#might have to do 02 as well I just... I cannot help myself

[beginningobserver]

Ni attempts to insert Rui-Ukko in 02 TV Series: the post.

⚠This is a ROUGH draft and may change later. ALSO, IT MIGHT HAVE CANON REFERENCES TO THE MOVIE ELEMENTS, SO I DON'T RECOMMEND READING IT WITHOUT WATCHING 02TB FIRST!

Ok, so the idea here is... to put Rui-kun and Ukkomon in 02. I've tried to pick a route here, and it might change later.

Will be under [read more/keep reading] so you can avoid spoilers even if i tag it with the spoilers tag.

[CW: murder mention + body horror]

So far, I've drawn not one but TWO routes for this AU - one where nothing bad happens to Rui (or, if it does, it's the usual Adv/02 level of child trauma, not something that goes "over the kids' timeslot filters" like this movie does) and he gets to explore the Digital World with Ukkomon alongside the 02 group...

... And one where maybe the "eye thing" happens during the 02 events. Now if it is the same as in the canon and the movie or not, I have no idea yet. But I am still amusing myself with this one comic where the Kaiser is testing his evil rings on Rui because he has a digi-eye and... Yeah, check out the doodle for yourselves. 

Since I like both ideas I might mix them in one interquel plotline.

So Rui is the first Chosen Child, but this term hadn't been coined by the time of his encounter with Ukkomon. And Ukkomon helped Rui to get a better life, despite not having miraculous powers to grant wishes like he told Rui. Ukkomon’s tactic was just using Liar Dream on Rui’s mom and dad, to make them at least nicer to Rui.The part of the dad being in a deathbed status is also… uh, not here, but he’s still sick.

Ukkomon protected Rui from bullies as well, by using his mind-hijacking powers to drive them away. Despite both being bad at communicating with others, they do manage to get along. Rui still hates the same things as the canon, but more likely that he does not find them interesting (plus, the part of hating cake/sweets is about OVERLY sweet things and he prefers not-too-sweet stuff, or not-too-sweet fruits) yet he doesn’t seem to get courage to say them because he never had been listened by his own family. At this point, Ukkomon is not well aware of the difference between being legitimately happy and being just a bubbly kid. So… Ukkomon starts getting desperate trying to protect Rui’s smile from everything and going nuts (aka, “i can’t let him get sad or miserable!!” sort of thing, yes it’s basically what happened in canon too) and just… manipulating people with his mind-hijacking eye-stare technique.

Rui lives in Hikarigaoka, but going to the Digital World like everyone else, somehow his digivice – being the first model in the world – manages to get the access to the Digital Gate and he goes there to cool off and have fun with the digimon. It’s when he heard about this new menace called Digimon Kaiser. His digi-friends started to beg him and Ukkomon to help, but Rui says he can’t do much because Ukkomon cannot evolve and he’s afraid of fighting. Ukkomon also is clueless about how to evolve, he only knows more kids with digimon were appearing. Then, Ukkomon suggests trying to find those kids and ask them to help their digimon friends. Funny enough, the 02 kids + older six were already doing that.

In one of the offscreen attacks of the Kaiser’s army, Rui’s right eye gets hurt and Ukkomon starts panicking because this means Rui will be sad and upset so he just sacrifices his own right eye and slaps it in the boy’s face. Of course Rui hates that and snaps at him. Ukkomon feels it was all his fault and just disappears (actually, he kept around but invisible and without letting Rui know his presence). In the human world, Rui’s parents have absolutely no idea WHERE he is, so they start suddenly “caring” about him, tho they don’t go ask for help on TV or anything, they just stick with the police. The 02 kids are aware of a kid named Ohwada Rui going missing, but they think it’s nothing related to the Digital World or Ichijouji Ken/Digimon Kaiser.

Rui was having a hard time stuck in the Digital World though. He was alone, but he had the help of the local digimon refugees and survivors. This time he covered his digi-eye with an eye-patch so as not to attract the attention of the others. Somehow, the Kaiser hears about a human with a digimon eye and thinks it’s some skilled hacker “in-game” and sends his servants to search for Rui.

It was when, a few days before the Evil Spiral being made that he gets to spot the 02 kids looking for a digimon named “Agumon”. He never saw those kids– Wait a minute, he does remember seeing a boy with a Goku-like hair and a tiny girl with light brown short hair when he was a kid… Maybe they know him? (The answer is: not in person, Taichi and Hikari had passed by Rui while they lived in Hikarigaoka and until they moved to Odaiba, but none of them know each other)

Rui goes after those kids a few weeks later (around the episode Chimeramon project is almost finished), but he’s caught by the Digimon Kaiser, who was suspiciously aware of his “Digimon Eye”?! Ken just starts asking him real tough questions, thinking that kid is smart and a prodigy like him, but… Rui is just a simpleton. No offense, he’s not a genius or anything, he’s just an ordinary boy with a digimon eye and a digivice. Wormmon is scared about what that could mean, and Rui is not sure how to explain that the eye was slapped in his face against his will and that suddenly he got into a fight with his digimon and then Ukkomon just vanished and left him.

Since Rui had disappeared way before Ken decided to ditch the human world and live in the DW, he heard of a kid missing but he didn’t expect that the boy with a digimon eye from the rumors was Rui. He doesn’t feel like doing anything with Rui though, so he just throws Rui in the dungeon and focuses on the other kids. Rui has no idea if he could do something, and he feels like Ukkomon had just abandoned him and blames him for being hunted like an animal thanks to that eye.

Ken does hear Rui thru the speakers mentioning “something something if I had followed my mom’s orders I wouldn’t have been in trouble now” and he feels… empathetic for that kid? Is that possible? Ken doesn’t let Rui leave, but mysteriously his time inside his cell gets a little more… comfortable? He got a new pair of clean clothes and he’s receiving some decent meals now…? How??

One day Wormmon was feeling jealous of Ken getting some emotional attachment to that prisoner that he does the same thing he had done with Agumon: He opens the cell discreetly while Ken is not around looking at the cameras and lets Rui escape.

The 02 team and the Kaiser showdown happens normally, and Rui just appears in front of the 02 kids between the ep 22 and 24 events. The group catches him by accident because he was wearing a cape and hoodie to not call for peeps' attention and then Takeru immediately remembers seeing a kid who had disappeared mysteriously in the newspapers, way before Ken went insane.

Rui is not aware about that, but he feels like he cannot leave now because of that. The kids wonder what he means by that and he shows them the Digi-eye in his face. It makes them confused and question if he’s indeed human, but he tries to explain (this time) what happened, and that he got captured by the Digimon Kaiser for days and maybe months. The group is in doubt, but Daisuke tells them he trusts Rui. Hikari asks where’s Rui’s partner now and Rui pouts upset: We had a fight and he just vanished. The 02 group decide they should just help Rui to find Ukkomon, but Rui thinks Ukkomon might not want to talk to him anymore and then says Ukkomon was doing things he didn’t want to and didn’t like at all. Iori asks why he didn’t tell Ukkomon that, and Rui shuts in.

The 02 group’s digimon find that strange, because a digimon partner wouldn’t run away like that, right? Daisuke even mentions that Wormmon did not leave Ken’s side and even helped them to beat Chimeramon in order to rescue Ken from himself. The group agree, Ukkomon might still be around. Rui wonders how.

They had to stick along with the kid for a while, at least after school activities. The group ask Agumon and Gabumon to take a look at Rui for them (Rui is not happy with that idea but he has no options left) and then the digimon duo try to keep the boy comfortable. He’s NOT happy though.

Agumon asks what’s wrong and he just sulks, refuses to talk with Agumon or even Gabumon. Piyomon, Palmon, Gomamon and Tentomon come in and try to help the other two digimon to deal with that kid. Rui just keeps hating more and more being there and he wants to go home, but he knows that eye would make people claim he’s a FREAK and maybe things would be even worse now. Sadly, the older six’s digipartners are clueless and don’t feel like they can solve it. And Rui started to just blame the digimon in gen for his misfortune, making the six critters sad. He then just realizes he messed this up with them, and quickly tries to apologize. He tells them that Ukkomon really didn’t know him that well, and didn’t even know what he liked or wanted. Gabumon then says “Are you sure about that?” out of the blue.

Once Rui fell asleep, the six digimon noticed something hiding behind the trees and found Ukkomon, who was invisible this whole time (somehow) and kept protecting Rui in the shadows, though he was still upset with the boy’s statements and behavior. Piyomon asks why did he “leave” Rui behind and Ukkomon vents that he was getting frustrated about what to keep Rui happy and smiling. The other mons look at each other and then back to Ukkomon, who continues “He really needs me but he snapped when I tried to help him before'', making Gomamon comment that “giving your own eye to a human is not going to help him at all” and everyone agree. Ukkomon is unable to understand WHY this is wrong, and they had to say “If Rui slapped his own eye on Ukkomon out of the blue, to help him out, would he like that?” and Ukkomon took a while to give an answer. And the digimon didn’t want to think about a scenario where Rui is literally destroying himself either. But now Rui is mad and he’s having a tough time with that big eye in his face. Ukkomon feels ashamed for going off the rails. Palmon suggests that he go talk with Rui, but… Ukkomon also is bad at communicating so he just shuts in just like Rui.

The digimon reported it to Daisuke and co., and they just think those two need to be in the same room in order to deal with it themselves… But Daisuke refuses to turn his back on Rui and Ukkomon, so he just goes to talk with the boy.

Daisuke asks Rui why he didn’t tell Ukkomon that he didn’t like some things Ukkomon was doing and Rui just feels like he’s getting scolded by his mom. Daisuke continues, “You have to tell what’s bothering you or else nobody will get your feelings right,” and Rui just argues back “If I told Ukkomon he wasn’t helping me at all he would lose his reason to exist.”

The digimon and the kids are confused: Does Rui think the digimon are just servant familiars? Something similar to Ken believing the DW and the digimon were a game?

Rui explains that Ukkomon came to him to make his wishes come true, but his partner had no idea what he likes or needs, so he kept quiet accepting everything like he was used to – His mother was the one to decide his favorite things, and if he said something otherwise she would claim he’s an ungrateful kid. So not even he knows what he needs or what he likes.

Daisuke sighs and then tells Rui that Ukkomon did all of those things because Ukkomon likes him, and doesn’t know how to help him. V-mon sneaks into the convo and asks Rui “Do you know what Ukkomon likes and what he hates anyway?” and it makes Rui just realize something he and Ukkomon were not communicating. Yes he had been watching things by distance and those kids and their digimon had a better understanding of each others’ personalities, likes and dislikes, traits and flaws…Something he and Ukkomon's partnership had been lacking all along.

Ukkomon was hearing that convo, still invisible for them all. A little pouty because he was still hurt by Rui’s actions.  However, the eye made Rui notice Ukkomon was nearby and he called for his digimon. Ukkomon felt no reason to keep hiding and just popped in front of them, still missing his eye. Rui then speaks with his heart for the first time and asks Ukkomon to let them start from zero, and to learn more about each other. Ukkomon agrees, and asks what Rui wishes for and the boy answers he doesn’t need anything else. And Ukkomon in return said he didn’t know how to help Rui and assumed that the boy’s smile meant Rui was happy so he tried to prevent anything bad from happening in order to keep Rui happy and smiling even if it meant to do some… wrong things. The group ask “Which ‘wrong things’??” and Ukkomon reveals he can control people’s minds and had been using it on people. He feared that Rui would hate him, but… Rui was only disappointed that this meant nobody liked him for real.

Ukkomon doesn’t agree with that statement, and thinks there’s people who care and like Rui for real. And then mentioned the digimon they met and the older six’s digimon, also Daisuke and the others right there. Rui takes a moment to agree with that, and then he asks Ukkomon if he could get his eye back. Daisuke asks why Ukkomon gave his eye to Rui before, and Ukkomon says Rui got hurt in the middle of a digimon attack. Miyako suggests them to take Rui to the hospital after Ukkomon “returned” Rui’s injured eye (= he just removed the digi-eye just like magic and the real eye, hidden by the other one, just reappeared in Rui’s face)

The kids and their digimon go back to the human world and then Rui asks to be taken to his relatives instead. Everyone asks why and he says that they are the only ones able to talk with his parents at the moment. Ukkomon offers to use his power on Rui’s parents again, but Rui himself tells Ukkomon to not. He can handle this, he will ask his cousin and her parents to help him out. No one, not even Mr. Ishida argued with him, since they thought it could be a delicate subject that maybe having one or two peeps who care about Rui enough could help there.

Rui gets to talk with his relatives and explain everything to them (with the help of the 02 kids, Taichi, Koushiro and Mr. Ishida, of course, after Rui and Ukkomon explained to them hours ago) and they didn’t know how to break the news that… Rui’s parents had died while he went missing. Rui was in shock, just like all the others who came to give him support, and now they all plus Rui’s relatives were there to help him to deal with the loss. Ukkomon wonders if it was his fault, but he does not tell anyone, and he continues to bottle it up. He wasn’t around to make sure they would be fine… Right? His power wouldn’t be that strong to KILL humans, R I G H T ? !

Rui and Ukkomon get to meet Ken and Wormmon again on ep 39 events. But before that, he and Ukkomon spend their own time trying to get to know each other and find a way to use Ukkomon’s powers for good and not for selfish purposes. Since Ukkomon cannot evolve, they thought it would be better to not get involved with the digimon battles happening around (and again) – Though this made him emotionally exhausted: Why are the digimon trying to attack this world…? Why are they fighting those kids and their partners? Ukkomon himself doesn’t know either, but he believes they could get the answers from his higher-ups.

Rui wonders what kind of higher-ups would Ukkomon have, he just remembers Ukkomon briefly mentioning them before. Ukkomon then suggests going to the DW and looking for Homeostasis’ agents and talking to them. Rui doesn’t know what those agents look like, or why someone would be named ‘Homeostasis’ to begin with. Ukkomon doesn’t know how to answer those questions so he reinforces the idea of going to look for them.

Once they’re on their mission, Rui asks Ukkomon: “Wait, if you’re connected to something greater, couldn’t you simply contact them and call for help?” Ukkomon blinks those big green eyes and admits he didn’t think about that before. Rui glances at him, unamused by that answer.

The truth is, Ukkomon doesn’t know how to call for his higher-ups. But Rui just got a dumb idea of… pressing a few buttons on his digivice. Ukkomon feels this would be hilarious if they could summon someone like that…

And then they casually pass by Gennai, who was heading back from his encounter with Qinglongmon. Yup. Ukkomon and Rui look at each other for a moment, and ask if they did that or not. Ukkomon points out that that ‘human-like’ lifeform is one of Homeostasis’ agents. Rui notices he’s carrying an orb. They follow Gennai but SUDDENLY that ‘person’ disappeared?!

Ukkomon wonders where that agent has gone and Rui thinks maybe they should go home and try another time… Until they spot a long silver haired woman in a dress and purple shades with a tall man in a blue uniform. Ukkomon can definitely sense that woman and man are not… humans at all, and then he and Rui decide to follow them, returning to the human world. 

Huh?! Why were those digimon– Hey, they’re in Tamachi now?? And there’s a digimon running amok. He notices a boy with a familiar digimon before trying to get people out of there and protect themselves, but the Dark Tower prevents Wormmon from evolving and Ken is not very happy with that at all. The wild Triceramon running around and causing havoc hits a traffic pole and it comes into Ken’s direction, BUT! Ukkomon and Rui appear, and Ukkomon uses his tentacles coming from his fingers to catch the pole before it hits Ken. Wormmon immediately recognizes Rui, and Ken’s a little awkward around that kid. Wormmon sees Ukkomon and also recognizes those eyes, but Ukkomon and Rui had no time to explain, nor Ken and Wormmon have time to hear a long story right now. Ken asks Rui to simply escort the people around the area for them, and the other just agrees but says he’s worried about Ken and Wormmon, who just tell him they will be fine.

Rui and Ukkomon then leave the area, searching for anyone else in the middle of Triceramon’s rampage. A few hours later, he and Ukkomon witness a strong and powerful aura coming from the beam hitting something in the area he and Ukkomon were with Ken before, and then they witness Imperialdramon dragon mode for the first time in their lives. 

A few days passed and then Rui did not hear about Daisuke or Ken or the digimon for a while. But he and Ukkomon try contacting the alleged “higher-ups’ Ukkomon talked about. This time they manage to get in touch with Gennai personally and start asking some questions. As usual, not even Gennai or the Holy Beasts know why digimon partnerships are happening, or why the evil digimon are attacking the human world. Rui comments this was pointless, and then he believes it was all his fault because of that wish he made in 1996 on his birthday, Feb 29. Gennai says it’s unlikely to be because of him and that he was just the first of them.

Ukkomon comments about hearing someone saying “something something you’re the first attempt with this experiment” and Rui snaps “So am I a guinea pig for the digi-gods?!” Gennai stares at Ukkomon, and sighs. He explains that it might not mean something in a heartless sense, that the human and digimon partnerships started because of a peculiar encounter of a Koromon and a pair of human siblings prior to 1996. Then, Gennai asks him if he had witnessed a digimon before meeting Ukkomon and Rui takes a moment to think. He then mentions seeing a giant orange dinosaur and a big parrot fighting when he was 3 years old, but he thought it was just a crazy dream he had after watching something before falling asleep. Gennai then reveals that it wasn’t a dream, and that Rui had been chosen as the first to form a bond with a digimon because of it. And that Rui has been observed to be in the need of someone to love and protect him.

He realizes that… Ukkomon did save him from the bad parenting life he was living. He was just a BABY and couldn't even accidentally wet his pants or bed sheets like other kids his age, or reject stuff his mom wanted him to like and claimed to be “his favorite”. Ukkomon agrees, but still feels that using that technique on Rui’s parents might be the reason they had died. Rui tries to tell him it wasn’t his fault, it couldn’t be true, RIGHT?? Ukkomon begs for Rui’s pardon, but the boy still does not get it at all. Gennai then tells Ukkomon to leave it as it is, for better or for worse. Rui also did not get that either.

After talking with Gennai, Rui returns home with Ukkomon and then the news on TV is about a few children disappearing out of nowhere, just like him. He then learns that Ken also went missing before, and mused if it was around the time Ken was the Kaiser. Again, he couldn’t do anything so he only hoped for the best.

It was only when the truck headed to Hikarigaoka that he decided to do something. But he and Ukkomon just witnessed the Jogress digimon sealing Daemon in the Dark Ocean. The police were nearby taking care of the kidnapped kids and the now abandoned truck, so he couldn’t approach that area at all. The only 02 group member Rui and Ukkomon meet is Takeru, who was looking for a safe spot to evolve Patamon into Pegasusmon and head home. Rui asks Takeru what happened and if the kidnapped kids were related to something about the digimon attacks recently and he explains a brief version of the current events. Ukkomon wonders why someone would kidnap children like that.

They later learn, from Daisuke, that the kidnapped children now have digimon data inside their bodies. And then Rui is assigned to keep an eye on one of them who might be from the area where he and his relatives live. With Ukkomon’s unique abilities like sneaking into places or being invisible, Rui could help them to keep watching the dark seed kids, even if he doesn’t understand what’s happening that much.

But he couldn't do much, and in the end his efforts were in vain because of what happened on New Year's Eve. Rui wanted to do more, and he in fact did go to the Digital World for that final battle, and helped them out like the rest of the Chosen Children around the world. But that whole action might have caused a MASS PANIC in the human world because children are disappearing en masse for a few hours?!

BelialVamdemon is beaten, everyone returns home. Fin.

So far this is all I got for it, and idk how to do the post-series stuff (movies and drama CDs) or the Epilogue part so I’ll just stop here for now. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed my dummy Hacker’s Memory-esque idea (or Lion King 1 ½ lol) and I might draw more stuff with this whole setting. (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞

[ivryne]

. . . 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 ! ✧

SYNOPSIS. Genshin men’s voicelines abt you as their lover !

✦ ╮ayato, kazuha, albedo, xiao

✦ ╮gn!reader

✦ ╮might be ooc but I’ll try my best hehe

NOTE. I’ve been seeing posts like this all over tumblr so I wanted to try too hehe. So you can say this post is inspired by those ppl <3 Also not proofread bc I’m so lazy :0

01. Kamisato Ayato

About [ Name ] : Whispers of the citizens | 🔓friendship lvl 4

“Ah I see…there are rumors regarding my engagement. Well fortunately, I can confirm such rumor. Hm? You would like to know more about them? Well it’ll be my pleasure to oblige. [ Name ]…they are my definition of perfection. I cannot imagine being engaged with someone rather than them. They’re determined—well principled, yet so full of compassion. I apologize, I’m afraid I have to stop now or else I wouldn’t be able to contain myself to stop. hehe. But perhaps if you’re quite keen on getting to know them, we shall schedule a tea time with them. When they are not busy, of course. I’m sure they’ll adore you as well.”

The traveler and Ayato eventually scheduled a tea time with you. And of course, who are you to refuse a tea time the the most renowned traveler. In the tea session, you both learn so much about each other. You definitely get along with the traveler and plans more tea sessions for the future—along with Ayaka too even. Ayato watches you get along with his friends and he can’t get rid of that small smile on his face as he looks at you with admiration <33

About [ Name ] : Sweet treats | 🔓 friendship lvl 6

“ [ Name ] is always so fond of sweet treats. Ah I see a dango stand not quite far from where we are now. Perhaps I should get a few for them before returning home…”

The ever so caring commissioner. He’s definitely one to buy things that reminded him of you with no question. Never minding the price. As long as it will bring a smile to your face, he doesn’t really care how much it’s going to cost. Because the joy on your face, is definitely priceless ^^

02. Kaedehara Kazuha

About [ Name ] : Wherever the wind leads | 🔓 friendship lvl 4

“ [ Name ]? Oh? You know of them? Ah why am I surprised. They seem to put that effect on people. Hm? You would like to know more about them? Of course. [ Name ] and I have known each other since we were young. It only makes sense as the [ l/n ] clan and the Kaedehara clan has always maintain a deep connection. So it was no more than a pleasant surprise when both clans found out about our relationship. Ah yes, I do miss them. But I know, wherever the wind leads, it will always lead me back to them.”

