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bucknastysbabe · 4 months

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Hi I got an ask about subby Criston and I’m here to fill it but I accidentally deleted the ask itself. So I hope you see this😭😭I kinda went cuckoo bonkers word to Wyn but anyways! Pookie bear cries and nuts like 40 times🧸🧸

Knock ‘em out - C.Cole

Rating: Explicit

WC: 3k

Tags: Boxer!Criston, Manager!Reader, Criss priss prob needed to be in an institution but now gets paid for beating ass, a little bit of manipulation from reader, marathon sex, overstimulation, sub space, soft domme, 🚨CRISTON BIG ASS PRAISE KINK🚨, he’s puppy your honor, Dom/sub, sub drop, aftercare, pnv!sex, multiple orgasms, intercrural sex, cumming in pants, lil bit of background story but mainly P O R N

Taglist: @aemonds-holy-milk @arcielee @sugarpoppss2 @lovelykhaleesiii @starogeorgina @moncherrii @bambitas @targaryenbarbie @fairysluna @thought--bubble @fallingintoyourlilaceyes @gemini-mama @valeskafics

Thanks @tumblin-theworldaway for helping my mind crank up heheheheeh

Criston knew he was off— something never wired right in his brain. Most people would interview him and see the rags-to-riches story. He came from trash, really, his dad was the janitor at the big boxing gym in the city. Coach Dondarrion told people they let Criston train for free as his father worked so tirelessly.

In reality, he couldn’t stop getting into fights at school. It was unchecked anger growing out of control. Criston’s mother and father begged Dondarrion to take him on and help channel that aggression. It likely saved his life. He was only 10 and beating kids’ faces in over slights— imagined or real. He was horribly possessive, jealous, and lost. Boxing seemed to put a lid on that.

Occasionally he’d have to be ripped off an opponent. Whispers of Criston Cole being a psycho were rampant. He was twenty-three when he got his current manager. She worked miracles. His everything— Criston loved the woman so much that sometimes it hurt his head, thoughts too intense to siphon through.

He’d known her from the Blackhaven gym, she was a daughter of Coach Swann and knew the realm of boxing pretty well. Coach Dondarrion brought her into the picture when Criston almost killed a man in the ring.

She didn’t bat an eye when Criston snarled and tried to intimidate her— only cocking her head and snorting like he was an unruly animal. He’ll never forget the words she said after. It was a shift for the boxer.

“Do that again and you won’t fight this week. I’m in charge now. You’re my prize pet. If you want to keep being a prize pet then you’ll listen to me,” she stated, manicured nail poking his chest.

The bigger man still had no clue what came over him, but her words were like a balm. This was what Criston needed— firm orders and guidance. He hoped at the time she could help him with all the mess in his head. Criston nodded and replied, “Yes ma’am.”

“Good boy. Let’s come up with some rules. You like rules don’t you?”

No unnecessary jabs, no yelling, work on riding the bike and going through footwork, and no cumming until he had won.

Those were the rules before a fight. Criston abided by them religiously. Even if he was like a caged animal towards the lead-up to the big event. He would feel himself grow more and more agitated— actively restraining from ripping his opponent's jaw off. Cole probably looked psycho, with dark eyes intense, jaw clenching. But his expression remained eerily placid. His manager liked that and said she could smell the fear off the other guy.

Criston remained undefeated, she must be right he thought. Coach Dondarrion said Swann was a goddamn genius. She was perfect like that. He hated she wouldn’t go public with their relationship, Criston would wind himself up into an obsessive tizzy over it.

But when he won again, and again, she was there to take care of him. They’d get through the usual press, Criston would shower, and they’d ride back to the hotel together. The air was charged in the back seat. She’d slapped his wandering hands away the first couple of times.

Now he knew to stay put and she’d tend to his face or scratch his hair, careful of any knots and bruising. It felt so fucking good the first time she touched him, he had cum in his sweats before even reaching the hotel. Whining and writhing as she cooed and put ice on his black eye or taped a busted nose— he couldn’t remember exactly.

His manager had cooed in surprise when he seized up and gasped, wetting the inside of his briefs, “Oh, baby? You came? Needed that, didn’t you? Criston Cole, my prized pet, big bad man, didn’t know you liked being loved on. You deserve it, baby, I’m here for you, always.”

Her words had simultaneously embarrassed and made Criston want to kneel at her feet, awaiting her next command. He remained quiet, cheeks flushing heavily, worried internally his nose would start bleeding. Swann curled at his side and stroked his messy curls.

“Don’t be ashamed, you deserve to feel good. ‘Sides I know you have more to go, gotta be pretty full from going a week. You want me to take care of that, empty you out?”

Criston gritted his teeth and whined. He wanted it so bad. The demon in his head teased and prodded him, spitting lies. “She thinks you’re a weak little bitch, you really gonna spread your legs and bare your neck like a slut?” the voice said. He moaned softly, pained from the dissonance.

His manager whispered gently, a small hand rubbing soothing circles on his chest.

“Criston, baby, stop thinking so much, and let me do it for you.”

He melted into her warm embrace, the proposition flicking on a switch he didn’t know existed. She smiled as he slurred out a ‘yes’ and went lax under her palms. Criston didn’t know at the time— that submitting completely to another made his mind stop for a bit.

He was euphoric, eyes focused on her as they entered the hotel. She waved off any reporters and led him by the hand. Criston clung to her like a needy child in the elevator, his cock swelled up again. The manager let him rut a bit on her tight skirt and giggled at his desperation.

When they finally, finally gotten to the room— she stripped Criston down and made him cum until he cried, all the adrenaline sapped out of his body. He lost count of how many times her mouth and hand brought him to completion. He got to float in his head, tongue too thick and limbs too heavy to do anything but whine and be coddled.

Criston woke up later as a new man. He felt he could breathe. Then the games began as his record kept going up, Cole escalating to the fucking top. He didn’t know what to do with all the money except buy his family a house and Swann anything she desired.

He’d won again. Shaking his fist and snarling obscenities at Strong on the ground. He’d get another fuck-ton of money and go home happy. He’d picked up the belt and grinned, elated at his thirtieth win. On the top of the world.

Criston’s mind began to whirl as he stalked down the hallway. He briskly showered and answered a couple of questions to the press. She waited to the side, sinful red lips curled upwards. Swann was wearing the red bottoms he bought her, pretty legs shown off in her little dress and blazer.

When she nodded toward the exit he followed, agitated at the annoying reporter still asking questions. Criston didn’t want to upset her, so he kept his mouth shut and followed along, pulling his hoodie up. His balls fucking throbbed. He wanted to fuck his angel so bad, maybe she’d let him on a special occasion like this.

He got into the dark luxury vehicle, inhaling her sweet scent. Criston was close to getting feral, mouth watering at the possibilities. Still, he remained mute. Until she shifted, facing him in the dark, eyes full of affection. Criston couldn’t help the thin whine that burst from his chest at her attention.

“Look’it you. Took down Breakbones, got thirty wins, fucking hell baby,” she drew closer to him, “Criston Cole, you’re the real deal! You wanna fuck me, baby boy? I think you’ve earned it.”

“Pleaseplease, yes, fucking yes,” he pled.

A stagnant pause fell over the back of the car.

“Thank you,” he moaned, “Thank you.”

“Good boy, don’t forget your manners.”

She placed a warm hand high on his thigh, massaging the sore muscle. Her other palm caressed Criston’s patched-up cheek. She hummed “A kiss?” He nodded eagerly, vibrating in place, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. But Criston knew he had to be her good boy.

The woman softly pecked his lips, pulling back to watch Criston chase with a sad noise. She smiled and kissed him again, deeper this time. He eagerly opened his mouth for her, shivering as her nimble tongue playfully lapped at his own. Criston’s hands balled up in his sweats— no touching, no touching unless given permission.

Their lips wetly smacked in the dark car, her hand moving up to rub maddeningly at his straining cock. Criston cried out into her mouth, hips bucking helplessly. She laughed and nibbled on his shapely lower lip, hand squeezing his manhood.

“S’all mine isn’t it? My cock, just for me.”

He nodded in misery, his body wanted to let go, but it was a bit of a process to get Criston in the headspace he wanted. She knew how to get him there. Like her lips against his ear, tits pressed against his chest as she purred, “Easy love, relax, I’ve got you honey.”

“Mmm- gods, need it,” he gritted out, dark eyes lolling.

As her firm hand jerked him over the sweats, Criston’s manager nipped and kissed at his clean-shaven cheeks and neck. She whispered, “Sweet boy, I know you are s’hard, relax, relax, you’re gonna get to cum all night baby. As much as you want, just gotta let go okay?”

She praised and played with him some more, Criston began to pant hoarsely, thighs shaking as he neared the precipice. She tutted when the car stopped, “Get yourself together baby, we’re here now.” He blinked, a tear falling down his cheek, bewildered by the way she left him.

He was so fucking close! The boxer sulked and groaned at his denied orgasm, eyes watery from how intense his balls were throbbing now. He wiped his eyes and pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up again, keeping his head low. He hoped the half-assed tucking of his hard-on worked.

They walked in sync to the elevators. He sulked, “M’so hard it hurts.” Criston’s girl pouted her lips, patting his cheek, “I know, I know sweet boy, but we can’t keep the driver waiting. Almost there, don’t be so needy.”

Criston wrapped his arms around her waist, tucking his face into her neck. He would be good, he wouldn’t hump or bite. He merely wanted to hold her for a second before the elevator dinged. Swann hummed and nuzzled back into his hair.

Onward they went, Criston’s mind growing fuzzier and fuzzier as his body thrummed with need. Upon entering the penthouse suite— her entire demeanor changed. She snapped, “Go get undressed and kneel for me by the bed.”

He nodded in little jerks, undressing and folding them neatly, just how his mistress liked. Criston shuddered as the cool air hit his cock, swallowing heavily as he knelt before the foot of the bed. His hands shook with need, his adrenaline still thrashing and pumping underneath the skin.

He was downright panting by the time she came out of the bathroom, naked as he was. Criston bit on his lip, eyes watering again. The angel laughed, “You sure are worked up tonight.” She padded behind Criston, winding a hand into his hair, eliciting another agonized noise from the boxer.

“You are so damn talented, the Warrior smiles on you. I’m proud.”

“Thank you, thank you ma'am,” he whispered.

“I’m going to get on the bed and you’re going to fuck all that energy and cum out okay?”

“Yes ma’am- ohmygods.”

Criston’s brows pulled together as she laid before him, legs crooked and spread, her cunt shining with slick. He growled, digging his nails into the skin of his thigh. She crooked her fingers playfully, “C’mon baby, you’re allowed to touch. Use me, my special pet earned it.”

He almost felt bad in the way he roughly had pulled her ass flush to his hips, the flesh smacking loudly. Criston had eagerly gotten on his knees in the center of the soft bed, slotting his swollen cock against her slick pussy. “F-fuck, fuck, gonna use you baby, ’m sorry,” he gritted out. She smiled and shrugged, moaning as he rutted against her a couple more times.

Criston’s dark eyes rolled up as he entered her velvet cunt, warm and sososo tight. He snarled as he snapped his hips into his baby. She was crying out and digging sharp nails into his shoulders. Cole knew he was lost in the feeling, rasping and groaning possessive, ugly things he would never say out loud.

But when legs were wrapped around his waist and she was mewling his name? Criston had lost his firm barriers. He rumbled into her ear between kisses and bites, “My godsdamn pussy, mine, you’re mine, I’ll f-fucking kill anyone who touches you, looks at you, gods I’ll do anything!”

He groaned, balls drawing up quicker than expected. She was crying out “Yes! yes! All yours!” Criston sucked in a wet breath at her neck, hips driving into her at a breakneck pace, hands bruising her pretty skin. He choked on his drool, unable to warn her— Criston’s orgasm was that intense.

She tightened around him when his cock flooded, absolutely flooded her pussy. Criston moaned and clenched his jaw, fucking through the oversensitivity. His girl dug her heels into his ass to spur him on. The boxer swallowed down a little mewl. Everything was still so swollen, he had to keep fucking, keep cumming.

“Mmm, yes! Don’t stop baby, oh Criston!”

“I-I am, fuuuck, g’nna fill you up again!"

He drove his hips upward, lifting her hips so that Criston could get at her g-spot. She raked a bloody mark across his back, gasping in delight. He rambled while thumbing desperately at her clit, “Yeah, yeah, feel s’good, cum on me baby, need to feel you, m’close again!”

Criston wasn’t sure if it was her gorgeous wail or her pussy gushing on his cock or both but he came again. She chose to mouth at his lips, shaky legs clenching around him, hand pulling the hair at the nape of his neck. Meanwhile, he whined Swann’s name, the quickness of his second orgasm turning Criston’s brain into jello.

The slick noises between them were loud and sloppy, he was stuttering and whining. She threw her pretty head back and moaned. Criston was finding words hard. He kept fucking and fucking. She felt too good and he had so much cum for her.

“That’s it, keep it up,” she grunted.

Criston slurred, “Ca-can’t stop, can’t, can't!”

He felt his eyes grow wet as his overstimulated cock was gripped and milked by her cunt. The angel, his angel, wrapped her arms around his sweaty neck, his hips forcing little 'uhs' out of her plush lips. Criston blabbered uselessly, words bordering on sobs now. It felt too good, the pain and pleasure were ecstasy to him. He bottomed out inside her, stopping to mewl long and high before returning to feverishly thrusting again.

“Oh, oh, angel- hurts- s’good ohmygods your pussy, gotta cum again, m’sorry m’so sorry!”

She nuzzled at his jaw, moaning, “It’s okay, doing so good for me, needy baby. You needed this, poor baby’s balls are so full.”

“S’full,” he agreed, mindless and shivering.

Criston’s thighs began to twitch as he felt another wave cresting. He practically wailed as the third peak licked up his spine— white hot and mean. She gasped, nails digging into his flanks, pussy pulsing around another load of Criston’s molten cum.

He was a mess, wordless and drooling. Criston began to move again, gaze unfocused and mouth agape. He whimpered, all overstimulated and still fucking frantic. Criston felt like he’d die if he didn’t stop, tears pouring down his flushed cheeks.

Her hands held his face now, her lips saying something. Criston slowly cocked his head, attempting to understand his manager’s words. She said it again, this time louder with a smack to his cheek. Criston stopped his movements, protesting with a weak noise.

“Babydoll, you gotta fuck my thighs, I'm starting to hurt. I’m going to turn over, okay precious? Got that?”

His lips trembled— Criston didn’t want to do that. He wanted her pussy. He slid out anyway, a torrent of white spend flooding out of her well-used entrance, seeping onto the bed. She marveled "Oh Criston, you still have anything left?" The woman hissed under her breath as she flipped onto her stomach. She tucked a pillow under her hips, giving him access to her thighs, slicked with their release.

Criston stared— unsure how to proceed. His cock was so flushed it purpled, aching horribly. He whined, frustrated with his stupidity, the man just wanted familiar tightness again. She sighed and reached back, ushering his knees and thighs to cage her legs in, forcing Criston forward.

He gasped in delight when his cock slid between her soft thighs, warm and wet. His depleted brain decided this would do. Criston’s thrusts were jerky and uncoordinated, he was growing too sensitive to go on much further. He kept at it, crying and sniffling like a babe.

“Awe baby, you’re hurting huh?”

“Mhm!” he replied, scrunching his face up tight. He had to cum one more time, he had to! Even if it was excruciating, the pleasure ramped up into nerves prickling all over his worn body. She watched him with lidded eyes, lips in a smirk. Criston exhaled again, throwing his head back to sob.

“Gotta- I gotta,” he mewled.

“I know sweetheart, so close, let it all out, you’ll feel so much better. You’re so pretty like this— all fucked out and still want more. Knocked your whore brain sideways. My cute slutty puppy, I love youuu.”

Criston folded under the praise, his body contracting once more, stomach cramping as he devolved into cries. His abused cock managed to dribble one little last bit. He couldn’t stop crying, falling back onto his haunches. Swann guided him down to shush and pet his hair. She murmured, "You're okay, all done now, I'm here, not going anywhere. Just breathe."

Criston’s muscles were all loose but the adrenaline had been sapped quickly. He was gutted— in a good way. Just couldn’t help the reaction, he knew it would happen after an intense romp like this. His baby curled into his heaving side, laying feathery kisses on his jaw, a relaxing hand at his diaphragm.

“That’s it, let it out, poor baby. Couldn’t help yourself hm?”

Criston nodded through the incessant tears, his shaky hand threading through her hair. He rasped, “I love you so much. You’re perfect.” He was growing more sleepy, settled by her kisses and glowing smile. He could float easy and enjoy the win, curled up with his lifesaver. Well, after she got him water and wiped down the mess. He realized with a smile— she had laid a towel underneath them.

She’d have to help him function tomorrow, Criston knew he’d be scrambled eggs, sore, and a bit grumpy. But that’s why they kept a suite for three days. After the kick off he would rest up and replenish. They would fuck sensually, cuddle, and watch a in some order of that fashion.

His addled mind conjured up a big diamond ring he’d buy for her.

#ser criston cole x reader #ser Criston cole imagine #criston cole x reader #hotd fanfic #hotd smut #modern au

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ghoststyles · 6 months

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Baby’s First Check-up

A Fairway to Heaven Blurb

This takes place 1 year after the conclusion of the original story

*no trigger warnings; FLUFF only hehehe

“Harry, can you go upstairs and see if she’s awake yet? I knew we shouldn’t have scheduled the appointment at this time,” Briar puffs air through her lips.

“Sure. Gus Gus, wanna go see if baby sis is awake? We have to take her to the doctor,” Harry looks down at Gus, the gray around his eyes a little more prominent. The dog tilts his head before jumping up from his position on the floor and follows Harry through the entryway.

Briar puts the last minute essentials in her bag, not knowing how long they’ll be at the appointment, since it’s the first one at this office. She lines up the carrier on the counter, ready for Harry to put a wiggly little girl in there.

