#the angst arc begins

[strong-with-the-sarcasm]

Part 21: all the ashes in my way

"But my peace has always depended on all the ashes in my way." -Arsonist's Lullabye by Hozier

Regent Masterlist Part 20 A03 Mundane Macabre (Main) TW: mention of infertility

September finally came to a close without much fanfare. The month had seen the very world rocked and many people were still left reeling from the implication that they had very nearly had a war with the Infinite Realms to contend with. Gothamites were eager to get October over with, thanks to the Rogues deciding Halloween was the perfect time to launch an assault against the city. 

However, with the new found peace established between the aforementioned Realms and the mortal world, with the encouragement of the Phantom vigilante (a self-proclaimed ghost who haunts the Ridge), Gothamites cautiously prepared for Samhain celebrations instead. 

It was a big deal to Phantom. 

Outside of his vigilantism, Danny Nightingale was doing well in school, test scores and grades soaring through the roof. An almost visible weight had been lifted from his shoulders with the abolishment of the Anti-Ecto Acts. He even began to hang out with the youngest Wayne, Damian, outside of school to the surprise of many. 

The Waynes and Nightingales were becoming closer by the day with Jasmine and Jason’s relationship status revealed and all the cards laid out on the table between all involved. 

Jasmine and Dick Grayson bonded over their shared Eldest Daughter Syndrome, while Jazz and Steph bonded over villainous parents. Add Cass to the mix, the three women got along like a house on fire.

(The three enjoyed their girl time, bonding over clothes, movies and the occasional beat down.) 

(The two loved to tease Jazz about Jason.) 

With the two lovebirds (a Nightingale and a Robin), their relationship had changed dramatically…though only a few knew why.

There was something wrong with her body and for the life of her, Jazz could not figure out what it was. 

She’d been nauseous lately, especially when she was a good distance from the ground. Typically, one might chalk it up to a fear of heights, but Jazz had never ever suffered from acrophobia. Perhaps the altitude adjustment? That didn’t make sense either because she’d been a vigilante for months and had no physical reactions to sudden elevation change. She’d even thrown up a couple times on patrol. 

It also didn’t explain why her breasts were tender and aching. Her armor was lightweight enough that it wasn’t causing undue pressure, but the preternatural metal remained uncomfortable no matter what she tried. 

And her head was killing her. 

She’d refused to take patrol of regardless of her ailment, whatever it was. Her little brother could tell she wasn’t feeling well and had tried his best to get her to go home early even though Jazz refused. 

Her gut instincts were trying to warn her, to be hyper vigilant in her defense of the Ridge. There was something coming and Jazz did not want to be caught unprepared. 

However, it was during a semi-weekly girls night with Cass and Steph that Jazz’s life was sent careening off course into the wide blue yonder. 

The three women were hanging out in Jazz’s new apartment, a cozy place with three bedrooms that she shared with Jason and Danny, and we’re settling in to watch a movie that’d just been released on dvd (Eat Pray Love). Steph had spared Jazz a confused look at her odd mixture of popcorn and ice cream, but didn’t say anything. 

They’d barely started the movie, the warnings of anti-piracy ignored (gothamites) when Steph exclaimed, “oh!” 

Cass was quick to pause the movie while Jazz choked on a mouthful of sweet and salty goodness. 

(Sweet Cass merely patted her on the back.) 

“You’re pregnant aren’t you?” 

(Jazz had just gotten her airway cleared too.) 

Naturally, they had to wait for Jazz to recover from her choking fit and inhale almost an entire bottle of water before she was deemed fit enough to answer Stephanie’s question. 

“No, I’m not pregnant!” Jazz retorted, though the thought of-

baby?

 -Kept ping-ponging around in her head like a cracked jar of marbles. 

She couldn’t be pregnant.

“You and Jason have slept together right?” Steph questioned, a particular gleam in her eye that Cass copied almost immediately. 

“Baby?” The ballerina added in her blunt way of speaking. There was almost a palpable sense of excitement in the air now. 

And yes, Jazz and Jason did have sex, almost nightly if she was honest… but she couldn’t have children thanks to her ecto-contamination. 

(That day had been one of the most heartbreaking times of her life, being told she had no chance of being a mother.) 

(She had dreamed of a little boy and girl to raise, to love indefinitely.) 

(She had told Jason and could see he was a bit heartbroken too.) 

