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that-student-that-has-homework · 1 year ago

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You WILL Have my Herbs 04

Diluc / Reader

Previous Chapters: Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Chp 6

Read the Full Story on Ao3 | Tumblr MasterList Here (Maybe even leave me a comment please? :3< )

Summary: Listen you just wanted to pick some plants, do some experiments, find some cures, and report back to your mentor. Unfortunately a handsome vigilante puts you in his debt and now you have to fight him to let you make it up to him.

Chapter 4: There Will Always be SOME Weeds to Deal With

For someone who did not care to cover your tracks, you were quite difficult to track. Diluc had spent the better part of a week trying to locate you.

A puzzling thing really given he’d managed to track down significantly more covert operatives and operations in around the same amount of time. How you were eluding him, when he didn’t think you were actively trying to, would be hilarious if it wasn’t so frustrating.

It hadn’t taken him long to deduce that much of the new, increasingly refreshing, teas , salves, and bathing solutions that his staff were offering him came from you . You were… persistent …he’d give you that. He could state with certainty that he’d been receiving many of your remedies for the time that he’d been defending Mondstadt against the latest attacks. So a month at the very least. Though who’s to say his staff hasn’t been secretly sneaking them in for longer?

How you managed to convince his butler of all people to consider your blends…then again you’d always been rather sincere with him. Suspiciously so, given he didn’t remember saving you. However your following him into the domain, and slaving over making remedies for himself and the people of Mondstadt made it clear you were simply that: a sincerely overenthusiastic apothecary. With seemingly exceptional stealth.

He had questioned his staff with regards to your location, both Adelinde and his trusted butler did point him towards where you’d made camp temporarily following your return from the domain, however you weren’t there. If there weren’t clear traces of someone having made a camp there, he’d have thought he was sent on a wild goose chase.

His staff had pointed him towards Springvale then. The last time you’d been spotted there, according to the locals, was a few days before his own arrival. A knight, in hopes of being helpful, mentioned that you’d likely be in Mondstadt, as you were providing knights with remedies too.

Though he did not like nor did he particularly trust the knights, a lead was a lead. You could be back in Mondstadt, likely getting healed and assisting there. It was not too far from Springvale and many merchants traveled between the two to deliver goods, so you could hitch a ride if you were tired.

You were not in Mondstadt.

He’d figured that out almost instantly. Kaeya had wasted little time in coming to visit the Angels Share now that he’d come to work the bar temporarily. The nuisance had complained about a dreadful headache and how he wished a foreign apothecary might provide him with a remedy. Before finally getting to the point and asking if Diluc had seen her, as he did seem to be her favorite patient.

Tricky as Kaeya was, his exaggerated dramatics implied he likely didn’t know where you were either. Or that he did and wouldn’t be telling him should he show interest.

Diluc was not in the mood for such puzzles.

And what did he mean by “ favorite patient ?”

Though it turned out that Kaeya’s theatrics were, in fact, driven by his lack of intel as Jean hadn’t seen you either.

Diluc had asked after you privately when Jean was off the clock. The diligent lady seemed puzzled by the inquiry, before becoming concerned. She confirmed that you’d been providing remedies for the knights. Considering the timeframe you would have been producing the remedies for the knights at the same time you’d been providing them for him.

Diluc almost regretted asking his old friend as her brow pinched in worry. She could only hope you hadn’t been attacked in the wild trying to forage for ingredients for their treatments. Diluc, however, wondered if like Jean, you’d overworked yourself to the point of collapse. When she promised to look into the matter, he told her not to worry herself too much.

That was wishful thinking, he knew it was. As was proven to him the next day, when she came to visit him the tavern saying she’d asked the Favonius Librarian about it. His confusion must have shown on his face, because Jean smiled gently and told him that you were well acquainted with the witch, so if anyone was likely to hear from you it was her.

According to Jean, Lisa highly recommended searching Starsnatch Cliff. You’d been wanting to harvest some cecilias and valberries to experiment with.

He didn’t imagine you’d be able to make it that far with the injury you had sustained. Though when a sweep of the nearby areas yielded no results, he found himself considering it.

Starsnatch Cliff was a ways away from the winery and there was neither hide nor hair of you there. It was starting to become concerning. Had you just disappeared? Perhaps he should use his expansive reconnaissance network?

Thankfully he didn't have to. After a little over a week of searching he had the pleasure of practically being told where you were. A pair of children from Springvale had come by to deliver soap and other things to Adelinde while also collecting some containers from her.

Which meant you were somewhere around Springvale. A little bit of surveillance revealed that you were not only near Springvale, you were staying with one of the delivery kids’ families.

He’d been here already. How had he missed this?

“You know, for someone who does not care to cover their tracks, you are quite difficult to locate,” was what he’d said when he finally met with you again.

You’d sprung a few feet into the air at his voice, dropping your plants. “M-master Diluc!” Your surprise was not out of place. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Though he couldn’t help but wonder if you really had been avoiding him.

Especially with how you stood stiff as a wooden plank awaiting his response. He let out a tired exhale.

“Were you hiding from me perhaps?” He quirked a brow at you.

Ah. Seems like you had if your expression was anything to go by.

“I- no?” You looked uncertain. “I’m not too sure?”

His brow pinched, “how so?”

“Well, I admit I have been a bit …apprehensive? To see you again,” he watched you curl in on yourself, looking away from him, “how…how have you been? Are you healing well?”

Diluc found a corner of lips quirking up despite himself, “apprehensive?”

You let out a sigh and the tension in your shoulders seemed to drop, “yes, I was anticipating yet another rejection.”

The tall man crossed his arms over his chest, “you mean now that you can no longer hide that the remedies my butler has been giving me come from you?”

Your expression was sheepish, “yes.”

He sighed. “I must admit, your remedies are much more effective than what I have used in the past,” he paused and continued when you glanced his way, “thank you.”

“Thank you too,” your smile was shyly elated, “it was my pleasure to be of help.”

A brief silence passed between the two of you. Birds chirped, the wind rustled some leaves, and children giggled and laughed as they played around.

“You didn’t answer me though,” you broke the momentary silence, “how have you been? Have you been healing well?”

“No need to concern yourself with me,” he paused, “I am doing well. If anything I should be the one to ask how you have been.”

“I mean you did all the fighting in that domain, I only tried my best to keep you alive.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t sustain injuries yourself.”

“Well, it wasn’t anything as bad as what you sustained,” you shrugged, “I’m doing alright, I’m a bit fatigued, but still alright thankfully.”

“And your shoulder?”

Your smile fell, “what about my shoulder?”

“I recall you took an arrow to your shoulder,” he gestured towards where he remembered the injury was.

“Your staff was kind enough to help me remove it and deal with it, though it likely will scar,” you smiled sardonically before lighting up, “I suppose that would look rather cool though! I haven’t had a battle scar before!”

You paused as he raised an eyebrow at you. “As you might imagine haha,” you chuckled embarrassedly.

“Yes, well, I would hope that would be the last one you acquire here in Mondstadt,” Diluc’s voice took a stern tone.

“As would I,” you agreed immediately, “I am not interested in purchasing new clothing, and I am not so skilled as to continue mending my clothes in a presentable way.”

Diluc felt his brows knit together. Had he heard that right?

“Am I to understand that you’re more concerned with your clothing remaining intact?”

Your expression was unbothered, “well, yes. It would be an extra expense to have to purchase more clothes. I’d rather spend that money on food or lodging.”

You were truly peculiar. Outlandish really. Was everyone from your homeland like this?

“Is your health of no concern to you?”

“It’s about as much a concern to me as it seems to be to you,” you smiled gently, lightheartedly.

He remained silent however and you grew antsy. As you were quick to follow up with an explanation.

“It’s not that I am not concerned with my health Master Diluc,” you exhaled as you hugged your plants closer to your chest, “however just as you wouldn’t let potentially dying deter you from protecting Mondstadt, I don’t want to let it prevent me from learning all that I can.”

That was…rather reasonable. Though your way of expressing it was strange.

“I remember you had taken a lot more damage than I had in the domain, according to what I heard from Miss Adelinde your wounds were rather grave,” you frowned, “I hope this visit didn’t cause you any exertion.”

Diluc found it in himself to be amused. Should he choose to inform you that he spent the better part of a fortnight searching for you, you would likely feel guilty. So he would spare you that unnecessary guilt.

“Not at all.” Locating you had required some effort. This visit however did not. “I’m sure I caused you a lot more exertion with how you were actively providing remedies with an injury.”

“It was no problem,” you smiled openly, “I like to be of help to people. Especially those with heroic tendencies.”

He gave you a tired stare then and earned a truly amused laugh in return.

It seems your laughter alerted one of the children in the village and the young boy came running around the corner to see you.

“There you are!” The boy beamed when he found you. “I found this really pretty mushroom for you!”

“Oh! Thank you!” Your expression reflected your genuine excitement of receiving a new specimen. “I’ll be sure to put this to good use! Thanks again!”

The boy cast a look his way before pulling a hand from behind his back, “I-I also found this f-flower,” Diluc noted that the boy’s ears were very red as he offered you a sweet flower, “it’s really pretty!”

It was indeed. A perfect, wild, sweet flower in full bloom. You smiled appreciatively as you accepted it from him again, “thank you so much, that’s really thoughtful of you, I’ll be sure to make good use of this too.”

It seems you either completely missed what the boy’s real intentions were with the flower, or were purposely ignoring them. Regardless, your response was kind enough and the boy was young enough to not be discouraged. He shot another glance at Diluc, his bashful smile dropping into a scowl. The experienced bartender maintained his neutral expression.

“Mom also asked me to check and make sure you were doing okay,” his expression brightened immediately as he looked at you, “she says you shouldn’t be up and out for a long time after being sick for so long.”

Your eyes grow wide and when your gaze darted to meet his, the vigilant vigilante realizes you hadn’t intended to let him know about that. Your smile was less pleasant and more panicked when you looked back at the boy.

“I’m doing alright! I’m just here with a-uh,” you looked at Diluc for a moment, “acquaintance?” Your brow pinched and he gave you a small nod of agreement, “yes, acquaintance of mine. I’ll be coming in shortly.”

“Okay!” The boy bounced on his heels, before turning to Diluc. “You better not keep her too long, mister!”

With that he ran off in the direction he came from, leaving you with Diluc once again. The man turned his gaze back towards you, a brow already poised for an inquiry. He noted your demeanor had reverted to its initial apprehensive form.

“You were sick?” He asked.

“Yes,” you exhaled, your shoulders dropping slightly.

“So you were in Springvale to recuperate?”

“In a sense, yes.”

“In a sense?”

“It wasn’t my objective when coming here,” you grimaced, “I’d hoped to check in on the locals after the issue with the domain.”

“And then they ended up taking care of you instead?”

You hung your head, “yes.”

It was a while before you looked up at him again, lips set into a thin line, nervousness once again worrying your features, “uh Master Diluc,” you readjusted your grip on the plants you were holding again, “you haven’t mentioned my, uh, y’know, to anyone right?”

His brow furrowed again for a moment. Your…oh yes, your vision .

“No,” it was suspicious that you wished to keep it hidden though, “though I don’t understand why you’d want to keep it hidden.”

You opened your mouth before closing it and looked skywards. Shifting a bit, you shrunk a little, partially hiding behind your bundle of plants.

“Well, uh, you see, I, uh,” his frown sunk in as you seemed to either stall, or search for a way out of his question.

Perhaps you were hiding it from someone specific?

“Is there anyone in particular you don’t want to know about it?” When you shrunk even more behind your plants at his question, he realized he’d hit the bullseye. “Who?”

You looked incredibly sheepish, as you had for quite a bit of your conversation. You weren’t looking at him when you finally responded in a quiet voice, “Sir Kaeya.”

You were hiding it from Kaeya ? “ Why ?”

You pursed your lips together tightly, “well,” your voice took a mildly irritated tone, still not looking at him, “I get the feeling that the less he knows, the better. He’s already endlessly suspicious of me.”

Diluc found himself rather amused by the revelation. A small smile settled on his features. You were correct in your assumption, or perhaps it was an assessment, of Kaeya’s nature. However-

“He’s suspicious of you?” He couldn’t help the inquiry.

“Yes well when I first met him, it was the day after my first runin with an Abyss Mage,” you began explaining, “please allow me to place an emphasis on: first runin with an Abyss Mage, ever . In my life . First runin with an Abyss Mage in my life ,” you repeated it as though trying to make sure it sounded sensible to your ears, “this is the first time you saved my life by the way,” you added nodding at him, “thank you again for that, I still fully intend on repaying you for that.”

This again? The winery owner was about to inform you you’d more than repaid him for it with your recent assistance in the domain and afterward, however you kept going.

“I was very jittery for a while after that. So when I met Sir Kaeya by chance at Good Hunter, I jumped when he tried to talk to me,” perhaps, but that wouldn’t be enough to stir up Kaeya’s suspicion.

You seemed to be aware of that because you continued, “I guess he was suspicious of me because I’d never run into, seen, or heard of an Abyss Mage. Also I told him I tried to negotiate with it.”

“You tried to negotiate with an Abyss Mage?” The Pyro user couldn’t help but question.

Your expression soured then, “well I was visionless, couldn’t pull out my mini-saw, untrained in combat, and I did not want to die , so asking it to leave me be seemed like the most viable option.”

“You didn’t consider running?”

“Oh I did. I did that next,” you defended before smiling, “then I fell and that’s when you came in and saved me.”

“I see.”

It now made more sense as to why the captain was initially suspicious of you. However you had to have done something more.

There was yet another lull in the conversation. He noticed that you seemed to shift on your feet while looking around. You almost seemed to be considering things before you spoke again, “I’ve kept you standing this whole time,” your smile was apologetic, “would you like to find a place to sit?”

Ah, that explained the shifting on your part. “Yes let’s,” he obliged, noting your subtle relief.

You made to lead him towards a cliff when you were intercepted by a lady who seemed to be looking for you. You’d barely rounded a corner when you’d been snatched, her holding you by your elbows as she began smothering you.

Among the things the lady said, one was of particular interest to him: something about her saying some fresh air would be good, but she meant going out and sitting, not foraging plants and working! You’d only barely been able to have some semblance of a meal that wasn’t soup yesterday, and you couldn’t risk being bedridden with a fever again so soon.

She was continuing on with her scolding…affectionate…scolding? Tirade? Whatever. She was going on with all that when she finally remembered something of importance: yes it was what had brought her here! Michael had mentioned that some strange man was harassing you.

Ah. That must be the boy from earlier. There was a subtle resemblance to the boy, she was likely his mother. Before the lady could start surveying your surroundings you were quick to respond.

“There is no strange man harassing me,” you denied, “I am simply with an,” you paused, “acquaintance.”

That was when the lady finally acknowledged his presence. He saw the flash of recognition, as her concerned scowl melted away into mild horror.

“Oh Master Diluc!” She released you immediately to give him her full attention. “Please forgive me for being rude earlier, I had no idea it was you that that silly son of mine was talking about!”

He shook his head, a polite smile taking his lips, “I don’t mind at all, I would have reacted similarly had I heard a strange man was accosting a person in my care.”

He noticed the amusement on your face in his peripheral vision.

“Well you surely weren’t accosting my guest here,” the lady huffed, “I had no idea you two were acquainted!”

Noticing you jolt slightly at the lady’s statement, the man turned to face you, momentarily meeting your eyes before beating you to a response, “yes, well,” his smile was more than a little wry at your surprise before he turned to face the lady yet again, “my staff and myself happen to be regular customers of the apothecary.”

He watched your boisterous host’s eyebrows climb up her forehead as she turned to you, expression clearly asking you to corroborate this claim. A glance at you revealed a very awkward toothy smile, before you nodded hesitantly.

“My, you sure know who to sell to,” was all she said, which seemed to confuse you if your expression was anything to go by.

“Her rates and products are ill-priced though,” Diluc drew the lady’s attention back to him, “she ought to charge more.”

You opened your mouth to retaliate but seemed to have more sense than to say anything against him.

Your hostess, however, had no problem disagreeing, “Now, now Master Diluc, these remedies are conveniently priced for us commonfolk.”

A moment of silence passed as the lady considered something, and she turned to you, “how do you turn a profit though dear?”

You didn’t . If your silent stance was any indication. Your awkward smile returned as you shifted on your feet searching for an adequate answer. You likely did not wish to lie, but did not wish to reveal your poor state of affairs.

“My priority is not to generate a profit,” you settled on in the end, readjusting your grip on the bundle of plants in your hold, “it’s to help people.”

The lady’s smile fell into something concerned, and mildly pained for a moment before resuming its usual vigor. “Would you care to join us for lunch Master Diluc?” Her smile was mildly bashful. “Now, I may not be a master chef, however I do cook up a mean Sweet Madame!”

“Thank you, but I will have to decline,” Diluc smiled jovially, “I need to be on my way.”

It seemed the lady understood what he was trying to say, despite that she insisted, “perhaps next time then!”

He gave her a polite nod, then turned to you again. It was mildly irking to see you looked a little relieved. Then again, it seemed you were trying to hide that you were not as well as you claimed to be from him, and this lady wasn’t doing you any favors.

“Do come by the winery when you’re feeling better, we have much to discuss,” the tycoon invited you, “and Adelinde has been very concerned about you, I’m sure seeing you would put her mind at ease.”

“Miss Adelinde?” You seemed surprised by that, then a little worried. Good. You’d be sure to visit then.

Or at least that’s what he thought you’d do.

Instead, you chose to write her a letter. One that the maid found very amusing. The maid’s appearance never gave away her age, however she’d been with Diluc long enough that he could not conceal his true intentions from her as easily as he could everyone else. She was very entertained that he’d told you about her concern.

“Very clever Master Diluc,” she smiled knowingly at him, “I’d usually expect this kind of behavior from Master Kaeya, but it seems you’ve decided to adopt this tactic as well. Most entertaining.”

He let out a sigh, there was no hiding things from Adelinde.

