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#I am more hesitant to approach human/ humanized aus
cynautica · 3 days
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sorry I’m not great at colors on procreate
had this idea woke up in the middle of the night... am I cooking
Pre expansion/ Human Al-an AU
A biologist in an age where all things biological on Earth were well documented, Robin Ayou had only one financially strapped startup to her name. When her sister Sam Ayou goes missing under the watch of the shady Alterra corporation, Robin doesn’t hesitate and opts to travel alone to a remote coastline in South America to join an already abandoned search effort. There she gets sidelined by a distress signal on her equipment.
An abandoned lab reclaimed slowly by the elements— the last place she expected to find a man trapped in stasis by his own machine. His name is Alan Meyer. The system seemed to keep his body alive. He had no idea how long he’d been trapped, and stranger yet he refused to remove his helmet. He seems to be experiencing some pretty significant amnesia— but by his recounting he was a tech prodigy in his youth. There seems to be things he’s hiding too…
In return for her assistance, Alan offers tech and augmentations that allow her to better search for her missing sister.
AU NOTES:
Robin cares a lot about her health and fitness - and enjoys triathlons.
Despite Alan’s stasis his body is in decent shape, though a bit skinny. He is rather huskily built so it’s hard to tell at a glance, and that combination creates the illusion of fitness.
Robin wears more casual/ semiformal, but frequently changes in to a wetsuit for diving.
Alan’s helmet is able to provide some visual input directly in to his brain, but even this way he is partially blind.
Alan prefers floor length dresses and robes which are pretty common in fashion at this time. It’s Robin who dresses retro.
Alan seems estranged from humanity and does not consider himself part of it. Robin thinks his time trapped in AR fried his brain.
Alan is suspiciously wealthy (for lore reasons)
jungle setting instead of ice for 1) it’s a refresh 2) it’d quickly show the similarities and differences in how both of them approach science and danger
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lavenoon · 1 year
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Can I ask for a preference for the DCA boys? Sun/Moon/ Eclipse. And if there is a specific AU version you fancy?
Oh, sure!
For the preferences I'm uh. Between Sun/Moon I refuse to choose? I see them as a set, Do Not Separate, and it feels unfair to choose between them. I'm very enthusiastic about healthy sleep, and own unholy amounts of glitter glue and other craft supplies, so it really just works out for a match. I love Eclipse too! Though I see him as separate*, not as intrinsically linked into the set, and given that Sun and Moon are the "originals" they win out over Eclipse**!
*Depends on the interpretation, of course, but if left to my own devices
**This, too, depends on the interpretation, as I've been known to simp for the Police Chief and perhaps a teeny tiny bit the Bounty Hunter in @naffeclipse's Syzygy in Dedication/ Sleuth Jesters
In regards to AU preferences that's already one point then, though uh. I've kind of made half a brand out of being entirely insane over also Naff's Cryptid Sightings Sun/Moon/Eclipse - all three just one being in this one, and big dangerous cryptid soft for one human is simply too much of a weakness.
Them being caretakers is always a plus, because I love the trope of caretaker confronted with being taken care of, does not compute (literally, in their case) and also just. Animatronic existence and the conflict it creates (not necessarily fighting, but the surrounding circumstances in the world, misunderstandings, getting to know each other and growing closer while exploring and appreciating differences as well as similarities, and how these intertwine) is my favorite, though as long as it's human and non human interaction I'm going to be fascinated tbh. As a queer neurodiverse person accepting and cherishing differences, and taking the time to truly understand the other is simply my bread and butter
I suppose I should also say I like my own AU boys too? I mean, obviously, I created them! Though honestly, there are so many versions and interpretations of the boys and I'll eat them all up, I'm really bad at choosing, so I suppose the bottom line of all this is...
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glass-noodle · 8 months
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What would a role reversed merman AU scenario be like? And most impotant, what kind of fish species would Hank be? (Not meant as a drawing request or super elaborate essay or anything, I just love reading your ideas ✨️)
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I know you said this isn't a drawing/essay request but HOW COULD I RESIST!!!
I am not a fish expert but I like to think of Hank being either a dwarf gourami (for that good ol' in-game symbolism hehe) or a tiger shark, because stripes and big teeth and bad temper. Or maybe he could be some sort of tropical fish that's super vibrant and colourful, yet also deadly (poisonous fin spikes?). Marine biologists please weigh in!!!
Some half-formed unofficial notes:
Hank is more outwardly aggressive towards Kamski and the scientists in comparison to Connor’s cold-shoulder approach. They went through their entire tranquilizer supply in the first few months just to get a handle on the roaring, thrashing beast of a merman, and he’s caused more than a few major injuries amongst their team. Just like Connor, he bares his teeth and resists every time they come to take him for experiments; they have to sedate him from a greater distance and with a much heavier dose than they use for Connor, however.
Hank is a little less malnourished than Connor, but only because he doesn't refuse to eat. He's still thinner and weaker than he would be normally
Connor works the night shift. Not sure if it’s because he has another job during the daytime or if he’s going to school, but either way he manages to catch up on sleep during his breaks. He sacrifices this sleep once he and Hank start growing closer, however.
Hank takes much longer to warm up to Connor than the reverse. He snarls and snaps his teeth whenever Connor gets too close; it takes weeks for Connor to be able to approach the edge of the tank. He has to leave the fresh fish on the deck and back away before Hank will even look at it, ice-blue eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Connor is a bit more hesitant to get close to Hank, but that's only because he's always taken his job seriously and he doesn't like breaking the rules. He can't help but stare in awe whenever the large merman swims by, however, vibrant fins flashing and his muscled body cutting powerfully through the water. It's only when Connor starts noticing the scientists taking Hank away - and his glimpses of Hank's violent resistance - that his curiosity and empathy override his sense of obedience and his desire to make a good first impression.
Because Hank doesn't talk, Connor is given even more of an opportunity than usual to run his mouth. He blabbers away, asking question after question as if Hank could answer, sometimes philosophizing and sometimes talking about nothing at all. Hank tries to tune him out as he eats, but the human is annoyingly persistent. Eventually he grows used to the babble, but only after he starts begrudgingly warming up to the kid.
Because Connor talks so damn much, it's alarming when he goes quiet. Hank initiates contact for the first time by taking off his glasses when he has his breakdown. It's the first time Hank has ever been so close to him.
I think that Hank would still have lost Cole when he was a baby mer; possibly to humans and their trapping practices, giving him even more of a reason to hate them. I'm torn on what Connor's backstory should be, though. Perhaps he lost Nines (to an ocean storm?)? Or maybe it’s post-fight with Amanda and he’s feeling directionless in life, suffocating under the weight of his family’s expectations and feeling like he’s a burden and a disappointment despite everything that he’s achieved? Maybe it’s just a good ol’ panic attack because I love forcing anxiety onto human!Connor (no I’m not projecting what do u mean)
Hank's power and girth take on a whole new light after they’ve grown close. Connor is more distracted during their time together, his stream of chatter faltering uncharacteristically whenever Hank shifts a certain way or rips into a fish easily with his powerful jaws. He swallows when he imagines the full strength of the merman pressing him down against the deck, of Hank dragging him into the water and grazing those razor-sharp teeth along his skin, tail wrapped around his body like a serpent and trapping him in place.
Hank could hold the skinny human down with one hand. He knows he could. He imagines wide dark eyes staring up at him, skin flushed prettily and neat brown hair dripping, wordless for once in his life, and nearly loses his self-control. If they were both mermen, he'd be courting the kid to the ends of the ocean. Or...maybe Connor would be the one wooing him. He's certainly brought him enough fish and stared at his chest and arms enough that any merperson worth their salt would consider it mate-like behaviour. It's a weird cognitive dissonance to be feeling this way about a human, but Connor is — Connor is different. Hank likes Connor; he likes him so much that it's stupid.
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lilianade-comics · 7 months
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With your new portal shenanigans Cheesemelt AU, I'm now picturing the "You exist to serve ME!" scene, except it's mid-to-late in the story... and Dani's the one who says it.
By this point Vlad's bonded with Dani and is working to keep her safe instead of hurt her. She's trying to attempt something really dangerous that she's certain will bring her to Danny, Vlad's trying to stop her because he's certain it won't work and could end up with her badly hurt or a ghost herself. And Dani's stressed and desperate, snaps, and spits out the line, shocking and hurting Vlad but, even moreso, shocking and scaring herself. One of those "Oh god, what am I doing" moments.
All this results in her panicking, possibly breaking the binding on Vlad, and booking it, because she's twelve and panicking. Cue Vlad having to accept that he actually does care for her even without being forced to do what she says, track her down, and insist on helping her anyway. Maybe he makes some excuse like, "If you die here you'll definitely become a ghost and then I'll be stuck with you forever," but in that special Vlad way where it's super obvious that he's lying.
Anyway! Just- love the new AU, it gave me Thoughts (obviously), thanks for all the delicious Cheesemelt content you've been making! ^U^
Ahh, thank you for the ask! I love your thought process here. I've had a thematic moment in mind that's quite similar to this! But first, some additional important context for the AU in question:
Vlad is a widely disliked, smarmy, ambitious independent warlord/general vampiric nuisance in the political landscape of the ghost realm. He's been vying for the title of Ghost King for ages, trying to get Pariah Dark and his court out of the picture so he can take the throne. It is the BIGGEST POSSIBLE blow to his enormous ego that he got himself bound to the will of a little girl and is being paraded around like her manservant. So he's trying to trick her into releasing him, trying to be unhelpful, trying to be mean, trying to do ANYTHING to get out of the situation with his reputation intact. He figures out pretty quickly that her brother is none other than a certain infamous pain-in-the-neck ghost boy, and just grits his fangs because at least if he's stuck with Dani, he'll learn where Danny's hideout is and can set fire to it. But at the same time, he's low key getting emotionally attached to Danielle because Vlad has no friends and is desperately lonely and hungry for attention.
Dani has been raised to believe that ghosts are untrustworthy, tricky beings (similar to how the fae are perceived in folklore), and doesn't think twice about proactively magically binding the first ghost who approaches her. She needs Vlad to help her find Danny and lead them both out of the ghost realm, and then he can go back to whatever nefarious activities he likes. He's not allowed to hurt or betray her while under contract, so she's not really worried about him (although, she was really hesitant to discard the blood blossoms she brought along. They guaranteed no ghosts could grab her, but they also made it impossible for Vlad to fly her anywhere her feet couldn't take her, so she had to get rid of them!)
Now Danny himself. He was around three when he fell into the ghost realm through a spirit ring drawn by his parents. It's been ten years since then. The way the ghost realm works here is that if a living person spends too long in it, they WILL become a ghost, i.e. they die prematurely. Crucially, Danielle doesn't know this. So Danny is fully a ghost by this point, doesn't really remember much of his life, and is playing a Peter Pan/Robin Hood role alongside his band of fellow child ghosts Ember, Poindexter, Youngblood, and Cujo. They're regularly causing mayhem for the oppressors of the realm, which prominently includes Pariah Dark and Vlad (Danny isn't a fan of either of them, and Vlad truly isn't sure if he's more annoyed by Pariah or Danny).
So! When this disheveled human girl comes rocking up to his secret hideout and tries desperately to convince him that she's his long lost twin sister here to bring him home, part of him is tempted to at least hear her out, but the other part that's backed up by his crew just knows this reeks of a trap set up by one of his enemies to lure him somewhere. ("seems like something Plasmius would do," says Ember). He ultimately tells a heartbroken Danielle to get lost because he can't take the risk just because he's curious.
Now we arrive at Dani's lowest moment. Her brother is a ghost, he doesn't want anything to do with her, and her entire quest is crumbling around her. She staggers back to wherever Vlad was waiting for her (and he isn't surprised she came back empty handed. He was, after all, already familiar with Danny.) Dani then has a complete breakdown! Because she's a child stuck in a different reality and her brother is dead and Vlad didn't tell her that he already knew. Vlad feels a little guilty, but his ego won't let him admit this, so he argues with her instead. How could this foolish child have possibly thought her insane quest would succeed? The odds were always against her and she never should have even tried something so pointless and dangerous.
Dani throws some iteration of the "I hate you/you exist to serve me" lines at him, shocking herself and REALLY making Vlad feel bad, and then she releases him from the binding and elects to find some way to convince Danny to listen to her on her own. Vlad looks visibly upset but is like "Fine! That's exactly what I wanted in the FIRST PLACE, stupid girl"
Vlad is happy to be free, but his emotional attachment to Danielle won't let him abandon her no matter how much he wants to, because her wellbeing matters to him, bizarrely. So he takes matters into his own hands.
He surprise "attacks" Danielle in front of Danny and co, dangling her by her ankle from high in the air and launches into a natural villain monologue about how well this pathetic girl did leading him directly to Danny Phantom, and how he doesn't need her anymore, and "Oh, Daniel, can you believe that your own sister came to me thinking I would help her find you? Using her was so easy." and then he drops her so Danny can catch her.
A fight ensues, Vlad makes a swift and flashy exit, but not before exchanging a knowing glance with a shocked Dani, who now understands that Vlad just secured her Danny's goodwill in the only way he could; by being a villain.
