#so no big finished work. probably not for a bit

[starlightswitch]

@flashfictionfridayofficial I was thinking about this idea since like Wednesday and the prompt slotted right in. But it's European Figure Skating Championship week and I was running out of time to watch replays, so it took me two days to finish it and to the Antique Prompts list it goes.

First Time For a Few Things

“Mom?” Chloe’s voice from upstairs.

“It’s after midnight!” Nina hadn’t looked at the clock but she had a feel for time when she was painting. If she was up after midnight painting it meant she was in a flow, and her daughter was not supposed to distract her unless it was an emergency.

“I… need… help.”

Nina rested her brush hand. “What kind of help?” she called, a sigh coming out in the middle of the words. She couldn’t imagine an emergency that would put that tone in Chloe’s voice—not urgent distress, more like… embarrassment?

“I think you need to come up here.”

This time the sigh was more quiet, but very, very long. Nina set her work aside and headed upstairs to find her daughter.

The first thing she saw in her daughter’s room was a teenage girl who was not her daughter.

“Can you tell me what’s going on?” the girl said. “I don’t even know how I got here, and then that thing is asking Chloe what she wants it to do with me!”

Sure enough, at the other side of the room lurked a familiar frightening figure. And her daughter.

“He just… showed up!” said Chloe.

“The agreement,” said Nina, half to the demon, “was that you would be protected from harm. What harm were you coming to?” There was a little snark in her tone. She had a feeling she would not define it as harm.

“I was, um, just upset about something that happened with her. No big deal.”

Nina looked at the demon, then back at her daughter. She raised her eyebrows.

“Well, I didn’t know that was going to happen.”

“She told me to bring her to her,” the demon put in. Nina didn’t think she was imagining a bit of a whine in his voice.

“You got that thing involved—” said the other girl, staring at Chloe, “—because your—”

“I didn’t get that thing involved!” Chloe insisted. “I don’t know how he got here!”

“But you know how I got here! I got here because you told it to bring me to you. Then what were you going to do?”

“I don’t know!” That tone that might be embarrassment again. “I didn’t think that far!”

“So what happened?” said Nina. “What started this?”

“We don’t have to get into it!” said Chloe.

Nina looked at the other girl.

The girl raised her chin. “Her boyfriend broke up with her,” she said. “And started dating me.”

Nina swept her gaze back to Chloe. “So it wasn’t something she did?” she said.

“I mean,” said Chloe, staring at her feet, “it wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t exist.”

The other girl’s voice peaked. “You were going to tell it you wanted me to not exist?”

“I told you I didn’t think that far!”

Nina took a very deep breath. “You don’t want a guy who doesn’t want you and wants someone else,” she said to her daughter. “Trust me, you don’t.”

“I can’t just not want him!”

“You could try harder than you’re currently trying.”

Chloe went back to staring at her feet and did not say she couldn’t try harder.

After a minute, Nina said, “So now what do we do?”

“Ultimately I answer to you,” said the demon.

Nina was looking at Chloe.

Chloe rubbed her head, her chin in her hand like she was getting a headache. “He should take her back to where she was,” she said sullenly. “And I should try to get over the guy. I guess. And you’re probably going to say this dude can’t take orders from me.”

Nina swallowed a laugh at ‘this dude’. “The intention was to protect you from harm,” she said. “Let me now specify, physical harm. Or, obvious, direct harm. Not getting what you want is not harm, especially when it involves someone else making a choice.”

A boyfriend. It suddenly sank in. Chloe had had a boyfriend. Her daughter’s first boyfriend. Her daughter’s first breakup. She was not being the mother you were supposed to be for that.

But then, your daughter’s first breakup was not supposed to involve her sending demons after people.

“Um, can I get home?” said the girl. “So I can go to bed and not fall asleep in class tomorrow?”

“Take her home,” Chloe said with resignation. “So my mom can get back to work. I distracted her after midnight so I’m already in for it.

