#yesterdate

[johnfdonovan]

my (four) favourite first watches of feb as tagged by @sirgawin

possessor (2020)

sanctuary (2022)

dog man (2025)

final destination 3 (2006)

tagging anyone who sees this that wants to participate ^_^

[bred-is-a-dumb-name]

I swear to God if one more person tells me "Well you look fine" during a flare up or otherwise disabling moment I might just snap. What part of invisible illness doesn't register. Do you want me to show you my fucked up organs??? Do you wanna see em??? Is that what itll take for you to admit im not healthy???? Augh.

[randomalistic]

I had a dream I was playing totk and the flying guardians came back and there were also flying hinox. Smile …

[waytoobsessed]

It's the newest updates on the Glass blog

Are you feeling better? Headaches are the worst - Out of Glass

Headache is dull now 👍

[jjcocker]

im ight pass out but man. idc

[lovverletters]

ILLUSION˚₊·—̳͟͞͞♡

❝IN WHICH ㅡ Your husband seems to have change for the better. Although is it really him? Or somebody else masquerading as your husband ❞

A/N : Unofficial comeback hihi !! I made this in 3 hours please don't judge my word vomit

T/W : bad relationship, mentioned of murder, not edited, yandere theme, twist at the end

«────── « ⋅ʚ💌ɞ⋅ » ──────»

[name] sighed for ninth time of the day, everything is going horribly for them.

Early this morning, they had accidentally burnt the breakfast they were cooking for you and their husband, Mauve. He did not take kindly to it and yelled at them before leaving for his work.

It only worsen as they had forgotten their lunch and had to work on an empty stomach while their less than pleasant boss chewed them up for their failing performances.

Then, their car broke down and had to be towed away while they went home on a cab with the world most unpleasant driver ever.

It felt as if the world was against them. Pinning them against the corner like a bully demanding for their lunch money.

Now, they sat at the dinner table staring at the food that's slowly growing colder as they waited for Mauve to come home. As the clock struck 10 and their husband was still not home, [name] sighed once more before cleaning up the table.

Despite their very best effort to avoid addressing the glaring issue of their crumbling marriage, [name] couldn't ignore it anymore.

Mauve and them hardly resembled a married couple, they don't spend time with each other due to clashing schedule and even if they were free, they'd much rather be alone than with each other. The two of them would bicker and argue over unnecessary stuff, don't even mention being physically intimate with each other. They're practically practicing abstinence.

[name] has been the only party making effort to keep the relationship going but Mauve was not doing the same.

It is clear as day that the spark and love they have had simply dried up.

" I should just divorce him at this point .. " [name] muttered before falling into a deep slumber.

«────── « ⋅ʚ💌ɞ⋅ » ──────»

The next morning, they awoke to a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. [name] sat up in surprise at the smell and walking to the source of the wonderful aroma.

To their surprise for the second time, they sees Mauve flipping pancakes in his suit and ties. Upon hearing their approaching footsteps, Mauve turned over and greetes them with a smile.

" Good morning honeybun, I made pancakes for breakfast. Come take a seat " He plated the freshly made pancakes and placing it on the table.

Huh? Honeybun? Where did that come from?

[name] were puzzled at Mauve's odd behaviour. He glanced at them worriedly when he realised they had not yet taken a seat and had been standing at the doorway with a gaping mouth.

" What's wrong honeybun? Why are you standing there like you've seen a ghost " Mauve placed a gentle hand on their shoulder.

" Whㅡ what's the special occasion, Mauve? " they dumbly said.

" Hm? Don't I always makes us breakfast everyday? " He said, albeit a bit confused.

[name] blinked. Once. Twice.

" No? I'd always do the cooking " They replied with an equally confused face.

Mauve went silent before rubbing the back of his neck nervously with a sheepish smile.

" Ah, I don't? I was just messing with you honeybun~ "

They squinted their eyes at their ' husband ', feeling suspicious of his change of behaviour. Just yesterday he was yelling at them for burning his toast and today he's done a complete 180.

" You don't usually call me petnames either. What is up with you today? " They sat down on the chair and begun cutting up the pancakes.

Mauve closed his mouth once again and stayed silent, [name] could almost hear the cogwheels in his brain turning to form a response. After a while, he finally spoke with a deep sigh.

" Look. [name], baby. I've realised all these years I've been a dick to you and not treating your right " His voice quivered.

" Yesterday, I had an epiphany of sort and I don't want to lose someone as amazing as you, [name]. Will you give me a second chance in loving you? " He held their hand in a gentle grasp, his eyes reflecting his sincerity.

[name] was at a loss for word. They genuinely didn't expect to hear that from their husband. They were ashamed of the tiny flame that sparked within them at his words.

They were conflicted, however after contemplating for some time in their head. They finally made up their mind. [name] placed their own hand atop of Mauve's and gave him a gentle smile.

" I honestly don't know what happened to you yesterday but .. I'm willing to give us a second try to make it work " They said softly.

A grin broke out on Mauve's faceㅡ something they had not seen in years. He then pull them into an embrace and littered kisses all over their faces.

" Thank you, baby. Thank you so much " He happiky hummed onto their skin.

[name] couldn't help but grew flustered at his onslaught of affection. They were not used to it but it wasn't unwelcomed. They slowly reciprocated Mauve's hug and buried their face onto his shoulder.

Finally, something's going right for them.

«────── « ⋅ʚ💌ɞ⋅ » ──────»

He almost felt bad for fooling [name] on thinking that their pathetic excuse of a husband could ever change.

For someone as successful as Mauve was, he is incredibly stupid for neglecting the most amazing spouse a person could ever wish for. Honestly, he felt his blood boils seeing [name]'s astonished reaction to him performing simple husbandry dutiesㅡ it shows that the bastard never treats his spouse right.

It disgust him greatly to be Mauve's döppleganger, to share the same likeness as him. But without it, he wouldn't be able to intervene and replaces him.

Nonetheless, he'd already removed Mauve's out of the picture. If there's one thing he doesn't regret is watching the light slowly dimmed from Mauve's eyes as he kills him.

Now, he shall fulfill his position as [name]'s husband, 'Mauve'.

THE END˚₊·—̳͟͞͞♡

[wonryllis]

𝜗𝜚ㅤTHAT'S MY GIRL! ( their idol s/o has dating rumours with someone else )

────𝖺𝗅𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗒, 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝖺𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗌𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗒!

﹙NOTES.﹚ enhypen as your idol counterpart. fluff. fem!centered. lowercase intded. 1098wc. requested by anonie 𓈃 ๋ 𝐍𝐄���� 峠

𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐆 the one who ends up revealing your relationship in the most unhinged way. look he really loves the thrill of a secret relationship and he's so grateful to be chosen and loved by you but he just cannot stand you being romantically associated with someone that's not him. like why anyone else when he's literally here? sad baby starts a weverse live to vent in code (lies he planned it all so strategically, the perfect little irreversible plan) but ends up slipping your name in between as if he wasn't just giving it all away, "whose scrunchie is that? oh this blue one?" picking up the silk rubber from the corner the fans spotted it in,"it's y/n's," and when asked why, he's babbling on before anyone can stop him," because my baby was here yesterd-" live ended.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐆 the one who is so secure in himself, he wouldn't give a damn about it. please he couldn't be bothered in the least whether there's one or hundred rumours or articles, he knows he's the only one for you. though sometimes he would want to show you off a bit but that's okay there will come that day when he would put a ring on that finger and declare to everyone just how much he loves you. "jay did you know about that rumor i had with-" you enter the room, wanting some lovely words from your lovely boyfriend,"baby you know i love you lots no article or rumor's gonna change that ever," you giggle rushing over to him and leaving fluttering kisses on his cheeks, "just wanted to tell you he's apparently rumoured to have beef with you," "we meet after a week and that's all you gotta say? come on baby,"

𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐔𝐍 the one who is full of himself, convinced it was just a lame ass set up for a while. he opens the article once, reads a lone single line and it's done. the next time you're meeting he'll be like, i saw the article of you with so and so, saw the pictures too and well i understand. can't deny your chemistry speaks but that's because they haven't seen you with me yet, "we literally define chemistry baby, he ain't nothing before me," his ego shines so bright and it's even crazy that you find that attractive about him. the next time he sees that idol he's gonna be hella sarcastic and fans are so confused to see the puppy guy behave like that. "i know he's no competition for me but honeybun how dare they like, man know your limits," he's not stressed he says all week.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐍 the one who ends up making dating rumours of himself with that idol. honestly he hates it, the rumours are eating away at him and it's worse that you're mc partners with that idol. will stare that guy's kidneys down when on an interview on the show. and then boom the next day there's articles all over the internet about how he was giving his heart eyes the entire time. "is this damage control or is this self sabotage?" he's questioning himself as much as he is questioning you, but does it really matter the mission was successful and now your name is no longer attached to that shit. now well it's his go to plan everytime you get dating rumours only stopping when it's his name beside yours, "baby, i got it all under control trust me. no one will ever try to pretend to date you," he's not leaving anyone unstained who dares to go for his baby.

𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐎𝐎 the one who strangely gets excited over the news, boy are you sure it's rumours about your s/o? he's quite literally the first one to find out and he's ecstatic to know the love of his life is so popular and even more that you're getting free publicity like you go girl it's all an image, i know who's the real one. there is no jealousy jealousy, but he's still like,"don't be too cocky about your options, you're stuck with me bun," if he knows that idol, he's definitely talking about it in his next live, subtly trying to debunk the rumours saying oh my friend's got no rizz, way to roast for love. however there are moments of craziness when he'd add fuel to the fire and start new rumours, "babes, i got you some more publicity, your company's not doing shit for you they gotta thank me,"

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐎𝐍 the one who purposely tries to set you up for schedules with himself so that he can start rumours about you both. on his managers ass to arrange shows you can participate together in, to creat opportunities for him to interact with you as much as he possibly can. might even pressurize the poor manager to open fan accounts and spread rumours about y'all. "baby, i got this show for us next week, we're gonna be making news soon!" excited he speaks into the phone, on his way to your dorm without any disguise hoping paparazzi catches him?? with his manager running after him trying to convince him there's better ways. "wonie, do you wanna join we got married?" boom bam boom you're just as crazy as him, your mates cannot fathom how y'all haven't been discovered yet.

𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐈 the one who teases you but in a sorta jealous, i need some validation kind of way. he knows it's not serious but he just can't help it, he just constantly wants to be reassured by you, it makes him feel all these giddy butterflies like yes i bagged this amazing person. and it's so sad he can't show it to the world, but if you love him back then that's all that matters. "heard you got a new boyfie?" he looks at you wiggling his brows in a pout as you hangout in an empty dressing room after your performances, "what no? you're my boyfriend, the permanent one," you assure his ass but he's liking this so much,"the how many side hoes have you got?" he starts again, "only one," you tease, "does it start with a r and end with an i?" "i don't think so," "y/n!" always ends like this.

TAGLIST ( open. ) @kangseulgithegreat @s00buwu @luvyev @pockyyasii @nctislifue @ashtxrie

[lichenes]

Velvet Ring

There's only one bed! And nightmares choose to not let you live them down. Prompt by the lovely @smdb-joost :D

CW: nightmares, mutual pining<333, confessions, brief mention of kissin

wc: 800

•───────•°•❀•°•───────••────────•°•❀•°•────────•

“Shit, uhhh what do we do now?” Joost said as you both entered the room. “Uhh… I’m assuming I'm taking the floor?” He laughed.

