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lu-dao-writes · 16 days

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A Hard Pill to Swallow

⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: Feng Xin and Mu Qing have always been at each other’s throats, and you’ve dealt with it, but now you can’t.

𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜(𝙨) Spoilers for vol 2, gn!reader, reader is a martial god who served XL, mentioned blood and injury and death, arguing (MQ & FX), ambiguous relationships and ending.

𝘼/𝙉 The ending is open ended, but I like to think it’s Jun Wu that visits you, hehe, cause that man is sus. But hope you enjoy. I’ve been unable to do much lol, but I managed to do this while sick. Also!! If anyone finds and gets the reference I used, I fucking love you fr🤣💕. ⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹

You were the first to arrive at Xiè Lián’s recently erected palace, mind still reeling from the meeting that occurred an hour ago.

Xiè Lián had admitted to a huge crime, claiming he was the one that slaughtered Láng Qiānqiū’s family during the Gilded Banquet.

Xiè Lián, who was nothing but righteous and good, killed the monarchy of Yǒng'ān because he “couldn’t stand to see them on the throne”.

Yeah, you don’t believe that. Not one bit.

Xiè Lián greets you at the door looking a little disheveled, rubbing sleep from his eyes with his non-injured arm. You wince at the blood and at your foolishness for forgetting to bring something to alleviate it.

“Oh, hello,” Xiè Lián offers bashfully.

“Ā-Lián,” you sigh, reaching out to grasp his sleeve, and he grips yours before allowing you inside. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring anything, I-I just needed to see you.”

Xiè Lián waves off your apology with a smile, sitting down. “Don’t worry it doesn’t even hurt. Jūn Wú did enough.”

“But—.”

The doors open and light footsteps come towards you and Xiè Lián, Mù Qíng soon appearing. His dark eyes meet yours before cutting to Xiè Lián, a scoff leaving his lips. “What? Expecting Fēng Xìn? As if.”

“Mù Qíng,” you start warily.

“What are you doing here?” Xiè Lián chimes in softly.

“The emperor detained you in your little palace. He said His Highness Tài Huá couldn’t come, but I’m not him,” Mù Qíng replies flippantly, digging into his sleeve. He fishes out a small porcelain bottle and tosses it to Xiè Lián. “It’s pitiful watching you sling that bloody arm of yours. Use it or don’t, but no one else is going to help you.”

Mù Qíng has a little smirk on his face, reminding you of a pit viper. It makes you frown disapprovingly, but Xiè Lián doesn’t acknowledge his attitude, and instead he opens the bottle and watches as the medicine does it’s work.

“So did you really slaughter the royal family? How’d you do it?”

“Mù Qíng!?” you exclaim, appalled by his inappropriate excitement and questioning.

“What are you doing here?” Fēng Xìn’s naturally boisterous voice startles them all, but Mù Qíng’s shock turns into something more ugly, disdain washing over his morbid excitement.

“I’m a guest here like you and anyone else is. Last I checked this isn’t your palace.”

Fēng Xìn glowers at him before briefly making eye contact with you before approaching Xiè Lián, his face softening. “Your Highness, what you said at the Palace of Divine Might-.”

“Yes,” Xiè Lián cuts in softly, finality in his voice and expression. “I killed them.”

Fēng Xìn pales along with you, and Mù Qíng looks briefly startled before going for Fēng Xìn again.

“What’s that expression for? Don’t make me laugh.”

You sigh and rub at your temples. “You guys-.”

“It’s not for or about you! Get lost!”

Mù Qíng looks excited again. “That is rich coming from you! As if you’re so loyal; how long did you stay around for again?”

Fēng Xìn grits his teeth, his fists tightening at his sides as a fire is lit ablaze in his eyes.

Xiè Lián fiddles with his his sleeves anxiously, a slight look of anguish on his face. “Please you two, let’s not talk about this right now..”

You on the other hand, typically the calm one and their mediator, are not feeling the aster. Your pulse is thrumming and frustration begins to bubble in your belly. “Okay, stop this right now,” you demand.

But of course yours and Xiè Lián’s pleading goes unheard.

Mù Qíng takes a step closer, finger poking at Fēng Xìn’s chest. “Some say you left because you couldn’t stand to see your former master fall from grace. Tch, such a pretty excuse, but we all know the real reason. You just couldn’t stand to spend the rest of your days cleaning after a broken man!”

“You shut your fucking mouth!” Fēng Xìn practically roars, swinging his fist at Mù Qíng, hitting the delicate looking man square in the cheek, causing him to stumble back into the cabinet, holding his cheek as he glares daggers through his curtain of dark tresses.

You and Xiè Lián gape, the latter standing up, sending his chair backwards.

“Fēng Xìn, Mù Qíng, stop!”

“You think everyone is as vile as you, but I don’t take joy in watching him suffer!” Fēng Xìn snaps, throwing another punch, but Mù Qíng dodges and smashes his own fist into Fēng Xìn’s face.

“Enough!” you exclaimed, only to be ignored and the two to ruthlessly attack one another, breaking a few pieces of furniture.

You escort Xiè Lián out safely before trying to break the other two up from their brawl, but it ends up with you getting shoved aside aggressively by Mù Qíng.

Just as your ass hits the floor, the main doors to Xiānlè Palace opens and a swarm of deathly spirit butterflies come inside, fluttering past Xiè Lián and heading straight for you, Mù Qíng, and Fēng Xìn. You’re yanked behind Mù Qíng as he and Fēng Xìn use a shield to protect themselves, and you from the swarm.

But during this you’re frozen, appalled that you were just shoved by someone you’ve been close to since before you ascended. You watch as Xiè Lián doesn’t put up a fight with Huā Chéng, who steals him away.

You say nothing as chaos goes down in the communication array, only eventually piping up in your private communication array with Xiè Lián. “Ā-Lián…?”

“Ā-(Y/N)?”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, yes, I’m okay. I promise.”

You believe him this time, especially as he looks so comfortable with Huā Chéng beside him. You bravely look at the Ghost King. “Keep him safe, please.”

Huā Chéng acknowledges you with an assured little smirk and a nod before he and Xiè Lián both disappear.

Although Huā Chéng is feared, you’ve always trusted Xiè Lián for the most part.

Fēng Xìn and Mù Qíng are still arguing with one another, their voices infuriating you.

“Why are you lying and saying he escaped!? We watched Huā Chéng kidnap him!”

“Is it really kidnapping if he didn’t put up a struggle?” Mù Qíng snaps dismissively. “Get off my ass!”

“You bast-!”

“Enough!” you shout. “Stop it! Just stop it! I’ve had enough!”

The two looked at you with bewilderment, and in return you gave them a vicious stare, eyes stinging slightly as your fists trembled at your sides. “Both of you are so fucking selfish, you know that? First you fight in front of His Highness and bring up your issues you either have with yourselves or each other, wrecking his palace in your brawl, and you disrespect his feelings, as well as mine, when we both asked you to stop! You’re both so wrapped up in yourselves and each other that I’m sick of it!”

“We-!”

“I-!”

“Shut up! I’m done! Done hearing both of you! Get over yourselves! If you want to actually look for him, then do it! Don’t ask me to meditate your petty arguments anymore!”

It’s quiet for a moment before you start hearing other voices.

“I’ve never heard General Qiáng Yǒngmíng get so angry before…”

“Someone finally told those two to shut up..”

“Poor General Qiáng Yǒngmíng. Dealing with those two for this long and finally snapping.”

You feel mild embarrassment as you realize you broadcasted your rant in the communication array, but maybe some humiliation is what these two need, but you doubt it’ll do much. With a huff, you make your exit and ignore Fēng Xìn’s pleas, heading to your palace to hide away.

“Ā-(Y/n), thank you,” you hear Xiè Lián murmur, sounding very faint now.

“Anything for you, Ā-Lián,” you reply, falling into your bed, just as your palace doors open.

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literaryvein-reblogs · 1 month

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Hello <33 I'm trying to come up with a title for my fluff self-insert, but I'd like some better ideas for a title. Basically it's about curiosity and the inexperienced touching of another you're attracted to, a fiery type of heat as they fall in love with the sanctity in each other's trust and clothed adoration.

If you can give me a list of poetic phrases and words, even the more simple to the uncommon ones, that'd be great :D

Hi! Thanks for sharing a snippet of your story with me <3 Here are some words/phrases related to curiosity, coming-of-age & youthful passionate love:

Be soft on someone - to love someone or like someone very much

Besotted - to be completely in love with someone and always thinking of them

Butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth - used when someone looks as if they would never do anything wrong, although you feel they might

Carry a torch for [someone] - to be in love with someone

Ephebic - relating to or like an ephebe (i.e., a young man, especially in Ancient Greece, or a young person who is not yet a fully grown adult)

Ephemerality - the quality or state of lasting only for a short time

Estival - relating to or typical of summer

Indian summer - a period of warm weather happening in the fall when you expect cooler weather

Look at/see something through rose-coloured/rose-tinted glasses - to see only the pleasant things about a situation and not notice the things that are unpleasant

Novitiate - the period or state of being a novice

Red-letter day - a special, happy, and important day that you will always remember

Road to Damascus - your road to Damascus is an experience you have that you consider to be very important and that changes your life

Saturnalia - an ancient Roman celebration that happened on December 19; a party where people behave in an uncontrolled way

Spring beauty - one of several small, wild plants, originally from North America, that have green leaves and small pink or white flowers in the early spring

Spring fever - a feeling of excitement because the weather suddenly becomes warmer in spring

Tenderfoot - an inexperienced beginner; novice

Vernal - relating to or happening in the spring

Volte-face - a sudden change from one set of beliefs or plan of action to the opposite

Worship the ground someone walks on - to love and admire someone very much

Xanadu - a very impressive and beautiful place, or a place that is perfect

Perhaps some Victorian flower language may inspire you:

Abatina - fickleness

Aster - love, daintiness

Camellia (red) - flame in one's heart

Carnation (white) - innocence, pure love, sweet love

Crocus (spring) - cheerfulness, youthful gladness

Daffodil - regard, unequalled love

Daisy - innocence, loyal love, "I’ll never tell"

Larkspur - open heart, levity, lightness, fickleness

Lilac - joy of youth

Rose (white) - innocence, heavenly, "I’m worthy of you"

I hope you find the right word or phrase here. If not, perhaps this list could inspire you to create the perfect title—incorporate characters' names, places from your story, do a bit of word play etc etc :)

Sources: 1 2 3

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dreamwritesimagines · 2 years

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Garden of Secrets [15] - Aster

A.N: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and support my loves, it made my whole week, you’re amazing!❤ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think, thank you! ❤

Thanks so much to @theskytraveler for helping me with the chapter!

Summary: Trust works both ways.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, some gender specific language and terms, mentions of sex, slow burn.

Word Count: 4500

Series Masterlist

Your wedding day had been so stressful that soon after going to bed -in your own room- you fell asleep much faster than you usually would. And contrary to other times, for once you didn’t wake up in the middle of the night, plagued by your nightmares.

You were incredibly comfortable under the soft warm covers, so when the rather loud knock on the door pulled you out of the pleasant haze of sleep you couldn’t help the groan leaving your lips, burying your face deeper into the pillow.

Maybe if you didn’t make any noise, whoever it was would go away.

“Y/N?” Benedict’s voice reached inside, making your eyes snap open.

Or maybe not.

“Yes?” you called out, your voice still drowsy and Benedict let out a breath.

“Can you open the door please?”

You blinked a couple of times and sat up in bed, then pushed the covers off of you and walked to the door to unlock it before opening it.

…Alright, this was just not fair to the rest of you mortals on this green earth.

Benedict looked so handsome even at this very early hour of the morning that you could only gawk at him for a moment. Perhaps it was because this was the first time you were seeing him in his home attire, perhaps it was his slightly messy hair that made you want to run your fingers through just to see if it was as soft as it looked or perhaps it was his blue eyes that gleamed even with the sunlight coming from the window.

Unlike his formal attire, he wasn’t wearing a waistcoat or a jacket, just a white shirt that showed off his muscular chest and black pants. There was a tiny spot of blue over the collar of the sinful shirt -you had decided to refer to it as such from this moment on- which made you think he had been painting, that would explain the lack of formal clothes.

Your eyes raked over his broad chest, trailing up to his neck and you forced yourself to meet his gaze, ignoring the skip on your heart, half fearing he would be aware of your hungry gaze but apparently you had nothing to worry. Benedict looked almost in a daze, his eyes focused on you but you knew for a fact that you did not look nearly as good as him especially first thing in the morning. Your hair was a mess, you had fallen asleep in your under shift last night and sleep was still clinging to your eyes.

“Good morning,” you remembered to say and that was enough to make him snap out of it.

“Hello,” he said. “Sorry if I disturbed you, I just…wanted to make sure you were alright.”

You frowned slightly as you rubbed at your eye with the back of your hand, barely aware of the petulant pout on your lips, making him smile softly.

“I usually don’t wake up before 8 o’clock,” you rasped out and cleared your throat. “I wasn’t aware you woke up earlier, no one told me. It wasn’t my intention to be rude.”

Benedict shook his head.

“No no,” he said. “Please don’t worry about it, I don’t wake up before that either. It’s just that um—it’s twelve o’clock?”

You dropped your hand, staring up at him. “No it’s not.”

Benedict repressed a smile and nodded at the huge clock on your wall, and you followed his line of sight, looking over your shoulder to see that it was, in fact, twelve o’clock.

“What on earth?” you mumbled and Benedict let out a small chuckle.

“Long night?”

“How did I sleep until noon?”

“Well you did pass out yesterday,” he pointed out. “So I’d say it was a tiring day.”

You shook your head.

“This is still unacceptable,” you said. “I’ll be downstairs shortly—”

“Oh no no,” Benedict cut you off. “Get your rest, please. I only wanted to check on you because the maids said they knocked on your door but there was no answer so…you know, I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“I didn’t even hear anyone knocking,” you murmured and he smiled softly.

“It’s alright,” he said. “Like I said, I only wanted to check before I changed and left.”

Your head shot up. “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah because I…” his eyes searched your face. “Did you not want me to?”

“Oh no, that’s not what I meant,” you said, shaking your head and Benedict motioned between you.

“Because I can stay—”

“No I’m sure you’re busy—”

“Or I can change plans and we could just go—”

“It’s absolutely fine,” you cut him off. “I was just curious. And I should probably talk with the housekeeper, you know? Even if I’ve made quite the first impression I’m guessing.”

Benedict shot you that crooked grin of his. “There are worse first impressions to be made, I’m sure.”

You clicked your tongue. “We’ll see about that,” you said. “I mean I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’m not exactly…a warm person.”

Benedict pulled his brows together, an exaggerated look of disbelief etched in his features.

