#they're still with you. it's both a burden and a blessing

[tes-trash-blog]

Elfo Facts

1.) Elfo said the first words ever spoken on Nirn. He didn't know it at the time, and neither did anyone else, but the fact remains he spoke the first two words.

2.) The first two words on Nirn were also the last two words.

3.) Elfo loves dancing. He could never get a hold of singing, but he will always dance.

4.) Nothing has ever even scratched his armor, as it's made of something indestructible.

5.) Elfo once severed a dread servant of Molag Bal from the chains of Coldharbour. The Lord of Brutality never forgave this insult.

6.) Shortly after the aforementioned incident, Molag Bal quickly learned how a being such as Elfo persisted for so long on Nirn.

7.) Elfo is as wonderful as he is flawed. There is so much to do, so much to see, and now with his shortened legs he can only take so many steps. He often finds himself unable to decide where to go next.

8.) The forgotten god of luck once met Elfo and wept. Elfo hugged him, and spoke plain words that set wayward Sai straight.

9.) Elfo loves children and babies. He can't understand how they're made but he understands the language only young ones know. Sometimes children speak in the way the others used to, and it reminds him of how things were.

9.5) If he could go back to those first days, the days without the warmth of love and the agony of loss, he would decline.

10.) If Elfo didn't decide to be Elfo, he would have been the first warm breath of spring, or the first rainfall on desperately parched land. It was this kind of indecision that lead to Elfo becoming Elfo.

[triptuckers]

the comfort of home - percy jackson

Request: yes! "Hii, I just finished watching both episodes of PJO and I wept as I beheld Sally's maternal love unfold on the screen, knowing it before hand from the books. Thus, I was pondering if you might entertain a request—a tale where a daughter of Hades (angsty) forges a close bond with Percy, and Sally, in her gracious warmth bless her soul, adopts her into their lives because, after all, they're nearly kin, entwined by the delicate threads of almost-cousinhood." Pairing:  percy jackson x hades!reader Summary:  after a typical day for a demigod, you just need a safe space to go Warnings:  mentions of fighting, injuries, blood, throwing up, swearing, angst Word count:  2k A/N: first of all anon are you a writer?????? bro those words..... pls write more !! thanks for your request, enjoy!

you're walking down the streets of new york city, feeling utterly miserable. you're soaked through because of the rain and you're hurt.

everyone knows that demigods don't exactly live a quiet life. especially kids from zeus, poseidon or hades. still, most of the times you're fighting for your life you're on a quest.

not simply on your way home.

but today was different. somehow you brought not one but all three of the furies down on you. you don't even know how, you weren't doing anything.

it was a tough fight, but you stood strong. you couldn't prevent the dozen little cuts that littered your body. you're bruised over and on top of that it started to rain, messing with your sight.

right now you're on your way to your foster home. but it's a slow journey. you're not sure you want to go there. and you're not sure how much the mist hides for them.

sometimes if you got home all bruised you told them you got in a fight. sometimes they didn't spare you a second glance.

you stop in the middle of the street. at this point you've been walking for so long you don't even notice the rain anymore.

you turn around, heading another way. there's one other place you could go. you're lost in thought, and most of the people don't pay you any attention. perks of living in new york, you guess. new yorkers just don't care.

when you get to the familiar building, you feel a sense of calm coming over you. somehow you always found yourself back here. as you walk up to the entrance, someone leaves just as you arrive, so you can slip in the door before it closes.

you walk the stairs slowly because of your injuries. every step hurts and takes tremendous effort.

when you finally get to the right floor and walk to the door, you just stand in front of it. you're fully aware you're dripping rainwater on the floor, but suddenly you can't bring yourself to knock.

why are you even here? you don't want to be a burden.

they've told you that you can always come over, no matter what. but it's late at night, it's raining outside, you're soaked.

you're standing there, debating wether or not to go in, when you hear a voice on the other side of the door.

the person is softly singing along to a song that's playing.

tears well up in your eyes as you recognise the song. you were the one to recommend it.

you raise your hand and knock on the door.

'coming!' says the voice.

moments later the door opens to reveal a woman.

her eyes briefly widen at the sight of you, scanning your body for injuries. then her eyes soften.

'oh, what happened to you, sweetheart?' says sally.

her gentle voice is what pushes you over the edge, breaking down in tears in front of her.

sally pulls you over the doorstep and closes the door. she pulls you into a hug, not caring that you're soaked.

you wrap your arms around her and cry. you let all of the anxiety rush out of you as sally rubs circles on your back and whispers soft words in your ear. you ignore your aching body and allow yourself to just be here in the moment.

after a while, sally pulls back and holds you at an arms length.

'I'm so sorry for dropping in like this, miss jackson.' you say softly.

'y/n, you know you're always welcome here. and I've told you to call me sally.' she says kindly.

you nod. 'is percy home?'

'he's out to the movies with grover. do you want me to ask him to come home?'

'no, he's out having fun. it's alright. could I just..'

'why don't you take a shower first, hm? I bet you're freezing.'

you sigh softly. that does sound good.

'yeah, alright.'

'you go take a shower, then I'll make tea and see if I can do something about that.'

she pointedly looks at the cut above your brow. you totally forgot that was there.

'I don't have any clothes.' you say softly.

'that's alright, just borrow some from percy. he won't mind.' says sally.

'thank you.'

you walk towards percy's room to get some clothes when sally calls your name, making you turn around again.

'you're not a burden, you know that right. we love having you over.' says sally.

you swallow back the new tears that threaten to fall. sometimes you forget she knows you so well.

'thanks.' you say, entering percy's room to get some clothes.

you pick a shirt, sweater and sweatpants form percy's closet before going into the bathroom.

you peel your soaked clothes from your body, hissing when you pull the fabric from your wounds.

turning on the water, you get in the shower, letting the water calm you down. you wash off all of the dried blood, dirt and sweat.

after drying off you put on percy's clothes, his scent surrounding you and comforting you.

you head back to the living room to find sally putting two steaming mugs on the table.

'we still got your favorite.' she says, sliding your mug towards you.

'thanks.'

'drink up, and tell me about today if you want. I'll see if we have some medical stuff left in the kitchen.'

you sigh, thinking back to today.

'I didn't even do anything.' you say. 'I was just walking down the road and I got this feeling I was being watched. I thought it wasn't a big deal but hey, demigod instinct, so I took a turn and went into an alley. sure enough, someone followed me.'

'someone or something?' says sally, returning with the first aid kit.

'someone at first. then the mist cleared and it was one of the furies.' you say. 'at that point I was just so done. I wasn't even on a quest so what the hell was she doing there?'

'how did you get away? you've fought a fury before, percy told me.' says sally, scooting her chair closer to you so she can clean the cut on your forehead.

'I have. it's okay if it's one. but then the other two showed up.' you sigh. 'at that point I was really annoyed. I think it was just annoyance that drove me at that point. they were clearly there because they were bored. they thought "hey smells like demigod, oh look it's the hades kid, let's mess with her."

'well, you're here now. you made it out.' says sally, finishing with the cut on your forehead.

'yeah. thanks again.' you say, sipping your tea.

'you don't have to keep thanking me.' says sally. 'you know you're always welcome here, you're practically family. I know you don't like your foster home. now, do you have any other wounds?'

you chuckle. 'only about two dozen little cuts and even more bruises. I've had worse, it's okay.' you say.

'it's never okay.' says sally. 'you and percy are way too young for this.'

you shrug. 'and yet we have to deal with it.' you say, rolling up your sleeves so sally can clean and bandage the cuts on your arms.

the next hour is spent by sally cleaning your wounds and bandaging you up as she tells you stories. you liked hearing her stories. ever since you first met her, it was one of your favorite things about her. she could tell stories in a way that felt like you were actually there, experiencing them.

just as she secures the last bandage in place, you briefly close your eyes, exhaustion getting to you.

'you can get some sleep, I'll tell percy when he gets home.' says sally.

'it's okay, I want to see him before I go to bed.' you say.

'alright, want to watch a movie of something?'

'movie sounds great.'

sally picks a movie while you sit down on the couch. it doesn't take long for you to doze off, even though you fight to stay awake. the fight with the furies was intense, so sally lets you sleep while she waits for percy to home home.

about halfway through the movie, the door to the apartment opens and percy enters.

'hey mom.' he says, taking off his shoes and jacket and dumping his bag near the door.

as he walks into the room, he notices a familiar sword leaning against the back of the couch. he frowns, he didn't know you were coming.

'is y/n here?' he says, walking over to his mom.

she nods, pointing to the couch.

percy looks over the back of the couch to find you fast asleep, wearing his clothes and your body littered in bandages and bruises.

'what happened?' says percy, walking around the couch.

'the three furies.' says sally. 'she didn't feel like going to her foster home.'

percy kneels before the couch, studying your face. he reaches out and traces one of the bruises on your cheek.

you stir awake from the movement, your eyes meeting percy's.

'hi.' you say softly.

'hey. you alright?' he says.

you nod. 'how was the movie?'

percy chuckles. 'it was good. you would have loved it. heard you got in a fight?'

'yeah. those damned furies.' you say. 'luckily your mom patched me up though.'

'you know my bed is more comfortable than the couch, right?' says percy.

you slowly sit up. 'I know. I wanted to stay awake til you got home.'

'and you did a great job at that.' says percy with a familiar twinkle in his eyes.

you hit him on the shoulder. 'you would have fallen asleep as well!'

sally watches the exchange with a smile on her face. moments like these make her especially happy you met percy.

'come on.' says percy, standing up and holding out his hand for you to take.

you take it and allow percy to gently pull you to your feet.

'thanks again sally.' you say as percy beings leading you to his bedroom to sleep in an actual bed.

'no need to thank me y/n. it's always good to have you around, even if it's like this.'

you and percy both say goodnight to her before entering percy's room.

'so, did you sugarcoat the story for my mom?' he says as you sit down on this bed.

'not really, I just didn't tell her all of the details.' you say.

percy raises an eyebrow at you. 'details like?'

'like how one of them punched me in the gut and I nearly threw up because of it.' you say.

'ew.' says percy, face scrunching up in disgust.

'you would have thrown up as well.' you say.

'but you managed to fend off all three furies on your own?' he says.

you nod, laying down. 'I think I bruised a rib, though. the rest is all small cuts and bruises. no broken bones this time. they looked like they were really fucking annoyed they could be bested by just one kid.' you say.

percy smiles, walking over to kiss your cheek, careful not to touch the wounds on your face. 'that's my girl.' he says.

'you got anything to do tomorrow?' you say, stifling a yawn.

'nope. we can spend the day here.' he says, walking over to the bed an laying down next to you.

'good.' you say. 'I just need to wash my clothes and clean my sword, and I should probably-' 'y/n.'

you look at percy.

'let's just relax tomorrow, okay? come on, you need sleep.'

you nod, moving closer to him.

as you're laying next to percy, feeling sleep get to you once more, you can't help but to feel a deep sense of gratitude.

sally didn't question why you showed up at her doorstep, but pulled you in her arms and sat with you to bandage your wounds and listen to your story.

percy listened to you as well and provided you familiar comfort you needed, telling you to relax.

you just know if something ever goes wrong, you're always welcome at the jackson household.

A/N: If you want to request something, make sure to read my house rulesHere’s the list of characters I write for. Everything that I have written can be found on my masterlist. Please don’t repost my work, as I spend much time and effort on it!! Thank you for reading! Much love, Marit/Max

[villainsandvictimsalliance]

The only relationship I've watched in anime that has absolutely convinced me that big age gaps can work out romantically is the one between Barnaby Brooks Jr and Kotetsu T Kaburagi in Tiger and Bunny.

