#moonlight aromantic

[aromantisk-fagforening]

What is moonlight aromatic?

an aro who doesn't want to date

(link here to the coining (I think?), flag and related terms)

[orientation-archive]

PT/Sunshine Aromantic. Moonlight Aromantic. Eclipse Aromantic. Starlight Aromantic/end PT

Sunshine Aromantic

A label for when you're on the aromantic spectrum and want to date people.

Moonlight Aromantic

A label for when you're on the aromantic spectrum and don't want to date people.

Eclipse Aromantic

A label for when you're on the aromantic spectrum and switch between wanting and not wanting to date people.

Starlight Aromantic

A label for when you're on the aromantic spectrum and aren't sure if you want to date people.

[pokimoko]

Hey if you’re up for it, could you maybe do a trans coloured creature with an aroace sunset flag? No worries if not :)

I think this lil' guy counts as a creature. Enjoy!

[aromanticgarbage]

🤨 x x x

[cooky-pride-flags]

Hiiii here's aromantic and agender Millennial Tree Cookie!

These earthy tones are super aesthetically pleasing

[fantasy-store]

Sunlight Aromantic

my take on/alt version of the Aromantic flag and another addition to the skyset pride series.

being aromantic covers a vast different kind of experiences with romance and romantic attraction or lack thereof. some are romance repulsed, some are romance favourable, some are neutral, some want relationships some dont, some have a limited amount of romantic attraction while some have none at all, the list goes on but all aromantics are valid and welcome in the community and are welcome to call themselves queer no matter what other labels they use.

Moonlight Asexual

my take on/alt version of the Asexual flag and another addition to the skyset pride series.

being asexual covers a vast different kind of experiences with sex and sexual attraction or lack thereof. some are sex repulsed, some are sex favourable, some are neutral, some want relationships some dont, some have a limited amount of sexual attraction while some have none at all, the list goes on but all asexuals are valid and welcome in the community and are welcome to call themselves queer no matter what other labels they use.

Starlight AroAce

my take on/alt version of the AroAce flag and another addition to the skyset pride series.

being aromantic and asexual is a lovely combo. for whatever reason(s) you may identify with both labels as well as regardless of whatever other labels you may use as well, you are still welcome and part of the community and allowed to call yourself queer if you feel it fits.

tagging for reach/notes: feel free to be asked to be removed from or added to the taglist

@melodymogai, @archival-arrival, @the-yanderess, @iloveleeks2, @queersrus, @kitti-coining, @polyfragmentedchaos, @zelle-exe, @lethargicexcitement, @bi-lesbian, @mikus-coining-blog, @dykefnctl

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Jeddah Roe from Hunting by Moonlight is aromantic asexual!

[theinsomniacindian]

Everyone who is saying "Isn't that just love, OP?" is absolutely right, I have a stronger relationship with the moon than I do with other human beings

"Love is what makes us human" Wrong, my ability to write poetry about the moon is what makes me human

[autisticlassiedog]

Finally updated my avatar 😸

[creativeinfinite13]

AROMANTICISM - THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND ROMANCE AND YOU HAVE TO BE APART OF IT 

When you're a kid, you don't question much. Some things about the world are just fact, you know? The sky is blue, ice cream is tasty, strangers are dangerous, the world is good, and your mom is all-knowing. But as you grow up, you're expected to question things. The world gets more complex; you learn about politics, or statistics- misogyny and personhood. Your mom was a kid once too, and she has her own biases. But some things aren't ever questioned. Not even considered. It's on the radio, on tv. It's on the billboards, in the coying questions about every boy you meet. A kiss begins with Kay. True love conquers all. Martha and Dereck are getting together- isnt that so nice? Because everyone strives for that, right? Everyone feels it. You should want this. Mom and dad are married. And you will be too. 

Love. The uniting human emotion- or so it claims. Of course there is love for your friends, for your family- and that for sure is all-emcompasing, a deep connection unlike any other that makes your heart feel warm and safe. That is love of course, but thats not the first thing that came to your mind, right? No. This is about Love, the coupling emotion, full of kisses and rings and nights of passion. Its the eternal connection to which nothing can compare, and without it, you are only half of a whole. Half a person- you are nothing without a partner to marry and obsess over. Half a feeling- You wont get the true human experience if you dont fall in love. A half without a whole. A half that needs to be fixed. 

But what if that was all you were? 

What if you never felt broken? 

But you are, of course. You have to be. You simply dont get it. Everyone has there special someone, and it will be alright in the end. You cannot be truly happy without a partner. Just look at all the newlyweds. And their parents. And their grandparents. Look at how happy they are. Dont ask about the divorcees, or the abusive spouces. Dont look at your friends, doing drugs and ignoring meetups for the sake of love. Love is always more important than friendship. It is simply more. Lovers support you- like friends dont? Lovers give you joy- like friends cant? Lovers fill you up with warmth and safety and trust- but of course, also lust. Also passion. You have to be a little crazy to live with someone forever. And isnt that just what it is? Crazy? Thats what its always seemed like. So much emotion for someone- that you never felt. Something that you dont really want to feel. Because you have felt warmth, trust, and fondness. But only with friends. But never that overwhelming force that Love seems to be. That overwhelming force that makes you only focus on one person above all others. Its almost terrifying, that obsession. Your not sure if you could ever want something like that. But you have to. You have to kiss and marry and go on dates. Because otherwise? You're crazy. Broken. Some- Thing that just doesnt understand. That just has to find “the right one.” And then you will be whole. You will be normal. Because everyone falls in love. Thats just how it is. How it always will be. 

You will be a mom, and you will have a husband. And you will kiss under the moonlight, make love to each other, and you will pretend to feel something when you say your vows. You will stop hanging out with your friends, and more with your husband, and life will begin to dull. You will love your children, truly, and barely make eye contact with the person who shares your home. You will grow old, and he’ll grow alongside you, and you will wonder when you will be happy. But this is all it is. All it will be. And soon, you will just be a wife. You will not have friends. You will not have a hobby. And you will not feel happy, or sad, or anything at all. Because you are not just a half now. Love has made you a hole.

AROMANTIC: A PERSON THAT FEELS LITTLE TO NO ROMANTIC ATTRACTION TO ANYONE. EX: “I'M NOT GOING TO MARRY, I’M AROMANTIC.”

[seraphim-coinz]

Aahh, hello again! NPTs seem fun :D

May we request one based on goth angels? Maybe demons too? Thank you!

System Names: The Baby Bats. The Ruby Gloom Collective. The Melancholy Sys. The Sacrificials. The Demonic Sweethearts. The Sorrowful Angels. The Vile Wings. The Haloed Demons.

Names: Cherry. Bael. Ash. Ruby. Maeve. Saint. Crimson. Angelo. Ange. Evan. Choir. Demonesse. Violetta. Divina. Cannibelle. Woundie. Axelle. Myrette. Serenity. Iris. Misery.

