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angel-of-the-moons · 2 months

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Ligyrophobia

Moon Boys (Jake focused) x Mama!Reader (Feat. Khonshu and Victoria!)

TW/CW: fluff!

A/N: This just popped into my head because i suffer from this as well and God damn it I needed fluffy Khonshu

Note: This ties into my mini-miniseries, "Small Surprises". Just a drabble on Khonshu's tough bitchy exterior chipping away because Victoria is adorable and he's secretly a big ass softie

🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑

It was a dreary day. Another storm sweeping over London, blotting out the sun's rays behind the angry dark clouds.

You and Jake had run out to gather things to make for dinner, and Victoria didn't want to venture out with you. She had a bit of a fever and a sniffle, and you were hesitant to leave her behind.

You and Jake were flabbergasted when Khonshu had offered to babysit her.

Jake was hesitant to leave your precious child alone with him, but... even he had to concede the point when you told him that as a protector of the innocent, he would never hurt Victoria.

He had sneaking suspicions that something else was going on with you in particular, as even Steven was far more protective of you than usual.

But... here he is now, with your sickly daughter who sniffled and rubbed at her eye as she huddled beneath her desk, her plush scarab clutched against her chest as though it could ward off the booming thunder from outside.

The power had blinked out, so the flat was dark, only the dim light from outside provided any illumination, which seemed to frighten the child more.

He kneeled down, peering at her.

"You can come out. It's only thunder." He said, trying to keep his tone gentle and quiet. She was a child after all, and it was natural for children to fear things outside of their control, and things they did not yet understand. Especially children like Victoria (and Steven).

Victoria shook her head and cried softly, burying her face in the stuffed toy, her feet curling and rubbing together again, and again as she rocked back and forth, noises bubbling up beneath her tiny sobs.

"Little one--" Khonshu's voice was cut off when a loud crack of thunder shook the flat.

He looked towards the window to see the heavy rain pelting the glass with loud patters, the wind shaking the glass.

This was a bad one, he couldn't help but wonder what triggered this.

His head snapped back to look at Victoria when she hiccuped and began wailing, rocking back and forth, her breathing so quick and ragged he was afraid she would faint.

Her face messed and streaked with... ugh.

But... he couldn't deny something inside of him tugged at the sight of her so tiny and helpless, afraid of what her little psyche could possibly label as some sort of monster outside her home.

Khonshu sighed and reached down, his voice low and soft.

"Come here, little one." He says gently, his large hands curling around her tiny body and pulling her out from her hiding place.

He wasn't surprised when she squirmed and cried, trying to get free to go back to her "safe place". He let her flail, to fight him, until he sat back, cross-legged and cradled her against his body.

She sniffled, her breathing broken up by little sobs as she finally relented, body tense as Khonshu held her, his robes flowing around the two of them, creating a buffer between Victoria and the storm outside.

She snuggled against him instinctively, drawn in by the warmth he exuded, but still made little noises and groans as the thunder roared outside.

Khonshu cradled her back with his hand and pressed her a little tighter against his chest, feeling her rub her cheek on his robes and bandages in a manner similar to how she would stroke her cheek on you or one of your lovers.

"Hush." He murmurs softly, petting her curly hair in an effort to calm her. "You are safe."

She didn't respond. She didn't usually talk when she was having a meltdown, often only rocked and made odd sounds in an attempt to work off her frightened or nervous energy; and it was difficult to break through to her mentally when she was like this.

Khonshu sighed.

And then... began humming.

It was a small melody, but one he remembered well. Hathor would often pluck her harp and sing it to him before he was sent into exile. He remembered being present during the feasts and festivals in her honor, her followers often sang the same song and performed it in the streets.

His deep, vibrating voice seemed to soothe her, little bit little, judging by how she relaxed against him, the tension in her body loosening as he gently rocked her, humming the heavenly song to her.

While this moment was happening, however, he didn't notice the monitor in the corner, the little red light blinking.

He did not know that it automatically switched to battery mode when the cord was disconnected or the power was switched off.

🌑🌑🌑��🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑

Jake squinted at the bottles of vitamins, trying to figure out why one bottle was more expensive than the other when their ingredients were the same.

"Ay, paying for brands is so fucking stupid." He growled, ignoring the weary looks from people as he cursed in Spanish.

He plucked a bottle of the shelves and held it up, clearing his throat so the pregnant young lady next to him would look.

"I don't mean to be rude or anything...." He said awkwardly. "But which bottle of these is better? Would you say?"

The young woman seemed a little nervous at first, until she spotted the bottle on question, and realized he was looking at the same shelf of vitamins she was.

Her left hand rubbed her belly as she shyly took the bottle from his fingers, turning it over, and looking at the facts on the back of the bottle.

"Oh! For these, you can just get generic. They have the same stuff and are cheaper." She chirps.

Jake sighs with relief as he replaced the bottle with the recommended one. "Sí, that is exactly what I was saying."

"You're.... shopping for someone?" She asked.

"Ah... Yeah." He laughed a little stiffly, dropping the bottle in the basket he clenched in his fist.

"My fiancé."

"Aw... how far along is she? Er--I mean, I don't mean to assume, I was taking prenatals before I got pregnant just for the health benefits, uh..." She floundered.

Jake flashed her a charming grin, his beard creasing around his plush lips. "She's due sometime in the summer. Only found out a week or two ago."

"Oh! Congratulations!" She smiled, relaxing a bit.

"Gracias," Jake chuckled. "Our little girl is going to be excited--we hope--when we tell her."

"Aww... I hope everything works out for you guys." She giggled, grabbing a bottle of vitamin gummies for herself as well. "Well, maybe see you around!" She chirped once more before cutely waddling away.

Jake grinned again, he couldn't wait to see you waddle like that. Like a cute little penguin.

"Jake! Jake!" You panted, apparently having run with the shopping trolley just to find him. The panicked edge in your tone had him immediately on alert.

"What's wrong? What is it?" He asked, dropping his basket in the trolley to hold your arms in his palms.

"The power's out at home." You heaved, holding up your phone.

He felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck. Did something happen? Was Victoria all right? Did Khonshu do something--

"You have to see this." You say, interrupting his thoughts as you swiped your password in, opening the app to the baby monitor. You weren't out of range just yet, as the shop was relatively nearby, and you'd purposefully purchased that expensive monitor because of the large signal range it had.

You turned your phone around, a face-splitting grin on your face as you showed him the most recent clip recorded. The monitor, when you weren't looking at the receiver at your bedside, uploaded clips in five-minute intervals to the app for storage for you to look at later.

Khonshu and Victoria were highlighted plainly in the night vision mode. Victoria was curled up in his lap and Khonshu was... was singing to her. He didn't understand the words he said out loud, assuming it was some ancient language that Steven could only decipher; as his large hands patted her hair and back, rocking and soothing her like one would do for a baby.

"....See? Who was right? Told you she'd be fine with him." You grin slyly, a hand over your ear, awaiting the inevitable.

"Okay, okay, mierda." Jake ran a hand through his curls, shaking his head at you. "You were right. Maybe the old bird is... coming around."

"Victoria has a way of charming everyone." You giggle, looking at the recording with a glimmer in your eyes.

He sighed and wrapped his arms around your waist, his hands resting on your belly, thumbs tracing your soft curves beneath your shirt.

"Yeah, well... I'm willing to bet her sibling will have the same charm."

#moon knight #jake lockley #jake lockley x reader #jake lockley x you #khonshu #khonshu moon knight

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hastyprovocateur · 1 year

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Girlfriend Abby Headcanons

Cw- mature content, mild sexual themes, fluff, SPOILERS FOR TLOU2!

● Abigail Anderson grew up as a guarded girl, her life and psyche got stunted in a way when she lost her father. She'd train day and night, leaving little room for recreation, pleasure and healing. It only worsened when revenge dragged her into further loss of her comrades and close friends.

● However, ever since she's found you and Lev, she's seen your smiles and found herself mirroring the happiness. You love her for being in your life and she's slowly accepting that love, directing more of it into herself. Feeling needed and cherished has allowed her another chance at life.

● She's grown fond of long hikes with you. Abby is no rogue but lately, she's gotten obsessed with grabbing your hand and disappearing for hours on end, only wanting you by her side. Whether rambling or silent, she will look at you every now and then, give an easy laugh. She'll show you sunsets and sunrises alike, staring at that lovely smile grow more radiant on your face. She would definitely officially ask you to be her life partner on one such early morning just as the sun rises.

"Babe, can you answer a biit faster... the cliff is making me nervous"

● The switch to living together would be quick. Abby's learnt the importance of time spent with her loved ones and will let you know that she won't be wasting much of it with you around. She secured a previously abandoned house with a secure electricity and water supply, steadily amping up the living spaces to make it more suitable for you and Lev. It was healing for her to do things more so out of love, even hanging up stupid signs and placing trinkets on tables. Her every thought involves spending time with you and Lev. It came to fruition when you all moved in.

"Is that a handmade home-is-where-the-heart-is sign, Abby?"

● She will build a basement gym and insist you join her everyday. No, she vehemently denies just looking for reasons to see you exercise in body hugging clothes. But you suspect otherwise as she spots you during bench press, insists on holding your thighs while you do sit ups, resting a hand on your back for one-arm rows and wanting to do twin pull ups. Her facade later falls off before you go shower when she comes for your sweaty, warm body fair and square.

"The only sets I did were tearing my eyes away from you"

● She maintains her military-like discipline. A tad to your chagrin but you adore her for it nonetheless. Plus, getting ordered around by Abby was one of your shrouded kinks. She monitored your food and water intake and acted as your stand-in alarm system since her body was organically wired to waking up at set times. If you didn't wake up with her, she'd carry you out of bed herself, change your clothes amid protests and make sure you don't get tardy for the day.

"Is this a house or THE FUCKING BARRACKS" you yell at her

● Quite literally rendered you useless at home since she insists on cooking, cleaning, driving and getting things in order. Will sneak into the shower to bathe you thoroughly, getting frisky per usual but will specifically request that you shampoo her hair with pine scented shampoo and braid them once they dry. She'd ask for massages, especially in her calves and shoulders after a long day. Abby would pull you into random cuddles throughout the day, asking you to stroke her head while you kiss and praise her.

"Tell me I'm a good mama bear"

"You're a good mama bear, Abby"

● Her car music CDs are stacked with her favourites: Deftones, Genitorturers, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails and Velvet Acid Christ. She will make you her royal passenger princess. She will mentally note all the details you love and stack them in the glovebox, like the fruity car freshener, your fidget toys, lip balm, sunglasses, body mist, cup holder for your coffee and... well... a discreetly hidden vibrator and lube for date night.

"The car smells like 10 different things and I'm scared"

● Aside from no drinking or smoking, she will establish a swear jar system, especially with Lev around. She knows you can be foulmouthed and swears often herself but resolved to put an end to cursing in the Anderson household when she saw Lev catching on all too quickly. The 13 year old asking why you called Abby "big daddy" was the straw that broke the camel's back

● With help from her handy polaroid camera, Abby took to capturing every little moment. She'd let them develop and add them to an album, replete with particulars from the day. She didn't care if it was a big or small event, Abby would grow tender over a wholesome dinner with good food and tell both you and Lev to pose for her. Neither of you minded, you knew it was important for her.

"But Abby is not your father..."

"Oh no, honey..." you try to explain

"Say cheese"

"Nacho"

● She'd brought the camera to the bedroom as well, eyes heady with love mid-sex as she'd capture your face flushed with swollen lips, eyes damp and doe-like. Her large hand would cover your nipples as she captured you in the heat of the moment. A family photo with Lev took centrestage in the clear section of her wallet but more discreetly, your intimate photo hid in a slot just behind it. There were more in a tin box in her nightstand and you gave it a cursory glance everyday, smiling but never going through it.

● She'd become an even more voracious reader than before. Her choice stuck to action thrillers, picking Lee Child, David Baldacci and Tom Clancy. Nights consisted of her sitting up near the nightlamp on her side of the bed, you lying snug in the crook of her arm while her eyes ran over the lines, flipping pages. You tried to keep up but it just went by so quick, you made sure to ask for chapter updates in the morning and Abby would gladly fill you in.

● Ditto with films. She's a sucker for action, thriller movies like Predator, Matrix, Indiana Jones and Kill Bill. She also liked martial arts movies like Ip Man, Street Fighter, Enter the Dragon and Fist of Legend. She'd hoot at the fighting moves and dramatic villain reveals. You'd often lose track with all the rapid fight sequences and she'd patiently pause the DVD and explain the scene to you.

● She'd grown to love woodworking projects, especially since Lev could join her, with you weaving in and out of the duration of it with snacks and drinks. She liked the physical workout as well. You accidentally let slip in bed one night how you'd love to have a treehouse on the oak tree near your house and Abby swore to build it for you. She spent a whole summer at it, aided by you and Lev since being up on the tree made her jittery but not discouraged enough to stop. Lev, on the other hand, took to performing circus tricks on the branches to petrify the both of you.

"Do you think it would break if we have sex up there"

"I'd rather die than have sex in the treehouse"

● Abby carried sachets of puppy chow in her jeans to feed any doggo she might see on the streets, naturally, they'd happily trail her back to the house. You'd look at her sternly in the doorway, eyeing the puppy in her arms, licking and yipping, waiting for your approval. You wouldn't know if it's Abby's sad little pout or the adorable baby but you'd let them in anyway.