The demon looked at Nina. She made a gesture of “go ahead”. The demon and the other girl both vanished.

Chloe glanced at her mom. “You can go back to painting,” she said. “And we can never talk about this again." Before Nina could respond, she added, “Were you ever going to tell me I have some kind of weird, creepy god… goblin?”

That time Nina could not avoid a snort. Carefully casual, she asked in return, “Were you going to tell me you had a boyfriend?”

“I mean, it never really came up.”

Nina raised her eyebrows. “Well. Yeah.”

Chloe snorted.

“You should go to bed. It’s after midnight.”

“You should also go to bed, but you’re not going to.”

“If I’m tired in the morning, that’s my problem. If you’re tired in the morning, that’s also my problem.”

“And my problem.”

“Well, yes.” Nina shut the door, went downstairs, and went back to painting. She hoped she’d gotten away with not explaining, but knowing Chloe she knew that was too much to hope.

This should probably all feel much weirder to her than it felt. Maybe summoning a demon to protect your daughter had set the bar for abnormal pretty high. Or maybe everyone had a different sense of normal after midnight.

Seventeen years ago you summoned a demon to protect your infant daughter. Today, you regret that decision immensely. Demons should NOT be allowed to do the bidding of teenage girls.

[the0p]

studio

bf!hongjoong, fluff, a lot of kissing, both are idols, mlm, some of ateez mentioned (not all), short story for once!

I sat on the sofa, waiting for my turn to record drifting in and out of sleep as san and seonghwa argued next to me about which Lego set seonghwa should buy next. I leaned my head against Sans shoulder as he was the closest to me and closed my eyes, knowing it would be a long wait and being too tired to try and fight the sleep that was creeping up on me. san didn't protest as we were all relatively affectionate with each other, so it wasn't anything new as I drifted off to sleep. time passed by, and I was being woken up by hongjoong. The rest of the members were nowhere in sight, only him and me in the studio. "Hey y/n...wake up" his voice soft as he looked down at me with a small smile on his face. I sat up from the sofa I had been layed on, guessing by san, since I had fallen asleep on him originally rubbing my face a bit before standing up and stretching. "sorry hongjoong I didn't mean to fall asleep." he shook his head the same smile on his beautiful face as he brushed some hair away from my face. "it's okay. we all have done that at least once." his words are soft and comforting. "Come on, let's get done with recording so we can get ourselves back home." he said, his hand placed on my lower back pushing me gently towards the recording room.

I walked inside the room, putting on the headphones flipping through the sheet music, checking my lyrics, and warming up my voice before we finally got started. it did take a bit, and one crash out from me before i was finally done and hongjoong was pleased. I took the headphones out and took the sheet music with me, placing it on his desk, walking behind his chair, draping my arms over his shoulders, and resting my chin on top of his head. "Are you gonna finish it tonight or??" I asked as I watched him compose the whole thing together. he hummed, leaning back in his chair, tilting his head back, looking up at me as I looked down at him. "Probably tonight." I stayed quiet, already expecting that answer. "You don't have to sta-" I cut him off with a short kiss. "I'm staying. what type of boyfriend would I be if I didn't? " he chuckled but didn't protest. I pulled away from him, taking a chair nearby, placing it next to his, and sitting down, staying quiet and letting him work his magic.

he worked, putting everything together, asking for feedback from time to time, making sure everything was perfect, as I sat next to him, scrolling trough my phone, not having anything else to do just here to provide company so he isn't alone. he got halfway done when he pulled himself away from his precious computer and leaned his head on my shoulder, watching my tiktok feed with me. "Are you finished??" I asked, glancing at him. "No, but halfway there." it was obvious he didn't wanna do it anymore, his voice tired. I turned my phone off, placing it on the table before turning to look at him fully, a hand on each cheek, before I attacked him with kisses, making sure not to miss anything. he laughed as I showered him with love and affection, kissing his cheeks, forehead, nose, and lips numerous times before ending it with one long kiss on the lips. he returned the kiss, smiling into it. he finally broke the kiss, looking at me, the tips of his ears slightly red. "What was that for?" I shruged, taking my hands off his cheeks and sitting properly now. "You seemed tired. had to cheer you up a bit, plus who else will finish the song." I said, trying to play it off as no big deal. he rolled his eyes, placing a kiss on my cheek.

