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chocolate-parfait · 3 years

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Hiii! I saw that your requests are open, and I want to ask for a Mozart scenario 👉👈. MC/Reader (whichever you prefer) has gone back to her time for a long time (even tho she wasn’t planning for long) but when she comes back she also has Mozart’s kid in her arms (but everyone knows before him coz he is obviously at his piano lmao). So the residents plan to surprise him? If it’s too specific feel free to ignore this. Make sure you sleep sufficiently and drink some water😗😗 thank u in advance :)

Sorry it took me so long! I barely had the time to sleep this past month😳 I hope it was worth the wait-

A gift from Fate - Ikemen Vampire (Mozart)

“I don’t think we should listen in on them...” The cherry haired man whispered.

“Shh Ai-chan. Mozie-kun might hear us!”

“Tofu lover here is right, old Newt. And how could we pass up a chance of seeing that cold-hearted wolf shed a tear or two? It’s a once in a lifetime occasion!” Added the writer, resting his left hand on the scientist’s shoulder.

“Ugh, why did I even ask you two, of all people... Sebastian, tell them something already!” Isaac lamented once more.

“Unfortunately, Master Isaac, I’m afraid to say I’m quite curious myself to see Master Mozart’s reaction. It’s for scientific purpose, after all.”

“For what?” Nine pairs of eyes flew to the butler’s figure.

“Oh, nevermind that.”

"Leonardo, would you mind throwing your cigar away? They'll catch the smell of it" Comte’s placid tone filled the small space.

"What, you curious too, "Comte"? Heh, as his majesty desires" Leonardo complied, putting out his cigarillo against the ground with a dramatic gesture, gaining a displeased glance from the nobleman.

"...thank you. Oh, I believe he's almost there. Everybody, please be quiet."

As their sire spoke these words, all the vampires got closer to the small opening of the door. Some could barely see anything, but the wooden surface was thin enough to let any and all sounds reach the hidden listeners’ attentive ears.

The person that had them all hidden in a small storage room adjacent to the parlor was none other than Mozart. The love of his life had just returned from the future with a surprise of a companion glued to her side, but the man was yet to show his face. He had been, as always ever since her departure a couple of years before, focused on composing his tunes, now devoid of their old brightness and tempo, just like the composer himself.

It was as clear as day that, although his external composure remained unchanged, his heart had decided to freeze himself, a thick layer of frozen indifference to hide a pain akin to that of being torn in half, cruelly and mercilessly. Whenever he let his guards down even the slightest bit, he found himself on a battlefield over which time had no influence whatsoever, and where the ice and snow perfectly preserved the destruction and desolation born from his loss. The blood from a still fresh and open wound laid on the ground, as strong winds hit him with the warm whispers of a long-lost sun, nowhere to be seen.

That was the devastated state in which his being was left in, unaware of the sympathetic smile Fate was now offering him.

That day, a mysterious note found its way between the pianist’s hands, the words “Meet me at 18.00 in the parlor. It’s a matter of utmost importance” written in an impeccable cursive of other times, clearly belonging to one of the many inhabitants of the mansion. When it came to such intimate business, they usually preferred keeping a certain distance from unfolding events, but seeing the hesitation and fear of rejection on the woman’s face, they had all agreed to lend her a hand and give a little pull on the red string that connected the two lovers.

As punctual as ever, when the clock’s hands moved to the predetermined time, Mozart knocked stiffly on the door, finally making his entrance in the scene.

Barely two steps in the room and he found himself stuck in place, incredulous eyes fixed on the feminine figure in front of him. His violet eyes immediately found her face, and his body moved towards hers, attracted by an invisible force that had kept them tied to each other in spite of time and space. She was still as beautiful as he remembered, though his feverish dreams and hazy memories couldn’t hold a candle to the real her.

As impatience shook his body with a strong wave of trembles, with a quick movement he trapped her in a soul-crushing embrace that overflowed with all his longing and love; as his arms tightly caged her to his torso, he nuzzled her neck, finding her warm skin with the cold tip of his nose.

One deep inhale, then another. And another one.

She smelled divine.

Oh, how he had missed that dazzlingly sweet scent, those soft locks tickling his pale cheeks now flush with various emotions, that small pair of arms circling his body and squeezing him tightly. Was this a dream? Had he finally reached the afterlife for a second time? If so then he didn’t want to go back. If living in an illusion meant being with her then he was ready to throw away the real world with no second thoughts. But this, this was real. His mind had already acknowledged it, leaving the heart behind to process its own feelings.

“Meine Geliebte-” (my beloved)

“Mozart-”

They said in unison, voices mixing with harmony in a euphonious melody.

As he pulled back a little to look her in the eyes, a small voice came from behind her body. “Mama...” When Mozart lowered his eyes to meet the small figure’s, he was met with a small child, around 4 or 5 years of age. Before his thoughts could even reach the idea of betrayal, he couldn’t help but notice how every single feature, although still not fully developed, was a mixture of one of his and his lover’s own. The similarity was painfully clear, but once more the brain outrun the heart, and Mozart felt his heartbeat fall to his stomach.

“This is...” The woman started with a wavering voice, maybe from the emotion or perhaps because of insecurity. “This is our son, Charles.”

“Our... son...?” The pianist slowly repeated, trying to give more time to his now nearly-exploding heart.

Bending down to meet those violet orbs so similar to his own, he smiled fondly, reaching a hand out to slowly caress the boy’s head. As he did so, a myriad of realizations hit Mozart like a carriage running at full speed. He could not believe he had missed his son’s birth, his first steps, his first words. The fruit of their love, a life born out of their union. No amount of apologies and care could give him back all that, and the thought brought tears to his eyes.

“Papa! No leave Mama anymore!” The boy suddenly pleaded as he threw himself between his father’s arms. Oh, but of course he wouldn't. How could he? Not anymore. He wasn’t so stupid as to let that damned door separate them again, and not even God could part them anymore. But would the boy understand? He was but a stranger to him, and he did commit the terrible mistake of letting the only person he truly cared for slip away from his grasp once, so how could he blame him for having such thoughts?

“No, I won't. I promise you.” Placing a warm hand on his son's back, maybe as a way to seal his vow, he brought the small, trembling body closer to his chest, trying with all his might to instill in him the sense of security that only a father's embrace can give.

After silently witnessing the whole scene in solemn silence and stillness, smiles and some tears bloomed on the woman and the secret onlookers' faces. As the child shakily whimpered in his finally-found paternal figure's neck, his mother kneeled by his side, where Mozart's arm took her in as he pressed a chaste kiss on her lips. Their passionate reunion could wait for later that night, now all that mattered was being together, aware of each other's presence, warmth and smell. That was more than enough. “Thank you for coming back. Thank you for giving me another chance.”

Unfortunately for them though, an interruption soon came to disturb their peace. Low whispers came from behind the door, and the pianist's trained ear caught them with no effort.

"Woohoo, that was a good one, Wolfie!"

"Shouldn't we just go already? If he were to catch us he'd go on a rampage"

"Still, I wish I could give him a round of applause! It was really moving~"

Mozart turned his violet eyes, now chilly with cold annoyance, towards the source of the hushed voices, silencing them immediately. Though he would have to thank them for the note, he knew they wouldn't have let him hear the end of it with their teasing comments and jokes. Before his thoughts could take the highway to a possible massacre, Charles' brought his attention back to where it belonged.

"Papa... can you show me your piano?"

Such a simple request brought spring into his heart, once plunged into a state of eternal winter. Feeling his every cell overflowing with love and gratitude he simply nodded, adding: "Sure, shall we go?"

Well, his revenge could wait for later. Now he had a lot of catching up to do, both with his love and son, and making them wait longer was definitely unacceptable.

Perhaps Fate had truly decided to be a little kinder to him in his second life.

#my writing #ikevamp scenarios #ikevamp imagines #ikevamp headcanons #ikemen vampire #ikevamp mozart #wolfgang amadeus mozart #answered

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peonypearls-muddled-musings · 4 years

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PDatSK rough draft - Chapter 1 - Unwelcome Visitors

The frost was soon approaching. Which would mean less hunts.

But today; oh today proved to be a very worthwhile excursion.

Crouching in a wooded outlook, handing a set of binoculars to his eldest child, King Rinwey grinned at the sight just out of reach.

"Happy early birthday to me." He grinned.

Crown prince Colme looked upon the prize: a camp.

A Shifter camp.

On Rinwey's other side, his daughter, Vuniper, smirked. "You're that excited, huh?"

"I haven’t seen many camps in a while; I was worried they’d started getting smart enough to wander through under the radar. It's my obligation to find and get rid of any and all Shapeshifters that I can."

"Yeah, but you're, like... excited-excited," she said, wriggling her fingers to prove her point. “I haven’t seen you this awake before breakfast in a long time.”

Rinwey chuckled. "Perhaps I am. You all should be too."

Colme, passing the binoculars to his twin brother, Olerqus, stared into the distance, his naturally bored expression unchanging. "Is this why you called us out so early?"

"Colme, you're going to be king one day. I want you to be prepared for this part of your royal duty."

"Rounding up a bunch of scared vagrants?" Asked Colme.

His siblings went silent as Rinwey's expression remained unchanged.

"Colme," Rinwey said; "I've told you everything. The histories; including our family's history- with them."

"Dad, we could be addressing real problems in town!"

"This IS a real problem, Colme!" Rinwey barked, standing up without another thought. "You know better than to question this."

"Look at them!" Colme said. "It's been two hundred years, what power do they have over us now?"

"One Shapeshifter was enough to rally the rest and send us into hiding. One shapeshifter was enough to ruin every life on earth for over a hundred thousand years. There is nothing to question, Colme. You know what needs to be done."

Colme looked away, snatching the binoculars from Olerqus as he looked once more at the campsite. He watched them through the lenses as his father talked to his siblings. A campfire was bright enough for him to see their shabby tents rippling in the October breeze. Five tents to be exact. Four small children huddled around the campfire, joined by a two adults as they held sticks over the fire. Another was out fishing on the rocks just feet away from the tents. Another was mending clothes. No doubt others were still asleep in the tents.

These were the ones the history books damned?

"I can make the call, dad," Olerqus said. Pleased, Rinwey handed him the phoning device.

"Good show. What do you think, Colme? Are you ready to make the strike?"

Peeling the binoculars from his eyes, Colme sighed, handing them to Vuniper as she peered through again.

"Fine. Whatever. The sooner we finish this, the sooner I can get back to my actual studies."

Rinwey laughed, and he gently, but happily, shook his heir's shoulders. "That's my boy!" he said before turning to his second son. "Go on, Olerqus."

