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katerinaaqu · 14 days ago

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Pomegranate Spell (Patrochilles and Achillochus story)

"Achilles!"

The young man looked down from the tree where he had sought shelter on. He liked being up there; making others worry a bit. The whole deal of constant training in arms and letters often tired him as his free heart longed for the breath of fresh air and the thrill of the heavens. It was as if his godly ancestor was calling at him from his heavenly kingdom and he had to follow the sounds; like a sailor following the mystical song of Sirens, his master Chiron had warned him about. Eyes sapphire blue and hair pale blonde like sunlight, Achilles of Phthia looked down from the branch he had taken a seat on, swinging his bare feet over nothingness. He spotted the olive complexion and the curly brown hair of his companion even from far above.

"Hey!" Achilles called back waving his arm over his head

"Sheesh!" Patroclus complained, "For someone destined to die young you sure act like you have a death wish!"

Patroclus was often trying to make a lighter joke out of the tragic fate he had heard about himself. Truth to be told, he had no idea what it even meant. In one essence him going in some hypothetical war years from now and die there for glory seemed so distant to his young ears! He laughed

"Now don't be such a baby!" He yelled back to his companion, "you should come here it's amazing!"

"Brought some food!" Patroclus pouted, "seems a pity to leave it to be eaten by the ants of the forest! Come down! I'm starving!"

Achilles chuckled nonchalant as he began his descent from the tall branch. He slowly slid down to the next branch and the next after it on occasion holding with his capable hands to assist his slow down the trunk. His infamously fast and capable feet, landed with the ease of a cat upon the soft grass.

"Ouch!" He complained

"What is it?"

His companion, Patroclus, was a few years older than him. He had already began changing from boyhood to man as his muscles were getting tight from training and his voice shift by age. Apparently that made his demeanor even more protective over him as he would on occasion worry way too much for him.

"Nothing" the Noblest of all Greeks laughed, "it's just a scratch on my foot"

Apparently he had scratched the back of his heel to the tree. It wasn't enough to draw blood but it did seem enough to be irritated red.

"Sheesh" Patroclus repeated once more, "Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with you, my lord!"

"Because you love me, that's why!" Achilles laughed wrapping his arms around the youth's neck giving him a peck on the cheek, "you can't go on without me!"

"And yet you put it to the test! You seem to try very hard to make people worry about you"

"Now you sound like my father! Relax!"

The two children sat upon the grass as Patroclus passed him a piece of bread and cheese. They sat and said nothing. They didn't need to. It seemed enough for them to just sit together and listen to nature around them. It was enough that Achilles would lean his blonde head upon his shoulder as he continued to stare at the game of the light with the leaves of the canopy above them.

"Achilles!" Patroclus protested when Achilles grabbed with his mouth a piece of egg he was holding at that moment, "you nearly bit my finger off!"

The other half of his soul chuckled as he rose in a sitting position.

"I couldn't help it! Took you a while to eat that!"

"Why are you like that!"

Achilles recognized the playful complaint to his voice. A challenge and a game; that was all.

"Because I am unique and divine! Deal with it, dear to my heart, you are stuck with me!"

You make it sound like bad...Patroclus thought in his soul. Truth to be told, the days they passed together so far under the training of Chiron, despite the fact he was a strict and yet gentle teacher who pushed them to their limits, it felt nice to escape the city and the responsibilities, the endless conspiracies and politics. Here in nature, Achilles seemed to bloom like a wild flower. His cheeks were flushed red by the gentle rays of the sun, his feet, always swift and tireless, were getting a green sheen by grass, getting tougher. He could smell the essence of the forest in his hair. Somehow this careless simplicity suited him. Patroclus would feel his soul tear apart thinking that this young boy, lean like a sardine of the sea and swift like a bird of prey, would be used for a deadly war. Achilles seemed to be made for it. He was a natural talent as he was rushing forward to his opponent (on occasion being himself) and yet only in moments of peace he seemed to bloom; when he was sitting put by the forest. When he was humming a melody or playing some tune in his lyre.

He never met a person more fitted for war that peace suited him best than Achilles...never.

He took his knife and cut the cup off a pomegranate and then traced along the lines to make sure each section was separated. He opened it with his hands soon after.

"Want some pomegranate?" He suggested

"Hm? Sure"

He saw Achilles accepting the fruit and suck the excess juice from it before taking a bite at the crunchy seeds that were both sour and sweet; a combination that he liked and Patroclus knew that.

"Hey do you remember Persephone?" He heard his most beloved say cheerfully, "she ate the fruit and she was bount to the underworld forever if it weren't for her mother to bargain her way out of it"

Patroclus felt his heart flatter. It was one thing he himself bringing the subject up as a joke but when Achilles said anything associated to the underworld, it made him worried. Almost as if Achilles was greeting the idea of death and glory. That thought scared him. Quite frankly he was mentally prepared on the possibility that he would fail as a companion to him; that he would have to bury him. And yet he just could accept it so easily!

"Silly!" He chuckled, that's different!"

Achilles eyed him in a curious manner.

"Different how?"

"That fruit was from the underworld! THIS pomegranate is from our world. This is a spell! If you eat this you will be bount to our world and you shall never be able to leave! Never!"

Achilles laughed airily in response.

"Sounds childish and silly!"

But then he leaned forward, touching his forehead against the one of his companion.

"But I like the sound of that!"

Coming back to reality Achilles felt his eyes tear up. How long has that been! How silly and unnecessary of a notion that seemed! He buried his face to his knees and sobbed as he remembered that discussion that seemed almost an eternity prior. Back then when they had dreams and plans for the future! Back then when their destiny seemed brighter despite the shadow of death over their heads!

"Why didn't you share that fruit with me too?" The son of Peleus cried, "Why didn't you eat it with me? Why did you leave me? Why did it have to come to this?"

He knew it was not only childish and stupid but it was also completely useless and yet he wondered; did The One He Loved The Most Of All actually mean his words or had he tried to somehow put his mind at ease? Had that stupid dream root itself so far into his heart that he had come to believe it for a little while? He no longer knew. All he knew was that he was alone now; a scenario that never came to his mind before. The harsh reality that had come to awaken him from his dreams. He mopped his eyes and took hold of a fruit that was on the floor next to him. The round shape of the pomegranate seemed to haunt him now. He sniffed some more remembering how Patroclus had shared that fruit that day.

"Achilles"

That voice! It nearly gave him a heart attack. For one moment he would have sworn-...

"Is that you my belo-..."

He stopped upon perceiving the figure of Antilochus; the young son of Nestor. He stood there at the door. Achilles realized more and more how much he had grown, how much he was changing but above all, how could he confuse him with him...? They were two different people! His beloved was unique. But so was this one!

"Oh..." he said in a mix of regret and sadness, "welcome...my dear. I am sorry I thought... I thought you were...oh, I don't know anymore!"

"Achilles...for the love of gods please! I beg of you..."

"You are right of course..." the Best of Greeks sighed, "I shouldn't have..."

"Forget about that!" Antilochus sat by the heath beside him, "if you suffer so much, why didn't you send for me? Don't carry the burden on your own!"

"I..."

He didn't know what to say. He was indeed at the loss of words. Just like that day he was feeling like checking and he needed to escape but he was not a kid anymore. He was not in the forest and there was no tree around for him to climb and feel the wind and the cries of the eagles at the sky.

"You are too selfless sometimes!" Antilochus commented

His hands touched his cheeks, massaging the cheekbones softly.

"Your burden is mine to bear as well!"

Achilles once more said nothing. The same familiar silence engulfed him as he leaned his head to the knees of the youth allowing him to caress his blonde hair with his hands. The softness and closure was exactly what he needed. And silence. That silence seemed redemptory to him. Antilochus understood! As always he understood! He snuggled his head taking in the softness of his embrace and the essence of his body. He couldn't bare the thought of losing him! Not him too! As if mechanically he straightened himself and took the pomegranate. He smashed it against the rock by the heath and cut it open. The juice ran like blood.

"Here..." he said to the younger man offering him half of the smashed fruit, "have some.."

"Pomergranate?" Antilochus felt confused at the half-demand but he accepted it anyways, "thank you my dear. It looks delicious"

"It's a spell!" Achilles smiled playfully or rather he forced that smile to his lips, "a pomegranate of this world...will bound you to this world like Persephone was bound to Hades! So you will not depart! Ever!"

He saw those brown eyes shine with hope. Antilochus, dear to his noble heart, cut a piece of the thing he held and gave it to him.

"Then, eat too, my dear" he urged, "stay with me to this world! Stay and live!"

Achilles felt his eyes watered. That was the move he never did for Patroclus! The move he regretted not making within his childish hope just because he never thought it to be necessary! Struggling back the tears he accepted it. He kissed the cheek of the youth tenderly and deeply, feeling the soft flesh upon his lips. He sucked upon the ruby like blood juice and bit down the seeds.

Promise...

The juice stained his chiton painting it red. The fleece beneath him was stained too by the crushed fruit.

