#Vlad + Valeria

[nonbinaryphantom]

for reaper au valerie i have this one gif playing in my brain everytime i think of her

[kisavatore]

Goth/Alt cc finds part 4-Shoes

Shoes

Heels Boots | Mid Boots | Ranger Boots | Samara Shoes | Tanya Boots Round Toe Embellished Rivets Platforms | Dr.martens Jadon Platform Boots Platform Boots | Platform Docs | Platform Ankle Boots | Leather Platform Oxford Obsidian Collection | Rose Battefield | Alecta Boots | Charm Duo Pack Dusk Diva Boots | Temptress Shoes | Valeria Shoes | Leather High Boots Halloween Boots | Shoes pack 39 | Shoes pack 47 | Shoes pack 63 Pitch black shoes | Echo Boots | Fate Boots | Fear Boots | High Boots Moon Boots | Kohaku Boots | Resentment Shoes | Remedy Shoes Marci Boots | Drella Heels | Rini Boots | Studded Platform Heels Staple Leather Sandals | Tech Boots | Dani Boots | Loafers Platform Shoes | Leather Boots | Heartbreaker Loafers | Mei Buckle Boots Ankle Boots | Spiky Boots | No Mercy Boots | Rush Hour Platform Boots Shatter Boots | Thunderous Boots | Vlad Boots | Platform Shoes

PT.1 | PT2. | PT.3 | PT.4 | PT.5

[itsohh]

thoughts after completing mw3

I can firmly say its not worth playing unless your a fan of DMZ. as someone who isn't, its horrible.

the game turns 180 on the style of the campaign and you lose a lot of the liner gameplay which made the first two games so enjoyable. in order for what I presume was to cut corners they opt for a more open world more feel. while the other games did have this on some levels it wasn't done in a fun way.

for example 'alone' in mw2 you have the entire stealth aspect with johnny and then in mw1 (I can't remember the mission but its the one where you getting farahs brother) you do open objective as gaz with price and even though its a big area it still feels quite nice and focused.

this weird open world thing was seen in the second to last mission but it was still straight forward. honestly the game felt rushed, empty, spotty and full of fuller content. the story line wasn't very solid and felt ehhhh.

don't even get me started on some of the actual normal missions like 'kill invisible dudes who instantly snipe you before you can see me' fuck me that was horrible. they give the illusion of that you could stealth around them but every time I attempted gaz would get seen. so idk if that was scripted or not but it sucked.

the final mission felt lackluster and dull.

I'll give them that the final cutscene was good and did tug at the heart strings. but also it felt like his death was more for shock value? to reference the previous games. ah idk. it's not bad I suppose but I also feel like it was tacked on, I wish they made it a bigger deal

I can't help but wonder what the level design would have been if they had more time. I miss the way they did things in the previous games and it also so short. they established such a good begining in mw1 and then had maybe not the best game AI but a really good sequeal in mw2. mw3 falls so flat. I miss missions where you spend the entire time stealth, I miss the interactions between soap and ghost, or gaz and price.

for what they delivered it really wasn't worth the price. would I still have bought it? yes because I wanted to experience it.

the lack of optimisation is insane, sure its early access but we all know that they won't fix these bugs. on one mission I was forced to put my graphics on the lowest setting to load it. I have a current gen graphics card. for some random moments my screen would be covered in low pixel smoke that would only clear if I did a 360.

the graphics were of course, amazing and photorealistic but somehow didn't deliver on the immersion that the previous games did. the voice acting and acting alone carried this game unfortuantly let down by the shotty writing, cheap level design and general cash grab vibe to the game.

I thought that this was supposed to be the last game but with the lack of question still to be answered it does feel like they could have another one. without soap though... the team doesn't feel complete. any attempt to bring in roach at this point would feel like hes there to replace him which isn't idk great.

vlad's still out there, so is graves and then the entire plotline with valeria / alejandro has yet to be touched on. I imagined they will bring one of those in for the raid series

the game feels like it has so many holes, mainly why was so little amount of troops sent in. like at times it feels like there only 141 in the world and like ??? speshly with the final mission like your telling me they got only one hotel squad to go with price and soap? against a bomb threat caused by one of the biggest terrorists out there? wtf is everyone doing???

it feels weak and overall I rate the game 4/10

[0nelittlebirdtoldme]

So..... @udaberriwrites has given me an interesting prompt for the Three Fics You'd Never Write ask game. And so, I kinda had to bite (haha!). Hypothetically... if one would write a genderbend oneshot.... what would Dracula's name be (no matter if I end up using it or not)?

[bts-scenarios-br]

Hii sweetheart ♡ (aqui para participar do joguinho)

★ ela/dela

★ 1,65

★ castanho meio dourado, longo e cacheado, simples

★ dark academia

★ ler, estudar, fotografar, pintar, desenhar e praticar esportes

★ médica ou neurocientista

★ The Neighbourhood, Mitski, Vlad Holiday, Flower Face, Girl In Red Cage The Elephant e Chase Atlantic

★ black swan

★ infp, sou uma pessoa calma, determinada, sonhadora e curiosa

★ gosto de café, doguinhos, dias de chuva, sexta-feira, ler e escrever, escutar músicas, estrelas, cheiro de canela e baunilha, manga e abacaxi, viajar, praia, pôr do sol, noites de verão, filmes de terror, astronomia, orquídeas.

beijinhos de luz ♡

eu te shippo comigo <3

brincadeira aksejjsndnssh MAS OLHA A RESPOSTA VEIO TAO CLARA PRA MIM

TAEHYUNG

se casem.

é sério.

MAS VAMOS LA

Meu deus vocês seriam um casal saído de um filme de romance.

Viagens inesperadas até cidades românticas, voltas de carro no meio da noite pra apreciar o céu, roupas combinando, dançar coladinhos na cozinha às 2 da manhã... essa seria sua rotina, minha amiga.

O Tae é um tremendo romântico incurável, e você aparenta ser uma também. Seriam o tipo de casal perdidamente apaixonado um pelo outro, mas não de um jeito nojinho, e sim de um jeito genuíno, onde estariam sempre se esforçando para deixar os seus dias mais e mais especiais.

Seus tempos livres seriam gastos da forma mais aconchegante possivel: os dois no apartamento dele, o Tannie correndo por aí, e vocês explorando a arte das mais diversas formas. Seja ele aprendendo um novo instrumento e você o fotografando, ou até mesmo ele posando para que você fizesse uma pintura dele (que ele amaria independente de como saísse).

Mas não se engane pela tranquilidade, vocês também se aventurariam muito. Como eu disse, viagens seriam uma necessidade para ambos! Fosse a pequenas cidades na Coreia ou um país cheio de prédios históricos e românticos para se perderem por entre. O importante seria estarem juntos, e terem liberdade para conhecer e explorar o lugar como bem entendessem.

Seriam um casal muito ativo também, sempre experimentando novas experiências, novos restaurantes, novos hobbies, enfim, sempre atrás de atividades interessantes para poderem aproveitar juntos.

O Tae seria uma pessoa extremamente carinhosa e cuidadosa com você. Ele estaria sempre atento ao que você gostava ou tinha interesse por para poder encontrar meios de te agradar, assim como prestaria muita atenção em se estava bem e confortável com novas experiências. Se não estivesse, não importa o quão importante fosse, ele te tiraria de lá no mesmo instante, sem pensar duas vezes.

Mas ele também seria um tanto quanto manhoso, tenha isso em mente. Todos os dias quando fosse tentar se levantar para trabalhar, ele te seguraria por ao menos cinco minutos porque não queria que saísse do lado dele. E quando pudessem permanecer na cama, como aos fins de semana ou viagens, ele iria se aconchegar no seu calor e olha levaria muita insistência para o fazer te soltar, viu. Mas no final, tudo valeria a pena <3

Espero que tenha gostado!