12 years age gap. Barnaby is 23 and Kotetsu is 35. They're literally the newest rookie and the oldest veteran in the hero scene. And you can say "they are not canon" as if the creators hadn't gone out of their way to state that they pretty much don't care how you interpret it, a romantic reading of their relationship is as valid as anything else.

Their respect for each other? Their partnership? They're both treated as grown ass men on the same level.

Somehow Kotetsu can call Barnaby a "cute little bunny" and still he never reduces Barnaby to a naive child who doesn't know a thing about life. Kotetsu treats Barnaby like a man, a professional. He never infantilizes Barnaby for his trauma or his past. He helped Bunny as much as he can, goes beyond his limits to help him reaffirm himself and recover his independence. Kotetsu wants Barnaby to be respected, to not feel powerless, helpless, he wants his partner to stop being manipulated. Bunny's whole arc is that he wants to stop having decisions made for him!!!! Kotetsu knows it!!

On the other hand, Barnaby jokes all the time that Kotetsu is old, calls him grampa, that he should retire, the complete dance. Yet, Barnaby has never seen Kotetsu as a father figure. Kotetsu is Bunny's hero partner, not his superior. Thanks to Kotetsu's respectful treatment, they're friends. Hell, Bunny treats Kotetsu like a man. He doesn't pity Kotetsu for having lost his wife. He doesn't treat Kotetsu any differently when he meets Kaede, Kotetsu's daughter. There are moments when you forget the age gap because the story focuses on them being equals!!! They can take care of each other, they can share their burdens, they talk it out if they are frustrated, they communicate with full responsibility, etc etc etc.

Normally I don't like big age gaps at all. It's more of a personal preference, since those dynamics make me uncomfortable.

Kotetsu and Barnaby are the exception and the standard. God bless the Tiger and Bunny creators.

* also it has some of the best treatments of a teen girl having a crush on an older man I've ever seen. It's nothing predatory 'cause Kotetsu completely respects Karina and never takes advantage of her, also completely healthy because Karina uses that to sort out her teenage conflicts and figure out how she wants to be treated, how she deserves to be treated, what he's looking for in a relationship, how older people should approach her, etc.

Kotetsu is a gentleman through and through. An absolute must watch if you want to learn how to write those types of characters and relationships.

[diodellet]

cw: finished this draft thats been rotting in my drive since 2021-2022. established relationship with the affectionate angel 😇💕💕 lots of fluff and sweetness in spite of embarrassment, references to deeper intimacy at the end, but it's just a line. beta'd with my own two eyes and a prayer, all mistakes are mine

simeon wondered if you were angry. no, that didn’t seem likely. not first thing in the morning. “are you alright?” he still asked, concern lacing your name. your hold on his wrist tightened for just a fraction.

“….yes,” you responded, albeit hesitantly, head glancing over your shoulder for the barest moment before slowing your brisk walking pace altogether. inhaled, then exhaled. “sorry.” a hint of embarrassment crept into your voice. “didn’t want anyone around.”

the both of you reached a secluded area of the RAD courtyard. "did something happen back at the house of lamentation?" you were not one to be so affected by something as juvenile as teasing. "another sermon from lucifer?" his palm searched for yours, interlacing your fingers together.

"thankfully, not." you let go of him, toying with the drawstrings of your hoodie instead.

"are you feeling ill, perhaps? you shouldn't push yourself too much - "

"no, no, no! it's nothing serious, i promise." you'd have to forgive him for being overbearing, he can't quite read your expression as well since you came to campus in a mask and hoodie. "i'm just…"

"why don't we sit down?" simeon's voice was gentle as he guided you to one of the stone benches. "i'll listen."

"…i already told you," you mumbled, then sighed. "…i guess i'll just show you. please don't laugh."

the realization dawned on him as soon as you tugged down the hood of your jacket. well, it was impossible not to notice the new blemishes dotting the apples of your cheeks. some lighter, others darker than your complexion. constellations on your skin.

a warm mix of embarrassment and affection bubbled up within simeon once you fully pulled down the facemask. "oh. those are - "

"asmo called them 'angel kisses,'" you finished his sentence. the words trailed off into a loud, loud silence.

simeon's smile was met with your lips pulling into a frown - or would it be more apt to describe it as a pout? - your palms reflexively moved to obscure the new marks as best as they could. "they didn't appear until now, does that mean, everything before…us wasn't…?"

"no! no, that's not true." you're drawn into a tight hug. simeon's voice dropped to a decibel low enough for only your ears. "i'm guessing they're only showing now because - "

oh, when you looked at him with those eyes - open and trusting and utterly adorable - his heart was going to burst from the sheer affection he held for you.

" - i want to show you these feelings every time we're together, even if there isn't a special occasion at the moment." angels were created to love humans wholly and unconditionally, but this went beyond his divine programming. encompassed a mere fraction of the free will that deeply belonged to humans. "and i can't control myself that well when we're together, i'm - i'm sorry about that."

your knuckles brushed against his cheek, gentle and soothing. followed by the press of your lips. "don't be, i'm sorry for overthinking."

he'd half a mind to mirror the chaste kiss, but decided better - kissing the top of your head. both a sort of blessing and gesture of love in its purest form. "i should have explained that beforehand," simeon mused. "is there anything else burdening you?"

"nothing, well…" that shy look crept back onto your features. "maybe, anywhere under the collar's fine. like, for when i have to be out the next day?"

"oh. oh!" a bashful laugh slipped from him. simeon had to get used to the burn of mortification alongside the swell of affection. "of course! next time, i'll remember that."

(no wonder his celestial magic always went a little haywire when he was with you.)

[criticallyinneedofadar]

Hey! I REALLY LOVE your work ❤️

Could you do a part 3 of "A Flower Among Stone" please?

Where the reader finaly agrees to go to Eregion with Elrond. They're invited to have diner with Celebrimbor. Some other elfs make fun of the reader because of her dwarvish maners and Elrond stand up for her?

Absolutely!! I love these two. They are so sweet together

Among Friends and Enemies

The sun was high, casting its golden light over the vast expanse of Eregion, bathing the city in warmth and brilliance. The towers and spires gleamed, their elegant curves catching the light, while the air smelled faintly of fresh blossoms and crisp mountain air. It was a far cry from the cool depths of Khazad-dûm, and though you felt the ache of homesickness, there was something undeniably captivating about this elven city.

It had been months since you last saw Elrond, and his invitation—once politely refused so many times—had finally worn you down. You weren’t sure what had changed. Perhaps it was Disa’s teasing, or Durin’s knowing looks, or maybe it was your own curiosity. Whatever the reason, here you were, standing at the gates of Eregion, dwarfed by its beauty and majesty.

A familiar figure approached, graceful and composed, yet with a warmth in his expression that softened the sharp edges of his features. Elrond.

“You came,” he said, his voice rich with surprise and something more tender that he didn’t try to hide.

You smiled, feeling both nervous and exhilarated. “I suppose I got tired of saying no.”

Elrond chuckled, a soft sound that seemed to ease the tension in the air. “It is no small journey, and yet you made it.”

His eyes searched yours, and for a moment, the world seemed quieter, the bustling city beyond the gates fading into the background. “I’m glad you did.”

You felt the weight of those words, the sincerity in them, and you lowered your gaze, feeling suddenly shy. “I wanted to see what was so important about Mithril,” you said lightly, trying to break the intensity of the moment. “And perhaps to prove Disa wrong.”

Elrond’s lips curved into a smile. “Disa is rarely wrong.”

“That’s what makes it all the more infuriating,” you replied, your tone teasing.

He stepped closer, offering his arm in a gesture both formal and familiar. “Shall I show you, then? What we’ve been working on?”

You hesitated for only a moment before slipping your hand through his arm. “Lead the way.”

As you walked through the city, Elrond pointed out the marvels of Eregion—the intricate stonework, the lush gardens, the graceful arches that seemed to reach for the sky. Yet it was not the city’s beauty that held your attention, but the way Elrond spoke, his voice filled with pride and reverence, his passion for his people and their craft shining through with every word.

At last, you arrived at a large, open hall where elves worked with quiet precision. The scent of molten metal and polished stone filled the air, and in the center of the room, resting on a pedestal, was a small ingot of Mithril, its surface shimmering with a light of its own.

Elrond released your arm and stepped toward it, his expression softening. “This,” he said, gesturing to the Mithril, “is more than just a metal. It is hope, strength, and resilience.”

You stepped closer, the light from the Mithril casting a faint glow on your face. “It’s beautiful,” you whispered, reaching out but stopping just short of touching it.

He watched you, his gaze thoughtful. “And it is dangerous,” he said quietly. “A blessing and a burden.”

You looked up at him, something in his tone tugging at your heart. “Is that why you asked me here? To see the weight of it?”

Elrond met your gaze, the softness in his eyes returning. “I asked you here because I wanted to share this with you. You understand the cost of resilience more than most.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke, the air between you thick with unspoken words. And in that stillness, you realized that perhaps Disa had been right all along.

The dining hall of Eregion was grand and elegant, the long table laden with silver platters and crystal goblets, the scent of freshly baked bread and rich stew filling the air. Elven lords and ladies sat in graceful repose, their robes shimmering in the candlelight. At the head of the table sat Celebrimbor, his keen eyes watchful as he welcomed his guests with a warm, if reserved, smile.

You sat beside Elrond, your posture stiff as you tried to blend into the surroundings. The grandeur of the room made you feel conspicuous, the polished refinement of the elves highlighting your more humble appearance, the edges of your sleeves worn from years spent in the mountain halls.

Dinner began smoothly, with polite conversation and soft laughter. But it wasn’t long before the subtle barbs began.

One of the lords, tall and lean with a haughty tilt to his chin, regarded you with a faint smile. “How curious it is,” he said, his tone smooth as silk, “to see an elf so enamored with dwarven culture. I imagine it must be quite... different from the comforts of our own lands.”

Another lord, seated further down, added with a chuckle, “Indeed. One wonders if the air in the mountain halls hasn’t dulled her finer senses. The dwarves, after all, are hardly known for refinement.”

You felt your cheeks heat, the warmth of shame and irritation spreading through you. You looked down at your plate, wishing for the stone walls of Khazad-dûm to surround you once more, where no one would care how you dressed or carried yourself.

Elrond’s voice cut through the laughter like a blade, cool and measured. “It is a rare thing,” he said, “to find someone who can thrive in two very different worlds. Adaptability is a strength we should all aspire to.”

The room grew quieter as all eyes turned to him, his expression calm but firm. “Few among us could endure what she has and emerge with such grace.”

His words were spoken gently, but there was steel beneath them. He turned his gaze to you, his eyes softening. “She has shown resilience that many of us can only admire and a kindness that transcends borders. To belittle that is to misunderstand the true nature of strength.”

Celebrimbor, who had been watching silently, raised his goblet in a subtle gesture of approval. “Well said, Elrond. Kindness and resilience are indeed worthy of respect.”

The room stilled for a heartbeat before conversation resumed, quieter now, the air less biting. The lords who had spoken earlier exchanged uncomfortable glances but said nothing more.

You glanced at Elrond, a quiet, grateful smile touching your lips. “Thank you,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the clink of goblets and silverware.

He turned to you, his expression warm. “You need not thank me,” he said softly. “It is simply the truth.”

