#driven snow brush and motion blur

[dogs-with-lightsabers]

a sketch i liked of teen yosuke for okwd, pretty quick (like an hour or two total)

this takes place during the ski trip but pre hollow forest dungeon (i have not played to that point dont’ judge me)

because yosuke was a runaway, i’m saying that he ended up in northern canada, alarmingly close to the arctic circle at some point, so my man’s has a freakishly high cold resistance that doesn’t show pre-amatsu but would have an effect in battle

@verysexyseagull i gave him the blue bandanna that akira’s other cat plush mordred has (as this was the origin)

[fairyshuuu]

Blurred pt2

Length: 2.8k Genre: Angst Warnings: Mentions of death This is a continuation of a one-shot of mine called Made of Memories, I would recommend you read that before this, which is why I consider it part 1.

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 //

You let out a small breath, pulling your hood up against the soft fluffy snowflakes, while you cross the street. Your jacket pullet tight around you, you get into the small silver car. When you shut the door behind you, you lean back a bit, closing your eyes. You probably shouldn’t have started work this soon again, but you couldn’t sit home all day.

Sighing in defeat, you open your eyes again, pushing the keys in, twisting them to start the car. It makes a lot of noise, but the motor doesn’t start, while you push your hair away in frustration. Stupid rental cars. You try again, biting your lip. The car starts, before falling back into silence, while you groan. You should have just taken your old car.

Your stomach twists at the image of the car though. The poppy red dyed mustang, with it’s silver wheel knobs and beige leather interior. It was a secondhand sale, and Baekhyun had never been as excited to buy anything, ever. He was like a child on Christmas day, big eyes blinking his long lashes as he explains his amazing steal find. Now though, when you think of that car, you can only see him sitting in the driver's seat, as he smiles at you while he drives.

He always looked so at ease when driving, head leaned back a bit, as his fluffy black hair just falls into his eyes. His elegant long fingers around the wheel loosely, casually, as you rest your head against his shoulder, pointing out the constellations as the two of you drive back from some random art show. His thumb gliding affectionately over your thigh, as his eyes don’t leave the road.

It’s hard to imagine yourself in that car, without crying, so you take a rental. It’s a piece of trash, but at least it doesn’t make you cry. As you twist the key again, you silently pray for the machine to work with, just sighing in defeat when it doesn’t. Soft music fills the car though, and you look over at your bag in the passenger’s seat, leaning over to pick out your phone.

You take a breath when you look at the caller ID, closing your eyes as you pull the phone to your ear hesitantly. You sigh deeply, before your vocal chords work with, trying to keep your voice stable and your thoughts neutral. “Y/N speaking.”

There’s a quiet ruffle from the other side, before a soft, deep voice comes through. “Hey.”

Your eyes flutter ever so slightly, while you focus on the sounds of the cars passing, before blowing out your words as naturally as you can manage. “Hey, Chanyeol. How are you?” You know your voice sounds dull, but you can’t help it, not wanting to put up a show for your best friend.

He hums softly, as if he’s thinking of sparing your feelings, but he clearly decides against it. It wouldn’t help anyway. “Like shit. But I called to ask you how you were, not to discuss me. So, how- Are you feeling any better at all? I heard you started work again.”

You sigh, running fingers through your hair, before answering. “I’m nowhere near better, but I appreciate the thought. I just-“ You pause, breathing deeply. “I thought that if I could get myself to focus on other things, the pain would subside for a bit. But it won’t just go away like that, will it?” There’s a pause on the other side of the line, but he probably doesn’t know what to say to that, so you softly continue. “I went to try today, I couldn’t- I couldn’t be home the entire day, it would’ve driven me insane.”

Chanyeol stays silent, and you can almost see his soft expression, before he seems to rub his face. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s my own fault.” It is your own fault for choosing to stay there for now. You could have stayed anywhere else, but you seemed to like to torment yourself. With good reason, though.

“You can always stay here, you know. I know it doesn’t feel like home, but- I think it could be less painful.” He trails off a bit, before softly adding a small comment. “And I- I think I need someone here too. I don’t want to be alone, it hurts.”

This feels like a punch in your stomach, since you know this. You know that Chanyeol is suffering at least as much as you are. You are just as much Chanyeol’s friend as he is yours, and he’s there for you all the time. The least you can do is give him back that support. And getting out of the house would probably be best, since you haven’t told Chanyeol how your days have been completely flipped upside down. He would worry if he knew, which is why you haven’t told him yet. You know this is not healthy though.

