#A loud voice shutting the pain away {Hiyori}

[irondamsel]

@viciousvizard​

"He didn't have 'ta. It was-- yeah, he did. I ... I was ready 'ta fight someone -- aaaanyway. I, as a married woman, have got plenty of relationship advice." Please ignore the fact she is currently separated and only ever been with one man.

Eyes squinted even more. Of course she didn’t ignore that fact, but she also saw Hiyori was incredibly excited about this. More than to find an useful advice out of it, Lisa was curious and what she could say.

“It’s not as easy, we already dated, a long time ago. Ye might not know everythin’ about it, but ye wantin’ to beat the shit out of me was pretty justified. ”

[yatorihell]

In The Darkness Chapter 78 - Abandonment

Noragami x Harry Potter AU

Words: 2,002

Summary: The horcrux takes its toll and Yato makes a choice.

Also available on Yatorihell AO3

By early February the snow was beginning to melt, only to be replaced by fresh blankets in the night. The nights were still cold and the small gas lamp they used to cook with was beginning to run out of fuel, but a trip to the next town wouldn’t be too far away.

They burned their lamps in dim glows that illuminated the tent and threw shadows across every wall, warming them in the frigid temperature. They listened to the radio, the announcements, the music that was meant to lift their spirits. Kazuma’s voice became background noise in the evenings when they gathered in the tent. They wished to hear something else to give them hope, to be found by the Order and to end this never-ending nightmare, but nothing ever came.

“Why haven’t you seen anything?” Yukine snapped one evening. He gestured to the locket around his neck. “You’ve been doing this for over a year, and the only thing you can give us is this?!”

Yato held his tongue, eyes sliding over to Hiyori who was sat on the small step that divided the kitchen from the dining room. She was watching with a creased brow, the fatigue of searching evident on her face. Yukine had a point; he had been trying to find horcruxes for over a year with nearly no luck, but now they also knew the next one to find was Hufflepuff’s goblet.

Yet, without the location of Hufflepuffs goblet or a way to destroy it or the locket, they were stuck.

A silence blanketed them, the awkward kind where they knew that it wasn’t really them speaking. The horcrux had a mouthpiece, and it used it well.

Yato watched Yukine fiddle with the horcrux in his hand, the agitated flicker of his fingers smoothing over the stone possessively, his lips moving silently, incoherently. A crease had formed in his brow as it usually did when he had worn the horcrux for too long.

“Yukine,” Yato said softly. It barely penetrated his thoughts until Yato placed a hand on his, covering the locket. Yukine looked up at him, guilt already taking its toll. “Let me have it.”

Yukine looked away out the tent door, not noticing the sigh from Yato nor Hiyori’s tension at the beginning of a new fight.

A moment passed before Yato spoke again. “I can see it's bothering you. Let me have it for a bit.”

Yukine prickled, but whatever emotion he should’ve didn’t blur his thoughts. He removed the horcrux with some internal struggle, the attachment to it growing stronger with every thought, memory and emotion they experienced together. Still, it fell easily into Yato’s hand.

“Sorry.”

Yato nodded and slipped the horcrux over his head and held it gently, a habit he’d formed since it attached itself to his skin and had to be pried off. He watched as Yukine silently pulled on his boots and a coat, excusing himself outside for a walk despite the snowfall.

Yato sighed as he watched from the doorway. He knew he wouldn’t go far, but the emotional labour was taking a toll on all of them. Dark thoughts of Yukine’s soul being bled dry from the diary in the Chamber of Secrets intruded his mind, the eerie uncanniness of the soul vessels effect and the horcruxes leeching energy. Kugaha had told him little about that diary nor the Philosopher’s Stone that the life force could be stored in, but it didn’t matter once the Sorcerer returned.

The fights had come in heated spurs since the night in Godric’s Hollow but were more frequent whenever Yato wore the horcrux. The frustration, the desperation and the yearning to go home was like a pressure cooker left on high heat. Yato knew what it was doing to him, he knew the pain he made them endure and he apologised for it, but he wouldn’t let them suffer by wearing it as much.

The horcrux was part of him now, and he had to be the one to destroy it.

Yato shook his head and walked back into the tent, flopping down in a chair and stared at the canopy. He rolled his head to the side to see Hiyori sat on the step to the kitchen with her knees drawn to her chest, listening to the radio which now played soft music instead of the endless register of the dead. The dim lamplight illuminated her face as she stared at the flickering candle, worry etched into her features.

Yato watched her as she swayed to and fro slightly to the rhythm, noticing how small she looked curled up with her arms wrapped around her legs.

He slowly pushed himself up from his seat, walking over to stand in front of Hiyori. Her face tilted up to look at him, eyes questioning what he was doing. Silently, he extended his hand to hers.

Hiyori unwrapped her arms from her legs, placing a hand on Yato’s. He pulled her up gently so they were face to face, his hands finding Hiyori’s again and lacing his fingers with hers. Slowly he began moving their hands in time with the music, feet shifting slightly as he tried to get her to move with him. Hiyori smiled slightly, looking down at her feet as she began to dance.

Coaxing her into the beat, he twirled her away and back into his arms. Together they giggled and took turns to spin around, hands moving to waists and clasping each other as they began to slow dance.

Hiyori’s head rested against his shoulder with Yato’s cheek resting against her head. They closed their eyes, absorbed in each other’s warmth and fast heartbeats. It had been a long time since they had danced together.

“I want to go home,” Hiyori said, voice barely even a whisper.

Yato wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, holding her closer. You erased your home, he thought sadly, not wanting to say it out loud. A muggle-born witch abandoning her whole life for a guy who was more trouble than he was worth.

“We will,” Yato murmured into her hair, breathing in the smell of dried leaves and damp earth. “We will go home.”

It was a lie, but a lie that would bring her comfort in the dark nights to come. The nights when he wouldn’t be there to coax her back to sleep or keep the monsters at bay. She would go home, but maybe he wouldn’t.

Sometimes, lies were kinder than the truth.

~

Yato gently uncurled Hiyori’s fingers from his shirt, shuffling out of the bed as indiscreetly as he could. Picking up his discarded rucksack, he began stuffing supplies into it. Food, a torch, the shoddy little tent they'd brought just in case. Blanket, clothes, the Snitch, everything fit perfectly thanks to the extension charm on his bag.

He slung a sleeping bag over his shoulder, picking up the locket as he crossed the room to the place where he had hidden Sakura’s wand. The slender black case was light in his hand as he clicked open the lid and regarded the wand with bittersweet memories.

She gave me my life back with this wand, Yato thought sadly, recalling how she fought her way back to him, through Deatheaters, Dementors, Azkaban and the Sorcerer himself.

He snapped the case shut. No going back.