Distance brings fondness is what they say. Though it is partly true, you cannot help but miss those days spent with your lover. However, all your worries and despair are swept away when you feel a familiar breeze engulfing you. With a familiar scent lingering in the wind, you know just who it is. Every once in a while when the Alcor lies in Ritou, Kazuha never forgets to visit your family estate. Giving alongs gifts and greetings to you and your family yes he’s definitely that son-in-law material. Even with his constant life of wandering, he will always come back home to you <33.

About [ Name ] : Traveling | 🔓 friendship lvl 6

“I’ve always dream of traveling with [ Name ]. Exploring the wanders of Tevyat with them. The human life is still bound to time and I would like to spend my outmost time with them. Hm? Why don’t I ask them? Well, being the first child of the [ l/n ] clan, they have a plethora of duties. It’s only fair for me to wait for an opportunity. I do not wish to bother them. However, [ Name ] does need a little break…”

As like Kazuha mentioned, being the first born in your clan, you have thousands of duties. Though, once Kazuha persuaded your parents for your much needed vacation, you obliged. Because your clan isn’t going to die without you around for a few weeks right?

03. Albedo

About [ Name ] : Company | 🔓 friendship lvl 4

“ [ Name ] ? Yes, our scribe of the Knights of Favonius. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you do know of them. They are quite popular amongst the citizens. Oh? You’re curious about our relation? Ah it’s nothing much. They just like to accompany me during experiments in Dragonspine sometimes—to document the experiment of course. It’s only because of their job, really.

Albedo might not be one to indulge on such mortal emotions, but right now, dusty pink seems to take over his pale features.

Albedo is definitely one to keep a mental or physical note on his symptoms whenever your around. ( Increased heartbeat, nervousness, flushed cheeks, etc )

And when he finally realized his prolonged feelings for you, he’ll try to analyze your movements around him to see if he can confirm that you feel the same. And once his hypothesis can be confirmed, he’ll ask you out 😵‍💫

About [ Name ] : Sleepless nights | 🔓 friendship lvl 6

“ Being the scribe of the Knights of Favonius, there are quite many things to be done. Although, it is still not an excuse to spend sleepless nights. I have warned them multiple times about this. How sleep is important for the human body. But they are still always so stubborn. Huh? What do you mean I’m one to talk? ”

Bro Albedo is a hypocrite fr bc he also likes to spend sleepless nights. Though, in nights like this, where your work is piling up more than usual, Albedo takes the liberty to visit your office. The alchemist watches your scribbling figure with a displeased expression. And once your tired eyes met his, you know your done x_x. Now he’s definitely gonna drag you to bed for your much needed rest. But don’t worry, he’s only doing that because he cares abt you and don’t want to to die of exhaustion <3.

I feel like he is one to leave like a kiss on the forehead when you want to sleep and definitely in for cuddles. So the both of you sleep all your tiredness away, leaving all the pain of work for tomorrow.

04. Xiao

About [ Name ] : Insufferable | 🔓 friendship lvl 4

“ You want to know what I think about [ Name ] ? Why is that important? I’ve got other things to do…Fine. I think [ Name ] is insufferable. Everywhere I go they’re just…there. They clearly know how to get on my nerve. That cheeky smile of them makes me- Ugh never mind. ”

It’s been centuries since you know the yaksha. Being one of the Adeptis that contributed in the Archon war yourself, you empathize on his pain. So you took the liberty to make him at least a bit happy. To bring at least a little light to his lightless worldview. Even though it might not seem like it, your occasional visits to the Wangshu Inn, brings joy to his tainted soul not that he’ll actually tell you. But ofc you know it :p

About [ Name ] : Karmic debt | 🔓 friendship lvl 6

“ Yes. Although it is quite hard for me to admit, being with them does ease my karmic debt. Don’t even think of mentioning this to them. What? They already know? Tch of course they do. It’s just- Not everyone can handle my karmic debt. But [ Name ] isn’t one of them. Though [ Name ] is still so much to handle. They are too careless. They would sacrifice themselves in a heartbeat for someone they don’t even know- Why are you looking at me like that?

Like Albedo, he’s definitely also a hypocrite 💀 Like ur one yo talk mr. self sacrifice. But alas, he really does care for you even though it look centuries for him to admit it yes that long.

Though he is right. You are too careless sometimes like him. He just doesn’t want to see you hurt like last time.

After hearing a call of his name, the Yaksha did not think twice to head to the location of the caller. His amber eyes that once show no emotions, averted to panic and worry as he sees you and specifically your condition. Sitting on the field of grass with an large gash and blood dripping from your leg, you look up to him with a small innocent smile. “Hi”. It’s safe to say that Xiao is not pleased.

do not repost, share, or copy ! Reblogs and likes very much appreciated!! Tyyy for taking ur time to read this. I’m planning on a part two w this so stay tuned! hehe

© 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫.

[aquariaries]

Kou Mukami 07 - Chaos Lineage

At long last, here's the remainder of Kou's Chaos Lineage chapters!

I want to give a BIG thank you to @46snowfox for allowing me to use their Spanish translations as a base for me to get these out faster. I didn't just copy and paste from one language to another, I redid a majority of the translations myself to make sure it made sense in English.

As usual, ***I do not mind if you use my translations as a base for another language, I just ask that you credit both 46snowfox as the original translator and myself as the English translator if you do!***

Original translation credit: @46snowfox

https://46snowfox.tumblr.com/post/617475223016669184/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08

You can find Kou's previous chapters in @tournesolia's masterlist linked down below!

https://tournesolia.tumblr.com/

PLACE: Forest

Azusa: When I returned to the mansion, I was surprised to learn that Kou and the others were in the dungeon ... ...

Kou: I'm sorry I scared you. I thought that Subaru-kun would recover his memories if he suffered some sort of a shock.

Yet he didn't end up remembering anything.

Yui: (I think that the shock we suffered when we recovered our memories was something a bit different though ... ...)

But I hope that today we can make some progress.

Kou: Yes, today's goal is to collect information, I'm sure it will work out well.

————————————

Yui's Monologue:

–- If we cannot recover the memories, then we must find some way to leave this land.

After talking about it, we decided to investigate this place further.

Because the information we could get in the mansion was very scarce and since Kou-kun and Azusa-kun were worried that I would remain there alone, the three of us decided to go out together.

————————————

Azusa: It's good that we managed to get out of the mansion safely ... ...

Kou: For real, since Carla-kun has no openings and Laito-kun is too observant.

As for Subaru-kun ... ... Well, he was pretty easy to avoid. He had a hard time getting out.

Yui: Hey, where are we heading now?

Azusa: The church and the other mansions are ... ... in the opposite direction.

Kou: When we went out to do some scouting, we didn't come through this area.

So we thought that if there was something, then it must be around here.

Azusa: It would be nice if we could get out of these lands or be able to ask for help ... ...

Yui: That's true. Even though I'm walking here I am unable to recognize this place.

Yui: Where did they bring us? ... ... And, just who did it?

(That's right, I don't think this happened naturally, someone must have kidnapped us.)

Kou: When talking with the others, we came to the conclusion that someone altered our memories and brought us to this place.

I don't know who it was, but it puts me in a really bad mood.

Azusa: Yeah ... ... it doesn't make me happy ... ...

Kou: If we want to get out of here, then we can't miss today's opportunity. We must collect information, no matter what kind.

Yui: You're right. I don't think we'd be able to escape the mansion multiple times after all.

Azusa: It's alright for us to search but ... … but I don't think we can relax much ... ...

If we're late to return, Carla-san might notice ... ...

Kou: That's the most dangerous. We have no choice, let's hurry up. With that being said, M-neko-chan?

Yui: Eh?

*He moves closer and picks her up*

Yui: Kya!

(H-he picked me up ... ... !)

Kou: We're faster, so you have to make sure to hold on tight so you don't fall off.

Yui: Y-yes ... ...

*She grabs onto him*

Kou: Alright! Let's get going!

*They start running, time passes*

Azusa: Phew ... ... We've walked quite a bit ... ...

Kou: We should be leaving the forest soon. Ah, hey, look!

Yui: (There's an opening between the trees. Is that the forest's exit?)

(If we go there, it's possible that we will find something!)

PLACE: The Edge of the Miniature Garden

Kou: Eh ... ... ?

Yui: What ... ... is this ... ...

Azusa: It can't be ... ...

————————————

Yui's Monologue:

-- There must be something beyond this point.

Within my chest were high hopes for it, but what lay ahead was an endless cliff.

And no matter how far we looked down, all there was was an invisible abyss.

No matter how hard I squinted my eyes, I couldn't see another side as the horizon was vague and blurry.

I never expected to see such a sight with my own eyes.

All we could do was stare at the storm in a daze, speechless.

————————————

Yui: The fact that this cliff has no end means that ... ...

The land we are on is like some kind of isolated island in the middle of the air ... ... ?

Azusa: So then ... ... we won't be able to go out ... ... or ask for help ... ...

Kou: It was impossible to imagine that a place as rare as this could exist.

Just where are we ... ...

Yui: That's ... ...

Azusa: ... ... ... ...

PLACE: Forest

Kou: ... ... ... ...

Azusa: ... ... ... ...

Yui: (Not even in my dreams would I have thought that this landscape would be what we would find when we came out of the forest.)

(Due to shock, these two haven't talked much ... ...)

(... ... Just what is this place?)

Kou: ... ... Was it really that naive to think that we would get some kind of information?

In the end we only found that cliff.

Azusa: But ... ... we already understand what this land is ... ...

I'm sure ... ... that this is a world unknown to us ... ...

Even in the demon world ... ... there was no place like this either ... ...

And in the human world there would be a big fuss if there was a place like this ... ...

Yui: ... ... ... ...

(A world separated from the rest and where no one can intervene, it's as if it were ... ...)

It's like a miniature garden ... ...

Kou: ... ... A miniature garden ... ...

Yui: Ah ... ... Sorry, I said something weird.

Kou: No, I thought so too.

Anyway, let's get back to the mansion. If we don't hurry Carla-kun is going to --

*Rustle*

Kou: ... ...?! Someone's coming.

Yui: ... ...

(Is it Carla-san or the others? Or is it someone from another family ... ...?!)

Yuma: Oh, I finally found something similar to a path ... … Wait, it's you guys?!

Kou: Yuma-kun?!

Azusa: Why are you here Yuma ... ...?

Yuma: That's my line. Why is Eve here? ... ...Though the reason doesn't matter.

*He draws his sword*

I was just bored, I didn't think we'd end up meeting out here.

I don't care if it's two against one, come at me!

Kou: Yuma-kun ... ...

Yui: (For the Yuma-kun with altered memories, Kou-kun and Azusa-kun are enemies ... ...)

(At this rate, just like with Ruki-kun they are going to-–)

Yui: Please Yuma-kun, drop your weapon! We want to have a talk with you!

Kou: M-neko-chan ... ...

Yuma: A talk? You're saying that to lower my guard, aren't you?

Yui: That's not–-

Yuma: It's fine so just come at me. No matter what, I'm coming either way?

Azusa: Yuma ... ...

Kou: There's no way I can fight against Yuma-kun ... ... !

Yui: (Kou-kun, Azusa-kun ... ...)

( ... ... I have to think of something. I have to think of a method so they don't fight.)

(Yuma-kun doesn't want to talk. What should I do to convince him?)

(... ... I know.)

Yuma: They're not even going to bare their weapons? Then that means I can take Eve right?

Kou: Anything but that!

Yuma: Then hurry up and grab your weapon!

Yui: Wait!! Don't fight here, Yuma-kun.

You can take me!!

Yuma: Huh ... ... ? Huuh?!

Kou: Wha- ... ... ?! Are you serious?!

Azusa: T-That's right. If you do that, you're going to ... ...

Yui: I'll be fine. Since I'm Eve, I'm sure that they will not kill or do anything cruel to me.

Besides, we have to avoid fighting with Yuma-kun no matter what, and risk hurting each other.

Kou: Still ... ... There's no way I'd allow that!

Nothing guarantees that they won't hurt you. If ... ... If they do something cruel to you, I'll ... ... !

Yui: Kou-kun ... ...

Azusa: I'm also against it ... ... We don't know what could happen, so we can't hand you over ... ...

Yui: ... ...Thank you. But no matter what, you guys can't fight Yuma-kun.

If you did that, I'm sure you'd never get over it.

I'll be fine! Besides, if I stay with Yuma-kun there is a chance that I will recover his memories!

Kou: So that's ... ... your choice.

... ... Understood.

*He walks over to Yuma*

Kou: Hey Yuma-kun. Take me too.

Yui: Eh?!

Yuma: ... ... Huh?!

Yui: You want us to take you too ... ...

Selection:

————————————

-> You can't do that ♙♡

Yui: You can't do that! You could be put in danger ... ...

Kou: So you can put yourself at risk, but I can't?

I love that kind side of you, but I won't give in either.

I know you're thinking of me.

But it's the same for me ... ... No, I think of you even more.

————————————

-> Thank you ♟

Yui: (I did say that but ... ... Truthfuly I'm actually scared. Since they don't have their memories, I don't know what they could do to me.)

(Kou-kun will also be coming ... ...)

Thank you ... ... But is it really okay?

Kou: Of course! Even if it was against your will, I wouldn't leave you alone.

Yui: Kou-kun ... ...

————————————

Kou: Besides, just like you said, there's a chance we'll get Yuma-kun back.

Even if it's a bit dangerous, I'm determined to go.

Azusa: Then I too ... ... will go with you ... ...

Yui: Azusa-kun ... ... !

Azusa: I feel the same ... … as Kou ... ... Even if you ask me not to, I will definitely follow you ... ...

Yui: Yeah ... ... !

Kou: So, now that that's settled ... ...

I ask that you to take us away, Yuma-kun!

Yuma: ... ... Are you for real ... ... ?

*They start walking, some time passes*

Kou: Hey Yuma-kun. We've walked quite a lot. Haven't we reached the Scarlet mansion yet?

Yuma: Shut it. We're almost there, so keep quiet and walk.

Kou: Kaaaay. Aahh~, he got mad.

Yuma: Damn, what's wrong with them? There's just no way ... ...

These guys are following after me without an ounce of caution.

I'm glad I caught Eve, but this is definitely weird ... ...

PLACE: Forest Stone Path

Yui: (We've been walking for quite a long time now, aren't we there yet? This is starting to get difficult.)

(I feel like I'm far behind compared to the others.)

(There's a great distance between Yuma-kun and Azusa-kun ... ...)

Kou: Are you okay M-neko-chan? Aren't tired?

Yui: (Ah, did Kou-kun noticed that I was having a hard time?)

No, I'm fine. This is nothing.

(Although instead of using a rope to tie my arms, Yuma-kun used ivy ... ...)

Yui: (It doesn't bother me when I walk.)

Kou: I see, that's good. But let me know if it gets hard for you, okay?

Yui: Yes, thank you. I'm sorry I worried you.

Kou: Don't worry about it! After all, we're a very lovey-dovey couple!

Because of that, it's normal for us to worry about each other, isn't it?

I love you so much. So much so that I'm always worried about whether or not you're going through something bad?

That's why I have to touch and examine you like this.

*He starts touching Yui*

Yui: K-Kou-kun! Don't get clingy to me at a place like this ... ...

Kou: It's fine. It actually makes you happy, right? Also, by doing this ... ...

*He comes closer to her*

Yui: Kya ... ... !

Kou: Fufu, are you nervous? Your face is all red, how cute.

Even though this isn't the first time I've done this, you never really get used to it.

Hey, I'm sure we'll arrive at the Scarlet mansion soon. Can you walk a little more?

Yui: Yes I can! Thanks for cheering me up.

Kou: You're welcome!

I'm sure everything will be fine. Bad things don't last long. Isn't that right?

Yui: (Kou-kun ... ...)

Kou: When I'm with you I can think like that. That's why let's do our best together without giving up.

Yui: You're right! When I'm with Kou-kun I feel like I can do anything.

(That's why I'm not going to give up. We'll definitely get out of here!)

-END-

[biffhofosho]

Prisoner to Temptation | Chapter Five

Word Count: 7.3k

A/N: First of all, you guys are insane. Thank you so much for all the interaction! I love feeling like I’m getting something right. :)

Secondly, ngl, proud of this one right here. Maybe made myself blush, too... I have serious problems, okay? And heads up - smut with angsty feelings throughout the rest of the book from here on out. >.>

Cvr | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12

Naran didn’t remember the walk back to their wing, but suddenly, she was standing in the seating area between two very different bedrooms with her new husband at her side. She vaguely remembered the emperor and empress giving the couple their blessings for a “successful first union,” but she could just as easily be remembering the same speech repeated dozens of times over the past several weeks.

A voice behind her echoed dimly in her mind. “Would Your Highnesses like for me to call for servants to help you undress?”

Hyungwon looked to his wife, but Naran was still too frozen to answer. With a grateful smile, he said, “Thank you, Magda, but I think we can figure it out.”

Even a seasoned servant like Magda couldn’t hide her dubious look, but she bowed nonetheless and wished them every happiness imaginable before leaving them in the stark, cold gulf between the two royals’ rooms.

The prince cleared his throat and asked, “Um, shall we head inside? It might be warmer.”

But Naran was already warm. In fact, she was boiling under the layers of her hanbok. She was on fire under her very skin. Still, she nodded and followed Hyungwon to his door.

It opened soundlessly though she had expected a creak or some other ominous noise. She hadn’t been in there since the day she’d arrived at the palace, and while everything should have looked the same, it didn’t. The room was bigger, or maybe she was smaller.

“Curtains?” asked the princess, gesturing toward the thick drapes that had been hung from the ornate canopy above his bed.

“It’s for our privacy since…”

Hyungwon didn’t need to say it. Naran knew all too well of this custom, for it was practiced even in her homeland. Heirs were the most important clause in any royal contract, and after too many shams in the past, at some point, it was decided that witnesses on the wedding night went a long way toward encouraging successful couplings. Of course, it also took an already awkward situation and amplified it by thousands.

“Let us change first,” suggested the prince, “and we can meet inside the curtains when you’re comfortable. Then, we can call in the others when we’re ready.”

“I—” Naran stopped, the sounds gummed up in her throat. What was wrong with her? She closed her eyes and pictured her next words since she couldn’t seem to say them without deliberate thought. “I cannot get out of this costume myself.”

Hyungwon bit his bottom lip and nodded. “What do you want me to do? Should I call Magda back?”

“It’s okay. Just… The crown and the hair twists—I can’t figure out how to remove them.”

Naran turned her back to him so Hyungwon could reach out with hesitant hands. At the first brush of his fingers against her scalp, the princess flinched and he yanked his hands back.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Sorry. Please continue.”

Naran felt his soft exhale along the back of her neck, and she prayed he could pull out all the pins quickly, but soon it became clear that she had no hope of such mercies.

“Maybe we should have asked Magda for help after all,” Hyungwon said as he fumbled about her hairline.

The hairstyle was even more elaborate than Naran had anticipated, and it took the prince a few minutes of roving through what locks he could loosen and sending shivers down her spine before all the pins were pulled and the loops were unwound. Perhaps he was right, but at the time, Naran had been too busy wishing to get everything over with to consider how elaborate her wedding gown truly was.

At last, she was free of the prison on her head, and Naran shook it to unfetter every last strand of hair. It tumbled down to her low back, and blood coursed through the relieved flesh, leaving a singular tingling that gathered in strength through her whole body.

“Hm.”

The sound was soft behind her, a borderline grunt.

“What?” she pressed.

“Nothing.” After a moment, Hyungwon added, “It’s just… Your hair smells really nice.”

Naran hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath until she opened her mouth to respond. “Oh. Yes, they—they washed it in something that looked like milk and flower petals?”

Why did she say that like a question? Even she knew she sounded ridiculous.

Slowly, the prince’s fingers combed through her locks, and it spilled over like ribbons of silk until there was only one ribbon left in his hand. He rubbed it between his thumb and finger and hummed again.

“So soft.”

Naran froze. “Thank you, my lord.”

The prince remembered himself, and he dropped her hair to step back. “My apologies. What else do you need me to do, my lady?”

The princess let her hair fall across her face just as the curtains did around the bed since it felt like the only way she could answer her husband. “Um, there is also a series of laced ties at the back of my waist that I cannot undo myself. If you loosen them, it should be enough for me to take care of the rest on my own.”

First, Hyungwon swept her blanket of hair over her shoulder, and even beneath the many layers of fabric, the temperature plunged as her heat fled elsewhere. The prince steadied her waist, and once she was still, Naran felt his fingers play about the curve of her back as he worked the knot she’d accidentally made in her attempt to break free herself. It felt like forever before the skirt over the hanbok slackened, and she hurried to catch it before it fell away.

“Thank you again,” she whispered. “Where shall I change?”

Hyungwon’s eyebrows softened. “Over there? Are you okay with that side of the bed?”

So, she had a side of someone else’s bed now…

Naran’s heart was beating so fast, she thought it might burst.

She nodded, and he added, “Let me know when you are comfortably in bed, and I will join you.”

Hyungwon was being so considerate—so patient—but all she could focus on were his words: I will join you.

Naran had never been embarrassed about sex. In those fleeting few trysts with the stablehand or the drunken soldier whose name she’d never even gotten, she enjoyed it and the power it brought her. It had been risky and exciting, and maybe part of it had been the notion that if she became pregnant, it might be an excuse to dethrone her, but at the last moment each time, she had always backed away from that particular ledge. Still, something about the way Hyungwon looked at her with his high eyebrows and parted lips made her feel an unexpected, stomach-tightening shyness. She decided to blame it on the wine first and then the fact that he was now officially her husband. It had always been easier when the men were nomads who would be gone with the next breeze, but she and Hyungwon were now bound—forever.

The princess circled the bed on jelly legs while praying not to collapse. Thanks to the thickness of the drapes, she knew she could change in peace, but it turned out there was no possibility of that either because, even though they offered blessed privacy, they could not block out the soft shushing sounds of her husband’s clothes falling away piece by piece.

