#no because there's literally a scene in one of the fics where they openly admit they like trolling other students with things like that

[tixdixl]

Assumption: When Oisín is over talking with someone he will absolutely play static on his screen and pretend like he's getting outside interference.

OOOH Thanks for this!!!

You know what....?

You know what?

I can totally see them doing this. I'm gonna say this is correct, especially when Crowley is involved.

This is correct.

Tag list: @cyanide-latte @simons-twsted-children @inmateofthemind @ramshacklerumble

@rainesol @elenauaurs @blithesrps @theleechyskrunkly

@thehollowwriter

Lmk if you want added/removed

[schneiderenjoyer]

it's you!! the one that made that verneider fic!!! i enjoy your fics and curious about something so i gott ask. what's your headcanons on schneider?

Vague, but yes, I write verneider stuf haha. I really appreciate and glad people like my work! (if you're actually referring to my fics like TWTR) And on the subject of headcanons...

SLAMS TABLE

You have no idea what you're asking for, anon. I'll literally go FERAL here for you asking this of me. I can go on forever talking about my personal headcanons for Schneider. And that's assuming whether or not you wanted headcanons of Schneider in general or for TWTR!Schneider. So, I'll compromise.

Normal Text is headcanons applying to both Italic mainly applies to Schneider Bold mainly applies to TWTR!Schneider

List of a "few" headcanons below.

Schneider is a good singer. Being told by her parents to go to church regularly, she'd also be encouraged to participate in church activities with her sisters like choir duty.

She's knowledgeable in botany. Growing up in an orchard, she picks up useful experience in taking care of plants, mainly fruits.

Schneider smokes and drinks. Mafia life gets her to pick up shady habits in her early days to relieve stress.

She taught herself how to use a gun. First gun she got was owned by her late father. The first time she ever had to use it is out of self-defense.

Schneider first killed someone at age 11.

Schneider's an adept learner. She shows signs of being responsible and understanding of the given situation at a young age, making her easily flexible. When it's beneficial or necessary to pick up a skill, she'll quickly learn and apply it into practice to be more efficient.

She's a skilled cook. Wandering around doesn't mean ignoring what you eat. Candies and energy bars won't do for a gourmet like her. She's equipped with years of knowledge and experience to feed even an entire army of picky eaters.

Schneider's favorite fruit is Sicilian Blood Orange.

Schneider didn't get a proper education. She knows how to read and write well enough, but she's taught herself how to speak English for survival.

She's greedy, but frugal. In her later years, Schneider grows to have a lavish and sophisticated taste in fashion and food, but always aims for practicality (buying cheap fake pearls because it's shiny enough and keeps the scent of oranges on her). She only splurges on family necessities and "business" resources.

Schneider is good in finances. In a struggling economy with 20 mouths to feed, she's learned to calculate the expenditures well.

Liberal in mind, conservative at heart. She's designed to be based on the American 1920s flapper girl scene where it's commonly viewed at the time as "going against the standard perception of young women" at the time. Yet, while Schneider filled into that role out of necessity to be her family's backbone (and it fits her personality better), at heart, she is still a young girl raised under conservative Christian values. Even if the possibility is no longer there, Schneider still dreams of someday marrying for love (man or woman doesn't matter to her), starting a family, and maybe be a sweet loving housewife to someone.

Hesitant leader, rebellious follower. Schneider has a complicated view of authorities, mainly the government. She's resistant and even disdainful towards blindly following higher power without questioning their motives, but knows when to lower her head for the time being. With this view, Schneider isn't interested in the leader position nor does she want to order an entire group of people to do her bidding if she really can help it.

Schneider doesn't lie. In a cruel world full of deception, the last thing she wants is to be a liar herself. She doesn't consider "lying by omission" as lying; merely stalling for time before she has to say it out loud. Her favorite tactic to avoid having to admit it openly too soon is to divert the subject or make cryptic, playful jabs. It's not lying if you never answer, after all~

She finds it hard to ask for help openly. With her background, showing any admission of weakness is a gateway to risking her loved one's life, so she finds more creative way to get the help she needs through subtle cajoling or manipulating the conversation to get the other person to engage willingly about the information she needs. Only time Schneider would ever ask help first is a matter of life and death of others rather than herself.

Schneider has a complex relationship with religion. She doesn't inherently denounces the practice, as she's lived her whole life with it, but she's jaded by it. Her shaky mindset about God and religion has led her to being she's a sinner and the reason she and her family have fallen on hard times with no salvation. Maybe if she was a better daughter...

Faith in you is belief to me. Schneider, even with many qualities of an arcanist, is still human biologically. She can't see or hear things most arcanists can, but she feels them. If her eyes and ears fail her, she places faith in those she trusts to be her guiding light.

Family over everything. Italian or no, Schneider will do anything for those she loves and considers "family." She'll place their comfort over herself and will do what she can to protect them. Even with her own life.

She loves collecting feathers. From doves to pigeons, any feather of any kind or color. It's a small hobby she holds dear in her heart.

Schneider likes watching movies, mainly the cheesy romance and slasher horror genre. Ever since finding out about "talkies" and the existence of "giallo" films, she likes to collect and binge watch all sorts of shows late at night.

Curious in the arcane. Her deepened fascination to immerse herself in the arcanist lifestyle has her become very knowledgeable in many arcane practices on a basic level. If she can't be a professional in one, might as well just be decent in all.

Schneider has a large gun collection. She takes care of it and maintains them well.

Playful business. It's hard for most to identify whether Schneider takes work seriously or not. She defaults to her usual teasing personality whether it's a risky job or a simple task. Only when the situation has her comrades at risk does she stop playing around and take things more seriously.

Selfishly selfless. It's already been shown many times in previous headcanons, but Schneider's selfless to a fault in the sense she'd do everything for her loved ones. She only gets involved and looks out for others with her best interest (and her "family") in mind. The best way you can get her on your side is to be friends with her family. (or threaten her with their life)

We win or we die. Schneider is no gambler, but when she does, she games with her life. She's long known the worth of her soul and will lay it down for any opportunity to win all odds. (to the benefit of her loved ones) Even so, there remains a heart that yearns to live.

I'll stop there since it's getting too long, haha. But yeah, I have a lot of headcanons for Schneider. Bbygirl's got so much potential and so much layers as a character. I love her so much.

[zaiban2989]

BNHA S3 EP1 or the Pool Ep

Honestly, I've watched that ep at least 6 times in the last two weeks, just didn't have a chance to pause and talk about it until now lol That post gonna be long again 😭🤣

It's not "that much" of an important episode when you think of it, but it's still one of my favourites. Our cinnamon roll Izuku is just the cutest in this one, being manipulated by Denki & Mineta to use the pool so those pervs can spy on the girls lmao the whole thing is hilarious and cute af - I mean look at this cute baby being all fired up for training! 👇

Our little green bean is so cute and friendly and nice he even texted everyone to come and join them lmao Which is raising so many questions: did everyone in class 1-A share their numbers with each other? Does that mean that Kacchan actually gave it to everyone else, even Deku? Or is Kacchan the only one Izuku didn't text because, you know, fucked up relationship and all that, and it's only because Kirishima got the message that Kacchan came (like his bro definitely has his number and told him about the training)? Or do they all just have a group chat with the whole class so Izuku texted there so everyone, including Kacchan, saw it? I WANT ANSWERS!!!!

But considering the timing of how late Kirishima and Katsuki came to meet with them, I feel like the closest answer is that Kiri got Izuku's text and then texted Katsuki or even went to his house to drag him out or something... Kiri did say that it took him a while to get Katsuki to come, so that's probably it. The thought that Izuku can't even text Kacchan, or didn't even think he could, makes me so sad honestly 😭 (like imagine class A really does have a group chat and those two idiots are in there but never interact with each other's texts and secretly did save each other's numbers but yeah there's no way in hell they'd go and text the other because "Kacchan probably doesn't wanna talk to me", "why the heck should I text the nerd, I'm better than him!" *siiiiiiigh* I want a fic about this now lol)

Anyway, back to the episode... Iida, class rep, always at the ready to order people around lol It's so funny how everyone just listens to him though, I love it 💙

AND THEN THE BEST PART OF IT ALL HARKLZERLKRZEKDE - What happened? Iida and Izuku are having a little moment together (reminiscing what happened in s1 & s2) and Izuku says that he got here with the help of many others and that he needs to work that much harder and WHO yells a loud "OF COURSE!" to that?! Fucking Kacchan! 🧡💚seriously I can't, man! I have so many fucking thoughts on that scene alone, it's ridiculous lol

And I mean, what he says is so freaking weiiiiiiiiiird! (proof in pic👇)

Iida and Izuku were not even speaking that loudly, so how the fuck did Katsuki even hear all of that shit from where he was?! (he just arrived there with Ei, you see him walking up to them with his usual gremlin face, Kiri blocking him lmao)

So now I am HC-ing the fact that Katsuki actually do not have any fucking hearing impairments because of his Explosion quirk - on the contrary, he probably trained himself so fucking much so that shit would never be a problem and so that he could eavesdrop on any conversation his nerd would be having with other people (see Sport Festival and his stalking of Izu/Todo secret meeting lol)

I mean seriously, Kiri and him JUST arrived there and what's his first move? To fucking head to where Deku is hdezdezmde and you wanna tell me that guy ain't obsessed with his broccoli head? PLEASE!

"Otherwise there's no way I'd lose to a damn nerd like you!" - or literally, Katsuki openly admitting that he has been losing to the nerd (in the first DvKpt1 of course, but also when they teamed up against AM for the exam because he had been reckless and had to rely on the damn nerd for help - hell, he even lost consciousness and the guy dragged him to the exit (HC-ing again, but pretty sure Kats asked for the recording of that fight cuz he didn't remember and wanted to know what the fuck happened - he'll never tell Izuku though))

So our blonde baby IS already growing up, it's subtle but for someone like Katsuki to say that he's lost to Deku, I mean that is fucking big, man. I'm certain Izuku didn't even pick up what that meant here, but progress baby, you've been acknowledged by your person! 🧡💚

As soon as he's there, he's already picking a fight with his baby nerd lmao at this stage, it's established he sees both Deku & Todo as his rivals - Hori is even already setting the tone for the next gen' of UA Big Three since the 3 of them end up being the ones winning each racing rounds and are now facing each other in the final

(Just some appreciation of how fucking hot Katsuki is when he doesn't make his bitch face lmao 🔥🧡 also the fucking V-shape he has, god dammit man!)

Of course, the final round doesn't happen - I wonder who Hori would have turned into the winner on that one lol Guess it was too hard to decide huh flekdmzemdez Look at those dum-dums' faces as their quirks got erased 🤣

That episode is so gold, I swear! Even the ending with Katsuki's frustration of not having raced against Deku & Todo when he's on his way back with Kiri and the fact that we see once again that his goal hasn't changed (yet?), honestly, it's endearing 🧡

"No matter who it is, I won't let them catch up to me, let alone get ahead of me!" - oh baby boy, talking about your insecurities like that *sobs* it makes it even more amazing that he changed so freaking much by s5-s6 because he's no longer with that mindset 😭 "The nerd's ahead of me now but I can still catch up!" fuck me man, that 180 is just... *cries*

You see his All Might fanboying seeping through what he says and how he's determined to prove himself, someone please give that baby a hug😭 (he fucking gets kidnapped in this season, I can't man)

ANYWAYS, I LOVE THIS EPISODE SO MUCH OKAY?! lmao Ending this review with the official season ending, firework moment and Kacchan next to his Deku (come on, Hori could have placed him anywhere else there but nope)

That's it, folks! Cheers for coming to my ted talk lol Till next time!🧡💚

[phillippadgettwrites]

The First Time, Every Time: Squeeze

Rated X / 1234 words / Posted on AO3 / Tagging @today-in-fic

It was bold of her to accuse him of acting territorial in the first place. Because she could have just as easily been referring to herself as the work. Because she knew she was baiting him, hoping for some kind of reaction. She’d expected him to get hot, temperamental, defensive maybe. She can’t yet admit to herself that she finds his displays of passion so captivating that she’s begun actively trying to elicit them; even if he’d gotten upset and told her she was wrong, she’d have gotten something out of it. But that wasn’t how he’d responded at all.

She can still feel the weight of her necklace shifting as he carefully unwound it from around one of her breasts, adjusting the pendant just so. The soft, affectionate expression on his face as he openly admitted that he was being territorial, and not about the work. About her. But it wasn’t his possessiveness alone that made heat blossom between her thighs. It was that little addendum: “If you want to continue working with them, I won’t hold it against you.”

It was his complete lack of an attempt to persuade her in either direction that made her heart start to pound as she watched him walk away. Her decisions are often so clouded by the expectations of others that she can’t be sure what she really wants, but Mulder expects nothing. Absent the weight of all those outside opinions, the right choice was immediately clear: follow Mulder. See what discoveries lie in wait along his less-traveled path. It’s the objectively wrong choice by any sane measure, but she felt no hesitation in making it. In following him, literally, up the stairs and into the records room.

It emboldens her to make other wrong choices. Offering to drive him home when he admits that the blur of the microfiche has given him a headache. Asking to come up and use his bathroom when she could easily wait twenty more minutes until she’s back at her apartment. She wants him to look at her like that again, like he wants her but won’t fight for her. Like he wants her to do what’s best for her, not for him. Like what she wants matters.

It’s when she realizes that no man in her life has ever prioritized her wishes for herself above his own that she kisses him. There is a split second of stark fear, of terrifying realization. Her blood runs cold and her full rational faculties come slamming back into her prefrontal cortex with a jarring buzz, and she begins to pull away from him. But just as she made the unwise choice to follow him, he makes the unwise choice to follow her. He kisses her back. Her brain goes offline once more.

It’s like a movie. Like one of those cliche scenes where they simultaneously kiss and tear off each other’s clothing, mysteriously leaving the woman’s bra on the entire time. Her heels are still on her feet but Mulder has to slouch to reach her, and once she’s in only her bra and panties he smoothly escorts her down to his worn leather couch.

She allows herself to look at his face above her as his eyes tear hungrily down her body. She sees that same passion that he brings to his investigations, dogged and determined, and her cunt throbs at the idea of him bestowing such vigor onto her. She wonders if he eats pussy as thoroughly as he chases down leads, and her cheeks warm. She doesn’t even think she’d want him to do that, doesn’t think she’d feel comfortable, but then he starts tugging her panties off her hips and she’s overwhelmed with the desire to feel his tongue against her clit.

As though reading her mind, his eyes flash up to hers and he tilts his head slightly and asks, “May I?” with so much decorum you’d think her cunt was the Holy Grail.

She doesn’t remember saying yes, though she’s sure she did. She feels the heat of his mouth against her skin and the plunge of his tongue inside her, and the rest of the world fades away. He makes her come, which surprises her; she’s always fancied herself a bit of a challenge, sexually speaking. What’s more, it’s clear that he has no expectation that she’ll reciprocate. That only makes her want to fuck him more.

She grabs eagerly at the fly of his jeans, struggling with the button and hurting the tips of her fingers as Mulder chuckles with amusement. He stands and does the honors himself, pushing stiff denim down to his knees and revealing the stiff cock that’s hidden beneath them. She has the passing thought that maybe she’ll just blow him, but she is not nearly as selfless as he is, and she tugs on his arm to encourage him to sit down before she climbs into his lap.

“Oh my god,” she whispers as he takes him in slowly, and she can feel the stretch of his prideful smile against her cheek. It doesn’t even bother her—he should be proud, walking around with that magnificent thing under his dockers.

He grips her by the hips as she rides him, a slow grind that still allows them to kiss sloppily. She wants to see him come, to know what he looks like when he loses control in that way. He’s so big, so bright, so fascinating in ways she didn’t know existed until she walked into his basement office and shook his smooth, un-calloused hand. More. She wants more.

“Can you come again?” he asks her, his chivalry apparently boundless.

“Uh-uh,” she murmurs, though it isn’t really true. She just wants to see him fall apart, to feel him. She just wants to know him in every possible way that she can.

He ruts up into her, taking control from below, and she gasps at the press of him against her cervix. And then he fucks her, truly fucks her, sending her bouncing lewdly in his lap with little staccato slaps of skin on skin. She catches his eye and finds that he’s not looking at her body—he’s intently focused on her face. It should be too intimate, too present, too much—but it’s not. He looks her right in the eye as he surges and then peaks, his eyelids falling closed only briefly when the height of it overwhelms him. And seeing him like that, moaning and writhing, emptying himself inside her—she comes again.

“Fuck, you feel incredible,” he professes offhandedly, slowly gyrating until there’s nothing left to pull from his body or hers.

Slowly, they collect themselves and find their way back into their haphazardly discarded clothes. Scully realizes that somehow her bra stayed on the entire time. She waits for the inevitable drop of shame and embarrassment, but it doesn’t come. She’s not even afraid that he’ll ask what it meant—it seems perfectly clear to her that it doesn’t have to mean anything.

It was her choice. To join the FBI. To take the assignment on the X-Files. To follow Mulder. To fuck him. Maybe it was the wrong one, but it was hers to make.

She’s done worrying about what other people think. Mulder’s ideas may be a bit out there, but he’s a great agent, and so is she. Together, they just might be unstoppable.

[senbons]

Hi!! I've read your latest Shikatema fic and apart from improving my 2025 already, it made me go down memory lane with all your other fics!! You are probably one of my favourite writers, thank you for creating such a unique shikatema, I love love love their dynamic and how you create these universes in which they fit right in, but they also tear each other to shreds because they can't cohesist unless they destroy each other first. Whenever they love each other or they go their separate ways, there is always this sense of "fuck, it should have been you all along". It makes go crazzzyyyyy (in a positive way!)

I've read Coming Up Tails just this morning and its sequel and apart from HOW GOOD the idea is, I found myself almost crying at Shikamaru meeting his baby. The way you described him, so fragile and emotional in front of Tayori, telling him how beautiful he is... I don't know, maybe I'm getting older and dads and kids together make me want to cry. Please answer this question just to indulge me: would they meet up again, in that universe? In what capacity?

I know, it's been so long ago you are probably checked out from that fic, but I stayed there 😫😫

I hope you have an amazing one, take care!!

omg I was reading this ask and being like "wow that story is soooo old i barely remember this scene" and then the next line you wrote essentially was "this fic is so old you probably don't remember it" 😭 😭 😭🤣🤣

But okay let me respond!

First off -- I'm soooooo happy you read and liked Fit n Full and it helped with the shitshow that already is 2025. And that it encouraged you to reread some old things! And that even after all that you still enjoy my headcanon dynamic (/interpretation of canon) that makes them struggle so much in my stories. Thank you!!

Secondly -- that fic is literally so old (i was in high school!) i remembered writing a follow up but couldn't remember where and had to go back to look at it. but my ao3 tags for that story are so fucking funny: "consenual but for the nation problematic patriotism!" lolololol it IS all of those things tho. and, like shikamaru always comes down to in the end: the og patriotism vs pussy

In all honestly, I think of CuT as the precursor to aibg and the type of warped forced relationship i wanted in aibg. i know the premise is different, etc, but i couldn't have written anything like CuT now bc it'd just be such a rehash of their difficulty in sex and children and morality that was better-fleshed out in aibg. ANYWAY!

Third, to (not) answer your question: i literally have no idea. the story ends with them hooking up -- deciding to stay together for the one night. and she's already admitted (admitted sounds like it's a secret, but she says it to him openly and doesn't even try to deny around it (to him, i imagine she did for herself)) that she's in love with him. so the issue is really if they're going to try to change/fight the rules of tayori's conception... idk. i mean, i can't imagine that they literally manage "one night". they're in love. they have a son together. there is no way they can let it lie after one night. however, i do think the narrative of "the government changed and is more open and would let them be together now" is too easy an out. i think that would weaken the story-telling, if that makes sense? and i do think temari picks patriotism in the patriotism v pussy debate. So i think that in the end they probably wouldn't end up together (at least not yet) but they also aren't "over" at the end of the story... they have a lot further to go. so to answer your q i DO think they would meet again (probably as they are in the sequel -- meeting through work and secret late-night-house appearences) and they are together in the sense that they'll never love anyone else. but idk if they will "date" or have a traditional romantic relationship or anything. a little convoluted, but.

anyway i know that probably doesn't help you and all of the above was for naught, but that's all i have atm!!!! I'm sorry!!!

(i reread that sequel though and it's so bad my god i need to rewrite that. you see hints of all my future (better) sentence structure but i was 17 man i mean goddamn i was an idiot (still am, just in different ways))

[spotaus]

Hope you don't mind if I rb off the rb w/ the fan-art haha! Finally I'm back for the big ol' reblog!! (Warning: This will probably be literally every thought I have as I reread the oneshot, which will be a lot of really small notes and/or big side tangents- Aka! LONG!!!)

Okay! First off, i love Nightmare in the first section!! The note about his paranoia and just how thoroughly he kept everything documented is so fun and brings an energy of growth to his character that would've happened recently in the story, but far enough back for him to be comfortable with how he's ruling now! Night in this entire first portion is actually just so so fun, from his confidence with Reaper + knowing just who he needs to make sure is where in order to solve the problem? Man it's SO good! He's a lil guy, he's still young, but he's learned and grown and he knows his own people (family) so well!!!

Along with that, the lore behind the drug is so so fun, I love how ou ended up developing that to make it feel so dangerous and so worthy of needing to tackle asap!

Back to the plan? Night and Reaper puzzling out exactly where their people would need to go to solve the issue is so banger- Night having learned a thing or two from his knights, street smarts that Reaper doesn't have, and Reaper knowing his kingdom inside and out and knowing the dangers? So tasty!!!! (And the lil note that Dust's replacement would end up being Cross + Horror, horror just to make sure Cross doesn't kill Geno, is SUCH a funny re-occurring joke (tho he would) this oneshot, it makes me giggle every time it comes up- Cross holds those grudges like no other!)

Night and Dust's interaction is so awesome too... It's a perfect balance between 'boss/employee' and 'siblings' because, yeah, Dust could just say yes, but Nightmare makes extra sure that Dust is comfortable with the idea and makes sure he isn't lying for Night's benefit! And Dust smiling after relenting to Night's 'please' for the guard to escort him? For Dust and Night to laugh about not telling the others right away lest they deny for him? Oh they're adorable!! And ofc Night's lingering worry....

GENO!!!! Oh this wreck of a man, I love him dearly... His panic here is so silly, but also so valid, like, it's SO good for his arc. He is actively fumbling and worrying, and he rarely does that- And ofc Reaper. Gods I've said it before and I'll say it again, the way you write for these two is just amazing... Every time I read you afterdeath content, suddenly I feel like a hopeless romantic and need to tear something to pieces with my teeth (/pos). Something about this specific scene where it balances the humor of Geno's dread+worry with Reaper being so supportive and soft and sweet? OUGHHH. And the way that Geno has so many internal thoughts that he refuses to admit out loud? I love that for him, he's so so refusing to show weakness, voice it, his pride is still too big and too wounded to be that honest, even in front of Reaper! (His inner dialogue about the greed too? Oh that was good! You're so right, he's driven by his need for more and more and more!) The mention of the other mages too. I love that he has a very very strong opinion on the others from his school and fears the worst if he were to let anyone else venture out with Dust. Geno is the only option, literally ofc, but also morally in his mind!

Geno and those damn horses, I love them sm... Bro could've fumbled worse, but he certainly did fumble often <3

Levitation Spell Specified! Chekov's Gun!! (I couldn't have predicted how that one was going to come back up if I had tried lmao!)

Again, Geno and Reaper being soft... This is just a personal thing to feel free to ignore this, but it tickles my brain how openly affectionate Reaper is (in this fic, in ur other fic, etc-) but like- I say he's like that but I don't ever capture the vibes right- Here?? Here in this fic?? You did it so so well. The little reassurance and stuff right before Dust + the other show up brings me so much joy it had me kicking my feet like a schoolgirl!!

Life mention!! Love to see it!

ROGERS MENTION!!!! (He's so committed to his job, He's my one oc in the back that I love lmao-)

Decor!! I love the little bits of lore you sprinkled in through the castle description! Even though Geno has seen it a bajillion times and acknowledges it, it still is seemless on how easily he recalls the information! and he's a nerd so ofc he'd do that! (And oml Geno reflecting on Reaper's age!!! I am CACKLING- Geno is so chill with it and it so worried for Dust- I know for a fact that Dust is probably very aware (Night is extremely aware of Sanctuary's history after becoming allies, and he mentioned it to the knights one day how old Reaper was, kinda as a way to explain just how solid Sanctuary is as an ally) and he'd totally just be like 'Yeah. I don't mind.' and move on lmao-)

Geno fumbling the name of horse hooves <3 And a gorgeous reunion of Awkward Geno and Chill Dust! (And the horses!!!! I never said anything but Opal and Basalt's personalities + descriptions are so perfect!!) Reaper lowkey definitely wanting to get closer (either to Dust or the Horses) but holding himself back is so fun too- Geno knows him well :]. And freaky Opal moment!! She's so funny, cryptid of a horse, perfect for Dust!

So sorry, the town scenes, no matter how brief, are so perfect- Especially Geno seeing how the city reacts to Dust (and himself though he's kinda missing that) and putting Dust into such an impressive light is so sweet... And imagining that Dust just has people fawning over him and his mysterious self is really funny to me- He deserves it, of course, but it's still really funny!

Geno fumble counter! It's up again! (Poor guy, can't do small-talk to save his life, I get it bro-)

HELL YEAH! Stumbled across Geno's reflection again and! Augh I didn't catch it the first time, but the fact that Geno acknowledges that he was using both Dust, and Reaper, to get to Dust? Hurting both of them in the process without meaning to? Because he was so curious and he didn't even consider how it could backfire? Ough- And ik a lot of this we've discussed before but I love how you have it play out... Oh! And Geno just being SO secure about him and Reaper, entirely unbothered by the idea of Reaper persuing someone alongside himself? I love that bit... (And I love that Geno still has no worries on where he and Reaper stand in their relationship, because they make it work between themselves!)

Opal again! She's judging Geno so hard... I love her!

The addition of that little tourist town is so cool! They found a way to make the beauty and nature safe to traverse, and found a way to keep an eye on the dangerous parts!

Dust asking a proper question!! I loved this bit, because it's Dust's first proper reach out to test the waters (especially in Geno's silence) and Geno takes the opportunity to spill everything about the Mountains and his relations to them haha! Inviting him (and the others ofc, he's making a conscious effort to not be weird about it) to visit! And!!!! I'm so sorry but his infordump??? about the little mice and his favorite flowers?? Oh Geno you're famous to me- (I legit was sitting there reading that the first time and realized that, yes, that would work as a flirting tactic on me. I have the same taste as Reaper, Dust, and Nightmare I Suppose (Geno, Fresh, and Error all do this, I cannot be convinced otherwise haha!)-) And he's so frustrated that he kept talking! No, Geno, it's working!! Keep going you nerd!!

Nightfall and anxieties about being uncertain in things and how uncomfortable it can be my beloved <3.

HE FELL!!! Sorry, sorry, I'm so glad you made Geno fall (harmlessly) off of Basalt while trying to dismount. He needed to have that happen to him, and he needed Dust to see it lmao! (And as always, Basalt is a gorgeous and calm boy!)

Geno's fire is such a fun detail too. I also vibe with the shift in Dust's attitude after the infodump too. He's more willing to interact, and Geno is offering up answers to pretty much every question that Dust is asking! It's subtle, I didn't notice it the first time, but it's a really nice touch! (Also Geno showing off to save his pride, but also having smart reasons, is SO fun!) Along with Dust having his reasons and so much confidence in his horses? I loved this little bit getting to see them interact!! And then ofc gay panic Geno regretting things the moment they start eating, and worse when they have to share the tent! Worrying himself to sleep my beloved!

Oh he got so used to being spoiled in the castle!!! Oh he's so cute 'Reaper always let him sleep in' he's been so comfy!! So cozy! Dude was NOT ready to see Dust haha! And the way he's worried about his appearance now thanks to how it would reflect on Reaper because of their connections? How it's made such an impact that he's worried how he looks around just himself and Dust? Awe!!!

Him making it clear he wants to help too... Big steps... Ad Dust being so unclear about how he takes it is so fun!

The lore for the kingdoms and the two's differing pallettes! Augh moments like this had me eating up all the content from location to location istg! Orchard focusing on animals, then swapping to fruits, and Sanctuary having amazing fish! !!!

And ofc my beloved horses- Opal is so smug and perfect, she deserves the world- And Basalt putting up with the gay shananigans on his back, flustered Geno and chill Dust (who MUST know what he's doing, even if he's entirely justified in doing it-). The "Hold on." and Geno's internal 'Where?!' really kills me every time- Dust having to help Geno across the river w/ Basalt, and then Geno having even more panic. Almost falling off again trying to put distance between them because he started catching feelings again, Dust pulling him back on, gods I love them-

And the reveal that Basalt is Horror's horse! Ofc I had a feeling, but by the gods is it so sweet- Not only that Dust prepped the strong and steady horse for Geno's sake, but also that he went through the trouble intitally of training up Basalt for Horror to ride! W/ his head injury his balance must be awful, and the custom saddle to grip onto, as well as a horse who keeps his balance very well? Oh I love that... (Now this also opens the door for Dust to have also trained up Killer and Cross' horses specifically for them- And Nightmare's- but that's for another time!) Dust loves his brothers so much, and is looking out for their best interests, and that of the horses!

And omg!! Shy Dust at Geno's genuine appreciation and acknowledgement of something he did to help him??? Waugh- The bit looking back on when they first were friends/"flirting" and Dust being shy is so sweet... Dust getting shy and Geno finding it cute... (Also, yeah, Geno finding the murderer, ex-smuggler, ex-crimelord cute is baffling and adorable lmao-)

Reaper being a good king again moment!!! I love that you keep adding glimpses into the structuring and history and economy of Sanctuary, it's so banger-

I love their routine, and them obviously being more comfortable working together (Their little discussion as they decide to keep searching the mine entrances, and setting up camp in a routine now-) And!! Reaper having a weighted blanket! One that Geno wants to add a warmth spell to so that it's more comfortable for him?? Waugh??? They're adorable-

Dust offering up that he was a smuggler, again that inside knowledge kicking in! And Geno being surprised about it (bro has no memory, just like me frfr-)- (Reaper's background checks! Hah! Wonder he still decided to go for it, he loves Geno immensely-) And Geno returning with the lore drop that he was his own provider as a kid!

Geno and Dust having normal conversation!!! And Geno taking a few snorts and (assumedly) positive looks to mean he's doing well. I'm so proud of him...

The final mineshaft time.... Geno being so understanding about leaving the horses behind, and Dust being alright with it and being smart about dismantling their riding gear so they don't get stolen? Grogeous. (Geno's right, Opal IS a diva!!!)

GENo!!! We do NOT split the party in this household!! You beautiful idiot!!!! ESPECIALLY NOT CARRYING A LIGHT!!!!!!

Augh, yeah, they got him- (pre-emptively, I LOVED this section. On god I made some unholy giggling sounds when I read it the first time!!!)

Hi. So. Rover? FABULOUS villain. Peak! He's just deranged enough to make this entire situation make sense!!

I almost lost my mind when Geno was recoognized for being the Royal Mage. I mean, he's a VERY public figure, he does not shy away from being right by Reaper's side as often as possible, he goes out on his own a lot, people KNOW him! It was just really interesting! (And from Rover's perspective? Of course it's a treat to have collared Geno, the Royal Mage, essentially the prized jewel of the King? Powerful magic known across kingdoms? Yeaugh... His plan to have Geno get hooked on the drug then send him back to Reaper like that? On god this dude actually could've had a shot- devious af-) And Geno's magic being unable to even slightly resist the slave collar? Man, that was downright TASTY. He was entirely helpless there, and Rover almost got his way.

AND DUST!!!!! HELL YEAH!!!!! Rover reacting with such Dread to Dus's presence made me SO giddy!!! (Admittedly, sometimes I have so much fun writing about the silly things happening between the Knights and their good times with Night + the others, I forget that they're actually like, extremely capable, respected, and feared figures to anyone who doesn't live in the same building as them! SO ROver having this reaction jolted me back into Geno's mindset of 'Right! Dust is like, actually really really badass and important known over there. This guy in particular would think of Dust as some sort of angel of death! Wuagh!!!) (And Geno being unable to do anything but taking the chance to watch Dust fight <3)

ROVER- my dude just did the medival equilvalent of 'Put a gun to your head- I'm impressed! And ofc it got Dust to stop in his tracks!! And then how Rover continues to speak, trying to get Dust to talk (And ofc he wouldn't know about Nightmare's alliance with Sanctuary, or the fact that he's not actually an evil tyrant, because he was run-out pretty early on! I LOVE seeing remnants of the early days!! Especially from characters who have witnessed it all (Dust) and who only know the era or relative peace + rebuilding (Geno)!!) and Dust is just completely silent!

The panic in Geno when Dust gets dampened, and the smugness from Rover? Perfect... And Rover deciding to snatch Dust's mask?? (And the hesitancy of his lackies??) Dust being furious about it, and Geno feeling awful for thinking he could handle it all and getting their plans all screwed up? And then out of left field Dust starts talking- No, MOCKING this guy! And Geno is under the impression that Dust is helpless with those dampners on (He's seen what any one non-magic attack can do to Dust's fragile bones...)- And ofc Rover has so so much character- Him mentioning how he'll be strong enough to defeat 'Nim's Son' and how Dust calls him out for being a coward and not saying Nightmare's name? Saying Night is stronger than even the people + Geno's magic? OUGH-

Gen connecting the dots finally too! Dust is so smart, and even with how little he says, he gets his point across so easily- (You write for him so so well Ancha!!!) Taunting Rover into trading off the scenario of who has what on? He's so so smart!!

Also Geno (even though he's a little numb) being furious and magic-less, socking Rover straight in the face the moment he's free for a second? That is so him, and I've never been more proud!!

And Dust being SO covered in stuff, things that had Geno entirely powerless, and Rover still being freaked out? Amazing... And then the fact that everything had fallen into place, that Geno can SEE Dust's emotions (bbecause, well, he knows Dust a bit better than he was giving himself credit for) and Dust gets to finally let loose when Rover tries to command him to do magic?? Wowza, it gets me every time I think about it-

The two of them running off and Geno realizing that Dust KNEW he'd be strong enough to escape the things? That he'd been acting? (Well, not really, he told the guys straight up that he let them catch him) and that he was always strong enough? Put himself into that position to get Geno safer? And ofc the shock at Dust's lightning magic that he seemed to pull out of absolutely nowhere-

And then they're running again, and the scene where Geno has to jump and Dust is clear he'll catch him? My HEART!! And in turn Dust trusts Geno when he says to let go when they're falling!!! MY HEART AGAGIN-

When they're safe on the ground and Dust hides his face- And then lets himself be vulnerable and lets Geno heal the weak shoulder? Geno *asking permission* before he does anything?? CHaracter growth??? Oh!! And the addition of the dusty bones! They grey flakes! Of course Geno notices them, and surely it's not what he thinks, right? Right?

Dust clearly feeling out in the open w/o his mask too... man... That bit makes me so emotional for no reason (big reason but you know what I mean haha!) and Geno being supportive and promise they'll right the wrong! (AND Dust being uncomfortable with the flying minecart! It's like a call back to Geno being uneasy riding Basalt! And Geno doesn't judge him or anything! He's learning!)

How easily Dust handles everything and how Geno is just actually kinda smitten by it brings me immense joy! I mean, sure, his partner can kill smth with a touch, but Dust has something about him that makes Geno even MORE impressed haha!