The spell was made.

~~~~~

Sooo here is a random thingy I wrote on the go so I am sorry if it is a bit messy.

Inspired a lot by conversations with @deadbaguette like in here or with notions we talked about with @ellilyre and @smokey07

Now pomegranate probably was not cultivated in Greece that far back (if it existed it was imported) but hey if Homer can use anachronism so can I hahahaha 😜 (also a small thing we discussed with @captnbunnie )

The story involves many references to death and underworld such as a tall cypress tree (cyparissus) which grows over cemeteries, Achilles scratching his heel (how Paris shoots him), pomegranate (myth of the underworld) and promises with ill-fated people. Also elements of blood are mentioned to indicate the ill fate for instance blood on one's shirt indicates both a wound but also someone carrying a wounded or dead person.

Most of all the pomegranate shared in the final scene was probably from Troy so in a twist of fate it was binding the two of them to Troy since neither of the youths would come back.

Yeah I named the couple between Achilles and Antilochus Achillochus hahahaha 😆 bear with me! My latest collage with Patroclus and Antilochus that also includes the link to the image of Achilles is here:

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childoftheyellowsun · 3 months ago

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“Things!

Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful fire !

More room in your heart for love,

For the trees! For the birds who own nothing-

The reason they can fly.”

Mary Oliver, from Storage

“and have you ever felt for anything such wild love-

Do you think there is anywhere, in any language,

a word billowing enough

for the pleasure

that fills you,

as the sun

reaches out,

as it warms your

as you stand there,

empty-handed-”

Mary Oliver, from The Sun

“The dream of my life

Is to lie down by a slow river

And stare at the light in the trees

To learn something by being nothing

A little while..”

Mary Oliver, from Entering The Kingdom

“But also I say this: that light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness, when it’s done right, is a kind of holiness, palpable and redemptive.”

Mary Oliver, from Blue Iris

“You don’t want to hear the story of my life, and anyway I don’t want to tell it, I want to listen to the enormous waterfalls of the sun. And anyway it’s the same old story- a few people just trying, one way or another, to survive. Mostly I want to be kind”

Mary Oliver, from Dogfish

“There are moments that cry out be fulfilled. Like, telling someone you love them. Or giving your money away. All of it.

Your heart is beating, isn’t it?

You’re not in chains, are you?

There is nothing more pathetic than caution when headlong might save a life, even, possibly, your own.”

Mary Oliver, from Moments

“Maybe the desire to make something beautiful is the piece of god that is inside each of us.”

Mary Oliver, from Franz Marc’s Blue Horses

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.”

Mary Oliver, from Don't Hesitate

“There isn’t anything in this world but mad love. Not in this world. No tame love, calm love, mild love, no so-so love. And, of course, no reasonable love. Also there are a hundred paths through the world that are easier than loving. But, who wants easier? We dream of love, we moon about, thinking of Romeo and Juliet, or Tristan, or the lost queen rushing away over the Irish sea, all doom and splendor. Today on the beach, an old man was sitting in the sun. I called out to him, and he turned. His face was like an empty pot. I remember his tall, pale wife; she died long ago. I remember his daughter-in-law. When she died, hard, and too young, he wept in the streets. He picked up pieces of wood, and stones, and anything else that was there, and threw them at the sea. Oh, how he loved his wife. Oh, how he loved young Barbara. I stood in front of him, not expecting any answer yet not wanting to pass without some greeting. But his face had gone back to whatever he was dreaming. Something touched me, lightly, like a knife-blade. I felt I was bleeding, though just a little, a hint. Inside I flared hot, then cold. I thought of you. Whom I love, madly.”

Mary Oliver, March

“You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting over and over announcing your place in the family of things.”

Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

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blondrichclosetwitch · 2 years ago

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Got laid by a young bordello that was vaguely half asleep, and the moral of this magic spell negotiates my hide.

And I was seething, breathing deeply, waiting for you.

You’re just so vicious.

Anytime your war gets out of hand I'll take it on.

Killing it with close inspection.

Killing it can only make it worse.

It sort of makes it breathe.

Every night's a different story.

“But wait until the weekend, and we can make our bad dreams come true and blow their little arguments to pieces.”

“It's your show.”

All I hear is Music.

No need to survive now.

Know you can count on me. Some minor injuries but nothing critical.

Listen to me.

“Red whole rose.”

I question your innocence.

Watch the videos and get the girls in the back.

Change the game, don't let the game change you.

Now, this is my job, I will not quit it. If I'd done it for the money I'd have been a fucking lawyer.

Jesus Christ, girl. What are people gonna think?

You came, I think. But I'm unsure of so many things.

(Don't hit her)

But the space in her eyes shows through.

“And I couldn't awake from the nightmare, that sucked me in and pulled me under.”

She'll call you “baby, ” she'll look in your eye, then get on that airplane. (That’s for you, tarot reader.)

The river is deep and the river is wide, and the girl that I love is on the other side, Mark 15:34 tucked next to her hip.

I jumped in the water and started to drown.

You know the old question “If a tree crashes in a forest and there is nobody around to hear it is there a noise?"

Such as a microphone.

But if there isn't anything to relate to the sun in that way, then comes no light.

The white fish has a black eye. Something in the water don't compute.

U'd be great in motion pictures. U're the only one that does it 2 me every time.

Teenage Verona, Momma Can't Control Her!

And I did not deal with you, I know. All the white girls join in the action. Hallelujah, Heaven, Hell and all in between.

Adult Theme #4:

Big screen dolls, tits, and explosions sending me so far away.

He never knew what hit him and it hit him so.

“I never would have started if l'd known that it’d end this way…but funny thing, I'm not at all sad that it stopped this way.”

That’s where I caught her eye.

Look out, they'll tear your insides out whilst you can only wonder why.

She'll be there, when you hit the ground.

We'll search for tomorrow on every shore.

I let the wheel of fortune spin.

You seemed to share my secret sin.

Nine.

I let her take advantage of me. You see, she got what she wanted.

If you know people who know me you might want them to speak to tell you 'bout the girl or the woman they know…more than you think you know about me.

See your thoughts runnin' in circles?

They print my message in the Saturday Sun.*

Hey we all got to hit the ground.

The raindrops.

It's just me and my soul and my mind and my heart floating on out into the mist, and the world can forget that I ever existed.

Angel-head, Annie.

“I got eyes all over the place.”

It's part of the game. You've got numbers on your phone of the dead that you can't delete.

I know you can’t calm down.

Lonnnnnnnie.

Happy Mother’s Day, Olive.

#today is a 17/8 #:17 stuff that she says #edit

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spider-mar2004 · 2 months ago

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Surprise little Spider!

[OcxCanon Child OC drabble]

Characters: Oliver Parker, Kaine Parker, Marlette Saravia, Ben Reilly

Warnings: Infant Sadness, But other just fluff.

Ahhh, autumn, the breeze being colder, the trees being with hot colors, the leaves falling, but aswell at the same time one of the most famous events from every year. Exactly, Halloween, scary spooky decorations on and in many houses, this day was so exciting for people, specially, kids.

31st October, seemed like would hit a nice day, or more likely, double day for someome.

Speaking about a small kid with five years old named Oliver. Who casually, today turned six years old.

Is his birthday! He was happy that the day where he was born was today, be was in his little school, although well, he was the most quiet kid in the classroom, he seemed more like neutral but obviously he was excited for inside.

But being aswell shy for express because well mega introverted energy most likely. He knew the day would be a great day for him, halloween and birthday, two days in one, how amazing! Since he woke up from his bed, his parents Kaine and Marlette, including his uncle Ben giving him a small special breakfast. Just his day.

But sometimes things couldn't go as planned, while he was in tha classroom, he was writting invitation cards for some other kids because, well he wanted live a double party experience, at least with the kids he tolerate.

"Oliver Parker?"

A female voice asked, Oliver flinched and quickly hid the small cards with his hands, his dark dull blue eyes looking at the teacher, but not directly at her eyes. Curious habit he always had with other people who aren't his family.

"What are you doing? Why many piece of papers?"

The lady gently asked, Oliver was unsure of tell, well after all he didn't like speak a lot so. But the teacher noticed the text and understood as she readed the enough.

"Ohhh! You planning do your party of halloween?"

The kid hearing her nodded, but didn't want reveal his birthday, because he would feel uncomfortable every student about that, after all he only would invite few students, not all. Plus if he would've tell everyone that, kids that he doesn't like could come. Oliver's early social life is a bit difficult, but don't worry, could be treated really soon.

"That's amazing! But pay attention okay? After classes you invite."

She smiled, Oliver tried look at the woman's eyes but he struggled, nodding.

After few hours later, the classes finished. Oliver with his backpack of a dinosaur, walked to some students, giving them the invitation cards, although his text was a bit messy, at least had some cute drawings. The kids readed, some of them shrugged with a kinda sad face.

"Oh sorry, i can't, i have party already."

One said, Oliver frowned a little, but understood.

"Me either... I have to go at my aunt's house."

The other said, and the others said related reasons why they won't go, even the only girl from the class he liked couldn't assist.

"Ow, Ollie i really wish! But i have things to do and my family have a party too..."

Oliver's face began to be a sad one now, they left as their parents arrived, and he was there, stood, frowning and feeling his little heart hurt, he felt like he didn't have luck in this. So he just sat down and looked down.

Until his uncle Ben arrived, dressed casual of course, which he waved, Oliver took seconds for look at him. Which caused Ben suspect something, he knows him really well.

All he just would need the kid's custody because he was like a dad figure too, when the child saw Ben, he walked him, leaving the school.

"Hey My mini Kaine! Why that face hm?"

He asked, picking him up and tliting his headz giving a soft kiss on his forehead, Oliver glanced down with a small frown.

"I am listening buddy, no worries."

He made Oliver sit on his shoulders, which he laid his chin on Ben's blonde hair, he sighed.

"N-no biwthday..."

He murmured, Ben frowned in empathy at the short words from his nephew.

"Why? Wait, did you try invite others and nobody can't?"

Oliver nodded, confirming, Ben frowned more, he felt bad see his little nephew like that, but he thought silently, getting now a new idea inside of his mind.

After hours later, when the sky began to dark, Oliver saw the other kids and people celebrate the halloween, the young kid watched through the window with a sad face, many kids with different costumes, suits, etc, all having fun between groups.

And him, being alone with just his family. Yes but, he wanted have more fun like any other child in the world. His father, Kaine Parker arrived from a mission he had, wearing his suit with his mask, but before change his clothes, he would check his little baby for him. As he opened the door he saw him, Oliver turned his head for see his dad, who walked to him and picked him up.

"What are you doing? My little birthday boy."

He questioned, Oliver took off his mask slowly, Kaine would let him, so he kissed his forehead.

"You seem off... That shouldn't be."

"But... No pawty..."

"No party? What do you mean?"

He raised up an eyebrow, "confused" by his child's sadness, but he sighed and shook his head.

"Hey, mom prepared your favorite dinner, let's go."

Then they went to the kitchen, dinner? It was 6:00 PM, would be a bit strange a earlier dinner, but there was the reason why. After eat in small family, Marlette knew the sadness, but there was a plan.

"Ollie, mi cielo. Wanna go to a mission with us? Could help you and we can buy you a cake."

Marlette, the literally big mother, calming suggested, Kaine confused looked at her but she pinched Kaine's thigh for keep following the plan, who quickly remembered and nodded, Oliver thought and accepted.

"Yes mami."

God damn that voice whenever he spoke... Could melt someone's heart indeed with that. So Marlette smiled , this was getting well as planned. Later then, the both adult spiders with their suits, including the small spider with his zipped hoodie of Kaine's suit theme and "hoodie mask" on. Hugging his mom tightly when all went to a near building, all walking on the walls of it. Oliver was confused, why walk? A mission would be fast as possible. But as minutes later...

Surpriseeee!!

Balloons, table with snacks and candies, some confetti and family with friends! Ben Reilly was dressed as ghost, Aracely as a mummy, etc. Oliver widened his eyes in surprise as he unzipped his hoodie mask, Marlette desactivated her mask and smiled, kissing his little cheek, while Kaine took his mask off and joined, smiling aswell.

"Feliz Cumpleaños, hijo."

Then, Oliver screeched of happiness and ran to the party.

His best surprise in a night of Halloween.

#mar's random shit #webbed scars extras

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shadows-starlight · 5 months ago

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Shadows and Starlight

Book 14: Malakar's Magical Music Box

In the heart of his dimly lit laboratory, Malakar was hard at work.

No, he was not concocting a new potion or elixir. He was making something special for his baby daughter, Aurora.

The room was filled with the scent of wood shavings and the soft hum of magical energy.

"Let's see," Malakar murmured to himself as he inspected a piece of bark from a redwood tree. "This should be enough."

He carefully shaped the bark into a small box. As he carved, he talked to himself softly, his voice a soothing murmur. “Tonight is going to be special, Aurora,” he said, carefully engraving a picture of a shooting star onto the lid, "just wait and see."

He worked quickly as it was nearing Aurora's bedtime, but with great precision, making sure every detail was perfect. Once he had finished the lid, which was engraved with a shooting star, he turned his focus and attention to the interior of the box.

Inside, he placed two small, beautifully carved swans, their feathers detailed with the finest craftsmanship. The swans were carefully placed to make it look as if the swans were swimming around an elegant pond.

Malakar connected the intricate mechanism, making sure that when the lid was opened, the music box would play to the tune of Irish Lullaby. He cranked the little handle on the side and tested the melody, a soft and calming tune that filled the room with its gentle notes.

Just as the clock struck seven-thirty, Malakar's beautiful music box was finally finished and it was time to finish preparing Aurora for the evening. He carefully placed the completed music box on a soft velvet cushion and let out a satisfied sigh. “All done,” he said, giving the box a final admiring look. “It’s ready for you, my little star.”

As he made his way to Aurora’s room, he carried the music box with great care. He entered the room, where Aurora lay in her cradle, her light almond skin glowing softly in the evening light. Her auburn hair was spread around her like a halo, and her dark olive green eyes were wide with curiosity.

Malakar approached the cradle with a smile. “Hello, my love,” he said gently, reaching down to stroke her tiny cheek. “I have something special for you tonight.”

He placed the music box carefully on a nearby table and opened it, revealing the swans and listening to the soft strains of the Irish Lullaby as it began to play. Aurora’s little eyes widened in delight as she watched the swans move gracefully around the box.

Malakar watched with a tender smile as Aurora cooed happily in delight with the music. “Do you like it, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice full of warmth.

Aurora cooed happily, her eyes following the swans as they glided into their little pond. Malakar leaned closer and whispered, “This is for you. I wanted you to have something beautiful to dream about.”

The soothing melody of the lullaby filled the room, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Aurora’s eyelids began to droop, lulled by the gentle music and the sight of the dancing swans. Malakar gently lifted her from the cradle and held her close, the music box’s melody filling the space between them.

As Aurora drifted into sleep, Malakar whispered, “Sweet dreams, Aurora. May your dreams be as beautiful as this music box.”

He carefully placed her back in the cradle, ensuring she was comfortable. With one last loving glance, Malakar blew out the candle and quietly left the room, leaving the gentle lullaby to serenade his daughter through the night.

#family #father and daughter #original characters #shadows and starlight #sliceoflife

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ashintheairlikesnow · 3 years ago

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For Kauri and Chris: it doesn't work as well as you hoped, does it?

(follows Time Apart)

CW: Former pet whumpee, past noncon references, fucky headspace around consent and SERIOUSLY misconstrued response to assault, some hardcore angst going on here, internalized victim-blaming

Chris feels fingers move through his hair, gently sweeping the shaggy copper to one side, and opens his eyes to see Kauri leaning over him. His wide blue eyes are warm, understanding.

"I saw Laken leave," Kauri says, gentle, and sits next to where Chris has curled up on his side on his bed. His fingers continue to run through Chris's hair, tingling over his scalp, a soft and subtle reassurance, words he doesn't have to hear. You are good, you are a good boy. "You want to tell me what happened?"

Chris closes his eyes again, turning his face to his sheets, to the faint scent of laundry detergent and the soft rustle of them against his skin. He tries not to see Laken's face, reddened and wet with tears, as they walked away. "We, we broke up."