Pronouns: Halo/Halos. Horn/Horns. Night/Nights. Cloud/Clouds. Ghoul/Ghouls. Ae/Aer. Gore/Gores. Rot/Rots. Dark/Darks. 🐈‍⬛/🐈‍⬛s. Fang/Fangs. Snake/Snakes. En/Envies. Fie/Fiends. Creep/Creeps. Sin/Sins. Moon/Moons. Rose/Roses.

Usernames: demonicangel. rubygloomsguardianangel. halosonhorns. angelwingeddevil. cherryhalo. melancholyangel. sacrificialseraphim. gothicdove. macabrewings.

Titles: The Angelic Monster. The Gothic Devil. The Dovewinged Daemon. The Moonlight Daemon. [prn] who is Melancholy. The Macabre [term.] [prn] the Demon-Angel Hybrid.

Genders: Eeriething. Angelx. Corruptangelic. Angelmortuic. Batgothedral. Decayedgender. Demohuntix. Eerangenic. Deangelgender. Gothlitacoric.

Labels: Goth Transmasculine/Goth Transfeminine/Goth Transneutral. Demonic Lesbian. Dark Cute Transmasculine. Vampire Aromantic Asexual. Cannibal Lesboy.

PS: Would you like an anon tag, bud?

[gothamnewsnetwork-official]

Bernard Dowd cheating on Timothy Drake-Wayne and Astra Jordan-Queen with Red Robin?

https://www.tumblr.com/actuallyredrobin/759452099200303104/hi-im-just-here-to-say-im-a-big-fan-of-yours-and?source=share

Just look at the tags, this has happened more than once. and the reblogs..

Trouble in Paradise; Wayne’s finally in their breakup era?

Tonight we bring you not, but two stories of failed romances in the Wayne Family. Our first story up being the potential cheating occurring in the relationships of Wayne Enterprises (see related articles) newest (and youngest) CEO.

Earlier yesterday evening we were made aware of yet another potential scandal in the Wayne family’s love lives; the third Wayne son and current CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Timothy Drake-Wayne ( @timblrdrake ) (see related articles), may be getting cheated on.

The alleged cheater, Bernard Down ( @officialbernarddowd ) (see related articles), has been accused of two-timing both Mr. Drake-Wayne and their partner, Astra Hal-El ( @totally-not-soupernova ) (see related articles), with none other than one of our beloved city’s very own vigilantes.

Who is this masked home wrecker? None other than Red Robin ( @actuallyredrobin ) (see related articles), himself.

The alleged affair between Mr. Dowd and Red Robin has been going on for several weeks now, the earliest mention of it that we were able to find dating back to July this year.

This, however, is not unexpected given Mr. Dowd’s penchant for saying one thing yet doing another. The most recent example of this being his dramatic turn from priesthood in the Children of Dionysus (see related articles) to moonlighting as a Talon (see related articles) for the Court of Owls ( @court--of--owls ) (see related articles), seemingly without either parties prior knowledge.

Though Red Robin is adamantly denying this connection, Mr. Dowd has been unable to comment, neither have either of his partners, Mr. Drake-Wayne and Ms. Hal-El. We only hope that the young throuple are able to resolve this as soon as possible.

Our second story tonight comes from Mr. Bruce Thomas Wayne ( @officialbruciewayne ) (see related articles) himself, and his alleged split with this on-again off-again partner; Selina Kyle ( @selinakyl-ee ) (see related articles).

Their relationship has been known for many years, though when asked neither Mr. Wayne or Ms. Kyle could pinpoint an exact date, not even remembering at what time they met.

This however, is not the focus of our story. As of only a few days ago, the two have been rumoured to have called it quits. The split is, to the public, relatively sudden given their amicability whenever seen in public or asked of one another (see related articles). We sent an intern to interview Mr. Wayne on the matter, his response was greatly illuminating.

When asked on the nature of the split, Mr. Wayne stressed the fact that the breakup was mutual and that the two are still close. That being said he also found it prudent to mention that it was no fault of Ms. Kyle’s, stating directly -

“ It ended because she deserved more than I had to offer. ”

This comes after many a rumour that Mr. Wayne may be on the aromantic (see related articles) and/or asexual spectrum (see related articles). When asked, he responded that these were untrue, citing is many public relationships with both men and women (see related posts) as a counter.

Unfortunately, this rabbit hole of attempting to figure out the meaning of Mr. Wayne’s words has gotten us nothing but speculation, theories ranging from the tame to the ludicrous and bizarre (see related articles).

As all eyes are on the Wayne’s, we urge all readers to consider tuning in to the live broadcast of the Charity Gala being hosted by the family at the end of this month and consider donating to one of the many causes that will be presented, such as the Thomas and Martha Wayne Foundation where you can donate via website or at their email (donations@thomasmarthawaynefoundation.com).

Let us know your thoughts on the topic (here)

Gotham Reports is certified in unbiased, reliable, and fair journalism.

[rolaplayor101]

This Valentines/Aro Day

I'm sharing my Arospec/Black/& Polyam book haul!! ft. Romance or Queer Platonic Relationships!

Legendborn(almost finished): black girl main character, interracial mf relationship, multiple queer supporting characters! YA fantasy with themes of racism and trauma

A Queen Of Gilded Horns(I've only read River of Royal Blood): Black main characters, black mf relationship, romance isn't the main plot which makes it very engaging for a romance tired black person like me! Focus is on racism in the fantasy world, multiple queer supporting characters!

Symbiosis (I haven't read Escaping Exodus yet): Black girl Mc, Sapphic relationship I heard! Mostly sci-fi plot I think! I'll recc it anyway cause I am gonna read it during this Black history month!

Ruin of Stars (only read Mask of Shadows): poc gender fluid main character in relationship with a woman, aromantic and black supporting character!! Fantasy with assassins and political commentary and trauma

Moonlight Love Witchcraft(havent started): Multiple Poc Mcs, polyam relationship, nonbinary main character, asexual werewolf mc!! Indigenous mc!! Comfy fantasy!

Silver Under Nightfall(haven't finished): Black Mc alongside Asian Mc and genderfluid southeast asian??? mc!! Polyamorous relationship! Paranormal vampire fantasy with great plot!! So far!! Tw for SA and trauma

Blasted Research(haven't finished): ace and nonbinary mc!! Polyam m/nby/nby relationship! Dystopia sci-fi and only on ebook!

Role Playing(almost finished): Asian American mc and bi demirose mc! Mf relationship but queer!! Video game romcom with themes about the harms of amatonormativity featuring 50 year olds!

The Bone Season(haven't really started): Multiple poc supporting characters, main character is demirose! Multiple queer characters! Fantasy dystopian setting! Love interest is nonbinary??? In second book.

Genesis of Misery(haven't finished): nonbinary southeast asian mc! Sapphic relationship! Religious political sci-fi plot with multiple queer and poc characters!

Most Ardently(haven't finished): trans and queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice! Gay relationship! Plain historical romance! Multiple queer supporting characters!

