#kris drabble

[thatrandomlittlegirl]

When you type Gaster's name into the game, the game shuts down and resets.

What would happen when you type his name elsewhere...?

[krirebr]

random hoeing:

Steve catching you in the rain, his white shirt completely soaked and transparent

Ok, this has to be Neighbor Steve.

Warnings: explicit language, more fluff than I normally do, completely unedited, 18+ - MINORS DNI

After Steve caught you ogling him during the heatwave, the tone of your conversations when you run into him in your building has gotten decidedly flirtier. But for whatever reason, that's where it's stopped. As much as you've tried to send signals that you are very open to more, he's never taken you up on it. Which is fine. It's fine. Totally fine. You are very cool with it. The thought of it definitely doesn't make you shrivel up inside. You are so cool.

All of that is the furthest thing from your mind right now, though, as you and your dog run through the rain. It'd been such a nice day, but as you hit the halfway point of your usual longer route, the sky unexpectedly opened up and you and your poor dog were hit by an absolute downpour. Now, finally home, you're both completely soaked and desperate to get inside and dry.

After some fumbling, you get the door to your building unlocked and opened. Just as you're about to get inside and let the door close behind you, you hear your name ring out. You turn around to see Steve hurrying up the path. "Hold the door!" he yells.

You freeze, doing as he asked. Holy shit. He's just as soaked as you, but while you're sure you look like a drowned rat, he very much does not. He– Well. He– He's wearing that damned white t-shirt again. Except it's not white now, it's translucent. You can see everything – that tattoo you spotted before, and a few more to go with it, an incredible set of abs, nipples. Holy shit.

He quickly ushers you inside, thank god, because you can't move on your own, your eyes still stuck to his chest. "Fuck, that came out of nowhere, huh?" he chuckles.

The moment you're out of the rain, your dog proceeds to do her best to shake herself dry, as if the three of you weren't already dripping all over the entryway. "Oh, shit," you mumble, reaching for her without really knowing what to do.

Steve just laughs. And then does it himself, shaking out his golden locks. Part of his hair flops down over his forehead, and you do your best to hold in your gasp. Really it's just so unfair that he could get caught in a rainstorm and come out looking like that. What the actual fuck? you think to yourself.

Except, judging by the way his head whips around to look at you, maybe you didn't think it. Maybe it was more out loud than you'd meant. Oh god. You immediately start babbling, which is unfortunately just as uncontrollable as the initial slip-up you're trying to make up for. "Oh, god, I'm so sorry. I just– I mean– Look at you!" You throw a wild gesture at him as he just stares at you with his mouth open, trying to take in your ramble. "It's cats and dogs out there and you look like that?? While I–" another wild gesture, at yourself this time. "I just– How is it fair that you're so beautiful??"

"You think I'm beautiful?" he finally manages to interject.

"Huh?" And that's when your brain finally catches up. Oh dear god. What is wrong with you?? You cautiously glance at him to find him staring at you, not upset, but like he's trying to figure you out. Fuck it, you suddenly think. You've already embarrassed yourself. You have nothing left to lose. "You wanna get dinner with me sometime?"

You swear that the smile that blooms on Steve's face is bright and warm enough to dry you both off. "I was starting to worry I was reading your signals wrong. Yeah. Yeah, I'd love to."

Your answering smile is strong enough to push all the clouds away.

☔

Thanks for the fun prompt, Eva!

Tag List

@stargazingfangirl18 @yenzys-lucky-charm @thezombieprostitute @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @bval-1 @km-ffluv @texmexdarling @ladyvenera @roxyfan14-blog @darkserenity24 @midnightramyeoncravings @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @ronearoundblindly @brandycranby @steviebbboi @missaprilt23

[cesienthusiast]

So I've decided to create a Drabble Collection on ao3 storing all my Krerdly/Dreemberd brainrot... because I'm unwell about them.

Here it is, go read and be free my fellow freaks:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66815935

[rarepairjokers]

Something cracky for @blossom-boo, based on a conversation we had😉

(sfw text, even if it’s very silly)

“Okay, but why?” Kris crossed his arms, eyeing the unfamiliar creature with suspicion.

“A pet for life!” Jure happily exclaimed, stroking its colorful feathers as the bird perched on his arm, claws digging into Jure’s skin while he pretended it didn’t hurt like hell.

“Exactly. A pet for life,” Kris countered. “As in it’ll live forever.”

“Not forever forever. Maybe just sixty years.”

Kris took a step back. That thing was staring at him with menace behind its soulless eyes. “That’s the rest of our lives for sure.” He grimaced when Jure pressed his lips to its head, reminding himself not to let Jure kiss him that night.

The feathery beast - or Cluck Norris as Jure named it, no matter how often Kris said parrots don’t cluck - quickly settled inside Jure’s homemade aviary where it could be heard squawking offensive words at passersby, which often happened to be Kris.

One day the bird made him stop and do a double-take. Kris had grown used to the endless string of swears coming from the creature, but the moment he entered the room it suddenly called out ‘hey beautiful!’

Within weeks it had escalated to ‘hey sexy!’ followed by a flirty whistle. Kris momentarily entertained the idea that the bird was coming on to him, except he recognized that whistle. It was the same tune Jure whistled whenever he thought his boyfriend looked extraordinarily sexy.

He shrugged, thinking Cluck Norris had simply overheard Jure’s usual flirting and mimicked it as parrots tended to do.

Months passed and Jure spent hours training the bird. To do what exactly, Kris had no idea. It definitely didn’t stop catcalling him.

One night Kris was resting on the couch when all lights suddenly vanished and a flapping of wings too close to his face followed. Claws dug into his shoulder, and he honestly feared the damn bird was gonna off him now.

When the lights returned, Cluck Norris dropped something metallic in Kris’s lap, loudly squawking (directly into his ear) ‘hi beautiful! Will you marry me?’

Kris was certain the parrot had finally lost its marbles, when instead he saw Jure, kneeling and looking at Kris, pure adoration in his eyes.

“So,” Jure said, taking the silver ring from Kris’s lap. “Will you?”

Kris smiled, a blush appearing on his cheeks. Maybe the three of them could learn to live in harmony after all.

