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[daidonzo]

Call, won't you call out my name? Like a curse on this world? Like a battle cry? And you make me hate myself Make me tear my body Make me yearn for your embrace Sleep Token - Take Aim

'It's hard.'

'What is?'

'Losing someone,' Alicent said, with a thin voice, embargoed by emotion.

She was talking to herself, once again, maintaining a dialogue in which she played both parts; speaker and listener. She wouldn't tell anybody about her feelings. She wouldn't tell anyone about anything because she was tired of empty looks and shrugging shoulders when her throat was hoarse from screaming, from yelling, her fingers tired of clenching around something she could barely hold on to. She would let go, eventually, she knew this — she really did. But that didn't mean she wouldn't leave clawmarks behind, find pieces of skin and blood below her nails as she dug them… where? How could you refuse to let go of a feeling? Because that was everything that was left, a feeling. There was a person, somewhere in the distance, so far that Alicent couldn't reach it. Rhaenyra had gone to a place the redhead wasn't able to follow.

And it was easy to accept it, in the beginning. It was easy because they both knew it couldn't be, because a person cannot feed on hope and wishful thinking. There were five stages of grief, or so they said: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. She had skipped all of them, gone straight to accepting. Yes, I know this is not working out, blame society or blame your dad or blame whoever you want to blame, but it is a fact: we're not working out. So. It was easy.

But then depression creeped in, walking on its tippy toes, making barely a sound and closing the door behind it. It walked in and sat beside her in what used to be Rhaenyra's side of the bed whenever she stayed over, in the pillow that barely retained her scent and that used to have a few long, blonde hairs stuck to it but now had nothing other than perhaps a thousand, a million of microscopic mites because Alicent refused to wash it, trying to keep whatever was left of her, a ghost inhabiting something as ridiculous as a pillow, but hey, sometimes they wore sheets over their shapeless forms, so it was definitely proven that they liked bedding.

Depression creeped in and it felt like there was no more air inside of her lungs. Like someone was sitting on her chest, a night hag of some sort, because she was always laying down when sadness hit her like a wave, when it clashed against her like a raging bull would had she been wearing red, but she didn't like those colors anymore. No red, no black. She could do nothing about her crimson curls, but if there was a way to get rid of them, she'd do it immediately, if only because every single time she stared at a mirror she could see Rhaenyra's pale hand tangled in them, fingers twisting the coils around, playfully. How eerie, to think of a phantom hand, and call it love.

'I know the day you were born in. I know that, when you laugh, wrinkles appear on the side of your eyes and I know it takes me exactly three seconds to take my lips from the lobe of your ear to the base of your neck, more if I stop to examine that beauty spot I used to call home and that you always tried to hide with powder. I can imagine you, next to me, reacting to everything I say and it's mostly pity and compassion and you wonder how did I end up like this and I have no answer to give you other than I don't know, I don't know, I don't know…'

Alicent had only wanted to consume. Because she knew no other way of loving, she knew nothing else, because she had wanted to literally unhinge her jaw like a serpent and swallow Rhaenyra whole. Make the blonde woman part of herself, forever. And she had wanted Rhaenyra to do the same thing. To bite her, to eat her, literally, so that Alicent could nurture her body and soul and she'd be alive, partly, because of her. And to thank her, Alicent'd completely devote herself to Rhaenyra, worship the ground she walked in, write her name in stars, in atoms, on earth, on tree trunks.

Instead, she had shaped herself to be something other. Someone else. She had shaped herself to be what was expected of her, what her own life demanded, in a way that she could fit in and not have to look for her own place in the world. Like an organ transplant or a blood transfusion, there was no way her life's immune system (pretending it was a sentient being) would reject her because she'd be so similar, she'd even share the same antigens, and she'd be her own perfect match. Someone made to her family's image and likeness, a rib taken from her father's body.

The last time they had seen each other, they had fought.

'What will you do now?' Rhaenyra had asked, after they had agreed it was over, looking at her with eyes wet with tears and a trembling lower lip that Alicent wanted so desesperately to still with her own.

'I'll probably write something about it. A poem, perhaps. It won't rhyme.'

She wasn't looking at Rhaenyra when she said those words, instead finding her feet the most interesting thing in the entire world, so everything she heard in response was a cough.

She couldn't bear to think it was anything else.

[daidonzo]

Stumbled Beginnings: Chapter 2 - Blur The Line Between You And I

Prologue

Chapter 1

Co-written with ✨ @daidonzo​ ✨

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‘I’ve been informed we are going dancing. I guess someone wants to show off their moves.’ Takeru punched Aguni’s arm lightly. Aguni didn’t even turn to look at him, his eyes glued to Andi’s. Takeru shook his head in mock exasperation and turned back to Airi as if saying ‘can you believe these two?’

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[daidonzo]

[daidonzo]

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[daidonzo]

Stumbled Beginnings:

Chapter 1 - Dinner and Diatribes

Prologue

Co-written with @spacewitchqueen ♡

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Andrómeda García hated her own name. She never told it to anybody, unless they specifically asked for it. And, even if they did, it was quickly followed by ‘but you can call me Andro’, which was not any better because it made her sound like a humanoid robot, but at least it was easier to remember. What were they thinking, her parents, naming her after a constellation?

It had already been a few days since she had gone with her friends to that karaoke bar, and had given her number to the good-looking military guy who sang ABBA. He hadn’t called. Or texted. The first day, she had been waiting by the phone, looking excitedly at the screen every time it rang, hoping it was him. Then… She kind of had forgotten about it. If he hadn’t got in contact yet, he probably wouldn’t do it. It was fine, there were plenty of fish in the sea.