A noise stirred across the room, snapping Yato’s attention. Hiyori stirred underneath the covers at the sudden noise, alerting Yato that she might wake and see what he was doing. Rolling over, she pulled the duvet tighter around her, keeping out the cold as she continued to sleep. Yato’s shoulders relaxed, but a sliver of guilt found its way into his mind at how she would react when she woke and found that he was no longer by her side.

Quietly, he walked over to her bedside and crouched down so their faces were level. Her expression was pressed into its usual frown as darkness tried to creep into her dreams, hair tangled on the pillow and sweeping across her eyes. Yato watched the slight rise and fall of the covers as Hiyori’s deep breathing told him that she wouldn’t wake any time soon. His eyes fell on her hand which had crept out of the warmth of the bed, fingers seeking something familiar to hang on to.

Yato glanced at the wand in his hand. Sakura’s wand. She and Hiyori had the same wand – cherry with dragon heartstring – even if there were some differences in length and colour. Yato twisted his head over his shoulder to look at the lump of blankets Yukine had cocooned himself in. Yukine was strong, but not strong enough to protect both of them until they got back to safety. Hiyori had no means of protecting herself, and he couldn’t burden Yukine with that responsibility.

Perhaps a wand’s allegiance can change if it finds the right heart, Yato thought to himself.

Delicately, he took Hiyori’s hand and wrapped her fingers around the wand case but did not let her go. Yato’s eyes trailed to her face, lingering to remember every curve and edge of her profile; the way her mouth slightly curved in her sleep, and how her dark eyelashes contrasted against her pale skin.

Gently, his fingertips grazed her cheek to brush a curl of hair from her face. She sighed. He leant closer, lips parted as if to whisper into her dreams or to do what he never had to courage to do. His last chance to…

Yato paused. He never had the courage after all.

He tilted his head to the side, pressing a gentle kiss on Hiyori’s cheek instead. Quickly and silently, Yato stood up, looping the golden chain of the horcrux around his neck as he left the tent. No one saw him stride away, or felt the gust of air that followed a disapparating spell.

All that remained was a warm mark on a girl’s cheek and a void that would fill her heart when she woke.

~            

Hiyori turned over, arm reaching to fling itself over the usual lump next to her for warmth.

Nothing.

Hiyori frown gently, her hand patting the bedspread where Yato had slept next to her before she opened her eyes. It was unusual for Yato to wake up before her, even then he would normally stay in bed, drawing feathery patterns on her arm or dozing until she woke up. On the rare occasion, he would wake her, either when the morning had grown late or to rouse her from a troubled dream. His disappearance and lack of notice were worrisome, enough to make Hiyori sit upright and look into the makeshift dining room.

Something clattered to the ground, making her jump. A wand case.

Hiyori gently picked it up and opened it, finding Sakura’s wand embedded in the plush lining. Her heart thumped, and she looked around the tent again. The horcrux was missing from its place on the bedside table.

“Yukine!”

Yukine shot up from his bed, blond hair sticking out in clumps, eyes wide and bleary, and his wand clutched in his hand. “What is it?!”

“Yato’s gone!” Hiyori kicked herself free of the duvet, barely feeling the cold wooden slats on her bare feet as she flung open the tent door, the wand case still in hand. She didn’t dare step into the fresh blanket of snow which had covered Yato’s tracks, meaning that he had left hours ago.

“What do you mean, ‘gone’?” Yukine asked. He caught sight of the wand case still clutched in Hiyori’s hand and his heart sank.

Hiyori rushed back to the bed and dropped to the floor. His backpack, the spare equipment, the invisibility cloak, his clothes, everything that he stored under the bed was gone.

“He took everything,” Hiyori’s voice cracked. She dropped back to sit on the floor and felt the first tears spill down her face.

Yato had left them.

“He’s gone.”

[tinkonka]

sou n shin oneshot i did (spoilers)?

i dont ship these two, i just had this idea! n well i wasn’t sure on how to end it,, but anyway enjoy. feedback appreciated!

Timid. That’s the best way you could describe someone like Shin Tsukimi. And it’s not a rare adjective as well — he’d have to say that almost everyone he came across had used that word in his presence. Frankly, if this was a few years ago, he wouldn’t have minded — but as he went on in years and his self esteem shrank with each life step, it seemed like more of a derogatory word nowadays. Although he knew he couldn’t do anything about it, he still complained. He wished he was more.

More like him. Sitting next to him in class, his gaze cast ahead towards the teacher rambling on about something to do with digestive systems, Sou was practically Shins polar opposite — tall, proper posture, upbeat and friendly — it was everything Shin wished he was. And though sometimes Sous eyes seemed to burn a hole into his own (more often than not), Shin felt a sort of pride knowing he could call him his friend. Someone big and dependable like him was good to keep around, right? It didn’t matter how many times he made Shin tremble with fear, he was his friend. They were best friends.

Lost in these types of thoughts, he seemed to snap to attention once the teacher had finished his sentence and was now going on about final reminders. He would’ve panicked for have not had taken notes, but it was the last period and Shin felt exhausted from the information he had retained over the day. Surely he could just study up with the textbook to get up to speed! Nothing to worry about, right?

As anxiety seemed to bite at his thoughts, the bell gave its usual ring and the sound of people pushing chairs against the squeaky floor and chatter distracted him from the thoughts. He wasn’t looking, but he could feel Sous stare piercing through him.

“Well, that was a rather boring session if I do say so!” His chipper tone brought Shin to look at him, bearing his usual bright grin. Shin nodded in agreement.

“I think I was too tired to pay attention, haha.” He remarked, pushing in his chair and shrugging on his bag. Sou tutted in disapproval, giving Shin a poke on the arm with a small giggle.

“My, my, you seem to get exhausted so easily. That’s not a good thing! Perhaps it’s because you’re quite scrawny, hm?” Sou spoke in a lighthearted tone, and Shin gave a small laugh (although it was a biting remark).

The two headed out the door, a firm hand placed on Shins shoulder so that the petite boy wouldn’t get lost in the sea of college students. Once they had made their way out, the hand was removed (much to Shins relief) and they were walking down their usual path.

“So! Any plans for tonight, Shin?” Sou broke the silence, casting a friendly glance downwards towards Shin. Shin gave a shrug in response.

“I dunno. Probably same as always. And you?”

“No need to worry about me!” came Sous reply, now staring ahead at the upcoming gates. “How about you try something new? Maybe hit the gym — you could use the exercise.”

“U-uh.. Maybe another time.” Shin dodged the question nervously, eyes now on the ground. “Besides, I have to walk home tonight. The buses aren’t coming, I think.”

“How unfortunate! Well, I wish you luck in your endeavour.” encouraged the taller man, the conversation coming to a close as they reached the place where they would part. “Be seeing you!”

