#weaving tale of love 2

[storge]

😅😅😅😅

Weaving Tale of Love 2.32

[dangermousie]

I decided I was going to check out Weaving a Tale of Love 2 despite not being enthused by the first season and, as if to thwart me, no subs are to be had anywhere.

Clearly the universe knows best.

I am going to weave myself out of this I guess.

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Weaving a Tale of Love (Season 2) (2023)

Gifs of Intro of cdrama "Weaving a Tale of Love (Season 2)"

【ENG SUB】 风起西州重磅开播！娜扎许魏洲执手前行共赴坦途！ 《风起西州 Weaving a Tale of Love II》 EP1 | 主演：娜扎、许魏洲 【China Zone 剧乐部】

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxGATzS-ygA

[pigfacedbitch]

Second to None

summary : you may be Percy's girlfriend, but not his first choice.

word count : 0.9k

type : imagines

pairing/s : Percy Jackson x Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson x Daughter of Hades! Reader.

warning/s: angst lol, and a little cliche. never settle for fucking less, guys.

here's my masterlist! along with Part 2.

Note : I'm not against Percabeth, just so you know. Or Annabeth, I think she's a badass. I just thought of this and I was like "Damn, did I just hurt myself?" Blue aesthetic since the color represents sadness.

You knew what you were signing up for when Percy Jackson asked you out.

You fell in love with him despite knowing the risks.

The constant danger, the relentless quests, the whispered rumors, the pointed stares whenever you were together— none of it was enough to scare you away. He was the great hero of Olympus, the son of Poseidon who had saved the world twice and continued to do so. Of course, people talked.

And you could handle all of it.

All of it— except one thing.

Annabeth Chase.

You were new to Camp Half-Blood, but not naïve.

You knew, the moment you agreed to be his, that you were stepping into a love story written long before you came along. You weren’t a new chapter. You were just a footnote, scribbled in the margins, fighting for space in a tale that was never yours to begin with.

Even your own brother, Nico di Angelo, had warned you. Everyone did.

They had seen Percy and Annabeth’s story unfold— the rivals turned partners, the friends turned lovers, the two who walked through literal hell together and survived. The kind of love even the gods envied.

"It will only end in heartbreak."

But you ignored them all. Because when Percy pulled you into a fierce kiss after winning a game, when he whispered sweet nothings as you lay beside him, when he held you like you were the most precious thing in the world— it was easy to pretend.

Pretend you didn’t notice the silver owl pendant he kept hidden under his shirt.

Pretend you didn’t see the way his sea-green eyes softened at the mere mention of her name.

Pretend you didn’t feel the hesitation in his touch whenever she was near, or the way he always seemed to be waiting— for something, or someone.

Forget that you were never meant to be his forever. That you were just the one keeping his heart warm until she wanted it back.

And yet, you knew Percy loved you. Maybe not in the way he loves her, maybe not in the way you deserve, but in the only way he knew how.

You never doubted your own worth before. You were the daughter of Hades, powerful in your own right, admired, desired. But with Percy, doubt bloomed inside you like a slow-growing poison.

And you loathed it.

Loving Percy Jackson is your greatest blessing. And your greatest curse.

Annabeth never tried to take him back— not outright.

She didn’t need to.

She moved like the strategist she was— calculated, deliberate, patient. Weaving herself into his life in ways you couldn’t contest.

Inside jokes only they understood.

Touches that lingered just a second too long.

Shared memories and unfinished dreams that whispered, This isn’t over.

She never crossed a line.

She never had to.

Because she was Annabeth Chase. His first love. His best friend. The one who had built a world with him long before you ever arrived.

You were the outsider.

Because Annabeth never really lost Percy.

She had simply let go.

And Percy? He had never truly moved on.

So, you waited for the inevitable. Like an inmate on death row, counting down the days.

Maybe you were still hoping. Hoping he’d look at you and finally see you, not her shadow. Hoping he’d realize that you were the one here, standing beside him, loving him— not better, but differently.

Or maybe you were just a fool who enjoyed her own suffering.

Or an addict who couldn’t let go of her drug, even as it destroyed her.

Then one night, walking through the woods, finding solace in the quiet and darkness, you heard them.

Percy and Annabeth. Sitting on a log beneath the stars, wrapped in the weight of a history you could never rewrite.

"Do you ever think of what could’ve been?" She whispered.

Your breath caught in your throat.

"All the time." Percy admitted, after a long silence. "Annabeth, you know I’ll always—"

She moved closer. Too close. Her fingers brushed against his wrist, and you felt the chill of inevitability run down your spine.

"If I asked for a second chance..." She breathed. "Would you give it?"

You braced for the pain of hearing him say yes, for the final dagger to be driven into your heart.

But he hesitated.

Perseus Jackson, who never think twice in the face of death, hesitated.

But Annabeth didn’t.

Before he could answer, she leaned in, claiming a kiss that had always been hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck like they belonged there.

"Choose me, Percy." She whispered against his lips. "You know it’s always been me. Be with me again."

You turned away before he could kiss her back.

You didn’t need to hear his answer.

You already knew it.

Shadow-traveling to your cabin, you threw a few things into a bag. Nico wasn’t there— probably off with Will— and you were grateful. You weren’t in the mood for questions.

You couldn’t stay long enough for Percy to look at you with guilt-ridden eyes and tell you what you already know.

So you left a note on his nightstand.

"I wish you and Annabeth the best. Don’t let her go this time."

Some might call you a coward for walking away.

But you didn’t care.

Percy had made his choice.

And now, you had made yours.

[convenientalias]

Why Nirvana in Fire Wins at Revenge Story with Identity Porn

Nirvana in Fire was my first ever cdrama that was a revenge story with identity porn. Since then, I've seen many other dramas along similar lines. A League of Nobleman. Blood of Youth. City of Streamer. Fighting for Love. Legend of Anle. Long Ballad. Princess Weiyoung. Rise of Phoenixes. Sword Dynasty. Weaving a Tale of Love. Word of Honor. Some of them are quite good but none of them really hit the same way. So, apart from the fact that it was the first one I ever watched, I thought I'd made a brief list of reasons why I think Nirvana in Fire is the best.

Lin Shu's Identity

I just appreciate that when shit went down and Lin Shu's whole family and army and many of his friends were killed and he became a man on the run, he was a full-grown man (okay, still pretty young, but definitely not a child) with his own life and even an army position.

A lot of these identity porn dramas will have their MCs meeting ppl for the first time in many years, in disguise, but they only knew these ppl when they were children. Childhood friends are great and all that, but can they hit as hard as the complicated, fleshed out relationships that Lin Shu had and lost? He had a friendship of many years with Jingyan. He had an engagement and a longstanding friendship with Nihuang. He has friends from the army, younger cousins playing the role of "we don't even understand what happened back then and maybe that's better", older friends and relations who he actually knew as an adult.

Simultaneously, his past identity increases the threat of discovery for Lin Shu. He's a known factor to many, many people in the capital. Yes, they think he's dead. But small things like a hazelnut allergy or his mannerisms or his previous friendships with people are still memorable enough that even with a completely different face, if he's not careful, he might give himself away. He's not infiltrating a group of strangers or people who only knew him as a kid. He's infiltrating a group of people who were close to him for many, many years of his life.

HOWEVER. Lin Shu's identity is not so important that everyone in the capital is still obsessed with him twelve years later (with some exceptions). This isn't Mysterious Lotus Casebook where we're all still pining for Li Xiangyi, because...

2. The Chiyan Case Wasn't Even About Lin Shu?? (Also, No One Cares About That Ancient History Anymore (Jingyan, Sit Down))

The Chiyan case wasn't about the Lin family at all, really.

No one specifically wanted Lin Shu dead or had a big grudge against his dad or anything. It's all about power, military and political. For some conspirators, it was just about getting a leg up in court. But mostly, it was about Prince Qi, the previous crown prince. The Lin family just happened to be friends with him and ended up in an uncomfortable (highly murderable and frameable) position.

Lin Shu may mourn his family, but for the majority of the show, he doesn't talk about it. He doesn't talk about his mother and his family back at the capital either committing suicide or being killed indiscriminately. He only mentions his father's name a handful of times in the whole show. Lin Shu's drive is that his father's ARMY was killed, tens of thousands of men. That's the weight on Lin Shu's shoulders: the death of all these innocent men because they were in the way. The Chiyan Case; the Chiyan Massacre. The denouement of Lin Shu's victory (not to give too many spoilers) is not just his father's name being cleared of a treason charge. It's when there's finally a memorial put up for the Chiyan Army, with memorial tablets that he can publicly visit to pay respects.

Why does this make it a better revenge story with identity porn? A couple reasons. First, Lin Shu is very much the center of the story and has very personal beef, but he treats himself like a tool and his objective isn't about himself or familial connections (they're part of it but they're not everything). He doesn't even know all the people he's avenging. That's fine; he'll still carry that weight. I just think it's neat.

Second, the fact that the Lin family (and the whole Chiyan Army) were really just collateral damage for getting rid of Prince Qi really emphasizes just how careless the current regime is of the value of human life.

Third, as Meng Zhi says when Lin Shu comes to the capital, everyone at court is busy with their own little power struggles and no one has time to care about Lin Shu or protect him. Lin Shu's like yeah that's fine :) I'm not anyone's focus anymore and the Lin family has been swept under the rug like we never existed :) and no one even talks about the Chiyan case anymore for fear of being accuse of treason :) that's all okay because I'm about TO MAKE THIS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM ANYWAY and honestly the fact that everyone's trying their hardest to forget will just make them more oblivious when I come to fuck them up.

3. All Of This is Whose Fault, Again?

That's right, folks, we're in a show that knows that when shit goes down at court and your family gets framed for treason and the emperor orders them executed, sure, you can blame the conspirators who framed them all you want, but also, YOU KIND OF DO HAVE TO BLAME THE EMPEROR.

People have said enough about how great this is on a thematic level of accountability but seriously I've seen so many shows dodge this. ~It's not the emperor's fault bc he was misled by these conspirators~ or ~the emperor is only a puppet emperor, if he actually had power instead of this evil person, he would put everything right.~ Or, if they dare to blame the emperor, maybe he's just an evil emperor and was bad all along. NIF says yeah, he was lied to on many levels. There was a whole complicated conspiracy going on and many people to blame. But he could have taken things slower. He could have required better evidence. He could have trusted people who had supported him for many years, at least enough to listen to their side of the story BEFORE KILLING THEM. And why didn't he? It's not because he's an idiot. It's because he's an emperor, and emperors don't like seeing other people gain enough power to even potentially become a threat. It's because he wasn't looking for the truth, he was looking for an excuse to kill. And he's not unusually evil for that; this kind of callousness towards murder and grasping for power at all costs is more the norm at court than any kind of honor or morality.

The Emperor's a nice guy sometimes! He used to fly kites with Lin Shu when he was young! His sons give him a headache, but honestly, relatable, they'd give you a headache too! He likes Consort Jing and honestly, who wouldn't! And he killed one of his sons, one of his closest friends, and an entire army, and he would do it again without hesitation. He's not especially evil. Being an emperor is bad enough.

4. Other Bad Guys

It's worth mentioning that Lin Shu's opponents are not stupid.