(Nonetheless, they had talked about adoption and fostering.) 

(Already planning the life they wanted together.) 

Jazz didn’t realize she was crying until Cass launched into her arms for a hug, spilling popcorn everywhere.

A/N: Here's the beginning of what I'm calling the "Angst arc". Its actually a pretty long chapter I had to split up. This will be combined with either parts 19 & 20 or 22 when its later posted. content warning because I know infertility can be triggering to people. Its part of the story for a reason, I promise.

The regent masterlist is updated with new parts and the unoffical playlist for the regent series.

Thanks for reading!

PS: Yes, black mask has no idea what he's in for.

PS 2: did you know Eat Pray Love came out August 13th, 2010? 2010 is when the social media AU is set for regent. Thought it would be cool to include a movie that would have just released around that time.

[hermanoga]

One of the best things 'The Eye' and 'Lull' have done is helping me reinterpret the romantic under(?!)tones of the previous openings and endings without any weird guilt (of forcing my gay agenda on anything, which I know is idiotic but anyway). Go back and listen to Vortex, Dive Back in Time and The Tides, everything falls into place all of a sudden. And ALSO, read the damn lyrics of Overthink!

ps : I forgot Break and Flash - the gayest gay ones. I will discuss if I want later :3

Yingdu is standing there with a scythe or something as I write this but I am actually feeling very content right now. Oh, also! found a theory on twitter thread titled This isn’t the dead wife you’re looking for: how Link Click leverages the “dead wife” trope for CXS while actively subverting it (bro wrote an almost academic paper, delicious arguments really, a similar discussion I was having with a friend the other day) which really makes a lot of sense! The form and content aligns very perfectly if we keep that theory in mind.

Edit : Some more Shiguang ramblings I posted.

I have tears in my Shiguang eyes cause I skipped lunch to edit this, I am hungry and I feel like crying.

[infoglitch]

Goodbye

"when one joy, one love, one source of happiness ends, a new one begins."

(a formal apology to any nuts n dolts fans who did not want to see a 3-pair of their favorite ship and Jaune.)

@spahhzy, @epic-arc. This war has been on pause for a long while. And I hope you've got your rest, because it's season two now. And I'm the god damn BBEG.

October 31st. modern day.

Ruby: Jaune, it's been five years.

Jaune: I know, I just.. I need to do this Ruby.

Ruby released a sigh from her side of the scroll call.

Ruby: alright. Just don't be late for my birthday Vomit boy.

Jaune: wouldn't miss it for the world Crater face.

Jaune hung up as he got in his car. He inserted the keys with the engine roaring to life.

~~~~

Seven years ago. Beacon.

Penny: friend Ruby, may I inquire who this friend is?

Ruby: ah sure, Penny this Jaune. Aka vomit boy

Jaune: t-that was one time!

Penny: understood friend Ruby. Salutations friend Jaune. I am Penny Pollendina. It is a pleasure to meet one of Ruby's friends!

Penny stuck out her hand. Jaune looked at it before grasping.

Jaune: it's nice to meet you too uh.. friend Penny? Nice to see Ruby isn't just stuck with my team and hers- OW!

jaune yelped as penny grabbed his hands with an almost BONE CRUSHING strength as she began to shake his hand. When she let go jaune yanked back his hand and began blowing on it.

Jaune: ah, ah, AH, ah-ha that's a lot of strength for young lady.

Penny: "a lot of strength for a young lady" is that a problem friend Ruby?

Ruby: no of course not.

Jaune: I just meant for your p-physique you got a lot of strength... Then again I was surprised too when I saw Ruby carrying her weapon.. until I saw she had a good bit of muscle. Your clothes are really good at hiding how strong you are you know that Ruby?

Ruby: well what can I say? I like surprising my enemies.. and sometimes my friends.

Jaune: well it works!

Penny: it is extremely beneficial. when an enemy underestimates you they tend to not take you seriously which can be very dangerous if they find out their opponent is far more strong than they thought

Ruby: why thank you Penny.

Penny: anytime friend Ruby.

~~~~

Five years ago. Atlas.

Jaune found himself awake one night as he heard a knocking at his door. He yawned as he got up.he walked towards his door and opened it to see Penny standing in front of him. Her face red.

Penny: friend Jaune.. I require advice on friend Ruby.

Jaune raised an eyebrow before moving aside and motioning her inside.

After a few seconds.

