starlsssankt

[starlsssankt]

:: ANSWERED ASK ::

"No."

"Azriel get my sister flowers!"

Azriel glared at Anastsiya over his book, his eyes narrowing.

"No. If you want her to have flowers pick them yourself or her Sasha to give them to her."

"That's not the - ugh! Fine! You're a meanie!"

She kicked at his shoe and he stuck his tongue at her.

"You're weird Annie."

------

Anastsiya shoved some of the flowers Sasha had given her at Alina.

"I wanted to make Azriel get you them but he was being a big butt. Do you like them Ayla? Don't cry because Sasha didn't get you any!"

Azriel rolled his eyes from where he sat reading, Aleksander frowned at Anastsiya.

"But the flowers were for you -"

"But Ayla doesn't have any now! She has to! It's - it's the law!"

"But I picked them for you -"

"You're making Ayla sad Sasha! Stop it! Don't cry Ayla!"

Anastsiya hugged her twin glaring at Aleksander. Aleksander frowned harder and scratched his forehead.

Why was he being yelled at it?

Papa always got Mama flowers and Mama smiled.

@siderealxmelody

Aleksander was totally confused now. How was it his fault if Ayla didn't have flowers? He didn't get them for her, he'd gotten them for Ana and if she'd wanted Ayla to have them, she should have said something--

Why was she glaring at him?

He looked at Azriel, frowning.

❝ I feel like this is your fault. Somehow. ❞

Because there was no way it was his.

Anastasiya should have liked the flowers, smiled. Not been angry at him...

[starlsssankt]

His arms hold Anastasiya against him, his dark gaze looking up at the shop window. As if Aleksander's eyes might pierce straight through the glass to the owner within, and the look alone would turn the male to ash. Obliterate him into pieces.

The anger still seemed to slip through his veins, causing some of the darkness around them to shift. To thread along the ground, the walls.

❝ We'll do better than that, Ana. ❞ He nodded towards the shop, having every single intention of making sure that in the next 48 hours, the male within--and the entire shop itself--weren't seen again.

Aleksander looked at Rigelus from over Anastasiya's shoulder, a frown forming on his tightened expression as she told him what Bryce had claimed. It only made him want to hunt her down more, hurt her more.

Even if a part of him wasn't sure what had come over her to think she was suddenly so much better than Ana--!

❝ Is that what she said? ❞ His voice was low, the threat underlying his tone. Dark eyes find their way back to meet Anastasiya's own gaze. ❝ She thought you vapid and shallow-- What makes Bryce so fucking special-- ❞

Because as far as Aleksander was concerned, they all knew what court was like. There was always an air of fake running around, of masks that the nobility flipped between. ❝ Where did she go, Ana? I think we need to have a little bit of a discussion-- ❞

Anastsiya bit at her thumbnail, leaning into him. This far from the capital...fates it was awful. And because she could, and because she knew Aleksander would probably do it right then.

She looked back at the shop she'd been in, a sweet shop where the owner hadn't liked her just hanging around. Really he hadn't even told her where they were.

"I want you to buy this shop, the owner is horrid. He - he made me leave because the shop closed. I - I said it was raining and he said that wasn't his problem. Doesn't he know who I am? Papa shouldn't have let him have a permit if he's this cruel."

She sniffed, pressing tighter into him. Rigelus peered at the show window snorting.

"It looks like a bad investment, you'd be loosing money Sash."

Anastsiya rubbed at her eyes, fingers running over Aleksander's shirt, grounding her. It had rained and the owner of the sweet shop hadn't let her stay. Told her they were closed and to get.

Fates, why did Bryce like these seedy places at all?

"Bryce thinks I'm sheltered and vapid. I - she thinks I don't understand how court works."

She sighed, rubbing at her temples, shivering. It hadn't been a big thunderstorm, but it had been fast and hard. She was drenched and cold, and she just wanted to go home.

She tapped at her phone, huffing as it got stuck again from the rain.

"I tried to call Ruhn but I think he's busy. He - he never said anything. He just Brycey was happy and enjoying her university time. I - I'm not vapid right Sasha? I mean it's court, it's all shallow anyway."

Rigelus frowned, watching them out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he should defend Bryce but the female he'd known would have laid waste to the world for Anastasiya. Had loved her deeply, what had happened to her in this last year?