Giving the fact that you and Joost have been friends for a long time you didn’t mind sharing a bed but when he suggested taking the floor, a small piece of you thought about all the ‘accidental’ touches, his sweet smiles which seemed only brighter when directed towards you and the way he looked at you when he was sure you weren’t. You hoped for the cheesy fantasy to come true so you could finally admit your feelings for him, hoping he’d reciprocate.

“So what’ll be?” You asked, leaving it up to him to decide. “The floor ‘s fine.” You felt your heart sink but you didn’t lose hope yet. You both showered, admittedly - separately and took your places. 

“Goodnight!” 

You were surrounded by your loved ones, your friends, yet- why… why did you feel so alone, so… unwanted. ‘What was it that gave you the idea to come here and ruin all of this for us?!’ You heard opting to not answer the remark and instead shield another part of yourself from others. ‘I can’t look at you anymore, you disgust me.’ Said a familiar voice which soon manifested as Joost’s form with a malevolent grin on his face. ‘You’re nothing.’

You gasped as your body rose to accomodate for the sudden pain which you couldn’t quite place as physical nor mental. You put your hand to your chest and realised you were heaving. Joost called your name from the foot of the bed. “What’s wrong?” You crawled from under the sheets towards him. “‘s nothing, just a n…” Your voice got stuck in your throat. “Nightmare.”

“D’you need to talk about it?” You looked at him with pleading eyes. “Can you please just hold me, please?” 

You were both lying on the bed, his arm around your waist, both spent from the day you had. You were more tired than ever, trying to keep your eyes open just to feel Joost’s warmth for a moment more.With the other hand he was tracing lazy patterns into your scalp. “You know you can tell me anything…” He said clearly expecting something from you. 

‘Not yet’ you thought. ‘Not just yet.’ 

“I know.”

You spent the rest of the night sleeping soundly. His strong arms gave away a pleasant heat which was comforting. You woke up feeling well rested which was a new but not an unwelcome feeling. “Hey, I just wanted to apologise for forcing you to comfort me yesterd- well, tonight.” 

He grinned at you with his usual charming smile which made your face get just a bit hotter. “You really didn’t force me, I was just helping a friend out.” A friend? No. You were more than that. You were stars, the moon itself, the way aurora borealis casts itself over the night sky. How could he ever convey that through words?

He saw them, the signs of your affection. The silly presents, the small touches, the playlists full of his songs, the love that radiated from you. Yet still he was unsure of your intentions, your feelings.

Next night went about as well as it could’ve. Joost still on the floor invited you jokingly to join him on the floor and you, as a joke - of course - did. “It’s not very comfortable, don’t you want to get on the bed?” You both decided after a while that actually, your idea was brilliant. 

You settled into the bed and so did Joost giving just enough space for the lord. You signed and scooted slightly towards him. He followed suit and put his arm around your waist staying mindful of your personal space so as to not scare you off. “Joost you can…” Your voice got stuck in your throat once more. “Alright!” He said enthusiastically, bringing you closer to himself. Your face got seriously hot when you could feel his breath on your neck and his eyes on you. 

“Wanna tell me something?” He said as if he knew and could feel your growing anxiety. “Joost.” You started. “I’ve been…” You couldn’t speak, your knees went weak despite you laying down. “Joost. I lo-” He interrupted kissing you deeply. You reciprocated the kiss not wanting to lose another minute without his touch on your body.

The kiss left you breathless and he looked even more content when you pulled back. “I need you. I need you so badly in my life.” You said, sounding increasingly desperate. “You know I need you too.” You went back for another kiss. That night you spent in his arms, this time not by chance but choice. His voice still echoing in your ears ‘I need you too..’

•───────•°•❀•°•───────••────────•°•❀•°•────────•

masterlist

[shinjisdone]

𝑇𝜎 𝑆𝜎𝑓𝜏𝜀𝜋 𝛼 𝑊𝛼𝑟𝑟𝜄𝜎𝑟’𝑠 𝐻𝜀𝛼𝑟𝜏 (Vinland Saga; Thorfinn - 𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒄, 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝟏)

In which you have joined Askeladd’s band…and grow closer to the Son of Thors - though as your future seemed promising, his thirst for revenge devastated all that you had left.

[Headcanons of how it would be like to meet Thorfinn again after he shattered your heart (based on season 2; both platonic and romantic)

Sᴇᴀsᴏɴ ₁ ﹙Wᴀʀ Aʀᴄ﹚ is here

Part 2: - (Thorfinn trying to accept your existence as a slave)

Part 3: - (Thorfinn finding a reason to live, you finally see him)

Part 4: - (A promise to keep living and buying your freedom)

Tag list:

@luopenis , @jinsecho , @mitsureigen , @theknightssecrets , @lana-del-stan , @theghostofanficpresent

[Mentions of murder, death, war, slave trade, harrasment against women and whatever awful things happened in the viking era. Slavery will be a main subject throughout the entire arc. Mostly gender-neutral examples but female-leaning ones are there, too.]

[This part will specifically mention: Nightmares, detailed gore and killing, slavery, humiliation, hallucinations, slight romanticization of death/wishing someone to be dead, slight panic]

Time And Time Again, My Hopes Are Gone...

Far west, across the sea is a land. Rich of fertile ground and warm all year round. He can see the stillness of the meadow as the wind softly blows through the trees.

The wilderness is untouched. Far away from slave traders and the flames of war. The sun is benign with its rays that gently fall on his skin. It's warm and quiet. A gale so soft it embraces his throbbing pain.

Far to the west, across the rich and green hill, is a figure drawing closer. Colors clashing with the soft sky and land, washed out compared to the world around him. Nevertheless, he feels his heart picking up on speed and appraoches the figure with painstakingly slow steps.

The colors and the gear are still the same. Old and bented, abused and dull and so was the glare in their eyes. He should not feel a thing here, knowing this gaze all too well, but it still festered fear inside his heart when it is directed at him. The clear blue sky grows red and the sun fled.

Still, somehow he was able to crack a strained, faltering smile. "...What are you doing here?" He needed to take a deep breath, "You still look the same...like yesterd-"

"What the hell are you talking about, dog?"

The feigning smile was wiped off his face in an instant as his eyes widened. He could feel his muscles aching again, his stomach grumbling, his heart shattering.

You looked at him with such distain in your eyes.

It's Like A Never-Ending Marathon...

"How can you even act like this? Does all of this mean nothing to you?"

His breath hitched in his throat, burning hot and sickening as the quietness of the world was cut down by the incoming roars emerging from the scenery behind you. Pumping up their spears and axes, they tainted the meadow red as small figures galloped across the sky. The fires were following closely after them.

"You left...left me, and left this massacre behind you as you trailed over the sea."

Chants of victories rung in his ears as the flames consumed the both of you. The herd of men loud and clear but always seemed too far to touch and reach. There you still stood, your glare as dark as thunder and never-changing.

"Coward. Deranged mutt. Calling yourself a warrior."

Jaw agape, he watched with white, bulging eyes the scene behind you. It was all too familiar that it should have kick in an instinct - but all he could feel was terror.

With a swift pull to your back, you drew the blade out before plunging it with a sprint down to his abdomen. He barely could let out a scream. Instead, wide agape, he looked down with darting eyes to see his father's dagger.

A crooked grin decorated your visage as you twisted the dagger, cut further, deeper horizontally before yanking it out. Blood tainted your skin.

He could feel himself fall. Fall longer, deeper, faster, down, down, down, and down before a scream pulled him out.

I Hear Voices Every Night Of The Ones I Left Behind...

The same quietness he dreamed about surrounds him in the hut. No, a barn it was. It didn't have a door and he constantly reeked of hay and manure.

Right - this was the barn on the farm.

Sluggishly, he got up as pieces of hay fell off his worn out tunic. With a slow and steady gate his legs carried him to the well standing still and cold in the early morning, the sun having risen just a moment ago as well. He reached out with rough and calloused hands to the cold water and splashed it on his face. Always three times at least as the master told him. With each splash, his mind and vision got clearer and finally, he breathed freely.

What a strange nightmare. This hollow feeling expanding in his heart remained even in the waking world but he cannot recall from what.

As the sun rose higher, he made his way over the dirty, sandy road. Not a lot of the others were up and about as he was, though he only paid attention to the forest further away. The tired mutters of greetings flew over him, like a leaf in the cold wind. All he needed was the axe.

The axe cuts. It hits the sturdy trunk, chopping it away bit by bit, splinters of wood occasionally digging into his skin. Though it was as thick as the trees themselves, so no one ever heard a complaint from him.

The axe cuts. No tree shrieks in pain nor does anyone raise a brow at the lone man in the forest letting one tree fall after another. It keeps him awake and his muscles at work.

The axe cuts. The trees die and fall like flies, slowly - as it is with tree felling, he was told - down to every last twig and root it bears. Nothing can be left behind as the master wished it. All needs to be cleaned off the land so he can use it. So he cut and cut and cut.

"Thorfinn!"

Thorfinn halted. Stopped in his tracks as he was told and looked up through lidded, droopy, brown eyes. In the distance he saw a hand waving as the master galloped closer and with him, a younger slave.

Getting off the mount, he steadied his fall. Master Ketil was an older and seasoned farmer. His blonde hair growing thinner, broad but kind face decorated with wrinkles and his wealth showing in his round stomach. Once again, as he often does, he approached Thorfinn with a smile. "You will be getting a friend." Then he pointed behind him and the youngling followed hastily to bow. "This is Einar and he will be helping you starting tomorrow to fell the trees and turn it into fertile farm land. Einar, Thorfinn has been doing this for a bit longer than a year, he will show you around."

Brown eyes followed the man's gesture and fell on the younger one with kempt, auburn hair. Face young and with no stubbles, a small wart at the side of his nose - finished with an nervous and perplexed expression.

His own looked deep into the one of his new companion and found nothing but vapidness in them.

"Oh, uhm...it's nice to meet you." Einar tried to crack a smile. Thorfinn did not.

With a small chuckle of his own, Ketil pointed towards the small forest, talking of an subject Thorfinn had heard of time and time again.

Talks of fertile land, of wheat, of buying and selling, surpassing ones own price and freedom.

Freedom.

Did he have any of that ever in the first place? He doubted it.

But the new guy had a different opinion of it.

"Buying ourselves back?!" Einar stuttered, not believing what the farmer had just uttered, "We can get our freedom back if we just plant and sell the wheat to you?!"

Ketil jumped and blinked in surprise. "Why...yes. Does that not sound like a good deal to you?" "It's not that! N-Not at all! Thank you, thank you so much! I'll gratefully take the offer!"

Without another word, Einar sprinted deeper into the forest. Sighing heavily, Ketil settled back on his mount, ready to go back. "Do show him around for today Thorfinn and don't have him slack off after that. Both of you have a lot of work to do."

The blonde looked back at him with lidded eyes.

"Yes, master."

Dragging himself after the brunette, the young man watched him observe the area in awe. Trees loomed over the two and Einar swiftly turned back to the shorter man, his jaw agape.

"Thorfinn, was it?! Is that something you can do here in Denmark?! You - You can buy yourself out of slavery?!"

That I Love...

In the midmorning, Einar couldn't sit still.

Strenuously, he mimicked Thorfinn's day-to-day work. Inspecting each tree and root, yanking on them with his bare hands in hopes it might detach just a bit, and throwing questions.

Thorfinn found his keenness perplexing.

