#the moment i saw that body my memory was suddenly erased

[milkloafy]

THE IUDEX CANNOT FORGET — NEUVILLETTE

⋆｡˚ ❀ prompt: "don't ask me to forget last night. in my heart laid a map of your body" by delilahfairchild ⋆｡˚ ❀ contents: implied smut, fluff but bittersweet ⋆｡˚ ❀ wc: 1.5k ⋆｡˚ ❀ a/n: loosely based on the dialogue prompt above! i saw it and immediately thought of neuvi c: writing this made me so soft for him ahh pls enjoy!! xo

Amidst the stupor of the night was when poor decisions appeared to be good.

Add in the mixture of wine from a celebratory evening out and you felt just about invincible. The mere thought of any consequence seemed so far away from you.

But the moment you woke up with a throbbing headache and lack of clothes, you knew the consequences would catch up to you.

You stilled as you noticed the plush, royal blue sheets you laid in. It was all too familiar, yet experiencing it in such a way was foreign to you. Turning your head cautiously, you spotted a sleeping Neuvillette who looked completely unbothered in blissful unconsciousness.

Gravely, you examined his peaceful figure, savoring the last few moments of normalcy before your relationship was likely to change forever.

As you took one last look at the slow rise and fall of his bare chest, you slipped out of the bed to gather your clothes—all strewn around across the room. You felt the heat rise to your cheeks at the memory of exactly how your clothes came to be on the floor in such a way. For such a gentle soul, Neuvillette sure surprised you in that department.

Once you located your undergarments and began to clothe yourself, you felt guilt flood through your body. Guilt from the events of last night, guilt at the act of you leaving in the morning without a word… 

“Heading out so soon?” 

You jumped, your dress falling from your hands and back onto the carpeted floor. 

“Neuvillette! You’re awake.” 

He sat up slightly in his bed, exposing the toned muscles of his torso out for anyone to see. Tilting his head to the side, he said, “Your tone informs me you are not pleased with the situation. Shall I pretend to continue being asleep?”

Shaking your head, you hastily pulled your dress up from your feet, slipping your arms through the bellowing sleeves. “No, of course not.” You shut your eyes. “I just didn’t expect to have to talk about this so suddenly.” 

Neuvillette didn’t say a word, instead staring expectantly at you. 

“About last night—“ you began hastily, fingers tugging at the loose fabric of your dress. “You are one of my dearest friends, and I, yours. And we were both intoxicated. And—”

“If you are about to ask me to forget last night, please, stop.” 

His voice was filled with such sorrow that you forced yourself to look up at him. With a morose, yet understanding look in his eyes, you were hit with the realization that this likely wasn’t the first time he went through something like this. Despite his preference towards solitude, you knew his heart was kind enough to let people in, no matter how hard he tried not to let it be the case. Throughout his many, many years of life, he must have experienced a multitude of love and loss. 

And that only reminded you just why last night had to be a mistake. 

As if reading the expression on your face, Neuvillette spoke once more. “You may wish to erase the memory we made together, but painted in my heart is a map of your body. I am uncertain if I would be able to comply with your wishes.” 

You held your breath, grip tightening around your dress as your stomach churned. Feeling the wrinkles beneath your palms, you sighed. You would certainly need to get your outfit dry cleaned after this. 

“Neuvillette, I don’t want to forget last night, either,” you said, breathless. How could you forget, even if you wanted? The feeling of Neuvillette’s hot breath against your neck, the image of his sculpted figure that could somehow be so gentle when it touched you. Those moments were etched into your memory, too. “But what if it is for the best?”

“How could it possibly be so?” 

“You’re immortal, for one. I am not.” 

Truly, that was the bulk of it. You could have stopped there. What reason could be more potent than this? You were a human, with a lifespan limited by health, illness, aging. He was the Sovereign Dragon on Fontaine. If you friendship turned into something more, then the attachment would only grow. And when the time came for you to part with Teyvat, a storm was certain to come to the land. 

“I am not immortal,” he corrected. “I have reincarnated.” 

You looked at him helplessly. “And I have not. I will not. We’re good as friends—amazing even. If we stay this way, it’ll be easier on the both of us.” 

Neuvillette rose from his position in bed, slipping on a silken robe before walking over to you. Slowly, he approached, placing his hand on your cheek and you sucked in a sharp breath at the cold touch. 

“The easiest way does not always mean the best,” he said, softly stroking the high point of your cheekbone. “I would rather spend a life being able to hold you, kiss you, love you, until the last moments, rather than living in regret.” 

You squeezed your eyes shut, allowing yourself to melt into his touch. “But then when those last moments come, and it is inevitable that they will… What then? I do not want you to suffer—to feel anymore loss and sadness.” 

“I have grown to accept that it is part of life, no matter how long or short we live for. Loss is a constant.” 

You let out a breathless laughter, feeling almost hopeless. “Is that supposed to make it any better?” 

Neuvillette gazed fondly down at you, hand falling from your face to trace its way down your arm. You found your own hand finding its place in his, and you hoped he would never let go. 

“It does not make it better,” he said solemnly. “Loss is still painful, no matter how many times it occurs. Still, we cannot let that stop us from living our lives.”

He drew closer to you, so close you could almost feel the warmth radiating from his core. You held your breath and peered up at him. 

“I, for one, believe experiencing moments such as last night with you, and those like it to come, is worth the crushing pain of it all coming to an end,” he declared. At the look on your face, he placed a chaste kiss on your forehead. “Still, I cannot decide for you.” He took a step back. “If you wish to not go further in our relationship, I will respect that. I can never forget how you looked, how you felt, as you laid underneath me. But for your sake, I will not speak of it again if that is the what you so desire—”

“No!” you cried out, tearing your hand from his to hold his face gently between your palms. “That is not what I desire. I wish to have more moments such as last night with you. I wish to grow old and experience life with you. Still, I just wish I could always be there for you.” 

Resting his forehead against yours, Neuvillette sighed solemnly. “I know, mon coeur. There are days I wish the same, but until that is a possibility, please know that you will always have my heart.” 

You nodded, pressing your lips against his. You felt relief overcome his body as he returned your kiss. He enveloped you in a warm embrace, hands cupped around your waist as he nipped at your lower lip. Your hands that rested on his face made their way to the back of his neck, only deepening your connection. 

As you pulled away for air, you managed a quiet, “Thank you.” 

“What for?” he asked, brushing aside the hair that fell across your face. 

“For one, not getting mad at me for trying to sneak out and pretend nothing happened,” you said sheepishly, looking down in shame. “I am truly sorry. I really thought it would be the best thing for both of us… But it’s not.” 

Neuvillette gently pinched your cheek, hints of humor in his eyes. “Indeed, it is not. And while I may not be mad, a punishment has yet to be doled out.”

“The Chief Justice’s work is never done,” you said with a nervous laugh, wondering just what type of punishment he could be speaking of. 

“We deal with that later tonight,” he said firmly, giving you a gentle squeeze. “For now, we celebrate the evolution of our relationship.”

“Here’s to the rest of my life that I now have the honor of spending with you.” 

“The honor is all mine, mon coeur.” Neuvillette held your hand in his, placing another chaste kiss on lips. “Thank you for choosing me in this lifetime.” 

[malum-forev]

In My Head

Bucky was past the point of anger. Sam could tell by the way Bucky stared at him with tense  eyebrows. He had been for the past sixteen hours. 

“What the hell is wrong with you now?” Sam massaged his temples. They had barely escaped death days prior, he didn’t have the time or energy to deal with whatever Bucky’s problem was. 

But the Sergeant kept quiet. 

Sam huffed, leaning his head back on the wall of the plane.

Just three more hours and we’re back home. Sam thought. 

Bucky grinded his teeth, keeping his eyes set on the floor.  He felt his blood like fire, rushing through his whole body. His thoughts were racing, a thousand miles per hour. His muscles felt weak but he couldn’t fall asleep, not after what happened. 

A flashback to the moment where everything almost ended came back but Bucky shook his head, trying to erase the memory. But nothing would let him forget what he saw in those last seconds. 

Then the all-consuming rage came back again. 

Bucky had been going through this vicious cycle for the past 72 hours. 

His body tried to betray him when the plane landed, Bucky’s sore body begged for mercy. Even one hour of rest would help but he was on a mission. 

Bucky stalked off the ramp directly into the compound’s common area. 

“Buck!” Steve rose from the couch, happy to see his best friend alive and back. 

But instead of greeting his friend, Bucky kept walking. “Where is she.”

“She? Who?” 

“She’s got you too, huh.” Bucky scoffed. “Un-fucking-believable.”

The elevator ride up to the bedrooms was too long for him. He needed to unleash the rage he’d been filtering for days, and there was only one person responsible for everything. 

You thought you were getting a relaxed Sunday. No one needed help, the world was at peace, and you were going to watch disgustingly cheesy movies all day. 

Key word- thought. 

Suddenly your door was being almost smashed by a couple of knocks.

“I know you’re in there.” Bucky’s voice boomed. 

You rolled your eyes, trying to keep yourself as quiet as possible. He would go away eventually, right?

“Open the damn door!” He yelled. “I can hear your breathing pattern.”

Your “relationship”, if you could even call it that, with Bucky is strained to say the least. 

He’s a veteran who should be retired, you’re a newer hire. He likes things to be done a specific way, you always try new things. He wants to lead, you want to lead. 

“I’m not on the clock right now so technically, you’re not my boss.” You yelled back, throwing a popcorn kernel in the air and catching it in your mouth. 

“Open this fucking door you witch!”

“Sorceress.” You corrected him. If he was going to try and use your powers to insult, he should do it the correct way. 

You heard a growl then a pop. As you sit up in bed, the door handle from your side of the room falls to the floor and the door flies open. 

“Guess the door was open after all.” Bucky gives you a fake smile. 

“Why are you here.” You turn away from him, partly to act disinterested and partly to stop looking at him. He wasn’t your favorite person in the world but you’re only human! You hadn’t seen him in days and the ruffled ways of his hair and unkempt beard made your breath hitch. 

“You know why I’m here.” He gripped the metal pole on your bed’s footboard, you turn only your head towards him blinking a couple of times at the sight of his rolled-up Henley exposing his forearms. When the fuck did you start being attracted to forearms, when did that even become a thing! You followed the popped-up veins traveling from his knuckles to his elbows where they disappeared completely. 

“I don’t have time for your mysterious ways, Barnes.” You turn back to your movie. “Either tell my why you’re pissed or get out.”

With two steps he’s standing next to you again. His stern blue eyes pierced through you, forcing your head up. 

“How did you do it.” Bucky says through gritted teeth. 

Your eyebrows furrow. 

“This is the last time I’ll ask politely.” You could see the anger in his eyes. “How the fuck did you do it!”

You stand up. He was still ways taller than you but no one was going to come into your room and speak to you like that.

“I have no clue as to what you’re talking about.” You crossed your arms. “So, this is the last time I’ll ask you properly. Get out.”

Bucky let out a humorless laugh. “Is this a joke to you? This job? Be careful how you talk to me because I can make everything go away in a second.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise.”

Your breathing quickens as your anger rises. “You have no right being here when I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Nothing wrong?!” Bucky yells coming closer to you. “You almost cost me my life that’s what you did! Now you say nothing’s wrong?”

“Your life? How the hell am I responsible for a mistake you made thousands of miles away!” You stand inches away from his face, rage hovering over both of you like a cloud. 

“You got in here!” Bucky points to his head  “I know you did some spell just for me to mess up!”

“I didn’t do anything! I wouldn’t try and get you killed!” You yell. 

“Then how the fuck did I see you when I was going down!” He yells back and your room suddenly goes quiet, only the sounds of your heavy breathing could be heard. 

“Y- you saw me when you were dying?” You whisper, looking up at his crystal blue eyes. 

Bucky sucked in a breath, his eyes going from yours to your lips. 

“You were in my head, I know you did it on purpose.” Bucky’s eyes stopped at your lips.

“I would never do anything to hurt you.”

Your mind must have been playing tricks on you because you were almost certain Bucky was coming closer to you. 

But suddenly, the heat radiating off his body was ripped away from you. He jumped towards the door and out the hallway. 

“I need to leave.” He said, coughing into his hand. Red splotches adorning his cheeks. “I’m sorry about your door handle, I’ll have someone come by and fix it.”

All you could do was nod. 

“I-my-I’m.” Bucky stuttered. 

“Have a nice rest of your Sunday, Sarge.” You said and he nodded his head, hurrying down to his bedroom. 

You fell back onto your bed. This has got to be the weirdest Sunday ever. 

[starryytales]

More Manipulative Ragatha.

ACK-

This was meant to be ~500 words and one part of a short story that went into detail of Ragatha doing different things on different days to push Pomni's boundaries, get her closer, etc. And was inspired by yesterday's ask about Ragatha intentionally throwing herself into harm's way to get hurt and get Pomni's attention.

Instead it ballooned up into a little over 2000 words and will be something of a standalone.

I would like to give my thanks and dedicate this to @miguxadraws whose enthusiasm helped push me to hit the ground running with this one!

With that said: small TW for needles (the sewing kind), and I hope you all enjoy..!

“I’m never sure how to start these things…”

I muse to myself as I tap the colorful pencil’s eraser against the empty, waiting page of my journal. Being the second longest lasting person in The Digital Circus changes how you think about information. Unlike Kinger, for example, I’m doing my best to not go insane by holding on to every piece of information until my mind snaps and I become amnesic. That means writing things down. Journal writing and compartmentalizing things. Separating the bad from the good and keeping the good close and the bad locked away.

“I suppose starting with this morning wouldn’t be a bad idea.” I flip the pencil around and begin jotting down what all happened…

Pomni woke up on me today. I didn’t bother with sleeping. Instead I just enjoyed watching her quietly snore throughout the night. God, she’s so cute when she’s asleep. She’s even more cute when she’s startled. She woke up, adorably mumbling about whatever dream she was having (I heard my name!!!), and stared up at me for a few moments. I didn’t say anything because she was clearly still out of it and wouldn’t have understood me anyway. When she realized she was using me as a full body pillow she let out wildest little yipe I’ve ever heard. She nearly hit the ceiling from jumping off of me so hard! It took a hot moment and a re-heated, leftover salmon cake to calm her down after that. I let her get dressed in peace (thank you again, God, for giving me a button eye to stealth watch with) and she left with a sweet little smile on her face.

I pause writing for a moment when I hear someone trying to stay quiet while working on something outside my door. Probably Jax. Probably with a bucket of insects and some kind of mechanical trap setup. I shake my head irritably but stay quiet. Jax would have been a lovely boy toy to keep if not for the fact he can’t stop being a punk for more than ten seconds. My single regret with him is that he only had one heart to break. The sound of his trap construction jolts me back to writing by jogging my memory.

The adventure!

How could I have nearly forgotten that when it was a huge amount of progress with Pomni?

Caine rounded us all up just like he does basically every other day.