[starlsssankt]

:: ANSWERED ASK ::

Bryce swallowed her urge to cringe, Anastasiya walked through her dorm dressed down for her. Jeans, a knitted white sweater and leather boots with tiny heels. The small drop pearl earrings and moonstone locket caught the light as she moved around the room.

It was tiny compared to their quarters in the eternal palace, even in her home in Citrine Hall.

"Well? Thoughts?"

Anastsiya bit her lip looking to Bryce with a short shrug.

"It's cozy?"

"You hate it."

"No! No. I don't! I just - I don't know why you insisted on coming here instead of the academy that's all."

They'd been over this, the academy was filled with people who she had known, who only cared for power and the next bit of gossip.

She had wanted more for her life, especially when she and Rigelus got together. It had been a short lived intense relationship but everyone acted she was going to marry him. People she'd never talked to had gone out of their way to talk to her. As if she finally mattered.

It was disgusting.

She didn't understand why Anastsiya didn't see it...or worse accepted it.

"Let's get some food yeah? I can show you around -"

"But there's nothing good. It's all -"

Bryce grabbed her hand dragging her from the room. Anatasiya and her were blood through their mothers, they'd always joked with their red hair they were closer as sisters.

Right now Bryce felt she was more a stranger, she and Aleksander had gotten together around the time she and Rigelus had parted ways. The last thing she needed was see how everyone flocked to Anatasiya like they had her.

That she was surrounded by fake relationships.

Bryce shoved her thoughts down, making her sit in the hole in the wall restaurant and shoved some food at her. Anastsiya poked at it with one manicured nail. Had she ever had some food?

"So...how is Aleksander?"

Had it really been a year since she last talked to her.

Anastsiya brightened considerably and touched the locket around her neck. She opened it, showing a forget me not flower pressed into one side of the locket. The other had a bit of shadows that twisted like smoke. She smiled at the shadows, petting it before she shut her locket and leaned back.

"Isn't it pretty! He made it for me before I came here. He insisted on coming but I said it would be fine without him. Do you actually eat this food?"

"That's great! I - yes! Annie will you just try it?"

Anastsiya pouted it.

"But it looks disgusting. Besides I told my parents I'd be coming to see them for dinner. I'll wait till then, I think Mama is getting seafood -"

"Why did you come here if you weren't going to at least try to be supportive?"

Anastsiya blinked at her in surprise but Bryce was done. She was so fucking tired of her veiled judgment. Of thinking she was better than her. Bryce stood and grabbed her things.

"Bryce? Where are we -"

"We aren't going anywhere, I can't - just leave Annie okay. Clearly we've gone out separate ways okay? Let's just call it and stop now."

Anatasiya played with her locket.

"Is this about Aleksander? Do you still he's just not serious about me? Because he was an asshole in the beginning but he's been very sweet and supportive over the -"

"I don't care about your damn love life Anastsiya!"

She slammed her hands on the table, growing more angry as Anatasiya flinched at the sound. Did she not see how sheltered she was? How everyone just coddled and used her?

"How do you not see everyone is using you? That they don't actually want to be your friend -"

"I do? It's court Bryce. That's the whole point."

She stood, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. She titled her head at her.

"Did - did you think I didn't actually know that?"

"I don't know, you're just sheltered and -"

"Yo! Bryce!"

Bryce turned to the window, looking to see Danika and Connor. She swallowed and turned from her.

"I have to go, my actual friends are here."

"I'm not - we're not friends?"

Bryce didn't bother responding walking to where the others were. She grinned hip checking with Danika. Danika nodded to Anastasiya behind her.

"Whose the plastic doll behind you?"

Bryce laughed and grinned.

"Just some old friend. Come on, let's go the club."

"Con you coming?"

She turned at Danika's voice, Bryce gripped her things tighter. Connor hadn't looked away from Anastasiya.

He shook his head and followed her.

"Is everyone in your old life pretty?"

Bryce snickered.

"She's taken."

She ignored how her heart sunk. Why didn't Anastsiya let guys like Connor get a chance? Why did she insist on going for guys like Aleksander?

------

"Sasha your phone is lighting up."