At noon, Einar awaited food.

Hearing about the service of the helpers, paid guests helping and guarding Ketil's farm, he grew ever so keen again. The helpers were not the kindest folk and seemingly the most hungry as well.

"What is there to complain?" One sneered as he appraoched Einar. The latter showed the crumbles and nibbled cheese in his rough hands instead. "This, this is our food? How is this supposed to be enough for two people? And it was obviously gnawed on!"

"So?" The second man of the trio sauntered closer with a wide grin. "Slaves like you should be grateful you can even eat a day. For someone so small and little, you sure talk big. We helpers wake up each and every day to bring food to lowly rats like you! And none of you even have the brains on how to thank someone for it!"

With a shaking gasp, Einar stepped back. The mere tone. The way the spit splashed on his face as he talks with that knowing glint in his dull eyes.

How could someone be like that? Just a year ago, he was surrounded by normal people, a village and family.

Once again, the helper spits as he scoffed. "Say it, dog," The grin grew ever so crooked as Einar's shock quickly transformed into rage. "Say 'thank you for the food'."

Breath hitched as the brunette took everything within him not to batter the man here and there. Balling a fist, he pulled back - before a smaller figure squeezed himself between the men and held out the crumbs of bread in his hands.

Thorfinn avoided the helper's gaze and looked down, as if giving a woeful prayer. "We thank you for the food."

Einar observed the tension dissolving, face that of an fish out of water, as Thorfinn returned to his work as if nothing happened.

In the afternoon, Einar hauled a sack of hay on his shoulder, heart feeling disarrayed.

Up ahead he followed Thorfinn who carried two sacks on his shoulders. He wondered how he does it despite his shorter and hunched form.

In fact, the blonde always seemed to hunch so far. He wondered how he does the entire labourous work in the first place.

"...How can you do all of this so easily? And with an empty stomach, too, day in and out. Chopping off the trees and then hauling them off the ground...like that old donkey was of any help." He pouted at the memory of the helpers bringing in an old, weak horse as 'aid' while they snoozed under the trees, "And you were so obedient to these jerks, too."

The walk continued to be quiet. The brunette continued to pout, making an even longer face at the one-sided conversation.

"You know, you can report that to the master! No, we should, have to do that! We are his property and these jerks treated us like were are lesser than that! He should know how his slaves are being treated and get rid of these pigs!"

The walk was silent after that as well. Thorfinn did not turn his back away neither show any sign of taking in his words. Einar only pouted even more and bit his tongue - momentarily.

"You're really strange."

As if struck by lightning, the blonde stopped. A force jolted through his muscles and bones that almost threatened to have him let go of the hay. The same force took a hold of his heart, like a fist squeezing it so tight with the intent to kill him. It won't let go.

Calming down from the start, Einar sped up in front of him with raised brows. The blonde's face was frozen in fear.

"...Thorfinn...?"

"What did you just say?"

"Uh," Quickly, he stepped back. Even the way Thorfinn managed to utter the question, jaw agape and frozen as well, perplexed him. "I said you're strange. Like, it's not like I dislike you it's just…just that I thought we could talk more. You're so quiet all the time but then get so obedient around these jerks but then act like you don't care-"

Agonizingly slow does he regain his body. With each word Einar spoke, Thorfinn nodded along, listened and had it ring in his head like a chant. Just as slow, he began walking again. "...I really am, aren't I?" He muttered after taking a deep breath.

"Eh, uhm, what?"

"Strange..."

I'm Trying To Find The Place Where I Belong...

Thorfinn was allowed to call it a day early for teaching Einar.

Today's chores were almost completed anyway with how tenacious his new companion had been. It was an insistence he could not comprehend.

The brunette did not expect much when Thorfinn showed him the way to the small barn, pointing to the heaps of hay and buckets at the corners. The master's house was across the road at least and the well free for him to use.

Einar also expected not much from his peer, as he had learned today when he quickly dozed off. He believed him to be anyway, when he stayed silent through all his questions.

Einar was strange...but the blonde reckoned he was, too.

That night, his visions turned into nightmares once again - but only to be left forgotten again in the morning.

A dark blue sea and an equally dark sky above. The wrath of the gods over the clouds and a hoard of monsters waging further away. He found himself lucky he wasn't so close.

But that relief was cut short by the freezing pain in his abdomen, as he looked down at you, teeth gritting like a beast. When did he grow taller than you?

He always thought you were the same height. Or were you the taller one?

With a growl, you swayed back with the dagger out of his flesh and thrusted it into it again. Labored breaths tried to escaped your gritted teeth, nosetrils flaring up as you only scolwed at him. With great effort and little strength, you drew the blade back and stabbed him again.

"Liar..." You croaked out, the smallest of hints of tears in your eyes, "This isn't where we're supposed to be. You liar..." Another sob and another attack. Blood oozed out of his open stomach like a broken spring and while the pain was unbearable, Thorfinn remained standing.

"You were supposed to take me somewhere that isn't here!"

He watched with terror as you drowned in his blood.

Einar shot up at the ear-splitting shriek. He wondered how none of the master's family had heard.

All he vividly remembered on his first night on the farm as a slave, was Thorfinn feeling up his abdomen in a mad frenzy, his eyes wide and jaw agape in a silent scream.

Until I Do, I Guess I'll Carry On...

The sun rises and the reek of manure still dwells in his nose. Einar was not dreaming of the farm.

But as he followed Thorfinn's demure figure, anxiously keeping up with his chores and strength, he cannot keep his eyes off of him. Of this strange guy and his hushed whispers in the night.

Again, he observed and stayed back this time as the blonde accepted the spit thrown on his face and food. The amount of labor he carries on his broken back with an lost look in his eyes.

So small and dry, brown so hazy and milky, he wonders if he can even see.

Einar stays back and listens as the master and his employers give him more work, more duties, more praises, more insults. He takes it all the same.

Then, at the setting of the sun, the young man still stays back and watches with the rest of the slaves nearby as Thorfinn dropped all he had carried diligently to the master, and sprinted to a small person further away.

His heart beat in his ears, ringing against his skull and Einar found himself surprised as he prayed that Thorfinn would not get in trouble for whatever he was doing there.

Not getting in trouble for the calloused hand that reached out for that person's shoulder, how they yelped out and whipped their head around at the contact with the man.

How they watched as Thorfinn's hopeful face slowly dimmed to shock - then reverted back to his nonchalant ignorance.

What a fool he was. No, it couldn't be. The words he heard, they weren't yours. This little slave, just a terrified child, may have talked like you - walked like you, had a stature like you, looked like you - but in their place, you wouldn't have frozen on the spot. You would have killed him, or he you, when you gazed upon him as you did time and time again.

Without another word, he let his hand fall to his side and dismissed Einar's concerns. The brunette apologized for Thorfinn's stead but the man was already on his way to the barn.

He didn't even know what he was thinking. How his mind could see a silhouette that could resemble you, mistake you, and start running after you. Thorfinn didn't know what he was doing.

The master was already used to his behaviour. Perhaps that's why he wanted to get rid of him while still gaining a bit of gold.

Trapped In Every Sacrifice,

Feel Like I'm Gonna Lose My Mind...

Another night. Another new slave - a young, blonde woman - another curse from Einar about wars and beasts and another nightmare. It's what Thorfinn finally reckoned them as.

The demons that haunt him as he stabs them down for the earth to swallow. Your bloodied body holding a blade. The insults and spits thrown at him, his insides falling down into the sea. Your flailing arms as you cry for his help as the ground splits in two.

In the dead of the night, he checks for his companion, still seeing him to be asleep. Limply, Thorfinn forced himself to sit up.

The stars were as bright as ever. They were when you two were together but in the past year, the nightsky seemed different. Under it, all alone, he mumbled your name under his breath to remember you by.

That's right, he did not even have anything to remember you by, did he? Not a weapon, not a trinket, nothing. All that was left of you were the nightmares haunting his mind.

He hoped it was even less. In this cool, dark night, Thorfinn hoped you were dead. All would be easier for you to bear if just bones remained of you - and it would be easier to bear for him on his heart and mind.

You'd be free.

No Freedom, Without Love...

Scorching was the sun that morning as Ketil appraoched Thorfinn and Einar on his horse once again. Pater accompanied him with another in tow. Shackles of splinted wood around their swollen wrists. Their head hanging low.

"Thorfinn, Einar!" Ketil called out and began his usual prattling. His face bore that same, kind smile even when his words fell on some deaf ears. All Thorfinn could really focus on were lidded eyes slowly moving from the dirtied path up to him. Eyes that were drooped, limp, cold and familiar.

A shaky gasp. Air that got stuck in their lungs. Ketil halted in surprise as they stepped closer in hesitation, their bound hands rising and Pater yelling out about authority and respect of a property to follow.

All Thorfinn could hear were their breathless gasps, the darting eyes, hollow and in tears as their chafed hands gingerly cradled his face - as if unsure if he was really there.

Then, the shock turned into sorrow and anger.

"...You were supposed to be in Iceland..."

Pater yanked them away from him, the familiar warmth gone as they disorientate. Thorfinn could barely breath.

[kanene-yaaay]

For a moment I got so caught up on the morning bless of waking up late and enjoying life and seeing so much fluff w Lan Yuan that i completely forgot about BLOGS in general

Anyway feel free to take a look at my other blog I do nothing there all day everyday, peace and love ♡ @kanene-yaaay-o-retorno

I-

I forgot which account I was VWUSGUSGSJSGSYSFUS EVERYONE IGNORE THAT

[thebearer]

Your angst writings always hit so good! would you be able to do a part 2 of “I wish I never met you” ?!? love you so much! xoxo

It had been a sickening, grueling three weeks- going on four.

No phone calls, texts. You'd shown up to the apartment in the middle of the day, when you knew he was at work, moved all your stuff out. Left your key on the kitchen island. Just vanished. Like you'd never existed to him in the first place.

Like he'd never met you.

Carmen's words rang in his head in the most thundering tone, flooding his mind all the time. Prepping in the kitchen, during a rush, listening to Richie's stories, and the worst was at night. When he sat alone in the emptied apartment, where it was the loudest.

Carmen could hear his tone again, angry and biting. So cruel, cruel to the one person that wanted to do something nice for him, who cared about him during that time. Carmen pinched his eyes shut, and he could hear Mikey's voice over his own, scoffing at him, "The fuck's wrong with you, Bear?" Carmen didn't know. He really didn't.

"She text you back?" Richie asked, rounding the corner to see the piles of blue messages on Carmen's screen. He grimaced, biting his tongue, seeing Carmen's blood shot eyes, heavy with dark rings around them. The kid looked rough, that was for sure.

"Don't." Is all Carmen offered back. A short, defeated comment that had Richie flinching. There wasn't even exasperation, annoyance that someone dared to check in on him. No, this was hurt. Carmen was hurting, that was for sure.

So, Richie did what any good cousin would do, what Mikey would want him to do.

He called you. Asked to meet up, "just because you and Carm are... whatever, doesn't mean you can't talk to me, right?" He felt it was a good sign you didn't say you were broken up, an even better one when you agreed to meet.

"I don't really know if I should go-" You hesitated, looking at the black sign of The Bear- the one Carmen had been so excited about a few weeks ago.

"Nah, c'mon, I just gotta run in for a second. Can't leave you out here." Richie nodded, twisting the key into the door.

You knew you shouldn't. You wanted to see Carmen, you did, but what would you even say to him? What could you say to him?