Olerqus dialed the number for the Gathering Forces, offering the location of the targets. In the meantime, Vuniper was seen giving her horse an extra bit of oats while Colme stood off to the side. Rinwey joined him.

"I know this doesn't seem like pressing business, Colme. But one day... one day you'll understand. For the good of Gelleshire; for the good of the world. I want you all to be prepared."

Colme stood, unwavering; in a way mirroring his father. "I know," he answered. "... I know."

Rinwey returned to his spot in the center as Olerqus finished the call. "We'll surround them. Vuniper, you'll ride in on the left with Olerqus. Colme, you're with me on the right." Rinwey then turned to his horse and he reached into a pack built into his steed's harness, where he pulled out six small spheres. He set them on the ground and pulled back his sleeve, and, with a tap of his watch, a screen appeared. With a few taps of the display, the tiny machines on the ground lit up, and he used a precise swipe of the display to guide them out from their nook, down the hill, and into position, surrounding the camp. He then faced his children."On your steed."

The family mounted their rides, and Rinwey, his eyes dangerously on the camp, prepared for one last use of the display on his watch. "On my count."

****

The fire crackled, searing the fish that were skewered through with hand-sharpened sticks. As the fire popped, one of the children looked up at the closest adult.

"When are we getting there?" They asked, their hands hovering above the warmth of the fire.

The guardian sighed. "It won't be today; but hopefully soon. We need to leave this territory by noon," he said, pulling one of the sticks off of the spit and inspecting the meat. As he did, one of the smaller children looked over the fire and lept up. "Where are you going?" He asked, but the child grinned, pointing by the tents.

"I see a roly poly!"

The guardian sighed. "Alright, but don't wander further than the rocks!" He said before shaking his head. He gave the fish a tentative nibble before handing the skewer to the boy next to him.

A strange clatter caught his attention, and he immediately took guard; but nothing was to be seen. His eyes darted around, and he heard the girl's laughter over by the tents. He turned to see her leaning over to pick something up-

"Val'ki! LEAVE IT-"

Before the child could heed warning; what she'd mistaken for a bug stopped. A blue pulsing flash nearly blinded her, and her outstretched hand became the victim of a forcefield beam, searing her skin as she screamed. The forcefields joined, surrounding the tents, cutting off the fisherman's line.

As the guardian rushed to Val'ki's aid, they all could see what was happening. A thunder of hooves racing towards them; at the center, one with a billowing red cape and regal attire charged towards the camp; behind them was a decorated Gathering Troupe; well recognized by the camp.

The Guard's heart dropped. They'd been found.

As the stampede halted in front of one of the facets of the forcefield, the man in the center dismounted his horse. He activated a display from his wrist, opened a section of the wall and made an entrance for himself and the rest. He sauntered in, looking around at the meager group, silent as the fire continued to crackle, unchanged in the sudden turn of events.

"Good morning," King Rinwey greeted, his hands folding behind his back. "At least, it is for me. I'm... dreadfully sorry to have to cut your excursion short, but; I am afraid you're on my territory. And I don't take kindly to your... kind."

"Please, sir. We don't mean any harm," the guard begged, holding onto Val'Ki as she cried, her hand still searing.

"Not yet, at least." Rinwey hummed. "I know your lot."

"You don't know us!" Shouted the fisherwoman. "You just use your power to bully us around!"

Rinwey stared at her, his eyes wide with entertainment; then his cackling erupted. "You mean like your kind did to us?! For tens of thousands of years?! Your ancestors forced us into their servitude, or into solitude, or into death?! But you have the nerve to come at us?!"

"We seek peace; please."

"Then you sought in the wrong place."

"We're just passing through!"

"I don't care." Rinwey looked back at his children, who watched the scene unfold. Rinwey then turned to the Gathering Forces. "Apprehend them."

The forces didn't hesitate. They stepped forward, cuffing the group violently. Rinwey watched, unflinching as the group was forced against the rocks; unflinching as the Guard cried out for Val'ki as were separated, unflinching as Val'Ki screamed in pain as the Gatherers mistreated her injured hand. The camp was brought forth and forced to kneel in front of Rinwey. He stared down at them, his face illuminated by the fire. His ice blue eyes stared down at the Shifters; remorseless and calm as his children walked forward to join him in the sentencing.

"I don't know what possessed you to take shelter on my land; but maybe the corpse of your camp will come to serve as a warning for your fellow demons."

"We've never hurt anyone! Please!" The man seen mending clothes begged. "How do you justify this?!"

Rinwey glowered at him.

"With the eradication of your kind, my father's death will be avenged. As will the brainwashing of my first betrothed. But they are mere drops in the bucket of what your kind wrought upon earth. And you will all suffer the wrath of the humans that your forefathers treated like dogs, generation after generation. So; enjoy your coming trip." Rinwey finally smiled. "And say hello to my sister Thanoelle. She'll be taking you to your new home. So, enjoy Hell, my friends."

More screams; more pleading as the Gatherers forcefully escorted the Shifters away. Rinwey watched as they were gathered and forced into a closed carriage. He smiled, and sighed before turning towards the camp. He gathered a bucket and some streamwater and doused the flames.

"Good job, all of you," he said, turning off the forcefield; the hums they'd grown accustomed to evaporated, and suddenly the sounds of the stream and forest chirped and babbled back to their ears. "That was our biggest hunt in a while. Your mother will be so proud of you all." Rinwey beamed, gathering his children in for a loose hug. "Hadleinn will wish he'd been here."

Colme stared at the carriage as it rode out of sight, even while his father's arms were around him.

"Can we have crepes for breakfast?" Vuniper asked as they began walking back to their horses, pulling her father's arm over her shoulders. Rinwey laughed and held her tight to his side.

"Anything for you three this morning."

**** "We're home!" Vuniper shouted as the four of them returned the palace's living quarters. By now the sunshine was pouring golden through the windowed walls, easily filtering through now that there weren't any leaves to hinder the rays with the coming of winter.

With a creak from Queen Pellnique's chair at her office nook, she smiled, walking to greet her husband and three of her four children home.

"Finally! I was worried!" She said, scooping her husband's features into her hands, leading him to a kiss that he eagerly took, along with Pellnique's body close to his.

"Nothing to be worried about," he smiled. "We had everything under control the whole time. The kids are naturals."

"Hey!" Another voice called out as young Hadleinn barreled down the stairway. He instantly latched himself to his father's cloak. "You said I could go!"

"Hadleinn, you refused to wake up," Pellnique reminded the boy. The youngest prince pouted, puffing his cheeks as he sulked. Rinwey simply ruffled his strawberry blond hair, the same shade as his mother's.

"Next time, son," he promised.

Pellnique's attention landed on her children; her twin sons and daughter, beaming. "What was it like?"

"Surreal" Olerqus said. "I haven't seen that many shifters up close."

Hadleinn bounced up to them. "Did they change? Did you see them turn into anything?"

"No." Colme quickly answered. "They didn't... they weren't doing anything." He said suddenly, retiring up to his room. Pellnique watched him walk upstairs, uninterested in the conversation at hand. "I'm going to be studying."

Hadleinn ignored him and looked up at Olerqus and Vuniper. "What did you see?"

"It was a whole camp," Olerqus said, his hands painting the picture. "Out on Cobble Beach; must'a been about twenty of them."

"Twenty!" Pellnique gasped. "That's the biggest camp you've taken in quite a few years," she said, looking at Rinwey.

"They're getting bolder." Rinwey said, sitting on the arm of the sofa. "But they won't get past me. I won't let them into the kingdom."

"One of them thought dad's force-bot was a plaything," Vuniper snickered as her father laughed. "About took her hand off."

Pellnique's expression waned as she looked down at Hadleinn; a 'plaything' meant a child; but she smiled for her husband. "Why do you think we're seeing so many?"

"It's getting colder. That; and I fear a certain neighbor of ours may be harboring them."

"You don't think he'd do that?! He's already under so much scrutiny just for being one of them!" Pellnique gasped.

Rinwey's expression turned dangerous.

"Trust me. He's not as innocent as he makes himself out to be."

#PDatSK #my writing #this is probably going to be added onto in the future #but for now it does it's job

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birger-wuvs-elsa · 5 years

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Shadow ~ FE3H One Shot

Edelgard dragged me along again, but honestly, I kinda conspired with her this time around.

Enjoy.

Shadow had followed her for as long as she could remember.

Edelgard did not know who it was, nor even what it was. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d seen it out of the corner of her vision. She’d just happen to spy her shadow, only to realize it was far too big, far too muscled, and far too tall to be her own. But every time she realized, and would look to the strange shadow, Edelgard would just see her own.

Thus did her young self dub them Shadow.

As a child, she had very much enjoyed Shadow’s company. When she read a book, she could feel a presence look over her shoulder and read with her. She’d even read slowly, just in case Shadow wasn’t as fast as she was. When Edelgard would practice her dancing, if she ever did so alone, she would feel the air before her shudder as if she had a tall partner join her.

Edelgard knew better than to let slip the presence of her strange companion. Even as a child, she never thought it wise to inform the adults about her invisible friend she called ‘Shadow’. She both preferred not to suffer the looks they’d give her, but a jealous part of her enjoyed Shadow’s exclusive attentions. The simple fact that no one else saw signs of Shadow’s presence, but Edelgard clearly could…

They only wanted her to know them, and that made her small chest swell with pride.

As she grew, Shadow remained close at hand, no matter where her family ended up taking her. The assurance that her companion was not just some localized phenomenon greatly comforted Edelgard. She truly had come to cherish Shadow’s friendship throughout her childhood. Even as the young Hubert became her vassal, and as such a physical shadow that trailed behind her, the Shadow that eclipsed them both still held a special place in her heart.

Which would make the tragic events that would soon befall her all the worse.

Growing up, Shadow would occasionally disappear and spend time on their own. Edelgard grew to understand that they simply wanted to strike out on their own every once in a while, and explore. Even as a child, Edelgard was all right with this; after all, imaginary friends didn’t leave of their own accord, they were always where you imagined they would be. Since she always wished that Shadow remained close, their autonomy further proved the tangibility of her companion.

So it came at poor timing that Shadow was missing when Edelgard’s suffering began. During that dark and painful time, Shadow had seemingly never returned, even when she thought they should’ve. Edelgard did not know if her friend feared the horrid people that tortured her so, or if they had some shell that prevented their presence. Throughout all the agonizing pain of the experiments inflicted on her, she begged for Shadow to come back. Edelgard would be loathe to admit it in her elder years, but one could call her silent pleas for Shadow’s return prayer.

But strangely enough…it seemed to work. As if her inward calls actually reached them, Shadow found her just as the arduous experiments came to an end. Whether they were freer with their feelings, or their strange bond was stronger, it didn’t really matter; all Edelgard cared about in the wake of her pain was that she could feel Shadow’s own. They were beyond shocked to find her as they did, and she could all but feel their sorrow and their guilt.

