#so is night! they bond over their shared love for knowledge (and stars!)

[yuriyuruandyuraart]

AFTERMARE WEEK: day 2- discovery/lost

lost into those eyes of yours i realized, there was nothing that could be done to still my beating heart

aftermare week is hosted by @bluepallilworld

[milswrites]

Something blue

~ Azriel X Reader

Summary: You and Azriel get married.

Warnings: Teeny bit of angst but then all fluff :)

Azriel couldn't hear the words his brother was speaking over the incessant pounding of his heartbeat which echoed in the depths of his ears. Not even his probing shadows could break him from his anxious stupor, the dark curling mists attempting to pull their master back to reality through their gentle nudges and soothing presence.

Azriel was sure that if he was aware of his families comforting words and his shadows warming embrace he would have been grateful. Yet all he desired was your reassuring company, your gentle aura having always been enough to ebb the rising doubts from his storming mind.

It was only when Cassian laid a heavy hand on his tense shoulder did Azriel allow himself to come back to reality. Permissing his faraway mind to return to it's earthly shell, rejoining him where he was stood at the end of the aisle.

It wasn't the prospect of marrying you which terrified him. No, Azriel couldn't think of anything sweeter than consolidating the love between the two of you. However, the invasive doubts that Azriel didn't deserve you pecked away at his brain. Worried that his monstrous past and his dark line of work made him unworthy of your love.

It was foolish to think this of course, you looked at Azriel as though he had hung the stars in the night sky, the male brightening the life you had claimed was once so dull. To you, Azriel could do no wrong and you had spent many sleepless nights reminding the male of this as you cradled his trembling form.

Which is why when Cassian asked him if he needed a moment to escape and gather his thoughts, Azriel stubbornly declined the offer. Not wanting to make even the smallest of mistakes out of fear that the one good thing in his life would slip away from him.

No, Azriel would wait. Patiently standing at the end of the aisle until you came to stand by his side. Your presence alone would be enough to melt away his insecurity and unease.

Which is why with this knowledge, he allowed himself to relax. The understanding that you would soon be with him was enough to loosen his taught muscles, enabling a steady breath to be drawn from his lips.

You were his home, his fortress, and Azriel needed only to think of you to instill him with the strength he needed to battle his demons.

He brushed Cassian's worried hand away, providing his concerned brother a smile overflowing with confidence. Teeth slightly bared in excitement.

"I'm fine Cas," Azriel promised, "I couldn't be happier."

He needn't lie when he spoke the words to his brother, each syllable laced with a welcoming truth. How could he not be happy, when you were the deliverer of his joy.

A soft melody began to hum from the harp beside him, an ethereal tune which sang the story of your love. Each harmonious note signifying a beautiful tale of your partnership.

But it wasn't the sweet tune which brought a silver tear to Azriel's eye. Nor was it the fact that he was surrounded by his friends, all sharing a smile of beaming warmth at the glorious occasion.

No, the reason for his joyous weeping was the angel who faced him at the other end of the aisle. His love, a vision dressed in white, who's arm was wrapped around that of his proud mother's.

Azriel cried as his entire universe walked towards him. As the two most important people in his life slowly made their way past his teary-eyed friends and family until they came to stop before him.

His doting mother came to wipe the wetness from his cheeks, face a picture of unbridled jubilation, before Cassian came to lead the exuberant woman to their seats as the last heavenly note from the harp was strung. The soft hum of the music still wavering in the air despite it's completion. And as Azriel's hazel eyes finally came to meet your own, a bond of love and passion was shared through your affectionate gazes.

You've always been beautiful, there was no debating that. But the god-like glow which the mother had blessed you with on the day of your wedding had rendered the shadowsinger speechless. The force of your otherworldly beauty almost being enough to pull the male to his knees before you. Azriel promised himself in that moment that he would spend the rest of his days worshipping you in all your glory until the day he died.

The trivial words of the priestess failed to register in his mind, Azriel's thoughts were consumed entirely by you. It wasn't until you began to make your vows, did Azriel's attention then turn to your enchanting voice. His mind, body and soul all enraptured by your tender words.

"I have loved you since before I even knew you existed. My heart has always belonged to you, and I finally found it when we first met. We were made for each other, you and I, two souls destined for each other. And even if we didn't have the cauldron's influence, I still would have loved you as deeply and passionately as I do now. You're my entire world Azriel and I consider myself lucky for the life I'm going to spend with you and I will continue to love you until we're the last stars in the sky."

Azriel was sure he couldn't have cried more than he had already done so, though it was clear his well hadn't run dry as of yet. Glistening trails of happy tears streamed down his smiling cheeks. His gentle shadows wrapped around his body under his clothes, their presence comforting him, reminding him that his feelings were natural, That he could allow himself to weep at his good fortune.

The male had planned his vows in advance, wanting to be prepared in case his nerves took hold of him and prevented him from saying what he wanted to be said. Yet being in the moment, standing here next to your ethereal form after hearing your impassioned promise, Azriel failed to find words worthy enough to be heard by your ears. And so, surprising even himself Azriel neglected the speech he had spent the past few days reciting and spoke from his heart.

"You are my strength and stability. My saviour and my undoing. You see me for who I am and yet you've never once shied away, you accept me in a way so few people have done so and I couldn't be more blessed than to have you as my partner for the rest of my life. I have never felt more loved, more accepted by anyone and I know that whenever the darkness overcomes me I need only to look to you for my salvation. And so I promise you this now, that I will never fail to be anyone other than the male who you know me to be. I gift myself you you with the oath that I shall love you forever as you deserve."

The exchange of your vows was done so in a moment of frozen existence. Despite the room full of your loved ones, it felt as though the promises were made in secret, a silent joining of your two souls morphing into one. You may as well have been the only people in the entire universe.

When the time came to present each other with the rings you had selected, you slipped the band onto his steady finger. A golden line etched into the silver metal, a constant reminder of the shimmering thread which tied the two of you together for eternity.

When the time came for him to slip the ring he had gifted for you onto your own finger, you marveled at the cobalt blue gem which stared back at you. A glowing piece of Azriel's siphon. A piece of your mate gifted to you.

"Your something blue" he whispered with a smile, voice low enough for only you to hear. Recalling the superstitious poem you had recited to him when you first began making plans for your wedding.

"It's beautiful Az,"you beamed at the male before you, at your husband, looking into his hazel eyes as you spoke, "But I already have my something blue and it'll take a lot more than a fancy ring for me to want to replace him."

[greycaelum]

Ok im gonna drop this here for u to write it whenever u want,cause its been hunting me

Royalty au where gojo and reader are living happily,that is until someone poisons his queen when they're having dinner together.

She drinks the wine,and suddenly falls to the ground while throwing up blood and blood running from her eyes. Shoko manages to save her and geto holds gojo back so he doesnt do anything stupid. But when his queen wakes up she's really weak so shoko tells gojo about a flower that'll heal her up,so gojo leaves in order to search for it.

But when he's back,geto leads him to the flower garden the queen loves and he finds her among the flowers,a little better and seeing her not on deadbed has him running toward her,lifting her up and spinning while both of them laugh and kiss

Happy ending

Scribbles & Doodles—Lotus Tears

—Elven Emperor Gojo Satoru X Human Empress Reader

𑁍 Synopsis:

His azure orbs stare as you reach to cup his cheeks with a slight understanding frown painting your brows. It doesn't help that you are wearing the other pair of purple robes. It made his belly warm, and his chest swelled with pride. You are pairing... He was the only one who could wear the purple robes since he was born, a lone star, but not anymore. And that was enough to make his heart skip a beat. "Will you be back for dinner?" Your tone carried hope and joy into his day. He doesn't understand why he has to part with you every day... He heaved a sigh hoping the day turns to dusk soon so he can hold you again to his heart's content. "For you, always, My Flower."

𑁍 Genre: historical fantasy, elves/faes, dark magic if you squint, interracial marriage

𑁍 WC/CW/TW: (4.3k)— poison, mad Satoru, elven traditions and cultures, fluff, angst, comfort, implication of major character death, mating bonds, talks of rebirth

𑁍 ✒️☕: Hi to the person who sent this ask. Pardon the very long wait, but I loved writing this one, I just need to say your ask is one of my fave ideas for elf Satoru so I tweaked some things, fantasy tropes are my favorite to write to escape canon~ Grey,

At night when you lay in their bed, your head atop his chest, he cannot sleep a wink for he has forever to spare and only a lifetime with you in his arms. For such a fragile flower, even a man who has grown bleak and untouched over the long passage of time, Satoru cannot help but stroke your head gently, scaring the pixies who would try to sneak in to soak with his mate's presence. He doesn't know if it's a good thing or bad that his mate is loved by the small faes. But one thing is for sure, he doesn't delight that they are trying to pry you awake from his arms. It's no secret he doesn't like sharing... especially when it's about you.

For a human to become the Empress of the High Courts is an unheard thing. Improbable would be the word. And you do not need to know what methods Satoru used to make this happen. Because you already knew that behind his delicate beauty, lies the prickly thorns that wield the absolute power over nature. There is a reason why he was able to rule undisputedly in the indifferent flow of nature over the passage of time.

When he married you, he knew he would uproot the earth and supplant it again and again to give whatever you desired. He is the supreme ruler and Emperor of the High Courts and would only sheath his indifference in the presence of his Empress. He has broken down the millennial walls covering his heart and found himself enthralled by the maiden who never feared the Dark Woods. She found beauty in the mystery of the borders, and he found solace in her presence. She has grown to be his beloved Flower.

Fortunately for you, even as a born human, you have adapted to the faes far quicker. Learning their language and making up for your lack of magic, you learned diplomacy. It was not easy to learn such an intricate affair, but fortune has smiled upon you, with Satoru, who has boundless knowledge of the matter to be your tutor.

"Is this adequate enough?" Satoru hopefully looked at you in the mirror and the craft he had finished for a satisfactory answer.

"Satoru, we are not going to any gathering, are we?" You chuckled as you sat in front of the golden mirror while Satoru stood behind, holding an ivory comb in his hand as he carefully brushed your silky tresses. Small flowers adorned your hair like trinkets as he wove them skillfully into a braid. At this point, your handmaidens have lost their job, with your mate attending to almost everything you need unless he is away for the court.

"At least let me do this before I leave for my duties." He brought the tip of your hair to his lips, kissing it as he stared at you, a longing look on his face. This prompt you to turn the chair and face the elven emperor.

His azure orbs stare as you reach to cup his cheeks with a slight understanding frown painting your brows. It doesn't help that you are wearing the other pair of purple robes. It made his belly warm, and his chest swelled with pride. You are pairing... He was the only one who could wear the purple robes since he was born, a lone star, but not anymore. And that was enough to make his heart skip a beat.

"Will you be back for dinner?" Your tone carried hope and joy into his day.

He doesn't understand why he has to part with you every day... He heaved a sigh hoping the day turns to dusk soon so he can hold you again to his heart's content.

"For you, always, My Flower." Satoru tilted your chin and pressed a kiss on your forehead. "I do not wish to leave." He grumbled and connected your forehead, staring right into your eyes.

Your soft chuckle fluttered through his ears as you reached to cup his cheeks and stare into his eyes. A sense of tranquility floated in your orbs bringing his heart into a puddle of cotton.

"I will wait for you at dinner, Satoru. So the earlier you finish the earlier we see each other. Alright?"

"Alright, as you wish." Satoru sighed and kissed the tip of your nose. "The things you make me do..."

He never thought he would one day sit under the shade of foliage with his Empress on his lap, reading through some parchments while he pilfered some wildflowers to braid her hair. Or to walk while gently pulling the reins of his equine, leading the elk through safe passages whilst you ride on the back. Things he never imagined and things he never thought he would do. But the second you came it all seemed natural for him to indulge you in every way possible.

You are like a brittle glass flower to him that he cannot help but wrap you in the most flawless silks and softest ermine furs. You evoke in him a firm sense of fierce protectiveness.

So imagine the horror and derangement inside him when you were still smiling and talking with him at the dinner table but suddenly blood flowed down your nose, followed by a series of coughs drawing blood from your throat as you dropped to the floor, desperately gasping for air.

If it wasn't for his friend Suguru, a Dragon Lord who he has grown with, who happened to visit the very same day only to pin him down in his rampage of killing the perpetrators hiding in the imperial kitchen staff, perhaps one-fourth of the castle must've already been slaughtered.

All he could see was red. The burning flames consuming the imperial castle and the wilting forest mirrored the despair in his heart. He couldn't hear that his people were wailing for him. All he could ever see was his mate dying each second from the potent poison coursing in her bloodstream.

"Don't touch her!"

He snarled with pure frenzy when Shoko tried to reach out to your unmoving body in his arms.

"Satoru, Shoko is only going to heal her. Your mate needs help." Suguru tried to reason with the livid, elven emperor cradling the unmoving body of his bleeding empress. "She would not do anything to her, only help her."

Suguru could see how unfocused and distraught the dark blue eyes of his friend were, so far from his usual calm and regal sense. Satoru's eyes were bloodshot red. Thankfully, he didn't move when Shoko reached out again to heal his mate. 