And then Geno being impressed by the machines is SO him. Bro is just curious, what can he say?? Poor Dust is crushing on a moronic nerd- And he reacts reasonably poorly in turn, because, well, yeah! It's a weird thing for Geno to be fascinated by, and it probably reminds him way too much of how Geno looked at him back then-

Rover!!! When he ended up showing up again i LOST IT. It makes so much sense, but I just didn't see it coming at all, and I was convinced I was losing my mind! The cool logic that drug sets off for the magic system is so interesting, and tbh I'm w/ Geno on wondering aboutt how much it could actually do for a person haha! (Dude the casual convo between Dust and Geno, ignoring him, as so funny and perfect for them!) Though, I must say? Fittingly dramatic and intense final line coming from him! Didn't expect it, but I must say that I did enjoy it a lot! Especially since he willingly set off that avalanche on them!

And the avalanche!!! Ogh! Opal is such a loyal and crazy horse, and Basalt, I think, is the mvp of this entire operation, gotta say <3. But fr. Dust knew exactly how to help them get the upper hand, and he was ready to do whatever it took to get all four of them to safety! (Geno, my beloved, clinging to Dust so so much- I would be doing the same, can't blame him-) Them jumping a ravine just barely in order to escape the snow was banger, and- and Basalt and Opal working together, Opal helping him up edges, and Basalt being such a good boy listening to Dust and saving all of them? (Can you tell the avalanche was one of my favorite scenes? Can you? /lh-)

And the calm aftermath- Geno not even realizing he was plastered to Dust, Dust being VERY aware, Geno being extremely more focused on the death he just narrowly avoided? (And the note of probably stopping by a healer because he was THAT stressed out is such a good touch!) And then Dust being very much less stressed because he does stuff this crazy, if not worse, fairly often? (Not to mention if he let himself get distressed, especially on a snow-covered mountain? Yeah, that'd end poorly for them-)

And good gods Ancha, there were many gut-punches here (I think the Collar on Geno and the avalanche were two of the biggest) but Basalt being hurt? That one got me GOOD. Like, I mean I think I actually gasped at that one. Because?? Poor boy did all that just to be wounded in a way Dust *Knows* isn't a good sign? I was SO scared- But then Geno came in clutch... Bro used what little knowledge he had on the subject (Fresh! Yippee!! You taught him something!!) and used it to help out and come up with a better solution! He jerryrigged horse-healing! To help out Basalt!!! He's so resourceful... Even when he was exhausted from doing things before...

The camp set-up is so fun. They're both exhausted, Geno's finally grappling with the severity of what just happened, Dust is trying to push through but it evidently at the end of his own reserves as well (the flint and steel thing sparking off his magic is Such a cool touch btw??) anf they just... sit aorund the fire??? AWE??? (Dust having his mask off is so cool too, so subtle...) Geno mentioning in his head his low reserves for immediate magic due to his soul was awesome too... So many fun souls in this adventure!!

The tipi is so cool too! And the fire bit, I love that the logic here is that the fire Geno is using is like the fire Toriel uses in her house, where you could just crawl inside and take a nap- Imagining little Error curling up in the flame is so fuckin funny too-

AND GENO- Moment bro was free from his warm bed roll he totally subconsciously decided that Dust just had to be near him- I know you mentioned a scene from Dust's perspective of this would be so peak, and I think it very much would be, but Geno just half-asleep deciding to curl into Dust because he's safe and warm and stable? Yeah, I didn't realize I needed that...

I FORGOT ABOUT HIS ALMOST FUMBLE- "What you cooking good- FRIEND" good gods Geno you're my favorite forever and ever-

And them having casual conversations again! Yippeee!!!! Dude them discussing intent and the ways it works, and then Dust TEASING about it?? Crying sobbing, I love them... (Also Dust actually being able to cook, I love him so dearly for that. He had a billion places to pick up the skill and he did! He went for it!)

And the walk, Dust opening the door to talk about magic!! Geno whole-heartedly offering his own weak spot and then explaining how his magic works! Dust being curious! (And Geno recogninzing that Dust does actually listen...) And Geno being SUCH a nerd about it, spilling his guts over how much he adores learning about magic, others magic, all magic! (Dust cannot relate but is starting to piece things together-)

And gods, Geno just giving all the lore? This fits him so so well first off, but second? I LOVE the direction you took his past, Ancha! I wouldn't have even considered same mom multiple dads, but it makes a lot of sense as to how Geno and Fresh and Error made it so long and so strangely, haha! (Also, Ironfields! Scribbling that down frantically for no reason in particular-) And ofc I love the addition that Dust would assume Geno was from Sanctuary, because, I mean, he has to be, right? Those marks and knowing Reaper so well? And then ofc the note of Reaper picking Geno based on his magical skill, and him deciding that if he found another more talented he'd still ask for a date from Geno later? Adorable??? And dude, the bit about both Geno and Fresh looking at Error like their whole worlds? That HURTS- OWIE- But Error being such a calm baby until his magic Exploded their wall? I'm cackling, I love them- (And Dust's little 'Good brother"??? High praise coming from him oml???? Especially with Error of all skeletons, the one he unintentionally or intentionally bonded with??)

And man, the way their talk ends with Dust asking how Error ended up with them? The mutual sadness at that one is killing me- (Also Geno recognizing that Dust was tired from talking? Dude is noticing the social battery! Yippee!!!)

Next morning, Geno's dream? Adorable, hilarious, love that he's embarrassed by it! And dude, I love the fact that Dust left his jacket, that's so so awesome-

And I love this discussion about the magic and the whole collar siuation. Of course Dust would want to hear more about Geno's magic (since he doesn't have anyone to really learn magic from aside from Night) and Geno would want to know why Dust *doesn't* see it the same way! And Dust describing it how he did, a natural force that he guides rather than controls, it's awesome! And Geno is rightfully so enamoured by it and is holding in his awe and need to get to the bottom of it!!

And Geno being honest about his panic compared to Dust's skill in the heat of battle? Dust being 100% understanding fits him well, he rationalizes it for Geno even when Geno refuses to accept it. He believes he should've been more of a help a lot sooner, recognizes his shortcomings and things to improve on, while Dust is just impressed at what he *did* do!

And ofc the iconic shift into Dust questioning Geno's actions before!!!! I squeaked when i realized this was the direction it was heading haha!

Geno admitting right off the bat how shitty he was and then, just rolling into the whole explanation? I'm so proud of him!!! (Ancha you did his arc so much justice here, in this entire oneshot, I loved it dearly-) He explains his logic just like he does everything else in this plot, and even if it's crappy logic, he acknowledges that he wasn't keeping Dust's feelings as in-mind as he should've been. That he doesn't expect Dust to just forgive him. And when Dust drops the other actions, the kiss and the touching, Geno is just like!!! Very alarmed because he hadn't even been thinking of that! Because that one was more genuine! And he's honest with that too! (And yeah, his logic makes sense, because he was so used to Reaper!)

And I think that it's perfect that Dust gives him the silent treatment after this, because the guy deserves some time to think it out and untangle some really intense emotions! (Also, in the night I'm 50/50 on whether that was actually a dream or if Geno genuinely just curled around Dust again, but I'm *guessing* it was a dream lol-)

And then the camping at the cabin?? Dust's lil check to confirm Reaper's interest followed by checking with Geno, and Geno fumbling it SO badly (and still somehow managing to get the message across-). Dust saying that lil line? 'I don't hate you, I just don't understand you"??? Helpp me??? I literally like. Knowing what comes after this??? Crying sobbing??? Anyways, perfect execution Ancha, as always <3

Their return to town!!! Again, I keep forgetting these two are figureheads in their kingdoms that are very known and respected- Dust got his moment with Rover, Geno gets his moment in town! People are rallying and celebrating that the two survived despite all the odds against them! They're happy to see them and want to help! (And Dust slipping coins to those helpful people? So so him, such a good detail!)

The guards worrying over Geno and *Geno* being the one shying away from attention because it's all pointless worrying? Him complimenting Dust and Dust getting shy about it? Ough-

And Reaper!!! I know I give Night all the credit for stressed times in his study, but Reaper! Poor guy! (I can't imagine things on his end. Geno going missing, Dust along with him, two people he loves and cares for? Yeag.) Him instantly going to Geno gives me butterflies, and he's so earnest about wanting to make sure both of them are alright and know he cares for them? Crying. Sobbing. (Especially with the bit later with Reaper hearing about their whole debacle? YEAH. Crazy-)

The sudden Dust pov is so fitting too!! It makes sense for it to be him to percieve this scene, and omg. The way I SNARLED when Dust got up close and personal and debated and then said Geno was a cute nerd and gave him a kiss on the cheek???? I literally made the most unhinged, dog chewing on a stick, gutteral growl because girly giggles were NOT enough.

Like, thematically and for the point of this oneshot, it is SUCH a good conclusion! Geno made a change for the better, both Geno and Dust got to know each other better, they got glimpses into each other's lives in ways that made them better understand the other's troubles! Geno got to learn about just how skilled Dust is and a bit about his past, while Dust. Well. Dust got to figure out why Geno's... Like That. And for all the hardships and the awkwardness and the tension and the laughs, they made it through, and they know they care about one another, and Geno left the choice entirely up to Dust. Forgiveness, love, etc. Dust was able to choose for himself, entirely without any eyes on him and without fear or pressure or weight on his shoulders, and he chose! He's giving it another chance, because now he can expend a bit more trust. He can give it another shot.

And dude, I just know that Geno's goofy happy grin was something he had NO control over. I love that for them...

Okay I think I probably missed some things in the moment so quick bonus list!

The storms on the mountain being calm, I have to guess that's only because Dust was doing such a good job at keeping calm, so while he can't directly control the weather, it was influenced. Like, in the night after the mines incident it was creeping in, while Dust was emotionally drained + magically/physically exhausted, but after it was clear skies, just REALLY cold. If that's the case, GREAT detail! If not, then I've been typing too long haha!

Shout-out to Killer, totally exposing Dust's crush by trying really hard to be a good wingman- He technically helped, but boy did it also hinder-

Uhhhh. Mentioning again how much I love the effort that went into Basalt's role in the story? Opal too ofc, but for some reason my brain has fixated on Basalt and his cool custom saddle to accommodate Horror and how much of a beast that horse is <3 (I WILL be learning how to draw horses so I can draw Opal, Basalt, and the others whenever one of us jumps on needing them for plot reasons haha!)

So. The first scene I actually wanted to sketch out was this final one w/ Dust on his tip-toes and Geno leaning ever so slightly down to meet Dust's height for the kiss. I just. Yeag. I love them.

Also!!! The choice to make it a cheek kiss is so special to me! Especially if Geno had already kissed him on the mouth (teeth?) before because, well, he needs to work back to that point, do it over with a healthy relationship. In the meantime, it's something that he feels in control of, and feels comfortable doing, and both of them can appreciate the emotions and trust behind the gesture! Made me very very very happy! (The way you write romance is something I need to download into my brain forever-)

And.... I need to sketch Geno in his travel fit (Ignore that I already drew the one thing, it's not super far off from his normal fit I imagine lol!)

Lastly! I just loved everything about this oneshot Ancha! I'm so sorry that it took me so long to get to replying for (I've been writing for like 4 hours now haha!) and I'll be adding it to the masterpost tomorrow most likely! I'm honored to have you as a co-writer and this is smth I'm putting in my long-term memory so I can think about it forever and ever!!!! (I don't have emojis, writing on a laptop, but picture the salute emoji and a lot of heart emojis, haha!)

Gifted Oneshot - NewAgeAU - The Mountain

I have been slow cooking and scheming a little something. That stopped being little a while ago.

Also as you notice. Not just a drabble. Straight up an oneshot.

On that note. Because of this I have also decided to upload it to my AO3. In case you prefer reading it there you can by clicking Here.

This is for my friendo @spotaus and their New Age AU, or ours as I am a bit of the co-writer at this point haha.

Fair warning. This installment is far into the future and after the main story line the main story will focus on. This is about the DustedAfterDeath relationship and how they went from toxic to reasonable.

Warnings: past toxic relationship. mentions of drugs. mentions of slave collars.

Also... Euh... it is 33000 words long. Yes you are reading that right. 33K words. Which is why i am terrified to see how Tumblr will react to that many words as I never tried to upload something that long here.

Anyway! Here we go!

*----------------*

Nightmare frowns as he looks back at the files left on his wartable before turning back to the cabinet with many different reports. The cabinet itself is a nice dark brown and made of sturdy wood. It had served him well over the last many years he had been a king.

It was one of many that he had both in the warroom as in his own office. This one specifically he had rolled into the warroom as it had all the detailed reports from the black market dismantling.

Reaper whistles as he leans on the table “I keep forgetting that you document everything.”

Nightmare gives a tiny shrug at his fellow king “It is a habit.” Before he used to keep track of everything because he had been a control freak and perfectionist who was paranoid. The magic of The Ritual had done a number on his mental health and Nightmare sometimes still wondered how he managed to get through that for 7 years before he turned thirteen again. Ccino is honestly a miracle worker.

Nightmare finally finds the reports he had been looking for and pulls them out with a tiny triumphed smile. He lays them across the table and reaper looks at it curiously.

Nightmare speaks “This.” he points at the files “Is everything I have about the dismantling.”

Reaper nods as he looks at the five reports “On the whole black market?”

Nightmare frowns “No? Everything about that is in the cabinet. Those are just about the main drugs rings.” The smaller ones Dust had managed to do in one afternoon at that point. Even with Dust having had to wear multiple magic dampers and without much training he had been scarily efficient at shutting it down. The biggest issue had been with the main branches which required more leg work and a more stealthy approach.

Nightmare just knows that Dust and Killer had returned covered in soot and Killer had looked so excited as he spoke about Nightmare having to hire Dust fulltime. Dust had just looked bored but had felt rather content and proud of himself back then.

Nightmare is pretty sure that is when those two actually started to become friends which would eventually become the almost twin bond the two shared. And Nightmare can know as actual twin.

Reaper looks shocked “That many reports? Why?” even as he asks it he pulls the first report over as he starts scanning the information for stuff he recognises from his own drugs problem.

Nightmare takes a seat and pulls over the information that Reaper had brought with him “With the magic my mind was busy and paranoid. The reports helped. Because each time my mind would think of another detail or something that could backfire I could pull the report open again and search it. Either to help calm my mind that there was nothing to worry about. Or to give me a starting point to make sure this new idea didn’t became a problem.” After he deaged back to his normal age he just kept the habit up of making the reports. Nightmare hadn’t looked at them much in the last 3 years but it was nice to have them.

Especially in situations like this.

Nightmare opens the file that Reaper brought and frowns. It is all about how a new drug has been making the circles in Reaper’s land. In the capital city no less. The effects are mostly concentrated on giving the monster or human taking it a large magical boost. Causing them to be able to perform magic for a short while and to feel energised. The healers and scientists however had found out that the drug does this at cost of soul energy. Meaning that the very magic you gain is taken directly from your soul. And unlike magic users the average soul is unable to perform these activities without consequences.

The most likely consequence is that the one who takes it gets soulburn. A dangerous illness where the soul starts to produce more energy which can cause the soul to burn a way out of the body. An even worse option is that the soul can collapse in on itself as it gives too much of the soul energy. Causing death.

All very serious concerns. Especially if you take into consideration that the drug is addictive. The monster or human taking it will the first few times feel amazing which leads to developing a craving for it. And then it is a slippery slope down towards the worst possible results.

Nightmare can understand why Reaper came here with their treaty to get more help.

It isn’t exactly a secret that Nightmare’s land used to be swarmed with crime. Nightmare knows. Even after ten long and hard years of working on these issues the rumours still remain. Nightmare knows it will take even longer before the bad image of his land is improved. Nightmare is very happy that his brother and Blue are working on that.

Reaper is frowning as he has by now three of the five reports open and seems to switch between the different folders to study the information.

Nightmare turns back to the information offered to him and skips passed the properties and the victims. Instead Nightmare focuses on the section of where it first appeared and if it appeared anywhere before reaching the capital.

Nightmare finds a few locations and goes towards his map table. He touches the side and focusses for a moment. The map in view changes to fit the layout of Reaper’s kingdom. Nightmare walks towards the side of the capital city and touches the map. A small marker appears where Nightmare touched the map. Nightmare refers back to the other location mentions and starts putting it down on the map as he looks at the direction.

Mmh. Strange. It started near the mountains.

Nightmare makes a few careful notes of all the locations and what the layout looks like before making the table show a more detailed map of the mountains themselves.

The mountains help protect Reaper’s territory. It makes his country hard to infiltrate. Not to forget the ocean guarding him on the other side and the small area where the ocean and mountain range don’t meet being the mangrove forest.

Nightmare frowns as he stares at the map. It seems impossible for whoever did this to have smuggled the drugs in from the outside.

Nightmare speaks slowly “It seems likely that they make the drugs in your kingdom itself. Instead of importing it. If it were imported you would have noticed and caught them in either the port area or when they stubbled in through the forest or mountains.” Reaper has his guard watch those areas like hawks. Had they been importing the drugs they would have been caught already.

Reaper frowns as he looks deeply unhappy “That is what I am afraid of. That just means they have settled somewhere in my lands but I have had my guards search the cities and towns. There is no sign of them having settled anywhere, just selling.”

Nightmare frowns as he concentrates back on the map. He zooms in on the Three Lakes “The lakes?”

Reaper shakes his skull “We searched it. And unlike in our own river we couldn’t find any traces of the drugs in the water there.” He sounds relieved. Nightmare understands of course. His main food source is those lakes together with fishing in the ocean.

Nightmare frowns as he looks at the mines “Are the mines still operational?”

Reaper looks up and frowns “Not all of them. We maintain them just in case as we don’t want landslides but some have been locked up and decommissioned.”

Nightmare keeps looking at him and Reaper frowns “The mountains are dangerous. Them settling there would be too big of a risk.”

Nightmare shrugs as he speaks “I thought the same about the gang settling in the old clocktower and below in the sewers.” Dust had looked so damn amused when Nightmare had said it seemed unlikely “But these people… they don’t care about anyone’s safety. Not even their own. If they can gain power and money they will risk everything. Because to them the reward far outweighs the possible risk.”

Reaper frowns as he taps the files and stares at the map “The problem is. The mine shaft. You can’t just reach it. There is a reason we keep a careful eye on those. They are hard to reach and even harder to get the supplies needed up there.” Reaper frowns “Travel can take anywhere from 2 days on foot to 2 weeks on horseback, all depending on which mine you go to.”

Nightmare looks back at the map “Which mine is most likely to hold them?”

Reaper frowns as he taps the map and stares at the different mountains being viewed.

Nightmare takes the files back and looks at the different clues they had found so far. Nightmare frowns “They most likely make it somewhere. So it has to be a place has the ability to make the drugs.” He looks back at Reaper.

Reaper studies the map and points to one “We set this one up to be decommissioned soon. We were planning on going up there in summer to shut it down to make sure there were no accidents as can take up to a full week worth of travel on horseback. Even if you go alone.” Reaper points at the area and the long distance from the main roads “You would have to travel through the kingdom itself before moving up the mountain. The paths are traitorous. Even in summer. Much less now. With it being early spring.”

Nightmare frowns as he stares at the map “How risky is it to wait? Until it is safe to travel the mountain?”

Reaper shakes his skull “We have found multiple people dead already. Soulburns and souls just giving out. More people are looking for this drug. If it starts to spread out of the capital towards the smaller areas.” He frowns “Not to forget if more of the water gets pollinated it will affect us through the drinking water.” He sighs “I need to put a stop to this right away.”

Nightmare nods as he thinks. Dust could make it up there. Dust has more skills with horses than anyone Nightmare knows. Not to forget that even if the weather takes a turn for the worse it will just power Dust enough to maybe even redirect the storm. Dust also has experience in taking down these type of things.

However. Dust works the best either alone or with a very small crew. Most of his knights do.

Nightmare looks back at Reaper “How do you picture this mission?”

Reaper taps the map as he speaks “It would have to be a small group. The paths will be dangerous and having a large group may cause the path to become unstable. But sending someone alone is just begging them to be lost in the mountains without backup.”

Nightmare nods as he speaks “I can send one of my knights.” Dust would be by far the best. But that means sending Dust out to Reaper’s country and… well… Nightmare may trust Reaper with stuff about his country, there is a reason Nightmare no longer needs Dream’s presence for these meetings. But Nightmare still doesn’t quite trust Reaper with Dust. Things have been getting better but… Nightmare is still worried.

Reaper smiles before looking a bit more nervous himself “I appreciate the help. And I appreciate you being willing to entrust one of their safeties to me. But before you say anything or agree to help in that way. I must say. The one I would send would be someone… Very knowledgeable and skilled in magic. The drug works magically. And as you said it is most likely being produced inside those very mountains. Meaning they have some kind of power source or set up. Most likely magical that needs to be shut down.” And Reaper waits.

Nightmare doesn’t like this. His mind spins as he considers what was said. The worst part is that Reaper is right. Nightmare can see the reasoning and the conclusion that was made because of that. Even the very information they have to work with is because of Geno. Geno had been the one who figured out it was a magical drug and how it affect those around them all. Geno was the only right pick.

Nightmare thinks long and hard. Killer would be fine with the actual dismantling but he isn’t the best horse rider. Horror is strong but magically not strong enough to most likely have to battle magically skilled people who are even making this substance. Not to forget that Horror needs one of the sturdier horses. And while they are trusty steeds they are not the best for mountain paths.

Cross is out of the question. Mostly because Cross will end up making Geno go missing. Cross would be fine with the actual fighting and riding the horse all the way to the end location but Cross is also still furious at both Reaper and Geno and doesn’t make it a secret.

Dust is the only option.

Nightmare speaks slowly “I… Dust is the only fit for this mission. He is unchallenged in his horse handling and our expert when it comes to shutting down these kind of operations.”

Reaper looks shocked but then looks to the side as he frowns at the map. Clearly thinking.

Nightmare knows he will make the same conclusion that Nightmare just made. Dust is the only option to send up that mountain. Especially in these dangerous circumstances. And Geno needs to go because he is the one who knows this magic and can shut it down effectively.

Reaper frowns as he looks at Nightmare “You really think Dust can make it up that mountain? Even in early spring? While guiding other horses?”

Nightmare thinks for a moment. If it was in his own territory Nightmare would feel comfortable sending all four of his knights. Knowing that Dust could lead those horses up any area that he knows. But that is the issue. This would be uncharted territory for Dust to lead horses up and around.

Nightmare nods “If it is in your territory? I know Dust can safely lead two horses up the mountain, the only reason I say two is because Dust doesn’t know that mountain. But I would have to request they use horses from my kingdom.”

Reaper looks curious “I am not saying no and will gladly accept that but why?”

Nightmare figured it was obvious but then again Reaper wouldn’t know “Dust trains the horses. Every horse in used by my guards and knights are trained by him.” Which also means that Dust has a bond with every horse in use by those in the castle and that even if someone else is riding it they will listen to Dust’s comments, directions and orders.

Reaper looks impressed before nodding “Of course.” A moment of silence “Are you sure this will be alright?”

Nightmare frowns as he looks to the side “I am not. But this is dangerous. It needs to be stopped as soon as possible.”

Reaper nods as he sighs “I will return home. Talk with Geno. We will remain in contact by letter and whenever works for you and Dust I will gladly welcome his visit and help.”

Nightmare nods “I will ask Dust myself.” If Dust says no Nightmare will have to reconsider who he can safely send. If that ends up the case he would most likely have to send both Horror and Cross. Cross to send up the mountain with the horses and to deal with the ring while Horror would go along to deal with Cross himself.

For now he will just ask Dust.

--

Nightmare watches nervously as Dust looks over the mission plans. His knight had frowned when he saw the location but he had schooled his expression quickly enough to read the mission set up and goal.

Dust nods and speaks “I agree. I am the best fit.” Factual and quiet. Nightmare always thought he could read his brother no problem but turns out that Dust could still hide things from him.

Nightmare doesn’t often miss the magic the Ritual gave him. But the one thing he does miss was the connection he had had with those close to him.

Nightmare misses being able to feel their joy and excitement. He misses being able to feel that connection to their magic and souls. The way he could feel them close in a way that he could never explain.

Being able to notice when they needed help.

It is why he watches Dust closely. Trying to see any signs of distress. Nightmare had promised himself he would not miss those signs again.

Dust nods as he looks up “I can do it. Lead two horses up to the mine shaft and help the mage coming along to shut it down.”

Now the hard part.

Nightmare takes a deep breath and speaks “There is only one option for which mage could be send along to fix this mess.” He waits a moment “Geno.”

Dust’s hand twitches before forming a fist before relaxing it again. Dust nods “Okay.”

Nightmare glares “No. Seriously. Are you okay with it? We can think of something else if it is too much.”

Dust gets this tiny fond smile on his face “You really want to trust Killer to lead two horses up that mountain?”

Nightmare looks to the side and mutters “I wouldn’t have trusted him to do that to begin with. Would have send Horror and Cross together.”

Dust pulls a face “Yeah I can see why you can’t send Cross alone.”

Nightmare looks pained “What did he do?”

Dust looks slightly embarrassed “He did not enjoy the fact that Geno now feels… brave enough to wave and say hello. I am not exactly sure what he said but Cross looked rather happy after the interaction so I assume nothing good.”

Nightmare gets it of course. As Cross had said once. Dust doesn’t move to protect or defend himself so as his fellow knights it is their job. And Cross takes his job as knight, and brother, very serious.

Nightmare is a bit curious about what Cross exactly said but he can try to ask him later. For now “Are you sure?”

Dust frowns as he thinks for a moment “It will be… unpleasant. But if he continues to behave and act as is now I do not see an issue with us doing this mission.”

Nightmare frowns before nodding. Dust seems honestly okay with it. Nightmare points towards the map “We need to move out as soon as possible. I want you to prepare your pack for travel and two horses for the track up the mountain. I will send Captain Rogers with you as escort to Reaper’s kingdom. He will remain there until you return and escort you back.”

Dust looks amused “I don’t need an escort.”

Nightmare doesn’t even bother as he just stares at Dust “Please.” Please. Please just let him do this. Please let him protect him in the tiny ways he can.

Dust gets that fond little smile again before sighing but nodding “Okay. Okay. I will travel with some of the guards. Restock my packs before we leave for the mountains.”

Nightmare smiles as he hands the mission brief over to Dust.

Dust reads it and hums “You may want to keep the others in the dark for a little while. At least until I am on my way there.”

Nightmare can’t help but laugh as he nods “Probably for the best.”

Dust nods and gives the little mock bow before he turns and leaves the warroom. Most likely to go and take care of the horses and get them ready for the long track.

Nightmare really hopes he didn’t make a mistake.

--

Geno feels like he is going to throw up. Even as he stares at his many charged crystals and some spell scrolls.

His soul pulses fast and he feels sick and excited.

How is he going to get through this?!

A soft chuckle and a hand takes his own “My love?”

Geno blinks out of his thinking before staring at Reaper “You are trying to kill me.”

Reaper looks so amused as he tilts his skull “Really? I should have removed my gloves if that was the case.” He joins him on the bed “Are you alright my love?”

Geno laughs and stares at Reaper “Yes? No? I am not sure? I am going to be alone with Dust! For weeks on end!” he stresses the words.

Reaper gives a slow nod as he frowns “You don’t want to anymore?”

Geno groans “No I want to! That is the issue! The problem is… I am not sure… How am I supposed to make it through this week without it ending with him hating me even more?!” the only reason there was the tiny peace was because of Error’s and Fresh’s situation. Dust still avoids them a lot and Geno had only been lucky enough to manage a wave or small hello.

Not at all the small conversations he craves and wants so badly. That connection he had had but lost because of his own stupid and idiotic behaviour.

If those things are already impossible how is he ever going to be able to manage a full week of travel? One on one travel?

Reaper looks so damn gentle and Geno hates how much he still craves that look. He should be fine without it. Yet here he is still craving that look. Same as the awe Reaper would show when Geno showed off his magic.

Reaper takes his hand and rubs the back of it. Carefully, even as he wears his gloves for safety, Geno never saw the deal with that. Not when it was just them. Geno knows Reaper would never hurt him. Geno knows Reaper enough to know that, Geno knows enough about magic to know that Reaper would never kill him with his Touch of Death ability.

Sadly Reaper doesn’t believe this.

Reaper speaks carefully “I don’t think he will hate you, or more as you say it.” he continues to hold his hand and rub the back of it with careful tiny circles. Reaper stares at him with that same love written all over his face.

Geno does not deserve it. But he is selfish and a bastard and can’t let go. He would never let go of this beautiful but terrifying thing. Not as long as Reaper is willing to give it.

It is why it hurts so bad to have lost what he and Dust had had, all because Geno couldn’t stop being selfish and greedy for one moment.

Reaper smiles softly still, probably aware of the mental turmoil Geno is having, and speaks again “You are respecting his boundaries… or most of them.” Reaper shoots the Seeing Crystals a look and yes Geno deserves that jab. Reaper doesn’t dwell on it for longer “You know what you did before was wrong. You are more aware of yourself and your habits. You can use this knowledge to make it through this trip alright. In a way you can see it as your chance to truly show Dust that you learned from your past mistakes.”

Geno is still unsure as he breaks their eye contact.

Reaper speaks softer “I can still ask for someone else to go? Another mage maybe-”

“No!” Geno is slightly embarrassed by his reaction but it is justified!! Geno has gone to a school with mages! He knows how they think and the biggest issue in his old school had been the many different mages all trying to figure out either love potions or love spells. Stupid hormones driven teens.

Geno is very aware he is being a hypocrite but at least he never sunk that low. He never tried to use his magic to force anyone to feel something for him that wasn’t there. He never committed that crime of break of consent. Geno still has the opinion that those spells and potions count as rape drugs and he will not take any arguments against that.

Reaper looks amused “So you will go?”

Geno grumbles as he looks to the side “Obviously! And just because I am obviously the only correct choice for this mission.” He turns back to his many spells and sighs “I am just…” worried scared terrified paranoid anxious “I don’t want to mess it all up again.”

Reaper had worked so damn hard to fix Geno’s mistake. The very treaty had been in danger and Geno had felt terrible. The fact they still didn’t trust Geno proved once again how badly he messed this whole thing up. Just because he can’t look at people like a normal person and has the stupid habit of turning everything in his mind into some weird scorecard or game or experiment or whatever his minds decides on for the day.

Reaper says it is Geno’s own trauma from being forced to be a parent to his younger brothers while having no stable income or secure housing.

Geno just thinks he is an ass.

Reaper hums as he keeps holding his hand and rubbing the back of it “And you won’t. I trust you.”

Geno laughs as he looks to the side “That went well the last time.”

Reaper hums “The past is in the past. You are trying to improve and better yourself. Why would I keep bringing up stuff you did before that you already regret and are trying to improve?” Reaper traces Geno’s cheek with the gentlest touch “Why would I want to hurt you like that? You learned. You are changing your behaviour and working hard to do right now. I think that is beautiful and shows who you really are as person. You just need the chance and time to improve.” He kisses the hand before smiling “I will ask you once more. Please be honest. Do you feel ready to go on this journey? And do you want to? Or do you need more time to grow and feel secure in interacting with him?” and he waits.

Geno thinks for a moment. He honestly feels fine with going up the mountain. To search the mines. He is just nervous about how Dust will react to him. But moreso, he is excited. Excited about the chance to just be near the other. Hear the other speak again. Speak to him again!

Geno nods “I want to go.” there is just one tiny issue “But horses?!” he stresses the word.

Reaper looks amused “Do you want to walk up the mountain?”

Geno glares “I can’t drive a horse Reaper!”

Reaper chuckles as he smiles “It is called riding love.”

Geno groans as he ignores the comment “I prefer walking over falling on my face every time the horse makes a turn.” There is a reason Geno had wanted to use his inexperience with horses to create a moment with Dust before and oh boy now that he thinks about that he sees the very clear red flag that situation is. Geno really is just red flag after red flag isn’t he?

Reaper smiles “I mean. It should be fine. Nightmare will be sending two horses along with Dust. And Dust apparently has good control over the horses and they listen to him. I am sure the horse will behave and make sure you don’t fall off if Dust asks.”

Geno knows of course. He had spied on a few of those horse trainings before he realised he was once again ignoring every boundary and just taking what he wanted. But the fact remains he had seen Dust work with the horses before. He is an amazing rider and knows what he is doing.

Which just makes the fear of falling off the stupid horse and down a cliff even worse. Geno doesn’t want to make a fool of himself like that.

Reaper smiles “Give it a chance. I am sure you will do amazing.”

Geno sighs and nods. It isn’t like he doesn’t want to do it. He wants to do it so badly. A long time alone with Dust? Getting the chance to talk to him and maybe finally be able to at least start to apologise for his own rude behaviour? The mission itself? Finding this magical substance that reacts to the very biology of both humans and monsters? Geno is so curious how it works and how they manufacture it!

Reaper kisses his hands before he gets up “I need to go check if everything is ready for our guests. I hope you will join me in the throne room soon.” Reaper smiles and gives a tiny bow before leaving.

Geno sighs as he stares at his pack stuffed full with crystals and other tools.

He hopes he can make this work. If only for a little bit.

Geno takes a deep breath before looking at his pack with focus. He opens it removes everything he put into it before taking much more careful note of what he will need.

The basic camping equipment will be taken care of by the maids and servants. Reaper called together a bunch of people who have been on that mountain before to handle the actual camp packing. Including rations. Meaning that Geno’s personal pack will just be for what Geno needs to take along.

He takes a deep breath and picks up a few crystals. These should siphon away any large magical energy. Reaper mentioned that Nightmare thought they will be making these drugs locally. Meaning that they will have to have a large magical powersource. Best to have these along.

Next he grabs his army knife. He enchanted it obviously by embedding some of his smaller crystals into it. It should work to cut anything, including metal cables or worse. He also has some lock picking tools in there. Geno isn’t the best with it which is why he enchanted those as well. But he has seen those slave collars making their way around the areas where the drug is also active and he just wants to make sure there is a way to get those off of anyone.

Geno looks at his many spells and feels a bit embarrassed once he notices he grabbed his most complex and powerful ones. Way to be obvious Geno. Way to make it clear you are desperate to show off. Geno pushes them around and ends up grabbing the one for levitation just in case. It is always good to have that one with you when you go to high places.

Some healing crystals are also a must and one of his more complex and powerful ones is the Calm Emotions. Meant to calm down any aggression. Geno never truly had a chance to test it but if it works as he thought it would it may be useful. Next he grabs his shield crystal and checks those.

He obviously can cast spells without his crystals. Geno is a skilled mage. The difference is that the crystals area already charged and ready to cast the spell without having to still take time to cast it and use his limited mana supply. Geno would just need to activate them.

Geno steps back and nods “That will do.” After that he took some extras of the same crystals and closed his pack. Finally packed.

Geno takes a moment to look at himself in the mirror. He closes his sockets for a moment and takes a deep breath “I can do this.” he opens his sockets and stares at himself “You can do this.” He makes sure to make it an order for himself “You will be normal. You will not make him feel uncomfortable. You will remain respectful of his boundaries and you will not ask pushy questions.” Or better said. Just be a decent person.

He can do this.

Geno puts his bag on his back and leaves his room to quickly join Reaper. A small prickle along his nervous and he feels a rush of excitement come over him.

Dust is here.

Geno grins and rushes to the throne room to get there in time.

Geno gets to the entrance hall and stops there. Takes a moment to calm down. And enters the hall. A glance around shows he is still on time and Reaper smiles at him from beside his throne.

The throne is still the same from when Life was the king of this land. It is a beautiful light brown with all kinds of animals engraved into it. It is as old as the kingdom itself. Geno knows that many other kings look down on it as it isn’t that large or imposing and it isn’t made of a rare material.

Geno thinks it is beautiful. There are spells woven into the throne to make sure it remains healthy and alive. Flowers grown unto the throne to fit the season.

