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strawwiibernyy · 3 months ago

Text

By The Sea - Nishimura R.

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[Riki x Fem!Reader]

warnings! angst, cursing, suggestive-lime (for a very brief moment), abuse, alcohol, family issues, smoking.

words: 6,5k

╰┈➤ When you moved from Tokyo to the seaside, you didn’t expect to fall in love. Riki was strange and had a lot of faces. In a way, he reminded you of the sea. It can be stormy, but also calm. And very, very beautiful. [Inspo from the jmovie: Drowning Love 2016]

♪ Drowning Love - Chasing Kou by Penguin Piano ♪

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"Mmh, I can already smell the ocean!" Your father said, taking a big sniff of the air around. His hands were gripping hard the wheel, turning from here and there. From how many turns this road had, you felt like throwing up.

However, you didn't say anything. You kept your headphones plugged to your ears, trying to forget.

Forget that from your perfect Tokyo life, they are forcing you to move to a small sea village. You lost your house, friends, and money. Now your everyday life wouldn't include parties, but your dad teaching you fishing.

"It's very beautiful here! Right, Y/N?" Your mother asked, but you didn't hear her. Or actually you did, yet pretended not to. Your gaze was out of the window, and you had to admit the scenery was unique.

After a while, you arrived at your grandfather's house. He was living alone all these years. Your grandmother left this world at a young age. You felt bad for your grandfather, your heart clenching at the elder's happiness to have you here.

"Oh, you grow up so much! You got taller than your mother!" He said, throwing his hands around you. A smile went up your lips, which was rare after you learnt the news.

"I missed you, grandpa."

"Oh, and the little one!" His eyes went on to your little brother, who was currently eating a cup of vanilla ice cream. Your grandfather went towards him, taking the young boy in his hands. "Come inside! I have already prepared the beds."

You began walking towards the small house, and your mother went next to you. She smiled, before whispering to you something. "After lunch, how about we take a walk around the village? Just us."

To be honest, you were thinking of going for a walk alone. You would rather to have your own peace and quiet while exploring the place, but you couldn't decline your mother. It would be safer with her too.

"Alright."

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

The smell of fish hit your nose as soon as you got out. It was windy today, and the ocean waves were rabid against the rocks surrounding it. All the houses around were small, most of them painted in white. Kids ran around, and people on their bicycles instead of cars.

You were wearing a white maxi skirt, along with a warm red tea, which was matching with your red bag. Back in Tokyo, you looked a lot into fashion. Here, everyone dressed with whatever they had in their closet.

"You will love it here. I am sure about it." Your mother said, walking with her hands crossed behind her back. You shrugged, focusing on the view instead of her.

"I always preferred towns over villages."

"Yes, because you had never visited a village." Her reply made you shut your mouth quickly, avoiding her eye contact.

You walked with your mother miles and miles until you stopped at a market. Your nose scratched from the strong seance of fish, but you didn't show your disgust to her.

"I need to buy some groceries. Can you wait for a couple of minutes?" She said, pulling out from her pocket some coins. You nodded at her, and she disappeared into the market.

Now you finally had the peace and quiet you needed. Thoughts filled your head on how the first grade of high school will go here. Your middle school life was perfect, and you could live an even better high school one there.

Yet now you weren't in Tokyo, and you had to realize it.

While you were looking around, letting your eyes explore the village, a boy caught your attention. He was tall with dyed blonde hair. You furrowed, wondering why he was allowed to dye them.

He seemed around your age, and the school didn't allow it. Or the schools here differ from how they were in Tokyo? You were watching him walking around with his hands in his pockets. He was going near the low stone wall which separated the sea and the village.

Suddenly, his eyes met yours. They were dark brown, but the sunlight turned them into honey-like. Now you saw his entire face, and he was more handsome than ever. Plump lips and clear skin decorated by a few moles.

Your eyes got wide once he pointed with his head the sea. His hands left his pockets and his legs rushed towards the stairs. It was now that you noticed the stairs that were leading to the sea. It sparkled your curiosity.

'I can go down too. Mom is at the market anyway.'

You clenched the handles of the bag, walking towards the stair. A doubt was still hidden in your chest. That boy could be dangerous. However, his eyes seemed innocent.

Small steps till down the last one. Your white ballerina shoes found the tiny stones. The ocean didn't have sand as you thought. The tiny stones got into your shoes as you began looking for the boy. It annoyed you.

Taking your ballerinas, you placed them near the stairs. Now your feet hurt even more, but you brushed it off.

And as the wind was hitting hard your face, even with narrowed eyes, you saw the boy. He was at the edge of a huge rock, looking down at the water.

He wore nothing but a simple white shirt and some baggy jeans. His shoes were down at the rocks, while his gaze remained firmly on the ocean under him.

'Don't tell me.'

The boy looked at you before jumping into the sea. Taking a big dive into the crystal waters. You jumped in your spot, furrowing your eyebrows at him. By the time passing, the waves were becoming more and more powerful. So why had he jumped?

Your legs moved on its own, running towards the rock. Too busy with the weird boy, you didn't even hear your phone ringing.

The rocks created like a stair that drove you in that same spot the boy was standing. However, you still needed to do some climbing. Standing there, you were battling with yourself to go or not.

Yes won, and your fingers wrapped around the rocks. You congratulated yourself for taking off your shoes, because you would slip otherwise. Deep breaths and trembling hands. You could easily fall off any second.

"Ah!" The edge of your skirt got stuck into some rocks, and the material got torn. You considered it as one of the most important items in your closet, and you tore it down.

All that for that boy.

At the edge of the rock, a chilly wind went by. You could see everything from up here. Where the ocean began and where it stopped. The numerous fishes swimming around the water. And the boy's face.

He wouldn't look at you, even if he was the one to take you here. His eyes were closed as he enjoyed the cold water tickling his skin. A smile was on his lips, feeling the chills of the thrill.

"Get out! It's dangerous!" The boy looked up once he heard your voice. Seeing you in that state excited him. Dirty clothes that were stuck on your body, your skirt torn at the edges, and your hair a mess. The cute high ponytail you had done was falling low against your shoulder.

He didn't reply. Instead, he gave you a smile, enjoying the water. You scoffed at how he ignored you, anger building up in your core.

You had to leave. But now you felt scared. The road till here seemed easier than going it down. Sitting down, you began dragging yourself towards the exit.

One foot, another one. You were doing good. Till you felt your right arm giving up. In seconds, you had lost all your balance. The thousand thoughts you had made now had disappeared, and your heart beat had raised high.

It was either you die, or have serious injuries. Why did you follow him? You shouldn't have followed that boy. Now you would walk back home with your mother, safe from everything else.

This village and its people were weird.

And as you were ready to hit into the rocks, a hand wrapped around your waist. It stopped your movement, raising you up on your feet instead. God didn't want you to die after all.

Or maybe, that boy in front of you was the one who wanted you alive.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

A week had passed since the incident. After the boy saved you, he went and jumped back into the sea. You tried to once again call out for him. Shouting warnings that he ignored.

When you returned home, you saw your upset parents running around. They were looking for you.

"Don't ever leave like that!" Your mother yelled, punching lightly your left arm. You excused your state, saying you went to see the sea. Not a single mention of the strange boy.

Today was your first day in high school.

You shared texts with your old friends, which you dreamed this day with. Even to them, you didn't talk about that crazy boy. After that day, you never saw him again.

Till today at least.

He was sitting in the back of the classroom, right next to the window. He was the only one with dyed hair, and you wondered why would he be the expectation. Was he something important?

