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eldiatricc · 10 days ago

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SCnKnA Boris Airay Event 12

Event List

Scene – Clover Town – Inn

Man “There’s all kinds of rare things in the forest, but nothing’s as beautiful as the glowing mushrooms.”

Alice “They’re really that pretty?”

Man “Oh yeah. I think they’re worth seeing at least once.”

He’s a regular customer—one who still talks to me the same way he did before, even after Boris shot him.

That unchanged attitude… I appreciate it.

But at the same time, I find it terrifying. If this had happened in my original world, he wouldn’t have forgiven it.

At that time, Boris—who was just a friend—shot him. He was injured.

And yet, the next time they met, he acted completely normal. No hint of hiding bitterness or pretending.

Nothing had changed. At first, I felt relieved by that… but then I was disturbed.

Violence is tolerated here. It’s just part of everyday life.

He’s just a role-less citizen—being shot isn’t even enough to make a fuss here. In this world, even one-sided violence is simply… accepted.

It’s absurd.

Alice (But… I’m a part of this world now.)

A world unlike the one I came from. But I chose to stay. And by staying, I’ve become part of this world.

I had another dream about my sister the other day. I still remember her.

But I don’t regret choosing this world over hers. Now that I’ve stayed, I have to accept what comes with that.

Part of me is thankful that my friendship with this good man wasn’t destroyed. Another part is disturbed by how nothing was made of it—and grateful it wasn’t.

I’m fully entrenched in this world’s madness.

Boris “So, Alice... this guy’s bothering you again? Persistent, isn’t he?”

Man “!”

Alice “!”

Here comes my boyfriend—the unhinged cat who thinks nothing of pointing a gun at people.

Alice “Boris…”

Alice “What are you doing here? You didn’t say you were coming.”

Alice “We agreed on the next time zone, didn’t we?”

Boris “I wanted to see you. So I came. …What, didn’t want to be interrupted? What were you doing with this guy?”

Man “I was just talking…”

Boris “I wasn’t asking you.”

Bang!

Boris fires his gun with a loud crack.

This time, he misses—likely because I scolded him pretty harshly the last time. He took it to heart… somewhat.

That’s about the extent of his “remorse.”

Alice “Stop it, Boris! We were just talking!”

Boris “Yeah? Well, he’s too clingy. Always hanging around you…”

Alice “He’s just a customer. He’s not clinging. He just came to eat.”

Boris “Yeah, using food as an excuse to cozy up to you. Pathetic.”

Alice “That’s not it. He’s a good person—”

Boris “Getting you on his side… No way. He’s no ‘good person’—not to me. To me, he’s the enemy.”

Boris “You’re my girlfriend. And yet here you are, with some guy…”

Alice “We were just talking!”

Boris “Then don’t talk to him!”

Alice “Don’t say stuff like that—it makes you sound like an insecure boyfriend!”

Boris “I am an insecure boyfriend!”

Man “…………”

Alice “...Ah.”

Suddenly, it hits me.

We’re being ridiculous.

This is basically a lovers’ spat in public. Like clinging to your partner in the middle of a crowded street—making things awkward for everyone.

Alice (Ugh… We just put on a full-blown jealous scene for an audience…)

It wasn’t like a lovers’ spat—it was one. And we had the misfortune of putting on the whole embarrassing show in front of someone.

Man “...Fighting isn't good, you know.”

Alice “…………”

In a world so full of violence, to hear something that normal—it hits strangely.

Man “If you’re lovers, you should try to get along.”

Boris “Getting lectured by a faceless guy…”

Alice “...He is a good person.”

I swatted Boris’s hand away as he started to raise his gun again.

Boris “Don’t defend the faceless guy! You do like him, don’t you?!”

Alice “What are you saying?! The one I love is you, not—”

Alice “...ah.”

Boris “Really!?”

Alice “Really…”

Boris “Alice…”

Alice “…………”

Alice “...Ah.”

It hits me again. We really shouldn’t be doing this. Not here—not in front of a random bystander.

Man “I guess that ‘try to get along’ line was unnecessary, huh?”

He smiled warmly—kindly.

Man “You two are clearly close. You make a good couple.”

Alice “…………”

Boris “If you get it now, then stop interrupting and disappear already.”

Man “Ah—sorry for being so clueless. Well then, see you, Alice.”

He said it breezily and walked away. It reminded me of that knight.

Alice (Ugh… I really can’t handle the overly cheerful types…)

Scene Change – Forest – Mushrooms and Doors

Because Boris had arrived a time slot earlier than planned, he waited until I finished work. Now that night had fallen and my shift was over, we were back in the forest, taking a walk.

…Though walking by the creek had left me a little chilled.

So now we’re resting.

Just like that time we fell asleep together—we sat at the base of a tree, wrapped in a blanket Boris brought. His body heat and the shared cover warmed my cold body. Cozy, safe, and warm.

Alice “...Can I get a promise?”

Boris “Yeah, yeah. I get it. I promise. No pulling a gun at your job, right?”

Alice “It’s not just that. You said those things too. I asked you to stop saying that kind of stuff.”

A lover’s quarrel in front of coworkers and customers. I’m sure I’ll be teased when I go back to work.

That kind of scene—we have to avoid it from now on. I had Boris promise not to do it again.

Boris “I don’t really get the problem, though… I mean, we’re dating. What’s wrong with saying so?”

Alice “What’s wrong is—it’s embarrassing, okay?”

Boris “Embarrassing? You mean being my girlfriend is embarrassing?”

His hurt tone made me panic.

Alice “No, no! That’s not it at all! It’s just… showing that kind of thing in front of other people… it’s kind of… flustering, you know?”

Boris “You don’t have to be flustered, though. …But, if that’s the reason, I guess I can respect that. I’ll promise.”

Boris “Because I love your flustered face. I don’t want other guys seeing how cute you get when you’re embarrassed.”

He said it so naturally and kissed my cheek. A quiet smooch echoed in the still forest air.

Alice (His reason for promising is a little questionable… but oh well. If he keeps the promise, I’ll take it.)

Alice "Then promise me properly."

Boris "Yeah, yeah, I got it. I won’t say we’re dating or that I love you in front of other people. I won’t shoot my gun either. I promise. …I’ll try to be careful."

Alice (...Huh? Try to???)

That part caught my attention, but I wasn’t given the chance to ask. A hand reached out, gently turning my face—and then his lips sealed mine.

Alice "Mmph…"

Boris "Alice."

He whispered my name sweetly as he gave me soft, pecking kisses, one after another. They gradually deepened—turning into a kiss that sought connection, reaching inside, long and consuming.

Alice "Mmm… Hah…"

Boris "Nn… Hah…"

Alice "…Ah…"

Boris "…Haa…"

Again and again, changing angles each time.

I was breathless. I forgot where we even were, caught up entirely in the moment.

Boris "…"

Alice "……Nn…"

Alice "……Haa…"

When I was finally released, a long sigh escaped my lips.

I tried to turn my gaze away in embarrassment—but I couldn’t. Boris cupped my cheek and gently held my face in place.

Boris "……"

Boris "I really like how you look at night. You sparkle... you look so beautiful."

Alice "...Huh? Where did that come from all of a sudden?"

Boris "Ah, don’t get me wrong. I love how you look in the afternoon and evening too, of course."

That wasn’t the point. He just threw it out there without any lead-in, so it caught me completely off guard. But Boris didn’t seem to notice that.

Boris "You're always cute, and I love you so much… I really just want to stay close and keep looking at you like this forever."

Alice "…Forever’s a bit much. I’d get tired."

Boris "Ugh… There you go again with your cold responses… You never say the kind of things that would actually make me happy."

Alice "That's just the kind of person I am."

Boris "Don't just brush it off as ‘your personality’... Haa, well, whatever. You're right, this position is kind of tough."

He said that and removed the hand he'd placed on my cheek.

Boris "I could stay like this forever and not get tired… but I might get sleepy."

Facing forward, Boris let out a yawn. “Fuaaah…”

Alice "You're not going to get sleepy—you already are, aren’t you?"

Boris "Just a little, maybe. I wonder why… Nights are usually when I’m most awake, but when I’m with you, my rhythm gets all messed up."

Boris "When I’m with you, I feel really calm. So calm that I start dozing off."

Boris "I might not even notice if someone does something to me while I’m half-asleep…"

1. “Really?”

2. “I feel calm too.”

3. (Guilty gulp)

1. “Really?”

Alice "Really?"

Boris "Yeah, really. But that might actually be a problem. You're a girl—I'm supposed to be protecting you."

Boris "But being near you feels too good… I only ever let my guard down like this when I’m with you."

Alice "…Huh."

(So when he's near me, he lets his guard down that much.)

For a cat to be defenseless—it means he really likes and trusts someone. To know that I’m the only one he relaxes around makes me feel… a little proud.

2. “I feel calm too.”

Alice "Yeah… I feel calm too."

Next to Boris, it’s warm and peaceful. Even without the blanket like we have now, I’d still feel safe with him.

When I said that, Boris beamed happily.

Boris "Haha, yeah, we do tend to doze off together a lot, don’t we?"

Boris "You can relax and let your guard down as much as you want, okay? I’ll protect you."

Alice "Mm-hm. I’m counting on you."

3. (Guilty gulp)

(Gulp.)

His “might not notice if someone does something” line struck a little too close to home. I didn't say anything out loud, but of course, sharp-eared Boris noticed right away.

Boris "…Why’d you react to that, huh?"

Alice "Eh? N-no, I mean…"

He leaned in close—really close. His face was right in front of mine.

(…I-I can’t say it.)

Boris "C’mon, be honest, Alice. You’re a good girl, right? What did you do to me while I was sleeping?"

Alice "N-nothing! I didn’t do anything!"

(When he's asleep, I touch his tail sometimes… because that’s the only time he doesn’t get mad. …But I can't say that.)

Boris "Something's fishy… But hey, nothing weird happened when I woke up, so I guess it's fine."

(Phew… thank goodness…)

Choices Converge

Alice "………"

Alice "…I’m getting sleepy too."

It’s nighttime. We’re outside, sure—but wrapped in a warm blanket.

It’d be stranger not to get drowsy.

Alice "It’s nighttime… Maybe we should sleep."

Boris "You always want to sleep at night, huh? Why’s that? Is there some reason?"

Boris "I mean, why are you so set on sleeping at night? I’m nocturnal, so I don’t really get it."

He tilted his head like he genuinely didn’t understand, though I could tell he was getting sleepy himself.

Alice "It’s just habit from my original world. But you’re sleepy too, aren’t you?"

Boris "A little, yeah. But I’m not gonna sleep. And I’m not gonna let you sleep either."

Alice "Eh?"

His golden eyes sparkled—though maybe not in the most wholesome way.

Boris "I waited a whole time slot just to be alone with you. No way I’m wasting that on sleep. That’d be a real shame."

Alice "That’s not really a—mmph…"

Another kiss. It came fast and a little rough—but quickly melted into soft heat as his lips moved with mine.

Alice "Mmm…"

Boris "Nn… Don’t fall asleep, Alice. Let’s do something more fun."

He whispered mischievously between kisses. His hands started to slide along my body, hidden under the blanket.

Alice "Wait…!"

(He thinks the blanket hides everything—!)

Though honestly, Boris would probably do this with or without the blanket…

Alice "N-no…!"

Boris "No? But why not? There’s nobody else here—so what’s the problem?"

Alice "That's not what I meant…! This is a huge problem!"

The issue wasn’t just about cuddling. Sure, snuggling under a blanket in the forest might be tolerable—but this was…

Alice "…!"

As I squirmed in protest, Boris let out a breath of laughter.

Boris "You're so shy. You only let me cling to you at night. That’s no fun—I'd want to touch you in the morning, evening, any time."

Alice "…Huh? Just because it's nighttime doesn't mean you can do whatever you—"

Alice "…Ah!"

I tried to argue, but Boris's hands moved skillfully. He remembered exactly where I was sensitive, leaving me unable to form a proper response.

Boris "…Well, whatever. It’s night now, right? So that means anything goes. I feel like seeing a whole lot of that shy face of yours tonight."

Alice "Wrong—!"

(I never said anything goes—!)

Boris "Haha, even if you say no, I'm not stopping, you know? So get ready."

Alice "～～～～っ"

Alice "…Ugh!"

He clearly wasn’t going to back off. His hands moved without restraint.

The blanket was starting to become… indispensable.

(…This is starting to feel like Nightmare’s territory.)

Visitor Event – Peter 4

Scene Change – Clover Town – Alice's Room

Boris "You had a cat…?"

Alice "Yes, I did."

I was talking about my old world. At home, we had a cat.

Today we were spending time in my room, and I’d brought it up myself.

Alice "She was called Dinah. She was so cute."

Boris "Dinah…?"

Alice "Mm-hm. Cute name, right?"

She was incredibly affectionate toward me. Of course, like any cat, she could be a bit bratty too—but that just made her more lovable.

She was a mischievous little thing, but adorable. My precious cat.

(I wish I could introduce her to Boris.)

I had no idea whether they’d get along, but still—cat to cat, I was curious what would happen.

Alice "Even when I bathed her, she didn’t thrash around much. Isn’t that amazing?"

Alice "She was a very good girl. A housecat who never went outside, always in my room… so she never fought with other cats. I’m sure she wouldn’t scratch you either."

I was definitely being a doting owner, but Dinah was adorable enough to deserve it.

Boris "Baths…? Always in your room…?"

Alice "I really loved her. Are you interested?"

Of course, I couldn't introduce her now—I was in a different world.

But Dinah was such a sweet cat, I wanted to talk about her. And I figured Boris, being a cat, might take an interest.

(I bet he would—cat to cat and all.)

Even though I had no intention of going back to that world, talking about Dinah still made me happy.

Boris "Alice…"

Alice "Hmm?"

He suddenly had a very serious look on his face.

Alice "???"

An almost tragic expression…

Boris "You were cheating on me!?"

Alice "Huh…?"

Alice “W…What? Cheating!? Cheating…? With a cat!?”

Boris “I’M a cat too!!”

Alice “Y-Yes, but…!”

Boris “You won’t live with me, but you lived with another cat!? That’s cheating! That’s betrayal!!”

Alice “Wha—whaaat!?”

Of course, I never meant it like that.

Boris “You had a pet cat… Lived with another cat…! While I have to live apart from you!?”

Alice “Eh… well… I don’t live with her anymore… It was in my old world!”

Boris “!!! A former cat!?”

Boris “You said I was your first cat! Even if it’s not happening now—still! You lied to me!?”

Alice “I didn’t lie! I’ve never had a romantic relationship with a cat until you!?”

First and last. No one expects to fall in love with a cat even once in a lifetime.

Boris “So you weren’t lovers? You lived with a cat you weren’t even dating!? That’s immoral!!”

Alice “Ehhhhh???”

Alice “But she was my pet… I said ‘my cat,’ but really she was the family’s cat.”

Boris “So your whole family approved of her!? Like you were practically married!?”

Alice “…………”

I honestly have no idea how to even respond anymore.

Boris “A cat worthy of marriage…!? You never told me you had a pet!! You kept it a secret!!”

Boris “Ughhh, even if it was a past cat, I can’t stand it…!! If it were a cat in this world, I’d shoot her dead!!!”

He’s way more worked up than when he was jealous of that guest at the inn.

Alice (Boris really is…)

…a cat. Other cats seem to pose more of a threat in his mind.

Alice “Um… you know… we weren’t getting married or anything. Dinah was a girl cat.”

Besides, it’s not like I could actually marry a cat.

(…Unless that cat was someone like Boris.)

Boris “!”

Boris “A girl… But still!! I can’t forgive that cat!!”

Boris “Alice, you were tricked by a wicked cat! It was practically marriage fraud!!”

Boris “Purring and meowing, fooling you into falling for her!”

Boris “No cat like that could really be cute! Her true nature must’ve been awful!”

Alice “Um… uh…”

Boris “I’ll make you forget that cat! So don’t ever think about her again!!”

Alice “…………”

He hugged me tight. Hugged me tight and started licking me.

Licked, kissed, hugged—wrapped up in his possessive affection.

Boris "I’ll make you forget her—that other cat. I’ll make sure you can’t remember anyone but me..."

He's serious. Boris is completely serious.

And it's because he's serious that this whole thing is incredibly awkward.

Alice (…Is this supposed to be dramatic? From a cat’s perspective…) (If I replaced ‘cat’ with ‘man’ in my head, maybe it wouldn’t sound that weird…)

Boris "…I’ll be your pet cat instead!"

Alice "I don’t need you to make me forget her, and you don’t need to be my pet…"

Boris "So you do like that old cat better!? Even when you’ve got me right here…!"

Boris is truly, hopelessly sincere. And apparently, genuinely heartbroken.

Alice "Listen, Boris. It’s not that I prefer Dinah to you or anything—"

I couldn’t finish. A large feline silenced me with a kiss.

Boris "…Even if you say no, I’ll make you forget that other cat."

He whispers sweetly, and it almost feels like something out of a romantic drama.

But…

Alice (A cat… yeah, still a cat…) (Even if I mentally swap ‘cat’ for ‘man’… it's still…) (…Nope. It’s the cat part that ruins everything.)

“Forget your old cat”—when you hear it enough, it stops sounding dramatic and starts feeling like comedy.

And Boris isn’t listening. Nothing I say will get through to him.

Alice (…I should just give up on telling him about Dinah.)

Not only did I bathe her, I bathed with her sometimes. We even slept together often...

If I said any of that, Boris would definitely lose it.

(Cats really are territorial creatures, aren’t they…)

End Event

#boris airay #boris route #shinsouban clover no kuni no alice #alice in the country of clover #alice in the country of hearts #clover no kuni no alice

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baby-bunny-san · 2 years ago

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Ikemen Villain Prologue Full 1-9

Part 1

It’s easy to be happy when life is a fairy tales.

Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. For example, so…

A forest you shouldn’t enter, a door you shouldn’t open, a secret you shouldn’t know.

And ---

Kate: This is all I’m in charge of. Thank you very much for sorting the mail.

Colleague: Hey, isn’t the top one is a love letter? It’s a big responsibility, Kate

Kate: The responsibility is the same for any letter. Because the person who wrote it is full of heart. Then Let’s go

Put the letter in the delivery bag and open the door of the post office ---

(Today is even more lively… Was it social season?)

During the reign of Queen Victoria, London was literally the most properous British capital in the world.

While immigrants, workers, industrialists, and aristocrats are crowded together,

Everyone is living the same today as yesterday, filled with their own troubles and joys.

Kate: come on, let’s deliver today as well!

I am an ordinary citizen working as a postman in such a city.

(Phew, tired)

While delivering the letter as usual, the gas lamp started to light up again today.

(There are only 2 left for today. The next address is --- ah)

A strong wind suddenly blew, and an envelope flew from my hand into the sky.

(I can’t…)

The wind carrying the envelope blows through the dim alley.

Kate: If I lose sight of it, I’ll be in trouble…!

Rather than rushing to chase after it, the envelope fell to a point as if it were being sucked into it.