“Yeah... see you, Hiyori.” Shin replied, giving a friendly wave as he turned his back on him and began walking. He anticipated the worst — exercise was definitely not his strong suit, and his home was a ways away. Plus the exhaustion of today was still lingering — life just seemed to never favour him. Heaving a sigh, he continued trekking on, eyes casted towards the ground.

Until he came into contact with something — man, had he not learned his lesson from  his first encounter with Sou? However, he managed to stay upright this time — which was a plus.

“Oh, so- sor—“

“Oh hey look!! It’s the tiny green twink!”

His blood ran cold as he glanced up at the man. Shin couldn’t remember his name, but his cold piercing gold glare and muscle bound arms, he could tell that this was bad news. Behind the man, there were two other men similarly built — strong jawed and buff builds.

“Wow, we managed to catch him without his boyfriend, haha!” The dark-haired one piped up, advancing towards Shin. Already trembling and fearing the worst, Shin took a step back with terror, eyes stuck on the man infront.

“Rare occurrence, really.” Spoke the red-head that Shin had so callously bumped into. The burly man bent down to Shins height with a mocking grin. “You deaf there, gay boy? Wanna use your words?”

“U- um- he’s— hes not my boyfriend.” Shin managed to heave out, his breathing coming in shakily and unsteadily. He was greeted by laughter — cruel, mocking laughter, one which Shin had wished he’d never have to endure. And yet here he stood, legs shaking underneath the unsettling air.

“Yeah, right, you cling onto him like some lost puppy. Get outta here.” the blonde one  laughed, taking his place on the right of Shin. “He must find you so cute! How is he in bed?”

Shins eyes widened at the lewd remark, both in fear and disgust. He wanted to bite back with his own comment, but his throat was clogged and he was too focussed on trying to keep the tears out of his eyes. He wasn’t weak, he wasn’t a pushover; this wasn’t going to break him.

“Pfft, cat got your tongue?” The ginger mused (obviously the leader of the pack). “Come on, answer him. Does it feel good?”

Words didn’t come at all. Shins mind was a mess of panicked thoughts and no response came to his lips.

The blonde ones expression morphed into one of annoyance. “Oi, it isn’t a little disrespectful to ignore someone. Come on, you freak, answer me!” He growled, placing his hands on Shins shoulders and shoving him back.

Shin fell over with ease, landing on his behind. He took no time scrambling to get back up, but his head was spinning. His hands seemed to be closing in on themselves involuntarily, and his cheeks were made aware of the hot tears now spilling down, dropping onto the floor.

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t do anything but let the tears fall and hope that this situation would be over.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a green-haired boy throw a punch at his bullies. He couldn’t hear anything — his ears were ringing quite loud. Shutting his eyes with fear, he brought his knees to his chest and tried to breathe.

Pain, all he felt was pain, burning, searing pain, make it stop, please, stop—

“Shin.”

With a trembling jaw and sore eyes, Shin perked up to be met with familiar, piercing eyes. Though, accompanied by them, was a bloody gash on his cheek, and his smile was faltered.

Sou giggled. “My word, you’re awful at defending yourself. Your old pal had to come and save you!” He mused, smiling. Shin didn’t have the energy to smile back at all — something that usually came easy to him seemed like such a difficult task.

Sou stood up with a small sigh and offered his hand for Shin to take. Still in a daze, Shin took the hand and stood up, almost immediately falling into Sous chest.

“Did they hurt you?” Came Sous voice, his tone much more hushed than usual. They? Who’s they? As Shin scrambled his brain, the only thing that came to mind were piercing gold eyes. And something about that thought brought tears back to Shins eyes — though they felt all too familiar in this setting.

“There, there. You’re totally fine now.” Sou mumbled, welcoming Shins trembling shoulders and embracing him. Shin cried softly into the taller boys chest — there was a feeling of absolute terror still lingering, making his heart clench and palms sweaty. Beyond anything, though, he was exhausted — it was everything he could do to not let his knees cave in and fall to the ground. Sou seemed to take note of this as he put a firm hand on the back of Shin's head. The two stayed like that for a few minutes, not daring to move. It seemed... deathly silent. The sun was beginning to set - how long had Shin been immobile? Where were the people that had started to harass him? Did they leave after Sou had defended him? Why did they leave? Sou was certainly quite scary, but he wasn't built as strongly. ... Did they feel the same as Shin did? The paralyzing fear that seemed to plague him daily, whenever he looked into Sou's eyes? Confused, he let Sou take his hand and lead him out of the small alleyway, and before long they had arrived at Shin's house. Shin seemed to be in a daze as he did his nightly chores and climbed into bed, passing out as soon as his head hit the pillow. And the next day, when the teacher had announced that there were two students absent because they were hospitalized, Shin paid no mind. All he could think of were the bright blue eyes of his close, good friend. Just how dangerous was Sou Hiyori?

[oneofyatosfollowers]

Yatori Week Day 3- Moon/Cutting Ties

@yatoriweek2020

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25401826/chapters/61709410

Fanfic: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13648502/1/Yatori-Week-2020

The sun was low in the sky when Yato got the call. The three of them just got done with an early dinner, Hiyori treating Yato and Yukine to ramen. Even with their laughter cutting out, the mood was still light as Yato listened to the wish of the human on the other end. The happy air shifted as Yato's voice lost it's cheer, Hiyori and Yukine looked at him while he repeated words of understanding.

"Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah, okay that's- uh-huh. Okay," Yato crossed his arms with an unimpressed tone, "Uh-huh. I think it would be best if I come talk to you in person. Okay? Okay, give me a sec."

"What is it?" Yukine stepped forward. Covering the phone's receiver, Yato looked at the boy with a grimace.

"I'm not exactly sure, but it sounds bad."

"Bad?" Hiyori repeated, "Like an emergency?"

"No not like that," Yato kept his eyes on Yukine, "I mean like, emotionally bad? I think it's a bad relationship." He stressed certain words that had Yukine swallowing.

"Is she hurt?" Yukine asked with panic lacing his voice.

"No, no, no not like that! I think we just need to cut her ties? But I won't know until I investigate. I just don't like the idea of you-"

"-I'm coming," Yukine deadpanned, "You promised we would handle everything together from now on; no matter what it is." The sentence hung in the air for a moment before it dropped with Yato's sigh.

"Alright, kiddo," Yato gave a smile, "you want to come too, Hiyori?"

"If you don't mind," Hiyori said. Their relationship was the strongest it's ever been but if this job was treading on old wounds, she felt it would be best to be there just in case.

Yato teleported them to a poorer neighborhood, the small house in front of them dirty and chipped. There was a distinct smell in the air, one that Hiyori couldn't identify, she felt her body clench as Yato and Yukine walked up to the door like they owned the place. Knocking on the door, Yato flinched back violently when a large dog barked, scaring Hiyori.

