#and it’s not a coincidence that he really grew into himself in the land of waves the first time he ever left the village all of his growth

[smuttyaf]

Tag, You’re It

𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰; 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲

wc: 4.3k

dom/sub, slapping, exhibitionism & very rough sex

The houses that you grew up around stand tall and sturdy after many years on the residential street. Trees still holding their colourful leaves while some skid amongst the ground when the wind picks up. Your free hand was buried into your pocket, feeling over the sherpa lining while the other tore the cigarette from your lips and flicked it to the ground.

Heels click against the asphalt, your ears drawing in the sound of music playing from your phone. The sun was already setting on the horizon as you made your way home; school had just finished an hour ago yet it was as if it was nearly the evening, however you were happy.

It was finally Friday and you were delighted to lay in your bed, order in food, and watch whatever movie seemed interesting on Netflix. Your teeth dug into your bottom lip when you felt the gush of wind blow through you, hand now going into your other pocket and welcoming the warmth.

The familiar sound of Harry’s Mustang caught your attention as it peels down the road, the engine could be heard over the music in your headphones. The smell of burning gas fills your nostrils as the presence of it next to you quirks your interest.

Black tires are nearly on the curb as the vibrating hum from inside of the vehicle pours out. Your eyes flick between the side view mirror to the tinted window rolling down, leather seats in your vision. The song in your earbuds comes to an end revealing the loud whistle floating in the space, it makes you roll your eyes and settle your movements.

“Hey baby,” The words were muffled causing you to tug one bud out and turn towards the black coupe.

“Hi,” You say while giving a faint smile, body turning and leaning into the vehicle. The smell of mint and weed was welcomed with the gas in the air, only making your nose wrinkle and eyes look towards green ones.

His hair was messy today, as if he woke up and simply just ran his hands through it and thought it would suffice. His leather jacket was around his shoulders with his usual black attire, fingers dressed with thick sliver rings as they tap against the wheel of the car. A beaming smile was set along his lips which only meant trouble in your eyes.

Harry Styles, the local bad boy who always found himself in mischief. Whether it was for skipping class or dealing weed behind the local corner store, he had a lengthy record already that only grew every other month. Despite everything, it didn’t help that he was a delinquent who was handsome as well; brown curls, heavily tattooed, and face crafted by cherubs, he was hot but not someone you would want to be caught with.

“You go to St. Martins, right?” Harry continues, eyes peering over his black shades and into yours. You couldn’t help the tingle in your spine, it’s happening.

“Uh yeah…” You answer, eyebrows knotting in confusion. Hmm… What exactly did Harry want? Why all of a sudden was he talking to you.

“I go to the public school across from it,” He reveals, only making you let out a laugh.

“I know… I hear,” You say, eyes flickering between his car and him. The whole town knows what Harry’s car sounds like, you could tell he was coming from miles away.

“Is it really that loud?” He says sarcastically, eyebrows pushing together with a bright smile. You roll your eyes in response, your body relaxing a bit while your hands shift around in your pocket.

“You’re a senior too?” He ask, one hand leaving the wheel and landing on the middle console, making him lean in closer.

“Yeah,” You simply respond, looking at the way his hair falls over his forehead.

“What a coincidence…” Harry remarks, smirk now stretching across his lips as he leans his head to the side. “You know I always see you walking when I’m driving home… I can always drop you off?” He suggests. You feel your heart drop in your chest and stomach twist.

As much as you want to get into this dangerously handsome man’s car, you know you shouldn’t. Yes, you both grew up in the same town together and are around the same age but, you don’t know Harry. You bite down on your bottom lip, fingers twisting in your jacket as you pull away from the door and stand straight.

“I appreciate it but I’m good,” You say, another faint smile spreading on your lips as you watch Harry’s head now lean back, charcoal frames covering his eyes completely.

“Oh come on… It’s cold and my ride is nice and warm,” Harry remarks, lips curling and foot leaning off the brakes as the car begins to peel away slowly. You shake your head and begin your previous movements towards your house. Yes, it was cold outside but it wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle, you didn’t need a ride from him.

“I can cut your walk down by three minutes,” He continues, the heels of your boots echoing against the concrete.

“I’m good!” You call back, hand slipping out of your jacket and taking your headphone to put back in your ear.

“Let me drop you home,” Harry responds, only making you roll your eyes again, chewing down on your bottom lip.

His calls proceed ranging from “I can bring you home,” to drawn out “Hello’s,” but to each one you ignored. Your feet continue to carry you but at a much faster pace than before. The only thing you can think in this moment is where the hell is anyone to witness this.

Soon, you are near the local hiker trail of your town, your head still tucked down at your feet as you peel away from the side walk and cut towards the path. Now you were stepping on dry leaves with your heart pounding through your ears, you let your head twist around swiftly to where you see Harry’s coupe.

Windows up and blowing smoke in the air as it was parked against the curb. At that point you begin to jog lightly through the forest; boots breaking sticks and hands swishing by your side as you tried to navigate where you go from there. It wasn’t normal for you to take this path home, you always stick to your usual route but now there was an obstacle in your way.

Chest heaving and heart beating uncontrollably, you kept turning your head around to see if he was still even following you. Maybe you were actually going crazy thinking that the Harry Styles would be following you just because you declined a ride home from him but, just as you twist your head around to look in front of you, you immediately bump into a warm chest, eyes peering up and locking with his.

“Did you really think you could get away from me?” He questions, voice slow as he steps closer to you, making you take one back. A smirk rests on Harry’s lips, arms linking together with the smell of his scent filling your nose.

The only thing you could do was stare, you were not expecting Harry to be standing in front of you right now. Where did he even come from and how could you not have heard him. Now your chest was pinching with pains as your nerves were driving you up the wall.

“I asked you a question.” Harry states. Lips in a line as he took another step towards you.

“I—I don’t need a ride home,” You mutter, fingers going to the ends of your black skirt as you feel over the pantyhose there.

“That wasn’t the question.” He says, hand now tearing away from him and gripping your elbow. That only makes a gasp slip from your lips and eyes bulge.

“Let go of me,” You mutter, trying to break free from his hold but that only makes him apply more pressure.

“Answer my question,” Harry insists, the strength he has on your arm pulling you closer into his chest.

You swallow once again, the wetness between your legs already beginning to flood your panties as you try to not break character. You bite down on your bottom lip, eyes flickering between the sliver zippers on his jacket to his olive globes.

“Yes.” You say calmly, the trees rustling as the sky begins to fade to grey.

The heat of Harry’s palm is welcomed across your cheek, his hand tearing away from your elbow and gripping your hair as he tugs your head back to look at you with a grin on his face. You bit down harder on your bottom lip to try and suppress yourself. Your hands move away from your skirt and hold onto Harry’s biceps, your eyes peering up at him through your mascara coated lashes as you gently try to push him off you.

“Let go,” You cry, only making the grip he has in your hair tighten as he tugs your head down. A hiss leaving your lips making your eyes flutter.

“What are you gonna do about it? Huh?” Harry smirks, pulling your hair again and that makes your eyes close and a painful moan escape. The feeling of your head throbbing as his fingers toy with the hairs, it had your thighs pressing together and teeth going back to dig in the flesh.

“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” He mutters, eyes searching for any hesitation. Fuck you were so turned on, the way he can be aggressive with you one second to loving the next.

One night after Harry snuck through your window, with shared spliff between the both of you following a heated make out session, he somehow manage to get you to confess to one of your most intimate desires. He agreed to do it however, only on his terms; which only made you grow with excitement because you never knew when he would play along to your fantasy. So, when you opted to act clueless to him and he encouraged the idea that you both don’t know each other you knew what was about to happen, and that made your heat throb between your legs.

“Yes,” You whimper, lips immediately welcomed with Harry’s, the taste of mint burning on yours. You moan immediately, hands relaxing against Harry’s arms as you let yourself get wrapped up in him.

One of his hands fall from your hair to roam down your back and cup your ass, pushing him deeper into you and welcoming you into his warmth. His other hand ran down the nape of your neck to hug the skin there, tongues twisting around each other as you submit yourself fully to him. Harry’s scent fills your nose, just the smell of his cologne alone had your knees bending in weakness. You couldn’t help how aroused you are, the feeling of his growing member pressing against you only reassures you that he wants this too.

“On your knees.” He commands, tearing away from your lips. Fingers now lace in your hair as you let your legs squat down and look up at him, your hands falling to his hips and running over his thick bulge.

Black nails fumble over each other as you undo his belt and relieve him, tongue running over your bottom lip looking at hard he is; angry veins running along the base to tip varying in size, you take one of your hands off your hip and let it dip between your thighs, the way his cock looks in front of you made you want to come from the sight.

“Hmph,” You hum, when you feel Harry’s hand tug your hair back to make you peer up at him, his face cold with lips glistening with the mixture of you both.

“Did I say you can touch yourself?” He asks, only making you shake your head slightly. This causes him to yank your head again. “I asked a question.” He stated, voice strong and raw. God, you wanted him to fuck you right there.

“No,” You say, hand tearing away from your thighs and going to fall to his pelvic bone, your other messaging his thigh.

“Good girl,” Harry hums, his fingers relaxing and massaging your scalp as you lean forward. Hands going to the base of his shaft as your tongue dips out of your mouth and runs over the slit of his head, licking over the dip before letting your lips suckle his crown.

Saliva coats your lips, sinking deeper and deeper until you find a good rhythm, head slightly bobbing while feeling him stretch your throat with each flex. Harry’s left hand welcomes itself on your cheek, letting himself have a grip over your mouth and making his hips rock into you. You halt your movements, eyes fluttering up to look up at him as he delve into your throat, lips spreading around his thick member letting him thrust into you.

“Gonna be a good girl for me,” Harry says, eyes hooded and fingers tensing against your jaw, making you moan as you tear away from him.

“Yes,” You breathe out looking up at him, hands going to the base of his shaft and running over the coated member. He looks so sexy staring down at you; hair framing his face, teeth tucked on top the skin of his lips while he focuses on tearing your throat apart just the way you want.

Your response causes him use to use the grip he has on your jaw to make you lean forward and welcome him into your mouth once again, hand now massaging whatever you can’t fit while the other ran up and down his clothed thigh.

The sound of Harry’s dick rocking into your throat fills your ears as tears begin to swell your waterline, the thickness of him down your throat only making it ache as he halts his hips, fingers holding you still as he shoves himself down, his waist halting as you take him all the way.

You watch his head knock back and the fingers in your hair relax, a sigh of relief escapes him. He holds you like that for what felt like two minutes until he pulls his hips back, a deep breath drawing from you before he’s rocking into you like that four more times and you feel your throat burn from the stretch.

A pleasant hum leaves your ruined throat as Harry pulls himself away from you, letting a trail of saliva link between your lips and his cock. “Look so perfect like this,” Harry sighs, hand slipping from your hair and wiping the string of spit.

You blink up at him, holding back tears as you feel your throat burn in pleasure. You were afraid if you spoke it would come out as a squeal, so instead you bite down on your swollen lip at the piece of thickness in front of you, glistening in your fluid.

Harry watches your gaze go to his cock, a smirk now adoring his features. His grip on your jaw releases and goes to your shoulders, bringing you back to stand up, his hands now falling to your hips and turning you around to shove you against the dried out stream that had trees framing it with others further back. It makes more privacy for the area because of the hanging branches.

Your feet stumble over the loose rocks, while your chest presses against the old tree. Harry’s hands feel your backside in his grip before taking your skirt in hand and peeling it over the flesh. His fingers immediately going to your stockings, ripping the material causing you to let out a small gasp when you feel the cool air hit your bottom.

“Fuck… Look at you,” He whispers, his hands going to your lace panties and pressing his fingers against your heat, the cold metal from his rings erupts a broken moan to escape your lips. Three fingers rub against you, playing with your clit, making the wet spot you were squatting in spread against your folds.

“Baby,” You cry, voice raw and raspy, it basically pained you to talk. Your nails dig into the dry lumber as you push your hips back.

That lands a hard smack to your cheeks, a whimper now leaving you and eyes fluttering shut. All you want was Harry to fuck you till you see stars; you want him to fill you up so bad you will be walking funny tomorrow.

“Thought you were gonna be a good girl,” Harry hums, the feeling of his hand spreads against your red cheeks were he places three more strikes on your flesh, heavy and painful due to the added feeling of the rings on his fingers. His chest against your back, member aligned with your heat and rubbing against you, making your head knock against the tree.

“Baby,” You moan, voice small as you feel his breath against your ear. Your eyes open as you prop your foot against the stump. Your backside sinking back and nearly making the head of his dick enter you.

“Want me so bad, don’t you?” Harry questions. Running himself between your dripping folds which only has you arching your back into him. You nod your head silently, eyes turning to see the position you’re in. Harry was completely towering over you, hips parallel with yours as his lips were warm against the skin behind your ear.

“Talk to me love,” He breathes into you, making you whimper and push yourself down onto him more. The head of his dick rubbing against your clit and sending pleasure up your legs. “Beg for me.” He continues into your ear, making your heart pound in your chest. You were so turned on, you want nothing more than for him to fill your walls.

“Please, H. Please let me feel you,” You mumble, left hand tearing away from the wood and skimming against his neck to run into his hair. “Please baby… Been so good to you.” Mutter dazedly, hips gently rocking against his movements.

That makes Harry hum, the noise vibrating against the skin of your neck as you feel him draw away from you and let his head breach your hole. Your tongue escaping your mouth to wet your lips as you feel him push into you, spreading your pussy blissfully as he sinks into your dripping heat.

“Mhm my good little girl.” Harry mumbles into your ear, hips meeting your backside only to draw back to dive into you again.

A raspy cry escapes you, the euphoric feeling of him filling you up just where you loved him the most. Your walls welcome him home as he picks up his motions, his lips burning into your skin as he buries himself in you with each thrust. The sound of your whimpers and torn moans was met with the wetness between your legs.

Your pussy throbs with the feeling of him diving into you, the fluid running down your inner thighs making you feel as if you were underwater. Harry’s dick continues thrusting into you so forcibly that it had you curling your fingers into his hair and into the flaking cracks of the tree.

“You love the way I fuck you.” Harry urges, his hand leaving your hip and wrapping around your throat, the feeling of his rings digging into the skin as he squeezed. Your eyes flutter shut at the feeling.

“Yes,” You mutter, your legs slightly quivering from your pussy going sore due to how hard Harry is pounding into you.

“Wanted to be fuck like this all along, huh,” He eggs on, voice so deep in your ear it was if he was your conscience. That had you biting down on your bottom lip, your eyes barely peel open to look at the broken twigs in your vision bouncing from Harry’s movements behind you. The feeling of your oxygen being slowly cut off from the stern hold he has on your neck.

“Dirty girl,” He teases, the hand on your hip shoving your back down on him with each thrust. “Wanted to be my slut for tonight,” The name he gives making you moan, and causing your legs to shiver once again.

“Yes, all yours,” You moan breathlessly, your pussy throbbing with the bubbling feeling in your stomach as your back dips down even more to accept the feeling of Harry spreading you apart.

“My good little slut.” Harry hums. You whine as his pace continues, eyes begin to flutter from the lack of air and your climax climbing up your spine.

The intense burning sensation in your stomach causes your hands to grow with sweat as he never slows down his movements, the way he was in you and whispering how dirty you are for getting off to this has your mind in a warp. It felt so good to get the fantasy that you always held in the back of your mind to finally come undone before you.

The fact he pretended to know who you were, yet continued to bother you until he had you vulnerable, you were so turned on playing back the moment of him slapping you and tugging on your hair for playing dumb to him. Just those thoughts had you expelling more wetness out of you and tug Harry’s head deeper into your skin.

He’s thrusting into you roughly as the sunsets along you both with the trees covering your sweaty clothed bodies. “So sexy,” Harry breathes into your skin, his nose brushing up against the back of your neck as the grip on your throat never loosens.

“Fuck,” You choke, vision going blurry as you felt the spit in your throat go down achingly slow.

The pulsing feeling in your clit draws up your spine and makes your toes curl in your boots, knees going weak but Harry didn’t stop his restless movements. Your lungs hammer in your chest, begging for an inch of oxygen as your pussy is drips with your sweet mixture. Your high taking over your nerves and releasing yourself all over him.

The hold Harry has on your neck relieves its grip while the one that forces your hips down was now wrap around you; lifting you into his chest as he keeps on going. Lips still pressing against your hot skin, breath blowing the tiny hairs there while the hand you have in his curls in lets go and falls into the wood.

“God you feel so good,” He rasps in your ear, the foot you had on the stump slipping and making your chest completely lean into the tree now, back meeting his thrusts even more.

The feeling overcoming your climax had you in a complete frenzy, your legs quivering as whimpers and the sound of the wetness emerging from your pussy fills your ears, your eyes begging to close but with each lunge of Harry hips they were jerking back open. Your sight being met with the darkness of the sky and the bunched up leaves by your feet.

“Love fucking your pussy,” Harry grunts, his hand leaving your throat to grip your hair in his hands and tug your head back. A whine tears through your throat, head now looking up at the natural cravings into the tree as the feeling of his hips begin to slow down.