Xie Yu and Xia Jiang, Prince Yu and the Crown Prince, even the Empress and Noble Consort Yue: They aren't all geniuses, but they aren't idiots flailing around in spite. They're pretty smart, and if Lin Shu wants to take them down, he has to be smarter.

It's also worth mentioning that this is not one of those shows where the protagonist happens to take down his opponents mostly by standing still and just defending himself when they lash out at him. This seems like an obvious thing in a revenge drama, but the number of times I've seen the opposite, the protagonist swearing revenge and then just struggling with self preservation.... but no. Lin Shu has A Plan. He is going to be proactive and actually take his enemies down. Admittedly he will do this by revealing their past misdeeds but this isn't a case of "the misdeeds will just happen to pop up". This is a case of "I will actively unearth skeletons from where you threw them in a well in an abandoned manor".

TO SUM UP

Without going into the things that make Nirvana in Fire a great show in general (great acting, good pacing and plotting, good costuming, and so on and so forth) I think the main things that make it hit for me as a revenge story with identity porn are 1) letting the MC's past identity be that of a grown man who actually had a life (more connections to the past, but also more to lose and more danger in the present as a result), 2) the fact that the offense that the MC is avenging wasn't even like a personal thing to the offenders (bc! it's fucking infuriating!), 3) the fact that the drama is willing to face the root of the problem (the problem is both corruption at court and the fact that the highest arbiter is flawed, not just individual conspirators), 4) the supply of multiple good antagonists, and 5) LETTING THE MC ACTUALLY, ACTIVELY PURSUE REVENGE AND THAT'S THE MAIN PLOT AND WE AREN'T SPENDING MOST OF OUR SCREENTIME ON SIDEPLOTS AND ROMANCE OR MERE SELF PRESERVATION. These may not seem like large things but my friends, you would be surprised how many revenge dramas I've watched at this point that can't do them.

ok I'm done ranting. Feel like most of this is actually stating the obvious but I'm just in a mood and had to get it out. (...also possibly I've been let down by some revenge dramas lately but I won't get into it. it's okay. we can't all be Nirvana in Fire; only Nirvana in Fire can be Nirvana in Fire.)

[mysticmutants]

not a lot, just forever (pt.2)

summary: weddings weren’t logans thing, but being at one with you made him mind them a whole lot less. your (not so) subtle confession may have helped—but now it’s his turn to make the next move.

pairing: logan howlett x reader

word count: 1.3k

warnings: romcom themes, weddings, possible ooc!logan, reader is described as wearing a dress

authors note: thank you to everyone who read and interacted w my first fic. it genuinely means so much! here’s a part two for everyone who was asking<3 I’ll be working on requests over the next few days, feel free to keep them coming loves! part 1 is on my profile (still figuring out hyperlinks and such, masterlist will be coming soon!) ౨ৎ

logan doesn’t think he’s ever been more excited for a party. whenever there’s been a gathering or a social event at the mansion in the past, he’s been enthusiastic, sure, but mostly at the prospect of being able to get drunk off of his ass—not having to deal with the heavy weight that finds its home in his chest when he’s sober.

this time, though, it’s not the liquor. that’s almost the last thing on his mind, for the first time in years. right now, all he can think of is you. you in your dress, your perfume overwhelming his senses in the best way possible.

his heart finds a shaky rhythm in his chest as time inches on, throwing noncommittal glances at the altar where jean and scott exchange their vows. his knee bounces up and down sporadically, as he attempts to subdue his racing mind. he can feel you next to him, feel the heat radiating off of you—or was that him? he wasn’t so sure. he steals small glances at you, biting back the urge to reach for your hand; settling instead for resting his arm on the back of your chair.

he almost lets out a cheer when everyone begins filing out of the venue—ripping him from his thoughts. his eyes catch on you momentarily, breath hitching in his throat at the mere sight of you, holding up your dress and treading carefully on the grass. if he was bolder, less reserved, he’d extend an arm and help you. as everyone gathers outside, cooing at the newlyweds, he’s only focused on one thing.

the bouquet.

everyone knew the old wives tale. whoever catches the bouquet, is next on the list to get hitched. determination swells in his his chest, eyeing the assortment of pink and white blooms that rest in jeans arms.

he observes the surrounding area as photographers flash a few pictures of the couple— the more animal side of his brain working overtime, like a wolf stalking a caribou. he doubts that he’ll actually go for it, too rational to do something so childish. it seems he has no choice, however, because as soon as he sees a flash of pink and white against the blue sky, he’s already taken off—as though his legs made up his mind for him. he weaves through the crowd, hushed apologies falling past his lips. once he reaches the clearing, he jumps off, reaching for his prize. a smug grin adorns his lips, as he grazes the wrapping of the flowers—only to have it jerked away from him.

his brow furrows as feet meet solid ground once more, only to soften when his eyes lay upon the person who actually caught the bundle of flowers.

you stand in front of him, eyes locking with his. any frustration in his mind is washed clean as he sees the grin on your face, flushed cheeks. you stay gazing at him for a little too long; even as your shared friends gather to congratulate you.

those who were close to you, though—namely your teammates— knew that this meant something deeper. anyone who knew logan could tell that he had feelings for you, and vice versa. the stolen glances, hands brushing as you walk side by side.

as the throng of people begin to head for their cars, logan tries to spot you in the crowd, itching to tell you how he feels—to confess— spilling every emotion he’s ever felt for you onto the dirt for you to do as you please with. he sighs gruffly, heading for his motorcycle.

the road to the mansion is practically ingrained into his memory, unfortunately giving him enough time to overthink the rest of his evening. what if he misread? what if you changed your mind? what if he got you hurt? what if it was actually about someone else? like scott, or hank.

please don’t let it be scott.

he pulls up to the large building, gates propped open to allow guests easy entry. upon entering the room where the reception is held, his eyes immediately search for you: something that’s become a daily occurrence in his life since you stumbled into it. when he finds you, you’re already there, staring right back at him. if he had a tail, it would be wagging.

he rolls up his shirtsleeves, tugging at his tie anxiously, hating the way it clings to his throat. he clears his throat gruffly, swallowing his pride before starting across the polished wood floor, directly to you. he stands in front of you, his cheeks flushed this time.

“hey,”

he starts, any plan or script he had in mind abandoned once he saw your face. placing a palm on the back of his neck, his jaw tightens.

feelings.

logan had seen the worst parts of humanity. its darkest corners—and conquered it. risen above. yet feelings, were something he could never seem to overcome. but he’d be damned if he didn’t try for you.

“logan,” you speak, voice soft and low. he knew you. you hated to see him struggle—always wanted to finish his sentences so he didn’t have to say the hard things. he raises a hand, stopping you in your tracks. “let me,” he huffs. he takes a moment to look at you, really look at you. your parted lips, pupils wide. he has all the courage he needs.

sucking in a deep breath, he finds his footing.

“you were right. about me, i mean. i am scared. fuckin’ terrified, actually. im…” he trails off, swallowing hard in an attempt to regain himself, to soothe his racing mind. “telling you this— telling you how I feel, scared me, darlin’. but after you telling me you felt the same I realized that… never getting the chance to hold you—at least not in the way I want to—scares me a hell of a lot more.” he finishes, gazing at his feet. if he met your eyes right now, he didn’t know if he’d be able to continue, his brain screaming at him to give into fear. to run away.

for once he didn’t want to run. not this time. silence hangs in the air for a moment after his words, the anticipation allowing him to drag his eyes up your body, meeting yours.

before he can register, there’s a hand on his jaw, and one on the back of his neck pulling him closer. your foreheads meet, dark eyes gazing into yours. he almost melts at the way you look at him. doe eyed, completely at his mercy. he meets you halfway, plush lips meet his. shaky hands wind around your waist, tugging you in closer to him.

for a moment, the world stops.

it’s just you two. no nightmares, no impending doom. just this.

as you both pull back, logans heart calms in his chest. for the first time in a long time. he can breathe, actually think—cathartic. his eyes stay closed, chin coming to rest atop your head as he pulls you into him.

“I love you.”

your words make him jump a little. he knew what he was feeling. he had for a long time—too scared to admit it to himself. he softens after a moment, warmth filling his chest. it felt right. his right person.

“I love you too.”

as you pull back, world around you seemingly coming back to life— a slow song plays from the speakers softly, couples and friends gathering to dance. a hand reaches for logans wrist, guiding him to the dance floor.

his hands find their place around your waist, yours around his neck. your bodies intertwine, your face to his chest and his chin on your head. his eyes flutter shut, heightened hearing tuning out everything around him, focusing in on your heartbeat. steady, soft. home.

you sway softly, gathered by friends, and loved ones.

the beginning of forever.

[starfata]

Here's a thought - Hermes might be oddly fond of Agarista. Not for obvious reasons, but because Odysseus is of his bloodline, and Agarista is Arsinoe's daughter - and so the child is, in a sense, a combination of the two deities. To Hermes, Agarista is an almost, a might-have-been, the product of his line and his beloved's - the closest thing he has to a child with his grey-eyed goddess.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 7

The first time he heard that Autolycus's distinctly named grandson had a child of his own, he'd just smiled.

Pleased, that his successful son had his line continue again through Odysseus.

Then, he heard the Other names attached to the tale.

And what a tale! A Goddess showing up in a flimsy disguise as a petitioner in order to deliver a gift, hedging her words so they thought her a madwoman until clever Queen Penelope put the clues together and realised the true nature of the petitioner!

The Dark haired Athenide, his favourite brother's dearest most hopeless love, the mother of Ascelpius by all but blood- although, there'd certainly been a lot of that.

Still, the Goddess of Loyalty and Demigods had hardly delivered babies before. She might be gifted children to see to, might guide them to safety or training if they were demigods, and might collect their souls to deliver to the underworld, but a living breathing baby?

And the other part of the tale- Arsinoe, in her province of Goddess of Family, weaving a child? She'd never seemed inclined to such a thing before. He wasn't sure she'd even held Ascelpius, although he knew Athena had, at Perse's urging.

As often as Arsinoe was sat at a loom, she usually wove nets and sails. Routine, relatively simple things to keep her hands occupied while that brilliant mind examined a more difficult issue. While tapestries and shrouds were not unheard of, this was the first he'd heard of a child being woven at her loom.

This bore investigation. Surely a quick peep at his new great-granddaughter wouldn't go amiss?

[httpsdana]

Hi! Can I request the fluff n°17 for Marc Guiu, if not, don't worry

My Ethereal Baddie~Marc Guiu

・❥・prompt list

・❥・masterlist -> part 2

・❥・who I write for

・❥・a/n: I miss Marc at barca 💔💔

17-“Hey, stop wriggling! I’m trying to braid your hair, and you keep moving.”

Marc had planned to take his girlfriend out that afternoon. Apparently to introduce her to a new café he discovered in London and how he wanted to “spoil his girl,” as he’d smugly say it. But just as they'd grabbed their coats, the sky opened up in one of those dramatic downpours, canceling everything in seconds.

So instead, they ended up back at his apartment, wearing their matching oversized hoodies and mismatched socks while they snacked on the cookie they tried to make the night before. (Marc managed to burn half of them but it's the effort that counts)

Marc sat on the floor in front of the couch, while her legs draped lazily around him as he scrolled through her phone which was his new favorite habit, apparently, occasionally snorting at old selfies or laughing at cat videos. He always claimed her tiktok had better videos than his, and since that admission he used her phone more than his own.

