#lorsan x reader

[hxney-lemcn]

Not Allowed — Lorsan (AFK Journey/Arena) x gn! reader

summary: you met a strange wilder and found yourself falling for your fantasy. What seemed like a dream had become a distant memory, but Lorsan thought of it as anything but.

tw: uhhhh lovesick fools making stupid decisions

a/n: I kinda went off on this one. Ending kinda sucks, sorry.

wc: 2.7k

Master List

It has been a fairly normal day for you. You woke up before the crack of dawn, barely taking care of yourself before you made your way outside. It was a crisp autumn morning just like any other which helped you wake up slightly. You dragged yourself over to the chicken coop after picking up your basket. The hens were barely awake, all the easier to grab their eggs. After refilling their water and food, you put the eggs safely away in your kitchen. Then you made your way over to your dairy cows. The nice thing about cows was that you didn’t have to feed them, the bad part was giving them water. You started the horrendous trek of taking your metal bucket, going over to the water pump, filling the bucket, carrying it over to the water trough, and repeating the cycle. 

After all the animals were taken care of, you made your way back to your house to fully take care of yourself. I mean your animals were fed, time to feed yourself. The sun was shining brightly now, the sound of your animals filling the silence. It was a comforting atmosphere, something you wouldn’t trade for the world. You decided to cook a few of the eggs, after all, it's best to have them fresh and you had the freshest. It was when you made your way back to milk your cows had your day changed. 

“Oh boy!” You heard an energetic voice call out. “I wonder if there’s any food.” Fully opening your front door, you watched as a man with bunny ears looked around your farm. At first glance you did find him cute, but that doesn’t mean he can just go stealing your hard work. 

“Excuse me!” You called out, walking over to him. “Do you need food?” The man paused, quickly turning around, he looked as if you had caught him taking a cookie from the cookie jar.

“Oh, uhm, you see I’ve been traveling a great distance and I haven’t had much to eat,” He explained, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

The sheepish look on his face had quickly calmed you down, and you felt yourself sympathizing with him, “I can make you something if you’d like.”

“Really?” He asked, perking up. 

“Yeah,” You smiled back. “As long as I can get your name first.” You both introduced yourselves to each other, and you made him a salad at his request (thankfully you still had some lettuce and vegetables). As he ate, Lorsan, as you learned, had talked of his adventures and all he had learned. You, a mere farmer, were quite intrigued by his tales. You rarely left the farm as you sold your products to Rowan who would come to you. The only time you left was to go to the local village to buy items you were running low on once a week. So Lorsan’s tales were quite fascinating. 

“I have to finish my chores now,” You spoke up after Lorsan finished his food. 

“I can help,” He replied, ears twitching slightly. “To thank you for your kindness.”

“Do you know how to milk a cow?” You asked, head tilting to the side. 

“Well…no,” Lorsan responded sheepishly, then a bright smile took over his face. “But I’m a quick learner!”

“I don’t see why not,” You smiled back. His enthusiasm was contagious. You were quickly proven that you should not have trusted him so easily.

“Ah! Careful!” You exclaimed, quickly grasping Lorsan’s wrists to stop him from squeezing too hard. “You’re gonna hurt her if you squeeze like that. You gotta be firm but gentle. Like this.” You moved your hands to cover his and showed him the right amount of pressure. 

“I-I see,” Lorsan stuttered slightly, you missed the way his cheeks turned a light pink. He proceeded to follow your directions after you stepped back and you smiled proudly at how well he was doing now. You had to teach Lorsan how to do some basic chores, but with him by your side, you found yourself enjoying the daily routine that started to feel boring. By the time you both finished, the sun was starting to set.

Feeling a bit of concern (and a bit of selfishness), you asked Lorsan if he wanted to stay for the night. Once again, he was a bit astounded at how kind you had been to him so far. Not to say that people from other villages were unkind, it’s just they were more hesitant to help, and none of them had gone as far as you had. Yes, he had helped you with your chores, but it didn’t feel like much of a chore as you did it together, making jokes together. In fact, Lorsan found himself dreading the day coming to an end. He couldn’t waste any time in just one spot, as the longer he took to find someone to help his people, the more danger they may find themselves in. 

Normally, Lorsan would fool around, he was notorious for his mischievousness back in the dark forest (much to his dismay), but he couldn’t make light of his people’s situation. He had no idea how bad the corruption had gotten, and he feared that by the time he got help it would be too late. It had already been two years since he left after all. But his naive personality still poked through. 

He agreed to your invitation to stay the night as it wouldn’t hurt to get rest in a proper bed. He messed with the salad you made him, green eyes continuing to glance up at you every so often. The conversation had come to a lull as you started to consume your stew. Lorsan felt conflicted, he greatly enjoyed your presence, even if you both had only known each other for a short period of time. He didn’t want to leave so soon, he enjoyed how easily he was able to make you laugh, the look of awe in your eyes as he mentioned his abilities as a Windwhisperers, and your gentle touch as you corrected him. 

His heart beat faster at the memory. Lorsan thought he was coming down with something. It was weird, he hadn’t felt this strongly towards someone before, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. It kept gnawing at him, a part of him wanted to stay, even if it was for just a bit longer, but his guilty conscience weighed more heavily.

“I wish you could join me,” Lorsan spoke, eyes falling onto a tomato amidst the leafy greens. 

You paused, but didn’t think too much of what he said, “That would be nice. Your travels sound quite fun when you’re not being chased off.” You laughed lightly at the teasing remark, but quickly stopped when Lorsan didn’t laugh with you. 

Your eyes scanned his face. His emerald eyes were down cast, his lips tugged slightly downwards. He used his fork to push around his food, ears slightly droopy. You then realized he was being 100% serious and you felt your heart jump. The scenario reminded you of a cheesy scene in a romantic novel you managed to read in your sparse free time. 

“You would love the dark forest,” Lorsan continued, now twirling his fork. “I think you would get along well with Lyca.”

You fiddled with your napkin, suddenly feeling a heavy weight on your shoulders. He does understand your position, right? You are the sole owner of this farm, you have a life, you have animals and people that depend on you. There was no way you could just drop everything on a whim because you met a cute wilder who wanted you to become his companion on his journey. But you were also young, and the thought of being tied down to one spot, never truly seeing the world, also weighed down on you. It was easier to forget about your wish to explore as you lose yourself in your chores, lose yourself in books and lose yourself in your trade. Lorsan had brought that longing back to the forefront, the want to explore, the need to see sites that laid only in your wildest dreams.

It was all too conflicting for you. 

“...you know I can’t leave,” You muttered, eyes downcast. “This is my home.”

“I know,” Lorsan responded despondently. A pregnant pause followed, and you found yourself wanting to mend whatever had just broken. 

“Come back,” You stated, leaving no room for debate. Lorsan finally lifted his gaze to meet yours. “When you find whoever you need to, when you fix your land, come back.”

Lorsan felt his mind race. He hadn’t thought of coming back, he didn’t need to…not before at least. Would he even be able to come back? His position was high ranking, and he would be needed a lot more once he returned…but he also wanted to see you again. His eyes soaked in the determination in your gaze, how could he deny someone he found so breathtaking? 

“Okay,” He agreed, a small bittersweet smile overtaking him. “But only if you consider one of us going with the other.”

You felt your face warm, that was such a drastic decision, but you supposed you had time to think it over. Yet you still wanted to tease him slightly.

“Are you asking me to run away with you?” You teased, hiding your smile behind your hand. “We’ve only known each other for a day.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Lorsan stubbornly replied back, trying to hide how warm his face felt. You were right, after all. What business did he have asking you to leave everything behind for him? Because he felt strangely for you? He hardly counted that as a reason, but he still held hope, heart fluttering at the thought of you by his side. 

“Too bad there wasn’t a way we could stay in contact,” You sighed, standing up to clean the table. 

Lorsan’s ear twitched, eyes widening at his brilliant plan, of course it would take a bit of a toll on him, but for you, it was worth it, “I could contact you through the wind! You’ll just have to keep an ear out for my messages.”