"It's next door," Yukine said quickly, already stepping close to Yato with a glare at the neighbors. The shiki squirmed as Yato knocked again, this time harder.

After a couple seconds, and several locks unlocking, the door was pulled open. A woman peaked out, shoulder-length brown hair a bit frazzled, asking who they were. She eyed Hiyori with equal surprise until Yato made himself known.

"Did you call a god?" He asked. Her eyes got wide and she insisted they come inside, locking every lock behind them. The house was small on the inside, as clean as it could be with the lack of stuff that was in it. They followed the young woman to an empty living room, Hiyori chose to stand as Yato and Yukine knelt on the carpet across from her. She couldn't have been too much older than Hiyori was.

"I-I need your help," the woman said after clenching her fists, "I want to run away from someone? But he keeps finding me. Can you make it so he won't bother me anymore? Or-or something?" She rambled, looking pleadingly at Yato afterwards.

"We do not kill," Yukine growled at the woman, "or attack humans." He glared at the woman with deep disdain, even as Yato put a hand up to quiet him. Something dark and sinister crossed the woman's features, lacing in with her offense and fear.

"But-! He keeps- I, I mean I didn't say you had to! Just-! Scare him? Threaten him! He doesn't believe me when I do it, I thought a god would be more terrifying!" She pointed an accusing finger at Yato who was watching her silently. Hiyori came forward to place her hands on Yukine's shoulders.

It worried Hiyori that the woman was holding her stomach like she might vomit. She was practically boiling, her hands musing her hair as her eyes were wild with desperation. Nothing was happening but Yukine's denial had her shaking and on the verge of hysteria. But there wasn't a phantom in sight.

"Yato," Hiyori looked at the god with worry, but for who she didn't know. All she knew is that Yato would do something to help like he always did.

"Okay I can do that." Yato said. The room quieted as he stood, all eyes on him as he looked the woman up and down one more time. Hiyori followed as Yukine hastily got up to stand close to his master, both slightly behind him as they looked between the god and the believer.

"You," the woman swallowed, "you can?" She gave a shaky, empty smile, shuffling forward on her knees as he looked at him with desperation.

"I can," Yato reassured her in a soft but sure voice. They watched the woman release a large breath, folding in on herself and wrapping her arms around her body.

"Thank you," she hushed.

"I recommend you think about your next move," Yato's eyes flickered down then back to hers, "for both your sakes'." With that, he left the woman sniffling as he walked out of the house, Hiyori and Yukine scurrying after him. After she shut the door, Hiyori turned to see Yato and Yukine bent together in a conversation. Picking her way across the broken-glass littered yard, Hiyori walked up to them.

"What are you going to do? You're not actually going after him, are you?" Hiyori asked them.

"No," Yato glanced quickly at Yukine then back to her, "I'll look to see if he's a bigger problem after I handle this."

"We're cutting ties." Yukine said.

"Cutting ties?" Something in Hiyori jolted at the idea. It was something she's seen them do on a couple occasions. Something they were able to do fairly nonchalantly to patch up a person's heart.

But recently the idea pleaded Hiyori. It made her eyes hot and a voice tighten around her heart. He did it so effortlessly, and the effects were immediate. It didn't take much time from Hiyori to put two and two together, the man- whatever he did- clearly forced the woman to make a difficult choice. She still didn't want to hurt him, just to free herself from a painful burden.

"Is that for the best?" Hiyori wondered out loud as Yato teleported them to her neighborhood. The place was like a safe-haven compared to where the young woman with brown hair now stayed huddled alone.

"Yes," Yato said, "I know you couldn't see it but their ties are becoming tainted with negative emotions. Think of the old lady with the bracelet, except in this case the curse is coming from a person, not a bracelet. And the toll is on her emotional state, not on her physical health. Due to the fact that it's a curse, and a tie, it's best to wait until nighttime and take care of it while she's sleeping."

"Just like we did with the old lady," Yukine added.

"How come?" Hiyori asked.

"Because it's easier for me to see ties at night," Yato revealed, "the curse will show itself at night just like last time, but the actual string of fate is illuminated by the moon." He spoke in that ancient way he did when he discussed his abilities and things of the far shore. Hiyori hummed and nodded. It made sense, and made her feel much better, but something still tugged at her as they approached her front door.

"It's okay, Hiyori." Yato stepped forward, stopping her as she opened the door. Looking back, a genuine smile was back on his face and his voice was carefree. It washed away her worries like they were nothing.

"This really is for the best, the curse had very little hope of getting better. Plus, it's totally painless! She'll feel a lot better in no time at all!" Yato tried to reassure her.

"Besides, she's better off without a guy like that in her life anyway," Yukine crosses his arms, "much better." The boys agreed with each other, missing the way Hiyori faltered. Her eyes lingered on Yato as he praised his son before even doing anything, giving out hugs and noogies with a smile. She quickly plastered on a smile when Yato turned his grin to her. It was hard to stay upset when it came to him.

"We'll see you after it's done!" Yato said.

"Tomorrow. Not immediately after, in the middle of the night." Yukine spoke to Yato who just rolled his eyes. Being tugged away by his kid, Yato waved goodbye to Hiyori which she returned. She shut the door quietly behind her, walking into her home with a weight in her chest.

Something nagged in the back of Hiyori's mind well into the night. She tossed and turned under the covers, the crescent moon in the sky still bright enough to have a glowing hue while she glared at it. Cutting ties wasn't a big of a deal to her until she found out the consequences of the aftermath, especially when it came to her loved ones.

Hiyori shot out of bed. "Loved ones?" Of course she cared deeply about her far-shore friends, Yato and Yukine in particular, but that term came out of nowhere. She felt herself blush, there was one person in particular that would be affected by cutting her ties. One person that came to mind when she thought about her loved ones. Despite her warm face, something cold settled in her stomach and bubbled up to her throat.

For a moment, Hiyori found herself mourning the fact she can no longer leave her body, something she's been doing a lot nowadays. Thankfully, a certain god promised her happiness and had the ability to teleport. One text and a phone call later, Yato was standing in the middle of her room. The light from the moon shadowing his front so that it blended in with his hair, blue eyes gleaming like stars up close.

"Hiyori?" Yato stepped towards her, "Is something wrong?" He sounded worried, and after her eyes adjusted his face portrayed exactly that. She breathed a sigh of relief at the- familiar- sight of him, smiling at the sight of his matching pajamas.

"I am, um." Hiyori suddenly felt incredibly silly. This was all because she was worrying herself over something Yato only brought up one time. There was really no reason to call him here over the fact that she was somehow hurting her own feelings. Still, she wanted to know.

"Did you cut her ties?" Hiyori turned to sit on the edge of her bed, watching Yato stop shifting from foot to foot.

