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casimirt · 8 months

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Dear Readers,

This is an Ineffable Husbands request from one of my dear mutual @theugliestcrown, called Falling From Above. It is also on my AO3, if that's more accessible for you x

It was noon.

By now, after their morning of activity, most of the bustling city traffic had ambled its way home. Weekends around the bookshop's slice of city were always suspiciously quiet. Almost as if someone had wished it that way. It was cool and bright, yet the sky had that feeling to it like something was coming. Probably more rain if we're to be realistic.

It had rained the past three days and it made sense for it to rain again today. But that didn't stop the clockwork stroll of demon and angel through the miraculously empty streets.

Their Sunday strolls had become ritual, ever since Crowley had officially, and not without complaint, moved into the little corner building. Aziraphale knew he was used to the vast and empty expanse of his old flat, so had begun to suggest getting out of the piles of books now and then. And so, their promenading of Soho was born. At times Maggie and Nina had likened it to letting him out for a walk and a wee. Regardless, no matter the weather Crowley never declined.

Rugged up in a dark trench coat and tall boots, the demon was begrudgingly wearing a crimson scarf about his long neck as well. It was lovingly, and somewhat poorly made by Aziraphale, and despite it not being quite cold enough, he wore it anyway. Walking proudly by his side was a robust bundle of tartan, tan and layers. A little paperboy style cap was on Aziraphale's head and was a compromise he had made for Crowley. The jaunty little top hat had been far too much of a statement for a Sunday, so it had remained at home.

Sometimes, if they were distracted enough by each other, they would walk for hours. On one occasion they had ended up so far away they had to take an Uber home. This was a novel experience in itself, and not knowing how it worked, Aziraphale had tipped the driver double what anyone would have done, even an angel. Today however they stuck to the usual paths, winding in and out of their favorite shops, talking and stopping in for the odd treat.

One of their favorite pass times was reminiscing about different points in time. Mainly the ones where they had met with each other, those were the best in everyone's opinion... Though, between the two of them they had a whole library full of fanciful and dramatic encounters without the other being present. It was always nice to discover new things about each other after all this time. Crowley, to their surprise had found out recently that Aziraphale was at one point the muse and close friend of Oscar Wilde himself. It had then prompted them to read and scrutinize the entirety of Wilde's work. Just in case it divulged any more secrets. Sadly, it hadn't.

A fun fact that sent the angel reeling about a month ago, was that Crowley had in fact co-wrote or at the very least inspired, a few of Queen's greatest hits. Aziraphale then found it a bit self-indulgent that the demon liked their music so much. Of course, part of that was because of the Bentley they'd have you know. It had caused a minute spat when Crowley likened it to Aziraphale having Wilde's complete works on his bookshelves. It ended abruptly though when they decided it was best to not dredge up any more sordid moments from their past. Best to let some things be lost to time... All in all, their mark upon history, and undoubtedly each other, was profound. From escaping the French revolution, to meeting on the moors fully clad in armor, they had spent some interest time together. Now, after doing so much for their respective sides, it was time for them. They were due for some quality time, where they weren't tempting or helping or sorting some out someone else's drama.

The sun shone weakly through the gathering clouds, and the rapidly cooling breeze caused them to huddle closer together. Crowley was enjoying Aziraphale's animated recount of the time they had turned all of Job's goats into crows. It was a tumultuous time for the angel and his wavering faith, so it was nice to see he remembered some parts of it fondly. The parts with Crowley that is.

Somehow, they had ended up walking hand in hand. Neither brought attention to it, but if asked they would both use the excuse of keeping each other warm from the cold. The first drops of rain fell as they rounded the corner, the street leading home stretched out before them. It wasn't enough for them to quicken their pace, and they weren't in any hurry to cut this moment short. They chatted as they strolled along, the sky above getting darker and damper as they walked. The demon glanced up at the sky, the misting rain beginning to fleck their glasses.

"Looks like rain, angel."

"Indeed. Nothing wrong with a little water, though."

Aziraphale smiled, looking at Crowley with rosy cheeks. They did however speed up a little just as it began to pour. While there was nothing wrong with a little water, they hadn't planned on getting soaked to the bone today. Especially not in this hat, Aziraphale would have you know.

Crowley squeezed the angel's hand as they pulled him along down the street, Aziraphale laughing merrily as they dodged a few fellow pedestrians. The sky had opened up and it was bucketing down. Big fat droplets drummed on the rooves and washed the streets clean. Little trickles in the gutter had turned into raging rivers, and the pair were getting very wet. It hadn't rained this heavily in a while. The last few days had been grey and drizzly, but this was unusual.

A beacon of shelter was up ahead, a patch of dry footpath beneath a dark blue awning. Crowley’s long legs made short work of the distance, and the angel was being practically dragged behind them. Laughing and trying to catch their breath, the pair beamed at each other. Clothes soaked and droplets of water sunning down their faces. Their shoes squelched and their heavy breath formed little clouds as they laughed.

They stood before each other, so close to home but not wanting the moment to end. Hands still clasped, chests rising and falling rapidly, faces pink from running and being painfully aware of where they both stood. Aziraphale looked up and smiled, his round face glowing with so much happiness it was infectious. Letting go of Crowley's hand, he reached out and gently removed the demon's glasses from their face. Golden eyes shone from behind them, fixed on the angel's sweet face. Aziraphale wiped them on the inside of his coat, but it was so wet it didn't do much to dry them. They had rested, but their hearts both beat rapidly still. The air was filled with a nervous silence, and the demon begged in his mind for Aziraphale to break it. He did, smiling fondly as he recalled a distant memory.

"I remember our first time, getting caught in the rain like this."

"That was a long time ago, angel. The first rain too, I believe."

"It was, and in Eden no less. I was quite nervous back then actually..."

Aziraphale looked down, fidgeting with the metal frames in his hands. His voice was quiet when he spoke next, soft and a little hesitant. It was almost hard to hear him over the thrum of rain.

"I, uh, I wasn't sure if you would remember me or not."

His smile faltered for a moment, and it stung Crowley with the thought of him being hurt. Stepping just a fraction closer, Crowley smiled. He too spoke in a lower tone, as if he was coaxing a small, frightened animal towards safety.

