eggroll-sama

[eggroll-sama]

What do you think the Touchstarved Characters would do if you tried to leave Eridia pre/post and established relationship or just as friends?

IF YOU TRIED TO LEAVE (TOUCHSTARVED X GN!READER)

Summary: Pre/Post-Relationship HC for if you tried to leave Eridia.

TW: Mentions of NSFW, violence, manipulation and heavy angst.

A/N: First request yippeeee! This was a lot of fun to think about, thank you so much for this request!

Vere; 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

Pre-Relationship:

♡ "Can't take the heat, darling?"

♡ He'll think your weak for not wanting to stick around a place crawling with thieves and monsters and people like him.

♡ Prepare for the snidest waggle goodbye of his fingers, perhaps he'll even wipe a tear or two away from his eyes like a lover going off to war.

♡ Asshole.

♡ The only way he'd ever stop you from leaving is if you've left quite an impression on him, leaving him curious enough to want you to stay.

♡ 50 percent change he'd let you go.

Post-Relationship:

♡ At first, he'd likely think you weren't being serious, or this was some sort of test to see how he'd react to the possibility of you leaving him.

♡ He'd sneer and tease you, oh, did you really think i'd get on my knees and beg for you?

♡ I mean, he's finally decided to give you the time of day, why would you give that up now?

♡ Then he'd realize you were intent on this, perhaps already in the motion of trying to leave Eridia, leave him.

♡ Desperation would well in him, he's gotten close to you; gotten attached despite himself, despite swearing he'd never love a human.

♡ He wouldn't want to show how desperate he is, instead he'd try to fuck you for a distraction-- his tail running up your back and leg a little more needily than normal.

♡ If you still push him away, intent on leaving him to return to whatever you're trying to get to outside the city walls.

♡ He'd blow up.

♡ Anger would be used to hide the crushing pain of betrayal and abandonment, the tantrum he'd throw would be destructive in his whirlwind of emotions.

♡ He'd have the temperament of a god being told no for the first time, because that's exactly what's happening.

♡ He'd blame everything and everybody else except for himself that you're leaving, perhaps even going on a rampage on the first plausible thing or person that's taking you away.

♡ 10 percent chance he'd let you go.

Ais; 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

Pre-Relationship:

♡ In a way he's kind of glad.

♡ Leaving the city would mean you chose not to drink from the spring, saving you from the hive-mind.

♡ Of course he's disappointed that you're leaving, he was just starting to get to know you after all.

♡ But he'd let you go- it's your choice after all, and he doesn't exactly blame you for not wanting to stay in a cesspit like Eridia.

♡He'll even lend you a soulless on your journey through the wastelands, enough to ensure a safe destination and so his perfect pet can tell him exactly where you went.

♡ 90 percent chance he'd let you go.

Post-Relationship:

♡ At least somewhat more level-headed than Vere and Leander (though not by much).

♡ He'd ask why, why is his sparrow trying to fly free when the cage he's offered has anything you could want or need?

♡ He'd assume it was someone driving you away, someone hurting you until you felt the need to flee, naturally he'd offer to beat the shit out of anyone who's threatened his sparrow.

♡ If that isn't the case or simply doesn't work, then he'd finally crumble.

♡ He wouldn't blow up at you, but he might punch the wall in frustration; gritting his teeth to try and clench back the tears stinging at his eyes.

♡ He doesn't want to look weak, especially not now.

♡ 70 percent chance he'd let you go.

Leander; 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

Pre-Relationship:

♡ Oh, you really think you'd get to leave?

♡ Silly, silly little thing.

♡ The moment he catches any sort of whiff of the idea of you leaving, likely from the bloodhound's constant rumor mill that always flows back towards him he doesn't like to be left out it wouldn't take long.

♡ He'd be 'casual' about it, he'd likely not even bring it up; the bigger his reaction the less likely you are to trust him.

♡ But oh, look at this! what a promising lead, something almost game-changing when it comes to the never-ending search for a cure.

♡ Isn't that just so coincidental? that he'd dangle something so tempting in front of your eyes, now what was that about leaving, again?

♡ 10 percent chance he'd let you go.

