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vase-of-lilies · 1 year

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❀ Pairing: Dark!Mermaid!Wanda x Sailor!Reader

❀ Non-con, dubcon, Captivity, restraints, slight experimentation, shapeshifting! Wanda, the ocean, sailing on a boat, a storm, shipwreck, a little bit of violence, virgin!reader (she has never had a sexual encounter, period. So she is very innocent), Wanda doesn’t know human anatomy lol, oral (r receiving), forced orgasm, overstimulation, fingering, (this next part is major whump, so PLEASE heed the warnings) Sewing readers legs together for a punishment, holding reader under the water until they pass out, screaming, lots of screaming, making someone stay unconscious with telekinesis, quick acceptance, soft-ish wanda, some fluff, Stockholm syndrome, (if there is anything else PLEASE let me know!!)

❀ Disclaimer and Authors Note: The pictures only represent aesthetics and themes. There is no certain skin color, body type, ethnicity, or description other than Y/n and “you”. I hope you like this! The pictures go to their rightful owners on Pinterest, and the comic-style picture belongs to the beautiful artist Jenifer Prince. I also have a really big feeling that Mermaids' love language is gift-giving. Because… stuff is all they find lol!

This is for @eloquentreverie 's Dusk Till Dawn writing challenge! I chose the lines “All you are is a liar…” “My love for you is not a lie.”

Bright rays of sunshine reflect off the water, not one cloud in the sky. The perfect conditions for sailing. You had been planning this trip for ages, and the perfect time has never been seen before now. Packing your bags was an easy task, all that was left was prepping your boat. Aphrodite is what you call her. The beautiful sailboat your father had left for you.

The sails are off-white, the texture of a canvas. In a way, this boat is its own form of art, and the beautiful name that your father picked fits perfectly. She was small, livable, and durable. It could withstand the fiercest of storms, waves, and monsters. Monsters, that you at least think are real. They were all just myths your mother told you about.

Mermaids that left trinkets on the helm of each ship they came across, an octopus-like creature pushing the boats in the wrong direction, and even the ocean itself; a lively source of nature that will always lead the way when these malicious creatures have any form of malicious intentions.

Making your way down to the pier, you are stopped by a villager, an older woman who knew your father very well. “Y/n! Y/n! Come here, I have something for your travels!” You hear from her frail yet powerful voice. She gently grabs your hands and pulls you into her home, making you giggle softly as she sits you on her couch.

“Now, I knew I would see you today because of the conditions out… there. I have this for you, wishing you safe travels and return.” She puts a dainty necklace in the palms of your hands. “It was a gift from your mother, she had told me to wait until you were older, and I think now would be the perfect time.” She smiles as you look at the beautiful oval-shaped locket.

“My family and I really love you, Eleanor. Thank you for taking such good care of us.” You smile up at her, closing your fingers around the locket with a picture of both your mother and your father. “Thank you, really, for everything.”

She shakes her head, “The only thing you owe me is a hug and a proper goodbye.” She says, opening her arms for you. You happily oblige, wrapping your arms around her hunched body. She was like a grandmother to you even when she was just a family friend, but you most definitely loved her as a grandmother.

“I love you so much, and I will most definitely bring you some trinkets if mermaids ever leave anything for me.” She chuckles in response and waves you off, sending you on your way to uncertainty.

Entering the deck of your boat was a feeling of freedom that you had longed to feel ever since the death of your parents. It was difficult to make it through the day without breaking down into your most vulnerable form; A sobbing, shaking mess.

Standing at the helm brought mixed emotions. You were finally here. You were finally able to feel like the woman your mother described you as. “You are a brave, independent, beautiful girl Y/n. You will do amazing things one day. That may be tomorrow or ten years from now. But amazing things they will be.”

Those words stuck with you from the day she died. Those words were what drove you to sail alone after all these years. She told you that you were brave, and that was all it took to motivate you to learn, grow, and persevere in your passion for sailing.

Now all you had to do was make sure you had enough food, water, and supplies in the cockpit, untie the sails, and mark the coordinates on your map. Once those subjects were taken care of, the last was to untie Aphrodite from the pier and raise the anchor and you are all good to go!

With the small gusts of winds every now and then, it would take about 6 to 7 hours for you to make it to your destination. That is if there is no storm, headwind, or pirates that you have to worry about. Crossing Captain Barnes is on your list of “most feared encounters” and you could not imagine getting stuck with him, let alone see him. Rumors say he lost his arm to the Kraken and used the gold from a found treasure to make a new arm. A much more dangerous one than he already had.

The thought of seeing him gives you chills in of itself, so you decide to put your mind to something else. You begin to steer the boat in the direction of your destination, your blue navy-themed sailing dress your mother made you flowing in the wind. You smile as the smell of salt and cold water fills your nose, the ocean and wind guiding you in the right direction.

~~~~~~~~ 3 hours later ~~~~~~~~

The clouds had come out of nowhere, casting a large, dark shadow over Aphrodite. The wind was skin-biting and strong, the waves getting unruly as she becomes angry with something. What? You had no idea. You had prepared for this, but the worst thing that could happen happened.

As you put on your dark blue cloak to keep warm, a large wave crashed over your boat. With much luck, Aphrodite held strong and pulled back up from the water. Raindrops soaked your clothes as well as waves that rolled over the surface of your boat. As you were pulling on the sails, you froze in fear. A colossal wave formed. Bigger than anything you have seen, towering over you. At this point, you knew your fate and you fully accepted it.

As the wave crashed over your boat, the water engulfed you into a frigid and bitter hug. The sheer force of this wave cracked your beautiful boat in two, ripped the sails a part as if it was cut by scissors, and lastly shredded your near-perfect map to shreds. It was a saddening sight to see to anyone on the outside.

As your vision fades to black, numbness takes over your system and you are finally at rest.

Or so you thought.

“Is she ok? She- Oh she’s breathing! She looks ok, just a little roughed up.”

‘Squawk!’

“She’s a human! She’s beautiful, she looks so cute in this little dress of hers.”

‘Squawk!’

“Can we keep her?”

A pause…

“Let's bring her inside, but we have to make sure she doesn’t escape. Grab some of the rope from her boat, that will hold her.”

“She scared? She scared?” The animal squawked.

“For certain…”

The voices were faded and muffled, and you felt like you were held in a bubble. Everything was quiet. The voices were smooth, siren-like, minus the power. There was something dark in the woman’s voice that hovered over you. There was something in her voice that sounded almost… dark and evil. As if she had malicious intentions with you.

Your eyes fluttered open at the sound of waves crashing against the sand, but you were not on the beach anymore. You were in a cave, a dark, cold, dreary cave. With a pounding in your head, you moved your hand to your temple. Well, tried to. You look to your left, letting your eyes get used to the darkness and you see rings of rope around your wrist, holding you to a rusty bed frame. Looking to your right you see the same.

Struggling was your first instinct, but you were frozen in place. It was fear taking over your body and you didn’t know what else to do. There wasn’t much you could do in your state. It was so cold, and you couldn’t find a way to get warm.

“H-hello?” Your voice echoes in the abyss of the dark cave in front of you and you have yet to hear anything other than that. But moments later, other voices fill the cavern's echos.

“I wonder when she will wake up, oh I sure hope it’s soon.” One voice said. Were they talking about me? You think to yourself.

“Well, when she does, it will be quite the surprise don’t you think?” That voice, it was the voice that sounded evil…

In an instant, the dark cave was filled with lowly lit torches. From what you could see was a room full of different trinkets, a makeshift vanity with a sea-glass mirror, shelf portions of the cave filled with sea shells, and lastly her.

A beautiful woman walks into the cave carrying what looks to be wood, sail rope, some canvas sails, and cloth. It took you a moment to realize that these were parts of Aphrodite. Your precious boat.

“Ah, she’s awake.” The woman says to her accomplice, a parrot on her shoulder.

“Awake! Awake! Awake! Awake!” The parrot responds, making the woman let out a soft chuckle.

“Please, let me go!” You plead.

“No, you are mine now and I get to do what I please,” She gives you a smug smile and sets her trinkets and shells down on her vanity. You watch her carefully, salty tears falling down your cheeks as you pull at the ropes around your wrists. “There is no coming out of those ropes, darling. I know how to tie a good knot” She emphasizes the ’t’, making you jump slightly in response.

“Such a curious creature humans are. They move around on these water contraptions just to go see another piece of land. Can you imagine that?” She says, chuckling at her own question. “Well of course you can, you were doing just that!” She moves towards the makeshift seaweed and canvas bed and sits on the edge.

“I have yet to see a real human up close and see what they are really like. How much pain and torture they can take, just like my sisters had to endure.”

Her intentions scared you, and her smirk told you that she already knew that. “P-please don’t hur-” she cut you off with a laugh and a mockery of your fear.

“Puh puh puh, please! Oh don’t be so cute, I love hearing screams of fear…” She leans close to your face, her tongue sliding against your cheek and picking up a tear. “Mmmm, tastes so good. I can’t wait to taste the rest of you.” You whimper as her eyes turn bright red and before you know it, the clothes are ripped from your body leaving you nude, cold, and exposed. You flail your feet attempting to kick her, but she quickly pins them down and wraps more rope around them, connecting them to the bed posts at the bottom.

She shakes her head at your action and gently slides her fingers over your now exposed belly, “Nuh uh, none of that. We don’t need anyone else to get hurt, right?” You shiver in response, making her smile grow even bigger. “Oh, so you feel me…” She realizes and she runs her fingers up your belly, and to the valley of your breasts.

Your reactions are very minimal at first, but then she starts going in other directions. “Hmm, I have little buttons like these too, I wonder what yours do?” She moves and grazes her fingers over your nipple, making you shudder. A new feeling has come to you, and the woman takes note. “Ah, how interesting. This little bud of skin is much more sensitive than the skin over here…” She does the same motion of rolling her fingers but with just a small section of skin from your breast.

“What if we do both?” She inquires, moving both her hands above your breasts. Taking both nipples in her fingers, she smiles at your reaction of curling in on yourself. The little noises you make are what set her off. “Wow, how amazing,” She whispers, smirking at your reaction. As you whine and shake your body slightly, you try to get her off of you, but she is just pulled towards you again.

“Someone is a little feisty,” She slaps your breast harshly and you yelp in pain. She chuckles and stands up. “Now let me introduce myself. I am Wanda, and as you can see I take the shape of a human, like you. But I am nothing of the kind. I have morals.” She pauses, and moves between your spread-open legs. “When I got the ability to use my shapeshifting power, I first wanted to try to be human. Just to see what it feels like to walk and run. I liked it at first, but then came this feeling that I can’t describe. It is like a fire was lit right here,” she puts her hand just above your lower regions, goosebumps pebbling at the touch of her skin on yours.

“There was nothing I could do to put it out. So I explored down there… I have a button down there just like up here,” She rolls your nipples in her fingers once again, making you whine in protest. “Oh, my Poseidon… it felt heavenly when I rubbed it just right. I thought the feeling would never end! But then it did… it felt like I exploded. It was like getting caught in a wave, only to fall back down into warm water again.” She smiles down at you from her spot between your legs.

“I want to see if you feel it too.” She smirks and you whimper as you pull at the restraints around your limbs. Dismissing you, her fingers spread your slick petals and she gently rubs around the top of your pussy. A soft moan emits from your mouth and she gasps. “Oh, I think I found your button too,” Wanda continues to rub your clit, loving every single reaction from your mouth. With curiosity, she pokes at your entrance with her fingers. When she enters her fingers into your wet cunt, the moan from your mouth is beautiful.

“That was beautiful, I need to see more!” She exclaims and starts to move her fingers in and out of your hole while rubbing your clit. With never feeling these things before, you are like an exposed nerve and are oh, so, sensitive.

You soon start to feel what she was describing, the fire, the riding up the wave, and after seconds, the falling from that wave and into warm water. As you cum, she smiles at the feeling of your walls clenching around her fingers. “It feels nice, doesn’t it…” she states, not addressing it as a question. You vigorously shake your head, denying her. She smirks, knowing deep down you absolutely love it.

The ropes burn your limbs and you were tired. But Wanda was far from done. She had so much more planned as she was infatuated with your pussy and how it pulsed around her fingers. “Should we see how many more of these little episodes we can see today?”

“N-no! No, please no more, I- I want to go home, please,” You beg, knowing deep down you most likely won’t make it out of here. Not without a fight. Already you were scheming how you could possibly escape her, but your thoughts were shut down as Wandas' fingers intruded your hole at a fast rate. Her fingers moved in and out of your cunt, a burning feeling bubbling inside of you once again.

“Oh, you’re so wet down here, little one. I swear if I go too fast, there may be a tidal wave coming at me.” She smirks at her words, not slowing her pace as she curls her fingers in a ‘come hither’ motion. Your moans were music to her ears, like putting a sea shell to one's ear and hearing the beauty of the ocean on the other side.

Failing miserably, you try to quiet your moans. But the feelings are just too intense for you to handle. She leans down as she continues to pump her fingers inside of you and smiles as she licks along your red, hot clit. Your legs jolt once a more sensitive wave of pleasure falls over you, her tongue moving expertly over your little bud. Your back arches as much as it can with the bonds keeping you down and you try to enjoy your current state under Wandas' domination.

In a matter of seconds, you are crumbling at the feel of Wandas' three fingers inside of you as well as her tongue licking your clit over and over again. Cumming a second time was even more of an experience. You saw white as your orgasm came crashing over you once again. Whimpers come out of your mouth as tears are falling down your cheeks. It’s too much, and your cunt feels like it's on fire.

Finally, Wanda has had enough, and she lets out a sigh as she looks down at your abused petals. “Aw, look how red you are. You must be so sensitive, hm?” She chuckles at your fucked out sounds as she grazes your clit with the back of a finger, your hips pulling away in retaliation. You whimper as she suddenly stands up, her other fingers leaving your hole in an instant. You shudder at the emptiness, letting out a sob as your emotions take control of your body again.

“Sweetheart, don’t cry, we have just barely begun.” Her smile is malicious and full of evil. There is nothing welcoming about her smile, almost like the waxing gibbous, right before a full moon. Only a sliver of a smile of the night sky, then the werewolves come out. Her teeth were sharp but smooth enough to look human. But she was far from human.

You found out she was a mermaid while she let you roam the beach a little bit. All she gave you for clothing was a paper bag-type dress made out of the canvas of your sails, and a rope around your middle as a belt. She took the chains from the anchor of your boat and kept it around your ankle, the other end under a very heavy bolder that she moved with her powers.

While you stayed on the beach, chained to the rock that gave you the shade you needed, Wanda was hunting. There was a little bit of forest above the cave you both took shelter in, but she warned you to never go in there. Well, not without her. You were curious as to know if there was danger, or if she just didn’t want you out of her sight. But it was easy to say, she did not want you going anywhere.

Sitting on the beach was the little bit of freedom that you looked forward to every day. One hundred and eighty-two (182) days of being in Wandas' captivity. You learned on day seven (7) to never run away from her. She will make everything hurt. She will take everything away from you if you try to take yourself away from her.

On day seven (7), you found a way to rub the chain links together and break the loop off of your foot. Making sure she was in the water, you made a run for it on the wet sand of the beach. Trying to go around the island and then out into the ocean was your goal. Wanda sensed you were gone the second the chain broke. It was no use trying to swim away from a mermaid.

She caught up with you in a matter of seconds, her webbed tail making her swim much faster than you; A mere human. She grabbed your ankle from underneath the water, dragging you down to the ocean floor. Not too deep as she knows the pressure builds, but deep enough where you would not be able to escape. She smiled as you thrashed against her iron grip, your arms trying desperately to reach the surface, and the last few bubbles exited your mouth as you finally fell unconscious.

Once you were out, she pulled you to the beach, getting the water from your lungs and making sure you are breathing again. She sent a wave of energy over your body, keeping you in an unconscious state. Picking you up, your head hung over her arm as your legs hung over her other arm. She looked at your sleeping face in slight disappointment as you were doing so good the few days before this. She knew that the time outside was going to be limited as part of the punishment she was going to give you.

Laying you on the bed, she gathers a few trinkets she has found. Including a sewing kit. She looked over your body and stripped you of your canvas dress. She laced the rope around your arms and fastened them to the rusty bars above your head. Angrily, she stares, thinking of the things she is going to do to you when you wake up. She growls and pounces on top of you, grabbing your legs and putting them together. She takes more rope from your boat and wraps your thighs and ankles, rendering you unable to walk.

Now comes the painful part; She threads the thread through the eye of the needle and pinches the skin of your thigh. Carefully she puts the needle through your skin, puncturing through the layers mercilessly. As she pulls the thread through the hole in your skin, she meticulously sews your legs together in an intricate zig-zag shape from your left leg to your right leg. Once she gets to just above the rope around your ankles she hums at her work, making sure that you won’t be able to pull the thread out of your legs, even if you tried as hard as you could.

Waving her hand takes away the power keeping you unconscious, and she makes her way out of the cave, not wanting to hear your screams as you realize what she had done to you. Of course, she loved to hear you scream, but not in pain. It was never meant to be this way. If you had just listened and stayed where you were put, this never would have happened. As she transforms into her mermaid form, she dives into the ocean to cool off as she was much too angry to argue with you, worried she would kill you in the snap of a finger if you said the wrong thing to her.

You started to come to, becoming more and more aware of your surroundings by the second. Once again, you tried to move, only to be stopped by the ropes around your wrists, but there was much more than what was done to you last time. You looked to the source of the tension of your legs and your panic set in. Screams of pain and horror echoed through the cave, tears and sobs were heard for miles outside of the cave, and Wanda was nowhere near where she could hear them.

~~~~~~~

More than a few hours later, your sobs had calmed to nothing more than whimpers. Your legs were screaming in pain, blood dripping from each of the holes Wanda's needle had made, soaking the thread and keeping them together. You closed your eyes, hoping that someone would find you, help you, kill you. But your wishes were only met with more fear.

As Wanda entered the cave, she had a whole net of fish, more shells, and trinkets from the ocean floor, as well as the part of your ship you were going to miss the most: The picture of you, your father, and your mother. It was still in its gold-plated frame, the monotone black and white of the picture still prominent. “I brought you a couple things,” Wanda says, unapologetically. Setting the net down, she places a pink and coral-colored conch shell next to you on the bed, the picture, and what looks like a shell necklace that she put together herself.

You did not acknowledge her in the slightest. From the moment she walked into the cave, to the moment she begged you to talk to her. She even untied your arms and helped you sit up, but you didn’t say a word. In a fit of rage, she throws your body against the bed, letting you curl against yourself as you try to undo the thread.

“It's not going to come off. I put a spell on it, and until you talk to me, it will stay that way. Do you understand?” She holds your chin in her hands, her sharp nails digging into your soft, beautiful skin. You whimper in response, tears pooling in your eyes. A few fall, but Wanda is quick to wipe them away as you look up at her. She gives you a soft smile and your brows furrow. This smile is different, it's out of pity, and out of a different type of intent. “Please, say something…” She whispers, tears of her own filling her eyes.

“Wh-why did you do this to me?” You whimper, pulling your hands away from the thread and to your chest to cover yourself.

“Because you ran away… I told you to stay here, and you disobeyed me. This never would have happened if you just stayed, and enjoyed the sun like I so generously allowed you!”

Her eyes close, and she covers them with her hand. As she removes her hand, she sits down on the bed and her eyes soften as she looks at you. “I never wanted this to happen, love. You are mine, but I never wanted to hurt you.”

"All you are is a liar..." You respond, with no emotion in your voice, eyes, or heart. Wanda sighs and helps you sit up once again.

“My love for you is not a lie.” She says, moving to the floor as your legs drape over the side of the bed. She unties your thighs and ankles, her hands glowing a soft red color. Your legs lose feeling for only a moment, and you watch in awe as the thread is removed without pain or discomfort. It floats out of your skin, and the holes where it once was were closed. “Please forgive me, my little human. I won’t do this unless you make me angry. You won’t be punished if you don’t do something punishable. Do you understand me?”

You nod softly as the feeling returns to your legs. You stand up, as does Wanda. You stumble at first, but you slowly make your way out of the cave and over to the rock where your chain lay. You wrap the chain around your ankle and hold it up for Wanda to seal with her magic. She looks at you, confused.

“What are you doing?” She asks.

You sigh and you hold up your foot again. “Im showing you I can be good. That I can keep a promise of being good.” She understands and seals the lock over the two open links. You stand up again, and you make your way to the water. You have already accepted the fact that will rip the dress off of you when you get back inside anyway, so you stand in the sun, bathing in the warmth as you stand nude. You are grateful that the chain grants you the length to reach the water.

The waves make you sway slightly, and you close your eyes. Your destiny has proven itself, and you were to stay captive with Wanda.

Soon enough, day three hundred sixty-five (365) hits and you are smiling with Wanda. Happily letting her devour you every night to her heart's desire, as well as shower you with gifts and jewels she finds on her hunting trips. In a form of trust, you both agree to a collar around your neck. One that claims you as well as keeps you on the island when Wanda is away. It was a way for Wanda to make sure you were safe, and a way for you to feel secure in someone's watch. And if any pirates come to the island, it would notify Wanda if you were in danger.

She loved to see you in the sun, the jewels around your neck shimmering in the bright sunlight above you. A bright ruby right at the center of your neck, represents the love that Wanda has gifted upon you. Every morning when you woke up in her arms, you felt safe and sound, and no longer in danger of her. Of course, you were never going to make it home to Eleanore, so you threw a bottle with a letter in it into the ocean hoping that it finds her well.