"You love me." he whispered a small smirk on his face.

"Sadly, I do"

[queenbrucewayne]

One More Thing

The last two weeks were definitely the busiest you had ever been. One more meeting, one more conference call, don’t forget another spread sheet that had to be filled out.

It was a constant back and forth of once something was finished, another thing had to be started.

Your feet were feeling the aftermath, your shoulders and back were in even more tense pain then normal, and the appetite you had was almost nonexistent.

Alfred tried to help by packing lunches and making you breakfast, but you had been in such a rush to leave in the morning you only had time for coffee and an energy bar. As far as the lunches, you probably would be able to take one or two bites before something else came up and it would go to waste.

It definitely wasn’t healthy, but who really had time to be on a consistent schedule when things were busy.

Taking a deep breath, you leaned back in your office chair, closing your eyes to try and block the light from the headache you could feel coming on.

Today was the last busy day you would be expecting. After having a meeting with your clients and seeing success from these past two weeks of grind, you could finally take a break.

The clock read 2AM, would you even have the energy for a shower? You definitely needed it.

Alfred had probably left your dinner in the fridge and Bruce was likely out and about watching over Gotham.

Bruce…

You hadn’t really seen much of him lately. Between all the late nights and early mornings, he was ether already gone by the time you got home, and sleeping once you had to leave.

A few comments had been made here and there, he asked you multiple times if you were okay with work. Of course the busy you were dealing with didn’t seem like something you wanted to add on to him, especially considering he managed two lives at once. It was better to just leave it with a Im fine or a just a little busy, no big deal.

The last thing you wanted was to make him worry about you, knowing full well he had more important things to focus on.

Grabbing your stuff, you walked towards the elevator to the car garage. Seems like the only people left was the two night security guards.

Once you made it home you walked inside and instantly slipped off your heels. Stretching out your arms, you were surprised to find that the front entrance was dark and it didn't look like anyone was home.

Normally Alfred would great you at the door, no matter how late you got home. You told him multiple times it wasn't necessary to wait up for you, but he would just brush it off and say he would love nothing more than to make sure you got home safe.

You started to walk to the kitchen, the microwave light being your only guide. Opening the fridge you grabbed a quick snack to try and push away the hunger you were feeling. Being way too tired to cook, you grabbed a cheese stick and headed upstairs.

It was times like this you wish you didn't have to suffer going up the big staircase, almost tempting you to just pass out on the couch. The hallway was dark, but what instantly caught your attention was the light coming from your bedroom.

Since it was too early for Bruce to be back, you thought maybe Alfred was still awake. Reaching the cracked door, you peaked inside shocked at the scene in front of you.

The bedroom was lit with candles scattered around the bedroom, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was laid on top the end of the bed. The room itself smelt of a sweet lavender and a hint of eucalyptus, it was a completely different environment then the one you have been spending so much time in the last two weeks.

You walked further inside. Noticing now your favorite pjs were set neatly on your bedside, a bottle of wine and two empty glasses along side it. The bathroom light was on and the sound of water running could be heard.

This seemed a bit too romantic to be Alfred...

Right on cue, the water stopped running and the bathroom door opened wider, emerging Bruce...

He greeted you with a smile, drying off his hands with one of the hand towels. "Hey, I didn't hear you come in."

You didn't know how to react, he was definitely the last person you expected to see. "Uhh. Hi. You’re home?"

"Yeah, I went out for a bit earlier, Nightwing is keeping watch tonight." He was in a set of black sweatpants and wasn't wearing a shirt, his hair was a bit damp which probably meant he just showered.

"Dick is in town?" You spoke up finally.