Towards the silver-haired man who appeared from the alley, who was slender even in the twilight.

(It was good…!)

Kate: Excuse me, it’s being delivered

???:….

I rushed over, and the man kindly stooped down to pick up the envelope that had fallen at my feet.

???: Go ahead, my lady.

He picked it up and hold it out, that’s all, but perhaps because of his inhuman beauty and gracefulness of his movements, my gaze was stolen.

Kate: Thank you very much

???: You’re welcome

(This person’s eyes are red. It’s like…)

---- It’s looks like blood.

Dark alley, outstretched palms, ruddy eyes… all of them,

A shudder ran down my spine as if it was going to take me somewhere that wasn’t real.

Red-eyed man: Are there only 2 deliveries left?

Kate: Huh?

His cough brought me to my senses. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of London came back to my ears.

Kate: Sorry, I’m dazed.

Red-eyed man: Hurry up. It will soon be dark.

As we passed each other and made a fuss, he disappeared into the crowd.

For some reason, the lingering sweet scent of buckwheat made my heart flutter.

The red-eyed man: Thank you, Victor.

Black-haired man: If it’s you, I’d be happy no matter how many hours I’ve been waiting… Oh, did something good happen?

Red-eyed man: Ah… There was a cute robin who seemed to sing with a wonderful voice.

Black-haired man: Heh… If you’re interested in someone, I’m curious too

(He was a strange person, how did you know the number of deliveries?)

(From the way he dressed, he looked like an aristocrat, so I don’t think I will ever see him again)

I walked around the city with a feeling of relief and a desire to talk a little more

I like the moment when people’s heart moves, so I chose a job that delivers letters filled with feelings.

I have no complain about the days when I continue to deliver someone’s feelings, and I think that my current daily life may be happy life that suits me.

Although I also think that the world may change at some random time.

(I wonder if it’s a guy who asked for something that doesn’t exist)

Kate: Well okay, I was able to deliver properly today as well

It was when I praised myself as if I was making an autosuggestion.

???: Wait!!

(.…!)

Part 2

A girl and a man with an angry expression appeared in front of me,

Girl: Ouch!

The necklace sways and glitters in the twisted little girl’s hand.

(Thief?)

Man: I will make that arm unsuable!

What the man raised was a poker

(If it’s hit hard with something like that, bones would break!)

In the momentary events unfolding in front of the sun---

Kate: Wait

---- Involuntarily, a voice came out

Man: What the hell are you??

(No way!)

Kate: Hey, for now, let’s return what you stole. After that, I will listen what you have to say.

Girl: Ehhh

Man: Ouch!?

(Eh!?)

The girl took moment to kick the man’s arm and disappeared into the alley

Man: Wait, you bastard, damn you, what are you doing?

Kate: I’m sorry…

Even if you regret sticking your neck in…

Man: Pay for what I was stolen! Will you pay for it?

Kate: Yes, I will pay you

I cried and took out my wallet

Black-haired man: …I see. That’s certainly a lovely robin

Kate: ah… I did it

(For the jeweller, it was clearly the bad peson who stole things, but)

(I don’t think it’s a good thing to blame a girl who is cornered to the point of stealing…)

Everyone knows that there are people suffering from poverty in the east of London.

Without knowing what kind of feelings the girl has when she steals, I can’t just sit and watch her get hurt

(But in the end, the girl committed a crime and escaped)

Kate: I don’t know if it’s good or bad

I’m running out of tickets for this month’s theater

It’s a small hobby that I pay for myself to go to the theater once every few months with my salary that I’ve saved

(I was supposed to save from this delivery, but this month I have to deposit it)

Kate: Well, there’s no point in worrying about it, if it’s money, you can earn it again

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

Kate: I’m back

Director: Kate, it’s just right… No, but it’s dangerous at night…

Kate: what’s wrong?

Colleague: that’s right, there are vacancies for night delivery workers, and there are not enough people

(Night delivery, that’s it)

Kate: Please let me go

Director: Oh.. that’s.. to be honest. It helps. The delivery area is a safe townhouse area, but please don’t wander around carelessly

Kate: I got it

(Good, now we can make up for the negative amount from earlier)

(It’s my first time delivering at night and this area… if you’re careful, you will be fine)

Black-haired man: well--- guys, are you ready?

Cat-like man: Of course, Victor. It’s been a long time since we’ve been on a mission together, so it’s exciting

Subjective man: You’re too excited, you will get hurt if you get too high, so calm down

Hunting gun man: well, if it’s not a serious injury, I’ll fix it. If you die, we will have one less person to work with

Cat-like man: Thank you, Roger. As expected of a former doctor

Blond hair man: .. ah. I have to go too

Gentlemanly man: Yeah, it’s a wonderful night. There may be something you’re looking for at the target’s mansion

Blond hair man: yes… I understand

Sly-eyed man: if you’re going, can you go quickly? Unlike the nobles, I don’t have time

Tall young man: I don’t have any business talks or collection plans tonight

Sly-eyed man: Hey, you can’t be honest like an idiot. Shut up

Red-eyed man: As you can see, Crown is ready, Victor

Black-haired man: Haha, That’s nice. Well then, let’s get started

Tonight too --- loyalty to your evil

Part 3

(Delivery at night is fine once you get used to it, next is the last one)

Among the row of townhouses, it was a particularly splendid mansion

(Oh.. this mansion doesn’t have a mailbox)

(It’s night, so I can’t speak too loudly… what should I do?)

When I gently touch the gate, I heard a faint squeak and the gate opened inward

(Open. Careless)

Kate: Excuse me. I’m from the post office. Is there anyone here?

When I pass through the gate and look into the dimly lit entrance hall

(Piano sound?)

Out of nowhere, I heard a light melody

The light and joyful tone that echoes in the dark without the sound of the wind makes you feel something strange

(i’m sure it’s the man in this mansion who is playing. If you leave the letter unattended, it might get lost)

(If I don’t deliver it properly)

I’m afraid to take a step forward

My own footsteps along the polished hall mingled with the melody of the piano

(somehow, I feel restless)

Eventhough I should be fullfilling my duties, I feel like I’m making a decisive mistake for some reason

(Hand it over quickly and let’s go home)

(The sound … seems to be coming from the hall ahead)

Knocking on the door, but the melody doesn’t stop

I put my hand on the doornob as if I was rushed by anxiety

Kate: um.. excuse me. ------Nn

(.……. eh?)

A bright red fountain appeared in front of me

Byu-- the object with bright red splatters throbbing and rolling on the floor with a sound

(W… What?)

My eyes met with the “it” that rolled at my feet

“He” had a bitter expression on his face, and had a knife he had held stabbed into his neck

Kate: ………!?

My throat makes a sound. A lukewarm liquid dripped down, and discomfort ran down my spine

(Why)

???: this this, I didn’t expect an audience to come

I heard a voice that gave me a further blow, and my throat, which was still tight, trembled

When I looked around-----

Eight shadows darker than darkness,

They silently stared at me, illuminated by the gray moonlight

As if trying to figure out who I am….

One of them slowly stands up from the piano in the hall

Red-eyed man: what’s it? Isn’t that the robin I met during the day?

Kate: ahh…eh?

It was the red-eyed man I met in London at dusk

I stared back at them, unable to understand anything beyond that

Cat-like man: do you know Will? Anyone know us?

Red-eyed man: we just talked a little bit on the street, Liam, she don’t know about the Crown

(Crown?)

Cat-like man: I see, then you are in trouble, what should you do?

The man looked at me and smiled softly, with a glamorous tone that doesn’t match the complete crime scene

(Looks fun, even in this kind of situation)

His friendly pink eyes sparkle with curiosity

Subjective man: I’m sorry if you are really frightened, but this is a set for a stage play, isn’t it?

A man who looks like a playboy poke at the corpse with his chine and gives me a sideways glance

Kate: Uh, lie…

I remembered the lukewarm feeling, and my voice came out involuntarily

Subjective man: It would have been better if you pretend to believe me. What are you going to do Will?

Red-eyed man: Of couse, we should take her to the “Palace fo death”

Sly-eyed man: I told you to lock the door

Hunting gun man: Haha, I didn’t think you would trespass. You’re a pretty bad girl, arent you?

Tall young man: Why don’t you come over here, you cant run away anyway

Fear ran through my body the moment I heard those word - I can’t escape

(... anyway…. I have to run away!)

I scolded my trebling legs and try to retreat

Blood-red eyed captivated me

Red-eyed man: Come, poor robin

(Ehh??)

For some reason, my legs began to move toward him the moment he whispered sweetly

(why? I cant stop..?!)

Kate: I hate it…

Ignoring my will, my legs suddenly stopped right in front of him

Red-eyed man: Excuse me

He gently pulled me around my waist as if he were waltzing

(... being killed..)

As soon as I close my eyes. The scent of buckwheat tickle my nose, and the soft feel of it gently caress me

Red-eyed man: it’s ok

(a…)

He smiled and gently released me from his arms

All of sudden, I lost all my strength and collapsed on the spot

Red-eyed man: I’m late in introducing myself. My name is William. William Rex

With the moonlight behind him, he bowed reverently and held out his hand to me

(William Rex…)

The blood-stained fingertips are slowly opened as if inviting

Red-eyed man: I invite you to dinner tonight. Guest, what’s your name?

Part 4

(I could not escape..)

Eight mysterious man put me in a horse-drawn carriage and gracefully drove through the city at night

Beyond the window, with the cityscape of London. The majestic palace flew away---

(where am I going? And what will happen to me?)

I left the delivery at that mansion. But I wonder if I can receive the salary for that

Moreover, it’s doubtful whether I will be able to return home safely

(the fact that they are acting in group and working in the same place means that these people are people from an organization)

(Then.. from now on. I’m sure you’re going to report me to the person in charge)

Gentlemanly man: Kate-san..

Kate: Y..Yes

When I lifted my head up, I saw a gentleman with a mysterious smile on his face

Looking out the window, the carriage passed through the forest and crossed a bridge

Gentlemanly man: we’re arrived. This is not the root of evil that could be the end of your life, but our base

Kate: Wha…

As soon as I get off the carriage with a conforting escort, I was fascinated by the Gothic castle in front of me

Surrounded by forests and ponds on all sides, the clear tower that pierces the night sky gives off an overwhelming presence

Its’ a place that makes you want to bow down unintentionally

(i never thought there was a castle like this in London…)

Kate: Is this.. real?

Gentlemanly man: Yes, unfortunately, it’s neither a dream or an illusion. It’s painful reality that you cant escape

(actually.. or rather, didn’t this person just say something outrageous?)

(The end of life, root of evil, etc . Oh no. My head--)

I get dizzy and unsteady on my feet

I bumped into someone and hurrily turned around

Kate: sorry

Blond hair man: It doesn’t matter… are you okay?

(Near…)

The man who held me by the shoulder looked at me from a distance where I could touch his delicate-looking golden hair

(this person.. he is too beautiful and scary. He looks like a bisque doll)

In a work of art-like form, only the dark and ashy eyes are staring at me with the warm of a living creature

Kate: I’m fine, thank you

A man with a blond hair and blue eyes: …yes

(ah, that)

A man with a blond hair and blue eyes:…..

(don’t let go…)

As I was puzzled, a hand extended from the side and stabbed the blond man’s hand

A man like a cat: El, don’t run away

Kate, do you like to talk to me? I want to know more about you

(wow..)

I was confused by being sandwiched between men on both sides

Hunting gun man: hey, both of you, leave it for later, reporting to Victor is the top priority right now, right?

It’s not too late to get to know each other even after deciding what to do with the girl

It was a big man with an intelligent and powerful appearance came to my rescue

The rational look behind the glasses calms my fussing mind

(at this moment, I feel like this person is the most communicative)

Kate: … What will happen to me?

The things I’ve always wanted to hear came to my mind

Hunting gun man: weel? It’s up to us

With an egoistic grin, I erased the sentence “I feel like I can stand you” in my head

William: Kate, this way. Follow me

Kate: Yes. Rex-sama

William: Ahaha, don’t be so formal, William is fine

Kate: okay… William-sama

(Wow.. amazing)

Once you step into the castle, it’s as if the world has changed

(To think that I would set foot in a place like this even once in my life…)/ I never thought I would set foot…

A castle that is an magnificient as it looks, and is said to be the property of the British royal family. A dangerous, mysterious, and beautiful unknown world was spreading out before my eyes

(it’s a base for people who might be criminals, but..)

William: you seem to like it

A shilver ran down my spine. When I turned around, William was laughing gleefully

William: let’s go. Soul Reaper is waiting impatiently.

Part 5

Black-haired man: Welcome back, my beloved cursed people!

We stepped into the spacious dining room with trepidation, and the ‘Soul Reaper’ greeted us with a crackers.

(Cursed..?)

Black-haired man: Huh..? that girl is…

(This person is, the ‘Grim Reaper of the Palace’?)

I was a little perplexed by his friendly and frank attitude

His jewel-like eyes and long, glossy black hair reminded me of a night sky with twinkling stars

William: she’s Kate. She happened to be at target’s mansion

Black-haired man: wow. That’s … a fateful coincidence

William: Kate, he’s Victor. He’s the Queen’s aide

(The queen’s aide?)

Victor smiled as he restrained me with one hand when I was about to bend my knee

Victor: good evening, Kate. I see you’re brought here…

Kate: Yes, Victor-sama. It’s as you said

(To think that such an amazing person is a noble.. who the hell are they?)

The fear that clings my body is increasing, and I feel like I’m giong to cry at any moment

(i don’t want to be killed without knowing why)

(But what should I do?)

I was so tense that I couldn’t even break into a cold sweat, and my head gradually faded and turned white

Victor: If you were there by chance, you would be terribly confused without knowing the situation

Kate: Huh…? Yes….

(That’s right. Anyway, I have to grasp the situation and stay calm..)

Before I panicked, my thoughts clung to Victor-sama’s words of sympathy

Kate: well, can I ask you some questions?

Victor: You’re polite, okay, what do you want to ask?

Kate: what was it that I saw? What the hell are ‘crown’ and ‘cursed’?

Cat-like man: Ah, I see. I’m sorry I didn’t explain. You were worried, weren’t you?

Both are about us

Subjective man: Hey, Liam

Cat-like man: a cursed person is a human who has been cursed since he was born into this world

Kate: Cursed? Human?

Cat-like man: yes. I was born destined to commit crimes and suffer a tragic end.

(Are all these people saying that?)

Cat-like man: the ‘cursed people’ has been born in this world since long ago… and has been destined to commit crimes and died as they were supposed to

Cat-like man: for example, when drawing a curse, I can’t control my curiosity. And in the end, I’m destined to be killed by curiosity/ it’s fate to be killed….…Ah, it’s about me

Kate: what do you mean to be killed by curiosity?

Cat-like man: for example, according to the records, my previous cat’s curse is… Arson, robbery, self-multilation, adultery, and all kinds of evil deeds… just to satisfy my curiosity. Even though he was abandoned by his family and loved ones, and even when he was torture and had his limbs torn off, he cried and laughed.

Cat-like man: “it’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this”. In the end, he jumped into a sulfuric acid bath and melted to death while laughing out loud

He told a horrifying story worthy of being called ‘the end of a tragedy” with his eyes swaying happily

Hunting gun man: it’s said that various fairy tales were created based on the existence of this ‘cursed’. Nowadays, the causal relationship is reversed. And it’s called ‘the Fairy Tale Cursed’

(fairytale, curse,… such a story)

Hunting gun man: Can you believe it? I just tasted it myself

Kate: eh..?

Hunting gun man: ‘cursed’ possesses ability that normal humans cannot have

Sly-eye man: hey, that story is a confidential matter… you guys are light-hearted

(unusual ability)

Suddenly, what happened to me just now come back to me

---------- In the target’s mansion -----------

William: Come, poor robin

(... why? I can’t stop!!)

At that time, my body betrayed my will, as if I was manipulated my William-sama’s words

(No way… Really??)

When I unintentionally/ instinctively turned my gaze to William-sama, he gently loosen his eyes as if he is leaning back

William: My curse is a self-righteous king. It’s my ability to act as I’ve ordered/ command

(Do what you ordered, it’s like magic…)

Reason reflextively tried to deny it, but my body that was actually manipulated by him

The story is undeniably true

And one more thing, I noticed something

(A man who died in that mansion) I remember the anguished expression of the man who took his own like and the knife he held in his hand

(I thought it was too unnatural to commit suicide)

(But, maybe that person…)

(William-sama ordered him to forcibly put a knife on his neck?)

Kate:…!!

A frightening hypothesis crossed my mind and I quickly turned away from him

William: ‘cursed people’ are treated as criminals and psychopaths. At present, the UK is the only country that has nationally controlled and organized such risk factors

Kate: Nationally… organized?

William: Ah. An organization under the direct control of her Majesty Queen Victoria, composed only of cursed people. That’s us, the Crown

William: From espionage assassination, we undertake behind-the-scenes/ shadow works that the police and military cannot handle

(That’s right. … the murder scene I saw earlier)

(was it an assassination mission carried out my Her Majesty’s orders…?)

Victor: for the prosperity of Britain, ‘conquering evil with evil’ is the mission of the ‘Crown’. Well, in fact, who are ‘cursed’, are free to carry out their own evils

Victor: For me, it’s the most important thing

(a group of assassins for the nation, defeating evil with evil…)

(I’ve learned a terrible secret…)

I should have grasp the situation in order to calm down, but I was struck by even more fear and stood dumbfounded

Subjective man: yes, it’s a more serious situation than you imagined

So, what are you going to do with such a polite explanation, Victor?

Victor: Hmm… That’s right…

Tall young man: shall I kill her?

(eh-----?)

The worst option suddenly surfaced and I turned around in a panic

Tall young man: she doesn’t seem happy at all, but is it’s work, I’ll do it

(eh….eh!!?)

I’m sweating and I wonder what the other people’s complexions are like

Everyone is calm and doesn’t change one complexion…

I understood that taking the life of a single person was a daily accurrence of them

Victor: Hmm, that’s right

(I have to explain somehow…!!)

(I have to persuade him somehow!)

(If the reason for being killed is ‘knowing the secret’)

Kate: I swear I will never tell anyone alse what I just heard!

Victor: Hmm… What? What?

Kate: I’m absolutely confidential, postmen are trained to maintain confidentially

Victor & William: ….

(isn’t t really impossible?… if that’s the case)

Kate: if you say you can’t trust me, you can keep an eye on me until you trust me, I’ll definitely prove it

(so please, don’t kill me)

I stare at Victor with a cringing feeling

Viktor: I see, that’s good. Adopted!!

Kate: huh?

Victor: From today onwards, you will be the Crown exclusive ‘fairy tale master’

Part 6

Kate: Fairytale master….

Tall young man: … what?

Victor: the position I just created. I’ve wanted to record the spectacular evil deeds for a long time. From now on, Kate will live in this castle and act together with the members of Crown

Victor: Crown members, keep an eye on her so she doesn’t reveal her secret

Meanwhile, I asked Kate to write down how they commit evil, it’s like writing a fairy tale.