"How could I forget a face like yours, angel?"

He crooned, gently lifting Aziraphale's face to meet his gaze. A single finger under his soft chin, as the rain drowned out any other sound around them. Crowley’s hand was trembling ever so slightly, but not from the cold.

How on earth could they forget? It was their first time sheltering from rain together, and their first time talking out of heaven. Most importantly of all, it had been the demon’s first time falling for someone. The way Aziraphale had sheltered them, the enemy, without hesitation. It had reminded them both of when Crowley had done the same. He had been there, their angel, at the beginning of it all. Witnessing the creation of vast nebulas, glowing stars and the very place in which Earth would exist. Where they would spend time together, grow together. Standing before the vast expanse of the budding universe, mind a blaze with wonder and possibility, sheltering under a white wing. Aziraphale himself had been in awe, not at the colours or size of it all, but that he had never felt so strongly about another before. If he had been looking at the stars, it was only if they were reflected in the red-haired angel’s eyes. Something about their effervescent smile and pure excitement about it all was thrilling. He couldn’t look away…

Crowley swallowed hard, trying to rid the lump in his throat. They were never much good at this sort of thing. Aziraphale looked at them expectantly, wide blue eyes staring into their soul it seemed. His hair was wet, and the dampness had made it quite curly, more so than it usually was. Brow dappled with rain drops, his nose and cheeks were the most delightful shade of pink. Crowley wished he could stop and stare at his glorious face all day. They pushed back their fringe, water trickling down the side of their face.

"You, Aziraphale, are not someone I'd ever forget. I remembered you."

There was a tenseness that seemed to wash away as they said this, the angels face and shoulders relaxed, and he blushed. The toes of their shoes were touching, and Aziraphale was leaning in, a hand on Crowley's damp chest.

"I'm very glad you did, my dear. I don't know if I could bare it otherwise!"

Crowley grinned, leaning down to press his forehead against the angel's. This. This moment right here with the rain, each other and their many memories, was perfect. There was a clap of thunder and another burst of rain. The warmth of each other's breath curled around them, and then the angel and demon kissed.

Any sound of rain, any feeling of cold was melted away by the heat of each other's lips. Perhaps it was real, perhaps it was just a feeling, but the two of them began to glow. Ever so slightly, and ever so warmly. It was the same feeling Aziraphale had when they watched the red-haired angel excitedly smile and gasp at their new creations. And, it was the same feeling Crawley had felt when the Angel of the Eastern Gate, had admitted to giving away his flaming sword. It spread through their chests, along their arms and to the very tips of their fingers and toes. Even the strands of hair on their heads felt elated with the ecstasy of this light.

Crowley gently cupped his angel's face, wiping away any residual rain. He had wanted this, wanted Aziraphale for as long as he could remember, and he was going to savor it. Arms wrapped around the demon's waist, Aziraphale pulled him in close. The feel of Crowley's body pressed against his felt so right. Like nothing else in the world, the universe, was more wonderful than this. There was a hum of satisfaction from one of them, and neither wanted to pull away. The light emanating from them was not visible to the naked eye, but it came in steady waves, and seemed to push the clouds away. As they embraced beneath the awning, the rain began to cease. Sunlight was creeping back over the city, or rather the little portion that contained the book shop and Bentley. From within the window of a near by café, two faces were pressed against the glass, excited to see them together at last. With hands lost in hair or burrowed into coats, Crowley and Aziraphale silently agreed that they had perhaps cool off a little, and make their way home. With one last, lingering kiss, they Stepped out into the sunshine, hand in hand.

With the golden rays warming their backs, they strolled happily across the street. Giddy and full of love, the angel and demon walked home, and a bright ribbon of colour stretched across the sky.

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derpycatsu · 8 months

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ohhh so hes pathetic. ok. got it. Deploy The Hyperfixation

#screenshot redraws as usual to get into the groove lawl #anyway #THIS SHOW IS GOING TO KILL MEEEEEEEEE #ITS GOING TO RUIN MY LIFE #IM SO READY #every time i think about the scene of him chanting i think of #‘god forbid women have hobbies’#hes so funny. sopping wet cat of a man #simon petrikov #finn mertens #finn the human #fionna campbell #fionna and cake #fionna and cake spoilers #adventure time #felix art

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soldrawss · 8 months

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A little summer rain excursion to the corner store with the Noceda kiddos.

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ineffable-romantics · 9 months

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"I saw it in a Richard Curtis film"

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starry-bi-sky · 4 months

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more clone^2

snippet 21: Danny is Bruce Wayne's Clone and--

Star, with the rest of the A-List girls: alright ladies! it's time for our quarterly 'cutest boys' list! Now I'll get straight to the point, in our number one spot is--

All girls, in unison: Danny Fenton

Star, writing it down on a whiteboard: and for our number two spot--

---------- Snippet 22: clone meet clone

Ellie, dramatically: Danny!

Danny, equally dramatic: Ellie!

Ellie, pushing past him and looking around: where is he! i wanna see the little guy!

Damian, with a sword, brandishing it dangerously: *in arabic* don't come any closer, stay back!

Danny, wrapping an arm around Ellie's waist and pulling her back: woah, woah - he's still adjusting to everything

Danny, turning towards Damian with his google translate open: [please don't stab her. this is Ellie my clone.]

Damian, lowering his sword in disbelief: 'there's MORE of you?

-------------- Snippet 23: Ellie has the same epiphany as Danny

Ellie:...hey Danny

Danny, pouring over his arabic book: hm

Ellie: since I'm your clone, and you're a clone of Bruce Wayne, and Damian is a clone of Damian Wayne, does that technically mean I'm his mom - uh. dad-mom?

Danny:

Ellie:...its a fair question

Danny: .....*deep sigh* you're his cousin until further notice.

------------ Snippet 24: wait for me ii (hadestown, live vers.)

(i'm not sure of the context, but i've been thinking of Danny saying this to Damian during a serious moment for days. the snippet title is the song that the dialogue below is from)

Danny, fixing up Damian's wraith suit: the meanest dog you'll ever meet

Danny, zipping up damian's jacket: it ain't the hound dog in the street. he bares some teeth and tears some skin, but brother,

Danny, adjusting Damian's gloves, pausing to look him in the eye: that's the worst of him.