"I swear this is the last time, Abigail"

● Though you could competently defend yourself, were safer than before and stably settled. Abby wouldn't risk it for anything. She'd insist that both you and Lev stay trained so you could take on anything as a family if it were to come your way. Abby, being a deadshot with a crossbow, will keenly note your marksmanship. Your personal training sessions will be rigorous and serious once you get past how sexy it feels with her hands positioning your body, holding your forearm and guiding your aim to the target.

"If you hit it, I'll let you top tonight"

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penguinxturtle · 10 months

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cool with you | gojo satoru x reader

/synopsis: for once, satoru felt the blooming desire of love.

/word count: 1k

/notes: cupid!gojo & cupid!geto, inspired by newjeans' cool with you mvs (so yeah expect the angst whwhw). somewhat reference to cupid and psyche. one-shot, gender-neutral pronouns. also crossposted on ao3.

Satoru, a god, and as beautiful as he was. Such a pity for humans who are unable to see his god-like beauty.

He was a known Cupid who never fails on his missions. He always make sure that his missions don’t go to a halt or fail. With just one gaze of his cerulean, Six Eyes, on his target. The effects of falling in love, connecting their hearts ensues between two people. The divine power within his Six Eyes is truly a glorious, pride, and joy of his as being The Cupid. Closely embodiment of Eros.

Cloudy, as Satoru already predicted that it would rain soon. He doesn’t forget to bring an umbrella when he knows it’s about to rain. A god like him will become visible to the human eye when they get showered in the rain.

He goes out on his another mission: making people fall in love. As he already activated the Six Eyes on his target, the mission is almost completed. The two people already looked at each other, lovingly. Satoru smiled affirmatively, opens his umbrella and walked away. The rain started to pour.

With the umbrella on, the rainfall somehow made him feel dull as he wondered what is it like to be a human. He sighed. Another mission was sent to him as he walked in the marbled hallways of the museum.

Looking for his target, he stumbled upon a majestic landscape painting of “Eros and Psyche”. With his cerulean eyes reflected upon on the painting, adoring the idealized love presented on the art. Something awakens within him. The feeling of love. A person walks beside him, admiring the painting he also admires.

Satoru, who connects people’s hearts with his Six Eyes, falls in love at first sight with a human in front of this painting. He lovingly gazed on the person on his side. The person unable to see him anyway.

Ironically, that was his supposed target for his mission.

Who cares? Rules are made to be broken. Cupids deserved to be loved too.

Every day and night, he always follows them like a guardian angel instead of a Cupid. He always look at them with adoration just like that painting. He was inspired. Deeply in love.

When the person is sleeping in the bed, he is always beside them, looking at them lovingly with his Six Eyes. Wanting to give them a kiss on their lips, he leaned over. A realization comes to him and he started to look upon the mirror on the bed side that shows only the reflection of them without him. He needs to be a human, a mortal to show his love to them.

Raining, he goes out on the street letting himself get rained on. Embracing himself as a human who is capable to love and able to connect with his love. He abandoned her identity as a god, as a Cupid. With his arms open wide on the rainy skies, accepting the feeling of love wholly.

Satoru, now visible to human eyes, he make known himself to the person he deeply desires, the one he deeply want to showered his love on. The person stood there, transfixed on his cerulean eyes, literally love at first sight, they accepted him. Both felt the love, the joy, and the desire of one another. Happily in love everyday. Sharing kisses, hugs, cuddles, comfort, going on dates, name any sweet couple would do. Satoru truly meet the love of his life.

One fateful day, Satoru sighed deeply knowing his actions have consequences which he broken the rule and failed his supposed mission, which is his lover. He knows that someday or sooner a Cupid will intervene their relationship. A god like him and human should not fall in love, the rule shared between Cupids.

He received a call to his lover to meet along the way for an afternoon lunch. Satoru excitedly responded, grinning and saying “See you love, I love you so much.”

“Me too, I love you Satoru.” The call dropped.

While walking along the cobbled streets, Satoru can’t helped but he feels that someone is watching him. He felt someone send a fellow Cupid to do the work.

Once reached in the pedestrian, his cerulean eyes immediately found his lover in the other side. His lover recognized him too, both lovingly smiled and wave at each other. The traffic lights went yellow. Until, a Cupid with sharp, onyx eyes appeared on the scene. His smile faltered.

Suguru, a Cupid known for his long, luscious raven hair, was called down to correct the responsibility of his fellow Cupid. There is a sweetness and bitterness that comes with his onyx eyes. As a usual Cupid he can able to make people fall in love. He can also make a fellow Cupid give a realization. The pain of being a Cupid. Unable to show love as ironically given the duty to make other people love. Many Cupids had been gone through his eyes and which is why he was gained a name “Cupid of Judgement”.

Satoru know that this time will come, still shocked, stunned once he saw Suguru just behind on his lover. His cerulean eyes meet the judgement stare of the onyx eyes. Sadness and hurt reflected on Satoru’s face as Suguru once shifted his gaze to his lover. Suguru made Satoru’s lover fall in love with another mortal.

The traffic lights went red, people started to cross. The once human who fall in love in a cupid-turned-to-mortal was no longer there. Their gaze no longer connected with Satoru’s and shifted to other person. They were unable to see Satoru once again as they crossed paths. He looked back as he witnessed the moment of the reality. Six Eyes reflected bitterness.

“So this is what humans called pain huh..” He felt broken-hearted.

Suguru disappeared after depriving Satoru of his love. Satoru realizes his fate of what he really was. He shed his last tears as a human and returns back to a Cupid once again.

#gojo satoru x reader #satoru gojo x reader #gojo x reader #satoru x reader #jujutsu kaisen #gojo satoru #jjk #jjk gojo #satoru gojo #oneshot #angst #fluff #fanfic #newjeans #cool with you #cupid and psyche

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eggymf-archived · 11 months

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of paper planes and wildflowers; 11

ft. ominis gaunt with f!reader (series)

chapter warnings: angst, mentions of kidnapping, a lot of trauma, torture, partially proofread (teehee)

chapter summary: everyone has their dark sides, no matter how “clean” their record seems. the question is, would you be able to accept them once they've reared their ugly head?

word count: 5.9k

a/n: special mention to @freesiriusblack, @cranetreegang and @iamintoomanyfandoms for enabling me to push through with my ideas for this utter bedlam of a chapter. personally this chapter was quite hellish to write, but yolkie persists! i’m still rather nervous if you readers will like this one though. one scriptorium chapter coming right up! also, i made a wee audio of the first part of this for funsies. you can listen to it right here. (it’s sfw.)

main masterlist || series masterlist || AO3

The Great Hall was particularly quiet this morning, with most students likely sleeping in for the weekends. The vast space was illuminated in a slightly blue-toned day lighting that peered through the ginormous glass windows. Ominis was currently seated at the Slytherin table right beside Sebastian, who was helping himself to a hearty meal. Meanwhile, the misty-eyed male had halted his little eating session briefly: he had his wand pointed towards a piece of parchment that he held, skimming through the letter that he had received several moments ago from an all-familiar Great Horned Owl.

Dearest Ves, I apologize for my lack of reply ever since that note that you've given me. Many troubles are weighing within my mind, as of late, but rest assured that it's not regarding our little situation. That being said, I think I might have an inkling as to who you might be. However, I am not one to rely on just assumptions although you've made it quite blatantly obvious as to who you are. Instead, I shall gather concrete evidence that'll point me to you for good measure; just so I know that I didn’t make a mistake. By that time, I would’ve most likely accumulated enough courage to even confront you about the matter. I’m not one who would dare do such a thing, but I suppose I’m willing to make your case an exception. For now, I wish to indulge in whatever time that remains of this pen pal relationship. I find it hard to let go, if I'm being completely honest. I quite like exchanging letters with you after all — it was certainly an eye-opening experience plus an incredible joy to be in correspondence with a man of wit and grace. I hope you don't mind my horrendously bizarre request of relishing in the moment. With utmost sincerity and adoration, (Y/N)

Ominis sets the letter down, refolding the parchment and tucking it into the inner pocket of his blazer. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he took a bite out of his eggs on toast, mulling over the thoughts that had been injected within his psyche upon reading your letter.

This was yet another moment of him silently wishing that he had the gift of sight; perhaps if he were able to look at you from across the hall (if you were there to begin with, of course), then he wouldn't be formulating all sorts of pointless questions within his mind. Dark brown orbs stared at the lithe-framed male from the corner of his eye as he sighed woefully.

“Are you alright, Ominis? You're a little distracted this morning,” Sebastian asks before sipping from his cup. “Bad news?”

“No… It's nothing, really. It's about her, I suppose,” he mumbles in response.

“Perhaps if you stopped skirting around the issue, then maybe it would be easier for you both,” Sebastian shrugs. “When are you going to tell her anyway?”

“She already knows, Sebastian. She just needs to confirm it for herself,” Ominis sighs while Sebastian gapes at his revelation out of sheer astonishment, paying closer attention to what the opal-eyed male has to say.

“She knows?! Isn't that a good thing? You could just drop the biggest clue and that'll solve your problems!”

“Yes, but I'd rather spare her from my persuasive tactics for now. Must've been quite a shock to her that her pen pal was the blind lad all along,” Ominis grumbles. “Perhaps I paced this whole thing way too fast…”

“Oh?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Anything happened lately?”

“... I might've brought her along to Feldcroft to meet Anne.”

Sebastian nearly spat out the pumpkin juice he was drinking, quickly swallowing the sweet liquid and wiping the stray droplet with the back of his hand. He turns to Ominis, absolutely gobsmacked before crossing his arms with a teasing smirk on his face.

“So that's why you skipped classes with her!” the brunette laughed. “Merlin’s beard, you work fast! Even skipped an entire step in the whole courtship process. Meeting the family before dating? Oh boy. Whatever will your father say about this?”

Oh, if only Sebastian knew how far the jump truly was. He'd be absolutely floored.

“Sebastian, for the love of Merlin, just eat your damn breakfast,” Ominis groans. “It’s bad enough I’m worried that I messed up.”

While a rather grumbly Ominis continues to munch on his breakfast, Sebastian glances towards the Ravenclaw table, his eyes coincidentally meeting with yours. You instinctively averted your gaze by looking down on your empty plate, sipping on your own cup of pumpkin juice. A smug grin appeared on his face.

“Oh, believe me when I say this. You didn't mess up, Ominis,” he chuckled, leaning slightly closer and lowering his tone. “She’s been staring at you this entire time.”

The blonde-haired Slytherin sputtered, instantly grabbing his nearby cup and chugged its contents.

“Not when I'm eating, you moonmind!” he hissed, his face turning an angry red. Deep within the corner of his mind, however, he was relieved. Sebastian chortled at his best friend’s predicament, taking the last bit of toast in his mouth while Ominis refilled his cup with pumpkin juice. From a distance, a certain student clad in Hufflepuff school uniform motions for Sebastian to come over.

“Well then, best be on my way. I'll see you around, Ominis,” he grins, patting the said male's back before scuttering over to Skylar, who was waiting with their arms crossed, the both of them exiting the hall together. Finishing the remnants of his meal, Ominis got up, making his way to the exit of the Great Hall. You quickly got up, trailing towards him.

“Gaunt!”

Ominis turns towards your direction, his cheeks flushing the faintest shade of pink.

“Is something the matter?”

The light thumping of your footsteps died out slowly as you approached him.

“Alright, self. Keep it subtle,” your inner voice encourages.

“Uhh, do you have plans today? I was thinking if we should start on that Charms assignment together,” you suggested, masking your innocent little intentions with an air of nonchalance. Ominis raises an eyebrow.

“... Isn't that assignment due in two weeks?” he asked. “And Ronen gave it only yesterday too. What's the rush?”

“Alright, pack it up. We're leaving. NOW!” the once encouraging voice screeched within your head, unfortunately falling into deaf ears as you persisted in pushing your luck.

“...You know I'd rather not rush, especially if it's a group-related sort of task, right?” you asked, attempting to bury that particular incident about your first Transfiguration assignment with him back into the depths of your mind. Up until this very day, it was truly a grave reminder of your former unsavory antics. Not that you regretted or disliked it, of course.

A knowing smirk graced his visage, instantly sensing the slightest hint of your bashfulness. A verbal tease was threatening to spill itself from his lips, but he remained quiet despite his amusement. He has to control himself after or at least try to. His silence was deafening despite the mumbles, chatters, and sound of cutlery within the Great Hall while dread began to churn within the pit of your stomach.

“Wow, the floor certainly looks enticing right now. I wonder if it's willing to swallow me, never to return again?” you thought in an attempt to diffuse your ever-growing anxiety of rejection.

“You know, if you just wanted to spend more time with me, all you need is ask,” the male before you chuckled. “I would've gladly agreed.”

It was too much for your poor morning brain to handle. You stood there motionless, quivering with your face adorning a shade of crimson at his sudden flirtation. Goodness, it was as if you've spontaneously combusted on the spot — you wouldn't even be surprised if smoke was coming out of your head at this very moment.

Ominis gave you a cheeky grin. Although he was incapable of sight, he was well-capable of sensing embarrassment from afar, especially if it was yours.

“T…That’s not—!”

“Sure it wasn’t,” he drawled smugly, sauntering towards the exit doors and pushing it open before facing. “After you.”

You shot him a look of half-hearted disdain and exited yourself out of the Great Hall, with him following you right after. The both of you were headed to the library yet again for another study session, with you hoping that things will be a bit more uneventful for today. While walking together in silence, Ominis suddenly cursed under his breath.

“Blast… I left my summarized notes in the common room. That was supposed to make it easier for us…” he sighs. You raised an eyebrow this time around, a smirk worming its way to your face.

“For us?” you absentmindedly repeated rather innocently. Ominis scoffs in amusement.