Geno knows that no matter what anyone else says Reaper will never do away with any marks left by Life. When asked he says it is to show respect to the original king that made the save haven that is this land. Geno knows it is because Reaper misses his old friend.

Reaper takes his face between his hands and places a gentle kiss on his skull. Geno feels bashful at the obvious affection in the simple movement. Reaper looks amused “Ready love?”

Geno takes a deep breath and nods “I am.”

Reaper smiles brightly before pulling his hands away from him. Just in time it seems as the throne room doors open. Reaper and Geno look up together.

One of the castle guards bows deeply “The cavalcade of the country of Orchard has arrived.” Geno can’t stop the small snort at the way the guard says it while Reaper just shoots him an amused look.

Geno waits for a moment and feels his soul beat speed up when the group walks in. He immediately finds Dust. Dust is dressed in his knight gear. Completely covered and his mask on. He walks side by side with an older man. Geno studies the other and quickly finds the markings that show he is the captain of the castle guard. Yeah, Geno should have expected as much seeing as Nightmare is very protective of his knights.

Geno gets it. He has his own brothers are all.

The captain bows deeply “King Reaper and royal mage Geno. It is a honour to visit and be allowed to aid you in the name of our King Nightmare.” He stands up and puts his fist on his chest, one top of the royal mark on his armour. The sword with a tree branch and the two birds on either side “I am captain Rogers! Our king send my man and I along to support your troops in the lands to help find people who are causing harm while the Knight will help your royal mage to undo the source.”

Dust just nods as he remains quiet. He is always so quiet and mysterious and Geno just now realises just how good he looks in that armour...

Reaper gives a small nod to show he heard and listened “I welcome you in my land and home. My own guard will fill you in on the developments while my maids will show you where you will be resting for your stay.” Reaper nods towards some of his help and they move forwards quickly.

Most of the guard goes while Rogers and Dust remain. Rogers nods and bows again “We appreciate it.” he glances at Dust for a moment before continuing “Will our Knight and your royal mage move out today or tomorrow?”

Dust shrugs and mutters “Today is fine.”

Geno nods his own agreement as he stares at Reaper. Reaper sees it of course and speaks “If today is fine than today the Knight and my mage will go towards the start of the path up the mountain. To enable them to have an early start tomorrow.”

Dust nods “Sounds good. I will ready the horses.” He turns and leaves the hall. Geno watches him go as Captain Rogers says his own goodbyes before following some maids to meet up with his own guard forces.

Geno turns to Reaper “I am going to go… yeah.” He points over his shoulder with his thumb.

Reaper smiles and nods. “Of course. I will join you soon. I just need to check with what has been packed for you two and I will meet you at the gate.”

Geno nods and leaves the throne room. He rushes through the halls as he ignores the beautiful décor. It isn’t that he doesn’t appreciate the beauty. He used to spend his thinking hours staring at the masterfully crafter stained glass. He rushes towards the exit of the castle as the story told in the large ceiling high windows passes him backwards.

Geno knows the story of course. The story of how Life fled her own war-controlled homelands and husband. How she took likeminded people with her and got her most trusted friend to help guide her people. How she travelled for a long time before finding this paradise. Hidden between the mountains with no one there to challenge their will to stay. How Life made a land worth living in. How she made a paradise focussed on safety and healing. Becoming the original king of this land, throwing away the title of queen as she fled her home and became a king to the people who went with her.

Geno had teased Reaper a lot when he learned that Reaper had been Life’s trusted friend. That Reaper is old as dirt. Reaper had been a bit self-conscious about it. Asking Gen if it bothered him that Reaper was that much older.

Geno didn’t really mind. It wasn’t like he looked old. Quite honestly Reaper was hot for someone who was older than the country itself. Geno does worry that Dust may mind… They may have to ease Dust into that knowledge. Geno thinks Dust already knows because it isn’t a secret that Reaper has been king for a long time but even Geno hadn’t realised just how old he had been.

Then again… It had been Geno who ruined everything… Reaper had been an adult and responsible about everything.

Geno gets outside and blinks in the harsh light. He looks around and spots Dust by a group of horses.

One of the horses near him is leaning into his light touches with its eyes closed. The horse looks smaller than Geno is used to but he doesn’t know a lot about horses. The horses is a dark grey and has black feet… hooves? Area near the hooves. Black lower legs, a black snout and black mane and tail.

Geno slowly gets closer when he notices the horse having violet eyes. Is that even possible? Geno always thought horses to have either brown or black eyes.

The horse looks up and huffs as it seems to get more nervous. Dust just pets it over the snout and it calms down. Geno can barely hear him mutter “Easy Opal. Easy.��� The horse, Opal apparently, sniffs and huffs but calms down.

Dust nods and turns to look at him. Geno tries to smile but doubts it looks as relaxed as he wants it to look “Hi… How are you Dust?”

Dust hums and shrugs “Fine.” A moment of silence “You?”

Geno grins “That is good. That you feel fine. I have been busy with this whole… drugs mess. Thanks so much you even want to help.”

Dust shrugs again as he focusses on the horse “Only option. Other option was Cross.” And he pets the horse.

Geno winces. Yeah…  yikes… that is a dodged bullet. Cross is still furious with him.

Geno takes a few steps closer “These are your horses?” he likes horses… maybe that will get him to talk? About anything? Maybe?

Dust nods and pets the horse before him “Opal.” He pulls a hand away and waves towards the second horse “Basalt.” Basalt is a dark brown horse. A bit bigger and has black eyes. Geno must admit that Basalt looks exactly like how Geno would picture a horse, a massive one at that.

Dust continues “You will be on Basalt. Basalt will also carry our stuff.” Which is when the door opens and Reaper walks out with one of the survivalist advisors following him.

Reaper introduces them as Cretic and Cretic immediately starts explaining what was packed and why.

Geno feels his soul speed up at the mention of just one tent. Cretic mentions how it is just not realistic to take two tents and expect to find an area big enough to set up camp for two tents. Not to forget how it would just cost more time to set up and break down two tents every night and morning. Furthermore it would make more sense to share the small space of the tent together because that could warm up the space better for them even if they didn’t share a bedroll. They huff and mention that sharing a bedroll would be much better for surviving the cold temperatures but that their king told them that would not be an option.

Geno is very thankful for Reaper for that. Already sharing a tent space with Dust will be a lot. A bedroll?! Geno would just die. Just end up as his soul pulses so hard it would pulse out of his ribcage. And seeing as it is a stupid tiny shard it would probably hurt like hell too.

Dust looks the pack over before nodding as he grabs the packs and walks over to basalt. Then he clicks it in place and pets Basalt’s head. Basalt nuzzles the hand before standing ready again.

Dust speaks softly as he pets the neck “Basalt will carry packs and let Geno ride him.” he walks over to Opal and pats her neck “Opal. My horse.”

Reaper nods as he looks excited at the horses “It is always a treat to see one of the many horses that walk Orchard.” But he remains back and doesn’t approach even as Geno knows Reaper wants to.

Dust checks the pack before looking at Geno and waiting. Right. Shit. Horse riding. Shit. He isn’t good at this horse riding thing at all.

Geno walks over and chuckles “So… eum… I am not good at this riding thing?” Wait!! Shit?! That came out wrong! “You know! Horse riding!” shoot him now.

Dust either doesn’t notice or care as he walks over and strokes Basalt’s neck “Basalt walks by himself. He doesn’t need to be lead.”

Oh. Well… okay then… Geno walks over and puts his foot in the little foot step thing on the saddle. Okay. Okay. He can do this. He hops on and it isn’t as elegant as he wanted but he is on.

And Basalt moves around a bit but he is on it. He is riding a horse.

Dust walks over to Opal and jumps on without looking bothered in anyway. Opal stands up on her back legs for a moment but then back to normal. Shaking her head around. Dust pets her and she calms down.

Reaper looks nervous at Geno “Will you be okay?” Geno nods. Reaper turns to Dust “Do you need anything else? And will you and the horses be okay?”

Dust nods “This is fine.” He tugs lightly on the reins and Opal turns quickly and Geno is convinced the horse was on her backlegs again. How flexible and quick is that horse?

Dust lets Opal walk a few steps and Basalt just follows. No need for Geno to direct it at all. So this is what Nightmare meant with Dust being able to easily guide up to three horses up the mountain.

And they leave the castle ground. They follow the path down from the castle to the main city and Geno watches in awe as Basalt just does it himself without any needed guidance from Geno. Hell probably through any wrong directions from Geno too.

They walk through the city around the castle and Geno can see people look on in awe. Geno gets it. Dust is like a knight in shining armour trope but instead of just being in shining silver armour on a perfect white horse. He is in dark leathers and dark colours with a cloak. A hood covering his skull and a beautiful panther mask on his face. The gloves and mask to fully hide his skeleton traits. On top of a mysterious rare horse which still seems slightly wild and uncontrolled yet it listens. Yeah… Geno gets why some girls sigh and stare wishfully.

They leave the city and trod on.

Geno can’t help but just watch the other. So in his element and controlled. Geno is happy to just stare as Basalt walks just a tiny bit behind Opal and Dust. Geno smiles as he speaks “You are unbelievable good with them…” Is that enough? “It is amazing.” Is he overdoing this? “You must spend a lot of time with them.”

Dust doesn’t look around as he shrugs “Just like the last two times you asked. I still train them.”

Geno can’t help but flinch and look away. Any nerves he had before return with a  vengeance. Right. Why did he think? Geno looks down and tries to find his voice “I… I know that… I just… I thought… Nevermind.” He thought maybe a compliment would go over well… But maybe it seemed like a dig instead? Like Geno hadn’t taken him seriously when he said he worked with the horses? Like Geno hadn’t believed he worked hard? Geno isn’t sure.

Dust remains quiet as they travel.

Most of the day is silent after that as Geno just lets familiar scenes pass him by. As it is still early spring the air is still cold and crisp and the ground is covered with snow. The mountains in the distance are covered with snow as well.

Geno glances down at the snowy ground. Seems like the horses are fine as they walk on. Geno looks up and glances to the side before he mutters “This… probably is a stupid question. How are the horses going through the snow without issue?”

Dust tilts his skull slightly. Geno notices because his hood moves a bit. But then Dust answers “Generally horses are completely fine in all kinds of weather. We did make sure to get their hooves checked before the trip.” And he looks ahead again “It is just west until we need to go north correct?”

Geno nods “Yeah. We need to go where there is a path between the two large mountains. We can go up there and start navigating towards the mine.” There will eventually be some markings near the roads to show the direction. A less travelled path to lead them there.

Dust is quiet for a moment before nodding “You will need to start either leading” oh please don’t let him ride in front and show Dust how terrible he is at this “or you will need to keep the map out and tell me the directions when we get near.”

Oh thank fuck an out “I can do the second one.” Geno will just die if he knows Dust is behind him judging him for how terrible he is with riding a horse. Well, Geno knows he is bad at this thing and Dust obviously know and is probably judging him already but no need to showcase just how bad he is at it!

It is okay. It is fine. You may not be able to ride a horse or anything but you can do magic! You will be able to show off your magic and how that is your element and Dust will think you are cool!

Geno tells himself at least. Fuck. He just doesn’t want him to hate him even more.

They keep going west as they travel in silence. Geno is playing with the reins as he keeps staring at the back of Dust. Trying to think of something to say which will actually start a conversation. As the time slowly goes by Geno becomes painfully aware that he isn’t sure what to talk about. Asking about Dust will just make him uncomfortable or annoyed because Geno just knows he will be repeating questions again. Asking about how his homelife is going will also just be met with suspicion because of Geno’s stupid past mistakes. Same for his fellow knights, family or hobbies. But Geno can’t just talk about what he likes. All he really cares about for hobbies is magic and that is also part of the whole start of the mess.

Geno honestly wishes he could go back in time and punch himself in the face and shake himself. If he had just been just not such an ass! If he had just been a normal person to Dust. All Geno had had to do was be a decent person.

Reaper had asked him if Geno had been okay with Reaper liking Dust and trying to see if it could go anywhere. He had been honest about his attraction and starting affection. Had asked Geno if Geno was okay with it or if Geno preferred for them to remain exclusive and for Reaper to take more distance from the other. Geno had said he was fine with it.

Geno had felt very secure in how Reaper felt about him and about their relationship. Which is part of the reason why Geno had said sure to begin with. The other reason was much more selfish and jerkish. Geno had been curious and fascinated about Dust’s magic. He had felt that power and energy and almost static in it. Geno is unsure how it could be and had been morbidly curious about how it worked.

They both had known that Dust had had a thing for them. A crush maybe, Killer’s meddling had made it obvious.

Geno isn’t proud of the fact that he used those very feelings. Both from Dust and Reaper to enable him to unravel secrets and mysteries that weren’t Geno’s to learn. Of better said, force Dust to speak about.

It just got worse when Geno realised his own feelings had changed. When it was no longer just a simple curiosity but actual interest.

Geno is honestly happy Dust ended up stopping him. Made him back off…

The magic had felt hurt and distressed. So very hurt and panicked.

Geno had… He wasn’t even sure what his plan had been after that. He backed up and just felt worse when it turned out that Dust had also cut off any contact with Reaper. But Geno had been too prideful and too much of a coward to admit to Reaper what he had done.

At least until Error knocked it out of him that is. Or knocked some sense into him.

Dust hadn’t even wanted to look at him…

“Geno?”

Geno snaps out of it and glances up. Dust is looking at him, from behind that mask, while being turned towards him “Is this the correct path?”

Geno turns to the way pointers and quickly grabs the map Dust mentioned before. He checks their location and is quickly able to figure out where they should be. He checks the distance and nods “This is the right spot. We go north from here. We will come by a little settlement, it isn’t on any official map but it is the settlement everyone who goes on tours to the mountains goes by.” It should be calm really. With it being early spring and so the touring season hasn’t started yet.

Dust nods and turns the way they are going. Geno can swear that Opal is looking unimpressed at him before huffing and walking the way her rider directs her.

Basalt calmly follows and Geno grabs the saddle tighter as he shakes for a moment. Okay. Okay. He is still on the horse.

They trot on.

Geno makes sure to keep the map open and folded in a way to make is easier to figure out where they are. Best do the thing he can actually help with.

With horse they make very quick time and Geno watches as they reach the settlement very quickly. Geno glances at their map before looking at the settlement “We got here very quick.”

Dust hums as he makes their horses keep moving “Not a surprise. We went straight towards this area over following the roads. We cut back on travel time.” He glances at the obvious very close by mountains before looking at him “We best try to make a start with the climb before it is time to set up camp.”

Geno nods “Indeed.” He tries not to remember what their camp includes. Sharing. A tent. Don’t think about it. Don’t.

The follow the path and soon walk through the valley between the two mountains. Geno glances down to reassure himself he still knows this part before speaking “The path will soon curve towards the right. We want to go off path there and stay left. Otherwise we will end up on the wrong side of the ravine.”

Geno glances up as he speaks and sees Dust nod “Got it. Left it is.” He tugs very lightly on Opal’s reins and Opal looks up and around as she walks.

Geno can see the curve in the path in the distance and looks around for the small markings of the other hidden path.

Reaper told him that in the past many people tried to climb the mountains without guidance and got hurt badly. To stop this Reaper got some explorers together to actually map out the mountain and find some nice trail options for the people. It started small but grew with time and became a nice and healthy income for the country and a nice economy boost.

Opal stops for a moment before making another sharp turn and walking straight through the foliage. Basalt follows without a moment of hesitation and Geno had to keep the plants out of his face as he keeps a tight hold on both the map and saddle.

It is unpleasant but they get through it and the area opens up a bit more. There are still trees and uneven ground but it is better than before.

Dust glances around and looks back at him. Geno checks the map and nods “We just need to keep going North for a while longer. Try to go up where we can. It isn’t until we are be the ravine that we need to look for another path.”

Dust hums as he turns his skull to look at that sky. He tilts his skull for a moment before nodding as he faces forwards “We can still keep going for a little. Try to make it to this ravine at least.” and they set off again.

Geno smiles as they follow. Making sure to keep a phalange on the map to mark where they are.

But in the end he can’t help but look around. Even with spring not quite having started it is gorgeous in the mountains. Geno hadn’t visited them often, completely his own fault of course, and it was great to get to experience them again.

The partly frozen dirt but the tiny tiny patches of grass peeking through. The trees all look bare with only some traces of snow but those tiny dots of green to signal the leaves are returning.

He takes a deep breath and sighs happily. The crisp clean air. It very light scent of the many plants and flowers.

“You like the mountain?”

Geno blinks before laughing “Yeah I do. You wouldn’t think it with how rarely I visit but I love it here.” He needs to visit more often. Maybe after Fresh fully moved all his animals Geno can convince him to go on a trip with him? Geno would also invite Error but Error seems very against leaving Nightmare’s side.

“Too busy?”

Geno blinks before shaking his skull “Not exactly. It is more that I keep myself too busy to go.” he laughs “Reaper wanted me to explore and get the chance to tour them the moment I set foot on land here…” Geno really need to go more often “Reaper did take me on a skiing and snowboarding trip once. To help me relax.” He can’t help but look hopeful at Dust’s back “Maybe… Once this whole thing is over… You can go on a mountain tour? See the nice parts? I am sure Reaper will be happy to get the best people for it. For you and everyone else too!” Make it less personal. Don’t single him out again.

Dust shrugs “Maybe summer.”

Geno nods as he tries to think quickly “Summer is great to visit the mountains! There will be many wild flowers and animals. I think Reaper told me there are a few species that other kingdoms thought to be extinct that live here still!” think think come on what else “Not to forget the many mountain rivers and waterfalls! There are also the Three Lakes of course but those are a bit out of the way. But there are also smaller lakes all around that create beautiful little spots where you can camp!”

Dust is quiet for a bit and Geno worries he pushed too far again. He is pushing his luck all over again isn’t he? Why can’t he just be normal when Dust is near?

Dust gives a soft hum as he speaks “The others will like that.”

Okay! Not ruined quite yet. Geno grins as he leans forwards before having to quickly right himself. Right. On a horse. Focus Geno. Don’t fall on your face “Winter is also great. Have you even been skiing or snowboarding before?”

Dust snorts for some reason as he shakes his skull “Winter and I don’t mix.”

Geno pauses and tilts his skull slightly confused “I mean. That is what winter coats and stuff are for. Don’t worry. We would make sure you are ready for the mountain and everything.” Wait! “I mean like all of you with you. Not just you. I mean if you came alone you would also be taken care of.” Which is when Geno decides now is time to just keep his mouth shut for a bit. Why is it that the only charismatic skills he has is about manipulating people and lying and not about honest feelings and basic conversations?

Dust is quiet for a bit again before speaking “Will keep that in mind.”

No. Please don’t keep Geno’s terrible conversation skills in mind.

Geno is trying to think of a distraction and sadly his mouth continues to speak instead “Then again. It is fine if winter isn’t for you. Summer is great! The sun will be warm and high and that makes it easier to go to the highest peaks without freezing quickly. People like to try to climb to the highest top in the summer but that is a few months track. They often start mid spring or late spring for those. I personally never really went further than just the main path and a few smaller paths. But the flowers are nice! They are about any colour, shape and scent you can think of! My favourite of the bunch actually grows in the winter but it will still remain in the summer in a smaller form. It is real cool. One of the scientists explained that the flower doesn’t actually use insects to pollinate but instead these very tiny mice that travel around. I know, also a shock that those aren’t in like hibernation or anything. Apparently They have very thick coats and are light enough that they hardly leave indents in the snow. Making them perfect to actually travel in the winter when things are calm without getting attention from predators.” Oh please someone shut him up. “So these mice eat like decaying stuff as well but use the living flowers as shelter when the predators are near. Camouflage and everything. And the flowers themselves mask their scent. Which in turn makes the mice covered in their pollen which they move to the next flowers and new places.”

Geno finishes his speal and is horrified to realise just how long he kept talking about stupid flowers and some random mice of which he doesn’t even remember the name. Why can’t he just?! Be normal?!

Dust hums before looking to the side “I hear water.”

Geno blinks and quickly looks at the map “I… I think it is either the water in the ravine if we are still low. Or one of the many smaller rivers and small waterfalls if we are higher.” He looks around to see if he notices any marks for either option. Geno hadn’t been paying attention to if they were climbing up or not.

Dust nods as he seems to consider their options before looking at the sky again “We need to camp.”

Geno’s soul starts to speed up. Fuck why is he such a mess? He was never this much of a mess with Reaper. Maybe it was because Reaper just makes everything easy and okay? He makes it feel safe. This is so stupid why can’t he just… Ugh!

Basalt moves and Geno is quick to grab onto the saddle to stay stable. That was a close one.

They keep moving for a bit longer. Geno must admit he is starting to feel nervous when the forest area around them starts to darken. Even with Geno knowing that they both as skeletons would be fine with their eye lights it still makes him uneasy. He doesn’t like being unprepared. And walking through the forest as it slowly gets darker without them having a set plan on where to set up camp? It makes Geno uneasy.

Still he remains quiet as he lets Dust lead them. He isn’t going to be difficult about being uncomfortable or nervous. It is nothing compared to what he put the other through. And this isn’t even with any real reason. It is just Geno being a control freak and perfectionist.

It is okay. It is okay.

The light around them is slowly changing towards a yellowish orange as it gets later and later when Dust finally stops them. It doesn’t look any different from any of the other areas they walked through but it must have something special about it.

Dust jumps off Opal and walks towards the packs by Geno and Basalt. Geno watches as Dust calmly unclicks the tent and walks towards the side. Dust doesn’t even look up at him “I will set up the tent. Can you do the fire?”

Fire. Yes! He can do the fire! Geno grins and nods “Of course!” He swings his leg over the horse as he saw Dust do and steps down. His left foot touches the ground and he grins. Easy. He moves to take his right foot out of the saddle and unto the ground only to not be able to do so. And then he loses his balance.

Ugh. That hurt. He blinks open his sockets and sees Basalt look at him with a tilted head. Clearly unsure what to do with Geno. Geno looks at his leg and sees that his boot got stuck on the footpiece of the saddle. Which is why he couldn’t pull free and why he ended up losing his balance.

Great.

“Are you hurt?”

Double great!!

“Just my pride. And my clothes probably.”

Dust hums “Should be fine. No mud in this area.”

That explains why the ground is so hard. Even so Geno manages to twist his boot free as he pushes himself up. He dusts himself off and is relieved to see that Dust was right. Just some dirt. No mud and no rips. That is good.

Geno walks over to where Dust is setting up camp as he sits on the ground. Geno draws a circle in the sand before laying a simple rock in the middle of it. He concentrates and thinks about the nature of fire. The way it can be created with flint and steel. A spark of energy created by the simple rock and metal. With that in mind his magic sparks and a red flame appears, seemingly burning form the rock itself. Not burning anything around it and remaining in the circle he drew in the sand.

“Mh.”

Geno jumps and turns quickly. Only to find Dust right behind him. Holy shit he is quiet!

Dust ignores his jump “Why magic?”

Geno blinks. He turns back to his newly made campfire. He just wanted to show off but now feels self-conscious about it. He thinks for a moment before speaking “I mean… We are still trying to be stealthy right? This fire will function as a normal fire. Just not leave any traces or create smoke. And aside from the little light for our area it won’t be obvious from further away.” And he also really wanted to show off that he could do stuff after the horse disaster.

Dust tilts his skull before nodding “Fair enough.” He walks over towards the horses as he starts removing the packs from Basalt. He lays them by Geno’s side and Geno makes himself useful by unpacking a few of their rations. It is to make sure their mana stays filled up in case of emergency.

Geno lets the fire warm up their food as he watches Dust undo the saddles and laying those over some tree branches. He undoes the reins and grabs a brush to brush out the parts that had been covered with either the saddle or the head piece of the reins.

Geno frowns “Don’t they need to be tied to a tree or something?”

Dust shrugs “Some do. I prefer them free to run if needed.”

Geno frowns more “Aren’t you… scared something will scare them off?” and leave them horseless with all their camping gear and the long track ahead?

Dust shrugs again “Even if they do. They will return.” He finishes brushing the horses before walking towards the fire side and sitting not quite across from Geno but also not next to him.

Geno hands him his food and they eat in silence.

Geno keeps his focus on his food but it is gone rather quickly. Then he just remains close to the fire. Staring at the magical flame. Trying to not be weird or a creep by staring at the other.

Oh fuck he should have just had Reaper send another mage instead of him. He can’t do this.

Some movement to his side. Dust speaks up “We will need to get moving early tomorrow. As soon as it is light out. We best go to bed.”

Oh fuck he can’t do this.

Dust continues speaking “Can you turn off the fire? The light may attract something and the tent is insulated anyway.”

Geno nods “Sure. No problem.” He clicks his phalanges and the fire turns off. He takes his time getting up as he hears Dust disappear into their tent.

Their. Tent.

Fuck how will he be normal about this? He can’t.

He moves towards the tent and pauses by the open flap before pushing it aside.

Oh god their bedrolls are side by side and the tent is so small he has to crawl.

Dust is already rolled up in his. Seems like he only took off his boots but further sleeps with everything on. Okay. Just. Just do the same thing. Even if it will be a bit uncomfortable.

He undoes his shoes and gets into his bedroll. It is still a bit cold but Geno can hardly feel it. Not when he can feel the slight warmth from Dust beside him.

The tent is dark and silent as Geno just stares at the ceiling of it. Trying to ignore the fact that Dust is laying right next to him.

It is so quiet. Geno isn’t breathing and he is sure Dust isn’t either. There is a tension in the air and between them or maybe that is just Geno being hopeful? He isn’t sure anymore.

Geno isn’t even sure if he can sleep like this. He is too aware of the other and Dust being so close and fuck why wasn’t it like this with Reaper? Why was it so much easier with Reaper? Was it because he was focussing on Error being missing? Because he had been more focussed on the fact he was the king and Geno himself was his royal mage? Is it because he already messed everything up once and is terrified of ruining things again?

His mind keeps spiralling even as his sockets grow heavier and heavier.

--

“Geno.”

Mmmh. No… he doesn’t want to wake up… The air outside of his little cocoon of blankets is cold and he does not like the cold.

“Geno.”

Just a bit longer.

A nudge to his shoulder and Geno goes to give whatever servant is waking him the stink eye. Reaper always lets him sleep in and-

That is Dust. Looking annoyed and shit he isn’t wearing his mask yet even if he can spot it on top of his hood.

Geno stares and searching for the words “What?” Just end him.

Dust just looks neutral. Downright bored if Geno didn’t know that was just his neutral face. Dust speaks again “We need to go soon. Can you warm up food while I clean up camp?” and he waits.

Geno blinks before remembering his excuse of the day before “Right! Of course. Right away.” He searches for his boots and finds them quickly enough and oh stars he really did sleep in his travel gear.

Geno never truly cared about how he looks or how others see him. Before he just didn’t care and with time it just wasn’t important. It wasn’t until he started to live in Reaper’s castle in Sanctuary. That is when he started to notice people paying attention to him and being disapproving.

Again, at first he didn’t care. He didn’t give a fuck what some snobby rich person thought of him and still doesn’t. But he quickly realised that how he holds himself and how he looks effects how people see and think about Reaper so he started to take a bit better care of himself and his appearance.

He leaves the tent and goes to the same spot as the night before. It is still dark out but luckily Geno has reasonable good darksight. He holds his hands together and focusses on the nonburn fire he wants to summon again.

It is as easy as breathing and a moment later the fire is burning and shining before him. Glistering like perfect gems. Geno checks their packs and is happy to note that Dust already removed those from their tent which makes it possible for Geno to just grab the food and warm it up easily.

As it warms up Geno shoots some glances over his shoulder. Watching as Dust is already rolling up the tent again before walking over to the already saddled up horses. Seems like Dust had already been awake for a while.

Geno frowns as he looks at the fire “You were awake for a while already?”

Dust pauses his movements before he continues “Not for long.” He tightens the rope around the packs on the saddle.

Geno frowns as he gets the food ready to eat before undoing his fire spell “Still… I know I… haven’t been the best person.” Which is putting it mildly “And I know stuff isn’t just forgiven. But while out here I want to help. We are on this mission together after all…”

Dust turns to stare at him. His face unreadable. Geno misses when Dust at least allowed him to see something beyond his careful neutral face. Dust turns back to the horses “Don’t mind.” and he puts the reins over Opal’s head and Opal shakes his head. Dust messes with his hood and mask and the mask is on his face “Ready?”

Geno nods before actually answering “Yeah. Food is heated.” He hands Dust his warmed food before looking with dread at Basalt. Basalt at least is nice enough to stand still as Geno struggles on top of the horse.

Getting on the horse on equal ground with two free hands it one thing, trying to climb on top of one in the forest on top of a mountain with food in one hand is a whole other situation. Geno ends up managing it and didn’t even need to use magic to aid him.

Geno looks up to see Dust already on Opal’s back. The place that had been their camp is cleaned of any traces of their stay. Dust turns Opal around and the two of them set off again.

It is still very early. Dawn only just broke and there is only the very starts of sunlight making it easier to see.

They follow up the winding path up the mountain. Geno nibbles the food and knows he is pulling a face. The heat made the food a bit better but it are still rations.

Geno glances at Dust and notices he is already done eating “You like rations?”

Dust tilts his skull and shrugs “Not the best but not the worst. Healthy.”

Right. He is used to missions and having to eat rations on the go “That is fair… Must admit that ever since I moved to Sanctuary I have been enjoying the food.” He sighs “The fish is fucking amazing. Then again it is the country’s export.” He nibbles on his food “Orchard was all about like… grains and stuff right?”

Dust shrugs as he mutters “Mostly for cattle. Used to be a lot about meat. When Nightmare took over the country switched to fruits and orchards. Now it is mostly fruits and stuff like it.”

Geno gives a slow nod “Right… the weather and climate changed after Nightmare took over right? None of those weather rituals.” The rituals that country used to do fascinated Geno endlessly. The strange way they used magic to do stuff and make large changes. Larger than most simple or complex spells should be capable of. Permanent drought is very intense and very hard as it forces the unguided and wild being of nature itself to bend to it. Things that are alive are always harder to work with magically. It is why Geno prefers the more direct and unchanging nature of rocks and gems.

Dust shrugs “Nightmare doesn’t like the rituals.”

Geno nods “I get it.” blood magic and sacrifice magics are always disliked. Fascinating but very harmful ways to practise magic. Though both are very strong and have many ways to even alter reality. Necromancy is a close one after those two but not quite on the same level of power. Necromancers just have the worst rep and bad PR.

They walk in silence as Geno looks around the area. It has been so long since he was last up here, he really needs to visit it more often.

The horses stop and Geno looks forwards only to freeze. Because that is a much larger and wild river than it should be.

Dust tilts his skull slightly “Did we make a wrong turn?”

Geno shakes his skull as he double checks their map “We shouldn’t have. I checked as we walked we are right where I thought we should be…” he frowns as he focusses on the map “There should just be a small river here with only a few stepping stones to get past it. Not this large and very much not this wild.”

Dust hums as he keeps looking at the river “Other way?”

Geno frowns “There is another path… but that means we have to go back to the main path and move to the other side of the ravine and follow it along until we find a way further down and back up on another side of this mountain. Instead of going west we would need to go much further up north before climbing the mountain up into the south west side you know?” he follows the map with his phalanges as he checks the routes.

Dust hums “Over the river it is.” Only for him to get off the horse and pet Opal before nudging her. And Opal just jumps over the river before looking back smugly.

Geno stares with his mouth open.

Dust walks over to him and Basalt and stops by the side “Scoot.”

Wait what?!

Geno blinks “What?” his voice sounds much higher than it should be.

Dust tilts his skull “Scoot. A bit back.”

Geno gives a slow nod as he moves a bit back. Dust then just jumps up and over the side and oh god he is right in front of him and where does Geno leave his hands.

Dust gets the reins in his hands and shoots him a look over his shoulder “Hold on.”

Where?!

Dust nudges the horse and Basalt starts to move and Geno holds unto around his waist. Especially when Dust makes Basalt speed up.

Geno tries to focus on just holding on and not on the fact of how warm Dust feels. He is thankful that Dust is wearing armour and leather as that makes it impossible to really feel the other and-

Oh shit they are jumping.

Geno holds on tightly and plasters himself against Dust’s back.

A moment later Basalt lands on the other side of the river and comes to a slow stop.

Dust hums “Up and over.”

Geno is not letting go as his whole body is tense “How did you know he would be able to make it? Why not jump over with Opal?”

Dust hums “Opal can jump alone…” and he shoots him a look.

Right, and Geno can’t. Great.

Shit he is still holding the other and following the barely there curve of his body and- Geno lets go and tries to scoot backwards. Trying to keep his emotions and magic calm when he starts to slide to the side. Dust quickly grabs his arms and tugs him back fully on Basalt as he himself gets off easily.

Geno can just fucking die. This fucking sucks. He is making stupid mistake after mistake and making blunder after blunder.

Dust doesn’t seem bothered as he is already walking over towards Opal and jumps on her back.

Geno frowns as he stares down. Not even sure what to say at this point. Sorry he is a mess? Both with anything horse related and Dust related? Geno is probably making this so much harder than it needs to be.

Geno glances back at the river and mutters “How did you know that Basalt could carry both of us and jump over?”

Dust answers easily “Is Horror’s horse. He is strong.”

Geno blinks and looks at the massive and muscled horse he is riding. Wow. That would explain as Horror is a big guy and carries large weapons. Geno looks up “And that is why you picked Basalt?”

Dust nods “Also easy to lead. I always lead Basalt.”

Geno frowns “Always? What if Horror is riding it?”

Dust sounds amused as he speaks “Horror can’t ride a horse. Worse than you.”

Geno blinks confused. Seriously? Horror is… worse somehow? Geno speaks up without thinking “I almost fell like three times already…”

Dust nods “Better than Horror. Basalt good at balance for a reason.”

Geno looks at Basalt and sees how the saddle he is on has many spots to grab on. Same for the reins now that he truly studies it. Horror having difficulty riding a horse… It would make sense to train a horse to be easy to ride for guests as they listen to someone else. Geno had notices that Basalt didn’t as much look around but just watches Opal and Dust.

Geno also only now realises that Dust messed with the reins and probably put them on like the lead setting over just for Geno to hold onto to balance. He only got them ready to lead the horse when Dust was the one riding it.

He…

Oh.

Huh.

Geno can’t help but smile a bit as his soul does a little flutter “Thanks… I appreciate it…”

A long silence follows that and that is okay. Geno doesn’t truly expect an answer.

“No problem… shared mission.” Dust’s answer is quiet.

Geno grins wider as he can’t help but get the feeling that Dust is being shy. He used to be shy a lot and Geno finds it adorable all over again. Even before his interest changed from just fascination in his magic to feelings for him he always found the other cute. Which probably says  a lot about him that he found a murderer and ex-smuggler and ex-crimelord adorable but Geno is just going to not bother thinking about that specifically.

They don’t come across any other rivers as they walk along the path around the mountain. They talk a bit more about the plan. Which is finding one of the lower mine entrances and entering through those before systematically searching the mine.

Which will be the most time costly part of the mission. As the mines are complex with many tunnels. Geno got the copies of the last made maps but they may not match up perfectly anymore as the mine system is older.

They get in a rhythm after that. They travel throughout the day and when dusk starts Dust sets up camp as Geno keeps an eye on the food rations and the path they must take.

They don’t come across any rough rivers again as they move along the mountain steadily. Geno is only a little sad about it but he keeps his mouth shut. He will just have to be thankful for the chance he got to be that close to the other.

It takes them a total of three days but they finally spot it in the distance. A quarry with a large landmarker that they used to mine, mostly for granite. As they needed that for the construction of the new cities. Geno is pretty sure some of the originally made buildings are still in the capital standing tall and strong. The mine and quarry both just got too unstable to continue to mining operations safely and Reaper had to discontinue the work at this location.