"We also have a student that came from Tokyo. It is Y/L Y/N, right?" The teacher asked, and you raised your hand. You hated him for that. Starting your year here, you wanted to blend in with the others. But the teacher had made sure to divert you.

"From Tokyo?" — "I have heard people from Tokyo are very snob." — "Yes, she probably thinks she is better than us." — "But she is cute tho. How many days do you give me till I kiss her?"

Whispers from here and there. Some being hateful comments and some other from stupid boys who think they can have a change with you. Everyone was looking at you. All the attention was on you.

Expect from that boy's.

"Riki, don't you think she is pretty?" The boy who was sitting in front of him asked. Riki was still looking out of the window, not caring about your presence here.

You were anxious, thinking he might reveal your first meet with him. He finally turned his gaze away from the window, looking at his friend. You swallowed a hard knot down your neck, still waiting.

Your eyes met, and yours turned at the front. Yet, you didn't lose the smirk he gave you. "Nah, she is average. It's just that she is new here. Wait one week and none will remember her."

"Woah, there." His friend was left big-eyed by his harsh words. He turned towards you, giggling awkwardly. He hoped you hadn't heard Riki's words, but you had. And your heart dropped, messing up your mood for the rest of the day.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

The bell rang, indicating it was time for lunch. Placing your pink lunch box on your desk, your eyes wondered around. You didn't want to eat alone. Back in Tokyo, you had tons of friends to accompany you.

Now, none was glancing in your direction. They think you are prideful and rude because you come from Tokyo. But that wasn't true.

You wanted to meet everyone. Every single one of them. Even Nishimura Riki.

"Y/L, want to sit with us?" A girl patted your shoulder, and you turned around. She was a very petite girl, with short brown hair. You looked at where her finger was pointing to see another girl waving at you.

Those two girls were kind enough to accept you. Giving them a smile, you nodded eagerly your head. Their desk was at the back of the class, next to Riki's one.

While walking there, you noticed Riki didn't have food with him. He continued looking out of the window, pushing everyone who tried to talk to him. Like he did to you.

Your smile dropped, feeling pity for the blonde boy. Even if his behaviour was rude, you felt a thrill for him. A thrill where you hadn't even felt in Tokyo.

"Woah, Y/N! You eat very little." One of them said, her eyes wide while looking at your lunch box. People here were different. They didn't care about their appearance as much as in Tokyo. And honestly, you felt safer here.

"It's a lip gloss that has gone very viral, but I can't remember the brand."

"Oh, I want that too! But shops here for sure won't have it."

"I wish I lived in Tokyo instead, like Y/L. There I could find it everywhere and cheaper." The two girls began talking, the major topic of their conversation a lip gloss.

You couldn't even hear them as they explored the new trends in make-up. Your attention was on Riki. The boy had stood up, his gaze leaving the window. Then he looked at you before he ran out of the classroom.

It was just like one week ago at the sea. He had given you the same long gaze before disappearing. But, he always waited for you to catch up to him.

The same thing happened today. You soon found yourself chasing after him. The girls behind you were frozen in place, confused about where you were going. They probably wouldn't talk to you again after that. Yet you had to follow Riki.

He was standing outside of the classroom's door, waiting for you. When he heard your panting, he began running again. And you both ran and ran among the other students. Till he arrived at his destination.

There was a lake. Hidden between the wide leaves of the trees, just behind the school. Riki sat in front of the lake. His legs crossed against his chest, and then he placed his hands on his knees. You copied his position, sitting next to him.

It was peaceful. The waters flowed very fast, but they were calm. Small red fishes swam around, splashing a few drops of water on you. Giggles left your mouth, and Riki turned to look at you.

You didn't look back, even if you could feel his eyes on you. Instead, you leaned forward to splash water on the fishes. More giggles left your mouth when the fishes quickly swam away, scared of the human hand.

"You really are weird." Riki whispered, his eyebrows furrowed. Your smile didn't drop at his mean remark. You turned towards him, and your head went to rest on your hands.

"Well, aren't you also?" Riki's stone cold expression stayed the same. Expect of his parted lips, taking in your beautiful futures. He licked them, coating them with his glittering saliva.

"You don't get to call me weird, Tokyo girl."

"My name is Y/N Y/L, not Tokyo girl."

"Alright Tokyo girl." You puffed your cheeks at him, while he seemed to enjoy angering you. A small smirk sat on his face, and your expression changed. Your cheeks started heating up, and you turned your head to the other side.

"You are seriously annoying."

"Not as much as you."

"Shut up!" You replied, and you both started laughing. And the sound of his laugh was everything you needed. It sent shivers down your spine, and you felt his laugh in every inch of your skin.

You were already falling in love with him.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

One month in the village and you had forgotten about Tokyo. Because Tokyo didn't have Riki.

"Wait, Riki!" You shouted, trying to run as fast as you could with your sandals. On the other hand, the boy was laughing at you. He was landing from rock to rock, while your road to catch up to him was still too long.

The destination was that sea, where you and Riki met for the first time. The air had still the same smell of salt and fish. It was like you could see that day replaying in your mind.

"Come and catch me, Tokyo girl!" He was at the edge of the rock, his back turned to the sea. Your eyes got big, predicting his next move. You didn't want to dive into the sea. It scared you.

"Riki, I am not going in!" You informed him, and he giggled. He was waiting for you instead of jumping. His hands opened wide, and a smirk on his face.

"Riki?" You whispered, finally standing in front of him. One month here and your style had changed. In Tokyo, you only wore skirts. Now your legs were covered in blue shorts.

When Riki saw your shorts, he smirked wide. Nothing had prepared you for his next words. "Better now, the other times with those skirts of yours, I could see your panties. Not that I am complaining-"

"Riki!" You shouted, becoming red from embarrassed. He was at the edge of the rock, and you found your change for revenge. Your hands pushed his chest as hard as they could, throwing him in the water.

However, your plan failed when his open arms wrapped around your body. A scream left your mouth, falling in the water along with the boy. You were afraid of the sea, but his strong hug comforted you.

"Ah, h-help." Riki was deep in the water, while your head had come to the surface. In such deep waters, you couldn't swim. You thew your hands here and there, but the water dragged you down.

"R-riki!" Your mouth had filled with water, and Riki was still underneath the waves. Your heart beat raised and your hands became numb. You had reached your limit.

Until Riki finally appeared. Wrapping his hands around your waist, he pushed your body up along with him. Your hands flew to his shoulders and repeated coughs escaped your lips.

Riki even noticed your red eyes. Probably tears of fear. How could you be so dump? He was just joking. But he admitted that he didn't know you couldn't swim.

"Stop laughing!" You cried out at the laughing boy, hitting his shoulders. "I hate you!"

"Huh?" Riki smirked, perceiving your words as a challenge. You stopped moving, noticing Riki's eyes falling on your lips. It was now that you realized how close your faces were. Your eyes got wide, and a pink shade painted your fluffy cheeks.

"I bet you do, Tokyo girl." Riki crashed his lips on yours. Salt mixing with his and your saliva. You had imagined so many times how his lips would feel. They always looked so plump and moist. Each time he licked them, sinful thoughts crossed your head.

And now they were becoming reality. His hands brought you closer and your lips parted in surprise. When he found the change, he tried to slip his tongue in. However, you wouldn't allow this that soon.

"R-riki!" Your hands pushed on his chest, breaking the kiss. His hands were still around your waist, worried to let you go. But he would never admit this, not even to himself.