Kauri's fingers pause - and then start up again, the moment so barely-there that even Chris almost misses it. "You broke up? Did they break up with you, or you with them?"

"Um. I, I, I thought they broke up with, um, with with me but then when they came over, they hadn't? But we just-... I, I broke... I broke up with them." His voice trembles, throat threatening to close up around the words, and he exhales, rocking himself forward and back where he lays, rubbing his hands reflexively over the seams of his pants, seeking out the soothing feeling of the texture there. "I told them I, I, I can't be with them anymore. I made them go."

This can't be the end, Chris. Not like this. Laken looked like he'd slapped them, their face pale and red both at once, eyes wide, dark pools demanding he take it back. This can't be the end of the line for us.

Then, then, then what is? Just, just go. I don't-... I don't, don't, don't want this any longer, for you. You shouldn't-... I, I, I'm... just go home, Laken. You shouldn't, shouldn't have, have wanted a whore anyway.

Chris. You know you're not-

I know I am! I, I, I almost had-... I almost-... I almost cheated on you last night!

Laken had swallowed, lips barely moving. You what?

I let, I, I, I let someone touch me, and it felt good, you know? It felt good. I, I, I got-... I, I got turned on by it. Like a fucking- He'd heard Handler Petrus in his mind, felt him against his back, the weight and heat of him, whispering into his ear while he sobbed. I'm still just a fucking slut. I'm, I'm, I'm still what I was, and it won't ever stop and-... just fucking go, Laken! Just get out and, and, and and and and-... and, and-

Chris, please-

Just fucking go home!

Chris-... baby, god damn it, I don't care if you-

But I do! Get the fuck away from me!

They'd left. Chris had listened to their footsteps running down the stairs and out the door, heard their car pull out of the driveway, and he'd cried into his pillow until it was damp, until he couldn't hear their car any longer. His phone buzzed twice, a text from Ben and another one from Akio, but he didn't answer.

He didn't answer when they called after that.

He didn't answer Jake calling to him from downstairs, he didn't answer Antoni in the doorway, he didn't answer any of them at all. He just stayed right here, on his bed, and knocked his head into a pillow he held against the wall until he calmed down enough to stop.

And then he cried more.

His head pounds, a dull throb, and he feels dried out from all the tears. Like he'd been crusted with salt, like his professor who told the story about Lot's wife and Orpheus and Eurydice. Don't look back or you'll turn to salt, you'll go back down into the empty places alone.

He can't not look back.

He groans, smacking himself on the thighs reflexively, repeatedly, as if he can stop his thoughts that way.

Kauri doesn't try to stop him, only pulls his hand back to give Chris the space to move. "Did you want to break up with them?" He asks, simply. His voice is calm.

"No. Yes. I, I don't know." The seams of his pants aren't enough, and Chris breathes against the sense of a chaos inside of himself, a swirling mix of self-hatred and grief. His hands move up to tap on his stomach. Finger-twist-tap-tap-tap. It doesn't help as much as he needs it to. "I didn't... want them to, to, to have to be with me."

"I think Laken is capable of making that choice for themself." Kauri sits slowly back against the headboard, breathing out, his eyes moving over the messy contents of the bedroom. The pictures Chris has taped haphazardly up on the walls, the shelf with his stim toys on it, his computer on the desk half-buried in a pile of clean clothes he hasn't folded. "If they want to be with you, that's their decision. Do you want to be with them?"

Chris wants to say yes, but the word sticks in his throat. His heart pounds inside him, all out of rhythm. He just nods against his sheets, and feels Kauri brush fingers through his hair again. "But, but, but, but I'm, I'm not worth it, I'm t-too hard, I'm still a, a, a pet too much."

There's a silence. Then, "Is that what you really think?"

He'd love to be able to say no. He'd love to be able to say he's being dramatic. But instead, in a small, soft voice, Chris whispers, "I just. I just. I, I, I don't know a-any-anymore. I... Yes."

Kauri is quiet, and then his hands are on Chris's face, wiping away with his thumb a tear Chris hadn't even realized had escaped. Chris had flinched from the same gesture when Laken did it, but he holds for Kauri.

"Oh, honey. I used to think that, too." Kauri sighs, and Chris opens his eyes, looking up at him, seeing a faraway expression.

He shifts, moving to rest his head on Kauri's thigh, a silent request for the petting through his hair to begin again.

Kauri smiles, a little faintly, a little sad. His fingers move over Chris's scalp, settle over the top of his scar, start again. "I did that for years, Chris. I told myself I was a pet, just another Romantic, that I deserved everything I did to myself and I didn't deserve anything better. I woke up in alleyways and on park benches and sometimes in the beds of guys I couldn't remember meeting. I got... I got hurt by some of them, and I told myself it was what I wanted. I got drugged a few times, I drugged myself a bunch more. I tried to make myself not want to be cared about anymore."

Chris thinks about the taste of gin and olives down his throat, throwing back dirty martinis until he threw them back up again, until he couldn't stop hearing Sir's voice inside his head, feeling his lips against the back of his neck. Hands on his hips, phantom ghost touch, moving him into position.

"It... didn't work as well as I'd hoped. Every time I told myself I didn't deserve love, even when I believed it... that didn't mean I didn't still want it. Need it, even. But I wanted, so badly-..." Kauri's voice catches, and his eyes close, briefly, as he steadies himself. "I wanted to make sure everyone around me hated me as much as I hated myself. But God, Chris, it hurts so much to live that way. Don't... don't be like me. It took me years to realize I didn't deserve that pain, that I didn't deserve to be punished for leaving Owen."

Chris is silent, now. Kauri's voice is always almost hypnotizing, deep and a little melodic, and it settles some of the buzzing awful noise inside of him.

"I had to learn-... to accept... that what happened to me makes up a lot of who I am, because it was the thing that made me, but it isn't all of who I am. And if I keep repeating the patterns I came up with to protect myself... I'm not really protecting myself at all." Kauri smiles, a little. "I'm only laying siege to myself, and I'm the only one who starves inside the walls. I-... I built those walls, and Jake kept trying to knock them down, and I kept building them higher. And Nat would throw food over the wall, and I'd throw it back. And... I think I got a little off track. My point is that... is that I shattered myself, over and over again, because shattered is what I was taught to be. But eventually I had to admit that breaking myself into pieces was just cutting me up, not anyone else. Do you understand?"

Chris swallows, his throat opening a little bit, and he hums. Kauri's leg is warm against his ear and his cheek, his hand is warm over his hair. Chris grips onto the silicone feather he wears always on a cord around his neck and runs it over his lips, feeling the carved vanes move against thin, sensitive skin. "Kind of."

"You try to see the light in everything," Kauri says, and the love in his voice makes Chris smile despite all his pain. "That's always been what made you stronger than me, Chris. You saw the world as full of good things you were here to discover. You never hated yourself like I did. I don't want you to start now."

"How... how did you, um, did you learn to to to stop?"

Another long exhale. Outside, two birds are singing in the trees. "Time, mostly," Kauri says, finally. "And... that guy I went home with once, when I came back all... fucked up. Remember that?"

"Y, yeah."

"I realized... I realized, when Jake was helping me up the stairs, that every time I tried to push him away, he was still there. And every time I hurt him, or Nat, or Antoni, they were still there. And that you were-... you were so new, Chris, and I was teaching you this really awful idea that you can't get better, and I couldn't do that any longer. I couldn't. It's not instant, and there are backslides, and some days getting out of bed is the hardest thing I've ever done. But I do, because I love the life I've made, and I know you love yours. You worked so hard for this, Chris, for everything you are and you've done since you came to live with Nat. Don't give that up because... because you're struggling. Don't let them win by convincing you you can't be anything else."

"I'm so-... it feels like a shell," Chris says, and pushes himself up to sitting, legs out to one side, tucking his head into the crook of Kauri's neck. The older man's arms move around his waist, holding him close, one hand moving up to keep stroking through his hair as he bites down on the feather, chewing on the familiar plastic. "Like I, I, I built a shell, and when Nova-... it cracked."

"Yeah. I know how that feels." Kauri turns his head, pressing a kiss to the top of Chris's hair, easy and comfortable. Chris hums around his feather, rocking just a little. The rising tide of grief inside him threatens to become a wave he can't withstand. He pushed Laken away, too far away, he made them leave him.

He broke up with them.

He made them go.

He can't take that back.

"Listen to me," Kauri whispers, lips against his scalp. "When I was at my lowest, when I hated myself the most, when I demanded Jake abandon me to what I kept telling myself I wanted... he didn't. He was still there. He was still there, and even if we weren't going to be together, he was still willing to help me stand up as a friend. When I was nothing but pieces drawing blood, he still loved me. He loved the pieces as much as the person, and he helped me put myself back together. It's not perfect. It's not overnight. And you'll still have hard days. But it's worth it, Chris."

"Why? Why, why, why is it worth it?"

"Because the world is beautiful," Kauri says, repeating his own long-ago words back to him, and Chris almost smiles. "Because I love the world, now, Chris, and I decided to try as hard as I can to love myself. I learned that from you."

"What if-... what if, if, if it's too late? What if I can't t-talk to them, or-"

"Then we'll stand you back up from there, and start moving forward again. You'll never lose us, we're family, Chris. But I think you should talk to Laken, and tell them what you're feeling, and let them decide how to react instead of deciding for them. They love you." Kauri puts a hand under his chin and lifts it, so their eyes meet. "Let them love you hurting just as much as they do when you're not."

"What if I don't... want to try any longer?"

"Then we'll be here to help you through that, too. All of it. Any of it. For better or worse, Chris, I'm your big brother - and so is Jake, and so is Antoni - and you're stuck with us whether you like it or not."

Chris tucks his head back down so Kauri can't see the tears well back up and run down, even as they soak into his shirt. His teeth grind down on the silicone plastic between them.

"I, I, I fucked up, Kauri," he whimpers, and then starts to sob. "I didn't-... I, I, I just don't w-want to be in m-my body anymore..."

Kauri holds him close.

"I h-hate it, I hate it, I hate it," Chris wails, and Kauri rests his chin on Chris's head and lets him cry. "I hate being p-pretty, I hate my, my, my, I hate that they made my body like this, I hate that I g-get scared and and and, and, and I can't stop things from happening to me, I h-hate that I hurt Laken, I hate it I hate it I hate it I hate it!"

"I know," Kauri whispers. "I know, honey. I know."

"I h-hate myself-"

"Sssshhhh, I know."

Chris doesn't know how long he cries for.

But eventually he falls asleep in Kauri's arms.

@burtlederp @finder-of-rings @endless-whump @whumpfigure @astrobly @newandfiguringitout @doveotions @pretty-face-breaker @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @boxboysandotherwhump @oops-its-whump @cubeswhump @whump-tr0pes @downriver914 @whumptywhumpdump @whumpiary @orchidscript @nonsensical-whump @outofangband @eatyourdamnpears

Playlist for this piece:

Lewis Capaldi: Hold Me While You Wait Rob Thomas: Pieces Vienna Teng: Between Aerelie Brighton: Breathe Josh Ritter: Girl in the War Beth Crowley: Runaway Train

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swordheld · 3 years ago

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hi my dear ,

idk if u have anything on like looking through someone else’s lit window at night? and the peace and the connection? hopefully u have it somewhere in ur library of vibes! i’m looking for a good poem to memorise u see

oh to take a piece of art and decide to keep it with you always is such a wonderful thing! i am truly wishing you all my best in your process of memorization! for your ease, i’m going to try and keep to shorter recommendations, and throw in a fun one if you’re feeling brave!

during the impossible age of everyone by ada limón, is one i have personally memorized and i love finding pieces of it everywhere i go. it feels near-magic, like a prompt i can recite softly to come back to the world. “i want to be terrific, even for an hour,” and ”your shoes are piled up with mine, and the heat comes on, makes a simple noise, a dog-yawn. people have done this before, but not us.” are both lines constantly bouncing around my head like a dvd player screensaver.

meditations in an emergency by cameron awkward-rich, because i will always repeat to myself this piece in its’ entirety whenever i hear the words “hand on my heart,” i will go to say “hand on my stupid heart,” because it feels like the final puzzle piece, slotting perfectly into place.

dogfish by mary oliver, which is a longer piece, but even if you just aim for pieces of it, i think you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, until you have the whole of it in your head like a wrapped gift. “i wanted to hurry into the work of my life; i wanted to know, whoever i was, i was alive for a little while,” as well as the popular line of “mostly, i want to be kind,” are well-worn and well-loved for good reasons.

wild geese by mary oliver for good measure as well, because there is nothing like that poem. it’s one that was made to be tucked neat and kind in your pocket, warn soft by your hands. “you do not have to be good,” and “tell me about despair, yours, and i will tell you mine,” as well as “whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting - over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” the whole of it feels like seeing a light on in the distance and knowing you are not the only thing that is alive, here, and the wonder of that.

the conditional by ada limón, because there is nothing like this poem in the middle of the night. not only is it lovely like a lighthouse on the sea’s horizon, it’s also incredibly fun to speak aloud: “say we never get to see it: bright future, stuck like a bum star, never coming close, never dazzling. say we never meet her. never him. say we spend our last moments staring at each other, hands knotted together, clutching the dog, watching the sky burn. say, it doesn't matter. say, that would be enough. say you'd still want this: us alive, right here, feeling lucky.” that is truly already half of the poem itself, right here, but there isn’t a sentence i don’t love; it all just flows so perfectly together, each to the next, as if it was written to be kept with you, in the dark of night.

and for a bonus fun round, some quotes !

“you have to love. you have to feel. it is the reason you are here on earth. you are here to risk your heart.” (louise erdrich)

“are you still alone in bed? is it morning yet where you are? the smoke turns to rain as usual. listen, my love. this year is just a visitor & next year’s ghost. take care of it because yes — yes, you do deserve flowers for once in your life. you will be the only one left. so hold my hand & call me tomorrow. we are all here.” (michael wasson)

“you must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall.” (rainer maria rilke)

“i am out with lanterns, looking for myself.” (emily dickinson)

“not that i want to be a god or a hero. just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.” (czesław miłosz)

let me know how your endeavour goes, love! very excited to see what wonders await you when you keep a bit of light behind your ear and in your pocket. 💚

#birdsong.#q&a.#i hope i hit the area that you were wanting in terms of concept and genre ! !#let me know if you're looking for anything else ! i'd love to pour through the collections anytime for you ! ! 🥰

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kyeomunism · 4 years ago

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The Phoenix Ymbryne || Millard Nullings

Pairing: Millard Nullings x Fem!Reader

Devil’s Acre Era (includes events in TDODA)

Word Count: 2.3k words

Summary: You are a peculiar who can take the form of a Phoenix. Wights were a constant threat until an invisible boy takes you to your new home. Getting to know him made you realize your purpose and the worth of all you’ve been through.

A/n: this fic includes South-East Asian references and i wrote it in a way you’ll learn easily. so whatever your race is, step inside Y/n’s boots and enjoy this adventure fluff.

︵‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・༺❀༻・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ︵‿︵‿︵

1900, Manila

The gust of wind rustling the forest almost silenced your pounding heart, but not quite. You transformed into a blazing bird and shoot through the bright sky, searching the brown earthen hues below. Your bird form made you an easy target, knowing that the wights after you have hunting guns; but your bird form also allowed you to scan the forest with your peculiar intuition. You could detect souls and sense their objectives. As you fly towards the outskirts of the woods, you located the two wights running away.

Suddenly, you felt another soul wandering through the thickets. A lone, pure heart, a good aura that you wouldn’t expect right after getting chased by blank-eyed monsters. Driven by curiosity, you roamed above the trees where you felt the presence. It was a floating map. You perched on a branch and watched the huge map turn, as if being held by a person. You looked from another angle at it revealed a floating suit and trousers. Carefully eyeing the subject and its pavement shoes leaving a calculated trail, there was only one word you can fathom: peculiar.

It had been over half a century since you’ve seen another peculiar, and it fascinated you how you couldn’t actually see this one. You continued watching the invisible who seem to be looking for something; a landmark? a person? a girl who can turn into a two-feet-tall fiery bird? If it was the latter, you knew you couldn’t easily trust someone, even if your intuition screamed this person’s good intentions.

You flew towards your house by the river, and judging by the angle of the floating clothes below, you knew you’ve been spotted. The moment you reached your home, you transformed back to your sixteen year-old body and slipped in a floor length skirt, a white sleeved shirt made from pineapple fabrics, and a scarf around your neck. You prepared hot chocolate in case that invisible peculiar pays a visit.