Aleksander turned toward it frowning at seeing Anastsiya had called twice. Wasn't she seeing Bryce around now? He'd told himself to give her some space, to stop checking his phone for messages. She'd be -

"Ana?"

He had walked out on the balcony, thankfully it was just him and Rigelus in his suite. Neither of them felt like socializing with -

"Sasha?"

Aleksander gripped the railing, looking to Rigelus as he straightened.

"What happened? Why do -"

"It's raining and I - I think Bryce and I are aren't friends anymore. Can - can you come get me please? I don't - I'm scared."

Anastsiya sniffed on the phone, her voice wobbling. Rigelus leaned toward him.

"What's she saying? Is everything okay -"

@siderealxmelody

Aleksander had tried his best to do as he promised Anastasiya, so he'd put his phone across the room. Where he wouldn't be tempted to check it. He even put it on silent, hoping that would keep his mind from drifting in that direction too often, keep him from being distracted towards it too much.

Because Ana is fine. She can take care of herself.

And he had no reason to think differently, really; besides, she'd gone to see Bryce.

So why couldn't he focus now--

Her voice on the other end had Aleksander's senses high, the tremble in it making every instinct rear up. Fingers curled hard against the rail, his grip tight. Shadows shifted on the wall, slipping his control for just that brief moment as she spoke to him.

Aleksander waved a hand back when he heard Rigelus, exhaling a breath to (try and) calm the shadows back. To pull the control back within him. He shook his head.

❝ Ana. I'm on my way. ❞

He would figure out exactly what happened (and who he would have to destroy) later, as Aleksander turned and let the darkness settle. The control slip over him as his dark eyes met Rigelus's gaze.

❝ Apparently Bryce decided they weren't friends anymore. ❞ The anger in his tone wasn't exactly something Aleksander could hide (completely), but he didn't try very hard to do so, either. ❝ I'll figure out why later. Right now, I'm going to get Anastasiya... Are you coming with or not? ❞

~

It didn't take nearly as long as it might have under any other normal circumstances for Aleksander to arrive, shadows twisting around his arms. Instantly, he knew where Anastasiya was; every single one of his senses led him straight to her, and fates help anyone who happened to get in his way right then.

Only when he had her in his arms did he want the answer again.

❝ What happened, Ana? ❞ Who do I need to kill?

[starlsssankt]

See this precious little baby who just knows that the entire world revolves around him (when it doesn't revolve around his big brother, Xaden, of course) and how helpful he wants to be while I'm here, trying to work on things...

I mean, even if little Sasha is my favorite demon child of all, I can't ever get mad at that face! Look at him! He's too cute!

[starlsssankt]

MATTERS OF THE HEART: LONGING, DEVOTION, HEARTBREAK, LOVE BETRAYAL, CONFESSIONS AND MORE. all sentences were taken from pinterest boards with different quotes regarding matters of the heart related to all types of love: toxic, healthy, obsession, forbidden, desire, longing and much more. change all names, locations and pronouns as you see fit.

"Consider that kiss a parting gift."

"In another life, we would have been perfect together."

"I know you're bad for me,but I can't stay away.”

"I kissed you just to watch you fall.”

"I wanted you to feel the sting of my betrayal.”

"Your touch is forbidden,but I crave it.”

"That kiss was for every lie you've ever told."

"I wanna be yours,the chapter that completes your story."

"You're everything I've ever wanted, but not right now.”

"I wanted you to taste the bitterness of my revenge."

"If circumstances were different, we would be together."

"Our rivalry is the spark that keeps my ambition burning.”

"I'd rather have a forbidden love than no love at all."

"We're breaking all the rules just by being together.”

"It hurts to love you in silence.”

"I'm invisible to the one I love the most.”

"Your obliviousness to my feelings is my daily torment.”

“I pretend your smiles are meant for me.”

"Every moment of that kiss was filled with my loathing."

"Every argument with you feels like a dance."

"We were never supposed to be on the same side."

"I didn't expect to feel this way after the kiss.”

"We crossed a line with that kiss."

"You'll never know how much I care.”

"Our love is a risk I'm willing to take.”

"You're my addiction,and I crave danger."

"We're bound by a love that could burn us both.”

"Our competition is fierce, but it's what makes us both stronger."

“We both know what this is.”

"This is purely physical, nothing more."