Your eyes also widened, not having expected such a response, “I would be able to hear it?”

“You should,” Lorsan nodded excitedly, ears bouncing with the movements. “I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve been pretty good at all this Windwhisperer business from a young age.”

“Then I’ll look forward to the wind.”

That had been over a year ago. The time between Lorsan updating you had grown far and few in between. Your naiveness has dissipated. It was a wonderful fantasy while it lasted, but there were too many flaws in the plan. No matter what way you thought, a problem arose. There was no way you could sell your farm or animals, there was no way you could drop everything just for him. It was too extravagant an ask. And Lorsan couldn’t drop everything for you either. Yes, he may have always dreamed of the world beyond the dark forest, but he had a duty that held him back. That didn’t stop his chest from aching every time he was reminded of you. Farm animals were common on his journey, and he remembered how sweetly you smiled at him as you showed him your chickens. How he longed to stay with you. He didn’t want to be tied down, but was it really being tied down if you were by his side?

While you had given up, Lorsan was still pursuing his dream. He had finally managed to find someone that could dispel the corruption. Not to mention it was thee Merlin. He didn’t waste any time getting them on the first ship to the dark forest. It took more time than he’d like to clear everything. He had met his sister and old friends, but a part of him still felt like he was missing. He loved his people, he really did, but he would constantly strain his ears, listening to your soothing humming that the wind mercifully sent his way.

When everything was said and done, his Master Arden had noticed the gray haired man’s despondency. Lorsan had been given many tasks, not allowing him a moment’s respite. Not even being able to think of coming back to you like he had promised. That familiar feeling of the trees closing in on him returned. The comfort of the forest had become a prison once more.

“What’s troubling you,” Arden asked his pupil, wanting to alleviate his worries. 

Lorsan snapped out of his stupor, he had found himself trying to listen for you once more. “I met someone,” Lorsan explained, knowing better than trying to hide from his mentor. “But my duty lies here, in the dark forest.”

“A good whisperer should listen to not only the wind, but also to his own heart,” Arden responded wisely. “Need not worry about us, as our problems have been resolved.” Lorsan felt his breath hitch, hope overtaking him once more.

…

It has been a normal day for you. Waking up before the crack of dawn, barely taking care of yourself before going to the chicken coop. You put the eggs in your basket, the movements being nearly autonomous. Your days blended together, repeating the same motions over and over. The wind had become a low whistle like it had before, no longer carrying the words you once searched for. Your days have dulled once more. You were just a mere farmer after all.

“I wonder if there’s any food.”

You paused, not sure if you were just hearing things. If your monotonous days had finally broken you and you were hallucinating a reality that had once been real. Your head turned, albeit hesitantly, and your eyes widened at the familiar head of gray hair, green eyes, and bunny ears. You could never forget such a pretty face, nor the sheepish look that rested across it. 

“You’re back,” You stated, slight awe in your tone. You hadn’t really thought he’d ever come back.

“Of course I’m back,” Lorsan scoffed, crossing his arms. “I did promise you, didn’t I?” Your eyes soaked in his figure, noting the backpack that he carried and the slight grin on his lips.

“It’s just been awhile,” You replied, rubbing your arm nervously. “I thought you forgot.”

Lorsan’s jaw fell slack (somewhat comically might I add), “How could I ever forget someone like you!” You felt your heart jump. That feeling you thought you’d gotten over returned like nothing had ever happened, like you both hadn’t been separated for years.

Feeling a bit insecure, you couldn’t help but bring up what weighed on you, “You stopped sending messages.”

His ears drooped slightly in response, “I’m sorry about that. It takes a lot of energy for me to do that, and when I found someone that could help, I wanted them to help as quickly as possible so I could come back.” You truly felt silly. Of course he was busy, he was a hero after all.

“It’s alright,” You smiled, the ache wasn’t fully gone, but you understand. “You’re here now, aren’t you?” 

Lorsan perked up at that, a bright smile overtaking his features, “Yes! Do you remember the second half of our promise?” That was the part you were dreading. Telling him you couldn't move to the dark forest. You nodded, shifted back and forth on your feet.

“If it would be okay with you, I would like to move in.”

For the second time that day you felt yourself freeze. He…wanted to live with you? Didn’t he want to be with his friends? Didn’t he want to live where he grew up? Was he being serious?

“I-I mean it’s okay if you say no,” Lorsan fumbled, feeling his nerves consume him. “I understand, b-but I really enjoyed that day, and I wouldn’t mind helping you with your chores.”

You really shouldn’t say yes. Yes, you got to know him better through his messages, but he still didn’t know you all that well. Even though it had been years since that day, it felt like a rushed move, but his pretty green eyes had your resolve melting.

“Okay,” You agreed, a sheepish smile crawling over your lips. 

“Really?” Lorsan gasped, bouncing on his feet. 

“Yeah,” Your grin widened. “Just don’t cause too much trouble.”

[obsessedwrhys]

Do you have any angst headcanons for Lorsan (AFKJ)? Doesn’t even have to be ship related I just love a good lil sad bunny boy every now and then and I’m curious if you have anything in mind

|| LORSAN ANGST HEADCANONS ||

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ major angst, bit of fluff, I added some relationship headcanons as well, enjoy!!

He has self esteem issues.

It's the constant overthinking of whether if he's good enough that made him this way. With all the corruption happening in the land of his home, he just feels the guilt.

He tells himself he did what was right setting out searching for help but was it right to have abandon his people when they could have been better if he stayed and helped instead?

That's why whenever the thoughts became unbearable, he'll start pacing up and down and even sometimes go as far as to pulling at his own bunny ears.

He just doesn't wish to be a burden to anyone.

Adding on that his big sister is such a good role model to others, it pressures him even more to try to be as perfect as she is. After all, he never was a good student at the Jade Lake Academy when he was a kid.

Although he always plays off as the cool guy and whatever, most of the time it's his way of coping with his insecurities.

So if you happen to be dating him, communication will be a huge issue in the relationship.

He doesn't listen to you even though he's a windwhisperer. It's quite ironic.

You always have to point out the things he's doing is not good for him or that what he's doing is not fine with you. He can be a bit slow.

He also gets depressed easily if left alone. That's why he's very chatty when he's around his friends. It's all because of his fear of loneliness.

He just doesn't want to be abandoned.

The thought of all his friends forgetting about him scares him.

Another thing I would like to say is I think that whenever he cries, he starts off with like this high pitch whimper. It's like those cries where he feels so vulnerable that he completely loses all hope in himself.

Whenever he's upset or anxious, he grabs onto his arms like he's hugging himself. It's how he tries to comfort himself.

If you were to offer him a hug, he'll literally melt into your embrace and start crying shamelessly. He'd struggle to talk through the hiccups as he pour out his problems

"I—I'm sorry— hgnh! I wasn't thi-thinking right... hold me hnn... mm..." He'd cry, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck.

He rarely cries so when it does its from the days of bottling up his emotions deep inside.

Sometimes when he gets too frustrated, he'll accidentally lash out and bite you which ends up with him apologising nonstop. All this leading to him hating himself even more.

Even though he has his issues, he's still a person just like everybody else. You just hope that someday he'll realise there's no shame in being imperfect.

(Sorry this was a bit short, I ran out of ideas 😅)

[nonnieapple]

Hi hello! Could I request some poly dating headcanons for Bryon and Lorson with a gn reader please?

⛈️⚡️Bryon x g/n!Reader x Lorsan Headcanons⚡️⛈️

• (Bryon x g/n!Reader x Lorsan Headcanons)

• r a t i n g: t e e n & u p • 1 4 2 0 w o r d s

• p o s t e d: 27.10.2024 🌧️ navigation

n o t e: comin' right up! i miss them so... but i heard lorsan will be playable soon.

Bryon & Lorsan 

• I headcanon Bryon as on the aroace spectrum. He doesn't feel romantic or sexual attraction very strongly.

• But he feels platonic love VERY strongly, he would kill for Elona.

• Getting into a relationship with Lorsan is easier (no offense) because he's more naive and eager. It would probably happen during your journey together, and he'd own up to it sooner or later because he can't keep his mouth shut, and his body language is very easy to read. 

