oh look at how cute you look, my lady! Perfect as always!” The cheery maid sat down the brush, seemingly satisfied after untangling all the invisible knots. Marinette made no noises of approval or any sort of sign of disgust. No, Marinette continued staring in the mirror.

And the cruel image of a small girl stared back.

Notes: hiiiiiii. You can read the tags if you want to seen me a bit more energized. But guess what! It’s almost been a year since I started this fic and I somehow procrastinated sm that I only wrote 3 chapters. So this doesn’t happen again, or at least as long, I decided to make these chapter likely a bit short. It just helps me start parts of the story. I can do an update thing where I ping people at a certain word count so they can binge read if they actually like/liked this series, but for now I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t leave for months and it’s totally just been a couple days. I need sleep but I’m too nauseous to move so fanfic time. I will gain all my inspiration for this fic back even if I have to rip it from my younger self’s cold, sleepy hands!!!!!

Also there’s a chance I won’t do that and will just write 1k words per chapter but I doubt it. I imagine this as a Manga in my head so that’s why it might seem a bit different from how I usually write. And yk what, there will likely be things that don’t make a lot sense, but as I’ve come to realize, fanfics are about having fun. That’s why I started and that’s why I’ll continue. It’s about what I want to write and not about trying to make everything fit together so close like a puzzle. So if something sounds cringey, I’ll let be cringey!

Please note the above is mostly a pep talk to myself, it’s not meant to be mean or denounce you or something. I’m just trying to become consistent in updates and that means finding the reason I started writing fanfics in the first place.

Thank you so much for reading so far, I am lucky to have you Readers.

Taglist(please leave a comment if you would like to be taken off or added!): @khneltea @cydaeashootingstar @shadosakushi @jeminiikrystal @fangirlingfanatic

[damien-wolfram-art]

Make Out: Sensation

Kakashi hadn’t been a regular Leaf Jonin for over eleven years so returning to his normal duties was hard enough. Even harder still, was being a sensei. He might have worn a lead Jonin’s green armored vest and blue under armor, but that did not make him any more fit for the role.

He’d never passed a team of shinobi, so he never really had to worry about dragging a team along on missions. This meant he would never have to deal with the pain of losing them due to his own inadequacies either. That was the way he liked it, so he often took on missions on his own.

It was this bad habit that got him into a spot of trouble on a reconnaissance mission in The Hidden Rain. Normally, Kakashi was quite vigilant. The deep-set eye he didn’t have covered always looked to be half open and sleepy, but the truth about him was quite the opposite. He was always keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble.

Somehow, however, he’d missed his enemy mounting an ambush. He found himself in a tight spot– surrounded by his foes. He lifted his headband to reveal his red implanted sharingan eye and took in his surroundings. Just as he did, he felt an intense burning in both of his eyes.

A dark purple haze hung in the air around him. He couldn’t see. The haze had robbed “Kakashi of the Sharingan” of his namesake, making him extremely vulnerable.

He pressed his palms to both of his eyes and screamed out in pain. He could hear his enemies closing in, but aside from a bold display of taijutsu and evasion, he was helpless. When he was just about to succumb to their advances, he heard the sounds of a skirmish. 

“Captain?” Called a familiar and friendly voice– Anbu Team Ro member, Tenzo.

“Tenzo? Is that you?” Kakashi responded, relieved.

“What happened? Are you alright?”

“M-my eyes,” Kakashi whispered.

Tenzo understood right away. He immediately flushed Kakashi’s bloodshot eyes with water from his canteen and brushed his ragged white hair away from his face. “We’ve got wounded!” He called out, curling the smaller man into his strong arms.

He would hand deliver him to the Leaf hospital and lay him down for care. Kakashi in his underclothes and eye bandages was just so pitiful looking. He was temporarily blinded, but once he was stable, Tenzo helped him write his report. It was the least he could do.

Kakashi would get antsy if left alone for too long. Tenzo wanted him to recover so he stayed with him, but Kakashi got bored easily in a hospital bed especially because he couldn’t see. Tenzo had to get creative.

He remembered Kakashi’s favorite book from their time in the Anbu together. “Hey Captain?” He prodded.

“You can just call me Kakashi now,” sighed the blind man. It had been over a year since he considered himself Tenzo’s Captain.

“Do you still have that book?”

“Make Out: Paradise?”

“Uh yeah that one!”

“I do.”

“Do you…want me to read it to you?”

Kakashi swallowed hard. He started to feel hot under his mask, but the prospect did seem promising. It certainly beat lying in bed doing nothing all day.

He fished it out of its hiding place and handed it over. Tenzo took it carefully, knowing just how much the novel meant to him. “Okay, where should I start?”

“From the beginning.”

Tenzo’s face went flat. He should have expected the response from Kakashi of all people. “Riiight…” The stiff brunette settled into his seat by the bed and opened the paperback. “Let’s see here…achem! She was a wonderful girl– exceptional in many ways. She was beautiful– with golden hair and a smile that could light up a room. Her eyes were like clear ocean pools, and she was talented to boot. Moreover, she was his best friend,” he read.

He continued like this for a long time. Kakashi listened intently. They progressed through the story of a young couple in love and soon enough they were experimenting with each other. ““It’s surprisingly big, isn’t it?” He asked. “ Tenzo read, blushing. He’d never been so thankful that Kakashi couldn’t see. ""You must be so intimidated. Just close your eyes and trust me.” He said, -”

“G-guiding her hand to touch him…for the first…time.” Kakashi whispered shyly.