It only took a few minutes until you heard a knock on your door. Reluctantly, you opened it to reveal the same floating clothes that seemed to belong to the western world.

"Who are you?"

"Millard Nullings, at your service." A voice of a teenage boy spoke up. You moved aside to allow him enter your home, saying your name as you lead him to the drawing room. At first, you thought it was going to be painfully awkward, but it immediately changed into a pleasant, curious atmosphere when his body headed straight towards the ancient maps on your walls, as if being pulled by a magnet.

"Thank you, this place is incredibly interesting. For the longest time I thought these maps were never to be found again," Millard said as he took the hot chocolate from your hand while staring at the walls.

"These are from my old ymbryne. She was a real treasure," you said, standing beside him. "It shows hundreds of ancient loops across Asia. I wouldn't have found my current home without these maps. Oh, and Millard... may I ask how did you get here?"

"The wights after you were caught a while ago. This loop is marked empty in A Map of Days, so catching two of Caul's followers in here is intriguing. It wasn't long until I found the entrance after leapfrogging through a parallel loop nearby."

Brushing off more questions in your head, you offered him a seat and took sips of hot chocolate.

"Perplexus wasn't wrong when he marked this loop empty," you said. Millard's head most likely whipped up at the mention of the famous cartographer.

You smiled at this and continued. "When my old loop was raided, my ymbryne suggested this small loop. It was an empty peculiar menagerie. I suspect a dozen peculiar animals used to live here with all the traces I've found. But for over fifty years, I haven't seen any peculiarity in this area." You turn your head towards the window. "Past those Cacao trees is the membrane of the loop. A small provincial village with normal people, normal chickens, and a normal carabao. So seeing you here feels more surreal than it sounds," you admitted.

"What about your bird?" he asked, "that tall phoenix flying around the woods?"

A twinge of realization came over you and you sigh, reluctant to admit your peculiarity.

"That was me," you say finally.

"What! You can turn into a phoenix? You're an ymbryne?" Millard's voice was a mix of astonishment and confusion.

"How else did you think I manage to revive this loop?" You smiled.

"I just thought ymbrynes' bird forms are supposed to be inconspicuous. But you were...incredibly remarkable."

Your cheeks heated up at the comment and you divert your gaze with a soft chuckle.

"That baffled me as well, that's why I only transform in important situations. Locals believed me to be a magical bird, thus driving many hunters' attention. My bird form is known as Adarna. Similar to a phoenix, but distinct in certain features."

"Adarna? I've never heard of that kind of bird before."

"It is a famous folklore bird in the Philippines. There are stories about it, even in the Tales of the Peculiar." You stood and picked up an old children's book on the bookshelf across the room. You handed it to Millard, which you assume, made him smile.

"This is an ancient version indeed. I annotate many of the Tales but I've never seen this before. Would you mind letting me borrow this?" You couldn't bring yourself to say no to him, so you insisted he could keep it. Stating that you didn't need a copy, having memorized it for the longest time.

After minutes of discussion, you noticed how he got so excited in the topic of maps, history and his friends. It felt like you were listening to a teacher who loved his work, and you weren't complaining as you found this adorable. You were both having good laughs with Millard's stories, until he finally said, "I trust you expect a reassurance that the wights wouldn't trouble you anymore, but we can't be certain."

Your eyebrows furrowed at this, "what are you planning?"

"To take you to Devil's Acre."

You were surprised and slightly taken aback. He must've seen the faraway look on your face so he continues, "Y/n, you don't have to go now. I can just leave you a detailed map to help you reach the panloopticon anytime."

You paced around the drawing room. "So you're letting me go there alone?"

“If that's what you like, yes. I don't want to rush you into leaving your home, but I’ll feel much better if you let me take you there myself." His British drawl made your throat dry, you could only nod.

"I'll take my time to think about it, but as soon as the wights come near this area, I'll head to your loop for safety." You decided it's only smart to stay home until real danger emerge, despite how much you'd like to go with Millard. "Why don't you stay here for a while?"

"That can be a problem. You see, my ymbryne left me with strict rules..."

"You weren't supposed to be here, aren't you?"

You both just laughed at this.

A while later, a loud commotion started in the other side of the loop membrane. Villagers were screaming and animals were flocking away.

"Was that a regular noise within your loop?"

"For fifty years of living this exact same day over and over again, I can assure you that was most unnatural." You got up and pocketed an old but sharp dagger as Millard packed the maps and the book you gave him.

"Those are certainly Wights looking for their other comrades. We ought to flee this place now," he said.

You both slipped through the backdoor towards the river, careful not to trip into the mud. When you reach the bamboo raft, he held your hand and made sure you wouldn't lose balance. This gesture, however, made you lose your composure instead.

"You seem nervous, is it the raft? Should I let you cross the river first?"

"No, no, it's safe," you said as you both stood on the either side of the raft, trying not to slip as you crossed the river holding tall pieces of bamboo to keep yourselves steady. "I guess I just feel sad that I'm leaving home for good," you say. It was true, but you couldn't bring yourself to admit that he made you flustered.

"I understand that this loop may close permanently as you leave," he said, "but in the Devil's Acre, you may train with other ymbrynes ang get the chance to create new loops, have wards of your own—"

"Train with other ymbrynes?" You exclaimed as the raft reached the other side of the river.

"Yes, they're rather lovely. Miss Avocet and all the other ymbrynes would love to guide you. I also believe my friends will celebrate your company. Horace will cook feast, Olive and Claire will surely entertain you, oh," he said, clearly excited, "the celebration will never be enough!"

"Are you kidding me?" You laughed soundlessly as you headed towards the forest. "Your presence alone is more than enough."

He did not reply anything for a moment and you bit your lip. Millard lead the way to another loop that was connected to the panloopticon. It was a silent but surprisingly comfortable walk. He told you to watch your steps in some parts of the forest and you give every useful information you had about your homeland.

"There it is, come here, y/n." He spotted the portal door propped amongst the old trenches of the place that was once bloodstained by war.

Shivers crawled down your spine as you paced forward. Millard noticed your uneasy expression and ran circles on your knuckles. "You can tell me if you don't want to come," he whispered gently, "we'll figure out another way if you're ever uncomfortable."

"Thank you, but I really want to go with you. I want to meet your family and read your books." A smile painted its way on your face just thinking about it.

Without another question, he lead you through the door while gripping your hand. You held your breath and let him guide your steps. His fingers traced your forehead and you opened your eyes.

═ ∘◦ ❉ ◦∘ ═

1886, London

"Where are we?" You stare at the plain, unfamiliar bedroom infront of you.

"The third floor of panloopticon," Millard said with a relieved sigh. "We just crossed half the world in a matter of seconds, I trust the kitchen will have something to ease our loop-lag."

Without even thinking about it, you pulled him in a hug. He caught his breath and wrapped his arms around you as you feel tears streaming down your face. You missed your country but don't regret being with this boy at all. "Thank you," you managed to whisper.

It had been less than a week since you first arrived. Millard's friends were the kindest people you have ever met. The first time you saw Miss Peregrine, she was furious at Millard for running off without permission, but her mood changed when she met you and realized you were an ymbryne too. You were immediately recruited in Miss Avocet's academy and made friends with many other people in the Acre. You get along very well with Miss Wren who was interested in your peculiarity and the fact that you lived in a menagerie loop in Asia.

Desolations came and you stayed in the Ditch House with Millard reading books for you. While it was raining blood, bones and ashes outside, you were having the time of your life with your new family.

You stayed in the Academy while the rest of Miss Peregrine's wards take on their adventure to France, giving all your best wishes for Millard.

You fought in the battle of the Devil's Acre and tended to the injured with the other ymbrynes-in-training. When you heard the news that Caul was defeated, you were elated and incredibly happy.

You were one of the ninety-five peculiars who broke loop-bound in Jacob's house. You could finally go anywhere you like without the fear of aging forward rapidly, and Millard promised many trips with you, you could only shut him up with a peck on the cheek.

═ ∘◦ ❉ ◦∘ ═

1940, Cairnholm

So many good things happened to you that week, but nothing could beat the joy you felt when you found out that the ymbrynes-in-training are to live with Miss Cuckoo, and Miss Peregrine and her wards in Cairnholm.

You stare at the dog roses in Fiona's garden, you were filled with mixed emotions and wanted a quiet time. All of them are celebrating inside the house; all except Millard, who was wearing a velvet smoking jacket for the occasion.

"It's beautiful here," you said while watching his clothes head your way, "you must be happy that you're home."

"You are my home," he said sincerely, now standing in front of you.

You couldn't grab any witty reply, in fact, you couldn't find any words at all. You knew you were blushing ferociously by now.

"Mind if I talk to you about something that's been bothering me for a while?" He broke the silence and you nod at him.

"With everything we went through these past weeks, I found myself hoping to stay alive."

You stifled a laugh. "Isn't that a good thing? Wishing you'd survive?"

"That's the point, I wanted to stay alive, not just because we ought to take surviving as a priority, but because I can't get you out of my mind."

Your face went blank. "What do you mean, Millard?"

"I wish it was a choice, but it wasn't. I fell in love with you, Y/n. I'd love you for as long as time."

"And we have time," you reassured him, "I love you too," and with that, he kissed you.

Both smiling into the kiss, you leaned against each other, swaying in the breeze of the garden and basking in each other's presence forevermore.

#miss peregrines home for peculiar children #MPHFPC fanfic #millard nullings #millard nullings x reader #horace somnusson #miss peregrine #the desolations of devils acre #ransom riggs what did you do to me #ymbrynes #filipino #ibong adarna #fiona frauenfeld

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ellitx · 4 years ago

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Till We Meet Again | Venti x Reader

Seems like [Name] really likes to meet up with her dear friend.

note: venti isn’t an archon in this oneshot. just a regular bard

word count: 7.4k

【ＰＲＯＬＯＧＵＥ】

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺,

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵,

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘺

− 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦.

“Hey, ever dream about what the future awaits us?” He asked.

“Are you seriously going to talk about that kind of thing?”

“Wh-what? I just wanted to start a conversation with you… I’m trying my best here.” He averted his gaze away from her, rubbing the nape of his neck in embarrassment.

“Well, it’s not working.” He heaved a sigh, slumping his shoulders in disappointment. The male leaned against the rough trunk of the tree, staring up at the warm sunset descending on the horizon in boredom, the colors of the sky mixing together to create the warm atmosphere like the paintbrush painting the canvas to create a wonderful piece.

The girl stood up, patting her dress to remove the dirt sticking on her clothing. She looked over her shoulder and stared at him with her sharp [eye color] eyes. Glancing down at him, she closed her eyes and gave a sweet smile at him.

“Don’t come near me again if you have no business with me.”

The way she said it was so sweet yet sultry. He gulped down the air and pressed his lips into a thin line, shutting his mouth completely. Her long [hair color] flipped over her shoulder, walking away from this person. He watched her figure disappear from the distance, sighing as he did so.

Breathing another sigh, his back dropped slowly against the trunk until he was laying down the parched grass. He pressed his forearm onto his face, leaving a space for his nose to breathe.

“So the rumors are true, huh?”

[Name] dropped her satchel on the table, producing a loud sound that caught the attention of the two women.

“Having a bad day today?” Her sister, Lisa, asked, not even giving a glance at her from her book; turning the pages and reading the contents inside. “You know how she always is.” Jean remarked, making the former chuckle.

“Haha, very funny.” [Name] rolled her eyes at them, plunging herself in between the two ladies who are sitting on the couch. “So, are you going to tell us what made you like this or not?” Lisa closed the novel she’s reading with a clap, putting it down on the coffee table.

[Name] groaned in pique as she slammed her face on one of the soft cushions laying beside her.

“Don’t feel like it.”

“Aww, don’t be like that, dearest sister. You know we’re here to give you support.” Lisa rubbed her back in assurance, finally giving her the full attention she needed. The good kind of sister, the one who gives you any kind of advice. Just talk to her and you already feel the heavy weight on your shoulders lifting. She always lends her ear anytime.

The [hair color] peered over the cushion and looked at the two with a skeptical look.

“You sure…?”

“Of course.” Jean smiled at her softly. [Name] whined when her sister smothered her with hugs. Jean sighed at the librarian, shaking her head and placing her thumb and index fingers on the bridge of her nose.

The Acting Grandmaster shook her head in chagrin at Lisa’s teasing. Her attention went back to the troubled teenager, brushing her hair to make her comfortable. Jean is like the other best sister you’ll meet. If Lisa is the sophisticated sister, then she’s the mentor for [Name].

“It’s him.”

The blonde abruptly stopped brushing [Name]'s hair, looking at her in mild confusion whilst Lisa quirked a brow at her, slightly interest in where this is going. “Again?” The latter asked. [Name] nodded and buried her face even more on the cushion, hugging it tightly closed to her chest.

“What did he do?” The Dandelion Knight softly inquired at her and continued to smoothen her [hair color] locks. She absentmindedly looked down to where she placed the book and stared at the cover, seizing all the details, vast or meager, into her mind.

“Talked to me.” Silence filled the room, only the clock ticking and birds chirping outside can only be heard until her sister heartily laughed and patted her hand on her shoulder as if she achieved something great.

“Well, that’s great~”

“I’m not sure if that’s the correct way to say it….” Jean remarked quietly, her face turned gloomy as she looked at the young female in worry. Once again, Lisa sealed her lips as she raised both of her hands in, succumbing to her dominance.

“[Name], why don’t you take a rest. He’s been bothering you lately, right?” The said girl nodded, pulling the pillow closer to her chest. “Come on, let’s go to your room.” The blonde lifted her up from her seat and held her hands with hers, guiding them to her bedroom with the librarian following along them with a hum.

When they reached their destination, she assisted [Name] lying in the bed, tucking the blanket onto her figure. Yep, this woman here is more of the big sister type to [Name] than Lisa. The teenager turned her body away from them, closing her eyes, wanting to let the stress go away and just have a nice sleep.

If there’s even a good dream, then that’ll be better.

“Hello~” The male waved at her.

“You again?”

“What’s wrong with me meeting you again?” He crossed his arms and furrowed his brows at her, not understanding why she’s so moody around him. He didn’t even do anything at her— well, not that he can recall he did something to her.

“Everything.” [Name] rolled her eyes, and sat down beside him in the olive green grass, giving at least 10 inches of space between them. She let her back rest against the trunk, pulling her knees to her chest and enfold her arms around it.

“So, uhh, Windborne Bard—“

“Venti.” He corrected.

“V-Venti…” The female chortled, holding her mouth to restrain herself from laughing out loud at his name. What an odd name. She thought. “Why thank you for that compliment, [Name].” Her laugh died down and faced him, eyes widening in surprise.

“H-how did you—“

“Know your name? Know what you’re thinking? Though it really wasn’t much of a compliment, I’ll still take it.” He finished her sentence casually as if it’s his usual thing to do that to everyone. He gave her a smug smirk in victory and shrugged his shoulders.

That was it, the [hair color] backed away from him at least 5 meters away, and shakily pointed a finger in his direction. “I-I-I didn’t even tell you m-m-my name!!” She heavily stuttered which in turn he was the one now laughing at her. He wiped the tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes, face red from laughing too much.

“Oh god, your reaction is priceless!”

Her face heated up both from anger and mortification, oh how she wanted to beat him to a pulp.

His laughter faltered, much to her delight. He returned his gaze back from the blue sky, silently staring at the azure sky. It was his favorite to watch the sky under this old tree. The sound of grass rustling reached his ears, though he didn’t bother to see what— or rather who it was since it’s just the two of them in this stunning and serene setting. The unique place of Mondstadt where only the two of them know this place.

“I’d rather you call me Venti than the long title-- Windbrone Bard-- I have.” He closed his eyes, enjoying the shadow looming over them by the leaves. The winds kissed his skin as the leaves were dancing around, some were now freed and took their chance either to fall down or move to another place. He started humming, laying back on the body of the old tree and started strumming the lyre.

The female silently listened to his tune, tapping her fingertips against her shoe. She closed her eyes as well, enjoying the combination of the wind and his humming. Time flies by, [Name] had fallen asleep. Her head drooping then placing to a comfortable position. The male looked at her with his aquatic teal eyes, he caressed her red cheeks and gently smiled down at her peaceful face.