• His ears began to droop around you (which meant that he was paying less attention to his surroundings- he was relaxed), and he would constantly fix his hair near you (when he thought you weren't looking. But you totally saw it). 

• He's not very subtle when speaking, either, I mean his flattery was tooth-rootingly sweet. 

• When confronted about it he denied it for a second but immediately switched up and admitted it when you fell silent. 

• He chose to go with you on your travels because he knows you yourself travel like a dandelion seed carried by the wind. 

• Bryon is, in many ways, the opposite of Lorsan. They are both skilled windwhisperers and wilders... and that's where the similarities end. 

• Bryon was cordial with you like he is with most, and you kinda fell for him upon first sight, because LOOK AT THAT MAN???

• You thought you had NO chance.

• It didn't help that, with that mask, he was hard to read. The more time you spent with him the more you could read the inflections of his voice, and that gave you a good indicator of what he felt.

• After he hid behind you when some lady tried flirting with him you realized that he isn't mysterious... he's just genuinely shy and reserved. That softened you to him and you felt less pathetic in his presence. 

• He wouldn't even realize he caught feelings until you're about to leave, and he's screaming on the inside, thinking how much he'll actually miss you now. 

• He's pretty committed to staying in the forest... dragging him out wouldn't be easy. He might visit from time to time and send you messages. Sometimes he sends so many of them you can't keep up. 

• But I don't think he could permanently leave the Dark Forest.

• Coordinating a poly relationship was not easy at first. 

• You had to explain the concept (they were only vaguely familiar with it) and it took a while to do so. 

• (Also, you had to get Elona's blessing first.)

• Lorsan kind of took it at face value and trusted you, while Bryon asked a TON of questions, which you indulged in, of course. The two balance each other well and answer for different needs of yours. Lorsan is more physical, close, and affectionate, while Bryon is wise, gives you space, independent. One comforts you physically and the other emotionally and intellectually. 

• You feel secure with both of them. Both have your back, and you have theirs.

• No one you know minds the arrangement. Lyca and Eironn are surprised you managed to make Bryon show vulnerability for once. 

• Lorsan is not surprised that you fell for Bryon and his mysterious ways. He says it's "typical". Ouch.

• Bryon is surprised that you like Lorsan, he says he's too chaotic compared to you and he has no idea how you manage him. You have no idea either. 

• Valen incessantly teases Lorsan, so when you see Valen Lorsan is ready to book it. 

• Bryon is so pretty... he gets hit on pretty often and always hides behind you like that'll help. Your usual tactic is to say that he's your boyfriend (true) BUT if they hit on Lorsan you have to choose between explaining your relationship or just letting Lorsan bask in attention (he doesn't always like it). 

• You're constantly aware of being noisy around them. You usually go do noisy things in other rooms or outside to not bother them. 

• They'll hear someone whistling in the distance and tell you how annoying it is when you hear quite literally nothing besides a breeze and their voices. Even if your hearing is good, theirs is on another level.

• You get to learn a lot about windwhisperers. You know more than the scholars in all of Esperia.

• Lorsan is more capable than he looks- if you get lost he's the one who leads the way or sets up shelter. At home, he's pretty productive around the house. 

• Bryon can go pretty long being silent. When you're together you can go almost a whole day without speaking... and then you talk for hours at night. 

• Very loyal. The type of person to do anything for you if you so much as bruise your leg- he's weak in that regard. 

• Bryon rarely takes off the mask. When you saw him without it for the first time, you freaked the hell out, because that thing had become a part of his face to you. Man, put your face back on!!!

• He's still gorgeous (obviously). He has cool yellow eyes and they're pretty imposing. You can't get used to him being without a mask. 

• Lorsan hasn't seen him without the mask since he was young. He only did because he walked in on Bryon and you sitting there. To Bryon, it would've been less shameful if he walked in on you bangi-

• Sometimes when Lorsan's happy he jumps up a little. 

• With his ears he's like a cat, one second he wants you to be all over him, and the next he's swatting your hand away. 

• When you're back home after being gone for a while, he'll circle you and chat away, not giving you a second to interrupt, probably bragging about something and telling you what he heard that day. 

• Lorsan will headbutt you for pets or just for a bit of attention. If you're focused on something he'll even nip you, which hurts. 

• He's kind of a brat... 

• HATES it when you poke his peets. Will leave if you try to do that. 

• Bryon barely touches you, and always asks before, except for when you wake up and find yourself pinned under his leg and arm, holding you like you're about to escape. 

• His ears are soft as silk. You try to keep your hands to yourself, but, come on, look at those things.

• Bryon doesn't get jealous much at all, and when he does he manages. Lorsan isn't that collected. 

• Lorsan steals your food. Constantly. 

• On the flip side, you don't see Bryon eat. 

• Communication goes well between you three. Until it doesn't if one of you gets into their own heads. All of you are very skilled and successful, and that can often lead to feelings of inferiority and insecurity. Rarely, but often enough for your friends to know how to respond already. 

• "They're at it again..." Valen will say, ready to talk you out of thinking you're worthless by screaming "YOU ARE *THE* MERLIN!" at you. 

• Works like a charm.

• Lorsan and Bryon get along.... ugh, it's bearable. Bryon is always subtly and not so subtly trolling Lorsan, who isn't as graceful with his words-

• Until he needs to apologize to you or anyone. He puts those hidden poet skills to use. 

        • If he's away, he might choose to send a letter instead. You keep all of them in a dedicated box, and you write down some of Bryon's messages. 

• Lyca is your sister-in-law now!!! Yippie!

• Each time she sees you she asks if Lorsan's been behaving well (NO, HE HAS NOT-)

• Bryon has to wear shoes when in Holistone and such, and he isn't a fan. "It's a dual leather prison," he once said, solemnly. 

• When Elona perches on you it's like being chosen by the gods themselves

• You've been adopted by Grannn Dahnie & Arden. You will get pestered and you better take it well OR ELSE.

• They tell you embarrassing things about your partners, with Lorsan getting flustered while Bryon is silently mortified. He says nothing and you can tell he's dying inside. Rest in peace.

• People in the Dark Forest start seeing you as a local since you visit so often. 

[teabunnee]

I am very Bryon and Lorsan pilled, if you’d be willing to write something for either or both it would be so wonderful 🌸 have a great day ahead!!

S/O wants to Touch Lorson and Byron’s ears

Bryson 

You can’t sneak up on him. Lorsan has tried, and failed, multiple times. It was surprisingly good practice for him. 

He knows what you’re doing, and he will dodge out of the way, and you might see a cute slight smile on his face. Oddly enough, Elona won’t warn him, and instead just turns to look at you whenever you try to sneak up behind him. If you’re his romantic partner, Elona probably trusts you enough not to harm her friend. But even with the handicap, he still figures out where you are. 

He compliments you on your efforts in a way that shows he absolutely knows what you’re trying to do. 

The best way is to ask him. He’ll tilt his head, nods and kneels gracefully, like a knight. 

His ears are rather downy, and your fingers sink into them, especially the tips, which are basically fur. They probably help with his hearing and his sensitivity to the wind. 

Touching him, his shoulders drop slowly, and he leans towards you. He starts to rumble in a mix of a low groan and…purring? 

CAW!

Elona ruins the moment because now she wants pets too. Thankfully, her feathers are also very soft. 

Lorsan 

He hates being called bunny ears, but you’ve seen him brush them meticulously during camp, and they look ridiculously soft. 

If you stare at his ears, he will preen and tell you about his routine to keep them as soft and as perky as they are. Wandering around for 3 years has apparently done nothing to prevent him from taking proper care of his ears. 

If you sneak up on him, or grab his ears while he’s talking to you, he squeaks and blushes. It’s adorable. 

With a pout, he pulls off your hands by their wrists and leans towards you. 

“If you wanted to touch them, just ask! And be gentle!” 

Lorsan’s ears are super soft, like velvet, and the pink areas are particularly sensitive 

Dude basically melts under your ministrations. Curiously, you scratch the base a little, and…his leg thumps. 