By Your Side(finished): a short queerplatonic story! Bi mc with aro mc! Polyam queerplatonic relationship!! Realistic college fiction that's like 38 pages!

Is Love the Answer (finished): aroace nonbinary mc and multiple aspec mcs! All poc cause they're Japanese. Possible queerplatonic relationships discussed! Realistic college fiction!

I Want To Be A Wall(finished): Japanese Aroace mc and gay mc married in a qpr!! Realistic comedic fiction! Full review here

If the authors have anything to add, I'll @ them here! @linseymiller @sshannonauthor @whatnowrin @coffeequills @thegabecole @themargherita-s @queerio-cheerios @itsneonyang

I also do art commissions if anyone would like to help me buy more queer and poc books 😢 😭

[afreakingdork]

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Moonshine - Chapter 5

RotTMNT x Reader

@phoebepheebsphibs is back depicting some aftermath in this week's chapter art!

Rated: Teen and Up Audiences

Relationships: Michelangelo (TMNT)/Reader, Michelangelo (TMNT)/You, Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Donatello (TMNT)/You

Warnings: POV Second Person, Gender Neutral Reader, Anxious Reader, Introverted Reader, Stuttering, Aged-Up Mutant Ninja Turtles, Romance, Love, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Unrequited Love, Rejection, Aromantic Asexual Michelangelo (TMNT), Bisexual Donatello (TMNT), Pansexual Leonardo (TMNT), Lesbian Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit, Demisexual April O'Neil (TMNT), Implied Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit/April O'Neil/Sunita, Endgame Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Romantic Love, Platonic Love, Panic Attacks, Sexuality Crisis, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Happy Ending, Fluff

Synopsis:  You’ve lost most of your life to anxiety and fear. Now, in your late 20s, you are desperate to reclaim it and during one such outing you encounter the sun personified. With his and his similarly celestially inspired family, will you finally reach your goal or will you lose yourself along the way?

HUGE shout out to @marwhoa for doing sensitivity reading!

Also available on Ao3

First 💛 Previous

“Mikey.”

“Okay, so we knocked a ton of likely places out: The apartment. All the roads to it. That dumpling house they always order from. The outdoor coffee shop with the cute little plaza-“

“Mikey!”

“Where else? Where else?! We don’t have time!” Mikey launched himself toward the next building.

“We literally only have time!” Leo chased him. “You’re stuck with me. Meaning, I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen!”

“Leo! Later! Literally any other time! I’m all ears or whatever Donnie always says we have, but not right now!”

“You weren’t ever going to tell Y/N?”

Mikey tripped over a ledge and somersaulted straight into an air conditioning unit.

Leo’s face appeared, nonplussed by the accident, and peered in through the opening of Mikey’s shell as an omnipresent knowing eye. “Ever?”

Mikey wished he could say no one was home, but he knew the moonlight would give away his gaze. “Leo, we-!“

“The others are all looking too. Take 10, chef.”

Coming up from his favorite nickname, Mikey pouted.

“Talk to me, hermano”

“It’s-!” Mikey opened his mouth to whine, but nothing came out. Hopeless, he sank back into his body, but his chin caught on the top edge of his plastron to keep from a full retreat. “There’s something wrong with me, Lee.”

Leo took a seat. “How’s that?”

“It’s like…” Guilt not only threatened to swallow him whole, but it also took his words. 

This was supposed to be his. 

He was going to keep these feelings locked away until he had time to deal with them. 

It was different, he told himself. 

Different than when his brothers tried to forget or compartmentalize. 

Mikey knew something was wrong. 

He acknowledged it near daily since meeting you. 

He also knew that sometimes someone needed the proper tools to deal with emotions. 

He needed information and he meant to look it up. 

He was planning to do so. 

He had forgotten.

He felt like a child. 

How many times had he made the distinction that he wasn’t the same as his brothers? 

He wasn’t a color to be mixed up. 

Feeling small, Mikey was struck with a memory of how Splinter had taught him how to give a formal apology. 

Placing his hands to the roof, he assumed a dogeza in hopes the appeal would reach his conscience. “How I feel… doesn’t feel like how you talk about your crushes. Or how Donnie does. Or Raph… Or Dad.. Or Barry! O-or anyone! It’s wrong. I’m wrong. I’m scared, Leo. That’s why I wasn’t going to bring it up! I don’t… It wasn’t supposed to go away! What if Y/N hates me? What will I do then?! What if I never see Y/N again!?”

“Hey, hey…! Woah there, bud…” Leo put his hand on Mikey’s carapace and rubbed; it was a circle Mikey had known since they were tots. “Slow down. How about we tackle one thing at a time? Think you can describe those feelings? Maybe let somebody else be the judge if they’re wrong or not?”

Mikey stared into the pebbled surface of the roof. “I… feel… nothing…? But I know I should. Like Y/N smiles and I feel like I should get this big warmth in my chest. It’s the kind of feeling that you get when there’s fireworks or a flower blooming or… metaphors! But… the feeling comes and I know I like it. It makes me feel good. To see Y/N happy. Oh man, Leo, you should have seen Y/N the first time I did. Y/N was… so scared… And-and I had this urge, like this, this was meant to be. I felt that! I felt that ‘at first sight’ feeling! Like, I can do this! This person needs me and I can be their person and I was! At least, I thought… I was. I eased in! I didn’t push because like, yeah, who am I to decide that? I always gave Y/N an out! Always! But then… that was it! Like I love you guys and I know that in my heart, but this is different, and then I look at Y/N and I feel… not that, a different thing, but it’s not not that. It’s like a step below how I feel for you guys and that’s not right because I know I feel more, or I think I feel more or…? I want… to… feel… more…?” In a warm drip, he felt the safe, non-threatening sort of tears dribble down his cheeks.

He rubbed a few of them away before checking on Leo.

His brother had open concern twisted on his features. 

Mikey agreed.

This was a mess.

Now he’d forced his brother into the mix. 

His whole family was sure to come next.

How many people were going to be struck by the fall out?

Donnie had a point.

Mikey never fully considered the repercussions of his actions.

He never did.

Wracked with more sobs, Mikey willed for what felt like the thousandth time that this confusion would end.  

“Ah! Don’t do that!” Leo rushed to scoop up Mikey’s shell and hold his little brother close. “Shit, Mike, that wasn’t me thinking you were wrong! You’re not broken. You’re not wrong. I’m sorry. That look was for me. I was upset I never noticed. I should have realized something was up. I saw you wigging out about your new sweetheart, but I figured you were excited. I was thinking, ‘boy, look at him, finally got his crush on. You go little bro!’ when I should have seen how you were forcing yourself. I should have…”

Mikey shook his head so violently it smacked Leo’s chin a few times.

The slider leaned away, but kept his hold.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing.” Leo returned to stare Mikey down.

“Then why… isn’t my heart working!?”

“Okay, first off.” Leo jammed a finger into Mikey’s pectoral scutes. “It is. You’re literally made of turtles, love, and sunshine. Your ticker is ticking a way in there. I’m no expert, but I don’t think this is a working, not working kinda thing, Mike.”