Post-Relationship:

♡ Ơ̷͍̞̤̟͎͔͔̍̈́͊͋̉ḫ̷͍͋̉̒̍̀̈́̏,̴͍͍́́̌͂̽͠ ̶̼͕͉̭̪̞̦̋̿̆̋̈̓ỹ̴̢͇͎̥͈̋̉͗̓̍͛͒̚ó̷̹̺̹̂̓͜ů̸͉ ̸̼̰̘̹͙̞̊̌r̵͕̤̗̔̉̋̂͊̂̏̂̕̚e̴̛͖̭̽̋̏̐̅̈́͋͝͝ǎ̴̹̻̥͙̪̝̮̈́̏̑̾̕ͅͅl̷̼̳̺̱̹̦̼̊̋̓̈́́̒́̕ĺ̶̜̒̐̐̉̚y̷̩̻͓̝̓͑̀̀ ̸̘̩̩̲̳̬͂̾ͅt̴̛̹̜͇͈̳̦̗̳̏͂̏̂h̷̨̛̜̪͓̩͚̟͕͒̃́͋̀̿͜i̸̲̯͍̼̒͊͐̽̅̈̃̈́̄̀ͅn̸̡͚̖͍̳̭̼͍̜̦̉̋͒͑̀̀̾͠k̷̩̲͗̈̋̉͆̔ ̶̨̯̘͍̓̔͑̒̾̂̀̾͝͝ȳ̴̨̛͚̺͙͚͖̪̯̠̖̋͋̓̋̐ö̴̡̤̯͖̰́͊͑̍͑ų̴̛͕̪̊̇͘͠͝'̸͖̣̑̋̿͛̍̅̂͗̌ͅd̵̞̘͍̗̗̳̅̄̆̍̈́͛̓͑̓͜ͅ ̶̨̛̲̪͋̓͊̉́͛̊̚g̸̡̪͇̣̥͔̹̥̿̏̐̈́̋̏͜ę̶̹̗̼͚̣̼͚̓̿̐̾͒̒͂̒̕ţ̶̱̺̫̱̗͖̤̏̎͐́̊̓̀̕͝ ̶̨̨̰̫̦̟̮̥̲͋̈̔̈́́͑͋́̊t̴̛̥͎͇̰͊͌͗̀̑̉̕͘͜͝o̸̻͉͎̎̅͆́͗̐̾ ̷͔͓͇̮̺̣͓̭̺̮̑̒̿̈́l̸̮̗̮̥̤̈́̇̀̃́̕ḛ̴̡͍͚͓̻̱́͑̐̋̈́̄͌͘͠ą̶͎̫͖̙̟̩͙̊͋͐͊̈́̑͑ͅv̴͓͖̰̘̣͓̎͋̾̔͛ȇ̷̦̑̓̅̽̋͐̃̕͝?̵̧̙͈͍̮̌͆͋͐

♡ Yeah, good luck with that, it'd be easier fighting a soulless with your arms torn off than to ever convince him.

♡ This time he'd be forced to confront you about it, about why you'd ever want to leave someone who's been so kind, so perfect to you.

♡ His desperation would start to slip through, the oh-so-promising lead he'd dangle in front of you feeling far more forced than before.

♡ You might even wonder why he hadn't told you before, if he'd made such a breakthrough.

♡ His perfect facade would start to crack and crumble at the floor beneath your feet, the floor he'd sink to his knees to as he embraced your legs.

♡ It'd be a sad, pathetic sight.

♡ A grown man sniffling and begging for you not to leave him, to leave us in pursuit of whatever trivial thing you're leaving to find.

♡ Don't you just feel so bad for him? how could you do this to someone who's given you so much, and asked for so very little in return?

♡ At least verbally.

♡ His face would be red as he crawled towards you with a needy, distressed look in his eyes, practically clawing against you like a dog.

♡ He'd also try to distract you with sex, try to show you how amazing being with him could feel if you just stay, practically humping against your leg as he looks up at you.

♡ 0̸̠͌̒́͌͛̈̍ per̵cȅ̷̺͍̠͎̇͝n̴͐̑t̸͆͘ chance he'd let you go.

Mhin; 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

Pre-Relationship:

♡ It was to be expected, they'd reason to themself.

♡ They're far from surprised, but far less judgmental than Vere; they've seen the horrors that go on in Eridia firsthand and not everybody has the guts to deal with it.