It’s will be a valuable resource for research into the curse, and it will also serve as a Crown activity report for her Majesty the Queen

Sujective man: just because it’s too much trouble for you to make a report, so you’re going to force it on her

Victor: I think it’s the best idea! If it decided, I’ll have to show you around this castle

Kate: Wait, wait!

(it looks like I escaped being killed, but I have to decide something important!)

Kate: One month. For 1 month, if I fulfill the role of the fairy tale master and keep the secret to the end…

Can you release me, please?

Victor: ……….

William: fufu… that’s unusual, Victor, I can’t believe you’re taken aback. Okay, Kate. If you want, I’ll trust you and release you when you finish your one month term

William: Should I send a direct notice to your workplace saying that you’re going to work at the Imperial Court for a month? Okay, Victor?

Victor: of, of course Will

(that’s good. For the time being, the neck skin seem to be connected)

(1 month… if I can keep the secret, I can go back to the daily life)

(while writing down the crimes these people commit)

William: If you don’t know the names, it will be inconvenient. Everyone, introduce yourself

Cat-like man: Yes, yes, then I’ll start

(... that?)

When I saw him stepping onto the stage as if he was dancing, I suddenly felt a sense of deja vu

Kate: I’ve heard about you somewhere!

(this person is an actor who appeared on the stage I went to see last month)

Liam: Do you know me? I’m so happy. My front face is a stage actor , and the back face is a crown. My name is Liam Evans

Please take care of me from now on, cute Kate-chan

With a light wink like a twinkling star, Liam kissed the back of my hand

My heart, which has been tense with fear and anxiety, loosened slightly

(i though Crowns were all nobles, but that’s not the case)

Kate: Nice to meet you, Liam-san

Liam: call me Liam. No honorifics, okay? And this is my buddy Harry

Harrison: it’s a bad friend’s mistake… Harrison Gray. Harry or Harrison, whatever you want

I’m a liar fox cursed. Now, it’s a lie or it’s true?

Harrison smiled thinly, his milky hair swaying, and the scent of mint tickled my nose

Kate: it is true?

Harrison: hmm, do you think so?

You can check the answers, you have a month

(.. you’re kind of an elusive person, I can’t read your emotion at all)

(There is no doubt that he is very popular)

Alphonse: then, let us say hello next. Sorry for the delay, my name is Alfons Sylvatica

To be able to spend a month playing with a love robin like you… I’m really looking forward to it

(Hmm? You said you would play with me?)

Alfons: this is Elbert Greetia. Please consider me his friend as well as his aide

Kate: Elbert.. nice to meet you

Alfons-san, Elbert-sama, nice to meet you

Elbert: … El, is she beautiful?

(eh!?)

Alfons: yes, as much as you

Hunting gun man: hey hey, what a rude thing to say in front of a lady

(Well, it’s true that there aren’t many people more beautiful than master Elbert)

Roger: I’m Roger, I used to be a doctor. Nice to meet you, girl

When I instinctively braced myself for the ferocious smile, Roger-san raised his eyebrows as if amused.

Roger: well, it’s been a month. Let’s take it easy, huh?

Kate: yes, Roger-san

(also, I don’t know the name…)

Looking around the dining room, I noticed 2 people who had barely talked to each other, and turned my gaze to them

In particular, the man in the long jacket doesn’t even try to hide his stoic aura, has the air of a real ‘villain’

It’s unapproachable, to be honest

When our eye met, the twisted/ distorted his face in disgust

The man with sly eyes: tch…. disgusting

(eh…)

A sudden intense disgust is directed at me

Victor: well, don’t say that, take care of yourself, Jude

Jude: I refuse, what are you thinking about catching such an ordinary person/ mediocrity by brandishing the Queen’s power?

(ordinary person..)

(..eh, maybe you’re defending me right now?)

Although he seemed to be different from the members of Crown, he may be a surprisingly conscientious person

Kate: Thank you very much, Jude-san

When I greeted him with a little hope in my heart, Amethyst’s cruel-looking eyes narrowed

Jude: I feel sorry for you for being forced to brign you here. Did I rescue you?

Kate: eh?

Jude: I’m just kidding. what are you expecting?

(wha..!?)

Jude: well, it’s okay if you do your best. You can hold it for a month and then run away and be killed

After pouring harsh words and showing a cruel smile, Jude-san left the room

(after all, he was a cold person… and also a type with a strong habit)

(is that peculiar way of speaking, is he an immigrant from somewhere?)

Tall young man: he’s like that to everyone, so don’t worry about it.

Kate: wow!

Before I knew it, a tall young man was standing next to me

(suddenly, I didn’t notice it at all)

(this person just said ‘let’s kill’ me…)

Ellis: I’m Ellis

With a calm and gentle voice, just by being by is side, you can feel the temperature frop

It made me uneasy. As if something was peeking through the open darkness

Kate: Ellis-kun, nice to meet you

Ellis: Nice to meet you, me and Jude often go out on business

While I’m here, I’ll make you as happy as possible

(Happy?)

From the person who tried to kill me a few minute ago, I was taken aback when a line like a proposal popped out

(i wonder if it’s a unique social commentary/ etiquette)

Kate: Thank you. What kind of work do you do outside?

Ellis: Trading company. Jude is the president. I’m an assistant

(That person is a president…)

Victor: okay. Have you all identified yourself with this? It seems that there are some children who haven’t reveal the curse

Well. You will find out yourself while you’re working as a ‘fairy tale master’

Bang, clapping his hands and Victor-sama happily laughed

Victor: Then, before we show you around the castle, I would like to show you a welcome trick

Liam: wow! Clap clap clap------

Roger: don’t waste precious time again

Harrison: are you insane? I’d rather take a shower than stare at such a poor thing

Alfons: well, isn’t it nice to see the idiots of wierdos who are happy to expose their clumsiness?

Victor: I need collaboratorss, but who won’t run? El?

Elbert: I don’t like it…

Victor: hmm. I wonder why your sad profile is so attractive. Then what about Ellis?

Ellis: if that makes her happy, fine

Victor: thank you for your altruistic and devoted course of action. Then lay down on the table over there-------

(suddenly, the magic show started…)

They are laughing happily in front of you, and they are taking one life without delay tonight

Even the laughter seemed stir up fear when I remembered the sight at the scene of the murder

William: are you scared?

Kate: …! William-sama

Part 8

Still unable to meet his gaze, I lowered my head and stared at his feet

William: it’s polite to give an honorific title. I’d like to have a more informal relationship with you. Just with William

Kate: yes, William

(.……look)

I couldn’t help but obey the order, so I gave him a title in my heart

William: that’s right. I won’t use my power recklessly. Can you show me your face?

Invited my the gentle tone of voice, I fearfully raise my gaze upwards

William: are you scared of us?

Kate: yes, I’m scared

I thought It was rude to say something like this, but my voice spill out on its own

Kate: I didn’t know anything about you. Or about the existence of this world…

If It came true, I wanted to remain ignorant

But I, who didn’t know, can’t go back

William: do you want to know more?

I feel like I’m going to flinch at the words

Kate: I think I want to face each other in my own way

It’s necessary because I need to fulfill my mission and be trusted…

William: ….huh?

William narrowed his red eyes as if exploring, and gave a faint smile to his lips

William: well, let’s wait and see

Victor: Yeah, as you can see, Ellis surviced the rain of knifes unscathed!

Liam: wow, that’s amazing! As expected of Victor

(oh..no! Even though it was my welsome trick, I didn’t see it at all!)

Harrison: yeah, wow. Good work Ellis

Roger: didn’t you get stab with a knife?

Ellis: it was a little tough, but it’s barely okay

Alfons: as expected of kinetic vision and reflexes

Elbert: … relying on the physical abilities of the collaborators… isn’t that a trick?

Victor: well then, this is enough for the welcome entertainment

Despite the cold attitude of the audience, Victor spread his arms in a good mood

Victor: May I show you our castle of evil, Crown Castle?

Part 9

Victor: come on, miss robin. Don’t stray from me

Once you’re scented by the darkness of the castle, you can’t come back

Parting from the members of the Crown, I went out into the hallway as Victor-sama led me

Kate: Yes, Victor-sama

Victor: Victor. Isn’t it sad that I’m the only one with William being called out?

(Both William and this person are clearly high-ranking people, but----)

Kate: Victor. Please guide me

(i feel so good)

Victor: This is the common room. It’s a room where we drink, play, have party and discuss strategies.

Ah, don’t touch the leftmost glass on the third row from the top. Dangerous things will pop out

(i wonder what will come out… a knife? Pistol?)

Victor: This is Roger’s laboratory, and also the infirmary. If you get injured, you should get medical treatment here. Crown’s mission is dangerous side by side. Ah, but fortunately they are still alive and well. Miraculously

(a life-threatening mission is an everyday occurrence?)

Victor: This is the hall. Balls and evening parties are held here. But this castle is special, and we rarely invite people.

Victor: Even the servants hire a small number of reliable people. To protect the secret that you have learned

(if you’ve gone that far to keep secret, why was the mansion unlocked?)

Victor: and here is your room

Kate:…eh?

What I was shown was a clean room with white as the base color, and a classy room that seem to be inhabited by the upper class

Kate: did someone live here?

vidtorL no. When you were being introduced by everyone, I ordered the servants to prepare this room for you

(in that moment, such a thing? I didn’t even feel the presence of a servant…)

Kate: ah….

Suddenly, I found a typewriter on my desk and let out a voice

Kate: how did you know I used a typewriter?

No one should know that I have been practicing for several months so that I can also do writing work

Victor: huh? Is that so? I didn’t know, just coincidence. I thought it would be useful to have for making a report

Victor blinked his eyes curiously and stared at me meaningfully

Victor: miraculour coincidence… even on the same day, twice

(twice..?)

Victor: I feel like it’s fate that your’re here

Well, don’t stay too long in the lady’s room too long. If anything happens, ring the bell there

Your exclusive maid will answer your request no matter what. Oh, write down the instructions

Kate: thank you, I understand

Victor: also, there are quite a few people in the Crown who are morally bankrupt

Leaving someone in the room can be synonymous with surrendering your body, so be careful

(though I didn’t see people here so hungry for women)

Kate: I remember it well

Victor: finally, let me convey my thanks

Kate: thank you…?

Victor: oh, thank you for trying to talk to us

You tried to have a dialogue with us while watching the scene with your own eyes

You think I was person who could understand you?

Since you are that kind of person, let me give you one piece of advice

After a month, if you want to go back to your normal life, don’t let them steal your heart

Kate: will they steal my heart?

Victor: yes. Curses are destined for tragic ruin

If you want the kind of happiness that pure maidens dream of, don’t fall in love with them

(love…)

The unexpected story confuses me

Kate: I didn’t even think about that…

I’m just going to prove I can keep secrets and go home

Victor: Maybe it suites you, who has free wings

Victor narrowed his eyes deceitfully as if he was holding it

Victor: nevertheless, if you choose to share the fate with them. Darkness will gladly welcome you

My body trembles at the bewitching smile

Victor: Good night, Kate

Kate: Good night, Victor

Thus, with the sound of the door slowly closing, my sinful life began

It’s easy to be happy when life is a fairy tales.

Don’t do what you shouldn’t do. For example, so…

A forest you shouldn’t enter, a door you shouldn’t open, a secret you shouldn’t know.

Don’t fall, love

However, the world of darkness suddenly appeared, revealing its abyss and tempting me

What will happen to my heart and body if I touch those fingertips beckoning me?

I have a certain feeling that something will change decisively

Breaking the taboo of ‘don’t do’, what lies ahead-----

-----I don’t know yet

The copyright belongs to Cybird. There may be some mistakes in my translation, feel free to tell me if you see them.

#ikemen games #cybird ikemen #ikemen series #ikemen villains #ikevil #cybird ikemen series #cybird #cybird otome #ikemen villain prologue

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shurisneakers · 4 years ago

Note

if you're taking ideas for harmless drabbles, i'd love to see one of bucky on one of those dates he mentioned and reader's shenanigans. if you aren't, feel free to ignore this!

a/n: are we really going to let a word limit define what a drabble is? is the vibe and spirit not enough? i say this bc this is 5.7k words long im so sorry. also hey thank you to everyone who piped in with their knowledge of violent geese and how apartment security works in new york!! also thanks to my bby @spiderrpcrker for reading this and telling me to publish this bc i wasnt going to fkjghfkj

warning: swearing, bad luck, dates, frustrated bucky, anxiety, mentions of gore but like only a sentence

here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to support my writing <333

Catch up with the rest of the series here: Harmless Masterlist

Bucky returns only two weeks later. His mission lasted longer than expected and all he wants is to lie down and sleep for forty eight hours straight.

“FRIDAY?” he mumbles, kicking off his shoes. His jacket had already been discarded by his bedroom door when he walked in.

“Yes, Sergeant Barnes?”

“How are ya?” He doesn’t miss a beat in asking, even though he’s exhausted.

“As good as ever. Did you have a successful mission?”

“If by successful you mean one sprained limb instead of two, then yeah.” He wasn’t really cribbing. His ankle was already starting to heal anyway and it was worth the roundhouse kick to a Nazi's face. “Do I have anything scheduled for this weekend?”

“You have a meeting on your calendar scheduled for this Saturday.”

“Could you send a text to Y/N and ask if we can push it to the next day?” His muscles feel sore and God, he could definitely use a hot shower but all of that becomes secondary the minute he feels the sheets under him.

“Would you like me to reschedule the other one as well?”

“What’s that?” He opens one eye in confusion. “There’s another one?”

“It’s on Sunday. You’ve labelled it ‘date’.”

Ah, fuck.

“Would you like me to change it?” FRIDAY never sounds like she’s judging him, which is nice. It also reminds him about how she, as an AI, can’t judge him, which is a rude wake-up call to how he doesn’t have friends.

“No,” his voice is muffled against the pillow, “no, let it be. Where is it again?”

“You’ve only specified diner, Sergeant Barnes.”

Public space, daytime, plenty of escape routes. Good on his less delirious self for selecting a diner.

“Thanks, FRIDAY.” Now that he’s a little more relaxed, he can feel himself slip in and out of consciousness.

“One last thing," her automated voice commands his attention again. "Y/N replied. She says sure and to take care.”

“Yay.” Not even a second later he’s out like a light.

____

“Did you bring me any souvenirs?” Is the first thing he hears as he marches into your lair.

“What could I possibly get you?”

“A postcard, a t-shirt.” You don’t look up from your tinkering.

“Decapitated finger, used bullets,” he continues, “cement blocks.”

“Ew.” You snap the lid shut on the thing you’re working on, spinning around on your chair. "That's not nearly romantic enough."

“That’s all you’re going to get from a Russian underground bunker.” He does a mini jog up the stairs of the platform to where you are.

“Does the finger have a ring at lea- oh hello?” You raise an eyebrow at the sight of him. “You look different.”

He peers down. The outfit was still all black. As always.

“Not your clothes, dummy,” you interrupt, making him look back at you. “Your face. What’d you do?”

He unconsciously raises a hand to his cheek.

“Did you wash your face? Is that it?” you squint at him. “Has it been a few months since the last time?”

“Wow, you’re so funny,” he drawls sarcastically. “Top tier comedian right there.”

“No wait, it’s the beard.” You snap your fingers in realisation, completely ignoring his comment. “You trimmed it.”

“So what if I did?” He leans on your table.

“You going somewhere?” you ask, elastic snapping against your hands as you remove your gloves.

“It’s none of your busi-”

“Hold on a second.” A sly smile begins to make its way onto your face. “Are you going on a date, Bucky Barnes?”

His comeback dies down in his throat. That didn’t take you very long for you to figure out.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” You look smug, to say the least.

“Shut up.” A ray of light glistening distracts him. He traces it to the thing you were working on earlier.

“Where are you guys going?” You cross your arm across your chest, a small smirk on your face.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” It’s a silver box, engraved intricately with swirls that, when he observes carefully, looks like a skull. Wow, terrifying.

“I’m literally asking you.”

“What are those?” He shifts the conversation towards a more productive angle instead.

“Evil in a box and some other stuff.” You shrug offhandedly. “Is it a lunch date or just coffee?”

“Like Pandora’s Box?”

“A discount version, sure,” you confirmed impatiently. “Stop changing the topic, listen to me.”

He tilts his head, waiting for you to continue.

“Do you need a chaperone?” The sincerity in your voice for such a bullshit question has him scoffing.

“Good God- no, I do not need a chaperone. I’m 106 years old, I can go out unsupervised.” He reaches over and plucks the box off your table.

“Sir, you’re a geriatric."

“What are those?” He points to a few ray odd ray guns.

“Minor stuff you don’t have to worry about right now.”

He shakes the box in his hand. “What’s gonna happen if I open this?”

“Very bad things,” you whispered ominously before your volume returns to normal. “How’d you meet this person? Online?”

“She’s Natasha’s friend.” He turns the box over, seeing a small latch at the side. “What bad things?”

“Bad luck and misery. Don’t play with it, it’s dangerous.” You pull the box away from him. “Aw, is it a blind date?”

“Why do you care so much?” he shoots back, tugging the box back towards him.

“Just lookin’ out for you, Bucko,” you huff, adjusting your grip on your device. “Need to keep my favourite senior citizen safe.”

“I have a vibranium arm.” Whose force he could use to grab the box once and for all, but wasn’t. “I think I’ll be fine.”

“What if she has one too, huh? Then what?”

“She doesn’t.” As far as he knows, he’s the only one alive with a metal appendage made out of the strongest metal in the world. That could very well change by tomorrow but he's keeping the title for now.

“But what if she does? I swear to- stop trying to take the box!” You pull a little more forcefully, but he doesn’t relent.

“I want this to get over before this evening.”

“What time’s your date?”

“Why do you care?” He’s sure anyone who saw the dumb tug-of-war you both were playing would just automatically assume he was an absolute manchild, not an Avenger.

“Because.” You don’t explain further. “Tell me what time your date is, you weirdo.”

“Five o’clock, now let go.”

“Fine,” you say, suddenly loosening your grip. Clearly, it doesn't make much of a difference since he isn't struggling to keep his balance from the sudden loss of force.

“Fine.” He clears his throat, straightening up.

You don’t say anything. He doesn’t either.

A putrid smell creeps into his nose, one all too similar to spoiled milk and decaying seaweed. He has to physically stop himself from gagging.

“Have a good day.” You smile and lean far back. Too far. It looks like you're almost going to fall out of the chair.

Through the tears that are threatening to line his eyelids, he looks down at the box whose latch you somehow managed to lift, leaving the box open.

“What the fuck is this?” He coughs, swatting at the air in front of him to clear it.

“I told you; bad luck in a box.”

“You can’t scientifically create bad luck, that’s bullshit.” He tosses the box back onto your table. You watch it slide past you, not making any effort to stop it. “What is it really?”

“I’m not lying.” You pull open a drawer, brandishing a small table fan that you set down beside you. “If you open it, you’re going to have terrible luck for the day.”

He glowers at you when you turn the fan on, forcing the fumes back towards him.