“HELLO MY MUTANT MASHED POTATOES TODAY’S ADVENTURE BLAH BLAH BLAH-”

It was some kind of movie-like, ancient temple we had to find the treasure room of. The important part was Pomni and I took the ‘medium’ difficulty route, and we did it by ourselves. I was just about to see how well she dealt with an unprompted hand on her shoulder when I realized I had seen the hallway we were in before on a different adventure. Caine doesn’t just re-use NPCs, he re-uses chunks of levels sometimes. And I knew we were about 15 steps away from a circular saw trap that would shoot out from the wall and try to leave us with a nasty cut, to put it lightly.

My first instinct was to let Pomni walk into it. I thought it’d probably go right through her leg, maybe even both of them. I’d have to carry her all the way to the end and she’d have no choice BUT let me hold her. My better judgment got a hold of me, though. That was an awful plan. She’d hate being useless and dependent on me (at the moment, anyway). But I could still use the trap to my advantage to make her touch me…

I suddenly remembered why I nearly forgot the whole thing. Ever feel so much pain your body and brain try to factory reset?

“Hey, I think I’ve seen this hallway before.” I told her as I switched the side of her I was walking on. I picked up my pace slightly to make sure I triggered the saw without catching her as collateral. I braced myself as hard as I could without letting on something was up. A small part of me was begging to just not do this, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.

“Really?”

“Yeah! From a different adventure!”

And I think she was going to ask if I remembered anything helpful about it. That’s about when a single stone beneath my foot pressed down and I let out probably the longest running censor-bleep in Digital Circus history. The saw was as quick as lightning. My left arm, right above my elbow, was effortlessly sliced off, and the blade tore through my side like I was made of paper. I screamed and fell away from the blade. I landed against the wall opposite of it and started sliding down to the floor. Good God it hurt so bad I was seeing stars. Pomni shrieked and rushed over to me, hovering over me like she’d found a murdered body in an alleyway. I was in too much pain to get her to stop screaming for a moment so I could tell her what to do, and then she said that she would go get help.

That lit quite the fire under me, because:

1. I needed to get her used to touching me by getting her to patch me up, and, perhaps more importantly-

2. I’M TIRED OF HER RUNNING OFF WHEN I AM IN INCREDIBLE PAIN.

I have to say, despite the pain I was in, I was pretty slick with my next words.

Any person scared and hurt might say ‘don’t leave me,’ but if I left it at that, she might have just offered me a platitude about being back as soon as she could be. I had to twist the knife. She managed a single step away before I lunged at her foot and seized her ankle. I didn’t need to pretend to cry, as there were plenty of real, agonized tears.

“Please don’t leave me again!”

The ‘again’ sold it like beer at a college ball game. Oh, it hurt to see so much remorse in her eyes but it’ll make her think twice before running off again in the future. She dropped to her knees next to me and sputtered a dozen apologies before going quiet when I placed my hand on her upper leg to get her attention.

I remember gritting my teeth and having to hiss through the pain to direct her to my dress pocket (conveniently on the same side I was missing an arm on, and oh my how those little hands wander in a pocket) where I had my emergency sewing kit. Ugh. I could have died from cute-overload while watching her fumble so shakily while trying to thread that needle. When she finally managed it she looked at me with huge, worried eyes for guidance on what to do next.

I pause again to enjoy the memory of her looking at me that way. It’s almost dreamy to picture her like that. So nervously hanging off my every word… I could REALLY get used to that. Where was I? Oh, right, my little jester doing doll surgery on my side.

Feeling her touching me gently was so, so nice. And she listens so well. I bet if I told her that the stitching would only hold if she barked like a puppy, she might have actually done it. I’m so used to sewing myself up that the little pricks of the needle barely registered to me, so I up-sold the pain they caused. Clenching my teeth and (remaining) fist, and scrunching my eyes while hiccuping every few seconds as if I were holding back a breakdown. She paused once and held my cheek, and told me if I needed a break she would stop. AGH. I could have eaten her alive on the spot for being so sweet! Instead I sighed, enjoyed the touch, and thanked her but said I was okay...

I love Pomni to bits but she sews like a blind grandmother with arthritis. No cut like that is ever good or easy to work with, but even Gangle manages a cleaner stitch on a bad day. Still, that meant we got to spend the rest of the adventure like that. Her pressed up against my side, trying her best to hold as steady as possible, while keeping my stuffing from falling out as she stitches me back shut. Definitely worth every ounce of pain. When she was done she even crawled over to my arm and offered to try putting it back on. Absolutely precious.

I told her not to worry about the arm. Caine could fix it when we get back, and about when I said that our AI Overlord’s voice rang clear throughout the structure. Caine congratulated Gangle and Kinger for reaching the treasure room first, and declared the adventure over. Pomni and I fell through a portal that suddenly opened beneath us, and just like that we were back in the tent.

Caine looked me over and quipped I had gotten “too adventurous for my own good,” before snapping his fingers and fixing my arm. He then said something about seashells and vanished. The others were already heading their separate ways when I walked over to Pomni and hugged her. She jumped slightly, but didn’t pull away. I thanked her as warmly as I could for staying with me, and I saw on her face that same guilt from earlier being soothed slightly. It wasn’t enough to put her at peace, but enough so she knows I will happily praise her for doing something good.

I let her go and I offered her another meal tonight – if she was feeling up to it, that is. I could see her putting real thought into it-

My writing is once again interrupted by a dainty knock at the door.

“Ragatha? I’m here for dinner, but-” I quickly slam my journal shut and hide it away again. The last thing Pomni needs to see is the contents of that book. I hop up from my chair with a spring in my step and grab the doorknob, only for Pomni to suddenly shout.

“D-don’t open the door yet! There’s a bucket full of something on the door frame. It’s attached to some kind of trigger. Kinger’s getting it down now.”

I hear Kinger scraping something metallic away from the door before the man himself speaks up.

“Oh! That’s where you’ve all been. How do my centipedes keep winding up in buckets..?”

I had clean forgotten Jax trapped the door. The thought of being stuck with a bucket on my head as all of Kinger’s little hellspawns crawl over my face is almost enough to make me throw up, pass out, and start writing a manifesto. All at the same time. Did I say earlier I only have one regret about Jax? I have two. And the second is that I can’t drown him in the cellar.

“Okay! It’s safe now!”

Cautiously I crack open the door. My eyes are drawn to the movement of Kinger walking down the hallway with a bucket full of nightmares in his arms, but I quickly focus back on to Pomni. I let out a low, tired sigh and smile at her.

“You saved me twice in one day.” I try not to swoon, but it still kind of comes out that way. The little blush she starts sporting on her face doesn’t help.

“Ah- don’t worry about it.”

God she’s so cute when she’s bashful. I open the door and step aside to welcome her in with a playful flourish.

“Well, come on in! A hero deserves her heroic feast! I’ll get on it right away.”

“A heroic feast of spaghetti and meatballs?” She laughs, the sound as sweet as wine, as she enters and steps passed me. I laugh back with her as I start to shut the door so we can start another night off right.

“And garlic bread, that’s the really heroic part!”

[soulessjourney]

Quiet Confessions

Paring: Astarion x fem!DurgTavReader

Word count: 1.4k

Summary: As memories flood back, Tav opens up to Astarion beneath the moonlight, sharing the chains that bind her.

Warnings: Truama talk, mentions of abuse and violence, Angst, fluff, hurt and comfort, Tav being an emotional wreck in the softest way possible, talk of self hatred

A/N: I'm gradually working my way down the list of tasks I need to complete, which means I'm getting closer to the fantastic requests I've been receiving. If you have a request, feel free to share it! I thoroughly enjoy bringing your ideas to life!

Uncertain of how long you had been away from camp, you found yourself lying in the grass, gazing up at the moon. Time slipped away as you became lost in the labyrinth of your thoughts. The journey began when a torrent of memories, once erased during your escape from the ship's pod, flooded back, triggering a piercing headache. These recollections unveiled a darker version of yourself, one capable of committing unspeakable acts in pursuit of power. The realization of your own monstrous nature left you feeling contaminated, haunted by the deeds done beyond your control.

Choosing to forget the past, you had embarked on a new life, hoping to bury the shadow of the person you once were. Yearning for the demise of that former self and its memories, you couldn't help but wish they had perished the day you awoke on that ship.

The serenity of your contemplation was interrupted by the soft cadence of approaching footsteps. Astarion, with his distinctive gait, revealed his presence. Over the past few months, you had honed the ability to identify individuals by the sound of their steps—a skill cultivated, perhaps, by the constant threat of someone attempting to sneak up on you.

Sitting up, you turned to Astarion, offering a tender smile, reciprocated by his affectionate gaze. "Once again, I fail to surprise you, my love," he remarked, settling down beside you.

You shrugged, reclining in the grass, allowing your gaze to settle on the moon. A comfortable silence enveloped the space between you as Astarion leaned back on one hand, holding a book in the other. He never felt the need to inquire if something was amiss; he understood that you would approach him when ready, just as you had done for him. Neither of you pressured the other, always waiting until one felt inclined to share what weighed on your minds. This dynamic defined the perfection of your relationship—rooted in trust and patience, creating a beautiful harmony. Astarion sensed your internal struggle and refrained from prying, recognizing the feeling of being bound to something without an escape.

You debated with yourself on how to approach the topic. Keeping your gaze fixed on the sky, you decided to let your thoughts flow into words. "Sometimes when I look in the mirror, all I can see is a monster—a cold-blooded killer who gazes into people's eyes as life leaves them. I hate how good it makes me feel when it happens," you suddenly confessed, pulling Astarion's attention away from the book. He closed it, placing it beside him, and lays back beside you, offering his undivided attention. He was prepared to listen to every word, no matter how violent or disturbing, understanding that being present for you in this moment was the best form of support.

"As I would take off my armor and examine my arms, a part of me felt ashamed of what I saw. Scars where the skin was rubbed raw. Initially, I thought nothing of it, but now I can feel those shackles that kept me confined to that room. A room with a window too high for me to look out, allowing sunlight to reveal its true small and decaying nature. A room where the body of the person I murdered lay in the corner, reeking of death, and I was forced to stare at it for days until the stench drove me mad," you whispered, furrowing your eyebrows as your mind wandered back into that haunting memory.

Anger surged through Astarion upon your confession. You were a prisoner of your own mind, with no escape until recently, just like him. Astarion refrained from touching you as he observed you beginning to fall back into the past—a familiar experience, losing oneself in a memory and reliving it.

"The day I felt those chains break from the ground was the day I learned how to truly walk. It was the day I killed so many people, and every single one of them begged for their life. I remember laughing and smiling like an accomplished fool when I took their lives. It's so disgusting, knowing that I did what I did, how I killed the people that I did. With that came the pure torture my so-called father put me through. He would lock me in this room with his followers and see just how much pain I could take. He claimed it was to make me stronger, to be the perfect killer I was born to be. But each time they cut into me, I lost myself piece by piece," you whispered, your voice thick with emotion.

Astarion rolled onto his side to look at you, studying your features as you spoke. He noticed the subtle cues—how your jaw clenched when discussing anger-inducing events, how your eyes softened when recalling taking an innocent life, and how your nose would scrunch when lost in thought. Everything about you was beautiful, breathtaking even, which intensified his resentment for the pain you had endured.

As you spoke, Astarion began to grasp why you lingered sometimes, gazing at views or exploring houses and temples. These were sights stripped from most of your life, confined to the inside of a cell or a room, enduring unimaginable pain.

What you chose to share next shattered Astarion and revealed the depth of your strength. "But now that I have Wyll, Gale, Karlach, Shadowheart, Lae’zel, Halsin, and even you, I'm learning how to be strong for the first time ever. I'm learning how to confront the darkness and face my own reflection without resentment, knowing that I bear the face you love and cherish. I'm learning how to truly live for the first time, and it terrifies me," you confessed. Astarion felt his eyes soften, his hand moving to rest beside yours, his pinky gently brushing against the side of your hand in a small gesture of comfort.

Lost in your memories, you didn't even register the subtle caress of his finger on your hand. Your eyes had glazed over, ensnared in the labyrinth of your mind, silent tears tracing their path from the corners of your eyes. Your profound silence began to concern Astarion; it seemed as if you were paralyzed in that moment, with no discernible movement. He felt a sense of helplessness, unable to assist you in the way he desired, as he, too, often succumbed to the torturous memories inflicted by Cazador.

When a strangled sob shattered the silence between you, Astarion sat up and enveloped you in his arms. This was a method he knew could often bring comfort when you broke down. No words needed to be spoken as he held you tightly. You were someone who wore a mask around others, refusing to reveal your vulnerabilities. Yet, with him, you found solace and strength, as he did with you. Lae’zel often remarked on how you both carried the weight of the world, calling you two sides of the same coin.

Or when rejecting Gale, he commented on the irony of your love for Astarion, noting the striking similarity in your personalities. While said to hurt you, there was truth in his words. You and Astarion understood the shared pain and the deep connection between you, choosing to be there for one another and share love you both craved.

Drawing you closer, Astarion let your head rest in the crook of his neck, his cheek against the side of your head. He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding when he felt your arms wrap around his middle, bringing you back from the daze you were trapped in. You were here, in his arms, holding on as if afraid he would vanish if you let go. Leaning back slightly, he cupped your face in his hand, running his thumbs over your cheeks in a soothing manner. "There you are, my love. I was worried I lost you," he said, the concern and fear evident in his voice.

Shaking your head, you placed your hands over his, leaning into his touch. Although your response was silent, he understood. "Can we stay and watch the sunrise? I've never seen it before, and I want to experience this new thing with you," you whispered, searching his eyes for any sign of rejection. You wanted to linger, to feel alive, if only for a moment, before returning to the mask you had carefully crafted.

Pressing his lips to the crown of your head, he nodded, pulling you closer and shifting so you both could sit in a more comfortable position. "Of course, my love. For you, I'd sit through a million sunrises if you asked me to," he said, prompting a small smile to grace your lips. This moment with the person you cherished was your sanctuary, he was your home.

[jdeclerc]

a brother's intervention - part two

part one

pairing: eris x reader.

summary: Eris struggles to voice his feelings...can he find a way to do so before he loses the one fae he needs most?

author's note: a longer than anticipated answer to the cliffhanger that is part one...and a little something for the Lucien girlies ;)

warnings: adult content

word count: 4,654

“You can’t love me, not in that way.”

It’s the hurt and following disbelief I see flash across his face that suddenly has anger replacing the tears I had only moments ago.

“And why is that? Is the thought of me feeling this way toward you so nauseating you can’t even entertain the thought?”

His voice returns the anger in mine, his eyes holding nothing but fury as they meet mine.

“Don’t you dare believe you are the problem in this situation, not for a moment.”

“Then what is the problem?! You have given me no other explanation, no other way to interpret your words.”

“Me!” He shouts the words, his voice laced with defeat as he continues. “I am, as I always have been, the problem.”

“Eris...”