Harry quietly enters their bedroom, spying his sleeping angel in her little area. Gus stares at her through the mesh, his nose twitching as he smells her. Harry reaches down to gently pick her up, pressing soft kisses in and around her face. He grabs a tiny pink bow to stick in the fuzz on top of her head from the collection on the dresser.

“Good morning, sweet girl. How’d you sleep?” Harry says, scratching her back. He places the pink bow gently on her head. Harry looks around the room before grabbing her small stuffed giraffe, Raffie, and continues down the hallway to the stairs.

He appears in the kitchen minutes later, her little head resting delicately on his shoulder. Briar coos at her, licking her thumb to brush fuzzy hair out of her eyes.

“How’d you sleep, lovie?”

“Sleepy girl today. I think it’s from keeping mama and dada awake all night last night,” Harry smiles, pressing a kiss to her forehead and inhaling the scent from her oatmeal shampoo.

“She’s lucky she’s cute, huh?”

After situating her in the carrier, the proud parents make their way to the car hand in hand. Harry straps the carrier in the rear passenger side, laying a blanket over her while Briar jumps in the front seat. They embark, pinkies interlocked, preparing themselves to answer a million questions.

Harry spots his girl in the mirror, her hair in every direction and staring out the window wildly. His heart grows bigger and bigger for her every day. Briar and Harry’s nights have been long and restless, but well worth it. Now that he has his routine down pat with Oliver, this is a piece of cake.

Harry gently pulls the car into the lot, parking a few spots down from the door. Briar hops out to unbuckle the carrier, slinging the strap over her shoulder. Harry grabs Briar’s bag from the back seat then jogs around the hood to meet her.

The lock hands, walking into the front door of the office. It’s quiet, luckily, but their girl’s eyes are wondering all over the waiting room, taking in the colors. Briar pets at the side of her mouth gently as she sits on Harry’s lap.

“Wynnie Styles?”

Harry and Briar’s heads shoot up. Harry stands up, “Yep, that’s us!”

“Follow me!” The nurse smiles directly at Wynnie.

Harry nods, hiking Wynnie over his shoulder. Harry murmurs to Briar, “They didn’t say her middle name.”

Briar laughs, “It’s okay, just let it go.”

Harry huffs, and they follow her to an alcove in the hall.

“Place her on this scale for me, I want to track her vitals.”

Wynnie’s weight pops up on the screen. Harry beams, gently patting her stomach. “Such a big girl already!”

The nurse smiles, urging them to follow her into an exam room, “Dad, feel free to keep holding her while I listen to her heart and lungs.”

Harry nods, patting Wynnie’s back gently. The nurse holds the stethoscope gently over her heart, moving it around her back.

“Alright, everything sounds good. Dr. Miller will be in shortly.”

“Thank you,” Briar smiles.

“Such a good girl, Wyn.”

They fawn over Wynnie for a few more minutes before the doctor knocks on the door.

“Hi! I’m Dr. Miller.”

“Hi, I’m Harry, my girlfriend, Briar, and this is Wynnie,” Harry says, pointing to each of them.

“Hi, nice to meet all of you. Alright if we jump right in?”

The family nods, waiting for the doctor to continue.

“Let’s talk medications and vaccinations. She should be up to date with shots. How about flea and tick medication?”

Briar nods profusely, “Yes, this is my second Bernese Mountain Dog, and his first.”

“Girl dad!” Harry interjects, his dimples framing his bright smile.

Briar rolls her eyes and continues, “I’m very familiar with the risks. My older dog is 7 now.”

The veterinarian looks at Harry amused, but continues on. She writes a few things down in Wynnie’s chart before sending them off with a clean bill of health. Harry is still weary of letting her walk on the ground, so he holds her until they make it back to the car.

“Who wants a pup cup?!” Harry yells as he gets in the driver’s seat.

“Harry, we can’t spoil her already.”

“Yes I can. Trust me, I can get a lot worse.”

He locks his pinky with hers before kissing her knuckles. Harry surprised Briar with Wynnewood “Wynnie” Dorthea Styles with a house key attached to her collar.

Harry wanted to make a big gesture for Briar moving in, so when she planted the seed of her lease being up, he was on the hunt. He wracked his brain for months trying to figure out the best surprise.

“Hey, Birdie, do you want to see my new clubs?” Harry says smugly as the couple is standing in the parking lot of Wynnewood.

Briar couldn’t give less of a shit, but she loves Harry. She wraps her arms around his waist as he clicks the button to open his car’s back hatch. She doesn’t have much time, since she’s already taken 45 minutes of her 30 minute break to make out with him.

She closes her eyes, smelling his scent of sweat and sunscreen. Harry’s breath hitches, so she opens her eyes. Sat in a laundry basket with pink blankets and toys is an 11-week old Bernese Mountain Dog.

“I- who is that?” Briar questions, eyes wide.

“This is Wynnie. She’s our new baby, Birdie,” Harry says, rubbing her shoulder. Briar breaks free to approach the fuzzy pup. “I hope you don’t mind I named her.”

Briar looks at the name tag, “Is she named after Wynnewood?” Her high pitched puppy voice coming out, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.

“Yep. Wynnewood Dorthea Styles,” he smiles, his heart bursting from his chest. “Look what else is on the name tag.”

Her lip starts to wobble. Dorthea is her favorite Taylor Swift song; they sing it in the car together often. Briar flips the collar around to find a key. “What is this?”

“I want you to move in with me, Birdie,” Harry reaches down to swallow both of them in a hug.

“Harry, your house has a key pad to get in,” Briar gawks at him.

“The key is ceremonial,” he laughs, closing his eyes. “What d’ya say? Wanna live together?”

She presses a gentle kiss to his lips as she wraps her arms around his neck, “Of course. I wanna live wherever this cutie is.”

“What about this cutie?” Harry points to himself.

“Eh.”

#fairway to heaven #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles smut #daddy!h

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wyn-n-tonic · 1 year

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That's a Real Fucking Legacy: I Chose You

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader/former Tommy Miller x f!reader Word Count: 2.6k+ Warnings: Unprotected PiV. Soft Joel. Talk of death. The gif is JUST a gif, there are NO descriptions of reader, it's just a visual reference of movement. Author's Note: Thanks for all the patience with this installment. I have been working very hard on DoYaM and fit in bits and bobs of other things where I can. Cannot fully convey how grateful I am for all the kind words, I really hope you like this, too.

Please follow @wyn-writing and turn on updates for notifications. You can sign up for my taglist HERE.

That's A Real Fucking Legacy Masterlist

Everybody said it was an accident, that it could’ve happened to anybody.

But it didn’t happen to anybody, it happened to him.

Stopped for a pick up at a site out in Colorado, Joel left you and the baby to finally contribute and pull his weight—to feel useful. He’s been itching for it this whole time, getting out there and working off the energy that’s penning up inside his chest. He said he wanted to partake in something other than just keeping your daughter at peace.

You didn’t tell him he’d be taking yours away, too.

They were ambushed by another group, a bunch of men looking for food to take back to their women and children apparently. It was a fucking gun fight and if the blood on his shirt was just from a bullet, maybe this wouldn’t feel like having all the air sucked from your lungs.

Baby could sense it, too, the fear and devastation seeping through your body as they brought him back with another goddamn hole in his body.

He’s got plenty at this point, angry red and deathly white scars pockmarking his body like some kind of topographical map.

That’s all it is, just another scar to add to his collection and reminisce about as you trace it in the darkness of whatever shared space you end up in.

Except, they’re saying this one might not scar.

It might not even heal.

All the things he’s done throughout these years, all the things he done to protect you—to provide for you.

That’s all he was doing this time, too, and it breaks you down all over again as you pull Baby closer to your aching, carved out chest.

Everybody you have ever loved has either left or been taken away.

Tommy’s hand lands gently on your shoulder but it might as well have been a goddamn hit with the way you pull away from him.

“What do you want?”

“I brought some food,” he whispers, setting down a small plate between where you’re sitting and where Joel’s body is laying. “And I came to check on you, see if there’s anything I could do for you.”

He pulls away when you look up at him, hands falling to his side like he’s been fucking burned. You know what you must look like—bloodshot eyes and hollow cheeks.

“Yeah, Tommy, you can fucking fix this.”

You watch as he swallows thickly, adam’s apple bobbing in his throat as his eyes flicker from yours to his brother’s body and back. Not a day has gone by since he was brought back that you’ve left his side, doing your best to keep it together through every aching mile along the way to Jackson.

They look for medicine at every stop you make, coming up empty handed time and time again. If we don’t get to Jackson soon—to the doctor they have there—then he will die.

“I'm doing the best I can, sweetheart.”

“Don't you fucking dare call me that,” you tell him. Baby fusses in your arms like she can feel the hurt that’s heavy in your voice. “You were supposed to protect him, Tommy, you were supposed to bring him back to me alive.”

“He is alive,” he says, nostrils flaring as he points down at his brother. “He's right there, he’s breathing, and we are all doing the best that we can.”

Baby looks up at you, stung by the subtle anger that Tommy’s words hold. Her father may be trying to make nice with him, but you fucking won’t—you can’t. Not so long as he lays half clung to life next to you.

More words come at you—assurances and platitudes.

We’ll be in Jackson in two days.

They’re still looking.

He’s a stubborn piece of shit, he’ll make it through.

This is everything that he’s been afraid of this whole goddamn time. This is that fear come true that he’ll leave you or you’ll leave him or your daughter will leave you both and neither of you would survive that.

“Tommy,” you call his attention back on you as he turns. “I grieved for you,” you say. “God, I mourned and I wailed and I wept for days if not weeks or more.”

It’s like he’s understanding for the first time, truthfully understanding, as he stares down at your worn down body speaking all these fragile and broken words. Realization of just how much you hurt for him is dawning on him and he’s trying to give you more comfort, more words to say everybody will be okay.

But it won’t be true so long as your daughter is looking up at you with eyes that ask why your heart has stopped beating.

“I don't think you have heard me at any point that I have explained just what I feel for my family, Tommy,” you say. “I told you that I would’ve bled for you but that I would die for him so I really need for you to listen to me right now—if he goes, part of me will go with him.”

Jackson is like life before it stopped.

There is power here and children laughing.

There are babies and clothes and running water.

There are houses and furniture and trinkets and shops.

You haven’t been able to take any of this in, not really. Not when you’re walking around the halls of Tommy’s home like a ghost.

Tommy found penicillin after that night, came hauling ass into the room and injected his brother before you were even fully awake and registering what he was doing. Because, for a moment, you thought you were under attack. You though a runner had burst in and you couldn’t find the gun and this was the death you had feared beyond the walls—first Joel and then Thomi and then you. The last of those you love taken from you in the last moments that would make you welcome being ripped apart with open arms.

When you realized it was just Tommy, your heart half settled down and then you feared that maybe Joel had stopped breathing next to you. But that couldn’t have been the case because it was the shallow rise and fall of his chest as he fought against infection and the increasing cold that gave you any sort of hope or peace at all.

Joel woke up just as you made it through the gates of Jackson, one eye half cracked and already crying the moment he saw you next to him. Instead of going to the doctor, the doctor came to him. Modern medicine isn’t so modern anymore though, not the way it was when it all fell down. The penicillin likely wasn’t as potent as it once was but the doctor said it would do the trick and that the right thing was done by keeping his wound as clean as possible and bandaged tight.

Tommy said it was all you and the doctor was offering you a job before he’d even learned your name. You’ll get to that eventually, you told him so. Begged him to let you settle in and find a home, find a way to feel okay in this new space where you’re told fear doesn’t have to be your primary emotion any longer.

Now, though, Joel barely wants to sleep. He’s antsy, fidgeting and restless and begging to get out of bed and walk around.

He’s even bouncing Baby and talking with his brother on what jobs he can pull around town to earn his keep.

Fucking jobs.

You almost lost him to him pulling his own weight and he’s asking about fucking jobs with a half healed hole still gaping in his abdomen.

Thomi’s been down for about an hour, she was your excuse away from the bathroom. With Joel up and about, the survival mode has turned off in your brain and now you want to crumble every time you look at the knotted over flesh.

But there’s only so much pacing that you can do until you’re sitting back in the room and staring down at Thomi with tears in your eyes. She came so close to being just another orphan in this fucked up world because you weren’t joking with Tommy when you said what you said. Part of you will go when Joel does, you will not be the same and you’ve prepared for it, you just hope she’s old enough to understand when that time comes.

There’s also the hope that everybody understands that it’s Joel who has to go first. Between you and him, he has to go first because he cannot watch another person he loves die; he cannot add another name to another gravestone in the cemetery of his heart.

That’s where he finds you, saying something about how he can’t believe there’s an actual crib that she actually gets to sleep in.

That fact and the exhaustion of his voice hits you, drags the tears out of you finally after all these days of having to be strong. She has a crib and she’s sleeping peacefully inside of it with a soft toy somebody in town sent over. Joel has a voice and he’s using it as if just a week ago you hadn’t convinced yourself that you’d never hear it again.

“How can I fix this?” He asks, gentle hand resting on your shoulder. “What can I do for you?”

“You're breathing,” you say, pushing the tears from your face. “That's enough, it’s all I’ve been hoping for.” Because while you want him to be the first to go, you can’t lose him yet. Not yet.

He smells good. Like himself but different, the sweet scent of the mint soap Tommy gave you mixing in with the natural musk and heat of him. You don’t even realize you’re crawling into his lap until you are.

Tears fall down on his face as your fingers thread through the slicked back hair until you’re cradling his head in your hand; holding him to you with open mouths breathing heavily into one another.

He’s hard already and laying back with ease, thick hands gripping into the meat of your hips. It’s fucking embarrassing how close you are already but there was no privacy for sneaky touches on the journey here.

“Off,” he commands, tugging at the hem of your shirt.

Trailing his hand along the skin exposed as you comply easily to his demand, he fights against the pain you know he feels to pull himself forward enough to reach you and pull you back down.

Days asleep fighting, literally, for his life and, yet, he’s still got all this strength radiating out of his body. You know that’s why he was able to hold on for so long but it doesn't mean it doesn’t wow you and bring another wave of sadness all at the same time.

Because if such a strong man can fall so easily, what’s stopping this world from taking you, too?

Like he can read your mind, his hands settle on your hips and he pulls back just enough to look up at you with the same big brown eyes your daughter shares. “Are you gonna get off of me if I tell you this moment was the focal point of all my fever dreams?”

Head cradled in both of your hands, you take his lips again. “I might never get off of you again, Joel Miller.”

Fighting against the pain he feels, he pushes his hips against your core as he pulls you down against him, whispered words of gratitude and love falling pushed right into your mouth from his.

“I heard every word you said,” he breathes out. “The entire time you were by my side, sweetheart, I heard it all.”

Tongues flattened against each other, you reach down and pull off the new underwear—another offering in a gift basket to welcome your family to the town. You never thought you’d see these kinds of things again.

Clothes in good condition; sturdy houses; friendly people; fresh vegetables.

It’s something else that drips tears from your eyes and down his cheeks.

As if he knows how overwhelmed you are by all the newness going on all around you, he takes charge to push up against your lips harder and with more hunger.

Joel’s goal in every moment between your bodies is to be the only overwhelming force you feel and he does just that with the gentle push of his solid length through your soaked channel.

He takes the gasp you feed him, pulling back with a smile to trail the tip of his nose down the length of yours and studies you as he waits for your fully seated comfort to kick in.

“Mmm,” his head falls back and he relaxes down into the soft blankets. “I’m sorry if I bust too quick,” he breathes out. “It’s been a while and I missed you.”

Laughter. Because that’s a feeling coiling deeper in the pit of your being than he’s pushing into and he catches your moan as brings the long awaited friction you’ve ached for.

“I think I’m right there with you,” you whisper against him. This shared laughter and the feeling of his chapped lips on yours are the unburdening you’ve needed for so long. Even in the so called safety of the QZ, your shoulders were heavy with the weight of grief and fear both for those that were and those that will be taken away.

This is light and restful and full of peace and happiness because he turned it all around—he came back.

He heard every word you said at his side.

“None of these,” he says against your lips, swiping at the heavy salt water tears that streak down your cheeks. “Not anymore, sweetheart, not right now. You don’t need them right now.”

Your bodies are already tightening up against each other; working in time with each other all slow and steady movements made with intention and pulling back when necessary.

Because the intention isn’t to get off, it’s to be together and share this peace and relief together.

“I love you,” falls from his lips like a prayer, something sacred and quiet that he keeps close to his chest.

Even still, he may have said no more tears but they rush from you in body racking sobs. Because you know, of course you know, but he’s never said it. Not out loud, not like this. This isn't just a mere glimpse of a long gone, past life Joel Miller and who he used to be. This is him. That sweet and romantic boy he’s only told you about in the cover of night.

He doesn’t ask if he’s hurt you, he knows that he hasn’t. All he can do is cage you in closer; kiss you harder; hold you tighter until the broken sobs are turning back into shared moans as your involuntary movements of sadness and happiness combine to push you both over that edge.

“Oh, my sweet girl,” he exhales. “My strong, beautiful woman.” Those rough hands frame your face, thumbs swiping over the swell of your cheeks in mirrored movements. “You can relax now, baby, I’m right here.”

Every press of his lips against your face is so soft and full of everything else he’s struggling to say.

That you’re safe.

That you’re healthy.

That your daughter is both and can sleep peacefully not yet knowing what nightmares truly are.

He heard every word you said at his side and these are his answers—his reassurances. He’s here, he’s right here and he’ll fight like hell even against himself to make sure he’ll continue to be.

#joel miller x reader #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x you #joel miller #tommy miller #tommy miller fanfiction #tommy miller x you #tommy miller x reader #tlou #tlou fanfiction #the last of us #the last of us fanfiction #o writes

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musings-of-a-rose · 8 months

Text

Falling Slowly - Chapter 1

Pairing: Tommy Miller x f!reader

Word Count: 2000+

Rating: Mature - 18+ ONLY!

Warnings: Just like ao3, “creator chooses not to use warnings.” If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the age to handle mature themes. Also by clicking Keep Reading, you understand warnings may not be complete in order to avoid spoilers for the story.