“Besides, that’s all I was doing today.” You kick your feet up. “So you can leave now.”

He doesn’t care if you’re lying about not having anything else to do today. You could burn down the world if you wanted to but he needs to take a stupid shower. Again.

“You’re the fuckin’ worst.” He tries airing out his shirt, hoping that the smell would dissipate as soon as possible.

“Have fun on your date, sarge!” you encourage him as he stalks out of the lair. “Remember to wrap it befo-”

He turns it into a sprint before you can finish.

____

Six hours later and he’s absolutely convinced he fucked up.

He isn’t used to having his weekends free.

He realises that this is the first time in months that he’s actually stepped out of the Tower for something that wasn’t directly mission-related. He should probably get some air. Touch some grass. See the sun.

His shirt thankfully manages to rid itself of the odour from the dumb box so he didn’t have to go take a shower. With nothing much planned and a few hours to spare, he heads to the coffee shop instead.

It’s a small place, bustling and alive with a crowd of people. They have a little bookshelf that usually is full of books donated by patrons, free for anyone to read.

The barista smiles at him. The coffee costs more than his high school education. He awkwardly smiles back.

He’s not a regular, but they’ve seen him enough times to know that he usually asks for black coffee in a to-go cup, later adding a sugar or two according to his own taste. They're nice to him, occasionally throwing in a cookie or something on the house. He can't tell if it's because of the Avenger status or the sizeable tip he leaves.

He picks up a random book from the shelf, fully intending not to read it but to just sit there and think. The book acted as a shield for his resting bitch face, resting murder face and his resting rage face. More often than not, a good combination of the three.

He sets the coffee down at the corner table he manages to nab in a quick second, along with the two sachets of sugar.

“Is this seat taken?” Someone asks from beside him. He earnestly shakes his head in a ‘no’, gesturing for them to take it.

They give him a quick thanks and drag the chair away from his table.

He does a quick overlook of the book he picked up.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot.

Well, now he’s too anxious to put it back. YA fiction it is.

He reaches for the sugar while glossing over the summary. He reaches a little further when it doesn’t come to his hand immediately, blindly running his fingers across the table.

Bucky peeks over the book, eyebrows knitting together when he notices that they’re missing.

He was sure he picked it up.

He looks underneath the table. It wasn’t there, neither under his seat. Strange, but okay. He picks up the book and the cup, walking back to the station to grab two sugars.

This time he makes sure to tuck it into his pocket, double-checking before going back to his table.

Which was now occupied. He wanted to groan.

His mind automatically reverts back to the box from that morning.

“Come on,” he scoffs quietly to himself. It was a coincidence. “Get yourself together.”

“A seat at the counter just cleared up,” the barista from earlier offers when she sees him standing in the middle of the store.

See? Good luck.

He shoots her a grateful look, venturing over to the barstool to take his place. It’s not the most comfortable, but then again, he wasn’t planning to stay there for very long.

He empties the sugar into the coffee, stirring slowly before opening a random page in the book.

He takes a long sip, ignoring how hot the drink was.

He chokes immediately. Because either he was losing his mind or his order had somehow got switched from ‘no sugar’ to ‘diabetes in a cup’.

He takes another small sip and his face immediately twists in disgust. Definitely too sweet. The sweetener he added only made it worse.

He catches the eye of the barista. She looks on in concern.

“Is everything okay?”

Fuck.

He’s not one to make a scene. He just wants to live as imperceptibly as he could.

“Yep.” The sweetness sticks to the back of his throat. “All good.”

He just closes his eyes and downs the rest of it without thinking twice, trying to hide the grimace in his face. He gives her a weak thumbs up. She doesn't look convinced.

He leaves the shop soon after, hands shoved in his pocket. Maybe he could go sit by the lake at Central Park, watch the clouds. It reminded Bucky of the lake in front of his hut in Wakanda and the hours he'd sit in front of it, feet dipped into the water as his goats fed. He misses it.

He makes a sharp turn at a corner, still thinking about his options when his ankle abruptly twists under him.

He stumbles rather ungracefully, almost hitting the ground, but manages to save himself through the newly built up immunity he has towards falling thanks to all his encounters with you.

His gaze lands on his hardcore combat boots. Their laces had come undone.

Now he just knew that was horseshit. He always double knots them; they had never loosened in the past before.

The box.

He shoves the thought out of his head, crouching down to tie them again. He tugs on them to make sure they’re secure before standing up again.

Central Park is a few blocks away but he’s glad he didn’t bring his bike. The weather was rather nice and the wind in his hair felt good.

He wanders around the park for a while, looking for the lake. He pauses at a board with a map of the park on it, assessing how far it was.

Once he's ascertained which path to go towards, he turns on his heel to go.

He fucking trips again.

“Are you serious?” he says furiously under his breath. “Cut it out.”

He’s half-convinced that he should tie it around his ankle like a sexy lace-up set of heels. He ties a triple knot this time, glares at it until he’s sure it’s fine and checks to see if anyone saw him humiliate himself.

Only a person on a nearby bench who looked like they were passed out drunk, given that their hoodie and sunglasses clad self was slumped over.

No witnesses. No 'You won't BELIEVE what the Winter Soldier did! Critics say it's his biggest blunder yet!' articles the next day on social media.

He manages to make it to the lake in one piece and no more falls, partly because he keeps his eyes fixed on his shoes to ensure no fuckery occurs.

There are a few people rowing and plenty of others lining the bank at scattered locations. There’s a mom and her kid at the place he ends up. She sends him a small smile in greeting and he returns the favour.

There’s a secluded bench that he takes a place on, letting out a small sigh. If he ignores the traffic and the skateboarders and the people in general, it’s actually kind of peaceful.

There are geese and their little goslings swimming around the water close to the shore. Maybe he should have brought some birdseed. Or kale.

The kid beside him is busy fashioning something out of leaves, only occasionally erupting into giggles when it doesn't pan out. His mom watches him fondly, pointing at twigs he could use. Everything seems kind of picture-perfect and his body automatically relaxes, easing further into the seat and closing his eyes for a second.

Until there's a large splash and loud distressed honking. He whips his head around to find the same kid staring straight ahead at the goose with a wide grin. His mother curses quietly, picking herself up off the ground and grabbing his hand, half chastising him for throwing something at an animal and half urging him to walk faster.

The goose turns to Bucky. With no one else to blame for the sudden attack, it logically launches itself at him. His smile drops.

He gets up in a rush. The dumb bird nearly comes for his head, but he deflects with his metal arm.

“I didn’t even do anything.” He swats at it swiftly, trying not to cause any real damage. The goose, understandably, does not speak English.

He flinches when one of them bites at his knee. He can punt it to the sun but he doesn’t want to.

“Stop that.” He sticks his hand out to shove the stupid thing away, retreating back to the road. “Jesus, why are you so aggressive?”

Among the barrage of feathers showering on him, he prays his damn shoelace doesn’t unravel as he shields his head with one arm, the other fending himself while he moves hurriedly away.

The goose honks angrily at him. He scowls at it, not exactly pleased with the reminder that these fucking overgrown ducks were constantly bloodthirsty.

It doesn’t leave him alone till he’s significantly away from where he was sitting. He wants to call it profanity but that’d probably piss it off more.

The box and its effects were definitely starting to feel real.

Fuck it, no more day out for him. The best plan he can think of is to just go to the diner he’s supposed to meet his date at.

The waiter greets him with a courteous nod, which Bucky can only imagine was the best he could muster when a dishevelled 200-pound man walks in covered in goose feathers and irritation.

He won't admit that he’s too scared to eat lunch at this point because he can’t rule out food poisoning. He spends the next two hours on his phone playing Fruit Ninja and plucking feathers that accented his all-black outfit.

Several glasses of water later and a second before he’s about to beat his high score, someone taps on his shoulder, breaking him out of his concentration.

Motherfu-

He clenches his eye shut, inhaling deeply before turning around.

“James?”

“Hey, yeah, that’s me.” Bucky almost falls over the table with how fast he stands up, clearly underestimating his size. “Leah?”

“Hi.” She smiles and he finds himself smiling nervously along with her.

“Hi.” He steps out to pull out her chair for her and she laughs. "Nice to meet you."

“How long have you been waiting here?” she asks while setting down her bag.

“Around ten minutes.” He clears his throat to hopefully hide the fact that he was lying through his teeth.

“Just give me a second, I need to tell my friend I reached,” Leah pulls out her phone and he nods.

“Another glass of water for you?” The waiter seems less enthusiastic about Bucky’s 8th refill.

“Yes,” he answers, hoping he doesn’t call him out on it, “please.”

“You must be really dehydrated."

Bucky turns to look at him slowly. “I like the taste.”

He can’t really blame the guy. Bucky’s been there for hours without ordering anything solid, just leaching off their free water and complimentary bread basket.

“So, James.” She tosses her phone back into her bag, leaning forward on her palms easily. “Tell me about yourself.”

He had rehearsed this a million times. He could do this.

“I, uh,-”

“Menu?” Okay, so someone clearly had a vendetta against him.

“Thank you.” She takes it with a smile.

His morning debacle with the coffee flashes through his mind. Suddenly the idea of a diner didn’t seem so smart.

However, she’s already placed her order and George is standing beside him expectantly, daring him to ask for another glass of water, so he places his usual order and hopes that your stupid bad luck thing wore off.

He quickly learns that his date is laid back, and it isn’t hard to fall into a rhythm with her even though she’s the one asking most of the questions.

“How’d you meet Nat?” Is his attempt at one.

“She used to come in for lunch every week at the place I work.” Leah leans back in her chair. “She can really handle her alcohol.”

He’d be worried about Nat day drinking if he didn’t know about her complete inability to get drunk. She might as well have been downing glasses of lemonade.

“Yeah, she’s-” Intimidating, scary, cool “-really something.”

“She mentioned that you like movies.” He definitely spends a lot of time watching them. “You got any recommendations?”

It’s easier to figure out how different things are or how much he missed out over the years through them. He’s glad he sat out the early 2000s, judging by their fashion sense and hairstyles.

He's watched several movies over the past few months, a few of them critically acclaimed and others who were just there for the cult following.

But now everything goes blank and the only thing that he can remember are the biopics made about Steve that were somehow hilarious for gifting him the mental image of Freddie Prinze Jr. dressed in the stars and stripes, and highly distressing for the number of historical inaccuracies. Contrary to popular belief, Stevie did not, in fact, consider running for president after he took up the shield, nor did he start his own bar chain.

He can’t name Oh Captain, My Captain starring Channing Tatum as his favourite movie on his first date and hope to make a good first impression.

“Despicable Me was kinda fun.” He wants to kill himself. “I mean, it’s the last one I saw.”

Her face twists in mild disgust, but he can tell it isn't ill-intentioned. “It's a good movie, but God, that just gave me some intense flashbacks to my aunt’s Facebook page. Don’t think I can look at a minion ever again.”

He sniggers with her. He doesn’t know what the context is.

He’s a little awkward, and he can definitely tell he isn’t the most open book but she laughs at some of his attempts at jokes. There’s a distinct discomfort he has lingering at the back of his mind prodding at him, telling him over and over again that he isn’t ready for something like this. A warning bell, asking him to leave as soon as possible because he was in a dangerous situation.

He remembers what his therapist told him about breathing and remembering that the resources he had available were greater than his anxiety and he tries to get out of his head. It takes a few minutes of acting like he's fine but he manages to do it.

Other than the one time he scalds his tongue on the coffee but played it off with a pained smile, shoving down thoughts of your stupid invention, things actually went okay.

It was nice, even though they decided by the end that it was better if they both gelled together better as friends. It lifts the strange fear he feels and he can hear Dr. Mendoza say she's proud of him for taking this step before spending three hours psychoanalysing why they decided to stay platonic.

Bucky promises to visit her sushi shop with Nat soon and she says a bottle of sake awaits him for a drinking game. He doesn’t have the heart to tell her that Nat and he share the same tolerance for alcohol.

He makes sure to leave George a tip. A big one. It’s the first time he sees the guy smile the entire evening.

He’s waving goodbye to Leah outside and he thinks that maybe it was a good end to the day and that things actually turned out fine.

Until he turns around to leave, only to have someone walk straight into him with an iced tea.

The cold comes as a bit of a shock, making him jump slightly. He stares at his shirt, using his fingertips to pull it away from his body.

The person melts into a series of apologies immediately, offering to dry clean his shirt but Bucky just forces a shake of his head and says it’s okay even though he can feel the sugar making the shirt stick to his chest. Goose feathers and iced tea. Was there anything else that would like to attach itself to him?

His fists clench and his teeth grit and he has to physically control himself from sprinting to your lair because God knows what else is in store for him and he didn't want to add in any way.

The door to the lair is locked. Fuckin’ brilliant.

When no one answers after minutes worth of waiting, he fishes for his phone and realises that maybe two hours of Fruit Ninja was not the best idea, especially on a phone known for having shitty battery life.

There’s roughly 2 percent left. By the time he opens his app to give you a call, his phone screen goes black.

He groans. He’s desperate at this point and under any other normal circumstances, he would have never, ever considered doing this.

But ten minutes later he’s outside your apartment building. You’re aware that he has your address; no doubt that it was in the SHIELD file he had gotten, and he knows that you know but it was still weird.

The buzzer has your last name listed next to it. He’s sure that he’ll break it if he keeps pressing it at this rate but he really needs you to let him in.

“Who the fu-” your voice comes through the intercom.

“I’m sorry for showing up like this, my phone died and I couldn’t reach you,” He breathes out as soon as he hears you. “But I need you to fix this.”

When he doesn’t hear a reply, he wonders if the thing actually worked. He’s about to start pressing it again-

“Bucky?” You sound a little surprised to hear him. “You’re at my house. Why are you at my house?”

“I need you to fix whatever this is.”

“What are you- fine, I’m buzzing you in,” your voice, initially confused soon trails off into something more dismissive.

There’s a soft click from the door, allowing him to push it open. The elevator is already on the same floor as him so he just uses that.

The elevator goes up a floor or two. His feet tap restlessly against the carpeted floor.

The lights turn off and everything comes to a standstill. His foot stops tapping.

He should have known. He should have fucking known.

Thirty seconds pass. He’s still in pitch darkness with the elevator showing no signs of moving.

In fact, he’s resigned to his fate. He sits down on the ground, only one step away from completely laying down and hoping someone finds his body here someday.

It’s six minutes of plain silence. He might as well get comfortable if he’s going to get stuck here for the rest of his life. Did he change his will? Does he even have a will?

There’s finally a whir. He thinks that maybe he’s going to plummet to his doom as the perfect end to this day, but then the light switches on and it starts moving upward.

It stops at the floor with a ding. He doesn’t get off the ground, only eyes the door wearily. With his luck, it wouldn’t open.

But it does and within a second he’s on his feet, scrambling to get out before it changes its mind.

He remembers your door number, basically charging down the hall to get to it.

The door is white and the paint is starting to chip off it. The handle itself is dented in a few places and he wonders if it was your fault or someone else's.

His knocks are rapid, agitated even. He doesn’t stop until he hears your loud shouts telling him to cut it out.

“What the hell were you doing, trying to break down my door?” It swings open, revealing you in your pajamas. “Haven’t you done that already? And where were you, I’ve been waiting for like, ten minutes.”

He honestly feels bad for showing up uninvited and highly flustered. He can’t imagine it’s a pretty sight either. "This bad luck shit- fix it. My whole day’s been fucked up.”

“What are you-” Your eyebrows knit together in confusion, taking in his appearance.

It takes you a second to realise what he’s talking about but when you do, your face settles.

“How was your date?” You lean against the door frame, arms crossed over your chest.

“Really,” He glowered at you, “that’s what you care about?”

“Yes.” You nod. “Did you have fun?”

He hesitates. “I guess?”

“Was she nice?”

“Yeah.” Where was this going.

“Good, I’m happy for you.” The smile on your face is genuine. “Look at you go, Casanova.”

“We agreed to be just friends, but that’s not the point here. Y/N,” he whines. “I have a mission next week, I can’t afford to fuck up. My whole day was off and I don’t want it to carry over.”

“Your whole day?” you questioned, standing up instead of leaning against the wall. “Buck-”

“Just fix it.”

“Okay.” You lift your hand up, extending it towards his face.

He waits for you to do something.

You flick him on the forehead.

“There,” you declare, going back to your previous position. “you’re cured.”

What.

He says exactly what he’s thinking.

You laugh. “Dude. I was fucking with you.”

Huh?

“Well, actually maybe just like, three things and then I got bored.”

He’s confused.

“You know,” you begin when he doesn’t reply, “taking the sugar packets, switching your coffee order when you were looking under the table, took your place when you left, the shoelaces.”

“The shoelaces?”

“Yeah.” You nod. “That’s the other ray gun you saw this morning. Unties your shoelaces. I stopped after that because I thought you figured it out.”

His face scrunches in puzzlement.

“I mean, you looked right at me and told me to cut it out.”

He racks his brain about what you could possibly be talking about before it hits him. The hungover person on the goddamn bench in the park.

“You were the one in the hoodie and sunglasses.”

“I just followed the Avengers’ code of disguise.” You shrug. “Turns out it kinda works. Also teleportation. So helpful.”

He forgot about the teleportation. That's why you could do all of it so fast without him noticing you were even there.

“What about the fucking geese?”

You pause for a second. “The geese?”

“And the elevator.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” The confusion on your face is apparent. “What geese and elevator? I have no idea what you’re saying right now.”

“Everything’s been a mess today,” he grumbles. “I don’t know what’s real or not.”

“I swear I had nothing to do with it other than what I mentioned.” There’s indignation on your features that quickly gives way to delight. “Holy shit, did I just accidentally invent portable bad luck?”

“Okay-” his palm finds its way to his forehead in exasperation, “-then what the hell was the smell?”

“What smell- oh, the one from the box?”

He nods briskly.

“Secretions Magnifique.” You snorted. “It’s a perfume. The worst rated one I could find.”

“Perfume?”

“With notes of milk, seaweed and sandalwood.”

“It wasn’t an inator?”

“No, it wasn- did you get vibe checked by a goose at the park?” You stifle a laugh when you notice a stray feather on his thigh.

“What does that even mean?” he asks in despair.

“I can see why it attacked you. You got bad juju.” You raise an eyebrow. “Maybe if you stop staring so much-”

“So I just have shit luck.” Is that a fucking relief or even worse?

“Well,” you begin but decide not to continue.

Even with all the irritability masking it, you could see that he genuinely was just not having a good time.

“Wait here a second.”

You leave him at the door. He shifts his balance and sighs, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He still had to walk back to the Tower. Maybe he could grab a slice of pizza along the way since he skipped lunch.

“Okay, here.” You return with a large glass of water. He only looks at it. “It’s just water, I promise. You look like you ran a marathon."

He takes it from you sceptically, pushing away the urge to sniff at it. It’s gone within a few gulps.

You wait until he’s finished to point at his arm. He draws his eyebrows together, but you only curl your index finger and beckon for him to give you his hand.

He reluctantly extends it towards you.