For the rest of the meal, the weight on your chest lightened. The room felt less oppressive, and the warmth of Elrond’s words lingered, steady and sure, like the steady pulse of the mountain’s heart.

[starlit1daydream]

headcanons for feferi peixes? 🎀

i'm being blessed today :D

my favourite trolls and they're the first two suggestions i get!

- She & Kanaya are absolutely moirails, I'm sorry. The shared sentiment of "feeling as if you need to fix/meddle with the lives of those 'beneath you' for their own sake despite draining yourself and them in the process" is too real.

- Following on from that, I actually ship her in redrom with Vriska! Semi-unpopular take, I know, but I think there's a lot of commonality to work with there! (The responsibilities they have to take on in relation to their lusus and the brutality therein...) Plus, their on-screen moment during Alterniabound is cute.

- I think she'd be really into marine biology! Even after growing out of the more patronising, coddling mindset she has I think she'd still have a love for taking care of sea creatures; especially cuttlefish, obviously. She's surprisingly knowledgeable if you ask her!

- I think the looming threat of assassination by the Condesce and the impending doom of her people weighs heavier on her than she'd care to admit. It scares her a lot, and I think her response to discomfort/fear is to really play up the bubbly & energetic act - like if she's projecting herself so loudly and gleefully then nobody will worry if she's okay or not.

- Fashion seems like something she'd have quite an interest in when she's older; but she'd have a tacky as hell sense of it. It honestly fits, though; and I would fully support her being extra as hell with it. Kanaya helps, of course.

- She & Rose would get along fantastically and I'm tired of pretending they wouldn't. Put them in a room together and they're swapping stories of eldritch deities for hours on end. They're both Weird Girls and I think they'd bounce off eachother's energy really well because of that!

- I think a lot of Feferi's willingness to face morbidity & danger head-on comes from the fact she's sort of been conditioned into it with her lusus. She's been exposed to a hell of a lot of brutality in her life, so I think it's desensitised her to the sight a lot. I mean... she was really eager to kiss Sollux back to life, and that guy's corpse was not pretty.

- Overall, I think she's got a lot of altruism in her and she's just bad at directing it. She genuinely doesn't mean to come off as condescending & insensitive - and I think more people need to realise she basically has the troll equivalent of "white man's burden" thinking. She's a good girl at heart, but if she did live long enough I think she'd have to confront a lot of her own unpleasant aspects.

[werewolfnightwalker]

Filthy Wings

TW: mental breakdown, PTSD, hurt/comfort, blood

Filthy. Putrid. Disgusting. Useless. His fingers blistered from the hot water, knuckles screaming from being clenched so tightly as he clawed at his feathers, trying to wash out blood that wasn't there.

But dammit, he could feel it! They were filthy, he could still smell the copper and see the crimson against his scarlet feathers.

Soiled. Defiled. Worthless. Garbage. A sob tore from his throat as he began to tear the feathers off his wings. Off, off, OFF, OFFOFFOFFOFF-!

Panic rose like sick in his throat as he felt them detach, the fear of losing even a single feather again drowning him faster than the water that ran through his hair and down his face.

He went back to scrubbing, the blisters on his fingers splitting open as the water turned cold. He was shivering in seconds, his clothes soaked and clinging to his skin. He was dizzy, unable to breathe between punchy gasps. He just- he just had to get the stains out, he just had to clean them, and he could stop.

The pain in his hands was nothing compared to what his feathers had delivered that day. He sobbed, trying to tear them off and clutch them close at the same time as he weakly scrubbed, his own blood now running from his fingers. It washed out in pinkish rivulets, dripping onto his wings and pants and swirling down the drain.

If that was what it took to purify something that could never wash clean, then he'd gladly bleed out. He continued to scrub, even as the water became icy and his lips became tinted blue.

He didn't know how long he was in the shower. Too long. Not long enough. He'd barely started, when the door opened. He couldn't look, he couldn't see anything but the red, red, red, redredredredred of feathers and blood and blood and feathers and-

"Keigo." A pair of hands, pale and pallid and cleansed in fire, reached into his vision.

"Nnnno!" He cried, terrified that they'd only be tainted if they touched him.

"Keigo." He repeated, persisting and soft. Long, gentle fingers took his bloody, befouled hands, ever so careful not to touch where his vile blood bled. "Let me see."

"I- I- Th- They're f- f- filthy-" His teeth chattered from the cold, but the sting was nothing compared to what he'd done to others. It wasn't enough, it wasn't enough penance, he was still so-

"Let me see."

"Don't touch-!"

"I won't, just open them for me. I won't touch."

He sobbed, clutching the fingers that held his own like they were all that kept him from falling. Already on his knees, he bowed his head in shame as he opened the worthless burdens he bore. The hot tears that rolled down his cheeks were immediately cooled as they dripped off his chin, mixing indeterminably with the shower water, just as the blood mixed with his feathers.

After several seconds only filled by the drumming of water in the tub's basin, he heard a relieved sigh.

"They're clean, Keigo. All clean."

"No, no, they're still-"

"Baby bird. I promise you, you got them clean." His fingers were squeezed gently, and he sobbed.

"They'll never be clean! There's- I- I can't scrub hard enough, they're still so fucking filthy-!"

"Then, they're clean enough tonight. Come on, let's get out, and I'll brush them, to make doubly sure. If they're still dirty, we can wash them again. I'll help you, alright? You did good." A shadow fell across him and he closed his eyes, bracing for retribution, a strike, but soft lips pressed to his brow, instead- a blessing? Or a promise?- before arms encircled him, oh so careful not to touch the squalid feathers.

He allowed himself to be helped to his feet, the water getting turned off before he was wrapped in a thick, fluffy towel that both hid his wings and pressed them to his back. He whimpered, relieved that they were still there yet hating their touch.

Another kiss to his brow, and he was guided away from the tub, to sit where his hands could be bandaged, rubbed until they stopped cramping and trembling.

A soft whisper of, "I've got you," and he was being helped out of his wet clothes, into warm and dry ones.

A soothing hum as a brush was ran through his hair, slow and soft and parting the wet locks like they were silken and deserving of such kindness.

Guiding hands pulled him close, into Touya's lap, so that he might cling to the only good, clean thing in his life as hands that shouldn't be so stained, that did not deserve the punishment of touching him, began to run through his wings in search of the grime and gore that he could feel caked them like cement.

Each wing, each feather, from the primaries to the pins, was inspected and searched, before Touya wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly.

"All clean." He confirmed softly, as Keigo hid his face in Touya's shoulder, sobbing brokenly with relief, "You're clean, Keigo."

End.

A/N: Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed, consider leaving me a tip so I can get my name changed!

[greennoobartist]

Based on this post

@blupeeblep @thebackofmymind4 @nevermatchandscpsradadventures @taniakinn

Hi! I’m so sorry that you’ve been dealing with those lies for so long, because they are, indeed, lies. I don’t know you outside of tumblr, barely know you /on/ tumblr, for that matter, but I don’t think I’ve seen psychopathic behavior in any of your posts that I’ve seen. I’m not a legally licensed anything, much less a psychiatrist/etc, but all I’ve seen is a young person who’s been dealing with a lot of pain but is still friendly to others and doesn’t put others down. I may be wrong, I haven’t seen all of your posts, don’t even remember what all of them are, and a lot of this is influenced by this and a couple previous posts, but I don’t think I would’ve followed you if I had seen that kind of ugliness. For what it’s worth from a total stranger, I believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and there’s still a plan for your life. I pray that you will find people, both on and outside of tumblr, who will show you the love and support you need (I want to be one of them 😉). I pray that you will find what God’s plan is in all this pain, not that it will take the hurt away, as much as I wish it, but that it would help you to grow into a better and stronger person than the people who’ve told you those lies. As at least one other person has said in other replies: don’t stuff your feelings/bottle them up. Take it from someone with experience, it will build and build and start to eat you from the inside, and then it’ll all come out like one of the world’s worst Coke + Mentos reactions. I’m a Christian, I believe that we should pray for help when we need it, or even just when we have something on our minds that we want to talk to God about, but we were also made for community, and part of that is coming alongside each other and helping to carry burdens, whatever that may be/mean. I would love to do that for you, and I’ll be praying for you. 🫂🫂🫂 May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you. - Nevermatch

We are all just random people like you, and there are many good people in the world. <Pinches you> it's real ^w^ 🫂🫂🫂 Making friends is hard. Especially irl. But there are good people out there who are very happy to be the Samwise to your Frodo. I'm sorry that's what you have gone through. 🫂🫂🫂🫂 Life's not all doom and gloom. There's always a silver lining if you look hard enough. All us creatures on earth are similar. Hmm... We are many times are best friends, because we can know ourselves the best, and sometimes we need others to be our best friends until we can find how to love ourselves again. You're not a monster. You're not a psychopath. You're not a villain. You're not a faker. You deserve nice things. You deserve to live. I love hearing from you. You're one of my bestest friends. You're a real cool person. I've never seen you face to face, but I know it. What have you done? Opened yourself to find the truth. That you're an imperfect human creature just like everyone else and you're trying your best in the world just like everyone else. If you're a monster, a psychopath? Then everyone is, because we're all trying our best and trying to find love and acceptance. Being yourself will bring you the people who are right in your life. People who encourage you to be you and accept yourself are good people. Those who have tried to dig you under, bury you, told you to die, that you're evil? They're jealous. They're jealous of how good you are, of your amazingness. They don't want you to see the truth, because they're jealous that you're a good person. Don't let them win, they don't care about you. Let those who care about you win, and live. There is light. There is warmth. It'll find you when you search for it. You've found it. 🫂 Don't be sorry. We all need a shoulder to cry on at times. Telling people is healthy, keeping it inside is not. It hurts you more and more the longer you keep it locked up. 🫂

🫂🫂🫂 ur not being depressing. you're a real person. It's unrealistic to expect to feel a certain way all the time. The answer to your question: People are nice to you bc you deserve it. UR AWSOME DUDE! 🫶😛✨️ .Online, it's easier to make friends who share your interests and share your thoughts. (We are real people, tho lol). Don't let ppl tell you you aren't worth bc you are. You give what you get, awsome posts and being and awesome person gets you moots who get you and stuff for who you are 🙃🫶

If y'all thought I won't respond to this, y'all were so fucking wrong :)

First, school, fuck it. Second, got overwhelmed. That's why im replying hours later, but I did saw it... I did read it... And if I was in my bed rn, my pillow would be so fucking wet my mom would have to put it in a laundry dryer and no exaggeration intended.

... I don't know what to say.... Im out of words...

Why.... Was i so fucking stupid.... To keep this within myself for over 3 years now?? Why did i do that.... now i don't remember... I literally kept it bottled up within myself to burn like flames and hurt me like poison....and no one suspected a thing.... And I would've kept it within myself....

I was always afraid of getting judged that I was bottling up all my pain just...just to not be a burden....just bcuz everyone told me that no one cares... That life isn't made to be a happy place and that nobody cares...

Blep and Nevermatch, you said that sharing it is better than bottling it up, and I knew that and still all of this was boiling within me for 3 years... I literally just snapped and bursted into tears suddenly and had to get it out of myself and thought "yeah... Let it just be here till I get from school then I can get rid of it cuz nobody cares"....

Fuck you all those people for those nicknames and cruel words... Calling me a monster....a psycho.... *sniff*

I know im not perfect but am I seriously that bad??..... Well.... Y'all told me im not....

...