♡ Which they aren't afraid to say to your face, they never believed someone like you could take it.

♡ So mean.

♡ It's likely they won't even bother to say goodbye, or offer any sort of well-wishes for wherever you're heading next.

♡ 100 percent chance they'd let you go.

Post-Relationship:

♡ Poor things been burned by love so many times, they'd feel foolish for expecting this time to be any different.

♡ Their icy walls would shoot back up the moment you told them, enough that if you couldn't read them well at that point; you might assume they didn't care.

♡ But the clench of their jaw and the way they avoid eye-contact like it'll burn them is enough of a telltale sign.

♡ They don't even want to hear the reason why you're choosing to leave, their only thought is to just get out of there.

♡ The last thing they want is for you to see them vulnerable any more times than you already have, they've already been shoved away.

♡ And if their curse has anything to do with their emotional state, for your own safety it might be good to let them melt a bit more.

♡ When you do get the chance to talk to them, they'll ask why, what was the point of toying with them like this if only to leave?

♡ If it's the fault of someone else, you could already see their hand tightening around the delicate handle of their blade.

♡ But if it isn't, they'll growl you off, the anger in their eyes would be used to hide the wetness of tears.

♡ Better to pretend like you don't want something, than to admit you can't have it, little dove.

♡ 90 percent chance they'd let you go.

Kuras; 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡

Pre-Relationship:

♡ "I'd strongly advise against that."

♡ He's genuinely baffled on why you'd ever want to leave Eridia, especially after everything it took to get you here in the first place.

♡ He doesn't understand human emotions, leading him to think only logically about your situation; Eridia is your highest chance of finding a cure to your curse, why ever would you wish to give that up?

♡ But your choice is your choice, and he'll respect that despite his own reservations.

♡ He'll even go as far as to extend some help along with a goodbye, perhaps something to help you on whatever journey you're going on.

♡ On a more selfish note, he'd be disappointed at the loss of opportunity when it comes to studying you, as he said, it's rare to come across such a fascinating patient.

♡ 90 percent chance he'd let you go.

Post-Relationship:

♡ At first I think he'd simply not grasp what you were saying to him, not because he is dumb by any means-- but he just couldn't comprehend what you were saying.

♡ I mean, do you not have what you wish? he has chosen to return your affections and start a mortal relationship.

♡ At first, he'd suspect something else was at play, ever the analysis angel that he is.

♡ He'd gently grasp at your arms, his voice going soft and sad as he tried to softly coax the answer out of you, prying at you for every reason you'd want to leave.

♡ He might even lower to his knees, enough to make the concerned droop of his eyes almost unavoidable no matter where you look.

♡ He'd be relentless for answers, trying to find some kind of logic behind your reason, something he can solve to get you to stay.

♡ Due to his lack of empathy, he might even dismiss any problems you have that're causing you to leave, they might seem insignificant to him.

♡ He'd be crushed if you still left, even if he wouldn't force you.

♡ He'd find any sort of reason to blame himself, of course you wouldn't want to stay with a monster like him, irradeemable.

♡ But that wouldn't stop him from hovering around you every step of the way, begging and pleading for you to reconsider, offering you anything and everything you could want or need.

♡ But he wouldn't force you to stop, he'd never lay his disgusting, inhumane hands on your perfect flesh.

♡ 80 percent chance he'd let you go.

[eggroll-sama]

Leander and Ais Jr doodles!

[eggroll-sama]

This also makes sense why Mhin doesn’t hate the Senobium. Before they entered the shroud, the Senobium wasn’t corrupted and hadn’t locked the gates.

i will place money on this i swear to you

[eggroll-sama]

Jin the Abandoned Alchemist

I redesigned my Alchemist!MC again.

Pronouns: He/Him Birthday: September 13 Height: 5’7 / 171 cm Personality: Gentle, awkward nerd trying his best Likes: Books, libraries, gardening, tea, sewing, learning new things (especially of the magic variety), cuddles Dislikes: Hurting people, cruelty, spicy food, the cold, lies, public speaking, running Fatal flaw: Often lets his past and self-doubt consume him. Other: Carries around a small rabbit plush named Aster that he made when he was younger. He’ll eventually give her to his love interest as a good luck charm (enchanted with a small protection spell, too — yes, this boy would give a protective charm to an eldritch horror because he genuinely worries for their safety) if they’re close enough  Yes, this was 100% inspired by Hades Quote: “I don’t believe this was covered in my studies…Well, trial and error is a perfectly valid method of learning.”