Danny, he holds a finger up to Damian's eyes and points it at him: the dog you really got to dread, is the one that howls inside your head

Danny, grabbing damian's mask and smoothing it over his eyes: it's him whose howling drives men mad, and a mind to its undoing

------------ Snippet 25: Danny is Bruce Wayne's clone-- (Battinson Vers*)

Ember, in the middle of a fight with Phantom + Wraith:

Ember, knocks off Phantom's mask for the first time: lets see what ugly mug you're really hiding under there, Phantom--

Phantom: *the wettest, most pathetic looking pretty boy on the planet*

Ember:

Phantom, dryly: what, did your mic die out or something? all that caterwauling finally make you lose your voice

Wraith, unsheathing his sword: *vibrating with baby brother rage bc he knows EXACTLy why Ember is silent*

----------- Snippet 26: Damian is finally starting to play nice :)

Dany: hey... guys.... whatcha doing

Damian, hanging out with Sam: Me and Manson are plotting ways to crush the Mayor's plan to cut budget funding for the city parks and cut down the native trees

Danny: oh, i see.... is this safe?

Sam: probably

Danny: hm.

------------- Snippet 27: digging up cold case

Danny: ....if Damian is out with Sam tonight with their plot against the mayor....

Danny, turning towards his desk: then that means I can work some more on Mrs. Witherbury's murder case that she asked me to solve without Dames guilt-tripping me into bed :)

Danny, settling down at his desk with a thermos full of coffee: i'm glad sam and damian are finally getting along

--------- Snippet 28: sparring

Damian, frowning: your reflexes are incredible but your combat is downright awful, brother. it's truly a miracle i didn't skewer you upon our first meeting

Danny, got his ass kicked by his 7yo brother: *groaning in pain* not everyone has super secret assassin training, Damian. And I don't really have time to actually practice anything.

Damian: Mrs. Fenton knows martial arts and her form is proficient enough, I'm sure she would be delighted to teach you if you asked. I will join since I need to keep my skills sharp and my training was unfinished when I arrived here.

-------- Snippet 29: daytime surprise

Phantom, fighting Skulker in broad daylight: *under his breath* at least Lancer's english test will get canceled for this...

Phantom, dodging a blast from Skulker: *in ASL, furious* don't you have anything better to do, you fuck!?

Skulker: foolish ghost child, speak! I know you're capable of it - speak before you lose the ability to

Phantom: *flips him off instead*

Wraith, sending back a ecto-blast with his sword: please pay attention, phantom

Phantom, doubletaking: *in a hissed whisper* what are you doing here!? it's a school day, you should be at school!

Wraith: Tt. If the boot fits.

------------ Snippet 30: guilt

Danny with his head on his desk, his elbows propped up as he massages his hands: hn

Damian, lurking to the side with a guilty look on his face:

Damian: can i....

Danny, silently holding his hand out to Damian: hrm

Damian, immediately taking it and doing the massages + finger exercises: ...im sorry

Danny: hm... I forgive you

#dpxdc #dp x dc #dp x dc crossover #dpxdc crossover #dpdc au #dpxdc au #dp dc #dp dc crossover #danny fenton is not the ghost king #clone^2 #this made me realize that Danny's ghosts PROBABLY don't know what he looks like under the mask for a WHILE #they just know he's a pain in the ass and also human and also insistent to get them back into the ghost zone #danny being the battinson bat clone is THE funniest thing to me like goddamn. you're a drowned kitten #does this imply that none of his rogues have seen his face in the two years before he got damian? yes. but wraith knowing why ember is #silent and being indignant with baby brother rage is so funny to me. protective little siblings ftw >>>>#dany being battinson bat makes so much sense because clone danny has no powers and runs around in a hoodie and jeans and baseball bat #and battinson is the exact amount of lanky and tall wet rat that seeing phantom WOULD be unsettling if you saw him at night.#also sam and damian get along but i dont know or think that damian would ever trust her tucker or jazz like he ever would with danny #he likes them and trusts them to take care of danny and him (to an extent) but he like. TRUSTS trusts danny.#hhhh fuck danny is permanently the battinson bat in my head fUCK. it makes so much sense #danny resorts to Batman Grunts when he’s overtired + in pain + unfocused

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lovesickeros · 5 months

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☆ even the gods bleed [ pt 4 ]

{☆} characters arlecchino, furina, lyney {☆} notes cult au, imposter au, multi-chapter, gender neutral reader {☆} warnings blood {☆} word count 3.7k {☆} previous [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

Fontaine was bathed in darkness, not even the moon daring to illuminate where the common man fears to walk. The streets were bleak and empty save for the constant, rhythmic ticking and clanking of machines marching on endlessly, dauntlessly wading where even the bravest dared not to venture. Not even the sharp click of the Gardes boots followed the occasional hisses of steam as they walked the barren streets.

It was haunting, and it'd been like that for days now. It showed little signs of stalling in the slightest, too. Every inch of Fontaine was practically crawling with Gardemeks– like a swarm of rats skittering about.

Arlecchino had secluded herself in the Hotel Bouffes d'ete for days at this point, waiting– biding her time. Her nails clicked against the wood as she tapped at the table in a stilted rhythm, the subtle click of the clock mixing into the clanking outside, weaving in and out of earshot as the patrols slipped by. She reached forward after a moment of thought, reaching for the white king.

She leaned back against the chaise, tilting her head just enough to catch a glimpse of a patrol of Gardemeks as they vanished behind the rows and rows of buildings. It wasn't enough to keep her attention for long, however, her features twisting in disinterest as she glanced back to the chessboard– and the letter neatly resting beside it. The seal was unmistakable and a sobering sight, demanding her attention– the soft hues of blue etched into the shape of a dragon stared back at her in a way that almost unsettled her.

She had already parsed through it's contents hundreds of times, but she was met with only vague, flowing script that only served to irritate her more then anything– it filled the page top to bottom yet managed to say nothing at all. Her hand reached out again, but instead of reaching for the letter she plucked the black rook from the board, setting it down with a soft click.

Arlecchino had all the time in the world to sit back and observe her prey, but all that time would be useless if she lacked the information to act.