“You? Not a warm person?” he asked. “Here I thought you were the nicest lady in the ton.”

You scoffed a laugh and scrunched up your nose, shaking your head. A silence fell upon you and Benedict cleared his throat, pointing at his own room with his thumb.

“I’d better…”

“Right,” you said quickly. “Sure.”

He shot you a tight lipped smile and approached his room but before he could open it, you had already stepped out of yours.

“But um—” the words left your mouth before you could stop them or had any idea what would follow them for that matter. You looked up at the high ceiling, trying to recall what your aunt would tell your uncle whenever he would leave for the day, then took a deep breath as you remembered it, your eyes finding his again;

“Are you going to be home for dinner?”

A soft light appeared in his eyes and he smiled before nodding fervently.

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“Alright,” you said and he blinked a couple of times as if he was trying to find what to ask back.

“And do you want anything from…” he started in a haste and paused to think for a second. “From the gentlemen’s club?”

You pulled your brows together and tilted your head to the left in confusion while Benedict grimaced, closing his eyes as if he was annoyed at himself before opening them again.

“Because that’s where I’m going,” he explained. “To meet Anthony and Colin.”

You huhed. “I don’t really know what people do there.”

“Not much to be honest,” he said and shrugged his shoulders. “I can bring you a cigar?”

You stopped the laughter threatening to leave your lips and pursed them.

“No thank you,” you said. “I don’t like the smell of cigars. I appreciate the offer though.”

“Anytime,” he said with a grin and you went back into your room to close the door behind you. You were painfully aware of the smile curling your lips but you shook your head and put your hands on your hips, looking around the room.

“Alright then,” you muttered to yourself. “Let’s see.”

Mrs. Alton, your new housekeeper was a woman of few words with a solemn look on her face but a couple of minutes into a conversation with her you could already tell she was going to be very helpful to you. As she gave you a tour of the house with Paula following you, she answered any and every question you asked and you made multiple mental notes so that you could ask your aunt later on. You weren’t raised in the ton which meant you weren’t exactly educated in all parts of running a household but now you were going to have to learn.

You were just about to be finished as you passed through the last room on the other side of the hall but one glance inside was enough to make you stop in your tracks.

“That’s the room Mr. Bridgerton chose as his art studio ma’am,” Mrs. Alton said and you nibbled on your lip. The room itself was so Benedict that you could’ve said it was his art studio without even so much as a hesitation. It was well lit with direct sunshine and a wonderful view of the garden and the greenhouse, and his sketches and paints were scattered around the room along with a couple of canvases on wooden easels. The sofa across from the fireplace looked so comfortable and on the coffee table there were some books, no doubt on art.

“Oh,” you said, trying to decide whether to walk in or not but since Benedict wasn’t here and you had already sneaked around in his own house to take a look at his art, you decided a second time would be simply disrespectful.

At least where the staff could see.

You cleared your throat. “So garden next?”

“Yes, Mrs. Bridgerton.”

“Oh I think I can find my way to the garden,” you told her and Paula and smiled, “Please, don’t let me keep you from your day.”

“Of course ma’am,” they both curtsied and you walked past them to make your way downstairs, then left the house to step into the huge backyard.

The green garden full of colorful flowers was so beautiful and the water fountain made it look as if the garden itself was enchanted. You could imagine yourself sitting in the gazebo or spending hours in the greenhouse, and you still couldn’t believe this whole place was yours—

Benedict’s.

It was Benedict’s, not yours.

And you were going to stay away from that greenhouse and not spend much time in the most beautiful garden you had ever seen. Even though it was like someone had pulled it out of your dreams, you still couldn’t risk spending hours in it just to see it getting torn apart again.

You swallowed thickly and approached the gardener who was busy with one of the flower beds, but he jumped on his feet as soon as he saw you there.

“Good afternoon,” you said warmly. “Mr. Binsted if I remember correct?”

“You do Mrs. Bridgerton,” he bowed. “Good afternoon.”

“How are you, Mr. Binsted?”

“I’m well,” he said. “It’s a beautiful sunny day. How about you?”

“I’m alright,” you said. “I simply wanted to admire the garden up close, it is a masterpiece. And it is all your doing, without any help at all?”

“You flatter me ma’am,” he said with a proud smile. “It is. Thank you for letting me continue working here.”

“I should be thanking you for accepting to continue working here after your former employers moved,” you said. “I was actually wondering if I could ask something of you if that is quite alright?”

“Of course, Mrs. Bridgerton.”

“It caught my attention that although you have so many beautiful flowers here, there are no peonies,” you said. “And it’s my best friend’s favorite flower, so would it be possible to plant them as well?”

“Peonies?” he asked and nodded. “Absolutely.”

“And we can plant them over there, right next to irises,” you said. “If we do it in two weeks, by the time peonies start to open, irises will be fading so it’ll overlap with each other. And around them we could use sweet woodruff as the base, it’ll be the natural mulch and keep the soil moist so that peonies can bloom better.”

He tilted his head. “You know about flowers.”

Your head shot up and you shifted your weight.

“Just…just a little,” you muttered and cleared your throat. “And in a month perhaps we can also plant some lavenders over there, when the weather allows.”

“Of course Mrs. Bridgerton. I’ll plant the peonies tomorrow.”

“I appreciate it,” you said with a smile and he motioned at the greenhouse.

“Would you like me to change anything there as well?”

You looked over your shoulder to see the greenhouse better, your heart skipping a beat. Even in your dreams you would find it hard to believe that you could ever have a greenhouse, and the mere thought of the possibility of having it would make you smile in excitement but now…

You bit inside your cheek, that burning in your throat coming back as you felt the longing fill you, but you took a deep breath and shook your head.

“I’m not really good with greenhouses I’m afraid, I will leave that to your expertise,” you said. “Have a lovely day.”

“You too, Mrs. Bridgerton.”

You walked away from him back into the house, biting at your tongue and as soon as you stepped inside, Paula walked to you.

“A footman just brought a letter for you, ma’am.”

“Oh thank you,” you said and took the envelope from her, then opened it. Apparently Lady Bridgerton was inviting you for a stroll in the park with the rest of the family and you thought for a moment, then turned to Paula.

“Is the footman still here?”

“Yes, he’s waiting to deliver your reply.”

You nodded slowly and folded the paper to put it back into the envelope.

“Would you please tell him to tell Lady Bridgerton I will be there?” you asked. “I just need to visit my sister first.”

When the carriage stopped in front of Josie and Andrew’s house, you stepped out and approached the marble stairs to climb them. After reaching the door, you knocked on it and waited until the butler opened it. He let you in but before he could send a maid to the drawing room or announce your name, a very familiar giggle reached your ears and you turned your head to see Andrew running into the hallway, his arms outstretched so that he could carry Teddy up in the air who swung his legs back and forth, his laughter echoing over the walls.

“Teddy?”

They both turned to you and Teddy gasped. “Y/N! You’re here!”

“I didn’t know you were coming!” Andrew said as he put Teddy down so that he could rush to hug your legs. You crouched down and hugged him tight, pressing a kiss on top of his head.

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re playing a game, Andrew is the ship and I’m steering him to find Bess and Josie, they’re hiding!”

“Did I hear—?” Bess stepped into the hallway and her jaw dropped. “Aw Y/N is here! Welcome!”

“Hello little Clover,” Andrew said and pressed a kiss on your cheek, making you smile. “Jo didn’t tell us you were coming.”

“She didn’t know either,” you said and hoisted Teddy up so that he could hug you like a koala. Andrew tilted his head.

“Aren’t you supposed to uh…”

“What?”

Bess stole a look at Teddy before clearing her throat. “Enjoying the day after your wedding?”

“Does this mean I won—Clover?” Josie said as she entered the hallway as well. “What are you doing here?”

You pulled your brows together. “What, I can’t come to visit now that I’m married?”

“No one is saying that!” Bess said quickly and linked her arm with Josie’s to squeeze at her hand. “We’re always happy to see you.”

You winked at her. “You’re the only person who treats me well in this house.”

“Hey!” Josie and Andrew both protested at the same time and you tickled Teddy’s sides, making him giggle.

“Did you miss me?”

“Yes!” he said. “But Auntie said you’d probably be busy today.”

You hummed. “Change of plans,” you said. “I figured we could all go to the park, how does that sound?”

“Yes please!” Teddy said and you kissed his cheek, then put him down. He approached Josie while Andrew rested his arm on Bess’s shoulder, watching you with raised brows.

“Oh I have a lot of questions,” he said. “When are we going to the park?”

“In an hour or so?”

“That works,” Bess said. “It’s such a beautiful day to spend indoors.”

“Teddy my sweet,” Josie said. “Why don’t you go to your room with Mary to change your clothes? You have been running around for the last hour, I don’t want you to catch cold when we go out.”

“Alright!” he said and a maid curtsied, then led him upstairs. You followed Bess, Andrew and Josie to the drawing room and Andrew flung himself to the armchair and Bess sat down next to Josie on the sofa, entwining her fingers with hers, making you smile.

“So why aren’t you enjoying the marital bliss, exactly?”

“Andrew!”

“What?” he asked. “You’re always welcome but I thought you two would spend the day in bed.”

Oh God damn it.

Of course. It made sense that they would think that. Considering how in love you were supposed to be, everyone was going to think you and Benedict had consummated your marriage last night and that you would both be in…

What was it called again?

Marital bliss.

There was no way you could tell them nothing had happened. It would not fit the lovesick image of you and Benedict.

“Well,” you swallowed thickly. “He had business with his brothers and—and his mother invited me outside.”

Bess and Josie exchanged glances and Josie cleared his throat.

“And…” she trailed off. “Are you alright?”

Andrew scoffed a laugh and turned to look at her.

“She’s married to the man she’s in love with Jo, we didn’t send her off to battle,” he said as a maid brought all of you tea, and you thanked her before getting your cup from the tray.

“Can we not talk about this please?” you asked as the maid left the room and Josie shrugged her shoulders.

“I just want to know whether you’re content.”

“If that bashful look on her face is any clue, I’d say she’s quite content with her husband,” Andrew pointed out and you kicked at his ankle, making him yelp.

“Ouch!”

“Y/N, we just want to make sure you-” Bess thought for a moment. “Enjoyed your wedding night, that is all.”

You buried your burning face into your palms before lowering your hands. “I’m not going to talk about that with you, any of you.”

“I’m your sister!”

“And I’m your brother-in-law and Bess is technically your sister-in-law,” Andrew said. “Who are you going to talk to if not us?”

You shot him a glare. “No one. No one seems like a great option here.”

Andrew took a dramatic breath and sat up straighter.

“We don’t have to know the details,” he said. “Just overall, was it good or not?”

“Josie, make him stop.”

“Answer the question first.”

You would be lying if you said you hadn’t thought or dreamt about that.

Lying with Benedict.

The dream flashed before your eyes, sending a fire over your face. He was incredibly handsome, no one could deny that, and if that kiss when you two were caught was anything to go by, it meant—

It just meant that you were a goddamn fool that was letting some lust cloud your thoughts.

“The second time is going to better by the way,” Andrew added in a haste. “The first time is always quite terrible.”

“Speak for yourself,” Josie pointed out and Bess giggled, holding her hand again as Andrew rolled his eyes.

“It gets so annoying to be around in love people sometimes, you have no idea.”

You scoffed. “Oh I have an idea, don’t you worry.”

“Clover, was it—”

“Yes!” you cut Josie off and let out a breath. “Yes it was good, yes I’m very happy, can we just stop talking about this please?”

Andrew smirked.

“Handsome, romantic and talented in both art and marriage bed, a great combination,” he said, holding up his tea cup, mocking a toast. “To Benedict Bridgerton’s many skills then.”

“Andrew I swear...”

“To happy marriages as rare as they are, and to my sister’s luck in finding one,” Josie held up her own cup and Bess grinned.

“And to many blissful nights and mornings for our Clover.”

“Dear God I hate all of you,” you grumbled, making them laugh and you sipped your tea, then leaned back, trying to ignore the burning in your cheeks.

You had no idea talking with people the day after your wedding night would be this uncomfortable.

For what it was worth, they were quite nice about questioning you. Especially Lady Bridgerton who had only asked you whether you were feeling well on this lovely afternoon with pinkness on her cheeks, and Daphne looked like she had a million questions to ask you but was now promenading with the Duke. Charlotte wasn’t in the park, Eloise had informed you that she had told her she would spend the day with her siblings reading to them, so she wouldn’t be coming.

You were beginning to like having conversations with Eloise more and more. You had spent nearly an hour talking with her and Andrew while Bess and Josie walked around the park, but soon enough Andrew had left to join some friends and Penelope and Eloise had decided to go to the other side of the park, inviting you to go with them. You had said no, promising them you’d join them the next time and walked away from the rest of the crowd, desperate to get your thoughts in order, alone.

You had given the excuse of keeping an eye on Teddy and now you were watching him run around with Gregory and Hyacinth while you sat under a tree, enjoying the sunlight while your thoughts stormed through your mind.

Your wedding night hadn’t been as terrifying as you had thought, and Benedict hadn’t even tried to so much as imply anything or touch you. Though it was supposed to put your heart at ease -and it had a little- you still couldn’t help but wonder…

This was all because everyone kept asking you since the morning, but you wondered for a moment how it would actually feel if you had kissed him again, or perhaps—

Perhaps more.

You shook your head at yourself, trying to snap out of your thoughts before a four-leaf clover caught your eye right where you were sitting. You pulled your brows together and reached out to rip it, then twirled it between your thumb and pointer finger but your eyes snapped up when you heard someone clear their throat.

Benedict.

You tried to ignore the way your heartbeat got faster at the sight of him and he shot you a small smile, then motioned beside you.

“May I?”

“Sure,” you said. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Neither did I,” he said as he sat down next to you and stole a look at the clover in your hand. “Is that a four leafed one?”

“Mm hm.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those.”

“I keep finding them, Josie says I have a gift.”

“Is that why she calls you Clover?”

You nodded and extended your hand, still holding it.

“There,” you said. “You can keep it, for luck.”

Benedict shot you a smile as if you were giving him a precious artifact rather than some simple flower, and took it from you to carefully place it in the pocket of his waistcoat.

“Thank you.”

You shrugged your shoulders, seeing Colin approach Miss Marina while Anthony made his way through the crowd, no doubt to join his friends. Teddy caught Hyacinth and bolted away from her as she and Gregory started chasing him, letting out a gleeful laugh.

“Everyone keeps asking me if I’m alright.”

Benedict raised his brows. “And are you?”

You stole a look at him and bit down a smile. “Oh I meant they’re asking because—”

“No I know,” Benedict said, a small smile curling his lips. “I’ve been getting some questions myself.”