More about him below:

His full name would be Yuán Jīnhàn (原金翰). His name was shortened to "Jin" after he was taken in by his magic mentor, Minerva.

Jin is kindhearted, gentle, inquisitive, curious and a bit naive from his sheltered upbringing. He’s always yearned for adventure, but never believed it was possible with his curse. Now, he finally gets his wish, though he had little choice in the matter.

Very socially awkward and easily flustered due to his lack of experience interacting with other people. And now, with his mentor’s betrayal, he’s a bit more reserved, unsure of who to trust.

Usually non-confrontational but quietly sassy. Most of his sarcastic comments are just either in his head or muttered under his breath, but Ais might bring that side out of him more — usually by provoking him.

Jin calls him “Ais-hole” in his head. He’s aware that it’s not a particularly witty or even good insult, but it makes him feel better when the latter annoys him.

Book smart and street dumb

Jin tends to see the best in people, even to his own detriment.

Has avoided touch like the plague. He’s always careful not to get too physically close to someone, and because of this, he’s usually very observant and aware of his space. Not that he doesn’t crave physical affection. He definitely burst into tears when touching Leander for the first time.

This poor boy is touchstarved (ha) but he’ll never ask for physical affection, for fear of either, at worst, hurting someone or at best, being a nuisance.

He also struggles with a lot of guilt for craving touch since he knows it’s dangerous to other people and it’s selfish to yearn for things that put other people in danger, right?

It's why "cuddles" is scribbled out of his Likes section. It's something he doesn't feel like he's allowed to want.

I'm not sure whether this is canon or not, but I wrote his curse as gradually growing, both in surface area and in power. When he was an infant, the curse was only in his fingertips and it didn't make anyone lose their minds. One touch would bring horrible, unmentionable thoughts but those thoughts would pass.

As he grew older, the curse spread from his fingers to his palms to his hands, up his forearms and his elbows. Its effects also grew in intensity. What was a horrible, but instantaneous thought became one minute of terror, then two, then an hour, and so on, and the nature of them grew worse. Currently, it dooms anyone it touches.

And the curse is spreading still. Jin views his curse as a ticking time bomb, so he is desperate to find a cure as soon as possible. He doesn't know what will happen when it consumes him entirely. He is terrified of becoming a monster.

He used to have dark brown eyes, but the curse made his eyes gold. His left sclera has taken on the dark grey and the gold veins of the curse. I imagine that when — if — he is cured, they'll turn back to their original brown.

Adores plants and plushes — soft things that he’s able to touch without hurting. He has a small stuffed rabbit named Aster that he made when he was younger, one of the first things he’s sewn. She has a hidden pocket to carry herbs or small potion bottles. He places lavender and chamomile in Aster when he has trouble sleeping.

He's a bit embarrassed about his love for plush toys. His old magic mentor found his fixation undignified. And really, he shouldn't be needing or craving such creature comforts, as if he was still a child.

He has his plants, though. That's something useful and conducive to his studies.

He talks to his plants sometimes when gardening. “You wouldn’t go mad on me, would you, matricaria chamomilla? … Although, since I’m currently talking to a plant, you’re probably not the one I have to worry about going mad.”

Before coming to Eridia, he used to grow and make his own tea blends. If he wasn’t an alchemist, he wouldn’t mind opening a tea shop.

His spellbook was given to him by his old mentor. It acts as a notebook for magic studies and research, but he also uses it as a diary, somewhere to doodle and write down his thoughts.

He has some trauma surrounding magic, considering that it was a big part of his relationship with his mentor, but he genuinely loves learning and mastering it. He’s always believed himself to be a burden, but magic is something that he can use to actually help others instead of harm them. Despite everything that’s happened, he can’t help believing he owes that gift to his old mentor.

The Senobium always sounded like a dream to him, so hearing that there is darkness beneath the promises of knowledge and wisdom and history is extremely disappointing, to say the least. He’d had hopes of eventually becoming a student.