That’s why she was so surprised when she heard her phone’s ringtone and, after getting it out of the back pocket of her jeans, saw she didn’t have the number of whoever was calling in her contacts. Maybe spam? She was walking her dog, a huge rottweiler named Goliath, who had just decided to stop and sniff the corner of a building, where probably many other canines had gone to the toilet. This would take some time, then. She answered.

‘Hi, Andrómeda here.’

How she hated saying that.

‘Ah. That’s your name then.’

She frowned, slightly. She didn’t recognize the voice.

‘Yes, and you are…? Sorry, I don’t have your number registered.’

‘It’s Aguni. From the… Karaoke bar?’

The frown became a lopsided smile.

‘Ah, yes! Of course, sorry. How have you been?’

Goliath used the fact that they had stopped to go to the bathroom himself. Number two. She raised her eyebrows at him, mouthing ‘Are you serious, right now?’ and cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder, getting a plastic bag out of her jacket and squatting to pick up the surprise.

‘Good, good. I’m calling you so that you also have my number.’

‘Great, thanks!’

Was that it? Really? Andrómeda was holding Goliath’s leash with one hand, a plastic bag full of poop with the other and the phone with her shoulder as well as she could. She had seen jugglers doing less than what she was doing. And all so that she could also get his number?

Her playful smile reappeared. Maybe he just needed a little push and she had never been shy a day in her life.

‘So…’ She started, filling the silence. ‘Would you want to go get dinner? Maybe have a couple of drinks after? Tonight?’

She stood up and moved towards a trash can, dumping her dog’s excrements in there. She went back to holding the phone normally, with her hand, against her ear, stretching her neck first to one side, then to the other, until she heard a cracking sound. Then she kept walking.

‘Yes, I would like that.’

‘Perfect! Do you want me to choose the place? Is there anything in particular you want to eat or…?’

‘I don’t mind. My friend is allergic to tree nuts, though.’

‘Your friend?’ She pressed her lips together, trying hard not to laugh, not knowing if he was serious or not but finding the situation quite funny. She was asking him out on a date about a minute ago and he had already invited his friend.

‘Yes, Takeru. I think maybe you saw him in the karaoke bar.’

‘Ah, yes, I remember now.’ Also a handsome man, but not really her type. ‘Mind if I bring a friend of my own, then?’

But she had already put Aguni on speaker and was going through her contacts, trying to find someone who would agree to this travesty. She found nobody. Maybe someone who owed her a favor, then?

Andrómeda smiled, having thought of somebody already. She scrolled back to her Favorite contacts, clicking on her best friend’s name. She was already writing a text when Aguni replied. ‘Yes, of course.’

‘Hi Airi, do you remember how you owed me a favor because of that thing I did for you? It’s time to pay your debts. Feel like going on a double date with me, the guy I’m interested in and his friend? :D’ The text read.

‘Perfect! It’s a double date then. I’ll text you the details. Byeeeee.’ She made sure to pronounce the words ‘double date’ as clearly as she could and to pause before and after them. She wanted him to have no doubts about this whole thing.

She smiled to herself, slightly confused, but also entertained by this whole situation and kept walking Goliath.

Aguni hung up the phone. It had gone well, in his opinion. He was going to see Andrómeda, now he knew her name, that same evening. So he had secured a date. Way better than Takeru had thought.

He called his friend.

‘Hello, tiger, how did it go with your girl?’

‘Her name’s Andrómeda.’

‘Exotic, interesting. Loving it. Did you ask her out?’

‘Actually, she did. She asked me to go to dinner.’

‘Fierce.’

He heard the sound of a notification - a text message from Andrómeda. There was an address of a restaurant and some text accompanying it. ‘Is 8 pm good for you?’

‘Yeah, we are meeting at 8 pm. Does it work for you?’

‘What do you mean for me?’ Takeru asked, the tone of his voice revealing surprise.

‘I told her I was bringing you.’

His friend burst into laughter.

‘Unbelievable,’ he said, after he calmed down. ‘Why did you do that?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I think she wanted to meet just the two of you, man.’

Aguni hadn’t even considered that possibility, but now… He shrugged. There was nothing to be done about it.

‘Well, she didn’t seem to mind. She said something about a double date.’

‘So I have to go on a date too?’

‘So it seems.’

It was a busy day for Airi, she’d been rushing all morning and had barely had the chance to look at her phone. She had half a dozen texts when she finally took a break. One of them caught her attention. Airi reread it just to make sure she was not misunderstanding.

‘A double date? Oh, Andi.’ Airi sighed but started texting her friend back, she knew she couldn’t refuse her that small favor, Andrómeda had been there for her when she had needed someone and Airi was glad to hear she was interested in a guy, whoever it was. How bad could it be? ‘I’ll be there, text me the details.’

Later that day, Airi was having second thoughts. She was tired after a long day at work and wasn’t feeling particularly social. She thought about backing out of the deal but she felt bad, she had already bailed out on the karaoke bar a few nights ago, she could not possibly cancel again.

‘I just have to do it this one time.’ Airi reasoned with herself as she changed into a dress. She would have worn her usual black but she knew Andrómeda would roll her eyes and say something like ‘too gloomy for a first date’ so she settled for a light pink dress but she added an extra coat of the blackest mascara she owned to her lashes, for balance.

Airi arrived at the restaurant five minutes before the agreed time.

‘Good evening. Do you have a reservation?’ the hostess asked, smiling brightly.

‘Hi, yes. Ah, it should be in Andrómeda García’s name.’

The hostess checked her list and nodded. ‘This way, please.’

As she walked to the table Airi felt something very much like nerves somewhere in the pit of her stomach. She hadn’t been on a date in a few months, much less a blind date. What if the guy was unpleasant? What if he was boring? It’s not your date , she reminded herself. You’re here so your friend can hang out with the guy she likes… who apparently can’t come on a date alone .