“You sure like the sound of that, huh?” he drawls. “Why? Does the thought entice you that much?”

A look of bemusement was evident in your visage before realization dawned upon you, a tint of red coloring your cheeks for the umpteenth time no thanks to his antics.

“Is this another one of your tricks, Gaunt? Because I’m not falling for it!” you huffed while crossing your arms.

Ominis lets out a teasing chuckle, sparing you from the rebuttal he had intended to fling towards you. You half-heartedly glared at him, still flustered. Whether it’s out of bashfulness, agreement, or denial — you weren’t quite sure at this point. Truth be told, you actually like the attention.

For the most part, you patiently waited at the nearby staircase of the Slytherin common room for Ominis, secretly picking off dirt from your fingernails while mulling over the multiple topics that had to be written in the parchment later on. Soon, the large snake emerged from the foot of the seemingly blank stone wall, revealing the door to the common room. Your brows furrowed, however — there was a muffled sound of two awfully familiar bickering boys from the now newly-revealed door.

You immediately sprang up to your feet the moment the doors swung open, revealing a frowning Sebastian alongside a vexed Ominis, who was stomping his way towards you with obvious annoyance towards his best friend. You let out a surprised yelp as his slender fingers wrap around your wrist, pulling you towards him as he makes his way to the narrow corridor on the right. You turned towards Sebastian, who was equally just as frustrated as Ominis with his arms folded across his chest.

The moment both you and Ominis reached the end of the corridor, his grip on you loosened. A sigh escaped his pale pink lips out of exasperation.

“Gaunt, what was that about? What's going on?”

Before Ominis could even whisk you away from the dungeons or provide you with an answer to your questions, you were both interrupted by the sound of running footsteps reverberating throughout the empty corridor.

“Ominis, wait!”

His head whipped towards the direction of the new voice within the scene, his tone low and exhausted.

“What are you doing here?” he asks towards Skylar, who was panting slightly after making that sprint towards the young Gaunt. Your eyes dart to and fro between the two, sensing the direness of the situation.

“I’ll uhh… Just go over there…” you mumbled, backing away from the new fifth year and Ominis. You scampered a considerable distance away from the two, the sudden urgency of their interaction befuddling your wits. Sebastian wasn’t far from you, but you kept your lips sealed — the freckled male still looked rather cross, and you'd rather not get involved with any spats or possible crossfires within the friend group.

Minutes passed, and the air was still as silent as ever aside from the faint chatters at the end of the corridor.

Upon hearing your name and Sebastian’s being called, you immediately sped towards Ominis, who was pacing around at the corner of the hallway. Skylar then began igniting the nearby braziers, much to your absolute confusion, and the heavy movement of moving stone echoed throughout the desolated hallway, revealing a hidden dark stairwell that leads to a lower level in the dungeons.

“What in Merlin's name..?!”

Sebastian and Skylar descended down the poorly lit stairwell, leaving you and Ominis at the entrance. A sense of dread was brewing within your gut as you glanced at the secret area. You were about to step closer to the entrance, only to be yanked back by the male beside you. Your head snapped towards his direction with a frown.

“You might not want to enter. What lies ahead is far too sinister.”

The obscurity of the situation finally roused the annoyed frustration within you, nearly making you snap at the blonde-haired male. Inhaling a deep lungful of air, you calmed yourself despite the intensity of your panicked confusion.

“You better tell me whatever it is that's going on in there, Gaunt. I despise it when I’m being kept in the dark.”

“It’s not for you to know,” he insisted, his brows furrowed in agitation. “I shan't allow it. You can’t. We don't know what kind of Dark Magic—”

“Dark Magic?! And you three are blatantly putting yourselves in that sort of danger?” you hissed angrily. “I'm coming with you.”

“No, you're not!”

“Yes, I am!” you vehemently insisted in the heat of the moment before letting out a sigh. “...You might need me for what lies ahead.”

Ominis groaned at your blatant display of stubbornness, exhaling exasperatedly at the mess the entire situation had become no thanks to Sebastian and Skylar's poor timing.

You were right — and he hated it.

You are a capable witch, but there was this inner knowing that what has yet to happen within Salazar Slytherin's Scriptorium will completely go awry. To further add on to his tumultuous vexations, he knew well enough that you wouldn't back down no matter how much he insists.

He threw his hands up in defeat, ultimately surrendering to your request.

“Fine, you can tag along. But stay close: we never know what might be lurking in there, and I’d much rather have you unscathed.”

“... I will.”

Upon the both of you slipping inside, the entranceway was immediately sealed shut, the stone wall sliding back into its place. His wand blinks red while you whip out your own, its tip emitting a white glow as soon as you casted Lumos non-verbally. You felt a faint brush against your pinky before his own intertwined itself around yours before leading you down the stairwell, where Skylar and Sebastian awaited.

“Took you two long enough,” Sebastian drawls, leaning against the stone walls. “I was beginning to think that you'd leave us in here.”

“We had a small discussion. Nothing more,” Ominis said stiffly, letting go of your digit and leaning beside the walls near the large door within the confined space. Skylar shone their wand at the rubble, their eyes darting from the destroyed relief on the wall.

“Reparo.”

The rubble started to piece itself back onto the wall and Ominis instantly pales, hearing the all-familiar, notoriously dreadful language of the snakes communicate with him once more. It had been so long since he had heard it or even used it, and it made him sick to his core of using it again after suppressing it for so long.

The true horrors started from the very moment the archaic language was uttered from Ominis' lips, his voice resembling a melodiously harsh hiss to a person incapable of understanding its meaning. The whole way to the scriptorium resembled a cruel game to test one's mettle in the pursuit of knowledge, yet it wasn't synonymous with triumphs and honor, but with vile prejudice and madness — a place that's only privy to the elites of the elites: the Gaunts.

Your lips curled into a frown as your brain began to decipher every last bit of detail within the musty, confined space. Within your analytical mind, the various components of this huge puzzle created by Salazar Slytherin himself was a symbolic representation of his long-standing lineage that prevailed throughout time.

The braziers were the first part of the puzzle: perhaps a witty little play of their plethora of generational secrets that is hidden in plain sight. The second part was the snake-decorated door that could only be opened by Parseltongue: the proof of their dedication in maintaining the purest of magical blood. Currently, you were at the third part of their trial, which consisted of snake dials that would strike the moment time runs out — a reflection of their hostile volatility.

One thing was for sure about this series of trials: the further you progress, the more harrowing it gets. It was a matter of time before this well-orchestrated symphonic chaos resounded its glorious crescendo of horror, and you were dreading what awaits all of you with every fiber of your being.

Alas, there was no going back.

You've managed to solve one dial smoothly on your own while Sebastian and Skylar were busy solving the other two. You sauntered towards Ominis, who was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. Mimicking his actions, a tired sigh escaping your lips, glancing at him from the corner of your eye with pure concern, his words heavy within your mind and heart.

“What lies ahead is far too sinister.”

You were beginning to see why Ominis would say such a thing. Although your partial ignorance enveloped you within a protective shell, you were still cursed with the ability to piece even the most obscure of clues together. The entire situation was a complete mess, but amidst the flurry of incoherence, you were absolutely sure that the rumors pale in comparison to the truth of this ancient family's culture.

“Just how many atrocities have you gone through, Ominis?” you woefully queried within the privacy of your thoughts, taking a quick glance at the said male who held a morose expression on his face.

The final gate was soon opened, the sound of metal echoing throughout the series of empty rooms. Sebastian and Skylar immediately rushed into the room with you and Ominis following them with reluctance, the nearby torches instantly ignited by magic. Your eyes wandered to the door at the opposite end as you strode nearer to it. It strangely resembled cooled, molten lava that had been molded into the shape of people letting out an anguished screams.

Ominis grabbed your arm, preventing you from straying too far from him. The hairs on his skin were standing upright, and the mere acknowledgement of that accumulating fear left a bitter taste within his tongue.

It was likely to be the final room, for it held the most sinister trial compared to the previous rooms that the four of you had traversed through. Sebastian and Skylar were near the enchanted door, observing the pile of bones along with a piece of parchment that laid beside the remnants of a once living being.

Noctua Gaunt — Ominis' missing aunt.

The chaos that ensues right after that grim realization gripped the entirety of your being as panicked words were exchanged amongst the other three while you stood in silence within the safety of Ominis right by your side. The contents within your brain, however, were in a state of pandemonium. You could hear your own heartbeat pulsing within your ears, and cold beads of sweat were forming at your nape and temples.

Your hearing was selectively fragmented at this point: your brain was only paying attention to the relevant information that the other three parties with you were spewing out. It was akin to grasping at Billywigs, but you were desperate for any crumb of information to at least make sense of whatever that was happening around you.

“... Cast Crucio…”

“... Ominis… Most experience…”

“...Cruciatus Curse…"

The hushed conversation between Skylar and Sebastian made your skin crawl, and it worsened the moment Skylar started to approach both you and Ominis. Your mind was racing, hurriedly piecing the shards of information to give you a better picture.

“... If this is a place accessible only to the Gaunts, and casting Crucio is inevitable, that means…”

The weight of the truth dropped upon you, crushing your heart. Nothing was registering within your head as you finally wrapped your head around the matter. Despite Skylar's pleas and improvised propositions, Ominis was adamant in not dirtying his hands any further. You, however, stood there in a daze with a dull throb pulsating within your poor head.

Eyes of mortified realization began to trail towards the only Gaunt within this room, eyes turning glassy as the fog enshrouding his past cleared up even further, finally giving you a distinguishable context of how much Ominis has truly suffered over the years.

His lack of sight…

The foul reputation that he garnered just because of his last name…

His aloofness…

His efficiency in chores despite his wealth…

His chosen family…

This entire situation…

The curse of being an heir of Salazar Slytherin.

"That spell is the reason why I have no family left!"

His heartbreaking revelations echoed throughout the space, the cold hard facts now set in stone. Ominis inhaled sharply, temporarily soothing his nerves before turning to Skylar once more.

“You and Sebastian will need to sort out another solution,” he finally says calmly. Skylar sighs with a look of dejection.

“... I understand. What about you?" they asked, turning towards you. Ominis’ lithe frame instinctively obstructs the ancient magic wielder coldly as his expression morphs into an icy glare.

“Leave her out of this,” he snarls at Skylar, who immediately backs away, not wishing to further incur the male’s anger. Ominis turns to you, immediately noting the small trembles that racked through your body and your slightly erratic breathing. He intertwined his fingers with yours, rubbing circles on your soft skin with his lightly calloused thumb.

He found himself in a pickle, unsure of how to navigate himself through this precariously placed situation. Your current state was a cocktail of all sorts of nasty emotions, consisting primarily of fear, confusion, and agonizing despondence. All he could offer for now was his silent, unspoken promise.

He will absolutely not let anything or anyone hurt you, especially with the Cruciatus Curse.

Sebastian pointed his wand towards Skylar, inhaling a deep breath to focus himself on the task at hand. The Hufflepuff stood still, trembling as they shut their eyes tight, bracing themselves for the alleged unimaginable pain. You turned away with your eyes closed, unwilling to see the vile act play out before your own eyes.

“Crucio!”

The tip of his wand shot out a small flicker of red before immediately fizzling out, much to his sheer frustration. He casted it once more, only to be met with the same results.

“Dammit!” Sebastian yelled exasperatedly, eyes glossing over with frustration and anger. “I can't cast it, Sky. Not on you.”

“You have to, Seb. You're the only one who can! I… I don't have the heart to do such a thing…”

The despair that loomed over everyone in the room became denser as you swallowed thickly upon hearing the new present problem. You turned to Ominis, your gaze drifting from his hand that held yours firmly to his sullen expression, recalling what he had said before the both of you decided to dive within this situation.

“I’d much rather have you unscathed.”

With a sorrowful sigh, your other hand reached for his fingers that held you with protectiveness, gently wrenching yourself out of his grasp. You gave Ominis one final apologetic look before sprinting towards Sebastian and Skylar, your unspoken apology driving a dagger through your chest.

“I'm sorry, Ominis.”

“Sallow,” you somberly called out to the brunette as you stared at him piercingly with firm resolve. Ominis' sightless eyes widened, his throat running dry the moment you spoke the words he never wanted to hear from you.

“Cast it on me.”

Sebastian darted his eyes from you to Ominis as his grip on his wand tightened. With an exhale, he points his wand towards you while Skylar backs away to the nearby wall. Every inch of you slowly relaxed despite the inward fear that ran rampant within you, acceptance seeping into your being as your eyelids fluttered shut.

“Perhaps this is for the best… For Uncle Lawrence… For Simon… For atoning my sins…”

Deft, slender fingers gripped his own black wand handle with ferocity before hurling a spell towards the freckled male.

“Cru—”

“EXPELLIARMUS!”

Nearly blindsided, Sebastian quickly encases himself within a thin, spherical shell, deflecting the spell that Ominis had casted in the heat of the moment.

“What the hell, Ominis?!” Sebastian yells, glaring at the blonde-haired male who pulled you closer to him grabbing your wrist possessively, taking slow steps back away from the door. His wand was pointed towards Sebastian, the frown on his face deepening upon feeling the prickling sensation of Sebastian's glower towards him.

“I meant what I said that only the both of you are to sort this out on your own, Sallow!” Ominis spat in vile disdain, warningly articulating his every word. “Leave her out of this!”

Sebastian scoffed contemptuously, his actions now fueled both by sheer anger and annoyance.

“This is not the time to play the hero, Gaunt,” Sebastian snarls, his wrath bubbling within him. “I'm not going to die in here just because you're being utterly ridiculous with your damned morals!”