Notes:This started as a simple idea for Tommy. He had different ideas and I can’t say no to those freckles and smile. Thanks to @mermaidxatxheart for helping me get unstuck. You always have such great ideas!

And a big thanks to @wyn-n-tonic for helping me form thoughts and give this a little shape. I hope I can be a quarter as talented as you one day!

**If you want to be added to the taglist, join here or let me know!

❤If you enjoy the fic, please consider giving me a warm beverage! (It is not required in any way!)

**Reader is not described. Divider made by @benkeibear

Main Masterlist

Falling Slowly Masterlist

Tommy Miller Masterlist

It’s crowded in here tonight. Not quite theme park during season full, but close enough. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t seriously need a drink after the day I had at work. And this bar was the closest place to home that was still open.

Or maybe I just pulled into the first place I found.

I somehow manage to score a seat at the crowded bar, sliding quickly onto the stool that’s still warm from its previous occupant. I raise my hand to the bartender and she nods, taking another 2 orders before taking mine.

“Rum and Coke. Less Coke.”

She smiles, tossing me a wink before she walks off to make the drinks. I have to admit I’m mildly impressed by her memory, as she had taken at least 10 drink orders before mine and memorized them all. No wonder she has an overflowing tip jar.

It probably helps that she has giant tits too.

I take a few sips, letting the warmth of the rum spread through me, loosening my muscles before setting the glass down. The music playing is stupid loud, but the people seem to like it, jamming their sweaty bodies together in a tight group in the middle of the dance floor.

I’ll admit, this isn’t typically my scene. But the patients today were really on their game of trying to piss me off and I decided I earned a drink. I just wish I’d known how loud it would be. Thankfully, I'm not on call tomorrow.

“Hello, gorgeous.”

A man sits next to me, shifting his body so he’s facing me. When I don’t respond, he repeats himself, a little louder.

“I’m ok, thanks.” I try to let him down easy, but turning down a man who’s tipsy and looking to get laid is not an easy thing to do.

“Not yet you aren’t. We haven’t even spoken yet.”

Sighing, I turn my head to look at him. He’s all blue eyes and light hair, a slight tan on his face but one from hanging out at the pool and not from manual labor. I’d be surprised if this guy had to work for anything.

“I’m flattered, really, but I just want to drink in peace.”

“Oh, come on now, gorgeous. A little conversation won’t hurt.”

“Really, I’m good.” I turn my head back to my drink, removing my hand from the top of it to take a sip.

“You look stressed. I can help with that.”

His hand finds its way to my thigh, squeezing me slightly. But before I can do anything, a different, larger hand removes it for me.

“She said she was done talkin’.”

This new guy is gorgeous. Broad shoulders, a barrel chest, arms that could totally lift me, coupled with beautiful black curls, freckles speckled across his olive skin, accentuating his eyes, which I'm sure are normally kind when they aren't staring down an asshole.

The man who was talking to me yanks his hand away and stands up, the bar stool scraping across the floor.

"Fuck off, friend."

"Not until you leave the lady alone."

The man puffs up his chest, sticking his pointer finger out, jabbing at the man with the curls that I'd love to touch.

"Why don't you fuck off so you don't get hurt, hhmm? Me and the lady were getting along just fine."

The man with the curls looks at me and I shake my head, both to say I'm never going anywhere with this man and please don't get yourself hurt.

"Doesn't look like she wants to go with you."

The man glances over at me and I fix my face into what I hope is confidence.

"No way. I'm not going anywhere with you."

The man narrows his eyes. "I bought you a drink. The least you could do is come home with me."

Curls laughs and oh, I would love to hear that sound again. "Imagine being such a dick that you think forcing a drink upon a woman entitles you to sleep with her."

The man draws his fist back and quickly releases, punching Curls straight in the nose, his head flying backwards. He stumbles but doesn't go down, his hand swiping at his nose to see its already bleeding. The man tries to grab for me but Curls stops him, landing several good punches of his own.

"Stop! He's not worth it!" I try to step in but it's pointless. I can't get close enough to stop anything.

A minute or so later it doesn't matter because the cops show up, separating the men and loading them both into the back of cop cars, Curls meeting my eyes and giving me a small smile before he's pushed into the cab.

"Excuse me," I stop one of the cops. "Which jail is he going to?"

"Travis County. The one on 10th."

"Thanks."

The men load up and take off as I turn to walk to my car and head to the police station. When I arrive, the desk officer tells me I'll have to wait a while for them to be processed, but that they will both make bail.

So I wait.

Several hours later, the kind desk officer rouses me awake and let's me know I can post bail. I do and they ask me to wait in the lobby while they bring him to the front. When he comes around the corner, he's talking to the officer that's escorting him.

"Yes sir, but can you tell me who posted my bail?"

The officer nods in my direction while extending his arm out, indicating that the man should proceed without him. Curls turns in the direction the officer pointed him and locks eyes with me as I stand, folding my jacket over my arm. He smiles as we walk towards each other, making my cheeks feel warm under his gaze.

"You bailed me out?"

"I had to. You saved me."

God his smile is like sunshine. "Oh, you didn't owe me anything, darlin'."

"I definitely did. That guy was a creep and who knows what else he could've done?"

"Well at least let me pay you back the bail?"

I wave my hand at him. "No way."

"There must be some way for me to pay you back?"

I gesture at his face. "How about you let me take care of that?"

He touches his nose and looks at his hand, seeing some dried blood. "Oh, no that's ok. I'll just go clean up-"

I step closer to him, hand stretching towards his face. "I can't believe they didn't get you checked out."

"Ah I'll be alright."

"Stop arguing and come with me."

He looks at me, all brown eyes and tiny freckles, a small smile tugging up the corners of his mouth. "Yes ma'am."

Oh I am so fucked.

He follows me to my car and gets in the passenger side. As I turn the key on the ignition, I realize I don't even know his name.

"I'm Tommy by the way."

I tell him my name. "But my friends call me Daisy."

"Well it's nice to meet you, Daisy."

We make it back to my place, as his truck had been impounded and so unavailable until morning. Tommy tries to decline my offer of a place to stay while he waits for his truck, until I ask if I'm so offensive looking that he wouldn't want to come up to my apartment.

"No way, ma'am. Quite the opposite."

He follows me upstairs, kicking off his boots when I kick off my shoes. He looks around nervously and I see him scanning all the windows and doors.

"You serve?" I ask.

He looks at me, eyebrows raised. "Yeah. Desert Storm. How'd you know?"

"My dad always scans a place when he enters it. I'm assuming you'll want your back to a wall too? Exits visible?"

"I…yeah. That would be preferable."

I gesture to my couch, which is against the wall. "Have a seat. Let me get my first aid kit."

I grab my kit and some ice in a bag and sit next to Tommy, who turns his broad chest towards me when he sits up. His eyes glance behind me at my bookshelf.

"That shelf looks like it's on its last leg."

I chuckle. "Probably is. I've had it forever and it wasn't high quality to begin with. Just some Ikea shit."

He groans, like I’ve just offended his entire ancestor line. "No, not Ikea! I could make you some new ones."

"What, are you a carpenter or something?"

"Similiar. Contractor. But I do know my way around wood."

"So do I."

Tommy shifts his legs at my implication and I smirk, dabbing at the now dried blood on his face, cradling his chin with my other hand.

His eyes are on me, so close I can feel his breath puffing out against my skin and I feel heat starting to pool between my thighs.

"Pride and Prejudice?" He asks.

"What?"

"On your shelf."

"Oh. Yeah. Haven't read it in a while but I was obsessed when I was little. Wait - have you read it?"

He smirks. "Are you surprised?"

"A little."

"My niece needed help with her book report. So I read it to be able to help her."

"You read an entire book to help your niece with a paper?"

"Yeah."

"That's really sweet. Not many people would do that."

"Oh I'm not many people."

"That's for sure.. hey Tommy, are you hungry? I have some pizza left over."

His eyes flick between mine, a soft smile appearing on his face.

"I love pizza."

"Great!" I move to the kitchen and start getting out the pizza, putting some slices on my pizza stone and turning on the oven to preheat it.

"I rented the new X-Men movie from Blockbuster. Have you seen it?" I ask as the oven bings and I slide the pizza in it.

"You managed to snag a copy?"

"I bribed the cashier."

He chuckles. "I haven't seen it yet."

"Ok cool. I'll put that on for us."

The pizza finishes reheating and I divvy it up, offering Tommy a beer. We sit on the couch, plates on the coffee table as I get out the DVD. Tommy whistles.

"You got a DVD player?"

"Yeah. It was my one splurge on myself when I moved here. Well that and a new mattress."

I fast forward through the commercials, cursing the makers for not adding a "skip ad" button.

"Is your boyfriend gonna be alright with us hanging out?"

“Yeah, no. I don’t have one of those.”

Tommy sits up a little straighter. “Oh? Why not?”

I shrug. “I just moved to a whole new city and wanted to settle in. I don’t like long distance because it just never works out. Plus I can’t deal with all the-” I twist my wrist in a circle “- neediness?”

Tommy chuckles. “Neediness?”

“Yeah. My job takes a lot out of me and honestly, I don’t have the mental space for a boyfriend right now. That’s why I like you.”

Tommy points to himself, eyebrows raised in question. “Me?”

“Yeah. I’ve only known you a few hours but you’ve already saved my ass and don’t act all high and mighty. Plus you have great taste in books and movies.”

Tommy and I finish watching the movie and I drive him back to the impound lot now that it’s open. We exchange numbers and promise to hang out again, both of us missing the glances in the other’s direction. Although I’m pretty sure he caught me staring at his ass when he was standing at the checkout counter.

“So you’re just….friends?”

Tommy nods, taking another sip of his beer. “That’s what I said, Joel.”

Joel studies his brother, his eyes narrowing. “She pretty?”

“So pretty she’d make a man plow through a stump.”

The corner’s of Joel mouth tick up for a second before he fixes a stern look on his face. “Be careful, Tommy. It’s hard for men and women to be friends if they’re attracted to each other. Someone’s bound to get hurt.”

“That would mean she’s attracted to me, big brother, and there’s no way. She ain’t lookin’.”

“Mmmhmm.”

“‘Sides, don’t you want a good example set for Sarah? That boys and girls can just be friends?”

Joel shakes his head, pointing at Tommy. “I don’t want her near any boys for any reason for her entire life.”

>>Chapter 2>>

General Taglist:

@frankie-catfish-morales @chaoticgeminate @janebby @astoryisaloveaffair @balekanemohafe @greeneyedblondie44 @hoeforthefictional @marvelousmermaid @hauntedmama @giuliarogers-blog @icanbeyourjedi @wretchedmo @sunnshineeexoxo @livingmydreams13 @adventures-of-a-noodle @sara-alonso @theewokingdead @punkerthanpascal @giggly-otter @f0rever15elf @phandoz @dirtytissuebox @gallowsjoker @lovesbiggerthanpride @sarahmilesbendrix @booksarekindaneat @mrsudontknowme @swol-bear @charlispersonallyhell @xoxabs88xox @amneris21 @gooddaykate @alindeluce @avengers-fixation @paintballkid711 @harriedandharassed @ladykatakuri @marrianena @practicalghost @withakindheartx @batdarkladyvampir @justanotherkpopstanlol @mermaidxatxheart @alexxavicry @ichigodjarin @justreblogginfics @sullyosully @kmc1989

#tommy miller #gabriel luna #The last of us #tommy miller x you #tommy miller x f!reader #tommy miller x female reader #tommy miller x reader #tlou #tlou fanfic #tlouff #the last of us fanfic #gabriel luna x reader #gabriel luna x you #gabriel luna characters #gabriel luna character fanfic #gabriel lunal character ff #gabriel luna character fanfiction

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evaelace · 15 days

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I haven’t posted about Triple Frontier in so long.

I literally do not even have my Triple Frontier blog anymore (lol suddenly I miss TripleIssue so much wow what a time of my life that was) but please.

Please. I just saw a video that has inspired the most emotional scene in my head about Benjamin Miller and I cannot stop thinking about it. (Thank you TikTok for inspiring me every day in the most random ways.)

Benjamín Miller that we all know would have a soft spot for kids (it definitely started with Frankie’s baby if not before that please bear with me here). Ben Miller that would have so much struggle feeling worthy of love but absolutely no problem falling in love with a single parent and their child.

Benny Miller that would show up for his little family every single day no matter the event, day, time, reason. If they call, he is coming. Hell, they don’t have to call because he is already there.

Benjamin Miller who would so happily take on the role of husband and father and caregiver and best friend because that’s who he is: protective and caring and so in love with his people.

And okay I’ll get to the point now but can we imagine that child getting to an age where they are able to legally change their last name on their own accord and they want to change it to Miller and as a surprise they hand him the official documents for making that request. And Benjamin Miller would unwrap it so delicately even though he has no idea what it is yet. And then he would be so confused at first… Reading that paper as quickly as he can to what they were so excited to be giving him… and then it hit would him. That they chose him the same way he chose them. The same way that he would choose them every single day whether he thought he was worthy of the opportunity or not.

The way his eyes would snap up from that paper, shining under the brim of an old baseball cap as he holds his breath hoping it’ll keep the tears in too. The way he would have to stumble forward into a hug where neither one of them is sure who is holding the other up.

I am distraught over this and I just had to rant about it this is so poorly worded I’m so sorry.

( @wyn-n-tonic please tell me you can see this too and I’m not rambling like a crazy person about nothing.)

#Triple Frontier #Triple Frontier movie #Triple Frontier Imagine #Triple Frontier Headcanon #Benjamin Miller #Ben Miller #Benny Miller #Benny Triple Frontier #Benjamin Miller Triple Frontier #Benny Miller Fic #Benjamin Miller Fic #Triple Frontier Fanfic #Triple Frontier Fic

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mythandral · 2 months

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B A S I C S

Name: Kenwyn Greenwood

Nicknames: Wyn

Age: 24 (ARR) - 29 (EW)

Nameday: Unknown

Race: Midlander Hyur

Gender: Unknown (they/he/she)

Orientation: Unknown

Profession: Healer, spy, assassin?

P H Y S I C A L A S P E C T S

Hair: Ash blonde, long and straight, and lighter at the tips.

Eyes: Unknown

Skin: Fair

Tattoos/scars: Burn scars down their right side, always hidden.

F A M I L Y

Parents: Raised by their mother, a Gridanian conjurer. Their father left when they were young. He was a wailer, presumed to have died during the calamity.

Siblings: None

Grandparents: None

In-laws and Other: No in-laws. Childhood friends with Vaisha (@lilbittymonster), who took them under his wing upon seeing they were similarly looked down upon by their fellow Gridanians. Dating Osi (@hermits-hovel), being that the two of them are on very similar wavelengths.

Pets: No pets, but can summon a leafy familiar to assist with their spellcasting.

S K I L L S

Abilities: They have a powerful but finicky echo, which allows them to remain unnoticed as long as no-one is expecting their presence. This requires a number of sacrifices to stay effective - they do not speak, remove their mask or attempt to develop friendships in order that they remain unknowable, unpredictable and therefore unexpected.

This affords them great efficiency as a spy or assassin, although their echo is not infallible to certain abilities. Some others with the echo, or who are resonant, are capable of detecting their presence no matter the safeguards Wyn has put in place.

They are also an exceptional white mage due to one of their prior shards, Alorus, having irrecovably influenced their soul by corrupting themselves with light aether in the time of the Amdapori. This is a double-edged sword - although it grants them great magical abilities, the elementals recognise their soul and abhor them. For whatever reason, they also have an odd relationship with the aetherial sea, almost as if it is trying to reclaim something lost...

Hobbies: Botany and woodworking, although they are not especially skilled at the latter.

T R A I T S

Most Positive Trait: Despite their efforts, they have grown close to a number of people, and are highly loyal to them (if distant).

Most Negative Trait: They are an utter coward who always watches, never acts.

L I K E S

Colors: Neutral tones, greys, muted greens.

Smells: Forests at night, damp soil, candlewax, incense, thyme.

Textures: Fresh linen, long grass, varnished wood, soft fur.

Drinks: Herbal teas, elderflower cordial, honey & lemon.

O T H E R D E T A I L S

Smokes: No. The mask makes it difficult, for a start.

Drinks: No, and they'd be scared to try.

Drugs: Some of the herbs they utilise may have mild effects, but nothing strong.

Mount Issuance: None - hard to sneak around with a very visible mount following you. They walk everywhere - and are a decent runner, too.

Been Arrested: They are long gone before anyone has the chance.

Tagged by @lilbittymonster, thank you! I'm sure most people have done this now, but consider this an open tag - especially if you have a secondary character :)

#ask meme #kenwyn greenwood #i've definitely not introduced her properly ever so the tag is very appreciated haha

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acaciapines · 7 months

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Your nanowrimo pieces are soooo goooood they hit so hard fr fr. I’m especially LOVING today’s one with the owl & the collector even tho I don’t rlly know that much abt toh bc I haven’t watched it but I can tell that u LOVE IT & I can’t wait to learn more thru osmosis once the fic is poooosteeeed✨ (i WILL read it i PROMISE i SWEAR)

Anyways give us the thoughts, the tea, tell us how you make the words do that✨ anything u wanna give in regards to today’s bit!! We’re not picky!