"I can't stand you... but I can't seem to stay away."

"Remember that kiss, it's the last piece of r you'll ever have.”

"By you, I am forever undone.”

"It's infuriating how you're always right.”

"That kiss was my silent scream."

"Our hearts don't care about the consequences."

"Now you know what it feels like to be played.”

"That kiss was for all the heartbreak you caused.”

"Everyone keeps telling me you're the bad guy."

"If I ever see you anywhere near her, you'll have to deal with me."

"H-How long have you been standing there?"

"I think I'm in love with you, and I'm terrified."

"When are you going to realize that I don't care?"

"Who gave you that black eye?!"

"I'm sorry, what were you saying? I keep getting lost in your eyes"

"Oh, god, you've insulted me! What ever shall I do? I'll be mentally and emotionally scarred for years!"

 "Don't say you love me."

 "It's a hobby of mine to prove you wrong."

"I wish things were simpler for us.”

"We're like fire and ice, destined to collide but never meant to be together."

"We have to keep this a secret for both our sakes.”

"is now a bad time to tell you i'm claustrophobic?" 

"i never noticed your [insert feature/trait] before. it's cute."

 "this might be a bad time to mention it, but i really like your cologne/perfume."

"i know. but i need you to stay calm, okay? breathe with me."

"i won't let anything happen to you, i swear."

"not that i'm not enjoying this, but could you move your hands?"

"we never speak of this again, do you hear?"

- "never figured you for this much of a cuddler."

"i know you don't like being touched, but there's not that can be done about that now."

- "you're not okay, you're shaking. what can i do? please, just let me help you."

- "your heart's beating really fast, i can hear it."

"look at me like that again and I might think you want to fuck me."

"no, I don't like them touching you because I don't like it when someone else touches what's mine."

"I gave you all the chances to escape me, you didn't take them. don't pretend like we both don't know you secretly like being my pet."

"I am only being gentle because you're wounded. we're still enemies."

"I'm not letting you go out there and get yourself killed. we've fought many times before, and I always won. what makes you think I'm not going to do whatever it takes to stop you from walking out that door?"

"promise me I am the only enemy you have." 

"you can't just jump in front of a bullet to save an enemy. god, what the hell is wrong with you?”

"I'll kiss you if that's what it takes to shut you up."

"we're not friends or lovers. we're enemies. but there's no bond greater than the bond shared between two people who are covered in each other's blood, is there?"

"you let your lover die to save the world. but here you are, willing to let the entire world burn to save me from myself."

"I will deny you death until you beg me for it."

"Sometimes memories are the worst form of torture."

" "Hungry dogs are never loyal."

"You here to finish me off, Sweetheart?"

 "People do bad things when they are trying to survive."

"Aw look at them- so young and willing to get themselves killed." 

"Remember boy, history is written by the victors."

"I want to taste you so badly." 

"Make me beg for it."

 "You surprise me every day."

"Let's find out how much you want it."

"Kiss me, I can't wait any longer."

"Come on, please, do it."

"Oh, you like that?"

"Hmm, you're not very patient, are you?"

"Well, let's see what happens tonight."

 "Oh, you're hard to please."

"I had a very nice dream that started like this."

"Can you be good for me?"

"You're still holding back, just let go."

"I've never even loved you"

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Can I leave now?"

"You're finally showing your true colors."

"They weren't wrong about you."

 "How could you be so cruel?"

"I loved you, I really did."

"You've changed a lot."

"I'm sorry, just hate me for the rest of your life."

"I guess that's just how little I meant to you."

"Who was that?"

"I don't like the way he/she/they look/s at you."

"So what if I'm jealous?"

"How come you never do that with me?"

 "Hey. You're mine." 

"Don't worry. I'm yours."

"I can't have these people all over you."

"Don't you trust me?"

 "You're not the one I don't trust..."

[starlsssankt]

ENEMIES TO LOVERS, ENEMIES AND LOVERS AND ALL THE FLAVORS IN BETWEEN. all these quotes, sentences and prompts are based on the topic of enemies to lovers and all the flavors that come with it. antagonistic, enemies and lovers, enemies and former lovers, and more. change names, locations and pronouns as you see fit.

“I hate you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

“Every time you glare at me, my heart skips a beat.”