His hair had dried after the walk in the rain, fluffy like always with little strands sticking out in different directions. And honestly? They were just begging to be braided.

So while he focused on a video, she quietly reached forward and ran her fingers through his hair, gently separating a few strands. One twist, then two. He didn’t notice as she worked her way through the top section, slowly weaving it together. Then, halfway through a perfect little braid, he suddenly turned his head to show her a tiktok video he liked.

She tightened her knees against his sides to keep him still which made him groan.

“Hey, stop wriggling! I’m trying to braid your hair, and you keep moving.”

Marc froze. “estás qué?” (you’re what?)

“Braiding,” she said sweetly, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his temple. “You didn’t notice?”

“I thought you were just playing with my hair!”

“I’m being creative,” she replied, kissing the curve of his ear just to make him squirm. “And now you’ve messed up the part.”

He groaned, but stayed still, hands dropping into his lap like he’d accepted his fate.

“You’ll thank me when you see how cute you look.” she said, trailing her fingers through his curls again

“You’re going to make me look stupid”

“Noooo,” shw said, drawing the word out with a grin. “You’re gonna look…ethereal.”

Marc paused. “What does that even mean?”

She kissed the nape of his neck and hummed. “Like… not real. Dreamy. Otherworldly. Too pretty for this planet.”

He raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “So I'll look like an alien?”

She nearly dropped the braid from laughing. “No! Ethereal. Say it.”

“Ee-the-ree… el?” he repeated, squinting. “What kind of word is that?”

“It’s English. And poetic.” she tied off the braid with the tiny pink elastic around her wrist, then kissed the very top of his head. “It suits you. You’re my ethereal baddie.”

“Baddie, sí… that I understand,” he smirked. “Pero lo otro… suena raro.” (but the other thing… it sounds weird.)

She reached for her phone from his hand and snapped a quick photo before he could turn his head.

“Did you just take a picture?” he said, spinning halfway around.

“Yes i did .” she held up her phone away from him. “You look like a fairy tale princess.”

“Dios mío…” (my God…)

She showed him the picture and he stared at the screen with the most unimpressed expression.

“I look like I lost a bet.”

“You look like someone who trusted his very lovely girlfriend.”

He tilted his head, pretending to sulk. “What do I get for letting you do this?”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind and started kissing across his cheek slowly, one kiss after another. “You get this.”

Another kiss. “And this.”

And another. “And this.”

And then one just beneath his jaw that made him freeze in place.

“Okay, that’s cheating.”

She laughed against his skin, pressing on more kiss on the corner of his lips. “You don't mind it, do you?”

He leaned his head back against her chest, grinning softly. “No…no i don't.”

She smiled again, letting her lips press to his hair once more, and when he didn’t move or undo the braid, she knew he liked this too, even if he acted annoyed.

“I love you my ethereal baddie,” she whispered in his ear, making him shift slightly.

“I love you too,” he mumbled, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he turned his head to look at her. She leaned in and kissed him gently, before pulling away and admiring his braid once again with a smile.

“You look so pretty I'm gonna cry,” she cooed, making him groan. But the blush on his cheeks gave it away.

“shut up,” he murmured, turning his head to the other side. She grabbed him by his jaw to make him look at her again.

“You only need some lipgloss and you'll be the prettiest princess,” she teased, which caused him to roll his eyes.

“whatever,” he muttered, but the smile he tried to hide didn't go unnoticed by her.

my taglist: @barcapix @paucubarsisimp @spidybaby @mxryxmfooty @n0vazsq @joaosnovia @ilovebarcaaaa @f1lover55 @jajajhaahaha @universefcb @mariejuli (lmk if you want to be added!!)

[whaleofatjme1920]

How Much I Would Trust the People of TF2 at Pools with Me and How Much You Should Trust Them Too

I'm a lifeguard, lifeguard instructor and swim instructor you should definitely trust me

Reblogs are appreciated!!

Scout

6/10

I think he can swim surprisingly well. Like, not any actual stroke but he can stay alive in water.

Going to start splash wars. It's a mess. He will also play chicken with people and cheat while doing so.

Yeah he brings a lot of diving toys. Good luck. Fails to bring goggles and complains about chlorine in his eyes. Bit of a mess innit.

DOES NOT WEAR SUNSCREEN and gets burnt. Badly. He will be complaining about it for DAYS after the fact.

Soldier

5/10

Jane can absolutely swim. Just not... gracefully.

Acts a lot like those dogs that jump on their owners thinking they're drowning and just wants to help.

Will have a cannonball contest only if you say it's in the good of America.

Does enjoy 4th of July pool parties and LOVES flamingo and donut floaties. He and Zhanna like to rest on them together.

Pyro

2/10

Pyro doesn't really like swimming but isn't like, a hater of water.

Pyro would definitely hang out on the side and dip their feet in the water, kicking every now and then.

Usually naps in a lawn chair. Or, if on a beach, they'll build sandcastles and have lots of fun.

Sometimes will rest on a floatie. Likes water wings (water wings aren't safe). Likes sun bathing (plz make them wear sunscreen anyways).

Demoman

8/10

Literal selkie. I'm being so fr. He's a literal sea captain so. Man loves water.

Only reason he's an 8/10 is bc he likes to drink while lounging on the side of the pool and might need to be rescued at one point or another.

BUT he's really fun to play games with. Will jump in and have splash contests just as much as he wants to nap while laying on a floatie.

He will tell you nautical tales and legends from around the world. Great storyteller, and amazing at weaving tales of merfolk.

Heavy

9/10

makes sure everyone is wearing sunscreen and that the sunscreen is reapplied at safe intervals.

Likes to wear sunglasses and lounge around for a bit, but will actually legitimately swim. His breaststroke is actually pretty good. Butterfly is debatable.

He's going to keep tabs on everyone in the pool to make sure they're safe and not drowning.

He will also have a great BBQ. Mans the grill, doesn't let anyone touch it except for Dell, and Zhanna, He will NOT let Jane touch the grill.

Engineer

8/10

This is because he's really not swimming, more so of like, wading in the water with a cold beer in his hand but he's like your cool dad that hangs out and gets a bunch of cool stuff for the pool.

He's the one that buys or makes all the super cool floaties for the pool.

He also has towels and stuff ready for everyone. Does not want ANYONE dripping in the house so please dry off.

He will play his guitar at some point during the night after everyone's had their fun and light a fire for s'more purposes.

Medic

5/10

He's a menace in the pool. Surprisingly nimble in the water but like, a water snake or a shark, not a dolphin. He is not beneficial.

He asked to check the chlorine levels or check himself. Not because he actually cares, but because he wants to gross everyone else out.

He LOVES scaring people when in the water. He will jump up and climb up on you, and make everything hell for you.

If he isn't scaring you in the water and Jeremy isn't trying to drown him, he'll hang around the side of the pool sipping on cocktails and beer sunbathing like a lizard. This, after everyone's hounded him for wearing several layers of sunscreen.

Sniper

7/10

He's also a water dweller. He and Tavish spend a lot of time together talking in the shallow end about little myths and legends, and even have little races.

He's a very good swimmer. HIs fly is good, can't say the same for backstroke.

Water is like one of the only places he's not awkward because it's so comfortable to him. He has quite a few fond memories of his parents hanging around in the pool with him, tossing coins downwards so he could pick them up and even his father teaching him to swim.

He's a 7 out of 10 because he doesn't listen to anyone when they tell him to put more sunscreen on and he doesn't and gets BURNED.

Spy

4/10

He does not get in the water. Wears a speedo and it makes everyone uncomfortable and the balaclava but that's whatever.

He DOES wear sunscreen. Still wants to sun tan and even has a timer so he knows how long each side of him actually gets. Has sunglasses, listens to the music, and generally enjoys his time alone from everyone but also surrounded by them.

This does not stop Jeremy from splashing the ever loving hell out of him. Jeremy makes it a personal mission to mess with him.

He does end up having a water gun and does shoot Jeremy in the face with it MULTIPLE times. Might even raise his score to 10/10 tbh.

Miss Pauling

6/10

Yeah she's not getting in the water unless someone spends quite some time getting her in. She DOES know how to swim, and I think as a teen she was actually a lifeguard! but her relationship with the Administrator overworking her means she doesn't want to do ANYTHING.

I mean, she stays perpetually busy so it's everyone's personal mission to keep her phone away from her and tell the Administrator to bug off and leave her alone. So, when that happens you get her to rest on pool donuts.

She also sunbathes, but doesn't tan at all. She does cover herself in sun screen and wears a cute sun hat.

Her idea of having a nice time at the pool is with some iced tea, a good book, and enjoying the beautiful weather. She gets exactly that, minus Jeremy flirting with her, to which Spy will squirt him in the face again with his water gun.

Saxton Hale

-2/10

It's his pool everyone is using but that man makes everyone sign their soul to get in.

No one actually signs, just uses random google generated names and he can't be BOTHERED to check.

Mags also burns the contracts of anyone who actually signed. She thinks it's ridiculous that Saxton would even do that.

That said, he's not even AT the pool when everyone else is there because he can't be bothered. He wants to punch sharks. Mags will show up in a sun hat and bring a cooler of beer. She's the real 10/10.

The Administrator

-100/10

She does NOT show up. But if you manage to get her in, she hides in the shadows and hisses at the sun like a vampire.

She does NOT stop bothering Miss Pauling. Complains the whole time she's there.

She sneaks out at some point to get drunk somewhere else because everyone here was too 'low class' for her.

I don't like this woman. Stop inviting her to the party.

Zhanna

9/10

She's on the grill with Dell and they're a GREAT team together. She manages to cook everything so perfectly, people prefer her stuff to everyone else's.

She does better cannonballs than Jane. She's also a very graceful swimmer. Probably knows how to do some very basic artistic swimming skills, which she can teach you if you ask.

She likes to sunbathe as well, and likes to read as she does. I think she actually spends a lot of time with Miss Pauling, both of them resting together and enjoying the sun.

She will also drown Jeremy for him being a little shit around everyone else.

Merasmus

10/10

He summons mermaids.

What more can I say.

[aixeko]

──────‹𝟹 SINNERS SAVAGERY ༄ Ѽ✧

IF I'M YOUR SALVATION, WELCOME TO HELL.

2024 Halloween Event | Art credit: Efferwescent on Twitter

𖤐 SINNERS SAVAGERY | or ERISETOBER  is an event that is a mix of Kinktober, Whumptober and Flufftober in a nutshell SMUT, ANGST & FLUFF with Halloween aspects. All prompts are made by me but some of the ones that inspired me are whumptober ofc, and this list. 

𖤐 ONLY HONKAI STAR RAIL AND GENSHIN WOMEN For this year

𖤐 This will be my first time doing the October prompts stuff + I have another event going on so bare with me haha.

𖤐 !! WEEK 1 starts 6 to 13 !! !! WEEK 2 starts 13 to 19 !! !! WEEK 3 starts 20 to 26 !! !! WEEK 4 starts 27 to 31 !!