Beijinhos <3

[fantomcomics]

What's Out This Week? 10/18

Y'all coming to our Furry Nite event this weekend??

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 - Patrick Horvath

Don’t. Murder. The locals.

This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm décor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.

So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.

Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO #1 - Bartosz Sztybor & Jakub Rebelka

Beneath the skin, flesh, and cyberware lies a beating heart--and only two things can stop a heart from beating: love and death. It's gang on gang violence as the Maelstroms target the Moxes for an ambush. Is a bloodbath underway or could this be love at first sight?

BRZRKR #1: Pen & Ink - Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt & Ron Garney

For those that couldn't get enough of Keanu Reeves' record-obliterating jump into the comics world, BRZRKR returns in a new format while fans eagerly await the Netflix feature film, the Netflix anime series, the novel, and more comic books!In addition to enjoying the brutality in the refreshingly bleak black and white of BOOM! Studios' Pen & Ink line, series artist Ron Garney brings some method to the mayhem with brand new exclusive commentary!

Crypt Of Shadows #1 - Rebecca Roanhorse & Karen Darboe

The heroes of the Marvel Universe spend most of their time in the bright sun, flying high above it all…but every once in a while, they venture into the darkness that lurks in the hidden corners of the world. There lurk the creatures, the monsters, the vampires…the ones who prey on innocence and goodness. Join us, and some of your favorite heroes, for tales of fangs, claws and silent, stalking swamp creatures to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve!

Fear The Funhouse: Toybox Of Terror One-Shot - Timmy Heague, Danielle Paige, Michael Northrop, Ryan Caskey, Ryan Jampole, Tango & Sweeney Boo

In Riverdale, even the toys are terrifying in this anthology one-shot set in the universe of last year's successful Fear the Funhouse comic. Three tales of dolls, robots, and puppets gone awry all thanks to the work of a shadowy toymaker and a young girl intent on revenge, in the vein of the widely successful M3GAN movie and Child's Play franchise.

Gargoyles Halloween Special One-Shot - Greg Weisman, Bonesso Diego & Matteo Lolli

It's young Gnash's first Halloween in Manhattan, and you're invited to come along as he heads out to find friends on the one night of the year when Gargoyles can roam the city unbothered! Unfortunately, he's about to run afoul of the masked Quarrymen, who are out to hunt down any Gargoyle foolish enough to brave the streets on All Hallow's Eve. That means Brooklyn, Katana, Lexington, Broadway, Angela, and even Goliath are in real danger! Will they survive this cruel trick, or become a treat for the marauding Quarrymen? Find out in October with this all-new 40-page special featuring a 28-page main story written by Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN!

Hack/Slash: Back To School #1 (of 4) - Zoe Thorogood

Slasher hunter Cassie Hack is only just getting used to her man-monster partner, Vlad, when she's drawn into a new case involving a murderous bunny mascot, dead kids, and an entire squad of maladjusted teenage serial-killer hunters!

A completely new chapter in the beloved, long-running series that's perfect for new readers and old fans alike, just in time for Halloween.

Headless Horseman Halloween Annual #1 - David Dastmalchian, Valeria Burzo, Phillip Sevy & Lukas Ketner

Boils, ghouls, vampires, monsters, and creatures of all kinds, welcome. Take a seat, go on, fill the aisles, relax your fangs, and sit with us for a while. Join us in a macabre and magical journey through all the haunts and spooks that keep you up at night for here we revel in the darkness and present to you a chilling, nay petrifying experience as the Headless Horseman presents a collection of five terrifying tales to warm up your cold soul. Hurry up now, you won't want to keep them waiting...

My Little Pony: Black, White & Blue One-Shot - Tee Franklin & Agnes Garbowska

Sorry, everypony, it seems our printer ran out of pink, purple, yellow, green, red-uh, well, all the colors except black, white, and blue! What to do with all this blue? Hmm... OH! Drumroll please...In Misty's first comic appearance, everypony's favorite blue pony is in Maretime Bay for a sleepover with the Mane 5! But when everypony wakes up...all the color is gone! It kinda looks like Violette and Skye's favorite old TV show, Betwitched-at least the years it was in black and white-but everypony can still see blue for some reason. Determined to make the best of a gloomy situation, Vi and Skye put together a plan to spread cheer. Meanwhile, Izzy helps the distraught Misty see the beauty in messy situations using the power of unicycling! Join us for a magical one-shot of color calamity before returning to your regularly scheduled programs.

Sensational She-Hulk #1 - Rainbow Rowell, Jessica Gao, Genolet, Andres, & Jen Bartel

THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK IS BACK! Jen Walters is dusting off her adjective and kicking off a new era! The best hero slash lawyer in the Marvel Universe is going to remind you why she's so SENSATIONAL, going up against her deadliest challenge yet! PLUS: MARVEL STUDIOS SHE-HULK series writer JESSICA GAO makes hers Marvel in a short story with the Jade Giant!

Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #1 - Saladin Ahmed, Juan Ferreyra & Rod Reis

Terror continues for the Web-Slinger! After a fight with SPIDER-CIDE, Spider-Man gets taken on the most terrifying ride of his life. If you think you've already read the scariest Spider-Man story ever, you may stand corrected after this one!

Subgenre #1 - Matt Kindt & Wilfredo Torres

A man is living two lives. He is a private detective in a dystopian cyberpunk future trying to solve a triple murder. But when he falls asleep... he wakes up as a wandering adventurer in a barbaric fantasy world where magic exists. Is he two separate people? Or is he a third person that has undergone a psychotic split? He jumps back and forth from sword-wielding barbarian to jaded private eye trying to solve the brutal crime. But the bigger question is, can he merge these realities without losing himself?

A Splatter Western One-Shot #1 (of 4) - J M Brandt, Tom Napolitano & Garry Brown

A chance encounter between a sideshow owner and a man with his fair share of secrets unleashes an unholy terror on the folk of Randall's Oasis and Professor Morris' Pageant of Curiosities. A grisly murder brings the attention of fastidious Sheriff Jacob Dillon. What will he discover in the desert, and how will he stop it? Read the darkly comedic Splatter Western Swallower of Shades to find out those shocking answers!

TMNT: The Best Of Bebop & Rocksteady - James Biggie

Elegant. Mild-mannered. Graceful. Two upstanding gentlemen eager to help their neighbors. Just Kidding! Bebop and Rocksteady are wild, angry degenerates with muscles the size of sedans. And they're charging toward your local comic shop to relive their greatest hits! Try not to miss the party, will ya?

Whatcha snagging this week, Fantom Fam?

[saphirafoxgirlspost1]

(Open Rp) Danny Phantom: The Ultimate Enemy in “The Angel and the Devil”

It all Started, after the Explosion of the Nasty burger. Saphira’s Good friend Danny Lost his sister, his parents, his friends, and His teacher...She was in the Human Disguised..at the Funeral..She sees danny upset and heartbroken..She hugs him and tell him that she’s sorry for the loss as a comfort..but then week later, Saphira Visit Vlad masters home where danny is now living with him...She sees danny Being strapped on while asleep with a sleeping gas mask on it...She looked at him and she change into a Goddess form and said..

Saph: “What happen to danny??” Vlad masters:” He..wasn’t so well..he’s in pain emotionally...now i have to tell you..I’ve decided to remove his ghost...I don’t want his burden to Dragged him down.” Saphira: *gasp*” Vlad Don’t!..His Ghost is pretty unstable and IT Will attack you..or worse...*Sighs* but if you insist..” Vlad: “Thank you my dear friend..” Saph:” But Be warned Vlad Masters, If you Proceed to remove his ghost..there’s going to be consequences...and trust me..you’re going to be shocked..”