“Sebastian, stop it!” Skylar hissed. “That's enough!”

Sebastian's eyes darkened, finally hitting his boiling point as he scornfully glanced at each one of you. Your eyes widened at his change in demeanor. His usual playful brown eyes now had a dangerous glint that you've seen countless of times within your occasional nightmares.

The shackles of terror immediately ensnared you once again when Sebastian fired a spell aggressively towards Ominis, who quickly pushed you away and deflected the spell back by a hair's breadth. You sat on the floor helplessly, watching Sebastian hurled spell after spell towards Ominis, who was struggling to keep up with the barrage of light jets that were sent towards him out of maniacal fury.

It was just like that day of great tragedy — the day that two precious lives were lost and you were the only one that made it out alive.

If only you hadn't insisted on sneaking out of the estate on that fine summer day.

If only you weren't so darn helpless.

If only you weren't that curious in venturing into the unknown.

It was all your fault.

From your perspective, you were no longer within the dungeons. You were back in that dimly lit, dingy, dilapidated warehouse, seeing your younger self trapped within a cage alongside your elder brother whilst seated on the filthy ground. A cloaked, towering figure looms before you, his heavy footsteps getting louder and louder. Your eyes were met with another pair that contains the same dangerous glint that you had witnessed within Sebastian's eyes.

Anguished regrets welled up within you as he flashed you a sardonic smirk, whipping out his wand, and aiming it towards the cage beside you. Your eyes trailed towards the said direction, but to your sheer horror, it wasn't your younger self and Simon who was still manacled and trapped within the cage.

It was Ominis.

The cloaked figure raises his wand, his smirk morphing into a maniacal grin. You gritted your teeth, finally snapping and unraveling the ugliest side of you that you had desperately tried to keep under wraps for the sake of moral standards. Gone were your reservations of maintaining the upkeep of your so-called reputation as you shakily stood up, arming yourself with your wand.

You won't let the same fate happen to anyone ever again — especially him.

Every ounce of the pain you've accumulated over the years coursed through your veins, serving as kindling for your long dormant unbridled rage as you stared at the root of your anguish straight into his eyes.

You wanted to hurt him — to inflict a pain so great that he grovels and begs for his life in tears. You inhaled blissfully at the thought, before casting a cold, condescending gaze towards him, uttering the incantation icily with no hint of remorse.

“Crucio.”

“SEB!!!!”

“... Seb?”

A red blitz shot out from the tip of your wand, piercing through the chest of the person that stood before you. Crackles of red lightning coursed through their frame as they writhed in the worst pain of their life, screaming and crying out in pure agony. You released the person from the spell, your eyes beginning to focus on your present reality, only to be horrified upon realizing who you had casted the spell on.

Skylar Evans.

Your knees buckled as you watched Sebastian cradle them gingerly in his arms with a panicked, regretful expression. The Hufflepuff looked back at him with a weak smile on their face, attempting to reassure the brunette that they were alright despite taking the hit that was initially directed towards him. Guilt seeped within your pores, goosebumps resurfacing from your skin as your previous actions slowly ingrained itself within your brain.

“What have I done…?”

Your hands trembled as you bitterly gazed upon them with nothing but remorse before tucking away your wand back into your inner pocket. You couldn't bear to even hold your own wand at this point. It felt vile and disgusting, and you wanted to throw up just by thinking about the heinousness that you had committed in a fit of traumatic despair.

Ominis approaches your trembling frame, your breath ragged and tears prickling the corner of your eyes. He pulls you into a warm embrace, desperately trying to comfort you by rubbing your back gently, as shudders racked through your body. A sob escaped your lips, gripping his robes tightly.

The sounds of your sorrows crushed him, and he wanted nothing more but to soothe and rid you of your pain, but all he could do for now was to remain still until you’ve completely calmed down. He felt your tears seep through his clothing, and he held you even tighter, softly hushing you as he ran his slender fingers through your locks of hair. You inhaled his familiar scent, slowly relaxing while listening to his steady heartbeat.

He releases you from his embrace after a long while, cupping your cheeks to brush away any tearful remnants from your cheeks.

“I'll go check on Sebastian for a little while. Will you be alright?” Ominis softly asks. You nodded in response, a slight hiccup escaping your lips.

Meanwhile, Sebastian helped Skylar to stand up on their feet before the both of them ventured within the now accessible scriptorium. Mentally looking back at the aftermath with a hint of remorse etched onto his freckled visage: Ominis was visibly shaken from that unsolicited duel, you had just relived a traumatic event, and Skylar sacrificed themselves to save him from an Unforgivable Curse. The severity of the situation should've been discouraging to an ordinary lad, but not towards Sebastian.

It was a moment of triumph for him, and a step closer to finding a cure for his own twin sister's malady. The enthusiastic reaction from Sebastian upon finding Slytherin's spellbook caused Skylar to furrow their brows. It was as if the prior events didn't happen, and that brought a sinking feeling within their own gut.

As Ominis enters the scriptorium, you trudged towards the remnants of Noctua Gaunt, gazing upon her bones gloomily. Albeit your current reluctance to use magic no thanks to the harrowing series of events, you conjured up a gilded silver box encrusted with emeralds, putting the bones of Ominis' late relative within it after you've shrunk it down temporarily, holding the box firmly within your grasp.

You finally mustered enough courage to enter the scriptorium itself, approaching Ominis meekly, who still looked rather vexed with the entire situation as both Skylar and Sebastian left the place. Hearing your footsteps approach him, he gently smiles towards your direction. He was about to grasp your hand with his, only to find out that you were carrying a metal box of some sort.

Before he could query about what it contained, you beat him to it, erupting in shy stammers to explain your actions.

“...This isn't a good final resting place for your Aunt Noctua, so I figured we should at least bury her somewhere…” you mumbled. “... I could put her back if you don't—”

“No, please. I appreciate it, truly,” Ominis cuts you off as a pleasantly warm feeling engulfs his chest.

How could he not possibly fall even harder for you at this point?

Ominis cleared his throat instinctively to diffuse his bashfulness.

“Shall we head back to your common room first? Perhaps discuss it on the way there?”

You smiled gratefully at his offer, agreeing instantly.

The both of you exited the scriptorium promptly after, engaging in a rather casual conversation with each other while walking slower than usual to prolong your time together. Before heading to the Ravenclaw Tower, you and Ominis made a short trip back to the Slytherin Common Room, keeping the gilded box in a safe compartment within his own cupboards.

It was nearly lunch hour soon, yet it felt like an entire day had passed with how much had happened within the several morning hours. The both of you wanted nothing more than to just retreat into your dorm rooms for a long nap, or perhaps head to the hospital wing for some extra vials of Draught of Peace.

“We're here,” you say to him as the both of you reach the stairwell leading to the Ravenclaw Common Room. Pleasantly enough, the place was desolated, with the good majority of students probably seated at the Great Hall for their meal.

“Will you be alright?” he asks while you gaze upon him fondly with a chuckle escaping your lips.

“I will. A nap will probably do me wonders after all that chaos. As for my lunch, you don't need to worry. I'll just head over to the kitchens when I wake up,” you reassure him, your voice giving away how truly exhausted you are with its lack of usual mirth. He smiled gently in response.

“Very well. I shan't stall you any longer. I'll be in the Slytherin Common Room if you need me.”

You slowly inched back to the stairwell, a giddy little grin present on your lips as you stared at him with no reservations regarding your affections this time around. Ominis' heart fluttered, feeling the unspoken attraction floating about in the air.

“Thank you. I'll see you later, Ominis.”

You climbed up the spiral staircase with a slight skip to your step this time around, a hue of pink twinging your cheeks. You have to admit: the man possesses this uncanny ability of effortlessly making your day a lot better despite how jarring things get.

How could you not possibly fall even harder for him at this point?

You soon approach the knocker of the Ravenclaw Common Room, its melodious, feminine voice speaking out a random riddle.

“I hurt the most when lost, yet also when not had at all. I’m sometimes the hardest to express, yet also the easiest to ignore. What am I?”

You smiled at the question, almost chuckling at the pure coincidence. You confidently spoke your answer with a faint smile.

“Love.”

< chapter 10: desiderata

chapter 12: the art of subtlety >

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obsidiancreates · 3 months

Text

One Undead To Another (Chapter 15)

(An intermediary chapter)

“It’s kind of adorable,” Juliet whispers, pulling out her phone to take a picture.

“They’re grown men, O’Hara. One of them is a corpse.”

“But they’re curled up like kittens,” she whispers back as she takes a few pictures. Shawn twitches a little in his sleep, pressing closer to Gus on the couch. His mouth is slightly parted, a little trickle of drool coming out. Gus is shivering slightly in his sleep, but he too curls closer to Shawn.

“Well, you’re the one with cats. You wake Guster up.”

Juliet rolls her eyes, pockets her phone, and reaches out to gently shake Gus’s shoulder. “Gus. Wake up.”

“Nah ye’,” he mumbles in his sleep, weakly swatting at the air. “Snow d’y.”

“You’re in your thirties, Gus,” Juliet gently reminds. “No snow days.”

“Mmm.”

Juliet moves to shake Shawn in the hopes he can wake Gus up… and pauses. His eyes are… puffy.

She looks back at Gus. His eyes are puffy too, now that she thinks about it. She’d figured the dried tear tracks were just because of the whole chest-bruise incident, but…

She looks back at Shawn, leans in, examines.

“Carlton.” She looks up. “Maybe we let them sleep a little longer.”

“O’Hara, I already have to babysit one-”

“They were crying.”

“Guster cries all the time.”

“Shawn was crying too.”

Lassiter stiffens. He leans in to look for himself. “... Crap.”

“They need some rest.”

“... Fine. I need to check the gun I lent Guster anyway.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When morning comes Henry tries to call Shawn.

It rings, rings, rings–

Voicemail.

“You better not be on the run,” Henry grumbles as he gets into his truck. He drives to Shawn’s apartment and knocks. Nothing.

He drives to the Psych office. The first thing he notices is the large crack in not only the glass of the front door, but the wood. There’s a dent in the outside wall too– undoubtedly and unmistakably made by the door handle. How did that happen? Was Shawn maybe kidnapped by that cult? Did they intimidate him into keeping quiet? Not possible– even Henry can’t intimidate his son into keeping his mouth shut when it’s important.

He walks inside.

Freezes.

He walks back out to try again.

… No, same sight as before.

Shawn and Gus are sleeping on each other on the couch– a little unexpected, but not entirely unusual. It reminds Henry of all those sleepovers when they were kids, many nights of tucking of a single blanket around both of them while the TV played and they laid wrapped around each other on the couch, still in their day clothes. Shawn always slept best on those nights.

What is shocking, enough so to make Henry question his sanity for a moment, is Juliet and Lassiter both asleep at the desks. Lassiter is sitting up at Gus’s desk, head tilted back just slightly and closed eyes the only real sign he’s not awake, while Juliet has her head in her arms laying down on Shawn’s desk.

“What the hell is going on?!”

Shawn bolts awake with a shout, facing away from Henry, and Gus shoots up with only a second delay. Lassiter startles awake reaching straight for his gun, and Juliet jerks her head up with a groan as she rubs at her sore neck.

Henry notes Gus going wide-eyed, then looking between him and Shawn. Gus whispers something and Shawn puts his hands up to his face, waiting a second before lowering them and checking for approval.

Henry half expects white powder when Shawn turns around– drugs would make this whole situation make much more sense– but instead when Shawn turns around he looks…

Fine.

Better than fine. Henry can’t remember his son ever looking so well-rested, in fact. Which makes this worse.

“So.” Henry crosses his arms. “You’re all sick, huh?”

Gus raises his hand to fake a cough– and lowers it again when Henry glares.

“Let me make sure I have this right. Your suspects’ house burns down. Shawn comes in saying you’re all sick, just– out of the blue. His only symptom is a scratchy throat. Then, I hear while working late that Shawn brought in a kidnapper after he was supposed to go home and rest. And now I find all four of you here, in the Psych office, healthy as a horse.”

“That saying makes no sense,” Shawn pipes up, and his voice is also fine. No rasp, no crackling, nothing. “Horses are never healthy, everyone knows this. Plus, you said a singular horse, and there are clearly four– four? … Four! Of us here.””

“Spencer,” Lassiter hisses. Shawn holds up his hand to shut the detective up. It works by inciting sheer indignation at the audacity, something Lassiter is somehow still taken aback by every time.

“Listen, Dad, I can explain. I felt better so I took a private case, and then I called everyone here to go over our case again even though they all wanted to keep resting.”

“And the detectives just… agreed.”

“Lassie’s a workaholic and Jules can’t resist my sweet sweet smile.”

“Shawn.”

“What are you trying to imply anyway, Dad? What, you think I burned their house down? I didn’t even know anything happened until you said it just now!”

“I think you were there. I think these three know something about it.”

“Well, you’re wrong. And apparently, our case is done, so you’re wrong and telling us we won’t get paid. You know, most parents just bring their kids orange juice when they’re home sick.”

“You’re not home sick. You’re in your office, picture of health.”

“Except for the migraine I have now.” Shawn takes off his jacket and wraps it around his head. “Since when do you breathe so loud? You should get that checked.”

“The migraine trick isn’t working today, Shawn. And you two.” Henry points at Juliet and Lassiter, who have started trying to slink out the back way. They both freeze. “I won’t tell The Chief about this, not until I know what the hell my son has dragged you both into, but know I’ll be watching.”

“You don’t have authority over us,” Lassiter scoffs as he turns around.