Dust looks around the area “Large mine…”

Geno looks over and nods “It is the oldest and largest in the country.” Which is also why there was a lot of pushback when Reaper closed it for safety reasons.

Geno knows that Reaper took the time to search for a new place to start mining to make sure that the many people working at this location didn’t lose their jobs. Reaper had spent a long time looking for a new location and as the people had to wait Reaper used money form the treasury to make sure no one lost their income.

Geno honestly wonders how some people could say that Reaper was a bad king.

Dust nods as he looks around. Geno wishes he could see his face to figure out what he feels or thinks. Now Geno just as to wait for Dust to speak, which he doesn’t do a lot. Guy is shy and quiet.

Dust turns to him “Where is the entrance?”

Geno frowns “I mean. It should be right there.” He turns and points only to blink. Why is it collapsed?!

Dust hums “By your face. It should be open.” He gets off of Opal and walks over to the opening into the mountain. He looks at the wood and the many many rocks filling up the opening.

Dust speaks up “Wood is cut through. Support beam and all. No marks of a natural rockslide.”

Geno frowns “Sabotage…” That is rough “Well… Good news, we found the mine they are located in.”

Dust hums “Bad news… Entrance is a no.” Dust looks at the entrance before looking back at Geno “Blast open?”

Geno frowns and shakes his skull “Can’t risk it. As I said before, the mine is instable and may collapse. Not to forget the mountain is at high risk of avalanches.”

Dust continues to looks at him “Alternative?”

Geno checks the map and nods “There are more entrances all over the mountain. They are just harder to reach.” He points at some of the minecart rails going out and around the mountain “Helps with the many carts. Most of the mountain is full of tunnels.”

Dust nods and walks back to Opal as he gets on “Where to?”

Geno looks at their map “A bit down again and then we need to follow a narrow path to get to the trail leading to the next possible entrance.”

Dust nods as he turns their horses back to the entrance of the quarry. “Okay.” and they are off again.

Geno directs them back the way they came before getting to the thin ledge they carefully walk over. Dust only asks him how long the track will be once, which Geno answers with it should be about half a day.

Geno just hopes that this one is actually open for them to use.

They follow the path and by the time the sun is starting to set they come to the second entrance, one near a river which leads all the way down the mountain.

Dust stops them and stares ahead. Geno follows his line of sight and- “Those motherfuckers.”

The second entrance is also locked off.

Dust nods “Apparently.” And he jumps off his horse.

Geno blinks “What are you doing?”

Dust doesn’t answer out loud instead he gets the pack for the tent. Geno nods “Fair enough. Camping time.” He gets off Basalt and he is proud that he hasn’t fallen while getting off the horse since day one.

Geno goes about his usual routine to get the fire going and to warm their food as Dust is quick about the tent and the horses. It is nice at this point. Both doing their thing in silence. Geno hands Dust his food before going into the tent to sleep, having set a timer on the magical fire for an hour.

Geno sighs as he gets comfortable in the bedroll. Ready to sleep as he is now much warmer in it. Honestly the magic woven into the bedroll is amazing. He will need to figure out how to do this. Maybe add it to Reaper’s weighted blanket. Reaper gets cold easily and the added warmth to his comfort blanket will be great.

His mind is already slowing down with sleep when he hears very soft shuffles. That is good. That is Dust then. Getting some sleep as well.

Geno lets out another yawn before he lets sleep claim him.

--

The plans ends up being to keep going up the winding paths up the mountain. Which is a rather high risk at the moment as they mountain is traitorous this time of spring. But Geno figures at this point that none of the entrances will be open.

Which leaves them going with the path going straight to the highest one instead of going one up at the time.

Geno grumbles as he has to hold on tightly to the saddle “Why did those idiots even lock everything up? Don’t they need stuff?”

Dust hums “Nah. Only times they go out is when they smuggle and trade. Otherwise lock away and preparing for next trade session.”

Geno blinks as he looks at the back of Dust “Really? How do you know that?”

Dust just shoots him a look over his shoulder. Geno is still unsure how Dust can be this expressive while still wearing his mask and not showing his face. Maybe Geno is just good at figuring out Dust at this point?

He likes that idea…

Dust shakes his skull but Geno thinks he heard a small snort before Dust answers “Used to smuggle. And do crimes. Never messed with drugs however. Too high risk.”

Right… Geno knew that. Because Reaper did a background check on all the Knights before he went to even speak with Nightmare about searching his country for Error. Years and years ago.

Geno can’t help but be intrigued “What was that like? I used to spend a lot of time on the streets but never spend much time in the black markets…” Too much risk for a kid with no adults to protect them. Children got abducted from the streets very often at his old home.

Dust is silent for a bit and Geno looks to the side “Sorry… pushy again?” Why can’t he just…

Dust shakes his skull “Not pushy… surprised…” he seems to think for a while “It was easy money.” And he leaves it at that.

Huh. Well. Geno gets it. Which he makes sure to mention. Dust shoots him another look and Geno shrugs “I used to be young before. No one would hire a child for a normal job and I only had so much time with full time school to actually get money. Shadier business gives better payout.”

Dust keeps looking at him before giving a short nod.

Geno smiles as he relaxes a bit. He thinks it is going well. Maybe Reaper was right. And he just needed to start some conversations and try to be calm and mindful of the boundaries Dust sets.

Geno at this point is honestly just enjoying the track. It is relaxing to be out in the open air. Conversations are going well. They got their little routine going and Geno has managed to get the other to at least let out a few amused snorts and gotten him to look back at him. Geno thinks it is going very well!

By the fifth day Geno is almost disappointed to see the mineshafts in the distance. Meaning that his time with Dust is starting to come to an end.

Dust hums as he looks at Geno. Geno forces a smile to his face and nods “That is the one.” Dust nods and leads their horses closer to the entrance before he pauses.

Geno frowns “Something wrong?”

Dust looks back at him before looking at Opal “Don’t want them to be hurt.”

Geno blinks as he looks at the horses “I mean… We don’t have to bring them all the way up there. We can leave them at a lower spot? Out of view and free to run if need be?” Geno doubts that of course. As Geno has no doubt that Dust and him will be able to take care of those drug dealers easily.

Dust seems to relax and nods. Then he directs the horses a bit closer to start the final climb.

They get to a small patch of trees a bit away from the last entrance. Dust gets off and gets to work on making sure the saddle and reins aren’t ready to be used to ride Opal. Geno gets off himself and Dust does the same with Basalt. He spends some time to check both horses before nudging them deeper into the hiding place. Opal looks very unamused as she tries to walk back over to Dust. Dust clicks his teeth and makes a motion with his hand. Opal huffs and snorts before holding her head high as she trots into the forest.

Geno crosses his arms “Can’t believe I am saying this but that horse is a diva.”

Dust just nods and shrugs as Geno laughs. They walk towards the mine entrance and Geno frowns. It is so quiet here… It gives him the creeps. Dust starts to walk slower and slower and Geno can see him glancing around.

Geno gets to the entrance when a hand grabs his shoulder and tugs lightly. Geno looks back at Dust. Dust just shakes his skull as he continues to stare at the entrance.

Geno frowns “I know it feels… off. But it is the only entrance that is still open.” Geno makes sure to keep his voice low and just above a whisper. They are still being stealthy after all.

Dust frowns before pointing towards one of the higher up rail systems for carts. That disappear into the mountain.

Geno frowns “We can just use this entrance.”

Dust points to himself and then to the new entrance he found. Then points at Geno and waits. Geno just points towards the entrance they are in front of. Dust sighs but nods. Then he turns and starts climbing the wall to reach the new entrance he found. And he disappears inside.

Okay.

Geno casts a simple light spell before going into the mine.

It is old and deserted. There is dust and dirt everywhere. Geno uses his little ball of light to shine out and get a feeling for the distance. The ground is uneven and the walls are all cut out roughly. The tunnel leads onwards with a small decline to it.

Geno follows it. As he walks he keeps looking around him and back. Having the feeling he is being watched.

Geno tries to remember the layout of the mine he studied. He never really studied the upper parts beyond the basics. If he remembers correctly it will open up to a larger area soon. The centre of the upper part where all the mined goods were collected and counted and noted down.

He feels a shiver go up his spine as he feels magic right behind him. He doesn’t think as he turns and makes the ball of light explode into a flash. A groan of someone else and Geno rushes deeper into the mine. Now running with just his natural nightvision to guide him.

Geno continues to run deeper into the mine as the footfall starts to follow him. Shit shit shit.

Dust was so right he should have gone with him. Why the hell did Geno think he knew this kinda stuff better than Dust who had actual experience with missions like this?!

Geno goes to turn a corner but feels the magic charge up and quickly dives to the side to dodge the incoming blast. Purple fire magic?

Before he can get up and continue running hands grab his shoulders and he feels something click around his neck.

“Stand up and stand still.”

His body moves without his permission as it follows the order. Shit. The slave collar. Shit shit shit shit shit.

Geno tries to force his body or magic to move and act but neither seem to be able to. He is forced to watch someone walk out of the shadows of one of the many tunnels. Human by the looks of it. A badly kept beard and very pale and thin skin. Large marks of too little sleep under those eyes. But the eyes are focussed and there is a grin on his face.

The man smirks “Well if this isn’t a treat! I know my people said I had guests wandering the mountain but I never expected it to be the royal mage himself!” he grins as he puts an arm around Geno’s shoulders.

Geno glares and tries to speak but his body just won’t move. Get your filthy limbs away from him.

The man smirks “I am Rover. The head and brains behind this operation. Come come! I will show you the whole place and give you a tour!” he looks downright excited as he moves.

Geno can’t stop his body from moving after the man. Following the order he had been given.

As soon as Geno can he is burning this man to a crisp. Serves him right for trying to control Geno.

Geno can’t even study the people behind him as he can barely move his eye lights as it is. He is stuck following Rover as Rover has a bounce in his step. Fucking freak.

They exit the tunnel into a large open space and this is the main operations of this mining outcrop he had been looking for. As expected it is the place to be. The elevators are operational as they carry boxes up and down into a lower area or up to the small office building near the top. People are walking around closing crates.

There is this strange machine that some people put some kind of powder in. At the bottom these tiny crystal shaped rocks tumble out. That is it. That is the drugs that are at large in the city.

But it isn’t just one large machine. Geno can already see seven of them all working.

Rover grins “Beautiful isn’t it? The small doses we distributed was just the test. Knowing that the drugs are as well received as they are means we can expand! It is a matter of time before everyone wants a bit of my supply!” he walks towards one of the machines and sticks his hand into a crate that is being filled up. He shows the handful off as if he is holding something precious instead of something deadly and dangerous.

Rover grins “Especially now.” he chuckles “The royal mage liking this stuff? That will boost sales so high. Especially as you will make sure the king doesn’t try to stop it anymore.”

Geno glares as he tries to make it obvious he will ever much not do that.

Rover grins “It is okay. You will just need a tiny taste test.” He drops most of it before walking over with one single piece.

Geno tries to pull free from the control keeping his body locked. He tries to blast the other. But nothing. He can’t even mentally activate one of his many crystals. All ready with potent magic to protect him.

Nothing he can do.

He slowly feels his fear increase. He has no idea how his magic and soul will react to the drug. His soul isn’t a full soul after all. Just a shard of one. Geno has a lot of magic already that his soul shard overproduces. He has no idea what will happen if he has to take this and his soul is pushed even further.

Rover holds out his hand “Take thi-AAAAH!” A knife hits his arm.

Geno feels a bit of relieve as the order doesn’t take effect. A dark shadow lands behind some of the people guarding Rover and Geno can see a sharp bone attack impale one of the guards with a crack of electricity.

The guard drops down. Rover turns and Geno can see him look panicked as he whispers “A Knight.”

Right. Rover is originally from Orchard. He would know the full meaning of the masks. Rover looks around panicked as Geno just watches Dust take out guard after guard. Moving fluent and with a grace he hadn’t had had the pleasure of seeing since that one fated training session.

Rover takes a few steps back and yells out “Hold an explosion spell to your own skull!! If he continues to attack you will shoot it!”

Geno feels his soul freeze as his magic starts to unwillingly form the spell. His arm aims at his skull and he can feel the energy behind the magic. He feels the unwillingness of his magic as he has to aim it at his own being. Dust freezes.

Rover pants as he looks around “Okay. Okay. Much better don’t we all agree?” He glares at some people “Get another collar. Now!”

One guard shakes “Boss we don’t… we don’t have more ready. We didn’t have the magical chips prepared to make more.”

Rover pants as he looks around “Then get the magic dampers!” He glares as he looks frantic “What a big show. Since when does the king of Orchard care about other countries?”

Dust just stares from behind his mask. Unbothered.

Rover glares “What?! Not going to speak?”

Dust doesn’t say a word again.

The guards rush back with some magic dampers. Rover considers it as he looks between Geno and Dust. Clearly thinking.

Rover points to Dust “Hands and arms out. Or the king of Sanctuary will have to look for a new royal mage!”

Dust frowns but gives a slow nod as he holds out his arms. Rover snaps his fingers and points at the guard holding the dampers before pointing at Dust.

No. No don’t do that.

The guard puts two dampers on Dust.

Rover sighs and grins “There isn’t that better?” he looks at Geno “Dispel that attack.” Geno’s magic does as told and Geno wants to spit in Rover’s face. Rover grins as he swagger walks over to Dust. He boldly removes the mask which he holds up proudly.

One of the guards looks nervous “Boss. Euh… You shouldn’t… the masks… The masks are important and…”

Rover shoots the guard a look “Yes I know. But I think I am owned it. After all! I outsmarted the Knight and the royal mage!”

Geno watches as Dust glares at Rover. Bloody murder so clear in those mismatched eyes. Geno feels so guilty. He should have just trusted Dust’s instincts and snuck in with him through the other entrance that he found. Why did Geno have to be stubborn? He thought he would have been able to handle this easily with his magic.

Dust snorts “Debatable.” Rover glares at him but Dust isn’t even looking at Rover anymore. He is just looking around the area. Looking bored and unimpressed. Like he has somewhere much more important to be.

Rover sputters and glares “I caught you both! I have this set up! I am on my way to be the greatest and most influential person in the world!”

Dust snorts “Country I guess… and for druggies…” and he shrugs again.

Rover glares and points at Geno “With the most powerful mage under my control it is a matter of time before I have all I deserve!”

Dust raises a brow. Glances at Geno. Then back at Rover. And shrugs again “Not as powerful as my king.”

Rover freezes for a moment as he worries the crate he is next to. Frown on his face “These drugs will get me people. Get me forces. I will be able to take all I want. Even… even Nim’s son won’t stand a chance against me.”

Geno never understood why they wouldn’t say Nightmare’s name.

Dust tilts his skull and has an unimpressed look on his face “You don’t even dare mutter his name. Why do you think you are strong enough to defeat someone with the power of a god?”

Geno frowns before connecting the dots. This man doesn’t know that Nightmare lost those powers already. Dust is counting on the fact that Rover has been out of the loop on the gossip inside of Orchard. Especially because the news that Nightmare is no longer powered by that ritual never left the inner circles until a little while ago.

Dust is counting on this man’s ignorance.

Rover shakes his skull “I will have more people. People who can end him.”

Dust tilts his skull “Only reason you caught me is because I let you.”

Rover freezes as he worries the crate. His eyes shooting between Geno and Dust. Then he gets a grin. He points to some man and snaps his fingers “Get the blockers on the mage.”

Geno blinks but soon he feels his magic be locked off. Rover than points to some guards and to Dust “Keep. Him. Still.” And he undoes the slave collar from Geno’s neck.

Geno feels his ability to move return and the first thing he does before he can even feel beyond the numb feeling is hit Rover right in his stupid ugly mug. Rover groans but guards grab Geno and hold him still as Rover rushes to Dust. And puts the collar on him.

Geno feels himself freeze as Dust just takes a deep breath. Now wearing two blockers and the collar.

Rover grins “There! Much better! Now! With you under my comment I will be unstoppable! Those fellow Knights of yours won’t want to attack you! Surely!”

Dust just stares ahead. Not a single emotion on his face. Rover turns to him and shudders as he looks around for a moment before looking back “Shit that is unnerving. Hey! Speak!”

Geno can spot it. The way that the corner of Dust’s mouth twitches slightly. Almost as if he would be grinning or smirking if he let himself. Instead Dust remains looking neutral as he stares at Rover “You don’t even know what I can do.”

Rover frowns as he worries the crate. Then he points to Dust and speaks “Do a spell and don’t aim it at any of us!”

Dust’s sockets and eye lights look so fucking amused. Geno can feel the static grow and grow and next thing that Geno knows there is a large blast of lightning originating from Dust that blasts outwards. Rover and the guards rush and dodge where they can.

Geno sees the fried circuits of the magic dampers and the slave collar drop to the ground when a hand grabs his hand and pulls him free from the guards who fell back with shock.

Dust and him are running into one of the many tunnels and Geno is trying to get the blocker off but he can’t.

Dust stops them in a tunnel and takes one of his hands “Can’t unlock yourself. It has fail safes.” He studies the bracelet and Geno can’t help but just stare at Dust. Dust must have known. Dust must have known from the start that his magic would be powerful enough to fry all of them at once.

Geno hadn’t know that Dust knows lightning spells! Those are hard to master and very powerful! That is insane to just have as a go to spell.

Geno focusses “On my hip is a knife. It should be able to cut through anything.” Dust doesn’t even check as his hand reaches the spot and finds the army knife Geno took along just in case.

A cut later and one of the blockers falls of. Geno feels his magic return to him and smiles. Dust gets to work on the match of it when they hear running. Which makes them both start to run again.

Geno follows after Dust as they get to a large cavern with an even larger drop. They run across the creaking and instable pathways as Dust glares “Why?”

Geno pants as he runs “I told you! This place is almost fully hollowed out. It is why it was closed! It is instable!”

They get to the end of the pathway only to find it a dead-end. Dust gets ready to turn only to see more of those people coming.

They spot a ledge by the cavern wall and Dust jumps from the pathway to the edge of it. He manages to land and Geno feels his nerves get even worse. What does he do? He can’t do that?

Dust turns to him and holds out a hand. Oh no. Geno looks back and sees the other people coming. He slowly climbs over the railing, having a dead grip on it still as he glances down. It is so dark and deep down there. Dropping in there would be his end. Easily.

Dust snaps his fingers and Geno looks up. Dust holds out a hand and looks calm. Everything about him says it clearly. He will catch him.

He will catch him.

He will catch him.

Geno lets go of the railing and sets off hard. His hand finds Dust’s and Dust pulls him right against the wall. Geno’s soul is pulsing wildly as he stands there. Dust tugs on his hand and starts shuffling along the ledge, away from those following them. Geno follows him even as he is starting to feel sick.

Geno never thought he had a fear of heights before but this feels different.

They are moving along the edge when Rover and his people start shooting at them. The ledge they stand on starts to crumble and suddenly they are both falling. Dust manages to grab unto the ledge with his hand and Geno can feel that Dust has a very tight grip on his hand.

Geno can see the pained look on Dust’s face and Geno is reminded of Dust’s weaker shoulder. Shit… this can’t be good for him.

They hang there and Geno can see Rover getting his guards and people to aim their magical attacks at them.

Geno looks down and the movement causes some of his crystals to be visible.

His crystals.

Oh duh!

He looks up at Dust “Dust! You need to let go!”

Dust looks at him like he is an idiot. Geno grins back “Let go of the ledge! We will be fine!” Dust is clearly unsure and Geno is trying to figure out how to explain it to him. But then… Dust lets go of the ledge.

There is no time to consider what exactly that means as suddenly they are falling.

They are falling and panic starts to fill him.

Geno pulls on Dust to make him closer and Geno pretty much warps as much around Dust as he can. Next he searches for the right crystal.

Please please please- There!

Geno grabs it and tugs it free from his hat.

He holds the crystal against both of them and prays it works as he focusses on the magic.

He feels it and tugs on it. The crystal turns to dust and Geno can feel himself, and Dust thank everything, start to slow in their descent.

They fall slowly in silence and darkness before they land on the ground without as much as a scratch.

They sit on the ground for a moment. Both breathing harshly as Geno lets the adrenaline slowly drain from his body.

That is when Geno suddenly becomes painfully aware that he is still holding unto Dust tightly and that they are pretty much in each other’s laps! Geno quickly pulls away from the other and makes room. Dust however isn’t looking at him at all as he keeps his hood pulled tightly over his face.

Dust gets up first, still not looking at him, as he rubs and rotates his fragile shoulder.

Geno frowns before getting up “Hey… It is totally okay if you don’t want to but… I do have healing magic?”

Dust is silent for a bit. He glances up for a moment before nodding “Fine.”

Geno smiles as he takes a seat. He thinks about using the crystals but decides this is better to do himself.

Dust sits before him and pauses his movements for a moment. But then he undoes his outer armour and puts it aside. Next he removes his hood from his being and Geno sees even more inner armour under the hood with an undershirt under that.

Dust removes the inner armour and frees only his hurt shoulder from the undershirt.

Geno can’t help but stare at the bones. Because he can see very tiny specks of grey on the white bones. But that can’t be what he thinks it is right? Because that is what happens to skeletons when they start dusting. Their bones turn a grey before falling apart in dust particles. Geno wants to touch those spots but he stops himself. Don’t be weird. Don’t be pushy. He hovers his hand above the shoulder and concentrates. Trying to feel what the injury is and what it needs.

Geno can feel the dull ache in his own shoulder. It seems like he overstretched the joints and that it had too much weight put on it. Geno can also feel it. The way the mana lines deep and hidden in the other still has tiny breaks in them. This must be why his shoulder is still hurt after that hit from Horror from a year ago at this point.

Geno stops himself from just pushing healing into those areas as he speaks “Your joints are overstretched and too much pressure was put on them as well. It is easy to heal… I… I also noticed that your mana lines have tiny cracks in them. I think this is what is causing you your weaker shoulder now… I can try to heal it a bit as well…” Only if he is okay with it.

Dust thinks it over before giving a short nod.

Geno feels excitement fill him as he concentrates on his magic. Help him. Heal him. Just make him feel better. Geno wants to be able to help him and make him feel better. Anything.

The soft ache he had been feeling in his own shoulder disappears with each tiny bit of magic he pushes into the old and new wounds. Dust’s shoulder easily accepts the magic. Even as Geno can feel static from Dust’s own magic. Clearly not as okay with this intruding magic as Dust’s body is.

Geno makes sure that his own magic remains calm. He just wants to help. That is all he wants. Please just let him.

The magic doesn’t cast him out luckily and the healing is finished much quicker than he thought it would. Geno pulls his hands back as he catches his breath “There… all done.” Casting spells on the fly always takes more energy than the carefully planned and crafted spells he has.

Dust rolls his shoulder and frowns as he touches it for a moment. He glances at him before quickly getting dressed again. Geno can’t help but feel anxious “Is something wrong?” he thought he had it all now. He thought he healed the other.

Dust pauses and mutters “Feels good…” and he tugs the hood on tighter, his hand reaching towards the spot he normally leaves his mask before frowning even more.

Geno grins and nudges their shoulders together “It is okay. We will get it back and show Rover he was a fucking idiot…” Talking about idiot “I am sorry… I should have listened before when you said we shouldn’t go through the main entrance… I got overconfident.” He messed up.

Dust shoots him a look and shrugs “Easy fix.” He sighs as he looks up “Don’t look forwards to the climb.”

Geno actually starts to smile as he holds up one of his crystals “Oh don’t worry. I got just the spell for that.” Dust looks intrigued at the crystal.

Geno searches the place before spotting an empty mine cart. That will do nicely. He jumps into it and looks at Dust, Dust tilts his skull but follows his lead.

Geno makes sure it isn’t stuck before he grabs the crystal that he has charged with levitation magic. He holds it near the cart and concentrates. The magic needs to be transferred to the holding place of the crystal into the cart itself. He imagines that the cart is magnetically charged and that this one matches the one around it. To make sure that the same pools push each other away.

The crystal falls apart and-

The cart rocks as it slowly starts to float. Dust remains very still as he holds unto the cart tightly. Geno grins as he looks up “Up we go!”

It is kind of like an elevator. They rise slowly up as they sit in silence. Geno sighs as he leans against the cart “What do we do?”

Dust hums as he keeps a tight hold on the cart. Clearly uncomfortable with this way of transportation. Geno blinks and gives him a softer smile “It is okay. The magic will make sure it remains stable and not swing or anything. We will be up in no time.” Dust shrugs as he keeps looking up.

Geno feels a bit bad for taking him on this ride without a warning. Geno sighs as he looks up. What do they do…

Dust speaks softly “We need to stop the production…”

Geno nods as the original plan returns “We need to stop the machines. I can stop them easily enough but the problem is Rover and his man.”

Dust shrugs “I can deal with them.” he frowns as he glances at Geno “But fighting and keeping an eye on you is… harder.”

Geno rolls his eyes. He doesn’t take it personally. “I know I know I am not a fighter. It is fine. I have a crystal to make a shield but I need time to set it up.”

Dust nods “Hiding place for you. I go in and end them. Then you lock up stuff.”

Geno laughs “Sounds a lot easier than it will probably be.” Dust doesn’t look bothered.

They get all the way back to the pathways they were on before and Geno is happy to note they see no one. Dust points further up “We can hide you there. Easy to get around.”

Geno nods and makes the cart fly even higher. They get to an upper cart rail and Dust gets out first. Geno goes after and parks the cart sideways. Just to make sure it doesn’t fall off.

Dust leads him through the upper rail system. They very quickly get back to the main area where they see Rover screaming at some of his workers. About them having to go down to make sure Geno and Dust are actually dead. The workers however clearly don’t want to as they quote the fact the whole area is unstable. Rover reminds them that he will end them if they don’t go. So they can pick taking their chances in the mines or take the certain end by Rover’s hands.

Dust hums as they watch “He is sampling his own produce.”

Geno nods “He is overcharged and his soul will implode soon enough if he keeps using it.”

Dust nods his agreement “Someone else would just take over. Best clean out the whole nest.” And he readies a sharp bone in his hand. He glances at Geno “Shield?”

Geno nods and holds up his needed crystal “Ready.” Dust gives him some space to work with and Geno has the shield up very quickly.

Dust nods before just jumping down and landing right on top of Rover who he stabs right through the chest without a second hesitation. Dust grabs his mask and puts it back on his face. The other stare in shock which Dust uses to attack.

Geno should probably be doing something other than just staring but can you blame him? Dust moves with a grace and confidence that rivals professional dancers. Dust is so comfortable and familiar with himself and his skills that he moves between the forces as if it is nothing.

It is not even a fight. It is a slaughter. A beautiful slaughter.

Dust finishes the last one and moves all the bodies into the same area before looking up at Geno. Geno grins as he undoes his shield “No worries. I got this.” some slow falling and he is on the ground without as much as a scratch.

Dust nods before looking at all the drugs and chemicals. Geno grins “Time to put everything in a crystal. Can you help me move everything into that tunnel start?” he points to one that hasn’t been dug out far yet “I will use that as the vault for now. Until we can send people up here to properly dispose of everything.”

Dust nods and the two of them set to work on moving everything into the tunnel. Aside from paperwork. All the paperwork Geno can find he puts on his person to get back to Reaper as proof.

It takes a long time to get everything to the right spot. Geno sits near the materials and machinery and can’t help but stare in wonder “This is so strange! These machines take the magic from found items and push it into smaller sugar cubes which gain those strange forms as the magic settles!” Geno can’t help but grin. “It is fascinating. So fascinating. I never even thought about taking the magical energy of non-edible stuff and binding it to sugar of all things!” The way the machine pulls the magic out, just leaving the empty husks of the minerals and plants they put in. The fact that made the sugar with chemicals to bind it easily to the magic. And then how the sugar itself almost crystalised and grew spikes to show this infused magic. The difference within the original form and the new form must make it possible for the machine to influence the intent! It is so weird that these people managed to find a way to get a machine to edit the magic as usually that is impossible because of the lack of intent or purpose.

Geno looks back with a grin but frowns at the way Dust is looking away with his arms crossed “We done?”

Geno nods “Yeah… we are done…” what… what is wrong? Maybe he is anxious to get back to his horses? Geno turns back to the small tunnel and gets to work on writing the sigils and symbols for the needed spell. Luckily he won’t need a lot for this.

He touches the stone and takes a deep breath. The rocks change shapes and forms right before his own sockets as the rock all start to grow crystals, Stalagmite and stalactites all to enclose the items hidden within. Geno infuses it with more magic and the new barrier crystalises and forms a stable seal, as Geno does this he pushes his crystal to drain magic into the barrier as well. If anyone were to open the barrier the spell will drain all the magic from everything in the tunnel. Making sure that no one can get to it unless they get a neutralising spell from Geno to stop that from happening.

Geno nods “All locked away. Let’s get out of here.” Dust nods and is already leading the way out. Huh…

Geno frowns as he goes after Dust. Feeling unsure about what went wrong.

They leave the mine but neither of them says a word. Geno is not sure what to say or what could be bothering the other. Maybe nothing is even bothering him and Geno is just assuming stuff.

The get to the horses and Dust is quick to get both ready. Geno stands by the side as he makes sure the proof they found is safely tugged away on his person.

Dust has Basalt ready first and Geno climbs up as Dust gets on Opal’s back.

Geno gets the map out of the pack and studies the route “We can take another path down. One that would be shorter than the original one we took. Mostly because we would be able to take the path straight down instead of going by every other entrance.”

Dust nods and follows the direction Geno points out.

They just get a bit down the path when a loud yell stops them.

Geno looks back confused as Dust just sighs annoyed “He doesn’t know when to die.”

Rover stands on top of the mine gate glaring. A gun in hand.

Geno hums as he toys with one of his crystals. Charging it quickly and getting the shield to activate within seconds “It is honestly quite sad.”

Dust tilts his skull curiously “How is he even alive?”

Geno rolls his eyes as he looks unbothered at Rover “You told me remember? He sampled his own supply. I can only assume it put his soul and magic into overdrive, which effected his human physic.” Geno shrugs “I am not a biologist. I am not sure.” Still, surviving a stab through the chest is impressive. Geno can see the blood covering his front form here.

Dust blinks and keeps staring at Rover “Didn’t know that was a thing.”

Geno shrugs again “Euh. It normally isn’t. It isn’t healthy for the soul.” Dust nods.

Rover glares at them and shoots the gun, the bullet hits the shield and turns to dust, “Stop ignoring me!”

Geno is about to make another comment when he hears it. A soft, very soft, rumble.

Dust noticed too as he looks around. Geno looks anxiously at Rover “No need to shout.”

Rover has a crazed smile on his face as he pulls out an explosive “That is the thing. If everything I did was for nothing. If all of it was for nothing. If this is my end.” He grins “I am taking you two fuckers with me.” And he throws the explosive back into the mine.

A loud explosion and the rumbling gets worse. Rover turns and throws out his arms “Now lets embrace the end!! A white! Cold! Embrace! Of death!”

Geno can see it on the mountain. The snow on the mountain shifting. He turns to Dust panicked “Avalanche.” Dust is already turning Opal around and pulling on Basalts reins.

Geno however yelps as he shifts and gets unstable. He holds unto the saddle but he does not feel secure at all.

Dust glances back at the snow and looks back at Geno “Shield?”

Geno shakes his skull “Not strong enough to hold off an avalanche.” At least. He doesn’t think so. They never had to test it! It is about blocking attacks! Not to withstand natural disasters.

Dust however nods as he jumps off of Opal. Next he goes to her side and cuts off the saddle and throws it off of her. Packs included. He does the same to the reins. Wait is that Geno’s knife?

Geno blinks confused as Dust just pushes him further up Basalt’s neck and out of the saddle. Doing the same with the saddle on Basalt’s back.

Next Dust pushes him back a bit and jumps on top of Basalt as well and takes the reins. He tugs on it lightly and Basalt starts to speed up, Opal following them without needing a comment.

“Hold on.”

Geno doesn’t even think as he locks his arms around Dust’s middle as he leans forwards.

Basalt is off like a bullet. Speeding down the mountain and jumping over and rushing past terrain. Geno isn’t sure what to do so all he does is lean closer to Dust and try to copy his movements. Just stay plastered against his back as he moves with him.

The snow is rushing after them as Opal runs by their side. Needing no rider to keep up and stay on course.

Basalt is a beast. And Geno means this with the upmost respect. Basalt goes over and past the terrain as if it is nothing. While Opal needs to make some small side jumps or multiple smaller jumps Basalt just sets off and clears any gap easily. They rush past the many pine trees but even with the lighter carry load Geno can still hear the snow starting to catch up.

The snow is much faster than they are. But unloading the packs and freeing up the horses to enable them more movement freedom may have bought them some precious minutes…

Opal is running ahead of them before she darts to the side. Dust doesn’t think as he leans to guide Basalt into the same direction. Geno leans with him and feels fear enter his soul as he sees why Opal changed directions. There is a huge cliff and ravine right where they had been going.

They are now not even running straight away from the coming snow anymore. Geno tugs himself closer to Dust. Feeling more panic reach him.

Dust frowns as he looks around for a moment before he just turns Basalt to be aimed at the avalanche!?

Geno looks at him panicked but he looks focussed and determined and Geno decides he will just shut up and trust the other. He pushes his face into the soft leather and scarf around Dust’s neck and shoulders and tries to keep his panic inside.

Opal is faster and jumps up and into the moving snow before she keeps trotting slowly forwards. Basalt can’t do the same as gracefully but does a similar move.

Geno feels the shock of the snow’s force and feels himself start to slide slightly. He just holds tighter unto Dust. Warm and stable Dust.

Dust keeps guiding Basalt using the reins. Managing to keep Basalt on track to not be swept away by the snow. Following the path that Opal leads them down.

Geno glances a look up away from the shoulder and spots what Dust is aiming for. A rocky outcrop. Standing out of the snow like a beacon.

Another rumble and Geno glances up to see another wave of snow start to come lose and barrel down the mountain straight towards them. His arms tighten around the other “Dust…”

“I know I know.” Dust keeps the horses on track and manages to get to the rock. Opal gets up easily and turns to bite some weird leather strap on Basalt’s reins and tugs on it. Helping Basalt up the rock.

The rumbling of rushing snow is louder than ever. Dust points towards Opal and makes a click sound. Opal gallops towards the edge of the rock and jumps!

Only to clear the ravine with ease and to turn around to wait for them.

Dust guides Basalt to look into the right direction. He pets the large horse and mutters “Just this Basalt. Then we can take a break.” Basalt lets out a huff of breathe before starting to run and gallop towards the edge.

Basalt jumps and seems to make it before the backside starts to slide off. Panic overtakes his soul again as he holds unto Dust. Fear gripping every part of his mind and soul.

Then Opal grabs the reins again and tugs as Basalt works hard to get back up the ledge.

And they are on it.

Moments later the second wave of snow comes over the ledge and falls into the ravine.

Geno remains frozen against Dust’s back as Dust pants “That… was close…” Geno just stares at the ruined landscape behind them. Trees had been pulled from the ground and are sticking out of the snow. If he had been in there he wouldn’t only have gotten buried but also risked getting hit by one of those trees or other stuff hidden in it. Only to be knocked out and to freeze under the snow.

If he wouldn’t have been dragged down that ravine for a long and painful fall only to be covered with snow if he even survived it.

“Geno?” Geno shoots Dust a look.

Dust isn’t looking at him. He is messing with the reins “You… euh… arms?”

Geno frowns as he turns to look over Dust’s shoulder that he had been pushing  his face against. He still has his arms in a dead grip around Dust.

Oh!

Geno pulls away only to yelp as he starts to fall off. Dust grabs him to keep him from falling. With Dust’s help he can actually get off of Basalt without the assist of the saddle.

