#hm. that feels like I'm summoning something. ominous.

[outeremissary]

kasander + 😴 please!

Thank you ❤️ Sleep questions about D&D elves always lead peculiar places, don't they?

hc + 😴 for a sleep-themed headcanon

Kasander seldom sleeps willingly. Their trance is already haunted by half-alien memories of blood and darkness, disorganized images they struggle to stitch together and match to their origins. It's upsetting even without any supernatural incursion causing more extreme visions, and it makes them fear resting. Sleeping, on the rare experiment trying to avoid the memories, is much worse. They always dream, and they always dream Bhaal's dreams. And it takes such a terribly long time to wake. So they avoid sleeping, and they're thankful not to have a reason to.

However, sleep is the most convenient way for the Emperor to contact them, and the Emperor has a way of pulling them under whenever he pleases. When they first met and the Emperor was still in the form of the Dream Visitor the Emperor offered to soothe their nights from the restless, terrible trance by quieting their dreams- if only they would sleep, of course. Disoriented, still largely amnesiac, and distressed by the visions, Kasander agreed eagerly (there was a lot of agreeing with the Emperor then) and committed themself to the psionic protection out of desperation for any relief from the growing fear there was something wrong with them. It did seem to work- mostly- but when Kas began to break with the Emperor they stopped sleeping nightly as well. By that point they were ready to grapple with the horrors of trance again, as painful and difficult as they were.

[fanficsandfluff]

A New Miracle - Chapter 10

Fandom: Encanto

Character(s): OC (Original Character) Alexa, Bruno Madrigal, Julieta Madrigal, Pepa Madrigal, Mirabel Madrigal, the rest of the Madrigal family

For a while, everyone assumed this was why Alexa came to the magical Madrigal home. This was the reason she was summoned by the magic and the miracle to their encanto. Because Bruno needed someone. He loved his family and all of his family adored him right back, that was clear. And it would all have been enough for him til the end of his days. This was just another heap of a blessing Bruno didn't quite think he deserved.

On a rather dreary day, a little over a week since the now famous 'Bruno/Alexa kiss,' the kids in the family wanted to spend more time with Alexa. And she was happy to spend more time with them, clearly still feeling like a newbie. They came up with a plan to show her each of their rooms, so Alexa would be busy with that all day.

Bruno hid in a corner and watched as the group proceeded into Camilo's room first. He felt extra nervous today, and he couldn't pinpoint why. Well, many things, as his anxiety about the changes coming were foremost in his mind. His stomach grumbled and provided a temporary distraction as he made his way down into the kitchen. He rifled through any of the snacks in jars laid about the kitchen to find something he'd like to eat.

"Ah! There he is!" it was Pepa's voice who startled him.

"D-Did I do something?" Bruno asked in one of his meeker voices.

"No, Bruno, no no. I am just happy to have found you," Pepa pinched her brother's cheek and he shook his head to get her hand off.

"Why?"

"Julieta! He's in la cocina!"

Bruno put his hand up to his face, not sure if he could take both of his sisters at the moment. Especially when it looked like Pepa was up to something. A few seconds later, Julieta appeared in the kitchen as well and she smiled wide.

"Hola, Bruno," she went up to him and delivered a quick hug to him, "Are you pilfering again?" she admonished him in a motherly way, "What did I tell you, hm? Go, I want to hear you say it."

Bruno rolled his eyes and felt ashamed, "I-I.. you... I'm--If" he finally forced a sentence out properly, "I wake up late, I don't have to steal food..."

"Right. I'll make you something," Julieta patted his shoulder and went to the cupboards, pulling ingredients out.

"Thank you, Julieta," Bruno said and he sat down at the small round table that resided in the kitchen space. Pepa took the seat opposite him and stared at him. She was smiling, though, which means she probably wasn't mad at him.

"So.... how's it going?" Pepa encouraged him to speak, eyes never leaving him.

"How's what going? I'm okay," Bruno answered.

"I think she means with Alexa," Julieta clarified.

"Good," Bruno said again, immediately looking down towards the table, running his fingers along the cracks in the wood.

"Ay," Pepa frowned, dark, ominous clouds hovering overhead, "Not good? Already!?"

"No! No! It's fine! Really!"

Bruno thought it was okay? I mean, yeah, since the anniversary their lives within the house didn't change much. Alexa still slept in Mirabel's room, and Bruno crept through the walls sometimes to hear if she was talking about him or not. He hadn't garnered much information that way, so he stopped doing it. He did notice she'd hold his hand a lot. Alexa liked holding hands.

Julieta came over and also sat down with the two of them, pausing her cooking for the time being. She looked at Bruno with her delicate, sad eyes.

"Bruno," Julieta began, helping Pepa shoo away her cloud, "You can tell us anything, amor, you know that."

Bruno sighed and he glanced up at his sisters. Then he said, "I've never... felt like this before. I don't know what I'm supposed to feel like or if I'm not feeling the right things."

"It's your first love," Pepa explained, "It's going to feel new."

"Yes, it's all so exciting," Julieta smiled, "I, for one, am overjoyed for you and this new experience, Brunito," she reached over and patted a hand on Bruno's resting on the table. He blushed.

"So am I," Pepa added, "But you gotta be more specific so we can help you, hombrecito. Let us give you our wise advice, hm?"

Bruno flashed a smile for the first time at that, "How do I notice things better? How can I tell if she wants to spend time with me or not?"

"Go by how she sounds," Julieta started, "You'll have to get to know her more to see all her cues, but just trust your judgement. If you are feeling one way, she might also be feeling that way," she stood again and moved towards the stove to continue cooking.

"She seems like a smart girl, Bruno. If she wants to spend time with you, she'd probably just tell you," Pepa concluded.

"Oh..." Bruno's brow furrowed, trying to figure out why they hadn't spent every moment together since the kiss since that's what he wanted to do but just couldn't verbalize.

"Bruno," Julieta chimed in again and he turned around to see her, "Can I tell you... she lights up every time she sees you."

Bruno blushed darkly, "R-Really?"

"Mmhm. I see you two in casita or at dinner, wherever. She's always smiling when she looks at you."

Bruno smiled wide, looking down again since he was feeling bashful at this information that he never picked up on.

"Mira, Julieta," Pepa smiled, "You just made his day. Look at you, all in love, so cute," Pepa reached over the table to ruffle Bruno's mop of curls. He chuckled, despite wanting to be annoyed, and pushed Pepa's hands away from himself. Julieta came over again with a plate of cooked arepas con queso and Bruno took one and dug in.

"So," he said around food in his mouth, "Can I do anything for her that she'd like?"

"She told us she travels, yes?" Pepa asked, "I dunno, maybe go on a hike with her."

"She mentioned she did hike her way here," Bruno agreed.

"Honestly, Bruno," Julieta started speaking again as he finished his first arepa and took another one, "Maybe you should ask Mirabel. She spends a lot of time with her, being her roommate."

"That's a good idea," Bruno agreed, taking another huge bite out of the snack, "These are very good, by the way, Julieta."

Julieta giggled and she cupped his cheek in her hand when he swallowed the bite, "I'm glad you enjoy them, Brunito."

Bruno always felt babied by his sisters, so all this teasing and cutesy cheek pinching was nothing new to him. Like yeah, he was shorter than them, but they were still all the same age. And like days of old, his sisters helped him in a moment of panic and nerves. They showed him the positives and eased his worries about his new relationship. It was definitely new territory for him, and he was having trouble navigating it.

"Maybe just talk to her more," Pepa added as the idea came to her, "Spend a full day together, no distractions. Make it romántico."

Romántico... right! He still hadn't shown Alexa his telenovelas! He'd spent so much time writing and practicing them that he just completely forgot there was a point to all of it.

"Yeah," Bruno said more to himself than anything Pepa had said, "Great idea, sis," he smiled now, acknowledging her.

"Hm," Pepa smiled proudly.

"Thank you guys," Bruno grabbed two more arepas and stuffed them into his poncho, "I gotta go."

"We're very happy for you, Brunito," Julieta smiled.

"So exciting," Pepa beamed.

He looked at both of his sisters before he leaned down and hugged Julieta, and then gave Pepa her own hug, "Thank you!" and he bolted out of the kitchen.

Bruno spent the rest of the day cleaning his little cove in the walls. He couldn't possibly do anything in his room with all the sand and the horrible acoustics.

And Alexa had spent the rest of her day visiting everyone's rooms and getting to know Antonio and all his creature friends. That was probably the most exciting room.

"Thank you!" Alexa said loudly and happily over all the kids' talking in the hallways once the tours were done, "Thank you all so, so much for making me feel part of the family. And can I just say... you're all amazing. Every one of you."

"We know," Camilo said with a grin.

"Noho," Alexa chuckled, "Not just with your gifts. Each of you is so amazing. In here," she knelt down and touched her hand to Antonio's chest, "Truly. I hope you know that it's not just your gifts that make you special."

"Yeah," Isabela said, "We all had to learn that pretty recently."

Mirabel smiled as if she was ready to burst with emotion, "You're special, too, Alexa."

"Let us know if there's anything we can do for you," Dolores said, a small smile on her lips.

"Yeah, you're... pretty cool," Camilo even shared a rare compliment, "But just so you know, I will beat you in a no blinking contest," he asserted. Alexa chuckled, having played one of the many games Camilo suggested while they were in his room together.

"Wehe'll see," Alexa stood up again and she said, "Okay, so I'm coming away from this with a list of chores, yeah? Let's see if I got everything...  Spa day with Luisa. Isabela's gotta teach me about gardening. Camilo will yet again lose in another round of no blinking," she smirked at him when she counted off on her fingers and he scoffed. "Mirabel's gonna teach me how to properly sew. And... Dolores, did we have any plans?"

"I was going to show you how to dance cumbia."

"Right! Yes, totally. We'll make a date," Alexa smiled, "And... Antonio? Is there anything we could do for fun?"

"The jaguar is up for giving you a ride," Antonio said.

When Alexa looked apprehensive Antonio continued, "Don't worry. He said he'll go slow."

"Okahay then. Learning to ride a jaguar is now on the list."

"See you at dinner, Alexa!" Mirabel wished and gave her a big hug before going off on her own. The other girls waved and Camilo gave her a fist bump. Antonio was the only one left with her.

"What's up?" she asked the child.

Antonio beckoned Alexa to come closer. She crouched and put her ear closer to him, expecting to be told some secret.

"The rats say Bruno is looking for you."

Alexa looked around, expecting to see Bruno, but she didn't. She smiled at Antonio, "Oh, really. Well, tell the rats to tell him to come find me."

Antonio giggled at that, "Okahay. Bye," he waved and rode off on his jaguar's back into his room. Alexa stood where she was against casita's balcony and leaned on the railing, looking out at the house. She decided to stay there and wait to see if Bruno would show up.

Minutes passed and Alexa was considering abandoning ship and going back to her and Mirabel's room. She heard a creaking noise behind her and froze. She slowly turned around and saw none other than Bruno stepping carefully out of a... hole... in the wall?

"Hi," she greeted.

Bruno now jumped in fear, "Woah! Oh! Hi!" he smiled when he saw Alexa, "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"You just came out of the wall..."

"Yes," Bruno glanced behind him at the now closed picture door, "Yes, I did. This is actually good, I can explain in one go, then. Good," he took a deep breath, "Maybe tomorrow or whenever you're free... we can watch my shows together. I know you said you'd be interested in it a while ago, I just forgot to mention it again."

"Yes," Alexa said easily, smiling, "I'd love to."

"Yeah?" Bruno breathed in relief, much like when he brought it up the first time to her.

"Uh huh," Alexa took another step closer to Bruno, "Now... the wall thing?" she bit her bottom lip through a smile.

"Right..." Bruno cleared his throat, ready to begin when Julieta called for dinner.

"Um... you know, it's actually a really long story. I'll tell you later. After dinner. Okay?"

"Sure," Alexa said. She was slowly learning how to handle Bruno so he wouldn't get overly flustered about things (unless she was feeling evil and intentionally wanted him to be flustered). She kept her answers easy to understand and tried to knock the teasing down a level, even though he was fun to tease.

Even more, Alexa was helplessly smitten with this awkward, small man. Something came over her on that anniversary night, and she hadn't been able to shake it since. He was just so sweet. He made her unreasonably happy. And they hadn't even spent much time together, which was another thing she was still figuring out. She had to grow with him. Since the anniversary night, they hadn't kissed each other. Not again. And Alexa sorely wanted to, just to test the waters. To see if that was really real.

"Bruno," she started to speak again, realizing she probably remained standing there and silent a bit too long to be normal, "I really like you. You know that, right?"

"Y-Y--" he couldn't even get the word out, taken aback by the sudden confession, "I like you, too." He said with hardly any breath left in his system. Why was this so hard? He literally told her he loved her a week ago. It was like starting from scratch.

"Good," a blush lit up Alexa's cheeks and her freckles appeared darker, "So... I can..." she walked right up to him, getting closer, and leaned in tentatively. It took Bruno a second to register what she was doing and he stood still to let her kiss him. She kissed his lips as her hands found his and entangled their fingers together.

"Cohome on," she giggled after the fact, tugging him along so they could get to the dinner table. He was all noodly from his legs to his arms, in la-la land. Bruno had a silly big smile on his face all through dinner that night. And it didn't help that Alexa would place her hand on his knee under the table or give him pokes to his side to mess with him through the whole meal.

Bruno was a nervous, giddy wreck with all this affection. It was a new level of intimacy that he was stressing over with his sisters early in the day. But he was learning that while it may be super intense right now, things should ease up and come off as more normal. He couldn't wait for that normalcy as he initiated slipping his hand under the table and into Alexa's hand that was resting on her lap. And now she blushed and seemed speechless. Bruno smiled. This was good.

[lanzhanlanzhan]

@faescapist I actually really love this prompt! I love it enough that I ended up writing this as second story just after churning the first one out, so thank you very much for sending it. 😊

Okay though, but this is probably more flirtatious/ominous than cute/playful I'm sorry but I

Lan Wangji has a secret. 

"Ready for me, Lan Zhan?" 

Wei Ying stands in one of the sparring fields, the greenery and mist-blue mountains of Gusu as his backdrop. White robes billow in the morning winds, contrasting with his dark hair done in its customary messy ponytail. On his face is a grin, lopsided and handsome, and it never fails to make something jump inside Lan Wangji. 

He does not verbalize a response—he seldom has to, with Wei Ying. Wei Ying just seems to know, and judging by the way the curve of his smile twitches even higher, indeed it seems nothing has escaped his notice. 

Wei Ying lunges first. No surprise there; this is his test after all. Lan Wangji deflects the first blow, their swords clashing a few times before they find themselves on their first bind. 

Wei Ying's core is new yet. Of course, he has worked his way to it, cultivating a golden core with his new body the same way every other cultivation disciple has had to do it. It is only even recently that Wei Ying claimed he has cultivated enough to handle a sword fight, and so it is no surprise that he wavers first, a tell-tale tremble under the weight of Lan Wangji's sword. 

Nevertheless, Lan Wangji has his own struggle. He can feel Bichen singing in his hands, touching Suibian where there has long been draught. He was not the only one missing someone in all those long years. 

"Ah ah ah, Lan Zhan," taunts Wei Ying. Strands of black hair fall over his expressive eyes, which now even seem to twinkle as they look up at Lan Wangji. "Don't get distracted. We've only just started." 

Wei Ying escapes him. He finds his footing, although not immediately, seemingly still needing some time to get used to Lan Wangji's spiritual energy when it is in the offense.

"This could be harder, I can tell," Wei Ying says across the field, "if Hanguang-jun is not busy ogling his opponent."

"I was not ogling," Lan Wangji immediately denies, but the tips of his ears feel hot anyway. 

Wei Ying laughs, rich and carefree, and it rings with the wind like its music was made to be played along with it. He is quick on his feet, preparing for another round, and it is no hardship for Lan Wangji to follow him with his eyes. 

Something about Wei Ying: he will not lose to Lan Wangji without a fight. He wants to win, and even now that is no different. He would accept loss but only in a fair fight, one where he made Lan Wangji work for it and maybe doubt, once or twice, if his was going to be a sure win. There is no such thing between them, not really. There could be perhaps a few years or so ago, when Wei Ying was newly returned and his core yet unformed, but Wei Ying with a golden core has always been Lan Wangji's equal. Nevermind that Wei Ying's core now is new; he is the sort of genius, after all, who can close a gap no matter how far ahead the handicap. 

The first time they sparred, Lan Wangji was surprised to encounter someone with skills and cultivation as high as his. None of his peers in Cloud Recesses, nor even in the nearby sects with whom they associated, had thus far come close to reaching Lan Wangji. And yet there Wei Ying was, a talkative, rule-breaking boy from Yunmeng Jiang, but one who could deflect Lan Wangji's strikes with one hand, jars of Emperor's Smile in the other.

He took Lan Wangji's breath away. 

"You are doing it again, Hanguang-jun!" 

Lan Wangji catches himself just in time to deflect an oncoming talisman. The charm breaks against Bichen, turning into golden butterflies that fly up into the blue sky. 

"Swords only," he admonishes. 

"Eh? Says who?" counters Wei Ying. "I don't think we set those rules, Lan Zhan." 

Lan Wangji huffs his disapproval, but lets it go. The other had a point, after all. 

"And speaking of things which I am correct about," declares Wei Ying, apparently not yet done, "Hanguang-jun, you really ought to focus. What will your junior fans say? You're lucky they are not here watching this." 

Lan Wangji goes for him this time, his swordpoint leading the charge. But Wei Ying just seems delighted by this, peals of his laughter bursting in the air around them. The winds, usually Lan Wangji's allies, even seem to side with him, cradling him in their grasp, taking his voice and bringing it clear and sure to Lan Wangji's greedy ears. 

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!" cries Wei Ying, saying his name in a sing-song sort of way. "Is this how one defeats the esteemed Hanguang-jun? Just throw him a pretty face? See, this is why I considered just asking Sizhui."

That got Wei Ying a series of blows, Suibian visibly struggling beneath the onslaught.

"What pretty face?" asks Lan Wangji, because he can't help it. "There is only one." 

"Hm?" Wei Ying goes on taunting him, even as his breath grows strained and he has to pause between words so he can pant in between. "Oh, Lan Zhan. Only me, you say? Hanguang-jun is such a sweet-talker." 

He knows what to say, knows the expressions he has to make. He throws Lan Wangji with looks filled with promise, or at least looks that feel like they do. Whether or not he will put out is always an open question, because Wei Wuxian is anything but predictable, and it seems as though few things delight him more than teasing Lan Wangji. 

Lan Wangji loves that about him. But then, Lan Wangji loves everything about him.

Wei Ying turns serious in the next moment, seeming to summon up the spiritual energy necessary to attack Lan Wangji with a particularly complicated sequence that actually gets him to pull up more spiritual energy than he planned for this entire encounter. He pulls up more, and then even more, because Wei Ying is relentless and quick, and he makes it difficult enough for Lan Wangji to clear his mind and indeed focus, lest he find himself on the wrong end of his partner's sword. 

Wei Ying grows tired first, and he escapes Lan Wangji again and floats back to the far edge of the field. He catches his breath there, but his eyes does not stray from Lan Wangji—as though he has to watch him, as though he will not risk the very small, truthfully nonexistent possibility that Lan Wangji would attack him when he is not ready. 

Lan Wangji loves him like this—when he is serious, focused, wanting to win. True, he loves Wei Ying when his eyes are laughing and his voice light and bright, perhaps even fell in love with him because of those things, but times like this bring their own charm. Something deeper, darker, intimate in a way because Lan Wangji knows few people know Wei Ying this way, simmer there beneath the surface. Lan Wangji finds himself hungry for it, wanting more, and a part of him wonders if that is why he is so keen on Wei Ying growing stronger and cultivating back his golden core. Lan Wangji would love him regardless, core or no core, but there is something about Wei Ying when he has power on him that charges the nerves under Lan Wangji's skin. 

All things eventually reach their end, and despite several more attempts, Wei Ying's energy drains from him soon enough. In the end, the battle ends with Suibian on the ground, Bichen just centimeters from Wei Ying's throat. 

Wei Ying heaves a great sigh and falls on his knees to the ground. 

"Wei Ying did well," Lan Wangji tells him as he sheathes Bichen. "That took longer than I expected." 

"Yeah?" Wei Ying says in between pants, looking up at Lan Wangji. "Doing well is not the point though, is it?" 

"It is for now," says Lan Wangji. "It is impossible for you to win this first fight." 

To Lan Wangji, this is only pointing out the truth. It is impossible with a core so new, but Wei Ying shakes his head at these words all the same. 

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. I may be of Gusu now, but never forget I am from Yunmeng Jiang. We strive for the impossible." 

It has been years, but when Wei Ying grins like that, it is still as attractive as the first time Lan Wangji saw it.

"Still, do not be careless," says Lan Wangji, keeping his voice even despite the effect of that look. "The impossible is impossible for a reason."  

"You," Wei Ying goes on to say, waving a finger up at Lan Wangji. "You're lucky you're pretty." 

Lan Wangji does not understand what that has to do with anything, but then his and Wei Ying's logic have always been somewhat different in that regard. He does not have much time to think about it though, because Wei Ying is then crooking that same finger at him, an even look on his face as he gestures for Lan Wangji to come closer. 

Lan Wangji has barely settled on one knee before Wei Ying pulls him roughly by the front of his robes. The kiss, when it comes, is unexpected but not unwelcome, and Lan Wangji's mouth at least catches up faster than his brain does. But he fails to stifle his reaction when a tongue slips past his lips, groaning through it as his fingers grab at Wei Ying's shoulders, both in surprise as well as to steady himself from the shock. 

Oh, but Wei Ying knows how to kiss him. He sucks and nibbles at Lan Wangji's lips, licks into his mouth in a way that has Lan Wangji clutching him tighter, fingers clawing up until they are buried in Wei Ying's hair. 

He even knows to prolong the kiss the right amount, and then pull back at just the right time to leave Lan Wangji aching for more. 

"You know I hate to lose," Wei Ying tells him after that kiss. "You're lucky I find you sexy when you win." 

Lan Wangji's ears are red, he knows. "Shameless." 

Wei Ying laughs then, breaking character or whatever it is he is going for that nonetheless worked so well on Lan Wangji. 

He lets himself be pulled up, lets Lan Wangji dust off the dirt on his knees, smiling and comfortable with being groomed and taken care of by the other. 

"Thanks for today, Lan Zhan," he says, eyes back to their bright and playful self. 

They pick up Suibian, and then walk together back towards the jingshi. Wei Ying fills the time with his usual chatter, telling Lan Wangji stories that never seem to run out, and which Lan Wangji wishes never do. 

He thinks, too, that they will continue doing this and someday, Wei Ying will win against him. Wei Ying now, after all, is only but a dragon yet asleep, a tiger that is still a cub, but soon he will find himself again, for there is no doubt he can work his way back to where he used to be. Lan Wangji can tell that when he does, Wei Ying will be insufferable, will probably gloat, and he will tower over Lan Wangji until Lan Wangji is on his knees. 

And Lan Wangji waits in anticipation for that day to come. 

(Also on AO3: A Dragon Lies in Wait)