Aside from matters of his curse, he tries to be as honest and sincere as he can be. Eridia is a city that runs on information, but he chooses to freely give what information he can. He doesn’t believe in withholding answers that could help someone in need. And that is part of how he loses faith in the Senobium after discovering that they’ve closed their gates. All the knowledge of the world, locked away as people suffer, and for what?

This is also probably influenced by his mentor’s betrayal, having been lied to his entire life inclines him to prefer the truth, whatever the cost.

Sometimes, he regrets running away. Was he too hasty? Was he selfish? He was hurt when he learned her true plans for him, but maybe he owed it to her. A small thing to repay the mage who had taken him in. If all he brought was pain and terror, what was a bit of suffering on his part for answers?

And then, he also honestly misses her. He can't say the mage was a bad person, she gave him a home. She practically raised him. She taught him magic. And she made him feel not alone. She cared for him, and he doesn’t believe it was an act — at least, not all of it.

His zodiac sign is Virgo

MBTI is INFJ

Enneagram is 9w1

Here is his full new design:

I'm quite happy with it! I think the new silhouette and added magical alchemy tools suit him well. I also gave him a cloak closer to the description in the demo.

Songs I associate with him:

"Wanderer's Lullaby" by Adriana Figueroa I imagine his Minerva used to sing this to him when he was a child.

"The Moon Will Sing" by The Crane Wives Mourning the relationship he lost from his mentor's betrayal. As broken as it was, they were both less alone.

"How to Be Invisible" by Kate Bush Jin's character theme. I like how the song's arranged like following a recipe, it's fitting for the alchemist part of his character.

"Ruin" by The Amazing Devil Jin's love theme.

"Light of Nibel" by Gareth Coker ft. Aeralie Brighton Jin's battle theme.

"Show Yourself" by Idina Menzel and Evan Rachel Wood Could be another character theme, though I think learning the secret of his curse won't be as hopeful and uplifting.

[eggroll-sama]

(I’m so late with this but better late than never)

Ok so am I the only one that feels scared when looking into Kuras’ eyes? Like holy crap one look into his eyes you KNOW he is otherworldly ok. Like damn it’s so gorgeous and ethereal and you can get lost in them but you don’t want him angry in the dark cuz you’ll see his glowing golden eyes staring directly at me from a mile away and I’ll just be frozen in place. I’ll crap my pants right then and there.

If I can describe Leander it’s definitely delusional. Dangerously calm. No matter what you say you can’t convince him that he isn’t right. And the fact that he’s looking down on us. God. That’s all I can say.

Mhin? Their eyes just look lifeless. Those eyes have seen some things, some very traumatic things. Mhin has that 100 yard stare and you get a feeling that they’re out of it sometimes and thinking about the past. They don’t want to trust you. I also get the cold and hostile vibe. Proceed with caution type of eyes.

Elyon’s eyes also look calculating and serious, and very observant. Very much a businessman. He would know exactly what to do or say to make you both come to a desirable consensus. You know that you can’t bullshit this guy so don’t even try. Flirty.

Sen eyes just gives me she’ll roast you so hard when you’re acting incompetent but she also has a nice side. Kind of like an older sister vibe from her. Very sharp. Very critical.

Ok so for Ais, it’s honestly the most casual one. It’s approachable, like you could open up to him about anything and he would listen and not judge you for it. He has very honest eyes. Like it’s a little scary to look into at first but compared to everyone else’s it’s the least intense. But it is guarded, like he’s thinking about your intentions or smthg.

Vere’s eyes is the most alluring. There is an intensity and playfulness to it, and they’re hiding their true feelings. Sharp and critical in a whimsical, fickle way. You feel like his little play thing when the gaze is on you.

What do you think each character’s eye design says about them? 👁️

[eggroll-sama]

Finally got to this! Thanks @lu-dao-writes and @starlit-eudemonia!

1. Derpy creatures (Blob Fish)

2. Old Animation with Classic Music (Fantasia, Bambi, Kisses)

3. Musicals (Hunchback, Les Miserables, Phantom…)

4. Compelling Characters and Character Analysis

5. Traveling to another country!

Tag: Anyone Interested in Joining!!

list five things that make you happy, then send this to the last 10 people who liked/reblogged your stuff (no pressure)

ooh, alright!

