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buns-with-a-book · 13 days ago

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Show Me How To Dance Forever 🌬

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Inhuman!Vessel x reader

Vessel debut! 🥳 Saw them live at RIP and I sobbed. I fear I cooked with this, but feel free to judge for yourself! All of this is my vision for Arcadia and Eden, if yours is different, that's okay!!

❗️this is about the character, not the man behind the mask❗️

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

After being cast out by the Gods you'd devoted your life to, you live peacefully at the outskirts of Arcadia. Surrounded by forests and streams and mountains. One day, you stumble upon a mysterious, foggy barrier you'd only read about in old books. You didn't expect the black smoke to part for you, nor the six eyes staring right back at you from Eden.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Pink petals floated gently in the breeze, the gusts of wind putting on an elaborate spectacle as the sweet blossoms descended onto the ground, only to be trampled and reunited with Mother Earth once again.

Arcadia.

The prosperous land of the Gods. Mountain sides carved away to set marble archways and golden pillars in their stead.

Paradise, some would say. Everything one could ever want at their fingertips, a life lived so lavishly even kings and emperors would turn green with envy. A place abundant with power, control, and selfishness.

Because your life wasn't lavish. You didn't have everything you wanted brought to you on a silver platter. You didn't have any power. Not here, as a lonely and puny disciple the deities could play games with whenever they pleased. However they pleased.

You'd never seen the inside of a marble palace or gazed upon your reflection in piles of gold. You've never had control.

You were merely something for the gods to rest their feet on when bearing the burden of unfathomable power became too great.

One day, you grew tired of your eternal servitude.

You demanded answers, where was this paradise you'd heard of- you'd been promised. Where were the riches and merciful gods that cared for their followers?

Where was justice? Where was your reward?

The one you'd worked and served and kneeled yourself to the bone for.

Left with no enlightenment but stuttering and enraged deities, you threw down the artificial garbs of pearl and emerald trimmed with gold. You renounced the Gods were you stood.

Shattered the chains forged from gold until they lay before you, glittering like the stars in the indigo night.

And now, you'd known peace. Your chest wasn't covered in stone, making it hard to breathe or speak, your mind wasn't filled with anxieties and fears.

Sure, you were called a heretic. A blasphemer. Some say a witch, even. But none of these words could cut deeper than being a God's plaything ever did.

Exiled to the outskirts of Arcadia, you lived out your days in a small wooden cottage. Far away from all the glory and luxury of the inner sanctum.

There were no grand marble walls to protect you, that promised you safety only to crumble in the time of need, just you surrounded by nature.

The edge of the land of the Gods was a sight to behold. No gold or precious stones in the world could live up to the grandeur of pink canopies, the soft drips of streams and springs that slowly carved themselves a path through the earth, the gentle creatures you lived in harmony with and that soft, salty breeze that always managed to refresh your soul.

You truly enjoyed your life here. There were no expectations, no suffocating pressure, no chains to hold you and lock you away when you didn't dance to their tune.

You foraged for what you needed to survive, the land fertile and giving. There's nothing you could want for. However, that changed one day, when you'd stumbled across a stretching black wall.

You'd never wandered this far, never needing too, really, and today you were only following a trail of pure white blossoms with a scent so sweet it made your teeth ache.

You'd heard tales of this barrier before, something you'd read in crumbling tomes of the old age.

A millenia-long rivalry between two lands, war and greed splitting them apart. On one side, there was Arcadia.

Beautiful, prosperous, colossal Arcadia. A place of God's, a paradise for the mere mortals that were lucky enough to be chosen. Gold and emerald practically dripping from its earthen veins.

And on the other side, there lay Eden. The eternal garden.

A place of peace. For lost souls, artists with wandering and radiant minds filled with poetry, sweet melodies, and birdsong. A sanctuary for weary bones and shattered hearts. Nothing like Arcadia.

No hierarchy, no golden shackles that seemed to wrap around your throat tighter every day.