Both of you stop. He blushes even more now and flees. He won't talk to anyone for the rest of the night.

Lyca tells you later, laughing hysterically, that leg thumping was something you’re supposed to grow out of by your teens. 

[miss-anachronism]

for requests. i need. valen x male magister merlin. im a sucker for this guy. anything really. thank you!

Ooh, I’ve never read an x reader/MC fic, let alone written one! New territory, as exciting as it is scary.

I’m not so sure I have a good grip on Valen’s character, but I tried to write it from his perspective. I hope this suits your needs! It gets a bit philosophical. And sorry if its OOC :,)

He isn’t sure what to think, really.

They’re sitting around a dying campfire, just outside the borders of the Dark Forest. Lorsan is pacing somewhere in the distance, muttering to himself, or to the wind, maybe. Trying to figure out what’s happened to his home. Korin leans against a tree, tending to his wounds- courtesy of Merlin. The magister himself is across from Valen, wrapping his own wound and chattering with his hamsters.

Logically, Valen knows that the lesson he should have taken from this scramble is a lot more profound than what’s been on his mind. He should be contemplating the Wilders, the forest, their next steps, how to protect the refugees. And he’s trying to, but it’s just that something- someone- keeps catching his attention.

He didn’t know Merlin could bleed.

It’s such a silly observation. But as Valen watches the angry red wound on Merlin’s forearm, his gut twists. It’s like seeing a god’s flesh tear, and seeing that its blood is the same bright red as his own.

Valen isn’t sure what exactly Merlin is. As far as he knows, no one does, not even Merlin himself. But to the average young Lightbearer, he’s a myth. A legendary figure that you might glimpse once in your life, but would never get to meet. Never speak with, let alone camp alongside. Fight alongside. Merlin throws his head back to laugh at something Chippy has said, and something stirs in Valen’s ribs, something he knows is dangerous.

All of this is dangerous. Merlin is not someone to be loved; Valen has seen what happened to Mirael. Forgotten about, left in the dust, accidentally as it was. The way she watches Merlin, her face made of mixed admiration, bitterness, and regret. He wonders if she would take it all back, if she could. Scariest of all, when she bid them farewell, the look in her eyes sent an ugly pain of jealousy through Valen’s chest. And he doesn’t want that to happen to him, selfish as that may be. Every time Merlin falls asleep, he risks waking up knowing nothing.

Besides, what is Valen to a hero of myth? His whole life has been barely a blink in Merlin’s. Whatever he is, there is no reasonable way Valen could ever mean something to Merlin the way that Merlin is beginning to mean something to him. Merlin will outlive him a thousand times over. And he’s probably met a thousand different people, fallen in love with quite a few of them. Someone who has experienced so much life, so much loss, can they still love? Could they ever?

And yet, he bleeds. It’s such a human weakness that it seems impossible. Valen knew heroes could bleed; he didn’t know gods could. Merlin does not go about the world serene and calculating, watching every moment with practiced ease. He stumbles, laughs, misses with his spells. He jostles Valen’s pauldron excitedly when they win a fight, he’s the last to flee when they lose, ensuring everyone else has disengaged safely. He has only one dimple, on his left cheek. Sometimes he speaks so fast his words blend together, and Hammie has to remind him to slow down. It’s endearing. It’s human. Valen doesn’t know what to do with it. Because it was so much easier, to write off affection as admiration. When the pieces had first clicked, he thought it all made sense. The natural pull that the magister gave off- yes, of course, it was just Merlin’s nature. But they’re a week into this camaraderie, and Valen keeps noticing things like the lick of hair on his neck that doesn’t sit flat.

Pretty fucking annoying, that’s what it is. Valen’s always prouded himself on his ability to swerve out of love’s path. He can flirt and charm all he wants, but at the end of the day all the love letters he receives are ink and paper, nothing more. Whenever someone seriously reciprocates- god forbid- he disengages as smoothly as he can, lest they get the wrong impression.

But Merlin has changed all that, somehow. Impossibly so. He supposes it’s in his nature, to take everything and turn it upside down. Valen doesn’t want to flirt with the Magister, to laugh as he flushes under his praise. Well, it would be nice, he always has liked the attention; but the thing is, that isn’t the point. With Merlin, he just wants to be. No performance, no elaborate courtship. Just… be. Together. All this, for someone who is more myth than man.

It seems like the scariest thing he’s ever faced.

“Valen?”

He jumps as the magister suddenly speaks, and realizes with mounting embarrassment that he’s been staring the whole time. Luckily, the magister grins good-naturedly- and ah, there’s that dimple again.

“Lost in thought?”

“You could say that.”

He leans back on his hands and forces his face into a smirk. It’s easier than he anticipated; despite everything, Merlin makes it simple to be around him.

“I’ve been meaning to say,” Merlin mirrors his position as Chippy and Hammie scuttle away, the former setting off on a quest to climb the nearest tree, “I really appreciate your help in all of this. Coming along, and aiding me- far past your assigned duties. It isn’t lost to me.”

Valen gives him a look. “Of course, magister. I’m not one to leave danger to fester; I’m sorry you ever had that impression of me.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s…” Merlin’s brow furrows as he collects his thoughts. “You know, you seem so… charmingly nonchalant. Like nothing bothers you. But that clearly isn’t true. You care a lot, Valen, and it’s really, really nice to see. You’re someone who is just… good, you know? And I appreciate it.” He grins sheepishly. “Sorry. Kinda cheesy compliment. I’ve lost all my memories, you know, but being around you- and Lorsan, Cassadee, Mirael- honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing much of anything. Everything I need is right here.”

He shrugs and turns back to the fire, as if he has not sent Valen’s mind reeling. Functionally, Merlin has been aware for only a week- one week out of thousands of years. He’s wondered how he’s been so calm about the whole thing, and…

And it’s hard to believe, but it’s much harder to doubt what Merlin says, not as he stares into the fire with that soft smile. It dawns on Valen that he probably knows more about Merlin than Merlin does- all of the legends, at least. And yet, despite that insurmountable legacy, despite the name and title that bears unimaginable weight, Merlin is… content. Content in just moving forward, and hoping he’s doing the right thing.

And isn’t that all that Valen’s doing, as well? He doesn’t deserve all this praise; he always shies away from large displays of gratitude, loathing how awkward they make him feel. Because he’s just moving forward, and trying to do the right thing. It’s a simple motive, really. Faith, and what effort it takes to retain it. He always thought Merlin would have some deeper, existential knowledge of the world that would put all else to shame- access to the secrets of the universe, and what not. And, certainly, his magical capabilities are second to none- but his philosophy, the way he lives; it very well might be human after all.

Maybe the usual Merlin, the one with all his memories, is the knowledgeable, immovable sage that Valen grew to look up to. Maybe, once restored, Merlin will become that god-like fairytale hero, wisdom surpassing all others, power knowing no ends.

Selfishly, Valen hopes that never happens. That the Merlin in front of him stays the same, annoying dimple and all, and keeps looking at Valen like that. Like he sees something in him that Valen never knew was there. He hopes Merlin never raises above their quips, their banter.

He know’s it’s all in vain. But god, he hopes.

[obsessedwrhys]

Fusdifuufdtyffdykfucuppivsauwerjttjrjth your lorsan angst headcanons were so good I’m going insane. May I request some comfort headcanons for him now (platonic preferably but do whatever inspires you most) a crumb of affection for the bunny boy please!!!!! Thank you in advance!

|| LORSAN PLATONIC HEADCANONS ||

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ fluff/comfort, only an ounce of angst, reader is gn!! (I'm happy to hear you liked the angst post 😚💕)

Friends with this man? Prepare yourself because this friendship is anything but normal.

He would definitely steal snacks from people just for you two to enjoy it later. It's literally proven canon in the game.

To no surprise, ya'll are always bickering with each other. The results being it hard for you guys to ever finish an important task.

There was this one time you guys argued about whether or not if pineapple belonged on pizza.

It's a timeless topic and it gets brought up every now and then.