Because he didn't deserve to be loved by a person like you.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

"You are a monster!" The drunk man yelled, throwing a bottle right at his child's trembling body. Fortunately, Riki was able to dodge it. However, the tiny pieces of glass that exploded when it fell on the floor went back to him.

A scream left the young boy's mouth. Looking at his skeleton-like arm, a piece had pierced his skin, blood running down his white clothes. The words from his father's mouth replayed in his mind.

'You are a monster. You are a monster. You are a monster.'

He was a monster.

"You killed my wife! Now I am alone because of you!" He had drank a lot. The smell of alcohol from his breath was enough strong to hit Riki's nose, who was meters away from him.

He was talking nonsense. His mother died right after she birthed Riki. The child knew deep down that it wasn't his fault, but his father's words were too powerful.

He was trying to think instead his grandmother's words. She had taken him for the first four years of his life because of his father's depression and alcoholism. However, after she died, the kid was left alone.

Not having any other relative alive, he ended up with his father. None knew the man's true face. Neither cared to learn it, since he was sitting all the time in his home.

"Ah, that's it. Go away, now!" He placed his hand on his chest, panting. He had gotten tired, but Riki whished he would die instead. The kid was only five when he began praying for his father's death. Maybe after that, there would be good people who would adopt him.

Anything to get away from him.

Yet now he is sixteen, and the man is still alive. Riki returns home at midnight, when his father is sleeping. Until then, he wonders around. School or not, he always stands up early.

He wanted friends. He really wanted some. But who in their right mind would want a monster like him?

Oh, he had forgotten about you.

"Riki!" You shouted, your usual dumb smile decorating your face. He was sitting on a road near your house. It was rare to see him out of the sea, but you didn't mind. You liked the sea only because it reminded you of Riki.

"Again you."

"Yes." You said, showing off your teeth. However, the smile dropped when you noticed what he was holding. "Wait, you smoke?"

"Sometimes. But don't tell anyone. Let it be our secret, alright?" Riki smirked, leaning closer to your face. But, you pushed yourself away once you saw the smoke exiting his mouth.

"I, um, I have to ask you something." Suddenly, your cheeks became red. You looked down at your lap, playing with your fingers. Riki could sense what was coming, and he smirked at your nervousness.

"Um, are we dating?"

"No." He replied, leaving you wide-eyed. The cigarette touched again his skin, and his mouth wrapped around it. Taking a big sip, he left the grey smoke to fill his lungs.

"Then why did you kiss me?" You asked, dragging yourself closer to him to make him face you. His eyes watched the endless road, not caring about your flustered state.

"Because I felt like it."

"And what? You kiss any girl with whom you feel you like it?!" Riki threw his cigarette down. Then the same hand which held his cigarette gripped the right side of your face. Now he was finally facing you. But his face was too close, like the time he had kissed you.

"What does it matter? Do you like me?" His words left you frozen in place. This boy had no shame. Your eyes left his, locking down on the road again. "Reply to me."

"And If I did, then what?" You replied, puffing your cheeks. A giggle escaped from Riki's mouth at your cuteness. No, he shouldn't. You were a caring and a sensitive girl. He was a monster.

"Then you should stop because nothing will happen." He said, turning back to the front. Images of what your face could look like right now filled his mind. He was trying to shake them away, but he couldn't.

His eyes popped wide open when he heard your silent sobs.

You were crying. Because of him. Because he rejected you. It was the first time someone was crying for him, and Riki felt happy. He was ignoring you, being mean to you, so why would you?

"Are you dumb?" His one hand went again on your face, and his finger squeezed your cheeks together. You were crying, and he was enjoying it. It was the first time you had seen him smirk that wide.

"Leave me alone!" You tried to push Riki's wrist away, but his hand stayed firm on your face. His eyes went to your hand that was wrapped around his. He grew to like your touch.

"Riki! I said take your hand away-" His hug cut you off. Riki brought your face to his chest, and before you could leave, his hands wrapped around you. "W-what?" You whispered, his hands bringing you closer to him.

"Only for a minute." He said when you went to pull away. "Only for little." Riki repeated, and your hands hesitantly wrapped around his figure. He was saying all those things to you before, and now he was acting so affectionately.

This wasn't the Riki you had met. This was the real one. The real Nishimura Riki.

You both stayed like this for longer than a minute. The roads were empty, and the sun was going down. It felt like it was only the two of you in this world.

Riki and you. But this wouldn't last for long.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

It was afternoon. Riki had promised to wait for you by the sea, but he wasn't there. You had even packed snacks for him, because he didn't eat a lot. You wondered why his mother didn't pack lunch for him. Yet it doesn't matter, he has you.

You knocked on his door. It was embarrassing for you to go around and ask where the Nishimuras lived, but you did. And now you were standing outside of Riki's door. None was answering, and you didn't have his contact too.

"Y-yes?" Finally, someone opened the door. It was a man, most likely his father. He was extremely skinny with facial hair. His voice was deep, like he had just woken up.

Maybe after all, it was a bad idea for you to come here.

"I am sorry if I am annoying you, but is Riki here?" From the moment he opened the door, he seemed out of it. His eyes were barely open, and his thin legs were too weak to hold up his body. However, when he heard his son's name, something woke up in him.

"That damn kid. Why would anyone want to see that kid?!" He suddenly started yelling, making you jump in fear. You took some steps back, but he walked closer to you either way.

"I am sorry, I am going now-"

"He is a monster! None loves him!" The man grabbed your right shoulder, his nails digging into your skin. It was the first time you felt that frightened. That man couldn't be his father.

But this also explained a lot. Why he never missed school, and why he never had lunch. And why he never went home.

And as he was about to hit you, a hand stopped him.

"Riki?" The blonde boy grabbed his father's hand, pushing him behind. His weak body fell on the floor, and Riki went to sit on top of him. He landed punches on him. On his father.

"Riki stop! Riki!" After you saw the sensitive Riki, now you were seeing the violent Riki. He had gotten so mad, his eyes were glittering. The punches wouldn't stop. He was getting out of hand.

"I said stop!" You rushed in between them. Riki had turned into an animal, into a real monster. Until he stopped when he locked eyes with you. His hand, which was first shaped into a punch, fell to his side.

And then, he grabbed your wrist. He left his father behind, screaming at you and Riki to come back. However, you had already run fast enough for his voice to fade.

Riki took you to the most special place, the sea. You didn't know why none came here to swim in such crystal waters. It was always you and Riki. Like this place was an imaginary one to your minds.

That day, he cried on your shoulder. He cried because he wasn't able to protect you; he cried that he was born into a family like that. He cried because whatever he did, he can never protect you.

And not protect you from his father, but from him.

Riki kissed you, and his tears sat on your lips. They were hot and salty, mixing with your own ones. At times like this, you needed each other's touch. It was your only comfort.

He took you to his storage. It was a small room in Riki's garden. There were gardening tools, but because none had used them in a while, they were covered in dust.

Your eyebrows frowned when you saw a small bed. You looked at Riki, whose eyes hadn't left you all this time you were looking around. "That's where you sleep?"

"Yes." He simply replied, stepping closer to you. Riki came so close that you could feel his hot breath hitting your neck. It tickled you, and you took some steps back.

"It's nice." You said, trying to break the ice. Your cheeks had started to heat up and your hands were sweaty. Riki came closer and closer. Until he pushed you into the bed.

Riki began kissing you roughly, slipping his tongue in your mouth. You felt something new build up in your body. Something good and warm, but it bothered you.