Wet kisses press down your neck as the feeling of him draws out of you before seeping back in, the grasp he has on your hair relaxing as he begins to massage your scalp, his movements of his rolling hips slow until his seed is sinking into you.

It makes Harry groan, his hand turning your head and locking your lips together, the taste of him on your tongue as you drink him in. His hips meeting yours sluggishly until he pulls out of you, his member leaving your sore pussy and letting the fluid of you both spill out. You sigh out from the feeling of his thickness leaving and the mixture running down your ripped up stockings.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” Harry breathes against your lips. The hand he has on your hip slips between your folds and catches the fluid between his two fingers, bringing them to your face.

Your focus goes to them and licks the substance off, tongue twisting between each digit to get every drop.

“My dirty girl,” Harry rasps, his lips sinking back onto yours to taste you both.

The pounding in your chest subsides, your fingers releasing the strong hold they had against the wood as you lean into his touch. The once muffled noise in your ears welcomes the sound of Harry’s jacket jingling.

The bubbling feeling of excitement from your accomplishment tingles your ears and lets a smirk tear and break the kiss. It makes faint one run along his, two fingers that are clean from your tongue holding your jaw with the same grip he had when he was ruining your throat.

“What?”

“If you can do this, I’m sure you’re up for the other fantasies I have…”

[wannaeatramyeon]

Can we get lookism boys seeing their s/o for the first time?

Literally love at first sight and maybe their reactions?

Thanks,

Thanks for the ask! I've written a few slightly more fleshed out 'Meeting for the First Time' listed here (Gun, Goo, Jake, Johan). But let's do some other scenario for my usual suspects.

Umm...I actually really dislike the love at first sight trope. But I do like the double-take at first meeting trope, yknow what I'm saying? Here's a mix of everything!

Love at First Sight Double-Take at First-ish Meeting: Gun, Goo, Jake, Sammy, Vin + Taehoon!

Gun Park - Ultra Instinct

Gun is not ashamed to admit that it was the sashay of your hips that turned his head at first. He is a hot blooded male after all.

And then when you whirled around, asking "See something you like?"with a confident smirk and your own jet-black eyes staring back, moments before landing a throat punch.

Well. Gun is a goner. Head over heels, lying-awake-thinking-of-you obsessed.

Maybe he should have gotten a name. But two UI users meeting each other can't just be a coincidence, he must be destined to see you again.

Who would have thought Gun Park would believe in something as ridiculous as fate.

.

.

Goo Kim - Reflection

Goo detested you on first meeting. How can such a pretty face have so much venom.

All double-edged and saccharine, nothing to be taken at face value. You even had the audacity to ask if the weapon wielding was compensating for something.

And to add insult to injury, Gun had laughed. Goo didn't even realise Gun was capable of such emotion.

Ugh. Goo does not like having a taste of his own medicine.

As the day dragged on, Goo's obsession grew. It really was like looking into a mirror. Sure this reflection isn't as sexy as his usual. But. It's still pretty sexy nonetheless.

Huh, he wanders the corridors with a sly grin, wondering about you, Let's see how well you can keep up with me.

.

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Jake Kim - Business Unit for Rent

Jake, for some bizarre reason relegated to realtor duties, shows you around the vacant Big Deal Street business unit. A long empty store that, fingers crossed, after today would no longer be a drain on the finances.

"All this can be yours for 2 million won a month," he flashes his most dazzling smile. Charming and toothy that he knows few could resist.

Unfortunately, it is completely missed by you as you continue casting an astute eye over the premises.

"Ah look at the state of this. The ventilation system is awful."

Jake blinks, looking at whatever the hell you're pointing at. "It is?"

"And the walls! It'll need plastering and floors completely redone."

"Um. Maybe it has been a while since-"

"I heard the footfall is terrible here. Constantly declining. 23% down on last year?"

Your sharp eyes peer into his and he freezes. Where the hell did you even get those stats? Not even Lua or Jason would know this.

"Well..." he scratches the back of his head, thinking of what to say.

Half an hour later, after a whirlwind of complaints and pointing out flaws, you've signed a 12 month contract for less than half the initial asking price.

Shit, Jake thinks, Jason is going to kill me. Actually... Fuck. This unit had been recently renovated to attract potential renters. And footfall figures? Must be plucked out of thin air.

You completely twisted his arm with your bullshit.

Jake can't even bring himself to be mad, he's impressed. Who the hell are you? He's looking forward to seeing more of you and your smart mouth.

.

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Samuel Seo - Tattoos (let's ignore the timelines here)

Not many people pass Samuel's exacting standard on first meeting, but you do. He's frankly impressed with your work.

Someone similar to his age yet already amassing an impressive portfolio with impeccable linework and pristine colouring. No wonder you're booked out for months.

"So," your hands graze over his pecs, all strictly business yet his skin prickles at your touch. "You're thinking of your first tattoo here?"

"Yes."

"Cool, and you want it to eventually be a Sak Yant full body?" He nods. "Ok, it's going to take a while and quite a few sessions."

You give him a smile that leaves his throat dry. "Guess we're going to see a lot of each other."

.

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Vin Jin - My name

Vin holds out his phone and with his most charming smirk, asks for your number.

"Sure," you fold your arms, showing no intention of reaching for the device, "You can have my number if you tell me my name."

"What?"

"I'm waiting," And now it's your turn to plaster on your smirk.

Fuck, who the hell do you think you are. Vin storms into the corridor, ego bruised and mood soured. Ugh, whatever. He has plenty of chicks interested anyway. He doesn't need to-

The lightbulb goes off over his head. Mary must know. She knows goddamn everything going on in this school.

Vin dashes off in search for her, thoughts from seconds ago already completely erased and giddy at the thought of finally getting your name and your number.

.

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Seong Taehoon - Taekwondo

The first oddity is having someone your age show up for their first lesson. Then it turns out it's not your first.

The second oddity is when Taehoon tells you to show him what you got, you execute a perfect 1080 kick.

The last oddity, which really shouldn't be an oddity at all for Taehoon's ego, is that you are a fan of his from his UFC days and you think Taekwondo is the best.

Damn. And all that punctuated with a perfect 90 degree bow and 'Master Seong' too.

If that isn't the perfect way to worm yourself under his skin. Taehoon's going to be keeping an eye on you.

[adaptacy]

If you are taking requests, I have a pairing that I do not ever see enough of: Gale x Durge. Specifically resisting the urge type Durge. Starved for content as I am, I’d be happy with whatever is written about the two. But I’d love something involving Durge nearly killing their lover or the reveal of Durge being one of the orchestrators of the Absolute plot. In game, those scenes feel far too underdeveloped.

Durge playthrough spoilers blow the cut (Shadow-cursed lands, Last Light Inn stuff. No act 3 spoilers)

so, I haven't gotten to that far into my durge playthru but I did get to the part where you try and kill your lover and to nobody's surprise that happened to be Gale!! i was actually kinda terrified that he was going to die bcs, in my defense, I did try to kill Isobel but Marcus or whatever-his-name-was got the last blow on her first and I was devastated that Gale was gonna have to pay the price for my low damage roll. in the end ofc it was worth it cause he tied my durge up and, I mean, who's gonna complain abt that??

ANYWAYS point is, yes, I agree, I wish that scene was more fleshed out too and I am more than happy to oblige and build on the scene that we were given! Also fun fact, I hadn't actually confirmed the relationship with Gale when this scene happened but the night directly after I tried to kill him he showed me his... 'tower'. And given how horny he gets watching tav/durge beat ppl up in the shadow cursed lands, i do not think that was a coincidence LMAO

No Sceleritas here cause I'm just gonna get to the good part :D — also durge here is gonna be sorta resisting the urge, but has more or less been allowing it to fester, just not embracing it.

Gorgeous was an understatement.

Busy days — waking hours occupied by wars, sight filled only with the flashes of spells and showers of blood — were all you knew. Nights were barely any break. Smiles were more common at camp, but given the near complete lack of smiles outside of camp, it wasn't saying much. There wasn't much time to be at camp, as the original mission to rid yourselves of the tadpoles grew messier and messier with every passing battle, and each matter was more pressing than the last.

You didn't mind, really. While you were just as eager to get the incubating creature out of your head as the rest of your group, each new quest and mission brought along with it the promise of bloodshed. Adrenaline. Victory. A momentary but exorbitantly satisfying quenching of your thirst for violence. A thirst you first found unsettling and terrifyingly unfamiliar.

When you first found yourself gazing down at the bloodied body of a stranger, dreaming of the torturous pain they must have felt when they met their fate, you were disgusted. Couldn't believe where your thoughts had wandered.

You'd fought it. Refrained from telling the others for fear of being ridiculed, or losing their trust, or scaring them. For a while, you'd fought it. But scarlet liquids, screams of terror, and slaughter had become your routine.

And gorgeous was an understatement.

Peace. Security. Naivete.

One knee bent, the other lazily stretched out, the bedroll barely containing the length of his body. One hand under his head, the other by his side. His eyes were closed, the soft hazel only ever plagued by a buried longing was hidden from you now. His hair spread over one arm and on the thin straw pillow beneath his head, more messy than he'd ever let it be seen while he was awake.

His right cheekbone had a bruise on it from where he'd hit himself with the butt of his staff while swinging it, and you recalled finding time to chuckle at his mistake in the middle of the battle. Being a few feet away, he'd heard it, and couldn't help but look over at you, his cheeks red from more than the blunt force, his mouth pulled back in an embarrassed smile. The moment of shame had earned him a punch to the side from his opponent moments before Astarion managed to stick them with his own blade, saving Gale from a worse fate.

Even down here, far from the surface, it was warm enough — perhaps from the fire that burned a mere two, maybe three, feet away — for Gale to concede and discard his shirt, resting more comfortably in a pair of indigo pants.

He had been honest about his appetites. His cravings. He was hardly hesitant about revealing that part of himself to you — fortunately, he was plenty aware of the consequences that would be wrought upon you, and the rest of the group, should he risk being unable to consume artifacts if he kept his secret.

Even Astarion, who's affliction was much closer to your own, was honest about his needs. It took a lot longer, and you're not sure how things would have gone over had you not woken up the night he planned to feast on you, but his admission did occur.

You were aware of the risks of your secret. You always yearned for more, even when you were positively drenched in crimson, when you'd been messy enough in your strikes that bathing in the river the following evening caused the water around you to be tainted a diluted red. Everything was temporary. Even the satisfaction derived from fights that left your weapon with such thick clumps of gore that Gale had to hold the shaft while you scrubbed away, as if the fight itself hadn't been taxing enough on your exhausted body.

Yet they all remained unaware. Some picked up on it better than others; Lae'zel's compliments, however shallow they often were, had picked up in frequency as you allowed your hunger to get the best of you, undoubtedly giving you some heartless upper hand against the foes forced to face off against your party. Karlach found you delightful, affectionately doting over you as you imitated her own battle-induced rages, though she didn't quite pick up on your lingering stares or mild smirks when your appetite had been satisfied.

Gale was the closest to discovering the truth. Unsurprising, given your mutual favoritism for one another. When you'd butchered Alfira, you'd been quick to blame wolves. Shadowheart, immediately discomforted at the mention, believed you without a second thought. Lae'zel had jumped to blame the Tiefling's lack of defense. Astarion seemed unbothered at best. The others were too busy mourning the bard's early demise to ask questions.

But he'd found you later, kneeling by the river, just before bed. 'A devastating misfortune she suffered. A sweet, innocent soul. Misfortune is perhaps the only apt term for the loss. Terribly curious, it is — To be so savagely slaughtered by beasts that aren't even native to these woods.'

You remembered freezing, fear flashing in a quick rush across your vision, knowing his eyes were on you, studying your reaction. He was so close. You'd agreed — 'an unfortunate fate indeed' — and he'd said goodnight.

Never again was it brought up. Never again was it questioned.

And gorgeous was an understatement.

That was, perhaps, the worst misfortune of all. He had such undying curiosity about the world, and yet that curiosity never reached you, or your intentions, or your past. Too trusting.

The camp was quiet. Crackling flames, distant whispers from the shadows hanging just beyond the light's reach, and his soft, patterned, blissful breathing. His chest rose and fell, so helplessly gentle.

His staff leaned up against a rock several feet away, alongside with everyone's weapons, save for Astarion, who preferred to keep his daggers close. Today had been no different from the rest; the battles had been taxing, only seeming to increase in difficulty the further you wandered into the shadows. He'd given it his all today, and it had been worth it, as you'd managed yet another day without losing any member of your party. As he'd explained it, the more of the weave he manipulated, the weaker his spells got — at least until he was able to rest.

He lay before you, undoubtedly sapped by the day's events. Defenseless.

And gorgeous was an understatement.

Three bruises. One on his cheekbone, one persistent discoloration that sat in the middle of the dark mark of the orb, and one on his side where he'd been assaulted by the undead in his moment of distraction. In a blink, your fingers grace the bruise on his side, and they tingle. Being fresh, the blemishes swirl a deep purple into his light skin, nearly matching the tint of his pants.

Purple was his best color, wasn't it?

The twitch of your fingertips sends a pulse through your body, and you taste an itch in the back of your throat. The tadpole squirms, you can feel its short wriggle behind your eye, but its control falters. Some other sensation warms your body, easing you into a malleable, thinning consciousness, and your gaze trails slowly, drunkenly, over his torso.

Three bruises. Clear, stuck to his skin like the stars he so fondly recalls. So far from the view of the sky, and yet you find a constellation still. Another blink, and your right leg has crossed over his waist. However forgotten your past is, it grants you a waking dream, as vivid as reality; Gale Dekarios, laying under you much like he was now, his pretty face littered with prettier bruises that dot all the way down to his shoulders, his neck red and swollen, branded by the picturesque imprint of hands.

Your hands.

And gorgeous is an understatement.

It's distinct. The pulse of his arteries, teasing the gift of blood beneath his skin, purring under your fingers as they push, your thumbs hitched underneath his jaw, pressuring the veins. Your own heart is thumping, encouraging your desires, urging you to indulge.

You've tasted vindication like this before. When you awoke to the spectacle of Alfira's maimed corpse, there was serenity like nothing you knew possible. It came underlined by pride, your work preciously appalling, and you relished the piece, the art macabre and perfect.

The sweeter the canvas, the finer the design.

Gale was nothing if not sweet.

"My — Hardly the sight I was expecting to wake to."

Another blink, and his bruises are gone, save for the contusion on his cheek. Absent are the inscriptions of your hands on his neck, and his hazel eyes are revealed to you once more. Though you don't remember moving it, your hand presses against the black circle on his chest, palm pining for his throat.

You're unable to move. Unable to control yourself. Unable to win back your own consciousness. Gale props himself up on his elbows. His heart rate has picked up, and yet you don't sense fear. The curiosity in his eyes is familiar. The quirk in his left eyebrow and the smirk playing on the corner of his mouth is not.

"I do assume you meant to wake me, eventually. No harm," he says, gaze narrowing, and your lack of a response makes him huff out a chuckle, or at least part of one, as it only lasts a beat. Your eyes are pinned to his throat, reaching to find the comfort of your imagination's lens again, but your dream has been interrupted. At last, your eyes meet his, and it's the hazel that causes the tadpole to squirm again, awakening your senses once more. Gale moves one of his hands to rest on your waist, and his head recoils ever so slightly. "You look uncomfortable. What's wrong?" He asks, and you're able to sense a less pleasant curiosity, but it's still free of fearful influence.

"I'm going to kill you. You have to stop me."

His eyes widen, and still, there is no fear. He doesn't believe you. "A rather twisted joke... Not one I find particularly humorous. Albeit, humor is subjective, although–"

"I killed Alfira. You're next. No time – you have to stop me," you huff, and your confession brings on a raging headache, unlike any pain you've ever felt before. You lean forward, teeth grit as you groan, and Gale squeezes your hip for a moment. Though the reverberations in your head are overwhelming at the least, you finally catch a hint of fear from the wizard, and you're thankful for it. At least a part of you is, though the beast that brings on your headache is only bubbling to a rage, furious that you would dare turn against your thoughts. You've not committed a betrayal against your own conscience, but instead, betrayed your destiny, refusing some urge that is larger than yourself.

With what little remaining control you have, you push yourself off of him, and he's quick to rise to his feet. Your eyes squeeze closed, fighting the unwelcome entity with the rest of your energy, though given your excursions earlier in the day, that energy is quickly dwindling. Your knees press to the dirt, the heels of your palms pressing to your temples as you keel over, an aggressive, roaring nausea plaguing your senses, soon joined by an even more violent malignity that rips into your control as though it means to test you.

You want him dead.

A wonderful bath his blood would provide — A marvelous crack his bones would sing — A remarkable terror he could feel. He will suffer.

There's a firm squeeze on your arms as they're yanked behind your back, and you writhe, fighting your cravings as they fight your containment. The hold is followed by a burning scrape on your wrists as they are hastily, and uncomfortably tightly, bound by rope. Your head swings, but Gale manages to pull back in time, his reflex causing his grip to falter, and you fall to your side, rolling towards his bedroll.

He frowns, eyebrows pinched inward and he kneels in place, a few paces away, reading the situation and assessing just how much of a threat you pose. Gale glances at where Shadowheart and Karlach lie, still miraculously sleeping soundly despite the struggle occurring no more than two yards from where they reside. His attention returns to you. "Easy. Should you retain any control, I merely request that you refrain from indulging in... whatever your intentions may have been. Greedy as it may be, an explanation certainly wouldn't hurt."