1: Music (I need it to live <3)

2: Arcane (mainly Viktor, my beloved)

3: Writing

4: Watching those sensory videos, stuff with slime or hydraulic presses smushing stuff

5: My friends (obligatory cheesy answer)

and now to tag:

@yournamemakesmytonguetired @quathxr @nastyasmermaid @saratonin14 (i see you EVERYWHERE, hello) @samstudios @unscheduledrandomness @whoops-all-neurodivergency @thy-dragon @sunflowerrboyy @theworstcreature

(edit: i just realize this ask said *send* and not *tag* but it's too late to change it now lol sorry)

[eggroll-sama]

Meet Curley, the Wet Wick’s part-time bartender!

[eggroll-sama]

𝐴 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑡𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑘𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑠 𝑥 𝑔𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟)

The longest one till now, but is worth of reading I swear ���

I think kuras has probably found reincarnations of his past lovers, fell for them, and lose them again, countless times

I don't think there's warnings for this one, just a little angst.

Summery: someone "stole" your key and you couldn’t find leander. You asked kuras to stay in his home tonight.

Words count: 11.7k

It was late at night when you found yourself once again in Kuras’s home. Technically, you were here because someone had “stolen” your key and Leander was nowhere to be found, but that wasn’t entirely true. You could have looked a little harder, asked around more insistently—but you didn’t.

The truth was, you wanted to be here.

Your relationship with Kuras was... complicated. He was gentle, endlessly kind, the only one who never recoiled at the sight of your cursed hands. He had never once regarded them as a flaw, never suggested you hide them—at least, not from him. You knew he cared, Mhin’s occasional complaints about how much Kuras spoke of you made that clear. And yet, every time you thought he might finally stop restraining himself, that he might let himself close the distance between you, he would simply pat your head, smile in that unreadable way of his, and change the subject.

As soon as you stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and old paper enveloped you. His home was an extension of him—warm yet enigmatic, inviting yet distant. The furniture bore the marks of centuries, each piece carefully maintained. There were intricate carvings on the dark mahogany tables, their edges lined with delicate gold filigree. High-backed chairs with worn but luxurious velvet cushions sat near the grand bookshelves that reached the ceiling. Deep browns, aged whites, and ink-black tones dominated the space, with only sparse accents of silver catching the dim candlelight. It felt timeless, almost like stepping into a preserved memory rather than a home.

“This place is really nice, Kuras. Thank you for letting me stay here tonight… I hope I’m not intruding.”

Your voice was soft, and it made him smile.

He inclined his head slightly, that ever-present warmth in his golden eyes. “I am pleased that you find it to your liking. And do not worry—your presence could never be an intrusion. There is a guest room at the end of the hall. Should you require anything, I will be attending to my paperwork.”

“Paperwork? You still work even when you're not at the clinic?”

Kuras exhaled a quiet sigh, turning to face you fully. His long brown hair slipped over his shoulder like silk.

“The duty of a physician does not end when he steps away from his patients.” He smiled, the expression almost teasing—almost. “A doctor’s work is never truly finished.”

You flinched slightly. You had wanted to spend time with him, but instead of saying so, you simply nodded.

“Is there something else on your mind?”

You almost felt like he could see through you, as if his gaze alone could unravel the things you left unsaid. It was embarrassing. You shook your head, brushing it off, and moved to sit in the living room as he disappeared down the hall.

But patience had never been your strong suit.

After a few minutes, you stood from the couch, curiosity getting the better of you. You wandered through the house, taking in every detail. You paused outside his study, peeking through the slightly open door. Kuras sat at his desk, his back to you, a candle flickering beside the stacks of parchment. His posture was relaxed, but his hand never stopped moving, pen gliding over paper with practiced ease.

You wondered if he ever allowed himself to rest.

You moved on, passing through various rooms until you reached the last one in the hallway—a library.

The sheer number of books was almost overwhelming. The shelves stretched high, their spines worn from use. Paintings and old photographs lined the walls, remnants of people and places long past. As you stepped further inside, your gaze fell on a small, unassuming cage on the floor. Its lock was undone, the door slightly ajar.

You knelt, brushing your fingers against the cool metal before murmuring, “Just a little peek… it won’t hurt, right?”

Inside were books. Not the ancient tomes you expected, but something else. You reached for one that looked less worn than the others and flipped it open.

Names.