WEEK 1 | MONSTER AU | | ONESHOT

| Film | TILL DEATH DO US PART | Starring | Kafka as alien symbiote “Venom” x Host!Reader  | Synopsis | A livelihood ripped away by the greed of humankind and faced with impending doom, an alien symbiote by the name of "Kafka" entered your life and made you her host. Originally, the monstrous being harbored one goal: to destroy everything planet Earth had to offer, but plans changed upon meeting you and thus, with her power, you both do whatever it takes to save the planet. Loathing was all that was bestowed toward the extraterrestrial parasitic, but as time passes, a long-lost feeling resurfaces, one that hasn't manifested since your heartbreak; of course, you would rather be brutally killed than confess your endearment. Unbeknownst to you, the woman has suspected you of such intimacy and, with her incredible adaptability to the complex human emotion, has a ploy to make you profess those three special words.

| Film | YOUR LORDSHIP | Starring | Yelan as Leviathan x Mortal!Reader | Synopsis |  When the tempestuous waves crash against the shore and the sky turns a foreboding grey, human shells cower in fear as the mighty lord of the seas, Leviathan, awakens from the darkest pit of the deep, seeking for a human companion to aid her lonely voyage.

WEEK 2 | MYTHOLOGICAL AU | | ONESHOT

| Film | BEYOND THE IMAGINABLE | Starring | Clorinde as Medusa x Blind!Reader | Synopsis | Despised and misunderstood by the world, she was a victim of a scandalous man's wrongdoing, unfairly punished by heaven despite her innocence. During one fortunate day, the woman whose heart had turned to stone melt under the accursed spell of love, wholly captivated by a blind mortal who fell in love with her for who she truly was; even without sight, the virtuous human saw the very essence of her, the beauty within her soul.

| Film | OFFERING OF PURITY | Starring | Raiden Ei as Hades x Mortal!Reader | Synopsis | The townsfolk tell tales of a legend that speaks of how, once in a century, the moon would adorn itself in a deep crimson hue and illuminate its shade onto the world. Under its wrathful light, the god of hell emerges to wreak havoc, and the only way to banish such evil is to offer a youthful virgin mortal; only then will humankind live in another century of prosperity and peace.

WEEK 3 | ANIMATRONICS AU | | SMUTSHOT

| Film | FIVE NIGHTS AT STAR RAIL | Starring | Kafka, Himeko, Blackswan, and Acheron as the FNAF Classic Animatronics x Night-guard!Reader | Synopsis | A newspaper arrives at your doorstep, featuring a job opening for a night guard position at the famous Star Rail Pizzeria. Struggling financially, you quickly seize the golden opportunity. The job's only requirement is 5 nights of work, and if you succeed, you'll be hired as an official employee; what could possibly go wrong?

WEEK 4 | SLASHER/SERIAL KILLER AU

| Film | MINDFUCK | Starring | Slasher!Arlecchino x Investigative-Psychologist!Reader | Synopsis | Demons linger where shadows play; in silence, hearts betray, whispers echo, and desires catch fire in the haunting depths of the night. With every kiss, a scythe may cut, in which terror envelops one's gut; together they dance on the edge of fate, finding beauty in a love that is too late. So let the night weave its spell, for in the dark they know so well, and though demons are whispering fright, in their twilight, the lights are ignited.

[valy-gc]

Game Idea - now a novel

Well... originally a dating sim game idea that will be a novel because I don't have any programmation skills nor the money to pay some developpers, but I like it and got lots of ideas for it so let's just share it.

If you want to make a OC and/or your MC from it, then have fun, I would love it ^-^ (list of existing ones at the end ^^)

It's a dating sim, mix between "Twisted Wonderland" and "Obey me!"

This is mostly ideas thrown like this in a messy way. But you can now read the novel version here:

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 -All other chapters will only be on the other plateforms, always free to read

whole on my Tapas, Toyhouse, Ao3 or wattpad

I also introduce all the characters on Toyhouse, UnVale or Deviantart and regularly post here on tumblr about it

And to not have to search through my tumblr, you can find every single infos about Scriptoria, on my Toyhouse as well.

everything under the cut

As a new student at Fablewood Academy, you are mysteriously invited after stumbling upon an ancient storybook. Among peers who resonate with legendary characters from fables and folklore, you stand apart—unable to resonate with any historical figure. Instead, you uncover a profound connection to the mysterious Writers.

Navigating the competitive dorm dynamics and building relationships with students and teachers, you begin to unravel the secrets of Scriptoria, the world of stories. With your unique bond to the Writers, you hold the key to saving it from an ancient force threatening to rewrite history itself.

~~~~

World

"Scriptoria" A magical world shaped by the memories and writings of the legendary Writers, who recorded the lives and deeds of its inhabitants.

~~~~

The Writers :

The authors of fairytales we knows, they are called the "writers" not because they have wrote the tales (since it's supposed to be all real stories in this world) but because they were keeper of memories, noting everything that was happening in the world, which permitted the actual characters to knows all about the stories.

The Writers and Their Origins

Connection to Their Stories and Cultures:

Jean de La Fontaine (Beastman from Beasthaven): La Fontaine, a fox beastman, had a knack for observing the social structures of Beasthaven’s vibrant and diverse communities.

Hans Christian Andersen (Mer from the Seafoam Dominion): Andersen was a merman with a melancholic streak, deeply inspired by the beauty and sorrow of the sea. His ability to capture fleeting emotions and weave them into poetic tales was unparalleled.

The Grimm Brothers (Goblins from Myrcadawn): Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were goblin-faes, an unexpected yet fitting revelation. The magic of the Writers kept their mischief in check, channeling their keen wit and curiosity into recording humanity's most primal fears and hopes. Their goblin heritage explains the darker, more visceral tone of their collected tales.

Charles Perrault (Human from Austreim): Perrault was a human writer from the cobblestone streets of Austreim. Known for his elegance and refinement, he focused on moralistic tales that resonated with high society while still appealing to common folk. His work emphasized transformation and perseverance, ideals he believed could bridge social divides.

An so many more… In short, every single race and country had one or multiple Writers.

The Omniscience of the Writers

The Writers weren’t ordinary historians—they were endowed with a unique form of magic called Storysense.

Storysense Explained: Writers could sense when someone was destined for a life-altering story—one that would leave a profound impact on their world and become a tale told for generations.

When they encountered such an individual, their magic activated instinctively, drawing them to observe and record the person’s journey.

This connection allowed them to witness events in real-time, ensuring no detail was missed.

The Rule of Non-Intervention: Writers were forbidden from interfering in the stories they recorded. Their role was to document, not shape, the fates of those they observed.

Consequences of Breaking the Rule: If a Writer intervened, their Storysense could fracture, leaving them unable to detect new stories. Worse, they might accidentally unravel the tale they were meant to preserve, altering history itself. (e.g. Helping Cinderella to escape her abusing family would prevent her from meeting her prince and she would not become the Great queen Austreim had known)

The Role of the Writers’ Magic

Memory-Keeping: The Writers’ magic extended beyond mere observation. They could project their memories into enchanted quills or scrolls, creating flawless records of events. These documents became powerful artifacts that resonated with the essence of the stories they contained.

The Grand Archive: All Writers’ works were stored in a magical repository known as the Grand Archive. The archive it a living entity, capable of organizing itself and occasionally revealing forgotten tales to those in need of their wisdom.

The Grand Archive’s real position is unknown and is hidden in its own pocket dimension. This dimension open slightly for the Resonance Ceremony.

The Writers’ Legacy

Unique Perspectives: Each Writer brought their cultural background and personal perspective to their work, enriching the world of Scriptoria with a tapestry of diverse stories.

La Fontaine’s fables emphasized cleverness and morality.

Andersen’s tales highlighted emotion and transformation.

The Grimms’ stories embraced the primal, magical forces of nature and humanity.

Perrault’s narratives bridged the elegance of court life with the struggles of common folk.

~~~~

Locations

Austreim: Inspired by European fairytales (Germany, France, Scandinavia). A realm of picturesque forests, cobblestone towns, and grand castles. Home to tales like "Cinderella" and "Little Red Riding Hood."

Beasthaven: A country inspired by La Fontaine’s animal fables. Predominantly inhabited by beastmen. Features different biomes in different part of the land, from lush forests and rolling meadows to savannah or thundra. The country is known for their lively markets in every biome.

Seafoam Dominion: An underwater kingdom of mermen and aquatic fae. Draws inspiration from Andersen's stories. Has shimmering underwater cities and shores dotted with mythical artifacts.

Ebony Sands: Inspired by African folktales such as "The Man Who Never Lied." A sun-drenched land of deserts, savannahs, river deltas and ancient temples.

Celestial Plains: Based on East Asian folktales, blending Chinese, korean, Japanese stories among others. Features rolling hills of bamboo, cherry blossoms, and mystical shrines guarded by spirits.

Myrcadawn: A borderland filled with ancient ruins, magical storms, and creatures from forgotten tales. Mostly inhabited by faes.

~~~~

"Fablewood Academy" An all-boy institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the writers and their stories. Located at the heart of Scriptoria, blending all cultural styles. Where the Writers’ legacies are studied and the world's future is shaped.

~~~~

The Resonance Ceremony

When a student enters the school, they undergo a Resonance Ceremony, a deeply symbolic ritual that determines their connection to an Historical Character (a character from fairytales and myths).

Ceremony Description:

The Setting: The ceremony takes place in a grand, mystical chamber called the Hall of Echoes, a circular room lined with glowing murals of countless legendary figures. In the center, on the ground like a pond, is the Ethereal Mirror, which shimmers like water and reflects not the student’s image, but fragments of their potential resonance.

The Ritual:

The student steps up to the mirror, guided by a faculty member.

The mirror reacts to their essence, glowing brighter as it identifies the Historical Character whose moral compass and essence most closely align with the student’s.

The chosen figure materializes as a spectral image above the mirror, accompanied by a brief vision of their story, morals, and defining characteristics.

The student receives an Artefact Sigil, a magical mark on their hand, symbolizing their connection. The sigil also acts as a key to their dormitory.

Outcomes:

The character determines the student’s dorm assignment. Dorms represent shared principles or traits rather than region or story type, which creates unique diversity within each house.

The student begins to develop their Legacy Arte, influenced by their resonance.

~~~~

Dorm Names & Founders

Astraquartz (Inspired by Cinderella, Charles Perrault): Represents perseverance, humility, and transformation.

Scarletfang (Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Grimm Brothers): Represents courage and cunning.

Everswell (Inspired by The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen): Represents sacrifice and curiosity.

Mousetrail (Inspired by The Lion and the Mouse, La Fontaine): Represents cleverness and loyalty.

Obsidianspire (Inspired by Mamad in "The Man Who Never Lied", unknown Writer (African tale)): Represents honesty and wisdom.