Walking over to the bedside, he opened the bottle of wine and started to fill the two glasses. "Yeah, he came to visit Barbara and decided to stay for a couple days." Walking towards you he handed one of the glasses to you. Taking a sip himself, he walked to the dresser to look for a clean shirt. "Alfred will be downstairs tonight watching over him, thought I take the time to shower, I have a bath ready for you, and theres even a small cheese tray if you were hungry... Maybe we could watch a movie or-"

He stopped himself when he glanced up to look at you from the mirror in front of him. You hadn't moved from where you were, the glass of wine still in hand, and you had tears falling down your face. He sighed deeply, setting the wine glass down, and walking over to you.

Taking the wine glass from your hand, he set it aside. Slowly wrapping his arms around you and pulling you against his chest.

“Y/n…”

No response.

“Y/n… Please say something. What’s wrong?”

You shook you head, wrapping your own arms around his body. He didn’t say anything else, just stroked your hair gently and waited for you to be ready to speak first.

Once you calmed down, you pulled yourself away and wiped your face. “I’m sorry.”

He took ahold of one of your hands and brought it to his face, kissing the inside of your wrist he looked back to you. “What’s going on?”

Smiling up at him, you started to rub his cheek with your thumb. “Nothing, I’m not sad, it’s happy tears… I guess I’m just tired from the past couple of weeks.”

He looked at you worried now, his furrowed brows almost made you laugh. “Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I give you another thing to crowd your mind, it's just work, not important." You looked behind him to the bedroom. "This is amazing."

"Y/n." His tone was serious, making you look back to him. "It is important, especially if this is how it's affecting you."

"Bruce-"

"No, i'm your husband, its my job to take care of you, to worry about you, to make sure that whatever is bothering you doesn't result to this..."

"There is nothing you could've done, work was just needing me more than normal, you were busy with your own stuff, it happens." You shrugged casually, pulling back from him you took the glass of wine he set down and took a sip. Glancing back to him, you notice his expression hadn't change. His arms were crossed and he had his deep thinking face on. "What?"

"Do you think you bother me?"

You hesitated, trying to come up with something to reassure him. Before you could come up with anything he continued.

"You do." He stated. "You truly think I'm bothered by you."

"Bruce, it's just work..."

He nodded. "Yes, your work." Leaning against the door frame, his face held a sadder look now. "Have I made you feel lonely?"

Your eyes widened, taken back by the question. "What? No!"

"Y/n-"

"No!" You raised your voice this time. "I don't want you thinking this is your fault... it's not." You said softer. "This has nothing to do with you, I cried because I was happy, not because I was lonely..."

He stared a you for a moment, then sighing in relief he smiled and walking over to you. Cupping your face gently, he leaned down and kissed you softly. This was what you needed most of all.

It started out gentle, but the more he continued the more desperate his kisses seemed to get. He pulled back and went straight to your neck, and then back up to your lips, roaming his hands now to around your body.

You whined a bit when he pulled back, making him laugh. "Common, your bath water is gonna get cold, we can continue this later."

"Way to get a girl's hopes up.." You mumbled.

"Hey." He spoke up. "I want you to come to me before it gets to this point, I don't want you feeling like this... you don't deserve it. You've helped me with my hard weeks, I wanna do the same... please let me. Just because my mind is filled with Batman and Wayne Enterprises, doesn't mean I don't have the room for my wife."

You hugged him, burying your head into his chest. "Okay, I promise, next time. Which hopefully wont be for awhile... Bruce?"

"Hm?"

"I love you, and thank you. This is what I needed more then anything."

"Even more than the wine?" He teased.

You rolled your eyes, grabbing the wine glass you walked towards the bathroom. "Hurry up and help me get undressed, my bathwater is getting cold."

Bruce smiled. "Yes ma’am."

@christianbalefanatic

[xadenviolct]

Well...

I finished it.

And I mean, I took as long as I could, since I really didn't want to get to the end--mainly because, like with Iron Flame, we now know absolutely NOTHING about the fourth book and I'm in a perpetual waiting hell.