There's a command, conjuring as a sensation rather than a verbal declaration, and it rings through your entire body. You're unable to decipher the apparition's ambition, but your muscles act nonetheless. It fights — you fight — against the rope, and there's a flare of savage discontent when you're unable to free yourself. "You're better off as my prey! You will suffer a purgatory worse than any of the hells could manage," you bark, and your words are not your own. The control he speaks of is entirely silenced, leaving you an unwilling vessel, forced to submit to the will of your past.

"Not the answer I would have preferred, but an answer nonetheless. Yelling will only stir the others from their slumber, and I predict they won't be as understanding as yours truly. You should consider taking up a quieter tone," he advises, and you growl, forcing rashes into your wrists as you wage a war on your binds.

"I will spill your blood before this night is through!" You yell again, and Karlach shifts where she sleeps, stirring a flash of worry in his expression. "Wake them! I'll slaughter them all the same!"

Gale cringes, conflicted for only a moment before he overcomes his internal argument, and he quickly rushes to your side. You bite at him with a rabid ferocity, and he sits behind you, pulling your body closer to his own, even as you squirm and fight him. Shadowheart mumbles, bordering on the edge of lucidity, and Gale curses out a whispered "Godsdamn it." He huffs, irritated just as much as he is scared, and his palm presses to your mouth, his thumb keeping your jaw shut — or at least trying to keep it shut — as your head is pulled against his shoulder.

You mumble, fervently antagonizing him, your muffled words being split up only by the subtle flinching of your jaw as you attempt to bite at his hand, all to no avail. His grasp is tight, nearly rough, keeping you as restrained as possible, and he watches Karlach and Shadowheart with apprehensive dread, his focus painfully split between concern for you and fear of you.

Gale looks down at you, his expression firm and yet, against all odds and expectations, somehow understanding, even if it is incredibly mild. "I've seen you tear apart the most ferocious of beasts. Foes that would make Bhaal himself tremble. You always prevail. You must defeat this — whatever it is." He nods, but his encouragement is not what you want to hear; you thirst for his terror, you thirst for his pleading, you want to see him tremble. His tone softens, and he squeezes your jaw, almost tenderly. "I'm right here. No blood will be shed tonight. Fight to your heart's content; I will not give in. You cannot give in, either."

Your heart is all that remains of your better judgement, and it aches at his promise, though the guilt and appreciation is quickly whisked away by your burning rage, your need for violence. You persist, as does he, correcting your every shift, no matter how exhausted he grows. Certainly the most stern you've ever seen him — more disciplined than you knew he could be, but you have little room in your mind to process that. You despise the way that he cares, the fact that he is just gentle enough not to injure you as he restricts you, the understanding in his expression, the near nurturing tone he takes on.

Yet it's the affection that eventually subsides your bloodlust, willing it to retire, however angry it remains. Angry at the loss, angry at the incompetence, angry at the devotion. Devotion to the wrong subject. Gale wins, ultimately — and by some affiliation, so too do you. A temporary victory, you're well-aware, but even if it isn't permanent, your body becomes your own, your thoughts and feelings along with it.

Exhaustion is the first burden you bear upon your return, and Gale is hesitant to ease his grasp on you, but he takes the risk, and you can't muster the energy to move away from him. Your head pangs with a narrow pain, manifesting as a faint ringing in your ears, and your wrists sear with sharp bites from the fraying rope. His hand releases your mouth, shifting quickly to your shoulder as your torso threatens to fall over, your buried rancor having completely wasted away the last of your energy.

Gale sighs, his own muscles easing up as he inches backwards, allowing you to lean more comfortably, and with a bit more stability, against his chest. One of his arms stays displayed over your abdomen, quite possibly still a little worried you might lash out again, and you didn't blame him for exercising caution. You lean into him, mostly because you lack the energy to do much else, but also because you want him to understand that you are beyond appreciative. "I'm sorry," you mumble, your voice hoarse and barely above a whisper — barely audible at all, really.

"I know. You're okay. Rest now, you'll certainly require some form of rejuvenation if we intend on defeating Ketheric and... Well, repressing whatever it is that you find yourself cursed with. And I assure you, I do so unquestionably intend on assisting you with your affliction. After all, I'm quite fond of my vitals, and I've no interest in seeing them spilled." Gale's tone is almost lighthearted, but genuine still.

His arm releases you, and he guides you to rest your head in his lap, allowing you to experience a little more comfort. Your eyes close, and you fear sleep — you know the possible horrors you could cause when you're left defenseless against your bloodlust — but you feel it taking you nonetheless. Gale doesn't untie you, not yet anyways, and it provides the slightest of reassurances. Worst case scenario, you know that, should the urge take advantage of your rest, Gale will expect it this time.

"Perhaps a poor time for confessions," he begins, his hand brushing stray hairs from your face, "But I must admit, the notion of you becoming lost to that rage is not a concept I'm anywhere near comfortable with. Keeping my heart beating is one motivation, and a strong one at that — but I hope you understand that keeping you safe is also immensely important to me. In all honesty, I'm... not sure what I'd do without you. I worry enough witnessing your engagement in the violent affairs we do so often find ourselves tangling with." Gale pauses, and clears his throat, shifting nervously. "Apologies, pay me no mind — A little shaken up, I fear my feelings may be getting the best of me. Rest. We'll reconvene come morning."

[jinngonjin]

I haven’t even thought of a title yet 😭 but here’s a blurb of an OC x Hunter x crosshair fic I mean to write. This is basically my first time writing and posting here so I have no clue what i’m doing :(

This fic is pretty much in a made up time line, basically no order 66, it’ll start off slightly angsty but i really mean to take this in a fun direction. Imagine a cheesy shore leave, parties, everyone’s drunk and happy, Anakin’s safe and happy, etc… ‼️

WARNINGS: Even if I don’t plan on writing smut, i’m planning on having suggestive themes, slight NSFW, and heavy language. For this, MINORS DNI! I also won’t be writing any cloncest or padawan x master because it makes me uncomfortable ‼️

~anyways~

Prompt/summary:

Prologue of when Jyn, a strange Jedi, makes her way to clone force 99. Jyn once confided in hunter and revealed her troubled past to him, only to unexpectedly spark tension between the walls of their newly acquired marauder.

Prologue: Part 1

hunter had always taken a particular interest in Jyn. It wasn’t just for her mysterious scent, or smooth accent, but her overall demeanor and pride.

ever since Grandmaster yoda stationed the young jedi as the general to clone force 99, since their very first meeting on the landing pad back in coruscant, hunter had noticed that she carries herself with pride, a cocky attitude along with a cold, unbreakable surface. she almost reminded him of crosshair, except, when she warmed up to the batch, her ice cold defense melted, revealing a poised, but wild assassin.

She had never been like the other jedi, though she rarely talked about her past, hunter couldn’t help but notice how the other generals seemed to act around her. Kenobi, in particular, would walk on eggshells, very careful with his words but watchful with his eyes. the others seemed to tense up ever so slightly, but just enough for hunter to notice.

It wasn’t until Jyn finally spoke, “it has you wondering, sergeant? hm?”

hunter was taken out of his trance, “sir? what do you mean?”

Jyn chuckled, and gave her sergeant a rare smile, she knew he was curious about her background and instead of opting for her usual mysterious demeanor, she chose to confide in the handsome broody clone.

in her own words, she described the bloodlines in coruscant to rarely ever intertwine… “you see, with a population of a trillion could you even think of the chances that i’ll end up with these… genes?” she laughed again, hunter only deepened his gaze, as he could only wonder what she was getting at. “one could say i’m just so unlucky” she began to describe a family tree ever so unfamiliar to Hunter, who could barely follow, until he heard a familiar name. “And who would’ve thought the qui gon Jyn to intertwine a young, noble woman?” Hunter cleared his throat, that he knew. He had always assumed that Jyn’s apparent exile was due to the nature of her father’s affair, but as it seemed there was more to the rumors he picked up from other clones. Jyn continued, “there was no attachment of course…” but then she began to describe her mother, a noble woman from the topside of coruscant who wore an ancient ring only qui gon noticed to be none other than Revan’s. As he grew curious he found himself bewitched, unknown to him, he had released an ancient sith curse meant to taunt Revan’s bloodline. Hunter’s eyes widened, “you mean to say-“ only to be quickly interrupted by Jyn, “Oh yes, what a beautiful coincidence” Jyn tapped her fingers, nervously narrating the abomination that lead Qui Gon to return to the temple, that rainy day, that same damned day he had to wrap his daughter in his capes, running to seek counsel from his Grandmaster, who couldn’t help but be horrified. “A curse, that is” with his boney green finger, he pointed at the child “a midichlorian that is” Qui gon was horrified, only ever hearing tales of such children born to destroy, unbalanced beings with so much turmoil, they reek of destruction and malice. He couldn’t even help but feel remorse at the little child wrapped in his hands. Even at her arrival a life was taken, her mother perished as she birthed the forsaken child. Qui Gon couldn’t even bare to raise such a monster, but a willingness rose through the force, a vision he could only seem to see. “I must raise this child, I must train her… Jyn, I must make her one of us”

Coruscant had never seen such a rainy day, thunder blazed through the cityscape, echoing especially loud in quiet halls of the Jedi temple. The council had gathered in an effort to make a decision, yet none could be found. reluctantly Yoda agreed to raise this Jyn, finding it safer than to cast her away, fearing what such power could mean to the council.

And it was until her father succumbed to Darth Maul’s crimson blade, Jyn was following her father around like a lost puppy, clinging on to his teachings, shying away from the younglings that stopped to stare as she made her way through the halls.

soon she was under the mercy of the council, she saw how they accepted younger skywalker, despite his turmoil. she could only hope to have the same fate. But as she watched the flames devour what was left of Qui Gon Jyn, not much hope was left for the young girl.

it wasn’t the only time she was in the presence of the council as they debated her fate, multiple times she clung behind her fathers robes listening to their careless remarks about her nature. but now she was alone, trembling under the eyes of watchful jedi, it seemed as yoda’s eyes pierced into her soul as he announced her organized exile.

she couldn’t help but feel sorrow, as the guards escorted her to the B’tshan Jeddai temple, an old temple where jedi went to retire.

There Jyn was alone, until finally Mace Windu decided to train the little girl…. a vision that compelled him to take her under his wing, he handed her her two amethyst lighsabers back, and harshly molded her into a pious soldier.

The brothers welcomed home an even larger ship with Jyn’s arrival. The marauder 2.0 was a large vessel, equipped with a medbay, multiple quarters rather than bunks, a kitchen, lounging area, and per jyn’s request a large meditation chamber.

That had become their little shared home, a dysfunctional family of six, each with their own little quirks and problems.

but Jyn. Jyn was hunter’s biggest puzzle. He hated how much attention he sought from her, and when she chose to confide in him, he let it all get into his head. The sergeant occupied his mind with her image, he was perplexed… hell? why does he even care if she gets along with crosshair? why does he care when she bonds with tech over little trinkets, and jokes along with Wrecker and Echo? Hunter couldn’t make sense of it himself, brushing it off every time it slightly bubbled.

“What’s this?!” boomed wrecker.

“Honeycombs from Alderaan, wanna taste?”

“Uh, sure thing Jyn!” Wrecker was grinning at the opportunity to try some of Jyn’s precious delicacies.

“what… can’t seem to pass the opportunity to eat, wrecker?” Spoke Crosshair with his signature cold tone.

“What the- EW! that’s gross” Wrecker was now gagging and coughing “what do you even call this crap? sour? bitter? eugh!”

“it’s both” crosshair said lazily as he fiddled with his toothpick

They didn’t notice hunter was already sitting at the barstool, observing them looking rather amused. He didn’t even notice himself staring until Jyn moved to look in his direction.

“yeah? she seems to like bitter… and sour things” Hunter shoots a glare at crosshair, and before he can even intervene, Jyn interrupts. “What’s that supposed to mean Sergeant?” Now this was all too amusing for crosshair, tech perked up, and wrecker was busy repeatedly washing his mouth… still cursing the taste of that.. thing.

Hunter was the first to slam his fists into the table and turn to leave the room.

the door hissed, and as echo made his way in, he was shoved by a rather angry Hunter.

“What’s the matter with him?” Crosshair scoffs still twisting and turning his toothpick around between his lips, he shrugs and then makes his way out the room.

This wasn’t the first time Hunter has such an outburst, Jyn began to think he hated being bossed around. Perhaps her new commanding presence bothered him, after all he was used to being the boss around here.

PART 2!

[deadless-corpse]

I woke up around the time I usually do. Nothing special, I roll over to give my boyfriend a kiss on the forehead. It never wakes him up, it's just nice to give him a little smooch in the morning and then let him rest.

The faint glow of morning peeked through the curtains, a streak of light gave me the perfectly horrifying view of nothing beside me.

Where is he?

He's never up early, not this early. I listen very closely to the sounds of the house. Quiet footsteps soothe my very core, I audibly sigh in relief. I collapse back into the bed. The door opens, and I smile.

It's just a silly fear, nothing happened to him. He probably just got up to use the bathroom.

"You had me terrified for a minute, baby. It's silly but I thought that-"

"You're the baby one not me."

I felt my stomach plummet, I sat up instantly. "Nate?" My heart was racing in my chest. What did he do with him? How did he find me?

When we were in foster care we got split up. I always considered myself lucky for that. My brother always had teased me senseless and had found himself in the worst possible situations.

I grew to dislike him as we only really saw each other in school and often times I had to clean up after his messes. Relationships, stolen money, dap pens, you name it, it was always me who had to smooth things over. Needless to say I was glad when my adoptive parents and I moved away.

"The one and only" His voice was light and airy, you could practically hear the smile on his face.

"Where's Noir? What did you do with him?!" I got up from bed and walked over to him. I wouldn't challenge him to fight now... that'd be stupid but I was tempted. I was highly tempted to hit him so hard he landed six feet under.

"He went out for some fresh air. You should be asking what he did to me! How do you manage that guy? Sure he's got a pretty face and all but quite a sharp tongue - a little weird too. Good taste in men though, really. I like the bitchy ones too, you take after me."

I was clenching my fist listening to him speak, I was so close to knocking his teeth out. My nails dug into my skin and I could feel my teeth grit together. I couldn't speak to him knowing that I'd start yelling and wake the kids up with a fright.

"What's the matter, kiddo? Don't miss me?"

"Didn't and I'm starting to think I wouldn’t miss you if an unfortunate coincidence happened to you."

"Don't be so possessive, man. Nobody likes a possessive partner."

"It's not possessive I just don't like you rating him like the girls in highschool. Plus it's just weird for you to talk about my boyfriend like that..."

"You get butt hurt too easy." Nate rolled his eyes and flicked on a light switch. "But I'm not here to talk about your boyfriend. I'm here to talk about something way more important."

"Noir is important-"

"Oh go to hell! You know what I mean!" Nate shakes his head.

It was now easy to see how much Nate has physically grown in the past few years. In highschool he was lanky and scrawny, all legs really. But now he was really lean and of course still tall - something I'll never be. His dark brown hair that was at one point shoulder length and usually very unkempt was neatly gelled back and short. There was faint pricklings of facial hair on his cheeks and... was he wearing eyeliner...?

I know Noir would be livid to find out I was thinking this way but I felt the prodding of jealousy in the back of my head. He looked far better than me. Enough to make me a little self conscious. I was suddenly aware that I was visible and I did not enjoy it. Okay, maybe I was more than a little self-conscious.

"I need you to actually listen to me without getting pissed off for once." Nate says, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Depends on if what you say is enough to piss me off." I rub my eyes, waking myself up a little more.

"They're right."

"Who?"

"The sisters- or- isn't it the siblings now?"

I thought for a moment, a little confused. "The Belles?"

"Yeah, they're right about elementalists."

"What are they saying about us now?" I half groan out, those two love spreading conspiracy theory type of non-sense about those with elemental powers or 'elementaists.' As an elementalist myself it makes my job a bit harder.

"It was actually a long time ago that they said this but elementalist abilities in combination hold the power to bend reality as it stands."

"Yeah but there's no proof that's true." I could hear something banging outside. I began to turn to look towards the window but Nate snapped his fingers a few times to regain my attention.

"There is proof it's true and he's right infront of me." Nate's hands gestured towards me and I looked down at myself dumbly and then back up at Nate.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I wasn't gonna let my brother die."

"You were the one who..?"

"Me and a few other elementalists, yeah... We had to do a lot of organ replacement and well.. stealing your body wasn't easy either but I think it's worth it. Minimumal scaring right?"

I pulled up my shirt to show him the long scar all the way down my abdomen, it was especially thick around my stomach. That was where Ivan had stabbed me. "That's as good as it gets, right?"

"That is one hell of a scar... but yeah best we could do little bro."

"How did you guys do it..?"

"Well I know some people, elementalists who don't mind getting their hands dirty. We had someone from fauna, lightning, water, and ice. The fauna elementalist can heal any animal, a rare ability for most fauna elementalists. Knowing about this ability I developed a hypothesis."

"Someone's finally using his brain."