Yours and Wandas' routine grew every day, her even letting you go for a swim. She would transform into her mermaid form, and you would hold onto her shoulders as she sped through the water at speeds you have never felt before. On other days, she would take you to the edge of the forest above her cave. She told you stories of the cannibals that lived among the trees but willingly agreed to keep on their side of the island and never venture past the river about a mile into the grove of trees.

You would tell stories of when you sailed with your father and cooked with your mother. Wanda loved to hear about humans and the hobbies or skills you can acquire with the right supplies and practice. She was infatuated with humans just as she was with you.

One of your favorite things to do with Wanda was lay out on the sand at night, a soft seaweed blanket underneath you both, the water reflecting the moon, and the stars shimmering above you. For every shooting star there was, you would point to it and give Wanda a soft kiss on her cheek, making her smile and return the kiss. That was a nightly ritual you both had and when the both of you had soaked up the moonlight for the perfect amount of time, she would take you inside and make love to you. She would worship you, and care for you. She gave you meaning in a world where you had no one else to be there for.

She loved you.

Your keeper loves you, yet you love her too.

#dusktilldawnchallenge #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x you #Mermaid!Wanda Maximoff x Sailor!Reader #dusktilldawnwritingchallenge #Dark!wanda x reader #WICW #wanda x reader #Within cold water #Wanda maximoff series #Heed the warnings #Wanda Maximoff smut #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda maximoff x female!reader #wanda maximoff fan fiction #scarlet witch #the scarlet witch #wanda x you

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ashensgrotto · 1 year

Text

The Sea's Sacrifice (Part 4-NSFW)

Characters: Azul Ashengrotto / Jade Leech / Floyd Leech x F!Reader

Total Word Count: 14.7k+

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 (You Are Here) Part 5

Synopsis: A potential job as a marine biologist’s assistant leaves (Y/N) feeling something fishy going on behind the scene…

Author's Notes: Original Idea came from @merakiui 's annonymous ask with a short story / headcannon -> https://www.tumblr.com/merakiui/684490143936167936/ooohhh-i-love-those-writing-ideas-you-had-for-sea?source=share

and I absolutely love this concept and wanted to take it a step further. I don't write yandere nor fanfiction as much as I did a few years ago. However, I do hope I do this piece justice.

Final Part - Contains Sexual themes including rape/non-consent.

I'm not the best when it comes to writing smut so please be easy on me. Please be mindful that this is a work of fiction. I disagree with anyone that justifies these behaviors.

You have been warned.

Wild and strong you can't be contained

Never bound nor ever chained

Wounds you caused will never mend

And you will never end

***

As the final week approached slowly, you felt an uneasy heaviness fill your heart. Yes, the contract for working with the aquatic trio was only for three months and if you were deemed worthy, you would be able to stay with the company - meaning you could still technically see the trio, but it would be after business hours and either Trein or Crewel or one of the other scientists would have to grant you access to the enclosure so you could see the trio.

But what if you weren’t deemed suitable for the company?

The thought pulled at your heart strings. You had learned so much about the trio and had gotten to know them very well - heck, you even got along great with Professor Crewel and Professor Trein! You loved Floyd’s energetic nature and playfulness and would miss his cheeky smiles. You loved Jade’s intellect and soft voice, knowing you would miss his broken sentences. And you enjoyed Azul’s shyness and gentleness and would miss his touches. You often thought about what would happen if you left Twisted Wonders and came back years later - would they remember you when they were on display? Would you be allowed to press your hand against the glass of their enclosure and would they reach out, if only to wish to feel the warmth of your hand again? Or would they ignore you - having forgotten about your existence like so many others whose paths you crossed once upon a time?

“There are many walks of life, (Y/N),” you heave a sigh out, “Some roads are well paved, others are rocky beds - we just have to take the good with the bad and repair what we can when the time comes.”

You often remind yourself of this during rough patches in your life leading up to this point. You always believed that life was a game of give and take - even though there were those who took and took without giving anything in return and those that gave and gave until they could give no more.

It was the harsh reality check that you often needed.

In no time at all, you were entering the last week of your contracted three-month period to work with Azul, Jade, and Floyd. The memories you shared with the strange otherworldly creatures soaked into your mind, allowing you to think back on your first meetings, your conversations, and the fun you had as the time passed by far too quickly. The trio had sensed your melancholy during the first two weeks of the last month and had clung to you in a comforting manner - clicking and cooing as a way to cheer you up, all wrapped tightly around your figure.

As you prepared to leave that Friday, you had been thinking about what to do the following week on your last day. You considered asking Crewel and Trein to get something special for the trio as a "goodbye" gift from you, but had also considered bringing something in yourself for them - hiding it in your lunch bag until the time was right to present it to them. The trio had been more clingy than usual, tentacles and claws pulling at your form to keep you close every time you moved or stood to leave. Azul had actually snarled when you told him you had to leave for the day - making you jump out of your skin and surprising even Jade and Floyd with the noise that emanated from his throat. However, it seemed to work in their favor as you agreed to spend a little more time with them.

As seven-thirty in the evening came around, you pulled yourself from their grasp.

"Guys, I would stay longer, but I have to go home now," you sigh, grabbing your bag and keeping a safe distance away from the edge of the pool and the mers’ clutches, "I promise I'll be back tomorrow."

Floyd and Jade glower at you from their spot, puffing up like usual and blowing bubbles into the water. Azul on the other hand cries out, attempting to pull himself from the water and leans against the edge of the pool - black and purple blocking out the vision of the twins from their spot. You sigh and turn away, only to feel a shudder run up your spine as an unfamiliar voice - soft, soothing, and sweet - echoes in your head:

"Don’t leave, angelfish. Stay here with me… with us."

You turn your head to see Azul practically draped over the edge, high pitch clicks echoing in the room as his ebony tentacles sway above his form, making him appear larger than you initially thought he was. His eyes glowed in the dimmed room, a pull like the current tugging at your soul and threatening to drown you in its grasp. You shook your head, heading towards the door and pulling on it.

The glass door wouldn't budge.

You pulled a little harder.

Still nothing.

"The door does get stuck on occasion; you may need to knock on the door a few times and one of us or our staff will get you out," Professor Trein's voice echoed in your mind as you knocked on the glass.

"Hello? Professor Trein? Professor Crewel?!"

The laboratory on the other side of the glass was dark with few lights illuminating over desks, equipment, and notes. It looked like everyone had left for the night - leaving you trapped within the enclosure with three larger than life mers.

'This can't be happening!' you think, your heart racing in your chest as fear took over, 'It's a dream! It's got to be! There's no way that they'd leave me behind!'

"No, not behind, Angelfish," the soothing voice from earlier spoke as something slick crept up your legs, "They've only wanted to use you. But don't worry - we won't abandon you or use you like they will."

"Who are you?!" you shout, cowering by the door as Azul’s tentacles crept closer and closer to you, "Azul! Stop it! It's not time for games!"

"Angelfish - do not fight me anymore," the soothing voice speaks as Azul wraps two large appendages around your ankles and another around your waist, pulling you towards him - towards the pool, "I am much bigger and stronger than you. Besides, I don't want them watching a… private interaction between us."

"Private?! What do you-"

Before you could get another word out, Azul tugs you harshly into the water with a loud splash.

You gasp and sputter like a fish out of water as the salty liquid fills your nose, throat, and lungs as you struggle to stay afloat and swim towards the edge of the pool to pull yourself out. However, Azul’s grip has now tightened around your body completely as he pulls you to the center of the pool - soft cooing filling your ears as his face buries itself in the crook of your neck near your shoulder.

“Azul! LET. ME. GO!” You thrash wildly in the octomer’s arms as his tentacles grip your form tighter, the water around the two of you bubbling and shifting beneath your floundering and struggles against the octomer.

“Why angelfish? I have waited far too long for this,” tentacles wrap around your body completely, holding your arms behind your back and trapping your legs together as Azul’s hands reach for you; one hand wrapped around your neck to lift your chin upward to face him and the other to pry your mouth open, “And now… now that I’ve found you, my soul match - our other piece - I will never let you go. You belong to us… to the sea.”

His lips come crashing down on yours as the crushing feeling of water surrounds you, forcing you to close your eyes to prevent the stinging sensation of salted water in them from happening. You feel it soak into your clothing, caressing your skin and hair like a lovers’ touch, and pressing against your ears and lungs - making you hear your own heartbeat thrum wildly in your chest. You attempt to struggle against Azul’s hold, that is until you feel a sharp prick against the heel of your foot.

Your eyes pop open to see both Floyd and Jade hovering around you and Azul - the younger twin licking his lips as the faint traces of blood dissipate into the salted water. Jade rubs himself along your back, the tip edge of his tail hitting the back of your head in a caress as a different voice speaks - this one much calmer and had more of a business air, “It’s time.”

“Yaaay! Time for shrimpy to be with us forever!” a more energetic voice fills your mind as Azul lifts his mouth away from yours and presses his fingers into your open crevice, a strange liquid substance flowing down your throat along with more sea water.

“Swallow now, angelfish,” the soothing voice speaks again as Azul shuts your mouth, preventing you from regurgitating, “Once it’s down, you’ll feel better…”

As soon as you swallow, something burning begins to pool in your stomach, making your cheeks flush and a humming from your throat fills the enclosure as you feel a pressure building within you. You close your eyes again as you feel yourself slump in Azul’s grip - now too tired to fight against the strange sensations your body is feeling.

Azul hums softly as you feel claws rank from the front of your throat to the back of your neck. A gasp breaks free of your mouth as Azul presses his mouth to yours again, his tentacles twisting and twirling about your body, shifting your clothing and sliding under the soaked material. You register more claws tug and tear at the material as ripping sounds, soft and steady, surround you as piece by piece the clothing that you once wore is removed. Twin sets of lips press against the back of your neck and lower back as you feel your legs part - held steadfast by Azul’s multiple appendages - as something long and thin prods at your lower half. You instinctively try to close your thighs, only for Azul to growl low as his appendage disappears into your body, twirling about your insides and causing you to arch your body - a cry bubbling from you at the sensation of feeling something larger and longer than the average toy curling about inside you.

“Ohhh angelfish… look how pretty you are in my arms,” the voice speaks again as Azul nuzzles at the base of your throat, teeth scraping the skin gently not wanting to break it, “So soft… so warm… so perfect…”

The tentacle shifts again, forcing another gasp to escape you before another tentacle slips inside your open mouth, caressing your tongue as the suckers press against it, tasting and marking all at the same time.

Azul can only take so much before he starts moving both of the tentacles inside you.

He releases his hold on your arms and pulls you into his chest, your arms clinging to his shoulders as he begins to pound mercilessly into your core, pressing every inch he can against your soft walls that are now weeping for him. Your soft moans around his tentacles follow his grunts as he grips you tighter, two more tentacles caressing against your back and bottom, pushing you onward toward release. He pulls the tentacle from your mouth in favor of crashing his lips against yours - the kisses turning to bruising bites as he nips at your bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth. Tongues tangle together as you feel something long shimmy inside you, twisting and twirling nearly into your belly as you whimper and gasp against the octomer’s hold.

“Ha… Ha… want to feel you… feel you come… let me lay you, my precious pearl… my angelfish…”

You give a cry as your walls tighten around Azul’s hectocotylus, feeling a large sphere run from between your legs to your inner walls - held safe and captive within your womb. Hands stroke your back in gentle circles while ebony appendages rub among your twitching body. You hardly register Azul’s release of you as two sets of arms capture you in another embrace - the slippery feeling of the moray twins keep you contained within their grasp.

"Come on, shrimpy," the energetic voice whispers in your head as Floyd clicks in your ear, "You still have us to take care of!"

"Gently, Floyd," the calmer voice speaks as you feel his twin nuzzle the back of your neck, "Azul took a lot out of her… and so will we."

You want to fight, to scream for help and push them away - but your body is still thrusting with the strange heat and pressure, only relaxing with each caress and kiss from the mers around you. You shudder as you feel something touch between your legs before a set of fingers stroke your center, your legs shaking in anticipation.

"Mmmm… shrimpy's still so wet and warm," the energetic voice giggles in your head before a sharp pain pierces your shoulder, causing you to gasp, "Do you want our eggs as well?"

'Eggs?' your mind short circuits before something larger than Azul's hectocotylus enters you - both below and from behind.

You let out a scream as two sets of lips nibble and suck at the skin of your neck, hands trailing from your sides to your waist and another set traveling to squeeze and pull on your chest - sharp nails scraping against your sensitive skin as your nipples perk again along with goose pimples rising along your arms and legs.

"Heh… mmm, shimpyyy - you're so soft an' warm…" the energetic voice now coos as Floyd nibbles at your ear, his lower body thrusting against yours, "So sweet… wanna stay here with you forever…"

"As do I," a hand pulls your face to look at the mer behind you, lips pressing against yours softly before a thrust from behind nearly kicks the wind out of you, "Our little sea treasure… our precious pearl. Keep us with you so we remain at your side until the end of time…"

The thrusting becomes more of a fight for dominance - as one twin pulls back, the other presses closer. They continually hit the most sensitive spots that leave you gasping and moaning - it nearly makes you wonder how you are still able to breathe even though you are floating underwater. Teeth scrape against flesh before digging in and drawing blood, making your body hum with life at the feeling of the pleasure with the pain.

"Oh? Are you… hah… close, pearl?" The calm voice, now gasping for breath, whispers in your ear.

At your nodding, the energetic voice speaks, "Come, shrimpy… urg… show us what good little… hah… morays we are."

The twins bite down hard on either side of your neck - Floyd on the right, Jade on the left - as you shriek, your body shaking as it clamps on both of them, several pulses pushing into your body as you feel two large sacks make their home in your cores. You gasp and shudder against Floyd’s chest before being harshly twisted around so Jade is now in front and Floyd behind.

"Come on, Shrimpy," the energetic voice - though now slightly out of breath - snickers, "Time to give Jade a fair chance."

You gasp as the twins enter you again, repeating the process of pulling and pushing. When they are finished, you can barely keep your eyes open. You can't remember if they kept passing you in between them or not, but soon the familiar gentleness of tentacles envelopes your body as you're laid against something hard and smooth.

"One last time with me, my angelfish," the soothing voice speaks, "Then you can rest."

You whimper as the familiar long tentacle slips inside, shifting something within you as you gasp with an arch. Hands fold over your fingers twisting together as pounding ensues with your core. Your walls are sore and tired from continuous use, but still cries - covering the intruder with juices that allow them to slip within you easily.

"Angelfish… Angelfish…" the pet name is repeated over and over as a gasp fills your mind, Azul pressing close to your neck as his body shudders against you. You cannot echo his call as your body clamps around him, your voice has died on your tongue and you are slowly fading into unconsciousness.

Before you pass out, you feel Azul pull you into his arms bridal style as his voice whispers in your mind, “Rest, little pearl, you’re safe now… safe within the sea…”

***

Darkness surrounds you as you slowly awake the following morning. You feel strangely tired still and your body whimpers in protest every time you move it. You shiver, feeling strangely cold, and you think that maybe you forgot to turn the air conditioning down the night before you went to bed. You curl into yourself before something long and viscous falls across your waist - unfamiliar and yet not.

“Are you awake, angelfish?” a familiar soothing voice asks softly, as if it’s afraid to startle you.

Your eyes pop open at the sight of the octomer beside you, tentacles caressing your waist and arms while one of his hands toys with a strand of your hair, curling it around his fingertips before pressing a kiss to it.

“Azul?”

The octomer smiles, eyes gentle as he nods, “Yes, it’s me (Y/N).”

“Azul, how… what happened?” you blink a minute, your mind snapping for a moment, ‘Hold on, how am I able to understand him? Secondly, where in the world am I? And thirdly…’

It all came back.

The locked doors of the enclosure, then the pulling of you into the water before Azul pulled you beneath the waves, the strange liquid… the caresses.

You make a move to stand only to fall over, Azul practically launching from the bed to grab you, pulling you into his arms, “Shh, it’s okay… you’re alright, (Y/N).”

“No, I-I can’t-”

Something bright and colorful flashes in front of you. Your eyes lock on where your legs once were as a long beautifully ornate fish tail sways before you.

Gold in color, it reflects the dimmed lights off of the cavern floor you are perched upon while fins of sea blue glow in the darkness. The tail twitches and jerks every time you think of flicking your toes, the tail following the movement. You lift it, seeing two more fins underneath - also blue in color. The scales of the tail are smooth to the touch and cool, but covered in a slimy coating that makes you feel a bit sick to your stomach. You reach up to touch your ears, and feel fins as well - no doubt similar to Jade’s and Floyd’s - before your fingers are tracing down your neck to feel a set of gills fluttering behind your ears where you were certain one of the twins scratched at you last night. You drop your hands, discovering them to be long and webbed - nails now claws that would allow you to hunt in the dark waters of the enclosure.

“It is quite a shock,” Azul’s voice pulls you back as you look up at him with fear, “For a moment there, I thought we had lost you - but that was merely the transformation taking your human form and switching it out with this one. Personally, I thought you would look lovely with a set of tentacles - but I think I like this outcome more.”

“What… What HAVE YOU done to ME?!” you launch at him, anger racing through your veins like molten fire as you attempt to attack your captor.

However, Azul is much quicker - his appendages securing your wrists together and wrapping around your waist and tail to keep you still - tsking softly, “Angelfish, calm yourself - this was the only way to secure your safety.”

“Secure my SAFETY?! YOU TURNED ME INTO A FLIPPIN’ MERMAID!!” you shout, “You expect me to be grateful for this?! You took me away from my life!”

“(Y/N), please try to understand - I did this for you, for all of us,” Azul reaches out to press a hand against your cheek, which you flinch away from, "Had we not acted when we did - you would've had something far worse happen to you. We were all in agreement that keeping you with us is much better than having you fed to the other monsters that live in these walls."

You stop moving, heart racing as you look at the octomer in the eyes, "W-what do you mean?"

"What he means is that you could’ve been another monster's prey," a calm voice spoke.

You turn to see Jade and Floyd enter into the room, the older of the twins speaking.

"You may think this is merely a place for fun and entertainment," Jade’s voice, calm and sharp at the same time, "but the harsh reality is that this place is a breeding ground. Those monsters that you worked alongside within the world above would've done the same thing to any person who waltzed in, searching for a job that paid well."

"What do you think happened to the last 'keeper,' Shrimpy?" Floyd’s smile was cunning, all teeth with no pleasantries behind it.

You swallow hard, looking down at the dirt floor and the tail you've been given.

It couldn't be true, could it? You thought there was something weird and strange going on behind the scenes - but Dire Crowley couldn't be that perverted or twisted himself to allow such a painful thing to happen to you, could he? And what about Professor Trein? Professor Crewel? Surely they would see how wrong it was, right?

"Angelfish," Azul's tentacle slowly stroked your tail, making you shudder slightly, before his hand wrapped around your wrist, "I know that your heart is heavy and your mind is confused, but know that I am a mer of my word. They've only wanted to use you, but we won't abandon you or use you like they would. This is only temporary until we find a means of escape."

"Escape?"

"Our home - your home - is in the Coral Sea," Jade answered, "Azul has been working on perfecting a potion that would allow one of us to turn human for a time after we free ourselves from here. This place is no longer your home - you will come with us when the time is right."

"Humans are so disgusting," Floyd grumbled, before perking up, "The only good thing they did… was bring you to us."

You shudder as their gazes fall upon you; twisted, perverse… and hungry.

***

Crowley looked out into the enclosure as another attempt to pull the woman out failed miserably. They hadn’t seen any of the mers nor the test subject in question for days now, making several of the researchers worried.

Two weeks had passed since the successful mating ritual between the three mers as well as the test subject - however, no one had suspected the mers to pull 03182020 into the water nor for them to use magick on her. Several of the researchers - including Crewel and Trein - believed that the mers had transformed 03182020 in order for her body to accommodate the needs of the mers’ bodies, the process taking several hours before completion during the time when they were in the process of mating with her. To many, they were also surprised to see the twins swimming about the following morning - their heterochromia eyes searching both the surface and the waters; when anyone came close to the water, however, they were quickly attacked by the two - one of the researchers nearly drowning in the process. Hence, they tried another tactic to see if they could locate their missing test subject. That, too, proved to be a fatal mistake when the octomer appeared - pale sea blues glowing with anger as he physically launched the divers that had gotten past the twins out of the water and - in one person’s case - through the glass doors.

Grimsley appeared before him, pulling his scuba gear off and approaching Crowley with a heavy shake of his head, “There’s no way passed the trio - they’ve been guarding the makeshift cave within their enclosure for days now. It does seem like there’s always two traveling about and they never stray too far.”

“You think (Y/N) is in there?” Crewel asked from his position behind the broken door.

“Very likely,” Grimsley answered, “and if anything, they might still be going through the breeding process right now.”

“Still? How can that be?”

“It wouldn’t be surprising,” Trein answered with a nod at Grimsley’s suggestion, “Perhaps humans and merfolk are more alike in more ways than one. We may have forced them into the mating ritual - but that doesn’t mean that (Y/N) could’ve gotten pregnant from the encounter. They are probably checking to see if she has eggs in her body if she’s still alive - and if she does, they are using this time to begin the fertilization process.”

“I do hope she is still alive, poor puppy,” Crewel answered.

“A dead body won’t be of any use to us anyway,” Crowley answered, “Keep trying to get her out. I want a report on my desk by the end of the week. If we fail to get her out - there’s going to be the villain’s price to pay.”

As the owner turned on his heel and vanished from the lab, Crewel turned to Grimsley, “Do you think (Y/N) has a chance?”

The young man could only shrug his shoulders, unable to provide an answer.