“People are asking you if you’re alright?”

“They’re asking me if you’re alright,” he said and you felt your cheeks burn as you averted your gaze from him.

That meant no one knew you two hadn’t really consummated your marriage, but considering how close he was with his family, you still felt the need to ask;

“So you didn’t tell your brothers?”

“No,” he shook his head fervently. “Of course not. Did you tell your sister?”

You shook your head as well. “I figured since we’re pretending to be in love, it’d make sense if we-you know.”

He paused for a moment and cleared his throat. “Right,” he said. “Yeah. I’m beginning to think no one in our lives is subtle.”

“You’re not subtle,” you pointed out and he scoffed.

“And you are?”

“I’m the paragon of subtlety, what are you even talking about?” you asked back, making him chuckle and he held up his hands, gesturing surrender. You bit on your lip to stop your smile, then took a deep breath.

“Well then I suppose I should be the first to ask you,” you said. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah.”

You tilted your head. “Benedict.”

He shot you one of those smiles that made your stomach do a happy flip. “Hm?”

You found yourself grinning despite yourself. “How’s marriage treating you?”

“Hasn’t stabbed me yet,” he pointed out, coaxing out a small laugh from you. “It’s going pretty good so far if you ask me.”

You hummed, trying to adapt a serious look but failing terribly. “Your baseline is rather strange.”

“Maybe,” he admitted. “What about you? How’s marriage treating you?”

You thought for a moment, pulling your brows together.

“It’s um…” you trailed off. “It’s not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

You rubbed at your wrist in an absentminded manner, your frown deepening as you tried to find the right words while he waited patiently.

“Just not this,” you ended up saying, and that gentle look appeared in his eyes again.

“I know you don’t trust me yet,” he said after a beat. “But I want you to know that I trust you. Wholeheartedly.”

You blinked a couple of times, that familiar pang tingling in the bridge of your nose and you swallowed the lump in your throat.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” the question came out as a rasp and he shrugged his shoulders.

“I am.”

“Why?”

A soft smile curled his lips and he heaved a sigh.

“I think you know why,” he said. “You’ve known why since the rooftop.”

You stared at him in complete silence, your eyes locked in his and it was only when you heard someone call out your name that you snapped out of it and turned your head.

“Hey lovebirds!” Andrew said. “We’re going to grab something to eat, are you coming?”

Benedict cleared his throat and got up to offer you his hand. You could feel the sparks running through your veins as soon as you placed your hand in his so that he could help you up and both of you paused for a moment before you inhaled shakily, then pulled your hand out of his, missing the warmth of his skin the moment you did so.

“Shall we?” he held out his arm and you forced yourself to focus, then placed your hand on his arm.

“Yeah,” you said, your heart still pacing in your chest. “Sure, let’s go.”

Chapter 16

#benedict bridgerton #benedict bridgerton x reader #bridgerton #bridgerton x reader #regency fic

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annymation · 8 months

Text

The Kingdom of Wishes- A “Wish” Rewrite

Chapter 10- The Thanks I Get

Chapter 9

(I bet ya'll see the title and think "oooooh she's gonna adapt Magnifico's song" yeah, actually no, sorry to burst your bubble, but that song is beyond salvation... I'm doing something else with it.)

“Then let’s go! Last one there is a dusty nebula!”

Aster exclaims as they run to the castle to get her wish. Probably not the most sneaky way to… sneak in a castle.

But Asha can’t help but laugh with his contagious enthusiasm, as he's literally doing some cartwheels as he runs, laughing to himself.

She’s confident they can do this, as long as they stay together.

Aster is way ahead of her, while Valentino is hoping after her.

She smiles with a passion in her eyes, as she runs and-

Asha is stopped.

She feels a large hand made of green magic holding her whole body.

Her smile instantly replaced by terror... The king got her.

She tried to scream for help.

"A-AST- HMM" But one of the hand's fingers covered her mouth to shush her.

Aster didn't look back.

Asha is pulled all the way back to the plaza, flying through the air. And before she knows it she's back on the ground. She opens her eyes... The king and queen are smiling down at her.

"Hello again, Asha. We got a little surprise for you~" Magnifico says in a singsong voice, holding a green wish bubble.

(The image above doesn't represent where they are in this moment, but that face Magnifico is making just SCREAMS the same vibes my rewrite's Magnifico has)

Her heart was beating like a drum... The king was no longer holding her with his magic but she still couldn't move, she was frozen in fear.

The king turned his attention to the crowd at the plaza as he spoke

(Detail: The whole kingdom is not here watching, this is like, a gathering of dozens of people that were casually walking around the plaza minding their business. But it's still plenty of people though.)

"My people! Give a big cheer foooor... THE NEWEST PRINCESS OF ROSAAAAAAS!" He announces with the charm of a show host, as he turns Asha around to the public.

He raises her wish bubble, revealing inside the image of her wearing a white dress similar to the queen's and a crown.

The whole crowd gasps in surprise, but no one is as surprised as Asha's 7 friends, all of them look completely shocked... They KNOW Asha wouldn't wish for that.

Asha looks like she's gonna pass out... Has Aster noticed she's not behind him yet?

The king continues as if the girl next to him doesn't look scared out of her mind

"YEAH I know, we were just as surprised as you all. Little miss "I just have a simple wish" here just did a FULL 180 and wished to be ADOPTED by us. I mean haha I'm sure now you understand why we were gonna deny this wish, right?... But then again..." The king places a hand on Asha's shoulder, tightening his grip "I won't stay on this earth forever, and we're yet to be blessed with an heir to be my apprentice... SO if Asha shares the same love for Rosas that we have, then how can I say no?!"

The people, now understanding the situation, cheer with joy at the news that the kingdom will have a princess.

(Hey hi it's me, just wanted to let y'all know the whole time I'm writing this scene my mind is going "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" in a bad way, like, this is literally the part of the story I was dreading the most, if this is freaking you out then imagine how I'm feeling.)

Asha for the first time since she landed on the stage starts trying to speak, emphasis on trying because her voice almost doesn't come out.

"I- I didn-"

The queen brings her in for a hug.

"Ooh Asha, I just know having you in the palace will bring so much joy into our lives." The queen holds her so tightly the girl can barely breathe "We've heard that you came out of the castle crying last night, and we felt so AWFUL that we made you go through the sadness of losing a wish" Her sharp nails are digging on Asha's back as she says "But don't worry mi rosa. From now on, we'll make sure no more tears run down those pretty little eyes... Ever again."

In the eyes of the people, this is a sweet moment...

But Asha knows full well what the queen really means. This is a threat.

They want to take everything away from her. Her interests, her voice, her free will. Everything because she dared to speak up to them, she dared to call them out on a problem that she had with the system...

And now, they thought she would just LET THEM take it all from her? So they could use her as a way to make THEM look holier than thou in the eyes of Rosas?

... No...

Like she told Aster, she was DONE running away from them.

All these thoughts are going through her mind as the king speaks, raising the wish into the air and using his staff to grant it, he speaks in a smooth calming voice:

"That's right, now just hold still my dear, this will feel just like waking up from a pleasant drea- WAHH!"

The crowd gasped.

Asha kicked the staff off his hands, stopping the spell.

The staff ALMOST falls on the ground, but Magnifico grabs it clumsily just before the green gem hits the floor.

The king's blue eyes are wide. His previous charismatic persona vanishes in an instant.

"yoU LITTLE- IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THIS I-..." He stops himself, remembering that they are in public. It's almost unnerving how quickly he switches back to his calm demeanor "Hahaha *ahem* apologies, got a bit jumpy there haha It's just that... You REALLY don't wanna find out what happens if this breaks." Magnifico says warningly.

The king and queen were surprised that Asha fought back...

But they were even more surprised by the fact she didn't even flinch at the king's yelling.

As they look at her, they realize she's not that same meek little girl they met the previous night.

She was standing up proudly, still holding her Saba's mandolin in one hand, and her mother's cloak hood was down.

Her legs were no longer shaking, and her head was held up high.

(The way he always taught her to? :3)

She spoke loud and clear so EVERYONE could hear

"That is NOT what I wished for!"

...

Magnifico wasn't expecting that.

After taking away her wish the girl should've lost her spark. But here she is shining brighter than before... Something changed... She got a new wish.

The plan was to just put her in a situation where she'd be in danger, so that the star would come to save her, revealing it's power, and Magnifico could capture it...

Sure, they just saw said star a few minutes ago, but hey, he wanted to make a spectacle out of it by having the star come out of it's human disguise in public. That's more his style...

... This is fine though, after all Magnifico always liked to improvise...

...

The king throws his head back as he lets out a huge laugh.

"HA- Ha ha ha Ooooh I see, you're just confused because you don't REMEMBER that you wished for this, right?" He asks Asha as if he's giving her one last chance to just play along and accept her fate "I know it's hard to believe, but this IS your wish. Then again, it's quite common that some doubt that they wished for something-" He turns to the crowd as if he's casually going to start telling a funny story "Ya know, there was this one time a lady wished me-"

"NO!"

She interrupted him this time, which got even more gasps and shocked looks from the crowd.

Magnifico now turned his face to her with a fake puzzled glance, really what he's thinking is "Oh she's ACTUALLY going for it?"

Asha takes a deep breath. They'll definitely throw her into the dungeon for this... But better thrown into a dungeon than locked in a tower as a mindless princess... Besides, Aster can unlock doors, he can get her out...

"I am NOT letting you decide what I deserve... Nor what ANYONE ELSE in Rosas deserves!" Asha says determined, pointing at the very confused crowd.

Magnifico is... How can I put this? Intrigued? Amused? Impressed?... Nah, I think the word I'm looking for is: Excited.

He NEVER had someone challenge him like this before, and although having these peasants kiss the ground he walks on is pretty fun, it does get kinda dull after 25 years... Getting to SHOW this little brat just how much control he has over them? Now that's new.

And so... He accepts her challenge, by playing dumb:

"Huh?" He looks at her with one arched brow, tilting his head to the side, a very slight smile forming on the corner of his lips "Now what on earth are you talking about, Asha?" He asks innocently, pretty much daring her to go on.

And so she does. Ready to go past just dipping her toes in, she's diving in.

She looks at her people as she exclaims without fear:

"Everyone, PLEASE listen to me, Magnus and Amaya are not who they claim to be!" She begs them to listen.

The crowd is dumbfounded, mostly by the fact she just addressed them by their first names.

Now, any other king would've probably called in the guards to arrest the girl at this point.

But King Magnifico ain't no normal king, he instead just jokes about it like this is a stand-up comedy.

"WOOOOAH first names!? Really? We're going with first names? Hahaha okay- calm down "miss Lucero"! We've just met yesterday." He's talking like she's just a kid misbehaving.

Asha ignores the king's comment and continues "Magnus claims to grant our wishes, but last night I've seen it with my own eyes what he REALLY does. He CHANGES our wishes, turning them into curses. That's what he did with MY wish, and he has been doing it for years with many if not ALL our wishes." She explains as clearly as she can.

The people look at her in disbelief, some laugh it off like she just lost her mind... Her friends though, seem to actually be listening attentively.

Magnifico approaches her and talks in a more reprehending tone, but still smiling like he just finds this all really amusing "Oh Asha, I know that because of your father's ideals you're not the biggest fan of how I do things, but yelling deranged lies about me REALLY doesn't help your case."

The king makes it seem like Asha is just acting this way to enforce her "Achieve your wish by yourself" ideals. And sure enough, some people seem to agree that's what she's doing. It has to be right? No waaaaay the king would actually be a bad person.

(They think, as they watch this grown man verbally bully this 18 year old... Please don't hate the people of Rosas too much y'all, they're like partially brainwashed and victims of the situation too)

Asha doesn't care what anyone thinks though, if she can open the eyes of at least ONE person, then it'll be worth it, she has to at least try.

"The only liar here is YOU" She says now glaring at him.

"Oh-ho REALLY? Alright Asha, I'll play along..." He leans down to look her dead in the eyes "Prove it." He challenges her, and then starts walking away from her, pretty much giving her the room to state her case "Go on, humor me. Show us a SINGLE proof that anything you say is a fact." he uses his staff to create a fancy chair made of green light for him to sit on, as he crosses his legs "Would you like one as well, my love?" he asks his wife that is just standing there

Oh yeah, the queen's there too, I haven't really mentioned how she's feeling about this have I? Well let me tell ya she's not enjoying this ONE BIT.

Actually the whole time she was in the background looking at her husband with the biggest "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Face you can imagine.

YEARS of maintaining a squeaky clean persona in public. YEARS of her teaching him how to act like a selfless person. And now he's just casually inviting this girl to destroy everything they've built?!

(Amaya, sweetie, you deserve better than this idiot, go to the Wish Movie universe and turn that Magnifico into your boy toy)

She tries to put some sense into him, as in, tell him they should just quit while they're ahead and throw her in the dungeon:

"Umm darling, don't you think she already crossed a line?" The queen asks him with a concerned look.

"Oooh she did, all of them in fact. But let's hear her out, ya know? After all, I'm always there when my subjects need to vent." The king gives his queen a confident look, as if to say "I know what I'm doing"

See, that's the problem with Magnifico, he's way too confident that his people would NEVER actually turn against him. Yes, he got worried when Asha raised her voice asking about her Saba's wish that one time, but that was different, back then Asha was saying something that could possibly be passed out as truth, that Magnifico doesn't grant all the wishes... Now though? Now she's saying that he CHANGES the wishes and turns them into curses, that's ridiculous, not to mention that now she has a bad reputation. He's confident that his people would never believe a word she says.

... That's what he THINKS.

Asha is given the room to open their eyes.

So, she takes it:

"The proof is literally ALL AROUND US!" She says pointing to the paintings on the walls around the plaza, the statues, the drawings on the floor. Everything illustrating the king and queen "Has anyone ever wondered WHY everywhere we look, every piece of art, every song we hear, every celebration, it's ALL dedicated to them?" She says pointing to the king and queen.

"It's called being grateful kid, you should give it a try." Magnifico says pridefully.

Some people in the crowd look around... Some of the younger ones, as in, younger than 18 have a thoughtful look.

Asha ignores the king's comment again and continues like she has been holding in these words for years "Our kingdom has people from all around the world: Africa, Asia, Arabia, Europe, so much diversity, but you could never tell by looking at the way people dress, all in one style. Our food is not diverse. Our music is not diverse. Our art is not diverse. Has anyone ever wondered why?"

We see a glimpse of Dahlia's reaction to that comment... That got her attention.

"I'll tell you why: Magnifico CHANGED the most beautiful part of ourselves, what makes us unique, making us all the SAME."

Magnifico chuckles at that as he says "And THAT, my dear, is what we call E-QUA-LI-TY" He claims proudly, thinking that the crowd agrees...