This also leads to late night conversations, sometimes you guys dont even talk but just enjoy the presence of the other person. Most of the time you fall asleep together because of the calmness in the air.

You know this friendship ain't complete if ya'll aren't talking about your favourite movies, shows or music and sharing it.

"Lorsan look at this character I like, aren't they hot?!"

"Ew 😐"

Expect a lot of surprise visits, like you could be on an adventure to do something important and he would pop out of nowhere with a huge smile on his face. But you don't complain much about it because the sight of him makes you relax.

Just being around him makes you feel like you could be your true self.

Plus, half of the time he arrives just in time to save you from a fight.

Ya'll would definitely hold hands, you know those things where people hold hands and they're just swinging it front and back so happily? Yeah that's the type of thing you two do.

He just loves it, he doesn't care if it's childish, there's nothing wrong with taking care of your inner child.

Of course talking about your feelings is important. If he needs someone to comfort him, you're the first he goes to. The same applies to you.

You always prepare his favourite strawberry candy when he comes over to rant about something, sometimes you don't even need to say anything but just take it out of your pocket and hand it to him.

He appreciates you very much.

The two of you went through some really dark times but with each other's support, you both survived. Whether it be saying dumb jokes or crying late at night together. One wouldn't have made it far without the other.

Respecting the other person's boundaries? Check ✅

He knows all your fears and you know all his. This just leads to an endless circle of pranks.

Lorsan once used Bryon to shield you from approaching him with a frog and you can imagine the level of chaos of the situation.

"Bryon save me!!"

"Uh... did I intrude at a wrong time?"

"COME BACK HERE LORSAN ITS RIBBIT TIME!!"

You guys would have the most weirdest inside jokes that everybody else gets concern at the most random things ya'll crack up at.

There was this one time you both just started laughing when Lyca expressed her frustration about losing the package of peanuts she needed to send to Granny Dahnie.

Trust that she was not pleased.

Brushing each other's hair? Also check ✅

Wearing each other's clothes? Triple check ✅

He doesn't care if it's a hat or a whole t-shirt, he's wearing it and you can't stop him 😈

He loves you dearly but bro can't remember your birthday even if his life was on the line.

Your friendship with him is literally "bae" but platonically.

I'm talking joking flirting with each other but the moment someone says how cute you two would look together, one's gagging out of disgust and the other is glaring the shit out of the person who said it.

So never break his heart because who else is he gonna be his ride or die when it comes to getting into trouble? ☹.

[hxney-lemcn]

Loved your Bryon piece he's one of my favs too! I hope you're inspired to write more sometime :)

I’m so glad!!! We need more afk journey/arena fics! I have an idea for Lorsan so keep your eye out!

[teabunnee]

YAY AN AFK WRITER 😭 i’ve been so starved. please gimme any hcs you have for lorsan or lucius (in general or x reader hehe) i love them so much

Lorsan 

Lorsan is a dork. But at least he’s your dork!

Whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you. 

Lorsan canonically loves flower crowns, as a child. As an adult, he won’t admit it but should you give him some fresh wildflowers, he melts a bit at the gesture. Maybe he’ll make you a crown, though it might be a bit messy from lack of practice. 

He does his best to woo you with his words. Many of his compliments, however are pure poetry, and he’s an expert in romantic letters to make you swoon, then he ruins it by praising himself too much. 

Don’t be fooled, he’s a romantic at heart. You can see the effort he puts in to sweep you off your feet. 

He enjoys making you blush, sneaking you kisses on the cheek when you aren’t looking. 

If you take your revenge while he’s talking, he continues talking until he registers the kiss and his voice trails off. It’s a great way to get him to stop talking for a bit. 

Dates with the dork are fun! He likes to explore new things with you, or to show you his favorite pretty date spots, he’ll take you to the prettiest, iconic date spots in the Dark Forest, like Lovers’ Wish. (“Though they don’t hold a candle to you, darling”) 

Oh, get ready for the pet names. All of them, sometimes in the same sentence. They get cheesier the more mischievous he’s feeling. 

Lorsan is your protector, should you need it! It’s sometimes difficult to remember that Lorsan is a skilled Windwhisperer and warrior in his own right, but he’s very good at making people remember. 

All of the tension goes out of him when you two are alone, he’ll nuzzle against you, boneless and tail twitching in happiness, kissing your cheek with his lips and his nose. He’s a cuddler, through and through. 

Lucius 

This man be a himbo. A relatively sophisticated and well-bred himbo, but a himbo all the same. 

Dude was straight up missing for two weeks trying to help people. He be himbo

Canonically, most of his advice involves exercise or horses. I don’t think he understands romance. At all. 

Lucius is a noble, so his ideas of romance are kind of centred around what he heard growing up. So he courts you, basically, in his own way. He gives you gifts that are simple, practical and beautiful. Bouquets of flowers, jewellery, whatever you asked for him. Service is also a big thing. He’s your literal knight in shining armour, dude will carry you across the globe princess style should you ask him to.��

he takes you to his favourite restaurants, they are simple, plain fare. Though with how loved he is by his country, the servers and owners always do their best to make it a good experience. 

He’s very sappy, make him something, no matter how stupid or silly it looks, and he wears it with pride in public, proclaiming you as the maker. He gets a bit confused should you get embarrassed. 

He likes taking you on horseback rides, he’s named every single one he’s ever ridden, and remembers their temperaments, so it will always be a pleasant experience for you. 

He won’t talk to you about his troubles, he’s had to keep it to himself so long that it’s tough for him. He’ll open up to you very slowly, after some needling. 

He’s also very hesitant about affection, he won’t initiate it unless you give your permission. He’s very gentlemanly in that regard, though it can be frustrating. 

His kisses are very gentle. He cradles your face in his hands, and gazes at you with such tenderness. His hugs are comforting and very warm, like he's protecting you from the entire world.

[hxney-lemcn]

❥ AFK Arena/Journey

One Shots

Should I? — Bryon (AFK Journey) x gn! reader

Not Allowed — Lorsan (AFK Journey/Arena) x gn! reader

The Show Goes On — Berial (AFK Journey) x gn! reader

Headcanons

More Than Friends — Rhys (AFK Journey) x gn! reader

[nonnieapple]

⛈️!!!my requests are OPEN!!!

my requests are open! details on rules and alike are below the cut and i write for these fandoms: adventure time, afk journey, kamisama kiss, the ancient magus' bride.

• will write x reader headcanons, drabbles, and fanfics for:

(adventure time) marshall lee, princess bubblegum, marceline, fern/green knight. (afk journey) valen, temesia, lyca, lorsan, bryon, eironn, parisa, florabelle, lenya, shakir, soren, alsa, seth, antandra, sinbad, sonja, dionel, scarlita, talene, reinier, phaestro, berial. (kamisama kiss) akura-ou, tomoe, kurama, ryuo, mikage, unari. (the ancient magus' bride) elias, lindel, rahab, seth, alice.

Slots: 9/10 (nine out of ten are taken. one is free)

Rules: !!!ONLY gender-neutral, non-binary or (trans) male reader, and intersex reader combined with the prev specifications. !!!TO REQUEST- send in ask box; specify fandom, character, possible reader specifics (ex. reader with a limp, reader with curly hair, artist reader, etc), other prompt/topic if applicable (ex. dating xyz character, being friends with xyz character, etc), and if you're requesting headcanons or a drabble or a fanfic. !EXAMPLE: afk journey, valen, trans male reader, dating headcanons. nsfw is okay, i do write poly. i'll refuse if i am not comfortable writing it or for whatever reason. but i don't bite :3

[nonnieapple]

🌩. . . w e l c o m e . . .🌩

🌧 n a v i g a t i o n:

☂ f a n f i c s . . .