***

Cruel and cold like winds on the seas

Will you ever return to me

Hear my voice sing with the tide

Our love will never die

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iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia · 1 year

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If I may for the full HCs : with a MC who knows how to make their own perfume and make-up (maybe other cosmetics too). The M6's reaction when MC presents them their whole new line of cosmetics, inspired by them 💄🧴 please! 😄

The Arcana HCs: When MC makes cosmetics for the M6

~ @saemi-the-dreamer this is such a cute idea, oh my goodness I love it! Hope you like these! - brainrot ~

Julian

It's not necessarily his field of interest, but he's fascinated by the chemistry behind the stuff you make and its various uses (fake wounds for theatre? tell him more!)

Not to mention how willing he is to feel your hands on his face whenever you want to test out a new product or mixture

But when you present him with a themed line of products, which he inspired, and which is all in shades of edgy red and black?

Oh, he's learning to do his own makeup today

His permanent eye bags reach a whole new level of drama when he tests out the eye pencil you made him with some shaky success

He develops a good eye for noticing who around him is wearing makeup and then trying to decide how closely the products they're wearing can be compared to yours

Depending on how favorable his impression is of said person, it's quite possible that he'll recommend your products to them

Insists on paying you for everything you give him somehow

Asra

They love it. They're not always sure how the process works, but they could spend hours letting their eyes wander from your hands, to the colors you're making, to your face, to more of the colors, back to you ...

He has quite a few suggestions for ways to make your creations really pop, whether that be glowing glitter or a potion with a holographic effect mixed in

They're surprised and delighted when you give them their own collection of bright and unusual colors and they make full use of it

Might start leaving notes with multi hued lip prints around the shop for you to find while he's out

You have a brief panic moment when they decide to let Faust in on all of the fun and paint her with the rainbow too

If you'd known that it was going to be used on pets, you would have been sure to double check that it was safe at least!

Faust isn't bothered in the slightest. She looks fantastic and she will advertise your products to anyone who looks

Nadia

So happy to share a common interest with you, especially when it comes to her adventures in fashion and styling

Loves to come up with outfits based off of certain products she's seen you make, or to invite you to do the makeup for one of her favorite original designs. She always likes what you come up with

It truly never occurs to her that you would see her as inspiration

Her styles, perhaps, or some of her fashion preferences, but never her personally. When you present her with your creation she's surprised and very, very flattered

She is going to spoil you in return, no room for argument

Puts so much thought into exactly how she's going to use each item in tandem with what specific outfit because your work deserves the greatest appreciation she can show it

Will insist that you wear some of it too, because she likes matching you and seeing you in something so personal to her makes her heart do funny things in her chest

Muriel

His interest goes as far as whatever natural remedies you include in your work. He's not as familiar with the cosmetic properties of the different herbs around the forest

That, and he does enjoy observing you while you're focused on something you're passionate about. (He'll never admit it)

Unsurprised, but a little taken aback when you give him his gift. He's not a cosmetics or perfume kind of guy

He doesn't realize it's a plot to lure him into the delights of self care

First it's letting you apply chapstick to his lips with the pads of your fingers, then it's letting you put moisturizer on his work-roughened hands, and then it's testing out a bath product together ...

At one point, when you gently point out a balm that helps with scar tissue, Muriel gets a little choked up and vulnerable about it

But he doesn't mind it as much if it's your hands smoothing it along his chest and back and arms

Speaking of, you should be wearing some chapstick too ...

Portia

She knows her way around cosmetics (she was Nadia's maid servant for quite some time, after all) but she doesn't generally put that much concern into her appearance beyond cleanliness

Her routine is effective, efficient, and second nature enough for her to multitask with whatever else needs doing that morning

That doesn't stop her from helping you out, though! She's always got helpful suggestions for which ingredients to include and how to apply certain products

So when you gift her a line completely tailored to her needs and preferences, she feels so pampered and seen that she smothers you with hugs and kisses and whisks you to the bathroom to try it all out

She likes it so much and wears it so well that most of her friends notice and ask after the change (and Portia has a lot of friends)

She shamelessly advertises your stuff to anyone and everyone

Don't worry if the amount of new orders gets overwhelming, she's here to help!

Lucio

One of his first requests as a ghost when he found out that you made cosmetics was to give him a better face of makeup. The painter didn't do his eyeliner justice and he wants it fixed please

Constantly volunteering to be your fabulous guinea pig, because he's the best and he loves you! (and he's curious)

Turns into an overexcited magpie when you show him his gift

You put gold in it! He loves gold! You put red in it!! He loves red!!!

Cancels the rest of his plans for the day and tests out each product one by one, showing off each result so you can shower him in the appropriate compliments

Incorporates everything you gave him into his daily routine and brings it up in every conversation he has for the next month

As much as he's still learning to sweet talk potential customers, his enthusiasm is infectious and you do see a bump in requests

Makes sure to tell everyone that he inspired those cosmetics

#ask arcana brainrot #the arcana #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana fluff #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson

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corazondebeskar-reads · 9 months

Text

fic recs - Joel Miller (one-shots pt. 2)

fic recs for one-shots starring Joel Miller.

Key: 🏴 = dark, 💕 = fluff, ⛓ = rough/bdsm elements, 💀 = dead dove do not eat

Mind the warnings, and please read responsibly. you control your own media consumption.

All Fic Recs | TLOU Fic Recs | Joel series | one-shots pt. 1

fluff

💕 as natural as another leg around you in the bed frame by @tightjeansjavi

summary: Joel returns home to you after patrol injured, and hiding it from you.

catching by @softlyspector

summary: None of your partners had ever been able to make you come before. Joel changed that.

safe and sound by @joelsgreys

summary: Your daughter has a nightmare—her daddy makes it all better.

keep you warm by @alwaysmicado

summary: You reveal to Joel that you are carrying his child. He vows to keep you both safe and warm, always.

no outbreak/AU

⛓ spend all your love making time by @haylzcyon

summary: You're everything Joel never knew he needed.

Lay Off The Flannels by @endlessthxxghts

summary: Joel gets handsy while your father temporarily steps away.

💕 Honey-Do by @kiwisbell

summary: It’s Sunday, chore day, and Joel has a honey-do list item of his own: get his girl pregnant.

freeze-thaw by @covetyou

summary: With your holiday plans ruined when a freak snow storm blows through town, you spend the fesitve period holed up with your partner, Joel Miller, learning exactly how warm you can keep each other in the snow.

Met the Devil Last Night by @pedgito

summary: i made a joke about wanting to screw dirt-covered joel even if he was deep in trenches of hell and...well, yeah. this is pure filth and nothing else. porn with minuscule plot, if you will.

⛓ diet mountain dew by @mochiduh

summary: your boyfriend has been cheating on you, but his uncaring, selfish, and very flirtatious father wants to make it up to you the best way he knows how...

⛓ In the Next Room by @atticrissfinch

summary: When the peace and quiet of your apartment is disturbed by the noisy escapades of the couple in the neighboring unit, you find yourself entranced by the mystery man on the other side of the wall. And when you stumble upon him on a dating app…well, it might just be fate.

walking through fire by @macfrog

summary: you’re neck-deep in a bout of seasonal depression. your boyfriend suggests an autumnal walk.

crystal by @ezrasbirdie

summary : Joel's live-in girlfriend is a little witchy. It takes some getting used to.

Sticky by @ezrasbirdie

summary: You send Joel a new toy to keep him occupied while you're away.

sundown by @bageldaddy

summary: you're used to being alone. that changes when joel moves into the trailer across from yours.

what happens after by @hellishjoel

summary: A string that pulled you out of all the wrong arms, right into that dive bar. And what happens after

holiday themed

Saints and Sinners by @loquaciousferret (ft. bonus Javier Peña)

summary: The yearly Halloween rendezvous with your long-term no-strings lover Joel Miller is set to be shaken up when he invites a third- Javi Peña- to your hotel room.

need that charles dickens by @janaispunk

summary: “What do you say, have I been a good elf for Santa?”

“Am I Santa in that scenario?”

“Sure,” you grin mischievously, “if you come down my chimney.”

baubles by @covetyou

summary: Santa Joel fucks you with his balls. That's it.

photograph by @tightjeansjavi

summary: Ellie gifts Joel a present worth more than a million words.

Here cums Santa Claus by @softpascalito

summary: Jackson needs a Santa Claus - and Joel is the perfect fit. Getting to have you on his lap is just a bonus.

squirming by @frannyzooey

summary: you share a sleeping bag with joel

#joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x f!oc #joel miller fic recs #the last of us fic #the last of us fic rec #tlou fic recs

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savventeen · 2 years

Text

you glow pink in the night

pairing: non-idol!the8 x fem!reader rating: G wc: 1.7k prompt: none, i just wanted to post something for minghao's bday <3 summary: you and minghao are in a long-distance relationship, and minghao returns to his apartment after meeting you in person for the first time. he finds a surprise you left for him in his luggage warnings: none tags: fluff, just pure romantic fluff, long-distance relationship, Yearning™️, talks about kissing, they are so in love it's insane, love letters a/n: i wanted to break my angst streak and post something soft for minghao day. also, while it's not explicitly stated, i wrote this as the reader being a transwoman! if that bothers you in any way, please do not interact, thank you 💜 (this was originally a sapphic minjoon threadfic that i'd posted on twitter) a/n pt. 2: there are two theme songs for this fic — can't help falling in love cover by ingrid michaelson and pink in the night by mitski

The apartment is quiet as Minghao enters.

First, there are the soft thumps of his sneakers when he toes them off in the entryway. Then, the jingle of keys as he drops them onto the countertop, the acrylic frog keychain you had gifted him clinking softly against the tile, followed by the low whirring of wheels across the wood floor as he drags his suitcase behind him to the bedroom.

The springs squeak as he flops face down onto his mattress with an exhausted grunt, and then — silence.

He's never been a huge fan of silence. Don't get him wrong, he loves the quiet — soft moments in nature or normally bustling parks.

But silence, pure silence, the kind that feels like it compounds in on itself until it feels like you're completely ensnared in it — it always leaves a little too much room for unwanted thoughts to flutter to the forefront of his consciousness, swirling and uncatchable like dust motes in the afternoon sunlight.

This particular silence echoes a little louder than usual, though. The absence is felt a little more keenly — the yearning leaning a little bit more towards unbearable than not.

He really should have expected this — a crash, one that would inevitably come after such an incredible high.

And oh, what a high it had been.

He had saved and managed and planned and saved some more until finally, finally, the stars had aligned, and he'd been able to take time off of work and school and book a flight to New York — to where the other half of his heart lives.

To you, his long-distance girlfriend of two years and the woman he planned to marry someday.

For an entire week, you'd gotten to live in each other’s pockets, gotten to never be more than an arm’s length away instead of thousands of miles. Gotten to be face-to-face, heart-to-heart, (lips-to-lips), instead of screen-to-screen.

It had been heaven.

And like all things, the good and the bad and everything in between, it had come to an end.

So here he lay, a fourteen-hour flight and an hour-and-a-half bus ride later, in a space devoid of the warmth of soft skin and high-pitched giggles that he'd just had the privilege of getting to hold in the palms of his hands.

His surroundings had so swiftly gone from hallowed to hollow, and he releases a shaky sigh into his pillow.

He doesn't want to sink any further into that line of thinking, so he rolls over and pulls his phone out of the pocket of his oversized hoodie, turning on his playlist full of swooping orchestral music and blasting it at full volume.

He tosses it beside him and goes to get up and start unpacking before realizing he almost forgot to do something important.

Snatching his phone back up, he holds it up above him as he's lying on the bed and turns on the front-facing camera.

Before he can overthink how tired he looks, hair falling all over the place and bags under his puffy eyes, he snaps a quick photo and sends it to you. He follows it up with a few quick texts letting you know he made it home.

to: y/n ❤️✨🌻

made it back to my place in one piece (but just a little emptier) (my heart is still with you, my love)

The melancholic yearning starts to creep up his spine once more, and before the vines can root themselves too deeply, he flings himself up from the bedspread and starts making a mental checklist of all the things he needs to get done before he goes to sleep.

First on the list: unpack his suitcase.

He looks to where his mint green hardshell luggage sits innocently at the end of the bed and stares down one of the anthropomorphic bonsai stickers that cover it.

Pointing a faux-threatening finger at it, he states, "You're up, bubs."

He expects unpacking to take no longer than ten minutes — all he needs to do is fling his clothes into the dirty laundry pile in the corner of his room, tuck his accessories away in their respective places on the dresser and in the bathroom, and then carefully put the few books he took with him back on the bookshelf.

Easy peasy. Except, when he kneels on the floor and opens the suitcase, he's not sure how much time he loses just staring at the sight before him.

Instead of the chaotic pile he'd carelessly tossed in the night before his flight back, everything he'd brought with him sits folded and rolled neatly, perfectly in place.

What catches the breath in his lungs and causes his heart to tremble, though, is the large envelope that sits atop everything, addressed to him in an elegant, curling script and sealed with a kiss the exact shade of coral he knows is your favorite.

"Oh, y/n..."

And he could probably blame the way his eyes are already watering with tears on the exhaustion from travel, but he knows that's only part of it.

The real reason is that even now, after two years of loving and being loved by you, he still isn't used to how you're able to fill his heart more and more each day.

With a slightly trembling hand, he picks up the envelope and brings it up to his nose, catching a whiff of vanilla and something sugary sweet — your perfume — before clutching it to his chest for a moment.

"Jagi, you're too precious, please," he pleads to the air, not sure what to do with the affection swelling up inside his chest like a helium balloon.

For a few moments, he lets himself bask in the glow of the feeling blossoming between his ribs — one that's always blossoming when it comes to you, over and over with new and more beautiful blooms.

He takes a deep breath in and releases it, slow.

Minghao tries to open the envelope as carefully as he can, but he has to stop and run to the kitchen for a pair of scissors so he can open it without tearing anything.

But soon enough, he's back in front of his suitcase with a beautifully hand-written letter in his grasp, and he dives head-over-heels into the elegant script.

My dearest Minghao, My love, my hope, my heart — this last week has been one of the happiest of my entire life. Never before have I felt so wholly myself, and never have I ever felt so wholly loved. Minghao, my beautiful moon, I feel so blessed that I got to bask in your light — that I got to see those wonderful little craters you call dimples up close and personal, that I got to press kiss after kiss onto them in the hopes that one day I might come close to filling them. Hopefully, someday soon, I can try again. Ever since I got to know you, you've been such an inspiration to me, in so many wonderful ways. One of the best (and sometimes worst) things I've learned from you is how to be present in each moment — how to let myself feel every joy and every pain, and to hold on to the things that matter. Not by force, but by faith — faith that the good things will keep coming back, and that they are worth putting into things other than just our memories. And so that's what I tried to do this last wonderful, unforgettable week: capture the memories in something besides my full-to-bursting heart. And because all I have will always be yours, these little pieces of me — of us — are yours as well. I hope they bring a little bit of relief to what I know will be a hard separation for both of us. Just know that someday we will get to hold each other again, and the next time I have you in my arms, I'm never letting go. I love you, Xu Minghao. More than any words could ever express. But since words are all I have, I will never cease to give them to you. I love you. As surely as the waves kiss the shore, I love you, I love you, I love you. Yours, always and forever, y/n

It takes Minghao a while to get to the end of the letter, only because he has to keep stopping to wipe the tears from his eyes.

And then he has to put off unpacking for another fifteen minutes because his heart is just so full — the blooms in his chest threatening to burst out past his ribcage, growing and growing and making him feel like you captured the sun and tucked it away just behind his sternum.

And the feeling only grows as he starts to unpack and finds dozens of slips of paper tucked into and between all his belongings — scrap paper and napkins and even the backs of a few receipts all falling victim to your elegant hand.

I can't believe you're here. We held hands for the first time today, and I can't stop thinking about how your fingers tangled so perfectly with mine.

You smile at me, and I feel like my heart has melted and pooled in the center of my chest.

The barista made a teddy bear in your latte, and it made you so happy I wanted to lasso the universe if only to give you the stars.

Minghao, light of my life, you are so brilliant. Buy my god, you can be stupid. (I love it though. And you. So much. Don't ever change.)

I watched you bite your lip, and I have never been so desperate to kiss someone. To be kissed by someone. To be kissed by you. Kiss me, Minghao. Kiss me, and don't ever stop kissing me. Kiss me until the world has ended and we've returned to stardust. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.

And like a river flows, surely to the sea, Minghao knows with every fiber of his being, that some things — the moon, the stars, you and him, together — some things are meant to be.

#minghao x reader #minghao x you #minghao x y/n #the8 x reader #the8 x you #minghao fluff #the8 fluff #minghao fanfic #the8 fanfic #seventeenweeklyarticle #seventeen writing #seventeen fanfic #svt writing #svt fanfic #happy minghao day!#hope u guys like this one #savv writes #savv fics

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officialchristiancagebbgirlblog · 6 months

Note

So I have a twist for you! Anyway I can request promos 18 & 19 with Adam Copeland and Christian’s younger sister?

18: no, you lost me when you decided to kiss him/her

19: we’re done. Get the fuck out of my house

Warnings: swearing, mention of cheating

Themes: angst

Word count: 1327

Link to masterlist

Happy reading 🖤

Sitting on the sofa in your brother's house, you awaited the arrival of your boyfriend. Or soon to be ex-boyfriend. For the last few days, you had been staying with your older brother, Christian, while you decided what to do with your relationship. You wished you could ignore what happened, forget about it and move on with life! But unfortunately it wasn’t something you could turn a blind eye to.

For weeks you had been noticing strange things in your shared apartment: different perfume scents lingering in the air when you returned from a long outing, things being moved from their original place, Adam becoming secretive and using his phone a lot more often. It wasn’t until you were spending an evening with Christian at his for dinner that your suspicions were confirmed. You had been waiting in his car while he ran into your apartment to grab a forgotten bottle of wine from the kitchen when he accidentally walked in on his best friend, your boyfriend, and a mutual friend sat on your shared bed making out the French way. That look of anger and hurt that was plastered on Christians face as he stormed back out to the car, wine bottle clenched in his left hand was burned into your memory. But what was worse was seeing Adam and the friend run after him, trying their best to explain themselves, unaware you were in the passenger seat of the car.

Your brother was pacing back and forth in front of you, trying to keep himself calm. There was no denying you were still madly in love with Adam, not really wanting to end the relationship you had been dying for since you were kids. Adam and your brother had been friends since they were kids, and being in their early thirties now meant that Adam’s betrayal had stung more. Not only had he betrayed you, his wonderful girlfriend of seven years, but he had also betrayed his best friend. He wasn’t too overly keen on the idea of you two dating, being naturally over protective of his younger sister. But knowing you’d be in safe hands with his best friend, he eventually supported the relationship, albeit after two years together.

Finally, you heard a car pull up outside. Making eye contact briefly with your brother, you both ran to the window to see if it was man of the hour. Indeed it was as the tall Canadian climbed out his car with a large pink gift bag.

“Christian, I don’t know if I can do this. I know I need to end it but…I’m scared I’m gonna chicken out and forgive him.” You admitted, worriedly playing with your fingers. Instinctively he reached over and slipped his hand between your nervous pair, stopping you from continuing to move around. Giving your hand a reassuring squeeze, he walked you over to the front door.

“That’s why I’m here,” he sighed, reaching for the handle, “I’m not going to let this continue. He will be leaving this house alone today. And when you collect your things, I’m coming with you, okay?”

You nodded solemnly, trying to accept the reality of the situation. Taking a deep breath in, Christian opened the door and motioned for Adam to come in.

“You get 10 minutes. I will be counting the seconds before I kick you out of my house, got it?” He hissed, letting go of your hand to allow you to head back to your seat. Adam quietly nodded and followed you in. Initially he tried to sit next to you but Christian was quick to put an end to that. He swooped in, stealing the space next to you and pulling you in close to him.

“Okay then…” Adam muttered under his breath, sitting on the available armchair to the left. Nobody said a word for the first minute, before Christian loudly announced that there were “nine minutes” left before Adam had to leave. That seemed to put everything in gear. He took a deep, yet sharp breath in before meeting your harsh gaze.

“I’m going to start by saying I’m sorry. I am so. Fucking. Sorry. For doing what I did.” His voice cracked, eyes beginning to well up with tears. For a moment, you felt your heart soften.

“I should never have kissed her, to be honest I don’t know what came over me. Inviting her over was a mistake that I wish I could take back.” Inside, your heart began to crack. Christian noticed you were starting to fall into the trap of accepting what had happened and decided to say something.

“Why did you invite her over in the first place?” He demanded, giving you another reassuring squeeze.

“I don’t think I can fully answer that-“

“Try. I deserve to know why she was making out with my boyfriend of 7 years.” You interjected, trying to hide the fact you were in the motion of settling.

Adam winced at the anger in your voice, trying not to reveal the real reason. But there was no hiding it, it was better you heard it from him anyways.

“I…I invited her over because…” he swallowed thickly, squeezing his eyes closed, ready to jump up and run out.

“Because I think I have feelings…for her.”

Everything stopped. Your blood ran cold through your body as the words settled in: “because I have feelings for her.” Not for you, for her. You couldn’t even cry. You were in a complete state of disbelief and shock. After 7 years of love and affection, he had feelings for someone else. Where you felt distressed and betrayed, beside you Christian was white hot with anger and ready to spit actual venom at Adam. His grip on your arm tightened to the point where it almost felt like he could leave bruises.

“But I promise, I’m not going to talk to her again! I swear on my mothers life, we’re done.” He trembled, hand over his heart.

“Really? You actually swear?” Christian asked through gritted teeth.

“Yes. I don’t want to lose my beautiful girlfriend.”