There's more to this AU, but that's a pretty significant moment in it! Thank you for sending me your thoughts, I love when people interact with my silly AU ideas and come up with cool ideas for them!!! <3
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genshinology · 1 year
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𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓, 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔. zhongli
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(requested by anonymous.)
content; zhongli x gn!reader. historical au to modern au (ig we could say that liyue has been modernised and like teyvat has been shifted into powerless realm without elements (please, bear with me and my stupid imagination ANSBHIQWKNDK)), reincarnation au, soulmates au, not really angst or fluff but like zhongli misses the reader and it shows, mentions of character death. wc; 1.6k (not proofread, let’s gaurr)
a part of my 800 followers event + *gasps* finally i am back to actual writing?!?!?! and get to continue this event??? HAHA ik this is so not my tradition of being inactive most of the part this year eek (btw, i have finals for like the next two weeks, so expect this blog only filled with queued stuff, etc.)
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it was raining.
the day zhongli found you back on liyue past, dark days, where he was still the geo archon - all powerful, and craving the power from his people in the archon war, still under the name of morax - zhongli could not understand how you, a mere human without a vision, caught his attention in more ways than one.
sure, he believed that he knew you through guizhong, one of his old acquaintances, but he still could not comprehend how he could seek joy and calmness whenever you were around him, despite him still did not wander around with the body of his human form, zhongli. and how content you were when you knew that he was morax, not a passerby that casually tried to hit up on you.
it was raining, when he saw you working hard, a trait he found himself adored when it came from you, you were his everything back then, until he remembered how dread it was; one day, when the archon war finally came to its end, and news of you died tragically during the battle between gods, along with his close friends.
he could not imagine how helpless you must have been, without the power he often accompanied you whenever you said you were going out to catch up with the outside world. zhongli blamed everything on himself, how he was not able to protect the one people he cherished the most, you.
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it was raining, once again, when he found you running towards katheryne, complained something about nearby monster attacks so that the adventurers’ guild could take the problem into their hand.
zhongli remembered how you thanked the receptionist, eyes gleaming with hope. the one emotion that he remembered back hundreds of years ago that was reserved for him. the one emotion he would trade his life for, because the hopefulness in your eyes was the one thing that kept him alive, the one thing that made him determined to be a better god, and he thought he was being deceived when he turned twice to properly look at your figure.
(yes, zhongli was no longer a god that oversaw liyue, but at times like this, he remembered how he was not really a gentle god to begin with, and the presence of you in the old days gave him hope for him to be kinder and wiser, and, he would not hesitate for a brief second if someone asked him how to be a respectable god (because zhongli, more often than not, was asked this question a little bit too much by the other gods and archons alike). he would, surely, answered those questions that you, the little human that he swore had sunshine upon you, was the one that brought the best out of him.)
zhongli could not believe when childe introduced you to him. (it was funny how he met you through his close friend, again.) you were helping xiangling at the wanmin restaurant, and as a regular there, he could not believe that it was really you. the same smile, the same height, the same face, even the same walk, and your kindness in serving other customers, even him, were all still the same. the y/n that he knew, the y/n that he wanted to protect, the y/n that he loved. it was still you, and zhongli knew that deep in your heart, you also sensed a familiarity when you approached him. it was weird, but you managed to introduce you to him, the new part-time worker at the restaurant and that this was your side income.
zhongli was wise, and smart. he, at that time, decided to not being too attached to you, although he assumed that he was actually immune to the death occurrences around him, since he learned that it was inevitable. all mortals he befriended with, all would only go and leave him alone, like how he always be.
but he could not deny the ache in his heart when he longed for your presence and attention, especially when you said you would be going back to your hometown, far away from liyue, and for once, zhongli reminisced the second, most bittersweet goodbye from you, and worst yet, he never knew when you died for a second time. all he knew was you admired him from afar from hu tao, and zhongli regretted his choice back then of not welcoming you into his heart once again.
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it was a raining night, where cars and buses bustling around the busy city. the horns from afar, the colourful lights, the coffee in his hand, the droplets of rain that stained the café large window. all things, somehow, made him focused more on the memories of you, and the thousands of emotions that came along with them.
“may i sit here for a while?”
zhongli gave the person a brief nod, not really paying attention due to the fact that he was so deep in his thoughts, before he could feel the sense of familiarity to the person beside him.
zhongli never acted recklessly, often forming his own thoughts of consequences before doing anything, but he could not hide his shock when the person in front of him met his eyes, and, for a fleeting moment, zhongli knew it was you. he just knew.
if soulmates were real, he was so sure now that you were his.
you halted for a moment, part of you was awestruck by the manly aura that radiated off of him, but you could not ignore the tinge of sadness that suddenly overwhelmed you.
“have we.. have we met?” the simple question coming from you was more than enough to make his heart shattered into pieces, not because of the disappointment of you not recognising him - of course you couldn’t remember. you had been going through many stages of life cycles, and he would forever stuck with one - it was the fact that you thought you knew him, almost made the urge to pull you into his arms ten times stronger than ever.
the way zhongli kept on being silent made you quickly realised how off the question was, especially if you had just met a stranger in a downtown café. “wait, i’m sorry for sounding stupid. it’s just - i thought we know each other before but i may be wrong,” you sent an awkward laugh. “and i’m sorry if i am interrupting your personal space, that the rain is pouring and i could not catch the last bus and my umbrella is kinda broken -
“it’s fine, y/n.”
you almost dropped your phone at that. so, you had met. but you could not remember where.
the sadness inside you amplified the more you tried to shrug it off, his voice worsened your confusion to the negative feeling inside you, but, somehow, the more you held eye contact with this beautiful man in front of you, the more relieved you felt.
the sense of familiarity was not something you could ignore, with the fact that the man in front of you could technically be a bad person didn’t even come across your mind. “i know this might sound dumb, or stupid, or both but like - where did we meet?”
“somewhere, and i believe we were close at that.”
thousands of questions surged your mind, how could you forget a person that was close to you? the way you knew he wasn’t lying made your insides felt more relieved. who was this man? and why did you feel so sad? and relieved?
“the name’s zhongli,” he introduced himself to you.
the name struck you once again, but zhongli decided that this was all too much for you by reading your body language. even after centuries had passed, you were still the y/n he knew. “your umbrella broke?”
“i, uhh, yes,” you felt like you were sharing too much information on this guy who you barely knew, but the way he gave you the most gentle smile coming from a man made you knew that you could trust him. it made no sense, how you were not making any sense even in your own thoughts.
“let me offer you a ride. it is late and dangerous.”
you didn’t even doubt him and his words. something about him made you felt safe, and you thought you were the one who acted weirdly in front of him, but you figured that he didn’t mind. perhaps he had always been nice just like this.
“thank you, zhongli,” zhongli sent a small smile, one which pulled the strings of your heart. was this love at first sight, or you were actually close with him before? it was absurd, but you decided not to care with the intrusive thoughts.
either way, your gratitude made zhongli unknowingly blinked his eyes. those were the last words you said at him both times he met you. now, he swore he wouldn’t let you go again, with no responsibility of a god on your first life, and no treatment of platonic relationship with you on the second, he just knew that in this life, he would cherish every moment with you once again.
both of you decided to watch the rain after zhongli treated you with a drink, and, ironically enough, it was the most beautiful, and calming night you had ever seen.
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pininghermit · 8 months
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Come Find Me (Role Swap AU)
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Request: Consider a roleswap with human Adrian. Perhaps some potion gone wrong, a spellbound book that was opened up in Lisa’s library or simply it was Trevor’s fault somehow and now we’re in this mess!...
Genre: Romance
AN: I did not want to cut any part of your request but not me taking extensive notes with this. Predator and prey you say....I am very very intrigued!
Summary: Adrian POV~~
Chapter 1| Chapter 2|
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Most people meet the love of their lives in a glorious festival, a chance encounter, or through the connection of souls. But I met you through our bodies, in a way far more unconventional than a fleeting one-night rendezvous.
During those days, sleep was a rare treasure, a fleeting escape from the relentless torment of haunting memories. Visions of my father's blood and my mother's accusing eyes never left my thoughts, leaving me sleepless and restless. But on that particular night, something extraordinary happened, something that defied explanation.
Perhaps it was the mercy of the wine—countless bottles emptied throughout an entire evening of labor—that finally granted my weary soul a brief respite. As the wine's effects coursed through me, my eyelids grew heavy, and I surrendered to the weariness that had gnawed at me for so long.
I laid there, the world around me fading into obscurity as if I were floating on ethereal clouds. It was a night unlike any other; there were no dreams to plague my thoughts, no accusing glares, and no manifestations of trauma. It was as if, for that fleeting moment, the universe had granted me peace.
At first, I didn't quite grasp the significance of the change in my surroundings. The familiar, unforgiving wooden planks of the wine cellar had vanished, as had the nauseating stench of my own despair. Instead, my senses were enveloped by the softness of silks that cradled my body and the delicate fragrance of sandalwood that lingered in the air.
I shifted in my newfound comfort, my fingers curling around the nearest pillow. It was an act of instinct, an unconscious response to the sensation of ease that washed over me.
In that moment, it was as though the weight of the past had ceased to exist.
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Golden rays of the Sun, warm and inviting, peeked through flowing linen curtains, casting a soft, honeyed glow that danced on the polished wooden floor. Adrian's senses swam in confusion as he sprang up from his unfamiliar surroundings, disoriented and uncertain. The sheets beneath him were like a canvas, smooth and pristine, their texture foreign and unsettling. Like a tightly drawn bowstring, he catapulted himself out of the bed, the sensation of unfamiliar fabric clinging to his skin, a sensation that sent shivers racing down his spine.
Outside the room, the world seemed alive. The muted hum of activity and the faint rustle of leaves reached his ears, their source hidden beyond the massive wooden doors that loomed like sentinels. Adrian's heart raced as he scanned the room, his searching gaze finding no sign of another presence, yet he felt the undeniable presence of someone lurking in the shadows, just out of sight.
His footsteps, as hesitant as his racing thoughts, brought him no answers as he circled the room. The ambiance was surreal, flooded with the cheerful Sun's rays, which bathed everything in their golden embrace. An ornate chandelier, its crystals glittering like a thousand stars, swayed gently from the high arching ceiling, refracting the light into prismatic rainbows that danced playfully on the walls. A tinkling windchime, suspended by an open window, sang a soft serenade, its melody both haunting and enchanting.
Adrian was drawn to the window like a moth to a flame, cautiously approaching the possibility of escape or entrapment. Behind the veil of curtains, he peered out into the unknown, eyes darting, senses on high alert. The room's centerpiece, the open balcony, beckoned with the allure of a hidden world. Beyond it lay a tranquil pool adorned with floating lotus blossoms, their petals glistening like jewels in the sunlight. A swing swayed gently in the breeze, its motion a silent invitation to an unknown adventure.
His senses tingled with anticipation, and then, a sudden, almost imperceptible movement caught his attention. Adrian's head snapped toward the source, and there, among the curtain's folds, a figure emerged. Long, flowing hair framed a crouched figure, and wide, sparkling eyes met his in shared astonishment. It was his captor, but not as he expected—a mere human, a seemingly fragile woman who stood before him.
Adrian's gaze, locked in a moment of disbelief, soon shifted to one of anger. How could this seemingly delicate figure have imprisoned him in such a bewildering situation? His scowl mirrored hers, both displaying confusion and a sense of injustice.
With trembling knees and hands that moved on instinct, Adrian edged closer to the window, drawn by a sense of urgency and curiosity. There, in the reflection cast by the full-length mirror, he saw himself—a body that did not belong to him, draped in a gown that whispered with every step.
It was his own reflection, but the face that stared back at him was that of the woman who had seemingly ensnared him in this bewildering puzzle. Adrian's eyes widened in shock as he beheld himself, not as he was, but as the captor.
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"Princess y/n!" Fervent knocks on the door broke Adrian's reverie. Each knock resonated through the room like a heavy, foreboding drumbeat. "Please open the doors. It's been days; his majesty is immensely worried for you," an unknown voice continued pleading, its tone laden with concern and urgency.
Adrian had never heard of her name, and the gleaming halls, ventilated rooms that shimmered with opulent light, felt like stepping into a dream world. The walls glistened with the soft glow of polished marble, and the air was imbued with the delicate fragrance of fresh-cut flowers. It was a stark contrast to the grim forests and dreary castles he had known.
What had been her story? What had driven her to leave this place? Was it a deliberate choice or a twist of fate? Adrian's senses absorbed the surroundings, noting the intricate tapestries adorning the walls and the ornate furnishings that spoke of wealth beyond imagination.
"His majesty has promised that whoever would be chosen to marry you would not be selected without your approval. He wants you to know that, princess," unaffected by the maid's ramble Adrian remained seated in front of the mirror, taking in her appearance. The room was bathed in a soft, golden light that accentuated every detail of the luxurious surroundings.
Not a single scratch or evidence of struggle marred her appearance. Her hands, delicate as porcelain, felt softer than the finest silk, and they moved with grace and poise. Her servants attended to her with meticulous care, their gentle touch and the scent of fragrant oils adding to the surreal experience. Adrian couldn't help but marvel at the opulence surrounding him, a world far removed from his own.