Just... paradise. At least, that's what it sounded like to you. The true paradise.

The more you gazed into the black fog that lingered around the wall, the more you wondered, your curiosity peaked. Setting down your filled basket, you cautiously stepped closer. It was pulling you in, intelligible and faint whisper coming from the void.

You reached out your hand, the smoke wrapping around your wrist, dancing between your fingers like dark tendrils. The closer you stepped, the heavier the fog became around your hand, slowly trailing its way up your arm.

You only watched in awe, letting the sentient plumes do as they pleased. You'd truly never seen anything like it, gazing in pure fascination as the tips of your fingers started turning black, bleeding into your skin.

Not even then did you pull away, or jump back in fear. But when three pairs of eyes and a glittering, red maw stared at back at you from the heavy smoke, you screamed, stumbling away from whatever that was.

The fear froze the blood in your veins, your feet firmly planted to the ground and eyes wide, as you stared back into the face of the fog.

The creature tilted its head, an innocent curiosity shining in those glowing irises. Then your muscles starting thawing and you stepped closer once again.

Your own curiosity would surely get you killed, but how could you care when you were so utterly mesmerized?

The smoke starting clearing, revealing the form of a tall man. Or, what you assumed to be.

Now, where you stood, a translucent arch had formed in the fog, giving you the perfect view of your mysterious companion. He was tall and slim, charcoal skin glittering.

Clad in a long, dark cloak, trousers that matched and were bound by an ivory cord at his shins.

A white pauldron trimmed with rubies sat on his left shoulder, and you could faintly make out a small fur cape. You averted your eyes further up, only to be meet with those six, intriguing eyes again.

A bright, bone-colored masked covered the top half of his face. Six slits for six eyes, the terrifying red maw you'd seen was the opening for his mouth decorated with red stones, almost like dripping blood.

The hood of his cloak was pulled up, casting a faint shadow over his mask.

A deep crimson symbol was drawn across it, what it meant you didn't know, but you had plenty of your own symbols in Arcadia.

And finally, he was adorned in all kinds of jewelry; necklaces, rings, all shimmering beneath the dim sun.

You could only stare as you took him in, your lips parted.

Then, he moved. He held up one hand and smiled at you brightly, his pearly teeth standing out against his dark skin.

He was greeting you. A surprised chuckle tumbled from your lips at the heartwarming sight.

Upon your chuckle, he gestured faintly to where his ears would be, followed by a shrug and a small frown.

Your face fell at the realization. Carefully, you tapped your finger against the barrier, a sound like glass returning to you.

Nonetheless, you returned a soft smile and pressed your hand to the invisible wall.

His hand, larger than yours, was slotted to where yours would be while his face was adorned by a gentle and lopsided grin.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Vessel was entranced. The entire walk back to the temple through the dark woods you were on his mind.

Divinity incarnate.

Those kind and sparkling eyes, that soft smile, and the sweet gesture of pressing your palm against the barrier.

Your hair that fell so effortlessly and framed your face better than a golden frame ever could a painting.

The flowy, light pink gown that gently swayed in the wind, almost the same color as the soft petals floating around you, at least from what he could make out.

The calm and warmth that emitted from you. The safety.

He had half a mind to fall to his knees and recite whatever prayer you wanted him to. Write and sing hymns in your name, telling the tales of your glory and undeniable beauty.

He had heard of Arcadia. The paradise offering salvation to those who were willing to tread the path.

To have freedom, finally be free, and live amongst gods and mortals alike. Something he'd craved for so long. And now, he'd gotten a glimpse of that paradise.

And not the marble halls and golden pillars, or the flowing riches he couldn't care less about, no, you.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

You'd thought about him a lot since you met. When the twilight sat in and the sun started to descend behind the horizon.

When the moon rose up high into the deep night sky and shone through your window. Even in your dreams, he was with you.