“Don’t laugh,” you warn him, taking his metal arm. “This usually helps me.”

You tie a small bracelet around his wrist. It has a few beads, which he realises represent the colours of the solar system.

“Keep that for good luck.” You pat it gently after securing it. “I think you just had a bad day; those don’t last very long. Do you want to charge your phone before you leave?”

“Uh-” The bracelet’s pretty, the colours shine against the dark vibranium. “-no, I’m good. I’ll just leave.”

“Okay. Anything else I can help you with or will you be fine?”

He narrows his eyes. “You’re being suspiciously nice.”

“I’m not evil all the time.” You huff. “My hours are in the morning.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” he says again. “I’m gonna go then.”

“See you next week.” You give him a little wave. “I’d say break a leg on your mission but knowing your situation...”

He scoffs. “Thanks.”

You make a move to close the door when starts walking down the hallway towards the exit.

He adjusts the beads slightly so he can see them better. The Earth one has glitter in it. He thinks it’s cute.

“Bucky.”

He turns around.

There’s a hint of a smile on your face.

“Take the stairs.”

He doesn’t have to be told twice.

Next part

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #mcu fic #bucky fic #bucky barnes fic #bucky fluff #bucky barnes fluff #bucky angst #bucky barnes angst #harmless fic #winter soldier x reader #Winter Soldier #bucky barnes #bucky

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zhongwans · 4 years ago

Text

Bizarre things that happened because of everyone in China having WenZhou brainrot: (WEDDING EDITION)

1. Wu Yuheng, Zhang Zhehan's company junior and the "brother-in-law" from the infamous Chuang incident that led to non-fans thinking that Gong Jun was married to someone name "Zhang-Laoshi", was interviewed during an event.

Q: "Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan helped garner votes for you in Chuang. After seeing this exhibit today, did you think of asking them to come visit as well?"

Wu Yuheng: "They cheered me on, so I want to cheer them on as well! I think they'll really like this exhibit too, because it's very beautiful and romantic inside,"

Fans, who couldn't believe they were hearing this shit: "THEY'LL LIKE IT BECAUSE IT'S ROMANTIC??? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?!!"

Alas, Wu Yuheng was not inclined to explain himself and moved on smoothly from the topic.

(There's a rumor that one of the Chuang contestants was caught breaking the "NO PHONES" rule just to watch WOH, and people suspect it's him because then it would at least explain the shipper brainrot)

2. Mobs of fans travelled to Suzhou for the concert to put up flower walls and other extravagant fan supports for Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan. It got to the point that random citizens of Suzhou who don't watch WOH, believed that a very popular LGBT couple was hosting their extravagant period-themed wedding in their city. The fact that hotels were, for some reason, giving out WenZhou posters to guests did not help curb this bizarre misunderstanding.

Confused WOH fans took to weibo to share their encounters of having WenZhou posters given to them while checking in their hotels, and run-ins with random aunties and uncles with the general sentiment from them being "How nice that this couple chose Suzhou for their wedding! It really brought a lot of young tourists to the city!!"

It was apparent that in this situation, no one was truly in the same wavelength, with WOH fans coming to Suzhou for a concert and random Suzhou citizens believing there was a wedding of the century going on, and the confusion on both sides was, for once, equal.

3. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, someone commissioned a drone display for Gong Jun, Zhang Zhehan and WenZhou, drawing in an enormous crowd of fans and non-fans alike. In the midst of the audience, however, there were 2 men who had a completely different idea of what the drone display was supposed to be for.

Their conversation, which was thankfully immortalized in a video:

"Zhou Zishu...Wen Kexing...these are celebrities? I thought this was for a marriage proposal?"

"Ah! These two are men?"

"Ohh two men,"

*WOH quotes flash in the sky*

"Ah? What does this mean? I haven't heard of this poem? I didn't learn this in highschool?"

"Aren't there any footnotes???"

*Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan's names appear*

"It's for these two men! Gong Jun.....and.....Zhang Zhehan......"

"Zhang Zhehan is a guy's name right?"

"Ohh so they're officially announcing??"

While innocent non-fans were brazenly discussing this so-called marriage, the actual fans looked on in both horror and fascination, and were left wondering whether they were living in an alternate timeline. They might be right.

4. And the final cherry on top of this very chaotic cake, was Mango Entertainment covering the post-concert banquet and posting this on their official weibo account:

Zhang Zhehan Gong Jun, Shan He Ling celebratory banquet. Whispering into each other's ear, singing the song "Love to Fight If You Want to Win"

Fans: "....what's with this suspicious wording?? Why does this sound like an actual wedding banquet???!!"

The concert being a wedding started out as a dumb joke from the fans and cast members themselves (notably Huang Youming) but I doubt anybody actually expected this level of chaos and clownery. Chen Zihan's trending wedding edit, Gong Jun's infamous Chuang incident, and Huang Youming's wedding table jokes....all of it led to this final moment of sheer confusion and I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed the madness go down. Hail the WOH fandom experience.

#word of honor #lld

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makeste · 4 years ago

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BnHA Chapter 324: Is There a Force Field Around Him??

Previously on BnHA: Flashback!Rat Principal was all “please tell Midoriya that I spent a concerningly small amount of money upgrading U.A. into a wacky physics-defying funtime grid so as to make the final battle much more confusing for everyone.” Present Day!Mic (or Present!Mic, if you will) and Jeanist were all “if only somebody could deescalate this dangerously unhinged mob, we’ve tried nothing and we’re all out of ideas.” Ochako was all “LISTEN UP PEOPLE.” The mob was all, “god??” Ochako was all, “NO, IT’S ME, OCHAKO. I’M REALLY HIGH UP ON THIS BUILDING AND THE VISIBILITY IS LOW DUE TO THE RAIN, SO I CAN SEE HOW YOU MIGHT MAKE THAT MISTAKE. ANYWAYS, DEKU WAS OUT THERE RISKING HIS LIFE FOR YOU CLOWNS EVEN THOUGH HE’S JUST A KID, SO I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD ALL REMEMBER HOW TO BE DECENT HUMAN BEINGS, THANKS.” Let’s see if her Big Scolding Energy has any impact.

Today on BnHA: Horikoshi is all “so I have this speech planned out, and it’s really good, but it also only really needs about 6 to 8 pages, but I’m gonna see if I can stretch it out to 17 pages so I can kill time before we get to the next volume cliffhanger two weeks from now.” Anyway but it really is a good speech though. There are feels, and tears, and more talk about how Deku is so in need of a shower that just looking at him requires a tetanus booster, and more feels, and more tears, and bonus ship drama, and an iconic callback to the very first chapter which reframes the entire series in a new context in a totally epic and moving way, and it’s all very good. Except that Horikoshi is determined to never let anyone actually give this kid a hug. Who hurt you, dude.

omg we are opening on a callback to chapter 212, a.k.a. the chapter with by far the cutest flashback that doesn’t involve any baby Todorokis

baby Ochako is lethally cute. she could literally murder someone with her cuteness. I just want to scoop her up and play airplane with her until she accidentally activates her quirk while we’re spinning around and we both helicopter up into the air never to be seen again

“a child’s insistence” huh well that’s all well and good, but I sure hope this doesn’t mean we’re going to drag out the whole “sternly lecture the obnoxious citizens” plot for another whole chapter. no offense but I think we’re good

so page 2 is just continuing the whole happy/worried faces monologue, which of course is very important to Ochako’s character as it provides the context for why “who protects the heroes” ended up becoming her thing. and this is making me think we actually are in for a whole second chapter of this sob. when will my boy finally get to rest

OH MY GOD SUDDENLY THESE PEOPLE HAVE EYES IMAGINE THAT

HORIKOSHI: [reaches for a box of tissues while tearfully penning an homage to his beloved Spider-Man 2, specifically the train scene where the crowd sees Peter without his mask and they suddenly realize just how young he is]

HORIKOSHI’S HOMAGE SCENE: “COME TO THINK OF IT, I GUESS IT WAS KIND OF MEAN FOR US TO PICK ON THIS TEN YEAR OLD KID WHO WEIGHS 75 POUNDS AND LOOKS LIKE HE LOST A FIGHT WITH SATAN’S MOLDY OLD BASEMENT”

lol at this one guy who can feel the mood of the crowd shifting and is all “WAIT, NO, I WANTED TO KEEP BEING AN ASSHOLE DAMMIT”

as many pointed out last week, this man is wearing an All Might shirt. that’s some fantastic irony there

-- SDKFJWIGKS

“LITTLE GIRL, I HOPE YOU’RE NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE WALKING AROUND DRESSED LIKE A SOVIET-ERA BUS STOP.” heh. last week I said I was ashamed of BnHA being my favorite manga. that was a lie, actually

(ETA: in the original Japanese Ochako’s next two lines are basically “the only ones covered in mud will be us heroes!” followed by “please give us some time to get rid of the mud”, with that second line basically being the single funniest thing I’ve ever read rdslkjl. Ochako thank you so much for supporting my running gags. “YEAH WE KNOW HE’S DIRTY. WE ARE GONNA TRY AND CLEAN HIM UP, BUT IT MAY TAKE A WHILE, I’M JUST SAYING. I MEAN LOOK AT HIM. HE LOOKS LIKE AN ASBESTOS COSPLAY.”)

doesn’t the megaphone kind of look ever so slightly like an axe that she’s wielding maniacally here

easy there Lizzie Borden

also that’s a really bold claim to make there. and not one she necessarily should have to make, either. but as we all know, there’s nothing that shounen manga likes more than having its heroes bravely hoist heavy burdens of responsibility like good self-sacrificing citizens

p.s. lowkey loving how Kacchan is positioned here standing slightly behind Deku. not presuming to stand in front of him all overprotectively (because he would hate if anyone ever did that to him), and kind of being unobtrusive and letting others take center stage -- but still being close enough to Deku that he can catch him if he stumbles or passes out again

(ETA: or maybe not lmao.

DEKU: [falls to his knees]

KACCHAN: [glancing up from his phone a few minutes later] “someone just sent me the stupidest meme about milk crates -- oh. uh. you good...?”

really, son. “the burdens you can’t carry, we’ll carry them for you. ...later, I mean. right now it’s late, and we’re all cold and wet.”)

also lowkey loving this OchaTsu moment here

I was going back and binging Ochako chapters this past week for reasons, and I gotta say it really stuck out to me just how often these two are paired with each other. they do everything together. it’s a really sweet friendship that often goes unappreciated but it’s very cute

meanwhile, not to be outdone by the OchaTsu, Iida is staring at Ochako with open admiration talking about how she’s fighting too. it’s been so long since we’ve had any IidaRaka you guys. I was starving and I didn’t even know it

oh my lord IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING

THE LIGHT IS BACK. he finally looks like him again. what a cathartic fucking moment omg

ffklkdw

“I KNOW YOU ARE ALL SCARED, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, WE DEFINITELY CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY AND WE ARE ALL SCARED TOO!” good pep talk there kiddo

BUT, jokes aside, truth be told this is the exact right approach to take imo, and something that’s long overdue. I’ve said this before, but this new generation of heroes is shaping up to be much more transparent than the All Might generation. they’re basically abandoning the almighty, untouchable Superman “heroes as gods” concept in favor of the more nuanced “heroes as people” concept instead. and that’s a good thing. seeing their heroes as humans, with human limitations and weaknesses and flaws, will hopefully not only lead to more scrutiny and accountability, but also more awareness of how hard some of them are working and how much they’re sacrificing. that’s something All Might never quite grasped back at the start of the series -- that the weak, vulnerable, injured him could be just as inspiring as the mighty, invincible him -- perhaps even more so. there’s a power in seeing otherwise ordinary people show extraordinary bravery and compassion. it inspires others to try and do the same

SSDLHK AIZAWA SIGHTING AAHHHHHH

so he was still back at the hospital this whole time?? smdh at this disrespect. that feeling when your sexy self-insert character’s powers of rationality are too strong, and so you have to nerf him so that he doesn’t ruin your Deku Angst arc twice over by (1) immediately talking some sense into Deku and making him come home Right This Instant Young Man, and (2) not allowing him to leave U.A. in the first fucking place. excuse me, you want to do WHAT now, Midoriya?? that’s it, go to your room

also living for Katsuki and Hawks’s soft expressions. Shouto’s too, although his is tinier and harder to see. and Jeanist’s 12-foot-long neck. imagine Jeanist’s head with Mic’s hair. maybe Jeanist had a mohawk back in the day and that’s why U.A.’s doors are so big now

speaking of soft faces, Enji’s is also excellent

what could this random close-up possibly imply?? hell if I know. but Horikoshi truly fears no discourse and that’s what I love about him

OMGGGG

“smh my child is so dumb.” poor Ochadad. your child is cute af count your blessings

SDOFFHSMH

I’m telling you guys. lethally, catastrophically cute

this speech is still ongoing lol. Horikoshi you’re doing so good but I think we get the point now my dude. you gotta learn how to transition out of these things

UNEXPECTED TOGA WHAT

“there we go” Horikoshi says, crossing off the last line on his list of Ochako ships. “that’s all of ‘em”

poor Ochako is just repeating the same “LET HIM REST, PLEASE, WITH EVERYONE’S COOPERATION, IF YOU DON’T MIND, WE APPRECIATE IT” talking points over and over again hoping someone will throw her a bone and acknowledge her already. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP HER

literally they’re all just staring up at her silently omg. work with me people!!

now she’s saying it for the 56th time but more dramatically all of a sudden

they got so dramatic that for a minute I thought she had suddenly leaped off the building or something

look, not to rush you or anything Horikoshi, but I’m starting to get the feeling that this is yet another one of those “the volume is ending soon so I need to either hurry things up or slow things down in order to make sure we end it on my perfect cliffhanger ending” chapters where you go to ridiculous lengths to drag things out much to the exasperation of your week-to-week readers

(ETA: ftr, volume 31 ended on chapter 306, and I’m predicting that vol. 32 will end with chapter 316 (a.k.a. “you’re next!” [explodes]). I’m guessing vol. 33 will follow suit and likely end on chapter 326, so keep your eyes peeled for a big cliffhanger in two weeks’ time. Deku’s dad?? All Might in peril?? U.A. traitor at long fucking last?? we shall see.)

is Deku straight up falling in love with Ochako right on the spot lol what is happening

I know I just said that I enjoy when Horikoshi gives zero fucks about discourse, but shipping discourse is a whole different beast lol. I hope he’s prepared

(ETA: and for the record, I have no interest in shipping discourse either, as always. and I think this scene can be interpreted as platonic, tbh, with the context being that Ochako was literally introduced as someone who was willing to help him so casually without a second thought, and now here she is saving him again.

I don’t think it really fully hit Deku until this moment how much he needed saving. like I said in another meta somewhere, selflessness is basically just selfishness on behalf of others. and Deku is selfless to a fault, but that’s okay, and it doesn’t mean he needs to change -- he just needs friends who are willing to be be selfish on his behalf in turn. and I think the full emotion of what it means to have friends like that just hit him at last. everything his friends have done for him, how much he needed it and didn’t even realize, and how grateful he is. anyways what a terrible day for rain.)

-- son of a --

is he apologizing?? or pleading?? please tell me that’s not the case, because what the actual fuck. Deku you beautiful precious radiant selfless child, this is the exact opposite of how this should be. all these motherfuckers should be on their knees apologizing to you

DEKU WHY

I DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS FREAKING BOMBARDMENT OF EMOTIONS GODDAMIT. OUT HERE ARMED WITH YOUR FREAKING TREBUCHET OF FEELS TO LAUNCH AT ME UNPROVOKED. WHAT’S WITH THAT

FREAKING CHRIST. THIS BOY IS CRYING HIS EYES OUT AND HORIKOSHI IS JUST ZOOMING IN WITH THE CAMERA, LIKE CAN WE JUST CUT HIM A BREAK ALREADY. ENOUGH OF THIS. HE’S SO YOUNG AND HE TRIES SO HARD AND I JUST NEED HIM TO FEEL SAFE, HORIKOSHI PLEASE CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME THAT ALREADY WHAT IS THE FREAKING HOLD UP!!

GIGANTIC FOX LADY!!!

GIGANTIC FOX LADY PLEASE BE MY HUGGER BY PROXY!! SERIOUSLY GIRL IF YOU JUST HOLD YOUR UMBRELLA OVER HIM OR SOMETHING AND DON’T GO THE EXTRA MILE I’M ABOUT TO LODGE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS NOW

!!!!

A KOUTA IS GOOD TOO!!! oh my god if Kouta hugs him I will seriously 100% straight up cry. go on and test me

FOR THE LOVE OF --

is this man expressly forbidden from drawing hugs in his contract or something. DO YOU DO IT JUST TO SPITE ME?? this is tyranny, sir

AND I KNOW, THIS PAGE ACTUALLY CHALLENGED THE VERY PREMISE OF THE SERIES ITSELF, AND HERE I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT HUGS, OR THE LACK THEREOF. “this is the story of how we all became the greatest heroes.” and just like that, he waves a polite middle finger at all of the Strongest Greatest Chosen One shounen protags of old, in favor of something much less conventional, much more interesting, and much more suited to Deku’s character. because if that one sentence doesn’t just sum up Deku to a T. he gladly relinquishes his Greatest Hero status in favor of acknowledging the hero in everyone. what a class act. that’s my protagonist

I love this kid so fucking much I swear. only just PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. GIVE HIM HIS HUG

#bnha 324 #uraraka ochako #midoriya izuku #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha

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lorezhaze · 3 years ago

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Searching for a partner for a Medieval RP.

21 NB (he/they), looking for 18+ literate writers interested in a Medieval Fantasy rp, mxm OCs (my OC Lucien).

I have two plots that I’m interested in exploring: 1. The King allowed his son (Lucien) to be abused by his painting instructor growing up, all this rage builds up and explodes when Lucien tries to convict his instructor, but the King instead pardons the boy’s abuser during a set of public trials outside the castle. Lucien, a teenager and young Prince at the time, kills his father in front of everyone, unintentionally becoming King himself from then on. Despite exiling his abuser after the bloody trial, the then Prince, now King is seen as cruel and scary, not to be crossed even nearly ten years later. Meanwhile, a citizen with a sick sister is caught stealing medicine. Being on trial with King Lucien is scary enough, but medicine thieves in particular are known to be punished heavily, since the Princess, who is one of the only people thats kind to the prince-now-king, makes a majority of the medicine available. During a public trial, the thieve’s mother pleads for his life and Lucien realizes that the thief is someone he knew, that he had recognized those fearful eyes from somewhere else. He was amongst the crowd when he killed his own father. He spares the thief, and allows the best doctors to treat his ill sister. As long as he works directly for him in the castle until his debt is repaid.

2. It is tradition for the royal family to keep their children within the gates of the castle and away from the public eye until they are grown enough to handle it. The Princess was introduced to society at the age of 13, but every year the reveal of their younger and troubled son (Lucien) his delayed for various vague reasons. Everyone is both eager and suspicious, which doesn’t help matters. This is when the royal parents essentially give up when the boy turns 21, allowing him out with no announcement to the public. While practically frolicking through the flowery fields, enjoying the feeling of the grass and the new sights, he has a love-at-first-sight moment with another boy (your character). This is just an ordinary boy from a hard working family, and since the Prince was never revealed, he has no idea the boy he’s immediately smitten with is the Prince everyone is eagerly awaiting to meet. That is until he finds out, obviously.