“If I had a dragon for every time I thought about you, they’d burn this kingdom to ashes.”

“You wound me more than your sword ever did.”

“Stop saving me—it’s disrupting my plan to hate you.”

“Why do I feel safe when danger has your face?”

“I wouldn’t trust you with my life… unless you’re the only one left.”

“You’re poison and perfume wrapped in one.”

“I can’t stand you. And yet… I can’t stand to be without you.”

“You’re my greatest rival—and the one I want beside me in battle.”

“Must you always be so infuriatingly right?”

“The more you mock me, the deeper your words carve into me.”

“You destroyed everything I built… and then rebuilt me.”

“I loathe your arrogance—yet your confidence makes my pulse race.”

“I’ve never wanted an enemy’s lips on mine… until now.”

“Your smile is the most dangerous weapon you wield.”

“You call it crossing a line; I call it coming closer.”

“I’ve sworn to break you… but you’re the one who broke me.”

“When you cry, I’ll be the only one to wipe your tears.”

“Our history is written in insults—but our future in whispers.”

“I’d rather fight a legion than admit how much I need you.”

“You make me question everything I believed about hate.”

“I once thought your heart was ice…but it melts at my touch.”

“We’re two halves of the same war.”

“You infuriate me, enthrall me, and haunt my dreams.”

“Enemies on paper, defenders in practice.”

“I hate you with the intensity I’d rather feel for someone else.”

“If I could burn this world down to keep you safe, I would.”

“Your betrayal cuts deeper than any knife.”

“I despise what you did… but I love what you made me feel.”

“You’re a puzzle I never want to solve.”

“I’ll fight you to my last breath—and then kiss you.”

“Your voice is the war drum to which my heart marches.”

“I can’t decide whether to kill you or kiss you.”

“In another life we’d be allies. In this one, perhaps lovers.”

“You dared challenge me—and stole my admiration.”

“Every enemy is just a lover in disguise.”

“I hate you fiercely—and love you recklessly.”

“Your scars match mine—and bind our fates together.”

“For years I’ve trained to defeat you, never to surrender to you.”

SCENARIOS.

Two rival spies must negotiate a fragile truce in a midnight exchange—and discover sparks in the shadows.

After being captured, a knight and the enemy captain must travel through hostile territory together to survive.

Both infiltrating the same corrupt court under false identities, they suspect each other’s cover—until their truths collide.

Stranded in a ruined keep during a snowstorm, a hostile prince and rebel commander share warmth and secret confessions.

At a masquerade, two sworn enemies dance unknowingly—only to recognize each other when the masks come off.

A thief and a paladin must team up to find a legendary artifact; along the way, moral lines blur.

An enemy dragonrider and a knight guard a newly hatched dragon—forcing them to cooperate to escape.

Two heirs to opposing thrones are forced into an arranged marriage to broker peace—whether they like it or not.

Thrown into a magical trial to prove their loyalty, they must protect each other—or perish together.

A diplomat’s child is taken hostage by a warlord; the warlord’s second-in-command questions their orders when the child smiles.

A witch hunter teams up with the very witch he was sent to execute to stop a greater evil.

Two genius inventors compete for the same royal patent—and discover sparks in their code and contraptions.

Decades after slaughter, two spirits—once foes—reunite to set right old wrongs and fall in love amidst the tombstones.

When a new tyrant rises, two leaders who once hated each other must form an uneasy alliance.

High‑school debate rivals forced to partner up for nationals discover their best arguments start with “I love you.”

A naval captain and a pirate queen survive a wreck on a deserted island and learn to rely on one another.

A challenge for swordsmanship at dawn becomes an intimate conversation under the stars after the blades lower.

A ruthless general is injured in battle and saved by the enemy’s most compassionate healer.

Two CEOs battling in the courtroom must spend a week in team‑building retreats and discover common ground.

Each trapped on opposite sides of a talking enchanted mirror, they argue endlessly—until their reflections lock lips.

[starlsssankt]

“we were lovers in a past life” trope but the current incarnations are enemy-to-lovers trope. when. 

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander doesn't answer right away. The anger still twists, floods through him. But at the same time-- had he spoken the words that are at the forefront of his mind, at the very tip of his tongue--

I don't know.