"Marriage?" Adrian was surprised to find her voice so firm and clear. It was unlike what he had expected. It was not a soft nothing like the mildly annoying coy voice he had associated with a spoiled princess. Maybe it was his way of speaking, but Adrian tried his best to blend into what Princess y/n would have been like.
The maid, Aeia, whose name Adrian now knew, looked startled before continuing. "I know it is not your will to wed so soon, but his majesty, your brother, must abide by the laws of the kingdom. He has invited men from across the world to choose the one most worthy of you." Adrian tried to smile, but despite his efforts, the eyes of Princess y/n refused to accept joy.
They stared back at him accusingly from the mirror. Looking away from the glaring image in the mirror, Adrian tried to dispel the uneasiness that had gathered in his heart.
What right did she have to complain about this life? It was so much better than any other's. Better than his wretched life, better than millions of orphans, better than cursed night creatures.
She was born into riches without a single pain or struggle. Yet, what made her eyes so sad? What made her miserable in a life that so many would have craved to possess? The opulence and luxury that surrounded her couldn't mask the shadows that haunted her eyes, and Adrian couldn't help but wonder what made you miserable in a life that he craved to possess?
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the-la-mey · 6 months
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Hello! I found your blog in Pixiv accidentally so I am sorry if that make you uncomfortable.
I love your works that I read them and reblog them when you post in tumblr. (I didn't leave my like in pixiv since I can't sure if you're okay with that so don't worry)
I read the au that abaout the brothers in human world as 7 mystery in school? Sorry I can't read Japanese so I might guess wrong.
And I adore the story about (Natsuki)夏樹 and Satan the most.
I am not sure about the ending but I guess they meet again after Natsuki confessed but the ending os not well?
Can I have the more after story about that please?
You have right to refuse ofc, thank you again and wish you have a good day🥰🥰
I don't keep it a secret that I have a Pixiv account, so it's not a problem.I am very happy!😆🎶
Thank you for reading even though you don't understand Japanese.It's long, but I'll write an explanation.
That comic is an imaginary version of what if they attended Japanese schools in a world close to reality.
Satan is a college student, and many other students like him and want to be friends with him.
However, he wants to spend time quietly, so he approaches and takes advantage of the quiet Natsuki.
When Satan is with Natsuki, other students are hesitant to talk to him.
Natsuki thought it strange but felt happy.
However, Satan suddenly tells Natsuki that he will be studying abroad. That was the day before he left.
From the beginning, Satan had no intention of graduating with Natsuki.
Japanese universities do not have a grade-skipping system, and in order to surpass Lucifer, Satan had to become a university professor at a young age.
However, he was worried that if he told Natsuki about this in advance, Natsuki would give up on their relationship with Satan, make other friends, and leave.
By being with Natsuki, Satan is able to spend time without unnecessary interactions with other students. He loved those days.
Satan knew that Natsuki had feelings for him, and also knew that Natsuki was too shy to tell him that.
Still, it would be boring to just say goodbye, so Satan suggested that he kiss Natsuki as a memory.
Natsuki was vaguely aware that Satan was using.
Natsuki nodded at the suggestion of kissing him, but Natsuki thought that Satan wouldn't do it.
Natsuki was hoping that once Satan left, leaving Natsuki alone, who was still nodding, Natsuki would be able to give up on the feelings for Satan.
But Satan thought that was a shame.
For Satan, the days spent with Natsuki were comfortable and had quite good memories.
If Natsuki completely gives up on Satan and is able to enjoy life without him, then only Satan will be unilaterally in favor of Natsuki.
That was an annoyance to Satan.
Satan is a troublesome man.
So, he dared to kiss Natsuki and left with the following words.
"See you first love”
There, Natsuki finally could see Satan's true nature.
Natsuki came to realize that Satan, who had seemed as gentle as an angel until then, was actually just a deceiver.
(In Japanese, angel and impostor have similar words.
It's “tenshi” and ”petenshi”)
For the first time, Natsuki was able to escape from Satan's intentions.
On the other hand, Satan, who left in style, was looking forward to meeting Natsuki again in a few years.
If Satan had planned it, Natsuki would have had complicated feelings for him.
Satan expected that if he showed off Natsuki's fake glasses hanging in his breast pocket and went to see, Natsuki would become distraught and cling to him.
However, when they actually met again, Natsuki was completely normal.
Satan thought it wasn't fun.
I realized that I had failed to respond to a request for an after story, so I would like to add this.(11:47)
From now on, they will be just friends, meeting up occasionally to update each other.
I think it's good that their relationship is neither love nor spouses.
It was fun because it was a different world from the original Obey Me story, and I was able to portray a relationship unique to someone who is not an MC.
Thank you for reading.😉💕
I'll also post the comic in case others see it.Readers are welcome to interpret Natsuki's gender as they wish.
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plague-of-insomnia · 1 year
Text
WIP Wednesday: New AU, Sebagni Sickfic
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This excerpt is from a new self-indulgent AU I’m working on. It’s set in modern Houston, like many of my fics, with a human Sebastian with a rare chronic illness, a heap of medical (and other) trauma he hasn’t processed, and his new live-in nurse, Agni.
Over the course of the story, Agni gets Seb to heal and accept his intentions as genuine, and the two of them become closer.
Here’s an extra-long snippet to hopefully get you as excited for this as I am, lol.
[No real TW here, but it does deal with medical issues, chronic illness, with minor references to PTSD/panic attacks.]
“This is Agni,” Tanaka said as they approached. “Agni, this is Sebastian.”
Agni smiled. In another life, Sebastian may have appreciated how incredibly handsome he was. He’d always been attracted to tall men, but that was behind him now. No one could look at him like this: stuck in bed, barely able to shift himself, a shell of who he once was, and see him as anything but an object of pity at best, or someone who should be euthanized at worst.
A stab of physical pain as a muscle spasmed in his side, blending with the emotional anguish these thoughts brought forth, the brief image of him that almost made Sebastian choke on a breath. He grunted, then did his best to shove it all out of mind. No way he could let his guard down around a new nurse. No matter how bad he was feeling.
“They outsourcing now?” Sebastian spat bitterly. He watched for Agni’s reaction. He didn’t even twitch, but continued to smile. They always seemed so nice and helpful and friendly when Tanaka was around. But as soon as he and Seb were alone—
“It is a sincere pleasure to meet you,” Agni said formally, without a hint of an accent Sebastian could detect. He felt a tiny sting of guilt for what he’d said, but he dismissed the thought before it could blossom. “Do you prefer I call you Mr. Michaelis, Sebastian, or something else?”
Eyes narrowed with suspicion, he replied, “Sebastian is fine.”
Agni nodded. He took a hesitant step closer. It hadn’t escaped Sebastian’s notice that Tanaka had unconsciously placed himself between them. “Can I ask how your pain is right now?” Agni took a tiny notebook from the pocket of his bag, along with a pen, and began to jot some things down.
Tanaka nodded as if to urge Seb to be honest. But what would that solve? It’s not like Agni could really do anything about his pain. Sebastian was used to it. He hadn’t had a single pain-free day in more than ten years. Unless Agni had a magic wand hidden in his bag, the best he could do would be meaningless platitudes. Like “the new anti-inflammatory medicine will start working and relieve your pain soon,” or some shit like that.
“Why the fuck do you care?” Sebastian spat, not in the mood to make nice.
A small frown crossed Agni’s stunning features before he shifted into what was presumably his sympathetic face. “I would like to make you as comfortable as I can. I’m not here only to attend to simple medical needs like giving you medication. I want to improve your quality of life as much as I can.”
Sebastian scowled. It didn’t help that breathing was harder, the pain magnifying, perhaps exacerbated by stress. If he’d had the strength, he’d have hurled something at him and yelled for Agni to just fucking leave him be.
Agni didn’t need to be a mind reader to gauge Sebastian’s mood, but he was either a very good actor or more patient than most, because he didn’t crack yet. “It seems like you’re uncomfortable right now. Could I examine you quickly?”
No. But behind Agni, Tanaka whispered in Japanese, “Behave. I have a good feeling about this one.”
Subduing a growl, Sebastian nodded. Braced himself for rough handling that would aggravate his pain.
Agni set his bag on the side table and removed some supplies, including antibacterial gel he used to clean his hands before pulling on a pair of blue gloves. His forearms were muscular without being excessive, and Sebastian found himself watching as the man worked, apparently not the type to make meaningless chitchat. That was good, at least.
He hated the ones who felt like they had to constantly fill the silence with their babbling, talking to him like he was a toddler and not a grown man in his 30s.
“Let me slip this on your finger,” he said, not reaching and forcefully grabbing Sebastian’s arms like most nurses would have, but instead waiting for him to offer an index finger for the little oxygen meter he clipped onto the tip. “And now I want to listen to your heart and lungs, if that’s all right?”
Sebastian sighed, winced when it pulled and spiked his pain, but quickly pushed his face into neutral. “Fine.”
Tanaka walked around to the other side of the bed, adjusting the curtains so the shifting sun wouldn’t be in Sebastian’s eyes.
Agni was delicate. He warmed the head of the stethoscope with his hands before slipping it under Sebastian’s T-shirt and listening intently in various spots before asking him to breathe deeply and slowly. He even managed to slide the stethoscope between Sebastian and the bed to listen to his back without him yanking him up and away from the mattress like a sack of potatoes. If Sebastian didn’t know better, Tanaka had told him exactly where his pain was bad today, and he was actually taking that into consideration. Had to be for show.
“How are you feeling right now?” Agni asked as he removed the stethoscope and replaced it in his bag.
“Well, I was going to the opera tonight, but I’m a bit tired, so I may have to cancel my plans.” Sebastian glared at the neglected electric wheelchair in the corner of the room. The one he’d been so excited for when he’d first received it, believing he would have newfound freedom with it, that he’d be less encumbered by his disability and illness. That he would have accepted him—
A wave of nausea overwhelmed him and he had to cup his hand over his mouth.
Agni worked quickly, grabbing a kidney-shaped emesis basin from the table and quickly placing it beneath his chin, deftly sliding a hand behind his back to support him without causing him pain.
But Sebastian was able to swallow it down and shove Agni away as well as his limited strength allowed.
But Agni didn’t seem to mind. He nodded, checked the monitor, and said instead, “Your oxygen levels are a little lower than I would like. Are you having any trouble breathing?”
Sebastian glared, but the jerking of his stomach earlier had caused his entire rib cage to feel like it was aflame, and it was easier not to breathe until the burn got so bad he had to inhale. Despite doing all he could to stay focused and in control, he could feel panic setting in. No. Not now. Not with this new nurse he didn’t know from Adam.
Gasping and gripping the sheets, Sebastian felt darkness swirling in on the edges. He struggled against it, fighting himself, fighting his body, fighting traumatic memories that tried to yank him further away from control.
A warm hand on his head. A mask placed in his face. A soothing, deep voice urging him to breathe, to relax, that he’d be OK. Someone held his hand.
With the machine’s assistance, despite the pain, his lungs filled and emptied due to the shifting pressure, and the dizzy, swimming sensation faded to clarity. He hated relying on this thing. The bipap machine. But it helped when his muscles were especially weak, or in moments like this. Let him rest. Without fear he’d stop breathing.
Agni pulled something else from his bag. A small tube. “Have you ever used this ointment before? It’s a topical anti-inflammatory, and I’ve had many of my patients swear by it. I could put some where your pain is worst, if you’d like.”
Go fuck yourself, Sebastian wanted to say, but he was too drained.
Tanaka squeezed his hand as if to encourage him to accept Agni’s help.
“It absorbs quickly, so you don’t need to use too much. I’ll be as gentle as I can.”
Sebastian offered a small nod and pointed lazily to his torso and back. His heart was still racing, and he would have preferred Tanaka do this, but that would take more energy to explain than he had right now.
Over the next few minutes, Agni carefully applied the medicated cream to Sebastian’s sides and back, Tanaka letting Seb lean against him to ease the strain as the nurse coated his back with it. Sebastian was almost stoic through it all, and yet somehow Agni seemed to have a sixth sense for where his pain was worst, concentrating his ministrations there while keeping his touch feather-light.
Then, with Tanaka’s help, he shifted Sebastian onto his side, layering pillows to support his most painful areas. Agni worked slowly so as to minimize spiking his pain. No nurse had treated him so gently or with so much consideration. If he hadn’t had dozens of bad examples, he might have been tempted to believe Agni actually did care.
“This’ll take some strain off your ribs,” Agni said in a low, rich voice.
Now that the adrenaline crash was hitting him, and the cream was dulling the pain, exhaustion began to pull Sebastian so strongly he struggled to keep his eyes open.
“Get some rest. I’ll check on you later.” Agni slipped the call button into Sebastian’s hand, petting it momentarily as if to give him reassurance, though it felt patrionizing. Still, it was considerate enough. Meant if he woke up in agony he wouldn’t have to move to call for help.
Tanaka stroked Sebastian’s arm soothingly before pulling the blankets up around him. “The heated blanket will help,” he whispered. “Sleep for a while.”