“How is that possible? There’s only the two options.” A few fat plump tears dripped down Mikey’s face and onto Leo’s shirt.

Leo made a face before digging into his side pouch and producing tissues. “We’ll figure this out. I think April would be a good person to start with, but first-“

“Y/N!” Mikey screeched, scrambled off of Leo, and headed to the roof’s edge where he looked out like a skipper on a boat. “Stupid, stupid! Why do I always forget?!”

Leo sighed. “Quit it with that degradation talk. A certain Dr. Feelings gets pretty pissy when I do it.”

“That’s different.” It really was. 

“Yeah, right!” Leo walked over and gently tapped his brother on the back of the head. “I’m here, you know that, right?”

“I know, Leo.” Mikey sent his brother an honest look.

Leo took it with a lopsided smile. “So… that pretty plaza was totally the next thing on the list, eh?”

“No!! We were just there, the next is-!” Mikey growled, knowing full well that Leo had goaded him on purpose.

-

“Y/N is alright. They’ve been deposited at their apartment.” Donnie’s voice crackled on the communicator.

“I’m going.” Mikey changed direction with a pivot of his foot.

“Uh, you sure?” Leo readied, clearly prepared for either a chase or interception.

“They’re tired Mikey. Let Y/N sleep it off and you two can have your talk on a date of both your choosing.” Donnie’s voice warbled with static.

“And why is it-!?” Mikey roared, spinning around and hating there wasn’t a specific place he could send his anger. “-that you know that?! Why were you with Y/N!? Why did you go to Y/N’s apartment?! What did you do?! Your tests!??!”

Leo loosely grabbed Mikey’s shoulders for a firm grip of solidarity. “Donnie, I can only hold him back so long. You gotta answer at least one of those. Mike’s earned it and you said, point blank, you were going to your lab. So, how is it that you ended up going to where they live? What’s the real haps?”

Donnie sighed. “I’m en route. Can you wait a few more moments?”

“How long?” Mikey was itching to get out of there.

He could see you.

He could fix this.

Tears brought clarity.

It was science Donnie had taught him.

“Now.” Voice cross fading into existence, Donnie flew in and walked into his landing.

He was too casual.

Mikey went through old training, focusing on each of his muscle groups in an attempt to keep from attacking.

Lashing out wasn’t reasonable.

Not yet.

Running into battle with pizzazz and no forethought was the stuff of teenagers.

“I know how this looks.” Donnie raised his hands. “I did lie. I went after Y/N while you all were trying to calm Mikey down.”

Leo threw his hands up both to release Mikey and to do a frustrated lap.

Years had taught the youngest of another route.

Now freed, Mikey let betrayal leak onto his face.

A low blow, he watched it strike Donnie.

The guilt displayed there was the only reason Mikey didn’t pounce. “What did you do?”

Wilting, Donnie lowered his hands along with his head. “I didn’t go after Y/N for… what I imagine you think is the usual reason is. I needed a clarification on something said. I didn’t pursue in peace; I tracked Y/N down for knowledge.”

Taking the information in with waves of warped features, Mikey gave an exhale with what felt like the last of his breath. “Where did you find Y/N?”

“The exit by 19th.”

Indignity flared without mysticism this time.

Mikey had burned up enough energy for one day.

The slight was still palpable.

It tried to trigger a response from his taxed powers.

On reserves, nothing manifested besides the usual toxic emotions.  

That was your exit.

That was the first place he looked. 

The one this person who supposedly hated you found you first.

Right there.

That meant you were right there.

Right where he’d stormed past thinking of all other places you could go.

Mikey missed it.

He’d missed you. 

“I…”

Through the silence, Mikey heard the guilt pile on through Donnie’s hesitation.

It was enough to make him think he’d spare a little mystic fire.

As a treat.

Mikey could almost hear Donnie’s teeth whine around his grimace “You didn’t miss Y/N by accident. We both heard you come through. I… may have hid Y/N away via the camouflage tarp. You know? The one I’d been testing from those mutant chameleon scales we picked up?”

“Why would you-!?” Mikey took a step forward and thought Leo might stop him.

No hands moved.

It was odd enough that it gave Mikey pause to search for his blue brother. 

Just off to the side, he found the slider glowering at the ground with a furrowed brow ridge.

Mikey best guess was Leo was berating himself for missing two things in one night. 

The lot of them weren’t just off their usual games, they were acting in each other’s roles. 

“Did Y/N ask you to?” Mikey found himself needing to be the level headed one with Leo supposedly out of commission.

“Not verbally.”

“Not-!” It was too much, but Mikey pressed. “Why then?” 

“I hadn’t gotten my response. I knew the moment you got your hands on Y/N, I would never have the chance. I needed… I needed to know.” Donnie’s eyes closed and he slumped the smallest bit. 

Mikey took satisfaction in that. 

Any comeuppance was immediately offset by further guilt. 

Being mad at Donnie wasn’t going to get him closer to you. 

Donnie clearly knew he was in the wrong. 

Mikey would interrogate him later. 

He’d find out what his purple brother was hiding. 

He disliked how you both had information he wasn’t aware of. 

The rot of not knowing twisted inside of him.

It merged with the image of your shredded face.

This wasn’t Donnie’s fault.

Or Leo’s.

It was his. “I… broke Y/N’s trust.”

“I… don’t think it’s so simple.” Donnie shuffled, uncomfortable with the whole matter.  

“It’s not.” Leo stepped in verbally, but kept his distance.

Donnie perked up, catching the nuisance there. “What are you talking about? Did something else happen?”

“We need to talk to April.” Leo noted with a leader’s authority that said it was time to rendezvous.

Long used to the chain of command, Donnie animated to summon the rest of the team via the comm.

Tapping the waves, the others rallied with minor complaints.

They wanted and deserved explanations which sent Mikey wallowing into a corner.

Casey’s voice cracked the line and demanded to know why her hunt was called off.  

It took Leo growling out a stern, “Return to base,” for the others to quiet.  

It was the Hamato way to be messy.

They got the job done with individuality.

Mikey heard Donnie approach him.

It was too soon. 

Mikey didn’t look as he took off.

He never glanced behind him once. 

All the way to the living room.

The space was quiet and the move sat on a pause screen. Mikey walked toward the projector before looking out at the chaos he had wrought. It dotted the space and everything was turned over save his dad’s chair. Sitting in it was Splinter, fast asleep. If this were any other night, Mikey would have approached his dad to ask why he’d been late to movie night.

He’d be up soon enough.

The others clambered in and the head Hamato was immediately roused. Leo helped field their dad who was frustrated that he was left out of the loop. Arguments ensued and Mikey was thankful as it gave him additional time to process. He needed the moment and knew he wouldn’t have long before he’d be the one under scrutiny. Whether it was from the many explanations everyone was due or this supposed lecture he was supposed to get from expert April, Mikey needed to make sure he would be able to accept all that was about to occur. 