“Please, do me the kindness of sparing me from words to try and attempt to dissuade me from seeing myself for what I am.” He throws his hands up in exasperation, gesturing down the length of himself. “To love me is to love a monster, one born and bred to be lethal, undeserving of the love of a fae as extraordinary as yourself.”

“You can’t possibly believe that! Eris, look at what you have accomplished in the last 5 years…you have brought the very thing you say you are undeserving of back to our home.” As I move to close the distance between us, he raises his hand, halting my steps.

“All that I have done is to make up for all that came before. No amount of time or effort can erase the darkness I’ve laid upon our lands.”

“Eris, your father –”

“Whether by own hand or his makes no difference, I had a part in it all the same.”

His anger is once again replaced by defeat. Mine, however, increases ten-fold.

“I have never thought you to be a fool until this moment Eris Vanserra. Are you that self-centered to believe yours is the only opinion that matters in this moment? That I say the words I did with no thought or consideration for who I am saying them to?” He doesn’t stop me this time as I approach him, stunned into silence by the rare occurrence of my wrath being turned on him.

“You forget that every sin you have committed has been done with me by your side. I have taken every step in darkness with you, have walked by your side through it all. Do not believe, for one moment, that all of Prythian does not follow your name with my own when recounting the evil reaped by the Autumn Court over the centuries.” I let out a breath before I continue. “To call yourself a monster is to call me the same.”

I can tell by his expression that he is remembering the same memory I am.

---------

It was a rare moment when my composed exterior gave way to my baser instincts. I distinctly remember the lesser Lord of Autumn cradling the hand I had broken when he dared to think he had claim to any part of my body. He began screaming of the monstrosity he believed me to be, having missed the Lordlings who approached him from behind. Without a word Eris came to stand between myself and the male, Lucien taking a position at my side. As the male cowered in fear, Eris requested that Lucien take me back to my rooms and that he would follow along shortly.

I do not know what transpired in the time it took him to see after my well-being, Eris refusing to tell me even to this day. But what I do know is that he carried the scent of copper, had changed his clothes when he did, and that the next time I saw the lower lord he no longer had a right hand to cradle.

---------

We came out of the memory at the same time, his expression angrier than my own.

“And the reason you were dragged into that life is obvious. There’s a common presence through it all. And that makes it worse, doesn’t it? I wasn’t satisfied being a monster by myself. I was selfish enough to mould you in my image, to create a force just as dangerous and evil as I am.”

“If you think you dragged me into anything Eris, then you don’t know me. You don’t make my decisions for me, you never have, and you never will, no matter what title you carry. Every choice I have made is my own and I live with them every day. But that doesn’t matter to you. No…as long as you’re a monster, pushing everyone away becomes that much easier, doesn’t it?”

The grate to our voices is evenly matched, neither of us conceding to the other.

“Easier?! You think it’s easy to watch the members of my court, my own family, find their happiness? Trust me when I say it has never been easy not being sure enough of myself to find my own. It isn’t easy to have the voice of my father constantly reminding me I will never be worthy of love.”

“Then you’re the coward of the two of us. You’re not your father Eris, you never will be. I’m tired of that man continuing to hold you captive.”

“Y/N, stop.”

“No, I want to know. What is the worst that could happen if you let someone get truly close to you?! What, truly, is there to lose?!”

“Y/N…” Eris’ voice was that of a High Lord, dark and commanding. I matched it with my own, only louder.

“Tell me Eris! What. Is. There. To. Lose?!”

“Everything!” His voice carried the very fire that ran through his veins, I had never heard his anger laced with such desperation. “If I say what I truly wish, I could lose the one thing that means more to me than anything, is that what you want to hear?”

I put the last embers of my anger into my next words.

“No…I want you to say it! Stop being a coward and say it!”

“I LOVE YOU!”

Everything stops in that moment, the forest going deadly quiet. Neither of us making a move toward the other.

Then, all at once, the forest comes to life. Birds are singing, the sun shines past the trees overhead, the leaves begin dancing around us, and his hounds begin letting out excited yips and howls. All in response to what is happening between Eris and me.

It is as though I can see the thread forming and making its way to each of us. Its glow dancing through the air, showing off just how special and beautiful it is. It is with a sharp pain that I feel it reach my chest and snap. Quickly followed by an all-encompassing warmth spreading throughout my entire body.

A sea of emotions flows toward me as I look toward Eris, finding he is already looking at me. As we look at each other for a moment, smiles begin to overtake both of our faces, transforming into laughter.

“Cauldron boil me, what fucking fools we are!” Eris exclaims.

He closes the distance between us, his hands coming to rest of either side of my neck as I look up at him. My own reaching to either side of his waist.

“Forgive me for being fool enough to miss what was right in front of me…my mate.” His words coming out as a whisper, a wave of awe flowing down the bond as his eyes lock on mine.

A look of uncertainty takes over Eris’ expressions, his next words laced with painful meaning.

“I will not force you to accept it, I will not do to you what was done to my mother. Should you choose it, I will step back from you…forever.”

My grip tightens at his waist, my eyes never leaving his.

“Eris Vanserra, hear my words…I love you, for all that you are. I choose you; I am not leaving you…you never have to feel alone again.”

“You must know I have always loved you; every piece of my scarred and broken heart belongs with you.” He leans his forehead against mine, both of us basking in the waves of emotion crashing through the bond.

“Eris…” The desperation in my voice escapes of its own accord, my need for him apparent to us both.

“I have been yours for centuries, say you are mine and I will make it so.” His want is evident in his voice, his eyes darkening as he speaks, as though he is done hiding from me. “Be sure, my love, for I have no intention of letting you go if you say the words.”

I don’t even take a moment to hesitate, having known my answer to such a question for centuries.

“I am yours; now and forever.”

Eris’ gaze searches mine once more, looking for any traces of hesitation or regret…he finds none.

Every ounce of hesitation leaves him as his lips crash into mine.

My arms wrap around his shoulders, bracing myself against the force of his kiss. His encircle my waist, pulling me impossibly closer. Eris kisses me like a male that has been starved for centuries; finally receiving what he needs.

His breaks our kiss for a moment as he commands, “Jump.”

I obey without hesitation, my legs wrapping around his waist and Eris’ hands coming to rest beneath my thighs.

“Good girl.” His voice impossibly deep as his lips find mine once more. Eris begins walking us backward, my back hitting bark. One of his hands comes to the back of my head to prevent it from hitting the tree.

I can’t help but laugh, my words coming out breathless. “Every the gentlefae, Eris Vanserra.”

“What can I say? My mother taught me well.” I raise my brow at that, not being able to resist teasing him for his choice of words. “Don’t you start, we are not doing that, not now.”

“Then what are we doing?” I say as I undo the buttons at the top of his tunic, my hands skimming the exposed skin. I feel Eris tremble beneath the contact, sending a wave of desire down our newly found bond.

“This.” He connects his lips to my neck, finding a particularly sensitive spot just below my ear. A hum of approval coming from him at my responding gasp.

Eris’ hips push into mine to support me against the tree as his hands trace up my sides, thumbs brushing the underside of my breasts. My hips respond with their own push forward at the feeling of his hardness and the brush of his thumbs.

I bring my hands to the back of his neck so I can tilt his head, his groan of protest being replaced by a deep gasp of his own as I begin kissing along his jaw.

I stop only when I reach his ear and brush my lips along it as I whisper, “What else did you have in mind, my High Lord?”

“What else do I have in mind?” Eris lets out a small chuckle at that. He leans back so he can meet my eyes, his expression so intense that I can feel the warmth as it colours my cheeks. His hand comes to rest on the front of my throat, applying just enough pressure to ensure I have to hold his gaze. His voice comes out as a growl and is laced with desire as he says, “Love, I have a centuries-long list of what I plan to do to you. And you using my title isn’t helping the last hold I have on my restraint.”

“I don’t want or need you to restrain yourself, give me everything Eris.” My hips grind into his once more, my words having their desired effect on him. His eyes close of their own accord, and his head tilts back as he releases a shaky exhale.

“As much as we would both enjoy that Y/N, I don’t plan for the first time I fuck the future High Lady of Autumn to be against a tree.” I can’t help the whimper that escapes me at his words, his hand tightening the slightest bit more around my neck at the sound. “No…I plan to take my time with you. Leave you so thoroughly sated that my name leaves your lips like a prayer, and you are unable to rise from our bed on steady footing.”

“Promises, promises…what about the things I’ve dreamed of doing to you?” I begin sliding my hand down his front, painfully slow as I whisper, “Alone…in my room…with nothing but my hand to keep me company?”

He grips my wrist before it can reach where we both desperately want it to be.

“You’ll be showing me exactly what you would do and telling me about every desire your brilliant mind has conjured, of that you can have no doubt.” He brings my hand up to his mouth and brushes his lips over my knuckles. “But I believe it was you said we can’t be late for dinner and if we don’t resume our journey now, the sun’s descent will arrive before we do.”

“Shit.”

Eris makes no move to release me from his hold. He leans in and rests his forehead upon mine. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“Part of resuming our journey is your letting me down Eris.”

“Allow me the indulgence of savouring what may be the most perfect time of my immortal life for a few more moments…please.” His voice is quiet. It’s almost as though he didn’t mean for the words to pass his lips.

“I suppose we can spare a moment.”

We both chuckle at my words but fall into a comfortable silence shortly after. Time seems to lapse as we breath each other in.

Through the centuries I have seen Eris truly at peace only a handful of times. I refuse to take it from him now, punctuality be damned.

After what is too short a time for my liking Eris leans back, “I’m ready.”

“You’re sure?” My hands come to rest at the back of his neck, rubbing small circles with my thumbs.

“I’m sure…but promise me this: we stay no longer than necessary to be polite. I have waited for and wanted you for centuries, and I intend to have you, in every sense of the word, before this day is done.”

“I swear it.”

Eris leans in and kisses me deeply, nipping at my bottom lip as he pulls away and steps back from the tree. He lowers me so gently that the leaves don’t make a sound as my feet hit the forest floor.

The smokehounds jump up from where they have been resting and race to our sides. They begin jumping and weaving around us, refusing to be left out of such an important day. Eris gently pushes them back, promising the best the cook has to offer when we return home. I can’t help but smile, knowing a piece of his heart is reserved only for them and their 10 siblings. He catches me watching and a smile of his own overtakes his features.

I take his arm as he offers it and rest my free hand against his bicep as we begin walking.

“Lucien is never going to let us live this down, is he?”

“I believe my brother will take great joy in being the one to brings us together. I’m sure there are plenty of “I told you so’s” in store for both of us.”

“Both of us?” I glance at Eris in question. I can see embarrassment start to creep into the tops of his cheeks, his sudden nervousness apparent.

“There may have been a time or two…or fifty…that I made the foolish decision to confide in my brother regarding my falling hopelessly in love with you. The only difference between you and I being that I didn’t resist the urge to punch him when he deigned to call me a coward for my continued silence…on more than one occasion.”

“Hopelessly, huh?” I couldn’t suppress my smile at the colour in Eris’ cheeks.

“Hopelessly, helplessly, every word you can use to describe it…that has always been me when it comes to you. My brother has never let me live it down and I look forward to you doing the same.”

“Never.” I tighten my grip on his arm and pull him to turn toward me. I rest my hand on his chest, over his heart. “I will never weaponize your vulnerability. Not now, not ever. Do not ever be afraid to show it to me, I want to see every part of you.”

He rests his hand over mine, falling quiet for a moment.

“Thank you, truly. That...it means more than you can know.”

He leans in and kisses me, lingering for a moment. As he pulls away the corners of his mouth are upturned in the purest of smiles.

“Let’s hope the Mother allows my brother to do the same.” He offers me his arm once more. “Shall we go find out, my Lady?”

I can’t help but grin as I take his arm, enjoying the glimpse of the carefree, playful side of Eris.

“We shall.”

---------

Eris isn’t sure how long it takes he and Y/N to reach their destination. For all that he valued efficiency and punctuality in his court operations, he couldn’t give one flying fuck if they ever reached Lucien’s home.

A mate is something Eris never let himself dream of having. He had seen firsthand how his father handled their sons being involved with those he deemed unworthy. Beron had taken so much from his brothers, his mother, Eris himself. He refused to even open himself up to the possibility of finding a partner to stand by his side.

What a cruel twist of fate it was to have her by his side for as long as she has been. Eris had denied himself time and time again, knowing that loving Y/N meant opening her up to further abuse from his father than what she already suffered. He had vowed to keep her safe and he was learning that, without him fully realizing it, she had done the same.

Y/N ensured he never walked in darkness alone. She had pulled him from the brink of destruction more times than he could count, and he owed her more thanks than even an immortal fae life could provide.

He keeps sneaking glances down at her as they walk, marveling in the possibilities that lay ahead of them. For the first time, more so than any other point of his life, Eris dares to dream. He begins imaging the foundation they would build for their life together, how it would grow and prosper.

He thinks, perhaps, he does owe his brother thanks. If not for Lucien’s remarkably stupid plan, he may never haver felt what it was like to feel the utter contentment coming from deep within his chest. Felt what it is to have Y/N in his arms, her body responding to his every touch, and the flow of love she had been unable to hold back from the bond. Eris meant it when he said it was the most perfect moment of his life, nothing else had ever come close to what happened in that grove.

They turn the final curve in their path, Lucien’s cottage coming into view. It is not the grandest sight to behold but it is priceless, nonetheless. The cottage was built to house nothing but love and family. Eris had ensured Lucien knew he would always have a place in the Forest House, but his brother wished for his own space. A place in which he could heal from the wounds inflicted by his own mate and a place in which he could fall back in love with his home court.

What the cottage had become for Lucien was more than Eris had ever anticipated.

Lucien waits on the front step, his expression one of smug satisfaction as he takes in the two walking joined to one another.

Eris can hear the happy squeal and pitter patter of small steps before he sees who they are coming from. The source creates a smile on his face like no other can, not even his newfound mate.

“UNKY ERI! UNKY ERI!” The young fae runs by her father with nary a glance in his direction. At a meager two years of age, the youngling is already living up to the fire that runs through her veins. “Up, up, up!”

Y/N has seen this type of greeting enough times to be wise enough to take a step back and Eris shoots her an appreciative smile. He ensures she feels the gratitude he has for the small gesture with a push down the bond.

Eris crouches and opens his arms just in time to scoop his niece from the ground. He swings her in a wide circle, her excitement echoing throughout the forest. They’re both laughing by the time Eris settles her on his hip.

“Hello little flame, did you get into any trouble today?”

“Nooooo…Mama and papa took me into town. We went into all the shops, had cake for lunch, and then papa bought me books from Mama’s store. And then I was waiting for you and Auntie Y/N to get here so I could show you all my books.” The young fae’s hands excitedly wave in the air as she tells her uncle of her day.

“And I would love to see them. I’ll even read one to you before bed if you would like.”

She screams in excitement at the possibility, Eris gives a slight cringe with the sheer volume his niece can reach. She places her small hands on either side of Eris’ face and plants a sloppy kiss on his forehead. Eris can’t help but glance over at Y/N, for the first time allowing himself to imagine having a family of his own. Y/N’s eyes show the first sign of tears as she gives me a loving smile. Both of them knowing they can allow themselves to dream.