⛈  a d v e n t u r e  t i m e 

 ☾”With Thorns And Honey” (Green Knight x demon reader) r: e    ☾(Oneshot) ☾"Siren Song" (Marshall Lee x reader) r: t ☾(Oneshot) ☾“Strings”  (Marshall Lee x reader) r: t ☾(Oneshot)

☾“Midnight Surf”  (Marshall Lee x reader) r: m ☾(Oneshot- follow up to "Strings")

☁️ a f k j o u r n e y ☾"Wet Leg" (Lyca x g/n!Reader) r: t ☾(Oneshot) ☾"Hook, Line, and Sinker" (Sinbad x trans male!Reader) r: e ☾(Oneshot)

☁️  f i o n n a & c a k e

☾"Mall Emo, Mall Time, Mall Crime!" (human!Marshall Lee x reader) r: t ☾(Oneshot)

⛈ s i l e n t  h i l l / b d b

 ☾”Sin Of The Blade” (Pyramid Head x reader)(Ongoing) r: m     ☾ 13/20 chapters +Bonus

⛈️ t h e a n c i e n t m a g u s' b r i d e⛈️ ☾ "You Get Too Close" (Elias Ainsworth x Male!Reader) r: m ☾ (Oneshot)

⛈ k a m i s a m a k i s s

   ☾  "Peach Pit" (Akura-ou x g/n reader x Tomoe) (Ongoing: Sundays) (Ao3, Quotev) r: m ☾1- A Hanging Branch In A Garden's Home .☾2- Hidden Underneath ..☾3- A Rocky Heart For Breakin' Teeth ...☾4- An Apple Core's Cyanide Seed ....☾5- Long Season Through .....☾6- All This Rotting Fruit ......☾7- Lift Back And See The Darkness Hid .......☾8- Swallowed Up And Angled In ........☾9- Looking Back At Sweetness Dim .........☾10- Leaf And Shady Friend ........☾11- Cool Air Is Gone Again .......☾12- Where'd the Hours Go? .......☾13- Orange Skin Began to Glow ......☾14- Here Stand I .....☾15- Can't Do Otherwise ....☾16 ...☾17 ..☾18 .☾19 ☾20

⛈  t h e  o w l  h o u s e

  ☾”Emperor’s New Clothes” (Emperor Belos x reader)(Ongoing) r: e    ☾1-”Like Gold Dust”      ☾2-”Gold Stars”

  ☾”Howling With The Wolves” (Emperor Belos x oc)(Ongoing) r: m      ☾1-“Between Dog And Wolf”     ☾2-“Life Of A Wolf”, part 1       ☾2-“Life Of A Wolf”, part 2

     ★d r a b b l e s . . .

⛈ d i s e n c h a n t m e n t 

    ↳ “I’ve Bean There” (Queen Tiabeanie x reader) r: t      

⛈  a d v e n t u r e  t i m e

      | “Watermelon Face” (Marshall Lee x reader) r: t

↳ “Cold Comfort” (Marshall Lee x reader) r: g

⚡️ h e a d c a n o n s . . .

⛈️ a f k j o u r n e y

| Reinier x g/n!Reader Headcanons (SFW & NSFW) r: m | Dionel & Scarlita x g/n!Reader Headcanons r: t | Lorsan x g/n!Reader x Bryon Headcanons r: t ↳ Hypogeans & Celestials x g/n!Reader Freeform Headcanons r:m ⛈️ t h e a n c i e n t m a g u s ' b r i d e Elias Ainsworth x g/n!Reader Headcanons

🌧 a b o u t:

  hey, i’m nonnie. anonapple on ao3, and quotev, nonnieapple on wattpad. he/him. fanfic writer when you’re not looking.  i have more wips than god has regrets.

🌧 r u l e s:

   • d n i if under 18. • d n i if exclusionist, general dickhead, etc. y’know the jam.  • if a fic is listed but not linked, it’s wip. longer works are on ao3 and the links are links to ao3. • ★ [a star] means drabble (shorter, less than 1K word oneshot).     ☂ [an umbrella] means fanfic (longer, over 1k words, oneshot or multiple parts).

🌧 r e q u e s t s:

• !!! OPEN!!! read rules to submit.

  ⛈  r a t i n g  s y s t e m:  a o 3

[nonnieapple]

hihiii can I ask for anything with lyca x fem/gn reader? sorry I dont rlly know how to req things haha big thanks if you do this <3

⛈️☂️Wet Leg (Lyca x g/n!Reader)☂️⛈️

• (Lyca x g/n!Reader)

• r a t i n g: t e e n & u p • 4 0 1 7 w o r d s

• p o s t e d: 22.10.2024 🌧️ navigation

n o t e: i've had this one around for a while... it's about time. she's my favorite character i love her sm X{ this one is pretty long because i got carried away. s u m m a r y: lyca finds out several secrets about you after you go poking around corrupted roots in the night.

The night in the Dark Forest was like a black hole. Only small stars pierced the darkness like silver needles, but they were blurry - you had forgotten to put on your glasses. You saw like a mole and your head was like a colander. A shot through one, not a colander but a circle through which everything passed... like an old man over 90.

  You couldn't sleep, your mind fixated on your task to cleanse the corruption, thinking of every possible solution and catastrophe that could arise, uncertainty bubbling up in you as to your abilities and methods. 

  You leaned your palms against the big, dry roots- they were as soft as a rotten apple. Disgusting. You tore your hands away. The magic was powerful, but you wondered who the mage could be; setting a village on fire was one thing, but blighting the roots of the Lucent Tree? That was for mages like you. Like Merlin. And there were very few of those. 

  Whoever it was, you'd give them a punch to the face when you found them. Checking over the corruption,!it was nothing you couldn't fix... but if you hadn't been there, half the land would've become an abyss.

  It was still summer, it should not have been as chilly as it was. This reminded you of the strange weather that had plagued Ryeham earlier. It was one thing after another, and a thread of trouble connected them, all leading to a bigger plan, a bigger plan by none other than the Adamant Syndicate. Syndicate, as in a group carrying out organized crime, or as in a group working towards some shared interest? What could that interest possibly be? 

  You stepped over the thin roots in an attempt to get closer. If you could unravel the threads of magic there, you might be able to get a sense of who cast it, as others felt Merlin's magic as characteristically warm. 

  Something stirred in the bushes, and you jerked, and everything went tits up. There went your research. Your left ankle crunched as it slipped into a hole. You yelled and someone behind you yelled back, in a higher-pitched, gentle voice. 

  Lyca, the Captain of the Dusk Patrollers. It was good that she was the one who found you. She was a comforting presence, and being vulnerable around her was easy, 

  Dura forbid if someone like Bryon saw you, that'd be embarrassing beyond belief. If it was him you'd hide and let yourself decay in the bushes instead of showing your face ever again.

  And if it had been Lorsan, he would've laughed at you. Hm, Bryon would've been the worst option, then. 

  You, through tears and barely containing your whining, couldn't see the Captain who would be your savior, imagining that she looked dissapointed and confused.

  "Lyca," you forced out, "I'm done for." 

  In less than a second, she was at your side. Perhaps you had been a tad dramatic. "What are you doing in the woods at night?" 

  "I was bored so I came to twist my ankle." Crickets chirped. Lyca stared sharply at you with viburnum-red eyes. "I'm joking. I came to study the corruption more closely, without any distractions. If I hadn't forgotten my glasses I wouldn't be in this hole."

  She sighed.

  "Help me up, please?"

  When you got to whoever cursed these roots, you'd kick them in the face instead- with the ankle that was currently in pain that shot up your leg and pulsed.

  She took your hands in hers, hers soft and her nails digging into you just a bit, and pulled you out of the ditch quite easily. 

  "Thank you, Lyca, you're such a bleeding heart it's sickening." You held her hands for a moment to stabilize yourself, her gloves a rough leather. If not for her you would've laid in that ditch until morning. 

  "Throw up, then," she said quite kindly. 

  "I think I might. This pain is gnarly," you hissed, and she propped you up under your shoulder. 

  "We can't have our Magister getting hurt, who'll fix this mess then?"

  "You can't do it without the greatest mage that's ever lived," you joked to conceal your worry that she was onto your true identity. 

  When people found out who you were, they treated you differently, and you didn't even know why. It was great being acknowledged for your skill. Being treated like a celestial or cult leader wasn't pleasant to you, though. 