Jaune: so.. you're asking me advice on Ruby and how to ask her out? Why?

Penny: friend Weiss and the rest of team Rwby were already busy. Specialist Schnee was in a meeting so.. I figured I'd go to you friend Jaune. You've known friend Ruby longer than I have.. not to mention certain feelings you've had about friend Ruby.

Jaune blushed deeply as he looked at Penny.

Jaune: who told you I wanted to date Ruby?

Penny: you did friend Jaune. Just now.

Jaunes blush intensified as he face palmed.

Jaune: w-well.. from my experience with Ruby shes pretty dense. If you want to be with her I'd say be direct.

Penny: ah, that makes sense.. now if I may inquire friend Jaune. Why have you not taken your own advice?

Jaune: well.. it's complicated

Penny: it doesn't seem complex to me, you like friend Ruby romantically yet you have chosen not to pursue those feelings.

Jaune: well yeah but, think about it, I've known Ruby since Beacon, we hung out, we traveled together after the fall, we fought side by side, and I've seen a part of that has almost died before you returned. Seeing her happy when she's with you.. I can't just step in and tell her, that's just a piece of shit behavior.. plus, lets be honest I never had a chance to begin with.

Penny: ah, so what you are saying is you are defeated, friend Jaune.

Jaune: defeated?

Penny: you have convinced yourself that there is no conceivable possibility of you and friend Ruby becoming a pair. You have in a sense defeated your hopes.

Jaune:.. that, that definitely makes sense. But Even if I did try she'd say no.

Penny: even if friend Ruby did, what matters is that you tried, friend Jaune. And it is not as if it would ruin anything between you. You two are friends, nothing can shatter that.

Jaune: huh.. you sure about that?

Penny: affirmative. I do not need to run a diagnostic. For I am certain.

Jaune: huh.. thanks Penny.

Penny: anytime friend Jaune. And thank you for your advice. I am glad we could have this talk.

Jaune: same here Penny, same here.

~~~~

Ruby was pacing back and forth as penny watched.

Penny: Ruby I guarantee you this will go well.

Ruby: how are we sure, I mean me and you are dating and jaunes 100% ok with that, what if he's already made peace with that and moved on. What if-

Penny stood up and grasped Ruby's hand.

Penny: Ruby, you know friend Jaune, we both know Jaune. There is nothing you could say or do that would ruin what you and him have. If he has come to terms then he is still your friend. Nothing will change that.

Ruby: Right.. right. Thank you Pen.

Penny simply smiled at her before kissing her forehead. Causing Ruby to blush a little.

The door soon opened as jaune stepped in, he nervously waved at the two.

Jaune: sorry I'm late. Nora needed help with something.. what did you wanna talk about?

Ruby: well uh.. it's.. you might want to sit down for this jaune.

Jaune simply nodded as he sat down. With Penny and Ruby taking a seat beside each other.

~~~~

Jaune stopped his car once he arrived. He got out and looked at the massive cemetery. Made for those who passed during the silent war. Jaune began walking past each of them. Seeing the names of those who fell.

Arslan Altan.

Mercury Black.

Ghira Belladonna.

Raven Branwen.

Qrow Branwen

Maria Calavera

Athena Nikos.

Oscar Pine.

Pietro Pollendina.

Whitley Schnee.

Emerald Sustrai.

Winter Schnee.

Neptune Vasilias.

Taiyang Xiao long.

Many more names, some jaune recognized and some he didn't. But he stopped one he saw one in specific.

Penny Pollendina.

Jaune knelt down and looked at it.

Jaune: heya pen. How uh, how you been? Ruby is doing alright, she and Yang finally got to grieve together. You should have seen us all, we were letting out the water works.. especially Ruby. I'm amazed I cried the least.. maybe I just got to because hey, I haven't lost anything.. I'm the only one who didn't lose anyone.. but you probably don't wanna hear that so I'll just get to the point.. we miss you Penny. Ruby misses you.. I miss you.. everyone does. You didn't deserve what happened to you, you didn't deserve to die like that, not when you were finally able to be human. Not when you finally had everything you wanted.. you didn't deserve any of what happened, you were just a girl.

Jaune takes a breath as he felt tears beginning to well.

Jaune: I love you Penny, Ruby loves you. We miss you and.. we wish you were here. Ruby may have grieved but.. but I can't, not when you died by my hands, not when your blood stains my blade, not when I'm the reason your gone.. I can never grieve.