No. The Darkling will not utter such a thing. Will not admit to this slight... moment of disruption.

Instead, Aleksander shrugs, exhales a breath, turns his dark eyes outwards into the thick blackness of the night outside.

❝ I'll win. I know it... ❞

The words, spoken quieter than he might have uttered them before, still hold the power, the absolute firm, unyielding belief in himself that Aleksander still has. He's not about to succumb to doubt and weakness now. Not after centuries--

❝ There is no other acceptable outcome. ❞

THE BOY has no lack of conviction , that's for certain , though ilya would call it closer to foolish stubbornness .

ilya picks absently at a bit of lint at the knee of his coat . ❝ and how long do you anticipate this SETBACK lasting ? ❞

[starlsssankt]

NOTICE: As more and more fanfic writers are using generative AI for their works (you uncreative dweebs), I hereby swear on everything I hold dear that I have not and will NEVER use generative AI in ANY of my written work. Everything I post will be organically and creatively my own.

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander sighs, as if the other's words are so wearisome. As if Nikolai is the dramatic one in this situation. But he sits, and it feels strange, like a part of him isn't used to having even this much freedom in this-- place.

This mental escape that is different from all the others, all the other dreams (or nightmares) that he's been hit with for however long he's been stuck like this.

You were right.

The words should make him feel pride, and yet the very opposite is true. As Nikolai utters them, Aleksander wants to deny it. Wants to argue the fact that he didn't want to be right as far as this is concerned. It wasn't this that he'd even thought it would entail--

You weren't supposed to be dying right now, he wants to yell, as if it Nikolai's fault for succumbing to such a weakness.

And Aleksander hates that he even cares at all. He shouldn't. He should just let the mortality of the boy take its course. Let Nikolai die.

All mortals die. That's the way of the world, and Aleksander learned it long, long ago.

Nikolai is no different...

❝ What, precisely, are you expecting me to do about it? ❞ he finds himself saying, Aleksander clinging to the mask, to the unfeeling part of him that he has to. He has to. ❝ This is a power older than even I am that is draining your life away. There is little to be done to stop it... ❞

Even if I wanted to.

HIS HEAD lifts as aleksander comes to stand before him , as tall and imposing as he always had been . it takes everything in nikolai not to roll his eyes , however , when the man speaks .

❝ yes , you were right . is that what you would like to hear , darkling ? that you were right ? then here , i'll say it again : YOU WERE RIGHT . little good it does us now though , does it ? ❞ he sighs and waves him down . ❝ for saint's sake , sit down . you've made your point : i feel very menaced . ❞

nikolai's hand comes up to rub at his forehead , then uses it to gesticulate as he speaks . ❝ so . the thorn tree would be killing you . by proxy , through you , it's killing ME . and as a byproduct of the whole thing , our . . . bond has us daydreaming about each other . ❞ he lifts his eyes to look at aleksander . ❝ so what exactly do we plan to do about it ? ❞ its . . . somewhat rhetorical . he's aware that aleksander could simply just let him DIE , but . . . a small part of nikolai remains that believes that he won't .

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander & Anastasiya

The definition couple of ❝ Who did this to you? ❞ ;)

@siderealxmelody

[starlsssankt]

@korolnichevoya sent an ask //

“You fueled my obsession, even encouraged it and your selfishness ruined my life”

Aleksander merely lifts an eyebrow at that, the darkness of his eyes piercing on the man across from him. He shrugs his shoulders. ❝ If that is what you must tell yourself in the night, ❞ he whispers, never looking away for a single moment. Because the Darkling knows--

Just as he knows Nikolai does. He may have sought to bury the past, to destroy it, but Aleksander isn't foolish enough to actually believe it worked.

❝ If you must utter such falsehoods to others, place every bit of blame upon me, then do so. It is no different than the words and curses spoken by any other in this world, but do not lie to me, Nikolai. ❞

You and I both know better, the Darkling's expression says.

Another shrug of Aleksander's shoulders. ❝ I brought to the surface what was already there. Gave it a chance to find a purpose, a reason. I ruined nothing. ❞

[starlsssankt]

SPARRING/TRAINING SESSIONS WITH A DASH OF TENSION. all these sentences and prompts are made about training sessions or sparring partners that can develop into tension, be it antagonistic or sexual. These quotes explore dynamics like rivalry, mentorship, flirtation, intensity, grudges, and emotional undertones. please change pronouns, locations and more as you see fit.