"I think I can help you with that." Riki smirked, marking your collarbone with his teeth. A sigh left your mouth at the new feeling, and your eyes closed.

That night, Riki drowned you in hugs and kisses. He kissed every little inch of your body, every scar and curve. It made you feel good and loved. You wanted to feel that thrill that Riki gave you every day. From head to toe.

After you finished, you adjusted your clothes and you exited the storage room. Riki had offered to walk you home, and a smile creeped your lips. He was so sweet. And only with you.

Yet, Riki was different when he got you home. You had both stopped at the front door, and he wouldn't let you leave. Every time you would try to walk away, he grabbed your wrist to pull you back.

"Riki, what has gotten into you?" He placed some strands of your hair behind your ear, and his lips went to your lips. He had given you all the love he had left inside his heart. But now, he was empty.

"Y/N, thank you." He said, and you furrowed.

"W-what do you mean?" You shuttered, noticing the emotion behind his eyes. He was sad. Was that because of what had happened with his father? Though seconds ago he was fine.

"Promise me you won't let that cheesy smile of yours fade?" His hand was caressing softly your cheek, and you felt like crying.

"W-why do you say all those things suddenly?"

"Just promise me." A sigh left your mouth, giggling.

"I promise." Riki smiled, and his hand pulled you into yet another kiss. This one was soft and long compared to his usual ones.

"Goodnight Riki!" You jumped away from his hands, walking back into your house.

"Goodbye, Y/N."

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*Time Skip*

The next day, Riki did not attend school. You watched the class' door, waiting for him to enter. But he never did.

"Do you know where Riki is?" You asked the boy who was sitting in front of him. You knew Riki didn't have friends, but the cheerful boy seemed to talk to him from time to time.

"You haven't heard? His father died at midnight. None knows where he is. He is probably grieving." Your eyes popped open at the news. Riki had told you that his father was not good, but he didn't mention that he actually had serious health problems.

"W-what? None knows where he is?"

"No." The boy replied, scratching the back of his neck. "The only thing we know is that his father motorbike misses. Now, I don't know if Riki was the one to take it."

The boy continued talking about nonsense you couldn't even hear. Your ears were ringing, thinking about yesterday. All those kisses, and all those promises. He knew.

He knew his father was going to die soon, and he was planning his escape.

Without you.

You started to run outside of the school. The teacher was yelling at you to come back, but his voice soon faded. Rushing towards the exit, you made your way outside. There were still a few students left talking about the same topic.

"I heard his son knew he would die and didn't ask for a doctor."

"He let his father die? How cruel."

"If I was his father, I would have drowned him at the cursed sea." The group of students started laughing. They were laughing at Riki's imaginary death.

They didn't know. None of them did. How his father abused him every day, and he was forced to sleep in a small storage. He hardly had a meal per day, and he was always wondering on the roads.

Wait, cursed sea? You went towards the group, joining them.

"What do you mean by cursed sea?" You gripped one of the male's shoulder. The students got surprised, seeing a crying girl suddenly join them like that.

"Um, you don't know? Everyone knows in our village that the Gods cursed the sea under the fish market. None swims there."

None expect Riki. And you. It wasn't fair; you had no idea. Riki knew about the cursed sea, but he didn't believe in things like that. Yet in a moment like this, it sounded true in your ears.

"Riki is innocent!" You blurted out, tears running down your cheeks like a river. "You have no idea how his father was, so why do you judge him?! He deserved to die, Riki deserves to live!"

The group was left with open mouths at your break down. Your mascara had dripped down your eyes, but the tears were so many that they cleared the stains. You felt like you couldn't breathe, and you clenched the cloth which was protecting your heart.

"Riki is good. You don't get to judge him! Get him out of your shitty mouths!" And after that, you ran and ran at the cursed sea.

It was the sea's fault. If you and Riki hadn't swum there, now you could be in his arms. He would trail kisses down your neck. And then, you would talk to him about your life in Tokyo, and he would listen. He always did.

You rushed down the stairs, but fell down on the last step. Your chin started bleeding, and your uniform teared. Maybe he is here. You were sure that he was swimming right now, forgetting his worries.

"Riki!" You screamed at the top of your lungs. Now he would come and save you. The tiny rocks underneath pierced your skin, and your blood painted some of them red.

You had to stand up. Go find him. He was here. You were sure he was here.

"Riki!" You screamed once again, hoping he will appear. The tears couldn't stop, all the memories coming like light in your mind. Your hands got shaped into fists, pushing on the hard ground.

'Why can't I stand up?'

"Why I can't fucking stand up?!" A female worker from the market heard your voice and walked down the stairs. Her jaw fell open when she saw you laying on the ground.

"Miss, are you alright?" She rushed down and leaned on your level. Putting her knees on the ground, she came face to face with you. That's when she noticed your red eyes, crying for your lover.

"No." You choked on your sob. "No, I am not."

After that she took you to the hospital. You had fallen unconscious from how much you were crying. They put you in the room ten, and you stayed there for a day.

Your mom was worried, your dad was worried. Everyone was worried. Yet your mind could only think of Riki. He had left you alone to chase his dream.

You didn't belong in his dream. But he belonged to yours.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．*One year later*

"It's summer. Do you think Riki might visit?" The brown-haired girl asked, sipping her orange juice. It was lunchtime, and you were sitting with her outside of school. There were some stone stairs next to the sinks. None was sitting there.

After Riki left, you wouldn't leave your bed. You were in a serious state, and when you returned to school, you were sure none would want to talk to you. None but the girl next to you. Your only friend after Riki.

"No, I don't think so." You replied, a smile creeping your lips. Every time someone mentioned Riki's name, you couldn't help the smile on your lips. A sad one, but still a smile. A better reaction than the one you had a year ago, at least.

"And? Are you happy about it?" She asked when she noticed your smile. At first she hesitated to talk to you about him, now though she had grown courage.

You weren't over him. You will never be. But at least you remembered him as a beautiful memory and not a painful one. Giggles left your mouth when you heard her question. The respond too obvious.

"Of course not. He was my first love, after all." Your legs were swinging back and forth, the smile never leaving your lips. "You know, he had told me a lot of times how much he wanted to leave. I thought he would get me too, but it's alright."

"Maybe it's better that way." You blurted out your deepest thoughts. She was the first person to hear them. "If he had taken me with him, it would be way harder for him to move on. I couldn't heal him, so I hope he can heal by himself."

"One last question." She said, biting her lower lip. "Why do you always sit by the sea? You know it's cursed, right?"

Your smile got wider, eager to reply to her last question. A laugh escaped your mouth at the thought of Riki hearing this. Oh, he would laugh at her face.

"Because he did. He loved sitting by the sea. If he returns, this will be the first place he will visit."

"And what if he never does?"

He won't come. You knew that. You had thought about such a day for this entire year, but it was only a fantasy.

"Then I will go find him."

__________________

A/N: I kinda wanted to end this with Riki coming back to get her. But I left it like this for more angst.

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invisibleanonymousmonsters · 2 years ago

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chapter x - gust & flame

Eris Vanserra x Reader

Eris Vanserra has been a prisoner in his own home since the day he was born. He has done what he had to in order to survive and protect the few he loves. And he is playing the long game. Waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right time to make his move, to usurp his wicked father and become High Lord of Autumn Court. But things become even more complicated when a human girl drops into his life. Perhaps Eris can wait no longer to take his throne.

Word Count: 3,800+

Warnings: negative reflections on sexual relationships, spoilers for entire ACOTAR series

masterlist

All of the servants and guards in the Forest House avoided any eye contact as Eris stomped down the halls. They could sense his foul mood. On days like this, Eris wondered if he was any better than his father with the way people feared him in this court.