Let me know if you’d like me to send you Lucien’s bio. I’m finishing it up so eventually I'm going to post it separately and have it linked to this post.

About Me:

- Lo, 21 NB (he/they)

- I’m taking a break from college and have a part time job with varying hours, but I should be able to get in a few responses a day at least. I prefer partners that can at least give a response a day, but if you communicate with me about your schedule and/or pace we can make things work!

- I love really anything; Smut, fluff, slowburn, angst, wholesome/lighthearted, dark. I don’t have many triggers or limits, but I’d still like us to discuss any we have before we start. Please always talk to me before throwing a sudden dark twist. Communication is key!

What I’m Looking For:

- I prefer a minimum of a paragraph for a response, but preferably a few (3rd person, unless I agree otherwise).

- I would love to get to know you outside of rping! I don’t have many friends, and I enjoy getting even the most random of texts. Go ahead and send me fanart, fanfic recs, playlists, edits, and other random thoughts, feelings or things! Pet pictures too pls.

- No ghosting please! We’re both adults, if we don’t like something we can talk it out or say that we no longer are interested.

- I’m willing to dabble both with fandoms and OCs. I love world building and AUs.

- I don’t feel comfortable with rping with minors in general, but most of my rps have at least NSFW undertones/themes at some point. I do like smut, especially paired with angst and certain dynamics, but if that isn’t your thing we can always keep it limited or fade to black.

Feel free to like this post or dm me if interested, we can add each other on discord!

#rp #rp partner search #medieval rp #roleplay #medieval roleplay #rp partner wanted #rp search #rp promo #roleplay finder #open RP #royal rp #royal roleplay #prince rp #oc #oc rp

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kanyniablue · 2 years ago

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watched newsies (1992); thought i might’ve seen it as a kid but i didn’t remember it at all.

it’s bad. did i like it? i’m not sure. i kinda want to watch it again just to figure out if i did or not.

if i’d watched it 100 times as an eight year old it’d probably be a comfort movie for me. i didn’t dislike it and i can tell that because i actually watched all 2 hours of it plus the ‘blood drips on newsies square’ movie the cast made (i genuinely laughed a few times and there was overwhelming nostalgia for the stupid movies my friends & i made as kids...if ‘stupid kids making a stupid horror movie’ is something you’d find entertaining, watch that). i did have to pause repeatedly just because the cringe was too strong, but like i said, i started it again and kept watching; i can’t say the same thing about movies i genuinely dislike.

i like the songs. i love the choreography, even if at times the sudden musical numbers and crowd dances broke even my musical-theater-loving suspension of disbelief. king of new york was my favorite part of the movie despite the fact it’s one of the most random scenes.

i was going to praise some of the child actors but actually a lot of them were in their late teens-mid 20s so that’s past my cutoff for “you did a good job buddy! get yourself an ice cream cup.” (there’s looking young for your age and then there’s being cursed by a witch to be forever trapped in the body of a 6th grader; max casella, blink twice if we need to destroy any amulets or chant some latin before we throw water on the old hag.) the actual adults playing actual adults are the worst actors by far; if you just took their scenes and compiled them you’d have a so-bad-it’s-hilarious movie. the love interest girl was clearly shoved in at the last minute to be Love Interest Girl and even she doesn’t seem to want to be there.

the story’s a hot mess but there’s so much going on that it distracts from how much is going on. the historical accuracy isn’t. i found it interesting that no one in 1899 Child Labor City asked whether child labor is itself unethical, both because a) there were real anti-child labor movements at the time yet the characters in this story very clearly weren’t against child labor, just pro-child laborers having rights, and b) it’s a disney movie made in 1992, you’d expect some Very Upstanding Citizen character to bring it up just to mention that of course disney knows it’s wrong to profit off child labor!!!ignore those sweatshops, hail mickey and pass the novelty coke cup. (sudden thought: if it came out a few years later there’d have been a newsies game on CD-ROM...)

the technical aspects of like...putting a movie together are just all over the place; the sets and costumes clearly had love put in them (santa fe was one of the points i had to stop bc the cringe was overpowering but in terms of background details/’the show in the character’s mind’ it’s wonderful) but the actual shots have terrible continuity throughout the whole movie (especially the crowd shots, but like, that’s at least understandable--what about details like whether someone has already got a pile of newspapers in their hands when there’s a newspaper strike going on and they are supposedly waiting to decide if they’re going to buy any papers or not?) and there’s several points where they just picked the worst angle (”sleeper!” and yet you can’t actually see the guy they’re talking about until the end of the next shot...) or they play the same visual in reverse/repeat the same audio/very clearly dub audio over someone who’s not speaking...

it didn’t need to be 2 hours long. no further comment on that.

there were missed opportunities i feel for things like...which newspapers aren’t being boycotted? (the fact the sun is publishing stories about the newspaper strike means that at least the newsboys for the sun aren’t striking, yeah? so what does that mean for the kids who are going without pay because they usually sell the world; why don’t they switch publishers, is that not actually an option before the sun stops as well?) are the customers complaining about not getting the papers they want? are the printers getting paid less because there’s less demand? what do the other child laborers think about the newsboys’ strike affecting them (obviously everybody shows up for a triumphant climactic crowd scene, but like, you could’ve had them ask some questions in the first place, and also why would pulitzer have any authority over the non-newspaper strikers?) 90% of these questions came from me trying to justify Love Interest Girl’s presence beyond just being Love Interest Girl: her brothers are out of school selling newspapers to support the family but are now striking and not getting paid; she mentions that she works as well but we never get an opinion on workers’ rights from her; she only shows up to the strike because...Love Interest (technically she helps print the flyer at the end, although mostly it’s just her being in the same room as everyone else).

anyway. i know this one has a rabid fanbase so i’m not even touching that tag.

#reviews of old movies that no one cares about except the extremely dedicated fanbase that will not take kindly to this review

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rjalker · 2 years ago

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I keep forgetting to make the pie chart so anyways, here's this.

General spoilers for The Murderbot Diaries below the cut since it's just random sections from all the books.

the books are sorted into actual chronological order, not publish order.

I'll sort them and make a graph at some point.

Edit: Here's the pie chart :)

=====

All Systems Red aka Book 1

This is why I actually like riding with the cargo. Humans and augmented humans in close quarters with murderbots is too awkward.

It was based on a standard research group’s uniforms, and meant to be comfortable inside the habitat: knit gray pants, long-sleeved T-shirt, and a jacket, like the exercise clothes humans and augmented humans wore, plus soft shoes.

Dr. Gurathin, the least talkative one, was an augmented human and had his own implanted interface.

I thought they were being paranoid; even with the interfaces you actually have to read the words, preferably all the words. Sometimes non-augmented humans don’t do that. Sometimes augmented humans don’t do it either.

Gurathin wasn’t as talkative as the others, so I didn’t have much of a sense of his personality. He was the only augmented human in the group, so maybe he felt like an outsider, or something, even though the others clearly liked him.

I popped the joint on my left arm so I could move it in a way not usually compatible with a human, augmented human, or murderbot body.

Bots who are “full citizens” still have to have a human or augmented human guardian appointed, usually their employer; I’d seen it on the news feeds. And the entertainment feed, where the bots were all happy servants or were secretly in love with their guardians.

I said, “One of them is an augmented human, a systems engineer.

“I don’t know. The company systems are all proprietary, but if they have an augmented human who can hack into it—”

If they noticed the dataport in the back of my neck they must have thought I was an augmented human.

Looking at it I almost didn’t see the reporters until they were right up on us. They were augmented humans, with a couple of drone cams.

It sounded like a great place to live, if you were a human or augmented human.

I’d have to pretend to be an augmented human, and that would be a strain. I’d have to change, make myself do things I didn’t want to do.

I was wearing a survey team uniform, and passing as an augmented human, so nobody stopped me, or looked twice at me.

I took a knapsack from another locker, rolled up the jacket with the survey logo and tucked it into the bag, and now I looked like an augmented human traveling somewhere.

Artificial Condition aka Book 2

I skimmed it but most of my attention was on getting through the crowd while pretending to be an ordinary augmented human, and not a terrifying murderbot.

Fortunately, the humans and augmented humans were too busy trying to get wherever they were going or searching the feed for directions and transport schedules.

The dataport in the back of my neck was visible but the design was too close to the interfaces augmented humans often had implanted to draw any suspicion. Also, nobody thinks a murderbot is going to be walking along the transit mall like a person.

They hadn’t connected the idea of a purchased SecUnit with what they assumed was the generic augmented human person going into the hotel with Pin-Lee and Ratthi.

Once down on the access floor, I had to be extremely careful, as there was no reason for someone not working to be here, and while most of the work was being done by hauler bots, there were uniformed humans and augmented humans here, too.

But the presence in the feed was too big and diffuse for a human or augmented human, I could tell that much even through the feed walls protecting it.

When humans speak in the feed, they have to subvocalize and their mental voice tends to sound like their physical voice. Even augmented humans with full interfaces do it.

“I can pass as an augmented human.” Augmented humans are still considered humans. I don’t know if there are any augmented humans with enough implants to resemble a SecUnit.

I had gotten by so far because the humans and augmented humans in the commercial transport rings didn’t see SecUnits except on the entertainment feed or in the news, where we were mostly killing people or already blasted into pieces.

Rogue units killed their human and augmented human clients

My appearance, my ability to pass as an augmented human, had to be my new armor.

Humans and augmented humans shift their weight when they stand, they react to sudden sounds and bright lights, they scratch themselves, they adjust their hair, they look in their pockets or bags to check for things that they already know are in there.

I pointed out that many humans or augmented humans had the hair on their bodies removed, for hygienic or cosmetic reasons and because who the hell wants it there anyway.

::The procedure is simple.::

“For humans and augmented humans, yes.” I was stalling. I would have to interact with humans as an augmented human.

There were multiple open levels inside, with tables and chairs, and it was 40 percent full of humans and augmented humans.

I didn’t bother to try to analyze and identify them; I was too nervous and trying to focus on looking like an augmented human.

“Spliced” was an informal term for an augmented human; I’d heard it on the entertainment feed.

The shuttle was bot-driven and the only crew was one augmented human who seemed only there to check employment vouchers and shuttle passes.

Fortunately I remembered that nobody expected me to be compelled to answer all questions immediately. One of the benefits to being an augmented human security consultant rather than a construct SecUnit.

I was in contact with a friend who was able to use my augmented feed to download a new pilot module.

My altered configuration might fool humans and augmented humans, but not other SecUnits.

He stepped back, and glanced uncertainly at the other two, the second male human bodyguard and Tlacey, who was an augmented human female.

I noted two more potential threats enter the area. Both were augmented humans.

The other humans and augmented humans in the immediate area had watched it with open or surreptitious curiosity.

This private shuttle had the benefit not only of anonymity, but of an augmented human pilot who would be in place in case something interfered with the bot pilot.

The shuttle was already loaded into its slot and its hatch was open, with a small augmented human standing on the ramp to take the money.

Some augmented humans have implanted interfaces that allow it, but not all humans want lots of things inserted into their brains, go figure.

“You’re really augmented, aren’t you. Like, a lot. Like more than someone would choose voluntarily.”

The other thing about killware and malware is that they can’t do anything to humans or augmented humans.

The augmented human security consultant I was pretending to be would have done that.

Rogue Protocol aka Book 3

talked me into pretending to be an augmented human security consultant,

It was also bot-driven, no crew, but it carried passengers, mostly minimum to moderately skilled tech workers, human and augmented human, traveling to and from transit stations on temporary work contracts.

(The good thing about pretending to be an augmented human security consultant instead of a construct SecUnit is that you can tell the humans to shut up.)

I’d grabbed the first friendly cargo transport and after a seven-cycle trip I disembarked on a crowded transit hub, which was good, because crowds were easy to get lost in, and bad, because there were humans and augmented humans everywhere, all around me, looking at me, which was hell.

(They had only liked me because they thought I was an augmented human, but you can’t have everything.)

and I had written myself some code to make sure I behaved more like a human or augmented human.

I did stop in the ring mall, at an automated kiosk that sold feed interfaces for non-augmented humans, portable display surfaces, and memory clips.

Two augmented humans, carrying traveling packs and a couple of cases I recognized immediately.

I hesitated, because while I would rather not see a group of humans killed (again), I wasn’t their SecUnit, or even their pretend augmented human security consultant.

I heard Kader, one of the two augmented human pilots up on the shuttle’s flight deck, say,

I checked again to make sure our connection was secure, that the humans couldn’t hear it and none of the augmented humans could pick up an echo.

I didn’t think I could fake my way through that; my augmented human security consultant act had been hard enough to develop, and I wasn’t trying to fool people who knew me.

I had to admit I was a SecUnit; there was no augmented human who could do what I just did.

It was at this point I remembered Miki, and how I had told it I was an augmented human security consultant.

If she had been using her scan, she would have detected me just outside the hatch, but even with the feed, even augmented, humans can only think about one thing at a time.

Exit Strategy aka Book 4

If the humans who had diverted Ship were after me, they probably knew that a SecUnit without armor would look like an augmented human.

I had ridden on a transport with a whole crowd of humans who thought I was an augmented human security consultant and talked at me nonstop nearly the whole time.

It helps that in stations like this, humans and augmented humans are distracted.

None were in SecUnit armor, and I wasn’t picking up any pings, so they were probably all human or augmented human.

One of the new shows I’d downloaded randomly at HaveRatton turned out to be a long historical drama about early human exploration in space. It was listed as a fictionalized documentary (I’m not sure what that means, either) but there were attached sidebars throughout with info about the real history, which were supposedly accurate. It was odd to see that there had been a variation of SecUnits back then. They didn’t use cloned human parts, but actual human parts from humans who had catastrophic injuries or illnesses, and had decided to have their parts used for what they called Augmented Rovers.

Usually the transit ring circles the station, with the main part where humans and augmented humans live or do whatever in the center.

(You could tell which humans and augmented humans were trying to use its mapping function because they kept walking up to blocked exits and walls.)

These scans are usually searching for known humans or augmented humans that the station security is keeping tabs on, not random escaped SecUnits.

I walked up the last ramp surrounded by a crowd of humans and augmented humans, and on into the station mall.

And the humans and augmented humans wandering around randomly were distracting from the view.

It was a big shop, with lots of humans and augmented humans going in and out.

I crossed one of the multi-level plazas, where humans and augmented humans were sitting singly and in groups at scattered tables and chairs, talking, viewing entertainment media on the displays, or working in their feeds.

Humans, even augmented humans, subvocalize when they speak on the feed.

At the hotel entrance, I blended with a crowd of humans and augmented humans who were watching a floating advertising display that was showing funny short videos.

As I watched myself through the cameras I spotted four more potential hostiles, all augmented humans.

Though from their affect they were paying close attention to augmented humans wearing any kind of hood, hat, or scarf, or face-obscuring tattoos, cosmetics, or ornaments. Me, a generic type augmented human person with my hood folded down on my back, didn’t get a second glance.

So there were no camera feeds from the rooms, but the cameras in the corridors were picking up humans and augmented humans as they moved through the connecting passages and used the transport pods to go to and from the lobbies and the three sections of food and club areas.

The feed was choked and privatized, any humans or augmented humans not registered with the hotel required to pay a fee to use it, and the security was all focused on theft-prevention.

Or if that would even work, since presumably a high-security prisoner transfer would need to be signed off by a human or augmented human supervisor who might ask unanswerable questions.

I cut it together, labeled it “Murderbot Impersonates an Augmented Human Security Consultant,” and sent it to Gurathin.

There was nothing physical to set him apart from the other humans and augmented humans wandering in and out.

And by literally, I mean pods full of humans and augmented humans crashing into each other.)

The other humans and augmented humans on the platform looked confused or relieved, with a few expressing disappointment.

I’ve successfully impersonated an augmented human security consultant with two different groups of humans.

The humans and augmented humans stopped, flinched, looked around.

It was an augmented human, not a SecUnit, but the gun was big enough.

Two augmented humans in the corridor fell to the deck, writhing, and I threw walls around them, too.

The captain was trying to assemble the armed retrieval team to repel boarding, but half were augmented humans who were now incapacitated by the attack on their augments and the other half were fighting sealed doors to reach their defensive positions.

Ratthi was out in the corridor, doing rescue breathing on an augmented human crew member who had collapsed due to the attack on her augments.

It showed me an intel fragment from the boarding shuttle: manifest suggested a Combat SecUnit was aboard, along with an augmented human boarding team.

I was in a MedSystem, with the kind of equipment meant for humans or augmented humans recovering from serious medical procedures.

A dome overhead duplicated sky views from various Preservation planets, and actual humans and augmented humans stood around to answer questions for humans who wanted to live here.

There was some security monitoring to get past, and three augmented humans who were way too easily distracted by fake feed alerts for routine malfunctions.

[No instances of the word “augmented” in short story 4.5 that has a stupidly long name I'm not memorizing enough to type out.]

Fugitive Telemetry, in publishing order book 6, chronologically book 5 because Martha Wells decided to make things difficult for no reason.

Traffic was minimal here right now, but a bot that worked for the station was out with a glowing baton, directing humans, augmented humans, and drone delivery floaters away from the junction entrance and Station Security’s equipment.

it was more like it had been with the poor humans on the transport I used to get to HaveRatton, who thought I was an augmented human security consultant.

(For example, humans and augmented humans can’t sign away their rights to their labor or bodily autonomy in perpetuity; that’s like, straight-up illegal.)

Humans and augmented humans can have null feed IDs.

But the reason she was making it was that she didn’t trust me and she wanted any humans or augmented humans who came into contact with me to be warned, in case I decided to go on a murder rampage.

If I used it, the humans and augmented humans I encountered would think of me as a bot.

100

This photo had come from another source, maybe an augmented human’s feed camera.

101

On the first visit, after the photo of me was in the newsstream, we had talked about why humans and augmented humans are afraid of constructs, which I hadn’t meant to talk about and somehow ended up talking about anyway.

102

The second time we had talked I had somehow just come out and told her that I thought being here on Preservation Station as myself, and not pretending to be an augmented human or a robot, was disturbing and complicated and I didn’t know if I could keep doing it.

103

Or really, for any humans or augmented humans who wandered by.

104

I had to sort through the hundreds of different connections currently attached to the station feed in the transit ring, humans, augmented humans, bots, bot pilots, small and large scale port systems, all interlinked and busy doing their jobs.

105

There were still humans and augmented humans wandering around, plus some hauler bots and maintenance bots, catching up on cargo transfers that had been ordered before the port closure.

106

You wouldn’t think lying would be a problem for me, after 35,000 plus hours lying about not being a rogue SecUnit while on company contracts, then the whole lying about not being an augmented human and lying about being a non-rogue SecUnit with a fake human supervisor.

