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Really stupid gay movie I'm into right now (you guys should watch it)

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Fandom: Garden Story Characters: Plum and Mandy(sort of). Warning: Talk of death and end game spoilers. WC: 1k+ Notes: Post-game, canon compliant, gen fic, gender-neutral language. Whumptober2024, Whumptober. Prompt set no. 17: "we had a good run." https://archiveofourown.org/works/61091884

Summary: Shivering a bit, Plum blew some warm air onto their hands, rubbing them together then pulling their scarf a little tighter. The biting cold was hard on Plum’s joints, but a final, personal talk with a long lost friend and fellow protector was needed

“Us Guardians had a good run, didn’t we?” The elderly Plum said, already knowing the answer. Plum sat beside the statue of Mandy; a plain wooden chair left there from a previous visit thanks to Concord. Even back then there was no way Plum could sit on the snowy ground without problems. Back then, with the aid of a cane, standing for a bit would have been possible, but Plum was much older now and things were so, so different.

There were other statues of Mandy, including in Plum’s own home of Spring Hamlet. However, this one was special- the last place Guardian Mandy’s spirit resided before becoming one with The Grove itself(probably still absorbing knowledge and things beyond their own current comprehension).

Shivering a bit, Plum blew some warm air onto their hands, rubbing them together then pulling their scarf a little tighter. The biting cold was hard on Plum’s joints, but a final, personal talk with a long lost friend and fellow protector was needed- Plum could barely make the journey as it was, knowing it would not be possible another time. Plum was an elder, not far away from returning to The Grove in spirit too.

Maybe Plum would even be able to talk to Mandy and the other guardians again in-person- if they had not succeeded in their long journey.

Maybe.

Of the eight of them, six had set off into the sea(searching for mana for The Grove that was being over ran by the rot eating it alive) and were presumed dead by most but a loyal, incredibly dedicated few, that would hear nothing but them returning alive one day.

Luna from Summer’s End came to mind, confidently telling the same thing to anyone that openly expressed their doubts because of how long it had been. “Blue will be back in their own time- enjoying an extra long swim since it’s peaceful now. Guardian Blue is one of the best swimmers out in the sea.”

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Plum mused aloud, an old smile thoughtful. “For me, this will be my final visit, Mandy. I couldn’t make this trip without assistance from Guardian Concord.”

The young guardian that united them all again and was able to reach Mandy before Mandy became one with The Grove itself. Plum had held absolute faith back then that the greenling Kindergarten Keeper would make a great guardian.

Concord was a little bit older now, still doing the title proud and had others appointed as protectors of their respective homes. It was fondly similar to how Guardian Cane made Plum a guardian all those long years ago.

“When you met our new guardian, Concord was only a greenling and still learning…. During that unfortunate time.” Plum spoke the last part with heaviness. So much pain and loss had come from back then. The heartache it caused never truly went away. There were scars from the rot without having to look far in any of the lands and in the hearts of the residents.“ When the others left, it was just us and you were taking every step to commune with The Grove itself. Doing the only thing left you could think of. You never gave up on us or The Grove.”

They still miss you terribly, speaking of your name in smiles. They feel your spirit in your sword.

Plum wanted to say it, but the words never came. It felt too close to admitting the beloved guardian would never return. The same as the others that left even longer ago and Plum did not have the will to say such.

“When the time comes, I can pass peacefully, knowing our home is in good hands. You would be proud, not just of Concord. Our villages have come together and there is true peace. One of the things we fought tirelessly for.” Plum could still easily recall times working together with the others, slaying the rot, braving the distances for research and resources, learning there was a limit to the mana from The Grove.

The talks of the Guardians seeking more mana to repair their home had Plum’s heart hanging heavy with an expression to match. Back then, having some villagers assisting as security, taking watches, and having it down to be under control for a time, it was a mixed decision for that many of them to leave.

Blue was an obvious choice to go. Worst comes, Blue was a gifted swimmer and could return…..one day.

It had been so long, rumors were naturally gossiped about and ones Plum would never entertain seriously. The six that sailed, abandoning their home in hopes to start anew elsewhere.

“I know you heard those rumors too, Mandy. You never believed it for a moment either.” Anytime Mandy caught whispers of it, you could expect to hear defense of their friends, Mandy’s way with words being calming and shutting it down swiftly. “Our friends are still out there, no word of them has ever reached us. Some still wait at the docks for any sign of their return.” In thought Plum held a difficult thought. The villagers of Spring Hamlet would not be waiting for Plum’s return, they never knew the stress others had of not knowing the fate of their Guardians. Plum had been Spring Hamlet’s guardian for a long time and refused to go with their friends on their voyage. When Plum passed, the villagers would know and know Plum’s spirit was back with The Grove, and likely conversing with Mandy in-person.

Plum could never leave Spring Hamlet without a guardian to protect it. Being needed elsewhere at the time, it was why he finally appointed Concord to be the hamlet’s latest protector of the land and of the villagers.

Heavy thoughts and emotions were making the elder Plum tired.

Tired in more than one way.

Plum placed a hand on the statue, silently swearing there was a warmth from it. Plum smiled.

“It’s time for me to go. Our home is in good hands, Mandy.” Using the cane, Plum stood with shaky legs, taking a moment to get balanced, breathing out a tired sigh, already feeling the weight of upcoming trek back home.