Still, you let yourself follow Richie, lingering in the locker back rooms next to the office, back turned, hoping to avoid him.

"Thank fuck, Cousin, I needed those orders yesterd-" Carmen stopped, chef clogs squeaking against the floor, halting when he saw you.

You felt your mouth run dry, unsure of what to say, what to think. Richie could feel the tension, thick and cutting in the air. Neither one of you moved, just faced the other, waiting for them to say something-anything.

Richie cleared his throat, catching both your attentions. "'m just gonna," He stepped towards the office, opening the door and jerking his head towards it. "Let you guys talk."

Carmen hesitated, blue eyes flashing to yours, a sliver of hope swimming in the sorrow. He held his hands out, a gesture for you to go first, and when you did, he stopped himself before letting his hand trail on your back. It was what he always did when you walked in front of you, a hand on the small of your back, just so gentle and a gesture that told you he had you.

You looked around the office, your eye catching the still framed picture of the two of you. The Bear's one year anniversary, your arms around Carmen, holding his cheek close to you, lips smushed against his other cheek.

"I, uh, I-I don't even know what to fuckin' say." Carmen started, hands shaking, so he clasped them behind his back.

"I think you said it all before." You bit, a malice to your tone that was cold and mean, left Carmen cringing.

"I didn't... I didn't mean that." Carmen muttered.

"Carmen, you did."

"No, no. I-I didn't fucking mean that. Please-"

"-You don't say shit like that if you don't mean it." You glared at him pointedly.

"I didn't mean I wish I had never met you." Carmen was frustrated, heart hammering, hand running through his hair. "I-I meant that... That I wish... That I know, that you'd be better off if you'd never met me." He admitted, voice cracking and shaking with the admission.

You could feel your heart breaking, sinking low in your chest at the wobble of his bottom lip that he tried to hide, two hands pressing to his face to cover it. "I'm just... I'm so fucked up. I'm so beyond fucked, and-and you're so good to me, and I-I shouldn't... I don't want to fuck you up, ok? I don't want to ruin you and-and just do that to you, because you don't deserve it. You don't deserve any of this, baby, and I'm so fuckin' sorry."

You're reaching for him before either of you really know what's happening. It's instinct, the sob falling from his lips enough to tell you he's genuine. It's what you knew, that Carmen was emotional and hurting, but he'd never admit it. It still hurt you, how harsh his words were. Carmen's tears soaked the front of your shirt, your own falling onto his shoulder where you held him.

It was going to be a lot, a lot of rebuilding and repairing. You'd need time, so would he. He'd agree to go back to meetings again, and you'd agree to try and forgive him. You'd be better soon, with time.

[roonotrue]

Day 2 - Snowmen & Snow Angels with Kalim!

General Masterpost

Prologue, Day 1

Prompt: When Kalim hears about Christmas from Lilia and Cater during a Pop Music Club meeting, he is so excited by the idea he goes to ask you more about the holiday- but he runs into your group of morons friends and they decide to recruit him to help distract you while the freshies enact their plan, now referred to as Operation 'Christmas Miracle!'

Reader: GN reader - They/Them pronouns and reader is called 'MC/Prefect.'

Included Characters: Kalim Al-Asim

Warnings: Mild Swearing.