But at the same time, I couldn't hold off too long, because with every day, the potential for spoilers being seen increases, etc. And the very, VERY last thing I ever want is for any of these books to be spoiled for me.

With that said...

SPOILERS FOR ONYX STORM BELOW THE CUT!!!

I MEAN IT! BIG SPOILERS!

ALL-THE-WAY-TO-THE-END-OF-THE-BOOK TYPE SPOILERS!

Because I'm putting my thoughts, my reactions, etc. (which will probably all be kinda disjointed, and rather lengthy, so bear with me on that...)

So yeah--

YOU. HAVE. BEEN. WARNED!

Now that that is out of the way--

(and yes, I've had that gif saved here for this very purpose)

First, I'll say this--

I am so very glad we got other characters' views in a few chapters. I absolutely loved getting Imogen and Rhiannon, (and of course some Xaden POV) and I know--I know that Quinn's death hit a hell of a lot harder because it was in Imogen's view than if it had been anyone else's.

I absolutely sobbed with that one. Like, put-the-book-down-for-a-moment sobbed. Liam Mairi dying type sob.

It was just... oh my HEART. HURT.

And Andarna deserves the world, okay? No one -- dragon, human, ANYONE -- is allowed to be mean to her, to upset her.

I will literally fight those dragons for Andarna, okay?

(Yes, okay, ONE of them wasn't a complete ass, but the others? I wouldn't have minded Tairn roasting them all. Or taking a few eyes.)

I was also so damn sure Mira would be dead in this book. Which, yes, okay, she kinda did-- but not really. The big "this death really hurts" moment was with Quinn.

Which I'm still reeling about, okay. It hurts!

I will also say that I absolutely LOVED the way the title got worked in at the end.

I mean, my heart broke, and I hated it, but I loved it. I definitely figured he'd fall farther by the end of this book--I mean, it would have greatly decreased the impact of Xaden turning venin at the end of Iron Flame if we went and found a cure and he got better by the end of OS.

So while I was still expecting him to sink further into that darkness-- That doesn't mean I still didn't want to yell at Rebecca for doing it!

Although--I think I might be willing to grant a bit of "okay" on it, because that final push seemed to be Xaden being all, "NO ONE TOUCHES AND HURTS SGAEYL."

Which I am 10000% for.

Saving Violet was the catalyst in IF, saving Sgaeyl was the catalyst in OS.

And I am also THRILLED that she didn't break the bond! I know that was going around as a possibility, that Sgaeyl was so pissed, that Xaden would turn deeper into darkness and she'd break the bond, but I'm glad she didn't.

I NEED more Xaden and Sgaeyl. I just do.

(I am also firmly convinced that Naolin did similarly to Xaden--in that he pulled from the source to save Brennan, he turned but his motivations were sort of in the right place, etc.--and Tairn had to break the bond or Naolin did or something to that effect and that is just another reason Tairn is so anti-Xaden (especially) in OS. Because he went through it all with Naolin, and he knows (in that "I'm Tairn and I know everything" way) that there is no cure, no saving, etc. But he also trusts Sgaeyl, Violet, etc. at least enough to let them walk this and not just torch Xaden outright.)

AND XADEN'S MOM WAS IN THE ISLE KINGDOMS!

I mean, there is still more there, I know there is. There's more to the story of why she left, why she never said anything, etc. etc.

But that was definitely a complicated bit of emotion in those chapters.

There are also so many more questions I have about Violet in regards to Dunne, to the temples and the gods/goddesses in general. Like, I know I need to reread OS too, with note taking and close watch and all that, but I still have questions.

What does it all mean? Theophanie was also built up as a major player and then she... dies. So now I wanna know who is even bigger than Theophanie--or is it going to come down to a Xaden versus Violet moment?

That will definitely be a very. giant. painful. moment.