Naran did not know how far to undress. She’d never been fully naked next to another person, and she wasn’t even sure if that was expected. In the end, she removed her hanbok and all the accessories and layers until she was left in the long underdress. If all that was expected was just the simple coupling, she could stay most comfortable this way and not have to worry about exposing too much of herself in all ways.

She parted the drapes and slipped into the bed. The comforter had already been turned down by some anticipatory servant, and when she put her hands to the sheets, she found they’d been warmed, too. Naran climbed under the covers and pulled the sheet high up on her waist. She wondered if she should lay down, but she wasn’t convinced her spine would allow her at the moment.

“You may enter,” she called softly in a voice that did not sound like her own.

Candlelight splintered the silken cocoon through the crack when the prince slipped inside, and the second the drape cascaded back into place, their little universe seemed to unmoor from reality. It was dark within, not pitch thanks to the halo of light that made it over the canopy frame but enough that she could only make out a silhouette of her husband in her periphery.

Neither of them risked looking at the other.

Hyungwon cleared his throat and announced louder, “Come in.”

His words rebounded off the curtains with the same drama of a thunder rumble, and Naran was just as shaken.

They heard the door open and two pairs of feet walk into the room. She had no idea who was out there, but she knew she wouldn’t hear them leave until the royal obligation was fulfilled.

The couple sat in silence for a long minute before Hyungwon finally turned to look at her. “This is awkward, isn’t it?”

Through the dim light, Naran found his one-sided, dopey smile and rallied the courage to breathe again.

“It is,” she agreed.

They kept their voices low to protect what was left of their privacy, but it had the ill-intended effect of making the prince’s voice deep and raspy. Vaguely, Naran remembered the voices and sounds of the other men she’d been with, but they hadn’t sounded like this. Hyungwon sounded like sin itself.

“Shall I call for a drink?” he asked.

“I’ve had more than enough wine, thank you.”

“Very well. If you want, we can talk for a bit while we relax?”

Naran shook her head. “I’d rather not.”

“You just want to get it over with…” he concluded, and the richness in his voice flattened with his words. At last, she looked at him head-on. He was staring at his hands in his lap, tracing one of the pomegranates embroidered on the ceremonial wedding night comforter. “It’s okay. I get it. It’s been a very long day, and it must be especially overwhelming for you.”

“Yes, but…” Naran trailed off and he looked up, his eyes even bigger in the darkness. She let out a frustrated sigh. “How do I say this? Even if all those things are true…”

Hyungwon leaned into her words. As close as they had to be sharing his bed, it felt like he was already inside of her.

“…my body still responds to you.”

She had said it at last, and now that it was out, the princess wished she could gobble it back up. Here was the man who’d taken everything important from her. She should hate him, but instead, she felt magnetized to him. Worse yet, in many ways, the truth was unavoidable: she needed him.

Hesitantly, Hyungwon reached out, his hand resting over hers in her lap.

“You’re ice cold,” he murmured.

From the moment they entered the bedroom and she’d caught a glimpse of the shadowy outline of his luscious lips, her heat had pooled to a single place.

“Sorry.”

But Hyungwon shook his head as he switched to massaging her hands, and they warmed quickly. “All better, see?”

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

He released her hands, and instead, he rested his on her thigh. It didn’t matter that there were two layers of blankets between them—she felt him keenly.

Their eyes met. The temperature in the bed rose exponentially, as did her expectations. Naran could feel it, the shift between them.

His thumb moved along the top of her thigh, strokes so slow that they could either be reassuring or exploratory. Hyungwon smiled at her.

“Would you like a massage? You know, to help you relax?” he suggested.

“That sounds nice.”

Naran swiveled on the bed so that her back was facing him, and she idly braided her hair as she waited with every fiber of her being for his touch.

She felt his breath on her neck first, and the next thing she knew, his mouth was by her ear, whispering, “Leave your hair down please.”

Her hands fell to her lap at once.

“Thank you,” he added and underscored it with a trace of his thumb along the neglected skin behind her ear.

Her gasp was out before she could stop it.

Hyungwon curled his fingers around the base of her neck, his thumbs meeting over her spine. Starting at the base of her skull, he rubbed small circles that had Naran purring already, and gradually, the chill of her resentment, sadness, and fear turned to kindling for the match he’d just struck.

From there, his thumbs traveled in unison down her spine to the base of her neck, over and over again, at last parting so his hands could sweep over her shoulders. He gripped her there, pressing gently into her stiff muscles. It was easy for him to find the tension there, but with each wave of the prince’s hands, Naran’s spine softened until he stopped altogether.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Whispering again, Hyungwon said, “You’re pressed up against me. I can’t move.”

The princess tipped forward, her cheeks hot and her back cold now that it wasn’t conformed to her husband.

“It might help if you lie down,” he suggested.

At this point, if she didn’t, Naran would probably collapse, so she squirmed under the sheets further as she rested her head on the pillow and stared blankly at the ceiling. The warmth of the wine made her limbs feel heavy while, at the same time, it made her mind feel lighter.

Hyungwon chuckled, and her head snapped toward him as did her voice, “What’s so funny?”

“I figured you would lay on your stomach, but I’m happy to oblige either way.”

“Should I roll over?”

Hyungwon raised his brows as he looked down at her. “Are you comfortable?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t bother, my lady. This way, I get to see your pretty face.”

Naran scoffed at him. “You’re very good at getting what you want, aren’t you?”

“Am I?” But she could tell by the tone of his voice that he knew it to be true. “What is it I want then, Princess?”

She considered him from her pillow. Hyungwon knelt beside her looking every bit as royal and penitent as he should, but not his eyes. In his eyes, Naran saw mischief.

“Nothing that I can say out loud in the presence of other ears,” she replied.

This time when he laughed, Hyungwon tipped to the side almost like a boy instead of the heir incumbent to a massive and feared empire.

“You’re a very clever woman, Princess Naran.”

“And you’re a terrible royal, Prince Hyungwon.” He frowned at first, but she smiled coyly. “I’ve never heard of a prince letting his princess set the pace on their wedding night.”

He watched his hands sail up her bare arms onto her shoulders as he said, “I did promise you that we could be different.”

“You did,” she murmured as those wonderfully dexterous fingers of his worked at the muscles along her collarbone.

Naran let her eyes drift shut as the subtle warmth of the prince’s strength spread through her. She felt heated from inside out, and it parted her lips for a series of soft sighs. Hyungwon’s hands flattened across the top of her chest, his thumbs dipping into the recesses at her collarbone as the tips of his fingers slipped under the edge of her gown. They traveled underneath her straps, and, gently, he slid them toward her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found her husband's exquisite face a hair’s breadth away from her own.

“Princess,” he said softer than the down in the pillow.

Naran’s throat ran dry, and she wet her lips.

Hyungwon dipped to close the last of the distance between them, but she pivoted her head on the pillow at the last second. His hands released her at once, and she shivered under the sheets.

“No kissing on the mouth,” she said.

“Why not?” he asked. It was a borderline whine.

“Kissing leads to feelings, and feelings lead to dependence.”

“But I’m a good kisser,” Hyungwon insisted, his eyelids heavy and his bottom lip parted so plump and inviting that Naran almost gave in, but she had to stand as rooted as a tree if she stood any hope of holding the prince to his premarital promise.

“Kiss your serving lasses then. This isn’t a romance, my lord; it’s an obligation, and while I don’t want us to dread it, I do want to keep our boundaries clear.”

He sighed but nodded.

At a stalemate now, neither seemed sure who should make the next move, but after thwarting his efforts, Naran decided it was her turn, especially since she was the one to impose the hard lines.

“For the throne,” she said, gouging that line unmistakably in granite.

“For the throne,” he echoed. With their understanding now clear between each other, Hyungwon leaned down before stopping once again. “If I can’t kiss your lips, can I at least touch you? It will help, you know…”

Naran nodded numbly, and the prince let out a long, shaky breath. His mouth descended to her neck instead, and at the first brush of his lips, her hands fisted the sheets. It was intense, the way his skin glossed against hers. At first, it was just gentle pecks, sweet and chaste without demand, but after a few of those, Hyungwon’s mouth parted, and the warm flick of his tongue teased a sharp gasp from her. It was nothing, though, to the way he sucked in a little taste of her—just lightly, just briefly—before he moved lower toward the arc where her neck met her shoulder.

Meanwhile, his hands roved along her form, tracing the length of her arm, cupping her neck and then her jaw, or tangling in her loose hair, his nails scraping along her scalp in a way that showered sparks throughout her chest.

“Please, my lady, touch me just a little, too,” he begged.

Why did he have to ask such a thing like that? It made her even more lightheaded and careless than the alcohol.

Naran let her hands wander without thought, and the second they curled around him—one between his massive shoulder blades and the other on the back of his head, Hyungwon collapsed against her, kissing more fervently and knocking the breath right out of her. With no space left between them, it was impossible to ignore his hardness strengthening along the meat of her thigh.

She was losing control far too fast and responding to this veritable stranger far too much. Naran needed to find some footing quickly before she was swept away or she would be at the prince’s mercy forever, and that was the last thing in the world she wanted to happen.

Suddenly, she placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed up. Hyungwon sat back immediately, his eyes wide and black and his lips swollen.

“What?” he stammered.

Naran sat up, too, and stamped down the tremors she felt in her limbs. She kept the line of her mouth as firm as her eyes as she said, “Your turn, my lord. Lie on your back.”

The prince looked at her questioningly, but with a nudge of her chin, he complied. It was quite a sight, looking down on such a handsome, desperate man with his black hair tousled and his tan skin flushed. His broad chest heaved with his deep, expectant panting while he watched her with hooded eyes. Hyungwon wore only a billowing night shirt, so his thin, bare legs stretched to the very end of the ample bed. Toward the hem of his shirt, there was an unmistakable tent that fueled the heat between Naran’s legs to unbearable degrees.

She straddled his legs, and the heady scent of arousal flooded their den. Hyungwon swallowed loudly.

“It is expected that I’m on top,” he insisted, though there was no bite to his words, only a current of trembling excitement.

“Sire, didn’t you just get through telling me this whole marriage is predicated on us not following others’ expectations? Now, let me have my way. Besides,” Naran said with a cocky smirk, “I promise a lazy prince like you will like it.”

Her husband loosely held her waist then, keeping her hovering just above his thighs much to her growing frustration.

“I can feel—” Hyungwon stuttered. “Ah, I can feel your heat from here.”

“Against all reason, my lord, my body demands you,” she admitted sheepishly.

Slowly, Naran’s fingers glazed his mid-thigh, where his shirt rested, and at the brush of her fingertips against the muscle there, they both jolted. Hyungwon let out a shaky breath. A little higher, she trekked, her nails tickling enough that it left him visibly twitching. Her thumb brushed against his covered length, and she sucked in a sharp breath while a groan spilled up from the pit of his stomach.

When he came down from the sensation, the prince met her gaze. He licked his bottom lip before he said, “Do you feel how my body responds to you, too?”

Naran nodded absent-mindedly. Her attention was far too consumed with the tantalizing secret beneath his shirt, and gently, she pushed it up.

Despite her few dalliances, the princess had never seen a man’s sex up close. Her trysts had been short-lived and ill-lit, and even though the light was soft here, too, Hyungwon was in perfect focus. His manhood strained in all its glory, tall and proud and wet at its tip. Thanks to his intense hardness, each ridge was defined and underscored by a long, pulsing vein.

Naran didn’t even realize she’d been gnawing on her lip until her skin began to shred.

“I’m getting a little embarrassed here, Princess,” Hyungwon grumbled under her scrutiny, and she blinked hard to shed her hypnosis.

Her fingertips wavered, but at last, she indulged in her first skim along her husband’s length. The prince sucked in a breath, his massive wingspan arching off the bed, while Naran marveled at how soft skin could feel over something so rigid. It was like satin draped over marble.

“Give me more,” he begged.

Hyungwon’s eyes were shut, as though he couldn’t handle more than one sense at a time, or perhaps he only wanted to indulge in one. Either way, pride or not, Naran didn’t feel like playing shy any longer. She was beyond keyed up, her sex now throbbing insistently for attention. Whatever else came tomorrow, tonight, nature demanded satisfaction.

She wrapped her hand around his base to position him as she needed. Hyungwon uttered something dark in Goryeon, and though she had no idea what it meant, the ragged throat clear on the other side of the curtain told her it was something never said in a palace.

Naran knew if she wanted to maintain the boundaries she spoke of, she should get this over with, but it was impossible to be reasonable when she wanted something so ardently.

Pushing up onto her knees, she hiked up her nightgown to the top of her thighs. Hyungwon sat up on his elbows, eyes straining to the shadows beneath the fabric, but his view was veiled, and he crashed back onto the pillow with a frustrated groan and another curse she didn’t understand.

Instead, Naran dragged his swollen, leaking head along her seam as much to prepare him to enter her as it was to savor the little fireworks of pleasure that ignited within her at every swipe, but abruptly, he stilled her wrist.

“You have to stop,” he ordered. “I can't— It's— If you don't put it inside you right now, Princess, it will all be wasted!”

Naran was stunned. She hadn’t thought twice about teasing him since Hyungwon was known around the realms to be a man of experience, but it was hard to form words when she knew he was losing control because of her.

With a simple yes, she angled up her tight entrance, nestled his tip just inside it, and after a deep breath, Naran sank to his hilt.

It had been too long since she had bedded anyone, but it wouldn’t matter if it had only been yesterday. Prince Hyungwon was different.

The stretch was otherworldly. The depth was mind-emptying. The heat was exhilarating. Together, their eyes slammed shut against the sensory overload.

“Do not move,” he warned, his hands fastened like vices on her waist.

His head lolled on the pillow, his brow scrunched and a snarl on his lips, as he calmed down. Eventually, his grip loosened enough that his hands slid to her covered thighs and kneaded them slowly. When he opened his eyes, Hyungwon found his wife looking back.

“Does it hurt, my lady?”

Naran smiled and folded down toward his ears, her breasts flattening against his chest under the thin chemise. Lips to his ear, she whispered, “It did the first time.”

“I’m—” Hyungwon glanced toward the curtains that surrounded the bed and lowered his voice even further. “I’m not your first?”

“Nor the second, so don’t worry on that account.”

He was frozen in shock, and Naran had to take pity on him. She imagined that was rarely talked about in a court, if ever, and certainly not when it came to halo-wearing princesses.

She curled down his body a bit further, shifting him inside her, and both of them let out chaste little groans, enough to no doubt perk the ears of their observers but, more importantly, each other. Naran pressed a kiss to her prince’s throat, but he was still too surprised to move.

“Come now, my prince. I know I’m not your first either. We can be free with each other. After all, we’re in this together. If we have to do this, let us have a little fun.”

Hyungwon’s ears were crimson along with his cheeks, and combined with his swollen lips and sweaty throat, it was truly a sight to behold. For once, he could not look at her.

“I thought—” he spluttered.

“You thought what?”

“I thought it wasn’t necessary for the lady to have fun in order to make a child.”

Naran almost laughed, but he was struggling enough with the shift in power, and she liked the feeling of how hard his length was inside her. She didn’t want to trouble his mind any further.

“It’s not, my prince, but it’s also not very fair that you would get all the pleasure and I nothing, is it?”

“I never wanted that. I just— I thought you might want this to be over as soon as possible,” he confessed. “I didn’t want to help myself to more of you than you would allow.”

Naran might have been having a little fun at the prince’s expense, but something about his consideration for her brought a seriousness to the moment that surprised her. Her body’s reaction surprised her even further as her walls constricted. Hyungwon bit his lip to fight back a moan while his nails scratched at the meat of her hips, which only made her that much tighter for him. She needed to regain her control quickly before this became about something more than sex.

“I’ll allow it, my lord.”

The prince looked up at her with eyes so full of reverence, or maybe it was gratitude, that her mouth went dry.

Naran busied her fingers at the collar of his undershirt, toying with the loose strings there because it was much safer to shift her attention to anything other than his gaze. Softly, she asked, “Do you know how to make a woman feel good?”

His eyes widened and then narrowed. “Is that a challenge?”

“Mm.”

“I don’t take those lightly, princess,” Hyungwon said, his voice perilously gruff. Even the way he’d said her title had changed from respectful to something decidedly more intimate. An unexpected gauntlet had been thrown down, one that even a lazy prince such as himself could hardly refuse.

At his warning, goosebumps peppered her arms, and when he noticed, his hands switched from her waist and soothed them from wrist to shoulder. Naran had never paid in-depth attention to Hyungwon’s hands before, but watching the way his incredibly long fingers splayed over her skin made her feel very, very funny.

“You’re shaking,” he observed, and his hands pressed more reassuringly into her muscles. “Are you nervous?”

“That’s not it…”

Their eyes met. Hyungwon sat up suddenly and wrapped his arms around her back for support, and Naran could feel every fingertip desperate to possess as much of her as his huge hands could manage. She gasped, and, with the spell broken, the prince placed kisses along the column of her neck down to her shoulder, where his fingers unhooked the clasps on her underdress down to her waist. Hesitantly, he parted the bodice and exposed her soft breasts to the increasingly warm bedroom sanctum.

“Wow,” murmured the prince as he leaned back to take in her body. “You are incredibly beautiful. I’ve never…”

Hyungwon trailed off as his hands wandered over her sun-worshipped flesh. The skin there was already attentive and sensitive, but with each touch, the ache in her nipples increased. At last, his glorious mouth closed around the first bud and suckled with lewd appreciation for their pertness.

It was true Naran was experienced in many ways of pleasure-seeking, but something about the way Hyungwon adored her breasts made it feel like the first time. She arched into his mouth, and his hand was quick to slither around her and press her further and deeper into him.

He devoured her deliberately, a little here, a little there, while her body held his manhood warm and safe. Through the red haze of pleasure, she felt him stir inside her as he grew hungrier, and the more his tongue chased that need, the more anxious the rest of his body became. His hips struggled in vain beneath her, but Naran held him in place. Hyungwon’s breaths became shorter and more ragged as his frustration mounted.

“They’ll grow impatient, my lady,” he hissed with an eye toward the curtains.

“Then they can leave,” she retorted.

“I’m impatient.”

At this, Naran raised an eyebrow. “I suppose that is another matter, sire. Finish what you started then.”

With a sigh of relief, Hyungwon hooked a finger beneath the strap of his wife’s dressing gown and slipped it down her arm. He repeated his motions on the other strap, leaving the dress helpless against gravity. The garment puddled at their hips, and were it not for the thick drapes encasing them, the princess would have been exposed to all eyes in the room. The thought was as terrifying as it was exhilarating.

“You’re getting louder,” said the prince. “You enjoy this, don’t you—the audience?”

Drunk on ecstasy and the prince’s unfiltered attention, Naran’s lips were far too loose. “Mm, yes. I want them to go back to their rooms hard and deeply unsatisfied.”

Hyungwon moaned roughly, heedless of the unseen company. “I’ll bet they wish they were in here instead. But they’re not. They can’t be.”

Suddenly, his hands latched onto his wife’s shoulders and forced her deeper down onto his manhood. Naran’s head tipped back and let out a yelp of surprise followed by a whimper of pleasure.

“I’m the one inside you,” Hyungwon asserted right beside her ear.

The princess burrowed her forehead into his collar and rocked in his lap, her knees tight to his side. It was impossible not to quiver when he held her this close.

“I felt that,” the prince said through heavy panting, “the way you squeezed me. You feel incredible, princess.”

Naran rose up a little higher this time and sank back down firmly, and they both moaned. “I do?”

“Better than anything I’ve ever felt.”

Her walls tightened again at his praise, and she rocked a little harder against him. Their sexes met in a wet grind, each sweep of her hips adding friction to her most sensitive places, but as good as that felt, she wanted more. Besides, his embrace was suffocating.

Naran placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed Hyungwon back to the mattress. His head hit the pillow, and when he looked up at his wife, he looked intoxicated by her. There it was again, that dopey smile paired with a slow blink and flushed cheeks. He was too beautiful this way, and the princess had to look away.

She shifted her attention instead to her knees and focused on building a rhythm of rising up and down on his length. At her first full stroke from tip to base, Hyungwon grunted followed by something that almost sounded like a whimper.

“My lady…” he cooed.

The prince’s hands sailed up her figure to her breasts, adoring them with gentle brushes and playful tweaks of her nipples before moving to her waist to help her rise and fall on his manhood.

“You’re right,” he said, “I am enjoying this.”

“I can tell, sire.” Naran drew a hand over her belly, pressing back against the incredible hardness that was splitting her wide open. Her head lolled back as a sigh bubbled up. “So hard…”

But as good as he felt, the longer she rode him, her thighs began to burn and her pace fell away. She didn’t want to sacrifice her control, but she wanted faster and harder, and her well had been so tapped from the day, that she knew she couldn’t make it.

Hyungwon read her easily or perhaps he just needed the same, so his grip on her waist seized her in place mid-air. When Naran looked back at him, gone was the patient prince with the soft eyes, replaced instead with a man of dark needs who was hell-bent on having them satisfied.

“My turn,” he said, and a second later, his hips thrust up from the bed to drive his member into her at breakneck speed.

Naran was unprepared for the overabundance of stimulation that came with this new momentum. Her head tipped back and her mouth opened, but nothing came out but frantic breaths.

Unlike her, her husband showed no signs of slowing down. His grip on her was bruising as his pistoning became more emphatic. A fire was building quickly in her walls as an overwhelming sensation took hold of her.

She was going to scream.

She could feel it in her throat the way the lid on a boiling pot chattered. The pleasure was too intense, and she gripped his hips hard to stop him because something about letting go felt like giving in, and she was terrified of just the thought.

“Wait! Wait!” she demanded in the tatters of a whisper. “Just give me a second.”

Sweat dripped from Hyungwon’s brow and along the curve of his jaw. His eyes were frenzied and his lips tight, but he nodded. “Just let me know when I can move again.”

The desperation in his voice broke her, and even though Naran had chased away the pressure in her hips, his hunger for her body threatened to set her back on the precipice instantly.

“Go, go,” she urged.