“You think that’ll stop him? I’m in my mid-thirties, he’s still convinced I can’t visit someone’s house without setting it on fire. He’s not exactly lenient, Lassie.”

“So you were there.”

“... No.”

Henry locks eyes with his son. He looks for any giveaway, any tells– but Shawn has gotten good. His eyes are only a window if that window has been painted over, boarded up, and then put behind a new inner wall. They’re empty– almost dead.

Henry gets a shiver up his spine.

Something in his son’s eyes is wrong.

What the hell happened the other night?

“Have it your way.” He turns, heart beating just a little faster than normal. He’s not afraid. Of anything, especially not of Shawn. For Shawn, sure. He’s afraid for Shawn every single day, waiting for a body bag and a report about his son having run his mouth off to the wrong person this time around. But not of Shawn. Despite all of Henry’s lessons, his son isn’t intimidating. He’s not scary. He’s not dangerous.

… He’s also not so…

Dead-eyed.

He slams the door of his truck closed, and just before he pulls out he could sweat he hears Shawn shout something.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“AHH!” Shawn grips his hands over his ears as the truck door outside slams shut, the old engine screams to life, and the radio blares as his father pulls away. His hearing had… evened out, for lack of a better term, the night before. After–

His throat is dry again.

Not as bad as last time. But he’s hungry this morning. Maybe because Lassie and Jules came in sometimes last night, and then his dad visited, and he was so close to Gus, and all of their tastes are swirling in the air like the best cocktail he could ever dream of–

He clamps his mouth shut and stops breathing. As freaky as it is to not breathe and be fine, he has to admit it’s useful. It wouldn’t need to be useful if he wasn’t hungry, and he wouldn’t be hungry if he wasn’t a vampire, and if he wasn’t a vampire he would still need to breathe–

Gus taps his arm, giving him a concerned look. Right. Big breakdown last night. Promises he would speak up when he needed help. Lots of crying and opening up while he shoved some information so deep down inside himself it’s probably carved into his bones now.

He clears his throat. “So, uh… about my dad–”

“We know you were just doing what you had to, Shawn,” Jules says softly. “We know your dad wouldn’t be… receptive, to this whole thing.”

“Hell, I’m still wondering if I’m willing to be in on it.”

“Lassie. At this point you could only be out of it if you got amnesia.” Or if Shawn made him forget. Can he do that? If he can make someone calm down, go away, follow him… can he make someone forget something? Or… remember something not real? That’d be pretty useful, actually, if someone ever catches him.

… Catches him doing what? He’s going to get blood from clients, so… nothing bad anymore. It’ll be all above board. Smooth sailing for the rest of eternity lonely eternity–

He sucks in a breath as another wave of longing crashes over him. Smooth whiskey, rich warmth, sweet honey, bitter aftertaste, they all assault him with equal force to the longing as he breathes in. It leaves him dizzy. He falls back onto the couch. He thinks he’s gasping. He should stop. The scents and tastes keep drawing in. His throat is dryer and dryer and hungrier and hungrier–

Slap!

“Carlton!”

“He wasn’t responsive!”

“You can’t just slap him!”

“I know that now, god–!” Shawn stares as Lassie grips his wrist and flaps his hand in pain.

Lassie slapped him. It hurt Lassie. He feels the warmth of Lassie’s hand still lingering on his skin. He doesn’t feel the sting.

“Shawn.” Gus is shaking his shoulder. Shawn blinks. He feels… floaty.

“Shawn, what happened?” Gus shakes him again. “Was that a vision or something?”

“Uh…” Shawn almost takes a breath, but the first taste hits his… not even his tongue. Just hits him. He stops breathing again. “Yeah. Vision.”

“Of what?” Jules is wrapping Lassie’s hand. Did it hurt that bad? “That was intense, Shawn. You just started hyperventilating and staring at nothing.”

“Uh…” Shawn looks around the room for anything to center a fake vision around, but his eyes keep going to pulse points. He swallows. “It was– it was hazy. I couldn’t make it out well, I think– I think it might’ve been a murder. Drowning.”

“Okay, well, we’ll… call you if we get anything?” Jules kneels down, looking up to meet Shawn’s eyes. “Do you… want that?”

“Yes.” The answer jumps out of him without allowing time for a thought.

“Shawn.” That’s Gus’s scolding tone. Where would Shawn be without years of that tone? Probably dead– well, more dead. Less dead? Is he more dead or less dead as a vampire? Probably less. It doesn’t feel like Less.

“Gus–”

“We talked last night about you taking some time to process this.”

“Well, I just had a vision of someone drowning, so clearly the spirit realm disagrees.” Why is he fighting for this? He did agree he needs to spend time processing. It felt like it wasn’t him agreeing. Has he actually done or said anything since this all started? These kinds of questions are why he needs time away. He can’t take time away. He shouldn’t distract himself and never think about the problem. He can’t think about the problem.

“Spencer. Stay out of the station, get a handle on all of this, or I’ll tie you to your bed myself.”

“Oh Lassie. It’s funny how you think that’s a threat.”

“Joke all you want, Spencer. But I mean it. I… don’t want to see you… like them.”

“Like the– … Oh.” The cult. Heartless. Guiltless. Inhuman. “Lassie, man, I won’t… I already said I want you guys to help me not fall into that, right?”

“Yeah. And then you spent a whole day alone because you convinced us to leave.”

“I didn’t mean–”

“Guster, are you feeling up for watching him today?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. If your… vision, turns into something real… we’ll think about calling you.”

Shawn’s not sure if he’s relieved or not.

#psych #psychusa #psych usa #psych 2006 #fanfic #my attempts at fanfic

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felicitysmoaksx · 4 months

Note

Conner and Sarah fake dating for the holidays for x reason. But it becomes a little too real.

For the advent writing calendar

See, it started like this, Connor needed someone to go to the annual hospital charity event with him to get his father off of his back after the fallout with Robin and because Sarah was the only one single at the moment, Ava offered her up. It was one event, Sarah didn’t mind. In fact, the brunette probably owed him one. For everything he did for Robert. (The fact that he was a psychopath notwithstanding.) Then one event turned into two and two, three. You see where she was going with this. Until Sarah looked up and she was four months deep into fake dating Connor Rhodes.

Sarah didn’t mind though. She wasn’t trying to date right now anyway and Connor kept everyone who hit on her away because the whole hospital, except for a few friends, thought they were together. As evidenced by Dr. Bardovi’s subtle mean-girl act last week when Sarah and Connor had been eating lunch in the cafeteria.

So that brought them to now, where she was leaning against the nurse’s station, as she bickered with everyone’s favorite charge nurse.

“You worked last Christmas, Sarah.” Maggie shook her head as she sorted files and handed them off to various doctors and nurses. “You shouldn’t be on the roster to work this year. It’s a year-on, year-off basis. You know this.”

The brunette sighed and she continued writing her notes on a surgical psych evaluation. “It usually is. But I volunteer to work it every year so someone who actually celebrates it can be with their families.”

“Who actually celebrates it?” Maggie raised an incredulous eyebrow at her friend, “Sarah, you love Christmas! I’ve seen you the day after Thanksgiving practically with bells on and positively floating through the day! Even before Thanksgiving now that I think about it.”

Another holiday she offered to work every year.

But the charge nurse wasn’t wrong. Sarah loved Christmas and celebrated it all season long. Though admittedly with the Robert situation, it was certainly more subdued this year. But wasn’t it ironic that a person who absolutely adored Christmas didn’t have anyone to spend it with?

Sarah shrugged while a smile that looked more like a grimace overtook her lips. “I’m just saying, I don’t have anyone to spend the holiday with because I don’t speak to my mother, I haven’t since I told her I went into psychiatry over two years ago. Not that I ever spent it with her, to begin with. So I volunteer to work because what else am I going to do on that day? Why not give it to someone who has a family to spend it with?”

“But you could’ve had someone to spend it with if you told us. You know that if Will, Ethan, April, Ava, or I had known you were by yourself every Christmas, we would’ve offered for you to come with one of us to our celebrations.” Maggie argued, before the ED phone rang. An incoming trauma, which meant Connor rushed to meet the paramedics to take the case, before Maggie could assign it.

It had been a slow day for him and Connor didn't idle well. Her cheeks warmed when he caught her eye and winked as he ran. Her friend caught the movement and nodded in the direction of the surgeon. “What is he doing for Christmas?”

“Spending it with his dad and sister.” Sarah shrugged her shoulders. Maggie raised an eyebrow, “And you’re not spending it with him because?”

“I didn’t want to intrude. And you know why that’s not exactly an option anyway because he and I aren’t actually together.” Sarah said, because Maggie was one of those few who knew it was all fake.

Just like the charge nurse knew how Connor looked at Sarah when he thought the brunette wasn’t looking. It may have started out fake but Maggie was willing to bet that’s not how he felt now. The brunette continued shaking her head, “Besides, I’m fine. I celebrate during the month and that’s enough.”

It wasn’t fine though and it was sad that her friend thought or pretended like it was. The charge nurse pursed her lips together before she offered, “At least, come with me to my-”

“Maggie, no. Christmas is a family holiday and I don’t want any of your family to feel bad when I don’t have any gifts because you brought an extra person. I’m fine.”

[LINE BREAK] [LINE BREAK] [LINE BREAK] [LINE BREAK] [LINE BREAK]

She was in the cafeteria line with a thought of splurging on another peppermint mocha, when strong arms snaked around her waist and drew her in close. Sarah tensed briefly before the warm citrus scent filled her nose. Then she relaxed in his grasp.

“Getting lunch?” he mused quietly in her ear. She squirmed slightly at the fuzzy feeling that ran down her spine and made her shiver at his words.

“No, I was thinking about another peppermint mocha.” She told him and was met with a disapproving look, “What exactly have you eaten today?”

“Pro-”

“And don’t you say just those protein bars you’re so fond of. They aren’t big enough to sustain you all day.” Connor shook his head at her. Before the brunette could say anything, the line was moving and his hand was placed on the small of her back to propel her forwards gently.

After ordering her peppermint mocha, in addition to a coffee for Connor and two wraps, one vegetarian and the other chicken, (that Connor wouldn’t let her pay for and waved away any of her attempts of trying to pay him back) fake boyfriend led them to a table. While she picked and munched on pieces of tortilla, Connor sipped on his own coffee and watched her.

“What?” Sarah finally asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had nowhere to go for Christmas? That you work every year because of it and spend it by yourself?”

“Maggie,” she grumbled more to herself than anything as she shook her head. Then she shrugged and told him quietly, “Because I didn’t want to intrude on anyone. Or anybody’s Christmas.”

“Can you get out of it?” He asked, shaking his head.

“I’m not sure. I’d have to talk to Ms. Goodwin. Why?”

“Because I’m making plans and it would be better if you didn’t work that day.”

“Connor, I’m fine-”

“Sarah, you’re not spending another holiday by yourself. Especially not one you love so much. Not when you have me.”

But she didn’t have him, not really.

#one chicago #chicago med #Rheese #Sarah Reese #Connor Rhodes #my writing #felicitysmoaksx 2023 advent writing challenge

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gerryrigged · 4 months

Text

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Thanks for the tag, @vellaphoria! ♥

How many works do you have on AO3?

14 total, 4 on my gerryrigged account.

What’s your total A03 word count?

27,558. A good number of my pieces are quite short ficlets. I don't have a big portfolio of work - I've been in fandom for quite a while, but almost entirely as a lurker. For a handful of years, almost all of my writing output was in RP.

What fandoms do you write for?

Right now? Just DC, mostly Bats for the time being. Previously, hockey rpf, Star Wars, K, X-Men: First Class, and One Piece.

What are your top five fics by kudos?

hgjkldsf, most of these are on my other account, but:

[redacted] - ~10k, ~1700 kudos, hockey rpf [redacted] - ~3.5k, ~900 kudos, hockey rpf [redacted] - ~600 words, ~600 kudos, hockey rpf Hold It Up To The Mirror - 2.3k, 347 kudos, DC Comics [redacted] - ~300 words, ~300 kudos, One Piece

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I want to, because commenters are lovely and I appreciate them so much! And I try to, I just...don't always succeed >_>💧 or, looking at it from another perspective, I'm just very behind on them!

I adore people's comments and re-read them with fair frequency, and I do love interacting - but I also tend to get over-excited/anxious and then end up just turning the comments over and over in my little paws admiringly like sparkly gems instead of replying. Or, for another example, I got a bunch of lovely comments on my timeloop dicktim fic, but haven't been able to psyche myself up to reply because I still haven't been able to get out the promised follow-up fic, ha 🙃

What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Oh, probably Hold It Up To The Mirror. I left poor Dick and Tim in a really fucked up situation there, and it would absolutely have to get worse before it got any better. I do envision it getting better, though - despite where I end fic sometimes, I'm a sucker for eventual happy endings, especially for my OTPs. so I'm usually imagining a future path where things improve, even if it would be a (very) rough road to get there.

freefall (and the aftermath thereof) also left off on a pretty angsty note, but I give the edge to Hold It Up To The Mirror because of how bleak it is.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I'm not sure how to quantify this, lol, I would say most of my happy endings are pretty happy. For fluff factor, maybe my latest, let your heart be light, because that one just revels in the shmoop.

Do you get hate on your fic?

Not so far - fingers crossed it stays that way!

Do you write smut?

Yes, sort of? Like. I have written it, and I would certainly like to write more. But I consider myself very amateurish/unskilled at it, so I'm embarrassed of it and mostly it doesn't see the light of day. Guess I need to spend more time practicing! 😅

Do you write crossovers?