A faint color of life returned to your face, but you were still as pale as alabaster, still unconscious. The fire consuming the woods slowly died down... A slight sense of sanity returned to Satoru, who held you close, ready to hide you from the world if not for Shoko's words.

"She's in moratorium state... I've only managed to stabilize her body and freeze the poison to stop it from spreading further. Right now, we need to find an antidote... Or else she will only have seven days to live. For now, let's take the Empress to a safe place." Shoko pinched the bridge of her nose as she looked back to the fire slowly dying down, leaving shared trees and ashes. "And fix the chaos you have ignited, Your Majesty, the Emperor."

There are, but severely few times he let his emotions overcome him. He could count it in his hand. But ever since that sight of your throwing up blood, Satoru experienced a myriad of emotions he thought he was never capable of.

Fear... Despair... Uselessness... and most of all heartbreak...

You don't know how many millions of times his soul has shattered in every second he held your cold hand whilst he channeled all healing spell he knows into your body as you sleep on the cradle of the sacred tree cushioned by wildflowers and vines dangling down the archaic branches of the colossal wood. It seems you're merely asleep, but it feels like it's been forever since he last saw your eyes. The reality is that day by day, you are losing your life while all he can do is sit here, rooted in place, too afraid that if he steps away, he might not see you again.

"Your Majesty..." Shoko came forward. The Emperor has been sitting here for three days straight beside his dying mate in silence holding her hand, unmoving, and would attack anyone who dares to step one foot closer to the lying Empress. The court matters have been neglected, with only the elders holding the court together in his absence. The woodlands are closely related to the essence of the Emperor. The depression of his heart manifested in the woods, which gradually lost the green leaves and were replaced by withered branches...

"I have found a possible cure for the Empress."

Shoko had never felt strong empathy, but she did feel a bit of ache for her friend when he raised his head at her, almost pleading with his bloodshot eyes.

"Speak."

"Do you remember the Sacred Tombs of Tvar?"

The sacred burial grounds of the late Empresses. It's deep-seated in the heart of the Mountain of Hanging Tombs, guarded by the mythical beasts his forefathers have created to protect the resting place of the late Imperial Rulers.

"What about it?" Satoru has only been there once when his Imperial Father has taken him to visit his late Mother. It's a mystical mountain filled with ancient elements, from the creatures to the plants, that can only be heard in folklore.

"For high faes like us, the poison the Empress has induced was nothing serious. But to humans, it is lethal." Shoko sighed. "The spell I cast was only a valve to keep the poison at bay until we can find an antidote. On the seventh day, when the sun rises, the spell will cease to exist, and the poison will corrode her bo—"

"Tell me, what should I do? Anything Shoko. I would kill if I had to." The bones on his knuckles protruded with his clenched fists. The Emperor cut her off. He would not hear her say such ominous words about his mate's life.

He would uproot the earth to find anything that can cure you. Anything.

"Killing might be going too far, but it's not impossible." Shoko took out from her robe a parchment containing a sketch of what seemed like a flower and handed it to her Emperor. She never slept over the three days in a desperate search for any cure. "There's a flower that can only be seen in the Sacred Tombs of Tvar that may be able to save the Empress. As we all know, only the direct descendant of the Imperial Family can enter the Mountain of Hanging Tombs."

The Mountain of Hanging Tombs is as ominous as the name implies. It's a mountain range covered with black mist and ferocious mythical animals and exotic plants. It's not that only the direct descendants of the Imperial Elven Bloodline can enter the mountains, but the lower beasts residing on the foot of the mountains refrain from attacking an imperial descendant since they are born from the first Emperor's blood as well. No ordinary fae can survive these mythical beasts, and could only result in death. Thus, it has become known not to venture deep into the mountains.

Satoru, however, wasted no time to cross the valleys leading to the burial grounds. He needs to find that flower.

Lotus Tears...

It is said that the flower can heal any illness. However, it's impossible to scour for the elusive flower, which roots deep only in the burial grounds of the Empresses and leave unscathed from the toxic plants and mythical animals on top of the Mountain of Hanging Tombs that will attack him at any given second.

"Why do you always put the flower on my left ear? I'm not yet married." You asked him during one of the days he stayed longer to watch over you as you searched for some wild, beautiful flowers in the woods.

Satoru stared at the magenta lilacs he conjured from his hands and tucked them into your left ear.

"You look beautiful in any shade of purple..." It matches the color of his robe.

You pursed your lips and huffed clearly not satisfied by his vague answer.

"You didn't answer my question, Satoru."

He chuckled at your angry face, bopping your nose, making you annoyed as you tried to punch him clumsily. The little girl still has the same pout even as she bloomed into a prim and proper lady. It was too adorable even to be called 'angry.' He jumps down the tree and walks up to you, bringing the tip of your hair to his lips for a soft parting salutation.

"Next time... I will tell you, My Precious Flower." With that, he took you to the borders of the human village and the dark woods, as your Mother was already looking for you. He watches you run into the light while slowly walking back into the shadows.

Maybe... He should have never forced this fate on you. You may have called on him in desperation to flee from the humans chasing after you, but he, being the one who knew better, should have returned you to your realm rather than letting his selfishness devour him and claim you as his mate. If he had done so, then you wouldn't have met this predicament.

You wouldn't have been lying in your blood, cold like a corpse...

"Where is she?" Satoru's heart felt like it was dying when he saw that your body was gone from the bed of the sacred tree. "Where is my mate?! Shoko!"

Did he lose you? Did he come too late?

He stared at the blue lotus he so carefully dug out of the perilous mountain despite the throbbing pain on his shoulders after a chimera managed to bite him before he could slay it.

No, you cannot leave him like this... Oxygen left his lungs, and his feet staggered, unable to support the weight of heaven, crushing his soul. His vision is going black, not like this. He barely got to dote on you. Barely got to drown you with the love he has secretly hidden all these years. No, no, no. Satoru's throat ran dry. He wants to scream as if the tearing of his heart wasn't enough to shout his despair.

The forest closely linked to his essence slowly wilted as if joining their Emperor in his mourning. The leaves slowly dried up. The flowers closed, and the vines started shrinking to twigs. His sorrow is mirrored by nature.

His mind went black, his heart slowly crumbled in every passing second that his eyes could not see you. Why did the gods despise him to tear apart the only joy he has ever touched for what seems like an eternity?

"Satoru!" Suguru found him in haste after the forest slowly grew darker and darker.

Who knew that his apathetic friend could have this vast amount of emotions to turn the lush evergreen forest into a barren land? Suguru wasted no time to drag what seemed to be a lifeless Satoru into a maze-like garden.

Shoko was there. She immediately snatched the mystical lotus from the Emperor. Satoru could care. All things pale in comparison to his mate... All things. He dropped to his knees, holding onto your hand.

"Y-Y/n?" Satoru's throat was parched as he saw your sleeping body, with the wilting grass around, as if you were truly taken away into the underworld... This was your favorite garden... All flowers in here, he has grown with his own hands. Not it seems like he has planted those flowers only to send you off to the afterlife. "No, you can't do this to me, My Flower... I would lose my mind." He muttered like a madman, bringing your cold hands to rub against his cheeks, desperately searching for any signs of warmth but finding nothing...

Suguru tried to pry him away from your frail body, but his malevolence met those who tried to separate you from him until the Dragon Lord had no choice but to use all means to knock Satoru out...

The last thing he saw was your sleeping face as he desperately begged his eyes not to close... He needs to see you, to be beside you... to hold you...

"Satoru...?" You were both sitting under the shade of a magnolia tree with his head on your lap, eyes closed from the glaring sun, meanwhile, you intertwined his lustrous hair into a loose braid, tucking little flowers in your masterpiece.

"Hmm?" It was one of the days when he had enough time to traverse the hills with you and meet other fae tribes so you may have time away from the Imperial Courts.

"Promise me that if the memories we have together start to hurt... you will forget me."

His eyes opened in a split second, and he looked back with furrowed brows only to meet your small smile.

"That is nonsense. I would never wish to forget you. You are my mate." Satoru sat straight and took your hand in his. "What led you to this ominous thought, My Flower? Do not think of such things, we are bonded for eternity."

You gently shake your head.

"You're an elf... I'm a human. Our life span runs differently. Some day... You will have to remember me longer than you have held me..." The bitterness of your eyes was quickly concealed as you closed them. "That's simply the order of nature..."

Satoru was tongue-tied... He cannot face that reality yet... Not yet... If ever the Lady of Light is listening to him, he prays that the sun and moon slow down... Forever never seems to be enough...

Forever will never be enough...

"Satoru...?" 

He wishes never to wake up. If you're not in the world he opens his eyes to, he may as well live in this fantasy. He has lived such a long time in solitude. So even if it's just a fragment of imagination or make-believe, he would choose that sweet lie rather than face the cold reality you're gone...

"Satoru..."

Your voice... It's sweeter than the sirens and softer than the small faes singing with the birds in early dawn...

A soft touch brushed off the fringes on his temples, shielding his eyes from the blinding sun. Unable to bear the brightness, his eyes opened and looked up to the blue sky...

Slowly, his blurry eyes met your worried ones as you tucked your hair behind your ear while staring at him with his head laying on your lap.

"You're finally awake... Thank goodness!" You sighed and smiled. "Welcome home, Satoru..."

Your hair... It's not the same color as it was... It shone a bright silver like his under the sunlight, which only the imperial descendants can inherit... But he knew it was you... His soul tells him so.

"Y-Y/n?" He reaches out to touch your cheeks that have grown prominent... more elf-like... "This isn't a dream?"

Your sweet chuckle filled his ears as your warm palms held his and pressed it to your cheeks, kissing his wrist.

"I must've worried you so... I'm sorry, but I'm fine now... because of you."

You're really warm... So warm, you melted the millennial thorny wall he built around his heart. Your palms are so dainty compared to him, but they have always been able to soothe him more than anything else.

"You... You look like me..." Satoru slowly sat up as he took in your features. "My Flower... you look like a fae..." Satoru is a bit confused about the sudden transformation. You look just as you are, but the silver hair, pointy ears, and sharper features... 

"It must've been because of the flower's healing attributes," Shoko explained, taking a step forward to assess the changes on you, who indeed looks like an elf now. 

"Explain, Shoko." Satoru looked at the woman as he was adamant about answers.

"The flowers had healing attributes; it's just a speculation, but aside from healing, we all know that lotus also signifies rebirth. The flower may have deemed it necessary to change the human blood running in the Empress's veins into elven blood for her to heal from the poison fully... As for the silver hair, I can only think that since the Lotus Tears came from the sacred buriel grounds of the late Empresses, it must have absorbed most of their remaining energy and passed it on to the Empress through the flower's healing attributes..."

"Does that mean my Mate is now an elf?" Satoru cannot believe how these events have turned out for you and him. He took your hand and studied your features... You are still you, but indeed, there swirls a more mystical air around you, and only a faint scent of human blood is left lingering in you.

"The Empress is not yet fully an elf at the moment, but I am sure before the fortnight ends, her transformation will be complete, and she will truly be a full-fledged fae, like us." Shoko nodded.

You stared at Satoru... The once wilting forest which you woke up to slowly regained life.

For a man so stoic, he is an open book... You can't help but chuckle as the smaller faes slowly creep out of their homes and rejoice at the blossoming life enveloping the woods again. Shoko and Suguru have left, leaving you and your mate some privacy in the garden.

"I..." Satoru cannot confess enough what he had done out of rage and sorrow when he thought you were gone.

"I know..." You shake your head telling him to speak no more as you took him in your arms... This time, you could feel him ever closer, hear his thoughts louder, and see him clearer. Everything he has done and he has said, you knew and felt in each passing second... But no words were uttered, as you can feel the remorse coursing in his being. What he needs the most is your embrace...

Nature can renew itself as long as it is given care and time...

The trees are once again full of luscious foliage, the grass is back to its evergreen hue, and the different faes have returned to their homes and gone through their duties as usual. Satoru is somehow a bit busier with the court matters, while you, the Empress, needed a little more recuperation before you come back to your court duties.

"Your Majesty... We always knew you smelled sweet even before you became like us."

The smaller sprites sat on your finger as they flapped around you, more drawn than ever. It seems that your new form has made you more captivating to their instincts, just like how they are drawn to the presence of their Emperor.

"Really? Though, I know you just want more sugary treats." You played with their cheeks until they perked up and bowed to someone. "See you tomorrow, Your Majesty!"

You didn't have to guess who made the little sprites flee in haste.

You turned around, and sure enough, you were swept off your feet as a pair of strong arms wrapped around your waist, lifting you off the ground. His sweet sandalwood scent filled your senses, soothing your racing heart.

"I missed you, My Flower... What did my mate get for me?" Satoru looked at the basket you're holding, filled with several flowers from the garden he built for you.

"It's nothing much... It's too loose to be called a crown." You showed him the crown you clumsily made with some lilacs. But Satoru guided your hand to put it on his head, indulging you with anything. You have now fully turned into an elf. Bright silver hair, lucid eyes, and the sweet scent of jasmine and orchid around you with the purple robes that only the Imperial Rulers can wear. Anyone who sees you will immediately recognize you as an Imperial Fae and their Empress.