107

It was the kind of thing a human or augmented human could get away with saying, not a rogue SecUnit.

108

The low-level specialized lifters were parked and only a scatter of humans and augmented humans wandered the stacks of pressurized containers.

109

(None of them were augmented humans—apparently it wasn’t common to be feed augmented in the polities outside the Corporation Rim that used Preservation as a waystation.)

110

I accelerated the speed, pausing it for two seconds when any human, augmented human, or bot left either of the two exits.

111

The security system noted feed IDs of known humans and augmented humans (Security officers, Port Authority staff, the merchant crews who did regular runs to Preservation) and I’d used them to annotate my sped-up video.

112

Maybe because I knew where the humans and augmented humans who had last used this ship had gone, that their descendants were running around all over this system, and that one of them was in my secure feed right now, demanding an update.

113

Also, I’d spent a whole trip through a wormhole pretending to be an augmented human security consultant for humans who badly needed one, so I had coping mechanisms in place.

114

Which made sense; only the non-augmented contract labor would be able to leave BreharWallHan without being traced, and the escapees would know to leave their interfaces behind.

115

Our suspect pool had been a bunch of humans and augmented humans wandering around in the Merchant Docks mostly unobserved and not interacting with station systems, as we tried to identify an actor who could remove themselves from the few surveillance cameras at will.

116

Whoever the actor was in the Port Authority, it was a human or augmented human who thought they were pretty clever and able to manipulate systems to their advantage.

117

(Okay, so a human or augmented human might have made those same mistakes.

Network Effect, aka book 5, chronologically book 6

118

If you had to be in a crowd of humans, the crowds at this festival weren’t bad, since they were the distracted kind where all the humans and augmented humans are talking to each other or on comm or feed or hurrying to get places.

119

Plus, it was Preservation and there were no scanning drones, no armed human security, just some on-call human medics with bot assistants and “rangers” who mainly enforced environmental regulations and yelled at humans and augmented humans to get out of the way of the ground vehicles.

120

All the humans and augmented humans staying here for the festival made it a heavily populated area, but we were traveling through the section reserved for humans who actually wanted to sleep.

121

(Drones had picked up previously identified humans and augmented humans returning to the other houses or passing through the area, and I’d conducted safety checks on unidentified humans encountered for the first time.

122

I was cataloguing power signatures on some small mobility devices used by non-augmented humans for medical reasons; I hadn’t seen these anywhere in the Corporation Rim, though maybe that was because I hadn’t spent much time hanging out on planets with human populations not exclusively engaged in corporate slave labor.

123

My suit read the air system level as full, which meant normal for humans and augmented humans.

124

(I knew of forty-seven ways that ART could kill a human, augmented human, or bot intruder, and the only reason I didn’t know more is because I got bored and stopped counting.)

125

Was something else—bot or human or augmented human—

126

Somebody had to be here, bot or human or augmented human.

127

(Note to humans and augmented humans: no one likes being patronized.)

128

Two Targets faced Amena and the casualties: possibly augmented human; scan results null.

129

They looked like tall, thin augmented humans, with dull gray skin.

130

And why would Eletra, who was an augmented human with an internal interface, need a second external one?

131

I’d seen shows about humans and augmented humans trapped in wormholes indefinitely.

132

(SecUnits weren’t allowed to sit down, ever, but humans and augmented humans did it every chance they had.)

133

(humans, even augmented humans, can’t process multiple inputs like I can)

134

That’s why humans and augmented humans are so cautious around alien remnants that even corporations mostly try to be careful.

135

(You may have noticed, my processing capacity allows me to think about a lot of things and do a lot of things at the same time, more than humans, augmented humans, or lower functioning bots can.

136

They were cycling through engine status data on ART’s alien-remnant-augmented wormhole trip, occasionally making little horrified noises.

137

The only interesting new info was from one of ART’s crew members, an augmented human named Iris, who had added some newsfeed archives about the hostile takeover of Adamantine Explorations after the colony had been established.

138

I had converted my timeline into a format humans and augmented humans could read, annotated it, and put it up in the feed.

139

I alerted on Marne because I ran threat assessments on all humans and augmented humans attempting to approach or form new relationships with Dr. Mensah or her family or associates after the GrayCris incident.

140

I knew from threat assessments on Ratthi’s associates that he had a lot of relationships with all genders of humans and augmented humans and he and they all seemed very happy about it.

141

“They’re SecUnits?” Thiago asked, horrified.

I can see why he might think that. I said, “They’re augmented humans who were chemically enhanced. They don’t feel pain, their reflexes and reaction times are accelerated. They have the physical strength of a SecUnit, but not the feed connectivity or processing capacity. So they’re harder to detect, and even more disposable.”

142

The static swirled artistically into an image of a human or augmented human wearing the same red and brown uniform as Eletra and Ras.

143

Name: Supervisor Leonide, augmented, Barish-Estranza Exploration Services ID, gender: female, femme-neutral

144

ART knew all about that because it was the one who had altered my configuration to help me pass as an augmented human.

145

“I would prefer you go as an augmented human.”

“Why do you want me to pretend to be an augmented human? This way is easier.”

146

They had guessed I was a bodyguard but I had dropped my pretend-human code while I was still in the EVAC suit and it was starting to register with them that I might not be an augmented human.

147

(SecUnits make humans and augmented humans uncomfortable and on my contracts, my clients had acted in a variety of nervous and inconsistent ways when I was around.

148

(What I use when I fight/do security is a minimum level of response, which is meant to minimize damage to humans and augmented humans and the company’s property, which means taking into account a lot of factors.

149

“It’s to keep the humans and augmented humans from leaving the planet.”

150

Terraforming projects designed to get everything livable and ready way before the humans and augmented humans moved in were expensive longterm investments, but they didn’t fail like this.

151

(I know, it’s a logo, but I hate it when humans and augmented humans ruin things for no reason.

152

It was clearly meant to be operated mostly via the feed, by humans and augmented humans who were coming in to deliver a cargo to the planet and then leave, probably as rapidly as possible.

153

(This was a line from Valorous Defenders, which is a great source for things humans and augmented humans think SecUnits say that SecUnits do not actually say.)

154 [this is so fucking ableist I want to scream]

The two augmented humans GrayCris had sent to kill Dr. Mensah had been less sentient than hauler bots; somebody had kept them drugged and docile, waiting for the right moment for deployment.

155

Activity hadn’t returned to normal, there were lots of humans and augmented humans and bots clustering together in public areas waiting for announcements.

156 [wow look it's explicit this time!!!]

It’s probably not a human; I don’t think a human could do this through a removable interface, so that’s twelve augmented humans.

157

(Confession time: that moment, when the humans or augmented humans realize you’re really here to help them. I don’t hate that moment.)

158

It would have gotten to the augmented humans who had their interfaces built into their brains, then used them to infect the humans with external removable interfaces.

159

ART got the infection from an augmented human, like this system did.

160

I’d been trying to get ART to avoid contact with potentially infected systems, when it was infected augmented humans we had to worry about.

#Rjalker reads The Murderbot Diaries #The Murderbot Diaries #augmented humans #Martha Wells #The Murderbot Diaries ableism #Martha Wells ableism #long post #very long post

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alighieri-sparda · 4 years ago

Note

Cann you headcanon about Vergil holding nero as a baby. But the s/o died while giving birth to him.

I just want angst heh

Vergil in Fortuna Headcanons: Nero and his mother fates.

➤ Masterlist | Rules

Hello, my dear anon. I am sorry for my usual delay, I hope you are still here to read this.

That’s my first time writing DMC angst, I guess. So yeah it might be kinda shitty I’M SORRY, but I tried so hard. ;w; Hope you like it, my dear. I really do. If you’re not satisfied with its results, however, don’t be ashamed of asking me to rewrite it. I’d do it gladly for you.

Devil May Cry 3 gif because there were no good gifs of him in 4.

WARNING: Angst, mentions of death and blood.

‣ ‣ ‣

A one-night affair was not something Vergil imagined he would find in the old city of Fortuna. In fact, the population of Fortuna was also not known by its good reception with outsiders; so, when that woman in red approached him and gently declared to be grateful for his work of slashing those demonic creatures, Vergil was more than certain that her words were not about gratitude only. He hesitated to proceed as soon as he found himself succumbing to her subtle proposal, but in his deepest thoughts, he had no real intention of letting this unique opportunity pass by.

Neither of them was completely sure of what they were doing. It was not like Vergil or the woman were uncertain about the decision they made though. Oh no, the point was definitely not that. It felt more like they were just following their pure instincts and deep desires, not giving enough credit to their insecurities or lack of experience on carnal knowledge. Specially Vergil got his mind all blank of important precautions since he was the one who was most aware of what that could turn into later. Besides, they had a wonderful and unforgettable night.

“Unforgettable” is, indeed, a precisely chosen word to describe the consequences of that night in Vergil’s life. He had no intention to come back to Fortuna at all: once his research was done, he would leave that antiqued island and keep his way on his unstoppable pursuit of power. His recklessness would have later consequences though since someone forgot to pull out even when neither he nor the woman had any kind of protection.

He tried his best to ignore his thoughts on the woman and yet her gentle words haven’t disappeared from his mind, not showing any possibilities to go away that soon. Those memories were pleasant of course, but nothing worth his attention, in his opinion. After four months of research and no expressive results, Vergil pretended not to be interested in that ordinary lady and left the old city. But it didn’t mean he didn’t leave something behind: among the crowd of hooded worshippers of the Savior, a humble woman had an accentuated belly bump kindly growing under her red dress.

All of his attempts to forget the woman were all in vain, however. During his lonely and self-destructive path of pursuing endless power, Vergil did remember her several times and wondered uncountable things about her current situation at the time. It started slowly: firstly, Vergil pondered if that gentle lady in red was doing right without him, due to danger caused by the demons who would show up in her neighborhood like on the day they met. Then, he remembered all the lovely words she said to him even after their night, and how her face contorted in sadness when Vergil sharply warned: “Thanks for the good time we had, but do not expect to see me again”.

But Vergil would not submit that easily. Oh, he stubbornly struggled as much as he could not to take another ship and go to Fortuna just to see if she was doing well. If she was safe. And when he finally figured out that the woman was almost certainly pregnant and his direct descendant was completely exposed, everything got even worse inside his mind. Those foolish distractions were driving him crazy, but for how much longer could Vergil run away from his responsibility? Would the consequences of his foolhardiness be that severe for his main goal to be worth his attention and time?

Vergil just made his decision when the memories about his childhood crossed his mind; his tricky subconscious focused specifically on his mother, Eva. After years of feeling abandoned, thrown to the cruel claws of the merciless demonic world with nothing but Yamato and his survival instincts when only being a child, the good remembrance of his calm and happy childhood alongside his family hurt like hell. What wouldn’t he do to have a happy life again? Maybe that woman and his child would be his unique chance to start again. To reconstruct what has left of his broken heart and give his descendent the happy life Vergil couldn’t have. To protect his family at last.

At the same time he missed those old times though, something deepened into his soul was blaming him to feel like that. Foolish weaknesses of his powerless human side, Vergil heard himself saying to no one more times he could’ve counted.

After nine months of negligence and self-struggling, Vergil finally went back to Fortuna. He was still a bit annoyed about the decision he made, but he couldn’t help it anymore. Even if the woman didn’t want to accept him as her mate, Vergil would try to protect and support his kin regardless. His heart finally embraced at least a part of his humanity; Vergil realized after he stepped into the old gates. This would not distract him from his path of pursuing power, not even close to it; and they could even be something to motivate him to actually proceed.

Thus, the young son of Sparda lost himself among the dusty and antique streets of Fortuna in a search for the lady and the child who filled his thoughts for months straight, and after an hour walking through the common hooded crowd of Fortuna, he found himself in the same quiet street where the woman’s house was placed. Everything was just like it has always been since Vergil left, except for the wild and distorted growling coming from the said house.

No way it was happening again.

Vergil entered the house quickly, but he was too late. Even slashing those demons in the blink of an eye as he’s done uncountable times already, his main reason for being in Fortuna again was laying there: a lifeless cold body covered in blood. Why was she attacked by demons? Did they feel that a Sparda descendant was about to be born, or was she just another unlucky and random citizen of Fortuna who was a victim of the insatiable bloodlust of the demonic creatures? It didn’t matter at that point. Vergil failed on protecting someone who he cared about once more. He was still weak.

He didn’t even get a chance to talk to the woman again. That sweet voice calling for him, the only one in the world that could make him feel loved? Vergil would never hear it again.

Although, near the woman’s corpse, a little creature surprisingly was still alive. A defenseless baby was crying his lungs out to no one in that dark room.

Yet still shocked with the woman’s dead body sight, Vergil immediately crossed the number of demonic carcasses and took the baby in his arms carefully. He had no experience holding a baby, but that fragile and innocent body fit perfectly in his embrace anyway, just like Vergil had done that instinctively. When Vergil put his eyes on his son and realized what was happening at that moment, he couldn’t hold back his tears. His son was alive in his arms, being warmly held and protected after a tragic loss of his family — something Vergil wished had happened to him when he lost his mother.

However, the guilt Vergil felt due to his huge failure impeded him to keep his son with him. He could not take care of his son, he didn’t deserve it. Vergil didn’t have enough strength to protect him, not yet. But before leaving his son and keeping him away from the dangers of being related to a son of Sparda, Vergil gave him the name “Nero”. The name he would keep in his mind even in his darkest times to remember why he chose to obtain more and more power.

Wrapping Nero in the nearest black blanket he found and gently kissing his sweaty forehead, Vergil lost part of his soul when he basically abandoned his newborn son in front of the orphanage’s door, at the mercy of those who took care of and protected the defenseless children of Fortuna. Next to his wrapped little body, a grimy piece of cardboard was placed to not confuse anyone who would find him: he was Nero. His name would be the only thing Vergil allowed himself to give to him before leaving, no one could ever take it from him.

Once more, Vergil left Fortuna. But this time, he was certain he would go back: but only when he was worthy of it. He needed more power. More power to go back and protect Nero properly. Until that day, Vergil wasn’t confident enough to stay with him, no matter how badly he wanted to do so; it might be too risky. And if when he returned his son wasn’t there, alive and well, Vergil would shatter that city to pieces for pure vengeance.

Bonus: When Mundus turned Vergil into one of his puppets, he had access to his memories and found out about Nero’s existence. Then, Mundus decided to name his new creation as “Nelo Angelo”: to always remind that pitiful descendant of Sparda who he left behind and would never see again for being just a weak and miserable half-demon.

#i have absolutely no idea what i'm doing sorryyy #first time writing dmc angst #kinda dadgil? maybe #dmc #devil may cry #devil may cry headcanons #dmc headcanons #dmc vergil #dadgil #nero's mother #vergil x nero's mother #dmc nero

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grumpyhedgehogs · 4 years ago

Text

this tired old elegy

Summary: CC-5052 and a company of other clones bound for decommissioning are instead auctioned off to slavers on Tatooine. Or they would be, if someone mysterious didn't intervene. The resulting chaos stirs up memories Bly craves; CC-5052 thinks they might be best forgotten. Or: In which Bly is This Close to breaking out of the chip's control by himself and Obi-Wan shows up to give him that extra push. AO3.

Notes: A scene that's been kicking around in my head for a while, of two ships passing in the night. Hinted Codywan and Blyla.

Warnings: Mild violence, seizures, slavery, mind control, grief.

The clones of Kamino are dying out.

They’ve known this for a long time now. The Empire used them, wiped out the last of the Old Republic with them, and shunted them off, thrown out with yesterday’s trash when they weren’t useful anymore. CC-5052 has heard the horror stories, the ones the admirals always shut down if they heard them spreading among the ranks. Clones decommissioned before their time. Clones going missing, or going against orders in the field. Clones found with a single blaster shot to the head and no explanation for their deaths given. Clones pushed from active duty, given menial jobs or guard posts. CC-5052 heard CC-2224 has a teaching position now.

Disgrace is a clone’s lot, and it tastes sour in the mouth.

This though? CC-5052’s stomach turns over when the doors to the spaceport he and three of his brothers three other clones have been held in for days on end finally open. The air that buffets him is arid, dry and hot against his skin. Sand flings itself, clawing, searching, into his eyes, and CC-5052 coughs against the assault. It does little to help. He never thought for a second that he’d come to this end. It’s poetic in a way his Jedi the Traitor he served under would have found poignant once upon a time. Enslavement is how the clones of Kamino came into this world, so enslavement should be the way they go out, shouldn’t it?

Tatooine is a wretched planet, CC-5052 decides as he and his vode his family the rest of his company are led onto the calling block. The Empire has no use for him, and so it sends him to a useless place.

“One hundred credits,” the auctioneer offers, gesturing at one of the three other clones to CC-5052’s left. A hand raises in the air before them, and the auctioneer dispassionately raises the price by another hundred credits. And so it begins. Is this all there is for him?

I’m going to die on this dust-ball.

The crowd around them is sparse; the midday suns beat down on them all, slave and free sentient alike, and no one is immune to their rays. Most attendants are covered from head to toe in brown, black or white fabrics, wrapped up like mummified remains. Sunlight reflects off of any and all surfaces. A mother carrying a child’s metal cradle passes by on the edge of the crowded marketplace, and the shine off of the basket pierces directly into CC-5052’s brain. He hisses, air whistling between his teeth, eyes clenching. The pain rockets through his skull--it seems to be doing that a lot lately, random headaches plaguing his sleep. Migraines are not uncommon in the vode the clones, but he doesn’t want to examine what they mean. They’re far too often accompanied by a wave of grief that threatens to swallow CC-5052 whole.

His attention has wandered too far; the price has gone up five times since he last checked, and the auctioneer is getting excited now. They bounce on their toes, rattling off higher and higher numbers with a growing grin. As if this is just a good day at the market for them. As if it simply does not matter. As if they don’t matter.

What he thinks now is treason, of course. They are Empire property, were Republic property before that. If the Emperor saw fit to sell him off, who is CC-5052 to argue?

I hate him.

The thought nearly rattles every bone in CC-5052’s body with its intensity--but there is no time for him to examine its implications, because three things happen in very rapid succession.

First, an explosion goes off somewhere nearby and behind CC-5052; debris and sand sail through the air, pelting down on the crowd before the slave auction. The ground rolls beneath their feet, and CC-5052 has to stumble to keep his balance. The auctioneer does not have his luck, and trips right off of the platform, facedown in the dust. It startles a laugh out of CC-5052--Bly--but then he inhales more ash and coughs instead.

Second, the chains around his wrists loosen unexpectedly before falling away completely. His arms aren’t quite as burly as they used to be, from inactivity before the auction and from years of being shoved to the sidelines before that, so Bly’s CC-5052’s wrists slip easily between his manacles. Above the roar of growing fires and screaming citizens, he can just make out three identical thumps as the clones beside him rub raw skin that mirrors his own.