The queen seems concerned... He's getting carried away, again.

He's not looking at the crowd yet.

Asha looks directly at him, her eyes have a burning rage "THIS isn't equality! Equality is what Rosas used to be. Before YOU, this kingdom was colorful, full of variety and self expression-"

"Oh for crying out loud!" He cuts her off, now sounding annoyed as he rolls his eyes "You JUST turned 18, what do YOU know about how things were before ME?" He asks with a grin.

"I may be young, but I know A LOT. I've read about the kings that came before you! And by the way, there's a reason they didn't grant all the wishes!" She speaks boldly.

"OoOooOOoh would you look at that ladies and gentlemen, we got a little scholar in our midst!" That's the most formal way one can call someone a nerd "Alright then, ENLIGHTEN ME, why would those idio- I mean- Ideal kings not grant all the wishes?" He almost slips up.

She smiled knowing she already won, as she accepts the challenge.

"Gladly."

Magnifico is taken aback by that. His expression goes slightly serious.

"They didn't grant all the wishes because they knew the importance of not letting the people DEPEND on them to achieve their dreams, that it's something for YOU to do by yourself." Her voice is full of passion.

"HA! because THAT'S waaaaay better than what I do. You know Asha, maybe you're right, maybe I did change your wish, clearly you don't wish to be a princess, you're way more of a COURT JESTER! Isn't that right Rosas?!" The king expects people to agree.

...

Silence.

He turns to look at them and...

They're listening to her.

... That's... NOT how he thought this would play out...

He thought that at any moment the people would start booing her, disagreeing, insulting, anything...

But nothing happened.

... They actually DOUBTED him?

And all it took was ONE LITTLE GIRL?!

He thought they loved him unconditionally... But after everything he did they just...

Ignored him?

...

He had to shut her up.

But she still had more to say:

"They understood that wishing isn't something you should feel pressured to do when you turn 18. It's something that is YOURS and you should decide if you want to give it away or not-"

Magnus stands up from the chair he created as he speaks firmly:

"Alright, now you liste-"

She looked directly in his blue eyes as she interrupts him with no fear:

"You RUINED Rosas and everything it stood for."

His eyes widen at that comment. That one hit a nerve.

"That's ENOUGH-"

"You shouldn't even be KING in the first place! YOUR BROTHER WOULD STILL BE OUR KING! BUT YOU KI-"

Asha is shushed.

Magnus uses his magic to hold her whole body, including her mouth.

The people in the crowd gasp.

He's looking at the girl with an expression she hasn't seen from him before... There's no feeling in his eyes... It's like he's soulless.

He turns to look at the people bellow his feet.

They look... Scared.

...

He could do some damage control later. Nothing that a wish ceremony here and some festivals there don't fix... The people would forget this eventually.

This girl though?

He would never let her forget who was their king.

Asha's eyes look terrified.

His face remains emotionless as he says in a whisper:

"You want me to be the bad king? Fine, now I'm the bad king."

There's the rumbling sound of thunder, alerting that it's gonna rain soon.

At that moment, King Magnifico just kinda forgot the whole reason they did all this was to capture the star...

OH YEAH SPEAKING OF THAT STAR! WHY DON'T WE CHECK ON HIM???

So we cut to Aster near the entrance of the castle, oblivious to the fact Asha was not racing with him at all for the past (I don't know how many) minutes.

The star hits his hand on the wall as he says

"HA HA I WIN! Alright, now how should we distract the guards? I was thinking mayb-" Aster turns around and realizes...

Asha isn't with him.

"... Huh... I know I'm fast but I was trying to run about the same speed of a human... Could she have tripped on the way or something?" The star ponders, trying to see if he could spot Asha in the distance

But then he hears some very desperate cries... Of a certain baby goat.

"MAAA! MAAAA!" Valentino was hoping as fast as his little baby goat legs could take him.

"Oh hey Val! Did you see-"

"MAAA!" The goat explained.

The smile on Aster's face deflated into horror.

"... W h a t?" Aster's voice was shaking, he didn't know such guilt was even possible...

They left her. After he promised he would never leave her side.

Aster grabbed Valentino, running with the goat in his arms twice as fast as he ran to get to the castle, and all he could say was:

"NONONONONONO I'M OFFICIALLY THE.WORST.WISHING.STAR IN.THIS.SIDE.OF.THE.GALAXY!!!"

Sooo we cut back to Asha... Who's not doing so great right now.

The king is using his staff to make her float, so they're on the same eye level. As he begins to speak with his voice sounding uncharacteristically monotonous.

Not faking kindness, nor passion, not even sarcasm, just a serious and emotionless tone that sent chills down her spine.

"I don't know what could've possessed you to speak such lies, Asha. After everything I've done for you... Since the day you were born to the day that we've met... I give and give and give and give" He tightens the spell around her with every "give" making her face contort in pain "And all I ask in turn... Is just a little respect." He sighs "But that's too much to ask from you, hum? You want things to be your way, to change centuries of tradition because YOU so happen to not like how things are... And to think I actually considered making an apprentice out of you.” He says… looking at her wish bubble that he's holding “So, this is the thanks I get? For wanting to go above and beyond to grant your wish? I mean, what MORE could you possibly want from me?” He asks even though she obviously can’t answer with her mouth covered by his magic.

“I think she made what she “wanted” painfully clear, mi rey” the queen, that has been dead silent this whole time, as she usually is when they’re in public… comes in with her voice sounding full of pain and sorrow…

Magnifico turns around to his queen, she has the most believable crocodile tears running down her face

… Oh how he loved this woman. She always knew just what to say to turn the odds in their favor.

He lets go of Asha, knowing his wife’s words alone were more than enough to trap her.

And so, the queen began to speak:

“You came in with that whole “I don’t know what to wish for” nonsense, as if someone that lives HERE of all places could not know what to wish for… We opened our hearts to you, offered to help you, and you gave us THIS WISH…”

Asha tries to defend herself:

“I didn’t wish fo-“

“Silence.” The queen said raspy, as she walks towards Asha slowly “I know what you wanted… You wanted to destroy everything we’ve built… By stealing the crown from us.”

A few people in the crowd, mostly older people, gasp.

Asha get's nervous, realizing people are believing what the quenn says.

“What?! But I didn’t-“

“You tried to manipulate us into giving you the title of PRINCESS in a silver platter, but after we denied you, you decided to change your approach, didn’t you? You wanted revenge, you tried to spread these HEINOUS LIES about our King. You tried to TRICK our beloved people to put them against us.” The queen keeps walking closer and closer to her.

The people that were before agreeing with Asha… Now see her as a traitor.

Asha is panicking.

“But- But I never wanted to be-“ Asha shuts her eyes as the queen gets close to her face.

“But you miscalculated, my dear, because you CAN’T hurt our reign, for we are mighty, and you? You are all alo-WAH“

Something pushes the queen away from Asha.

The crowd gasps.

She falls on the kings arms.

…

Asha opens her eyes.

Aster is standing with his back turned from her, his arms are open trying to shield her away from them.

He turns his head to look at her behind his shoulder

"Sorry I took so long, you okay?”

Asha looks at the faces of the civilians of Rosas, they all look concerned… With the queen.

“No.” She answers, hugging herself, scared beyond words.

“… I gonna get us out of-“

“GUARDS! Cease these traitors!” The king exclaims with his voice full of rage.

Aster just turns around to Magnifico in shock.

“EH?! TRAITORS?! WHAT DID I MISS-" Aster barely finishes his sentence before a guard bellow the stage grabs him by the cape and pulls him down "WOA HEY-”

"OH! I don't knoooow, maybe you just missed that you TOUCHED THE QUEEN, BOY!" (took all my will power to not write him saying "Mah wife") Magnifico yells at the star boy while holding his wife in his arms, she's making a whole scene like Aster hurted her really badly when in reality she barely felt anything. "And YOU" Magnifico turns to Asha, who's just petrified with fear as some guards get up the stage to get her "... I don't think I have to explain what you did wrong, do I?" He simply shrugs.

Asha is looking around desperatelly.

There HAS to be someone who sees this is wrong, right?

She looks to the crowd and sees... Her friends.

They all look scared, but they have to believe her right? After everything she said.

She manages to avoid the guards grasp, as she jumps down the stage and rushes to where her friends are.

"DAHLIA, GUYS! Come on, you KNOW I'd never make that wish, PLEASE you believe me, right?!" Asha says as she holds Dahlia's hand.

... Dahlia doesn't hold her hand back... She looks at Asha with tears in her eyes... Not knowing what to do.

It's not like they don't believe her, most of them do...

Most.

But they're just a bunch of teens, what are they supposed to do?

The 7 can see the king glaring at them, waiting for their response.

Dahlia can only stutter:

"... Y-you... You did say the king wouldn't grant your wish..."

Asha's heart sinks... They're too scared of him.

"... I- I lied, I'm sorry, I should've told you but-"

"Why wouldn't you tell us?" Dahlia asks.

Asha feels Magnifico's hand on her shoulder.

"Because all she did was lie."

He pushes her aside, throwing her to a guard.

Asha and Aster are both captured and dragged away to the castle.

"Honestly, Asha? Trying bring your friends down with you? Now that's just pitiful." Magnifico turns to the 7 teens, they all look terrified of him... Good... "Such betrayal must hurt a lot, huh? But pay her no mind children... She will deceive you no longer." He says with fake pity in his eyes.

Suddenly, he feels something kicking his legs.

He looks down and sees Valentino angrily hitting him with his little baby goat horns, it doesn't hurt at all.

He holds himself to not just kick the little baby goat, and grabs him by the collar of his little sweater.

"Here, you can keep her pet." He says, handing the goat to Dario.

The king turns around to go on his way but-

"KING MAGNIFICO! WAIT!"

Simon exclaimed... To the surprise of all the other teens.

The king turned to him slowly, looking at him coldly.

"Yes, O'Donohue, what is it?" Magnifico calls him by his last name, so Simon knows that HE knows who his father is.

Simon hesitates for a moment, but continues

"W-we've been Asha’s friends for YEARS, we know she'd never mean any harm to Rosas... There HAS to be a misunderstanding, she doesn't deserve to-"

"I'll be the one deciding what she deserves, Simon." The king cuts him off

Simon goes quiet, with no choice but to watch Asha being dragged away.

...

It starts to rain.

...

Well, this was a disaster.

And that's not your narrator speaking (although she agrees). The line above is what Magnifico is thinking.

They planned on making the star show his true form in public...

BUT HERE IS THE GOD FORSAKEN BLONDE.

STILL PRETENDING TO BE HUMAN, STRUGGLING TO ESCAPE THE GUARDS GRIP.

WHAT GIVES?!

Well "what gives" is that Aster already broke a rule today. Rule number 1 was that he'd never leave Asha's side... And he did that.

So the star is now pretty stubborn on not breaking rule number 2: Never use magic.

Aster is just letting himself be carried away by the guards... But the star does have plan though.

He can open locks, once they get in the dungeon they can just escape... This is fine.

But this isn't fine for the king...

He wants to make people SEE him as he captures this star's power, to come on top as the hero who stopped the "Threat to the kingdom"... But how can he do that if the star won't show itself?

...

He would make it show itself... He just had to do what they planned...

Put Asha in danger.

The king looks at Asha's wish bubble... A wicked smile forms on his face.

Doing what he's thinking in public will surely be harder to justify in the future... But desperate times call for desperate measures.

"GUARDS!... Wait a moment."

The guards taking Asha and Aster stop. The two teens look at him.

Magnifico is holding Asha's wish on his hand as he walks towards them slowly.

"I believe that such crimes as the ones displayed today deserve a more... Unique punishment" He approaches her and looks her in the eyes as he says to everyone watching "May this serve as an EXAMPLE of what happens to those who wish harm on our kingdom... This might sting a little." He warns her with a smirk.

The grip on the wish bubble tightens until...

A small crack appears.

"aaaAAAAAAAaAaaAaaaaAAAAAAAA!!!"

Pain. That's all Asha feels.

Like grief, heartbreak, anguish and guilt just washed over her like a tidal wave all at once.

Asha lets out a painful scream and her legs go weak.

The guards holding her get startled, they didn't expect the girl would start yelling bloody murder out of nowhere.

The sound is music to Magnifico's ears though.

Aster is beyond terrified. Not only by the scream, but also by what he sees.

Her light... It's fading.

The king is killing her star.

"S- STOP! YOU ALREADY GOT ME! I'M THE ONE YOU WANTED RIGHT?? JUST LEAVE HER ALONE!"

The king continues tightening his grip on the bubble, as he turns to look at Aster with the same smile he had when he played dumb to Asha earlier:

"Huh? Now what on earth are you talking about, lad?"

He asks innocently, pretty much daring Aster to show his powers.

Aster knows what the king wants... But if he does it, not only will he be breaking the promise he made to Asha... He's gonna be breaking the most important rule for wishing stars: Don't show yourself for any human that isn't your wish maker.

If he breaks this rule... What happens to him? Will he be able to-

Asha screams again, the bubble cracks more.

Aster suddenly doesn't care about the consequences anymore.

"I SAID...

LEAVE

HER

ALONE!!!"

Aster's whole body starts glowing

As the guards holding him down let him go in surprise.

The boy is now back to being animated in 2D... But not how he was before

Before Aster's animation was usually smooth and fluid, like something animated by James Baxster.

Now though? There's nothing smooth about the way he's drawn, it's like whoever was holding the pencil on the animation table had a fit of rage while doing every single frame.

I think the best way I can describe it is this scene from "Tale of Princess Kaguya"

(Eyyyy look at us referencing a ghibli movie to talk about Aster again ahahaha- This is not the last time I'll mention Princess Kaguya in this rewrite, she's actually a big inspiration for Aster's character... If you know, you know)

The king sees this apparition that would probably strike fear in the hearts of anyone...

But his face read as if he was thinking "Thereeee it is" with a huge evil grin.

Aster doesn't really care what the king is thinking though.

The star moves so fast the rain drops start falling slower.

He reaches out and grabs the wish bubble from Magnifico's hand.

Then he runs to Asha and takes her in his arms.

Before they leave, he runs to grab her Saba's mandolin that fell on the floor.

And with all three in his arms, he runs up the walls of a building, leaving after images of himself behind like these:

The king just blinks and suddenly the girl, the boy and the wish bubble are gone...

"... WEEEEELL Would you look at that, ladies and gentleman! The traitor, and the wish stealing star are in CAHOOTS! Now who could've eveeeer seen this coming???" The king asks obnoxiously to the now panicked and screaming crowd, that is barely paying attention to him.

... This really isn't his day, and now his cape is all wet.