"Ah, yes," Yato sat criss-cross in front of her with a sigh, "The curse was hardly anything, we purified it and Yukine said a nice little spell to help her calm down and heal. Once the sun comes up the broken ties will dissipate completely along with any remnants of the negative emotions." He stared at her the whole time he talked. Her own eyes looking at her hands in her lap.

"And," Hiyori whispered to the moon, "her memories?" She felt him tense, swallowing as he took a moment to respond.

"Gone," his voice raw, "she might get a sense of presque vu, but nothing lasting. They were never that strong to begin with." Yato took in her troubled face, her distressed boy language, with sick comfort. Guilt wheeled up in him and he shook it off. Now was not the time to be selfish, but he couldn't think of what to say. They were both humans and it's his job to make humans happy.

"What about ours?" Hiyori exclaimed.

"What do you mean?"

"Our ties," Hiyori leaned towards him, "what about our ties? Are they strong?" She pressed her lips together as she looked at him with desperation. Yato's eyes grew wide, she was so close he could smell her shampoo. He had to fight getting lost in her brown eyes, deep and full of raw emotion.

"They're strong," Yato breathed in his daze, "so strong." He felt that was because of her, because ties gods made with humans weren't nearly as strong as the other way around. Because she was fierce and resilient and she wanted to be with him. He wanted to be with her too, the idea of cutting any of her ties left a sour taste in his mouth. Unless it was for her protection, her happiness.

"It's tough to cut strong bonds and the damage is much more painful," Yato continued. This human made him want to confess everything to her, things that weren't for humans to know, things that are selfish for him to say. She looked so beautiful, the moonlight illuminated her smooth skin and flushed cheeks, pink like her lips. He already felt himself leaning forward. Hiyori stayed still, her troubles not completely soothed.

"I don't want you to cut them," Hiyori said.

"I know."

"You won't, right?"

"That I can't say."

"But I don't want it!" Hiyori burst, "I don't care what happens, when I said I want to be with you forever I meant it! Till the end, no matter what, okay?" It was hard to stay quiet with her feelings bubbling up like they were. He was right in front of her, so close she could smell him in her human form and feel the warmth radiating off him.

"Hiyori," He breathed. Yato's cheeks were as bright as hers were but she couldn't find it in her stop.

"Please," she hiccuped to hold in tears, "I won't be happy unless I'm with you I-I love you." Hiyori's confession was whispered to the moon. She didn't quite process her words, instead focusing on blinking away tears that never came. It wasn't until her fingers hit something, until Yato's hand's were in her lap and wrapping around her own, that it hit her. Hiyori's head whipped up to gape at Yato. There was a gentle, soft smile gracing his features as he watched his fingers lace with her own.

"I love you too," Yato said simply, like it was the easiest, most obvious thing in the world and they said to each other every day. He looked up at her with a small laugh, clearly happy but still unsure. The red of her face spread to her neck as she tried to force something out only to come out with nothing.

"I won't cut our ties, Hiyori," Yato promised as he shifted to his knees. The way he squeezed her hand grounded her, Hiyori calmed down as Yato pressed his forehead to hers. Even with embarrassment flooding her, she felt a giddy smile growing across her lips. Yato loved her too!

"I want to make them stronger," she wished.

"Oh yeah?" Yato drawled. He raised off his heels and pressed against her forehead, making her giggle as she fell back onto her bed.

"Yato, wait!" Hiyori gasped as he crawled on top of her. Placing his hands on either side of her, Yato looked down at her with his cat-like grin.

"You know kissing would really help strengthen our relationship," Yato said as he leaned down. Smiling, Hiyori tilted her lips up to meet his and let him strengthen their bond again and again. She didn't see the string- a vibrant red in the moonlight- being woven stronger than ever before.

[unlockthelore]

You’re Gonna Carry That

While doing some shopping with the money that they (read: Yukine) earned, Yukine finds himself remembering something unpleasant and Yato is there to help. From the fic Call Out My Name on Ao3 and written for the @noragamibigbang. For more updates, follow the call out my name tag on this blog. 

“What do you think of this one, Yukine?”

Yukine tumbled out of foggy thoughts as a damp touch clamped onto his shoulders, jostling him back and forth eagerly, sending a shiver down his spine as he gripped the cloth bags tightly.  He’s careful not to let out a startled yelp when he was yanked backward, an arm wrapped around his front, and a cutesy caricature on the end of a silver keyring is dangled before his eyes.

It takes a second for him to recognize what the character was and the one holding it. His eyes narrowed, lips pulled to one side at the triumphant cackle from the so-called god, nearly drowning out the cacophony of sounds from the mall area.

Mothers with totes on their shoulders holding the hands of children carrying toys or talking loudly in the tacky summer heat, students clamoring down the streets in pairs or groups eager to start vacation while enjoying the last few days of their school year, salarymen with loose ties and worn eyes barely the picture of company as they dragged their feet to and fro.

Yukine’s eyes shutter as Yato’s cackling continues and he’s almost grateful to be somewhat invisible. “What’s your problem with capybaras, Yato?” He asked, blowing out a sigh as he tucked his elbow into the jersey-wearing deity’s side, earning a pained grunt and freedom from the sweaty hands on his shoulders. Looking back at him with a wrinkled nose as Yato doubled over, clutching the keyring and rubbing his side. “It’s creepy.”

Yato’s mouth fell open, disbelief mingling with hurt, his blue eyes watery as he clung to Yukine’s wrist much to the shinki’s dismay. “How could you call me — no — this creepy?!” Puncuating this by flinging the capybara key ring in his face, presenting it as if it was the heaven’s gift to man.

“Look at how you’re holding it!” Yukine said, snatching his wrist from Yato’s sweaty hold and grimacing at the thin sheen along his skin. He glanced down at the bag and held the cloth bracers in both hands, peeking inside. “What else did you buy anyway?”

In a blur, Yato snatched the bag from his hand, and pressed the keyring to Yukine’s palm. Cute as it was, he didn’t have as much of a love for capybaras as Yato did. An obsession now that he thought about it.

And for the umpteenth time that evening, Yukine couldn’t help but wish that Hiyori was there.

All of his attempts to snatch the bag from Yato were met with failure, leading the two of them into a dance down the streets of the market area. Narrow walkways, weaving between throngs of people who could barely see them for a second, and then not at all. Weight settled in Yukine’s stomach every time he caught glimpse of himself in the lit windows or stopped by intersections while Yato ran to the other side. Other people reaching out to touch the street signs, talking amongst themselves as if he weren’t privy to their conversation. Buildings as close together as the ever-moving flow of bodies but almost out of his reach. It was enough to make anyone depressed, wasn’t it?

“Yukine!”

Crossing over sidewalks with grass growing between their cracks, Yukine narrowed his eyes past the streaking sunlight at Yato waving to him like a fool in a small plaza. While the scene was harmless and a little nice considering his thoughts, he didn’t like the way the wayward deity pointed toward one of the shops. Shielding his eyes, Yukine glared. What was that?