Sebastian gave up fighting and let his lids slide closed.
I hope you enjoyed this! If you do, let me know..!
I’m really hoping I’ll be able to post the first chapter of this this month.
Reblogs are always appreciated !!
Special thanks to @apocalypticromantic666 for all their encouragement and support!!
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angeart · 9 months
Note
also 🤲🤲🤲🤲🤲
🤲 Would you please share a snippet of a wip?
Happily! Here's a random snippet from my vampire scar au. i only have the beginning written, and it's currently mostly on hold for other projects, but i'm holding it so gently and i will properly write it at some point! consider this to be a snippet from the first chapter.
(also, i see the number of the emoji you used there 👀 i will add more snippets from other things later, i just need to dig through things >:3)
*
Grian side-eyes the vampire. “We should just kill him.”
“Kill?” the vampire repeats in alarm; the word is laced with false laughter, as if he tried to spin it into a joke. It rings hollow, anxious, untrue. “Noooo, no, there’s no need for that! I like living thank-you-very-much!”
“Living,” Grian repeats flatly, challengingly. “You’re not alive.”
“I am!” the vampire protests vehemently. “I breathe and I bleed and I can die.” He pauses, ponders briefly if making that one point in particular was smart. “I—Well. I can starve and all that and, and, I have feelings!”
Grian stares at him blankly. Something in him is unconvinced, but his heart bashes itself against his ribcage in attempted empathy anyway. “This can't be happening,” he mutters dismally.
“Look, I can, I can show you around! You can decide then! It’s just me here, all alone, there’s plenty of space for you even if you want me to stay away! I can go to a different wing or—or something. I’m sure we can come to some sort of arrangement?” he proposes, his voice hasty and desperate. “I just. You don’t have to leave.”
Something about the way he says it chips away at Grian’s resolve, strips his caution, leaves him feeling incredibly human in arguably the worst way possible when confronted with a charming monster. Still, he hears himself say, “okay.”
The vampire perks up immediately. “Okay!” he echoes.
“Okay?” Mumbo repeats with more alarm and unsteadiness.
Grian shoots him a look. “I thought you wanted to do this?”
“W—Well, yes, I just. I didn’t expect you to agree?” he admits sheepishly.
“Mumbo.” Grian is looking at him with a deep frown. “Do you want to stay or do you want to leave?”
“I—I don’t know!” Mumbo cries, indecisiveness rushing wildly through his veins. More than anything, he doesn’t want to be culpable for this decision and its repercussions. 
Grian sighs and lets his gaze slide away. If Mumbo can’t bear the weight of this decision, it now falls back on Grian. It’s a familiar weight. It’s something he needs to shoulder, their fate, their pitfalls. The inevitable guilt of it all. The feeling that whatever he decides might just guide Mumbo to his demise.
He meets the gaze of the vampire, as steadily as he can manage. “Give us the tour.”
Without hesitation, the vampire moves forward, towards the door, towards the room’s exit, towards the rest of the mansion—
Grian flinches at the sudden approach and stumbles a couple of steps back, pulling Mumbo with him, keeping the taller man protectively behind him. 
It makes the vampire pause. “Okay,” he says slowly. “I think we need to lay some ground rules. First of all, introductions. That always helps! I’m Scar!”
Grian blinks, his throat dry with the abruptness of his panic reaction. With the preposterousness of this situation.
*
// question from here
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Text
Appleblossom Head Canon 🌸🍎
War Wally Au by Spacebruulee
Goes by space.bruulee on TikTok and spacebruulee on Twitter/X
Julie never meant to…
She was tasked with overseeing the protection of the mortals in times of great peril. Sometimes going down to Earth, disguising herself to walk amongst the humans to help tend to their needs, by offering a helping hand, guidance, and comfort. As long as she doesn’t impede on the order of events that are to happen as well as not expose her angelic status to the humans.
While traveling, she came across the fallen general. He was sitting against the scarlet wisteria tree, injured and near death. Julie knew she shouldn’t have interfered, however, there was something about him that draw her to him.
Like a moth to a flame, the angel approached his unconscious form. One thought that resonated in her mind, ‘An embodiment of a haunting calamitous beauty.’ Sensing a hidden depth within him, in his soul, there was a longing and burden that weighed heavy on it.
Julie knew she had the ability to see what was troubling the fallen general. Even so, she chose to not invade his privacy. With her hands glowing a soft shade of gold, she cup his cheeks gently and close her eyes, focusing to fix what has been broken. Slowly stitching back torn muscles and skin, placing and setting bones that were broken, and sending waves of warmth and comfort to help ease him in the process.
Unfortunately for Julie, during the healing process Wally woken up. Delirious and confused, he blinks his unfocused crimson eyes to be met with a breath taking sight. Never witnessing and having the pleasure of meeting someone as captivating as her before. Blonde hair, like threads of spun gold, cascading down her back in shimmering waves, capturing the sunlight with its ethereal glow. A pair of yellow and orange striped horns rest on the top her golden locks. Her eyes hidden behind her eyelids, adorned with long black eyelashes. Reminding him of delicate wisps of silk. A button orange nose. Lips, like petals of a rose, delicate and soft. As if beckoning him to taste the possible sweetness of their essence. Her skin was a lovely shade of pink, reminding him of a dahlia flower.
Slowly the world surrounding Wally began to bleed through. Taking notice of the hands resting on his cheeks, her hands, giving off a warmth and comforting sensation. As if he was surrounded by a plush blanket, giving him a sense of protection and peace he has never felt before.
In a strange way, he felt rejuvenated, light as a feather. “Am I dead? Is this heaven?” He called out in a soft rough tone, refusing to look away from the woman in front of him.
Julie gasped and snapped her eyes open to see him awake. Startle, she release his face from her hold; chocolate colored orbs stared into his crimson eyes in shocked. She was about to back away until he gently capture her wrist in his hand.
“Don’t go, please. I mean no harm.” He pleaded with her, Wally didn’t want her to go. As he slowly became more aware of himself and his surroundings, he realized he escaped death’s clutches once more. He didn’t know how, but the War Horseman had a feeling it had to do with the lovely creature that was now standing before him.
She hesitated, indecisive of what to do. On one hand she should leave and let him believe she was just a hallucination his mind created due to the blood loss from his wounds. On the other hand she wanted to stay. To learn more about this man who has caught her attention.
The angel nods, kneeling to the ground and sitting on the heels of her feet. Wally gave her a small kind smile squeezing her wrist gently before letting it go.
Since that day they got to know each other. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. Secretly meeting each other under the scarlet wisteria tree whenever they had the chance. Julie learned many things about Wally. She knew he was known throughout the country for his unmatched strategic prowess and unyielding resolve on the battlefield. Bringing fear to those that hear his name. The burdened feeling in his soul she sensed was the weight of his responsibilities and haunted by the horrors of war. As she observed Wally from their little hangouts, she couldn't help but feel a deep connection to him. Despite his reputation, she saw glimpses of vulnerability in his eyes, a longing for peace amidst the chaos of battle.
Wally learned many things about Julie as well. He knew that she was an angel, she didn’t want to keep that a secret from him when he has been so honest with her. She was a spiritual being created by god to help him with aiding the mortals that walk amongst Earth. She explain her abilities to him and how she healed him the first time they met. Wally was fascinated by everything about her, from her appearance to her heart pure of gold. A feeling blossomed within his heart, a feeling he couldn’t fully capture in words. All he knew is that he wished the days were longer so he can stay in her company underneath the wisteria tree.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. While hanging out, the angel felt a sense of dread filled her heart and a chill went down her spine. Noticing her strange behavior, Wally place his hand on top of hers. “Jules?” Before he could speak further, he instantly turned his attention to the direction of the forest and immediately took out his gun. “Who’s there? Show yourself?” His tone held a cold and authoritative tone as he stood protectively in front of Julie.
“Wally, don’t.” She spoke shakily, grasping his arm. Her wings began to quiver underneath the cloak she was wearing.
“You should listen to her.” A voice resounded around them, crimson colored orbs scan the perimeter with a cold and calculated stare. Clenching the gun tightly, Wally grits his teeth. Hating the fact that Julie was afraid, he called out once more wanting to get rid of whoever it was that is causing her distress, “Who the hell are you!?”
“Oh my, where are my manners?” A man stepped into their view, wisps of black miasma surrounded his being. Julie’s hold on Wally’s arm became tighter, looking at the man before them.
“My name is Death, and I have come to collect a debt that I was owed months ago.”
To be continue…
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rainbows-fanfics · 1 year
Note
Prompts, you say? 👀
Could you perhaps write a little AU scenario where it’s Jack who’s pining for an oblivious Sally? I am so weak for this trope.
Thanks in advance! 🖤
YYYEAAAHHHHHHH
----
It was nearing sundown when the Pumpkin King walked over to Witches’ Goods. The Witch sisters, Helgamine and Zeldaborne, had been dozing off until they heard the familiar ring of their bell attached to the front door. They perked up behind the counter and eagerly leaned forward until they could spot the tall, thin figure of Jack Skellington strolling through their aisles. 
They both sighed in bliss, eyes fluttering as the skeleton approached them. Their still hearts began beating as they cooed to him. He always managed to do that  - get their blood flowing again until the vibrant green returned to their skin. Their King usually got his citizens riled up with his company…themselves included. He was such a debonair character - a gentleman at heart, who knew how to sway others with his charismatic smile. They couldn’t stop admiring his wide shoulders and thin frame, hidden under the elegant, pinstriped suit he wore. 
“Why, Jack! You’ve come right before closing time.” Helgamine greeted, twirling a strand of her black hair with a finger. 
“What is it we can do for you?” Zeldaborne added, observing his frame with devious eyes. 
He gave the two a polite nod. “Good evening, ladies. I’ve come for the special batch of roses I ordered?” 
Their postures fell as the sisters exchanged a weary glance. How could they forget Jack Skellington’s special order of three enchanted roses? When they first received it, they fought over *who* it could be for - Helgamine insisting the King had fallen for her charm, while Zeldaborne argued that he loved shorter girls. Their bickering ceased the moment he specified the color of red. He wanted them to be a shade of deep scarlet. When asked why, he simply insisted it was important and that he couldn’t accept the flowers otherwise. 
It didn’t take them long to figure it out. The only place one could find this, beyond the drips of human blood, was on top of the Mad Scientist’s daughter’s hair. Helgamine and Zeldaborne couldn’t stomach this fact. 
Zeldaborne sucked in a breath as she jumped off her tall stool. “I’ll get that for you right away!” 
In her absence, Helgamine fingered small circles on the counter. “They came out terribly. Whoever you’re giving them to must be such an unlucky girl…!” 
Jack sighed with melancholy. “If only she’ll accept them this time…” 
It was frustrating to see the Pumpkin King completely enamored with Sally Finkelstein. The ragdoll couldn’t spot his affections if they were right in front of her! Whenever she was in town, the citizens had to watch their King run over to her like a lovesick thing - helping her down whatever stairs he could, offer her countless blood lollipops and moldy cheese, and remained at her beck and call at all times. 
The infuriating part of it was - she was oblivious to the whole thing. It drove the Witches insane, to see him pine for someone who couldn’t differentiate him from a lamppost. If only they could ease him from this affliction…
“I don’t know why you bother with her, Jack! She’ll never realize how you feel. Why not go for someone who *does*..? Perhaps, someone you’ve known for a long ti-” 
“--Here they are!” 
Helgamine was interrupted when Zeldaborne came in, gently placing the roses in front of him. They were under a spell to remain alive and fresh for as long as possible, without any treatment, in order to maintain their vivid color. They wouldn’t wilt for many years, if things went right. A relatively simple spell they were more than happy to perform - but at a price…
He lit up at the sight. “Perfect! She’ll be sure to love these!” 
Zeldaborne hesitated. “Jack, are you sure that-”
She couldn’t finish her sentence, as he scooped them up in his arms and headed straight for the door. “--I don’t know how to thank you two enough! I’ll be back again!” 
The two women sighed as they watched him go, knowing that this night would go exactly as the others had…. 
—---------
Jack Skellington had a skip in his step as he hurried over to the Graveyard. If his instincts were right, Sally was there right now, escaping Doctor Finkelstein as she usually had to…he kept a close eye on her schedule(if one could call it that). It was rather sporadic - as the old man often had her grounded to her room. Sally risked everything for her freedom, where he would often find her in the gates of the Graveyard, sitting at the Spiral Hill. Other nights, she remained content in her isolation, singing to herself as she worked at her sewing machine all night. He remembered the times he remained below, content to just wait nearby as he listened to her soft voice several distances away. 
He loved her dearly. He fell for her shortly after they met - her beautiful, stitched face haunting his mind as he slept at night, craving to run his bony hand through her long, yarn hair…replaying her voice in his dreams, hoping desperately that she returned his affections and he could kiss her lovely, ruby lips… 
His grip on the roses tightened as he opened the gate and closed it quietly. He found Sally where she usually was - picking through the graves for fresh herbs, placing them gently in the wicker basket held in the crook of her arm. He stood where he was and watched her. Every time she bent down, she had to brush her hair behind her ear so as to not obscure her vision. He wanted to be the one moving the strands aside, urging closer to her face....