I know that my family won't believe me a thing if I ever said a shit about this.... But thank you for offering reassurance ❣️

Ill keep these messages forever and reread them again and again cuz they're just so meaningful i wish I could hang them on my wall and wake up to them every day....

I think it's gonna take me forever to wrap my mind around the fact that:....this is real....these are real people.....no AI....no joke.....no fake....just truth.... Just..... Just what life should be.... For a kid my age....

Thank you ❣️💗

[kyunsies]

get to know your tumblr mutuals tag

i was tagged by @nfly5, thank you laura! it was so nice reading a lil more about you <3 i know we've been friends here for a long time now but STILL i love reading about my mutuals :)

1. what's the origin of your username?

honestly i wanted kyunie or any form of that but a lot of them were taken! figured i could add a couple 's's in there and landed on kyunsies! the rest is history :-)

2. OTP(s) + shipname

jookyun bc they're besties <3 and it just rolls off the tongue so easily!

3. song stuck in my head

air — yeji know about me — nmixx do what you do — baekhyun + umi

4. weirdest habit/trait

i notice that whenever i get a lil nervous or self conscious in conversation, i'll touch my earlobe/earring and i have no clue why lol

5. hobbies

giffing, cooking, working out

6. if you work, what's your profession?

i am a nurse! specifically i am a circulating nurse in the operating room so i see surgeries! i love my job, it's very rewarding and i love my coworkers :)

7. if you could have any job you wish what would you have?

honestly it's a shame that the pay is absolutely abysmal here for teachers in the u.s, but i would have loved to be one :') i think it would be so fun, i love the idea of mentoring children to success <3

8. something you're good at

i think i'm pretty good at cooking, but also i'll just let y'all know a lil fun fact about me as long as you promise not to laugh! so i bowled my whole life (yes bowling) and i actually attended a NCAA D1 university on a scholarship for bowling :') i never really talk about it or bring it up to strangers since they tend not to understand the competitiveness and the level of which i bowled so only my close friends and family know and understand all of the work i put in! so i would say i'm really good at bowling too LOL the end <3

9. something you hate

worrying about money! i am very fortunate in that i have a great job with great pay, and my boyfriend and i are very fortunate that not only can we just survive on our income, we are able to enjoy things too. however we are currently in the process of kinda gathering all our ducks in a row to hopefully buy a house in the next 2 years, maybe get engaged and have a wedding and .......... it's just hard when you don't have extra help?? we both have single income parents and do not want to burden them with things like finance, but all of our other friends have wealthy parents that have helped them pay for a house/wedding/college debt. so i just hate this aspect of life lol

10. something you forget

how fast time flies when i'm busy :/

11. your love language

quality time and physical touch <3

12. favourite movies/shows

i don't really watch tv shows but in terms of movies, i tend to love christopher nolan movies such as inception, oppenheimer, stuff like that! i also love pride and prejudice (with kiera knightly), it's such a cozy movie <3

13. what were you like as a child?

pretty much carefree! i have a lot of good memories from childhood, and i am blessed that i have a wonderful family to contribute that to :) i am an only child so i wasn't necessarily too competitve. i wasn't super shy, but not too extraverted either! just a lil girl doing lil girl things :')

14. favourite subject in school

history, science!

15. least favourite subject

math, chemistry, i am sooooo bad at math and was always so self conscious about that :(

16. what's your best/worst character trait?

best — i would say i am very emotionally intelligent! i can read the room very well, get a sense of what others are thinking and feeling. i would say i'm pretty empathetic too, i'm a people person

worst — i am pretty anxious sometimes so i'll talk myself out of doing things! it's not debilitating in the slightest, like i always "get over" it, but i wish i wasn't so hesitant to do things sometimes!

17. if you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be?

right now,,,,,,,i guess i wouldn't change anything at the moment. i'm happy with my job, my relationships, my mental state! for once! lol

18. if you could travel in time, who would you like to meet?

probably my great grandfather! everyone in my family says i would love him and his personality, i don't doubt that one bit <3

tagging: @wishtual, @ikjun, @dkbtho, @minhyukie, @theleeminhyuk, @flowered-mp3, @yunogf, @sheawolfmp3 but as always you don't have to do this at all just if you're interested <3 love you friends!

[heartbreakincident]

wip wheneverrrr

@ladyshivs and @idlenight both tagged me for wip wednesday so im doing it now before i forget again 😭😭

tagging: @aetherealmoss @crossdressingdeath @untitteddocument and anyone else who wants to do it

see below the cut for an excerpt from a cult of the lamb narilamb fanfic that i wrote because i got too excited and now need to edit because i've actually seen the ending

.•° ✿ °•.

"Why? Isn't there another way?"

The Lamb may have been blessed with a longer lifespan than any of their peers but they were still mortal, and it was the nature of mortals to bargain when faced with Death. He had seen this sort of desperation often over his uncountable years, but he had to admit, this was the first time it had ever sparked something in him. The first time the pleas had been met with the urge to fix it, to spare this devoted, flawless creature.

"You are the most loyal of my mortal followers," he explained. "It can only be you." I have tried, Lamb, I have looked. It can only be you, it has to be you.

"One of the cultists then," the Lamb begged. "One of the Disciples, they're loyal—"

"To you," The One Who Waits interrupts. "They are loyal to you. Surely you see that? They serve me in your name, because you have asked them to." They would do anything for their Lamb and watching through the Crown it had made his blood boil. At first, he had thought it offense at the disrespect—that the cultists the Lamb had indoctrinated to his cult did not even recognize their true Master, instead bowing to a mere Vessel. But as time passed, he realized that it was not the cultists at all. It was that their adoring expressions were met with the gentle hand of the Lamb cupping their face, kissing their foreheads, praising them for their devotion. "You are the only one who is loyal to me. It has to be you."

The Lamb stared up at their god, neck craned back so they could take in his towering form. Lifetimes. They have given lifetimes to him, for only the distant possibility that one day they would free him. That they would be able to please him. And now, this: the final reward for their loyalty. Had he always known it would come to this? He must have. From the moment he first cradled them in the bony palm of his hand and removed the chains that followed them into death, when he breathed into them new life and struck their deal. He knew one day, if they were successful, they would make their way back here and he would ask them to give their life for him.

Haven't they already? For him, they had learned to be the predator he needed of them. To wield the blade, to strike true on his godly siblings and end them when he could not. They did not recognize themself in the mirror. It was a sacrifice they had been willing to make, if it meant that one day they could break his chains as he had once done for them, to lead him out of the gateway. To stand at his side when true daylight touched his dark fur for the first time in millenia.

In their weakest moments, they had imagined what it would be like to look him in his eyes, to be on equal footing with him. To have a relationship that was mutual, reciprocated. Before this, they would whisper to the Crown in the privacy of their own tent, unsure if he was even listening. It was a comfort to speak to him knowing he may hear—he was the only person they knew that they could trust with the burden of a long life. The Bishops were their adversary, and their flock were mortal followers who would die in the blink of an eye. Death was the only person the Lamb could speak to of what they felt as they evaded him for so long, what it meant to them that they did so with his permission.

He had never spoken a word to them of those nights, and now the Lamb is grateful for it. The ache of wondering if he had heard and did not care was nothing compared to the bone-deep certainty that their long life was only ever a means to an end for him. Delayed gratification, so that he could be the one swinging the axe onto their scarred neck instead of the executioner that had sent them here the first time.

No. They've given enough.

"And you, Narinder? Who are you loyal to?" They ask, voice as hollow as they feel. What had ever made them feel like they could trust him? They had spent decades entrenched in the aftermath of the betrayal of gods—if they knew anything of divinity, they knew that it belonged to those with the most fickle of loyalties. They never would have been able to please him. They never would have been able to stop this. 

The One Who Waits stiffens, his true name—so sweet on the Lamb's tongue on the few occasions he has been lucky enough to hear it—sounded bitter now. He supposed it was what he deserved, but it still stung. Part of him had hoped that the Lamb's affection for him would persist until the very end. That they would understand why he was doing this and lay down their life willingly, that they would forgive him as they had forgiven the trespasses of so many in their flock.

He should have known better. Affection and forgiveness were as unfamiliar to him as the feeling of the sun's warmth—distant memories from times before a betrayal that could never be taken back. He had done nothing to deserve a reminder, least of all from them.

He knows what his answer must be. What it is, as much as he wishes it could be anything else.

Who are you loyal to?

"Myself, always." He has to be. He has to be.

The Red Crown leaves the brow of the Lamb, turning into a familiar blade and finding their palm.

"Then it doesn't have to be me, does it?"

[thesummerstorms]

So the Apollo kids would have had a pretty massive burden during the Second Titanomachy.

Ares kids are typically your front line fighters, Athena kids are most often your strategists, Hermes kids are likely your scouts and saboteurs and thieves, Hephaestus kids are mostly going to be your weapon smiths. All of those are crucial to a war effort, even if not every member of the cabin proves skilled in that specific aspect of their parent's domains.

But Apollo kids have a really, really crucial triple whammy: prophecy, archery, and healing. (And pity the poor Apollo kid who mostly got musical or poetic talent, or a talent for sussing out truth and logic, but is now forced to step up and fill those shoes!)

Prophecy is probably the least prominent; we don't see any Apollo kids blessed with prophetic gifts beyond the normal demigod dreams that I can remember, but maybe they're off screen or maybe instead they're really good at helping other Campers interpret those prophetic nightmares. Even if that's not true, the potential of an Apollo kid being able to glean crucial information via prophecy is probably enough of a threat to put a target on their backs.

But that's not all! They also have archery, aka the Camp's best supply of ranged fighters/ranged support, and medicine, on which a war can be lost or won. Monsters regenerate, but humans don't. If you don't have medics to treat your injured and dying, you're going to run out of forces.

The thing is, I don't think logically it makes sense for them to be the only ones practicing medicine and archery in Camp. A lot of the time it's easier to keep things simple and make any archer or healer an Apollo character. But not all of his kids are going to be good at archery or healing! Or one of those might be their secondary talent, in the way Will is a poorer archer than his siblings but the best of the healers.

According to Wikipedia, Apollo's domains included oracles/prophecy, healing, archery, music, dancing, poetry, light, the sun, knowledge, law, herds and flocks, and protection of the young, and the protection of public streets/places. Even if he had the most children other than the Hermes cabin, you still are potentially going to see a very WIDE range of talents! Someone is probably going to be good at dance and music and debating technicalities and barely passible at first aid.

And even aside from that, they absolutely still needed archers and medics for the war against Gaia... But by that point the Cabin was down to just Will, Austin, and Kayla.

Luckily most of the direct conflict was constrained to just the final Battle of Half-Blood Hill. (Ignoring any individual skirmishes that might have happened between individual demigods and monsters, particularly during the time Thanatos was chained.) But even in the planning stage having one medic, one archer, and a third person who might be a medic or an archer or split between both or neither and that being the support for the whole camp makes no tactical sense.

I feel like even if Apollo kids are the best at archery or medicine when that's where their talent/focus is, they must be supplemented by other campers who either have trained in that skill or whose parents domain can overlap with it in some small way.

Miranda Gardiner who trains in archery rather than blades because she feels at home in the trees or growing vines to climb in order to find higher ground.

Jake Mason who trains in archery because his hands are too important to his work to risk being the one swinging the close range weapons rather than swinging them. (He also makes really good bows.)