Not when you're gone because of my incompetence

[silverwhittlingknife]

good coping mechanisms [not pictured]

nightwing 116 & red robin 12

[total-drama-brainrot]

World Tour Assistant Noah AU (where he is always an assistant):

After the gross kiss failed to stop Alejandro's flirting... Noah begs Duncan to convince Alejandro, that Noah is too dorky to date... but Duncan has an even better idea; make Alejandro jealous for fun!

(In this AU, Duncan and Courtney had broken up before Season 3, so Duncan isn't a cheater!)

Duncan: "Thanks for letting me return to the show, handsome.~" 😘

(Duncan kisses Assistant Noah's cheek.)

Alejandro: "Duncan, I will DESTROY you!" 😡

Noah: "I just want to be left alone!" 🙄

Wait hold on... hold on... this is just the premise of my favourite Dunnoah fic series but with an assistant Noah twist. And extra Alenoah flavouring. That's not to say I'm against the idea.

Though I can't really imagine Duncan ever committing himself to flirting with Noah unless the two had struck up a deal prior- Duncan's that specific brand of 2000s era bigoted where being seen as anything but straight is a social crime (despite the fact that Duncan is definitely a boykisser, just in denial), but he's also aware of just how much of a threat Alejandro is in the competition and the latino's huge obvious crush on Chris' personal assistant, so I think Duncan could push aside his own internal biases to at the very least propose a similar idea to Noah.

Really, it'd be beneficial for the both of them; Noah gets to subtly-not-so-subtly tell Alejandro to back off by responding to Duncan's advances but not his, and Duncan gets to rile up Alejandro enough to redivert his attention away from the competition itself thus increasing his own chances of winning. It's strategic, really, nothing more.

It's that line of logic that has Noah eventually conceding that, for all intents and purposes, it's a good plan. So he deigns to play along, at least for a little bit, just to get Alejandro off of his back.

And, canonically, they're both shown to be at least half-decent at flirting, so whatever displays they have planned to annoy Alejandro would be just convincing enough to really get under his skin. Especially since Alejandro's shown in canon to be the protective/possessive type (mostly in All-Stars, in how he reacts to José insulting Heather) and likely wouldn't take too kindly to Duncan swooping in on "his amor" or whatever Spanish nickname he'd substitute it with.

Which all eventually leads to the scenario you proposed; Duncan plants a wet one on Noah's cheek and Alejandro sees red.

Noah's already exhausted by default, but feels weariness seep into the marrow of his bones as a seething Alejandro glares poisonous daggers towards Duncan, who's committed enough to their little ruse to in turn shoot a wink and a pair of finger guns towards the assistant. Deciding that he isn't paid nearly enough to deal with the inevitable confrontation between the two idiots who've apparently taken an interest in him (Duncan's, of course, being a known ruse), Noah leaves to go and do his actual job.

...

And then, Alejandro confronts Duncan directly in the Economy cabin, claiming that he doesn't deserve to so much as look at Noah, and that he (Alejandro) was the one Noah kissed and therefore the object of his attraction so Duncan better lay off. This is news to the punk, and adds a whole new layer of complexity to their plan. And perhaps something he can later exploit to give himself a leg up in the competition.

But why does the idea of Noah kissing Alejandro make his chest tighten up with envy?

And then maybe Duncan finds the untamed passion of Alejandro's genuine fury kind of hot and he too enters the metaphorical boxing ring of feelings? Aledunnoah endgame? The intern server has been posting a lot of Aleduncan lately so letting those two get together (and with Noah in there too, as a bonus) just seems natural to my brain at this point.

[d8tl55c]

me: waiting for shoe(s) to drop

Personified Alan Becker YouTube Icon: oh... buddy...

[inpursuitofnunchi]

The ending broke me 😭😭😭😭

Jung hae in what actor you are every time he cries i cry with him

[lara60]

if ruining my sleep schedule cause i was locked in drawing a meme was an olympic sport id be the reigning champion

[gomzdrawfr]

Evanescence

Everything but you

edited: A series of PriceRaven stories that happened after mw3, or as I like to call it: PriceRaven Canonverse old: another fic for PriceRaven, BUT this is an art + fic combo fic :3 I'll do a separate post for just the art (or you can check out this clip i posted on twt), so for now, enjoy this mess

tags:

angst and fluff, hurt/comfort, slow burn, canon-typical violence and behavior, character study (done poorly), grief, major character death (MCD), mention of MW3 content, author trying to be poetic but most likely just messing up the narrative flow, miscommunication, happy ending

author's note:

word count: 6,048 (the back part is not proof read)

the italics are internal thoughts or third perspective thoughts

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━ [this divider represent a time skip]

Next Chapter

Raven knew the possibility of Price having to leave for a period of time, and was fully aware of the escalation of things when the news of Makarov started popping up.