Pages upon pages filled with names, each written in a different hand. Some had notes scribbled in the margins—words meant for Kuras, messages from people long gone. Others bore ink stains, as if written in haste or emotion. Your fingers traced over them, your breath catching in your throat.You knew Kuras was old. But this—this was something else.

He kept them. Every name, every life he had touched, every person he had lost.

Perhaps this was why he never let things between you deepen—why he always held himself back.

Too many records. Too many names. Too many sins to bear.

You shut the book carefully, exhaling as you stood. The moment you did, you heard footsteps in the hall.

Kuras.

You steeled yourself, forcing the sadness from your expression as you stepped out to meet him.

“Finished with your paperwork?” you asked.

He studied you for a moment before responding. “I simply wished to check on you… and to inform you that I bought some cookies yesterday. If you haven't eaten yet, you are welcome to”

You hesitated.

You seem troubled. Did something happen?”

You shook your head quickly. “No, nothing to worry about. I was just looking around… I hope that doesn’t bother you. And, um—about the cookies—you bought them, right? You didn’t… cook them yourself?”

His lips quirked up in amusement.

“Your lack of faith in my culinary skills wounds me.”

He stepped closer, placing a hand on your shoulder. His touch was gentle, grounding. You looked up, meeting his gaze.

“You know you may speak your mind, sweetheart.” His hand moved to your cheek, his thumb brushing against your skin. Your breath hitched—this was closer, closer than usual. For a moment, you thought—And then, just like always, he pulled away, ruffling your hair instead.

“I noticed the guest room needs cleaning,” he said, shifting the subject effortlessly. “Would you prefer to stay there? I have no qualms with dusting it.”

You hesitated before shaking your head. Maybe—just maybe—you could use this as an excuse to be closer to him tonight.

You followed him back to his room, as he settled onto the couch with you, his hand searching yours. The silence between you both stretched on, heavy but laden with meanings neither of you dared to name. Kuras still held your hand, his thumb tracing slow circles against your skin, as if that simple motion could dispel the sadness creeping into the moment.

His golden eyes searched yours, studying every flicker of emotion reflected in them. Then, with a slight tilt of his head and the faintest of smiles, he broke the quiet with an unexpected question:

"Would you dance with me?

You were caught off guard, but at the same time, it made perfect sense. Kuras had always been like this—when sorrow threatened to take hold, he found a way to soften it, to reshape it into something gentler. This time, his remedy was a dance.

You didn’t need to answer with words. He already had his hand extended, inviting you closer. You placed yours over his, feeling the familiar warmth of his skin. You both moved to the balcony.

At first, his movements were slow, almost practiced, as if a single misstep could shatter the fragile atmosphere surrounding you both. His fingers slid carefully down to rest at the curve of your waist, while your other hand found its place on his shoulder.

The rhythm was set by the muffled sounds of the city below the balcony—the distant murmur of conversations, a hazy tune drifting from some nearby tavern, the echo of laughter and footsteps against the cobblestones.

As the minutes passed, the stiffness of your initial movements faded. The closeness between you felt natural, as if you had always fit together this way. His arms wrapped around you more confidently, his chin grazing your temple in a fleeting gesture.

“Tell me…—Kuras murmured, his voice barely a whisper against your ear—, have you read the book?”

You blinked, caught off guard by the question.

“The book…?

“The one you found.”

Your heart skipped a beat. So, he knew.

You didn’t try to deny it. You lowered your gaze, the weight of that little journal still fresh in your mind. The endless list of names, the scribbled notes written in a handwriting that, despite the passage of centuries, held an almost painful tenderness.

“Yes” you admitted quietly.

Kuras didn’t seem surprised. Instead, he let out a sigh, one that carried centuries of memories.

“It’s my way of remembering them —he confessed, guiding your steps into a slow turn—. Everyone who’s ever mattered to me, everyone I’ve loved, everyone who’s left their mark on my life… Their names are there so I never forget them.”

There was something devastating in the serenity with which he spoke. You knew Kuras had lived for eons, had watched entire generations be born and fade away. But reading those names and hearing him now… it made it real.

“You must have loved a lot...” —you murmured, unsure of what else to say.

“I have—he admitted—. Even now, the past is beautiful, in a way. Even if time takes the ones we love from us, memory lets us hold onto them just a little longer.”