“Ruff!” 
Jack was brought back to reality at the familiar bark of Zero. He watched the apparition surface from his grave and fly over to the ragdoll. Sally laughed when he jumped around and nuzzled her face. She ran her hand along his form, leaving a small kiss on the top of his white head. The dog followed after as she climbed the Spiral Hill, joining her side as she sat down and gazed at the stars forming in the sky. 
Jack’s other hand clenched in his pocket, wondering why he felt jealous over his dog, of all people. 
He wasted no time skipping after her, reaching the bottom of the hill and loudly clearing his throat. He earned her attention, as she turned around and looked at him curiously.
“Sally!” The name slid off his lips with a huge grin. “Would you like some company? I brought you a gift.” 
She motioned to the spot beside her. “Go right ahead.” 
He happily climbed up the hill and took his awaited seat. He bowed his skull as he offered her the roses, his sternum rattling in anticipation while she observed them. 
“For you,” He offered. “I asked the Witches to make me some special roses. You see, they’re-” 
“-Oh! How pretty!” She swiped them from his hands, catching the King off-guard. “Thank you very much.” 
He chuckled. “Ah, as I was saying…these flowers are under a spell, which means they can never-” 
“Ow!” She interrupted, wincing as she poked her finger on one of the thorns. “They’re so pointy..”
“Y-yes! Do be careful,” He worriedly reached for her hand and removed it from the stem. He melted at this contact, wishing to hold it as long as possible until she removed her touch. He held back a disappointed noise. “Anyway, they can never wilt, because they’re bewitched to remain as alive as long as possible…I hope you like them.”
“Really? I didn’t know that was possible,” She marveled at the gift, tracing her fingernail along one of the petals. 
“The Witches will perform most spells upon request. This one cost me an arm and a leg, so-” 
“-You could’ve just borrowed mine.” She interjected, undoing one of the threads in her arms and presenting the limb to him. “I wouldn’t mind; the Doctor has plenty of these.” 
He marveled at how cute she was. He couldn’t stop himself from tittering at the offer. He motioned her arm down and she got the message, reluctantly sewing it back on. Zero watched the two from below and wagged his sheet at this exchange. 
“No, no, I meant that it was costly. But I don’t mind…you’re absolutely worth it.” He insisted. She dipped her head down to smell one of them.
“They’re wonderful. You’re such a good friend for thinking of me.” 
His smile fell and he fidgeted with his bat bow tie. “Actually, Sally…do you know what it means when someone gives you three roses?” 
She blinked. “No. What?” 
“Three roses mean…” He began to sweat, nervousness filling his entire beating. Could he confess to her now? Should he? What if she rejected him? These thoughts brought Jack to a panic, and he blurted out, “-You’re my best friend.” 
“Your best friend?” She repeated.
 For a moment, he worried about her reaction, but she threw her arms around his figure, pulling him in closely for a hug. His eye sockets widened as he gladly returned the embrace, absorbing her scent and ingraining this moment into his memories that will surely be replayed for months to come. 
She was so soft…some of the textures of her dress were more coarse than others, but she fit into his arms perfectly. Like she was meant to be there. He immediately yearned for her the second she let go. She looked back down at the roses before smiling brightly. 
“You’re my best friend, too, Jack. The Doctor will love these in his sitting room!” 
His figure slumped. He was hoping she’d keep it for herself, maybe in her own room, close at all times…despite the disappointment, he wore a forced smile. “That’s great to hear.” 
She stood from her spot, bending down one last time to pet Zero. Jack followed her movements and rose to his full height. The ghostly dog levitated above to meet them both. She tucked the roses into her wicker basket alongside the witch hazel and deadly nightshade. She was taking a step down - an obvious notion that she was prepared to leave. 
“I have to go now. The Doctor will wake up any minute. I’d like to be there before he does.” 
His bones ached. How badly he wanted to hold her again. “I-I can walk you to the Tower. It is getting awfully late-” 
“-No, I’m fine. Thank you, though.” She waved to him as she climbed down the Spiral Hill. “I’ll see you later, Jack.” 
He exhaled slowly, returning the wave weakly. “I’ll…see you soon.” 
With that, she left the Graveyard, the sound of the gates closing echoing harshly in the skeleton’s nonexistent ears. He stood there for a long time, staring at the spot she once was in. Eventually, Zero nudged the side of his master with a confused ‘rrr?’, snapping him back to the present. 
He sighed loudly and placed a contemplative finger on his lower jaw. “Perhaps, next time…I’ll get her twelve.”
Zero barked happily.
111 notes · View notes
leonardalphachurch · 1 year
Text
@redvsbluesecretsanta present for @stickylizardcave! why is it so late? well you see. i am very bad at deadlines. i
you asked for poly blue team but I wasn’t sure who you wanted included in that so I just went with the classic bluet4 with a focus on epsilon/wash and church being over protective. hope you like it!
EDIT: now also available to read on ao3 if you prefer to read stuff there
---
Nothing Wrong
Post-15 Epsilon lives AU.
The boys go on a date to the beach, working through the new relationship dynamics recent events may have caused. Even though it may not be perfect at times, in the end, they know that there really is nothing wrong.
“HEY ASSHOLE, YOU EVER HEARD OF WATCHING WHERE YOU’RE FUCKING GOING?”
“Church.”
“YOU’RE JUST GONNA KEEP WALKING, HUH? I KNOW YOU HEAR ME MOTHERFUCKER!”
“Church.”
“OH, TOO MUCH OF A COWARD TO EVEN TURN AROUND! YOU EVER HEARD OF FUCKING APOLOGIZING?”
“Epsilon!”
“WHAT!?”
Wash stared at him, completely unamused.
“Wh- don’t get mad at me! That guy’s big ass bag smashed right the fuck into you! He could’ve hurt you!”
“The only thing hurting me is your screechy voice giving me a headache. Sit down.” Wash pulled him down and Church begrudgingly followed, grumbling about how he did not have a screechy voice, you have a screechy voice. The unamused stare turned ever so slightly more amused.
“Who are we yelling at?” Tucker approached the table, tray filled with their food. Wash reached out to grab his share before hesitating. Tucker handed him his fries and milkshake.
“I was not yelling.” They both stared at him, unconvinced. “That loud.”
Tucker laughed, “You were so loud the whole boardwalk could hear you.”
Church looked around. Sure enough, there will still a few people looking their way. He felt a twinge of embarrassment but, whatever, at least people knew not to fucking bother them.
“Some asshole smashed his giant fucking bag directly into Wash’s head.”
“No!” Tucker put his hand to his chest.
“Yes! He could’ve given him a concussion!”
Wash rolled his eyes. “A concussion? Really?”
“We don’t know what was in the bag! It could’ve been fucking, bowling balls!”
“He was carrying around bowling balls.”
“Maybe!”
“To the beach.”
“I don’t- I don’t know what fucking humans are doing these days!”
“No, no,” Tucker interjected, “he’s right, Wash, this is serious.”
“Thank you!”
“Hitting people with bags? This guy sounds like a serious threat.” In one swift motion Tucker removed his sword from his hip and turned it on. “You want me to go take him out?”
Wash laughed. Church glared.
“I don’t know, Tucker,” Wash said, expression now squarely in amused, “guy seems pretty dangerous. Heard he might have bowling balls.”
“Baby, you know I’d face the danger for you.”
“Oh, shove it up your asses.” They both laughed. Whatever.
Tucker turned off his sword and clipped it back into the holder on his hip.
“Where’s Caboose?” Church said, definitely not trying to change the subject.
“Still getting food.” Tucker started unwrapping his burger. “You know he orders like 50 meals. I’m not helping him carry all that shit back.”
“Wow, a real Prince Charming.” Church snarked.
Wash poked at his fries. “Should we wait for him to start?”
“Mmph?” Tucker replied, mouth already full of burger.
“Right.” Wash took a sip of his milkshake.
Church looked around for Caboose. The boardwalk wasn’t too crowded; most people weren’t having beach dates at noon on a Thursday. Even if it was, Caboose wouldn’t have been too hard to find, with his tendency to tower over the crowds. Sure enough, Church was easily able to spot by the food stands, chatting up a confused but amiable looking employee. His tray was already filled with snacks from one stand, eagerly waiting for more. About half of that food would probably end up on the ground during the walk over. Church wondered if that was why he always got so much.
“This is really good.” Wash eagerly sucked up his milkshake.
Tucker looked contemplative as he stared at the straw in Wash’s mouth, but seemed to decide against whatever he was thinking about, instead saying, “Yeah, it’s you’re favorite.”
“Oh.”
“Passionfruit and chocolate. You get it all the time.”
“Right.” Wash took his notepad out of his pocket and started reading through it. “Right,” he nodded slowly. “I guess I have pretty good taste.”
Church frowned.
“Yeah, it's Church’s favorite, too.”
“What? No!” Church recoiled. “That shit’s nasty. I hate chocolate mixed with fruit.”
Tucker laughed.
Wash scoffed. “Well, you don’t have to drink it.”
“Good! I fucking won’t!”
They continued to eat in quiet, for a moment.
Wash read through his notepad again, flipping through a few pages, brow furrowed. “We… come to the beach a lot?” Wash asked.
“Huh? Uh, no?” Tucker replied.
“You said I get this all the time.”
“Oh. No, the burger place, it’s a franchise, there’s one by your house-”
“Right. Right.” Wash flipped through his pages again. “I remember that, that makes a lot more sense.” He jotted something down.
“I wish we went to beach all the time.”
Church’s frown deepened. He looked over to Caboose, hoping to find him finally ready. The employee was helping him carefully balance his tray.
“Hey, Church, you wanna bite?”
“Huh?”
Tucker waved his nearly finished burger in Church’s face.
“Shake’s vanilla, too. Nothin’ fancy.”
“Uh, no.”
“You sure? It’s a good fucking burger.”
Church rolled his eyes. “It’s a burger from a fucking beach food stand, how good can it be.”
“It’s local.”
“It’s fast food. Besides, I’ve had it before.”
Tucker shrugged. “Your loss.”
Wash jotted something down.
“Ummmm.”
The trio looked up to see Caboose walking up to them, tray precariously stacked high. The cheerful looking employee from before was looking slightly less cheerful now, as she walked with Caboose to the table, trying to keep him balanced.
“I think it is actually called ‘fast casual.’ Right Junie?”
“Uhh, sure, please just, oh god.” A burger rolled off the tray and down the boardwalk. Junie watched it go with an expression that screamed ‘I am not being paid enough to do this.’ Church decided he liked her.
“Tucker, for gods sake, help them.”
“Wh- I’m eating!”
“It’s okay!” Caboose made the last few long strides to quickly drop the tray down on the table. To absolutely no one’s surprise, a large soda immediately tipped over. “Oops.”
“CABOOSE!”
“FUCK!”
“Nooooooooo...”
Church’s reflexes immediately grabbed for Wash’s notepad, keeping it dry and out of harm’s way. Tucker wasn’t nearly so lucky, cola coating the remainder of his fries and all over his shirt. Church started cracking up.
Junie looked absolutely crestfallen. “We were. So close.”
“Hey,” Church laughed, “you did better than he usually does.”
“I’ll go… get some napkins.”
Wash started to say she didn’t have to but she was already gone.
“That’s my new friend Junie!” Caboose already stopped caring about the carnage that laid before him, instead starting to shove a burger into his mouth. “She has a cat!”
“Yeah, great, you got soda all over my fucking shirt.” Tucker was wringing his shirt out over the side of the table.
“It’s the beach.” Caboose said simply.
Tucker considered that for a moment before shrugging and taking off his shirt.
Church looked away, flustered at his boyfriend suddenly being shirtless next to him.
Wash had no such shame, staring openly at Tucker’s chest as he sipped his shake.
“Here’s your book.” Church shoved it back at Wash’s face.
“Oh,” Wash took and put it back in his pocket. “Thanks for being quick about it.”
“Well, I’d be the one to restore it if it got messed up anyway. My actions are purely selfish.”
Wash rolled his eyes. “Sure, you don’t care about anyone or anything.”
“Exactly.”
“NAPKINS.” A pile of cotton was dropped onto the table. Junie started to mop up the still uncleaned soda.
“Oh, you really don’t have to—” Wash started.
“THANK YOU!!” Caboose interrupted, punctuating his words with wide hand movements. “Uh oh.”
Another cup of soda took the brunt of Caboose’s backhand. Its precarious lid was no match for the strength at which it was struck to the table. Soda exploded outwards from it, drenching the mountain of once dry napkins into a flattened, sticky mound. Tucker’s bare chest, on proud display, was blasted yet again by the syrupy liquid, with nothing to protect its second barrage of nectar of the day.
“CABOOSE!”
“Oops!”
“Oooooaaaggghhh.” Junie collapsed in despair at witnessing the carnage.
“You really don’t have to clean this.”
Church just put his head in his hands. Sometimes he really didn’t know how he was in love with these idiots.
---
Church stabbed angrily at the sand.
Wash watched him with a judgmental eye. “You need some help with that?”
“I got it.”
