engurishu

[engurishu]

killing innocence

[engurishu]

killing innocence

[engurishu]

killing innocence

[engurishu]

killing innocence

[engurishu]

killing innocence

[engurishu]

Could I request platonic Silver with half-fae reader who also went through the whole eternal slumber process and awakened by true love but reader just doesn't sleep. Nobody has seen them sleep, not once. Sibling dynamic kinda

(this may be a lil specific cuz it's for oc purposes lol)

SILVER AND READER

Where you wake up with him from the eternal slumber found by Lilia, and you become siblings

What would your brotherhood relationship be like if, in addition, you had the peculiarity that, unlike him, you are incapable of sleeping?

FOR OC PURPOSES 😭, to keep feeding this OC I decided to make it a little darker at the end, you can ignore it or keep it in mind! Also I would love to do a second part dealing with this ending, if you ask me, or leave it to your imagination. I'm not very convinced about some things, and I could redo it, but I hope you like it <3

Silver didn’t remember waking up. Not really. He remembered you.

You were there the moment his eyes opened, when the eternal slumber lifted its fog from his mind. Lilia stared at you in astonishment. Silver was just a baby, unlike you, who were considered a toddler when you fell under the spell. He thought it was a dream at first, your hand in his, your eyes tired, the smell of the forest in your clothes.

A lullaby left your lips off-key, fond.

And no one had ever seen you sleep.

Not Lilia, who tucked you in as a child along Silver. Not Sebek or Malleus with whom you had shared most of your childhood since you woke up. Not even Silver.

At first, Silver thought it was a coincidence. You were up before him, smiling with your usual sleepy gaze.

Later, already as a child, he noticed you still sat by the window at midnight, legs curled you as you stared at the stars.

He’d fall asleep and wake to find you still there, unmoved.And so it went on for years.

"You don’t sleep?" he asked one day, wary of startling the truth. You hesitated, biting your lip.

“I… don’t. Can’t. Not anymore.”

Silver tilted his head, that familiar calm in his eyes.

"I used to, back then. But when I woke up, I guess something stayed broken. True love fixed me, it's supposed. Maybe it did. But dreams won’t come back to me."

“So your nights are all waking ones.”

"And your days are all dreams."

He let out a breath through his nose. “Then we’re opposites.”

You were awake when he couldn’t be. You watched over him.

Since you could never sleep, you’d sit with Lilia all night, sipping flower tea and listening to the old bat ramble about days of yore. Other times, since your father needed to rest too, you’d rest your cheek against the cool windowpane and hum a wordless tun looking at the starts all night.

You were already teens, in Briar Valley. He collapsed again during sword training.

It wasn’t dramatic, just a soft sway, then Silver crumpled into the grass like a marionette with its strings snipped. Just a boy sinking into the earth, kissed again by sleep.

The young Sebek started forward, startled.

You were already kneeling by his side.

"Don’t touch him," you murmured gently. "He’ll wake when he’s ready."

You brushed a leaf from his hair, with calm. Your hand found his, and he squeezed back even while unconscious. A muscle memory.

Reassurance.

You stayed there, kneeling beside him, even as the sun shifted and the sky paled.

“I’ll keep watch. Go to rest, Sebek. You've done well today”.

It had become a ritual, almost. He would fall asleep without warning. You would stay awake at his side without fail. You’d never leave him vulnerable. Not when he could do nothing to protect himself.

He’d thank you afterward, of course. Softly.

“That’s what siblings do, right?”

You didn’t sleep, but you weren’t restless, exactly. Just aware. Always aware.

When Silver wandered in at dawn, still yawning from a nap he hadn’t meant to take, he found you in the exact same position as before.

“Did you stay there all night? Father had no experiences and those secrets that he only shares with you about his past, to tell you tonight?”

You nodded. You noticed the slight sleepy sarcasm in his voice, it wasn't aggressive. Lilia was busy that night, so you just stayed in the same position.

“You don’t get bored?”

“No. The world is quietest at this hour. I like the quiet.”

Silver joined you on the windowsill, back to the frame, head tilting to rest against yours. He did this often, leaned on you like a pillow. You let him.