“No.” You shook your head, finally coming to your senses, “you lost me when you decided to kiss her. On our bed, no less.”

Adam’s face dropped, skin going pale as the realisation hit that you weren’t going to be swayed. He would not be leaving in the way he hoped with you back in his arms.

“No, no please. Don’t say that, I need you. I can’t live without you. Without you, I’m nothing-“

“She’s done, Adam,” Christian stood up, “we’re done. Get the fuck out of my house. Now. Before I drag you out in multiple bin bags.”

Gulping, still unable to accept the reality of the situation, he made his way to the front door, leaving the gifts he bought for you in the bag.

“Wait!” You called out, running over to catch up with them. They turned to face you, Christian giving you a warning look to tell you not to do what he was thinking. Thankfully for him, though, you were carrying the pink bag. You thrusted it into Adam’s arms and stepped back to avoid any physical contact.

“Be sure to give this to your new girlfriend.”

Smirking, Christian pushed Adam out and waited until he got into his car, and drove off in a heap of tears. He was so incredibly proud of you for handling yourself so well but the feeling disappeared when he turned to see you begin to break down. He rushed over to scoop you into his arms, gently tuning his hand over your hair in an attempt to calm you down. There was nothing he could say to make it better, so you both stood there while you cried into his shoulder. Although you both had been betrayed by the man you both loved, at least you still had each other. That was enough for now.

#Adam Copeland #Christian cage #adam copeland x reader #adam copeland imagine #adam copeland fanfic

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hazzyking · 10 months

Text

This is my S/I One Piece story... please be gentle

NSFW themes, suggestive sex scene at the end. 18+ readers

Newgate

Chapter One: Somewhere Beyond the Sea

The Baritie was quiet, which left room for Ame to prepare for her performance tonight, she sat at her vanity sighing heavily while desperately trying to curl her shoulder length purple locks. “Need help Ame-Swan?” Sanji questioned leaning in the doorway. Through thick eyelashes Ame looked at him and batted her eyes flirtatiously.

“Please?” She muttered and straightened her back, and pulled her black silk robe tighter around her, Sanji sauntered behind her and she passed him her brush and curling iron.

“Your hair is so fine, this is a challenge” Sanji chuckled.

“Nothing hairspray can't fix '' Ame joked back smiling at him in the mirror. “Is Dracule here yet?” Ame asked, doing her best to pretend like she doesn't care, but failing miserably.

“We saw his ship on the horizon, he’ll be here tonight” Sanji said as his gentle fingers raked through the back of her head, “is that going to be okay?” Sanji asked, realizing her shoulders and jaw tense at the mention of the Warlord.

“Y-yeah” Ame spoke as her excitement got the better of her. “Our relationship is… complicated,” Ame muttered.

“Oh, I’m aware Ame-Swan” Sanji mused as he sprayed the curls in the back of her head. “You are beautiful” Sanji said as he lined his face up with hers, looking into the mirror.

“You'd say that if i was wrapped in a paper bag” Ame chuckled slightly, pushing her friend away. Ame let out another heavy sigh as she carefully applied mascara to her eyes, and then red lipstick.

“You look ravishing in red” Sanji complimented without looking at her.

“Red isn't really my color, but it works with the dress.” Ame said as she looked at a picture of her and her friends as kids, one red haired boy, and one blue haired boy with a red nose, and Ame, with her natural blonde hair in the middle, Ame sighed softly, before returning her attention to the mirror.

“I never asked, what prompted you to leave Gol Roger's crew?” Sanji asked, now doing his best to steam the wrinkles out of her blue dress.

"We got… separated” Ame sighed as her fingers traced two scars along her abdomen, she shuddered remembering the Marines who sliced her and injected her with all sorts of drugs. “I-It doesn't matter” Ame managed to get out. “How do I look?” her blue eyes focused on Sanji as she turned around, his smile softened as she studied her beautiful features.

“Perfect” Sanji hummed. “Let's get you in this dress” he spoke again and took the dress down off the hanger while Ame walked behind the bamboo privacy divider. She slipped off her robe, and quickly wiggled into some black high waisted panties and a black bra. She was careful not to keep Sanji waiting. “Do my boobs look fake?” Ame asked stepping out from behind the divider, she wore her bra with the most padding, it gives her more tips.

“No” Sanji shook his head. “Uh- Mihawk is coming tonight, no lace?” Sanji teased judging her simple panties.

“All of my lace undies are low waisted, and they show my scars.” Ame sighed, Sanji gave her a look like he knew those panties were gonna end up on the floor anyway. “the less he sees them the better. Now help- please” Ame struggled again as she held Sanji’s shoulders and stepped into the blue sparkly evening gown, she put her arms through the straps and Sanji zipped up the back. “Boots,” Ame said, pointing to the pair of black cowboy boots.

“Really?” he said.

“They were gifts, and no one is going to see them anyway” Ame sighed as she hiked up her dress and slipped each foot into the boots. “See?” she spoke again once she fixed the dress to cover the boots. Ame walked across the room and slipped on black elbow length gloves, she took one last look in the mirror admiring her diamond jewelry set, and then took another deep breath and looked up at Sanji. “I am so happy that I have you, you're an amazing friend” Ame chuckled slightly.

“Oh yeah?” Sanji smirked, offering her his arm “M’lady” Ame blushed a deep red and she hooked her arm with his and she let him guide her down the stairs.

“This place is packed, you're gonna be busy tonight,” Ame muttered.

“I'll manage, I'll never be too busy to watch you sing~” Sanji mused as they walked down the stairs.

“Zeff is gonna kill you if he sees you distracted.” Ame giggled softly.

“Not if I kill him first,” Sanji teased.

“Alright, this is it” she huffed “thank you Sanji” she said with a delicate smile.

“Break a leg Ame-Swan” he winked before leaving her. The spotlight turned on before the curtain was pulled, Ame looked up at the bright warm light and sucked in a deep breath before letting it out again. After what felt like an eternity, the curtain opened and Ame walked out on stage. She saw all the patrons gathered around the Bar and sitting at tables, as Ame scanned the bar she locked eyes with Dracule Mihawk, he gave her a knowing smirk and tipped his hat. Ame felt her heart reach out of her chest when she approached the mic. She did her best to bury the emotions swirling around in her head and turned to her band and counted them in giving them a nice beat to swing to.

“Somewhere, Beyond the sea” Ame sung, it tickled the ears of every patron there, Mihawk fluttered his eyes closed as he listened to her absolutely gorgeous voice, Sanji sat in the back of the restaurant with Zeff, he watched her every move with nothing but admiration in his eyes.

“My lover stands, on golden sands, and watches the ships that go sail-in” Ame sung, smiling through her words as the band played, her hips swayed during the instrumental solos and the crowd cheered as each one finished. Sanji caught a glimpse of Mihawk in the front row, his fingers wrapped around a wine glass and his boot tapping to the beat, though his face remained stoic.

"I know beyond a doubt, My heart will lead me there soon, We'll meet beyond the shore, We'll kiss just as before, Happy we'll be beyond the sea, And never again I'll go sailing.” Ame smiled as the piano plucked out the last few notes, she blew a kiss to Mihawk, and walked off stage with a huge smile on her face. There's nothing she loved more than singing, it was like getting lost in a different world, nothing bothered her when she was on the stage. She just felt- free.

“Beautiful, as always Little Dove” Mihawk said in a voice that sent shivers up her spine, Ame turned around, her expression contorting from relaxed to almost flustered in an instant.

“Drac- I mean, Mihawk, I didn't expect you back so soon” Ame said with a sly grin on her face, trying her best not to look too excited.

“I decided I just couldn't get enough of you, my pet” Mihawk said in a low tantalizing voice, which caused Ame's heart to stop beating entirely.

“W-well. Let's not waste anytime” Ame stuttered, reaching her hand out for the Warlord to take.

Ame led him up to her room and locked the door behind her, Mihawk entered and slowly made his way to the edge of her bed, inspecting his surroundings. “Hasn't changed much since last month” Ame spoke nervously and sat down at the edge of the bed, Mihawk sat behind her and slowly unzipped her dress as he trailed soft kisses down her shoulder.

“Didn't think it would, Little Dove” Mihawk smirked at her attempt of small talk. “Let's get this dress off you” he murmured and slid the top of the dress down, exposing her beautiful, pale skin. Ame shimmied out of the dress and laid her back against the bed, Mihawk stood up and walked to the end of the bed and lowered himself so he was on his knees “Breathtaking” he muttered as he slowly kissed down her chest and stomach,

“relax for me, Little Dove”

#one piece #one piece live action #one piece live action fanfic #hawkeye mihawk #dracule mihawk #live action mihawk #mihawk x oc

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total-drama-takes-takes-2 · 1 year

Text

tta episode 7

“Last time on Total Takes Action: the teams split off to perform a thrilling crime-drama challenge in a courtroom themed episode! Joner and Sha-Mod got stuck with the boring work, which ultimately led to their downfall when Peter delivered the goods and solved an exciting murder case. Even more shocking, Max returned from peanut gallery purgatory, reuniting with his girlfriend and sending the very charitable Joner packing. Will Scary kill Max before he gets the chance to compete? Will Michela kill Scary first? Find out now, on Total! Takes! Action!”

Fren flips his flowing hair over his shoulder and sits across from Peter at one of the tables in the craft services tent. He glows in the warm wash of beige lighting sifting through the fabric of the walls, and smiles into the sun, waiting for his daily compliment.

When nothing happens, he clears his throat. “Good morning, everyone,”

Still, nothing. He coughs again, louder, and Peter looks up from his applesauce. “Sorry- did you say something?”

Fren sighs. “Never mind,”

---

FREN: “Okay, maybe all this attention I’ve been getting online is getting to my head. I got so used to Joner and Sha-Mod flocking over me like moths to a flame, and let’s be honest- Peter just isn’t the same,”

---

Peter blinks. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Forget it,”

“Cause I’m not sure if I-”

Fren pouts, crossing his arms. “These earrings are new,” he turns his head to the side to show them off. They’re made from smoothed red bottle glass and wire. “I made them myself.”

“Oh, wow, that’s pretty!” Peter says. “I made bracelets sometimes, but they’re usually-”

“It’s just that every morning, my fans always greet me with a ton of nice messages, and it’s hard being separated from them!” he sighs dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “Where am I supposed to find the courage to keep slaying? And why is everyone ignoring me today!”

“I don’t think they’re ignoring you so much as…” Peter points across the table. Fren looks in the direction he’s indicating to and sees Scruffy, Sha-Mod, and O hovering around Max and Michela.

Scruffy jots down some notes as the two speak casually, having been reunited in the challenge prior. Max is seated comfortably on Michela’s lap while O and Sha-Mod Aw over them. Fren blinks.

“Yeah, I’m going to…” Peter stands and walks over to their side of the table, sitting beside Scruffy.

Scary quickly takes his place, sitting across from Fren with a grimace. “Nasty, isn’t it? They’re just flaunting it all over!”

“What?” Fren asks, looking back to her.

“Nothing. Pretzels?” they pull a bag out of their labcoat and slide it across the table with a wicked grin. Fren nervously accepts the gift. “And just between us friends, I would break up that alliance before it breaks you.”

And without another word, she slinks away.

“Alright, actors! Meet me on the manor set in five for your costume fittings!”

The campers look at each other.

---

“Today’s challenge is actually one of the ones from the original Total Drama Action-”

Scruffy pumps their fist. “YES!”

“...But, with a twist!”

“NO!”

---

SCRUFFY: “I’ve actually been coping really well lately. As long as I don’t think about anything that’s happened, is happening, or will happen, I’m fine!”

---

Chris beams. “Today’s challenge is a period drama- in the original season, we did cavemen- today, we’ll be taking a more modern approach- the 1800s!”

Scary taps her chin while Scruffy groans.

---

SCARY: “The 19th century was a big period of scientific growth and achievement. People finally started disregarding the archaic structure of religion, and embracing the cold, unforgiving nature of the universe. Finally, something that suits me!”

---

Chris paces back and forth in front of the large doors to a beautiful manor set. “Today’s challenge is also special for another reason: hidden somewhere on the set is an immunity idol. Whoever finds it wins immunity tonight, winning duo or not,” he grins as the campers gasp. “Likewise, we have a few extra rules for today.”

Chef walks through the lined-up contestants, handing everyone a plastic-wrapped piece of clothing. “For the first part of the challenge, you'll need proper attire,”

Scary pulls the plastic wrap off the dress. “You cannot be serious,”

“Like the plague- which in this era is yellow fever!”

Michela turns to Max as she pulls the wrapping off the early 1800s dress she was given. “Is any of this period-accurate?”

He shrugs. “I don’t care, I’m just happy to be wearing something normal,”

O squints at him. “You consider a 3-piece suit normal?”

“You don’t?”

Chris opens the large doors of the manor and invites everyone inside.

---

Once everyone’s dressed in their costumes, they gather in the parlor for further instruction. A few look around at the eerily detailed interior. Chris adjusts a cheap monocle on his eye and grins.

“Every good Victorian movie is full of romance, drama, and mystery. Today’s challenge will be combining all three! As some of you might’ve noticed, we had this mansion airlifted by a helicopter squad straight from England! Legend has it this old, creepy, decrepit, British nightmare is haunted by the former owner- your goal today is to capture the ghost of Mr. Edward Englishman and return him to me. But before that…”

Chris leads the competitors to another set of doors, and throws them open to reveal a massive ballroom. “You ready to merge?"

Sha-Mod coughs. "Isn't the merge tomorrow?"

"We're fast tracking this bit. The first leg of your challenge is a spin on musical chairs- I’ll call it, “musical 19th century ballroom dancing,” the rules are simple: four of you will make an inner circle and four of you will make an outer. Whenever Chef plays,” Chris points to the corner of the room, where Chef is setting up a cello. “You’ll do your best impression of a classy dance. When the music stops, whoever you’re standing across from will become your partner for the rest of the challenge.”

The competitors look at each other nervously and shift into their respective circles. Michela waves from the inner and Max waves back from the outer. Chef stretches, tunes his cello, and begins playing.

The campers awkwardly start to move around in their circles. Michela holds hands with O and Fren as they try to move in a graceful motion, though Scary refuses to touch anyone. Peter does an Irish jig and Scruffy moves around in a way that makes it look like a rat crawled up their pant leg. Max just walks around plainly.

Chris wipes away a crocodile tear. “Nothing warms my heart like seeing teens humiliate themselves on international TV,”

Sha-Mod coughs and trips.

“Alright! I’ve had enough,” Chef stops playing and stands, walking away with his cello. “No one appreciates art anymore.”

“Let’s see,” Chris studies the circle, walking around to see who’s closest to who. “Sha-Mod and O, Fren and Scruffy, Peter and Michela, aaaaand Scary and Max.”

“WHAT?!” Max, Scary, and Michela all shout at once.

Chris chuckles. “Hey, I don’t make the rules,”

“Yes you do!” Max snaps.

“Whatever. Take your team or take the carpet of shame, doesn’t affect me,” he shrugs and grins wickedly, walking away.

Michela sighs, clearly disappointed, but tries to smile for Peter anyway. He looks a little uncomfortable.

---

PETER: “Scary is really… well… scary. But I’d take her if it meant making Michela happier. It’s just so unfair to her!”

---

“Alright,” Chris passes through the crowd of pairs, now dressed normally, handing out plastic magnifying glasses and flashlights. “Your challenge is pretty simple: no one leaves the mansion until the ghost is captured. Understood?”

Fren raises a hand. “What if we have to go to the restroom?”

“I believe there are some chamber pots in the upstairs bedrooms,”

Everyone winces.

“Ready? Go!”

The teams split off in different directions, most wandering aimlessly. Max and Scary begin to head in opposite directions before noticing they’re not accompanied by their partner.

“Hey!” they shout in unison.

“Where are you going?” Scary hisses, putting his hands on his hips and leaning down for emphasis.

Max glares. “To the master bedroom, duh. Everyone knows that spirits in death are attached to mementos of their life. We might find some clues,”

Scary snorts. “You actually believe in that bull? Newsflash, Egon, ghosts aren’t real. The hadron collider proved that years ago,”

Max blushes and looks away angrily. “I meant in literature. I don't believe in ghosts,”

“Whatever, brainiac. Let’s go find the library- Chris probably hid some corny scavenger hunt clues in there,”

---

Scruffy and Fren walk through a decrepit hallway, watching a pair of spiders scuttle away from the glow of the flashlight.

“This reminds me a lot of when I explored the Winchester Mystery House and got locked in overnight,” Fren says, stepping over a plastic skull on the ground. Scruffy blinks.

“That show about the two brothers?”

Fren stares back.

---

FREN: “One thing I’m beginning to notice is Scruffy only seems to know things… about Total Drama. Trying to have a conversation with them about anything else is like asking a toddler to explain particle physics,”

---

Scruffy whips around. “Did you hear that?”

“Um. No?”

“Exactly! It’s way too quiet- Chris has to be planning something. Gosh, this is almost exactly like that one episode of Revenge of the Island where Zoey-”

Fren puts in a pair of earbuds and walks along merrily.

---

Max leans back in a library chair, his hands resting on his lap and his head tilted up. He sighs dramatically as Scary tears book from book from the wall.

“What are you even looking for?”

“You know,” Scary gestures vaguely. “One of those hidden door thingies from the movies.”

Max starts to say something, but gives in and closes his mouth. “Lost cause,”

The doors to the library open and Peter and Michela fall in with a huff, quickly closing the door behind them. They pant as they stand, wiping cobwebs off their clothing.

“Dear?” Max sits up straight. “What happened?”

Michela vaguely gestures around for a moment before catching her breath. “Secret door,”

Scary turns and gives Max a smirk.

---

Sha-Mod coughs weakly as O digs through the kitchen, tearing open cabinets and looking for a weapon.

“It’s a ghost, dude. Last time I’ll say it,” Sha-Mod says, crossing his arms. “A blade is gonna go through it like nothing.”

“It’s not a ghost, it’s an actor in a costume. And knowing Chris, it’s probably a bear actor,” O pulls a rolling pin from the cabinet. “Ghosts aren’t real. But some psychologists believe that certain places can carry emotional weight to them.”

“Like the communal bathrooms,”

“Exactly,”

The doors swing open and Scruffy and Fren walk in, shining their lights in the other pairing’s eyes. O and Sha-Mod wince.

“Oops, sorry,” Scruffy angles away the beam. “You guys find anything yet?”

“No. We’ve been in here looking for “weapons”,” Sha-Mod air quotes. Even the Lightning picture looks annoyed.

O taps the rolling pin against his palm. “Better safe than sorry. Besides, how are we going to catch this thing? No nets, no traps, no handcuffs-”

“What’re you gonna do?” Fren asks, raising an eyebrow. “Knock it out?”

O shrugs. “If it comes down to it,”

“Woah,” Scruffy says. “Hardcore for a softie like you.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Protecting your mental wellbeing isn’t just about communication,”

“Some therapist,” Sha-Mod mutters.

A distant screaming catches everyone’s attention and they all peer out into the hall to see the commotion. Nothing.

---

In the library, Scary throws the last book off the shelf. “That is IT! I’m done with this show!”

She screams again and kicks a pile of novels over, narrowly missing Max as he wipes the grime off of Michela’s face with his sleeve. “Watch it!”

“You watch it, you little pimple!”

“Hey,” Michela says, putting herself between them. “Let’s not start anything we might regret later.”

Scary’s eyes narrow. “I don’t feel petty emotions like ‘shame’,”

“Of course you don't,” she rolls her eyes.

“You two are in such deep [censored] now that the merge is on, you know that?” Scary scoffs. “Unfortunately, people actually like you. Shortstack on the other hand…” she smiles. Max glares at her.

“Let’s not get too hasty,” Michela says coldly. “No one is voting for Max. Right, Peter?”

Peter quivers in the corner. Scary turns in his direction and gives him a wide smile, inching ever so close until she’s right in his face. “Yeahhh. Right, Peter? Wouldn’t want an alliance to sweep you out, huh? Cause you know you’ll be the first one to go- the strongest always pick out the weakest,”

Peter shakes his head. “I- I don’t want to get involved,”

Michela gives him a pleading look, but he shakes his head. Scary smiles and creeps back to her place by the empty shelves. “Good teammate you have there. Now,” they turn back to the shelves. “How on Darwin’s green earth did you two simpletons get into the passage?”

Michela sighs and shrugs. “I don’t know, we kind of just-”

The floor opens up beneath her and she screams as she falls down a chute. Scary’s eye twitches.

---

Chris smiles from the control room, pressing buttons on a control panel at random while Chef watches beside him. He takes a sip of coffee. “I love my job,”

Chef rolls his eyes.

---

Michela lands somewhere dark with a dull thud and groans. For a few moments, all is quiet- then, another schwoop and the sound of someone landing on their feet.

Scary coughs. “God, what is this? Asbestos City?”

Michela groans.

A sharp whining from within Scary’s lab coat catches her attention and she pulls out her Geiger counter, and then gasps. “What on earth-”

The Geiger Counter is off the charts, zapping and zipping all over. Scary bangs the side a few times. “Of course it’s broken. Great!”

Michela stays face-down in the dirt of the tunnel. “Sounds like it’s working to me,”

“No,” he shakes his head. “The radiation level it’s reading would undo our atoms instantly. Our flesh would be falling off the bodies.”

“Promise?”

Scary sighs and puts the counter away. It continues emitting a high pitched shriek, but she ignores it, grabbing Michela’s boot and dragging her along the tunnel.

“Where’s Max?” Michela asks.

“...Busy,”

---

Up at the surface, Max tries to pry Peter out of the chute opening (where Scary had jammed him minutes prior) with a shovel.