“You gotta spin it.” Tucker supplied unhelpfully.
“I got it.”
“I think you should dig the hole deeper.” Caboose chimed in. Tucker muttered something about deep holes under his breath.
“I! Am an advanced military AI! I know how to stick a fucking umbrella in the sand!” To prove his point, Chirch quickly calculated and, in one swift, smooth motion, stabilized the umbrella. “See!”
Tucker laughed and continued undressing.
Wash smirked at him, “Tell Delta I said thanks for the help.”
“Wh- hey!”
“Hi Delta!” Caboose cheerfully waved.
“Delta’s not here! Because I am on a date.” He said, half to Caboose, half to himself.
You’re welcome, Delta logged off. Church mentally flipped him off.
“Bye, Delta!”
“Go, put on your sunscreen, Caboose.”
“Okay!” Caboose started digging in his bag.
A bottle of sunscreen smacked Church in face.
“You wanna use those advanced military AI skills to slather me up?” Tucker said, attempting to be seductive.
“Oh my god.” Church looked over at Tucker and rolled his eyes. The man was wearing what Church had to assume was the tiniest swimsuit he could buy. “Can’t you wear something normal?”
“This is a totally normal swimsuit, you’re just a prude.”
“I am not a prude.”
“Oh yeah? Then come rub me up,” Tucker winked.
Church beaned him with the sunscreen. “Do it yourself. My skin doesn’t absorb that shit, it’d just stick to my hands.”
“Aw, come on, you won’t get your hands all creamy for me?” To punctuate his point, Tucker started to pose in what Church assumed Tucker assumed was a seductive way.
"You sound like Donut." Church was definitely not seduced, he assured himself as he blushed and looked away.
“Give me the sunscreen, I’ll do it.” Dammit, Church hadn’t considered that Wash would be seduced instead.
Tucker shrugged, “As long as I’m getting sunscreened by a beautiful man, I’ll take it.”
Wash scoffed, pulling him down, “Glad to know I’m your second choice.”
Church rolled his eyes and looked away from his partners. Because he was annoyed by Tucker’s shenanigans and definitely not because he would be way too embarrassed to watch his boyfriends rub each other up in public, of course.
“Done!”
Caboose shoved his sunscreen into Church’s hands.
“Why are you giving it to me?”
Caboose just smiled and shrugged, and Church started to suspect that the man was not, in fact, done.
Sure enough, Church adjusted his eyesight to focus on UV and large splotches of Caboose’s body were completely uncovered.
“Caboose! You didn’t get most of you!”
“Oh no,” Caboose replied, with not even a hint of distress, “Guess you will have to do it for me.”
Church glared. “You do this on purpose, you little shit.”
Caboose simply grinned and spread his arms.
Well, whatever. Caboose preferred the spray sunscreen, claiming it made him less oily, so at least Church could put this on.
Church started spraying an even, uniform coating, making sure to cover every inch of Caboose’s skin. Which necessitated a great deal of attention paid to every inch of Caboose’s skin. Caboose wore board shorts, which left more to the imagination that Tucker’s glorified thong, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t still a lot of skin. From his legs, his back, his chest. Church had long since committed it all to memory, but, well, nothing wrong with a refresher.
As Church finished, he gave Caboose a once over to make sure everything was covered. And maybe his gaze lingered a little too long in his partner’s body. And maybe Church was struck by wondering how on Earth he got here, to be dating someone like Caboose, like Tucker and Wash. To be a beach applying sunscreen to his boyfriend as if there was nothing wrong. And, maybe, just maybe, there was nothing wrong.
His gaze moved upwards and caught Caboose’s, who was staring at him expectantly.
Church jumped backwards.
“Uh, there. Now you’re done.”
Caboose took a step forward, reclosing the gap between them.
“Thank you!”
Before Church could realize what was happening, Caboose was pulling him in for a kiss. He tensed at the unexpected contact but quickly relaxed, letting himself fall into Caboose’s soft lips. It was nice. Church forgot sometimes how nice it was when something was nice.
A click of camera shutter went off. Church pulled away to see Tucker aiming his camera at him and Caboose.
Church sputtered. “You can’t just— I didn’t say you could— how dare you— delete that picture.”
“No way man, that was cute as hell.”
Church tried to grab the camera from him but Tucker easily maneuvered it out of his reach. Their struggle quickly turned into a grapple, which quickly turned into full on wrestling in the sand.
Caboose picked up the camera, swiftly abandoned as their fight changed into one of dominance, and sat down next to Wash.
“Do you need to be sunscreened?” Caboose asked, taking pictures of the fight before him.
“Ah, no, I’m all right, I’ve been reapplying every couple of hours.”
“Ohh, that’s smart.”
“Yeah, my skin’s not used to the sun.”
Caboose and Wash watched their two boyfriends wrestle in the sand. It was not a sophisticated fight, nothing like what you’d expect from who are supposed to Chorus’ top operatives. Just two men, desperately trying to get on top of the other.
“It’s impressive that something can be so homoerotic and yet so unsexy,” Wash commented.
“Mm,” Caboose agreed, putting the camera down. “I’m bored.”
Caboose stood up and walked over to the fight. He easily lifted Tucker off of the other man.
“Hey!”
“I want to go in the water now.”
Saying that, Caboose, still holding Tucker, made his way towards the ocean. Tucker protested and struggled but was no match for a Caboose on a mission.
Church wiped himself off. Oh god, he was fucking covered in sand. It was down his pants, up his shirt, caked in his hair. He was pretty sure it was- oh, fucking hell.
“FUCK SAND.” Church yelled in protest as he angrily stomped his way back onto the blanket.
“We’re at the beach. What were you expecting?”
“Fuck you!” Church flipped him off. “It got fucking, inside me.”
“Inside you?”
“In my fucking… mechanisms!” Church gestured towards his torso. “In my wires! Do you know what it’s like to have tiny grain of sands in your fucking bits?”
Wash frowned. “That sounds… awful”
“It is! My life in an unceasing hell of my own fucking creation.”
“Is it dangerous?” Wash looked more concerned than Church had meant to engender.
“Uh,” Church felt a little sheepish. “No, probably not. Just… really uncomfortable.”
“That’s good.”
“Wow. glad you’re happy at my discomfort.”
Wash rolled his eyes. “Epsilon.”
Church huffed. He was allowed to be overdramatic about this. There was sand in his bits.
“Can I help clean in some way?”
Church felt his brain short circuit. The idea of Wash’s hands inside him. Church completely opened up as Wash’s hands delicately cleaned his internals. Brushing against wires and servos. Church’s most vital parts exposed to him. Incredibly vulnerable. Incredibly intimate.
Church felt dirty for even thinking of it in public.
“Um, n-no, I’d go to a, I’d have to get my body professionally cleaned. Not by you. When I’m not in it.”
Wash nodded. “Well, as long as it can get cleaned.”
Church needed to look anywhere but Wash right now. He opted to watch Tucker and Caboose instead.
They’d made it in only a little, water seemingly to cold for them to want go further. Tucker kicked some water up at Caboose, who in turn picked him up and chucked him into the deeper water. Church could hear the yelp from here. Tucker immediately started trying to pull Caboose down with him.
Wash chuckled, and Church turned to see him watching them too.
Wash turned to meet his gaze. “Are you not going in?” He asked.
“I’m a robot, Wash. Me and water don’t exactly agree.”
“Right, right.”
“You?” Church asked, though he already knew the answer.
Wash shook his head. “Not a big fan of the ocean.”
“Yeah.” Church said. “Honestly, kinda surprised you even agreed to a beach date.”
Wash laughed, “Hey, me too. Would love to remember what I was thinking when I did.”
Church looked away. He stared at Tucker and Caboose, not really registering their actions. He felt— no, he didn’t feel anything. Nothing was wrong. He was on a beach date with his boyfriends and there was nothing wrong.
It was silent, between them, for a moment. Then two. Then too long, for the silence to be comfortable, but Church didn’t have anything to say.
Wash was the one to break it. “Is it okay for you to be in the sun like that?”
“What? Yes? I don’t have skin like you do, I don’t burn.”
“I know you don’t burn.”
“The why are you asking—”
“Because you do overheat.”
Church scoffed. He was not overheating… yet. “I am fine. I have a state of the art cooling system”
“Your ‘state of the art cooling system’ overheats when you’re cuddling with Caboose.”
“Caboose runs abnormally hot!”
“Just,” Wash sighed and scooted over, “come under the umbrella.
Church frowned. “I had that perfectly angled to keep you out of the sun for as long as possible.”
“Well, tell Delta thanks for effort, but I’m moving so my boyfriend can sit with me.”
Church huffed, but relented, angrily sitting next to him. “I am perfectly capable of calculating the angle of the sun by myself.” He informed Wash.
Wash put his arm around Church’s waist. “I’m sure you are.”
They sat like that for a moment, looking out at their boys in the water. They were comfortably further out now, and seemed to have turned throwing Tucker into a game. Church didn’t know how they weren’t getting yelled at by some lifeguard yet, but figured that being the saviors of the planet might have some perks.
Wash pulled Church tighter. Church looked over at the other man, and their lips locked. And if Church had to wonder how he got here with Caboose he couldn’t even begin to marvel at how he ended up like this. Like this, with Wash.
With Wash.
Wash pulled away slightly, their faces still so, so close. They stared each other in the eyes and Church never wanted to leave this moment.
“Are you… all right?”
“Me?” and just like that, they had left the moment. “I’m- I’m fine. Why are you asking that?”
Wash hesitated, seeming to considering his words carefully. “You… didn’t eat Tucker’s burger earlier.”
“What? Why the hell do you remember that?”
“I… wrote it down.”
“Why would you write that down?”
Wash considered his words again, and it bothered Church in a way he couldn’t define. Just say it, he wanted to say. Just talk. But he kept quiet, allowing Wash the space to consider.
“Carolina says you haven’t wanted to join her for missions lately.”
“What? I join her all the time.”
“Not in her armor. And you used to piggyback of Tucker and Caboose more, too. You haven’t been wanting to leave your body. Not even for a milkshake.”
Church ignored the accusations and avoided the question, focusing instead on, “You talk about me with Carolina?”
“Of course.” Wash said, staring at Church like it was a stupid question. “She’s worried about you.”
Church winced, the sentence hitting him with guilt like he was being struck by the butt of a gun. “Well, she shouldn’t be, okay? It’s not a big deal. I just, I like independence.”
“You also like milkshakes.”
“Yeah, well, I’m… watching my figure.”
Wash laughed, and Church laughed with him. It was nice, to make Wash laugh. It wasn’t something Church would eve have imagined he was capable of.
“I promise I’m fine, okay? Stop worrying about me.”
Wash looked at him for a moment, expression unreadable to Church. Finally, he shook his head, saying, “You’re lucky that I know you’re not.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you have been incredibly over protective and annoying lately and if I didn’t know you weren’t okay I wouldn’t be putting up with it.”
Church rolled his eyes. “I am not overprotective and annoying”
“Oh yeah?” Wash flipped through some pages of his notepad and held it out to Church. “Then explain this.”
Epsilon has been incredibly overprotective and annoying lately. He’s lucky I know he’s not okay or I wouldn’t be putting up with it.
Church glared at the notebook. “I’m gonna rip that page out.”
“That’s fine. I would never forget how annoying you are.”
“All right.” Church moved to get up in a huff before Wash pulled him back down.
“Come on, don’t go, I’m kidding. Well, sort of.”
“Yeah yeah yeah.” Church folded his arms and grumbled angrily as he settled back into Wash. “Aren’t we on a date? Why the hell are we trying to talk about my problems? Can’t we just relax?”
Wash sighed, but gave Church a soft smile. “Fair enough.” He pulled away from Church, lying down.
“Come relax?” He pat his chest, gesturing for Church to lie with him.
Church blushed, flustered by Wash’s bare chest, but— oh, whatever. They were on a beach date. A little skin on skin never hurt anyone.
Church laid his head on Wash’s chest, almost instantly soothed by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He was always tracking it, of course, always making sure that all his loved ones vital signs were in an acceptable range. But it was different to be pressed against him, to feel the vibrations against his own skin. To have Wash’s hand carding through his hair. To have his own gently stroking Wash’s waist.
Maybe the question of how he managed to get here was impossible for him to answer. But maybe, in just this moment, the question didn’t matter as much as the fact. The fact that he was here.
They were here.
And they stayed there, so comfortable in the shade of the perfectly angled umbrella, until…
A click of a camera shutter went off.
“Cute as hell.”
Church looked up to see Tucker standing above them, camera in hand, still soaking wet.
“You motherfucker.”
Church started to get up to beat the shit out of Tucker, but the hand in his hair tightened around him, holding him in place.
“Hey!”
“I thought you wanted to relax?” Wash teased, not even bothering to open his eyes to look at him.
As Church wrestled against Wash’s grip and his two other boyfriends cheered them on. Church was struck by how much he hated these people. And by how much he loved these people.
And maybe, right now, things weren’t all right. But maybe, eventually, hopefully, in the end, there really will be nothing wrong.