Nope, not a huge fan of writing crossovers or fusions myself, though I'll read them occasionally. When it comes to fandoms, I tend to only have one hyperfixation at a time, and mixing two different ones doesn't really appeal, at least in terms of what I myself am driven to write.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of - fingers also crossed it stays that way.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I don't think so? It's been requested before, but I never saw the results XD

Have you ever co-written a fic?

Not so far, though I'd like to! The closest I've gotten would be writing out closely collaborated scenes in RP, which can in some cases read like a fic.

What‘s your all-time favourite ship?

Oh no, if I was forced to consider all of my fandoms at once, I'd have no idea. For DC, it's definitely DickTim. (It was Tim/Kon before this most recent immersion in the DC fandom, when I started to dig into Bat comics more holistically and DickTim reared its head up and swallowed me whole.)

What’s the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Hm, I don't know that there are any in particular that I would firmly put on the shelf. The ones that I more generally doubt are all the ambitious long-fic ideas >_> because I suck at those. But they still exist as goals of mine, so I won't jinx any of them here!

What are your writing strengths?

.......Humor, maybe? Oh, I've been told I'm good at conveying tone and character voice through prose, and at putting together memorable or hard-hitting turns of phrase. Possibly structuring emotional arcs? 🤔

What are your writing weaknesses?

Elaborate run-on sentences. Descriptions, especially of setting details such as locations, clothing, etc. (hence why these things are often missing in my fics, lmfao). Purple prose. Over-editing. Overuse of implication/ambiguity/metaphor to the detriment of clarity. Stringing multiple scenes together, scene transitions in general, over-arching storyline plotting and all the other difficult parts of writing longer more plotty pieces. The 'stage'-blocking of physical movement, and how much/little of it needs to be described to be effective. Research - I am way too prone to just handwaving and going ehhhh, something something fill in the blank here, you know what I mean >.>

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I've done this a couple times, but usually only short lines. Sometimes it's for effect - the POV character might not understand the language, so it's as impenetrable to them as to most readers. Or it's a line most English-speakers would be able to parse due to cognates/related languages, but it's just funnier or feels better in the other language. Or in like anime/manga fandoms, it might be a line in Japanese that most fans/readers would already be familiar with. Usually though I've just been Google translating, and have been kindly corrected on grammar etc. in the comments before, haha.

First fandom you wrote for?

well. that would be in like. middle school lol oh god. I think it was a Sailor Moon/Gundam Wing crossover hghkldjfskl. That or Dragonball Z. Thankfully my recollection of my FF.net account name has been lost to the sands of time.

Favourite fic you’ve ever written?

hm. I don't have strong feelings on this; I usually end up looking at my past fic with a critical eye. Maybe the little gen Dick & Tim ficlet I have on my other account? I wouldn't say it's my best, by any means, but that one kind of wrote itself in a fever state when I hadn't written anything in literal years, so I'm very fond of it for breaking through a creative block and being my first toe into writing for the DC fandom proper.

oh, and if you haven't been tagged yet and would care to play: @deepwithintheabyss, @annerp, and @the-alice-of-hearts?

#tumblr games #gerryrigged

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sideralwriting · 1 year

Text

Feysand Month 2022

Day 1 prompt: Fairy tale AU.

Chosen tale: Cupid and Psyche.

Word count: 1k

Warnings: none

Notes: this is the first fanfic I publish since 2016 and it is the very first for this fandom. Have fun!

The roaring of the waves against the rocks reached Feyre’s ears even up there. The weed at the edge of the cliff was slippery while the storm approached. Her parents had left her on that cliff alone.

Feyre’s beauty was stunning, so impressive that she was considered to be the reincarnation of the Mother herself. So grand, that even Amarantha heard of it and was jealous of the girl. Amarantha was known as the most beautiful and terrifying female in all of Prythian, one who aimed to be considered a true goddess as there were millennia before. In her obsession of beauty and power, Amarantha cursed Feyre to marry the darkest and hateful being in the fae realm. Feyre’s parents were rulers themselves of the Mortal Lands, but even them had no power over fate or curses and decided to do as the old Queen said.

And now here she was, accepting her destiny to save her family from Amarantha’s attention. She was alone but she won’t be scared. Maybe marrying the foulest beast and dying was far better than being adored and paraded everywhere she went.

The wind became kinder, blowing her skirts westward, dull gray clouds passing above over Feyer’s head. She pivoted as she felt a hand clasping her shoulder. A beautiful male was standing behind her, dark brown hair moving on the wind, watching her with wary hazel eyes. Enormous wings spread behind him, a sword sheathed between his wings and a huge sapphire on the chest of a combat suit, but all about him was beautiful. Only his outline was… blurry? Is he a ghost? But he has wings. Is he the one she has to marry? She doesn’t understand, he’s not at all a beast. Is he a crazy ghost then?

The male bowed to the waist, his voice flat and cold as the blowing wind: “Hail, princess. I’m Azriel and I’ll be the one to escort you to your spouse” he announced before taking her stretched hand into a scarred one, tugging her at his chest and soaring through the sky.

The moonstone palace on the peak of the mountain became visible from afar glowing white in the dying sun. Feyre and Azriel landed on the polished white marble floor of a big hall surrounded by arches with no windows in sight to stop the wind. Sheer lilac curtains of gossamer hung between the arches, framing the sun setting behind the mountains and the first stars to appear. She had no idea where she was, but the view. Oh, the view. If only she could paint it. This was her torment for the rest of her life, wasn't it? Being surrounded by complete beauty but being unable to celebrate it. Feyre was so entranced by the landscape that she didn't hear Azriel flying off an arched balcony on the other side of the hall as two other figures approached from one of the biggest arches that lead into the palace itself.

"Greetings, my lady" told a chorus of two voices next to Feyre.

The princess looked at her left where the voices came from and she met two figures of shadow and smoke.

"We are your servants in the palace", they added, "we have a warm bath waiting for you and dinner will be ready soon. Make haste, please, or everything will turn cold".

And so she did and enjoyed every last bit of it.

She was almost asleep in her cream-and-purple bedroom, when the shadows grew bigger near an archway. They moved toward the bed, startling her as she sat up straight between the blankets. Was it another servant? She didn't see anything nor anyone with shadows so black to mix with the landscape outside the room. Not even the moon and stars could brighten it.

The night covered the bed and surrounded Feyre.

Something… no, someone sat near her, taking her right hand and putting a feather-like kiss on her knuckles.

"Welcome, Feyre darling" the voice, male, murmured, "my name is Rhysand and I am your husband".

The voice was velvet soft, a caress to her senses that made her feel awake. But there was something she needed to know.

"Are you going to kill me, Rhysand?"

The voice turned solemn: "I won't. I swear. But there is someone who wants that."

"Amarantha." It was barely a whisper in the dark but she shivered at the name of the female who changed her life.

"Yes", a thumb ran up her arm soothing her goosebumps, "For a cruel twist of fate my court and I are bound to her and she delights in using my powers"

"Are you the beast she cursed me to marry? What did she do to you to end up like this?"

The shadows around her, dancing on her skin, seemed to stop at the word "beast", but that could only be her imagination. She knew how this first night of marriage was going to continue, but she couldn't believe that Rhysand was her husband. He didn't sound foul, nor bad in general only… sad. Longing for something.

She stretched an arm in front of her without seeing it and felt Rhysand's chest right in front of her. His breath caught, he was as still as a statue as she explored his body: warm and fit and strong. She caressed his cheek and he angled his head into the touch. He seemed to be human, the usual male body.

Getting closer to him, she threaded her fingers between short hair, breathing his scent of sea salt and lemon.

Rhysand's hands roamed like hers did but more carefully, studying Feyre as if he could see her. He nudged her neck with his nose and stopped again as soon as she started moving a finger against his wings

"I-I am that beast. My power is huge and frightening, but she tricked me using my family as bait", Rhysand explained, "and actually we have the same problem in common, this situation aside". His tone became lighter.

"Hmm, which is?"

"We are too stunning for our own good" he joked and the laugh that left Feyre's lips was so clear and unexpected that the darkness cleared enough: she could get a glimpse of her husband's face, stars dancing in his purple eyes and a fond smirk on his lips.

#acotar: fanfics #feysandmonth #feysand au #feyre x rhysand #a court of thorns and roses #feysand month 22 #feysand prompt fairy tale #the princess and her curse

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lokisprettygirl · 2 years

Text

Grow as we go (Loki x Female Reader) (College Au)

Summary : You have lived with Loki since you were 15, he annoys you to the core and you hate him but is that all there's to your feelings about him?

Note : Watch me pretending to be annoyed by loki. I'm thinking there will be 4 to 5 parts to this for now.

"So umm how did you get to be roommates with him?" You looked to your side as you walked towards your locker, just another day at Chicago University.

"Okay here we go, so his dad knew my dad since they were in diapers and when he was 15 his dad decided that my family of three siblings wasn't creating enough ruckus so he sent him to live with us here in Chicago from London where they live, and when we both got into CU our parents collectively decided that how awesome it would be if we just lived together as 20 year old roommates you know, awesome right" You faked enthusiasm and you could see her fanning herself as she looked at Loki standing with his smug ass doing absolutely nothing but still looking fire as hell. A black jacket on top of black t shirt, he looked handsome but like a jerk.

"God you're lucky, can you please introduce me to him?" You didn't even know her

"Yeah right after you introduce yourself to me"

"Oh sorry I'm Dora, first-year"

You walked towards Loki and he smiled as he looked at you so you gave him a fake smile in response

"Well well well hello roomie" he winked at you and you crossed your arms

"Hello, Dora Loki, Loki Dora" you introduced the new friend you just met 10 minutes ago. To think of it, the number of girls who have tried to befriend you since he got with you guys is way too high. He was attractive, you wished your annoyance of him was enough to make you deny that but you couldn't. Long raven hair that he tied up in the center, silky smooth skin, playing soccer made him buff, those green eyes were to die for, you'd actually be into him if it wasn't for you two sharing this whole frenemies relationship. He just annoyed the heck out of you.

"Loki I just wanted to ask , I have two tickets for the Imagine Dragons concert, would you like to come with me?" You hurled on the inside as she emphasized the word come.

"Okay my job here is done" you walked away and Loki chuckled, he always found it adorable how annoyed you got whenever a girl asked you to introduce him to them, though it broke his heart at times, because he knew you were not into him at all. Like at all.

You spotted Natasha locking lips with her new boyfriend Steve so you waited for her to be done with it. You sighed as you realised that you're going to die single and a virgin.

"Sooo I see you helped another soul get together with your brother"

"For the last time..He's not my brother nat" she smirked as you said that

You only shared one class with Loki thankfully, when you found out he was majoring in Psych you couldn't believe it, of course he wanted to come across as smart and sporty at the same time so your parents can throw it in your face. No just no, academics were your thing and sports was his, he should have just stayed in his lane.

When the day got over, you stepped outside and Loki was waiting for you, he was your ride, your parents didn't trust your driving skills after that one incident that should never get mentioned again.

As you got inside, you turned the ac towards your face as you felt hot

"Oh why didn't you tell me I make you so hot" he mumbled and you glared at him

"How's the dragon? Did you guys hit it off?"

"Did you just call her dragon?" Loki chuckled

"What is her name Loki?" You smirked as you looked at him, he is flocked by several girls a day waiting on hand and toes for him so it never surprised you that he always misremembered their names

"Ummm it's.. it's Cora"

"Cora hmm I see"

As soon as you reached home, you stepped out and he shook his head, he still remembers the day he saw you the first time when he came here, he can forget every incident in his life and every girl's name but he'd never forget how you looked the day he saw you the first time.

When he got in you were already in your room and he knew he wasn't going to see you until dinner. So after showering he decided to cook something for you both. The smell of cheese is what made you come out of hiding, he spotted you ducking your head outside the kitchen

"Hey little mouse, looking for something"

"I smell cheese" he smiled as you said that

"I'm making pasta, have dinner with me?" You raised your brow for no reason at all, he often made dinner for you two because he liked asserting the fact that he was the perfect child of his parents and he knew everything.

"So how's the second year treating you?" You asked him as you sat down on the counter and he sighed

"Doing my best, I have to give time to the sport or my dad will annihilate me but that gives me less time for studies which sucks for me"

"You're good at soccer, you're going to play nationals, your dad wants the best for you"

Loki's dad was a high profile Sports manager, you never understood what he did but Loki explained to you that he was basically the discount Jerry McGuire and you understood some of it.

"Yeahh that's what he wants doesn't he?" He snickered and you rolled your eyes

"At Least he cares what you're doing with your life, Nobody cares what I'm doing" he walked over to you and placed his arms on either side of you, he was close, way too close and he smelled good, way too good.

"I care, I alway care what you are doing with your life" he cupped your cheeks and pressed a kiss on your forehead, he has been doing that since he met you, the first time he did it when you both were 16, you had just performed the best rendition of Kim mcfaee, he was the only one there to watch it, your parents couldn't make it, he told you how proud he was of you and pressed a kiss right on top of your head. Everytime he did that afterwards, it reminded you of that moment. He stepped away from you and you breathed in relief.

Thor was the guy you had a crush on, you dreamt about him every night and he plagued your mind ever so often

"So how's your boyfriend Thor?" He asked you and your face flushed

"Very funny he doesn't even know I exist" you whined and it made loki smile.

"Why don't you just go and talk to him?"

"And embarrass myself in front of the hottest guy ever..no thanks"

"You're afraid he would reject you"

"Duh genius"

"That's so silly darling, because who would reject you?"

You didn't have a quip to respond to him with so you just kept your mouth shut and enjoyed the dinner he made.