Verdance (Inspired by "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", Minamoto no Shitagō): Represents grace and adaptability.

~~~~

Resonance Dynamics

Living By Their Resonance: Students are expected to uphold the values and morals of their Resonance Character. Deviating too far from these principles leads to a Resonance Crisis, where the bond becomes unstable.

Resonance Crises: In a crisis, a student’s personality and abilities are warped by the unresolved conflict. They might embody the antithesisof their Historical Character, becoming a distorted, corrupted version of their story’s ideals.

Example: A student resonating with The Happy Prince may hoard wealth selfishly, spiraling into greed, causing their Legacy Arte to malfunction.

Resolution: To restore balance, the student must confront their choices and find a way to realign with their character’s core principles, often with the help of peers or the protagonist.

The Nature of Resonance

Resonance is not a rigid set of rules that dictate a person’s every thought or action. Instead, it represents a core essence—a reflection of the Resonance Character’s archetype, personality, and values. When a student resonates with a character, it means they share a similar foundation, but they are free to interpret and act on that foundation in their own unique way.

Core Principles of Resonance

Guiding Influence, Not Control: The Resonance doesn't force someone to behave exactly like their historical counterpart. Instead, it provides a general blueprint of traits, preferences, and tendencies that align with the character’s essence.

Example: Coach Garrick’s Resonance with the Big Bad Wolf doesn’t mean he must terrorize pigs—it means he shares the wolf’s gruff, bold, and predatory nature. How he channels those traits is entirely up to him. For Garrick, they manifest as a tough love coaching style.

Freedom to Choose Actions: While Resonance shapes a student's instincts and inclinations, their choices define their character. They can act in harmony with their Resonance without being confined to it.

Example: Elric, resonating with Cinderella's Stepmother, naturally enjoys luxury and attention. However, he can choose to respect others while enjoying these things, rather than mistreating them like the original stepmother did. If he strays too far—say, by shunning luxury entirely—it might destabilize his Resonance, but small acts of kindness wouldn’t harm it.

Resonance Crisis Is About Extremes: A Resonance Crisis occurs when a student goes against their core nature to an extreme degree, causing an inner conflict. This doesn’t happen because of minor deviations but because of a deep misalignment.

Example: If Elric started wearing rags and actively rejecting his love of luxury, his Resonance would destabilize. But respecting servants or treating them kindly, while still enjoying the finer things, would maintain balance.

Here are clear, narrative-driven examples to help clarify how Resonance works without feeling restrictive:

Garrick “Grizz” Wolfin (Big Bad Wolf): Garrick’s Resonance gives him traits like gruffness, strength, and an intimidating aura. He embodies the archetype of the wolf, but how he uses those traits is his choice. He could easily become a bully, but instead, he channels his gruff demeanor into being a demanding yet caring PE teacher. His choices define him, not the wolf.

Elric Briarthorne (Cinderella’s Stepmother): Elric shares the stepmother’s love for luxury, beauty, and a touch of laziness. However, he is not bound to repeat her cruelty. Elric can enjoy being pampered and commanding attention without mistreating others. If he rejects his natural affinity for elegance entirely, he risks a Resonance Crisis, but respecting a servant while maintaining his love for luxury keeps him in balance.

~~~~

Resonance Crisis: The Fractured Legacy

What Happens?

When a mage’s bond with their Resonance Character destabilizes, their Artefact Sigil fractures, and their inner conflict manifests as a dangerous, externalized force called a Fractured Legacy. The Fractured Legacy represents the mage's core identity spiraling out of control, with tangible consequences for the individual and their surroundings.

Mechanics of a Resonance Crisis

Stages of the Crisis:

Warning Phase: The Artefact Sigil dims or cracks subtly, signaling instability. The mage exhibits heightened emotional extremes or behaviors contrary to their Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance becoming tyrannical and dismissive, echoing the stepmother’s cruelty.

Threshold Event: A traumatic or critical moment causes the bond to fully destabilize. The mage’s Artefact Sigil shatters, triggering the Crisis.

Transformation:

The mage transforms into an Echoed Antithesis of their Resonance Character—a distorted, exaggerated version of their worst traits.

Example: A Little Red Riding Hood Resonance becomes a wolf-like beast, embodying predation and fear instead of courage.

The environment around them twists to reflect their turmoil—spreading corruption, illusions, or chaotic phenomena tied to the Resonance.

Manifestation:

The Fractured Legacy takes a physical or semi-physical form—either merging with the student or manifesting as external entities they must face.

Example: The transformed mage might summon spectral versions of antagonists, or their minions, from their Resonance Character’s tale, or their surroundings could morph into a warped, nightmarish version of their story.

Consequences

Prolonged Crisis states can cause lasting damage to the mage—mental, physical, or magical.

If unresolved, the bond with their Resonance Character could sever entirely, leaving them vulnerable to permanent loss of their Arte and magical abilities.

Resolving a Resonance Crisis

Core Resolution:

The mage must confront the internal conflict driving their instability.

Example: A Happy Prince Resonance consumed by greed might need to realize that hoarding wealth doesn’t bring joy or fulfill their true essence.

This confrontation often requires the help of others, especially the protagonist, who serves as a mediator or guide.

Reformation:

The Artefact Sigil repairs itself, often evolving into a stronger form, symbolizing the student’s personal growth.

The Legacy Arte might gain new abilities tied to the lessons learned during the Crisis.

Designing the Fractured Legacy

Visuals:

The Crisis should have a haunting yet poetic visual style that reflects the student’s Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance would look more like a deformed version of the stepmother or the stepsisters, surrounded by jagged shards of broken glass and spectral pumpkin monsters.

Themes:

Each Crisis explores the darker side of the Resonance Character’s traits.

Example: A Little Mermaid Resonance, consumed by jealousy, might suffocate others in waves of magical water, symbolizing their suppressed longing for acceptance.

Combat Dynamics in Resonance Crises

Fractured Legacy Boss Fights:

The mage undergoing the Crisis transforms into a formidable, story-inspired boss.

Example: A Big Bad Wolf Resonance could manifest as a towering wolf-like monster with powerful wind attacks, symbolic of their huffing and puffing.

Emotional Mechanics:

Incorporate dialogue or cutscenes mid-fight to remind players this isn’t just a battle—it’s an attempt to reach someone in pain.

Example: As the protagonist deals damage, the Fractured Legacy might shout distorted lines from their tale or reveal their inner turmoil through flashes of memory.

Combat Objective:

The goal isn’t necessarily to defeat the character in a traditional sense but to weaken their Fractured Legacy enough to restore clarity.

Player Options in Combat

Artefact Sigil Powers:

The characters used can use their own Legacy Arte abilities, which align with their Resonance Characters, to counteract the Fractured Legacy’s powers.

Example: A character resonating with the Little Mermaid might summon tidal waves to neutralize a fire-based Fractured Legacy attack.

Special Techniques:

Introduce a Breakthrough Strike mechanic where players can charge a special attack tied to the Resonance Character of the opponent.

Example: Against a Red Riding Hood Resonance, a teammate resonating with the Woodsman could unleash an axe-cleaving move that counters the wolf-like powers.

Group Synergy:

Peers with similar values or with a character from the same story to the Resonance Character in Crisis might deal bonus damage or have abilities to calm the Crisis state.

Emotional Impact of Combat

Hitting Hard With Purpose:

The protagonist struggles with the morality of fighting a friend or peer. Dialogue options or animations could reflect hesitation and determination.

Example: “I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t let you destroy yourself!”

Each successful attack might shatter parts of the Fractured Legacy’s appearance, revealing glimpses of the real student underneath.

Dynamic Reactions:

As the player weakens the Fractured Legacy, they could start to show signs of clarity—stammering, pleading, or showing flashes of regret mid-battle.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance Crisis might sob, “Why am I acting like this? This isn’t me!” as their Fractured Legacy starts to crumble.

~~~~

Legacy Arte

Each Legacy Arte is tied to the unique essence of the resonated Historical Character. These are not static powers—they grow and evolve as the student’s connection deepens. It can be an offensive or defensive ability, a practical one for everyday or even a constant unseen ability (enhancing strenght, magic powers or anything else)

For example:

A student resonating with Princess Kaguya might have an Arte called Moonlit Grace, allowing them to summon moonlight to shield themselves and others. As they grow, the Arte might evolve into Celestial Radiance, granting healing and offense.

~~~~

Artefact Sigil

The Artefact Sigil serves as both a resonance stabilizer and a channel for magic, directly tied to the student's connection with their Resonance Character. It appears on the student's hand during the Resonance Ceremony.

Key Features of the Artefact Sigil

Appearance:

A glowing, dynamic symbol or glyph that reflects the essence of the Resonance Character. Its design evolves as the bond deepens, becoming more intricate and vibrant.

Example:

Astraquartz: A delicate glass slipper.

Scarletfang: A bold wolf’s paw print, with thorny vines wrapping around it.

Everswell: A flowing wave, centered with a small pearl-like dot.

Mousetrail: A small mouse.

Obsidianspire: A tall spire with rays of light radiating from its top.

Verdance: A crescent moon embraced by bamboo leaves.

Functionality:

Magic Channeling: The Sigil channels the student’s magic, focusing and amplifying their spells. It glows or pulses during use, with colors and intensity varying based on the magic type.

Legacy Arte Activation: The Artefact Sigil is the key to unlocking and evolving Legacy Arte abilities. As the student grows, the Sigil adapts to better support these powers.

Resonance Stabilization: The Sigil detects and moderates Resonance Crises. If a student strays too far from their Resonance Character’s core ideals, the Sigil dims or cracks slightly, serving as a warning. It also emits calming energy to help realign the connection.

Personal Connection: The Sigil is an inseparable part of the student, growing and changing with them. This deep connection makes magic feel more instinctive and intimate, as it’s literally a part of their body.

~~~~~~~~

Lore Tie-In

Origins: The Artefact Sigil was created by the Writers, using fragments of their own memories as the foundation. This ensures that every Sigil is a direct link to the archives of Scriptoria.

The Resonance Bond: The Sigil embodies the merging of the student’s essence with their Resonance Character. Its visible state reflects the health of this bond, making it both a tool and a representation of their inner journey.

~~~~

Scriptos Currency System

Coins (for smaller transactions):

1 Scripto:Copper coin

5 Scriptos: Bronze coin

10 Scriptos:Silver coin

50 Scriptos:Gold coin

Bills (for larger transactions):

100 Scriptos

200 Scriptos

500 Scriptos

1,000 Scriptos

10,000 Scriptos

Design Details

Coins:

Each coin feature an emblem of a quill or an open book to symbolize creativity and storytelling.

The coins shimmer faintly or show shifting patterns when exposed to light.

Bills:

The bills have holographic text or illustrations that animate briefly (e.g., a bird flying off a quill or ink drops forming a picture).

They feature famous Scriptoria figures, mostly the Writers, with each having different possible figures. -the 100 could feature Pu Songling or D. O. Fagunwa, -200 feature Don Juan Manuel, Alexander Pushkin or Giovanni Francesco Straparola -500 feature Charles Perrault, the brother Grimm or La Fontaine, -1000 feature Al-Jahiz, Hans Christian Andersen or Valmiki, -10 000 feature Joseph Jacobs or Alexander Afanasyev …)

The bills and coins are waterproof. Coin will not get rusty if used by merpeoples.