Hyungwon took her at top pace immediately, and even though she had stopped herself from an obscene scream, the wetness between her legs announced her depravity to every invisible pair of ears beyond the curtains. Her chest reddened and her eyes winched tight, and as her husband barreled into her, she choked back the urge to call his name.

“I can’t hold back any longer,” the prince said through gritted teeth.

“Give it to me,” Naran begged, and he did.

A foreign warmth flooded her core with a chaser that felt strangely like drunkenness. She teetered on his hips, ready to pull off, but Hyungwon pulled her against his chest and used her imbalance to push up with one leg and roll them over. Naran blinked up with clouded eyes at the sweaty face of her husband.

“You can—”

Hyungwon shook his head. “I should probably stay just a little bit longer, you know, to… encourage our efforts to take?”

The princess nodded dumbly. With what was left of her senses, she ordered her hands to stay on the bed instead of wrap around the prince’s back like they seemed determined to do.

“I’m not crushing you, am I?” he asked.

Hyungwon's chest flattened to hers, and part of Naran wished his bare skin could kiss hers back because somehow, despite how gentle and accommodating he’d been all night, she still felt used. Something scratched at the back of her mind that maybe that wasn’t exactly it, but it was safer to lean into that interpretation, so she did.

“It’s fine,” she said.

A shiver tore through the prince, and before she could stop her gut reaction, her arms hugged him. A smile bloomed on his face. Naran dropped her hands back to the mattress and rolled her head, red-faced, away from him.

“Sorry,” said Hyungwon. “Just a little chill.”

She mumbled her indifference even though a shiver of her own threatened to overtake her, but a twitch of his length inside her distracted her instead. A little moan escaped her lips, and she could feel Hyungwon’s eyes burning into her profile, so she closed her own to avoid it.

“Are you okay?” he asked now. His voice remained in its raspy whisper, and Naran could feel his breath on her neck. Her body was still balking at her for running from its desired release, and again, her walls contracted around him. He shifted inside her, burrowing just a little deeper at her core’s insistence, and she knew she had to put some distance between them before she couldn’t.

“Getting a little hot,” she replied, which seemed like a fair enough answer considering how suffocated she was by his looming presence and how blatantly needy she still was.

There was no disguising the flat disappointment in the prince’s voice as he acknowledged her words. Before he pulled out, he gave one subtle rut of his hips into hers, as if willing as much of his seed to stay inside her as possible, though when, at last, they separated, it rushed out filthy and insistent. Naran grabbed a blanket for modesty and rolled onto her side, squeezing her thighs shut and blotting their mess into an indecent exclamation.

“I’ll be right back,” Hyungwon added as he donned a robe.

A sudden gust of fresh, cool air swirled about the stuffy space as the prince parted the curtains just wide enough to slip his head through. Naran caught a glimpse of one of the witnesses through the crack. He was a short, middle-aged man with small eyes made smaller by heavy lids. The servant did not look at the prince as Hyungwon said through still-rickety breaths, “It is done. You may go.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness,” said the attendant with suspiciously tremulous breath, “but I must wait the customary hour.”

“You may wait it outside then. I will remain here.”

“Oh?” the other man said, shocked, before he remembered his decorum. The servant tried to keep his rigid posture, but the unexpected conflict made him waver. “I am under the Emperor’s orders, Your Highness.”

“We will say nothing on this matter, Seojun. The other side of the door is no different to you than if you stayed put, but it makes a great deal of difference to my wife, so please do as I ask.”

He and the other servant slipped through the door with flushed cheeks, leaving the couple alone on the bed.

Hyungwon flopped back onto the mattress. “Sorry about that. I shall have Hansol talk to the staff about manners.”

“It’s fine,” Naran said with a little laugh, but as she shifted, it morphed into a cringe at the stickiness coating her thighs. “I know I must lay here a bit in hopes that things will take, but could you fetch me a cloth so I’m more comfortable?”

Hyungwon slipped into his robe and then disappeared through the bed curtains before he returned with a damp rag from the wash basin. Instead of handing it to her, he eased her legs apart and mopped along the inside of her thighs. Fear of judgment at being seen so naked and so filthy faded as the coolness of the water brought soothing relief.

“Is that all right?” he asked.

“More than,” Naran assured. “That’s never happened before, having a man finish inside me. It’s very new.”

Hyungwon nodded, though it was accompanied by a funny knit to his brow that she couldn’t read. “I’m sorry if it’s unpleasant.”

She stared into her husband’s dark eyes since she was not allowed to move from her back for the next hour. “No, it’s— I liked it.”

The prince let out a shaky breath. “Is it—is it okay if I admit I liked everything about what we just did?”

“I liked it, too,” she said quietly.

Her stomach tightened a notch until Naran almost felt nauseous.

“You know, you don’t have to stay,” she suggested. It was true, but the moment the words were out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t said them.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“You may stay if you wish.”

The cloth was still against her thigh, and his thumb pressed noticeably but perhaps accidentally against her folds. Hyungwon narrowed those beautiful eyes as he studied her. “Do you want me to leave?”

Naran was definitely queasy now. She shook her head a little and turned her attention back to the canopy. “No, my prince.”

“Mm,” he said throatily.

Maybe that thumb wasn’t so accidental after all. It traveled up the part in her folds before Hyungwon withdrew the cloth and rolled back over to stare at the ceiling, too.

“I should have asked earlier, but how are you feeling about today?”

“I’m not sure I know.”

Hyungwon didn’t move. He stared unblinking for a while before he collected enough of his thoughts to ask, “Was the ceremony bad?”

“Just… not something I ever pictured for myself. Not bad though. I’ll just have to get used to it.”

“I’m sorry.”

Naran was not supposed to move, but the shock of the prince’s words twisted her onto her elbow to study him. “Sorry for what?”

“I wish I could go back and undo things.”

“To what end, my lord? I know I already told you I would never forgive you, but also, I would have had my freedom only so long as it took your father to invade my country.”

Hyungwon sighed. “Still, I’m sorry. I regret it.”

Naran couldn’t even kid herself—that stung her pride. She sagged back into the mattress, her hands squeezing the soft swells of her stomach.

“I regretted it the moment I saw you on the terrace this morning. You were so stunning, and I thought, ‘I’ve taken her from every man forever.’”

But he didn’t sound sad or sorry anymore. He sounded pleased.

Naran wanted to remind him of their pact to not interfere in each other’s affairs, but lying next to him in their matrimonial bed after an admittedly pleasurable encounter, it felt unnecessary. She didn’t mind if, for now, he wanted to feel like a victor reveling in his spoils. Looking over at his gentle smile gilded by candlelight, Naran felt rather spoiled, too. With her pride intact, she gazed at the canopy and let herself sink into the heaviness of exertion and the warm, swimming feeling of pleasure.

[kidobros]

Straight Friend Group: *blonde* *athlete* *tall brunette, also athlete* *kyle with the hat* *funny one*

Gay Friend Group: *himbo with dad issues, technically the leader* *his big brain tiny body boyfriend, actually the leader* *a hungry dino* *a ladybug from Kansai apparently* *doctor dad and his cool older brothers* *an emotional support seal (mohawk included)* *ladybird* *lady's bird* *plant mom* *mama's plant* *world series punk harmonica finalist* *the younger brother all your friends like* *lizard in a fursuit* *"not a pig"* *haunted eight year old* *ethereal cat-being with a questionable past*

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS DAYLIGHT Vol.11 Tsukinami Carla [TRACK 3]

Original title: 命のかたち

Source: Diabolik Lovers Daylight Vol. 11 Tsukinami Carla

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Track 1 ll Track 2 ll Track 3 ll Track 4 ll Track 5 + Epilogue

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

TRACK 3: THE SHAPE OF LIFE

Carla enters the house.

[00:06] “...Haah. I just got back.”

You run up to him.

“Yeah…Ugh…Kuh…This is bad…”

You frown.

“It was quite the demanding mission after all…It appears that fatigue has taken its toll on me.”

You offer to help him. 

“My bad. I shall borrow your shoulder.”

You support him and you walk towards the sofa.

*Rustle*

[00:47] “Haah…I put on a pathetic display. However, you are the only person I would ever show this side of me to.”

You ask if he wants to drink your blood. 

“Yes. There is simply no other way…but to drink your blood. …!! Why is your complexion so pale? You do not look well at all. It is even worse compared to when I left the manor.”

You insist that you will be fine. 

“Hah…I do not want to take your blood when you are already running low as is.”

*Rustle rustle*

[01:26] “Hah…I shall go rest up in my room. If I get some sleep, I should feel a littleーー …Ugh!”

He nearly collapses but you support him.

“My body simply refuses to listen to me for some reason…How pathetic.”

You tell him that he is in dire need of your blood. 

“I know. However, for that exact reason, I simply cannot bring myself to do that. My disease should have reached a dangerous point. I might just suck you dry. …Cough, cough…!”

*Rustle*

[02:11] “...Get away from me. Who knows what might happen to you…the second I decide to sink these fangs into you…”

You refuse.

“However…Cough, cough…! …Ugh…Cough, cough…! …Kuh! Like I said…If I could…Cough, cough…!!”

You say that you will make yourself bleed if he refuses to bite you. 

[02:38] “You…That look in your eyes…You are not simply threatening to do it…but you are actually prepared to slice up your own body…Hah. Do you really love me that strongly…? Good grief…You are unbelievable. I cannot believe I am forcing my own woman to inflict harm upon herself. That is simply outrageous. A dishonor as the King of Founders. …Hah. Fine. Accept my fangs…and my love.”

*Rustle*

Carla bites you.

“Mmh…”

*Sluuuuurp*

*Gulp* 

“Hah…Mmh…”

*Gulp*

*Rustle*

“Nn…Mmh…”

*Sluuuuurp*

[03:51] “... ーAh. I can feel my power returning…Your feelings of love…are flowing inside of me…Haah…”

*Gulp*

*Sluuuuurp*

*Gulp gulp*

*Sluuuuurp*

*Gulp*

“Mm…Nn…Hah…”

*Rustle*

[04:22] “You…What’s wrong?”

*Rustle*

“...Oi! Are you alright? …!! …She has completely lost consciousness. Haah…I guess it came to this after all.”

*Rustle*

Carla carries you to the bedroom.

*TIMESKIP*

[05:10] ( At first, I figured that feeding from her was the cause behind all of this, and that she had been feeling unwell for a while now, due to the regular loss of blood. However, would that truly cause her to be out cold for a whole twenty-four hours? Something was off. In that case, perhaps there is a different reasoning behind this? I examined her body…and came to a realization. )

You wake up.

*Rustle*

[05:57] “...So you’ve woken up.”

You try to sit up.

“Do not push yourself. You cannot get up just yet. You lost consciousness and were asleep for a whole day and night, you know?”

You frown.

“...You are hiding something, are you not?”

You flinch.

[06:22] “I am not pressing you for an answer. All I want is to confirm my suspicions. If you cannot tell me the truth, I shall answer in your place. There is something wrong with your body. Could it be that your heart is not functioning properly…?”

You nod.

[06:50] “Hm. I suppose I was spot on. I thought that you were simply suffering from anemia, but that was not the case. I confirmed it with my very own ears. Your heartbeat sounded worryingly weak. On top of that, your complexion has been pale and you are showing signs of exhaustion. It does not seem like this has only recently become an issue. From what I assume, symptoms were already showing before I went on my trip, correct?”

You turn your head away.

“Hm…Since you do not deny it, I will take that as a yes.”

*Knock knock*

[07:53] “...Hm. A visitor? You just stay in bed and rest, okay?”

Carla gets up and walks towards the door. 

*Thud*

*TIMESKIP*

*Groooowl*

*Flip*

“From Shin? …Okay. Now go.”

The Wolves run off again.

*Flip*

[08:36] “...Heh. Shin is truly outdoing himself. He truly is doing everything he can. However, he is right in saying that we cannot proceed unless I arrive at the scene. In other words, the plan will come to fruition as long as I step up. We can restore the hegemony of the First Bloods.”

[09:10] ( As the King of Founders, it was a message which should have made me rejoice. A glorious future was waiting ahead of me. However, at the same time, I was about to lose my wife. With a heartbeat so slow, it was only a matter of time before her heart would completely give in. As long as I am infected by Endzeit, she is absolutely necessary to me to help soothe the symptoms of the disease. …I must prolong her life at all costs. )

[09:58] “...Excuse me? What did I think just now? Do I not want to simply save her!? Am I only trying to help her for my own selfish reasons!? Or to save myself…!? …Either way, those thoughts are disgusting. ーー Truly despicable. …Either way, I must proceed onwards. I must see through everything in this world…and deliver the decisive blow.…Right?”

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

[whenshiphitsthefan]

this may be my final tumblr post.

it's been over 11 years since I joined and I cannot fucking believe

I can barely accept as reality

I can barely say out loud but I force myself to

on 12/02/2021 I married a man who exceeded my wildest dreams.

he has flaws. he has problems. I always knew I'd end up with someone fucked up like me. but god, I ended up with someone who is everything I could have dreamed for or asked for.

I'm so happy that I can't believe we aren't about to experience a disaster or major hardship that separates us. but for real he has the potential to develop substance issues that I would leave him over. we both know it. I see the writing on the wall, the warning. but we will deal with it. I see my future, where we both want kids but if he does not resolve his drinking non-issue-but-sort-of-an-issue I will refuse to carry a child. that's still better than I could have asked for.

that part isn't important. that's just to prove to anyone who's read this far that this is real.

but oh my god, I have everything I ever wanted. I actually have everything I could have asked for. I have someone who loves me and gets me (and needs me). I have financial security. I have a flexible part-time job where I actually fucking help people. I have my chickens.

I have everything I ever wanted and it doesn't make any sense but I tell myself that with so much utter injustice in the world surely it is possible for me to have gotten more than justice? Surely after all my struggles I might have found peace?

I can't believe how lucky I am to have gone from the miserable depressed teen I was to an adult who semi-functions in today's world with the help of the most perfect match anyone could have come up with. this can't be real. I married not the man of my dreams but the man of unattainable fantasy. yes he has problems but god I couldn't have asked for a person with his problems that still fit me this well. who loves me so completely.

it's too good to be true but right now it is true and yes there are still many struggles and difficulties but me 11 years ago, as weirdly optimistic as she was, never would have imagined I'd be married to a person like him. I was weirdly optimistic even in my darkest hours but he is better than any vague hope.

I am married to the most perfect person for me that anyone could have IMAGINED and I am trying to figure out how to tell my therapist in two weeks that I have everything I wanted in life. I have seriously everything I dared hope for. We don't have kids but we both want them and we know where we want to be before we start that journey. I don't even know how to process that I have everything I wanted. This doesn't happen to people. People don't get to experience this. But I have it and even with all the qualifiers and concerns I have EVERYTHING I wanted.

How do you tell a therapist that I don't need therapy for stress, I need therapy for accepting I somehow got everything I dreamed of having? I only need therapy for accepting if my husband doesn't fix his drinking issues we can't have children? I only need therapy for my niche obsessional thoughts that I can avoid 99.999% of the time?

I'm crying because this is unrealistic but right now it's true. I have. Everything. I Ever Wanted.

[chibinekochan]

How to become a Demon Ruler 210

Part: 00 I 01 I 02 I 03 I 04 I 05 I 06 I 07 I 08 I 09 I

Gender Neutral Reader insert

taglist: @ayesha95 ; @nomnomcupcakesworld ; @fex-phoenix ; @depressed-bixch ; @kitsune-oji ; @witch-o-memes ; @gallantys ,@tanspostsblog ; @undertaker-02 ,

---------------------------------

At some point, I wake up. I hear the sounds of soft snoring beside me.

I laugh as I see Diavolo sprawled out on my bed, fast asleep.

I'm still a bit sluggish but I feel much better. It really must've been exhaustion that made me sick. I wonder how long I slept and carefully get out of bed. Tiptoeing around to not wake Diavolo. He looks kinda cute like this. It's hard not to poke his cheek when he is looking so peaceful.

I look at the clock and realize that my classes have already started. For a moment I panic when I see a note on the clock.

You are taking today off to get better.

I asked the brothers to bring you today's homework later.

-Diavolo

I smile at the poorly written note, he probably did it in the dark with only his phone light.

I suppose I should go and take a shower now. Even if I'm resting today I feel somewhat sticky.

Just when I'm about to turn around I see Diavolo opening his eyes. He looks at me with sleepy eyes.

"Good morning. You can keep lying. I will take a shower." Somehow this feels nice. Waking up like this, besides him.

"Good morning. Are you feeling better?" His voice sounds muffled, he must be still waking up.

"Yes, thanks to your great care I'm feeling much better." I show him an energetic smile.

"I'm glad." He smiles at me. "I guess I'm doing pretty okay for a big brother after all." He still seems to be half asleep but these words hurt more than I expected.

"You do." I press the words out. "I will take my shower now." I rush to the bathroom.

I'm a true fool after all. Not only can't I see Diavolo as my brother but my feelings for him only grow.

Then there is also the fight between him and Barbatos that troubles me greatly. Both of them are very important to me.

Liking two people like this at the same time is serious trouble. Especially since they both see me as master and sibling respectively.

What a mess. I could use some real advice.

I sigh and step into the shower. Trying to clear my head while cleaning my body.

It's refreshing and the thought of breakfast makes me forget my other troubles for now.

I dress and go back into my room.

Diavolo is sitting on my bed. He must need a long time to wake up. It's endearing somehow. I sigh at myself, I need to stop this.

"Ah, you are done. Breakfast came while you were away. Shall we eat together?" Diavolo stands up and walks to the already set table. It doesn't look like Barbatos work, it's somehow rather sloppily done.

"Of course, but why won't we eat in the normal room?" It seems a bit strange to me.

"Well, that is because I don't wish to see Barbatos right now. I had No. 2 serve us breakfast today." Diavolo is still hung up on what happened yesterday.

"You know that you have to see him eventually, right?" It seems somewhat childish to me, even when I understand how much this must've shaken Diavolo to his core.

"I know, but not now." He sighs and sits down at the table.

I shake my head, I need to help them to make up.

We both eat in relative silence.

Diavolo seems to have a lot on his mind and so do I.

After we are done he looks at me with a grave expression. "I fear that I have work to do."

I saw this coming. "I'm much better so you don't need to worry. I will just rest until I get my homework. I need to catch up on devil tube. Yesterday the demon brothers told me all about it." I gently reassure Diavolo.

"I'm glad to hear that. I will make sure the brothers will give you your homework and you promise that you will stay here." He looks at me pleading.

"I won't move. I promise." It's easy to agree with him since I'm still a bit tired after all.

Diavolo nods and pats my head. As nice as it feels he seems to think of me as a child or something of that nature.

It's frustrating.

"I will trust you. Get as much rest as you can. If you feel in any way off by the evening you will take tomorrow off as well." Diavolo is usually stern with me.

"Alright." I know he is only worried and so I agree.

This seems to relieve him a little bit at least.

Diavolo then looks at me one more time before returning to his duties.

I lay on my bed, scrolling on my phone through some comments under devil tube videos when I hear a knock on my door.

"Come in ," I yell.

The door is slowly opened and I see Barbatos peeking his head in. "I'm not sure if you wish to see me but I felt the need to apologize to you in person." He looks very pale like he didn't sleep at all.

"I want to see you, don't be silly and just for the records I don't blame you at all." I smile at him to strengthen my point.

Barbatos steps into my room, closing the door behind him. He has a cart with snacks and tea.

Probably his way of apologizing to me.

He slowly makes his way towards me. Then he pauses a good distance away from me as if being close to me would be a bother to me.

"It's my fault since I should have seen it. Not just because I should've been able to see that future but also because it was so obviously dangerous. I can't state enough how much I have failed you." His face looks like it's frozen or rather like he is in deep pain.

"Even if you were there you couldn't prevent any possible outcome. I mean there is always a small chance I die. Humans are fragile after all. I could slip on the bathroom or something. It's not possible for you to protect me 24/7 and to be honest, that wouldn’t be what I want. I need to do my own thing and I like to be alone too." I try to approach this from a logical angle.

"That might be true, but I always prevented any likely harm to you. I always tried to lead you down the path of least likely harm." Barbatos seems to have a hard time telling me this.

Now a few of his strange requests make sense.

"So you were saving me without me even knowing it? Thank you for that." It's very nice of him for sure.

Barbatos nods. "Sadly for some reason, my ability seems to weaken when it comes to you. I'm not sure why. Usually, nobody is capable of surprising me at all but you somehow always do." A short-lived smile appears on his face.

"I see but then you are even less to blame. No matter what you think I don't blame you at all." I can understand his guilt but I miss the old Barbatos.

"I appreciate the sentiment but honestly I was thinking of stepping down as your butler. I can't serve you properly." His face mirrors deep pain.

I also gasp at his words. "There is no way that I'm willing to accept this!" I raise my voice.

Barbatos seems to be taken aback. "But master, I cannot give you the full protection that you need. I failed you."He is serious.

I can't just let Barbatos quit. His duty is so important to him and he always works so hard to make me and Diavolo happy. Even when that also creates a gap between us.

"I can't stop you, but I will not accept another butler or maid to serve me." I look at him with determination.

"But Master, you need someone to serve you." Barbatos frowns.

I cross my arms. "Too bad, if I have to have a servant it can only be the best and that is you." I'm stubborn but I'm also right.

Barbatos sighs, he seems conflicted. "Even master Diavolo told me it would be better if I wouldn't come near you anymore." These words seem to hurt him.

"Diavolo is just very scared that this might happen again. I think it's easy enough to prevent though. And regardless of his feelings, my trust in you is unmoved." I voice my feelings for him.

the

Barbatos closes his eyes. There must be many things running through his head right now.

"Be honest, would you want anyone else to serve me?" I know his answer could hurt and I brace myself for that possibility.

Barbatos opens his eyes, they aren't wavering at all. "No." Then he pauses a moment. "I would not like that one bit. I believe I'm the best to serve you." His pride as a butler has not been broken at least.

I nod. "I feel the same way. Even if you can't see every possible future I want to keep you as my butler. I care deeply about you and there just can't be anyone else." I let my true feelings slip a little bit but it looks like my words reach him.