Next day, you were sitting in the cafeteria with Natasha and Steve when you saw her walking towards you. By her you meant Trinity, the Regina George of CU, the witch from the hell that everyone despised but wanted to be close with at the same time. Cliche, so cliche. She was dating Thor so you hated her even more but they just broke up last month and you couldn't have been happier. She placed her tray down on the table and her minions just stood behind her, were they not going to eat ?

"So y/n right? I'll come straight to the point and what I need from you, that guy over there, I heard that you live with him and I want him to ask me out" she blew on her fingernails and you looked at her shocked

"You want HIM to ask YOU out?" She nodded and gave you a smile that was definitely fake

"Umm okay I guess I'll talk to him"

"You better, I heard you auditioned to play ophelia, I'll talk to Michelle and convince her if he asks me out by Monday" she got up as she winked at you and walked out of there, clicking on her heels like nobody's business. Natasha looked at you shocked, you desperately wanted to play this part she knew that. You looked at Loki, he was chatting up with one of his best friends Fandral so you stood up and walked over to him. Fandral stopped making whatever unfunny joke he was cracking so Loki turned around to look at you

"Who do you want to set me up with now darling?" You gasped as he said that

"Rude, can't I just talk to my roommate for no absolute reason?" That was such a lie and it made you cringe internally

"You never talk to me for no reason"

You looked him in the eyes as he said that, did he seem sad?

"Okay fine, ask Trinity Conrad out on a date please"

"Why should I do that?" He raised his brow as he tucked a stray strand of your hair behind your ears

"For me? For your roomie? she's going to put in good words for me to Michelle, pretty please?" You made your best version of puppy eyes and he tilted his head as he sighed,

"Fine darling" he got up and you squealed, while Fandral gave you the dirtiest look anyone has ever given you, you never liked him, he never liked you.

As you watched him go to Trinity you smiled, you wanted nothing more than to grab this part in this Play and finally have Thor notice you. But then why did your heart clench as Trinity kissed him on the cheek, you just pushed your roommate inside the hell's gate for your selfish reasons. Maybe that's why.

That was the last time you saw him genuinely happy for a while. And it was all your fault.

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

#loki #loki x female reader #loki x reader fluff #loki x reader angst #loki x reader insert #loki x reader fic #loki x you #loki college au #college au

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renaisguy · 5 months

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Dashing, dashing... Off to find someone 'dashing.' The thought really messes with her as she prowls around the courtyard for anyone with a gift in their hands. To label them 'dashing'... Isn't that the same as admitting they're hot? No, no Larcei--chase those thoughts away! It's not someone attractive that she needs to find, but someone vain. She vigorously shakes her head as she continues, searching for some other way to psych herself out of playing into her gift-giver's hand.

She happens upon Forde.

And he doesn't look bad. Not good either, but maybe, kinda, sorta passable-by-her-standards? Enough to get her to stop walking, at least. And more importantly, he has the aura of one who would call themselves dashing. Not haughty enough to use another word, but cool and confident... And she hates him. She decides on the spot that she'd cut a circle around the path he had been walking, shoving her note in his face with a searing blush.

"Don't read into this, but was this you?" The tone of those words is a flying accusation tied down by gratitude and back-minded doubt. A thought lingers in her that wonders if she's wrong about this whole thing--and how catastrophic that would be--even if she kicks it to the sidelines. And there still stands the fact that he got her a gift. A real good one, too. She'll have to express her gratitude, if begrudgingly.

"Y'know, this is a lotta hot air to be blowin' at a gift exchange. Did you think you were makin' a match just because you drew a girl's name!?" She huffs, pulling back with stamping feet. Her arms cross over her chest. The answer is a loud and clear 'no'. Now with this done, she sighs--the next part doesn't come out so easily.

"Well, you're not, but I'm here to say thanks. Despite it all, I think you've knocked me dead with this. What's your name?"

Forde was simply going about his day when a girl he'd never met started yelling at him, and chucked a letter at him. 'To: Larcei. From: Your dashing Winter Envoy'. Hang on a moment...

"Um, sorry, but I'm not Larcei. You must have the wrong person." Never mind the fact he'd already received his gift, and the woman handing them out had been far less rude than-

Oh she was Larcei.

He looked at the note again, now things were sliding into place. She thought he had sent her this note as part of his gift... She thought he was dashing? Her current attitude suggested otherwise, but maybe she was one of those girls who pretended to hate you while secretly adoring you...

He was getting off-topic. Whether or not she thought he was dashing was secondary to the fact she thought he would describe himself as 'A dashing Winter Envoy'. And regardless of whether he would, he hadn't in this case.

"Sorry, you've definitely got the wrong person." He felt bad pointing this out now, after she'd gone through all that sincere stuff at the end. "I didn't even write a note, unless..." Perhaps Lady Rhea had written the note for him, was it lady Rhea who found him dashing?

Wait a second, her name was Larcei. He was being an idiot, he knew the name of his giftee. This girl was unrelated.

"Nope, definitely definitely the wrong person. I appreciate it though." He flashes her the most charming smile he can muster. Yeah, he was pretty dashing, wasn't he?

#swiftscion #toaseasonsgreetings #//he's having a silly day

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cosmousee · 4 days

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Hello, saw that your free readings are open. I would like to ask one question

How will people see me and my future spouse as a couple?

Thank you so much

- 💛

Hello love!

I loved the question, it was very new for me and very refreshing. Thank you for asking🥰

So onto your reading~

I asked my Woodland Wardens deck first and this is what they gave!

The Ram and Dahlia: Determination

The Elk and Ash: Strength

The Coyote and Datura: Deceit

People perceive you two as somebody who are extremely determined towards each other. My heart has perfectly grasped the feeling, but my brain is having a hard time trying to get it out. You know, its like you guys are intentional about each other, determined towards each other, how perfectly committed. People see you and they see your love but more than that they can really see and feel how conciously you love each other. I feel like, you know how your body and spirit loves the significant other, but you two MINDFULLY and CONSCIOUSLY give that love and adoration. From an outsider perspective you two stand firmly on the ground but it's also clear how you've put in conscious effort to be with each other, in addition to the souls loving each other. It is such a fierce energy and I am honestly loving it. Another weird metaphor, its like, you know you breathe right, its pretty much involuntary, except when you realise that you're breathing and then your mind tells your lungs to breathe more, to get more oxygen, to get more life into your lungs. Thats how people see you towards each other.

And strength in light of this makes so much sense! People look at you and they see two people who are amazing pillars to each other, they look at you and they see how innately you become pillars for each other, its like a reflex on how you guys immediately support the other one. You don't even think, or blink. When one of you needs the other, you're just THERE!

However, and since this is a "People's view on the relationship", it is sort of human nature to project your unresolved issues onto other people as pointed out by The Coyote and Datura card which says deceit. I believe some people may project their own insecurities and feel that the above mentioned qualities are just a facade you have on for the public and in reality you are completely different. Which may lead to them completely ignoring the qualities altogether! I do hope that they just do this mental gymnastics in their own mind and do not come and bother you about this, if they do, please know that its their own head, okay? People are weird and they do weird things. You can put them in their place if you feel like, otherwise let them do what they're doing and just focus on yourselves🥰(psych major things coming up sorry!)

Okay onto tarot cards, I got:

Page of Wands, 6 of Wands and 4 of Cups

People adore you and your relationship! I think singles around you or you know, new couples in their honeymoon phases look at you both and they go "THIS is exactly how I want my relationship to be!" Looking at you might also might help the people in realizing that they also need somebody who's determined to love them, who's determined to stand by them. Again, human tendency to compare ourselves to other people, but its more of like you'll be providing hope to them that good and healthy relationships are out there! You'll also be celebrated by the people! This mostly gave me the vibe of a wedding (on this note, is anyone of you blonde, let me know if Im off the course here). But yeah, I saw a beautiful wedding celebration picture in my head, both of you were smiling so wide and literally it felt like everyone had put their all into celebrating you both!!

Thats all that I have for you! Let me know your thoughts!

Toodles~

#tarot reading #tarotblr #free readings

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hungerpunch · 2 years

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tagged by @alexenglish in this book game: if you had to introduce yourself using four books, which ones would they be? thank you angel!! 😘💖

even though many books have shifted my perspectives and garnered my love & adoration as an adult, i just don't think anything compares to books that formed you in your youth and adolescence, so i stuck to my early years for these picks.

sabriel by garth nix: sabriel has carried me through every tough time in my entire life. i read this trilogy for the first time when i was 10 or 11. when i am deep in depressive episodes, i pick up sabriel. its spine is so cracked and worn from all the times i've read it. many emotions about questing into the unknown, about fighting even when you're so exhausted that you're fainting, about death as a concept and as a confrontation. about loss. about love. about duty. i'll re-read it for as long as i live.

calvin & hobbes: weirdos from another planet! by bill watterson: my dad was a calvin & hobbes collector before i was even born, so i actually can't tell you which one of the books i read first. i was opening them to look at the illustrations before i could read the words. this one miiiight be the first one, though. listen, there is a calvin & hobbes strip for every mood, for every type of life event, for every existential quandary. and i have massive respect for bill watterson.

gingerbread by rachel cohn: i haven't re-read this book since i was a teenager, so idk how it holds up today, but you know when you can just feel something embedded in your psyche? this book is probably why i started drinking coffee at a terribly young age. also introduced me to my enduring love for p-funk, so hat tip for that. i do not think adults would enjoy this book (the protagonist is cynical and ~quirky in the way that adults tend to mercilessly interpret as whiny and try-hard) but i think it hits lots of notes for emo misfit teens going through it.

hawksong by amelia atwater-rhodes: again, a fantasy book i picked up as a child bc it was pretty. this i read even younger than sabriel. and it might sound really silly, but it introduced me to some notions about different types of love that were foundational for me. when zane and danica start napping together to recover from injury, my child mind was like: that's it. that's real love. napping together. i still hold that belief today!

gonna tag: @sevenpoints, @starmotions, @theroadverytravelled, @gentlehousing, @thermocrying, @powertrains, and anyone who wants to wax poetic about important books in their lives.

#tag game #my lyfe #summoning syar to tumblr with a tag game like i am reciting incantation to call a demon friend

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rainysflowers · 7 months

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OC Fic - Mountain Deathcamas

Day 5 - "Beauty equals goodness."

Summary: Beauty equals goodness. This shrine maiden proves that in spades. Until she doesn't.

Beauty equals goodness, this much was true. It’s all that anyone can think as they stand there, watching tears roll down their red shrine-maiden’s cheeks, shivering in terror as she begs the princess and her bodyguard and their wandering friend and her companion not to kill her.

Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: Gen Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 832

Note: Hi I'm hijacking the Slayers Artober 2023 tag for point two seconds to show off my sweet bby Slayers Puruse OCs oh yeah oh yeah. Hope that that's okay, sorry if its not I can untag it, I just saw the prompt and my brain went, "That is SOOOO Anticlea." and i got carried away :P Might use the whole list, I have ideas and writing more about my Pursue group and my Overthrown party would be sooo fun ^^

Ao3 Link/Full Story under the cut :) It would help me out if u checked out the Ao3 link but dw either way ^^

Beauty equals goodness.

It was a statement that each and every member that traveled in Alidor’s party knew perfectly well, because they had the literal embodiment of the saying right there with them.

Anticlea had always been beautiful, no matter where in life she was.

She had been beautiful from the moment she was born up until the moment that she’d joined the group on their quest to find the prince of the green kingdom a sweetheart to be his co-ruler. Whilst she looked up at the black-haired man with squinted crimson eyes just barely holding back tears and shining in the light of the setting sun, hands clasped together as if she was in one of the prayers that she must have known well, lips moving rapidly as she spilled out all sorts of desires to come along, she stayed beautiful.

She stayed beautiful through all of it, all of the hardships and pitfalls and breakups and get-togethers that the posse had eventually come to surpass. How she did it, no one could tell.

But what they did know, anyone and everyone out there in the world knew, was that the shrine maiden had that special something that made one simply have to stop and stare.

Perhaps it was her long, black hair that poured over her shoulders and down her back in tight coils, cherry colored eyes filled with a zest for life that matched her loose and airy outfit to a tee. Or maybe it was her small eyebrows and her ever-so-slightly rounded face that did the trick, fixing her with an adorably worried expression whenever her lips weren’t folded softly into excitement. The way she shot innocent glances over her shoulder and spoke loudly like no one had ever told her that she had to quiet down. How she seemed amazed by every little thing in the world around her, loving it all with no end.

It all had a way of making her stand out from the rest, even in a party mostly composed of non-men.

Against the knight Psyche, with her two-toned eyes, her messy hair, and brash attitude, Anticlea seemed put together, albeit naive.

Against the priest Uriel, with their fair skin, empty lavender eyes, and floaty smile, Anticlea seemed inviting and vivacious.

And so, beauty really did equal goodness.

Even when it was late at night and the pair of white magic users stayed up far longer than anyone else, sitting on a log in front of the fire, discussing holy topics and new dance routines that they could duet with one another. Behind them, their long shadows cast outwards into the forest, the light from the fire licking at their skin. Uriel mentioned something or other about a magical performance that they’d managed to bear witness to once, and it sent Anticlea into a giggling fit, her long eyelashes fluttering over her cheek. In the back of their mind, the priest cannot help but feel a twinge of guilt, though it’s through no fault of their own. Things happen, they supposed, even to humans that might not traditionally deserve it.