A Demeter kid who grew up hunting and foraging and now finds they have a knack for herbal medicine beyond what a mortal could accomplish. No, they aren't going to be performing emergency surgery, but they're good at helping manage the chills and colds and fevers that come when a bunch of children are crammed together in close quarters.

An Aphrodite kid whose skill at reading emotions allows them to calm distressed patients, whose empathy leads them to want to help, and whose dedicated practice gives them steady hands while they stitch the wounds that can't or shouldn't be healed with nectar and ambrosia.

You can apply this to other demigods and domains too! A child of Athena who's interested in the intersection of textiles, armor, and battle strategy and works extensively in workshops with the Hephaestus kids. An Ares kid who speaks with command and instills courage and is often pulled into the Athena strategy meetings so they can relay the plan in a more effective or inspiring way.

Just in general, I think in order to make it through two wars (three? Are we counting TOA as a war?? The Romans did get hit hard) the Camp probably has to be a little less specialized and more integrated than it might seem at first glance, even if you still have your "stereotypical" examples of the children of a specific god.

[madraleen]

Delicious in Dungeon - Ryōko Kui Vol.12-14: A commentary wherein the word "sweet" is said one too many times.

-"marcille, mushrooms don't have flowers!!" ahaha laios <3

-oooh, the demons share memories, that's why lion knows mithrun, okay

-nice, nice, i like how laios is reacting to marcille, "forcing the whole world to eat a menu you designed"

-marcille in her villainess outfit

-i can't be mad at marcille for hurting mithrun 'cause in her view he did the same to her, but like... be careful, guys, okay? let's not go too far.

-marcille blew mithrun's head off?? ffs, where are our healers. but she's effectively killed someone, still.

-no she's killing ALL of the canaries, omg, marcille

-hello, flamela, th... that's a lot of canaries, wow

-IS ANYONE HEALING AROUND HERE!

-"if the red dragon hadn't eaten falin back then, we would never have had such a great adventure!" that is so true and so sad

-CAPTAIN MITHRUN IS BAAACK

-NO GUYS! WE JUST SAID THE DEMON CAN'T BE DEFEATED WITH WEAPONS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON'T BELIEVE THAT, THAT'S NOT LAIOS KILLING THE LION!

-clever girl, izutsumi. clever girl.

-IS FLAMELA KICKING MITHRUN TO STOP HIM FROM BITCH-SLAPPING KABRU EVEN MORE? ahahaha. although, i mean, in an inappropriate mithrun-way, him bitch-slapping kabru shows he actually pays attention to kabru...? because otherwise he wouldn't bother. he hasn't been bothered to personally interact with anyone in particular during the battle, aside from giving orders.

-this image of infinitely spawning laioses might just be kabru's nightmare, i think. too bad he's not seeing it

-THISTLEEE, lil bb is back. on yaad's back.

-the only person in this entire story that knows how to treat mithrun is kabru. the one person.

-awww, mithrun grabbed kabru's hand, got up and said "okay" to eating, resting and searching for a new desire, bless. aww, the canaries are happy about it, bless them too.

-bb mithrun is crying :( and of course it's kabru that sees it <3

-oh bless senshi and his vegetable scraps assist. and mithrun's smiling now :) oh no he's actually laughing. SHUT UP, HE'S CRYING-LAUGHING, "that's... good to hear," I LOVE HIM

-laios said "feel free to keep eating" and mithrun took it to heart, bless. eat your faligon, bb, attaboy

-'scuse you. did thistle just die? NOOo! well, he got his happy ending i guess. his wish to see delgan. and “delgan” took his burden off of him and thanked him, allowing to go peacefully. I GUESS! it makes sense, but ARGH, THISTLE, MY LIL BB ELF WHYYY :'( why did he have to be the one casualty :'( i know, i know. the lion had taken too much out of him, he'd twisted himself too much into who he had to become to protect the kingdom, he was spent and so on. still. THISTLE! :"( a sweet send-off though. with a little smile. peaceful.

-aww, it's sweet how laios leaves kensuke and his armor in a dungeon

-OH YAY, a year later yaad and his people are alive and all!

-aah, everyone meeting chil's daughters!!

-okay, so defeating the lion demon defeated all demons of all dungeons, right? and now there's only natural dungeons?

-a sweet ending for sure. it wraps things up nicely, with no significant loose ties to speak of.

-i like that people weren't left unscathed and came out changed, either emotionally like mithrun, kabru or marcille, or physically like falin, or both like laios. i would have liked to see marcille's reaction at thistle dying, considering she'd said she wanted to thank him for saving her life. i’d also have liked to see a reaction from marcille at having killed the canaries that one time.

-the fun part is going along on an adventure with a diverse cast in a cool world. that adventure vibe comes off so deliciously (hehe).

-the addictive part for me is mithrun and kabru, mostly when they're together. a kabumisu shipper, obv.

-now that all's said and done i can safely say, my faves are mithrun, thistle and kabru. i also have a soft spot for pattadol; she's sweet, she tries. i have soft spots for the canaries in general, they're fascinating.

[zer0inbox]

SMALLTOWN DEMON SLAYER,

from a shuffled playlist                   inspired by the southern gothic, the preacher’s daughter, and demon slaying. lyrics slightly tweaked for clarification.

i’ll hold my breath for three more years.

god loves you, but not enough to save you.

good luck taking care of yourself.

that's how my daddy raised me.

if they strike once, then you just hit 'em twice as hard.

if i bend under the weight that they gave me, then this heart would break and fall as twice as far.

the more it hurts, the less it shows.

i still feel like they all know. that's why I could never go back home.

god, i've tried.

if it's meant to be then it will be.

i forgive it all as it comes back to me.

i can't let go when something's broken.

it's all I know and it's all I want now.

you lost your chance.

with good luck, i'll find the dark.

it’s my primary instinct to protect the child.

i had a dream that it would end like this.

what's gone is gone and you can't bring it back around.

you can't illuminate what time has anchored down.

your divination should acquaint you with the plan.

all i want is to save you.

the space between us is as boundless as the dark.

you can't intimidate me back into your arms.

no one can hear me.

i can see that you want me going downhill, too.

you ripped me open, then you kissed me.

i adore the bludgeoned affection.

i swear, i’m the shell of a man.

my mom, now she’s a saint.

i killed them both, and they're buried under a sycamore.

you think I'm psycho, don't you?

i'm having crazy dreams again.

i woke up in his room, standing right there by his bed with my hands around his throat, wishing both of us were dead.

we will wade in the shine of the ever.

no one is born to hate, we learn it somewhere along the way.

hardly a maverick, lesser than average.

your vulnerability is stronger than it seems.

you know it's okay to have a bad day.

just get this one thing done.

i went to the bar to get a little closer to myself and learn things i never really wanted to know.

i want to be where all the stupid shit i say sounds so romantic and true.

i'd rot in hell with you.

live with me in this sin forever.

we take things a little far, but you couldn't name a place I wouldn't go with you. 

home is the last place that i'd stand to be with anyone but you.

beware the bottled thoughts of angry young men.

secret compartments hide all of the skeletons.

you know damn well where you'll go.

i want to be someone else or i’ll explode.

you want me? fuckin’ well come and find me.

you soon find you have few choices.

when i was a child, i heard voices ; some would sing, some would scream.

all you have is your fire.

don't you ever tame your demons, but always keep them on a leash.

i knew that something would always rule me.

i’ll make you a believer.

put me to the test.

you know i’m a forgiver.

i still hear you cry.

circumstance will decide.

you’re a ghost on the highway, and i’ll love you forever.

i want to eat out your bitter heart.

you gotta show me where it hurts.

there's a beast and a burden kicking, spitting on your bathroom floor.

good things die all the time.

god bless your heart, vengeance is mine.

kiss me like you mean goodbye.

so if I fight the good fight, will hairlines recede? will lines deepen in face to craft a look of defeat?

my little saturday night became a sunday remorse.

at last, my good friend, we are even.

don't you leave me in the ground alone.

but you and I will never find that peace.

it's too bad that all these things can only happen in my dreams.

if you want to scream, scream with me.

[seobseobs]

to be loved

bf!jungsu x reader (no prns) • 0.4k

romantic; angst , comfort , established ldr

[ reader feels lonely and sad that they're away from each other :(( ]

back to suite

you like to think that it's both a blessing and a curse to have met jungsu . a blessing because it's jungsu: he's everything you could have ever wished for in a person . a curse because out of all the people you could have met , it's the one across the world from you . you know the relationship you have is genuine from the way he looks at you through the screen .

but at the end of the day , you could only say how much you love and adore him with words , and not through light tracings on his back or making him a meal when he feels it's too much to get out of the bed . you can read him hundreds and thousands of handwritten poems dedicated to him all you want but you wouldn't be able to watch his rosy cheeks in front of your own eyes .

"love , you okay there ?",

your boyfriend speaks up , his brows furrowed and your heart breaks . he's already giving you so much love and you're here thinking that it's quite not enough yet .

keeping your worries in the back of your mind , you assure him it's nothing much and proceeds to ask about his plans for the day . he ignores your question , a frown taking over his breathtaking features , "you're not okay ."

jungsu sees right through you . and how can you not give in when someone is pouring this much love to you ? but also how cruel would it be that you're adding your burden to the person that writes your name in his heart ?

you say nothing at first , debating whether you should even trouble him with such issues before he calls out your name softly, "you can tell me when you're ready but i'm going to be a bit selfish here . i'm not dating you to only see your happy moments alright ? i'm dating you because i love you and i want you to rely on me and trust me . we can cry together now . so please , don't hide from me ."

and what if love could only be expressed with words ? because words does matter . right here and right now , kim jungsu's five sentences are enough to remind you that you're loved . and this is what being loved means: to let people in the ugliest part of your heart and they would still look at you in the eyes with so much fondness .

✒ just realized after i wrote it that jungsu is v physically affectionate kind of guy and and im going to cry also um my requests are open and im currently working on o.de cherry magic! au hehe so theres that

[bettathanyou]

Need need NEED cedric and reader fic where hes all sauve and confident in front of her when everyone expects him to fuck up and shes all shy and bothered iykwim;);) bonus points if they're "friends" who everyone obv ships

I'm ngl, this ask was a little hard to answer because Cedric has such few moments where he's confident on screen ☠️☠️ he's such a dork, I love him 🫶

Either way, sauve Cedric is still a guilty pleasure to think about. I hope I can nail down the vibes like you requested! I also wasn't sure if you meant by "friends" they were in a pre-established relationship or not, so I left it sort of ambiguous 🌝 but don't worry there's still plenty of shipping content if that was your intention!

I also decided on a whim to make this a christmas-y fic, cuz Christmas in the summer! Why not!

Dance With Me

A Fic by Bettathanyou

. No trigger warnings, except tooth rotting fluff and the coy implications by our sauve sorcerer 🤭🫣 this fic is inspired by the episode Cedric Be Good, because seeing Cedric dance with Sofia makes me obsessed with the idea that he's a good dancer.

It was the week before Wassailia, and everyone in the entire kingdom could feel the excitement grow palpable in the air. Though Wassailia always brought out the mirth and child-like wonder in nearly everyone's heart, this year felt different; whispers among the castle maids promised a party thrown in Enchancia like no other.

Normally, gossip amongst your other castle coworkers was more unwelcome noise; however, you kept your ears perked as you caught wind that this year, the common folk of the kingdom were formally invited to the Wassailia ball.

You tried to dismiss the notion at first, unconvinced that your rulers were that altruistic.

To your surprise, the King made a public degree the very next day, confirming the rumors to be true.