---

Scruffy and Fren tiptoe through a decrepit wine-cellar, swatting away spiders and moving nervously.

“Is it just me… or is this place kinda scary?” Fren whispers.

“I thought you got locked in one of these places overnight?”

“Oh… yeah, I did, but-” he hesitates. “Didn’t you train for a challenge like this or something?”

“Um… not really,” Scruffy admits. “But in my defense, I-”

The two stop in their tracks when they hear the sound of something being dragged across the ground. Scruffy drops the flashlight in surprise and it rolls across the uneven ground, disappearing. Fren trembles.

The dragging sound comes closer, and the two see a shadowy figure pulling a body across the basement. They scream in fear and dash upstairs.

“What was that?” Michela asks, still being dragged along.

Scary wipes their nose on their lab coat sleeve. “Who cares?”

---

“Ugh, that’s it!” Max tosses the shovel aside, collapsing back on the same cushy armchair as before. “I can’t take it anymore. My arms are killing me.”

“I miss Michela,” Peter sighs.

"That makes two of us,"

The doors to the library open and O and Sha-Mod walk in, the former holding his rolling pin with a collider over his head.

“I’m not even gonna ask,” Max grumbles, kicking the shovel across the floor.

“Aw, what! They have shovels?” O drops the rolling pin and picks up the rusty tool.

“As if a shovel is going to do any good against a spirit of the undead!” Sha-Mod crosses his arms.

Max holds up a finger unenthusiastically. “Actually, that shovel is iron. Ghosts are sensitive to iron and salt,”

They both stare at him for a few minutes. O grins at Sha-Mod. Peter coughs loudly, and the two notice him for the first time.

“How’d you get stuck in the floor? Are you a ghost?” Sha-Mod asks, crouching down. “Sha-ception…”

“Scary stuffed me here to keep the entrance blocked so Max couldn’t follow her,” Peter mutters miserably. “Max gave up on getting me out.”

“Shame on you! Can’t you see he’s half-ghost now?” Sha-Mod puts his hands on his hips. The Lightning pic stares at Max with a disapproving glint. “C’mon, O, let’s get some butter.”

O nods, swinging around the shovel, and follows Sha-Mod back out. Max stretches and begins casually walking to the door.

“Hey, where’re you-”

“They’ve got it covered. I’m getting into that passage,”

---

Scary huffs, exhausted after dragging Michela for what feels like kilometers.

“Are you going to walk any time soon?”

“Hm?” Michela looks up from the ground. “Why? So you can use me as ghost bait?”

“Ghosts aren’t real,” Scary grumbles. They stop in their tracks, though, when they see some light off in the distance. “What the…”

She drops Michela’s boot and walks closer to investigate. The latter sits up and brushes off her skirt, then stands and begins walking in a different direction. Scary studies the glowing pool of light on the floor up ahead.

“Iridescent- bioluminescent properties- viscous- blue…” Scary mutters to themselves, taking mental notes. The Geiger Counter in their coat shrieks and they take it out. The reading is off the charts. Scary’s eyes narrow. “Chris!”

---

Chris sips from his coffee in the control room again and smiles. "Yeah, we mayyyy have tampered a little with the Geiger Counter to trick Scary into believing that ectoplasm is the real deal,"

Chef grins and holds up a bucket of glow-in-the-dark glue.

---

Michela walks through the tunnel alone, retracing the trail of Scary’s footsteps and her own body dragging through the dirt before she loses track of the path. She sighs and looks around the dark, grimy underground tunnel.

She crosses her arms, an annoyed expression on her face, and leans against the wall. Before she can get in another huff, a crevice in the wall behind her quivers and she turns, ducking just in time for a nest of bats to fly out.

Michela covers her head and grimaces as the creatures of the night soar over her, narrowly missing her hair. As they fly out, something pops out of the crevice and into the dirt with a dull thud.

“What the…” she picks up a wooden statue resembling Chris's face, chiseled to unreal perfection. “Oh…” she smiles. “This is too good.”

---

Scruffy and Fren continue running down the tunnel, screaming and waving their arms around. As they run, they bump into each other and tumble down a darkened slope, rolling to the bottom and landing in a muddy pit with a plop.

They both groan and sit up, rubbing their heads. As they try to regain their composure, a shadow is cast over them. Fren and Scruffy gasp in terror and hug each other, screaming again.

The figure walks down the slope and comes into the light. It coughs and steps forward, holding a cane.

An elderly man in a three piece suit and monocle stands before them, checking the time on a pocket watch.

“GHOST!” Scruffy and Fren shriek.

The man gasps and turns. “Where!”

They both point at him. “Ghost!”

He looks a bit confused at their accusing fingers for a moment, and then chuckles. “Goodness, no, I’m no ghost. Not yet, at least. My name is Edward Englishman. I’m the owner of this estate. I’m afraid I got a bit lost in these tunnels,” he smiles warmly and checks his pocket watch. “It’s been… quite some time now, yes. Would you colorful fellows happen to know a way out?”

---

Chris stands in the parlor of the mansion, hands behind his back and an expectant smile on his face as Scruffy and Fren track mud into the room, Edward behind them. He grumbles about his poor carpets as Chris chuckles.

“Scruffy and Fren have won the challenge- and immunity from today’s elimination,”

The other campers descend from the stairs or come out of the halls, looking between each other. Peter is covered in butter from the waist-down. Scary smiles upon seeing Edward, almost as if she’s relaxing. She turns to Max with a big grin. “Told you. Ghosts aren’t real… so you won’t be coming back after getting cut off this time,” she makes a slicing motion across her neck.

He glares and looks away, though his expression shifts to be a little nervous. Michela notices the exchange and pulls him aside. “Max,” she says, opening her parka and handing him the immunity idol. “Say you found it in the tunnels when you went looking for me.”

His eyes widen. “I can’t-”

“Looks like we have an additional immune player,” Chris pops in between the two. “Max is safe from elimination tonight!”

Scary scowls.

“See you all very soon!”

---

“Wow- just wow- what an exciting episode! I know I had fun,” Chris grins. “Scruffy, Fren, and Max all have immunity. The rest of you… not so much. Let’s see,”

“O,”

He tosses O a Gilded Chris, and he gracefully catches it.

“Sha-Mod, Peter,”

Scary and Michela look between each other, the latter a bit nervous, the former smiling confidently.

“Scary- no one likes you- Michael, with Max back, you two are a big-time threat,” Chris says. He picks up a fancy, wax-embossed letter. “And the last Gilded Chris…

Goes to…

Scary. You’re safe. Sorry, Michael,”

She sighs, but doesn’t seem too disappointed. Max stares in guilty shock before looking down at his shoes- nonetheless, Michela steps in and they kiss one last time before she heads off.

“Scary- I’ll see you soon!” she yells, waving as she boards the limo. Scary rolls her eyes.

“Wow- thrilling,” Chris chuckles. “Who will actually be joining Michela next? And who will be winning the next exciting episode of Total! Takes! Action!”

#tta #total takes action

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jasmariswonderland · 6 months

Text

Harmony In The Dark ~ VilxOC

Synopsis: It's Vil's birthday and Pomefiore's resident songbird has prepared a very special gift for him. Something that speaks to all that she holds in her heart for him and has the potential to change the nature of their relationship forever.

A/N: This is intended to be the FINAL chapter of my VilDani anthology even though I'm still writing it. Hence there will be a VERY minor spoiler for how the plot will unfold. I intended to have this ready for Vil's birthday but here it is for Dani's instead. 💙

Anyone familiar with my twst-oc verse is probably already aware of this but Curse of the Winter Rose is supposed to be an in-universe version of Beauty and the Beast. And the song I imagine Danica singing is How Does a Moment Last Forever from the live action film.

Pairings: 👑/🦢

Word Count: 6250

Warnings: Lots of fluff that may or may not be cringe. I literally thought up this idea less than 2 days ago and it wouldn't leave my head until I wrote it. 😅

~~~

A small silk drawstring bag sat in his bed, its delicate gold hand embroidery shimmering in the morning light. Vil had just returned from his morning jog, the hour was still quite early but he was never one to forgo daily routine, even on a special day like this. As he entered the lounge he found the intricate little bag lying on his sacred jeweled throne, with the card attached addressed to him. With just a glance at the handwriting, he could already tell who it was from without having to read it.

A gentle warmth stirred in his chest but he opted to wait until he was back in his room to open it. It was a birthday gift no doubt, and such a peculiar way to give it, he thought. But then again, it was just that peculiarity that made Danica so charming to him. And it was a comforting thought to know that after a week of not seeing each other, he was still very much in her thoughts.

But what was more peculiar still was what he found inside when he emptied the bag’s contents into his hand. He inserted a small blue flash drive into his computer with equal parts curiosity and anticipation. There was only a single file on it, titled: “For Vil - 4/9”

“Happy Birthday, Vil-san,” a video recording of Danica’s smiling face appeared when he clicked on the file. Eliciting a fluttering in his heart that he found somewhat embarrassing. But he didn’t mind. “I must admit, I was a little conflicted about what gift would be best for you. I’m certain, being a celebrity and all, you have everything you could want or could acquire it with ease.”

Silly little potato, nothing could be further from the truth.

This amused him, though he shook his head. There were quite many things that Vil wanted but did not have. Unfortunately, most of them couldn’t be given. He harbored many desires that lay beyond his grasp, the greatest of which he was staring right at. So engrossed was he in his pensive thoughts that he almost missed what she said next.

“Still, I wanted to do something special for you that I thought you might enjoy.”

She stood up, showing off the gorgeous details of the gown she was wearing. It was a soft sky blue with an elegant golden brocade. Her hair decorated with red roses. A very exquisite look, Vil thought, though strangely familiar. Behind her, Farron sat poised at a piano, giving a subtle little wave to the camera.

“I remember talking about old films a while back, and you told me how much you loved Curse of the Winter Rose.” Danica’s smile widened. “Well, with Farron’s help, I practiced very hard on this. I hope you’ll enjoy my version of the film’s love theme.”

Farron’s fingers danced along the keys on cue, playing the first notes. Danica closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath in as she began to sing. The mixture of the nostalgic notes and Danica’s heavenly voice immediately struck a chord in Vil’s soul. It was true, Curse of the Winter Rose was a film that held a special place in his heart. A romantic fairy tale steeped in the legends of Shaftlands depicting the transformative power of love. Vil found himself drawn to the story not only because his father played the lead role but also for its enchanting narrative and underlying message of acceptance and redemption.

It told the tale of a beastly prince who was turned human after learning to love and be loved in return. Vil couldn’t help but see parallels between himself and the prince, both longing to be recognized for their true selves beyond outward appearance. Usually, Vil prided himself on his pragmatism, dismissing the allure of fairy tales as fanciful delusions. His core belief was that success came only through hard work and not wishful thinking. Yet paradoxically, it was that very pragmatic outlook that drew him to the film. While the story was set against a backdrop of magic and romance, the prince’s journey was not one of passive enchantment but of active self-improvement. It was a narrative that resonated with Vil’s belief in the power of self-determination.

And in the prince’s happy ending, Vil found validation of his convictions, that true fulfillment could only be found through perseverance and effort. In a sense, it was a fairy tale Vil could easily relate to and a connection that deepened his appreciation for Danica’s thoughtful gesture. Still, their discussion about the film had been some months ago, back in November, but it was now April. That Danica remembered this little detail about him spoke volumes of her consideration for his interests. In her heartfelt performance, Vil could feel the depth of her affection. An affection he understood now, more than ever, he had taken for granted.

A week had slipped by since Vil resolved to confront his feelings for her, yet he found himself just as apprehensive as when he first began. The truth in his heart was undeniable, but so was his fear of shattering the fragile balance of harmony between them. He cursed his hesitance yet his fear of the potential consequences of bearing his soul to her was very real. Self-reproach gnawed at him as he reflected on the passing days, every missed opportunity, and the conflicting counsel of those closest to him did little to help his uncertainty.

While Yuulan urged Vil to have the courage to seize this chance of happiness, Rook cautioned against risking further pain to Danica by opening old wounds. Both perspectives held equal merit to his mind. Leaving him torn between his desire for her love, his concern for causing her harm, and his fear of her rejection. But as he gazed upon her gift to him, a sudden surge of clarity washed over him. The video ended with Danica smiling at the camera and again wishing him a happy birthday. Such a simple gesture, yet months ago, she would have panicked at the idea of singing solo for anyone, let alone him. It was a testament to her growth, a gift more precious than any material offering, and a depth of feeling that, truthfully, Vil always knew was there.

Today was the day. The moment was now, while the hour was still early. If Vil found Danica’s gift for him in the lounge, it stood to reason that she was awake and still in the dorm since classes wouldn’t start for another ninety minutes. The atmosphere was sure to soon become livelier with birthday celebrations for him. So, while the dorm still lay quiet and undisturbed, he would find her and finally bear his heart to her. Regardless of his fears, he owed Danica the truth, and the chance to decide for herself whether she could reciprocate his feelings. So be it.

~~~

The gentle knock at the door echoed throughout the quiet hallway, met only by silence. After a few minutes, Vil tried again, once more going unanswered. He thought he heard some movement in Danica’s room, but it could very well have been wishful thinking on his part. It seemed that way when no one came to the door. Another knock, this one firmer than before, again received no answer.

“Danica, Little Potato, are you there?”

Still nothing. It was possible that she could have gone to campus early, maybe even stopped by Scarabia to visit Taima or Kalim. Even so, anxiety began to bubble again under Vil’s calm exterior. If this was going to happen, it had to happen soon before he himself had to prepare for the eventful day ahead. He looked down at his phone, scrolling past the array of birthday wishes and magicam comments already flooding his inbox, and went to Danica’s number. Heart pounding as he began to write out a message to her.

“Bonjour, Roi du Poison! Bon anniversaire!”

Vil subtly clutched his phone with irritation at the familiar, jovial sound of Rook’s voice. He bit on his tongue, quickly fixing his face back to his regular stoic expression, stuffing his phone back into his pocket for good measure.

“Good morning, Rook.” Despite his more tumultuous feelings, Vil managed to give a warm smile. It’s quite early to see you up and awake at this hour.”

“Ah, I could say the same about you, Vil,” Rook returned Vil’s smile with a knowing glint in his eyes. “What brings you to the freshman wing of the dorm so early?”

Vil’s lie was swift and effortless. “I was looking for Epel, I wanted to ask him something.”

“Oh?” Rook arched an eyebrow, his keen gaze assessing Vil with playful scrutiny. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m sure you’re aware that Epel’s room is further down the hall.” Slyly narrowing his eyes, he continued, “The room we are currently standing by belongs to…”

“Ah, yes! You’re right!” Caught off guard, Vil’s façade wavered for a moment before he quickly regained his composure. Silently, he cursed himself for the slip-up. “I must have gotten turned around.”

“No worries, I’m glad I was able to find you, dear beautiful Vil!” Rook laughed off Vil’s embarrassment, clasping his hands together with joy. “I’ve been looking forward to celebrating your birthday all month. Your birthday fete is sure to be a dazzling occasion befitting your radiant grace!”

“Oh, Rook, ever the enthusiastic one,” Vil laughed softly.

“Oui, today is a day of grand celebration for our dorm! And how my heart swells with anticipation at seeing you take to the skies for your birthday flight! Your gorgeous figure cut against the elegant night sky will undoubtedly be a feast for the eyes!”

Vil listened to Rook’s musings, though couldn’t shake away the growing sense of unease gnawing at him. Where was Danica? Could she really have left for class already? Rook, sensing apprehension in his dorm leader, steered the conversation in a new direction.

“Speaking of celebrations, would you like to see the gift I’ve prepared for you? I do believe you will appreciate it.” Rook’s tone was warm and ever-inviting. Vil looked at him curiously, but when he didn’t respond with words, he added, “If you’re looking for Epel, you’ll have to wait until later, I’m afraid. I saw both him and Danica leave for classes some time ago.”

His words had the desired effect and Vil nodded in agreement, albeit reluctantly. Though Vil sensed something amiss in Rook’s words, perhaps he was right. After all, Epel and Danica were in the same homeroom class, and it was always easier to acquiesce to Rook’s persistent nature than try to put him off further. And Vil had to admit a genuine interest in seeing what Rook had in store for him. He couldn’t deny that Rook never spared any effort in anything he did. That might be a welcome distraction to his current anxiety. Yet even as he and Rook walked way from the door further down the hall, Vil silently vowed to finally find the time to speak to Danica before the day was complete.

~~~

Scarabia Dorm - Taima's Room

A few hours later...

Iman knocked on Taima’s door but was greeted with what she thought was the sound of crying. She didn’t wait for a formal response and turned the knob and walked in. The scene she was confronted with was a somber one. Danica lay on Taima’s bed, trembling with her face pressed against a pillow as the latter tried to comfort her. Yuulan sat with Grim in her lap at the foot of the bed, tapping Danica’s leg to indicate they had company.

“Dani, what’s going on?” Iman gazed at Danica with an uncharacteristic sense of sympathy washing over her. “Why are you crying?”

Danica’s response was drowned out by her sobs. Taima and Yuulan exchanged a knowing look before the latter decided to fill in the gaps, “It’s about her present for Vil, the one Farron and I helped her record. She…”

At the mention of Vil’s name, Danica’s sobs intensified, and she gripped the pillow, prompting Taima to stroke her back gently. Iman looked at them curiously.

“What about her gift? Did he dislike it? Did he…”

“We don’t know,” said Taima. “Dani left it for Vil early this morning, but intrusive thoughts kicked in during the day and she got cold feet. She’s embarrassed now and is worried about how he’ll respond. So she’s been here ever since class ended and won’t go back to her dorm.”

“Despite the fact a big party is happening for Vil right now!” Grim grumbled, his tone laced with annoyance. “A big party with lots of food I could be scarfing down on!”

“Oh hush, you gluttonous cat!” Yuulan snapped, tugging at the scruff of Grim’s neck.

“I’m not a cat!” Grim batted her hand away with one of his paws.

“Guys, focus!” Taima snapped as well. “That isn’t important right now. We need to…”

“I don’t know what came over me!” Danica finally spoke up, turning around on the bed but still with her hands covering her face. “It was so personal, and the lyrics are…a thousand times deeper than what I wrote for him in middle school!”

“But you sang it so beautifully. The dress Farron gave you for the video was very nice too,” Yuulan smiled. “And after everything you two have dealt with, it makes sense that…”

“No! No! No! It was a mistake! Just after everything that happened, I…I…I was feeling so bold!”

“BOLD?!” While Iman might have felt genuine sympathy for her, Danica’s statement furrowed her brows with disbelief. “After everything that’s happened, after you’ve all but confessed that you love him more than a few times to us! What’s so scary about finally sealing the deal?!”

“But I…I…”

“No buts! Just tell him the truth! You’re just hurting yourself for nothing! You don’t even know how he’ll respond he might actually…”

“That’s enough, Iman!”

Iman’s blunt words only heightened Danica’s distress, and Taima interceded before things could get worse. She gently stroked her friend’s head before shooting Iman an irritated look.

“If you think being open about romantic feelings is easy, then why don’t you just tell Jamil how you feel about him, hmm?” Iman bristled at the suggestion but bit her tongue rather than saying something potentially even harsher. Taima smirked. “Yeah, that’s what I thought!”

A hot red flush came to Iman’s cheeks, but her sympathy returned when she looked again at Danica’s tear-streaked face. She sighed; encouragement was still difficult for her, and she hesitated, not knowing what to say.

“Danica, look,” she began, softer than before. “Vil isn’t the easiest person to please. But he’s also the kind of guy who would appreciate any gesture that speaks to his interests. And he already thinks well of you, so I’m sure he will be very touched.”

“She’s right, Dani,” Yuulan nodded in agreement. “I’ve lived at Pomefiore for the last month while my dorm is being repaired. And in that month, I’ve had a front seat to your dynamic with Vil—even more than when we were preparing for the VDC. It’s clear to anyone who sees you two that you love each other. You two are the only ones who still seem to be in the dark.”

Danica listened to their words, her mind whirling with conflicting emotions. Despite their past disagreements, she couldn't deny Vil's support and guidance, which had helped her find newfound confidence. Yet, the thought of confronting her feelings head-on filled her with uncertainty. Taima pulled Danica into a comforting embrace, her voice gentle yet firm.

“You’re braver than this, Danica,” she whispered. And you’re no longer invisible to him—you never were. So it’s time to stop acting like it.”

“Kalim and I were just on our way to Pomefiore for the party,” said Iman. “That’s why I came here. How about you guys come with us? I feel it might be easier for Dani if she had two of her fellow swans to support her.”

“I like that idea!” Grim suddenly jumped up. “Let’s go to the party so I can finally stuff my face with cake and other tasty things!”

“Damnit Grim…” Yuulan didn’t even bother to reproach the creature and only rolled her eyes.

“I…I want to go,” Danica admitted, her voice wavering. “I’m…just unsure. I’m still not sure if I’m ready.”

“Then how about this: Yuulan and Grim will go ahead to the party with Iman and Kalim.”

At this, Taima looked up at Iman and Yuulan, giving them a look they both understood well. They nodded silently, understanding what they were expected to do. And when they closed the door behind them, Taima gave her friend’s hand another reassuring squeeze.

“It’s okay if you aren’t ready yet, I’ll stay with you until you are.”

~~~

It was a lively affair, though still elegant and refined, well suited for Vil’s taste. He sat at the center of his birthday celebration, basking in the attention of well-wishers and admirers. Everyone offering gifts, expressions of congratulations, and countless compliments of how gorgeous he looked in his formal mage’s robes. Vil accepted all of this with trademark grace, and his smile was one of genuine gratitude. He was usually one to prefer more quiet gatherings but he couldn’t deny that his dormmates had went well out of their way for him. With Rook in particular being especially ardent in his celebrations.