And he was quite tight fisted about it, evidentially. None of her inquiries or attempts to decipher any potential codes in the letter left her empty handed. She could not act without even knowing the reason for his summons– it was almost worded like a personal affair rather then one would expect for a foreign diplomat. In truth, she'd expected a scalding report on her operatives, but it lacked any mention of anything of the sort.

She was no stranger to people masking hostility behind pretty words and compliments, not that it was ever unwarranted per se– the Fatui did not create connections through honesty and genuine kindness. They have strong armed more then their fair share of people into cooperation to the point distrust is all the Fatui are met with outside of Snezhnaya. Every word was meant to conceal the deceit, every action meant to conceal the price later paid.

So she had been..skeptical of the letter, to put it lightly. She doubted the Iudex of all people would offer a hand to the Fatui without a price attached– a trap, perhaps, meant to lure in the most powerful piece left on the board. Her eyes narrowed, reaching for a white rook and moving it to the right.

Or he was hiding something. Something that he simply couldn't risk getting out to anyone, not even the Divine themself. A tempting prize, whatever it was.

..A dangerous prize, too.

She'd considered burning the letter and forgetting it all together– the risk was great, and she couldn't risk getting caught up by whoever else the Iudex may have on his side of the board. But she could hardly pass up the challenge and the prize that he fought so hard to keep from prying eyes and ears. Even her agents came back empty handed each time. She lazily picked up a black rook, sliding the white pawn aside.

"Lyney," Arlecchino drawled, crossing one leg over the other and turning her gaze to the door as it slowly creaked open. The pale visage of Lyney stepped through, though his siblings were noticeably absent. The weariness that weighed down on his shoulders was apparent in the slightest furrow of his brows and the subtle creak of leather as he clenched his fists behind his back. "Father." He choked out, the title dragged out by the sharp inhale and shaky exhale.

He looked out of breath, she noted.

The silence that lingered after the small exchange was punctuated only by the click of another chess piece being moved. She sets aside the black rook, letting it sit among the dozen other pieces that had been wiped off the board. She can see the conviction glinting beneath the fog of exhaustion, but if he would utilize it was another matter all together.

He had seemed to make his choice quickly, at the very least.

"Our contacts and operatives within the Fortress of Meropide have gone silent– all we have is their final confirmed missive.." His voice is confident, but it is rigid as the words spill from his lips. He takes a sharp step forward, unfolding his arms from behind his back and opening his hands– the small, water stained and messily folded note catches her eye, plucking it from his palms with a half hearted interest. "They believe the Duke left the Fortress of Meropide..and that he may be coming to the Court of Fontaine."

Her eyes narrow dangerously, nearly crumpling the thin paper in her hands– yet just as quickly, she collects herself.

But she cannot get rid of the bitter taste on her tongue, lingering as she sets down the note and slides it to the side, her lips pursed into a thin line.

So the Iudex had shown one of his pieces..she tightly grasps a black rook, tipping over the white rook, letting it roll against the board.

If the Duke was involved, things were much more complicated then she expected– he would be a problem, she was certain. She couldn't blame the lamb for fearing the wolf, either. Whether her agents had been killed or captured by the man mattered little. He had his ways, and he was a force that could instill fear in even them.

Which meant the possibility that her operation was already compromised was far too real.

What had the Iudex so concerned he had gone through the trouble of bringing in the Duke and herself? The Fatui was one thing, but to specifically request one of it's Harbingers..

The Prophecy? The thought had her clenching her fist, but..no. If it were to rear it's head now, the Iudex could simply not afford to waste time on his contacts deciphering his nonsensical script– If the prophecy were to be the issue, there time would be limited to mere minutes in the worst of cases. Which meant it was worth biding his time in order to ensure absolute secrecy.

So if not the prophecy, then what?

Her next moves were..limited. She was already walking on eggshells considering her position and the reputations of the Fatui– especially with a Harbinger in the midst. If they caught wind of her operations, they'd weed out her operatives and be on guards for any snakes that lingered in their garden.

She reached for the chessboard again, picking up one of the white rooks from the board with a scowl. The sharp click as she sets down the white rook and sets aside the black pawn draws a shaky inhale from Lyney as she moves another black pawn, the dull click of the pieces drowning out the distant clinking of machines.

..A draw, perhaps.

The pieces were all falling into place– the players of this game were slowly being revealed. Whether she could secure her victory..she was unsure.

She wasn't even sure who her opponent was. Only that the Iudex himself was but another piece in their game.

Arlecchino reached for the board again, yet this time she hesitated. Perhaps she could still swipe the win from beneath them, if she played her cards right.

She would simply have to capture the king– or, if need be, let it end on a draw. Either way, she would not concede. She could not afford to concede. Down to the last piece, she would drag out this match until she was in a position to force their hand into the outcome she desired.

She stood slowly, picking up the king piece and observing it for only the briefest of moments before she set it down on the table, taking measured steps around the table and across the room. She was hunting a much more dangerous quarry today– it would be no simple runaway traitor this time.

"Do you remember the directive?" She inquired coldly, her hand lingering on the door for that long, tense moment. "..Yes, Father." Lyney faltered, taking a hesitant step back and bowing at the waist. "Then do not stray."

All that was left was the silence and click of the door shutting behind her as she disappeared down the hall, her boots clicking harshly against the floorboards. The rest of the agents knew better then to linger in her path as she stepped down into the lobby, adjusting the cuffs of her sleeves. She barely even acknowledged the Fatui agent standing at the ready by the heavyset doors, their gloves hands held out with her cloak held loosely in their palms. She quickly snagged it from them, tugging it over her board shoulders and clasping it around her throat.

With a quick tug, she brought the hood up over her head to conceal her sharp features, lifting her hand and placing a neatly folded note within their waiting hands. She had only one chance to make the right moves and secure her victory– no matter the cost.

Each piece had it's purpose.

Oft, that purpose was a bloody and horrible end– but for the grand goal of the Fatui built on the backs of the dead, it was an honor.

She didn't bother speaking a word as she dismissed them with a wave of her hand, pushing open the heavyset doors and stepping out into the barren, damp streets. The rhythmic clink and whir of Gardemeks was still distant– she needed to move. Her boots clicked and splashed in the rain soaked stone of the streets as she slithered between the buildings, ducking through the openings in the patrols.