“To update you on the breaking news of a Russian passenger jet that crashed…”

“A hundred and thirty-three passengers and nine crew members were on board the flight…”

“Descending very rapidly…..unexplained descent…..” 

“Kastovia flight 761 bound for sochi…” 

“...just hours after a missile attack on Arklove Military Base…..looks to be a terrorist attack” 

They both knew then, that this would be the beginning of a long separation.

A quick goodbye, a hug and a kiss.

A swift departure, leaving Raven to tend to their home with their two lovely cats, their girls, after the shit show that went down between Cobra and Vik. 

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━

Months later, Price would return a changed man, sprawled on the front door and drenched by the rain, clutching onto Raven for dear life as he shakes.

She’d never seen this man in this state; never seen Price that would openly show his distress to this level. 

She could deduce that the operations most likely did not go well, and something terrible must’ve happened.

The guess confirms itself in the form of a watch.

Soap’s watch. Resting on his desk.

And later, a conversation.

“We’ll have to abandon everything”

“The house, the plants, the cars-”

“The girls…”

There was a sense of urgency in his tone,  its timbre deepened and solemn since his return. A frown etched between his brows, accompanied by an increased consumption of cigars and even cigarettes.

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━

“I tied one of many loose ends”

He murmured into her skin in the quiet of night where the world is asleep. Price returned hours ago, dressed in a dark overcoat and a beanie, with a handgun beneath his shirt. 

“Did you now?”

Shepherd huh.

She whispered back, feeling his chin resting on her shoulder, his beard tickling her skin slightly, properly nestled in his arms, but there weren't the usual giggles and laughter that surrounded the two.

No, this was their last night on this bed, on this home.

Their last night in the comforts of their safe haven. 

“Mm” He mumbled back, palms covering her arms as he hugged her closer, spooning her in his arms.

Nervous that somehow, she’ll slip away, taken away from his grasp. 

“....” “Tell me, Pricey” She brushed his knuckles, easing his tension.

“Will you follow me still, Raven….? Even if we have to leave…” he trails off, leaving things unsaid.

She understood fully the gravity of the question. Even if we have to leave away our hopes and dreams, dreams of settling down, growing old peacefully, dreams of comfort and promises of the future.

“Where would I go if not with you, John?”

“...I don’t know, Singapore?”

“...and what does Singapore have to offer again?”

“Really good seafood” 

“So you’re assuming I’ll pick seafood over you?”

“Well, I was hoping you don’t”

A small chuckle escapes her, which made him smile in return, some of the pressure and uneasiness dispersed from this exchange.

“I won’t leave you” She whispered back, holding his hand up to kiss his fingers. Bittersweet murmurs exchanged throughout the night that comforted the two.  “Alright then, Eira”

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━

It was exhilarating and intense for Raven to get back on the field with Price, joined as an ally to provide much-needed support in the mess and development following the escape of Makarov from the Trojan Horse mission.

But they have to admit it was exhausting having to move constantly without a proper place to settle down.

Physically and mentally.

Which explains why they’re here now, on this island that Raven can only assume that it's a personal island owned by Price.

“You telling me you own this place?!”

“Ah well, I wouldn’t say “own”, birdie…”

She still doesn’t fully comprehend what he meant by that.

It was a much needed break, being surrounded by the ocean and forest, exploring the places, catching fishes and crabs.

Price hasn’t seen Raven smiled this much in a long time.

Raven witnessed a side of Price she had longed to see: relaxed, carefree, and at peace. Yet, beneath his newfound calmness, she sensed something off about Price that hinted at a deeper turmoil within him.

There were moments when he'd gaze into the distance, lost in thought, thinking.

Pondering.

This was, unfortunately, one of the many truths Raven had come to understand about Price.

More often or not that contemplative look of his means he is plotting or thinking ahead of things, which inherently, is not a bad thing.

It only became problematic when he kept these plans from her, setting things in motion without her knowledge.