“I love you Unky Eri!”

“And I love you, little flame!”

 She starts making grabby hands at Y/N and Eris happily passes the youngling to her aunt. Allowing them the opportunity to have their own hello, albeit a much less loud one.

Eris looks up at his brother and feels some of his earlier anger return. Lucien must read this in his expression based upon his next words.

“Jesminda, I think your mother would love to have you help her prepare the table for dinner.”

“Only if Auntie Y/N comes with me.” The girl crosses her arms in a pout.

“It would be my honour.” Y/N sets the girl down but before she can take her hand Eris grabs her wrist and pulls her into him. He leans his head into her, his hand tightening where it sits on her waist.

His lips brush her ear as he whispers, “Only as long as needed to be polite, my love. You won’t like who I become if I’m kept from you longer than is necessary.”

Y/N’s responding look has Eris thinking she would like that very much indeed.

“As you command, my High Lord.”

As she steps aways Eris knows she selected her words specifically to elicit a reaction from him. It is only the need to speak to his brother that keeps Eris from leaving Lucien’s immediately and giving into his need to have Y/N all to himself behind the closed door of their chambers.

Y/N takes Jesminda’s impatiently waiting hand and they begin making their way into the cottage. As Y/N reaches the porch, she gives Lucien’s arm a reassuring squeeze and Eris can tell by the look of surprise that flashes across his face that he smells the mating bond. Lucien waits for a moment after the two have entered his home to begin making his way toward Eris.

“I can’t tell, Brother, whether I should be waiting for your thanks or your ire.” He flashes Eris a smile as he says it.

“Given the situation, I would say it warrants both. Wouldn’t you agree brother?””

After a moment’s stand-off the two move to embrace one another. They agreed long ago to not waste any more of the time they have together, their father having already robbed them of so much of it.

“I knew the two of you belonged with one another, but mates? Now that, I could not have predicted.”

“It would seem as though the Mother herself was waiting for the two of us to get over ourselves and admit how we feel.” Eris falls quiet for a moment and is met with his ever-persistent struggle to communicate his feelings. There is a catch in his voice as he speaks. “I can’t…no words will ever…”

Lucien rests his hand on Eris’ shoulder, understanding his brother’s struggle better than anyone.

“After all that you have done for me Eris, abandoning you in the words with the love of your life is the least I could do.” His humour alleviates the tension that had built, both of them having a much-needed laugh.

“All that I have done is given you back what was stolen.”

“And so much more, you must know this.” Lucien gestures to the cottage in front of them and the future inside that waits for both of them.

Eris regards his younger brother for a moment.

“I’m still learning to.”

Eris lets the last embers of his anger bleed into the grip he puts on the side of Lucien’s neck as he says, “But I swear on this very court brother that if you ever place Y/N in a situation like that again we will have words. And not even my mate’s grace will save you.”

His grip loosens almost as soon as he puts it there but the flash of trepidation across Lucien’s face tells Eris he believes it, nonetheless.

Lucien steps back and puts his hands together in front of himself.  

“And on that cheerful note, shall we head inside? You can tell me the story of today and begin the first of many thank yous that you’ll be begging to give me.”

Eris shoves his brother much like they did when they were kids.

“And you can go fuck yourself.”

They both break into laughs as Lucien turns toward the cabin, beginning to make his way inside.

“I love you too Eris, I’m glad to have you by my side…our family is lucky to have you,” Lucien calls as he turns to face Eris for a moment before reaching the porch.

“I’m glad you’re finally admitting it.” If the finger Lucien throws up over his should is any indication, Eris knows his brother hears his words as he crosses the threshold of the cabin.

Eris stops for a moment and tilts his head to the sky. He closes his eyes and breathes in.

What Eris didn’t tell Lucien is that he is the lucky one. That he cherishes every moment he gets to remove the cold mask he dons every day and simply be himself.

“Would you like to come in for dinner or is standing alone in the forest how you would like to spend your evening?”

Eris opens his eyes and meets those of his mate. Y/N is leaning against the doorframes with a look of pure adoration on her face. Eris can’t control the smile that spreads across his face as he makes his way toward her.

He takes her extended hand in his and it’s as though walking into the cabin is walking into their future.

A future that Eris can’t wait to be a part of.

[erzsebetrosztoczy]

For your wounded heart

Pt.2

Pairing: Mizu x reader

Word count: ~1,6k

Notes: Heyhey im dropping part two, sorry for the delay, currently I need to prepare for my upcoming exams so i don't have much time to get creative, also this part may feel forced?? weird?? short??? if so its because i have no will to exists rn eheheh but i'll get back to this as soon as im able to

Ps.: Mizu's pronounce changes with the povs, reader is gn so far (if you want to change that let me know, i'll go with this for now)

Part 1

Something squeezed her chest tightly. The pain tore through her heart like lightning - dipping it into frozen snow, bitter poison, molten iron until she felt nothing but pain and rage. She was angry at everyone and everything for letting her hurt. And it hurt because everyone only brought sadness to her.

Blackness, red, and blinding white alternated, zigzagging before her eyes like a dragon. Black, red, white. Red, white, black. White, black and–

Mizu's eyelids popped up, and she rose from the ground, eagerly sucking in the air into her lungs.

The fire was there before her. It found her again — it could finally hold her in its grip again. Wherever she went, she was at the corner of the raging fire, the tongues of flames reaching high and rushing after her to swallow her up, to erase her from the world.

In the wake of a child that brings death, only fire that brings death can follow.

"Hey, hey…!" A strange voice spoke from behind Mizu, barely louder than the crackle of fire.

Mizu turned and extended her arms. Everything was blurry, she only saw colors and shapes. Something warm and soft touched her palm. She squeezed it and pushed it to the ground.

A thump, a painful squeak, and Mizu was on her knees. Underneath, there's something soft, or better said, someone soft.

The air quickly escaped from your lungs after the stranger pulled you to the ground so quickly and then weighed down on top of you. Suddenly you couldn't even comprehend it – one moment he is still sleeping on the ground, wounded and harmless and in the next he jumps up with the speed of a shot arrow, and tackles you to the ground.

For a few moments you could only gape like a fish; searching for air and words.

When your mind finally worked enough to not only care about your situation, you were finally able to look into the eyes of your savior, who was just trying to crush you.

The yellow-lensed glasses slipped slightly on the bridge of his nose as he looked down. At first, seeing it on the road, you thought you must have bad eyesight from so far away. Then his iris appeared in a strange greenish-brown light resembling mud. But your very first judgment proved wrong.

A sea of blue eyes stared down at you.

Now it wasn't just the lack of air that made you unable to speak - shock silenced you.

Mizu stared at the figure in front of her. They didn't seem like someone who could cause her serious trouble if a fight took place. Judging by the stranger's expression, they were more scared to death than determined to get rid of her.

She looked around — her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Rough wooden walls, rammed earth floor, open stove, small room. Twilight. A roaring fire, pleasant warmth. Smell of strong spices and greens and flowers. Bouquets hung on the wall.

…. The bandits. That someone, who was being chased, flashed into her memories.

“Were you on the road…?” She asked in an uncertain voice, weakly.

"Please don't hurt me! I only want to help you!" The one she saved begged under her.

As if the threads of her thoughts had been cut off, all of a sudden Mizu felt a slow, sluggish nothingness in her mind. 

There were no thoughts, no reactions anymore.

Where was she? Who was that in front of her? What happened?

Why did the searing pain from her heart begin to sink down to her torso?

Before she could voice her confusion, a sharp jab hit her side, numbing her entire body. Teeth gritting and snarling - she loosened her grip as she was leaning to the side, ready to fall like a full sack although still had enough alertness to catch the force of the fall with her arm. 

And her vision darkened again.

Ignoring what you're knocking over or going into-you crawled away from him as soon as he fell back to the ground. With a gasping breath, you tried to grab anything in your reach that could serve as defense if the stranger decided that he had no intention of "rescuing you" anymore.

"Damn it...what was that?" You panted as you threw your back against the wall, watching the still body- sickle in hand.

You just wanted to thank him for what he did for you, whether it was an act from the heart or forced. This stranger saved your life, that's why you brought him - dragged him all the way to the hut. And he has the courage to attack you in his fever dream after that?

It was a thankless situation.

After a few minutes of consideration, you realized that this mysterious wanderer is probably hallucinating in a feverish dream. Sometimes muttering incomprehensibly, groans as his face gets distorted.

"He’s just imagining…" You tried to convince yourself. "Surely having visions..."

The lanky stranger then moved; his body shook, a low, bitter sob broke from his lips as he pulled his knees and chest together in front of him.

"Visions of great pain and troubled times." You acknowledged with a sigh, finally getting up from the wall, walking over to him and slowly lifting the blanket back over him.

Kneeling next to his head, you stilled. 

You bit in your lower lip as your gaze fell upon his face. 

In his sleep if he’ll think that you are part of the dark images that are now tormenting him and try to attack him…

Slowly, as if you wanted to touch a fine spider web, your fingers hovered on either side of his head – unsure whether to touch it or wait for his dreams to stop.

Then your fingertips reached the dark curls of his; to the grizzled, sweat-damp, black hair. It was just a gentle touch of a breath, but as soon as it happened, the blue-eyed stranger's features softened.

A wanderer with blue eyes. A stranger - not only to you, but to all your people. Only those of faraway lands had colored eyes…

A cold gaze, translucent and restless. 

Blue like water, like the sky.

And those blue eyes then saw you on the road and decided you were sympathetic. Blue eyes helped defeat the bandits. Thanks to these blue eyes, you are still alive and breathing.

You didn't even notice how your fingers slid along his forehead, combing the stray strands to the side.

"It was up to you whether my life would end or continue. Now it's my turn to return the favor." You whispered to him with a faint smile.

You had to tend to his wound as soon as possible - putting himself to sleep won't be enough to heal.

But with that, you had a problem – you couldn't know how he would react in his sleep if you started treating his wound. Judging from the previous ones, you didn't think it was worth prodding the sleeping bear…

No - not again, you didn't want him to tackle you down half-asleep, hallucinating.

You thought about leaving your hut again; finish getting the herbs for your order.

But you didn't want to run into any of the stragglers again. So what if this half-blood wakes up just when you're away; without a word vanishing before seeing him again one last time, or worse - your home could be destroyed even.

You decided that, in the absence of a better decision, you too would go to rest, even just for an hour or two - winding down the previous excitement and letting your wounds heal.

When her eyes opened again, she felt as if she were being tossed around by a gust of wind; the room spun around Mizu, the figures blurred, the lights stretched. She sat up with a painful groan, her eyes glazed down to her stomach, her sides burning like embers—a dull but convulsive and unrelenting pain raging inside.

So much for being guided by noble actions. Once guilt, compassion wins over her better knowledge and she's already slipping to the brink of death...

From which the herbalist brought her back, the one whom she saved.

Carefully scanning the room, Mizu confirmed to herself that the healer was sleeping lying on a sack, huddled together, small, almost lost in the surroundings. A holey cloth blanket covered their body, which barely covered their - bare legs and arms hung out, revealing the thin, red scratches they might have gotten during escaping.

Now both of them carried the mark of the events of that day on themselves - maybe forever. Another wound, another lesson for Mizu: if you help others, it only gets you into trouble.

This was also the curse of the herbalist. They bring medicine, rescue those in need, and what is their fate? People turn their backs on them, chase them away, leave them alone in a little hole they can call home. 

Predictably leaving them to both nature and man…discarded because nobody needs them.

Perhaps the two of them had more in common than she had first thought.

As Mizu tried to get up from her bed, another spasm shot through her body, crippling her muscles. Gritting her teeth - so as not to make a sound - she fell back to the ground realizing with a frustrated puff that she unfortunately had to stay there for a while.

"Still – as stagnant water." She grumbled to herself with a sigh.

The fire continued to blaze, the embers continued to glow - covering the two sleeping figures in warmth.

Maybe only for a short time - but until then; the destinies of the two were intertwined in the web of life.

[hearts4youz]

The Captains Daughter: Chapter 7

A/N I'm pretty proud of how this one turned out... Hope ya'll like it!! comment if you wanna be added to a taglist!!

Taglist: @abbiesxox

Word count 1.4k

Ghost pov

"Copy," I said into the mic

Price had told us to meet at the top floor to retrieve our supplies.

I turned to Y/N, she had yet to prove herself helpful during this mission. Thankfully my dominant emotion at the moment is annoyance and not worry for her.

"Lets grab our shit and get out of here."

She nodded and the two of us walked around, sweeping the area for enemies. We found a staircase and ascended. The steps groaned and creaked loudly, we heard shouts from the floor above us, then footsteps pounding the floorboards. Both of us readied our weapons as we heard them speak, running up the rest of the stairs to avoid having the low ground.

"Over there, on the stairs," one of them shouted.

Fear suddenly filled me. Not for the fight, but for Y/N. I was taken back to a moment I wanted to erase from my memory.

I rounded the corner with the two Privates I had been training in tow. The mission was tedious. This place was crawling with soldiers that weren't on our side, we were severely outnumbered.

It all happened so fast.

A small man snuck up behind us. I turned around when I heard the yelp of Private Anderson. The body of Private Jones hadn't even hit the floor yet, that's how fast this man was.

Two lives taken in mere seconds because I failed to listen closely for a sneak attack.

Two lives taken because I failed to teach them how to listen for a sneak attack.

I hadn't trained them hard enough, hadn't taught them enough.

In the split second that the memory flashed into my mind, it was gone. They were gone. Reaching the top of the staircase I turned back to Y/N two steps behind me. I saw determination in her eyes, they darted around looking for danger. I saw a soldier's eyes, but also the eyes of a youth. I saw innocence, but at the same time I could tell that her eyes had seen too much. I suddenly wanted to know more about her, I wanted to see the reason behind those perplexing eyes. I wanted to-

I couldn't finish my thought before a shot rang out, I spun around to see a body behind me, Y/N had her gun raised.

I wasn't paying attention, she saved me.

I wasn't paying attention, we could have gotten killed.

Any thoughts of her were pushed back as I thanked her and switched my focus to the mission.

We heard more footsteps on the wooden floors, we ducked behind a half crumbled wall just as more soldiers entered the hallway. Without leaving our cover, Y/N and I fired multiple shots and killed them all.

I felt slightly more confident in her now that I had seen her skills. She works well under pressure, and might even rival me in shooting accuracy.

The next half hour goes smoothly. We don't see any more soldiers and manage to find our way to the top floor, we are the last to get there.

"Nice to see everyone here unharmed," Price says, sounding relieved.

everyone mumbles their agreement.

"Where's the supplies," Y/N asks.

I hadn't noticed that the room was empty.

Price sighs, "It seems that those thieves made off with it."

I look around the room at everyone, I see exhausted faces, coated with grime. Thankfully no visible injuries on anyone.