As much as you would appreciate the royals efforts to bridge the gaps between nobility and the common man, the gesture seemed more of a burden than a blessing as you toiled with triple your usual workload on such short notice.

Sighing in contempt, you take a small moment to sit down to rest your aching joints and tired feet. You take a rag from your dress pocket, wiping the sweat from your face and neck. Your eyes trail lazily around the half decorated ballroom- multicolored streamers, bows and flowers slowly finding their way into every crevice.

Just as you were getting comfortable, younger servants entered the ballroom; the two of them chittering away at decoration placement off to your right, disturbing your peace and quiet. Biting back harsh words, you glare venom at their backs in a heated silence. You take in a sharp breath, exhaling slowly as you rub your temples with your fingers.

"What if we meet a cute guy from the village?" The taller girl spoke in between sheepish giggles, and her counterpart barks out a laugh that echoes off the walls.

"C'mon, get real! We're at a royal ball, darling," the girl chastises her friend, shaking her head. The tall girls face falls, but before she can reply her friend flashes her a toothy smile.

"We shouldn't be looking for village men, we need to find a noble one!" They both pause for a moment, then immediately start laughing together. Hugging their sides as their laughing fit ensues, the noise reaches a fever pitch and their laughter feels like stakes being hammered into your skull.

Normally, you'd at least laugh a little bit, albeit sarcastically. However the stress has been building fast between a few days, even moreso than you originally thought. Anxiety and rage do a dangerous dance in your chest, and you don't know whether you should cry, laugh, or scream.

You had to get out of here, and quickly. Somewhere where it's quiet, and no one will disturb you. At least for ten goddamn minutes.

As soon as you had set your goal, the perfect destination popped in your mind.

Cedric's workshop.

The thought instantly made you feel lighter, happier. Your mouth twitched in the ghost of a smile. While still overwhelmed and angry, the hope of spending time with Cedric already was soothing your shot nerves.

You shoot up from the floor, slinking off to the doors leading out of the ballroom and into the hallway. Luckily the girls were preoccupied with their conversation to address you, and you knew how to be inconspicuous. Reaching your hand to push the doors open, you quickly step forward, making your escape a success.

Shockingly, the route to Cedric's tower wasn't as busy as you had thought, given the circumstances. Polite greetings towards your peers were exchanged in haste, and you had to keep your hand glued to the cold stone walls of the servant tunnels to keep you grounded.

Taking the next exit that leads towards Cedric's tower, your footsteps quicken subconsciously. Exiting the tunnels a few minutes later, you scurry down the hall and up the staircase leading to Cedric's door.

With your destination finally in arms reach, you let out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding. Now, your body feels heavy, sluggish; the giddiness of seeing Cedric has finally worn off, and in place was an ache that set deep in your bones, straight down to the marrow.

You lean against the sturdy doorframe, knocking timidly on his door. You wait, hearing movement beyond the door. Footfalls creep closer, and you close your eyes and listen to the familiar shuffle of Cedric's pace.

A loud groan escapes the door hinges as it swings open, startling you from your stupor. You lazily straighten yourself upright, your hand still leaning on the frame to give you extra support. Plum colored silk fills your vision, your eyes automatically flicking upwards to meet warm mahogany irises.

"(Y/n)!" Cedric's brows rise in obvious surprise, his head cocking to the side like a slightly confused yet happy puppy.

Coupled with his rich brown eyes, it really sold the look. A small laugh bubbles up from your core before you could register what your response was going to be.

His previous puppy-eyed look was now replaced with a more common unamused stare, a slight pout at his lips. He leaned on the door frame, his usual slouched spine straightening to his full height. His head was angled down towards you, making his silver bangs frame his face in a way that made your knees weak.

"Well, darling, if I had known you'd come all this way just to laugh in my face, I'd at least put on a jester hat for your arrival."

Every word dripped with sarcasm and attitude, but the glitter of humor in his eyes and the corners of his mouth stretched into a smart ass smirk betrayed his bluff.

Your heart leaped into your throat at his pet name for you, but you swallow your reaction for now, opting instead to engage in Cedric's banter.

"You'd do all that for me?" You shoot back with a smile, trying to feign innocence as you look up at him through your eyelashes.

Cedric's biting smirk immediately vanished, his face becoming momentarily unreadable. He raises a gloved hand to his face, self consciously rubbing his cheek.

What wouldn't I do for you?

It was the only words that came to Cedric's mind; staring down at you, all other thoughts vanished within those (e/c) pools he has fallen for. He felt the heat of blush being pulled to the surface of his skin, so strong it permeated through the leather of his gloves.

It was then you both noticed that neither of you had said a word in a good minute, only staring into each other's eyes. You felt your skin tingle with embarrassment, and you both broke eye contact swiftly.

Cedric coughs awkwardly, trying to remedy the situation.

"So, what brings you here, (y/n)?" He offers the question gently, his hands wringing together in a nervous habit.

"Peace and quiet," you grumbled back, more irritation propelling your answer than you had planned.

He laughs dryly, shaking his head at you.

"So you came here?" Cedric eyes you incredulously, his whole body leaning on that last word for more emphasis.

"There was nowhere else I could go." You answer in a defeated tone, the pull of your tiredness making your body sag. You quietly sigh, staring down at the ground.

"I know you're busy- but if it's okay, I only need ten minutes." You ushered the words out quickly.

Before Cedric could respond, you continue speaking.

"I understand completely if you can't spare the time, though." You added apologetically, rubbing your arms to help soothe yourself.

"I always have time for you, (y/n). I didn't mean to come off as rude. I-I apologize. I only me-meant to say that-" Cedric tumbles over his words in a frenzy, and you cut him off with a small but reassuring smile.

"I know what you meant, Ced. You don't have to apologize." You cooed affectionately, your gaze now level with the sorceror.

Cedric stops and holds your stare, your voice sounding as soft as velvet to his ears.

"Right. Of course," Cedric nods to himself, almost in affirmation. After a beat, he wordlessly steps aside, his arm beckoning you inside.

"Thank you." You say with sincerity, your eyes momentarily meeting his again. A shy but sweet smile was his response to your thanks, and it was better than any words he could've said back. You burn the image of his smile into the back of your eyelids, along with the countless others you daydream about.

"I'm going to just head upstairs, if that's alright," You turn to Cedric, awaiting his approval.

"Go right ahead." Cedric waves you off, and you bound up another flight of stairs for the day. Just as you were going to sit down on the plush chairs that sat next to the wall of bookcases, Cedric's voice called out to you from below.

"Did you want something to drink?" He asked expectantly.

"I can't, I'm working tomorrow." You replied without thinking, then immediately as the last syllable left your mouth you realized that wasn't the kind of drink he was talking about.

"Haha, very funny." Cedric answers, and you swear you can hear the eye roll in his voice.

"I misspoke that time, actually!" You called down from the balcony, correcting him. He gave a quick hum of acknowledgement, then you heard a cabinet opening along with the soft clinking of metal utensils.

"So, is that a no on the tea, then?" Cedric asks you again, and you think about your response.

"...Yes! Wait, no, I mean-yes, I would like some tea... please." Your voice dies off at the end of your sentence, and you let out a groan of frustration at your lack of ability to speak.

Cedric says nothing, but you swear you hear him chuckling downstairs over the sounds of him assembling your tea.

"I'm tired, leave me be!" You jokingly scolded him, but he gave you no response. With a final huff, you settle into the soft exterior of the chair you sat in. You lean your body weight into the supple cushions, and you swear it almost brings a tear to your eye.

You close your eyes for a moment, the darkness bringing relief and the stillness of Cedric's workshop made your tense muscles finally unbind themselves. You already feel the urge to sleep weighing you down further into the chair, and for once you don't fight it.

You awake again with a startle, your eyelids flinging open. You whip your head around your surroundings, your eyes finding purchase against the warm amber glow of Cedric's own eyes. He raises his brow at you, continuing to drink his cup of tea.

Your eyes then fully take in the scene in front of you: Cedric was seated across from you, with a simple metallic tea kettle and two cups of tea was splayed out on the dark wooden end table.

"How long did I sleep for?" You ask hurriedly, your heart starting to hammer.

"Just long enough for your tea to cool down. Should still be warm though," Cedric nods towards your cup, and you take it into your hands. You hesitantly take a small sip, and you nod in affirmation of Cedric's comment.

You take another drink, bigger this time, and set your cup down gently. You feel a little embarrassed, having Cedric see you sleeping. You thumb the soft porcelain cup in your hands nervously, staring down into the rich tea inside it.

It's the same color as his eyes, you noted mentally, the realization so sudden that you couldn't help but let a soft chuckle escape your lips.

"What's so funny now?" Cedric prompts you, his body slightly leaning forward in interest. His eyes have taken on that sparkle, akin to a cat's, that surfaces every time he's curious about something.

It made your heart flutter.

"It's nothing," you smile coyly, shaking your head dismissively.

"Really..." Cedric trails off with an arched brow, his eyes not leaving you.

"You know I'm too curious and too stubborn to play this game with me, so out with it." Cedric shot back, his eyes boring into you with a mischievous and smug glimmer.

You sigh, knowing that you've been checkmated. You feel your skin flush as you summon your courage to speak your thought aloud.

"I just... I found it funny, that this tea is the exact shade of your eyes." You murmured pensively, picking up your cup to drink so you would have a distraction.

Cedric doesn't answer immediately, and you eye him from above the rip of your teacup. His normally fair skin took on a reddened hue, his hair falling into his eyes as he stared his cup of tea down.

Your lips curve into a smile against the delicate china, and you finish your drink.

"I... I suppose it is, yes." Cedric swallows thickly, and you try to bite back your smile. Cedric fidgets in his seat, clearly flustered and trying to play it off.

Seeing his reaction lights a fire in you, and the tea only adds to the warmth you feel growing in your stomach.

"Thank you for letting me sleep, by the way," you finally spoke, delicately trying to redirect the conversation.

Cedric's skin was still flushed, but you notice his body relaxes a little bit.

"No need to thank me- I didn't really do anything." He shrugs you off, but still offers you a smile.

"Well... You made me tea, at least, and I haven't thanked you for that yet. So... thank you," you nod to Cedric in thanks, and his smile grows across his face.

"...You're welcome, (y/n)." Cedric responds, his voice audibly softening at saying your name.

For a moment, you wish that the peace of this moment could last forever. You sigh contentedly, but soon after reality comes creeping back into your mind.

"Ah- will you be at the Wassailia ball, right?" You suddenly ask, your spine straightening.

"Of course- the royals need their entertainment, after all." Cedric snickers, and you snort in amusement.

"What do you have planned?" You prompted, but Cedric only gives you a pointed look.

"What?" You asked, and a laugh rumbled in his throat.

"You'll just have to wait and see, my dear. Can't give away all my secrets- I'm sure you understand." Cedric shrugs apologetically, and you agree.

"Then that means I'll have something to look forward to." You flash Cedric a cheery smile, and he immediately flushed again.

Before he stutters out a response, your eyes suddenly shift over to the clock on the wall nearby.

"Shit," you cursed under your breath, already rising to your feet.

"Time to go?" Cedric asks, his voice thick with melancholy.

"Wayy past time, I'm afraid." You say with a laugh, but you notice the light dimming in his eyes a little.

"But it's like you said before- I'll always have time for you." You spoke in an uncharacteristically bold voice, holding his gaze to drive home your point. You felt your cheeks light up, but you refused to shy away or hide them this time.