He placed down her head on his shoulder and leaned down closer to her ear and whispered,

“It’s been a long time.”

[Name] rubbed her eyes as she makes her way to the kitchen to grab food. Noelle and Lisa greeted her with a good morning, as they prepare a morning meal for the half-awake teenager.

“How’s your sleep?” The former asked as she placed down the cup of hotly brewed tea. Lisa sipped her tea quietly and moved the empty chair for her to take a seat. “Did you get a good sleep?”

The younger sister only nodded, still half-asleep to make a response to her question. She groggily grabbed the fork and tore the omelet into several pieces, taking a piece of it to her mouth, saying nothing as she chewed her meal.

“Hey, I was thinking,” Jean took a seat beside her and rested her palm on her right cheek, looking at the two happily. “How about you take your day off today, [Name]? You’ve done so many things ever since you’ve joined the Knights of Favonius. You deserve it.” The young female’s eyes widened at her announcement making her fully awake.

[Name] fixed her hair and glanced down at her half-eaten dish, unconsciously tightly gripping her utensil. Her lips tugged upwards and her [eye color] sparkling in delight. The chair producing a sound as she stood up.

“Th-thank you so much!”

The two women stared at her with warmth present on their optics and without a word, they nodded, watching her leave the omelet on the table. Lisa looked at Jean in worry as she placed her fingers on her chin, her eyebrows wrinkling in confusion and concern.

“Should we call...?”

“Not yet, we have to make sure before calling him.”

The Electro-vision holder breathed out air as she rubbed her temples to ease the ache that was forming. It’s just the early morning and they were already fretting over her sister.

[Name] strolled to the bathroom, preparing herself for the morning. It was so sudden the Acting Grandmaster gave her a day off! She hummed happily and felt her heart giddy. She needs to meet him one more time— no scratch that, she must meet him everyday, even if it’s just a second.

After taking a long shower, she dressed herself up in her usual attire and grabbed her satchel, placing the sling on her shoulder. She makes her way to the main door, grabbing her shoes and tapping them against the floor to make sure it fits. Before she opened the door to the outside world, someone called out to her.

“Hey, wait!” She turned to where the voice came from and quirked one of her brows at the brunette. “You forgot to take your journal.” At the mention of the object, she immediately rummaged through her bag to check, and she’s right. No signs of the journal she always brings with her inside her bag.

She strolled her way to her room but the tight grip on her shoulder stopped her tracks. Lisa moved closer to her and uttered, “If you ever feel like you need to talk to someone, the Knights of Favonius are here for you.” She beamed, smiling gently at her as she held out the notebook.

“Here.”

[Name] was taken aback and reluctantly took the object from her hands. She averted her gaze away from her and mouthed a small thank you, leaving her alone in the hallway in silence. Once the door was shut close, Lisa heaved a sigh, caressing her own cheeks with her slim hands to restrain her mood change.

Jean watched her marched her way to the library, her eyes scrutinizing the scene as her mind traced all the events that just happened.

[Name] laid her hands on her knees, panting, trying to get oxygen as much as possible. She wiped her perspiration that was falling down like tears on the side of her head with her hanky, fixing the bag in place. She gulped down the air and walked to their usual meeting place.

She halted on her trail when she heard the familiar laughter from the distance. Moving forward, it was an unexpected sight of what she had seen. Never in her life thought Venti was good with animals. A dove was perched on his index finger, chirping in happiness. The white bird flapped its wings rapidly, flying away from the bard when it heard the sound of a branch snapping.

“Ah. She left…” Venti watched the feathered animal flew with a sad look, unhappy he was left all alone again at the big tree in Windrise. His teal eyes caught something from the corner of his vision and faced them with a curious look.

“Oh?”

“Sorry about that.” [Name] sheepishly chuckled at him, apologetic that his accompany left him. Venti merely chuckled and patted the ground opting for her to sit beside him.

“It’s fine.” He said whilst he gently gazed at the blue skies. A moment later, the little bird came back again, now resting on the bard’s beret. The dove tilted its head to the direction of where the female was sitting, letting out a small chirp.

The male hummed the same tune the other week, doing his usual routine if it’s just the two of them. Look at the sky, hum a tune, and play the lyre. The tree was looming over them as little drops of sunlight kissed his skin. He rubbed the bird's head with his finger, smiling at the animal.

Venti caught her staring at him and smiled sweetly at her direction. The sensation of her appearance burning up made her look in any other places but him. Idiot idiot idiot idiot! She repeated those words like a mantra, burying her face on her knees, not wanting him to see her in an embarrassing state.

A sudden thought came to her and pulled out her bag, taking out the item that her sister gave to her. She took out a pencil and her mind wandered if she should draw a portrait of him.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

She let out a small gasp and quickly hid her journal behind her. “W-what are you talking about?”

“Obviously you’re going to draw me, right?”

Her complexion paled and turned her eyes somewhere else. Okay, she was expecting that she’ll get caught, but never did she know he knows what she's about to do. Just how on earth does he know everything?

“Sh-shut up, Venti! I was just going to draw the dove!”

“Whatever you say.”

“I’m home…” [Name] greeted the empty hallway, taking her shoes off and placed them near the door of her room. She took off her hair tie, letting her long [hair color] fall down, reaching her waist.

“Welcome back, [Name]” Noelle welcomed her with a warm smile, untying her apron and tidied up her lavender hair. “Why don’t you go take a shower? Dinner will be ready shortly.” The female nodded as she stretched her arms, hearing that satisfying crack made her sigh in relief.

She dropped her things on the couch in the living room and waved at Barbara who was reading an idol magazine and Klee watching a cartoon show with sparkly eyes. An odd smell wafted throughout the room. Barbara sniffed around and cringed to see where that smell came from.

“[Name], you better take a shower now.” Her voice was nasally since she was pinching her nose to prevent the odor from entering her nose. [Name]’s face heated up and glared at her though, but it didn’t even frighten her, not one bit.

“Come on, you’re really stinky.” Her childhood friend pushed her outside the room until they reach the bathroom.

“Do you really have to repeat that every step we take?”

“Yep.”

When they arrived at the entrance of the bathroom, the deaconess handed her a towel and pushed her shoulders to make her way to take a shower.

“Don’t take too long!!” She shouted once the door was shut. The blonde exhaled, messing up her hair as she strolled her way back to the living room. Flopping down next to Klee on the soft couch, her back relaxed against it, slouching even more until she felt something on her bottom. Barbara’s hand felt a hard object and took it out that was stuck between her and the couch and saw it was [Name]’s journal.

She bolted up from the couch as her sky blue eyes enlarged, lips quivering and her palms were getting clammy from nervousness and excitement. She dashed to where Noelle was and called out to her on top of her lungs.

“Noelle! Noelle!”

The said female faced her with a curious look and hummed.

“What is it?”

“D-d-d—“

“D- what?”

“D-DIARY!!”

Barbara quickly showed the notebook near her face. The Maid was taken aback by her swift actions and narrowed her viridescent eyes to the item. The deaconess opened [Name]’s journal and flipped every page to see any juicy stories inside.

Noelle’s face scrunched and looked at the teenager.

“Um… I think [Name] will get really angry at you if you snoop around her privacy.”

The blonde’s hands stumbled as she shakily switched to a different page. Her fingers were trembling even more than the jelly.

The former checked all the pages, eyes tracing all the words written down, even the dates. She then turned the next page and an image made her stopped for a moment. Her mouth immediately went dry whilst her skin paled at what she saw.

Noelle took a peek, curious at what made the deaconess of Mondstadt Cathedral look so sickly and horrified.

Glancing down, her hands immediately covered her lips to refrain herself from letting out a loud gasp to alert the Knights of Favonius.

Barbara gulped down the bile that formed in her throat, closing the book with a thud and laid it onto the table, leaving it.

[Name]’s friends watched her in the hallway tying her shoelaces and tapping it against the floor to check if it’s tied properly.

“I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Yeah, be safe out there! Don’t talk to strangers! Don’t— ow!” The librarian squeezed Kaeya’s skin telling him to keep quiet. She faced [Name] and gave a sweet smile at her. “Actually, we were thinking that why don’t we go with you? We really want to meet this friend of yours as well, it’s unfair if you just hide it from us.”

[Name] and Kaeya looked at her in confusion, dumbfounded by her sudden suggestion. “Huh? What’s the sudden— OW! OKAY OKAY!!” The latter rubbed his back to ease the pain that was forming, probably it might become a bruise. The look on the brunette’s face made him sighed in exasperation and shut his mouth in silence, not wanting to face Lisa’s wrath.

The [hair color] however just nodded, unsure of the sudden plan, but accepted nonetheless.

She sat on the couch, staring at her journal’s cover to distract herself as she waits for Lisa and Kaeya to finish preparing themselves. She looked at the several drawings she took of Venti and the dove just a week ago and just seeing these simple images made her heart tugged. Her train of thoughts was stopped abruptly when a familiar voice called out to her.

“We’re ready~!” Barbara was leaning against the doorframe and gave a grin at [Name] with Lisa beside her.

Puzzlement was painted on the young female’s visage seeing the blonde dressed up. She looked at her sister if she could explain what’s going on.

“Kaeya has other things to do so he asked Barbara if she wants to meet your friend too.”

“Hope, we’re not too dressed up just for this meet and greet.” The blonde chuckled at her own statement, placing her gloved hand on her mouth to stifle her laughter. “No, you’re all good.” [Name] straightened her attire and fixed her scarf in place.

The three of them exited their headquarters and make their way outside the city. They strolled together side by side, having a chat while they have a little journey. Barbara and Lisa were preparing themselves to meet this so-called Windborne Bard— or as what [Name] calls him, Venti.

“Y-you brought your friends...?” The male softly inquired. Stopping his humming, when he saw two unfamiliar people tagging along with [Name]. “Yeah, sorry if it came out unexpected. They said they wanted to meet you.” She tugged her scarf upwards to cover her face that was reddening.

Venti observed the two and gave them a small wave. The way they peered at his figure made him uncomfortable and he looked away from their eyes, getting a bit uncomfortable each second passed by.

[Name] nudged her two friends, snapping them out of their thoughts. “O-oh pardon me… Um, hi…?” Barbara closed her eyes and smiled warmly at him whilst Lisa greeted the male with a nod, tucking her hands into the pocket of her coat.

“You can take a seat here.” Venti moved a bit from the other side and patted the grass, signing them to take a seat. The two continued to gawk at him and their attention was interrupted when the [hair color] nudged them once again. She signed her childhood friend and her sister to follow her, traipsing to the giant and old tree. Red, yellow, orange, and brown fronds leaving their own home as it falls down to the crust of the earth.

“Venti, this is Barbara and Lisa. Barbara, Lisa, this is the Windborne Bard.” The two females nodded silently. The young deaconess let out a puff of air and rubbed her hands together to create the warmth she’s been looking for.

“Stop calling me Windborne Bard please.”

“Huh, why? You said that’s your title?”

“W-well, yeah, but don’t call me that. It’s quite wordy for an introduction!” Venti whisper-shouted at her, not wanting to get the attention of the two. The four of them discussed some things— more like it’s just [Name] and Venti who are talking while Lisa and Barbara were just nodding and listening. The former stood up and gave an apologetic look at them. “My apologies, but I’m not quite feeling well. I’ll just go over there to relax my mind.”

Venti and [Name] looked at her, and they nodded their heads at her unsurely. Worry was etched on both of their faces, glancing at her figure who was rubbing her arms together. Barbara, who was with them, stood up as well and approached the sophisticated woman.

The male and female watched the scene unfold between the two of them, they were away from them, but they’re sure they were talking about something. The Hydro-vision user caught her friend looking at her in worry and just waved at her, assuring she’s fine. [Name] smiled back, her brows still creased in concern. When she turned her eyes from her friend to her sister, she noticed she was frantically shaking and walking around aimlessly as they talk.

“Is everything alright between the three of you…?” Venti asked softly as he fiddled with the leaves that landed on his head. The [hair color] nodded slowly as she pulled her knees closer to her chest and hugged it. He knew this was a sign she needs comfort, so he moved closer to her and rubbed her back in assurance.

“As far as I know, everything is good between the three of us. We don’t argue or anything like that…”

He hummed in acknowledgment as he continued to stroke her back. The dove moved closer to him, a chirp softly escaped from its small beak.

“Talk to them, they’re your friends right?”

“But—!”

“You don’t have to keep coming here… Everything’s good here.”

He glanced at [Name]’s two friends with his teal eyes, observing them with his watchful gaze.

The trio went back home, stepping in the sunset road. It was a comfortable silence as they walk their way back to the headquarters. When they arrived at their destination, the Knights greeted them.

Opening the door to their humble home, they made their way to whatever task they’ll do; Barbara will get a meal whilst Lisa will take a shower. [Name] slumped her body to the couch, reading the messages Venti wrote in her notebook. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the beautiful handwriting, etching each stroke in her head.

Her head throbbed once,

Twice,

Then thrice.

“Here, I’ve made some little poems for you. Hehe~”

[Name] exhaled and threw her notebook at the other end of the sofa, bouncing back as it landed on the cushion. She let out a yawn, placing her head on her arms, not bothering to go to her room.

“As far as I know, everything is good between the three of us. We don’t argue or anything like that…”

“…”

“But—“

“…”

“Hey, can you repeat that one more time?” The blonde asked the brunette. The latter did as what was asked and repeated the video one more time.

“As far as I know, everything is good between us—“

Lisa’s emerald eyes vacantly looked at the video playing for the umpteenth time. She and Barbara were talking about the events that happened in the field. The older female asked Albedo if he can create a recorder. Fortunately, it didn’t really take him a long time, and finished it a day before they could meet the Windborne Bard.

The two glanced at her sleeping figure, her body vulnerable. Barbara eyed Lisa, staying quiet while Jean was leaning onto the door frame with her arms crossed.

“So… is now the time to call?”

Quietude filled the room until the other spoke out. Her eyes gleamed in the darkness looking at Jean humourlessly.

“We’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Hey, Venti…” The male hummed letting her know he’s listening. He opened one of his eyes and looked at her in confusion.

“They’re acting weird…” [Name] pressed her lips into a thin line, creasing her brows together. Yesterday morning they were fine but that afternoon until now, they’re being unusual.

Was it because they met Venti?

“It’s surprising you’re calling me by that name.” His response irked her and she threw a punch at him. The bard feigned he was in pain, whining in complaint at her.

“You didn’t answer my question!” She glared at him as she puffed her cheeks in annoyance. The male airily laughed at her, a thought came to his mind that she looked like a pufferfish.

“It wasn’t a question though!” He retorted. The unexpected smirk made her breath hitch, forgetting what she will say to him as a comeback. She gritted her teeth in anger and punched him one more time, but this time with more strength. He let out a shout of pain and backed away from her when an aura of menace was surrounding her. His complexion whitened and stepped away until he felt the rough trunk of the tree brushing his back.

“Please forgive me…”

Before she could throw her fists at him, her Vision glowed catching both of their attention. Venti heaved a sigh in relief clutching his chest to relax his pounding heart when [Name] used her element and observed what was going on.

The name of her sister was stamped on it, Vision still continuing to glow brightly— a sign of an emergency. She glared at him one last time and said, “Be glad Lady Luck saved you. Something urgent came up and I have to go back to Mondstadt.”

“I see. Be safe in going home.” She nodded at him and waved him a farewell. She took one more glance at him before walking away from their usual hangout place.

When [Name] walked towards the living room, a familiar person was sitting on the couch, sipping the newly brewed tea. Not only that, almost everyone in the Knights of Favonius was gathered in the living room.

He didn’t notice her presence and continued to scan the paper he was currently holding that was attached to a clipboard.

She observed his well-kept appearance. He was wearing a long white coat that reached the back of his knees. His partially tied tan hair made her realize who this was.

Kreideprinz…?

The reverberating of the footsteps caught the young man’s ears and looked up to see a confused [Name] standing across him. Lisa and Jean arrived just in time as the teenager looked completely bewildered not understanding why Albedo was here.

“W-what’s going on here…?”

She looked at him and at the two ladies wanting at least one of them to explain what in the world happened while she’s gone. Noelle placed down the tray she was holding that was filled with cups and a teapot. [Name] silently obeyed her sister who told her to take a sit.

An eerie silence spread through the room until the male coughed to get their attention.

“Long time no see, [Name].”

Albedo adjusted his outfit and smiled warmly at her. The female nodded slowly in silence.