“I dreamed of the sea again.”

“What was it like?”

“Big. Still. And I was standing in it, but not wet. You were on the shore. You had wings.”

You huffed a quiet laugh. “I haven’t had wings since I was a baby.”

“I know. But dreams don’t care about that.”

“I wish I could see them. Your dreams.”

“I’ll keep dreaming them,” he said. “If that’s what you need. I'll dream for the both of us”

“Then I’ll keep the watch, while you do, so you can refresh me with that world of fairytail dreams fragments later.”

One night, already in Diasomnia, Silver had a vision. Not a dream. A vision. You found him wandering the halls, dazed, half-lost.

“Silver?”

He didn’t respond. His lips twitched, trembling.

You caught him by the shoulders and held him steady.

“Hey—hey. You’re not dreaming anymore.”

“I saw you. But you weren’t awake. You were asleep.”

The breath in your chest caught.

“I kept trying to wake you. But you wouldn’t open your eyes.”

“That would be a nightmare, wouldn’t it?”

He didn’t answer right away. It wasn't a dream, it looked more like a premonition.

A memory of the future.

“No. It wasn't a dream. Just something I’ve never known. And I think I hated it.”

You'd been feeling extremely tired the last few days. Not sleepy, but tired.

For the first time, your hands shook with fear when you realized you'd closed your eyes for 20 seconds straight, feeling more at peace.

As if you were drowsy.

You held his face between your palms and met his gaze until he blinked fully back into the present.

“I’m not going anywhere. Sleep never comes for me. Not anymore.”

“That’s the problem, isn’t it?”

“Then keep dreaming me awake, and I’ll keep watching while you sleep, that's what we promised, isn't it?.”

Not rest. Not sleep.

Just understanding. And that was enough.

For now.

Until the day all the sleep you've been missing all these years claims you, embracing you in unconsciousness forever again.

Because you'll be there to protect Silver, but no one will be able to protect you when Morpheus takes pity on your curse and decides to put you to eternal sleep again,this time, forever.

When Silver's vision is fulfilled.

But that wouldn't happen until a few months later.

So it was enough, for now.

[engurishu]

Excuse me… SIR?! Pt3

✦part1 part2

✦characters: first years

✦gn!reader

✦the boys suddenly cracked a naughty, suggestive joke

✦you guys really loved the “You are NAUGHTY!!” Series so what if we switch it up and the boys gonna surprise you this time!?👀

Ace Trappola

You were sitting together on the couch in ramshackle, and you reached for the popcorn in his lap. His voice was calm, smug even:

“Careful where you reach, babe. Unless you’re trying to grab something other than popcorn.”

You freeze. Arm extended. Soul leaving your body.

“Ace! WTF?!”

He grins wide, clearly loving the way your face goes up in flames.

“What? Can’t a guy have a little fun? You're the one digging around down there~”

You throw a cushion at him. He cackles and dodges.

“You are unbelievable!”

“Aw, come on, It was a joke! You’re cute when you’re all shy like that. I should say stuff like this more often.”

Help. He will say worse next time!!

Deuce Spade

You were patching up a small scrape on his arm, being all sweet and gentle, when he accidentally dropped this line:

“I think I’m developing a condition. Every time you touch me, my heart does… weird things. Like—like I’m overheating. Down there.”

You paused. He paused.

“W-WAIT! NOT—NOT LIKE THAT—!! I MEANT—MY STOMACH—NO—MY LEGS—WAIT—!!”

You stared in shock. He was melting. Blue hair fluffing up in panic.

“I-I’m not trying to be weird I SWEAR!!”

You burst into laughter, and he just buried his face in his hands.

“Please forget I said that. Or kill me. Either works.”

Jack Howl

You were play-wrestling with him, something you always did, until this time he pinned you down and said, dead serious:

“You keep letting me win like that and I’m gonna start thinking you like being underneath me.”

BOOM.

Silence. You stared at him, wide-eyed. He blinked.

“...What?”

You just kept staring.

“Wait. Did that sound… oh. Oh.”

He stood up immediately, face red, ears flattened in embarrassment.