Shadow didn’t leave her side again for the next several years.

The days of the Academy were an especially fascinating time for them both. Shadow seemed strangely shy for a being who could show signs of their presence to only Edelgard, and she found new ways to interact with them without being caught. Quiet, stolen moments with a book in the library, silent exchanges in the cafeteria that none could understand, and whispered good nights and phantom hair strokes before sleep. Though tenuous with the undercurrent of Edelgard’s plans, Shadow kept to their word, and never left her side once.

But it was when the new professor arrived that things…changed.

For the first time ever, Edelgard’s gaze was stolen away from her Shadow.

For several months, her focus was on her studies, and even then, she was often distracted by the new teacher. True to their promise, Shadow remained close, and what times Edelgard paid attention, the air about her when they were near seemed…oddly gleeful, especially when she was with Byleth. She pointedly ignored it, though it did please a part of her that Shadow seemed to approve of her teacher. She dared not share Shadow with Byleth yet, though to her surprise, she often considered it.

Even poor Hubert didn’t get such consideration.

Beyond the abnormality that was Byleth, and the confusion that seemed to bring her, Edelgard’s time with Shadow remained mostly unchanged. The only real change seemed to be that, to both her surprise and delight, Shadow was taking a more physical presence. They toyed with her curtains, fluffed her pillows when no one was looking, and even pulled up her blanket as she slept.

It was especially nice when Edelgard had a quiet moment alone, Hubert standing guard as always, but giving her privacy. She’d bring out her chess set and set it up, then make her turn. All she had to do was wait, and watch as the other side’s pieces slowly moved along the board on their own. Edelgard would almost smile, always so comforted by seeing the pieces move and the assurance that her childhood was not a dream. The game would continue, and to her delight, the outcome was never certain. She would win most of the games, but that was not always the case; either Shadow would somehow force a draw, or to Edelgard’s shock and joy, even win once in a while.

This enjoyable routine soon found itself with a shadow of another sort over it, however. As Edelgard’s plans continued, and Shadow remained ever close through it all, she often wondered what they thought of everything. What they thought, what they wanted, why they were even here at all? Why did Shadow follow her all this time? Why did they even care?

...who are they?

One day, however, Edelgard got her answer.

After a long day of class, as the sun set and everyone went about their evening, Edelgard eagerly returned to her room. She was just a touch sore and tired, having overly exerted herself during spars and training. It was all the better, of course; if she was going to succeed, she had to be at her best. She’d been somewhat distracted, however, over the course of the day.

Shadow was missing.

They hadn’t been missing since that time, and so their absence had bothered Edelgard just enough that she struggled to contain it. The day before had ended the same as all others, there was no sign that something was amiss. As Edelgard made to turn into the night, she paused and stared at the table by her window.

The chess board was sitting out…she’d put it away last night, and hadn’t touched it all day.

Edelgard approached the board slowly, and kept her senses keen for any disturbances. Whether it was Shadow or something else, she would not be caught off guard. As she got closer to the board, it came to her attention that not all of the pieces were out. Only two of them were, set side by side atop a folded piece of paper. The White Queen and the Black Knight, with the former oddly set slightly in front of the Knight to its side.

Or perhaps…the Knight stood behind its Queen…

Gently, almost reverently, Edelgard set the pieces aside on the board—she even took the care to keep them together, out of some strange sentimental urge. She lifted the note and carefully unfolded it, only to drop it upon seeing letters scrawled on it. Edelgard turned to scan her room, but frowned when it was clear that she was alone.

She took a shoring breath and looked back down at the note as she picked it up again. The handwriting was somehow both bold and rushed, a hand so confident that it wrote too quickly. As she read it, a tumultuous storm of emotions ignited in her chest.

Edelgard, follow my pull and come to the steeple roof. It’s about time that you and I properly spoke; I owe you an explanation, after all.

~With love,

Your Shadow

A slight tremble took to her hand before she stilled it. Shadow wanted to speak? Face to face? Why now, after all this time? Was it because of her plans…did they want to talk her out of it? No, with a purse of her lips, Edelgard knew that wasn’t the case. If Shadow disapproved, they would’ve made it clear well before she’d reached this stage.

They wanted to explain themselves…a lifetime spent not questioning their presence, and now, all the answers she never asked questions for were at her feet. Or, they would be, once she followed Shadow to their chosen spot.

As soon as Edelgard set the note down, she felt a gentle pull at her shoulder. She turned with it, and saw a dark phantom shape on the wood of her door. It was so tall, it had to crouch for its totality to be seen. The shadow was too muddled to make out, but Edelgard’s heart stuttered as she realized what it was.

Then she blinked, and it was gone.

Edelgard rushed out the door, and swiftly looked both ways down the hall. She saw nothing, but then felt another pull on her shoulder. She followed it, just as they asked, and continued to follow both the pull and the phantom silhouettes until she reached whatever destination Shadow desired.

It was, indeed, one of the large steepled roofs of the monastery. This particular one was large enough that its angle was not too steep to be climbed. Edelgard had heard tale of many rebellious, adventurous students who dared each other or themselves to climb to the top and watch the sunset. But on this night, the sun had already set and the moon lit Edelgard’s climb to the enormous beam that stretched across the height of the roof.

Just as Edelgard was about to reach it, her foot slipped, and her eyes widened in dread. She threw out one of her hands to try and get traction on the tiles of the roof…only to have the hand be grabbed by someone else’s. With their hold as an anchor, Edelgard managed to get her footing and catch her breath. Relieved that she wouldn’t have to explain herself to everyone, she looked up at the hand that held her own.

Her eyes widened as she realized the hand holding her own was so very larger, what felt like a hand was merely fingertips.

Edelgard followed the crimson digits thicker than a halberd’s pole, to the black palm that eclipsed her own like the sun dwarfed the moon. All of it was blacker than the night sky, an abyssal skin that felt like living metal. Farther along, the arm as thick as a small tree, covered with more of the black, jagged metal-like skin, the black occasionally broken by streaks of red or gold. The arm more muscled than all the boys in the monastery combined flowed up into a shoulder that made a stone look insignificant, into a chest that blocked out the moon entirely from Edelgard’s vision.

And atop that chest, a vast head…the head of a dragon.

Bright blue eyes flecked with gold shone in the shadowed expanse of the beast’s face, shrouded by the shadow it made with the moon at its back. A crimson mane crowned it, enormous bull horns of gold swept forward out of it, and above huge ears that looked somewhere between those of a horse and a bat. The long snout curled into a smile, the gentleness of which defied the grand, fierce visage that it bore.

The beast inclined its head to Edelgard, its long chin brushing the metal-skinned chest beneath.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you properly, Edelgard.”

The deep, gentle baritone of its voice struck a chord inside of her, like she’d heard it before, and yet this was the first time it graced her ears. As the man-dragon carefully pulled her up onto the steadiness of the steeple’s beam, Edelgard looked up—way, way up, the entity was massively tall—and narrowed her eyes as she met its own.

“…Shadow?”

The fluffy red eyebrows above its eyes curved upwards as it smiled sheepishly.

“Aye, the one and only.”

Edelgard stared for a moment before she shook her head.

“This can’t be…what are you? A dragon?”

Shadow nodded, their smile still rather shy as they scratched the back of their mane.

“Of a sort, yes, I am.”

Edelgard narrowed her eyes up at them.

“Of a sort? You have the bearing of a man, but the head of a dragon…that is a rather unique sort of dragon to be.”

The dragon sighed as they nodded, and carefully made to sit down on the steeple beam. They let their long legs stretch out down the roof’s tiles, and it was then Edelgard realized the lower half of their legs were also more draconic than human. They had no tail, it seemed, and with a sigh of her own Edelgard crouched down to sit beside Shadow. Even sitting down, they towered over her, even the mere top half of their badly greatly outreaching her own height.

After a few moments of silence, thankfully not ruined by the revelation of Shadow’s appearance, they finally spoke.

“I am a god, Edelgard.”

Time itself seemed to halt as Shadow’s words hit her, and she held terribly still. All of her frustration and anger at the church and the gods it revolved around bubbled dangerously in her chest, and she struggled to keep it at bay. This was Shadow, her Shadow, the friend she’d known since she was a little girl…

…right?

Without looking to them, she whispered so softly she barely even heard herself.

“You can’t be…”

A gentle huff of a half-hearted laugh from them.

“Can I not?”

“You can’t be a god…you care.”

She saw them move out of her peripheral, and knew they had glanced her way. The following silence hardly lasted another heartbeat before Shadow spoke again.

“I know nothing of your gods, Edelgard, but I am a god myself and you’re right…I do care.”

Her fists clenched and lips pursed, and she glared coolly up at them.

“Do you? Truly? And yet you allowed so much to occur? To this world, to my family, to–“

Her voice caught in her throat, and Edelgard looked away. But before she could stew in her grief and frustration any longer, Shadow softly spoke again…and their words seethed with an undercurrent of an emotion she couldn’t quite place.

“…it is not my place to decide what happens in this world, Edelgard. I swear to you, had I the authority, had I the influence, had I the thrice damned power I once did, your hair would still have been the sweet brown I once wished to touch.”

Edelgard’s eyes widened and she looked back up at them, and almost leaned back at the burning intensity in their eyes. It was anger, but not at her…no, she knew her Shadow, they would never be angry at her. But then who could possibly be on the receiving end of this fire? The longer they stared at one another, however, the clearer it became.

Shadow was angry with themself.

“What…do you mean, the power you once did? You lost power?”

Shadow raised a mighty paw, and stared down at it before they slowly curled it into a tight fist. Sparks of fire and lightning pulsed and zapped across the metallic, abyssal sheen of their skin. But…for a god, it was…oddly small of a show.

“I am not of this world, Edelgard…I came here, searching for someone precious. But it was far more costly than I ever could’ve imagined.”

Edelgard tilted her head as she regarded her friend, and felt a strange urge come about her. She slowly reached out with a hand, and braved her own hesitations and gently set it on Shadow’s great arm. She expected the metallic appearance of their armor-like skin to indicate a cold touch, but rather Shadow radiated heat like a small, dying star.

“Shadow…you…came here? From another world entirely?”

They stared at their fist for another moment, before they looked down at her hand on their arm and sighed.

“Aye…I did…I thought I would find her here…”

“Her? Who were you looking for?”

The look of sheer heartbroken sorrow that overcame Shadow’s eyes actually affected Edelgard to her core.

“…my heart…my dear Elizavere.”