“Do you mind if we talk about the friend of yours you’ve been seeing lately?”

Her mouth went dry and she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Is something going on?”

He heaved a sigh and crossed his arms on his chest, leaning back to the couch for his back to rest.

“Would you please give me a short description of your friend? What’s he like?”

[Name] clenched her fist tightly and answered him with conviction. “His name is Venti. He’s a good friend of mine, we just talk about whatever is in our mind.”

“I see…” The Chief Alchemist grabbed his pencil and scribbled down on the clipboard he was currently holding. Perplexity plastered on her face as she looked at her two friends, they weren’t looking back at her. Kaeya's attention was fixated on the ground, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants. Same as Barbara, she was avoiding making eye contact with her.

“Can you give me Venti’s physical characteristics?” The male looked up at her once more, patiently waiting for her response. She responded with ease, replying he has tousled black hair and the tips fading to aqua color, has twin braids in front, taller than her.

He hummed and continued to take notes as he listened to her counting to list down things about her friend.

“Last question, did you—“

His sentence was cut off when [Name] abruptly stood up from her seat and took his clipboard from his hands. Her temple wrinkled in vexation, scanning what he had taken notes about her and Venti. Her attitude altered, [eye color] eyes widening as her respiration became difficult.

[Name]’s lips trembled like a leaf, her blood ran out of her skin as her grip loosened the clipboard making it fall down to the floor with a loud clack. She stepped back from them and held her hands closer to her chest.

She took one more glance at the paper that has been scattered all over the ground. Her mind became jumbled, not comprehending what was written on it.

DIAGNOSIS: HALLUCINATION

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” She lowly uttered out to them. Lisa slowly approached her but she took a step back in return. “[Name], we’ll explain everything but please calm down, okay?”

“Hallucination?! Wh-what in the hell are you all talking about?! I’m not hallucinating! I don’t even take drugs!” One step backward, as her sister moved forward.

“Please take it easy—“

“Take it easy?! How can I take it easy?! You’ve been acting weird this entire week, and you’re telling me I’m hallucinating just because I gave a short description about Venti?!”

“YES!!” Jean, Lisa, and Kaeya were startled at the sudden and loud interjection of Barbara who was panting heavily. Her shoulders moving up and down as she tries to catch her breathing back to normal. She stomped to where the [hair color] was standing still and grabbed her shoulders tightly. She winced in pain as tears were forming in the corner of her eyes, but Barbara didn’t care at all. She shook her delicate body and shouted,

“You’re the one who’s been acting weird! These past few months you keep meeting up with this Venti! We keep asking you if you want to hang out with us, but no! You keep promising us you will next week but it never happened!!”

Lisa placed her hands on her mouth to suppress her sobbing, heavy tears falling down to her cheeks like a waterfall, a never-ending stream. The deaconess’s breathing shortened and it was her turn to shed tears, her grip on [Name]’s shoulder loosened, as she fell down to her knees and holding her shirt a bit tightly. Wet fluid dripped down to the ground as even more trickled like rain, forming into several small puddles. The closure of her glottis and her gulping several times made it even worse for her to catch her respiration.

“Venti…. Venti isn’t real…”

[Name]’s cobalt eyes expanded like saucers, her heart stopped beating, and her world became completely soundless. Her senses became numb, Hearing has become static, her vision becoming blurry, her breathing became shorter, and her fingers became insensible.

Every single thing is spinning. Round and round like a carousel, endlessly revolving like there was no button to stop it.

“W-what….? Didn’t you two meet him the other day…?”

“No one was there…” Lisa gave a muffled response at her, still covering her mouth.

“….Huh…?”

No one…? But they understand what he’s saying, right? They were listening to him, right?

He’s real, right…?

Her sister let out a device that was created by the Chief Alchemist, and she took a glance at it. There was a video awaiting for her to press the play button.

[Name] slowly lifted her finger on the screen and watched the scene unfold.

She was sitting on the grassy field with her knees drew closer to her chest, clutching it as if it’s her teddy bear. In silence, she watched with attentive eyes and listened closely to the video playing.

“As far as I know, everything is good between the three of us. We don’t argue or anything like that…”

“….”

Oh, she still remembered that day. It was that time where Venti asked her if her relationship with her friends is still in good condition, but the only problem is

Why is it that she can’t hear Venti’s soft voice? Or even more,

Why is he not there? Not a single sign of him was there.

It’s as if he didn’t exist .

Nobody,

Not a single strand of his black and teal hair was there.

No sign of him fiddling the leaves that landed on his head.

Why?

WHY?

WHY?!

[Name] made a bolt for the door, running as fast as she can, and not caring about the sensation of the cold night breeze caressing her skin.

The sudden escape of their friend surprised everyone. Albedo called out to her but it was no use since she was now gone, going off somewhere to Archon knows where. Barbara, Lisa, and him chased after her and didn’t fuss if it was cold as Snezhnaya. The air they breathe out turned to a chilly smoke, the brisk wind blowing their hair and a pile of leaves blew over the roads and into ditches made them lost sight of her silhouette.

Lisa clicked her tongue and scanned the area if there are any signs or trails of her footsteps, but none was found.

She left Barbara and Albedo alone in the streets and continued to run, shouting out her sister’s name to the quiet city of Mondstadt.

Adrenaline coursed through her veins and a thin layer of sweat covered the nape of her neck. Keeping her breath steady, she pushed her legs forward and went faster. The cold air bit into her lungs but she still forced herself to move forward. At this great speed, [Name] could already see the familiar shape of the person she’s been looking for.

She cried out his name louder and louder until he turned his head to where her voice was.

Before Venti could question her, he was already engulfed in a hug. His face turned red when he felt the female buried her face in the crook of his neck. He let out a confused noise, unsure where to put his arms. His arms stop flailing around when he felt his shirt getting wet.

She could hold her heartbreak no longer and tightened her restraint on his shirt in a disheveled heap as her grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears.

“Y-you’re real, r-right…?”

She caressed his messy coal-black hair and fiddle with the braids laying on his shoulder. Her fingers trailed to trace the outline of his face until she cupped both sides of his face to make him look up at her.

A tear fell down on his cheeks as it faltered all the way down to the corner of his lips. Her lips trembled as she cried, tears raced down her cheeks. Venti slid his hand over her cheeks and wipes away the wet stain every few seconds.

“I’m holding you right now, s-see? You’re real, right? Tell me, you’re real.” Her lips shuddered, making her words to be incoherent. The bard stayed quiet and continued to remove the tears that were threatening to fall out of her eyes.

“Please, Venti, answer me.”

[Name] rested her head on his shoulder, her weeping won’t end until she hears the truth from him. Gently, he placed his hands on the sides of her face and lifted it up.

His warm-hearted smile instantly caught her attention. The way he just nonchalantly gave her a bright smile made her feel uneasy.

His gesture was almost affectionate.

He slipped his arm on the back of her head and pulled her closer until she felt the tips of his lips brushed against her ear and whispered.

Her body didn’t know how to react, it just shut down. She froze to a point where she was hardly breathing. Her mouth opened, her body didn’t move. The color drained from her face as she stared wide-eyed at the person in front of her.

A low, waning gibbous moon hovered tenuously in the twilight firmament, bestowing a very dim light upon the land. Lisa continued to call out for [Name] as she waved the lantern around the area to look for her whilst Barbara called the rest of the Knights to help them in their search.

The air was bitter and cruel against their flushed cheeks but they weren’t giving up. Even on this cold night, they will still continue to seek their friend. The blonde rubbed her hands together and placed it on her mouth, exhaling to warm her shivering body.

Their steps resonating around the field is what they can hear along with the wind howling. The endless search for Lisa’s sister is still ongoing. Barbara checked the time on the big clock at the Cathedral and it was almost 11 in the evening. She pursed her lips together and pulled her arms closer to her.

“Did you ask them if they know Venti?” Lisa started. The sudden question startled the young female and her eyes gazed to the grassy ground.

“I did.”

“What did they said?”

She opened her mouth to answer but for some reason, no sound came out. She tried to at least let out some words but it was still no use.

Was she scared to answer? No of course she isn’t. The blonde shook her head to erase the thoughts and took a deep breath, gathering her courage to tell her the result.

“They know him.”

The brunette paused in her tracks and glanced her friend over her shoulder. When Barbara looked back at her, her eyes told her as a sign to continue.

“They said he was killed in a war… From what I know, he was seeking freedom. The freedom we currently have here in Mondstadt was thanks to him.”

“I see…”

Lisa continued to stroll down the fields. Walking aimlessly, the blonde bumped herself to the librarian and the Chief Alchemist whose walking started to slow down.

The latter’s lantern flashed to the big tree and when he dragged it down, they finally found who they were looking for.

[Name] rested her back against the coarse bark of the tree. Her eyes were closed and she tilted her head to the other side.

Before Barbara could go after her, she was stopped by a tight hold on her bare arm. “L-let me go!! Please!! [Name]…! We finally found [Name]!!” A single drop of happiness welled up from the corner of her eyes as she tried to pry Albedo’s hold on her but he won’t budge.

When the Electro-vision user dragged the other light from the other side, her breathing had become light and her mouth gaped. The deaconess's struggling had stopped when her eyes trailed over the unfamiliar sight that was in front of them. Their limbs went numb with absolute shock and the hair started to tinge along the back of their neck.

Several fireflies were swarming her body, their light flickering beautifully under the moonlight. Lisa made a dash to where [Name] is and quickly carried her body to her arms.

“[Name], wake up!” The female shook her body, but it only stayed limp, unresponsive to the call of her sister. She called out to her one more time and shook her body even more.

“[Name]!! Wake up!!”

Albedo rushed to her side and pressed his fingers to where her heart is to check her pulse.

“[Name], stay with us!!”

“[Name]! [Name]!!”

Venti slipped his arm on the back of her head and pulled her closer until she felt the tips of his lips brushed against her ear and whispered.

“I was real.”

“W-what do you mean…?”

“What I said is what it means.” He placed his hands back to the ground and lifted his head up to look at the starry sky.

“I… I don’t get it…” The tears had stopped falling but there were still obvious stains marked on her face, her [eye color] eyes red and swollen from crying so much. He wiped her right eye with his thumb and flicking away the liquid.

“You’ll understand later. You better go now, your friends are probably worried you just escaped suddenly.” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips but shortly after that, a yawn escaped from his mouth. He stood up and started walking away from her.

“H-hey wait..! D-don’t go! Don’t leave me alone! Venti, please!!!”

Streams of tears flowed faster than her heartbeat, her eyesight has become blurry; it was difficult for her to see clearly. As more of the droplets fell down to her cheeks, more thoughts whirled through her head. She stretched out her arms at him, desperately reaching out, wanting him to just take her with him.

Venti took one more glance at her over his shoulder and called out her name affectionately. The wind pressed around her body as if it was trying to suffocate her, the wind was getting stronger and stronger; her body trembled so much from its coldness but [Name] still lifted her head up with all her strength she could muster and look at him with her disheveled state.

She didn’t care if she was a mess, she just wanted to look at him.

She wanted to hear him call her name one more time.

She fell down to her knees, as big fat tears of grief welled up her swollen eyes and a choked sob kept escaping from her jittering lips. She was sure she saw a trail of light tears fell from one of his eyes.

Venti gave a bright smile at her, the one she always loved which always brightens up everything, and closed his eyes, finally voicing the thoughts that have been in the back of his mind all evening,

“Let’s meet again, for the first time.”

【ＥＰＩＬＯＧＵＥ】

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴

𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥

𝘛´𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥

𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘣𝘺𝘦´𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥,

− 𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.

[Aegis]

#genshin impact x reader #venti x reader #genshin impact fanfiction #venti #reader insert #xreader #elliwrites #venti genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #oneshot #genshin impact oneshot #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact #genshin impact reader insert #venti angst

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cruzrogue · 3 years ago

Text

Arrow's Horizon

This is a fic that has risen due to a fic idea posted on this A03 site. Oliver becomes a dad to William, is a husband, still gets shipwrecked, leaving behind a wife.

Chapter 1 Home base - Oliver finds out he is a dad. Fears losing Felicity

In this story, Felicity is only 2 years younger than Oliver. The chapters are roughly 4 pages each (using word)

This is a completed story. The next chapter will be published in 3-4 days and the others will be on some set time table.

Chapter 1 Home Base

Felicity finds Oliver exactly where his mother said he’d be. His favorite thinking spot. Located at the outskirts of his family’s estate. Sitting on a tree stump overlooking a stream that is generously full due to the recent rainstorm. She knows he can hear her make her way towards him. He doesn’t skip a beat as he continues pitching rocks upon the body of water as the silence between them endures.

Finding a log nearby. She waits to be acknowledged.

Coming to Starling City for a few days during a weeklong school break. Oliver had her come here to meet his family. Now that they are more than just friends. Their next stop is Las Vegas to officially meet her mom. Everything is moving nicely she thinks. She really, really likes him.

Felicity doesn’t glance at Oliver as he is still throwing the stones into the flowing stream. Keeping her attention on the skips the pebble makes against the water.

Oliver had a visitor yesterday. Since then, he’s made some elaborate excuses to be alone. Giving her forced smiles. Leaving her to go to bed wondering if they were alright. Since walking onto a meeting between Oliver and some girl she has never met before. His whole demeanor is of someone who now has the whole world on his shoulders.

They both are known to need time to process whatever ails them alone. It never boarders on more than a day. Felicity isn’t pushy in that department but being that she is here in Starling. Away from her comfort zone. She feels that Oliver needs to understand that and maybe open up to her sooner rather than later.

Oliver in a low raspy whisper finally speaks, “I’m sorry.”

Felicity now able to see him clearly notices the red eyes. She has never in their time of acquaintance seen him cry. He is usually so upbeat.

“Oliver?” She wants to add something else, but the words don’t flow out fast enough as her boyfriend falls to his knees before her. It isn’t a romantic scene where one would see in a movie. No. This moment is in some ridiculous romantic flick where it looks to be the end for the couple. His name makes it out of her lips before he finally sheds some light on what is tormenting him.

“It was before you and I became a couple. I need you to know that.” She doesn’t know what he is trying to say. The confusion must show on her face as he clarifies, “You know that time I went out with the guys because I finally ended it with Laurel?”

She nods. Felicity was the creator of his moodboard for almost a month of listening to Oliver count the pros and cons of his relationship with his high school sweetheart. So many images, pieces of text hung on a board to help him visualize his desires. Going to college has opened his views on what he wants in life. If truth be told. Meeting Felicity has curbed a good faction of his partying ways.

“I was finally free.”

Not knowing where he is going with all this, “Okay.”

“I messed up.” He swiftly gets up and begins to walk away which has Felicity almost ready to bolt after him. When he stops and walks closer to her. She can breathe slightly easier as it looks that his intent is to pace back and forth as he continues his story.

When he finally gets to the part of his dilemma that has her gasp in shock. He knows he is about to lose the girl that owns his heart. He is scared shitless. Even so, he owes her the truth.

Oliver’s been out here alone thinking of how his life is going to dramatically change. Scared of losing Felicity Smoak to a mistake that he’s been regarding for the last few hours with a heavy heart.

Finding out Samantha Clayton is pregnant with his child. Coming to him knowing she is going to keep his baby. Everything changed in a blink of an eye. He is going to be a father.

Oliver finally stops pacing to face the music. He tells her everything.

In an unsteady breath knowing that whatever answer Oliver has could change everything, “What does this girl require of you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Does she require you to try and playhouse with her? Is it financial?”

“We didn’t discuss anything in detail. Just…”

“That she is pregnant with your baby.” He nods.

“Felicity, I know this shifts how you’ll feel…” Her hand goes up to indicate for him to stop. He still adds, “I am so very sorry.”

She knows he is. In her heart she knows Oliver would never do anything to inflict pain on her. They got to know each other since meeting in a library. His inability to guide himself around a library's catalogue made her have pity on him. Turning her into the friendly guide that opened his world to library books. Nothing like the beginning of a friendship while teaching him how to identify and use a call number to find a specific book.