Forging a path for you, beckoning you to follow him into what seemed to be an abyss. A faint song echoing from the void, soft tunes that made you want to close your eyes and fall.

Where? Who knows, but as long as he was there, you weren't sure you even cared.

And, well, you were of weak mind when seduced by such sweet melodies.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Naturally, you went back the next day.

Eagerly walking through the pink rain of petals, only one goal in mind. You hadn't the faintest clue if he'd even be there, but just the possibility was enough to fuel your excitement.

With quick steps you treaded down the path that was burned into your inner eye.

Winding around trees and bushes, jumping over the little stream that separated you from the mysterious, masked man.

You had taken a small basket with you, all sorts of flowers and plants with colorful blooms sitting next to eachother. Just something to keep your hands busy.

You weren't able to converse with him anyway, the thought making your shoulders sag slightly while you sighed. But maybe the presence was enough.

To know that there was a kindred soul out there, basking in the comfort of your silent togetherness.

Before you knew it you had reached the monstrous, shadowy wall. And just like the day before, the fog parted for you, leaving a somewhat clear view of the otherside.

Only was it empty. No bright smile or cryptid-like eyes gazing back at you.

The disappointment settled deeply into the pit of your stomach, leaving you with a heavy feeling in your chest.

Perhaps it was a silly hope. That he would be here again today, after you'd had such a hard time parting yesterday.

Even though no words were exchanged, it felt like you had said more than in your entire life. With a frown, you'd torn your hand from the barrier, your limbs like lead, rooting you in place.

You swore you saw pleading in his eyes, all six of them, but he only bowed his head to you and watched as you made your way back to your home before twilight set in.

You observed the other side.

Eden.

The shrouded woods with trees that almost looked black, ancient canopies throwing shadows onto the ground. A bright, white sky that never seemed to dim.

You wondered, did they have day and night? A titanic indigo tent speckled with golden stars?

A thing you wished you could ask, but the wall rendered you mute.

You were broken out of your thoughts by a gentle tap against the barrier. You must've looked odd, frozen in place while your eyes were staring into nothingness, deep in thought.

You snapped back to reality, your gaze meeting that of him. Dressed like last time, towering over you with a sweet grin, parchment, and a quill tucked into the crook of his elbow.

You broke into a radiant smile, your excitement glittering in the depths of your irises. It was like your entire being lit up.

Your posture straightened, cheeks rounding, and you eagerly stepped closer.

And Vessel? He was enamored. Seeing you so excited to see him, brightening like an exploding star, made him feel like he'd seen the light for the first time.

Really seen it. Felt its gentle rays on his skin, the warmth seeping into his bones, making his soul comfortably bloom in his chest.

His brows beneath the mask furrowed in adoration, and his head tilted slightly to the left.

You looked so... ethereal. With your light and flowing dress, decorated in jewels and a basket of flowers resting on your hip. You looked like the goddess of life itself, so nurturing and soft. And safe.

Vessel gently shook himself, trying to get rid of the prickling feeling you erupted in him. He sunk to the ground, crossing his legs and comfortably laying out his parchment in front of him.

With a smile and soft pat of his hand against dry leaves he beckoned you to join him. Mirroring his gentle expression, you sat down in the sea of soft petals, your basket set beside you.

You were aching to speak to him. To someone from such a different place. Was Eden really everything you've dreamed of? Despite its dull color scheme, you wouldn't hestiate to cross over if it meant leaving Arcadia once and for all.

You got lost in the curiosity of his eyes, the subtle twitch of his mouth and the bright rubies framing his lips. You looked entranced. Half-lidded eyes, corners of your mouth pulled up slightly.

Vessel felt inspiration struck like never before. His fingers were itching to write down every thought that popped into his head.

And instead of the usual black and white, they were pink. And green and gold and white.

Just like you.

And you? You watched. Admired. As he grabbed his quill and starting writing. It never stopped, the ink seemingly never running out.

The filled parchment piled up as he moved down further. His eyes only focused on the dark letters and the image of you, and Arcadia, in his mind.