Airi greeted her friend with a hug, she was alone at the table, the guys hadn’t arrived yet. Good, she was hoping she’d have some time to talk to Andro about them.

‘So, what’s the deal with this guy you like, what’s his name and why does he need a chaperone?’ Airi asked her friend.

‘Honestly? I don’t know.’ Andrómeda shrugged, lips pursed. ‘His name’s Aguni, he’s part of the military. So you know, exactly what I like - big, rough, strong.’ She lifted both her arms, flexing her biceps to make her point. ‘We met in the karaoke bar, he called me today, and didn’t ask me out, so I did. I was asking him if he had any preferences regarding the restaurant and that’s when he told me his friend is allergic to… seafood? Nuts? Something like that.’ She kept gesturing with her hands as she spoke, a spark of amusement in her eyes as if she found this whole thing funny. ‘To be honest, he was not very forward before either. Maybe he hasn’t dated in a while and needs emotional support, and instead of getting a dog, he gets this Takeru friend of his. But it’s cool! Maybe you could take him to the bar after dinner so that we can be alone for a little bit?’

Their conversation was interrupted when two men approached their table, they stood up to meet them. Going by Andrómeda’s description, Airi recognized the man with the military haircut as Aguni. So the other man, the one with long hair and a carefree attitude must be his friend, Takeru. Airi had to admit he was handsome.

Aguni greeted them politely. He seemed reserved but he looked truly pleased to see Andrómeda. Airi liked that.

‘What’s with the formality?’ Takeru asked. Airi was shocked when Takeru pulled Andrómeda and her into a hug, as if they had known each other for ages.

Here we go, Airi thought as she sat down. It was going to be an interesting night.

Andrómeda had been in the middle of her monologue, trying to summarize to Airi everything that had happened with Aguni in around thirty seconds, like an elevator pitch, when the guys came in.

She stood up, just a tad bit uncomfortable in the skin-tight very-itchy golden dress she was wearing to greet both of them. Especially Aguni, who looked even better than the night they had met.

‘Andrómeda, right? Is that the correct pronunciation?’

She cringed at the mention of her own name. ‘It is, but ditch it. We can go by Andro, Andi, Meda… Whatever you want. It’s a constellation, one of the biggest ones… My parents are hippies.’

‘It’s beautiful. It suits you.’

The evening might not be a total loss. She thought to herself, smiling and biting her lower lip at the same time. Din, din, din, he had just scored so many points. She was about to reply when Takeru pulled her and Airi into a hug, which she awkwardly returned, looking at Aguni with a face that she hoped meant ‘Is he always like this!?’. The military man just nodded almost imperceptibly and chuckled.

Andrómeda looked at her friend, knowing she was more of an introvert. She gave her a quick, apologetic, thankful smile while sitting down next to Aguni. She was now in her debt, forever and always.

‘So, girls.’ Takeru clapped, attracting their attention. He was very… Energetic, to say the least. Andrómeda wished her and Airi would have a telepathic channel just to know what she was thinking at this particular moment. ‘Let’s start off with the easy questions. What do you do?’

Andrómeda leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and steepling her fingers before her. ‘What do you think I do?’ She gave a playful smile, but went back to her original position within a few seconds. ‘I am a kindergarten teacher.’

She watched Aguni’s reaction from the corner of her eye. He seemed to like that. Seems like she also had scored some points.

Airi was still processing Andi’s casual suggestion to ask Takeru to go get a drink at the bar, feeling like another one of their friends would have been a better fit for the task, maybe Kuina, but even though she felt slightly out of place, some part of her was glad she was the one here. Andrómeda’s voice brought Airi out of her reverie just in time to say what she did. ‘I am a makeup artist.’

‘It shows.’ Takeru winked.

‘Thanks?’ Airi said, unsure if he was serious or not. She looked at Andrómeda for help, luckily she understood the cue and turned towards Aguni.

‘I know you are part of the JSDF.’ She looked Aguni in the eye. Showing him she remembered what he had said in the karaoke bar was also a way to let him know she was very interested, right? ‘So the only unknown is you.’ She pointed towards Takeru, who laughed.

‘I am a hatter.’ That was really not the answer Andrómeda was expecting, and it was reflected on her expression. He laughed again, harder this time. ‘I used to run a club in Tokyo, but when my father passed away, I took care of the family business.’

That did make more sense. It did suit him a lot better.

A waiter came by with a notepad and a pen, to ask if they wanted anything to drink.

Andrómeda opened her mouth, and was about to answer, but then thought better. She moved her body so that it faced Aguni. ‘Hm, it depends. Are you going to take me home tonight?’ She asked straightaway, apparently serious, but anyone who knew her enough could see the way the edges of her lips curved, if only slightly. ‘I don’t mean your house, I mean if you could drop me at mine, of course,’ she added, innocently, fluttering her eyelashes.

Aguni did look taken aback for a second, but had a quick recovery. ‘Of course.’

‘Then a glass of red wine, please,’ She told the server, flashing them a brilliant smile.

‘Bring the bottle,’ Takeru said, and now it was Andrómeda’s time to laugh. A man after my own heart.

She was trying hard to divide her attention between Airi, hoping she would not be too uncomfortable or better yet, that Takeru would not make her too uncomfortable and Aguni, who she was just swooning over, but she wouldn’t admit it. Not just yet.

While they were checking the menu, he asked her more about her life, her work, her hippie parents, Goliath, her home country - which he was surprised to find was basically Japan, because she had lived here since she was three years old - and her tastes in music, movies, food, hobbies and everything in between. She answered all of his questions, but had some of her own. And while the exchange of information was not a hundred percent equal, him being more reserved than her, she didn’t mind. She was not in a rush to discover everything about him and the secrecy, for now, kept her very interested.