Hope y’all are doing okay! Gal says hi :) Remember to eat and drink something, take breaks, and look after yourselves and each other! We love you! This has been a Daily Interaction Ask <3

he he :3 im glad youre enjoying!! its been really fun to pick out my favorite bits even when usually those are the ones w/out context lol. look at my owl and weep boy. firefly <3

YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH VIA OSMOSIS....literally now that im also doing something for s1 its like. why watch owl house we have owl house at home (the owl house at home is a 1 million word daemon au) (<- 1 mil is not a joke btw idk if it'll hit it but itll at least come very close. no idk why i did this.)

as for today! hmmm...

its truly so fun to write the collector. like im not joking about him being my favorite owl house character despite his maybe twenty total minutes of screentime, so its been such a JOY to expand his role in this series!!

bc like. god. actually i think i wrote a whole like. bit of flash fiction/prose poetry type thing for them a while ago. probably in my files somewhere. but just. youre an immortal eight year old. you are in these years where you need to interact with other people for your own mental stability and health. to figure out the whole Being A Person thing. and you are trapped for like, centuries. trapped away from everyone and everything and DUST, which, in universe, in literally connection personified. you're cut off from all of this.

and you are, let me say again, eight years old.

truly the collector is just. hes had everyone he ever cares about leave him--his siblings the other archivists left him behind not out of any sense of cruelty, really, but because caring about people just isnt really a thing they do. quite frankly they live so long they didnt even notice. theyre far-away stars. not far because they're mean. just because thats what stars do.

and then king's dad (who um. doesnt have a name <3 this is why the collector calls him 'the big bully' its literally bc i never gave him a name--) was an adult the collector actually trusted and looked up to (he meshed REALLY WELL into titan society until the archivists started Doing A Murder since titans are the only beings that match them in power and they have very very different ideas about dust). like ive said before the collector is owlbeastkin but before that they never had a super stable sense of identity--in another world where they stayed w/ the titans they wouldve ended up a titan.

and then king's dad just. trapped him in a tablet forever.

and like, to be fair to king's dad he was reacting out of fear and the best knowledge he had (he assumed the collector led the archivists to the titans, and like, he did, but its not like he knew he was doing that, and, you know, poor guy had seen a huge chuck of his fellow titans killed including babies and eggs of which he had an egg to consider), but it still TRAPPED THEM. and then he died and so did all the rest of the titans so nobody could free the collector even if they wanted to.

and then BELOS, who manipulated and lied to the collector for so long and was also literally his only friend after being alone forever, so like, of course the collector just blindly went along with whatever he said. he was gonna free them!! he listened to them when they talked about stardust which nobody else ever did! he had no idea what the fuck a witch was! he just liked being able to see the stardust sometimes, and belos brought him to places with a lot of stardust. to destroy it, but like--you know. it was THERE.

but all these people were just USING them, and they never really understand that until king comes around. and king's also a scared eight year old!! but like. king's also not wrong. the collector did aid belos in destroying the entire isles. like no joke belos SUCCEEDS here. like not long-term obvi this has a happy ending but at the point we're in at for the future? it doesnt matter that the draining spell failed. all the palistrom trees are dead. witch society Cannot come back from that even if they did end up beating the collector. theyre doomed.

anyways what was i saying. collector. right.

so like, then they meet firefly/grr-click-growl/wings-across-night/the owl beast (king of having so many names i love her <3) and shes like, the first person who cares for them and ISNT using them. even king is using them!! but firefly has seen Some Shit. she sees the collector as a hatchling who was kicked out of his nest and is doing her best to be some sort of stable figure for him, but she doesnt Not see the stuff he's done.

the collector took over the world bc he's scared--all he's ever known is being used and trapped so he doesnt exactly trust most people easily. firefly would Love to not be in this world anymore. shes also got a loyalty to eda and king and luzmari. and, like, cool motive, still trapping an entire society of people.

but like. shes the one who is here right now and nobody else is trying to help this kid.

but the collector just. hes just an eight year old. a very, very old eight year old. but he doesnt understand things like "you can make the wrong choices and still choose to do better later" and "im mad at what you did but that doesnt mean i dont care about you."

he just sees someone upset with him. just sees another person who used him and doesnt care and is going to leave bc everyone leaves him and in a world where EVERY SINGLE PERSON comes in pairs, hes the only one who stands alone.

basically tl;dr: collector my beloved <3

#ask #daily interaction ask #toh #collector my beloved #yes this goes in the blog. hi wyn <3333333333 #me every time someone asks me about my fic: (forgets literally everything ive ever written)#also me: heres too many words about the collector lol #I JUST. LOVE THEM. LOVE TALKING ABOUT THEM #THANK U FOR ENABLING ME <333333 #i will never be free until 2-3 years from now when i post the final chapter of this fic <3 #get ready for the LONG. HAUL.#and a grove of palistrom to you

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fastlikealambo · 10 months

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the mermaid & the lighthouse. ||older!eddie x black mermaid! reader

summary: widowed father eddie munson is an experienced fisherman and down on his luck operator of one of the last barely functional lighthouses in america.

hawkins, a crumbling fishing village off the coast of maine, is slowly but surely being sold off and an oil spill by the carver oil company the previous year has all but sealed hawkins' fate to be purged of the locals and turned into a resort.

it's in the cards for eddie to sell his boat, pack up his daughter, and give into jason carver's cash offer to turn the lighthouse into a vacation home.

that all changes when a mysterious woman washes up on the rocks, an unearthly being that will change his fate and the fate of his home forever.

Trigger warnings for this chapter: Drowning, Body Horror, Mental Health Discussions, CPR

CHAPTER ONE.

'But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.'

-Hans Christian Andersen

This is a tale of mermaids, love, and what it means to be human.

But to begin,we must have an ending.

“Chrissy? Wynie? Christina and Eowyn Munson!"

Eddie made his way through the crowded emergency room, wading through police officers, people wrapped in blankets with medical staff hovering around them and others with the same wild look in their eyes as Eddie, searching for someone in the crowd. The corridors seemed to be endless as Eddie broke out into a run past the nurses’ station towards the room but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Sir, you can’t go back there.” The security guard said but Eddie shook them off, spotting a lone nurse.

"Please, I'm looking for my wife and daughter, they were on the ferry?"

"I'm sorry sir, we're swamped, someone should be around to talk to you shortly." The nurse said, barely looking up from her chart and it took everything within him to not scream. It wasn’t her fault, but he just needed to know what was going on.

"Eddie."

Eddie turned around to see Robin standing there and he immediately ran to his friend, unbelievably happy to see someone, anyone he knew who might possibly have answers, or at the very least prevent him from spinning his wheels.

"Thank fuck, I can't find Chrissy or Wyn anywhere and nobody knows anything, neither of them are picking up their phones, I'm going out of my mind Robin!" He exclaimed, running his hand through his curly hair, the few gray streaks in it shining in the fluorescent lightning. He had dyed them to match the rest of his head in what he thought was secret but Chrissy liked the grays.

Robin said nothing, took his hands in her own and it was then that he saw the tears in her eyes, the blood on her rainbow scrubs and his heart stopped in his chest.

No.

"Robin?"

"Eddie, Chrissy and Wynie were in the water for a very long time. By the time they were brought in, neither of them were breathing on their own."

No.

"Spare me the bullshit Robin, where the fuck is my family?" He yelled, no actual anger in his voice, just pure desperation. A buzzing noise that started when Wayne radioed him intensified in pitch and it felt like he was underwater.

"We were able to stabilize Wyn, but we had to put a tube down her throat to help her breathe, she's in the ICU, Eddie."

The image that his mind conjured of his little girl in a hospital bed made him want to curl up on the floor but he regained his composure to ask the question he didn’t want to know the answer to.

"And Chrissy?"

"We did everything we could, I'm so sorry Eddie."

Eddie felt his knees give out beneath him, meeting the hospital floor hard, his sobs and screams echoing throughout the hallway as Robin rocked her oldest friend in her arms, no longer able to stifle her own tears.

While his daughter fought to take a breath and his wife took her last, Eddie had been fucking fishing, tossing back a few beers, shooting the shit.

He didn't even get to say goodbye.

And then an interlude of two years.

Outside of The Hawkins Middle School principal’s office, Eddie was greeted by the sight of his twelve year old daughter looking very pleased with herself despite the bruise on her face and cut on her lip, the smirk that confirmed to the world that this was Eddie Munson’s kid fading as soon as she saw her father.

“Wyn, what the fuck happened? Who did this to you?” Eddie knelt down by his daughter, taking her chin in hand to inspect her face, rage and frustration building within him but Wynie sighed and shook him off, her face shifting to the same blank expression that had graced her features since he brought her home from the hospital two years prior.

“Mr. Munson, so good of you to join us.” Principal Coleman’s head popped out of the office, ushering him to come in. A sheepish Eddie followed, sinking into a seat across from the principal, half expecting Wayne to be sitting next to him like he was the one getting detention.

“Mr. Munson, we understand that things have been extremely hard for you both these past two years and we’ve done the best we can to support Eowyn here at school but I’m afraid violence can’t be tolerated.”

“None of what you’re saying explains why my kid’s face is fucked up, Coleman.” Eddie said roughly, running a hand through his beard. “But it’s the thought that counts.”

“Mr. Munson, your daughter headbutted another student during lunch, breaking her nose. The student’s mother is threatening to press charges.”

“And did you find out why? Ask any of the other students if-

“Your daughter confessed actually, rather proudly if I might ask but then again, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’m sorry Mr. Munson, but we’ve been lenient with your situation for far too long.” Eddie stood to his feet at that.

“Situation? Her mother died! She almost died! That’s not something a juice box and a pep talk over the summer fixes!”

“Sit down Mr. Munson, I know you don’t believe it but we are on the same side. That child’s parents are out for blood but I’ve managed to keep them at bay by giving Eowyn two weeks of in school suspension, a written apology, and she will be seeing Ms. Kelley, our guidance counselor and Dr. Owens, our school psychiatrist.”

Eddie slowly sat back down, exhaustion taking away any remaining fight he had. He had a plan to keep them both above water after all that had happened, to keep her safe and try to get through each day.

He was failing spectacularly.

“ Wait, she already sees Dr. Owens, twice a week.” Eddie said, confused looking out at his daughter in the hallway who overheard everything and now hung her head in actual sadness.

“Apparently for the last month, she’s been skipping their sessions.”

Jesus H. Christ.

“So do you want to tell me what really happened?” Eddie said,waiting until Wynie was buckled into the car.

Silence.

“Wyn, we can’t go on like this, if you don’t want to talk to me, you need to talk to Owens. No more skipping sessions, sweetheart. And you have to apologize to that kid.”

“He threw Abby Henderson’s lunch in the trash. He’s been doing it all week, she won’t say anything so I did something about it.” Wynie said softly. Eddie pulled over and turned towards his daughter who looked more and more like Chrissy with each day that passed.

“I’m supposed to say you shouldn’t have done that, that you should have told a teacher, that violence is never the answer, but honestly fuck that. You did something to help your friend and that’s important, Wyn.”

“So I’m not grounded?” Eowyn asked, the first time he had heard her voice in a few days, startling him.

“Oh you’re so grounded but not for the headbutting which is very metal by the way, but for the lying Eowyn. I’m worried about you honey, there’s nothing you can’t tell me, you know that right?” Eddie asked, reaching for Wyn who moved away.

“I’ve got to inspect the lighthouse tonight, why don’t you come with me? We can have hot cocoa, it will be like old times.” Eddie offered, coughing awkwardly.

Wynie shrugged, the guarded look back in place.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Eddie said, a little bit of hope in his voice as he started the car again.

Somewhere close, a storm beckoned and the sea betrayed you.

You had been watching the humans above, their ways had called to you more often than not these days, looking for him on the shoreline but he was no longer there. The human child smelled of him but a long time had passed since the sea was aflame and the scent was gone from the water.

You would wait one more day for him before leaving for colder waters and as the day became night, he was not there.

Eddie was gone.

Sadly, you left the rocks to dive under the stormy water and that’s when it happened.

Your tail, your beautiful luminous tail, began to twist uncontrollably beneath you, bloody scales shedding from you one after the other.

Then, agony.

So much pain, your bones shifting and breaking, you couldn’t breathe.

Poseidon, you couldn’t breathe.

The water that had raised you invaded your throat so you couldn’t scream as you disappeared beneath the waves, body broken, body new.

The Hawkins Lighthouse swayed a little, rain pelting the dilapidated lighthouse and Eddie and Wynie by extension. The lighthouse was nothing more than a sad landmark these days rather than the fully functioning lighthouse that saved many a ship centuries before. Still as a promise to Wayne, Eddie kept the lighthouse somewhat clean and serviced the lantern as much as he could.

“As he finished cleaning the lantern, he turned it on, the brightness got him every time but he couldn’t help but frown as the strength of the light seemed to dull with every minute that came and went. It would kill his uncle but the sooner the lighthouse was officially decommissioned, the better it would be.

Wynie stood on the other side of the tiny lantern room, wrapped in a star wars blanket with a thermos of hot cocoa, staring at the water below. It was hard to believe that just two years ago she would zoom around the tiny room, naming everything she spied in the water, begging Eddie to quiz her on all the clockworks, fuel parts, and vents in the service room.

Now she wouldn’t even step a foot outside the cottage much less the shore.

“I’m all finished here if you want to head down. Maybe we could watch a movie or something?” Eddie asked but she was already out of the room before the question fully left his mouth.

Was this how it was going to be forever?

He had failed his wife and child that night and he continued to fall on his ass since.

This was all his fault.

“Holy shit, Dad! Dad!”

The alarm in his kid’s voice sent him sprinting towards the stairs but Wynie burst back through the door, running to the glass.

“Dad, look! There’s something on the rocks!” She exclaimed, grabbing Eddie by the hand and dragging him to the window.

At first, Eddie saw nothing, squinting hard at the window but as the light passed over the area below, it shone brighter than it had in years, revealing something curled and limp on the rocks.

Not something, someone.

There was a body on the rocks.

“ Eowyn, Wyn, slow down!” Eddie called out to his daughter who ran ahead of him down the steep lighthouse stairs and into the rainstorm below.

He had left his phone in the cottage stupidly and had no choice but to follow his daughter, flashlight in tow. Wynie stopped just short of the water, frozen in place so quickly Eddie almost slammed into her. His hands shook as his flashlight revealed the limp naked body of a woman draped across the sharp rocks.

He should leave, call or radio for help, but something told him there wasn’t time, dead or alive, he couldn’t just leave you there.

“Stay here.” Eddie ordered Wynie, turning her around as he walked into the rocky water, slipping his jacket off as he slowly approached your body, slipping on the stones as he inched forward towards you, hands meeting your scarily chilled skin.

Trying not to think of the possibility of holding a dead body, he wasted no time, wrapping his jacket around you and gently slid your body off the rocks and into his arms and had Wynie guided him with her flashlight to the nearest soft patch of sandy shore.

Laying you down flat, he put his head to your chest and listened, the more silence he heard the more fear threatened to overwhelm him.

"Daddy?" The terror and pain in his daughter's voice paralyzed Eddie as he looked down at the completely still woman beneath him.

This was no sight for her.

"Wynie, go inside, call Aunt Robin, tell her we found someone hurt on the beach, she'll know what to do. Put the puppy upstairs then turn the heat up and light the fireplace, just like I taught you. I'll be right behind you, I promise. Can you do that for me?" He asked, putting his hands on her damp shoulders.

Eowyn nodded deeply, straightening herself up with a fierce look of determination in her face that made her look so much like Chrissy his heart hurt even more.

"I can do it Dad."

"Good girl! Now, go!" He kissed the top of her head and gently pushed her away.

She took off running towards the cottage and Eddie steeled himself for what was to come next.

He pressed two fingers into your neck waiting for something, anything, beneath his fingers, but the same stillness continued. Eddie tilted your chin back, pinching your nose and sealed his mouth to your own breathing deeply, feeling your chest rise to meet his hand.

He repeated the action, breathing for you once again, hoping you sit straight up like in a movie and this whole nightmare would be over but no sooner then he had felt your chest rise with his air did it sink in, just as still.

He gently walked his fingers down to the landmark between your breasts and placed one shaking hand over the other, locked his elbows, straightened his arms, silently praying to anyone as he centered his shoulders over his hands and began to press down hard and fast, counting aloud.

"You got yourself on those fucking rocks, you can do this, come on!" He choked out, ignoring the cold that seeped into his tiring arms threatening to numb his hands but he kept going, the rhythmic sound drowning out his own racing heart, blinking back frustrated tears. Two minutes felt like an eternity as he checked your pulse again with the same result.

He couldn't do this again.

They couldn't be tied to another death, Wynie couldn’t bear it, Eddie wouldn't survive it.

You were running out of time, he was running out of time before his daughter would no doubt come back outside after doing what she was told and be treated to the sight of another corpse.

It was at that moment that Eddie Munson decided he would not let the sea take another person, even a stranger, from him again.

Sweat and rainwater rolled down his back as he began again, each and every compression a middle finger to Death itself because he would not give up, not until you took a breath or someone ripped him off you.

Two cycles later, Death backed the fuck off.

An ungodly gurgling followed by a wretching sound had Eddie's frozen fingers flying to your neck and he let out something between a laugh and scream at the drum of a pulse beneath his fingertips. He cut his celebration short, turning you on your side as you emptied your stomach of seawater and god knows what else.

"Let it all out, good girl, you're safe now, you did it." He soothed, alternating between patting your back and rubbing circles. He caught a glimpse of your half opened eyes, wide and brown before they rolled back into your head and you went limp against him, shivering hard with every breath you took.

The light passed across your face and for a second Eddie swore he saw sharp teeth.

"I need every towel and blanket in the house, where's Robin?" Eddie asked, racing into the warm living room of his seaside cottage, his jacket wrapped around you to give you some privacy and preserve any heat he could give you from the journey from the shore to his home.

"Aunt Nancy answered, Mrs. Sinclair went into labor earlier, she's still on the mainland. She said she'd come herself as soon as there was a break in the storm." Wynie explained, zipping around the cottage collecting a pile of blankets and beach towels.

Eddie set you down on the already blanket lined couch in front of the fire, quickly peeling off his own wet layers to his semi dry t-shirt underneath before wrapping a towel around and cocooning you both in blankets, gently rubbing the heat back into you.

"You're gonna be okay, we're gonna get you nice and warm and then we'll get you some help." Eddie whispered into your ear as Eowyn gently placed another comforter over the pair of you, eyes glassy with tears.

"She's not moving, is she gonna die like Mom?" She asked quietly. Eddie held out a hand for his daughter to come forward.

"You see her wrist? Put two fingers right there, it's okay you're not gonna hurt her sweetie." Wynie did as she was instructed, touching your wrist so softly as if it was going to break.