As soon as he is on the ground his knees go weak and he falls to the ground fully. So thankful to be on solid ground again “Oh thank the stars… That took years off my life.” His soul is still beating and pulsing wildly from the stress. He may have to visit a healer once he is home to make sure he didn’t overstress his soul with this trip.

Dust lands next to him and pets both the horses before crouching down next to him “You okay?”

Geno laughs as he still sits there shaking “How are you this calm?! It feels like my soul was trying to escape my body while we were trying to escape… How did you stay that calm?”

Dust tilts his skull a tiny bit and mutters “Trained. Taught… Prepared.”

Geno blinks. Right… Dust is a Knight. He trained and practised responses and plans and everything for these kind of missions.

Geno laughs and looks down “Makes sense…” fucking hell he must look so useless to the other. Geno is just. He is just so out of his depth. This whole trip it was surprise after surprise and Geno never did anything like this. Sure He can do magic and knows magic but he never had to… this is not him. And he truly just made stuff more complicated.

Geno continues to sit in the snow as Dust walks over to Opal and pets and checks her over. He nods to himself before walking over to Basalt. Dust puts his and Basalt’s heads together and leans against the horse for a moment as he stares at him. Then Dust checks his neck and his back before checking the legs and freezing.

Dust crouches down and lightly touches a leg, only for Basalt to step away and moving a bit around before standing still.

Dust looks so sad. Geno frowns as he searches for the right words “Is… is something wrong?”

Dust looks to the side as he tugs on his scarf and hood “Basalt’s legs got hurt…”

Geno frowns. Isn’t that like very bad news for a horse? “Can… Can it heal?”

Dust shrugs “Not here.”

Geno frowns. Okay. That is bad. Because to get somewhere safe or even close to someone to help the horse they need to get down the whole mountain. And Geno doesn’t know a lot about animals. But thanks to Fresh he knows enough to know that climbing down a mountain with a wound on a pet’s leg is a very sure way to make them unable to recover fully.

Geno feels so bad… Basalt got them through an avalanche and now what? He can’t walk anymore? Something that is very important for horses?

Geno frowns at his hands as he pauses. Wait… He looks over and speaks up “If… if you are okay with it… I never healed horses before… But I can at least see what I can do and help? Make it a bit better so he can safely make it down the mountain and towards someone who can fully help him?”

Dust stares at him before giving a tiny nod. Geno pushes himself up from his spot on the ground as he walks over. He pauses by Basalt’s side and looks nervously at Dust “Make sure he doesn’t kick me?”

Dust gives another small nod.

Geno gets to Basalt’s side and holds one hand near a leg. He could have used one of the prepared crystals with some basic healing. But he may as well do it this way. This way the healing is much more powerful and he can feel what is wrong where.

He takes a deep breath and uses the familiar spell. He can feel his soul give an unhappy ping as he tries to heal again so shortly after the last time but he will be fine. It is just to give Basalt a boost. He quickly feels what is wrong, or he thinks he does. His joints feel overstretched and stressed. He also can’t really put weight on one of his legs which puts more pressure on the other to take over. He focusses on the pain in the bad leg first. He feels along the area and gets the feeling there is a break there. He finds it and pushes healing into that area. Promoting the energy and magic in the animal to locate towards that area and promote the area to heal much quicker than it naturally would heal. Mending the wound with new bone.

That is the worst wound by far. Next he focusses on actively relaxing the stretched joints. Which is easy to do, the only thing that complicates things is the fact that the horse has four legs compared to Geno’s two and Geno has to mentally estimate where the pain in his own arms would be relatively located to relax it.

But he does it and has to pull back after a moment. He is panting lightly “That should do it… Can’t do much more as I am afraid I will heal something wrong.”

Dust is by Basalt’s side and gentle touches the hurt spots of before after which he looks at him shocked. “You healed him?”

Geno rubs his neck as he shrugs “Yeah? Told you I could do it…” he glances at Basalt “Did I get everything?” Geno really doesn’t know animals and their anatomy well at all. Maybe the very basics if he is being generous with his knowledge.

Dust seems to just stare at him before looking away, Not really giving an answer as he pets Basalt. Geno frowns as he looks at him.

He feels exhausted. It has been such a long day and Geno still feels tired.

For now he just stares at the forest around them. Letting the cold air calm his racing soul as he listens to the forest settling after the disaster of snow. He can hear some trees creaking in the distance as the snow leans against it.

“Come.”

Geno blinks as he finally looks away from that ravine they had almost fallen into. He looks back at Dust and sees him next to both horses with Basalt’s reins in his hands.

Dust nods towards the forest “We need to get out of the open. Nights get cold.” And he waits.

Geno nods as he gets up, he sat down again? And goes over to the other. Dust leads the way and Geno follows after, making sure to use Dust’s footsteps in the snow to easily move through it. Opal seems to track ahead as she listens and tilts her head. Looking around before looking back to see if they are following her. Basalt walks slowly through the snow. Taking careful steps. Clearly trying to not push his own body too hard.

Geno gets it. He honestly wants to lay down and not move for a while. He is exhausted.

“This will work.”

Geno blinks and focusses again. They are in a very enclosed ring of trees. It is tight but the trees give a reasonable amount of cover. Geno looks at Dust. Dust however has already removed Basalt’s reins and hung those over a branch. Dust is walking around and shoving snow aside as the two horses walk to the side and stand together. Opal digging at the ground and seems to be unearthing roots and other stuff.

Dust stops as he studies the floor. Most the snow has been pushed aside and some of the dirt hidden beneath has been revealed. Dust is now moving some rocks into a circle and cleaning that part out of snow as well. Dust looks over at him and nods to the dirt patch.

Geno moves over to the spot and just sits down. He could have died… multiple times today he got within an inch of dying… He never would have seen Fresh or Error again. Or worse… The slave collar had been on him… He hadn’t been able to move his own body, his very magic hadn’t been responding to him and had been forced to listen to that… that… that freak!

Dust curses and Geno looks up to see him frowning at some flint and steel. He reaches for it again but some magical sparks fly of his hand as soon as he gets near the tool and he pulls his hand back with a flinch.

Right… He had to overuse his magic to fry the slave collar, the dampers and to get everyone to back off…

Geno scoots close to the ring of stones and places one in the middle of the circle. He spots a stone which will work and places it in the middle. He concentrates and his soul gives an unhappy pulse about him pushing his magic a lot with the stress he experienced but it works as a fire starts.

Geno takes a deep sigh as he relaxes near the warmth it gives up. Some movement and Dust is sitting by the fire as well. Staring at the flame.

Huh… He had removed his mask. Geno wonders when he did that but doesn’t ask as he just leans close to the non-burning flame that warms him until his core.

Neither of them speaks and that is okay. He wants to rest for a moment.

They sit there for quite some time and Geno lays his skull on his legs as he lets his core recover from the magic he used. He may be skilled and powerful but in the end he still only has a shard of a soul compared to normal monsters. He is limited with his magical stamina. And it fucking sucks. He wanted… nevermind.

Dust has gotten up and seems to be searching the direct area. He comes back with some long sticks and starts putting those together to make a makeshift tent thing. A tipi he believes. It is small and in a direct circle around him and the small flame. Dust comes back inside and sighs contently.

Geno continues to lean on his knee as he stares at him “Why did you make that?”

Dust looks at the tipi around them and answers “No stuff… Need a place to stay tonight… Small area warms up quicker.”

It is even smaller than their original tent had been.

Geno frowns “Shouldn’t we rush down the mountain?”

Dust shrugs “Why? Those people couldn’t have survived that avalanche. We aren’t stealthing anymore. Basalt can’t carry anyone with his legs and Opal won’t like you riding her. Best to take it slow and walk. Today we rest and recover from what happened.”

Geno nods as he stares at the fire. He is so happy. He needs a moment “Good thing the flame won’t burn us. It will be fine to leave it on throughout the night.” Geno can know as he once rolled into the fire in his sleep. It was quite the shock to wake up inside his own fire. Not as bad as Error having once climbed into the fireplace to sleep in the flame Geno left in there to warm their home. Geno was sure he would have had an actual soul-attack over that one.

Dust nods “Neat.”

Geno watches Dust for a moment. Happy to just watch the other warm his hands on his magical fire. Content. They are okay. They are okay. Geno can’t help but really study the other’s neck. He can’t quite see it and curses the fact he didn’t think about checking it before while he had been healing Dust. What if frying the collar hurt his neck? Or frying the dampers hurt his wrists? Geno didn’t notice anything but the worry is there.

Dust stretches out as he looks at Geno “We should sleep.”

Geno nods as he lays on his side of the fire. Dust lays on the other end and Geno looks at the back of Dust’s skull.

He will probably feel better after some rest. Even if he doubts that his sleep will come easily.

Still he closes his eyes. His mind slows down as he just listens to Dust moving and breathing. The horses outside move around as well and the by now familiar sounds relax him. He is okay.

He is save.

It…

It is late?

Geno isn’t sure how much he slept.

Or if he even truly slept.

It is cold.

He yawns and opens his sockets a little bit.

The fire is behind him now. Instead of in front. But Dust is still in front of him.

He is warm.

Geno sighs as he pushes his skull closer to the other.

He is so warm… Like on the horse earlier. Warm and stable.

Geno yawns and pushes his face into the back of his hoody. Mmh… this is nice.

So nice…

Geno feels his awareness slip away and surrenders to the darkness again.

--

Geno yawns as something delicious wakes him up. He sits up and rubs his eyes as he glances around confused.

He is in a wooden tent thing? He can spot his own magical flame right beside him. Giving him a nice source of heat on this cool morning.

His mind is hazy. What happened the day before?

They set camp to recover and… went to bed early?

Wait they skipped food all together? Probably why Dust is cooking.

Geno gets up and glances at his dirty clothes. Right. He slept right on top of dirt which was slightly muddy because of the snow it had been laying under before. Geno does a quick spell to clean himself up a bit. Make sure he is presentable.

The day before had been a mess but now they are free to travel home! No stress. No mission. Just getting home safely!

Geno feels a sort of excitement as he exits the small stick made tent and spots Dust outside. A normal fire by him which he is roasting some plants on. Huh.

Geno walks over and grins “What you cooking good l-” ABORT! “friend!!”

Dust doesn’t look in his direction. Seemingly very focused on what he is making “Roasting roots… nutritious.”

Geno smiles as he sits nearby “Smells good. When I cook stuff with magic it becomes edible but never quite good.”

Dust shrugs “Needs intent… Magic doesn’t give that?”

Geno nods “We make magic by infusing it with emotions. Same for intent. But magic can’t have intent. We can layer our own intent into a spell which we can feel but in the end magic can’t give intent. So… meh cooking.” He laughs and shrugs. He was always a terrible cook.

Dust nods and shoots him a glance “Always use magic? Easy stuff?” he nods towards the fire and the meal he is making.

Geno grins and shrugs “You can call it cheating. Maybe people do. I never saw it as cheating. I always liked to call it using the skills I have available to make stuff easier for my brothers and me.”

Dust nods and glances at him “Why cook if you can’t? Parents?”

Geno laughs and shakes his skull “Nah. They weren’t around.” And if he ever met his mother or any of those useless fathers ever again he would sooner hit them in the face with a fist.

Dust nods as he gets up “Food.” He hands over a stick with some slices roots and some plants and it smells delicious as he can smell some herbs he smelled before in the kitchen. He gets eating and hums happily.

“It is good.”

Dust looks amused “Basic.” Then he grins a tiny bit and mutters a bit softer “Should make basic food yourself more… taste difference between that and magical prepared food.” And he turns back to his meal.

Geno stares. Did… did Dust just… tease him? That didn’t sound mean. More of a joke? Geno grins as he eats his meal. It suddenly tasting many times sweeter.

They eat their meal before cleaning up. Dust puts the reins back on Basalt and keeps a tight hold of it as Geno uses his map to lead them down. Geno is so lucky that he had had the map on his person, some for the proof of the whole operation in the mountain.

They walk in mostly silence as they search for a path to follow.

They have to track through the forest for a while with a few near slips but they find an old path rather quickly with little difficulty.

Geno grins as he checks the map “This should be the one. We should just follow this south and we will be off this mountain eventually.” And even if they are on another path that one also just needs to be followed southwards until they get to the bottom.

Dust nods as he changes the reins on Basalt. Making it so he doesn’t need to be lead anymore. Trusting the horse to walk with them and to be able to safely make his way down now that they have a stable path to follow.

The horses walk behind them as Dust and Geno walk side by side. The forest is peaceful and beautiful. Geno thought he had seen dark clouds the day before when they were near the mine but seems like those had cleared up somewhere in the night.

Dust glances at him “Use magic a lot…”

Geno blinks and nods “Yeah. Magic is great I love using it.”

Dust nods but frowns “But got tired?”

Geno laughs and nods “That obvious?” Dust just shrugs and Geno doesn’t mind. Geno decides to tell him. Geno knows some weak spots of Dust, it is only fair he knows one of Geno “I don’t actually have a lot of mana available to me.”

Dust shoots him an disbelieving look. Geno grins and nods “It is the truth. I have horrendous magical stamina for a mage. It is why I make these.” He taps one of the crystals “I spend a few hours a day slowly infusing crystals and other rocks to make them hold my spells for me. Means I have a few always prepared and can use my mana for the actual emergencies.” There are other things that matter of course. The faster you cast a spell the more mana it takes. Same for stressful situations. It is because your soul is already stressed and your soul weaves the mana into a spell and magic to use.

Dust nods and glances back at his horses “Why… use mana instead of a crystal for healing?” he rubs his shoulder.

Geno shrugs as he feels a bit embarrassed. He doubts that because he wanted to show off is a good reason. He does for the second reason he did it “It is the same reason with the cooking. Magic can’t give intent. And some spells are depended on that. Sure I got some healing crystals but they aren’t specific or specialised. With your shoulder having already been hit before I didn’t want to risk it healing wrong with a crystal. The same implied for Basalt as I heard that a broken leg for a horse is fatale.”

Dust gives a slow nod and thinks for a moment. “Healing works better with intent?”

Geno nods “Much better! Of course I can put intent into the magic that I put in the crystal. And it will do what I want. But when I heal it directly I can kinda… sense out the injury? I feel like an echo of it in my own body, makes it easier to focus the healing into the spots that really need it instead of everything at once that the crystals do.”

Dust nods as he listens. Dust is a real good listener… Geno hadn’t really appreciated that before. Before when he just wanted information he just wanted to get Dust to start talking. But it is nice to have an active listener to talk to.

Not to forget! Dust is showing interest in magic! Geno finally can talk about all the stuff he knows about it! He will have to be careful to not try and focus on Dust’s magic to make sure Geno doesn’t overstep again but this will work! This can work!

They walk together as Dust hums “Didn’t know magic worked like that.”

Geno rubs his cheek “I mean. Magic works in many ways. It is dynamic and evolving in that way. That it changes when interacting with it. Like… I see it was crystals and minerals. Many different yet similar things that when interacting can make newer forms. When put under pressure can change from one to the other. It is something that endlessly fascinates me. I used to talk with people all the time. To learn how they saw magic. How they interacted with it.”

Dust looks at him “… You… want to understand magic.” he sounds as if he is in disbelieve.

Geno grins “Don’t you? It is everywhere around us. In the plants, in the rocks, in the earth itself, in the sky! It is in the static that fills the air. It is in the newly made technology even when it wasn’t used to make it! Magic gets everywhere and it changes to fit just fine. To belong. It is…” He had wanted to belong so badly. Fit in and belong. Get people to let him stay so he could make a stable home. “It seemed… nice.”

Dust frowns as he looks ahead. Thinking about it. “You know a lot about magic… much studying?”

Geno grins and nods “A lot. Used to be one of the things that came natural to me! Even with my weak mana the spells and magic itself? It just worked like I wanted! It made everything easier. From cooking to cleaning to actually getting jobs. Let me tell you no one will hire a teen for a full time job. Annoying as everything.”

Dust looks at him confused “Parents? Their job?”

Geno laughs and looks to the side “Well… My parents weren’t the best. Dad run out on my mom the moment she got pregnant. Honestly don’t get why she even decided to keep me. Apparently I was a very difficult pregnancy as she would not shut up about that. Maybe she thought getting me would make the guy come back? Either way. It was her and me for a while.” They had managed okay. Geno went to a local school and walked home alone. He had to help with the chores as his mom was out to search for jobs and work. And she couldn’t keep a job down for longer than a few days before switching jobs again.

“Then, when I was about 9ish, she came home with this guy. New guys she met that day, bringing he right home to her home address and young child.” Geno glares ahead.

Dust snorts “That is begging to be robbed.”

Geno waves his hands around “Right?! Anyway. That guy was a piece of work. He would glare and lock me in rooms. The joke is on him. I was already very magical and let me tell you there is no keeping someone inside when you can magically unlock doors or move furniture he placed in front of it.” He grins and laughs as he remembers the shocked look on the guys face when Geno would just appear back in the small kitchen, eating a snack just ten minutes after the guy tried to lock him out of the house. “Of course mother dear didn’t believe me at all. She just said it would take some getting used to him being my new dad and that I wanted her to be miserable and alone forever.” Geno rolls his eyes “I would have been more okay with the asshole if he wasn’t a deadbeat that couldn’t hold a job either.”

Dust hums “Charming. I can see why she liked him.”

Geno laughs at the absolute deadpan voice and unimpressed stone face. Geno nods “I know right? And then. Of course. My idiotic mother got herself pregnant. I think she was trying to baby trap the guy.”

Dust tilts his skull “Didn’t work with the first one. Why would it work with the second?”

Geno grins “Oh trust me. It gets worse. So. The guy. Obviously. Acted as if he was overjoyed. Said that he would finally have a child and a son or daughter to adore. Mom didn’t even bother to correct him when I was standing right there.” He sighs “The asshole kept up the illusion that he wanted this child and when she was in the process to actually get Fresh the guy stole the small amount of savings we had and ran off with it.” he sighs. His mother had blamed him. Said that Geno hadn’t been welcoming to her new love and his new dad. That his behaviour had been the reason why little Fresh would now grow up without a dad.

Geno shrugs “Said that Fresh would now grow up without a father because I didn’t welcome him. Which honestly. Seems more of an his issue if he couldn’t handle one sassy annoying child. Not that it mattered much as mom went back to her old habits of leaving the whole day to work or search for work while I took care of Fresh.” He looks at Dust “Let me tell you this. Catching an active baby and washing him and feeding him? A lot easier with magic and telekinesis spells.” He smiles at the memories of Fresh being the chaotic little baby he had been. Geno adores his wild brother.

Dust frowns “She made you take care of him?”

Geno shrugs “Made is a big word. She did stuff. Just not most of it. And I honestly didn’t trust her with my little brother.” Fresh was his. Same for Error. Those two are his little brothers and he will make sure people know that messing with them means messing with him. “And Fresh wasn’t hard to take care of. Bugger was chaotic and energetic but it was fun. Harder was still trying to get a side job to help with covering school costs as mom barely made enough to keep the house.”

Dust frowns “No covered education? I thought that was a thing in Sanctuary?”

Geno looks at Dust confused before grinning “I wasn’t born in Sanctuary.” Dust looks confused but waits. Geno nods “I am from Ironfields. You know. Across the water and inwards more? I was just lucky that Reaper had the funds to visit all the big magical academia to look for a royal mage. And I made the cut.” Reaper swore up and down that he had picked Geno for his skill. Yes he had liked Geno on a personal and attraction level as well but that was not what influenced his decision on making him royal mage. If Reaper had found someone more skilled he would have offered them the job and gone back to Geno to request a date with him.

Dust nods “But you did parttime stuff when younger?”

Geno nods “All the time. It helped cover the costs for school. Thought it kept me busy. Between school, work and taking care of Fresh and myself it was rather busy. It got easier when Fresh was old enough to go to school too. And Fresh was actually really good when near others so he would be quiet and behave while I worked. He just was a menace at school or at home.” He sighs “And then! My mom came home with ANOTHER guy when I was sixteen and Fresh was six!”

Dust whistles “She got some bad taste.”

Geno groans “The worst! He straight up tried to get her to abandon us. Which what a fucking jackass. She was about to do it too until I reminded her that at this point I was the one paying for the fucking house and that everyone knew she was our mom and it would be social suicide for her to abandon us and try to play happy wife with this man.” She had cursed him out. Told him that he was a fucking freak and demon and was the cause of her unhappiness. That she should have realised Geno was the problem the second the healers told her his soul wasn’t developing right. “She got annoying about it and I just reminded her that she was the one who decided to keep me. Not me. She got angrier about that little fact.” He sighs “And once again. She got a kid with this fucker as well. And as always. The guy noped out at the last moment and stole the savings she had.” Geno is sure the only reason he stayed as long as he had was because he had been looking for Geno’s savings and funds. But Geno isn’t an idiot. He hid anything he earned and only paid the people that needed paying directly. Like hell he was going to trust he deadbeat of a mother with his money. He earned that for himself and his brother, and later brother, not her.

Dust nods “Error?”

Geno nods “Error was born.” He had been seventeen and Fresh had been seven. Both of them had adored Error immediately. Geno and Fresh has both known things would get harder but little Error had been the cutest little thing. Fresh had held him and had stared at Geno with such determination when he declared he would be the best older brother. Geno had laughed and held his two little brothers. His brothers. His family.

Dust nods and crosses his arms “How long until the next guy?”

Geno sighs and shakes his head “She left. Left a whole note about how she couldn’t stay with us anymore. Something about how having three children from different man would hurt her chances at finding true love and happiness. As if we decided to be born over her being a fucking idiot and not terminating us when it turned out to be too rough.”

Dust hums “Idiot.”

Geno nods “She is the biggest idiot. But I hardly expected anything else at that point. In the end it didn’t even get harder. In matter of fact it got easier. No one wanted our old and crooked house and the bank didn’t care who lived in it as long as payments were made on time. They just changed her name to mine on the paperwork and we remained in our house. I took Error with me to class and work and Error was a quiet baby who slept a lot. It only started to get harder to take care of him when his magic developed.” Unlike Geno. Error has a very healthy soul which is very magical attuned. Error blasted their wall and made their house have an open concept kitchen instead of a room with a door. They were so lucky it wasn’t a load baring wall.

Dust nods as he stares ahead of them “Good brother.”

Geno feels flustered suddenly as he rubs his neck “Euh. It was a bit rough sometimes but all in all not that hard… I got lucky with my magic. It made everything easier and less hard. I could cheat and safe time on so many things with my skills. Not to forget that I got a full ride scholar ship to a pristine school for magic to get my actual schooling. I moved my brothers with me to be closer to that school so I could commute and be home in the evening for them.” Not to forget that the scholar ship was more than enough to cover their living costs if he didn’t use it to stay in the dorms as those are expensive.

Dust looks at him curiously “Then how did… Error end up with us?”

Geno sighs “It would take time to settle and move stuff to Reaper’s place. Get my workshop and rooms set up. Search for people to make sure that Error got the right education and Fresh got what he needed with his condition. I had just needed time to make everything perfect. The plan had been that I would go first. Get stuff ready and set up. And then Fresh and Error would both move in with me… Fresh was supposed to watch over Error on the weekends while Error stayed at the academy throughout the week.” He sighs sadly. It had all gone so wrong. And Geno hadn’t known until it was too late to fix it.

Dust frowns as he looks down. It is okay that he doesn’t know what to say, Geno doesn’t either.

They continue to walk in silence for a long time. Eventually Dust stops them saying they should set camp again.

Geno grins as he casts the right spells and copies the setup of the day before. A tent made of sticks and other stuff laying around. A fire both inside and outside of the tent. And all the snow that was on the ground pushed aside and this time the ground magically dried.

Dust looks shocked as Geno grins “See? Told you stuff gets easier with magic. I just didn’t have the mana yesterday.”

Dust looks at him with a tilted head before nodding. Huh. Seems like Dust hit his limit on socialising. That is okay.

They are quickly ready and comfortable in their now reasonably warm tent. Dust actually lays out he own coat to sleep on and Geno copies his actions. It makes the ground a bit softer to lay on.

Geno sighs and goes to sleep.

--

Geno doesn’t want to get up. He had been having a very nice dream. A dream where he had been on the horse with Dust. But his dream hadn’t focused on the terror of the snow following them. It had instead been focussed on the feeling of being that close to Dust. How he felt and how warm he had been. The feeling of Dust’s body against his. Even his scent had made it in.

Which now that he is awake? Holy shit he is being a creep.

Geno groans as he sits up. Finding himself in the tent laying on his coat and- oh… Dust had left his coat by him as a blanket. Geno hides his face in his hands and tries to contain his screaming. How can he deal with this? He can’t. His feelings feel like they will explode his soul and he is really trying to not overdo it or annoy Dust or worse make him feel uncomfortable again.

But… the fact that Dust is trying to make sure he is comfortable should mean that… Does that mean that Dust has forgiven him? Does this mean that they have at least a neutral standing now?

Geno joins Dust outside for another delicious breakfast, honestly how dust can find food is beyond Geno but he is thankful for it, before they continue down the mountain. Most of their morning is spend in silence as they walk together. Only a few comments about what path they should take and how to go about their descent of the mountain.

They do get turned around for a bit as the path they had been following seems to disappear for a bit. Geno and Dust consult the map and their compass to figure out how to get further down.

They make their own path through foliage and bare trees with the horses close by. Dust turns back a few times to help Basalt find his footing as Opal just walks with sidesteps past things.

Geno crosses his arms “Is Opal showing off?”

Dust nods as he doesn’t look away from Basalt “She does that.”

Geno snorts “Must have taken a lot of time to train her. She seems stubborn.”

Dust nods again as he checks that Basalt is still standing okay “She is. But she has energy and wants to learn. It was just a matter of giving her new things to learn and practise. She now knows too much.” He sighs and Geno laughs.

They have to carefully walk down a few more ledges but manage to find the path again. After consulting their map again they follow it eastwards as that should be down.

Dust starts to speak softly “I was wondering…” he glances at Geno “How do you… make your magic do all those things?”

Geno blinks and looks at Dust “I mean… intent matters a lot. But it is also what I have in mind as I craft the spell. Spell crafting, at least in my case, is about picturing what I want and how and how it relates to the parts and elements I mentally connect it to.”

Dust frowns “For you? Nightmare said… It is energy and alive.”

Geno tilts his skull as he thinks “I can see why he saw it as that… from what I know. Magic changes and shapes itself to fit whatever someone thinks about it. It gives different people the ability to do different thing.” He had mentioned the day before, Geno thinks so at least. The day before they spoke about a lot. Or well Geno spoke about it.

Dust nods “So. Alive?”

Geno rubs his neck “Kinda? I never saw it as alive. Just reactive. We push emotions and intent into it. The magic soaks it up and repeats it. In a way we give it feelings and wants. We make it want to do what we want. I think?” Geno grins at Dust “It is weird and complex because everyone thinks about it differently and interacts with it differently. Which means the magic reacts and behaves differently as well. When we first start learning magic or hearing about it people already have opinions that they tell us. It shapes how we see magic and what we think magic is capable of doing. Which sets limits.” Geno frowns “Why did you think your magic could break the collar? I didn’t think it was possible for my magic to go against it but yours did. How did it break free from the control?”

Dust seems to think for a moment. Frowning before muttering “I don’t… control it… guide at most.”

Geno blinks before gasping “The collar couldn’t make it listen… because you don’t believe anything can control it?” Dust shrugs and nods.

“Never saw it as… something I affect. It is a force of nature. It is lightning. Energy. Alive.”

Geno wants to ask so many questions. How Dust came to this conclusion. How he managed to direct it. How he manages his power to remain contained. But Geno swallows the many questions. He pushes it down. Instead he looks at Dust “And… because of that it was free to fight the collar?”

Dust shrugs before he seems to think for a while again. Then he mutters softly “I got… No real control. But I got power… When I first got… picked for being a Knight. I needed four bracelets to keep it down. Nightmare said it grew stronger.”

Four.

Four magic blockers?!

Geno wants to beg Dust to let him see the magic. See how it interacts. But he can’t because it makes Dust uncomfortable. Keep it in. Keep it in.

Geno focusses on what Dust mentioned before “That fits with how you see magic. You, and Nightmare I guess, see magic as something alive that grows and grows stronger. Something wild that can’t be contained much like a natural force. It makes sense than that this manmade collar couldn’t control it. Couldn’t keep it contained. You just… waited for your moment to act upon that…” Geno laughs and shakes his skull “Damn that is so fucking impressive. I couldn’t do that.”

Dust frowns and stares at him confused.

Geno laughs “The whole staying calm and waiting for the right moment to cast a spell. I was panicking as soon as the situation went south.”

Dust frowns and shakes his skull “Wasn’t that bad… Shield. And slow falling?”

Geno nods “That came after. After I had more time to think. Had we fallen before I had a chance to think of it? I doubt I would have been fast enough to cast the spell. It is just. I know I can do magic and it is easy to me. But doing it in moments of stress?” he shakes his skull “I never had to do that before. It showed.” He sighs.

Dust thinks for a moment “Not that bad. You thought of stuff and used magic when we needed it. I am used to missions. I am used to fighting. Before being a Knight I was used to the crime-ring and scenes. Lots of tension. Quick thinking.”

Geno nods as he pulls out a crystal “I know they work. I just. Always tested them in save areas with failsafes in mind. It was never a matter of life and death. At least not while I practised and tested them. I made sure they would work the way they were intended. Then gave the crystals to people actually going on missions…” The only reason he was on this one is because he was the only one who would have been able to magically shut down whatever this drug ring had been.

Dust nods before shrugging “Worked out okay.”

Geno stares in shock at Dust. He seems honest. Even if Geno messed up pretty much at every step but Dust seems to not think that. Or at least not having hard feelings about it.

Geno smiles a bit as he looks down “Thanks to you mostly. The way you just knew what to do and how and when, and how to move and attack. It was fucking amazing.” And that is downplaying it.

Dust looks to the side as he rubs his cheek “I guess… Just practise.”

Just practise. As if Geno hadn’t had a chance to see a bit of their usual training before. Geno laughs and shakes his skull.

They walk silently for a moment before Geno speaks “Thanks. For… being willing to talk about magic stuff… I know you don’t like it.”

Dust shrugs and mutters “Don’t mind magic… just don’t like… mine.” He shrugs again before looking at Geno “Why?”

Geno blinks and laughs “Sorry I have no idea what you are asking this time.”

Dust rolls his eyes and seems to consider his questions “Why… act like you did… before… to get answers… but back up now?”

Oh. Oh! That. That is a loaded one.

Geno looks away “Euh… The very short version of the answer? I am a bastard and asshole.” He looks at the ground in front of them “It is just. Foremost. Reaper and I knew about your… interest and crush for a while.” Dust immediately tugs the hood tighter around him. Geno looks to the side before smiling at him “It is okay! Reaper thought it was cute-” that was the wrong word as Dust lets out a long and quiet groan.

Geno shoots him a smile “If it helps… Reaper very quickly got interested? He was the one who wanted to see where it could maybe go? Lead?” he rubs his neck “Sorry I am not the best in this. Reaper is the emotionally available one honestly.”

Geno takes a deep breath “Reaper asked me if I was fine with it. Him exploring this feeling for you to see where it went. I was okay with it. I knew that Reaper would always love me and just because he started to like you it wouldn’t affect the love he held for me.” He sighs “And well… I must admit. I was fucking curious. Your magic? It is something I never seem, heard of or felt before. I wanted to know how it worked. I wanted to just understand how it could have become the way it was. And I figured… as Reaper and you grew closer I could just… Kinda… Tag along to get the answers I wanted?” He winces at the truth. “I know… I know it is bad. But I swear it was never supposed to get out of hand! I just… I just wanted some answers and figured you already liked me so maybe… just like… giving some attention and affection? Get some answers? And then once I got the answers I would be gentle about like… stopping it?” He is such a fucking asshole “And I figured it would be fine as Reaper was honest and really did like you! That maybe we could become more casual friends or acquaintances while both of us separately dated Reaper?” He sighs and looks away “I know. I am sorry. I am an asshole.”

Dust is silent. Taking it in maybe? Or maybe he is now going back to ignoring and not speaking to Geno again. He would deserve it.

“Then why… Kiss me? Or…” he isn’t looking at him “Tracing lower and stroking my leg?”

Geno feels himself grow mortified and horrified. Right! He did that! He 100% did that! Geno covers his face and chuckles “Because I am an asshole? It wasn’t… part of my plan… But I did end up really liking you. I fucking realised that while Reaper fell earlier I wasn’t far behind. I was a fucking mess. And then I figured… I had already been kinda faking courtship… What difference does it make to make it a real one? I figured… I figured it wouldn’t matter. I wasn’t planning on ever admitting that the whole thing started as a lie.” He looks away “I just… I got greedy I guess. Stuff that used to just be to keep the scheme going suddenly wasn’t enough. It felt good and I was greedy and wanted more.” Reaper never minded. Reaper had set the pace to a lot slower than Geno had wanted but Reaper had had no issue with slowing Geno down. “I figured… If I really overstepped… You would just tell me to quit it or something.”

“I hadn’t… considered the fact that there was a power disbalance between us. I never saw it as that. You were you and I was just me. I never thought of us as a Knight vs a Royal Mage. We were just two guys talking and hanging out… I know now I should have considered it. Maybe make it clear that I wouldn’t be mad or annoyed or ruin anything if you said no or asked me to back off. I hadn’t considered you felt like you couldn’t because of the whole treaty thing… I am sorry.” God. Why hadn’t Geno practised that more? Reaper had told him that if Dust ever gave him another chance to talk to him Geno would have to explain himself and apologise. Why hadn’t he considered better on what to say and how?

Dust frowns as he stares at the ground. Geno looks at him and waits but he doesn’t look up. Geno sighs as he looks away. He isn’t allowed to feel disappointed. He isn’t allowed to feel that way when he just admitted to Dust he had been right and that Geno had been lying and manipulating him to get something he wanted.

He deserves this.

The cold of the weather isn’t even as cold as the newfound tension between them.

They don’t speak as they set up camp.

They don’t interact as they both lay down to sleep for the night.

Geno feels like sleep evades him. He just stares at the top part of the tent as he listens. Dust’s breathing seems different than usual. Like he isn’t sleeping either.

Geno considers apologising again but if it before wasn’t enough what would make it now be good enough. Geno glares as he rolls up and turns towards the wooden tent, his back aimed towards Dust. Not allowing himself to look at the other.

What is done is done. He finally made good on being honest to Dust. Show him that he is a selfish asshole. Geno rolls up to safe some of the warmth as he closes his eyes. He will just have to accept that this little thing and maybe friendship is over. And Geno ruined it himself.

It seems like his sleeping mind and dreams didn’t get the memo.

Because he once again dreams about hugging Dust as they sit together. Maybe they are on one of the horses? Maybe not. Geno can’t focus on anything but how the other feels and the warmth he gives up.

Dust tries to leave in his dreams. Tries to get out of his embrace. Geno mumbles unhappily.

He can’t speak clearly in this stupid dream for some reason. Can’t explain.

“Please stay…” his mind is like cotton. He just wants to have this. Even if it is fake. “miss you…” and he snuggles his face deeper into the nice spot by his neck and shoulders.

Dust doesn’t move for a while. Then a sigh and the body returns to his embrace.

Geno sighs as he pushes close. His whole being purring as he snuggles closer. Trying to get as much out of this dream as he can.

The night goes on and his dream starts to fade out…

--

The next morning they are both still quiet. Geno had woken up by his magical fire with his own coat used as blanket this time. Getting outside explained why. It is freezing outside. But there are still no clouds in the sky. It is calm weather.

Which is honestly a miracle. The weather in the mountains are unpredictable and it is unheard of to have more than two days in a row with just sun. But they have been up here for a week now, the seventh day exactly, and it is still sunny with no wind!