"I would take anything you offer me, Y/n." Satoru softly kissed her forehead... his lips slowly kissed his way down your nose until he found your lips. "Can I ask for a kiss?"

"What if I say my kisses are not offered?" You raised a brow.

Satoru merely shrugged it off with a smirk.

"I'm pretty sure you can make exceptions for your husband, no?" Satoru chuckled. "Can I have my kiss now?"

Your sweet smile and soft giggle drowned in as he captured your lips for a gentle but passionate kiss.

If the lotus has tears, he will shed it only and only for you...

—GreyCaelum

PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME

Check out the Masterlist for more

All rights and credits of the Jujutsu Kaisen character(s) mentioned images(s) and songs(s) used, belongs to their respective owner(s)

General Taglist: @ice-icebaby  @aeanya @tender-rosiey @lexiene @nevermoresworld @loml-riri @pelicanpizza @emichou-chan

[codo17]

Stars Aligned

**I was inspired by the solar eclipse. It was my first time and probably last time experiencing it and it was everything! This is my first story so I hope you like it. English is not my first language so please do correct me if there's anything wrong. <3**

-> ~750 word

-> fluff

Today, April 8th, 2024, was destined to be a day etched into the tapestry of your shared history—a moment of cosmic significance that stirred excitement across North America. But for you and Jessie, it wasn't just about witnessing a total solar eclipse; it was about experiencing it together, sharing a bond that transcended mere scientific curiosity.

Since childhood, the mysteries of the cosmos had held you captive. From your early days crafting makeshift telescopes to the late-night stargazing sessions, there was an undeniable pull toward the heavens above. The infinite knowledge contained within trillions of light-years had always filled you with a sense of wonder and awe, making you feel simultaneously insignificant and connected to something greater than yourself.

Of course, you'd always dreamed of finding someone with whom you could share this passion—a kindred spirit who would listen to your ramblings about the Andromeda Galaxy and the Kuiper Belt with genuine interest. Someone who gave you the same heart palpitations and goofy smile that perseids did. And then, Jessie entered your orbit—a radiant burst of light in your universe.

Meeting during your college days at UCLA, she defied engineering student stereotypes with her intelligence, charm, and warmth. There was an instant connection, a gravitational pull drawing you together like celestial bodies in motion. You bonded over shared interests in Tim Horton's, Sidney Crosby, sustainable farming, and football, finding comfort and joy in each other's company.

As your friendship with Jessie blossomed into love, it felt like discovering a new constellation—a beautiful alignment of hearts and minds. Study sessions transformed into late nights spent under the star-studded sky, fingers entwined as you traced the paths of shooting stars, sharing dreams and fears in the quiet darkness.

Seven years had passed since those early days, but the magic between you remained as potent as ever. Jessie's beauty wasn't just in her freckled face or twinkling brown eyes; it was in the way she laughed, the way she listened, the way she made you feel like you were the center of her universe.

As the solar eclipse approached, you couldn't imagine experiencing it with anyone but Jessie. Together, you made plans to witness the celestial spectacle—a rare moment of cosmic harmony that promised to be nothing short of breathtaking.

Standing side by side, the air crackled with anticipation as the moon began its slow dance across the sun's fiery surface. Jessie's hand found yours in the darkness, fingers intertwining as you both watched in awe.

"It's incredible," Jessie whispered, her voice barely audible above the thrum of excitement. You stole a glance at her, struck once again by her beauty and the depth of her gaze.

Your heart swelled with emotion as you watched the eclipse unfold, feeling a sense of wonder and insignificance wash over you. It was as if the universe had paused just for the two of you, a moment of perfect alignment in an otherwise chaotic world.

As the eclipse reached its peak, you turned to Jessie, her face illuminated by the otherworldly glow. "I feel so small but so in sync with the whole Universe at the same time... I don't know how to describe it, it's just uniquely perfect."

Jessie nodded, her eyes reflecting the fading remnants of the eclipse. "It's like we're a tiny part of something so much bigger, yet connected to it in a way that's hard to put into words."

"I think you've said it all," you replied, grateful for her understanding.

As the eclipse waned and the world returned to normal, you felt a surge of love and gratitude for the woman by your side. Cupping her face in your hands, you leaned in to press a tender kiss to her lips, savoring the warmth and sweetness of the moment.

"I love you so much, Jessie," you whispered, your voice filled with emotion.

Jessie's cheeks flushed with emotion as she met your gaze. "I love you too, as big as the whole world, y/n." She wrapped her arms around you, pulling you close in a tight embrace.

And in that moment, as the last traces of the eclipse faded into the sky, you knew that your love for each other was as boundless as the universe itself. With Jessie by your side, you felt ready to face whatever challenges the future might hold, knowing that together, you could weather any storm.

As you both basked in the afterglow of the eclipse, the sky gradually regained its familiar hue, and the world resumed its normal rhythm. But the experience had left an indelible mark on your hearts, strengthening the bond between you in ways words could never fully capture.

[debbiecolon]

My second tarnished oc, Rem. He usually wears the nightmaiden twin crown, but I wanted to draw his face unobstructed. His lore is super meaty and I'm quite happy with it!

Rem is a descendant of the Nox, people of the Eternal Cities. He was raised in Sellia, well versed in Night sorceries and taught melee combat by his 'sisters', Nightmaidens who warden over the town. His days are spent rigorously training his body and mind, honing himself into a warrior capable of subduing the most formidable of foes. Easily identified by both his silvery skin and hair, Rem appears more Silver Tear than anything, yet his golden eyes speak of his heritage, which he is incredibly proud of. And it is perhaps because of his heritage that Rem holds very little love for the Two Fingers and the Golden Order.

Rem had been fortunate enough to meet General Radahn in his youth, and had been privy to the demigod studying gravity sorceries. He grows to admire the flame haired demigod and leaves the Sellian territories for the first time when he offers his services to the General, as both sorcerer and swordsman. He stood among the Red Mane soldiers in battle, dressed in the silks of the Nox, looking elegant as a dancer yet fighting with all the ferocity of a beast. His end is met like many others in the Caelid wilds: witness to the scarlet flower bloom, particles of rot saturating the sky, clogging the beauty of the stars.

He wakes after centuries, called back from a peaceful void to return to the Lands Between. His memories are muddled, mostly lost, but through adventuring he remembers himself, for better or worse. He remembers that wretched flower, and he seeks a power strong enough to oppose it.

Rem is an extremely quiet and emotionally guarded tarnished who borders on selectively mute, speaking little more than he has to. He makes very few connections but is not unwilling to cooperate with his fellows, seeing such actions as a great way to garner much needed knowledge. He gauges everything like a threat but closely safeguards those who win his trust and affection, albeit from the shadows.

Beneath his guarded exterior is a deep longing to return to a home no longer there. Caelid is a fetid wasteland and nightmarish shadow of what it once was, and it is the only time that he openly expresses deep pain upon seeing the remains of a land he once loved so dearly. It hurts more than he can bear to know that Radahn lives as Caelid does--as a shell of his former self. He does not hesitate to participate in the Festival, seeing it as a final act of kindness for his beloved General. It is a hard fought battle, but Rem leaves with Radahn's blades as his trophy, swearing to wield the colossal weapons in battle.

Though Rem was raised in a town of sorcery and has proficiency with night magics, his greatest strength comes from physical prowess. He wields all manner of great swords and colossal blades, overwhelming his foes with sheer strength and relentlessness. He embodies duality, using stealth, life sapping mist and poison to turn the tide of what could have been a heavily skewed battle. He does not see underhanded tactics as something to frown upon. After all, combat (and life) does not play fair. Aside from sorceries, Rem has studied incantations on a surface level, enough to know hos to cast a poisonous mist or mend his injuries.

Rem's loyalty to the red haired demigod is akin to a love that is all consuming. It was a love that felt unrequited, but his unwavering belief and devotion to honing himself into the perfect weapon caught the interest of the towering Radahn. They seemed an unconventional pair, but they both bonded quite easily through combat and a shared love of animals. Leonard, Radahn's steed, received many a rowa berry and nose pats from Rem.

He felt as though he lost Radahn twice over. Once, against the one-armed valkyrie and her scarlet rot, and a second time at his own hand. Though it was a mercy, to grant his beloved demigod a warrior's end, a part of him died again with the General. The loss is an ever present ache that leads to the nihilistic belief that nothing in the Lands is worth salvaging.

The pain of loss and his keen awareness of the loss of many others drives Rem down the path of becoming the Lord of the Frenzied Flame. He does so, not to spare Melina from a fiery end, but to bring an end to it all, to be the Lord of the lost and the broken. To put to rest all that distinguishes and divides, hoping that perhaps the flames will consume him too.

[hauntedwitch04]

Candles and fire

Nyx Acheron x reader

Words: 0.7k words

Warnings: none, just fluff and idiots totally in love with each other, some burnt pots

Author’s note: Hi everybody! Sorry to be this late, life is just being crazy right now.

Requests are open I Ask

My masterlist

Join the Taglist

Buy me a coffee - Patreon submission

🎃Halloween party 🎃

DAY 7: “Love I swear if you light another candle our house may go on fire.”

You don't really know where your passion for candles comes from, you just know that one day you tried to get a packet of them, to decorate your home, smelling of cinnamon, and from that day your life totally changed.

The one you have today, often your friends and family, call it almost a disease, since every time you enter a store selling candles you have to be careful not to spend your entire salary and that of your mate, Nyx.

Ironically, the two of you actually met while you were looking for new candles to light in the fall and he was looking for a gift for his Aunt Nesta, who like you had discovered the power of candles and had made it a point to light one every time she read or embroidered. Seeing you so knowledgeable Nyx had thought well to ask your advice and one thing led to another you found yourselves on your fifth date on the largest and most beautiful deck in Velaris, gazing at the moon and stars when the bond clicked for both of you, and from there the rest is history.

You enter the house after a difficult day spent in your library, which is located in one of the most beautiful places in the Rainbow, when you are presented with a scene that you do not know whether to call heavenly or hellish. The home you share with your love is strewn with candles, and their vision sways between an angelic vision to the flames of hell.

"Nyx?" You ask, entering the house paying attention to where you put things down or where you walk. You get to the kitchen and see your mate busy with something at the stove. It probably must not be going the way he wants because you hear him cursing as he moves pans and pots off the stove, some with smoke and flames coming out, others with foam. You can't help but laugh at that scene, but in doing so you are discovered by your husband, who turns around. Nyx, seeing you, his eyes immediately light up.

"Love! You're back already!" The boy says happily, only to look around and immediately guilt shows in his expression. "I'm sorry, I wanted to try to surprise you: candlelight dinner, but I guess the only thing I'm good at is lighting candles and pots and pans on fire." He comments as he walks over to you and hugs you, leaving a sweet kiss on your lips.

"About this: love I swear if you light another candle our house may go on fire. I love candles, but I wouldn't want us to turn into skewers." You say and Nyx can't help but laugh as she presses her nose into your hair, breathing in the smell of your favorite shampoo.

"You think so?" The prince of the night asks amused, as he looks around again. "I'm really sorry though, for once I try to do something for you. I really am a terrible mate." Says Nyx, ducking down and hiding her face in the crook of your neck.

You stroke the back of his head, then force him to look into your eyes.

"Hey, cut the crap! You're the best mate a woman could ever want, you're handsome, funny, kind, good in bed, smart in short I think there are people who would kill to be loved by you even for a few minutes, and just because you couldn't get something done today doesn't mean you're any less perfect than everyone already knows you are." You say, leaving him a series of kisses all along his face in the process. "How about we make something together instead? It's been a long time since we've done that." You propose and immediately see his eyes light up, and he nods, as he takes you in front of the stove again, and amid laughter, kisses, and maybe something more, you finally manage to prepare something, and it doesn't even matter if it's the best thing in the world, because the only thing that really matters are the moments you've shared with the person you love.

[talonabraxas]

Thoth: The Atlantean Talon Abraxas

I, Thoth, the Atlantean,

give of my wisdom,

give of my knowledge,

give of my power.

Freely I give to the children of men.

Give that they, too, might have wisdom

to shine through the world from the veil of the night.

Wisdom is power and power is wisdom,

one with each other, perfecting the whole.

Be thou not proud, O man, in thy wisdom.

Discourse with the ignorant as well as the wise.

If one comes to thee full of knowledge,

listen and heed, for wisdom is all.

Keep thou not silent when evil is spoken for Truth

like the sunlight shines above all.

He who over-steppeth the Law shall be punished,

for only through Law comes the freedom of men.

Cause thou not fear for fear is a bondage,

a fetter that binds the darkness to men.

Follow thine heart during thy lifetime.

Do thou more than is commanded of thee.

When thou hast gained riches,

follow thou thine heart,

for all these are of no avail if

thine heart be weary.

Diminish thou not the time of

following thine heart.

It is abhorred of the soul.

They that are guided go not astray,

but they that are lost cannot find a straight path.

If thou go among men, make for thyself,

Love, the beginning and end of the heart.

If one cometh unto thee for council,

let him speak freely,

that the thing for which he hath

come to thee may be done.