Shadow then regaled Edelgard with a tale she could hardly believe to be real. A tale of a world of bestial gods, of their children that they abandoned, and how one mortal woman broke Shadow’s self-imposed exile and somehow won their heart. To hear of a woman so selfless and brave, she willingly took upon herself the powers of yet-to-be-born gods that offered their strength to her cause…both in word of her actions, and by the adoring, reverent tone Shadow spoke of her with, Edelgard found herself moved.

Shadow crossed a thousand worlds and a thousand lifetimes, following their love to every life she was forced to live after having been banished by Shadow’s enemies.

Their tale finally finished, Shadow sighed as their form slumped, the mighty size of the dragon god suddenly so small.

“I thought she was here…I thought I felt her, but I was wrong. She’s nowhere to be found.”

“Why don’t you leave, then?” Edelgard questioned, the answer seemingly so obvious escaping her. “Find another world where she may be?”

They shook their grand head sadly.

“I can’t…I am too weak right now. Had I wished to leave, I should’ve done so years ago, before my power waned. At this point, it’ll be another several years before I am rested enough to leave.”

Edelgard frowned, and took some time to consider what could possibly have kept Shadow here, in a world without their heart. If they’d long since realized she was missing from here, then why? Why would they stay, when they could’ve continued the search?

“…then why did you stay?”

A sad smile spread across the black and crimson snout of the god as they turned to look at Edelgard.

“I couldn’t ignore the prayers of a little girl who needed my help.”

Her eyes widened as her breath stilled in her chest.

“But I…I didn’t, I never…I don’t…pray…”

Shadow’s smile remained unfazed.

“Ah, but you did. When those monsters took you away and ravaged you, I had been making a final search for Elizavere. I was just about to make way, to leave and hope you would grow to think I was just a figment of your imagination. But then I heard you…afraid, in pain, and I felt my heart ache.”

They looked away, and up into the starry night sky.

“I couldn’t leave you alone…she would never forgive me if I abandoned you, and I would never forgive myself. Besides…”

They smiled down to her again, the mirth and cheer she’d once associated with Shadow as a child evident in their blue-gold eyes.

“I’ve grown rather fond of you, my dear Edelgard. Besides, remember how I said I had thought I felt her here?”

She nodded, hesitantly, and their smile grew impossibly brighter.

“Your spirit fooled me for hers, they were not too dissimilar.”

Edelgard stared at them in shock, and shook her head.

“No, you must be mistaken. Elizavere, she…she sounds like a hero, she sounds more like Byleth or some other noble soul. I cannot possibly have…”

She drifted off as Shadow’s smile endured, unaffected by her dismission. They slowly raised a hand to gently hold her back, the paw so large it nearly dwarfed her back.

“I have had the pleasure to meet my Elizavere in more lifetimes than I care to count. She has not always been the same in each world, Edelgard. In each world, in each lifetime, I saw a different Elizavere. She was always different, but never the same. I truly believed you could be her, Edelgard. Though that may have proven false, do not dare think yourself unworthy of my attention. There is not another mortal on this world that has come close to deserving my gaze, let alone my time.”

Their gaze drifted away, and they tilted their head.

“Except for Bernadetta, perhaps…I still battle the urge to show myself to her father and give him a piece of my mind.”

Edelgard could not combat the smile that came about from Shadow’s admission. After all, it was a sentiment she regularly visited herself. To know that Shadow had felt the same when watching Bernadetta while they trailed behind Edelgard was very satisfying.

She sighed, and let her own gaze drift away and up at the stars.

“What will we do now, then, Shadow? While we wait for your next window to find your heart?”

She heard their heavy sigh, and easily imagined they looked star-ward as well.

“Most paramount, I do not intend to be known to anyone else in this world. I was never meant to be here, and I cannot dare be known by any others. No…I shall stay your Shadow, and hope I can be of help to you beyond the reach of the others.”

Edelgard raised an eyebrow and eyed them out of the corner of her vision.

“So you intend to follow through with me, then?”

They huffed once more, the laugh bearing more heart in it this time.

“But of course, my future emperor. There is wisdom in your plan, its only faults caused by the limitations of the thinking of those around you. And…well…”

She looked over just in time to watch Shadow gently, oh so very gently, take her small hands in their huge ones and eye her chest.

“I know all too well why you rush, Edelgard, and I understand. I will do all that I can to assist you, in every way my limited capacity will allow.”

As Edelgard stared up at their blue-gold eyes, and saw the devotion and the sincerity of their claim, the words left her before she could even consider them.

“Please…call me El.”

Edelgard’s relationship with Shadow surprisingly didn’t change that much, even with their godly revelation.

They returned to their dominantly incorporeal state, as they’d done before. As her plans began to reach a head, Shadow never left her side as they kept an eye about her and whispered what they saw and what they thought. There remained some degree of mirth in their interactions, however; especially on Shadow’s side, as their newfound openness gave them more confidence in being silly, it seemed.

Edelgard couldn’t figure out if that was a good thing or not.

Shadow had been awfully proud behind Edelgard during the coronation, and if she was honest with herself, it felt nice. There were not many who she could consider truly close that attended, and Shadow’s beaming presence at her side warmed her like a gentle fire. Though, it didn’t help when Shadow pointed out to her that Byleth was present.

Edelgard could all too easily imagine Shadow’s cheekily excited body language, and ignored it along with her own budding joy at her teacher’s attendance.

The next five years were difficult, with the war in full swing and Dimitri’s wrath on the horizon, Shadow’s enduring support was much needed. Especially after Byleth disappeared; though Shadow assured her that she was all right, but never disclosed how they knew. Edelgard let it go, and focused on the war efforts with her army, and her house classmates she formed into a fearsome strike force.

Shadow provided surprisingly effective tactical advice every now and again. It ranged from supply line information, improving efficiency in a variety of fields, and…attack plans that were shockingly ruthless. But then, Edelgard supposed that she shouldn’t be surprised. Shadow had, after all, had to all but wage war with most of their godly siblings, and would later go through several lifetimes following their soulmate.

All that experience would’ve worn away a lot of Shadow’s…sentimentality regarding such things.

Hubert often asked after Edelgard’s mysterious source of advice and information. She simply assured her dear friend that all was well, and the source could be trusted more than most anyone else. He took that rather skeptically, as she expected him to, but Hubert accepted it on the grounds that it kept his lady safe and victorious.

A delightful change of pace after Shadow came clean was the stories. Every night that they were able, before Edelgard retired to bed, she would challenge Shadow to a bout of chess. Rather than move the pieces akin to a ghost, Shadow would fully appear as they had that fateful night. It was a delight for her to actually get to see their face and body language as they considered their moves.

The way they bent forward, rested their strong arms on their knees. The way their bushy crimson eyebrows clouded like a bloody stormfront over their blue-gold eyes. The way their shoulders hunched forward, and would rest their long chin atop clasped paws. Edelgard couldn’t decide which was the more fascinating part: getting to see a contemplative humanoid dragon, or playing chess with a god.

Ultimately, she decided the most fascinating part was simply getting to play chess with Shadow at all.

Edelgard was also impressed at Shadow’s capacity for multitasking, as they managed to continue to provide a challenge for her whilst simultaneously sharing more tales. Though they seemed rather hesitant to share too much about their first home, Shadow readily regaled her about all of the other worlds they’ve been to, the lives they lived. Some of them were too outlandish for her to believe, and occasionally the shine in Shadow’s eyes seemed too…mischievous.

Edelgard especially like the stories about Shadow’s closest friend, a powerful, brave woman known as Yuna. Apparently, she had to teach Shadow a thing or two once upon a time, and saved their ass more times than they could remember. They spoke of her fondly, and often referred to themself as “her dragon”. What this woman did to earn the god of dragons as her personal dragon companion, Edelgard could only dream.

Some of these moments, however, found a shadow of another kind over them for Edelgard. It dawned on her that this time with Shadow was borrowed. They regained the strength they needed to leave once before…and sacrificed that chance to go back for her. But now, that time was coming again for Shadow to be able to leave. Maybe not go home, exactly, but to continue their search for Elizavere’s next life, and reunite with them again.

Shadow was going to leave her soon…

The end had finally begun.

Fhirdiad spread out before them, lit aflame by Rhea’s desperate order. Edelgard stood alone, apart from where her army and friends were massed, and waited the order to proceed. They’d just seen Rhea transformed into a dragon, and soared over the city. They would be marching soon…

“So that’s what a dragon looks like here.”

Edelgard looked to her left, and then up as she took in Shadow. They had their thick arms crossed over their mighty chest, and crimson eyebrows bunched angrily over their eyes as they glared solemnly over the city. She sighed as she looked back to the burning buildings ahead of them.

“Indeed, it would seem Rhea was keeping secrets.”

Shadow hummed in thought for a moment.

“Is that so? A shame I didn’t spy on her more, then…though, perhaps she might’ve sensed me were I too close. Alas, it’s past now.”

Past…

Edelgard’s gaze grew distant as she lost her focus. She held up her hands and stared at them, trapped in contemplation. The time must be soon…the finality of everything was too purposeful, too fateful. The journey was coming to an end, and Shadow would soon be just a memory…just a story.

She felt a large hand gently cover her back.

“El…come back, now, El.”

They spoke so softly, her breath caught in her throat and she could swear her heart stuttered. Why was this happening? Why did she feel this way, so on edge?

Why were her hands shaking?

“You’re going to leave soon…” Edelgard murmured, her eyes still on her shaking hands.

She heard them sigh.

“Aye…soon, I’m almost strong enough to leave again. I need to find her trail; I’ve been away from Elizavere for too long now.”

It wasn’t quite envy—or perhaps jealousy?—that Edelgard suddenly felt waft over her, no. But it was something deep and sharp, that struck at Shadow’s words. They’d been around for so long, for as long as she could remember when she was a little girl. What could life possibly be like without her Shadow?

“Do you have to go…?”

The words were spoken before she could stop them, and she immediately scrunched her eyes shut and pursed her lips. She didn’t mean to say that, Edelgard didn’t want to say that. The last thing she wanted to do was guilt trip Shadow.

“I’m sorry, Shadow, I didn’t–”

“Kalahan.”

Her eyes shot open wide, and she looked up at their face. Their hand was still on her back, and they smiled at her when their eyes met.

“My name is Kalahan.”

Edelgard felt quite calm, strangely, upon hearing that. She frowned and tilted her head as she gathered her thoughts.

“Kalahan…I am sorry, I didn’t mean to ask that before. You have elsewhere to be, your place isn’t here. It isn’t…”

She took a deep breath to shore herself.

“…it isn’t with me, and I understand. But I must admit…I will miss you terribly.”

Shadow—no, Kalahan—nodded, their smile sadder now.