She said as she began to leave the manor and began to Ride her horse Out of there...but Half way far...She hears the Screams Of dannys Ghosts as she gasp..and began to Ride off her horse In fear..She close her eyes..and sees him as she gasp..and said “Oh shit...we are serious trouble...I must leave and return in 10 years..” She began to ride off to the swamps right passed the amity park..She called valerie to keep an eye out on fentons home and she will return when 10 years is up...Then Saphira Disappeared into the Shadows...

10 years later..

The Night where Saphira returns to Amity park..Saphira Spotted the city Where it was Domed and Protect by the ghost shield..

her eyes:

Part Of the cities Is turn into ruins...as she rides off quickly before “He” Finds her..as she made it to the city after she went through the Ghost shield..She Rides to fentons Home while wearing a Lovely White Angelic Cloak made of White fur and gold threads..She dismount her horse and began to go onto the Front Door and Knock on it and she said,”Valerie...valeria are you awake? I’m here..its me..Saphira..may i Come in?..” When the Door is opened and Valrie was suprised that saphira was still young and beautiful..So she lets her in..and she said to her” How’s everything for the past 10 years since i vanished? what happen to the city?” then..She told her that it was Horrible when that ghost destroys the part of the city and saphira realized he was looking for her and she said,” He’s been Looking for me...and he thought i was here..but i wasn’t..If he finds out i’m here..He’s going to break the ghost shields one way or another..” She was scared...But the next day..Valerie gave her the watch just to communicate with her..Saphira thanked her very much..but then During the day.She got called by Someone, She answers..and she saw darkness with two red eyes..She went pale...It was him..and he said With a calm and Seductive voice.....

[ao3feed-timkon]

A Dove And Those Who Loved Her

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PZj0Yn9

by PatchieHeart

A kingdom falls in the distance. A tyrant rises in the dark. A young woman, wounded and afraid, flees the only home she has known for centuries.

In this crossover fic, I introduce to you Rokshana Tepes. Once a Princess, and one day a God- I want you to meet her, and the many people who would come to love her as she traveled the world over.

This fic was Cowritten with the help of my friends Alex, Az, May, and Nonnie in the Writer's Corner.

I love you all.

Words: 2166, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Marvel, DC - Fandom, Dracula - Fandom, OC - Fandom

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: Other

Characters: OC - Character, Victor von Doom, Vlad Dracula, reedrichards, Valeria Richards, Valeria Von Doom, Satan, Wade Wilson, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, will add more as the story grows

Relationships: Penguin/OC, VictoReed, DoomReed - Relationship, Implied Riddlebird, BatCat - Relationship, TimKon - Relationship, Harlivy

Additional Tags: Mentorship, Domestic villains, Arranged Marriage, crossover fics, i dont care how cringe this is im making it with my friends, and we deserve some cringe ass happiness, I will get you emotionally invested in this OC, Also fight me, Doom adopting an orhaned princess is totaly in character

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PZj0Yn9

[sweetloverboyy]

Every day I sit with my thoughts, looking at them and trying to understand what they want to tell me......

I live my life in third person because I have understood that I am neither my mind, nor my thoughts, nor my body.......

I see people for who they really are, I can see people beyond their masks that they wear every day, it's a skill that I woke up one day and had, after having spent and been brought down by a kind of pain that makes you feel a desire not to wake up the next day......

Everyone puts on a mask every day to hide their fears, insecurities, weaknesses, uncertainties, imperfections, who they really are, for fear of not being enough......

There have been people who have changed me into a better person, there are many names I would like to say, but fuck it I will say them......

Victor, Massimo, Andrea, Rocco, Britney, Fiorella, Diego, Ludvic, Valentina, Beatrice, Chiara, Asia, Abiola, Silvia, Giuseppe, Antonella, Eva, Giovanni, Guglielmo, Esther, Lulu, Elisa, Giulio, Ian, Jemi, Linda, Abigail, Davide, Alessandro, Beatrix, Konrad, Alberto, Sam, Pascal, James, Abraham, Gaia, Calvary, Promise, Mike, Edwin, Jeremiah, Lawrence, Luca, Stefano, Joshua, Marco, Pedro, Ulysses, Vittoria, Ruth, Valeria, Roberta, Barbara, Chanice, Giancarlo, Lorenzo, Valerio, Armando, Haytem, ​​Chichi, Karen, Kuba, Angela, Emma, ​​Giorgia, Riccardo, Roberto, Manuel, Edoardo, Francesco, Luis, Mattia, Paolo, Antonia, Candita, Martina, Sabrina, Daniel, Coco, Antonio, Emanuele, Aurora, Justice, Ebuka, Prezioso, Kyle, Adam, Ibrahim, Mohamed, Vlad, Sergio, Sebi, Zack, Alex, Victory, Yabo, Rhoda, Hannah, Oduwa, Matteo, Luke, Divine, Regina, Jessica, Thomas, Willy, Ozioma, Brian, Blessing, Gift, Alban, Kevin, Wesley, Presley, Prisley, Tobi, Ezinne, Shanice, Pietro, Brian, Rebecca, Connor, Ruud, Michela, Daniele, Eric, Amedeo, Omar, Owen, Mounir, Merem, Andrei, Claudio, Claudia, Justin, Stephany, Antonluigi, Ejiro, Yuya, Luigi, Iacopo, Karolina, Bernadetta, Michele, Jake, Larens, Emperor, Redhiel, Giovanna, Edu, Philip, Fidele, Ivie, John, Sheldon, Nathaniel, Alia, Adam, Melissa, Felicia, Neil, Gemma, Ilyas, Rebecca, Dimitri, Daniele, Isaac, Maya, Ann, Jennifer, Gabriele, Janleon, Nour, Vincenzo, Kurt, Sara, Charles..........

Many names unsaid but hugged tightly in my heart.....

Names of wonderful and special people...... My sister and I sat in the room talking about life and one thing we understood is that when we want something and then we get it, that something loses its value over time and then we want something else thinking that, that something will make us feel happy and emotionally satisfied again, but it will always and only be for a short period of time, because the things that really make us happy in life are things that money cannot buy......

My mouth is dangerous, my words are dangerous, I have learned and am getting better every day at talking to people, understanding people, being in their shoes, I am dangerous......

I can get whatever I want from a person with words, and it's not just because of my way of doing things, but rather my energy, how I carry myself, my elegance, calmness, charisma, how I am, who I have become...... This way of mine attracts many girls, my way of speaking makes them feel vulnerable, listened to, understood, seen, and all these things are things that every girl would like to receive from the person she loves and cares about...... .

Words have power, words can cause a war, words can stop sufferings, words can change lives, words can heal emotional pain, words can bring together two friends who haven't spoken for years, words can break a love that seemed indestructible, words are the most lethal weapon a human being can have, and if a human being knows how to control and use them, he will have the world and human beings in the palm of his hands.. ....

I will never be able to fully know my family, parents, brothers, sisters, friends or my girlfriend and vice versa, and even if knowing this thing should make me feel scared, I am not, this world in which I find myself In works like this, and since I can't change this thing, I have to immerse myself in it and let myself be carried away by its current called "Life".........

In 2020 the old version of David died and a new David was reborn whom even if he is not yet in his complete phase, I am very proud of him and whom he is becoming.....

He wants to be an inspiration for those who feel different and strange just because they don't feel or see themselves like other people.....

He wants to be an inspiration for those who do not believe in themselves, in their abilities and talents......

He wants to be an inspiration for his future children.....

He wants to be an inspiration for himself, and for the little David in him.................................

[kingdomcatsims]

Valeria: “There she is, are you ready little brother?”

Vlad Jr.: “I don’t even know why I’m here right now, you’re the one with the super strength, this part is your job.”

Valeria: “Fine then, just stay quiet and don’t let her get away.”

---

Valeria: “Hello Ms. Emmons. Lovely evening for a stroll isn’t it?”