“That came out wrong. I meant in a battle sense—! I wasn’t—!!”

You started laughing.

He groaned and covered his face.

“Stop laughing—! I didn’t mean it like that!!”

Now you’re both flustered idiots.

Epel Felmier

You were helping him fix his uniform collar after he’d come back from spelldrive training, all windblown and flushed. He grumbled, face pink but still trying to act cool.

“You’re fussin’ over me like we are married…”

You laughed. “Well, someone’s gotta take care of you.”

Then he smirked. That dangerous, Epel-is-up-to-something smirk.

“If I say I want a reward for lettin’ you baby me… would you sit in my lap or would you ride it?”

You choked.

“EPEL! WHAT THE HELL?!”

He grinned, clearly proud of himself.

“Heh~ I knew I’d get that look outta you. Who’s blushin’ now, huh?”

You tried to scold him, but he was too proud of himself.

Sebek Zigvolt

You were helping him clean his sword when you jokingly called him your “knight in shining armor.” He turned dead serious, chest puffed with pride, and declared:

“If I were truly your knight, then I would ravish you like in the human romance stories!! Wait—NO—I MEANT—!!”

You choked.

“RAVISH?!!”

Sebek turned red all the way to his neck. He started waving his arms like a malfunctioning NPC.

“I meant protect!! Protect!! CURSE THESE HUMAN WORDS!!”

Lilia was laughing so hard in the background you could hear it through the walls. You were wheezing. Sebek was panicking.

“DISREGARD THAT STATEMENT! I AM STILL A CHASTE AND LOYAL KNIGHT!!”

He will never live it down. You’ll quote it back to him every time he tries to scold you.

..............................................................................................................................

[engurishu]

Excuse me… SIR?! Pt3

✦part1 part2

✦characters: first years

✦gn!reader

✦the boys suddenly cracked a naughty, suggestive joke

✦you guys really loved the “You are NAUGHTY!!” Series so what if we switch it up and the boys gonna surprise you this time!?👀

Ace Trappola

You were sitting together on the couch in ramshackle, and you reached for the popcorn in his lap. His voice was calm, smug even:

“Careful where you reach, babe. Unless you’re trying to grab something other than popcorn.”

You freeze. Arm extended. Soul leaving your body.

“Ace! WTF?!”

He grins wide, clearly loving the way your face goes up in flames.

“What? Can’t a guy have a little fun? You're the one digging around down there~”

You throw a cushion at him. He cackles and dodges.

“You are unbelievable!”

“Aw, come on, It was a joke! You’re cute when you’re all shy like that. I should say stuff like this more often.”

Help. He will say worse next time!!

Deuce Spade

You were patching up a small scrape on his arm, being all sweet and gentle, when he accidentally dropped this line:

“I think I’m developing a condition. Every time you touch me, my heart does… weird things. Like—like I’m overheating. Down there.”

You paused. He paused.

“W-WAIT! NOT—NOT LIKE THAT—!! I MEANT—MY STOMACH—NO—MY LEGS—WAIT—!!”

You stared in shock. He was melting. Blue hair fluffing up in panic.

“I-I’m not trying to be weird I SWEAR!!”

You burst into laughter, and he just buried his face in his hands.

“Please forget I said that. Or kill me. Either works.”

Jack Howl

You were play-wrestling with him, something you always did, until this time he pinned you down and said, dead serious:

“You keep letting me win like that and I’m gonna start thinking you like being underneath me.”

BOOM.

Silence. You stared at him, wide-eyed. He blinked.

“...What?”

You just kept staring.

“Wait. Did that sound… oh. Oh.”

He stood up immediately, face red, ears flattened in embarrassment.

“That came out wrong. I meant in a battle sense—! I wasn’t—!!”

You started laughing.

He groaned and covered his face.

“Stop laughing—! I didn’t mean it like that!!”

Now you’re both flustered idiots.

Epel Felmier

You were helping him fix his uniform collar after he’d come back from spelldrive training, all windblown and flushed. He grumbled, face pink but still trying to act cool.