Chanyeol continues softly when you don’t answer after a bit. “Just think about it.” A soft breath, and then the sound of a car passing. “How is your foot?”

You had cut your foot after the burial, when you had dropped a mug to the ground. The stone had shattered into small shards, one of them cutting the side of your foot open. It had hurt, but you didn’t mind, since it allowed you to focus on the physical pain, instead of the mental anguish. “It’s alright. When I put pressure on it, it hurts, but I’ll be fine.”

You both just sit in a careful silence after that, neither knowing what to say. What can you say in this situation? You are both sad, you are both deeply hurt, you are both left alone, and nothing can make it better. You miss Baekhyun. Baekhyun is gone. You want him back. Nature doesn’t work that way.

Eventually, Chanyeol breathes out deeply, sounding tired. “I miss him too.”

You clear your throat, as you tilt your head back when tears start pooling in your eyes. “I didn’t say anything yet.”

Your best friend breathes out playfully, almost a faint smile somewhere in his voice. “You forget that I know you better than most people.”

You smile softly, lips straining from the motion. “I would never forget.” Your voice sounds teasing as well, and you suddenly fall silent as you hear it. It felt wrong, painfully so, days after Baekhyun’s death. You look out of the window then, focusing on the soft bustling sounds of the city around.

Chanyeol senses your change in mood, you know, and you wonder if he feels the same. If he feels wrong like this as well, talking like nothing ever happened. Probably not. Chanyeol, in times of grief, hides. He hides behind himself, acting like he’s fine, like he’s alright, even when he’s not. It’s admirable, to have that much self-control. You just break down. It’s freeing, somewhat, but it still doesn’t take away the hurt.

“Don’t forget to eat, tonight. And if you feel like you need someone, I’m here, you know me. I- I’m glad you’re getting out of the house.”

“You too, Yeol. I know how you are. Eat, sleep, please. No one could’ve stopped what happened.” It’s true. No one could’ve stopped the truck from driving straight into another car and hitting Baekhyun in the process. You wish you could have, though. You wish you could have taken his place. You close your eyes quickly, putting your free hand to hide your face and try to keep your voice steady, while tears are brimming at the edges of your eyes. “I’m gonna go, Chanyeol.”

Chanyeol seems to want to say something, but doesn’t, sighing deeply. “Drive safe.”

Once the call ends, you drop your phone, pulling your face to your knees, as tears spill out. Now that Chanyeol is gone to keep your thoughts at bay, they all come back like a wave, smashing into you. If anyone would have deserved a second chance, it would have been Baekhyun. Your body shakes softly as you push your palms to your face harder, trying to stop the memories.

Baekhyun, sitting in the couch when you come back from work, in a white shirt and Pokémon boxers. He grins widely when you enter, his bright red hair a mess, flopping into his eyes as he jumps up to greet you. His hands wrap around your waist immediately, as he presses two chaste kisses to your neck. “Welcome home. I missed you.”

You smile softly, running your fingers over his cheeks, as he pulls back. He looks perfect, his brown eyes lighting up while you lean forward to kiss him. He hums softly into the kiss, pulling you closer, as you giggle at his sudden neediness. When you pull back, his lips are slightly red, and his cheeks too.

He slides his fingers between yours, biting his lip while he looks back, before pulling you with. Softly letting go next to the grand piano, where he takes a seat, smiling up at you. You pop out your hip as you brush his hair back, as a soft giggle escapes his lips.

He straightens up a bit, before placing his hands on the keys, humming softly when he starts to play. “I wrote something. Listen well.” He grins, a childlike joy on his face, while the evening glow hits his face. The melody is soft, and frail, as his fingers almost ghost over the keys, before he starts singing.

I was looking yesterday

At a painting

A painting called you

For me alone

You are so beautiful

Like the first snow

Why do I

Deserve you

My sleeping angel

I want to tell you

How much you are worth

But no price is enough

My sleeping angel

When you wake up

Don’t fly away from me

I adore you

Your heart winces, as you sit in silence, weeping. If anyone should have gotten a second chance, it should have been Baekhyun. You cry for him, for his smile, for his love, for losing him, all over again. And it hurts, so much more than anyone told you it would. Minutes tick by, as you cry, hands in your hair. Eventually, your tears stop, though the hurt doesn’t. You don’t move for what feels like an eternity. Eventually though, you feel like getting away from this place. You groan as you look in the back view mirror, wiping away your smudged mascara, and run a hand through your hair.