Price instructs us to leave, I walk next to soap. No one says a word as we go back the way we came. We pass battered bodies with blood pooling around them.

"Serves 'em right," Soap sneered. I chuckled at his jibe.

My gaze set on Y/N, she walked at the front next to Price. I forget that he's her dad. She hangs her head low, everyone does. Failing a mission is tough, nothing is worse than the drive back to base after a loss.

We make it out of the building, only to find that the tires of the Humvee were slashed.

"Goddamnit, fucking bastards," Price yelled. Kicking the frame of the vehicle.

As everyone was bellyaching about the car, I noticed something in the treeline. Something moved. I squinted my eyes and told everyone to shut up.

Walking into the woods, not 20 feet away was one of the solders. He held a knife, undoubtedly he had been the one to slash our tires.

We sprinted after him, he looked over his shoulder as we saw him coming. He smirked and darted further into the woods. Y/N was at the front of our group

Damn she's fast, I thought to myself

The rest of us followed into the woods after her. We stopped just inside of the trees, realizing we lost the man.

"Fucking hell," Soap punched a tree. He shook his hand out wildly, injuring it on the hard trunk.

Gaz squatted on the ground, his head in his hands. We weren't used to getting embarrased by a ragtag gang in military uniform.

"Fuck it, I'll radio for a pickup, lets just get out of here." Price said.

We were all reluctant to agree, wanting to teach these fuckers a lesson.

Everyone turned around to leave, except for Y/N who looked into the distance.

"C'mon hun lets go," Price sounded defeated.

"But we can't just let them get away," she didn't even turn toward the group

"Kid-"

Price didn't finish his sentence, Y/N was walking further into the woods, saying some cheesy shit about not giving up.

I heard a twig snap, but It wasn't from around her. Everyone else heard it too and looked around. Suddenly, The man with the knife lept out from behind a tree and tackled Y/N.

I had the sudden instinct to make that man feel pain.

Not just to take him out, but to make him suffer.

I don't know why exactly I felt this way, but I dismissed it as being protective of a teammate.

I pushed past everyone else and ran ahead. The man was on top of Y/N, his knife next to her throat, lightly dragging across her skin. He was teasing her.

She cried out for him to get off of her. I saw red.

When I was close enough I dove to tackle him, he saw this and rolled in the opposite direction, Y/N jumped up from the ground just as he got up and ran back for her. I pointed my gun at him and pulled the trigger

Click

fuck

It was empty

The man laughed, he didn't see Y/N draw her knife and stab him through his back.

He fell to his knees, but not before grabbing her by her shoulders and taking her down with him. He ripped the knife out of his chest, and pointed it towards Y/N. She attempted to wiggle out of his grasp but she was trapped under his body weight.

The man was growing weaker, he knew he was. Instead of toying with her, He cut to the chase and brought his knife down.

I was knocked out of my trance at the sight, Time moved in slow motion. I kicked the man away before he could stab Y/N. His knife moved with his body and dragged across her arm, she yelped. I froze.

by this time everyone was gathered around. The Captain had stood Y/N up, she was assuring him that she was ok and that the knife had just barely opened her skin. The man was groaning in his final moments. I watched him cough and sputter, my white hot rage had cooled off at the sight of him writhing in the dirt. Alejandro was taking bandages out of his bag and wrapping them around Y/N's arm.

Soap radioed for a rescue team. The sun was beginning to set, we were supposed to return hours ago. I sighed and brought up the rear as we exited the woods. Plagued by the loss of today.

Y/N was lucky, I realized. Lucky that the man had decided to toy with her instead of instantly going for the kill. She was no match for his strength, he wasn't even particularly strong. Tomorrow, I will train her twice as hard.

I will ensure that she doesn't meet the same fate as the last men I was left in charge of.

[nonexistent-introvert]

History

Pairing: Javier Peña x f!reader

Word Count: 3.4k

Content: the usual narcos stuff and Javier, smoking, childhood friends , drifting, angst?, and some fluffy memories

A/N: this wrote itself. Everything was spontaneous. It started from wanting to write a young Javier to something else entirely. It's probably a mess bc of that.

The series of photos displayed in the Peña’s household was like a personal journey for you too. Most of the photos were of Javier and you. Each memory replayed in your head as you slowly dusted the pictures off. 

==================================

  You watched bitterly when Javier was on stage being awarded for being top in the cohort.  “Why the look cariño?” Javier sat down beside you, a teasing grin on his face. You rolled your eyes at him, flipping the certificate in your hand over to hide it from him. Javier laughed lightly. “Sooo, I guess I was the one who got the last laugh.” Taking the certificate from your hand to reveal the words “second in cohort” 

   “I think they already saved a seat for you.” Your eyes turned to the girls sitting a few rows behind you. The exact moment he glanced behind, a series of giggles and squeals erupted from behind making your blood boil even more. “But I already have the perfect seat next to you.” Javier simply replied. You clicked your tongue in response when he nudged you lightly while turning his whole body in your direction. “Smile” he muttered into your ear, placing his hand over your chair. The bright flash of the camera shone in your face before you could hide the smile and blush upon leaning against Javier’s arm. 

   You weren’t so immune to his charms after all.

—----------------------------------------

   It was a lie when you told your friends that the scenery was prettier on this side of campus. Your eyes gravitated towards Javier who was with his friends. He was the reason why you hovered around this part of the school while wearing your graduation outfit, trying to find the courage to take a picture with him despite being friends since childhood. You really shouldn’t be so nervous around him, you never were for the past decades of your life. 

   You swallowed your feelings when you watched a group of girls approach him, hoping to take a picture with the heartthrob of your school. Javier took a few pictures out of politeness, then his eyes suddenly caught yours across the field. You turned your head so fast away that you could have sworn you stretched a muscle. Your hand reached the back of your neck to slowly massage at the sore spot. Javier smirked knowingly, excusing himself from the girls despite the disappointed sighs that came after. 

   “You were checking me out.”

   “Fuck off Javier.” You walked away from him while he came jogging up next to you. “I definitely saw you looking at me.” He insisted. “I was staring off into the distance.” You defended, Javier smirked. “Staring directly into my eyes you mean.” He teased, watching as you sucked in your cheeks in an attempt to stop the blush. “Go back to your fanclub.” you shooed.

   “Ah so this is where you kids are at.” The sound of Chucho’s familiar voice made your eyes lit up. “Chucho!” You greeted the man who was practically a second father to you. “Quickly, the both of you. It’s a once in a lifetime photo available only today.” Chucho gestured with his arms. Javier easily closed the distance between the both of you, bending down slightly. His eyes widened slightly when you wrapped your arm around his neck. Javier quickly recovered and erased the distance between the both of you when he placed his hand on your waist and pulled you closer. 

   You gasped when you felt his arms behind your legs. Before you knew it, your arms was wrapped around his neck for safety as he lifted you from the ground. “This is so embarrassing.” You muttered to him, hiding your face from the crowd who was curious to who Javier was bridal carrying. “Take it as a graduation gift to me.” He whispered.

  His brown eyes twinkled in the picture while your smile was so big that your eyes turned into smiley lines. 

==========================

   You were there when he was promoted to sheriff. You were still his friend when he dated Lorraine. You were the first person he told that he finally could achieve his dreams of getting out of the small town he was condemned to live in. You were the one who pointed out that he couldn’t have it all in life, and that he had to make the choice between Lorraine and the DEA. 

   Javier congratulated you when he found out you were studying medicine. He was the one who spent the long nights with you when you studied, making you recite the possible treatments and symptoms to the neverending information you had to study. He was the one who let you hold onto him while he drove you around in the motorcycle that he bought despite Chucho’s protests. Javier was also the one who sent you off overseas to pursue your studies at the airport with a handsome grin and a promise to see you again soon. 

  It has been almost a decade since you last talked to him. 8 years to be exact. The last time you had seen him was when he saw you off at the airport. You gently traced the patches on the jacket that you’re wearing, the jacket that he had given to you at the airport. It was his favorite jacket, the brown leather jacket with his favorite basketball team logo patch sewn onto it. It had become your go-to jacket over the years, subconsciously, it also reminded you of him.

==============================

   “If any man hits on you, tell them you’re wearing you’re wearing your boyfriend’s jacket.” “And why should I?” You replied. “Becuase you said you were gonna marry me.” You furrowed your eyebrows at him, sure you may have had a crush on him but he never found out right? 

    “So you tell that casually to every guy? You don’t seem to remember.” Javier looked at you with his hands at his hips. “I bet you’re just lying anyways.” You shrugged. His eyes widened as he reached into his small shoulder bag and pulled out a picture. He let out a whistle as he flicked the corner of the picture to prove a point. Your jaw dropped when you saw the picture. 

  A young Javier that was no older than 7 stood beside a young you. His hand held tightly onto yours. On your ring finger was a light blue plastic ring. A blush tinted your cheeks while you smiled shyly. Javier’s head was tilted to the side as he pecked you on the cheek. 

   “Scratch the boyfriend part. I’m practically your husband.” Javier’s voice snapped you out of the daydream you were having, trying your best to remember that moment. You lifted your ring finger at him, mimicking a middle finger. “As you can see, my ring finger is bare. Must have finally realised I had shit taste.” You joked. He simply gave you an amused look, “Whatever you say hermosa. I know some part of your heart wishes that we can remake that photo but this time, we can have a real shiny ring with a legal document.” 

   “You wish,”

   “Don’t miss me too much cariño.” 

====================

  “Many people thought I had a daughter.” Chucho suddenly appeared beside you. “You’re in practically every photo. Not that I’m complaining. Javier and you were integral to each other’s lives.” You awkwardly nodded your head in acknowledgment. It was true that he was a big part of your life, especially your childhood but it has been a whole 8 years. You weren’t even sure how he looked like now or was he still the same person who made you laugh through your worst times. 

   It wasn’t like you didn’t keep up with him. You still read the news, paid extra attention when the news brought up anything DEA related. Sometimes you’ll catch a few mentions of his name and split seconds of traces of him in the background of photos. You stared at him through the picture that he had taken with your parents along with Chucho when he came back a few years back for his cousin’s wedding while you were stationed for an overseas conference. 

   At the end of the day, you refused to dwell over Javier Peña. You wanted the best for him simply because he was a big part of your life. You are proud of him. The part of you who wanted to get together with him romantically faded into the shadows over time. 

   “You know what they guess next?” You tilted your head in confusion. Chucho’s words was a blur as you fell into your own thoughts.

  “Everyone thought you are my daughter-in-law.” Chucho gestured to the series of photos that featured both you and Javier. He pointed at the picture of young him and young you with a ring around your finger. His finger then moved to the picture where Javier was bridal carrying you. “I would like to think these photos are the reason why people thought so.” You shook your head. “We’re just friends, maybe even less than that.” Chucho’s smile faded ever so slightly as his eyes studied you. You looked away, pretending to dust the other items on the shelf. Chucho’s gaze felt awfully similar to Javier’s. 

   “He hasn’t forgotten bout you, you know?” You hummed, acting nonchalant. “He calls back on those rare occasions. I can tell he went through some stuff. But he… he asks about me and then there’s always this silence. This silence where he contemplates asking about you and when he eventually does, I wouldn’t know what to reply him.”  Chucho explained. “I’m fine Chucho.” You assured. “I know you are. That’s what I tell him. But you know Javi, he doesn’t want to hear that when it comes to you, he wants updates about you. If you’re eating well, how you’re doing as a doctor now.” Chucho explained further. 

    “Chucho, it has been 8 years. I definitely don’t mean as much to him anymore.” You said, staring at the happy smiles on the pictures. Your heart used to ache at this realisation. Now, your heart just feels numb. 

   “Javier’s coming back. For good this time.” Chucho announced instead. You chuckled, knowing Javier’s personality, it would probably take a few months before he’s off scrambling out of town again. Eager to make bigger contributions. 

  “Papi! Im Home.” 

  That voice was enough to make your blood still. Only just realizing the trap that you had fallen into. Chucho never asked for help, it was always you volunteering to help him with the farm. You should have caught on when he decided to call you over on a weekend, weekends which he always deemed as “time to rest and spend time with people who matter”  

   You knew exactly when Javier’s gaze fell upon you. When his words trailed off and the sound of his heavy footsteps came to a stop. The faint smell of smoke was still on him. 

   “You didn’t forget her did you?” Chucho teased his son. He shook his head quickly, “I-“ Javier muttered out your name, his hand extending before he quickly retracted it and pretended to run his hand through his hair instead. You smiled softly, at least you weren’t the only one who was at wits end. 

====================

   You were sitting with Javier opposite you, watching as he devoured the dishes you had helped Chucho cook. Chucho said something about “forgetting to feed the horses” and left the both of you alone. Both of you knew he was lying, Chucho was a creature of habit, he lived every day through a planned schedule that had worked for him for decades. The chances of him forgetting a task were zero to none. 

  “What are you doing here?” Javier awkwardly started, taking a mouthful of water from the glass you had placed beside him. “Chucho called me to help.” Javier ducked his head down to hide the smile, he knew what his father was up to. Chucho was trying to play Cupid. 

   “You smoke now.” It was a curt and simple sentence. A sentence that carried hints of disappointment. Javier glanced at you for a while, the distance that had grown between the both of you was evident. He was a fool that he could come back and you guys would be just like when you were kids. You would be reprimanding him if you knew back then, calling him an idiot to pay the price of health in return for a few moments of ecstasy. All he got now was a simple statement. 

   “I’m sorry.” He apologised, “I was supposed to quit, didn’t want Chucho worrying.” A small reason was also because he knew how much you despised smoking. You shrugged, pulling out a lighter from your pockets. Your initials were on it. “I can’t judge. But I would still advise you against it. As a friend and a doctor.” Javier's eyes widened, he shouldn’t be surprised. 8 years is a long enough time to change anyone. 

  “Had a shitty period of time. Was lucky I never got addicted or anything. But I guess I got quite attached to the lighter.” Javier wanted to ask, he wanted to know what had happened. He held his tongue back, it wasn’t his place to ask, not anymore. “I thought I’ll see you at the wedding.” Javier changed the topic. You fidgeted with your lighter, watching the flames dance. “I was at an overseas conference.” Javier hated it, hated the small talk. He wanted to listen to you talk for hours on end, rambling on small details that you thought no one cared about. 

   There was something different in the air as you sat opposite him. He wasn’t the Javier Peña you knew back then, he wasn’t the same person in those pictures you were just admiring moments ago. He was more like DEA agent Peña. The man who had a cold exterior, a constant scowl on his face and the worry lines that decorated his eyes. His eyes had lost its shine, the eyes that used to twinkle whenever he smiled, it was no longer as bright. He didn’t smile as easily either. “Oh your jacket.” You removed the jacket that was on your shoulders, the jacket that you wore everywhere, the one which you wore to sleep when there were times when you missed home. Javier immediately waved his hands, “Keep it cariño. You had it for so long already.” He argued. Javier always called you Spanish nicknames, you wondered if he did the same to other girls. You were once special to these nicknames but you doubted you were anymore. 