“Unfortunately it seems things will not be proceeding as you planned,” she leafed through the pages of the letter you’d sent, “it appears she won’t be visiting for a while. I almost get the sense she’s caught on to your plan as well,” she looked very amused as she looked back up at him, “I’d say you’re likely going to have to track her down again. And this time, she will be actively working to hide from you.”

Whether Adelinde was correct in that assessment or not was not clear.

What was clear however, was that you were notably absent from his personal radar. But not the knights’ radar.

Jean came to visit him when he was working the bar one night, letting him know that you’d appeared to deliver some tea blends to her, and mint oil to Kaeya. You’d even paid Barbara a visit, per what she’d heard. She was relieved to know you’d been alright. Then came the reasonable inquiry:

“Why were you looking for her?” Jean couldn’t help but ask as she played with the stem of her glass.

Diluc continued to wipe the glass in his hand, before inspecting it and putting it away with a sigh, “Adelinde has been using her products,” he said as he grabbed another glass, “she was concerned about her.”

And Adelinde had been concerned. He remembered she and Elzer had been relieved to hear you were no longer camping out where you’d been, but as the search stretched on, both had been concerned something had happened. According to what he’d gathered from the lady in Springvale, you’d likely collapsed with a fever from straining yourself too much.

“I see,” his overworked friend smiled at him, “just what I’d expect from you. I’m sure Adelinde will be relieved to hear she’s alive and recovering well.”

“She is,” Diluc’s smile was sardonic, “she got a letter from her.”

“I’m glad,” the Acting Grandmaster’s smile was as gentle as ever.

Jean was quick to leave after that, she’d simply come by to deliver the good news in person. He wouldn’t see Jean for a while after that. Nor you, for that matter.

How funny, back when he’d wanted nothing to do with you, you’d pop up at the most random of times. Now that he wished to discuss that very tendency of appearing when he least expected, you were nowhere to be found. That, and according to Elzer you’d refused any substantial kind of payment.

Unfortunately the events that often led to your encounters were all but over. Though it was fortunate that the attacks on Mondstadt had ended without his identity being revealed. It seemed that the domain he’d cleared was where they were hiding their troops. There were a few stray mages that popped up since, however it was nothing like the concentrated marches he’d dealt with before. The odd disease that was ailing the people of Springvale had mostly disappeared as well.

Yet despite the fact that you’d all but vanished from Diluc’s radar, again , there were still new teas, bathing solutions, creams, ointment refills, oils, and soaps popping up around his estate. Which meant you had yet to return to your homeland and were still somewhere in Mondstadt.

Where though?

More importantly, why were you avoiding him this time? Or maybe you really had run into trouble again after delivering those things to his estate? The latter was more likely than he would like to admit. If you were avoiding him…well he could imagine why.

Yes, he could imagine why.

And be completely off about it.

The answer came when he’d realized he didn’t really have to talk to you about keeping out of his work when you were no longer actively involving yourself in it. He’d also left an immodest sum at the Adventurer’s Guild to be delivered to you, and he’d instructed his staff to pay you at least triple whatever price you set to your services, they were allowed to threaten you if you refused the payment as well. Adelinde was very pleased with that. Diluc was not a man to take advantage of his allies, and his staff shared the sentiment.

But yes, the answer: the answer came in the form of a mildly exasperated Cavalry Captain that was in “desperate need of a drink,” to, “remedy an unforeseen betrayal.” When the elder of the two heard that he pinched the bridge of his nose, gearing himself for another conversational maze. One that would be forced into regardless of his desire to participate.

As it turns out, just outside the domain that was housing the mages’ troops was an envelope. It was off to the side and not immediately noticeable, but not so well hidden it would never be found. Quite the thick envelope too, it was more of a package if he were honest. It even had the necessary funds for postage to Sumeru! There was what was clearly a will in there, which went from very detailed as though someone had carefully deliberated over it for a while to very rushed as though it was finalized in five minutes. It was also in the general language of Teyvat. There were a few letters in there too, though very short and clearly rushed.

“The letter addressed to me told me to stop drinking so I could lighten Jean’s load, for the sake of Jean’s health,” Kaeya lamented, “how cruel, wasn’t even concerned about my health.”

After a short sip of his drink, the knight continued: the truly curious thing was that the letters addressed to Sumeru were written in Sumerian. Which meant one of two things: they were meant for family, or they housed a secret that the writer didn’t want Mondstadters to immediately uncover.

Ah he could see where this was going.

“We haven’t had an attack in a while,” Kaeya swirled his drink, “so I’ve been trying to decipher it,” his eyes narrowed, “I even took it to Lisa.”

Diluc’s eyes widened minutely. Kaeya must have been really stumped, and really intrigued.

“She said that going through a lady’s private letters was indecent…can you believe her? The nerve ,” he frowned at the pool of liquid in his glass, “it turns out our little apothecary friend really was the writer, and she was writing to her family.”

Kaeya took a huge gulp, “Lisa was so amused, her ‘little cutie,’ was using a very unique cipher so only someone she trusted could read it. I think she recognized the person she mentioned in her letter.”

The wine enthusiast downed the rest of his glass, “she wouldn’t tell me who it was though.”

“That must be so disappointing for you,” Diluc found himself commenting.

“Come now Diluc,” the knight sent him a wry smile as he refilled his glass, “it’s only natural I would be curious. The envelope was found outside the domain you cleared, all by yourself , might I add” he lifted his glass to his lips again, “and it contained a will of all things.”

From what this slippery knight was saying he’d already deduced that you’d followed him in. He just wanted to hear him confirm it.

Diluc felt his exasperation with Kaeya manifest on his features as he continued to clean up and organize the bar counter. This man was the one specific person you wanted to hide your vision from, and while he’d already understood why, he felt himself come to an even clearer understanding.

Kaeya found you entertaining. You were becoming his personal source of amusement.

And now keeping your secret was becoming a personal source of amusement for Diluc. Strange, he should have found it annoying…yet having knowledge that Kaeya was desperate for was infinitely amusing.

How immature of him really.

“Our little apothecary wouldn’t happen to have followed you into the domain, now would she?”

Ah yes, there came the quintessential question. The point of this whole conversation most likely. Diluc frowned as he turned away from the younger swordsman.

“Goodness I can’t imagine she was much help with a simple polearm,” the captain made to pose in an obviously inquisitive manner. Ever the drama king.

The redhead was thankful that he’d yet to turn back around. His lips twitched in minute amusement. You were obviously an amateur, but you’d thought about what you could do with your limited skill. You’d mostly used it to daze enemies by knocking them on the head or knock them off their feet, oh and to skewer an anemo slime or two. Not too much help in the fighting department, but definitely not a hindrance either.

A quick learner as well.

Kaeya was right, there had been Pyro Abyss Mages, and it was your dendro that helped him whittle away at their shields faster. During a moment of respite, if it could be called that, as the two of you were trekking from one part of the domain to another, he’d briefly explained elemental reactions and battle. To his surprise you were already mildly aware, stating it only made sense that elements would react, you were knowledgeable in basic alchemy after all.

“However I didn’t really think to ever apply it in battle,” you’d looked at him curiously, “wait - does this mean you’d like me to participate in battle? I followed you here to heal you.”

“No, you don’t have to battle,” he shook his head, while scanning the area ahead, “I was giving you some direction in case you got any ideas.”

“Yes, well, I was going to avoid it for the most part, I’m concerned I’ll get in your way,” your hold on your polearm tightened, “I don’t have any real battle experience.”

“Then, just imbue the enemy with dendro from a distance when you can, and trip them up as you did before,” Diluc rolled his shoulders and neck, loosening up the tension there, “that’ll be enough for me.”

“O-okay!” Your expression was wobbly. “I’ll do my best.”

“And relax,” Diluc found himself amused as you winced at his command, “you’ll strain yourself if you’re too tense, and end up getting hurt and getting in the way.”

“Okay,” you nodded again, exhaling deeply and shaking out the tension in your body before rolling your shoulders and he did before.

“Do what you can, and I’ll handle the rest,” he summoned his claymore, the next group of enemies in sight.

You mostly healed him though, and healed pretty well for someone who’d only recently received a vision with limited practice. You’d also thought to bring in provisions with you - you must have realized to do that while writing the letters.

The amusement left his features then. You’d been quite the asset, as much as he hates to admit it-he’d likely have been in a much worse state leaving that domain, and with the way he was bedridden for a week…you’d more than repaid that debt you insisted you owed him.

The former captain remained silent as he continued with his work. Kaeya always knew more than he let on, this was no different. Why he wanted a confirmation that you followed him in was beyond him.

“Why do you constantly come to me to talk about this apothecary you’re so interested in?”

“Who else could I possibly go to for these discussions?”

“Find somebody else to gossip with,” Diluc found himself frowning.

“It’s called investigating my dear Diluc,” Kaeya rested his cheek on his palm, his other hand tracing circles on the rim of his glass, “as a knight it’s my duty to look into suspicious happenings.”

That was factually correct. Save for this not really being an investigation.

Yes, letters with a cipher were suspicious. He could only wonder what it was you’d written in those letters to your family that required such secrecy. However you were clearly not a threat. Your sincerity shone through your work ethic and remedies. You were probably just an unlucky scholar, much like an unlucky traveler he knew.

The redhead felt his eyes narrow at his blue haired customer, who seemed to have a most disappointed expression. Yes, Kaeya always knew more than he let on…He didn’t actually think you were a threat.

“You’re that upset that you couldn’t read her private letters to her family back home?” He raised a brow at the younger man. Dear Barbatos, this guy.

When the captain huffed a little laugh and turned to him with an amused smile, “it is suspicious that she used a cipher though, isn’t it? What could she possibly need to protect that strongly?”

What indeed? Given you left those outside the domain before you followed him in, they might contain…

He sighed tiredly. He could hypothesize all he liked, however he’d receive no answers unless he asked you directly. He would have to locate you.

“Now Diluc,” Kaeya’s lone eye gleamed with mischief, “you never did answer me: did she follow you in?”

You really should have left that package further away from the domain.

#diluc x reader #diluc ragnvindr #genshin x reader #genshin x you #genshin x y/n #diluc x you #diluc fanfic #genshin fanfic #genshin impact #diluc ragnivindr x reader #diluc ragnivindr x you #kaeya alberich #lisa genshin impact

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marshmallowprotection · 2 years ago

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If there was one sensation he could use to describe the way he felt when he was trapped for hours in a basement, it was cold.

It was the same cold that haunted him in his childhood. That kind of cold was impossible to erase no matter how many layers you had. Simply speaking, because the cold was more than just the temperature. It was also the feeling of agony and isolation.

All that time he spent by himself without anybody to distract him from his pain made it feel like he was walking through the Arctic tundra. In a lonely and desolate environment, he had nothing but the clothes on his back and agony to carry him through. The only reason he made it to the other side had a lot to do with the fact that he knew what it felt like to have the sun on his face. If he never knew what that felt like, he never would have survived in the first place.

It was the few fleeting moments of sunshine that allowed him to understand what it was like to live in this world without the fear of a loaded gun against his back. Those memories... felt so far away at this point. It wouldn't matter how far he tried to stretch his hand up into the ceiling. He would never be able to see the sun again. Just the concrete walls of the basement because he failed once again. He failed to please his savior.

Ray had failed to give her what she wanted. There was a legitimate fear deep inside his chest that he would never live up to her expectations. She said that she would never abandon him no matter how pitiful he became, but with every failure, it felt like another dark mark on his heart that would slowly begin to make her hate him.

If she grew to hate him for being pitiful and pathetic just as much as the liar and the traitor, then she would eventually get rid of him and he would only have himself to blame. There would be nobody to blame but himself. The only problem in this world was him.

He was born a problem and he would die a problem someday.

He clenched his hand against his chest as the fire began to burn again. He wasn't sure how much time had passed since they gave him elixir, but it didn't matter. He wasn't good enough and every time they brought him down here, the concentration would be stronger and the interrogation would be longer. The fact was that he would never measure up. That was the reason why he was here.

He failed.

He was... the failure everybody expected.

He... was nothing more than a weed.

His nails dug into the concrete stone below them but it did nothing to study him. He rasped, gagged, and heaved. Agony. It was agony. There was no light or warmth. There was nothing. It was just a world of darkness. A world of darkness made for somebody like him.

Why couldn't he be good enough?

Why was he still struggling to be good enough? It had already been... months, right? Why wasn't he better? Why couldn't he do everything right? Why? Why? Why?

A whimper escaped Ray's throat, tears welled up in his eyes, and a sob broke him. If... If he just couldn't measure up fast enough, the Savior would take you away from him forever.

What was he supposed to do if you were taken away like that? What was he supposed to do if you were destroyed? What was he supposed to do if you were erased? What was he supposed to do if they changed everything about you?

What was he supposed to do if his dream of being with you forever was taken away from him?

What was he supposed to do if the Savior finally got through to you and convinced you that he was nothing but a nuisance instead?

"Don't leave me... Please... I'll do anything... I'll be anything... I can be the dirt beneath your heel..." he croaked, words seemingly directed towards you but you would never hear him from the basement. "Just don't leave me... Don't leave me... don't leave me like I know she'll leave me... Don't leave me like how they left me... I'm begging you... ack...! You're the only hope I have...!"

He could only pray to a God that never listened that maybe, just to maybe, you would be there if he survived.

#angst #mod kait #mystic messenger #mysme #mysticmessenger #mm #choi ray #ray choi #mysme ray #mm ray #ray mysme #ray mm #ray mystic messenger #mystic messenger ray

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multiplicationdivision · 2 years ago

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Pairing Up

Chapter 1: The Beginning

A drunk college kid fumbled with his key in the darkness, struggling to get into his old countryside rental.

He could hear his friend’s truck rush away, headlights already distant, leaving no light to give him any clues of where his front door exactly was. A stray thread of logic fought through the mixture of alcohol and weed filling his brain, suggesting his phone.

It was a thought immediately pushed aside. Both of his hands were full, some heavy mass in plastic in one whilst the other wilding jabbed at the door, hoping dumb luck would eventually strike.

His brain was already struggling to comprehend his current position in time and space, memory stuttering to place his timeline up to this point. The door denied him, the key making a tearing sound as he scrapped it against the cheap paint, searching mindlessly for the keyhole.

He stunk, but not like he should’ve. It was there under the nausea inducing reek, the familiar scent of vodka and marijuana ghosting his long night. The disgusting scent was new, like pond scum or seaweed muck. He couldn’t remember its origin, probably a wild story he’d hear later about his own antics. Maybe he jumped in a sewer or something else impulsive or stupid.

He’d done worse under less.

Finally, the key jammed into place, the door creaking open with some effort. It gave way to Cole’s home, worn and dimly lit. A stray lamp in the back giving off its dim flickering light, something drunk Cole was ever thankful for sober Cole for forgetting to turn off. Allowed him to skip the attempts at finding the light switch in the absolute darkness, the blasted thing being awkwardly placed somewhere on a distant wall, mis-planned like most things in the house.

It was deeply worn down, outside and in. But these nights he was thankful he’d found it, avoiding being a nuisance to some poor roommate as he barged in at 3:00 AM every other weekend, shitfaced and loudly confused. The heavy scars left by this trend on the front door also left him thankful that there was barely a safety deposit to lose on the rundown house. The gashes left by the frantic drunken jabbing of the key were barely indistinguishable from the warped wood.

He stumbled into his humble abode, his shoes slick on the linoleum. His red vans having become grey with miscellaneous that also climbed up his joggers, staining their brown into a sickly green. Even his black shirt seemed irreparably caked in it, the ooze bleeding over the black with a rainbow of moldy colors.

He’d liked this outfit, but he could cry about that later. At the moment though, the shower beaconed him. He dropped the mass he’d been holding, hearing it softly plop by the door as he kicked off his shoes and smartly stripped before getting anywhere near his carpet. The collection of soiled clothes wetly dropped on the tiles, far from anything they could corrupt.

Everything was thankfully compact in this house, and the shower was a merciful couple steps away. It turned on with a groan, the water quickly sobering him up with inconsistent pressure and wildly varying temperatures. It was familiarly shitty, functional enough. The rest of the house was the same, everything patched together with cheap Youtube guided repairs. A fixer upper left to one busy twenty something, whose weekends were mostly dedicated to going out on Saturday and having a hangover on Sunday.

Didn’t leave much time to mess with plumbing, alongside work and school.

He tiredly toweled off as the shower head sputtered whatever water was left in its system. Sober Cole could deal with that tomorrow.

He probably wouldn’t though.

It was his fatal flaw, putting things off for later and never doing them. A classic move, one he deeply despised in this moment, realizing his last clean outfit had been the one that was probably dissolving on the floor by the door, possibly melting some of the tile along with it.

He crouched up next to it after quickly brushing his teeth, his wet curls dripping more water in the puddle of scum on the floor. Its smell seemed to worsen as time went on, curdling in on itself. Made Cole feel sympathy for poor Mason who’d been the designated driver for their sorry crew. Probably left another permanent mark on the rusty truck’s seats.

He would’ve felt actual guilt for not just walking home in his filth, but Mason was convincing in his attractiveness and amazing hair. Also judging from the guy’s constant apologies during the drive, he was probably the cause of this shit getting all over him.

Cole grieved for the outfit, debating on whether he could risk going outside stark naked just to throw this biohazard in the can. He’d liked those shoes, something he remembered drunkenly complaining to Mason as the guy tried to placate him.

Cole remembered them stopping for something shortly after that, the stuffed plastic bag drawing his attention away from the pile that he’d started to prod with a pencil.

The logo returned some of his memories, him lazily walking into a dim store behind a guilty Mason, the man promising things that Cole had just nodded to in response, trying to give the impression of him understanding the guy’s ramblings.

Studying it now, it was absolutely stuffed with clothes, more than a single outfit in mass. Fabric and packages pushed until the plastic was fit to burst apart, especially with the outline of shoes stretching out the bottom.

Sober-Cole would definitely bring this up with Mason later, another conversation among many of his habit for overcompensating. Right now, he didn’t care, and just smiled to himself as he dug out the clothes that Mason had picked out between babying his drunk ass.