"You feel that? That means she's alive and she's alive because you saw her on those rocks before I did. She's going to be fine once she's not so cold and your Aunt can have a look at her. You're a hero Eowyn Munson, and I'm so proud of you sweetheart." Eddie said,mussing her hair before Wyn smiled the first real smile in a very long time and ran to the kitchen to make tea. Eddie returned to the task of warming you up, cradling you in his arms.

"Please don't give up the ghost on my couch after I just gave that awesome speech."

That’s it for now, I hope this is okay :)

#eddie munson x black reader #older!eddie #eddie munson fanfic #the mermaid and the lighthouse #eddie munson x reader

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thepeculiarbird · 4 months

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Treehouse

There was a beautiful tree in the garden, perfect for a treehouse. It was Fiona and Hugh's idea and they got helped by Bronwyn and her brother. Claire and Olive were the most excited about the project and they were waiting for Miss peregrine's permission. When they got it, they started to build it which made curious the other kids who weren't apart of the building process. It took a couple of weeks but they did it. Fi put flowers a bit everywhere and Wyn brought some furnitures. Everyone loved the treehouse.

Wyn,Claire and Olive were probably the ones using it the most, they were making tea parties all the time and everyone was invited, except Enoch because of that one time when he thought it would be funny to replace the tea with bl0od, he was not allowed in the treehouse anymore. Horace went once, he got a splinter, we never saw him up there ever again. Millard came only when there was no one in the treehouse to read in peace, he didn't mind when Fi and Hugh were also here, they're calm. Emma and Abe would stay on the balcony and watch what happens in the garden thanks to the view it gave, sometimes in silent, sometimes talking. Victor followed his sister and his boyfriend Millard everywhere so if one of them was there, you could be sure he was with them or at least near the tree.

(I realise now it's probably impossible for them to build the treehouse and use it because of the loop but I thought it was cute)

#mphfpc #mphfpc hcs #headcanons #treehouses are cool #horace somnusson #enoch o'connor #millard nullings #emma bloom #victor bruntley #bronwyn bruntley #olive abroholos elephanta #hugh apiston #fiona frauenfeld #claire densmore #abe portman

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yunarim · 6 months

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ಇ. broken melodies | chapter 4

⇢ ⁺ THURSDAY'S CHILD HAS FAR TO GO ˖ Yuu's about to make her first visit to NRC.

— PREVIEW (read for tags and synopsis) — MASTERLIST (open to read previous chapters) — AO3

⁺ w.c : 13k+

Dazzling morning’s light was gliding aside Yuu’s features, and she snapped her eyes open.

It was already morning, and even in spite of not getting quite used to them, Yuu realized that the new day had indeed started. She blinked away all the sleepiness that suddenly washed away her usual consistent and firm liveliness as someone’s steady breathing next to her was heard, while she was staring absently at the plainly white ceiling of the infirmary.

She abruptly turned her head, witnessing a very familiar silhouette, though surrounded by seven other bodies, and gaped, her breath hitched.

Neige was lying on the bed, sheets artificially clean and neat, his face radiating nothing but tranquil peace and calmness as of a deadman. She shivered, her hands started trembling slightly as she managed to get up from the bed, and didn't notice concerned gazes upon her startled figure.

“Yuu?”

She ignored one of the dwarfs' noise, and went straight up to the bed Neige was lying at, and couldn’t resist touching his cheek white as snow.

His serene entity, depraved of former worry and anxiety he was surely trapped in, reminiscent Yuu of the Snow White. He wasn’t surrounded by flowers, nor was he covered with a glassy lid, yet Yuu stared as if the world was about to cease its existence.

“Yuu.”

She hasn’t succeeded in rescuing him, has she?

Yuu chuckled to herself rather hysterically, nervously clenching a piece of cloth in her hand, and sucked air. No, it can’t be…

“Yuu-san!!”

“H-huh?”

She only turned when one of the dwarfs hit her slightly on her leg, finally managing to gather her attention, and frowned at her, sighing in displeasure.

“I don’t know what you are thinking about, but he is fine.”

“He is?!” Yuu regained the brightness of her emotional specter and bent down enough for her eyes to meet the dwarf’s, Dominic. “Oh I’m so glad…”

“You’re an injured party, too. You should rest a bit more,” Dominic put his hands on his hips, pouting at her. “Neige’s fine, but please remain quiet. He’s finally sleeping normally.”

“S-sorry…” She muttered under her breath and took a seat on the edge of her bed. “Were you here all the time? I remember we both fell asleep at night…”

“We came an hour before you woke up!” Hop smiled at her sheepishly.

“Thank you for coming here,” Yuu nodded politely. “But you too should get some sleep, I believe it’s pretty early for anyone to come.”

“It’s nearly six in the morning,” Dominic explained. “No need to worry. Besides, we wanted to thank you.”

“Me? For what?..”

“For rescuing Neige, you fool,” Grum scoffed at her before getting scolded by Dominic.

“Forgive Grum for being rude,” Dominic sighed. “But he’s right. We all are really grateful.”

“I did nothing…” Yuu mumbled, lowering her head.

Indeed, she did nothing, and it was almost humiliating. She could have protected him from being hit! She could have prevented him from crossing the line and going overboard with his emotions, could have helped him in many other ways, or at least just talk his soul out of it, she could have—

“...Zzz… Looks like… Worries too much…”

Yuu turned to the sleepy dwarf with ginger hair, which slightly reminded her of Elias, and blinked, turning to the next dwarf, who was playfully patting Neige’s head.

“Mm?” He looked up at Yuu. “Ah! Thank you!! Oh, but why did you worry in the first place?.. I can’t remember…”

“Toby can be rather forgetful,” Dominic elucidated. “But he’s right. There’s no need to worry anymore, alright?”

Yuu gasped at his statement in bewilderment, but had no other choice than to bite her lips and accept their point of view. “Understood…”

“Nice nice!!” Hop giggled and covered his mouth with his hands as Dominic put his finger to his lips and mumbled quiet ‘shh!’. “Sorry!”

“Doctor Wyn said that Neige will recover in no time,” Dominic reassured her, placing his little hand above her own, to which Yuu shuddered slightly, being rather unfamiliar with touches. “You all did your best, thanks to you, Elias and Che’nya-senpai, Neige is alright. He just needs proper rest.”

Yuu nodded, returning her gaze to Neige’s beautiful face, relieved from worries in the sleep.

“Y-you should sleep… t-too…” Blue-haired dwarf with bangs covering his eyes mumbled, causing Yuu to smile slightly. “W-wha!..”

“Thank you,” she replied, standing up. “But I’m okay. I’ve rested enough. Besides, I… think I miss the clocktower.”

“Right, you spent all night here,” Dominic nodded. “We’ll see you later then!”

Yuu’s smile turned slightly vague and apologetic, but seemed to go unnoticed by the dwarfs.

“Yes, indeed. See you later.”

Yuu bowed to everyone and bid goodbye before closing the door. Only in the hallway did she notice that her uniform was neat and clean, though instead of boots she was wearing light slippers, to which she giggled softly.

Apparently, the academy seemed to be free of students, and once she felt tender sun rays playfully touching her skin through the windows, yet light freshness bordering on chilly coolness, she realized that it was early in the morning. Around five or six am, probably?

Yuu went out of the building, meeting a slight breeze filled with autumn’s coldness, and stretched out her hands to the sides, inhaling deeply, and exhaled slowly, enjoying how pleasant it was — to be able to stop for a while and just… breathe.

The road to the clock tower accompanied her with morning dampness, drops of dew from the small blades of grass under her feet playfully tickled her ankles. Yuu waved her hand, summoned a pink butterfly, and greeted it.

“Morning, little one,” she smiled in relief, noticing that everything was alright. “How are you doing? I was worried that something might have happened to you all yesterday…”

The butterfly whirled around her, then landed on her head.

“I see…” Yuu muttered, nodding. “I’m glad you’re all okay. Come to think of it, do you think that… a red butterfly would come if I summoned it?”

The butterfly remained silent.

“I also think so… But it’s concerning that it didn’t disappear. I can feel the connection formed between us. It hasn’t disappeared completely, I can slightly feel it resonating on the back of my mind.”

Yuu continued mumbling to the pink butterfly until she made her way to the clocktower, and took a deep breath.

“It’s time to bid farewell.”

She stepped in the clock tower, releasing her magic wand and changing soaked slippers into boots, then took a deep breath. Every step on the ladder radiated anxiety and fear, shuddering with the feeling of wretched omen upfolding soon. The butterfly appeared to fly away somewhere (Yuu had no idea where to they always return after being summoned), and she squeezed her shirt in the fist.

Reaching the clockwork, she stared at the reddening sky in its sunrise, and felt her heart growing with smoldering heaviness.

Neige was rescued, he was fine, he started recovering, and with proper care and support he will definitely become happy, just like Snow White did. He will follow her steps, one day will turn into the fairest one of all, and probably won’t even remember Yuu, ever. There was nothing to remember, to be exact — she just happened to appear in a place, in a time, talk to someone, do something, and then is supposed to cease to exist in the minds of those who met her.

A wave of something oppressive, heavy and viscous passed through her, as if a chopping rod, and Yuu winced, hugging herself. Was bidding farewell to princesses just as hard? She couldn’t remember, her memory sinking in a fog of scattered pieces of bonds, acquaintances, events…

I must go now, she thought, ignoring the shiver that fettered her, and shook her head in denial.

“Ha… Let’s do this.”

She threw a quick glance to the papers Prospero studied here, chuckling to the Solar Return chart and Pluto in 8th house, and thought that maybe it wasn’t even interpreted in a right way, and there were no significant changes in the life of the chart’s owner. Brushing off her silly thoughts that maybe her appearance here was about to be the change, yet ha! Hardly it was.

Yuu’s grip tightened on the magic wand asshe closed her eyes.

Heartbeat increased rapidly, her breath inconsistent. Yuu was imagining the mansion she has lived in for who knows how many years, every crack on the brick walls, every flower in her garden. Slowly, memories started enveloping her, bringing back to her usual holistic life. Playful dances with butterflies, chores in the kitchen, starlight gazing and viscous ardent desire to rip the loneliness off her skin and soul.

She almost felt how prominent was the fragrance of flowers, its bewitching aroma surrounding her gently, covering all the worries and casting a strong spell of bringing tranquility, and yet…

Yuu felt her vessels encaustic, burnt with poisonous flames, and gasped, breaking down to the painful yell, and fell on her knees.

Her magic wand left long forgotten on the floor, ferocious zips of magic flashing in the air. “I… What?..”

She no longer paid attention to her heartbeat, ignoring how it was beating with loud thuds in her ears, and stood up once more, biting her lower lip and shaking off her thoughts.

“No, it can’t be,” Yuu muttered to herself, grabbing the wand in spite of it still crepitating. “I must have made a mistake in spell casting, right…”

Closing her eyes, Yuu once more tried imagining the place, yet to no avail — the magic wand abruptly got almost incandescent in magic flames to the point it was painful to hold, and another shock wave pierced Yuu through, causing her to drop the item and scream in a painful wail.

“But why!!” She appealed to the reddening sky leaking through the glassy walls of the clocktower with its gentle rays. “I have already helped Neige! He is fine!”

But everything remained silent.

She inhaled sharply, trying to calm herself down. “Alright. There’s still a way.”

She will play by the rules of this capricious, whimsical world with all the diligence she has got.

Yuu made her magic wand disappear and decided to head out to where it had all started.

It was still very much early in the morning, no students spotted in the halls of the main building. The heels of her boots echoed with every step, and when she reached the doors, the heaviness crumpled on her shoulders, causing breath to hitch uncomfortably.

She opened the doors, now seeing this hall once again, with a whirl of memories having her mind flooded with fragments of images of her landing here. She made her way to Excalibur to make sure he wasn’t paying much attention. It was still a question if he could sleep or just put his ‘mind’ to slumber until being summoned, yet the slight soft glow he was radiating the first day was gone.

“It was nice meeting you…”

Silence was the only answer.

She stood up in the centre of the hall, trembling hands not holding the magic wand properly, Yuu’s whole stance was questionably steady, breath inconsistent and shuddering in worry. Yet, she tried again.

“Argh!!”

She yelled, but pressed further. Air started crackling with green zips flashing around her small figure, her fingers turning blue, then white until she couldn’t feel them anymore.

“I demand!!” Another scream passed her lips. Her eyes snapped open, little nets of blood veiling in the corners due to pressure rising up. “To bring me back home immediately!”

Yet to no avail.

She knew if she yelled louder, someone might have heard, so she continued pushing it forward, ignoring how her whole body started boiling with magic within, causing a few huge sweat drops to fall and get carried away with a storm that formed from magic currents. Yuu couldn’t take it any longer, butterflies trying to resist the amount of magic leaking out of her uncontrollably, and surrounded her. She dropped her wand at once, falling on her knees, pulsations beating in her whole body, heart wincing in anguish.

“Ah.. Ha… Ha-ha…”

Sweat drops rolled down her cheeks, falling on her fists she clenched while staring at the marble floor. It wasn’t Yuu who appeared here on her first day, dressed in ceremonial robes of RSA. It was pathetic, unwise Yuu who was scared to admit she failed.

Little iridescent butterfly landed on her nose, glowing with a tender warmth, healed her slightly, helping her to regain composure.

“I am so foolish,” Yuu tried standing up and swallowing the thoughts that started piling up in her head. “Truly, what a fatuous, ungraceful being!”

If the mirror can’t take her back home, then there is still someone who needs her help. Just how simple the formula is!

Yuu picked her magic wand up, making it disappear in the air, and headed out to the exit. She needed to sort all the thoughts out, make a plan, decide what the next step would be, and, most importantly, figure out who needed help this time. Or was it still Neige? Right, defeating, or rather admitting his other self was valid, didn’t make his worries go away. The depression he drowned in, the pressure and the thoughts hunting him were still crawling under his skin, and being an excellent actor he is, he still preferred to conceal his true feelings and—

“W-woah!!”

Yuu touched the doors’ handle only to realize that it wasn’t her who opened the doors in the first place, and couldn’t orient herself at once, swimming in the depths of her mind with splashing questions, and squealed.

“W-what??”

“Oh?! Yuu!”

“Elias-san?!”

Yuu recognized the familiar gingerhead and was about to ask what was happening, but she was confronted with professor Emery’s annoyed voice reaching from somewhere behind Elias’s back.

“There’s no time!” Elias yelped when realized he basically almost smashed Yuu when he entered the hall, and grabbed her shoulders, causing the girl to shudder. “Sorry, you’re about to have a real quick retreat operation here!”

“W-what do you— Elias-san?!”

“Down the Rabbit Hole!”

And with that he pushed her towards an upfolding hole under their feet, making Yuu disorient slightly until Emery’s voice was distancing and fastly disappearing.

Yuu slightly pushed Elias off, realizing he still had his hands on her shoulders to somehow steady her while they were falling, and blinked away an unfamiliar feeling of being touched by someone. A chair wasn’t long in coming, catching Yuu and causing her to plop in it, now being opposed to Elias, who also appeared to be in the middle of taking a seat.

“Sorry!” He said, smiling at her when a table also came, flying between them. “Didn’t expect you to be there so early!”

“I can say the same thing about you, Elias-san…”

Yuu finally could study his features, now sitting in front of him. Elias, in all his fidgeting glory, actually appeared to be an extremely beautiful person.

His copper-colored hair almost touched his shoulders, and now, in the bizarre lighting that worked according to principles inexplicable to Yuu, she could notice long light, almost blond eyelashes. His hair seemed to have been scorched red by the blinding sun, to which the young man apparently was often exposed. The sun's reflections, caught in his brightest blue eyes, danced joyfully at the bottom. But what stood out most was his wide smile, causing Yuu to involuntarily smile back, taking in the boy's mood. It seemed that he himself was the epitome of everything bright and inspiring that existed in this world.

Two cups flew to the table, remaining in the air hanging just slightly above the table's surface. Elias parted his lips slightly, taking his cup between his fingers covered in small scratches, and glanced at Yuu. The way her fingers elegantly embraced the cup, her firm gaze fixed on the teapot made Elias startle for a moment, but he was instantly brought back to life when he smelled the tea that poured in her cup.

“Huh?!” He exclaimed, leaning slightly closer. “Isn’t it tea with lavender and orange zest?!”

“Your sense of smell is incredible, I must say!” Yuu’s lips turned upward, but then dropped when she saw him frowning. “Is something the matter?”

“Ho-hooo~ Aren’t you a sly girl, Yuu?”

“Excuse me?.. I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

“Oh you do!” He clapped his hands and giggled. “Why didn’t you mention earlier that you’ve already been here!”

Ah.

Was there any point of concealing the truth? She, indeed, had a miraculous chance to experience portal traveling, but what put a serious weight on her heart was the very fact she did it without any warning, sneakily entering Elias’s portal uninvited and unwanted. Her gaze lowered, almost incarnating her reflection in the tea cup.

Elias’s little chuckle made her gulp and confront his blue eyes, and Yuu hesitated to follow the conversation. Yet, an unsettling feeling underneath her skin was quickly soothed by the boy’s swift jump from the chair. Elias tapped her shoulder, giving it a gentle shake right after, so as to wake her up from that concerning self-soul-searching.

But hey, wait a moment. How did he figure out that it wasn’t her first time here?

“Elias-san, how did you know?..”

“Mm, your tea flavor,” he nodded coquettishly, pointing at her teacup. “The portal always serves black tea with lavender and orange zest for the guests arriving for the second time. Next time, you’ll be served hibiscus and honey!”

“O-oh…”

“Hey,” he tilted his head. “You know, it’s very easy to read you when you frown like that. I’m not blaming you!”

“You… really?” Yuu’s eyes lit up slightly at his statement.

“Girl, why would I?” Elias giggled, sipping the tea. “I see you’ve got that adventurous spirit! I mean, I noticed that during the… uh, fight with Neige’s counterpart. Still,” he gave her an uncertain look, emotions on his beautiful face kept on changing with every second. “You seemed kinda way too serious.”