He just sighs loudly, at least capturing that star will brighten his day

"Okaaaay then! I'll go kill a star boy now, not like any of you ingrates care to watch." He yells to everyone around, not hiding how frustrated he is that he's not being the center of attention at the moment.

(If you're wondering where Amaya went, bruh honestly Idk. Rethinking her marital choices probably. I can't think of anything for her to do here and I kinda wanna give the spotlight to Magnifico in this chapter... Because Amaya is getting her own spotlight reeeeeally soon my friends, just you wait.)

So we cut to Aster and Asha. They're on the top of a building.

The rain is pouring down.

Asha is laying down, her head on Aster's lap.

She still looks weak and deeply in pain, Aster doesn't know what to do as he just trips over his words in a panic:

"I- I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry! I promised I'd stay w-with-with you but I- wasn't there- I shouldn't have let go of you-your hand-"

He's holding her wish bubble with one hand as he continues to apologize...

Asha suddenly feel slightly better... Like a little bit of the pain left her.

"A-Aster" She tries to tell him, but the star is lost in his own guilt.

"This is all my fault- I-If I had looked back- b-but I got distracted- be- because I was just so excited- I'm so sorry"

Asha notices something... The wish on Aster's hand... The cracks are healing.

"...Aster..." Asha repeats, trying to get the star's attention, to show him what's happening

"They were right about me... I really don't know what I'm doi-"

"ASTER!" Asha calls his attention, no longer feeling pain at all, she sits up looking at the wish bubble.

The star looks at her confused.

"Look!" Asha points at the bubble on his hand...

It's no longer cracked... And not only that...

It's changing.

The image of Asha as a princess inside the bubble morphs to what it originally was... Asha as herself, happy and being accepted by everyone in Rosas.

The bubble turns from green to blue.

Asha smiles in amazement.

"... You fixed it." She looks up to Aster's face with a smile, she looks thankful.

Aster is looking down at the bubble in his hands.

"... I didn't know I could do that..."

A smile finally returns to the star's face.

Asha takes the wish from his hands... And brings it to her heart.

And as it sinks in her chest she can feel a sense of peace she never experienced before. She's whole again.

She lets out a sigh of relief.

"... Aster... I just wanted to say that it's not your fault, I know that you'd never mean to leave-" She was going to explain to the star how she's not mad at him, but then she actually looks at his face and realizes... They're looking at her differently... He's in awe, like he's gazing upon a wonder that he never thought possible "... Eeeh... You're ok?" She looks at him kinda weirded out.

Aster in, in fact, gazing upon a wonder he never thought possible.

He sees Asha's star. Her glow outshines all the stars that he has ever seen, and he has seen QUITE a lot of them living in the sky. It's like a flower blooming with rays of purple, yellow and white shinning from it.

Aster is speechless for a moment... But then he simply says:

"I can see you."

"Huh? You... Didn't see me before?" She asks them.

He looks her in the eyes with a smile full of admiration

"I see you... ALL of you."

His voice sounds relieved.

Asha doesn't fully understand what he's talking about, but she smiles back.

...

Her smile fades away instantly when she notices the figure floating behind Aster.

"A-ASTER WATCH O-"

"🎶OOH STAR LIGHT~"

CLANG

Aster's right wrist is trapped by a chain made of green magic.

The star barely has time to react before the singsong voice behind him continues

"🎶STAR BRIGHT~"

CLANG

His left wrist is trapped by another green chain.

"NO!" Aster tries to fight but he's already being pulled away from Asha.

"🎶FIRST STAR~"

CLANG

Now his right ankle is trapped too, as he's dragged towards the king.

"HOLD ON!" Asha tries to hold his hand.

"🎶I SEE TONIGHT~"

CLANG

One last chain locks itself on his left ankle. Aster is completely trapped.

"ASHA! RUN!" He let go of her hand, and just pleads for her to leave.

"🎶I WISH I MAY~"

The king keeps pulling the star teen with his staff, his voice sounds deranged with glee.

"🎶I WISH I MIGHT~"

Aster is trying to fly away but the chains weaken his powers, he's being pulled closer and closer to Magnifico.

"🎶HAVE THIS WISH I WISH TONIGHT~"

Aster and Magnifico are now face to face. The star looks at him furious, while the king just gives him a smug grin.

"Oh I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Magnifico asks sarcastically.

...

The rumble of thunder becomes a lightning in the distance.

Chapter 11

Final Thoughts

Yes Mag, you are, like always.

WOOOOOH this was a long one wasn’t it? Hehehe and the emotional rollercoaster ain’t over yet! I like to call this chapter the LYRICS REFERENCES chapter. Like seriously, referencing This Is The Thanks I Get in a way that was actually SCARY was so much fun!

Okay, now DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I LOVE ASHA???

This girl literally just made the people question everything BY SPILLING FACTS THAT SHE ALWAYS QUESTIONED HER WHOLE LIFE!

Magnifico was like: “lol go ahead, prove to them I’m evil” and then she spoke some facts and he was like “wait! That’s illegal!” even tho that’s literally what he asked her to do.

SHE ATE HIM UP AND LEFT NO CRUMBS!!! IM SO PROUD OF MY BABY GIRL!!! LOOK AT HER STARTING A REVOLUTION THEY GROW UP SO FAST!!!

And like, yes that new found confidence is majorly because of Aster’s influence, by showing her that even with just music she can inspire others and make a difference… SO ASTER’S PLAN OF PLAYING MUSIC WASNT POINTLESS! HA! But like, that confidence was always deep within her, she just needed to let it out.

Also, I may have made a liiiiittle change while developing the story, see, before the reason why Asha was so out spoken in this scene was because she didn’t have her “I want to be accepted by others” wish inside her, so she kinda cared less about what others thought of her while speaking in public, which kinda is still what happened here, but I also added the factor that she created a NEW wish inside her, that’s why she wasn’t acting so weird like Simon for example.

Speaking of Simon BOY how am I gonna write him betraying the others after this??? Like, dude is waaaaay too DEEP into the propaganda to see all this take place and be like “nah the king definitely is right” YOU DENSE SLEEPY BOY HE LOOKED AT YOUR BEST FRIEND LIKE HE WANTED TO SNAP HER NECK.

Speaking on the king now… I love writing this dude, I’m sorry, it’s fun as heck, became my new addiction even. Like, the man is the whole package, he’s funny, pathetic and stupid sometimes, but also menacing, powerful and manipulative. And that’s not to mention THE ANGST of his past. You may have noticed how what really got him nervous was the mention of the past kings and how he was the one who ruined Rosas.

The tragedy behind this is that Magnus as a kid WANTED to be a good king, but he was told he had to do it the same way all the other ones that came before him did, he had to learn magic and grant the people’s wishes, but he didn’t want that, he wanted to be king his own way, and not have the people DEPEND ON HIM… HMMM. But then his parents just replaced him for his little brother as the heir, and he was forgotten, unloved and ignored. He realized he could NEVER grant his own wish of being king his own way, so he decided he would FIGHT for that wish… So now he makes sure NO ONE fulfills their dreams, the same way he never could, and he makes sure everyone remembers him, everyone loves him, and no one ignores him… So yeah he’s a brat, right? What a loser.

I STILL can’t put Amaya’s backstory into words BUT ILL WORK ON THAT!!! It’s kinda more complicated!

Oh and of course we can’t forget to talk about Aster… Boy sure can run can’t he?

Now about the people of Rosas, I’m sure y’all noticed how this is the second time we had a scene of the royal couple and Asha in front of a crowd, right? Yeah remember back then when we were on chapter 3? Good times. So ummm I mentioned that I don’t like writing scenes with crowds watching… And I still don’t, so why do I keep doing it? Well there’s a reason why this rewrite is called “The Kingdom of Wishes” and it’s not just because it’s a generic name, the second reason is because THE KINGDOM itself is A CHARACTER, and is in fact the character that needs rescuing. Like, those people are all victims, they don’t know they’re having their cultures erased from their minds or their interests twisted, and even their lives ruined by being turned into animals sometimes.

So we have like 3 scenes with a crowd in this story, the first was on chapter 3 when the whole crowd agreed with Magnifico and Amable 100%, then the second was this one where they just agree 50% if not less, and the last one will be the climax when they realize OH DANG YALL WE’VE BEEN BAMBOOZLED! THESE TWO MONARCHS ARE CRAZY AND NOT IN A WHIMSICAL WILLY WONKA WAY! So yeah, look forward to that…

If you’re wondering how close we are to the climax… Uuuuuuh let’s say we’re in the middle of the second act… This story is long.

One more thing, every single time I imagine the scene Asha is pulled back to the plaza while Aster is running all I can think about is this:

Anyway, see ya next time for more angst!

Thank You For Reading!

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toournextadventure · 2 years

Text

everyone but her pt.17

Summary: You're spending the first month of summer with the Addamses, which Wednesday initially loved until you started a war that you couldn't finish. Maybe you were officially indoctrinated into the Addams family? There's no time like the present.

Word Count: 6.8k Warnings: Addams Family-esque violence (in pranks, no one is harmed!), internal guilt, swearing, making out, suggestive themes Pairing: Wednesday Addams x Reader (everyone but her Masterlist) Taglist: @extinctspino @basichextechml @cfvgbhndun-new-blog @jinxscatbomb @awolfcsworld @n0p35 @suzhiman @gengen64 @eclipsesmoonshine14 @asters-abditory @alexkolax @thenextdawn @cacciatricediartemide @cozwaenot @the-night-owl-blr @natashasapphic @parkersmyth @alilbitlesbian @irish-piece-of-trash @rainbow-love4ever @audigay @bakugounuggets @myfturn

“Where is he?” You asked for the 21st time in the past five minutes.

“A watched pot never boils,” Wednesday said as her fingers turned the page of her current novel.

“I’m not watching a pot,” you mumbled, “I’m watching for my best friend Lurch.”

From her spot at her desk, Wednesday finally dared to look up in your direction. You were practically leaning halfway over the balcony, your wings flapping every now and then to lift your feet before placing you back on the ground. You were both waiting impatiently for her family’s car to pull up. All the bags were packed, your family had already given their okay for the month-long stay, and now it was simply a waiting game.

If Wednesday had a dollar for every time you had mentioned Lurch during the last few days of the school year, she would have been able to single-handedly pay for your college tuition. Not that you were going, she thought with a frown that, thankfully, no one could see.

“He’s never gonna get here,” you grumbled again, your wings drooping along with your shoulders.

“Why are you so eager to see Lurch?” Wednesday asked. She finally closed her book and put it aside right as you turned around with the biggest smile on your face.

“I just think he’s neat,” you said.

“I was under the impression that you wanted to fight him,” she said with a tilt of her head.

“Oh I do.” Your smile dropped and you turned deathly serious. “He’s my mortal enemy,” you said with a nod of your head. “And I am going to beat him this time.”

She said nothing, just raised a single brow at you which in turn caused your smile to come back. It was fleeting, however, as you quickly turned to look back over the balcony to watch for the signature Addams family car. You looked childish standing there in your shorts and too-big t-shirt, genuine excitement on your face. The sight brought those spiders back to her stomach, something she hadn’t felt in a while.

But they turned vicious when she started to consider the implications of your eagerness for her family to appear. You hadn’t explained much to her, but she knew your biological parents weren’t necessarily part of the picture. When was the last time someone had picked you up from Nevermore? Her own family not included, when had someone last come to take you home?

"They're here!" You shouted, drawing Wednesday out of her own thoughts.

She didn't even have the chance to breathe before you vaulted yourself over the balcony. Her heart nearly ripped itself out of her chest before she could remind it that you had wings. That didn't stop her from running to the railing to make sure. Just in case.

You were already saying your hellos to everyone as Lurch made his way inside. It wouldn't take him long to get up to her dorm, but it still gave Wednesday plenty of time to watch you interact with her family. There was a twisting feeling in Wednesday's stomach at how physical you were with everyone. A hand on Pugsley's shoulder, allowing her father to hug you, leaning into her mother's touch on your cheek. You certainly weren't usually that physical with her.

The door opened behind her and she quickly pushed that thought down. Lurch nodded at her once before grabbing the luggage, following her out and downstairs to where you all were waiting. She didn't miss the way your smile softened when you met her eyes.

Pugsley and her father gave her their usual hugs - she wouldn't admit it was a welcome gesture - while Lurch put the luggage in the back of the car. Everyone's voices carried across the air, riding only on the occasional sound of your wings ruffling.

"Aren't you coming?" Wednesday asked when you scuffed your feet in the dirt. Everyone else was already situated in the car.

"I- I can't," you said as your fingers played with the hem of your shirt. "It's too soon."

Too soon. Wednesday didn't need to ask what you meant; your birthday was only a week ago. It was still a new piece of information to her, something she hadn't yet incorporated into preparations. She berated herself for not considering it sooner. There were plenty of other ways to get back home, yet she hadn't even attempted to think of any.

"I'll be good," you said with a slight upturn of your lips. "I'll fly overhead."

"Are you sure?" Wednesday asked. Please just get in the car.

"Yeah," you shrugged, "I could use the exercise." A real smile quickly replaced the uncertain one. "I'll even race you."

"You'll exhaust yourself and plummet to the ground," she answered quickly. “And you’ll still lose.”

“I think you’re just scared, Addams,” you taunted, leaning down to be on even eye-level with her. It was demeaning.

She loved it.

“If you leave now,” she said with a glare in her eyes, “you can have a 30 second head start.”

“I expect a reward when I win,” you said with a cocky smirk that, if it had been from anyone else, would have made Wednesday nauseous. And not in a good way.

You made up for it with a wink that very much made her nauseous. In a good way.

The muscles in your legs tensed before you launched yourself into the air with a powerful push of your wings. Without getting the chance to brace herself, Wednesday shamefully felt herself stumble back a step, her eyes blinking frantically to clear the dirt from around her. You were already nothing more than a speck in the sky when she managed to look up.

The race was on.

It was a long car trip, which was to be expected, but what made it all the more torturous were her parents' incessant questions. Didn't they know she was anxiously watching the sky, trying to find you to know you were safe? There was nothing to inform them of, they had talked only last week. Quite frankly, Wednesday believed it was the longest car ride of her life.

You were leaning against the front door frame with grandmama beside you when they finally pulled up to the house. Wednesday could see the sweat still dripping down your face and the pitiful attempt to keep your eyes open. All defiance was wiped from your posture as your shoulders and wings drooped pathetically.

Yet, she would admit, you had beat them to the house.

“Well, well, well,” you spoke slowly once Wednesday finally walked up the porch stairs, “look who finally decided to show up.”

“You need a bath,” she said without bothering to look at you for too long. She didn’t want you to notice that she had missed you.

“Not until I’m done gloating,” you said, “Grandmama even congratulated me for my speed and skill."