God that guy was cute.

The bag exploded safely away from the puddled mess, clothes falling out as the bag indeed burst, leaving Cole with a mess of clothes that seemed to be entirely suited towards the clothes Mason kept bugging him to buy for work. Whilst he would typically roll his eyes at the shit the guy loved, his drug ridden brain instead was happy to wear a Mason recommended pair of brown overalls with a new simple black long sleeve shirt, over the underwear that the man had also interestingly added. The guy really accounted for everything.

Or just knew Cole too well. Again, his laundry pile a room away seemed to mock him, holding literally all his clothes in its large domain.

A package of socks lay down beneath the explosion, resting atop the new pair of black high-top converse that were the first shoes Cole didn’t almost throw up on. A fuzzy memory of the store came back to him, Mason standing in front of the clearance section holding the socks as if studying it. He’d seemed confused by the packaging, shrugging before handing it to Cole as he tried to ask his opinion. Cole had just nodded as he was distracted by the man’s amazing eyebrows and Mason had moved on.

Now he sort of understood the sentiment, the package chaotic and colorful for what seemed to be a normal variety pack of socks. It was covered in a mess of indistinct writing, half faded or smudged, stray rainbows of color bleeding into each other with graphics that seemed to attempt to demonstrate the action of putting a sock on one’s foot.

Strangest was the art on the front, two identically drawn figures held close together. The colors all seemed to converge on their monochromatic bodies, traveling down towards their feet where they differed in their separate footwear, each having a single identical sock and a single shoe on opposite feet, a sneaker on one and boot on another. It was all tied together with the only legible writing, written in 90’s graphical font screaming the “DOUBLE VALUE” of it.

Weird.

But probably just some shit that had been stuck in clearance for far far too long.

The cardboard was easily torn apart, its pieces falling flat on the floor as Cole pulled out a pair of white crew socks, their color almost luminescent despite their assumed age. At their top, two red stripes shone somehow brighter in cleanness than even the white, making his eyes reflexively squint when it caught the light.

To the touch the fabric seemed almost impossibly soft and warm, a siren call for his very cold post-shower feet. Slipping them on felt right, comfortable fabric like a second skin, fitting with a perfect tightness.

Getting up he glanced at the mirror sat leaning against the tiny hallway, looking at the image of him, damp hair and a pretty nice outfit, a stinking pile of waterborne disease leaking next to him. The image of the sock packaging still visible below him, next to his still unworn converse.

A very unsober thought traveled like molasses through his head, the packaging’s art in his mind’s eye as he looked at himself.

Wouldn’t it be funny if he tried to mimic the art, then send that to Mason. He had his number and it would be like an inside joke. Mason had seemed intrigued by the packaging. Cole’s high brain said he looked attractive right now and Mason could stand to see that.

As like thanks or something…

Logically speaking that was strange and impossible. The art was of two people, wearing separate shit, but Cole’s brain opposite logic-ed that he could just wear two different shoes. It would make no sense to a normal fucking person but Cole wasn’t thinking that right now. In his head this would look hilarious and attractive and maybe he could kiss that hot face by sending the guy cute pictures at 4 am.

Something in the back of his mind demanded he do it, gently fitting a compulsion through his empty alcohol laced brain.

It was a fantastic and well-reasoned plan.

He stole the left of the pair of converses before snatching up one of his steel toed work boots from hall, his body on autopilot as shoved his feet in the two, robotically tying them both up. He felt a twinge of off-ness in the action, his motions unusually fluid despite his still lingering cross-fadedness. It was ignored in the face of the building sense of satisfaction at the sight of his reflection, a feeling of perfect anticipation, like the moment before you finally push the first domino over or the second before the rollercoaster falls.

He stood there, looking at the mirror at his sort of off-balance stance, his worn boots with a slightly higher sole than the flat converse. It added to the feeling of him on the precipice, staring off as if expecting something to happen before his small list of things to do once more fought their way back into focus.

He grinned as he swiftly snapped a picture of his reflection and sent it to Mason, before shifting his fuzzy mind back to the garbage. His cleaning supplies were haphazardly scattered on his kitchen counter, a place that he felt made them easiest to find. He was absolutely right, clumsily picking out some gloves and a trash bag to contain the festering rags, sloppily wiping up the leftover liquid with a towel that he chose to throw in with the rest of it.

The clean up was done on autopilot though. The strange feeling remained, distracting as it steadily rose more and more.

It felt tensely uncomfortable, winding up in a way that pressed on his brain. Like he was stretching a rubber band more and more, waiting till it would randomly snap.

As he lugged the tightly tied trash bag to his garbage can, it continued to rise. It was almost indescribable, whispering a promise of perfect release through his skull at every movement. A tingling in his arms and legs like the kind you’d get after a good workout, aching yet somehow pleasant.

He’d had to take a short rest leaning on the trashcan as the sensation grew. It filled him, his body feeling heavy and clumsy, thoughts difficult to form as his nerves raced.

Was this his high? He’d never had something like this, even with his quite heavy “experimentation”. It all felt too potent of an effect, especially for what he knew his friends could get. It felt solid and real, far removed from the distant trips that his most illegal shit would give.

If this was from the weed he’d taken hours ago, it was a strain he needed again. The euphoria of it drowning any nastiness he’d felt minutes ago, stripping away the nausea born of the alcohol and scummy clothing.

He stumbled back inside, barely managing to tear off gloves that felt far too small and awkward now, resisting him as their rubber stretched unnaturally. They tumbled to the floor in his hallway, lit up in a way that was definitely impossible. It seemed to emanate from somewhere near him, but it definitely could not be from the shattered hall light.

He couldn’t find it in himself to question it when he could barely stand, working his way to his bedroom as his thoughts repeated and echoed in his head.

Taking off his shoes was forgotten as he collapsed on his covers, the feeling of stretching overpoweringly good as he squirmed to relieve or increase it. He couldn’t tell which one he wanted more.

The sensation peaked, his brain overloading with loud thoughts, straying and merging and parting in ways he’d never felt, rising tension that felt better than sex ever had. It was the feeling of anticipation that had risen before but now promised to finally finally drop, sending the dominos to topple and the roller-coaster speeding down in a moment of true catharsis.

It came like a crashing wave over his body, a feeling of relief that beat any orgasm he’d ever had, combining the feeling of release with another of closeness. In fact, he was pretty sure he’d come during it, his boxer slightly wet under his overalls.

Cole closed his eyes and relaxed better than he had in years, his mind quickly plummeting into unconsciousness as he cuddled, his arm wrapped securely over something. Comfortable and perfect, like matching puzzle pieces.

Two identical bodies, tangled around each other, differing only in their mismatched shoes.

#identical #copy #clones #clothing tf #male tf #clone #male transformation #duplication #shoe tf #my writing

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azure-daybreak · 2 years ago

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I feel like the Parappa fandom doesn’t talk about the I Scream album enough cuz like I’m reminded of it ever once in a while and it’s just wild- just look at some of the actual lyrics from some of the songs under the cut:

No Cuttin’ Corners (Remix of Got to Move)

“I stay away from fights/ I'm kind of scared of the dark/ so sometimes I need a night light“

(It’s even funiner when you see this line preformed live by Dred Foxx at this one promotional event and he’s not doing the Parappa voice- and he just sounds so professional and does it with a straight face- like that could NOT be me in that postion, I’d be cracking up on stage lmao) “Who said, that drugs was cool?/ Get away thugs, stop sellin' at my school“

(Parappa is already a trippy franchise while everyone is presumably(?) sober, I wonder how more tripped out you can get that Parappa Town Weed™) “Only things I shoot are hoops in basketball/ I'm asking you all, if we're our future why you wanna shoot us?”

(It honestly feels weird to have the concept of gang and/or school violence be in a song from a frachise about a rapping dog who’s most intense storyline is saving the world’s food from being turned into noodles. (Or I guess Lammy slipping on a banana and going to hell? I guess.))

Why (Remix of Taste of Teriyaki)

This is just Shower Thoughts: The Song, but this line is I wanna talk about-

"And how come people die?/ And where do we go, from the sky?”

(I’m guessing Lammy didn’t tell Parappa what happened on her way to her show. (Or maybe the US version is canon to this.))

The New Plan (Remix of Baby Baby)

“I'm coming through/ representin' Sony PlayStation to the fullest”

(I feel someone at Sony told them they had to say the word PlayStation like at least 10000 on this album cuz they say it like they get 10 bucks per mention and rent was due. It’s not just this song, I just had to point it out somewhere)

“Captain Fussenpepper tried to run up/ try to stop the come up/ from sundown to sun up, yellin'/ tellin' us our band is a nuisance/ so I bit him in the seat of his new pants“

(PARAPPA BIT THIS MAN’S ASS, PASS IT ON)

This is just some of the wild stuff on the album, there’s still alot of crazy stuff on there and I wanna know so bad....

Why?

#Parappa the rapper #um jammer lammy #parappa #I Scream is the most album ever

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hyperexplosion · 8 months ago

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Vent ignore - don't message either I just need write my thoughts out

I hate needing to do something with my hands when I get like this but not wanting to do anything

Like okay glad Ik why I feel worse worse

But also been feeling like this all month even on trip to see concert but that's just cause you know

When you sit in a car with people that are ahead of you in life.

Ywah

I'm just

I feel better off gone more and more each day passing

Ik I'm trying I'm trying study to drive so I can get somewhere

But I just it all feels pointless worthless idk

Maybe I'll lock myself away tomorrow toss my phone aside and just go quiet I just idk

I thought if I came here write my feelings cause I don't wanna vent and hotlines are shit and I'm writing on paper is better but I use most my journals for other things as I keep organized so I'm here

In a way this post won't be seen and will be lost

I also muted like so many groups cause I was getting anxious around so many people like cool glad you all are doing something while I'm laying in bed rotting again cause I have no goal or life I am holding everyone back

I am able to act all cool all chill but idk I need shut up rbh

I just

I don't feel scared

I'm a nuisance I make money by cooking dinner and I can't even save that money like I can't be trusted with money but buying things makes me feel happy for few seconds and right now I just wanna buy photocards and more albums hahahha

I don't touch my savings at least

I cut off so many people how many more do I have to cut off

I struggle to chat unless I feel connection with other but even then I struggle I try push away or I just can't fucking shut up about something on my mind I'm just really bad with people I have bad trust I struggle talk I can't speak or say words right I don't have proper grammar I struggle to talk about my interest and make them seem so interesting and get people into things

Like legit can't shut up about ATEEZ I bring them up every hour why can't I just be fucking normal human being and be likeable why can't I ask people to be here why can't I just fucking talk why can't I just keep possible friendships

I mean okay, this I don't want to I really don't wanna talk about this right now

I mean I have with my mom

And then I don't wanna tell anyone I'm feeling down cause then it feels like I'm being avoided or walking on eggshells

I'm just

I'm tired

This is longer then expected and not being put in tags cause there's a limit and I want low possibility of anyone seeing his

Why can't I just think of a positive future

Not even about weight anymore I'm like almost 30 and I have not nothing had no job my entire life - I didn't deserve graduate school cause I cheated and my teachers special passed me

I'm a fucking idiot. I am not joking when I say I am stupid.

I can't learn by reading shit I don't remember anything I can't drive, and like how am I supposed work in a job when I'm so fucking stupid? Like math in my head? Non existing, am I going have to remember shit? Yeah but will it stay? Probably fucking not

My parents say they are proud of me but how am I making you fucking proud by doing nothing am I making you proud cause I'm bed rotting? That I did graduate highschool but it's all cause I got special passed and cheated? I'm not in college I don't have a job are you lying to me

Can I even cook or does my food actually taste gross

I have paranoia to the point a stranger fucking talking to me fucking freaks me out, I see shit, I fucking am so scared to be out alone I hear shit I'm so fucking jumpy

I'm scared to do shit and was told I was closeted child like yeah sorry I just don't like being out night this day and age and rather be home sorry I don't have a social battery that last forever sorry I don't wanna drink cause I get addicted and I want a fucking drink right now, or that I don't wanna smoke weed cause I already have bad paranoia or that I don't go to parties cause I don't like being surrounded by groups of people sorry I always feel left out in groups I feel awkward in groups1 sorry I don't agree with stealing sorry sorry sorry why keep me around then like even before paranoia and all that I just never liked parties I never liked groups I always been in set of three what do you mean you have 5 or more friends that's so many that's so many in a group what do you mean

Why keep me fucking around

I can't even have a conversation without crying I get mad so fucking easily cause I can't control my emotions and idk

And yeah I want get therapy and everyone makes it so easy but how can I when mom isn't doing good on money and I can't even keep a single fucking 200 in my fucking account

I don't even fucking have 100 and I expect myself to want see another kpop group fuclc I took out a fucking loan just to see teez cause maybe be my last show

I'm just idk this felt like it helped as it finally got me to cry since I haven't been able to but I'm still

I'm not scared anymore

I won't do anything I'm just going to lay here and try to get to sleep now

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jedi-bird · 2 months ago

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There are pros and cons to all gardening advice.

Yes, it is better for pollinators if you don't weed and don't use insecticides or pesticides. Yes, it is better for the environment overall. However. This isn't always possible.

Maybe you live in an HOA with strict rules about how a yard can look. Maybe your yard is full of invasive plants that are actively harming native plants and wildlife. Maybe you're trying to grow a vegetable garden and the weeds keep killing your plants.

There is no easy answer but there are solutions that can help in all situations. Organic fertilizers are a better option over synthetic. All plants need things like nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Yes, they can pull it from the air and the ground. But sometimes, if you live in certain conditions they need some help. Use the minimum amount you can in those cases and let them be otherwise. I need to feed to fruit trees and roses, but at the most I'm doing it twice a year. Vegetables are three times. The rest of the plants do fine with no fertilizers. Every yard is different. Start small and work up as needed.

If your area has an invasive plant problem, yes you're going to have to weed. Invasive plants can actively harm the environment and destroy native plant populations. Weeding them out gives the natives a fighting chance and will help pollinators.

If you live in an HOA or just a city with very strict rules, maintain your landscaping in a way that won't get you fined. There's times to fight and times to not (such as if you can't afford to go anywhere else). But. There are exceptions. Maintain to their standards but maybe add in native annuals that don't require a lot of upkeep. They grow quick, are good for pollinators, and once they finish flowering can be removed before they are considered "nuisance plants". Also, even if you can't plant native plants, having flowering shrubs that butterflies or birds like will help; even if a caterpillar can't eat that particular plant, butterflies need resting points in their journeys, so that non food source plant might be that one thing that gets them to where they need to be.

Doing nothing is fine. Having one tiny native plant on a windowsill is fine. Having a few pollinator friendly plants mixed in is fine. Having an entire native plant garden is fine. Having only vegetables is fine. There are lots of free gardening sources and information online and most cities have garden clubs or nurseries with very knowledgeable employees. Just do your best to help the environment and know that you are one person. One person can make a difference no matter how small. Don't stress about what you can't do or change. Just be.

Planting native would actually help more than "do nothing"

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azurlily · 2 years ago

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Hi!! I was reading your Cassandra headcanons and I saw how you said Cassandra had been watching the reader for a while without them noticing. I was wondering if you could write about an obsessed Cassandra. Maybe something that falls on the darker side. If not that totally okay!!

Thank you<33

Ooooo! I like the way you think! Dark, NSFW, SFW, please be careful if you don't like things like this.

Obsessed Cassandra Kiramman would be like

How did this happen? You were normal, you lived a normal life, you lived a quiet life.

Let's start with how you caught Cassandras eye. You were at a big party she was holding. You payed her no mind, but she couldn't keep her eyes off of you. She learned that while you had a semi-high status you weren't anything important.

That just intrigued her more. How could someone so low compared to her, give you such a thrill. Just one look from you and she was shivering. Your eyes are perfect, your face was shaped by a goddess. She wanted- no she needed you. And she had every intention of taking you.

At first she sent a few guards to watch you and report back anything and everything they saw. Didn't matter if it was the restaurant you ate at most or the people you hung out with. She needed to know everything about you.

She takes her time, finding the places you like the most and going there often. She builds up a relationship with you. She makes you believe that you two have so many common interests it must be fate.

You fell for it. Hook line and sinker. I meN why wouldn't you? She sets things up perfectly. She makes it so easy for you to feel safe and loved, safe and warm, safe with her.

She holds you close in her arms and whispers sweet nothings to you. You believe every word, as you should. She sees you as a goddess, as something above any and all races.

As she gets closer she starts deal with the weeds. The people that are a bit of a nuisance. The people who are a bit too smart and can see right through her. Wether she pays them to leave you or kills them. It doesn't matter, soon you're all alone. Perfect for the taking.

Cassandra would never kill someone herself. No she'd pay someone from Zaun to do if for her. Make it look like an accident. Over time you'll lose everyone around you and be all by yourself. You'll have no one, no one but her. She puts you in a position where you can't leave her.

Cassandra puts you in a position where you are mentally, physically, emotionally, hell even sexually dependent on her. Shes the one who takes care of all your problems.

Shes also the one who creates them so you run to her.

She loves seeing you all frightened in her arms. Another one of your friends dead? Such a shame. Another friend left you and said you were disgustingly useless. Oh you poor thing. Cassandra will take goo care of you. You just have to let her.

If she has to kidnap for whatever reason. Be it someone told you she tried to pay them off or you're getting suspicious. She'll spike your food or drink. You'll fall asleep and when you wake you'll find yourself in a warm bed. Scratch that, in her warm bed.

She has one of your arms cuffed to the bed the other has a band on it. The band tells her where you are at all times. She'll secretly be watching you struggle just outside the room. You dont notice she's there and that's the point. Then once she feels you've expended enough energy she'll walk in and hold you.

She'll whisper into your ears about needing to be careful. About how cuff burn can hurt quite a lot and how she doesn't want you hurt.

She says she doesn't want to hurt you, but she's not above doing just that. Wether it's a stern talking to, a slap to the face, or making you come until you can't. She'll get your submission one way or another.