   Javier squared his shoulders, laughing a little as he stared at the jacket that was once his favourite. “ I don’t even think I fit in it anymore.” He pointed out. You studied the jacket that you held in your hands, laughing along with him. “You’re right.” The jacket no longer fits him anymore, it was still a little oversized for you but it was not even an option for him anymore. Javier’s shoulders have grown wider, he had grown taller even if you thought that was impossible then. The height difference between the both of you had grown more. 

   “Everything’s changed.” You commented. Javier hummed, “8 years is a really long time.” Your heart paced a little when he stared intensely at you. In a desperate attempt to get away from his stare, you changed the topic again. It seems to be what you and Javier always do anyways. “Yeah it is, Lorraine got a whole family now.” You should feel bad for mentioning her. Javier wasn’t a bad person, at least not to you. Despite not talking to him after he had called you telling you he didn’t want to get married, you still knew he lived in guilt everyday for leaving her at the aisle. 

    “Yeah, she deserved it. Deserved better than I can ever give to her.” Javier finished his drink, using the water to drown the guilt that was forming. He should have never dated Lorraine. He was an asshole for doing that, he don’t think he truly loved her. She was simply there for him when he needed someone. It was the time when you had left for university overseas. When he was swamped with work as he did his best to earn the opportunity to leave. Lorraine was there for him and supported him, even when Chucho himself didn’t support Javier becoming a sheriff, being part of the danger. 

    Your eyes fell onto the series of photos on the shelf again. Your heart sank ever so slightly. No matter how much both of you tried to deny it, the fact that both of you have changed was undeniable. That he was no longer the Javier you remembered and nor were you the person he remembered. Life events that changed and impacted both of you, not to mention the 8 years that flew by with no contact. You used to talk to him with ease, the both of you could spend the whole day together and still hog the landline at home when you eventually had to leave each other’s company. Now, the conversation topics were scarce and the tension was constantly in the air. The small talk that ended within a few sentences was enough proof. If you told this to your younger self, she would laugh in your face and call you a liar. 

      “I’ll get going now. You enjoy your time back.” You announced. Javier's eyes widened, if it was back then he would openly tell you that he didn’t want you to leave and make you promise that you would call him when you get home. Now, however, he opened his mouth but nothing came, he didn’t know what to do to make you stay. “I-I’m back for good.” He said instead. You raised your hands as you wore his old jacket again, “Mm, I heard.” You made no signs of stopping, no sign that you would stay and continue talking to him. 

    “It was nice seeing you again Javier.” You told him. Javier shifted from one foot to another. 

   “I’ll see you around right?” He asked, it was a small town after all. 

   “If fate lets us.” You mutter back to him, your mind on the information you had just received two days prior. 

   An offer was made, an offer for you to leave. To work in the big city in the hospital. A hospital with better facilities and better pay. They even had a lab to run their own tests, you no longer needed to wait for days just to receive your test results back after sending them to another hospital and no waking up at the break of dawn to travel to the secluded hospital that you worked at now. It was a good opportunity, one that you would be a fool to refuse. 

  The biggest decision was that you would be leaving the place you grew up in. You would be leaving Javier Peña again. Especially when he had just decided to return home. 

   Fate always seemed to work against the both of you. 

   With one final glance at the photos, you sighed. You would forever be thankful to Javier for creating your favourite memories, the memories that you looked back on when you had a tough day and smile. A part of your heart would forever be his, the boy who you wanted to marry as a kid and the boy you had a crush on through your teenage years. 

   You stared at the handsome man who now stood before you as you wore your shoes at his door. The man that had changed so much but still possessed qualities of the boy you knew like the back of your hand. It was selfish, to not tell him that there was a high possibility that you would accept the offer to move away. 

    What he doesn’t know wouldn’t hurt him right? 

    “Bye Javier.” 

    “See you.” 

    That was how the long chapter of your life came to an end. The fairytale dream starring Javier as your prince charming. You hoped that he gets everything he ever wanted but for you to move on, you also hoped that you never hear about it. He was once your best friend and your other half but now he was merely a long lost friend, a familiar stranger. 

   In a blink of an eye, everything has changed. 

[ashprince-of-bel-air]

Sailor's Folly

A/N: I want to make this a multiple part thing if i can and people enjoy it, it is a bit long as I wanted to establish the setting and backstory-ish of the "reader". I will admit that the story changed a lot as I started writing. It went from Buggy fic, to enemies to lovers Zoro fic and now back to Buggy. MY little hands typed as they saw fit.

Next chapter

The cool evening air filtered in through the window of your cabin, the soft sound of the waves lapping against the side of the ship almost sent you to sleep as you rocked gently in your hammock, one leg draped over the side as you kicked your leg gently back and forth. You took refuge on the Going Merry weeks ago after The Straw Hats found you on a bustling port, you were trying to sneak onto the ship to steal anything valuable they might have had on board, you figured an impressive ship such as theirs was bound to have something expensive you could lift. A chuckle left your lips remembering how you were caught. You were rifling through some drawers on board when suddenly you felt the cold sting of a blade beneath your chin, stopping you in your tracks. Yours hands rose above your head in surrender as you stood slowly, turning to see who held your life at the edge of a sword.

It was Luffy who stopped the green haired swordsman, who you came to learn was called Zoro. Luffy’s reaction is what stunned you mostly, he wasn’t mad or vengeful, in fact he seemed to find it amusing that you snuck so easily onto the ship, practically commending you on your skill. You were shocked when he asked you to join them, almost giddy at the thought of a new crew member.

The following weeks after you joined were some of the best weeks of your life, you had run with pirates before but never any like these, the Straw hats were ‘a different kind of pirate’, a phrase which Luffy loved to remind you in your first week with them. Most of the crew followed Luffy’s lead at accepting you, Sanji was easy to win over, you didn’t think he had it in him to be rude to a woman, even one that had tried to steal from his crew. Zoro was the tough nut to crack, he was still distrusting and cold with you, which you did not blame him for, yet you would appreciate it if he didn’t grip the handle of his swords every time you were nearby. You grew to ignore his coldness towards you, avoiding him unless it was necessary to speak to him, you had a quiet respect for him and his loyalty to Luffy, though you would never admit that to his face, you did not want to inflate his ego any further.

An excited voice came from behind your cabin door, Usopp. He was your favourite member of the crew to spend time with for the moment, you loved hearing his tales of adventure and tribulations, you silently questioned the validity of his stories, but damn did they make for some good entertainment.

“Hey, Y/N! We are pulling into port soon and going for a bite to eat, you should come!” You could feel your eyes roll, Luffy and Usopp would be going for a bite to eat no doubt, you fear for the restaurant that they go to, you’ve seen them eat. You just wanted to find a bar to have a strong drink in and hope that the alcohol will erase the memories of your past. Groaning you lifted yourself out of the hammock and stretched your body.

“Okay Usopp, I’ll meet you guys on the dock!” your voice loudly echoed in the cabin, you could hear his footsteps retreat. You had no intention of meeting them on dock and knew that Luffy would be too impatient to wait, the man loved his food and would not wait around for anything. It wasn’t much but you changed from your shabby ship clothes and into something a bit nicer, you wanted to find a bar and would not get turned away from being served because of your attire. A simple short sleeve crop top and a pair of colourful linen trousers to combat the warm air of the island you were docked at, it wasn’t a fancy outfit but they were the nicest clothes you owned from your past life. You combed your hair and made sure you loocked sufficiently tidy before deciding to leave the ship.

The island you were docked at was nice, it was obviously a popular destination amongst sailors and pirates, you could see a mixed array of clientele exiting the bars and restaurants along the picturesque beach. Settling on one bar called Sailor’s Folly you made your way over; it seemed one of the quieter bars you had passed so far and you would relish a quiet drink away from the other rowdy pirates that littered the Island. It was a quiet yet dingy bar, perfect, you thought to yourself, you could get drunk away from the prying eyes of your crew.

You found and spotted an empty table in the middle of the bar and made a mental note of it, keeping a track of it as you ordered yourself a bottle of rum, the bartender raised his eyebrows and looked at you questioningly before fetching you the bottle and placing it on the bar, his grip not releasing it just yet. “You sure sweetheart? A girl like you doesn’t look like you drink much shitty rum?” Your eyes rolled at his comment and grabbed the base of the bottle.

“Look, just give me the bottle alright” An annoyed sigh left your lips as you looked at him. The bartender released his grip and let you take the bottle, holding his hands up in defence, thinking that if you wanted to get shitfaced and end up in a bad situation that was your choice. The barman placed a glass on the bar for you and you swiped it away, walking over to the empty table you spied a few moments earlier. As you walked over to the table you noticed a shelf with packs of cards, sets of Dominoes and chess boards, you swiped a pack of cards and sat down at your table, pouring yourself a rather large glass of rum.

Solitaire was your game of choice for tonight, very fitting as you were drinking alone. As the night waned on you kept to yourself with your cards and rum, the bar was staring to fill up with pirates and drunks, much to your dismay. Your head shook softly as you tried to ignore the rowdy patrons, some of whom had started to stare at you now, they were intrigued as to why a woman would be alone in a place like this, seeing how you downed your glasses of rum though none of them made an attempt to approach you, not many people could drink like you were doing presently.

“Well I was hoping you would fancy a game, Doll?” You could feel their smirk as they purred their request at you, your eyes rolled and sat up to see who was interrupting your peace. You were like a deer in the headlights as you caught sight of the person before you, his blue hair was captivating to you, your eyes narrowed at him as you were sure you had seen his face someplace before.

You began to reshuffle the deck of cards in your hands, this would be your third game of the night and you were only half way though the bottle of rum, each sip helping you ignore the growing number of patrons in the bar. That was until you noticed someone approach your table, their hand upon the chair opposite you on your table, pulling it so they could sit down. Ignoring them and concentrating on the cards in front of you, your attention was only caught when they sat and cleared their throat. A soft sigh escaped your lips. “Can I help you?” Annoyance laced your voice as you looked up through your lashes at this stranger.

Your mystery guest smiled widely at your confused reaction, his sea blue eyes glistened at you and his face paint only exaggerated his wide smile. “I’m Buggy, Buggy the Clown.”

[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

Kirby becomes a Star Warrior: The Knightmare's End / Prologue:

Many years ago… before the arrival of Kirby. 

It was a warm summer evening... the sun had just dimmed her light: as the moon overshadowed it with its stars. Nighttime was setting over Dreamland all was quiet. But the canyon winds would not silence their howls. Kabu knew all too well, these were “the winds of change.” Something was coming, or rather someone… 

Suddenly, out in the distance, a shadowy figure appeared. Kabu watched as the newcomer made his way toward him. He could not read his appearance or intentions... As he came closer, his appearance and story became clearer. 

Battered and bruised in all orifices… The stranger’s rusted old gray armor clanked as he moved ever closer. The midnight cape he adorned was tattered at the seams with the color fading. And a cracked (practically about to break) mask that covered his entire face; making it impossible to read. But it was obvious… this man was broken.

The soldier kneeled and humbled himself before Kabu, “Oh great sage Kabu, I have come seeking answers…”, 

He took a long look at the unknown visitor and knew that he was a Star Warrior. He had not seen one in decades. Not since Sir Uther deemed this planet unworthy of protection. He and the Ancients abandoned its inhabitants and left them at the mercy of a Nightmare…

This left the old sage skeptical of his visitor  “You have traveled far...state your purpose!”, commanded Kabu.

“I am Sir Meta Knight of the GSA, “the knight proclaimed. “The leader of the-,” 

-Whoosh 

The night air had silenced him as frigid winds of the canyon cut through his armor. Making him recall the aches and pains he felt in his body, forcing him to look backward. Giving him a painful recollection…The friends he made mistakenly accounted for, had all disappeared…he was alone.

His voice began to waver as he continued, “-the last member of my squadron… the lone surviving guardian” 

“ Not so~”  The old sage responded. “Somewhere in the galaxy, there’s a lone starship that-,”

“Kirby…,” the knight exclaimed. With a voice sounding so much brighter.  “My Kirby…he-he survived!?” He immediately raised his head and propped himself up to stand. 

“Where will he land, when will he land, will I be able to meet him before I- ?” 

“I can not reveal all, but what I can say is this,” Kabu interrupted. But not out of impoliteness: in fact, the old sage continued in a tone so gentle as if he were comforting a child. “ Your search is over...you will meet him again...” 

Finally, Kabu was able to meet his gaze and saw his eyes for the first time. They immediately flashed and shone a brilliant gold, until they illuminated into a vivid blue. 

Opposed to his appearance, eyes told a different story. There was a vibrancy in them that clashed with his outward demeanor. There was a spark, a glimmer of hope... inside, there was still a will to live.

Then a great wave of embarrassment washed over the stoic warrior. Realizing how unprofessional he appeared just now: he spoke out of turn, twice even!

Such behavior was unbecoming of a Star Warrior!

“Apologies, I didn’t realize I interrupted you-.” flustered at his lack of decorum. "These years of war have affected my manners..." 

Kabu reassured him, “There is no need for this, I understand… after all, you are his guardian”.  

“What, I can’t be, how!?” he questioned. “How I erased his memory- I can’t be!?” The glimmer of his eyes disappeared and now were filled with utter fear.

This reaction baffled the old sage. “Are you not happy; this is what you sought for me…correct?” This man was ecstatic at the news of his child being safe just moments ago. 

Something was wrong.

“No, I can’t be his guardian… be-, because of-,” he stammered. He wistfully grabbed his cape and yanked it off, revealing his darkest secret. Two shadows began to wrap around his back, and two bat wings unfurled from his spine. Which towered over his body. “This…”

The wise orale understood now; he had been touched by Nightmare. Looking at him woefully, “I see, you do not have long…” he said.

“If I were to be his guardian…” he explained. “Nightmare will surely-”  Meta Knight lowered his head in shame. His whole being began to tremble, “Pitiful… to be saddled with a mentor like me.”

Meta Knight’s eyes turn dull to a melancholic gray… remaining silent. "Please, there must be a way to stop this... I CAN NOT FAIL THIS CHILD!" Kabu truly felt sorry for the lone star warrior. He understood why the warp star chose him… for Kirby. But knew of the consequences should he stay that child's keeper.

“There is a way... but first you must find a worthy candidate to replace you,” Kabu answered. “You still have the knowledge of his power; you will always be the real keeper of his warp star, his true guardian that is until you...” 

“Well, then-.” Meta Knight responded.  His eyes turned green, now brimming with determination. “I will do what I must.”

Then tucked away at his side, he unsheathed his sword. It started to glow ominously: as strands of light emanated from the blade: almost like a rope. They began to warp around both of his wings. A dark aura began to protrude from his back! Almost as if they were “rejecting this act” and then-

-CRACK!

“GAAAH-!”  the knight cried in pain. The strands of light tightly bound his wings together, painfully squeezing them. He bit his lower lip to muffle his cries as they wrapped ever tighter. The binding of them burned the membrane of his wings.  And slowly shrinking, retracting into his back and disappearing completely. Then he collapsed onto the ground.