Eris had gone hunting with his hounds in an attempt to cure his current disposition. But it had done very little to help him.

Even his mother had caught onto it this morning when they had tea and coffee.

“It’s her,” she had told him.

“What do you mean?” Eris bit back without meaning to.

But his mother had only smirked at him. “When one already feels the bond, being away from one’s mate for long periods of time can have…negative consequences.” She’d cleared her throat slightly. “Foul moods, easily irritated.”

“I’m fine,” Eris had tried to argue.

But now, as he glared at anyone and everyone in the Forest House, he knew his mother had probably been onto something.

The sun had just set, making the sky a glowing orange that only Autumn Court could manifest. When he walked into his bedchambers, the light from the window made it seem like the whole place was on fire. In a way, it always had been.

Eris ripped his leather riding gloves off and chucked them on the nearest table.

He poured himself some wine, already knowing it wouldn’t making him feel any better.

Eris poured himself a second glass already. He turned to the fireplace and snapped his finger, setting it alight instantly.

Just as he sat down, a piece of paper fell into his lap.

Eris’ stomach dropped for a moment, immediately imagining the worst. Had Y/N been hurt again? No, surely she hadn’t. He would’ve felt it.

Lucien wishes to meet with you tomorrow at dusk. The manor where the exiles reside. He’s met her. I think he knows who she is to you.

Eris swore at Rhysand’s meaning. Of all the days to receive such a letter…

The obvious instinct was to blow off his youngest brother’s request. Who did Lucien think he was, demanding such things from him?

But Eris knew that Lucien wouldn’t give up so easily. And if he ignored the meeting, it would most likely only answer his brother’s suspicions of who Y/N was.

Eris sighed and rubbed his face. Now he had to find a way to sneak out of Autumn Court without notice.

––––––––

Cassian and Nesta met at Y/N’s shop just as she was finished closing up.

“Hello!” Y/N greeted them cheerfully.

Nesta gave her a subtle smirk, while her mate beamed at her.

“Ready for some drinking and dancing?” Cassian asked.

Y/N nodded enthusiastically as she grabbed her coat. The keys to the store jingled in her hand as she practically skipped to the door.

The couple followed her outside, waiting patiently as she looked up the door of the shop.

When they got to pleasure hall, it was already bustling with people. And the energy was contagious.

Y/N smiled with delight.

Parties with such strangers was not something she’d ever really experienced. Yes, her coven would have seances and celebrate holidays. However, it never included anyone outside her coven. There was always drinking and dancing. But there was never the allure that you could meet a stranger at any moment.

“What will ya be havin’, Y/N?” Cassian asked just as she spotted their friends.

Feyre, Rhysand, Morrigan, and Azriel were tucked away at a corner booth, somewhat hidden in the darkest part of the pleasure hall.

Y/N still found it shocking that the High Lord and Lady of this court could live almost normally. Most people at Rita’s didn’t even acknowledge them. Some would do a double take, but then move on with their night.

“Who’s watching Nyx?” Y/N asked without thinking.

Since that terrifying day, she was always concerned about the toddler’s safety. Perhaps the boy was still in danger. After all, they still didn’t know who had attacked them. Was it Hybern, still fighting after the war? Another court?

Nesta answered with, “Elain and Amren…and obviously the twins are always hiding about.” Then she nudged Y/N’s arm. “Don’t worry. There’s a million wards on that River House. Rhys and Feyre would never leave his side if they felt he wasn’t completely safe.”

“Still, no one has given me their poison for this evening,” Cassian reminded them.

Y/N laughed as she said, “Wine, please.”

Nesta smirked and nodded. “I shall do the same.”

Cassian nodded, gave Nesta a kiss, and then went off to the bar.

As they walked to the table their friends were waiting at, Y/N asked Nesta, “Why didn’t Emerie and Gywn come?”

Nesta shrugged. “Emerie had to restock her store with new shipments. And Gwyn…she still struggles with crowds and new places.”

Y/N nodded in understanding. When she'd heard Gwyn’s story, her heart had broken. That was unfortunately true for all of the priestesses and others that joined their Valkyrie training. The hardships and heartbreak never ended.

Cassian returned with giant goblets of wine for both Nesta and Y/N.

And both of them barely drank half of them before Morrigan was dragging the females onto the dance floor.

Y/N giggled at the aggressiveness of it all. But it didn’t take much to convince her to dance. She loved it, after all.

She turned back to their booth to see that Cassian and Rhys were talking amongst themselves. But Azriel…Azriel was subtly watching them. No…not them. Her.

“He refuses to dance,” Morrigan muttered in her ear, obviously catching the two watching each other. She spun Y/N around and forced them to face one another. “It took me centuries just to get him to start coming here with me.”

“And Cassian?” Y/N asked Nesta with a laugh.

Nesta smirked mischievously. “He will make his way over as soon as he catches another male trying to dance with me.”

Y/N’s gaze moved to Feyre, who looked the least happy to be forced onto the dance floor.

“Rhys will do whatever his High Lady wishes,” Morrigan giggled.

“He is a better dancer than I ever could be,” Feyre admitted with a subtle blush to her cheeks.

Morrigan spun Y/N once again, making them both laugh.

“I need more wine,” Y/N admitted, skipping back to their table.

She once again shared a look with Azriel. The shadowsinger never failed to confuse her. Even the winds could tell her very little about him. He kept his secrets close, which made his mystery even more alluring to Y/N.

There was a part of her who wished to dare and ask him to dance with her – just to see what he would say.

But Azriel broke there connection as he looked over her shoulder at someone behind Y/N.

He didn’t exactly glare, because the shadow singer was much more controlled than that. But it was obvious he was watching someone he was not fond of.

“Who invited him?” Azriel asked evenly, trying to seem unfazed as he took a sip of wine.

Y/N turned around to discover that it was Lucien.

“I did,” she answered confidently, turning back around to defy the shadowsinger. Then raised a brow to Azriel, silently daring him to challenge the decision.

Azriel blinked, somewhat surprised.

But Y/N had already turned and rushed to Lucien with a welcoming smile.

“You came!”

Lucien smiled, not expecting her to be genuinely happy that he took her up on the invitation. “I told you I would.”

“Dance with me?” But Y/N didn’t really give him room to actually answer. Instead, she grabbed his wrist and brought him to the dance floor.

Y/N jumped and spun on her own.

It took her a few moments to realize Lucien was simply standing still and smirking at her.

“What?” She asked. “Don’t dance?”

The next second, the music slowed down. Everyone around her grabbed a partner and the rest took a break at their tables or went to the bar for more refreshments.

“I’m much better with a partner,” Lucien admitted, and offered his hand.

Y/N hesitated before taking it. “I don’t know…umm…f-formal dances.”

Lucien looked around at the other dancers surrounding them. “I don’t believe you’ll need to in such an establishment.”

Y/N did the same and realized most partners were just swaying and stepping.

“Do you like dancing?” Lucien asked her quietly.

“I do. Though I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since I did it. My…c-coven used to dance around bonfires, under every full moon.” She smirked before adding, “Naked.”

“You are trouble…” Lucien shook his head, trying to hide his smile. “And where is this coven now?”

“Dead,” Y/N said lightly, the wine clearly refusing to let the subject bring her down.

She needed to dance after all.

Lucien's movements stumbled, but his hands were still on her. He gave her a genuine sympathetic look, “I’m so very sorry.”