Speaking of sex. If it's before she takes you as hers she'll be gentle. Cassandra doesn't want to scare you off. She'll take you in evey way she can until you're finally ready to deal with the real her.

She'll gently kiss your neck while her fingers are so deep inside you, you cant even see them. She whispers and asks if its took much. While she imagine all the horrible things she's going to do once she's claimed you.

If it's after shes taken you, that's a whole other story. She's rough, and isn't apologetic about it either. Once she builds your trust up again she'll have you on every surface of that house. She'll have you rutting into her boot while she reads.

She finds its amusing. Watchung you beg for more while all she's doing is watching.

I wasn't joking when I said she wants you to rely on her for everything. You need to cum but you're still pissed at her for kidnapping you? No problem, she'll fuck the hate out of you til you're a shaking, crying, convulsing mess.

After that you can go back to hating her as she puts you in cute clothes she likes.

She thinks everything shes doing is right. No matter what you tell her.

"I'm doing this for you! I'm doing this for us! I know you're afraid, but it'll be okay, trust me."

And you do. You have to, if you want to survive that is. She's trapped you in a cage, while this cage is large and is filled with silk and gold. It is a cage nonetheless. You're hers. You always have been and always will be. It's only a matter of time before you accept that.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YANDERES AND OBSESSED CHARACTERS!!! PLEASE PEOPLE REQUEST MORE OBSESSED CHARACTERS!!!

#wlw #lesbian #im bad at this #arcane #arcane cassandra #cassandra kiramman #cassandra kiramman x reader #obsession #female yandere #yandere #women are hot

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cheelduh · 4 years ago

Text

How to get Hit-listed by a Stonehide Lawachurl (High School AU!)

Part 6 of the highschool au

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Synopsis: Childe’s a menace to everyone when playing dodgeball. Even as his new girlfriend, you’re no exception to his affinity for raising hell during the most tranquil of circumstances.

Warnings: Swearing, bad humor, and absolutely horrid spelling mistakes.

Words: 5.3k

Note: Longest chapter yet sheeeesh 🗿

Negotiation is an art.

Childe, or "Tartaglia" has utilized the art of negotiations in his daily life. Whether that be scamming the ninth graders with fake weed, or convincing the teachers why he doesn't deserve detention for injecting random fluids from the chem department into the school's resident pet frog.

All in all, by becoming an expert in the field of negotiations, Childe is nothing if not a master, tongue silver and smooth as he takes on a new opponent.

Which is why he dutifully negotiates with you on this Monday morning in front of the History classroom, getting down on one knee and pulling out a—

"I hope to Barbatos you aren't proposing Childe," You hiss, panicked eyes landing on the velvet box he's pulling out. "Considering that we're sixteen and still in highschool."

As if remembering those meagre details, Childe gulps and shoves the box back into his pocket. "Uhhh yeah, I was just, tying my shoelaces?" It comes out as a question.

You let out a sigh of relief, overlooking how he undoes his shoe laces just to do them all over again.

The ring burns in his pocket as he gets back up.

"Why did you call me here?" You ask, hand on your hip, foot impatiently tapping. The tap tap tap isn't because of impatience though, it's because you need something to cover the nervous palpitations of your heart.

He gives you a vicious smile, sinister enough to shake the bones of anyone who's observing, opens his daring mouth to show the imaginary sharpness of his teeth. Then with the confidence of about a hundred shirtless tiktok boys, he finally demands:

"If you don't become my girlfriend, I will kill—"

"Yeah sure thing." You answer before he can finish, soft smile growing.

Childe chuckles evilly, "I knew you'd say that, but I've come prep—wait a minute." He snaps out of his villain origin phase, stumbles back a bit, then his eyebrows are furrowing in confusion. "Did you just say yes?"

You nod, cheeks flaring up. "Don't make me repeat it." Then you look away, too embarrassed to see his reaction.

For a second, Childe's internal conflict following the chain of this event causes him to temporarily malfunction, and all he can do it stare at you in amazement.

It's only when you tell him to stop staring and jump off the school roof is when he snaps out of his daze, a grin festering on his face.

He lunges straight at you, giving you no time to deflect him as he wraps his bone crushing arms around you, then lands a soft smooch on your forehead.

"Let go of me you idiot!" You barely wheeze out, light headed not only because of your lungs being squeezed like oranges, but also because of the sloppy kiss he's delivered so ungracefully.

He does so reluctantly, and you're unamused, wiping the stickiness off your forehead with a sleeve as he steps back.

"Ew what the fuck?" You say, glaring at him. "What's wrong with you?"

He completely ignores you, giddy with excitement. "Ah girly, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that. I can't wait to introduce you to my parents and eat lunch together and kiss each other during break—"

"Slow down." You tell him, as red as a tomato towards all his suggestions. "We've barely started dating."

"Oh," Childe stops momentarily, then nods in agreement. "You're right. We should start small. How about I walk you to class?"

"We're already in front of class." You nudge your head towards the classroom, and catch Zhongli and Venti peeking from the side of the door, trying not to be obvious.

You narrow your eyes at them threateningly.

Childe tugs your arm, lovingly looking you up and down. "Let's walk to class together anyways. In a circle."

A complete waste of time, yet it's impossible to say no to the face he's making.

Before you guys depart he suddenly stops, gasping loudly, remembers something important. "I have to make a quick phone call."

Childe speed dials Scaramouche, and the latter picks up annoyed, answers the phone with muffled sounds in the back. Something that sounds a bit like pleading and whimpering.

He then mutters something that forces dread into your system. "You can release the hostages."

You hear Scaramouche groan on the other end, muttering a "such a pain in my ass", but choose not to question it immediately.

As soon as the phone call is done and you're back by his side, you point at his phone questioningly. "What hostages Childe?"

He gives you a close eyed smile, taking the fifth.

"What hostages Childe?" You repeat again weakly.

—

First period goes by smoothly for the most part. Lisa, your so called best friend, once again is bought off like a corrupted politician by your new boyfriend. She sits far away from you, leaving you without any defences against the menace that dotes on you a bit too much.

Throughout class, all Childe does is score Venti's colourful pens, and then writes you annoying little love notes, using the expert origami skills he's learnt from Anthon to deliver them to you.

Despite the threat of distraction these notes pose, the corners of your lips can't help but tug upwards at his enthusiasm and attempt at poetry.

Zhongli makes sure not to ask you two any questions the entire class, leaving you to your own accord.

Lunch comes around soon enough, and your usual table of Diluc, Jean, Kazuha, and Lisa is disturbed by the torpedo that is Childe, and he brings collateral with him.

Kaeya whole-heartedly ceases the opportunity to sit near his stoic statue of a brother purely with the intention to annoy the premature crap out of him, but one look from the redhead sends the chicken-shit right back where he came from.

When Childe forcefu—lovingly feeds you the smiley fries and dinosaur nuggets his stunning mom packed him, Diluc looks just about ready to hurl.

Lisa winks at you two, Kazuha doesn't even bother looking, and Jean tries with upmost effort to keep Diluc from launching himself at the whipped fatui boy basking in your attention.

"Quit embarrassing me." You whisper-exclaim sharply, noticing how Jean passes Diluc—all green in the face, a puke bag discreetly. "Shouldn't you be doing something illegal right now? Or vaping in the stalls?"

"I quit vaping for you girlie." Childe boops your nose with his finger. "Well, at least full time. I still need a puff when I'm around Signora, to like, get rid of her awful vibes."

While it is endearing how he quit vaping for you, it doesn't lessen the need for you to bury yourself alive right here and now.

Then you sigh, pick up a Dino nuggie, and shove it in his mouth, the tip of his tongue flicking your finger. You die inside.

"There, you happy?" The action of feeding him is so...intimate, it sets your heart aflame.

Childe's a lovesick puppy when he chews, imaginary tail wagging a hundred times a second. "Can I have a kiss too?"

Diluc slams his hands on the table and stands up, hurriedly picks up his grape juice and makes a break for it. You don't blame him.

"I'll kill you." You smack him with a napkin, blazing red. "I'll end your pathetic little life right here and now."

By the end of lunch, Lisa and Jean have to restrain you so you don't break the world record for the maximum amount of mutilations that can be done on a single body.

Fourth period is a break. A break from Childe you mean. It's expected of the school's resident bad boy aka menace to skip classes in order to skip over the bodies of his victims.

You bask in the momentary peace, until it's disrupted by a tap on the window. Reckon it's nothing, maybe a bird flew into it, because intentional taps are impossible from the third floor. Except your conviction is hindered yet again by another tap.

What a nuisance.

You finally turn to look outside the window, face down, and spot Childe waving incessantly, rocks in hand, oozing with excitement that can't be concealed and a grin that nearly takes you into cardiac arrest. Without meaning to, you send him a small smile, waving back as Baal drones on about quantum superposition.

Successful in gaining your attention, he moves aside to reveal the hefty corpse of a stonehide lawachurl with a destructive path in its wake. The ridges and bumps of its hide are enough to do a number on the road, ruining the school's playing field.

Your smile drops down into a horrified frown in the span of a few seconds.

"Wow." Albedo, your lab partner whispers from next to you, for the first time distracted in class.

"Yeah," Kaeya whistles from behind you two, one hand supporting his head. "What a gesture."

"Y/N, I'd be grateful if you could possibly obtain a black crystal horn for me from the specimen." The blonde asks, entranced by the corpse that your boyfriend is flaunting off to you with pride.

"Aren't those things endangered cutie?" Lisa makes sure to butt in, as per usual.

Yes. Your boyfriend with several issues and an affinity for chaos brought you the corpse of an endangered geo-infused creature that's five times the size of him. During school hours too, the fiend. Like a cat dragging the corpse of a dead mouse to its owner.

You groan into your hands, heart racing while the fire is coursing through your veins.

That idiot.

—

Childe is exceptional at a lot of things, like the switch and making weapons out of seemingly harmless things (e.g shiv out of a toothbrush), but what he prides in the most is physical education. With washboard abs, uber tall height, and a dickish smile to top it all, he has everything it takes to showcase his top tier athletic abilities.

He pounces at the opportunity to show off in front of you, wanting nothing more than to have you fawn over his strength. He's sure it'll be enough to have you all over him, wrapping your cute little arms around his muscled ones, passing him his water bottle and dabbing away at the sweat on his forehead. Most of all, he daydreams you planting your soft lips on his to congratulate him after a big game.

Physical education, for you, is a pain. You may be good with your brain, but games exert more energy than necessary, and coordination that lacks logic entirely. You're just here for the credit. The over-achiever part of you walks the extra mile to ensure a grade in the high nineties.

Although witnessing Childe clad in the school shorts and matching polo shirt is enough to make this worth your while, you'll die before admitting it. Especially when he gawks at you as if it's the first time you're wearing the sports uniform yourself. It has you fidgeting with your fingers and tugging your shorts down nervously.

You try not to flip him off like you usually do, especially since it's not even been twenty four hours since he's asked you out.

Mr.Zhongli blows a whistle, calling all the students over to surround him. It's odd that he teaches most of the subjects at this school, seemingly the only adult present, but no one questions it in fear of genshin logic. Moving on, he explains that you have a dodge ball game today.

Lisa groans beside you. She hates anything that requires the exertion of energy, oftentimes bringing a book to read while everyone else screams in the background.

You're relieved, mainly because Childe and Tohma are usually captains, and Childe always picks you to be on his team as a means to flex his skills. For you, it means sitting back and watching him carry your team towards a straight A.

However, all your dreams are crushed when Zhongli announces the team leaders.

"Y/N, I trust that you'll lead the blue team to the upmost of your ability. Childe, prepare to lead the opposing red team."

Your knees shake as you stare at him in disbelief. "But Sir—"

"No buts Y/N." He scolds you lightly, checking off your names on the clip board. "I'd like to witness your exceptional leadership skills."

In reality, Zhongli just wants to reenact a lovers-on-opposing sides trope, wanting to see how the two of you crack under the pressure. In a way, it is an exercise of leadership.

Instead of picking teams, Zhongli assigns teams for the both of you according to his own judgement, trying to make it as fair as possible.

Lisa pats your back after your teammates are assigned, trying to cheer you up. "It's going to be okay. You guys are dating now, so he'll go easy on you."

You look up to meet Childe's eyes from across the court. He gives you a charming smile, which turns downright barbaric as he lifts up a thumb and motions to slash his neck with it. Then he wickedly mouths "I'm going to destroy you."

You blink and turn away as fast as you can in fear. "We're fucked."

Lisa, witnessing the entire ordeal nods alongside you, doing nothing to reassure you because she herself has given up.

Suddenly a hand lands on your shoulder gripping you tightly. "Let's wipe the floor with that g*nger." The voice is ice cold, threatening enough to send a shiver down your bones.

You turn to meet Rosaria, who frowns at you. Most of the time she doesn't really put an effort in dodgeball, but she must've seen your crestfallen expression, trying to comfort you in her own detached way.

Rosaria is the other school nurse in training, alongside Barbara, but somehow her patients end up more injured, sick, or mentally defiled than before they entered the room. She also spends after hours beating up Chads in the school parking lot. Also runs a blog with her booby co-author Kaeya that emphasizes mostly on the dark knight hero.

Spotting the rest of your team behind her, you begin to criticize them one by one.

Standing against the wall is Kaeya, pushing both his biddies up with his crossed arms like an absolute whore. He's breaking about several dress code rules right now. Venti is next to him, drunk off his butt as he beat boxes with Tohma.

Eula mutters under her breath, on and on about seeking revenge on Zhongli for putting her beloved Amber on the opposing team, promising him an unfortunate fate. Xiao is miserably squatting on the floor, sharp eyes observing everyone in the gym, scowl not ready to dissipate anytime soon.

Then you look over at Childe's team in the distance. Jean with a determined look on her face as she listens to Childe's game plan, and Diluc crossing his arms with his brows furrowed in concentration. Even Amber, the best baller in the school, is stretching out her arms, assisted by the gifted princess of the school, Ayaka.

Not only that, but Childe has the king of dodging on his team—Kaedehara goddamn Kazuha. Beidou shoots you a wicked smirk, winking at you until she's disrupted by Ningguang's shove.

"Oh my god." You cry out when the realization hits you, falling to your knees in despair. "We're completely fucked!"

"No we aren't." Rosaria mutters lowly. "You're only fucked if you want to be. Don't you dare throw in the towel before the fight has even begun."

"But I—"

"Stop it." She grumbles again, rolling her eyes. "You're being annoying now. If you lose the game, that makes him the dom. Don't you want to be the dom?"

She's right. You do want to be the dom.

Her words of encouragement, and not at all veiled insults somehow allow you to find motivation deep within yourself. You get up and stomp towards the rest of your team, calling their attention with your newfound confidence.

"Listen here soldiers!" You shout out, determination clear as day. "I know I am not capable of leading. I know that I barely have the physical capabilities needed to defeat the opposite team."

You take a deep breath, pointing at your cutie patootie boyfriend across the gym as you seethe. "But that man, that harbinger of chaos, that instrument of war, is nothing but a tyrant. And I cannot let such a tyrant be a victor in this battle. Not when innocent lives are at stake."

Tohma speaks up, sending you a bewildered look. "What lives—"

"Shut the fuck up soldier!"

"Yessir!" He immediately stiffens, saluting you.

"Are you ready soldiers?" Your voice booms, and everyone reinforces their priorities, except for Kaeya though. He just lazily smirks.

After Zhongli places the balls in the middle, everyone prepares for the battle of the century.

'Gods, please let us win this war' you pray to the archons above, closing your eyes in concentration.

'Give me the strength to flex my superior skills' Childe wishes, then adds on quickly 'also I want to dominate this world.'

'Give me the strength to make it to Friday.' Rosaria prays for nobody but herself, rolls her eyes at all the unnecessary dramatics of this dodgeball game.

"3..." "2..." "1..."

Zhongli ends the countdown by blowing hard into a whistle, signaling the beginning of the game.

Not even two seconds later a ball whooshes past a few of you at the speed of light, followed by a tail of fire. The ball of death kisses Kaeya square in the nose, sending him reeling back into a wall with enough sheer force to cause an indent.

Everyone winces.

Before you all can reel in from the initial shock and make sense out of wherever the hell that asteroid came from, Zhongli's voice booms throughout the gymnasium.

"Mr. Ragnvindr, headshots are strictly forbidden. You are out!"

With a scoff, Diluc, satisfied with his work, leaves the court with no apparent qualms. He accepts his defeat with the upturned corners of his lips.

Rosaria pokes Kaeya's body with the tip of her heels, then cringes when he shakes awake, up from his short lived knockout and sends a wink her way.

"Getting handsy when I'm unconscious? I didn't think you'd be one to partake in such vulgar activities." His eye twinkles in mischief, and if his momentary defeat at the hands of brother has him fuming, he doesn't show it one bit.

The only thing that keeps Rosaria from knocking him out for real is the blood that trails down onto his lip. She doesn't want to clean blood off her shoes, especially since it's a pain in the ass to get off.

You're about to tell them to get up and take this seriously, but a softball does your job for you when it darts straight at Rosaria. With pristine accuracy, the girl manages to pitch herself away last minute.

You swivel in Childe's direction, who wears a remorseless grin, which only grows wider once you pick up a blue softball next to your feet.

The glare that he receives has him shaking in exhilaration. More so than the elation he'd felt when he took down that Stonehide Lawachurl for you, as a gift of promise.

You begin to bark out orders. "Eula, Xiao, and Rosaria cover the front and act as decoys."

They nod immediately, but Xiao still clicks his tongue in distaste as he starts following orders.

Then you offer Kaeya a hand. "Get up princess. You're on sniper duty."

With Diluc out of commission, the battle is fair and square now considering both sides have the same amount of people. Ergo, no one's at a disadvantage.

That is—until Lisa fake trips over pure air, landing on the floor in a dramatic slow motion.

You roll your eyes.

"Oh dear! I think I've twisted something." She cries out, crawling away from the battle field, acting as if she's paralyzed completely. "Don't worry about me. I'll cheer you on from afar. The battle has begun, and it seems as if I've become the first casualty."