When you turn the key this time, the car starts, after some struggling. The entire way home, you are mindless, lost in yourself as you turn the corners. You should stay with Chanyeol. You should, since you still see Baekhyun at home. And even though he looks real, you know he’s not. Which is why you cut your foot. Which is why you cry when falling asleep at night.

You still see him, painted as a beautiful, perfect image, when coming home. You still hear him, and you are relying on it, which isn’t fair. Your mind is playing tricks, that’s all it is, but he looks so real, and your heart aches to touch him. The one time you tried though, he just faded, confused, and you didn’t see him for two full days.

Coming home now, the sun sinking to give everything a golden glow, you hurt at the idea. That your heart is so shattered, that it would rather pretend to still have him there, than to admit reality. You twist the key with a heavy heart, walking inside the dark hallway, and pull off your shoes, bathing in his smell, his warmth.

It still feels like Baekhyun was here just hours ago, but you know that’s not true. The accident was eight days ago, and people are starting to wonder when you will move on. Which is funny, since you don’t want to move on. It’s ironic, since you don’t know how to move on when he’s still there for you. You think it’s asking too much, since you won’t ever be able to forget him.

The house is silent, apart from you moving around in the dimming light, so when you hear a sound, it scares you at first. It quickly twists your mood though. And when you turn, you see him. Black hair, glowy skin, a white button-down and some black pants. He looks angelic, and for a moment you think that he could be. For a moment you think he’s an angel come down to take you with, or at least to take the pain away. His big eyes sparkle ever so slightly, more gray than the deep brown you are used to, his entire shape softly illuminated, like waves of a silver glow pass over his body, and he looks more virtuous than you think you could have ever imagined him. That’s before he speaks though, since that makes you think that he’s the devil. Someone trying to play with your heart and emotions.

He lets out a soft breath, while his lips pull up into a soft smile. His hands are dangling unsurely next to his body, though he looks like he wants to reach out. And then his lips move, words softly reaching you. “Welcome home.”

You sigh, pulling your eyes away from him, as you remember his words over and over again, how he would say them every time you got home from work. This had to be what your brain was making from those memories, hoping it would help you cope. You know this, but you feel like speaking it out loud, making it solid, convincing yourself. “You are not real.”

Baekhyun stands, confused, his eyebrows pulling together as he licks his lips. Your words seem to resonate in him, making him think. He hesitates slightly, eyes not leaving yours, and then softly responds. “I feel real.”

You stare at him as he talks back, since it seems out of place. How could a mirage, an imagination, respond to something you say? How could it have the cognitive thought to feel? You run a shaky hand through your hair, keeping your eyes on him. You had never dared to engage in conversation with him before. Your voice cracks as you stare at him, fingers fisting into your sweater, as if trying to protect yourself. “Why are you here?”

Again, he seems confused, looking around. His eyes take in everything while you stare at him, trying to calm your heartbeat. Eventually, his eyes find yours again, while he tilts his head sideways a bit, shakily answering again. “I- I don’t know. Everything is blurry. I know you though.” He takes a careful step closer, intertwining his hands in front of him. “Why do you leave all the time?”

You want to answer, but suddenly pause. Leave? If he was something from your imagination, he should be with you at all times, should he not? You clear your voice a bit, looking up at him with wide, watery eyes. “Being here scares me.”

Baekhyun pauses, reflecting your posture, before pouting a bit. You think of his pout, which makes your eyes water, but you keep strong, biting your lip to keep them back. After a second, Baekhyun answers, his soft voice sounding small and scared. “Being without you scares me. Can you stay here?”

The question seems stupid, idiotic, yet still your fingers tingle with the idea of turning him down. Yet, your rational senses are screaming at you. You couldn't do that. It would make you go insane, staying here all by yourself. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Baekhyun. You are not real. This is not healthy for me.”

This only seems to confuse him more, his eyes widening slightly as he walks toward you. The frown on his face fades only slightly, when his eyes flick all over your face. “Why?”

Tears suddenly come back, because you know the answer. Speaking it out loud hurts though, since it makes it more real. “Because you are dead, Baekhyun! You are not really here, and knowing that, you are hurting me.”