Cedric's eyes light up again at your words, but it was different than what you're used to. Instead of a mischievous glint, or a smug glimmer, or a curious sparkle- it was like a smoldering ember, searing holes into you with an unwavering look.

You were the first to break out of the stare, excusing yourself so you could leave.

You trudge down the balcony, your footsteps laden with dread at the workload you still have to finish. You sigh deeply, lingering near Cedric's door to say goodbye. You turn to the sorcerer, a somewhat longing look in his eyes that makes you shy away.

"I'll see you at the ball, then..." You trail off awkwardly, your hand resting on the door handle. You were never really good at goodbyes, and Cedric was even worse at it.

"Yes- I'll look for you after the magic show is done?" Cedric drawls out hesitantly, and the gesture surprises you a little bit. Cedric was never one who enjoyed parties; usually after he was done performing for them, he would retire back to his chambers.

"Of- of course," you stuttered, more out of shock than embarrassment.

"Then it's a plan." Cedric nods in affirmation, and swiftly turns to his workbench again. You smile a little, taking in one last look of him before turning back and exiting through the door.

____________________________________

Time Skip To The Wassailia Ball~

The crowd that gathered around the stage where Cedric stood erupted into a standing ovation, with the high walls and arches ceiling of the ball room making the cries and applause deafening.

You were cheering and clapping at first, but the volume has turned painful and you opted to cover your ears until it died down.

Cedric was standing in the spotlight, a huge Cheshire grin on his face. He humbly bowed in thanks, which made the people cheer again. He basks in the praise with an unparalleled joy you rarely ever seen out of Cedric.

You wore a smile so huge it hurt, but at the same time you didn't care. Seeing Cedric this happy was worth more than any jewel the cheering royals beside you could own.

He then turns to exit through the drapes behind him, stopping one final time to bow before the audience. You let out a laugh, which drowned in the sea of cheers and whoops.

Slowly, the crowd dispersed again, with people breaking off into larger chunks or turning to each other to chat about the show that was performed.

You decide to break off from your position, heading towards the sides of the stage to wait for Cedric. You stand restlessly for about ten minutes, flashing awkward smiles at passersby and trying not to look too obvious that you're waiting for someone.

Suddenly, a tap on your shoulder makes you yelp in surprise as your body whips around to the source. Cedric was standing there, an apologetic look already on his face.

"You scared the hell out of me...!" You exclaimed bitterly, more upset at yourself for being caught off guard than Cedric scaring you.

"I tried calling your name two times! But you didn't hear me..." Cedric insisted, his tone somewhat defensive but still apologetic.

"Sorry, I was just caught off guard." you huff, swiftly ending the argument.

"Anyways- your performance was amazing, Cedric." Flashing him a smile, you see the giddiness swell in his eyes.

"Did you hear the way they cheered for me, (y/n)?!" Cedric exclaimed in amazement, his hands clutching his heart.

"I sure did- I was there, cheering with them!" You nodded in agreement, relishing in Cedric's happiness.

"I know- I saw you there, in the crowd! I almost waved to you, actually." Cedric continues, speaking excitedly.

You chuckled at his comment, but before you could reply you spotted a group of about ten richly dressed noblemen and women approaching from your peripheral.

You silently point towards the crowd, getting Cedric's attention.

"I think some of your fans want to meet you," you say coyly, giving Cedric a catty grin. Cedric scoffs, but he still wears a huge smile on his face. You haven't seen this man smile so much, and it fills your heart in places you didn't think existed.

"I'll let you chat with them while I wait for you near the drink table." You give him an endearing clap on the shoulder, but there was a slight hesitancy in the way he looked at you. You shot him a look of puzzlement, and he adverts his eyes.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be alon-" he starts, but you swiftly turn his body around and give Cedric an encouraging push towards the nearing nobility.

"I'll be fine- you should enjoy this!" You hissed, your hands already leaving his back. You sharply turn on your heel, leaving Cedric no opening to run. Your feet carry you to your agreed spot, grabbing yourself a random glass of carbonated liquid.

You watch, your heart melting at the sorcerer mingling with the royals now surrounding him. Cedric definitely seemed nervous, but if the royals were talking about magic, then Cedric would definitely talk anyone's ear off about it. You see him laughing at something, and you chuckle in return.

You fix your eyes on your drink, raising it to your lips. As the liquid went down your throat, you sputter at the fire consuming your windpipe. You eye the glass with trepidation, quickly setting the rest of your drink aside.

"Well, I suppose it's Wassailia- they wouldn't want to spare any expense on the drinks..." You muttered, training your eyes back to Cedric.

Now he was actually talking animatedly, his hands gesturing with gusto. As you watch, you almost don't notice how the background music has changed into something more lively. You only noticed as the general crowd around you responded in turn, everyone shuffling to grab a dance partner.

Suddenly, you felt very aware that you were standing alone, in the middle of a Wassalia ball.

Your eyes shift again to the spot you last saw Cedric, only to find he was missing. Your heart dropped; the first mental image coming to your mind was the arm of a charming, wealthy, noble woman snagging Cedric for the first dance of the ball.

You grit your teeth, and you weren't sure if you were cringing at the idea of it or the way your body flew into a visceral rage over the thought. You shake your head to try and clear your mind, squeezing your eyes tightly for a moment. You listen to the melody of the music, the stringed and wind instrumentals soothing your nerves.

You slowly open your eyes again, and a splotch of dark purple immediately makes you stand at attention. Your eyes dart through the sea of cloth and silk, trying to find that familiar plum stained silk you caught a glimpse of before. You're itching to plunge into the sea of paired couples, but you restlessly stand in place, recalling your own instructions to meet at the drink table.

Then, as if by magic, Cedric appears through the masses, and you excitedly wave him over. His lithe frame slinks through the crowd with grace, his eyes never leaving yours.

If you were being honest, you were quite impressed by the fluidity of his approach. You watch with an amused smirk as he finally squeezes past the last wave of people, his tall frame coming towards you.

"I see you came back unscathed," you joked, chuckling a little.

"Would you like to dance with me?" Cedric blurted out, his eyes going wide; It was if he was just as surprised as you for offering. You both stare blankly at each other for a few seconds, actually processing the question.

"I-I..." You stammered nervously, your gaze shying away from his warm amber eyes. Even though your eyes were downcast, you could've sworn you saw his whole body droop in disappointment.

"No- Cedric, that's very sweet of you, but I- I can't dance. I got two left feet, seriously-" you force the words out of your mouth as quick as possible, trying to salvage the situation and not make Cedric upset.

A small part of you was screaming for you to take back your decision to decline- you were just upset about being alone in the middle of a dance, so why did you just pass up a good-no, perfect opportunity?

"W-Well... If your adamant about your decision, I won't pester you," Cedric fiddled with his robe sleeve nervously, and his eyes shifted to avoid looking at you directly.

You go to open your mouth, but Cedric speaks again, cutting you off.

"However; I just want to point out that as long as you have feet, you can dance. A matching pair isn't even required." Cedric looks at you with a pointed smile, one eyebrow raised-almost in a challenge.

The words you had prepared shriveled up in an instant, as you were thrown off by the unexpected comment. You finally let out a laugh, but it came out short and rough, almost like a bark.

"I-I don't know, Cedric. It's not that I don't want to... but I really don't know how to dance." You admit slowly, feeling your skin prick as you confess.

"If you're willing to learn, that's half the battle. I don't want to brag, but- I'm actually quite good at dancing. I'm sure we could get you familiar with the basics, if you'd like." Cedric offers again, this time with a more confident air.

"I've never seen you dance," you eyed him with a skeptical look, but a grin was already halfway spread across your cheeks.

"If we keep bickering, you never will." Cedric says in an exasperated tone, but you could see his lips twitch to keep himself from smiling.

"..Alright, fine." You reply, raising your hands up in mock surrender. You take in a deep breath, exhaling as you reach out your hand to the sorcerer in front of you.

"Perfect- just in time for the waltz to start from the beginning." Cedric says with a giddy hum, immediately taking your hand into his slender gloved ones.

He promptly turns around to face the crowd, practically dragging you to the dance floor. Each footstep you took felt like you were wading through mud, with weights attached to your ankles. Your heart began to beat faster, anxiety clawing its way from the pit of your stomach and nestling into every inch of your body.

You know your hands were starting to sweat, and you were grateful that Cedric always wore his gloves so he wouldn't notice.

Through the crowd, you miss all the surprised and shocked eyes on the two of you.

To the side, unbeknownst to both of you, Roland and Miranda watch from their thrones with amused glances.

"Looks like they're getting along well, Rolly." Miranda nudged her husband playfully, and he smirks in satisfaction.

"So it seems." Roland agrees with a nod.

I'll admit- throwing the ball so suddenly was a hard plan to execute, but this definitely makes it all worth it." Roland laughs, eyeing his wife.

"Does cedric- know how to dance?" Miranda whispers lowly, covering her mouth sheepishly.

Roland shrugs lazily, watching the pair part the crowd of his subjects like Moses and the red sea.

"I suppose either way, we'll find out." Roland snickers, and Miranda swats at Roland's chest forcefully.

"Hey-!" Roland protests, but Miranda dismissed his cries with an eye roll.

"Let's just focus on them being happy together, hm?" She tilts her head towards Cedric, and Roland agrees with a weary sigh.

"Alright- it's simple enough; one hand on my shoulder, the other I'll hold to help lead the waltz." Cedric instructs clinically, with you promptly following his instruction.

"Then, all that's left is to mirror my movements to the rhythm of the music- it'll help if you keep a metronome going in your head." You look at him, already feeling confused and you two haven't even moved yet.

"Right..." You feebly answer back, not fully meeting his eyes for fear they would betray your confusion.

"Here, like this; one-" Cedric shifted his foot backwards, gently pulling you towards him to prompt you to step forward.

"And two-" Cedric swiftly shifted his body to the side, his hand lightly squeezing your hip as he pulls you to match his movement. The gesture, while meant to just teach you the ropes, made your heart hammer wildly in your chest. You feel your face getting hot, and you feel a little light headed as you begin to sway per Cedric's instruction. You find your hands gripping onto Cedric's for better support, your eyes glued to your shoes in fear of tripping.

"Ah ah- eyes on me, (y/n)." Cedric tutted, his hand sliding off your hip to raise your chin up to meet his gaze. His fingers barely graze below your jaw, and it's like he somehow stole the breath from your lungs. You feel the heat from his hand, radiating through your flesh; or maybe, that feeling was from your blush- that had made your skin feel like it was on fire, creeping from your cheeks all the way down your neck.

Staring up at the sorcerer, you notice a sultry grin is now plastered on Cedric's cheeks. While his skin held the delicate rosy tint of blush, his eyes held that same blazing look from the last time you visited Cedric in his workshop.

You gulped, and while you opened your mouth to speak, your words failed miserably. Nothing but an involuntary giggle shot out, moreso from shock and being horrendously flustered.

Cedric chuckled at your speechless state, his hand leaving your chin to settle back to its previous position. You almost let your eyes fall back to the floor, but you were caught again by Cedric's honey golden gaze engulfing you.

"Very good; now let's try that again-" Cedric praises you, raising his brows to signal for you to follow with his step. You manage to copy it decently well, given your inexperience. Cedric shows you the rest of the basic steps to a waltz, and when you're finished, you notice the instrumentals changing once again- your eyes dart to Cedric, and you try to hide the look of fear you have behind your thinly veiled confidence.