"Unlikely," Wednesday said, brushing past you as she entered the house. You followed behind her like a puppy.

"She did," you argued, "we're actually best friends now."

"You've gloated enough," she said, stopping herself short and feeling you walk into her because, as expected, you weren't paying full attention. "Go bathe."

"Do I get my winner's prize afterwards?" You asked. She didn't have to turn around to know you were smiling.

"You can find that out after you stop smelling."

The speed at which you ran to your bathroom was impressive, Wednesday wouldn't lie. It was almost worthy of a smile, but she settled for a soft exhale. You were acting rather childish and you hadn't even been at the house for more than an hour. What was it about this trip that was clearly easing your nerves?

"The gift is on her bedside table," her mother said once you were far out of hearing range.

“Excellent,” Wednesday said before walking off to her room. She was more than happy to use your absence as the perfect time to unpack.

Once you got out of the bath, you stood in the middle of the bathroom and huffed. It was times like this where you wished Wednesday - or any of the Addamses for that matter - used technology. Your wings were soaked to the bone, your hair was dripping down your spine (which tickled), and you just wanted to blow it all dry so you could be warm again. Was that really too much to ask?

Yes. Yes it was.

You shook viciously, your feet lifting off the slick ground for a moment. It took a few more shakes before your wings felt a little lighter, a little too fluffy again, but at least they were (mostly) dry. Much better, you thought as you wrapped one towel around your waist and used another to dry your hair. Sure, it would look funny later in the day, but that was a future-you problem.

All of your bags were already in your room by the time you stepped out of the bathroom. It was easy to dig through and find some comfy clothes, and you got dressed quickly, struggling to pull your shirt on and fit your wings through their respective slots. You might have bumped into a few things in the process, but that was alright; at least nothing broke, right?

The dresser drawer slid shut, signaling your completion of unpacking. With a satisfied grin, you looked around the room, just to double check. But your eyes landed on a small box sitting on the bedside table. A box that you hadn’t brought with you.

A black box.

Hesitantly, you walked over to the bedside table and looked down. It had a small black bow wrapped around it and was resting on top of a card. You grabbed the box first, carefully untying the bow and lifting the lid. Your heart felt like it was going to burst out of your chest. The brilliance of the crystal inside was what caught your eyes first as you picked it up with shaking fingers.

A simple black crystal pendant hung from a golden chain. The crystal itself was smooth and cold to the touch, and you could almost see your reflection in it if you turned it just right. It was heavy when it swung from between your fingers, almost hypnotising in its pattern.

Your chest hurt at how expensive it looked.

You gently placed the pendant back in the box and set it aside to pick up the card and read the cover; One year closer to the sweet release of death. Pretty on point for the Addams. Rough fingers flipped the card open but froze when something fell out onto the desk.

Your head tilted to the left as you reached for it, reading the words on the card first: Happy first Addams birthday. Birthday. That prickling pain settled in the back of your head again, and you shook your head to try and physically get rid of it. It didn’t work.

“If you loved me, you would take me hiking for my birthday,” you said to Nicky as soon as you found him after class.

“You’re so demanding,” he huffed, but you could see the smile. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Shit,” you whispered to yourself with another shake of your head.

It’s a sweet gesture, the voice in your head said. You knew it was a sweet gesture; painfully aware of it, in fact. A sigh left your lips as you put the card down and looked at the other item in your hand. It took a few seconds of staring at it, your eyes blinking excessively, before you could actually comprehend what it was.

A check. It was a check. An empty check signed “Gomez Addams” on the bottom right corner. An empty check addressed to you and the memo line stating: Medical Expenses.

Once you were aware of the burn in your lungs, you let out a shaky breath that you hadn’t known you were holding. A million thoughts were running through your head, none of them good. Your eyes screwed shut as they echoed in your mind, getting louder and louder.

Another debt to repay?

You could repay it. You knew you could.

You’ve become a burden to yet another person.

No, they were nice, you weren’t a burden. Were you?

That pain in the back of your head grew, quickly turning into a migraine that you knew would make you sick. The strain of your clenched jaw certainly wasn’t doing you any favours either. Fuck, why would they do this? No, why would Wednesday do this? She knew better, she fucking knew better.

With a groan, you grabbed the check and amulet and walked downstairs. You didn’t know where anyone was, but you could find them easily enough. The size of the mansion was infuriating when you were looking for someone, you realised. It was far easier to find someone when there were only a handful of rooms.

You found Morticia and Gomez alone in the greenhouse. Thankfully they were clothed.

“Ah,” Gomez exclaimed when he saw you enter the greenhouse, “you found the gifts!”

“Shall I help you put it on?” Morticia asked, indicating the pendant with her eyes.

Please take them back.

“I- that- that’s actually what- what I- what I wanted to- to talk to you about,” you stuttered. Only imbeciles stutter, stop it.

“Sit, please,” Gomez said, gesturing to the empty chair across from him. You promptly sat, your back straight and both gifts laid bare on the table. “Do you not like them?”

“No!” You shouted a bit too loud, a bit too fast. “No, that’s- that’s not it.” You cleared your throat. “It’s- it- it’s stunning,” your eyes darted away from the check, “and generous.”

“Then where does the problem lie, little bird?” He asked, leaning back in his chair. Morticia had now joined him on the other side of the table, her hand resting on his shoulder.

Well now it just felt like an interrogation.

“I can’t accept them,” you said without meeting their eyes. “I could never repay you.”

“Darling, they’re gifts,” Morticia said, “not something to be repaid.”

I have to repay you, you thought. I have to. How could you explain to them that they were wrong? Nothing is free even if it’s a gift. Everything comes with a price. School, gifts, love. It all comes with a price, and if they were serious about that damn check, you would never be able to erase that debt.

“I could never repay you,” you repeated.

They were silent, and that was almost worse than their attempt to get you to reconsider. They needed to say something; they needed to talk so you could move on and get off this horrid topic.

The migraine grew worse.

“How about a compromise,” Gomez said softly. You looked up, finally, to see them both giving you a painfully soft look. “Keep the pendant, we’ll keep the check.”

“It is a birthday gift, after all,” Morticia finished.

Stop saying birthday.

Your eyes trailed down to where the pendant was sitting on the table. It was stunning, you wouldn’t deny that. But it looked expensive. Could you repay them for it? Surely you could, you were working a bit over the summer and you could probably do some things around their house. It couldn’t be too hard to repay, could it?

“Okay,” you finally managed to squeak out. “Thank you.” You would accept the gift.

But you were definitely going to have a talk with Wednesday about it. She meant well, but this was a bit too far. What was she even thinking? She knew you hated people spending money on you, didn’t she? And she had told them about Nicky? No, no she needed to know. Gently. Hopefully.

You didn’t see the sad smiles the Addamses gave you as you walked off to find Wednesday.

—---

Wednesday hadn't understood your insistence on not gifting you things, nor did she understand your anger at her parents offering to help with Nicky. You were practically on your own, were you not? So why would you be so against help when everyone knew medical bills were preposterous in size? She knew you weren't ignorant enough to believe you, a freshly graduated high school student with no job, could pay them on your own.

But you had insisted, and she had nodded in understanding, and eventually you came to an agreement. Nothing expensive, only things that could be repaid in favours or equal monetary value. Although as you allowed her to clasp the pendant around your neck, you hesitantly agreed you wouldn't attempt to pay them back for the birthday gift. That was a week ago, and she had silently adored every moment of peace that had come with it.

But now you were her mortal enemy once again, and she was not going to lose to the likes of you.

It had just been a normal morning. You had snuck into her room and woken her up with what had started off as a simple kiss. A simple kiss that had quickly turned into multiple kisses. She grabbed the fabric of your shirt and pulled you down until you were hovering above her on the bed and she could tangle her hands in your hair. It was quite a wonderful way to wake up, she would admit.

The smell of you, fresh out of the bath, invaded all of her senses. You smelled like her thanks to using her supplies, but with the faintest underlying smell of dirt and trees. Something she had come to associate with home. It sent her mind reeling, eliminating every thought except for one: you. She hated you for it.

She loved that she hated you for it.

One of her hands trailed down your neck, following the chain of the pendant you now dutifully wore until she could grab the crystal and pull you closer. Knowing you were wearing something from her family, something from an Addams, was intoxicating. Almost like you were now officially part of the family.

"You should get ready," you mumbled against her lips, "I'll meet you downstairs."

You gave her one last kiss, making it count, before pulling away and standing back up. She refused to look at you, refused to let you see what you had really done to her. How you had gotten her heart racing and her skin flushed and hot. Not until she heard the door close did she finally get up, surprisingly eager to start the day.

Until she opened the closet and saw that all of her clothes had been replaced.

Frantically, Wednesday went to her dresser and opened all the drawers there too, hoping it was just her imagination. But no, it was real. She wasn't imagining it, this wasn't some horrifying dream. It was real life.

Every piece of clothing she owned had been replaced with brightly colored versions. It looked like a rainbow had thrown up in her closet and dresser, and she had nothing else to wear for the day. Grumbling to herself and already plotting revenge, she grabbed a pair of pants and a too-large shirt that smelled suspiciously like coffee and chalk.

Rightfully, everyone looked horrified when Wednesday made her way to the downstairs common room. It was as if the world had come to a stop and hell had frozen over. The room filled with gasps of fear and disgust from everyone.

Everyone, that is, except for you.

You, who was sitting in one of the armchairs with a cup of coffee in one hand and the pendant in the other. You, who was making direct eye contact with her even as you took another sip from your mug. You, who's smirk only grew as you continued to watch the realization dawn on her very face.

"You look absolutely dreadful," you said as everyone looked back and forth between you both.

"You'll regret this," Wednesday said, "it will be a slow and painful revenge."

"I'd like to see you try," you shot back.

And thus, your rivalry was reignited and Wednesday was determined to win.

She started gentle, she really did. After all, you weren't Pugsley, she couldn't very well electrocute you for the sake of winning a war. Well. Not yet. So it was a gentle war, one of silly little nothings.

Gods, what were you doing to her?

Gentle. As gentle as handing you your coffee in the morning when your eyes are still half-closed and your wings are nearly knocking everything over. With a sleepy smile and barely-working fingers, you take it and instantly take a big, deep drink of salty coffee that she had made special just for you.

You choke. You choke and your eyes go wide and you make eye contact with her over her own mug of black coffee. But then your eyes narrowed and you continued drinking, never once taking your eyes off her until the coffee was gone.

"Make this yourself?" You asked in a hoarse voice.

Wednesday blinked at you once.

"As a thank you," she said with a half-smile and the slightest tilt of her head, "for the wardrobe change."

"So that's how it's going to be," you stated simply.

"Unless you surrender."

"Never."

You were quick to get your revenge; that same morning, in fact. She had poured her cereal and had gotten up to get the milk, but when she came back her spoon had been replaced with a fork. A simple prank, harmless, juvenile at best. You still smiled to yourself anyway when her first bite of breakfast ended up being a disappointment.

But things ramped up quickly after that. Harmless pranks turned a little more courageous. A bucket of water dropping on your head when you entered her room. An explosion of rainbow glitter when Wednesday opened a new book. Still fairly harmless, all things considered.

It was only when Wednesday found out you had enlisted Pugsley to help you that she realised this was no longer a fun war. This was to the death, and you were gathering backup. Oh, but she could use whatever she wanted on Pugsley, and if you just so happened to be in the way, then so be it.

Your first true Addams prank was good, Wednesday wouldn't deny it. With hands held up in surrender, you had invited her to follow you for a nice picnic. As she followed behind you, you were telling her all about everything you had packed; meats, cheese, apples, oranges, practically an entire feast.

She saw your step falter when you passed through a doorway. Just the slightest lengthening of your stride, just enough for her to notice. You however didn't notice her stop, stretching her leg out to touch the barely-visible trip wire.

A guillotine blade fell where she would have been walking, and you turned your head expectantly, disappointment clearly filling your face.

"You tried to kill me?" Wednesday asked in a more deadpan tone than usual.

"Don't be so dramatic," you rolled your eyes. "I tried to maim, not kill." With a sigh, you turned around. "Pugsley said it would work."

You didn't see Wednesday's smile.

So you were going to play by Addams' rules, were you? Well if that's how you were going to be, then Wednesday wasn't going to hold back either. Of course she wouldn't hurt you. Too badly, that is. It wouldn't matter, there was still plenty of room for creativity.

Although she would admit, she was surprised you fell for the same thing twice. You were just humming to the song in your head while trailing your fingers over the spines of the books in the library. When she handed you a cup of tea, you smiled and instantly took a drink.

And froze.

"What have I told you about drinking anything without thought?" Wednesday asked.

"What did you put in this?" You asked.

"If you hurry, you can ask your new friend Pugsley for an antidote," she said with another smile before walking away.

The glare you gave her when you came back down for dinner was more than worth it.

Yours and Pugsley's pranks weren't as well thought out as they should have been. It explained why they never worked as well as intended. She would give you the benefit of the doubt; this was your first time building Addams contraptions. You didn't have the same knack for it, but you were learning.

Out of all your attempts, you never quite managed to execute them correctly. Not for lack of trying, of course, but you had a lot to learn. For instance, if you were going to sneak up on her, you needed to keep your wings tucked away so you didn't knock something over in the process. Which you did. All Wednesday had to do was turn and look at you for you to groan and drop what appeared to be a bucket full of… spiders?

"You're ruining it, Addams," you mumbled as you walked off, coincidentally in the direction of her next trap.

Your high pitched scream echoed down the halls when you encountered the trap. It sent a thrill down Wednesday's spine. This was becoming so much more entertaining than she had ever imagined.

She did feel bad at first, admittedly. Not everyone could handle the Addams' form of admiration or love for each other; she knew it was unconventional. She didn't care that it was unconventional, but she was aware of it nonetheless. What if you had thought it was too much? Too unusual? Too violent by most standards?

But the morning she woke up and opened her door, feeling her pulse race when an arrow buried itself into the doorframe by her head? And when she took a step back before hearing you cheering down the hall because yes, you had surprised her? Or you high-fiving Pugsley and rushing him off because you hadn't truly realised you had gotten caught yet. It gave Wednesday a feeling in her stomach that wasn't spiders or nausea but something else entirely.

Oh.

Her eyes narrowed. How dare you.

She stayed furious with you when you left for two days to go stay with Nicky.

"Here," Wednesday said as she held a book out for you, "in case you need a new book."

"Oh thank god," you sighed. "I don't know how many more times I can read Lord of the Rings." You looked at the cover, and a small smile pulled at the corner of your lips. "I think he'll like this one."

"Just bring it back in one piece," she said, to which you only replied with a wink.