And was it Garrick at the end? Or Bodhi? I'm pretty sure it has to be one of them, right? Like I said, I'd have to reread the whole thing--and especially that chapter with Xaden--but those are the only two that would fit his inner thinking criteria:

Male (since it mentions as a "brother")

Someone who'd known what he was struggling with (a la turning venin) for months, so basically from the beginning.

Someone he never would have ever thought would do it

I feel like it's Garrick, over Bodhi. Because Garrick left Imogen in Draithus, we didn't hear/see him again, and he's "missing" in Violet's chapter at the very end. (I cannot remember if Bodhi is mentioned or not...)

But it has to be one of them, right?

And now I wanna know why--to both of them! Either of them! Whoever it is--TELL ME WHY!

Pancheck is dead now, too, right? I was so sure it was gonna be Daddy Aetos being the asshole traitor but at the same time, maybe I just wanted to really really hate him for every other reason.

Still don't quite know why it was Pancheck--I'm pretty sure I missed several clues, that's for sure--but at the same time, he did know everything. He was perfectly positioned to be the traitor and all that...

And why was that the ending?

I seriously turned the page, and saw the "acknowledgements" starting on the next one, and I was all--

You have GOT to be fucking kidding me! That's it?! That's where it stops?!

I need all the answers.

What happened to make Violet ask/tell Imogen to take her memories? What happened in those "missing moments" to bring us to that point?

At what point did Violet tell Imogen to take the memories? WHAT memories (specifically) that happened in that missing time?

I knew I'd be completely reeling by the end of this book, but I didn't realize I'd be reeling this much!

And VIOLET'S SECOND SIGNET = INNTINNSIC!

Type of, but yeah. We're still going with that.

There are way too many things about inntinnsics that we don't know because of them being killed the moment it manifests, so yeah-- still many more questions.

And that is one damn powerful signet!

Now, I wanna know if she hones it, works on it, will it only be in dreams? Like, she can apparently meddle in them, influence them (subtly, perhaps, right now, but yeah--) so if we call it a dream-walking inntinnsic (or whatever "official" name the signet gets, IDK), but that's right now, right at the beginning.

Is it possible that she could meddle in conscious thoughts?

Aaric having precognition was something I figured out rather quickly, though; especially by that point when he tells Violet to guard Dunne's temple, etc.

It's like "oh yeah, he knows future things, etc."

And finally--

MARRIAGE? Wow!

I mean, I was kinda getting the vibe that it would happen at some point, sure. And then especially with that chapter's heading being about lieutenants marrying right after graduation, etc.

I just need to know the details. I mean, we all do, I'm sure, but when did that happen? Like, officially happen?

How?

Tyrrendor is protected because it's Violet's, by marriage (I'm assuming) and Xaden knows she'll do right for the people... But again, WHERE IS BODHI?!

What the holy fucking hell happened?!

Everyone knows Xaden is venin now, of course, and apparently a powerful one too. Is it possible to skip over steps? Like, can you go from an initiate level straight to a Sage (bypassing the asim level) if you channel enough and/or are powerful enough?

Again, I need to reread certain parts especially, but I'm getting the vibe that Xaden didn't just up a level. Or if he did, he'd been asim longer than we initially realized, so he's Sage level now...

I. DO. NOT. KNOW!

And I have so many questions!!!!

[the-doodle-cave]

Oh boy it's been a bit since I was pulled into this kinda post-

Last Song: Cats - The Living Tombstone

Favorite Color: big fan of the dark Red ♥

Last Movie: I don't even know man I don't watch movies often ☹

Last TV show: I guess MLP counts? I rewatched the whole thing again and only finished the last season very recently

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: I'll go for Savory, even if it betrays me a lot

Relationship status: OOHHH IM TAKEN!! YEAH I GOT A WIFE (the government doesn't think so but she's my wife anyways)

Last thing I googled: "where can i print documents near me" listen I'm trying to make my friend a poster and I don't got a working printer ú_ù NOBODY TELL HIM

Current Obsession: still is Welcome Home, precisely my own AUs and projects with it!! Having a lot of fun with my friends and partner about it (those who know the lore I'm winking at you very intently) oh!! And I saw the Doctor Megalo Undertale AU not long ago, and just finished watching a PPT chapter 4 playthrough...so I'll probably be roaming around that for a bit....and mlp too, I'll always keep a special place in my heart for it, am I rambling? I feel like I'm rambling...