If he hesitates to open his heart to thee,

it is because thou, the judge, doeth the wrong.

Repeat thou not extravagant speech,

neither listen thou to it,

for it is the utterance of one

not in equilibrium.

Speak thou not of it,

so that he before thee may know wisdom.

Silence is of great profit.

An abundance of speech profiteth nothing.

Exalt not thine heart above the children of men,

lest it be brought lower than the dust.

If thou be great among men,

be honoured for knowledge and gentleness.

If thou seeketh to know the nature of a friend,

ask not his companion,

but pass a time alone with him.

Debate with him,

testing his heart by his words and his bearing.

That which goeth into the store-house must come forth,

and the things that are thine must be shared with a friend.

Knowledge is regarded by the fool as ignorance,

and the things that are profitable are to him hurtful.

He liveth in death.

It is therefore his food.

The wise man lets his heart overflow

but keeps silent his mouth.

O man, list to the voice of wisdom;

list to the voice of light.

Mysteries there are in the Cosmos

that unveiled fill the world with their light.

Let he who would be free from the bonds of darkness

first divine the material from the immaterial,

the fire from the earth;

for know ye that as earth descends to earth,

so also fire ascends unto

fire and becomes one with fire.

He who knows the fire that is within

himself shall ascend unto the eternal fire

and dwell in it eternally.

Fire, the inner fire,

is the most potent of all force,

for it overcometh all things and

penetrates to all things of the Earth.

Man supports himself only on that which resists.

So Earth must resist man else he existeth not.

All eyes do not see with the same vision,

for to one an object appears of

one form and color

and to a different eye of another.

So also the infinite fire,

changing from color to color,

is never the same from day to day.

Thus, speak I, THOTH, of my wisdom,

for a man is a fire burning bright

through the night;

never is quenched in the veil of the darkness,

never is quenched by the veil of the night.

Into men's hearts, I looked by my wisdom,

found them not free from the bondage of strife.

Free from the toils, thy fire, O my brother,

lest it be buried in the shadow of night!

Hark ye, O man, and list to this wisdom:

where do name and form cease?

Only in consciousness, invisible,

an infinite force of radiance bright.

The forms that ye create by brightening

they vision are truly effects that follow thy cause.

Man is a star bound to a body,

until in the end,

he is freed through his strife.

Only by struggle and toiling thy

utmost shall the star within thee

bloom out in new life.

He who knows the commencement of all things,

free is his star from the realm of night.

Remember, O man, that all which exists

is only another form of that which exists not.

Everything that has being is passing into yet other

being and thou thyself are not an exception.

Consider the Law, for all is Law.

Seek not that which is not of the Law,

for such exists only in the illusions of the senses.

Wisdom cometh to all her children

even as they cometh unto wisdom.

All through the ages,

the light has been hidden.

Awake, O man, and be wise.

Deep in the mysteries of life have I traveled,

seeking and searching for that which is hidden.

List ye, O man, and be wise.

Far 'neath the earth crust,

in the Halls of Amenti,

mysteries I saw that are hidden from men.

Oft have I journeyed the deep hidden passage,

looked on the Light that is Life among men.

There 'neath the flowers of Life ever living,

searched I the hearts and the secrets of men.

Found I that man is but living in darkness,

light of the great fire is hidden within.

Before the Lords of hidden Amenti

learned I the wisdom I give unto men.

Masters are they of the great Secret Wisdom,

brought from the future of infinity's end.

Seven are they, the Lords of Amenti,

overlords they of the Children of Morning,

Suns of the Cycles, Masters of Wisdom.

Formed are not they as the children of men?

THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND SIX, SEVEN,

EIGHT, NINE are the titles of the Masters of men.

Far from the future, formless yet forming,

came they as teachers for the children of men.

Live they forever, yet not of the living,

bound not to life and yet free from death.

Rule they forever with infinite wisdom,

bound yet not bound to the dark Halls of Death.

Life they have in them, yet life that is not life,

free from all are the Lords of the ALL.

Forth from them came forth the Logos,

instruments they of the power o'er all.

Vast is their countenance,

yet hidden in smallness,

formed by a forming, known yet unknown.

THREE holds the key of all hidden magic,

creator he of the halls of the Dead;

sending forth power, shrouding with darkness,

binding the souls of the children of men;

sending the darkness, binding the soul force;

director of negative to the children of men.

FOUR is he who looses the power.

Lord, he, of Life to the children of men.

Light is his body, flame is his countenance;

freer of souls to the children of men.

FIVE is the master, the Lord of all magic -

Key to The Word that resounds among men.

SIX is the Lord of Light, the hidden pathway,

path of the souls of the children of men.

SEVEN is he who is Lord of the vastness,

master of Space and the key of the Times.

EIGHT is he who orders the progress;

weighs and balances the journey of men.

NINE is the father, vast he of countenance,

forming and changing from out of the formless.

Meditate on the symbols I give thee.

Keys are they, though hidden from men.

Reach ever upward, O Soul of the morning.

Turn thy thoughts upward to Light and to Life.

Find in the keys of the numbers I bring thee,

light on the pathway from life unto life.

Seek ye with wisdom.

Turn thy thoughts inward.

Close not thy mind to the flower of Light.

Place in thy body a thought-formed picture.

Think of the numbers that lead thee to Life.

Clear is the pathway to he who has wisdom.

Open the door to the Kingdom of Light.

Pour forth thy flame as a Sun of the morning.

Shut out the darkness and live in the day.

Take thee, O man! As part of thy being,

the Seven who are but are not as they seem.

Opened, O man! Have I my wisdom.

Follow the path in the way I have led.

Masters of Wisdom,

SUN of the MORNING LIGHT and LIFE

to the children of men.

--The Key of Wisdom

The Emerald Tablets of Thoth

[lxthz]

══════════════════════════════════════

In the dimly lit saloon of Dusty Ridge, Yone sat at the worn wooden bar, his gaze fixed on the amber liquid swirling in his glass. The flickering lanterns cast dancing shadows across the room, adding to the rugged charm of the Western frontier. As he contemplated his next move, the creak of the swinging doors drew his attention. In walked M/n, a figure clad in the attire of a seasoned traveler, his steps carrying the confidence of one who had seen their fair share of the world.

"Well, look who sauntered into our little piece of heaven. Fancy a drink, stranger?" Yone grunted, his tone gruff but not unkind, as he gestured to the empty stool beside him.

"Much obliged, partner," M/n replied with a soft smile, his voice carrying a hint of innocence as he settled onto the worn seat.

"Name's M/n. What's got you camped out in this here saloon, friend?" he inquired, his eyes alight with curiosity, though there was a sharpness beneath the facade.

"Yone. Just takin' a breather from the chaos out there," Yone explained, his voice gravelly with years of experience in the unforgiving wilderness.

Conversation flowed freely between them, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby patrons. They shared tales of their adventures, swapping stories of narrow escapes and chance encounters, finding common ground in the shared experience of life on the frontier.

"Ever had one of them days where everythin' just feels like it's spinnin' outta control?" M/n mused, his eyes twinkling with hidden knowledge.

Yone grunted in agreement, a flicker of recognition crossing his weathered features. "More times than I care to admit. But somehow, sittin' here with you, it all seems to fade away."

As the night wore on, the whiskey flowed freely, loosening their tongues and emboldening them to speak their truths. Yone opened up about his past, sharing tales of lost loves and broken dreams, while M/n listened intently, his facade slipping ever so slightly to reveal a shrewd understanding of the world.

"Sometimes, I wonder if I'll ever find my place in this world," Yone admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

"We're all just drifters on this dusty trail, Yone. But maybe, just maybe, our paths were meant to cross for a reason," M/n replied, his words imbued with a quiet wisdom that belied his innocent demeanor.

And when Yone finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings, the air between them crackled with anticipation, charged with the possibility of something more.

"I ain't never felt this way about anyone before, partner," Yone confessed, his heart laid bare before the stranger who had somehow become so much more.

M/n's eyes widened in surprise, but then a knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Well, ain't that somethin'. Reckon I feel the same."

In that moment, beneath the soft glow of the lanterns and the watchful gaze of the stars, Yone and M/n found themselves drawn together by a bond that defied explanation. They laughed, they cried, they shared stories until the early hours of the morning, their connection deepening with each passing moment.

As the night began to wane and the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon, they both knew that their time together was fleeting. With a bittersweet farewell, they parted ways, each carrying with them the memory of that fateful night in the dusty saloon of Dusty Ridge, and the hope that perhaps, somewhere down the line, their paths would cross again. But for now, they were just two souls navigating the vast expanse of the Wild West, finding solace and companionship in the unlikeliest of places. Yet, the memory of their encounter lingered like the echo of a distant melody, promising the possibility of a future reunion amidst the untamed wilderness of the frontier.

As Yone ventured back into the wilderness, his thoughts lingered on M/n. He found himself reminiscing about their conversations, the laughter they shared, and the connection he felt with the mysterious traveler. But amidst the solitude of the open plains, he couldn't shake the feeling of longing that gnawed at his heart.

Meanwhile, M/n continued on his journey, the memory of Yone's gruff yet endearing demeanor still fresh in his mind. He found himself retracing their conversations, savoring each moment shared in that dusty saloon. Despite his outward innocence, M/n carried with him a wealth of experience and insight, a fact that seemed to draw Yone to him like a moth to a flame.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but neither Yone nor M/n could shake the memory of their encounter. Though they traveled separate paths, their thoughts often drifted back to that fateful night in Dusty Ridge, where two souls found solace and companionship amidst the chaos of the Wild West.

And as fate would have it, their paths did cross again, in the most unexpected of places. Amidst a bustling town on the outskirts of the frontier, Yone and M/n found themselves face to face once more. The reunion was like something out of a storybook, filled with laughter, tears, and the promise of a future yet to be written.

From that day forward, Yone and M/n journeyed together, their bond stronger than ever before. Through trials and tribulations, victories and defeats, they stood by each other's side, facing whatever challenges the frontier threw their way.

And though their adventures were many, the memory of that fateful night in Dusty Ridge remained etched in their hearts forevermore, a reminder of the unbreakable bond forged between two souls on the wild Western frontier.

══════════════════════════════════════

Word Count: 1,017

[merylstreepsworld]

Ohh lovely! In that case, may I request headcanons on how Donna and (preferably) fem!reader got together? Maybe reader is a guest at the hotel or something like that. With reader having a huge crush on Donna if that's possible. :)

Certainly! Thank you so much for the request! If you have any more requests, feel free to drop them in my request box!

Here are headcanons about how you and Donna got together:

1. You, a guest at Donna's hotel on the picturesque island of Kalokari, first encountered Donna when checking in. Donna's warmth and welcoming smile instantly made an impression on you, leaving you with a fluttering heart.

2. It was practically love at first sight for you. Donna's radiant beauty and magnetic personality had you swooning, and you couldn't help but steal glances at Donna whenever you crossed paths.

3. You found any excuse to ask for Donna's assistance, whether it was with luggage or advice on where to explore on the island. Donna was always willing to help, and you cherished those moments.

4. Donna noticed your frequent visits to the hotel's common areas and bar. She often engaged in friendly conversations with you, learning about your interests and passions.

5. Over time, you and Donna discovered common interests, particularly a love for music. You bonded over your favorite songs and artists, and Donna even serenaded you with her beautiful voice one magical evening.

6. You started volunteering for small tasks around the hotel, like helping with decorations or organizing events, just to be closer to Donna and get to know her better.

7. You couldn't help but daydream about scenarios where Donna might return your feelings, and these daydreams often involved romantic walks on the beach, shared laughter, and heartfelt conversations.

8. Both you and Donna were hesitant to admit your feelings. You shared knowing smiles and lingering touches, but it took a heart-to-heart conversation for you to acknowledge the undeniable attraction between you. You would often blush or stutter in Donna's presence, making it apparent to anyone with a keen eye that they had a crush

9. Donna's friends and coworkers at the hotel would tease her about your infatuation, causing her to chuckle and playfully deny any knowledge of it.

10. Donna, while initially oblivious to your crush, began to sense your growing affection. She found herself looking forward to your interactions and appreciating your presence at the hotel.

11. The island's enchanting moonlit nights became the backdrop for your late-night strolls along the beach. Under the starry sky, you shared your dreams, hopes, and secrets, forging a deep connection.

12. It was during a starlit beach walk that Donna's hand slipped into yours, her fingers entwining with yours as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The connection between you both was undeniable.

13. One special evening, Donna invited you to join her for a private dinner on the terrace overlooking the sea. The intimacy of the setting allowed your feelings for each other to flourish, and a shared kiss under the moonlit sky sealed your attraction.

14. From that moment on, you and Donna became inseparable. You explored the island together, danced under the stars, and enjoyed each other's company in ways that made your bond unbreakable

15. Donna planned surprise romantic date nights for you, including candlelit dinners, stargazing on the beach, and even a private boat ride at sunset.

16. On a quiet afternoon, while watching the waves lap against the shore, Donna confessed her love to you. The words came naturally, as if they had been written in the sands of Kalokari itself. "I love you."