He smiles gently and steps closer. He kneels on the ground just before my bed. His eyes focus on me.

My cheeks grow hot. He is so close.

"May I keep being your butler despite my countless failings?" He asks in a very humble-sounding voice.

"You may, in fact, I order you to do so." I do my best-spoiled brat expression.

Barbatos then takes my hand and kisses the back of it. His lips feel cold but pleasant.

"I swear I will do whatever I can for you. Whatever order you give me will be fulfilled." Barbatos is earnest, this exchange is very intimate. I can feel the weight of his promise.

"I gladly accept you as my butler but don't forget that I also see you as a friend." And potentially more but I don't mention that part.

Barbatos nods and smiles softly. "Thank you for your kindness."

At least he seems more normal now, but the rift between him and Diavolo is still very much there. I need to think of a plan.

But first I want to eat the delicious snacks that Barbatos has brought me.

"Why don't you join me for some tea?" I feel like it's been forever since I saw him.

He looks a bit surprised for a moment. "Very well, I have some time for that." Then he smiles and prepares the table for us.

I slowly stand up and sit down across from him. The treats all look so good. "With what should I start?" I ask this more to myself.

"I recommend these fresh hell berry tarts, they are best when still slightly cold." Barbatos points to them.

They look very good. "Alright, I will start with them."I take one to my plate and take a bite. "Wow, you were not exaggerating. This is the best tart I ever had." I pretty much have stars in my eyes. It is that good.

Barbatos chuckles. "It was well worth the time I spent then."

"Did you see this in one of your visions too?" Now you wonder if all the food was so good because of that.

"No, as I said my ability isn't working on you and I'm quite confident in my skills. I was certain you would enjoy this. Even when I didn't expect you to love it this much." He smiles at me full of confidence.

I like this Barbatos much better. "I always love your food. I might become the avatar of gluttony at this point." I laugh.

"You still are far away from that plus it's good when you enjoy your food this much." He smiles gently.

"If I'm becoming fat you take responsibility." I tease him slightly.

He simply nods. "I will."

I didn't expect this straightforward

It's somehow embarrassing so I just continue eating to avoid that feeling.

Barbatos seems to just watch me the entire time. I'm about to complain about that when he suddenly touches my cheek.

My cheeks heat up instantly. It was just a light touch that didn't even last longer than a second but it still surprised me.

"You had some cream there." He smiles sheepishly at me and licks his finger.

This feels very intimate to me. "You should eat the tart instead of the cream on my face." I try to hide my ever-hot cheeks and ever-growing emotions.

"You are right but it might taste better this way." Barbatos nonchalantly takes a tart of his own.

"You are pretty cheeky sometimes." I mostly blurt this out, but it is true.

"Only to those close enough to me." Barbatos calmly looks at me after saying such words. My heart skips several beats.

I'm happy that he feels this way about me. Though it's still bugging me that he always manages to embarrass me. He isn't as bad as Diavolo in that regard but he is very troublesome in his own right.

Then suddenly I see an opportunity for payback.

I quickly seize my chance and wipe a bit of cream off his lip. His surprised face alone makes it all worth it.

He simply stares at me, mouth agape.

"You had some cream there." I smile and lick the cream off my finger.

Barbatos cheeks turn crimson, a full success. At least until I realize that this can count as an indirect kiss.

Now we are both embarrassed.

So I guess it ends in a tie today.

[thiswasinevitableid]

For the meet ugly prompts, 02 indruck?

Here you go! I went SFW on this one and interpreted the prompt kind of broadly. It's set in the same world as this Sternclay prompt

Fun fact: there is a fire lookout in the Monogahela, but the structure I describe is based on more elaborate ones elsewhere

02. I bought a house three months ago but I’m finally moving in and discover you’ve been squatting because you’re homeless

Only in Duck’s life would “dream job” and “months alone in the woods” be equivalent.

The Bickle Nob Fire Lookout is a coveted position, and Duck is pretty fucking flattered they chose him as the ranger for July and August. He took the high clearance off-roader to get here, he’s got his bags full of everything he needs not to die of boredom (or anything else) and his schedule of supply drops. He’s as ready as can be and so fucking excited when he opens the door of the wide-windowed cabin.

Then he jumps back, startled to find a skinny, silver-haired man asleep on the floor.

“Uh, sir? This site is off-limits to visitors.”

The man wakes up in a series of catastrophic movements; he bangs into the wall, tangles in his blanket, and nearly stumbles out the window when he manages to stand.

“I, I’m sorry, I didn’t foresee anyone coming here.”

“Department spent all of June arguin’ about whether it was worth allocatin funds for this, so that’s why the place was empty. Fire up North two weeks ago scared ‘em enough to send me up here.” Duck explains with a casual smile; after all, even if he’s way off the trail, there’s no reason to assume this guy is out to cause trouble, “if you got lost hikin, I’m happy to radio down and ask for someone to come get you and take you back to your camp.”

“Nono, I, ah, I’m not lost. One needs to have a destination to be lost.”

“O-kay. Uh, well, whatever you’re lookin for, I’m afraid this ain’t it. This buildin is for the fire lookout only.”

“I promise I’ll be very unobtrusive. I even have my own supplies, you won’t have to worry about me in the slightest.” The man smiles,opening one of his two bags to show it crammed with shiny packets of food.

Duck shakes his head, “Can’t do it, sorry. I’m serious though, if you need a ride into town I can get a hold of someone who can help. Maybe, uh, you could find whatever you’re lookin for there?”

“No” the man sags, but begins zipping up his bags, “I do not think I will find it there. I am sorry for intruding.” He steps out the door, turning towards the deeper woods on the western slope.

“You need a map?” Duck calls. The man doesn’t so much as look over his shoulder.

Duck unpacks as much as he can, checks the weather station and notes the readings suggest those thunderheads on the far horizon are coming his way. By dinnertime, they’re right on top of him, rain pattering on the roof and thunder rattling the windows. He’s scanning the trees when he spots a metallic flash, not of lightning but of silver hair. His mystery visitor is huddled under a tree, wind forcing the hood of his raincoat back over and over again.

The rules and regulations in the forest are there to keep the environment and visitors safe. If something doesn’t violate those basic requirements, Duck sees no reason not to bend them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

“I really cannot stress how grateful I am that you allowed me back in.” The visitor, who introduced himself as Indrid, finishes packing their scant trash into the can, “I promise that as soon as the storm passes I’ll leave you be.”

“Yeah, about that.” Duck scratches the back of his neck, “you really don’t got anywhere to call home, do you?”

Indrid opens his mouth. Duck stares, pointedly, at the holes in his white shirt and the worn shoes sticking out from frayed jeans.

“....No, I do not.”

“In that case, you stay here the next two months, on two conditions: one, you don’t get in the way of me doin what I’m here to do. Two, you don’t tell anyone I let you do this. Deal?”

“Yes, yes absolutely” Indrid shakes his hand, bouncing up and down a bit, “thank you so much. You will barely know I’m here.”

This turns out to be completely true and utterly false.

Indrid does keep to himself most of the day; he draws, reads, lays in the sun outside the cabin and generally stays out of Ducks way while he’s working. But he’s also the person who sits and jokes with him during meals, who eagerly follows Duck’s hand when he points out interesting birds or plants, and watches intently when Duck reads his instruments.

He never thought he could live in a fifteen by fifteen foot space with another person and not have a full head of grey by the end of it. Indrid Cold is the exception that proves the rule, Duck certain he’ll never be able to be cooped up with anyone but Indrid ever again.

It helps that he still gets his quiet time; Indrid will got out for walks, even watches for smoke so Duck can do the same. They use the wild foraging guide and Duck’s knowledge of local plants to bring back extra food. Indrid was particularly pleased when he located some wild blackberries. When Duck reminded him to watch out for bears near the berry patch, Indrid simply smirked and said there was only one bear on the mountain who could get him.

Duck’s daydreaming of what Indrid might do if caught on his way back from a dusk walk. And, more urgently, how he can convince Indrid that he wants to sleep outside tomorrow night. So it takes two tries of the front door before he notices it’s locked.

“Indrid?” he knocks, “you in there?” Stepping back, he finds the windows hastily covered by his bedsheets and blankets. He knocks harder, “that’s real fuckin dangerous, if there’s a fire we won’t see it. ‘Drid! Open the damn door!”

He continues banging, unanswered, as the moon--two days from full--rises above.

--------------------------------------

Indrid covers his ears to block out Duck’s increasingly worried shouts from outside. This is the right choice, the best of a bad bunch; it will keep Duck and anyone else nearby safe. The ranger will probably turn him away come morning, rightly furious at his irrationality. Indrid resolves not to argue with him; he’ll slink back into the trees, just like he did the last time someone threw him out for his transgressions.

It starts in his chest, his heartbeat climbing to marathon speeds in spite of him holding still. Then his skin prickles, silver hair sprouting from every follicle, followed by his back bowing in pain and his jaw elongating with a crack. From there the adrenaline kicks in, flooding his body so the transformation doesn’t render him unconscious (and therefore helpless) with pain. When next he raises his head, a werewolf with glowing, red eyes looks back at him from the darkened windows.

Beyond the covered windows, someone howls. Then he scents it, another of his kind coming dangerously close. He has to go out, he can’t leave Duck out there with something that will rip him apart, surely he likes the human enough for his mind to see him as a friend, not prey-

CRACK

The door splinters off its hinges; he growls, ready to defend his home. A deeper growl answers him as a larger wolf, black-furred and yellow eyed, stalks across the threshold.

“What. the. Fuck?” the newcomer snaps, “I told you, you can only stay if you don’t fuck up my work and locking me out comes real fuckin close to that!”

He cocks his head “Duck?”

“No, I’m the fuckin president of the united states.”

“I, I’m so sorry.” Indrid drops to all fours, then flattens to his belly just to be safe, “I didn’t know, I just wanted to be sure I wouldn’t hurt you.”

Duck points to the broken door, “you coulda just done that from the opposite side and I woulda been dinner.”

“No I, I know that if I confine myself I tend to be...calmer. I don’t get overstimulated and then agitated.”

“You coulda just told me. Lockin me out is real rude.”

Indrid whines, crawls close enough to nose at him.

“You don’t gotta do that; I ain't assertin dominance or some shit, I’m just a little annoyed.”

He whines again, “please don’t make me leave.”

“I won’t.” Duck’s voice turns softer.

“And you will not get angry at me for not being appropriately grateful for your leniency?”

Duck frowns, “Aw jesus, did you come from one of those old-school packs?

“Yes” Indrid grumbles, hating himself for how easily he fell into manners he loathes, how deep the teachings of his home run.

Duck eases him up so they’re both sitting, then noses the side of his face, “We don't do that around here. Least, I don't. I don’t spend a ton of time with most of the other Weres when they’re wolfed-out, but they ain’t big on tradition and hierarchy the rest of the time.”

“Ah. That’s, that’s good.”

The other Were stretches, stands and pads about the room, removing the make-shift curtains, “You gotta teach me how you’re so fuckin accurate on when the moon is full enough to make us shift whether or not we want to; I thought I had a day left. I, uh, I was gonna ask you to sleep in here while I ‘slept under the stars’ so you wouldn’t know.”

“You’re not afraid of hurting someone?”

“Nah, especially not this far out. Sometimes I hunt deer, but whatever strain of this I got doesn’t go feral unless some shit goes majorly wrong.” He drops the blankets on the floor, “don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like huntin tonight. Or stargazin. I’m beat from work.”

“Agreed. Transforming against my will always makes me tired.”

Duck lays down on the floor,yawns, “In that case: sleep tight ‘Drid.”

Indrid tries to do just that. But every time he catches Duck’s scent he wishes he could move closer to him, then remembers that would be rude, and continues in that back and forth until he’s wide awake. It doesn’t help that his Were form runs cold; he’s shivering in spite of it still being close to eighty degrees.

His ears flick at Duck’s footfalls. Then a warm, bulky frame curls around his freezing, lanky one.

“This okay?” Duck carefully drapes an arm over him.

Indrid sighs, feeling safer than he has in a year, “better than.”

---------------------------------------------------------

“I’m a seer.”

Duck looks up from his breakfast, mouth full but question clear.

“Last night, you asked me how I knew we’d transform. Seeing the future makes it rather easy.”

“Damn, that does sound handy.”

“In many ways it is. Though it carries some, ah, some downsides.” Indrid steers his thoughts towards safer paths, “If you’d like, I could use it to help you with the fire lookout.”

The ranger grins, the expression twice as warm as his fur the night before, “That’d be fuckin great.”

Indrid smiles back, keeps his eyes on the windows so as not to look longingly back at the rumpled sheets. They awoke this morning in a heap, Duck’s modesty preserved only by a blanket and Indrid’s hair stuck in all directions. He’d been ready to apologize for not moving away before dawn, but Duck simply reached out, stroked his hair down, and asked if he wanted coffee.

-------------------------------------------------

“You’re right, you can see more animals this way.” They’re perched, fully transformed, on the rocks outside the cabin. Indrid knows how to use his night vision for hunting, but Duck is teaching him how to use it for more peaceful matters.

“Yeah, long as you stay put most animals get up the nerve to nose around some.”

They’d transformed side by side, Duck banging his head in the process. Indrid licked near the bruise and made soothing, sympathetic sounds when Duck whined and cursed his luck. Back home, being demonstrative was frowned upon; here, Duck seems to always be casually bumping their bodies together.

When they go to bed several hours after moonrise, they curl up side by side without hesitation. It’s so very easy to tune out his visions when Duck is near and Indrid falls asleep while the ranger is still whispering about the birds they can hear.

He wakes up an hour later in a panic, disasters of visions past tearing through his mind.

“‘Drid? What’s wrong?” Duck noses the base of his neck.

“Nothing. Just a bad dream.” He closes his eyes, tries to focus on Duck’s scent, his breath, the wind in the trees, but still the ghosts of his memories lurk in the corners of his vision.

“Can I try somethin?” Duck murmurs. Indrid thought he’d gone back to sleep.

“Of course.”

Teeth tenderly and ever so carefully clamp the fur and skin of his neck. He goes limp in one breath. He was high status enough that no one ever did this to him, but goodness does he wish they had

The ranger let’s go, “Do I need to do it again?”

“Please.”

Duck obliges and Indrid whimpers, melting shamelessly in his arms.

“Thank you. I think I can sleep now.”

“Any time, ‘Drid. Uh, before you, uh, go to sleep there’s somethin I wanna ask you. Since you need a place to stay, do you, uh, wanna stay with me? In Kepler.”

“You’d really like that? You, if this is out of pity-”

“It ain’t.”

There were no futures where it was. Indrid wanted to hear the words all the same.

“Besides” Duck nuzzles him, “we already know we make damn good roommates.”

Indrid can’t help it; he howls, brief and joyful, safe in the knowledge that Duck will be ready with a laugh and a kiss in reply.

[dorminchu]

Insult to Injury: The Director’s Cut — Chapter 02

Fandom: James Bond Characters: Madeleine Swann, Lyutsifer Safin, various OC(s) Relationships: Madeleine Swann & OC(s), Madeleine Swann & Mr White, Madeleine & Lyutsifer Safin Warnings: Aftermath of violence, PTSD, implicit sexual content, moderate language. Rating: M Genre: Crime/Drama Summary: A troubled psychologist desperate to escape her past criminal ties finds herself drawn into a far more insidious schism. [Post-Skyfall]

[Ao3 | FFNet]

— Episode II: GRATITUDE —

Behind closed eyes it was impossible to tell if the Jeep was approaching or departing the source of violence. Slowly, Madeleine let her hands fall into her lap. They were travelling up the main road. In front of her, the driver whom she did not recognise. In the passenger seat, going by the voice and distinct gloves, Safin.

As they pulled onto the main road the vehicle merged into a convoy. In the opposite lane, several more unmarked cars headed back the way they’d come. Her mind made the connection her emotions wouldn’t.

“Don’t look," said Miller quietly, "it won’t do you any good.” Madeleine attempted to shrink deeper into herself but could not. Even now, thinking of her own survival. Who could say how many of the Psychosocial Unit or the remaining MSF were still alive? What of the doctors? What of their patients? And what had become of the FSP?

It could have been her brain matter spattered over the vehicle. Each time she undertook a mission she accepted the inevitability of violence and prolonged emotional duress. Easier to coldly recontextualize the events in the aftermath, never so intimately.

Madeleine tried to focus on something else. Just the hum of the engine and her own breathing. A few indistinguishable words exchanged between Safin and the driver. Morris's hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly.

Pulling into the lot at Conakry International Airport, the Jeep came to a stop. Ushered out of the vehicle, asphalt beneath her feet, cleaner air in her lungs. After a standard security check Madeleine was directed towards a side room away from the main terminal. The Project Coordinator came over and put an arm around her and offered her a place to sit and some bottled water.

Miller was called away to confer with the surviving team members. Madeleine surveyed the room. The door that she’d came in through was currently flanked by Kerberos. With the exception of the Medical Coordinator the other mission heads had survived. There were only about thirty of the fifty members of the operation present. She didn’t recognise anyone from the Psychosocial Unit.

Unfamiliar hand on her shoulder causing her to flinch. Looking up into the face of a hospital aide, male. Probably Arnaud's age. Fresh latex gloves. Arms recently scoured. “Dr Swann, right? You were with the Psychosocial Unit.” Voice slightly muffled by respirator mask.

Madeleine gave a curt nod. The aide studied her face. Attention drawn to her hands caked with dry blood, throttling the plastic bottle. She let go. Jaw tight.

"Okay.” Brief, pitying look before his attention diverted. Madeleine unclenched her jaw, kept her head down.

“The situation has changed,” announced the Project Coordinator. “A few days ago, following the initial attack on the hospital, we received intelligence that Donka Hospital would be targeted directly. Thanks to the combined efforts of Kerberos and our Logistics Unit, the majority of our patients and remaining MSF were moved to a safer location over the last several nights and have not been harmed. The motive behind the attack on the hospital and MSF staff this morning has not been determined. But due to misinformation spread about the nature of this virus, and the circumstances surrounding the previous incident at Donka Hospital, many civilians are ready to place blame upon the MSF for complicity in tampering with the vaccine.

“Now, the details are still murky. I can assure you, there is no causation on part of the MSF. And it is fortunate that we've minimised the casualties of the patients as well as our own. But we cannot continue operations without a proper Medical Unit. All non-essential members of the mission will be discharged.”

After the briefing, the Project Coordinator took Madeleine aside. “What is the duration of your assignment as psychologist consultant, Dr Swann?”

“Three months. I started in May.” Her voice was dry, brittle.

“Well, they’ll have to find another consultant.”

“How soon will you be able to find a replacement for the position?”

His face became stony. “You are the sole survivor of the unit. It may as well not exist in its current state. There's no sense in forcing you to remain on-site.”

Two Kerberos escorted her outside while Safin exchanged a few words with the Project Coordinator. Catching up, he said nothing to her as they walked across the lot and into the car. When the driver pulled out of the lot she was given the following information: Her flight home departed later in the evening. In the meantime she'd have a room to herself at Hotel Palm Camayenne. Her luggage had been accounted for. “You'll be collected from the room an hour in advance; the party will ask for White's daughter. Don't open the door to anyone else.” He looked over at her in the mirror. “Is that clear?”

“Of course.”

⁂

In the tastefully lit lobby of the Hotel Palm Camayenne, the attendant behind the desk sized Madeleine up and informed her she'd been marked down for a Prestige Suite. Madeleine, still reeling from the chaotic morning but wise enough to roll with the situation, asked if her things had been collected.

The attendant's eyes went quickly to the Kerberos in the background. She gave Madeleine the room number and gestured brusquely towards the young-faced bellhop waiting beside the elevator. “He's got all of your things from the other hotel. Enjoy your stay.”

The bellhop wasn't for conversation. He stole a couple pointed glances at Madeleine as if she were wearing something ostentatious. The elevator door opened, and he asked curtly if she would like him to help her into the room with the bags. When Madeleine accepted, he wheeled the trolley ahead, unlocking the door and unloading her valise, quickly muttered: “Have a nice day,” and left without looking back.

On her own, Madeleine was taken aback by the scale of the room. Closer to a small suite; complete with living room, an elegant dining room and desk. Classic furniture. A view of the Atlantic Ocean through panorama windows. Carpet at her feet. Air conditioning. After two solid months of living in a small, stuffy room at the Grand Hotel de L’independence this was much closer to home.

All of her clothes and additional items were in order. Afraid to touch anything or sit down for fear of sullying it. With that settled she wandered into the bathroom; Carrara marble. A shower and bathtub. French cosmetics by Chopard. Artificial floral scent permeated her nostrils. She finally got a look at herself in the mirror and imagined the look on Arnaud's face if she showed up at the gate in her current condition. Smirked.

The staff here probably didn't see many dishevelled, bloodied socialites. No wonder she'd garnered such a reception. She laughed. Caught her eyes in the mirror. She wasn't laughing anymore. Difficult to breathe. It was the perfume.

Her throat tightened. Dry-heaving. Collapsing over the toilet. Exhuming whatever was left inside of her stomach. A convulsion worked through her body. Her voice warped, mutating. Not a sob but a guttural sound clawing its way up from her lungs. Animal distress, unable to escape. Head clutched in her hands. Shaking, shaking.

Breathe.

Clutching the porcelain.

Just breathe.

You’re going home in a few hours. This will just be another bad dream.

She turned on the fan to air out the room, had a shower, redressed. The operation in Conakry would just become another failure written off as a fluke. In a matter of hours the tragedy would breach headlines in the interest of garnering military attention and drop within a week, after the government stepped in. In a month she’d reacclimatise to her career too substantial to be dead-end, Arnaud and her sham of a social life, until the cycle repeated itself.

She had a few hours left until her flight. There were a couple restaurants on the ground floor, and Safin's instructions didn't preclude her from leaving the room. Might as well see if she could keep a meal down.

⁂

Later that night, confined to the plane's cabin with no tangible distractions, unable to sleep. Her arrangements at the hotel provoked an extreme reaction and it wasn't only a result of recent trauma; the quality of the room itself, the collection of her possessions without incident, and even the window of time before her collection and escort to the airport, were all characteristic of her father's tacit interference.