The conversation slowed down while they ate. Airi was happy to see Aguni and Andrómeda appeared to be very much into each other already. Good, it meant that they would not need a similar arrangement for their next date.

She was glad about that, right? Takeru was attractive and had a very interesting vibe about him, like one of those people who just get up one day and decide to move to another country, that sort of spontaneity, but would she really like to see him again, to date him? And that’s when Airi realized he was there to support Aguni, just as she was doing for Andi, it didn’t mean he wanted a date. For all she knew Takeru had a girlfriend, a boyfriend, maybe he was married?

‘Penny for your thoughts?’ Takeru asked, refilling Airi’s wine glass. ‘Say when.’

‘When,’ Airi said, taking her glass and thanking him with a nod. ‘I was just thinking—’

‘About me, obviously,’ Takeru interrupted her.

Airi would have laughed it off but the comment caught her by surprise, and since she had actually been thinking about him she couldn’t come up with a witty reply as fast as she would usually have. ‘Don’t flatter yourself, Takeru.’ Airi shook her head. ‘I was just trying to picture both of you at the karaoke. I don’t believe Andi told me how you did?’

‘We were magnificent, of course,’ Takeru replied.

‘Ah, and he’s modest as well, charming,’ Airi ribbed.

‘Modesty is overrated, we were really good. How do you think your pretty friend noticed my unassuming man?’ Everyone laughed.

The waiter came back to ask if anyone wanted dessert. Both men declined but Airi and Andi’s eyes lit up and decided to share a slice of chocolate cake. The guys were talking about their day, finishing the last of the wine. Andrómeda looked at Airi and mouthed the word ‘bar’, pushing the last piece of cake towards her as a peace offering. Airi rolled her eyes but nodded.

Airi turned towards Takeru. ‘Do you want to get another drink, fruity cocktail maybe?’ she asked him, trying to sound as natural as she could, and why was she suddenly nervous?

‘Lead the way.’ Takeru stood up at once, bowing to Aguni and Andrómeda and helping Airi push her chair back.

Andrómeda feigned surprise when Airi asked Takeru to get a drink at the bar and they both stood up from the table. But it seemed Aguni had been paying more attention to her than she had thought, because he could already recognize the mischievous spark suddenly appearing in her dark eyes.

‘Was this your idea?’

‘My idea?’ She shook her hand, as if that thought was smoke lingering in the air and she wanted to dissipate it quickly. ‘Not at all.’

But her grin and the way she looked at him told a different answer.

He simply chuckled, and then turned serious for a moment.

‘Actually, I wanted to apologize. When you asked me to go to dinner I didn’t really think it through. I just assumed you meant with friends, as friends.’

She raised one eyebrow. She wasn’t expecting that.

‘Aguni…’ She was already pronouncing his name as if it was an incantation by a very powerful wizard. Almost with reverence. She liked the guy more than she had thought at the beginning. What was this tingling sensation? Oh, she was about to grab the glass of water and throw it to her own face. They were not teenagers any longer, but she was feeling butterflies. ‘Don’t worry about it, really.’ She patted him on the arm, reassuringly, but let her fingers rest there a few moments longer. She almost forced herself to take them away. ‘Plus, look at it this way. This is something that has never happened to me. It’s new, it keeps me interested.’

His smile left Andrómeda feeling like she needed some extra air. She grabbed her glass of wine and swallowed the remnants. Suddenly her tight dress felt like a boa constricting and suffocating its prey.

She kept talking, only then. ‘But I don’t want to be friends. Unless that is the only thing you want, of course.’

There it was. The cards were now on the table.

And she felt nervous, which was not something she was really used to.

‘No, it’s not the only thing I want.’

Andrómeda had to stop herself from doing a little celebratory dance.

Instead, she opted for smiling, like a normal person.

‘Good.’

Fuck, Airi. She suddenly thought. She, very reluctantly, took her eyes off of Aguni’s and stood up so that she could see the bar area over the heads of the people dining. She thought she saw them talking while having a drink, but couldn’t really be sure. After all, she was not wearing contacts and she was slightly nearsighted. She sat back down.

‘Do you think we need to go save them?’

Aguni lifted his shoulders. ‘I think Takeru likes her.’

He, very casually, moved his hand towards hers, which laid on top of the table, so that they would come in contact.

‘I’m worried about whether she likes him,’ she emphasized.

But their hands felt good together and those two would be okay for five more minutes.

Right?

There were just a few other people at the bar: a man in a business suit, clearly having a drink before going home; and a couple of lovebirds, so into each other they hadn’t even touched their drinks.

‘I’ll have what they’re having,’ Takeru said, louder than Airi would have liked. She felt her cheeks turning red. The fact that Takeru took her hand to help her get onto the barstool did not help with the blushing. He sat next to her, their knees touching.

The bartender approached them. ‘What can I get you?’

‘Vodka ginger ale,’ Airi said, glad that her voice was steadier than she felt.

‘Vodka soda splash,’ Takeru said at the same time. ‘Aha! Vodka! Flawless taste.’

Airi smiled. ‘Likewise.’

‘Yeah, but we already knew that.’ He looked her up and down.

And Airi’s face was burning again. The bartender set two coasters down and placed their drinks in front of them. Airi grabbed her glass, drinking deeper than she intended. Takeru was still looking at her with an amused expression.

‘I think you should pace yourself, unless you’re trying to get me drunk.’ He winked and downed half his glass in one gulp.

‘Shouldn’t you pace yourself?’

‘Nah, Aguni’s the designated driver.’ Takeru shrugged. ‘So. Why did you want to get me alone?’

‘What?’ Airi asked, taken aback.