17. As your love deepened, you decided to make Kalokari your permanent home. Donna welcomed you with open arms, and together, you built a life filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

18. Sophie, Donna's daughter, was your biggest cheerleader. She encouraged your budding relationship and couldn't have been happier for her mom and you.

19. Together, you continued to explore the island, creating countless memories as you navigated the challenges and joys of your newfound relationship.

20. Deep down, you believe that Donna is the one who makes Kalokari the paradise it is, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

𓅨 As Dawn Breaks: Chapter One

As Dawn Breaks: Mother Night and Father Time, after having sired seven Endless to personify life in the known universe, create Earth and human life begins. One last Endless is created: Dawn, the personification of illumination and hope, the beginning of a new day, and a chance for happiness and improvement. A love will span thousands of millennia, breaking with every sunrise and renewing hope come sunset. Yet, even the personification of hope can lose the very notion of her existence from the sting of a broken heart.

Warnings: None. 

To Note: Dream/Morpheus x Endless!FemaleReader(Dawn), This Involves Themes That Are Not For Everyone. 

Word Count: ~2.7k

Masterlist | Next

Mother Night and Father Time created the seven Endless to personify life within the known universe. Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. They did their jobs admirably, and well, for eons. Destiny personified a life journey. Death, the end of life. Dream oversaw the dreams and nightmares. Destruction, so that creation may happen from ruin. Desire embodied the darkest secrets one held. Despair embodied a feeling that all lifeforms felt at some point in their life and the youngest of the Endless? Delirium, the epitome of chaos and previously known as Delight. All was well within the universe, millennia going by in harmony. Then a life-sustaining planet came to be and it quickly became abundantly clear that the new race of sentient life was lacking in one last personification. So Mother Night and Father came together to create one last Endless. You. 

You were created on a bed of lavender and stars, swathed in blankets of shimmering ebony. Against your naked breast lay a morning dove whose wings were of grey and pink. You had been woven from stars, oceans, and daffodils to culminate the very essence of what you were to represent: hope. You would rise and fall with the sun and moon, come and go like the great tides of oceans, and feel with the crescendo of the tallest waterfall. The capacity in which you were created to understand and feel human emotion was like none of the previous Endless before you. Eyes flickering open, you saw the inky black of the universe, touched with stars, planets, and dust. You had the knowledge of the universe, but the sight before you still took your breath away. 

Rising from your cradle, dove fluttering into space, you felt the blankets that had been covering you, travel and drape across your body until you were dressed in a simple onyx shift. Your eyes gazed out at the universe in wisdom and innocence, enraptured by the overwhelming beauty and life that stretched out before you. Your dove fluttered in front of you and holding your hands out, you let her land on your joined fingers. She was your companion your creators had gifted to you, she would represent you, be your sigil, be your closest friend. Cradling her light body in one hand, you stroked a finger over her head and down her soft grey back speckled with black. She cooed at you and leaned into your shift, her black eyes closing in contentment. Already you could feel the bond you shared with her. While you stroked your companion, you felt a shiver run across your shoulders. You looked up into the vastness of space, feeling Mother Time and Father Night. 

They did not need to speak physical words to convey their message to you. You had a job that they were entrusting you with, the entire reason for your creation after so many eons of on seven Endless. You were to personify the one natural force that life could not exist without. It was a daunting task but you, in your newborn state, were ready to take on such a task. As your creators drew back to return to their duties, you felt a ripple of energy and then the blossom of seven powers much like your own. Your predecessors had arrived. Holding your dove close to your body, you slowly turned around, your bare feet sliding across space rocks and rubble. The seven Endless, eons older than you, were lined up in order by creation. The oldest, Destiny, spoke to you first. 

“We welcome you, sister,” Destiny had a kind voice and was draped in cloth, his face covered. You knew he could not see but he still had sight and saw the possibilities of everything. “To the beginning of the endless and all that you may bring to creation.” He was wise and all-knowing, a heavy burden you could feel.

“Come now brother, you don’t need to be so formal and mystique,” Death interjected, kind brown eyes looking at you with softness. She held so much life behind her eyes, despite the very task she was made for. 

“Mystique? It’s rather amusing, actually,” Desire cooed, their golden eyes washing over your form and to the little dove you held against your bosom. “Our parents appear to have made such a fragile and innocent Endless, how are you to help creation?” You remained silent to their provoking words. “Will you not speak little dove? Surely we aren’t that terrifying.” Your head tilted to the side in curiosity as the older siblings proceeded to chide Desire for attempting to pick on you. Desire merely rolled their golden eyes. 

“Dawn has been made as Mother Night and Father Time bid, Desire,” Destiny called out, shifting his grasp on the book chained to his wrist. “We shall leave our new sibling to her new realm.” The siblings bid their farewells, giving you curious last looks for your lack of speech. As Desire prepared to return to their realm, a voice broke the silence in a sweet almost intangibly beautiful lit. 

“Tell me, Desire,” You spoke, your eyes focused on Desire as the rest of the siblings turned around in surprise. Gently, you moved your hands away from your body and held out the one holding your dove within. “What is life without hope?” Your dove soared from your hands into the blanket of deep space, speckled heather gray wings stretched out. As flower petals started to swirl around the skirt of your shift, you gave Desire the briefest of smiles, your eyes glowing with the embers of your true power. Then you disappeared in a swirl of flower petals and stardust, leaving behind the nest of lavender and stars you had been born in. 

To the surprise of their siblings, Desire let out a genuine laugh and smiled deviously. 

“Well, what do you know? She has a backbone after all. What fun she’ll be,” They mused with sly rhetoric. A red shimmer surrounded Desire. “I like her already, I wonder what other surprises Dawn holds behind those innocent eyes of hers.” Destiny, Death, and Dream were the last to leave and the three oldest siblings exchanged looks. 

“It is troubling that Desire has taken a liking to our newest sibling.” Death commented softly, looking to Destiny. Destiny did not immediately reply, his mind absorbed in the endless futures of the newest edition to the small family. 

“Hmm, sibling, I do not believe… not purpose, hope…” He trailed off, his mind fully entranced in the future and possibilities of Dawn of the Endless. Dream and Death watched as he walked away disappearing in a fade.

“Do you think that Desire shall tempt her?” Dream asked, addressing his remaining sibling. Death considered what she had witnessed and what she could feel from their new sibling. 

“I believe that it is far too early to assume anything about Dawn, for we do not know who she is as an Endless, what she is like, or what she is capable of. We all could feel the immense power Mother and Father placed within her… only time shall tell.” A troublesome thought, Dream considered as he returned himself to his realm, questing the intersection of dreams and hopes. He was sure that out of the siblings, you would have the most interaction with him. After all, what was life, what were dreams, without hope?

Your realm was called The Gardens, but unlike the eldest Endless, yours was not a labyrinth. No, your realm was the epitome of all beauty found within a garden. Lofting waterfalls, endless woodlands, lakes, rivers, and oceans, and homes made from the trunks of trees. At the very heart rested the citadel, your home. It was a sprawling stone fortress that looked overgrown with trees and vines… but make no mistake, the flora was the very lifeblood of your home and was the brick and mortar that held the space together. In total, your realm housed a culmination of mythical creatures from those that took shelter within the tallest of trees, to those that slept in the deepest depths of the ocean, only surfacing when the moon was at its peak. You rather liked having the creatures mortals only dreamed of, inhabiting your realm, it made it extra special. 

You had surrounded yourself with dryads to take care of the living gardens that popped up sporadically within the citadel, and they also helped you keep track of the growing count of hopes that appeared within your library. With each passing year, the numbers grew exponentially and you were well busy. The hopes that the precious humans had were Endless. You supposed that is what gave them their charm. 

“… remind you that the spring flooding in the Flowering Wetlands has, once again, displaced several Will-o'-the-wisp families, three Naiad families, and—“ Rita passed to look at the scroll in her hand, her green finger running down the list. “Ah, yes, the Jengu has decided to make home in the papyrus again, farming has been… difficult. Bezia, I think her name is?”

Pausing in your efforts to prune the over-growing vine of ivy vines within the heart of your citadel, you looked at the stressed Ruta, your head handmaiden. 

“Take a group of handmaidens to reconstruct the flooded homes, I’ll talk with Bezia. I’m sure there is something we can do about her residency” You told her, returning your pruning clippers to the basket of garden tools. The skirt of your dress swirled around your bare feet as you approached Ruta and looked at the scroll in her hands. The spring floods caused mayhem each and every year, but the residents of the Flowering Wetlands refused to live anywhere else. You had no issue with that and were glad to help rebuild what got ruined every year… but Bezia the Jengu, or swamp mermaid, repeatedly used the flooding to take residence in the papyrus fields. You couldn’t have that because it impeded parchment production for the library… but you couldn’t exactly remove Bezia from what made her happy. 

“I see that you have a plan, my lady?” Ruta questioned with a knowing smile. You smiled back and looked up at the sky that shone in the open courtyard

“I’ll be back soon, expect the realm to tremble with change anew,” You spoke over your shoulder, flower petals and stardust swirling around you. Your dove cooed overhead seconds before you and her disappeared. Your journey to the Flowering Wetlands only took seconds and soon you were standing knee-deep within muddy waters, floating plants and flowers surrounding you. Your dove cooed and fluttered down to your shoulder. Scanning the papyrus around you, you spotted a glimmer of a green tail before it disappeared beneath the water. “Bezia?” You called, slowly walking towards the Jengu. 

You spotted the mischievous Jengu watching you from the shallow waters, swimming between the papyrus plants and never staying in one spot. 

“Bezia, I wish to speak to you, will you not pause in your mischief merry-making?” You called out. There was another splash, and you saw her tail flick a couple of plants before she popped out of the water in front of you. The dark-skinned Jengu eyed you wearily, her tail swishing about in nervous energy. “You can’t keep taking residence among the papyrus fields, Bezia, we need them for the library.” Her facial features scrunched in distaste.

“The papyrus fields are the best home to have, my lady, the salt water chafes my skin and the freshwater doesn’t feel right on my fins,” Bezia replied, flashing you her pointed teeth. Your eyes flickered around you, observing the papyrus fields.

“Which is why I shall make an extension to the Flowering Wetlands to provide you with a home you may take residence in year-round.” You explained to her, a kind expression on your face. “I do not wish for the residents of my realm to feel not at home, that includes you Bezia.” 

The Jengu regarded you carefully, assessing to see if you spoke the truth. Then she nodded. With your eyes sparking to life, you looked to the heavens of your realm and raised your arms, shifting and molding the nearby landscape to stretch and bend, expand and reform. Muddy water sloshed against your dress, staining the white fabric as you worked. When you were done, there was a winding path through the papyrus fields that led to a new grove. In that grove were twisting vines and flowers that wove halls and rooms, a perfect home for any Jengu that further sought home. Bezia’s eyes glowed with happiness, and without a thank you or word, she swam her way to the newly made grove with the excitement of a child. 

You smiled, knowing that she would be much happier now that she had a place to call her own. Raising your eyes to the heavens of your realm, you spent a moment enjoying the nice breeze breaking through the heat of early summer. While you were closing your eyes and feeling the soft gales caressing your body, you felt a summons. 

Dawn, I stand in my gallery and I hold your sigil. I request permission to visit your realm to speak with you on a matter regarding recent dreams. 

You blinked and your lips parted as you exhaled. You could see in your mind's eye that he held an ivory dove in his hands, his starlit eyes staring down into the carved sigil. 

As long as my gates remain open, Dream, you are free to visit me however you shall design. My gates welcome you, you may meet me in my courtyard, I will be but a moment. 

You felt Dream acknowledge your words and enter your realm, his presence emerging within your palace walls. His presence always made you feel more connected to the Waking World. While you carried their hopes, Dream carried their dreams, and together you made dreams come true. Blinking out of your inner thoughts, you looked down at your soiled dress. It wasn’t completely ruined… so gripping the part of it that was mud-stained, you began ripping the hem. Your dress hem was torn to your knees by the time you decided you were satisfied with your work. Wiping your damp palms on the skirt of your dress, you focused on transporting yourself back to the citadel. Ruta will be happy to know that Bezia would no longer be a problem among the papyrus fields. 

Walking barefoot down a hallway you spotted Ruta speaking with Zinnia, the dryad who was in charge of keeping the rooms tidy and neat. In other words, making sure that the plants that intertwined with the castle didn’t get overzealous in their growth.

“My lady,” The dryads echoed as you approached them. Ruta peered at you with a knowing look. 

“I take it out papyrus problem is no more?” You smiled and bowed your head.

“A minor adjustment to the realm was all that was needed, Ruta. There was no malignancy behind Bezina’s actions.” Ruta bobbed her head and drew a line through a point in her checklist. 

“I thought so, I have a few more items to sort out within the Forest of Songs… but I can do that by myself. I believe Lord Dream is waiting for you within your courtyard?” 

“Yes, we have business,” You confirmed, your eyes lifting to the hall that led to the inner sanctum of the palace. “Please contact me if you run into any more problems, Ruta.”

“Of course my lady,” Ruta replied before she and Zinnia bid their farewells and departed. You resumed your course to your courtyard, walking beneath the curtained waterfall that flowed at all four entrances of the open space. At your footfalls, Dream, who had been standing and observing the pond in the very center of the courtyard, turned around. His eyes met yours, then widened when he took in your state. 