Practical Conversion

1 Scripto = 0.01 USD

100 Scriptos = 1 USD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maps

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Classes taught, teachers and staff:

Lorecraft: Liora Scheh, Dremir Knossroot

Fairmagic: Ozwell Puzzlereign, Nymor Vellmare

Mythic Combat: Thorne Evenshade, Solmar Ignivox

Alchemy & Potionmaking: Neige Snowveil, Roselin Hearthcourt Cardemil

Transformation Arts: Hans Wilderkin

Astronomy & Prophecy: Beaumont Nocturne

Musical Resonance: Lino Minuet

Beastcraft: Swan Ellisar, Grogar Talebone

Tactician’s Lab: Malvyn Frostthorn

Magic Application and Arte Development: Lucan Galehart

Ancient Curses : Mordain Grimm, Onno Marrel

Runic Engineering : Aldric Fenwick

PE: Garrick “Grizz” Wolfin, Bellarox Craghide

Flying Arts: Zephyr Gale, Einar Lysveit

Aquatic Mastery : Merrick Tideborn, Semyon Morozin

Art: Caspar Dorne

Maths: Mikhail Sabirsky, Neryssa Hollowthorn

Other staff members:

Headmage: Solon Arclight

Ethics and Resonance Guidance Counselor: Anton Silkthorn

Nurse: Eamon Wellspring

Shopkeeper: Percival Trinket

Chef Cook: Goldor Hearthstone

Keeper of the Grand Archive and librarian: Dorian Ashthorn

Farm Manager: Rustan Featherstone

Are in relationship: Solon x Liora Swan x Beaumont x Lino Merrick x Malvyn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Classes and Seats :

First Years

1-A 05 – Tsuki Laito 1-A 09 – Rune Spindlewick 1-A ?? – MC 1-B 02 – Hatterick Marchhare 1-B 04 – Lyricis Farahdein 1-B 07 – Imperius Wovengale 1-C 08 – Elric Briarthorne 1-C 10 – Archer Verdain 1-D 02 – Kadar Serpenscale 2-D 07 – Ren Chisora 1-E 01 – Imran Frosham

Second Years

2-A 06 – Marinus Tideshade 2-A 08 – Minwoo Kinsei 2-B 06 – Tressari Manarah 2-B 08 – Cygnus Downwood 2-B 11 – Noel D'Orveil 2-C 03 – Porcus Huffsbrick 2-C 05 – Thatcher Squeakefield 2-D 03 – Mahdi Alclaris 2-D 17 – Éponine D’Orveil 2-E 04 – Caspian Willorun

Third Years

3-A 02 – Faylen Charmwright 3-A 16 – Khamari Duneshade 3-B 03 – Lupin Vardred 3-B 04 – Ambrosine Forrant 3-D 07 – Chester Marroway 3-D 15 – Jin Haruto 3-E 05 – Lazlo Quickstride

Fourth Years

4-A / 4-B / 4-C 02 – Gael Lumespring 4-D 08 / 4-E /

Fifth Years

Intership

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MCs:

@iylenne - Betty

@whynotread4fun - Ravi Connor

OCs:

@another-twisted-wonderland-fan - Nova Escher

@uruubu - Zarachios A. Salubelair

@kaltain-1 - Jihyuk Kwon

[storge]

ZENG YIXUAN as Ashina Yunyi Weaving a Tale of Love Season 2 (2023)

[dangermousie]

Here for the aesthetics…

[obsidian-pages777]

Pick a Card: Where should you travel to next to have your next breakthrough

Left to Right: Pile 1 -> Pile 3

Introduction

Once you pick a pile and refer to your reading it will show you a potential breakthrough that could occur once you travel to a certain place as described in the piles below.

If You Liked This Reading Sign up to TheObsidianPages777 Newsletter

+Free E-Guides on New Moon Manifestation and Gem Stone for Life Path

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

Pile 1: Near a Body of Water

The three cards for you, signifying your journey is as follows:

Ace of Cups - Traveling to a place near a body of water could lead to an emotional breakthrough, deepening your connections with others, and experiencing profound feelings of love, joy, and peace. The Star - This journey may bring a breakthrough in hope, inspiration, and renewed faith in your dreams. It signifies healing and finding inner peace through the soothing presence of water. Three of Cups - Exploring a location near water might bring a breakthrough in celebration, community, and friendship. It could signify finding joy and harmony in your social interactions.

Who you might meet in these travels:

A local artist who inspires you to express your emotions through art.

A group of locals celebrating a traditional festival or event, welcoming you to join in.

A wise old fisherman or even a bakery owner nearby who shares stories of hope.

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

Pile 2: Near a City

The overall energy is below mentioned:

The Tower - Traveling to a city could result in a breakthrough involving sudden change, breaking free from old patterns, and embracing new perspectives that challenge your current beliefs. The Chariot - This journey may lead to a breakthrough in determination, willpower, and taking decisive action. It signifies moving forward with confidence and achieving your goals. The Hierophant - Exploring a city might bring a breakthrough in spiritual or philosophical understanding, gaining new insights into traditions and belief systems that influence your life.

Who you might meet during these travels:

A tech entrepreneur discussing disruptive innovations that change industries.

A successful CEO who shares strategies for achieving ambitious goals.

A philosopher debating existential questions and perspectives on life.

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

Pile 3: Near a Mountainous Foresty Area

The cards are as follows:

The Hermit - Traveling to a mountainous foresty area could result in a breakthrough through introspection, seeking solitude for reflection, and gaining profound inner wisdom.

The Empress - This journey may lead to a breakthrough in creativity, nurturing new ideas or projects, and connecting deeply with nature and the earth's energies.

The Devil - Exploring a mountainous forest might bring a breakthrough in confronting and overcoming personal fears or limitations. It signifies liberation and reclaiming your personal power.

Who you might meet during these Travels:

A herbalist teaching about the healing properties of plants and herbs found in the forest.

A storyteller weaving tales of mythical creatures and nature spirits, igniting imagination.

A mountain climber sharing stories of conquering peaks, inspiring courage and resilience.

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

If You Liked This Reading Sign up to TheObsidianPages777 Newsletter

+Free E-Guides on New Moon Manifestation and Gem Stone for Life Path

[otomes-and-tears]

Can you do another soulmate au with Qiu and Tamarack but mc moves in at step two (I'd assume they'd basically end up the same way without the mc being there)? Qiu in particular would be interesting to see cause of how closed off they are lol

Anyway love your writing ❤️❤️❤️

♦ You can only see grey until you meet your soulmate for the first time with Qiu and Tamarack step 2 ♦

► tags and warnings: Soulmate! Au, Based on this post

► words: 2406

► A/N: Hi! I didn't know if you wanted the same type of soulmate AU or a different kind, so I wrote the same! If you're interested in seeing a different kid, just drop a request and I'll be glad to write something <3

► Masterlist

Tamarack

If the idea of a soulmate, as a child, made Tamarack indifferent, it now filled her with fear.

It wasn’t supposed to be like that, she was sure. Not like she’d ever admit to these feelings to anyone— Finding your soulmate was a goal to strive towards, a consolation on difficult days.

It’s what all romance books centered around. It’s the topic of all of the songs people listen to on the radio, the advice columns on magazines the girls much cooler than her read. 

It’s a daunting notion, perhaps, but a natural one. Her soulmate will appear when she least expects, her world will fill with colours she had never particularly wished to see, and she will be granted a companion for as long as both shall live. The other half of her soul, a missing limb she had never noticed was gone.

But how could she ever muster up excitement for it when her future was so uncertain?

Maybe her soulmate was back at her old home, at the school she’d have attended if her parents had kept her instead of leaving her with her grandparents. Or maybe, if they followed through on their promises to take her back, she’d just miss her soulmate moving into the perpetually empty, likely haunted, house in the middle of the cul-de-sac.

A soulmate could be the anchor she’d always wished for, a tether somewhere, but it could just as easily twist into another loss, another painful what-if to occupy her thoughts.

And losing the one thing you wished for isn’t terrifying?

So she continues living her life. Hoping that she’s just another person to meet their soulmate just a little later in life— her parents had met in college, after all. Things would just work out if the universe could hold out for just a while longer, until her family’s mess could finally settle itself or she was old enough to make her own choices, put down roots somewhere she was certain they wouldn’t be cruelly ripped out the soil. 

She had heard many tragic tales of the sort, after all. Soulmates that meet briefly only to be torn apart. People who are meant to each other, but who are destined to just weave in and out of each other’s lives, only having brief, blissful moments together.

She hates to admit it, but the idea of suffering such a fate keeps her awake, sometimes.

Tamarack was tired of holding her breath and waiting for other people to make decisions for her. Soulmates were a cosmic matter, beyond the reach of any plea or plan. And if people could be fickle and unreliable, she doubted the universe would be any more inclined to listen to her wishes.

Every year that passed, with her world continuing to be coloured in the greyscale she was so fond of, made her just a little more hopeful, dimming the fear and anxiety she had long grown used to.

But things have a way of changing when you least expect it.

This Halloween was different. It was her first as a teenager, and she had obsessed over her costume for weeks. How could she not? Everything felt more important this year, like the tiniest details suddenly carried the weight of her entire identity. Adding to the excitement, her Omi had mentioned something Tamarack couldn’t stop thinking about: after years of vacancy, someone had finally moved into the empty house next door.

Before she could head out for her own festivities, her omi invites her to deliver her homemade sweets to the new neighbours.

Tamarack stood on the porch of her grandparents’ house, the evening’s chill nipping at her nose. She adjusted her cape— a flimsy, dollar-store last minute addition to an otherwise well-planned witch costume. Her Omi had insisted on the traditional sweets, meticulously wrapped and sealed in clear plastic with small bows. Tamarack clutched the basket, feeling every bit the reluctant Little Red Riding Hood.

“Go on, sweetheart…” her Omi urged from the doorway, every bit as boisterous as she always was “First impressions are important!”

First impressions, Tamarack thought bitterly, only mattered if you planned on sticking around. Still, she trudged across the lawn to the new neighbor’s house, pausing at the edge of the worn wood porch, and the sparse decorations out on the lawn. It brought a smile to her face— the residents had likely not fully moved in yet, but they at the very least bothered to decorate for the occasion.

Her heart thudded as she raised a hand to knock, suddenly a little nervous. She looks back at her grandmother, who seems impatient enough to do it for her when suddenly…

The door swung open, and Tamarack’s breath caught in her throat.

A kid stood there, about her age, also wearing a costume, trying to add in the last accessories while answering the door. Behind them, she can see boxes piled into the living room.

“Uh, hi…” they said, eyes darting to the basket in her hands. “Trick-or-treat?”

Tamarack blinked, suddenly hyper-aware of the weight of the basket.

“Oh, um, no. I mean, yes. Sort of? My grandmother…”  She looks back towards her grandmother for a moment “Wanted me to bring these over.” 

Before she can offers the sweets, the kid’s mother, appears behind them— her Omi’s attention quickly shifting to the other adult as they commence introductions. Tamarack shyly, albeing awkwardly thrusts the basket forward, as a peace offering. 

Her new neighbour looks up for the first time, her red eyes meeting theirs.

It was like a silent firework had gone off in her mind, flooding every corner with color. The drab greyscale of the world she had grown so accustomed to was suddenly replaced by shades she didn’t have words for. The red of their costume was vibrant and rich, and the soft yellow light from the porch lamp bathed their features in a warmth that seemed dream-like.

Her knees felt weak, and her hands trembled as she tried to process the transformation. She glanced down at her own costume, marveling at the green hue of her skirt, the deep black of her cape that somehow seemed darker than before.

They were staring at her, wide-eyed. Their grip on the basket slackened, and a few candies tumbled out.

 “You’re seeing it too, right?” they whispered.

Tamarack nodded slowly. She leans down to grab the fallen candies just as her soulmate does. When their hands touch, they both pull back like it’s fire.  