‘That’s why you suggested coming to the bar, right?’

‘No? Andrómeda wanted to have some time with Aguni, I thought you’d—’

‘Relax, I got it.’ Takeru interrupted her, throwing his head back and laughing. ‘Still, glad you asked. Now, we could sit quietly with our drinks, but since we’re here, we might as well talk.’

Airi dug her nails into her palms to stop herself from grinning like a silly girl. He had a point. Just because this wasn’t a date for the two of them, it didn’t mean she couldn’t ask him about himself, right? What did she want to know? ‘How was it like, running a club?’ Airi asked the first question that popped into her mind.

‘Not as fancy as it’s cracked up to be.’

‘Oh, right.’ Airi snorted. ‘I’m sure you didn’t get to party at all, and I’m also sure you don’t have any fun stories.’

Takeru laughed out loud. ‘There was some of that, sure. But it was also a lot of bookkeeping and boring administrative stuff.’

‘But you still liked it, right? Don’t you miss it?’ Airi propped her elbow on the bar and rested her face on her hand.

‘Sometimes,’ Takeru admitted. ‘I have thought about trying it again. Opening a club, maybe with a beach theme. There would be a dress code, of course, everyone has to wear beach-appropriate clothes.’

‘I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.’ Airi’s shoulders shook with laughter. ‘But you’re funny, I’ll give you that.’

‘Girls love a good sense of humor.’

‘And there’s that modesty again, you’re quite the catch.’ Airi was joking, but she could imagine him to be a bit of a ladies’ man. Or maybe not just a bit?

‘Not that anyone has managed to catch me,’ Takeru said proudly.

And there it was. To Airi that meant he wasn’t interested in dating her. Her phone buzzed giving her an excuse to look away from him. ‘I see. Well, I think it’s time to go.’

‘My little brother’s name is Hércules and my sister’s Cassiopeia.’

‘Your parents were really committed to the names.’

‘Indeed.’ Andrómeda laughed, her fingers now intertwined with Aguni’s.

It had been a long time since she was this comfortable with someone.

She almost didn’t want the date to end, which was surprising. Usually she would pretend to go to the toilet and then run away before even ordering any starters. But with Aguni… Well, it was different. She was not in love, and she was not dumb enough to believe he was either. But he was a safe place. He listened to her. He treated her with respect. And, on top of everything, he was easy on the eyes. It was a nice change.

‘Is there anything else I need to know?’

‘Before our next date that you are going to be the one planning?’ They had come to that agreement a few minutes ago. Andrómeda had no doubt that Takeru would be involved in the organization somehow - maybe even in the date itself, but she didn’t say anything. ‘Hm… I love dancing.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes. Any type of dancing. I went to classes of literally everything when I was a kid: flamenco, ballet, urban, belly dancing… You name it, I have done it.’

‘Do you want to go dancing?’

‘When?’

‘Now?’

His smile was a catalyst for her own. She rubbed her chin, thinking about it. Or pretending to think about it, because she already had the answer.

‘I’d love that.’

Her eyes moved towards the bar, narrowing them until they were nothing but two brown slits so that she was able to see a little bit better. ‘Should we tell…?’

‘I know Takeru will come if we ask him. We can also just dump him home and go just the two of us.’

Andrómeda pondered for a second what the best way to approach this was. She looked for her phone in her bag, hoping Airi wouldn’t have it on mute.

‘One sec,’ she said, letting go of Aguni’s hand reluctantly. But she didn’t want to just show up out of nowhere and tell her friend ‘hey, do you want to go dancing?’ and create an uncomfortable situation. She didn’t know whether she liked Takeru or found him an ass. So she texted her.

‘Airi, dancing now? Yes/no? Takeru in general? Yes/no?’ She wrote as fast as she could, adding a bunch of smiling emojis. Then she looked at Aguni.

‘I’m asking Airi before we actually go and ask them .’

‘You’re a good friend.’

‘Am I, really? Maybe Airi will murder me in my sleep tonight if she doesn’t like Takeru. No offense whatsoever towards him.’

‘None taken.’ She had already explained to him that Airi was more of an introvert, so Takeru and her were polar opposites. And yes, opposites attract, or so the saying went, but… ‘Maybe I’ll have to stay with you tonight to make sure that doesn’t happen.’

Andrómeda could have screamed at that, but she kept her composure. Her heart was hammering.

‘You don’t think my dog, who weighs forty-something kilograms and is considered potentially dangerous could protect me?’ She joked. Her internal monologue went something more like please stay, please stay, please stay, please stay, please stay…

‘Best to make sure.’

She checked her phone, trying to hide her blushing face and her idiot smile behind the device.

‘Let’s go, she already answered.’

Airi reread the text Andi had just sent her. She bit her lip thinking how best to reply. How could she say no to dancing? Andrómeda and her had always loved dancing, that’s how they had met, at a dance class a few years ago, and they had been good friends ever since. Airi looked over at the table, Andi and Aguni were smiling at each other. She knew she could call it a night and ask them to take her home, but if she had to be honest with herself, she wasn’t having a bad time. Sure, it had bummed her out to hear that Takeru might not be interested in going out with her after tonight but hell, they were already here and she had dressed up, it would be a shame to let that go to waste.

‘Dancing, YES! Takeru, complicated???’ Airi texted back. She knew Andi would ask her what all the question marks meant but she couldn’t very well explain that with him sitting inches away from her.

‘It’s rude to text someone else when you’re on a date,’ Takeru teased her.

Airi very much wanted to reply with ‘well it’s rude to tell someone you don’t want to date them when you’re on a date’ but she held her tongue. They were not on a date, she reminded herself, Aguni and Andi were. ‘Come on, let’s go. I think the plans have changed.’