Spying the familiar brown caricature in the window next to a lucky cat, Yukine paled and rushed forward, his sandals slapping against the sun warmed concrete as he dove for Yato’s jersey. “We’re supposed to be saving money, idiot!” He shouted, his arms tight around Yato’s middle despite the heat radiating from his jersey.

“Since when did you become so frugal?” Yato shouted back, struggling against him, albeit with less than his usual strength. “After all, this is for a great cause, Yukine.”

“What’s that…?” Yukine demanded, attempting to turn Yato around to face him but the deity had suddenly stood still and seemed rigid to the touch. Avoiding being turned or even looked at by whipping his head one way then the other, craning his neck or squeezing his eyes shut. “Oi! I asked you what was that!”

Sweat beaded along Yato’s brow but whether it was from his efforts or the heat, Yukine wasn’t sure. “Ah, hold on. Hold on! I’m thinking, I’m thinking…” Yato murmured, letting his voice trail off but Yukine wasn’t buying it that time.

It was more of a scuffle with the two of them pushing forward and backward, nearly falling over with their movement. A few passerby glanced their way and Yukine felt his heart jilting at the smiles and laughter, or the embarrassed looks and ones of concern, seeing them fade away so quickly when their eyes turned.

How frustrating, Yukine thought for a split second before he heard a shrill voice yell.

“Dad!”

His heart leapt into his throat as he looked over his shoulder. A young boy, brown hair and deep brown eyes narrowed up at the man who looked down at him tiredly, the both of them standing beneath an awning while the boy pointed up at the shop’s window. Yukine couldn’t see what was there from the glare but it must have been important. The boy’s grip on his father’s hand seemed almost tight enough to be painful as he yanked against him, attempting to head for the shop door.

“I want that one!”

“No,” his father muttered, ragged and exhausted, seeming used to this conversation but utterly tired of it. “You already have enough.”

“I want it—!” The boy crowed and Yukine found it hard to breathe for a second, his hold on Yato loosening. “I want it, I want it…! I wa—”

“Tooru!”

The shout, loud and cracking like the wind, snapped something in Yukine’s mind and he jumped back instinctively. Holding up his arms defensively, covering his face and neck until he could see a sliver through them. The boy’s face crumpled immediately and a few reedy inhales foretold of tears. Yukine swallowed thickly, and the prickling sensation of sunlight against his skin wasn’t nearly as searing as the swelling behind his eyes.

What was going on? Why was he wanting to cry?

“That’s enough!” The boy’s father grimaced and yanked his arm, pulling him down the street as onlookers turned to look at them, his eyes flicking one way to the other before he grumbled. Sharp and unrelenting. “Let’s go home.”

A part of Yukine trembled with dread. He wanted to follow them and yank the boy from the man’s grasp. Let’s go home. Those words simmered an indiscernible emotion deep in his stomach and he almost wanted to will him not to go. Lowering his arms and taking a half-step forward, a soft call rippled in the back of his mind.

“Yukine?” A hand firmly grasped his shoulder and Yukine jumped, throwing his arm back to slap it away. Blue eyes meeting his own, not brown — horrid, imposing, unforgiving brown — Yato’s brows raised then pulled together. Don’t be angry, Yukine chanted over in his head, but he wasn’t sure why. This was Yato. Yato never was angry. Thoughtless, unpredictable, noisy — but not angry.

“Oi, Yukine,” Yato called, snapping Yukine out of his cycling thoughts. He shuddered and lifted his gaze only to find a hand coming down to pat the top of his head. “It’s noisy here, right?”

Noisy?

This was one of the quieter places in the market area. It wasn’t nearly as noisy as the ones further in but Yukine couldn’t summon an argument, only nodding numbly. The key ring pressed to the palm of his hand was almost painful with how much he squeezed it. Yato didn’t seem to notice and if he did, he said nothing, only lifting his head and directing them down the street.

Their walk was taken in relative silence. Yukine staring numbly down at his feet as they passed by shop after shop.

“Neh, is there anything you wanted?” Yukine lifted his gaze, blinking confusedly at Yato’s back. “While we’re out, you can have one thing of your choice. Free of temptation.”

The joke, while one they could make now, made him wince and the act must not have been lost on Yato who frowned a little then rubbed the back of his neck.

“It’s alright to be selfish every once in awhile, you know.”

Yukine scowled and turned his head away, gazing down at the procession of ants marching across the sidewalk then to the few people milling about on the backroad they took. It had less shops, he noticed, and more shade from the sun with the towering buildings but somehow he felt more seen than before. Yato said nothing about the pause, instead shuffling from one foot to the other, setting himself down on the medium which must have been boiling hot with the heat.

After awhile of standing there, Yukine scuffed his sandal’s heel against the pavement “How he yelled at him,” he muttered. An answering hum buzzed up from Yato’s throat but it was muffled again like he was hearing it from under water. “All he wanted was the stupid whatever…”

What was the big deal? It was a thought that crossed his mind early on in his relationship with Yato too.

“So why did he…”

Yato sighed, rocking backward with his face upturned toward the sky. Not annoyed but almost resigned, like he’d been expecting it.  “Eventually, he’ll forget that he yelled at him at all,” he said, an undertone of ruefulness that gave Yukine pause. “To him, it’ll be a faded memory. To his son, it may shape how he handles things in the future..”

A car rumbles down the street interrupting Yato along with the quiet sounds of the city around them. Times like this it was easy to remember Yato wasn’t some punk kid around his age. Though, Yukine couldn’t help but wonder what Yato saw to let him know things like this.

“The axe forgets but the tree remembers.” Yato mumbles, his mouth bending into a smile that was equally parts comforting as its as concerning. “Wounds made on the heart are difficult to forget, children remember what their parents say long after their parents have forgotten. With that being said…”

He rifled about in the bag, pulling out a thin red pouch securely with a golden string. It was a bit heavy when set in Yukine’s palm and he tucked the keyring into his pocket, opening it up. Inside, a number of rolled bills and coins were tucked away and Yukine blinked slowly.

“My money?” Yukine asked numbly, looking up at Yato.

Yato’s expression softened as he scooped up the bag in his arm, holding his chin higher. “You didn’t think I spent the money you earned, did you?” He stuck his tongue out, smirking broadly.  “I’m not helpless, you know.”

Yukine was almost hard pressed to disagree but Yato quieted him, pressing the heel of his hand to the top of his head, his fingers albeit sweaty incredibly light as they worked through his hair.

“Yukine.”

A shudder ran through him at the tender sound of his name. Affectionate and soft, beguiling in a way that didn’t make him want to run. He held the pouch tighter until he could feel the impression of it against his palms.