[eebie]

tootsie roll

[kris-and-elle-and-141]

Soap and Kris who's love language involves biting. Not necessarily sexually, they just like to feel connected to those they love by physically branding it into their skin (and they're a bit feral about it). Ghost takes it like an absolute champ, man's covered in bite marks with no shame, no bother hiding it. Will actively encourage it by wearing short sleeves, leave his entire arm open to any teeth. Price and Elle allow it, within reason. They both care about control and their image, so Price will never let any bites show. But under his clothes, he will be littered in them. Elle, conversely, will permit one mark on display from each, deliberately placed. It shows that she is loved, but that they will heel to her. Gaz, poor Gaz, denies enjoying the attention, although he never pushes anyone off. He even seems to invite it, straight up putting his forearm in their mouths. The contradiction is explained when he tipsily mumbles into Ghost's shoulder one night that he secretly enjoys it. And of course, Kris and Soap are happy to receive what they dish out.

I mentioned that Price and Elle both care about control, and this extends to their way of demonstrating love. Because what's even more meaningful is when they relinquish control to their lovers. When Price allows himself to be the one that gets held, lets somebody else take over while he gets some sleep. He'll be curled up in Ghost's arms, head on Gaz's shoulder while Elle finished up his reports, Kris fetches a blanket and Soap cooks. And letting Soap cook takes an astounding amount of faith. It's a show of trust. For Elle, relinquishing control takes the shape of no longer worrying about what the squad will think when they see her, being able to trust them to accept her wholly, flaws and all. It means she lets herself be seen at her worst, even if that's ugly crying in her pyjamas.

Ghost and Gaz tend to be more passive, but don't let that fool you into thinking they won't make a show of their affections. It just takes smaller forms. Gaz will check Kris is eating and sleeping properly, make sure Price isn't overworking, prompt Ghost to talk in conversation, make Elle laugh and relax, calm Soap down when he gets carried away. His care comes in the form of nurture, which everyone forces back onto him twofold. And Ghost does it by physically being near people, literally stalking after them all day. He'll never initiate PDA but he'll always be there, beside them. Sometimes he'll talk, sometimes the silence will be all they need.

[patchwork-crow-writes]

Where Our Shadows Cross

Chapter 1 - The Wavering Shadow Cast By Your Light

Words: 2449 Genre: Romance Relationships: Kris/Susie/Ralsei

Read on AO3 and leave some kudos :3 ______________________________

Something gnawed at Ralsei as he watched his friends approach from across the castle courtyard. They were still his friends, weren’t they? It was still so strange to think of them as more than that, even though they’d all promised…

It would have been difficult to see, if you weren’t intimately aware of their mannerisms – both Kris and Susie were walking side-by-side, a small distance apart, as good friends might. But he could see it – the way that Kris’s body leaned slightly towards her, with no trace of their usual caginess, and their soft smile as they listened to her talk; the way that Susie’s eyes shone like gemstones when she looked at them, the comfort and contentment in her jubilant expression; the way that happiness and adoration radiated off of them both like the soft glow of a warm candle.

They just seemed so… alive. Alive to the universe and all of its myriad joys, in ways that he…

It had been this way since they'd first got together. That had only been a few days prior, but the memory of it felt almost timeless, eternal; there hadn't been any real discussion about it, and none of them had individually asked for it to happen. It was just something that the three of them had merely... fallen into, together. Some strange gravity had affected them, pulling them deeper into each other's orbit even as it had dragged them down.

And oh, the bliss of that very first night! The wonder, the discovery! He had not known that love could flow so abundantly, could grip his body so delicately and yet with such force that could not be resisted or denied. They had, each of them, surrendered to it completely, as surely as if it were part of destiny's grand plan for them.

So then, why did the knot in his stomach tighten when he saw them like this? The lightners were happy, and that was supposed to make him happy too, wasn't it?

His partners – yes, yes, that was correct – came closer to him, and Ralsei wrung his hands together, attempting to force down the heavy lump that had formed in his throat. It was not a darkner’s place to complain, nor to seek redress. This was a privilege that not all of his kind could be afforded, to consort with such wondrous beings, to be allowed to share in their divine and beautiful love for each other…

As if by the grace of that love, he too might know what it was to be alive.

'Hey, Toothpaste Boy!' said Susie as they approached. Kris waved to Ralsei with a small smile, and he waved back, a blush blooming upon his cheeks.

'It's so wonderful to see you both again,' he said, aching to reach out for them but feeling too wretched to deserve such grace. 'I've r-really missed you, Kris... Susie...'

The dragoness didn't miss a beat, her grin widening as she knocked on his shoulder with a playful fist. 'Yeah, we missed you too ya sap! Ain't that right Kris?'

The human nodded, offering a tentative hand for the prince to take with his own. It was slight, almost unnoticeable, but it seemed that there was some hesitance in that gesture.

He took Kris's hand, smiling at them and rubbing their knuckles with his thumb in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. Their skin was so soft, heavenly upon his pawpads, and with their touch the snarling beast in his chest shrunk back a little. What was he worrying about, really? They were here, right in front of him.

They came back for him. They came back.

Heart swelling to burst with love, he reached out with his free hand to Susie, and was a little saddened to see her draw back from the gesture, as if he had threatened to stab her.

Of course… how could he have forgotten so quickly?

‘H-how have you two been?’ he asked, willing himself not to cry. ‘Did you, um, get up to anything… fun, together? Haha.’

‘Pssh, nah,’ Susie responded at once. ‘It’s just been school-project-this and school-project-that - nerd shit, y’know? …uh, no offence.’

‘None taken! I’m happy to hear your time together has been productive, at least!’ the prince managed a chuckle. ‘We’ll make a model student of you yet, Susie!’

Her expression soured. ‘Eugh, pass. Oh, Kris and I took it in turns to push each other down a hill yesterday! That was kinda cool.’

Ralsei looked over at Kris, who confirmed with a small nod and thumbs-up.

‘Um. How… sweet?’ he offered.

‘Hell yeah it was! You shoulda seen how far this freak flew when I launched ‘em!’

She gave them a gentle bump with her shoulder… gentle for Susie, anyhow, which nonetheless almost knocked Kris to their feet. Huffing slightly, they threw their much-smaller frame back at her, succeeding only in making her grunt in amusement.

‘…oh, you wanna try it, huh runt?’ she spoke through a fearsome grin, throwing a burly arm around their neck without any trouble. Her free hand formed a fist, knuckles hovering just above the human’s head. ‘They’ll only find a smoking crater after I’m done with you!’