Y/N shrugged. “I know I’m not the only one who has suffered great loss…”

The song was over and the next one was back to its high energy. And their small moment of vulnerability was over.

In its place, there was a strange tension between the two of them.

Y/N bowed her head, no longer meeting his gaze.

“I-I-I’m going to get more wine,” she mumbled before leaving Lucien alone on the dance floor and hurrying to the bar.

As the night went on, Y/N got drunker and drunker.

The anxiety of bringing Lucien was forcing her to drink more than she had planned on. But she also couldn’t remember the last time she let herself go and just…have fun. She was always on the run, always in danger. And being drunk was not a way to survive – it was irresponsible.

If her drunkenness was obvious, none of her friends seemed to mind. Cassian danced with her, and then Mor or Nesta would steal here away.

Late into the night, they were all taking a break at the booth when Morrigan giggled and told Y/N, “Some handsome males have their eyes on you…”

If she was telling the truth, Y/N hadn’t noticed.

So, she just laughed too and took a quick sip of wine.

“Will you not talk to any of them?” Nesta asked.

Y/N was too busy feeling her face get red and staring into her goblet of wine to see that the rest of the table was giving Mor warning looks. She was entering dangerous territory.

But Y/N just shrugged at the question and became somewhat bashful.

“Do you not enjoy the company of men?” Mor pushed.

Clearly, she hadn’t noticed the subtle look from their friends to stop. In fact, for all Mor knew, she and Y/N were having a private conversation.

Y/N’s face scrunched in honest consideration. “I-I’ve had my fair share of lovers during my travels – with mortal men,” she clarified.

Then she sputtered, spitting out laughter at herself for using the word ‘lovers’.

“Lovers,” Y/N repeated her own words in a giggle. “As if they were even worthy of the title.”

Y/N’s face suddenly became somewhat sober, twisting into something almost sad.

Her eyes grew distant. “It never really ended up feeling how I wanted it to. I was always left feeling…used.”

She let out a drunken, huff of a laugh. “So I stopped bothering…”

After a few moments of silence from her friends, Y/N finally lifted her gaze and realized everyone at the table was looking at her.

Y/N blinked, now realizing what she had just admitted to her friends.

Feyre, Mor, and Nesta looked back at her with sympathy.

But then Y/N’s gaze shifted to the males.

Cassian appeared sad. Rhysand and Lucien, both disgusted. But Azriel…Azriel looked…almost furious.

And every second, Y/N regretted saying anything at all.

Mor saved her as she dragged here away from the table and everyone's reactions, “Come, let us get back to dancing!”

After a few songs, Y/N started to notice the stares of those males Mor had been referencing. They were all handsome. Perhaps all in their own way, but still handsome.

“I would like to believe that a few centuries of immortality has made male faes much better lovers,” Mor whispered in her ear when she caught Y/N looking.

The witch smirked, not breaking eye contact with one of them.

He was tall, with blonde hair so light that it was almost white. It was cut shorter on the sides and longer on top. His eyes were an icy blue. He had a strong jaw, a wide mouth, and almost perfect lips.

He was definitely more beautiful than any man Y/N had ever let touch her.

Y/N started stepping towards him.

He seemed pleased with her approach, standing up straighter.

“Hello,” she cooed, sounding surprisingly sober.

“Hello,” he greeted in return. Then he tilted his head, slowly looking her up and down. “They tell me you are the witch.”

The witch. Not a witch. Had she already gained some sort of reputation in Velaris?

“The witch has a name,” she answered with a narrowed gaze. “Y/N.”

“My apologies, Y/N. I meant no offense. I only bring it up because I started to believe you were casting some sort of spell on all the poor and helpless males in this pleasure hall.”

Oh, he just had to be charming, too. Didn’t he?

“My names Donton,” he added with a smirk.

Just as Y/N was about to ask Donton to take her somewhere private, the males gaze darkened and he eyed someone over her shoulder.

“Y/N, time to go,” a deep voice said behind her.

Her face dropped with annoyance as she turned to face Azriel.

“I never said anything about going home,” Y/N curtly told him.

“Cassian and Nesta just left. I am your only way home.”

“I don’t believe she had any interest in going home,” Donton cut in.

Y/N was impressed by his boldness. She had seen how people reacted to Azriel. Most feared him. But really, they just didn’t understand him.

Azriel ignored the male.

But he stepped closer to Y/N and lowered his voice as he said, “You are drunk, Y/N. And it is time to go.”

Y/N squared up with him, but she knew there was no winning. Azriel wouldn’t make a scene, but she could fully expect him to drag her into his shadows and whisk her to the other side of Velaris. And her pride wouldn’t allow such a thing.

So, she turned back to Donton.

“Perhaps another night,” she told him gently, trying not to appear embarrassed.

He gave her a polite bow of his head. “Any night that you wish, Y/N.”

She was grateful that he wasn’t deterred by the overprotective Illyrian spymaster.

But as Y/N turned to leave, she shouldered Azriel hard. Even though she knew it hurt her more than it could ever hurt him.

The rest of the group had left, except Mor, who now talked to a group of females at a different table.

As soon as they were outside, the brisk night air woke Y/N up a bit.

She turned around and got into Azriel’s face. “Am I a grown woman?”

Azriel blinked. And his shadows hid behind his shoulders.

Y/N stepped even closer. “I asked you: Am I a grown woman?”

“Yes,” he finally answered evenly.

“Then you are not my nanny. I may do as I wish,” Y/N huffed and shoved past him again to march onward.

He called out, “Where are you going?”

“Back to the House of Wind,” she growled over her shoulder without stopping.

But then Y/N was suddenly picked up and launched into the air, yelping with surprise.

“You bastard!” She snapped at him, trying to wiggle out of his hold before they got too high.

The Illyrian had the audacity to smirk at her outrage and flapped his wings harder, making them launch even higher at a speed she didn’t appreciate.

As soon as they landed at the House of Wind, Y/N shoved her way out of his arms and started stomping away.

“Y/N, wait,” Azriel called out to her gently.

For some reason, she did as he asked and turned to look at him expectantly.

“I did not mean to embarrass you. After what you said tonight…” his words died out. “You had a lot of wine and I didn’t want you to regret your actions.”

Y/N wanted to still be angry. But Azriel’s eyes were soft and only filled with concern. “Perhaps you are right…about the wine. But I am not yours to publicly claim. I am a free woman – and I’ve spent my whole life making sure it stays that way.”

Azriel gave a final nod. “I understand. I am sorry, Y/N.”

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment longer before she finally continued on to her bedroom.

–🍁–🍁–🍁–

Eris knocked on the arched, wooden door of the manor. Surely Lucien would’ve sensed his arrival. But his brother wasn’t the only one who resided here.

Lucien was swift in answering.

He took one look at his eldest brother and said, “You look like shit.”

Eris wanted to bite back even harsher. But he knew his brother was only speaking the truth. His mother was right: staying away from his unbounded mate was starting to take a toll on him.

But instead, Eris snapped, “You do not understand how much you put at risk, asking for such impromptu meetings.”

No greeting. No pleasantries.

Lucien glared. “Would you have preferred that I write a letter inquiring about your mate, one that could easily be intercepted by our father?”

Eris flexed his right hand, immersing it in dangerous flames. Without any invitation, Eris pushed his way into the manor by grabbing hold of Lucien’s collar and shoving him back.

Lucien scoffed at such an attack. “So it is true…she is your mate.”

“I said nothing of the sort,” Eris growled.

However, Lucien didn’t look victorious from discovery the truth of Y/N.