You don't let the countless amount of Lisa's betrayals get to you, even this one. It's just her personality to flake out on anything and everything that requires her to do more than below the bare minimum.

Focusing on the match, your eyes are only on Childe, just as his are on you.

You aim the ball straight at his ribs, step back a bit, then propel the ball in the air with as much energy as you can, using your entire body as a power outlet. The ball spins in the air, reaching the awaiting victim.

Childe, unbothered, dodges the ball with perfect precision, the ball not even grazing his clothes at the least.

Your jaw drops open, and you're about to move for another ball until he grabs the same ball you threw at him. With the sharpness of a predator locking in on its pray, he focuses on you like a missile locks on its target, launching the ball in the air for power that has you trembling, second to the powerful ball that was thrown by Diluc.

With your pupils dilated at your impeding doom, it's Xiao that grabs you and thrusts away.

The ball lands on the floor, smoke rising.

"Holy shit!" You shriek over everyone else's grunts and shuffles. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Isn't it poetic?" Childe shouts back while he slides away from the balls being thrown. "Lover against lover. Either you're by my side, or in my way. And right now, you're in my way." He narrows his eyes dangerously. "Albeit reluctantly, I will take the victory babe. Even if we are on opposing sides."

"There was zero reluctance in that throw asshole!"

You thank Xiao, who wipes his hands on his pants in disgust. "Filthy humans. So pathetic and weak."

Mildly offended, you roll your sleeves up and begin to fight with everything you've got as soon as he walks away.

The dodgeball game goes as expected for the most part, Eula carrying for most of it with the flow of her skills.

Tohma actually tries like the presumptuous asshole he is, aims straight for his girlfriend Ayaka, and takes her out completely. His only justification for that is "I ain't no simp!"

He shelves his cocky attitude when facing Childe with a sense of dignity and prestige you didn't think he had in him.

The two one of a kind fuckbois puff out their chests so that they look more hefty than they are, having some kind of an Alpha match. The 'me stronger than you. me dominant. me get all the women' type beat.

Unfortunately, Childe manages to fence him with his throws, and lo and behold, the square off ends with a dejected Tohma dragging his feet to the nearest bench.

Eula oversees that Ningguang and Beidou meet a quick end, taking their slower dodging to her advantage. You're actually rooting for her, tasting a sliver of victory that you haven't reached yet. So close, yet so far.

Amber trips on herself in the middle of throwing a what should've been coordinated ball, and it loses most of its momentum. Xiao is directly in front of it, and will probably be able to catch it with ease.

Ah, another short victory.

If Childe loses his expert baller, he's only left with Kazuha and Jean, whom's lack in the art of throwing is made up by their ability to dodge most of the fastballs.

However, all your plans and hopes are crushed when Eula slides in front of Xiao last minute, sticks out her foot, and let's the pathetic product of Amber's would-be downfall hit her on the leg with the total force of about 0.0000001 newtons.

Your chances of winning have just went down by a staggering 60%.

"Eula!" You cry out, collapsing on the ground. "How could you?"

Tohma cups his mouth and bellows obnoxiously from the bench. "SIMP!"

"I cannot avenge my clan if I win a false victory." Eula crosses her arms, casting her gaze down in visible uncomfortableness. "Amber will pay her dues in two business days. Mark my words."

It all a load of cap. She's sleeping with the enemy and you know it.

You grit your teeth. Fuming with an abundance of rage, you pick up three balls and throw them all back to back, taking out Amber and Kazuha simultaneously.

Childe's heart flutters in another kind of delight when you pluck out his team members one by one with no hints of remorse.

In retaliation, Jean and Childe work in sync to swiftly take care of a distracted Rosaria.

"Shit." You hiss underneath your breath.

It's Venti, Kaeya, Xiao, and you who are the only remainders of your short-lived team. It's still two more people than Childe and Jean, giving you the upper hand briefly.

It's a mystery to everyone how Venti is still standing. You reckoned you would've lost him as collateral during the beginning of the match, but it seems he's able to hold his own.

When you squint hard enough, you realize that Xiao has been t-posing in front of the nonchalant SoundCloud rapper that's about as high as a kite. He must've been defending him throughout the entire round.

His defenses are all in vain once Childe correlates another attack with Jean, sharp-shooting four rapid balls that are secured on their targets.

Xiao swerves to the side, avoiding most of them, until one is about to reach a nonchalant as shit Venti.

You scream at him, eyes widening as you run towards them in slow motion. "NOoOoOOOo-"

The yaksha doesn't waste a moment, shifting so that he's covering Venti's body with his own, which to be honest is a pretty heartwarming sight.

The ball hits his lean back, a sharp thud following when it hits the floor.

Xiao is out. But his sacrifice is so inspiring that it brings tears to Zhongli's eyes, makes everyone in the gym go silent in awe.

Even the sadistic Childe melts, cerulean eyes gaining back their light, halting his fire.

When Xiao finally uncovers Venti's body, he speaks from the bottom of his dead heart. "I'd do anything for you..."

Venti shakes out of his baked state, blinking at him stupidly with a nervous chuckle. "Ehe~? I don't even know who you are."

The entire class sweat drops. Whatever slip of compassion on Childe's face earlier has become nothing but a memory. Even your eyes dim.

The next time Childe aims and locks at Venti, it's not with malicious intent. It's a favour, for you. In a way it adds dimension to who he is and the lengths he's willing to go for you, even at war.

Venti steps away with a bounce in his gait, hands behind his head.

Kaeya and you are the only ones left standing now, and the game becomes too tight knit to tell which side's going to win. It becomes utter chaos, balls being launched every second, stamina slowly decreasing as everyone lurches away from their demise.

As laid-back and charming as the boy presents himself to be in front of the ladies, he's not very patient when it comes to facing circumstances like these. He's side lined for most of the match, finding it boring. And when Kaeya gets bored, the intensity of the tide changes, and everyone knows they're going to get a run for their money.

Kaeya coasts a hand around your hips, pulls you real close, purposefully leaning his bust into the side your innocent arm.

When Childe's smile drops, and the glint in his eyes reads 'DANGER' in full caps, you know it's time to be properly scared.

Your blood runs cold, mouth opening briefly and then clamping shut immediately.

"I'm so glad to be on your team Y/N. Maybe this'll give us the chance to become...closer." His hot breath fans against your ear, voice loud enough to be heard by onlookers.

Suddenly everything stops, falling into an unsettling silence.

You attempt glance at Childe, being met with a glare that's directed at the Captain of the Skating team. The ball in the orange-haired boy's hand deflates from the sheer intensity of the squeeze.

The tension becomes unreadable. Even Zhongli is caught mid-sip with his tea.

Quickly, you shrug off Kaeya's arm. "Childe, he's just fucking with you—"

Childe cuts you off by hurling a ball with nothing but the objective of cold blooded murder.

Kaeya whizzes past you, successfully ducking to avoid the hit, and his amused laugh rings through your ears. He rolls away from the following attacks, chucking his own series of colourful balls.

The events that unfold are blood-curdling enough to make even Satan boil his pants with diarrhea.

You take the clear opportunity presented by their concurrent dumbassery to take out Jean, the ace of the other team.

Childe's rage blows over when Kaeya eventually loses interest and takes the L, playfully winking at you while walking backwards to the rest of your team.

Now that all the distractions are dealt with, Childe's eyes flicker to you, and you share a murderous glance.

"Finally," He slaps the softball with a free hand, lips thinning into a homicidal smile. "I've been waiting for this. You better not disappoint me."

While Childe may be a violent anarchist who's only aspiration in life is to become a government contracted killer, he's also supposed to be your sweet boyfriend.

Slowly, you inch towards the front. "We don't have to do this Childe. We can coexist peacefully."

"Peace was never an option Y/N." He sighs, cracking his neck. "Besides—how else can I prove myself in your eyes? You may be my greatest weakness, but you are also my greatest adversary."

"I don't know, maybe start with not trying to obliterate me?"

"I'm obliterating you out of respect." He counters with a playful pout.

"Well I'll be paying my respects to your grave!" You lurch ahead into a sudden assault, yeeting as many balls as you can his way.

"That's my girl!" Childe whistles, grin widening psychotically when he goes all out, leaving you with an absence in favorable openings.

Out of nowhere, the fire alarms start going haywire, along with a beep in the PA system, which stops you two in your tracks.

A panicked voice of who you assume to be Yanfei shrieks through the comms. "CODE ORANGE! CODE ORANGE! EVACUATE THE BUILDING, THERE'S A STONEHIDE LAWACHURL ON THE PREMISES."

As if on cue, the ground starts rumbling and a Stonehide Lawachurl bursts through the halls and into the gym, looking around for something. Or rather, someone. It's sharp bumps and ridges make an indent on the floor, cracking it in.

Everyone falls into a state of panic, Zhongli trying his best to evacuate the class from the emergency back door as quickly as possible. "Settle down class, we have to follow protocol."

You, devoid of any emotion or sense of fear, turn to your boyfriend in such a calm manner it strikes an ominous dread in his stomach.

You stare.

Childe stares harder.

“I thought you killed it."

"I did." He retorts slowly, switching to gaze at the raging beast in amazement.

"Then why is it in the school!" You seethe, glaring daggers at his side profile.

Childe chuckles sheepishly, scratches the back of his neck. "I may or may not have stuffed the body in the boys washroom. Y'know, for safe keeping?"

The Lawachurl locks it's gaze on you, the prey, and then roars furiously. Turning into its geo-enhanced state, it begins charging at you with all its might, the target being solely Childe.

Leave it to your boyfriend to get on the hit list of an endangered beast.

"Fear not my vibrant girlfriend. Our first date can be surviving this." Childe cheekily kisses the top of your trembling hand before grasping it tightly and making a run for it.

#childe #childe x reader #genshin x reader #genshin xiao #genshin childe #genshin albedo #genshin #tartaglia #childe tartaglia #zhongli #xiao #tohma #diluc ragnvindr #genshin fanfic #genshin impact #genshin tartagalia #tartagalia genshin impact #eula x amber #venti x xiao

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solstycja · 2 months ago

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The concept of a song written from the point of view of a "neglected space" perhaps an abandoned garden or maybe an old lot with a barely standing house that was once a home

Since nobody is going to do it, my poor analysis skills will have to do:

In the first two verses, you have the space inviting you with its intrigue and potential

I know you can hear my voice / Don't walk away

and then

Come daydream with me / In closed loops and future-proof / Cardboard to caviar

basically showing you what could be, how it could become a haven away from your outside worries

[...] desperate lovers seeking privacy for they're forbidden / I am their defenceless host

The space cannot choose who it invites so whether it likes it or not it's also a haven for those who cannot find acceptance outside.

Through my open wounds they let themselves in

The wounds being the traces of this garden's (?) relinquishing, maybe a fracture in the gate or a hole in the fence made by animals now residing in said space.

The air in here ages me ungracefully

If anyone who is reading this ever took part in urban exploration, they'd know the smell of a decaying building that's now full of rotten wood, mould and decomposing materials all too well

I'm a nest / I could be the best decision you ever made [...]/ Find me, cherish me / Take me on or pull me down / You choose

Again, the space is trying to persuade us to engage with it anyhow. Whether you decide to sweep everything away or take on the task of managing the overgrown garden - the choice is yours but choose wisely.

Oh, save me the ache of slow-decay! / Cause I will remember you, will you remember me?

It's begging us to do something about it in exchange for it's memory of us forever. But will we remember about keeping it clean and tidy? Will we take care of the seasons' mess? Our life spans are much shorter when compared to those of trees and other plants that may appear there. Abandonment is inevitable.

Bespoke to broken, this interwoven tapestry of tragedy

To be bespoke means to be "made for a particular customer or user" usually used in the context of clothes that were tailored to a certain person. I think the "interwoven" might refer to this custom-made tapestry representing the perfect image of the space but with time slowly being weaved with the weeds that now fill this garden. A garden that was once a sanctuary for someone, now destroyed by time. It's a tragedy to the person as well as being a tragedy for the space.

Slithers of wistful window gazes glint in borrowed light

I feel like this is a perfect image of broken windows of a nearby house(?) shining and glimmering in the moonlight. The word "wistful" suggests the sight is not a pretty one but rather a tragic one - yet another reminder of what once was.

The next few verses are pretty similar in context to the build-up so I'm going to focus on the build-up alone:

A has-been, a once was, the leftovers, an eyesore / Broken beer bottles, I'm bleeding, rusty nails / [...] I'm a waste of space / I'm a nuisance, a hazard, abandoned, unwanted / [...] I'm losing grip / This is not what i stand for!

These descriptions are most likely words the space heard from the current visitors. The litter brought by unwanted guests now filling the full extent hurting the ecosystem. Broken windows and doorways without doors posing a danger to anyone that may live nearby. The last lines may suggest that the space is losing it's battle of persuasion. This gets fleshed out in the breakdown I will mention in a second-

but first we have an interlude :

It was a perfectly good grand piano

It took me a while to figure out what this line meant but (and correct me if I'm wrong) I feel like this is, again - the reminiscing of the good old days. A grand piano is a huge instrument with so many intricacies to it. It's perfectly arranged so that the keys work with the soundboard or whatever else (I have no idea what I'm talking about). What this line could basically mean is - it was a perfectly arranged garden next to this beautiful house that wasn't a mansion (notice the adjective used being "good") but it was someone's home and it added its' charm to the entire space.

Now for the breakdown:

Stop in the name of love! / I've got just what you're looking for!

This to me seems like the current visitor made the choice of completely razing the space to the ground and thus choosing to "forget" about the garden. The space even in its last moments is trying to persuade the visitor to give it a new life by tidying it not by destruction.

I'm a story in mourning, and you're the author / So pour out your masterpiece

The soul of the old garden is now in the past. What's left is the empty space. An empty vessel for future memories. The visitor or the new owner is now the author and the masterpiece is whatever comes of his work in this space.

The song "Neglected Space" by Imogen Heap has such a genius concept I'm surprised more people aren't talking about it and trying to analyse the lyrics and just break this masterpiece down

#i fear I'm talking to myself with this one but honestly i had fun writing this so if anyone does decide to read this then I'm glad and if #not then i'm also fine with that because art is all about enjoying the process #either way i urge you to listen to the song if you haven't yet!!!!#imogen is most likely your favorite singer's favorite singer #especially if you like Taylor #so i highly recommend checking out her music #imogen heap #headlock #neglected space #song analysis #lyric analysis #poetry #spoken word

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azurelyy · 2 years ago

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how did you get together with all your ships!!

Ahhhh, this is a fun question!

I do this thing called “maladaptive daydreaming” which basically means I almost constantly have a movie playing in my head. I’m completely mentally stable, as you can tell lol. Anyways! I say that because I have many, many, many different scenarios with all my ships that I alter and change constantly. However, I do have some favorites that I replay in my mind a lot and so those are the ones I’ll stick to for this question! If you’re curious about the other scenarios, I’d be happy to explain those in less detail.

Also, my self-insert “OC”’s name for my anime ships is always Yumi and so that’s how I’ll write these. Just know Yumi = me.

Shikamaru:

A classic enemies to lovers tale. Well, it was more like a classic “I was in a bad mood and was mean to you once and then you were stand-offish to me for months” tale, but that doesn’t roll of the tongue in the same way.

Basically, Yumi and Shikamaru met at one of Ino’s parties. Yumi was pretty drunk, and Shikamaru had literally just broken up with Temari. No, like. LITERALLY. That night. So, he was outside smoking as he does and Yumi marched right over to him and started smoking a joint next to him. He moved over and she followed, so he got really annoyed and asked if she could be a nuisance somewhere else. She tried laughing it off and offered him some weed, claiming that he “seemed like he needed it” which just pissed him off more.

“Why are you women all so annoying?” He sighed.

Well, she didn’t really appreciate that. Since she was drunk, Yumi spouted on about how all MEN are the same, and just because he’s having a bad night doesn’t mean he can take it out on her. She then grabbed his cigarette from his mouth, tossed it to the ground, and smashed the light out as she walked away, making sure her hair whipped him in the face in the process. He was obsessed with her ever since lol.

Gojo:

I looooove a workplace romance, so Gojo and Yumi met at the academy. Yumi transferred there and Gojo was immediately smitten with her. As we all know, Gojo is a menace. He spent months and months just flirting with Yumi every chance he could, making it very obvious to her that he was attracted to her. Yumi tried to keep it professional, even sometimes going so far as to take the long way to classes just to avoid Gojo. Yumi really liked Gojo too, but she couldn’t risk her job.

Eventually, Gojo got fed up with Yumi avoiding him and asked her to the company winter party. Your imagination can take over with what happened from there! ;)

Kakashi:

He met Yumi at a bookshop while he was visiting Suna. Always the rebellion, Kakashi had dressed up in his common clothes and snuck out without Shikamaru noticing - or maybe he did and just didn’t care? - who knows! The point is, Kakashi wasn’t meant to be there, and he really was trying to keep a low profile, but he couldn’t resist Yumi.

She had several books in her hands and was having trouble carrying them. Kakashi watched her for awhile, amused and impressed with how long she had been able to keep all her books in her arms, but he eventually caved.

“Let me help.” He insisted with a smile from beneath his mask, taking a couple of books from the top of her pile.

“Oh,” Yumi whispered, fatigued. “I’m sorry. By the time I realized I needed a basket, it was-“

Kakashi winked as her face went even paler from the realization. “Something wrong?” He asked.

“Y-You-“

Kakashi held a finger to his masked lips. “I’m just a friendly face helping a fellow reader. What’s your name?”

Yumi blushed, averting her eyes to the books tucked beneath Kakashi’s arm. “Yumi. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Kakashi smirked. “The honor is all mine.”