“You’re holding back. Are you afraid of hurting me—or of what happens if you don’t?”

“Every scar on my body started as a lesson. Let’s see what you’ll teach me today.”

“This isn’t dancing. Stop smiling and try to hit me.”

“You fight with your heart. That’s why you lose your breath first.”

“That sword’s too heavy for your pride to carry.”

“If you flinch again, I’ll hit you for real.”

“I’m not your enemy. Not today. But train like I might be tomorrow.”

“Careful. You’re starting to enjoy this a little too much.”

“You think you can beat me? Prove it.”

“You learn fast. But I hit faster.”

“No talking. Just blades.”

“Each strike tells me more about you than your words ever could.”

“Are we sparring or settling something?”

“I said train, not try to kill me.”

“Your stance is perfect. Shame about the hesitation.”

“You’re bleeding. Still want to keep going?”

“This isn’t over. We just paused it.”

“Getting close doesn’t mean winning.”

“The floor loves you today. How many times will you kiss it?”

“Pain is just honesty from your body.”

“Try that move again. Slower. I want to see why it failed.”

“You hide behind form. Real fighters bleed.”

“I’m not impressed by technique. Only survival.”

“Your anger makes you predictable.”

“Don’t flirt with your opponent unless you can block while blushing.”

“Oh, you meant to fall like that?”

“We’re not done until someone can’t stand.”

“Training with you is like dancing on the edge of a blade.”

“Is that a sword or an extension of your ego?”

“You hesitate before every strike. Why?”

“Your hands shake. That fear’s still in you.”

“The closer you get, the less you see. Keep your distance.”

“You’ve improved. But I still see the boy behind the blade.”

“One day, you’ll beat me. Just not today.”

“You strike like you want to be seen. Real warriors strike like shadows.”

"You keep getting this close… is it my blade you’re after, or my breath?"

"You're flushed. Is it the fight, or the way I look at you between strikes?"

"Careful—if you keep pinning me like that, I might start to enjoy losing."

"Every time we touch steel, you shiver. Admit it—you crave this."

"Your grip faltered. Did my voice distract you again?"

"Harder. Or are you saving your strength for something else tonight?"

"I can hear your heartbeat. Fast. Wild. Not from fear, though… is it?"

"You breathe like we’ve already tangled in the dark—and not just with swords."

"Keep whispering in my ear during combat and I might forget which weapon I’m holding."

"If you want me on my knees, just say so. You don’t have to disarm me first."

PROMPTS.

Two rivals are forced to spar alone for the first time since a bitter argument.

One fighter begins to pull punches—until the other calls them a coward.

A training match gets interrupted when one draws real blood on accident... or was it?

The master and student swap roles mid-spar, revealing secrets.

A sarcastic remark mid-fight sparks a dangerous escalation.

They lock swords—too close, breathing fast, tension crackling between them.

One fighter is injured but refuses to stop. The other hesitates.

Training in the rain turns messy, slippery—and harder to resist each other.

During drills, one whispers something distracting, causing a mistake.

The match ends when someone is disarmed and ends up pinned.

After a harsh blow, the silence between them is louder than the impact.

A bet is placed: if one wins, the other must do something embarrassing.

One fighter keeps losing on purpose—for a reason they won’t say.

A bystander watches the match, clearly affecting one fighter's confidence.

The match was meant to be a formality—but neither pulls punches.

One grabs the other’s wrist mid-strike and doesn’t let go.

Training weapons get swapped mid-match—testing adaptability.

They practice close-combat, and the proximity flusters one of them.

A mistake leads to an awkward fall—someone lands on top of the other.

Someone uses an unexpected move that only a specific teacher would have taught.

They mimic each other’s movements, until one gets frustrated.

Sparring becomes a silent argument—no words, just strikes.

A third person comments from the sidelines, stirring jealousy.

A fighter wins with a trick, and the loser storms off—pride wounded.

One fighter keeps using a move the other dislikes—on purpose.

The match is over, but they keep going.

After sparring, neither speaks, but both keep glancing back.

A sudden shift—sparring turns into a real fight.