Instead, his face dropped as he asked, “Why did you go to the Night Court? Why not come to me?”

Eris finally let go of his brother and put out his fire. “Last I heard, you were an emissary for the same court…” His eyes looked around the entry hall of the manor. “Or is this your home now, brother? Truly, I can’t keep track of where your loyalties lie any longer.”

Lucien ignored the passive insults directed towards him and brushed off invisible dirt from his outfit.

“Do you not find it ironic that you call this place home? This manor that was gifted to all of you by your mate’s once-fiancé?”

Eris was bating his brother now, trying to get the attention off himself.

“So this is your plan?” Lucien asked. “To hide her forever?”

There was no use in pretending Y/N was anything else to Eris. Lucien would not be fooled by any lies.

Eris’ glare tore into his brother. “You of all people should understand what would happen if I did anything else.”

“Yes, and I recall being forced to watch as you did nothing,” Lucien hissed.

Eris surprised them both by bellowing, “I could not save you both!”

Lucien froze as he watched his brother take in quick and heavy breaths.

“I chose my brother,” Eris declared. “And I would do it again.”

Lucien stared in disbelief.

Tamlin had never shared if Eris had helped him escape Autumn Court on that dreadful day. And perhaps Lucien just didn’t want to believe it. Maybe he had to convince himself that there was nothing left for him in Autumn Court – except his mother, who remained a prisoner with no chance of escaping.

“What are you truly mad about, Lucien? That I’m protecting her in a way you failed to so with your lover…or because all of this might be proving that I’m the not the monster you have conjured up in your head?”

Lucien was speechless.

“If Beron would torture one of his son’s lovers for merely being Lesser Fae,” Eris paused, feeling sick at the thought. “What do you think he would do to my mortal mate?”

But Lucien didn’t need to answer, because they both already knew.

“You were more of a father to me than that bastard ever was,” Lucien pointed out. “Yet, you have hunted me just the same as the others.”

“I have done what I must,” was all Eris responded with.

Lucien should’ve known better than to try and get his eldest brother to admit to even slightly caring about him.

Instead, he decided to truly take his brother in, noting the deep shadows under his eyes and the less than perfect posture. “I’ve seen what happens when two mates are separated…”

“We are not mated. And she is oblivious to the bond,” Eris corrected.

“Perhaps,” Lucien shrugged. “But you also should not feel the bond so strongly with a mortal. And she is more than that: she is a powerful and gifted witch.”

Eris had reached his tipping point. “I will take my leave now.”

“She has opened a store,” Lucien quickly added. “In Velaris. She’s helping them with injuries and ailments, both of the body and mind. Already they have started to adore her.”

Eris tried to control his heart, to stop it from quickening as he heard more about his forbidden mate.

So, he responded with a harsh, “Good. Night Court will truly become her home.”

But Lucien wasn't done yet. “Cassian tells me that she is training with the Valkyrie now. Apparently, she has quite the talent with the bow,” he added with a smirk.

Eris stored such information, but said nothing.

He reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, slapping it to his brother’s chest as he walked to the door.

A letter from their mother.

“Did you read it?” Lucien asked, only somewhat concerned.

“I don’t have to,” Eris muttered. “I already know you are her favorite.”

Lucien had followed as his brother walked outside the manor.

“Eris,” he called.

The eldest Vanserra almost didn’t stop to turn around, almost winnowed away without hearing his brother’s final words.

But he paused and gave Lucien an impatient look.

“Whatever your plan is…do not underestimate our father. You may fool everyone else into believing you are equal in evil. But I know you better than you realize. He will not give up his throne without bloodshed.”

Eris didn’t respond, only winnowing away.

–––––––

OK. I was really excited about this chapter.

I also have had a terrible past week, so please write nice comment, reblogs, and book report message. 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

chapter xi

#eris vanserra #gust & flame #acotar #a court of thorns & roses #eris acotar #eris vanserra x reader #eris x reader #lucien vanserra #autumn court #inner circle #night court #azriel #nesta archeron #feysand #morrigan #cassian #rita's #velaris

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after-witch · 1 year ago

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Horrorfest: The Dead Speak [Smiling Man x Reader]

Title: The Dead Speak [Smiling Man x Reader]

Synopsis: Your mom always told you not to play with Ouija boards. Maybe you should have listened.

For Horrorfest request: A party game seance of ouija board. Nothing seems to happen, maybe the vibes change a little, but not much else. Until they are walking home and encounter a very friendly lost young gentleman.

Word count: 2210

notes: references to dead people and ghosts, reader is drinking/tipsy

You were the only one who didn’t want to play with the Ouija board. Not because you had some deep-rooted belief in them, not really; you’d never encountered spirits or accidentally summoned a demon or anything like that after pulling out the Hasbro mass market produced party game.

But your mom had believed in them. She refused to let you bring one in the house, had adamantly reminded you before every childhood sleepover--”Absolutely no Ouija boards, my sweetness--and had even told one of your friends that they had to leave their mall-bought Ouija board hair bow in the car before they came inside for dinner.

No one else here seemed to have the same qualms, parent-induced or not, so you shrugged at being the odd one out and didn’t raise a fuss. Especially since the party was almost over, and all that remained were you, the host, and a few stragglers.

It was Halloween night, after all--people just wanted to have fun.

Which in this case meant the party host running around the house and shutting off all the lights while someone else dug out a bag of unused tea candles and began to light them. It wasn’t the brightest--no pun intended--idea. A fire hazard, for sure. Especially since most of the guests had already tackled the spiked apple cider and ghost-shaped jello shots, which were currently warming up your belly.

But you’d be damned if the candles didn’t make everything look dim and spooky. Your mind felt fuzzy from the darkness and the booze as you settled down with the group in the living room, scooting on your butt up to the coffee table where the board had been set up.

“Everyone knows how it works, right?” The host asked. Her deep red lipstick was smeared--from drinking or kissing--and she’d tossed aside her witch hat a while back.

Of course you knew. Everyone knew. You put your fingers on the planchette and pretended that you weren’t moving it around while people asked questions. Inevitably someone would accuse another person of moving it and the fun would eventually dissipate. Or so you’d seen at slumber parties, while you dutifully sat on the bed and finished painting your nails or simply watched, hugging a pillow, wondering if it was betraying your mom to play with Ouija outside the house.

That was when you were a kid, though. There was no deep-rooted feeling of betrayal now as you rested two fingers on the planchette. Only a vague sense of giddiness, spurned on by the alcohol, by the very existence of Halloween night.

“Is there a spirit in the room with us?” The host asked softly.

Was it your imagination, or did the candles flicker? They seemed dimmer, somehow. Probably because they were cheap tea lights.

And then the planchette moved--probably the host, you thought--towards the most obvious (and fun) option:

YES.

Someone giggled. You snorted, and wondered how many jello shots were left on the counter. You were going to walk home, anyway.

“Who are you?”

“What if it’s a demon?” Someone asked. You couldn’t quite tell whose voice was coming from where in the dark. And you didn’t know everyone at the party, anyway, aside from the host and a few people who’d already left.

“Then we’ll ask him politely yet firmly to leave,” you said, giving your best Hank HIll impression. One person laughed, so at least someone here appreciated your ability to reference an unholy amount of TV shows or movies at the drop of a hat.

But the planchette didn’t slide across the letters DEMON. Instead, it shifted towards three letters in slow succession.

M...O…M.

Something queasy turned over in your gut. The spiked cider and sub sandwich that had been sitting out too long, probably.