#ask away #azurelyy scribbles #lol is this embarrassing to admit to the internet?#oh well #Kakashi x az #Shikamaru x az #Gojo x az #self shipping

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missdawnandherdusk · 5 years ago

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Dandelion, Dandelion

Draco x Hufflepuff!Reader

When I was a little girl, my mama said to me

"What's your favorite flower, darling? I'll get you the seed"

I said "Dandelion, Dandelion, " that one's so pretty

She said, "Child, that one's not a flower, that one's just a weed"

Summary: Draco has always tormented you for anything and everything. One summer you cut your hair off and get a bit better at spells and Draco has no idea what to do with you now and you have no idea what to do with all this new attention.

A/N: Hello my darlings! This is a request from @darcypottah and now that it’s fleshed out a bit more, it will be a series, each part is going to be a school year (starting in the Goblet of Fire) or a summer between (the summer chapters will be shorter obviously) following the thread: A Hufflepuff!reader dating Draco and they get split up because Draco has to do something for Voldemort and doesn’t want the Hufflepuff!reader getting in the way. But eventually, they will get back together. Welcome to over 8,000 words because I have no self-control and this is the best thing ever not lying. It’s got everything and anything under the sun. Love you guys and as always let me know what you think!!

“Go ahead, run back to your friends,” He sneered. “I don’t see why they even let you into this school if you’re not going to do a spell,”

I hung my head, my long hair covering the hurt on my face as I rushed down the hall away from him.

Draco Malfoy. The most malicious kid in my year and a Slytherin no less. So, he thought it was acceptable for his taunts against me and my house. Not like I chose to be Hufflepuff. Not that I hated it either, I loved my house and my friends and everything we stood for... but why did it have to be me that he singled out?

I never said anything back, however. I could have, easily. And sometimes I wanted to, but I was more than that. I wouldn’t fall to his level. I didn’t know if I blamed him either. From what I heard of the Slytherin house; it wasn’t good company. Not that what he did to me was right... but I wasn’t going to be bitter.

Third year ended, and I went home for the summer. It was an unbearably hot summer and my hair was becoming more and more of a nuisance as time went on. My mother insisted I spend my days outside reading and practicing spells. Well, she said not in the house so... that left outside.

“I want it off!” I announced coming into the house at about midday. “Mother!?”

“Want what off, darling?” She asked, looking up from her book.

“My hair. It’s too much. It’s too thick and hot and I want it gone,” I huffed, taking the hair tie out of it and unplaiting it.

“Well, I suppose we can do something about it,” She smiled. “You won’t be able to hide behind it any longer,” There was a glint in her eyes of mischief.

“I’ll survive,” I muttered. “And besides, I’m a lot better at my spells now, and... I don’t need it. It’s time I... I stood for myself,” I took a deep breath uttering the words.

My mother stood and smiled, nodding me upstairs. In the master bath, she had me sit in front of the mirror and took out her own wand, brushing through my hair one last time.

“And you’re sure about this?” She gave me a pointed look in the mirror.

I nodded, swallowing my anxiety. I could do this. I thought about the freedom it promised. No longer would I have to spend every morning trying to force it into submission, nor would I have to straighten it... or keep losing and rebuying hair ties and bobby pins. Freedom...

My fingers ran through exceptionally short hair. There was something reminiscent about it... maybe a Shailene Woodley copycat...

And I was right, it was amazing. I felt free and lighter and bolder. I didn’t have to hide behind my hair anymore. I could be me. And that would be enough.

On the train September 1st, my friends fawned over my haircut and how golden my skin had become though I never realized all those days in the sun had any effect on me. It left me sheepish and wanting to hide behind hair that wasn’t there any longer.

“Woah, Y/n,” It was Cedric, “Nice haircut,” He flashed a smile at me that had me blushing and my friends giggling.

Draco passed my train compartment and our eyes met. His eyes narrowed, confusion in them, but I gave a smile and waved. It was a new year. I could be kind still.

_____________________________

“Who’s the new Hufflepuff?” Draco asked, not being able to place where he knew you from.

“There isn’t one,” Pansy rolled her eyes.

“Then who just waved to me?” Draco stopped short in his tracks.

“Y/n? Ya know the one you’ve been terrorizing for years?” Pansy said flatly.

“That was... no! She looks completely different! No way,” Draco scoffed, sulking in the compartment, not able to get your smile out of his head.

After all the years of his constant torments, you still waved at him and smiled. It must be a Hufflepuff thing. Always too trusting and kind. You were going to get hurt because of it one day.

It was ridiculous. You thinking that it would change anything by cutting your hair... and smiling a bit more... and were you tanner? Did your eyes always shine when you smiled? Had he ever seen you smile before?

He shoved all of those thoughts aside and waited for the world to make sense again.

He found normalcy in tormenting Potter and his pathetic friends, but not without seeing you on when he disembarked the train. You were laughing with your friends and talking to a few older years from your house. Again, you looked at him and smiled. When he sent a cold glare your way, you simply rolled your eyes and walked away with your friends.

______________________________

It was odd, being the center of attention rather than hide in the shadows. Everyone noticed my new haircut and new attitude... if you could call it that. I still felt like myself, just less afraid of the world around me.

The thrill of the Triwizard Tournament was a popular conversation of our house common room. Cedric was being urged to enter but he held hesitancy towards it.

Walking on my way to the library I passed him in the hall. I waved and smiled.

“Hey,” I offered.

“Oh, not you too,” He groaned.

“What?” I hugged the book to my chest, frowning. “I just said hi,”

“So, you’re not here to tell me to enter the tournament?” He asked hesitantly.

“Uh, no? I was going to the library, have a paper due in Snape’s class,” I explained, lowering my book shield and tucking my hair behind my ear. “I guess people won’t leave you alone, huh?”

“You have no idea,” He muttered, rubbing his face. “I mean, I want to do it, but now there’s so much pressure to do it that it doesn’t seem all that inviting anymore,”

“I’m sorry,” I gave a small smile. “Whatever you decide, you’ll be great. You’re the best wizard in our house, if not the school,”

“You think so?”

I shrugged. “I haven’t been here as long as you have, but I mean, it’s hard not to notice.” My cheeks flushed slightly. “I believe in you Cedric.”

“Thanks,” he stammered. “Maybe I will enter. Can I borrow some paper?”

I beamed and offered him a slip of paper and a quill.

“May the odds be ever in your favor,” I waved goodbye continuing towards the library.

With Snape’s essay done and my drawing for Herbology traced and refinished I headed back to my common room to get ready for bed and maybe get a few more chapters in of The Princess Bride.

When Cedric’s name was pulled from the cup, I jumped up screaming for him, as was the rest of my table and the entire hall it seemed. He flashed a smile at me before heading up to the front and I waved as an encouragement between clapping, beaming with pride.

“You know he’s only into you because you’re pretty now,” I heard the sneer as I walked back to the library.

Frowning, I paused, face to face with Draco.

“I’m sorry, were you talking about yourself again? And I’m flattered that you think I’m pretty,” I glared, hugging my books to my chest.

“Cedric.” Malfoy clarified. “He doesn’t actually like you.”

“And how would you know?” I snapped. “You don’t even know what love looks like,”

His eyebrows shot up in shock, and I was shocked at myself too.

“Draco, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” I apologized quickly before rushing into the safe haven of books.

“Y/n?” His voice carried through the shelved. I cursed and hid as best I could. “I know you’re in here!”

Biting my lip and pressing myself against the shelves I tried to keep my anxiety under control.

Why are you running from him? My psyche asked. Aren’t you better than this?

Maybe she was right, and I was better than this. I took a deep breath and stepped out onto the aisle. Draco spotted me immediately and stalked me down. I wanted to shrink back, but I didn’t. I held my ground and squared my shoulders.

“Since when do you apologize to me?” He hissed, inches away from me. “Too scared to say something hurtful then? Does it break your little Hufflepuff code?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “And I’d take Hufflepuff over Slytherin any day. At least I know how to be kind to people! I’ve given you no reason to hate me, but you have for years and I have every reason to hate you, but I refuse. That’s that makes me a Hufflepuff and proud to be one,” I spat the words, glaring up at him. “Say what you want Malfoy, but you’ll never be more than a Slytherin and I feel sorry for you,”

Something flitted across Draco’s face and I didn’t quite know that it was. It looked like regret and confusion, but that couldn’t be true.

“Hey!”

We both turned to see Cedric jogging down the aisle.

“What’s the idea here Malfoy? Leave her alone,” Cedric easily got between Draco and me, pushing his away.

“Here’s your champion,” Malfoy sneered at me. “Coming to save you,”

“Buzz off Malfoy,” Cedric snapped.

Draco rolled his eyes and stalked away with the dignity of a wet cat and Cedric turned to me.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly. “I know he likes to pick on you,”

“Yeah, I’m okay,” I whispered, watching Draco leave. “Thank you, you didn’t have to do that,” I gave a small smile.

“Well, I was trying to find you to thank you for convincing me to enter the tournament.” He looked down, shifting from foot to foot.

“Oh, no problem,” I smiled. “You’ll be amazing,”

“I... um, yeah. Thanks again,” He stammered before heading out of the library, leaving me there very confused about what just happened.

The day of the first task arrived, and I was in the stand with the rest of the school, watching the trial of dragons. The cry of despair left my lips before I thought twice when I say that the dragon had burned Cedric rather badly. I shoved through the crowd and to the med tent, arguing with the wizard on guard.

“Who is it?” I heard the mangled question. “Y/n? She can come in,” Cedric’s voice was strained.

I pushed past the guard and into the tent to find Cedric and Madam Pomfrey, who was currently lathering some sort of cream on his face and shoulder.

“My stars are you okay?” I gasped. “This is all my fault, I’m so sorry Cedric,”

“What are you crying for? I’m fine Y/n,” He laughed that turned into a grimace.

“Fine!?” I squeaked. “This isn’t fine Cedric,”

“He will be fine Miss Y/n,” Madam Pomfrey assured me. “Do you need something for your panic?”

“No,” I wheezed, sitting on the end of Cedric’s cot.

“You’re missing the rest of the task,” Cedric noted. “Go on out, I’ll be okay,”

“I don’t really think I can stomach anything more,” I confessed, looking over at him and sure enough his burns were healing before my eyes.

“You’re such a Hufflepuff,” He teased. I gave him a sharp look, smiling.

“Are you really okay?” I asked again.

“Can’t even feel it,” He grinned.

I nodded and stood, “I should leave you be then, I’ll... Feel better,”

“Y/n,” Cedric called as I started to exit the tent. I turned. “Thanks for checking on me,”

I chuckled. “Oh, I mean there is a line of girls out here dying to know how you are,” I smirked.

“But I’m glad it was you,”

I felt my cheeks flush red as I exited the tent and caught sight of familiar blue eyes.

“Are you following me now?” I demanded.

“Can’t I just happen to be where you are?” Malfoy spat.

“Not when it’s you, and not when it’s me,” I crossed my arms. “What do you want? Come here to taunt me some more?”

A beat of silence.

“Is he okay?” I almost missed the question it was so low.

“Cedric? Yeah, he’s fine,” I frowned, confusion clouding my senses. “Or will be soon enough,”

Draco nodded and looked out to the other trials that were going on.

“You’re not going back out there, are you?” He read me like an open book, so I shook my head. “Such a Hufflepuff,” He rolled his eyes, suppressing a smile.

“Better than a Slytherin,” I shot back smirking.

My smile dropped when I saw three other Slytherins flock his sides. I suddenly got very anxious and fearful as I rushed off back to... witnesses. My friend Abigail met me under the stands, knowing I would want to stay, and we headed back to the common room together as I told her about Cedric’s wellbeing and my encounter with Malfoy.

“There’s something not right about that boy,” Abby sighed.

“I dunno... up until lately I would have agreed, but now it’s like something’s changed.” I picked up my book.

“Oh, don’t tell me you have a thing for Malfoy,” She uttered in disgust. “Besides, I thought you liked Cedric,”

“I don’t have a thing for Malfoy. And I don’t know how I feel about Cedric just yet. He is sweet, but maybe Draco is right, and he just likes me because I got pretty,” I sneered the word.

“Did you just say that Draco might be right about something?” Abby gaped at me.

“No!” I refuted. “Yes? Maybe?” I leaned my head on the back of the couch.

“Of all the people you could be loyal to and you choose Malfoy,” Abby baited.

I laughed and rolled my eyes diving back into my book and the Fire Swamp with Wesley and Buttercup, losing myself for a while in the tale of true love.

Fast asleep, I dreamt of my book, being saved by a man in a mask with stellar blue eyes. I awoke suddenly when those blue eyes became Draco’s and not Wesley’s. Rubbing my face, I groaned and rolled over huffing.

“I do not like Draco Malfoy,” I muttered to myself and my psyche.

_____________________________

Something burned in his veins when Draco watched you rush down to Cedric after his injury. If he had been out there, he wouldn’t have been so stupid. So, he chased after you.

He watched the fear in your eyes grow as Crabbe Goyle and Parkinson joined him during your chat and followed you with his eyes as you ran off. Did he really scare you that much? Were you so afraid to be alone with him and his friends?

Duh, The voice in his head chimed in. Look what you’ve done to her for the past three years.

He found himself regretting harassing you all those years in the quiet of the night. Of course, he noticed that you changed. You weren’t so shy anymore, and you no longer hid behind your hair or let people—him—walk over you. It was the confidence that was... attractive.

“Get a grip Malfoy, she’s a Hufflepuff,” He muttered to himself staring at the ceiling.

____________________________

The announcement of the Yule Ball was just as hyped as the tournament was as it was the only topic for conversation as the holidays approached. Many couples paired up quickly, crossing house and school lines easily.

I didn’t plan on going. I wasn’t one for large crowds or loud music. I. preferred the quiet and softness of familiar company. Not like guys didn’t try to ask me. It was rather annoying. No once had they talked to me in three years but now, they attacked me in the hallways asking me to go with them.

I was at the end of my patience when I nearly ran into Cedric in the hall.

“Hey,” He waved and smiled.

“Oh, not you too,” I complained.

“Now where have I heard that before?” He teased. “You okay?”

“No,” I sulked, “People won’t leave me alone. Everyone wants to ask me to the Ball,”

“Oh, by the way...” He grinned.

“Finish that statement and I will hex you,” I snapped, earning me a laugh.

“I really doubt that.” Cedric raised an eyebrow. “But if you want, tell them you’re going with me, to get them to leave you alone,”

“That’s sweet Cedric, but I’m really not going,” I explained for the umpteenth time. “And I do not want to have to face your fangirl club.” I muttered darkly.

“Well, the offer still stands Y/n,” His smile was soft. “See you around?” He asked as the bell rang.

“Yeah, see you Cedric,”

Professor Sprout scolded me for being late, but a quick smile and she was pacified. We were reviewing for the upcoming exam, so I took out my notes from the semester. Each of my drawings were close to accurate as I took time to perfect them.

“You’re going with Cedric then?”

“What do you want Malfoy?” I snapped, not particularly annoyed as I sounded.

“You’re going with Cedric to the Yule Ball,” He restated, not really asking this time, leaning against my table.

“What does it matter to you?” I looked at him and found him staring at my drawings. I covered them quickly.

“Well, if he wasn’t going to take you...”

“Oh, shove off, Malfoy,” I snapped, anger rising in me at his game. “You think you’re funny? Asking a little Hufflepuff to the Ball so you can what embarrass me? Get my hopes up and then show up with someone else? No thank you, I’ll save myself the regret.”

“Sheesh, lighten up Y/n.” He muttered, rolling his eyes. “I... I thought maybe I could make up to you how I treated you over the years... you’re not the only one who can change Y/n.” He walked off before I could respond, and it left me gaping at the back of his head.

“Hey Y/n can I see—”

“Neville I will give you them later but come and closer and I will lose my temper,” I hissed, my voice ice cold.

Draco clouded my thoughts as the day went on. I wanted to apologize for what I said, but I never found the chance. It had been a week and I still hadn’t managed to talk to him. How had we gone from me avoiding his constant teasing to him avoiding me completely?

“You sure you don’t want to come?” Abby asked as she was leaving our room for the ball.

“I’m sure,” I smiled, “You look amazing, have a great time,”

“It won’t be the same without you,” She sighed and gave a final wave before leaving me to my thoughts and the snow falling softly outside.

_____________________________

With Pansy on his arm Draco still couldn’t draw his thoughts from you. The words you snapped at him cut him deep because they were true. If it had been any other time, he would have asked you as a joke and done something awful to humiliate you... but he didn’t want to, not this time.

Maybe it would take a bit more to show you that he had changed, so he didn’t interfere with your life as best he could manage, giving you a break. Maybe that would show you.

He was disappointed to see that you really weren’t going, and it wasn’t just an excuse you were giving to other guys because you were waiting for someone to ask you. But you were never one for excitement or large crowds. You were never at Quidditch matches and rushed out of the Great Hall whenever you could. He thought it was to escape him, that he had you on the run, but it might have had nothing to do with him.

“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?” Pansy asked. “Seriously Draco, leave her alone. She doesn’t want you. She’s a bloody Hufflepuff.” She scoffed.

“Better than Slytherin,” He muttered too low for Pansy to hear.

When Draco heard about the second task and the potential danger that you were in for talking to Cedric so much, he stood from Snape’s lecture and left immediately, on his way to find you if he wasn’t too late already.

Maybe that would make it up to you. Over the past couple months, whenever your eyes met his, there was a sad look behind your stare, and he had no idea where it came from or what he had done to get that sort of reaction from you. It’s not like he had talked to you, or badly about you.

“Y/n!” He was relieved to see you in the hall.

Your friend, who was chatting with you quickly scurried away, leaving you and him alone.

“Are you done avoiding me now?” You huffed, not meeting his eyes.

“Avoiding you?” He stopped in his tracks.

Sighing you shook your head.

“Forget it, what do you want Draco,” Your eyes still didn’t meet his.

“I... The second challenge... you’ve been talking to Cedric a lot lately...” He had no idea how to word what he wanted to say.

“We’re not dating if that’s what you’ve come to mock me for,” You were so closed off to him and he hated it.

Part of him was relieved to hear that you weren’t dating Cedric though. The burning in his blood faded at the thought, or rather shifted into curiosity.