"Just in time, it seems..." Cedric murmurs, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

"For what?" You glanced over him suspiciously, but you had a bad feeling you already knew what Cedric meant.

Cedric laughs, with a mischievous glint in his eye that is all too familiar.

"To show me how much you've learned, (y/n)."

Your eyes widened with horror, but before you could squeak out any protest, the couples on the dance floor were lining up to begin the dance over again. You hurriedly join the others lined up on the left side of the ballroom, squeezing through the inches of free space between two other servants you're acquainted with.

"Y/n!" The servant exclaims in an excited whisper, shock written all over her face.

You manage to give her a strained smile, turning your head back to listen for the change in melody as your cue.

"I saw you with Cedric- was his dancing as bad as I think?" She snickers, leaning in towards you for an answer.

You turn to glare at her, but as you do so the music changes. Your eyes pricked at the sound, and begrudgingly you whip your head back to attention. The waltz begins as you walk towards Cedric, and the words of your acquaintance ring through your ears once again.

With gritted teeth, you join Cedric's embrace, his hands meeting yours in the same way as before. Your hands grip onto his body tightly as you both began to dance together.

"Are you alright?" Cedric asks lightly, wearing a purposefully neutral expression.

"Of course, never better." You brush him off, not wanting to spoil the moment. You can see the doubt lingering behind Cedric's gaze, but he doesn't press you further.

Exhaling a tiny sigh of relief, you regain your focus back to dancing with the sorcerer in front of you. The two of you sway to the music, and your shocked at how easy you caught on to the waltz. You both glide across the polished tile of the ballroom, the music propelling your bodies together in sync.

Cedric gazes down at you, and you struggle to hold his stare. The lights that hung from the crystal chandeliers splayed out on Cedric face handsomely, accenting all of his facial features in a play of light and shadow. His bright brown eyes flickered in hue as the light hit them; a dizzying display of copper and gold, amber and honey. Coupled with the way his silver bangs glowed like a halo as he moved, to say you were spellbound was an understatement.

"You seem to be catching on beautifully," Cedric purrs, his eyes crinkling as he gives you a smug smile.

Snapped out of your trance, you rush to respond.

"You were always a good teacher, Cedric." You state simply, but your cheeks warmed from giving him a compliment.

"You think so?" He hums back, his cognac eyes lighting up at your words.

"You made a dancer out of me of all people. If anything, it's an understatement." You confirm with a cheeky smile, and he bashfully adverts his eyes for a second.

"You're too generous- but, thank you." He sheepishly replies, his fair skin now tinged pink.

You let a soft chuckle slip past your lips as he gently leads you into a twirl, his arms providing you an anchor as your body spins.

Feeling bold, you accelerate as you reach the end of your twirl, standing on your toes as you do so. Turning back to face him again, you suddenly feel your ankle give out from under you.

It happened so suddenly, you didn't even have time to react at all. All you could do was watch as the world moved in slow motion, and feel your heart drop as your body sinks to the floor. Accepting your fate, you await the pain of hitting the hard, cold tile of the ballroom floor.

However, it never does. Your brain doesn't register what happened, but instead of the harsh, unforgiving floor beneath you, you feel lithe arms and silken sleeves wrapping taut around your body. Your eyes slink upwards, meeting the frenzied state of Cedric's bright brown pools.

You both stare at each other, frozen and unable to reach for any words to say that could remedy what just happened. Your eyes feel as blown wide as Cedric's, and your jaw hung slack as you felt your body catching up with itself. His face was mere inches from yours, and a curtain of dreamy silver bangs just barely tickled your cheek. Though his face fell into shadow, you can clearly see the blush seeping into his skin. His lips were parted slightly, as if he caught himself before he could scream. Your fingers twitched, and you now noticed that one of your hands was practically buried into his scalp. You dared not move your hand, but even still you could feel the softness of Cedric's ebony locs in your grasp.

Your heart ricocheted from the pit of your stomach into your throat, where your pulse raced frantically; your empty stomach nowfilled with butterflies and twisting into knots.

With the new position you find yourself in, it looks as if he dipped you dramatically as the music reached its crescendo- which, to your surprise, made you giggle.

After another few seconds, you break into full laughter, shaking your head at the ridiculousness of it all. With the tension broken, you feel Cedric's chest vibrate with laughter, in turn egging yours on. Despite being in the middle of a ball room, you two continue laughing without a care in the world.

As your laughter finally dies down, Cedric slowly and carefully pulls you back up to a standing position. Your head swam as he hoisted you upwards, and instinctively you leaned into his chest for support.

"I suppose I spoke too soon, huh?" You grumbled sarcastically into his robe, and you hear the laughter he tried to hold back in his chest.

"Perhaps- At least, you could've warned me before trying to twirl like that." You feel his eyes on you, and shyly you step away from his embrace to stand facing Cedric.

"Right... Sorry- I got carried away." You apologized sincerely, the embarrassment now catching up to you. You couldn't think your body could feel any hotter than before, but you're soon realizing you're mistaken.

Cedric shoots with an unreadable look, and for a moment your flashing hot body turns to ice as you fear he's upset with you. You stall your breathing, eyes locked in his unnerving stare.

"W-what?" You finally ask, cringing internally as how pathetic your voice sounded.

"You know... This may sound strange, but-" Cedric pauses, staring at you a moment more before stepping towards you. You try to step back, but your body doesn't budge. You turn your head to decipher the problem- now realizing now that his arm has already found it's place against your back.

With his free hand, Cedric cups your cheek into his palm and directs your face back to his. You're completely speechless at this point, and your brain is so fried from being flustered that any motor skills you had are long gone.

"I think I like it when you get carried away..." Cedric chuckles lowly, his eyes holding those same sparks that make a fire light deep down in your belly. You try to crawl around in your brain for any comeback, quip, or smart remark- but all that's left of your coherent thought is how desperately you want to be even closer to Cedric's body.

Acting on that whim, you hook your arms around Cedric's neck. His brows shoot up in questioning, but he doesn't protest.

"Would you like another dance?" The words manifest on your tongue without thinking, and your heart felt giddy as you awaited his response.

"It would be my pleasure," Cedric spoke, his voice soft as feather down as his head dipped even closer to your own. Feeling your breath catch in your throat, all you can do is nod your head in affirmation.

Even though you both had agreed to dance once more, neither of you made the move to untangle yourself from the other's embrace. You knew that one of you had to give, yet you both clung to each other just as tightly.

After a few moments, you feel Cedric's body shift, and you follow to unbind your arms from his neck. He suddenly stops, and you follow suite. You feel Cedric tip his head towards your ear, and you swallow hard as he whispers to you.

"I was thinking... If it's alright- we stay like this." Cedric's voice now had a rougher tone to it, and it sent shockwaves through you. Instead of answering, you adjust yourself back into the position you were in previously.

You smile into his shoulder, letting yourself fully enjoy his embrace. Taking in a deep breath, you inhale the Cedric's scent. The smell of dried herbs, his sweet soap, and the musk of old books makes your head spin in the best of ways.

As if almost on cue, the music changes in the ballroom once again, to something more slow and moody.

You lift your head in response, eyes scanning the scene around you, and you catch the eye of Queen Miranda somehow.

She quickly gestures towards the musicians, then gives you a sly wink.

Biting back a smile, you opt to bury yourself into Cedric's shoulder again.

This year, Wassailia has shaped up to be one of your favorite memories yet.

[bp4545]

Don't Be Like Him (Angst, Fluff)

Word count: 900

Warnings: Dysfunctional family, crying, angst, toxic marriage, 

Summary: Your parents have lots of fights, and there hasn't usually been any like this one. You're on your mum's side, because your dad calls your mum a lot of nasty things and burdens her with his family. You come home one day, crying to your husband Draco, and you tell him to promise you that he will never be like your dad.

a/n: This was requested by my close friend who went through a similar situation, and to all of those who relate, I am so sorry, I know that its hard to see parents fighting, especially when the outcomes are never good. Just know that you aren't alone, and that there is always other family and friends to support you. <333

---

You sit in your bedroom, alone, heart aching as you can hear your parents fighting in the living room across you.

You just came over to spend some time with them in the muggle world since you haven't seen them for so long, but practically nothing has changed. Still the same old screaming and shouting, the same one that haunted you as a child.

You toss around in your childhood bed, memories flooding as you cry yourself to sleep, wiping your tears on the hem of your blanket, where you can see tear stains from years ago; when the same thing happened.

"YOU EVIL WOMAN! WHY DID I EVER MARRY YOU" You can hear your father scream at your mum, followed by her hysterical sobs. 

"DO YOU EVER THINK THAT MAYBE I AM UNHAPPY? HOW COULD YOU SAY THESE THINGS ABOUT YOUR OWN WIFE!" You wince as your mum retaliates.

You hate these fights. Mostly because its always your dad who wins. You mum will say sorry, her opinions won't be heard. Because she's the woman, she's meant to be weak. In your dad's eyes she is nothing but someone to push around and bend to his will.

Part of you want's to go out there, support your mum, help her fight. The other part of you doesn't want to get involved, because it hurts too much to have to come in between your parents.

You take the third option; go back home to Draco.

You get up, pack your bag quickly and open the door. Staring your mum and dad in the eyes as they fall silent. You don't say a word and exit the door, not looking back. 

You don't want to leave your mum there, you don't want her to suffer alone, you want to stay and cry with her, make the pain hurt less. But it's too much. You don't have the energy to deal with more screaming. What did your mum ever do to deserve this. Why couldn't she just be blessed with a happy life.

Before you leave the driveway, you cast a silencing spell on both of them, so that they aren't able to hear each other or fight more. At least they could get some rest that way.

You sigh as tears brim your eyes as you head home to Draco.

---

As the night falls silent, you insert the key to yours and Draco's apartment. Inside is dark, but you peek into the bedroom to see the nightlight on, and Draco reading a book in bed, shirtless.

You make eye contact with him and he smiles, but a smile fails to form on your lips as tears start streaming down your face, as if you've been holding them in for an eternity. 

Draco's face drops as he sees your change in mood. He quickly gets up and walks over to you, cradling you in his arms as you cry into his chest.

"My love what happened what's wrong" he gently spoke.

"My parents..."  you sniffle "They're fighting again, I hate it"

He shushes you softly, and sways in a comforting manner.

"Are they okay now?"

"They only shut up because I put a silencing spell on them, but..." you start to cry again.

"Baby... please tell me anything" he coos

"My dad" you started "He called my mum an evil woman" you cry again "And said that he wished he never married her" you start to breathe hard and grip onto Draco's arms harder.

"I don't understand how he could say something like that Draco! I-I wish my mum had a better life" you cry, the tears aren't for you though, they're for your mum.

"No one deserves that my love" he whispers "You don't deserve that either, to see your parents fighting"

I fall silent for a bit, calming down.

"Draco?" my voice breaks again "Would you... ever say those kinds of things to me?" you say, feeling vulnerable.

Draco looks taken aback, "My love I would never. I love you too much to say those kinds of things, no matter how angry I am I would never call you evil, or regret marrying you, believe me my darling." he hushes.

"Good. Don't be like him "I wrap my arms around him, sighing into his chest. "I love you" I whisper.

"I love you too darling" he says.

---

a/n: I could really relate to this prompt and I know that seeing your parents fight is a very hard thing to watch, especially as a young child. If you are experiencing this or still have past trauma, please reach out to family or friends you can confide in because sometimes it's really good to talk about these things and let your feelings out<3 Take care everyone:)