He was happy and grateful; still every now and then, he glanced around the room at the many faces. Loath he was to admit it, a sense of disappointment was brewing in his chest as he found that one face in particular was missing from the festivities.

Surely Danica hadn’t forgotten his birthday. It was impossible after creating such a heartfelt presentation for him in his honor. And classes had now been over for a few hours. So where was she? Why wasn’t she present? Despite his attempts to dismiss his concern, Vil couldn’t shake the lingering worry that tugged at the corners of his mind. He masked his disappointment by feigning nonchalance as he engaged with his guests. But deep down, her absence left a void in the celebration that dulled the sparkle of the occasion. Soon the party would conclude with his traditional birthday flight and with each passing moment, his unease only increased.

“You seem troubled, Vil-san,” Farron approached his dorm leader with a glass of punch that he had requested. “Is everything alright?”

Vil took the glass with a feigned smile. “Of course, Farron. Things couldn’t be better.”

But Farron wasn’t convinced and could easily guess what was bothering him, and truthfully, it worried him as well. He saw Vil’s glance wander around the room before landing on the door. Both silently hoped that Danica would walk in at any moment, but still, nothing. Vil took a sip of his punch and closed his eyes in thought.

“Vil-san…”

“Everything is fine. I’m just enjoying the festivities.”

Before Farron could say anything further, a knock interrupted their conversation. Vil’s heart fluttered with anticipation, surely the moment he had been waiting for had finally come. However, his hopes were dashed when he saw Yuulan, Grim, Iman, and Kalim instead. Still, he greeted them warmly.

“Hey there, birthday boy!” Kalim offered him a cheerful smile.

“Another year older and another year more radiant!” added Iman.

“I hope you’re having a wonderful day, Vil-san,” said Yuulan. Adding, “You look incredible. That outfit is so gorgeous.”

Vil quickly swallowed his disappointment and smiled at Yuulan.He gave a graceful little turn, striking a pose and prompting her to pull out her ghost camera.

“Thank you, Spudling. This mage’s robe is even more formal than our ceremonial robes. It’s only worn during the most auspicious occasions at NRC, and I’ll only wear it once more when I graduate next year.”

“Really? I didn’t know any of that! Well, I must say, it suits you very well!” she took Vil’s photo, grinning slyly. “And I’m sure Danica will think so too when she sees you!”

A glimmer of hope suddenly went off in Vil’s heart. Just what Yuulan had intended with her words.

“Oh? Does that mean she’s soon on her way?” Vil tried to maintain a nonchalant tone, but his eagerness was palpable. “I mean… I would hate for her to miss out on her chance to pay tribute to her dorm leader on his birthday.”

But before Yuulan could respond, Grim caught sight of the refreshment table and made a quick beeline for it. She cursed the creature under her breath and excused herself to go retrieve him. Vil’s annoyance surfaced briefly, but Iman assured him that Danica would arrive soon.

“She’s back at my dorm, Taima is helping her get ready,” she said. “Naturally, she wanted to be sure to look her best for you, so just be patient a little longer.”

Iman’s words once again reassured Vil and as he watched as she excused herself to talk with Farron, he decided that there was no use in worrying. It was time to fully immerse himself in the festivities everyone in his dorm worked so hard to arrange. After all, further stress would only mar his looks and there was no use in stressing something that wasn’t even in his control.

This is what he told himself and objectively, it made sense. Unfortunately, as Vil was slowly learning, what was objective in his mind and what he felt in his heart were not always in alignment. He looked over at the door one last time and in a moment of impulse, thought about searching for her himself. But he knew he couldn’t, his birthday interview would be starting soon and to abandon his own birthday party would be the height of rudeness.

At this point, all Vil could do was continue to wait and hope beyond hope that the one thing he wished for his birthday would finally be granted.

~~~

Danica and Taima stood outside the Hall of Mirrors, the latter offering her some final words of encouragement before they made their way to Pomefiore. She felt as though she’d soon be sick, but she ignored this. It was time to finally confront her feelings. To face the truth she had been avoiding for too long.

And that truth was that she loved Vil with all her heart. She created her gift not only because the song was from one of his favorite films but also because the lyrics spoke clearly to all that she felt. Her love was one of strength even when things appeared bleak. Resilience even when all hope appeared lost. And care in the most vulnerable of moments. It didn’t matter what anyone said; if the world wrongfully viewed him as a villain, Danica knew better. Behind his harsh exterior, Vil was a kind, gentle, caring, and captivating human being. Whatever his faults, whatever his fragilities, she wanted to love them all. And it was her deepest hope that in spite of all that had transpired between them, he would understand.

“Are you ready?” Taima asked.

Danica took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, let’s go.”

As they entered the Pomefiore gateway, a sudden flash of light drew their attention, indicating someone was leaving the dorm. They were briefly blinded by the brightness but when it faded, they found Farron standing beside them.

“Farron!” Danica exclaimed, surprised by his sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”

He explained that he had come at Iman’s request, concerned about Danica’s absence from Vil’s party, which was drawing to a close. The celebrations would conclude soon with Vil’s special birthday flight. Danica’s heart sank as she realized she had missed out. As well as guilt for keeping Vil waiting for most of the day. Farron sighed.

“It’s a pity you couldn’t be at the party, Cygnet. And it’s even more a pity you cannot see how much you and Vil are truly alike.”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

In response, Farron brought up her and Vil’s first meeting on orientation night, so many months ago. Though Danica looked back on that night with profound embarrassment, Farron reminded her of Vil’s promise to her that night: that she while in Pomefiore, she would learn to carry herself with confidence.

“Vil is never one to waste his time on someone or something he sees no value in. But he is happy with how you have blossomed and has come to not only value your growth but cherish it. So why do you still waver, my dear? And besides,” with a playful wink, “How do you know Vil hasn’t been agonizing over his own feelings for you as well?”

“What?!” Danica jumped, blushing intensely. “You don’t think that…that maybe…”

“Come with me, and you can find out for yourself.”

Farron took her hand and led her down the hallway with Taima following close behind them. When Danica asked why they were not returning to Pomefiore, Farron smiled again. Telling her she would understand why soon enough.

~~~

As Farron led Danica and Taima outside, they were met with a breathtaking sight. The night air was crisp, with a waning moon casting its gentle glow on the sky. Stars twinkled like diamonds strewn across velvet, creating the perfect atmosphere for flying. There was a clear sense of excitement flowing through the air, and it helped erase the final bits of lingering anxiety in Danica’s heart.

They hurried down the main street of the campus, leading to a crowd gathered around around a striking figure that stood out among them. Illuminated by the moonlight, Vil glowed with the air of one well aware of their radiance, his face giving no indication of his anxiety within. In his arms, he held his special floral broom crafted especially for today, adorned with vibrant flowers of red, pink and purple. A vision of perfection. Danica’s heart skipped a beat as she laid eyes on him, her breath catching in her throat.

With a determined exhale, she pushed through the crowd with her friends following her, waving her arms to catch Vil’s attention. Her eyes not leaving him for even a moment. There were far more students gathered for this occasion than she thought but she continued pushing forward. He hadn’t caught sight of her yet but it was now or never.

You’re no longer invisible to him—you never were. So it’s time to stop acting like it.

Meanwhile, Vil forced his thoughts to focus on the flight ahead, giving a spectacular show for those watching him. He summoned a circle of magic to lift himself and his broom into the air, wind gracefully billowing the heavy fabric of his robes around him. Excitement from the other students increased and he heard many audible gasps and squeals as his broom began to levitate. And among the enthusiasm, a familiar, melodic voice cut through the crowd and briefly stopped his heart.

“Vil-san!”

He turned around and finally, after waiting for this moment the entire day, his and Danica’s eyes met. Her eyes filled with joy as they shared a secret smile of understanding. Despite her absence from his party, seeing her now filled him with a sense of anticipation. Now, he would capture her heart with his enchanting flight.

With a graceful flourish, Vil soared into the night sky, his broom trailing behind him like a cascade of blossoms. The crowd watched in awe, but none more so than Danica. It was as though the night sky, beautiful in its own right, had become just another stage for Vil to captivate those watching him. Commanding the sky with effortless grace. From his broom, glowing petals danced through the air, landing softly to the ground. Danica even caught one in the palm of her hand, but she never took her eyes off of Vil.

“Your eyes are sparkling, Cygnet.”

“Isn’t this amazing, Dani? Aren’t you glad you didn’t miss it?”