His eyes widen, as he takes a step back, looking down. He seems a bit fuzzy around the edges, growing more and more distant, as he looks back at you. His eyes are watery, confused, and you want to punch yourself for hurting him. Before you can though, his figure fades. He seems to panic when he notices, reaching out a hand to hold onto you desperately, as he calls out. “No, wait.”

You reach for him, but your hand slides through, unable to grab hold of him, and then he’s gone. You stare at the place he was just stood, tears in your eyes, before you sink to the floor, hands on the cold stone. Your heart beats slowly, while you lean back against the kitchen cupboard, tears rolling down your cheeks. Your voice sounds raspy when you shout out, but you don’t care. “Come back, I’m sorry. Don’t leave me again. Come b-back. Please-” You can’t help yourself from letting the tears pour out, slumping into yourself, as the house falls into a pressing silence again.

--

I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you thought, even a small message can make a ton of difference to me! 

Thank you all for requesting I continue this story, loves, I hope you enjoy what comes next.

[ladykf-writes]

Threads of Fate: Rue’s Story, CH1: Three Years Ago

At last, the novelization I’ve been talking about! It’s not complete yet, but I’m feeling more comfortable with what I’ve got and I’m ready to post some of it. 

For those interested but concerned that they don’t know the fandom, I’d like to preface this with the assurance that you don’t need to. The fic is going to cover Rue’s entire storyline just as playing the game would, giving complete access to all the canon you need to know, and even expand on some points to make them more clear. On the Ao3 and Tumblr versions, I’m also including links to pictures of the main cast for the curious.

Unlike most of my stories, I will also post this in its entirety on Tumblr (under a cut, as the chapters can get long) but there will be Ao3 and FFN links for anyone who prefers to read there. Please enjoy.

Ao3 || FFN

Story Summary: Rue didn't know what he was supposed to be doing, couldn't remember who or what he was. All he knew for sure was that he would do anything to get Claire back.

Chapter Summary:  Everything can change in a moment.

The end of the storm left silence in its wake, the hush of new snowfall and the quiet of the night. Even the wind that had howled so furiously for so long fell silent, and for a moment, there was peace. Out in the trees, a family of pollywogs bobbed through the air, lavender head tails streaming behind fat yellow bodies as they took in the icy stillness.

The snow clung to the pines like frosting, weighing the branches down until they bowed with the weight. All the animals had gone to ground with the start of the storm, only the hardier monsters venturing out so soon after it had stopped. Under the clear, star-speckled sky even they were peaceful.

Something stirred.

A dark shape blurred out of the pines, soaring deeper into the forest. It flew between the trees, barely disturbing them. But the monsters fled, sensing a greater predator.

It had been snowing nonstop for days, and Rue couldn’t remember the last time he’d been stuck inside for so long. There wasn’t much space in the little cabin he and Claire shared, and even after two years he was careful of how much of it he took up. Stepping up to the window, he peered outside and took in the sudden stillness. No more howling wind. No swirls of snow. Just a wide, undisturbed swath of white, sparkling under the stars. His breath fogged the glass and he wiped at it, stepping back a little to look at it better.

Behind him, he could hear the hushed whisper of Claire’s robe on the cabin’s floor, boots clicking quietly over the wood. She paused at his side, brushing her long bangs back. “How’s it looking out there?”

“The storm’s over, I think,” Rue said quietly, stepping back so she could see. “The sky’s so clear it’s hard to believe we’ve just had a storm. It seems odd.”

Claire watched him a moment, shaking her head. “It’s probably from being stuck inside so long. Everything seems more pronounced.”

Rue shrugged. “Maybe.”

She smiled at him with that gentle warmth that always made him smile back. “Why don’t you take a trip tomorrow, when it’s light out? Some fresh air will do you good.”

“Yeah, I’ll get out with the dawn. See about unearthing the firewood and then head out to the valley,” Rue decided, warming to the idea. “Go down by the stream, where the deer are. If I manage to get one, would you…”

“I’ll make your favorite stew,” she said, smiling indulgently. “In fact, I’ll make a feast. I’m counting on you to get one.”

“I’ll do it,” he promised.

“Good, let me go check on dinner then. You’ll need well fed and some good sleep if you’re going hunting tomorrow,” she said.