*COUGH *COUGH

“You have bought yourself some time...but you are delaying the inevitable.”  Kabu reacted in dismay. It was a wonder how he could even stand after that. “I'm afraid your fate: is written in the stars." 

This ordeal left Meta Knight completely drained; he could hardly breathe. He began to hyperventilate, gasping for air. His lungs filled in and out with air at an unstable rate. He tried to make up for lost breaths. Slowly but surely, he started to breathe normally again.

He managed to pull himself up as if it was nothing and responded nonchalantly, “I already knew that... Fate was never on my side." The weary warrior slowly began to turn away from Kabu and looked at the crescent moon. “Pardon me... Kabu, but I must ask, where I may find a worthy candidate who can eclipse me?” 

“You will find them in Castle Dedede,” the old sage answered. “She is a resident there.”

His eyes turned green once more; he was pleased by the news. “Yes, this will do nicely… all the pieces are lining up perfectly.” He looked back towards Kabu and bowed. “Thank you for your wisdom...” 

As Meta Knight was walking away, Kabu called out, “He will come sooner than you think." The old star warrior stopped in his tracks as he continued. "Perhaps there is a chance for you to be saved."

“Saved...I appreciate the optimism, but," he scoffed."It's nothing more than a sweet lie in the end." He looked back for a moment "And I know my fate, please do not fill me with false hope..." and continued to walk away.

~ Besides all those who have tried, couldn't even save themselves... and ended up with a fate worse than mine.

"Mety Knight!" another knight was calling to him. And another accompanied him. "So is this the place or... are we gonna have to pack up?

"This is the place... we're staying." Meta Knight nodded. And with his hands, he gestured them to follow towards Castle Dedede.

"Yes sir!" his two subordinates gleefully answered. Ecstatic at the news... their leader made his way in front. Both of them tailing behind him.

"Um, excuse me, Sir Meta Knight?" one of them asked.

"Yes, Blade?"

"When is this warrior of yours going to bloody show up," He threw his arms over his shoulders. "What are we gonna do then?"

"Eventually... eventually he will, so until that day... "

~

Eventually, the day will come when you will have to stand without me. Eventually, the darkness will come to take me. Eventually, I will disappear. Eventually, I will become a distant dream. Eventually, I will be nothing but a memory.

But until then

Until then I will do everything I can to say by your side. Until then I will watch over you. Until I will guide you the best I can. Until the time has come.

~

Present time:

The time has come...

Meta Knight had managed to sneak away from the celebration. While everyone was busy making merrier at their success. Nightmare was gone... which means he was running out of time.

Luckily his room was still intact after the Nightmares invasion. Underneath there was a secret compartment that hid away carefully preserved four letters. Along with that four badges... But now that he was gone...

The time has come.

To say goodbye.

Notes:

Ladies and gentlemen at long last... the first chapter is finally out.

And with illustrations. I wanted to make it very storybook-like so all the lines have a crayon sketched look.

I wrote the prologue in such a way that it could stand alone as its own chapter. Or you could read it as the continuation of where I last left off in the story.

The story first arc of the story is based on the theory (a personal theory that I have always had). I DON'T THINK FUMU/TIFF was the real guardian of the warp star!

Here me out... Meta Knight's explanation: "It can only be guarded by one who truly loves and care for him." , But here's the thing.

Fumu was able to do this since the first day she met Kirby! How can you claim that it makes no sense... She'd have to know Kirby for a long time for that to be true.

The only one who fits this is Meta Knight... The man knows everything about Kirby. That's why I always theorized that it was actually Meta Knight... but transferred guardianship to Fumu.

I also used this as the reason why Meta Knight knows all of Kirby's abilities. The warp star was the source of Kirby's power so it would have the knowledge of his power. Since Meta Knight was the true guardian of Kirby he was endowed with this information.

-Sorry guess I was gonna post Saturday but then I forgot I also signed up for the Kirby OC tournament and it was delayed two days.

I will post this on the archive of our own as soon as I figure out the website. And the main pin page for the blog will always have links to all the chapters. Anyways hope you guys enjoy the first chapter.

[haizficz]

Fire on Ice.

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Hailee Steinfeld x female Reader

Summary: Depression is cold but not the love you both hold.

Warnings: depression; panic attack; fluff explotion; Hailee being the cutest person on earth; soft and comforting Hailee (we love her sfm)

a/n: Y/n (Reader) is an image of me and i don't have anyone like Hailee and how i described her in this fic, so i decided to write this. [i'm so freaking proud of my title and summary for this fic lol]

[Also one of the paragraphs is inspired by euphoria.]

P.s. Thank you for all the support! Notes and Reblogs are highly appreciated, love you <3

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"Life is hard" That's what everybody says. As a kid you don't really understand why everybody says that. But at some point the vision gets more and more visible..., or invisible. It's always different for every kind of person.

You don't know why, but your Life is not just hard. Sometimes it's beautiful and you enjoy it and at other times you feel like you can't breathe. Like you're stuck in a hole and you can't get out. Like you're depressed.

The other thing about depression is it kinda collapses time. Suddenly you find your whole days blending together to create one endless and suffocating loop. So you find yourself trying to remember the things that made you happy. But slowly, your brain begins to erase every memory that ever brought you joy. And eventually, all you can think about is how life has always been this way. And will only continue to be this way.

Of course your girlfriend knew about your mental illness. She reads you easier than any open book. The moment you told her that you were not always onehundred percent happy. And with "not always" you mean never. Hailee began to spend more time with you than she ever did before. You didn't even knew that was possible, but it was.

She started cuddling with you longer. Mumbled I love you's before you fall asleep. Holded you any time she could. Bought more often your favorite snacks. And the list goes on and on.

She made you fall in love with her more and more every day. Like she did with you. But you never really realized this. You were grateful for her and what she was doing for you. Yet there was always that one ulterior motive back in your head.

You're just a burden to her.

......

Today was exhausting. Not physically but mentally. About an hour ago you said to your girlfriend that you were going to go for a walk alone. Whatever you did. You tried to clear your head, enjoy the chirping birds and it worked a little. At least for the first few minutes. After a while you started missing the physical touch of Hailee. Your hand was empty and cold. Maybe it wasn't very smart to be without your comforter on a bad day.

As your eyes started to tear up and your body started trembling, you walked without hesitating back to your and Hailees apartment. Or better said you tried. Breathing was difficult and you strolled slowly.

Finally you saw the door to your home. It felt like several hours before you got here. Thank God you took the key with you. You didn’t want to wake Hailee. She's probably sleeping right now because before you left she said she was already going to bed.

You unlocked the front door and made your way straight to the bedroom. A lightly snoring Hailee filled the room with comfort, exactly what you needed. You took off your shoes and you softly layed onto Hailee. Your head hid in the back of her neck where the sharp note of her perfume stung your nose. It smells like vanilla and cherry blossoms. Like Hailee. Hailee who wasn't really in a deep sleep. She could feel the tears running down your cheeks onto her shoulder. She heard your quiet sobs and above all she felt your body trembling and shaking.

Suddenly you felt her arms wrapping around you and her head slowly turns to yours. She shared you a sweet kiss onto your forehead and afterwards she took the blanket near to her and pull it over you both. You were still shaking from the panic attack you had minutes ago. That's why Hailee softly placed her hands under your hoodie and drew randomly little circles on your back. Her touch was smoothing and it felt like fire on your freezed body.

A little while later your crying became quieter and you calmed down. Hailee and you are still in the same position as before. Only your head moved further down from her shoulder to her chest. Your ear right over her heart. Hailee's heartbeat, which you heard clearly, filled your soul with peace. Your hands wrapped around Hailee's body and her hands wrapped around you. None of you made a sound. You both knew exactly how the other person was feeling right now. Words didn’t have to be spoken. Except those three. Those three words you and Hailee share every day, every hour and always mean it.

"I love you."

She whispered to you. Her voice was raspy and you could hear that she was crying too. Your grip became tighter but also softer at the same time. Which maybe doesn't make any sense at all. But it was true.

You fell deeper into Hailee's touch and again a tear fell from your eye. "I love you too."

You slowly sat back up and looked down at Hailee. "I'm sorry to be such a burden to you, Haiz, I just made you cry and I, I don't want that-" Your body started shaking again and you felt a lump in your throat from holding back the tears. Hailee quickly sat up and placed both of her hands on your cheeks. "Hey, hey, it's okay, I know that you're not feeling well, y/n. And I'm crying because it hurts so much seeing you in this state, I'm not crying because you made me." She comforted you, her hazel eyes meeting yours. And you could definetely tell that she's saying the truth as always. Hailee never lies to you, but your brain told you the complete opposite. "There's literally no difference between making you cry and crying because of my state." "Yes there is!" She shouted, which really surprised you. Hailee never yelled at you before. You looked at her without saying anything. "Sorry." She whispered after realizing. "I'm just- I'm just so worried about you, y/n."

You sighed deeply and lost yourself in her eyes. Eyes that were filled with worries, love and fear. A layer of water was placed over them, which made them shine. "I'm sorry, Haiz." You flustered and you fell again into her arms. She held you tight and you enjoyed the warmth of Hailee's body. She warmed you, and your freezing heart started to melt from the fire of love you both have for eachother.

Warm Love that is bigger than your cold Depression.

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tagging again my dear friend here: @hard-core-super-star

[barovianchickenandwaffles]

Barovian Tales: Gary’s Birthday

(Dedicated to @bluetspur-brain )

So, there I was one slow February morning when I spied Gary, my High-Master Illithid / barista, with his back turned to me, working on something in secret.

When your disloyal, scheming Illithid employee has their back turned to you, working on something in secret, that is rarely a good sign. I fished out my trusty silvered dagger and approached cautiously.

Gary was so occupied that he did not notice me until I prodded his back with the knife and whispered harshly, “what are you working on, Gary?”

Gary started and turned around, facial tentacles flailing nervously. That’s when I saw it: the crappiest, brain-shaped birthday cake I had ever seen.

I stared puzzled for a moment. My birthday was supposedly in September, or so my parents told me. That could only mean one thing…

“Gary, is it your birthday?”

The Illithid telepathically sent a sheepish “yes” to my mind.

I lowered the knife. “I had no idea you had a birthday. I thought you were planning my downfall.”

“Not today,” said Gary in my mind nonchalantly.

I paused. “I am surprised you remember your birthday. I thought all your memories were erased by the God Brain’s mindless collective in Bluetspur.”

The gentle, soothing voice replied back in my mind. “My distance from the collective has allowed some of my previous memories as a tadpole to surface as well as my ceremorphosis.”

Gary shared some brief telepathic images: swimming in the brine pool of the God Brain, followed by his takeover of a drow warrior’s body and excruciating transformation. I quickly shut that part out of my mind. “Sorry,” apologized Gary, “I’ll fast-forward that part.”

Too late, there went my breakfast.

Later, I said, “well even in a crappy place like Barovia birthdays are worth celebrating. We should have a birthday party.”

A couple rooms over I could hear Viktor’s ghostly voice moaning, “you never celebrated my birthday.”

“Quiet, you!”

I scrounged some party supplies from around town, bribed a local Vistana band to play at our shop for the night, and enticed some customers to stay around by promising 1/2 off a second topping with the purchase of any Uncle Oleksii meal.

In no time at all, we had a birthday party for Gary. His “brain cake” tasted every bit as awful as you can imagine (chocolate frosting did not help), and everyone kept a safe distance from Gary, but for once Barovian Chicken and Waffles wasn’t entirely a depressing place.

Later, we asked Gary to give a speech.

Gary floated on top of a table and said, “I am an Illithid of few words, and not very good at speeches, but here goes.”

Suddenly a rainbow colored flash like a funnel or cone of energy projected from his mind and we all blacked out.

When I came to, I saw Gary devouring the cranium of a customer. In my most sitcom voice, I said, “Gaaarrryyyy!!!”

Somewhere in the distance, one could hear the cruel, canned laughter of the Dark Powers …

Later, as our ogre zombie dishwasher cleaned up the shop and disposed of the evidence, it was time to wind down and prepare for the next shift. I said to Gary, “you know, you’re the most conniving and untrustworthy employee I have, but happy birthday anyway!”

I felt a wave of joy emanate from Gary.

At that moment, a party of men dressed in strange, black suits, red cravats, and each carrying square-shaped leather briefcase entered the shop.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” said Gary in my mind, “while you were unconscious I sold the shop to something called a ‘shell company’ from the ‘America’ demiplane. I made a tidy profit. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Gaaarrryyyy!!!”

(pause, Seinfeld style credits roll)

[sugarpearsao3]

ZoSan witch!Sanji and human!Zoro AU

Sugar Pears drabble 🍐✨

I've always loved the trope of a strong, immortal witch finding an abandoned human child by the side of the road and taking them in.

That human becomes the witch's protector and stays with the witch. The human continues to grow, but the witch remains immortal and unchanged.

Until they realized that the little human they found not too long ago... Was suddenly all grown up.

"Well, what do we have here," a gorgeous blond witch hummed as he flew down on his giant, wooden spoon. Despite the harsh rain, the drops failed to fall onto his body, an invisible barrier placed above his head.

He stopped to hover over what seemed to be a pile of mud, but when you looked closer, was actually a small child.

The male witch stared for a few moments, when suddenly, the small child's hand twitched.

"So it's alive..." the witch said amused.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the child was lifted from the growing puddle of mud, and placed to lie on his giant spoon's circular end.

"I'm taking you home with me."

The child, as it turned out, was a young, green-haired boy. Instead of thanking the witch, the first thing the boy did was bite the witch's hand.

"AGH FUCK--!"

Immediately, with a little magic, the rabid child was placed inside of a small, wooden cage.

"I won't let you eat me, witch!" Snarled the child.

"Relax, kid! I don't have a taste for eating seaweed, thank you very much," the witch grumbled and cradled his hand close to him. The bite was deep enough to make his hand bleed. "What's your name?"

"Im not telling a witch my name! You'll curse me!"

The blonde witch rolled his blue eyes and said, "Okay, right. Yeah. Well, my name's Sanji. I'm a gourmet witch."

"I knew it! You're gonna cook me up and eat me!" The boy screamed as he rattled the wooden bars of his cage.

"For fucks sake-- I'm not!" The blonde witch groaned and threw his hands up in the air. "I literally saved you!"

"Liar!"

It took a long time with lots of convincing, but after a year, the green-haired boy had settled in with the blonde witch.

"Zoro!" The witch called as he stirred a pot of shimmering liquid. "Get me those herbs over there!"

The little boy pitter patter to the witch with the herbs in his hands. "Stop ordering me around!" He complained.

"Little brat. The least you can do is earn your keep." The witch sighed and took the herbs from the boy's hands. Then, they were carefully placed in the boiling pot.

Zoro's eyes became drawn to the witch's hand stirring the large spoon. On his pale skin were teeth marks he made just a year before.

"Why don't you make that go away?" Zoro asked in a small voice.