Third, through the confusion and panic setting into the crowd, the fleeing forms and those who have fallen prone and lain still, through the smoke and fire and noise, CC--Bly looks up and sees a hooded person beckoning to him. He can’t see their eyes, can’t see anything but brown fabric and smoke and a hand lifted in greeting, which turns its palm away after a second and crooks its fingers. There’s a tickle at the back of his mind, and, his migraine raging so badly that his vision wavers as he jumps down, Bly follows. His brothers are right behind him.

The stranger ducks and weaves through the enraged crowds, avoiding fire and danger deftly. There’s something almost comforting about slipping into their shadow, something familiar and warm that Bly almost doesn’t recognize. For a moment, Bly thinks wildly that the stranger probably has blue skin, but the thought evades him when he tries to examine it more closely.

They are outside of the city limits within fifteen minutes. The figure stops and waits for the clones to approach, never turning to look at them. Bly CC-5052 (Bly?) stops a few feet away, outside of arm’s reach. Just in case. Their head turns, but the hood obscures anything defining.

“Who are you?”

They shake their head. Fair enough.

Why did you save us?”

His brothers--clones--brothers shift on their feet behind him, anxious for the answer. The figure shakes their head again.

“Will you answer any of my questions?” Their shoulders hitch minutely and he gets the distinct feeling he’s being laughed at. For once, it doesn’t seem malicious. It’s refreshing, even if it does intensify the stinging behind Bly’s eyes. “Fine. What do we do now?”

At this, the figure finally reacts. They turn and point into the distance; Bly raises his eyes to the horizon, where a tiny homestead sits beyond the wavy hot air. Then the figure jerks their fingers towards the spaceport that lies in ruin behind them, then points to the sky, and clenches their fist, bringing it to rest in their flat palm. Then they flatten their fist and mime a ship's take-off.

“Lay low out in the Wastes and come back to steal a ship later.” Bly translates. The stranger nods.

Good enough for Bly.

The stranger lets them into what can be generously described as a hovel. There are four rooms in total, and the larder underground is nearly empty. It’s completely bare when he and his brothers are finished with it. There are no beds, only a slab of rock in the corner of one room with a threadbare blanket on it. It makes CC-5052’s heart twist in his chest. It makes Bly’s migraine even worse, so bad he has to sit down or trip over his own feet. Grief overwhelms him. He comes to with the stranger’s hand on his shoulder, and a clone--his name was Gardener, he was a Coruscant Guard, he was just a shiny when they blew it all to pieces--counting his breaths for him.

One thing at a time.

“You got anything to hunt with out here?” Bly asks when his lungs don’t feel like they’re the size of straws. The stranger hands him what amounts to a wooden spear.

Killing womprats takes all day and into the evening. Bly and his brothers--Gardener and Ink and Database, he knew them once--prowl back through the early twilight and drop them at the stranger’s doorstep. He tries not to feel like a cat bringing home a trophy.

“Body heat would keep you warmer than those rags,” Bly says as they settle in for the night. The stranger, who has not dropped one ounce of cloth from their figure the entire time, shakes their head and turns away. They leave the blanket for Ink to use.

The wind howls around them the entire night.

Taking the ship is easy; it’s small, privately owned. The slaver driving it won’t be missed. Bly wonders where the auctioneer got off to and how long it might take to find him.

CC-5052 wonders if he shouldn’t report back to the Empire for decommissioning. Bly rejects it. The migraine gets worse, howling in his mind like the wind does out in the Wastes.

The stranger freezes beside him where they’ve been keeping an eye out for any more crew the clones need to take down. A soft palm clasps Bly’s shoulder and the pain recedes.

He tries not to shake them off too harshly, but the last time someone did that, touched him like that--

She’s not here anymore.

Bly resolves not to go back. There’s nothing left in the Empire for him anyway.

They killed everything I ever loved.

He gets sick from the pain in his head. He wonders how long he’ll last on the outside. Something tells him, not long.

“We’re taking off soon.”

The stranger nods. Their shoulders are a stiff, hard line against the backdrop of the Tatooine horizon. Bly finds himself at a loss for words, and filled with a sudden desperation to speak.

He finds his voice, choking, hoarse. As the wind howls across the dunes, he has to raise his volume to be heard. “You could come with us.”

It has the opposite effect than he wants; they jerk back, settling into a more defensive posture. Bly raises his hands in submission, but can’t help taking a step forward. “We’re not going back to the Empire, if you’re worried. We--things happened to us there. Because of the Empire--we’re not who we used to be. But we’re free now, and we wouldn’t hurt--”

Sandstorms and windstorms happen quickly on this planet, and a huge gust nearly takes them both off their feet. Sand flies into his face for the second time in as many days, and, coughing, Bly reaches out and blindly finds his savior’s hand. He tugs relentlessly, fumbling his way through the sudden gusts and dust to the overhang where they’ve stashed the ship. He’s thankful his brothers are already on the ship; no one else needs to be caught up in this mess.

“Are you alright?” His gloves are covered in grime and it takes three or four swipes at his eyes before Bly gets his sight clear. He reaches out, catching hold of the stranger's arm as they cough and bend to spit out dirt a few feet away, face hidden by the low light here. Their headscarf has fallen from the wind, their hood flipped down for the first time. His hand brushes their shoulder, fingertips catching against the only exposed skin they have at the base of their throat, and the stranger flinches back instinctively--and then they turn to look at him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi looks older now. His voice is softer. “Commander Bly?”

“Jedi.” The death sentence falls from Bly’s lips without his knowledge and his vision wavers again. The next time the black spots clear away, Bly’s hands are wrapped around Kenobi’s throat and squeezing. The Jedi’s eyes bulge grotesquely, but then Bly’s hands loosen without his consent, flying down to pin themselves by his sides. He topples over and only Kenobi’s quick reflexes stop him from burning his face against the sun warmed sand beneath their feet. The force holding his hands down relents, as if surprised, and Bly scrambles back, his head pounding. CC-5052, who had been receding for days, weeks, maybe even years, surges against him and Bly retches as he lunges again.

Kenobi was always known for his keen battle sense, though, so Bly is hardly surprised when he’s sidestepped. He throws his weight towards the Traitor (Jedi-General-friend) again only to have his outstretched arm caught and folded around his own back. Kenobi lets CC-5052’s weight fall against his own chest, allowing them both to fold gently to the ground. Another arm wraps firmly across CC-5052’s chest, pinning his other arm to his side. Spittle and froth foam at his lips, choking him, but Kenobi does not let go.

It feels as if a rusted spike has been driven through CC-5052’s skull. Adrenaline is making him shake, as if he’ll fall apart.

“No, my friend,” Kenobi says, almost too quiet over the animal sounds caught in CC-5052’s throat. “You’re having a seizure. You’re ill. Whatever has been done to you--it’s breaking down.”

Bly jerks and spits and gasps his way out from under CC-5052’s influence in fits and starts.

“I--I didn’t--I didn’t mean to attack--”

“I can sense that, Commander.” When Bly fails to strain against his hold any longer, Kenobi’s fingers raise to tentatively touch his temple. “You’ve got pain, here, all the time. It intensified when you attacked, and your presence slipped away. Faded, like a radio signal from far off. Like--like Cody’s did.”

Bly doesn’t have to ask what Kenobi means.

“I’m sorry,” he says, and then something snaps and he can’t seem to stop. Years of torment, too built up to be pushed back. “I’m--I’m so sorry. I--I never wanted--we never meant to--I’m sorry.”

“You need not apologize, Bly.” Kenobi’s touch is soothing, as much as it prompts his migraine to rekindle. “You need not be sorry. It was not you.”

Her face drifts before his eyes, overlapping Kenobi’s when he meets the man’s eyes. She loved Bly, he knows she did. Bly loved her too. Suddenly, it’s all-important to tell Kenobi of this, for someone to know, for a Jedi to know.

“I loved her.”

“She knew.”

It feels like absolution.

“We loved you all.” Bly says, the final, most agonizing confession. “We loved the Jedi.”

“We loved the Vode.” Kenobi assures gently. Then his fingers find Bly’s temple again and the world goes a pleasant, fuzzy white. “We loved you all too.”

It feels like a gift.

Bly wakes up with three of his brothers, a stolen ship, and only the memory of a stranger with a fading smile to account for his time on Tatooine.

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leviiattacks · 4 years ago

Text

Two Faced | Chapter Three

↳ levi ackerman, the very person who was about to kindly behead you by a surprising turn of events manages to become your loving husband? you would be elated if this was true love, but it's all thanks to a mysterious magic spell that your life is spared. for now at least.

pairing :: duke!levi x duchess!reader genre :: royal au, angst, fluff, slice of life etc word count :: 2.5k → click here for the next part !

The wind beats down on the bustling market and the scarf tied to your head which masks just how messy your hair is today flies away, neither you or Sasha realise as the street is scattered with stalls which bloom like flowers peeping out of rocky cement and the babbles of the citizens of the Asmye District are all you can hear. The Sun has begun to set ever so slightly, and the night is a convincing ruse to avoid anyone from noticing who exactly you are. Nobility such as yourself venturing down here is looked down upon.

Twisting and turning through the streets you both do your best to locate a specific man, balding and in his late thirties you have some unfinished business with him.

After a solid thirty minutes your goal is met in the form of his book store. Rubbing your eyes in disbelief you and Sasha sigh with relief and clap eachother's hands in triumph.

Now to get that refund.

Researching magic is a new past time of yours and you find it to be intriguing but you've been scammed into paying for a few useless storybooks. You admit it's your fault for hurriedly purchasing "A boy and his broom" and "The tales of seven witches" without checking the contents inside but you thought you could trust the review the owner gave you. The way he smiled reminded you of Mother and that was more than enough for you to make an immediate purchase.

"Four silver coins." You try to be assertive and when that doesn't work you bite your lip, thinking deeply before alternating to your puppy dog eyes.

The merchant looks away, a faint blush is spotted, swiftly you take it as your opportunity and plead "Please. Please. Please." Looking up at him through your lashes you rub your hands together expectantly. Eventually, he yields and hands over what he owes you begrudgingly.

"Sashaaa. I got the money." You joyfully exclaim. She looks a little disappointed that you've been begging for money but she's promised to not tell the Duke about what you do down here.

You're actually gathering emergency funds if you need to run away which is why any money being wasted is a big deal to you even if it's just four coins. Sasha doesn't know of the magic or the reason why you're collecting money and you want to keep it that way.

"Mmhm Next stop is the Emerald Silk merchants I'd like to invest in some of the silk and reserve it."

Sasha gives you another weird look. You know it's because the Duke owns the Emerald merchants and you may run the risk of being recognised, it would be far easier for you to simply ask Levi for the rolls of silk but you never know if he'll revert to his past self. The last thing you want is for him to behead you as soon as he returns purely because you've leeched off of him.

"Sometimes I find it hard to believe you're Duke Ackerman's wife and do not find the urge to spend money in the way you should." Sasha confesses.

As you both walk you respond "Well, what way should I be spending money?" you inquire.

"As if you've got a never ending supply. You're a duchess." She whisper shouts at you.

Patting at your head you feel around for your scarf and realise it's been blown away by the wind.

"Ah. Your scarf oh no." Sasha frantically looks around panicked and you wonder who on Earth she had to have been serving before you for her to be so on edge by this minor occurrence. It's a scarf, nothing of much value or importance to you.

"It's alright I never liked it. I'd much rather let my hair flow free." Releasing your hair from the cramped confines of the ponytail it's in you skip ahead of her letting your hair fall naturally.

"M-My lady PLEASE. You can't walk around with your hair out like that."

"No one will know who I am so long as you don't call me Duchess." you call over your shoulder.

Little do you know a certain someone already has your scarf in their hands eyeing you from the distance.

It takes a while for you and Sasha to navigate through the crowded streets but you end up finding your way and requesting to reserve the twenty two rolls of silk.

On your way out you eye the sign and wonder why you find the name Emerald to be so endearing. You wonder if he chose the name himself, you assume he did because he had consulted you on other variations too. Pearl, Diamond, Amber, but Emerald sounds sincere and sweet.

Your attention being placed so intently on the sign leads you into the hard body of a stallion. Thankfully, the horse is docile and doesn't mind.

"Miss with the pretty hair!"

The height difference means you have to shield your eyes with the palm of your hand as you look upwards towards the mystery man. A shining face is what you are met with and a cheeky grin is plastered across it. Choppy chestnut locks frames his face, he shines brighter than anyone you've met - Apart from Levi of course. No one outshines him in your books.

Is he a noble? You look to his stallion then to his high end, sophisticated garments. He must be.

Your scarf is in between his fingers and he dangles it in front of you.

"Is this yours my lady?"

"Oh, why it is thank you." he gently places it into you hands and you take a look at Sasha. You don't really feel like being found out by a noble today. The Duke's reputation would be in tatters if others of nobility were to catch you mingling with "common folk", that term makes your face twist. You despise it.

Nonetheless, It would be miserable if they saw you arguing passionately for your rightful refund of four silver coins when you resided within the walls of the Ackerman estate, you're sure four silver coins is petty change to Levi. It would be even worse if they eyed what exactly you were refunding.

Sasha senses your nerves and chimes in just in time. "Well, we must get going good Sir. We're running late for an event until next time!"

Taking your hand she leads you towards your carriage and you wave at the young man. With the same bright smile he waves back and calls out "Until next time ladies!" he seems menacing but in the manner of a mischievous younger sibling.

Once you and Sasha have escaped and are in the enclosed space of your carriage do you ask her questions.

"That man, Who was that?" you question.

Hushed Sasha whispers "I heard he's called the crazy bee." You chuckle at that witty nickname, his honey like expressions were sweet it did add up. "There's rumours he sticks it into anyone." Oh. My Lord. Your mouth gapes open. That nickname, it makes a whole lot more sense now given this perspective.

"Viscount Kirstein, A womaniser who's recently returned from studying abroad not too long ago. Best to stay away from him."

Makes sense, you have no recollection of who he is the only conclusion you can draw is that he has to be from abroad.

Your legs kiss your chest as you sit in the carriage curled up. From that point on the rest of the trip back is quiet as Sasha has unknowingly nodded off to sleep and you want her to rest. It irks you how the other staff members push her around despite her position as Head maid. The least you can do for your friend is let her sleep.

Smiling at her you cover her with your shawl and sit down content with how you've left her. You too are about to drift off to sleep.

That is until you see the Duke outside. You didn't tell him you were going to the market and he won't stop inquiring until you or Sasha let him know what's going on.

Quickly ducking out of view it's too late and your sudden movement has woken Sasha up too. Levi's seen you through the corner of his eyes for sure. Damn him and his senses. He hates back handed tricks and if you encounter his real personality you'll be in trouble.

He just had to decide to come out on tour today of all days??

The carriage halts to a stop and Sasha exits making sure the door is closed, you hear her giving one of the Duke's knights a lukewarm excuse as to why she's out supposedly alone in a noble's carriage. Guilt fills you, she's always covering on your behalf.

"You there, stop." The Duke's icy voice enters the scene, seconds of silence pass, you're holding your breathe. It feels like the first time he came hunting for you.

Out of nowhere he flings the carriage door open.

Oh no, there's too many people outside. You can't be seen on the floor of a carriage with your hair out like this. No Duchess can be caught dead this way.

Without a seconds thought you yank him inside shielding yourself from the view of any outsiders, the door echoes closed.

There's an exchange of heavy breathing and just as you're about to look up at him with a brazen smile you realise he's drawn his sword out on you at a furious speed, it's dangerously close to the nape of your neck. His body is tensed up and so is yours. Huh. This feels...different.

"I thought I was being attacked by a mutt." he spits out, his brows are furrowed, the veins in his neck throb, stance wide, his teeth are bared. A mutt? This feels hostile, lips pressed together in a fine line your heart stops beating for a second.

"My Lord...?" you meekly call out to him.

Then out of nowhere he seemingly snaps out of it.

"I'm sorry." He releases you from the compromising position "I didn't even notice it was you my love. Are you hurt by an chance?" He's back to his usual self and is panicking checking every part of you, ensuring he hasn't left a scratch.

Hugging you warmly his embrace soothes you automatically and you feel the relief course through your system, of course he's on guard he's the Duke and he's out on tour after all.

"I'm fine." You quickly explain your reasoning for hiding and he nods "So, could you give a random excuse to the knights? I just didn't wish to lose my dignity so soon. You know the Duchess on the floor of her carriage with her hair like this." You laugh airily pointing at the birds nest on your head.

"You look beautiful either way. But I'll do as you please." And he leaves after gently pressing a kiss to your forehead.

Later that night you're getting ready for a good nights rest. The Duke has yet to return, he's always caught up in his duties and noble activities, You wish he'd take the time to relax. Hard work and dedication to his people is an ethic of his he'll never give up on.

He always gives you the option to excuse yourself from partaking in noble activities. The only real reason as to why you don't ever venture outside with him and are yet to make a public appearance together is fear. Fear that he'll wake up one day and throw you away.

You want to make it easy for him if he ever decides to do that. He won't have to erase your existence if you don't make yourself known.

Tossing and turning you shiver, something feels off. You've been feeling that way since he drew his sword against you earlier today. The way he looked at you, it's reminiscent of the first time you looked into those feline eyes. Once bright and full of life they had become charcoal and devoid of any distinct emotion, the duality between his two forms makes your breath falter.

Being reminded that the Levi you know and love isn't real only gets harder as time passes. It's all overthinking and being pointlessly anxious but it still gnaws at your mind at least once a day. He is all you have and he is all you will have until he too turns on you. Just like everyone else.

Suddenly, the acidity of the situation settles into every part of your being, you can't have anything can you? All the love you've ever received is short term - only available for intermittent periods of time.

You feel bitter tears pricks at the edges of your eyes. You want to control yourself, act with jurisdiction over your body, so you do. No tears are shed.

Later that night you awake. Rubbing at your eyes you stir in bed, and eventually one of your splayed arms feels Levi's solid form next to you. Half awake you shift to put an arm over his chest, drawing him in closer he squirms at your touch. That's when you feel a harsh iron grip on your wrist, it's bruising.

That alone is enough for you to become undone from your drowsy state. Opening your eyes you're met with an expansion of cold emptiness.

"Lev...? Whatever is the matter?" Innocent gaze staring at your husband you act oblivious purposefully. Your heart hammers in your chest, and you find that shocking. You're surprised that it hasn't failed yet. Hope is the only instrument fueling it.

Silence.

Levi is no longer present, in his absence you are face to face with a rock hard glare, the fire in his eyes is also felt by you. The man who almost murdered you in cold blood months prior shows no signs of changing his previous choice, this whole situation is damp. If this were a movie this would be your last scene.

His fury is wordless but it vibrates and makes its presence known. There's a vortex of resentment brewing inside of his chest.

Everything is a blur, breaking down you hear nothing from Levi. You don't feel his warm palms at your cheeks, or his thumb swiping your tears away, this isn't one of your nightmares.

He's disgusted even touching the surface of your skin, it scalds him having to touch someone as morally impure as yourself. Releasing the hold he has on your wrist he tosses your arm away forcibly.

"Refer to me with that name once more and I'll see to it that your neck is snapped in two. Fucking Brat." His voice curls into a low hiss.

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