‘There was a plan?’

‘Apparently. But we’re going dancing now.’ Airi jumped down from the barstool and cocked her head. ‘If you’re up for it.’

‘Is that a dare? Well, I’m an amazing dancer, just so you know.’

‘Oh, really?’ Airi looked at him, half amused, half incredulous.

‘I used to run a club, remember? Do you dance?’

‘Sometimes.’ Airi pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.’It depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On finding the right partner.’ She reached into her purse to get her wallet but Takeru held her hand to stop her.

‘Drinks are on me.’

‘You don’t have to, I—’

‘You,’ he said, staring into her eyes. ‘You can buy me a drink at the dance club.’

Somehow Airi felt that was not what he was going to say but before she could ask he was steering her back towards their table.

[daidonzo]

AIB OCs [updated version]

☆ Andrómeda García - Lay All Your Love On Me

Born in Madrid, Spain

27 years old

Prefers Andro, Andi, Meda. Anything but her full name

Moved to Japan when she was three

Part of a non-borderlands AU, but if she were there she would definitely be a Clubs player

Preschool teacher

Owns a rottweiler named Goliath

Hippie parents, María and Fernando. She has a weird relationship with them, but they are very loving

Romantic interest: Aguni

Passionate, fiery, determined, confident, cheeky

Anger issues

Her feelings sometimes get the best of her

☆ Cassiopeia García - Lay All Your Love On Me

Andro's younger sister

They are one year apart, so 26 years old

Doesn't let anybody refer to her as Cassiopeia, opts for Cass

Also born in Madrid, Spain

Moved to Japan when she was two

If she were in the Borderlands, she would be a Hearts player

Art restorer

Changes her hair color often

Sarcastic, witty, loves bickering, tends to hide her emotions

Cares deeply for those that manage to get close to her

☆ Hércules García - Lay All Your Love On Me

The third of the García siblings

24 years old

Moved to Japan when he was just a few months old

If he were in the Borderlands, he would be a Diamonds player. Not because he is particularly intelligent (although he is not dumb by any means), but because he is absolutely unpredictable

Finishing his master's degree in Chemistry

You never know what to expect with him, funny, easy-going, chill

Finds himself in the weirdest situations because he is always game for anything

Adores his older sisters

[daidonzo]

I keep scratching, but somehow I can't get in

part 1 │part 2 │part 3 │part 4

'Break his legs so that he dies in the next game.'

'What the fuck?'

The words came out of your mouth, clear as water. A visceral reaction to hearing Aguni telling that to Niragi. He wished you hadn't said anything, because everyone in the group of militants behind him turned around to look at you. Not him, although he did move his head slightly so that he could observe you from the corner of his eye. His body, however, kept facing the two people he was harassing — a young man, thin and tall, with shoulder-length dark hair, and an athletic girl with a pretty face. He had played a game with both of them long ago, Five of Spades. Kuina, your friend, was also sitting beside them.

Aguni had told you. And he had to hope that you knew why he was doing this; it was not the first time something like this happened, and sooner or later Takeru would come to save the day and put Aguni in his place. It was a way for him to… what exact words had he used? Establish dominance.

You had gone to play a game that night. And that's why he had decided to do this today, to scare the newcomers, to put on this show. He hadn't expected you to return so soon. He was glad, of course. Glad you were alive, glad he would be able to stare at your big eyes and wake up by your side one more day. He could do it forever. He would, if it depended only on him.

But he didn't want you to see this. To see him like this.

'You're not breaking that guy's legs.'

Fake it until you make it, people said. And even if you weren't afraid of the man you shared a bed with every single night, you did find Niragi and Last Boss intimidating. You had mentioned it to Aguni, many times. The latter because… well, what kind of psycopath walked around hunched over with a katana? It was pretty self-explanatory.

'Thinking you are Pyramid Head from Silent Hill and actually living to it is enough to creep anyone out.' You had said one night you were both standing in The Beach's lobby, pretending to shiver just by thinking about it, using it as an excuse to seek refuge on his arms. Aguni wasn't sure who that person you had mentioned was, but he had wrapped his arms around you and kissed your forehead.

'He's not going to harm you.'

'Oh, I know. I have you to protect me.' You had then given him a quick kiss on the lips, not caring if anyone was watching.

Niragi you just found unpredictable, and Aguni had to agree that it was the most horrifying thing about him; the fact that no one ever knew what was going through his head. The big rifle resting on his shoulder he had seen him shoot a bit too many times didn't quite help.

It was him, Niragi, with his tacky shirt and piercings who walked in your direction, stopping mere centimeters away from you. You were taller than most women, but you still had to raise your head to be able to look at him in the eyes. Were you pretending not to be intimidated at all or were you really that courageous?

'Ah, are you jealous the boss wants a taste of the new girl?'

Aguni had to stop himself from grimacing when he heard that. He was angry, he was ashamed. Panic slithered up his throat, choking him. He swallowed, uncomfortable, the muscles on his neck standing out.

He couldn't see your reaction very well.

He could only hope those words hadn't felt like a punch straight to the stomach to you. They had to him.

'What is it, Niragi? Are you jealous that I'm the one sucking his dick and not you?' You replied. Always with a sharp, venomous tongue, and a quick response. Never afraid to hit below the belt, as long as it served your purpose. Your nails were digging into the palms of your hands, the only thing actually actually revealing your true feelings.

Niragi narrowed his eyes. Aguni could tell he was conflicted — you were under his protection, he had made that much clear. He had got you a new bracelet with a higher number, and a bigger and more comfortable room, with a bed that not even Hatter had dared to take away from you. It was not like you spent many nights there either way; you were usually at Aguni's room, only going to yours whenever you had an argument he didn't know how to solve, or turn into angry sex. Which was becoming less and less common as he got to know you better.