Kris cried out in protest as she ground her fist into their moplike hair, struggling futilely to get free from their tormentor. And yet, Ralsei noted the joyous grin on their face as well. It was still so strange to see the two of them act out this way, and yet still clearly enjoying each other’s company…

Love sure is a strange thing, he thought to himself, feeling the pangs of jealousy dig once more into his soul, even as he laughed aloud at their antics.

‘Ahahaha, they’re almost as wimpy as YOU are, Dr. Fluff!’ Susie chortled, letting Kris go – was he imagining the disappointed frown on their face?

‘W-well, I don’t see how that’s a bad thing, exactly…’ said Ralsei, beckoning Kris to him so that he could restraighten their hair.

Oh, those silken locks intertwining with his fingers as he gently scritched their scalp… what divine sensations! They leaned into the contact slightly, almost headbutting him in the snout – the prince suppressed a surprised giggle and planted a small kiss upon their forehead. When he heard the contented hum rise from their lips, his fur near-well stood up on end.

‘It’s okay Kris,’ he whispered gently into their hair, drinking in the scent of their apple shampoo. ‘I love you just the way you are, ok…?’

Susie turned away, making a show of gagging. ‘Oh GREAT, the sap brigade’s in town. Any estimate on when you freaks’ll be done?’

‘Oh?’ said Ralsei, looking at her with half-lidded eyes and a wry smile. ‘Did you want me to work on your hair as well, Susie?’

Kris giggled slightly at the thought.

‘A-as if…!’ she snapped back at the two of them, running a claw through her hair as if to protect it from any sudden braiding attacks. ‘I just… got better things to be doing with my time, that’s all…’

His expression fell flat. ‘Better than spending time with us, you mean…?’

The dragoness turned her blushing face away from them, growling into her mane. ‘Y-you’re both such idiots… Ugh! I’ll be at the dojo ‘till you’re done being all kissy-kissy with each other…’

‘W-w-wait, Susie…!’

Ralsei’s eyes went wide, and he disengaged from Kris in a panic. Everything in his being screamed to reach out to her, to take hold of her hand and stop her from leaving with just the barest of loving restraint. But he already knew, even before he attempted it, that would just make her flee faster.

‘Please d-don’t…!’

A heavy sigh shuddered from between her teeth. ‘…you know that shit ain’t what I’m about, Ralsei.’

He choked back a sob. ‘B-but I… I thought we were going to…’

‘…heh. Well, too bad. Guess that’s just one more thing I ruined for ya, ain’t it?’

‘S-Susie, that’s not…!’

Ralsei sensed Kris step forward, felt their arm across his shoulder, propping him up. Susie cast an eye over towards them, then looked away again, as if what she saw threatened to strike her blind.

He saw it then, that furtive glimmer in her expression that he recognised so quickly in himself – the fear that he was just a stepping-stone, a colourful accessory to something wonderful and terrifying in equal measure. The fear that he could only ever be loved as a lesser component of a grander unity, and not as his own indivisible self.

Heart pounding faster than ever, heat rising to his cheeks, Ralsei stepped out from Kris’s embrace.

‘Then… then take me with you!’ he blurted out.

This was enough to make Susie turn her head. ‘Wha…?’

No going back now. ‘I get that you don’t want to do all the, um… “kissy-kissy” stuff. A-and that’s fine, really! No-one’s going to make you do anything you don’t want to, ok?’

He smiled at her in a way that he hoped didn’t come off as condescending.

‘…y-yeah, but that’s… that’s what you’re… into, right? All that mushy-gushy crap. An’ I know Kris likes it too, so like… ahh, man…’

She trailed off, and the amber jewels of her eyes glanced at the floor. Ralsei was surprised to see her look so… hurt. Not for the first time, he found himself at something of a loss in this new dynamic, and at the delicate business of trying to placate two egos at once.

‘…just… don’t wanna get in the way of either of you. Th-that’s all.’

‘What? No, no! You’re never… don’t talk like that, Susie…! You’re not in the way of anything! Right, Kris?’

By way of an answer, they strode towards the dragoness, and without once meeting her incredulous gaze, raised a clenched fist and knocked it into her shoulder.

‘Wha…? Kris, what’re you...?!’

Kris drew their arm back for another blow. This time Susie was ready for it, and caught their fist in her expansive claw. However, instead of moving to retaliate, she gave a strange, rueful little chuckle.

‘…no, yeah… I get it, man. We talked about this arready, didn’t we? On the way over here.’

‘…talked about what?’ said Ralsei, tilting his head at both of them.

‘…don’t worry about it, Ralsei,’ she said with a bashful smile. ‘Fact is, we’re here to see you, right? Cause you’re part of… well, all this. Same as us, yeah?’

She waved her hands in the air in front of her, indicating the three of them. The prince giggled at her coyness… though could he really say he was any different here?

She scratched the back of her head. ‘So like… it’s your call or whatever. Just say what you wanna do… and that’s what we’ll do.’

Ralsei looked from Kris to Susie, heart bursting with adoration for both of them. Such benevolence brought him again to the precipice of tears.

‘…well then!’ he chirped. ‘I, um…, I’d like to come with you, Susie… to the dojo, I mean. Would, um, that be okay, Kris…?’

Susie reeled, barely able to mask her panic beneath a veneer of annoyance. ‘D-dude, I’m serious! Don’t make jokes like that…!’

He blinked. ‘I’m… sorry?’

‘Sheesh… arright, LOOK. I asked. What YOU wanted to do. Not what you think ME or KRIS wants –what YOU want. Y-O-U, you! D’ya need me to spell it out, nerd?’

‘B-but you already did spell it out, haha…’

‘…oh, you think you’re cute, do ya?’

Susie smirked, leaning in close. Her breath was hot on his face, dusty and smoky like burnt chalk. She was close enough to kiss… oh, he felt weak… and was that jealousy on he could see on Kris’s face?

‘Heh… Careful, pipsqueak,’ she purred loudly, ‘You keep teasin’ a dragon… and you might just get what you wish for.’

Ralsei gulped. ‘I-is that r-right? W-well, if it means I get to, um, spend some time with you, then…’

This wasn’t the answer she was expecting, and it stopped her short. ‘W-wait… you mean that?’

‘…yes, of course I do,’ he said. ‘Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with one of my wonderful partners?’

Susie flinched a little at that word, and he worried that he might have overdone it. But then a weak smile spread across her face.

‘…I, uh. Thought you didn’t like fightin’, though.’

‘You like it,’ he responded firmly, smiling from the bottom of his heart, ‘and that’s good enough for me.’

‘Pfft, yeah right.’ But as she said it, her smile grew a little brighter. ‘Hey Kris, you mind if Rals and I roughhouse for a little bit?’

Kris’s broad smile was all the answer they needed.

‘You can have him back afterward… if there’s anything left after I’ve thrashed him, anyway.’

A mischievous look entered the prince’s eyes. ‘Well Susie, who’s to say that I won’t be the one thrashing you, hmm?’

Susie blinked, her face reddening again, and from somewhere off to the side Kris cackled like a banshee.

‘D-dude, you can’t just… jeez, Ralsei!’

The prince seemed bemused at this. ‘I… umm, did I… say something wrong? A-and Kris, what’s so f-funny…?’

‘Nothing now can we— KRIS STOP LAUGHING IT’S NOT FUNNY!’

The human put a hand over their mouth, all the while giving her a pointed look that seemed to say that actually it was very funny and they’d definitely be bringing it up later.

‘…okay then!’ said Ralsei, feeling a little more secure in his world. ‘Then, Susie and I will spend some time at the dojo, and then Kris and I can have a date afterwards! How does that sound, everyone?’

Kris nodded in agreement.

‘So why’s THEIR thing a date, huh?’ said Susie, flashing her teeth at Ralsei in a way that sent a small shiver through his nerves. ‘What, I’m not good enough for ya?’

‘Ah, well… dates don’t typically involve quite so much… err… violence?’

‘Well MINE do, pipsqueak, so there! Try not to crumple in the first five minutes, would ya?’

‘Oh rest assured Susie – I’m quite capable of giving as good as I get!’

Susie’s menacing grin flipped into a mortified scowl as Kris began howling with laughter yet again. ‘That one was on purpose wasn’t it.’

‘I’m not sure what you mean, Susie,’ he responded cryptically. ‘I’m just say-yyyyyyyiiinnng…!!!’

‘OKAY WE’RE LEAVING NOW LATER KRIS!’

A violet claw caught Ralsei’s upper arm in a death-grip and yanked him towards the dojo at speed, leaving a breathless Kris wiping their eyes in the town square.

‘See you later Krisss…!’ he called out to them as they receded from view.

[shokogast]

life is so short and so full of thunderstorms and flood warnings. and here i am pondering shoving a pawful of moss into my mouth for a potential halloween kris costume photo shoot

[howlingtides]

Dazai visits Chuuya after Chuuya used Corruption to save him (Chuuya's POV)

Takes place immediately after Dead Apple

tags: hurt/comfort, soukoku's version of fluff, Chuuya has chronic pain

Every time Chuuya activated Corruption, it took him a little longer to recover. When he was younger, he'd sleep it off in a few hours. The last couple of times, it had taken him maybe a day or two.

It had been three days since he'd defeated that dragon and saved Dazai's ass, and his entire body still felt like it had been crushed beneath the pressure of his own ability.

It was absolutely brutal.

He'd definitely exceeded the recommended dose of painkillers over the last seventy-two hours, and though they did help a bit, it still wasn't enough. His head throbbed and his muscles burned and his bones ached and it took every ounce of effort he had to get out of bed and force himself to eat something.

All he had left in the fridge was some leftover rice and a half empty bottle of white wine, and cooking was the last thing he wanted to do right now. He opted for the rice, popping the lid off the container and grabbing a pair of chopsticks and bringing everything with him over to the couch where he all but fell against the cushions with a groan.

He'd just taken his first bite when there was a knock at the door.

You've gotta be fucking kidding me.

It crossed his mind to play absent, to let whoever was here think he wasn't home so they would go away and just leave him the fuck alone while he wallowed in his post-Corruption agony.

"Chuuuuuyaaa," came a sing-song voice from outside, another knock following suit.

Oh he was definitely pretending that he wasn't home.

"I know you're in there," Dazai said. "I can feel you pouting."

Damn it all to hell.

"Go to hell you goddamn coat rack."

"But Chuuya," he pressed, "I come bearing gifts."

Gifts? What the hell could shitty Dazai have possibly brought him?

He pondered it for a moment before ultimately deciding that this was a losing battle. Chuuya was either going to let Dazai in or Dazai was going to eventually let himself in.

He set the rice down on the coffee table and pushed himself up with a grunt, dragging himself over to the front door. And he must've been in worse shape than he thought because the moment he opened the door, Dazai's stupid smile faded a little.

Just a little.

But it was enough.

"Please don't," Chuuya said before Dazai could comment on his appearance.

"Don't what?"

"Just. Don't." He scrubbed a hand over his face. "Not today."

They stood there in silence for a moment as Chuuya held his breath.

Eventually, Dazai held up a brown paper bag. "In the mood for some carbonara?"

Chuuya was always in the mood for carbonara, and shitty Dazai knew that, but Chuuya was not in the mood for company, and Dazai probably knew that, too.

It was then that Chuuya's stomach growled and he remembered the cold white rice he was about to eat.

Begrudgingly, he stepped aside, allowing Dazai to enter.

It was also then that he realized how dark his apartment was. He'd kept all the blinds closed and the lights off because everything hurt and the light hurt, but if Dazai had something to say about it, he kept it to himself. Which was unsettling.

Was Chuuya dreaming?

"I figured you were still wallowing," Dazai said, setting the bag down on the coffee table next to the sad leftovers. "I haven't heard from you since you passed out in my lap."

There it was.

"That was not by choice, asshole," Chuuya snarled, limping back over to sit on the couch. "You held me down."

Dazai sat on the other side. "You looked pretty comfortable to me."

Chuuya could feel himself getting worked up, the pain increasing. "Dazai," he warned, rubbing at his temple.

"What?" Dazai continued. "It's not like it was the first time you've ever-"

"I should have left you to die."

"Well if you'd've done that, you'd be dead, too."

"Not the worst thing in the world right now."

Dazai paused at that and gave Chuuya this look.

Was that pity?

"I swear to god, if you-"

"I never got to thank you," Dazai said, cutting him off.

Chuuya froze, still trying to decide whether or not this was a dream.

"You saved me," Dazai continued. "You're always saving me, Chuuya." He slid the paper bag across the table. "So. Thank you."

Chuuya's chest felt warm. He stared down at the bag then back up at Dazai. "That's not poisoned, is it?"

Dazai gasped. "Chuuya! So soon after what happened to me? Consider a guy's feelings."

"You're so fucking full of it."

Dazai smirked. "You want me to take the first bite?"

He grabbed the paper bag, holding it away from Dazai. "Don't fucking touch it."

"I brought it for both of us."

Chuuya thought for a moment before setting the bag back down. "I guess," he uttered, "I guess I owe you one, too. For," he stared down at his hands, "saving me."

Dazai hummed in acknowledgement. "Has Chuuya gone soft?"

"Dick," Chuuya said, softly punching Dazai in the arm.

Dazai chuckled. "You're so easy."

Chuuya felt his cheeks go hot, and he wanted to scream, but he was also starving, and if it meant sharing a meal with Dazai to eat some delicious carbonara in his time of need, then.

Well, he guessed it also wasn't the worst thing in the world right now either.

[quietwings-fics]

mousetrap

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandom: Deltarune Ship: Gen (Kris & Noelle) Additional Tags: Harm to Animals, Character Study, Foreshadowing, Creepy Wordcount: 100 Summary:

There is something wrong with Kris. Noelle recognizes it.

When Noelle was very little, she saw a mouse caught in a trap.

She remembers how she froze. How she could hear its raspy squeaking, its uselessly scrabbling paws, the trap shut wrong slowly strangling it. How light from the hallway fell in one sharp knife over it. Its tiny, helpless eyes staring up at her as it struggled. She took one step forward, and it squeaked like nails on a chalkboard, and she fled.

She looks into Kris's eyes. She can't stop thinking about that mouse.

She can't help wondering what kind of freedom it was begging from her.

(Enjoyed it? Any interaction is welcomed. You can even support me on Ko-Fi <3)

[krirebr]

In LBAL when Bambi starts settling and coming into the ~loving Curtis’s job of it all ~ will Curtis give her a new nickname?

Oh, I love this question! And I had some thoughts. I hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Mob enforcer!Curtis Everett x female reader (from Luck Be a Lady)

Word Count: ~650

Dividers by @thecutestgrotto

Warnings: Mob AU, references to smut, references to violence, references to criminal activity, light angst All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

You're at the club the first time it occurs to you. You've actually gotten Curtis out on the dance floor, a rare break from holding court with Andy in the VIP section. He's got a beer in one hand, the other snaked around your pelvis from behind, holding you tight as he grinds against your back. "Bambi," he growls into your ear.

You pause your movement as the thought hits you, just for a moment. Bambi. That babe in the woods. Is that really who you are anymore? You look around at the club that's become a second home, the now-familiar guards that pepper the perimeter, the VIP section up above that houses the most feared man on the coast, a man that some days you would go as far as to call a friend. You see the world so much more clearly now. You understand how it all works. The person you were the first time he called you that feels so far away.

But then Curtis's hand drifts a little lower. His grinds become a little firmer. His breathing gets a little heavier. All thoughts about anything but how his body feels against yours fly out of your head.

The next time you think of it, you're kneeling on the bathroom floor in the home you share with Curtis, bandaging up his hand as he sits on the closed toilet seat. He'd split his knuckles open on some thug's cheekbone earlier in the night. He's debriefing with Andy on speaker phone, strategizing next steps. Neither of them are concerned about how much you might overhear. Some scared little Bambi wouldn't do this, would she?

You're collapsed on the bed, Curtis breathing heavily above you, holding himself up only enough to make sure you aren't crushed, as you both come down from your orgasms. He tucks his head into your neck and breathes out, "Bambi," into your skin.

It's only because your brain hasn't fully come back online yet that you ask, "Why do you still call me that?"

He pauses his nuzzling and slowly draws back so he can look you in the eye. "Huh?"

"Bambi. Why do you–" You take a breath. You don't know why you're suddenly so emotional, but this feels important. "Is that how you still see me? You said, that first night, that I was just getting my legs under me. Haven't I done that now? Haven't I shown you? I belong here now, don't I? Haven't I proven that?"

He looks down at you, confused. "What else am I supposed to call you?"

"I don't know, my actual name, maybe?"

He immediately scowls at that and you let out an irritated huff in response. He isn't taking you seriously.

But he clearly sees your annoyance and sobers. He's quiet as he searches your face, gathers his words. "Bambi," he starts, "is what I named you. I did it to show everyone, including you, that you were mine. I did it to show you that you do belong here, with me, wherever I am. It's not something for you to outgrow, or to prove. It's my name for you, because you're mine, only mine. You'll never belong to anyone else, be called anything else. Just my Bambi. Forever."

He carefully leans down to place the gentlest kiss on your forehead, then shifts his weight onto one forearm so that he can use his other hand to stroke your cheek. The look in his eyes is so serious that you don't dare doubt him. As always, it takes your breath away. It isn't just the words he said, but the ones he didn't, too. This name, the act of giving it to you, was a promise, not just that you'd always belong to him, but that he'd belong to you, too. How could you ever want to be called something else?

Tag list

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[imaginethathaikyuu]

literally anything with atsumu i love him and ur writing is always up to par so. i will be happy with anything. but a cute birthday themed piece could be fun perhaps

thank u so much i wrote this specifically for u and i managed to write a weirdly formatted atsumu centered fic that barely went over 1k words. we are so back

contains: fluff, mild childhood angst, a black eye, birthday cake word count: 1163 gender neutral reader x miya atsumu :p

-

October 5th, 1995 

Atsumu Miya is born. He’s gifted a bright flash of light, the sound of his own cries, and - seven minutes later - a brother. 

October 5th, 2003

There was a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner taped to the cabinets in the kitchen. The R was ripped nearly in half, and the colors were dull. 

It was the same one as last year, and the year before that. 

Atsumu walked through the threshold with his brother right next to him. Osamu knew how to say thank you in the right way to get the best hug from their mom. 

They were presented with one singular cupcake. 

“Why can’t we ever get our own?” 

The two boys sat too close at the kitchen table, the strawberry cake sat right in front of them. 

“You have to learn how to share, Atsumu.” 

He knew how to share. There was nothing left to learn.

One candle was mashed in the frosting. Mom lit the flame and Atsumu watched wax dripping onto his half as she sang their happy birthday song, and told them to make a wish. 

Atsumu and Osamu looked at each other, then blew at the candle at the exact same time. 

The cupcake was cut in half, and Atsumu’s stomach hurt before he could finish his. Osamu took it without being asked. 

But if they had each gotten their own, Atsumu would've had more to share with his brother. 

October 5th, 2010

Atsumu was fifteen and he knew everything. He was always right - never, ever wrong, and if anyone disagreed, they’d have to take it up directly with him. 

He knew how to run his mouth. Maybe it was what he was best at. He’d never lost an argument - until his fifteenth birthday. 

He’d gotten good at taking his aggression out in healthy ways - mostly in sports. But, sometimes, the words he spit couldn’t be left on the court. 

He would say what he wanted, and he didn’t care who heard or hurt. 

He didn’t know what he had coming to him. 

The entire team had already abandoned the gym, all but Atsumu and the shitty middle blocker who played like he didn’t know his position. 

Atsumu was outside stretching when his words hit his ears. “You’re a piece of shit, Miya.” 

“Oh my god - get in line, dude, you’re about the fifth person today to let me know.” 

“That many people wanna rip your head off? I wish one of them would teach you how to shut the fuck up.” 

“And I wish someone would teach you how to block the fuckin’ ball.” 

The guy didn’t reply. He took one step in Atsumu’s direction - he remembered hearing the crunch of gravel under the guy's foot. His shoulder moved with the step, and with it, the first real punch Atsumu had ever been thrown. 

And it hit. Hard. Ten times harder than any hits from Osamu. 

The guy’s fist collided with Atsumu’s cheek and then he walked away. Atsumu didn’t even have a chance to hit back - he was frozen in place, anyway. There was no fight in him. He was too surprised. 

A black eye wasn’t on his wishlist for his birthday, but it’s what he got. A lesson learned? Not so much. 

October 5th, 2019

He was another year older - so what. 

The only part of Atsumu’s birthday that he liked was giving his brother a stupidly expensive gift, because it gave him an excuse to gloat. 

Other than that? It was a day like any other. 

Birthdays were nowhere near special to him - especially his own. But it just so happened that on that specific birthday, he had his first date with you. 

And it didn’t even come up in conversation. Neither did his twin brother, or any of his volleyball stories he’d usually tell to impress a date. 

Atsumu found out that he didn’t need to impress you, and he hardly needed to talk about himself. 

He left that date feeling like he was friends with you, and maybe that wasn’t how he should feel after a date, but he was beaming. The hours with you at that hole in the wall bar didn’t feel like enough. 

He took that feeling and ran with it, and he hoped - he prayed - you’d follow him. 

October 5th, 2022

It’d been late nights for as long as Atsumu could remember. He’d come home and you’d already be in bed - if he was lucky, you’d wake up just long enough to tell him you love him. 

That night was different from the rest. 

That night, he would be coming home to - literally - an empty home. 

Finally, you and Atsumu had moved into the house of your dreams that was yours. But, for the time being, you were living out of boxes and waiting for furniture deliveries. 

He opened the door to a dark living room and an even darker hallway, and he didn’t bother turning any on lights to get to the kitchen. 

There was a shred of light there, coming from an old bulb above the stove. He looked around the empty room and what he found was out of place. 

There you were, sat on the floor. A chair was next to you, funnily enough, but it was taken by a round white cake. A handful of candles were stuck into the top. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, the same time you spoke. 

“There’s my birthday boy,” and your voice was all sleepy smiles. “Happy birthday. Happy anniversary.” 

He sat in front of you, right on the floor, not caring when his knees popped on the way down. 

“Did you stay up just to tell me that?” 

“What’s wrong with that?” 

You picked up the cake and presented it to him like you were proud of it, and the size of his grin matched yours. 

“How mad would you be if I just tipped this up,” and he tapped the bottom of the plate, “right into your face?” 

“Atsumu.” Every time you said his name like that, he laughed. “I would kill you.”

“On my birthday?” 

He watched you pout as you sat the cake down again. “Aren’t you going to say thank you?” 

“Thank you,” he said, like he was insisting. He wrapped his hands around your legs and scooted you closer to him. “Thank you, baby, this is so nice.” 

You hummed. “You’re welcome.” And you dipped your finger in the frosting on the cake, and Atsumu immediately caught your wrist when you moved it toward his face. 

“Don’t you dare.” 

You kept pushing, and he didn’t push back fast enough - your finger and the glob of frosting smushed right into his cheek. 

And you laughed loud enough to fill the empty rooms of your house, and Atsumu didn’t know how to tell you how in love he was. 

He had birthday cake for dinner that night, and it settled into a sugary stomach ache. It was the best October 5th he'd lived through so far.

-

got a request for a drabble? send it in, i might write it :)  

[relic-seeker]

do you ever imagine whole fic scenes in the shower but you forget them as soon as you get out

[rarepairjokers]

Hello! You know what Jan and Kris need? Finally some peace and quiet. Thoughts?

I think you’re 100% correct.

(sfw text)

Jan is stubbing his cigarette when he spots it on the ground. A red pen. He squints, eyeing it suspiciously. He doesn’t own a red pen, so whose is this?

Nobody should know about this place, hidden from view in between trees, at the end of an overgrown path that you’d have to know existed to find. It shouldn’t be possible. This belongs to Jan alone, somewhere he can get peace during hectic days on campus. Somewhere to lean against a tree trunk while taking a smoke-filled breather and allow his mind to rest.

He picks it up. Maybe an animal stole it and dropped it when it turned out to be inedible.

The next day, Jan still hasn’t forgotten it. He strides toward the forest and, upon reaching the hideaway, pushes the dense branches aside and is met with a not entirely unexpected sight. Someone is there, sitting on Jan’s ground, leaning against Jan’s tree!

The guy, chewing on a red pen, startles as if busted doing illegalities. “Wha-what are you doing here?”

“It’s my spot,” Jan says bluntly.

“No?” the guy frowns. “It’s my spot. I’ve been using it for the past year.”

“No, I’ve been using it for the past year,” Jan insists.

They come to a standstill, neither knowing what to say.

“Fine, I’ll leave,” the guy rises and walks past a rattled Jan. If his secret place isn’t secret anymore, he’ll have to relocate. Hopefully the guy lied and it was a singular occurrence. He’ll be gone tomorrow for sure.

Except he isn’t. He’s very much there, in Jan’s spot.

The guy sighs. “I’ll leave.”

“Wait,” Jan stops him as he’s packing his things. “You can stay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. But quietly.” Jan plops down beside him, lighting a cigarette. “I guess this is yours.” He hands the guy his red pen.

“Thanks.”

They don’t stay quiet, and the guy - Kris - explains that his schedule changed and his break is now thirty minutes later, hence their sudden encounters.

They slowly begin chatting every time they meet. Jan’s peace and quiet aren’t as peaceful and quiet anymore but he finds that he misses it less and less. Kris is fun and smart (and cute), he also plays guitar and is just easy to talk to.

Okay, Jan thinks. Maybe it isn’t so bad sharing his secret place. Certainly not when it’s with a sweet guy like Kris.

[ilyrouxls]

Sleepless Words

Rouxls Kaard x Reader

(Fluff, Gender Neutral Reader, Not Canon AU thingy.. idk, Y/n used)

Your constant struggle to sleep leads you to the balcony late at night, where a certain Duke suggests poetry to help your problem.

  During the late hours of the night, most could find you awake in your room. It’s not like you chose to be up in the late hours of night, you’d love to sleep peacefully like your friends, but the problem was you simply couldn’t. You couldn’t quite pin it down to insomnia, it was more so that it became a habit from your teenage days. But now that you’re a young adult, you’ve found that this is quite annoying. 

  You’re tried everything to fall asleep at a decent time; Melatonin, peaceful music, Youtube videos, playing a game to exhaust yourself, and various other things. Nothing seemed to work, you’d always be up till 3am or later trying to sleep. 

  Recently, your sibling Kris and their friend Susie accidentally brought you into this place called the Dark World. You enjoy the place a lot and you've been staying down here even when Kris and Susie aren’t around. You stay for a few reasons, the main being that you have been studying the place since you’ve arrived. You’ve always been an explorer at heart, and the Dark World was beautiful. It always provided mystery along with amazing scenery and people.

  Another reason that had you staying was a certain Duke, Rouxls Kaard. It might be crazy, but he really stuck out to you. His devotion to puzzles had your heart thumping. Sure they weren’t very good in terms of being difficult, but it’s clear that he puts his heart and soul into them; and that’s what really makes them special to you. Ever since arriving, you’ve been more and more interested in him. Of course as the cliché goes, you would never ever admit it to him. The only person you’ve ever admitted about your so-called ‘crush’ on Rouxls to was your sibling. They had a knack at figuring out your secrets, it was irritating at times but honestly you don’t mind for the most part.

  Back to the present time at hand, it was currently two in the morning in Dark World time. Kris and their various friends were also staying in the Dark World, they had lied to their parents that they were at Kris’ for the night for a sleepover and you were watching them. Technically, yes, they were having a sleepover, just not where their parents thought. You were also technically watching over them too, just not at where their parents thought either...

  Ralsei was nice enough to make everyone a room, including yourself. It suited your tastes so perfectly it made you question how the hell Ralsei could know. Maybe from the adventures you’d been on with the group, you suppose, but not this down to the nitty gritty.

  At the moment, you lay face down in your bed. You’re frustrated with your lack of sleep, and at this point you can’t be bothered with actually laying the correct way. You sigh, deciding that maybe a walk around the palace could help. Maybe you’ll stop in the kitchen for some water and snacks, since you’ll be up for another hour or so.

  Practically rolling yourself off the bed and onto your feet, you go to open your door. You try to open it as quietly as possible, but the door doesn’t bend to your will and instead creaks loudly. Hoping no one woke up from that, you hold still and wait for someone to investigate. After a minute with no one seeming to have woken up, you walk out into the hallway. Still trying to be quiet, you tiptoe your way out to the balcony for some fresh air.

  The sky in the Dark World was very unlike the sky in the normal world. The best way to describe the way it looks is to picture that one edible glitter powder you put in sodas that’s probably just a bunch of micro plastics. That’s basically what the sky looks like, though it’s much better than the edible glitter. 

  For the second time tonight you sigh, looking up to the sky. Your thoughts wander to your previous adventures from the last month or so. Who knew saving the world and making friends within a strange world would ever be a part of your agenda. And falling in love as well… it makes your head spin honestly. Who knew a man with the strangest way of speaking and easy puzzles could whoo your heart so easily without even trying.

  “Ah Y/n? What is thou doing outh here at thine hour?” You jump at the voice that suddenly appeared behind you. Speak of the devil, you turn around and see the one who’s stolen your heart. “Ah Rouxls, I couldn’t sleep so I decided to get some fresh air. But I could ask you the same thing.” Rouxls chuckles, making your heart pitter patter in the most cheesy way ever. He walks to stand next to you by the balcony, “Eh-he, ah so thine wisheth to knoweth why? Well thou shall see, I was sleeping quiteth peacefully but thenth I heard a loud sound that startledst thyself out of mine slumber. So thenth I decidededth to investigate the sound.”

  You can feel yourself cringe, what luck it was that you happened to wake him up and cause him inconvenience. “Oh I'm sorry! That was me opening my door, I’m so sorry for bothering you.” Heat rises to your face and ears in embarrassment as you try not to make eye contact.  “Oh no I did not mean- Do not worriesth dear, it was quite not a problemth, do not fret.” Rouxls seemingly stumbled on his words, clearly sensing your distress, and waved around his hands a bit. You smile and giggle at his behavior.

  Minutes pass of silence, luckily it's only a little awkward. You were staring out at the sky when Rouxls breaks the silence. “So, Y/n, do thou often haveth troublest sleeping?” You shift yourself to lean against the balcony and turn your head toward him. “Yeah actually, it usually takes me till three am or later to sleep. It’s a habit I suppose, hehe..” You laugh a little at the end of your sentence to try not to seem so glum. Rouxls mimics your movements and leans against the railing, “I’ve tried what feels like everything to fall asleep but it seems like nothing works.” The sentence comes out quieter than you meant. 

  Rouxls hums in response, you look at him and it seems like he’s thinking about something. After what feels like minutes, Rouxls snaps his fingers and says, “Haveth you tried poetry?” You raise a brow and tilt your head. Of course you haven’t, because why would anyone in their right mind try poetry to fall asleep... You keep that thought to yourself, realizing it sounds pretty mean, and instead just shake your head. “Ah, I knoweth it may seemth strange. But maybe your lacketh of sleep mayst be from stress. I writeth poems to tryth to ease mine stress.” 

  Now that he put it that way, it did make more sense. Maybe it was stress, not sure from what but stress can be caused from lots of things. “That actually makes a lot of sense. But I don’t really know how to make poems…” You trail off, thinking for a moment about your past English class poetry failures. Embarrassing… 

  Rouxls chuckles, “Wellth than I may teacheth you, thy is the best after allst. Let’s go to mine room.” He begins to ramble on about how he’s the best at poetry, while leading you to his room. You space out a bit not really listening. Normally you would listen to his narcissistic-esc rants, you find it annoyingly cute, but not at two in the morning. But before you know it, you’ve walked right into his room.

  “Hmm.. taketh a seat upon mine bed, as it shall be the most comfortablest place to writeth poetry.” Rouxls whispers as to not wake the others sleeping in a room nearby. You sit on his bed and look around his room. It really fit him perfectly, the room had an elegant look with a color scheme of blues, blacks, and whites. 

  Rouxls comes over to you and hands you some papers and pens. You assume he doesn't have pencils since it doesn’t really fit his style. He sits down next to you and explains how to write a basic poem. “Now you writeth a poem and I shall writeth one aswell, and hopefully it shallth make you tiredst.” You nod and begin to think about an idea. You try to think about your family or the scenery of the Dark World, but all you could think about was how close Rouxls was next to you. He was already writing down something on his paper, his eyebrows scrunched up a bit as he concentrated. You feel your face grow hot, and your thoughts flood with him. Without even realizing it, you start writing a poem about him;

  ‘The wind of the night calls out your name, As moon shines light upon your frame, I stand beside you admiring your elegant grace, A feeling of warmth clings to my face, I can only hope it goes unnoticed, As you talk and I try to stay focused, But my longing for you cannot subdue, My heart cannot help but intrude.’

  Admittedly it wasn’t your best work, nor was it your worst, but it worked. Your eyelids begin to droop a bit and you know you should get up to go to your own room. But you don’t want to interrupt Rouxls, who is still focusing on his own poem. Without much thought you instead just lay down across his bed, practically falling asleep as soon as you hit the soft mattress.

  When you wake up, you assume you only slept for maybe a few minutes. But the rays of sun shining on your face from the window say otherwise. Panic sets in as you look around and realize you never left Rouxls’ room. You were also not laying horizontal on the bed, instead you were now tucked into the blankets comfortably. You shift yourself up with your elbows and peer around.

  Rouxls is nowhere to be found. Now worry is set in your heart, where did he go? Did you falling asleep scare him off? The sound of the door opening pulls you out of your thoughts, and in comes Rouxls with a cup of coffee. “Oh, you are awaketh. Good morning.” He smiles a bit, a little bit sheepishly but you’re not sure why. “Goodmorning, sorry about falling asleep in your room. I didn’t think I would pass out like that…” Your face becomes hot again, which has been happening a lot more than you’d like. Rouxls chuckles and sips his coffee, “It is no problemth, I am glad I couldeth help you could get some sleepth.” You get out of his bed and stretch. You thank him and begin to leave before realization sets in. 

  “Oh uhm uh by the way, did you read the poem I made?” You turn and look at him, his face notably shades in a slight dark blue tint. He definitely did. He totally did. “Oh my god I’m sorry bye!” You manage an apology and then with that you quickly exit and rush to your room. Your heart beats fast and your face heats up, this time out of absolute embarrassment, and you close your door. Jumping into bed face first, you whisper scream into your pillow. “I cannot believe this why am I like this oh my god why did I write about him and then fall asleep like it was nothing what did I think would happen..…” You shake your legs up and down, hitting your bed out of frustration. This is definitely in your top three most embarrassing moments.

  A knock breaks your thoughts and you can only think the worst. It could be Rouxls here to reject you or it could either be Kris or one of their friends here to question you on why you were running down the hall; if they even saw you. Nervously you get up and open the door a bit. Of course it was Rouxls, why wouldn’t it be!

  “Ahem uhm Y/n, I apologizeth for reading your poem withoutst your permission. I could noth but help to readth it, and I also cannot help but ask if perhaps.. it couldeth be about me..?” God. Why. You wanted to die on the spot honestly. You nod your head hesitantly and start to mutter apologies but he interrupts abruptly. “I seeth, do noth apologize. You see I…. feelth the same way. Ahem, and well I was wondering if maybeth you wouldst like to go outh on a date..” Rouxls cheeks were dusted dark blue in blush, his eyes avoiding your own and his hands behind his back in an almost polite, but awkward manner. “Of course! I would love to actually that would be amazing. When are you thinking?” Your heart was beating louding in your ears, you felt like he might be able to actually hear it, and your face was hot like it was on fire; which was actually becoming quite annoying and repetitive. “Tonighth at six? I haveth the perfect restaurant that I thinketh you might enjoy.” 

  The two of you make plans for dinner that night and he wishes you a farewell and heads off to his own room. When you close your door you feel like you might collapse. Correction, you actually do collapse. Luckily not in a bad way, just out of excitement and adrenaline. After a few minutes of processing you stand up and get ready for the day. Anticipation fills your body as for the first time ever, you can’t wait for the night to come quicker. Who knew a poem could solve not only your sleep problems, if even for a night, but also your love problems.

(Posted originally on AO3 5-12-22, 2333 words)

[dorminchu]

when it happens (don't mind me)

Fandom: Deltarune Genre: Drama Rating: G Characters: Kris Dreemur, December Holiday as The Roaring Knight Warnings/Tags: Chapter Three Spoilers, Double Drabble, some introspection into Kris and the Knight's true identity, just fooling around with headcanons that seem cool

Hold your breath. 

The hilt of your blade falters. Grasp it tightly. 

The Knight cocks its head. It's a dangerous facade, but you have no choice but to play along. Even when you're the last one standing, you haven't got a scratch on you. Ralsei's unconscious. Susie hasn't moved in a while. Surely, they're still alive.

The black blade descends. Brace for impact, an empty audience.

You'd know that crooked swing anywhere. Dess was ready to put a dent in your skull until you apologized for making Noelle afraid of ICE-Es under the bed. It still makes Noelle laugh.

It taps your shoulder, then the other. The visor's half-moon refracts light, widening and twisting. Nothing she says could make a difference. Stand on trembling legs. Knight to knight.

The Roaring isn't even the worst outcome for Lightners and Darkners. Straying from the prophecy would be catastrophic.

The visor warps into a thin semicircle. Then she's gone.

Beside your boot, a piece from the blade shimmers, crimson at the edges. Whorls of starlight stir and dissipate. The SOUL shudders within your chest. You reach down and take it.

One step closer to the inevitable. They won't forgive you when it happens.