It makes for cold nights and very cold mornings as there is no clouds in the evening either but honestly it is amazing to not have to be afraid for a sudden snowstorm.

No instead Geno can just be afraid and anxious about Dust truly hating him forever and how Geno is going to have to break it to Reaper that he ruined this a second time now and ruined his own second chance.

Geno is completely fine.

One long morning later and they are starting to see some spring flowers and some grass on the ground that the horses happily eat. Geno sighs in relieve. This should make getting down easier.

They follow the now clearly marked path and Geno finds his soul fully calm as he speaks “I think this is the path and mountain we thought it was. Meaning this one has easier paths to follow and some premade camp sites.”

Dust nods “Should make stuff easier at least.”

Geno grins but his grin falls as Dust still isn’t looking at him. Looking ahead of them. Geno puts his hands into his pockets as he kicks a rock once in a while. Feeling hurt and very rejected.

The silence makes the track long and awkward. Geno tries to keep himself distracted but he keeps looking back into Dust’s direction.

They do end up finding one of the camp sites and after considering the time they decide to make it an early night and walk the last part to the foot of the mountain the next day over trying to rush down and risking having to travel in the dark.

They find a nice cabin and set up camp there. Geno goes towards the supply box and raids it of blankets and some snacks hidden away. They are a bit expired but also these are dried snacks and Geno knows from experience they don’t truly go bad as much as go stale.

Geno returns outside to see Dust had set up their little cabin and a fire in the fire pit. Geno grins as he gives one of his found blankets to Dust before putting one down for himself and going inside to put the other two on the actual beds. Geno goes back outside and relaxes by the fire. He hands some of the snacks to Dust before getting comfy in his own blanket and snacks.

The sound of the fire is nice. The crackling gives it an extra layer of experience and Geno sighs as he just enjoys it. It feels peaceful and nice. Like the actual camping trips he had gone on with Reaper. He really needs to do this with his brothers. Enjoy the nature and mountain on his terms and peaceful environment.

“You were honest? Before?”

Geno blinks and looks over “what?”

Dust just stares at the fire “What you said before… Reaper… Reaper was really interested?”

Geno feels his soul pick up “Yes!” Wait! No! tune it down! “I mean. He still is. He honestly is. But Reaper is a lot better at this than I am and is actually able to read other people’s social cues and everything.” If Geno can’t… If Geno ruined this for himself he wants at least his mate to still get the chance for this.

Dust frowns as he keeps staring into the fire. Then he glances are Geno “You?”

Geno can’t look away. Dust’s eyes are mismatched with their colours. There is the tiniest ring of red around one and the other has the same but an even tinier ring of blue in the red ring. If you don’t stare at it the eye lights just appear white. Geno had seen both colours flash brightly when Dust used that lightning spell. So bright with energy and magic. Geno laughs as he looks away for a moment before looking back at Dust “I haven’t stopped falling if that helps? I am not good at this… whole emotion and relationship thing… Reaper did the hard work with our own relationship. But I know I like you. I like being near you and I was honestly happy to spend time with you. It… It hurts to know you hate me and that it is my own fault.” He snorts as he looks at the fire “I don’t know how to make it better… But I do like you. A lot. For a long time now.” Another thing Geno wished he had practised. Fucking hell he knew he had this mission to spend time with Dust he just… hadn’t thought they would have these conversations!

Dust hums as he stares at the fire before getting up “Going to bed.” He waits for a moment by the door and mutters “I don’t hate you. I just don’t get you…” and he goes inside.

Geno stares at the door. Unsure what just happened.

--

The next day travel was both better and worse. Geno felt better knowing the other didn’t hate him but there was a… tension in the air around them. Dust seems content to walk in silence as Geno just lets himself ramble without much thought.

Fuck just end him. Put him out of his misery and his failing at this.

Geno is just describing the process and thoughts behind crafting a new spell and how to balance the magic and mana properly to not make it go towards an already made spell.

“There goes so much more into it than just wishful thinking and putting mana into a spell!” Geno glares “Some mages call themselves masters of the arts when they can’t even properly manage a spell and the outwards force behind it! It is terrible! Not only is it dangerous but it also makes the reputation of actual master mages less trustworthy! And most people can’t just see the difference between an actual master mage and someone who just calls themselves that!”

Dust nods along “Ruins hard work and good name.”

Geno nods “Absolutely! It takes a long time to study magic and get familiar enough with it to craft actual well working spells that others can replicate! Just pushing some stuff together and hoping that it works with a lot of magic isn’t spell crafting!”

Dust snorts as he looks amused “What do you call my lightning? It just happens and can’t level it.”

Geno waves his hands “That is different! You are using a premade spell and editing it slightly to fit you and your magic and mana! You don’t say you crafted a new spell! You don’t act as if you have mastered magic! In matter of fact you treat it as something that makes its own decisions and works with you.” He glares ahead of him as he imagines breaking those fake mage fucker’s necks! “Those assholes however!! Acting as if they made powerful spells only to have those be instable and blasting people!” it is dangerous and a disgrace!

Dust hums and nods “Annoying.”

Geno nods “Very.” He takes a deep breath “Luckily. Reaper let me set tighter regulations for it in Sanctuary. You need an actual licence to perform as a mage there now and the mages are tested to make sure they don’t just have dangerous and instable spells.”

Dust nods “Good idea.”

Geno laughs “Thanks. I just. Magic is beautiful and fascinating but people need to stay watchful and respectful about it as it can be dangerous if used wrong.”

Dust nods along “Like the drugs and collars.”

Geno nods himself “Exactly!”

It is already early afternoon when they finally step out of the forest around the mountain and Geno stretches out “Awesome! Just a clear shot to town now.” hopefully they can send a message from there that they are fine as they get someone to get them back to the capital. Geno luckily is well known enough to be able to get a ride and promise payment once they arrived there.

Geno and Dust continue on and walk into town. Geno is already looking around to spot someone who can help them as Dust makes sure his mask is in place.

Geno spots someone with a big enough cart “Hello sir. I had a request-” Geno can’t even make his offer because as soon as the man he had been speaking against turns around he gasps and cheers.

Geno blinks confused as more people look their direction and more people cheer. Geno glances at Dust and Dust just looks at him. Geno shrugs as he looks back to the man “Is… something the matter?”

The man smiles brightly “Sir! People thought you disappeared on the mountain! And with the avalanche and as people know about the many storms and horrible weather. People feared the worst!”

Geno frowns as that information sinks in “I need to return to the castle in that case. And send a message to our king.” Reaper must be worried sick.

The man nods as he rushes to prepare the cart. Dust makes sure it works for Basalt to be carried as he gets new tools to saddle up Opal. Geno writes a message and sends it off with a carrier as Geno waits for the cart to be prepared.

People offer them food and new clothes to wear as Geno can admit they both look worse for wear. They only take some of the food and Geno can see Dust slipping gold coins and money into the pockets of the people who offered the stuff freely. It is painfully thoughtful and Geno feels his soul speed up.

How can he not be even more in love than he started as?

Geno gets in the by rider seat of the cart as Dust just climbs on top of his horse to ride Opal. Opal seems excited as she stands on her backlegs and whips her head around. She lands and starts running with Dust on her back. Dust easily makes her run in a circle to remain near the cart the whole time but Geno thinks he is having fun.

They need to actually follow the road but luckily this cart is being pulled by strong horses who don’t mind running. Making them make quick time over the calm walking pace of the journey to the mountain pace.

The man asks many questions and Geno remains vague about what he was doing up there. He keeps it as search and a study case which makes Dust snort. Geno isn’t sure why but the man buys the excuse.

Night is starting to fall when they finally reach the capital. By the gates Geno sees some of Reaper’s elite guards waiting and he thinks those are the forces of Nightmare’s kingdom.

The captain of Nightmare’s guard walks over “My Knight! I knew you would return to us safe and sound! Do you want us to take your horses to the stables?”

Dust nods as he gets off Opal before going to the cart. He opens it and carefully leads Basalt out “Watch his legs.” And he hands over the reins of both the horses to the captain, Rogers now that Geno thinks about it.

Rogers nods and leads the horses away.

Geno himself has gotten down from the cart and waves the worried guards away. Mentioning how he should discuss things with their king and rest.

Geno is quick to wave Dust with him as he escapes the spotlight.

Dust glances at him from behind his mask “Don’t like attention?”

Geno sighs “I don’t mind attention. The endless worrying however is unneeded. I am alright.” He pauses “Mostly thanks to you but we will tell Reaper about that as well.”

Dust tugs his skull deeper into the hood in a gesture that Geno by now can identify as shy and bashful. Reaper was right all that time ago. Dust is very cute.

They get to the study and find Reaper awake and looking stressed. He looks up and Geno can see the tension disappear from his form. Reaper is by his side and Geno is in his embrace within seconds. Reaper sounds thankful “You are alive. Thank you for returning to me.” He smiles at Dust “Both of you.”

Dust does the same shy and bashful reaction of tugging his skull deeper into the hood.

Geno hums as he enjoys the embrace “Mostly thanks to Dust. I will tell you everything.”

Reaper shakes his skull “Later. You both need a good meal, need to be checked in case of injuries. Time to clean up and rest. We can talk tomorrow about all you saw. For now let me just make sure you both are okay.” He glances at Dust “Please.”

Dust is quiet before giving a small nod “Message Nightmare.”

Reaper smiles and nods “I will send a message right away that you returned form the mountain.”

Dust nods again and Geno smiles. This is perfect! Now they can at least spoil and take care of him a little!

--

Dust is preparing his packs as the other forces of Nightmare’s guard gets ready behind him. Dust isn’t worried. Basalt is okay for the track and Opal is downright excited.

Geno is watching him getting ready to leave and seems anxious. Messing with some of those crystals of his. A nervous tick he has.

Dust nods to himself as he walks over to him and tilts his skull.

Geno rubs his neck and looks nervous. He looks much comfier in his normal clothes and cleaned up “You sure you will be fine?”

Dust nods as he crosses his arms “More stuff than I could use in four trips.” Reaper had been horrified to hear his mate had gotten collared. And had been so thankful and worried when he heard that Dust had managed to trick Rover into collaring him instead which he made backfire badly.

Dust isn’t worried. It isn’t the first time his storm decided to fry someone. Dust is more shocked that Rover survived the first and second attack he did against him.

Geno nods “Right! Euh… Reaper is just really thankful. And really worried you may have issues with the trip because of leftover injuries… That you got protecting me.” He winces and looks away.

Dust shrugs. It wasn’t that bad honestly. Sometimes it is better to take the hit yourself over letting someone more fragile or vulnerable having to take the hit. Dust may be physically weaker but he has mana to spare and magic strong enough to break most things not specifically designed to stop him.

And nothing is specifically designed to stop him.

Dust glances back “Time to go.”

Geno holds up a hand “Wait! I was… wondering… And you can say no I don’t mind. I just. Was wondering. If maybe… you could see a possibility of ever giving us a chance? For a date? Again?” he looks hopeful.

Dust thinks for a moment to consider all that happened the last two weeks. The way he actually understands Geno now. He makes sure no one is watching them before quickly leaning close. Geno freezes which is good as Dust needs him to stay still. Curse the fact that everyone is taller than him. He manages to reach him and whispers “I figured you out finally. You are a nerd.” And he kisses the cheek and pulls back as he replaces the mask “Cute one.” Geno stares in shock as Dust walks back towards the horses with a wave.

“Lets keep in contact. Next time no mountain missions though.” He gets to Opal and gets on her back with practised ease.

As he looks back he sees Geno grinning madly as he waves “You can count on it! Have a safe trip.”

Dust snorts and nods as he leads Opal to catch up with Rogers and the others.

Maybe this will end in heartbreak again but Dust thinks he got a much better read on them this time. And maybe it will be fine.

[bi-demon-ium]

ok umm i've really not seen any kate stuff? anywhere? so i'd like to hear your thoughts on kate (preferably angst) please!! you are awesome btw <3

ok i don't actually know if you are intending to talk about book!kate or show!kate but i will be mostly if not completely discussing show!kate rip if that was not what you meant but i've seen the show a lot more recently

OKAY. so. i'll start small with some headcanons:

kate is soooo autistic. and adhd. audhd my beloved. yes i say this about pretty much every character i like but with kate it's PARTICULARLY true. (i believe i said in the mbs server the book!kate feels like she has adhd with a side of autism while show!kate feels like she had autism with a side of adhd and i stand by that. but it's vibes based not like, literal.)

but like she can have trouble expressing her feelings, even to herself. she'll either be unable to hide her reactions/expressions, or she'll barely have one at all, and seem unbothered. she's also very blunt and unafraid to state her opinion to anyone, even if it seems "rude". but she isn't rude, really, as it's not that kind of "blunt truth" some assholes like to parade about when they're really just being dicks to everyone. she's still kind, she only says something negative if someone has done something negative (ie, "you are very unpleasant" to someone actively antagonizing everyone in the room is on the table, but just randomly insulting someone for the sake of "blunt honesty" is not. she's never like, mean.)

also shes GAYYYY. or possibly bi, i don't have an opinion on that. on one hand lesbian energy on the other i could definitely see bi bi bi. but if you don't think her and martina got something on i don't know what to tell you. that being said i could also see her as a-spec, but not necessarily in a way that conflicts with Whatever's Going On With Martina. (to be fair, hpwever, one could argue martina was more into kate than vice versa, i could see an argument for aro kate for sure)

green beanie is comfort beanie. she very rarely takes it off. where do you think she got it? angsty answer is somehow it's from her dad, but realistically she probably got it later in life. (doesn't mean she didn't choose it for similar reasons, though... not knowing why she was drawn to the green hat, not remembering it's the same shade as one her father wore....)

also the bucket. i do wonder when she got the bucket. this one, while again a milligan-related reason would be super fucked up (in the fun sad way), i feel like. i feel like it's more that as a kid she felt like she needed to be Prepared. maybe something happened where she wasn't, or maybe she just felt like she wanted to be ready, just in case, all the time. but like. her getting a bucket, modifying it herself, experimenting with different ways to put it on her belt, the inventory changing over the years as some things were discarded or added over time... idk i just think. kate developing her bucket

kate & constance was so good and i want to see more of their friendship. so bad. each realizing the other isn't so bad bc they're forced to work together... chefs kiss. also, the only person other than mr benedict we really see constance actually seem to openly like in some capacity.

kate & sticky underrated. their talk before the cheating was such a good scene. i also want more of this dynamic

i should also mention kate & reynie, which i do genuinely like--the hug is sweet--but i admit is my maybe least favorite of the society dynamics with kate. although i do enjoy the contrast between kate "IM GONNA GO CLIMB THAT TOWER" wetherall and reynie "please why am i the only voice of reason holding this group together" muldoon

i've only explored it in that one fic but i actually think kate & mr benedict would be such a good dynamic, especially because in the show it's inexplicably established he's into engineering. LET THEM BOND OVER BUILDING WEIRD SHIT PLEASE

okay to get a little more into specifics methinks,

i just think a lot about kate like. immediately after season one, and--we'll just. we'll ignore season 2 for now, let's set this in my current anomalous idea of them all in season one (which, rip wetherall farm, but is currently number two & rhonda off at the airshows with mr benedict, constance, milligan, and kate in the house) so like just.

you've been alone your entire life. you've been independent, and you've grown up thinking that the only person you ever had just left you one day for no reason, and in doing so broke a direct promise. and then now, you not only have friends who've you learned to rely on and not just try and do everything yourself, but suddenly you have reliable adults. and more importantly, more specifically, your dad, who never left you but had been taken. had been erased, and even brainswept had never truly stopped looking.

and kate isn't stupid. she heard his story. she knows he must have been through Some Shit. and that he'd have come back if he could. but there's still that pain, that ache, of how long he was missing, for like, more than three quarters of her life! he vanished when she was 3! but now it's like. oh. he did want me. he was taken. he was taken.

so that's an almost identity altering shift in her worldview. and on top of that, her current world is now so completely different: rather than independence and circus life, she's got friends her age who genuinely like her, who she's bonded with through major adversity, and she has adults who actually listen to her and like her. and she has her dad.

and it grates sometimes--she's independent, she doesn't need to be treated like a baby! but also it's like. it's bizarre, because they care, but they don't condescend to her, they do understand she's intelligent and capable even if they want to protect her. and she's never really had adults like that before. not since she was three

so it's a weird mix of like being sort of happy/pleased, because they care, she can rely on them, and being kind of annoyed/frustrated because while she's learned she doesn't need to be entirely independent she still struggles with it. because she's kate wetherall, and she's always prepared, and she feels like she has to be prepared for what will happen if they leave if they're taken from her. she can't rely on them completely, can she? what happens when she loses them again?

and then the mix feelings of old long-buried resentment/anger under buried sadness/loneliness under a crisp crust of i'm perfectly fine, mixed with the new feelings of anger on his behalf, at curtain, sadness at the missing time, at how close he'd been for all these years without either of them knowing it, sadness for him, for herself. but like all of it is still like. under her trying to pretend like she's fine. (and her difficulty expressing emotions, even to herself, does Not Help.)

not to mention as much as genuinely loved the mission in some ways--her new friends (including martina), the adventure, helping people, her bucket coming crazy in handy, etc.--it wasn't exactly a cake walk.

she has nightmares, sometimes: about martina's face when she walked into the waiting room. about sticky's face when he walked out of it. about falling and falling and falling except there aren't warm, safe arms to catch her. about the nodes attached to her face and the long, metallic spires pointed at her, ready to wipe her like her father had been wiped. about her father leaving and never coming home, never being found. about being caught. about losing her friends. about curtain. about all of it.

but she doesn't want to share it because one, she doesn't want them to feel guilty: she did what she had to, and she doesn't regret it. two, and more importantly, she doesn't want them to not let her come on the next mission. (kate had already kind of had the idea that they would have another--they were a team! teams didn't just split up!--but now she's sure of it. curtain's still out there, after all, and he didn't seem the type to just give up.)

i think maybe constance might bully her into talking about it--we already know she can feel dreams (with her comment about sticky dreaming about steak and sticky asking her how she knew that) and as they're on a more even ground she'd be more likely to actually say something. but constance would poke at her about it and probably get her irritated in the process.

(also possible, she talks to mr benedict about this, bc again im a sucker for their dynamic + part of the problem is not wanting to hurt milligan's feelings, and one thing i like about this is i think mr benedict would be extremely kind and understanding about it, and really help like, gently guide her through it, and she'd be like wow adults have never actually helped me before, wild, and then the second she leaves he's like [collapsing into a mess] oh god. oh god. because on one hand he just desperately hopes that helped, and on the other hand, he's having a million crises. oh god. he put actual kids in danger. she's so small number two. number two she's so fucking small and she's having nightmares and it's my brother that took her dad and ohmygodohmygodohmygod. like literally it's like he goes from "kalm" to "PANIK" the second shes out of range. like the dissonance between mr benedict (around the kids, a calm and kindly mentor who seems to know what he's doing for the most part) and nicholas (0.0003 seconds from a panic attack rn, full to the brim with anxiety and guilt) is. hilarious, in a sad way. but i digress, mr benedict tangent over, sorry)

ANYWAY also kate and milligan. like. getting to know him again, and vice versa. this is personally painful for me. like so many years, this disconnect between them hurts, but like. it starts with that hug, with her letting herself lean into his side, letting him put an arm around her shoulders, and he's like. in tears a bit. and like. then over time just. trying to tell each other about their lives--particularly kate recounting her adventures--and marveling a bit at how similar they are in many ways. milligan slowly getting memories back and remembering her as a little girl and seeing her now, all grown up but so small and hurt still, and like. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

i also have so many thoughts head full on them & mr benedict, and also throwing in constance and everyone really, but that's too many and this is already long and i dont even know how to put it to words so i'll refrain for now. anyway my point is: kate wetherall. hug her please

[fill-me-with-your-memes-daddy]

Watching the Rise of the Titans movie and I'll be documenting all of my thoughts/reactions here. [Spoiler Warning]

So instead of reblogging every new update, I'm just going to have this post up on my phone as I watch and type my reactions in a bullet list format.

Nari's human disguise is so cute. As someone who does have a cottagecore aesthetic, I want to cosplay her so bad

Are Skrael and/or Belroc non-binary coded? Regardless, I'm also obsessed and I want to fuck Skrael and be Belroc.

STEVE CARING ABOUT JIM BEING HURT YESSSS!!! My god his redemption has probably been one of the greatest there is because he doesn't just suddenly go from being a bully to a completely good person. You can see the gradual shift in learning better throughout the shows which is awesome.

IN NEW YOOOOOOORRRRRRRK!!!!!! CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!

The mugshot montage reminded me of season 1 of trollhunters when toby and Jim were arrested at the museum.

STRICKLER PUT A RING ON IT??? HE'S THE ONLY DILF IVE EVER ACTUALLY AGREED WAS HOT WYM I CAN'T HAVE HIM??? well I'm still really happy about his arc over the series probably one of my favorite character growths.

Eli my guy got his growth spurt!!! As an 18 year old who is still 5'0", I'm happy but envious for him

So I went into this movie without watching any trailers or promo, but I doubt anything could have prepared me for the existence of mpreg. In fact, I wasn't going to document my reactions until I saw that.

NAMURA!!!!!!!!! MY BELOVED!!!!!! I CAN STILL THIRST FOR YOU WITHOUT GUILT

The coach teacher just called the kids zoomers so I have to dock one point from my final rating just because of that. Unforgivable

Those husky animation models suck lmao

Oh fuck the titans got power ranger zords!!

God why did they include the mpreg??? This movie would have been perfect without it.... After that plot point being revisited only one time I'm already beyond done with it

Like it's bringing me back to the v*ltron days where they're was a suspiciously high amount of klance omegaverse and mpreg fics and art created and it physically hurts because Steve and Keith's voice actor is the same person meaning this is especially cursed to me since I was unfortunately in the v*ltron fandom and remember all of that

But like on another note, how old are these characters again??? I haven't checked any wikis because of spoilers but is Steve an adult??? I know aja might be technically a lot older than 18 because alien but is whatever age she is equivalent to an adult as far as emotionally and physically in Akaridion development??? IS THIS A TEEN (M)PREGNANCY IN A KIDS SHOW????

Like bruh I saw a singular post on here before going into the movie that was like "rott spoilers without context" and there was a pregnant belly but I was absolutely not expecting the actual context of it. I'll find the post after I finish and edit this post to tag the creator right here: @makoden

This entire post is just gonna be me ranting about mpreg huh

Anyway I love the whole roundtable allusion to the legends of king arthur (not the toa version but the one he's based off)

THERE'S 3 TO 5 BABIES????? I need to take a break bruh this is just too much

Alright I've taken a 30 minute break got some food and did some things i love (decompressed by tactile stimming with some owl plushies and watched some videos on my favorite owl, Garu. He lives in Japan with his owner and is a domesticated eagle owl who basically just acts like a sky cat. If anyone else needs some eye bleach, here is their YouTube channel)

Blinky and ARRRGHHH!!! saying their "if one of us doesn't make it" talk my god one of them is going to die I can see it and I will be utterly crushed. Jim can't lose another father figure and Toby can't lose his wingman again I will riot if this happens

On a similar but unrelated to the movie note, can we just talk about how toa started with Jim having 0 dads and (if strickler and blinky live to the end) will end with 2 dads? Like I just really feel happy for him that he has two dads who actually figured out how to put the past behind them to not have any infighting between them so that both of them are healthy father figures. Jim has already been through literal hell and back losing his actual humanity in the process so if he loses one of them, I'm going to be really pissed because at this point, this is just Jim torture porn. Y'all know how as SpongeBob SquarePants went on, the show just became Squidward torture porn? It's starting to feel that way for toa and I really hope they cut the shit by the ending

Jlaire is such a good ship but like I feel like it's too perfect they never disagree with each other

YESSSSSSS Someone finally doesn't treat toby like a fat waste of space who messes stuff up!!! I think out of all the characters that would have been most deserving of a rewrite, it's Toby. Sometimes I just feel he's only comic relief and any heartfelt moments he's had in the series was also born of stupidity (ie his flour baby project being unharmed was seen by him as divine intervention from his parents but was actually just Eli and Steve behind the scenes).

Ohhhhh yesssssss Archie's father!!! I was hoping I'd see him again because we got so little of him last

Ooooooooooh Asian trollmarket!!!!!

Oh never mind slavery trollmarket

Bruh titanic camelot

I feel like we're not seeing enough of the villains because I completely forgot about the power ranger zord things

NAMORA NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MY LAST CRUSHHHH

STRICKLER NO NOT YOU TOO PLEASE

WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE ONLY TWO CHARACTERS I SIMP FOR ON THIS SHOW DIED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF EACH OTHER

THAT WHOLE ASS RANT I WROTE IS COMING TRUE FUCK THIS MOVIE THIS SERIES IS JUST JIM TORTURE PORN

WAIT JIM'S SPERM DONOR INFO?

Oh thank God I don't want to know anything about that person

For the record, I call that man Jim's sperm donor because he has no business being called a father to him. All he did was donate some swimmers to the creation of him and give him abandonment issues

Oh another blind troll elder???? This fucker is just if vendel was a bad guy

Bruh I was grieving

PACIFIC RIM WITH GUN ROBOT VEX AND THE BELROCZORD? I've never seen that movie but I know the reference

Bruh Blinky doesn't read horoscopes? Does he realize conspiracy theories are just the manly version of horoscopes?

NO DON'T KILL VEX STOP KO-ING FOUND FAMILY MEMBERS

Oh thank God he's okay

NO NOT ARCHIE AND CHARLEMAGNE OH MY GOD

oh never mind they're just gonna coup de tat I believe in them :))

But I want to see him again

But I'm glad to see vex

Yay they're in arcadia!

But yeah I wondered why the trolls and Merlin didn't keep the whole "daylight doesn't hurt trolls" feature from the eternal night but now Guillermo del Toro I see you were playing the long con in that just to kill my girl Namora :(((

Oooooh I love the animation of the Narizord over Chihuahua!! It looks very good and realistic (if only they could have put some of that into those huskies from before smh)

Bruh the character designs of the arcane order are so good I want to be them

Nari making sure the Skraelzord doesn't crush the bus

DAMN DOUBLE HOMICIDE

Bruh I'm just glad we finally have an answer on why arcadia had everything going on as opposed to literally anywhere else!! I always found that as a weird coincidence for plot convince.

BRUH WERE BACK TO THE MPREG IM SO JEALOUS I FORGOT ABOUT THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS GRIEVING THE LOSS OF MY LOVELIES.

Oh that's real convenient that the ninth configuration meant all of them. Way to not decide which character gets more attention. Though it probably was a smart way to not have any infighting in the fandom between each character's stan group.

Bruh I just realized where is Barbera did they just ditch her on the Camelot ship???

And where are the other trolls that migrated at the end of trollhunters s3? They said something about new jersey but obviously Jim and the other main characters got on Camelot instead.... This feels like a plot hole

And we never learned the process of how changelings are made and bonded to humans and stuff. We just know it's super painful but I'm curious ffs!!!!

THE DONT THINK BECOME HERO SPEECH ALL SAID TOGETHER!!!

BRUH THEY REALLY HAD TO SHOW HIM GIVING BIRTH??????? WAS THAT AN ABSOLUTE MUST??????

Plus the main audience for this series is little children (the rating for the movie is literally TV-Y7) so even though my adult ass is not in the target audience, I STILL DONT UNDERSTAND WHY WOULD MPREG AND ANAL BIRTH WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT THING TO 7 YEAR OLDS???? THIS IS A LITERAL FETISH HIDDEN IN KIDS CONTENT ITS ELSAGATE ALL OVER AGAIN Y'ALL 😭😭😭😭😭

Though it's probably hypocritical of me to think fetishes don't belong in kids tv when I've openly admitted to thirsting for strickler and namora

HUZZAH

NEW AMULET WAZ GOOD????

STAB THAT BITCH JIM

WAIT NO I SAID STAB NOT GET STABBED

Alright good job just missed the directions at first but you fixed it

SEVEN KIDS?????????

T O B Y ????????????

W A I T NO

N O

IS HE ACTUALLY

OH MY GOD THERE'S HOPE

NO THERE ISN'T

F U C K THIS SHIT THEY REALLY JUST HAD HIM TO BE BULLIED THEN KILLED

Y'ALL IM ACTUALLY CRYING THIS NEVER HAPPENS

I NEVER ACTUALLY GET SO EMOTIONAL OVER MEDIA THAT I CRY IT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AT THE END OF VOLTRON BUT AHHHHHHHH

W A I T

HE'S GONNA BE BROUGHT BACK?????

HOLD UP THEY'RE JUST GONNA BRING ALL THOSE DEAD PEOPLE BACK??????

WAIT IS HE

BLINKY CALLED HIM A SON

HOLD ON IS THIS GOING TO BE A CLIFFHANGER???????????

BRUH THEY REALLY JUST CAN'T END THE SERIES WITHOUT CLIFFHANGERS like there's always an open ending

TROLLHUNTER TOBY????? You know what forget the whole rants I had on how toby was written they just redeemed it all

And that's all! I'd rate it a 6.5/10 because it's definitely the weakest of all the sequels but still had amazing animation and some good plot points. It's just really hard to look over the bad stuff enough to rate it any higher.

[cheeseanonioncrisps]

Honestly, controversial opinion, but Crowley arguably does move pretty fast, if you look at it from a celestial perspective.

“But they were friends for 6000 years!” No they weren't.

I mean, headcanons can vary, but if we're going purely by the text then they don't appear to have met up at all in the 1000 years between Eden and Noah's Ark (Crowley has to ask about the aftermath of the Flaming Sword Incident) and it's not clear how many times they encountered each other in the 3000 years between that and the crucifixion.

They don't go out for lunch together (that we see) until eight years after that. Once again, I've seen lots of excellent headcanons and fics about how they might have spent that intervening time together, but from a strictly canon perspective, Crowley and Aziraphale being basically just friendly colleagues for the first 4000 years of their relationship is a totally valid interpretation.

And then, of course, Crowley probably has to leave (he's “just popped in for a quick temptation”, remember) and the next time we see them is 500 years later. Which is a super long time for a human— and I'm not going to argue that they didn't meet up at all in the intervening time, since at this point I don't think it's implied one way or another— but for an angel or a demon?

They've both been on Earth for well over 4000 years by this point. How long is 500 years relative to them? Fifty years? Fifteen? Five?

Anyway, it's at this point— 500 years after what was quite possibly their first lunch together— that Crowley turns to Aziraphale and is like “hey? Want to commit literal treason?”

And make no mistake, that is what he is asking. These two are enemy agents, and Crowley is asking to exchange information about the secret plans of their respective sides. This would require Aziraphale to

a) trust Crowley not to take advantage of this information for the benefit of Evil

b) consciously choose not to take advantage himself of the information Crowley gives him, for the benefit of Good

c) accept (even just a little bit) the idea that the activities he's just spend the past >4000 years on don't make any difference at all in the grand scheme of things, and Heaven doesn't really give a shit about him.

… And he does it. He rejects the idea initially, but just over a thousand years later we see them together at the Globe, and the Arrangement is not only established, but clearly has been so for some time.

Long enough for Crowley to decide it's time to bend the rules. Not only are they arranging secret meetings and tactically keeping out of each other's way, but they've already done the 'taking care of each other's blessings and temptations' trick “dozens of times”. Aziraphale is still nervous and shocked when Crowley suggests it, so he's probably used to only doing it as a last resort in emergencies, but he knows exactly what Crowley is suggesting the moment he comments on what a shame it is that they both have to go to Edinburgh. This is not a new thing.

Aziraphale at this point still believes that angels and demons are fundamentally different. For all he knew, the first time he performed a temptation he would fall instantly and the first time Crowley performed a blessing he would… explode, or something. But still, at some point during the last thousand years, Crowley persuaded him to do it.

And then, just over 200 years after that (and how long even is that? It's ~4% of the time they've spent on Earth so far) Crowley asks for holy water, Aziraphale thinks he's going to kill himself, freaks out about how much he cares and brings out the Heaven Party Line to cover up his real feelings. Crowley takes it as a personal insult and they fall out for a century— according to the script, Aziraphale is convinced that they're not friends anymore.

100 years after that, and Crowley's back again, and he's just saved Aziraphale from discorporation (… by threatening him with worse discorporation, but still) and thought to rescue his books. Aziraphale has his big moment of 'this demon is the only being who truly cares about me, and I truly care about him' and then literally like 20 years later (which would be what on the celestial timescale? Two weeks?) Crowley's after the holy water again, and Aziraphale has to choose between letting his friend almost certainly die through inaction, or making him slightly less likely to die right away but ensuring that if/when he does die later down the line, it will be All. Aziraphale's. Fault.

He chooses option 2 and in the process has to admit— maybe not out loud, but definitely through implication— that the initial refusal to hand it over was never about Heaven, because Aziraphale couldn't give a toss about what Heaven thinks compared to what will ensure the safety of one incredibly irritating demon. Probably crossing his fingers that he's not going to Fall the whole way through, because that is a bloody extreme thing to admit given the circumstances.

And Crowley's response? “Cool, so we're now going to go off together and start hanging out like normal people who don't have the threat of each other's horrific destruction hanging over their heads every minute of the day? We're going to drive off in my car and just be openly BFFs forever now?” No Crowley.

In the past just under 2000 years you've gone from work aquaintances (which was already illegal! Literally every conversation you two have ever had could have resulted in your deaths!), to treason buddies, to Aziraphale fully admitting to himself that his loyalty to you is more than his loyalty to Heaven. That his loyalty to Heaven does not in fact play into it when it comes to your safety. Even though he's an angel, and that sort of thinking is exactly the kind of thing you Fall for.

And like less than thirty seconds after you've both come to that realisation, you're turning round and asking him to give up all plausible deniability and attempts at secrecy and just start openly hanging out together where Heaven and Hell could just stumble upon you at any time.

Like yeah he turns you down, what with finding out you're about to risk killing yourself, and handing you a suicide pill, and finally admitting his ultimate betrayal of Heaven in his heart, this has been a rough past few hours for Aziraphale. He's probably not ready to be making those kinds of decisions.

But he says he's willing to give it a try. Not yet— give him a minute Crowley— but he's willingly acknowledging that there is a Next Step to this relationship and he wants to get there.

And then the next time we see the two of them, in 30-40 years time, Aziraphale has made the step. They're going to the Ritz together and getting wasted in the shop afterwards. They seem to have done this before. Crowley now wants to form an allegiance and deliberately work to circumvent the Great Plan that Aziraphale believes was set out 6000 years ago by God Herself, and it literally takes an afternoon for Crowley to talk him into it.

Like, I see a lot of posts about the holy water scene where people are blaming Aziraphale or joking about how Crowley couldn't possibly go any slower than he is already. And yeah, from a human perspective, they're barely moving. But from the perspective of millennia old beings whose existence predates the Earth itself? And for whom literally every step in their relationship was utterly revolutionary and completely unprecedented?

To Aziraphale, it probably felt a lot faster.

[simluvbot]

Enhypen’s reaction to when you punch a guy (hyung line)

a/n: this was a request ! I said I could upload this a few days ago but due to it being my birthday and it currently being exam week I didn’t have the time to edit this so that’s why I uploaded without proofreading at first TT // ok I finished editing 😁 Jake and sunghoon’s one is so bad don’t read it pls sorry

Although as this fic includes violence I only wrote for hyung like members and not maknae line, I hope you understand

Warnings: descriptions of physical violence (punching), mentions of being in a crowd, mentions of wanting to harm others (thoughts)

+ note: this is a work of fiction and in no way am I encouraging violence ! I wrote this in a way that I thought would match the member’s personalities although this is definitely not a true depiction of the enhypen members ^^

Lee heeseung

You and heeseung had been in the library studying together for your exams, and although you both had luckily reserved a secluded spot in the library that was both quiet and spacious for your revision, it wasn’t soon before some inconsiderate assholes had decided to occupy your desk too.