“You’re fussin’ over me like we are married…”

You laughed. “Well, someone’s gotta take care of you.”

Then he smirked. That dangerous, Epel-is-up-to-something smirk.

“If I say I want a reward for lettin’ you baby me… would you sit in my lap or would you ride it?”

You choked.

“EPEL! WHAT THE HELL?!”

He grinned, clearly proud of himself.

“Heh~ I knew I’d get that look outta you. Who’s blushin’ now, huh?”

You tried to scold him, but he was too proud of himself.

Sebek Zigvolt

You were helping him clean his sword when you jokingly called him your “knight in shining armor.” He turned dead serious, chest puffed with pride, and declared:

“If I were truly your knight, then I would ravish you like in the human romance stories!! Wait—NO—I MEANT—!!”

You choked.

“RAVISH?!!”

Sebek turned red all the way to his neck. He started waving his arms like a malfunctioning NPC.

“I meant protect!! Protect!! CURSE THESE HUMAN WORDS!!”

Lilia was laughing so hard in the background you could hear it through the walls. You were wheezing. Sebek was panicking.

“DISREGARD THAT STATEMENT! I AM STILL A CHASTE AND LOYAL KNIGHT!!”

He will never live it down. You’ll quote it back to him every time he tries to scold you.

..............................................................................................................................

[engurishu]

Thinking about being childhood friends with Epel Felmier!

Who, with being the only kid in Harveston that was of a similar age to you, of course would end up becoming the best of friends with you!

Who looked so dainty and sweet from afar… and was immediately declared to be the more rambunctious one out of the two of you - playing in the fields, staying up late, being way too competitive in everything the two of you did, whether it be suddenly announcing eating competitions or races… What more could you want in a best friend? <33

Who always clung to you like glue, even during the particularly harsher cold days of traveling to the somewhat nearby town for middle school - sometimes insisting you sit on his bicycle as he cycled the two of you to school, saying that he could handle it, and to hold onto his waist tight.

Who immediately came to your defence when some guys in middle school began picking on you, somehow ending up fighting people twice his size.

Who seemed legitimately so upset when you dragged him away to patch him up in the nurse’s office, face blotchy red from exertion, huffing and puffing about “Bein’ able to go for longer,” as you once again had to treat his wounds.

Who’s face turned red for another reason when you yanked his fists, knuckles battered and bruised from his earlier fight, demanding him to stop putting himself into dangerous situations, being so embarrassed over your genuine concern for his well-being that he couldn’t quite meet your eyes.

Who celebrated his admission to Night Raven with you bittersweetly, knowing he had to leave Harveston - leave you - behind, refusing to admit to the tears welling up in his eyes. (“I’m not crying, dagnabbit!”)

Who still sends letters and pictures to you on a weekly basis, and receives them in return - fingertips tracing your inked words idly whenever Vil’s been extra irritating lately, or smiling dopily at whatever pictures you sent him, whether it be a photo of a newly planted apple tree, or a pie you recently baked. :)

Childhood friend Epel! Who can’t wait for winter break to roll around any quicker, and to be greeted by the warm sight of you, his Meemaw, and the crisp, clean air of Harveston - what more could a guy want? :)

[engurishu]

Thinking about being childhood friends with Epel Felmier!

Who, with being the only kid in Harveston that was of a similar age to you, of course would end up becoming the best of friends with you!

Who looked so dainty and sweet from afar… and was immediately declared to be the more rambunctious one out of the two of you - playing in the fields, staying up late, being way too competitive in everything the two of you did, whether it be suddenly announcing eating competitions or races… What more could you want in a best friend? <33

Who always clung to you like glue, even during the particularly harsher cold days of traveling to the somewhat nearby town for middle school - sometimes insisting you sit on his bicycle as he cycled the two of you to school, saying that he could handle it, and to hold onto his waist tight.

Who immediately came to your defence when some guys in middle school began picking on you, somehow ending up fighting people twice his size.

Who seemed legitimately so upset when you dragged him away to patch him up in the nurse’s office, face blotchy red from exertion, huffing and puffing about “Bein’ able to go for longer,” as you once again had to treat his wounds.