“I will miss you too, El…so very much. It has been a delight to watch you grow up into the mighty emperor you became, even if I had to watch you endure so much pain to reach it. And it has been the highest of honors to earn your friendship.”

Edelgard watched as Kalahan took a step back, and her eyes widened as they lowered to one knee. They placed their hands one over the other on the still raised knee, and bent over in a shallow bow.

“I wish you all the best in your future, my emperor.”

Her body seemed to be in the mood for rebellion. Perhaps the war raged against the church was to blame…but in the moment, as Edelgard’s feet moved of their own accord, and she found her arms envelop Kalahan’s thick neck, and gripped their mane in her gloves, she didn’t care. It was for the best, then, that she forgot herself in this moment, and the feel of Kalahan’s strong arms gently wrap around her and their chin softly fall to her back, it was worth it.

“My dear El…I am so glad I chose to stay behind. I meant what I said, it has been a true honor to be your friend. I cannot wait to tell Elizavere all about you, when next we meet. She’d have adored you, as would that rather rambunctious companion of mine I warned you of.”

A chuckle came unbidden, but Edelgard had truly given up her cares, this moment was too important for them.

“I still doubt I could be so alike to this heart of yours that you’d mistake me for her, but I am grateful for the mistake all the same.”

The dense chest beneath her arms shook with laughter.

“I will happily call you my greatest mistake, if that’s what you’re implying, El.”

Edelgard shook her head as she pulled away, her hands rested on their shoulders as she gazed somberly into Kalahan’s blue-gold eyes. They seemed to take notice, and let their own hands carefully rest on her back as their ears perked up.

“Kalahan…promise me, here and now, that should you ever have need of my help you will not hesitate to call on me. I do not care where, when, or what you are when you do so…I will always be at the ready, whenever you may need me.”

They stared at her for some time, as if testing her resolve…and seemed pleased as they smirked.

“I promise, Edelgard. Should I feel the situation is dire enough, and I need to call upon my allies, you shall be first and foremost among those I call to arms.”

They then gently squeezed her back and smiled.

“If you promise me…”

They hesitated, awfully distressed with what they were about to say. Edelgard reached out and pet their chin as she waited for them to gather their courage. Kalahan took a deep, shoring breath before they could continue.

“…if you can’t get your crests taken care of, then please, I beg you…pray to me before the end. Let me be there, please…”

Kalahan’s voice was thick as they spoke, and Edelgard could swear she saw their eyes glistening. She was confused at first, until she remembered: Kalahan watched her grow up. They really were there for her from the beginning, and were perhaps…making light when they said, that night they revealed their nature, that they had “grown rather fond” of her. Even if they had vanished when the experiments were performed, they knew…Kalahan knew what it meant.

Edelgard realized that it was genuine fear and sorrow that shimmered in Kalahan’s eyes.

“You can’t be a god…you care.”

Oh, what an understatement…

Edelgard could feel the prickly sensation of threatening tears, but ignored them as she pulled Kalahan’s chin down and gently kissed their nose, just beneath the golden horn that sat proudly there.

“You have my word, my dear Shadow.”

Edelgard sat there, on her knees, fire all around her but she didn’t care.

In her arms was her teacher, was Byleth…her heart. Rhea, the Immaculate One, lay dead behind them, slain by their combined and determined might. The city burned around them, and no doubt, their forces were taking care of everything. All that mattered to Edelgard in that moment was Byleth.

Her heart had stopped, and the emperor clung to her, crying.

Don’t you leave me, too…I can’t lose you both, not in one day…

Suddenly, Edelgard heard a soft beat from the chest beneath her ear, and her eyes opened widened. She pulled back and stared at Byleth’s face as she watched the woman slowly open her eyes. Relief fell from Edelgard’s eyes as she smiled, and laughed with joy as she hugged Byleth tight. Her heart only soared higher as she felt weak arms gain their strength and hug her back.

“El…”

The whisper was soft, the voice hoarse, and Edelgard gently squeezed her.

“Don’t speak, my teacher, please…rest yourself.”

“El…I-I heard…someone…”

Confused, she pulled back and scanned Byleth’s face, further perplexed to see her smirking.

“Yuna says hello…she’s…she’s taking care of Shadow for you…”

Somehow unsurprised that Kalahan’s closest friend had been watching over Byleth, Edelgard simply laughed and held her heart close.

#Fire Emblem Three Houses #Fire Emblem Fanfiction #Three Houses Fanfic #Edelgard Von Hresvelg #Edelgard #Fire Emblem Edelgard #Crossover #Canon Divergence #Original Character #this was very self indulgent #but I'm proud of it #and Edelgard wanted to help it seemed #this was my idea #but she encouraged me #bee escreve historias

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m-602 · 5 years

Text

The Guardian

((So I’ve been running ideas through my head about what to do with this character. Eventually, he will gain a grasp of all his powers and what he really is. But what would that look like? What would a lich like M do when he realizes his full capabilities? Add on the fact that I really wanted to write a story and, well... voila! A future based story that takes place a decade and half or so from the MuTB RP.))

((Kind of gets sad near the end, but it isn’t too special. Just some stupid thing I decided to write up. It is long though!))

((Enjoy!))

It’d been over a decade since he last traveled the worlds. A decade since he started discovering everything about him. A decade since he learned the truth of his fate.

By now, he had learned everything there was to know about him. He mastered all of his powers, learned everything there was about being a lich, and gained a better understanding of spirits and souls. For the first time in his life... he felt fulfilled. As if everything that troubled him no longer existed after he fully accepted his fate.

Where was he now? Well... the last place anyone would expect him. He was now walking towards the place where everything had started... or, in his case, ended. Where he lost everything and gained what he never asked for. The place where everything he knew ceased to be.

He was walking through the burnt woods that lead to the ruins of his old home. A home who’s name was fully lost to time itself. A home that he preserves with the memories of those who lived in it.

He’s unsure if he consciously avoided returning to this place or if he simply had no recollection of how to return. Nevertheless, all that mattered now was that he had the strength to return to their ruins and see what remained. Of course, with all the time that’s passed, the ruins themselves would’ve changed or degraded in some form... Then again, he himself has changed as well.

No longer does he wear the blue hoodie he cherished for so long. It still resides in his possession, but he decided to wear it no longer to symbolize how he has moved on. He now dons a uniquely designed jacket he made himself. It was mostly blue, with a solid black design in the middle that gradually widened at the bottom from the neck. Its long sleeves faded into black rings at the tips of the arms. In fact, the sleeves kind of resembled that of robes with how much space they gave his arms. The jacket boasts a tail flap that drapes behind him, extending down to his feet. He now wore black gloves specially designed with sharp metal ends for his new-grown claws. His lower garments are generally unchanged, though his boots have noticeably been worn down; surprisingly, their still in great condition despite that. His jacket is adorned with a large hood, perfectly concealing his face. Despite this, his eye lights, now with serpentine slits, are perfectly visible. If he were to smile, you could see a sharp, jagged, and sinister smile, similar to that of a jack-o-lantern. His mouth is even lined in strange blue light. Overall, he’s just taller as well, indicating the passage of time.

Yep, a lot’s changed, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He’s accepted this anyways.

He can see the forest start to clear in front of him. He takes a moment before looking up to the skies above. Instantly, he noticed a large, bright blue falcon surveying the land below. This falcon... his mother had watched over him for so long. When he finally learned the truth, he had found it difficult to keep moving. He had thought everyone he knew would’ve passed on, only to find that she wanted to stay behind just for him. It filled him with a flurry of emotions that scar him today, but drive him forward with vehement vigor.

He finally reaches the other end of the forest, gaining a vantage point on the ruins that are now his home. Though the small, dilapidated town could be seen in full from his vantage point, it was by no means hard to find. It pained him greatly to see his once beloved home nothing but blackened and rotting remains, despite expecting it in full. He continued on, intent on investigating the damages entirely.

When he reached the main street that split the town, what he saw was beyond what he expected. There was actually quite a bit that still remained; some structures that refused to disappear. If you were resourceful, they could even be little hideouts, if you didn’t need air. Everything was damaged beyond recognizable, yet he could still remember what they used to be. The old convenient store, the flower shop, the bakery, the residential area... Their remains still stood strong, even as charred as they were.

After a while, he reached what he was looking for... His own house. Funnily enough, it was the most ‘intact’ out of all the ruins; by ‘intact’, it means you could actually tell that it was a family home. The gardens were wilted, but in one piece. The building itself was damaged beyond repair, yet still stood strong, as if representing his own will.

The falcon landed beside him, his cloak billowing from the gust she created. She looked on with him, taking in the sight before them. It was surreal, standing her after an event they should not have walked away from. Both of them kind of wish they weren’t the only ones...

He walked towards the building before kneeling down before its entrance. He spoke up, his voice clear and strong.

“This home was everything to me back then. It holds my greatest memories, my most cherished moments. It held the people that made my world and forged my being. The people that guided me and the people I guided. My parents and siblings. The buildings beside it? My closest friends and neighbors... I stand here now, ready to face the past that I have accepted for myself. Ready to wish all those who couldn’t make it a peaceful rest.”

He paused, taking a deep breath. This moment was important to him. It was probably the most important moment of his entire existence. He exhaled the breath he subconsciously held before speaking again.

“My father... My brother... My sister... My friends... My neighbors... Everyone... Please, may you rest in peace...”

With that said, he stood up, wiping tears he didn’t know he shed. The falcon gave him a nod, seeming to congratulate him for an unusual hard task. He started to walk away... when he felt an odd presence behind him.

As the years went by, his ability to detect a presence strengthened until he could detect even the faintest of pulses. Until he could feel the weakest of souls. But this presence he felt... It was strong, timid... and familiar?

He turned around... and almost fell over at what he saw.

Before him was what looked like a little girl. Her form seemed to glow, similar to how he looked in spirit form, except she radiated a cyan light instead of the deep blue he gave off. She was peeking out from behind the house in a wary manner, seemingly in response to his speech. She looked almost familiar... Almost like...

“N-No way...”

The spirit seemed to perk up further at his voice, fully coming out of hiding. She came closer to him, giving him a better glance at who this was. There was no doubt about it at this point... The sibling spoke up, its voice having a similar effect that his had in spirit form...

“...Bro...?”

That word... almost broke him. Losing all composure, he dashed forward, wrapping the spirit girl in the biggest sibling hug you could ask for. The girl flinched before returning the hug, bright lights that looked almost like tears gathering in his eyes. He was filled with so many emotions: joy, sadness, confusion, the works. This wasn’t just some spirit he awoke with his strange power... this was his sister that managed to keep herself in the mortal realm through sheer will alone. She wanted to stay... She wanted to wait for him...

“...Missed... you... M... Big... bro...”