Farron noticed Danica’s enraptured expression and teased her while Taima asked if she was glad she hadn’t missed the spectacle. Danica nodded fervently, her cheeks flushed with emotion. At that moment, she realized that in her heart, Vil was the most beautiful person she had ever known.

~~~

As the last of the guests departed and the festivities wound down, Vil found himself finally alone with Danica in the lounge. Despite his initial worries, he had ended up enjoying his birthday celebration, and now, with Danica by his side, the evening felt complete.

She sat on one of the couches, looking up at him cheerfully and very much as she had in his beautiful silk-adorned dream. Sitting beside her, he felt a strange sense of relief washing over him. Somehow, Vil expected himself to feel far more nervous now that he was facing the supposed moment of truth. But instead, he felt calm, comforted even. Only Danica’s presence could do this to him. He could do this.

“Your flight was incredible, Vil-san,” she smiled. “I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Whether walking on the earth or soaring through the sky, you are always so magnificent.”

Her words warmed his heart and further set him at ease. He sat his broom to the side, but not before plucking a few of the roses and arranging them into a small bouquet. Danica watched him do this but still felt surprised as he handed them to her with a gentle smile. She blushed, lowering her gaze as she thanked him.

“One should never avoid eye contact in a social setting,” he said, slipping his finger under her chin to return her gaze to his. “Do you recall? That was the first thing I ever said to you. So keep your eyes on me, I want to see how lovely they are.”

His tone was kind, too kind, and she bit her lip nervously as she maintained eye contact with her dorm leader. He nodded with approval.

“That’s better, now, do you know what pink and red roses represent in the language of flowers?” Vil asked. When Danica shook her head, he smiled wider. “They represent gentleness, admiration, and above all, love.”

“Ohhhh,” her blush deepened but she thanked him wholeheartedly again. “If that’s the case, then I will treasure these flowers all the more. Because they represent all that I feel for you, Vil-san.”

The words came out of her mouth so naturally that she could hardly believe she was able to say them. But Danica could be very astute when she wanted to be. Vil felt a sudden surge of emotion at her words, but what she said next caused his disappointment to resurface.

“I…hope you’ll forgive me for not being at your birthday party. I really wanted to be there, it’s just that…I…well…”

“Why weren’t you, Danica?” he asked. “I am not ashamed to admit that I was waiting for you, and more than a little disappointed when you never arrived.”

“Oh, Vil-san, I…I’m so sorry. Like I said, I wanted…”

“No, don’t apologize again,” his tone took on a slight sternness. “You’ve done that already. Just tell me why, Little Potato.”

“I…I…”

She hesitated, struggling to articulate her thoughts. With a deep breath, she gazed up at him, silently praying that he would finally understand.

“I was afraid, I…I didn’t know if you’d accept me expressing my feelings in such a…personal way. I didn’t think you would understand.”

“You’re correct on that matter; I didn’t understand.” Danica began to lower her head again before Vil continued, “I didn’t understand why you would be afraid.” He sighed. "I suppose that’s one thing I never understood about you, Danica. Why are you so unsure of yourself when everything about you, everything that you are, proves the complete opposite of whatever you feel about yourself?”

“I…I don’t know if I can really explain it, but I’ll try, Vil-san. If you’ll let me.”

Vil tilted his head with interest, quietly urging her to continue. She took another deep breath.

“Performing alone and in front of you has always made me anxious. I know you know this already. I’ve always felt inadequate, but there was a larger reason that I’ve never told anyone. The truth is, my emotions have always run very deep, and I never can be sure if I’m expressing myself properly. I’m always afraid of being mocked or judged. But when I sing or dance, I know I can express everything in my heart that words can’t always do. I feel confident in this form of self-expression but…”

Her cheeks burned a bright red, and she began to lower her gaze again. Vil gently slid his hand under her chin. Keeping her eyes on him, refusing to let her look away anymore.

“But?”

“When I’m around you, my feelings run particularly deep. And in the past, I was afraid of sharing those feelings with you. I admire and care about you; you’re always in my thoughts. And I…I…even if it was just performing, it’s always meant more for me.”

“Hmmm.”

Such honestly, such vulnerability, touched him deeply. Vil moved closed to Danica, hesitantly placing his arm around her. When she didn’t resist, he fully drew her into a tender embrace. All the while his heart raced with a realization almost too good to be true. Though he secretly always hoped for something like this, even as he planned for this moment, deep down, never did he allow himself to believe that this could happen.

Still, before Vil could finally bring himself to say it, there was something he first had to know.

“When you recorded my birthday present, what were you feeling then?”

“…I was happy at first, and I’m still happy with how it came out,” she replied, smiling a little. But I was also overwhelmed, knowing that…”

Emotion suddenly choked at her voice, and she shut her eyes. Shaking her head furiously, she forced herself to continue before it overwhelmed her.

“Knowing that you’d know how I feel about you, Vil-san. Everything we’ve gone through, and everything I feel…I…I…”

“Danica…” Vil felt her pulling away from him and realized that it was finally time. “Danica, what you feel, I…I also…”

“I definitely feel like I’m becoming more confident, but it’s still a struggle for me. But I know there’s no point in denying these feelings any longer.” She forced her gaze back to his. “I just hope that now, you’ll finally understand.”

The room went silent for a few moments after this and Vil contemplated what she had said. He remained still but inside, his heart swelled with emotion. That this sweet little potato, after enduring so much at his hands, could look at him not only with kindness but also with love was remarkable, to say the least. Finally, he let out a long sigh, but a smile spread across his face.

“Silly little potato, of course I understand,” he chuckled softly, cupping her face with great tenderness. “Because I feel the same way about you. I have for a very long time.”

“W…WHAT?” Danica’s eyes widened with a mixture of shock and, strangely enough, excitement. She could feel the burning of tears that she quickly blinked away. “Feel the same way, that means…Vil-san, you…”

He chuckled again, pressing her body to his so close that she could smell the fair scent of flowers on his clothing. In a soft whisper, he conveyed exactly what he wished he could a week ago, and even longer. All of his feelings finally set free.

“I love you, Danica.”

Danica heard him, but somehow she didn’t fully comprehend until she felt his lips gently brush against her forehead. At this, a choked gasp escaped her lips followed by several tears flowing down her cheeks. But for once, they were tears of joy. She even found herself laughing through them, her disbelief evident.

“I…I…is this real?” she asked hesitantly, causing him to laugh as well.

“Ara, I’ve just confessed my love for you and that’s the first thing to leave your mouth? Not ‘I love you too’ or something along those lines?” He tutted. “That won’t do, Little Potato.”

“I…I just can’t believe it,” she wiped her face with her hands. “I mean, I’ve always hoped, I’ve dreamed about it, but…”

“Should I pinch you?” he teased.

“No, no! It’s alright! No need for that!”

Danica shook her head, still laughing as Vil took both of her hands. He guided her to her feet, enveloping her in another embrace. She melted into his arms, her disbelief finally giving way for acceptance. In that moment, all their doubts and anxieties melted away. And the shadows of past horrors appeared to finally be buried. Leaving, at long last, only their love for each other.

Once again, Danica apologized for missing Vil’s party but he silenced her with a long and loving kiss. As different from their first kiss as night was different from day. He lifted her gaze to his, marveling at the remarkable girl before him. Savoring this moment with her for as long as he could.

“There’s no need to apologize, Little Potato. Not anymore,” he said. “I forgive you, but you must promise to be present at my birthday next year.”

Danica smiled, her eyes shimmering with happiness. “Yes, Vil-san. I promise,” she said before leaning in for another kiss. “I promise, and I love you.”

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland oc #twst oc #pomefiore #vil schoenheit #vil x oc #vil schoenheit x oc #otp: vildani #oc: danica #fairest after all #things i write

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alonglistofbirds · 1 year

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What are some cool facts/websites/videos/podcasts about albatrosses that you’ve found because I’ve found some stuff but not as much as I’d like and I love them so much but they are like very underrated, also if you’ve found any like albatross themed gifts or stuff then that would be amazing. Also sorry if this is alot/nothing you but I love albatrosses so much and they are probably my favorite animal because they are all so cool and amazing but also kinda derpy and they are so amazing. (Once again sorry for the rambling nature of this but for about the third time on this post: I love albatrosses so so so sooo much and would love to learn/find more about them) :)

my main source of albatross content is the Royal Cam, a nest cam in the Taiaroa Head northern royal albatross (or toroa) colony in New Zealand. so here are some facts about them specifically,

the breeding season lasts almost a year, from October to the following September. because of this each couple breeds once every two years

fledglings fly over 10,000 km from their nest site to the chilean coast to feed, and remain at sea until they return to the colony at 4-8 years old to find a mate.

it takes another 3 years for a juvenile to find a mate - year 1 is for socialising, year 2 is for serious mate-seeking, year 3 is for strengthening bonds with their chosen one <3

the juveniles are a little mean to the chicks, they're only being curious but the chicks don't appreciate being poked and prodded and occasionally bitten. their defence mechanism is projectile vomiting stomach oil over their "attacker". here is a video. they look a little messy afterwards

male albatross chicks are apparently more prone to projectile vomiting than female chicks. idk why.

chicks make play nests! once a chick is old enough to explore they start piling up grass into temporary nests to sit in nearby, though they tend to return to their original nest at night

every week each chick in the Taiaroa Head colony is weighed. they start off in a little bird sized bag, then a little basket, up to a laundry basket.

BIG.

LESBIAN ALBATROSSES 🌈🌈🌈 female-female pairs are relatively common in many albatross species. they will often mate with a male albatross and lay an egg each, meaning they can raise a chick together. love wins. (one egg does get kicked out the nest though).

the oldest known northern royal albatross, known as Grandma, lived to at least 62 years old. The oldest known wild bird of any species is Wisdom, a Laysan albatross who is over 70 years old.

I can't think of any other online sources rn and i dont have any albie themed things BUT if you happen to be from/ever visit the UK i would recommend the procellariiformes exhibit in the london natural history museum. the storm petrels are so littol and the albatrosses are SO BIG. I cry every time i see it *weeps a little at the beauty of the world*

woah that got long. sorry.

#i am unlikely to ever see real albatrosses so some taxidermy specimens in a museum is very amazing to me #thank you for letting me infodump sorry if you already knew all that #i read a lot about albatrosses but i am very bad at retaining information unless it is repeatedly hammered in #ask

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69misato69 · 2 years

Text

Madder (Ningguang x Beidou) ✦ 2k, fluff and angst

archive of our own ✦ twitter

masterlist pinned on my profile !

true love conquers all, almost.

cw: blood, injury, death

mature themes, view at your own risk

Beidou adores everything about Ningguang, and it certainly isn’t breaking news to anyone in Liyue. It’s written on the way she looks at Ningguang, on how she blushes with her every touch even though they’ve been married for nearly a decade.

But what makes Beidou fall in love with Ningguang over and over again every single day is the aspects of her that she never reveals to anyone else.

A fit example is her fondness of animals. After the city settles into a quiet night, Ningguang always takes Beidou with her to the streets with a giant bag of cat food, gathering the tiny residents around them and feeding each and every one with utmost care.

She separates the kittens that aren't strong enough to fetch their own food from the crowd and feeds them with her own hand.

Beidou always watches in awe how the cats lick at her fingers, gratefully swallowing the food and grinding against her legs to be pet, it isn't only sustenance that they long for, after all.

They need love. Even when they are starving, they never pass on an opportunity to get headpats and belly rubs from Ningguang.

And during the day, none of them even look in her direction. This alliance is a secret, and the cats are as discreet as the Lady of the Jade Chamber.

Beidou sits with her on the pavement, surrounded by an army of secret fluffy comrades. Ningguang is no different from them with the way she leans on Beidou's shoulder under the moonlight as tails wrap around their arms and colorful fur tickles their noses.

They take their time naming every new member and welcoming them to the family.

Oftentimes visitors of the Jade Chamber, colleagues, business associates, anyone that has formal ties to the Qixing deem it appropriate to bring flowers as a gift.

Though Ningguang accepts them gracefully, she spends the evenings ranting at Beidou about how cruel it is to just rip them off from life itself.

“Don’t you think they look prettier where they belong?”

She finds nature mesmerizing, spending a considerable amount of her time gazing out the window or going hiking with Beidou to admire it close-up.

Whenever Beidou wants to make fancy plans for her birthday she always refuses, they end up going for a picnic almost year and plant sunsettia seeds in the woods together.

"Even after we're gone, our children will reap the fruits of these trees."

Ningguang lays on Beidou's lap as they feast on delicious dishes made by the talented Chef Mao and a fruit basket, courtesy of Keqing and Ganyu.

The skirt of her white dress gets stained with the grass and the soil as she pushes Beidou off the blanket as well.

"Does my lady wish to be rolled off the hill on her birthday?"

"Not if I roll you off first."

"Bring it on!"

They run around barefoot in the grass until the sun sets, getting soaked by the leaves dampened by the heat and humidity of the summer, until every item of clothing they have on turns viridescent and their legs give out.

When they return, Ningguang is usually sound asleep inside Beidou's arms, exhausted yet blissful. Beidou changes herself and her wife into comfortable clothes and slips into bed next to her.

"Happy birthday, my love." she whispers before they drift off to sleep together on every night of Ningguang's new year.

Beidou stops by the Jade Chamber whenever she has the chance, and Ningguang, the ever so busy Tianquan of the Qixing always makes time to sit down with her among the crushing amount of work that needs to be overseen.

After a rather formal greeting they enter a private chamber, and Ningguang hugs her so tightly every time that Beidou feels her ribs bend a bit.

"I missed you."

She wraps herself around Ningguang's waist as they stay in a loving embrace, communicating without sparing any words.

During the summer, whenever Ningguang gets a day off, they head for Luhua Pool and wind down at the beach. Ningguang is always the one to rush into the cooling waves first.

She kicks off her shoes and swiftly slides off the dress she wears over her bathing suit.

"Beidou!" she yells and waves from meters away, "Come on! The water's great!"

And how can Captain Beidou refuse such a sweet invite? She catches up to Ningguang as she floats on her back on the surface of the water, calm and serene.

But the second Beidou joins, Ningguang turns into an absolute rascal. They race to the nearest boat and back, returning to shallow waters in exhaustion as Ningguang splashes hand-made waves on her face.

"Hey!" Beidou retaliates, sending a bubbling froth towards Ningguang as they battle fiercely and burst into laughter every five seconds.

Beidou fights fair and square, but Ningguang loves to play dirty. She often tricks Beidou into thinking the water stings her eyes, taking advantage of her sympathy to get in another blow.

Beidou doesn’t fall for it anymore, but she still comes close anyway. What if she ignores it the one day when Ningguang is truly hurt?

Captain Beidou, Queen of the Crux Fleet, she rules the seas but drifting along the water with Ningguang is much different than the time she spends on her ship fighting tooth and nail.

It's peaceful and tender.

Ningguang cups her cheeks and pulls her close, wrapping her legs around the Captain so easily when they are weightless in the water.

Beidou licks the salt off her puffy, reddened lips as they kiss over the setting sun.

Summer nights in Liyue are not so far off from the days in terms of heat, so even when night falls, it's easy to stay warm.

Before the darkness engulfs the beach, Beidou catches some fish for dinner as Ningguang builds a small campfire.

She always comes back with the same proud expression on her face, grinning with her eyes closed, holding the fish by its tail with one hand and giving a thumbs up with her other hand.

"That's enough for ya, milady?"

It amazes Ningguang how she hunts them with her bare hands, quite literally swimming after water creatures and winning.

It's at times like that when Ningguang realizes how Beidou only ever lets her win their swimming races.

After carefully cleaning and seasoning the fish, they set it over the fire and cuddle close to the flames to dry themselves off.

Though it’s tempting to sleep when the exhaustion of the day washes over them, they usually chat until the first rays of sunlight. They leave the matters of Liyue and the Crux outside of their bubble of comfort and instead reminisce about the old days, cracking jokes and tearing up, cuddling and kissing over a bed of sand.

Ningguang’s loud snorting resonates over the empty space. The unhinged, joyful sound of laughter that only Beidou is blessed with.

Among all the other things that Beidou feels truly favored by the archons to have the pleasure of witnessing are Ningguang’s abominable drunk singing, her yell of victory after heated chess matches with Beidou compared to how she extends her hand gracefully against all opponents other than her wife, her incoherent mumbling at night, how she curls up on the couch in her office when she’s too tired to go up to their room.

The way she speaks eloquently and moves elegantly, how she gets the ingredients everywhere when they bake heart-shaped cookies to celebrate Valentine’s Day, how she writes for hours and switches to her supposedly "non-dominant" hand.

Remembering all of this hurts more than the fatal wounds painted across her body as Beidou struggles to breathe in Ningguang's arms.

She feels tears wet her cheeks from above. Ningguang's sadness dribbling down to her face and streaming off her cheeks, as if she cries for both of them.

Beidou winces in pain while she reaches up to wipe her tears.

"Hey, hey… Nothing to cry about." she coos to put her at ease the best she can.

A loud sob escapes Ningguang as she shakes her head to the side, "I don't know—how to... Beidou..." she brushes the strands of hair away from Beidou's face, "I need to get you to safety, now."

A bitter smile forms on Beidou's lips, she feels her end fast approaching, and though Ningguang chooses to delude herself, she is as aware as Beidou that this is the last time they are in each other's arms.

"Leave me, save yourself, okay? I don't have—much time left..."

Ningguang shakes her head in disbelief. This is the first time a battle throws her off, the first time she loses composure, not her first loss but the one that will always burden her heart with sadness and yearning.

Beidou hisses, no matter how much it hurts, she raises her hand again to cup Ningguang's cheek, "Don't rush to where I'll end up, okay? I'll wait for you."

Ningguang holds her close, sobbing quietly as both of their clothes get soaked in the blood that surges from Beidou’s wounds. "Don't you dare rush to come see me." Beidou smiles, "I'll wait, even if it takes forever."

"Beidou—"

"Do you—hngh—remember the night of our wedding, Ningguang?"

Of course she does. The day they had snuck out of their own wedding because it was loud, filled with obnoxious people that were just there to fulfil a formal obligation, and taken off to the mountains.

They had walked on the grass barefoot under the moonlight with their high-heels in their hands. When they had sat down to watch the moon dip into the sea beautifully, Beidou had turned to her and asked—

"Did we forget our vows?"

Ningguang had frozen in shock, of course not Beidou, how could we forget our vows, she had wanted to answer. But, Beidou was right.

The "most important" part of the ceremony had been skipped.

So, Beidou had taken her hands in her palms and gazed into her eyes affectionately.

"Well then, Ningguang. I vow to be as accepting and protective for you as the moon is over the sea. I vow to dedicate my life to illuminating our path together, and to act as a beacon of hope for you in desperate moments. I'll be the keeper of your secrets and the concealer of all that you deem a flaw, even though you’re perfect to me. And well, you can't see me up there all the time, the sun has to get some spotlight too, right? Hah… But my vow is to make you feel my presence in your heart, always and forever."

It was the first time words had truly failed Ningguang. Beidou had spoken like the people she had always mocked in romance novels, yet it felt genuine, from the depths of her loving heart.

Even though Beidou was an open book, there was still a hidden side of her, reserved only for Ningguang, the love of her life, the shining sun and the illuminating moon, the soil that nurtured and the wind that swept all her worries away.

The sea, with its merciless waves and calming ripples, to Beidou, all of it was her. The place that healed her heart and put her at ease, safe from the chaos of the outside world. The world that Beidou loved conquering, but not more than returning to Ningguang’s arms.

"I—promised you." Beidou grows too weak to keep her eyes open, she fights with the last ounce of her strength so she can still look up at Ningguang.

"I'll keep it." her chest heaves with the strain of speaking through her pierced lungs. No matter how much it pains her, she speaks up over the roaring of their approaching opponent.

"I love you, Ningguang."

Rain washes away the blood and tears and Ningguang's lips find their way onto Beidou's.

A kiss so tender yet powerful that it could almost forestall mortality.

But, it can't.

So Ningguang does the only thing she is capable of, she stands before the beast, unyielding and unwavering as thunder rumbles loud enough to silence the shattering of her heart.

Beidou lays her eyes on the final glimpse of the woman she will always love.

A weak smile dampens with the last tear she sheds as Ningguang summons a million daggers of gleaming jade, suspended in the air and eager to surge forward with the strength of all her rage and grief.

Her ferocious eyes light up the darkness, a loving gaze now tainted by bloodlust.

#genshin impact #genshin fanfic #beiguang #beigguang #genshin ningguang #genshin beidou #ningguang x beidou #beidou x ningguang #genshin wlw #wlw #wlw fluff #wlw angst

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doodlegirl12345 · 2 years

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Doodle’s Anthology: Winter Things {2/3}

Hello my everyone, it’s time for part two of my newest series “Doodle’s Anthology”. I hope you enjoyed the first installment and if this is your first time encountering one of these posts. Welcome, I hope you enjoy the stories that I have written. This a small collection of stories that I had written under a similar theme.

This is the second installment and other parts links will be provided: Section 1. Section 2. Section 3.

I hope you enjoy what I had been working on. So let’s continue with the second story: Winter Wonderland.

Winter Wonderland

Theme: Winter Things

The moment she had stepped out of her home, the feeling of being transported to a winter wonderland had transcended. She knew what awaited her from peeking through the thinly frosted windows of her home. Although having the experience to step right into it was a different experience. Glacial winds blew through the snow blanketed Parisian city. Almost if this an attempt to create a secondary snowstorm. Despite the streets being scraped clean by the snow plows, the painted on winter landscape from the day before remained.

Winter for some seemed to be an annual burden to endure its given abrasiveness. For others it can be seen as a gift from nature, constantly displaying beauty since nature is always creating. An attribute Marinette Dupain-Cheng deeply appreciated while strolling down the shoveled sidewalk in downtown Paris with awe. Greatly contributing to her already existing excitement she brought into frosty Sunday afternoon. Naturally, she was dressed for the weather. The designer wore a cream white babydoll sweater, soft pink skinny jeans, tan snow boots with white faux fur around the collars.

Over the sweater was a jet black pea coat with light gray edges. A soft silky pink scarf with matching tassels wrapped around her neck. Black gloves covered her hands while her trademark pink purse hung across the designer’s body. A departure from its usual style, her hair was done in adorable twin fishtail braids covering her ears. She had donned a soft pink beret while carrying a large teal gift bag in her hands.

Her kwami popped her head out of the guardian’s purse wearing the winter apparel: a black dotted red sweater and a black hat knitted for her. “Wow, the city looks so pretty. It looks like a scene from one of those holiday movies.”

“I figured you would like it considering your reaction during this time last year, Tikki,” Marinette smiled while rounding the corner. “You were practically giddy to see wintertime in Paris.”

“How could I not be? That was the first time that I had seen snow in years. This year so far has been no different, it’s all still wonderful.”

“I’m glad that you kept your enthusiasm. There’s nothing wrong with that since I like winter too. I’m also glad that despite the storm yesterday the buses were still running or I would be meeting up with Luka today the less conventional way.”

“You would’ve got to still see him either way. Or that means all the humming you this morning would’ve been for nothing.”

“Hey,” the designer slightly blushed. “I was just in a good mood since Luka sent me a text confirming that he was back from his trip and our plans today haven’t changed. I was concerned about his flight being delayed.”

“It must be a bit of a tonal whiplash to spend the entire winter vacation in the Canary Islands only to return to Paris after the snowstorm. I hope that Luka and Juleka had a good time.”

“Me too. From the pictures that Juleka posted it seemed like it. The beaches looked gorgeous.”

“At least they’re back now. I know how much you missed them. Especially Luka over the holidays.”

“I did. To be honest, it felt weird not having him here. I guess because this was supposed to be our first Christmas together as a couple. We haven’t been together for long but it felt like someone was missing in my life.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? I thought humans have a saying: that distance makes the heart grow fonder. If you didn’t miss him at least a little bit then your feelings for him might’ve faded.”

“That’s a good point. It also means if he’s ever invited to leave the city again. I’m going to lock him in my bedroom.” Marinette said jokingly. “It wouldn’t be so bad he could have all the cookies and croissants he ever wanted.”

“Luka was hesitant about going just in case you needed help. He also wasn’t keen on missing out on your first Christmas together.”

“True, but I reminded him that this trip was a perfect opportunity to meet his dad’s side of the family. Especially since he and Juleka had been kept in the dark for so long. Besides what kind of person would I be to stop a chance like this for someone that I love. Too bad that I couldn’t accept Jagged’s invitation to go, you know for obvious reasons.”

The designer flashed a strained smile replaying the day in her mind when she learned about the trip. It was the first week of December when she had arrived at Liberty. She planned to show her recent designs for some Kitty Section merchandise to Luka and Juleka. To her surprise, Jagged and Penny were there. This led Luka to tell her about the trip his father had sprung on the family moments ago. Jagged had invited them to the annual trip with his side of the family over the holidays.

Traditionally, a warmer climate is often chosen to combat the winter blues. Due to their family situation had become more amicable over the past months. The rockstar wanted to bring his children to spend the holidays together. Even extending the invite to Ms. Couffaine. Out of kindness, he also extended to Marinette with all expenses paid, of course. Temptation stirred in her mind about the possibility of enlisting Alya in temporarily taking over her role. However, she declined the invitation leaving Jagged surprised.

But he understood after the designer mentioned plans with her own family. Her decision was not because of a lack of faith in her best friend. On the contrary, it did not seem fair unloading her daunting responsibilities to go on a luxury vacation with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Alya would have to bear the weight of the world with Chat Noir. Marinette also remembered all the times she had gone beyond Paris’ inner city limits. Each time something went wrong, with all her new responsibilities she couldn’t let it happen again.

The designer did not have the luxury to jet off on a whim anymore. Although it did not mean Luka had to abstain from the same luxury. That was what she told him once they were able to be alone to talk. The musician understood her answer due to her knowing her secret. He did express concern with her being a few teammates short in case of Shadow Moth attacking. Along with the plans they were considering over winter break.

Marinette told him that she should not be the reason why he could not meet the other side of his family. Especially since he had those questions before they even met. She told him that everything including her will be fine and she will be waiting for him to return. However since the announcement of the trip there was a subtle but unnerving feeling that seemed to trail behind her. It seemed to even worsen after Luka left. Even though her days had been filled up with school, holiday celebrations, spending time with friends and some hero work. The feeling never seemed to fully subside, giving occasional pangs of guilt.

Tikki gave a sympathetic look before her eyes shifted to the side. “You’re not too cold are you? The outfit that Kaalki had picked out is warm enough, right?”

“I’m fine,” the designer smiled before checking the street sign she was about to pass, confirming they were getting close to her destination. “The outfit she picked out is pretty cute. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t be wearing it. But I was just surprised how quick she jumped at me last night when I mentioned about not being sure what to wear.”

“You haven’t been the first guardian that Kaalki had given fashion advice. Master Fu, he had gotten so many suggestions to spice up his wardrobe. It seemed that you were the first one to listen.”

“I mainly wanted to see what she would come up with. Especially with her talk I shouldn’t settle for less than what I truly deserve because of who I am. Has Kaalki always been like this?”

“I think some of the fashion reality shows she’s been watching during her screen time might be part of it. Although Kaalki has always been the type who believes no one should settle for less than what they deserve. That no one should hold themselves back. My guess is she’s trying to influence you to think the same about yourself.”

“That’s sometimes hard to do with the type of decisions that I have to make.”

“It also could be her way of saying thank you for all the gifts you made for everyone for Christmas,” Tikki patted her own sweater. “With helping out in her own way.”

“Speaking of gifts,” the designer gripped the blue gift bag in her hand. “Hopefully Luka likes the gift that I had made him. I wondered why he wanted me to meet him downtown instead of Liberty.”

“Well…” the kwami grinned while peering over the rim of the purse before tucking herself back inside. “Why don’t you just go over there and ask him?”

Marinette looked up, causing her gaze to fall onto the street across from her. In front of a frost covered iron gate stood Luka. Just like her, the musician was dressed for the weather. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, dark rinse blue jeans, black laced up insulated snow boots, black gloves and a black knitted hat covering up his blue hair. Her blue eyes instantly lit up, suddenly those days he had been gone now felt like years. Luka must’ve felt eyes on him because he slid his phone into his coat pocket before smiling and waving.