“Yes, so it was a serious matter demanding appropriate reaction.” Yuu concluded, allowing herself to enjoy the tea.

“It indeed was,” Elias nodded. “I mean… You carry that kind of look like you’re about to disintegrate from distress any minute.”

“I’m sorry?”

“The portal seems to be quite curious about your case,” Elias chuckled again. “We’re having a long ride today. Perfect for story telling!”

Even if Yuu thought of herself as a fool for not being able to accomplish her task, she understood what he was hinting at. Elias clearly pointed out how odd her case was, and wanted just as clear answer.

“Mmm…” He ruffled his hair, realizing that he probably came off as demanding, and sneakily glanced at Yuu, trying to analyze her reactions. Nothing beside her usual facial expressions, unable to be read, caught his eye. “You don’t need to answer if you don’t want to. It’s just…”

Now he was the hesitating one, darting his eyes between Yuu and his cup of tea.

“It is quite alright, Elias-san,” her voice came in almost a whisper. “Forgive me for the confusion I caused. I’ll tell you everything I can, but please do bear with the fact I’m in no position to tell you absolutely everything.”

“Sure, you have my word!” He nodded eagerly. “In fact, I can also drop a thing or two about myself in return, if you’d want that.”

“I won’t deny, you’re quite an interesting person yourself…” She said slowly, as if trying to digest the words that flew off her lips. “Alright then. Ask me a question. What do you want to know exactly?”

“Okie! Well, here’s a small detail about myself: I’m good at magic. Not to mention I’m rather creative, hence I can understand what kind of forms magic can take. It’s the first time I see someone casting a spell in the shape of butterflies.”

“Ah, yes…” Yuu blinked twice, feeling panic rising within slightly. She didn’t want to lie, but just as well she hesitated whether she should tell him the secret behind her magic spells. “I cast my magic not in the way you do…”

“I noticed that,” he giggled, leaning forward. “Although, we, RSA students, and almost every well-known magician prefer no magic-shaping as it takes a lot of concentration and extra resources. I mean, why bother and spend more magic required than it’s originally needed?”

“I see…” Yuu hummed, abruptly snapping out of her thoughts as she noticed Elias winking conspiratorially at her, and realized he was quick to read her.

“No normal magician usually says ‘I see’ when speaking about their magic,” he said and jumped in his seat as he noticed Yuu frowning. “Ah, I don’t mean you’re abnormal in a bad way.”

“That is alright,” she shook her head. “My magic is… Not quite like yours, there’s no denying. As I noticed, it doesn’t take much energy and concentration for me to cast spells. Plus, my butterflies have bits of consciousness of their own. They tend to react differently from butterfly to butterfly. I never considered them the form of my spells, but rather… friends.”

She returned her gaze at him, probing if he was confused with her explanations, but Elias only flourished in excitement, leaning forward and slamming his palms against the table as his smile only grew wider.

“You can befriend magic?!” His eyes were almost sparkling in delight. “That’s insane!! Can you summon a butterfly?! O-oh, I mean,” he steadied himself, realizing Yuu was slightly at a loss of words. “If it’s okay.”

“Hmm… Okay. Come, little one.”

A pink butterfly appeared before Elias’s eyes with pinkish sprinkles, causing a ticklish feeling at the tip of the boy’s nose, and he carefully studied it.

“You mentioned they have consciousness,” he mumbled, sticking out his finger, and smiled when the butterfly landed on it. “How do you know that?”

“I can speak with them,” Yuu said. “Although, apparently, others can’t hear their voices.”

“Marvelous…” Elias whispered, his eyes glued to the butterfly. “And there are different colors, right?”

Yuu hesitated, thinking that she was already providing quite a lot of information, but continued after a short pause. “Yes.”

“The butterflies you used… no, summoned that day, were yellow.”

“Golden,” she corrected him. “I summon pink butterflies more often than the others.”

“Because they possess different abilities?” He guessed and hummed after Yuu’s approval nod. “Incredible!! But, Yuu…”

“Yes?”

“Where in the world did you learn this kind of magic?”

Yuu lowered her gaze once again, avoiding Elias’s inquisitive eyes, and took a deep breath. Once she reveals the truth, it may be over. She already risked it enough with school staff, she couldn’t afford failing her mission if she puts trust in the wrong person. Elias seemed nice and genuine, but given her uncountable experience and long life, she knew how devious some people could be, and how easily trust could be lost.

Still, they fought together. Elias was ready to risk his life for her if something went wrong that very moment, and if she knew she would prevent it, it felt… odd. Trust was a foreign concept for her — the only trust she had knowledge about was her Godmother’s kindness and wisdom. She took her when no one else did, she taught her everything, never letting down, never abandoning. Godmother’s presence was always lingering in the air, even if Yuu knew exactly well that she was somewhere far, far away, and it gave her strength and will to go on and never give up, no matter how unbearable the situation might seem. The Fairy Godmother was the only one she could rely on, believe in and follow her lead, she needed no one else, and yet…

The situation she appeared to be trapped in was unprecedented. Who knows how much longer she needs to stay here, so maybe — just maybe! — it was okay to try putting her trust in someone else?

“Not in the world you know,” she finally breathed out her words. “As I do not belong to your world.”

“Your world, you say…” Elias continued after a short moment. “That makes you a transdimensional traveler?”

“You may put it like that,” she nodded. “Putting it plainly, I’m not from your world, so I don’t possess your magic. And I’m sorry, but I believe I can’t reveal anything more than that.”

Elias smiled at her, shaking his head. “It’s alright. I’m very grateful you shared it with me. And I’ll keep your secret, you have my word on that.”

“I can’t thank you enough,” she bowed slightly and raised immediately as Elias asked her not to.

“Your magic proved very helpful in, eh, battle with Neige? If I may put it like that. Especially given no one really knows what the hell really happened.”

“Right, I wanted to ask if you know anything about that… counterpart of his,” Yuu dwelled deeper in her thoughts.

“No,” he said firmly. “I know nothing at all, and it’s concerning. Buuut~”

“Hm?..”

“I know someone who does!”

Elias put his teacup away, grabbing Yuu’s hand much to her surprise and incomprehension, and jumped on the floating armchair, pulling Yuu after him.

“Okay, off we go!”

As only Yuu managed to detect annoyance — could it even be said about unliving being?? — coming from the portal, Elias already held her hand tight enough so she didn't trap her foot when the portal closed.

Unfamiliar warmth on her hand radiating from Elias’s skin made her shutter slightly and draw her hand closer to her heart, releasing from Elias’s hold.

“Whoops, sorry!” He smiled. “Jumping off the closing portal might be quite the experience, even if you know when it’s closing.”

He giggled, hinting at the time Yuu couldn’t predict the time that portal was closing and had to orient herself without any hints, so she only shook her head. Touches felt foreign, alien, yet… not unwelcome.

Yuu studied her surroundings as she noticed a familiar dusted smell, which usually only books could possess, and blinked, realizing they indeed ended up landing in the library.

“We didn’t travel far from the main hall,” she commented, watching Elias jumping on the staircase’s railing and sliding down. “Ah, wait!”

Quick on his feet, Elias gracefully jumped off the staircase, turning to Yuu, who was hurriedly descending along, glancing with hints of childish menace, much to his amusement. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself, heh!”

“Elias-san, this is dangerous! Descend normally next time!”

“‘Kay, mom.”

“Mom? I’m not your mother, Elias-san.”

He poked his tongue out of his mouth, giggling afterwards, and Yuu only sighed at his shenanigans.

A pile of books met them right at the reception desk, and Elias was about to call for Aell when the librarian appeared from behind the pile just in time the second-year opened his mouth to speak.

“Oh, Aell, hellou-hellou~ Being busy since early morning, hm?”

Yuu glanced at her companion with a hint of disbelief, trying to make an apology for his rude behavior, but Aell only shrugged it off.

“You as well. And good morning, Yuu-san.”

She bowed, receiving a little approving hum in return, and greeted him. “I’m deeply sorry for disturbing you so early in the morning.”

“Nonsense,” Aell shook his head, dark chocolate curls of his hair swaying mesmerizingly. “If anyone is disturbing, it’s Elias.”

“Eyy you old man!”

“Elias-san!”

“Don’t worry, Yuu-san,” Aell raised his hand, stopping her from being harsh on her companion. “That little gadabout is always like that. Much to Emery’s chagrin.”

“That is me~ “

“So,” Aell leaned on his elbows, tilting his head, his eyelashes trembling ever so slightly. “What caused you to bring Yuu-san here?”

“She came willingly!”

“From your portal, yes, I assume.”

“In fact, you really brought me here, Elias-san,” she chuckled and turned to Aell. “Still, there’s something we wanted to ask… There’s almost no information regarding one topic we… might have been stumbled upon, and for educational purposes we would like to gather more information, if that is alright by you.”

Elias secretly showed his thumbs up, though Yuu had no idea what the gesture meant, and only tilted her head when Aell spoke.

“You speak very… cautiously,” he noticed, narrowing his eyes in query. “What kind of topic are you about to bring up?”

“We don’t know the exact name, if there’s one, that is… What we know is that a person produces, uh… their other self? Which is quite the opposite of their original side in terms of personality, but not exactly drastically opposite?..”

Yuu tried to draw a solid conclusion while speaking, and realized how messed up she sounded, but Aell seemed to understand her to the fullest, reacting in a way she didn’t expect.

The corners of his lips twitched, pupils trembled for a moment before he quickly dismissed his emotions, remaining unreadable.

“No.” His answer was outright. “No, as I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Oh come on, you certainly do,” Elias probed, meeting with Aell’s strict look.

“I do not. More to add, you won’t even find any books on the matter you speak about. Which, by the way, sounds absolutely absurd. You kids read too many whimsical little novels these days.”

Albeit not wanting to insist, Yuu gulped and tried pressing on a little bit further. “We’re sorry for bringing it up and disturbing you then… But if you don’t mind me asking, maybe there’s magic allowing one to create their replica?”

“I believe I made myself clear, Yuu-san,” Aell stood up, turning his back on them and grabbing a book so harshly that his fingers turned white from the pressure. “Now, is there anything else?”

“Nothing,” Elias replied, nodding to the exit and receiving Yuu’s silent ‘okay’ at his move. “Sorry for asking. We’ll go.”

“Just…” Aell sighed, knitting his brows together and taking a deep breath. “Focus on your current studies instead.”

But we experienced something much exceeding our current studies program, Yuu thought to herself, but nodded nevertheless.

“And,” Aell raised his voice slightly when Yuu and Elias headed out to the exit. “Promise me you will think about yourselves and tell us adults if something’s on your minds.”

Yuu and Elias exchanged confused looks, then turned to Aell and nodded to him in agreement.

“Good. Now, have a good day.”

“See you later,” Elias dropped before opening the door for Yuu and throwing one last heavy glance at Aell, who had already disappeared between bookcases.

“He seemed angry…” Yuu whispered, frowning. “It appears this case with counterparts is much deeper than we originally thought.”

“I’ve never seen Aell reacting like that,” Elias added. “I mean, I thought I knew him well, but this is something new and unexpected. Which means… we need to investigate it on our own!”

“But we promised we—”

“Come on, aren’t you curious? That old man clearly hid something from us,” Elias chuckled. “We will be careful. Plus, it’s not like you’re about to leave this all and forget everything that happened to Neige, right?”

Yuu sighed and massaged her temples. Of course she wouldn’t forget. Yet, she was on her mission, everything happening connected to her task, and Elias happened to be dragged in it. She couldn’t afford letting him get hurt!

“Yes, well… Alright.” She sighed in defeat. “But please, Elias-san, be careful. If you notice anything strange and out of place, tell me immediately, so I can protect you.”

“What an adorable knight in shining armor you are, Yuu!” Elias smiled at her, little freckles on his cheeks shining slightly more prominent in lights scorching through the windows. “You too remember that you can rely on me.”

“Thank you, Elias-san,” she bowed.

“Alright then, I’ll get going, need to check on someone before the lessons start!” He exclaimed, stretching and yawning. “You go back to the clock tower, you’ve got a well-deserved rest for today, after all.”

“I could say the same about you!” She protested, looking at him with reprimanding eyes. “You need to get some rest, Elias-san. I’ll be just fine. I can’t skip lessons just because of little scratches.”

“Girl, I literally wasn’t affected in any way thanks to you,” he bent over to her. “I’m very grateful, but spare me, how could I sit around doing nothing when it's broad daylight?”

“Okay…” She took a deep breath. “But if you feel exhausted, return to your dorm immediately and get some rest.”

“Yeah, mom.”

“I am not your mother, Elias-san.”

But Elias already disappeared, jumping off the staircase railing again, and waved his hand, bidding his goodbyes to her.

Despite being quite exhausted herself, Yuu couldn’t let herself skip lessons. Sun rays were flowing on her skin when she stretched, sitting at her desk in the classroom where students were partially present. Accompanied by their yawns, she opened her copybook, alas letters were floating, becoming an incoherent mess, and Yuu sighed. She was visibly tired and confused by everything that happened this morning.

If the mirror was still blocked, it meant there was someone who needed her help. Was Neige really alright or should she pay more attention to his state? Or was there a completely different person, silently crying for help, while Yuu was sitting here, doing nothing? How foolish it was of her — to think she’d accomplished her training in princess rescuing. The Fairy Godmother possessed great intuition, allowing her to detect those in need in one moment, she always knew what was right and what was wrong. She knew exactly how to help and provide one with her assistance, and when one should have done something by themselves.

Yuu took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts and detect what would come next, when she sensed a rather familiar fresh fragrance from her side and turned left to see Luan jumping on his seat.

“Mornin’!” He greeted her, his brightest smile making her reciprocate. “Man, you look…”

Luan frowned, leaning slightly forward to get a closer look at her face.

“I look?..”

“Exhausted,” Luan concluded, his features softening. “Damn, you look like you haven’t slept in ages. No offense tho.”

“It’s alright,” she shook her head. “I just… Have a lot on my mind, but don’t worry.”

“Nah girl, you’re not getting away with that from me, got it?” Yuu blinked at him blankly. “I’m here and you’re not smiling genuinely? That won’t do.”

“Haha,” a small laugh escaped her lips, and she wouldn’t lie, it came off really sincere. “No, really, I’m quite okay. Just a bit tired.”

“Tat tat,” Luan stuck out his index finger and clicked his tongue, lecturing her. “I’m not buying it. You’re a bad liar, Yuu.”

She laughed sheepishly, averting her gaze and hesitating, whether she should have taken that as a compliment or a comment to think about thoroughly later on. She, in fact, couldn’t lie at all, but if it was that easy to notice, well…

“Sorry…”

“Girl, I’m not angry at you, chill,” Luan clapped his hands and fished out of his pocket that peculiar device called phone, waving his hand at Yuu to bend forward. “I know what could brighten your mood. Say, do you like cats?”

“Cats?” Yuu blinked, certainly not expecting that kind of question all of sudden. “Yes, I do find animals adorable. Cats included. Why?”

“Great, no one could resist cat videos! Come ‘ere.”

She stared at the phone, narrowing her eyes and trying to follow Luan’s quick moves, his fingers floating above the surface, letters splashing under his touch. What a marvelous little device!

He gave his phone to Yuu, galaxies flashing in her eyes due to excitement mixed with fear she might break something, but Luan just giggled it off and said it’s okay. Yuu took the phone, grabbing it clumsily, and stared at the screen as Luan pressed a button, and a video started playing.

Little kittens were playing with each other, their fluffy paws hitting the screen, as if trying to reach Yuu, and small squeaky meows made the corners of her lips grow wide in a beautiful genuine smile.

“See! I always keep my promises!” Luan giggled, yet appeared to be very proud of himself.

“They are so cute!!” Yuu exclaimed, her eyes filling with pure joy and delight, seeming much more alive then they were a minute ago. “Waa… Thank you for showing it to me. I will treasure this moment forever.”

“We must get you a phone one day,” Luan said, taking the device from Yuu’s hands when the video ended. “I’d send you a ton of such everyday.”

“I don’t mind, if it wouldn’t distract you from the lessons.”

“Hey, you’re no fun!!”

“That I am,” she smiled. “Thank you once again. I appreciate it.”

“Maybe you should just join the equestrian club if you love animals. They’ve got horse riding there.”

“Hm…”

Yuu found herself lost in thoughts again. Luan has mentioned clubs before, as well as Chenya, encouraging her to join one. Even if it sounded like fun, was it the right moment to try though? Now that she was certain her job here wasn’t done, maybe she could allow herself a little moment of enjoyment and find out what her interests really were?

“Do you know anyone who’s in that club?” Yuu asked, justifying it innerly in a ‘it’s just out of curiosity, nothing more’ manner of speaking.

“Neige,” Luan said instantly. “Oh, also that funny guy called Elias. You might not know him but-”

“I do know,” she said. “Oh, sorry for interrupting!”

“You’re doing great! See, you already know that Chenya dude, Neige and even Elias! Though I don’t think the equestrian club is really your cup of tea.”

“Huh? Why would you think so?”

“I’m not sure, it's just… Uh, vibes aren’t really yours. Anyway, I haven’t told you I also joined a club, have I?”

“Oh! Which exactly?”

“School broadcasting!” He announced proudly, smirking at Yuu and giggling. “Sounds cool, huh? Don’t be shocked if you hear my voice while walking around the school. Oh and I’ll make sure you hear me in every corner of these grounds!”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

As teacher Emery entered the classroom, making it clear that the lesson was about to start, Luan opened his copybook and spoke softer, but still loud enough for only Yuu to hear.

“Let me give you a tour after classes end,” he said. “Then you’ll choose which club you find most fitting for yourself!”

“Splendid idea,” she nodded, returning to her copybook.

And catching Emery’s worrying gaze on her before he started the lesson.

Luan found Yuu brooding in the hallway after lessons ended, and appeared before her, his smile wide as always.

“We’re off on our journey to find you a club fitting your interests!”