From the time she was ten until seventeen he would send her off to Ermatige International School for the lion's share of the year. Abroad, Madeleine felt for the first time a sense of emptiness her young heart understood yet failed to quantify. She had never been close to her father but in his absence, something was lost that could not be remade.

The first day she was shown her room, her roommate introduced herself as Alice and shook her hand. Alice had a firm grip for an eleven year-old. “It’s nice to meet you, Madeleine. Can I call you Maddie?”

The nickname brought to mind her father’s voice, but there was no dissuading certain people from habit. “I don’t care.”

“Okay.” Alice let her go. “So, the counsellor’s going to have us all meet up in the courtyard in ten minutes for a basic tour. I could walk down with you.”

“I know how to get there by myself. It’s just down the stairs. The instructor provided a map.”

“Oh… well, if you have any questions about where to go or what to do, don’t think twice about asking me.”

“I won’t.” Madeleine made a point of straightening out her bedsheets, then noticed Alice was in the doorway waiting up for her. “Thanks.”

For the next several months falling into the façade of the aloof, privileged girl who led an unassuming life at Maisons-Laffitte. Classes were stimulating enough to take her mind off her own problems. Extracurricular activities; horseback riding, hikes in the summer, touring the town in winter. Enjoying the sights and sounds as like a tourist.

The instructors found her obedient and diligent in her studies but expressed concern about what they referred to as antisocial tendencies. Her classmates speculated about her in English and then talked to her cordially in French.

Even in the mess hall, she couldn’t catch a break. “Hey!” Madeleine tensed. Expecting another round of condescension masquerading as kindness—but it was just Alice and her own circle of friends. “Come on, sit with us!” Alice's friends were all a year older. Charitable enough, giving Madeleine the obvious questions—where are you from, what classes are you most interested in, et cetera. Madeleine endured their kindness without complaint.

At night, there were no more diversions. Dreams experienced in abstract. The old home in Altaussee. The front door unlocked. Lake frozen over. She could run, but never fast enough.

Ice beneath her feet giving way. Turning from the water at her back made no difference. Submerged. Gloved hands reached for her, an iron grip that pulled her toward the water’s surface.

Madeleine screamed, taking in water. Clawing at bare hands, softer arms. A girl’s voice, calling her name.

Opening her eyes. Alice’s young face tight with horror. Her eyes wet.

A few minutes later Madeleine was sitting in the nurse’s office, who attempted to pry more than a monosyllabic answer out of her for twenty minutes before leaving to talk with someone higher-up, and Madeleine sat there, deliberating. Act too stubborn and they'd label her psychotic. Too hysterical and they’d kick her out. So when the nurse returned Madeleine grudgingly confessed the truth. She’d been having bad dreams ever since her maman was gone, and that her father didn't know how else to deal with it beyond sending her here.

The nurse's demeanour shifted. She asked Madeleine a few more questions about the situation. Madeleine gave rote, easy answers. In the end, the nurse concluded that there was nothing technically wrong but she'd have to be isolated from her roommate if this behaviour persisted. She gave Madeleine some names and a pamphlet about grief counselling and advised her to look it over in the morning. Madeleine thanked her.

It was Alice who waited outside and walked her back to their room, finally breaking the silence: “Are you okay?” Madeleine averted her face to the window, squaring her shoulders. “Do you want to talk about it?” Madeleine walked over to her bed, sat down, looking at the pamphlets without processing the printed words. “Enough of that—you need to try and sleep.”

“I can't.” Madeleine pulled the sheets tighter around herself.

“Okay. May I sit with you?” Madeleine shrugged. Alice's weight flumped down on the mattress. Their shoulders touched. Listening to the other girl's even breathing, Madeleine gradually relaxed in the same way. “My mother died earlier this year. My father sent me here.”

“Oh.” Alice turned her face towards her. “Uh—I'm sorry about your mother. Was she nice?”

Madeleine began to shiver again. Alice's arm came around her and Madeleine shut her eyes, turning loosely into the gesture without reciprocation.

For the rest of the year Alice kept Madeleine stabilised while Madeleine kept her at arm’s length. The closest thing to a best friend she’d ever had.

When Madeleine came home on holiday, her father was suddenly a different man. Never once would his disposition thaw into true warmth, but all of a sudden he wanted to know; how were the other students, did she enjoy her classes, and did she have any particular school in mind if she wished to continue studying abroad after graduation?

Who was this stranger? Since when had he ever offered to get to know her on a personal level? That had been mother's concern. Ten year-old Madeleine wanted to laugh. She’d wanted to dig down into her tiny adolescent heart and find the right string of words to destroy him for such an affront. As if he could simply earn her respect and affection through negotiation. Instead, she just shrugged her shoulders and said: “It's not bad so far. I liked my instructors. I promised this one girl I’d write to her over holidays.”

“It’s my understanding that you had a rough start?” Madeleine froze. Her father’s eyes cold. “If you had told me as such, I could have set aside a psychologist for you to speak with.”

“It wasn’t my first choice. I just told the psychologist that my mother had died, and I was upset about it.”

“And what did he say?”

“She told me it wasn’t my fault. People process their grief in different ways.” She shrugged. “These things happen.”

Raising her eyes to meet her father’s. His expression softened a fraction but not for her sake. The best way to destroy a man like this was to let him go on thinking he was forgiven. No sense looking a gift horse in the mouth. She'd take his money and whatever else he saw fit to bestow with a rudimentary thank you. And she would work as hard as possible to step out of his shadow and have something to call her own.

The next year Alice transferred to a different academy, so they kept in contact through epistolary means. At fifteen, Madeleine stopped responding to her letters.

⁂

Arnaud picked her up from Air France airport. Diligent enough not to greet her with an interrogation, only a hello and an unexpected one-armed embrace. Normally Madeleine would have tried to squirm out of it, but all she could think about was how alive he was in her arms—even the smell of him. She hadn't gotten a lick of sleep on the flight. Without thinking she let him take her arm as they walked out of the terminal into the sunshine.

On their walk to the car, driving away, Arnaud was quiet. Something which Madeleine had always appreciated about him before but only recalled the horrible stillness in the drive to the airport. Her hands wandered towards the radio dial and turned it up sharply. Arnaud turned the volume down low at the next stop, glancing over at her.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Couldn’t he just ask if she were okay? “There’s not much to say. I did my job to the best of my ability. There were drastic complications and the mission was ultimately a failure. Now I am back here. Does that cover it?”

He frowned. “No one is blaming you for anything.”

Madeleine sat back and waited for the pressure to ease up in her head. Disconnected from the familiar sights and smells of ordinary civilian life after two and a half months living in Conakry. When she stepped out of the car her gait was unsteady. If she even sat down a little longer, let her guard down, she’d nod off. Going up the stairs, Arnaud helped her with the luggage and asked if she needed anything else. Madeleine shook her head. Flopped down on the bed like a corpse, into dreamless sleep.

⁂

Opening her eyes, expecting the cracked peeling paint of the hotel room. The lack of humidity gave her pause. A gentle floral scent persisted, alien to the room. Arnaud must've left the window open.

Turning into the warm body at her shoulder, cradling her. After so many days of running herself ragged the promise of empty stillness and domesticity brought no comfort. She laid very still without closing her eyes. The ochre light cast onto the room might be dusk or daybreak. Her vision clouded over. An involuntary reaction incited by recent trauma. Trembling.

Arnaud made a soft noise into her cheek. The hand at her shoulder shifted. Madeleine froze. Unable to verbalise what she needed, pressing herself closer. Arnaud, running a hand over her back, said something gentle, indistinct.

Madeleine couldn't settle down. She was more alive in this moment than she had been in a long time. She turned into his chest. Threw her leg over his waist. His expression changed. She took his face in her hands, kissing him bluntly.

His breath released slow against her mouth. Slowly coming alive. Hands moving over her body like she'd break if he went any faster. Madeleine allowed him this courtesy. For the first time in months they couldn't get much closer.

Another round of dreamless sleep. She woke up in a start, unsure what time it was, before realising she didn't have to go into work anyway. Arnaud was still there. He kissed her temple and told her it was only evening. Asked if she'd like to order-in.

A pit heavy in her stomach, then an urge to cry. Trapped in a period of convalescence, what could she say to this man? “That's fine.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Your secretary called earlier in the afternoon.”

“Oh, yes. I'll get back to her soon.”

Arnaud smiled. “I think you could use a break from taking calls, don't you?”

Madeleine shook her head. A smile worked onto her mouth as if by reflex.

⁂

The next few days were relatively uneventful. Arnaud took time off work to keep her company. Madeleine accepted his presence in his life without comment. Once she’d rested and he was reassured she’d be okay by herself, she had full dominion.

When she could not busy herself in paperwork or other constructive activities, she would become despondent and start picking apart the heads of anyone who tried to dissuade her into optimism. Arnaud was a convenient enough target, but he was just as keen to make himself scarce.

Before she'd left for Conakry, they lacked the investment to like or dislike each other with any real commitment. Now he was a little kinder. Her recent brush with death had softened her up enough to let him talk her into going along to the L’Orriù di Beauvau, trying to assign significance to the sights and sounds surrounding her, in the voice of the waitress and the smell of coffee. She did not look around for inconspicuous men and women who might be sitting in the side-lines, observing.

Sleep was almost impossible now without Arnaud. Three months ago, the idea of relying on him, or anyone else to that degree, would have been disconcerting. Physical intimacy a decent enough substitute, only as a last resort. She’d misled him in that regard.

⁂

A discreet, anonymous enrolment into Oxford and the Sorbonne were her father’s last gifts to her before he cut off all official contact. During her time at the Sorbonne as well as Oxford, Madeleine relinquished any prospect of a social life to work as hard as possible. Only her college roommate was a constant in her life, so Madeleine made sure to keep their relationship cordial but never too intimate.

Her roommate and assorted friends were more socially conscious and made a habit of dragging Madeleine along to various functions as their designated driver. Efforts to invite her on group dates proved fruitless. Madeleine kept her answers non-incriminating and dull, quietly vetting what was offered. Well-groomed socialites jockeying for compatible mates. An ill-fitting distraction from the emotional void kept close to her chest. So the other women assumed she was too good for any of it, and the men were uncomfortable being scrutinised. Madeleine was the only one who found it amusing.

Other colleagues would come to her for advice in an educational context. Graduation was a quick, unemotional affair. Madeleine had no extended family to invite. Just her short-term friends, to be thanked politely, genuinely, and then discarded. The ceremony itself was lovely. Safe and boring.

In the middle of the commencement speech an individual figure in the stands caught her attention. An older man, perhaps in his early fifties, hidden partially behind sunglasses and a smart dress-hat. With a nauseating thrill she recognized his smile, the angles in his face a little more pronounced with age. If she seemed to balk, it was on account of the crowd and her nerves and nothing else. For the rest of the ceremony she wanted nothing more than to escape her own body.

Taking feeble comfort in the idea that he would not converse with her directly; but his presence was enough of an affront. Why give him further opportunity to wound her pride by acknowledging him outright?

⁂

Days in Paris bled into each other without further incident. Even after convalescing a sense of displacement remained. Whenever out and about, Madeleine couldn’t help casing the streets. Just in case. It couldn’t hurt. Arnaud didn’t even seem to notice at first.

Then he wanted to bring his friends. “They want to see you, too.”

It was easier to remain cold when the tangible fragility of her existence was as distant as her father. Now, trapped in a lovely room with people she did not trust in the same tenuous sense as Arnaud. What gave them the right to emphasise?

It would be so easy to dismantle any of them and their residential issues. Laughable that she should bother to relate to them after the problems she had been listening to for weeks on end.

Her eyes skirted around the room. Unable to enjoy herself. Arnaud took her hand; Madeleine realised she was trembling. The woman sitting across from her asked if she was all right. They’d all heard about Conakry. Polite enough to have restraint but their eyes betrayed them, itching to know more. Madeleine had nothing to say. Pretty soon Arnaud and his friends were scrambling for conversation topics and trying not to pay her behaviour any mind.

When they got home he accused her of making a scene. She assured him, patiently, that she was not trying to ruin anything. Just on-guard after weeks of living in what amounted to a warzone. Arnaud chewed on that. Apologised, he was trying to understand her situation, and all they could do was be patient with each other.

But he was frostier. That night, sleep was fitful. Waking from an intangible nightmare, she was ten—twenty-six, in Paris. Smell of fresh linen, coffee. The apartment was small and spare. Morning again. No one beside her.

“Madeleine?”

She sat up. Arnaud was dressed for work. He’d never looked his age before. Then again, their relationship had never offered so much duress.

“When are you going to see someone?”

She didn’t answer.

“I’m worried about you.”

“I can’t.”

A sharp exhale. “Why can’t you?”

“I have my reasons.”

“I don’t know how you can go on living like this. You won’t even try to fix yourself.”

“What could you possibly understand about my life?” she spat. “You’ve never given a thought about—” jaw tight, she averted her eyes “—it isn’t as simple as coming back and pretending to be okay. I would never ask you to understand what I am going through. But if you want me to stay with you, I’m not discussing this again.”

“Do you hear yourself?” he hissed. “You’re acting like a child. All you have to do is take the first step to fix this.”

Madeleine straightened up. “If that’s how you feel, then I won’t bother you anymore.” He laughed, incredulous. “We’re both financially secure. You were convenient enough three years ago to get my father off of my case, but we have our own lives to consider. This arrangement was always going to be temporary.

Arnaud didn't laugh or raise his voice. He just went quiet. An awful, ringing kind of silence she’d never had to deal with from him. Then said, “All right. I've got work to do anyway. We’ll discuss this later.”

Leaving without another word. He’d never done that before. Arnaud couldn’t cut through the cruel veneer of indifference that her father's upbringing had instilled in her, and she wouldn’t force him to deal with her emotional baggage.

Madeleine did a quick self-assessment. The woman in the mirror looked like hell. She dressed for the day, made an effort to appear photogenic, phoned the secretary and informed her she would arrive at her office in half-an-hour, no further discussion.

On the way to work she was thinking of the weather, hoping it rained now rather than when she got off her shift so she wouldn’t have to come home in a downpour. By the time she got to the office, the conversation with Arnaud was just another bad dream.

Of course, everyone in the clinic wanted to know how she was after a week of radio silence. Madeleine acknowledged their concerns. It had been a mess abroad, and she was grateful to be back home. The awkward silence didn’t console her. She locked eyes with her secretary and coolly asked who would be seeing her today.

Fifteen minutes into her first session with a client, she received a call. Probably Arnaud. She ignored it without checking. A minute later the phone rang again. Madeleine glanced over at the number. Secretary. She picked up. “Yes?”

Men from the Brigade criminelle here to see her. They would not take no for answer.

With a contrite apology and a much colder vice in her stomach Madeleine escorted the client out while two men came to substitute. The first, Officer Blois, a middle-aged man with red hair and a mole on the side of his chin, introduced himself accordingly. “I’ll get right to the point. Arnaud is dead. He was found this morning outside of the apartment. Presumably he must have jumped but there are a few details that we’d like to run by you.”

Madeleine said: “That’s all right.” Her eyes drifted to the other man and her blood froze. She’d recognise him anywhere. As if he was brought into existence out of recollection and into reality. Safin wouldn’t look directly at her.

“He was found this morning?” Madeleine reiterated, forcing herself to focus on the situation at-hand. Officer Blois misinterpreted the nature of her unease.

“That’s right. Was he involved directly in your activities with MSF?”

“No, he wasn’t.”

“Did he have any prior knowledge of your activities?”

“Only to the extent that I volunteered, nothing specific. We have—we had, our separate interests.”

“Do you have reason to suspect he would have any suicidal idealisation, thoughts of self-harm?”

“No.”

Was it possible he’d come back and decided enough was enough? Or walked into the apartment to find someone else waiting for him?

“Is there anyone in his life that would wish him or yourself ill?”

“No one, he had—colleagues, but we didn’t talk much.”

“I’ll take it from here,” said Safin coolly.

Officer Blois looked from Madeleine’s dubious expression to Safin’s unreadable one, frowned. “Are you sure there’s nothing—?”

“Officer Blois—” another woman opened the door, also in uniform “—we’ve got some new information, do you have a minute?”

Officer Blois’s eyes rested on Safin for a second before he left the two of them alone. Safin did not take a seat but walked over to stand in front of her desk.

“To ensure the safety of each client,” he began without invitation, “I have to follow through. In a case like yours I’m liable to investigate.”

“I’ve done nothing to warrant this.”

“You have been avoiding my eyes ever since Officer Blois brought up the topic of suicide, do you realise?” Madeleine forced herself to look at him. “When was the last time you spoke to your father?”

“Not for a long time. I stopped contact with him—"

“—has he contacted you at all this year?”

“We’re living separate lives.”

“Then, I’ll inform you. I am here because Mr. White has requested an audience with you. There is a safehouse set aside for you in Sion. Your HR manager has already been informed you’ll be taking two weeks off at short-notice. Once you step outside this building, you’ll be collected by my team and taken to the train station.”

Madeleine shot him a foul look that went unreciprocated. “And you expect me to just go along with you?”

“Your family’s reputation precedes you. You are no safer here in France than you were in Conakry. I doubt Arnaud was the first person you’ve had to sacrifice for the sake of security. But, if you will not come along quietly there are several alternatives.”

“Such as?”

He looked her over. “You would fit easily into a suitcase.”

Madeleine waited for him to elaborate. He looked at her. She broke the silence with a polite scoff. “You'd waste more time smuggling me out of the building. There are cameras everywhere.”

A flash in the dark eyes betrayed his initial veneer of detachment. Madeleine had her pride but she wasn’t about to test him. She stood up stiffly. A subtle, unpleasant smile that brought his scarification into relief. “Come along.”

That the situation would escalate to this level of severity was no surprise. A life spent not in paranoia but with an aggrieved awareness. Not stringent enough to start keeping a gun under her pillow; she’d have a hard-enough time explaining that to Arnaud. Well, she wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore.

She was guided out the door by two men who did not speak to her and steered discreetly into the black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter waiting quietly by the curb.

It was a twenty minute drive to Paris-Gare de Lyon. On the way it dawned on her that Safin was probably kidding about the suitcase. An empty threat to provoke her nerves, watch her squirm. The alternative was something she’d rather not consider. Not that she cared what a thug like him thought to begin with.

They provided her first-class tickets for Swiss Federal Railway and the appropriate gate number. Several suspiciously uneventful minutes later she was at the station, boarding the train, taking her seat closest to the aisle while the two men took up seats by the door and adjacent to her row respectively. Safin took the seat directly adjacent her without a word.

The train shifted into motion. Madeleine, jarred from thought, made up her mind. “You are protecting me under my father’s authority?”

“That’s correct.”

Madeleine huffed. “I should have guessed. You're another one of SPECTRE's thugs?”

Safin blinked slowly but his indifferent expression didn't change. “Counterintelligence.” Now he was scrutinising her more closely. Well, what had she expected? Even if he was one of theirs he would never admit it. “I'm sure you have a few questions about the situation. They'll have to wait until we're in a more secure location.”

“I didn’t ask for this life.” Safin simply held her gaze. “Moving around every couple years. Watching everyone around me wither and die or settle down while I live in the shadow of my father and the men he answers to.”

“But you accepted his money to get ahead.”

“What’s your point?” Madeleine snapped.

Safin said nothing. All right, now he was trying to be funny. He didn’t seem like the kind of man one called to lighten a mood. Madeleine wouldn’t be able to tolerate half-an-hour of this, let alone five. The look Safin was giving her would indicate that sentiment was mutual.

“I don’t want your pity,” she said, tearing her eyes towards the window.

“If we’re going to have a conversation, I would prefer your undivided attention.”

“You want to talk.”

“I’ve never had to point a gun at your head to get you to comply.”

Madeleine almost smiled. It was the first time anyone had been so straightforward with her. “Well, there’s no need to start now.”

[shihalyfie]

Out of curiosity, I’ve noticed you don’t touch on tri, any particular reason? I know a lot of fans myself included don’t care for it but I don’t wanna assume that’s the case

I had a feeling I was going to get this question eventually, and I tussled with myself for quite a while on whether I should answer it publicly or privately, since this is a blog I’d like to mostly dedicate to appreciating the nuances and themes within Adventure and 02 and how carefully they handled all of the topics within, and I’d like to hold back on negativity for the most part (just because I talk about there being a meaningful reason behind most creative decisions in Adventure and 02 doesn’t mean I necessarily like all of them, I just don’t feel like this is the place to be adding those kinds of personal sentiments, because this is meant to be an analysis blog, not a review blog). That said, my meta has been getting a lot of traction lately (thank you so much! I really appreciate it!) and I do feel like this question must have crossed people’s minds at some point since it is a bit of an elephant in the room, so I think people have the right to know the answer.

To those of you reading this who are fans of tri., I sincerely apologize, since some less than kind things are going to be in this answer (although I do hope that maybe the tag would have successfully caught in some blacklists for those trying to avoid this kind of negativity).

The short version of the answer is that “I couldn’t get it to work, and I don’t have the energy to do it.” The long version of the answer is that I did actually try to analyze and pick apart tri. in detail a year ago, but unlike with Adventure and 02, where looking at it deeply and trying to extract details out of it revealed that a lot of it did make sense or at least have a reason behind it, looking at tri. with this level of depth made it fall apart even more. The contradictions and things that don’t make sense aren’t just one or two things you could safely ignore like with, say, Armor Evolution to the Unknown or Tag Tamers or Hurricane Touchdown, but practically permeate the entire text of it (and this is especially the case when you bring 02 into play, but even if you were to isolate Adventure into a vacuum, there are too many things that still don’t make sense), and it’s on every level as well; not just plot and worldbuilding, but also meaningful theme.