Taking some cautious steps forward to go meet Concord in the next area, Plum looked over to Mandy’s statue one final time.

“I will see you again soon.”

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🤔

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Harrowing

Whumptober 2024(AO3 here and ff.net here) Characters: child Raine Sage, baby Genis Sage and mentions of Viriginia and Kloitz, their parents. Word count: 1k+, one-shot. Canon Compliant. angst, family, hurt no comfort. TW: Drowning, PTSD, Aquaphobia #8 - Sleep Deprivation; forced to stay awake.

Summary: It felt like she was drowning all over again.

As soon as Raine felt her eyes fall shut (tired and heavy from a long days travel) another loud rumble of thunder shook the skies, sending Genis into a fresh round of frightened wails. Raine took a moment to lean her head against the wall, feeling her exhaustion hit two-fold. For such a tiny baby Genis’ voice was loud and filled the cavern she had set up as their place of camp for the night.

Calming Genis was vital, so gathering what little strength she had, Raine rocked her baby brother slowly, taking care to see he was still bundled up how their mother taught her, murmuring shushes and soothing words to try and settle his scared cries. Truthfully, she did not need any local monsters to hear him and attempt to turn the pair into a late dinner. Everything was in the clear earlier on, but letting her guard down was never an option, even as exhausted as she was.

The young healer had to be on the ready at any given time in-case she needed to fend off something or someone. It would hardly be the first time and until she could find them somewhere safe to live, it would not be the last. The average human, Raine found, had a harder time telling her apart from a full-blooded elf; they did not know the exact things to look for and they could pass for elves, if only briefly. Elves, on the other hand, unsurprisingly, could tell a lot faster- the prejudice from humans and elves alike had been cruel lessons, and questioning reasons for it fell on deaf ears and raised stones.

Genis stayed as close to her side as her make-shift rod did.

Thunder rocked the night sky once again- Genis cried louder.

“Shhh, thunder is only acoustic on the planets atmosphere. It’s just a noise, it can’t hurt you. I won’t let it.” Raine told her baby brother with a tired promise, as if he could understand her already. But Genis was only a baby still, and the young healer rattled off more of the basics of the makeup of a thunderstorm, becoming aware of the weather picking up in intensity; the rain pelting against the outside sounded too close to the waters she dreaded from a dark time when they were on the run with their parents…

They traveled a lot after being exiled from Heimdall.

(fled)

Raine could feel her own heart beating faster, unable to move, trying to move any limb she could.

Her human father, Kloitz, taught her much in the way of surviving the lands while her elven mother, Virginia, taught things that were more school-room topical and channeling the white magic she had already shown signs of having at such a young age.

(she was promised to be given a real mage’s staff when she was a little older)

Genis’ cries sounded distant.

Her thirst for knowledge was ever-present, ever growing. Raine’s eyes lighting up like her magic while reading something new, learning. Always a question on the tip of her tongue and logic above and beyond her years.

(there was always something more they weren’t telling her)

Breathing was hard and heavy. Her chest ached, her head throbbed painfully.

One night while they were travelling by boat, the waters turned turbulent, skies dark, wind intense. Raine had been too close to the edge, had not heard her father yelling for her to return inside, that it was dangerous. Her normal curiosity of these new surroundings turned into a nightmare all too quickly.

(she was never taught how to swim)

Why didn’t their parents teach her how to swim?

The deck had become slippery, the wind and rain causing her to lose balance. It all happened in a heart-stopping flash; Raine lost her footing, ungracefully stumbling over the rails of the boat with a terrified scream that pierced the night.

(she had tried to grab onto those same rails for security during the chaos)

It felt like she was drowning all over again.

Falling into the water, she frantically tried to keep her head above it, smaller waves crashing over her head, sending her under. Her lungs were filling with water too quickly. It was in her eyes, nose, throat. It stung her eyes painfully, body in burning agony.

(everything felt distant and dizzy)

Raine was so tired, desperately in need of sleep, darkness encroaching her vision…

There was a small bite on her finger.

Suddenly she gasped, taking in frantic breaths of air, eyes widened from the terror she had been reliving. A time when she was so sure her fate was sealed in death. “That’s only a memory,” Rained told herself quietly, repeatedly, trying to ground herself to the present.

Another bite.

While not fully calmed down, Raine looked to her brother, who was still secure in her arms, the sight of him made her smile, even if it was a weary one.

Genis had somehow wriggled his tiny arms out of his wrap, having her finger in his hands, biting on it to get her attention. “Genis, thank you,” Raine told him before kissing his head, shifting her focus to get him wrapped up like he was supposed to be.

If the weather allowed for it, they would continue their journey to a nearby town called Hima. She hoped they would have a library(her brain itched at the thought of learning more about Sylvarant as a whole, and to try and open the portal home), and a need for someone of her skills to make a few more gald.

Thunder loudly tore her from the thoughts, the noise making Genis cry again.

Raine settled in more comfortable against the cavern wall, back to work calming her brother and giving up on sleep for the night.

Her father saved her the first time she nearly drowned, Genis saved her tonight. If she slept, there would be no one there to aid in her nightmare.

Thinking of the book in her pack and humming a song to Genis, Raine settled in for the long night.

She was eleven years old.