A lump formed in your throat. Kuras didn’t cry, but there was something in his gaze, in the way he held you so gently, that told you just how much it hurt to remember and how, at the same time, he refused to forget.

Without thinking, you leaned closer, seeking to share even a fraction of his burden. He allowed it, his lips barely brushing your forehead in a kiss that felt almost reverent.

But you wanted more. You wanted to strip away the distance he kept placing between you.

“I don’t want to be just another name in your list, Kuras”—you said, not pulling away.

His breath ghosted over your skin, warm and restrained. His grip on your waist tightened just slightly, and for the first time that night, his mask cracked enough for you to see the conflict warring inside him.

“You already mean far more than that.”

His confession was a whisper, but in the stillness of the night, it resounded like a shout.

And then, finally, he kissed you.

There was no urgency in his movements, only the infinite patience of someone who had waited far too long. His lips were soft, but the way he held you spoke of a fear he wouldn’t name—the fear of losing you.

The world outside the balcony disappeared. The distant music, the night breeze, the city lights… all of it faded into the warmth of his mouth on yours, the way his body leaned into you, enclosing you in his embrace.

When he pulled away, it was only enough for you both to catch your breath. His eyes met yours, searching for something he perhaps feared to find.

“Come” he whispered, leading you back to his room.

His steps were slow, deliberate. There was no rush, only the certainty that, at least for this night, there would be no more distance between you.

He shed his white coat in a fluid motion, letting it fall onto the couch before guiding you to the bed.

His hair spilled over the pillow, framing his face in strands of ebony and umber. He held you close, the same way a weary traveler clings to shelter in the heart of a storm.

His lips found the curve of your shoulder, the line of your neck, leaving behind silent promises he’d never dare say aloud.

“I love you” —you whispered, knowing those words were both a comfort and a curse.

Kuras didn’t answer right away. He simply held you tighter, his hand slowly trailing down your back, memorizing every inch of you as if trying to etch you into his soul for eternity.

When he finally spoke, it was with the same reverence he had used for every name in that book.

“I love you too, my dear...”

The weight of those words hung in the air, an unspoken echo blending with the dim candlelight and the distant hum of the city.

Even if one day you will pass over, you know this moment will last forever on his memories.

[eggroll-sama]

What song titles would you find on Ais's new album?

(Cowboy hat Ais courtesy of @lord-shitbox)

[eggroll-sama]

i need a universe where Sage, Julian, and Leander run a bar

[eggroll-sama]

i saw that thing u reposted that sai “you need to have 4 hobbies” and read it as “you have 4 boobies” i think it’s bedtime

Get your beauty sleep, anon 👍 🌙

[eggroll-sama]

Body Swap AU: Kuras and Vere!

Close-ups under the cut:

[eggroll-sama]

Elyon starts selling his own cologne brand. Call that shit Elyon Musk

[eggroll-sama]

Is this anything? Does this make sense???

[eggroll-sama]

[eggroll-sama]

... i am scared for mhin and a possible thing that could go wrong.

So basically. Mhin love feeding the stray cats, and they love them all very much (cat lady mhin), but one day, they turn into a monster. Seeking blood....And their monster form eats some of the cats.... and after all that.. they turn human again and wonder where these cats went. So only mc knows what happened... so we get to choose the tell them or not to tell them..

[eggroll-sama]

““When I was about 20 years old, I met an old pastor’s wife who told me that when she was young and had her first child, she didn’t believe in striking children, although spanking kids with a switch pulled from a tree was standard punishment at the time. But one day, when her son was four or five, he did something that she felt warranted a spanking–the first in his life. She told him that he would have to go outside himself and find a switch for her to hit him with. The boy was gone a long time. And when he came back in, he was crying. He said to her, “Mama, I couldn’t find a switch, but here’s a rock that you can throw at me.” All of a sudden the mother understood how the situation felt from the child’s point of view: that if my mother wants to hurt me, then it makes no difference what she does it with; she might as well do it with a stone. And the mother took the boy into her lap and they both cried. Then she laid the rock on a shelf in the kitchen to remind herself forever: never violence. And that is something I think everyone should keep in mind. Because if violence begins in the nursery one can raise children into violence.””

— Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking, 1978 Peace Prize Acceptance Speech (via jillymomcraftypants)