"Shush you asked for the story! Anyways I theorized that if pig organs were the most similar to humans that someone's from fauna may be able to heal a human to full health if they had the organs of pig or any other animal that worked. So I gathered a group of trusted individuals to help me test this idea out. So we replaced your organs with that of animals, apart from your brain of course. The lightning elemental would have to start up your heart, and as soon as that happened the fauna elemental would have to try and heal you. The water elemental was there to replenish your blood and the one from ice was just keeping any organs on ice and your body preserved."

"If there was so many people then why did I wake up alone?"

"We all went home, we thought it was another failed attempt so I was gonna go back to the drawing board." Nate explains calmly before picking up with more enthusiasm. "But just think, if it takes just a few of us to bring humans back from the dead then how much more could we do all together!"

"I'm not getting roped up into this stuff again.. I've got people to take care of now."

Nate frowned, the corner of his lip twitching in mild annoyance. "Just think on it. Light and dark, we could do so much good together! Just- here," He handed me a card with his number and address. "I make a better business partner than brother, sorry. Just think on it a little. I'm heading out and tell your boyfriend I said I'm sorry for being a dick earlier. If you ever need like a night out for just the two of you I have a feeling I'd be a pretty great uncle to hang out with."

Nate gives a half-genuine smile, I nodded taking in what he told me. "I'll think on it, Nate. Thanks for the offer and everything and reviving me and stuff. Life has been pretty great to live."

"It had to be for one of us" Nate jokes, playfully punching me in the shoulder.

"..yeah."

He just waved over his shoulder and walked away.

A little bit later a very upset looking Noir walks into the kitchen. I had walked in there to have something small for breakfast but nothing looked particularly appetizing in the cabinets. Noir whined out the word no, stretching it out for so long I could have forgotten what he was saying.

"What's the matter?" I asked, suddenly feeling a bit concerned.

"Get back in the bed." He snapped at me, it was biteless words that made me grin a little.

"Never expected you to come onto me like this-"

"Do you want breakfast or a broken fist?"

"Fine, fine, I'm going, I'm going." I made it seem like I was gonna walk right past him and go to our bedroom but I definitely planned on a little more. As I was walking past him I quickly gave him a peck on the cheek like an impish child before speed walking away.

Noir caught up quickly with his stupid long legs and yanked me towards him by the back of my shirt. I stumbled back into his chest and he gave me a hug. He always gave such warm hugs, they were potent of comfort and unconditional love. I could feel the tension ease from my body, it was as if Nate had never came.

Then he gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. "I wanna give you a nice relaxing day so if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, alright?" I smiled to myself, how did I end up so lucky?

"Today will be perfect if you just give me a hug whenever you see me."

"Well then, I'm going to make today better than perfect then." He gave me a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Work looks like it's been weighing on you a little too hard and I just wanna make you feel better"

"Oh hun, you always make me feel better you don't have to go out of your way."

"Yeah I do, I want to. Now go lay down in bed I'm making you breakfast."

"Fine, fine." I concede, beginning to walk off again. I pause before I read the door. "By the way my brother said he's sorry for being a dick."

"It's alright I suppose, you can't particularly change your nature."

I laughed a little and shook my head before going back into our room and laying down. Things felt a little heavier now that I was alone. The card weighs on my mind as I debate eventually calling the number.

Calling my brother was something I never considered till now.

But he might have a point...

[klutzyroses]

Kiss Me Under the Mask

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairing: Drake x Fem!Reader

Tags: SFW, female reader, bit steamy, almost kisses, sexual tension

Word Count: 1808

Summary: He had only come here because he had a job to do, he hadn't expected to see her there. But now that she was there, he couldn't let her get away, could he?

Rewrite based on the Masquerade Event on the JP app.

~~~🌹

He feels amused when his companion gives him a slightly sullen glare as they went their separate ways. He expected nothing less from the secluded Galileo, really. Social events were far from his preference and he knew that even as he dragged him along. He was only able to be convinced because the sailor informed him that the vampires they were investigating would be attending. He found himself slightly glad for the covert nature of the event, allowing some secrecy between guests, the unspoken rule preventing the revelation of names and identities known to all, he was sure as he slipped his feathered hat onto his head. He, for one, thought this could be not only fun, but productive. After all, gathering information as to how the vampires operate amongst the people would definitely prove useful at some point. Even if not, he could definitely still enjoy himself one way or another. 

Between the swirling gowns, shining masks and soothing music, it surely would be no bore. Though he should at least make the effort to do what they came here for. The last thing he needed is his companion's icy glare directed at him before lecturing him for the next week. That said...Ah! There goes one of them now.

He remained at a distance, almost imperceptible amongst the crowds as striking blue eyes landed upon the man of similar height to his own, with black hair dipped in white. There was no mistaking it. He was with a woman though, in a gorgeous gown flowing about her as she twirled about like a graceful butterfly. He isn’t sure why but…hasn’t he seen this beauty before?

Even hidden by a white and gold flower laden mask, those beautiful gem eyes sparkled in the lights of the ballroom, the graceful smile of her sweet face brought a certain trembling maiden to his mind. But of course. He would recognize that young lady anywhere. And didn’t she simply look ravishing on this night?

Her dress fluttered around her like the petals of a dancing flower in the breeze of spring. Yes, she was truly a sight to behold…but she was with one of them. He can’t help the slight stab of unpleasantness flashing through him like an arrow. 

Bitterness? Or simply jealousy? Mm, yes that seemed to be it. To see her with such a beautiful smile in the arms of another, and a vampire no less did something nasty to his insides. But of course he does little but watch from afar, observing with eyes as blue as the sea. His sentiments only grew when she changed partners with a flirtatious man with azure hair. 

Another vampire? Pure coincidence or should he be concerned? The way she seems so comfortable with both….are they familiar with her? Do they know her? Are they…? All these questions with multiple possible answers.

Possessiveness and a hint of jealousy clawed at his chest as he cocked his head. His eyes no longer focused on the man but on her. A prickle of desire poked at him from the inside. He wants her to himself. He wants to claim her for himself. To steal her away. Ah, what a fun thought. Her dance with her partner ends and he considers taking his chance, but oh!

It appears the little fawn has run into a few…obstacles. A barrage of men block her way to her table, asking for their turn to dance with her. It didn’t come as too much of a surprise that so many wanted to steal a moment with a beauty like her. However, even with the mask, he can tell she was at a loss and uncomfortable. Well, he couldn’t ignore that, can he? Slipping the feathered hat onto his head, he moved swiftly from his surreptitious perch.

Y/N bit her red lips, nervously glancing around at all the eager hands in front of her. What was she supposed to do now, with all these masked men asking for her hand at once. She maintained a graceful disposition, but her mind was scrambling before her free hand, the one not pressed against her chest in alarm, was swept up by a warm, larger hand.

“Excuse me, miss, but would you allow this man who has taken your hand, to be your partner?”

Her heart skipped a beat when she met the gaze of the man cradling her hand like something precious. Those eyes. The mischievous smile. There was no mistaking who this could be. What was he doing here though? In her confusion, she nodded absently in response to his question, taken by him in that moment, completely oblivious to anyone else. She parted her lips to…she wasn't actually sure what it is she wanted to say or ask, so she thinks of the next best thing.

"Thank you sir, I appreciate that." It was a masquerade after all. While there was no doubt who this man was, she found herself wanting to indulge in this fantasy just for a moment. Like a princess taken by an unknown, masked prince, it sounded quite romantic, did it not?

Her words summoned a slightly larger smile from him as he led her to the centre of the dance floor, pulling her close to him. She could only pray he couldn't hear the sound of her heart. For a moment, she felt slightly timid, struggling to meet his eye at first, before lifting her gaze as he led her in a surprisingly elegant and graceful dance, her gown twirling around her from the fluid movements. He pulls her just a tad closer, not slowing even a moment to speak.

“You were dancing with a lot of guys earlier.” Her eyes bat adorably from under the mask, only to widen when he poses his question.

“Are they all your lovers?” That same prick of jealousy tugs at him yet again. He may be teasing…or he may not be. Either way, he will take her answer to heart.

“No…No, no, no, no, no! It’s not like that at all…!” Alright, that was too strong of a reaction. She knew it before she even finished speaking. Why she was in such a hurry to explain to him that she wasn’t spoken for was beyond her, as she feels herself flustered beyond belief. She clears her throat as she averts her gaze from his amused simper.

“I just…live with them…that's all.” That was better. Less panicked, more composed. A normal answer. She unconsciously gripped his shoulder harder than she meant to be, though he either didn’t notice or didn’t mind.

“Well, you seemed pretty close but…”

“Oh!” Her feet leave the floor as she was taken into the air by her waist, her arm coiled around his neck loosely, her gown swirling around them like a shimmering curtain. She soon felt his voice fill her ears.

“Seeing you dance with them, wearing that pretty smile…” His voice drops an octave, a sultry purr into her ear..

“Made me want to bare my fangs and steal you away.” She wasn’t looking at him, yet she knew that he had a lascivious smile on his face. She could hear it in the way he spoke. 

Like a seductive lover’s whisper, it sent pleasurable shivers down her spine as she flushed down to her neck. She turns her head to meet his crystal blue gaze, like falling head first into the ocean itself, she wanted nothing more than to fall right in and sink into the depths. His lips, indeed curved into a sultry, beckoning smirk, suddenly appeared to be inviting her, luring her into a trap she so willingly would fall into. His eyes flash with a desire as she, almost without fully thinking it through, leans deeper into his hold.

She was beautiful, enticing, alluring, utterly beguiling, like an innocent siren unaware of her charm. Her plump lips slightly parted, begged without words for some form of contact. Her eyes half clouded with want, her cheeks flushed as her breath became a little more shallow. Her racing heart caused her chest to rise and fall noticeably as her bust pressed against the edge of her dress. He wondered if she knew how incredible she looked in that moment. How he yearned to just take her for himself…

She simply couldn’t resist as he seemed to get even closer. The world around disappeared as her eyes fluttered closed. The ballroom, the music, the lights, in that moment she could only focus on the man in the mask cradling her to him with ease. She welcomed the light brush of his lips against hers, a soft caress against hers. Not quite a kiss, but not a peck either. She idly ran her fingers at the back of his neck, her eyes opening halfway to meet those mirror-like eyes as he brushes his lips against hers again. Sensual, yet teasing. Satisfying, yet maddening. She felt herself torn between wanting to press their lips together, and wanting this to continue. She opts to reciprocate, allowing a sweet sigh to leave her.

He paused, just for a moment to peer into her eyes, and leaned in again, this time with the intention of kissing her for real, to feel the soft pressure of her lips against his. With mere centimetres between them…

The dance ends and the spell is broken. She blinked out of her daze as she was back on her feet. She placed a hand on her chest as she looked to her partner, feeling her heart still racing from the stolen intimate moment. It’s only because of that, that she swoons when he removes his hat, placing it on his chest as he bows, displaying all the chivalry of a knight.

“Enjoy the rest of your night, your Majesty.” The playful mischief was back and she couldn't help but giggle inwardly, despite how flustered she felt and probably looked.

“Hihi…good night.” Her eyes refused to leave him until he had vanished amongst the crowd, whispering to herself as he left her sight.

“My masked prince…” With those words reaching nobody, she turned with a flair of her gown to meet Arthur who seemed to be awaiting her to take her back with him, her thoughts remaining with her masked sailor.

Yet, at the balcony, away from the lights, music and masks, the man of her thoughts stepped into the moonlight, his hand reaching and removing his mask to reveal a blank expression written across pale features.

“That little fawn…” To no one he spoke, words that reach nobody.

“I can’t believe she’s the treasure of those vampires…” The woman of his thoughts remained there as he moved silently in the night.

The cold night sea or the cooling evening breeze could not match the coolness of his expression.

~~~🌹

🌸

[the-owl-tree]

You know, I actually am reading Tree's Roots atm bc the Sisters talk had me thinking if I fell for how it was written like a naive young adult idiot and low and behold, I have so much to complain about. Apologies of the long rant in your inbox if you don't mind. ^^'

I find Moonlight's "in-universe" explanation why they can't let a tom stay past 6 moons a bunch of bullshit, however that's more on the fault of the writing than anything with her. Seriously, "We let a tom stay longer than 6 moons, and then everything went to hell. We suddenly had to deal with the hardest winter and so many died as a result" What? A singular tomcat has no effect on a literal bad coincidence! What is this malarkey??? There's bad omens sure but there's bad omens and then there's using it as a means to essentially scare Earth to leave.

It's only AFTER all that that Moonlight then gives a more grounded part of why Earth can't stay: The tom that was allowed to stay grew too dependent on the Sisters, didn't know how to take care of himself because of this dependence, and his best means to survive alone was to become a domestic cat. That in of itself wasn't bad however when you really stop and think about it.

But let's say we take it further. Toms in the Sisters need this early separation bc growing dependent on the Sisters disrupts their ability to connect with the earth itself. The Sisters are connected to the sky, since they sing for the mollies in the stars and when toms die they DO grieve but are comforted with the notion that the tomcats that die are returned to the earth where they've always belonged and are welcomed. A tom that will soon wander should be focusing on connecting with the land he will travel, and focus on connecting with the spirits that they all share. Not doing that will disrupt his ability to connect, leading him to have a harder time being able to take care of himself bc of this struggling connection, or might not be able to connect to the land at all bc he's more focused on being dependent on the sky (aka the Sisters). Or, idk, SOMETHING like that. That dependence and inability to connect due to it should be the problem, not some bad weather leading to a potentially bad omen. How do the Sisters even know what omens are? Why does every single non-clan group need to know what these things are? Anyways... take away the "we're throwing male children out bc we're evilz and bad and inferior and sexist" thing and literally have it be the "This is your coming-of-age, learn it, live it, be the man you want to be, because you will have to learn to take care of yourself and have the means to now, that means just isn't us anymore, we love you and wish you love and happiness wherever we find you again" moment it should be instead. I wish we got that..

Earth already was having a hard time seeing spirits, he was a late bloomer, and thus would struggle to take care of himself as is had Root not came about bc those spirits are what essentially guide toms to learning the ways of the world and how to survive it. Literal Spirit Guides, and Earth didn't know how to actually sit down and relax to see them. Why is the idea of him becoming a domestic cat so bad? He was already insisting on staying... who knows how long tbh? Why is being in a comfy home taken care of by humans seen as some bane for these cats? Especially since he didn't have the means to take care of himself as is. He couldn't see spirits then, why is the idea of being in safety and comfort with a human UNTIL he does so terrifying? And then when he has to leave, after getting the genuine love from his female relatives and colony-mates (seriously idk how I thought Moonlight didn't love him when this novella came out but I'm READING IT AND SHE DOES we're just put in the perspective of a tom that for some reason despite growing up in this culture just ASSUMES THE SISTERS HATES HIM??? HUH?), he doesn't even wander the entire night leaving his kitten-hood behind, complains about being alone for ONE night, just assumes the Sisters and with it his mother abandoned him and never would've missed him(??? Despite people grieving differently hello?), IMMEDIATELY goes back and follows them, and then tells his own Sister Ice when he meets her that she along with the others don't care for him, even assuming that if they caught him before that that he would get attacked and driven out? Despite the fact that in SQH when they DO meet again Moonlight doesn't do that. She's literally.... just traditional like the rest of the Sisters. That's all it is. I am one to be all "yeah fuck traditions wooo!" sure but this society literally has its head on its shoulders for the most part. It knows what it is, it knows how itself works. It's flawed like the rest but that doesn't mean its badand nothing needs to be fucked compared to the Clans. Toms and their spirits are no different from apprentices being the charges of their mentors in the long run.

It's honestly why I wish we had a perspective that WASN'T Earth/Tree if we were gonna have a Sister's perspective. I want the perspective of a Sister who has to deal with the eventual wandering of her son(s) and see how she grieves for him despite the comfort that he will be fine because he has the earth itself to guide him. I wanna see how life in the Sisters is long-term for these mollies. I would love to see how Ice, in her perspective and life post-Earth time, came to terms with the idea that she's choosing to give up everything she knew to be with her lover without separation, and comforted with the fact that The Sisters will miss her but will gladly welcome her back if things don't work out. I wanna see the perspective of a young tom that, in growing up IN THIS CULTURE, is EXCITED for his eventual wander. Literally give him the BIGGEST wanderlust, wanting to see the world and maybe even exploring outside the boundaries of the camp as a taste of what he could have and the Sisters seeing his enthusiasm and being so endeared by it. I wanna see how, within the Sisters territory, this tom sees spirits and his relationship with them early in his life and how they train these toms through this eye. Let his wander be a life full of adventure and spirit! No ties to him anymore, he is his own cat and can do whatever he wants now!

But no, Instead, we are for some reason given the ONE CAT that, despite growing up within this very group, taught their ways, and thus only knows THIS life, is completely against everything he's lived up to this point, complains CONSTANTLY about this only life being how things are despite growing up this way and not knowing how outside cats are like to have this comparison, complaining about the only traditions he knows, resents his mother literally for sending him off on his coming of age mark like Snail and Chestnut were (they were fine being sent off btw, and Stream was also not worried about his wander) and assuming she abandoned him even though every other tom his age up to this point did not hate her and also she didn't fucking abandon him oml, even assuming she doesn't love him just because he was at the age of independence for his group and so Moonlight didn't need to baby him anymore, somehow is the ONE SISTERBORNE TOM TO NOT SEE SPIRITS WHEN EVERYONE ELSE HAS BTW, and thus is literally a plot device to deem the Sisters ways bad. Earth/Tree is a plot device, plain and simple. Bc there's no way in hell one singular cat somehow knows how to act like a xenophobic clan cat expecting the only life he knows with NO OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE to change. None. I swear I could do a better job writing a cat with a non-clan perspective than the Erins...