AN: I should clarify that these are all alternate version stories, not some harem shit (not that anything's wrong with that). These are just different versions of the freshies finding one other person to help with their plan by distracting the MC aka you. Also, this series will continue until it's complete even if it bleeds into January so don't worry about it being discontinued or anything. I'm doing the full 12 days y'all.

~~~

"You... Want to go build snowmen?" You raise a brow at Kalim's cheerful words.

You just opened the door to Ramshackle, expecting one of your usual troublemakers to be the one frantically knocking at your door.

You even mentally bet money on it being Ace needing a place to crash to escape Riddle or something.

So you were decently surprised to see the radiant ray of sunshine that is the Scarabia Housewarden standing outside your door. Dressed in multiple thick maroon and gold layers of expensive-looking winter coats, thick white wool mittens, and a white and gold knit hat with a puff ball on top of it, he's also carrying a black and maroon backpack with the Scarabia dorm symbol on it.

All of this, you're sure, is due to Jamil being overly cautious so the young heir doesn't get sick. Then again, you've seen Jamil a few times too, and he was bundled up similarly. He told you they're not too used to snow in the Scalding Sands.

Who would've guessed?

"Yep! It'll be fun! We can make some at the main street so everybody will see them as they pass by!" Well, anything with Kalim is usually fun- mildly terrifying at times, but fun.

"Does Jamil know you're here?" It is the first question you need answered.

The last thing you want is a lecture from Jamil for playing in the snow with Kalim when he's meant to be doing something important.

"Of course! He wanted to come along, but I told him I just wanted it to be a 'me and you' thing, you know?" He says so sweetly, the words running through your heart like an arrow to your chest.

How could you possibly say no to him?

A cold wind runs past Kalim into the open doorway, and you shiver. You're still in your PJs, not really expecting to go out today since classes were canceled because of all the snow the night before.

"Uh, why don't you come inside Kalim? I've got to go get ready and it's freezing so I don't want to leave you waiting out here for me." You remark, beckoning him inside.

"So you'll come with me!? That's great! We can build the biggest snowman ever! And we can have a snowball fight, and-" He lists as he walks inside setting his bag down by the door.

"Slow down Kalim! Let's stick with snowmen for now and see how the day develops. Make yourself comfortable, I'm gonna go get ready, and tell Grim where I'm going." You smile, motioning to the couch as you head up the stairs towards you and Grim's shared room.

"Okay! I'll be waiting!"

When you get upstairs, Grim is rubbing the sleep from his eyes, with a big yawn that pins his ears to his head. You struggle not to coo at him like he's a normal kitten.

"Who was at the door, henchhuman?" He asks as you shuffle through your closet.

"Kalim, he wants to go out and build snowmen, will you be fine on your own for a while?" You ask, and Grim suddenly jumps up.

"He's here already!?" The little outburst startles you and you turn away from the closet to look at him.

"You knew he was coming over?" You ask and Grim suddenly looks nervous.

"Uuuh- he mentioned coming over yesterday, didn't he? You were right there when he did!" Grim laughs nervously, and you narrow your eyes.

That definitely didn't happen. Grim has been acting odd the last two weeks, sneaking off, avoiding you, and blatantly lying.

You have half a mind to have cornered him days ago and demand answers, but the odd thing is- all your other friends are acting the same.

And so you're curious. They're planning something. Something they clearly don't want you to know about. Something that you will definitely get dragged into one way or another.

You want to confront them all before that happens, but you can never pin them all down in the same room- like rats they seem to scatter the second they see you approaching. So it's something big.

"Hmm. So will you be fine or not?" You repeat and turn back to the closet.

You'll let it go right now since Kalim is waiting downstairs, but you're interrogating him once you get home.

"Yeah! I'll be great! Just leave me a can of tuna, got it!" He smiles, and you duck away into the bathroom to change into your school uniform, and the winter coat Crewel had to scold Crowley into getting you.

"Got it, I'll leave it on the kitchen counter for you." You smile to yourself and head back downstairs.

"Okay, you ready to go, Kalim?" You ask as you get downstairs looking around the living area, where he's happily shuffling through his bag.

"Yep! And I remembered Jamil wanted me to give this to you!" He smiles as he holds up a folded piece of paper.

"Oh?" You tilt your head, curious, and grab the note, carefully unfolding it, you see Jamil's neat handwriting.

MC, Make sure he's back by nightfall- seriously. If I have to stop and take time away from frantically deep cleaning the dorm before winter break to come looking for him, I will overblot again.

That said, don't let him come back before nightfall either please. It's easier to clean when he's not here. Thank you.

Also - I packed you both hot tea in a thermos, and lunch.

I trust you to keep Kalim from doing anything stupid. Have fun.

- Jamil

"Ah. Okay. He hopes we have fun!" You decide to keep the rest to yourself, smiling as you tuck the note into your pocket.

"Aw, that's nice of him! Next time I'll be sure to bring him and we can all have fun!" Oh, you're certain he'll hate that, but that's a future problem for future you.

"Well, we'll see, I'm not to sure Jamil likes the cold that much." You nervously stutter out the white lie, leading the way to Ramshackles entrance.

"Really? I like how different it is from the heat of the Scalding Sands and Scarabia dorm! The snow is so pretty, and everything looks so different when it covers the campus!" He declares, even as he shivers from the cold air rushing in when you open the front door.

"It is, but I don't reckon it's the snow Jamil doesn't like, Kalim, just the cold." You laugh, subconsciously reaching out and fixing the others scarf, making sure it's tied properly.

"Hmm, yeah, I can see why he might not like it, we're not used to this kind of cold after all. But I'm kind of getting used to it! If I just keep spending time outside everyday, then eventually it won't bother me anymore!" He adjusts his mittens as he speaks, and you chuckle once more.

"Just don't stay out too long, or you'll get sick. So what are you planning on doing over winter break?" You ask and he lights up as you ask.

The two of you walk side by side towards the main street of NRC, you can see the condensation of your breath puffing up in the icy air as you talk, and he tells you all about his plans.

"Well, Jamil really wants me to focus on studying over break and getting the homework done- and since everything that happened last winter break, I'm really trying to do as he asks more to make things easier for him- but it's so hard! How can I sit still and study when I could be having fun with my family?" He sighs and you cringe a bit.

"It's good that you love your family so much and want to have fun with them, but it's important to study. You have to set a good example for your younger siblings right? And all the students in your dorm. If they see that you're not working hard in school, they won't either." You tell him, and he makes that funny face he makes.

When his face scrunches up in thought, brows furrowed, eyes cast down, a slight pout on his lips.

It's adorable.

"You're right, I know, it's just so hard to focus sometimes."

If you were in your world you would tell him he should get tested for ADHD, but you've learned that Twisted Wonderland really doesn't have much mental health awareness let alone care.

This school would have a lot less problems if it did.

"Well, I know a few tips and tricks. Maybe you can stop by again before winter break and I can give you some." You tell him and he smiles, bright as the sun.

"Really? I'd love that!" As to how the entirety of NRC doesn't thaw from his warm presence alone is a wonder.

"Yeah, really. You can bring Jamil too, that way I can show him a few tricks on how to help you if you need him to." A solid idea.

You knew a few people with ADHD and other problems that made it hard for them to focus back in your old world- hell, a large majority of the population had trouble with their attention span. So by proximity, you know a lot of things that may help him.

And a lot of things that will help Jamil help him.

"Oh... Does Jamil really have to be there? You could just write it down for him." Kalim suggests with a nervous smile that doesn't at all feel natural or right for him.

"Why don't you want him there? You just mentioned wanting him to come out for a snow day with us sometime." You tilt your head curiously, and Kalim rubs his arm sheepishly.

"Well, I do, it'd be nice if he could have fun with us, but I also like spending time with you when it's just the two of us? That's pretty selfish though, isn't it? I mean, you're so fun, and amazing, and supportive, it's not fair to want to hog all your attention, but..." He goes quiet his gaze falling to the ground, an uncertain, guilty look in his eyes that makes your heart clench painfully.

"Oh, Kalim, that's not selfish at all. It's okay to not want to hang out with a whole group of people all the time. We can hang out just the two of us whenever you want- well, so long as I'm not busy." You assure him with a gentle smile just as you two reach the main street.

"That would be amazing, MC! We should hang out tomorrow then! And the day after that! And this weekend! And-" Well... At least he's got that smile you love so much back.

"Okay, okay, why don't we just focus on today? And we can make arrangements for tomorrow later." You giggle, fucking giggle, the seven help you, you are down bad.

"Okay- so... How exactly do you make a snowman?" He asks, a thoughtful hand on his chin as he looks at the snowy area in front of you both.

You're not far from the statues of the seven, a perfect spot to build some snowmen where everyone who passes will see them.

"Well, we've got to start with the base- we just make a simple snowball, and then make it bigger and bigger until we roll it around on the ground, and it's big enough to support the middle and head of the snowman." You explain, ducking down and gathering some snow in your hands and making a snowball.

Kalim mimics your movement.

"So, Cater was telling me about this Christmas holiday you have in your world, and it made em wonder about what other holidays you have that Twisted Wonderland doesn't- if you don't mind me asking?"  Kalim asks as you both reach the point of rolling the snowballs on the ground.

"Oh, I don't mind at all... Well, you guys have a few holidays that are similar to the ones in my world- like Halloween, we have that in my world- you can stop there with that one, Kalim, we'll make that the body." You motion for him to stop rolling the snowball.

"Really? What do you usually dress up as? Scarabia dressed as kitsune- that has to be my favorite costume so far." He asks, a silly smile on his face that makes your chest flutter.

You two spend the next fifteen minutes talking about your Halloween experiences in your world, and what your costumes were, etc. Kalim tells you about his younger siblings about how one year, three of them decided to dress as ghosts with sheets over their heads, and he nor his parents could tell them apart as they were running around their home.

It's sweet, and you'd love to meet some of them one day. Though you're going to have to have a serious talk with Jamil about which of Kalim's siblings you need to avoid like the fucking plague.

"Okay, so these should all be good, now we have to stack 'em! Here, the middle one you rolled, can put it on the big one." You direct and he listens, focusing entirely on carefully lifting the large snowball and placing on top the even larger one.

Once he does, you place the smallest snowball on top.

"And there's the head. Now we decorate! I'm sure there's some sticks around here that we can use for the arms, and rocks for the eyes, mouth, and buttons." You look around on the ground- and Kalim follows your lead.

"Oh, here! Will this work for one arm?" He holds up a rather large stick that would make a decent arm you suppose.

"Yeah, we just gotta find another one like it. You look for that, and I'll find some stones." You tell him and go about looking around on the main street itself.

The stone path has some loose pebbles scattered about that you certain no one will miss, so you go about collecting the larger ones to act as your snowman's face and buttons.

You almost wish you'd stopped by Mr. S's for a carrot. But alas, you'll stick with a plain old rock for a nose.

Onc you fill your pockets with a handful of ideal rocks, you head back to the snowman to find Kalim looking really hard at two sticks on the ground.

"Didja' find another stick?" You ask, making your way next to him, breaking him out of his thoughts, he flashes you a bright smile.

"Yep! But it's way smaller- so I was thinking we should break the other one to make it smaller to right?" He says and you look at the sticks.

"Hm. Or we can use them as they are? It'd be kinda funny having a snowman with wonky arms." You chuckle at the mental image, and Kalim is quick to agree with you.

"You're right, it would! And it'll make people laugh on there way to class these last few days before break!" He picks up the sticks and hands you one, and you in turn hand him a handful of rocks.

"For his face- I'll let you do that bit, and I'll do the buttons."

It doesn't take long to give your snowman all his features, with Kalim dedicating extra time to it's large smile.

"Did you make snowmen a lot in your world?" He asks as you both back up to look at your work.

"Hm, a few times, yeah. I liked making snow angels too." You sigh wistfully, and turn to find Kalim's eyes on you.

Studying your face with a curious expression for a long moment before his eyes actually meet yours, and he looks almost startled out of... Whatever he was doing/thinking.

"What's a snow angel?" He asks, and you smile.

"I'll show you- over here." You waltz a little ways away from you two's snowman and turn to face Kalim head on.

"Step one, spread your arms out!" You show him, pointing your arms directly out on either side of you.

"Step two, fall!" You laugh as you let yourself fall back.

"Ah! MC!" Kalim shouts, startled by your actions, you even see him reach out to try and catch you.

When you hit the ground, the the soft thicker blanket of snow on the ground here softens the blow enough that there's not an ounce of pain. Just cold, creeping in through the cheap fabric of your coat.

But it's not that bad, so you press on.

"I'm fine, Kalim, it's part of the process! Now step three, swing your arms and legs back and forth like this!" You show him and he looks on with wide curious eyes.

Completely fascinated by whatever it is you're doing.

"And then, you get up real carefully- ah- can you help?" You sit up, and reach out to him, not wanting to put your hands down and ruin it.

"Of course!" He grabs both of your outstretched hands and yanks you up.

A tad to forcefully as you lift up off the ground you're pulled forward to much and tumble into him.

The first thing you note, is that he radiates warmth. The second thing you note, is that you're so close that every time you breath, your noses lightly brush together. His eyes are trained on yours wide with shock.

"Ah! I'm sorry- are you okay, MC!?" He asks, stepping back, you laugh, trying to will away the blush on your face.

"I'm fine, Kalim, uh- look! The final product! That's a snow angel." You turn away, making a ta-da motion towards your imprint on in the snow.

A perfect snow angel.

"Oh! It's like a lady with wings! A bird beastman?" He asks, his attention successfully redirected to the snow.

"Well, we don't exactly have those in my word, but we do have stories about human-like beings with wings, that act as guardians for human, watching over us and stuff. A lot of people believe their real, a lot don't. Either way, they're real fun to make." You explain, brushing the snow off the back of your coat and head as best as you can.

"It sure looked fun! I want to try! I just spread my arms like this, right?" He copy's your previous motions, a foot away from your snow angel.

"Yeah, just like that- make sure the snow is deep enough to catch your fall without hurting." You warn him and he nods looking back to assess and then letting himself fall just as you did.

He laughs as he plops into the snow, and swings his arms and legs back and forth.

You help him up just as he did you- though a bit more carefully, and admire his work.

"Perfect! A top tear snow angel. You're a professional, Kalim." You compliment with a wink, and he scratches the back of his head with a bright smile.

"Thanks! You're a great teacher! We should make more! Oh, and another snowman! So the one won't get lonely!" He suggests and you really do start to feel like a kid again as you both run around plopping into the snow, making snow angels.

And you end up making a few more snowmen- having to go out of your way and leave to find more sticks out by the Botanical Garden, stopping every so often when you find a good spot to make another snow angel.

You pass by several students during this who look at you both like you're crazy- but you really can't find it in your heart to care.

Not when Kalim is looking at you with that radiant smile, and his laughter is ringing in your ears like music.

"We should stop and warm up inside the garden for a bit Kalim, maybe have some of that tea and lunch Jamil packed us." You remark, flexing your fingers as they grow numb.

"Yeah, I am getting pretty hungry..." He trails off as you both enter the garden- the warmth immediately surrounding you both.

You shrug off your jacket and move to sit at one of the benches nearby, and Kalim follows, pulling his backpack off and in front of him to unzip and grab your lunches.

"Jamil made us some grilled sandwiches, is that okay?" He hands you a container with yours and you smile assuring.

"Of course it is."

You two enjoy a long moment of silence, enjoying your food, tea, and the warmth around you before Kalim speaks up again.

"You know, I've never wanted to hang out with people alone before." he says suddenly and you look up at him curiously.

"Ah- or well, what I mean, is that I never mind it when others join us. The more the merrier you know? I've never had the feeling of truly wanting to just... Hang out with one person and no one else before." He elaborates, and turns to meet your gaze.

"I don't really understand why, but it makes me really happy, doing fun stuff just with you, building snowmen, making snow angels, and even just eating lunch together... I'd like to do fun stuff like this with you all the time, if that's okay with you?" He asks, a little bashfully, head tilted down with a gentle, nervous smile.

"Kalim..." You murmur his name, thoughts suddenly very uncertain.

Yet your face flushes when he glances up at your voice, eyes meeting yours in a hopeful bloom of poinsettia red.

From the very day you met him- despite a lot of the initial poor circumstances, Kalim has always been one of the friendliest faces at NRC. Always happy to see you, always the first to go out of his way to try and help you, and always the first person you look for in the hallways when you need cheering up, or just to see his perfect, radiant smile.

"You, uh, might wanna be careful there, you might make me think you're asking me on a date." You chuckle nervously, rubbing at the back of your neck as you turn away.

Your face feels hot and you're really starting to miss the cold outside.

Kalim is silent for a long moment, such a long moment that it makes you glance back at him.

He's wearing a wide eyed expression, mouth slightly agape, as a flush paints his face. There is a slow creeping emotion in his eyes that you can't quite place, that leads them to dart around your face- looking for something maybe?

But then he meets your gaze directly and lets out a small gasp of realization.

End then he's tumbling forward out of his seat to grab at your upper arms.

"Ah! Kalim-"

"That exactly what I want!" He shouts and a wide smile back on his face, his eyes sparkling with joy.

"Huh?" Not the most eloquent response, but you're completely dumbfounded by the suddenness of... All of this.

If you weren't flushed before, you certainly are now, eyes wide, and jaw on the floor.

"I want to date you, MC! You're amazing, and smart, and kind, and fun, and-" He says with a brilliant smile, listing off the compliments like they're the most obvious things in the world.

"K-Kalim! Slow down, this is-" Everything you could have wanted. Wrapped up in a sparkling bow, with a gift tag that says 'to good to be true.'

"You don't mean that- I know we're good friends-" He's said it so many times, there's a permanent dent in your heart where the words are hammered in.

"Of course I mean it! MC, you're wonderful, and I wanna be able to hug you, and kiss you, and take you out on dates, and magic carpet rides so we can look at the stars together!" He interrupts you, eyes blazing with determination.

Oh geez, he's really serious about this, huh?

By the seven, of course Kalim would only realize he liked you when you pointed it out directly. He's just like that- not really understanding things unless you say them outright. He can't take a hint for the life of him.

"Please, MC? I promise I'll be the best boyfriend ever! And we'll go on the best dates! And we'll make snowmen and snow angels ever single winter!" He continues, grabbing your hands into his.

You note just how warm they are- or maybe yours are just still cold, but with how warm it is in the garden you doubt that.

It's just Kalim.

Warm, radiant, fun, and joyful Kalim.

You stare at your interlocked hands for a long, long moment as Kalim waits for your response, lost in a sea of emotion.

He likes you. He really, actually likes you.

"MC?" He squeezes you hands tighter, pulling your gaze back up to him.

"Kalim, you are so oblivious it's painful at times- of course I'll date you!" You smile, and watching as his whole face lights up like fireworks is a beautiful sight.

You laugh as he jumps forward, pulling you into a tight hug that you gladly return.

"Really? Thank you, MC! You won't regret it, I promise!" He vows and you pat his back gentle.

"I know I won't. Now we should get back to the snowmen, they probably look pretty silly just standing out there with no arms." You chuckle and Kalim pulls back.

"Yeah, you're probably right. You're always right." He sighs wistfully and you hold back an eyeroll, a smile permanently stuck to your face.

You both pack up pretty quickly, with Kalim pausing to look at you several times for long moments with a dopey smile on his face, before turning back to putting things back in his bag and putting his gloves and scarf back on.

When you two head back outside, the cold takes a moment to adjust to, and in the corner of your eye you can see Kalim try and pull his scarf tighter.

"Here, let me-" You move forward, grabbing his scarf, undoing it, and then tying it properly around his neck so it keeps him warm and stays in place.

It's a quiet moment, suspiciously so, and when you look back to the white haired boy his scarlet eyes are staring at you intensely.

You both are a lot closer then you thought, and you can see the fog of his breath mixing with yours.

"Kalim?" You ask, leaning further forward almost subconsciously, and his hands come to rest at your sides.

"Can I kiss you, MC? Please?" He asks, in a low whisper, and you give a gentle nod.

When your lips connect it's almost scalding how warm he is. But even more notably, he's so gentle.

Like he's nervous.

So you take the initiative. Pulling him closer by his scarf, and kissing him deeper, you feel him smile into the kiss, and you can't help but smile to as you pull back, but not far.

You noses still brushing together, Kalim giggles, his breath warm on your face.

"Can I do that again?" He asks, and you chuckle.

"Well, we're dating now, so you can do it whenever you want." You inform him and he jumps forward, holding you tightly as he kisses you, quick sweet pecks, over and over. Mostly on your lips, some on your cheeks and nose.

"K-Kalim!" You stutter between laughs and kisses.

"I can hug you too whenever I want, right? And come visit you, and get you gifts, and-" He starts listing and you have to put a cold hand over his mouth to pause him.

"Yes, yes, and only every once in awhile. I don't want Ramshackle overflowing with a sea of lavish gifts, Kalim. I don't need any gifts really. I just like being with you, that's enough for me." You tell him and he smiles, but it turns to a slight pout after a moment.

"Are you sure? You deserve nice things, and Jamil tells me you don't have many in Ramshackle." He asks, and you roll your eyes.

"I have what matters, Kalim. A roof over my head, clothes on my back, edible food, and okay roommates. Having an amazing boyfriend is the cherry on top. I'm not a fancy or extravagant person, Kalim, so please, don't go getting me anything extravagant." You tell him, and he sighs in defeat.

"Okay... I can get you a few things, right? Like flowers, and jewelry, and pretty clothes-"

"Flowers. You can get me flowers, and maybe some of those other things on special occasions only." You tell him firmly, even if there's still a smile on your face.

"Okay, I can do that! You have to tell me all your favorite flowers!" He asks (demands?) and you let out a gentle laugh, pulling away, grabbing his hand to hold as you both walk back to your snowmen.

You list some of your favorite flowers, up until you get back to the snowmen, and finish them off with their stick arms.

"There! They look great." You comment, backing up to admire the finished product.

Surrounded by snow angels all over the snowy ground, the snowmen actually look quite nice.

"Hm, we should get them some clothes- scarfs and hats, you know?" Kalim says from beside you.

"Hm, maybe we can swing by Sam's later and get some cheap ones, but I think we ought to call it a day, Grim will be wondering where I am by now." You check the time on your phone, seeing it's nearing early evening.

"H-huh? But we should go now so they don't get cold!" Kalim stumbles out, rushing to stand in front of you.

He has that panicked look in his eyes.

"... Kalim, they're made of snow." You say we an amused smirk and a raised brow.

"I- I know, but... Um, I wanna spend more time with you..." He comments, giving you the biggest puppy dog eyes you've ever seen, and you let out an defeated huff.

How can you say no to that face?

"Alright. But we gotta be finished by sunset, got it?" You sigh, and Kalim quickly steps forward and places another loving peck on your lips.

"Alright! And I can walk you home after." And he kisses you again.

And then again.

"Kalim- we should get going." You chuckle, putting a finger on his lips to stop him from pecking your lips again.

"Oh! Right, okay. I just really like doing that." He chuckles bashfully, and you smile, this time kissing him on the cheek playfully.

"I can tell. Now let's get going." You pull him along and he follows dumbly, a goofy smile on his face the whole way.

This is going to be an amazing Christmas. You can just tell.