The moment is awkward for just a second— before she laughs, and accompanies her.

Her heart pounded in her chest as a thousand thoughts jumbled together—fear, confusion, disbelief. She had spent years imagining this, dreading it, preparing for a moment that always seemed far away, out of reach.

Now, it was here.

Her world had changed in the blink of an eye, and she hadn’t even had time to catch her breath.

“I wasn’t ready for this.” 

She admitted softly, barely more than a whisper. The fallen candies back in her basket, and her heart feeling just a tad lighter.

“Same…” Her soulmate replied, in disbelief. “Well… It isn’t as bad like I feared it would be.”

Surprisingly, she shares the sentiment. 

Behind them, her Omi and MC’s mother were deep in conversation, already swapping stories and laughter as though they had known each other forever.

Tamarack barely noticed. Everything around her felt distant— muted compared to the colors she couldn’t stop staring at.

She forced herself to take a breath, steadying her nerves. This wasn’t what she had planned. It wasn’t what she wanted. But maybe… maybe it didn’t have to be as terrifying as she thought. Maybe this wasn’t the end of her carefully constructed world, but the start of something else.

Qiu

There was once a time in which Qiu longed to find their soulmate.

Back when things were brighter, easier. When the idea of finding the person that stood on the other side of their invisible string felt like an inevitability, a cheat code to meeting a new friend— their perfect equal, the way to make their life just a little more perfect. Golden grove was a little boring, but it was a little town brimming with potential, filled with wonderful things, little secrets, they knew of, and they were eager to share with their perfect match.

That hope belonged to a different version of Qiu, though.

A younger, more naive one. The boy with sparkling eyes and an eager need to please who he once believed themselves to be.

Now, it felt like a memory from someone else’s life, not their own. 

Regardless, it was a hope Qiu had held onto for an embarrassingly long amount of time. Even when things became less certain, and making new friends became a chore rather than an exciting prospect, they still hoped anyway.

Fantasised about their eyes meeting when they took their bows at the end of a ballet recital, the world blooming into colour as they found them in a crowd, eyes soft and adoring, their appearance shifting with every second they conjured their little daydream— not knowing what they would look like, but wishing that, just at having a glimpse of them in a dream, Qiu would just know.

Or perhaps in the bustling halls of school, a casual brush of shoulders with a new transfer student would change everything.

It occupied their thoughts during boring classes or frustrating days when no one understood them, no matter how much they tried to speak: the ever-shifting face of their soulmate, the kind eyes, the idea that someone would be able to tell them who they were, someone who’d instinctively know.

Not having found their soulmate, despite their increasingly desperate attempts to do so throughout their childhood, had been just another in a long list of disappointments in Qiu’s life. 

It was just another testament to a fact that terrified them: they didn’t know who they were, nor who they were supposed to be. People around them had an idea— expectations, their own stifling view of who Qiu Lin was, and the more they insisted on it, the less Qiu wished to fulfil their expectations.

Like with most other things, in recent times, they had just stopped trying.

Why should they even bother with a soulmate, anyway? They had lost so much time together already. The colours their parents had described sounded headache inducing, the idea of a soulmate stifling in a way it hadn’t before. They stopped greeting colleagues in the hallways and avoided any chance to meet new people. Their friendship circle was small, and ever dwindling— And it was better this way. 

A soulmate would just be another person to disappoint, after all. Like the list wasn’t long enough already. It was better for them, and for the poor soul tethered to them, if they didn’t meet at all.

For that reason, the first day of high school was terrifying.

Golden Grove’s only school rarely got transfers. The golden-haired whirlwind that was Tamarack, their neighbour, had been an exception. But what made Qiu particularly anxious was the sinking feeling that this was it. That something was in the air. Some deep, impending change they were too small to ever possibly stop.

They couldn’t stop it, but they could delay it, whoever.

If locking themselves in their room wasn’t an option, which Qiu was sure it wasn’t, then the solution was simple. Instead of heading straight to school, Qiu veered off course, slipping into the woods that gave Golden Grove its name. The golden leaves heralding autumn crunched beneath their sneakers as they made their way to the old bridge over the creek. It was a cherished spot, a secret place they’d often escaped to as a kid.

The boy’s club, with Tamarack as an honorary member, had once made it their domain.

They throw their gym bag on the floor, huffing as it falls with a thump on the top steps, leading to the small bridge. Qiu slumps right beside it, fishing their phone out of their pockets to shoot a quick message to Ren, reassuring him that they’d show up eventually, and putting some music on.

The crisp morning air helped clear their thoughts, even if the anxiety still simmered beneath the surface.

Skipping a few hours of school seemed worth the inevitable lecture they’d get at home. For now, they could breathe, even if just for a little.

“Excuse me…”

An unknown voice sounds from right behind them, above the sound of their music. They’re momentarily taken aback. No one ever came here. It was a local secret. Who else would be in a bridge in the woods in the early morning hours?

A gasp escaped their lips as the vibrant hues overwhelmed them. Blues, oranges, and reds assaulted their senses, a kaleidoscope of shades they had no names for.

It was too much.

Qiu squeezed their eyes shut, reeling from the sudden intensity.

The stranger staggered too, pages from a notepad— Qiu’s notepad,  slipping from their grasp and scattering across the bridge steps. Their wide eyes darted around as if trying to process the same blinding shift.

Qiu’s heart raced, cautiously grabbing one of the fallen pages. A note they had made a few weeks ago on ideas for Ren’s birthday gift. 

Had they led their soulmate straight to them without realizing it? The colours were no less dazzling now that they started getting used to them, but the feeling was slightly more bearable. The stranger’s hair gleamed like sunlight, their features sharp yet soft, framed by a hesitant, confused, smile.

“Are you okay?” the stranger asked, voice shaky but kind. They crouched to gather the rest of the  fallen pages, glancing up at Qiu with equal parts concern and awe.

Qiu’s mouth went dry. Words tumbled through their mind but refused to align into a coherent sentence.

They’d dreamed of this moment for years, yet nothing had prepared them for the overwhelming reality of actually meeting them.

“I…” They swallowed hard, trying again. “I didn’t think…”

The stranger smiled softly, offering a hand. 

“Me neither.”

Qiu hesitated before taking it.

Their hands touched, and the colors seemed to pulse, brighter and warmer, as if the universe was reaffirming the connection. For the first time in years, Qiu felt a glimmer of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, they hadn’t been wrong to dream after all.

[novanox88]

Those Leftover Pieces - Pt 2

Draco Malfoy x Reader

Summary: You’re in love with Draco – you always have been. But he likes Hermione, and she likes Ron. It’s a mess, and you don’t think you’ll ever be an option.

Warnings: Pining, Angst, No Smut, Slight Use of Y/N, Draco is Kinda OOC

(w/c 3.7k)

A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to get out this part, but I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. I'm thinking there will be 1-3 more chapters, but we'll see what happens. Enjoy!

It had been exactly a week since you’d given Drcao the flowers. Seven days since he’d dropped them on Granger’s study tale in the library and Draco hadn’t stopped bitching about it. The first two days had been hell on earth. You really had thought you’d be able to get through it but hearing him talk day and night about whether Granger had gotten the flowers and what she’d thought of them and if she’d liked the little note he’d given here was more than just exhausting. It was painful. You had tried and tried but you couldn’t keep up the smile and laughs as if nothing was wrong so you’d done something about it. You’d started avoiding Draco. It was something you’d never have thought you would do but you ducked and weaved through people to avoid him in the corridors and skipped meals to avoid him during the day. You’d even skipped potions earlier, it was the only class you shared with Draco and right now you couldn’t bear to look at his face. You were sure it wouldn’t hurt to skip potions just this once – or until you had it in you to get over the man. Then you had opted to stay for just a bit longer, in case you ran into him in the common room and just like that it was almost night and you hadn't moved from your reclusive table. 

The library was mostly empty except for the few Ravenclaw study groups dotted around the room, muttering under their breaths as they compared notes. You didn’t care about any of the other people here right now though, as long as you were nowhere near Draco you were fine. There was a table towards the back of the library that you had always favoured, it was out of the way from the hustle and bustle of everyone but, you could still see into the centre of the library where everyone was gathered. It was a perfect place for studying or people-watching, whatever you decided to do with your afternoon.

A call of your name drew your attention, as you turned your body around to find the source of the voice. Bright brown eyes met yours and your chest clenched in response as Hermione made her way towards you, a beautiful smile painting her equally gorgeous face. This was the problem with her, you had no and could never find a reason to hate her. She had always been nice to you, smiling at you in the corridors and helping you out when you were paired together in class. She was a wonderful person and you understood why Draco liked her. They had a strange ongoing banter, something that no one else was privy to. It was like their own little inside joke that always kept them connected and always kept everyone else out. They challenged each other in ways that other people didn’t quite comprehend. It was a beautiful dance that you weren’t a part of and deep down you knew there was nothing you could do to take that position from Hermione.

“What are you doing here?” You forced as much false cheer into your voice as you could as Hermione pulled up a chair beside you.

“Oh I was just finishing up an essay for potions but what about you, you’re not normally here around this time,” your hand stilled over your quill and a strange sense of surprise washed over you. She had been paying attention to you, sure you were friends of sorts but every time her name was mentioned your heart clenched and your stomach soured. It hadn’t occurred to you that she didn’t feel the same. As far as she was concerned you were just another friend. You weren’t sure how to feel about that. You smiled at her, it was so close to genuine that you could almost convince yourself you were happy that Hermione had stopped by.

“Transfiguration work,” you nodded to your open textbook and rolled out parchment. “Lots to catch up, you know how it is. I swear the professors think we’re fucking robots or something,” Hermione laughed, the sound sweet and bold just like her, it made your shoulders relax and your body easy. You had forgotten how nice it was to be around her. She was a good person, the kind of person you want to hold close. You knew that she would always have your back even though you weren’t that close and that’s why it was so hard to hate her. Because no matter how horrible this entire ordeal was for you, Hermione had done nothing wrong. She was so wonderful, how could Draco not fall for her. Hermione grabbed her own stuff, unrolling what seemed to be an excessively long essay. She glanced over at your book, eyes briefly scanning it before her face lit up in a smile.

“Oh, I revised that last week, let me know if you want some help,” if anyone else had said that you would’ve rolled your eyes and left the room but this was Hermione, she was genuine – she always had been – so you just smiled and nodded in response.

It hadn’t even been a couple of minutes before Hermione spoke up again.

“I’m sorry I lied,” her words were hurried and you looked up from your book in confusion. “....about wanting to help me?” you raised your eyebrows still very unsure what she was talking about.

“No no, not that we can still do that… if you want. Umm no this is about something else,” you nodded slowly, still slightly lost but you put your quill down nonetheless, turning your attention to the girl next to you.

“So…what’s wrong?” Hermione drummed her fingers on the table, eyes flickering from one place to another – never settling on your face.

“I’m sure you know,” her words were tentative, eyeing you and the books around you cautiously as if something might jump up and steal her secrets “But I got flowers… from Draco,” your breath caught in your throat and your mouth went dry. You had no idea where this conversation was going but you already knew you hated it. You had come to the library to get away from Draco yet somehow still he followed you around like a phantom and now you were sitting, discussing with the object of his desires.