It was almost too easy.

She tilted her head back, taking in the towering Palais Mermonia with a scowl, her hands clenched into fists. The final moves were being played– the king was within her reach, yet she felt no more confident then when she began.

The air carried a sense of unease, thick and heavy, filling her lungs until she felt her breath still in her chest– listening to the empty, bleak night that seemed so..quiet.

She'd done her fair share of research, had more then her fair share of her agents try to peer into the Iudex's office or the Archon's supposedly hidden chambers, but every attempt was a failure. She had to give them credit, they were quite elusive when they wished to be. Though now she only thought about it bitterly– this was all a risky gamble, in the end, and only time would tell if it paid off.

With minimal effort, she'd managed to pull herself to the flat, tiled roof, eyeing the massive tower peaking out of the center cautiously. At least here the wandering patrols down below weren't likely to notice her..she could hear them passing by the spot she'd been in only a few minutes ago, just beneath her. She pulled the hood further over her face, peering through the sheer darkness of the night for any oddities, but it was almost impossible to see in the dark.

Her boots clicked softly against the tiles as she approached the tower jutting out from the Palais, her hand gliding along the smooth stone, pressing against odd indents or crevices. If it was for the Archon's chambers, she doubted they made it very difficult– she'd only met the woman once, but she doubted the Iudex make it all that complex just from a brief glance. And it surprised her little when one of the stones sunk into the wall, gears whirring as the walls split open to reveal a stairwell straight into an inky black hall. Only the barest hint of light peaked under the door at the bottom, but it's occupants must have heard her, considering it went out not a moment later.

She cautiously stepped down into the small crevice, her breath visible in the bitter cold air– her shoulders tensed at the subtle sound of muffled footsteps behind the door, her vision flaring with a molten heat between her shoulder blades as she reached for the worn handle of the door. The heat of her vision was enough to just barely heat the metal, her vision flaring like a quickly building inferno.

Arlecchino was prepared for a fight, if it came down to it.

The door creaked as she pressed against it, shoving it open with a grunt of effort and surveying the room with narrowed eyes and a biting remark on the tip of her tongue– the lavish opulence was expected, she supposed, but the lack of the towering figure of the Iudex was not.

Yet before she could get a word in or even take in her surroundings properly, the light flickered back on and she had to squeeze her eyes shut with a hiss at the sudden brightness. She could hear the door being shoved closed behind her, the hurried footsteps retreating just as quickly as her eyes adjusted to the light.

..This was a joke, wasn't it? It had to be.

She'd expected the Iudex, perhaps even the Duke if she'd been unlucky, not the Hydro Archon. She had half the mind to test her worth as an Archon then and there, her temper flaring like an uncontrollable blaze, barely kept at bay. It took all her self control to force herself to smile politely at the woman rather then snarl.

"Miss Furina," She sneered beneath her hood, x shaped pupils locked onto the startled, trembling Archon with thinly veiled contempt. "What a..pleasant surprise. You'll have to forgive my manners, I assumed I was meeting with the Iudex." She observed her body language carefully– the way her eyes darted about like a frightened rabbit seeking escape, the slightest tremble of her lips..

Arlecchino opened her mouth to offer another scathing remark, but her jaw audibly clicked shut as her entire body seemed to lock up. Even her vision went cold against her back, a chilling feeling creeping up her spine as someone, or something, crept up behind her. Their footsteps were almost silent, the slight rustling of their clothes the only thing she could hear over her heart pounding against her ribcage.

Arlecchino had always prided herself on being on the other end of that sensation– she was the monster, and her target was the prey frozen like a deer between the hunters crosshair.

It was a chilling feeling to have the dynamic shifted on it's head.

She couldn't even swallow, her jaw clenched so hard she could hear it creak as she tried to reason with her quickly splintering mind– a futile effort, her joints locking up almost painfully. Black spots were quickly swallowing her vision from the lack of air in her lungs, the sound of shuffling behind her barely audible over the ringing in her ears.

For a moment – a moment too long to have only lasted the seconds that it did, yet so quick it gave her whiplash – she thought she would hit the floor dead before she could even glimpse her assailant.

And then it was gone. She came crashing back into reality with a startled inhale, her lungs burning and her knees nearly buckling under her. The instinct to lash out and kill whoever had done it was intense, yet she couldn't bring herself to move even a finger– it would be so easy to twist around and ignite them with searing flames, but her feet were rooted in place.

She almost didn't notice the surprisingly gentle hands unclasping her cloak, tugging it off her shoulders, if not for the sheer intensity of the presence still lingering behind her. Her mind was still fractured, struggling to right itself after the ordeal, and it had her seething.

"..Are you certain you held back enough?" Furina croaked, the normally soft lilt raspy and almost hoarse. "Not– not that I doubt your capability, most Divine!"

Arlecchino felt her nails dig harshly into her palms, heat swelling beneath her skin– Divine? Had she lost her mind? The Divine was..

The Divine was upon their throne where they belonged. She'd seen them!

"Hm. Well, maybe? Sorry, I didn't think it'd affect you too." Their voice was sickeningly soft as they stepped around her like she wasn't even there, focusing their attention on the Archon who seemed more then delighted about it. "What gave you that impression, most Divine? Aha, I..was completely unaffected, as you can see! Perfectly fine."

Furina let out a small squeak when they pinched her cheek, but the almost affectionate smile that tugged at their lips revealed the lack of malice behind the action.

"You're a bad liar, Furina. You might want to sit down..please?" They didn't take her protests for an answer, gently pushing her to sit on the bed before abruptly turning to face Arlecchino once more, a forced smile on their lips. "Oh, good, you're..uh, not dead. That's good. I thought I fried your brain. Sorry?"

..Had she hit her head on the way here? The Divine should still be on their throne, yet she couldn't shake the weight of their stare– it felt tangible. She felt like she was standing face to face with the stars– galaxies and constellations bearing down upon her.

She grit her teeth and clenched her hands until she felt the sting of her nails against her palms, grounding herself in the pain through the sheer overwhelming nature of their existence.