Your absence gave her peace and yet simultaneously filled her with an anger that she couldn't quite place. On the one hand, she couldn't deny that you made her… happy. Your presence alone, even when you were being far too loud and creating chaos, gave her a sense of peace. She looked forward to being around you, whether you were talking or just enjoying each other's company.

But on the other hand, she was furious with you. Furious because not only had you made her feel these things to begin with, but the moment she had come to realise those feelings, you left for two days? Now she was forced to stew in her own uncomfortable mixture of thoughts and emotions. You knew how much she hated emotions, they were gateways to weakness.

And the worst part?

She missed you. Your absence around the house was felt by all. Her father no longer had you around to mentor about fencing or the ways of life, instead just moping around. Her mother has resorted to doting over her instead of you now, and that’s just an impossible situation. And Pugsley, dear misguided Pugsley, now had no one to talk to whenever he wanted.

Your presence had become such a normal thing in the house that, now that you were gone, no one knew what to do.

Wednesday would call everyone delusional if they noticed her waiting on the porch for you to finally get back. If there had been no chance of her getting caught by family, she would have gone to greet you out in the yard. Maybe even hold your hand and drag you back to the house where you belong.

Instead she just waited until you saw her, shooting her a quick smile, before walking back inside without you.

From the moment you walked back into the house, the war was back on. Just because you had gone to see Nicky didn’t mean she had admitted defeat. No, she was an Addams, she would never admit defeat. So when you were standing in the doorway and looking down at the dagger in Wednesday’s hand, you scoffed.

“What are you gonna do with that?” You asked. “Stab me?”

Wednesday simply smiled at you and took a step to the side, revealing a rope that was tied to the railing of the stairs. Your eyes narrowed when she looked back at you. Oh, this was going to be enjoyable. With a single swipe, she cut the rope and let the axe swing down. You screamed - that same high-pitched, childish scream that was starting to become comical - and fell to the ground just as the axe swung above your head.

“You’re sadistic!” You shouted.

Wednesday just left you there to wait out the deadly pendulum above you. This isn’t helping, she thought as she marched up the stairs to her room. Against all odds, she still had that forbidden feeling weighing heavy in her chest. She would need to go bigger.

It was time to get serious.

—---

Morticia couldn’t stop herself from eavesdropping whenever you and Wednesday were together. Of course she gave you both your space, but when she walked by and saw you sitting in Wednesday’s homemade electric chair? Letting her strap you to it without a single care in the world? Well, she couldn’t help it.

“What if I die?” You asked as you watched Wednesday tighten the helmet. There wasn’t a single ounce of worry in your face.

“Then I’ll have the opportunity to practice my dead-raising skills,” Wednesday said simply. She walked over to the wall and grabbed the switch.

“I don’t like how you said “practice”,” you mumbled, but otherwise settled back into the chair.

Morticia left the doorway before Wednesday pulled the switch. She knew how personal the situation was, she was no fool. Oh the times she and Gomez had used electrocution for their own fun evenings. If Wednesday was anything like her parents, then Morticia would keep her distance.

Your scream echoed through the house, and Morticia sighed dreamily.

Oh, young love.

She took note of the pranks slowing down while you willingly let Wednesday rope you into more and more despicable experiments. Testing out the larger-scaled steam powered guillotine, which did not work as it should have. If you and a bowling ball were dropped from the roof at the same time, would you reach the ground first? Could you truly catch an arrow if fired at you from a dozen paces away?

Then there were the more entertaining conversations that she walked past. Take, for instance, when she walked by the library while you and Wednesday were having tea.

“I bet they were all so incredibly repressed,” you said, your voice muffled from the walls of books.

“Why?” Wednesday asked, sounding so entirely disinterested.

“They couldn’t even show their ankles!” you answered.

“I believe I briefly showed you my lower leg once,” Wednesday said after a moment’s hesitation, teasing (and maybe even a smile) evident in her tone.

“I remember that, it was pretty scandalous,” you said, “definitely got me all hot and bothered.”

The sound of a slap and your muffled “hey!” resounded to where Morticia was still standing in the hallway. She smiled to herself before walking off. If that was how you were both going to discuss your blooming love life, who was she to judge? At least Wednesday was tolerating such behaviour in the first place.

Little steps.

One certain moment of listening in happened to teach her to stay far away whenever you two were alone. Even though it was hard to believe, she wasn’t intentionally searching for you both when you were alone. She just had a habit of roaming the house, and once she heard Wednesday’s voice or your laughter, she just couldn’t help but listen.

This time you were both in your room watching a movie of some sort.

“Am I ever going to get my sweatshirt back?” Wednesday asked.

“Only if you take it off me yourself,” you snorted.

There was silence, the calm before the storm, before Morticia heard you scream “wait no!” and ruffling ensued, of course accompanied by your little squeaks and screams. She didn’t plan on hanging around to see how far you two took your movie night; if you were anything like she and Gomez were, then she was definitely going to put distance between herself and your room.

Although hearing the laughter coming from your room was more than worth it.

—---

Wednesday was starting to despise having to compete with her family for your attention. She had felt the same way when you had visited for Spring Break, but this was simply preposterous. Why on earth should she have to be the one to demand your attention when you gave it so openly to everyone else? After all, you were the one who insisted on officially labeling her as your girlfriend.

She was no expert, but that didn’t seem proper.

After interrogating her mother on your whereabouts, she marched her way to the cemetery where, just as her mother had said, you were sitting on the couch and looking up at the stars. You looked almost peaceful, with your wings out and your overly large sweater. How you had a sweater so big on you, she had no idea.

It was… cute.

You didn’t look up when she sat down beside you, just simply continued to look up at the stars while she looked at you. At the faintest scar by the corner of your eye that she suspected was from the full moon incident. Then at your hair, which was getting a little unruly but for some reason it fit you perfectly. Or your fingers which, for once, were simply fidgeting with each other instead of picking them apart.

“I like it out here,” you said after a few moments of sitting in silence.

“Outside?” Wednesday asked. Her eyes never once strayed from your face.

“Your house,” you continued. She took note of the smallest movement of the corner of your mouth. “It’s peaceful.”

Wednesday had to hold back a scoff at that. What part of her family, of all the pranks and experiments, was peaceful? They were chaotic, loud, they had a disembodied hand as family, for heaven’s sake. Nothing about the Addamses was peaceful, she didn’t comprehend how you could think such a thing.

“I think,” you continued slowly, your voice soft, “I think this is where I feel happy.” Wednesday’s eyes shot back up to look at you and the slightest shimmer in your eyes. “I don’t have any sad memories here.”

She would kill anyone if they found out, but she almost felt her black heart break. You were still talking, explaining. It didn’t matter because she was so focused on the movement of your lips, the tears welling in your eyes that were refusing to fall, the gentle, even rise and fall of your chest. Aside from the teary eyes, you looked at peace.

“Thinking about murder again?” You asked, drawing Wednesday back to the present where she finally noticed that you were looking at her. It was infuriating that you could get her so distracted.

“I was listening,” she said defensively, but you just gave her a soft smile.

“I know,” you said. “But you had that twinkle in your eye that usually means you’re thinking about some sort of crime you’re gonna commit.”

She narrowed her eyes at you and sighed. If you were going to notice her distraction, at least you hadn’t noticed the true reason behind it. Although, admittedly, she felt a swell of pride that you had noticed her enjoyment of crimes. Maybe you paid more attention than she thought.

“Can I kiss you?” You asked, taking Wednesday aback.

“Why are you asking?” She asked in return. “You’ve kissed me before.”

“I’m trying to be polite, Addams,” you chuckled. “But fine, then I won’t-”

“-you can,” she interrupted a little too quickly.

The embarrassment eased slightly when you didn’t hesitate to cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. It was soft, far softer than normal. There was no urgency but kept all the passion. Your fingers scratched lightly against her jaw and as humiliating as it was, she melted into your touch.

Her own arms wrapped around your neck and pulled you down until her back hit the couch cushions. Your hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head protectively, and her heart tried to jump up through her throat. Damn you and your gentle hands for making her feel this weak. All she wanted to do was pull you closer until there was no space between you and-

“-hey!”

Wednesday’s eyes flew open at your exclamation, fear coursing through her veins. Were you hurt? Had she done something wrong? Her eyes trailed over every inch of you as you moved your free hand around, digging into the couch cushions until finally pulling out a dagger.

“And here I thought you were just excited to see me,” you teased. Wednesday rolled her eyes and slapped you lightly before taking the dagger from you.

“Are you done?” She asked, holding the dagger so it pointed at your side while you hovered above her.

“Are you threatening me with a knife?” You asked. “Cause I’m into that.”

“I will leave you here,” Wednesday threatened with another roll of her eyes. You were preposterous.

“No, wait,” you said quickly. You took the dagger from her and tossed it aside on the ground. “See? All better.”

Wednesday wanted to tease you, to leave you hanging and hopefully force you to reconsider your stupid jokes. But when you were looking down at her with those eyes, and that lazy half-smile, she couldn’t help herself. She just pulled you back down to feel your smile against her.

A sigh fell from her lips when your fingers gently scratched against her scalp. Such a soft gesture from rough fingers, you truly had her wrapped around your little finger. Her own hands moved to rest against your neck, feeling your racing pulse under her touch. Just that feeling alone, the proof of what she did to you, was more than enough to get your own pulse rushing in return.

You kept one hand planted beside her head as your other removed itself from her scalp, trailing down her neck so softly it left her shivering. It came to a stop on her hip, hesitant, before slipping just under the hem of her shirt. Oh. Oh that was different. That was nice.

She pulled you impossibly closer when your thumb started to rub circles on her bare hip. Your lips were rough but soft, which was quite the conundrum. But it was perfect for you because it was you. The perfect mix of rough and soft, gentle with a purpose. Rough fingers that trailed so softly over her skin, leaving an inferno in their wake.

Your hand tightened on Wednesday's waist when you moved your head to the crook of her neck. She could feel your lips brushing against her skin, right over her pulse, but you just stayed there. Every now and then she would feel you press a kiss to her skin, on her neck, under her ear, on her slightly exposed collar bone. Each kiss sending another light shiver down her spine that she desperately hoped you couldn't feel.

"Come home with me," you said in a thick, gravelly voice. "Come meet my family." You left another kiss on her neck.

If her heart could have physically skipped a beat, it would have at your words. She grabbed your face and pulled you back to look at her. Your pupils were blown and you were breathing heavily through parted, kiss-swollen lips. Her answer was leaning up to kiss you again.

Your smile told her you understood.

#wednesday addams x reader #wednesday x reader #wednesday addams imagine #everyone but her au

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sakkiichi · 1 year

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FROM ME TO YOU.

Because good things take time and it’s not too late for happy birthdays.

ft. Albedo x gn! reader.

cw/genre: fluff, birthday special, reader is an amateur painter.

this is just something spontaneous that I came up with… I just… kinda gave free reign to whatever flashed through my mind once I was before the blank document, parting from a very vague idea I had haha.

if you enjoy this, reblogs and comments help more than likes !

Autumn’s cold always arrived early in Dragonspine.

The faraway rays of a molten copper halo fuse with the peaks outlined on the horizon.

Magic is the word you’d use to describe such scenery; seconds that seemed to both be suspended in the helpless passage of time, and slip between your fingers; like golden sand inside an hourglass too small to savor every snapshot brought by the incandescence of crepuscular skies.

On instances like this, you wished your painting skills were better; if only to capture the glow of early dreams threaded through the asters of twilight.

For now, however, this will have to do.

Why did you wait until so late for this, you are unsure.

True, wishing a happy birthday to someone as the clock strikes twelve is not an uncommon occurrence.

And you’re kind of doing just that, more or less.

Except…

Well, it’s usually when the special day starts that calls are made, starlit whispers are uttered between lovers, and secret kisses are exchanged.

So you can’t help but wonder… is it too late?

For this? Or to back out now?

A sigh escapes your chapped lips, into the dimness of dusk, the stillness of frozen peaks, the stars.

Stars.

Your gaze is drawn to the easel you’ve set before you, fingertips delicately trailing over the four-point asteroids decorating a heaven made of brushstrokes.

Gold pinpricks, almost aglow beneath the darkening penombre of sundown, over a backdrop of ultramarines and indigoes, akin to sunlight over the depth of a frozen sea; a mirror image of the sky now hovering over snowy plains.

Looking up, you find a firmament of constellations. Stories, sketched in the silver flames of light years away suns, above an infinity of obscurity.

Those tales, however, had a tendency for lighting up paths that fell victim to the constant fluttering snowflakes.

“Hello, dearest.” A voice, smooth, liquid dawnlight over dewed cecilia petals, greets. “Am I late?”

The sound of crunching snow fills the fire-lit silence, the torches from his camp casting him in tepid hues.

“Albedo!” You call him, turning around.

And when you do, you swear he alone outshines every galaxy you could ever dream of rendering on canvas.

Tendrils of midnight sun and honeycomb seem to meld together in the blonde locks framing the alchemist’s porcelain-like face. Spotless, argent light from distant stars kisses his skin, fading into flecks of sparkling acacia blossoms to halo his gaze.

Summer skies.

That’s the image his eyes always evoked: clear skies, endlessly blue, over meadows to lie on, the low grass soft beneath your forms, as hands entwined and fingers pointed above, determining the shapes of the occasional cottony clouds.

What a paradox, how someone who spent his days surrounded by ice could make sparks ignite in your heart, cheeks heating up like the embers that remained after the coziness of a homey hearth.

“Is there anything you needed my help with, love?” He asks, gloved hand running its thumb over the back of yours.

Your gaze flits from your intertwined hands to his smiling lips, taking in his features in full.

“Not exactly your help.” You offer, your own lips a moon shaped brushstroke of vermillion. “I just… would like you to see something.” Your hand squeezes his, as you swing your linked hands between the both of you. “It’s your special day today, after all, isn’t it?”

Your rhetoric is met by the alchemist’s windened gaze, followed by one of his subtle smiles.

Tugging him along, you guide him to the candle lit spot where your easel is propped up.

Why are you feeling nervous all of a sudden? You internally chide yourself, biting the inside of your cheek.

Relaxing your shoulders, you turn to face your lover, gaze averted when you mumble:

“It’s not much but…” You scuff one of your boots on the dirtied snow. “I just… I remembered your painting, ‘You and I’ and… well… you know… I…” Your lids close, your nose scrunched up in that way he always found utterly endearing. “I wanted to make a painting for you too!” You finally sputter, stepping aside so he can see your masterpiece.

From that moment on, Albedo would forever believe no starry night could ever come close to capture the sheer magic of your art.