Earth/Tree being a late-bloomer isn't a problem in of itself, I imagine chances like that are rare as hell to where the Sisters don't have a means to work around it without that risk of dependence, but it's not impossible to think about, it's EVERYTHING ELSE about him that's so damn wrong. And what's even more frustrating is the story team (fucking website people ngl I hate them) tried to write about how in Tree's article that he was a character they had all figured out from the start and that he's so complex and interesting... no, he's an outsider tom written with a xenophobic clan cat mindset in an instance that wouldn't happen and is whiny, sexist, and other words I can't think of at the moment. Tree's Roots could've been interesting, but no, it falls into the same pitfalls all the other recent novellas got only more offending bc it's from the lens of an outsider living in an Amazonian society full of women.

I can never get behind like. the weird outrage people have at the """"misandric"""" sisters because if you think about this novella for like five seconds, the bizarre misogyny and crumbling worldbuilding becomes very evident (as you pointed).

i know the gut reaction people have for characters who change their names and resent their moms, i know why ppl are so emotionally charged by these. but i find the takes these emotions feel just...kind of fundamentally useless analysis for a lot of reasons but that's besides the point.

[xiakha]

FFXIVWrite2023 Prompt #5 - Barbarous

Most nights Gaius van Baelsar, Shadowhunter, now just Gaius Baelsar, lay awake on his bed in his modest bedroom thinking. Thinking of his life, thinking of his choices, thinking of the things he had said and to whom.

Thinking and regretting.

In the end, he was powerless to resist the townsfolk. He maintained that his role was more of an advisor than a mayor, a ruler, but Werlyt had no other person of any similar status. His "advice" on executive decisions and logistics was always followed despite all of his refusals, his claims of being unfit to rule.

Word had trickled slowly to him from the homefront. More deserters arrived in Terncliff by the passing day. None asked them what legion they were from or what their roles was. All were accepted and fed and housed. There were enough empty homes and broken families in Terncliff and Werlyt proper to find a place for everyone and more. But what grew clearer by the day was one truth. Garlemald's vision for the world was shattered, and bit by bit, each facet of that vision had proved in someway to be a lie.

There was no salvaging of that once grand glorious dream. And perhaps it was never more than that, a dream. He had once thought himself a man of power, capable of taking up the dream and steering the course of civilization to it. But now, truly awake for perhaps the first time of his life, Thinking of himself or others as men of power felt hollow, like a form of false worship. He thought of the ruin he had brought to the lands he conquered. He had caught many of them at a time of weakness and opportunity, but were they doomed to fail? Were they truly weak if he struck them when they were already down?

And afterwards, was he a good steward? Provinces never returned to their former glory, Werlyt was proof enough. The engine of conquest was fueled by more conquest, and he had happily allowed it to gorge itself of resources and men, salting the earth behind its march with tragedy and blood. It was his actions, his beliefs, that left Terncliff with only the very old and the very young to rummage through the wreckage and try to piece together a living.

His belief in Garlemald was now all but bled dry. His will to serve any part of Garlemald died with his children. He could not fault the Warrior of Light for her role in their deaths. Nor could he really fault Varro, as despicable a man as he was. No, his children had followed, open eyed, in his footsteps, and wished to serve as he did for the greater glory of Garlemald. It was no accident, no unhappy coincidence that his family would suffer so. They had all volunteered to lavish the machinations of Garlean conquest with their blood, gorge it with their lives.

It was this that caused him the most turmoil. The fate of his children haunted him. He tried so very hard to reason out a different route, a way to have avoided all this. He could not. They were doomed to this end when he decided to pick them off the street, to grace them with the dream of Garlemald.

He found himself praying to any deities that were not otherwise engaged to rest their souls, and to rest his as well. He wondered which, if any, of the Twelve would respond. Was this what his once adversaries felt? Could he be blessed as they had at Carteneau? It was bold of a man who once believed the faith to be an instrument of deception, but he had so little left.

To have believed in Garlemald was to be left with nothing.

Perhaps they had already blessed him with the miracle of Allie surviving despite all odds. Despite all of his loss, all of the anguish and guilt, he dared not end it all for he could not bear causing Allie anymore grief and sorrow. It was for her that he continued onward, that he deigned it appropriate to dole out advice to the townsfolk.

In the end, for all of his prior glib language about savages and falsehoods and the failures of Eorzea, it was Garlemald that proved more barbarous by far.

[that-salty-ghost]

As Above, So Below | Chapter 18 [Bonus Chpt]: Picked Apart [Viktor POV] | Viktor [Arcane] // Male Reader | Rating: M Throughout

A/N: So, this is more of a bonus chapter. I’m trying out Viktor’s POV(-ish) for this one since it’s just him and Sky. I honestly love them and wanted them to share some sort of comradery while they try to achieve the same goal. I was almost going to write this as a short drabble, but it actually fit into the story pretty well so this is where it landed. Hope you enjoy!

// 🎧 Mood Music: Casanova by San Fermin (for Sky <3) 🎧 \\

While lunch wasn’t exactly something he was craving, catching up with Sky was. How long had it been? Five years? Six now? Viktor had lost track of the last time the two of them actually got together to talk.

Sure, they’d run into each other in passing. Exchanged the usuals like “how’ve you been, any word on requirements for admissions” and the like.

Small talk.

But nothing like the handful of times they got to play together as kids—building forts out of whatever they could get their hands on or trying to catch frogs and other critters in the runoff. He wasn’t really sure how they had grown apart, or even that it was intentional at all.

When it came down to it, she already had a close group of friends before they met. And he was often off the grid, learning from his mentor while he helped take care of Rio…until he couldn’t anymore.

He never really did see things quite the same way after that. Maybe she noticed?

The memories grew more distant each day that passed. And while he still had a few stops to make for finding a lab space, Viktor wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to finally catch up with an old friend.

…even if that meant trying to consume more food after eating one of the biggest meals he’s had in years.

“You’ve barely touched your plate, are you sure you’re feeling alright?”

Sky’s attention to detail was always something Viktor admired. He was glad to see that hadn’t faltered after all these years, even if he now had to come up with an excuse since you took off without mentioning how much you cooked just over an hour ago… a coincidence he was sure…

“Yes, of course.” A breathy chuckle followed his words to lighten the mood as he reached for the bread in front of him. “But catch me up on how you’ve been. You look to be doing well.”

Viktor manages to take a bite and moves his fork around his plate to space the food out—an attempt to give the illusion that he’s consumed more than he actually has.

She eyes his plate suspiciously before answering. “I am! Everything’s been panning out for the most part. Just moved into my own place last year and have been an assistant at one of the labs topside a few days a week.”

“That’s great, I’m not surprised in the slightest.” Viktor’s voice was beaming with how genuinely impressed he was with her successes. His excitement and praise made it impossible for Sky to hide the smile etching its way onto her face. “Will you continue that work while you’re at Sylas’s?”

Her nose crinkled while she shrugged. “As much as I would like to, I just don’t think I’ll have the time anymore.”

“I would assume that commute isn’t the fastest.”

“It’s not. And the elevators aren’t always easy to access either.” Sky’s voice sounds strained, like this was a frequent occurrence that constantly plagued her punctuality and Viktor fails to keep his small chuckle to himself.

She chuckles back and he takes another bite of bread to cover up the sound.

“I’m serious! You wouldn’t believe how many apology coffees I’ve had to buy for the scientists up there.”

“Well, if you’re late to any of our progress check-ins—[Y/n] is a talented barista. He might be able to help.”

Sky’s expression shifted as she thought on that. This morning proved to be particularly taxing for her. She had been stressed about finding the right location to set up her temporary lab and thought she had found it. While the space was perfect, she still felt bad about Sylas going off the rails in front of her friend.

“That’s good to know…I didn’t take him for a barista.”

Viktor’s eyes move down to his plate, still picking around and moving the food under his fork. “I didn’t either…although technically he’s only a bartender now.” He flashed his teeth in an exaggerated grimace when he thought about Syd firing you at your own home. “But I have a feeling there’s more to him than he lets on.”

Sky’s eyebrow slowly raises at his hypothesis. “What do you mean?”

He inhales through his mouth when he looks up at Sky. As much as he knew he could confide in her, he gave his word that he wouldn’t talk about anything he learned the day she visited.

The first time she arrived, she came alone. Viktor’s parents asked him to go play while they talked and he was happy to find Sky skipping stones on the water outside. He loved watching how the rocks created more and more ripples as they traveled further and further out and was relieved that he didn’t have to be by himself that day.

“Hey Viktor!” Her smile was wide when she held her hand out for him to join.

“You’re really good at that.” He picked a rock up from her hand and tried to copy her technique, only to find himself disappointed when his stone sunk as soon as it hit the water.

“Here, like this.” She repositioned his hand so his palm faced up and handed off another stone. “Now try.”

That was all it took for the two of them to send stones into the distance together until Sky had to go back home. It was a small pocket of time that has stuck with him for years.

“What are you doing out here today anyway?” She asked before she turned to leave.

“There’s someone visiting my parents. I don’t think I’m supposed to hear what they’re saying.”

“…And you’re not going to spy on them?”

“…”

“Good luck!”

As much as it felt like a bad idea, Viktor’s parents never kept him away like that before. Whatever they were talking about had to be good. And even though he wished Sky could’ve come with him while he snooped, he thought he could at least fill her in on the conversation later…

Fast-forward to nearly 10 years later—even with her sitting right in front of him…he still couldn’t talk about it.  

He almost got lost in his thoughts and shook his head when he tried to answer Sky’s question—looking from her back down to his plate while he resorted to other curiosities he’s noticed.

“It’s hard to explain...”

“I can keep up.”

“Heh. Yes, I’m well aware of that.”

She doesn’t say anything, only raises her brows as she waits for him to go into more detail.

“The way he moves is…” He pursed his lips together tight enough to cause him to squint while he tried to explain his thoughts. “Very fluid. I’ve seen him jump over a couple of high-top bars and he barely makes a sound when he lands.”

He shrugs while he wondered if that’s just a quirk, but then looks up at the ceiling with a sigh. “And when I met him, he kind of…” He chuckles before finishing his sentence. “Ehh…fell into a scrap pile.”

“That sounds like a rough day.” She laughed, but Viktor looked even more baffled when he nodded.

“It should’ve been, but the way he sprung up looked like he’s had practice recovering quickly.” He shook his head, grappling with if what he was saying even made sense as he looked back down at his plate.

That’s when his mind started to wander.

From catching a glimpse of the muscles lining your arms while you were putting chairs up at The Last Drop to feeling how strong your chest and back were when he held you to keep you from falling over. Even how solid your forearm felt when he used it for some extra leverage at the coffeehouse…

It was night and day from what you looked like in your baggy clothes.

The illusion of you appearing smaller in your loose-fitting attire mirrored the deceitful amount of food picked apart on Viktor’s plate and he couldn’t help but wonder if that was also intentional on your part.

His mind had traveled a bit too far as he tried to shake away how you felt pressed up against him—the fear of color rising to his cheeks in front of Sky becoming all too real.

He tried not to think about how badly he wanted to kiss you—so much so that he even leaned in to see if you would meet him halfway, but refrained once you looked down and away so quickly.

“Did you just call me…Vik?” It was strange to hear—he’d never had a nickname before and almost missed it entirely after he found himself flush against your chest when you stumbled into him. This moniker sounded decidedly better than “two-ski brewski” from earlier and he couldn’t ignore how softly your breath lingered on the final consonant when you said it.

“Did I? I probably…forgot how to pronounce the rest of your name.”

Given the circumstances, he was dangerously close to being in a similar state.

The smell of alcohol mixed with smoke and some sort of earthy, herbal scent—which he later found out was tobacco—was completely intoxicating. The way your thumb leisurely rolled circles over his bruised hip had him tightening his grip around you with each small movement. The inability to trace whose heartbeat was whose as your chest rose against his own made him all but forget how to pronounce his own name as well.

“Two syllables got you tongue tied?”

You felt positively divine in his arms. His disheveled hair just barely feathering against your forehead, drifting lightly with each staggered breath. Your nose nearly brushed his when you looked up and he had to force his grip on the bar to loosen while his chest tightened. His eyes scanned yours, unsure of whether he should release his hold or pull you even closer.

…until he watched your gaze shift from his eyes down to his lips.

He felt his expression soften, his stomach drop, and his fingertips take the lead on the bar top as he leaned forward, wanting nothing more than to close the mere inches that kept your lips from his…until your gaze quickly dropped to the floor.

“Sorry for butchering your name.”

He wondered how he misread that situation. He wondered if you even noticed. He wondered if he had even been too bold holding your hand at The Last Drop…which only raised another query for him to voice.

“And his hands are so rough, I don’t think he can get callouses like that with a coffee mach—”

Viktor cut himself off once he brought his eyes down to face Sky. He got too lost in his analysis and slipped up. A knot formed in his chest when he anticipated what she was about to say as she moved her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.

“How do you know his hands are rough?” Her smirk ate through his thought process at a rate that made it difficult to sift for a reasonable explanation.

“I…was helping him repair a distiller.” He couldn’t look her in the if he wasn’t being completely honest. “I noticed when he handed me some…saddles.”

Sky’s eyebrows were both raised with disbelief while she nodded with a muted “Mmhm.”

“…”

“…”

Viktor shifts his gaze back to her and exhales slowly when he realizes that she wasn’t buying it. She saw right through him and he knew it.

“You look happy around him.” Her tone just barely betrays her, the slightest twinge of sadness striking her statement. She pretended to clear her throat to make it sound unintentional.

Viktor has been nothing but kind and supportive of all of her achievements, supporting him now was something she wanted to…no, needed to do. Both for him, and for herself if he was seeing someone.

It wasn’t a question, but he nods in response anyway. “I am.” A small grin tugs at his lips when he realizes that Landon said the same thing about you this morning when you and Remy were out back.

“Good. You deserve someone who makes you feel that way.” She meant every word. Even if it hurt that it wasn’t her that could do it, she was glad that he found someone who did.

                                                                        -

After saying their goodbyes, good lucks, and good to see you’s, Viktor played the conversation back in his head while he walked to the next potential space that he could set up for his work.

“S’pose I owe you my thanks young man.”

“For what?”

“You must be what’s got [Y/n] back in the kitchen here. I haven’t seen him smilin’ like that in years.”

“I’m not sure I follow…”

“That kid doesn’t cook for just anyone. Only does it for folks he cares about and he doesn’t let too many get that close to begin with.”

“You think he…cares about me?”

“Hah, the way he looks at you? I think it’s more than ‘care’ he’s feelin’.”

“How are you so sure?”

“I watched him grow up. Boy…what he done come from...ain’t right.” Landon shook his head but continued without adding more to that statement.“But he’s had to pick up quick—always knows exactly what he’s doin’, keeps his cards close to his chest, and could haggle with the devil himself if he wanted to…then you walk down here and I see him buckle for the first time in my life. Couldn’t even finish his damn sentence.”

—"Not another WORD about the FUCKING EGGS, Rem!”

“Speak of that devil. I didn’t say anything about any of this—including the spicy jam that you need to try, y’hear?”

“I hear.”

“Good lad. And you let me know when you come back so I can eat good again.”

Viktor managed a laugh before Landon pretended to tell him a story about you. He had no idea if it was even true or not, but admired how swift the man’s mind moved to fly under the radar regardless.

“—So we find the poor little fella stuck up in that tree all by his lonesome. Wouldn’t call for help from nobody for hours, just sat up there like gravity was going to give up at any moment…”

It was a quick conversation, maybe three minutes max. And while it didn’t settle his uncertainty about what happened last night, it did provide just enough information for him to take a chance on asking you out one more time and for him to learn two important things.

1. To his surprise, Landon was right about you.

2. He might be the one person that knows you better than you even know yourself.

----------

A/N: There's a pinned post on my page with even more homosexuality 😌

[j-graysonlibrary]

The Xiang Chronicles: Book One Chapter 1

Title: The Xiang Chronicles: Book One

Author: Jay Grayson

Word Count: 83k

Genres: Fantasy, adventure, drama, LGBT+

Available on: my website

Synopsis: Every few centuries a hero is born—one chosen by the God Tiandi to carry out his will in the mortal realm. The Xiang. Whether it is to quell a war instigated by the forces of shadow—of Shakti herself—or whether it is the miasma that poisons the world, the Xiang is born to bring the world back into balance.

Shu Pangu Min knows what his purpose is and he does his best to fulfill it even if he doesn’t fully understand all of the details. He must travel from city to city—lord to lord—to clear out the miasma. Along the way, he is to enlist the aid of four disciples. Each is to be of a different country and each must have high resonance and deep faith.