His sincerity pulls on her heart strings. Like him, she’ll need some alone time.

It doesn’t change the fact of how she feels. She is truly, madly, deeply in love with Oliver Jonas Queen. If bringing her here to meet his parents is any indication. His I adore you, you’re remarkable, and his soft voice that he uses when they’re just being them. He is also over-the-moon with her.

“Oliver.” His reaction is to look away, so she places her hands upon his face. Making sure she can glance into those saddened eyes, “I’ll need to figure my place in all this. That is if you’ll still want me in your life.”

He is up from his kneeling position, “Of course, I want you. I just don’t deserve you.”

Jumping to her feet. She isn’t letting him go.

“Hogwash!” For a brief second. There is a levity in his eyes, “Forget I just said that. You know what I mean. I am not walking away from you. Not saying all this won’t be tough.”

“Its nothing like the Cooper situation. A baby is a lifelong commitment.”

“Well, if you weren’t there to pull me back. I could have been a lifelong inmate in Guantanamo Bay or some fancy cyber jail.”

He cracks a smile, “I don’t think they send blondes there.”

“I’m actually…” He can’t help but sweep her off her feet. Their lips connecting. Felicity being in his arms brings optimism that wasn’t there when he came out here to agonize over some life choices. She brings balance and with her here. He can hope.

He almost blurs out how much he loves her. Glad to have caught himself from that blunder. Saying it now could confuse Felicity. She might think it’s not sincere. When he says it. It’s got to be at the right time where the woman he loves understands his words are true.

Felicity eyeing the small gathering of pebbles Oliver piled up beside the tree stump.

“Why don’t you go back home. Your parents are worried.”

“I don’t know what to tell them.”

With a hand on his arm, she tells him to be honest. Nodding to Felicity’s words a small moment of silence stretches between them.

“Okay then. I’m going to sit here for a while. Deplete a portion of your mighty impressive pile of rocks.”

“Wish me luck.”

Giving Oliver a quick hug they depart. Oliver heads back to his family’s home as Felicity takes a seat to contemplate the new norm of what their world will entail.

#Arrow horizon #olicity #oliver queen #felicity smoak

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sunmoonandeddie · 4 years ago

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pandemic overload

pairing: bucky barnes x reader

word count: 2,136

summary: You need an escape from everything, and Bucky is more than happy to give it to you.

warnings: SO MUCH FLUFF. Bad words. Bucky does think a naughty thing or two lol

a/n: Thank you so much to @marylizabetha for this commission!!!! I had so much fun with it, and honestly it was nice to get to write about escaping all of this nonsense for a little bit!!!!

He saw it when he came home from grocery shopping. The quiver of your bottom lip. He’d only been gone for about two hours—shopping for groceries for a super soldier can take a while, after all—but even so, it had made you anxious. Everything about the last seven months or so made you anxious. And he couldn’t blame you. People were dying and it was just… frustrating how so many people didn’t seem to care. At all.

Bucky had been the only one to leave the town house you two shared in that entire time, unless you counted the times you’d sit out on the front stoop and work on a Sudoku puzzle. But that was a decision you had made very early on. He was a super soldier that couldn’t get sick. You were just a normal human.

It didn’t mean that you weren’t scared for him every time he walked outside.

Thankfully, it hadn’t taken much to convince you to stay home, even though you had to quit your job. It wasn’t exactly the most… important thing in the world. It wasn’t even in your field of interest. Just a pit stop until you could put your degree to use.

But it looked like that wouldn’t be happening for a little while longer.

Technically, with how much money Bucky made from being a non-active Avenger on top of back pay from being a prisoner of war for seventy years or so and also being on an elite strike force during World War II, you would never have to work a day in your life if you didn’t want. And, to be perfectly honest, a big part of you was seriously considering it. It was nice to be able to sit around and do whatever you wanted to do. You and Bucky helped each other with all the chores and such, but then you had an otherwise empty day to fill. You’d taken up knitting and learning to play piano and yes, you did join in on that trend of people learning how to make sourdough bread from scratch. You two had also gotten to up the amount of time you spent trying to make a positive change in the world, and you’d taken Bucky to his first twenty-first century protest. Not a single cop had dared to fuck with you or anyone else with the former Winter Soldier by your side.

The perks of having a super intimidating boyfriend, right?

It would be completely perfect if it wasn’t for the fact that you had to stay because otherwise you might get sick.

But you were actually considering choosing to just… continue not working once all of it was over. You and Bucky could do anything you wanted to do. You could travel the world, maybe eventually adopt a few kids… The possibilities were endless, especially since your boyfriend had surprised you by paying off all your student loans in one fell swoop.

Yeah, that… that had brought on more than a few tears.

Bucky couldn’t help but smile over at you as he put away the groceries, calling out everything to you. You were sitting up on the counter, pretty as a picture, with your legs swinging back and forth as you put in everything he’d bought to that fancy app on your phone that took everything you had in your fridge and gave you a list of recipes you could make from it.

Last week the two of you had gotten your favorite recipe so far, grilled mahi mahi tacos with a sweet pineapple salsa that served a bit of a kick at the end.

Fish so nice, they named it twice.

Bucky’s pandemic hobby had become cooking. A lot of the time, you two just ordered food in, which was a horrible habit. But you couldn’t help it. You both were so busy and neither of you really had the energy or patience to cook most of the time.

But spending everyday at home meant that Bucky finally had time to learn how to do something other than boil food, and he was actually pretty good at it.

“Baby doll, let’s go on a date.”

You looked up from your phone in surprise. “A… A date? Bucky Bear… I hate to break it to you, but… We can’t exactly go anywhere,” you said with a weak laugh. As good as it was to be able to sit at home and work on your hobbies, you were often overwhelmed with the thoughts about how so many people were suffering because of how selfish others were.

He put the last bell pepper away in the fridge before moving to stand between your legs, his hands running over your thighs. “Now that’s not true, sweetheart,” he said as he pressed sweet kisses along your jawline. “I wanna take you somewhere special, okay? We haven’t gotten to dress up in a long time… So how about you get your cute ass in the shower and get yourself all dolled up, yeah? I wanna treat my girl.”

Ugh. He always knew exactly what to say to make you melt.

“Okay,” you giggled, nuzzling your nose against his. But you took your own sweet time getting off the counter, choosing instead to wrap your legs around him and pull him in for an impromptu makeout session.

What can you say? Your man was hot as fuck and a good ass kisser.

“I love you,” he mumbled, his hands roaming down your sides to your ass. He gave a playful squeeze before slowly breaking the kiss, letting it linger far longer than what would be considered necessary. “But you have to go shower and get ready, baby girl. I gotta jump in one, too. I wanna be nice and fresh for my girl. Now go on.”

A purse of your lower lip. “You don’t wanna join me?”

“Now, that’s not what I said, you little minx,” he said, tickling your sides and sending you into a fit of giggles. “But if I get in with you, we aren’t gonna make it out for a long, long time. And then you won’t get your surprise.”

“Fine, fine,” you groaned, pushing against his chest so you could slide off the counter. “Bossy.” You shot him a wink as you headed upstairs, and he can’t help but stare at your ass.

God bless the quarantine weight you’d gained.

Granted, he always loved your body—if you like the girl, you’re gonna like her body, after all—but he was still a hot-blooded man with a thing for grabbing you and loving every inch of you.

He quickly put together a basket of food, various meats and cheeses and little things like olives, and set a blanket on top of it before running upstairs to grab a shower in the guest bath. He knew the perfect place to take you to escape the city and the suffocating threat of the pandemic.

“You gonna tell me where we’re going or not, Sarge?” You asked as you appeared in the doorway.

He looked up from where he sat at the kitchen island, and the breath was knocked straight from his lungs. Thank god he’d already stowed the basket and blanket away in the trunk, because he would’ve completely forgotten at the sight of you. “Holy shit, sugar…,” he whispered as he got up. He moved towards you, strong hands grabbing your hips and pulling you into a kiss. He knew he had to be careful about grabbing your face, not wanting to mess up the makeup you’d just put on for the first time in months. But you’d also learned not to wear a lip product that would smear on your first date, so you both had rules about makeup now.

The fabric of your yellow sundress rested against your skin so gently, and he would be ashamed to admit that for just a second, he was jealous of a piece of clothing. He wanted to be that close to you always, wanted to feel your skin and draw little shapes over your heart.

Maybe he’d strip it off of you the second he got you to the spot, just so he could rest his head in the valley of your breasts and listen to the steady beating of your heart. You knew that he could hear it even just standing beside you, but you wouldn’t call him out on it.

TLC played on the radio the entire drive, his hand on your thigh except for when he needed to shift gears. Out of all the decades of music you were working to catch him up on, the nineties were your favorite.

Not that he’d ever disagree. No. Not when he got to watch you with one arm out the window, your hand making waves in the wind as you sang at the top of your lungs.

Just being out of the house for less than an hour was doing you so much good.

“Bucky, you aren’t going to kill me, right?” You asked with a laugh as he parked the car in a small lot at the entrance of a trail. “Because I really figured you would’ve done that by now, you know.”

“Nah, baby,” he said as he popped the trunk, smirking at the surprised look on your face at the sight of the basket. The trunk closed with a slam as he tossed you the blanket, moving to your side and holding your free hand in his before leading you down the trail. “If I wanted to murder you, I’d have done it by now. Besides, you’re too pretty to kill. I’d miss looking at you everyday.”

“You’re an absolute cheese ball,” you laughed, nudging his hip with yours. Not that it actually did anything.

Ah, the disadvantages you had when it came to play fighting with your super soldier boyfriend. Poor you.

The trail was absolutely stunning, full of wildlife and color. The shade the trees provided was a nice reprieve to the mid-August heat, the sunlight filtering through the leaves to dapple against your cheeks.

It was about a fifteen minute walk to the Wallkill River, and you heard the rush of the water long before you get there.

“We aren’t going swimming right?” You asked, eyeing him skeptically. “Because I just washed my hair.”

“No,” he said, amusement lacing his tone. “We’re not swimming. Just having a late lunch.” He sets down the basket and takes the blanket from you, laying it out on the small clearing on the bank. He took his time setting up the charcuterie board, the bottle of wine, and the two pillows that he stuffed in the basket for you two to rest against. “There. Now it’s perfect,” he said as he held his hand out to you to help you sit down on the blanket. “Worthy of my princess.”

A familiar roll of your eyes as he pressed sweet kisses to your cheeks, just like he did anytime he doted on you. He only ever called you princess when he got all lovey dovey like this.

Not that you’d ever complain.

“So what’s all this for?” You asked. Unable to stop your fit of giggles, you teetered to the side as the force of his cheek kisses grew and he made more and more obnoxious noises with it, his metal hand hooked around your waist. “Bucky Bear…”

“Okay, okay,” he relented, leaving one last, noisy kiss to your cheek before sitting up straight. He didn’t answer you right away, choosing instead to grab the wine and pop it open, pouring you each a glass. He was always the designated driver, since alcohol didn’t affect him. He was silent until you had your glass in hand, and he raised his in a toast. “I want to celebrate us, and more specifically, you. The past seven or so months haven’t been easy, but you’ve been a champ through it all. And also, I think we’ve done pretty damn well on living together and being around each other almost 24/7, considering that we only moved in together in November,” he said. His startling blue eyes were so soft as he stared at you. “I just love you so much, and I truly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Oh, my god,” you said, your eyes glassy as you shook your head. “Bucky, you can’t say things like that when I just did my makeup! You’re going to make me cry!” But you didn’t mind the tears as you leaned in and pressed your lips to his, your glasses clinking together. “I love you, too. And there’s no one else I’d rather go through this with.”

“Together,” he said, his nose nudging against yours.

“Together,” you agreed.

#bucky x you #bucky x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n

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eddiefnmunson · 2 years ago

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Hearing you nerd out about music is cute af. So do you listen to modern music then? Or just stuff from your time growing up…before you stopped aging and shit. I’m big into rush if I had to pick something from the 80s.

Maaaaaaan… that shit is the lifeblood. Music. Is. Everything.

I get a bit… feisty… about music.

But I’m sure everyone that knows of me knows that.

A misconception is that metal heads are sole genre lovers. Nope. Not true. Well, there are a few who don’t have the musical intelligence and get caught up in the ideology of sex, drugs and rock n roll, but it’s the music first and foremost for me.

I listen to a range, and yes, I do have some more current day your time favourites. I tend to have some heated opinions though. Some people don’t like going down that path of discussion with me because I pull out the big technical guns.

I have spent a lot of my younger life alone. I always had music, my guitar and DnD to focus on and study. If school had some kind of curriculum about this stuff I’d have graduated ahead of my year.

That place never got that about me. I’m not fucking dumb. I’m just not interested.

Rush is tops for sure. Have to say my fave albums are Moving Pictures, Fly by Night, 2112. Lee is one of my fave bass players. Peart was a lyrical genius (I heard he passed away - gutted), and Lifeson has such depth of time and sound. I was always blown away at the fact they are a three piece. Mindblowing.

I love the works of a set of guys I’ve heard of called Liquid Tension Experiment. I got into Dream Theatre for a bit and that led me to LTE. What a freakin line up of masters. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I get out of listening to their stuff from start to end on a blunt.

Metal-wise I like the older stuff. It just had a purity. It split off into so many shards. Having said that, I went through a journey of discovery with a doom metal act called Type O Negative. I loved the storytelling, the atmosphere they created and it was hot as hell the whole vampiric, lycanthropic druids and ancient middle earthean pagan shit. That is where this little heart beats strong. *pounds chest*

I can appreciate the drive of bands like Lamb of God, Trivium, Rammstein, Mayhem etc but if it paints with colours it gets more from me like this band from Texas… goes by the name Scale the Summit. Wow. Check it.

#eddie munson #eddie munson roleplay #Eddie’s music rants #here we go again #get educated

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babygirlwolverine · 4 years ago

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Tinsel and Tourists - Chapter Ten

Word Count: 1,811 (another long chapter, I’m sorry)

Dean’s POV

Link to ao3 / Link to masterpost

“For God’s sake, Dean. Snap out of it, lover boy. We’ve got a real case here that’s far more complicated than a salt-n-burn. Could you quit staring at your phone with heart-eyes for five freaking seconds so we can actually do our jobs,” Sam said, crossing his arms and snapping his computer open with a poignant look thrown Dean’s way.

“You’re the one who set me up with him in the first place,” Dean shot back. “You’ve been deliberately pushing us together, and just when I’m about to kiss him, you had to interrupt.”

“Dead body showed up and we needed to check it out. Pretty damn important if you ask me,” Sam said.

“You couldn’t have waited one extra minute? You clearly saw I was milliseconds away from finally kissing him-”

Sam loudly slammed a book down onto the table, effectively cutting Dean off. “Five times, Dean. Five times tonight so far you’ve given me crap for interrupting. I’m sick of hearing about it. Go out there and find Cas and kiss him right now or shut the hell up and get to work, unless you want whatever this is to take Cas and kill him, too.”

Damn. That was a sobering thought. If any monster even so much as looked at Cas, Dean swore he was going to lose it. He couldn’t stop his mind from screaming mine; a protective streak burning inside his gut and wrapping up into his chest.

Placing his phone back down on the table, Dean opened his own laptop and sighed. “How do we even begin to start narrowing down what this thing is? Is there any connection between Callie and Oliver?”

Sam pushed both of the files across the table towards Dean. “Other than the fact they were roughly around the same age, 28 and 29, that’s all I’ve got. Callie worked at the local theater. Oliver was a second grade teacher. They live in different neighborhoods and run in completely different social circles. Oliver is well known in town and is one of the most popular teachers at the elementary school. Callie was quieter. Both of them have helped out with work around the town in different ways- Oliver volunteers at the local animal shelter and Callie helped out at the elderly home. As far as I can tell, both of them are pictures of model citizens, just in different ways.”

Flipping open the files, Dean scanned the contents as he listened to Sam rattle off the big details. “So either they’re both hiding something and that’s why they were targeted, or they both really were squeaky clean and that’s why they were taken.”