He responded to her with a shaky voice, utterly drowned in emotion - a stark contrast to before.

“I-I... I missed you too, Kat...”

He suddenly became aware of an upsurge of presences - of souls - gathering around him. Almost all of them were familiar... way too familiar.

He looked up, meeting a rainbow sea of different spirits. He recognized some of them - friends, neighbors, friendly associates, the works. It wasn’t everyone, however... He could only feel what should be more than a quarter of the town were here. Some of the souls were completely foreign to him! In addition, his brother and father were no where to be seen... They probably fully accepted their fate, losing the will to stay in this world.

‘Can’t blame them after what happened,’ M thought.

He broke the hug, fully standing up to examine the crowd (Kat decided to just cling to his leg). The spirits were not only in different colors, but also different states. Very few maintained their full form - to do so is a feat only the most powerful of spirits can accomplish, after all. A few flew around as wisps, though M could tell who they were based off the aura they gave off. Others had a partial form, but were missing a few key things, such as arms or legs, or just looked very injured.

He couldn’t believe all these people remained here... He was sure that everyone would pass on after the tragedy that unfolded. In fact, it kind of explains how organized each of these ruins were. But now it brought upon a different concern in M’s mind. He decided to make it audible.

“Have all of you... been here this whole time?”

He got a flurry of nods and broken whispers. Yikes, he didn’t want that answer.

“And some of you ended up wondering here? Completely lost?”

He got a few less affirmatives. That makes sense, though. Only a small fraction of this group was actually foreign.

“You’ve all been here for so long with no one to guide or protect you...”

It was a sad thought. When you’re reduced to a soul, you’re more vulnerable than you think. Though you can’t die again, damage to your soul is extremely painful. Plus, if you’re damaged too badly, you can lose bits and pieces of yourself. Memories and emotions to be specific.

He didn’t want these people to suffer more than they already have, nor did he want them to be so lost. He could feel why some of these people were so foreign - it was as if a beacon for the fallen radiated from the ruins themselves. He knew he needed to do something to help...

...

There was one thing he could do.

“Then... let me be that person. This used to be my home... A home that I walked away from when no one else could. It feels wrong of me to just leave now when there are so many of you have no where else to go... I shall be your guardian, and help aid you in your time of greatest vulnerability.”

He got a few shocked responses, his sister tightening her grip on him. Seems he needs to say something more.

“This place draws fallen spirits to it, and has become a home of sorts for you all. Yet it has no one to watch over it, and the fallen spirits have no one to guide them here even should they find its beacon. I want to keep all of you safe, and find others to keep safe as well. To protect life itself from those who threaten it.”

The spirits seemed to be happy about them, seeing as how some of them ‘attempted’ to jump for joy. His sister looked up to smile at him. Seems he’ll be able to pull this off.

As the other spirits ran off the celebrate, M walked to the middle of the town. In an instant, he summoned a spirit-esque scythe. The top of the blade seemed to be lined in tiny flames. He stood the scythe next to him, observing the commotion he caused. This town’s name was forgotten to time. With how things have changed, a new name is in order. One fitting of it’s current state...

Though he’s not fond of naming things, he decided to take a crack at it...

“I shall be the guide of this town... The guide... Of Mors Finem.”

And thus, the guardian of the fallen was born.

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((For those who are curious, “mors findem” is “death’s end” in latin. It’s supposed to reflect how the dead town has come alive again, despite the catastrophe.))

((I might use this character later down the line. I just couldn’t let this idea rest. At this point, yes, M is at prime form, and is terrifyingly strong. He’s no god, but he’s nothing to scoff at for sure. And... come on, why wouldn’t he have a scythe?))

((Sorry if this story seems stupid. I’m not too confident in my writing skills, but I figured I’d take a shot at it. Feel free to share it with other if you wish!))

((Have a great night, and have a Happy Halloween!))

#original story #M #set in the future #kinda sad #tw mentions of death #i'm not too sure if this is good #or if anyone will read it #but i'll post it anyway #it might be stupid but #peck it

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knbfanfic · 5 years

Note

Takao makes sure to lose touch with Midorima after high school because he was in love and it hurt. He had tried confessing once but Midorima shut him down. But it was clear that Midorima knew what Takao wanted to do but wanted things to remain the same. But Midorima found himself full of regret and longing since Takao left. 6 years after high school, at Aomine and Momoi's wedding Kagami lets slip to Midorima that Takao is now with Izuki and that Mr & Mrs Aomine will be their new neighbours...

//Oooh why do I feel like this one might hurt a bit? Lets go~Phew this got rather long so I’m using the usual read more tag. //

((With Takao sick and unable to attend the wedding, the oblivious ace of Seirin returned from America encouraged by the new bride the tsundere and the hawk meet again… But can six years of distance and pain really be overcome over one night?))

~.:.~Flashback to Team Graduation Day~.:.~Following Shuutoku’s tradition after the final game the seniors had to leave the team, and take the remaining time to study and prepare for school. There were quite a few seniors who had remained even though they didn’t get much play time, thanks to the talented rookies only one or two players in the same year as Midorima and Takao got to even be on the bench normally. There was a small party to see off the seniors, then a spartan drill lead by the third year regulars before they were freed. Everyone had split up, and as normal the former ace and point guard were together. There wasn’t really anyone around so he built up the resolve and stopped walking. Takao’s intent wasn’t missed by Midorima who was concerned at the moment the hawk faced him.

Midorima had looked at Takao with eyes full of confusion and disdain, he hadn’t been attracted to anyone that he was aware of, basketball was the thing that took all his time so he recoiled from Takao saying “Shin-chan… Since we’re going to be graduating soon I wanted to tell you something. After all, I don’t want to regret anything after we leave. So hear me out.” His smile was more fragile than normal, but that probably escaped the ace at that moment. The ravenette had taken a breath and looked up at him “I like you, I fell for you pretty hard somewhere along the line… We spent so much time together I didn’t even realize at first… But I can’t ignore it since I noticed… I really like you a lot.” The unchanging expression of shock changed to something similar to hurt and very similar to disgust, Midorima shook his head “…Takao… I…. That’s not something I can do…”

He refused to cry in front of him, and waved it off. The hawk had smiled and nodded “Of course… It’s not fitting for someone from a lineage like yours to be with a guy… I get it~ I just had to say it.” He had glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled wryly to himself “Right… I was supposed to meet my sister soon, I gotta run Shin-chan. See you around.” Turning on his heel he left Midorima reaching toward him hesitating, he could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t know what to say… Things between them had been so precious to him, to both of them he thought, and he wanted to protect that.

Takao might not have been a track star, but when he needed to he could run. And right that moment all he needed to do was run, so he did, leaving his bike at school he bolted off campus heading to a park no one went to anymore. He couldn’t get Midorima’s disappointed and disgusted looks out of his head. Tears were burning in his eyes by the time he got to the park, he threw himself at the ground back to a fence separating the weeded park from a decrepit basketball court.

~~A few weeks later~~ Shuutoku Graduation day~~

Graduation day at Shuutoku was always a grand affair, there were so many students and so many athletes continuing on to greatness. The hawk and the tsundere would have probably been standing together if things hadn’t cracked… Takao built up his resolve and after they graduated from the team, confessed to the former ace, who hadn’t taken it well. Takao knew that Midorima was bad with expressing his emotions to begin with, but the disgust that had seeped out made the forgiving hawks heart shatter.

Midorima was surrounded by people trying to recruit him last minute, family and team members who were congratulating him. That day Takao was glad to be part of the shadow family, he slipped out of the press of people after he got his diploma and a couple photos for his family. He avoided the buzz and slipped off campus for the last time like a shadow in the night. He’d lost weight from pushing himself to study, he enrolled in a nearby school knowing that Midorima wouldn’t be going someplace so small he was relieved. As he was aimlessly walking the street a familiar voice had called out to him with a bad joke “Ah! It seems birds of a feather do flock together! An eyesore has appeared!” Perhaps it was the memories from playing Seirin over the years, or maybe it was because he did feel a kinship to the eagle, maybe he just finally lost it… But the tears started falling again and Takao had tried to escape. Izuki had noticed something was wrong and caught him without meaning to at first, and brought him somewhere to talk.

~~ 6 years later ~~

Takao was bundled up in fluffy pajamas decorated with little eagles, he had a facemask on eyes red from lack of sleep and fever. Still he managed to joke “Jeez Shun… Everything will be untied if you stay like this.” With his trembling hands he fixed Izuki’s tie smiling under his mask. Gently he leaned his forhead to the other’s shoulder when he finished “You have to go for both of us… Momoi would kill me otherwise, especially since they’re moving into the apartment across the hall… We can’t just be flighty neighbors” Izuki couldn’t help but laugh at the bad joke and gently kissed Takao’s cheek before helping him back to the bed, his fever was insane. Honestly Izuki wanted to stay and look after him, but Takao would force himself to go if he’d attempted to do that, so there was an impasse. Takao’s little sister was going to drop by around dinner to make sure her brother ate some porridge, since she was attending university nearby she stopped in sometimes.

Reluctantly after tucking his little hawk into bed and putting a cool cloth on his head the eagle headed out with a sunset colored gift bag in hand. The pink and the blue colors had been so perfect for Aomine and Momoi’s wedding gift that the two birds had picked it before they decided on the gift itself. As Izuki headed to the reception hall to drop it off he crashed into Kagami. They chatted and walked to the venue for the wedding together, it’d been a while since Kagami left for America, he came back since Momoi made sure to invite him. After all who would skip inviting on of her husband’s best friends and rivals to their special day. Izuki caught Kagami up on everything he knew about, how Akashi was sponsoring different basketball events as he took over for his family. About how Midorima and Takao hadn’t talked since school, and how he didn’t know what the green miracle was up to but that he was seeing Takao. About how Kuroko became one of the most diligent preschool teachers around, despite his disappearing act. About Murasakibara opening a sweet shop, Kise was staring in films and on television now. Most of them still played ball in their free time as well, Kiyoshi had gone to America to get the best treatment for his leg. The coach and Hyuuga finally got together, they took over the sports gym and barber shop so they alternate what needs to get done. Kagami filled him in of what it was like abroad, how Alex was doing, about having met Nijimura the former captain of the miracles and such. After they arrived and took their seats they settled in to watch the wedding unfold, it was stunning how gorgeous Satsuki had gotten, she was glowing. With Kuroko and Kise standing behind Aomine and Riko behind Momoi everything was radiant. No one believed Daiki could be so gentle as he lifted the veil over his new wife’s face, there were plenty of cheers and tears as the two promised their lives to each other.