Gilded speckles abound in your make-believe heavens, each of them a shade slightly different than the previous one. They rest against a backdrop of cyans, accentuated in baby blue around your handmade constellations, the piece’s finale, a violet horizon. Outlined against it, two figures seem to dance, their happy ending created by them, rather than foretold by the celestial bodies staring in envy at a proximity that doesn’t burn, but warms and completes.

“I know it’s not the best but-“

“It’s perfect.” Is the kreideprinz’s awestruck answer, as his svelte hands hover over the frame. “You’re perfect, [Y/n].” He blurts, still staring at your work.

Then, he meets your eyes again. Your face is in his tender hold, a fleeting frosted kiss landing on your lips.

“I love it.” He assures. ‘I love you.’ His dilated pupils confess.

“‘From me to you’. Its title.” Your hand reaches up, resting on top of his. “You know… I hope you didn’t think I had forgotten about today… I just… kinda wanted this to be your last memory of your day.”

With that, both your gazes fuse in a watercolor of each other’s lips, of the anticipation of feeling them against your own.

“Happy birthday, Bedo.” You utter, before leaning in.

And then, the night, the snow, the starshine, all fade away, in a myriad of rose colored frenzied blazes. Your hands lost in the ash blonde strands at his nape; his, pulling you closer by the waist. Your kiss is a nebula of pulsating light, undimmed by even the most ruthless blizzards, lighting up the ebony of the pines obscuring the moonlight. Frozen air is exhausted in your lungs, but you don’t care right now, not when you’re kissing your prince charming under the lights of an aurora that’s still hours away.

A few moments pass, with the stars orbiting marking the approach of midnight.

A snow-kissed breeze caresses both your faces when you part, causing a shiver to rake through your body.

Your prince’s arms wrap around you.

When you look at him, matching chuckles fill the night air.

Moments like this were worth waiting all day for.

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fairyycoffin · 2 months

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100 FOLLOWERS EVENT

welcome to my fairytale (such a magical word, isn’t it?). i’ll begin by saying thank you to 100 beautiful fools for keeping me company and being wonderful people. this is how i want to celebrate your existence!! you know those scenes in disney movies where an ancient-looking book is flipped opened dramatically to reveal, in a swoopy, golden font:

once upon a time…

that’s what i want you to envision. shall we begin?

close your eyes, my dear. the air smells of strawberries and freshly printed pages and cosmic dust. let your eyes adjust to the light. you might see a castle, or a field of wildflowers, or perhaps the flash of lightning. it is, after all, your story (this is merely for artistic license, i’m in complete control of how this is going to go but i find the illusion of choice to be rather comforting). regardless, this world is full of mystery and magic. don’t be shy!! welcome to my kingdom!!

for anyone entering the kingdom

feel free to drop one or more of the following emojis in my ask box (i don’t bite):

🌹- i’ll assign you a fairytale trope

🎶- i’ll send you a song that you can frolic in a field to; it works wonders for the soul

🐞- i’ll bombard you with cute animal pics

🌷- i’ll give you a compliment (that you absolutely deserve!!)

🥀- i’ll read your tarot for you

for my lovely, lovely mutuals

🧚‍♀️- i’ll write you a handwritten platonic love letter (i’d actually love to do this)

💐- i’ll make you a playlist that tells a story

🍓- i’ll write you a fairytale of your choice

🪺- i’ll infodump about fantastical flora and fauna

🦊- i’ll tell you what you remind me of

🌻- i’ll make you a mood board

your journey in this realm is complete, but never fear. there is so much left for you to discover, if not here then elsewhere. have some tea, darling.

thank you for sharing this with me! i love you all so much!

“i only ask to be free, the butterflies are free.”

npt some of you:

@bleep-bloop-boo @nothing-but-glitter-and-lashes @nickbutnodick @nopesjsgwhqgsx @creature-from-unknown-orgins

@i-eat-so-much-grass @mybedroomceilingsbored @that-dam-heartstopper-fan @th3-st4r-gur1 @daydream-of-a-wallflower

@strawberryapologist @dandelionflowery @agentwaffle @gay-little-isopod

@bassguitarinablackt-shirt @clearcloudlesssky @ch3rry-t0mat0 @rapidlydecayingcorpse

@catinasink @marylily-my-beloved @kennetea @catholickedd

@honeii-puff @some---weirdo @a-wondering-thought @littlebookworm69 @literatureisdying

am i missing anyone?

link to my intro post:

#100 followers celebration #my cheesy little appreciation event #<3 #i actually adore how this turned out #please as always be kind

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moonchildstyles · 8 months

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Aster would definitely tell everyone “stop talking to her! She’s mine” about angel :( he’s been at the tattoo shop all day and he came in late to their little friend’s gathering and he just misses his girl so much :( standing behind angel pulling her away from them and obviously angel misses him but she just wraps her arms around him being too shy to just drop her conversation with Mitch to be with him :( “she’s all yours” Mitch says laughing giving h a look “hello baby” placing kisses to her cheeks “hi” fingers playing with his soft curls “I pulled you away from everyone sorry love” she shakes her head quickly “I missed you” she whispers fingers lightly smoothing over the smudged eyeliner under his eyes :( his hands holding both her cheeks as if she’ll slip away any second :( “yeah? How much?” She rolls her eyes at him and he pinches her sides giving her a warning look “so so much” he gives her a little smile “good girl” she’s all giggly and he’s all lovey dovey :( and Sarah has to drag them from their own little world to have some dinner :( 🧸

bestie bear :((((((( this :(((((((( makes me miss aster soooooOOOOOOOO much:(((((((( I love them sm and hes def annoying an clingy for her like all the time :(

#anon #ask #🧸 anon #aster inspo #concept

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shygirl4991 · 7 months

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Hello! Since the six splits are now complete I want to know how they would all react to aster (ive been readibng your fics all of them are awesom!)

Producer is crying watching SMG3 walking hand in hand with Aster "I knew we weren't good enough, everyone we love will leave us one by one and its starting with the person we love the most."

Ringmaster glares at the tall person kissing their lovely assistant he couldn't stand it, he reaches for his cane only to notice it missing. Parent was holding the cane nervously "Uh hey kiddo what do you plan on doing with that cane?" Ringmaster smirks "I just want to talk to them!" not liking the smirk Parent runs off with cane with Ringmaster chasing him.

Artist looks up from his favorite drawing spot seeing the pair on a date, he rolls his eyes and starts to aggressively start drawing. The only way an Artist can survive heartbreak is to vent art, he chuckles as he draw himself beating up Aster and winning over Three.

Prince frowns seeing his one true love with someone else, while he is heart broken over what happen he cant bring himself to hate Aster given how happy he makes Three. He makes a vow to protect Three from a distance and if Aster does anything to hurt his love he wont hold back to save him.

Parent starts crying seeing the pair as he wipes his tears "Im happy for you, while it hurts...im so happy you found happiness." Delinquent growls orange eyes flashing a slight yellow as he stares at Aster, he hated SMG3 he was a backstabber someone you shouldn't trust. But seeing someone else have him angers him, he wants to destroy the person holding Three close. He punches the wall leaving a hole "You fucker...i will show you who is better for that dumb ass."

#ask shay #six splits for fours #smg34 #shygirl4991 #alianarepasa #split au #smg4 splits au

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yaekiss · 1 year

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#Mailroom Open! — HI QI! *falls to my knees* a letter for traveler!aether, any petnames are fine and i would love to have a nsfw + yandere reply <3

—

“To the love of my life, my dearest adventurer,

I’m hoping this letter actually reaches you. Really, how hard is it to stay in one place at a time? Somehow, having Paimon as a destination landmark seems to work. Ah, but don’t let her read this one…or open the gift that I’ve included… Just tell her I’ll give her some cookies when we see each other again!

Anyhow, enough about my complaints when sending a letter. I don’t know if I can go much longer without you. Oh, mighty traveler, how can you leave your partner in such a state? I fear that my imaginations have now run too wild now due to this. I’m this close to sending a commission to the Adventurer’s Guild where I’m able to ravish you on our bed for a day straight.

I wish you well on your journey in Sumeru, but please, come back soon. Diluc has threatened to ban me from his tavern because of my constant babbling of you, and not all of them are appropriate for the public.

—Your needy one.”

(The box that the letter is attached to contains some dried Windwheel Asters, but most importantly, a dog collar.)

꩜ Letter Content: GN! Dom! Top! Reader x Yan! Sub! Bottom! Aether, no gendered terms used for reader, Aether calls you "my star", unhealthy obsessive and possessive relationship from Aether, collar (used on Aether), small mention of edging and marking, lmk if I missed anything ! ꩜ Delivery Notes: It was ridiculously hard tracking the ever-elusive traveller down, but I did it! Looked like he was sporting some new accessory too, cool! ꩜ Wanna write a love letter yourself? Check out it out here!

Aether’s reply consists of two items: A small cloth drawstring sack made of a fabric that seems to faintly glitter in the sunlight and a separate wooden box. The box is slim, made of flawless Karmaphala wood with a hinged lid. The area for storing items is shallow so the gift he sent can't be all too big and it has you speculating as to what it could be.

Putting your curiosity aside for now, you first open the sack, only to see a void somehow contained inside. It looks like the night sky, the dark space adorned with the stars that Aether conjures up in his palm every once in a while to impress you. Trusting your dear traveller, you reach an arm in and pull out the first thing you come into contact with, a miniature little wood carving of him as an aranara (he’s written so much to you about the aranaras so to see him as one makes your heart melt a little). Afterwards, you continue retrieving the other included gifts like a bouquet of various Sumeru flowers preserved with his dendro elemental resonance. There’s also a tied stack of recipes along with an attached note saying: “So you can also have a taste of my journey so far!”

Finally, you dig around the empty space and pull out the last remaining item, his letter. The envelope he used is nothing out of the ordinary but what makes it endearing are all the silly doodles he scribbled on it. There’s one of the both of you on the back of a Sumpter Beast and another one of him popping out from a precious chest. In the top right corner, there’s a regional stamp exclusive to Sumeru, one specifically showcasing the scenery of Port Osmos. Now, the mailing system this time through the love hotel doesn’t really require a stamp. Still, he’s had this habit of writing back to you from his journey across Teyvat and through that, gifting you these little collectable stamps from the different nations. Quite sweet really!

Taking his note out, it’s written on a fairly normal parchment, the kind you could find at any general goods store. His response reads:

“Hello, my cherished starlight!

I’ve received your letter safely, thank you, my star! Sorry if it was hard for you to track me down, the recent developments in Sumeru just had me travelling around the region a lot :( There’s too much to unpack in this letter alone so I’ll just talk your ear off when I return to your side! :D

Ah, I also apologise for being away for so long, my star. I know this trip to Sumeru has been one of the longest I’ve taken so far but please believe me when I say that I miss you just as much, if not tenfold more. The company here is nice but they could never compare to you, the warmth of your body next to mine, the way your hands roam allll over me. There’s no one quite like you, my star! I miss you so so so much, and I quite love how much you seem to miss me too…

Did you like the bottomless sack I gave you? It’s like the one I use on my journeys, really useful for when you have too many things you want to bring with you on a trip! Maybe I could even get you in my bag… haha kidding! I know you wouldn’t want to be cramped up next to my Sweet Madames and Paimon’s snacks so I’ll just stick to inviting you along for my adventures, my star.

Speaking of adventures, maybe you should put out that commission to the Adventurers’ Guild. After all, it wouldn’t be right for the Honorary Knight to leave someone so direly in need of help. And if I happened to get my brains fucked out by a very familiar employer, it’ll certainly be a welcome surprise. What would your reaction be if I showed up at your doorstep with the collar you gifted me around my neck? Would you loop your finger through it and pull me in for a heated kiss for everyone to see? Drag me into your bed and pound me senseless? Until the both of us can’t come anymore? Gods, I’m getting giddy with desire, I need you right now, my star. :((( To appease your appetite and imagination, I managed to leave a message for you using a stone mirror I obtained during my trip that serves as some sort of recording device. Watch it while you’re alone, I don’t want any prying eyes around, it’s just for you, my star. Hopefully, after this, you won’t have to resort to rambling to Diluc while drunk.

I think that’s enough rambling from me, go watch my message and tell me what you think! I look forward to your reply, my favourite star~

My love for you spans across worlds,

- Aether -”

Impatiently, you reach over to the box and hurriedly unlatch it, quickly flipping the lid open. A polished smooth stone slab gleams back at you. Underneath the glossy surface, there’s some sort of dense fog, coiling and drifting like smoke. Running your hand over it seems to do the trick, the fog ripples like a droplet on a serene lake and morphs into the image of a scene. It shifts into the rough shape of Aether seated on a bed, the smoky edges in the picture are soft and look like they blur into each other, and the colours are slightly muted. But you still manage to make out the collar he’s holding in his hands. The exact one you gave him in your previous letter.

“Is the mirror working well for you, my star? I hope it is, I wouldn’t want you to miss this.” His voice is sultry and his gaze through the tablet even more so. He strips slowly for you, sensually peeling each article of clothing off, all while running his hands across his body. Occasionally, he tweaks his nipples to let you hear his cute yelps or strokes his already drooling cock, edging himself as he whines for you to touch him, to fill him up.

“Ah, before I forget,” he eagerly fumbles with the dog collar and secures it snugly around his neck, “There we go, perfect!” Shifting closer to the stone mirror, he tilts his head for you to see the new accessory.

“Maybe you could even attach a tag with your name on it to the front,” Aether says, and you think you can see hearts in his eyes as a light blush overtakes his features.

“Aww, I think I’m running out of recording time for this, I’ll see you soon, my favourite star!” The scene freezes and you’re left with Aether beaming back at you and a burning lust to see your dear traveller again.

However, the still image of the final frame ripples once again. For a split second, you think his message will replay but what appears on the surface of the stone is vastly different. The visage changes to Aether’s back view while he’s still on the bed, knees tucked under him. The collar is already on him in this one so it must have been recorded after the previous message. Now that you have a good view of his bare back, you can tell that the marks you left on his back are fading, no longer the angry bright red from the night the two of you spent together before he departed for Sumeru.

“Ugh, they’re so faded now.” You pick up on the disappointed note in Aether’s voice. He looks over his shoulder, brushing his long hair aside. He’s probably using the stone as an actual mirror to examine his back. Did he know it was recording?

“I’ve been away for too long…” He murmurs as his face turns back before he continues, “But when did they even get close with Diluc anyway, spending so much time with him?” The simmering rage (jealousy?) in his voice startles you slightly. You’ve witnessed Aether’s anger and frustration in the past but you’ve never heard him use such a harsh inflection before.

“Looks like I’ll have to cut this trip short.”

The darkening tone in his voice is unnerving, and you don’t know if you’re lucky or not that you’re unable to see the expression on his face.

Thanks for reading! Consider supporting me on kofi if you enjoyed this or check out my other works hehe ♡

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