“This whole town is filled with good people, Dean. That doesn’t exactly narrow it down for who could potentially be taken next. And we can’t exactly protect an entire town,” Sam said. “Something about it still feels sacrificial.”

Dean sighed, dropping his head down to the table before muttering, “We’ve talked about this, though. No signs of a God in town. No happy success stories or flourishing town.”

They lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and all Dean could hear was the clacking of Sam’s keys as he typed. He let his eyes close, mind wandering back to Cas and their date tomorrow night. God, he was so freaking whipped it was unbelievable. How was he even supposed to tell Cas he’d never been ice skating in his entire life? He was going to look like a complete idiot falling on his ass on the ice tomorrow. And yet, despite the impending humiliation, Dean’s heart was hammering against his chest just at the mere thought of seeing Cas again.

He replayed the almost-kiss over again for probably the hundredth time that night, and he felt himself flush. Cas’ lips… God, even just the briefest brush had been enough to have Dean breathless. He’d been half tempted to walk out of the motel and find Cas when Sam suggested it, merely because he could barely get his brain to focus on anything except kissing Cas and how damn good those chapped lips would feel sliding against his own.

When his phone buzzed on the table, breaking his wandering thoughts, Dean all but hurled himself to pick it up, hoping it was another text from Cas. When he saw Bobby’s name, he scoffed and dropped the phone back down again; trying desperately to tamper down the disappointment that it wasn’t Cas.

“You’re like a lovesick teenager,” Sam muttered from the other side of the table.

“Shut up, no I’m not,” Dean snapped back instantly.

“Sure you’re not. That wasn’t a predictable reaction to thinking your crush has texted you only to find out it wasn’t him,” Sam said, raising an eyebrow.

“Go screw yourself. I don’t have a crush. I’m not twelve.”

Sam chuckled, rolling his eyes. “You’re so transparent you might as well be translucent, Dean.”

Pushing his chair back, Dean stood up. “I’m done having this conversation.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get a beer from the fridge because I’m way too sober to be dealing with your crap right now,” Dean muttered, storming off to the small fridge in the room.

Just as Dean got the cap off the beer, a thought flittered into his head. “You keep saying it feels sacrificial, right?”

Sam looked up from his laptop as Dean approached, taking the beer that Dean held out to him as a peace offering. “Yeah, but as you keep pointing out, there’s no signs of a God.”

“Right, but what if the sacrifices aren’t being done by a God, but being done to appease a God? Something that was protecting and serving the Gods. Almost a middle man between the Gods and the people.”

Sam thought about it for a second before nodding. “We are days away from the winter solstice. And all the patterning shows the sacrifices leading right up to that time frame. And you said it when we left the scene, the way her body was cut up, it was precise; extremely ritualistic.”

“No blood left in her, either. And no obvious signs of vamps draining people around here. A blood offering?”

Sam hummed, before he started typing with renewed interest. “You might be onto something. I’ve got a couple theories. Why don’t you put a call out to Bobby to see if he knows anything, and I’ll hit the lore.”

“Got it,” Dean said, grabbing his phone and taking his beer with him as he stepped outside to call Bobby. After explaining everything that was happening with the case and the details they’d picked up so far, Bobby promised he’d do some research of his own and call if he found anything useful.

By the time he’d finished his call with Bobby, Dean had finished his beer and he was pleasantly warm inside despite the cold wind.

In the morning, he’d blame it on the alcohol, which was a weak excuse when he’d only had the one beer. And yet, after he hung up with Bobby, his finger moved to hover over Cas’ contact. And before he could talk himself out of it, he pressed call.

The second the dialing tone rang in his ear, Dean panicked and went to hang up, but Cas answered on the second ring.

“Dean?”

Dean’s heart instantly kicked up in his chest, and he felt the air in his lungs stutter at just hearing Cas’ voice through the phone.

“Hey Cas,” Dean said.

“Did something happen? Is there- has there been another death?”

Dean shook his head, kicking a small bank of snow as he began to walk around the motel. “No. No, I just- I uh, I missed you.”

Shit. As soon as the words came out, Dean winced. What was wrong with him? He really was a lovesick teenager. One date and a botched first kiss and Dean was so smitten he could barely go five seconds without thinking about Cas. Just hearing Cas’ voice made Dean yearn, and the words had slipped out without his control. And yet, he meant them. Even the case was barely keeping his attention right now. He’d already began an internal countdown to their date tomorrow night, which was pathetic and desperate and yet he couldn’t stop himself.

“I’ve kept my phone with me all night since you texted me,” Cas said quietly, before he laughed softly.

Oh God. Was Cas waiting by the phone for him? Jesus. Why was that so cute that it made Dean’s chest ache?

“My witty humor just so good that you were waiting for more?” Dean said, automatically switching to teasing.

“Something like that,” Cas replied, and Dean could almost feel his smile through the phone.

“I um- I have absolutely no idea how to ice skate, by the way,” Dean admitted, reaching up to snap an icicle off the roof just to keep his hands busy.

“You’ve never ice skated before?” Cas asked, shock bouncing down the phone.

“Nope, never.”

“I’ll teach you,” Cas said earnestly.

“Only if you promise not to let me fall on my ass,” Dean said with a laugh.

“I promise I won’t take my hands off of you,” Cas replied instantly, before the weight of his words seemed to settle in the air. Dean swallowed thickly, his stomach twisting on itself at the thought of Cas’ hands lingering on him.

“And what if I can’t keep my hands to myself?” Dean said, words raw and yet filled with an emotion he couldn’t quite name.

“Is that a promise, Dean?” Cas asked, voice slipping an octave lower; sending a thrill down Dean’s spine.

“God, yes,” Dean found himself saying, words ripped from his throat as he was overcome with the urge to grab Cas right now and kiss him. “Swear to God, if you don’t bring mistletoe-”

Cas laughed and the sound made Dean’s chest feel tight. “As long as you don’t leave me standing underneath it alone again.”

“Not a chance in hell,” Dean said. Just as he was about to say something else, his phone buzzed in his hand and a text from Sam flickered across the screen. Time to get back to work. “Listen, Cas, I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“7 o’clock, Dean. Don’t you dare be late,” Cas said.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Dean replied, before handing up; heart racing from the call and his hands sweaty just from flirting with Cas again.

As he made his way back to the room, his eyes flickered to an oak tree near the motel; a clump of mistletoe hanging from one of the branches. Reaching up, Dean snagged a few pieces, smiling to himself as he slipped them into his pocket. Just a little bit of extra insurance to make sure he got that kiss with Cas tomorrow.

#destiel #dean winchester #castiel #christmas #long post

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365days365movies · 4 years ago

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February 18, 2021: The Danish Girl (Review)

Before I go into ANYTHING else...let’s talk about the actual Danish Girl, Lili Elbe, or Lili Ilse Elvenes.

Oh, uh, full warning, this is gonna be LONG, so skip to the bottom if you’re just here for the Review! OK, history time!

Now, what the film The Danish Girl notes about the beginning of the transition is pretty spot-on, from what I can tell. After marrying portrait painter Gerda Gottlieb in 1904, the two lived in Italy and France before moving to Paris in 1912. Yeah, that’s over 14 years before they’re shown doing so in the movie. Inaccuracy #1. In 1908 (here comes number 2), Elbe (Einar at the time) painted this portrait of trees along a fjord in Denmark.

Yeah, NOT in 1926, as the film says. But, yeah, that’s a nitpick, I recognize that. Anyway, the revelation came when model Anna Larssen (not “Ulla”, which is Inaccuracy #3) was late, and Gerda asked Elbe to fill in. When Larssen eventually showed up, she suggested the name “Lili”. Basically, this scene from the movie was pretty goddamn accurate.

Except for the dates, anyway. Because while the movie mostly takes place around 1926 and afterwards, this probably happened closer to 1920, in Paris. So, yeah, Lili spent a LOT more time as Lili in real life. Additionally, Lili was pretty goddamn public about the whole thing, inviting guests and hosting parties as herself, rather than as Einar. At the same time, Gerda was getting pretty goddamn famous for her paintings of Lili, like this one.

Which, yeah, are really good! Also, they were considered lesbian erotica by many! YEAH! And here’s a fun fact: Gerda may not have been straight-up straight. Yeah, the film and the book (we’ll get there) kind of ignored the fact that their marriage was annulled by the Danish government, not by the two of them. Inaccuracy #4. Now, obviously, their relationship ended, and Lili ended up getting together with a man (we’ll get there, too), but there are a LOT of unanswered questions about Gerda’s sexuality, and views of sexuality (which is barely hinted at in the “male gaze” speech in the beginning).

After the annulment, the two just...drifted apart. Their relationship dissolved, and the details on that are fuzzy. By 1930, Lili was headed on a completely different path. She wasn’t a painter like Einar (and it turns out that she thought of them as two entirely separate people, like two souls living in the same body, which the movie got mostly right), and she was mostly unsatisfied with her career, life, and other things. And that is where Drs. Erwin Gohrbandt and Magnus Hirschfeld come in, NOT Kurt Warnerkros...yet. He’d come in for the other five (YES FIVE) surgeries, but wouldn’t be involved with the first. Inaccuracy #5, and also #6, while we’re at it! See, the film would make you think that Lili was the first complete gender reassignment surgery, but she was actually the second. The first would be Dora Richter, in a procedure that was performed by Dr. Hirschfeld from 1922 - 1931. YEAH. BIG-ASS INACCURACY THERE. Here’s Dora, by the way:

Anyway, Lili had her first procedure, to remove the testicles, performed in 1930. In the same year, the divorce between Lili and Gerda was finalized, and Lili legally changed her name. Two more procedures were performed, the first to implant an ovary, and the second to remove the penis and scrotum. Inaccuracy #7, by the way. And, hey, let’s go for number 8! Let’s talk about Henrik, a dude who didn’t exist. He and Hans were both very loosely based on an art dealer named Claude Lejeune.

Claude was an art dealer (there’s the Hans part), and was indeed in love with Lili. They got together around early 1931, and he’d actually been in love with her for a good, long time. He proposed to marry Lili, and she accepted, also hoping that the two would be able to have children together. But to do that, it was believed that Lili would need a uterus. And, obviously, having children would be MILES more complicated than that in basically EVERY way, but this was early in medical science’s understanding of some of that biology.

In any case, however, Lili would need both a uterus and a vagina to feel whole. And so, the fourth surgery was scheduled. And she had that surgery in 1931, a couple of weeks after Dora Richter successfully had the same surgery performed. But, sadly, Lili wouldn’t be so lucky.

Lili’s body rejected the uterus, and while transplant rejections of any kind wouldn’t necessarily be fatal now, they definitely were back then. They attempted to remove it, but that subsequent 5th surgery caused infection, which caused a fatal heart attack three months later. Lili Elbe died on September 13, 1931, at the age of FORTY-EIGHT. Yeah, Inaccuracy #9.

By the way, you may be wondering: what about Dora Richter, the first successful person to get these surgeries? Well, she disappeared...in Germany...as the Nazis were coming into power...yeah. Fuckin’ YIKES.

And so, that’s the true story of Lili Elbe. And there are far more differences than that, I’m sure, but those 9 inaccuracies aren’t insignificant, that’s for sure. Although, it probably doesn’t help that the movie was based on a fictionalized book.

Oh, uh...did I not mention that? Yeah, this movie is based on The Danish Girl, by David Ebershoff, which means that this film is essentially a cinematic game of telephone. Which, uh...not great. Granted, Ebershoof made some other...interesting changes, which the film didn’t inherit. In the book, for example, Gerda is named Greta, and is American? Um...why? I dunno, it’s kind of weird. Oh, and that’s not including one more issue with the movie. But, you’ve waited long enough, huh? Recap of the film is here and here if you wanna check that out! Let’s get to the Review already!

Review

Cast and Acting: 8/10

I am...conflicted. So let me start here by saying that the acting in the film in and of itself is fantastic, all-around. Not a weak actor in here, that’s for sure. Let’s start with the side-roles, for once. Ben Whishaw, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Amber Heard are all good. Heard’s accent is a little shaky, but they’re still all solid performances. OK, how about Alicia Vikander? She’s great! And she won the Oscar for...Best Supporting Actress. Um...wait...Supporting? But not Best Actress? Uh...OK. That’s a little weird, let’s be honest here. But, Alicia Vikander did deserve that win over...oooooooh, Rooney Mara in Carol? Maybe not...damn.

And OK...let’s get into the elephant in the room, huh?

Eddie Redmayne is fantastic as Einar Wegener/Lili Eber, and I genuinely think he had a great shot to win Best Actor...but, yeah, Leonardo DiCaprio definitely deserved it, I think that goes without saying. Hell, that year had a SOLID line-up for best actor. And Redmayne had even won it the year before for The THeory of Everything, another biography where he played Stephen Hawking. But ALL of that said...HNNNNNNNNNG, there should have been a transgender actor cast in this role, ideally. Now, I’m fully aware how difficult that would be, as Hollywood isn’t extraordinarily diverse in terms of including trans actors in massive mainstream projects. It’s better now, but it’s nowhere near ideal. But if anybody knows an actor who would’ve fit this role and performed it well, I’m DEFINITELY interested. So, despite that controversy, Redmayne was pretty goddamn great in this role. But, uh...that doesn’t mean everything is perfect...

Plot and Writing: 5/10

OK, that seems low, I know. But it’s pretty goddamn damning that this movie was based off of a heavily fictionalized book instead of the actual life story of Lili Eber and Gerda Gottlieb. And because of that, there are not only some missed opportunities, but some straight-up damning inaccuracies. That’s a set of pretty poor decisions, I tell you what. Not sure why Lucinda Coxon came to that decision when adapting this screenplay, but it wasn’t exactly nominated for Best Screenplay. And the writing certainly isn’t bad, but it is...overly saccharine sometimes, especially for a film based (loosely) on a true story. I dunno...just not the best set of choices here, sorry to say.

Directing and Cinematography: 8/10

Tom Hooper shouldn’t direct musicals. However, since this wasn’t a musical, directing and cinematography here is pretty damn good! Real talk, this is a gorgeous looking movie, and the way shots are framed are fantastic. Perfect? Weeeeeeeell...given the fact that painting is a main focus of the film, for both Gerda and Einar, there should’ve been more painter-quality shots in here, I think. And while the cinematography by Danny Cohen is pretty fantastic, I can’t say that it’s perfect. Still, in terms of lighting and general skill, it’s still quite a good looking movie.

Production and Art Design: 10/10

But the deficiencies in the direction are EASILY compensated for by the production design! Like, hot DAMN, this is a good looking movie, like I said! That goes from the construction of the sets, to the gorgeous outfits all over the place, especially Lili’s outfits. Some iconic pieces of wardrobe there, that’s for sure! But if I have ONE complaint...this movie never once felt like the 1920s. Yup, good old anachronistic complaints from me again! Yeah, I’ll change the record one of these days, I promise. But even with that, it’s hard to ignore just how good this movie looks, to be honest. It’s just...gorgeous.

Music and Editing: 8/10

As I type this, I’m listening to a track of the film on YouTube, and it is a beautifully delicate tune. I’m not sure that I’d be able to associate it with the film if presented to me on its own, but it’s definitely a nice track to listen to by itself. Playlist worthy? For somebody, almost certainly, but not for me. One of these days, a film like that’s gonna pop up, I swear. But for now, Alexandre Desplat and his score are gonna stay off my iPhone. This really is a nice score, though, I promise. Editing by Melanie Ann Oliver is pretty good as well, and I’ve no complaints about it, to be honest. Overall, this side of things was quite nice, if not the most notable thing I’ve ever seen or heard.

I might have been a little harsh, but it’s still got an 78%.

This is a good movie, but...I dunno, the inaccuracies do bug me. Hell, there are WAY more than what I’d mentioned, and I mentioned a lot. Not to mention the other glaring issue: no trans people at any stage of the production? Really? No script consultants, no writers, no NTOHING? That’s...egregiously bad. Like, holy shit, guys. And, yes, this includes Redmayne, because even though he performed admirably in the role...I dunno. I’m no expert on ANY of this, as a cissexual dude with cissexual experience, but it feels a little...reductive, is all. Like I said, if any other actors have been suggested for this role, I’d love to know. The whole thing feels...I don’t know, just not great.

And by the way, that’s without even TOUCHING the question as to whether or not this film is authentic to the trans experience. Again, I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA, but I’ve also heard that this film isn’t universally acclaimed in the trans community, so to speak. And I’m definitely interested in the reasons for that. All I know is this: from the perspective of a complete outsider, I was intrigued by this films view of the transgender experience, specifically as seen in the earliest days of those realizations happening and being publicly known and reported on. And that’s all I can really comment on, in truth.

WHOOF. That was a goddamn topic, huh? And now, I’m going to continue on the the month of romance with...wait, the 19th is my 5-year anniversary with my GF, pictured here:

Ravishing. Anyway, I think I’ll let her pick from my choices for this next one. Hold on a sec...OK, then. Sing it with me now! AND DO I DREEEEEAM AGAAAAIN, FOR NOW I FIIIIIIIIIIIIIND...

February 19, 2021: The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

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