Because that’s what Price does.

Plan, execute, reflect, repeat. 

The other negative trait from this, is that it always means there is something he was harboring within that was threatening to break apart. Troubles he would rather deal with alone.

Things that slowly etched eats him out bit by bit on the inside. 

Now, Price was a man of many many thoughts, meticulously organized into mental compartments, sealed, and cast into the abyss of the unknown.

A man who had no room for lingering emotions: guilt, anger, sadness – anything that could hinder his motives, his plans, his every step. 

A man that is calm, quiet, composed and in control, with a constant battle inside he can never say or show.

Behind his eyes, Raven saw it all.

The ocean behind those eyes of his are no longer violent and roaring, similar to when they had to toss their belongings into a pool of fire after that last night in their home.

Freedom tastes like ash and anger after all.

His eyes are now shrouded in darkness, like the deep blue sea.

Suffering and screams muffled in silence.

Drowning.  

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━

“Up for a ride, birdie?”

“Sure”

It wasn’t uncommon for them to venture into the sea at night, they would drive out in their trusty lil boat (named Cash ‘n’ Fly) far enough until the horizon stretched endlessly, with a seamless line between the sea and the starry sky.

It creates an illusion of infinite space and solitude.

A small escape from everything.

What set this trip apart was the cigar hanging loosely between Price’s lips.

She counted the amount of cigar he used daily, and it was reduced to one or two per day during their break.

So to see him light it up, the fourth one of the day, right now, especially when it's dark and quiet, it could only mean one thing.

“You know…Eira”

And so it begins.

Everything but you.

She had anticipated this conversation, in some form or another.

She didn’t know it would be…this.

Leaving me with the island? I’ll have everything?

And I am supposed to be content with this?

Price was a hardened soldier, a veteran.

A seasoned Captain that has done enough chaos and has enough body piles up below him more than he could handle.

Battles stitched across his skin and back, hands coated in blood and regrets that clung onto his soul.

Far from a savior, close to a sinner.

Hands that were better suited for violence, instead of softness.

It should’ve been just another one of those moments, where he’d tell off some of his men, his soldiers, people who depended on him, boys and girls alike, to leave, to never come back.

To leave him.

So why is it so different when it comes to…the person before him now?

Why does this ache so differently?

What Price has in mind, doesn’t quite align with what John wants.

Needs.

John craves for the simplicity of being loved. Yearns for warmth and understanding, desperate for someone to look into his eyes and see the real him.

John thinks about Eira, thinks about her, her hands, her voice, and he wants more, more and more, a beast that is never satisfied, that can never get enough.

John wants to drown in love. In her.

Price fears that John loves more than he is ever allowed to. 

Price wants what is right.

It’s for the best.

The one sentence that helps justify everything, doesn’t it? 

“....”

Price watches as she stood up abruptly after a long uncomfortable silence, seeing her approaching the bow of the boat-

“Raven?--”

A loud splash was heard, and his body moved before he could process anything.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?? RAVEN??”

Raven, out of all the possible reactions he has anticipated, does none of what he expected and dives into the black sea.

“I'm going back to land!” She yells back with a strain, huffing as she proceeds to swim to the general direction of where the shore was. 

“That’s way too far!! You’ll freeze your arse before you could even reach it!!” “GOOD, I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DIE IN THE OCEAN ANYWAYS”

“EIRA!!”

God dammit.

He quickly drove the boat, starting up the engine to propel the boat towards her, careful not to hit her as he quickly pulled her aboard.

“What–what are you trying to achieve by doing something stupid like this?”

“Nothing productive”

“Ei-”

He stops mid-sentence, seeing her freezing and trembling form, sea water coating her entire form as she shakes like a leaf on the wood.

For a split second, he wanted to ask if she cried, when he saw the red corners from her eyes.

Instead, he took off his jacket and outer shirt to wrap it around her.

The ride home was nothing but silence.

━━━━━━❆━━━━━━━

A letter and a necklace, that should be all.

Price thought to himself as he placed the necessary items on the table outside their room, with a heavy bag on his left as his thumb lingered on the necklace.

An owl head marble piece hangs at the end of it, an item he found comfort in whenever they were separated.

Not like it would be…of any use now.

He brushed it one last time, before heading out, leaving Raven behind.

At least, that’s what he intended to do, to leave behind the one person he had willingly, and stubbornly let into his life.

And now, he’s walking away like a mad man.