Tenzo paused, looking at his Captain in shock. “You’re really into this stuff, aren’t you? You’ve got it memorized?”

Kakashi only blushed a deeper shade. It was up to his ears now. “Heh you’re pretty cute, all embarrassed like that, Captain,” Tenzo teased, feeling compelled to move in closer. “Hey, should we set the mood some more?”

Kakashi gasped, feeling Tenzo’s hand slip below the sheets. He couldn’t bring himself to speak, but he nodded vehemently. That’s how Tenzo made sure he stayed in bed.

@narutokinktober

@bitchbot3000

[putschki1969]

Parade - FictionJunction Album Random Thoughts

Just got to listen to the full album so I thought I would share my initial reaction to the songs. I am not too invested in most of the collabs but I still wanted to check out all of them at least once.

FictionJunction - ALBUM「PARADE」 - 【Release date】 2023/04/19 Check out the official website for the album which contains some self liner notes by YK.

First Press Limited Edition (CD＋Blu-ray) ￥ 6,600 VVCL 2147~2148

Regular Edition (CD) ￥ 3,300 VVCL 2149

Order link:https://fictionjunction.lnk.to/0419AL_parade Stream link:https://fictionjunction.lnk.to/PARADE

【Tracklist】 01. Prologue: Smitten. Very beautiful. It’s nice how some of the main melodies of the album come together here to create the most perfect prologue. 02. ことのほかやわらかい (Koto no Hoka Yawarakai): I certainly expected something else based on the title. The beginning got me super excited because I typically love this type of song from YK but then the whole thing just lost its structure for me. Can’t really get into it 03. 夜光塗料 feat. ASCA (Yakō toryō): Nothing to write home about 04. Beginning: I really loved the live version so I had high hopes for this. How does Keiko manage to sound even more cutesy here? It fits the song though so I am fine with it. Yuriko’s lalala part is somehow not as chill-inducing as it was for the live performance but when everyone joins in, the harmonies are gorgeous, it sounds really well put together and beautiful. 05. もう君のことを見たくない feat. rito (Mō Kimi no Koto wo Mitakunai): Still very fond of this. While I am not 100% sold on rito’s vocals, I do really appreciate the sorrow she is able to convey with her singing. 06. 櫂 feat. Aimer (Kai): Wow, this is literally an exact replica of “Mizu no Akashi”. Or I guess it would be more accurate to say that “Mizu no Akashi” was ripped off from "Kai” because apparently that song was written almost 30 years ago. It’s a nice ballad obviously but Wakana’s version of “Mizu no Akashi” is so much more beautiful in my opinion. 07. 蒼穹のファンファーレ feat. 藍井エイル&ASCA&ReoNa (Sōkyū no fanfāre): Decent song but none of the included vocalists do anything for me. 08. 八月のオルガン feat. LINO LEIA (Hachigatsu no Organ): My opinion didn’t really change on this. Quite a solid song. Absolutely adore the chorus. The dynamics in this are very old-school. I know that Keiko mentioned in one of her FC magazines that the structure and harmony distribution reminded her a lot of Kalafina and yeah, that’s something I definitely agree with. Although I still don’t think LINO LEIA sounds like Wakana (which many fans seem to believe). 09. それは小さな光のような feat. KEIKO (Sore ha Chīsana Hikari no you na): I know I wasn’t impressed with the live version so I was hoping for a different reaction when listening to the studio track. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. I am so sorry Keiko!!! I realise that this is some great work from Keiko but the melody of the song just falls flat for me. 10. from the edge feat. LiSA: Nope, not my cup of tea. Next 11. moonlight melody: Always a tremendous joy to listen to this but I feel like the live versions are so much more precious. 12. 世界の果て feat. 結城アイラ (Sekai no hate): Meh. Normally I’d be all over the gorgeous piano and strings but the song as a whole is just not particularly memorable. And I will never like Asuka’s voice. 13. Parade: As I’ve mentioned before, I am not the biggest fan of Joelle as main vocalist but that hasn’t stopped me from falling in love with the song. It’s just so lovely. Some people have compared it to “Homura” and yeah, I guess both songs feel similar to me, especially in terms of really enjoying the song itself despite not liking the vocalist. I have no idea if I am still too biased towards Wakana but I don’t even think that’s the issue here since I have no reference of Wakana previously singing. But I guess subconsciously I still kinda miss her in songs like this.

M 01,02,04,11,13 feat. KAORI/KEIKO/YURIKO KAIDA/Joelle

So yeah, “Parade” might actually be my favourite song on the album, what a surprise XD And “Prologue” is just such a great intro. Maybe I will appreciate “ことのほかやわらかい” more once I get to hear it live. It certainly has potential to become something I like. I do think that the collabs with rito and LINO LEIA are much better than any other tracks on this album which feature guest artists. Maybe it’s because YK put more effort into writing the songs specifically for them after the audition? I hope “それは小さな光のような“ will eventually grow on me because I really wanna like this song for Keiko’s sake...We’ll see.

FJ Radio Special Broadcasts to Celebrate the Release of 「PARADE」

【Broadcast Schedule】

For those who are interested, I added a download link for the newest episode. YK talks about the first half of the tracklist of the new album and then spends the rest of the episode making one announcement after the other regarding all of her upcoming events. 4/18  21:00 ～ 4/24 23:59 「FictionJunction Radio vol.#16」