But even if you were Aguni's protégé, you had just insulted Niragi. In front of everyone. And that wasn't something he would let slide easily.

His free hand closed around your arm, pulling at you, bringing you so close to him your faces were nearly touching. Aguni clenched and unclenched his fists. His muscles were tense. He saw you looking in his direction. Were you asking him to intervene?

'You're lucky you're so good at it, or you would be dead now. You bitch.' Niragi's threat could be heard easily, even if he hadn't raised his voice over the volume of an angry whisper. That's how silent the rest of the world was.

You let out a bitter laugh, throwing your head back. It looked like you would spit in his face. Like you would slap his hand away. Aguni took a step towards you both when he heard Takeru's voice. Just as he knew he would, eventually.

'Is this a fight?'

'Back off, Hatter. This doesn't concern you.'

Niragi let go. You rubbed your upper arm, pink lines appearing where his hand had been holding you. You scowled at your aggressor, taking a couple of steps back, clumsy. Tatta, one of your friends, appeared and held you by your elbow to help you stabilize.

Aguni looked at you. He wanted to ask you something, anything. If you were okay, if you were hurt. He could tell from your face, your eyes, your tight lips, you were not happy. But what you were feeling exactly escaped him.

Takeru demanded his attention, refering to him by name.

'And who is the boss here, Aguni?'

The military man had missed the conversation that had just taken place between Niragi and Takeru. But anyone could have guessed what it was about.

He didn't have to pretend to be mad, because that's exactly how he was feeling. Furious, irritated. Crossed, that his friend kept doing this. That he had forced him to play this evil, mean character in front of you, even after Aguni had told him how much you meant to him. That he loved you, or was starting to. That you were much more to him than an occasional partner.

He just stared at Takeru.

'It's you. Isn't it?'

'Go take a shower.'

Aguni just left, after stealing a sideway glance at you. Hoping you would follow, begging you to. It seemed you knew him well by then, because that was exactly what you did.

You walked right behind him to his bedroom, closing the door once both of you were inside.

'What were you thinking!? What if Niragi had actually broken up that guy's legs!?'

'Are you okay? Did he hurt you?'

You looked surprised by his question. You lifted your arm, so that Aguni could see the marks Niragi's grip had left on it. He got closer to you, tentatively, almost scared, not wanting you to run off, as one would approach a street cat.

You didn't move.

'No, Aguni, I'm fine.' You finally whispered, your voice breaking when you pronounced his name.

Aguni had seen you fuming, full of wrath, even. Had seen you crying, yelling, screaming and shouting. But he had never seen you looking so sad, so miserable. He took you into his arms. It took a few seconds, but you hugged him back.

'I'm sorry.'

You didn't reply. You just buried your face in his chest. You didn't cry either. It made him feel worse, this lack of an emotional response. This apathy.

You let go after what seemed like an eternity, flashing him one of those crooked smiles of yours. One without much joy in it.

'You didn't mean any of that, right?'

'I didn't. Takeru…'

'I know, I know. Can I ask you something?'

'Anything.'

'Isn't he going too far? Chishiya showed me that container… where you guys drop the corpses. He told me Hatter had killed some of those men himself.'

Aguni couldn't lie to you, so he told you everything. He told you about Takeru becoming more and more deranged each passing day. About how he had found him doing exactly that, killing some of the residents of The Beach with his bare fists because they had hidden their cards from him.

He confessed how desperate he really was. How scared. He was losing his best friend, the only person who had been there for him through thick and thin. His ride or die. The person who meant the most to him in this world.

You listened. You nodded. You held him. You wiped the tear that run down his cheek. You whispered reassuring words. You kissed him.

You didn't say anything until you were sure he had finished.

'I'm here. You're not alone. I don't know how to fix this but… we are in this together, okay? We will find a way.'

'I love you.'

He couldn't help himself. The fact that you had used 'we' instead of 'you'… You hadn't said 'You will find a way'. You were a team. You would stick with him, just as he had told you that day at the pool.

You smiled your half grin before replying. This time, your eyes accompanied the gesture.

'I love you too.'

───⋆☆─────────────

'Let's leave The Beach.'

'Hm?'

You were nearly asleep, in Aguni's arms, your mane of hair all over his chest, his fingers tangled in it. You opened your eyes, rubbing at them with one of your hands. You yawned.

'Let's leave. You and I. Let's go away.'

'Aguni…' He adored the way you said his name. 'Do you really think that is a good idea? Can you at least sleep on it?'

'Will you come with me if I decide to leave?'

'Promise me you won't decide it now?'

'I promise.' He was convinced his opinion on the matter would be the same in the morning.

'Then yes. I'd go with you to the edge of the world.'

It was really that simple.

[daidonzo]

ALICE IN BORDERLAND — S2E2 Yamashita Tomohisa as Kyuma Ginji

[daidonzo]

CAMILA MORRONE in DAISY JONES & THE SIX 1.01 | “Come and Get It”

[daidonzo]

Job applications: I am very passionate (true!) about normal and useful things (lie.)

[daidonzo]

[daidonzo]

Asahina Aya as Kuina Hikari Alice in Borderland (2020―)

[daidonzo]

Netflix’s Alice in Borderland (2020‒) dir. Sato Shinsuke

[daidonzo]

[daidonzo]

Hey I saw u were taking writing prompts I was wondering if u could write Chishiya x sick fem Reader. I’m sick right now and it’s kicking my arse lmao.

Thank u hope u have a nice day/night

oh nooooooooooooooo!!!! i was also sick last week and it was a pain in the ass, i understand. :(

hope this makes you feel a bit better ♡♡♡

Chishiya was packing up his things, having changed clothes and almost completely ready to leave the hospital for the day, when he heard his phone buzzing.