"You.." She croaks, reaching out with a shaky hand and grabbing them by the collar of their shirt, lifting them up until their feet left the floor– she pays no mind to the startled protests of the Archon. Arlecchino would crush her like a bug before she even got the chance to intervene and they both knew it. "You shouldn't exist– you aren't them, and yet you..you're the imposter, aren't you?" Her grip tightens yet they face her without an ounce of fear, meeting her unyielding glare with a pondering look.

Arlecchino wanted to make them bleed just to see if she could, the urge to sink her teeth into skin welling up in her chest to the point she visibly snarled, her mask of politeness long . "You're the imposter." Her expression falls for a moment before she schools it into one of apathy, setting them back down and holding them there for a moment, finally releasing them after a tense moment. "Or you were supposed to be."

Hers brows furrow– she wants to demand answers, to throttle them for damning them to being nothing more then dolls for the supposed Divine to break at their whim, but none of the words come to her.

"..Why now? The current Divine has been in power for years, yet you descend now?" Her shoulders tensed, lips pursed into a thin line– it's impossible to ignore the truth that lay before her. The Divine is a fraud and this..imposter is the true Divine. How many years had they been in power, now? How many years were they waiting? Why did they wait? Was the suffering of Teyvat not enough? Was the blood that painted the steps of their stolen throne not enough?

She'd personally been on the wrong end of the Divine's wrath– she wonders..had they watched? Had they seen the cruel hand of their imposter and turned their back on Teyvat?

"I.." They hesitated. It made her seethe, her hands clenching into fists at her sides– her vision flickered, flames swelling within it's casing just to be smothered by the presence of the Divine. But once that spark had been lit, she refused to let it go out. "I didn't know."

The answer does not satisfy her. There is an itch beneath her skin that she cannot scratch, a fire that burns in her chest so hot it scorches even herself.

"And what about now? Are you content to cower like prey in the safety of the Palais Mermonia?" She snapped, taking a step forward, her brows furrowed and her glare intense– she can see the slightest bit of worry in their eyes. She revels in it. "Will you let them use your acolytes like pawns? How many more need to be broken on the steps to your throne before you act?"

Again, her vision flares and dims– it refuses to be used against the Divine that created it.

"Have you no answer?"

The room is silent. They do not speak and neither does she.

Even the world itself seems to quiet in the face of her accusations, fury boiling to the surface so hot it incinerated all it touched.

"I will kill them myself."

Their words are quiet, but they are not soft– there is a vindictive, searing anger that explodes out like dying stars within their eyes. The sight of constellations replaced by a void that would not be . The smell of ichor grows stronger– to the point she feels almost lightheaded.

"..I am aware that I have failed in preventing this, but I had no choice in the matter. Still," They muse, their voice like the tolling of bells. A solemn melody that stills the swelling fury burning in her chest, if only for a moment. "I will rectify it– I will tear down their throne of lies and let not even the earth tarnish itself by burying their corpse among it's soil."

They pause for a moment, holding out their hand– scarred and bandaged by the weapons of the devout, yet still they take upon the burden of dirtying their hands to save those who did not save them.

"Do you trust me, Arlecchino?"

Did she?

"Will you help me?"

She exhales heavily, meeting the starry iris' of the Divine with a scowl still tugging at her lips. Arlecchino trusted no one but herself.

"..Yes."

#sagau #genshin sagau #self aware genshin #genshin impact sagau #self aware genshin impact #fic tag #imposter au #genshin cult au #genshin impact cult au #arlecchino #lyney #furina #you do NOT wanna know what i got put thru writing this fic #trying 2 find out where arle was in the few times we DO see her and going down a rabbit hole of fuck fontaine and its layout actually!#I spent like 3 hours looking it up and checking in game it gives me a migraine thinking abt it. ew #anyway trying to write a really smart character is surprisingly difficult when ur as dumb as rocks #also used an actual chess match for this and gave myself an even worse migraine trying 2 make sure i didnt repeat moves or smth #furina doesnt get a spotlight yet just imagine her sitting in the corner trembling like a wet kitten you found on the side of the road #arlecchino goes thru a crisis more at 11 #shes a tired single dad shes isnt getting paid enough for this okay #hands u a fic over half the length of the other THREE PARTS #ehe :]#is arle actually on ur side??? is she gonna double cross u???? who knows!!!!!#shes unpredictable she might stab u for funsies #anyway im gonna go nap in a ditch now this took SO LONGGGGG OH MY G-D #also just think acolytes who arent buddy buddy w reader and even resent them is so tasty #bc how r they supposed 2 know reader was a human vibing 5 minutes before their got eebied 2 teyvat..#reader gotta roll up their sleeves and get 2 WORK sometimes murder IS okay #they gotta fix some shit around here and that means committing several crimes all at once. sometimes more #a group can be g-d (just got here) their dragon (neuvi) their cat (archon) their dog (wrio) and their wolf (arle)

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thesoftestmess · 4 months

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this might not be canon, but personally i need furina to struggle a whole lot longer and harder with post-prophecy depression and mental illness. She's played the same tiring and painful act for five centuries, was constantly in a life or death scenario and had to hide her true self from the world the entire time and she won't just recover in a few years from that.

There's parts of her that will never ever be compatible with a simple human lifestyle, and parts of her that are irreparably broken. She isn't sure of her personality after everything that happened and the lie she had to live. She slips between personas and her archon temperament comes through like a defensive mechanism at any sign of conflict or trouble.

She's plagued by nightmares. Of the flood, of the trial, of the people closest to her conspiring against her behind her back, and of being found out in a million terrible ways. Of saying the wrong thing, making a wrong decision. Of being found out, of being found out, of being found out.

Lying or keeping a secret feels existential still. Being honest still feels life threatening sometimes. Putting herself first feels like putting both hands on a hot stove.

She doesn't live in the palais anymore, doesn't have to sit through trials anymore, but her heart and soul are still there. In her dreams she's still at the place she spent her entire life's memories at.

Yes, she can make new memories, but it'll take time. More time than she has, maybe, now that she's the closest to being human she'll ever be.

She'll never be human in the way the people around her are.

What sort of human has 500 years worth of memories after all? What human tells personal anecdotes and mixes up their centuries?

What sort of human can feel the absence of their divinity like it's a physical thing? A voice that will never speak to her again, or keep her alive? What human has no family, no childhood?