He might have had more time if Donnie wasn’t poking holes in his thoughts with his gaze alone.

A minute was all he needed.

Something that no one in this family seemed to want to give.

When April arrived, it was with a commotion that alone made her worthy of the Hamato crest. Even while restraining a foaming at the mouth Casey, April had the wherewithal to take in the room’s quieter occupants. Only slightly less of a tactician’s mind than Leo, April screamed for Sunita. The slime yokai wasn’t far off and bounced up, sticky fingers ready. Casey sensed she was about to be carted away and prepared to fight the decision until April released her. Confused by the freedom, Casey spun around only for April to fold her arms and say that she was proud. Suspicious to a fault, Casey warily took the bait as to why and April continued on praising Casey for how excited she was to discuss feelings as they were about to. 

With a deadpan, Casey searched the room and, with one glance at Mikey’s crestfallen face, she knew.

Throwing her head back as if she hadn’t just been in a screeching headlock, she asked Sunita to hang out somewhere away from where the weaklings would cry together.

With a whisper to April, Sunita agreed and Mikey saw Casey throw up a concerned a call me hand sign to April before the pair exited.

The momentary lap in silence revealed Leo whispering in a hushed conversation with his dad.

The others looked on expectantly and Splinter rose under the attention. “I will return for the recap!”

He hopped out of his chair and headed for the kitchen.

Now four brothers and one honorary sister, April address the group. “So… How about that crush, huh Mikey?”

“That’s…!” Raph jumped at the chance to dispel the heavy air. “That’s good! Right, big man?” He turned to Mikey, twitchy. “I mean it’s not… good, good considering… that Y/N sort of… Uhhhh…”

“April, I’m broken.” Mikey cut through and decided he was as ready as he’d ever be.

“Mikey, you’re not-“ Leo rolled his head with minor irritation.

Donnie blinked between parties trying to piece together what he had missed.

“Broken? Whatcya mean?” April steered toward the youngest.

“Something’s wrong. I told Leo. Something’s not right. Do you think my mystic energy could be getting in the way? Drax was telling me that my channels are unbalanced or something, but he always says that to get me back on my training. I know he’s worried, he just-“

April placed her hands on both his shoulders and gave him one single shake. “How about we focus on one thing at a time? Like how I don’t even know what you think is wrong?”

“Right!” Mikey chirped, always glad for her straight to the point attitude.

He’d modeled himself after her in that way.

“What’s wrong?” She patted him, but held firm. “Something with your crush?”  

“Yeah!” That was another thing he liked, she always understood. That was probably why she’d been able to get so close to Donnie. “It’s not right. I know I have feelings for Y/N, but my channels are all gummed up… Oh!!! The emotions aren’t flowing right! That’s it! Yup! It’s just like my ninpo! That’s gotta be it! I think I figured it out! What do you think, Leo?!”

Mikey turned to find Leo giving the twice the grimace he had earlier.

Instead of apologizing, Leo turned away with a sweaty laugh.

“That’s… one option.” April gave her own nervous nod. “Mind if I hear Leo’s interpretation too?”

“Uh… sure…” Mikey was sure he cracked it.

Leo had a particular gift when it came to hunches though.

“Let’s hear it.” April released Mikey to fold her arms in a neutral way.

“You’re getting the second telling of the night.” Leo wiped his brow and flicked back his mask. “The first time Mikey explained it was something like he feels like the feelings should be there, but they aren’t.”

“They aren’t…?” April’s eyes shot up to consider the details given before she returned to Mikey. “You also said you were broken.”

Mikey nodded.

“He compared his crush to ours. What he’s seen all of us do. Even Barry which is like, ew right? How do you even know about that?!” Leo stuck his tongue out.

The two silent brothers twitched at their footnotes.  

Another flicker of her pupil, April clicked her tongue. “Damn, would that make this your first one…? Wait, is that right??”

Mikey was caught.

He’d gotten away with not having to deal with this conversation for years. 

The rest of his family was painfully dramatic when it came to their relationship statuses and he was often relegated as the calm one of the bunch. 

His annoying youngest label had also been a benefit as he seemingly wasn’t considered old enough. 

He supposed that was one of the few perks. 

“First we’ve known.” Raph offered.

For April, that wasn’t good enough. “Mikey?”

“The… first… yeah…” Mikey drew out, feeling painfully self conscious.

He hadn’t meant to get to 28 without a crush.

He’d tried.

More than once.

There was that cute yokai girl at this favorite ink stand in the hidden city.

The barista who always drew him the cutest doodles on his disposable cups.

That Brooklyn boy who moonlighted as a vigilante of his own.

That psych major with the dimples.

There were even more than that.

Fleeting instances where he swore feelings would catch.

The wick in his chest was only waiting to be lit.

He could manifest fire with barely a thought, but it was the one place he couldn’t make it occur.

It was a hollow feeling, but he didn’t feel empty.

The candle was there.

Stationary and not making him feel less.

And yet it refused to serve its purpose.

What was the point?

“Mikey…” April patted his head like she used to do when he was a kid.

It was the third time tonight he was taken back to his past.

How long was he going to keep being a kid about everything?

Something warm and wet hit his hand and when he went to look, he found tears falling again.

Only salt and water, he wiped his cheeks to find more of them.

How long would he keep crying about this?

“I’m sorry…” She murmured and he pushed into her hand so she’d pet him harder. “You’re okay. You’re not broken.”

“How do you know? I know you got your bat and you’ve picked up spells, but can you see my mystic energy channels!?” Mikey huffed through his fractured emotions.

“I can’t. What I can see is how upset this is making you and I want to help, but I’m gonna need to know more.”

“Like what?! What else is there?! I told you! I’m wrong! Like the ooze skipped a step in making me! My emotions are messed up!”

“Shh…” She pulled him into a hug and continued to stroke his head. “What’s wrong with the way you feel? You care about Y/N right?”

He nodded furiously, knowing he was rubbing snot into her shirt.

She didn’t care. “How is that wrong?”

“It’s not enough. When-” He hiccupped. “When Leo first met that bunny, it was palpable. The affection radiated off of him in waves. When Donnie first saw Atomic Lass, he was so young! His eyes lit up like he was looking at one of his inventions! When that waitress hit on Raph, he became a blubbering mess, but you could tell she was all he thought about for weeks after! I’m not… I’m not like any of them.”

“Because you’re you.” April pushed him to a comfortable arm’s length away so she could view him. “What’s that thing you said about replicas?”

Mikey couldn’t help but smile.

He loved how April remembered that.

“That there is no true replica for a moment.”

It was a fact he’d learned in practice. 

There was no way to recapture an instant. 

It didn’t matter the medium used. 

You could only create an ode to it. 

It was only possible to inspire the feeling. 

Cooking was an art.

Painting was an art.

They were called Mystic Arts.

Martial Arts.

They were creative expressions and the experience of life itself.

“No two people feel romance the same, they also don’t have to feel it at all.” She explained.

Mikey felt every muscle in his body drop.