The holy men who raised him have great confidence in his future successes and they leave him to begin his journey on his own. But, can Pangu live up to the expectations of those around him? Can he really save the land like all other Xiang before him or will his unconventional methods doom them all?

Full Chapter 1 under the cut

Chapter I

As the sun set on a quaint, terra cotta home that sat on a Cliffside and overlooked the lake Fai, four old men approached the door. It was a humble house on the outskirts of town and easily fit the family—unless they grew considerably in the coming years, they could probably live there in peace, away from the woes of the world for their entire lives.

Min Sayama Jiao had moved into the home with her husband Shu Karto Bu and, about this same time, she bore a child. Sayama worked as a seamstress in town while Karto was a fisherman. They provided for themselves and intended to continue doing so for their children.

Their first child was a blessed son and the parents spent much of their time together dreaming and projecting his future. Would he be a fisherman like his father? Or would he find an apprenticeship in town and be even more successful than they could imagine? So long as he didn’t contract himself to the military, Sayama and Karto were more than happy about any possibility.

Their second child was a daughter. Still in the cradle, she required more care from Sayama than she was able to give and her job at Madame Jo’s fabrics was in the balance because of it. The fault wasn’t with the child who cried for her needs to be met but with her parents who were so accustomed to their low maintenance son that they truly lacked the skills for proper parenting.

Karto didn’t notice as much since he was so often at the lake or out at sea. He wasn’t made aware of the stark difference between the two children. Sayama, however, had known there was something special about her son since she gave birth to him.

She watched the boy stumble around on his short legs while she attempted to rock her daughter to sleep in her arms. Her son reached his hands up toward the wooden countertop in the kitchen where a bowl of freshly cut fruit had been prepared for a late night snack. Karto would be home soon from a long day of work so Sayama always had something for him to eat when he returned—even if it was just a bite or two before he crashed in his bed.

Her son, however, must have smelt the fruit and decided that it was for him. With his hands in the air, he pulled the fruit toward him without physically touching anything. Sayama watched while holding her baby, having seen this type of behavior before.

A few slices of plump pairyans floated down from the counter and into the boy’s hands. He took a bite and hummed happily before walking off in satisfaction.

It was for this reason that the four old men stood outside of the house to begin with. There was no strange coincidence that Shu Pangu Min had the abilities that he did but, unlike the boy’s mother, the four wise men knew why he was special.

The eldest and tallest of the men, Zhu, stood at the door and knocked boldly. He and his companions looked very similar at first glance as if they could be brothers but that could not be further from the truth. Each man was hundreds of years old and there were centuries between their ages. Zhu, for example, was over two thousand years old while the next oldest, Hwang, was one thousand and four hundred on the nose. Both had long hair and beards that indicated their age but their faces were the same as any old man in his golden years. Even the youngest of the bunch, at five hundred years old, Jun, looked like an eighty year old at best. The last of the four, Gong, looked the youngest only because his hair and beard did not grow as long as the others.

After the initial knock was ignored, Zhu tried once more. This time he really put some force behind it.

“Who is here at such an hour?” Sayama’s voice called out from inside her home but she refused to open the door.

Gong looked between the others and nodded. “We apologize—it is common courtesy to state one’s business after the sun begins to retire. My brothers and I are here to speak with you about your son and the path that Tiandi has set out for him.”

Jun looked at Gong as though he had lost his mind while Zhu and Hwang shook their head and chuckled respectively.

Slowly, the door creaked open. Sayama had placed her daughter in the cradle so that her hands were free. She looked up at the men with both worry and suspicion. “What would you know of my son, kind strangers?”

Hwang gently pushed himself to the front of the group. He smiled down at the woman and asked, “He was without a father, was he not? And before you learned of your impossible pregnancy did you not also have a dream about a man who looked very similar to who you now see before you?”

Sayama’s attention darted between them, unwillingly sticking to Hwang. Her dark green eyes swam with fear and confusion. She, in fact, did recognize him. Months before she was aware that she was carrying a child, she had a dream so vivid and lifelike that she often wondered whether or not it was a hazy memory instead. A man—who looked an awful lot like Hwang—took her into a meadow and they lay together for several hours.

“Was it not a dream…?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“It was both a dream and a reality within the realm of spirits. Such a conception is necessary for the Xiang,” Hwang answered her.

“The Xiang?” Sayama’s eyes widened. “You don’t truly mean…”

“You must have noticed the boy’s abilities,” Zhu interrupted, “He has been chosen by Tiandi. He must be trained to fulfill his purpose.”

Sayama shook her head and her loose, black hair fell into her face. At the same time, her daughter began to cry from further in her home. “No…” she pleaded, “You cannot take my son away…I have had barely any time with him.”

“You will still be allowed to see him,” Jun offered to ease her worries, “Once or twice a year he will come back to his home and be with his family. Breaks are important, even for one with the responsibility of the Xiang.”

The woman ran her sleeve under her eyes, catching the tears. “Can it not wait another year? He is so young, he can barely speak…”

“We will teach him everything he needs to know. The sooner, the better,” Zhu explained, “Plus, if he does not learn to channel his natural gifts then it could lead to disaster for you and your family. I’m sure you heard the stories of Xiang Don who accidently set his family’s farm ablaze?”

When Sayama looked down, Gong walked forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. “We take the Xiang at such an early age to ease the risk of heartache, not to be the cause of it. Please understand.”

“It has become tradition,” Hwang seconded and folded his arms into his sleeves, “And now, the time is dire more than any other. While you may not feel the effects here in your home, the miasma is growing thick in many places across the land. Shakti has, no doubt, already chosen her Chaaya to oppose us.”

Sayama shook her head and looked down. “Is it truly that terrible? Will there be wars and a plague like the legends suggest?”

“Prepare while you can,” Zhu told her, “Not everyone is gifted such a warning. But, for birthing our Xiang, you are trusted with this knowledge. A great evil will surface in twenty year’s time and you will be safest outside of large cities.”

“But my son will stop it?” She finally made eye contact with the men again. As downtrodden as she had been, a sliver of hope appeared attached to her words.

“The Xiang will save the world,” Zhu insisted.

And so Sayama handed her son to the men and watched as they walked off into the dark of night. Her husband would be confused—furious even—but Pangu was never theirs to keep. She understood that now.

The temple of Tian-Badou appeared to be no more than an abandoned ruin but the inside was large and full of the necessities for day to day life. The four heavenly men had stocked the place with food and water for their inevitable student as well as put together a room for him to stay.

Some of the amenities were already present from hundreds of years ago, the last time a Xiang was born in Enlil and had to be raised in the same ruins. A lot of updates needed to be implemented but that was nothing four minor gods couldn’t accomplish with ease.

Shu Pangu Min was still just a babe but he could talk some and he could understand what was said to him. He had the tan skin of his mother but his eyes were a brighter green color. His hair was black and thick with wayward strands already giving him trouble. Despite the sudden change of scenery and caretakers, Pangu went along with things quite easily. He barely ever cried and almost always had a smile on his face.

The four men had their work cut out for them but at least their current Xiang was cooperative. Training one from such a tender age was always a double edged sword but they were lucky this time. While they did have to dig deep and use their rusty parenting skills, they were also able to have more time with the child and teach him as much as they possibly could.

He picked up on skills quickly. Zhu and Hwang were in charge of helping him cultivate his natural resonance with the elements in the world. Pangu had already been manipulating the air and wind to get things that he wanted back in his home so he was better at wind than any other element at first.

It was expected since he was born in Enlil and the energy of that land was based in the power of wind. Similarly, those in Kyrie had a natural resonance with water; in Terra it was for earth; and in Agni—fire. There were more elements than those four and often they collided together or overlapped in many ways but the purest of energy that could be channeled was generally of one of those four.

No one could do what Pangu was capable of, however. While many people had high resonance with the energy around them, it would only assist in making them better at certain skills ranging from warfare to the arts—or it would be more passive, such as giving them an increase in luck.

 No, actually manipulating the energy and elements was an ability gifted directly by Tiandi. One had to be chosen for such a boon.

Hwang explained how the four of them and Pangu were different than humans while Zhu enforced his training. The two of them took on the more spiritual aspects of the Xiang’s training while Gong and Jun catered to his more human side.

While knowing and understanding his abilities was at the top of the priorities list, Pangu could not fall behind on studies or be ignorant of the world’s history. The Xiang was not a political figure but being completely unaware of current events would only hurt him in the long run. Gong focused more on history and religion while Jun taught the boy about culture and the differences between the countries and ruling territories.

And, as promised to Sayama, twice a year—once in the middle and once at the end—the four men would take Pangu back to his hometown and he would spend seven moons with his family. They had learned through past mistakes in raising Xiangs that complete isolation and withdrawal was bad for the human mind. With this method, Pangu could remain close to his family but also understand the importance of his training.

Zhu and Hwang readied an obstacle course to test Pangu on his agility and resonance with water while Gong and Jun had him prepare a meal with them. Gong multitasked and told the boy the story of Xiang Fa who was famous for one thing in particular.

“So Fa killed the last dragon?” Pangu asked as he stirred the pot of soup. He was entering the first stages of adolescence and had grown quite a lot in a short amount of time. There was still plenty of growing in his future but sometimes Gong would reminisce about the days when the boy was as tall as his knees.

“Not exactly,” he corrected, “This particular dragon was the reason that all the other dragons and other highly spiritual beings decided to stay locked away in the spirit realm.”

“So there are still dragons?” The boy perked up.

“Yes, but you cannot see them.” Gong smiled at the sudden plummet in his mood—it was almost comical. “Unless you go to the spirit realm which, in rare cases, can happen while you still live in your mortal form. Otherwise, you will see dragons after you die.”

“Oh…” Pangu continued to pout. It seemed he would likely not be crossing ‘seeing a dragon’ off of his mental to-do list.

“The miasma is too poisonous to highly spiritual beings. Even we were not aware of how terribly it could affect dragons until poor Jiang succumbed to the illness. It was no heroic feat or adventurous tale as it is told today, Pangu. The fight with Jiang on the mountain was heartbreaking. It was like killing a friend.”

“You helped Xiang Fa then?”

“They had to,” Jun added on, “the miasma was so thick in that cycle that all of Fa’s disciples had fallen from it. The other three were forced to come back and help Fa take on Jiang. It was not the victory that this world claims it was.”

“But you won against Shakti, right?” Pangu asked, wondering if there would be some good ending to this tale. “Tiandi won even if it was a struggle?”

“No, Pangu,” Gong said solemnly, “That was our biggest loss. Tiandi had to pull back all of the spirits from the mortal world and essentially lock them away for their own safety but it has caused an ever declining drop in faith for mankind. Without dragons and mighty Holy birds to remind them of their God, the people have begun to act as if they are the Gods of themselves. More wars have been fought in the past seven hundred years than in the two thousand previous ages. Shakti might not have overrun the world with miasma but she did pull humans closer to her side than they have ever been.”

The boy looked between Gong and Jun who both seemed quite crestfallen by this story. It was odd—especially for Jun who would not have even been there with Xiang Fa as he hadn’t ascended to divinity yet. Gong would have just joined and it seemed like Fa was the first Xiang he ever worked with. It must have been hard for him, Pangu decided.

“Is there anything I can do to restore the faith in Tiandi? Other than…what I am already to do?” Pangu moved the pot from the fire before reaching his hand over the flame and extinguishing it.

“You need to focus on cultivating your abilities,” Zhu said as he and Hwang joined them, “And then focus on removing the miasma when your journey begins.”

Pangu didn’t want to say that he wished he had more to do (mostly because he had said something similar before and was thoroughly scolded for it) but he did hope that there was something impactful that he could do in his time as Xiang. The last three Xiangs that had come about were all just miasma absorbing machines—none of them seemed to do anything spectacular in their time and Pangu worried he would end up like one of them.

Going from town to town, removing miasma and saving humanity from pestilence for another century or so. It wasn’t necessarily a bad job and it was clearly something that needed to happen but, especially after the story of Fa and Jiang, Pangu felt he needed to do more for them. For Tiandi.

After all, they predicted the miasma would be just as heavy and relentless as it was during Xiang Fa’s time so Pangu felt, deep down, he would have to pull off some extraordinary feat like the Xiangs of old.

***

On the border of Terra and Kyrie, a small village straddled the invisible line. Stone houses lined one side of the dirt road and wooden houses were on the other. Occasionally, soldiers from either country would pass by or come to patrol if there were any recent reports of suspicious activity.

A young boy with a mop of black hair and a dark tan drew in the dirt with his finger. His vibrant red eyes followed the trail he made in the ground. He recreated a cat he saw from his memory and, though the portrait left much to be desired, he was still happy with the outcome.

It certainly beat having to stay inside with his mother while she worked. Since it was the middle of the day, the boy didn’t worry about the woman dragging him into it since the village people already thought poorly of her. If they saw her take her son into her house with a strange man then someone was bound to call for the troops to investigate.

He always hoped it would happen. Throughout all the places they’d lived in, the boy had the highest hopes for this one. He’d always heard that people in Kyrie were more observant and friendly than those in Terra. He was forever waiting for the old woman at the tea house to see the way his mother looked at him and speak up.

But she just sat in her chair outside of her house with her tea and gave a look of silent disapproval instead. Sometimes he would just stare at her and hope that she could read his mind. He wasn’t great at articulating himself aloud but in his mind, words came to him as easy as breath.

It was one of the setbacks of how he was raised, he supposed. Talking was almost always prohibited in his house so he was awkward with his words but his heart ached for conversation. He would try and ease this pain by coming up with scenarios in his mind where he could talk to people. It worked only for so long and, any time he attempted to turn his fantasy to reality, he messed it up somehow.

The boy looked up from his dirt picture as the doors to the inn swung open and some drunken soldiers stumbled about. Only one from their group appeared to have his wits about him still and it might have been solely because he was too young to drink.

The men walked closer to him but he didn’t move, assuming that they would see him and walk around. He wasn’t exactly in the middle of the road or anything.

But the first soldier in line tripped on the boy’s boot and nearly fell over. “Hey, get yer ass outta here. Go play in the fields like a normal brat!” he yelled but continued to stagger away.

The boy pulled his legs in but still didn’t move and just waited for the group to pass. Only one man stayed behind. The young, sober solider. As the boy noticed the shadow falling over him, he looked up.

It wasn’t quite right to call the soldier a man as he was probably only four or so years older than himself. The legal age of conscript was fifteen across the land so it was possible this soldier joined as soon as he could. He was as tall as any grown man, however, but his face really gave him away.

The black, silky strands of his hair peeked out from under his helmet and his eyes were a deep blue like the ocean. He was far paler than the young boy but his complexion wasn’t uncommon for northern Kyrie where his armor suggested he was from.

“I’m sorry about my comrade,” the soldier said and kneeled down beside him, “He’s always a bit grumpy but the majority of the guys are good.”

“…S’okay,” the boy mumbled, unable to look at the other for too long. He felt strange when he stared at him—as if his heart was telling him to go with him.

“Hey, my name is Song Raine Sei. What’s your name?” Like his face, his voice was soft too.

“…Kira…” the boy answered, hoping he wouldn’t ask the dreaded follow up question that most did at this point. ‘No, what’s your full name?’

But he didn’t. “Do you like candy, Kira? One of the aunties at the inn gave me some because I’m so young but I am not really partial to sweets. I would hate to waste them.”

Kira nodded slightly. “I like candy. I don’t get to eat it much.”

“Strict parents?” Raine asked with a smile as he fished out the wrapped sweets from his satchel.

“Yeah, kind of,” he answered, unwilling to be truthful. As nice and calming as this older boy’s presence was, that didn’t make him trustworthy.

Raine handed over the candies and curled Kira’s fingers around them. “I know it sounds a little cliché but, in a few years, you can get away from your parents by joining the military. I grew up in an orphanage, craving freedom and change and now I’ve been all over Kyrie in just a year.”

Kira had considered the military before as a last resort but only if he survived that long and had nothing else to do. Now, if Raine was still enlisted when he became of age, the move would be more appealing. All he would have to do would be, lie to the Kyrie officials, say he was born there, and then maybe find Raine.

A smile spread across his lips and he nodded. “Will you help me out if I enlist?” Kira asked boldly.

To his delight, Raine returned his smile and agreed, “Of course.”

“Kira!” a woman’s yell interrupted their conversation. At about the same time, one of the other soldiers started to walk back toward them, also yelling, “Song Raine Sei!”

Both boys looked at each other with the understanding that they must part ways but for Kira, the feeling was a lot heavier. A man walked from his house and smirked as he passed him by while his mother glowered down at him with scorn.

In just a few years, he could leave this place, he told himself. With a final look back at the soldiers, he spotted Raine and felt a little better about the future.

[hefelllaughing]

Playing With Fire

||•Chapter 1 •||

Donghai City

Months Before the Canon Event

》 Third Person of View 《

Li Yunxiang, a man who grew up in the sour part of Donghai, China, where there wasn't water coming from natural bodies of water, well it used to. But he was living alright compared to others, a job, friends, family and a hobby... Alright, alright his job was smuggling covered with a courier front, he has friends alright, but family? His father hates his guts, his brother is alright and his foster sister, Kasha, she's the only reason why he could visit his dad. 