He sees Nik’s heli in the far distance, the sight both a relieving but solemn reminder of what is about to happen.

Usually, he wouldn’t think.

Just walk, it’s right there.

Yet, he stays rooted in the sand, as if waiting for a miracle.

“Is that it?!” A shout made him flinch slightly, turning around only to be completely knocked down into the sandy beach.

“You think you can throw me aside like a doll, a birdie with songs you’ve grown bored of, is it?”

“Wha-”

A loud clean slap, with the sting now buzzing on his left cheek as his eyes widened.

“You– you don’t get to decide what’s right for me”

“Listen here you– prick! Old geezer whatever the fuck you are right now-” 

“You only get to choose me once, you either live with me forever, or we live our lives apart”

“Can you live your life without me?”

“Eira–”

“Don’t you dare say anything other than to answer my questions”

A long uncomfortable silence stretched between them, as Raven stayed straddling his chest as he lay against the sand that felt like it was burying him up.

It wasn’t when he felt the warm drops of tears on his cheek that his eyes truly met her. 

“....do I mean nothing to you? Am i…just another pawn for you in the grand scheme of things? That could be abandoned once you’re done?”

“What happened to staying together through thick and thin? What about the vows you exchanged when you put this ring on my finger?”

More tears streamed down her face, hands shakily but tightly gripping his collar

“Answer me, coward”

That finally broke Price out of the trance as he quickly reached up to cup her face, brushing away the droplets of pain and sorrow that dampened her delicate face.

“I have to go…” “Why…? Just…just why?” “I wrote everything in the letter-” “I don’t care about the damn letter…tell me straight in the face”

“I can’t-” “John, please”

“I CAN’T LOSE ANOTHER ONE–”

Now it was Raven’s time to pause, a frown that formed for a split second before it softened.

“....” She sighs, letting go of his collar as she cradled his cheeks.

“....you know you won’t” “That’s what I said to him too…you know”

“....it wasn’t your fault”

“sunshine…I called him sunshine…Eira….I-”

“You didn’t know”

“I should’ve…”

His eyes glistened as vision blurred, the months of unshed grief escaping, cascading down to the sand.

Price never got to grieve, it swirls inside, a little bit like a black hole, like infinity. 

A small part of him is lost with every soldier and civilian he loses.

And Soap took a big chunk of him, a good part perhaps, one of his– kinder shards. 

Another, is stuck frozen in the moment, in the tunnel. No goodbye, just an absence, sudden, abrupt end, a gunshot louder than any screams that ensues.

Price tends to get rid of grief, one way or another, because it reminds him of his mistake, because it feels like he is holding onto a lost cause.

But here’s the thing about loss, grief is hanging onto love.

It is why it is always felt at all times.

Even on days where he thought he’d healed, while other days it was like old wounds opening up deeper than before.

There was not a day where he wouldn’t miss his favorite Scottish gremlin. 

And if his absence was strong enough that it makes it hard to breathe, he could only imagine what it would be like if Eira’s gone as well.

“I can’t lose you”

There is no more desperate creature, than a human being on the verge of losing love.

She sighs, leaning down as she lays down next to him on the sand ungraciously, staring up the sky with him

“....leaving me alone here on this island doesn’t guarantee my safety either, you know that right?”

“I have my people watching you here…” “And a tsunami could come and drown us all”

“Well if that happens I would know-” “No, no you won’t”

She can tell he was about to argue as she shushes him gently, turning to face him, uncaring for the sharp sandy stones that scratched into her ear.

“You can’t always take the blame for things out of your control”

She murmured, holding his palm

“...and you can’t let your worry cloud your conscious and…do something stupid like this”

“Don’t push me away, when you’ve already made a place in my heart that will never be replaceable by anyone.”

“....you think this was dumber than you jumping into the ocean?”

“Absolutely” He chuckles lightly, raising a brow as he smiles.

“I don’t want to be…your regret, John” She whispered, voice breaking a little

“Even if we were not meant to be together…we’ve proved that idea wrong, time and time again…”

He shifted, sitting up slightly as he pulls her onto his lap, hands brushing away the sand on her hair slightly (failing, sands are stubborn lil shits) as he lets out a quiet sigh

“I dream of a time where…the universe was never wrong to begin with, and you’re mine to keep…forever”

“Well you ought to pick a better dream” She smiles, leaning up as she landed a small kiss on his nose

“This dream is already true, because Im yours forever, and ever”

“You are stuck with me, whether you like it or not”

“I suppose I am, aren't I…” “Absolutely…” He smiles, and hugged her tightly, everything about this felt neither wrong or right.