There were only two of them, yet they still managed to take up over half of the table whereas you and heeseung only had one small portion to yourselves

Plus they were very noisy, and the only librarian being on the seconf floor didnt help either  😐

You and your boyfriend had both made several attempts to sheepishly ask them if they could please quieten down before the librarian came back and kicked them out and more importantly so you mad heeseung could focus ??

But they simply ignored you, paying attention to the… online games ?? They had came to the library to play???

You were starting to get very annoyed, but decided to bite your tongue and instead have you and heeseung focus on your work

But it was when one of them spilt their coffee on heeseung’s expensive   textbook and even laugh afterwards which is what you decided that you finally had it

You don’t know how it happened, but soon you were standing up and landed a solid punch on the guy’s face

Heeseung was really shocked, just as much as you at your brash movements

And he would be even more concerned for you when he sees the person you punched egret aggressive to you and start getting close in your face.

“Hey man, that’s enough.” Despite heeseung’s shock, it didn’t take him longer than second before he stood up and grabbed at the man’s arm easily after he got up close you you intimidatingly, heeseung’s strong grip preventing the stranger from hitting you back and you swear you’ve never heard heeseung’s voice so deep and authoritative before as he told the man to sit down and focus on his stupid game

Due to your own surprise at your actions, you barely payed attention to what was going on as heeseung had a polite (on his end..) whisper-argument with the two guys, packing his things up as well as yours before grabbing your hand and safely leading you out of the library

You two ended up going home where he cleaned at your busted knuckles gently, sad at the fact that you got hurt and overall bummed out at two guys who got you so worked up and that his go-to textbook got ruined ):

“Baby, why did you do that, Hm? We could have just left to another place. You could have gotten hurt if they fought back!”

More than anything, your boyfriend was upset at the idea of you potentially getting more than just a few cuts and bruises on your knuckles, and so you promised heeseung right then and there that you wouldn’t do it again

After both of you got changed into your pyjamas, you and heeseung had set up your own study area in the dining room table, where you both continued with your study session for the rest of the day, with lots of cuddles afterwards as a reward!

Park Jongseong

You and jay were walking back home and it was already dark outside as you were both walking through the streets.

Approaching a heavily crowded place outside a club which included several people under the influences, it was pretty hard for you both to squeeze through the crowd as you were walking past.

They literally were spilling onto the road.. :/

“Jay.” You gasped when you lost hold of his hand on yours, leaving you in the idle of the crowd alone. There were so many bodies around you and as you got quickly pushed to against a wall from the movements of the people you found it hard to make your way through the people who were much taller than you.

You were starting to get anxious and when someone came directly in front of you, literally ignoring you asking for them to move and plainly blocking you for no reason you started to get frustrated, adrenaline in your veins as you lost your boyfriend and wanted to get out asap before you started fo panic.

You had asked the person to please move out of the way so you could pass through and they even had the audacity to look at you and make eye contact — only to simply ignore you when you asked for the nth time for them to scoot.

So, with your anxiety peaking and frustration soaring, you punched them hard on their face as soon as they turned around, and when they went stumbling backwards you finally had enough space to escape from your trapped position against the wall.

Jay had finally found you and was right there a few steps in front of you, and you were almost reaching him when a hand pulled you back suddenly, slamming you against the wall aggressively and leading you to hit your head hard.

Jay saw the whole thing. and he was livid

He shouted at the guy and grabbed his hands in his, pushing him so he was off of you once again. Jay was so angry he literally thought he could see red. How dare a man not just refuse to let someone obviously distressed through, but to touch you and hurt you?

You had to calm him down and urged hin for you both to leave before the stranger started getting aggressive because he was already shouting at you both and some heads were turning 😟

He eventually listened to you when he saw your glossed eyes and you clutching at your aching knuckles, so gently grabbing your unhurt hand in his he swiftly led you both away from the crowd in less than a minute, face fallen and heart aching ah ):

“Hey, let me look at you. are you okay? Did that bastard hurt you a lot?”

You could tell he was still so agitated with what happened, checking at your bruised knuckles and looking a the back of your head that was starting to form a lump from the force of being pushed against the wall earlier.

“I’m so sorry, I should have held tighter. I should have brought some security guards with us today.”

You had to tell him it was okay and you defended yourself and the guy was just a jerk and can’t hurt you anymore.

Jay was still so sad at the fact that you got hurt all because he let you go accidentally for one second ): seeing you so anxious and literally in pain made him feel so bad.

He showered you in many kisses once you both got home and you had a relaxing bath together, as well as helping treat your bruise , promising for this to never happen again 🥺

Sim jaeyun

You were hanging out with your old classmates as a reunion and it was getting close to the time where Jake had said he would pick you up to take you home.

Your classmates had asked you if you had a partner and when you told them that you did, they all got instantly curious.

You of course got so excited and was ecstatic to flaunt off your talented and handsome boyfriend to them :D

So you showed them a picture of Jake, however the reaction that you were met with was not what you were expecting.

Your classmates were silent for a few moments as they looked at the photo, before one of them eventually asked,

“Oh, so that’s the guy you’re dating?”

You could see two of them exchange glances for a reason you could not possibly fathom and your heart fell to your stomach when you saw them stifing their laughter.

“What?” You asked, frowning as you looked at the photo you showed them on your phone. What was wrong with the photo?

“Oh.. nothing it’s just.. well.. he just doesn’t look like the best option..”

“It’s pretty cute actually. Of course you would end up with a guy that looks like he matches you in social level.. he’s probably a loser.”

You were so confused and the comments kept coming as they talked amongst themselves, openly criticising Jake for no reason.

You gotta admit, you never were the closest my with your classmates in the first place but still decided to agree to the meet-up for old times’ sake.

You could put up with their side glances towards you ever since you arrived because you barely cared, but when they dared talk about your boyfriend like that??

You were so angry you felt yourself almost shaking.

“Hey.” You said, standing up abruptly from your seat on the picnic table at the park you guys were hanging out at.

“Why are you insulting my boyfriend like that. What is wrong with you?”

Once again, they simply laughed in your face, seeming to think of your reaction as hilarious.

You were gonna start crying soon because the rage boiling up inside of you was reaching to the point that you were finding it hard to contain it and breathe deeply to keep calm and not cause a scene.

But they kept insulting Jake, liking watching you get angry under their gazes.

One of your classmates in particular kept offering comments, too many and you had enough - you snapped.

You punched them square in the face.

And you had done so just when you noticed Jake exiting his car right outside of the park, when it was obvious that he saw you.

You didn’t care, and in fact you started laughing almost hysterically in front of your classmates at their shocked expressions.

You were in tears because the person you punched started having a nosebleed… to you it was hilarious and you were in your own world trying to catch your breath from laughing so much until you heard your name being called.

“Y/n.” Jake said worriedly, finally reaching yoy and placing a hand on your shoulder.

He led you to his car, and after you both left and as you sat silently in the passenger seat having calmed down, you were staring to feel awkward with all the little glances Jake threw towards you ever so often.

He didn’t ask or push, instead just remaining silent and gripping at your hand you had punched your classmate with, thumb swirling over your red knuckles as he stared down at them with a bothered expression.

“Sorry.” You finally said, giving him a sheepish smile. “They just kept talking so badly about you when they found out I had a boyfriend.. I couldn’t resist.”

Jake if anything was a bit disappointed that you had reacted violently, and he was silent for a few seconds as he sat unknowing of what to say, frowning and licking his lips like a confused puppy trying to work out a solution.

“Please just don’t do it again. Violence is never okay, you should have just left. I don’t want my y/nnie getting hurt or getting into fights because of me, okay?”

You both drove back and cuddled a lot on the sofa, and Jake made sure to give your knuckles several kisses, his heart aching with the memory of what happened );

Park Sunghoon

“Ha, if it isn’t the ugly y/n.”

You bit your lip as you heard the familiar laugh of the rink bullies behind you, plainly mocking you.

“Still friends with that weirdo, park sunghoon?”

Ever since the members in the same extracurricular figure skating club had found out you were friends with sunghoon, the ice boy that they liked to torment for reasons forever unknown to you, you had soon too fallen victim to their evil teasing.

“I told you to stop making fun of sunghoon like that.” You said plainly, sighing as you sat down on a bench to undo your skates.

The group members laughed and would just not leave you alone, even going as far as sitting next to you and entering your personal space by constantly poking at your sides sharply.

And you swear to god the temptation of slashing open their faces with the bottom of your skates was very tempting—

But no, you had told sunghoon that you would meet him at the entrance of the rink to walk home together after your individual practices; and you were already running late.

“Where you going? To go see sunghoon? Huh? Go tell him that we messed with his skates so he fails in the competition.”

Your hands froze as you were tying your converses. You looked up, meeting the leader’s gaze.

“What?” You had enough. You could never understand why they had sunghoon as their punching bag. Sunghoon was used to it, not one to start arguments and the type to only keep to himself when things like this happen.

You just went along with it and followed his lead in ignoring your other club members, but them going this far to try to sabotage the performance sunghoon had been training months for? You had enough of simply doing nothing in retaliation to their bullying.

Standing up abruptly, they stood back at youe sudden movement, but not quick enough for being able to dodge the punch you swung directly on the nose of the nearest one in front of you.

“Y/n?”

Looking over to the doorframe of the changing room — there was park sunghoon.

“Sunghoon.” You said in shock, glancing over towards the group in front of you as they started guffawing at the sides of the person you punched

“Sorry, I got caught up with-“

You were just making your way speedily over towards hoon when you were pulled back by the wrist painfully.

You gasped when the force that you were let go of led you to be flung over to one side and practically topple onto the sticky matte floor.

Wincing as you landed on your wrist, you hissed at the fresh pain and the loud crack that came with it.

It was silent as everyone paused, having heard your wrist snapping as much as you had felt the pain of it.

“Y/n!” Sunghoon was at your side in an instant, pushing his way cut though the others standing around you in shock.

His pretty face was frowned with worry, eyes wide as he came in front of you, assessing your wrist without touching it.

“Let’s get out of here.” He scooped you up, and if you weren’t busy trying to breathe in and out deeply to calm yourself down after your injury, you would have been surprised at the skate bullies making space for a clear path Sunghoon to carry you through.

From all your time of knowing the talented ice boy, your skating partner and friend — you had never really seen him show much emotion apart from the small smiles and laughs he gave only to you. His long legs were able to stride quickly to a bench outside as he called an ambulance for you, a distressed expression as he meticulously cared towards you.

And gee if you breaking your wrist didn’t hurt like hell, but after all, did you regret that day? No. You finally were able to stand up to the bullies for the first time, and even more importantly — that moment had started the beginning of a new chapter for you and Sunghoon.

[procrastinatingsapphictrash]

Affection

Word count: 1251

Genre: Fluff Pairing: Natasha x gn!reader

Warnings: Mentions of sex but nothing sexual (let me know if I need to add more)

Request: Hii! I'm loving all your fics about Nat, and I wanted to request something. Nat x fem reader and she's touch starved since she never really had any kind of affection in her life, and when she starts dating reader she realises she really needs physical affection! I just need some fluff with Nat

Summary: Reader and Natasha watch a movie and Natasha realizes how much she likes affection.

A/n: This request was for @stephanieromanoff, so I hope you like it because I had a lot of fun writing this one. So I feel kinda bad because I have a ton of requests to get to and I only got this request today (I did warn you guys I was’t going to do them in exact order) but I figured writing this was better than writing nothing. This request really inspired me because I love writing soft Nat fics and it got me back into a writing mood after hitting writers block on my series. Because of that I may not get part two of Feel out tomorrow like I hoped but I am trying to catch up on requests and will get part two out soon. Anyways I hope everyone enjoys and as always my requests are open, especially since I’m in a writing mood and I want to put something out every single day. 

You flick through the titles, not particularly wanting to see any of them. It’s interesting that before when you had to pay for movies you seemed to want to see so many but now that you lived in the tower and you had pretty much every streaming service for free (thanks to Tony), every movie and show looked a little more boring.

“Tasha do you have any suggestions?” You ask, looking over at your girlfriend. You still were in shock you could even consider Natasha your girlfriend and although it had only been a week since your first date you would do anything not to mess this relationship up. 

“I haven’t been paying attention to the choices.” She admits and you laugh a little.

“Why don’t you look through some of the options while I get some popcorn and drinks ready?” You suggest.

She nods. “Sounds good, can you please pass over the remote?” You smile and stand making your way over to her with the remote in your hand. Handing it to her you lean over and kiss her forehead and nose lightly while touching the sides of her face before you pull back and walk to the kitchen, satisfied with the blush that spread all over her face at your actions.

The popcorn doesn’t take too long to make and you pour some ice water with lemon slices while it pops so you make it back to the living room in under five minutes. The sight that you are greeted with might just be the cutest thing ever in your opinion. Natasha has the top of the blanket over her head and it wrapped around her entire body except for her eyes and she looks tiny while buried in the blankets because she has her knees pulled up to her chest. 

“Did you pick a movie?” You ask her. 

She jumps a barely noticeable amount in surprise, having not heard you coming. “Yeah, I thought we could watch Little Women.”

“That sounds good,” you tell her, “and by the way you look absolutely adorable wrapped in the blanket like that.” 

She blushes. “I was going to take it off before you got back but it’s too comfy.”

“Well I’m very glad that you didn’t.” You tell her honestly, openly admiring her. She blushes again and starts the movie instead of answering. Even before it truly starts you know you’ll spend a good portion of the movie watching her because it was hard to take your eyes off of her and you had read the book so you knew the plot anyways. 

As you originally suspected you spent almost the entire time watching her watch the movie. You love the way the emotions flit freely over her face, her giggling along with the happy parts and biting her lip when things get sad. You were just watching the scene where you (and probably everyone else) cried while reading the book when she pauses the movie. 

“What was that for?” You ask, turning to her. She faces you, her eyes teary but none of them falling. 

“I just need a minute to gather my bearings,” She says and you know the movie must truly be affecting her because usually she doesn’t like to reveal her emotions. “I chose this movie because you said you really liked the book, I didn’t realize it was sad!” 

“You do know it’s okay to cry while watching this, pretty much everyone does.” You tell her.

Your permission seems to be the thing she needs and she breaks down into sobs. “I just can’t believe that happens, it’s so sad, none of them deserved that.”

You move over to her end of the couch, hesitantly putting your arms around her, ready to remove them when she seems to stiffen but then tightening her grip when she seems to relax into your arms. You pick up the remote and press play again, putting your arm back around her. Almost the entire rest of the movie you can feel her silently shake because she is crying and even though you already knew exactly what was going to happen you can’t help but let a few tears spill out. By the time it ends she is even further curled into you and manages to let out a small watery smile at the happy ending. You move to release her and stand up but she pulls you back down.

“No.”

“No what, Tasha?” You ask, amusement lining your voice. “No getting up.”

“No getting up.” She repeats before resting her head on your shoulder, her breath tickling your neck. You are happy to oblige her, keeping your arms around her and absentmindedly running your hand up and down your back. She hums in contentment and you can feel the vibrations in your shoulder. 

“You know if someone had told me two weeks ago that I’d be dating you, I’d say they were optimistic, but if they told me you liked cuddles I’d get them tested in a mental institution!” You tease her.

She takes her head off her shoulder and looks up at you. “I didn’t even know I liked this until now, nobody has ever done this for me before.” 

You feel your heart simultaneously break and fill with affection for her. “I’m sorry about that, but I’m honored to be your first.”

She giggles. “You make it sound like you mean it in the first to have sex with me.” Her expression turns to a frown. “You will be far from first with that.”

“I know and I don’t care about that.” You look into her eyes so she knows you’re telling the truth. “This is more important to me. Sex doesn’t always mean love, this, this means love.” 

“Did you just say you love me?” She asks incredulously, her eyes wide.

You think about denying it, worried that it’s too soon because your relationship is so new but you’ve been in love with her for years and you can’t keep hiding it. “Yes, I did.” She continues looking up at you and as much as you try to, you can’t begin to read what she’s thinking. 

“I think I love you too.” She whispers after what feels like an eternity and you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding. 

“Thank god, it would have been pretty awkward otherwise.” Placing a small peck on her mouth and then going back for a peck on her forehead. “However as much as I’d love to stay here, it’s getting late and we should probably get ready for bed. She pouts but untangles herself from you and brings your empty dishes to the kitchen while you exit out of the movie. 

“Will you sleep with me tonight?” She blurts out when she returns to the living room and you start to splutter. “No, no, no, I didn’t mean for that to come out like that. I meant will you sleep with me literally, like more cuddles.”

She hides her face in her hands embarrassed and you laugh loudly at her mistake. “Of course Tasha, I’d love to.”

She practically beams. “Thank you!”

“You really enjoy being held, huh?” You teasingly ask her, enjoying her flustered expression. “But seriously,” you add on, taking pity on her, “I love to hold you as well, so ask anytime.” She smiles again and takes the hand you hold out for her as you lead her through the halls to her room. 

---

Taglist: @fayhar @stephanieromanoff @acertainredhead @stop-drop-and-drumroll​ (if you want to be added, comment, send an ask or message me)

[yeahhiyellow]

19, 22 and 23? :^)

19. What is the one thing you hate most about your fandom?

Tbh there are a lot of things I hate, although by this point it's only very certain parts of the fandom that have these problems, since most of the shitty people have lost interest by this point. If I had to choose just one thing though, it'd be the overwhelming focus on white, male characters over female and/or characters of color. And there are a lot of areas where this shows up. One major example is that a lot of people like the idea of Connor, Hank, Gavin, and Nines (all white, male characters, mind you) staying at the DPD even after:

The DPD was the one (along with Cyberlife) responsible for the deaths, arrests, and brutal treatment of androids, the main oppressed group in the game's world

Connor and Nines are a part of that oppressed group, and at least Hank is shown in game to support them

Connor has already worked at the DPD and was routinely called an "it" (which as someone who is nonbinary and has been called "it" knows how insulting that can be and understands the need to get away from situations where that happens), was allowed to be sent to his death by, and was routinely harassed and nearly murdered, or in some playthroughs actually murdered, by workers at the DPD (*ahem Gavin ahem*)

Hank (if he is your friend) risked his career just to cause a distraction for Connor to keep him alive

Just because the android revolution was successful doesn't mean the DPD was going to follow that. I mean, the androids were heavily compared to African Americans in this game, and we all know how the current police system treats them (and if you don't, pay attention to the news, like, ever. Also read Jim Crow as that book is very informative on the oppression of blacks in the entire incarceration system as well as before and after that)

So I hope it would be pretty obvious to any sane person that suggesting these characters would join/remain in the DPD after everything is offensive on all sorts of levels.

In addition to that, you also have some people saying that they only cared about Connor's story, or that his was the only good one. The female protagonist that risks her own life several times to save that of a child (no matter if she is human or android)? Not important. The (half) black protagonist who is shot by police, has to rebuild himself, and leads his own people to freedom? Who cares? The only important story to these people is the white, male, cop android who spends most of his time hunting down the good guys. And if some people honestly prefer Connor's story because of their own reasons, that's fine. And yes, Kara and Markus's stories have lots of problems. But Connor's does too, and none of this gives people an excuse to ignore the other characters, especially since they are the minority characters. Then, there are also the people who say Connor's machine path was better than his deviant path, or that him being replaced by Nines in the end was unfair. And... what the fuck??? I mean, I get it, it's fun to play through different options, and Connor is hella badass in the machine path. But he is also hella badass in the deviant path (killing the guards in the elevator, possibly the team at the bottom if he doesn't catch the security camera, fighting Sixty, walking in front of all the androids he freed, like, come on), and he also, like, has morals and isn't oppressive??? In the machine route, he kills his own people, including those who just want to be free and might have been completely pacifist the entire way through. So I'm sorry, anyone who thinks his machine path is better is just looking for an excuse to be oppressive without openly admitting it.

Then there's the Gavin apologizers. While fanon Gavin is awesome, some people have way overstepped the line of redemption and allowing oppression. I've seen posts defending Gavin's in-game behavior, just because he refers to androids as "he" on occasion. This is despite:

Suggesting "roughing up," or being violent to Shaolin (the HK400 in "The Interrogation")

Insulting his partner, Chris, when he doesn't forcibly move Shaolin against Shaolin's will

Pointing a gun at Connor after Connor rightfully says to stop touching Shaolin for both succeeding the mission and for Shaolin's sake, and only stepping down after Hank points a gun at him and even after insults Connor

Punching Connor right in the thirium pump regulator and then pushing his head right where his LED is in the break room if Connor refuses to get him a coffee

Insulting and threatening Connor in the same scene even if Connor follows all of his demands

Insulting Hank's alcoholism in the Eden Club "it's starting to stink of booze in here"

Purposely pushing Connor to the side in the same scene

Trying to literally murder Connor and admitting he'd wanted to kill him ever since he first saw Connor, sometimes successfully

Both physically and verbally assaulting Connor

I forgive very easily and strongly believe in redemption, don't get me wrong. But trying to excuse Gavin's behaviors is so inexcusable, especially when most of his aggressions are towards androids, the oppressed minority.

Now, let's look at Ao3, shall we? Let's see how many fics posted there are with each of the "main" (including Gavin and Nines since even though they are not main characters in canon they are in fanon) characters... (also, keep in mind, I gathered this data about a month ago so it might not be completely up to date):

Connor: 16,150

Markus: 5,395

Kara: 1,504

Hank: 13,135

Nines: 9,807

Gavin: 9,939

Amanda: 1,177

Chloe: 1,521

North: 3,056

Simon: 3,192

Josh: 1,965

Alice: 1,098

Luther: 848

Rose: 193

This means that certain characters get unequal amounts of attention:

White: 59,042

Black: 9,578

Male: 60,431

Female: 8,549

White, Male: 52,223

White, Female: 7,179

Black, Male: 8,208

Black, Female: 1,370

Well, this says a lot. Now, some people reading this might realize that there are more white and male characters to begin with, so it could be fair even with their numbers being higher. So, okay, let's see the average amount of works a single character in each of the above categories would have (so divide each of the values by the number of characters in that category) (also I rounded to the tenth place aka first decimal point):

White: 6,560.2

Black: 1,915.6

Male: 7,553.9

Female: 1,424.8

White, Male: 10,444.6

White, Female: 1,794.8

Black, Male: 2,736

Black, Female: 685

If anything, these are even more telling. And if you don't believe me, look on Ao3 and calculate these yourself, because you'll get the same thing.

To be clear, I don't have anything against Connor, Hank, or any of the white and/or male characters. I even like the way that the fandom has redeemed Gavin. But the fandom has not done the same job of redeeming other characters, especially the minority ones, and pays way less attention to them, and that needs to be called out with evidence by someone.

Anyway, I spent a LONG time on that first question, so I'll try to make the next answers shorter!

22. Popular character you hate?

There aren't any popular characters that I thoroughly hate. The only characters I hate are ones that are already highly unpopular (Todd, Zlatko, Perkins). If we're talking canon characters, I do hate Gavin with a flaming passion. I mean, he is meant to represent police brutality. But fanon Gavin is cool with me, so I'm not sure exactly how much this counts.

There is one semi-popular character that I dislike though, and that is Kamski. I'm half-counting him again because within the fandom there are very mixed opinions. I personally dislike him mainly because of his treatment of one of his Chloe's: he is willing to let her get shot in the head and killed just to find a dumb answer to his Kamski test just because he feels like it. If Connor doesn't shoot Chloe, he tells Connor he's deviant, knowing full well that Amanda and Cyberlife are watching being the one to design the program, endangering Connor. While he arguably is responsible for deviancy and wants androids to succeed, that doesn't make up for those facts.

Another character that half-counts is Daniel. There are mixed opinions within the fandom on him as well, with some arguing that he is only wanting to not get replaced and protect himself. However, since his first response was to kill the dad, and then he proceeded to shoot at least 3 more cops, killing 2, and hold Emma, the young girl he had been friends with for years hostage, even though she had nothing to do with his replacement. You can't argue that he didn't want to kill Emma and only used her as protection for himself, either, as there are multiple endings where he tries and sometimes succeeds in killing Emma, even when he is also killing himself. I'm not closed to a redemption arc for him, but his in-game actions are inexcusable. He's the one deviant who truly has no valid defense for his actions.

23. Unpopular character you love?

There are a few. I absolutely adore North, Josh, Adam, and Alice, even though the fandom has conflicted opinions on them. Then again, none of these characters are really considered unpopular, just not as popular as others with a select few that don't like them. With North, I've been in this fandom since a few months after its release, when there was a lot of North hatred, and was actually in a group called the North Protection Squad lol. However, now most people like her, and she's really grown in popularity. With Josh, it's less that he's hated, and more that he's ignored. People say that Simon was the peaceful option when he was really the neutral, and recently I've seen more people against Josh's opinions on the revolution. While I don't always agree with Josh being so passive and undemanding (neither do I agree with North's violence), he's still an awesome character with some very valid points. Then, I do understand why some people dislike Adam, as at first he's against androids and almost reveals Kara and the others. However, if you meet him at the border crossing, he apologizes to Kara and changes his mind, promising to help androids. While he may start out scared and not on the right side, he does have a good heart and ends up making the right decisions in the end. With Alice, I haven't seen many people hate her, either, although I have seen some saying she's annoying and lacks a personality. I agree that she lacks a personality, although I argue that's the writers' faults rather than her character's (as are problems with other characters, I mean David Cage wrote this so what were we expecting). I also don't think she's annoying, as after all she is only 9 (in human terms), doesn't admit she's an android because she's scared Kara will reject her (and Kara actually can reject her for being an android, leaving her completely on her own in a world that wants her dead. Also, living her whole life with Todd can absolutely not help her feel more secure with who she is or make her trust Kara to still love her for it), and she is only cold and feels sick because her model of android is literally designed to replicate human sickness and discomfort (and it's clear she doesn't know how to turn them off, because even after Kara knows she's an android Kara still has to help Alice not feel cold anymore. Also, this is November in Detroit, in which the average temperature is 42°F (5.6°C). There are also scenes where it is snowing, meaning the temperature is below freezing. Still, despite the temperatures, in some scenes not having a coat, and feeling sick, she says Kara and Luther can't stop because of her, risks her life to save Kara's if you fail QTEs, and says she's "fine" even when she's cold to comfort Kara. So if you think she can be annoying, yeah, all 9-year-olds can be. But if you think she's annoying enough to actually hate her, idek what to say).