“Apologies for my state of dress, I was assisting with the spring floods within the Flowering Wetlands and it gets… muddy this year,” You said in a soft explanation. Dream’s lips twitched at your words. “You said you had a matter of recent dreams you wished to speak of? How may I help you?” 

Date Published: 1/16/23

Last Edit: 1/16/23

Masterlist | Next

[nightly-ruse]

At last it is done and I can spill all my thoughts. A bday gift for @spottystyle and of his kittypet Tigerclaw au where she runs away after attacking Bluestar and becomes a kittypet called Catzilla. This is her in the garden with Sasha who stays and becomes her mate in this!!!

Long au thoughts below lol

(BTW Catzilla is a trans kitty using she/her)

While drawing I had so many thoughts. Particularly around how Sasha and Zilla work together and had the idea that maybe before Tiger finds her soon to be owners she is just flitting across the land and while on the run bumps into Sasha who had recently lost her home after her twoleg never come home. The two bond over darker pasts thought Tiger doesn’t share much about her own. But Sash is annoyingly curious. Pushing to know any scrap of knowledge about the mysterious cats story. It is until one night as the stars slightly twinkled above them that Sasha knew what was so scary to share. Scared by what Tiger told her Sasha fled away, running to a place much farther away. Now much more alone then she was before Tiger just walked back, somewhat hoping some group of cats would take her. While walking the streets she did hear a few whispers of some scary cat who controlled the alleys but she didn’t mind. Maybe they’d attack her and she’d finally be done with.

Tiger does find a creature who cares. A kind twoleg who took her in and washed away her fleas. The lifestyle she once mocked now was her own and… she liked it. She was pampered with a pretty collar and bright stuff on her claws. Eventually after a long long while Tiger, now Catzilla meets the cat who left so long ago. And right at her paws were three soft bundles of fluff. Sasha had wandered for a long time but hated it and wanted refuge and by some twist of fate, cruel or joking, led her here. Chatterbox was ecstatic at the new cat in town but they could sense Catzilla not being as thrilled. Eventually the family settles in. Sasha is taken in by the next houses twolegs along with her kits and the two make up. The family’s grown so much already. Catzilla, Chatterbox, Livvy, Sasha, Jinx (Moth), Loki (Hawk), and Spell (Tadpole). Little would she know her kits would run back into the cats she ran from. Her little Loki and Jinx heard some tale from a large group of cats. And Catzilla knew who they were the moment the kits told her about them she told them to never go there. But of course they wouldn’t listen.

Out of story I think Loki and Jinx would check out the newly settled clans and actually kinda love them. Jinx becomes friends with the kind plant cats and learns a lot herself about them, particularly liking to spend time with Leafpaw. But Loki liked the opposite. He’d listen to the stories, hold ever battle tale he heard to heart, eventually begging to join. He named himself Hawkpaw to sound cooler joining Riverclan as a warrior apprentice. Jinx didn’t immediately but she was tempted in by little Leafpaw’s words to learn more, acting as a friend to the cats and occasionally staying for awhile. She does eventually completely join being called Mothwing after the sign that was found to get her to join. Spell stays in town but helps in their own way with the church cats (Spiresight = Tadpole AU). Though Zilla and Sasha’s daughter does come back begging for safety after Moth and Leaf have the three. Idk much later maybe Leafpool still goes back to the clans without the kits and either Catzilla, Chatterbox, Livvy, and Sasha raise the three or Moth stays back and raises them. Eventually bringing them back when she’s told by Leafpool too, having been told that the kits left behind hold the power to save the clans in the harshest fight.

[ladyfluffbutt]

Made a KNY/Demon Slayer OC!

And hey! She's not a demon or a slayer!

Alora Vega DeCeleste

Name Meaning: Dreaming Star of the Heavens

Gender: Female (she/her)

Age: Roughly Over 500 Years (resembles mid 20's)

Height: 5'6" (168cm)

Species: Witch/Forest Spirit

Nicknames: Spirit Witch, Light Witch, Dream Witch, Great Forest Witch, Daughter of Aeon, Child of the Forest of Ages, Starlight, Starshine

Powers: shapeshifting, heightened speed and strength, gelador spellcasting  (singing spells), nitchirin manipulation, emotion sensing, crystal  casting, lightfoot (footsteps don't make noise)

Personality: motherly,shy, warm, protective, loyal, creative, dependable,  empathetic, gentle, humble, anxious, careful, distrusting, introverted  unless around those she's close to

Skills

Medicine/Herbs/Poisons 

common knowledge passed down through the witch bloodlines.

Heliokinetic

Absorbs  and stores energy from sunlight much like nitchirin swords. Relies on  these energy stores for magical power and for protection at night. Can  even absorb sun's reflective energy from full moon but it's not nearly  as much as she gets from normal sunlight.

Sword fighting

Actually  skilled with swordfighting but has an unconventional method of fighting  with one. Uses a nitchirin shortsword that was  specifically forged to  handle her energy, though it does have it's limits.

She  doesn't fight like this at night much because it burns through her  energy stores even quicker than her typical magic casting.

Healing

Can use her energy stores to heal/mend her own wounds and the wounds of others.

Singing

Used for casting spells but also sings to comfort and entertain herself. Will sometimes sing for those shes close to.

Hand-to-Hand

Preferred fighting method along with magic casting

Dream Scape

Ability passed down from mother. Eases nightmares and can even share memories among willing participants

Relationships

Arcus Deiry Rosamel (Goddess of Rainbow Dreams and Honey): Mother 600+yrs *Deceased*

Atsuo Roan Soleil (Kind Little Sun): Alora's twin brother 10yrs *Deceased*

Mina DeEalwode (Little Star of the Old Forest): Sister 9yrs *Deceased*

Arden Daemon DeAmaya (Great Forest Guardian/Spirit of the Heavenly Valley): Sister 8yrs *Deceased*

Eri Akash Atiena (My Guardian of the Sky and Night): Sister, Arden's twin 7yrs *Deceased*

Hesper Nyx (Evening Star of Twilight): Brother 6yrs *Deceased*

Aria DeTheresa Miyako (Song of Summer Nights): Sister 5yrs *Deceased*

Vevila DelKage (Harmony of the Shadow): Sister 4yrs *Deceased*

Hina No Narumi (Light/Sun of the Roaring Sea): Sister 3yrs *Deceased*

Yuuki Tsukiko Khadga (Brave Moon Sword): Brother 2yrs *Deceased*

Quillon Sirius Kometes (Sword of Burning Comets): Brother 9 months *Deceased*

Akari Estelle DeKimora (Brightest Star of the Golden Meadow): Alora's Daughter 5yrs

Fun Facts

Alora doesn't actually know who her biological father is, which isn't unusual  for witches when it comes to having one human parent

Her  memories of her past and family are rather fuzzy and she can't actually  recall the events of their deaths at all. This is due to Aeon's  influence.

She loves making sweets. She pours a bit of magic into them so whoever eats them will start feeling better

Her instant motherly/sisterly nature towards those she meets may be linked to the trauma with her family and childhood

She gets extremely nervous around large groups of people and crowds, especially if they have weapons

Weary of fire. Candles and lanterns are fine but torches make her nervous and bonfires are an absolute NO

Alora  and Atsuo were the ones who took care of their younger siblings. Their  mother was practically useless so it was up to her oldest kids to care  for their siblings. Alora has a lot of resentment towards her for this  when any try to bring up her mother

Alora  loves doing hair and braids. She does Akari's often and it's a big way  for them to bond. They also decorate each others' hair and braids with  jewelry and trinkets. This is a common witch tradition.

While  Alora is typically shy, quiet, and gentle natured, she will absolutely  NOT take any disrespect towards anyone she cares for

She  can be absolutley terrifying when angry. She will loom and stare down  any who anger her. Even the demons she befriends know to steer clear  when shes in a bad mood

Will blow air like an equine and snarl like the spirits she's grown up with

Does  kind things on a whim and doesn't really think about any sort of reward  or gratitude. In fact she gets quite startled when someone tries to  thank her or repay her kindness.

History

Alora has spent the better part of her life (from what she recalls) living  in the forest  surrounding the Swordsmith Villiage under the care and  protection of her father, the forest spirit known as Aeon. She's  cherished by the old being as she is his only daughter amongst his  dozens of sons.

She's been kind and friendly with the children of the village over the  years, often playing with them and telling stories or keeping watch over  them as they played in the forest. Once they grow up though, she becomes  more distant and rarely seen once they're adults. The swordsmiths  understand though and even built her a shrine where they leave gifts and  trinkets for her.

Alora wasn't seen for a time for unknown reasons, but returned within a year. None of the villagers knew what was  going on until some months later when their kids started taking rather  odd things to her shrine as offerings. Little toys, fabric, blankets,  and other odds and ends.

Things were confirmed when one of the villagers saw her taking a late evening stroll with a little bundle in her arms. Needless to say the villagers held a little celebration in honor of the first child of the kind Spirit Witch. None know who the father is but it doesn't seem to matter to her so it doesn't matter to  them. (hint it is one of the Swordsmiths)

First time parenting was rough for Alora despite the help she had from her brothers and Aeon, which isn't much help since they're four legged  equine spirits and can't physically care for or hold a baby. She  eventually did ask one of the elder swordsmiths for advice and he was  more than happy to take her and little Akari under his care. They spent  much time with the old man and a few other trusted smiths until Akari was was 4 and her powers awakened.

She was able to be more independent and care for herself so  the two disappeared into the forest again. Akari was more bold than her  mother and would come into the village every-so-often to visit the old  man who cared for her and check out the other swordsmiths and kids.

Alora  and Akari disappeared again though this time Akari told the old man  that she'd convinced her mother to go out and explore the country a bit.  They'd be back eventually.

Roughly two years later Alora meets Tanjiro and Nezuko…..

[spirkme915]

for the spirk song drabbles: hounds of love by kate bush! 💜

so, uh, i’m apparently really really bad at drabbles? i swear i tried to make this short and that just…didn’t happen.

this is more like a mini-fic. aos-verse, no content warnings, just a lot of feels and pining. this song screams pining spirk! thank you for sending it 💙

mini-fic that’s supposed to be a drabble under the cut:

James T. Kirk is not a man to be trapped or held.

The Enterprise’s captain is, admittedly, kidnapped and taken hostage more times than the average Starfleet captain, but to remain a captive? Never.

There are many things Spock has learned about Kirk in the two years they’ve served together on the Enterprise - that he prefers his coffee black and his whiskey neat, that he remembers the name of every member of his crew and (conveniently) forgets regulations, that he celebrates successes and mourns the loss of life. But it is this aspect of Kirk’s personality that intrigues Spock the most:

James T. Kirk refuses to be caught.

The origins of that drive are not a mystery to Spock. The captain’s personnel file is both heavily redacted and does not account for large spans of time, but it is the captain himself who fills in the blank spaces. Spock comes to learn about the abuse and neglect over late nights spent on reports when a mission goes bad. He picks up the threads of trauma in unfinished sentences when they sit with a chessboard between them. He weaves together the narrative through Kirk’s insistence on always carrying rations, around the penchant for self-sacrifice, and in Kirk’s flinch when Winona Kirk comms her son.

This knowledge is, admittedly, becoming a problem for Spock.

Not a problem in the sense that it is his responsibility to see to the welfare and safety of a captain who values others more than himself. No, Spock embraces that responsibility and treasures the trust Kirk holds in him. He has found a new equilibrium at Kirk’s side, a renewed drive. A shared purpose.

The problem arises in Kirk’s hand circled around Spock’s wrist or the brush of their shoulders as they walk down the Enterprise’s corridors in deep discussion. The problem sparks at the edges of Spock’s psionic field, Kirk’s mind reaching for his. There is a a compatibility between them, one that has rooted itself at the center of Spock’s mind and refuses to be denied - their potential for a bond growing every day, tying them together in a way that would be irreversible. A permanent bond Kirk would not want.

Therefore, on this, Spock will never act. He knows all too well that James T. Kirk will belong to no one but himself.

“That went much better than I could’ve expected,” Kirk says. His hair is mussed from running his fingers through it, his dress uniform unclasped at the top, revealing a sliver of skin turned silver in the moonlight. Kirk presses his shoulder into Spock’s and smiles. “You saved my ass in there.”

“I was not aware the Zeppelian heir to the throne had threatened your gluteal muscles, Captain.”

Kirk’s laugh is automatic - loud and bright.

Spock suppresses a smile, yet allows satisfaction to ease the set of his shoulders. To coax that uninhibited sound from his captain is an honor greater than their success with the newest Federation members tonight.

It is not uncomfortable once Kirk’s laughter fades into the nighttime air and silence falls between them again. They’re seated on rocks next to the lake at the center of the capital city of Zeppel. The lingering blue in the sky reminds Spock of San Francisco, but with the scattering of stars in a foreign configuration, the Enterprise a distant pinprick of light above the horizon.

The treaty ceremony concluded hours ago - moving swiftly into a celebration - and they’re sheltered in a cove, music and laughter from the celebration a whisper carried on the breeze. A fluted crystalline glass dangles from Kirk’s fingertips, long empty and never refilled.