It felt like home.

“Now, are you going to continue mopping around in the sand or will Nik start throwing a tantrum when we get there? Last time he did he defied physics..."

“Im sure man’s busy with the coconuts and alcohol over there, plus we need to get your stuff–”

“It’s in your bag”

“my–what?”

He unzips the cover, and realize that somehow Eira’s sneaked her belongings inside

“No wonder it got heavier…” “Im telling you, you’re an idiot” He laughs slightly, ruffling her hair as they stood up, pulling her closer by the ends of her shirt as he kissed her forehead.

“Yes…but I’m your idiot…”

[dragonanon]

Me upon finishing the Teal Mask DLC: “Damn, Gamefreak really had us help a child start their anime villain arc.”

[jin-jamm-desu]

Guys I just got sad while reading the JJK Manga (🏴‍☠️)

CULLING GAME ARC SPOILERS

REFERENCE TO THE ANIME

So remember in the beginning? In episode 2 I think when Gojo met Yuji and asked what happened to Sukuna's finger?

And then

Yuji: "uHm-...😅😅😅 i eated it"

Gojo:...

Gojo: For real?

Yuji n Megs: For real

SO NOW THAT IM READING THE CULLING GAMES ONCE THEY FIND HAKARI

Yuji/Meg's: *explain the situation and about how Gojo Sensei got sealed*

Hakari:....

Hakari: FOR REAL?

AND LIKE

!!??!??

I WANNA CRY BECAUSE THE PARALLELS

Jesus I hate Gege because he made my babies depressed and dead but I ALSO LOVE GEGE because how do you think to parallel those 2???

Intentionally or otherwise

Ugh.

[yttmnm5]

“There’s gotta be a solution to all of this! Even if my friends are on edge about the issue, I’ve got to find a way to bring it all back! Someway… Somehow…”

WARNING: Angst has begun to spread even further.

[c-kiddo]

i am enjoying cr3 but its a shame that they kinda know fuck-all in regards to what is happening..... like tmn would witness all the magic going out and see these fuckin huge leylines and beau and caleb already know its ludinus and they'd know wtf is Up !!!!

[ssreeder]

Hello Reeds! :D

See I’m debating… Cause I want to create some fanart for liab, but also my anonymity ;-;

Maybe I’ll do it once all of Into The Fire is finished. No pressure!

Just saying that once at the end of this book, I feel like I must also revoke my anon status. Like closing a chapter (hehe) in “life”, but also opening a new one for any other works you have in the future! :D

I would like to create something for you! Especially since your series had helped me through the years! I remember reading this when Risking It All was still being written! I believe it was chapter 20-something when I first left my comment? :p

You brought joy with your book! As well as sadness ;-; Why it got to be so sad sometimes? 😭 But it was fun suffering from your story :D

I hope you’re doing well and having fun doing everything you love doing! 💖

-Pain Anon

PAIN ANONNNNN *TACKLES*

I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to answer you I’ve been blah lately but HIII HELLO HEWOW!!

Not my lovely pain/red anon teasing me with fan art?! I will scream ahhh!! I totally respect anonymity but if you did wanna make art you can always submit it anonymously I have that feature enabled if people ever wanted to post anon art lol. No pressure obviously because if your style is super recognizable it won’t matter if you’re anon or not lol.

PAIN ANON YOURE SQUEEZING MY HEART WITH HAPPY FEELINGS!!! I appreciate you so much you have no idea what you’re fun anon messages mean to me, I hope you’re having a good time in your life because you DESERVE IT!!

also I’m super excited to bring the pain - only one chapter left before I start blowing shit up again & let me tell youuuuuuuu haha I have some pain planned ;);););) :D

[iamrizaka]

Over the span of four years, the man didn’t change. He looks to be in his twenties, with wavy golden hair and warm eyes; his hand, tan and strong, is gently rubbing Lee’s scalp. He is sitting next to him on the bed.

He stops humming and smiles at Lee. “You need to sleep.”

 Or, Lee has a nightmare and Apollo is there to help.

hey guys

[hitachiincest]

we need more ppl in the fragaria fandom...... can i interest u in pastel sanrio twincest.