Rue nodded, watching her head back to the pot that was suspended over the fire. He took a deep breath, feeling his stomach rumble eagerly; they were using up the last of the rabbit, and the air was thick with the scents of spices and meat after it had cooked for hours. His mouth watered, and he turned back to check the Arc Edge where it was resting by the door. He hefted it by the handle, brushing a thumb across the battle axe’s rounded blade. It would need some sharpening later.

“Rue, dinner’s ready,” Claire called.

“Hm? Oh, let me help,” he said quickly, setting his weapon back down and hurrying back to hold the thick ceramic bowls while she ladled the stew into them, carrying them over to the table. His stomach rumbled again. “This smells delicious.”

He started eating immediately, and it took a moment to realize that Claire had not, dark eyes staring off unseeingly over his shoulder. He looked just to check that there was nothing there, spoon paused halfway to his mouth. “Claire? What’s wrong?”

“Oh!” She startled, shaking her head a little. “I was just... thinking.”

He took a moment to eat his spoonful before prompting her when she didn’t continue. “About what?”

“With this storm… I couldn’t help but think about the day you came here.” She closed her eyes, smiling softly. “It was snowing then, too. Almost two years ago. It’s so hard to believe…”

Rue watched her a moment, the way the lamplight caught on her ponytail, picking out a few highlights in the length of dark brown hair. So much had changed for him since he’d arrived, but Claire seemed unchanging, the same peaceful, generous soul that had taken him in when he was lost.

He frowned, spoon clinking quietly on his bowl as he set it down. “Are you… is everything alright?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” She opened her eyes, smiling in reassurance. “Really, I’m fine, Rue. I -”

There was a sudden burst of sound from the barn, the cow letting out a loud bellow followed by frantic bleating from the sheep, cutting her off. Rue turned back towards the disruption, frowning. “I better go check on that.”

Claire nodded. “Be careful.”

Rue nodded back absently, taking a moment to step into his boots and tug his gloves on before grabbing his axe and stepping outside. The cold had never bothered him, but hearing the animals so distressed made him anxious. Snow crunched under his boots as he approached the barn, not seeing so much as a rabbit’s paw print disturbing the smooth surface. Everything was untouched. “What’s going on?”

Suddenly there was silence.

In the sudden void of sound, Rue picked up two words from a deep, masculine voice that sent chills up his spine. “At last.”

There was a rush of wind and he turned just in time to see a dark figure flying towards him.

He raised the Arc Edge to block a strike that sent him skidding, powder snow flying. He gasped at the strength of the impact, heart pounding. “What… who are you?!”

No response, save another lunge, a fast and furious assault with no explanation. Rue found himself barely able to keep up before something managed to strike him across the chest, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling in the snow. It was then that he finally got a proper look at his assailant, heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. He had wild white hair and strangely flat red eyes, a dull gem embedded on his forehead. He’d never seen him before, and yet…

Movement caught his eye and he looked down, eyes going wide. One arm was normal, drawn back a little, but the other… the other was massive, the limb stretched out of proportion; the hand alone was big enough to close around Rue’s entire torso. It flexed as he watched, moving in a fluid, unnatural way. The man chuckled darkly and approached.

“HEY!”

Rue’s blood ran cold, a rushing in his ears almost drowning out a low thud. He watched as the monstrous being turned, exposing Claire at his back, a fierce scowl on her face as she brandished a hoe at him.

“Leave him alone, you beast!” She demanded. But this was no beast to be chased off.

He knew in an instant what was going to happen. He knew, and he tried to get up anyway, tried to reach her, tried to protect her - “Claire, run!”

The massive hand reached out and gripped him, long arm lifting him up and throwing him aside like a ragdoll. Rue hit the snow hard, breath driven out of him, but was trying to get up before his mind had fully processed it. His hands scrabbled at the snow, boots slipping on the surface as he tried to stand on wobbly legs.

The monster was advancing on Claire now. Step by step, she retreated, realizing her danger. Her eyes had gone wide, her lips parted as if on the verge of a cry. The hoe was a pathetic attempt at defense, held out in front of her like it could possibly stop him.

The monstrous hand flexed again in that same rippling motion.

“Claire!” He tried to get up again, legs refusing to support his weight and dropping him to his knees. All he could do was watch, see the fear written starkly across his adopted sister’s face. She’d gone tense, fight or flight abandoned to freeze. She wasn’t getting out of there, she wasn’t moving, and the hand curled like a claw before it was raised and came down upon her in a violent slash. “Wait, no!”