Who’s face turned red for another reason when you yanked his fists, knuckles battered and bruised from his earlier fight, demanding him to stop putting himself into dangerous situations, being so embarrassed over your genuine concern for his well-being that he couldn’t quite meet your eyes.

Who celebrated his admission to Night Raven with you bittersweetly, knowing he had to leave Harveston - leave you - behind, refusing to admit to the tears welling up in his eyes. (“I’m not crying, dagnabbit!”)

Who still sends letters and pictures to you on a weekly basis, and receives them in return - fingertips tracing your inked words idly whenever Vil’s been extra irritating lately, or smiling dopily at whatever pictures you sent him, whether it be a photo of a newly planted apple tree, or a pie you recently baked. :)

Childhood friend Epel! Who can’t wait for winter break to roll around any quicker, and to be greeted by the warm sight of you, his Meemaw, and the crisp, clean air of Harveston - what more could a guy want? :)

[engurishu]

Thinking about Persistent! Reader and smitten Princess! Silver…

Who had lived his entire life up until now locked in a tower, miserably alone at most times, except for when Fa- Lilia would visit sometimes at night - oh, and the massive black dragon guarding his tower, of course. :)

Who had simply been lounging on his bed, talking with the blue birds that had been chirping to him on his windowsill, when he was alerted by a loud yell.

Who looked down to see… another knight, declaring that he would ‘Save you, my lady!’ before almost immediately being blasted by the bright green flames of the dragon guarding his tower. Ouch.

Who had mastered many skills by now, in an attempt to sate his seemingly never-ending boredom, such as sewing, seven instruments, singing and even learnt how to speak to the many woodland creatures that frequented his tower so often.

Who was looking out the window, with the wind blowing his hair out of his pretty face, when he saw…a person? (“You’d think they’d learn to stop coming by now, huh?” He had mused.)

Who looked down and instead of fighting or throwing declarations at him, the person pulled out a game board and sat on the slightly scorched grass - the result of a previous knight.

Who immediately recognised that game board as Longs and Ladders, something he had received from that fae general, and rushed to go grab his.

Who played perhaps the strangest round of Longs and Ladders he had ever in his life, shouting the square where he put his piece, before waiting for you to shout yours out as well - but hey, this was the second person he’d ever played Longs and Ladders with, so maybe he was the weird one.

Who thought that this was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter after you had gone at sundown, that he ought to savour the memory, since you’d likely never come back.

Who was oh so surprised when you came back the next day, then the next, then the next, all with different games - some of which he hadn’t even heard of - to play. Thank the Sevens that you were such a good sport, making hand drawn copies of all the games he didn’t have, very politely asking the birds to bring them up to him. :)

Who hung up all the copies of the games on his once bare walls, gentle fingertips lovingly tracing the lines you’d drawn, with just a look of the wall sending a giggly smile to his face.

Who eagerly awaits your daily visits, to a point where it begins surprising him. Chattering away with the squirrels about when you would possibly arrive and what new games you would bring, humming sweet songs as he did his usual mindless tasks all in good view of his window, because what if he didn’t see you? In fact, happily blabbering about you to Lilia so much that the old bat insisted on meeting you soon, the one who had charmed his dear son's heart.

Smitten, lovesick, Princess Silver, who sits patiently in his too tall tower, waiting for the day his board game holding love would climb up and rescue him for a life that only had this little of you - you’d gladly sweep him off his feet, right? ;)

[engurishu]

Thinking about lovesick, horrendously down-bad, in denial Ace Trappola!

Who always has his hands on you… whether it be resting on your hip in a totally platonic manner, his arm swung over your shoulders, his sides pressed to yours a little too tightly or those quiet moments where his hand brushes against yours for a touch a bit too long.

Who always laughs at you whenever you complain about being cold, but is always willing to bend over backwards to lend you his jacket, no matter how much he complains, going to the point of bringing a jacket with him whenever you go out, elbowing anyone else if they offer their coat to you.