Thankful for April’s strength and the hours she’d put in at the gym solely to beat Casey at arm wrestling, she was the only thing keeping him upright.

“Romance…?” He quacked, the sound splitting him.

April only gave the barest nod, encouraging whatever was happening.

Was it an epiphany?

He wasn’t so sure.

It was more like he finally saw the candle for what it was.

The wick was real for sure.

Only the entire thing was electric.

It never needed to be lit.

It held a light all his own.

“Different types of love…” Mikey mumbled. “Family, friends…” He gave a half laugh. “Romance?” He checked in with April.

She watched on, patiently.

Leo snorted.

April preemptively shushed him.

Leo wrapped a hand around his mouth and shook his head.

This was Leo’s hunch then.

“This seems… kinda obvious?” Raph asked openly.

Donnie backhanded his older brother’s plastron and gave him a look that said ‘don’t.’

Donnie knew then too.

At least someone was on his side.  

That was why Raphie was his favorite.

Raph was also still different from him.

That burning flame in his big brother’s chest had to be a torch.

It had guided them all for so long.

It would go on to be nurtured by someone else.

Heat.

“Oh… Oh no…” Mikey made a disgusted face. “Does that mean…?”

He had to spin around.

To see all their faces and the different understandings.

Romance was always equated with sex.

He wasn’t sure if he was repulsed by it, but it had been such a thing.

Donnie had been the first of them to find his urges on that front.

Mikey thought he was too young, but it apparently varied.

Splinter had completely whiffed the birds and bees talk and made it into a family ordeal much to everyone’s horror.

Except Mikey.

He watched the others squirm and couldn’t figure out why.

Sure, the content was gross, but it was just a talk.

It had felt like he was removed.

Donnie, meanwhile, was mortified.

The others were ready to pounce on him for instigating the topic. 

He had tried to dig down and bury himself during which had spurned on further conversation about holes.

The talk which was repeated three separate times for each awakening was never one that resonated with Mikey.

All the shame and worry that the others had didn’t struck Mikey in the same way.

When he’d asked dad, as soon as the others ran away to their respective rooms, Splinter had simply said it was because he wasn’t ready.

He was too young.

Someday soon though, it would come.  

But only age did.

Outside of crushes, puberty hit a house with four teen boys in it.

Changing bodies and hormone horrors.

More shame, more hiding, more and different talks, but still.

Mikey didn’t understand.

There were rushes.

Things he’d wake up too.

His body would do things, but he’d shake it off.

A quick shower and the tide would calm.

He tested, of course.

He’d heard his brothers complain about the aftermath in whispers.

How it was worth it, but at what cost.

The price of admission wasn't worth it, let alone an exit fee.

It hadn’t felt like anything in particular.

A sort of empty pleasure that seemed like a waste.

He didn’t bother and eventually his body evened out.

He waited for the others to join him in passivity.

They only needed to let it pass and, in a way, it did.

It also never left them.  

From then on, they’d talk about it and when they did, he wanted to roll his eyes.

So much effort.

So messy.

Throwing other people into the mix.

For what?

You got the same if not more pleasure from eating a perfectly balanced dish.

You might as well cook.

Or better yet, you could feel the sense of accomplishment that came with seeing the work of art you’d been painting for months come to fruition. 

Oftentimes it never matched your mind's image, but instead became something better.  

That was priceless.

Every second was worth it.

You worked towards something.

Something that could be similarly intangible, but who could argue with those results?

That was what irritated him.

It was so easy for him to live without sex being a thing.

The others were boring.

How could you have a one track mind about something like that?

Blinking wide, Mikey turned to April.

“Don’t… don’t tell me they’re connected?”

Why hadn’t he realized?

In that department, he never thought he was broken.

He’d simply thought the others were addled.

Their sex drives were choked up to their emotional constipations.

He had refused to be Doctor Sex-Ed.

“They’re not.” April offered, quiet as if still not wanting to intrude.

“What?” Mikey needed her to say it.

“Sex and romance.” April responded quick and to the point.

Raph let out a drawled syllable and this time both Leo and Donnie punched the larger turtle’s chest.

“They’re… but I don’t…?”

“There’s labels…” She pulled out her phone.

“We’re not into labels.” Mikey responded automatically as he stared at her fingers tacking over the screen.

Human hands fascinated him.

They were his favorite to draw.

So delicate in comparison to theirs.

Sleek.

Functional.

April held out her phone for him to see and on the screen were horizontal bars in turtle colors and monochromatics.

Resisting reading it aloud, he took the device and flipped through the entry.

This was the flagged representation of aromanticism. 

Romanticism was just as much a spectrum as sexuality. 

There was more. 

There were enormous blocks of text and details. 

He didn’t have time.

Or at least, that’s what the latent rush of his mind said.

He had meant to run to you.

It now seemed like his time would be of better use elsewhere.

 “You don’t have to use a label, but sometimes they help. Like for research.” She shrugged.

“You…” Mikey looked around the faces in the room. “You guys can go. I need to… think about this…”

Donnie nodded first, walking off before Leo patted Raph’s carapace strategically. “Come on Big Red, how about I clear this up for you?”

“Yeah, please.” Raph glanced over to Mikey and hesitated. “You sure? You don’t seem good…”

“I can’t go through the explanation again… And I really don’t want to hear it from Leo.” Mikey gave a deadened stare before flicking his gaze to his blue brother. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Leo tipped his head with a grin. “I already said I wasn’t the expert, that’s why I brought her in.” He snapped toward April and she returned the finger gun before Leo led Raph out.

Now alone with his sister, Mikey held her phone out while simultaneously searching for his own. “Why does Leo keep saying you’ll know?”

“When Leo realized he wasn’t all that straight, he sort of had a crisis.”

Mikey blinked wide. 

As far as he knew, Leo had owned his sexuality. 

All he could remember was Leo’s extravagant coming out which had included a very exact number of unicorns. “Wait, wha-?”

“He was kinda worried about what you guys would think, but mostly he was worried about Splints. Splints doesn’t… come from the best culture for that kind of thing and Leo needed to get out of the lair to talk about it, just in case.”

“I…” Mikey’s gaze dropped, halfway through typing out ‘aromantic’ into his search bar. “I didn’t know he was struggling back then… I- I wasn’t there I-“

“Nope, none of that.” April clapped his arm. “One, it’s in the past and two, it’s like that sometimes. No matter how much your family loves and understands, sometimes you gotta go outside the unit. It’s like being in your own head. You gotta get out.”

“You are family.” Mikey reminded her, knowing full well April had doubted her place through the years.

“You know what I mean.” She flicked his forehead.

He fell back dramatically for the sake of it.

She smirked above him before offering a hand and hoisting him up.

She really could have knocked him off his feet with a finger if she wanted.

“Anyway, back then we had a long talk about it. We had a sleepover, another talk, lunch, another talk. Leo’s pretty damn stubborn. He talked himself in so many circles it was like, boy how did you not know you already weren’t straight?!” She laughed big and loud.