“Is anyone’s mom dead?” The host asked, then immediately gasped. “Oh fuck, sorry, that was shitty to say.” She glanced at you sheepishly. Your cheeks heated up and your stomach turned sour again.

Your mom was dead. But you probably weren’t alone, even in a small group. Cancer was a bitch and it took a lot of people, didn’t it? Ah well. You brushed aside that sour feeling and reminded yourself that your friend was drunk.

She cleared her throat. “Whose mom are you?”

The planchette started to move. The sound of the plastic moving over the cardboard was thin and dragging, like someone scraping their nails down a box.

Letter by letter, the planchette spelled your name.

You took your hands off the planchette and felt words fly freely out of your loose, alcohol-tinged lips.

“That’s really fucked up. Are you kidding me? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

The host--your friend, if you would even call her that anymore--put her own hands up in defense. Everyone else slowly let their fingers fall away from the planchette, watching the exchange between you two in awkward silence.

Party over.

“I swear to God I’m not moving it. I’m sorry, fuck, you know I wouldn’t do that. I swear to God I didn’t.”

You scooted back from the table and stood up. You felt sober, suddenly, even though your spinning head from getting up too quickly said otherwise.

“Whatever. I’m out. This is just mean.” You shook your head, ignoring your friend’s protests--

And that’s when the planchette started moving again.

Slowly. Letter by letter. With no one’s hands on the damn thing.

“What the hell?” Someone asked.

You didn’t want to look. You wanted to get out of here. It was a sick prank, that’s what it was. But the planchette kept moving, and finally someone leaned over and began to sound out the letters, until they formed a sentence.

A sentence that made your bowels clench so hard you thought you would piss yourself.

I TOLD U NEVER TO PLAY WITH OUIJA BOARDS

It couldn’t be. This was sick. This was wrong.

This was…

“Mom?”

The words left your lips soft and shaky. You weren’t sure anyone else heard them.

But then the awful planchette slid across the board again, and someone read the letters until they made sense; terrible, horrifying sense.

ABSOLUTELY NO OUIJA BOARDS, MY SWEETNESS

My sweetness. A nickname only your mom had called you growing up. She called you that to her last breath, wheezing and agonized.

You leaned over and immediately retched onto the carpet, blobs of bright green jello mingling with chewed up pieces of Italian sub. Before anything else could be said, by the board or the guests, you ran, barely stopping to snatch your purse from the entryway, leaving as fast as your shaking legs could carry you.

The streets were dark and mostly empty. It was long past time for kids to be in bed, stomachs filled with chocolate and piles of Skittles, parents picking out their favorite candies to hide in the cupboard. All that was left were the late night party-goers walking home in varying states of disarray, carrying heels in their hands or making jokes too loudly in the startling darkness of the night.

And then there was you, head buzzing, stomach reeling, walking home after a Ouija board apparently contacted the spirit of your dead mother.

“Excuse me?” A man called out behind you.

You jumped, and slid your hands into your purse to wrap your fingers around your keys. You knew it wasn’t going to do much, but it would do something, if it came to that.

You slowly turned around, grip on your keys tighter than ever, and saw a young man wearing a skeleton hoodie and sweatpants.

He looked befuddled. He looked, more specifically, lost.

And he also looked… familiar. Was he at the party? You squinted, trying to clear your head. He might have been. Did he follow you to see if you were okay?

You definitely knew him from somewhere, but you couldn’t quite place him.

Still, your fingers reflexively gripped your keys. He glanced down at your hands, then took a step back and put his own hands up where you could see they were empty.

“Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” He grinned a little, and shook his head. “I’m just completely lost and was wondering if you could help me. I didn’t bring my phone out tonight. Trying to live in the moment, you know?”

You swallowed, tasting the remnants of bile. Something about him, really--it was itching at the back of your scalp. Did he go to the same college? Maybe you saw him on campus. Or maybe he really had been at your friend’s house and you just didn’t remember.

“Um,” you said. “Were you at the party?”

He tilted his head a little, and smiled boyishly.

“Not quite.”

Well, that wasn’t an answer. Your fingers loosened on the keys, though, as your heart rate returned to something like normal and you figured if he was going to try something, he’d have done it already.

You blinked at him for a moment and then remembered what he said. “Oh! Uh, where were you trying to go? I can use my Google Maps if you want.”

It was hard to see from the streetlights, but you could swear there was a twinkle in his eye when you said that. Shit, maybe you were drunker than you thought.

You fished your phone from your purse and after a few unsuccessful swipe attempts, brought up Google Maps.

But… it wouldn’t load. That was weird. You didn’t have any bars--also weird--but you downloaded the local map just in case your 5G ever shit the bed. But the map wouldn’t load. It simply displayed a blank black and gray space in night time mode, refusing to let you bring up directions.

“Uhh,” you mumbled. “My phone is absolutely not working.”

He didn’t look phased. He simply shrugged. “That’s okay. I actually live off Main Street, it’s one of those split houses… yellow and red and--”

“I know where that is!” You blurted. Then covered your mouth, messy lipstick and all. “I mean. If you want, I can walk you there. Unless you’d rather go alone, and I can just give you directions.”

“You seem pleasant enough company,” is all he said. And you ought to have thought about that more, because it was a really strange way to phrase things, wasn’t it? But all you thought about was how creepily your night ended and how he looked pretty cute and maybe you could exchange phone numbers when you got to his place.

You walked, side by side, making idle conversation. He told you his name. You gave him yours. He said he liked your costume. You said you really liked his sweater, totally Halloweeny, and he seemed to genuinely appreciate the compliment.

The streets felt more familiar the closer you got to Main Street, although there was still only the odd stray person or car slowly idling down the road.

Anxiety still slept in the bottom of your stomach but you tried to ignore it. It wasn’t so bad, to talk to a good looking stranger now and then. Especially after what happened at the party.

(Was it really your mom?)

You didn’t want to think about that. About mom. About whether or not her spirit was hanging around in some ghastly limbo, chastising you for finally playing with a Ouija board like everyone else had done for decades.

Eventually, you were there, at the driveway of the old house that had been split into apartments like so many others a few years ago. You fumbled with your phone and were able to ask for his phone number, lips curled into a smile, when he spoke.

“Did something happen? At the party? Something unusual?”

Your awkward smile fell.

“Um.” It would be weird to tell him, right? Especially after seemingly hitting it off on the way home. You didn’t just tell strangers that you maybe encountered a real ghost while using a Ouija board after doing a few shots and drinking questionably spiked apple cider at a friend’s house. Did you?

“No,” you lied. “Just a boring ol’ Halloween party, I guess.”

“Ah,” he said slowly. “That’s a shame. I thought it might have been an interesting story.”

You suddenly felt stupid and lame and why would this cute guy want to give you his number, anyway? You were some drunk weirdo who walked him home and that was that. You mumbled some sort of farewell and began to walk off, eager to get home and get into your pajamas.

“You know,” he said, and you stopped and turned to listen to him. Maybe he was going to give you his contact information, after all. “You should be careful with Ouija boards, my sweetness. You don’t know what you might invite in.”

Oh. For the second time that night, you felt like you were going to vomit.

“Why did you call me that? How did you--you said you weren’t at the party.”

“I wasn’t,” he said simply. “Not quite.”

How did he know, how did he know, how did he know?

And this mystery man in his Halloween sweatshirt, with his blonde cornfield hair and some awful, unknowable answers in his expression, simply looked at you.

And smiled.

#smiling man #small spaces #fanfiction #katherine arden #afterwitch writes #aw horrorfest

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