The tension finally snaps, and a kiss replaces the next blow.

They train late at night, when no one’s watching.

One accuses the other of holding back feelings during sparring.

Their blades clash repeatedly in rhythm—like a dance they’ve done before.

Sweat drips, bruises bloom—but neither yields.

One drops their weapon and dares the other to continue unarmed.

Sparring ends with someone flat on the ground, laughing instead of angry.

[starlsssankt]

"If you use em dash in your works, it makes them look AI generated. No real human uses em dash."

Imaging thinking actual human writers are Not Real because they use... professional writing in their works.

Imagine thinking millions of people who have been using em dash way before AI becomes a thing are all robots.

REBLOG IF YOU'RE A HUMAN AND YOU USE EM DASH

[starlsssankt]

I'm dying.

Those words bother him, bring a frown to Aleksander's lips and a fire raging through his blood. But why should they? a part of him wishes to argue the sense back into him. Argue that he shouldn't care if the boy is dying, if this slow death and wasting away, this utter weakening of what was once someone so strong and vibrant, is all that is left--

He shouldn't be bothered at all.

But he is.

And that, in turn, only frustrates Aleksander more.

❝ I told you, ❞ he finds himself muttering, whispering as Aleksander comes closer, towers over Nikolai's sitting form. ❝ What piece of my power you have-- it would never be enough. ❞

Only he had thought, at the time, it only meant letting Nikolai live a little longer. Just not long enough.

Not this.

HE SIGHS and his eyes close briefly because even now , even here , it seems aleksander is intent on starting a fight . and nikolai will be ( UNWILLINGLY ) honest - he doesn't have a fight in him . his body aches . his mind fogs .

❝ i'm dying , ❞ he finally answers , lifting his eyes to look at aleksander from his spot on the ground . a shrug follows . ❝ at least , i think i am . it feels like i am . ❞ his hand gestures between them . ❝ this thing between us - OUR CONNECTION , ❞ it's said as basically a groan , ❝ i think it's the thorn tree . it would be killing you too , probably , if you weren't basically immortal . so it seems you're finally getting your wish after all , aleksander . you might finally succeed in killing me . ❞

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander Morozova

he was just a boy. brilliant. blessed with too much power. burdened by eternity.

[starlsssankt]

The smile is actually genuine at Nikolai's comment, which is a little surprising--even to Aleksander. It feels like it's been far too long since he's even let himself react in such a way, for that mask (one of many) to break enough that his true self, his true expressions get their chance to show before he can even think to weigh the option.

To judge it. To consider it.

It just happens.

❝ Doesn't everyone wish for peace? ❞ he finds himself saying, giving a shrug of his shoulders. It might be a bit of a dodge on directly answering the question, perhaps, but Aleksander doesn't want to admit that maybe--just maybe--he'd let himself stop considering it.

Stop hoping for a world without the overhanging threat against him, against Grisha, against all that he knows.

He's dealt with it for so very long, though. Why should it ever change?

❝ I traveled years ago because I was hunted. Hated. Perhaps it might have been an entirely different experience, had I been able to be myself... ❞ Instead of a new name, a new identity, a new story. Instead of never touching, never letting anyone close--not until certain abilities could be silenced, controlled. Quieted.

❝ I don't know what it would be like, Nikolai, to live in a world without this fight. ❞

I don't know who I am without it is what the Darkling isn't ever going to say. At least, not aloud.

"The war isn't over. I haven't forgotten," Nikolai said with a sigh as he fiddled with his cufflinks. He turned to look at Aleksander, a tired smile on his face. He'd rather not talk about his fears. The other man would only give him the facts of the present, which he already was well-aware of, anyway. "You know Jayn isn't like us--she grew up away from the war. She likely imagined a wedding day that wasn't hurried or arranged." Nikolai had fantasized about marrying for love just as often as he'd dreamt of far-off adventures, & those dreams had only increased when he'd joined the First Army, then run off to become Sturmhond. But his duty to Ravka had always stayed present in the back of his mind.

"What about you?" His smile brightened, more genuine. Mischief flashed in his eyes. His steps carried him across the floor, until he was right in front of Aleksander. "I know you've traveled, lived. You're not...inexperienced. You can't tell me you've never thought about a world without war. One where your time might be served doing...something else."