Mikey smiled.

“Anyway, unlike you who needs to come to these conclusions on his own, Leo is the kind of guy that needs to be validated. So I told him about how I realized I was demi.”

“Wait, what do you mean conclusions?” Mikey pouted.

April tilted her head and arched a brow that said it was obvious. “Mikey, seriously? You’re stubborn as hell. If anyone told you how you feel about something, you would purposefully stop just because you were told.”

Mikey pursed his lips until it puckered his whole mouth. “Do not!”

“You’re literally doing it right now.” She pointed with an ace in the hole.

Like his mind was blown, his jaw dropped before he grumbled it away. “Okay maybe…” he had to bite down to keep from saying that he still wasn’t totally sure, but that in and of itself cinched the truth for him. “What’s demi then?”

“I… I mighta thought I was aro for a bit.” She gestured to his phone and he finished up that typing in the search. “You already know I couldn’t connect with my peers. I was always more interested in a scoop or busting baddies than kissing. I felt… like I’d never be part of anything…”

Mikey inhaled sharply, ready to tackle this self consciousness, but April held her hand out to stop him.

“My past, I’m good now.”

Mikey nodded and lowered his guard.

“But then I got to know Casey. Seeing how she was the same. How she also couldn’t fit in with her peers, crappy or not.” She sent Mikey a brow wiggle.

Mikey chuckled.

“We were both outsiders and total enemies to lovers.” April mused wistfully. “I remember the first time I felt it. It was years after she’d turned over her new leaf. We were out camping, the proper one that Splints finally got going.”

Mikey knew the one.

“All those stars and I thought ‘damn someone put them in her eyes.’” April softened at the memory. “I kissed her right then and the sparks…” She shook her head.

“Then… can’t… I be like that? I just need to know Y/N longer and...!”

“Well…” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You might not. Just because it happened for me, doesn’t mean it’ll happen for you. Remember, we’re all different here. Everyone is. There’s no right way. There’s no wrong one either.”

Mikey slumped and stared as that flag that was populating his search.

If it wasn’t green he thought maybe he could hate it.

That was a lie, all colors had their place.

Blinking at that thought, he walked over and headbutted April’s arm. “Thank you April… This… I needed this.”

“Yeah, you take some time. Whatever you need. You need to talk more, you call me, kay?” She bumped him right back.

“Is there anyone I’m not in debt too?” He mused dryly before heading towards his room. It was there he curled up with his phone and mentally willed himself to engage. It took several re-readings, but eventually the text started to take. Soon, Mikey was exploring every internet resource possible until the glowing starry stick-ons that he covered his ceiling with stared back at his bloodshot eyes. “Aroace, huh?”

💛 NEXT 💛

Beta bus round up for my everlasting gratitude toward @tmntxthings and @thepinkpanther83

[arizonaaaaaa]

GLEE LGBTQIA+ HEADCANONS- HAPPY PRIDE MONTH PART 3

21- Unique Adams- trans

-canonically trans

-her story felt a little rushed in my opinion, she went from a drag queen to a crossdresser to a trans person in a spam of like 6 episodes

-underrated Queen

-the best singer in my opinion

22- Marley Rose- pansexual and asexual

-this could be an interesting story line

-like the reason she doesn’t feel ready for sex is because she’s not sexually attracted to anyone

-although this would potentially make Jake an asshole

-her and Unique are gfs tho❤️

23- Jake Puckerman- bisexual

-def wanted to smack Ryder

-he was watching Sam “twerk”

-just gives of energy tbh

-I would actually spend a lot of money to see Jacob Artist make out with a ma

24- Ryder Lynn- gay

-never liked Marley, he actually liked Jake

-i really like Rynique but gay Ryder just speaks louder in my heart

-we could’ve met his father in this possible storyline like the opportunity😭

-Ryan Murphy had a chance to do an actual love triangle on glee but NOOOO LETS MAKE THEM FIGHT FOR THE PRETTY GIRL AGAIN FOR THE FOURTH TIME

25- Kitty Wilde- lesbian

-“what would Quinn Fabray do?” She would be a lesbian

-she dated Jake, Artie and had a crush on Ryder yet she had absolutely 0 chemistry with all of them

-Marley on the other hand…

26- Roderick Meeks- aroace

- I find it interesting how him (and Madison) are the only ones that never showed interest in another person

- really wish assexuality was discussed more back in the 2010’s

- he should’ve been one of the characters introduced in season 4 and I would die on that hill

27- Jane Hayward- unlabeled

- probably thinks labels are stupid and shouldn’t exist because it’s misogynistic or offensive or sm

- idk I really dislike her I feel she would say something annoying like this

28- Mason McCarthy- bisexual

- yeah you’re not straight

- he’s also a really boring character for me so I have nothing to add💀

29- Madison McCarthy- aromantic and lesbian

- now THATS a feral lesbian

- her and Jane as girlfriends tho?

- aromantic part is bc I feel she’s the type of aro who’s disgusted by love

-still likes touching boobs tho

30- Spencer Porter- gay

-canon

- interesting storyline for the first seasons

- although it’s kind off like Dave’s storyline

There’s a limit of ten pictures per post but I really don’t want to make a fourth post just for the students so…

31- Alistair- gay and genderfluid

- Billies brother wow

- this is just based on vibes cause I have no idea if he ever spoke on glee

32- Myron Muskovitz- trans and lesbian

- Josie Totah it’s trans so I feel her character should also be

- maybe figured out when she was about 16?

- so by dreams come true she would already be in her transition🥹

33- Skylar- polysexual

- who? Oh yeah the Blaine of season 6

- again based on vibes

- he’s also a really good singer go listen to the album version of take me to church

34- Super Gay Warbler- indeed gay

- behold the oracle has spoken the truth

- also a good singer go listen to the album version of rise

35- Sunshine Corazon- trans and pansexual

- same with Myron, since the actor is trans I feel like his character should also be

- just imagine after all those years Sunshine returning on season 6 for his transition

- what would be his name tho? Moonlight? *old people laugh plays on the background lmao lol haha*

That’s it for the main kids, prolly won’t do a fourth post for the adults because I don’t really care about them but only time will tell

[storyofmychoices]

Crossroads

Characters: Nyx Selenastra (NB!Elf OC), Aerin Valleros FUTURE Pairing: Nyx x Aerin Book: Blades of Light & Shadow 2 Word Count: ~1,500 Rating/Warning: General/mention of Baulder's murder (no graphic descriptions of violence)

Synopsis: Aerin follows a unicorn through the woods, only for it to lead him to a mysterious elf. (This takes place after Aerin leaves the group in book 2.)

A/N: I'm not 100% happy with this, I don't feel I have Nyx's voice just right but I wanted to share this for @choicespride's Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week so here it is. I'll keep working on Nyx's voice as I keep exploring them. [Nyx is demi]

Aerin followed the unicorn as it wove a path deeper through the forest. With each step he felt destiny’s gentle hand nudging him forward. Whenever he fell behind, the unicorn's graceful stride slowed as though patiently waiting for him.