~~~

Vote for the next character below!

[echantedtoon]

Demonstober Day 4 Yuki Onna

Yuki Onna means 'Snow woman' in Japanese. It is a kind of frost spirit that usually appears as a beautiful woman in a white robe with long black hair. In some stories, the Yuki Onna is good and helps people in the mountains. In other stories, she is evil and freezes people.

(Warnings for death by freezing/drowning in cold water.)

Tagging: @lavenderdropp @six-eyed-samurai @trancylovecraft @cherrysuzaku

Remember if you want to be added to the spooktober taglist lemme know

"Come now, Lotus Blossom.~ Aren't you happy to see your husband? After all ..This is all your fault."

"N-No. NO!! YOU'RE NOT REAL!!"

"Not real? But, Dearest. I'm right here.~"

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Cold.

The night was so cold and unforgiving. With leaves up to half her legs, and the cold air seeping into her skin despite the extra layers and thick rabbit fur coat she had over her shoulders. It sent a shiver down the woman's spine and sent shockwaves coursing throughout her body. Hands rubbed against themselves and were blown on by warm breath in huffs from her mouth between chatters of teeth before being shoved back under her arms in an attempt to keep warmer.

Tears were not helping.

Rolling down her cheeks and stinging the skin when the cold air rolled over it as if some kind of cruel kiss. Eventually dropping onto the coat. How long has it been now? Four maybe five hours of walking westward? Seemed about right. The moon was still high in the sky and luckily it was bright enough to light her way. She was even more grateful that it hadn't snowed yet. Leaving behind trackable footprints would only put everything in jeopardy and she couldn't have that. The night was still young with a good few hours still until dawn. And the first day of traveling was the most important one. It was the day she had to get the most distance between her and her old life.

Which was easier said than done.

She had thought of many things to cover her tracks. Faking illness to 'stay home and rest up.' Also if everyone thought she was sick with the stomach flu, they'd stay away so that'd buy her some time before anyone got worried and came to check on her. She had made sure to leave in the dead of night to avoid anyone spotting her fleeing. She had closed the shutters on her windows and left her fire going. That would make it seem like she was home and no one would know because the windows were blocked. By the time someone did notice, she would've already been long gone and no one would know where she was.

Would it make her look suspicious to everyone else that she disappeared after Douma was found dead? Yes. Most likely. But she couldn't risk staying there and having someone just putting the missing pieces together. Her life would be endangered. It was already in danger, but she'd been incredibly lucky that no one had put anything together but that could change. Someone could put it together right now as they slept. Or tomorrow. Or this week. Or next week! Hell! Someone could have figured it out right now! Someone could be storming her house for just right this very moment and her wouldn't know because she had made the choice to leave before anyone could.

Even IF no one ever found out, it was still better for everyone if she left. Before...

Before anyone found out you killed someone!

It was an accident. It was all just an accident. You didn't mean for it to happen! It just did. 

And now here you were. Running through the snow away from your sins-

The man wouldn't leave you alone. Back home he was considered to be the most beautiful man in the surrounding provinces. He had it all. Wealth, power, territory, and as many woman AND men fawning over him as he pleased. It was no secret he liked to pick and choose who to add to his harem and who to discard which was always constant. However his parents decided that it was a time he picked someone to marry. Wouldn't stop him.from having his harem as you've come to know. You remembered that cursed day like it was yesterday. The cold fall day fathers and grandfathers came out of the wood works to parade their beautiful and eligible daughters and granddaughters. Dressing them up like they were already expecting to be married right then and there, and encouraging them to bat their pretty lashes and act seductively towards the beautiful man that came strutting into the town with his large entourage of followers and servants.

You couldn't help but stare in awe along with everyone else because the rumors WERE true. He WAS absolutely beautiful as the rumors said and it was a sight to behold for sure. However the way he cooed over the women forcibly giggling, smiling, batting their lashes, and acting like they were oh so in love-..It made you feel like barfing all over the firewood you were trying to sell the crowd.

"Oh, my. Such a beautiful woman.~ And is that handsome thing your brother? Mm. My, my. I might just take you both home with me.~"

You felt like gagging and you did, which might've been the mistake that started it all. You stuck your tongue out and pointed a finger at your mouth before rolling your eyes and turning back to try and gain the attention of a man staring in awe of the entire thing. However two eyes had found the sight and watched as you tried to hustle up business. You didn't even notice the tall figure walking over to you until you felt someone looming over you and you stopped to look, freezing at the sight of rainbow irises boring into your soul and a fake smile plastered onto his face. 

"My, my. And here I thought I met all the beautiful young ladies here.~" The way he spoke made you shiver and NOT in the good way. It was more of a cold shiver in warning, like the kind when you knew a snow storm would hit. "What is a beautiful maiden like yourself doing tonight?~"

You did NOT having so many stares on you.abd only bluntly gestured to bag of wood you carried. "Selling wood." You tried again prodding the man for sales but a handsome face annoyingly popping between you two stopped you.

"I didn't know that a lady such as yourself would be working so hard.~"

You stared at him deadpanned at this point. "Money doesn't earn itself, Mister. And neither does food magically appear on my table or in my stomach. I have to earn a living in order to get by." Your eyes narrowed. "You know. Like the AVERAGE person has to."

He hummed blinking a moment before smiling wider. "Well why don't I but your firewood?"

"I'm sure a man like you has no need for my wood. I would prefer to sell them to people who need them much more."

You made to step around him but a cold hand on your shoulder had you jump. "You're too kind. Allow me to help you with that."

"No thank-"

"NOW WHICH ONE OF YOU KIND PEOPLE WILL BE WILLING TO SHOW THIS LADY SOME KINDNESS IN RETURN AND HELP YOUR FELLOW MAN!?"

"I'LL GIVE TEN YEN FOR THE ENTIRE BAG!"

"I BID TWENTY FIVE!"

To probably try to impress the man or show off, the fathers and other people began shouting and grabbing at your bag almost like starved animals. In the end your bag was empty from the on slot and a decent amount of coins were in your hands. But it didn't feel right. You didn't gain them by honest means but by someone else's manipulative words. 

"See? Now that was so kind of them, and as you know good deeds are rewarded." The arm still around your shoulder tightened as you looked at him. 

"I didn't ask for help."

"Oh but one good turn deserves another-"

"NO! This isn't right."  Harshly and earning a gasp from most people around you, you wretched his arm off of yourself and instead slapped the bag of money into his hand before pushing it towards the blinking man firmly. "I won't take money unless I want it honestly, not because you asked people to buy my wood. Take the money YOU earned and spend it elsewhere."

You went home pushing past the crowd of people looking horrified, shocked, or just straight up glared at youl You didn't care. You didn't ask him to help you and you weren't going to take their money! You'd rather survive on the thin soup you were used to having to eat than cheat people out of their hard earned money! You might be poor but at least you could say you've never stolen anything or committed a crime. 

However that one act was enough to make obsession creep into the man. For he hadn't had anyone treat him like you before. Why the very next day he was still in the village and was knocking on your door. You answered to him smiling widely at you.

"Hello, Fair Maiden.~ Took me all morning to find you."

"What do you want?"

"I've gotten the impression that you were angry with me and I can't help but feel bad. I've returned the money to the people."

"You came all the way out here to tell me that? You shouldn't have manipulated them into giving it to me in the first place."

"Ah. Such a kind soul. Pure and always does the good and honest thing.~"

"Are you here to apologize? If so just say so and go away! I have more wood to try and sell!"