Without another thought, Marinette crossed the street with an excited dash. “Luka!”

Practically launching herself into his arms once the chance of reconnecting was gifted. Luka appeared equally happy as he swung her around into a warm embrace.

“Hi,” the designer squeaked with excitement, wrapping her arms around him after being put down.

“Hey,” the musician smiled while cupping her cheek.

Their eyes met before their lips tenderly touched each other eventually melting into a passionate kiss. Seconds later after their kiss had broken. Marinette held her boyfriend closer, a comfort that she had surely missed.

“I missed you so much,” she told him. “I’m so glad that you’re back.”

“I missed you too,” he told her. “It felt like forever not seeing you.”

“Same. So did everyone get back here okay? There was no problem because of yesterday’s storm, right?”

“Nope, we actually got right around the time it started snowing. What I mean by that is we were literally waiting for all our luggage when it started.”

“Wow, that was a close call. Any later your flight might’ve been canceled or delayed.”

“We have to thank Penny. She had been checking the weather throughout the vacation. Once Penny heard about the snow storm she got tickets for an earlier flight than what was originally planned. If she didn’t do that we probably would be arriving today at best.”

“Classic Penny, thinking ahead like the amazing person that she is.”

Luka nodded. “Agree, not trying to disrespect my dad anything. But after our trip it’s pretty clear who’s keeping track of everything in his life. She also was a big help with doing some translating by being multilingual. Along with my dad and a few other family members.”

“So how was the trip? Was it everything that you wanted?”

“It was great. Not only did I meet my dad’s side of the family. But turns out my dad has a brother and a sister. So I have an aunt and uncle.”

“Really? All the stuff that I read on Jagged when I first got into his music never mentioned siblings. In fact, I thought he had said that he was an only child because he’s one of a kind.”

“That’s what I thought too. It turns out my dad had only said that because they asked him not to mention them in interviews. Not due to them disapproving of his career but they did not want to be constantly harassed or approached in public due to their connection to him. Or people befriending them so he could do them favors.”

“Actually, that makes sense. Some people are willing to do anything for fifteen minutes of fame. I know better than anyone else about keeping important secrets.”

“True, that’s one of the reasons why I’m telling you. It definitely won’t spread with you. Their names are Lee and Katherine by the way. Turns out that I also have four cousins.”

“Whoa, are any of them around our age?”

“Well Selena and Maria are both twelve. While Josh is fourteen and Carly is sixteen.”

“Selena and Maria both are twelve? So that means they’re both twins?”

“Yep,” Luka smiled. “It turns out that twins are actually very common in our family. Selena and Maria were very sweet but mainly latched onto Jules since they’re interested in makeup like she is. They’re mainly wanting to turn thirteen so my Aunt Katherine and their dad, Uncle Charlie, are going to allow them to wear it more often. It seemed that Juleka was stunned to have two people paying so much attention to her. But it seemed by the end of the trip the three of them got really close.”

“Aww, what about Josh and Carly?”

“They’re pretty cool, we hung out a lot at the beach together, they’re pretty cool. They’re my Uncle Lee and Aunt Renee’s kids. I did get around writing a few songs for Kitty Section. My dad even helped out with a few of them.”

“That’s great.”

“Those aren’t the only good things that happened. I also met my grandparents: Grandpa Tyler and Grandma Sophie. But get this, during the whole trip my parents did not fight once.”

“Wow, not to be too blunt but it really does sound like a Christmas miracle.”

“You’re not wrong, I know that they’re never going to get back together. But it seems now they can be in the same room without biting each other’s heads off. I’m grateful for that, for it seems that all the big life changing secrets are now out in the open. I finally got to know the other side of my family. I just wished it happened sooner.”

“Well it’s better late than never. I’m glad that you finally met your family. It’s great that you got to know more about where you came from.”

“So is there anything else that you want to know about?”

“Well…just one little thing.”

“What’s that?”

She gently pulled away from him before gesturing at the frost covered gate. “What’s the deal with us meeting here? Usually we hang out at either Liberty or my place. Is there something you want to tell me?”

Luka smirked. “I was wondering when you were going to bring that up.”

“I knew it!” the designer declared. “What are you up to?”

The musician extended out his hand. “It’s a surprise. Just take my hand.”

Their fingers became intertwined as Luka guided her through the frosted gate. After a few footsteps there was the sound of snow crunching underneath their feet. The designer looked around, observing the scenery that surrounded them. It seemed that they were in a snow covered field with a few trees. In the distance, from what she could make out was a house but it looked like a speck from where they were standing. It looked nice but wasn’t very remarkable.

“Hold on tight,” Luka instructed, while continuing to guide her. “It’s a bit of a walk.”

“So this surprise, it’s something you couldn’t do or bring on Liberty?”

questioned the designer while tightly gripping the gift bag in her free hand as the couple continued their pursuit.

“Not unless you want it to capsize,” the musician told her.

“It’s big isn’t it?” she squealed. “Okay I just got even more enthusiastic, and with you coming back. I did not think that was possible.”

“Maybe I should turn around,” Luka teased. “The last thing that I want is for you to do is kneel over.”

“Don’t you dare,” she told him. “You can’t make statements like you did and not follow through when you can. Is it possible that I can get a hint?”

“Alright, one won’t hurt. It’s based on something that we talked about before I left.”

“Before you left…but we talked at least every other day. That really doesn’t narrow anything down.”

“I guess you have to wait a bit longer. Don’t worry, it’s not that far. So what about you? Did anything exciting happen to you when I was gone?”

“I got a commission.”

“You did?” Luka smiled.

“Yeah, it’s supposed to be a custom sweet sixteen party dress for a girl named Ashley,” she explained. “She contacted me about through my fashion blog that Alya had me make a while back. Ashley won’t need the dress until late May. So I have at least four months to do it.”

“That’s awesome, I’m happy for you. How was Adrien’s Christmas Eve party?”

“It was fun. Turns out Rose was my secret Santa. She got me this big box of different colored thread and a bag of chocolate truffles. It is probably the best thing she could’ve gotten me with the twenty euros spending limit. I’ll definitely use it for the commission. There was even a spool of rainbow thread.”

“Did Sabrina like my secret Santa gift?”

“Yeah, she was wearing one of the headbands that you got her when she came over to work on her Ladybug cosplay on Friday. There’s a thank you card in your gift bag from her. She gave it to me since she knew I was going to see you today.”

“I thought that there were plans about taking the kids to the Winter Festival yesterday. How did that pan out?”

“It got rescheduled because of the snow. So Nino, Alya and I are going to take Manon, Ella, Etta and Chris next Saturday. The girls did play in the snow yesterday and made some snow angels. It was pretty cute-“

Suddenly she could feel Luka stop himself almost if he had planted feet in the snow, he was smiling. The designer’s eyes wander upwards, breaking her gaze with him before letting go of his hand. Suddenly she became entranced in awe and wintery beauty. Stretched beyond her were blankets of pillowy snow surrounding a large outdoor rink with a ring of white wooden fencing leaving enough space for people to get in and out of the rink. A snow path was dug out leading toward the rink.

There were a few wooden benches scattered throughout the area. One bench close to the rink that had caught her attention had a small pink gift bag, a small black portable phone speaker and two pairs of ice skates. Above the rink hung multiple snowflake lights arranged similar to a canopy that was fastened at the ends of the rink. Enclosed by nature, the perimeter was lined with trees draped with icicles and snow. Several feet away from the rink was a small gazebo methodically wrapped with light string lights.

Meanwhile snow dusted roses that framed the bottom. The atmosphere felt secluded but mystical. It felt she had been truly transported to winter wonderland.

“Is this for us?” Marinette her gaze returned to Luka’s eyes.

“Surprise,” he told her. “At least it’s one of them. Do you like it?”

“Like it? This place is beautiful. What gave you this idea?”

“Remember my hint? It was based on something that we talked about before I left. You mentioned back in October that you wanted us to go ice skating when it got colder. Just the two of us.”

“That was months ago. You remembered that?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“Thank you,” she embraced him once more. “This is so pretty. Did you set all this up yourself? That must’ve taken a while.”

“Actually I had some help,” he told her before starting to wave. “Jaden over here!”

The designer turned, letting go to see a boy around their age approaching them. He had umber skin, a reddish brown, chestnut brown eyes and black braided mid length hair. Styled in a side swept undercut. He was wearing a green puffer jacket with a gray fur lined hood, black denim jeans, gray gloves and gray lace snow boots.

“Hey,” he greeted them. “Luka, I secured the circuit breaker. So the lights shouldn’t be flickering like it did before. Everything should be fine.”

“Thanks Jaden,” said the musician. “This is Marinette.”

“So, you’re the amazing Marinette that I had heard so much about,” Jaden had a friendly smile on his face. He extended his hand towards her. “It’s nice to finally meet you, I’m Jaden Allard.”

“Nice to meet you, Jaden,” the designer shook his hand. “So you heard things about me? Only good things I hope.”

“Well it was from your boyfriend so you can imagine,” he told her. “So if there was any bad thing he said. I wasn’t around to hear it.”

“Something that never happened,” Luka interjected. “He’s just messing around.”

“Well..of course I am. I wasn’t crowned Mr. Hooper’s class’ comedian because I didn’t mess around once in a while,” he reminded him. “Remember, I won the title after being the only one able to crack a smile on his face. After the whole class thought that his frown was stapled on.”

“So you two went to school together?” Marinette questioned.

“We did, last year before Luka had transferred schools. We actually haven’t been in touch until over a month ago,” the comedian explained. “I needed his help with writing a song for my girlfriend Kira for her birthday. Her birthday was on New Year’s Eve and she was hosting a birthday party that night. However, I ran into a serious problem.”

“What was that?” she asked him.

“I had never written a song before. I can sing because I have been in my church’s choir since I was a kid. But writing music and lyrics from scratch was a major roadblock,” he explained. “Luckily, I had Luka’s number when we did a group project together and he agreed to do it. It was better to have someone more experienced in this area than doing it solo.”

“Did Kira like the song?” Luka asked.

“She loved it. Since I had clued in her mom and dad they had set up everything for me to perform at the party, including the music that we recorded,” the comedian told him. “Kira said it reminded her of her favorite scene in the movie, Love Letters From Juliet. After how well it turned out it gave me even more reason to follow through with our deal.”

“Deal?” the designer raised an eyebrow. “What deal?”

Jaden looked over towards Luka. “You haven’t told her?”

“I was going to tell her,” the musician told her. “As a trade off for working on the song. Jaden is letting us skate on his family’s property.”

“It’s no big deal we had done stuff like this all the time here,” Jaden told her. “Birthday parties and a few family weddings. Last year, I invited my class here for an ice skating party.”

“So the deal is if you help me do something for my girlfriend then I do the same for you?” Marinette asked.

“It sounds pretty simple when you put it that way,” the comedian admitted. “While still true, I think it’s a noble cause. Well should get going so you can have some privacy. I’ll be in the house down the way. If you need me for anything just call me.”

“Thanks Jaden for everything,” Luka waved.

“No problem, I hope you two have a nice time,” he began to walk off towards his new destination. “Nice meeting you, Marinette.”

“Nice meeting you too,” Marinette called back.

“So, what do you want to do first?” asked the musician. “Do you want to skate or exchange gifts first?”

“I thought the rink was my gift?”

“It’s a two parter, so this way we could have something to do today. So what’s your choice?”

After a bit of thought, the designer replied holding up the large blue gift bag in her hand. “Gifts, you’re not the only one with a surprise.”

Luka strolled over to the nearby bench picking up the pink gift bag before giving it to her. Marinette placed the gift bag down and removed out the white sparkly tissue paper before feeling something wooden hit her fingers. She pulled a small wooden box that fit right in the palm in her hand. It was painted light pink with white flowers attached to long thin light brown branches on the lid. On the side was an attached small silver wind up crank.

“It’s a box,” she looked up curiously.

“It’s not just a box,” the musician told her. “Open it.”

The designer did what she was told. Once the box was opened a familiar sweet melodic tune was released. The tune was uplifting, sweet and melodic all at the same time. She looked inside the box to see a small metal ticked rotating cylinder and metal strips arranged like a comb.

It was a music box.

Marinette gasped. “Is this tune what I think it is?”

“It’s your melody that you ask me to play from time to time,” he told her. “I figured this way you can carry it wherever. This way you always have a reminder of who you are no matter where you go.”

“Did you make this?”

“Yeah, there’s a couple videos on YouTube on how to do it. It did take a couple tries but I finally got it right on the tenth. Do you like it?”

“I love it. This is so sweet,” she shut the box, placing it back in the bag before placing it back on the bench. “I guess we were on the same wavelength when it comes to gifts.”

She picked back up the blue bag and handed it to Luka. He took out the blue tissue paper peeking out of the bag. After the paper he pulled out a distressed faux leather jacket. It was a shade of midnight black with small black beaded chains that hung off the shoulders. Each cuff of the jacket had a square metal stud on the end. The inside had a black checkered fabric lining. The jacket collar had a Jagged Stone logo pin and a teal snake symbol pin attached.

The back had a large square patch with a white background. On the patch was an illustration of Luka’s Kitty Section mask with the band’s name underneath in dynamic font.

The musician’s whole face completely brightened. “Whoa, this looks like the jacket that my dad promised me from his closet. Until we found out Fang had been secretly using it as a chew toy.”

“Surprise!” Marinette flashed a set of jazz hands for emphasis. “When you told me what happened to the jacket. I called your dad to see if I could do a patch job on it. But when he sent me the pictures. It was clear to anyone that it was damaged beyond repair. So I asked him to use it for scraps to make you a new one for your Christmas present. He also gave me money for the supplies.”

“Wait, is that the reason why you wanted to put off the gift exchange until I came back?”

“Yeah when I originally started the project I assumed that I would meet up with you on Christmas day. But when the trip date was announced there was no way I could’ve pulled it off. Unless, I dropped everything and worked nonstop. I did modernize the design since Jagged originally got the jacket in his twenties. It’s also more suited to your style since it is not super flashy like your dad’s.”

“And the Kitty Section patch?”

“I thought that would be a great personal touch for you. You know a mix between the old and new. I was able to save the lining, bit of the sleeves and the collar. So it’s not completely lost as a piece of family history. If I remember correctly your dad wore it on one of his album covers. Maybe you can do something similar someday.”

Before another word could be spoken Luka wrapped his arms once more pulling her into a hug. “Thank you. Even after all this time you still managed to surprise me.”

“That’s usually half of the fun, especially when giving a gift to someone that I love,” she told him.

“I love you too,” the musician brushed her bangs back, kissing her on the forehead. “Are you ready to skate?”

“Definitely,” she smiled.

“You sure?” he teased. “You’re not hiding anything else from me are you?”

It was a joke and she knew that. But her face couldn’t help itself from twisting into an admission of guilt.

“Wait, what’s wrong?” the musician realized he had struck a chord.

“It’s nothing,” the designer shook her head before taking his hand. “Everything is fine. Let’s go. The last thing we should do is waste this beautiful scenery.”

However, Luka did not budge. “It doesn’t look that way. Come on Marinette, I know that face. There’s something wrong, isn’t there?”

Her eyes shifted to the side, avoiding his gaze. Until she realized that it would be pointless to stall. She knew Luka was one of the few people who could always tell there was more underneath the surface with her. Simple platitudes didn’t work on him like the others.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I didn’t want to say it before but I guess there’s no point hiding it anymore. Especially when everything is all over now.”

Marinette led him towards the bench to sit putting down the gifts and speaker while pushing them to the side.

“So, what’s going on, Marinette?” the musician questioned.

The designer stared at him, almost as if she was struggling with how to phrase it. “Well… I should be honest…it’s just I regret not going on the trip with you. I know that I said that I would be fine. I have been feeling like this for a while but it wasn’t really until you left that I truly have been kicking myself for missing out.”

“So is that it?” Luka started to tap his fingers on his lap.

“I just feel like I’m being so selfish, with everything that’s been going on with the city and Shadow Moth. Even though things had gotten worse in these couple months. I wanted to leave at the first opportunity I got. When you were away I kept thinking how great it would be to spend time with you. Without needing to rush off in the middle of a movie or a meal. To be in a place where I saw someone irritated. I wouldn’t have to worry about possibly fighting them later. I could assume they’re having a bad day and wish them the best.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Even though misery loves company, I didn’t want to become a burden. Especially after reassuring over and over you that I would be alright. You looked so happy to meet your dad’s side of the family. Something that you wanted to do before we even met. The last thing I wanted to do is make this amazing opportunity for you all about me and my feelings. But I guess I need to work on my acting skills because I couldn’t keep a straight face after being asked a simple question.”

“It’s okay, Marinette,” the musician wrapped his arm around her.

“Today was supposed to be a great day since you’re back. But here we are, talking about this. I’m sorry, the last thing that I wanted to be was selfish or a burden on this special day.”

“You’re not selfish or a burden. If anyone deserves a break in this city you would be top of the list. And if someone dares to suggest otherwise they would have to answer me.”

“Luka.”

“It’s true. You protect the city nearly everyday, even when it’s an inconvenience. Instead of leaving the city defenseless you stayed against your own desires. You swallowed your feelings, something that I don’t recommend in the long term because it eventually disrupts your inner melody. How could you call any of that selfish?”

“I don’t know,” the designer admitted. “It just feels like I have to do this all with a smile on my face. I was given an opportunity of a lifetime to be one of Paris’ protectors. To be a role model, I have seen kids dress up as Chat Noir and Ladybug. How could I be one of the city’s guardian angels if I wanted to leave?”

“It’s because you’re a person, not some standard that needs to be upheld. You are Marinette, a person with thoughts, feelings and desires. You inspire others but that doesn’t mean you have to hide your feelings about wanting a break.”

“You would think that I would know that by now. It’s just been a hard habit to break. I had gotten used to hiding all my feelings about being Ladybug from everyone. Until recently I didn’t have anyone who knew the whole truth about both sides of my life. Sometimes it feels like I’m better off being like that for the sake of everyone else. Or just push down my feelings to be more like Ladybug as from the outside it looks like she has it all put together.”

“You shouldn’t lose yourself for the sake of everyone else. But I also get it. From all those times I had been Viperion. The things I had seen while using second chance,” the musician recoiled slightly. “Let’s just say I really get how stressful being a hero can be. And I’m not needed all the time like you. But maybe there’s a way to help you remember who you really are when you feel like this?”

“Really how?”

“It’s probably won’t not much since it won’t solve all your problems. And I know we still need Ladybug,” Luka admitted as he reached over and pulled out the music box from the pink gift bag. Before placing it back into her hands. “But I made this for you Marinette, not Ladybug with the melody that I heard from your heart. It could be a reminder when you listen to it when you feel unsure of who you really are.”

“It’s definitely worth a try.”

“You also need to remember that you’re not a burden. In my eyes, you’re the strongest, good hearted person that I have ever met. But you have to be honest with others about what you need. No one deserves to keep that all bottled up. People like me, the ones who love you won’t purposefully make you feel like a burden for just asking. You need to be honest with us but most importantly honest with yourself.”

“You’re right if I was at least honest with myself. I wouldn’t have felt this way all this time,” Marinette wrapped her arms around her boyfriend, feeling much better than all the days before. “Thanks Luka, one thing that I know for sure that I’m lucky to have someone like you, so compassionate and kind.”

“It’s no problem. What’s the point of knowing the truth if I can’t help?” he told her. “So, are you ready to go skating together?”

“Yeah,” she smiled. “I think that’s exactly what I need.”

Moments later the two of them stepped into the ice rink donning their stakes. The sound of harmonious romantic guitar music filled the air from the black phone speaker from the bench. Hand in hand, the couple eased into circling around the perimeter. Gradually embracing each other once more like they were dancing together. Before sealing this experience with a kiss.

The End.

Thanks for reading! 😊

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoy this part. Anyone who knows me is aware that I have a soft spot for this couple. Especially since they didn’t have much official time as a couple. Pretty much a cameo in the NY special and one episode. They really didn’t have a chance did they? Nevertheless, these two together will live on in fan content. To be honest this one was the most time consuming not just because of length but also my love-hate relationship with romance.

I don’t hate romance. In fact, I’m usually the first person to yell “kiss” at the screen. This is also one of the reasons I watch movies at home. However, when it comes to writing it I’m always afraid about it coming out way too cheesy. Now a little cheese isn’t so bad but there’s my concern about taking it too far. The simple answer is to stop but at the same time when I finally get it. It’s a good feeling. So this is one of my personal conundrums.

Since this isn’t the final part, will keep the closing statement brief and link to the next part here: Section 3. For anyone who wants continue with the next story. The closing song will be on the last part. Including an author note so I won’t need to repeat it three times.

This story is also available on Wattpad.

If you made it this far thank you again for reading.

#miraculous ladybug #lukanette #pro lukanette #lukanette fic #endgame lukanette #pro lukamari #miraculous au #ml fanfic #ml marinette #ml luknette #ml luka #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #my writing #miraculous fanfic #winter

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helpicant-stop · 2 years

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all of the ask emojis for c!hannah <3

omfg 😭 well alright strap in i guess

[send me character headcanon asks!]

🏳️‍🌈: sapphic aro (qpr ctinarose supremacy 🙏🙏)

🏳️‍⚧��: she's a #girl but like with a little extra flavour. spicy cisgender if you will (ie she uses nature-related neopronouns because she thinks they add to the aesthetic)

😇: standard twitch prime practitioner like most on the server, but she has more faith in the inherent laws of nature and fairy magic. also the egg but that was like a year ago people change man�� /j

🧸: in her early childhood she lived mostly in the forest with other fairies, but started spending most of her time in hypixel during her teenage years

👻: i don't think channah's outright afraid of many things (that she'd admit), but i also think she was scared of the egg returning after she finally broke free of the "possession" thing; it's an unexplained vaguely divine entity that goes againsf the laws of nature and makes everything around it rot and change colour, of course it'd be a bit intimidating

🎶: channah likes metal but like not the screamy kind like the operatic rock ballad kind, and she almost exclusively listens to women artists. also she's a big fan of 90s riot grrl

👽: carries a bag of rose seeds/sprouts wherever she goes, not just for personal strength and aesthetics but because rapidly growing rosevines make great distractions in a fight

💤: i think pre-egg she'd have mostly scent/touch/sound related dreams that are mostly just sensations or vague events, and sleep really soundly. during the eggpire she'd go days without sleep before dropping randomly and waking up hours later in another location. i think the only dreams she'd have then would be quiet whispering or distant shouts she couldn't quite hear properly. post-egg she can't quite fall asleep or wake up as easily anymore, and she doesn't even remember if she has dreams or not

🦾: blind with roses where her eyes should be, because nature fairies don't need eyes unless the thing they represent does. when she moved to the dream smp, an eye sprouted out of one of the flower petals and gave her sight on one side (because the laws of nature or something were different there bitch idk). it doesn't feel natural (?) and is prone to random phantom pains/sensations and honestly isn't that useful so she'd rather be without it.

during the egg, vines and leaves grew through her and replaced the flowers in her eyes with those little glowing red sprouts. i actually made an art about this (*cough cough* @yesican-stop *cough cough*)

💝: acts of service but as in she will be your number 1 apologist and defender and take you places. i also think she's very on gift giving and enjoys gifting flowers and pets (the latter only to people she think can take care of them)

🫂: i think she's extremely loyal to her friends which i think makes the red banquet betrayal such a Thing™ because like. you know she's far gone

💔: insert "hehehe yes... yes!!!!" sickos comic panel here. when she was infected, one of her biggest guilts was going against cpuffy, but she couldnt really ruminate or reflect on that at all because the egg would always cover up her thoughts with its own, and even after they made up they were never quite the same afterwards. ahaha fboy face emoji

🪢: she has no recalled family except for nature, her friends and tina, which to her is better than any related associations she could hypothetically have

📓: bit of projection here but i think she'd have several phases of learning several different fighting styles/martial arts and gettign moderately good at all of them before developing her own unique style. aside from that (projection 2 electric boogaloo) she also seems like the type to sculpt or sew or make dioramas or just create art in general, and i think a lot of it would be really emotional theme-wise tbh. also she organises all her stuff by colour and helps tina farm fungi at kinoko

👗: she'd definitely love to mix style with practicality, like i think she'd have miniskirts with shorts sewn on underneath so she could fight, and blouses that can be tied back with buttons so she can get her hands dirty. one thing that is not practical at all are her reproduction white 1960s gogo boots. nobody questions the reproduction white 1960s gogo boots.

she is also a big fan of natural tones but FUCKING HATES FLOWER PRINT because it's not even close to the real thing at ALL. she used to wear a lot of bright rose red, but the egg kind of spoiled that for her, so now all the red she wears is dark or muted. also all her outfits would be self made, 100% biodegradable and sustainable and usually have living plants integrated within the outfits

🔪: come on. you already know this one. channah pvp queen girlboss etc. ok but in all seriousness i think her fighting style would be very swift and graceful, and she'd talk a lot during fights, whether to herself or the opponent/s. during emotional fights especially she gets surprisingly better rather than slipping up. one of her mottos is "use words, until that doesn't work, then use violence"

🌟: i think prior to the smp most of her goals would be very short-term/impulsive/quick-passing without really thinking of the future or consequences. but now ?? dude she just wants to be happy and live a nice fun life with all her friends and probably do nature activism on the side. why is the dream smp so trauma girl /: girlphobic if you will ,,oh wait that's just misogyny isn't it 💀

🥇: at heart she's just a rose fairy and that's what she's best at. she can cultivate rosebushes so cool looking the gardeners at the queen of hearts' castle would CRY

🍫: she doesn't like sweets that much but would KILL for a well-made steak like srsly it's so hard to find nowadays everyone either overcooks the outside and undercooks the inside or overcooks the whole thing or adds bad seasoning but come on how hard can it be. she eats at mcpuffy's (but begrudgingly) because it's cheap and moderately average but las nevadas has better food, they're just too overpriced for her taste and she partially works there anyway so why would she need to in the first place

🎭: totally a casual liar, but she doesn't lie about anything severe *when she can*. but yeah she would tell a child that santa is real without flinching or tell someone she's working on the thing they asked her to work on when she's not

❤️‍🔥: she's aro and #Not Interested moving on (however if i ignore this and make it about qprs then she's totally super sappy with tina and more giggly around her than like bad or sam)

💄: she's made of soil and plants and roses grow out of and around her arms like climbing vines. also she wears makeup that she grinds out of plant dye and charcoal

🖕 (funnieat emoji choice ever btw): she gets more irritated than angry, but when she does get angry she Gets Angry™. she's the type of guy to utilise insults and threats really effectively before even fighting

😺: she's a "dog person" but is a fan of most animals anyway. her favourite amphibian is either an axolotl or salamander; her favourite reptile is snakes but specifically like the small 5-6 ft ones that can curl around your arms, and she prefers their natural morphs rather than the eye-catching artificially selected ones and can you tell i know way more about snakes than any other animal yet; her favourite bird is the lovebird because she likes their call and also thinks the fact that they come in pairs is adorable; her favourite mammal would probably be dogs or capybaras; her favourite fish would be a parrotfish and tbh idek why she just seems like she would and i don't know shit about fish; and her favourite invertebrate would be butterflies or any insect that disguises itself as another animal because she loves the ingenuity and the naturally formed patterns

😬: i think her betrayal and murder really hangs over her head, but she doesn't like being reminded about it (and anyway she considers it fine since she was literally possessed and couldn't do anything about it) so she chastises the people who do bring it up

😭: i think the inciting incident/first few weeks of the infection were the most hard-hitting because she'd feel physically bad all the time with seemingly no source and hallucinate sounds that didn't exist and get terrible intrusive thoughts. i think once it really started growing and getting a hold of her she just started getting numb to it

😶: she once ate a butterfly on accident and felt incredibly bad about it. also i think her wings had rose patterns on them like stained glass

#HOPE YOURE HAPPY /lh #asks!!#wren🧚#chitter

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