In terms of characters that are really unpopular, I actually like Leo. His actions at first are inexcusable. I mean, accusing Carl of loving an android more than hin, insulting Markus and treating him as less than human, threatening him, breaking into Carl's house and attempting to steal his paintings for drug money, and framing Markus for Carl's death leading to him getting shot and nearly killed are obviously not okay things to do. However, he is clearly on drugs, specifically red ice, the most dangerous drug in the world. Also, if you decide to push Markus leading Carl to still be alive, when you return to Carl's house, you can find a message Leo sent to Carl in which he apologizes for everything and promises it won't happen again. In the extras section, you also find out Carl missed out on Leo's whole childhood, only first meeting him once he was much older. Given that Carl spends all of his days pleasantly conversing with Markus while ignoring Leo, not calling him, only talking to Leo once he comes around himself, and doesn't even argue when Leo says Carl doesn't love him, it's almost fair that Leo thinks the way he does. Since he's also high on drugs throughout the story, at least up until Markus gets shot, we also know that the Leo we see isn't the real Leo. Later, if Carl is dead and Markus visits his grave, he encounters Leo again. This time, when Leo sees Markus he is only shocked. Now, off of red ice, not only is he going to see Carl's grave, expressing love for his father, he also doesn't try to hurt Markus, insult him, or anything mean or dehumanizing. His expression lacks any signs of aggression. It was only when he was high that he was such an asshole. Although that doesn't excuse his behavior, it does give a reason for it, and by the end I consider him redeemed.

~~~

Wow... that was a long response to a very short ask. No need to read all that (although I would highly suggest reading my first answer, at least, since that does contain some very relevant points). Although then again, if you've made it here, you've probably already read all that. In which case I would love to hear your opinions if you're willing to share (as well as anyone who sees this!) I guess I just had a lot of opinions that I needed to put out in the world lol, so thank you sm for the ask!!!!! 💛💛💛

[cyclogenesis]

director's commentary for 'got a feeling that i'm going under' - especially the relationship bucky has with sam's family, and the scene with sam getting hurt.

Oh man, Got a feeling that I'm going under, the fic into which I put every single emotion I ever had. The idea came from the most fantastically random source - many years ago while chatficcing porn with a friend we were writing a 5SOS Harry Potter AU (yes, I deeply miss having someone to chatfic out my worst id garbage with) and I wrote a bit where I used the phrase "like being split open in reverse" about magical wound-healing. The image always stuck with me, and one evening I was thinking about Bucky Barnes, and what his whole fucking deal is, and the idea for the first scene popped into my head. The accelerated healing factor of super soldiers is so interesting to me, and we've seen so little about it - but like with any injury, it helps a hell of a lot if you set the bone/close the wound/etc. first.

I'm always interested in how Bucky went from sniper twink to the guy pitching himself off a motorcycle headfirst at another super soldier; that dude has gotten reckless as hell with his body! So he for sure gets hurt a lot, and I doubt that he was tended to with much care when he was the Winter Soldier, so I imagine he's gotten used to seeing to his own injuries while in the field, probably to the point of feeling awkward about someone else checking on him now. Thus: Local Man, 106, Really Trying to Go to Bed Still Bleeding, Realizes Horrified Partner.

I started writing it sometime after episode 3 or 4 (taking it on faith that the show was gonna have a HEA), initially because the other thing I was working on was taking too long to get to the porn, so I thought I'd write a one scene 4k or so little thing where Sam tends to Bucky's wounds, and they're tucked close in a motel bathroom and, you know, then they fuck, good for them. But then I was really enjoying the tension of that scene, and then I thought about artistically carved magical wounds, and things escalated.

Honestly, my usual approach to any fic is "write enough story to earn the sex scene", so that's sort of what I was doing, but in the way where I kept complaining to my friends that I was trying to get to the porn, but I just kept writing all these feelings. (I think at this point, with this pairing at least, I have to admit that I also always want to write enough story to make it clear that even if they don't say so in the fic, they are absolutely in love with each other.)

I was really struggling with how to finish out the first kiss scene, because I really wanted to get to the porn, but it was just kind of a logistical pickle. It took awhile to occur to me that I didn't have to write about the first time they have sex, which was mind-blowing as that's almost always what I write. Once I realized that, I also realized that (at this point, after the high of the show's ending) I desperately wanted to write a little established relationship for them.

So a kitchen injury to continue the theme was kind of a gimme, and having Bucky cooking dinner at Sam and Sarah's felt like it went right along with how clearly Bucky is part of their family now per ep 6, and would thus be comfortable enough there after awhile to cook in their kitchen (though he still wants to do a good job!). Plus the kids clearly adore him, and I think AJ's still at the age where he'd openly be more dazzled by Bucky and thus eager to help him do whatever. Indulge me in breaking down the following bit, because it's one of my favorite parts:

“I’m fine,” Bucky says again, looking at the stove as if it might betray him and his carefully constructed soup if he gets out of its sightline. “It just needs to simmer for five more minutes.” (Still trying to refuse help, but he'll get there, bless him! Also though he's put a lot of effort into becoming a good cook, he still doesn't entirely trust recipes and gets a little nervous when four other people are depending on him to be fed.)

Sarah, having already assessed the scene and identified what needs to be done, retrieves a wooden spoon from the drawer and pokes Bucky with it. “I got it, go.” (I love the mental image of the wooden spoon poke. Like first of all yes, jab the man, but also it shows quickly that in Sarah's mind at this point Bucky is basically her brother-in-law. 😭!!)

“The salad is looking good,” AJ reports to everyone. (Children are small insane people that still require attention and validation even when someone else is literally bleeding! Love that for them, sincerely.)

“It’s gonna be a great salad, buddy!” Bucky says to him over his shoulder as Sam directs him to the first floor bathroom. (But like, Bucky is so good with kids. He's happy to validate AJ and appreciates his help! He wants to help AJ grow up to be a good man and men these days have to know how to cook! 🥺)

Bucky is out here and he's ready to be a Barnes-Wilson (or a Wilson-Barnes. Or a Wilson. He's flexible)!!

And now the last scene, man, the last scene. Like the rest of this fic, it was absolutely not planned ahead of time in any reasonable way. Let me be super honest here: I ran across a Tumblr post that was basically like "fics where Sam takes care of Bucky are stupid garbage and so are the people who write them" (loosely paraphrased) and I was like OH FUCK this fic is thematically wrong and I Am The Problem, and after brooding about that for probably longer than I should have I realized, relatedly and fortunately, that the only way it made sense to end this fic was to flip the theme on its head and have Sam get injured and Bucky have to look after him. And how Bucky would freak out and become immediately invested in doing everything he can to make sure he can take care of Sam in every way forever. From there I sat down and wrote out the last scene pretty quickly!

I always get the most nervous about endings, so I'm really glad people enjoyed this one. I was pretty in my feelings after posting this fic, considering that I hadn't written a story since 2018, it was my first one for this pairing, it's a real stylistic switch from my past uh few decades of work, I hadn't written for a media fandom with a ton of canon in one thousand years, the central theme was magical wound-healing (?!), etc. The response to it was an extremely pleasant surprise and something I'm still grappling with as I've continued to write in this fandom. I hope someday I can write something else that connects with people the way this one did!

[taylorinthetardis]

Wallflowers - A Henry Cavill x Reader fic

So I did a thing! Rather than continue to work on my larger, more complicated Pride and Prejudice fic, I decided to make a fanfic out of the fantasy I had at work the other day!

There will most likely be a part two to this, I just thought I was at a good stopping point and wanted to see what you guys thought about it.

Full disclosure: I didn’t mean for this to whole ass turn into a Bath and Body Works ad, but it kinda did. For those of you reading in countries that do not have Bath and Body Works, its basically just a body and home care store. In the US their scents are legendary. Pretty much every young girl went through a BBW phase where that was all they used for soap and perfume. That all being said, in the interest of further disclosure and covering my ass, I own neither Bath and Body Works nor any of the trademarks on the scents listed herein. I also do not own Henry Cavill because owning human beings is a crime.

This is my first Henry fic so be gentle with me! It’s a bit longer than I had anticipated and un-beta’d.

Warnings: just a lot of fluff. some self-deprecation. loads of swearing. don’t know if I should warn for slight bashing of the religious but I will anyway so no one gets mad at me.

Wallflowers

It was shaping up to be another boring ass day at Bath and Body Works. I had started working here during the Pandemic after I was laid off from my job at the movie theatre. I had planned on it only being temporary, but even after things got better and I got my theatre job back, I decided to stick around. What can I say; a bitch is broke. Nothing wrong with double-dipping.

There was something about Sunday mornings in the mall. Probably because people around here still went to church in the mornings. Like it matters. Sunday mornings are always so slow, here and at the theatre, but the day always picks up after 1, when morning church services finish. It was me and Samantha up in the front room this morning, working out the leftover boxes from yesterday’s shipment. She was one of the first people I really bonded with here, both of us being super into both Marvel and DC, specifically Sebastian Stan and Henry Cavill. They had just started filming the next Superman movie and they were going to be shooting scenes up in Michigan again, like they had for Dawn of Justice.

“I’m just saying, we should really consider asking for a few days off and just going up there and scoping it out. I mean, it’s Henry fucking Cavill. He’s less than an hour away from us. Right now. Less than an hour. When is that ever gonna happen again? I can use some of my vacation time at the theatre, so at least I’m not missing out on money from them. It’ll be a blast. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? We don’t see him? I mean at least we’d have tried. I’d rather try than stay down in stupid Ohio with the knowledge that he’s that close.”

“Do you really think Ann’s going to give us time off to stalk Superman?”

“We ain’t gonna tell her what it’s for! Just lie, c’mon now.” I laughed. I dropped a box of Gingham body cream into the understock drawer and broke the box down. Out of the corner of my eye I caught movement, oh goodie, a customer. Samantha was quicker to greet them.

“Welcome to Bath and Body… OH MY GOD!” I turned around and was met with the sight of none other than Henry fucking Cavill, sheepishly running his hand through his now jet-black curls, obviously embarrassed at having been recognized. Damn, am I glad I put make-up on this morning. Alright Y/N, this is your fucking chance. For once in your damn life, be fucking cool. You can do this. You look good, you smell like Champagne Toast, you’ve got this. I pulled my hair down from its messy bun and shook it out a bit before walking over to where Samantha was still trying to collect herself. The store radio started playing Halsey’s Bad at Love and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from bursting out laughing at the absurdity of the situation we were now in. Not five minutes ago we were talking about seeking him out and now here he was in all his brick-shithouse-ness. I looped my arm through Samantha’s in a show of support.

“What a wonderful coincidence! We were just talking about you and now here you are! It’s crazy how the universe works, isn’t it? I’m Y/N, this is Samantha; what can we help you with today, Henry?” I smiled my most adorable smile at him, the one that makes my little cheek dimple pop out, and, honestly, they both looked shocked. Samantha was clearly surprised that I was more capable of speech than she was, and to be honest so was I, and Henry seemed shocked that I would openly admit that we had been talking about him before he got there, which probably wasn’t a great thing to say, but I panicked.  

“Well, I was told this was the best place to go for candles and air freshener-y type things. The house I’m renting just has this odd odour that I can’t get rid of. I’ve been airing it out during the day, all the windows open, and I come home and it still smells funky. I know I could just find a different place, but it’s close to a park and that’s been nice for Kal and I don’t want to make a fuss, so…” Henry sort of shrugged, the buttons on his plaid shirt straining with the movement of his broad shoulders, and gestured around the store as if to say “that’s why I’m here”.

“Well, you’ve definitely come to the right place. All of our home care is in the second room, grab a basket, I’m sure we can find you some scents you’ll like.” He walked over to the basket tower to grab one as a couple more customers walked in. Samantha nudged me towards the second room; I was going to have to handle Henry alone for now, it seemed. He followed me over to the Wallflower wall. “So, these are our Wallflowers. They’re sort of like the Glade Plug-ins, I don’t know if you’ve seen those, you plug this diffuser into any power outlet and screw the fragrance bulb in and it diffuses the scented oil into the room. They last for about a month or so. These’ll probably be the best option for you, well these and maybe a room spray or two to start with. The candles are good, but obviously the scent is gonna be strongest when they’re burning and it’s probably not a great idea to light a bunch of candles and then leave for the whole day.”

He chuckled. “No, I’d say you’re right about that. I definitely don’t want to burn the place to the ground. Are there any scents that you’d recommend?”

“Well, I mean, it obviously all depends on your personal preferences. I like sweet scents. I like my space to be smelling like a bakery or a candy shop at all times, so I tend to go for anything like that. We actually still have some of our holiday scents that we’re trying to get rid of and there’s this really great one in that line called Spiced Apple Toddy. It smells like apple pie. I love it. It’s only out during fall and winter so I stocked up. I need it all year long, honestly. I still have so many other scents at home, but like I’m probably never gonna get sick of it, for real, it smells so good. Or I might go every other month swapping between that and Black Cherry Merlot because that’s awesome too. And then there’s Champagne Toast, I mean, that one might be a bit too feminine for you, but I love it. It’s sweet and just a tiny bit citrusy. I can’t do any of the floral or like, outdoorsy scents, they set my allergies off. And honestly there’s some of these that I smell them and I’m like, who is putting this in their house? Like, what nutjob thinks this scent is good? How many people have senses of smell that are this screwed up?” At this point I was rambling, talking excitedly and with my hands, handing him testers to smell and trying to gauge his reactions to know what to hand him next. He didn’t have any bad reactions to anything I gave him until I handed him the tester for Fresh Balsam. His nose scrunched up in the most adorable way and he very carefully set the tester down on the counter as far from him as he could manage. He handled my word-vomit good-naturedly, with a small smile on his face, nodding and chuckling when he thought something I had said was funny. Our fingers brushed a few times as I handed him the testers and after the third time, I began to feel like it was deliberate on his part, but it couldn’t have been, could it? He couldn’t really be interested in me. He’s Henry Cavill. I’m just, well, I’m just me.

Me, with my two minimum wage jobs, still living with my parents, inching ever closer to 30 years old. Why would he want any of that? Why would he be interested in me physically either? I mean, he’s literally flawless and I’m short, overweight, I eat like shit, I don’t exercise, hell, I barely know how to put on make-up correctly. Yeah, I look good today, but that’s not par-for-the-course.    

He put a few each of Cinnamon & Clove Buds, Black Cherry Merlot, Limoncello (for the bathrooms, he said), and Laundry Day (for the laundry room, obviously) in his basket along with enough of the plugs so he’d have one in each room. He also grabbed a Black Cherry Merlot and a Limoncello room spray off the shelf next to the Wallflower display before turning back to me. “So then, where do you keep this Spiced Apple Toddy that you like so much, or did you hide them so you could have them all to yourself?”

I chuckled nervously and ran my hand through my hair, sort of disbelieving that he was actually paying attention to what I had said. Boys never listen to me when I talk, I always have to repeat myself, but I guess that’s because I usually end up talking to the dumb ones. Henry’s not dumb. He really is just fucking perfect, isn’t he? Pretty and he listens? That shouldn’t be such a difficult combination to find, but for me it had been. “They’re on the table over here with the rest of our leftover Christmas stuff. Hopefully the tester is still there somewhere.” I put my hands in my apron pockets and I could feel the jolt of confidence I had had just minutes before leaving my body. His charm had worn me down, bringing me back to my normal, anxiety-ridden self. I caught the toe of my boot on the corner of one of the other tables as we walked towards the center of the room. I stumbled, but before I could fall his arm was already out to steady me, wrapping around my waist to keep me upright.

“Are you alright Y/N?” A look of genuine concern was on his face and I swear to God I swooned. Like, fuck, I just stubbed my stupid toe, it’s not that serious. I mean yeah, I stubbed my toe and then almost fell into a table covered with candles in glass holders, but like, I didn’t fall, you caught me, please stop looking at me like you care. You can’t give me that much hope. It isn’t fair. And goddamnit I love the way my name sounds coming out of your mouth. Like, fuck it’s never sounded so good. This isn’t fair, why is this happening?

“Yeah, Henry I’m fine, just a stubbed toe. Thank you for…you know.” I gestured down to his arm, which was still around my waist. The sound of me bumping into the table drew the attention of the rest of my co-workers, however, who were now coming out of their various positions to see what was going on and to make sure no one had broken anything. Samantha popped her head in from the front room and Kelynn and Mira came out from the cashwrap with Pilar and walked to the edge of the third room to peek in. All they saw was me, blushing profusely, with Henry Cavill’s beefy-ass arm still wrapped around my fucking waist. “Everything’s fine guys. I promise.”

“Holy shit, is that…”

“Mira!”

“But Kelynn that’s fucking Superman!”

“You can’t cuss in front of him Mira, he’s a customer!”

“Will you guys cut it out? You’re embarrassing us in front of the hunky British dude!”

“Hey, I’ve got an idea. How about we all pretend like this isn’t happening right now? Pilar can go back to the cashwrap, you two can go back to whatever it was you were doing, and I’ll go back to what I was doing, namely making a damn sale!” I extricated myself from Henry’s grasp so I could shoo them back towards the cashwrap. They turned and walked away, bewildered looks on their faces. I turned back to Henry who was shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and ran his hand through his curls, leaving them messier than they were before. An errant one fell over his forehead and I wanted to brush it out of the way, but he just left it.

I walked over to the table that I was originally heading for and found the Spiced Apple Toddy Wallflowers. There wasn’t that many left, but there was still a tester. I grabbed it and spun around to bring it to him, assuming he hadn’t followed me, but as I turned, I found myself going face first into his massive chest. I put my unoccupied hand up to steady myself and pushed on his chest to force him back. He was just too close. Why was he so close? He opened his mouth to say something but I beat him to it. “Here. This is what I have in my bedroom right now, this is Spiced Apple Toddy.” Oh god, why did I say it like that? The one I have in my bedroom. Jesus Christ. He quirked his eyebrow at me and cocked his head to the side, smirking a little. Instead of taking the tester from me, he took my much smaller hand in his, guiding it up towards his face so the tester was close to his nose. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. A serene smile spread across his face and I felt my face get hotter. He opened his eyes, looking down into mine. Fuck I could drown in those ocean eyes.

“Oh, I like that very much. You were right. I think that one’s my favourite.”

[thr-333]

Could you possibly do one where Mari/Mari and marine is/are the daughter/son of the joker?

I actually planned quite a lot for this after you asked but could never get my thoughts to make something comprehensive so I give up here's what I got!:

-Twins are Joker and Harleys kids born before the two split up(and so help me they will split up this story needs gay aunt Ivy)

-As you might know, these two clowns have another kid; Lucy. Harley left Lucy with her sister when she was born. In canon, she thinks Harley is her aunt but I would say in this fic she learned the truth when the twins were also dropped off.

-So the twins grew up in Gotham with their aunt and big sister knowing full well who their parents are; as such they make the responsible choice to suppress every part of themselves that resembles them and constantly dye their hair in an effort to avoid looking like them. You know healthy coping mechanisms. -

-Naturally, Marinette has brown hair with blue eyes and Marion blonde with brown eyes.

-Their personalities are a bit different from Mismatch. 

-Marion is still a trickster and a trouble maker but this time around has Marinette fully involved and responsible for his shenanigans. He has a bit of a habit of talking to himself(or singing random phrases), sometimes in the third person; he hates when he does, so Marinette always tells him off. He’s always gets the impulse of dying his hair outlandish colors and will vehemently deny his favorite color is green.

- Marinette is crafty, both figuratively and literally. She’s smart, her mother is a doctor after all she can be manipulative to people that arent her(close) family to protect the ones she cares about. She has a deep-seated fear of becoming a trophy, an object to be put on display like her mother and so dresses the opposite and pushes away her love for fashion.

-They will always call each other Mari but if someone else tries they both answer its a nickname they strictly use for each other.

-In a world where Gotham exists it makes absolutely no sense that Gabriel wouldn't start his reign as Hawkmoth in Gotham(the place with the most negative emotions like geez) so that works out perfectly for the twins becoming heroes(Adrien can move to Gotham or be left in Paris to be kept safe your choice)

-Instead of the twins proving themselves by helping an old man up off the street they go a step further is beating up the thugs that try to rob him(all Fu’s set up of course). When they come home to find two mysterious boxes on their beds they make the only rational conclusion children of the joker would; it’s a bomb!

-Not wanting to get the police involved for obvious reasons they find the security footage(which gets the police involved in a different way) and start tracking down fu to see why he’s trying to kill him.

-And as you may recall at this point in canon Ladybug and Chat Noir are defeating an Akuma, well they're not here they’re off to beat up an old man so thats Batman’s job for the time being.

-The twins get caught up in the fight as civilians and are saved by Batman who immediately recognizes them(you don't think Batman has case files on all of Jokers hellspawn?) so that’s gonna be a problem later but never mind that for now~

-The twins track down Fu, who is wondering why they aren’t out fighting the Akuma. Long story short Fu comes back to the house with them and proves they aren't bombs giving them the miraculous.

-I’m a bit indecisive on the names. I thought Marinette would be Red Bug and Marion Black Cat(yes I know that names already taken I don’t care). But I thought Crimson Bug would work better because then their names would start with the same letters. Then I wanted alliteration like Black Bug and Crimson Cat but that obviously doesn't make any sense since Chats color is green not red-- then I realized it would be completely in character for them to call themselves that confusing everyone in the process so no one quite sure whos name is who(if you wanna write it go with whatever I just thought it could be funny)

-As for costumes Marinette's probably wouldn't be skin tight because deep down she really doesn't want to look like that but more practical armor or less form-fitting at least. Marion's hair turns green when he transforms something he freaks out about and Marinette's turns red(glowing or not either would look cool)

-So anyway they go off to defeat the akuma blah blah blah Batman seeing these two young untrained superheroes can only think of one thing: I have to adopt them. So that’s gonna be fun!

-Anyway they go back home trying to be sneaky and immediately get caught by Lucy: ”Don’t tell Aunty!”-- ”Oh I already know” (her names Delia by the way)

- So now the twins get a support system and a family that will look out for them unbelievable right? This support system immediately threatens Fu making sure he actually trains them and doesn't just set them loose on Gotham.

Anyway that's the end of my semi-cohesive plan and here's a vague outline for the fic:

1. Becoming ladybug and chat noir setting up adoption, and school(Bruce invites them to Gotham academy to keep an eye on the jokers children)

2. First day at school setting up Artemis(and by extension young justice), and own passions, Adrien is also at this school now so Marinette falls, Jason finds out falling in love with Marion

3. Becoming friends with Artemis, convinces them to give their passions a try, Marion runs from hood, some let me adopt you stuff also Jason's spite for Cat Noir

4. Skip a bit of time a few months or so, young justice need help Artemis suggest mari and mari, Marinette has a smackdown with batman about their heritage, at odds with young justice Artemis comes to their defense. Young Justice have an ‘oh’ realization on the job when Marion sings a lullaby to a scared child, now the young justice form the mari and mari protection squad

5. Doing ladybug and cat stuff batman approaches them again this time luring them into adoption with a partnership on finding hawkmoth, Red Hood and cat fight. Marion comes back all huffy and there's a scene with Lucy this time comforting them, Marion goes out to get air runs into hood marion bristles stirring Jason to meet him as a civilian, class come to visit, at odds with lila

6. Doing well at school even made a few friends when the Paris class come to visit completely under lila’s control, lila tries to slander the twins for not worshiping her only to out herself when she tells everyone they laughed at her(the twins never laugh), Jason also drops by further discrediting her, lila tries to throw their heritage in their face but they get support openly working with heroes as civilians, this little section ends quite happily with them being sort of accepted at school and batman tolerating their existence for not attacking the person who tried to make their life miserable

7. Time skip few years out of high school now, ladybug and cat are working well with gothams vigilantes widely considered part of the batfam even if no one knows each other's identities. As mari and mari they are doing good work mainly outside of gotham. Marinette is starting a fashion boutique with a little financial help from Wayne enterprises she also does costume design for heroes and villains, villains mainly because she can't stand their current outfits. Marion quite likes his music but isn't sure how he will feel in the public eye is great friends with Jason and the skip picks up with them officially starting to go out identities unknown. They are still hesitant about their identities in civilian life Marinette starting her business under a false name and Marion cant start his because of his heritage. Jason officially has to admit they are going out to the family is met with grilling by aunt and sister, joy by harley once she tries giving them sex advice they leave, his brothers tease and both are tense about Bruces reaction but he begrudgingly accepts. Are out as ladybug and Cat still snippy with hood but it’s not as bad they are closing in on hawkmoth. Go to hang out with young justice as well they aren't well-liked in Gotham but they’re fine with that(not really)

8. NOW things can go to shit joker finally has enough of them deciding to get a hold of them but I think it should be as ladybug and chat revealing their identities to the world. The twins are terrified rightfully so. Get saved now it’s weird between hood and marion, marion feeling betrayed Jason knew who he was and knew who his father was but still decided to date him and he just can't understand why. Adrien was so scared for Marinette and now they both have to work out why. Gotham is at odds the heroes they admire are born from a villain they fear. Bats are a bit weird feeling like they were tricked while also kind of acknowledging the twins are good people

9. Harassed in their everyday life now the twins go to young justice where they get met with awe for being established independent heros, bats there are acting weird but the twins say something to shift perspective leaving to let them mull on it. Jason tries to apologise saying he doesn't see Marion like that blah blah Marion has a breakdown asking how he can be anything but a villain. Marinette's having whiplash going from loved to hated and still dealing with the trauma of seeing her father. They snap. In public a big ol scene and they get akumatised everyone sees it, it’s on tv. Hawkmoth comes out to get their miraculous the batfam can’t beat him. He’s monolouging probing at their deepest fears when they snap back to reality realizing none of it’s true every part of them has worked to be good people and they are they don't hand over their miraculous beating the akumatizaton and beating hawkmoth while akumatised.

10. They are released from the hospital a few days later, getting hesitant recognition on the streets. It's not thunderous applause but it is something. Their family comes to pick them up, Adrien is crying to Marinette about not scaring him like that(her family took him in when Gabriel was revealed). Marion gets picked up by Jason they patch things over. They get accepted into the batfam and work as ladybug and cat for everything. Marion decides to start playing music and Marinette reveals her face to her fashion brand.

[sanktnikolais]

Godsent

A/N: i’m back to post another content kahsfkljas this is the beach scene Zoya vaguely remembered back in my mythology au 

Have a bit of fluff after than long angsty fic ;-;

Word count: 4244

The sight of his temple only brought another wave of headache to Zoya. It was much grander than what she had thought his supporters capable of, and she was starting to regret allowing it to be built. She couldn’t believe she let herself get carried away with a simple act of smiling. 

          Damn him and that smile of his, she thought in annoyance as she made her way to the path leading towards the side of the shrine. 

          It was warm tonight, and if it had been some other time when it was colder than she would have liked, she was sure she wouldn't have come here. She was still trying to understand why she agreed to go see him at this time. 

          His message had come abruptly in the fountain of her foyer just as she was leaving. The water had exploded from within, almost drenching her had she not stepped back immediately. And when she checked what the disturbance was, the words appeared in sand on the surface. 

          Come meet me at my temple, it said. 

          Not a request, nor a friendly invitation. 

          Zoya didn’t know whether to laugh or get insulted. Was he that bossy just because he was one of the higher gods? He must have forgotten who put him in his place when he came barging in her temple to challenge her. 

          Maybe she shouldn't have agreed to the construction of his temple, so he wouldn't have another reason to become more conceited than he already was. 

          Its location was on a cliff directly by the sea, a place where he obviously preferred the shrine to be built. If there was something that he thought highly of other than himself, it was the seas. 

          The seas can help us find peace, he always said, and Zoya was tired of hearing his voice in her head all the time. The non-stop rain he sent to her temple was already bad enough to irk her. But actually hearing him in her mind? Disastrous. It was a surprise that she had been able to stand being around him for five years without them having each other by their throats. 

          She finally rounded the corner of the shrine leading to the entrance, and that was where she spotted him gazing up at his temple. 

          Whatever flippant thoughts she had about him disappeared when she saw how content he looked. The lit torches on the pillars lit up his face, bathing him in a golden glow of the same color of his hair under the sun. For a moment, he didn’t look like the god of the seas she knew—arrogant, cruel, and overly confident. Instead, he looked like someone proud of something he’d done for himself, not because he was forced to do it. 

          An amused smile twitched on her lips. Even though he didn’t become the city patron, he was still happy enough to have something dedicated to him. Perhaps she should give him that small victory.

          He must have felt her stare at him because he turned to her in a blink, and she barely had the time to hide herself from staring openly at him. 

          Zoya immediately returned to her stoic appearance, mustering a deadpan look on her face. She wouldn’t let him have the chance to grin at her; it had a strange effect on her that was unbecoming for the goddess of wisdom. “What do you want, Nikolai?” 

          Nikolai feigned a hurtful expression. “In a sour mood tonight, aren’t we, Minerva?”

          “Who wouldn’t be if they were summoned in the middle of the night?” she said through gritted teeth. The urge to punch him in the face was strong, but she held back. “And it’s Zoya for you, Your Idiocy. We are not on Olympus.”

          “As you wish, Minnie,” he said. 

          She huffed in annoyance and stared at him incredulously. This was one of the times that she preferred him being the arrogant rival he once was, as she had enough reason to beat him up where he stood. It was like the god of the seas stole another’s persona and adapted to it. 

          But the ease in his demeanor made her wonder if this person in front of her was really who he was.

          “Are you done tormenting me? If so, then I am leaving,” Zoya said, already turning to the direction she came from. 

          Nikolai held out an arm. “No, wait,” he said, a pleading look evident on his face. He looked like a child whose candy was snatched away from their hand. “It’s been a long time since our dispute in this city but you have not come to see my temple yet.”

          Her eyes narrowed. “I do not need to see it.”

          “But I want you to,” he almost whined, and her thoughts of him possibly being a child came back to mind. He gestured a hand to the temple. “Well, what do you think?”

          Realizing that she didn’t have any much of a choice other than to leave, Zoya walked over to where he was standing to have a better look at the shrine, and she took in its appearance. The entrance must be at least fifty feet high, its roof supported by three huge pillars on each side. She wasn’t sure how long it extended at the back, but she could guess the main foyer could fit at least a thousand people. 

          And even without going inside, a huge statue of him by the other end of the hall could be seen. 

          It looked impressive for only a short time of having it built, she would give him that, but otherwise still plain. 

          “It could be better,” Zoya said before turning to him. “But alas, it’s only like any other temple around the city.”

          If Nikolai was insulted, he didn’t show it. He grinned, the one that reached his eyes and made them bright. His arms were spread wide. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” 

          She merely raised an eyebrow at him. He really was something else. “Mine is definitely better,” she countered with a sneer. “And besides, yours would not even be there if I hadn’t allowed it.” 

          “Guess I owe you my reputation, then?”

          “Obviously, so stop being a show off.”

          Then he winked, and she didn’t like the way it made her heart skip a beat. What had he done to her? “Only for you, dear.” His grin became wider. “Actually, it’s not even the best part.”

          Zoya stepped back, holding a finger up. “I think that is enough for tonight, I—”

          But Nikolai was already grabbing at her wrist. “Let me show you,” he said, and then he was dragging her along with him down the path. His hand was warm against her skin, the touch sending an unexpected thrill in her chest. He would literally be the end of her. 

          She had to break into a jog just to match up with his excited strides, and she was just too exhausted to berate him to slow down. After a few more moments of keeping up with him, they finally got to the edge of the cliff. 

          There wasn’t much light, but the full moon almost directly in front of them gave enough brightness for them to see the surging waves across the sea. The waters looked almost white against the moonlight, and if it was some time earlier in the day, Zoya knew it would be breathtaking.

          Somehow, she quite understood why Nikolai would always say that his favorite line of ‘the seas can help us find peace’. There was indeed something calming just by watching the tides’ steady movement, as if you knew that it would always stay in the same current and end up in the same shoreline. 

          “It’s not much at this time of the day,” he said, breaking the long silence between them. “I’d say it’s better during sunrise and sunset. But it’s still quite the view.” 

          Zoya hummed, gaze remaining focused on the sea. For some reason, she couldn’t look away. His love for the seas was probably starting to rub off on her. “It is a nice view,” she admitted, and she could practically see him grinning in her head.

          A beat, and then he said, “It’s not the best one, though.”

          She frowned. “What’s better than this?” she asked, turning her head to look at him.

          And he was looking back at her, his smile soft and eyes gentle. She furrowed her eyebrows, and it took her another few seconds to realize what he meant. All her thoughts seemed to  stop altogether, heat rising to her cheeks. She averted her eyes and looked down, only to see their hands clasped tightly together. 

          Her eyes widened. When did that happen? 

          Zoya quickly let go of his hand as if she were burned and stepped away, making Nikolai laugh lightly. She didn’t know whether to run off or throw him off the cliff, so she glared at him instead. But there was definitely no denying the erratic beating of her heart. 

          Damn him for making her feel things she shouldn’t have.

          And yet he only smiled back, even when she was expecting him to cower or challenge her glare with his own. “You will definitely be the death of me, Zoya,” he said, and she tried to ignore the way her name sounded from his lips. 

          I could say the same to you, she wanted to say. But it would be blatantly admitting that he had that much effect on her, in which, based on the still erratic beat of her heart as she looked back at him, was actually true. 

          She covered up her awkwardness with a huff. "Don't be dramatic, you can't die." 

          Nikolai laughed again. Was everything funny to him now? "Ever the realist, aren't we?" 

          "It is who I am, you urchin." 

          "I think that's the most adorable thing you've called me." 

          "Would you have preferred 'idiot'?"

          He shook his head, the grin never leaving his lips. "I would love any name as long as it is from you." 

          Zoya's heart did another weird flip. She was so close to bolting off or punching him. Or both. "Are we finally done here?" she said. If she spent another few minutes with him and his flowery words, she might do something that she would regret later. "Because I am needed elsewhere." 

          It wasn't technically true, but she knew she would immediately go to Genya after this. The goddess of love surely had something to say about this night rendezvous. Or whatever this was. 

          "Not yet," Nikolai said, grinning brightly. "There is still one last thing I would like to show you." 

          "How many 'best' things are left for you to show me?" She huffed incredulously. "You consider all these the best, anyway." 

          "A good point, but this is the last one, I swear." 

          Thunder rumbled in the sky, making him wince. Zoya had to stifle a laugh at his expression. 

          "Should have said 'promise' instead," she said in amusement. "You aren't allowed to pull any more antics now." 

          Nikolai chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it." He paused, looking down at the cliff, before turning back to her with an open look. Her breath hitched in expectation. "Do you trust me?"

          Did she? After centuries of rivalry, had she come to trust him, even after only a short time of finally seeing him past his tough exterior? She had always been so sure of herself, but why was she having doubts now?

          I shouldn't, but somehow, I do. And yet Zoya grimaced and said, "No."

          She was expecting him to look hurt, but he actually laughed and gave her a knowing look. "That is quite a relief. I wouldn't want to disappoint you when I lose control over this." 

          Her eyes narrowed. "What do you—" 

          But her sentence ended in a squeal when Nikolai put an arm around her waist and abruptly jumped off the cliff. 

          Inappropriate words she wanted to scream at him came in her mind all at once, the rush of air sounding too loud in her ears. She clutched onto his neck and closed her eyes in panic. It was ironic, as they couldn’t technically die, but she hadn’t anticipated being hauled off the edge. She was so going to murder him later. 

          Zoya waited for the coldness of the water to hit them, but it never did. 

          They were suddenly on something, the chill only enclosing around their legs, and she finally opened her eyes to look down.

          A huge waterspout steadily moved around, keeping them afloat at least a hundred feet above the sea. 

          She let out a relieved breath. At least they weren’t plummeting down the waters anymore. The beating of her heart slowed down, and she huffed as she glared at a laughing Nikolai in front of her. The sight of him looking happy was definitely not the reason why her heartbeat picked up again.

          “I ought to strike you down where you stand,” Zoya growled. It would’ve been much more menacing if she wasn’t holding her arms around his neck. “Now I remember every reason why I used to hate you.”

          His laughter subsided until all that’s left on his face was a soft smile. “At least I know you don’t hate me now,” he said. Then he winked. “Don’t worry, if you ever get off balanced, I won’t let you fall alone.”

          “If you think your punchlines are going to make me change my mind from beating you up, then you have to keep on dreaming.”

          “Perhaps this would change your mind?” 

          Zoya raised an eyebrow, and slowly, Nikolai willed the water forward. The specks of light caught her eyes even before she could fully look at them. It came from the torches lined up in the sand by the cliff walls, illuminating the small beach hidden in between them. 

          “No need to look awed, my wise one. It’s unbecoming of you,” he said as he lowered them down to the sand.

          She kicked him in the shin the second her feet landed on soil. “I am still enraged, Nikolai,” she said, but there was no edge in her tone.

          Nikolai chuckled. “Go on, you can tell me how much you adore me.”

          “You conceited, feeble urchin—” Zoya tried to grab at his shirt but he had already backed away, laughing again. 

          He stopped at least several feet away, spreading his arms. “So, what do you think?”

          She raised an eyebrow and looked around. “Horrible?”

          “You wound me,” he said dramatically, putting a hand to his chest. “Well, I’d admit that it is not as flawless as I would have liked it. I only made this place a few hours ago.”

          He made this place? “What for?” she asked, a frown blooming on her face.

          Nikolai shrugged. “A hiding place,” he answered simply, looking up in the night sky. The moonlight captured the lines of his face, bathing him in a glow that made him look less the terrifying god of the seas than a cheerful and carefree person who had been hiding behind that divine identity all along. His next words were quiet, almost sad. “Somewhere I could be comfortable.”

          Zoya considered him for a moment, something in her chest not feeling right. It wasn’t as if he needed her to show him his place. What was even his reason for asking her to come in the first place? Certainly he had more people to talk with or bring here other than her.

          So why her?

          He turned to her again, the somber expression disappearing in a blink and the mischievous look returning. It was appalling how fast he could change the masks he wore. Who was the real him?

          “Worry not, dear wise one, you are allowed to come here,” Nikolai said with a grin. “You’re always welcome here.”

          Zoya raised an eyebrow. “I am honored,” she replied, mocking a curtsy. “But I’m afraid there’s no way down other than jumping off that cliff and swimming here.”

          He waved a dismissive hand. “I could easily make a path for you.”

          “Confident, aren’t we?”

          “Do you doubt me?”

          She chuckled darkly. “All the time.”

          This made Nikolai silent, a shadow passing across his face. Something twinged in Zoya’s chest. She wasn’t supposed to feel bad. It was what she always did—facing all things head on and being straightforward. Unlike him, she didn’t make things much complicated by going around with her words. 

          Ever the realist, aren’t we? His words from earlier echoed in her mind. She knew he meant it as a joke, and yet it was really who she was. She approached everything with caution and vigilance, calculated all the variables and outcomes. She liked the odds leaning to her favor; it was how she stayed at the top of her game.

          But when it came to him, all went astray. Nikolai was her biggest uncertainty.

          Zoya waited for his rage, for him to turn into his true form and challenge her to a duel, just like she did the night before their standoff in the city. If she were honest, she preferred that possibility. Because she wouldn’t have to question herself for feeling something for the god of the seas after several years of being in peace with him. They had three centuries of bad blood. 

          What were those years of serenity compared to the long time of hatred and rivalry? It was only plausible. 

          But when Nikolai smiled ruefully instead of lashing out like she had wanted him to, she had never been so ashamed of herself for neglecting this possibility. 

          “Fair point,” he said with a sigh. He gazed up at the stars again, eyes soft, and a small smile twitched on his lips as if he remembered something fond. “If you look back, we really did fight for quite a long time.”

          Zoya opened her mouth to say something, only to close it again when she had none. She frowned, more to herself than being unable to think of a reply. She had always been sure of herself. 

          She was still lamenting in her thoughts that she hadn’t expected his next words to her. “Dance with me,” he said, holding his hand out.

          Her thoughts stopped altogether, and she looked at him in bewilderment. What?

          Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “Has the goddess of wisdom lost her ability to speak entirely?” 

          A lot of thoughts crashed into her mind, but when she found her voice after a while, she said, “There’s not even a music.”

          He stared at her for a second. Then he laughed, rich and deep, and Zoya knew to herself that she would like to hear it more often. “I’ve got it covered, dear,” he said, approaching her and taking her hand. She didn’t make a move to stop him, his skin feeling warm against hers. “Just don’t step on my feet.”

          Whatever embarrassment she had was replaced by her usual annoyance for him. “Ever the infuriating one, aren’t you?”

          “Only for you, dear.” He winked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. 

          Zoya sucked in a breath, not used to having someone near her, but she reluctantly put her arms around his neck. He smelled of the seas and something like home. She found herself leaning towards him more. She rested her chin on his shoulder as Nikolai began swaying along with the tune he was humming. 

          In that quiet moment of peace, nothing but the soft sound of the lapping waves and his humming could be heard. Everything was perfect, almost too perfect, until his voice went off key.

          “Where did you learn that?” Zoya asked, pulling back just enough to look up at him.

          Nikolai furrowed his eyebrows like he was trying to remember. “From the townspeople,” he said, sounding a bit pleased with himself. “Is it good?”

          She scoffed. “Atrocious.”

          “Just as I intended.” 

          “Can’t you just send a pod of mermaids to serenade us?”

          He seemed to consider this for a moment, and then asked, “Do you want me to?”

          Zoya blinked back in surprise. “You are really willing to do anything, aren’t you?”

          “I could even stop the tides for you,” he said like it would be the easiest thing in the world to do. But considering his nature, maybe it was. 

          “Why would you?”

          “Because frankly, you seem to doubt my powers.” He paused, sighing. His next words came out in a whisper. “But I hope you do not doubt me.” 

          She was taken aback with the sudden change in his tone, and as well as the flash of hurt in his eyes. And yet along the lines of the pang in her chest came a spark of irritation as well. It wasn’t like he had done anything bad to her in the past several years. But considering their history, she had every right to doubt him, and the other way around.

          They were already past their dark years, but there was no denying that hatred towards each other was what drove them forward once. 

          “What is this really about, Nikolai?” Zoya asked the question that had been bothering her since she agreed to come here even when she had all the reasons not to. “Why the sudden message in the middle of the night? Why did you want me here?”

          Nikolai was silent, their movements stopping as she waited for his answer. There was a conflicted look in his eyes that made it seem that he was going to war with his thoughts, but after a moment, he replied, “Because I want to be with you.”

          His answer had her floored, and she was left to reel with the intensity of the sudden shiver that bloomed in her body. Her heart felt like it was about to leap out from her chest.

          “I want to be with you,” he continued. “Have been wanting to for years now. I have no ill intentions, I swear to you, we’re already way past that. I just want you to see through the worst part of me that you had known for centuries. I want to prove to you that I am not that person anymore.”

          He smiled ruefully. “I know it’s strange. After being your rival for a long time, I didn’t anticipate feeling something for you that wasn’t hatred or insecurity. So when those emotions turned to calmness and warmth, I knew it was over.” He paused, huffing a laugh. “I never thought I would fall for anyone. And yet I did.”

          Zoya was still overwhelmed with everything that she just heard. She was sure that she had been gawking at him with mouth agape the whole time, and if it was some other moment, she would be conscious of how she looked in front of anyone. 

          She blinked. “Nikolai, I—” When she found that she had no further replies formed in her mind, she shook her head. “I—I don't know what to say.” And she did. She hadn’t seen all of this coming. 

          Nikolai reached a hand up to her face, his thumb caressing her cheek softly. “You don’t have to say anything, dear,” he said. “All I ask for is a chance. Let me be with you. Let me be your strength when you feel like you have nothing. Let me love you.”

          Her eyes stung, and Zoya felt the walls around her heart coming up again. Love was irrational; she had witnessed mortals go mad because of it. More often than not, it was love that was the main reason for their own doom. And yet, they still continued to seek it. That’s what she couldn’t explain no matter how she looked at it.

          But thinking back on the past several years they were together, she had developed a soft spot for him, even when he was often annoying. He was a ray of light and smiles for her, especially during her brooding times when her people demanded too much of her presence. 

          And she would be lying if she said that she didn’t feel anything for him.

          Maybe she could get hurt by letting this emotion take over. Maybe she could be happy with him, knowing that he was willing to be with someone as stubborn and tenacious as her. 

          It was all a mess of maybes, but looking at him now, with his heart on his sleeve, Zoya realized that it was worth the risk.

          He was worth the risk.

          With a small smile, her hand that was behind his neck came up to his cheek. This was one of the rare times that he was at loss for words, but she found that she didn’t mind one bit. She acted upon impulse instead, standing on her toes and pressing a chaste kiss to his lip as if to seal a promise. It was only brief, a ghost of a breath, but it was enough to send warmth throughout her body. 

          Nikolai was looking at her with half-lidded eyes as she pulled away. There was a lazy smile playing on his lips, and when he dove in to kiss her deeper this time, Zoya finally let herself fall.

          Perhaps they could have more stolen moments like these in the near future, where it was only the two of them in their own small world. 

***

And they did.