What human remembers so little, but still remembers death somewhere deep within?

She jerks out of sleep from it sometimes, gasping for air, and spends the rest of the night awake, almost frozen by fear. The flood is over, but it's hard to convince her racing heart that the danger is too.

Humans have entire family trees that go generations back, but Furina was put into this world a solitary creature, her blood heavy with sin ever since she turned human.

She owns a hydro vision now and doesn't know how to yield it, but the ocean still calls out to her some days. Sea creatures flock to her like they can smell she's not human enough.

She learns how to make little hydro companions for herself, so the darkness and emptiness of her apartment feels less ominous when she lies awake at night.

She can't turn her vision into a weapon quite yet, but when it rains the droplets seem to cling to her. She's watched them roll upwards along her arm, watched them gather in her palm like kin. She wonders if sea creatures flock to neuvillette in a similar way, or if his immense power makes them recoil. She wonders if elemental dragons can feel regret. Wonders if he, too, ever feels entirely foreign in that human body he was given. If he, too, lies awake trying to grasp faint memories of a past life.

She's extremely human in the way she's plagued by body pains from not being able to relax just one day in five centuries. The years catch up with her once she gets out of survival mode, and fatigue is a constant companion now. Sleep comes difficultly and getting out of bed was easier when the fate of a whole nation depended on it. On her. She's never lived for just herself before and some days she's not sure she wants to.

She did her duty and earned her retirement and the story turned out well, all things considered. She still has people by her side, some of them.

Still, she feels raw and tired and overwhelmed by the life lying ahead of her. As a human and as someone who will always be Something Else.

#you can have your perfectly competent fully healed hyper independent furina #if i can have my mess of a person multiply-disordered and trying her best furina #like i'm sorry but this babygirl can fit sooooo much ptsd and depression and personality disorder into her #that's a girl with lifelong chronic pain from not being allowed to relax for a day in five centuries #that's a girl who needs a teeth protector at night because she'd grind he #*them into a fine powder from all the tension she still holds #that's someone who gets so low so suddenly and loes all her joy in the matter of minutes #that's someone who wants to catch up on a lifetime of being human but is bone-deep exhausted #and crushed by fatigued #my disability beam went all over her like neuv's water gun #now she's sopping wet and shivering i'm sorry #genshin impact #furina #fari talks fic

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solargeist · 9 days

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yknow one of my original inspirations behind the Watchers being motherly was bloodborne ?

in one ending, she turns you into a weird large slug and you're essentially her eldritch child !

#LOOK AT HER.#bloodborne is about. Motherhood. Menstruation. Religious hold on society.#The Great Ones cant have children of their own.. so they impregnate humans in hopes of a child #<- much like how i write the watchers adopting humans as children :p #the lore for this game is saur good *goes crazy*#you have to eat a bunch of umbilical cords to get this ending. You're not even told to eat them #mergo's wet nurse was specifically the inspiration behind the designs

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hamartia-grander · 1 year

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And some more of my old posts edition

#Tried to get the saddest most pathetic wet dog looking Connor I could for this one #dbh #incorrect dbh #dbh connor #dbh hank #dbh fowler #dbh memes #detroit become human

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baylardian-1 · 2 months

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someone finding them skinny dipping in the lake on the science planet (architects of infinity)

#idk how to draw water is wet U________U;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;#make sure it dont look like nutt lmao #janeway in au having just had baby: ravish me chakotay #its been a few months haha #theyre literally so h*rny in this book its unreal #mostly i just wanted to draw her covering her bitties with her tail haha #let them be reckless and get caught fraternizing star trek authors PLEASE i am BEGGING #My Art #Threshold #AU #Kathryn Janeway #Chakotay #Star Trek: Voyager #Human #First Splinter Timeline #Architects of Infinity

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findafight · 1 year

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Venom/spiderman steddie but like. Steve has the codependent relationship with the symbiote (Robin) and Eddie is Spiderman who sells his own selfies because that's easy money. He sees Steve walking down the street talking to himself and buying forty pounds of chocolate and was like oh~? He's... deranged? Sounds like my kind of man!

Meanwhile Robin is like "Steve can we PLEASE eat that homophobes head. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE" And Steve, outloud says "ABSOLUTELY NO EATING PEOPLES HEADS ROBIN"

This does not deter Eddie who think having a no eating heads policy is a good thing.

#steddie #platonic stobin #stranger things #eddie munson #steve harrington #listen i get that both eddie munson and eddie brock are wet cats of men but the human/symbiote dynamic is stobin ok #either that or eddie is the synboote and its the fucked up codependent monsterfucker relationship of the comics god bless #steve is just the kind of guy aliens see and are like ohhhh im gonna latch onto his brain and not let go hehehe #finda's rambles #venom steve au

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cindersart · 1 year

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kaz getting friend jealous because everyone keeps buddying up to jesper is an underrated trope and i WILL NOT stand for this. i know deep in my heart that any time nina calls jesper her best friend or sturmhond/his crew asks jesper to join them, or some other grisha character is like 'wow u should come to ravka :)' kaz is looming in the background emanating strong 'get your own bestfriend!!!!!!' energy

#he needs to get his shit together n tell jesper theyre besties before jesper calls him a dork and leaves forever #which is what jesper deserves after the things kaz put him thru BUT thats another discussion #for now just consider how funny it is that jesper wins people over immediately and everyone wants to be his friend #vs the fact his best friend is the human embodiment of a feral wet cat #i should draw this probably

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changantichrist · 6 months

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I made Crowley and Aziraphale in Legoland

(I took Aziraphale btw. I thought "cute story parallel".)