"Hm?"

"The wound... On your hand... You're a gourmet witch. Aren't your hands important?" Zoro whispered.

"Awww, is our little marimo feeling guilty about biting me?" The blonde witch teased.

The boy sputtered out and turned red, but he didn't deny anything. Sanji then smiled.

"My hands are fine, Zoro," the witch chuckled and ruffled the boys green hair. "I can get rid of the scar if I want to, but why would I erase such a memory? Don't worry about it."

The witch turned back to his boiling pot to hum a tune as he stirred, but it was at that moment that the human boy made a resolve.

Right here before him was the most beautiful person in the world. The kindest. The bravest. This person was a witch, and Zoro was but a mere human who would be worth only a fraction of Sanji's life... But regardless, he would protect this man with all his body and soul.

Years later, a group of witch Hunters loitered in the woods.

"Get the fuck out," snarled a deep voice.

The witch Hunters turned behind them and saw a tanned man with green hair. Attached to his hip were three scabbards.

"You there," called a hunter, "We're looking for the witch's lair."

The man only let out a sarcastic laugh and drew one sword. "You ain't getting near the witch's lair."

"It can't be..." Whispered another hunter, staring wide-eyed at the sword-wielder. "Is this... The Mad Dog?"

"Mad Dog?"

"The Mad Dog! Green hair, three swords, and a scar running down his left eye... Then the witch dwelling in this forest is--"

The Mad Dog cut him off and growled, "--The Golden Gourmet, Sanji Black." He tilted his head to the side and placed a sword's hilt in his mouth with a dangerous glint in his eye. "I do more than just bite."

Screams spread through the forest, and that night Zoro returned to the cozy hut bathed in blood.

A beautiful witch with golden locks turned to him from his cauldron, and furrowed his enchanting, blue eyes.

A witch that has not aged a single year. A witch who looked at Zoro as the child he raised. Except, Zoro's feelings towards the witch were anything but that of a child and his guardian.

They were something more.

.

.

.

END

[tenebraevesper]

Five Nights at Freddy's: Nothing Remains, Night 0: Searching For The End

''My story will end just to start up all over again; a plunge into madness my curtain call doomed to reset. The machine, machine erases who I used to be; I'm losing bits, bits and traces of my reality.''

– The End by TryHardNinja ft. Thora Daughn (Bendy and The Ink Machine)

xXxXxXx

''Connection terminated…''

He was leaned against the chair, pain surging through his chest and his arms limp. He closed his eyes, trying to breathe, but every breath was shallow and filled with agony. There was a gaping wound on his chest, his purple shirt getting soaked due to the blood. He knew that he was dying, but this one seemed to be rather slow.

''I recognize you, but I'm not afraid of you... Not anymore.''

After listening to the marionette-like animatronic taunting him, there was nothing else left for him but to wait for his own demise. Then, the process would repeat again. Night after night, he would fight for his life, with no end in sight.

''…You don't even realize that you are trapped. Your lust for blood has driven you in endless circles chasing the cries of children in some unseen chamber, always seeming so near, yet somehow out of reach. But you will never find them. None of you will. This is where your story ends…''

A familiar voice was talking to him, but he knew that this person was never here. It was all just a memory, a hallucination his mind created to distract him from his suffering in his final moments.

''…For most of you, I believe there is peace and perhaps more, waiting for you after the smoke clears. Although for one of you, the darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole, so don't keep the Devil waiting, old friend…''

''I know…'' he gasped, suddenly sitting up and coughing. As he looked at at his hand, he saw that it was covered with his own blood. His vision was blurry and he knew that it wouldn't take long until everything went dark.

''…It's time to rest, for you, and for those you have carried in your arms. This ends, for all of us. End communication.''

He wanted it to end. He wanted to finally rest and not have to experience this torture over and over again. There had to be a way to escape this place, right? He didn't want to think of any other possibility.

How much longer do I have to suffer like this?

He knew that it was a fitting punishment for what he had done, and he knew that he would stay here, unforgiven. However, he had to wonder whether his tormentor would eventually have enough of this game. It had to have some kind of resolution instead of going on like this forever.

When will this vicious cycle end?

His vision blurred and he coughed blood again. He fought back, trying to prolong this death, as he didn't want to wake up again in this office, all healed up and confronting the animatronics once more. However, it seemed that one of them decided to pay him a visit.

He squinted his eyes, too weak to move in his chair. Even adjusting his head to look at the door sent a surge of pain through his body. Still, it was enough for him to confirm that he was being observed. However, he couldn't make out who this animatronic was, as the latter stayed hidden in the darkness. All he saw were the animatronic's glowing eyes.

Then, the animatronic suddenly moved, putting its hand over its mask, only to slowly back away into the shadows.

''Shhh…''

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[number-1-kuaidul-fanboy]

Scenes that should’ve been in Duel Links

Because I’m actually kinda salty about their handling of some of these characters, particularly Revolver. The source for both of these is my own post VRAINS fanfiction The Lost is Found. You can read the whole thing here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/41231739/chapters/103369587 

Excerpts below the cut since they’re both a bit long.

(Source: Chapter 13 of The Lost is Found, my post-VRAINS fanfiction on Archive of Our Own)

Ryoken finally turned to Ai, his eyes narrowing. “You tried to kill us.”

The Ignis’s eyes narrowed. “You tried to kill me. Multiple times. Before I did that.”

“And Takeru and Yusaku? What did they do to deserve your wrath?”

Ai stiffened. “N-nothing I just…”

“Why did you do what you did?” Ryoken cut him off. His nails dug into the couch, his body trembling with rage as he growled, “Why did you attack humanity after claiming you were on our side for so long?”

“BECAUSE I WAS SCARED!” Ai snapped, glaring up at Ryoken as his eyes welled with tears.

Ryoken raised an eyebrow. Ai fell to his knees, trembling as the memories of the simulations washed over him. The cries of his partner echoed in his mind along with images of him falling to the ground limp, so vivid it was as if they’d really happened. Happened because of him…

Ai pulled his legs into his chest, shuddering. “I… I was scared I would be like Lightning and Bohman… I hate those humans that erased Earth… and the ones who started the war… I thought that meant I would hate all of humanity eventually. I didn't want that to happen. I wanted to die before it could! Before I could hurt anyone… before Yusaku would end up getting involved and-”

It was at that moment that Ai remembered who he was talking to and shoved himself in the duel disk in a fit of shame. “I’ve said too much!”

Ryoken stared at the duel disk, barely processing the fact that Ai had just poured his heart out to him, let alone what he’d said. He had seen the Ignis’ data and the probability each of them had to have either a positive or negative relationship with humanity. However, he hadn’t considered the cause of the negative outcomes would be… anything like this. Emotional, sure but… wanting to die? Ryoken barely believed it but Ai seemed far too genuine to be lying about this.

“Are you still there?” Ai’s voice was small.

“Yes…?”

Ai peeked out of the duel disk, resting his head on his arms. “I’m sorry… here I am getting angry that you won’t apologise when I have stuff I should be apologising for too.”

Ryoken blinked. “Is that what you wanted? An apology?”

“Only if you mean it. Do you regret any of it?”

“It was… my fault the war started in the first place.”

Ai couldn’t work up the effort to get angry at Ryoken anymore, his voice low as he replied, “So you admit the deaths of my friends are on your hands?”

Ryoken’s eyes narrowed. “My actions are on my hands. And I didn’t make you act out the way you did.”

“That’s… fair. I’m sorry… you won’t believe me… but it really was all for Yusaku… to prevent… those-those simulations I saw… of him getting involved and…”

Ai couldn’t finish his sentence. The memories surged through him again and he found himself shivering and gripping the sides of his head in a vain attempt to block them out.

(Source: Chapter 15 of The Lost is Found)

Aoi sat down at the table, placing the duel disk down in front of her.

“What is it, Ai?” she asked, her gaze intent on the Ignis.

“I um… I don’t really know how to say this, I just…” Ai let out a sigh, his body slumping further into the duel disk. “I’m sorry. About… how I duelled you and your brother. It was… I was horrible to you and… and…” Ai’s voice quivered. “I’m so sorry…”

“I know.” Ai looked up at Aoi in surprise. “I mean… I figured you were. With you being back the way you were. You know… peacefully with Yusaku. Still I…” Aoi suddenly looked away. “I appreciate the apology.”

There was a far off look in Aoi’s eyes

“It doesn’t fix anything… I-I know that. I just… wanted to say it.”

“Well, it doesn’t undo what you did but… it helps me trust you a little again.”

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

Small note about the Ryoken scene:

Yes, I’m aware Playmaker told Revolver about Ai’s true motive in one of the event chapters, it bothers me a little bit that Playmaker said that when Ai was so unwilling to tell anyone but him (even Roboppi) but I can excuse that as difference of interpretation. What I don’t like about Duel Links’s take on that scene is Revolver’s only response to learning that Ai was essentially trying to die, is thanking Yusaku after he stated that he felt responsible that all the Ignis ceased to exist. I don’t think I need to explain why that’s crossing a line.

[sangaverage]

VTR OC Story- Heka's Embrace- A Journal Entry

REBLOGS ALLOWED BUT DO NOT REPOST AS YOUR OWN!

note here: This OC is Mekhet but also has Tremere tendencies, my story teller allowed this! there is also VTR lore somewhere that vampires cannot sniff unless they will it or are told.

Overview: A rather chaotic Mekhet with a little Tremere blood magick mixed in, has a rather chaotic outlook on his unlife let's say. He knows some things but not everything he gets up to will be covered up, folks won't happy about it, but that's not his problem anymore, or is it? Sires biggest disappointment but he looks after him nonetheless...

Warnings for blood, violence and odd religious themes in this one!

story under the Divider, credit to: Anitalenia (again)

6TH SEPTEMBER

My occult curiosity got the better of me, again.

Let me tell you the tale of what happened, I read that book of forbidden knowledge and unknowingly made a deal with the devil. Well, not the actual devil but he may as well not be far off, I was right to get an odd feeling from my boss, but I didn't know that feeling was because he was a monster, a vampire as the mortals commonly called us.

Yes, Us, I am one of his kind now. But at least the library job is behind me, but my new job, if you can even call it that, isn't necessarily my dream. I'm cursed to roam the night now. what's done is done. no amount of lamenting can make me mortal again, so why bother wasting precious vitae on bloody tears?

My boss, now my sire, changed me that night. He made me an offer I couldn't really refuse, I could either die, have my memories get erased and I can never work at that Library again, or, I could become like him.

The embrace as it's known to us, seemed like the best deal at the time. every venomous word dripped from his mouth like the sweet dew from a forbidden fruit that I knew I shouldn't give in and take a bite of but there was something tempting in that serpents eyes. As easily as my poetic descriptions, I was enamoured with the idea.

So I met him at his place as instructed.

With hungry fangs at my neck, the contract was sealed.

I could have backed out now and let him kill me, drain me dry and leave me for dust in his grand old house. I would remain dead rather than the undeath I currently experience now. I don't even think he would have let me. I was valued, respected, a prized asset in his vampiric eyes, not to mention ild be a body on his precious grey carpet.

Now, most mortal writings describe the bite of a vampire as a ravenous, primal thing of immense pain. Then again those mortal books also say vampires are fictional, so what do they know.

Whilst the bestial look in his eyes was definitely there, something about the whole ordeal was oddly somber, Calming almost. My heart was slowly stopping. I could tell my life as I knew it was ending and yet, I wasn't scared. Rather, I felt at peace, and I won't lie it was mildly pleasurable!

Then I died, well at least for a brief moment in time. You don't even really register it as death. Everything goes black for about a moment and then suddenly your consciousness returns at the taste of forbidden wine. The blood of the sire.

At first no senses came back to me. It was Only after the first drops hit the back of my throat that the taste hit me, and oh was it thick. You could tell he wasn't human from the viscosity of his blood alone. With a taste akin to vinegar and iron my eyes shot open once more.

What I met on the other side did not look like the boss I once knew but rather a distorted version of him, as if me now being a member of his kind had removed my clouded vision. I saw him for the true monster that he is, sure his face looks pale but it was mostly the same. His eyes are still brown, but there is sheen to them. Every now and again when the moonlight hit his face they would emit the eeriest red glow, A beastial Lucidium reflecting the true monster hidden within.

This is what I was now? Then as if by magic, he stopped feeding me his blood and his form became normal again, minus the fangs that protrude from his mouth of course.

I am told Not all vampires have this ability of showing their true inner form. I was taught later that the basic human form is how vampires are commonly seen by mortals. The ability that I witnessed is something called 'Nightmare' and only certain vampires are able to learn and use it, my sire was happy to teach me how as well as other aspects of this so called 'Nightmare'.

I learned many things from my sire, but he never really showed me much practical work. He said it was easier if I learned and practiced most of my abilities myself. He told me to see what I get on with most. He also told me of my Type of vampire, The Mekhet and a few other types of vampire or Clans as they are commonly known. Apparently vampires can detect each other via a supernatural sense to recognise another beast, and a fight of flight situation occurs...

I was also taught of the Tremere Bloodline whom apparently my sire and I are a part of. Think of Mekhet as the umbrella term and Tremere as a side faction, if it helps.

Apparently the Tremere are an old bloodline, sometimes called sorcerers because of their ability to use Thaumaturgy, an ancient form of blood magic. Apparently there are not many of the Tremere here now compared to the old numbers. This is due to The collapse of their old Covenant, The Pyramid. This was sort of like a Tremere secret society where the art of Thaumaturgy as well as other rituals were taught, among other things. There was so much information that I forget most of it now I am older.

I Joined a covenant in that time. There were a few to choose from and each had their own creation myths of how us damned came to be. The one I agreed with most however was that of the Lancea Sanctum. I won't bore you with it here though.

What I will mention however is the Lancea right of passage. Known as the anointment or bloodbath, an accurate name for sure. I attended my first vampire mass. (I'll say it's much different than the human masses)

Once we had learned about the curse of Longuinus I was pulled aside. A group of higher members of the Lancea took me, blindfolded, to a chamber in the building. I was instructed to stand in a large old greek bathing room but I was not told what this bath would contain. Whatever the substance was before the removal of the blindfold was thick and lukewarm. For all I knew it could have been a tub of honey or melted chocolate.

The group left except two members and one gently removed my blindfold and instructed me to see and sniff. It was Blood! Lots of it and silly me decided to arrive at mass on a semi empty stomach.

It was damn hard to fight the urge in me to just go wild and lap up the stuff, VERY damn hard, and I don't know how exactly I endured not going into what's known as frenzy, but I was praised for resisting. (Thank you sire and the small bag of blood I drank beforehand I guess) I was anointed with a mark on my face with some of the blood, my head was dunked under, some praise was said for Longuinus and the Lancea and I was now officially accepted. Much like a human baptism except much bloodier.

I must say that was the longest minute and a half I have probably felt in all my life. When I returned from mass I went to my haven, and aggressively raided the fridge for my last blood bag...

[Entry ends abruptly here]