Absent-mindedly, you began taking flowers from your basket and weaving them together. Blue blossoms braided into a magnificent and lush crown, daisies and peonies bundle into small bouquets.

Your fingers worked swiftly, delicately, while handling the blooms. You created your own little works of art beside eachother in silence. Nothing was said, yet everything was understood.

You glanced up from your work, only to be met with 3 pairs of eyes that looked so soft, you swore they were seconds away from melting out of his skull.

A giggle tumbled past your lips, your cheeks feeling warm. In a cheeky attempt at communication, you arranged the remaining stems in a single word.

Name?

Vessel grinned, pearly canines on display. With his quill back in hand, he quickly scribbled something onto the parchment and pressed the paper against the barrier.

Your eyes flitted over the inky letters.

Vessel

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Your secret rendezvous became a constant. Every day, right after the sun had crossed its peak until just before twillight settled over your realm.

Moments of creation were shared, silly faces that pulled a laugh from the lungs of the other, or simply getting lost in the strong presence of a kindred soul.

Giving up your luxurious life in the grand halls of Arcadia had always been worth it. But this, him, solidified that decision tenfold.

Today, though, something was different. The wind blew from a different direction, the sun was somehow a different shade.

Still, nothing would keep you from meeting up with your favorite companion.

The fog parted as you approached, as it always did, and Vessel stood on the other side, waiting.

A mischievous smile hiding behind the mask.

The closer you came, you could hear birdsong. Only faintly and muffled, but it was there, no doubt. Something that didn't exist in Arcadia, but did in Eden.

Your brows furrowed, listening in to Mother Nature's symphony to be sure. It wasn't like anything you'd ever heard before, and as much as you wanted to enjoy it, something was off.

Not wrong, necessarily, but different. Whether it was good or bad, you didn't know.

Just as Vessel's smile faltered and he tilted his head, he froze. A warm breeze brushed past him, making his cloak sway in the wind.

Also something that had never happened before. Meanwhile, Arcadia was known for its strong gale.

You stared at eachother, utterly puzzled. And then, when Vessel tried breaking you out of your confusion by tapping against the barrier, it sounded thinner.

Higher in pitch as it echoed through the quiet forest. Curious, he laid his palm flat against the invisible wall and nodded at you to do the same.

The small gesture of affection that had formed between the two of you made you smile, yet it did nothing to lift the fog of confusion on your mind. Gods know you could never resist those eyes.

Pleading, encouring you to meet his hand. So you did. Pressed your hand to the barrier like always, to say I'm here, you're not alone.

Only this time, you swore you could feel the warmth of his palm against yours.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

From then on, it was impossible to stay away. The sun rose past the horizon and you were already storming past ancient trees and flowing streams to get to him.

You'd even stayed past twillight, just to see him illuminated by the moon. The barrier wore thinner each day, allowing you to catch the gentle timber of his voice ever so faintly.

One day, you were sat across from him, watching him pace back and forth while snapping his fingers, presumably working on another hymn to Sleep, he caught a glimpse of you from the corner of his eyes and stopped in his tracks.

The admiration with which you were gazing upon him made his heartbeat quicken.

That soft smile you donned, just the entirety of your form radiating with a gentleness he'd longed to feel since he could remember.

Out of nowhere, he dropped to one knee in front of you and rested his masked covered forehead against the barrier. Eyes closed in comfort and hand pressed in its usual place, aching for your warmth.

Shocked at the sudden gesture, you stared at him, eyes wide and lips parted. You'd never seen him like this.

So vulnerable.

With a pleasant tug at your heart, you shuffled closer and laid your forehead to his, even if the barrier was separating you.

Your palm found his, and a sigh made its way through your body, almost melting against the wall.

Sure, you had shared moments of comfort before, but none were like this. This felt different. Special, even.