#there weren't any books so i was like #“wait like crowley thinks humans fall in love if you get them wet in the rain”#*gives aziraphale an umbrella*#good omens #aziraphale good omens #aziraphale #crowley #crowley good omens #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #lego #legoland

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manglam-marfach · 1 month

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dyke!Chilaios has me understanding breeding kink all of a sudden

#chilaios #that's a lie i understand breeding kink very well lmao #HOWEVER IT MUST BE SAID #they finish up a great scene. hot lesbian sex. all going well.#and laios lies back with her eyes closed. still flushed and sweaty. she rests her naked hand on her naked lower stomach and says. 'hah....#'did you know ...that tallmen and halflings can have kids together?' Like its just another fun monster fact.#she's trailing her fingers absentmindedly over her stomach now. tracing idle patterns.#'with our lifespans being so similar it isn't even as big a deal as it is for elves and humans. they're even fertile and that's ...#that's really rare for hybrids.' her eyes are still closed. she swallows hard. She's more red now than she was when they fucked.#'you should talk about that next time you're in me. i'd like it...' and she cracks one eye open a sliver #to see chilchuck . BEET. RED.#because Chilchuck DID NOT. KNOW.#She was already fucked out and now she's dying?? she's dying. Laios still has her huge hand resting on her huge smooth stomach #miles and miles of soft skin...that she wants chilchuck to put a BABY in #she's thought about the hypothetical lifespan and safety of the hypothetical baby! is this just a sex thing? is this a for real thing?#chilchuck does not know and does not know which one she's hoping for now!! cause both sound GREAT #AND OF COURSE THERE'S ALSO #chilchuck remembering that conversaion next time Laios's huge huge fingers are inside her. Laios's hot wet breathing by her ear.#Laios's breathing going ragged even though no one is touching HER she is the one toying with Chilchuck right now. She always does that.#between the breathing and the fingers and the warmth and the smell Laios is all around her and she just thinks -#'Laios is so huge. Laios's baby would be so huge. I'd be so huge. Pregnant with it.' And she cums.#rattles her to her fucking core. Chilchuck who HAS BEEN PREGNANT BEFORE realising. holy shit.#i want this fluffy haired socially awkward 26 year old doggirl to . to fuck a baby into me. in a sexy way.#i think . I think it's hot.#enough to turn you to drink isn't it!#u may ask - hey how come chilchuck has a girlcock and has got pregnant? can laios get chilchuck pregnant?#does anyone even have a womb in this situation? I may answer - don't worry about it #a wizard did it. whatever. its a fantasy world.#whatever is sexiest in the moment i don't care #lesbiance

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carnivalcarriondiscarded · 8 months

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Wait holdup what’s this about Howdy’s shop burning down and nearly taking him with it?? (talking about human au)

oh yeah lmfao it caught fire

it wasn't like... foul play or anything. in my mind it was some sort of electrical failure or bizarre accident. like a lightning strike! actually wait i like that lightning strike idea bc then it could be Raining for this very dramatic scene and i do love me some rain juxtaposing fire <3

and Howdy would've been fine! he got all of his employees and customers out of the building, including himself. he handed them off to Barnaby & Wally, who had been swinging by for dinner with fantastic timing (the fire department was just then arriving). then, like an idiot, Howdy went right back inside the Very On Fire building!

bc, ok, he lives in his store. specifically, above it. the ground floor is the store, then there's a staircase going up to an apartment. and naturally, Howdy was not gonna abandon all of his / the store's legal documents (also his coupon stash) to burn.

so in his mind he was like "yeah ill just pop in, grab these very important files, and then get out. easy!". babe, you're giving Barnaby & Wally a heart attack. that's what you're doing. dumbass (affectionate)

but yeah he's in there, in the burning building, smoke everywhere. meanwhile outside firefighters (and Wally) have to physically hold Barnaby back from going in after Howdy, even though a few more firefighters already went in to find him. its all very dramatic! blah blah blah the front door becomes unusable, blah blah blah the apartment windows explode due to thermal stress & also bc i want them to, etc etc

long story short the firefighters get Howdy out through the back, and mostly unscathed at that! ofc smoke inhalation is a thing, he's got some minor cuts and burns, but it's really not that bad! lucky bastard! he gets taken to the hospital to get treated & make sure he's fine, and he is.

naturally he stays with Barnaby & Wally for a while. he doesn't have a say in the matter lol he was planning on getting a motel room or somethin, but Barnaby picked him up from the hospital, took him home, and went "alright the guest room is ready for you we can go shopping tomorrow for anything you need, you live here now". good thing Howdy rescued his coupons!

the fire damage to the building is, thankfully, mostly cosmetic. it takes a while to clean & fix it, but Howdy has great friends and a wonderful community to help out! everyone chips in, some fundraisers happen, Wally sells some Darling™️ Exclusives™️, etc. long story short they get the store back up & running, and with some new bells and whistles to go with it!

#the scene is Very Vivid in my head #i had to sneak some action drama in there somewhere!!!!#what better than a building fire!! what can i say! im a sucker for the #'character watches person they love run straight into danger & is unable to follow them'#'and so is forced to watch in terror unsure if the loved one will make it out alive'#trope!!! its damn good!!! ill never tire of it!!!#the rain glittering in the firelight! the red-blue of emergency lights! glass raining down! wet pavement & black smoke!#its about The Visuals!!#i think my favorite part of the Brain Scene is when they get howdy out & he's like. half collapsed on the curb w/ an oxygen mask #and barnaby is Hovering! very freaked out but also immensely relieved! as soon as he learns theyre taking howdy to the hospital #he sprints to his car to go follow the ambulance!!#(in my mind julie eddie and sally had shown up & wally stayed with them to answer questions / keep an eye on things)#but yeah! drama Babey!!!#rambles from the bog #wh modern human au #i feel so bad for howdy lmfao #like... that store is his Everything and it got crispied. so did his home. and pretty much all his possessions #i also feel very bad for barnaby! he has a bad year bc of Two Incidents!#barnaby 'if one more person i love winds up injured in the hospital im going to Lose It' b. beagle #barnaby: well that whole fire thing was a disaster but we're all okay <3 with any luck there'll be no more hospital visits <3 #wally: im about to end this mans whole career-#ough and the arc of howdy living with them for a bit.... ougggghhhh #bc he & barns are in that 'our mutual feelings are unspoken but we both Know' inbetween state #its like a trial run for their future lmfao #except. a depressed trial run. bc howdy is very fucking upset about losing his Home & Possessions #a piece of the world he'd carved out for himself that was His and no one else's #he has a period of pushing through with an 'everything is fine i can work w this' pained grin and emotional avoidance #until obviously he hits a wall and Crashes. depressy spaghetti time!#he'll be fine but he doesn't feel like it for a while <3 good thing he's got awesome friends to keep him afloat <3

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