In the end, I don’t think this is just something that can be chalked up to mere happenstance, and I think the core of the problem is something that can be accurately summarized in the story of the two tri. scriptwriters who were fans of the original series, but kept getting their scripts rejected because it wasn’t “mature” enough. It’s not limited to just this incident, and it permeates a lot of the sentiments behind what you hear in tri. staff testimony -- a constant sentiment that the original series was a “kids’ show” that didn’t go into any kind of meaningful depth, and that the new series was meant to be “mature” in comparison. This is very, very painful for me to read, as someone who adores the original series because it had a significant level of depth and nuance that so many kids’ shows at the time wouldn’t even dare (and sometimes even to its detriment, since I’ve often complained how the series was too subtle for its own good, or kept going into things that would go over its target audience’s heads) -- contrast the statement about 02 that they wanted it to be a lighter series at first, but felt that it would be wrong to shy away from important things they wanted to say.

The entire premise of the series doesn’t work if you take even a single Adventure episode into account (45, which singlehandedly dismantles most of how tri. is even supposed to work), and there’s this thread of acting like the morality of killing/the morality of friendly fire was somehow new to this series when it comprised a whole quarter of Adventure and nearly the entirety of 02, and with so many other sentiments like this, the only conclusion I can reach is that they cared so much about that “maturity” that actually paying any mind to the series it was meant to be a sequel to was that low on the priority list. For me, who's mainly here to pay respect to the level of detail and thought and depth that the original Adventure and 02 staff put into their series, it just feels unfair to expect me to bend over backwards and compromise the integrity of the analysis just to make it “comply” with a series that never intended to be consistent or make sense in the first place.

Even if you do selectively include tri. elements, the more you try to involve, the more all of the contradictory facts and themes between Adventure/02 and tri. come into conflict like two magnets with the wrong sides facing each other, and you are repeatedly going to come into crossroads where you will have to commit to one over the other. At that point, the sheer level of speculation and workarounds to make it happen, and the things you'd have to toss out or modify from what was originally meant to be a comprehensive analysis, make it into less of an analysis and more headcanon and fanfiction. Which is perfectly fine if you want to go that route, I mean -- it's just that this isn't what this blog is for, because I'm trying to analyze and inspect what (the very uniformly consistent) Adventure and 02 were trying to say before another series (one that clearly had zero fundamental interest in maintaining any of that) came around fifteen years later. I include Kizuna mainly because it is incredibly easy to fit in comparison, given that it not only had original staff, but also is clearly made with just as much attention to detail and focus on meaningful theme as the original series was, and so it’s fairly easy to integrate it into an Adventure/02 analysis without much trouble -- in fact, Kizuna additions conversely often enhance and further elaborate on things that were already in the original series, so the helpful additions it adds far outweigh the work it takes to include it -- but that’s not the case for tri. at all.

Nevertheless, as I said, this is not a blog meant to focus on negativity. There are people who found something in tri. that spoke to them, or don’t really put so much weight into what the staff said or thought, and would like to see it in a way that works for them. I personally encourage this sentiment; just because I happen to be someone who treasures Adventure and 02′s integrity so much that I refuse to compromise does not mean I should inflict these feelings on others who don’t see it the same way. Because of that, I personally felt it was better to simply not cover it, rather than derailing every single analysis to make an aside about everything about tri. that doesn’t make sense, because that’s also going to be hurtful to anyone who does like one or more of the series and wants to make it work. But, after all, this blog is my personal analysis and way of seeing the series, and I cannot see it in a way that makes it work (and especially don’t have the energy to make an attempt for something I do in my free time), and so I would rather just pass the baton to those who feel more up to it instead; in other words, I’m not trying to invalidate tri.’s existence for those who want to make it work, and rather my stance is “I can’t figure out a way to make it work myself, so I will leave the reasoning to you.” Moreover, I’ve implied this a few times, but a lot of the ideas on this blog or in any of my analyses are not things I came up with on my own, but from sharing ideas and having discussions with friends in my private time, and I feel like I would be doing them a disservice by weaponizing all of the insightful things they’ve given me to dunk on something else. I love 02 a lot, and one of its major themes was trying to make the most positively productive thing you can out of what you have, and advocating for people to maybe appreciate something they may not have thought about before feels like a better use of my time.

If you are interested in my analysis of tri. from last year, I still keep it on hand mainly because -- well, to be frank about it, nearly every tri. diehard fan I’ve had a personal encounter with has said some very nasty things to me about how I’m not “smart” enough to appreciate the series, or how I’m being “unfair” about it, or how I’m not a “real fan” for not singing its praises, and so I mainly put this together as a collected document and proof of how I (and the few others who helped me put it together) did actually make due diligence and put proper scrutiny into trying to make it work (and couldn’t). (If you happen to identify as a tri. diehard fan and have not said this kind of thing to people, I sincerely apologize and want to make clear that I don’t want to pin the entire tri. fanbase as this kind of person; this was just my personal experience.) I wrote it mainly as catharsis and for the sake of other people who were interested in a detailed analysis, and also for the sake of other people who might have gotten these kinds of dismissive insults and wanted confirmation that their feelings weren’t baseless, or for bridging the gap between people who did like the series but want to understand why there are people who don’t (this apparently was a testimony from a few people who read it). That’s also why I’m linking it right now, since I imagine that there might be people curious about said aforementioned analysis after I’d just brought it up. However, I do warn that there is a lot of frustrated negativity, and that there is a sense of bias in that I wrote this “going in with doubt” instead of the more positive attitude I have with Adventure or 02 in that I assume there was a good reason for everything, and, frankly, if you like tri., I don’t actually suggest reading it or bringing that kind of negativity about something you like into your view. I also ask that people understand that the linked document is where I dumped all of my feelings cathartically and I do not enjoy dwelling on it further, nor bringing up this document when it doesn’t feel necessary, so I apologize, and I hope the stance I just expressed won’t taint anyone’s opinion of me too much...^^

[bruiscdlikeviolets]

❧  THE MORE YOU KNOW

MASTERLIST | PROMPT LIST

REQUESTS ARE CLOSED!

❧ my names kenzie! feel free to call me kay, kenz, anything! I use the pronouns she/her! I'm very new to writing on tumblr, I’ve tried a few times, but never really got anything out of it. but I'm willing to try again! for right now, I write for dc characters; I might branch off later, I am not sure. But for now, here I am! Please be patient with me, I’m still very scared of sharing my writing, but that doesn’t mean don't constructively criticize me, if I write a character wrong, or they act OOC please let me know so I can better myself for you! below are a few guidelines when requesting! enjoy xo. 

❧ 01 — writer’s block comes out of nowhere for me, in the middle of a piece, before I even start writing it, long before I even think about writing. inspiration comes out of nowhere for me just the same. I ask for patience as I am still finding my footing on Tumblr, and as a writer. 

❧ 02 — I do not write smut, only because where I am right now as a writer; I feel as though I could not do it justice and not make it cringe-worthy. There’s nothing worse than a cringe-worthy smut piece, trust me we’ve all been there. That doesn’t mean I won’t write suggestive content, I can do that much for you! 

❧ 03 — I will write Fem!Reader x Male, Fem!Reader x Female. Most of my pieces are assumed Fem!Reader. I will also write NB reader, please feel free to request. I won’t write Male reader, only because I feel as though I cannot represent the MLM experience properly and it wouldn’t be fair of me to claim that I can, and not be able to correctly portray that experience, I would feel terrible. I will work to be able to correctly portray that experience, but until I feel as though I can do it justice, I won’t be writing. 

❧ 04 — I write for the characters below, platonically and romantically. If you would like to request a character that I have not listed below, feel free to send an ask! I write mainly Young Justice portrayals as I am still reading comics, as well as watching the DCAU!

❧ Dick Grayson/Robin  ❧ Jason Todd ❧ Tim Drake ❧ Wally West  ❧ Kaldur’ahm  ❧ Conner Kent  ❧ Artemis Crock  ❧ Zatanna Zatara  ❧Roy Harper  ❧ Arrowverse Characters ❧ DCTV Titans 

❧ 05 — When requesting, please don’t be vague! Details excite me, and often lead me to gaining inspiration faster! I’m a detail oriented person, give me ALL the details, let me write your dream for you! ❧ 06 — Like I said in my little intro paragraph, I am new to the Tumblr writing, and the idea of character x reader. If I am not as inclusive with my writing, if I don’t portray a character correctly, please KINDLY let me know. I always accept constructive criticism, or little tips, anything to help me progress. There’s nothing worse than getting the same content over and over again. 

❧ 07 — If you want to be on my taglist for all posted work, for a specific person; just send me a message! Either on or off anon, just at least have your user name attached so I can add you to my list! Thank you so much for enjoying my work!

HAPPY REQUESTING! <3, I'm excited to write for you all.

[aquariaries]

Kou Mukami 11 - Chaos Lineage + CG

***I do not mind if you use my translations as a base for another language, I just ask that you credit both 46snowfox as the original translator and myself as the English translator if you do!***

Original translation credit: @46snowfox

https://46snowfox.tumblr.com/post/617475223016669184/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08

You can find Kou's previous chapters in @tournesolia's masterlist linked down below!

https://tournesolia.tumblr.com/

————————————

Yui's Monologue:

-- The next day.

We talked again and decided to hide out in this abandoned house for awhile.

We decided to establish shifts to stand guard, but after a few hours there had been no change.

This place is deep in the forest, so even Ruki-kun and the others might have a hard time finding it.

But we can't let our guard down.

Since we find ourselves in a situation in which we cannot trust anyone, and we do not know when anything can happen.

———————————���

PLACE: Abandoned House

Yui: (It was a good idea to decide on guard duty, but ... ...)

Is it really okay if I'm the only one that's resting ... ... ?

Kou: It's fine, it's fine, you rest up on the bed.

Ruki-kun and the others are aiming for you. Wouldn't it be difficult if something happened and you were too tired to move

You should rest while you can.

Yui: That may be so, but ... ...

(Everyone takes short breaks and then returns to watch.)

(So I feel bad being the only one who gets to rest the whole time.)

... ... Please Kou-kun. Isn't there anything I can do to help?

Kou: Resting is your main job, but if you insist so much ... ...

*He comes up close*

Kou: How about curing my tiredness? Nnn ... ... *kisses*

Yui: Nn ... ...

(A-again he suddenly kisses me out of nowhere ... ...)

(I know that Kou-kun is showing that he cares for me in his own way, and it makes me happy however ... ...)

(No matter how accustomed I get to it, what embarrasses me will continue to embarrass me.)

Kou: Fufu, your cheeks are turning red. They really do get quite red.

*He caresses her cheek*

Yui: (He's caressing my cheek ... ... ... ... Nn, it tickles ... ...)

Kou: You're body is giving in to feeling good.

You get excited easily M-neko-chan~. That side of you is adorable too ... ... Nnn ... ... *kisses*

Yui: Ah ... ...

(Now his lips are on my neck ... ...)

Kou: ... ... Nnn *smooch* Fufu. I left you a mark~

Yui: H-hey! Don't leave one there ... ... !

Kou: There's nothing wrong with it, right? Since you like to be messed with after all right?

Yui: Th-, that's ... ...

Kou: I wonder where I should kiss you now. Your ear? Or maybe, your neck again? Ah, your collarbone would be good as well.

Yui: ... ... Nn ... ...

(Kou-kun is tracing his fingers against me ... ... My body keeps growing hotter and hotter ... ...)

Kou: Hey, your face is redder than before. Did you get turned on because I made you flustered?

Yui: Ngh ... ...

(Now his fingers are tracing my neck ... ... It tickles ... ...)

Kou: Your eyes are becoming teary, how cute. Come on, look me in the eyes.

... ... Yui, I want you to show me all of your different faces.

Yui: (No ... ... Any more than this, and I'll -–)

Kou: Just kidding~

Yui: Eh ... ... ?

*He backs up*

Kou: If I keep teasing you like this I think your face might catch fire, so I'll leave it here for now.

You also cheered me up quite a lot ♪

Yui: ... ... ... ...

Kou: Huh? What's wrong?

Yui: G-geez ... ... I don't even know you sometimes!

*She pushes him away*

Kou: Ahaha, you're becoming boring M-neko-chan.

Yui: (Anyone would cringe if something like that happened to them.)

(Haah ... ... It really was embarrassing ... ...)

*Yuma and Azusa return*

Yuma: We're back ... ... Wait, what were you guys doing?

Kou: Ah, welcome back.

Azusa: Eve's face is red ... ... Is she alright?

Yuma: Surely, they were flirting again.

Kou: It's obvious, isn't it? We're lovers after all. We do even more things than –-

Yui: K-kou-kun!

Kou: Eeh? But if it's the truth. Your eyes get all teary and --

Yui: Enough Kou-kun!

(He's completely teasing me for fun!)

Yuma: ... ... When I look at these guys, I feel less nervous.

Azusa: How typical of them ... ... fufu.

Kou: So then, did you feel the presence of anyone approaching?

Azusa: No, it looks like we'll be fine for now ... ...

Yuma: Although, I tried to look for food, and as I thought it seems there's nothing in this area.

Kou: I see. It will be a problem if we run out of food. Thinking of her strength, we won't be able to stay here too long.

Azusa: There's no sign of Ruki or the others coming. Shall we move elsewhere ... ...?

Yui: But we can't go back to the mansions, and we have no other place to go ... ...

Kou: Right, there isn't. In these lands there are only those mansions and the church.

And they would find us right away at the church.

Azusa: Well then, shall we camp ... ... ?

Yuma: Since it's just us we would be able to do it, but.

Kou: ... ...

Azusa: ... ...

Yui: (Uu ... ... Everyone is staring at me ... ...)

Selection:

————————————

-> Let's Camp ♟

Yui: (I have never been camping before, but this isn't the time to be picky.)

I'll be fine. Let's camp!

Kou: No no, we can't just let a girl sleep on the ground.

Yuma: I don't dislike your guts, but that's just how it is.

Yui: I-Is that so ... ... ?

Yuma: Although, in the worst case we will have to consider it, so for now let's find a roof to sleep under.

Azusa: I just hope there's an old house like this ... ...

————————————

-> It would be dangerous to camp ♙♡

Yui: (This is not the time to be picky, but it wouldn't be good for me to run out of strength while camping because I'm not used to it.)

Aren't we getting too far ahead in deciding that we're going camping?

Kou: You're right. If possible I would like you to be in a place where you can cover yourself from the rain and wind.

Azusa: We don't know how our situation will turn out to be, however ... ... For now, how about we try to find a house that isn't being used ... ...?

————————————

Yui: Yeah. I hope there is another place where we can rest.

Yuma: When we decide to change places, we'll go immediately. I'm going to take a look around just in case. Make sure you guys are prepared.

*He walks off*

Kou: We should look for something useful.

Yui: You're right.

*They rustle around while searching*

Kou: ... ... Ah, there's a knife ... ... However, it's quite rusty. I don't think we need it.

Yui: They're a bit old, but what about these sheets? They may be useful for something.

Azusa: I think they're fine. These are ... ... winter clothes? I think it'll be good to take these too ... ...

Yui: Even if we look for something useful, we don't know if these are the types of things to be bringing.

Kou: It's because even useless things can be used for something. Ruki is good at these things.

Azusa: It's true. If Ruki were here, like when we were in the orphanage ... ...

Kou: ... ... As I thought, this situation would have been quite different if Ruki-kun was here ... ...

He may have immediately solved the problem.

Yui: Kou-kun ... ...

Kou: ... ... There's no use saying that, we must hurry up and think of a method to recover his memories.

Yui: Yes ... ...

Azusa: Just how ... ... could we make Ruki recover his memories ... ... ?

Kou: Ruki-kun is the smartest among us.

So it may not be easy to undo the mentality that was implanted in him.

We always let Ruki-kun do the thinking.

But even at this point overthinking is a problem.

Azusa: Even if we try to shock him, it won't work if it doesn't shock him enough ... ...

Yui: (A shock, huh. Now that I think about it, at that time ... ...)

*Flashback*

Azusa: Hey, Ruki-san ... ... Why did you, miss on purpose ... ... ?

Yui: Eh ... ... ?

Kou: He missed on purpose ... ... ?

Ruki: You're wrong. I, intended to kill you–-

Azusa: Then why. When Eve called your name ... ... you hesitated slightly, didn't you?

Ruki: You're wrong!

*Flashback ends*

Yui: (When he cut Azusa-kun, he missed on purpose, and I'm sure that it was because somewhere inside he remembered Azusa-kun.)

(But ... ... Even after that shock, Ruki-kun didn't recover his memories.)

(I guess that means it won't work unless there's a stronger impact ... ...)

(So how on Earth do we go about doing that ... ...)

*Distorted sound*

... ... Ngh, ... ...

(Ugh, I'm dizzy, but ... ... Maybe it's because so much has happened lately?)

Kou: ... ...Getting Ruki-kun to suffer a greater shock ... ...

Yui: (Thank goodness ... ... It seems Kou-kun and Azusa-kun didn't notice.)

(We are already in this terrible situation, I don't want to worry them any further.)

*Yuma bursts in*

Yuma: You guys, hurry! We're leaving immediately!!

Azusa: Yuma? What happened?

Yuma: Ruki is close by!

Yui: Eh ... ... !?

Kou: Ruki-kun is ... ... ?

PLACE: Forest

Shin: It's this way, nii-san.

Ruki: Yes.

(Who would have thought that they would be in the middle of this forest. If it weren't for Shin's sense of smell, we would have had more trouble finding them.)

Shin: The smell is starting to get stronger ... ... We may be about to reach the place where they are.

Ruki: There are not only Kou and Azusa from Violet, but there is also Yuma from Scarlet . Don't let your guard down.

PLACE: Abandoned House

Yuma: I heard from Reiji that Shin had a good sense of smell, it seems he actually followed our scent.

Yui: No way .. ...

Kou: We can't stay here forever. Let's move quickly!

Azusa: Yes ... ... !

PLACE: Forest

Yui: Haah, haah ... ...

(I feel like I'm getting tired more easily than usual. Even though I rested more than the others ... ...)

Kou: Hey, are you alright? You're a little pale.

Yui: I'm fine. It's because I started running out of nowhere, I'll recover soon.

Kou: Then that's fine ... ... But let me know right away if you start to feel worse okay?

Yui: Yeah, thank you.

(Even though Kou-kun says that to me, I can't let myself be spoiled. We're all going through the same hardships right now.)

(But ... ... If we just keep running away and are continuously being chased, what will we do when we have nowhere to run?)

(This place is like a miniature garden. Even if we escape, the places we can go are limited.)

(... ... It's no use. Maybe it's because I'm so fatigued, I keep thinking negative, things ... ...)

(Hu ... ... h ? The surroundings are blurry -–)

Kou: M-neko-chan!!

*He grabs and holds onto Yui*

Kou: Hey, are you alright!?

Yui: Ah ... ... Just now, I ... ...

(Kou-kun, he's holding me up ... ... Did I ... ... collapse?)

Azusa: Lately ... ... you haven't been eating, so your body has probably reached its limit.

Yuma: I would like you to rest, but there's no way we can stop here ... ...

Kou: Then in that case, I'll carry her. Azusa-kun, could you carry her luggage?

Azusa: Understood ... ...

Kou: Here we go.

Yui: Nn ... ...

*He picks Yui up on his back and carries her*

*CG*

Kou: ... ... Alright, let's hurry on ahead you two!

Yuma: Yeah.

Azusa: Yes ... ...

Yui: ... ... Kou-kun ... ... I'm, sorry. Aren't I heavy?

————————————

[Two roses appear on screen with extra dialogue]

***Rose on Kou's head***

It's alright. I wouldn't leave you alone in a place like this.

***Rose on Yui's hand***

Make sure to hold on tight so you don't fall. I'll make sure to carry you properly, so relax and leave your body to me.

————————————

Kou: Not at all! Rather I'm worried about how light you actually are.

It will be fine. I'll make sure to protect you, so relax and get some sleep.

Yui: Thank you ... ... I'm sorry ... ...

Kou: There's nothing to apologize for. Isn't it the best thing for a man to be relied on by the girl he likes?

You haven't done anything wrong. Now let me ... ... Let us take care of everything.

Yui: ... ... Yeah.

(I'm sorry ... ... I didn't want to become a burden ... ...)

(Even though ... ... I don't want to cause any trouble ... In the end ... ... this happens ... ...)

*End CG*

Yui: (Everyone ... ... I'm sorry ... ...)

-END-

[imaginedigimon]

u got any lgbtq+ hcs for any of the main 12 adventure and 02 kids?

🤔 Hmm...

Now Anon, I’m warning you: I’m probably not going to give you what you want for this. But I’m going to try.

I REALLY HOPE I DON’T FUCK THIS UP, FRIENDS *stressing out a bit I will not lie*

LGBTQ+ Headcanons for 01 + 02 Gang

Tai [Taichi]

Doesn’t know the meaning of the word “straight” except in terms of line segments in math (but even then, he’s a little lost)

He probably saw the pride flag for the first time when he was 14 and because it reminded him of the Crests thought, “I CAN GET BEHIND THAT”

When he learned the real meaning of pride and the LGBTQ+ community, he was even more ecstatic

Has definitely beaten up some homophobes before

And transphobes

He’s beaten up a lot of people in general

Realized after a while that he’s pansexual himself and started painting his face with the pan flag everyday

Will not deny that he has a thing for Matt and Sora at the same time and is happy if they’re happy but would really like to kiss them both pls

Matt [Yamato]

He most certainly questioned his own gender for a while, though he can’t pinpoint when it started

Gabumon told him it didn’t matter what he identified as, they’d always be partners anyway, so that really helped him a lot

It also helped that Tai was willing to beat people’s asses for him

Has also beaten up some homophobes and transphobes (Tai has been the one to drag him away from some fights)

Wears pins of all the pride flags at all times because fuck you haters

Also would like to kiss Tai, just like once or twice or a million times

Identifies as bisexual most likely

Sora

Doesn’t mention it a lot, but Mimi was probably her first kiss (by accident...OR WAS IT?)