Who just can’t seem to stop bothering you, even in class! Throwing paper airplanes and scrunched up balls of paper that you’re fairly sure is homework your way, until Trein eventually sends the both of you out, to ‘sort things out.’ Yeah, you’ll definitely have to, with that jerk! >:(

Who grows desperate the minute he realises his puppy-dog eyes aren’t working on you like usual, and starts pleading - puckering out his bottom lip, eyes shiny wet. “C’mon, it was just a joke, I won’t do it again, please?”

Lovesick, down-bad, in denial Ace! Who’d rather die than reveal the extent of his totally-not-platonic feelings for you, but it’s fine - you like the chase, and Ace definitely loves to run. :)

[engurishu]

first years + Silver x reader, in where the reader is sleeping over on their room without their housewarden knowing and have to hide em (bonus points if the housewarden gets jealous plsss)

FIRST YEARS + SILVER X READER

Where you hide when the housewarden almost catches you in his room

I'm sorry but I couldn't do anything about the housewarden's jealousy, hope u like it anyways!

You really should’ve said no.

Should’ve gone back to Ramshackle like a responsible prefect. Should’ve listened to Grim’s grumbling and gone to bed at a normal hour.

Haha no.

You let Ace smirk at you with that shit eating grin, throw his arm over your shoulder, and mutter “C’mon, just for tonight. I’ll make it fun~”

Now you’re under Ace's bed.

Like. Literally under. With your knees cramped up to your chest and your nose pressed against a suspicious sock, and Ace is sitting up top, fake-snoring so loud you’re gonna scream.

Riddle’s voice floats in from the hallway. “Lights off, Ace. And if I catch you playing games at this hour again—” Ace cuts him off, all chipper: “No games, housewarden! Just sleeping like a good little rosebud~” You nearly wheeze. This clown.

There’s a long silence. Then, finally, the sound of retreating footsteps. You hear Deuce mutter, “You’re gonna get us all killed,” and Ace grins.

Once the coast is clear, Ace throws his blanket off and hops down to crouch beside you. “Hey, babe,” he whispers. “Still alive down there?” You swat at his arm. “I’m gonna kill you.”“I love when you talk dirty.”“ACE.”

He laughs and pulls you out from under the bed. And honestly? You’re pissed, you’re disheveled, but the way he beams at you when you’re safe in his bed again, curled up against his side?

…You’d do it all over again.

So listen.

This was your idea.

Epel’s whole room smells like apple shampoo and you thought hey, a little snuggle time with my farm boy bf wouldn’t hurt anyone!

Wrong.

Because Vil just so happened to come back early from his late-night spa treatment and you two were in the middle of a cuddle so aggressive it could be labeled a wrestling match. You rolled on top of each other, grabbed each other's wrists, played to see who could give the most kisses while you put your hands on each other's faces, laughing, and tangled up.

"GET IN THE CLOSET," Epel whispers, scrambling to throw a blanket over the scene of the crime. "But—!""THE. CLOSET."

You slam the door shut just as Vil glides in, expression sharp.

“Epel. What is this? Your bed looks like it’s been ravaged by a particularly vicious boar.” “Heheh. I toss and turn a lot?”

Vil’s eyes narrow.

He begins straightening Epel’s bed, tutting at the state of it, one step away from opening the closet.

You’re inside holding your breath and gripping Epel’s hoodie. Through the crack in the door, you can see Vil’s manicured fingers reaching for the handle.

Death is nigh. Life flashes before your eyes.

But then—

“WAIT!” Epel blurts out. “Don’t open that!”

Vil pauses. Slowly turns. “…Why not?” “Because,” Epel says, brain lagging, “I have Neige LeBlanche posters that Rook gave me there."

Silence.

“Excuse me?”“He said he wanted me to observe the real beauty and he had so many posters...’” “…”

Vil pinches the bridge of his nose, mutters something about freakish weirdos and leaves.

You tumble out five seconds later, gasping. Epel helps you up looking proud and horrified at the same time.

“That was the worst thing I’ve ever said.”

“You’re so messed up.”

You both cackle like lunatics into the night.

Silver is… a problem.

Not because he doesn’t want you there. No, Silver loves having you around. It’s just—

He forgot. Literally.