'Doctor, I need you.'

It was a text from you, of course. He couldn't help but smile to himself thinking you must be in a really playful mood if you were referring to him as doctor. Your next message, a few seconds later, seemed to confirm that.

'Please, please, please. Come to my place to see me today.'

He raised an eyebrow. Begging out of nowhere was not like you. But you hadn't seen each other in a few days ― both of you had been very busy with work, and he had to admit he really missed you. You were supposed to meet on Saturday, three days from then, but he found himself walking towards your house, his body, his feelings for you, making the decision before his head could. He was excited.

He finally made it to your place. He raised a fist, and had just knocked on your door when he heard muffled coughing behind it, getting closer. Were you okay? He was not one to get easily agitated, but that didn't sound quite right.

You opened, and he could tell immediately what was wrong. You were sick.

Chishiya had always thought you were the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes upon: big, knowing eyes, that changed color depending on the lighting; shiny hair that always smelled like home, that he loved playing with distractedly when you would sit down to watch a movie, soft lips he would get lost in whenever he could.

And he still thought so, even know. But there was no denying; your pretty eyes were surrounded by dark, grayish circles. Your nose was red, irritated and runny. Your hair in a messy bun. You were holding a cardboard box full of paper tissues against you, and were still in your pajamas.

'Surprise!' Your tired smile told Chishiya you hadn't been able to get much sleep.

'Are you sick?' He asked, getting close to you and placing his lips on your forehead, both to kiss it and to measure your temperature. Yes, you were burning. You had a fever.

'Nah, I don't think so.' You snorted a laugh, stopping for a second to cover your mouth with your hand and cough. 'Aren't you supposed to be the smart one in the relationship?'

He chuckled at that. You were sick, yes, but having a cold didn't make you any less witty. If that was only a cold, which was what he wanted to check next. He couldn't help but feel slightly worried. He went inside your apartment, left his bag on the back of a chair and hanged his coat.

He turned to face you then.

'What are your symptoms?'

'No, no, no. I wanted you here as a boyfriend, not as a physician.'

'You did call me doctor in your message.'

You thought about it for a second, throwing yourself on your couch and rubbing your chin distractedly with two fingers, lips parted. You couldn't really breathe through your nose that well.

'I guess I did. Very well. My throat started hurting yesterday. It was like… tingly?'

'Okay.'

'Then in the night time I had a little bit of a fever, you know? Not much. I went to bed thinking I would be okay by the time I woke up.'

'And?'

'I woke up at four in the morning and I was so cold, and shivering. I have been taking this.' You looked around you until you found what you were looking for and gave it to him: a box of over-the-counter tablets.

He took it, opened the package and got out the prescribing information. He checked the ingredients and nodded. 'Pretty generic, but it will do the job.'

'I thought so. It was the only thing I had around. Kuina brought them last week after she made me go to that party and I had a hangover.'

'When did you take the medicine last?'

'About forty minutes ago.'

'Have you eaten? Can you hold food just fine?'

'I have eaten, but I'm not really hungry. And I haven't thrown up or anything.'

'Stomach issues?'

'Maybe a little bit, but I don't want to talk to you about them!'

You had another coughing fit, raising your voice after that last sentence. He sat by your side, wondering if his examination had gone a little bit too far. You looked like you thought it did, because there was a slight wrinkle between your eyebrows, and the corners of your mouth were facing downwards.

'Please, just be a normal boyfriend.'

'I'm sorry. I got carried away.'

'Occupational hazards, I guess.'

You were smiling again, which made him smile in return. He liked that about you ― you wouldn't hold grudges. Whenever someone honestly said sorry, whether it was him, a friend of yours, a family member… You would always forgive them. He lifted his hand so that it would rest on your jawline, caressing your cheek with his thumb, softly.

You were still farm too warm for his liking, but the medicine should start working soon.

'And what does a normal boyfriend do in cases like this?'

You didn't answer immediately. You stared at him through half lidded eyes, sticking your tongue out, something you did when you were concentrating and that according to you, you had inherited from you father. Chishiya knew he had given you free rein to ask whatever you wanted from him, but to be honest, he would have done whatever it was to please you, especially after seeing you in such a state, so he didn't particularly mind.

'I want to watch a movie. One of those shitty movies I like that you say lower my IQ. What can I say, I am a simple woman with simple pleasures.'

Chishiya chuckled. He thought of you as many things: smart, caring, sweet, adorable, beautiful in ever sense of the word, both inside and outside, brave, strong, charming, bewitching, endearing… But never simple. That was not it.

'Wish granted.'

He took the remote control and turned on the TV, giving it then to you so that you would choose what it was you wanted to watch. He also grabbed a blanket, wrapping you with it, enjoying how the second after he was done you cuddled against him, making him lift the arm that was closest to you so that he would put it around you. As if moved by invisible strings, his fingers started to travel their way up and down your back.

You finally chose something. Some American romantic comedy with bad actors, far too many plot-holes, and badly-timed jokes. But Chishiya loved it. How couldn't he, if it made you laugh?

About thirty minutes in, you had fallen asleep, your face on the crook of his neck. You were breathing noisily, possibly from the nasal congestion, but at least you were resting and, Chishiya checked by placing the back of his free hand on your forehead, the other one still holding you against him, your body was a much more normal temperature.

He would let you sleep, as much as you wanted. Then, he would make you dinner, because you had to eat something. Lastly, so that you wouldn't feel bad about not being able to watch the movie with him, he would put it again, remembering where it was that you dozed off.

He would take care of you. Not as a doctor, although he wasn't sure he could help himself.

But as your boyfriend.

[daidonzo]