  You smiled at Lyca like your ankle wasn't in tremendous anguish. 

  "So, will you carry me?" 

  She did not carry you. 

  She hauled you up onto her deer with surprising strength, and you sat on the sideways saddle, convenient for the occasion. 

  She led the deer she was never seen without, whose name you felt awkward not knowing, through the forest. 

  "Your deer..."

  "Beautiful, isn't it?"

  "Yes. I haven't seen a white deer before. Does it have leucism or albinism?" You ran a hand along its neck, the fur shaggy and soft, white as snow and bright in the moonlight. 

  "Something far stranger. You may not believe me, but it came down from the stars." Lyca glanced at her bow. "When I was chosen as Captain I didn't think it a wise decision. I didn't know why I was chosen, I was never anyone special and lacked talent. Lorsan was always the talented one.

  "One night a star came down above the water, and it became this deer, standing on the surface of the water. The sages said that it was a prophecy fulfilled- that when the Dark Forest was in danger, the stars would send down a holy sigil, and it would choose a worthy hero."

  "And that was you." You shifted, aware of the sensitivity of your ankle. This was a great way to distract yourself from that horrid pain.

  "It was, I couldn't believe it! They said that I'd drive the evil out and save my home. Back then, I had no idea what that meant. Now I know."

  Lorsan never mentioned that. Him seeking you out and Lyca's conviction and belief in the stars made more sense now.

  "You'll succeed, I'm sure." 

  "All thanks to you, Magister." She quieted, stopping before you reached the town. Nothing awry was in sight, and you grew confused. Lyca's tail twitched.

  "Is something wrong?" You thought that she had spotted or heard some dangerous beast in the shrubbery. 

  "Um, no. Magister, I..."

  You waited for her to finish, but the end of the sentence never came. Lyca wasn't one to lose her train of thought, always well-spoken.

  "What?"

  She shook her head, not turning to look at you. "Nevermind. We're almost there."

  You did not attempt to strike up a conversation after that. It seemed your efforts always led you to make things weird, even if you tried your hardest, and thought it was all fine.

  Now you sat and focused on your ankle. It hurt.

  The cabin you stayed in was stuffy. It was like a desert contained in that small space, not that you minded, for a few days it was a stellar accommodation that outshined your average tent by a long shot. 

  After helping you sit on the bed in the corner of the second room in the cabin, Lyca opened all the windows, letting in fresh midnight air and not-so-fresh moths. She fetched you healing herbs, plants, and gauze that you requested so you could wrap your ankle. 

  It wasn't as bad as you expected. Compared to the pain the purple bruise and swelling were nothing. You expected to find something horrific and were pleasantly surprised... as pleasantly as you could be surprised by an injury. 

  You hovered your hands above it to cast a cooling spell that spread through the leaves below your bandages. 

  "How is it?" Lyca said, coming back in and seating herself on a chair across from you. It was intricately carved with traditional wilder patterns that you found familiar and pretty. Not as pretty as Lyca herself, her face finally visible to you in the warm glow of lamps around the room. 

  She was worried, her leg bouncing and face drawn into a frown.  "Better. I'll heal it almost fully by morning. The pain will remain, I can't rewire my nervous system with magic, unfortunately." You reclined on dark green pillows set against the headboard and wall. 

  "You should rest tomorrow." 

  You glanced at her sharply. She held her hands up as if at gunpoint.

  "I'll be just fine tomorrow, I don't want to delay this. It's important to act fast."

  Lyca pointed to your leg. "That is not fine, Magister. You won't be able to walk far with that."

  You crossed your arms. 

  "Who said I'll walk?"

  Her expression was skeptical, but she was beginning to accept that you weren't changing your mind, which was a pattern beginning to emerge- see sneaking out to study the corruption in the middle of the night.

  "I could lend you my deer, I suppose," she sighed, covering her face, embarrassed. 

  "Great! I was going to ask Eironn to carry me, but this works better." 

  Lyca giggled, and her ears flicked up. "He'd do it, too." 

  Seeing her smile made warmth bloom in your chest. 

  "He's so caught up in his own head. It'd do him good to have to drag me around for a bit." With all his talk about not needing anyone, it was clear he had some issues. The image of him having to haul you around like a fainting damsel was quite amusing in itself.

  "I take it you're feeling better if you're so cheery." Lyca headed to the exit of the cabin. "I'll be leaving. It's late, and you need to sleep. Call me if you need anything." 

  You nodded. You could call Lorsan and Bryon as well, they might hear it better. Now that you weren't in a ditch you were less mortified by the prospect of seeing them.

  "Good night, Lyca."

  "Good night, Magister." 

  If you weren't stuck in bed you might've impulsively gone after her, or snuck out to the corruption again. You'd have to do that tomorrow. 

  The candles in the cabin flickered out, and you cuddled into bed, your body twisted as your ankle was elevated. 

  You forced your eyes shut, the silence of the night broken up by crickets and the rustling trees.

  You woke up when it was still dark, right before the sun rose, judging by the lightening streaks on the eastern horizon. 

  You healed up your ankle and leaned against the wall, hobbling to the exit. Your formal, wilder-style clothes mixed with Holistone refinement had wrinkled from your erratic sleep. 

  You were met with a white figure standing just a bit from the cabin. Lyca's deer raised its head to you, its sleepy turquoise eyes bright in the dimness. It must've come recently, moving briskly like it was excited. It bent its long, thin legs, inviting you on. 

  You had no choice but to accept, arriving near the edge of a lake lit by moonlight from one side, and by the rising sun from the other, glistening over ripples from restless fish jumping to catch food Lyca was throwing. She had changed out of her gloves and usual clothing, instead wearing what you could only assume was a nightgown, over which was draped a robe with traditional Dark Forest embroidery mimicking the patterns in insect wings and plants.

  Her rabbit feet dangled off the edge before the lake, and she sat on a tee stump. Far from the corruption the weather was perfect. 

  The deer stepped on a twig. It snapped. Lyca whipped around. Her under-eyes were darker than before, and she didn't have her usual eyeshadow on. 

  "You found me," she said, like she half-expected it.

  You raised a brow at her deer.

  "Tattletale," she muttered.

  She let you sit next to her, assisting you so you didn't have to hobble as much. The tree stump was huge- over a meter in circumference. It must've been an ancient tree once. 

  "You don't seem too surprised that I'm here." The deer hadn't been that loud before it snapped a twig. Either Lyca was secretly a windwhisperer, or those ears of hers weren't just cute, but had incredible hearing. 

  "I didn't think you'd sleep at all. It's a miracle that you could, though I didn't think you would find me." 

  Oh. The explanation was much more mundane. You didn't sleep much, and you wished you hadn't because you felt worse than if you would've stared at a wall all night. 

  Your dreams were nonsensical nightmares, patches of the past sewn together with your fears and worries, wrapping you in a blanket of fear and suffocating you until you woke up gasping, all alone. And lots of roots were all over each scene you were trapped in. 

  The horizon bled from gold to peach to a vivid red around the sun, mellow and lazy to rise above the short trees and calm water. 

   "When you were near the roots at night, did you learn anything?" Lyca broke the silence. Her eyes were trained on you when you stopped gawking at the sky, her visage made you feel much the same, and her colors matched her surroundings quite well. 

  Her eyes- like the sun, her hair, like the clouds, her skin, like the horizon, and her robe like the trees. 

  "Not much, it only confirmed what I thought, and I'd have to do more research to see if I am completely right. This is what kept me up and led me to the ankle thing... I don't like uncertainty." Squirrels chattered around you, flitting through the grass, and a bird began to chirp a strange tune. 

  "Me neither. I... have to ask you something."

  The breeze that had been disrupting the water's surface and cooling your face seemed chiller after her words, your heart sent into anxiety's clutch, gripping you by the throat. 

  You gulped, your voice a little meeker than before. You hated it when people said things that way. 

  "Go on."

  "Magister, your ears-"

  You wondered if that was the question she was going to ask originally. 

  "What of them?" You covered them with your hands in an instant, realizing that the breeze had betrayed you, pushing your hair off them. Too preoccupied with the Lucent Tree, you completely forgot to hide that part of your identity, as if hiding that you were Merlin wasn't enough of a hassle. 

  A look of horror overtook your face and you were ready to teleport out of there. 

  "Did... did I see that right?"

  She looked like she'd seen a Hypogean, and while that wasn't optimal, at the very least she did not seem aggressive. You took your hands off them, recoiling from her. 

  "I suppose it's useless to try and keep it from you. I've lost many of my memories, but I know my true form is half lightbearer and half wilder- tree sprite. I've kept it hidden for safety. I'm not sure how people would react."

  "That is so interesting! I've never seen anyone like you, in a good way. I think your ears are adorable." She inclined towards you, observing you with pure curiosity.

  "Really? Thanks," you sputtered, unsure if she was being truthful. You felt no malice from her. You expected at least a bit of pushback. 

  "Do you have horns?" 

  "Small ones. You can't see them much." You often forgot they were there. Unless someone pulled back your hair, they were virtually invisible. They were easier to hide than your obviously pointed ears. 

  Lyca brought her hand to the side of your face, which you first took as a surprisingly romantic gesture, but then you flinched, as she was trying to touch your ears. 

  "Hey!"

  "Oh, I got carried away, apologies," she said, shaking her head with a flush across her face, like shaking it would shake it off. You hadn't seen her get so "carried away" yet. 

  "I'm not letting you touch my ears until I touch yours." 

  Hers drooped immediately. 

  "Mine?!" She placed her hand on her chest dramatically, eyes wide with offense. 

  "Well, you're always waving them around!" You mimed them. She gasped. 

 "It's not like I can control them at all times." She pouted. 

  You folded your arms in wait, face placid and ass sat firmly on the tree stump, your request hanging in the air to be accepted or rejected. 

  She lowered her head silently, her eyes closed and tail low. You made sure to move slowly. It wouldn't scare her off if you did... right? 

  The outside of her ear was velvety, the pink hairs smoothing under your touch as you shifted to the edge. It was thin. The sun beamed behind her, dissipating through her ears, the inside soft like her skin. The ears gave her twenty more centimeters of height, being almost as long as your forearm. 

  You withdrew your hand, and she raised her head, your eyes meeting as you uncovered your ears from your hair. You didn't need to bend down, as she was taller than you.  

  You shivered under her touch. You didn't recall the last time someone had been that close to you- could it have been months? Years? The tension in your body fell, and you struggled not to fall over into Lyca's lap right then and there. You felt your ear move up. 

  That was the first time that had happened. 

  Guilt was the thing that interrupted what could've been a nice moment. You had to lie, or lie by omission, almost constantly to save yourself the trouble of bigotry, or the very opposite. 

  You couldn't face Lyca any longer with that burden on your heart. If she could accept you as half-wilder, she could accept the other part you worried about all night and every day. 

  "I haven't told you another thing." 

  ...

  She stared with bated breath. 

  "My true name is Magister Merlin."

  This time it was her who snatched her hand away. "The Merlin?!"

  "The Merlin. Please don't freak out."

  She shot to her feet, pacing around you in dizzying circles, her robe trailing her like the tail of a falling star. 

  "If I had known, I would've greeted you properly! We've been so uncordial, I'm so sorry-"

  "There's nothing to be sorry for, Lyca. I don't like people knowing or treating me like I'm special. My job is to study magic and help people, I'm not fit to be a celebrity. You've seen how quiet I get in groups." 

  You covered your face. There it went, the awe and certain trepidation you inspired in people burned bright in Lyca, ever hopeful, and probably starstruck. You didn't want her to see you differently. 

  You also didn't feel like telling her about the memory loss thing yet. You had dumped enough information on her. 

  "You're chatty with me." She stopped before she tripped over a root. If she hadn't, the same fate you had suffered awaited her. Eironn would for real have to carry you then. It wouldn't be the worst thing...

  "Because I like you, Lyca." Her deer turned its head to you attentively. 

  "L-like me?" she stuttered, plopping herself down next to you with shifty eyes. By then, the sun had risen sufficiently. 

  "Well, yes, isn't it obvious? I'm comfortable around you. I haven't known you for long, but it doesn't feel like that.

  "I do not want anyone else to know of my identity, none of your friends, and I mean none. It'll come out soon enough knowing how messy things get sometimes."

  She put her hands over yours, the glint in her eyes determined, her lips set in a serious line. 

  "I understand. I won't say a thing, Magister Merlin." 

  You breathed in easier after that, feeling a renewed sense of stillness in your chest as if it had opened after being locked for ages. 

  You stayed silent for a while, but unlike in the night, it did not feel heavy or oppressive. Lyca stirred, squirming, withholding a question.  

  "Hm?"

  "Will you stay a while in the forest after the corruption is gone?" 

  That question was not one you were expecting. Despite the fair treatment you had gotten and the unrelenting kindness Lyca had shown, you still felt like a bother to everyone, just there to do a job. 

  You wouldn't mind coming back. Not at all.

  "If you want me to, I will."

  "Splendid." She smiled. "I'm getting used to you being around. Please, make sure to visit again in the future- you'll always be welcome here."

  You wanted to jump for joy upon hearing that. The idea that she wanted to see you again, that you might see her again at all, made you elated. 

  "I don't know if you're being completely earnest, but that means a lot to me," you replied calmly, faking that calmness as best as you could.

  She was someone you wouldn't have to hide from.

  "I mean it." She put her hands on yours. 

  You knew the lightness in your chest was not platonic, because you'd been staring at her lips. Daydreaming about kissing her, half thinking about visiting again and half wondering if you should've made a move. 

  You withdrew. You were too cowardly. You might've not had another chance, who knew where fate would lead either of you, yet still, you couldn't bring yourself to spit it out. 

  "The sun is up, it's to go wake the others. My deer will carry you." Lyca stood, adjusting the seat on the doe.

  "Are you sure?" When you stood to meet her, she rushed to your side, guiding you, closer than ever before. She was still beautiful so close to you, where you could see every detail in her face, the hint of wrinkles between her brows, the lines in her glossy lips, the uneven cut of her bangs. 

  Your heart couldn't take it.

  "I'm sure. I wouldn't give you to anyone else."

  The way she said that with a hint of possessiveness made you believe, for a moment, that you had a chance. Your heart was so full it'd burst with a scream or a sob any moment. 

  "Lyca." Her eyes flicked between yours and your lips. "L- Lyca?" 

  She met your lips softly, hers pillowy and smooth from her tinted lip balm. The taste of mint tinglined your mouth ever so slightly. 

  It was all spur of the moment, and while you enjoyed the split second of bliss, you wondered what her expression would be when this fleeting moment was over. Would regret be etched on her face? Would she fall silent, or worse, leave you? 

  You separated and met her eyes. Wide, with her lips ajar. Her ears trembled. 

  She pulled you in like a curling wave, snaking her hand around your waist to support you. You didn't hesitate to bring your hands to her ears. They dipped low. When you broke the kiss for air, you saw her leg thump. 

  "You're adorable, Lyca," you breathed, placing a final kiss on her lips. If you hadn't you might've let the Lucent Tree rot away while you stayed occupied. 

  "Did you notice by now?" Lyca lifted you onto the deer, and you held onto her arms for a little longer. 

  "I noticed a while back. I didn't want to assume, thinking that it would be egotistical, you know, assuming that you're in love with me just because I thought you might be acting off..." you rambled. 

  She led the deer to town, and when everyone gathered, you dare not speak or make eye contact. 

  After this was over (that tree would not come to harm now that you couldn't disappoint Lyca at any cost) you'd come back. You always left eventually, you always traveled. Maybe you could make time for her, see where it goes, if it goes. You were not so quick to plan your whole life around her (tempting as it was).

  At the least, you hoped you wouldn't forget her. 

n o t e: i imagine that bruln heard and he's like I KNOW, YOU FOOLS!!!  lorsan will be pissed when he finds out. imagine you invite some cool ass mage to save your home and they rizz up your sister in the process.