You’re waking up in his bed, tangled in the sheets, and Silver blinks awake next to you looking around like he just respawned.

“Yuu...?” he mumbles, voice still sleepy. “Did we… did I…”“You invited me over last night.” “I did?” “You said ‘the moon’s lonely tonight. Come warm me up.’ It was poetic and kinda hot.” “Oh. I do remember that.”

He curls back into you like a sleepy kitten, arms around your waist. You start dozing off again—until a very distinctive knock rattles the door.

Lilia.

"Oh no. I forgot he’s on patrol.”

You scramble to hide under the covers while Silver stumbles to the door. Lilia peeks inside smile already too knowing.

“Morning, my little dreamer. Sleep well?” “Yeah.” “Alone?” “...Yes.”

Lilia’s eyes flick to the suspiciously lumpy bed. He says nothing. He simply nods.

“Tell Yuu under the sheets I said hi,” he says, and disappears into the hallway.

Silver turns to you under the blankets. “I’m never going to survive him.” You peek out and kiss his nose. “He ships us.”“I know. That’s what scares me.”

You both fall back into the bed again, resigned to your fate.

Jack is the worst at sneaking you in.

He’s too tall and too honest, and WAY too nervous. He acts guilty before you even do anything.

Tonight’s no different.

You’re in his room, cozy in his oversized hoodie (it’s so soft help), both of you curled up together on the floor with a blanket and your legs tangled. The dorm is mostly asleep, and Jack is doing his best to stay calm.

And then… the doorknob rattles.

Jack’s ears go straight up. He stands like he’s been electrocuted, grabs the blanket, and throws it over your head like that’s going to make you disappear.

“Jack. Why’s your door locked?” “Just—! Working out!” “…At midnight?” “UH. YEAH.”

You nearly choke trying not to laugh under the blanket. You feel Jack’s foot nudge you, a silent pls don’t expose me tap.

Leona finally walks away, yawning and muttering something about hormonal teenagers and their dumb secrets.

Once he’s gone, Jack collapses beside you, covering his face with both hands.

“I hate lying. I’m gonna get grey fur from this.” You kiss his cheek. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”“You’re lucky I love you.” “Aw~ you love me?” “Shut up.”

You fall asleep that night wrapped in a burrito, safe in his arms, and even if he complains the next morning, the way he keeps sneaking glances at you says he’d risk it again in a heartbeat.

Now Sebek tries to be stealthy. Tries really hard. Puts up his walls and declares he will not succumb to such foolish disobedience! But he already has. Because you’re in his room. Curled up in his bed. Wearing his oversized shirt. It’s a disaster. It’s wonderful.

Malleus has NO IDEA. Which, honestly? Makes Sebek more anxious than fighting blindfolded.

You, meanwhile, are delighted.

“Babe. Youre nervous.” “THAT IS A LIE.” “Your voice is louder than-.” “THEN PERHAPS YOU SHOULD—"

You clamp a hand over his mouth and hiss, “Shhh!”

Cue dramatic pacing. Cue Sebek swearing on his honor that if the Young Master walks in, you are to jump out the window and never look back.

Of course that’s when the knock comes.

“Sebek. I sensed unrest. Is everything alright?” “YOUNG MASTER! I—ALL IS WELL. DO NOT WORRY YOUR—YOUR HEAD.” You literally stuffing your face into the pillows to keep from laughing

Malleus, meanwhile, raises an eyebrow outside the door. He can feel another presence. One that makes Sebek’s aura thrum with warmth. He’s quiet. Then speaks.

“…Be careful, Sebek.” And walks away.

Sebek freezes. You peek up at him. “He knows, doesn’t he.”“I AM DOOMED, HUMAN.”

You snort and wrap your arms around him anyway. Doomed or not this is your favorite place to be.

So Deuce was totally against this at first.

“Yuu, what if we get caught?” he’d whispered sweating. “I’m still on thin ice with Riddle! I can’t get another demerit—I’ll die.”

And like. Yeah. Fair. But also? You pouted. You tugged on his sleeve. You gave him the eyes. What was he supposed to do, say no??