“Yes he mentioned it,” you forced a smile onto your face, portraying a smiling happy friend. All the emotions you wished you could feel but your heart would not allow. “I hope you liked them, they looked quite lovely,” despair was slowly creeping into your voice but somehow the ever-observant Hermione didn’t seem to notice.

“Oh yes, they were gorgeous, it was so nice of him to do that. It was so… un-Draco-like if you know what I mean,”

“Well he must really like you,” you laughed, the sound hollow to your ears. You needed to get out of here as soon as possible.

“He’s great, isn’t he. He’s different than when we were younger but I can’t say it isn’t nice, I can actually have a proper study session with him now without being concerned he’s going to jinx me,” Hermione giggled, her eyes far away and thinking of how far they had all come. She was straight though, they had all changed oh so much it was really a miracle when you thought about it. They had so many opportunities to stay as enemies – opposing houses on opposing sides of the war – but once it had all been over everyone had chosen the same side.

Reconciliation.

Some part of you, the dark part that you could never seem to shake, wished everyone had stayed enemies at least then you might have had a chance with Draco. He might’ve looked at you first instead of Hermione.

“I’m glad we can all be friends or maybe something more in your case,” you had no idea why you were entertaining this conversation. Every one of Hermione’s smiles sent a dagger through your chest and you were reminded of why Draco had chosen her yet you stayed, rooted to the spot as though your heart enjoyed the pain. Hermione’s laugh was awkward and you picked up on it immediately, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. You had expected her to be excited, shy even, but this tentatively had not been something you expected. “Something’s wrong, what is it, what’s wrong?” 

“Did he do something? God, I told him not to be stupid!” The words were tumbling out of your mouth and you had no control of what came out. “Whatever it was I’ll apologise on his behalf, I’m sure he didn’t mean it whatever it was,” your mind was fighting with itself, you wanted to scream and cry and laugh but all you could do was try to fix whatever stupid mistake Draco had made like you had always done. You wanted him to be happy and if Hermione gave that to him then you would do whatever was in your power to make sure that happiness never left because that man – your Draco – deserved the world and you would give him just that even if it broke your heart to do so. “I’m sure you two can just talk it out an-”

“No, no, no, it’s not like that, it’s nothing like that. Draco is fine, he’s great in fact but he’s not for me,” Hermione’s words rushed out of her mouth and you paused slowly taking them in and piecing them together in your mind.

“I’m sorry what, I’m not following,”

“He’s not right for me, I don’t like him like that,”

“Oh,” it was a small pathetic noise and it was the only word you could muster.

“He’s wonderful don’t get me wrong but I love someone else,” the world slowed down around you and your lungs were desperately trying to decide if there was too much air or not enough. This was stupid, this couldn’t be happening. All that shit and she didn’t even want him. He had been going on and on – ‘Granger this, Granger that’ – so much so that it made your ears bleed but you had pushed through, you had listened and smiled because it made him happy and all you wanted was for him to be happy. You had picked his flowers and helped him talk to her all for what? For absolutely fucking nothing because she didn’t love that gorgeous man back and as much as you wanted to scream and shout and let the pure anger course through you, for whatever reason, you couldn’t. You felt hollow and numb as Hermione stared back at you eyes wide and desperate for a solution. You had made every sacrifice that no one should have to go to, you had cried yourself to sleep knowing that Draco would never love you back but you had done it to see him smile, you had done it because he deserved the world and more and now that smile would shatter and your heart with it. You bit your tongue – hard – to keep the tears at bay, this was not the time for your emotions.

“How did he take the news,”

“That’s the thing-”

“Hermione,” your tone was harsh, a warning because you knew exactly what was coming.

“I didn’t exactly tell him,” it was like someone had dunked you in the Black Lake, chills raked over your body and for a moment you stopped breathing.

“Hermione. what. the. Fuck.” You couldn’t even begin to figure out how you were supposed to fix this mess. Draco was currently sitting in potions thinking Hermione fancied him and Hermione was here telling you that wasn’t the case.

“I panicked, I don’t know what came over me, I just froze it was silly I know,” you didn’t know why she was telling you this, as if you weren’t in a shitty enough place already, someone just had to make it worse. You didn’t want to be in the middle of all this, you didn’t want to be anywhere near all this mess and yet here you were and you knew that you’d stay here until everything was fixed and Draco was okay because that was who were and who you always would be.

“You have to tell him,”

“I know but I don’t know how,”

“Is that why you came to me, for help?” her silence was all the answer you needed. “You just need to go up to him and tell him,” you sighed, letting your face drop into your hands “It’s the best way to go about it, he’ll take it best if you’re direct about it,”

“I can’t…” you could feel your headache growing.

“What do you mean you can’t,”

“He’s my friend, I don’t want to lose him,”

“Well we can’t have it all now can we Granger,” you snapped at her, lips turned upwards in a sneer. You hadn’t meant to come off as rude, she was coming to you for help but she was holding everything you had ever wanted in her hands and turning it away. You couldn’t even begin to understand what you were feeling but it definitely wasn’t pleasant.

“I’d hardly expect you to understand,” Hermione snapped back. It came from nowhere, pure unbridled anger rose through your body pushing away all the tears and pain you had felt. You raised a single eyebrow daring Hermione to continue. It was the face - the true face - of Slytherin, unmoving and fierce. “I’m sorry that’s not what I meant,” Hermione backtracked quickly “It’s just that… I don’t want him to hate me,” you scoffed in response.

“If that was the case you would’ve told him on the spot,” you began to pack away your things, shoving them unceremoniously into your bag. “Instead here you are leading him on,”

“That’s not fair,” Hermione spoke frantically, her hands waving around in the air as if that could stop you from leaving. “You know that’s not what I'm trying to do-”

“Really? Because from where I'm standing you have the affections of an incredible man and instead of meeting him head on you’re skirting around like a pathetic cockroach,”

“Stop it, you’re being cruel,” You saw the quiver in her lip and the way her eyes began to water but you couldn’t find it in your heart to care

“You are a lot of things Hermione Granger but I never took you for a coward, frankly it’s disappointing,” you stood from the table, bag clutched tightly in your hands. You turned to leave but Hermione jumped up and grabbed your arm, keeping you from moving.

“You don’t know what this is like. I came to you for help,” your back was turned to her but still you could hear the desperation and pain in her voice.

“You’re right I don’t know what it’s like to be in your… position but I have given you your advice, it’s up to you whether or not you choose to act on it,” she didn’t need to know how deeply you longed to be in her position and she didn’t need to see the tears slowly rolling down your face. Somehow through the whole ordeal you kept your voice steady or maybe Hermione was too wrapped up in herself to see what this was doing to you. Behind, you heard the shuffling of books and you took that moment to wipe away any stray tears, praying no one would notice your slightly red eyes.

“Well thanks for your help,” Hermione didn’t look at you as she spoke and her words were hollow, devoid of any true appreciation but you didn’t care, you just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. “You’re right, I’ll speak to him,” Hermione brushed past you, moving to leave the little nook of the library that you were in.

“Hermione,” you called out just before she could turn the corner. Your voice sounded dull to your ears but she didn’t seem to notice. Hermione paused, she didn’t turn but she stayed waiting for you to speak. “Who is it? The man you love, who is he?” you really wanted her to say someone incredible, some other rich pure blood or maybe a quidditch player, you knew she was close with Krum in your fourth year. You knew those weren’t the names she would utter though, it was clear as day who she was infatuated with and Draco had ignored all your warnings and gone and loved her anyway.

“It’s Ron,” she didn’t wait for your reply and quickly made her way out of your sight. Of course, it was Weasly he was everything that Draco was not. 

Your body fell back down into the chair and that was when the tears began to fall. One after another they streaked down your face and landed on your shirt. You crumpled into yourself, soft sobs shaking your body. You were so sick of this, so sick of that tiny ounce of hope being crushed over and over again. You had come to terms with the fact that Draco would never love you but at least he would’ve been happy with Hermione and you were ready to live with that. But now – now he would not be with Hermione, he had put himself out there for her and she had turned him down. He would be broken and miserable and you had no idea how long it would take before he smiled again but all the same, he would not love you. Your breath hitched and you tucked your legs into your chest, you could feel your shirt was damp against your skin but the tears wouldn’t stop and the weight on your chest made it hard to breathe.

“y/n…” your head whipped up and you furiously wiped at your tears. You were not pathetic, you were better than this and you would not be found in this position but it was too late. You blinked up at the man who had found you, fresh tears blurring your vision as he bounded towards you. “What’s wrong, what happened?” his grey eyes were etched in concern, silver hair sticking up in all directions which reminded you just how late it was. Then he knelt down before you and you felt that everything was over. Cold hands grabbed yours, pulling them away from your face and bringing them down to your lap. “Talk to me,” his words were so sincere and that just brought a new wave of tears as you tried and failed to speak through your sobs. Draco frowned and dropped your hands moving his own up to your face. The pleasant chill from his hands almost brought a smile to your face and he waited, gently wiping away your tears as your breathing steadied and your tears slowed. “Better?” you nodded, a reluctant smile gracing your face as you pulled his hands away from your face. You would not let yourself pretend that any of this meant more than it did. You knew your delusions would only lead you to pain as they had so many times before. You had to protect yourself.

“I’m fine Draco, really,”

“Bullshit,” he snapped getting up off his knees and pulling you out of your chair with him. “No one who’s fine sits in the library in the middle of the night bawling their eyes out-”

“-I was hardly bawling,” Draco shot you a look that instantly quieted you although the smile didn’t leave your face. It was just so easy to talk to him, it hadn't even taken him more than a few moments to calm you down. Everything about him was easy, nothing felt like work, all you felt was serene when he was around and if the universe would let you, you would gratefully bask in that feeling for the rest of your life. “I’m serious Dray, I’m absolutely fine,”

“Don’t lie to me, you know I hate it when you lie to me,” he reached for your forearms, tugging you closer to him and loosely wrapping his arms around your shoulders.

“It’s nothing, transfigurations was just getting to me,” the lies felt bitter on your tongue but you didn’t let your face give you away but it wasn’t any use Draco knew. His lips were set in a grim line, more than aware you were lying but he had the sense not to push. Instead, he pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around your waist and holding you close. You tucked your head under his chin and he hummed, the sweet noise vibrating through your body. Het let his hands trail through your hair, untangling the knots as he went and you just stayed there letting your body melt into his his.

“I know you're lying,” his voice was just a murmur as he spoke directly into your ear. Goosebumps raised along your arms and the back of your neck but you paid them no heed. You would not let your mind fall into false pretences. “I’ll let you keep your secrets but you must promise to come to me if anything is actually wrong,” you laughed but nodded into his chest.

“I promise,” your words were just above a whisper and spoken into Draco’s chest but somehow he still heard you. He would always hear you over the echoing voices of the Great Hall and he would always find you in the crowded corridors but no matter how many times he came to you he would never be yours. The thought was sobering and you pulled away from him, taking two decisive steps back to put space between the both of you. “It’s getting late we should go,” you reached for your satchel but Draco beat you to it, snatching it off the desk.

“Lead the way, princess,” he smiled down at you and you misled back. It was tentative and full of pain but he didn’t see that and you would fight every day so that he never would. You would give this man every ounce of happiness that you could even if it shattered your heart to do so.