“Why not?” The question left his mouth before he could stop it.

“What do you mean why not?”

Oh, you were angry. He had never seen you so malice towards anyone. Is this how others saw him?

“I... you two... I don’t know. You’re both in the same house, and he seemed to fancy you...” Draco stammered.

“He only liked me because I got pretty,” You mumbled, his words from months ago on your lips. “You said it yourself,”

“Oh, so now you listen to me?” He exasperated. “You’re unbelievable Y/n,”

“I’m unbelievable?” You gaped at him. “Look at who’s talking! Please tell me what’s so wrong about a Hufflepuff being loyal and kind? Is that news to you!?”

“Loyal to who!?” He barked.

“You!”

Your voice rose as you yelled at him, stopping all of the things that he wanted to yell at you. You were loyal... to him? Why the hell had you chosen him to be loyal to? He was the last person you should trust.

I have every reason to hate you, but I refuse, Your words echoed in his mind. Was that what it meant to be loyal? Not whatever his friends were to him... they had to follow him because of who his parents were but you? You were right, you had no reason to be loyal to him.

“Just... forget it Draco,” You muttered, “Forget whatever this is...” You started to walk away.

“You don’t think I’ve tried?” He called after you.

____________________________

I froze, millions of thoughts running through my head. I slowly faced him, daring to meet his eyes.

“What do you mean you’ve tried?” My voice was low and calculated.

“He didn’t like you because you cut your hair, he likes you because you’re confident, and you light up a room when you smile, and you’re nice to assholes like me,” His eyes were fixed on the floor.

“Draco?” I took a careful step toward him.

His gaze slowly met mine.

“The second task.” He muttered. “The champions have to save who they hold dear, and I thought...”

“You thought that I would be in danger,” A warm feeling spread through my chest as I pieced together his words. “And you tried to find me,”

He didn’t say anything.

“I’m okay Draco,” I reaffirmed softly. “We both are,”

“How is any of this okay?” He muttered. “A Slytherin and a Hufflepuff.”

A smile touched my lips as all of my walls and prejudices against the man before me started to fall. Maybe I had made the right choice to be loyal to him.

“Y/n!?” It was Cedric’s voice from behind me as he came trotting over. Again, he placed himself between Draco and me protectively.

“What are you doing here Malfoy?” Cedric sneered.

“Cedric, leave him alone,” I groaned, pushing past him. “He came here to see if I was okay after he heard about the second task,” Now I was between the two boys, defending Draco.

“Doubtful,” Cedric muttered. “Anyway. I’m glad you’re safe. Have you seen Cho?” His worry for me seemed false as he quickly changed the subject.

“No? Maybe she’s the one they took,” I offered the solution.

“Right, thanks, well... see you.” He barely got out before making his way toward the lake.

There was a sinking feeling in my chest that Draco had been mistaken and Cedric really only did like me for my looks. I felt so stupid in that moment and tensed, ready for Draco to goad it over me.

“I’m sorry about that,” I whispered softly turning to him.

“Nothing I don’t deserve,” Malfoy muttered under his breath.

“Doesn’t make it right,” I retorted, a smile barely touching my lips, a sigh escaping through them. “I guess you were right, he never really liked me,” I wrapped my arms around myself. “My mother says I’m going to keep getting myself hurt because I’m so trusting.” The thought rambled its way out before I could stop it.

Draco didn’t say anything, instead he headed off in the direction that Cedric was going, leaving me alone and confused again. Maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t go to the Yule Ball after all.

It had been about a week since the second task, and Draco and I had settled into some sort of odd friendship. I wasn’t afraid to be around him any longer and he didn’t seem so defensive about everything I said. It was jarringly comforting.

______________________________

“It is to happen upon the day of the third task,” His father gloated. “We will rise to power once more,”

Draco paused outside the door, listening in but his father gave away nothing more. Fear and panic struck his heart as he thought about what his father’s words meant. He knew that the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord were planning something, but this was the most information he had heard in a while.

Then his thoughts went to you. You were so kind and trusting. It was odd to think about you in the context of these things, they seemed so much darker and sinister than the sunny world you lived in and had invited him into.

You were going to hate him as soon as you found out. You’d never trust him again.

Do you really believe that? After everything she’s done for you? The voice in his head chided.

Either way you did choose, he was going to keep you safe because his father be damned if anyone hurt you because of this madness. You didn’t deserve to be hurt because of this, and he was going to do whatever it took to keep you out of it, or safe amongst it. He would let you keep your sunshine if it was the last thing he did.

_______________________________

“Are you going to the third task? It’s at the pitch, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you down there,” Draco’s voice was quizzical as he leaned against the library table I was at.

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “I’m not one for large crowds,”

“I know,” He offered a smile. “But... if you want you can sit with me, I doubt many Slytherins will show.”

I looked up from my book, surprise written in my features. Draco looked nervous as he glanced at the floor, fiddling with the hem of his robes.

“I’d love to,” A smile stretched across my face.

“Really?” It was his turn to be shocked.

“Yes? Is there something that I’m missing?” I cocked my head, raising an eyebrow at him, an amused expression on my face.

“Well, the last time I asked you somewhere you snapped at me,” He mumbled, folding his arms.

“Oh,” My voice fell. “I never did apologize for that did I? I’m sorry, Draco, I should have trusted you.”

“I wouldn’t have trusted me,” He muttered. “I know why you did it,”

“Didn’t make it right,” I smiled weakly.

“You’re gonna get hurt one day, being this trusting,” A smirk flickered across his face as his eyes met mine.

“Is that a threat?” I challenged lightheartedly.

He laughed and shook his head. I couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, I had heard him laugh without malicious intent.

“How can you like him!?” Abby feigned distress. “He’s... ugh. So frustrating and a Slytherin and a Malfoy!”

I grinned and hugged a pillow.

“He really is trying Abby,” I defended. “And I don’t like him, were friends, that’s it.”

“He ignored you for like a week!”

“Apparently that was him giving me a break from being teased by his friends, if he avoided me, so would his friends.”

It was the oddest explanation that Draco had given, but he was trying, wasn’t he? And I had to admit it was sort of cute how he thought ignoring a person would get them to like you but... he was trying. It made me smile whenever I thought about it.

“You are the only person in the world who would ever take a chance on him,” Abby groaned in defeat, flopping on the couch next to me. “You’re too pure for your own good,”

I rolled my eyes at her antics.

“Maybe he just needs someone to believe in him,” I whispered softly.

“And, of course, it had to be you,” Abby grinned at me and I laughed, shrugging.

The chill of winter passed and as April shifted to May at Hogwarts, and the wildflowers began to grow from the ground again. I found myself sitting beside the lake, rereading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

“Is that a muggle book?” His voice was disgusted but not as cruel.

“Yes,” I smiled looking up, meeting blue eyes as Draco squinted at me in the summer sun.

“Why are you reading it?” He scoffed.

Rolling my eyes, I placed my mark in the page and closed the book.

“Would you like to join me Draco?” I ran a hand through my hair to remove it from my face where the summer breeze had tousled it.

“Are you going to keep reading that thing?” He asked.

“Well, if you keep me company, I don’t need a book, now do I?” I challenged.

He grumbled something and sat down beside me under the tree, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

“What’s it about?” He wondered aloud, not diverting his gaze from the landscape.

“What? My book?” I looked up from my small pile of dandelions that I was currently trying to remember how to fashion a crown from but couldn’t quite get it.

He shrugged, his arms resting on his knees. Rolling my eyes at his hidden curiosity, I picked up the book ad opened to the page I was on and began to read aloud:

“Lord love you, Son of Adam, what a simple thing to say!” answered Mr. Beaver with a great laugh. “Turn him into stone? If she can stand on her two feet and look him in the face it’ll be the most she can do and more than I expect of her. No, no. He’ll put all to rights as it says in an old rhyme in these parts:

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

You’ll understand when you see him.”

“But shall we see him?” asked Susan.

“Why, Daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for. I’m to lead you where you shall meet him,” said Mr. Beaver.

“Is-is he a man?” asked Lucy.

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion— the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he — quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

“This is ridiculous,” He muttered. “A king a lion? Ha.” He laid on the patch of grass and I lowered my book. “Talking animals,” He scoffed.

“I can stop reading,” I mused, light heartedly threatening.

“No, keep going,” He sat up quickly, a plea on his face.

Laughing I continued to read of the Pevensie children in the land of Narnia and of the hope of Aslan. The sun began to sink behind the lake, and it became much too dark to read.

“Don’t stop now,” Draco whined. “I was just starting to bear it.”

“It’s too dark,” I pointed out with a chuckle, standing and stretching. “And we need to get dinner before it gets too late anyway.”

“Whatever,” He muttered, standing. “Here,” He thrusted the bundle of dandelions that I had been frustrated with earlier, but now they were fashioned into a crown. “Can’t do anything can you?” He snapped with less vigor than usual and stalked up towards the school.

A smile stretched across my face as I leaned against the tree, looking at the flower crown in my hands.

“No,” I answered to myself, “But he’s learning how to,”

Back in my common room, I sighed, content.

“And where have you been all afternoon?” Abby demanded. “You totally missed dinner,”

“I was reading, guess I lost track of time,” I shrugged.

“And no one in particular you spent this time with?” She was grinning.

“No,” I drawled. “No one in particular,”

“Oh, you’re a rotten liar Y/n! You spent the day with Draco!” Abby accused me, beaming. “Still don’t like him then?” She mused.

“We’re friends,” I reaffirmed, running my fingers over the petals of the flowers. “Friends,”

“Uhuh,” Abby wasn’t convinced, and neither was I.

__________________________________

Draco hated the book that you read to him. It was muggle and preposterous that you even had it on school grounds. What would his father say?

But then you started to read it to him, and he got lost in your words and the excitement. He was whisked away to a land far from the world he was living in. One of kings and queens and talking animals and prophecies that promised good and hope.

Maybe the book wasn’t so bad. Maybe the muggle who wrote it knew that someone out there needed it. To get lost in a fairytale. To shove away all of his family and his expectations, and for once, just be a king doing the right thing somewhere else.

So, he sent you a quick letter asking if you keep reading to him tomorrow.

Your response was almost immediate with a yes, and the instruction to meet you under the same tree that you had today.

“What do you mean Aslan’s dead!?” He exclaimed. “He can’t be dead!”

It wasn’t right, Aslan, the king of all just gave his life for a traitor who should have been killed instead, and Aslan just... laid himself down? When he was innocent?

“Draco, are you okay?” The concern in your voice was real.

“No! How can I be okay!? Why did you even read this to me!?” He demanded, standing, about to walk off.

“Draco!” You called, scrambling up. “He doesn’t stay dead! Will you come back here!?”

He stopped in his tracks at your words.

“What?” He snapped.

You rolled your eyes and gestured for him to sit back down. He thought he heard you mutter “drama queen,” but he was too keen on the story to mention it. He looked at you expectantly, sitting cross legged in front of you as you settled before him and continued to read:

“Who’s done it?” cried Susan. “What does it mean? Is it magic?”

“Yes!” said a great voice behind their backs. “It is more magic.” They looked round. There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.

“Oh, Aslan!” cried both the children, staring up at him, almost as much frightened as they were glad.

“Aren’t you dead then, dear Aslan?” said Lucy.

“Not now,” said Aslan. “You’re not — not a — ?” asked Susan in a shaky voice. She couldn’t bring herself to say the word ghost.

Aslan stooped his golden head and licked her forehead. The warmth of his breath and a rich sort of smell that seemed to hang about his hair came all over her.

“Do I look it?” he said.

“Oh, you’re real, you’re real! Oh, Aslan!” cried Lucy,”

You paused, a gentle smile on your lips as your eyes searched the horizon.

“Well?” He demanded, wanting to hear more.

“It’s late, Draco,” You sighed softly, closing the book. “I think Abby will kill me if I miss dinner again,”

“You told her you’re here with me?” Curiosity riddled him.

“Of course,” You smiled, standing and offering a hand to him. He took it and you pulled him up. “Why? Afraid of ruining your reputation?” Your eyebrows quirked.

“No,” He scoffed, crossing his arms. “She doesn’t mind you hanging out with me?”

“Why would she?” A frown graced your face.

“Well, I’m... me.” He scrambled for the words.

“Don’t you know anything?” You mocked his curt tone and laughed, making your way up toward the school, leaving him alone under the tree by the lake.

“No, I don’t think I do.” He muttered.

You met him again and finished the book, a soft smile on your face as you got lost in your words, to where he had to remind you to read aloud because you had stopped, reading on in your head.

Sometimes he would watch you when you stopped reading aloud, the way you bit your lip and made expressions at the pages. It was amusing for him, but he eventually had to stop watching and listen again. You always blushed and apologized when he reminded you, trying to find the place that you had crept back into your own thoughts.

“Here,” You offered him the muggle book—the Narnia book one day after Potions.

“This is yours,” He frowned.

“I want you to have it,” You smiled and shrugged. “I’ve got another, and maybe it’s time you learned to read,” The tease was light-hearted on your lips.

“Is that a muggle book?” Pansy came up behind him, sneering at you. “Why would Draco want that?”

He watched the smile fade from your face and the light leave your eyes. Fists clenched, he gritted his teeth and took a sharp breath in.

“Because it’s an amazing book,” Draco spat back at Pansy, taking the book from your hands. “And I asked her if I could have it since no one around here has any taste,”

Pansy narrowed her eyes at Draco, but a small smile played at her lips.

“Glad you figured it out,” She grinned, the walked off.

When Draco turned around, you were gone and he was left there, the book in his hands and no idea as to what just happened. What did Pansy mean that he figured it out? What did he figure out? All he did was defend you.

Looking at the book in his hands, there was a divot in the pages, so he opened the book, finding a pressed dandelion amidst the pages—the first page you read to him about a week ago, and on that page, you had underlined:

“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he is good.”

He could still hear your voice saying those words.

___________________________________

The third task date arrived sooner than I expected, between exams and avoiding Cedric inadvertently, I rarely saw Draco. I waved at him in the halls and he smiled at me, but we barely got a word in. And I missed him... I kept waiting for the courage to finally go up and ask him if he wanted to read the next Narnia book with me, but he was always surrounded by his posse and I couldn’t find a moment with him alone.

He had defended me once against his friends and the “muggle book” but I didn’t want him to have to again, so I didn’t mention it in front of anyone that Draco enjoyed the books. It was stupid, yes, but I knew it meant something more to him to keep his ‘pureblood’ status.

So, Draco and I sat side by side rather awkwardly in the stands, both straining to see what was going on below. I cheered half-heartedly for Cedric, harboring a slight grudge, and well, Draco didn’t boo, so maybe it wasn’t all that bad. The stands were crowded, and it set me on edge, but Draco was right, it wasn’t so crowded at the top of the Slytherin benches.

We watched earnestly at the games below, trying to see that was going on. When Harry and Cedric both disappeared after touching the trophy, Draco and I stood, both alarmed, but there was something hidden in Draco’s look. He knew what was going on.

“What?” I demanded. “What happened?”

“I... my father mentioned something a long time ago about this...”

“You knew something was going to happen?” I shrieked. “Why didn’t you say anything to anyone!?”

“Because I have no idea what’s going on! What was I supposed to do!?” His eyes met mine frantically. “Please you have to believe me,”

“Draco,” I pressed. “What is going on!? What do you know!?”

“He’s coming back,” The utterance was hopeless. “The Dark Lord,”

My entire world stopped. I couldn’t breathe or think or move. The anger in my chested froze into fear. I had lost my father to the first war. And now the one who killed him was back? Alive?

“Y/n!?” Draco called worried, gripping my arms. “Hey, look at me Y/n,”

I blinked and sank to the benches, beginning to hyperventilate. Draco’s arm was around me, keeping me grounded as his eyes darted around, suspiciously. The Dark Lord coming back? Now? And Draco’s father was a part of it? Was Draco apart of it?

No, he said he didn’t know. And... I trusted him. I had to trust him. If I didn’t there wouldn’t be anything left of me.

I dove into Draco’s arms, tears falling. He went rigid then timidly wrapped his arms around me, petting my hair softly.

“You’re safe Y/n,” He vowed softly. “I swear I won’t let anything happen to you,”

He was blurry through my tears, a petrified look on his face. I nodded at his words, marking them true. I believed in Draco Malfoy. The crowd gasped and I whipped around, my eyes scanning the field, not able to get a good look at anything with the swarm of people in the arena.

“Cedric’s dead,” Draco’s voice was broken as he told me the news. “Y/n, I’m so sorry,”

My voice caught in my throat as tears streamed down my face.

“No, no he... he can’t be, no,” I screamed. “This can’t... no!”

My heart shattered in my chest. Between Voldemort and Cedric’s death there was nothing left of me to break. I was completely unfixable.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I cried, burying my face in his shoulder.

He didn’t say anything because there was nothing to say that could make this better and he knew that. So instead he held me close letting me ruin his jacket with my saltwater tears.

_____________________________

Regret and pain riddled Draco through as you sobbed in his arms. Didn’t he vow to protect you from this? To save your sunshine? He thought that he was doing that by keeping you close at the third task so that he could protect you from whatever happened...

But how was he supposed to protect you from the emotional devastation that tore through you? He barely knew how to talk to anyone without insulting them or ordering them around, let alone give comfort or physical affection.

“Come on, let’s get you to Pomfrey,” He ushered softly.

He knew that Pomfrey would have something to help you, but you shook your head defiantly. He wanted to roll his eyes at your stubbornness but refrained.

“I will carry you Y/n, you need something now before you throw up or pass out. Please,”

It was the please that caught him off guard. He never said please. To anyone. Ever.

So, you gave in and nodded letting him practically drag you to the med bay—thinking the entire time it would have been less effort to carry you—where Pomfrey ushered you to a bed and gave him four vials, three for you and one for him.

“I don’t need anything,” He insisted. “I’m just here for her,”

“You’ll want it. It’s for a dreamless sleep, you both look like you need it,” Pomfrey raised an eyebrow.