“Seriously, though?” Kirk says. His gaze drifts from the water to Spock. “Thank you. I had no idea how to handle it when they insisted only a marriage between me and the heir would finalize the treaty. I’m used to strange requests, and I’ve done some pretty off the wall things to finalize a treaty, but that one...” Kirk grimaces. “Not happening.”

There are no caveats to that statement - “... unless it’s with the right person” or “maybe later.” It is a definitive statement of fact - Kirk will never bind himself to another.

Kaiidth.

“Then it is fortunate my research on Zeppelian culture uncovered how vital loyalty is to their social structure, and that your oath to Starfleet superseded their request.”

“Their cultural adherence to loyalty is, as you would say, fascinating. It seems incredibly inflexible, though. Do you find it logical?”

“In a way,” Spock says. “Honor, respect, and honesty are at the core of their daily existence. While those traits may not lead to wholly logical actions, they provide a shared moral foundation. That is eminently logical.”

“They trust each other.”

“I believe they do.”

“Do you trust me, Spock?”

The question is unexpected; his answer requires no thought.

“Yes.”

“And I’d like to think that there’s honor, respect, and honesty between us.”

“There is, Captain.”

“Therefore, loyalty. You know, between us.”

Spock’s eyebrows furrow unbidden. While he and Kirk can frequently convey meaning and intentions through few words - occasionally, with merely a glance - there are other times when the leaps of Kirk’s mind are too great for Spock to bridge the divide. This is one of those times.

He is aware Kirk is working up to a point, but is unclear what it could be.

“I believe so, yes.”

“Okay.” Kirk sets his glass aside then turns in toward Spock. His blue eyes are nearly as darkened as the sky. “So tell me, what would you have done if Zeppelian society wasn’t built on loyalty? What if there had been no other choice but for me to either marry the heir or dive bomb the treaty?”

Spock restrains a frown. “As that is not what came to pass, I see no need for such conjecture.”

“Well, I do. I mean, you swore an oath too - to Starfleet, to our ship, and our crew. And, knowing my luck, it’s possible a scenario like this will come up again. So. What would you have done?”

He hears the question Kirk is actually asking - where would his loyalties have lied?

It should be an easy answer.

There are regulations and protocols. A formalized system by which the first officer maintains their duty to the mission, ship, and crew at all times. It is a formalized system that Kirk eschews on a regular basis, but never without a valid reason - this much Spock knows about his captain too. Therefore, if Spock had chosen to bypass regulation and take alternative action, Kirk likely would have approved. It is not solely he who trusts Kirk, Kirk’s trust in him runs just as deep.

Beyond regulation and the path he did choose, however, his first thought when the Zeppelian heir proposed to Kirk was to take his captain and run. It was not logical, not protocol. It was instinct. Raw, protective (possessive?) instinct.

If the Zeppelian culture was not built on loyalty and Kirk had been forced to choose between marriage and nullifying the treaty, Spock would have whisked him off the planet without a look back.

He holds Kirk gaze and considers his words carefully. “A treaty can be renegotiated. The captain, however… He cannot be replaced. A starship runs on loyalty to one man.”

“A starship, Spock? Or you?”

As Kirk’s first officer - effectively just as much a tool and a resource for his captain as the ship - he wants to argue they are one and the same. But they are not. Of course they are not.

Spock opens his mouth. Closes it.

He does not know how to answer.

Kirk holds the silence, holds Spock in a piercing gaze, then arches a rounded brow. “I’m going to give you a minute to think about that one.”

Kirk stands then and steps toward the lake. There is no possibility of Spock restraining his shock when Kirk unfastens his dress tunic and summarily drops it onto the beach. Even less of a chance when Kirk bends down to unzip his boots, kicks them off, then removes his socks. At Kirk’s hands on his waistband, working the clasp open, Spock can be nothing but sure what his captain intends to do next.

He inhales sharply and has just enough oxygen in his lungs to say, “Captain -”

“It’s Jim. I’m about to go skinny-dipping, so we’re definitely off-duty.”

“Jim,” Spock accedes. “Are you certain this is wise?”

The light of two Zeppelian moons shines down on the tilt of Kirk’s lips, highlights the gleam in Kirk’s eyes.

“Wise? Probably not. Necessary? Oh yeah.”

Kirk sheds his dress pants as well, then his regulation underwear, and Spock should look away. He really should.

It is not the first time he has seen Kirk naked. However, it is the first time outside of averted eyes during decontamination or a stolen glimpse crossing to the showers after sparring. It is the first time Kirk - Jim - has stood before him unabashedly, as if he is inviting Spock to look.

So Spock does, his heartbeat racing out of his control.

The “minute” Jim gave him to think on that question has long passed, and yet Spock remains silent.

It is you, he thinks.

He is driven by loyalty to one man - this man - and he would sacrifice himself without hesitation to ensure the universe did not lose Jim’s inherent light.

Jim brandishes a smile then takes to the water, immersing himself, his intrusion spreading ripples that fracture the stars mirrored on the surface. Spock inhales sharply and doesn’t follow.

He will not chase what does not want to be caught.

Jim reappears off the shore, slicking the water out of his hair. Silver moonlight hangs on his eyelashes as he looks up to the sky.

“You know, Spock… Loyalty, honor, respect, trust… I don’t doubt for a second that we have that in spades. But honesty? It would be a hell of a lot easier for us to be honest with each other if you could be honest with yourself.”

Spock tips his head. “I do not understand.”

“I’m right here,” Jim says. It sounds like a plea. “And I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to run from me.”

A spark flares at the center of his mind. Spock shivers, smothers the light.

“Jim,” he says, his voice laced with a hesitancy he did not know was there. “It is not I who is running.”

“You sure about that?”

No.

Quite suddenly, he is not.

What would he have done? Where do his loyalties lie? He has swept those answers to the side, taken a step away when their shoulders brushed, retreated from the warmth of a hand around his wrist, and shielded himself against that light at the center of his mind.

All of it because of fear.

He has left so he is not left behind, but why would he behave so with this man of all men?

The lake spreads out behind Jim like a cape of stars, a universe of pain that he carries on his back, and yet he’s always held Spock close.

Jim has earned loyalty, honor, respect, and trust.

He deserves honesty.

With Jim, there is nothing to fear.

Spock sheds his dress tunic, his boots and socks. He leaves all else in a pile next Jim’s discarded clothes and enters the water.

James T. Kirk is not a man to be trapped or held. He is a man to be treasured, protected. Loved.

Jim slips his arm around Spock’s waist and Spock stops running.

[thingummies-and-whatsits]

Lewis Fic Recs: Fae(ries) and Other Tales

There's something about that subtle weirdness and heightened poetic quality of the Lewis/Morseverse that just naturally lends itself to fairy tales, whether their magic comes from the fae, other supernatural elements, or directly from the power of human stories themselves. This list is far from exhaustive—please feel free to add your own favs!

Dreaming Spires Radio (series) by iloveyoudie & greenapricot

8,860 Words, James/Robbie, Rated T, No Archive Warnings Apply An utterly brilliant merging of Morseverse with the tone and worldbuilding of Welcome to Night Vale (no familiarity with the podcast is necessary for reading). James Phone-Sex-Voice Hathaway narrates life in an Oxford that is simultaneously weirdly ominous and comfortingly optimistic—made all the better when a certain unremarkable Geordie detective walks out of the mists to point out that the sky is the wrong color. Dibs, by the way.

Faerie Tales (series) by Lindenharp

72,796 Words, James/Robbie, Rated T-M, No Archive Warnings Apply These gorgeously lyrical stories blend elements of high fae romance and lore with the everyday, practical domesticities and detecting that suit Robbie and James so well. Robbie's fae background merges seamlessly with his canon character, and James' drive to understand is the perfect balance to the enigmatic nature of the fae.

I've Loved You All This While (series) by lesyeuxverts

6,973 Words, James/Robbie, Rated T, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Atmospheric and dreamlike. As James lies gasping for breath on the floor, Robbie berates himself for not figuring out earlier, for not noticing how badly the murder of the faerie girl was affecting James. And there is, as the tales suggest, only one known remedy for cold iron poisoning.

Definitions and Whispers by LyricaXXX

2,718 Words, James/Robbie, Rated M, No Archive Warnings Apply Rich with imagery. The villager's whispers echo as James walks past, and Robbie aches to comfort him. But James' hearing is still recovering from the recent explosion and, with the stars shining above, a misunderstanding takes events down a rather unexpected turn.

The Greenwood by Fabrisse

4,648 Words, Gen, Rated G, No Archive Warnings Apply With elements from Tam Lin, Robbie and James discover just how strange James' past is when a case takes a worrying turn. The bond of friendship between the three is wonderfully solid, as is Robbie and Laura's deep determination to hold onto James, no matter what the seelie queen throws at them.

Under Juniper by Lucyemers

1,603 Words, Gen, Rated T, No Archive Warnings Apply The dream-like quality of this story grows increasingly chilling when an anonymous call leads Robbie and James to an estate sale, and the book of old fairy tales they find there turns out to be something quite Grimm indeed.

Now, Here, and in England by kvikindi

20,016 Words, Gen, Rated T, No Archive Warnings Apply: Allusions to Child Sexual Abuse (Crevecoeur) An atmosphere of enchantment hangs over this poignant fusion with Tam Lin and Fire and Hemlock (though no knowledge of that canon is required). James receives a painting after Mortmaigne's death—and a growing unease that something else is wrong at Crevecouer. After a discussion with Zoe Suskin, he begins to draw parallels between old stories of faerie curses and the abuse that occurred at the manor.

The End of All Our Exploring by hedda62

7,998 Words, James/Robbie, Rated M, No Archive Warnings Apply While this technically doesn't have any magic in it, threads of fairy tale references weave throughout this story, culminating in a chase scene at the foot of the Glastonbury Tor. The electricity of the storm clouds gathering at the horizon charges the atmosphere between James and Robbie, who find themselves sharing the last room at the inn afterwards.

To England Where My Heart Lies by goddessdster

22,446 Words, James/Robbie, Rated M, No Archive Warnings Apply Another story that's not about literal magic, but rather the power of fairy tales as both lessons of transformation and agency, and as quests of atonement. Weaving together past and present, James leaves for Spain without a word to Robbie, and the distance between them grows wider after James returns and gets wrapped up in a case involving the disappearance of a girl who specializes in folklore studies.

[vernelore]

Calendar of Falling Stars and Holidays of Destiny Islands

The calendar has 10 months. The year is 295 days. Months are known as “matsu”.

(Matsu is a combination of the word “month” in Japanese [gatsu] and Hawaiian [mahina])

The calendar is based around the “Falling Stars”. The stars are a zodiac based around a story.

When the world formed, plants covered the land. Before people or animals came, the world was quiet. The sun did not like to come to the world because it was so quiet. But one night, the stars grew curious of this world, so 10 friends, bound by starlight, came to see the world.

When they came, they saw it needed something more.

Life.

They made creatures similar to themselves.

First came Lobo. He was the bravest and most competitive of his friends, so he rushed to be there first. He made creatures that hunt with their friends, the wolves that run in the brush.

Second came Pagong. He moved calm, following the waves of light in a gentle way. When he found the ocean, he loved to sit on the beach, in the waves. He made creatures to ride the waves, turtles who gently swim.

Third came Lumba. Full of excitement and joy, she curiously explored the world, playing happily. She made creatures to play constantly, the curious dolphins of the sea.

Fourth came Usa. Staying close to her friends, she cautiously waited to come out and explore. She made creatures that stay close to one another, the cautious deer.

Fifth came Kabag. He worked hard, following his own set of rules that helped him move forward. He made creatures that work by their own rules, the bats who hunt in the dark.

Sixth came Tagak. He was always careful. He saw the balance in the world and worked to preserve it. He made creatures that stand over all, observing the world and its balances, the thin-legged cranes.

Seventh came Poka. She did not like to be seen, hiding in the shadows. But with those she knew, she was playful and fun. She made creatures that like to play with their friends, the elusive seal.

Eighth came Balyena.He always searched. He searched for knowledge, new things, and adventures. He made creatures that dive deep into the depths, the far-traveling whales.

Ninth came Palkon. He was patient, not caring to come later than the others. But he felt a deep dedication to his friends and to his task at hands. He made creatures that work patiently, the dedicated falcons.

Tenth came Pating. Shameless and always, ready for a challenge, she charged in last. She made creatures that are ready for a challenge no matter what, the shameless sharks.

When they finished their individual tasks, before they left, decided to leave one more gift in the hopes that people would one day live on this land. As their bonds of starlight kept them tied together forever, they made something that could tie people together forever. A bond that can’t be broken. Working together, they created a star-shaped fruit that two people could share to bond themselves together.

Then they left, satisfied with their work.

And left a second gift by accident.

When they landed and left, their stardust fell across the sea, taking the shape of shells that sailors would one day tie together in star-shaped charms called “wayfinders” to represent the bond of the Paopu fruit.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lobotsu

The month of Lobotsu has 30 days

1st-7th- New Year.