He was riding his bike to work when he spotted a car that was sticking out like a thumb in the road. It looked rather expensive and people in their part of Donghai, can't afford cars, bikes they could, but never cars which is a big block on the streets since there aren't much space. Smoke was coming out of the vehicle and a small man was pulling his nonexistent hair off. 

“Everything alright there?” Li Yunxiang, stopped by the car and as the short man, who somehow resembles a fish as he has huge eyes, small nose and a wide mouth. The man jumped from his spot and landed on the hood of the car as if he was electrocuted. 

“NONE!” The short man yelled, recovering from his shock and glared at the hood of the car. 

“Oh come on, Mister Sawyer, no need to lie.” A female's voice said, making the two men to turn their heads to the girl who approached the vehicle. She has black silky hair, soft blue eyes and pale skin. “Something is wrong with our car... Sir.” The girl said, placing an empty box in the car. 

“I'm Li Yunxiang.” Yunxiang smiled and introduced himself. “And you're in luck, I'm a mechanic.” He turned his bike off. 

“I'm Anhe.” The girl introduced herself as well but she omitted her Family Name since it's a huge deal. “This is Mr. Sawyer.”

“Gah! You shouldn't have said our names! Who knows what this man is capable of!” Sawyer fumed as his Master just giggled and shook her head. They weren't even supposed to be here, but here they are. 

“Oh, no need to be paranoid.” Anhe smiled and opened the hood of the car, a bigger puff of smoke came out.

“Wow, she's hot.” Yunxiang gave a small whistle as he scanned the engine.

“Gah! How dare you give such a comment to my Mistress!” Sawyer fumed making Anhe to blush and Yunxiang to gape at the accusation. 

“Hey! I was referring to the engine.” Yunxiang explained, but not daring to look at Anhe. He looked at the car once more and noticed a damaged in a hose, it looked like it was cut which caused a leak in the engine which made a few parts not working their best that lead to overheating. “Good new, I found the problem, bad news you need a new car.” Yunxiang finally turned to Anhe who was frowning, despite the negative expression, she was still beautiful.

“That's a shame then, I can't give the crates at this part.” Anhe looked back to the car which carried two more crates. 

“You're delivering something?” Yunxiang asked, curious as to why a girl of her status is delivering crates in this part of Donghai. 

“Yeah.” Anhe nodded. “Care to take a look?” With a nod, Yunxiang took a peek of what was inside the crates despite the train of  curses Sawyer yelled at him. 

“Water.” Yunxiang gaped at the crates. Water in Donghai costs like gold. A mere bottle of water is equivalent to a gold coin. 

“It's not much but I give them away to some families.” Anhe said. It wasn’t only her who gives away free water bottles, her people also works in the shadows to give the supply especially when her father has been keeping an eye out on her. 

“Well, luck must be really on your side.” Yunxiang gave a grin causing Anhe to look at him weirdly. “I work part in a courier shop, we deliver things, all you have to do is fill up a form and your shipment is ready to go.”

“Really?!” Anhe's blue eyes brightened at the coincidence. “Do you think I can come with?” 

“But Mis— ” Sawyer was about to argue when Anhe tossed him a bag and quickly took out the two crates and pushed it in Yunxiang's hold, almost letting him drop them. 

“You make sure the car will be towed soon! By Mr. Saywer!” Like a 5 year old, Anhe waved at the small man farewell as she and Yunxiang drove to the Courier Shop. Yunxiang just shook his head in disbelief as Anhe didn't think twice in riding with a stranger. If she met with a different guy, she must've been kidnapped and ransomed. 

“You sure are something else.” Yunxiang said as he drove. After strapping the crates on his bike, he was shocked when Anhe didn't took the helmet and told him it was alright. 

“I get that a lot.” Anhe shrugged and hanged on Yunxiang's shoulder.  “Wow, never been to this part before.” She said as she and Yunxiang stopped at the shop, well Yunxiang actually drove in the shop. 

“Yunxiang and a girl... that's new.” Yunxiang's Manager, who liked being called Manager, said. 

“Manager, meet a customer.” Yunxiang said as he and Anhe got off his bike.

“Six, do you mind, getting some papers?” Manager asked a man in red and white striped shirt. Everyone was busy gaping at the beauty in front of them that Manager rolled his eyes. 

“Sure thing Manager.” Six was one of the nicest ones in his shop, along with Yunxiang and few more. 

“Is it okay if Yunxiang will be the one to deliver them?” Anhe asked. Writing down the necessary info. 

“Well, that depends on his schedule. Don't you have a race later?” Six pointed out the blanks that she needs to fill up. 

“I can do it.” Yunxiang said and pointed out that the shipment is already strapped on his bike. 

“Well, you heard the man, Miss.” Usually, they don't but since this was the first time someone was actually wanting a specific rider to do it, they're not going to be stingy. 

“If you don't mind me asking, how did a rugrat like Yunxiang came across a girl like you?” Liang asked, curious on to why Anhe didn't told them her name when it was hinted in Manager's sentence. 

“Hey.” Yunxiang was little bit offended.

“He offered in helping with the car but since it can't really be fixed, he spoke about the courier service he works at and here we are.” Anhe explained, taking out the money needed for the payment. 

“You ready to go?” Yunxiang asked.

“Sure am!” The two left after she handed the money and waved goobye at the men who worked there.

| • ❤ • | 

Anhe and Yunxiang personally gave the water bottles to the people. They seemed to know her and looked up to her. Not only does she hand out water but makes sure that everyone has at least a roof over their heads.

“You know, some people would think many times when handing out free water.” Yunxiang said. “So... I'm guessing you're from the De Clan... or at least affiliated with the De Clan.”

“What makes you say that?” Anhe didn't made any other expression other hand tilting her head to the side.

“You’re rich that's what.” Yunxiang shrugged. “So, where do I drop you off?” He still need to pick Kasha up since she wanted to watch the race again before her job.

“About this race, can I watch? I've never been at a race before.” Anhe gave him her best Puppy Eyes.

“Well, if you promise to cheer me on.” This caused Anhe to squeal and him to chuckle.

[casspurrjoybell-30]

Cry Me a River - Chapter 57 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Unheard Voices

"You may begin."

The scribe in the center dipped his quill into the ink beside his paper as a man stood up and began to speak.

"The people are demanding for protection against the rebels and for a voice in the nation. There has been an increase in uprisings across the colony in the past month, coinciding with the rebel attacks in the Southeast."

The room grew silent as they awaited Alastair's reply.

"And what happened with the soldiers we sent to the Southeast?" Alastair replied.

"They are still on there way there, Your Majesty," another man stood up to reply.

"They departed last night."

"Very well," Alastair breathed.

"What have you all considered so far?"

Their eyes widened momentarily before they looked to the scribe who began ruffling through his papers.

"I have it," Isaiah stood up and lifted a bundle of papers from his designated desk.

The scribe stopped what he was doing, head pivoting towards Isaiah with a relieved smile- thankful to be able to stop searching, as the other council members seemed oddly confused.

"Go ahead, Isaiah," Alastair rose his hand in his direction. Isaiah nodded and peered down at his papers.

"For the protection aspect there was a disagreement. Either we could send more soldiers into the land to protect the cities or we could send a select elite to train those of the city to protect themselves."

"Interesting."

Alastair's head tilted.

"And in this second opinion, how would we find people to train? Are people willing to give up their sons like that? Their husbands?"

"Yes," Isaiah stated.

"I spoke to Hyde earlier and he stated himself that there are dozens upon dozens of citizens more than willing to fight against the rebels have they the ability and training to do so."

Alastair nodded as he cupped his chin.

"And who would these elite be?"

"Those chosen by His Majesties, of course," Isaiah looked at both Alastair and me with bright eyes.

He really wanted to do this.

It was quite obvious that he was the one who had come up with such a plan.

After all, he was the only one standing and demanding for its enactment while the other councilmen sat, crossed armed as they watched it play out.

All but Derek who stood beside Isaiah, hand perched beside his as Isaiah spoke animatedly to Alastair.

"Very well," was all I heard as I was pulled from my thoughts. Isaiah's mouth widened as he took his seat with a cheerful grin.

I saw Alastair begin to stand from his chair and I grew confused.

'Wasn't there a second part to the demand? What about their voices?'

"Wait," my voice came out before I could stop it.

Alastair's head turned to mine with a raised brow.

"Yes, love?"

I took a breath, tightening the fur around my shoulders.

"What about their voices? Did our civilians not ask for a voice?"

Alastair sat back down with a released breath.

"They did but they already have that. That's what their governor is for. He speaks for the people in his village. Each man cannot simply come and speak to the king. That's where the governor comes in. He along with all the governors from each village comes and speaks for his people."

"But the people are saying they don't have a voice so there must be something wrong with that system," I exclaimed.

"So what do you presume then?"

Alastair sat back in his chair.

The room grew silent as I thought.

What was wrong with their system?

To anyone, it sounded like a good one.

Yet, our people were complaining, meaning there was a hole somewhere.

"Who chooses these governors?"

Alastair brows pinched slightly by my words.

"Whoever is king during the time a governor is to be chosen."

All the governors ruling our land now were those chosen by Alastair's father.

It was all starting to make sense now.

"A man is appointed to speak for people who neither chose nor want him? Should a man not be able to choose for himself who he'd like to represent him? How could one man choose for thousands of others?"

Alastair brows grew closer and closer together the more and more I said.

"Are you saying a king is not fit to choose a representative for his own people?" Alastair's voice was growing dangerously low.

"No but I am saying that it is only fair for our people to make such a decision alongside their own king."

The room was growing frighteningly silent.

The councilmen sat silently as Alastair and I debated back and forth.

"And how is that to happen? How will they all be able to make the decision alongside their king when there's thousands upon thousands of them? Are we to open our gates and allow them to pile on into the courtroom to choose alongside us?"

I grew silent.

I wasn't sure.

I didn't know how it would happen but what I did know was that it should.

In some shape or form, our people should be able to choose their own governor.

They needed a voice but how could they have one with men who were clearly muting them?

"This meeting is adjourned," Alastair's voice rang through the room.

"We'll continue this at a later date."

[dorimimimimi]

Idk what to really say about this short passage…

Warning: Cheating kind of???, being burned by fire, a crumb of mentions of war. And that’s about all I think.

———————————————————————

It was a nice Autumn day when they had first meet. Most would assume that during this encounter it was probably filled with insults from the King of deaths second son. Though during the encounter it was quite different if you were to ask them. One would say it was love at first sight while the other would most definitely say it was a coincidence to find them there. But even so they can’t lie when it came to them falling in love in the process.

It was the start of November where they both first lay eyes on each other. A mortal women who was picking some apples who came across a unrecognizable man. She haven’t once seen him before in the village she grew up in. So which caused her to be confused of the presence of the unknown man. Though one things for certain ‘is he is lost’ she thought.

Though it shouldn’t be suprised if he was actually lost. Knowing that the land they were in was the territory of the council member ‘Phoenix’. Her lands was known to be the most confusing and complicated land to navigate through. Knowing that parts of it has a volcanic scenery.

But even so the lands that they were in was the most easiest to find your way back home. So she had to wondered what’s going on with the man that for some unknown reason is telling her to come up to the man.

…

She gulped then breather to calm down before deciding to walk to the man and ask him. Before going she made sure to bring the apples. Just maybe to gift some to the man. She headed over where the man finally took notice of her. A lady who’s roughly 5’5,possibly in their late 20’s, orange with a hint of yellow eyes, red hair, and a red kimono.

That’s when she also took notice of the man’s features. A man who just looked as if he was 6 feet tall, who looks as if he was in his early 30’s, red eyes that could even represent rubys even, medium length jet black hair with a hint of blonde at the tips of his hair, while wearing a black kimono with some yellow. Now his appearance did make her somewhat flustered. Clearly never seeing a man look so appealing.

“Excuse me sir, I can’t help but wonder if your lost since I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before down in village” she asked. Even with the question being asked he looks at her with care. As if she was the only women he’d ever seen. Well technically it’s sort of true with where he was forbidden to go out the kingdoms door. Part of the reasons to this was because of how he had to finish his training for both learning his power and to become king of it ever came to that, that is.

He was so infatuated that he didn’t notice that had was calling out to him it was until she called out to him the last time where he snapped out of it. “Do forgive me ma’am, it seems like I might be out of it. Did you say something?” He then asked somewhat embarrassed at himself. She looked at him at pure confusion but also a drop of amusement. “Are you lost? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” She asked yet again but this time with a hint of relief. “Ah yes, it seems like I have gotten myself lost in these areas. I haven’t made myself familiar with these lands from the goddess of fire it seems.” He answered with a serious face this time.

“Oh? What location are you looking for? I might be able to help you!” She exclaimed. “Well I’m looking for the old ruins which used to contain the old scroll” he explained before stating ”Though I’m not sure if it’s still open to tourists.”

“You shouldn’t worry that site is open to anyone! It’s also not be to far from here all you have to do Is go around the giant mountain, pass through the volcanic garden and then you should spot a entrance.” She instructed. The man then though before telling her his name “My name is Avaritia. May I ask yours?” He asked flirtatious before taking her hand to give it a small peck.

“Oh it’s Akiko, nice to meet you Avaritia” she introduced. “I hope I see you soon and hopefully often dear” he spoke one last time to the red hair lady. “Safe travels!” She also spoke lastly.

…

It’s been some time since that day had happen to know both Akiko and Avaritia both hang out to where they started dating even. Though with the years that soon passed they eventually got married and later had two beautiful daughters. Aki and Kiyoshi.

Though all good things always come to an end…

Flames grew the families home where Akiko, Aki, and Kiyoshi was in. Where their screams can be heard inside the home. Due to no way out of the flamed home. While Avaritia stays outside watching with a look of hurt or was it fulfillment?

…

After the large flames subsided he waited for what seemed like centuries. He went inside burnt down house where he found his wife. But in a different form? He looks at her like he accomplished something. He turned them immortal the only thing he didn’t seem to think of was the consequence of that option.

His plan was to use his power to turn them immortal by changing their cells. But it’s a painful procedure even more painful if your a child…

Though all he had to was to wait for her and his two daughters to wake up. Even with all the time he waited the response was not what he was waiting for. When Akiko woke she could only feel pain all over her body more towards her back and head. When waking up she heard her husbands voice. “Oh good your awake” he said in a sarcastic kind of voice. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!!” She yelled when realizing she has multiple tails, a set of ears and not to mention fangs and large nails. “I just turned my family immortal is all. You should be grateful.” He explained while looking somewhat frustrated.

But even so all Akiko could see was a monster… someone who she trusted to bring her to pain.

‘Wait… where’s Aki and Kiyoshi?!!!’ She wondered in a panic. “If your wondering where Aki and Kiyoshi they’re right here. Still asleep” he spoke not even worried. “LEAVE. NOW.” She somewhat yelled just trying to fight off tears.

“Hm? You do have to know if I leave there will only be bad fortune be brought to you and our daughters. Do you really want that to happen, Dear.” He said mockingly.

She looked at him shocked that he had changed from her loving husband to some bastard. “Leave I said” she said while cradling both Aki and Kiyoshi. He only looked at her with a drop of sadness but the rest angry. “Don’t say I warned you.” He last spoke.

…

A meeting was held to judge the case of the immortality of Akiko, Aki, and Kiyoshi. Where they then determined that Akiko would be banished to the human realm and for her daughters to attend war at a later age.

All of this happening with Avaritia watching not even giving a second glance to his wife or you may now say “ex wife”. Now he has other properties to court the goddess of creation and to work to get the title of king without having to worry about distractions. It’s how he was greedy what he was born with the sin of greed.

(Many years later: Before the second war)

The God of death decided to pay a visit to a certain person. To where he had go go to the human realm and find. Akiko a now kitsune who soon developed followers and mince tails who now hides her heart with a mask resembling a kitsune/fox. Who had also grew taller with white and red hair. She changed a lot was his first thought but when sensing him she turned go look at him. “What do I owe pleasure today? Here to banish me from the human realm also? Here go tell me my daughters are dead?!” She asked angrily.

“No I’m here to apologize” he answered her. She looks at him bewildered at what he proposed. “Apologize?” She said confused. “Yes, so to having such a stupid mind at that time I didn’t piece together the pieces. And with that you were the wife or the mother of my brothers daughters. What I found out was he didn’t turn himself in when it came to your sudden immortality.” He responded. “Why this all of a sudden though? Why now” she asked bitterly but also with some worry.

“I wanted to say that now that I have children of my own I have a new perspective. I truly cherish them and it made me think about the unfair treatment the court had given you. Banished without seeing your daughters again.” He explained. “I just wanted to say is if you’d let me I’ll take you back to the celestial realm where you can meet with your daughters again. And if you need anything I’ll take it to consideration.”

…

Silence was what he received at first but she have more though to it. “Alright I’ll take your offer but I don’t want to see that asshole anywhere near me or my daughters” she spoke at last. He then looked as if he was glad that someone else had also disliked his idiotic brothers. But even so she had every right to be mad. Knowing that he was trying to court his wife behind his back. His brother not knowing that his wife was fully loyal to him. What gave hime pride for.

With the time Akiko spent with both the goddess of life and god of death she felt a connection. Parents who want best for their children. Though now the god of death not be at all forgiving with his brother for discarding his family just so he can marry his wife was unacceptable. Now he was able to form a connection with Akiko. He views her as she was his little sister. Well technically she’s his sister in law. But even so she developed a aunt role with his four children.