Hours later at the reception Izuki was apologizing to the Ao couple for Takao’s absence, he offered to help them move their gifts back to the apartment from the hall as well so they wouldn’t be late for their flight. While they chatted Kagami spotted a rather miserable looking Midorima, it seemed like he had taken the road of being a doctor. Midorima’s eyes had swept over the crowd a few times, appearing rather sad, drawing Kagami over to him without knowing it. They chatted about their professions, since Midorima over exerted himself in high school he had damaged some of the muscles in his arm. To help younger athletes avoid similar injuries he took the path of medicine, he heard a lot about Kagami playing pro overseas. They chatted a bit about the past and Kagami realized how much he was missing Takao, since Izuki-san hadn’t mentioned that Takao didn’t want to see the carrot he didn’t see any harm in telling him how the hawk was doing. Midorima’s hand curled around the small plush bird in his hand and he trembled slightly thanking him, then he dipped out to take a call from his job. Kagami wandered off to catch up with the others and congratulate the couple. Kagami was stunned to learn that the cake was made by Murasakibara, and the catering was done by Mitobe and Kogenai who now ran a catering company.

As the night was winding down Midorima saw Izuki helping Daiki and Satsuki and offered to help, since he had driven down in case he had to leave for the hospital. The blue-pink pair smiled and left Midorin and Izuri to handle the gifts so they could go on their short trip since it was only a few days. Satsuki handed Midorima the key smiling saying “If you could set things up Midorin I’d appreciate it~ You can leave the key with Izurin afterwards” She hugged the two and dragged Aomine away. It was her consideration, even Izuki couldn’t help but sigh. Good intentions pave the road to hell they say, her intentions were so pure no one could argue. Maybe her name should have been Shiroki instead of Momoi. Even Midorima was surprised by the obviousness of her intentions and looked somewhat apologetically at Izuki. After everything was loaded into the car he drove to the parking lot designated for the building and helped carry the gifts upstairs, between the two of them it took about three trips to get everything inside up to the third floor and into the apartment. It would take Midorima a few hours to sort everything and unpack it for them. He was probably going to be house sitting for the newlyweds for the night, Izuki couldn’t help but pity the awkward doctor. Midorima had taken out his phone and was searching for nearby restaurants, after all he’d have to eat something and probably buy toiletries or something. Granted being a doctor he likely had a stash in his car incase he had to stay out overnight.

Taking pity on him Izuki steeled himself and smiled “Why don’t you come over and eat dinner with us… Takao might be sleeping though, he caught a pretty bad cold when he was out doing his last photography exhibition shoot, he was trying to get the perfect photo for Aomine and Momoi’s wedding gift and he fell head first into the ice cold ocean… He’s been recovering for about a week now… I don’t know how he’ll take to it though, after all when you’re sick it’s hard to hold anything together…” Midorima hesitated and Izuki could see the internal struggle, he clearly regretted hurting Takao back then and missed him… Izuki couldn’t help but wonder just how much.

After a bit of coaxing and deliberation Midorima followed Izuki across the hall to the apartment the bird pair shared, they took their shoes off at the entrance of Aomine’s and Midorima just used slippers to cross over since he had to come back to unpack anyway.His little bird plushie was snuggled into his breast pocket since he’d needed both hands to carry that insane amount of gifts. Izuki was startled to see Takao sitting curled up in a ball hugging a deco pillow on the sofa sound asleep. It seems his sister had come and helped him eat, but then had to leave. She left a note on the coffee table ’Sorry Shun-nii, Kazu refused to lay back down and I have a lecture tonight for astronomy so I couldn’t argue! so I bundled him up before I left. He seems to be doing a bit better, his temperature is coming down! Good luck!’ Midorima had frozen in place seeing the hawk, although he had clearly aged, with that mask on and the flush from fever he looked nearly identical to how he was in high school. Izuki stroked Takao’s hair and murmured quietly so Midorima wouldn’t hear “Kazu, wake up love, we have a visitor if you’re up for it… An old friend of yours.” Takao’s eyes fluttered open tiredly and even with the mask his overjoyed smile was obvious on his face as he released the pillow and wrapped his arms around Izuki’s neck pressing his forehead to the eagle’s much cooler one mumbling tiredly “Shun you’re home… I missed you…” He affectionately cuddled for a moment and Izuki stroked his hair smiling, he was really cute like this. A few moments after he finally woke up he froze his steel eyes showed something that startled Izuki, they were full of fear when he noticed Midorima. He returned to hugging the pillow causing Izuki to almost lose his balance as he caught himself of the sofa, stroking his hair he said “Kazu, Midorima is unpacking for Momoi… I invited him over to eat so he doesn’t have to go to a restaurant… Is that okay?” The eagle was concerned seeing his lover so startled, he regretted his choice more seeing him visibly tremble. Midorima was about to say he’d go out after all when Takao’s voice finally responded “I-it’s fine…. Shin-chan probably still hates eating out… Especially alone… He finds people too noisy… And he got teased a lot back then…”

Both Midorima and Izuki were surprised by the answer, but the hawk wasn’t looking at his former teammate he was staring at the tie he fixed for Izuki earlier. Izuki kissed Takao’s forehead and nodded “Alright love, would you like some ice cream to eat with us? Your throat sounds sore.” Takao nodded and looked at his lover clearly nervous. Izuki whispered to him again “It’s okay Kazu, I’m not going anywhere… If you can’t take it anymore just call for me.” Reluctantly he nodded as he watched Izuki pull back and stretch glancing at Midorima smiling “Sit down for a bit, relax I’ll make us something light since it’s late.” Izuki the headed into the kitchen which was separated by an island toward the back of the large room.

Midorima sat in the chair closest to the exit, he smiled almost tearfully at Takao as he was the first to break the silence that spread between them “It’s been six years… Have you been doing well?” Takao was startled that Midorima took the initiative to break the silence and nodded. “I graduated from the same school as Shun with a business degree and a photography certificate… I’ve been doing photography for a few years and playing ball with a local team…. I’ve been together with Shun for about five years now…” Squeezing the pillow tighter to his chest he almost whimpered out “How have you been Shin-chan… I haven’t seen you since graduation…” Midorima blinked smiling kindly nodded “I finally finished my doctorate, I’ve been practicing progressive medicine since I hurt myself a bit in our last year from over exertion. I’ve been busy with my family as well, my father wants my assistance frequently. At the last alumni team meeting the senpai were asking about you, they asked me to pass their contact information to you if I got the chance as your number changed from back then…. I’ll be sure to leave it with Izuki-san for you so you have it when you’re feeling better… You know Miyaji-san has always been a worrier, and he was concerned that you were missing.” A small warmth took the edge of fear out of the hawk’s eyes hearing about their former seniors. The eagle in the kitchen making them fried rice relaxed a bit, this was going better than expected… Though they were rather formal with each other, clearly those two ex-best-friends didn’t know what level of distance to have anymore…

The two had small conversations, about the seniors, photography, their little sisters, their old friends, nothing substantial. This continued over the meal, they ate at the coffee table since Takao probably shouldn’t sit in a dining chair trembling as he was. Izuki sat beside Takao with a cushion between them at the hawk insisting that he might still be contagious. Slowly the eagle was dragged into reminiscing about Seirin and Shuutoku in the past, how him and Takao had hooked up and so on. The pace changed slightly when Izuki went to take the dishes into the kitchen after turning down Midorima’s offer to wash them. Swallowing his pride Midorima gave Takao the little bird plushie that had been his lucky item and said “I’m glad you’re doing well with Izuki-san Takao… Since you left back then I was worried… I didn’t want things between us to change… I loved you…. But you were like a brother to me, I didn’t know how I should respond… I couldn’t handle thinking I might lose you… But because of that, my selfishly believing that nothing would change… I did lose you… I won’t stop by anymore since it’s obvious you don’t want to see me anymore… Thank you for being my best friend and partner in the past… Stay well Takao” After that Midorima had thanked Izuki once again for inviting him and disappeared across the hall, locking the door and unpacking for the newlyweds. Before dawn Midorima had already left, leaving an envelope with the senior’s contact information with the key the the Aomine apartment in Izuki and Takao’s mailbox.

Takao was in shock for a few days and ended up getting more sick from stress, it took Izuki a few days to calm the hawk down and soothe him back to being himself. True to his word they didn’t see Midorima again, but Momoi promised he was doing well. Aomine accidently let it slip that the tsundere had gone on a vacation to recover from a heartbreak. That was the end for them. It was just as jagged as their start… A perfect ending for an imperfect pair, maybe once the hurt was gone once the nightmares of disgust and distance stopped plaguing them they’d be able to attend one of the alumni meets together, instead of one going by day and the other by night… A true light and shadow story. The hawk plushie sits in the bottom of a shoe box in the box with Takao’s Shuutoku things that Izuki refuses to throw away, knowing one day his lover might really regret it.

#request #anon #midotaka #izutaka #aomomo #takaizu #shadow and light #wow so I kind of cried as I was writing this #Takao is down with a fever #Momoi is getting married and everything is emotions #Takao Kazunari #Midorima Shintarou #Izuki Shun #knb fanfic #KnB ficlets #knb writing #angst #Hope you enjoy

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happyhargrove · 6 years

Text

Insecurities / Billy Hargrove

Pairing: Billy x reader

Warnings: swearing, mentions of abuse

Word count: 2,677 (holy shit)

Author’s Note: hi, this is my first attempt at posting an imagine in so long, I hope you like it! (please give me feedback, but also be gentle with me). I wrote it based on the photoset below. Also, I cannot stress enough that I do not condone the behavior of billy as a character, but I’m also so soft for him like ???

“Hey, (Y/L/N)!” Carol called out from across the parking lot as (Y/N) was starting her walk home.

“What do you want, Carol?” she asked calmly, knowing that Carol’s only goal was to get on her nerves.

She motioned for her to walk over, which she knew was most likely something she would regret, but she did anyway. What pulled her into the center of hurricane Carol? Billy Hargrove, Hawkins’ new bad boy, was leaning on the side of his car, where their little group was gathered. Their annoying ass group that had taken Billy in only two days after he had moved to town. Everything about Billy screamed danger and drew her in. He was the opposite of (Y/N)’s seemingly perfect life at the end of her street, the same street Billy had moved onto just before school began. He was the bad influence she had been looking for.

“Tommy wants to know if you’ll let him take you to the party this weekend,” Carol said with a smirk on her face.

“Carol, as disgusting as that sounds, I think I’ll take a pass based off of the shit eating grin that’s on your makeup plastered face,” (Y/N) said with a disgustingly sweet smile on her face, which caused Billy to laugh.

“What the fuck did you just say and why the fuck did you just laugh?” Carol spat.

“You heard me,” (Y/N) said, still maintaining her smile as she turned to walk away, but she was stopped by an unfamiliar hand wrapping around her wrist. Carol and Tommy had both pulled her aggressively before, so she was aware of what that would feel like, but this was different, it was more gentle.