You could take root here and stay until the gods decided your time was up. You didn't care what happened or how, as long as you were with him

Vessel rose back to his feet, pulling you with him as if you were tethered to one another.

Those bright eyes gazed back at you and that lovable smile framed by his canines broke onto his face.

He tucked an arm behind himself, offered the other one to you and bowed.

Like a prince asking a princess for her first dance.

Just like in those novels you'd read.

A grin spread over your cheeks, and you played along, head bowed, curtsying before him.

Palms pressed together, a tale as old as time, as you moved in semi-circles, the wall stopping you from ever completing a full rotation.

You turned with him, switching palms to dance in the other direction. Though simple, it made your heart bloom in your chest.

Meanwhile, Vessel wished nothing more than to reach through and take your hand in his. To spin and dip and twirl you like a delicate porcelain doll in a music box.

With a gesture of his hand, he beckoned you to spin for him, his smile radiant.

You obliged him, spinning around while your dress twirled with you.

A laugh tore through your chest, a hearty and genuine sound, and he wanted nothing more than to hear it in full.

Not the muffled noise he had to strain his ears to make out. But a full giggle, straight from your soul, preferably if he was the cause of it.

Your hands met again and you sped up, skillfully leading the dance, leaving him to follow. Though it was rather difficult to excute its steps with the barrier separating you, you made due.

From right to left and left to right, flowing from one movement into another.

Vessel followed with a bright grin, using his experience of dancing during various rituals to quickly pick up on the pattern.

It truly felt like a chapter in an old book that spoke of romance and tragedy.

Lovers who'd found eachother against all odds, souls entwined, yet cruelly kept apart, barely out of reach.

You were pulled out of your daydreaming when Vessel tripped over a bump on the ground of the woods, almost tumbling face first into the dirt.

The mishap made you burst into a laugh, head thrown back and eye squeezed shut, but you continued the dance still. But when you expected and braced for the barrier, there was nothing.

Something shifted.

No breeze but the full and beautiful birdsong symphonies you'd gotten a taste of. But most importantly, a warm hand engulfing yours.

Your eyes snapped open, your lips parting when Vessel stared back at you, Arcadia in the background.

His dark aura standing out against the pink petals that decorated every tree. He looked just as shocked, yet his hand was tightly grasping yours.

All six of his eyes were widened beneath the mask, chest rising and falling heavily.

Only then did you notice the black of his cloak fading into a dark and rich green, slowly crawling up his form. The wraps around his legs turned green trimmed with gold, pointing upwards like the scales of a dragon.

His sleeves changed to match, the color sitting ever so nicely against his flesh, and the pauldron on his shoulder was dripping with golden embellishments and crimson rubies while a heap of black feathers sprouted from his back, replacing the fur cape.

All his jewels blinked from silver into gold, just like the previously red maw that framed his mouth, sitting like melten metal against his face. The symbol on his mask matched the green of his cloak, a gold outline extenuating its shape.

Yet beneath it all, it was still his charcoal skin, his dark eyes and that wicked smile.

His face was twisted in shock and surprised as he looked down at himself and his new robes, turning his hand to admire the new ornate rings that shone golden on his fingers.

You were just as mesmerized by his transformation and just him finally being in front of you. His hand embracing yours, his quiet breathing that you still managed to catch, the energy he radiated.

You could only stare wide-eyed and shamelessly as everything you'd wanted for months was finally within your reach.

You noticed his gaze on you, not on your face, however, but slowly trailing up your body. With a slight crease between your brows, you followed his line of sight and gasped quietly when the blush color of your dress bled into a dark burgundy.

The hem of your skirt looked like it was dipped in ink while the crimson continued to trail up your bodice.

Your golden jewels shifted into silver, looking like they were frozen over and then thawed, glittering like crystals of ice.

Bright emeralds looked beautiful on your skin, complimenting his rubies. From your shoulders flowed a blanket of fur, attached with two magnificent brooches.

A crown of white roses wound around your head, their thorns an iridescent black that shimmered whenever it caught the light.