Looking Forward to: the one that's coming first is Valentines day!! Did you know?? It's my first with my partner!! can you imagine that??

Okay tag time now

@king-arthur-owo @diagnosedaskiwi @beep-beep-boops @finstel @opera-berry @grauntiemotersblog @doinadigitaldnazing @souldragon9

10 people I want to get to know better

Omg thank you much for tagging me! @dearwormw00d :3

Last song: You're not alone, Allison Russel

Favorite colour: dark green

Last movie: Lord of the rings: The fellowship of the ring

Last tv show: The Gilded Age

Sweet/savoury/spicy: Sweet>Savory>Spicy

Relationship status: Single

Last thing i googled: hand holding pencil brush reference

Current obsession: One Piece, Nosferatu, Ethel Cain, my fem erik, Epic, Critical Role, studying the Enneagram again, Castlevania Nocture, The Apothecary Diaries, Witch Hat Atelier

Looking forward to: season 2 of the one piece live action, the oscars ( I want to see my beloved Fernanda Torres win), my necklaces that I've ordered, hadestown live recording, Superman, my next RPG session, Percy Jackson season 2! @insanely-creative-things @lepetitghostcat @fishing-rob @erik-christine @muirin007 @klausscrimshaw (ik it's not 10 but idk who to tag anymore, sorry ;-;)

[thehollowwriter]

It's been 10 billion years and writing is slow sooooo sneak peek for Lamentations part 7 finally! I'm not finished yet but ya'll need something

-

Key: Regular text is for the present. Italics is for flashbacks, bold is for journal entries

-

"Raine, if you set the traps like that it won't work."

Silas' voice was soft and patient, but tired.

"I-I know, sir, but Timo's shit at explaining what to do!" Raine said, provoking an annoyed "Hey!" from the cuttlefish in question.

"It's not my fault you don't listen!"

"I do! You just think nonsense yappin' makes any kind of sense! You just drone on and on!"

"I do not!"

"Quiet." Silas hissed, harsher than intended, and took in a sharp breath as his two youngest hires went silent and glared at each other.

"Raine, I'll show you."

It took a few tries and a few snarky comments from Timo (who, freshly 19, seemed to have found himself a bit of sass), but Silas managed to break it down in a way Raine could understand."

She eventually got it, and the blue rings covering her body lit up brightly. "I did it! I did it! Thank you, Mister Silas!"

Raine was only twenty and very new, but she had an energetic dedication to learning that Silas very much appreciated.

Silas nodded at the two mers and began making his way back home, absentmindedly going over the earlier events.

He had to repeat himself and correct Raine a number of times, and Raine looked to be on the verge of tears, muttering apologies and bunching up her tentacles in shame.

"Calm down, it's fine." Silas told her every time, though in retrospect, he probably sounded much harsher than intended. However, if he could pat himself on the back for anything, it would be the fact that he was leagues better than he was in his youth.

Younger Silas was controlling and impatient, snapping and snarling at the hunters Lady Roda had paired him with, frustrated at them for being unable to keep up or follow every demand. He probably would have made Raine burst into tears.

...No, he definitely would have made Raine burst into tears.

Silas came to the large, cave-like rock he called his home and swam inside, shutting the large limestone door behind him.

Before going back to writing, though, Silas turned down the hall to a different room and peeked inside. He stared for a while, then nodded to himself and left.

Then he returned to his office, if you could really call it that. It, just like every room in the "house", was just a big space carved into a rock with a curtain of seaweed acting like a door (a definite downgrade to the nice limestone front door painted light blue)

Inside, there was a desk with some files in the drawers and pictures on the walls, and that was about it.