So here you are, tucked into Deuce’s bed, while he lies on top of the blanket next to you, eyes darting to the door every time the floor creaks.

And of course. OF COURSE.

Riddle knocks.

“Spade. I’m conducting a room inspection.”

Your souls leave your bodies.

Deuce leaps up, whisper-yelling “HIDE!” and you barely dive into the tiny closet before the door opens. You nearly trip over his boots, clutching his uniform jacket, heart hammering so loud you’re sure Riddle can hear it.

Meanwhile, Deuce is doing his best impression: standing at attention, sweating bullets, and praying Riddle doesn’t notice the two cups on his nightstand.

“Why are there two cups?” “Hydration, sir. I get double-thirsty.” Riddle suspiciously squint. You choke silently on a laugh

Miraculously Riddle moves on. After what feels like three years and a full background check he finally leaves.

Deuce sprints to the closet, throws the door open, and you fall into his arms like a ragdoll.

“I hate this,” he wheezes. “I hate how much I love this.”“So… tomorrow night too?” “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” (you’ll be back tomorrow night.)

[engurishu]

[engurishu]

Santa Lilio Sangre - Ayami Kojima artworks

       If there was any artist I’d say that had the biggest influence on me, it’d be Ayami Kojima. I still remember being ten years old and going to the video store to rent a game and seeing Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on the shelf. That was how I was first introduced to her, although I wouldn’t learn the identity of the artist until years later.

The art alone drove me to become a cult follower of the franchise. Of course, the game itself is spectacular. Cheesy at times, yes (opening scene with Richter Belmont facing off against Dracula - the English voice acting is so bad, it’s great) but aside from the minor flaws, it echoes a hauntingly majestic zeal, one that I think wouldn’t be possible without Kojima’s personal touch.

       For years, I’ve been collecting uploaded scans of her work to quench my obsessions (if anything, it just fueled it) in the hopes that she’d publish an art book of sorts. I’ve ran across a few small collections, all from Japanese magazines like Color Kingdom (vol. 3) which included tutorials, interviews, and some featured works.

I was very happy to have a tutorial with step-by-step images of how she applies her techniques, but sometimes you still need those little written details. Problem is, it’s all in Japanese, and while I could decipher a few things, it didn’t make much of a difference; I can’t read kanji… :(

Most other times, I just didn’t have access to them because she mostly does artwork for very obscure doujinshi and manga (Japanese comic books, graphic novels, etc).

It’s really frustrating, actually and that’s why it’s almost too good to be true that she released such a wonderful collection all packaged up in one book.

        In my attempts to find more scanlations, I found an underground forum for Castlevania fanatics and they were raving about the exact thing I had been hoping for.

There is a million things I could say about this art book and most of it wouldn’t make sense because I’d sound like a raving lunatic. I think the art speaks for itself; no amount of fancy vocabulary could really do it justice.

           To spare you, I’ll just say this: it’s a very beautiful collection. It not only met my expectations, but it surpassed them with flying colors. Kojima’s work is all done with traditional media using a combination of acrylics, gauche, conté crayon, and sometimes watercolor and copic marker. Her style is not only mesmerizing, but it reflects the exact mysterious Gothic aura that I try to portray in my own work.

     Granted, it doesn’t have everything, but seeing as about half of the contents included artwork I’d never seen before, that’s saying something. It’s hard cover (something I didn’t expect) and includes 200 pages of artwork save for three pages in the back that are dedicated to a short interview with the artist herself and a listing of her works/medium/release date information. The images in the book are vibrant and absolutely gorgeous. Mind you, it does come at a hefty price seeing as it’s from Japan, but if you’re someone who is as obsessed with her work (or with Castlevania) as I am, or even if you just appreciate art in general, it’s definitely worth it!

I’ve included a few photos of some of my favorite pieces. I tried to pick ones that people don’t normally show in the forums. I realize that there’s some glare and the photos are taken at odd angles (I tried my best, but I don’t have the heart to scan them and ruin the book). Actually, I feel that it’s better this way because I believe in supporting art and their creators. 

That’s why you’ll just have to buy it if you want to see more ;)

[engurishu]

[engurishu]