He chuckled sounded faker than a girl's make up. "And no nonsense. I like that in a woman! You're the first person who told me off like that and so boldly in front of everyone!" He held held out his arms. "I've decided that you are the lucky woman to become my wife!"

You stared at him. Blinking once. Twice slowly. Before a scowl marked your features. "Go screw your harem and get out of my sight!"

You slammed the door into his stupid face and marched away. That should've been where things ended. But it didn't. For the remainder of his stay there he would bother you ALL day EVERY day! Both by himself but also by a few of his entourage and a group of your village's girls still following him and giving you glares and dirty looks. He'd just watch you and NOT SHUT UP!! Every second of every day it was always asking you questions which you only silently glared, or talking about himself. How much territory his parents owned, the money they made from all the businesses they ran, how much he could spoil you, what things he wanted for the wedding when you finally said yes, how much he just adored sake baths, his favorite tailor, how great of a lover he could be in b-

You ended up throwing the entire bucket of cold stream water on him before he could even THINK of finishing that sentence making his servants gasp and the group of women following him look horrified. You however just refilled your bucket and walked past him all the way home. Slamming the door behind you and refusing to come out for the rest of the day. If he wasn't talking at you or about himself he'd just go on and ON about the most random crap! How winter was so close now, how much the leaves crunched under his feet, how rice balls were superior to miso soup- 

GODS YOU COULDN'T STAND HIM!! TO MARRY HIM WOULD BE A WORSE FATE THAN DEATH ITSELF!!

Thankfully he left soon after but his nuisance still persisted more as the fall season rolled along. It started with messengers bringing you letters. They were always either love letters bragging about himself or poetry so sappy it'd even make a romance novelist cringe. By the fourth letter you didn't bother reading them anymore and just tore every one to shreds in front of the horrified messenger. Then started with the gifts. A small bracelet, a bag of silver, a new silk kimono- You had to fight every single time to get the messenger to take it back threatening to toss it in the river nearby. One man refused so you kept your word. Marching up to the cold water and tossing the small diamond studded necklace as far as you could into the Water's depths. The man was horrified by your actions and cussed you out but you were already inside slamming the door in his face. The letters stopped after that. The gifts stopped after that. All the messengers coming with gifts, letters, and offers stopped after that. You didn't hear anything else about or from Douma for the rest of the fall season and early into winter. You thought you were finally free of the man and he found some other desperate woman to marry. However you were very wrong.

It started one night.

It was still early enough for you to be awake but late enough for a lot of people to be asleep by now. You were too cold to sleep so you wanted some tea however it would mean getting water from the river just outside of your house to have it. You weren't expecting that company would be waiting for you just outside by the river. You stood there axe in one hand to break the ice completely freezing over the top of the rapid currents. The ice was too thin to stand on but thick enough that you had to get something to break it if you wanted water. 

The snow started to lightly fall again. Crap. You'd have to be quick before the ice froze back over too-

"THERE YOU ARE, DARLING!" You almost swung the axe at the voice suddenly behind you instead you looked behind you and nearly had an stroke just seeing his stupidly smiling face right there behind you much too close. "I was thinking I'd have to stay at the inn to wait to see you again!"

You scowled. "You?! You again?! What do you want?!"

"Now now. Is that anyway to treat your husband-to-be? I came all the way here just to personally win your heart!~"

"So you decided to visit a woman's house in the middle of the night? Do you have any idea how creepy that is?!" You lost your appetite. Marching away from him but he stopped you by grabbing your arm and pulling you back. Making you drop the axe and bucket into the snow and facing his back towards the river. "Let me go!"

"Now that's not very ladylike. Or fair to me. I've poured my heart out to you and you're being so mean to me. All I want to do is love you."

"YOU?! You've got a lot of nerve saying that to me after everything you've done!" You struggled more but his hold was unrelenting.

"Why can't you just accept your place by my side? You should feel grateful! Every woman would want this."

"I DON'T!! NOW LET GO!"

With one action, you sealed both of your fates. In a desperate rush of adrenaline, you charged at his larger form and rammed him as hard as you could with your free shoulder. The man did let go. I'm fact he left the front of you completely. The force driving him backwards off guard, slipping on a slippery patch of snow and down he went-

A sickening crack sound filled the night.

A loud deathly splash followed it up spraying you in water.

Instinctively you reached up your arms to cover your face... before slowly looking back up. And then freezing in shock at the grisly scene before you. 

A large hole was cracked into the ice. Large enough for a large man to easily jump into. The dark water sloshing around the edges as the currents still surged under the ice. Snowflakes still floating around you. The only witnesses to the crime.

Douma gone.

You stared in horror as what you've done samk in. Your lungs hyperventilated as you looked around. You were the only one there by some devious miracle. I'm fear, you quickly retrieved the axe and bucket before running into your house and closing the door behind you against the sins done that night. 

The next morning you were hoping it was nothing but a dream. It sure seemed that way. The snow and cold from last night had already filled in any footsteps and the river had already frozen over again when you willed your shaky self to come outside and see. You prayed it was just that. A bad nightmare even though deep down you knew the truth. 

You KILLED him.

You didn't know what to do except keep it to yourself. There was no witnesses or proof so you should be fine. You continued on with life as normal. Keeping your head down and not speaking a word of anything. It only took a week for news of Douma's disappearance to reach your village and for you to hear the gossip. Word was he just walked out one night and never said anything about where he was going. Some said he ran away with a lover while others said that he was just traveling to enjoy himself as usual and just didn't tell anyone. You didn't comment on anything and kept to yourself. 

The guilt eating and eating at your mind! 

In fact you think it was starting to make you go crazy! You thought you started hearing things at night. Some laughter from up the snowy hill whenever you got water. The sounds of someone walking around your door. The calling of your name once or twice. You always looked but never saw anything or found any footsteps. 

You couldn't take it anymore! The place was too stained in sins and it was only a matter of time before you were suspected. So you left.

A fresh start somewhere else would be the best thing for you. It didn't sound too bad if one thought about it. A new life away from the toxic gossip and possible dangers but it was easier said than done. It's not easy leaving your whole life behind. Everything she's built for herself. Everyone she knew and cared about. Her entire livelihood. But..it was the only way. She'd have to start from the ground up in unfamiliar territory but... It'd work out. Somehow she'd make it work.

Her eyes felt heavy as sleepiness crawled in but she had batted it away every time it arrived. Westward. She had to go westward. Every step she took was one more step to something better. Every tree she passed getting farther away meant less danger. It's all that mattered. The moon rose and fell giving way for her brother the sun to start his journey to light up the world. The slowly absorbing sunlight brought some warmth to the world but it was still rather cold and made her body shiver still. She was tired. So tired but she carried on. She only stopped briefly once to fill a gourd in a nearby stream and eat some of the bread and cheese she packed herself and took a break to check her makeshift map. The tiny stream was on it so at least she knew she was going the right way. But it'll still be a long time before she came to the mountains let alone the nearest town which was right past the mountain. So she started again. Walking and walking and walking. Hour after hour. Step after step. Until it started to get sundown and she finally allowed herself to sleep but not before lighting up a campfire to keep. By the time she woke up the next morning she was shivering cold again and the ashes of the fire were softly simmering out. She made extra sure to put out the ashes and try to disguise the remains of the fire just in case someone might've come looking for her. Then it was back to walking westward.

She only hoped she was doing the right thing.

Day after day passed. Colder and colder the wind chilled. Flat land of dead grass became slowly steeper and steeper as hours and days and nights meshed together. She didn't know how much time had passed really but she was starting to run out of food. Water was scarce. And it was starting to close in on her-

And then it started to snow

F/c eyes had woken up to frost that morning and barely enough energy to open her eyes let alone stand. The fire long since died out leaving the cold to creep it's unforgiving hands over her. The sky had been taken over by darkened clouds so not even the sun's warmth would be blessing the earth.

Teeth chattered. Food was gone by that day's end. Water only a dream. Warmth scarce. Cold only bring the deadly company as the path became steeper.

And then it started to snow.

Lost. Everyway looked the same. Barren trees inviting death as no life was left behind by Old Man Winter's deathly kiss.

"...Y/n.~"

The ghostly voice against the wind startled her into stopping blinking against the wind and squinting out..No. The cold was playing tricks on her mind once more. She would've kept going if a laugh hadn't made her whip around-

And her mouth opened wide in horror.

It was a man standing there. 

A man as pale as the snow and fingernails and lips as blue as the sky. Platinum silver hair fluttered around his head and whipped around in the wind. The only color to his body was those rainbow irises frosted over like the outside of a stain glass window on a chilly day. 

Douma.

No...No. NO! Douma was DEAD!! You KILLED him!! You SAW it happen!! With your body frozen and fear kicking in, you could only do one thing.

R U N!!

Teeth chattered. Arms uselessly rubbed her sides to no avail. She lost feeling in most of her body. Couldn't even feel the cold from how numb she was. But she still pressed on despite being lost and cold. Step after step. Snowflakes kissed pale skin as if inviting her to rest and let the cold take her away in a peaceful slumber. But she couldn't.

She...

Couldn't....

Steps stumbled. A weakened body collapsed to the cold ground. Tired. She was so tired. So cold. So numb. Vision blurred and fluttered. Head spun as eyelids drew heavy. Darkness closed in as eyelids fluttered closed to the cruel world. Ears ringing softly as the world caved in and faded away with black as her breath weakened. 

And a dark smiling shadow fell over her.

"...p-please...n-no-.."

"Shh. Darling, it's alright. Now we can be together forever just like I wanted."

Quiet. Peaceful silence echoed throughout the barren Forrest of trees. Celebrating the claiming of the warm life now laid upon the falling snowflakes. Coating her in white. A fitting wedding shroud for the ice cold groom.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias - The Award Part 1/15

Prologue Part 2

Alright here we go. Hope you like it 👉👈☺️

Kiera Reed, upcoming superstar, the new it girl, multi Grammy Award winner…or so she wants to be. Realizing that the music industry has little to do with talent and a lot to do with status, Kiera is willing to do it all to give her music the recognition it deserves. Even if that means fake dating the stubborn, inconsiderate and undeniably arrogant football player, Ruben Dias. It is through lies, schemes and hurt that the "couple" comes to know each other. But through passion, love and sacrifice Kiera and Ruben go through lengths to help each other achieve their dreams.

Enjoy! ✨️

Seventy pounds for a new set of braids was crazy, and that's besides the cost of hair extensions. That's why, no matter how much money Kiera was making as an artist, she would never become careless with her money. Especially when her cousin Angie could do it all, knotless, dreads, a wig, a weave. You name it, cousin Angie could do it.

"Did you say seventy quid for what, four bundles?"

"Yes Ang, and that's before adding the fee for washing and drying."

"That's crazy. These celebrity stylists need to be locked up for real."

"That's what I said!"

Their laughter rattled the walls of Kiera's hotel room. Kiera, seated on the floor while cousin Angie stood over her, finishing up Kiera's half braided scalp.

"Girl, hold still or we're going to be here for another hour." Kiera's head was pulled back to stop her from moving around so much. 

"Ouch. Careful Ang."

"Then hold still. Don't you need to be at the radio station at three?"

"And the studio at six. Please, no need to remind me." Kiera looked through the calendar on her phone. There were a lot of marked dots just for this weekend. Her manager and Odell must have seen it fitting to squeeze in as many appearances while they were still in Manchester. Kiera should have known that an Awards show was only the beginning to the longest seventy-two hours of her life.