And as for her daughters they seem to have not a great time when departing from their mother. With Kiyoshi going to war and coming back a emotionless general. And Aki a member of the celestial realm who my all means have loads of duties. To where now Kiyoko had her own duties.

But even after all of this Avaritia soon found out about his old families whereabouts. At first he didn’t care but then it soon came to jealousy of how close Akiko was with ‘MY BROTHER OF ALL PEOPLE’ is what he would say. But even so Akiko didn’t pay no mind to him because she lost interest in him. Which devastated him for some reason.

(After the incident)

After the God of death was sealed away, the Goddess of life was brought into a deep sleep, and the disappearance of their children. Akiko was very devasted where she spent her days looking for the children. To where her two daughters would do the same in the spare time. But there was still no use. In most days Avaritia was desperate to get back with his wife. With most cases she ignored him or told home to screw off.

“I survived because the fire that was inside of me burned brighter than the fire you put me through” was what she said before leaving.

Now who knows if their relationship would change. Whether he’d actually change knowing that his daughters and ex wife loathe him.

————————————

Idk what to say about this. 🥲

So little summary is that Avaritia is the brother of the god of death. Where is personality was supposed to be mostly about greed whereas when he was with Akiko he felt loved. Though he made a big mistake by making his wife and daughters immortal by the painful process. After all that his wife was not able to forgive him.

After the trial she was then banished so she couldn’t even see her daughters grow because Avaritia didn’t want to come clean. When they years go by the God of death went by to pay Akiko a visit to give her is at most apologies. Which had then forgives him and then meets back with her two daughters which they had broken their emotions.

Now more then ever Avaritia is more desperate to get back with his wife and reconnect with his daughters.

————————————

Wow can’t believe I wrote this in just 4 hours. 😭😭😭

Though you should expect this story to be altered a little in the future. 😊

Also don’t mind the name Avaritia it’s a last minute name. I might change it in the future if I find something more fitting.

[akingschronicle]

The Fallen Snow

Synopsis:

How long will Wataru keep following him? Eichi wondered. 

It didn’t seem like Wataru would go anywhere though as they settled down nicely in the artics. 

Content Warning: None

Author’s Comment: More Immortals/Fantasy AU

AO3

How long has it been since they’ve fatefully met on that barren land where he almost took his life? Eichi wondered as he walked through the land of pure white snow alongside the eccentric magician, Wataru who was behind him and didn’t utter a word.

Maybe a couple hundred years? Has it really been that long? Eichi pondered. He had just been wandering aimlessly with the magician, and it seemed like Wataru wouldn’t be leaving his side any time soon considering it's been at least a hundred years. 

But a hundred years seems long for a mortal, yet it is but a few years for an immortal.

Wataru seemed to notice Eichi’s pondering as their pace slowed down. He appeared by his side in almost a flash, like magic. Of course, that's what he's famous for anyways. Eichi’s pondering seemed to have struck Wataru’s curiosity. 

What oh earth could he be thinking about now? How interesting, if only he could enter the mind of the Emperor and know for himself, he thought.

“Is something bothering you my dear Eichi?” Wataru asked with a smile.

Eichi slightly jumped, snapping out of his thoughts and stopping in the snow. He was so lost in his mind, how embarrassing. A ‘war emperor’ like him succumbing to the weakness of mortals and letting his guard down, how truly embarrassing.

Wataru stopped as well, right beside Eichi. A little giggle came out of him as he watched Eichi jump. Oh how funny to see ‘The Emperor’ like this. It was also sort of cute in its own sense. What a rare sight only he gets to see, it made him feel like the most special person in the entire world.

Eichi shook his head. “Its nothing, Wataru. I was just thinking about how long you’ve been traveling with me.” Eichi replied, sighing as he started to walk again.

“Hasn’t it been a hundred years already? Amazing! I’ve seen so many things with you Eichi~” He responded quickly, appearing in front of the other in a snap again with his arms up in the air.

“It is quite amazing indeed. I didn’t think you’d follow me for that long.” 

“The world is so vast and unexplored! But I’d rather travel with someone to share the scenery than be all by myself! Don’t you think the same?” 

Eichi sighed and smiled. “Yes I do. I feel like I’ve seen a more beautiful world, a world beyond the storms of war and blood, with you.” 

Wataru smiled back hearing what Eichi had said. 

Remembering about their encounter, their chances of meeting each other was more of a coincidence to them at first but perhaps thinking about it again, maybe it was fate all along? The world was truly interesting, but rather brutal to give them the person they wanted to meet after centuries. But what was important is that they’re here right now, and they’re at least happy.

“So where are we going now my dear Eichi~? Maybe there's some new kingdoms sprouting somewhere far~ from here! I’d honestly love to see them~” Wataru exclaimed excitedly.

Eichi stopped when hearing those words. Left to think again, maybe it was time to reveal the true purpose of them being here in the cold. 

He huffed, “I don’t want to go anywhere, Wataru.” Eichi said, turning around to meet the other in the eyes.

He stared at Wataru's bright purple eyes as it filled with curiosity as he heard Eichi’s words. 

“Oh~? And why is that?” Wataru asked, curious and fascinated.

“I want to settle down here. I feel like I’ve seen it all and I want to spend my days as an immortal with you.” Eichi said smiling.

Wataru’s eyes grew wide hearing that, filled with fascination, wonder and happiness. He let Eichi’s words process in his brain first before responding since he was so seemingly happy right now that his abilities might go out of control.

“If that's what you wish then so be it~” Wataru replied with a smile.

Eichi walked closer to Wataru and leaned on him, holding the purple furred cape Wataru wore to protect himself from the cold, feeling all his warmth.

Wataru let out a little chuckle, despite Eichi being the immortal ‘War Emperor’ everyone feared, he had his weaknesses too, he always felt an immense pain and sickness at times. And of course Wataru took care of him, how could he not? They’re partners now, the person he’s been trying to find for so long. Of course he’d take care of him.

“I’ll handle everything and make something amazing for you~” Wataru said.

“I knew I can always rely on you.” Eichi replied before his eyes slowly closed and fell asleep on the magician who chuckled softly.

[blu-joons]

When He Lays Down On Your Butt ~ Enhypen Reaction

Heeseung:

“What is it?” Heeseung whispered up to you as you called out his name, waking him up from the middle of his nap on you.

“I can’t feel my butt,” you told him as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, “you keep rolling around, I’m worried that you’re going to flatten my butt if you lay there for too much longer.”

A smile graced his face as he slowly began to stir, “what if I promise to stay still? Can I go back to sleep on you then, I’m still tired Y/N, honestly.”

“Are you tired? Or is that an excuse?” You questioned, smirking down at Heeseung, “are you just trying to get me to feel sorry for you on my butt?”

His head shook, “I really am tired, I barely got any sleep last night, and I’m comfy here.”

“Fine, I’ll let you stay,” you replied, chuckling as his face lit up, “but if you keep shuffling around then I’ll be more than happy to kick you off and move you to a pillow.”

“I promise that I won’t move a single muscle, wait and see.”

“Don’t flatten my butt, Hee.”

Jay:

“I’m home,” Jay announced as he walked into the bedroom, finding you lazily scrolling through your phone laid out on the bed.

“About time,” you joked as Jay sat down, debating for a moment before taking up his opportunity, laying himself down so that he stretched across your bum. “Of all the places you could lay?”

His head nodded as he made sure to take the time to make himself comfortable, “I keep telling you, there is nothing more comfortable than your bum.”

“And let me guess, you’re going to tell me how tired you are, so I feel sorry for you and let you stay laying where you are,” you asked, knowing him so well.”

The smile on his face widened, “I really have had a long day at work, I’m exhausted Y/N.”

“How convenient,” you teased, glancing back at him, “you’re lucky that I find you cute when you smile like that, I guess I’ll let you stay laid out on my butt.”

“Have I ever told you just how much I love you Y/N?”

“Don’t push your luck, Jay.”

Jake:

“Oh dear,” Jake laughed as he fell down on the bed, coincidentally landing with his head resting on top of your butt.

“Well, isn’t that such a convenience,” you scoffed, glancing back as best as you could to look back at him, “of all the places your head could have landed, you managed to find my butt of all things.”

His head nodded as he continued to play innocent, “it must just be my lucky day to be able to lay on your butt. Have I told you how comfortable it is too?”

“You might have mentioned it once or twice,” you mused back at him, “because usually I push you off whenever you decide you want to lay down there.”

The smirk on his face grew, “but you can’t move me today because it’s just coincidence.”

“Is it though?” You questioned as his head rapidly nodded back at you, “for how long were you thinking about trying to find a way to lay down on me?”

“Honestly, I spent about half an hour on this plan.”

“You’re honestly impossible Jake.”

Sunghoon:

“There you are,” a soft voice whispered as Sunghoon laid down on the bed, tapping his hand against your lower back to get your attention.

“Yes?” You questioned, glancing behind your shoulder as Sunghoon shuffled around before resting his head right on top of your bum, making himself comfortable. “What are you playing at exactly?”

He smiled up at you as he met your eyes, moving his hand to rest against your back. “You looked pretty comfortable, so I thought I would hay here.”

“I looked comfortable, or you saw an opportunity to lay on my butt and took it?” You challenged, reading through Sunghoon straight away, knowing him so well.”

The smile on his face grew, “I definitely laid down here because I was looking after you.”

“You’ve always been a terrible liar,” you joked, “your eyes are always a giveaway,” you added, bouncing your butt up to send his head flying up into the air.

“You’ll have to do more than that to get me to move.”

“Don’t worry, I intend to.”

Sunoo:

“How long do you plan on laying here for?” Sunwoo asked as he stretched himself out across the length of your butt.

“Until you get off of me,” you laughed as he brought his eyes across to look up at you, “what have you come up here in search of anyway? I thought you were getting some work done?”

His head nodded back at you, “I was, but then I thought about how much I missed you, and how much you probably missed me too whilst I was gone.”

“I was quite enjoying the peace and quiet actually,” you teased, watching as his face dropped, “I was also pretty comfortable just laying here alone.”

Sunoo poked his tongue up at you, “but you’re more comfortable now that I’m here, right?”

“Not exactly,” you laughed, continuing to tease him, “I’ve got your bony face structure digging into my butt right now, and there’s noise in the room now too.”

“I don’t plan on moving, just so you know that too.”

“I thought you wouldn’t budge.”

Jungwon:

“This is perfect,” Jungwon announced bringing a loud laugh out of you as he continued to tap his hand against your back.

“I’m glad that you find that I make such a fantastic drumkit,” you joked as he continued to tap a rhythm whilst resting his head against your butt, “you seem to be enjoying yourself a lot.”

In reply, his head nodded back at you, “I can’t help it, whenever I lay down on your butt, I always feel so calm, it gives me so much motivation too.”

“My butt?” You questioned, struggling to make sense of what Jungwon was saying, “most other people would say my eyes, or something romantic.”

His head shook, “there is something romantic about bums too, you just have to think.”

“You make no sense,” you told him once again, looking back to your phone, “but seeing as you’re so comfortable I’ll just leave you to do what you want.”

“Trust me, all of this makes sense in my head Y/N.”

“I’m glad it does for one of us.”

Ni-ki:

“Y/N,” his voice spoke up as he sat down on the bed, immediately laying himself down so that his head rested against your bum.

“What do you want?” You asked, admiring the proud smirk that was on his face. “When you’re acting as innocent as this, I know that you’ve either done something, or you want something.”

His head shook back across at you, “why do you instantly assume the worst of me? Why can’t I just lay down on your butt and enjoy being with you.”

“You never lay on my butt,” you reminded him, keeping a close eye on him, “you only lay on my butt when you want something as you know that you’ll get it.”

His hand poked against the small of your back, “this time, I really am not up to anything.”

“I’ll trust you,” you mused, furrowing your brows, “but I’m watching over you, you’re acting far too cutely for me to not wonder what you’ve been up to.”

“I really haven’t been up to anything, I promise.”

“We’ll see about that one.”

---

Masterlist

[etsuven]

you are (y/n): a royal living in the kingdom of aetas*, and the time has finally come for you to choose who to marry. as a way of looking for a future spouse, you begin searching all across the land of teyvat. your parents weren't very picky with who you chose, so it shouldn't have been that hard. but really-

who knew that there were so many men willing to marry you?

Xiao your personal knight. he was appointed to you when you were both young, so you practically grew up together. he was adept at many things: fighting, teaching you how to defend yourself, reading your practiced facial expressions, and of course, protecting you.

ever the stoic person, xiao is the type to stand by you and stay quiet unless you ask him something. he much rather preferred to- as you liked to say, "stand there and look pretty." he always looked at you weird when you said that. after all, he believed that he was just doing his job.

he often found himself shooing away strange people who tried to make moves on you. he claimed time and time again that he was only doing it to keep you safe- and while that may be true, you've begun to think that he's doing it more out of jealousy than his concern for your safety. or maybe he's right and you're just overreacting.

Zhongli the king of the liyue kingdom, and quite a lovely man! you met him a few times in the past in places like royal balls, finding that he was naturally a gentleman. unlike most other people you met, he was respectful with his touches. he always had his hands clasped either in front or behind him, and he only ever touched you when dancing or kissing the back of your hand as a greeting.

he seemed very sweet, but you found that he had quite the extensive knowledge about war tactics. how to plan, where to strike first, how to absolutely obliterate someone in battle... things like that.

zhongli had the tendency to ramble on about things, which was quite handy when you needed something to fall asleep to. you've always tried to keep your eyes open, but they just end up closing on their own. and the next thing you know, you're tucked into your bed. this happens every time you're with zhongli, and you've begun to think that he does this on purpose since it helps you sleep after a particularly stressful day...

Ayato a noble from the inazuma kingdom, and another respected man. you didn't know him very well, so you never really had much to say about him. you had heard rumors that he was an incredibly smart and efficient man, leading his clan at a concerningly young age- and all while taking care of and protecting his younger sister.

you had also heard about how he had survived an assassination attempt from one of the most feared assassins in the land! the assailant was reportedly able to disappear and reappear at will, but the young master managed to outsmart him in the end.

facinating, you thought. maybe you'd be able to learn a thing or two from him.

Thoma one of ayato's guards, and the housekeeper of his manor. along with your parents, you'd visited the inazuma kingdom on a few occasions, and he was the first you noticed. after all, blonde hair and pretty green eyes weren't exactly common in inazuma.

and what a coincidence, you later found out that he was from the same kingdom as your childhood friend!

now, thoma was absolutely the sweetest guy you had ever met. he was kind, hospitable, and he knew the best places in inazuma to eat at. you tried your best to pay for your meals in return for his hospitality, but he never let you. always greeting you with a smile and sending you off with a kiss on your knuckles and a deep bow...

ah, he really is too nice for his own good.

Venti your dear childhood friend. the two of you had known each other since you were babies. he was a tad bit older than you, and since you were both royals, you had plenty of time to bond together. your childhoods were spent running around the castle halls, playing tag in the many passageways that littered the area.

venti always seemed to have a childish wonder to him, and that trait only persisted as the two of you got older. once you began to get swamped with royal duties, venti was always somehow there to provide a stress free environment for you to relax in.

whether it be a picnic in your garden, or a late night walk on the outskirts of your kingdom where you spent most of your time catching blue crystalflies. now, you had to admit- you had quite the crush on him when you were younger. the feelings have faded away by now, but they were quite fun while they lasted...

Kaeya a noble and the son of the late crepus. as he is adopted, he is not the heir of the ragnvindr house. unlike most would think, he doesn't mind it. he spends his free time roaming around the kingdom, making personal connections with people- unlike his dear brother. no offense to him.

you've met kaeya on a few occasions while hanging out with venti (xiao was tagging along, as a personal knight should.) he was often one of the ones shooed away by xiao due to his attempts at flirting with you. kaeya and venti were acquainted as they drank together a lot.

kaeya flirted with almost anyone, so you never knew if his flirting attempts were just his personality or genuine. did his smooth words genuinely fluster you at times? maybe, but we won't get to that now.

Albedo the chief alchemist of your alchemy department. he was very, very smart, and you often found him helping you out with your studies. normally they were quite boring. confusing math and science, sleep inducing reading and history... but with albedo there, everything was calm and fun...

he was patient with you, explaining things carefully and working things out with you if needed. albedo with his pretty hair and pretty glasses and pretty smile...

this meant nothing. you were just a sucker for pretty men.

anyways, albedo was quite the calculative person. he was another person who knew how you were feeling based off of your facial expressions, which was both a blessing and a curse. he knew when you were frustrated with something, which was a sign for him to grab your favorite drinks and snacks and take a break. now, this was something you'd always appreciated about him.

alrighty, here's the cast! keep in mind that not all of these are love interests, they're just the people who made it into the top five (with the exception of thoma and ayato who were guaranteed to be in the fic when i first thought of making something like this.)

these also aren't in any particular order because i didn't want to give away who the endgame was. i just randomized it a bit! you may think that you know who the endgame is based on what i wrote, but you're most likely wrong!

*oh, and the pronunciation for aetas is “ah-aye-tas”

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