Everly: “Uh...yeah. Sorry who are you?”

Valeria: “Oh we’ll get to know each other quite well very soon, I assure you...”

[yanasavchenkoo]

OLX @olx_ukraine

Head of Marketing Ukraine and Central Asia - Oleksii

Lomonosov

Brand manager of Jobs and RE Categories OLX Ukraine -

Yuliia Kozar

Brand Manager of Jobs & Services, OLX Ukraine - Iryna

Titova

Head of Jobs and Services Categories, OLX Ukraine -

Maria Abdullina

Marketing Manager, OLX Kazakhstan - Kateryna Maslova

SHOTS @shots.creative

Creative Director - Sasha Titarchuk

Head of Art - Peter Storozhenko @petrstorozhenko

Account Director - Marina Martynova @_marinaa_martynova_

Account Manager - Vitaliy Voevodin

NO STARS

Director - Eugene Gozheyshiy @igazhik

DOP - Anton Fursa @antonfursa

1AD - Eugene Shklyarevych @eugexblood

CEO NO STARS - Ivan Krutous @ivan_krutous

Executive Producer - Daria Volgina @dashavolgina

Line producer - Evelina Bialaja @msevelin

Producer Assistant - Valeria Gavrylova @v._gavrilova

Production Manager - Nikolay Poluden @mykola_poluden

Admin - Taras Golova @taras_golova

Art Department - Max Nimenko @nimenkomax

Sound director - Sergey Verdes @ohiverdes

Photographer - Misha Chubun @mikhail.chubun

Stylist - Yana Savchenko @krassavayaa

MUAH - Liliya Dzygovskaya @li_dz

Casting - EASY casting @easy.casting.agency

Playback - Sasha Sofin @aleksandr_sofinn

Gaffer - Yura Rybchynskiy

1 AC - Pasha Chyi

Focus puller - Vlad Dobryk @dao_de_do

[xvampiresimmerx]

Vlad & Valeria 💖

I did a little photo shoot with Vlad and Valeria today. I love them together so much and will post more about their lives as I progress in their story.

[artofalassa]

Happy B-day, boy!

[lesoldatmort]

LIVING TOGETHER AU | John&Vlad(&Radel!)edition

Another portion of Garfield-based strips of mine and @tarakau‘s disfunctional forced family of the wasteland. Sorry for uploading it so overdue! First set here.

Again, please enjoy the insight into this madhouse absolutely adorable postapocalyptic household.

[cno-inbminor]

gravate (chilumi)

a/n: brain isn’t functioning right now but hi welcome to this new fic, huge thanks to spence for being my beta on this, i cannot fathom my own thoughts at the moment, there will be part 2!

summary: moving to liyue might've been the best thing to ever happen to ajax, because he got to meet lumine. and as they grow up, he thinks he would never hurt her, that he'd always be there to protect her from others. he fucks that up pretty hard.

tw: descriptions of almost drowning, underage drinking, ajax being a dick sometimes // other warnings & tags: fluff/angst, eventual happy ending, modern!au, high school and later uni, mutual pining, tense change

wc: 6.3k 

part one | part two // crossposted to ao3 here!

[the beginning]

Ajax is eight when his parents sit the entire family down for the news of moving away. At the time, Anthon was two and oblivious while Tonia’s existence was there but still unknown in his mother’s womb. His older siblings were somewhere in middle and high school, and they were the most pissed about having to move to a completely different country with completely different people and leaving their old life.

“We can live here on our own!”  Older sister Valeria argued, sixteen-year-old brazenness and stubbornness shining through. In her defense, they probably could make it on their own. The duties of the oldest sibling with so many younger ones had led to the inevitable adoption of motherly traits. She very well had the firm hold needed to command two younger brothers if their parents only took Ajax and Tonia and Anthon to a new and unfamiliar country.

“I don’t want to leave all my friends -- plus, I’m only two years away from graduation! TWO!” The emphasis provided by her fingers held up and in her father’s face while he rubbed his temple (because they’ve had this conversation in private several times before) went ignored, leading her to round on the matriarch next. “Mama, please, you know I can do it! I’ll make Vlad and Pyotr do their chores and check their homework and--”

“Everything’s finalized already. Plus, where do you think we’ll need to get the money to buy a new house in Liyue? We can’t afford to upkeep both, you know that.”

The words of reason only brought more tears, and they could only sigh when Valeria shoved back, chair legs scraping harshly against the tile floor, and escaped into her room. A look of exhaustion and unease passed between his parents, and Ajax could only blink at his sister’s retreating back, not quite understanding her despair and ire. Liyue sounded interesting to him at least, and while he’d miss Snezhnaya, nothing tied him too much here.

Plus, some of his classmates were mean, and he didn’t feel like sticking around with them for another ten years.

“It’ll be warmer in Liyue, if anything.” Ajax wrinkled his nose at that -- that was something he would miss. He liked the cold. Even when it was summer, he still wore jackets and pants, and being hot meant being smelly and sticky. “But we’ll all miss it here. If you really want to, you could always come back here for college!” The last part was hollered at Valeria’s receding back, trying to get her to understand that this move wasn’t the end of the world.

And so they spent some weeks packing, getting everything together. Strangers came in and out of the house to scope out the place, Ajax took time to read various kids books on Liyue and its culture in the library, internally rejoicing in the fact that he could get away from some of the rowdier boys in class. There was a kid named Daniel who was an absolute menace and never failed to make derogatory remarks about the fact that Ajax actually enjoyed reading. “Lame and boring,” he had labelled him, and when Ajax first heard it and tearily brought it home, his mother placated him.

“The knowledge of the world is invaluable,” Irina had told him. “Stories we read and make are how we connect with others. The more you read, the more love you will have in your heart, and you’ll be the smartest out of that entire bunch. Then you can go anywhere and see just what Teyvat has to offer all of us.”

Despite the thick skin he was developing, there was still a fair amount of anxiety that gripped his heart when he walked into his new classroom, knuckles white from how tightly he was squeezing his backpack straps. So many pairs of wide and curious eyes drank him in, eager to find out who this new kid was.

“Go ahead and introduce yourself,” Ms. Zhang prompted him and he straightened his back, running the script in his head that he’d been practicing last night.

“M-my name is Ajax Alexeyev. I moved from Morpesok in Snezhnaya. I’m e-excited to meet you all.” And ended with a quick bow.

“Thank you Ajax. You may sit next to Lumine. Lumine, can you please raise your hand?”

A dainty hand shot through the air and Ajax followed it to see one of the prettiest girls he’d ever laid eyes on. That was a high honor, considering everybody had a crush on a girl named Milana back in Snezhnaya, and she was supposedly the most beautiful girl in Morpesok. But this girl, Lumine, was bright and energetic. A natural glow drew him towards her, especially when the light in her eyes shimmered as he sat down in his desk next to her. The same hand that had been his beacon was now open in front of her, silently asking for a handshake.

“It’s nice to meet you!” she whisper-yelled over Ms. Zhang’s instructions, now vigorously pumping their joined hands. “This is Aether, my twin, and Mona! You should sit with us at lunch.”

Ajax could only dumbly nod before waving shyly to the other two students sitting across from him. It was only then did he fully realize that the class was split into groups of four or five, and he slowly observed the various decorations plastered on the walls. Everything was already so starkly different from his homeland already. The shades of frosty blue had all been replaced by gold and amber, the atmosphere warmer and brighter.

Lumine spends the rest of the morning catching him up on their lessons, helpfully directing him to the correct workbooks and textbooks. Snack time was apparently built into the schedule, and when she had noticed Ajax’s empty hands and lack of movement towards his lunch box, Lumine tore open her pack of Pocky and slid it towards where their two desks met. Aether was munching on his own strawberry Pocky while Mona chose to take her time nibbling on a lychee guodong, and excitement flooded Ajax’s system. Everyone was proving to be pretty nice so far, and he couldn’t have asked for better.

“Mama, mama!” Ajax exclaimed when he saw her figure at the end of the school day, bounding towards her and recklessly jumping into her half-open arms.

“You’re not getting any smaller,” she jokingly grunted and shifted his weight to a more comfortable position. “One day I won’t be able to pick you up, then -- Oh, who’s this?”

Apparently, Lumine and Aether (but mainly Lumine) had followed him without his knowledge and waited patiently for their attention to fall on her. Ajax’s mom looked nice at least, but really, she wanted to invite him over for dinner and her parents always stressed the importance of asking for permission.

“Mama, this is Lumine and her twin brother, Aether! They sit next to me in class.”

“Druzya?”

“Da!”

At her son’s enthusiasm, Irina exhaled a sigh of relief. She had been stress-cleaning the house all day, worrying what his first day at school would be like. Thank the Archons he had been seated next to someone who seemed open and welcoming.

Irina bent down so she could put Ajax down and be at about Lumine’s height. “It’s so nice to meet you, Lumine. Thank you for taking care of Ajax here.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too! Can he come over to play and stay for dinner?”

Aether may have been just a few minutes older than Lumine, but he always figured that her lack of tact would get them in trouble one day. The girl spoke her mind and was honest to a fault at times, and Aether hoped that would change sooner rather than later.

“Why don’t we ask your parents if it’s okay first?” Irina smiled before standing back up, hand outstretched for Ajax to grab.

It was the first of many, many play dates between Ajax and the twins. Eventually, the families became closer as well, and Irina was happy that they could form a strong connection with others so early in their move. Additionally, she was already plotting for Lumine and Ajax to get together somehow, but her husband warned against meddling too much. Despite how chaotic the two could be when put together, they were a healthy storm, just the right amount of wind and rain, clouds and sun.

-

Ajax grows to be a person of pride, basing his self-worth to be contingent on numbers and accomplishments. Long gone are the days of his timidness and insecurities. He relishes in the fact that his name is at the top of many leaderboards at the local swimming arena. Even more so, he enjoys pushing himself to his limits, and choosing the hardest events for himself so he could just prove his prowess, his unnatural abilities and talent for moving through water.

But despite those times that were clocked in and heralded, the fastest he felt he’s ever swam was to save Lumine.

They were 12, families out at the beach on a partly cloudy day, white sands and slightly choppy waters, and he had challenged her to see who would be the bravest and swim as far out as possible.

It’s not that they weren’t capable. In fact, Lumine and Ajax had been taking swimming lessons together for years, but Lumine didn’t care too much for the competitive aspect of it. Not that it wasn’t fun or that she wasn’t competitive, but she found that adrenaline in other things. She and Ajax liked to challenge each other from time to time, and when taunted properly, she could never say no. Mixing headstrong and stubbornness, you get the perfect maelstrom.

So Lumine had swam and swam, glancing back with glee when Ajax was slowing down and creating more and more distance between them. He didn’t pursue and instead bobbed in the water, amazed at her ferocity and the lengths she could go to.

But then the cramp hit, and it hit hard.

Her blood ran cold, her lungs seized up, and she struggled to paddle in place. It took everything in her to turn in his direction and send him her most panicked look, calling out his name once, before her nose ducked beneath the surface. Her arms could only propel her upwards so much, but Ajax had thankfully seen it and darted towards her without a second thought.

Guilt and fear were the two main drivers in how quickly he swam. “Hang on!” He had yelled desperately, wishing he was taller and stronger. Ajax would never let himself live if anything happened to her.

“A-Ajax!” she cried, doing her best to stay afloat and stay calm. Her body was slowly sinking, one step forward but two steps back, and the thought that this could be the end struck her to the core. Her nose and lungs burned from the accidental inhalation of the salty water, her eyes stung and could barely make out the sunshine above the surface. Instead, beneath her was an unknown depth that loomed closer and closer as her limbs were drained of any strength for survival. Lumine thought of her family, the memories she wouldn’t be able to make, the fact that she would die without ever mustering up the courage to confess her love to Ajax, and she no longer could distinguish the difference between the sting of the salty ocean and the burn of her tears.

But her best friend had managed to reach her, use newfound adrenaline to lift her up and hold her, squeezing her tightly to his chest as he kept them afloat. Instinctively, she clung to him, arms and good leg wrapping around him, sobbing and coughing as her tears seared and scorched her cheeks. He did his best to comfort her, rubbing the spot between her shoulder blades while he struggled to bring them closer to shore with their combined weight. The waves helped push them along, and Aether met them in the middle, a bit displeased that his twin refused to let go of her savior until they were back on the sand. Their families had her wrapped up in a towel, Ajax’s fingers digging softly into her calf to try to massage the cramp out, and mother handing her a water bottle to rehydrate.

Lumine never ran from a fight. Even when things got hard, she would be motivated to do better and succeed. So when she made the executive decision to quit her swimming lessons the next day, her parents said nothing at all. They made the call to the coach right after and never spoke of it again.

-

“You’ll never really have to get in the water, you know.”

“I get that, but are you sure?”

“It’d let us spend more time together and Mom can pick us up and stuff. I feel like we never see each other anymore, you’re always in jiujitsu classes and other after-school stuff while I’m stuck here.”

Lumine scoffed at his fraudulent upset tone. “You live to swim, Ajax. I know you love it.”

“Okay, maybe, but when was the last time we really got to hang out?” he whined.

“Last weekend,” she replied, deadpan. “Literally three days ago.”

“Being with the family doesn’t count. We’re high schoolers now, we can’t hang out with my little siblings all the time. People think it’s lame.”

“Since when have you cared about what people think of you?” An arched eyebrow met his ire.

“I’m just saying,” defensiveness laced in every word. “We could hang out at the mall? I’ve been saving up my allowance to buy those sneakers I’ve always wanted…”

“We’ll see,” her own fingers tucking back stray bangs. “You really think I should apply for this position?”

“Please, yes. I’ll put in a good word for you, and you already know Mona, too! It’ll be fun.”

Lumine had been avoiding large bodies of water for some time now. Even when they have picnics on the beach, she never goes more than knee deep, an odd mix of serenity and anxiety crashing into her with the foamy waves. Ajax has a tendency to hover when she enters the water, body poised and always ready to catch her if she falls. In a pool, she knows her feet would eventually touch the bottom, and most days, somebody would be there to save her. After all, she’d be severely concerned if not one person on the swim team could at least pull her to the shallow end.

“These arms aren’t just for show,” Ajax joked once, biceps expanding as he curled a thirty-pound dumbbell towards him. “You think I’d ever let you get hurt on my watch?”

Lumine was fourteen, almost halfway through her ninth grade year, when Ajax made this proposal to her. Senior managers were leaving and were looking for eager (but mature) underclassmen to initiate and train. So far, Ajax hadn’t complained much about his time with the team, even borderline idolizing the upperclassmen who consistently competed for the school at big events. They, called ‘The Harbingers’ were praised by the general student body, despite the fact that, in Lumine’s humble opinion, they were obvious in their condescension and constantly looked down on everyone else. Sure, Signora had a pretty face and Dottore was the bad boy of many girls’ dreams and wishes to tie down, but Lumine wasn’t a fan of some of the things they’d spout off to Ajax, even giving him the nickname Tartaglia.

Ajax had taken it in a very positive manner, even more so when other students started calling him that in class. He was quickly making a name for himself in Liyue’s swim world and couldn’t deny the gratuitous ego boost, especially when clearly inferior competitors would actively avoid him in the locker rooms and look away with thinly veiled nervousness. Being able to touch the wall, break through, whip his head around, and see that the other swimmers still had a few seconds left on them, was becoming more and more intoxicating.

Needless to say, part of Lumine had accepted because she wanted to keep an eye on him. She didn’t really like how Ajax had been acting, eating up the Harbingers’ words like they were gospel, staying later and later to push himself way past what was considered a healthy swim practice, and trying so hard to be cool. The word itself made her cringe and shutter. What she loved about Ajax was that he had grown out of his shell and was unabashedly himself. Trends would come and pass, but he stuck to his beliefs and didn’t let the pressure of teenage worries get to his head. There was nothing wrong with being a top athlete, excelling in academics, and always being eager to spend time with his younger siblings.

But another part of her wanted to say no. Hormones were just icky and stupid, and her feelings for this lanky shithead of a best friend was starting to get out of control. If she could get used to seeing his stupid face and stupid body and stupid hair when it’s all mussed from the swim cap and his stupid eyes that shine a little when they see her, then she would have no issue with this position. She could stick around for three and a half years and be a part of Ajax’s journey.

Unfortunately, it was a work in progress that she thought she’d have completed after so many years of swim classes together. So slightly against her better judgment, she acquiesced and filled out an application.

When she showed up for the first time, Ajax was beyond excited. His lack of self-control was evident in the way he immediately bounded over towards her during a briefing, practically glomping her in his half-naked glory. “You made it! The other managers are over there,” he pointed over in a far off corner. “You won’t regret this!”

Lumine simply waved him off as he jogged back to the rest of the team, giving a half-hearted apology when the coach berated and punished him with an extra five laps for warm-ups. Ajax really thought it was worth it and swam those laps with glee, basking in the ingenuity of his brain for putting together one of the best ideas he’s ever come up with.

-

[the beginning of the end]

Ajax was starting to regret ever recommending Lumine for the position.

He couldn’t lie -- having her around during practice was invigorating. She had always been his biggest supporter and everybody knew their connection at this point. Lumine was a hard worker and the coaches never complained about her. She dedicated herself to the team as a whole, which was endearing to a certain degree, but Ajax could feel himself internally pouting at her shared attention. He had wanted her to show a completely justified and unfair bias towards him, but many of the other team members (save the Harbingers) were starting to dote on her, and he didn’t know how to feel about it.

They couldn’t help it, and Ajax knew exactly how they felt. Her brightness and devotion could probably warm the iciest of glaciers, as cheesy as that sounded, but he wouldn’t be surprised if he took her to Snezhnaya in the harshest winter days and coincidentally experienced a warm front.

“She’s like a little lighthouse, isn’t she?” Signora drawled in his ear, ripping him away from his fixation on Lumine. She snapped her goggles over her swim cap and parked herself next to him on the edge of the pool and feet wading gently beside his own.

“Lumi’s like a star,” Ajax agreed. Signora almost snorted at the dreaminess in his voice, wondering how long he could go without Lumine ever finding out about his feelings. Everyone else saw it as clear as day.

“And like all stars, she belongs to everyone. It’d be best for you to stop looking like a kicked puppy anytime she doesn’t spend more than two minutes with you.”

“I do not look like a--”

“That’s besides the point,” she interrupted him. “Don’t you think she enjoys the attention?”

“...what’s that supposed to mean?” he inquired, hackles rising. The implication in her words weren’t missed.

“Whatever you think it means,” her smile grew smug as she lifted her feet out to stand up. “Didn’t you say she joined for you?”

Signora gave him no time to answer her, indicating that her question was meant to be rhetorical. But her words struck the tiny fissure of jealousy on his heart. They imbued it with darkness and something vile, letting it fester and cloud his judgment. Then, his frustration would become fuel for his energy, to push himself to not only be better, but to forget and replace it with the thrill of victory. His wins would become his priority, and he would put his dreams of love on the backburner.

Just as she intended.

-

“You’ve been hanging out with the other Harbingers a lot.”

“They’re good people. Helped me improve in the 200m butterfly.”

Ajax doesn’t like the sigh that leaves his friend’s lungs. “I literally saw Pucinella bully a sophomore for snack money yesterday. You call that good?”

“He’s an exception.”

“Dottore made another girl cry last week. Rumor is she lost her virginity to him at a party and he dumped her right after.”

“Dottore’s never been serious about anyone. She shouldn’t have expected so much from him.”

“Ajax, seriously?  Are you hearing yourself?”

“Look, they’re really not that bad, Lumi. Look how much I’ve improved! Coach’s normal training routines are too easy for me, y’know that.”

“You mean doing crazy routines that make us stay an extra hour and leave you absolutely exhausted? Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Oh, speaking of, can you cover for me again this Saturday? There’s a party at Signora’s with some of their upperclassmen from uni.”

“Again?” She hisses, then steals some bean sprouts from his plate as punishment. “This is the third party this month! You know all that beer isn’t good for you.”

“It’s not that bad,” he waves her off. “They’ve got this whole cleanse routine to make sure Coach doesn’t suspect anything. Come on, pleeasseee?”

Lumine’s silence speaks louder than the cacophony of the cafeteria. Luckily, it’s just the two of them at some corner table tucked in the back.

“Lumi, people who party aren’t all bad, end of story. Hey, why don’t you come with me? Loosen up a little?”

“I don’t have an issue with people who party and drink and smoke weed, Ajax. In fact, I really could give less of a shit. It’s these particular people I have an issue with. Kaeya went last week for like an hour and then bailed to get Xingqiu out of there so those assholes would stop pressuring him into playing another round of beer pong when he was clearly smashed.”

Lumine has a point, but Ajax would rather swim an extra 15 laps than admit it right now. “It’s his fault for being a lightweight.”

The signature sigh of defeat hits him once again. “And you don’t have anything else to do this weekend?”

There’s a slight tone to her question, as if she knows something he doesn’t. His eyebrows furrow as he wracks his brain -- Ajax was pretty sure there was nothing else happening Saturday. Right?

“I’ll get homework done Sunday, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her shoulders sagging is never a good sign. Ajax is aware that he’s not exactly the easiest person to deal with, but that’s what was so special about Lumine. No matter what, she’d be by his side, and he could always rely on her. Right?

She slams her chopsticks onto the metal tray and slings her backpack over her shoulder. Tinges of panic begin to enter his system.

“W-wait, where are you going?” he asks, inner turmoil leaking through.

“The bell’s about to ring.”

And true to her word, the PA system crackles alive and blares the infamous bell shrill throughout the cafeteria, signalling the end of the lunch period. Relief floods his lungs as he gathers his own tray and stuff together. “Wait for me!” Ajax calls out, making sure to never lose sight of her in the crowd of others.

Before he knows it, Saturday comes. The swim meet in the morning goes without a hitch, many places on the podiums overtaken by Ajax and the other Harbingers. His personal bests leave him at an incredible high and the smile on his face is overly triumphant, stretching the muscles to their limits as he approaches his family.

The younger siblings all greet him with hugs and congratulations, his father clapping him on the shoulder and his mother pressing an affectionate kiss to his cheek. Not long after, Aether pops up from nowhere with Lumine and sends him a tight smile. “Nice job out there, Ajax.”

“Thanks man. Lumi, did you get those times down? Personal best in the freestyle 400m and the 200m backstroke!”

“You bet,” Lumine replies, her own grin eerily similar to her twin’s. “Oh, Tonia, Anthon. You two still wanted to go to the movies tonight, right?”

Wait, what?

“Yes!” Tonia exclaims. Giggles leave her figure as she sidles up next to Lumine. “Ajax, you’ll get us popcorn, right?”

The expectant look the blonde sends him is his answer to everything the past few days, now knowing why she had asked him the question of his plans for tonight that day in the cafeteria. He did plan to take them to see a movie after the competition today, but…

“I’m sorry, printsessa,” he decides and gets down on a knee before her. “The team is getting together for dinner tonight. Can I take you out next week?”

“You said you’d go with us today!” She whines, bottom lip quivering. Normally, that action alone would rope him right back in and he would agree to anything she asked.

“...I’m really sorry. Next time, printsessa.”

“But--”

“I might not be Ajax, but if you let me, I’ll happily buy you and Anthon popcorn,” Aether interjects, making a dramatic bow with an arm bent over his stomach. The fond smile he gives her manages to stop her tears, and she returns it with her watery one. Irina gathers them up and ushers the group out to the parking lot to go home.

Ajax does his best to ignore the hot poker of possessiveness, feeling like his role as the idolized big brother is in danger. Sure, it was partially his fault for forgetting about the movie, but he really didn’t want to miss these parties if he could help it. Old alumni would sometimes stop by and recount stories of their glory days -- Ajax would listen with rapt attention, or as much attention as he could give when he was incredibly tipsy.

There was also one perk at the end of these parties that may or may not be a significant force in motivating him to seek the ironic high of alcohol consumption: waking up to Lumine in her bed.

At first, Ajax would just sleep over at the house of whoever the host was, join the team for a greasy breakfast at Wangmin’s, then do his best at acting sober when he got home. But one night when he had one too many shots of cheap vodka, he demanded Dottore to drop him off at Lumine’s on his way home. En route, he had called her and asked her to leave her window locked with heavily slurred speech. Sure, she was moderately upset at having been woken up at two in the morning, but the panic had overridden that when Ajax miraculously climbed the tree and gracefully jumped through her window.

He doesn’t remember much after that, but the bliss of having her warm body next to his was unforgettable. His leg tangled between hers, his arms wrapped around her petite body, her breath tickling his collarbone, how perfect she felt against him, her hands slightly curled up against his chest -- he could go on and on. And so it became routine, his way of having Lumine cover for him when the team was “having dinner” or “hanging out, studying, and sharing notes.”

Because if he couldn’t have her during the day, sober, and selfishly all to himself, then he would have to settle for the opposite.

-

(Little does he know that this party was going to change everything for him and Lumine.)

-

Lumine shouldn’t be surprised when Ajax’s custom ringtone goes off quietly next to her ear, yanked out of her dreams and eyes now snapped open. Her hand fumbles for the device next her and slides over the green button before letting out a groggy, “What.”

“Lumiiii,” Ajax’s loopy drawl trickles into her ear. She ignores the shiver that travels down her spine. “Lemme in please?”

“ETA?” she grumbles before getting out of the bed, one hand flicking the lock open on the window and yanking it up. “Mother of Christ, Ajax, it’s freezing outside.”

“Be there in two, love youuuu.”

“Yeah yeah, just hurry up.”

“Wait! You ha-- have to say it back,” he whines and Lumine hates that she can picture the exact pout he’s most likely making right now. Dottore’s snort is hard to miss in the background and she can’t help but roll her eyes.

“Love you too, you big dork. Be careful.”

“Will do Lumi, da skoravaaaa.” Click.

Lumine is just about snuggled back into bed when she hears the slam of a car door and grunted efforts of climbing the tree right by her window. She still doesn’t get how Ajax manages to stay so quiet when he lands in her room because everything about him just screams uncoordinated, lanky ass human stick whose growth spurt was exponential and every parent’s worst nightmare. Lumine may have heard Irina’s many complaints about having to buy new pairs of pants more often than she’d like because the older brothers didn’t have many to hand down.

“I had so much funnnnn,” Ajax whispers as he collapses onto her bed by her feet. “Thanks for letting me in.”

“I don’t have much of a choice. It’s either that or you wake the whole house up. Now go to sleep.”

“D’you have anything for me to change into?”

Lumine points to the folded pile of clothes right under his arm. They were Aether’s spare sweatpants and her spare large Liyue High tee (acquired by mistake), now assigned as Ajax’s drunken sleepover attire. Her heart skips a beat at the wide grin he sends her before he pulls himself up and his current shirt off his back, completely brazen and uncaring of her presence in the room.

She looks away and stares out the now-closed window, flushing slightly and thankful for the darkness in the room when he unzips his jeans. Like always, Ajax tosses his clothes over her desk chair before climbing over onto the unoccupied side of her bed, humming slightly as he gets comfortable and slings an arm over her waist.

“Ajax, you need to drink some water or that hangover is gonna suck.”

“The hangover can suck my dick,” he murmurs into her hair. “You’ve got painkillers, right?”

“Yes, but you still need to drink water now.”

“Don’t wanna.”

“Don’t be a baby,” she chides, slithering from underneath his grasp to grab the water bottle she purposely placed on her nightstand. “Drink half and I’ll let you sleep.”

Ajax tries to give his most petulant sigh before sitting up next to her, dutifully drinking from the bottle until she tells him to stop. His future self would thank him later.

As he hands the water bottle back to her, he recalls the tipsy round of spin the bottle. Usually he stayed out of games like those, devoted to Lumine and unwilling to take that risk. But he had been goaded and pressured into joining the circle, and it’s not like he could fight back much in his inebriated state.

“We played spin the bottle today,” Ajax confesses in a soft voice a few minutes later, half-hoping that Lumine has fallen asleep already. But the stiffening of her body in his arms kills that hope instantly, and he knows it’s too late to stop now. “I kissed someone.”

“...did you now.”

He tightens his arms around her just a little more. “I don’t even know her name. She was from another school...but it kinda sucks she’s my first kiss, y’know.”

“So why are you telling me about it?”

Ajax pulls back a bit so there’s enough room to slide his hand between them. His finger and thumb softly grasp her chin so she can look him in the eyes. Even exhausted beyond belief and given some semblance of light by the moon outside, he can see the golden storms. He’s lost himself in those irises many times before, and this time is no different.

“You haven’t had your first kiss, right?” Embers begin to spark in his blood at the thought that someone may have stolen those lips before him.

“...no.”

“Wouldn’t you want it to be with someone you would remember? Or someone you would know, at least?”

“Not if they’re gonna be a total asshole.”

Lumine has a point there.

“...can I be your first kiss?”

Her heart drops at his question. She knows he’s not going to remember this. Ajax never remembers anything he says or does during his drunken times here, and she can’t have him not remember this time.

Not if they’re going to do this.

“You’re going to forget everything in the morning anyways,” she deflects and attempts to mask the despair she feels.

“I won’t,” he argues back. The hand that had been holding her chin now just has a pinky stuck out. “Pinky promise, Lumi.”

Lumine’s heart threatens to burst out of her ribcage, pounding violently with blood pumping in her ears. Everything in her screams to just say no and make Ajax go to sleep. He could forget ever asking her such a question and she would continue to live with the burden of these memories. That’s normal, and she can handle normal.

But maybe it’s her own fatigue that addles her brain, telling her that she may never have another chance like this. She knows she holds a special place in Ajax’s heart, but maybe only as special as Tonia and Anthon and Teucer. Lumine may never experience the kind of love she craves from him, and this would be the only chance of getting a glimpse of what that might be like.

So sue her for being selfish. Let the Archons rain thunder upon her.

She links her pinky with his, reciting the lines he had once taught her years ago. “You make a pinky promise,” her voice quivers. “You keep it all your life…”

“You break a pinky promise, I throw you on the ice,” Ajax continues. “The cold will kill the pinky that once betrayed your friend…”

He’s getting closer, Lumine realizes. With each millimeter that disappears between them, the knife in her heart twists even more. “...the frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again,” she finishes.

Before she can take another breath, Ajax surges forward and kisses her.

Despite the taste of bitter vodka on his lips, Lumine tastes something sweet. His lips slide against hers to coax a response, and she can’t help but follow and mimic his actions. The gentle friction makes her heart soar and the blood rush through her veins. A warm palm travels upward to cradle her cheek, and Ajax lifts himself up slightly to angle his head and kiss her deeper.

By the Archons, if this is heaven, Ajax wants every piece of it.

Her hands are curled into his shirt as he hugs her tighter against him. Everything about her is so addicting, so sweet, and he wants more. Screw the kiss from the party -- this would forever be his first. The tip of his tongue swipes hesitantly against her bottom lip, and he practically keens at how quickly she opens up for him. Ajax is kind and gentle, seeking out her own tongue. But when they touch, almost by accident it seems from Lumine’s reaction, a whole new sensation takes over and threatens to override his humanity.

His lungs ache from the lack of oxygen, and he pulls back with regret and a heavy heart. A fire stirs in his gut when he drinks in her hazy expression, equally dazed and out of breath.

“That should’ve been my first kiss,” Ajax murmurs and fuck, he’s so tired. He can’t fall asleep now, not when he’s finally obtained something he’s been yearning for years. “Solnyshko, I… I....”

Lumine knows that the slump of his head on her pillow is the end. The current war between exhilaration and anguish tugs at her heartstrings like nothing else, and she blinks back the tears that have welled up.

Because Ajax does forget in the morning. His lips still tingle and he doesn’t know why. Lumine is facing away from him and he frowns because he’s always woken up with her front against his own. Her back is curled, as if trying to protect herself from something. But Ajax thinks it has nothing to do with him, especially as he wraps himself around her, feeling at peace with her warmth.

His sun, his star.

-

Some weeks later when they’re ice skating at the mall, Lumine gives him a particularly hard shove that causes him to fall flat on his ass. His bewildered expression says everything, and she merely shrugs before skating away, leaving him to his own bearings.

Ajax didn’t miss the sadness in her eyes though, and clearly, he fucked up.

He just doesn’t know how.

[undead-notunreasonable]

Happy Drac-O-Ween

Chapter 16 / 31

A few weeks had passed and the house was still buzzing with preparations for the girls birthday come courting celebrations. As Dracula browsed through the halls, hands folded behind his back, his eyes weaving their way from project to project, he couldn’t help but wonder: why so much faff for one day? Of course, when he was human he’d never celebrated a birthday, it was the rich that would celebrate them, they could afford them after all. Masses of food served for the masses that attended, a jug of wine & ale that seemed bottomless, and of course all the entertainment one could desire at their feet. But for Dracula, his birthday was barely acknowledged. There was simply too much work to be done to try and get that extra coin or extra trade to feed or keep the family warm. His birthday present was nothing more than a reminder that he was lucky to be alive, that he was given the gift of life. Even as he’d gotten older, and ultimately promoted to war lord & advisor to Vlad Tepes, there was no time to celebrate his birthday, not even when he’d had money to live comfortably. He had wars to plan & win. Even with his transformation to vampyre, he didn’t celebrate his ‘deathday’ as he’d call it. So, seeing all these candles, silver, silks, and lace all laid out for an 18 year old girl who didn’t even want to celebrate her day, he couldn’t work his brain around it all. Apart from the fact that it was more to impress her possible future husband.  As Dracula passed the entrance leading down into the servants kitchens, he’d heard a male cry out, and the scuttling of several feet. That’s when the smell hit him, that familiar heady scent of iron. Blood was oozing somewhere. With a lick of his lip, and a sharp in take of breath, the Count couldn’t resist but make his way down to see what all the commotion was about. Ducking his head under the door & into the servants hall, he saw several pairs of shoulders, and a leg smothered in crimson disappearing down another walkway, heading toward what he remembered was the boot room. He trailed after them quickly, partly because the smell was making him ravenous but also because he was incredibly nosy. As he entered the room, he saw that bleeding leg belonged to no other than Egon. Dracula’s eyes seemed as though they’d darkened, glaring at the human under butler, silently chastising him with his cold hard stare. “What happened?” he asked with barely an ounce of care in his tone. Gone unnoticed, due to the searing pain he was in, Egon cried out “Fell out of a tree” before knocking his head back into the hard wood of the table. Another servant reached a hand to steady Egon’s head, not wanting yet another injury to deal with. That same servant turned his head to address The Count “Our resident game keeper has taken ill, so Egon decided to hunt for the pheasant for the Duchess Valeria’s birthday instead. A wild boar had startled him, and where he’d tried to shoot that instead, he fell. I believe he’s broken his leg...” the servant, younger than Egon, perhaps around the age of 25, looked more terrified by the possibility than Egon had & he was the one with the injury.  “Have you checked it? Sometimes, excessive bleeding is merely a scratch.” The Count asked. “Sir, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be in the room. It is not something your eyes should see.” the young servant tried to argue but Dracula interjected “I served as a successful war lord for several years, I have killed & butchered many men in my time. Some blood & broken bone won’t do me harm.”  “I’m afraid it might me...” The servant muttered under their breath, where none of the others would hear, Dracula heard as clear as day.  “Then allow me to inspect it. A little blood never sat uncomfortably with me.” With that, Dracula didn’t even wait for permission from any of the staff, he didn’t need their permission, he was higher up in the world than they are after all. He’d barged past the staff, then curled over the limb, fingers lightly touching at Egon’s trouser, not wanting to apply too much pressure, merely feel if the bone was broken. Evidently, it was. He could feel the bone protruding in a fashion that was nothing as it should be. Dracula straightened himself up, turning to address the staff who’d taken a step back as he worked. “You’re going to need to hold him down.” he snapped his fingers at different men, then pointed at different parts of Egons body for them to hold down. In a short sharp shock, Dracula pulled Egon’s pant leg up & exposed quite the gruesome scene before him. The skin of his shin had ruptured, splitting in an uneven pattern, while the bone itself protruded outward with jagged edges. Egon cried out as Dracula tore the material aside, a mixture of fresh air burning at the wound, and the slightest movement causing him pain.  “Fetch me two planks, some rope, and something for him to bite onto.” he ordered about as though he was a skilled doctor. He didn’t mind getting hands on, keeping a cool head despite the blood, carefully rotating Egon’s leg, & trying to figure out the best way to snap the bone back into position. It was only a moment later that the required pieces he’d asked for had come into his position. “I need two men at my side, one holding the planks, the other the rope.” and without debate, two men had instantly volunteered. “The rest of you, hold him down tightly, get him to bite down, this isn’t going to be pleasant.” for them that was, not for him. Without a count down, Dracula snapped the bone back. Even with all his inhuman strength, it was no easy feat. For the human readers, the comparison you could have is returning a felled tree back into it’s upright position. But with a sharp snap, and not to mention a scream from Egon that could wake the gods of Hell, Dracula had managed to reposition the bone. The two men at his side instantly got to work, lining the planks either side of the leg, then wrapping the rope tightly to keep the leg from moving out of position. “Fetch Egon something strong to drink, heavens know he needs it.” He didn’t give this order to anyone in particular but one member of staff had willingly disappeared to do it, more than likely due to the fact he didn’t want to see anymore than he already had. Other staff members had gradually begun to phase out. Dracula loomed over Egon, wanting to pass a message on for his ears only. “And don’t you dare die tonight. I’m in no mood to keep a sharp leash on a newborn vampire.” he hissed at his personal blood bag.  “Count?” the young, ill looking servant from earlier shuffled on his feet “You mentioned earlier you were a war lord, and that you have no problem killing someone, this is merely a suggestion b-but seeing as our game keeper is ill, and the only man in service who knows how to fire a gun is also injured... Would it be rude to ask if... you would hunt for the prize game for the duchess’ celebrations?”  Looking from the servant, to Egon’s leg, then back Dracula thought it over a moment. He hadn’t been hunting for quite some time, given that he’d feed from Egon whenever he’d pleased, Dracula had become quite the fat housecat. “It’d be my pleasure too.”