49 notes · View notes
iprobablyshipit91 · 1 year
Text
Words Unsaid
Part 4
Genre: romance / mutual pining / fluff / angst / royal au
Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female Reader
Word Count: 2.2k
Warnings: bit of language but that’s all I think? However there will be some major triggers in later chapters. These will be tagged appropriately on the relevant chapters, but please only read if you’re of age and comfortable.
Dividers by @talesmaniac89
Series Masterlist || SPN Masterlist
Previous || Next
New update, bit later than planned! Hope you enjoy…
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King Charles is obstinate, rude and condescending and you immediately hate him. He drones on far more than necessary, the whole of your visit filled with listening to his endless speeches on the wonderful, God-like ruler he was and the tight control he has over his realm. It’s left you feeling bored and miserable, but mostly sorry for the poor subjects he uses as pawns in his cruel and ridiculous games.
You watch your father hide a subtle eye roll across the banquet table as the King launches into another story that you’ve already heard twice this week and you can’t help the smirk that twitches at your lips. You aim a small kick at him under the table, making him jump in surprise, although he covers it well under the pretence of a cough, his eyes filled with mirth as he catches your raised eyebrows.
"Everything alright?"
Your father schools his face into a neutral expression as the King pauses his story and you do your best to do the same. You mustn’t forget that you’re here on business and there are expectations on how you should behave. Particularly in a kingdom as old-fashioned as this one.
"Just a frog in my throat." Her father smiles easily and King Charles looks appeased for the moment, continuing his story as though there had been no interruption.
You make it through the rest of the starter in peace, tuning out the conversations around you. After your dinner is served however, you feel the Kings attention shift to you, your skin crawling uncomfortably as he squints at you thoughtfully, your stomach dropping to somewhere around your toes.
"So, my dear Princess-" you mentally flinch at the title and how it sounds coming from him. "I hear your twenty first birthday is fast approaching?”
You catch your fathers eye and see he is giving you a soft smile, that familiar, almost distant look in his eye and you know a million memories of you growing up is fluttering through his head. You return his smile then turn your attention back to the King.
"Yes, two weeks from today, actually."
King Charles nods and you carefully start to cut the food on your plate, frustrated that you can’t just use your hands like a normal human being would. At home you could have got away with it easily, but instead, here you were struggling to figure out how to eat a turkey leg like a lady.
"That’s interesting. We don’t seem to have received an invitation to your ball." His tone is conversational and light but you can hear the offense there plain as day. Your eyes snap quickly back to your father and his expression is now much more wary. You can tell exactly what he is saying without words.
Tread carefully.
It was a long standing custom in most kingdoms across the land to have a ball for any royal turning of age, specifically a ball for an arranged marriage to be proposed. You were lucky, considering your parents had been a love match themselves, they had no intention of forcing their only daughter into a loveless marriage for political gain and so the idea of a ball hadn’t even been mentioned.
Until now.
"I've heard that yours and your wife’s rule is less than traditional.” King Charles turns back to your father, a sneer on his face despite the forced casualness he maintains. “I must say, I am rather hesitant to engage in business with a kingdom so-" He sighs, eyes dancing back to you. "Revolutionary."
Your heart stops beating for a second as your eyes dart between King Charles and your father. You’ve seen the way he treats his kingdom; cold and ruthless and if that’s his idea of traditional you quite frankly want nothing to do with it. The amount of homeless on the streets and starving children you saw on the journey here alone was enough to break your heart, never mind the way he’s spoken to and acted towards his servants the entire time you’ve spent in the castle. You know in your heart there’s only one thing you can do.
You sigh dramatically and put down your knife and fork.
"That’s actually my fault your Highness." From the corner of your eye you see your fathers head snap back over to you his eyes full of confusion. You give him a tight smile before putting your princess face on and turning back to King Charles.
"You see, I've had the most difficult time picking out an invitation design, I'm afraid we will now have to send out all invitations by personal courier to get there on time."
King Charles looks at you with narrowed eyes. "So you do intend to have a ball?"
"If she can ever make a decision on what she would like to wear, she will." Your father grumbles, falling into the role of playfully frustrated easily and you breathe out a sigh of relief as King Charles gives a hearty laugh and claps his hands together.
"Delightful."
You almost gag. It is anything but.
The rest of the dinner passes without much event, and King Charles invites your father to join him in his study straight after. A few hours later and your father is loading you both quickly into the carriage, as eager to leave this dreadful place as you it would seem.
"Did you secure the trade you wanted?" You ask when you are finally on the road that will lead you home.
Your father nods with a grim smile. "Yes, all thanks to you." He sighs deeply. "You don’t have to do this you know."
"I do, I can't go back on my word now. One ball won't kill me, dad. I'll play the perfect princess, put on a pretty dress and dance with his son-"
"And every other eligible bachelor throughout the kingdoms." Your father adds with raised eyebrows, looking annoyed at the mere idea.
"And every other eligible bachelor throughout the kingdoms." You repeat with a groan.
"Your mother and I wished to spare you from this." He says quietly, tilting his head and looking at you with sad eyes.
"I know." You give him a tight smile. "This was my choice and I am okay with that. If one night of misery for me means our kingdom's people can put food on the table for their families, then so be it."
He brings his hand up to your cheek softly and looks at you with shining eyes for a long silent moment before pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead.
"My daughter." He breathes out, before leaning back and looking you straight in the eye. "You are going to make an excellent Queen."
You feel your cheeks heat up at the pride colouring his tone. He gives you a quick wink then drops his hands, folding his arms against his chest instead. You smile softly and sigh, grateful that your carriage is moving swiftly towards home. Your father closes his eyes and leans his head back against the seat of the carriage.
"Oh, by the way. I'm going to let you explain to your mother how she has to plan an entire ball with all the kingdoms in the next week."
You wince. Your mother is going to be absolutely furious.
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You bite your lip, wringing your hands as you stand outside the kitchen doors awkwardly, debating whether to go in or not. Tired of running from your problems, you shake your head, square your shoulders and push hard on the solid oak door. You are immediately hit with a flurry of activity, the familiar commotion wrapping around you like a comforting blanket. Dinner preparations are well on the way with Jody in the centre of the kitchen conducting everyone around her with perfection and ease.
Like a moth to a flame though, your eyes are instantly drawn to him, like he's the very center of your universe and you just orbit around him.
He stands next to Sam, chopping vegetables quickly. He laughs loudly at something Sam says, his face boyish and adorable. He reaches out for another stack of vegetables, his arm flexing and sending your heart into a frenzy. You swallow hard, reminding yourself to keep yourself in check. You can do this.
"Well look who’s come back to join us!" Jody suddenly shouts and you watch as his eyes immediately find yours, the kitchen around you filled with cheers. He blinks, almost looking stunned for a second before a full, genuine grin splits his face.
Nope. No. You’re an idiot. You can't do this.
With a deep breath you give a timid wave and smile to the staff before they return back to their tasks. You weave in and out, making your way over to Jody first who envelopes you in a warm hug.
"We missed you, Princess." She whispers in your ear, giving a little squeeze before releasing you. She tilts her head toward Dean. "Some more than others." She adds with raised eyebrows and a knowing look that you determinedly ignore before making your way over to Dean and Sam.
“Ah, here she is!” Sam smiles widely at you, but you can see the mischief in his eyes shining clear as day as he turns to his brother. “Now you’re back home maybe some of us can get on with work rather than moping about the place like someone ate the last slice of pie.”
“Shove off, jerk!" Dean laughs and aims a playful smack towards Sam’s arm, but he dodges out of the way easily. He looks up at you and his own eyes dance with mischief. "I just thought the princess here had run off to have an adventure without me."
He winks at you and the relief you feel is overwhelming. There is none of the awkwardness between you that you’d been dreading, it’s like he had completely forgotten all about your emotional breakdown.
"Please, you know I can’t go anywhere without you." You reply easily but then notice his smile falter for just a second and worry you’ve put your foot in it once again. Before you have chance to dwell on it however, Jody comes over to you and is sweeping you out of the kitchen and back into the dining hall.
Your parents are already seated at the table as you walk in but your mother is quick to get up and wrap you in a hug of her own.
"I'm so glad to have you both back home." She presses a kiss to your forehead before pulling you back to the table with her. As you slide into your chair the kitchen staff start to come in and begin placing various dishes on the table.
As the dinner conversation starts you find the unease at seeing Dean slowly fade away, tuning everything out and getting lost in your own thoughts despite him sweeping in and out of the kitchens, clearing plates and bringing in new dishes.
It is as you are just revelling in the fact that you can once again eat a damn turkey leg with your hands that a loud shriek causes you to jump. The dining hall goes completely silent and you look up to see your mother looking at you with horror on her face. You immediately knows what this is about.
"Mom-"
"Don't you dare “Mom” me." She warns and oh boy you are definitely in trouble. "You told King Charles you are having a suitor ball? And its in two weeks?"
Before you can even open your mouth to respond a clattering of pots interrupts you. You turn to see Dean standing with his back to the table at the door to the kitchen, with a pile of broken plates at his feet. The entire table watches in silence as he mutters something unintelligible before bending to pick up the shards. You quickly turn your attention back to your mother.
"Mom, I'm sorry, but I didn’t exactly have a choice." Your mother is still looking at you expectantly. "King Charles was being really persistent about it, he kept talking about us not being a traditional kingdom." You shake your head and roll your eyes. "He kept mentioning his son who’s the same age, I assume he wants us to unite our kingdoms." You waggle your eyebrows for extra effect and your father chokes on the food he’s just put in his mouth, laughing because he knows you have absolutely zero intention of uniting anything with anyone, least of all with King Charles’ kingdom.
There is another loud crash and you turn your head once again to see Dean standing at the door to the kitchen staring down at what you assume should have been your dessert, face down on the floor of the dining hall.
Jody sighs next to you as she picks up another plate.
"I apologise your highnesses, I’m sure we have another cake somewhere."
Dean looks up and you are shocked at the sadness and fury etched across his face. For a brief moment, his eyes meet yours before he turns and storms back into the kitchen.
You look back at your parents and see your father raise both of his eyebrows to your mother. She shrugs in return, a tiny smile tugging at her mouth but its gone as soon as they both realise you are looking at them.
Your mother picks up her tea, smirking at you over the rim of the cup. "I hope you know I’m making you wear the most horrible dress."
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exalted-dawn-drabbles · 5 months
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Ed. I am being extremely galaxy-brained rn, but what if Thalia & Alora kid!au for the childhood prompt: "meeting your new family after being adopted." You get to decide who's being adopted into which family. Happy Friday and hope this inspires you!!
ITS SO CUTE OKAY ITS SO CUTE AND I LOVE IT! Let me set the scene: Thalia, a new mage and disgrace to her family, is taken from home to live at the Circle. On her way to her new life, the caravan is attacked by brigands and apostates, and Thalia barely makes it out alive with her life. Terrified and injured, she barrels into the nearby woods, only to be discovered by a party of Dalish hunters. Clan Lavellan. Without anywhere else to go and terrified beyond words, she is brought back with them until it can be decided on what to do with her. And unwittingly she finds herself accepted amongst a small family unit within the clan, and in so doing, meets her future sister Alora :3 For @dadrunkwriting
Rated G: No warnings, ~1.1k words
Kindling | By Exalted_Dawn
Alora stared in startled wonder from just beyond the her mother’s shoulder, brown eyes wide and half-terrified. “-So she will be staying with us for a time, da’len.” The rough warm timber of her father’s voice barely managed to stir a reaction from her– maybe a mumbled affirmative of some kind, but definitely not more than that. Most of her attention was being absorbed by the red-headed girl standing stiffly beside him, looking all the world as though she might give way to heart exhaustion. She looked even more terrified than Alora did, and pale as bone. Blood flowed freely from a dozen different cuts that ran all across her arms and face, and her robes, what were probably once a deep bronze and blue, were now almost entirely brown in color, heavy with mud stain. Plainly, she looked a mess, like someone who had stumbled through a berry bush and caught half of it in her hair. But even then– that was not the most interesting thing about her. No. It was her ears.
Round. Round ears. 
Before now, if Alora had ever wanted to get close to a human, it meant sneaking into a passing town with Nellas for sweets. Never before has one stood squarely in the center of their camp– not alive and unharmed, anyway. How babae had managed to sneak her in-
Her mamae Haleira gave her a firm nudge in the arm, signaling her forward. To speak. Fenedhis, and say what exactly? “Uhm-” 
She looked to her father for help, still entirely unsure of what was happening. Was she even allowed to talk to this girl?
Something flashed through her father’s warm brown eyes. Something sad and heavy and clearly complicated. He approached and stepped between the two, his hand heavy against Alora’s shoulder. “Listen, da’len. Her caravan was attacked and her escorts slain,” he said, speaking soft. “The Keeper has ordered us to watch after her until we pass close enough to a shem settlement with a place to leave her safely. From what I understand, shas been through much, and she could use a friend. Do you think you could be that for her?”
Alora looked back to the nameless girl. Suddenly, she saw details she hadn’t noticed before– singe marks on her clothes beneath all the mud, and a redness beneath her eyes like the kind you get from crying. Bruises, too. 