Even when the group’s quest had led them to the heart of the sprawling desert and in front of the door to a dragon woman’s house. She froze the moment that she opened the door, a palpable sense of complete and utter horror rushing through her deep blue eyes as they widened, a long shiver rolling slowly up her spine and down her arms. The kind of thing that she hadn’t felt in years. It hadn’t fully occurred to her what that truly meant, not until the festival that night, where she sat sipping on tea at a table alone, watching the pair of white magic users dancing on stage, rounding one another with wide smiles and blushing from exhaustion. That feeling was back, far worse than before, and finally something in the antique jar collector’s mind clicked into place.

Even when the sun sat high in the sky and the party was stuck in an ambush, staring forwards helplessly at the heroes of years ago surrounding Anticlea, weapons and magical appendages pointing directly at her. She’s biting her lip, face contorted into a silent sob, hands held up in the air as a weak sign of surrender.

Beauty equals goodness, this much was true.

It’s all that anyone can think as they stand there, watching tears roll down their red shrine-maiden’s cheeks, shivering in terror as she begs the princess and her bodyguard and their wandering friend and her companion not to kill her.

Because beauty equals goodness, and she was beautiful, inside and out, and there was no way in Hell or on Earth that she was not good.

Being good was all she had.

It was her life, it always had been.

She couldn’t hold one of the seven pieces of the demon lord inside of her because she was patient and kind and innocent and beautiful and good.

Right?

#🌧op #🌧txt #🌧wrt #original character #original writing #oc story #Slayers #the slayers #slayers artober 2023 #SORRY IF SHOULDNT TAG IT BUT THIS WAS INSPOED BY IT #Im unnormal about my OCs i kiss them on the head

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asm5129 · 1 year

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RWBY V9 Thoughts & Analysis: E7 - The Perils of Paper Houses

So I thought there were new images of the blacksmith in the opening of this episode on first watch, but a friend told me they were always there and i checked and he was right. Oh well. Moving on

From the first shot we can see the creativity put into the design of the town with the paper lantern acting as their "sun"

Yang and Blake appear to have slept directly next top one another, which is adorable. Yang's also a snorer, because naturally.

Jaune...literally sleeps in his armor. Yikes. that's not a good sign.

And then Ruby...Ruby, you poor girl. I desperately hope you weren't awake all night stewing in your negative thoughts while staring at CR. Honestly though, considering what comes later, i wouldn't doubt it--we'll get there.

"I'm late!! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" As others have noted, Jaune holds allusions to the white rabbit

"You can fix it. You always fix it." Ooh boy, that's not a good sign.

"Ruby, where's your weapon?" Ruby dismisses this as her being tired, but it's clearly hinting at her actually not wanting to pick up Crescent Rose again.

"Hurry, people are counting on us!"

Ruby needs a break, but she's expected to be able to fulfill the role of Hero at any given moment. No time to rest, there's a new crisis to deal with!

btw I'll be talking more about Weiss' role this episode--and honestly, this volume--when i get to the final scene

Love this bit of foreshadowing--the vocal performance of "Three cheers for the Rusted Knight and his White Rabbit" is extremely flat and inauthentic. I noticed that the first time, but i wasn't sure what it meant. Now i know.

In fact, nearly every single moment with the Paper Pleasers gets new context on rewatch.

For instance, blatant disregards for their own (presumed) safety, like "Hello water, how may i serve you?"

Oh so Alyx did leave Jaune to die. It was a lethal poison. I stand by my theory that Alyx genuinely thought of the Ever After as make believe though, not to mention that it's quite possible she thought would Ascend--especially if she had topped believing he was actually from Remannt

Jaune's spent decades literally putting out fires whenever one pops up. He runs himself ragged, but as he says--at least the crises in this village are "predictable"

Oh no. He named the Paper Pleasers after everyone he feels like he failed. Oh no.

Ooof, Yang and Weiss accidently feeding the idea that Jaune is a failure through their tone about him not having any leads. This whole episode is "hurt people hurt people"

I won't go in depth here, but i highly recommend reading through Jaune's to-do list. It's wholesome and heartbreaking and a great look into his psyche at this point in time. I'm really happy they actually filled it out and gave us a good look, they easily could have made it squiggles or something.

So...hot take: I actually think Jaune's plan isn't that bad. But I also get why WBY are hesitant to take him up on it. From their perspective, this absolutely would feel pointless.

"This isn't crazy...I'm not crazy..." Poor Jaune. he's genuinely terrified he IS crazy, that he's been driven mad by isolation and pain, which is why he was so angry when CC implied it last episode.

"We can be frustrated later. Right now, Jaune needs us."

Ruby hasn't talked at all since they sat down, and she's not looking too good. and Little is noticing.

"Who does that leave us with? It's obvious we need someone to guide us"

Ruby speaks up for the first time "Well if that's how everyone feels--"

and gets cut off. If she hadn't been, I think what happens later would have happened here. She was already getting genuinely angry, clearly feeling like her team was saying they had a problem with her leadership. Except, maybe it wouldn't have been quite what it was in that final scene. Maybe it would have been more manageable. We'll never know.

So here's the thing. Arryn's great, but this isn't a town of "suicidal origami." The Paper Pleasers have no wish to die. If they were suicidal, they'd want to get eaten by the Jabberwalker. The problem is, Jaune doesn't understand that Ascension isn't death. I know to us and to him it sounds like it's indistinguishable from it, but it's been made explicit that to Afterans it is not the same at all. If they were the same, there would be no reason to worry about getting eaten by the jabberwalker. No, Ascension is a continuation of life to them. We may not understand it, but it's simply their reality. And that's why what Jaune has done is so awful.

To be clear, I'm not demonizing Jaune. I have deep empathy for him. He was desperate, and in pain, and isolated, and again, to him Ascension is death. But his own trauma and trust issues and subsequent willful ignorance about how the Ever After works ended up pushing him to craft a fantasy where crises can befall the people he loves (or stand-ins for them, anyway) and he can save them, again and again and again and again and again, forever.

Yang is totally right-- no one has the full story, not yet.

"he's clearly not...all there"

"Is that what you think?!"

There is a surprising lack of empathy for Jaune from Weiss and Yang in particular this episode--and we see the direct consequences of it right here.

"We're not listening to [the cat] We're listening to the Afterans"

Someone mentioned this somewhere and i think it's right--this is Blake's social justice side coming out in the aftermath of the visit to the herbalist. Listening to those with the authentic lived experience, rather than accepting the biases that come with her own.

Oh Jaune. Your trust issues are so deep.

"Then why do you care so much about this village?"

"BECAUSE I CAN ACTUALLY PROTECT THESE PEOPLE"

Ugh, my heart. Refer to my paragraph about Jaune creating a fantasy here

OH NO, JABBERWALKERS

Again, they aren't suicidal, otherwise they wouldn't be running in fear from the walkers

"then we won't run this time"

Ruby stays back for a couple seconds, but as always there's no time. She has a responsibility, right? She's the hero. There's no choice but to fight, no matter how much she doesn't want to, because that's her role.

Weiss and Jaune acting like partners in this fight while Ruby stands off on the sidelines, ugh. And that look he gives to Ruby when he notices she isn't fighting? ouch.

I hope i'm not misusing the term, but what's happening to Ruby here certainly seems like PTSD flashbacks. And the way they're animated and visualized and framed really puts us in ruby's headspace, it's heartbreaking. Plus that shot of Salem? Yikes

It was literally going to eat her and she was just...paralyzed.

Yeah, so yang's weirded out--definitely more than a semblance evolution here.

Regardless, Neo's closing in. I expect a lot of her tomorrow, but we'll see.

Meanwhile Jaune is lashing out, framing her paralysis as cowardice and selfishness, yet Ruby can't even hold Crescent Rose, the thing she once called her "sweetheart".

everyone knows that's a big deal, but hey--there's another crisis! There's always a crisis.

Clear mirror to the fall of Atlas.

"I was supposed to save them, and they're dead." -Jaune

Explicit spelling out that they're gone, but not dead

And here it is. THE scene. Let's break it down

"Why are you asking me? Because I'm the leader? Because I'm just supposed to have something to say? Cuz i don't. I mean, why do I have to be the leader anyway? Why do I have to be the one who always picks everybody up? What about me?"

Everyone has always looked to her for inspiration, because she's damn good at it. But it's waaaay too much pressure. It's funny--Yang once said something ruby desperately needed to hear, but she said it in one of her worst moments and Ruby didn't know how important it was.

"Sometimes bad things just happen"

And the thing is, without intending to, a lot of people--people who genuinely love her--relied on her to make that not true. To make every bad thing seem manageable, or to mean something.

They relied on her to make the world more like a fairy tale, because they didn't know how to cultivate the same spark she seemed to have.

Ruby's pain was always quiet. Actually, funnily enough, a lot of the audience fell into similar assumptions--that if Ruby's development wasn't loud, didn't get the spotlight, that it didn't matter. But it was always there. And just because not everyone's pain is loud and obvious, doesn't make it not real--If you were paying attention, you could see the groundwork being laid for this in every volume, including the ones that get the most gripes for doing her dirty.

But, the thing is, WBY and co aren't the bad guys for not being able to help her. She wasn't able to be helped, and they had their own baggage to deal with. Everyone can do their best, and someone can still get extremely hurt. WBY did the absolute best they could, and Ruby was still hurt. Those can and do coexist.

To Weiss: "No time, right? Gotta get home! Gotta help Jaune! Gotta find someone who isn't going to screw everything up!"

So, i personally take this line as coming from Weiss' behavior in this volume--the complaints about the Ever After, the blaming of team RWBY for the evacuation plan going wrong, being "tired of leaving places in ashes--having been internalized by Ruby as remarks about her failures.

Remember, Ruby blames herself for getting everyone stuck in the Ever After, so every time someone expressed frustration with the Ever After, or impatience over not having gotten out yet, she would have internalized that as slights against her.

When Weiss' frustration about the Ever After comes out, Ruby hears it as "You got us stuck here, you lost my home, and I'm miserable because of your choices. and you aren't even able to get us out."

BUT

I ALSO think it has a lot to do with her behavior in volume 1

the FNDM talks a lot about the impact of Oz's words on leadership on Ruby, and for good reason

But i think we overlook just how much of an impact v1 Weiss likely had on Ruby's psyche

Ruby came to Beacon riddled with insecurities

She was worried about making friends, worried about being a leader, worried about not deserving the skip to Beacon Oz granted her, and worried how people would treat her because of it

And Weiss hammered at ALL of those

Reapetedly

Hell, Ruby only got that awful advice from ozpin because she wanted reassurance that he didn't think weiss was right about her inability to be a leader

Again, not demonizing Weiss. We know why she was like that, it wasn't her fault. But i think it's something we oughta talk about more.

To Yang: "Gotta stay positive, right?! Smiles all around!! Maybe even get our feelings sorted out!

We've seen Yang very explicitly put Ruby on a pedestal multiple times. Most obviously in volume 5, but a bit even as far back as volume 1.

in volume 1, Ruby is expressing her desire not to be seen as a freak or imposter for skipping ahead two years, saying she doesn't want anyone to think she's special, while Yang piles on the praise telling her she is special

in volume 5, she stays to fight Salem after learning about all of Oz's lies and explicitly states it's because Ruby is doing so and she "always knows the right thing to do"

In volume 7, despite her hesitancy around lying to Ironwood, she tells Ruby they'll follow her lead

in volume 8, she says "We said we'd follow your lead when we got here, and that hasn't exactly worked out", unintentionally laying the blame for Ironwood's fall and all the other Atlas crises at Ruby's feet

Again, not demonizing Yang. She gave up her childhood for Ruby to be her parental figure when Tai was in his depression, but that doesn't mean she knew how to be a mother, not at that age. She would have no idea how to deal with with the complex and messy emotions of someone the age Ruby was when she was raising her, and Ruby herself would have felt pressure not to make an unfair job for Yang even harder.

To Blake: "Good for you, by the way, we're all so happy for you!"

RUBY IS NOT BEING HOMOPHOBIC. Can't believe I have to say that. She's not even genuinely unhappy for them I'd wager, she's just resentful that she didn't get to be happy too.

The thing is, there always seemed to be time for everyone else to slow down and sort through their feelings, but to Ruby that meant that if they needed that time she had to pick up the slack. That's why she went to Haven. It's what happened with the Apathy. If everyone else has fallen apart, someone has to hold it together and save lives. Someone has to hold it it together and lead. And she could, so she should...right?

"i'm sorry is this a bad time? Are we supposed to be mourning Jaune's make believe friends?"

and then Jaune goes on to blame her for everything she's already blaming herself for, and ooof that painful expression she makes, it breaks my heart (RWBY facial expressions are such an underrated part of the series btw--they're so good)

Jaune was her first real friend at Beacon. He gave her his hand in support for no other reason than that she needed it. I'd say that they genuinely might be best friends. They were always there for each other.

Hearing these words would always be painful, but hearing it from Jaune cuts straight into Ruby's soul.

He immediately apologizes. "I'm sorry, I know I'm not okay, I know I'm not right.... but how am I supposed to be?"

That bit of self-awareness is what could save you Jaune. Hold onto that.

"I've been alone for so long...Here...on that bridge...I was the only one that could do it, i was the ONLY ONE. And now I have to live with that forever. In here or back home." I think he's talking about killing Penny.

"Guys, i know things are bad but--"

"Shut. Up.

Don't do that. Just...don't."

When you know all the right words to lift people up, but you've stopped believing them, hearing them from others feels...almost insulting.

God what a brilliant episode. Im excited for what comes next, but also utterly terrified. I'm not sure any other story has affected me quite as deeply as RWBY. I'll have to do some RWBY meta on why that is at some point, but right now I've already spent far too long on this.

Good luck everyone! We'll need it 😅

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