Silas rummaged around to pull out his little life story and placed it on the desk, sitting down with a heavy sigh.

I struggled after the loss of my grandfather. While I did start spending less time in my room and more time with Morrigan or hunting, I still didn't eat much. I'd pick at my food, often leaving the fish basically whole, the crabs with most of their legs, and so on.

That scared Morrigan, I think. He didn't want me to go back to how I used to be before my hospital stay, sickly and malnourished.

"Silas, please," He'd say, his tones inches away from becoming hysterical. "You need to eat. I-I know it's hard, but you can't- you can't-"

Then he'd shake his head and mumble to himself. Back then, I don't think I appreciated his fear like I should have. I was mourning and hurting, and my partner was, in my eyes, insinuating that I was weak in some way. I never said anything, but it angered me.

If I think of it now... it's scary, seeing someone you care for in so much pain. It was stressed to me that if I hadn't gone to the hospital, I would have died sometime or later.

I didn't... care that much. I'm used to death. To almost dying.

But Morrigan wasn't. Morrigan, though he wasn't necessarily happy or well-treated, was sheltered from death and other forms of suffering for most of his life. The news was like a punch to the gut to him, and after my discharge, he would hover around me whenever I ate.

It... it must have scared him when I stopped eating.

"I don't want to see you hooked up to an IV again," He'd whisper. "You were so sick I... I don't want that to happen to you again."

It's strange to think about how something so normal for me was so horrifying to Morrigan.

In hindsight, though, he was right. I hated my time in recovery, but I'm glad it happened. I don't think I would have recovered from this loss if I hadn't.

Things got better. Slowly. The soul crushing grief I felt lightened. I started eating more, and Morrigan's relief was hard to miss. I felt more alive.

There is a hole in me. It can't be filled, but... it's not so gaping and consuming anymore.

-End (for now)

...........................................

A/N: Welp I hope you guys enjoyed this little snippet! I frankly am very very inexcusably late for an update abdndndnffn

Tagging: @distant-velleity @br3adtoasty @rainesol @theleechyskrunkly @jovieinramshackle

@galaxies-and-gore @cyanide-latte @cynthinesia @officialdaydreamer00 @krenenbaker

@offorestsongs @kitwasnothere @elenauaurs @boopshoops @inotonline

@1dont-really-know @kazumify @minteasketches @elysia-nsimp @skrimpyskimpy

@casp1an-sea @offorestsongs @tixdixl @poisoned-pearls @the-trinket-witch

@ramshacklerumble @ghostiidasponk @thegoldencontracts @sillyslipperybananapeel @cloudcountry

@skriblee-ksk @twstinginthewind @lumdays @theolivetree123 @natsukishinomiyaswife

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[art-of-the-sunrise]

have some sketchessss

[every-sanji]

[sylvrndoodles]

another fake novel cover, but for one of my projects this time ( ˙꒳​˙ )

[pocket-ghostie]

First week of artfight attacks!

I like how all of them turned out! <3

Attacks (in order) for @hershelchocolate | jelly_pop5 | @thecoolarteriesman | @crabcantwrite | Kitty_Mint_ | @nightharishly

Yay artfight! <3

[miodiodavinci]

laying down by a brook with one hand in the water like some kind of tragic prince , , , , , ,

[icewindandboringhorror]

recent things

[merlinmerlot]

I could play one of the most beautiful well crafted video games on the planet and it will never be as appealing to me as one that kind of sucks shit but has soooo much potential

[unnonexistence]

idk if there's anything in stories i get more petty about than poorly-written "main character shows up to a new place and meets everyone" character introduction scenes

[menacingmetal]

i am going to create something that is so Self Indulgent

[kissingarthurclaus]

I'm pretty sure I've made this EXACT post before but the fact that I can't just LOOK UP content of my favorite boy in the world my baby Kepler makes me wanna rip chunks out of the drywall with my teeth