“You’re making it sound quite adventurous,” Yuu noticed, taking Luan’s lead and passing through students, apparently not so cautious of her presence as they were just a few days ago. “Again, thank you for helping.”

“That’s my pleasure,” Luan replied. “And to prove my good self being a wonderful tour guide and not make it boring, let me tell you that you can find most of the club rooms in another wing. Aside from those which involve outdoor activities, ofc.”

“Oh, alright. What would be our first stop?”

“It’s a surprise!”

Yuu smiled. Luan was pretty quick on his feet, just like Elias, and following him was quite a process, given she herself preferred no rush as she walked, yet she noticed that Luan slowed down just enough for her to not run and walk in a comfortable space. Perhaps all of her acquaintances she happened to have got accustomed to this kind of attentiveness due to her short height and it was simply more convenient for them to walk slowly, or maybe they were just considerate — she, in the first place, was thankful.

It was four in the afternoon when the classes ended, and colors of the sun iridescent from scorchingly bright and light to warm orange, bringing comfort and coziness. Yuu could never get used to it — walking freely under the sun, watching days pass by, colors changing their palette with each hour. Uncountable years, half of which Yuu simply forgot as they failed to imprint memories into her heart, remaining dim and plain, brought eternal night to her life.

The garden in her mansion glimmered in starlight each day and night, and she could never imagine those flowers in shades beside slightly touched by moonlight, silver and cold. She, of course, witnessed countless sunrises in her lifetime while rescuing princesses, and yet… Has she ever stayed in one world longer than for one day? The touch of the sun on her pale skin was extraneous and inappropriate to the point that it brought more sadness than delight.

And now, with every day filled with the alien warmth of the sun and its colors, she bathed in it, enjoying every moment with every fiber of her soul.

She didn’t notice as they already arrived, Luan stopping right before her.

“A~aalright, here we are! Allow me to introduce you to the art club!”

Luan was just about to open the door, but two distinctively loud voices were heard up ahead.

“LUAAAAAAAAN!”

Yuu winced at how exceptionally loud they were, reaching her very core and shaking it with their sharp yell. Luan, in his turn, wasn’t shaken by them at all, looking rather… Playful?

“Whoopsie-daisy!” He said, turning around and getting almost smashed by two bodies.

Yuu tensed, ready to defend, attack, or maybe everything at once, but Luan’s only burst into soft giggles.

Luan was quickly pulled into some sort of a greeting hug, and when two unfamiliar people let him be, Yuu studied their features.

The first young man turned out to be quite tall and strong. Thick pitch-black hair casually fell onto the tanned skin of his shoulders. Yuu had to lift her head high to peer into his dark, bottomless eyes. His strong, large palm rested on Luan's shoulder. A light shadow of a calm smile stretched across his plump lips. His animalistic features reminded Yuu of a warthog.

The second young man turned out to be much smaller in stature compared to his companion. From under his shirt, carelessly unbuttoned at the throat, a scattering of moles could be seen on the golden skin. The sleeves of his uniform were rolled up, exposing his sinewy arms, which were also not lacking in moles. With a slight wave of his hand, he brushed a strand of tousled ginger hair from his forehead, allowing Yuu to look at his bright chocolate eyes, aimed straight at Luan. His rounded ears and ginger tail reminded Yuu of a meerkat. Both of the students wore yellow brooches attached to their shirts, revealing that they were from Kifurijua dorm.

“Tim, Boo!” Luan greeted them, pulling into a hug. “Wassup?” “We finally found ya,” the black-haired one spoke, his voice deep and strong.

“You’ve got the company,” another one noticed, nodding to Yuu. “Hey there!”

“O-oh, yes, good afternoon,” she startled for a moment, mesmerized by their appealing appearances, and bowed.

“This is the first time someone bows to me,” black-haired student said. “No need to go that far, girl.”

“You meet her next time and get used to it instantly, that’s just how she is!” Luan explained and turned to Yuu. “Yuu, meet my best friends! This is Tim,” Luan pointed at the ginger-haired student. “And here’s Boo,” black-haired boy nodded shortly.

“Pleased to meet you everyone,” she nodded politely. “I am Yuu, Luan’s classmate.”

“Ey, aren’t we friends?” He tilted his head to her but let the matter be as he noticed her confusion and frustration, clearly not comfortable with answering. “Anyway, Yuu, they’re also my clubmates. So, guys, did you need somethin’? I was giving Yuu a tour on our clubs!”

“You’re needed in the club,” Boo said. “Right now.”

“Really? What happened?”

“Leader’s got a sore throat, and the broadcast starts in half an hour.”

“Oh,” Luan turned to Yuu at once, realizing that he couldn’t have skipped the club activities, yet he also gave her a promise. “Uhm, Yuu.”

“I understand,” she shook her head, as if telling them not to worry. “Please proceed without me, it sounds important. I will go further on my own.”

“Ayy, but I promised!”

“That is quite alright, please don’t worry about me,” Yuu smiled, seeing how Tim and Boo relaxed as they realized she understood that Luan was needed. “I appreciate you led me here, I’m sure I’ll manage to go further on.”

“Promise me you’ll ask for help if you get lost or somethin’!”

“I promise,” Yuu nodded shortly. “Good luck in the club! I hope to hear your voice again today when I’m exploring.”

“Oh that’s for sure, wait for me, heh!” Luan waved her goodbye. “See ya later!”

“See you again, Yuu,” Boo said.

“Bye-bye!” Tim followed.

After bidding goodbyes, Yuu watched them distancing until they disappeared in the end of the hall, and Yuu turned to the art club door.

“Okay,” she took a deep breath. “Let’s see… Hello?”

She opened the door, throwing a quick glance and examining the room, but her only companion was silence. Yuu proceeded into the room, dust particles floating around, caught in the sun rays sliding through the windows.

There were easels placed throughout the auditorium, some covered with cloth, some empty, and others with pencil sketches. Dried splatters of paint decorated the floor, brushes were carelessly scattered on the windowsill or in small drawers along with other painting tools. Yuu slowly walked around the classroom.

She never really gave a thought if she enjoyed painting or drawing. She studied art under the Godmother’s thoughtful guidance, because it was what princesses did. Choir, art, dance, embroidery, etiquette — lessons flashed within her mind with a rapid speed, changing one another. She was quite skillful and knowledgeable in all those spheres, but did she really find herself enjoying the process, with the world stopping while she was drawing or singing?..

Brooding as she were, Yuu found herself abruptly distracted by a certain painting, and gasped, almost crushing the easel behind her.

“W-what in the world…”

An exquisite portrait of Neige appeared before her eyes, and under other circumstances she would just appreciate the beautiful and flawless technique, but this? What in the world was this?

Neige’s counterpart, drawn so astonishingly perfect as if it was alive, was hugging himself, staring at the crumbling skies. The same luxurious robes of the character Neige was playing, the same mask, same burning red eyes with a touch of pure sadness, and the very same rings on his gloved fingers. The very same disheveled hair, halved in black-and-white color scheme.

An absolutely perfect replica.

Yuu stared at the painting for a moment before hesitantly making her way towards it, her fingers brushing over it, but sensing nothing outside of the aquarelle texture. Calm down, she demanded of herself, but mind was tangled in various thoughts.

Alright, she thought, maybe someone saw the pamphlet showing Neige’s character? Yet, he didn’t possess that hair color scheme. If one hasn’t seen that desperate look in the eyes of Neige’s replica, one couldn’t depict it so painfully beautiful. So oversensitively flawless.

Yuu frowned, studying the portrait. No sign, no date, no memo left — nothing. Just perfection of the artist and the agony of the character.

“I need to ask if someone knows where art students are at this moment…”

With that, Yuu threw one lingering glance at the painting and headed out of the room, hoping she might find someone from another club and gather information. From what she knew, Neige himself didn’t attend the art club, and it’s unlikely he would draw himself in that state. She didn’t know what club Chenya attended, but he also most definitely wouldn’t make this art piece. Leaving Luan in the broadcasting club and Elias in the equestrian one, that meant someone else also saw Neige’s counterpart.

All of her thoughts left her mind with a sweet voice somewhere down the hall flowing around, reaching Yuu’s ears.

“Is someone… singing?”

She proceeded further, reaching a classroom and throwing a glance at the board on the left.

“Choir club,” she read.

She knocked twice, but no one answered, apparently being too involved into singing, but she peeked in, noticing a familiar silhouette.

“It’s a tender rain… May this song reach you, no matter how far apart we are.”

Yuu parted her lips, melting into the softness of the voice, and recognized the pink silky hair. That was the boy she saw during PE class the other day! She decided not to interrupt, and somehow felt how her mind settled in peace after hearing some lines, and with a gentle smile on her face she made her way to the other classes.

As much as she enjoyed visiting different clubs, a variety of which left her speechless — natal charts & transits study, really? Really? — apparently no one could help her navigate where art club students might be at the moment. Internally making a note to investigate the matter later on, she decided to focus on the initial plan, which was to define what club would suit her.

After exploring everything within the school walls, she went outside and made her way to the grounds where PE class was held that day, remembering Qian words that she may find him after 4 pm. Throwing a quick glance on the clock tower indicating already six in the evening, she gasped at how much time it took for her to visit every club she could find inside.

Still, she approached teacher Qian’s silhouette, finding him teaching students some broom flight techniques.

“Isn’t that Yuu-san?” Qian performed an elegant, yet strong jump from the broom, landing on the ground gracefully, and smiled. “Good evening! Here to train?”

“Good evening, Qian-sensei,” she bowed, also nodding to the others in a greeting manner. “Not exactly at the moment. I’m just observing club activities as I want to join one.”

“Great idea! We’ve got two here in the yard,” Qian pointed at the broom he was holding and approached a stand to his right. “First is broom flying, second is archery.”

“Archery?” Yuu’s eyes glowed with unconcealed interest.

She tried archery once or twice in her life, with Godmother deciding it was very unlady-like, so she dismissed these activities, focusing on mastering simple magic spell-casting. Still, Yuu wondered if she would succeed or not.

“Take a bow and try on!” Qian encouraged her.

“Thank you.”

She did as he suggested, and the weight of the bow felt so familiar and just right in her hands, that she had to question herself on the matter. Humming to herself, she pulled the bowstring, her muscles tensing, eyes focusing on the target that Qian pointed at, and let the arrow hit the target with an unsurpassed precision.

“Marvelous!” Qian exclaimed, clapping. “Take one more!��

Yuu tried once again, the result remaining as flawless as it was the first time.

“Have you ever practiced archery before, Yuu-san?”

“Once or twice,” she admitted, smiling sheepishly at the praise she received from the teacher and other students.

“You should definitely consider joining the club then. We’d be honored to have such an incredible archer.”

“Thank you so much, Qian-sensei,” Yuu bowed. “I’ll think about it thoroughly. Now, if you excuse me, I’ll get going.”

“Yes, goodbye, see you next Thursday!”

Yuu was smiling as she walked away from the sports grounds, exposing her face to the fresh evening’s breeze.

A thought of visiting infirmary and checking Neige on crossed her mind. A whole day passed, and she wondered if he woke up, how was he feeling, if everything was alright. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest at the quick reminder of the battle of sorts that upfolded yesterday, but she made it wither in her mind just as quickly.

“Little one,” she summoned a pink butterfly, greeting it. “Let’s go visit Neige, shall we?”

The butterfly danced around in approval and followed Yuu.

The path she took happened to be unrecognizable. Yuu took a look around, thinking. Apparently she went in the wrong direction, which led her to an unfamiliar place, the infirmary building remaining unseen from this point. The only building that was caught in her sight was a rounded construction with transparent glassy walls, sweet aroma lingering nearby and luring the butterfly closer.

“Oh, little one, wait a moment!”

She followed her butterfly and stopped before the entrance.

“Is that a… greenhouse? Never knew there was one.”

The butterfly already flew inside, enchanted by the sweet fragrance, and Yuu sighed in defeat, knocking twice on the door and receiving no reply.

Opening the door, she felt a bizarre sensation piercing her through, serving as a precaution. Don’t go any further, it screamed, reaching her mind, stop right here.

Strange, Yuu thought. At the first glance, the greenhouse appeared quite common, with nothing out of ordinary. She took a deep breath, ready to deal with everything that she might face right now. She carefully studied the vines crawling on the floor. Average green leaves gradually changed their color to dark blue on the edges, and Yuu brooded at the sight of it. What a peculiar plant it was, but what name did it possess?

“My sweet one, please come,” she whispered just in case, and a virid butterfly appeared.

Unlike the pink butterflies, which were accustomed to travel to far distances, virid butterflies were nature’s true incarnations, possessing its gifts in magic.

“Can you please put some farina on them?”

The butterfly flew above the vines, white sparkles surrounding the plant, and the dark blue edges subdued, turning into bright yellow, resembling sun.

“Thank you, sweet.”

Vines cleared the path for Yuu, who managed to relax for literally one second.

If they were what she was thinking, then she could be trapped the second she stepped on them. Vines of that kind were more of a nettle, burning the skin with their grasp, and depraved one from moving forward. But were surprisingly fond of farina.

She proceeded, now facing a wall of giant buds glowing in bright purple. Huh, how curious… Yuu hummed, summoning her magic wand this time, and accepted the challenge, her lips curving into a small smile. Nature was her very best friend, the one she grew up with, her gentle companion, the one who helped her develop her instincts. Hearing nature singing every day after watering flowers in the garden, playing in the heavy rain, sleeping in the snow — she knew how nature behaves like no one ever could imagine.

“Aren’t you from the Caryophyllaceae family, dear ones? Quite huge for a baby's-breath though,” Yuu waved her magic wand and parted her lips to whisper an incantation. “Á lohtar!”

Buds stopped glowing for a mere moment before sprouting into huge beautiful flowers and pulsating with passionate pink. Sudden coquettish feeling radiated from them, and Yuu genuinely giggled at such a cute reaction, proceeding further, the virid butterfly following her lead.

Suddenly the whole world lost its light, warm sun touches through the walls stopped at once, and freezing waves surrounded Yuu, her hair disheveling from sudden strong winds, and she slowly opened her eyes she closed once it started.

“Fungi?..”

Myriads of small fungi were the only light source, pale blue waves coming from them.

“You can’t trick me out of all people,” Yuu chuckled, letting her muscles relax.

It was a mere illusion. Fungi of that kind were infamous for their incredible ability to create surroundings that appeared the most unexpected for the one who encountered them. Yuu was bathing in the sun all this time, so it was no wonder fungi produced a whole ice storm for her specifically.

“Now, dear one, let’s calm it down,” she nodded to the virid butterfly, and it performed a pirouette, following Yuu’s magic wand wave, and lights returned to the greenhouse, temperature returning to normal. “Wonderful!”

Yuu dismissed her magic wand when she finally saw the one that — or rather who — was behind all those little schemes.

A plant with dark green leaves, red buds and purple-pinkish flowers with their centers glowing in bright blue. An elegant, luxurious and very dangerous flower spread its branches in front of her, twitching as if in an approving dance.

“No way…” Yuu mumbled to herself, falling on her knees before the flower and gasping in surprise, eyes sparkling with pure joy.

“What, blinded by my beauty? No wonder, heh.”

Playful voice reached her ears, unusually low-pitched for a flower of that kind, Yuu thought, but admired it nevertheless.

“Hey human,” the flower twitched, its branches raising in the air in an intimidating way. “Ah, shit, you’re no human it seems.”

Yuu stared at the flower. Cursing flower! The day suddenly turned absolutely wondrous.

“I can’t believe it,” Yuu mumbled, leaning forward, her eyes shimmering with an unprecedented bright red hue. “I haven’t seen Auleum nocturnus in ages!”

“Now wait a moment, you cheeky fae!” The flower reached for her with its branches, leaves tickling her nose. “You know what I am?”

“Auleum nocturnus, in other words nocturnal tapestry,” she started her explanation, letting the flower touch her skin, not minding the way it spoke. “Dangerous, yet insanely beautiful creatures. How could I not know?”

“You must be ancient old to know,” it noticed, causing Yuu to pout.

“I’m not that old,” she justified.

“Yeah, as if. But girl, you certainly know a thing or two about my kind, huh!”

“Beautiful times as they were, I had little experience with talking to your kin. My Godmo-… Ahem, let us say, I couldn’t bring them to my home, as there were many diurnal creatures your kind don’t really like sharing one place with.”

“Diurnal bastards never know their place, heh,” the flower chuckled, as Yuu thought, and nodded nevertheless. “Still, it’s always fun to fool around with ‘em.”

“As much as I admire diurnal flowers and their beauty, I couldn’t agree more. Seeing you all bittering and chattering was quite amusing for me as well.”

“You’re quite an imp yourself, huh?” The flower snorted.

“I’m no imp at all!” Yuu protested, feeling rather annoyed.

“Yeah yeah, sure. But man, finally someone who knows the thing or two! You might want to talk to Ivy then.”

“Ivy?” Yuu asked, tilting her head. “Who is that?”

“That would be me.”

“Ah!!”

Yuu was so entertained by her little conversation with Auleum nocturnus that she failed all her perception skills at once, not noticing a huge figure appearing from behind.

She fell and released a surprised gasp, but managed to calm herself down when the boy outstretched his hand and helped her stand up.

“Apologies… Are you okay?”

Yuu parted her lips to reply, but found herself at a loss of words, so the only shocked breath escaped her throat.

The boy before her appeared to be insanely tall, so she had to raise her head so that her neck almost ached in response to the action.

Her gaze immediately locked onto his, and she didn’t know how to handle this situation. His right eye portrayed the setting sun breaking through the forest thickets — a brown eye, like caramel interspersed with herbal splashes, as if it represented the personification of nature.

The left one absorbed the rainy sky, covered with clouds. The deep blue seemed to Yuu like the concentration of a storm on a cool summer day.

Blonde curls flowed over his pale skin, falling lightly over his eyes and curling behind his ears. Plump lips, as if filled to the brim with life, were slightly parted. He carried a fragrance of something floral, to no one's surprise, yet very refined, sophisticated — a brief touch of orchids, gently held by juniper and a hint of vetiver.