He couldn’t argue with that.

__________________________________

Draco sat beside me as I curled up in the bed, clutching a pillow for dear life.

“Drink,” He ordered, his blue eyes holding no room for argument, handing me the first vial.

I complied, the liquid smooth as glass as it slipped down my throat. My nausea passed and I could breathe normally again. Closing my eyes, I took a few cleansing breaths and found him studying me as he held out the second one.

“I’m fine,” I rasped.

“Drink it Y/n,” his voice was firm and commanding.

So begrudgingly I drank the vial, this time the liquid sat heavy in my mouth and had the texture of pudding. But the numbness from my chest faded and I could think clearly as my mind started to compartmentalize what had just happened each event and thought getting its own box.

Draco.

Cedric.

Voldemort.

My father.

Draco’s father.

Regret.

Guilt.

Fear.

Wordlessly he handed me the third vial that was identical to his own and we both downed them. I barely tasted this one but soon my eyes became too heavy to open again. The last thing I remembered was Draco joining me in the bed, pulling me into his arms and cradling me close.

_______________________________

“It’s against school rules!” I heard the hiss through the fog of sleep.

“Come on, you have to admit they’re precious,” That voice was familiar.

“Will you two shove off?” And there was Draco’s annoyed groggy voice.

I peeked an eye open and saw that Abby and Pansy were standing at the foot of the bed. Then I noticed that I still wasn’t alone in the bed either. I was encased in Draco’s arms, my head tucked into his shoulder. A deep blush crept up my face as I tried to hide further in his arms.

“Pomfrey just let us in,” Abby complained. “You can at least say hi and that you’re alright,”

“She has a point.” Pansy muttered. “Been worried all night. What were you thinking Draco!? Disappearing like that!”

“Yeah Y/n! Why didn’t you tell me where you were going!?” Abby demanded. “Cedric is... and then I couldn’t find you!”

I sat up, Draco sitting up with me in light that if he didn’t, we’d both fall off the bed.

“I’m sorry, Abby,” I croaked, my mouth dry. “I... and then... and I’m sorry,” Tears pricked my eyes as Draco rubbed my arm comfortingly.

“She and I were there when it happened.” Draco explained coolly. “She... Madam Pomfrey was able to help calm her down then she gave us both sleeping potions to make it through the night.”

“I’m sure Madam Pomfrey was the one who calmed her down,” Pansy drawled, and Abby grinned.

“Lay off you two,” Draco threatened again. “We’ll be back soon. No need to worry.” The commanding tone colored his voice again as the two left, grinning and whispering to themselves.

“Well... that was odd,” I decided. “Pansy and Abby?” I mused.

Draco chuckled and pulled me into a tight embrace, before slipping out of the bed, letting me go and stretching.

“If we ever do that again we need a bigger bed,” He complained, trying to right his mussed hair.

“Again?” I teased, running a hand through mine.

“That not— wait, forget I—”

He stopped trying to make it worse when I started to laugh and got up as well, making the bed halfheartedly.

“Thank you for staying last night,” I whispered softly, “And for being there...”

“It was the least I could do,” There was a hint of self-loathing in his tone.

“Hey,” I interjected. “That wasn’t your fault... what happened. You didn’t do it.”

“But I could have stopped it,” He insisted pacing away.

“No, Draco,” I chided, grabbing his hand. “This is bigger than the both of us and you know it,”

His icy blue eyes bore into mine, but I wasn’t backing down. He did, though. Sighing, he looked down.

“How are you feeling?” He asked softly.

“Like I want to run away to Narnia,” I offered weakly; he laughed hopelessly, and I joined in as he drew me into his arms again.

“I meant it Y/n. I will keep you safe.” He murmured softly. “No matter what it takes.”

The guilt and pain that sat heavy in my chest was lifted by his words and a glimmer of hope flickered in my heart.

It was a blur, the week that passed. Black colored every Hufflepuff’s wardrobe as well as the rest of the Hogwarts students. Few smiles could be found among us as we tried to hold our heads high. Tears were shed and more hug were given, more apologies made, and more time was spent with another.

Draco was always keen on finding me in the halls, asking me how I was, wondering if I needed anything. Pansy snapped at other Slytherins who made fun of me or Draco or any Hufflepuff who was on the verge of tears. It was an odd week, but I made it through. We all did.

At the end of year feast, solemn silence fell over the entire hall as Dumbledore spoke. My eyes met Harry’s from across the room, then Draco’s before dropping to the table before me.

“The end,” said Dumbledore rising to speak to us all, “of another year.” He paused, and his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. “There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight,” said Dumbledore, “but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here,” he gestured toward the us, “enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory.”

The name was like a dagger in my heart as tears streamed down my face, standing, goblet in hand as his names left my lips one last time. The entire hall stood with us, all raising their glasses to Cedric. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought back the urge to sob again as everyone sat.

“Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house,” Dumbledore continued. “He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about.”

My eye widened as I looked to Draco, who was just as shocked as I was. There was nothing more I wanted than to stand beside him in this moment. I needed to know that it would be alright, and that Draco still had my back at the words that Dumbledore was about to speak:

“Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort.”

As panic swept through the hall, I felt sick to my stomach as Abby’s hand rubbed my back softly, my head buried in my arms on the table as I tuned out Dumbledore’s speech.

Abby’s hand fell after a while and there was a commotion beside me that I was too miserable to notice or look up at. Another hand started to gently rub my back, and I peeked up, finding Draco beside me, his gaze fixed upon Dumbledore, no emotion shown on his face.

Sitting up, and putting on a front like Draco, I held my head high and listened as Dumbledore continued.

“Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort,” said Dumbledore. “He risked his own life to return Cedric’s body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him.” Dumbledore turned gravely to Harry and raised his goblet once more.

Again, everyone stood, even Draco, and raised his glass to his sworn enemy, before sitting back down beside me. The gesture meant the world to me.

“The Triwizard Tournament’s aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened — of Lord Voldemort’s return — such ties are more important than ever before.”

At his words, my eyes flickered over to Draco then to my friends and classmates who were gawking at the Slytherin sitting at their table, some in awe, some afraid, some impressed. My eyes met Harry’s from across the way, and a look of bafflement was expressed through his features. And I understood...

A Slytherin and a Hufflepuff.

Epilogue:

“Will you come visit me over the summer?” Draco asked softly at the train landing.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea Draco,” I murmured back, not meeting his eyes. “Your parents won’t be too happy about a Hufflepuff showing up on their doorstep, will they?” A small smile made its way to my face, but there was a depressing truth behind it.

“Come anyway,” His hand came up and tilted my chin back so that I would look at him. “I meant what I said Y/n. I will protect you, even if it means from my parents,”

“I can’t ask that Dray,” I shook my head. “They’re your parents,” I insisted.

“And they’re going to have to live with the choices I make, and right now, that’s having you over for the summer,” Arrogance colored his tone as he got defiant and a smile played at my lips.

“Who’s loyal now?” I baited. “And if you really want me there, I’ll come.”

Chapter 2

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fanfoolishness · 4 years ago

Text

Translation (The Mandalorian)

(Din Djarin was a man of few words, but many languages. Some might have thought the Child had no language at all. Din Djarin and the Child grow to understand each other. Fluff, feels, found family. Spoilers through the end of season 2, 2400 words.)

***

Din Djarin was a man of few words, but he spoke many languages.

His earliest memories, half-forgotten, were soft whispers of his parents’ native tongue. The Basic they spoke carried a sweet, slurred accent he could hear sometimes in dreams, fading as he grew older. He had known the name and sounds of their language once, but years among the Children of the Watch had long erased them.

He learned other words to replace them, lost the accent of his youth and exchanged it for one of the Outer Rim. He absorbed phrases and lessons in ancient Mando’a, wrote them in his mind in a way he could never forget, standing tall for lessons with the other foundlings. They learned the words in hand and bone and soul, paired with the battle training of body and mind, and the words blazed within him. They were a forge burning blue-white hot, transforming him slowly into a Mandalorian like his saviors. He spoke those words on the day they granted him his helmet, and he gladly covered his face, the fire within roaring with a newfound pride.

As a young man he traversed the Rim, face always hidden, ears always open. New words were needed for the work he found. He picked up enough Jawaese to trade with, though he bore little love for the scavengers; sometimes they were his only choice. He spoke their language haltingly, enough to do what he needed, his mouth straining to shape itself in ways near impossible for a human. If it was what the job needed, he’d do it.

His work brought him to worlds near and far, places where rule of law was an outright myth. He took a great deal of work on Tatooine, and soon realized his marks, if still planetside, always fled to the desert.

He was no fool. He brought gifts in trade to the Sand People, meager things he could ill afford, but they sensed his respect, and they gave him words. He learned their signs, hands practicing the movements at night by their fires. He practiced until he understood the shape of the grammar, how the signs flowed one to the other, sentences constructed in the air before him. He asked them for aid, and they told him of the trespassers on their land.

The Guild worked often with the Hutts and their empires, and he found himself bristling at droids taking liberties with his Basic for their Hutt masters. Protocol droids weren’t the ones who’d devastated his world, of course, but they were soulless, empty things all the same. He practiced his Huttese in seedy bars, in market squares, rarely with marks who behaved themselves for a chance to stay out of carbonite for a little while. He spoke to the Hutts in their own language, and they learned, with time, to keep their droids back when dealing with the Mandalorian hunter.

He picked up other snippets here and there, and understood more than he spoke in Twi’leki, Durese, Bocce. Language was just another tool, another weapon that could be wielded in service of the Way. He used it for little else.

Until he found the Child, and the words of the Creed flared deep in his bones.

***

The Child had no language, as far as he could tell. He tried all of them he had, both spoken and signed, on the journey to Sorgan.

“What’s your name?”

“Where do you come from?”

“Why did the Imps want you?”

“Who do you belong to?”

The Child just looked at him with interest, no matter which language he tried. In desperation he even tried out curse words from a few he had no other point of reference for, feeling vaguely guilty for doing so, but it was the only other thing he could think to do. The Child watched him curiously, small green hands folded politely in his lap as if waiting for Din to finish.

He ended with a muttered “dank farrik,” and leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. The Child tilted his enormous ears and blinked slowly, looking at him deep in concentration.

“Eee,” he cooed happily, and Din sighed, awkwardly patting the Child on the top of his head.

“That’s okay, kid. We’ll, uh, we’ll work on it.”

***

He watched the Child with the village children. They chattered to him eagerly in Basic, calling for him to follow them, patiently laying out the rules in their little games. A boy might lift the Child up in his arms, then pass him to a girl who would show him how to play with their game of counting sticks and stones. For his part the Child laughed and played with them as if he’d been there all his life.

He wondered if the kid could understand Basic, but if his mouth just didn’t work the right way to speak it. He’d never seen another of the kid’s kind, after all. He practiced with him at nighttime, just little things here and there, curiosity getting the better of him.

“Come here, kid.”

“That’s called soup. Sooooup. Can you -- hey, don’t spill it --”

“Don’t touch that.”

“I said, don’t touch that.”

“C’mon, kid, get outta there --”

Well, if the kid understood Basic, he sure had a funny way of showing it.

***

Peli Motto was a good mechanic. That wasn’t too surprising; spaceport towns usually had pretty good options. Anyone who couldn’t wield a spanner was weeded out pretty quickly. More surprising was the way she handled the kid.

She sat in the landing zone on a shipping crate, the Child on her knee. He seemed content as she bounced him slightly up and down, letting out cheery little noises periodically and waving his hands.

“How do you know how to do that?” Din asked, examining the Crest’s landing gear and checking the repair job. Everything looked to be in order. “He seems to like it.”

“Kids like bouncing,” she said matter-of-factly. “Doesn’t matter what species they are. They like bouncing, food, feeling safe. All the good stuff.”

He leaned against the landing gear, folding his arms across his chest. “He… didn’t say anything while I was gone, did he?”

She shook her head. “Nah. I think this little one’s too young for language yet. But I think he understands more than he lets on.”

Din’s mouth twitched in a smirk she couldn’t see. “You and me both. He’s stubborn, this one.”

She laughed. “Reminds me of you.”

***

The Child was starting to become just ‘the child.’ He wasn’t sure when he stopped thinking of the kid so formally. Maybe it was a side effect of the past several weeks together, leap to leap, world to world. He was getting used to the little womp rat being there, messing with controls on the ship, getting into trouble, generally making a nuisance of himself.

Except for when he looked up at Din, his dark eyes open and trusting; except for when he fell asleep in the crook of Din’s arm instead of the blankets in his pram.

He was kid now, mostly. Sometimes buddy. Sometimes pal. The Child was starting to be reserved for when Din talked to other people. In the Razor Crest, just the two of them, he was just the kid, and Din was just himself.

***

He cradled the kid against his chest as the wind whipped past them, the Rising Phoenix carrying them back to the Crest over the lava fields of Nevarro. The kid’s little hands clung to his cuirass, but there was no need; Din held him more tightly, more securely, than anything he’d ever carried in his life.

A clan of two. You are as its father.

Dying sunlight glinted on the mudhorn signet, a reflection picked up through the slit in his helmet. He swallowed, then tilted his chin in towards his chest, making sure the kid was okay in the wind.

A little face turned upwards to look at him, big eyes wide, his mouth dropped open in surprise. Din chuckled a little, despite his aching head from the injury, despite the fate of the Tribe weighing upon him. The kid liked the ride.

“Don’t worry, buddy,” he said into the wind. “I got you.”

***

The kid didn’t speak Basic. But he spoke something, and Din began to know more and more of what that was.

There was a little tilt of his head and shift of his ears for curiosity. A slight coo and wide-eyed expression for delight. An intent narrowing of the eyes with ears held stiff and back towards the tiny shoulders, especially when he wanted to do something that Din very much did not want him to do.

He tugged Din’s leg for food or to be picked up or changed. He stared at himself in the reflections of Din’s armor and sometimes reached out to touch the shadow faces in their smooth surfaces, looking up at Din in surprise when there was nothing there but beskar. He waited until Din looked away to play with knobs and buttons on the control console, and Din got better at always keeping an eye on the kid with his helmet turned just slightly towards him, enough to use his peripheral vision.

He found himself speaking more and more to the kid. Things he didn’t need to say, words that filled the little cockpit of the Razor Crest with a warmth the place had never known. The words spilled out of him, and the kid soaked them up like sunshine.

“Good job back there. You were very brave.”

“Come on now, you know better than to mess with that. … see? I knew you did. Good.”

“Feeling hungry? Let’s see… I’ve got frog legs, bantha milk -- oh, there’s a thing of soup I can warm up for you. No, those cookies are for after dinner. You wanna grow big and strong, don’t you, little guy? Dinner first. Cookies later. If you behave yourself.”

“Time for bed, kid. No fussing. I can see how sleepy you are. Come on, I’ll come to bed too.”

“Night. Get some rest, okay?”

It wasn’t just words he used. He found a dozen, a hundred reasons during the day to reach out and smooth the kid’s robe collar, or carefully touch the edge of one oversized ear. He got used to the weight of the kid on his hip or nestled in one arm. His gloved fingertips were gentle, brushing against the kid’s cheek to clean his little face, checking his hands and feet for dirt or scratches. He rested a hand against the kid’s back for reassurance, brushed a hand over the curve of the back of his head to help the kid relax and fall asleep. He got used to small clawed hands nestled in his own. And sometimes the kid reached up to touch his helmet, little hand slipping under the brim, and Din let it stay.

***

Turned out there were other ways to talk. The Jedi turned to him in the misty night, firelight golden on her face, telling him years of tragic history, a constant fear, a lingering anger… a name.

Grogu.

It was hard to wrap his mind around at first. The name fit the kid in some ways -- short and kind of ugly, but in a way that turned itself around to be somehow endearing. But hearing the name lanced him through the heart, cauterizing like a blaster bolt. Grogu had a name, and had nearly lost it. He didn’t want that for him. Remembered, for an instant, how it had felt --

But you had the Way. What does he have?

He tried to help the kid -- Grogu -- with his powers, tried to show the Jedi what he could do. He needs training. I have to make sure he gets it. He held the little silver ball, proud as anything when Grogu summoned it to his small hand with a snap. But the Jedi’s refusal to take him slapped him in the face.

He took Grogu back to the Crest that night, deep in thought, boots leaving little mark upon the loamy forest floor. Grogu watched his helmet with wide eyes. For a moment he felt a pang of jealousy. How many months had he been with the kid, and never found out half of what the Jedi told him in a moment’s conversation?

“If I could have, I would have, kid,” he murmured. “...you know that, right?”

Grogu’s hand came up to twist into the cloth of his cowl, brushing against his neck.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, and the relief he felt was indescribable.

***

There hadn’t been enough time.

One moment he was laughing in the cockpit, overwhelmed by the way Grogu looked up when Din said his name. One moment he was whooping when the kid used his powers, eagerly telling him he’d done good. One moment it was just the two of them, happy, hopeful, safe.

And then the Jedi Seeing Stone lit up with a glow he didn’t understand, and Grogu slipped away from him.

He fought and Fett and Shand fought with him, and through it all he could only think, Grogu. Kid. I’ll protect you!

A messy, chaotic fight, blaster fire, a direct salvo. The Crest vanishing under a blinding flash, dark figures launching into the sky with precious cargo at a speed the Rising Phoenix couldn’t hope to match.

He failed.

Grogu was gone.

And he had no words at all.

***

Din Djarin was a man of few words, but many languages.

Some might have thought the Child had no language at all.

But on an Imperial cruiser, standing before strangers, Din held his son close. He cradled him to say goodbye, and when the little hand brushed against the brim of his helmet, he lifted it without hesitation, despite the Creed written in bones and blood and beskar.

Din trembled at the warmth, the softness, of that small hand brushing tenderly against his naked cheek. And when he opened teary eyes to gaze upon Grogu’s face, he knew exactly what his child was trying to say.

#din djarin #the mandalorian #grogu #mandalorian #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian spoilers #tm spoilers #spoilers #my mando fic

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