“Wait,” Billy said, spinning (Y/N) around, “let me give you a ride home.”

“If you give her a ride home, don’t ever fucking talk to us again,” Tommy said in disbelief.

“Well, it was really nice knowing you,” Billy said with a smirk as he motioned for you to get in his car.

“I’m going to get you for this one day,” Carol said, trying to sound intimidating.

“I’m shaking, please don’t come for me,” (Y/N) said in a mocking tone as she climbed into the car and swiftly shut the door, which made Billy laugh again.

Carol, Tommy, and whatever other morons were with them slowly backed away from Billy’s car as he backed up and pulled out of the school parking lot, heading towards their street. He turned up the speakers, which blasted AC/DC, her absolute favorite. Being in the car with a stranger didn’t stop her from singing the lyrics at the top of her lungs and casually dancing along. Billy and (Y/N) had a great time rocking out to music on the car ride home, so much so that she was disappointed when he pulled into her driveway.

“Thank you for the ride, you didn’t have to do that back there you know..” she said.

“I know, but they’re assholes and you seem real,” he stated casually.

“I’m taking that as a compliment.. so, what do you say, Hargrove.. friends?” she said in a joking tone, secretly hoping he would take it seriously.

“Friends.”

Billy and (Y/N) had a friendship like no other. They were inseparable ever since Billy dropped her off at home that day. People around Hawkins assumed they were dating, but, much to (Y/N)’s dismay, that wasn’t true. If they knew about their secret late night hang outs they would definitely doubt that they weren’t together despite the countless amounts of times both Billy and (Y/N) had denied the claims. After only knowing each other for a week, Billy began showing up at (Y/N)’s house in the late hours of the night, covered in blood, cuts, and irritation marks she knew would form into bruises the next day. The understanding in their friendship was that she would never ask, but what he didn’t know is that she never needed to ask because she knew, she had witnessed it one night, only a month after Billy had began the (almost) nightly routine of showing up at her window looking like somebody’s punching bag.

After hearing her dad scream at her mom for the third time that night, she snuck out her window and casually made her way to Billy’s. As she approached the window she heard the very thing she was driven away from at home. She carefully peered into his window to find Neil, his father, yelling at Billy and then forcefully shoving him into the wall. After he shoved him into the wall he proceeded to punch him square in the face. She couldn’t hear anything he was saying, the sounds muffled by the window. After Neil got whatever response he wanted out of Billy, he left the room. Her mouth hung open in horror as she watched one of the strongest men she knew break down on his bedroom floor. Unsure of what to do, she waited a couple minutes below the window and then tapped on the glass in their usual code. Taking longer than most nights, Billy made his way to the window and let (Y/N) in. He didn’t bother bringing up what had just happened, instead he pretended it didn’t and simply asked her what was wrong, knowing that she wouldn’t have come over unless something was off.

“My dad was just screaming at my mom more than usual, needed to get away,” she said softly, knowing that his night hadn’t gone much better.

“Well, you’re more than welcome to stay here,” he said, pulling her in for a hug, which was much needed by both after the disasters each had faced that night.

What (Y/N) didn’t notice was Billy double checking that his door was locked and how he strategically had her lay on the side of the bed furthest from the door. Once he felt he had done enough to set himself up to protect her if anything went wrong, he relaxed next to her. Then, they spent the rest of that night listening to AC/DC and smoking in silence until (Y/N) decided it was best that she headed home for the night. Although, she could see something in Billy’s eyes that was begging her to stay, she climbed out his window and walked back home. Her mind was racing and she couldn’t stop thinking of the event she saw unfold through his window that night. Once she was back in her room and had changed into her pajamas, she crawled into bed and stared at the ceiling as Billy did the same in his own room, both thinking of the horrors of that night. Each worried about the other’s safety in the situation that had unfolded. (Y/N) couldn’t stop thinking about how badly she wanted to save him and Billy couldn’t stop thinking about how bad it could’ve been if she had been there ten minutes earlier.

Six months. Six months she had known Billy and for five months she had suffered, wanting more than friendship. (Y/N) was beginning to give up hope. Billy had been making more frequent visits to her at night, more cut up and bruised than ever before. The more nights he spent over, the more she knew she wanted to be with him and each time he left or was just gone in the morning she could feel her heart break. Also, the more he got hurt just meant that his rate of partying and getting into fights had increased as well. Each time they attended a party she would hope that things would change, but instead he would go crazy and get plastered, which lead to him picking fights over the dumbest things.

The last party that (Y/N) attended with Billy ended in a complete disaster. She watched him do a second keg stand for the night after already drinking an absurd amount of other drinks on top of that. She gently touched his arm as his fake friends were cheering and puling him through the crowd. He managed to worm his way out of the crowd and give her as much of his attention as possible with the amount of alcohol in his system.

“Billy.. please, no more..” she said gently, which made Billy’s jaw tightened as he tensed up, clearly pissed off.

“Let me deal with my shit the way I want to,” he slurred.

With Billy weakened from the alcohol, (Y/N) was able to pull him out the front door to talk in privacy.

“Billy, talk to me please,” she sighed. “I can’t deal with you this drunk, you know how my dad is..” she trailed off into an almost inaudible volume, “and I know how yours is.”

“What did you say?” Billy snapped.

“Nothing,” she said quietly.

“You don’t know anything,” he said.

“I saw, what Neil does.” (Y/N) whispered, looking at her feet. “I came over to talk and I saw him push you into a wall..”

“Leave,” Billy snapped back angrily.

“Billy I-”

“Leave, I can’t look at you right now,” he cut her off.

(Y/N) looked at Billy’s face, searching for any kind of emotion aside from anger, but gave up, turning away when she noticed that his facial expression was unchanged. The moment she turned tears began to fall down her face. Billy felt absolutely nothing aside from regret as he turned to head back into the party, stopping and turning to watch (Y/N)’s receding figure before walking into the house and drowning his pain in more drinks.

After that, she stopped going to the parties with him and that’s when he slowly, but surely, stopped making his visits to her bedroom. He felt like he had pushed away the one person he trusted with his coping mechanisms. Then she began to hear about his latest fights the next morning at school from some random kids passing in the hallway. Each time she would sigh and bow her head, knowing that he could be doing so much more with his life than this. They would see each other in passing, but never say anything because neither knew where to start with the mess that Billy had made.

(Y/N) hadn’t spoken to Billy in two weeks, which was taking a toll on her. Billy was her safe space, her escape from all her bullshit and she was his. She knew that he was only pushing her away because he felt insecure, but she was still pissed that he could leave her alone like that. Her dad had been getting increasingly worse with drinking in the past few months due to the fact that he lost his job and Billy had known that. He spent every night worried about her and how she was doing, but he was still too afraid to ask her how she was doing, knowing that he had fucked up with the last party. Instead, he laid in his bed, listening to her favorite album and stared at the ceiling. She had the same fears about him and was thinking of his safety when she was snapped out of her thoughts as her dad slammed a door down the hall.

“(Y/N) WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?” She heard her dad scream from down the hall.

“BEDROOM!” She called from her room, trying to mask her fear.

He stormed into her room, the door hitting the wall behind it once it opened, anger coursing through his veins and a look of determination on his face.

“Why is the kitchen not clean like I asked?” He said, moving towards her, the smell of alcohol on his breath. “You know, I think I’ve been too nice to you about all of this and you clearly haven’t learned.”

He moved towards her, grabbing her wrist, pulling her up from the chair. He looked her in the eyes, happy to see the fear he was met with, and threw her to the ground. With no hesitation, he kicked her in the ribs multiple times before heading towards the door again.

“Next time, I expect the fucking kitchen to be clean,” he said as he slammed the door behind her.

(Y/N) could feel the pain radiating throughout her body as she laid on the floor, tears streaming down her face. There was no point in fighting it anymore, she knew that she needed Billy. With a few whimpers, she slowly made her way up off the ground and out her window. This time, instead of casually strolling to Billy’s, she ran as fast as she could. Her taps on the window were faster than normal, which alarmed a half-asleep Billy. As if the last two weeks had never happened, he rushed to the window and helped (Y/N) climb in. He heard her cry out in pain as she made her way in and he took note of her tear stained cheeks.

“(Y/N), what happened?” Billy asked softly, but all she could do was shake her head. “If you don’t tell me then I can’t make it better.”

“W-why do you g-get to ask questions, b-but I d-don’t?” She stuttered out in between her tears.

“Don’t change the subject, what happened?” He persisted.

“He normally just yells.. but it’s been getting worse ever since he lost his job..” she paused to try to calm herself, holding up a finger to let Billy know she needed a moment, and Billy’s hand began rubbing slow, reassuring circles on her back. “This time he was so drunk and angry that h-he threw me to the ground and kicked me.. a few times..”

She could feel Billy tensing up with anger and rage next to her, but she couldn’t find the strength to calm him down this time. She had never felt so weak and useless in her life. That’s when Billy realized that he needed to be there for her instead of letting his anger get the best of him, so he took a deep breath and gently pulled her in for a hug.

“It’s not fair, you know?” she stated more than asked.

“What’s not fair, princess?” Billy asked, confused.

“You can’t just push me away for caring about you, it’s not fair.”

Billy sighed, “I know, but it’s so much easier to push people away than to let them in and I wish I didn’t feel that way.”

(Y/N) pulled back from Billy’s embrace and looked into his eyes. She knew she loved him the day he chose being friends with her over Tommy and Carol, but never had the courage to admit it.

“Billy.. love doesn’t destroy you, did you know that?” she said, which made him look at her in quiet astonishment. “Insecurities do.. you ruin your life by not saying how you feel.”

“I’m the one that’s supposed to be cleaning you up and helping you through this, but you’re trying to pick up my pieces again..” he said, looking down. “It’s not that simple, I care about you, but I’m scared that I’ll be just like Neil or your dad.. you have such high expectations for me.. you look at me like I’m this great guy with potential that just acts like a jerk, but what if I’m just a jerk, (Y/N)?”

“Stop.. don’t make me feel like an asshole for-“ she cut herself off, not wanting to complete her sentence.

“For what?” Billy pushed.

“For wanting your affection..” she said quietly. “You could never be like them, Billy. Deep down, you know that..”

They both leaned in, kissing each other, like they had both secretly wanted since the day they had driven together for the first time. They spent the rest the night listening to music, kissing, and eventually falling asleep in each others arms, both wrapped in the comfort of each other’s safety.

#billy hargrove x reader #billy Hargrove imagine #billy hargrove #dacre montgomery #dacre x reader #dacre montgomery imagine #stranger things #stranger things imagine

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