But the most outstanding detail was his tired, ephemeral gaze, hidden behind gold-plated glasses. The frame was difficult to trace in a complex design, most of which were... flowers.

Various flowers were inserted into the slits of the glasses' arms. Small decorations filled with water hung from the edges of the eyepieces. And, what is most remarkable, on one of the glasses’ arms there was a small flower of Auleum nocturnus itself.

Come to think of it, wasn't he the one she saw with Elias in the library and also just right before they jumped into the portal?

“I… yes, I’m quite alright, I’m sorry,” Yuu finally managed to mumble, mesmerized by the boy’s ethereal pristine beauty.

“Don’t worry,” his voice, shining in its divine radiance, was absolutely enchanting. “I am Ivy Splendide, third-year student, dorm leader of Florevel. Pleasure to meet you.”

Yuu bowed deeply, surprisingly receiving a slight bow in return, which was extremely unusual, given modern humans’ customs, and smiled. “The pleasure is all mine. I am Yuu, a first-year student of Sidhery.”

“Quite the pronouns choice.”

“You don’t seem really surprised.”

“Hm,” he pressed two fingers to his chin. “Let’s say I am quite familiar with the way you speak. Anyway, it’s quite the time we finally meet.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’ve heard of the only female student here, moreover, Sidhery dorm… You’re quite the topic for gossip, Yuu-san.”

“Oh no…” She frowned. “I hope there’s nothing bad…” “Don’t worry,” his reassuring half-smile made Yuu calm down. “In any case, this is pretty surprising to see that Florence has acknowledged you. My best friend can be rather… meticulous.”

“When was the last damn time you saw someone pronouncing the name of my kind in such an upbeat and flawless way, huh? The girl’s certainly interesting.”

“Ah, so your name’s Florence!” Yuu instantly switched her attention to the flower. “Nice to meet you!”

“Yeah yeah,” Florence chuckled. “Congrats on passing my tests. What a performance you did!”

“I, oh…”

“Be proud of yourself,” Ivy said. “The only person who managed to pass his ridiculous tests was Elias, but Elias is… Wait, do you even know him? It’s hard not to, though.”

“Ah, yes, we’re acquainted. I can imagine, given his very optimistic nature.”

“Very true, indeed. And with Elias being Elias, that makes you the only one knowledgeable person on this whole campus. I must say I’m curious, where did you even get to know about Florence’s kind…”

“The girl’s ancient as aeons,” Florence said, disappearing in sprinkles of blue from the flower bed he was sitting in, and the flower on Ivy’s glasses twitched. “No wonder.”

“I must admit,” Ivy nodded. “You do feel… familiar somehow.”

Yuu couldn’t help but nod as well. She too felt something within this boy, something beside his ethereal radiance he was carrying, but more… familiar, close.

“Florence-san, I’m not ancient!” Yuu protested, smiling apologetically. “I’m sorry. Although, I, too, feel that we have something in common.”

“Passion for gardening, I assume,” Ivy chucked. “Are you here because you’re curious about our club?”

“Oh, you have a club? I thought you were just gardening here all for yourself, for maybe out of habit.”

“Thank you. I planted everything here all by myself.”

“You did?!”

“Yes, there was nothing before I just… thought I needed to do some gardening,” Ivy explained.

“This is incredible, Ivy-san!” Yuu stared at the amount of beautiful and healthy flowers.

“Glad to hear praise from my fellow gardener.”

“Ha-ha,” Yuu smiled, not denying the truth. “I like it there. The place feels very tranquil.”

“Come join us then. Florence makes it impossible to join for everyone else with his ridiculous tests.”

“Ow come on, can’t a man have the time of his life? Besides, what would those dudes do if they can’t recognize my good self?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure…”

“I will think about it,” Yuu replied. “But your club seems most fitting for me by far. Plus, I’m very pleased that we met.”

“The same goes for me. If anything, you can find me here. Or just find Elias, that little devil always knows where I am.”

“Alright! I’m sorry for leaving early, but I must go now. See you around, Ivy-san, Florence-san.”

“See ya, girl! Bring somethin’ to eat next time, okay?”

“Come now, Florence, behave yourself.”

“Oh come on man!”

“See you later, Yuu-san.”

Yuu bidded goodbyes and went outside peacefully this time, her butterflies dismissed themselves already. What a meeting it was!

With her heart finally slightly at ease, she made her way to the infirmary, holding a hope of finding Neige there, but right after she entered the room he was resting in just this morning, she found only Chenya and Elias, surprisingly.

“Good evening, everyone,” she greeted them. “And where’s Neige?”

“Good nyavening~ Seems like all of us got the very same idea, mm?” Chenya replied, his body reminiscent of a fluid as always as he jumped off the windowsill gracefully. “Apparently he’s not here.” “Obviously,” Elias nodded, turning to Yuu and waving at her. “Hello again!”

“Say, but how about we visit Neige’s dorm, given we’ve gathered here already with one purpose, hm?” Chenya suggested, his tail waving playfully.

“Great idea!” Elias concluded. “Portal room is nearby, let’s go.”

Yuu felt her eyelids turning lead with tiredness, but Neige was far more important than anything. As the company walked through the main building, Yuu silently observed Chenya and Elias exchanging lines regarding rather mundane activities, and was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts as Elias spoke of the tasks remaining for tomorrow with Chenya.

“Forgive me for interrupting,” she intervened when Elias opened the door to the portal room and looked at Yuu. “Chenya-san, you and Elias belong to the same dormitory, correct?”

“Indeed,” Chenya nodded, his hands behind his head. “I'm the vice dorm leader of Pandora Charm, after all.”

“You are?” Yuu raised her head, meeting with Chenya’s cheeky smile. “You both are so admirable.”

“Just say we’re funny,” Elias chuckled, leading Yuu forward. “That's what they always say about our dorm. We’re rather animated guys out here.”

“Which is absolutely wonderful.”

“Hehe,” Elias giggled at her statement.

The familiar book floating above the majestic pedestal, that the headmaster had shown Yuu on the very first day of her stay here, appeared again before her eyes. Elias approached it, his fingers carefully moving over the worn pages, the text on them began to quietly glow red.

“Ready to experience another kind of portal traveling, Yuu?” Elias asked her, receiving a small nod. “Great! Now, take us to the Edelwiese.”

A huge mirror appeared in the center of the room, just like it did when Ambrose took Yuu to the Sidhery dormitory. But, unlike that time, the mirror was framed with apple tree flowers. How very interesting, Yuu thought, smelling the fresh natural aroma lingering in the air. Birds chirping hummed their sweet song, and beautiful red fog rippled on the mirror’s surface, so very welcoming and charming.

“You first,” Chenya suggested, waving at Yuu so that she took a step closer to the mirror.

One day I’ll manage to summon the mirror back to my own home, she thought when her body slipped through the mirror, and she allowed the current to carry her to the destination point.

She slowly opened her eyes right when Chenya and Elias jumped at her left, and gasped in surprise.

Yuu frowned as she studied her surroundings. Many wooden houses, connected by openwork bridges, towered over a small quiet pond, where swans swam slowly while sparrows flew playfully above them, singing their simple songs. In the courtyard near each of the two-story houses there were flower beds with bright, rich flowers. The sun lazily stroked the forest edges behind the houses, disappearing at last and giving way to the evening darkness familiar to Yuu. Still, even the night landscape of this place seemed different from everything else — the darkness of the colors was soft and gentle, rather soothing and even warm.

“Everyone reacts the same way you do when they first visit Edelwiese,” Elias chirped, stepping forwards but noticing that Yuu remained still. “Hey, everything ok?”

“As, yes, sorry, I just never noticed these buildings while exploring school. Where are we exactly? I can’t see anything familiar.”

“Right, you don’t know!” Chenya noticed. “Dormitories are pocket dimensions, hence you can’t normally see them until you willfully travel into them. Yours is an exception, nya.”

“Pocket dimensions?” She tilted her head, following her curiosity.

“How do you think they managed to build seven freaking dorms on such a small island, mm?” Elias snorted, smiling at her.

“This school is full of wonders…”

“It is! Now, let’s go visit Neige.”

“Where does he live though?” Yuu asked, catching Elias and Chenya’s pace, her head constantly turning to the sides to appreciate the beauty of this place.

“See the house in the center? Normally Edelwiese students have their own rooms located in these houses, but maybe you know that Neige’s case is quite special, so…”

“He lives with dwarfs in that house,” Chenya continued. “He has a separate room though.”

“Is that so…”

They ascended the staircase leading to the house in the center, and suddenly a hard wall slam was heard, pulsating, and confused everyone at the spot. They exchanged frustrated looks and Elias knocked on the door, but to no avail.

“How peculiar,” Chenya said. “Let’s just come inside!”

“But, Chenya-san, wait!—”

Aaaand he was already inside.

Inside the house greeted them with warmth and comfort. Soft ottomans in large quantities were randomly scattered here and there. The bookcases were filled with a variety of books, and cleaning supplies were placed everywhere: brooms, buckets, and dusting rags hung on the dryer. Various kinds of plants in pots warmly greeted visitors with their freshness and were pleasing to the eye.

What was really out of place was the sound of someone screaming, music smashing the whole house down with its insanely heavy beats. Yuu noticed Dominic wincing as he was cleaning the dinner table, other dwarfs frowning with visible discomfort while engaged in their own activities.

“Dominic-san!” Yuu yelled through the music, but he apparently couldn’t hear her. “Dominic-saaan!!”

“Wait!” Elias yelled in unison, pointing at the earplugs tacked in his little ears.

Chenya had another strategy: he swiftly jumped over Dominic, landing on the chair before the dwarf's eyes and causing him to blink.

“Ah!” Dominic exclaimed. “Chenya-senpai!” He turned back after Chenya pointed at the others with a short nod. “Yuu-san, Elias-senpai! Good evening.”

“Hi Dominic,” Elias greeted him, exchanging a high-five, much to Yuu questioning glare as she didn’t recognize the gesture. “Care to explain what the hell is happening?”

“Better to see yourselves… We just got used to it when it happens… Well, at least we’re trying. Neige’s upstairs, as I assume you would want to visit him.”

“Thank you!!” Yuu replied, and the group went to the second floor of the small house with its tranquility wavering at the music.

They were quick to find Neige’s room since apparently both Elias and Chenya had already been there. The door was shut, the cute little sign written in cursive saying “Neige LeBlanche’s room” was shaking to the music, as the loud shouting was heard.

“THIS SPECIAL NIGHT OF MY FIFTEEN, I’LL NEVER FORGET!!!!!”

“F-fifteen?” Yuu blinked, recognizing Neige’s voice and meeting just as confused stares of her companions. “I.. I thought he was seventeen?”

“He is,” Elias confirmed, grabbing the door handle and turning it to the right, making the door swing open.

“I… wow.”

Chenya’s surprised breath died out as everyone saw in what kind of state Neige appeared before their eyes.

“ALL THE CRYBABIES, GET OUT OF HERE!!!”

His jet black hair was disheveled from how often he jerked his head. His cute sweater was carelessly thrown somewhere on the bed, but due to the intensification of the frantic music beats, it apparently slipped to the floor. Neige was dressed in dark blue uniform trousers, the sleeves of his blouse rolled up to his elbows, his collar undone enough to reveal his tense, pale collarbones.

He was moving quickly throughout the room, his movements erratic and harsh.

“Uhm, Neige-san—”

“IT’LL NEVER COME BACK AGAIN AND IT’S SO SHORT PERIOD!!”

“Dude completely lost it,” Elias laughed, hugging himself and wiping out tears accumulating in the corners of his eyes.

“I ETCH IN MY HEART THIS SPECIAL NIGHT OF MY FIF— Oh shit.”

The music stopped at once, with Yuu finally taking a relaxed breath as this all ended, pain releasing her from its strong grasp. Neige covered his face with his palms, his ears reddening to the point one could fry eggs on them with how hot they turned due to the embarrassment.

“Uhm… uh… Well…” He mumbled,his gaze slipping through the fingers and studying others’ reactions. “I, ehm… You see…”

“Dude, I never knew you enjoy heavy metal!” Elias was the first to speak. “This is absolutely real.”

“Stop, please, arghh…” Neige mumbled, his knees betraying him as he fell on the floor. “I thought I hid it well enough…”

“With music smashing every corner of this house to the ground?” Chenya chuckled, placing his hand on Neige’s shoulder. “Relax, we’re not judging you or somethin’, yeah?”

“I must say I’m surprised,” Elias added, gently taking Neige’s hand and moving it to the side. “But don’t worry really, it’s just funny we found it out this way.”

“Haaa, I suppose so,” Neige finally relaxed, replying with a small smile. “Forgive me for a ridiculous display. And Yuu-san,” he stood up, approaching her and bowing slightly in an apologetic manner. “I’m sorry, it seems you don’t like loud music very much.”

“It is fine,” she shook her head. “I’m just not really accustomed, but I must say this is quite an unexpected choice… I’m not judging you, of course.”

“Thank you, everyone. Please, take a seat. I’ll make some tea.”

Neige was quick to return with a wooden tray, four teacups on it. Everyone sat on the floor in the center of the room, thanking Neige for the tea, and glanced at each other for a second.

“Well,” Neige broke the little silence that hung between them. “I suppose I owe an explanation…”

“You don’t owe us anything,” Yuu shook her head, taking a teacup in her hands. “We just wanted to check if you’re alright.”

“Yeah, we all met in the infirmary and you weren’t even there,” Elias said, taking a sip. “You should take a proper rest though.”

“Right they are,” Chenya nodded, taking a teacup with the tip of his tail.

“Ah yes, I believe I must,” Neige let out a soft sigh. “Doctor Wyn said it’s alright and that I can return to the dorms. Although he didn’t mention letting my rage out while listening to heavy metal, of course…”

“Still, it’s nice to see you all alive and kickin’,” Elias hummed.

“Are you feeling better now?” Yuu leaned forward, her gaze fixated on his deep eyes that seemed certainly richer and brighter than they were yesterday. “You slept so peacefully today when I woke up, I almost thought— No, nothing…”

Neige replied with a silent glance that only Yuu could understand, and smiled at her genuinely.

“Don’t worry, Yuu-san, everyone. I’m certainly better. Plus, we arranged meetings with Prospero-sensei, so I’ll be fine. How are you all feeling? Are you alright? Sorry I couldn’t visit you all…”

“Come on, we’re not the ones attacked by Vil’s crazy fans,” Elias said.

“Vi-kun is not one to blame,” Neige replied with a hint of protectiveness in his voice.

Yuu watched their conversation going silently for a moment. Should she just straight up ask them about Vil to find more information on Neige’s case and finally make some progress?

“Are you two friends, Neige-san?” Yuu probed cautiously.

“Oh,” he let out a little disappointed laugh. “I wish we were. I don’t think he’ll ever see me as one. So! Don’t think badly of Vil. He’s an incredible person who I admire the most.”

“Never knew he was your role model of sorts,” Elias added.

“Well, Vil is certainly admirable, no doubt,” Chenya agreed. “His fans though…”

“You know…” Neige almost whispered. “This is how all of the fans are. Not just his. Mine are like that too at times. And both me and Vil feel responsible for their actions. What happened to me happens to Vil as well. No one is immune to this kind of attention. This is the very first thing you come to realize when you step into the entertainment sphere.”

Yuu gulped, lowering her gaze. She saw that maturity in him, not the one that comes with age, but with experience. And she admired him for that.

“It’s as if you’re turning us into Vil stans,” Chenya joked and Elias snorted.

“Ha-ha! But please do stan him, Vi-kun is very hardworking, wonderful person and—”

“Easy, easy,” Elias giggled at how hyped up Neige turned.

“Right, sorry. Can’t help myself when it comes to Vil. Maybe one day we could become friends…”

The rest of the conversation changed its direction to the more relaxed one. They discussed the battle, the recovering, then switched to more mundane things and casual conversations engaging their school life.

Night fell as they finished nearly six cups of tea in a row, and all agreed it would be best for them to get going. Curfew already came into its rights, with Elias as Pandora Charm’s dorm leader and Chenya as his vice being absent, much to Yuu’s silly indignation.

After bidding goodbyes to Neige and receiving thanks from dwarfs for ceasing this awful music flow, the company returned to the portal room in the main building.

Yet, Yuu’s head was still full of thoughts of Vil that Neige mentioned.

If all of the popular people underwent such a cruel attitude for their hard work, maybe… Just maybe, could that Vil be the one suffering and in need of Yuu’s help? She winced at the idea of another broken young boy struggling and being in pain, and snapped out of her thoughts as Chenya and Elias were about to bid goodbyes to her.

“Is something the matter, Yuu?” Elias asked her, noticing how prominent the frown on her face was.

“I, um..” She started carefully, still not sure if she should pursue this opportunity. Moreover it was late at night already… “I’m just curious what that Vil looks like. I trust Neige’s judgment, of course, just wondering what kind of person he really is. That is all.”

“Oh!”

A familiar cheeky and playful smirk on his face made Yuu tense, already sensing that something was about to happen just at the moment. And with Chenya giggling and nodding to Elias, then disappearing into the portal made her glare at her companion cautiously.

“Wait, wait, Elias-san, you—”

“You ask, I provide!” He stated, grabbing her hand and ignoring her annoyed yelps. “You want to see Vil Schoenheit with your own eyes? No problems at all.”

“Elias-san, no, wait, I!!—”

“Down the Rabbit Hole!”

And with that Yuu held onto Elias for her life, falling straight into his portal, her distancing “Waaaait!!” dying out as they fell.

★﹒﹒NOTES

✧˖ Á lohtar! — Sprout!

✧˖ Auleum nocturnus (lat.) — Nocturnal tapestry/Nocturnal curtain.

✧˖ The song pink-haired boy sings is 'それでも世界は美しい — Tender Rain'

✧˖ The song Neige sings is 'BABYMETAL — Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!!!'

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst x reader #rsa #rsa x reader #chenya #artemiy artemiyevich pinker #twst neige #neige leblanche #twst x yuu #royal sword academy #vil schoenheit

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