He wasn't sure how long it had been or how far they had traveled before the beautiful creature finally galloped through an opening in the trees. As Aerin emerged into the moonlit clearing, he found himself absolutely spellbound by the luminous glow of the moonlight that bathed the unicorn's coat. His sense of awe deepened as his eyes fell upon the tall elf standing beside the creature, their hand brushing tenderly over its neck. The unicorn responded by nuzzling even closer. A dark raven perched upon the elf's shoulder, never stirring.

Aerin's feet led him closer, step by step, approaching them. The elf's gaze shifted toward the newcomer for the first time. Aerin paused as their eyes met. 

The elf’s features mirror the mystery of the forest and the beauty of night’s sky. The elf watched him with a mix of curiosity and warmth. The raven on their shoulder carefully observed his every movement with keen observation. 

Aerin shifted back on his heels, wondering how to proceed or if he should turn back entirely.

As if sensing his worry, the unicorn stepped forward, lowering its head to the newcomer in welcome. 

Aerin’s arm trembled, extending it toward the majestic creature. Excitement and nervous anticipation swirled in his eyes as his fingers brushed against the unicorn's mane. He had never hoped to have an opportunity such as this. He had read about unicorns. He’d even seen one briefly with Daenarya, but he’d never been this close. Never touched one.

Nyx watched curiously before breaking the silence, "You are not like the others who stumble my way." They placed their hand on the unicorn's neck, letting their eyes close for a moment. 

Aerin watched curiously, his eyes widening in wonder as the unicorn's horn seemed to shimmer at the elf's touch. 

"LunaRose senses something within you, something you have yet to discover," Nyx continued while stroking the unicorn a few times before dropping their arm. 

"What do you mean?" Aerin shook his head in confusion. 

Nyx's amber eyes held a comforting reassurance as they spoke, "The forest has a way of helping those in need. LunaRose acts as a guide, leading those who require a nudge toward the path where their destined future lies."

"What is this place?" Who are you?" Aerin questioned curiously. 

Nyx's lips curved into a gentle smile, "This is Starlight Hallow, my home within Ravenswood. My name is Nyx. You've already met LunaRose, a companion of mine. This is NightWhisper—" they gestured toward the raven perched on their shoulder, which responded with a low croaking sound, its eyes still trained on him. "Be nice." The words were directed toward the bird.

Aerin glanced around, taking in the surroundings. The moonlight bathed the scene in a silver glow. The flowers of the field shimmered, seemingly brushed by the night's kiss. Tucked in the forest near the edge of the clearing beyond a garden filled with large white flowers hid a stone castle, not large nor grandiose, but one that blended in with the contours of the land, the forest embracing it with reverence. 

"It's unlike anything I've ever seen." He quieted a laugh rising in his throat. "And I've seen more than most." 

Nyx nodded thoughtfully, not knowing what he meant, but somehow, still understanding. 

"I'm Aerin, by the way. Aerin Va—" He stopped himself, breathing deeply. He was a wanted fugitive who had killed the heir of his kingdom—his brother. He had been disowned by his family. He was nothing to them, not that he ever was before. He could lose the name, but he had decided no more deceptions—no matter how small. "Valleros."

"I know." Nyx nodded. "There are many who look for you, even now."

"I'd understand if you'd turn me over to them," he offered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I have no allegiance to any kingdom, only to the forest and its will. LunaRose sees not what is, but what could be. She senses purpose within you. You are welcome to stay here, should you wish."

"Do you know what I've done?"

"Only whispers."

"And you'd still allow me here?"

"It is not my place to pass judgment," Nyx offered gently. 

"And what would you ask of me in return for my stay?" His heart raced. He had never been welcomed anywhere, not without someone wanting something from him. In his youth, many had used him to get to his brother or the King. None ever saw him. In the shadows, they wanted a voice to help bring rise to a new kingdom. He had been a pawn for all of his life, even with his former companions, he was a means to an end of navigating the shadow realm. No one ever just wanted just him, just Aerin.

"Nothing. I serve the forest and all those that travel its paths," Nyx answered plainly. "You are welcome here until you find the answers to the questions your mind searches for." 

"I've always felt like an outsider." His confession startled him, yet, it felt freeing. His gaze returned to the unicorn. "In my kingdom, I was overshadowed by my brother. He was arrogant and prideful, but the crown was his even if he didn't deserve its honor. He thought not of the will of the people but only of power. My father was the same. He never saw me for who I was or could be, only as something less than Baulder... I thought I could find solace in the shadows, but they only led me to darkness, toward a form of myself filled with evil."

"The shadows are not inherently evil, Aerin. They are part of the natural balance. It is how we navigate them that defines our path," Nyx explained. "Without shadows, we can not find the purpose of the light."

"What if my shadows left me scarred with corruption beyond repair?" Aerin's heart pounded heavily, the scars across his chest a burning reminder of what he'd done. It was a question that had plagued his mind over the past year. He had rid himself of corruption as far as he knew, but still, he feared it would find its hold over him once more. 

Sensing the weight of Aerin's words, Nyx spoke softly, "The shadows of one's past can obscure the light of one's true self. Ravenswood welcomes those seeking refuge from such darkness, hoping to make peace with their shadows and move forward toward balance."

The moonlight glimmered in the vulnerability in his eyes, "I... I've done things—many things I'm not proud of... one I admit I still feel little remorse for...I took a life—my brother's life."

Without judgement, Nyx placed a reassuring hand on Aerin's shoulder. "The past does not define you, Aerin. We all carry shadows, but it is in facing them that we find our strength and redemption."

"Tell me—" Aerin's gaze shifted back to the unicorn that had led him on this path. "—do you believe even villains can find redemption?"

"Villainy, like any label, is a matter of perspective. It's defined by one's perception of another's actions, not necessarily on who they are." Nyx's eyes met his with quiet determination. "Redemption is not a destination but a journey. Redemption is found in the choices one makes and the roads one travels, not in the shadows others cast. It's about confronting one's own darkness and choosing a different path. Is that something you would consider?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding his agreement. "Yes."

"Redemption is not an easy road, but the forest guides those who seek it," their words offered him reassurance. "I will help you."

"How? What do I do now?" Aerin's attention returned to Nyx. "How can I find my place in the world?"

"In time," Nyx began, turning toward their home. They extended an arm forward. "For now, you should rest. It is late, and you must be tired."

The pair walked forward, the night's air drifting around them, drawing their path together

"Thank you." Aerin's words were quiet, but the elf heard them all the same. 

Nyx nodded their understanding, welcoming the newcomer into their home. They knew not all who stood at a crossroads and sought redemption found it, but they would choose to hope for the best of those who found their way to them. In the ever present struggle for balance between shadows and light, redemption eluded some, but in every heart that sought it, a glimmer of possibility remains. It is within that hopeful spark that the true journey of redemption begins.

I really adore Nyx so I hope you enjoy this introduction to them. I hope to continue exploring them.