There was no logical explanation in your mind to how that had happened. All words were stuck in your throat, only shallow breaths leaving you.

You stared at him, and he stared at you, afraid to move a muscle in case the moment would shatter and the barrier would push you apart again.

With a stuttered breath, you managed to whisper a single word.

"Vessel..."

In the matter of a second, his grip around your hand became bruising, and in one swift motion, he pulled you into his chest. An embrace so desperate, even the greatest poets could only dream of putting it into words.

One arm was pressed between your shoulder blades, his palm gently cupping the back of your neck, his touch hot on your skin. The other was tightly snaked around your middle.

You could feel his heavy breaths against your cheek. You clawed at his robes, digging your fingers wherever you could, anchoring them into his back.

Despite there being no room where your bodies were pressed together, you needed to be closer, open up his ribcage, and crawl inside, right next to his heart.

You reveled in the comfort of his embrace, his warmth seeping deep into the marrow of your bones.

"Am I dreaming?" You breathed, resting your forehead against his shoulder, the soft fabric of his cloak brushing your skin.

A gentle chuckle fell from Vessel's lips, the hand on the back of your neck carefully tightening its grip and pulling back, making you meet his eyes. A gasp caught in your throat as you admired the shimmering voids, glittering like the most precious obsidian.

"Does it feel like a dream, my heart?" He replied gently, a subtle smirk showing off his sharp canines.

You chuckled softly in response, shaking your head.

"But it doesn't feel real, either..." you muttered, your gaze detaching from his.

Vessel clawed one of your hands off his robes and pressed it right to his bare chest, above his beating heart, gently cupping it.

"Is it real now?" He asked quietly, his tone and expression softening.

Your nerves lit ablaze at the contact with his skin, your head snapping upwards to meet his adoring gaze once again. You could feel the steady thump beneath his ribs, the vibration shaking you to your core.

Vessel placed a large hand on your cheek and guided your forehead to rest against his mask-covered one. His eyes fluttered shut, a breath you didn't know he held releasing.

"It only beats for you, I swear it." He whispered, his thumb caressing the silky skin of your face, the cold metal of his rings sending a shiver down your spine.

"As does mine." You replied in a breath, his proximity intoxicating.

Your nose brushed the red ruby set in his mask, your lips almost touching as you basked in the moment.

This person you'd silently spend your last months with, someone to keep you company after you'd been cast out from everything you'd ever known, was within your reach.

You had so many questions you wanted to ask, so many things to say and to declare, yet now you were rendered speechless.

The moment you'd fantasized and dreamed off for so many lonely nights had finally come.

You didn't know why or how, maybe your gods had taken pity on you after all, but you could care less when you were in his arms.

He swallowed thickly, his thumb brushing against your bottom lip.

"Can I-"

"Yes."

It was a mere whisper, but your eager confirmation was enough for him to press his lips to yours.

You melted into him even more, and you swore you were levitating. The kiss was so soft, Vessel was handling you like a precious porcelain doll, afraid even a single touch could shatter you into pieces. It wasn't rough or hungry, but passionate in a way that made your heart beat faster.

It was like every emotion, every ounce of desperation of only being able to witness the other through a looking glass, was poured into that one kiss. He had to stop himself from chasing after your lips once you pulled away.

Your chest was heaving, your lips slightly pink and swollen.

Vessel's pink tongue darted out and swiped over his lips, desperately trying to hang on to the taste of you.

He huffed half-heartedly, a grin breaking on his face.

"Well, are you gonna dance on the line with me?"

You chuckled, gently sliding your thumb underneath his mask to caress his cheek.

"Only if you show me how to dance forever."

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

I blame @scribbledghost for this after I binge read their entire blog 🫵🏻

Also I think that you guys might be interested in this @bloodiedvocals @lush-escape 💋

Masterlist ✨️

#others work #half of being a writblr is promoting the good shit #And this? This is some good shit.

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