“You’re working hard…” Yato continued, rubbing his fingers through Yukine’s hair, his palm cradling the back of his head with a gentle pat. Even though Yukine couldn’t raise his eyes to meet Yato’s gaze, he could hear the smile in his voice. “For the both of us, and I’m grateful.”

With another pat, Yato pulled away and the spell was broken. Yukine brushing his fingers against his disheveled hair, smiling faintly as he cradled the pouch to his chest, grumbling under his breath. “What’s all that about…”  He opened the bag as they walked, squinting at its contents. “Wait up, Yato!”

Yato flinched ahead of him and Yukine could see his muscles tensing.

“Is this all my money?”

A nervous glance over his shoulder is all the warning Yukine had before Yato sprinted off.

“Oi, Oi!”

Clutching the bag in his palm and racing after him in the sweltering heat, Yukine smiled.

“Yato!”

[irondamsel]

to: @viciousvizard​ cont. [x]

Without any doubt, Lisa knew better than to hold direct confrontation to Hiyori. Instead, she turned on her heels and directed her attention to the bookshelf that held the plethora of books that were more suitable for an average consumer. Her special collection, after all, was kept somewhere else.

“Let me see what I can find,”  she answered,” but that’s a tricky-ass question, y’know? It would mean ye need to be a bad person to begin with.”

As her fingers traced the collection, as if reading through her fingertips, her attention drifted barely towards the petite Vizards, turquoise gaze laying on her from over her shoulder. “What’s your friend’s deal anyway? Why do they need it?”

[irondamsel]

"YOU KNOW WHO IS REALLY, REALLY KIND AND HANDSOME? ROSE! I JUST NOTICED IT!" Okay... maybe Hiyori was trying too hard to be a wingwoman. But she was doing her best!

. . . . . . . . .

"He told you, didn't he?"

[irondamsel]

"Lisa... ya read plenty of books-- is there one that tells ya how 'ta be a good person?"

A singular blink ensued a whole environment of silence. "Is this a read towards me, or is it for ya?"

[irondamsel]

viciousvizard

Sounds like you

"I know, right? With no doubt.” 

[irondamsel]

WANTED: Mag Thief. DEAD or ALIVE Reward: whatever it takes Magazines must return in optimal conditions.

[irondamsel]

Replaces Lisa's porn with copies of wrestling magazines.

Few were the things that pushed Lisa out of her center. The first one was her former Captain, who after a hundred years she had the pleasure not to encounter anymore; the second one, being called a pervert, that was one particular word that made her lose her temper with extreme ease. And the third one, her precious, *sacred* magazines to be stolen.Now that half her family was gone, the first (and overall only) suspect was Love, who had proven himself to be fond of her beloved treasure. But after a long, heated discussion, and antrincate search, she returned unsuccessful. Once again she grabbed the magazine on top, opening at a random page to encounter those disgusting HIDEOUS, anti-aesthetic positions, this was a new form of treason. Who could’ve done that to her?

[irondamsel]

Blinks and stares at Lisa, who is now wearing a ponytail. "... Why ya ain't styling yer hair in braids any more?"

The older Vizard distractedly lifted her gaze from her reading, reaching over to look at her friend over the edge of her glasses,” What?” Oh, OH, the hair. Lisa actually believed no one would notice, but yet again, she had been with the braid trend for more than just a hundred years. It seemed like every exceptional event in her life required a change of style. “Uh, it’s a stupid thing,” she answered,” Figured that now we’re completely cutting ties with Soul Society, a change of style would feel nice for once.”

[irondamsel]

Leaves her half a tub of pringles.

She isn’t about to complain about that. A half tub of pringles was still half full after all.“Huh, thanks, Hiyori!” she yelled, reaching the first one close to her lips. 

[yatorihell]

In The Darkness Chapter 38 - The Goblet of Fire

Word: 1,907

Summary: The champions are revealed. Who is going to be facing the Triwizard Tournament

Previous chapter | First chapter

Thank you Gio (@themusicalbookworm) for beta-ing me <3

Read on AO3

The first Defence Against the Dark Arts class was…unnerving.

The class sat unusually quiet – aside from the few whispers about how their new professor was an Auror – as they waited for him to arrive.

They didn’t dare breathe when he entered the class. The door slammed shut behind him with a flick of his wrist as he strode to the front of the room, sleeve concealing his wand.

His robes had flashes of white, green and red beneath the black fabric that billowed around him. His long grey hair fell in dreadlocks, one of which fell between his piercing green eyes as he swept over the room with a dark expression before settling on the foremost tables.

“You won’t need those books.”

This was the first time they had heard him spoke. His voice was as cold as steel as he watched the class shuffle their bags, stuffing away their newly bought copies of The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.

“The Ministry of Magic says you're too young to see illegal Dark Curses.” Rabo didn’t move, but his eyes never ceased to bore into each and every student in turn as he spoke. “I say it’s a load of crap.”

“Someone trying to kill you isn’t going to give you a chance to wave your pathetic wands and say some flowery shit before they can have your guts spills out of your mouths.”

Rabo moved forward, latching onto Yukine who tried to avoid his eye until he was right in front of him. “What are the Unforgivable Curses?”

Yukine looked at Suzuha who was sat next to him. He wasn’t going to do it on him, was he?

Very slowly, Yukine stood up. “The Imperius Curse.”

Rabo silently approved the answer by turning back to his desk. He opened the drawer, hand darting inside to capture a spider the size of a dinner plate. Hiyori, sat on the table beside Yukine and Suzuha, let out a small whimper when Rabo dropped the spider onto the desk.

The point of his wand merged from his sleeve, and without hesitation, he cast the curse. “Imperio!”

The spider twitched before it jumped up, dancing across the table as it were dancing the tarantella. Its movements grew more erratic as if it were tethered to Rabo’s wand which whipped to and fro, a sinister smile tugging at his lips as he watched it helplessly follow his order.

He dropped it after a few more seconds and the spider fell down, spindly legs splayed out on the desk.

“Another,” Rabo ordered. His eyes fell on Hiyori who shrank back in her seat when he moved the limp spider onto her desk. “You.”

Hiyori stood even more slowly than Yukine, throwing him a nervous glance.

“T-the Cruciatus Curse,” she murmured, voice barely loud enough for the class to hear.  

He didn’t wait for Hiyori to sit before he cast the spell. “Crucio!”

The spider let out an ear-splitting shriek that made the entire class recoil in their seats, too afraid to cover their ears as they watched their professor torture the creature. The spider shuddered and jerked violently, legs curled into its body as it tried to escape the spell.

Hiyori stood rigid, watching the spider’s agonised dance across her parchment with a look of absolute horror at what she was witnessing.

Rabo’s wand stayed trained on its target, never letting it get more than a few centimetres away before he upped the pain and the spider’s screams turned silent as if its voice had broken.

He jerked his wand away and the spider grew still. Hiyori collapsed back into her seat, white as a sheet as she stared at the spider.

“And the final?” Rabo asked. The class remained silent.

“The Killing Curse,” Suzuha said. He was the only person in the room to look Rabo straight in the eye when he said this, not standing like the others had.

Rabo watched him levelly before his eyes dropped to the spider which was still recovering from its torture. It didn’t know it would all be over soon.

He executed the spell with precision, not a movement nor second wasted.

“Avada Kedavra!”

Blinding green light hit the spider and it rolled onto its back, legs curling up and twitching before it stilled. Silence filled the class.

Suzuha stared at the spider’s corpse, hands balled into fists at the cruelty.

“There is no counter-curse or blocking this spell,” Rabo said. He stared down at Suzuha with no pity or regret.

“If you get hit, you die.”

~

On Friday night, the anticipated wait was over. For a week, numerous students had stepped forth to the Goblet of Fire, throwing in scraps of paper which they had carefully written their names on whilst their friends whooped them.

Eternal glory sounded like a dream. One that could come true.

Both Bishamon and Yato had thrown their names into the Goblet days ago, watching the fire sear the paper into ash, much to Kazuma’s protests and Hiyori’s pleading for Yato to think it through.

To be honest, Yato didn’t think it through. If Manabu was entering, then so was he. Plus, he wouldn’t mind wiping that smug smirk of ‘Prefect Bishamon’s’ face.

The Durmstrang Students had shuffled onto the end of Slytherin’s table, ignoring the fascinated looks they received, whilst Beauxbaton’s had politely seated themselves at the end of Gryffindor.

Hiyori stole glances at Manubu during the feast, and she as sure he was doing the same to her when she inadvertently caught his eye. She quickly looked down at her plate, hoping that he still wasn’t watching her.

Professor Tenjin stood moments later, and the room fell silent.

“The Goblet is almost ready to make its decision,” Professor Tenjin announced. Madame Kinuha and High Master Okuninushi looked as equally impatient as the students, as well as the entire professor table – except Rabo.

“When I call the champions name, please come to the top of the hall, past the professor table and through to the next chamber for further instructions.”

Professor Tenjin gestured to a small wooden door on the left before he swept his hand up in a grand and the hundreds of floating candles were extinguished into a smoky haze. The room gasped as it was plunged into a near darkness that was broken by faint moonshine.

The Goblet of Fire shone a brilliant white-blue which matched its flames that crackled and roared and, as if on cue, the fiery tongues turned scarlet. The room gasped as a scrap of paper was spat out of the flames.

Professor Tenjin snatched it out of the air and unfolded it. The hall held its breath.

“The champion for Durmstrang,” his voice rang out in the silence, “will be Nana!”

A thunderous applause broke out from the group of Durmstrang students along with the polite applause of the other schools.

Yato craned his head, trying to catch a glimpse of the champion through the huddle of maroon-clad students, congratulating their classmate as they muscled their way to the front. What Yato didn’t expect was a young girl to stride forwards, the same one he nearly missed at Durmstrang’s arrival.

She vanished through the wooden door and the room fell into quiet once more, waiting for the Goblet to make its choice.

A second piece of paper was spat out from the flames which the headmaster read carefully.

“The champion for Beauxbatons –,” a pause, “- is Manabu!”

Yato’s face dropped. He looked at Gryffindor’s table where the Beauxbatons students sat clapping their hands daintily, squeezing Manabu’s arm in congratulations as he grinned and made his way to the awaiting professor’s who ushered him into the side chamber.

Yato wished he hadn’t look at Hiyori, because when he saw her glowing face and mile-wide smile at Manabu’s victory, it felt like the Whomping Willow had winded him.

He wanted to be chosen. He needed to be chosen.

Another roar of fire. Another scrap of paper.

The room held one breath, one heartbeat, as Professor Tenjin announced the final champion.

“The champion for Hogwarts,” a pause, “is Suzuha!”

Fuck.

Yato looked at the Hufflepuff table where, with their backs to him, Yukine and Suzuha hugged. A myriad of people slapped Suzha on the back as he made his way to the front full of smiles and with the deafening cheers of the school behind him.

His eyes skimmed over the Gryffindor table where Hiyori cheered as loudly as before.

He’d missed his chance. His chance to get Hiyori to notice him. Now Hiyori would be all over Manabu and Yukine would be with Suzuha every step of the way. And where would he be?

Nowhere. The din subsided as Professor Tenjin raised his hands.

“Now we have our three champions!” Professor Tenjin called, “but in the end only one will go down in history, only one will –.”

His voice cut off – not that anyone noticed as all their attention had been taken by one thing.

The fire in the Goblet had turned red once again, burning with an even fiercer flame. It spat out a charred piece of parchment which Professor Tenjin caught. He stared at the name, and everyone in the room stared at him.

He cleared his voice and looked up, eyes scanning the table of the far side of the table before finding who had been chosen as the fourth champion.

“Yato.”

~

Yato was ushered into the side chamber amongst the confusion. A fourth name had been chosen. His name. And no one knew why.

Suzuha, Nana and Manabu sat on small couches looking as equally confused as Yato when he entered the room. He didn’t have time to explain before there was shouting on the steps leading down into the chamber.

He caught the words ‘conspiracy theory’ along by an accented voice shouting his name as the three headmasters, as well as Professor Tsuyu and Professor Takemikazuchi, descending into the room.

“What did you do to that Goblet?!” High Master Okuninushi roared.

Yato stumbled back, nearly falling into the fire. “I didn’t do anything!”

“’e’s lying!” Madame Kinuha barked.

The teachers had encircled Yato, backing him up with nowhere to go. The three champions looked at each other, realising what had happened.

“The Goblet of Fire wouldn’t have chosen a fourth champion unless it had been meddled with!” High Master Okuninushi seethed. He seemed to have grown with his fury, towering above the other professors and making Yato shrink back, wishing he had some Floo powder so he could get out of there.

“The Goblet of Fire is an exceptionally powerful object, only an exceptionally powerful Confundus charm could’ve tricked it!” Professor Tenjin roared back. Yato winced.

Only Professor Tsuyu’s voice was calm, matter-of-factly pointing out that Yato didn’t possess the magic to be able to do such a spell.

The headmasters fell silent. This much was true – but someone did bewitch the Goblet.

“Am I… I mean…�� Yato looked between their faces uncertainly. What did this mean? Was his entrance void if someone had cheated him into the competition? There were only meant to be three champions....

“This is a magical contract,” Professor Tenjin closed his eyes, fingers pressed to his forehead before he dropped them and opened his eyes.

The crackling of burning logs and Professor Tenjin’s voice broke the prolonged silence. All eyes were on him.

“As of tonight, you are a Triwizard champion.”