"What time will you leave the studio?" Angie asked. "My friends from uni are looking to party."

"Hmm, can't say." Kiera swiped through her calendar again, checking today's agenda. Her studio session would keep her busy for at least four hours, and after the dinner reservation with Odell there wouldn't be much time to party. "I dunno, Ang there's this football game on Sunday and you know how Odell is. I can't be too hungover even if I'm just supposed to make an appearance."

"No, I get it. Would it be okay though, if my friends and I came around here when you and your hubby are out for dinner?"

Kiera chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Feel free to empty the mini bar."

"You read my mind."

The girls were back to mindless snickering, and once again Kieras head was tugged backwards.

"Ouch, Ang. Stop that."

"Hold still!"

Kiera had a minor headache by the time she arrived at the BBC radio station in Manchester. She was only scheduled to be on for the hour so chugging down a Panadol on the car ride there would have to do. Or so Kiera thought. 

She was scheduled for a smaller interview with the radio stations junior hosts, three young women and their poor sound technician who didn't look to be older than nineteen. With the four of them boxed in the room together there wasn't enough air to go around once Kiera arrived with her throbbing headache.

"Give it up for Kiera Reed everybody, Britain's upcoming superstar!" 

Kiera received a round of applause upon her arrival. 

"Thank you, that's more than a generous introduction."

She had yet come to terms with her many achievements these past months. The recognition she was receiving was humbling and a little intriguing. However, it was easier for her to talk about her music with her younger audience since they were the ones who inspired her the most.

"So tell us Kiera, how long have you and Ruben Dias' been dating?"

"What? Who?"

"Yeah, tell us," The girls chanted. "Don't be shy. We saw how the two of you were cozying up to each other yesterday at the EMA's. Come on, we want all the tea."

"I wasn't— Who the hell is Ruben Dias?" Kiera was bewildered by the accusations. Certainly because her boyfriend, Odell, would be listening in to the show. It dawned on her though that the giddy women were referring to the man at the award show from last night. The way he had…had… Kiera had yet found the correct words to reminisce about what happened at the event. She had felt anxious on stage, unable to present the award for the best new artist, when Ruben, her co-presenter lifted the burden of her shoulders by well…welll…

"Okay, I take it that the two of you are keeping things private." The girls rolled their eyes in annoyance. "But if we played a game of Fuck, Merry, Kill, where would Mr Ruben Dias place?"

"Pardon?" Kiera could feel the Pandanol evaporating from her body with the way her brain was pounding in her head. She expected to do a serious interview about her music and her career. But it seems like she was set up with yet another basement talk show, who thrived on solemnly speaking on celebrity gossip. Despite her disappointment Kiera knew better not to trash the vibe, and would do her best to play her part just like she was trained to do.

"Would you fuck, kill or merry Ruben Dias?"

Kiera cleared her throat. "Ruben Dias and…?"

The girls shifted their heads. "What do you mean?"

Kiera smiled, a fake smile, as if excited to please their needs for details on her private life. "Well…Ruben Dias and who else? Fuck, Merry and Kill usually includes more people to pick from, no?"

"Oh my god, yes! Of course." The girls were bouncing in their seats like young school girls. They put their heads together and whispered some names between them. 

While she was momentarily ignored Kiera glanced at the blushing sound technician and gestured towards her wrist for him to tell her how much time she had left on the show.

"Eh, fifteen minutes, Miss." 

"Thank you." 

"Okay, we've got it!" The girls exclaimed, having successfully assembled a trio of men for Kiera to fuck, merry and kill. "Ruben Dias, Central Cee and eh…Princess Kate Middleton."

"Right." Kiera sighed internally. But to get things over with. "Kill Central Cee, obviously. He's just a kid." They were actually around the same age, Central Cee and Kiera. But the gasping protests that followed her choice told Kiera to stand by it. Though, her next decision was a bit trickier, and rightfully controversial. "Fuck Kate Middleton."

"Really?" The girls were giggling, blushing and giggling to a point where their faces turned bright red. "You're such an icon for saying that. Princess Kate Middleton, really? I reckon she would be shit in bed."

"Emma?"

"What? She would be. Most Likely."

It was a dreadful fifteen minutes. The most dreadful fifteenth minutes in Kiera's twenty-five years of life. Was this really what she had to do to fulfill her dreams, a life of entertaining the public with her private life? She had started out singing in church somewhere in Erdington, Birmingham. When Kiera's dreams were solemnly her own. Now her dreams were being shared with the world. Torn by it. All in the name of live entertainment.

"What about Ruben Dias?" One of the girls asked.

"Oh, right." Kiera was brought back from her thoughts. "I'd marry him, I guess."

"So, the two of you are dating?"

"What, no. I have a boyfriend."

"Ruben Dias?"

"No, his name is Odell. He's my…."

The BBC Radio jingle shook the studio, startling only Kiera.

"Well folks, looks like that's all the time we have for today." The girls took to their microphones, a sudden professionalism in the way they went about. "That was a lovely game of fuck, merry and kill with none other than Britain's newest superstar, Kiera Reed! If you want to hear more from her you can catch her newest single, Pipe Dreams, right after this short break."

The girls got up from the table as the commercial played in the background. They thanked Keira for her participation and wished to have her back soon.

Not even an hour later a car was sent to Kiera's hotel to pick her up and take her to the studio where Odell and the producers were waiting.

"Hi babe, how was your day?"

"Awful." Kiera was glad to be swept up in her boyfriend's embrace, inhaling the smell of his fruitful aftershave.

"Awful? Didn't the Radio show go well?" She was tilted back in his arms, Odell tracing his thumb along Kiera's eyebrow. He possessed the loveliest pair of eyes, a mix of green and blue. Rare for someone of his complexion. She had really struck her luck being discovered by him. He was truly her partner in crime.

"No, didn't you listen in?" 

His guilty eyes told otherwise  "Sorry babe. I guess I missed it. But hey, listen to this sick beat that we've been working on."

What followed was a long studio session, stretching well into the night. Kiera was left with a sore throat after recording her vocals on over 20 tracks. And forget about the dinner reservations. By the time she and Odell got back to the hotel, all restaurants in town were closed.

"You sleep tight. I'll be back to pick you up in the morning."

"Can't you stay for a little bit?" He was truly a gentleman, her boyfriend. In the beginning of their relationship Kiera was told that it was because of their age gap, Odell being well into his thirties. That their relationship wouldn't look good in the eyes of the public. But as the love between them matured Odell eased up on his fear for public display of affection, even though he and Kiera had yet spent a night together, their similar religious upbringing preventing them to.

"I'll be back first thing in the morning." He assured, allowing himself to kiss Kiera good night. She fell asleep, dreaming of that kiss, that and other things involving Odell's lips roaming her body. She had never desired a man as much as she desired him, even though they both agreed to save themselves until marriage. However, Kiera wouldn't mind breaking a few religious rules, not if it was done in the name of true love.

*******

The next morning was as hectic as the previous. Despite her drunken rampage with her uni friends, Kiera's cousin Angie showed up at the hotel just in time to do Kiera's makeup ahead of today's appearances.

"Since when do you watch football?" Cousin Angie asked, amused to hear that Kiera was personally invited to watch the fixture between Everton and Manchester City. Angie herself had never witnessed a game, despite having spent three years living in the heart of football legacy, Manchester City.

"It's Odell." Kiera sighed. "He really wants to go, but I don't know. We received the call after the EMA's by some publicist on one of the teams. I think they're only doing it because they feel sorry for what happened."

"You mean how you got all choked up on stage." Angie chuckled. "Yeah, trust me, we all felt sorry for you."

"I didn't choke up." Kiera snapped. Her protests earned her a slap by a makeup brush.

"Will you relax? I was joking." Angie brushed off the excess powder on Kiera's cheek. "People could barely tell how nervous you were."

"You really think so?"

"Yes. I only know because you told me. Besides, what really got people talking was you with that man's lips in your ears."

"Oh, will you shut up about that."

Angie laughed as she dodge Kiera's swinging arms. "No, but seriously. What did he say to you?"

"Who, Ruben?" Kiera's arms stopped swinging.

"Ruben is he? So you know him by name now."

"Shut up. I won't tell you what he said if you don't." It was becoming annoying, her cousin Angie, another person to remind Kiera of how a man, a complete stranger, had to come to her rescue during the most humiliating night of her life.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop." Angie assured. "Now tell me what he said."

"Fine." Kiera sighed, reminiscing on what it felt like, having someone as tall as Ruben towering over her like a guard on duty. It was embarrassing to say that Kiera's desire for Odell had momentarily been mixed up with the events of that night. While she adored her boyfriend's lips on her body, Kiera's fantasies were getting invaded by the sensation of a gentle caress, just below her earlobe. Ruben's lips, whispering such sweet endeavors to a woman he just met. "You did good." Kiera muttered, the words barley audible in the silence of the hotel room.

"Come again?" Angie frowned.

"I said, you did good."

"Who?"

"Not who, me. Or at least that's what he said."

"Who, Ruben?"

Kiera bit her lip, nodding her head.

"Ruben Dias? The Ruben Dias whispered the words — you did good."

"Kiera." She shyly added . 

"Huh?"

Kiera looked to her hands. "He whispered, You did good, Kiera. Very good." 

"Great. That's just fucking great."

"What is?" Kiera turned in her chair, regarding her cousin who looked to want to stab her eyes out with the tweezers.

"I can't believe you get to live out my fantasies of having two lovers yearning for you."

"I don't have—" Heat rose to Kiera's pampered face. "I barely know Ruben. Sure I'll see him today at the game, but I'll be there with Odell, my boyfriend, to relieve your memory loss." Kiera withheld the fact that after learning her rescuer's full name at the radio show, she had spent the rest of that lonely evening googling her knight in shiny armour. Of course, leaving her terribly guilty for reliving the humiliating events of that Award show, purly in the hopes of putting a face on the voice that still raised the hairs on the back of her neck. It happened just at the thought of his lips in her ear. A thought that had occurred more than once since it happened.

"I dunno Keke." Said Angie, unable to talk and do makeup at the same time. "After your little radio show yesterday and the fact that you're seeing him again today, the universe really seems to want you and this guy to reunite, you know, to keep the flame he lit alive."

"What flame? You're delusional." Kiera said bitterly. "Now finish my makeup or I'll tell aunt Tamika that you're failing uni." To this she earned a laugh from her favorite cousin. It was pure luck that the EMA's happened to be in Manchester this year. Usually the two of them wouldn't have had a chance to get together until the holiday's, at least not now when Kiera's career was really taking off.

Prologue

Part 2

[rosetterer]

COMING HOME, COMING HOME, TELL THE WORLD I'M COMING HOME, LET THE RAIN, WASH AWAY, ALL THE PAIN OF YESTERD-

[villainintern]

Has the update has been delayed again

Noooo heyyy idk what you're talking about!! I released it yesterd-

-Okay getting real. Here's the sitch:

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TL;DR, I'm still debugging 😔😔 and I probably will be until the end of the week. Why are the bugs so unkillable? Well, I've hit the point in the story where combat is really introduced. This is awesome and I'm very excited about it.

Too excited even. I wrote a bunch of different branching ways to beat a person up and now there's so much text. And I'd like for everyone to be able to get to the chapter 1 ending I wrote in narrative order, instead of hitting a random misplaced paragraph. So I'm doing my due duty and sanding down the mechanical kinks before I drop the update, even though I want to show u guys noww so bad.