1st- People celebrate the birth of the new year with round white cakes that are similar to a full moon. They are treated like birthday cakes for the new year. They also create paper lanterns with blessings for the new year written on the lantern.

2nd- People eat flat bread shaped like the full moon as well as lots of baked fish at a large family meal at dinner.

3rd- The whole day people wear clothes covered in stars. Children travel from house-to-house after dark, receiving star-shaped candy and cookies.

4th- At sundown, a play is performed on the beach of the main island. The play tells the story of the Falling Stars.

5th- After dark, there are dances on the beach. This day is considered a lucky day, and many people choose this day to give someone a paopu fruit.

6th- This day is known as the “Union of Stars”. It has become tradition to get married on this day. There are usually ten to twenty weddings every year on this day.

7th- This day is known as “Lobo’s Day”. People put up wolf-based decorations. Children dress up as wolves while some adults dress as rabbits and hide themselves around town. The children try to find all the rabbits. If they are successful, they win treats. This is also a night to eat lots of meat.

Pagongtsu

The month of Pagongtsu has 29 days

Start of Harvest- It does not start on one particular day. It is marked by the first blooms of the paopu trees. This is a day of cleaning. Not only are houses cleaned, but food storage is cleaned in order to make room for the new crops to be grown during the harvest.

Lumbatsu

The month of Lumbatsu has 30 days

8th- Children’s Day- This is a day off from school. Children are given presents and they spend the day playing games with friends and family. In the spirit of Lumba, the children either dress like dolphins or wear dolphin-themed clothing. Many of the items they receive as gifts might be dolphin-themed.

Usatsu

The month of Usatsu has 29 days

27th-29th- Festival of Thanks

27th- This day is used for preparation of the full celebration, but it is considered part of the celebration as the full community gathers together to prepare the meals and decorate the town in deer-themed decorations. This celebration is to mark the end of the main harvest season.

28th- This is a massive feast with family. Meals are usually made up of one seafood-based soup, a protein that is usually venison, some sort of banana or coconut themed dessert. This meal reminds people of their family that they should be thankful for.

29th- This is a day of sharing. As more food is always prepared than the family can eat, they invite friends and neighbors over in order to share the leftovers with them. This meal reminds people of their family and the other people around them they should be thankful for.

Kabagtsu

The month of Kabagtsu has 29 days

1st- Start of Winter- The beginning of winter is also known as the Festival of Kites. People fill the sky with bat-shaped kites that are a reference to Kabag.

Tagaktsu

The month of Tagaktsu has 29 days

15th- Time of Tagak- This is the first day of a 15 day period that is to restore balance and as a reminder to respect animals and nature and to not take more than you need. During this time, fishing and hunting is not allowed.

Pokatsu

The month of Pokatsu has 29 days

1st- Start of Spring- This is the day of the Seal Dance. To celebrate Spring coming out of hiding, people say is the day Poka finally came out of hiding. People gather on the beach around noon, all dressed in silver clothes. They dance in the shallow water. After they eat shellfish for their lunch.

Balyenatsu

The month of Balyenatsu has 30 days

30th- Night of Balyena/Halloween- Children dress in costumes and spend this night searching for treasures, which are usually treats and books, hidden around town. Children are given riddles to follow in their search. Adults wait around, trying to startle kids while dressed as deep sea creatures. This is symbolic of Balyena and other whales diving into the darkness of the water.

Palkontsu

The month of Palkontsu has 30 days

30th- Start of Summer- The day after school lets out, the people gather for a celebration of summer. In the day, there is a sports competition. People compete in races, swimming contests, rowing contests, and the children play blitzball. As the sun sets, people dress in falcon-themed outfits. They dance and sing until dark.

Patingtsu

The month of Patingtsu has 30 days

25th-30th- Christmas

25th- On Christmas Day, people are “adopted” into families. Anyone who does not have relatives is taken in by another family. (This is based on the Hawaiian tradition of “hanai”) For the duration of the holiday, they will stay with the family and will be treated as another member of the family. Once everyone has a place to stay, a large lunch of bread, taro root, banana-based desserts, fish, and venison. After lunch, people go out and play blitzball and cricket. At the end of the day, everyone opens their presents. Some are from their family, and some are from Santa Claus. The family gifts usually contain at least one pair of new clothing, and the father usually gifts the children a practical gift. The story of Santa is different on the islands; in the stories they tell, he rides a shooting star to the islands and can magically appear in homes with magical stardust.

26th- Everyone celebrates together in their own unique ways. It is tradition to wear the new clothing they received the day before.

27th- This day is a quiet day. Everyone stays inside with their family and their “adopted” family. They play games together for some of the times. Most of the time is spent telling stories about family and the past.

28th- Children travel around the town, knocking on doors and singing Christmas songs to the people inside. At sundown, everyone gathers at the beach for a choir presentation.

29th- People open up their houses as sort of a street market. People sell food, homemade trinkets, homemade clothing, and other homemade items.

30th- This day, the last day of the year, is a celebration of Pating. People who were “adopted” go their separate ways after a lunch of sushi. At the end of the day, people write out challenges they endured from the year that is ending, and challenges to the new year. They burn those in a bonfire to end out the year.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Many of these holidays and traditions are inspired by Japanese, Hawaiian, Māori, Tahitian, Samoan, Fijian, and Tongan celebrations and traditions. The names of the zodiac are taken from the Filipino language. The idea of the zodiac is a combination of inspirations from the Chinese zodiac and the other zodiac that I don’t know the name of.

[reggie-gremlin]

superache by conan gray but it's the marauders (very detailed bc it's 4am, i can't sleep, and this is something i have thought about in detail). also, fair warning: it gets kinda sad. not that that should be a surprise, seeing as it's the marauders and that superache doesn't have particularly happy songs, but still.

movies- THIS IS JAMES. james. fleamont. potter. not specifically jily, not specifically jegulus, not specifically whatever ship you have with james. no. this is the way james views love as a whole. this is how james loves. like in the movies. like in a fairytale. he is a hopeless romantic and, inevitably, there is always the moment where he ends up hurt bc reality comes crashing back way too hard way to fast and all at once.

people watching- this is mary and peter. this is mary when she sees james flirting with lily and everyone being ok with it bc he's a boy and she's a girl, so what could there ever be wrong. this is mary when she notices lily likes him back. this is mary when james and lily start dating, when every single person is the school knows that james potter is in love with lily evans and that she finally likes him back and noone bats an eye at it. this is mary knowing that if she had been in james's place, if she had been the one to repeatedly and publicly declare her love for lily, everyone would have had an opinion on it. because they're two girls. because they're two girls and that means people think they're entitled to an opinion on something that doesn't concern them in the slightest. this is peter when all his friends are falling in love. when james is head over heels for lily. when james is sneaking out of the dorm almost every night to go see regulus. this is peter when he notices the way remus looks at sirius when the latter isn't looking. when he realises sirius is doing the same. this is peter when he sees mary pining after lily. when they get together in 7th year. this is peter when he realises that, despite marlene having had a rivalry with dorcas for years, she's falling for the slytherin girl. when he sees dorcas stare at the gryffindor across the great hall. this is peter when they meet up with alice and frank a few years after the two have graduated, and they all get invited to their wedding. this is peter when he realises that everyone is finding the love of their life at hogwarts, everyone except for him.

distaster- this is rosekiller. this is two people who have always been best friends but they have also never quite been just that, yet they would rather be that than risk being nothing. they're there for each other, that's all they need to know.

best friend- there are a LOT here. we have james and sirius, best friends, absolute platonic soulmates from the moment they saw each other on the hogwarts express in their first year. we have remus and lily, who bonded over their shared knowledge of the muggle world, over their shared fascination with magic, over their shared love of books and study, over the quick temper they both have, over their need of a moment of quiet when things get too much. mary and marlene, two fierce girls ready to face whatever life threw at them who, like james and sirius, met on the train and became attached at the hip, immediately deciding that this girl they just met would be their partner in everything, in facing judgement of any kind. this would be the girl they would spend entire nights gossiping with, this would be the girl who they would help with anything, whether that be doing their eyeliner or dealing with bullies. they knew they were willing to do anything for the other, and they knew the feeling was mutual. regulus and pandora, who both snuck out on the same night, running into each other on the astronomy tower. regulus had learned to hide his emotions, his passions, due to his parents, but with pandora it was easy. they started talking about the stars, about the sky and there was just no stopping them. from that very first night they realised how effortless it was to understand each other, how they could have the craziest discussions about the randomest subjects and understand every word of what the other meant. how they were always able to catch the glint in each other's eye when they had an idea for a prank. because they pulled pranks too, almost enough to rival the marauders. they were just better at not getting caught.

astronomy- JEGULUS. if this song doesn't have jegulus vibes, i don't know what does. the stars and the sky are a theme i have always deeply connected with regulus, but it's not just that. yes, the vibes are immaculate, the theme fits perfectly, but the lyrics are the true masterpiece. this is canon jegulus when the war is looming, when james is doing everything in his power to hold on to regulus, but the younger boy is already losing hope, knowing he is moments away from being forced to take the mark.

yours- this is regulus when he and james are forced to hide. because of his family. because of the war. because of people's prejudices. because of what sirius might think. this is regulus when everyone thinks james is in love with lily, and james has to go along with it. because james has been pining after lily for YEARS. he can't just drop it without people asking questions. this is regulus looking at james across the great hall, seeing the way he looks at lily and wondering if maybe he's not pretending as much as regulus thought he was. this is regulus after the war tears them apart and james ends up with lily, when regulus realises that maybe he was right, maybe james never stopped loving lily and he can't even blame him. he probably would have chosen lily over himself as well. he's just angry that he let himself think what they had ever actually mattered. letting himself think that it was ever more than a fling. letting himself think that it was love. (yours is also very specifically regulus in just lovers (like we were supposed to be) by zeppazariel.)

jigsaw- yet again regulus, but it's not james's love he's yearning for. it's not sirius's either. it's his parents'. his parents who, once they realised sirius was a lost cause, started pushing all the expectations on regulus. any rule they taught him before became stricter, any piece of himself he had been allowed to keep was taken away. anything that could risk him not being their golden child, the perfect heir sirius's never was, became forbidden, and if it was already forbidden before, then the rule was now even more enforced. regulus spent his whole life being taught that the only reason his parents didn't show how much they loved him was that he wasn't good enough. not smart enough, not polite enough, not cold enough, not perfect enough. he tried so hard to be what they wanted him to be that he lost himself in the process.

family line- i mean, do i really need to get into this? it's the blacks, all of them. it's sirius, regulus, andromeda, narcissa, even bellatrix. it's thesw children trying to survive in a family that wants them to be soldiers, to be murderers. a family that wan't them to be perfect first and human second. it's children who had no choice but to grow up too fast, some losing themselves in the process, some risking their lives and refusing to be forced into a mold, some adapting to the mold, learning the tricks of how to slip through the cracks, how to work throught the loopholes of the the infinite rules without getting caught.

summer child- remus used to love the summer, until taking off his shirt started to mean showing his scars, until lying in the grass at night was no longer peacefully looking at the stars, but wondering what monster may be lurking in the dark. until the moon was no longer a beautiful thing it the sky but a countdown, a timer that kept track of how long it would be until HE was the monster lurking in the dark. remus often still looks happy and carefree, but those who know him best can see the way he always helps others long before he helps himself, they can see the weight that lingers on him at all times. his mother, who has known him all his life, who knew him when he really was just a carefree child with nothing to worry about, she's the one who can best see the difference. she's the one who can see how hurt the four year old boy was when his father started ignoring him, how scared the eleven year old was to go to hogwarts because "what if i hurt someone". but she was also there to see how happy he was when his friends didn't leave, when their support never wavered, when they were with him before and after every full moon (and during, but she doesn't know that).

footnote- mary is the life of the party, the bold one everyone knows will easily deal with bullies, the one who always knows what to do, what to say, where to go, who to talk to. except when it comes to lily. then she falters. then she has no clue what to say, how to handle herself when lily asks her for advice on what to do. first with severus, then with james. she wants to be happy for lily, she really does, but everytime she can't help but wish she would just ask marlene for help. or alice. or remus. anyone but her. but no, mary is the one who always knows what to do, so she's the one lily always comes to. and everytime, she listens to lily rant, she insults stupid boys with her, she comforts her as she cries, she gives her advice. because she doesn't have a choice. she can't just refuse to help with no explanation, because that will make lily hate her and that would be even worse.

memories- POST AZKABAN WOLFSTAR. POST. AZKABAN. WOLFSTAR. remus has spent years trying to move on, trying to leave sirius in the past, to keep the memories of him from invading the presente and the future. but then sirius escapes, and his face is everywhere. his name whispered among the students as he gets closer and closer to hogwarts. for twelve years remus has done everything possible to not let sirius affect him, and here he comes, in the flesh, to mess all of it up.

the exit- jegulus after reg gets the mark. they break up, separated by the war, by their choices, by things that are too big for teenagers to be handling. and, less than a year later, james starts dating lily. regulus thought that, if he was suffering, at least they were suffering together. but it turns out that no, he's alone in this too. forever the second choice. forever the one left behind in pain while others find a new life.