She was the type of person who, because she grew up in a very hetero-normative world, wasn’t sure what it meant to like a girl

Probably asked Tai when she was 15 and still thinking about Mimi’s hair and lips when he explained to her that it was perfectly normal

She never forgot that conversation

Has continuously questioned her identity and orientation throughout the years, though only Biyomon has been privy to this struggle

Finally settled on saying she’s queer because she’s not much for labels (especially when she’s in a constant state of questioning)

Definitely asked Mimi to kiss her again just so it wouldn’t be an accident

Izzy [Koshiro]

Always a kid before his time, knew how to explain all aspects of pride to everyone else before they even knew what the LGBTQ+ community was

Has PowerPoints to make things clearer

Around age 17 or 18, he started asking that everyone use he/him or they/them pronouns, and this hasn’t changed since

Everyone said “a’ight” because they love him no matter what

Has always had some kind of romantic feelings for just about everyone in the group, but nothing beyond that

This poor sweetie pie cried the night he realized he was asexual and called Joe, who said in the most intense voice he’d ever heard, “You think that matters to us? We love you, Izzy, and don’t you ever forget that”

Has decided Joe is the coolest guy ever

Started some social media account where it’s nothing but pictures of Tai with various pride symbols painted on his face and it’s blown up

Mimi

Unlike Sora, she didn’t think much about the kiss

She had already accepted that she liked girls by that point

Definitely had a crush on Yolei too, though she played it cool

YOU CANNOT TELL ME SHE DIDN’T CONSIDER MEIKO HER TRUE LOVE

Teases Izzy a lot because she has a bit of a crush on him too, though this confused her because she thought she liked girls

The day she learned the term homoflexible she thought she was dreaming

But she wasn’t

Still, Sora and Yolei and Meiko are her girls and she loves them very dearly

Has the same enthusiasm as Tai and paints the various flags on her face as well (became part of that social media account Izzy started)

You can catch her and Tai at a pride parade screaming at the top of their lungs

Joe [Jou/Jyou]

I’ll admit, he’s probably the token straight? But he’s also one of those guys who’s not afraid to tell Matt he looks handsome today

Has needed to ask Izzy a lot of questions because he’s like me and wants to know and not offend anyone because he’s ignorant or doesn’t know something

Had a moment similar to me where he wondered if he really was straight

Decided he still was, but would support anyone and everyone because that’s just the guy he is

You know how he becomes a doctor? He most CERTAINLY helps with transitioning whenever he can because he’s a GOOD. DOCTOR.

Doesn’t beat up haters, but gives them a death glare that’s just as effective

Wore around a rainbow doctor’s coat because he COULD and no one tried to stop him because they knew he’d quit on the spot

Takeru [T.K.]

Been the guy to say “respect LGBTQ+ rights or die by my sword” or something like that

Lowkey had a crush on Angemon and Angewomon simulanteously and could NOT for the life of him explain why that was

Never told either of them this though

Or Kari

Definitely didn’t tell Kari

Okay yes, Tai is his big brother, but he definitely had a crush on the guy for about 2 weeks before he met Kari and everything changed

Hasn’t told either of them this

Like Sora, has only said he identifies as queer - he’d like to figure it out/delve deeper but is too busy flirting with everyone to care

Brings 5 different dates to his brother’s concerts at the same time and they all have to vie for his attention - it’s usually whoever says the most positive things about his brother

Has done at least 6 drag shows so far and let me tell you - KILLS IT every time

Kari is his forever girl but keeps winking at Ken just to make him blush

Kari [Hikari]

Also had a crush on Angewomon like how could she NOT

Also had crushes on Matt, Izzy, Mimi, and Sora (but not Joe for some reason)

When she realized her feelings for T.K. she got really really nervous (because of all his dates, you see)

Was also confused because she was pretty confused about her range of crushes over the years

Tai came out as pan to her first and she realized that sounded a lot like her

She’s a pan baby and she’s proud of it (and thanks her brother for supporting her)

Gave a rainbow pin to T.K. for his birthday and in return he kissed her

They go to ALL the pride events and nothing can stop them

Occasionally uses they/them pronouns on days she’s questioning

Davis [Daisuke]

Tai was his first love and you cannot change my mind about this

Meeting Kari was like meeting a Tai Who Would Notice Him and that was pretty rad

But he also likes her because of her, too

The world kinda stopped when he met Ken, though

Like damn, look at those soccer skills

I’m gonna be real, I think Davis is soccersexual (or footballsexual for non-Muricans)

Them soccer players be really hot though

Always has questions about the community, but never retains the answers

The PowerPoints, unfortunately, do not help

Eventually gave up and said, “I’M A DUMBASS BUT I SUPPORT YOU ALL”

They tried to tell him he should at least know what he’s talking about

(We’re still working on that)

Wears rainbow shirts with rainbow pants and it’s very atrocious but very appreciated

He is gay. He sometimes does crimes. We accept him anyway.

[T.K. asked him if he wanted to go to a drag show, he said “okay?” and really really loved it now he goes all the time]

Yolei [Miyako]

Mimi is hot, Ken is hot, Kari is hot, Matt’s kinda hot, everyone’s hot

She’s never been able to fully accept this because how is everyone so hot

Mimi was her first love, and Ken was her first boyfriend

She never forgot the firsts

Attracted to any and everyone it seems

She likes to call herself a frying pan and it makes everyone facepalm a little bit

Constantly dresses in the colors on the pan flag because she looks GOOD in them and it’s a way to remind everyone not to mess with her or her community

Tries to pretend she doesn’t know Mimi and Tai when she’s at a pride event and they’re out here acting like fools

But she also loves how unerringly supportive they are

Cody [Iori]

He was the first one everyone came out to, like for some reason he’s that guy

Literally the first person to offer you support

One day he told everyone he was transgender, and while they were surprised, they also didn’t react the way he was expecting

They actually hugged him immediately and said, “But don’t worry we love love love you” and Tai started painting the trans flag on Cody’s face until Cody said, “Guys please fuck off for a sec”

When he becomes a lawyer, he becomes the type of lawyer to defend anyone who was arrested on basis of race/identity/orientation/gender like the boss he is

Suspects he might be ace but hasn’t really delved into it much

He’s too busy scolding Davis for doing dumb things

Ken

Can everyone stop being hot for a sec? -direct quote from Ken himself

He’s in love with all the 02 kids and he’s accepted this

Yolei somehow stole his heart, but T.K.’s winks send it aflutter

He wants them both to stop (but they won’t)

Was completely unaware that Davis also liked him (even though it was really obvious?)

He identifies as bi and, like Izzy, uses they/them pronouns interchangeably with he/him

One of the good detectives on the force. Will bust your ass if you say any offensive slurs about anyone. [Has gotten suspended a few times for doing this BUT IT WAS FUCKING WORTH IT.]

Always the one on duty when Davis gets arrested for his crimes and it’s hecka exhausting

---------

Uhm... did I do good? I’ll admit, I was a little nervous since I myself am straight and cisgender (or cishet, as I’ve learned is the term)  😥  😥

Anon, I really do hope I did a good job!

And if I didn’t you can roast me in the flames of Meramon Hell

[insomniacowl]

Neon Genesis Evangelion analysis chapter 11: Eva Unit-02 Mother of Asuka

Trigger warning: Suicide

First time we see Unit – 02 in action

 Evangelion Unit – 02 is the third Eva unit that was produced. After the prototype Unit – 00, and test type Unit – 01, Unit – 02 was the very first production type model. Thus, it had improved upon problems that exist on the first two. In simpler words, it is the Unit best designed for battle against the angels.

 Unlike the previous two models, Unit – 02 stands out in its difference in design. Contrasted to the Red coolant and brown-toned skin of the previous two, this model has a purplish coolant and dark green skin. Furthermore, it was made with four-eyes, have sharper facial outlines, and a generally slimmer body that makes it resemble a person much more.

My theory regarding this design choice is that there might have been attempts to emphasize the connection between Evas and humans.

Design sketch for Unit – 02 in the making of End of Evangelion

 The physical appearance aside, let us talk about Unit – 02’s core. Just like how Unit – 01 contains Shinji’s mother, Ikari Yui’s soul, Unit – 02’s core also contains Asuka’s mother, Soryu Kyoko Zeppelin’s soul. This is a fact that many Eva fans would be familiar with. But there is another fact that is not mentioned as often nor in detail.

 Firstly, Unlike Yui whose soul was absorbed into the core completely during the contact experiment, Kyoko’s soul was split into half; only the half that contained Kyoko’s motherly love for Asuka was absorbed into the Unit-02’s core, leaving the other half devoided of her love for Asuka. (The possibility for soul splitting will be important in the discussion of Unit-00’s core)

 This is why Kyoko did not die after the experiment and lived a short life in the state that we hear Asuka recount.

Yet it would be inaccurate to think that Unit – 02 contains only the soul of the motherly side of Kyoko, and this is one of the common misconceptions many viewers have when they discuss this topic. In the world of Evangelion, the body and the Soul are clearly different from each other. This means that even when Kyoko’s body has died, the soul did not necessarily disappear. Rather, accounting for the fact that since half of the soul was already inside Unit – 02’s soul, there is a high likelihood that the remaining half was absorbed into the Unit-02’s core when Kyoko’s physical body has died.

We can say that this is the exact moment when Unit – 02’s core became “Complete”; it was complete not when the contact experiment took place, but rather when Kyoko’s physical body has died. This view is supported by the fact that Asuka’s pilot training began around this time as well. 

 But we should also keep in mind that Kyoko’s soul stayed as two separate entities even when they entered Unit – 02’s core.

Please don’t give up yet! / Please die with me!

One proof of this is in End of Evangelion, part ‘Air’ before Asuka realized her mother’s presence. We hear Kyoko’s kind voice whispering “I won’t leave you to die, you must live on” mixed in with Kyoko’s angry voice screaming “Please die with me”. While this is a representation of the severity of Asuka’s trauma, it also serves to show the viewers that two Kyoko’s souls exist concurrently in the Core and are talking to Asuka separately.

Further proof of this is in episode 24 where Tabris can freely move unit – 02 (Since it is made out of his body after all), he points out that he cannot synchronize with Unit-02 as there is already a soul “Trapped” within it. If we were to think that the soul inside Unit – 02’s core was only the motherly half of Kyoko, it is a sentence that does not make sense. However, if we consider that there are two souls in the Core that are competing against each other for control, we can better make sense why Tabris used the word “Trapped” to describe the state of Kyoko’s soul(s) in the core.

Let die together… Asuka

Now let’s turn our attention to Kyoko herself. We know that she is Asuka’s mother and that she was working on the E-project in Gehirn’s facility in Germany. She took part in the Contact experiment as Yui did and suffered hefty damage to her mental state due to it. 

She did not die when this happened. But she was no longer able to recognize her daughter, Asuka and lived the rest of her life believing the doll she had to be her daughter. Kyoko in this state referred to this doll as Asuka and later on hung herself with the doll in an attempt at double suicide with her daughter.Unfortunately, young Asuka witnessed this scene and it became a source of great trauma in her young mind.

To add on, the Langley in Asuka’s name is from her father. To describe him, we can call him the garbage of a person. When Kyoko was isolated in the hospital, he was already having an affair with Kyoko’s doctor.

 To add on, on the day of Kyoko’s funeral, Langley was already married to this doctor (The person Asuka now refers to as mother). Since this is conveyed to us not in detail nor visually, but in symbolically, it is easy to miss without an attentive viewing of the episode. Yet it is an important piece of the plot that tells the tragic story of Asuka’s cruel and dysfunctional family. 

 It tells us that Kyoko was not loved in any way, shape, or form from her husband, and Kyoko was nothing if not for her motherly love Asuka.

I am strong. So I won’t cry. I will think for myself.

Coming back to Asuka, even if her mother were inside of unit – 02, she was unable to realize her presence, neither was Kyoko in a state that would allow her to communicate with Asuka.

 Yet fortunately, Eva can be moved if its harmonics with the pilot is above a certain level, and this harmonic can be forced into sync if the pilot have enough willpower. That is how all three pilots, Rei, Shinji, and Asuka were able to pilot the Eva well enough for battle even before they became aware of the souls that reside inside the core. 

 Asuka was able to show a superior synchronization rate among the three pilots. We will touch on this in greater detail when we come around to a discussion of Asuka herself, but the point I want to raise here is to consider that Asuka was able to move her Evangelion just with her pride alone.

 This also is the reason why in the later parts on the series, where she no longer felt pride in herself, her synchronization rate fell below the level required to move the Eva.

 Rei: Eva won’t move if you don’t open your heart to it

Asuka: Huh? What are you saying?

Rei: Evas have their own heart and mind

Asuka: heart and mind? That doll?

We can reasonably say that the most important criteria to synchronize with and move the Evas is the willpower of the pilots in their desire to pilot the Eva.

 For Asuka, this willpower comes in layers. On the surface, it was fun for herself to be able to pilot a giant mecha. But deep within her psyche, she equated her self-worth with her ability to move the Eva. Just as how Rei sees herself as worthless without her Eva; just as how Shinji is convinced that he has to pilot his Eva, Asuka too, when her Eva was taken away from her, had nothing left of herself.

 That is why when Asuka’s pride came tumbling down, it was the last chance for Kyoko to help her. Yet Asuka was unable to recognize her mother’s presence inside the core and this left her to end up in the state that we see her in.

You are my doll. All you have to do is to do as I say.

 For Asuka, Unit – 02 was not the person that loved her; it was too late when she realized this. To her, Eva Unit – 02 was nothing but a tool to prove her self-worth to the world. The way she calls Unit – 02 a doll symbolically parallels how Kyoko mistook the doll for her daughter. It shows us that Asuka is projecting the trauma of her childhood directly onto Unit – 02.

As Asuka calls Unit – 02 a doll, the English sub-title flashed at the bottom of the eye-catch is ‘Don’t be’.

 Perhaps, this was something Kyoko worryingly wanted to communicate to Asuka.

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS DAYLIGHT Vol.11 Tsukinami Carla [TRACK 1]

Original title: 契機

Source: Diabolik Lovers Daylight Vol. 11 Tsukinami Carla

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Track 1 ll Track 2 ll Track 3 ll Track 4 ll Track 5 + Epilogue

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

TRACK 1: OPPORTUNITY  

*Flip*

*Thud*

[00:10] “…Hm. I have found my answer. As I thought, the measures I should take are described in this book of secrets. While Founders possess strong magic in general, there is one high-level spell in particular which only the King of Founders is capable of using. If I use it, it will undoubtedly change this world. I will turn my world upside down. However, one cannot gain, without also offering something of equal value in return. That is one of the basic rules of this world. 

[00:54] It goes without saying that the bigger price you are willing to pay, the more you will get out of it. …Hmph. Very well. Everything will go according to plan. …Heh. I am ashamed of myself. Even now, I cannot seem to shake off these final shreds of doubts. Regardless, this is the choice I shall make. I shall put my pride as the King of Founders, and as a First Blood on the line.”

*FLASHBACK STARTS*

*Cling*

Carla takes a sip of tea.

[01:53] “...Hah. ーー Haah.”

*Cling*

“Good grief…”

You ask him if something is wrong with the tea.

“No, it is fine. For one, you should know better than anyone that I would not drink bad tea.”

[02:21] “...Heh. Do not give me that kind of look. I am not feeling unwell. …Not at the moment, at least. ーー Hm. It appears to me that you are worried about me. If I were to be honest, I would rather not be sighing either. Not only does it cause you unnecessary concern, but I am more than aware that such behavior does not suit me. However…When I think of my current self, I cannot help but grieve…”

You frown.

[03:08] “First Bloods ーー A noble race which forms the very origin of all other Demons. I am their King. However, in reality, while I may hold that title, I simply waste my time away in the human world, doing nothing of great importance. While this may be unavoidable ever since I became contracted with this pesky disease known as Endzeit…It is truly pathetic. Haahー...And I cannot help but beat myself up over feeling irritated over the unavoidable. It is simply wretched…”

You try to cheer him up.

[04:04] “...Heh. Are you trying to comfort me?”

You explain.

“I may be of great importance to you, but those in the Demon World could care less about me. The world will keep on turning, regardless of whether I am around or not.”

You puff out your cheeks. 

[04:34] “...Hm. It seems like you have something to say on the matter. Continue.”

You explain.

“Hahaha…! Now that is quite the statement, saying that your world would fall apart. Well, I suppose that shows just how much you love me.”

You shake your head.

[05:04] “...Hah! The world of Demons would fall apart as well, you say? …I was imprisoned for a long time. So why would there be a correlation between the future of the Demon World and myself?”

You elaborate.

“Well, I suppose you are right. While I may have been confined to Banmaden, I was still alive.”

You try to prove your point. 

[05:36] “Fufufu…You’ve brought up a peculiar hypothesis. You claim that my existence is unifying the Demon World? …There is no way to verify it, but you sure say some interesting things.”

“Hm. …A pivot. Something of vital importance. Something capable of bringing others together. …So I am the pivotal figure of the Demon race? Haha! How fascinating. Well then, let me ask you one thing. …Do you truly believe that I have the power to become the world’s keystone in my current state of illness?”

You nod.

[06:40] “Hahaha…! You nodded without a single second of hesitation? …Yes, exactly. You are right. I am the King of Founders. Not only do I stand at the very beginning of all Demons, I am a symbol to them as well. I may have forgotten that for a short while. Fufufu…As to be expected of my woman. You might know me even better than I know myself?”

You shake your head.

“Fufu…No need to be so modest. …Come here.”

*Rustle*

[07:34] “I must thank you. You helped me remember something I nearly forgot about.”

You pout.

“...Hmph. You sure act tough now, but we both know that when I hold you in my arms like this, you will submit to me in no time. Those flushed cheeks and watery eyes…Heh, you are quite cunning to be able to entice me without even using a single word. Very well. I shall give you my fangs.”

*Rustle*

Carla bites you.

*Sluuuuuurp*

[08:39] “...Haah. How does that feel? Can you feel my power?”

You nod.

“Hmph. You make a lovely expression. Haahー...”

*Sluuuuuurp*

[09:06] “Hah…Not yet…You should thoroughly savor the pain and pleasure brought forth by my fangs…Nn…”

*Sluuuuuurp*

*Gulp*

“Hah…Nn…”

*Gulp gulp*

*TIMESKIP*

[09:58] “...Hah. Haahー... Your blood is truly like a sweet nectar. It is the only blood capable of soothing me. You could say it is almost a miracle…how just a few drops of blood can help suppress the symptoms of Endzeit. Of course, your blood is special. However, that should not be the only reason why it brings me so much comfort.”

*Rustle*

“Your love…Those pure, genuine feelings of yours are what truly soothe the pain.”

*Thud*

“...Hm? What is the matter?”

You admit to feeling a bit shaky in your step. 

[11:04] “...I may have had a bit too much of your blood. No need to apologize. If anything, I should reflect upon my actions. If I regularly ingest your blood, I can keep Endzeit in check. However, I also cannot deny that this puts a strain on your health. If only there was a different way to combat the disease…”

You insist that it is fine.

[11:39] “Your strong feelings for me are more than clear. I know very well that you would be willing to sacrifice everything for my sake. That is only what makes you…all the more enchanting. Heh. It is quite the predicament.”

You frown.

“Look at you make that face again…Fufufu…You are a handful.”

*Rustle*

[12:21] “Well then, I shall return to my room. If I stay with you, I will become tempted after all. Furthermore, there is something I must do now.”

You tilt your head to the side. 

“Yes, just as you said, there has been an agreement. Therefore, it is time. I shall commence with the plan I have had in mind for quite some time now.”

*Rustle*

[12:52] “ーー Right now is the time for me to show what I am capable of as the King of Founders. Things will get busy. You should take good care of your health.”

Carla walks away.

*Thud*

*TIMESKIP*

*Hoooooowl*

[13:37] “ーー My Familiars!”

Wolves gather around Carla.

“You must deliver these letters, no matter what obstacles may stand in your way. You have been entrusted with a very important duty. You should take very good care of this message coming from the King of Founders and his wife. Nowーー Go!”

The Wolves run off.

[14:11] “...Haah.”

You seem restless. 

“Hm? …What’s the matter? Do you have something on your mind?”

You explain.

“Hmph. That message will be delivered to all Demons who meet the criteria.”

You ask who that would be.

[14:36] “All species may appear as if they have established a well-organized hierarchy. However, not even the Wolves form one homogeneous group. There are always dissidents. Those who have other thoughts…In other words, when they are given the right circumstances, they will make their move to disrupt public order. Of course, it isn’t always clear who meets these requirements. However, we must sniff them out sooner rather than later. That is why I distributed those letters.”

[15:14] “Exactly. I have the power of authority on my side. While it may not nearly be as powerful as in the past, the influence of us First Bloods still exists. On top of that, it is a direct message from the King of Founders. It will surely draw out the right people. Soon enough, the cracks in the system should begin to show itself.”

[15:43] “No. My intention is not to start a large war. However, if small disputes arise here and there, the Demon World will surely fall into disarray. That will be my chance…After all, to solve the conflict, one must know the solution. Only a Founder - as a pivot - is capable of both shaking the Demon World to its foundations, as well as restoring peace afterwards. In order words…I will become the figure of order of the new Demon World…”

You frown.

[16:35] “This plan…Let me think…Right, I believe it will be easier to grasp if you compare it to domino stones. When they fall over, an image becomes clear. However, before the stones fall, only the person who put them down knows what the final image will look like. Right now, I am the only one who knows the end result.”

You ask what it looks like.

[17:02] “Fufufu…Trust me, it is a sight to behold. By bringing all Demonic species together, the world will once again be reminded of the Founders’ authority.”

You ask if Shin knows about this. 

“Yes, I have already entrusted Shin with an important mission. He left in high spirits. I can only assume he must have arrived in the Demon World by now. The revival of us Founders is what he wishes for as well. And right now, that wish is finally about to come into fruition.”

You smile and say that you are happy for the two of them.

[17:50] “Fufu…You play an important part in this as well.”

You tilt your head to the side. 

“Oh? You do not understand what I mean? You told me the other day, did you not? That I am the keystone of all Demons. That is when I made my decision.”

*Rustle*

[18:16] “Allow me to give you a reward. I shall imprint a mark on these lips of yours. The seal of the wife of the King of Founders.” 

Carla kisses you. 

“Mm…”

*Smooch*

“Nn…”

*Smooch*

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー