#srry there isn't as much parental fluff in this one

[artficlly]

face the music (chapter 11)

Music College Marvel AU - Chapter 11

!frat!musician!bucky x !frat!musician!steve x !musician!femreader

Warnings: some fluff, some angst, sinful thoughts, mentions of violence, general icky, lmk if i missed anything

Word Count: 3.7k

A/N: aaaa sorry this took a couple days to get up. been crazy busy and tired with work stuff ugh. this isn't a super amazing chapter, but i wanted to get it out. i really struggled with this, the apartment scene got rewritten like 3 times lol. from here things really start rolling!! the song referenced in the revenge livestream is luxury problem by lunachicks!! not proof read - srry for any typos.

chapter masterlist | main masterlist

You had been out all day, class, practice and then filming with Scott, Clint and Loki. This had been the pattern for the last week, and frankly you were exhausted. Any spare time you had, you spent sorting through paperwork or editing down the interviews. It was Friday, you had finally called a wrap on the filming and were ready to crash into bed. 

Loki hadn’t opted to stay out, something about going drinking with a ‘friend’ and probably being out for the night. You weren’t really one to pry into Loki’s private life, so you had tiredly bid him a goodnight. You knew Jane and Thor would be out, they had plans to visit Jane’s parents for the weekend. You had caught them packing up Thor’s truck early this morning when you departed for campus. 

The idea of being alone in the apartment? That thought was the only thing that had kept you going this afternoon. You were ready to snuggle up in bed, maybe watch some Netflix with some takeout and call it a night. Though, those plans flew out the window the moment you walked through the door. 

The sight of Bucky and Steve in your kitchen was not the cozy evening you had been anticipating 

“Hey darling! Want a beer?” Steve had called you from the over side of the island. You had only given the two of them a tired, confused look and sighed with a shrug of acceptance. 

“How did you get in?” You asked. More importantly, why were they here? Not that you were complaining, it was just unexpected. You had barely seen them all week, only at practices but even that was brief. You had heard Clint was doing his usual Friday rager, you had expected them to be there, not camping out in your kitchen. 

“Thor told us where the spare key was.” Steve replied, popping open the cap of a beer for you. You don’t even want to ask when or why they spoke to Thor. Instead, you head into your room to dump your belongings. You can hear the two boys chattering away as you place the paperwork on your desk, along with your laptop and abandon your bag at the foot of your bed. 

“What… what is this about?” You asked, approaching the kitchen cautiously. Bucky has his forearms braced against the island surface, skin bicep bulging against the short sleeve of his shirt. You turn your attention to your beer before they catch you staring too long. 

“We knew you were super busy this week, so we wanted to do something nice for you! We ordered takeout, should be here soon.” Steve explains, shoulder bumping against Bucky’s. 

They had wanted to do something nice for you? That made your stomach flutter a bit. This week had been a bit hellish, and other than Sharon doing some mercy missions to the coffee shop, no one had noticed your exhaustion. You had barely seen the boys, yet they had noticed. You suddenly felt a bit bad for not seeing them as much, when it was obvious they wer epaying attention and looking out for you. 

“You’re not going to Clint’s party?” You ask, taking a swig of your beer. Clint had invited you earlier, but you had declined saying you were too tired. You were sure you’d get all the gossip from Sharon later. You still had to ask her about this… thing… between her and Clint. You had noticed them talking and laughing together. Scott had even mentioned that Sharon had visited him at the frat. 

“Nah. Might be best to sit it out this time, considering how awful the last party was.” Steve replied, attention turned to his phone as he tracked the delivery driver who seemed to be pulling into the apartment complex. 

You arched an eyebrow at his words, awful? You had thought - despite Sharon being punched and your meltdown - that it had gone well. Maybe only because you ended up cuddling with the both of them. Did he think that was what made it awful? Had you entirely misread that situation? He had been eager to flirt with you during revenge plan practices - even turning up at your apartment now. It all felt muddled up in your head. You’d blame it on the exhaustion. 

As if Bucky can sense your worry, he pushes off the island to walk around to your side. You smile at him softly as he approaches. You didn’t know how he managed to pick up on the slightest changes of your mood so easily, but it was comforting to know that he cared. 

“We’ll find a movie to watch while Steve gets the food.” Bucky says to you, a hand on your back to guide you into the lounge. You don’t protest, instead sitting onto the couch next to him. Bucky’s hand snakes around your shoulders, pulling you into him. You rest your head on his shoulder with a sigh, ready to debate movie choices. 

*

Empty takeout boxes and beer bottles line your coffee table, the finished movie long forgotten. One beer had turned into two, which had quickly turned into a few more. The three of you sat around the lounge chatting and laughing. Any exhaustion or anxiety from earlier was long forgotten. 

Steve sat on the other side of the couch from you, fiddling with a deck of cards. He had insisted on some drinking game which never came to be, instead showing off all his different shuffling techniques. Bucky was sitting on the floor, back to the TV. He had been digging through Thor and Jane’s movie and game collection, occasionally making judgemental comments on their taste. Thor and Jane were definitely the action-movie-romance type, whereas Bucky was more rom-com to fantasy-adventure style. You found it cute, Bucky Barnes, a softie at heart. 

“Surely Thor has one of those stupid drinking card games? You know the one that’s like ‘who is the last person you kissed’ and you answer or take a shot.” Steve rambles, cards flying between his hands. You screw up your face, swallowing the mouthful of beer you had just taken. 

“How sleazy do you think Thor is?” You laugh, Bucky seemingly sharing your sentiment as he laughs along with you. 

“I dunno, I just heard he’s a big party guy.” Steve replies sheepishly. You could understand where that assumption came from. Thor was pretty notorious in your friend group for downing an unbelievable amount of alcohol and getting into mischief. He had mainly settled down since meeting Jane, but sometimes they got up to trouble together, 

“Those games don’t work with three people, you need like, at least ten.” Bucky cuts in, placing the last movie back into the cabinet. You hum in agreement, tapping your fingernails against the glass of the bottle. 

“Steve, who was the last person you kissed? Bucky? Wow, what a surprise.” You add sarcastically with a giggle, which makes Bucky chuckle and Steve groans in embarrassment. 

“You’re never gonna guess who the last person I kissed was,” Bucky cuts in, laughing harder. 

“Ha. Ha. You’re both soo funny.” Steve grumbles, you nudge his thigh lightly with your foot. He ignores you, still flicking the cards between his fingers. You examine the side of his face, the way his brows are drawn into a look of concentration. 

“Who was the last person you kissed, Siren?” Bucky asks. You rip your eyes away from Steve, arching an eyebrow at Bucky, exhaling out of your nose sharply.

“I don’t know, probably my ex.” You say, tone suddenly less amused. You take a swig from your bottle to hide your reaction. 

Bucky frowns a bit, Steve stiffening. You had never asked Bucky if he had told Steve about your story. Judging by the way Steve had clenched his jaw, hands stilling… he must know. You had never explicitly told Bucky to not tell Steve, nor did you mind. You just wondered how he reacted, what he thought of you. You hated that somehow, now and forever it was always drilled into your brain that you were weak for what had happened. You didn’t want Steve to perceive you that way. You doubt he would, Bucky never treated you differently. 

“Not a fun answer, sorry.” You say with a nervous laugh, trying to break the tension. Bucky shifts uncomfortably, as if regretting his question. You open your mouth to comfort him - to tell him it’s fine. But Steve speaks up instead. 

“You should kiss me instead.” Steve suddenly says. You turn, giving him a bewildered look. 

“What?” You cough out. Was he trying to cover for the awkward tension? Make Bucky feel better by making himself the fool of the situation? 

“So you have a fun answer, for drinking games.” He continues, looking up to meet your gaze with a cheeky smile. Oh. He was joking. Obviously. You try to cover the blush that has flooded your cheeks by taking another swig from your drink. Obviously he was joking. There's still a small prick of hurt in your chest, that he would joke about that. Maybe a part of you would’ve said yes, even if it was absurd. Your tipsy brain liked the attractive boys in your apartment, was that so much of a crime? 

“How many drinks have you had?” You laugh, trying to hide your own embarrassment. 

“Probably too many to be playing a drinking game.” Bucky teases, eyes focused directly on Steve. You wonder if Bucky was also upset by that comment, considering Steve was his boyfriend. They had discussed their poly nature with you before, but you never thought they looked at you in that way. They saw you as a friend, one they sometimes flirted with… and cuddled in bed with? God, you were confused. 

Steve opens his mouth to continue to joke around, but Bucky’s phone starts ringing. He frowns at the screen, glancing up at Steve with an annoyed expression. 

“It’s Clint, should we take bets on what’s gone wrong? I swear we can’t leave for one night.” He grumbles, picking up the call and walking into the kitchen. Steve hums as he thinks, you watching as he drums his fingers on his thigh. 

“Some fresher has probably put a hole in the wall.” Steve says to you, while you shake your head. 

“Why wouldn’t he just tell you when you got back? I think it’s going to be something to do with Sam and Wanda.” You suggest. You could imagine how the world would spiral if Sam and Wanda had a fight, the two of them clung to each other at parties. Even if they weren’t official, everyone knew. 

“Oh, yeah? Maybe Natasha’s had another one of her meltdowns.” Steve chuckles, you roll your eyes. 

“I swear she hates me.” You mutter, finishing the last of your bottle with a sigh. 

“I wouldn’t take it personally, she hates everyone.” Steve laughs, neatly shuffling the cards back into a stack. You watch his fingers as he slides the cards back into the cardboard pack. 

“Except for Yelena.” You cut in, Steve nods with a hum.

“Lets pray that Kate never breaks up with her, god could you imagine that?” Steve laughs, looking up at you. 

“God, Kate would be dead, like, instantly.” You giggle. 

The two of you pause when Bucky comes back into the room, a worried frown across his face. Something bad must have happened, Bucky didn’t often look as dressed as he did at that moment. You slide your empty bottle onto the table. 

“What happened?” You ask, turning so you’re facing him. Bucky sighs, running his hand through his hair. You had noticed he did that when he was stressed about something, a nervous thing. You suddenly have the strong urge to reach out and comfort him. 

“Walker. He turned up uninvited, started smashing shit. He was just looking for a fight.” Bucky sighs. You now understand why he was so on edge. John Walking, ruining everything per usual. You are suddenly glad you decided you were too tired for the party. Enduring him on campus was bad enough. 

“Shit. Is everyone okay?” You ask, standing. Steve rubs his face, making a noise of disbelief. 

“Apparently Natasha gave him hell. They managed to kick him out but he smashed up some of the stuff in the kitchen.” Bucky chuckles a bit, you can tell he’s trying to de-escalate any stress that might surface. 

“We should probably head back then.” Steve sighs, standing. You glance between the two boys. 

“Do you want me to come?” You offer, stepping closer to Bucky. He shakes his head, sending a long look at Steve who frowns. You’d learnt some of the silent looks they gave each other, and that was definitely a ‘we’ll talk later’ look. 

“What?” You question, did something worse happen that they were hiding from you? 

“I didn’t want to say anything… but he was looking for you. Sounds like he got drunk and decided to get revenge about the suspension shit. Probably best if you stayed home, just in case he comes back.” Bucky grumbles, you feel Steve move closer.

“Oh.” Is all you can manage. You feel numb. Exhausted. Too tired to spiral into the worry that information brought up. Steve reaches out, bundling you into his chest for a hug. 

“Just a few more days until the revenge plan. It’s gonna be alright, darling.” He murmurs into your hair as you wrap your arms around him in return. 

“I know…” You sigh. “Text me when you get back and stay safe, please.” 

You unfurl yourself from Steve, but are quickly pulled into a hug by Bucky. 

“We will.” He murmurs, pressing a kiss to your forehead. 

*

Sneaking onto campus was easy, thanks to some of the buildings being open all hours. Security didn’t really question your small group as you slipped out of the 24 hour study areas, down the hall into the practice hallway. 

You had stashed most of the instruments and gear you would need earlier in the day. You had decided that sneaking around campus with a bunch of live streaming equipment and instruments wouldn’t be super inconspicuous. 

Nerves had been biting at you all day, squeezing your chest and making you feel sick. Some of the others shared your stress, while some like Scott and Clint seemed to be having a great time. Steve and Bucky would send you reassuring glances, as well as gentle touches to ground you when they sensed your anxiety got the better of you. 

Everything was set up, Clint and Scott were fiddling with the last of the live stream setup. Sharon was warming up her voice, MJ and Peter muttering between each other, Steve and Bucky hanging by the drum set. Loki was guarding the door with his usual scowl. 

You had laughed nervously when Clint and Scott had shoved a couch in front of the door, stacking a couple chairs on top as a barricade. It was almost guaranteed that the administration would see the stream as soon as it went live. The barricade would buy you a couple extra minutes before security barged in. 

You let out a long exhale as Clint and Scott motioned that they were going live. Everyone quickly shifted into place as you tapped the microphone to make sure it was on and ready. A few words of encouragement were thrown around as Scott counted you down. One deep breath and you were speaking. 

“We’re live streaming today because we need your help.” You start, looking past the microphone into the camera. 

“In the description, comments and also in the title of this livestream you can find a link. This link will lead you to a video, as well as a petition. All we ask is that you watch the video and sign the petition. You can watch the video now, or you can keep watching the livestream and watch it afterwards. 

The petition we are presenting is to have our fellow classmate John Walker suspended from campus and face repercussions for his actions. John has displayed a pattern of violent behavior which has been ignored by College Administration as well as the Board. It is also a high possibility that they have both been paid off to allow John to keep his spot in the College.

In the video we have interviewed a group of victims, all of which are asking for the College and John Walker to take accountability. This video also includes my own personal experience with not only John - who attacked me - but also with the College. Not only was I denied a spot to testify at John’s suspension meeting, but the Head of the College, Tony Stark, implied that I had invited the violence against me. 

There are more details in the video, as well as documents detailing all of these experiences with John and the Board attached to the petition. Please check them both out, in the meantime we’re going to play you a song!” 

You turn back to the group with a nervous smile, Bucky nodding as he taps his drumsticks together to count you down. 

“This song is dedicated to John Walker, thank you.” You speak into the mic with a nervous smile. 

The music starts around you, Steve taking the lead with the electric guitar and Bucky hitting on the drums. Sharon and you both start on vocals, MJ on the bass doing the backup vocals when needed. The song is an easy pace at the start, you know later it will become a lot faster as the punk rock elements come in. You had chosen this song specifically because it had a lot of energy to it, as well as having some pointed lyrics. 

You’re thankful for the music, feeling some of the stress and anxiety drain from your body as your focus on the performance. 

The music fades slightly as it is your turn to solo the lyrics. The section wasn’t super hard, just required you to belt a bit which Sharon wasn’t as good at. You had the breath work to propel your voice quite loudly, whereas Sharon leaned more soft-girl indie these days. 

Isn’t it hard when you're spoiled rotten?

Got another luxury problem problem!

As you were belting, the music comes back in fast. Sharon and MJ come in helping with the vocals. As you’re singing, you catch Loki making worried gestures at Scott and Clint. You can see the seats and couches pressed up against the door rattling, like someone is trying to push inside the room. 

You send a worried glance in Steve’s direction. Despite being concentrated on his guitar, he sends a nod of acknowledgement to you. The door could burst open at any moment, security pouring in and shutting it down before the song was finished. The song wasn’t super important, it was more to just keep the livestream running and grabbing as much traction as possible. 

Even though I'm alright

I like to sit and pity myself because it hurts

As if on cue, as the vocal drop out for the instrumental section, the door finally pushes open. The chairs stacked on the couch clatter to the ground as the couch is shoved out of the way. Loki dodges out of the way of some security, ducking behind the camera with Scott and Clint. 

Stark walks in, alongside a group of security. He sighs, motioning for the security to drag Scott, Clint and Loki out. They give the security some trouble, slipping out of their grasp and laughing at their serious faces. 

“Ah, The Head of College has decided to join us!” You announce into the microphone, over the guitar and drums. You don’t know where you found this confidence, maybe it was just the music fueling your rage. 

“Shut it down now, you’ve had your fun!” Stark shouts over the music, attempting to grab the camera. He’s shoved away by Scott, who is still running circles around security. 

“Tell me, Mr. Stark. Are you also taking bribes like the Board?” You ask with a grin. Stark gives you an exasperated sigh, grabbing the camera. The tripod slips, knocking the camera sideways. You would still be in the footage, except from a low angle on the floor and sideways. The audio is still going through clearly, the instrumental coming to an end as Sharon takes over your singing section, seeing that you’re occupied. 

What do you do when they're all after you?

What can you say? Your life is shit today!

“That’s enough!” Stark shouts, stepping onto the stage. He attempts to grab the guitar from Steve, but he just dodges, continuing to play. You stand in Stark���s way, blocking him from Peter and Bucky as he continues on his warpath. Sharon and MJ are still screaming into the mic, grinning as they enjoy the scene playing out. 

“We tried discussing this with you in private, but I guess we had to get your attention another way.” You say in a singsong voice, laughing as he snatches the mic from you and marches off the stage. 

“Turn it off!” He snaps at some of the security, who look between each other in confusion. 

You idols idolize you, all you friends despise you

Your life is shit, cuz you’re living it!

Moving back to the main microphone, you continue singing with Sharon as the lyrical section comes to an end. The security guards have given up on trying to catch the boys, instead fighting to unplug the livestream from the power plugs. 

As the song draws to a close, you snatch the mic from its stand, departing the stage to crouch in front of the toppled over camera. 

“Remember to watch the video and sign the petition!” You say with a grin, before you’re roughly grabbed by security who haul you towards the door. Chaos ensues as the last of the livestream captures the shouting and scuffle as you are all thrown from the practice room. One of the security pulls a plug and the livestream goes dead. 

“Sorry Peter, we’re definitely getting suspended.” You sigh to the boy, who just sheepishly smiles at you in return.

[butterflypeachgrove]

Guidance (2)

(Welp, here it is after.. *looks tiredly at calendar* four freaking months. This one is a bit of a lore dump so strap in. Forgive me if the story feels jumbled. Hope you all enjoy.)

| Part 1 

Warnings: referenced child neglect, OOC Child!Zhongli, gore (mentioned and slight), yandere (not from Zhongli though), emotional manipulation, referenced imprisonment, referenced cult, non-consensual touching (not in a sexual way tho, you pervs), angst near the end

Summary: The cogs of fate begin to turn...

The cave that Shi Yông called home was very.. minimalistic to say the least.

A large pile of slightly dusty animal furs, linen, and wool formed into a vague shape similar to that of a bird's nest that was pushed into the furthest part of the cave seemed to be the only most notable feature of the young adeptus's abode. Other than that, plus a woven basket of dirty bamboo shoots and a smaller one full of what looked to be different types of stones, the cave was practically barren.

Your hold on your crook tightened. 

'He really is alone..' you thought as you fumed silently.

"So..Shi Yông," You smiled awkwardly, trying to keep your building rage from showing on your face, "How long have you lived here?"

The boy paused. 

"Um.." His face became pensive, "I..I don't really know? As long as I can remember, I guess?"

"And how long is that?" You pressed.

The young adeptus's face grew pensive once more only to shift in discomfort after a few moments. Shi Yong bowed deeply in apology. 

"Forgive this one, Laoshi. This one is..unable to remember."

You frowned behind your mask. 

He should remember. He always remembers. He remembers everything. He never forgets, never, never, never-

You restrained a sigh and shoved away one of the whispering tendrils of fate that had caressed your mind. 

God, clairvoyance could be so annoying sometimes.

You replied to Shi Yong's little apology with a hum and waved a hand of dismissal. 

"It's fine, child, " You assured, petting his head.

You looked back out of the mouth of the cave (once again not noticing the way the youngling god seemed to completely melt under your touch), watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving an vibrant red sky in it's wake.

'It took longer to get up here than expected..' You mused. 

While your initial plan was to bring Shi Yong back to his cave, gather his things, and leave, it would seem that your hopeless sense of direction and Shi Yong's state of already being lost had wound up making things even worse. 

You inhaled through your nose.

"It would seem that we will have to depart in the morning," You thought aloud.

Shi Yông blinked, then cocked his head in confusion. Then, the thought seemed to finally catch up to him and he froze. And while his gulp was silent, the subtly bobbing of his throat gave indication that he was nervous. 

"Depart?" He asked softly, clasping at your robes again with his fingers practically digging into the fabric, "You mean.. leave the mountain?"

"Yes my dear disciple," You nodded, patting his clawed hand, "By nature I am a wanderer, I do not like to stay in one place for too long."

'Well..more like I hate being confined...'

You mentally shuddered at unwanted memories that you promptly shoved into the deepest depths of your mind.

 "But for now," You murmured, reaching into your robes, "We'll rest for the night."

"Are you thirsty little adeptus?" You asked cocking your head. 

Shi Yông copied your motion as he stared at the small linen skin pouch that you now held in your hands.

"..Why?" He replied with a tone full of hesitance. 

You smirked behind your mask. 

You then proceeded to pull out a small, dark brown ceramic tea pot, a box of tea leaves, a water pouch, and two wooden cups alongside a small bamboo mat out of the impossibly small pouch. 

Shi Yông gaped.

"What-!" He pointed at the bag with fascination and wonder, "How'd you do that, Laoshi?!"

You chuckled heartily at the youngling's amazement, watching in bemusement as his tail wagged like a young puppy, his eyes wide with interest.  "Just some simple dimensional magic, little one. I could teach it to you one day, if you'd like?" You offered. An offer the young god excitedly excepted with an eager nod.

"Could you teach it to me now?" He asked with wide, sparkling eyes.

"Hm. Not now, little Shi Yông. Someday, but not now."

"Why not?"

You lifted your head to give the cave's ceiling a knowing look, as if the stalgamites shared an important secret with you.

Probably the secret about dimensional magic.

Shi Yông pouted. No fair! He wants to know too! 

"Laoshiiiii~" The little one whined, complete with puppy eyes and teary lashes. A whine that was met with a swift, but light bonk to the head via crook. 

"Oh don't pout, my little adeptus. You will learn all I have to offer in due course. Don't worry~."

"But why can't I learn it now?"

You pulled some firewood out of your bag, set them on the floor slightly away from the tea supplies, and shrugged. 

"Because you're not ready right now."

The little dragon puffed out his cheeks in irritation and stopped his little clawed foot.

"Who says I'm not ready learn? I'm a mighty long! There's nothing I can't do! Teach me! Teach me now!"

His demand was met with another bonk to the head.

"Aiyah.." You sighed, shaking your head, "Such a demanding disciple I have. Back on my world, such back talk would earn you a good thrashing across your bottom," You then turned away from the firewood and looked at him through your mask, "Shi Yông.. Dimensional magic can be finicky at best and wildly unpredictable at worse. You need to know exactly what you're doing, or else it could horribly back fire. Heck-" You made a gesturing motion with your crook, "-it could end up sending you to an alternate universe, or back in time, or, at very worse, could wind up scattering and trapping your soul across different planes of existence-"

Shi Yông looked at you with a blank look on his face, clearly confused. 

You sweat-dropped, thankful such embarrassment was hidden by your mask.

"Ahhh," You coughed awkwardly into your fist, "My point is, Dimensional magic is very advanced and very dangerous if not used with care. I.. Just don't want you getting yourself hurt, that's all."

He unfurrowed his thin brows just the slightest bit at your proclamation.

"Now, help me start a fire would you?"

"...Ok.."

-------------------------------

Blood..

Death...

Ashes...

Seven sovereigns standing above the rest, bodies and skeletons of other gods crushed beneath their feet, with Celestia above simply watching the massacre unfold, smiling with bloodied, gilded teeth.

A Golden contract..

A Windswept Lyre..

A Lightening encrusted sword..

By the word of Celestia, a nation cast in the moon's shadow crumbled. "We need no other gods!" its people proclaimed, with twilight sword in hand. "You are not our maker!" its people cried, with a golden dragon at their back. "We shall free them from their gilded cage built on lies and deceit!" its people bellowed, a mighty crown upon their head. 

They were all crushed.

Every. 

Single.

One.

They were no match for Heaven's mighty hand.

Death came in one fell swoop as gods descended with unbridled fury. Even a fate worse than death came upon them, twisting their bodies into mangled minions of the Abyss, many having their minds twisted and lost. 

You cried.

The bloodshed continued, red oozing down from the sky. 

You begged.

Your body remained chained. Your children lay dead, their pleas and cries for you unanswered, their souls reaching towards the sky for you-

You screamed.

You jostled awake, panting and sweating and gulping down air you didn't need. You sat there for several moments, ripping back what remnants of your mind still remained within the folds of your power and recollecting yourself. The cave and sky were dark and little Shi Yông was currently nestling within his little space of linen and furs, safe and sound. 

You brought a shaking hand to your face, wiping away tears that had built up during your slumber.

It's okay. You're okay. None of that has happened yet, none of it except-

You little ones smiled up at you. Your concubines laughed like bells in your ears. 

Your stomach lurches. It took everything in your power not to vomit at the once happy memories. Tears escaped your eyes once more as you suppressed those vicious sobs as to not wake your precious new disciple. Several moments pass of this virulent back and forth between self-inflicted peace and stabbing, tainted memories. 

"..Your grace?"

You whirled around at the sound of a voice, an all too familiar one, coming from the cave entrance. You sighed. 

"Good evening Eligos.." You look up at him with blank and dulled eyes, your mask having been long forgotten on the floor by your slumbering self. 

The specter of pale bones and a horse's skull looked at you with what you could only guess was pity or perhaps.. empathy, if you could assume that far. 

"Did you have that dream again, your grace?" His deep voice was raspy and slightly dry, but it dripped with a soft kind of concern that only old friends or family members were privy to give. You were unsure of whether or not to answer and instead simply looked away with a shadowed face. Eligos responded by simply floating over to your side. 

His presence is cold, as it always is given his phantasmic nature. 

"How.." Your voice breaks and you wet your trembling lips, "..How did you find me?"

"Your dream led me to you," He whispered, "Just like last time."

You laugh bitterly and hang your head, hands cradling your face. 

You looked up at him from between your fingers. "..Are you going to tell them?"

"Did I tell them last time?"

"..."

He practically raised an imaginary eyebrow.

"...No," You groan.

"Why do you not trust me, your grace?" He leans down, presence practically wrapping you in cold serenity. You hate it.

"You know I don't trust anyone from the Celestial Court," You mutter darkly.

"Yet you did not attack me, neither then nor now."

You flashed him a dagger hidden within your robe, enchanted, radiant with your condensed power, before concealing it once more. "You can never be too careful," you said simply, tone flat as you got up from your bedding on the cave floor and moved to quietly tidding up the young adeptus's home. You dutifully ignored the seer spirit as you did so. 

Eligos sighed. 

He then tore his gaze from you and looked to the youngling god who was still tucked away in his little nest. 

"Is he.."

"Yes." You nod.

With a flick of your hand, a golden string flowed from one of your fingers and wrapped around the little sleeping child, slithering up one of his arms and swirling into a golden sigil-like pattern that rested between his shoulder-blades. 

"..He is one of Celestia's fated chosen."

The silence between the two of you was thick, broken only by the sounds of you shuffling about. 

"I see." He murmers and nods, "...Are you going to kill him?"

You threw your head back with a pitiless, dry laugh. 

"I could never bring myself to kill a child, you know that." ..That was true, but it wasn't the whole truth about why you kept Shi Yông alive. Eligos didn't need to know that though. You shook your head, "No, I've made him my disciple. I will teach him the true way of godhood. I will raise him."

You then dug a glare into the specter's skull.

"Will you try to take him from me?"

He bows his head to you.

"I would not dare go against your wishes, your grace. If you wish to have him as your own, then it shall be done."

You scoff loudly.

"Yes.. my wishes. As if Celestia ever cared about what I wanted," You roughly sit back down and start to reorganize your dimensional pouch to keep your hands occupied when you finally remember there was hardly anything in the cave to clean anyways, "If they did, they would have freed me and spared my-"

You stop, unable to finish that sentence. Red rims your eyes and you inhale sharply through your nose. 

"No, no," You turn and shake a finger at Eligos with a snarl, "You all treat me more like a pet or a prize more than a person. Even the tree you keep my true form in still looks like a cage from the inside."

A shadow falls over Eligos expressionless face. 

"I am not Celestia, your grace."

"Yes, but you serve them."

"I serve you!" He hissed lowly, the atmosphere around the two of you dropping far enough in temperature that you can see your breath form a pale mist, "It has always been you!"

His sheer cold presence engulfs you as he practically towers chest to nose with you. 

"I may be of the Celestia Court, but my allegiance has always been to you. That has not changed, nor will it ever change."

"Then why did you never free me?" Your eyes narrow, "If you were truly on my side, why did you leave me in there to rot?"

"You are what holds this world together. If you were freed then everything will fall. Your children's sacrifice would have been for not-!"

"MY CHILDREN-!" You halt your scream and look back a Shi Yông. Soft snores still met your ears. You then turned back to Eligos with a seething, disdainful glare full of rage and poisonous daggers.  

"My children.. sacrificed nothing. Celestia sacrificed them. You used their brain, their blood, their bodies when they screamed for you to stop, when I screamed for you to stop. You lazy louts did nothing when that Bastard who calls himself your king ripped my babies apart and built this world upon their ashes and bones. Where was your loyalty then, hm?"

Eligos was silent. 

"If I were freed, even if this false world falls, none within who are innocent would die. I still see humans and those born of my leyline blood as my children after all. You all just wanted me contained," Your eyes pierce into his soul, "You just want me all to yourself." 

"...Are you done?"

Your eyebrows shoot into your hairline.

"What?"

"I said 'Are you done?'" Eligos glared with empty eye-sockets, "Did you get it all out of your system?"

"What?" You sputter, "What are you-?"

Before you can even realize, Eligos has you backed into a wall, shoved against the rocky surface and pinned against it by the shoulders. 

"Listen here-."

Your eyes widen, then harden. 

Eligos screeches when you slash his ghostly form with your dagger, white ooze dripping from the wound as he stumbled back. 

"You knew I had a weapon, yet you still had the nerve to try and intimidate me like that," You chuckle darkly with a smirk, "Color me impressed."

The specter glowers as you sheath the dagger. 

"You may not believe me when I say it, but I am yours. I will serve you even if you were to cut me into a thousand pieces," He hisses, his form flickering as the enchantments on the dagger begin to kick in, "You can banish me or run from me, but I will always find you. You cannot resist me forever. Those dreams of war will not leave you so easily, your grace. You and I are tied, whether you like it or not!" 

"G e t  O u t ."

Your power obeyed, whisking the celestial specter away without another word. You stumble back against the wall, letting out a few shaky breaths. You heard back over to your bedding, slipped your mask back on, and let out a sigh of relief.

I need to keep this on.. They'll keep finding me if I don't...

Without even realizing it, you had stumbled, almost drunkenly over to the young god's bed, completely drained mentally and emotionally. Your hand reached over and gently carded through the sleeping adeptus's long, matted hair. 

You chuckled to yourself, "I really need to give you a bath..or a comb."

How surprising that the little one still managed to sleep like a log after all that. Truly, perhaps not even a hurricane could wake him once he lay down for sleep. You rested your cheek on the rim of the makeshift nest, with your hand still resting on his head before moving to rest on his upper back, fingers tracing his upper spine where the sigil had been.  

"Soul child.." You murmur gently, "My soul child.. I will protect you and all your siblings to come with all my heart. On this I swear."

That night, you fell back asleep with a hand rest on your child and tears staining the inside of your mask. 

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Extra:

Reader: *pulls out knife to fight Eligos*

Their bonking stick sitting patiently in the corner: Lonely~, I am so lonely~, I have no bodyyyyyy-

Tagging: @raidengaile  @i-put-the-yan-in-polyandry @mikachuchu @willowedwisteria @bamboowrites ​