Her lips pulled tight in a grimace, but without much else of a choice, she nodded and stepped forward. “Aneth’ara.” A cough from her mother. “Oh, uh, I mean… Hello? My name is Alora. What’s yours?” 
The girl dropped her gaze, cerulean eyes snapping to the ground. No answer.
Pleadingly, she looked back to her parents, but the look she got in return was enough to face her forward again. Creators, why couldn’t they have picked Nellas for this? She coughed into her hand and added, “I, uh, like the color of your robes.” 
It definitely wasn’t the most eloquent of introductions, but considering the situation, she had thought her response decent. Or at least reasonable. But awkward hesitance quickly turned to panic as the girl’s face pinched with something unpleasant, and to Alora’s utter mortification, her eyes began to well with tears. Rather than words, she was answered with whimpers– stifled behind a stiff lip for a total of a half-minute before it became clear that composure was no longer an option. Fat tears began to roll down her freckled cheeks, her shoulders bunched, and with hardly more warning than that, the girl collapsed in a heap and began to cry. 
~*~*~
It would be days before Alora ever got her answer. Before any of them did. Not her mamae or babae. Not Nellas, once he got to meet her too.
Alora had all but given up on the girl, referring to her as ‘her’ cause what else could she call her, when she received a finch-light tap on her shoulder. The ball of fire she had been concentrating on holding tumbled clean from her hands, fizzling into nothingness before it could even hit the ground.
“...You’re also a mage?” 
The girl’s voice was hardly louder than the meadow grass that swayed around where she sat cross legged on the ground. Alora practically jumped out of her skin to see her, let alone hear her speak. She hadn’t left the shelter of their aravel since her arrival three days ago, and Alora was certain that that was the first time she had ever heard the shemlin talk.
But now she stood there, in the clearing just outside of where her family was camped, dressed in a modest red wool dress that made her hair– now clean– practically glow. 
Out of pure dumb surprise at the sight, she nodded.
“And your family didn’t send you away?” she continued, almost seeming confused. Maybe awed. 
“Oh, uh, no…?” Alora lowered her eyes, cause she really didn’t know what else to do. The girl in front of her startled faster than a fennec, after all. Why she was choosing to talk to Alora of all people- “Why? Did yours?”
A wild guess and a panicked response. But to Alora’s utter shock, after a moment’s hesitation, the girl dipped her head. 
Alora blinked. “Oh.”
Overhead, birch leaves danced in the wind, rustling like the feathers of some giant green and gold bird, and for a moment, that was all she could hear. But just as Alora had accepted that– after all, it had been days without a single word from the girl with crimson hair, and in just this brief handful of seconds she had already gotten two whole questions– the wind died and its howling with it. And in its fading wake, just a single whisper.
“Thalia.”
Stupidly, she responded, “What?”
“My name,” the girl clarified, her cheeks going about as red as her hair. 
“Thalia?”
“Yes.”
Huh.
Unsure of what else to do, Alora nodded. “Nice to meet you. Do you… uh, want to practice with me?”
A pause. Then, maybe because she was also unsure of what to say, she simply nodded back. 
Thalia settled quietly beside her in the grass, barely meeting Alora’s eye. But sure enough, hands outstretched, a ball of fire sprang to life in the heart of her scabbed palms. A flickering mirror of Alora’s own. So together, they sat and held their flames against the dancing wind, and unknowing to either, kindled a family new.
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Okay okay. Corny as hell, but who doesn't love corn: modern deathstar AU wherein DTK is a werewolf and it's fluffy as hell.
This is really cute! I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to start this, but I ended up writing way more than I anticipated! Hope ya like it as much as I liked writing it! <3
Death*Star Werewolf AU
Shit. Kid stared at the reminder on his phone and looked up at the quickly darkening night sky, then back to his group of friends who were beginning to get ahead of him.
“Everybody, I apologize, but I have to leave…immediately.” he calls out.
“Oh, is everything okay?” Maka calls out.
Kid pauses.
“Yes, everything is fine. I’m pretty sure I just nudged a portrait on my way out and if I don’t fix it, I swear the world might end.”
His friends seem to accept the answer, used to his usual quirks, and Kid quickly makes the trek back to his manor.
Once he’s inside, he feels an immediate sense of relief.
“That was too close. I can’t believe that I forgot tonight was our full moon. I’ll explain it eventually, but damn I need to be more careful!” Kid says to himself.
He sighs, going to his room to prepare himself for the transformation ahead of him.
As the moonlight begins to trickle in, he feels the shift in his body. Luckily this time seems to be a not-so-painful cycle. When the fur and fangs make it to their full size, he sighs in relief, relaxing momentarily before he slinks up from his nest of blankets and stares at his reflection in his bedroom mirror.
“Hey Kid! There’s no way it could take that long to fix a stupid painting! Ol’ Black*Star is here to help so we can get back to our game night!”
Kid freezes as the door to his bedroom slams open and Black*Star barges in. The two make eye contact and suddenly Black*Star is on the defensive.
“What the hell is going on here? What did you do to my friend?” He asks forcefully, his palms twitching with soul energy.
“Black*Star, wait!” Kid says, putting his hands up and shrinking back. “I know it doesn’t look like it right now, but it is me. I’m Death the Kid”
Black*Star pauses, hearing the voice of his friend and eventually feeling the familiar soul resonance of Kid. He drops his stance and slowly approaches Kid, poking and prodding at his furry form.
“Hey, I never knew you were a furry! Did you make this yourself?” 
“Black*Star!” Kid groans.
Kid sighs and sits down on the edge of his bed.
“I’m not a furry, I'm a werewolf. If I were a furry, I’d get to choose when and where this happens. There’s a reason I ran off and it wasn’t about a stupid painting!”
Black*Star pauses for a moment before sitting down next to Kid.
“Oh! That makes way more sense. I was wondering why you would just randomly disappear some nights.”
Kid snorts, then shyly looks over to Black*Star.
“So, you aren’t scared… or upset by this?” he asks.
“Nah! Furry, werewolf, reaper… regardless, you’re Kid! I like you no matter what you look like. You have way more self-control than what I’ve heard about werewolves though. You sure that’s not a fursuit?”
Kid laughs. “No, it is not a fursuit. There’s a common misconception that werewolves lose all sense of self when they transform. Maybe that’s the case for those who were previously human, but no. I am able to remain with almost full control of myself.”
“Almost full control? What, do you get hardcore cravings to like, attack cow farms or deer or something?”
“Not so much that, though I do tend to crave raw meat a lot more and when my father throws a ball… this pisses me off so much… I can’t help but go fetch it!”
“Oh my god dude! So you just turn into a total dog! Hardly a wolf at all!”
Kid grumbles and rolls his eyes.
“Are there other dog-like things about you when you’re in wolf form?” Black*Star asks.
“Like what?”
“Well… Like…” Black*Star hesitates as he reaches up and begins to scratch behind the ears that have sprouted from Kid’s head, “Do you like head scratches?”
Kid feels his face heat up in embarrassment.
“Aha! You do like it! Look at that tail go!”
Reluctantly, Kid looks back to see his tail wagging involuntarily. He pouts.
“This is an embarrassment. I hate it.”
Black*Star stops petting him, but is still chuckling at the situation.
“Sorry dude, you know I have to poke fun at you a little bit. I didn’t mean to take the joke too far.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Kid huffs.
The two sit quietly for a moment before Kid begins to fidget uncomfortably and then lets out an exasperated sigh.
“If you want to give me head scratches, you can!” he grumbles.
Black*Star lights up and immediately tugs Kid so his head is in his lap and begins to vigorously give scritches like Kid is a stray puppy.
“I swear to god, you better not tell anyone about this.” Kid says, tail wagging excitedly. “I won’t mention that you’re a werewolf, but if you ever decide to tell our friends, they’re gonna know all your weaknesses!”
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bluboothalassophile · 2 years
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hello may I request some Jason and raven at a gala/ball event
Hello,
So, not a true gala, but I just found out the devestating fact the Queen, Nichelle Nicholas, the beautiful, stunning and amazing Lt. Nyota Uhura passed, and I have been through my tumblr about 7 times collecting all my oneshots and AUs and somehow I do not have a Star Trek AU. A travesty to my Trekky self; so I'm fixing that.
Lt. Todd...
Humans are weird, that was her only conclusion; even her own vernacular did not have words to describe the peculiarities of humans, but alas, humans had many words to describe their peculiarities. Azarathians were different from humans, and she was continuously surprised. Particularly by the human need to nickname everyone and everything all the time; for example, her name Lieutenant Raven Rachel Roth, her aliases were: little bird, love, sunshine, sweetheart, love, and Rae. The infuriating Rae, which she could never get her fellow Lieutenant to cease calling her. She wanted to be furious by it, but he had never ceased since their time in the Academy.
Lieutenant Jason Peter Todd, xenolinguist, prized member of the bridge upon USS Enterprise, her infuriating rival and persistent human of nicknames and odd human vernacular.
If it were not for the fact she was Azarathian she would’ve throttled the human, but alas, she could not throttle the human. No, that would be very bad. She wanted to, but it would be bad, and not the proper Azarathian thing to do. So she refrained, even now as she stood amongst all these humans, watching as he flittered about, at least he was not as persistently sociable as the other humans he was related to. His brothers were rather intolerable at times, especially the eldest who was a strain on Raven’s nerves. Thankfully, Lt. Todd’s siblings were not commissioned to the USS Enterprise, if they were, she truly might go mad.
She stiffened when she saw Garfield Logan making his way towards her, he was a human actor, and important to the American Hollywood, and she did not like him. Looking around frantically for a more suitable human to converse with to evade the socialite, she saw Lt. Todd, and scurried over to him. For as irritating as Lt. Todd was, he could be respectful, and was not handsy with her.
“Little bird?” Lt. Todd saw her approaching him, and she grimaced.
“I do not like it when you call me little bird, for I am not the strange feathered creature you claim I am named for,” she informed him crisply.
“Naturally, what brings you over here, Rae?”
“I do not like being called Rae.”
“Work with me here, sunshine.”
“Very well, humans are tactile, and I am Azarathian,” she reminded him. “There is a particularly ‘handsy’ human who has pursued me every time we dock in California.”
“I see,” he muttered sourly. Azarathians were empaths by nature, and though she learnt to filter and regulate her own emotions and those around her, it was almost unbearable when someone persisted on contact with her. She was an engineer, she did not work with humans who needed to touch her, and touch to most Azarathians was as intimate and precious as human kisses or human sex, it was… very personal and intimate.
“I do not wish to have him near me, and you are tolerable,” she explained.
“Really boosting my ego here, little bird,” he chuckled.
“Your ego is gargantuian Lt. Todd,” she primly stated.
“Sarcasm! Did you…!?” he sputtered in delighted glee.
“Captain Stone persists human sarcasm and dark humor will have me connecting better with my human peers,” she explained.
“I’m so proud!” he laughed. “And yes, Rae, you can hang with me. Completely clothed arm here, so… my grandfather would kill me if I do not offer,” he held out his elbow then. She blinked a few times, but spotted the human women looping their arms with their selected mates, so she hesitated before her hands rested on his arm.
“I… thank you,” she said softly.
“Of course, little bird,” he chuckled.
“I am Lt. Roth,” she reminded him.
“And I’m Jason,” he countered. “We don’t need to have so much formality, sunshine, we are friends.”
“We are?”
“Is that so strange?”
“No, but I had not thought to classify our interactions,” she shrugged as he guided her through the crowd.
“Well, we’re friends, and human bonding tendencies mean we are friends for life,” he dramatically informed her.
“Your species is not monogamous, merely practicing in monogamy,” she quipped.
“Where as Azarathians select partners for life,” Lt. Todd countered. She was stunned. “Don’t look so surprised, little bird, part of xenolinguistics is speaking the languages, the other parts are understanding the cultures and species,” he explained.
“I see… not many humans know that about my species,” she murmured softly.
“I know, I also know you have a second pair of eyes, shape shifting capabilities in skin and hair color, and an uncanny telekinetic ability. Azarath also partakes in magic and sorcery practices, which are very secret and private, and your main deity is Trigon, which is a god of war, but your people are rooted in peace practices, which are highly formal, and almost Buddhist in nature for an analogy to Earth’s understanding,” he informed her.
“You have studied my people,” she said softly.
“Of course, I like studying what interests me,” he quipped. “Also, your people, and your species as a whole is a rather reclusive lot, so I was very curious about you since meeting you.”
“We are not… adventurous,” she said carefully. “As a people who worship a war god, you should be thankful, we were once an empire to rival Tamaran, and were their enemy for many milleniums.”
“Thankfully, you guys like Earth, and agreed to join the Federation,” he mused.
“Tamaran attacked you first, and the enemy of our enemy is our friend, I do believe your people say this,” she mused.
“We do, but admittedly Azarath and Earth are one of the best alliances alive in the Federation,” he cackled.
“Lt. Roth, I thought that was you,” Garfield Logan got near her, she cringed when he reached for her. Lt. Todd moved himself between her and the other human.
“And we were just leaving,” Lt. Todd said as he herded her along. For the first time in all her time knowing the human she was thankful to be in his presence. “I have to show you my literature collection, little bird!”
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